Liara looked over the information about New Olympus that Ashley had given her. She couldn't believe that Ash could do this. She as a strong woman and could and have seen that she didn't love Zeno early on but then again hero worship could be problematic. From what she told her, she admired Zeno and soon she thought that turned into love. But no it never did, all she did was admire him. Only he fell in love with her and she wanted to get John out of her mind but never could.

'I've made my bed Liara, all I need to do now is sleep in it.'

Those words floated around Liara's mind, human quotes, proverbs and saying were popular even in her culture. When humans first came into the galactic sight those word's, those phrases became one of the biggest thing's that almost everyone was interested. The meaning's the history of them, it was all interesting. That was what brought people to human culture, just the charm at first then the diversity.

But right now she as concerned about Ashley. Ever since she came back she needed help trying to get over how she betrayed John. But she couldn't see that, all she could see was that she was trying to get over John seeing he was never coming back but was stuck on him and let her lust take over. Right now she didn't care if John forgave her or not, she wanted her friend back. Shacking her head she looked at the medal beside her. It was the head of a lion with an angular main of different shapes and sizes.

John gave her it has his new emblem for his empire. The Solar Empire under the command of Supreme Commander John Shepard. In truth he couldn't think of another title that he felt comfortable being called. With Supreme Commander, he would be called the title he was more used to, just Commander with 'Supreme' being implied. She was ordered to get the ball rolling for his new Empire.

This day, when New Olympus falls eyes would turn to John and he would need all the help he can get.

OOOOO

Ash stood before her ex-husband looking at him with venom. He smiled but she didn't as he sent the slave away. He walked up to her before grabbing her head and kissed her. When he recovered she slapped him across the fact before kicking him between the legs sending him to the ground clutching his crotch.

"Do that again and I will kill you." she warned.

"Still as wilful as ever." he said getting to his feet. "That's why you made a good commander."

"I learned from the best. Not you."

He waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes…. I know of your reputation and the rumours surrounding you and that commander of yours."

Her eyes shot venom at him. Scuttle-but rumours where always problematic even when she and John began dating in secret as best they can. But some things where just out of their control. She said nothing making Zeno smile.

"Nothing to say?" he asked almost laughing. "Good." he clicked his fingers and two guards came up and cuffed Ashley's wrists behind her back. "Commander Ashley Williams, for betraying New Olympus and her colonies I sentence you to execution by hanging by the neck until dead at noon tomorrow. As an example to the rest of those willing to betray me, your body will stay hanging until your body had decayed. Take her away!" he ordered.

The guards lead her out of the room as Zeno smiled and turned to look at his city. The holo pillars began broadcasting the news about Ashley's execution. When she was a New Olympian commander she was well like by both the civilians and military mostly due to her reputation during the Reaper war. But ever since the incident on that particular planet and she rebelled that love was lost. While some people thought she may comeback others hoped that she would die a painful death.

This news was all that was needed to destroy her reputation on New Olympus. No one liked her now and her name would be used for traitors all over the kingdom. To Zeno, this wasn't just a demonstration of what would happen to those who would betray him but a political stunt to show that no one would be safe from his wrath. Cementing himself as a Warlord. He smiled as his green Asari-like slave came up to him.

"Master please come to bed with me." she said.

"Later, let me savour this victory. When she is dead Earth will be mine." he said as a group of soldiers began building a set of short drop gallows.

OOOOO

Changing suits was always a complicated matter for Quarian's and Tali knew this. Even though she agreed to wait till John become a Warlorld but quite frankly she couldn't wait. The porn videos she watched didn't help as well and her lust and love just increased. Each night she turned up her stim-pro and tried to cum. But it didn't vibrate enough to satisfy her. She wanted more, just more stimulation, and the only way now is John. The suit she had was made by partly by her but also some other Qurrians on Earth.

The suit itself was made with a see-through cloth that was a mix of several Qurrain silks that protected the wearer from the environment. But after she was done she wouldn't need one any-more. The suit itself was blue with a hint of purple, the top of her suit was a top but with the cups missing and pushed up her breast's. A white hood was connected to the suit and lead down into boots. The entire suit would show off her 'assets' to whoever she wanted. But she only wanted one person to see her asset's.

Double checking her omni-tool to make sure the room was safe, or as safe as it can be for a Quarrian, but it will all be worth getting ill. She smiled under her helmet.

