A/N: Hey everyone! I planned on loading this on Christmas day, but I was having issues with fanfiction not letting me upload anything for the past two days, hopefully this is resolved completely. I made this one extra long, and hopefully I can resume my old pace of uploads, Merry late Christmas!

Torfan

"Hey, you" a voice said while I was sipping my hot cocoa in the cafeteria, reading on my omnitool.

-I think they're talking to you-

What?

"You, the so called 'Demon'." the guy said with tone of disgust, and I look up to see a couple of Marines from Shepard's squad.

"Is there a reason you're interrupting my beverage, you little pyjak?" I responded, stealing Wrex's line.

"What? Yeah, I'll make this quick, stay away from lieutenant Shepard"

"What? I didn't catch that" I said with a small smile, leaning back, arms crossed

"I see the way you look at her, stay away, she's into someone already"

"Ah," I responded, pausing to take a sip of my cocoa. "Does this someone happen to be you?"

He just smirked, "Perhaps, it's a work in progress."

I couldn't help but start laughing my ass off. "Listen kid, just because she unknowingly flirts with you, which she probably thinks she's just being nice, doesn't mean she's into you"

"Stop talking like you fucking know her, I've been under her command for an entire year. Stay away from her. Understood?" He asked, slamming his hands on the table, coming face to face with me, and out of pure instinct I whip out my knife, pressed against his neck. His eyes went wide, and his two buddies got tense.

"Listen hear you little shit, don't act like you know either me or the Lt. Secondly, don't threaten someone who outranks and out matches you, so fuck off before I change my mind on not putting you and your friends in the med bay for a week. And if I ever see you approach me again, I'm breaking one of your legs, regardless of the reason, now fuck off" I said, moving my knife to knick his neck, nothing a band-aid won't cover, and he and his buddies ran off. I really am living up to my name.

-Was that last part necessary?-

No, but it was fun.

-Well, can't say you're not living up to you name-

Ha! I just thought that.

-Twelve hours till we leave-

Did they get us a shuttle yet?

-They did, we're on shuttle 23a-

Isn't that

-Yes-

"Hey Chase" I look up to see Shepard

"Hey back at you" I responded, "Question out of the blue, opinion on your Sergeant Wilks"

"Uhh, yeah, good sergeant I guess. Good leader, very protective, why?"

"Well" I said, "I had a little chat with him not too long ago. He apparently has a thing for you, and was very threatened by me. It was a nice little chat, I let him walk away with just a band-aid", and Shep just facepalmed.

"I don't even know what to say to that"

"Well, you're a pro at hiding our relationship, especially since he's been under you for an entire year and couldn't figure out you're not already involved"

"Well, I don't try to socialize with my subordinates"

"Really, you don't talk to them about their lives and try and figure out who you're serving with"

"Well yeah" she said, "But it's not like I go to clubs and drinking with them"

"Well it didn't work, because he's into you, and hard. He actually threatened an officer, one that can wreck his career too"

"Oh my god" she said, laying her head on the table. "I'm going to kill him"

"Oh, no need to do that, I can't blame him" I said with a grin, "Just drill the hell out of him, maybe after Torfan, we have a little less than twelve hours till we leave"

"I can't believe that happened" she replied, now rubbing her temples

"I thought it was hilarious, though I'd rather avoid putting Alliance personnel in the med bay, so if you could avoid getting guys to fall for you, I'd appreciate it"

"I don't think you can talk, I have to get updates from your 'female friend' all the time, that's embarrassing, especially since she knows about us" she retorted

"What? Who?"

"That Cortana Chick" she replied, and I just busted into laughter, not able to hold it in.

I completely forgot she knows you exist to an extent, and that you talk with her

-How?-

It's not like we talk much about it.

"Trust me, whenever you meet Cortana, you'll understand and not feel embarrassed or jealous"

"Who said I was jealous?" she asked

"Uh-huh, okay. You know, we'll be on the same shuttle down there, I'll have to leave a little early, but we get to be on the same ship." I said

"Really?"

"Yup, that's gonna be fun, I'll get to say high to Wilks" I said, with a grin plastered on my face.

"Yeah, okay. I'll see you on the shuttle, I'm going to go train and practice with my team, and I know you're going to go sleep the next 11 hours anyways"

"You know me so well" I said with a wink, and Shepard got up and walked away, smirking the whole way. "You're more than welcome to join me!" I yelled, and she didn't even look back, just flipped me off and kept walking.

-I take it you're going to go take a nap-

Yeah, there's no more planning for me to do, so I might as well be well rested

-You actually have a valid excuse this time-

There's nothing wrong with liking to take naps!

