Normandy Docks: Citadel

Shepard stood with hands in her pockets as she overlooked the shipping yard below. It had been damaged from a single crane breaking loose, causing disarray as she viewed piles of debris laid out in sections from the working crew. Shouts from one end of the area echoed toward her, but the words got lost between the two levels that distanced them.

The headlines from citadel news released information on who and what had been affected. According to local ward citizens, four keepers had been killed and the lives of two dock workers taken with them. Five others were injured by debris. It was a tragedy.

But it did not get reported or even circulated on the station until today.

Three days ago, Shepard was taken by Ruth and Grey while her daughter and Garrus were attacked, tortured, and nearly killed. And when the hybrid reaper-born broke free, she recked a vengeance on those that would see her erased.

Chaos trickled down the road like rain on a hill, creating a ripple effect that not many people from the top ever noticed. If she hadn't succumbed to her violent training, Satima wouldn't have unleashed her biotics to blow those alliance soldiers off the scaffolding as her assault on the ward led to the center beam becoming unbalanced.

So, when the dockworkers took to finish upgrades on the lower shipyard's second-level platforms, the unsteady framework gave way. As the workers fell, four keepers were on their way to the following hidden passage, caught between tunnels.

Part of the framework was knocked into a crane, which lost balance and fell over quickly. Toppling onto the platforms and people below.

That was the day after.

It felt like a curse, really. Everywhere Satima went, trouble started. But can she help to defend herself? Or giving back the same anger and fear that was thrown at her? Shepard can't undo the damage that was done. She wasn't there to control her daughter's rage.

Shepard honestly thought if Ruth had her, they would leave things be, but stupid thinking led to all of this. Emotions running rapidly. A wild manifestation of paranoid conclusions.

Her comms pinged unexpectedly. Garrus had visitors and ones that she wasn't ready to face.

Huerta Memorial Hospital

Solanna paced too much in the room that her leg became sore from it. Damn arthritis. Broken bones heal, but it seems they remember the pain of every moment. Frustration filled her mind since the news of her brother. He lies in an induced coma, and the bastard that did it runs free in this spirit's forsaken galaxy.

"Solanna. Calm down."

Her father's voice echoed with concern. She didn't want it. All Solanna can think of is exacting a vengeance of her own on that living piece of garbage. It hurts worse because Garrus got caught in something that was only meant for Shepard and her daughter.

He didn't deserve a life of punishment. That's what it felt like, looked like. A consequence of being with a human instead of his own kind. And helping to raise it.

"Sol." He repeated. That irritating tone of authority made her stop and glance at him. "I can't stay still. Your son is badly injured! It's Shepard's fault! She..."

Charlotte walked in. Already in N7 combat armor, ready for leave. The captain's stern gaze settled upon them. She tried to lighten the mood with a crooked smile. The room remained quiet.

Tiberius sat up with a stern glance. "We were told he's doing better since yesterday. There's no more danger."

There was surgery hours ago. Procedures to alleviate the trauma caused by Harkin. The thought churned sourly in her stomach. She should've let Garrus kill the bastard years ago. But, despite the feeling of regret, Shepard understood that Michelle took excellent care of him.

Charlotte nodded her head to agree. "Yes. Natalie and I stayed with him for a while." Partly true. She couldn't bear to see him like this again. They left early. She needed to be alone to think and brood. Natalie needed rest from all the horrible things that happened.

Solanna wasn't satisfied by Shepard's clear answers. Pushing her way to glare down at her sister-in-law. "Your alliance has gone too far. That daughter of yours has caused enough damage!"

Surprised, Charlotte returned the stare. "She's Garrus's daughter as well. And besides that, it's not her fault."

Tiberius tried to speak, but Solanna interrupted him. "It is! And yours! He's always defended you since day one." she spat. "My little brother, in love with a human who barely seems interested in his welfare, let alone anyone else."

