Chapter 54
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or Any of its Characters. Those belong to Bioware And EA.
Thanks Everyone.
A/N: I'm back after a little absence. Real life and car problems have been on my mind.
The Normandy exited the relay near Horizon and was making its way towards the planet. Shepard sighed and ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
She turned to Joker "Did Will say why we needed to get back?" She asked. They were due to return in two days, but at the insistence of a concerned Tella. Shepard had immediately boarded the Normandy and headed back. She probably would have been more aggravated if her mission didn't succeed to a point. She had acquired Samara and Thane thankfully.
"Commander, Will's asking you to take a shuttle to the planet." Joker said. Shepard rolled her eyes and nodded. She turned and headed towards the elevator.
….
Shepard walked into the main building on Horizon. It had been set up as a main hall of sorts. When she walked through the door the first thing she saw was a woman sitting in the middle of the room with Will and a few others surrounding her. She moved closer and she raised an eyebrow at the woman. She looked like herself but she looked more along the age of her mother.
It was at this moment that Will seemed to notice her. "I'm glad you could make it back commander. I want to introduce you to someone. Commander Shepard. This is my mother Admiral Jane Shepard." Will Said.
Whatever she had been thinking about the woman that wasn't it. Her mind seemed to freeze as she tried to comprehend what she was just told.
"Your... your mother?" She asked casting a glance at Will.
"I know its hard to believe.. but its true" Jane Shepard said. She watched as Jane seemed to be studying her.
"But, how?" She asks looking at Will. He to seemed to be deep in thought. He looked at her momentarily before turning to Jane. "Mom, I'm still not sure how you came here. I mean you ran into the portal.. but, I still don't see how you got transported here." He said.
She nodded her head. It was obvious she was thinking the same thing. "I'm not sure either. I just know that, the only thing on my mind was making sure my babies were happy." She said casting a smile up at Will. At that moment Stacey chose to walk into the room.
"Brother, we have a bit of a problem" Stacey said bringing up her omni-tool. The vid screen on the wall came on to show Ashley standing outside of the building banging on the door. She was yelling curses at the top of her lungs.
"Why is she locked out?" Will asked. "Because, we've uncovered evidence that she's been sending information back to the Alliance." Stacey said with a glare at the screen.
Both Shepard's eyes widened. "Why? It doesn't make any sense" Both said in unison.
Will groaned "Ok, seriously you both can't do that at the same time. It's just creepy." He said.
"Well, Ashley was always a loyal follower of the Alliance. Perhaps.. we shouldn't have taken her on so lightly." Stacey said.
Everyone seemed to nod at this. On the screen Ashley had given up and stomped off.
Suddenly Will smiled and Jane gave him a curious look "I think I have an idea as how this can potentially work out for us."
Jane smiled. Her boy was clever that was for sure.
…..
Ashley was pissed off. Not only would that not let her into the briefing room, but her clearance had been revoked on several secure buildings. She was fuming as she made her way towards the bunks. Suddenly her com went off. "What is it!" She barked.
"Ash, we need you to come to the main hall quickly, we've uncovered some new information." Tella said.
Ashley raised an eyebrow but acknowledged. She turned around and headed back towards the main hall.
….
"Do you think she fell for it?" Will asked Tella. In response Tella smiled and nodded.
"Good, now for phase two" He said.
….
Ashley half stormed into the main hall to see Will and several other people at a table whispering about something. They quickly stopped as she approached them.
"You rang" She said sarcastically. Will simply smiled "Yes, I wanted you to be here when we discussed the plans for obtaining the weapon."
She immediately gave him a particular look. "Why?" She asked "It's not like I really know anything about it." She said. He was silent for a moment before nodding. "I any case, I would appreciate your input" He said.
She frowned for a moment before nodding. They had turned their backs to her as they began going over plans on the holo table. She quickly pressed a few buttons on her omni-tool while they weren't looking to download the data file that they were reviewing. After it finished she quickly coughed and excused herself. Will watched her leave before turning back to the group "The tracking device was implanted into her omni-tool. The next time she uses it, it will give us a notice and we shall watch the show." Will said smiling.
