From Ashes
Chapter Thirty Two: Of Loss and Discovery


"Welcome to Citadel News Net, I'm Emily Wong. Today, we are devastated to report the death of an icon: The first human Spectre and Lieutenant Commander with the Alliance Navy, Seryna Shepard, was reported as being killed in action after a vessel of an unknow make attacked her ship in the Amada system of the Omega Nebula. The SSV Normandy SR1 was destroyed while searching for traces of Geth activity on the fringes of Citadel space. Response to the ship's distress beacon was immediate, and all life pods were recovered. Unfortunately, Commander Shepard was not among the survivors; having chosen to manually launch the last escape shuttle. I had the privilege to speak with Councilor David Anderson, a close friend and mentor to the late commander. He had this to say:…"

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt," The voice of her assistant cut across the part of the interview that she had heard already. "She's calling again."

"I will deal with her."

"Are you sure?" Yvora looked to the display that still showed the young reporter speaking with Councilor Anderson. "It can wait."

"She won't."

"Very well." Her assistant finally nodded and sat down at her desk again. "I'll forward the call."

"Thank you."

Tevos stood in her office with her hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes were on the display, where the human reporter, Emily Wong, was finishing up her interview with David Anderson.

"…She was a fine soldier and an exceptional young woman." He spoke in a quiet and reverent voice. "I think I can speak for many when I say that my life was improved by having her in it, and that her's ended much too soon. My only consolation is that Seryna did what any of us would have: gave her life to protect another."

"A truly selfless act indeed." Emily finished with an equally reverent tone. "Thank you for your time, Councilor." When Anderson's interview disappeared, Emily continued speaking. "Over the next week, we will be continuing to air several interviews in this special series entitled: Distinction: The Woman Behind the Legend. From Alliance personnel, close friends, and those she considered family, we will tell the tale of Seryna Shepard from humble beginnings to her untimely end. For more information on parts in this series, search keyword SHEPARD on the Extranet."

"If you're looking to resemble a statuette, you're not far off."

"You insist on wasting my time." Tevos' tone was flat as she responded. "What is it that you want?"

"Is that really any way to start this off?"

"Let us call this for what it is." Her tone grew icy. "You contact me because you want something done. You believe that it will be handled due to our relationship; figment of your imagination, though it is. I humour you because I wouldn't wish your continued pestering on my worst enemy."

"Well," Another asari, older in looks, appeared on a small holo display "Someone has their crest in a twist."

"No," Tevos finally rounded on the caller. "I am simply dealing with something a bit more important than your petty grievances."

"Ah yes, the dead human. I heard about it just a short while ago. Don't let the shining star of your new pet species get to you-"

"Do not insult her, Mother."

"Oh very well, if you insist." The other asari wore an expression close to a scowl. "If you'd like to get to the point, then so be it. I'm challenging Gallae's authority."

"You are what?" The frost that accompanied Tevos' words was laced with contempt. "Leave her be."

"She is too lenient and allows her bleeding heart to stain her sleeve with those beasts she coddles."

"The only beast in this situation is you, Mother. What would you know of their hardship?"

"Enough to know that purebloods shouldn't be allowed to exist. It's how we get animals like the Ardat-Yakshi-"

"You hypocritical viper!" Tevos snapped. "Do not make this sound like a grand moral stand. If that were true, you'd have never-"

"Been so negligent and had a pureblood daughter." The other asari shot back. "Believe me, I get enough reminders as it is."

"One day, you will answer for this, Mother." Tevos let her hands drop; one gripping the nearest chair tightly out of anger. "I will know her name."

"And that spectre you just lost will rise from the dead." Her mother retorted waspishly. "Simply note that I am challenging Gallae."

"No," Tevos shook her head slightly after a few seconds' pause. "She will go unopposed. I won't let you hurt anyone else." Before her mother could object, she ended the call abruptly. Turning back to the report that Emily Wong was concluding, Tevos saw footage of the Normandy leaving the Citadel; she had missed what the reporter had said beforehand.