Charlotte scoffed, walking to the seated area, nearly falling onto the cushioned chair with the extra weight of her combat armor. She winced from the words as Solanna stood over her, furious. "You are so selfish. And after what you've done against your command and people? I don't understand how this galaxy chooses to continue turning to you. "

"Solanna!", Tiberius commanded. "Step outside."

She snapped a surprising reply, but Tiberius was not backing down. "Step. Outside."

The turian woman huffed, stomping away to the second lobby. He watched her go, now taking a seat next to Charlotte. "I know you have an important mission to complete. The reaper creation that made my granddaughter." Or rather the cloned genetics of his son, he thought.

Shepard looked up to stare at him; her expression was confused.

"Solanna is upset. She has a hard time accepting you and the two girls. There were expectations, you see, especially after their mother passed." His or hers?

Charlotte glowered in disapproval.

Tiberius sighed. "I think Solanna is trying to be both mother and sister to him. She wants what is best for him; however, what she wants and what Garrus needs are two different things."

Charlotte looked away. After everything these past few years, she's starting to doubt her intentions with him. "I'm not sure I am what Garrus needs."

Her father-in-law chuckled. "He needs to tighten his aim, and-and he needs his family. Right here."

She smiled wearily, standing to leave. "Will you look after them?"

He nodded, "Solanna and I will take care of things here. You have no need to worry."

Charlotte bit back an urge to say something about the turian woman but decided to leave hastily, passing by a seething Solanna. It will take time before she forgives her and Satima.

Presidium Embassies

Kester waited as the council entered the forum room. Tevos, the Asari councilor, sat on the couch with her assistant. Pretending to be busy on her omni-tool.

Valern began pacing while muttering about current security issues at the station. Khalee sat at her desk, as usual, opening her terminal for the information they sought. But unfortunately, there will be no turian councilor today. Not after the betrayal Daxis displayed.

While the critical crowd of different species convened, Ronin stood to the side of the room, viewing the lake from a large square window. A basin of shrubs displayed beneath his turian feet. More for atheistic than touch or smell. He traced the plant life with his avian vision noting how artificial they looked. A rough exhale escaped his mandibled mouth while current thoughts invaded his mind.

He was supposed to be gone yesterday, but they needed someone close to the hierarchy to relay what was happening. One more day of this damn station, and then it's over. Ronin couldn't decide if he should visit Satima or just disappear too. Like she did all that time ago.

Everyone stopped chatting as Kester cleared his throat. "The search unit we deployed has returned from the Far Rim and Hades Nexus." His expression was grave. "We cannot find the sentarian vessels that were chartered to enter weeks ago. And neither the warship Edina nor the trade ship Val-akun. They are missing."

Tevos scoffed dismissively, "Maybe they have decided we are too primitive for them?" An arrogant grin unsettled the room.

Valern stopped pacing to reply, "Or maybe the hybrid has caused enough distrust and concern; they have decided to never return?"

Ronin waited in silence, listening as the council argued over the lost aliens. All the while, he agonized over how to tell Satima what he found out days ago.

Khalee brought up a few data entries and vids from her terminal, sending the information to the six screens behind Tevos on the wall. "The two relays recorded normal ship travel in the past month. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except for the scheduled sentarian's vessels which did not pass through. Until something shows up, all we can do is send a received signal to those relays and hope nothing sinister is behind their silence."

Kester sighed deeply. "Let's hope it's not anything dire."

They all agreed until Ronin spoke. "The last time I was on their home planet, everything was already dire. The sentarians are tough and capable, but the only thing that could pose a challenge strong enough to give them pause would be reapers. And that was taken care of years ago, by the Shepard's."

The Asari councilor rolled her eyes as Valern shuddered. Khalee nodded, "Yes, spectre. You are correct. So, let us hope that nothing of the sort has come up unexpectantly to them."

As the meeting was dismissed, Kester stopped Ronin briefly. "Would it be in their nature to act supercilious?"

The spectre studied him before replying. "They are the same kind of flawed and fierce people we know all too well in this galaxy. Arrogance is not in their nature. Neither is abandoning their agendas without cause."

Kester accepted Ronin's answer. "Thank you, Spectre. I appreciate your honesty."