Shepard nodded before she looked Will firmly in the eye "So tell me, why is Jane telling everyone that Stacey and yourself are her children?" She asked smiling.
Will sighed "It's a long story"
She shrugged "We've got some time"
…..
As soon as Ashley left the main hall she ducked behind a building and brought up her omni-tool. She keyed in a few encryptions, than she brought up the display as Anderson's face appeared.
"Do you have anything new to report Williams?" He asked.
She was about to reply when the screen went fuzzy suddenly and another voice joined them. "She doesn't really Anderson, but I'm glad you wanted a spy among my ranks." Shepard said.
Ashley spun around quickly and found herself staring down three AR's. She looked up to see Shepard looking pissed at her.
"Commander I.." She began but Shepard cut her off "I don't want to hear it Williams." She turned to the other two beside her "Take her to the holding cell. Maybe.. just maybe she'll think about what she has done." Shepard said. She glared daggers at Williams before the two guards dragged her off. Shepard sighed and brought up her omni-tool "Well Anderson, it's nice to know that your still trying to get the political role down." She said than quickly shut off the connection.
…
((Will's POV))
I sighed as I leaned back in the chair. Things were getting more bizarre by the hour it seemed. I yawned and placed my hands behind my head. I was just thinking about my mom when the person in question walked into the room.
"Hey kid, how you holding up?" She asked with a smile. She took a seat in a chair across from me.
"I'm good, so what brings you to my quarters?" I asked.
She smiled "I just ran into Tella, she looks like she's going to pop."
I nodded. Tella indeed seemed to be getting bigger by the day. I looked over at my mom "So... what do you think of my baby's momma and my soon to be wife?" I asked.
She smiled "Their beautiful... make sure you treat them right ok?" She said giving me an amused look.
I sighed and nodded "Now, since your here. What are you planning to do?" I asked.
She smiled "I was hoping to join your crew. I do have some experience after all." She said.
I couldn't help but smile "Very well mother, just remember that I'm the captain ok?" I said teasingly.
She nodded and Alicia entered the room and quickly took a seat next to me. I gave her a quick peck on the lips before closing my eyes. I sighed as Alicia and mom began discussing baby pictures and what not.
….
((Will's POV))
I walked into the main hall and towards the holo table with everyone standing around it.
"Report" I said to Tella. She nodded and brought up a display that outlined the schematics of the station that held the weapon.
"According to the data that we were able to get from the Cerberus ships. The station is heavily guarded. There are approximately Twelve rails guns stationed across the exterior of the station. The station itself houses nearly 1200 staff including guards." Tella said.
"What about ships?" I asked.
"Were not exactly sure, to be honest this is kind of last minute Will." Tella said looking up at me from the OSD.
I nodded "Very well, here's the plan"
Over the next two hours I went over the various details of the plan on the Holomap. I outlined several key positions that we needed to take quickly and without to many casualties.
Finally I stepped back and sighed. "Alright people, we live at dawn. Get some sleep" I said.
As everyone cleared out Tella hung back. I noticed Alicia stop out of the corner of my eye and after a reassuring nod she turned and left. I turned back to Tella.
"What's up?" I asked.
She smiled "I.. I just wanted you to know that I'm staying on Horizon for this mission." She said looking toward her feet.
"How come?" I asked curiously.
"I've decided that I don't want to put myself or my child in jeopardy." She looked up to stare into my eyes "I love you Will, I would do anything to help you.. but, I don't want to risk anything happening to our child." She said as tears began to stream down her cheek.
I stepped towards her and pulled her close. I wiped away the tears with my finger as I leaned in close to her. "I will never think bad of you for thinking of our child first.. Ok?" I asked.
She smiled and leaned up and kissed me. "Thanks." She said as she pulled back.
I nodded "Wanna get some breakfast? I'm sure Alicia will join us." I asked.
She nodded and after taking her hand, we exited the room.
A/N: Sorry for the long delay.. but I've been having some personnel problems.. mainly with forking out money to fix my car as well as some severe writers block.
I recently put up another story. It's a Harry Potter story and if your interested check it out. It's a very dark AU that.. well.. you'll just have to read.. :D
Thanks everyone!