It had been a day and a half since the initial shock, and things had only gotten worse. Survivors from the attack had just arrived on the station, and they were being questioned on what exactly had occurred. So far, all that had been discovered was that a ship had attacked the Normandy, and that it matched a partial profile discovered on the fringes of asari space. The connection had been made by an asari lieutenant that had been stationed aboard the Alliance frigate as part of an exchange project. That last hadn't been released to the media; it warranted further investigation. Still, there was much to learn, and it would have to be done. Even if it meant watching every scrap of news that discussed the matter, Tevos silently swore she would. The situation involving Shepard's death was both a professional and highly personal one. Another image of the spectre appeared on the display as yet another news service began a broadcast. Tevos didn't look away.

"It is the only thing that makes it all real."


"This is Commander Seryna Shepard with the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel. There is very little to say that I haven't already made clear, so I will make this brief."

They were all standing there in his office. Her crew and team, the survivors from the attack on the SR1, all looked worse for wear. They had been questioned non-stop since their arrival on the Citadel six hours ago, but if they were exhausted, they put it aside for her. Their eyes were on the datapad that sat on Anderson's desk. Her voice was issuing from it. Anderson himself, was standing behind his desk; his posture rigid. He both wanted and hated to hear this message as much as they did.

"To my crew: It has been an honour and a privilege to serve with each and every one of you. We've been through the ringer, and I'm grateful for the experience and memories made. I wish you all the best. To a spacer, her crew is her family, and you more than fulfilled that role."

Ashley Williams, along with a few others, gave a grateful sniff at these words. Charles Pressly clenched his jaw, and Greg Adams' stance went rigid.

Though the message had concluded, no one made an effort to move. Human or alien, each one of them shared a collective moment of silence that lasted for at least five. They didn't want to speak, didn't want to break this tense and painful silence, but someone had to. Clearing his throat after a few more minutes, Councilor Anderson clasped his hands behind his back and looked over the gathered crowd.

"I know that it's been rough," He began. "From what you experienced out there, being transported here, and finally, to being questioned non-stop." He nodded toward the datapad that still bore the recording on its display. "As soon as I received this, I knew that you would want to hear it. Now, I must ask something more difficult of you: Take time to collect yourselves." He looked over their faces again. Expressions hadn't changed. It was as if the words weren't registering. "Deal with your grief, and put your best foot forward." He paused again; observing the same effect. Finally, just as he was about to say something else, someone spoke.

"She understood." It was Tali, standing back near Garrus and Adams, who spoke in a carrying voice. When Garrus tilted his head to the side, he didn't have to ask what she meant. "To a quarian, his or her shipmates are their family. We work together, as a close-knit group to maintain a ship, whose job is to keep us together and safe." Adams nodded in understanding. "Keelah, Shepard took the time to understand and get to know each and every one of us; regardless of race or level of suspicion when it came to Saren and the Geth. " Tali paused for a second, and the expressions of those around her showed the effect her words had.

"I thought I knew what it was to have a diverse family while on the flotilla. I'm glad that the pilgrimage has fulfilled its purpose; proving me wrong and reminding me that unfamiliar stars don't have to be so cold."

"Humans have an expression for that." Ashley said after a moment. "Home is where the heart is," At that, Doctor Chakwas and Pressly nodded. "And hers was definitely on that ship and with her crew."

"This won't be easy," Anderson finally said. "For any of us, but I will ask that you all take the time to talk to someone. Counselors will be available if you should feel the need." He looked down at the datapad again. "A copy of what you've just heard has been sent to your extranet addresses."

"How much time do we have before we are reassigned?" Pressly, while sounding like it hurt to speak, asked this question.

"We'll worry about that when the time comes." Anderson answered evenly. "For now, take the time and try to get some rest. I know you haven't had any since you got here."

"He's right." Doctor Chakwas spoke in a more authoritative tone than she had since everything had happened. "While I still have the authority to do so, I highly suggest that we all sleep. I doubt she would want us collapsing from exhaustion."

While a bit uncertain at first, everyone eventually nodded. After expressing their gratitude for the message, most left in small groups or individually. When only Ashley remained standing there, Councilor Anderson relaxed his posture just slightly as he sat down in his chair. This entire situation had him feeling much older than he had a few short days ago. When he looked up again, he saw the chief sit down slowly in a chair across from him. She too looked older; far more than the young survivor from the 212.

"Chief Williams." He acknowledged.

"Sir." Ashley answered promptly.

"I was hoping for a moment with either you or Doctor T'Soni."

"Why is that?"

"There are a few other messages here." Anderson motioned to the datapad. "One is easily recognized as being for the commander's mother…"

"Has there been any news on her, Sir?"