Ronin would've been happy to finally leave, but something bugged him. Forcing him to speak once more. "Since you respect my honesty, I'd like to say something else." His stare was concerning. "Talk with Satima. Ask her what she thinks. She knows a lot more about them than I do. And she's dealt a great deal more with the reapers than Shepard."

The spectre left Kester and Khalee, determined to not abandon one last goodbye to the hybrid.

...

Huerta Hospital

Room 203

Satima used her crutches to get around, trying to walk on her own, but her legs' weakness slowed her down, causing pain and discomfort.

The hybrid looked over her medical information and found she was being released in an hour. Shepard left on the Normandy through the relay some time ago. Her mother didn't even visit or say goodbye.

Leaving Natalie to continue her education despite the trauma of the most recent days, without a parent to guide and protect her. Satima knew this could not carry on the way it has been for much longer. The child needed a stable life. Not an emotionally dysfunctional family.

Walking back and forth was giving her a headache. Doctor Michelle said it was her body, saying it was in pain. No shit.

Meds helped some. That awful migraine from the Halex Harkin gave her finally went away. However, it left a sour taste in her mouth and a weird sensation in her senses.

It's also why she could fight while seriously injured. Powerful drugs can do that to you. Just a jolt. A jump in the blood. The last problem she needed was to acquire a taste for addiction. Halex is a powerful substance right next to Red Sand.

Sitting in the chair provided in her little room, Satima sighed loudly, frustrated, and sore, with the door opening to Ronin coming through. It seemed he was in a hurry, stopping to view her in the chair.

Kneeling in front of her, the spectre shook his head. "Spirits, Satima."

She shrugged with a smile. "I'm fine."

The spectre nodded, "I've just left a council meeting. Do you know what's going on?"

Satima acknowledged, "Shepard is going after Archer. I'll be recovering in the meantime and checking on Garrus. Keeping Natalie safe." No alliance bitch will calmly walk away with the child again.

Ronin tilted his head affectionately, smirking and thinking loudly. His mandible twitched while his brow rose and furrowed. Something is bothering him.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

He stood with hands to his smaller hips, glancing away in shame. "I have to leave." Ronin resumed a softer stare towards her. "It's Janie." That damn call he kept brushing off.

Satima unsettled in her chair, "Is she okay?"

The spectre began to pace, finally sitting on the edge of the medical bed, sighing deeply. "She and Kauven left a few days ago. Took a transport straight to Omega," he smirked awkwardly. "It was home before the reapers came. I guess for her, it's home after them, as well." Gulping hard, Ronin stared away, unsure. "She's pregnant."

Satima's eyes widened in surprise. "Spirits." The shock choked her with reality. Of course, Ronin and Janie were back together, so it wasn't a far-fetched idea that they were amorous with each other. But this is so sudden. So painful.

She stood, barely grabbing the crutches in time to steady herself. Stunned to make sense of this reveal. The hybrid stared at him, upset. "The alliance? That fight at C-sec? You could've lost your life because of me. You're child fatherless because of me!"

He grabbed her by the shoulders, steadying her upset frame. She shook her head furiously, pushing his grip away.

Ronin held her back to view him. "Satima, look at me." He tried. She stared into his golden eyes as he continued. "I wanted to be there for you. You're my-my friend. No matter what." Satima calmed down. He helped her to sit, relaxing into a more settled demeanor as he continued. "And as friends, we should be honest with each other. About everything."

The spectre gulped hard. "There's something you need to know. I'm not sure if the alliance was planning on revealing it or if the council was even thinking about it. But you need to know."

The hybrid listened, waiting in anticipation. Ronin continued. "Daxis is behind the betrayal with Ruth and Grey. With Argos. He wanted...", swallowing in upset. "Spirits." Staring at her while placing his taloned hands on her shoulders. "He wanted to use your special genetic bioengineering to help him, and his human wife procreate against nature and biology. But he found out too late that what they had taken from you showed there would be no promise. And that you-you're sterile."

