Twin Fates

by Tobias5

Fate played as much a role in Shepard's defeat of the Reapers as did his skill. What if fate had different plans? Did you know that the Shepard on Mindoir was born as a twin? What if both had survived the raid? How would the Reapers have dealt with TWO great heroes instead of one? It's time to find out just how much better and worse things get with TWO Shepards fighting a war.

34. Chapter 33

Twin Fates

By Belle and Tobias

Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Mass Effect or any other referenced copy righted material.

Toby's Note: Blarg…hafda…dimensions…toast…gurk…twelve hours days…blten…weeks straight…*collapses face first in front of the readers*

Belle's Note: Don't worry folks, he is not dead yet. *pans camera away from his body* The truth is, I did NOT want to apply any pressure to Toby because he was working INSANE amounts of overtime and what not. Anyone who has followed us from the ME1 arc may have seen a huge point where we were not posting. This was because I was suffering from the worse writer's block I have ever encountered. Over a year of inactivity. It was bad, so I wasn't going to bother Toby.

Toby's Note 2: *after regaining consciousness due to strong coffee* So before this chapter I convinced Belle to do a sit down to hash out the remaining elements of the ME3 arc. After four hours I am happy to say it's been finalized! We know exactly what chapters we've got left, what events will take place and who will be writing them! Now all I need is time to do it…

Belle's Note 2: I have to say now that MY job is picking up, I am pleased to say because we know where we are going, I am going to RELISH working you all over. I mean...entertaining all of you. *shark smiles* Don't worry about it.

Chapter 33: Breeching the Darkness

Earth Date: October 24th, 2186 CE

Location: Serpent Nebula, Citadel

"Did the diplomats leave without any incidents?" Jane asked and John sighed as they watched the scenery pass them by below.

"No one really said anything," John noted. "They all seemed concerned that Cerberus, a human supremacy organization, had spies on the Salarian home world. Personally I think its further evidence the indoctrinated are working together. We need some way to ferret them out." Jane made a hum as she watched out the window as the car began to slow down.

"I'm just glad Wrex and Primarch Victus were amendable to this diversion. I guess a mission for the Primarch got delayed. Same for Wrex," Jane noted. "Where is this place anyway?"

"That's it down there," John pointed out as the taxi began to land. Jane peered out the window and whistled.

"An apartment on the Citadel with a large enough patio garden to land an air car," Jane noted as the car finished landing. "The Alliance has to be bank rolling this."

"Didn't the brief say he was living here as well?" John said as the car doors opened up, letting the Shepards out. As they walked into the facility Jane raised an eyebrow at the large piece of literal Reaper in a restraining field.

"Not too smart with that here," she noted. John glanced around the room and noted it wasn't just the Reaper that stuck out. There was a large dinosaur skeleton he couldn't identify hung from cables above their heads, at least half a dozen work stations within easy view and at one of them was the man they needed to meet, Dr. Garret Bryson. He was finishing a conference with a researcher and as he did he turned to face the Shepards.

"Ah the Shepards, we've been expecting you. Just a moment," Dr. Bryson said glancing at them. "And Hadley, could you gather the Leviathan data for us?" Dr. Bryson gestured and led them to the other side of the research facility. As he led them in John noted even more workstations, a large galaxy map, a human husk head of all things and several artifacts in a display case.

"Apologies Spectres; the rest of my team is out investigating leads right now. I'm Dr. Garret Bryson and this is Task Force Aurora," The doctor explained and Jane nodded.

"If I remember correctly, Doctor, your mandate is to investigate legends, rumors, old stories about the Reapers from before, correct?" Jane noted and Bryson nodded.

"The Alliance is still desperate for intelligence. Reaper motives, their operational tactics, anything that can give us an edge." Bryson noted. "While the Protheans have given us vital intelligence even they don't know why the Reapers do what they do, just that they reap everyone and everything. You know as well as I, Spectres, that knowing why an enemy fights is just as important in knowing how to stop them."

"I have to say we could have used your help three years ago," John noted and Bryson scowled, handing John a data pad.

"Yes. If people had paid more attention to your Prothean beacon, we might not be in this war," Bryson grumped before moving to the galaxy map. "Now we have new intelligence that might give us an edge." John hummed, engrossed in the pad and the records. Jane, being Jane and shorter than John, pulled John's hand down slightly so she could read around his shoulder.

"Hadley do you have the data?" Bryson asked, and John didn't pay much attention to them until he heard a familiar sound that made him jolt up as did Jane.

The click of a gun's safety going off.

"No." Hadley said and fired, shooting Bryson in the chest. Instantly John moved, feeling the adrenalin kick in and everything seemed to slow, he charged Hadley tossing the datapad into the man's face, staggering him just long enough for John to tackle him and send him to the ground. The gun went skidding across the floor and Jane stomped on it as she ran to Bryson.

"This is Spectre Jane Shepard!" Jane barked into her comms as she knelt by Bryson. She could see he was already dead, the bullet was a perfect shot through the heart. "I need C-Sec at my location now!"

"You shouldn't be here…the darkness can't be breached…" Hadley said in a flat voice.

~*TF*~

"Transit records show his name as Derek Hadley. He's worked here for a couple of months," one of the Turian officers sad as they guarded Hadley. John was pacing back and forth in front of them like an angry bear. Jane was glaring at Hadley with cold dead eyes, watching the man but more concerned with John. John appeared to be frustrated and Jane could get why. Hadley on the other hand appeared confused and hadn't even seemed to notice anyone.

"Spectres are you well?" EDI's voice called to them and both Shepards turned to see EDI's new frame approaching them. Apparently Joker had done some shopping for her and she was wearing tight leather in Alliance blue colors. "I monitored a C-Sec alert from this location."

"We're fine EDI but we could use your help sorting this out," Jane noted, seeing John was still pacing. "Take a look through their files. We need to know what this task force was up to."

"At once," EDI replied heading for the nearest terminal. That seemed to snap Hadley out of his stupor.

"I-what-what's happening?" he asked and John rounded on him.

"You tell me," He growled crossing his arms.

"I-I was gathering our data when you arrived, and then…it was dark, cold. Like I was someplace else," Hadley explained.

"And then?" Jane asked.

"I don't know!" Hadley cried out. "A gun was in my hand. Dr. Bryson. There was…a loud noise!" John snarled and Jane realized John had lost his patience. He lunged for the man and grabbed him by the shoulder throwing him to the floor next to where Bryson's body lay.

"You shot Bryson! You killed him!" John snapped at him.

"No…I couldn't have! I'm not a murder!" Hadley cried. "I didn't do it! It wasn't me! You have to believe that!"

"He's dead on the floor right in front of you! So, ignoring the fact two Spectres saw you pull the trigger but it was someone else?" John growled.

"But I would never do that!" Hadley cried, clutching at his head.

"Easy John," Jane murmured, coming along his side, placing a hand on John's arm.

"Shepard, this does resemble reports of indoctrination," EDI noted. John took a deep breath, settling himself as he tried to put aside the feelings that he had failed Bryson aside.

"Indoctrination? Me?" Hadley said in a daze.

"Do you know anything about Leviathan?" Jane asked. "Something you were involved in that might have triggered this?"

"No, nothing. Everything is scanned for the indoctrination signal that Reapers give off," Hadley explained. "Like that artifact that came in from our field researcher, Garneau. Ann is studying one too but at the location she found it in the field. Garneau sent an audio log if you want to-" Hadley suddenly screamed in pain clutching at his head falling to his knees. Then just as quickly he went limp before looking at them with a blank expression. 'Turn back."

"What are you talking about?" John questioned.

"The darkness cannot be breached." Hadley said before his eyes rolled up and he collapsed to the floor.

"Damn it. Get him over to the clinic; see if they can tell us what's wrong with him." John ordered the officers who collect Hadley. The coroner finally showed up at moment as well to remove Bryson's body. "This is a damn mess."

"Do you mind reporting to Udina about this?" Jane asked and John gave her a look. "I'm still on his shit list, plus I'm going to contact the Prothean team here on the Citadel researching indoctrination defenses. Their research is supposed to be what was making sure this team was safe. They are going to want to know that an indoctrinated attack took place." John nodded at that and Jane quickly contacted the Prothean in charge of the Citadel Indoctrination defense team.

"Ah, Shepard, good to see you again," Dr. Gatik said, his voice deep and resonating.

"I wish it were a more pleasant issue, Doctor, I just witnessed a murder committed by an indoctrinated individual," she explained and his eyes seemed calm.

"Confirmed indoctrinated? How many? Were they coherent or was it a mass assault? How long did it take you to kill them?" he asked and Jane blinked.

"Doctor, you don't seem shocked," Jane stated and he shook his head.

"I am not. We had abnormal readings on our detection devices, the locator on your omni-tool indicates you are in the area of the readings," he said and Jane's eyes widened.

"Abnormal readings?" Jane asked and he nodded.

"The readings sparked brightly quickly, we assumed an invasion of some sort, but after a few seconds, the readings were gone. Then another flare and gone again," he said and Jane's eyes widened.

"Did the indoctrinated in your time have memory loss?" Jane asked and Gatik stared.

"No, indoctrination was a constant state, one acted as if they were not, but they were always," he explained.

"We were visiting Team Aurora and an assistant attacked Dr. Bryson, after the attack he spoke as if he were not in control, then when questioned showed confusion and missing memory," Jane explained and Gatik stared.

"Team Aurora is known to me. I set up the equipment they use in that lab. They should not be indoctrinated, but in our cycle that was not the behavior of the indoctrinated. I will send a team to examine your suspect. This is not normal," he said and Jane nodded.

"Thank you, Doctor, but it is good to know that the devices are picking up the abnormal brain waves," Jane said and he nodded.

"Helpful, a start, but this is concerning. Indoctrinated who are not constant might pose a problem allowing Reapers access we do not wish," he said and Jane nodded.

"One problem at a time. See what you can learn from Hadley, we'll continue the fight with the Reapers," Jane said and Gatik nodded. She looked at John.

"You want the good news or the bad news?" he asked and Jane winced.

"Bad news," Jane said.

"Udina wants to meet with us," he said and she fought a groan.

"Good news?" she asked and he looked around.