"I'm waiting to hear back from someone now." Anderson shrugged loosely. "There was a reason that Marie Durand was with Admiral Ahern when you were picked up."

"She mentioned an N7 commendation in her jacket." Ashley seemed grateful for the slight change of subject; her tone much more like what he was used to hearing.

"She is going through the training right now, but I've already sent her on a mission ahead of schedule." Anderson leaned forward slightly. "There was a small lead based on what you found here on the Citadel with that salarian shop keep."

"Morlan."

"Someone did contact him and asked to have the merchandise transferred to a small cargo freighter. C-Sec and Alliance Requisitions teams tagged the equipment and sent it on to the docks. The freighter led us to an abandoned base on the planet Sharjila, in the Artemis Tau Cluster. I believe you know of that particular location."

"I know of a base on Sharjila, but I'm not sure if it is the same one." It was Ashley's turn to shrug. "We went there in search of someone. Instead, we found a mercenary that was blackmailing someone here on the Citadel."

"Same base, then." Anderson nodded. "The freighter offloaded the cargo and left, but we picked up some interesting chatter."

"Anything to say who is behind it or anything?"

"They're still looking into it." Anderson dismissed the question. "I probably won't know anything until later today or tomorrow at the earliest. Back to the original subject, another message was sent just after this one. It's encrypted, and we're not sure who it's meant for." He leveled the chief with a curious gaze. "You and Doctor T'Soni knew her best, I think; any ideas on who should be on the receiving end?"

"I may have an idea." Ashley answered slowly. "I may be wrong, but I think I know who it's meant for."

"They delivered it to me along with this one." Anderson nodded toward the datapad again. "If you think you know who it belongs to, then I'll leave it with you."

"Thank you, Sir." Ashley took the datapad that Anderson offered. "I'll do my best." She stood to leave.

"Oh, and if you come across him, tell Joker I'd like to see him."

"I will."


"Sir, we're receiving a signal."

The bridge of the Alliance cruiser SSV Darrington had been quiet since its abrupt departure from Arcturus Station. Staff had been a bit nervous after receiving their latest assignment. Only its captain knew exactly what was going on. They had been sent to the Artemis Tau cluster, and were in the Macedon system. The navigator had stepped away from the galaxy map interface and was looking to her captain.

"It's coming through on Alliance back channels. Broken up, but I believe it's what we were looking for."

"Let's hear it."

"Aye, Sir."

"General Distress: Primary Systems failure. Approach with caution."

"That's it?" The captain frowned. "That's the signal?"

"There's something embedded in it, but I'm working with our comm specialist to decrypt it."

"Let me know what you find."

The captain left for the comm room, but when he got there, he found that the door was closed and could hear voices beyond it. Deciding to wait, he leaned against the wall nearest. Rumor had it that they were here for a scout run, but that made no sense. Someone had already scouted this system, or so it seemed. Hell, even the Normandy had been here months ago. His ship had just made its repairs and had been released from dry dock after what people were now calling the Battle of the Citadel. While it was good to have his ship and crew back out among stars, it was strange to have an Alliance admiral and an N7 aboard. While the latter was a few ranks below him, the captain didn't like how serious she seemed to be. She and the admiral had kept things pretty quiet for the most part, and it made him uneasy.

"Captain."

"Oh, Commander, I was waiting for the call to end before I entered." He was lustered by the sudden address. "I have information the admiral will want to hear."

"He's just inside."

"Good." He squared his shoulders and turned to head back toward the bridge. "I'll check in with my comm specialist and report to him shortly." Now, he felt like an idiot. He'd come with half of the information rather than the full package. It was an ensign's move. He didn't even look back to see the expression the N7 was giving him. When the captain reached the comm specialist's station, he gave him a quick glance. "Well?"

"I've got it."

"And?"

"Paydirt." The specialist handed the captain a datapad. When the message was played, it was very clear that they had found what they were out here for.

"-I don't have long. Ship was brought down onto the surface. Some of the cew was in on it-" The message cut out for a few seconds. "Had to gun down people I thought I could trust. Coordinates are being uploaded with this message. If you're receiving this, hurry.."

"I'll get this to the admiral." The captain turned again and went back toward the comm room. This time, when he got there, it was open, and the two occupants were standing by the FTL comm unit. It looked like they had just finished talking when he approached. "Admiral?"

