Hi there. This one deserves an explanation. There are actually two versions of chapter 9 LOL. The chapter in front of you (Rage) is the standard chapter. The alternate chapter (A really fun shower) will be posted as a separate story. I had a lot of fun writing both and wanted to post them both. So there! :-)

I love chatting about stories. Also, suggestions and wild ideas are very welcome, just send a pm. Reviews are loved :-)

Chapter 9, Rage

*Horizon, sanctuary

The cannibals were closing in and she had only one option left. Run.

So she ran, frantically looking for a good position to engage them. She tried to shake of the weariness, already so tired from spending large amounts of biotic energy to carve a path through the Reapers. Her armor felt hot and heavy. She wiped the sweat of her forehead. What the fuck are the reapers doing here?

It was even worse then she'd imagined. Her father was here, on Horizon. He had Oriana. In a way she didn't know yet he was mixed up with the Reapers. The fucking Reapers! Had he completely lost his mind? It was going to be a miracle if they got of this godforsaken planet alive. The thought of her sister being held within arms reach of the monsters made her sick to her stomach.

I'm going to save her. I cannot let this continue.

She used her pistol to down a few cannibals but many more were crowding behind. She sighed. Only biotics can stop them. But my energy is dangerously low.

She was out of options. Mustering all her strength she lifted the platform with the creatures and dumped it in the large vent shaft. A satisfied but exhausted grin played on her lips as she listened to the shrieks and noise as they all went down. Got em! Hopefully not many more...

With the cannibals gone she finally found a moment to study the plans of the facility. She'd actually searched most of it except for a large area marked 'Genetic research'.

Great. Sounds like something out of a B-movie. Who wrote this?

Two figures rounded the corner and she nearly shot them.

"Shepard! Liara! How did you get...?"

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

She frowned at her friends. "My father... Oriana..."

Anger flared in Jane's voice. "We know. Why did you go all alone? Why didn't you call us?"

"My father is my problem Shepard, I don't want to drag you into it."

Shepard stared at her before laying a hand on her shoulder. "First of all, we're a team. We do these things together. Think back of all the crazy stuff we did to help each member of our crew."

Sensing the sincerity in Jane's voice she faintly nodded. "Yes... but - "

"No buts." Jane wagged her finger. "Second, you've become a very dear friend to me and Liara. You should have told us - we're glad to help!"

Admitting she was wrong was one of the hardest things for the proud woman. But when she studied Jane's and Liara's faces she found herself touched by the care and concern in their eyes. "I... you're right. I should have told you."

Fondly squeezing her shoulder Shepard nodded. "You have friends Miri. We're here for you."

"That's... that's awesome. Thank you." She exhaled, feeling a huge burden being lifted of her shoulder. No more need for the lone wolf thing.

So they shot a lot of goons and killed a bunch of freaks before finally finding Henry Lawson and Oriana. The moron actually held a gun against his own daughter's face! When Shepard noticed that she felt her blood starting to boil. "Lawson! Let Oriana go. Put the gun down - no one has to die here today."

"I don't believe you. I've seen too much death today."

"Father!" Miri's voice was raging with hatred, "let Ori go! Have you lost your mind?"

For a second his attention was solely on Miranda and that was all Shepard needed. In a blur of light she charged, knocking the man back at least 6 metres. Protecting Oriana with her body they slowly walked back towards her friends.

Seething with anger Henry Lawson fired at Shepard, the shots bouncing harmlessly of her shield. Oriana screamed.

"Shooting at your own child?" Hissing through her teeth Miri was ablaze with biotics, "shooting my sister?"

Without another word she lifted her father in the air and shot him three times. Henry slumped backwards and stared at her with empty eyes. "Miranda... I..."

She fired one more shot, right between his eyes. "I've had enough of you!"


*Thessia, temple of Athame

Leng had the VI. He'd hurt Shepard. Cerberus was winning - she had to do something - now! Gritting her teeth in anger she realized she had to control that rage. And use it to her advantage.

No mistakes Lawson. Cool as a snake. Kill him.

Sliding back the visor of her helmet she approached him. "Leng! I need the VI. And you will have to pay for what you did to Shepard."

He stared at her with disbelief as he recognized her. "Miranda! You... you traitor. After all Cerberus has done for you!"

Wiping the blood of her nose and lips she eyed the assassin. "Cerberus has been part of my life for too long. Over the last few months I've learned to let go and truly be me."

Kai extended his hand towards her, an arrogant smile on his lips, "You are Cerberus Miranda. Always will be. Come with me and talk to the Illusive man. He'll be happy to take you back."

Letting his guard down was the last mistake he would ever make. With a lightning move she grabbed his sword arm, twisted it and violently drove the blade deep into his chest. "No!"

Leng opened his mouth but no sound came forth.

Hissing through her teeth Miranda ripped the sword free and a huge spray of blood covered her and Kai. "I am not Cerberus! I'm not!" Using all her anger she swung the blade around and buried it deep into the man's neck, nearly taking his head off. She felt it strike his vertebrae and laughed with glee, now using the sword as a rough saw to cut his neck, "this ends now!"

Leng spit blood, his eyes widening with shock as the spark of life was leaving him. "I... "

"I'm done with Cerberus! Done!"

Tears of pain filled her eyes. The man had struck a nerve deep inside of her, one that she'd tried to bury over the past months. Cerberus had twisted her beliefs, had corrupted her in ways she was only now starting to discover. A gaping hole in her soul burned with stinging pain. In a flash she realized the scar could take years to erase.

"Ah!" With one furious strike she cut his head off. It fell to the side and she kicked it away, screaming with disgust, "I hate you! I hate...!"

Very cautiously Liara approached her friend. "Miri?" She couldn't believe it. She'd never seen Miranda lose control like that.

She didn't hear. She was covered in blood, her armor filthy, unrecognizable. Screaming with anger and pain she kept raging, ramming the blade into Kai's headless corpse. Again, again, till he was a bloodied pile of meat. "I'm not Cerberus! I'm not!"

Liara understood. She's desperate to destroy the Cerberus in herself. Taking two steps back she allowed the rage to die down by itself.

With an exhausted sigh Miri collapsed next to Kai, her body shaking with emotion. Kneeling beside her friend Liara held her tight. Miri trembled in her arms and Liara felt her heart ache for her friend. She stroked her hair in a soothing gesture. "Shhh... It's over. It's all over."

Miranda stared at her with empty, questioning eyes. "Liara... we should... how's Shepard?"

Smiling with confidence the young maiden turned to see Jane walking up to them. "No need to worry about her."

"But..." Miranda couldn't believe it, "I saw you fall. You m-must be hurt!"

"Pfft!" Jane nonchalantly waved her hand, "I heal ridiculously fast. Doctors are baffled." She placed her hands on both Miri and Liara's shoulder and they held each other for a solid minute.

Finally Liara noticed Miranda relax in her arms. "It's truly over."

"Yes..."

They stared at Kai's mangled corpse. "That's the future of Cerberus," Liara stated, "you're on the right side Miri."

"I know," she whispered softly, thoughtfully. "I know."