"We get to plan our attack for this mess," he said and Jane sighed. "Hadley mentioned two others names..."

"Garneau and Ann," EDI supplied and the Shepards look at her.

"Can you check the Aurora files?" Jane asked and EDI nodded.

"I already have reviewed some but I believe the individuals Hadley mentioned are Dr. Alex Garneau and Dr. Ann Bryson," EDI stated and the Shepards nodded at that.

"Are they alive?" Jane asked as EDI worked at a terminal.

"Unknown for certain, but if the reports and information I can assess are accurate, both should be alive but on location," EDI explained.

"We should interview both of them," John said and Jane nodded.

"Ann will need a notification of her father's death," Jane said, the thought of delivering that news again was heavy.

"I'll take Ann then," John said and Jane gave him a look of half guilt and half relief. "This needs to be solved fast, Jane, we had an indoctrination assault on the Citadel and I heard your conversation more than you heard mine. I say Okinawa goes for Garneau and Normandy goes for Bryson."

"I can agree to that...and thank you," she said and he nodded.

"What are big brothers for?" he asked and she smirked.

"Only by fourteen minutes," she sighed before she noticed a log between Bryson and Hackett. "This Leviathan sounds damn dangerous."

"The enemy of my enemy," John stated.

"Something that is a Reaper Killer does not mean it is our friend, it could be the 'worse than Reapers' Garrus jokes about," Jane pointed out and John considered it.

"Better to know for sure and remove all doubt," he said.

"I really don't want to have to try to kill something that can kill a Reaper," Jane sighed.

"Most things would just try to kill us," John said.

"It took an armada to kill Sovereign, it wasn't just us," Jane replied and John smirked at her.

"That's not what a lot of the vids say," he joked and Jane shot him a look.

"Watch out, Spectre, you should know better than to believe your own hype, let's look for clues to find Garneau and Bryson," Jane sighed.

~*TF*~

"I have applied filters for all of the factors that you found," EDI said as the Shepards approached the galaxy map.

"Let's try element zero and creature sightings for Garneau, he looked to be looking for Leviathan itself," Jane said and almost immediately saw Caleston Rift was the only system matching the criteria.

"Ann was using the Icarus and she only requisitioned wind protection gear," John said as he entered his materials and immediately Pylos Nebula was narrowed down.

"That works," Jane said. "Now on to Udina's office."

"Don't sound so happy," John teased.

~*TF*~

The Shepards entered Udina's office and Jane froze as she saw Kaidan and Ash standing in full gear in front of Udina.

"Ah Shepards, the Prothean team has left some things for you here," the ambassador did not sound thrilled about it. John headed in and Jane followed a moment after as they moved in front of his desk. "Could you please debrief Spectre Alenko and Spectre Williams on the situation with Team Aurora?" The two Shepards had seen the basic announcement of Kaidan and Ash's Spectre appointments on the way to the Citadel. They gave a nod to the two new human Spectres.

"Team Aurora was a team established to find out more information about Reapers from prior civilizations. They have a lab set up on the Citadel to try and find a being they designated as Leviathan. This unknown being has the capability to kill Reapers and is a top priority for a potential offensive against Reaper forces," Jane explained. "Unfortunately, as we were being debriefed by Team Aurora's leader, his assistant murdered him under an indoctrinated influence."

"Indoctrinated influence?" Kaidan asked, clearly confused.

"Normal indoctrination is believed to be a permanent state, at least according to the surviving Protheans," Jane stated.

"Hadley is either an amazing actor, or he was being affected by an outside force," John said, face grim. "He spoke about darkness and seemed very confused."

"What did you find at the site?" Udina asked and Jane pulled up her omni-tool and put files on the screens in the back of Udina's office. "Team Aurora had three heads. Dr. Garret Bryson led the base team here on the Citadel, Dr. Alex Garneau is a single person team looking for actual sightings of Leviathan, and Dr. Ann Bryson is the major archeological team leader. Dr. Garret Bryson was the one murdered in front of us. John and I plan to go and collect Dr. Garneau and the surviving Dr. Bryson. We have narrowed down their basic locations."

"That's a good starting point. I want you four to solve this problem. The Council wants answers. Leviathan itself might be a weapon to turn this war, but many are concerned about the indoctrination," Udina explained. "I pushed Earth resources at Team Aurora. I am demanding rights as Human Councilor to mobilize the human Spectres to solving this. You have any resource I can offer."

"Two man teams would work best since we have two plans of action," John said.

"Spectre Williams should be with me," Jane said and the room looked at her in surprise. "Ash is a soldier, I'm an adept. That would put Kaidan and my brother on a team with a sentinel and a soldier. This gives me a team of two soldiers and two biotics, John's team is more evened out now too."

"Good reasoning. Let me know your results," Udina stated as Jane moved to look at the box with the Prothean devices.

"Let's take this to the Normandy to look over with Mordin," Jane suggested and John nodded.

"Get your go bags and you can meet up with us and we're set to leave in two hours," John said to Kaidan and Ash and Jane headed out of the door with the box. As soon as they were on the elevator to the docks he looked at his sister. "So...what was with that team break?"

"You know damn well I'm in no headspace to deal with Garrus and Kaidan right now," she said looking at the box in her arms. "Besides, it is true, your only biotic on your team is Liara and you don't like risking her."

"She can still fight," John said.

"So can Kaidan but you and Liara are in a good relationship space. I am most definitely not, this is the safest team break down for now," she said and he nodded. "Needless to say, let me work it out please."

"I didn't say anything," he said. "But you owe me. You know how I feel about Kaidan." Jane sighed.

"I forget, who kept repairing your love nest on Earth when you were in a coma?" Jane retorted and John chuckled.

"You think I like blue way more than I do," he said, looking away.

"From where I stand you seem pretty committed to blue," she hummed and John smirked as he looked away.

~*TF*~

Mordin looked over the equipment the twins presented him.

"Yes, yes, very useful tools," Mordin stated. "Brilliant design, quickly done."

"Dr. Gatik seems to be a great researcher," Jane complimented and Mordin nodded. "Still, I figured you could give us the best advice for how to use these." Mordin smiled as he approached Jane with one of the devices. He carefully showed her how to attach it to her omni-tool.

"Device uses scanning programs located in omni-tools, should jump to your visor," he informed her and Jane blinked. "Very useful, should help identify indoctrinated individuals and level of indoctrination."

"They could locate Hadley but they only flashed, they did not give him away in advance," John said as Mordin studied the device.

"Seems Dr. Gatik wants data collection," Mordin hummed. "A built hypothesis, but useful."

"What you mean is Dr. Gatik is using us to test this out," Jane sighed and Mordin nodded.

"Quite. Device shows great potential if functional. Cuts off Reaper spies. Essential. STG attack proves traitors, but could have been indoctrinated," he stated.

"You honestly think indoctrinated salarians had to be involved?" John asked and Mordin nodded.

"Without a doubt. Salarians would not trust Cerberus otherwise. We know they wish human supremacy, danger to Salarians. Indoctrinated would want destruction of krogan. Prevention of unification of Citadel forces better for the Reapers," Mordin stated.

"That reminds me, due to this mission, we won't be able to head to Tuchanka right away," John stated.

"Not a concern, still synthesizing cure. Will buy time with Eve in safe place to prevent risk of being discovered. Moving lab superior to stationary," Mordin stated. "Still need Wrex's sample." Jane smirked at that.

"I'll take some of these devices for my team," Jane said grabbing a few indoctrination devices to take with her to the Okinawa.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 26th, 2186 CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, Mid-transit

"John may I ask you a question?"

"Hmmmm?"

"Why did you agree to allow Kaidan onto your ship?" Liara inquired. John lowered his data pad and paused running the tips of his fingers along Liara's side. It was the end of the day and they were taking time to just be together. Both were working on data pads but John was situated in the corner of his couch, Liara resting comfortably against his side as his left arm curled around her to allow him to caress her. His right hand had been holding a data pad filled with his briefs of the day's activities. Liara herself had several data pads with agent reports that she needed to familiarize herself with. They had agreed to have these moments at least once a week and to be honest it was becoming a daily occurrence when they were on ship together.

"I guess I can see why Jane needs the space," John said after a moment.

"But you have made it known your dislike of the man." Liara noted. "Why do you tolerate him here? And his pursual of Jane?"

"Oh I'd like nothing better than to beat his face in," John grunted. "Every part of me is practically begging to go down to his quarters, beat him until he realizes he isn't worth being in the same galaxy as Jane and leaves her alone. That would be taking away Jane's choice though. If she decides he makes her happy and wants him I'll be disappointed in her but it is her choice."

"Do you think she will choose him over Garrus?" Liara wondered and John grunted.

"I hope to God not," John noted. "Garrus doesn't deserve that and he's ten times better than Kaidan ever was."

"That's the first time I've heard you mention God," Liara noted and John blinked in surprise before he laughed.

"Is it? Sorry it happens on occasion. Does it bother you?" John inquired looking at her. Liara shook her head.

"No, you know I believe in the Goddess Athame yet we have never really discussed our religions before," Liara noted.

"It never really mattered to me much," John noted. "I know Ashley believes pretty strongly and Jane does too. I believe there's something after death I just think no one religion has all the answers. We humans have hundreds of them and if you add in all the religions other species believe? I just think it doesn't matter too much."

"If...if we have children would you be okay with me teaching them about the Athame Doctrine?" Liara asked. John smiled at her and gave Liara a kiss.

"When we have children," John clarified and Liara smiled at him. "If it's important to you, then it's important to me too." Liara snuggled back into his side and resumed reading her agents' reports. A comfortable silence settled between them for a few minutes before John spoke again.

"Though if you ask me to convert, we have to have a serious discussion about what's involved. I'm not doing anything like cutting off my soldier."

"No, nothing like that. Though we do have fertility ritual that requires me to wear skimpy lingerie and dance around the bed with lit candles in the room."

"I can support that. Oh man can I support that."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 26th, 2186 CE

Location: SSV Okinawa, Mid-transit

Jane wiped the sweat off of her neck after a round with James. He had pinned her four times and it had pissed her off to the point she was a light show. Still, Ash and Javik had been helping her to break the pins. Jane just didn't like getting pinned. She liked keeping enemies at bay, thus her sniper rifle. Unfortunately, Scar made it clear that Jane needed to accept that some enemies were going to try and circumvent her natural defenses, she needed to practice.