"Captain."

"You'll want to hear this." The message played again, and as it did, the expressions on the admiral and commander's faces grew grim. At the last bit, the former tightened his grip on the datapad slightly. When silence had fallen again, the captain spoke. "Is this what you were looking for, Sir?"

"Exactly what I was looking for. Did you extract the coordinates?"

"Yes, they are for the planet Klensal in the Dis system of the Hades Gamma cluster."

"Set course immediately."

"Sir," The captain started to ask about the details of this mission that they were on, but he thought better of it. "I'll see it done, Admiral."

With coordinates set for the planet Klensal, the Darrington left the Macedon system via the nearest relay. Afterwards, it was a quick FTL jump to the Dis System. During that time, the crew talked amongst themselves. In the comm room, the tension was thick; a small team consisting of five people had gathered there, and they wer listening as admiral Steven Hackett briefed them. So far, the mission details were somewhat lacking. The team, led by Lieutenant Commander Marie Durand, would depart the cruiser in a shuttle with the admiral. Coordinates led to a structure that had been previously flagged as abandoned, and they were to get in, find whoever was being held there, and get out.

"Let me make this clear." Hackett finally said, after the details had been had. "There is no room for failure."

"Admiral," The captain's voice came over the com. "I apologize fo the interruption, but a call is coming in for you from the Citadel over a priority channel."

"Patch it through, Captain."

"Yes, Sir." After a few seconds, the holo of a woman appeared. Though not military, her expression and posture were fitting.

"Admiral, my name is Helena Blake. I received word from Chief Williams that you wished to speak to me. What can I do for you?"

"As I understand it, you have a history in the Dis system of the Hades Gamma Cluster." Hackett began without preamble. "Specifically on the planet Klensal."

"I did, yes." Helena Blakenodded sharply, but her expression didn't change. "Former business associates, namely one half of a mercenary band, had a base in the form of an old mine on that world. They have since been dealt with."

"Do these coordinates mean anything to you?" He displayed them so that she could see them. Her eyes narrowed slightly while she thought.

"While not the coordinates for the mine, they are familiar. There is a holding facility on that planet." Helena tapped her chin in thought. "It was the place where their slaves were kept; as well as a significant amount of red sand and other illegal substances. When I discovered it, I found a way to shut them down."

"A bunker, then?"

"I believe so, yes." She nodded. "I never saw the place myself, but I would assume so."

"What should we expect in regard to defenses?"

"Having never seen it in person, I would assume ground turrets and a possible communications scrambler. These people weren't sophisticated, but they had a few things up their sleeves."

"I appreciate the information." Hackett made it clear, by his tone, that the conversation was over. It didn't seem to bother his caller.

"Of course." She answered promptly. "I hope you find what you are looking for."

"What do you know about the situation, Ms. Blake?"

"Enough to now that it matters." She answered evasively. "We can speak again once the sitation has been resolved. For now, I won't keep you." The call ended, and Hackett was left to stare at the place where her holo had been. After a few seconds, Commander Durand spoke.

"Sounds like she knows more than she's telling. Thoughts, Admiral?"

"I agree, but she is right." Admiral Hackett turned back to the five people in the room. "We can focus on what she knows after we're done here. Be ready when we begin our approach. I want boots on the ground as soon as possible."

"Yes Sir, we'll be ready."

"Before you go, Commander, I'd like a quick word."

"Head down to the shuttle and gear up." Durand addressed her team. "I'll be down in a moment."They filed out of the comm room; leaving her and the admiral alone. When the door closed behind them, she turned back to him. "Sir?"

"I know that your training isn't complete," He began. "And that you've been thrown onto a mission that you know very little about. I want you to know that this is a highly personal task I've asked you to partake in."

"I understand."

"The person on that recording," Hackett added; motioning to the datapad that was on the surface of the comm unit. "Her name is Hannah Shepard. She is a commander with the Alliance navy and the XO of the raided Alliance dreadnought, the Kilimanjaro."

"Shepard," Marie frowned. "No relation to…"

"Her mother." Hackett nodded. "The reason I say this is: I gave her my word that we would find her and bring her home." Turning back to the comm unit and looking down slightly, he finished speaking. "I fully intend to keep it."