Satima took it all in. The facts were simple, but the hurt dug deeper into her core. The hybrid turned away from him to stare out the large window overlooking the presidium skyline. "Good.", she spoke. Her voice was shaky and confused.

Ronin furrowed his brow. "Good?"

"Yes.", she replied. "I am an abomination of reaper tech and science. There should never be another me." Satima faced him in concern. "Ever."

Before he could speak again, she shook her head and smiled faintly. "Your news is better. It's hope and life." She hugged him awkwardly.

Disturbed, Ronin put away his anxious thoughts, watching her pull back to smile even sadder towards him. His love for her softened the features on his plated face as he took her hands to hold them tenderly. "I'm going to be a father in a galaxy free of reapers. And it's all thanks to you and Shepard."

The hybrid disagreed. "If it wasn't for this galaxy coming together in defense of their own people, to help Shepard push back-I would not have been able to do a damn thing." She held his hand. Silence fell on them in the room. It was hard to not think of what could have been. Satima closed her eyes briefly, opening them with a teary gaze. "Janie is waiting. Isn't she?"

He let go to caress her cheek softly, offering a gentle head nudge. It surprised her to feel this way again, if only for a fleeting moment. Then, the spectre began his leave-taking his time to look back with a smile. "I'll be checking on you from time to time.", he promised.

Satima smirked, "You'd better."

Ronin chuckled, making his way out of the room. The door slid closed. It was done. He's gone.

Without warning, Satima felt the impact of a biting chill. Loneliness settled in the room. But somehow, she didn't truly feel alone. Or safe.

...

Persius Veil

Tikkun system

Quarian Fleet Ship in orbit of Ranoch

The Normandy once again entered the system engaged in stealth. With the last known location of the reaper droid Archer pinpointed here, Shepard and Ashley agreed to follow up on the lead.

Liara's contacts decided with the admiralty board to allow the warship passage unannounced, should the droid be hiding in plain sight. Fearful of what damage could be done, geth squadrons were sent to watch the edge of the system.

Both the AI's and their creators did not want a reaper history to repeat.

Shepard waited nervously at the cockpit while the docking tube was in place, as EDI announced it. Within minutes, a long-time friend will be walking through that hatch door.

Ashley paced in the war room after setting data up for the meeting. It's been a long time. Liara finished with all her broker dealings, exhaling from the feeling of emotional exhaustion. "Feels like the past keeps trying to come back again and again." Commander Williams chuckled, "The damn geth and the prothean beacon. Saren and the council. Some things don't change."

Liara smiled silently at Ash, watching her settle behind the table. "It would be best if I left to the third deck. Shepard and I will have a hard time working together until this is resolved."

Ashley understood, "I'll relay anything we find out."

Minutes passed after the broker left. Shepard watched from a distance on the CIC deck as the blue-skinned traitor used the elevator down. To hell.

Tali came through the hatch with a compliment of both quarian and geth soldiers. Shepard processed the new scene before her. This is the first time she's seen the geth again in almost three years, and now they are allies with their creators.

One of the geth, a prime-sized, red-toned droid, walked forward. "We are pleased to see the Shepard again. Thank you for not shooting us."

The awkward air rose thick between them, with the captain clearing her throat and Joker staring in disbelief. EDI suddenly laughed loudly, entirely unlike herself. Tali joined; a softer chuckle followed her to Shepard's side. "This is Sark. He is a technician and instructor. A teacher."

Surprised, Shepard stepped closer to Sark. "So, you made a joke there?" She smirked. "You won't have to worry about anyone on this ship shooting you."

Sark blinked the light that was built into his metal head frame. "Shepard, Captain. We appreciate your acknowledgment of our person." He led the team forward, geth and quarian together, further into the ship.

Tali viewed beside her friend. "It's been a long journey but look where we are now. AI and Creators, working together." She glanced at Shepard. "I have heard what has happened to you and the hybrid. I'll meet you in the board room. To speak."

Captain Shepard nodded as the Quarian Admiral left.

…..