"Nice work, Captain," Ash said, offering Jane a water. Jane smiled and took it.

"We're equals here, Ash, you can call me Jane and speak freely. This is a Spectre mission, not Alliance," Jane said and Ash smiled as she sat on the bench next to Jane. She looked at her legendary friend and sighed.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked as Javik and James were checking their weapons across the room. Jane drank deeply.

"Sure," Jane said taking another sip.

"Why are you even bothering with Kaidan?" Ash said and Jane spewed water into the air. James made a noise to make it be known he had just seen the fountain his commanding officer became. Jane coughed once and wiped her mouth. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

"No...no...I, uh, I just wasn't thinking you would ask me a girl-talk question," Jane chuckled and Ash started to laugh too.

"I guess you're right, that is a little girl-talk," Ash said before looking more serious. "But I mean it. Why are you bothering with Kaidan? He's a good soldier...but he left you at your lowest." Jane blinked at Ash.

"Ash...I had no idea you felt that about Kaidan," Jane said and Ash stared.

"Why the hell do you think I took the time to have Garrus dress you for the Officer's Ball? I knew he was going to be there and I wanted him to feel two inches tall for leaving you!" Ash cried and Jane looked at her friend and smiled.

"Thank you, Ashley," Jane said and Ash paused. "Thank you for caring about me when I didn't." Ash looked away and sighed.

"He shouldn't have left you. He doesn't deserve you!" Ash huffed and Jane sighed as she sipped her water. "I don't get why you don't hate him."

"Because I understand him. I love Kaidan...I might always love Kaidan," Jane explained. "You have to understand where I come from. John was the overprotective farm boy, older brother. Trying to sow his seeds while keeping his sister from getting plowed." James made another noise. "Not your conversation, Vega."

"Sorry, Lola," James chuckled as he turned away. Ash looked at Jane, clearly not pleased with her answer.

"Go on," Ash stated in a tone.

"John scared off any Mindoir boy I might have had a relationship with. Once I was in biotic training, I was behind the curve, late manifestation combined with late intervention meant I was working so hard even if there was a classmate to have a relationship with I was still out of it because of everything about the attack on Mindoir. As soon as I hit the Alliance I was working to show that I was more than just a biotic. I rose in rank fast, Ash. Few men will mess with the chain of command with a biotic involved," Jane explained before taking a sip. "Kaidan was different. It was...like nothing I had ever experienced before. I was not just a woman...I was me. Kaidan saw me. I had never experienced that. He saw Commander Jane Shepard, the Alliance officer, the biotic, and the woman. Until him, no man saw me as a complete being before. He respected my command and talent, he valued my thoughts and feelings, and he made me feel cherished and worth protecting. John's a great brother, but he's got that protective streak a mile wide. His protective streak makes me feel helpless sometimes."

"You...helpless?" Ash teased and Jane nodded.

"I know, biotic powers feeling helpless, but John does that to me like only a sibling can. I'm not complaining, I wouldn't change John...that much," Jane said. "Kaidan is the first man I ever knew cardinally." Ash's face changed.

"Wait...you were a virgin until Kaidan?" she cried and Jane nodded.

"Yeah...men are kind of afraid of women who can throw them through walls," Jane said and Ash nodded at that.

"Still...he left you at John's memorial," Ash growled and Jane shook her head.

"Ash, I understand Kaidan. Kaidan is a man with high honor. His bar of success is much higher and his self imposed rules are much stricter than the average person. I know his history and why he feels that way. It's not my place to expose that part of him. Kaidan saw us as equals. I was going on a mission, his job was to serve under my brother. He followed his orders, but his loyalty to our relationship meant that John was now part of his responsibility. He saw John's death as his fault and knowing how much John meant to me, he saw it as he, Kaidan Alenko, failed to save my brother," Jane said. "Kaidan loved me to the point that failing me, meant to his self imposed standards, he did not deserve me. Could you hate a man who loves you so much, he sees himself as unworthy of you because he could not perform a miracle? I could not hate Kaidan for leaving me because he did not want to leave me, he was too guilt stricken and ashamed to be in my presence."

"You needed him," Ash huffed. "It was crap to leave you like that." Jane sighed and patted Ash on the shoulder.

"I did...but I forgave him for that and that's the thing. No one but the wronged party can say if they forgive or not. Kaidan didn't wrong you, Ash, he wronged me. I forgave him, which means even if you don't like it, he's still forgiven. I also still love him," Jane said. There was a moment of silence broken up by Javik insulting James' cleaning technique and the marine challenging to the Prothean to a pull up competition.

"So what about Garrus?" Ash asked and Jane gave her a stupefied look wondering how the Marine knew about that. "Oh please like it was a big secret, Tali let me know." Jane groaned.

"What about Garrus?" Jane asked.

"Do you love him?" Ash asked, almost sounding girlish.

"Yes, I love Garrus," Jane said without pause and Ash smirked.

"So what about him?" she asked and Jane gave her a look.

"He was not like Kaidan," Jane stated and Ash raised an eyebrow.

"Do you think that answer is really going to cut it?" she asked. "Details."

"I mean, what...how do I start...do you want to know what his dick is like?" Jane asked and James made a noise. "Vega...not your conversation!"

"Sorry again, Lola, but I'm kind of curious now," James called.

"Fifty pull ups. Now marine!" Jane ordered and James grumbled.

"Again, I mean how is Garrus different from Kaidan...in a relationship, better?" Ash said in a tone that made Jane want to call insubordination except she already gave Ash the 'Spectres not Alliance' line. Jane huffed.

"Garrus started off as a friend. The level of trust and knowledge and background was so different. It's like comparing apples to watermelons," Jane sighed.

"Apples to oranges," Ash commented.

"No, I meant like comparing apples to watermelons, you can at least point out that apples and oranges grow on trees," Jane sighed, a smile on her face. "Garrus and I grew together. We both overcame awful things. My decent into the Terror of the Hegemony, his leaving C-Sec and his team's destruction. We realized how our relationship with one another was so important to each of us. It wasn't like Kaidan." Ash paused and they thought as Javik criticized James' pull up technique.

"So...you love them both...but how do they feel about you?" Ash asked and Jane felt the burn on her cheeks practically hearing both Kaidan and Garrus declare that they didn't want to give up on their relationship with her. "Oh...damn."

"I didn't say anything," Jane stated and Ash chuckled.

"You are blushing up to your ears, I can guess," she laughed as she patted Jane on the shoulder. "Damn, no wonder you are hiding like a coward." Jane punched Ash in the shoulder. "Ow!"

"Not constructive criticism there, Ash," Jane huffed. "I honestly have no idea how to handle this." Jane groaned as she rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands. Ash patted her back.

"Well, if you love them both and they both love you, that's one hell of a love triangle," Ash stated. "There is a plus side." Jane looked up at Ash and the smile she found on the other woman's face was not entertaining.

"At least the rest of us will have fun watching them make you change colors," Ash grinned and Jane glared.

"Not helping!" Jane groaned

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 27th, 2186 CE

Location: Caleston Rift, Aysur System, Mahavid

"We've got Reaper enemy signatures in the asteroid field," Ash stated as the Okinawa dropped the team. Javik, James, Ash, and Jane stood looking over the mining operation.

"Bryson said they were shadowing his field teams. If they're after Leviathan, too, Reapers are a good sign," Jane sighed.

"So Reapers are a good thing now, great," James commented as the team got onto an elevator. As it descended they saw two brutes and a marauder attempting to break in.

"How are the miners not freaking out right now?" Ash commented.

"Yeah, I'm not hearing any alarms or anything," Jane mentioned.

"A mystery to figure out later, we must kill the enemy first," Javik stated and the team quickly dispersed the brutes and marauder followed the by the unnecessary third brute at another door.

"It's really quiet," James commented.

"Yeah, but the Reaper forces clearly weren't in," Jane muttered. "Weird." Ash hacked the door and the team moved in cautiously. As they moved a door opened automatically.

"Welcome to T-GES Mineral Works. All guests need to sign in at Reception," a VI said and as the door opened it appeared like people were casually walking around. The team paused.

"So...they seem calm," Ash stated and Jane stared at the people who seemed to glance at them strangely. Reception was obviously labeled.

"Yeah...extra weird," James muttered. As they moved in a group of three people began to stare in a way that made Jane's skin crawl. "Yeah...bump that up to super weird." Jane approached the reception desk.

"I'm Captain Jane Shepard of the Alliance. You just had Reaper troops attacking your front door," she said. The desk clerk stared strangely.

"Are they still there?" he asked in a dazed voice.

"We've taken care of them for now," Jane said.

"I see. That will be all," the other clerk said and Jane stared.

"That will be...?" she started only to see the two clerks going back to work. "Hello?" Jane asked and was ignored. She looked at the others and a look was shared.

"I do not understand why you are glancing at each other. Is this behavior unusual?" Javik asked.

"Yeah, really unusual," James stated and Ash looked at the desk before pressing the assistance button. The clerk looked up again.

"Yes, welcome to T-GES Mineral Works. How can we help you?" he asked in the strange monotone voice.

"Yes. For the tour, please sign in," the other clerk stated. Jane remembered the indoctrination device and switched it so it would read on her Kuwashii visor. She looked at the two clerks as Ash spoke to them. The readings were not indicative of indoctrination, but they did show very abnormal brainwaves. Jane took a second to run a comparison on her omni-tool, it looked like both clerks had similar patterns. A glance at both James and Ash showed they were relatively unique.

"So I take it you missed what they said?" Ash asked and Jane played with her omni-tool some more.

"Yeah, what did they say?" Jane asked.

"They don't have a Dr. Garneau, but we could see one of their doctors if we like," Ash huffed. Jane looked around at the other humans in the lobby. Similar brain scans. "What do you see?"

"Sending you the data now, remember the indoctrination devices?" Jane asked and the team looked at the data she had been collecting.

"That's not right," James said in a concerned tone.

"No...it is not. Do you know what it could be?" Javik asked and Jane shook her head.