-You take naps often-

I'm that good.

I get up, and make my way to my hammock, and on the way there I couldn't help but find the Med bay. I walk into it, completely empty of people, and it's nearly the exact same, apart from new medical equipment.

-Is this bringing back some memories?-

I can't believe it's been eight years since Mindor.

-And meeting Shepard-

Yeah, you should've met her. She was like a little kid back then, she's really become her own.

-You have as well. You help run the most important information network, responsible for me, and bringing together Mordin and Thane to prepare for the reapers. Lesser men would've broke, but you've achieved a lot, was offered to be a Spectre, and become one of the most well-known soldiers in the Alliance-

Thanks for the pep talk, and I'm not too happy about the last one, but I'm tired, wake me up two hours prior, I want a small workout before Torfan.

-Okay-

I make my way to my hammock, Shepard and her squad in the gym, I grab my noise cancelling head phones, and doze off. I wake up later from Cortana's annoying wakeup signal. If I don't wake up within 3 minutes of her waking me up, she plays Friday by Rebecca Black, it works. I notice the gym's empty, so I go and grab a quick workout before getting something to eat.

-There are some biotic portion bars in the lounge if you don't want to eat in the cafeteria, it's quite crowded right now, we leave in 30 minutes-

Got it, thank you. Can you go ahead and light up a path to the shuttle, I'll wait it out there.

-Done-

And my tube?

-In your armory bag-

Thank you, I'd be lost without you.

-Yes, yes you would-

I eat my portion bar, bag one for later, and throw on my armor. On my way to the shuttle I got quite a few looks, my unique armor look has become quite famous in these past couple of years. I was either gawked at, or looked at with disgust. Either way, it's clear that the ship, with the exception of a few people and the Captain, didn't know I was aboard the ship. I eventually make it to the shuttle, apparently ahead of everyone else, probably getting one last meal in before Torfan, or sending messages out to be sent once communications are up. The entire ship has been dark for personal communiques since restocking after leaving the Citadel.

Is Shepard and her men on their way?

-I would imagine, they've been in the cafeteria for a while, probably will be here in five minutes, why?-

I just thought of a song that would scare the shit out of them, it goes perfect with me being a demon.

-That doesn't surprise me, I take it that you plan on smoking your cigar at the same time?-

Always before a big mission, and it's 100% Cuban, it'd be a crime if I didn't.

-Remind me again, what constitutes a big mission in your mind?-

If there's a good chance I could die.

-There's always a chance Chase-

If there's a good chance I could die, and I have a gut feeling about it.

-Yes, you and your gut-

It's saved me plenty of times.

-And I'm not knocking it, it just confuses me is all-

You'll understand one day, it's like you know you should go straight, but somethings telling you to go left, and you do, and it turns out straight was the wrong way, like instincts.

-I wouldn't hold your breath on my understanding of it like you do, I understand it at an evolutionary stand point, but how you experience it, that goes over my head-

Meh, I'll figure a way for you to understand one day.

I start to hear a lot more foot traffic in the shuttle bay, look up and see Shepard and her marines all decked out. She just stands out in her heavy armor, which was modified my Mordin, with the N7 badge and the stripe down her arm. I stand up as they approach, picking up my rifle and Jaegers, securing it on my back.

"Was starting to think you chickened out on me there, Shepard" I said as the Shuttle opened, and we strolled in.

"In your dreams Jarrett, you wish I didn't make it, it would make you stand out even more" she quipped

"Oh, you got me, that's what I'm worried about" I said sarcastically, getting a glare through my visor. I know she can't see me, but that's terrifying.

"Launch in 1 minute" the pilot yelled, and most of the marines took the seats, and the rest of us just grabbed the hooks on the roof, waiting to take off.

"Launching!" he yelled, "Four minutes till drop Commander"

"Copy!" I yelled back, turning my attention to Shepard and her marines, Wilks staring daggers at me. "Y'all mind if I play a little pump up music, just to get me loose?" I asked, getting nods from everyone, and a questioning look from Shepard. I retract my mouth piece in my helmet, pull out my tube containing my cigar, and light it up. I motion to my omnitool, making it look like I'm doing something, and Cortana took over.

-What song?-

Bodies, by Drowning Pool.

-Well, you're embracing your name, how nice-

Just play.

While I know everyone else is thinking 'What the hell?', I couldn't help but notice Shepard's little smirk behind her helmet. I just gave her a shrug, and waited till the song was over. I looked over to Wilks, giving him a small wave, and a finger gun to his leg, getting him to flinch. I know it's mean, but it turns out I'm very jealous when it comes to Shepard.