"I understand, Sir."

The shuttle ride to the planet's surface was quick and quiet. The four marines that had been assigned to Commander Durand were disciplined, but they were nervous in the presence of their new CO; never mind the admiral that was with them. Whe the shuttle landed, they exited and surveyed the area. A shor distance away, the bunker could be seen. As Helena Blake had suggested, there were turrets set up groundside, and a missile launcher was set up on the top of the structure. Whether they were active or not was unclear, but they would handle them when needed.

"Approach with cation, and be ready to engage those turrets." Hackett said quietly after their target had been sighted.

"You heard him, let's move." Durand led her team through a pass in the rocky surface that would allow them cover before tagging each turret for her engineer. He advanced and sabotaged the nearest one; causing it to fire on the one nearest it. That destroyed the second turret, but the automated missile launcher locked onto the hacked turret and destroyed it.

"Two down, one to go." The engineer muttered. "We'll have to shut down that rocket launcher another way, though."

"Leave that to me." Durand reached for her belt and removed an arc grenade. "Modified so that it will send micro-pulses and disable core systems. If it can't do that, then it will at least cripple it until we can get through the door."

"Where'd you get that, Alliance R&D?" Her engineer asked as they advanced a little further. "I've seen arc grenades, but they usually cause radial damage."

"My own design." Durand shrugged. "I was planning on sticking it to one of those rachni that we were fighting, but I never got a chance to use it."

"I'll discuss the theory behind that later." This time, it was Hackett that commented. He then turned to the engineer. "Hack that last turret. In theory, it wil fire on thelauncher."

"And that will give me all the opportunity I need." Durand finished. With that said, the engineer hacked the last turret, and it aimed its barrel upward to fie on the rocket launcher. This immediately had the effect that Hackett was hoping for. The launcher swiveled and went to fire on the turret. After it was destroyed, it took a second to reload. Commander Durand took that second to duck out from cover and hurl the grenade so that it went straight into the barrel. Once it had made its mark, she set it launcher swiveled again, but it never fired. The electric pulses were doing their job; crippling its inner components.

"Move!" She ordered, and they advanced toward the door. "We'll find its controls inside."

Converging on the door, Durand's team mae it inside before the rocket launcher could resume firing. What they found waiting for them was a dark antechamber. Emergency lighting ran along the floor near the walls, and it provided very little in the way of illumination. What they could see was a jumble of supply crates ranging from medium to large; strewn about the room as if hastily offloaded. While mostly open and empty, there were still a few that were sealed.

"I don't like this." Marie, while removing her helmet, eyed one of the sealed crates with suspicion. Her team followed her line of sight toward the sealed crate and realized why. There was an oxygen tank welded into the side of it. She addressed the admiral, who stood beside her, next. "Sir, people could be in there. You heard what Blake said: they were slavers and substance smugglers."

"Scan to confirm." Hackett said quietly. "If you're right, hit it. We're not leaving anyone here."

The scanning of the crates took longer than expected. Some were compartmentalized, so the contents had to be individually checked. A few of the sealed crates contained weapons and ammunition. None of it was Alliance standard. Another crate contained what looked to be varren meat, but no one opened it; the contents were letting off gasses, and were clearly spoiled. The last two, both with oxygen tanks equipped, registered as unknown. The scanners showed that something was in them, but there was no telling what. Having scanned the crate personally, the commander picked up a steel bar from the ground and manually opened the crate. Immediately, a rush of cold mist hit her in the face. Afer sweeping her auburn hair out of her eyes, she reached down and pulled the inner lid off. What she saw made her stomach clench.

"Admiral," The words came out in a choked whisper. Within seconds, he was at her shoulder; crossing the room with surprising speed, given his age. She knew what he thought it might be, but it wasn't. Inside the crate, something was covered by what looked like a blanket, but on top of that was a datapad. The screen was going out, but words flashed weakly across its display:

She may think she has us beaten by sending that spectre after you, but I took something from her that all of her wealth won't replace. - S

"If I'm right about what's under there…"

"Let's hope there is more than oxugen in that tank." Hackett finished her thought.

Marie Durand had seen a few things in her time as an Alliance marine, but as she carefully pulled the blanket back, her heart leapt into her throat. It wasn' what she expected; it was worsse. What looked like a makeshift incubator was set up inside the crate. An asari, infant by the looks of it, was fre-floating in some sort of fluid with a breather over her face.