"My theory is drug and hypnosis, but I'm not a doctor," Jane said and the team looked around. "Stick together."

"Hell yeah," James stated as the team moved to the elevator, it was clearly damaged. "Hey, drone terminal over here. I'll get it started." The team watched the groups speaking and there were concerning bits here and there to be overheard. A death at the facility. Once the drone was done repairing the elevator Jane pressed the button for the access record. 'Garneau, Alex' was within the past seven days. She gave a look to Ash as they quickly got on the elevator.

"I'm recording everything and my VI is programmed to send intel to the Okinawa, be prepared for anything," Jane said and the team checked their weapons as the door closed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 27th, 2186 CE

Location: Pylos Nebula, Zaherin System, Planet Namakli

"Shuttle asking for docking location," Cortez asked into the comms. He was quiet for a moment before nodding. "Roger that base." Cortez turned to glance at John as he turned off the comm signal to the dig site. "There's a landing pad not too far from the artifact John. We're going to land there and the team will meet us there."

"Roger that Cortez," John said before turning back to his own team. "Liara, EDI, I want you two to help download whatever data they have and then help get any artifacts and equipment that can't be left behind onboard the shuttle. Garrus, Kaidan you two are with me while I talk with Bryson. Under no circumstances are we to leave this team behind. One indoctrinated agent infiltrated their main research station, I'd be willing to bet someone of this team is indoctrinated as well."

"Any idea how we can tell who John?" Garrus asked and John sighed.

"The Protheans are testing something but it wasn't working properly on the Citadel, we have a few prototypes on the Normandy. We'll keep Bryson's team quarantined until we get back to the Citadel. All of them, Bryson included." John stated. A few minutes later the shuttle smoothly landed on the platform. The doors opened up and John saw several researchers moving around, loading things into boxes and gathering supplies.

"Hopkins please be careful with that!" A woman ordered as a large sphere like the one in Bryson's office was loaded into a secure container. "We need to make sure all our materials are secured for transport!" John nodded to himself, she matched the description he had of Ann Bryson. John didn't even have to gesture as Liara and EDI hurried to help as John headed for the woman.

"Dr. Bryson?" John questioned just to be sure. She turned to him and smiled.

"That's me, Spectre, pleasure to meet you," she said happily. "We got your message about the Reapers possibly heading for this location. With your permission I'd like to request the full evacuation of my team."

"I had a similar thought but Ann I need to discuss something with your privately," John clarified. Ann gave him a puzzled look before gesturing to a pre-fab office not too far from the dock. "We can speak in there."

"Excellent, lead the way" John said as Liara approached him.

"They already have their equipment and personnel ready for transport however we won't have enough room on the shuttle for everyone. We need to make two trips." Liara said and John nodded.

"You and EDI take the supplies and the main team back to the Normandy first." John noted.

"We still won't be able to fit the artifact or the excavating equipment on the shuttle." Liara explained as they walked.

"Leave it and send Cortez back for us, Ann and the artifact. We can leave the excavating equipment," John ordered. Liara nodded and moved off. As they entered the office Liara started gesturing for Ann's team to start boarding the shuttle.

"Now what did you need to speak to me about?" Ann asked as she took a seat.

"Dr. Bryson before we left to get you I spoke with your father on the Citadel," John began. "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your father's assistant, Hadley was indoctrinated. Instead of gathering the data he erased the servers and then shot your father. He's dead." John watched the woman rock back and stare at him with wide eyes.

"He's…what? Dead? No he can't be dead," Ann said quietly.

"I'm sorry I know this must be a shock but we need to take you back to the Citadel. Discuss all your research, have your team checked over," John explained. Ann let out a heavy breath.

"I-I need a minute please," she whispered.

"We'll be right outside," John said. "I'll let you know when the shuttle gets here." John led his team outside and let out a deep breath after the door to the office closed.

"You handled that well, John," Garrus said and John let out a bitter laugh. The dock area was quiet, the shuttle left during his talk with Ann.

"If I had been paying attention back on the Citadel I wouldn't have had to handle that at all Garrus," John noted.

"You thought you were in a safe place, we all would have been relaxed," Kaidan noted and John grunted. He was staring up at the sky, waiting for any sign of the shuttle as he tried to gather his thoughts. He frowned when he thought he heard his comms crackle with static. It must have been everyone's comms because Kaidan placed his fingers to his ear piece.

"John I think we have a problem," Garrus said from his left. John glanced at his friend and saw Garrus peering down the scope of his sniper rifle. "I see three Harvesters flying towards us."

"Shit." John said succinctly, pulling his revenant free.

~*TF*~

The team listened to the last message of Dr. Garneau in the storage room.

"Are you sure they are not indoctrinated?" Javik asked, even the Prothean was getting creeped out by the behavior of the miners.

"Brainwave activity is not indoctrinated, until those turians started giving us the zombie behavior, I figured it was a drug and hypnosis, but any drug that would work on humans would not work on turians, it might work on asari," Jane commented as they each downloaded Garneau's made up hack. "Let's look at that terminal in the other room and see about getting through medical." As the terminal gave them a medical file number to use James let out a breath.

"Dios, I was getting ready to fight my way through that door," he sighed and Jane nodded as the team moved into the medical. Jane stared at an obvious dead body.

"Tell me that is not Garneau?" she stated.

"If it is, we came a long way for nothing," James groaned.

"If you are looking for Garneau, you have found him," a voice said behind the team. A shadowy figure was in the med bay behind them. "I am Dr. Garneau."

"I am Captain Shepard of the Alliance. Are you all right?" Jane asked as the team approached the window.

"Yes. Only...I'm trapped in here," Garneau said.

"What's been going on here?" Ash asked.

"I was doing my research...until the incident," he explained.

"They attacked you?" James questioned.

"It's true. But, aside from my confinement, I'm fine," Garneau said.

"Bryson's research brought us to you," Jane explained.

"Bryson sent you?" Garneau questioned in an odd way and Jane pulled up his brainwaves. Not normal, but not like the other people here.

"He's dead, Doctor, killed by his assistant," Ash provided, Garneau was quiet for a moment.

"I see," he said as he moved back.

"We need you to tell use everything you have found on the Leviathan," Jane said. "Bryson seemed to think it killed a Reaper." Garneau's brain waves dropped for a second and Jane's attention was on the indoctrination readings.

"It's a myth. A dead end," Garneau said.

"But what about the artifact you mentioned in your message?" Ash asked.

"I did? No," Garneau stated the brain waves were fluctuating.

"Yes, Doctor, you did. Now we've got Reaper forces attacking, so we need to break you out. We'll grab the artifact and go," Jane said and then the brainwaves began to touch indoctrination levels.

"Reapers. The darkness must not be breached," Garneau said and Jane's eyes widened.

"Darkness?" Ash said, looking at Jane. Suddenly the device was reading indoctrination and Jane stared at Garneau.

"Why do you pursue me?" Garneau demanded and Jane knew she was not speaking to him but something else. "Leave the artifact. You will not take what is mine." Indoctrination but not Reaper...Leviathan was indoctrinating Garneau?

"Uh...I don't think we're talking to Garneau," James stated.

"That much is obvious," Javik stated.

"You. You killed a Reaper. We need your help," Jane said.

"You bring only death," Garneau said before some sort of sonic wave broke the window, stunning the team and letting Garneau escape.

"Get him!" Jane cried and the team followed. They were barely at the mine door before Garneau shut them out.

"Exit and try to beat him outside," Jane barked and the team ran, of course finding Reaper forces doing the same. Jane and Javik used their biotics while Ash and James used heavy artillery.

"The fuck are those giant bug things?" James cried and Jane's heart dropped. Of course, the Reapers had found rachni and weaponized them. Something for Jane to worry about later. If the Reapers had the rachni, things were going to go poorly. Powerful, concentrated attacks took out the rachni reapers and for a moment it was silent. Then there was the scream.

"Sweet Mother of God," Jane hissed as she saw the tall Reaper creatures. The tendrils on its head and its naked breasts gave away what it had once been. "That's what a Reaper asari is..."

"Jesus," Ash whispered.

"Go to the Goddess," Jane stated as she unloaded her Scorpion onto the creatures head and shoulders. The explosion destroyed its head and Jane walked by the corpse, recording it.

"This is bad," James said and Jane nodded as they headed for the mine.

~*TF*~

"Keep them away from the office!" John barked, opening fire. He gunned down several cannibals and human husks but had to duck behind cover as several Marauders opened fire on him. The dock rocked as the Harvesters dropped several more batches of Reaper troops. John heard the low snarl of a Brute and he cursed. He glanced over the wall and saw two of them. He checked his belt and found he only two grenades left.

"John they're after the artifact!" Garrus shouted. John glanced over again and saw the Brutes were advancing but acting like a shield as the Marauders ripped open the case and revealed the sphere which began to glow. John blinked as one of the Marauders lit up with electricity and it arced between it and the sphere. Shortly after the office door behind John slid open and Ann came out.

"Doctor? Get back inside!" John barked.

"They've learned too well." Ann spoke, a dark, deep tone to her voice. "The darkness must not be breached."

"John!" Garrus shouted as John tackled the woman to the ground.

"Take out the artifact!" John ordered, holding the struggling woman to the ground. Garrus took careful aim and fired, the sphere blowing apart as his round hit perfectly. Ann immediately went limp under John.

"Shepard, how, why am I outside?" she said in confusion and she shrieked as the Reapers focused fire on them again.

"Kaidan get her back inside!" John shouted and the man hurried over to escort her back into the office.

~*TF*~

The doors to the mine opened and the team saw the glowing orb in the rock.

"Is that the artifact?" Ash asked.

"Like in Bryson's office," Jane blinked at the glowing and shimmering orb. Garneau was back up against the artifact as a wave of husks advanced. Garneau looked at the team.

"Turn back," Leviathan speaking through Garneau cried before revealing a detonator. Jane quickly pulled up a biotic shield around her team. The blast took out the husks, Garneau, and the artifact, but Jane's shield protected her team.

"Damn it," Jane sighed as she looked at the remains. James moved to a body in the corner of the room. Jane was checking her footage and the indoctrination tool. She quickly sent the information back to Dr. Gatik about Leviathan's indoctrination.