-Song's over, would you like some more?-

No thank you.

"You just love to scare people, don't you?" Shepard asked me, and loud enough for the entire ship to hear.

I just shrugged my arms, "They call me 'The Demon of the Alliance', I figured it'd be fun to play the role. Plus, I have a reputation to up hold"

"Sorry about that" she said

"For what?" I asked, confused why she's having this conversation with me here and now, in front of all her marines.

"Elysium, if I didn't mess up in the front lines, you wouldn't have had to come and save me, nearly dying in the process too, that is what gave you your nickname" she said, I get it, she wants her men to not see me as the Demon. She must really like them.

"Yeah, well, I've known you eight years now, I wasn't just going to let them take you into slavery" I said, closing my mouth piece.

"30 seconds till we drop Commander!" The pilot yelled towards me, changing the subject. Thank you pilot

"Stay safe out there" Shepard said, putting a hand on my shoulder. The shuttle door opened right behind me, ready for me to drop.

"You too Shep" I said, with a small slap on her cheek, and not her face. I jumped backwards out of the shuttle, dodging Shepard's right hook, falling towards Torfan. I immediately adjust myself for the fall, getting myself into position.

-One minute till we reach the base-

Take over the shuttles mass effect fields, have them kick in at the last minute, give me a good entrance.

-Done, how good of an entrance?-

Stun them into silence, and give me a couple of seconds to see my surroundings.

-I have just the thing-

When I land, start Echo 1.

I fall into the middle of a courtyard, creating a sonic boom and throwing dust everywhere, giving me some natural camouflage.

Cortana, if you don't mind.

-SAM engaged-

I'm immediately able to see through the dust with some clarity. I glance behind me and see the large, reinforced door to their command center, with what I'm assuming is the anti-air battery and its crew of four next to it. I look in front of me and see a large gate, with two mg nests to the sides of it on the top of the wall, all crewed and looking into the courtyard. I look to my left and right, both have designated marksman, snipers, and heavy's on the walls. That's 18 men, 22 including the crew for the battery.

Engage cloak.

My cloak engages, and I make my way up to the closest mg nest, plant two grenades quickly, and move to the farther mg nest. I pull out my knife, and quickly dispatch the three there. I holster my knife, and pull out my Jaeger missile launcher, they're extremely powerful, but the handheld ones are onetime use only. I line up my shot, and with the click of a button, while everyone's still focused on the now settling dust, an explosion from my grenades take out the other mg nest. I pull the trigger and with a massive jolt, the Jaeger takes out the AA battery in one shot, 10 down, 12 left.

I drop my jaeger, leaving me with one left, and pull out my rifle. I aim down the wall, and started dropping the six closest to me. I started running towards them, the closest two threw warp fields at me, but it was just absorbed by my armor. I take two shots, and drop the closest Biotic. The next four did the same and my rifle's overheated, and now my shields have dropped to 20 percent, since the 6 on the other side of the courtyard finally woke up. I take cover for 3 seconds, and my shields start to charge, I pop out at the last guy on my side, but he threw an overload at my rifle, temporarily disabling it, I just ready my right arm,

Charge right hand, use 50%!

I swing at the guy, hearing a cascading sound of cracking coming from his ribs on impact, and I literally punched him out of the courtyard, and suddenly my shields drop down to 5 percent, and a massive explosion hit my right side, fortunately it sent me into cover.

Damage?

-Nothing medigel and your nanites can't fix, but your right side of your torso plates are nearly gone. I wouldn't recommend getting hit with any large ordnance, you suit structural integrity is almost compromised, another hit may give you permanent damage to your body-

Got it, overclock SAM to 200%.

-Okay, will engage when you leave cover-

I get up, and start running around the courtyard while on top of the wall, moving twice the speed of a normal human. Whenever I overclock my implants, I can only do it for short, in 15-second bursts, and I need to cool down three minutes before reusing. It also drains a lot of energy, taking it from my shield generators, leaving me without shields. When I reach them, SAM goes back to 100%, I already pulled out my shotgun from my back, and dispose of the first three, and I dive into cover for three seconds. My shields recharge, I jump out of cover, and there's a Batarian right in front of me.

Right leg, all that's left!

I kick the four eyes in the chest, sending him flying far and fast, and falling to the ground limp. I pull up my shotgun at the last one, unloading it until it overheats.

And that's 22. Scan the bunker, tell me what I'm dealing with.

