There were no stars, only trails of wreckage set against a red sky.

"Oh, shit," Joker said, tilting the ship as he sought to avoid a collision.

It was a scrap yard out there. Shepard clung on as the ship lifted, blasting out of the debris field to level off in the clear sky above them.

"Looks like a grave yard," Garrus said, coming to stand beside Shepard.

"This must be all the ships that tried to make it through the relay," Joker said. "Some look… ancient."

"And here we are," muttered Shepard. She didn't recognise any of the ships lying broken around them. "Is there anything out there, EDI?"

"I have detected an energy signature near the edge of the accretion disk," EDI replied.

"That must be the Collector Base." Shepard leant forwards, squinting against the light that spilled from the centre of the galaxy. The base looked marginally less battered than the field of destruction surrounding it. "Take us in, nice and slow. I want to get a closer look."

"Aye aye, Commander."

They swooped closer, dodging the wreckage with ease.

An alarm sounded. The screens changed colour, from yellow to red.

"Careful, Jeff. We have company," EDI said.

"Company?" A laser blast streaked past the window outside. Shepard felt Garrus steady her as the Normandy dodged. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm a little busy right now," Joker said, his hands dancing over the controls. "How about we stop and ask questions later."

The ship shook again, and a new set of alarms started up. One of the lasers had hit.

"The plating should hold that off," Garrus said. He crouched low as the floor moved beneath them. The pursuers came into view as they turned, lit by the bright flash of the disruptor torpedoes. Two were destroyed. Still the attacks came.

"They want another round?" Joker said. "Come on, girl, let's give it to them."

There was another jolt as they came around.

Garrus made a small noise of concern. "Some engine damage. Nothing we can't fix."

"Good." Shepard looked out of the window. The enemy, whatever it was, was heading straight for them. "Joker, I'm not in the mood for playing chicken."

"EDI, take that bastard out."

The torpedoes fired, missed, and the Normandy gave a shudder as the impact rolled through her.

"Alert. Hull breach on the engineering deck," EDI announced. A holo of the ship appeared pinpointing the location.

Shepard took her pistol out.

"No." Garrus put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll go. You need to stay up here."

There was no time to argue. The Collector base loomed close. Lasers kept firing past them.

"Alright," Shepard conceded. "I'll send you a team. EDI, get Jack and Grunt down to the cargo hold now."

"Yes, Shepard."

Joker gave a groan, his head bowed as he worked over the controls. "There's too many of them. They'll tear us to pieces." He looked up. "I've got an idea. We'll scrape them off."

Outside the view filled with floating metal. Shepard brought up her omni-tool, her gaze never leaving the approaching debris. "Garrus, how's it going?"

"Nearly done here. It's got a hell of shot though."

"You might want to hold onto something. We're going into the debris field."

There was a resounding ring of metal on metal.

"Our kinetic barriers are not designed to survive impact with debris that size, Jeff," EDI said calmly.

Garrus cursed over the intercom. Communications were promptly switched off.

"Then I guess it's a good thing we upgraded." Joker silenced the alarms with a wave of his arm. "We're going in."

Shepard took up Garrus' former position in the doorway, bracing herself firmly as they streaked into the storm of metal outside. There was a scream of metal. Another alarm was quickly silenced.

"Lost one," Joker said. "Come on girl, find some room."

Up ahead there was no more sky visible. Shepard ground her heels down and waited.

"Kinetic barriers at forty-percent," EDI warned.

There was no point offering up a prayer. This was all in Joker's hands. He glanced up at the view before him, the line of his shoulders dark against the bright screens. "Re-route non-critical power. This is gonna hurt."

A small chink of red light appeared before them. There was a harsh grind of metal. The sky opened up again.

Shepard strode forward. "Damage report, EDI."

"Kinetic barriers at thirty percent. No significant damage."

"Garrus? You done yet?" Shepard asked, watching as they cleared the debris field and the Collector base became clear.

"Oh yeah. Did I miss anything?"

"Not much," Shepard smiled. "Joker, see if you find a safe landing spot."

Joker twisted his cap around. "There's someone who wants to see us first. An old friend."