"Shepard, you need to see this," Ash said from next to James and the body.

"What is it?" Jane asked.

"Apparently that wasn't Garneau. This is," Ash said as the team looked at the body.

"He's been dead for a while," Jane said, noting the decomposition of the body. "We might not have the artifact, but that looks like Garneau's work. We have data for the Prothean indoctrination team. Leviathan has indoctrination, but it's not the same as the Reapers, if we crack it for one, we might be able to crack it for both. Bring the data." The door behind them opened up an miners came in, looking dazed but more aware than before.

"Who...who are you? What are you doing here?" a woman asked.

"I'm Captain Shepard of the Alliance. Are you alright?" Jane asked, the brainwaves were reading normal now. The woman rubbed her face with her arm.

"I think so. I feel like...I feel strange but...all right," she said.

"Do you recognize this man?" Jane asked and the woman and an asari stared at Garneau.

"I've never seen him before in my life," the asari said, looking dazed.

"Someone here killed him," Ash stated.

"Someone here? How is that possible? I'm so sorry..." the Asari said. Again brainwaves were normal no longer similar.

"Can any of you tell us about what happened here?" Jane asked.

"Not really...I, uh, remember...it just seemed cold. I remember a feeling. Cold and dark," the woman said.

"If dark was a feeling, that's exactly what I felt," a man said.

"Green, what's the situation out there?" Jane asked into her comm. "We should head out."

"Affirmative. Strange thing, Captain, a couple of minutes ago, the Reaper forces broke off and left," Green said.

"Reaper...what's a Reaper?" the man said looking at the group in confusion.

"What date do you think it is?" Jane asked after exchanging a look with Ash.

"October 27th 2176," the asari stated and Jane gave them a pitying look.

"2176 was ten years ago," Jane said as the confusion grew in the miners. "Let's arrange for these people to be evacuated into temporary quarantine."

~*TF*~

"Hold them back!" John snarled. The Reapers were hitting them hard, focusing their fire on this area. John heard a sound he never wanted to as his revenant ran dry. He holstered his rifle and switched to his shotgun.

"I'm out!" Garrus shouted. A Marauder leaped over the barrier at the wall at Garrus and he smashed the reaper in the face with the butt of his gun.

"Shepard I'm at my limit!" Kaidan said and John glanced at him, seeing blood run from the man's nose. John glanced around trying to think, come up with a plan. Something to keep the Reapers at bay, maybe a cave, something to box them in or-

The dock supports. The office was set back a bit into the rock. It was still took exposed but the Harvesters couldn't drop troops on it. He glanced and saw some shuttle fuel containers near the middle.

"Inside now!" John ordered, priming his last two grenades. Garrus and Kaidan headed for the door and John followed. Just before he went in he threw. His aim was true and they landed by the containers. He ducked inside and slapped his hand on the door control and it slid closed just before their ears rang with a deafening explosion.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 30th, 2186 CE

Location: Serpent Nebula, Citadel

"The idea that this Leviathan could use a form of indoctrination used by the Reapers could be invaluable to our cause," Dr. Gatik stated as John landed the sky car at Bryson's lab. "Your results from that mining station showed that this was more than just the passive permanent indoctrination of the Reapers, but an inactive hypnotic state and a full control state. We have started programming the devices to read those similar brainwaves of the hypnotic state. We have seen nothing yet, but I hope seeing this artifact could allow us a better idea of how to fight the indoctrination signal."

"I'm glad taking those readings was worth the time," Jane said as she got out of the way and allowed Dr. Gatik to exit the skycar after her. A quick peek inside revealed the downstairs was empty.

"I'll head upstairs and look for Ann," John said and Jane nodded as she led Dr. Gatik to the artifact in the other room with the active shielding.

"Is there a way to make armor with the same kind of signal shielding?" Jane asked Dr. Gatik and he chuckled.

"Child's play, as simple as tech armor or biotic armor, just programmed for a specific signal. But we need to verify the energy we wish to block," he said as he looked through the doorway at the piece of Sovereign. "Still, it is satisfying to see that the shielding is doing its job with the physical Reaper piece." Ann and John approached from the other room, talking softly.

"We didn't detect any energy emissions from the artifact," John said to Ann.

"But the Reapers were able to use the artifact to trace Leviathan somehow," EDI said, she had been at the apartment since John left Ann the previous day.

"My theory is that, most of the time, the artifact simply acts as a receiver," Ann explained. "We'll only be able to trace Leviathan through it when it actively takes control of someone." Dr. Gatik's nodded at this.

"A cunning method of indoctrination, clever minds want to study an artifact, the artifact waits until said clever minds are in range, then takes their will," he said gravely. "The shielding prevents this, but we can neither hunt this creature nor test our devices unless we have a subject willing to open themselves up to indoctrination."

"And unless it needs something, Leviathan doesn't bother communicating," Ann sighed. "I guess it and my father had something in common." Jane gave John a look and he gave her a look that conveyed that there was a complex relationship between Ann and her father.

"You said Leviathan's control was similar to a quantum entanglement communicator, which is untraceable," EDI pointed out.

"But this isn't a natural QEC. Leviathan has to send a pulse through the artifact to alter your mind and create the quasi QEC effect," Ann explained and Dr. Gatik nodded.

"And that can be traced," he chuckled.

"Right, just like at the dig site. The Reapers were tracing the signal by activating the artifact," Ann explained. "My father wanted to be at that dig site. he was getting too old for long digs, but he hated being stuck in the lab. He nearly missed my graduation because he was on a dig. Showed up still wearing his field gear. God, he'd have hated dying here."

"Ann, I know this is hard, but if there's anything more you can tell us..." John prompted and Ann stared at the galaxy map.

"I don't think there's anything more I can tell you," she confessed before a hard look hit her face. "But maybe I can show you."

"What are you saying?" Jane asked.

"The artifact only sends out a signal when Leviathan's controlling someone," Ann explained. "So let it control me. You could trace the signal."

"This would also give me an ability to verify if the devices actually are working," Dr. Gatik stated. The twins shared a look and Jane didn't like this, but it was necessary, John looked torn as well.

"You mean let it take you over? That's too dangerous," he said.

"It's my call, not yours. You said I'm your last chance to find this thing," Ann stated and Jane gave John a look. He looked sufficiently guilty. He must have said something to her about that.

"We have no idea what will happen," Jane interjected.

"If we wait, the Reapers will get to Leviathan first. I'm the only one here who's spent enough time with it to do this," Ann stated. "You're looking for something to fight the Reapers, Spectres. I'm looking for the monster that murdered my father."

"We still don't know what we're looking for," John said.

"But we do," Dr. Gatik stated as he moved to Ann's side. "Dr. Bryson here is aware of her risks. I know what to look for when it comes to the indoctrination. Your AI can track the signal for this Leviathan. This woman stands here willing to risk herself to find the creature that struck down her father, so that we may strike down the Reapers." Jane and John shared a look.

"For the record, neither one of us likes this plan," Jane stated.

"Noted," Ann replied as she set up a stool.

"EDI?" John asked and she stood at the galaxy map.

"Energy signature locked in. Waiting for activation," EDI said. Dr. Gatik took out his omni-tool and Jane looked at John.

"You sure about this?" John asked Ann.

"Yes. I'm sure," Ann said and John moved behind her.

"I'm going to be right here," John said as he moved towards the button while giving Jane a look. "Think you can aggravate this thing?"

"I can get a krogan to charge and I talked back to Sovereign, I have a knack for pissing off things outside of my weight class," Jane shrugged.

"Okay, I'm ready," Ann said in a shaky voice. John moved to the button and smacked it.

"Shield is dropped," John announced and Jane watched as the artifact began to glow.

"Artifact is online," EDI announced.

"Anything?" Jane asked Ann.

"Nothing yet...wait...there's something. I feel a chill..." Ann spoke.

"Brainwave hypnotic pattern activating. Levels rising," Gatik stated his eyes widening and his lips pulling back from his teeth in a snarl.

"EDI?" John called, his hands on Ann's shoulders.

"No trace yet," she responded. Ann attempted to jerk from John's arms. "Signal is tracking. Maintain connection."

"Turn back. The darkness cannot be breached," Ann stated.

"Low level indoctrination," Gatik stated and Jane stepped forward.

"Listen to me. We already found you. And the Reapers are right behind us," Jane stated as she moved in front of Ann, crossing her arms under her breasts.

"You have brought them. You are a threat," Ann cried and John gave Jane a look as Ann's head swung up so she could glare at Jane.

"Full indoctrination control!" Gatik said in stunned awe. His fingers flying over his equipment.

"Damn straight I am and so are you. I've seen what you can do. The war needs you," Jane said with a look. Her hands fisting at her sides as she stared down an unknown alien using Ann's body.

"There is no war. There is only the harvest," Ann growled as her head dropped.

"Bullshit there is," Jane shot back.

"EDI, do we have enough?" John asked as he struggled with Ann's body.

"Partial lock. Maintain connection to narrow the search," EDI directed.

"We got enough then," John said, quickly hitting the shield activation and cutting off the artifact. "Ann are you all right?" She shook her head as Jane moved over to watch Gatik work.

"Yes...I think so," she said.

"Did we get anything?" John asked EDI.

"Yes, but it will take some time to search. Coordinates sent to the Normandy," EDI stated.

"I also got more than I could hope. The brainwave data was invaluable as I thought. We have what we need for the indoctrination devices," Gatik grinned. "I am sending information to the team, within weeks we will have devices in production to detect ALL levels of indoctrination ranging from the hypnotic to the direct control. Reaper spies will no longer pose a threat." Jane smiled at that.

"I sensed something else. Anger," Ann said.

"No surprise, my younger sister can piss off any sentient being," John chuckled and Jane glared.

"By fourteen minutes," she huffed. "It knows we're getting close."

"I think it wants to kill you," Ann stated.

"Join the line," Jane sighed as John helped Ann to rest.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: November 5th, 2186 CE

Location: Siguard's Cradle, Psi Tophet System, Planet 2181 Desponia

"Cortez, what's the status of the probe we launched?" John asked.

"Tracking it now, Spectre." Cortez confirmed. "I've confirmed that Leviathan's signal originates from this planet though I'm getting new readings. Its narrowed down Leviathan's location. You're not going to like it."

