Chapter 38

Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or any of its characters. Those belong to Bioware and EA. Thanks everyone.

And now to a few of my readers...

Blackholelord... I agree being stuck on the planet without any backup would really suck. As for the council.. well you'll see soon enough. And I'm wondering about that trailer as well...

digijim95... I don't want to spoil the surprise.. so.. you'll see :D

Hewhoislost.. Thanks for all the support :D

And now...

Ragnarok...

"This is Emily Wong reporting for Citadel news. We've just received a message broadcasting over emergency frequencies. The message states as follows. 'Do not approach Earth. The planet itself has fallen to the machines. The message also states that Commander Shepard's predictions were accurate and that the Reapers have come to destroy the Galaxy.' I've also been informed that any remaining Alliance ships are pulling back to a secret location to try and plan a counter attack. While not much is known at this moment.. some feel that this counter attack that the Alliance is planning will be the last fight the Human race has.. In regards to the situation the Council has not released any statement regarding any plans to take action against the machines..." Emily turned from the Camera for a moment before turning back and holding the mic up to her mouth "I've never been a violent person but let me tell you this you piece of stuck up snobs. Our world is under attack and possibly the last of our kind is going to try take them on alone with or without your help. Now remember this if it wasn't for us you sons of a bitches would be dead now.. This is Emily Wong reporting.. goodbye."

I shut the vid screen off as I sat down next to a visibly upset Miranda and Arisa.

"How can that be... last of our kind.. I thought it took generations to wipe out a species?" Miranda asked clutching the chair so hard that her knuckles were white.

"I do not know... maybe their pissed that Shepard has stopped them twice in a row and they want to make an example of Humanity." Garrus said leaning over the conference table.

"This is just not fucking right" Miranda said as tears started to flow from her eyes.

I grabbed her and pulled her to me "It's ok.. Orianna is safe for the moment." I said. She jerked out of my grasp and jumped to her feet whirling on me. "Safe for the moment. That's just it. She's safe for only a moment... only...on" She couldn't finish as she broke down crying and collapsed into my arms. I held her tight as she cried.

I looked to Arisa who also had tears flowing down her face.

"I know this is hard... its hard for everyone... but we must push forward and complete our mission.. if we don't.. it will mean nothing to those who gave their lives so that others could continue the fight." TIM said as he took a sip of his drink.

I stared at the man "For once I agree with you"

"I don't understand this shit... I mean if that's all that remains of Earth... than why the fuck are they going to attempt to fight them again when they know they can't win" Jack said from the corner.

I stared at the convict "Simple Jack... Earth is our world.. we'll fight till the last man.. even if we have to go out in a blaze of glory... it is what makes us Human Jack."

She shook her head before sliding to her feet "What the fuck ever. I'm catching some sleep" She said walking out of the room.

"I suggest everyone get some sleep.. we have a long day tomorrow" TIM said walking out of the room.

After he left Garrus turned to me "You've got a plan for when he betrays us?" The Turian asked.

"Not really.. I figured I'd just wing it" I said smiling.

Garrus shook his head and sighed "I'd wish you'd take this seriously and not treat it as a joke." He said throwing me a glare.

I turned serious "What do you want me to do.. joking around is the only way I know how to cope with all this.. I mean what will you do if you found out your species was on the verge of extinction?" I asked glaring back at him.

"Enough!.. both of you.. this is not the time for this.. we need to stick together." Arisa said.

Garrus and I fell silent. "I apologize.. I can't begin to imagine what your people are going through" He said apologetically.

I stood up and walked over to him before clapping a hand to his shoulder. "It's ok my friend... but I fear that if we fail that this happening to your species will become a reality." I said before stepping past him with Miranda at my side.

Garrus stood silently before nodding to Arisa who had gotten up to follow me.

…...

Rebecca Carter stood in the cockpit overlooking the stars as they passed by in FTL. She'd been assigned to The Illusive Man once Miranda had turned rogue. She was glad in away that that stuck up snobby Lawson had gone rogue.. She'd been trying for years to move up but no that little bitch was just too perfect. Now she was in charge of this mission to save the galaxy.. with TIM in the lead.. She smiled at that. She was an excellent soldier.. top of her class back home.. thinking about it now she felt a bit of sadness... it was her home but now its probably all gone. She turned to stare at a readout and caught the pilot ogling her. She sighed irritably. She was an attractive woman and as such always had idiots staring at her.

"Pay attention to your console or I'll cut your dick off and shoot it out the airlock" She growled.

The pilots face turned white before throwing a 'yes mam' and turning back to his console.

She smiled. She loved making them piss their pants sometimes.

"Enjoying ourselves are we?" A voice spoke behind her.