Board Room Deck Two

Tali overviewed the recent complaints of a few ship captains in the fleet while Ashley provided data and findings of the reaper droid-Archer. She pushed her long raven hair behind the shoulder, leaning over the table to reach for another tablet, holding it to whisk away older reports. "Are you sure only one ship was derelict when you patrolled the far region of this system?"

The Admiral nodded, using her personal omni-tool to send vids of the patrol entering the ship. "Sark reported that none of the crew members survived the attack. Either shot or spaced. Data responding to a signal was taken. Nothing more." Her tone was formal, but you could hear the slight upset.

Ashley gazed at her old friend. "I wonder what was in that data. Do you know what the signal is?"

Tali met the Commander's gaze, "That's what I'm searching for, as well."

In the distance, the door slid open for Shepard to enter. She met them around the table in the board room. "Admiral. Commander.", she acknowledged. Both women waited as the captain prepared her information from Satima and Kester. "Tali, it's been a while since you last visited the citadel.", she sighed, running a hand through her red hair. "A lot of shit has happened."

The Admiral crossed her arms. "So, I've heard. You went rogue to rescue the hybrid, and now Garrus is injured in the hospital. A reaper droid is loose and messing around in my backyard. These are troubling events you bring to my home, Shepard."

Charlotte stared at her quarian friend. Was that a disappointed tone? Ash cleared her throat and shifted in place. Alone with these women, Shepard felt older but none the wiser. "Yes, Tali.", she answered.

Commander Williams received a call. "Shepard, I'll be in the quantum entanglement room." Leaving with the dismissal of her captain.

Tali uncrossed her arms. "I am sorry for sounding terse, Shepard. My people have experienced peace and quiet for the first time in centuries. However, I cannot help but worry if something reaper-related has decided to re-visit my home." She stepped around the table, closer to her old friend. "I am sorry about your daughter. And for Garrus. You have my deepest sympathies for all that you've suffered.", placing a hand on Charlotte's arm.

"Thank you, Tali. That means a lot. Even if it's just words." Shepard patted the hand.

The Admiral chuckled in jest. "It's more than words. I can actually relate, more than you know." She brought out her personal tool, opening a small file to reveal a picture of her in front of a beautiful desert landscape. A setting orange sun radiates behind her while holding a small child in a similar quarian suit. "He's two."

Shepard's eyes widened, stunned. "Tali! You've got a kid?!"

Laughing in happiness, the admiral spoke. "Yes. I do. I am happy, Shepard. More than I can imagine."

Charlotte reached out with both arms, smiling. "Come here." Embracing her friend. Tali leaned back to study the woman's face. "This is why I can understand your pain. I could not imagine anything happening to my little Jormun."

The captain froze in fear, letting Tali go. No longer filled with joy and hope, she gulped hard, concerned. "Jo-Jormun? His name is Jormun?"

"Yes.", Tali answered. "Why?"

Before the conversation could be examined, Ashley walked in. "We have new information from Satima about Archer. She's on the vid-comm, Shepard."

Reluctantly, captain Shepard led the woman to speak with her hybrid daughter. Satima was standing with crutches to support her. She winced a few times, adjusting herself to stand at attention. "Mother.", she spoke.

Shepard only averted a gaze to lean off the side of the panel. "Commander Williams tells me you've got something on Archer?"

Satima nodded, "I do." Data had been sent over the entanglement optics. "Archer is looking for a signal. Something he found off my sentarian implant. Chockwas scanned it over a year ago. She should still have that data on file. And if she does, you can track the implant and its whereabouts."

Ashley eyed her captain with a satisfied smile. "That sounds like we already got him."

"I wouldn't say that just yet." the hybrid warned. "He's clever. Always one step ahead."

Shepard finally faced her child. "We'll be on the lookout for any of his ambushes." Before she clicked the vid-comm off, Satima relayed one more thing. "Shepard. Look after the quarians, please."

The captain quickly shut it off.

Tali observed this issue. Shepard was shutting out her daughter; something burrowed deep between them. "Well. I'm glad someone has our welfare in mind, unlike the council. I've asked three times for a turian or alliance patrol to help. Took months before you arrived, Shepard."