"Hit us with it, Cortez," Jane said coming up behind John.

"There's nothing but ocean," Cortez said and John blinked. "I show a concentration of structures floating on the surface but the probe's giving us a signal below that. Way below."

"Under water?" John muttered.

"Looks that way. The shuttle should still be able to reach it." Cortez informed them.

"Boy am I glad I insisted on one shuttle and one team," Jane muttered, not thrilled with the prospect before them.

"Is it possible for the shuttle to reach it?" John asked, ignoring the creeping feel of taking his sister, girlfriend, and a snarky Prothean in a deep sea dive.

"The Kodiak is spec'ed to nearly a thousand atmospheres…that I've never actually tested." Cortez commented.

"Guess we're going to find out…" John muttered just before the shuttle rocked and began to nose dive.

"What was that?" Jane demanded.

"Some kind of pulse. Braces yourselves for impact, we're going down!" Cortez shouted.

"Not again!" John shouted in frustration.

~*TF*~

The team exited the shuttled and Jane looked at the equipment on the floating ship. It was old and there was something eerie about the structure.

"Cortez how is the shuttle?" John asked.

"Checking now. I'll see if I can get power restored," Cortez replied.

"Copy that, we'll look around," John said.

"I'm going to take a guess that the pulse that brought us down, is what did this old girl in," Jane said as she looked at the ship they were on.

"Leviathan's last line of defense?" John asked.

"A disturbing thought," Javik sneered as he looked over into the ocean where the skeletal wrecks of other ships floated. "This is a place of death. Those ships look like they've been drifting for years."

The team split, Jane and Javik moved into a container to see desiccated corpses.

"I wonder how old these are," Jane muttered.

"Old enough not to stink," Javik sneered and Jane shook her head as she read the log.

"We have more of the artifacts over here," Liara called out.

"That is not comforting either," Javik stated and Jane nodded at that. Jane read more datapads.

"Looks like Leviathan got to the crew," Jane sighed. "Is it a mercy it kept them from realizing they were starving to death?" She shook her head.

"Better to die under your own control than the haze of another," Javik stated.

"We can agree on that," she said before Liara cried out and the sound of a Reaper rung out.

"Reapers! They were right behind us!" Javik cried in rage.

"Protect the shuttle!" John cried and the team got into positions. Jane moved to the back and used her sniper while Javik and Liara's biotics held the midground and John held the front line.

"Cortez! Situation!" John ordered.

"Swapping out the parts, Shepard. Hang on!" Cortez responded.

The team cut through the Reapers, but the waves were obvious.

"Cortez. Get into the air!" John ordered.

"On it!" Cortez said again.

The shuttle took to the air for support. The team cut through the Reapers faster.

"Another pulse hit me! Flight control's scrambled!" Cortez cried out.

"Damn it! Cortez is in trouble! Get to him!" John cried. The four began to push forward, it was slow.

"I've got enemy contract! Under fire!" Cortez cried. It was a tough fight and the team slowly got to Cortez.

"Status?" John asked.

"Shuttle's a mess. That pulse knocked it right out of the air. We're not going anywhere," he reported and Jane shook her head and Liara's lips tightened in concern.

"Could the Normandy extract us?" Javik asked.

"Same thing would happen to her...and the landing won't be as pretty. I'd say Leviathan has some sort of defense system in place," Cortez explained and the team shared a tense look.

"Then we aren't getting out of here until we find Leviathan," John said, looking pissed.

"So how do we do that?" Jane asked as they looked around.

"Well...you might be able to use a mech. Looks like it's rigged for diving," Cortez pointed out.

"A diving mech?" John questioned and Jane shrugged.

"Probe said Leviathan's signal was coming from underwater," Jane pointed out.

"That's a Triton model. Military grade, repurposed for deep-sea exploration," Cortez explained. "As long as the seawater hasn't corroded it, you should be good to go." Jane popped up to take a shot at a couple Reaper forces.

"Nothing's ever simple," Jane muttered.

"Well, if that's what we have to do, let's get started," John sighed.

"John, you cannot be proposing..." Liara started and John looked at her. Jane placed a hand on Liara's shoulder.

"We don't have a lot of options," Jane stated and Liara looked towards John. He turned and looked at Cortez.

"We'll need to restore power to get that cargo door open," Cortez said.

"How do we do that?" John asked.

"These old Ballard-class ships are equipped with exterior power sockets. The use 'em for emergency repairs. We can strip the cells from the shuttle and use those for juice," Cortez said. John and Liara powered the socket by the door while Jane and Javik took the one near the edge of the ship. It was annoying but easily done.

As the doors opened John grinned as he climbed into the mech.

"Get clear!" Jane ordered and ran for Cortez and the shuttle, Javik and Liara close behind as John began to have some real fun with the Reaper forces.

~*TF*~

"All right John let's get you out of there and I'll do a systems check," Cortez said, circling the Triton as John opened the cock pit.

"John, I understand the reasons but this is a big risk," Liara said as she approached the front with Jane.

"We've come too far to stop now." John said checking the controls. "The way home is through Leviathan."

"Why you and not me?" Jane asked. "Why are you forcing this?"

"Because you have more connections to the other races," John said as he finished his own check. "You have direct ties to the Krogan, the Dramaye, even the Truians, Salarians and Asari through your Spectre contacts and you have friendly ties with Tali. We shot all the spheres up here but if I get indoctrinated down there I'm less of a loss compared to you."

"Not to me!" Liara cried. John paused and looked at Liara sadly.

"I know, I'm sorry but scans of Ann show Leviathan's indoctrination isn't permanent like a Reapers."

"Through spheres!" Jane countered. "Who knows what will happen when you meet it face to face?"

"Someone has to do this," John snapped. "Do you have a better suggestion as to whom?" Jane seemed to bite her tongue and crossed her arms.

"Should have brought EDI," Jane hissed.

"Okay seals check out. Oxygen pressure is nominal. Systems are a go," Cortez reported and John nodded. "It's as ready as I can make it."

"I'll be back as soon as I can," John reassured them as the cockpit hatch closed. He locked the computer onto the probe's signal and opened a comm link to the team.

"Systems are engaged and show green across the board," John reported as the Triton moved towards the edge.

"Comm link is stable, for now," Jane added.

"I read you, here goes," John noted as the Triton reached the edge of the wreck. "Commencing dive in three, two one…" He pushed it forward and in two large steps the mech stepped off the edge and plummeted into the abyss.

~*TF*~

"Your brother is stubborn," Liara stated and Jane nodded as she took a sniping position.

"The benefits of being the Shadow Broker will not be on your side with him," Jane stated as they shot the approaching Reapers and protected the shuttle. So far it was only Cannibals and Husks but Jane fully expected it to get much worse.

"You did not fight that hard to stop him," Liara said in an angry tone.

"I'm not sure if you have ever met John Shepard, but the love of his life and his sister are trapped on a planet and cannot be rescued until a giant angry monster is fought. Do you really think either said love of life or sister was going to change his stupid overprotective mind?" Jane asked and Liara sighed, the angry lines on her brow replaced by ones of concern.

"No...I was taking it out on you," she said. "I apologize."

"I initially asked him to bring EDI while I brought James," Jane said and Liara blinked.

"I demanded to come," Liara stated and Javik nodded.

"As did I," he said.

"I pick my battles these days. This war...it's too big for some of our feelings. I wasn't going to be able to stop him on this. This situation...he's too afraid for us to let us do the stupid dangerous thing. Let's just focus on keeping this area safe for him to come back," Jane said and Liara nodded before taking a shot.

~*TF*~

"Not sure if you guys can read me up there. Looks like I've finished the major descent," John reported as he moved the mech carefully towards the probe's signal. "I can't see much from here. Though it looks somewhat similar to Earth ocean life. I see seaweed, large jelly fish creatures and a blue glow in the distance. My current depth is three thousand, eighty meters and pressure is a little over four thousand. It's in the red but not overly so. The suit is holding up, for now. Emergency systems have come online. Life support is operational."

John carefully move the mech along the ocean floor, doing his best not to take a wrong step and fired flares for light as he went. He smiled to himself remembering an old video game of his father's that was based in a city on the ocean floor. This felt somewhat similar to that.

"Found the probe. Seem to be intact," John reported after dropping into a small cavern. "I'm gonna keep moving." He moved the Triton past the probe and into a large underwater cavern. He had the mech twist and turn, looking for Leviathan just before the ground seemed to shake as a loud rumble echoed.

"What is that?" He muttered just before a large plume of bubbles rose from the glowing depths in front of him. He froze and his eyes widened as in the middle of those bubbles a large pair of horns rose. As the being rose to face him he suddenly understood. This wasn't a Reaper this was what the Reapers were based on, made to resemble. A massive, titanic, but organic being rose in front of him.

"You have come too far."

~*TF*~

The Reapers kept coming and it was a simple shooting gallery. Javik's biotic power that weakened the enemies was useful, so were the throws Jane and Liara were using to toss Reapers over the side.

"Who knew husks couldn't swim," Cortez commented.

"Density," Jane stated and he paused.

"I should have known that," he said.

"They use the metal in our bodies to mechanize us. Most of the metals in us is heavy," Jane pointed out. "They get rid of most of the water and increase the density."

"Knowing the pressure will destroy them before they reach John is also a comfort," Liara sighed.

~*TF*~

John wasn't in the cock pit. He was in nothing but a cold, dark place.

'I am in the cockpit,' He thought. He seemed to be aware and yet not aware. There was a being, a presence taking his mind to some place it controlled but he was aware of where his body was.

"I had to find you," John argued.

"This is not your domain. You have breached the darkness," Leviathan growled, the darkness pressing in on John. He suddenly lost awareness of the cockpit again for just a moment.

"You killed a Reaper. I need to know why," John demanded.

"They are the enemy. One that seeks our extermination," Leviathan rumbled. John was no longer in the cockpit. He was forced to his hands in knees in that darkness again. He shook his head and was back in the cockpit. He felt something foreign in his mind, amusement and curiosity.

"But I thought you were a Reaper, at first." John countered. "But then I saw you. You made them didn't you?"