"Dear God…" She muttered under her breath. "How long have you been here…"

""A few weeks, by the looks of the container's post information."

You two," She indicated two members of her team. "Stay here. Hold this are, and keep her safe. The rest of you, let's finish this."

"I'll search for the launcher controls and see if I can crack their network." The engineer volunteered; being one of the ones staying behind.

"Keep me posted." Durand motioned for the reamining two to take up positions behind upturned supply crates. They would cover the door that led further in while she and Hackett approached it.

"Let's hit it." Hackett triggered the door, and it opened. The corridor beyond was just as dimly lit as the antechamber. While there was no opposition, the narrow space had seen combat.

"Fragments." Durand indicated the remains of bullets. "Modded rounds, from what it looks like." Spoken in a low voice, her words echoed slightly in the empty corridor.

"Non-Alliance standard." Hackett confirmed before moving on.

It was a standard bunker design: Antechamber, corridor, main chamber, another corridor, and two auxiliary chambers in the rear. As the four moved through the main room, they saw personal terminals in varying states of damaged, sofas, a cooking station, and various other items that would be seen in prefab living quarters. There were also signs of battle here. The sofas were upturned, as if they had been used for cover. Tables and chairs were done along those same lines. Scorch marks from incendiary rounds left angry black marks or holes in the various articles of furniture.

"Thoughts on this, Ecklus?" Durand turned to one of her remaining teammates. Ecklus was a turian that had been with her in the Styx-Theta cluster. He had requested to remain when she began her training shortly after their rescue.

"Mmm." He hummed in response while amber eyes searched the main room. Though the light was still just as dim as it had been throughout the facility so far, his expression was calculationg. "Hard to say, Boss." He began. "Too much of a fight here to be one-sided. Can't really be sure how it went down."

"You're a combat analyst?" Hackett questioned as they rounded the last cluster of furniture to get to the opposite door. "Nothing in your file suggested that."

"Self-trained, Sir." The turian shrugged. "Was meant to go through official channels, but one thing led to another, and I left the military." He had just finished speaking when the lights above them flickered a few times before turning on completely. "Wait," He looked back toward the way they had come. "Something's not right. Main power would't be back there."

"Someone else is here." Durand finished his thought. She hit the door, and it opened. They were met with the same result as previous: no one was in the corridor, but someone could be heard moving around further in. Getting to the split in the corridor, she and Hackett took up opposite wals while Ecklus and the last member of the team, a biotic, did the same. Peeking around the corner, Durand saw the door to her left standing open. Bodies were clearly visible, but ther was someone in the back of the room. She couldn't see them, but she could hear them swearing under their breath. Turning to the admiral, she saw him frowning. The door on the opposite end was sealed. "Admiral," She whispered. "Got someone here."

"Approach."

With that, she motioned for her team to follow. When they entered the room, she indicated that both should take up positions on either side of the main path behind standing shelves. When they did, she carefully stepped over one of the bodies on the floor and closed in on the shelf that blocked the person from view. The swearing had stopped, and flashes of light were coming from behind the shelf. By the popping and cracking that had replaced the person's swearing, it seemed they were working on something.

"Come on, you useless piece of…" The voice from behind the shelf was distinctly batarian, and when Marie rounded the left side, she saw him fumbling with what looked like a power junction. "Little more should do it-"

"Stop right there." She had rounded the shelf and was aiming a pistol right at the ridge in the back of the batarian's head.

"Shit!" The batarian jumped at her words. He went to turn around; when he did, he was unarmed. He blinked for a second before answering. "Easy," He began. "I'm trying to help."

"Restoring the power?" Durand motioned toward the power junction.

"Yeah. This place was running on emergency power when I got here."

"What are you doing here?"

"Got a distress call from a shuttle that went down here." He answered quickly. "Thought there might be some good salvage, but all I found was this scrap heap with barely enough power to maintain life support."

"How'd you get past the defenses?" Ecklus emerged from the shelf he had been taking cover behind; his rifle trained on the batarian. "Noticed you didn't bother disabling them."