Ashley took note of this. As Charlotte made her way to the medibay.

…...

Citadel

Presidium Embassies

Satima watched the sky cars pass by in the background. Shepard cut her off rather quickly an hour ago. Kester didn't seem to notice it or care. The hybrid finished with her debriefing over Archer. She's so sick of talking about him, remembering him, revealing things that she'd rather forget.

Even after Argos, he still played the villain. Tormenting her over the rarity of her nature and reaper tech. What's left of it.

The sound of children echoed behind her. Natalie and some of her friends played around the lobby as they waited. They rode with her in the cab, considering their parents were embassy employees.

Satima couldn't focus on family right now or the fact Solanna showed up to suddenly tell them what to do. After leaving the elevator to them, a turian stare that sent daggers her way forced the hybrid to avert away. As if something Natalie did caught her attention. "It's time to go, girls.", she stated. Girls? Satima sighed to herself. She's anything but a girl.

Natalie said her goodbyes and stood next to Satima. "Are we going home now, Aunt Solanna?"

Spirits, the way Solanna winced at those words, made a noticeable impression. "We're going to the hospital first. To visit-to visit your father."

The hybrid agreed and disagreed. They needed to rest, eat, shower, and Natalie needed structure.

She needs a drink.

"Satima. Are you going to join us? It's okay if you'd rather stay here and... rest." Solanna so lovingly said.

Maybe it's best.

"I'll be here in case I'm summoned back to the council for Shepard again."

They left. That's good. Peace and quiet.

Too much quiet.

In the lower part of the posh ward, many citizens began attending the festivities and available food vendors. Every community will have them, but the presidium was the place to be. All the high-end, prestige, and pomp of the wealthy. Those that still found a way to make their living off the reconstruction and chaos of the galaxy.

Something bothered the hybrid; she couldn't place what it was or where it came from. A feeling of red rage rushed towards her. But from whom? Archer? The Alliance? Shepard?

Music echoed from below. A melody that hummed and thrummed with a toe-tapping vibe. People were laughing, shouting, and talking. Natalie should be down there having fun with her parents. Not visiting one in a hospital and once again abandoned by the other for a mission.

Guilt racked her mind. So much chaos in thanks to her and that unstable mess of biotics. Without the implant, there's no telling what can happen now. She'll have to be on extra guard for everyone's safety.

…..

Tikkun system

Days followed the Normandy as Shepard and her team worked with the new admiralty board of the quarians. Geth AI recovered pieces of a damaged shuttle; scorch marks showed the battle it had been through. But these were not from any Geth or Quarian ships. Instead, EDI traced the data back to the Minos Wasteland and eventually Argos.

They were getting closer to Archer.

A trail from one of the taken fleet ships led them to Adas. Shepard felt odd, queasy from this place. All that Satima spoke of when Archer held her captive on the volcanic world, trying to subjugate the girl, had haunted her thoughts.

Above the planet, Tali and Sark planned a recon with Shepard's team. Infiltrating a known base that the geth had rebuilt for mining. It was silent for weeks until the Normandy came. Someone or something began sending out a signal for help. Geth or foe?

In the cockpit, the captain stood behind Joker. Armored and ready to start the assault. "Shepard, there's an open warehouse on the ground level Cortez can take you to. EDI's readings say there are no life signs. But that never meant anything, did it?" He implied.

Shepard smirked, helmet under her left arm, right hand tapping the back of his pilot's seat. "Not once.", she replied.

The shuttle landed on the planet's surface. Cortez lifted the hatch from his control panel. "Be careful, Captain."

She nodded, leading Ashley and Tali, with Sark, to the ash-covered wastes around them. Volcanic rock littered the path leading straight to the facility. Sark walked ahead, his own geth tool glowing bright blue against the metal red of his arm. "I am scanning the entrance using long comm. Your EDI has offered a link from the Normandy."

The captain nodded in approval. Interesting. "Can you find anything inside? Geth or Quarian?"