OOOOO

With Ashley away Miranda saw opportunity to 'comfort' John at this lonely hour. She had a dress on that fitted close to her body, aside from the covering she got for her nipples and lower lips the entire dress as see-through. Hopefully this would get his attention, she popped her head out of her quarters and move down to the lift but footsteps made her press her back against the wall. Her eyes widened as she saw Tali in one of the most revealing suits she had ever seen. She entered the lift and walked in before hitting the key for the Captains cabin.

Miranda cursed her luck and headed back to her room.

'Next time.' she thought. 'Next time.'

Up in the captains quarters John was having a much needed shower. He made a personal note to make sure that earth would get some new plumbing so that people could get a shower. Cracking his neck he looked down as the water was drained through the hole. No matter how he thought about it, no matter how angry he wanted to be, he just couldn't be angry at her. The only fault he could see was his own, if he hadn't died then everything wouldn't be like this. No warlord's, no Reapers but a good strong family and marriage with Ashley. But now, now… he was a to become a Warlord and basicly take over the galaxy, or at least what's left of it.

Life… life always found interesting ways to fuck people over. He could never decide if this was a blessing or curse, any man alive would want a harem of hot alien women. But he only had one love, he smiled for some reason he felt glad about this. Sure he loved Ashley, but he did fantasise about beading Liara, or even Tali, hell even all of them together at the same time. But the way his fantasy came around, that was what he hated. Turing the shower off he grabbed a towel and dyed himself down before tying it around his waist before walking into his room. He walked over to his bed and fell onto his bed looking into space.

Things had changed, everyone had changed, Ashley, Liara, Tali and Garrus. They had all changed, but hadn't. How could he? He was dead and on ice for 3 and a half years. 3 and a half years and they had changed so much, Tali was no longer the shy Quarrian but a skilled combat engineer. Liara was now the Shadow broker and well… she was much more confident. Garrus was no longer had a stick up his ass, instead he was beating people to death with it. Then Ashley…. He had no idea what she went trough, all of those emotions those thoughts. He couldn't forgive her because there was nothing to forgive, in truth he needed to ask for forgiveness from her. That the only thing he could do now. Just then Liara burst into the room followed by Tali who was in a see-through suit and Miranda who was in a set of red lingerie.

As the three entered they stopped seeing John in his lack of clothing. There was a long awkward silence as the three looked at him. His body was well built like an athlete and very attractive.

"Yes?" he said looking at them.

"Err." Liara blushed as images flashed in her mind before hitting herself. "John we have a problem. The net just lit up about Ashley, according to the news she's going to be executed tomorrow."

Miranda and Tali looked at the blue Asari in shock as did John. "What?" John asked.

"High commander Zeno, her ex he's ordered her execution for betraying him. She's going to hang tomorrow."

"Joker how long until we get to New Olympus?"

"We're 12 hours out sir." Joker said over the comm.

John nodded and stood with his towel falling off without him noticing. "Let get ready." he said before noticing the girls in front of him glowing red and not paying attention but looking at his something between his legs.

"Oh my..." Miranda said with a smile.

"Goddess….." Liara muttered.

"Kellah that's big." Tali muttered making John look down and realise that he was naked.

"Ah." he mutter as his picked up the towel and wrapped it around his waist. "Go I need to get dressed."

Liara shook her head out of her little imagination and dragged the other two out of the room allowing John to get dressed. Like it or not he was going to ask Ash for her forgiveness for dying on her then kill her ex. He cracked his limbs grabbed his boxers and slid them on, it was time for war.

OOOOO

The sun rolled around and Ashley woke up in her cell. She lay on her back looking at the cling as two guards threw in her old toga and gladiator sandals.

"Get dressed or we'll do t for you." one of them said.

She looked to them before sighing, she stood and walked over to her clothing and picked it up. Looking at the guards they then turned allowing her to strip. Her clothing slid off with ease before she began to wrap the toga around her. She then slipped her sandals on and then turned to the guards and walked up to them. One of them took a hold of her wrists brought them behind her back and locked cuffs on them. The three then walked out of the palace to a cage where Ashley was thrown in and locked in.