"Threw a flashbang and ran for it." The batarian shrugged. "Didn't get through without taking a few hits. Damned turrets were rigged with shredder rounds; tore the shit out of my armor." Not getting a positive response or a lowering of weapons, he continued. "Can't deactivate them, though. Controls were in that main room out there. Terminal's busted. Look," He added in a more desperate voice. "There are people trapped on the other side." He motioned toward the sealed door. "Don't know who they are, but they're locked in there."

"Didn't try to get them out?" Ecklus questioned. "And what about these people? Did you kill them?"

"No! They were gone when I got here, and believe me, I checked." The batarian actually sounded somewhat ashamed. "Thought maybe the power being restored would fix the door, but it's still not opening. I can't cut through it, either; don't have an omni torch."

"You say there are people in there." Steven Hackett had remained quiet during the initial encounter. Stepping past Ecklus, he leveled the batarian with a hard and searching look. "Have you spoken to them?"

"Yeah, I spoke to one of them; said her name was Shepard."

"Hannah." It was an involuntary action, but he said her name.

"Yeah," The batarian nodded sharply; eyes widening in recognition. "That's her name."

"I've got a torch, Sir." Ecklus volunteered. "We can try to cut through it. These things don't usually come equipped with blast doors."

"Get to it." Hackett had already turned on his heel and was making his way back through the T-shaped corridor to the sealed door.

"So you were trying to help her." Durand lowered her pistol and holstered it. "Guess I had you figured wrong."

"It's alright." He shrugged again. "Usually both sides suspect each other of shit they aren't doing."

"That your weapon?" Marie indicated a shotgun lying on the ground that looked as if it had been stripped.

"Yeah, took it apart and used a few components to restore the power. Total crap, but at least it worked." He picked up the gutted shotgun and placed it back into his weapons pack. "Be a good reminder of what happened here. Think I'll keep it." Stepping over another body near him, the batarian shook his head. "Bitch is crazy. Let's see if he can cut through that door."

"Who are you referring to as crazy?" Marie headed for the door with the batarian following.

"Bitch who used this place as a dumping ground after those mercs were done with it." He muttered. "Never met her, but I know someone she works with had a spectre sent after them; some asari named Dahlia. Found her name mentioned in a message on one of those terminals."

They made it back to the door that had been sealed, and Ecklus was already working with his omni tool to cut through the metal clamps that had held and locked the door. He was about a tenth of the way through when they arrived, and his torch was cutting through the metal at a decent, but still relatively slow, pace. The blue flame from the torch illuminated the purple tattoos on the turian's face, making them almost look black in colour. As he continued to cut, there was a crack of light between the metal shades of the door, but it wasn't enough to see through. Chancing a look around, Durand noticed that there was someone missing.

"Where'd-" Before she could finish, Ecklus answered.

"Sent her back to get our techie. He should have a torch. That way the process is sped up. It will take me a bit to get through this solo."

"Good call."

A few minutes later, the tech expert arrived and went to work on the opposite side of the door from where Ecklus was cutting. This did make the job much faster, and when the two clamps were cut through, the door slackned slightly. They could see into the next room, or at least a sliver of it. It was about the same size as the other auxiliary chamber, but this one had what looked to be beds in it. From what Marie could see, there were a few people occupying the beds, but there were at least three still standing. The one closest was leaning against a support column with her back to them. She was speaking to the remaining people in a low voice. Due to the sound of the torches cutting through the door however, no one could make out what was being said. Soon after, when the two torches were close to meeting, the tech pulled back and let Ecklus finish the cut. When the door was cut cleanly in two, he made way for the admiral who was nearby. Hackett placed his gloved hands under the top portion of the door and lapplied all of his strength to push the door back into its retracting shield. Ecklus and the batarian used their boots as a pressure point and applied their weight to the bottom half. When the door was fully open, the woman who had been speaking in the room turned to face the newcomers; her eyes full of relief and surprise at who was there.

"Steven?" She asked in a slightly raspy voice.

"Hannah."


Ashley Williams stood stock still while she waited outside this office. She had never been to this particular place before, and it was odd to be the only human around. Inher hand was a datapad whose face was blank. It had been that way since she had left Councilor Anderson's office. She didn't need to see what was on it; not that she could, due to improper clearance. Still, it felt like a twenty-five kilogram weight that was about to snap her wrist. She didn't want to be here, nor did she want to deliver what she knew was on that datapad. It had to be done though, and she would see it through.

"Chief Williams?"