He stopped at the bridge overlooking a valley of lava below them. The heat from surging lava rose to warm their suits and toast their faces. Beading sweat covered Shepard and Ashley's brows. Sark finished his scans to face them. "There is nothing but a signal. One that is identical to the distress call."

Tali stepped forward, pistol facing down, to view the lava. "Sark, remind me why we are mining here?" She asked anxiously.

Before he could speak, Shepard raised a hand to silence them. There was movement ahead on the walkway outside the north side of the warehouse. "We got company." The Grey sky intensified the shadows around them. From every rock and crevice, the team felt an unnatural atmosphere surrounding the area.

Ashley pointed her rifle, taking the lead with Shepard at her back. Sark kept Tali's side covered. They stepped lightly across the hot bridge to find themselves in front of the large two-story facility. Rusted blue paint came off in chips with dented metal walls too hot to touch. Rectangle windows covered in ash and sludge meant there was an opening somewhere. A quick inspection showed it was locked tight, leading to a firm conclusion of a shuttle retrieval involved on the roof.

A warehouse to the right had been shaped into a tall dome with most of the building built into the ground. The team took note of a loading dock that led inside. Deck-level doors were closed but not locked.

Captain Shepard signaled for her team to take point. Ash and Tali are against the wall on either side of the door. Sark waited with his fabrication armor activated. They were ready to fight or flee, but hopefully not without some answers. Shepard pressed the simple panel to let them in.

Dim lights overhead in the vast expanse of the stock room showed shelves of old drones and mech pieces. To the left of their position, flickering light barely revealed a housing station for miners. New quarian suits hung with freshly laid volcanic dust layered around the mesh fabric. A terminal screen had been smashed by blunt force; debris laid on the concrete floor.

Lockers were open, with some having dangling doors. People left in a hurry. "I'm guessing the facility is either filled with bodies or reapers.", Tali quipped. None too happy about a repeat in history.

"Admiral. It is unlikely anything from the old machines has survived the rewrite. This could be the result of terminus gangs or pirates.", Sark answered.

Shepard stepped on a ramp leading up to a storage room. It was locked from the inside. "Whatever has happened, someone locked themselves in here for a reason."

Her curiosity pushed an idea to hack the code panel. Tali supplied the skill excitedly. "Let me handle that. I could use some practice."

Ashley and Sark waited in anticipation. If there was nothing to see or find inside, they would have no choice but to explore the abandoned mining building.

"Almost there.", the Admiral alerted. Minutes passed until the woman's triumph was heard. "Got it!"

The doors slid open with thick darkness wrapping inside the room. Scuffles were heard, and the team readied but only too late. A black armored figure rushed out, yelling a war cry right at Shepard. She dodged in time to aim her rifle. Sark pushed Tali aside, only to realize the creature cornered and attacked commander Williams.

She right hit his gut, catching a left hook to her face. Feeling the blow of its knee to her torso. Doubled over, Ashley picked herself up quickly to deliver a double punch right in its groin. Shepard dashed to headlock the thing. Wild screaming and fits of rage nearly overtook her. Tali yelled for Sark to help apprehend the danger as Ash regained her senses.

It wrestled with Shepard using a strength she's witnessed before. Then, as they circled to overcome the brute, a single shot was fired. Everyone looked around them to see who it was that ended this problem.

The captain let go of the motionless body. An echoing thud of the blackened armor rang out in the warehouse. Panting from the fight, she raised a wary gaze as the hairs on the back of her neck lifted. Bright blue eyes that glowed in this grey room met hers.

Tali stood with Sark as Ashley prepared for another fight. This new figure approached, speaking to them. "It is a creature of the hive. But not a monster that you are familiar with. Go ahead.", he gestured with his pistol. "Lift off the helmet."

Shepard lowered herself to a crouch without breaking her stare, only to glance at the man on the concrete floor. Lifting the helmet off to see a young human boy. Maybe eighteen or so, covered in tendrils of reaper tech. "What the hell is this?" Shepard returned a glare to him. "Another example of your work on Argos?"