From the cage she had a good view of the gallows and the Palace clock. It was currently 9 o'clock, she had 3 hours before the nose goes around her neck. She lightly scoffed as people began to pass her looking down on her as if she was dirt. Some of them even threw slurs at her, but she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of responding to them. She resigned herself to her fate.

OOOOO

The Normandy bypassed the New Olympian fleet and landed close to the city without anyone detecting them. The team was standing around the holotable in the war room looking over the map of the city. All five of them looked at the table thinking about how to proceed.

"We need to split up, cover more ground. Tali, take the airfield." John said pointing to a large 6x6 padded area to the west with gunships ready. "Don't destroy, when I kill Zeno, we'll be taking over this world so we're going to be needing as much military might as possible." Tali nodded in response. "Miranda, make sure to ground all ships, head to the space port make sure that no ships leave."

"Will do sir." Miranda said with conviction.

"Liara, we're going to need a communication black-out. Head to the communications building." he said pointing to a building with aerials and satellite dishes on the roof. "Once done, we need to make sure that they are under attack by a Warlord, give them our new emblem. Make sure they know that once Zeno is dead, they will be under the control of the Solar Empire."

"Will do." Liara said with a smile.

Garrus being the team sniper and former commander of the Turrian task forces against the Reapers had a good eye for this kind of thing.

"If I move over to this spire here." he said pointing to a tower at the east. "I'll have a good outlook on the area. Give you intel." John nodded in response.

"Agreed, so that's you done. As for me..." he said looking at the map. "I'll be trying to get Ashley, from what Liara has said she should be here." he pointed to a small area near the middle of the city. "She's going to be hanged at noon today, we have a good hour before that happens. Let's make sure not to get noticed, Liara's intel states that full body cloaks are common to ensure the person is warm. It a mediocre day so we can ware them without raising suspicion. Are we good?" he asked followed by nodding. "Good let's move."

OOOOO

Commander Zaeed sat back on his chair at his house awaiting the execution of the former Commander Williams. This was a big event and he couldn't be happier, Commander Williams since she left, was a symbol for rebellion in New Olympus. With her death all that rebellion would end, simple as that. He took a swig of whisky as he looked into the sky, the Reapers coming and killing everyone was a mixed blessing and a curse. For starters he managed to kill the man who tried to kill him, but then work died down for all merc groups.

Being a merc he was practically out of work during the war and after. But since he joined New Olympus things when well for him. Due to his skills he managed to become a commander, and with that came respect, money and women. Being a high ranking soldier in the New Olympian military gained respect from the people especially some of the women who offered themselves to him. He had no complaints but wondered if it was because they wanted children. But he never cared, why should he?

As he took a sip of his whisky, he noticed a Quarrian in a cloak walking towards the west, towards the airbase. While Quarrians where not uncommon in New Olympus due to the destruction of their fleet, but they kept to themselves or soon left so they can get dextro food. But she headed directly towards the airbase. He set his whisky down and got up and left. Something felt off about her, but what he had no idea what, but his instincts which he trusted told him something was up.

OOOOO

Liara had no trouble blending in and heading to the communication building which was simply named 'Truth centre'. She just shook her head, it seem like some people where trusted in making propaganda for New Olympus. Not of too much of a surprise as many other of the Warlord factions did this. She walked in, the place was busy due to Ashley's execution allowing her to go though a door undetected.

The inside of the building what like what Ashley said. Due to limited materials to use, the main buildings like the Palace or Truth centre metal was use for the insides and wood used for the outside. This was in order to make sure that their resources where used wisely. Liara had to admire this efficiency as she moved into a maintenance corridor. She walked down it then came to a set of stairs and claimed down it. According to her intelligence the mainframes where in the basement and where rarely visited unless there was a problem.

Turing the corner she came to the maintenance door. She smiled as she got down to one knee and began to hack the pad. The door was open in 10 seconds, all those years trying to find the Shadow broker allowed her to gain these skills. She was more then happy because of them but didn't know how to think because she got these skills mostly because of the Reapers. She couldn't help but wonder what would be different if things had been different.

Moving inside the room and closing the door she discarded her cloak before moving along the towers looking for the main console. She found it in the middle and walked up to it. She cracked her head and began to type, she didn't have much time left and she needed to move fast.