-I've tried, the bunker's heavily reinforced and blocks out all attempts at scans, though I can confirm that your last jaeger is enough to punch a hole into the doors-

I make my way to in front of the bunker, and shoulder my last jaeger to punch through.

-Chase!-

And right as Cortana went to warn me, I felt something driving into my left shoulder plates, I drop the jaeger, spin around, knocking out whatever was driving into me. I look down and see a Batarian, with a sword, on his knees from exhaustion and his injuries.

-It didn't pierce the armor-

I thought I got them all.

I look at the defeated Batarian, and follow his blood trail to a few feet from where I landed. Damn! Right in my blind spot from when I was scanning the area. I pick up his sword, and quickly dispose of him, making it quick to end his suffering. I couldn't help but get mesmerized by the sword, I can't believe I didn't think of this before.

-Chase, you've been staring at it for an entire minute, let's get moving-

I holster the sword in my empty slot from the jaegers, and pick up my last one off the ground, taking a quick shot at the door, making a 6-foot radius hole in the doors, very satisfying. I jog up to the door, shotgun at the ready, and climb in.

What am I working with?

-Only five guards, and about 7 people working here. I can confirm that this is the Command center, and I've blocked all outgoing communications. Echo 1 worked, they had no Idea we were outside, the loop you had me played fooled them-

I'm not going to lie, didn't think it'd work, and only 5?

-I don't think they expected to be caught with a surprise attack, and with the echo, they didn't bother with their reaction force-

Too easy.

I started making my way through the bunker, quickly dispatching the four guards sent to inspect the explosion. I reach the main door to the command center, 8 people, 1 guard and 7 people running the command center. I pull out my newest addition to the arsenal, and push the door open.

SAM, 200%.

I immediately started towards the guard, splitting him in half, I jump over a console, landing behind three that were pulling out their pistols, separating them at their waists, I turn around, and charge at three more at some consoles, ending them, and I charge at the last one, who dropped his shot gun.

"Please stop Demon, I know who you are, please spare me!" he cried, putting his head down and putting up his hands.

"Maybe, if you direct all your aircraft to this location. Including those already engaged." I ordered

"Yes of course sir!" He yelled, running over to the console. He changed his attitude quick. I walked over to some other console, plugging in the OSD the Alliance wanted to extract data with.

-He did it, all aircraft moving to that position-

Really, that easy?

-Would you have preferred it to be easy?-

I thought he would have argued against it, I kill him, and then you'd have to do it.

-Look at him, he'll follow and do whatever he's told by whoever's the strongest, and right now, it's you-

Huh.

"So, you'll spare me?" he asked

"Sorry, I have orders, no one lives. I'll make it quick" I said, lobbing off his head before he can protest against it.

Notify Alliance Command that all enemy aircraft is moving to that location. Fish in a barrel.

-Already done-

I wait about 10 minutes for the OSD to finish, but it's only at 50%. They said they can transmit it wirelessly, but only if need be, so I have to wait while we're in the middle of a massive battle.

Jesus, look at me, I'm covered in Batarian blood. It's effective, but so messy.

-Perhaps, I take it you want a sword in your arsenal now?

Why not, I figure I'll embrace this whole 'Demon' thing now. Plus, it's so damn effective, and fun.

"Shadow Knife, this is overlord Luna, how copy?" came through my headset.

"Good copy Luna" I replied

"Excellent work on their command center, all of their air support is being picked off, and all that's left is an ununified ground force"

"Thank you"

"Look, I just got word that I've got a squad 1 klick to your south is completely pinned down and taking casualties, I need you to double time it over there"

"Copy that Luna, moving immediately" I replied, closing the channel and making a run south.

Make sure the information on that OSD gets transmitted to the Alliance.

-I'm already on it-

Go ahead and keep a copy for ourselves

-Already done-

I make my way south, getting about half way there.

"Shadow, be advised, the squad you're heading to does have a Combat inserted reporter"

"Understood, shadow out."

Damn, reporters.

-What are you going to do?-

Nothing, can't focus on that right now.

I start running, quickly making the other half way, I start walking slow, then cloaked to get myself a better view of the battlefield. Our marines are pegged against those rock outcroppings, and their downed makos and transport vehicles, only 5 left, that's including the reporter. They're slowly being chipped down by about 15 enemy combatants. All with their back towards me. Without even me saying anything, Cortana laid out a path for me, starting with the one in the back.

-Chase, this was supposed to be the QRF for the command center, these are hired mercenaries, a step up from pirates. They're probably ex-military-

Understood. Overclock, 200%.