There was movement on the base. The Collector ship lumbered out towards them, slow at first, but gaining speed with every second.

"No," Shepard breathed. The ship was an omen of destruction, a symbol of her failure. It fired the instant it got within range, and Shepard cursed under her breath. "We have to take that thing down. Fire the main gun."

Joker laughed. "Here we go."

The Thanix cannon fired, a streak of blue that seared the sky, and hit the Collector ship dead on.

"How'd you like that, you sons of bitches," Joker whooped.

Garrus sped up the corridor. "What did I miss? Tell me you didn't fire the Thanix cannon without me."

"We're firing it again," Shepard said grimly. "Joker, get in close and finish them off."

"Everybody hold on, this is going to be a wild ride," Joker said.

Garrus took up position next to Shepard.

The Normandy dodged easily and sailed in for another shot. This time the shot split the Collector ship into burning fragments.

Garrus gave a deep sigh. "That's more like it."

"Wait," Shepard said, her head turning to keep track of the fireball that was consuming the Collector ship. It exploded outwards, propelling fragments towards them, and there was a lurch that sent Shepard and Garrus sprawling into the wall.

Alarms were screaming. Shepard dragged herself upwards, pulling Garrus up behind her.

"Mass effect field generators are offline," Joker shouted. "EDI, give me something!"

The Collector base took up most of the sky as they swung in closer. The surface was a mess of outcrops. There would be no safe landing there.

"Generators are unresponsive." EDI's cipher flickered into life. "All hands brace for impact."

Shepard searched for somewhere safe and found Garrus. He took hold of the wall, legs braced, and she did the same, reaching her hand out for his as the ship came down.

The Normandy sheared to one side. Everything shook, the initial impact sending Joker flying off his chair and onto the floor. Garrus held tight. The world shuddered around them, metallic screeches raising in a chorus that shook through Shepard's bones. It was the scream of her ship. This was it.

Another jolt knocked Shepard off her feet. She skittered across the floor, anchored only by Garrus. He kept hold, but lost his footing, and together they slid into a corner.

The Normandy finally came to a halt. A fuzzy calm descended. Sparks were streaming down from the panels above them.

"You okay?" Shepard asked Garrus.

"Mostly."

She got up and went to help Joker.

He gave a moan of pain, settling back down into his chair and curling in on himself. "I think I broke a rib," he groaned. "All of them."

"You're well enough to bitch about it," Shepard said. Her shoulders slumped as she looked down at him. "What's our status?"

"Multiple core systems overloaded during the crash. Restoring operation will take time," EDI said.

"But we can restore them?" Shepard asked.

"Yes."

Shepard stared out at the base, her thoughts skimming over every possibility. They had made it this far. Given time, they could make it out again.

"EDI, I need some kind of time estimate. How long are we likely to be stuck here?"

"I estimate three hours before basic functions are restored."

That was enough. "Then we can restore them and get the hell out of here as soon as we've dealt with the Collectors." Shepard gave her shoulder an exploratory stretch. "Will the ship be safe?"

"I do not detect an internal security network," EDI explained. "It is possible the Collectors did not expect anyone to reach the base."

Shepard waved a spark away from her face and straightened. "Then let's get this done. EDI, have everyone meet me in the armoury."

Silence fell as Shepard walked in the door. She was pale. There was a soot smear across her cheek. She scanned the waiting crew, her expression shifting as she stepped forward and squared her shoulders.

Thane watched his siha assume the mantle of command.

"This is the situation. We're down on the Collector base. EDI says function can be restored, but it will take time," Shepard said. "We're not going to sit around here and wait. We're going to get the job done. EDI?"

A holo of the Collector base shone from the armoury table. It was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, strangely reminiscent of the tracery of eezo nodules he had seen in Shepard. He looked at her now, the light shining on her face, and for a split second her eyes met his.

"We need a plan," Shepard said, her voice firm as she looked away. "EDI, what can you make of this?"

EDI's cipher appeared at the head of the table. "You should be able to overload their critical systems if you get to the main control centre here."

One of the rooms glowed brighter than the rest.

