This one has been added in just because it was there, but this is the last for this little and somewhat low quality collection.

"I still can't believe that we have to consider these bastards our allies."

"Language, Commander. The UDSH is a valuable force for good and…I don't think I can finish that sentence."

Field Commander Shepard snorted in sardonic agreement as he looked down upon the massive phalanx of soldiers marching in step down the wide street.

"You know what it reminds me of, Annette? Those Old Earth films of World War 2. Soldiers goose-stepping past a review stand under the approving gaze of Herr Fuhrer."

"I'm not sure that's an accurate representation, sir. The UDSH aren't Nazi's. They're…well, they aren't Nazis."

"Your rebuke is noted, Paladin Ghorst, and I'll accept that they aren't Nazis. But they sure as Hell ain't normal. I mean, sure it's a bit odd that all those mutations started springing up and such, but they're going a bit far with the whole 'Human Purity' thing."

"Preaching to the converted, Commander. Pretty sure that if we weren't one of the biggest kids on the block they'd be purging us the first chance they got."

Shepard laughed mirthlessly.

"Yeah. 'Purity is the soul of victory', right? Bit more extravagant than our own little motto. Still can't believe that they actually decided to help us."

"In all fairness, sir, they were getting beaten pretty hard by the Dominion. They've only really gotten back in the game after they got access to our factory worlds."

"Yeah, I guess. But that still doesn't mean I don't wanna smack Aldrich in the mouth every time I see him look at me. Sneering. Like he's better than me, just 'cause he doesn't have impurities."

"Sir…no offense intended, sir, but your impurities are rather…well…"

"Yeah, I know."

Shepard did know. He was of the Fallen, as the more religious members of society called it, his very being tainted. Magic, demonic powers, whatever you wanted to call it: it was an unnatural force, and it was horrifyingly obvious to anyone with even a hint of ability to see. He'd never gotten a coherent response out of anyone who had seen him exercising his full power: all he knew was that he no longer looked human when he did so. Even now, with his power entirely suppressed and hidden, there was something distinctly eldritch about him to the eyes of the gifted. It was a sign of long friendship that Ghorst didn't react to it at all.

A vaguely human form, but with too long arms and long fingered hands. Legs reverse jointed, and a head that was just a shadowy silhouette, split by a gaping, toothy maw and topped with a jagged crown of starlight. That was the shape he gradually assumed upon tapping into the forces that could twist reality, and it tended to send even the most hardened Mages into a screaming panic. There was something wrong about the Tainted, something worse than the normal bizarreness of magic, and it was something that Shepard preferred not to consider- especially given the law-required explosive chip in his head, set to go off if he ever yielded to the intoxication that his power brought when overused. He shook his head and turned away from the massed ranks of UDSH Heavy Infantry, walking to the adjoining room where a portion of his own command staff were located.

"Sir?"

"Any new reports, Major?"

"No, sir. The Dominion leadership appears to have gone to ground in the bunker and tunnel system, and left the civilians to our mercy. Our troops are establishing strongpoints and working on a basic census: I believe that the UDSH is doing the same. No plans to draw out the Dominion as of yet- I believe that a long siege may be needed."

"The UDSH doesn't have a way?"

"I think they may have suggested the use of a Sunreaver platoon to Paladin Gremore, sir, but I doubt he would entertain such a thought."

Shepard grunted in agreement and nodded. James Gremore was the most senior member of Shepard's force, apart from Ghorst and Shepard himself. The grizzled campaigner was nearly twice as old as the other two commanders, and would never agree to send valuable mages into what would quite likely be a heavily guarded death-trap.

"Where is the First Paladin now?"

"He went to oversee the repair and reinforcement of the Nellbar strongpoint, sir."

"Good. Good. Very well, Thomas, carry on."

The Major saluted and returned to work, and Shepard walked across the room, Ghorst in tow. Nellbar was only a short distance away.

"James."

"Shepard. Come to check on me?"

"Heh. Am I that obvious?"

"I wouldn't like to say, sir." Gremore replied. The bulky, grey haired Paladin glanced up at the skies thoughtfully.

"You know that the UDSH commander suggested we bombard the tunnel network? How did he put it…'The flagship can penetrate the crust, dear fellow, and solve our issues easily'. Prick."

Shepard considered.

"He isn't wrong, I suppose. The Indifference of Spite is a planet-buster, right enough."

"Which would be wonderful if we weren't on the planet. And if we didn't care about collateral. And if-"

"Yeah, I get it James. Do you have a plan? You usually do."

"Hmph. The major tunnels were collapsed behind them, can't get anything bigger than a Stalwart-class down there. My intention was to wait until the Spirit can supply us some of the mark seven Peacekeeper suits, they should be easy enough to alter for close quarters tunnel combat. We clear out as much as we can, make sure the Dominion can't trigger any last-minute nastiness, and then we'll siege them out." Gremore said, outlining a plan. Shepard nodded.