"They are only echoes. We existed long before and we are something more." Leviathan snarled. John felt as if he was shaking and then was in the darkness again. He coughed as he felt his nose begin to bleed. Now the presence in his head was a pressure, testing him, seeing why he was like this.

"Your mind belongs to me," Leviathan rumbled as John heard footsteps approaching in the dark he looked up to see feet walking towards him. "Breathe." John coughed as the presence seem to spread, to let him control his own functions and he forced himself to his feet. He saw Liara staring at him with a blank look.

"Liara? How are, what's happening?" John muttered. Liara blinked and raised a hand to her head, pointing.

"Your memories give voice to our words," Leviathan's voice came from Liara as she spoke. "Your nature will be revealed to us. We sense machine in you but it is your organic mind that fights us. Accept this."

"The galaxy is at war with the Reapers. You defeated one. Why aren't you fighting back?" John demanded.

"There is no war. Only the harvest."

"Then help us stop it," John snapped and Liara was suddenly gone.

"None have possessed the strength is past cycles," Leviathan's voice came from John's left and he saw Jane walking by him. She approached a large galaxy map display that show cycle after cycle repeating over and over of the Reapers' conquest. "Your own species could be destroyed with a single thought. But you are different."

Jane disappeared to be replaced with Mordin at his science station, appearing to examine something through a microscope.

"I have witnessed the actions of you and your sibling in this cycle. The destruction of Sovereign, the fall of the collectors. The Reapers perceive you as a threat. And I must understand why."

A flash of the cockpit as John wrenched control of his mind for a moment, his nose bleeding freely before he was in the dark. He was sitting next to Liara as she stared up at the stars. Slowly some winked out and others flared into light only to wink out themselves. This pattern repeated, gaining speed each time until it seemed to be a continuous wave of lights shining and dying.

"Before the cycles, our kind was the apex of life in the galaxy. The lesser species were in our thrall, serving our needs. We grew more powerful and they were cared for. But we could not protect them from themselves. Over time the species built machines that then destroyed them. Tribute does not flow from a dead race. To solve this problem we created an intelligence with the mandate to preserve life at any cost."

The darkness changed again and John was walking Tali on the Alderi.

"As the intelligence evolved, it studied the development of civilizations. Its understanding grew until it found a solution. In that instant it betrayed us. It chose our kind as the first harvest. From our essence, the first Reaper was created. You call it Harbinger."

"Is that why all Reapers look like your species?" John asked and the darkness was replaced by Jane watching the Reapers harvest the galaxy over and over again.

"At the core of each Reaper there is a proto-form of the species harvested. The Reaper's body is created around that form and that body is of us. Our ability to gain thralls was refined, made into something twisted that turned thralls into the broken. Those broken are twisted and turned into pawns. These pawns are then sent out to harvest everything the organics have ever made and the organics themselves. No reason or warning is given. Only the slaughter, only the harvest."

"Okay, you've made your point. Will you help stop this cycle?" John demanded. The darkness changes again and he was face to face with Jane, whose eyes bored into his own.

"I have searched your mind. I have touched the mind of your sibling from one of the devices you did not destroy. You and she are anomalies. I shall let her go to see what impact her actions have on the cycle but you shall remain below to service us. We shall retreat into the depths and not contact the surface until the cycle has concluded."

"No, wait!" John protested as Jane began to walk away.

"I do not anticipate the cycle being overly affected. Your sibling may slow the harvest but it will be concluded."

"No! You know this cycle is different and with both of us up there and with your help we can stop it! You no longer have to be hidden from the world!" John countered stopping Jane from walking away and turning her to face him. As she did she changed from Jane to Liara.

"We cannot risk our own destruction on the chance of your failure."

"The Reapers know where you are! You can't just watch anymore, you have to fight! Even if you survive the battle today, the Reapers won't stop, ever. Release me, helps us and we have a chance to stop this once and for all!"

"Yet if you do win, you know of us and our limitations. We will not be exterminated by the lesser species who should be our thralls. If you remain, your sibling will hesitate to act." Leviathan rumbled.

"Not if we give you what you want!" John exclaimed in desperation. Liara changed rapidly to Jane to Tali to Garrus to Chakwas to Miranda to Jacob to his father and finally to Jane again. All had shown shock, until the last Jane that was smirking at him.

"Thralls."

"We have criminals, people who have committed crimes against our own people. If we establish you on a large oceanic world with just enough land for them you could enthrall them. Be a part of the galaxy again and have tribute you so crave," John clarified.

"Hmmmm." John was free of the darkness and woke up in the Triton again. He coughed and he lifted his head, his vision blurry and his skull pounding but the presence was gone. He rubbed at his eyes to clear his vision and watched two more Leviathans rise.

"Your confidence is singular. You are willing to do what you must but will do everything you can to achieve victory. It is clear why the Reapers perceive you as a threat. Your victories are more than a product of chance and genetics. We will fight. But not for you or any lesser rase. We were the first, the apex race. We will survive and when this is over we will thrive but know this, go back on your word and we shall make all of the lesser species suffer. And the Reapers who trespass on this world will understand our power. They become our slaves. Today they pay their tribute in blood. Now return to the surface, Shepard. We agree to your terms."

The cavern began to rumble and Triton alarms began to blare. John quickly typed in the commands, back it out to the opening and hitting the controls for emergency ascent. As he rose he saw the ocean floor begin to break and shift as more Leviathans began to rise.

~*TF*~

"It would be nice if the fucking pulse would take out that fucking Reaper," Jane growled, their ammo was running low. To top it off it was getting much worse. Marauders and Brutes had joined the assault and she hoped John would show up soon. As if on cue, the Triton popped over the edge. Jane smiled until the mech crashed to its knees. The cockpit opened up and John staggered out, blood covering his face from his nose to his chin, like a grotesque goatee. Liara was running for him moments later as one of the approaching Brutes attacked another. As the Reapers turned on one another Jane rushed forward to help Liara drag John's half conscious body towards the shuttle as the Triton fell back into the water.

"Systems are operational!" Cortez cried out to them as they boarded.

"Let's get back to the Normandy!" Jane ordered and the shuttled moved. As the shuttle ascended, the Reaper moved to intercept, only to freeze mid-air. They moved around it to meet with the Normandy and Jane was treated to the sight of the Reaper crashing into the waters below

"John, John wake up!" Jane cried.

"He's freezing," Liara pointed out. Suddenly John jerked up, like from a nightmare.

"John!" Jane cried, grabbing his shoulders. "We're off world." He stared at her and then Liara, his mouth moving for a moment as his brain caught up.

"Are you all right?" Liara asked and he stared at her a moment.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine. Hell of a headache," he groaned as he got into a seat. Liara cleaned his face of the blood with a wet rag and Jane was surprised John didn't push her away. He looked exhausted.

"What happened down there?" Jane asked and John looked at her.

"The Leviathans have agreed to fight in this war," John said and the look on his face said a lot.

"This isn't for unity with us," Jane said and Liara stared at John expectantly.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Javik said and John looked down with a sigh. Jane did not like that.

"What did they want?" she asked and he let out a sound of resignation before looking up at them.

"They want thralls," he said. "I offered them our prisoners." Jane's face expression twisted as she felt a rush of conflicted emotions, but she managed to keep from saying a word. She took a breath and shook her head.

"That's...fuck..." she growled.

"It is not an unacceptable offer," Javik stated.

"Do they know we can read their form of indoctrination?" Jane asked and John shrugged.

"I don't think so," he noted. "It wasn't so much them reading my mind as forcing me to converse with them on their level. I mean they knew things but only things on the surface."

"Well, we use the indoctrination devices, that's on Leviathan, we now have a weapon against the Reapers AND the Leviathan," she huffed.

"I thought you would be more upset," John admitted.

"We need the Leviathan, but the nice thing is that they don't know we can quarantine them and just make them a storage for dangerous people," Jane sighed. "If we don't have to kill them, I think the Illusive Man would be a great thrall."

"That's a positive thought," John said with a sickly grin and Jane gave him a look.

"It's the only upside I can see," she sighed.

~*TF*~

"When are you heading over to the Okinawa?" John asked as the twins exited the medical bay a few hours later. John had thoroughly examined but he had no lasting effects. Besides needing rest, he was thankfully indoctrination free.

"Once we figure out what to do about Victus and Wrex. We put them off for long enough," Jane sighed.

"You talk to Wrex, he's got that soft spot for you, I'll speak to Victus," John said and the two headed into the elevator. As soon as they entered the command center, Jane approached Wrex and the krogan gave her a smirk.

"Always having fun without me Shepard. Heard the two of you took on sea monsters," he chuckled and Jane smiled.

"I thought you krogan weren't fond of deep water," Jane teased.

"What are you talking about? Clan Urdnot can brag about our clan's swimming prowess," he laughed. "You can swim can't you?" Jane laughed at that.

"I can," Jane said.

"See, Clan Urdnot has the best swimmer on all of Tuchanka," he grinned and Jane laughed more.

"Alright, enough with the jokes, Wrex, what is this about a squad missing?" Jane asked, Wrex shot a look to where Victus and John were talking.

"They were scouting out the rachni relay. We've heard rumors of trouble in the area," he said and Jane swore.

"When I was on that asteroid before I joined up, I fought against rachni that had Reaper tech. Shit," Jane growled.

"That sure did get your attention. I have a favor to ask. It's big," Wrex stated. "All I know for sure is our scouts went silent as soon as they arrived. I've got Aralakh Company, my best unit, on standby. You give the word, and they'll meet you or your brother, there."

"Got it, thanks for the heads up, Wrex," Jane sighed John gave her a look and she returned the favor. The two headed to the communicator area to talk.

"What's up?" John asked and Jane leaned against the wall.

"While getting Garneau's data, I encountered Reaper Asari and Reaper Rachni," Jane stated and John hissed.

"Yeah, we saw the same while getting Ann," he said and then he looked at Wrex.

"Yep, a team of Krogan were in the Rachni relay area, went silent, he wants one of us to go investigate," Jane said. "I hope the Queen is alright. What was Victus on?" John winced.

"His son's ship went down doing a covert mission on Tuchanka," he said and Jane swore.

"Shit," she muttered.

"I'll take Tuchanka," Jane said and John nodded.