OOOOO

The crowd was gathering in front of the gallows that was set up. There was a few minutes to go before the hanging and people wanted to get a good look. John was among the crowd but that the back. The cloak covered his armour and pistol at his side. What's more was that no one recognised him, after the battle of the Citadel he became a bit of a celebrity which he didn't mind but he got noticed even in the most minor of places.

But then a thought came to mind, it had been 3 and a half years and with two of those years an apocalyptic war raged. So after that it was likely that people forgot about him which he didn't mind, after all it allowed for this little operation to go smoother. He then looked to the tower where Garrus was and saw three flashes of light meaning he was there. He nodded before turning to look ahead as Zeno walked up onto the gallows and looked over at everyone. John clicked his ear bud.

"It's starting is everyone ready?" he almost whispered.

"Garrus here, ready."

"Tali, here I'm nearly at the airbase. I don't think I'll stop them all."

"Liara here, I'm all set."

"Miranda here, I just started shutting down all the space ships systems. It may take a while but I'm doing it as fast as I can."

"Ok, everyone do your best, Ashley is counting on us." John said before falling silent as Zeno began to speak.

"Citizens of New Olympus, today is a historic day for all of us. Rebellion, rebellion is rife though out our territories. We all remember the massacre 6 moths ago, 200 innocent women and children rounded up and burned to a crisp." a loud cry of booing echoed in the city. "But we have the perpetrator of that massacre." as he said that Ashley was brought up onto the platform wearing a toga.

John smiled to see her ok, but as he looked at her aside from her three bar tattoos he noticed two tattoos on her arms, on the one side was geometric flowers with a sword pointing down. On the other was the New Olympian emblem, he didn't know she when that far. Liara had told him about what happened to her when he was dead. He looked down, guilt filled him, his death drove her this far? Taking a deep breath he looked up ready as the booing and yells of traitor filled the air.

"Task Commander Ashley Williams!" Zeno yelled followed by other yelled as he turned to look at her. "You have been found guilty of treasonous acts of rebellion and the murder of 200 valuable New Olympian citizens. You have been sentenced to death by being hung by the neck until dead, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Ash looked at him and spat in his face making him recoil and he removed it. "The only think I have to say to you murder, is, I. Never. Loved. You."

The guard who held her then lead her up onto a box and placed he noose around her neck and tightened it.

"So be it." Zeno said as he took a step back.

John then moved though the crowd slowly as the countdown clock had 15 seconds on. He took out his pistol as he moved though, 10 seconds. Ashley braced herself as Garrus took aim in case John missed. Gritting his teeth he moved faster pushing people to the side he needed to get to her and fast, 5 seconds. The guard brought his leg back, then when the clock hit 12 he kicked the box from under her. The rope tightened around her neck and her air was cut making her choke. Zeno smiled with an evil smile as he saw his ex wife was slowly having the life taken away from her.

John raised his pistol causing people around him to scream in fear and fired. A round flew through the air and cut the rope holing Ashley in the air. Ash fell onto the platform crushing the box that she stood on. Now free from being chocked she took in a deep breath. Shocked and angry Zeno looked out into the crowd as the guard forced Ashley up to her feet.

"WHO DID THAT?!" he yelled.

The crowd around John gave him a wide birth as he removed his cloak. Zeno and John looked at each other for a long moment before Zeno spoke.

"You, who are you?" he asked.

"Supreme commander John Shepard, but you would mostly remember me as the first human Spectre." John said.

"The first human Spectre? Don't be dumb that Shepard is dead!"

"No Zeno." Ash said gaining his attention. "That man, is John Shepard, the Lion of Elysium, hero of the Citadel. My boyfriend."

That last part made Zeno's eye twitch as he looked to John. "So, you where the one before me?"

"Yes I was." he said before looking around and smiling. "I'm standing right here. Aren't you going to shoot me?"

"Deploy gunships." Zeno yelled into his comm.

OOOOO after communicating with John.

Tali discarded her cloak as she moved up to a command shed and opened the door to it. She then got down and began to rewire the systems. There was another building across the way for the pilots and engineers, and whit the execution being a thing, they where more interested in that then the maintenance of their ships. That was a good thing as it allowed her to do her work uninterrupted. But just as she was about to being something grabbed onto her ankle and dragged her out of the shed. She kicked causing whatever got a hold of her let go allowing her to stand and look to see Zaeeid in front of her with a smile.