"Yes?" Ash looked away from the display that was showing a recap of Emily Wong's report.

"She's able to see you now." The assistant said evenly.

"Thank you."

Ashley walked inside the office and had to appreciate the décor. While similar to Anderson's office in terms of space, this one was a bit more easy on the eyes. Plants that she had seen in vids were sitting around, and there was a comfortable sitting area just as she entered. The sound of running water caught her ear, and she spotted the source: a wall with an equal and steady layer of water flowing down it into a flat stone rectangular basin was behind the desk. Turning her eyes away from the wall-fountain, she saw the only occupant in the room finally turn away from the display on her terminal that she had been reading off of.

"Ashley Williams," the asari began quietly. "I was told that you wished to see me?"

"Yes, Madam Councilor." Ashley started off formally, due to the uncertainty she was trying to swallow. "I am here regarding a personal matter." She looked down at the datapad fr a second before continuing. "Councilor Anderson received this, and he wasn't sure who it was meant for, but I believe that you were its intended recipient."

"I see."

It wasn't a flat response, but Ash didn't want to look too far into it. She placed the datapad down onto the desk carefully, but the phantom weight it bore still pressed in on her. After a few seconds' hesitation, the asari councilor reached for the datapad; the second her fingertips touched it, the display lit up, and a message began to scroll across it. Ashley made to step away, but an involuntary head jerk from the other woman kept her in her place. As the words began filling the display, a voice, the same as in Anderson's office, began speaking:

"On a quiet day, in a shining tower, a soldier left a piece of herself benind with a promise of her eventual return. For she had found her missing half in the arms of a familiar stranger."

The effect was immediate: All other sound from beyond the office faded away, and they were left with only her voice.

"On that day, a bond was forged; one that could not be dissolved by space nor time. Shadows of a life against a grey horizon danced in her lover's eyes, and for a moment, she knew nothing else. I swore that I would always find a way to come back to you, but faced with what I'm seeing, I know that is impossible."

Ashley had to admire the sheer beauty of these words. She'd never pictured her CO as a literary sort, but it seemed that Shepard had a way of surprising her. The true terrible beauty of her words, that the councilor was beginning to see, was in the next bit.

"A wise woman once said that from birth, we are given things in pairs: two eyes to see all that life has to offer, two ears to hear the sweetest words and sounds, two legs to carry us to our every destination, two arms to hold our loved ones close, but the last is a little more obscure. She said that we were given two hearts, but when I asked her why I only had one, she had only this reply: The other is given to someone else for us to seek out and find. For years, I thought nothing of it; assuming they were just poetic words. That all changed on that quiet day in the shining tower. These words may seem empty to you now, but their meaning rings true and clear to me now. Behind those shadows that I saw, I heard it. I understand that last part about the heart-"

A hitch in her speech, and Ashley could feel the tugging of her own heart strings. She knew what must have been happening. Sounds came through; a grainy rush that could only mean one thing. Sure enough, an alert could be heard, though it was quiet in the background, there was no mistaking the onboard VI from Shepard's hardsuit.

"Hardsuit integrity compromised: Primary and secondary oxygen vats depleting. Estimated time until total loss: 00:00:30"

"You'll always have mine…" The words were followed by a change in the rhythm of Shepard's breathing. Quicker and shorter, Ashley could feel her own heart accelerating. She didn't want to hear this; she didn't want to know. Still, she was rooted to the spot. She couldn't even bring herself to imagine what the other woman was feeling, standing across from her; her body tense and her eyes closed. She too, was dreading and waiting for those next words.

"Keep it safe… I love you."


A/N: Well, ther you have it. Chapter 32 is here. It took some time to get this done due to the amount of thought going into the situation with Hannah, but I've got a handle on it. Anyway, Happy New Year, everyone!

A/N 2: As it happens, I have one thig to ask of you all. Given that many have waited beyond patiently for this to continue, I want you to make it yours. I'm going to ask you a question and hope to get your ideas. (While I have mine of course) I want to know: How do you want to see Shepard and Tevos reunite in the events of ME2? How do you think it should go? I want to know your scenario! Who knows, it might end up in here! Shoot me a message or join me on Discord. I'll be posting a link to my server on my profile for anyone interested. You're the fans of this fic, and it is because of all of the love and interest shown that I feel so excited and ready to continue it. Thanks again for the continued interest!