Jacob called up his omni-tool. "That means going through the heart of the station. Right past this massive energy signature."

"That's the central chamber," Shepard said, leaning forwards. "If the crew, or any of the colonists are still alive, they'll be in there."

"Looks like there's two main routes." Jacob altered the holo to provide a close up of the different ways in. "Might be a good idea to split up to keep the Collectors off balance, then regroup in the main chamber."

"That's no good," Miranda said. "Both routes are blocked. See these doors?" She pointed her finger into the holo. "The only way past is to get someone to open them from the other side."

"There has to be a way past," Shepard muttered.

Despite the complexity, there was a certain similarity in the layout. Thane scanned the image, calculating, his memory running through a dozen different buildings he had infiltrated.

"There are ventilation shafts here, and here," he said. "They will offer a way in. I cannot vouch for their safety."

"Practically a suicide mission." Jacob folded his arms. "I volunteer."

Before Miranda could speak, Shepard held her hand up. "We need a tech expert in there, someone who can shut down the security systems in time. Legion, think you can handle it?"

The geth responded by with an approximation of a human nod. "Yes."

"Good. The rest of us will break into two teams and fight our way in. That should draw the Collectors attention."

"I'll lead the second team," Miranda offered, only to be met with a sneer of derision from Jack.

There was no hesitation from Shepard. "Garrus, you'll lead the second team."

He flicked his mandibles, stood straighter.

"Well, at least he knows what he's doing," Miranda said.

Thane saw Shepard grin at Garrus, though it was quickly smothered. He dipped his head, and returned the smile with a quick flick of his mandibles.

The holo flickered out.

Shepard stood to attention. "Once we're in, they're going to throw everything they have at us. One mistake, one hesitation, and we all die."

She kept her gaze fixed forwards. Her voice didn't falter. "I brought you all here because you're the best at what you do. I brought you here to stop the Collectors. They took our crew. They believe we are helpless. We'll prove them wrong."

She curled her fists, and the purple glow of her biotics folded around her. "No more running. This ends today. Now, let's get this show on the road. Garrus, I want you checking everyone's weapons. Jacob, you supply the ammo. Everyone else, load up. We're going hunting."

Garrus followed her through the ship. The lights flickered overhead.

Shepard adjusted her visor and double checked the oxygen readings EDI had given her. It was reasonable to assume that the Collectors still needed oxygen, and if they didn't then their prey did.

The crew and colonists could still be alive. It seemed like a long shot, but Shepard was used to those.

"So we make it to the central chamber, and blow the place back to hell," Garrus was muttering. He checked his rifle as he walked. Behind them Kasumi was chattering.

"That's the plan," Shepard said.

"And if one of the teams doesn't make it?"

"Then whoever is left carries out the plan. I know you can do this," Shepard said. She hit the airlock door control and stood back to watch them open. "First team with me."

Thane, Kasumi, Miranda and Grunt followed her in.

Once the door was sealed, Shepard opened the outer doors and inhaled. The air tasted stale and old, but at least it was breathable.

"The air quality is within permitted boundaries," EDI reminded her.

"Thanks, EDI." Shepard walked to the edge and looked out. The Normandy was scraped, her sides bearing wounds from the journey in. She'd got them there. Even damaged and battered she was beautiful.

"Thank you," Shepard murmured, resting her hand on the hull. "Garrus, we are moving out."

She turned her attention to the base and jumped down, heading straight for the entrance marked on her map.

Thane was at one side, Kasumi on the other. Grunt walked behind with Miranda.

The entrance was dark, and Shepard found herself coming to a halt, eyes lifting to the sky. Her neck was prickling. Fear, all encompassing, fluttered beneath her skin. They were finally here. If she failed it would cost her everything she held dear.

Shepard looked through her visor for heat signatures. There was nothing. "Garrus, are you in position?"

"In position. Meet you on the other side of those doors."

Shepard stepped into the shadows. "Legion, are you ready?"

"In position. Exterior temperature slightly elevated. No obstructions detected."

"Good." Shepard looked back at the Normandy one last time. "We're going in."