He wavered from some unseen injury. Dropping his pistol to fall on android knees. "Yes and no. Not from now. But from then." Archer held his side, taking in long breaths, struggling to function. "We are all in grave danger, and I'm responsible for it this time."

Shepard stepped closer to him with a menacing tone. "How?"

Smiling, he lifted a weary gaze. "Toren."

Cortez flew the shuttle back over the volcanic scarred landscape. Plumes of grey smoke filled the air with methane. Luckily the facility had an environment shield to protect the team for their mission. A surprisingly short one. Captain Shepard brooded in the corner, staring dangerously at Archer.

After docking, she handed him over to Vega, who happily locked him in the core room. EDI kept careful watch of something that was like her, but not her. Chockwas helped the reaper droid heal from his wounds. She took note of their severity and violence of them. Someone quite strong punctured his torso twice with a jabbing, twisting motion. There was anger in the affliction of those wounds.

The good doctor noticed too that Archer was not healing on his own as per the account of the hybrid. Something was different and unusual about him. Still, he had organic flesh left within him and that was something she could attend to.

Ashley and Shepard relayed their capture to Kester. Relieved of this apprehension, he ordered them to return to the great station. The captain didn't feel happy to hand over her job to another, but at least she'd have free time to finally be with her family.

Liara could not wait until reaching the citadel before speaking with him and finally with Shepard. Too much is at stake to let their emotions get in the way. Inside the core room, the asari broker approached the infamous reaper-droid. He didn't seem as menacing as his dossier painted, but all the same, she'll stay alert.

Archer had stood in place to view her entry. He could hear the footsteps outside the door. With a smirk, the droid spoke. "So, we meet at this time, Liara T'Soni. Or should I say, Shadow Broker?"

She shrugged off the sarcasm. "It seems we do. I have come to ask you questions, droid. And you will answer them." Her tone was stern and commanding.

He acquiesced.

Liara reviewed her data before entering the core room. Her memory is full of the information needed to pry for answers. "All that Satima has told us about you. Of what you are and how you created her. Is that true?"

Archer folded his arms to lean on a solid leg. "Of course."

She accepted that one. Further questioning developed between them, with the broker taking a step forward in curiosity. "Do you know what happened to the Sentarians?"

A strange change in his sure expression told her he does not. As Archer altered his stance, she continued, "What exactly happened to you, on Adas? Or even before that, what happened after Argos?"

The reaper-droid glanced her way. "I thought I could travel in spaces that could lead me to another discovery. A new home, a change in scenery. Or maybe, the power to subjugate you all." Chuckling in his sly way, Archer took a step closer to her. The gap between them becomes small. His reaper tech appearance sent chills through her body.

Archer glanced off in contemplation. So saddened even by his current prospects. "I wanted to be free.", he began. "To start anew just as the hybrid had done. But I viewed her awakened self behind a glass cage. Helpless and broken. She needed to remember to fight. He is coming. They are many, and we?" His tone became small, frightened. "We are weakened."

Liara felt a wave of dread over her. "Weakened how?"

He raised a concerned stare. "The war." Pacing away from her. "The reapers spread us all thin. Broke our resolve, our will." Archer closed his eyes briefly. "It was his game all along. He and his master. The last of her kind. Or perhaps, so she thinks."

Shaking her head in confusion, Liara crossed her arms angrily. "You're speaking in riddles. Either tell me what's going on or face the rest of your days in a dark cell buried in ice." Lorek comes to mind.

Suddenly laughing, Archer faced her with a grim grin. "Are you the stupidest asari that has ever lived? I took you for the shadow broker, not a maiden in her first one hundred years."

"How dare you!" She spat. Biotics flared blue around her.

Archer backed down, "Shepard will not hear me. All she can think about is vengeance. It clouds her mind. You need to be the reason here and make her see."

Liara calmed, returning to the conversation with a clear mind. "See what?"

The droid stared at her. "She must do her duty and finish what was started. And as for history? Well, my dear, history will indefinitely repeat itself."