She whirled and quickly bowed her head in respect as she stood in front of The Illusive Man.

"Now Now my dear.. no need for formalities." He said as he took a drag of his cigarette.

"Um yes sir.." She stammered out.

He nodded "I just wanted to make sure that everything is on schedule."

She nodded "Yes sir.. in fact we should be there four hours ahead of schedule ."

"Excellent. Keep me posted.. I'll be retiring to my quarters." He said before turning.

She nodded and stared at his back as he walked away. She admired the man... he was the shinning light that was Cerberus. She sighed again as she caught another serviceman staring at her ass.

"Well it looks like I found someone to do the detail cleaning on the bathrooms with a toothbrush this week" She said turning to the now frightened serviceman.

…...

"Come to bed Eric... please." Arisa asked as I stared out the view port. I sighed and turned heading for the bed where Miranda was asleep. I crawled in between the women and relaxed.

"Promise me something" Arisa said. I turned my head to look at her "Yes?" I asked.

"Promise me that you'll love me forever" She said as a tear slid down her cheek. I smiled as I wiped the tear away with my thumb.

"Of course I will." I said.

She smiled and closed her eyes. I grasped her hand and held it as I closed my eyes. "Arisa... I love you both.. I love every day that I'm with you both."

…...

"Wake up" I vaguely heard as I fell and hit the floor. I groaned as I tried to get up.

"Sorry about that but we couldn't wake you up. You were mumbling something about the end.. and a being of white light." Miranda said. My vision finally focused and I saw fear etched onto Miranda's face.

"I'm not sure." I said. I noticed Arisa was gone "Where's Arisa?" I asked.

"She went to get some breakfast. You should to. If the data is accurate well be at the relay that connects to planet in four hours." She said offering her hand to help me up.

I thanked her and quickly got dressed before joining everyone in the mess.

"About damn time your ass showed up" Jack said.

I snorted and sat down to eat something as everyone resumed their conversations that they were having.

Everyone was enjoying themselves but I had an overwhelming feeling of dread that just clung to me. I don't know why it won't go away. I looked up as the world around me seemed to slow down and across the room I saw a pair of glowing blue eyes watching me. I shook my head and the figure was gone. I sighed and began to eat my food.

…...

"Alright everyone prepare for jump in ten minutes." Commander Carter said.

I adjusted the last gauntlet on my armor as we stood ready in the CIC. We watched the hologram that displayed everything in front of the ship.

I turned to my small crew "Alright this is going to be a rough one. I'm not going to lie. Some may die.. but.. know this that if we die we die taking down as many of those bitches as we can. This is their homeworld that were hitting. Be prepared for anything." I said as I scanned the group.

Arisa was staying on the ship for obvious reasons. Garrus would lead squad two with Jack and Kasumi. Speaking of the thief I wonder if she was able to accomplish what I set out for her to do.

My team consisted of Miranda and a few Cerberus personnel. But TIM himself decided that he would place himself on my team.

Miranda was a little unnerved by this but there wasn't much we could do about it now.

"Jumping in three... two... one... JUMP!" Carter yelled.

There was a pull than a push as the ship jumped and exited the relay.

I looked at the hologram as it displayed the world in front of us. It appeared to be completely metallic from this view point.

"Sensor readings" TIM barked as a few tech's were working furiously on their panels which were lighting up like the fourth of july.

"Sir... there's so many anomalies. What are we looking for sir?" One tech asked.

TIM was about to speak when I walked over to the console. I gazed at the readout that was displaying the planet. After a moment I placed my finger to a point on the planet "There... There is where we will find what we need." I said.

"How do you know?" TIM asked.

I looked at him "I don't know how.. but I just know." I said.

"Sir! We have two contacts closing fast" The pilot yelled from the front.

"On Screen" Carter yelled.

There was an intake of breath as we saw the unmistakeable forms of two Reapers.

"They must have stayed behind to guard against intruders." Miranda said.

"Sir. What are your orders?" Carter asked.

"Have the other two ships engage.. we maintain course for the planet." TIM said.

Carters eyes widened "Sir.. they'll be slaughtered and than well be next."

He glanced to her "Do not worry. Backup should be arriving just about now." He said as he typed a few buttons the display showed the relay. Suddenly ships started jumping into the system.

"Sir. I'm picking up five Dreadnaughts. Six Destroyers along with a carrier carrying a full company of fighters." A tech said.

Carter nodded to TIM before turning to the pilot "Maintain course for the planet. Maximum speed." She said.

I watched on the display as the Two Reapers moved to engage the small fleet that had just jumped into the system.

~I hope I'm right about this~

A/N: Thanks everyone for all the support. The next chapter will contain a bit of sadness :( so I'm warning you ahead of time. Till than.. :D