I grab my shotgun, and start moving, I'm able to take out four before it overheats, switching to my sword. I keep moving, moving faster than anything they've seen before, and chop another four. By this point they've noticed me, and started focus firing on me, allowing the Marines to take down three, someone even used some biotics. I keep moving, trying to weave in and out of cover, taking another three out. I keep moving, but by now the overclock ended, so I've lost my sped, surprise, and shields. I take cover, and once my shields charge, I run at the last guy with my shot gun, but some idiot threw an overload, missing him and hitting my gun. I drop the shot gun, shields absorbing shot from the guys sniper rifle, and close the gap. My shields depleted, and from point blank range, aims at my chest, but I bumped his rifle, and it hits me square in my left shoulder. I tackle him to the ground, and I quickly get up before him, pull out my sword, and split him in half with a single hand, from head to groin.

I stow my sword, grab my shotgun, and slowly walk over to the remaining Marines with my limp arm, the reporter's camera on me the whole time. Two of the marines run out, and start checking the bodies, ensuring the fight's over. I get there, and notice that there's at least 7 KIA, and someone tending a single wounded on the ground. I look over, and the reporter and some marine look stunned into silence.

"Sitrep" I ordered, but the marine just looked at me dumbfounded. "I said sitrep", but he did nothing, the man attending the wounded quickly got up, and snapped a quick salute.

"Second lieutenant Alenko, Sir! 7 KIA, 1 severely wounded, 3 combat able, and the reporter. Besides you, highest ranking officer here." He said, I returned the salute and put my hand to my helmet.

"Overlord, this is Shadow Knife" I started, and Alenko started treated my shoulder. "Enemy has been dealt with, we have 7 KIA, Two wounded, including me, 3 Combat able, and the Reporter"

"Understood Shadow, excellent work, we have evac 3 mikes out, hang tight." He replied, closing the channel.

"Alenko, get everyone ready, Evac's in three minutes"

"Do you need more medigel?" he asked

"No, I'll be fine, focus on your wounded"

"You're the Demon of the Alliance?!" the reporter said to me as Alenko walked away, turning his camera towards me. It just occurred to me that I'm pretty much soaked in blood, even if most of it is dried. "You just butchered those Batarians"

"No, I killed pirates and slavers" I snapped back at him. "And it was either that, or they kill you, easy choice, goodbye." I walked over to where the other marines were.

"Are you okay, sir?" one of the marines asked me

"I'm fine, thank you, tend to yourselves" I said, sitting down on the ground. Once we got into the ship, I had Cortana shut the camera drone down, and passed out from exhaustion. To be honest, I haven't overclocked that much in a long time, and it's exhausting.

I wake up, look around, and notice that I'm in the med bay of the Einstein, along with a few other marines.

Cortana?

-Good morning, how'd you sleep?-

A little sore in the arm, but I feel perfectly fine. How long was I out?

-About eight hours, all the fighting's over for the most part. Now they're rescuing any slaves they can find-

Good, and Shepard?

-A few cracked ribs, and a shot to the leg, but overall, perfectly fine, she's in the lounge-

Alright, time to sneak out of here.

I sneak out, having Cortana message the doctor that I feel perfectly fine, and that I'll go easy on the shoulder, and make my way to the lounge. Walking in, I could she that Shep's on my hammock of all things, reading on a data pad. Most likely after-action reports coming in. I sneak over to her, not making a peep.

"I thought I warned you about my hammock" I said loudly, getting a jolted Shepard, who jumped out and came quickly for a hug.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Hero"

"I'm fine, and what?" I asked

"You made the news, about you rescuing that small convoy, though that's not what they're calling you" she said

"Let me guess, 'Butcher of Torfan'?" I asked, getting a quick nod from her. "Yeah, the reporter called me something like that when I was down there"

"You're not mad?" she questioned

"No, frankly, I just don't care anymore" I said with a shrug, "How'd your op go?"

"Good, me and my squad got away with only a few scratches" she said, pushing me onto the couch, and she landed right next to me.

"You call a shot to the leg and a few broken ribs scratches?"

"If know you, you would've said the same if I asked" she said with a grin

"Fine" I conceded, "Want to grab a bite to eat?"

"Maybe later, but first I want to have a little fun, I don't want to hold back any more" she said as she mounted on top of me, and started kissing on me on the neck.

"And if we're caught?" I asked, interrupting her

"I had some spare time, figured out how to lock that door, and we're alone" She said with a grin

"Okay then" I said, resuming where we left off

Make sure that door really is locked Cortana.

-Done-