"Ahh I remember you bucket head, from Mars." he said as the two began to circle each other. "Here to save your friend? She won't survive." he said lunging at her.

Tali tripped him up causing him to fall. He rolled before jumping to his feet. As he did Tali tacked him to the ground, he tried to go for his pistol but she slammed a fist onto his shoulder stopping him. He yelled out in pain before Tali grabbed his head and slammed it onto the ground making him grunt and thrash around. He the tried to push himself off the ground which he managed to and throw Tali off him. But due to the hard impact of his head onto the ground his sight was blurry.

Seeing her chance Tali picked up a sharp rock and walked over to him the then brought it back and slammed it into the side of his head killing him. She watched at the body fell onto the grass and blood poured out. Dropping the rock she then moved over the shed.

OOOOO

The two waited for a moment but nothing happened. Zeno tried again but nothing happened, just then the holo pillars then came up with John's Lion emblem along with a message.

"Attention people of New Olympus, this planet is now under the command of the Solar Empire..." as it continued John and Zeno Just stared at each other.

"Why you…." Zeno mutter as he moved over to Ash and grabbed her. "Kill him!" he order before punching Ash in the gut knocking her out.

As the guard and 6 New Olympian soldiers came up Ashley was thrown over Zeno's shoulder and ran off. John backed up a bit before a shot rang out and one of the soldiers fell. Another shot rang out an another one fell. Seeing his chance John moved his pistol up fast and fired three times at the guard who fell. As soon as he did he ran leaving the others behind as Liara came up to deal with them.

OOOOO

Zeno made his way though a tunnel that lead to the space port. He needed to get out of here and try again, he will not lose his empire, not yet anyway. As for Ashley the little slut needed to be taught a lesson, he would teach her the meaning of betrayal. But because of fear she may wake up and begin resisting he tied her ankles together so that she wouldn't resist much. If he couldn't have her then no one will. Within minutes he made it to the space port and headed to one of the ships but a voice stopped him.

"ZENO!" John yelled.

Zeno turned to see John behind him as he dropped his pistol. "You, me winner takes all." he said as he unclasped the armour on his arms which fell to the floor, the then hit the release catch on his breastplate which then fell to the ground. Zeno just looked at him and dropped Ashley to the floor forcing her awake. She watched as her ex and boyfriend move towards each other, both of them where the same build, hight and age. But who had more experience?

Miranda ran up to Ashley and helped her up after removing her ankle bindings.

"You ok?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, quick get your camera on and connect it to the holo pilars." she said.

Miranda nodded and did so.

As the two got up close Zeno through the first punch which John deflected and moved into a punch to the ribs causing him to grunt and move back. He then jumped and tried to kick John in the face but John grabbed his leg and threw him into a group of barrels. As he got up he began to speak.

"Doing this for a slut like her? Why am I not surprised?" as he got to his feet.

"Why kill so many?" John asked.

Zeno got to his feet and charged in with a punch which John blocked, he smiled evilly at the commander. "Why not? It just shows my power!" he said as he head butted the commander into eh face sending him back a few feet. "I killed those people because they where going to rebel against me, ME! The High commander, I will not allow people, even children to betray me." he came in for another attack but John threw a roundhouse kick followed by an uppercut causing blood to come out of his mouth.

Two soldiers then came up armed with assault rifles and looked at thier commander who looked up at them. "KILL HIM!" he ordered.

They did nothing other then look at each other before looking at him. "Did you kill those people?" one of them asked.

"They where going to rebel against us so yes I did. Now kill him!" Zeno yelled.

John looked at the two soldiers who looked at each other and nodded. They stood at attention with weapons in hand.

"We cannot do so sir, we're joining the Solar Empire." they both said in unison.

John smiled but Zeno cursed. "TRAITORS!" he yelled before charging at John again.

He caught the commender by surprised and tackled him to the ground and began to choke the life out of him Miranda and the soldiers went for their weapons but Ashley stopped them as John was forcing to get Zeno off him. His hands got a hold of his head and twisted his head to the side with an audible snapping sound. With that Zeno had died and fell limp on John who threw him off and stood up. Miranda got Ashley's cuffs off her and helped her up and John walked over to her.

"Jo…." she tried to say before the commander silenced her by placing his on hers.

"We have a lot to talk about..." John said as he broke the kiss.