"Urdnot-Shepard has the advantage...but you should take Garrus," John said and Jane paused. She looked down and nodded.

"You're right, send the order to Garrus, I'm heading over to the Okinawa in ten. You take care of the Rachni. While I showed them mercy, the krogan are more likely to hesitate for me and the turians are more likely to trust Garrus," Jane conceded.

~*TF*~

Jane was waiting by the shuttle while Vega and Ash shot the breeze inside the open shuttle door. As the elevator opened Jane turned to see both Garrus and Kaidan heading off with their go bags.

"Wait, why are both of your here?" Jane asked and Garrus smirked as he shot Kaidan a look.

"Spectre Alenko was there when I got the order that you needed me, he's offered to join us," Garrus stated and Kaidan gave Garrus a look before looking at Jane.

"It seemed fair," Kaidan said and Jane opened her mouth.

"I'll be leaving John with less of a team, he'll only have Liara and EDI," Jane started.

"I nominate Vega!" Ash cried, shoving the younger marine forward.

"Hey wait, I want to see the show," Vega cried and Jane shot the two a look.

"Shit rolls downhill, I'll fill you in on the juicy details when we pick you back up later," Ash said with a grin. "Just like old times, boys."

"Missed you too, Williams," Garrus purred and Jane fought the urge to shiver at the tone. This was going to be Hell.

~*TF*~

Toby Note: Well folks I hope you enjoyed the Leviathan DLC. I had a blast writing it and loved changing it. I could completely see a selfish species like the Leviathans refusing to let John go until they get the better deal. Like we said before, having two Shepards doesn't necessarily work out for the better.

Hope you all are staying happy and safe in these times.

Belle Note: This was a long wait but I think it was worth it. There are some essential issues being addressed in this chapter, so I hope you realize what they mean. The next two chapters have been something I cannot wait for.

~*TF*~

OMAKE 1

All was peaceful at the Twin Fates studios. No sounds of violence from the shipping war, no new security chiefs trying to drain or turn the staff, fan tours were ended for the week and no mad women storming the halls vowing to tear people apart.

No just one woman vowing to tear her co-author apart if she didn't find him right now and she swears to God if he doesn't bring her this chapter soon she'll tear off his-

"Ma'am?" Iron Bull said coming up behind her. Belle focuses on her personal assistant and that chiseled chest that made her go weak and want to get chocolate.

"Yes Bull?" Belle asked.

"I found him but he doesn't seem right." Bull noted and Belle felt her irritation turn to concern. Toby had been pulling twelves at work lately and was beyond tired.

"How so?" Belle inquired and Bull rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish.

"He's in a room, snapping plastic with handheld clippers and humming to himself." Iron Bull said. Belle stared at him before sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"His newest addiction," Belle muttered. "I supposed he deserves it, he has been stressed out." Gesturing for Bull to lead the way she followed the Qunari. Frowning as she was led past Toby's office she found herself outside a conference room near her fellow author's office. The door was shut but she could hear something from the inside.

"I know he's in there I saw him get a lunch delivery," Bull drawled. After Belle tried the door and found it locked she considered just having Bull break it down. Realizing the repairs would come out of her budget she decided to try honey first.

"Toby I know you're in there," Belle said in her sweetest, most manipulative voice. "Would you mind letting me in so I can talk to you while you make gunpla?" The door unlocked after a minute and was opened by Tali.

"Tali what are you doing here?" Belle asked. Tali seemed to smile at her.

"Toby bought me a few models as well," she chirped letting them in. Belle felt her eye twitch as she realized Tobias had gotten a large majority of her missing staff addicted as well. Tobias was carefully snipping free the parts for a Gundam's arm as John was nearby with Jane assembling a 1/100 scale Normandy. Garrus was assembling a Turian dreadnaught model while Zelda was assembling a Temple of Time. There was a huge stack of model boxes in the corner that Elizabeth was browsing through with a completed Songbird posed on the table behind her. There was an empty space at the table with a partially completed Geth that had to be Tali's spot. Grunt had a jewelry monocle over one eye as he worked on the details of a shark model.

"What? Where did all this come from?" Belle demanded.

"Places," Toby said, not even looking at her and irritating her further. "By the way I sold off the Mako."

"To who?" Belle demanded.

"A fan." Toby said, smiling to himself as he snapped the pieces together and finished both arms for the Gundam.

"Which one?" Belle demanded. The building shook and then sounds of gunfire rang out.

"THAT'S MINE!"

"Like hell! I bought it! See!"

"SO DID I!"

"ME TOO!"

"All of them," Toby noted and smirked to himself. Now for the Gundam's legs…

OMAKE 2

The paraphrased dialogue based on when Belle actually found out that Toby was developing an addiction to making models.

Toby: Yeah, they look really nice. I'm super excited about how they are turning out.

Belle: So...*evil grin*...this is what you've been doing instead of writing Twin Fates?

Toby: *realizing with great horror that he has revealed a weakness to Belle* Don't you dare!

Belle: *laughing maniacally*

Toby: That's it, I'm going to turn on my computer right now and write an omake about this before you!

Belle: *still laughing maniacally*

OMAKE 3

Belle glared at her co-author at their latest press conference to give them an update about the studio schedule. Toby had talked her ear off and even shown her pictures of his rec room between their conferences. He had a right to be pleased that one wall was done and she was happy that he had found a new hobby to help him de-stress. However…

"That is way too long. He should be writing," Belle muttered. She turned to the fans nearby who were waiting anxiously for the next chapter. It was getting a bit intense and their thirst was strong. One woman had even offered herself up for motivation. Time to put an end to this. She tapped the microphone to make sure it was on.

"Okay look," Belle began. "Toby has been incredibly busy at work with how shitty it has been for business lately. However, he hasn't been entirely truthful. While he has been writing here and there, he has also been indulging in a new hobby, Gunpla model making."

"Wow, really bitch?" Tobias said, echoing something he had said to her a few weeks ago.

"While he has been putting models together," Belle continued, ignoring him as was her right, "he has gotten so good at it he has bought master grade level models now. So he's been spending longer hours-mur mur mur!" Tobias had stepped up behind Belle and slapped a hand over her mouth to silence her. As was his right.

"Yeah we're not going to talk about that," Toby snapped. Belle glared at him with female fury and Toby employed the patented male-ignoring-female technique.

Effective but you always pay for it later.

"Mur mur mur mur mur MUR!" Belle demanded and Toby understood.

"Yeah conference over!" Tobias said dragging Belle away from the podium while she still tried to nark on her fellow author.

OMAKE 4

"Vega, you stay here to help even out John's team since we are taking two of his people. I don't want to leave him short staffed," Jane sighed, squeezing the bridge of her nose. James looked at Garrus and Kaidan, the two guys driving his Captain to the brink of distraction. He knew a great way to break the tension.

"No problem, Lola, just don't let them take my place under you," James said as he walked past Jane, slapping her on the ass with a nice loud smack. The hanger froze save for James sauntering between the turian and the biotic. Jane's jaw dropped as her face began to turn red.

"VEEEEEEEEGAAAAA!" she roared as biotic power swirled around her while James slipped into the elevator snickering as the doors closed.

OMAKE 5

Toby sat at his desk and looked at his own personal budget. He sighed deeply, irritated with himself. He stress bought again. His overtime pay was outrageous and while he appreciated the help to pay off bills he had also discovered a new website and let it get a bit out of hand.

It didn't help that Dark Belle was behind him with a riding crop, tapping her hand with the end as she went over his pre-orders.

"List them or else its it get the hose again," she growled. Toby sighed is resignation and began.

"Knights of Sidonia Tsugumori model October 31st. Neon Geneisis Evangelion blu-ray for the entire series December 8th. Mecha-Godzilla Unit 01 hybrid model December 31st. Aerith Gainsborough red dress statue June 10th," Toby said.

"No more?" she snarled and Toby let his head thump on his desk.

"No more." He muttered into his desk, cursing the day he discovered RightStufAnime and Belle sniffed.

"Very well. I shall begin chapter 34 and you will wait there. Then you will spend all your time on it when you get it!" She-who-must-not-be-angered growled as she strode away. Toby looked up and watched her meet Iron Bull as they walked away.

"Why do you let her do that?" Elizabeth asked as she entered the office with Morrigan following.

"Well first she needs her own stress relief plus I also owed her. She cashed in her Fallout 76 credit by making me buy Back 4 Blood," Toby noted.

"Yeah but you like that game," Morrigan pointed out and Toby nodded.

"For now but I can see it getting changed into pay to win crap. We'll see if they add microtransactions for those cards," Toby mused. "Anyway we've spent time on that together so I could use that against her but I won't I have been spending too much time model making when I should be writing. I'm just glad I got that break in overtime so I could write 33 before it started up again."

"So what's second?" his newest staff member, Aerith asked as she entered the room with his schedule. Tobias grinned smugly to himself pleased at his trifecta of Aerith his secretary, Morrigan his body guard and Elizabeth…well Elizabeth needed no explanations.

"Second I deal with the staff when Belle creeps them out with her art," Tobias noted as he headed out of the office with his team following him. They passed by Pales walking by with Sam slung over her should, the Alliance officer dressed in Samara's outfit taken from wardrobe.

"I love you boss!" Pales chirped as she walked by, pleased with Toby's policy to rent out costumes to fans as the need called for. They headed outside and Toby examined the wall as they latest wall between the shipping fans raged.

"And finally I keep this contained," Toby said, gesturing to the wall. The grounds rattled with an explosion.

"THE SHEGAS SHALL WIN THIS DAY! FOR WE HAVE GROPED THE BOOTY!"

"NEVER! THE SHENKOS WILL TRIUMPH FOR HE WAS THE FIRST TO CONQUER THAT MOUNTAIN!"

"WE WILL RULE YOU ALL FOR SHAKARIANS RULE ALL! WE ARE ENDORSED BY THE MALE MOUNTAIN THAT IS SHEPARD!"

"That's new," Toby noted to himself as Liara approached.

"It's better than some of the new fans offering themselves to you and Belle for sexual favors for the new chapter," she noted. Tobias winced at the aura of rage that appeared around Elizabeth.

"Something you forgot to mention?" she snapped.

"To be fair I didn't take her up on it."