Leena's POV

Shepard told us over the intercom that the Normandy was about to enter the Omega 4 Relay and to hang on. Garrus looked at me and he intertwined his left hand into my right one. The Normandy surged forward hard and then from outside, there was nothing but orange sky.

"Spirits," Saren said joining us as we saw the massive debris field through the window. "There must be thousands of ships out there"

After some careful maneuvering, the Normandy was no longer shaking. However, that moment was short-lived because something was chasing it. The ship continued to shake as Joker guided the ship debris field.

Out of curiosity, I decided to go to the cockpit along with Garrus and Saren.

"Holy mother of God," I said seeing the big-ass Collector Base ahead. The entire structure was huge!

Shepard told Joker to find a place to land without drawing attention. But no sooner had those words been spoken did a single Collector ship separate itself from the base and headed our way. The ship shot its signature yellow laser beam but thanks to Joker the Normandy dodged being hit.

On Shepard's orders, the Normandy's main gun was activated and our ship sent its own laser blast back at the Collector ship right and it hit right on target.

"How do you like that you son's of bitches?! Joker yelled in excitement before he told us all to hold on.

The Normandy gave the Collector ship another hit with the main gun and again it was a direct hit. However, the explosion impact got the Normandy to become unstable and EDI warned us to brace for impact. The cockpit shook for a few minutes before everything went still.

Thankfully we were all okay and the Normandy seemed to be as well. But it would take some time for her to get back to normal so Shepard had everyone gather in the briefing room. Once we were all there did Shepard start the meeting.

"This isn't how we planned this mission, this is where we're at" he began. "We can't worry whether the Normandy can get us home, we came to stop the Collectors and that means coming up with a plan to take out this station"

EDI brought up a projection of the entire base.

"You should be able to overload their critical systems if you get to the main control center" the AI stated.

"That means going through the heart of the station right past it's energy signature" Jacob explained and the signature was lit up.

Shepard responded by saying that was the central chamber and if any of our crew or the colonists were still alive they would most likely be there. Jacob resumed talking after the Commander explained there were two main routes and splitting up might be wise before regrouping in the central chamber.

However, Miranda pointed out both routes were blocked and the only way for them to be opened was on the other side. She advised Shepard to send a tech expert through the ventilation shaft.

"Legion you can hack through anything, I'm sending you into the shaft"

The geth made sure his gun was prepped before saying.

"Acknowledged"

"The rest of us will break into two teams and fight down each passage, that should draw attention away from what your doing"

Miranda immediately volunteered to lead the second team but Jack interrupted.

"Not so fast Cheerleader, no one wants to take orders from you"

Hell, even Garrus agreed and I smacked my husband on the arm.

"This isn't a popularity contest lives are at stake, Shepard you need someone who can command loyalty through experience" Miranda went on.

"I recommend Garrus" Saren spoke up.

"I second that" I agreed with the older turian. I then turned to my husband and smiled at him with pride. "He was the leader of his group back on Omega during his days as Archangel"

"Then it settled Garrus you're in charge of the second team"

Garrus nodded before shooting me and Saren a grateful look.

"I don't know what we're going to find in there, but I won't lie to you it's not going to be easy, we've lost good people, we may lose more"

It looked like the Commander was about to make a speech.

"We don't know how many the Collectors have stolen, thousands, hundreds of thousands, it's not important, what matters is this, not one more, that's what we can do here, today, it ends with us, they want to know what we're made of? I say we show them, on our terms, let's bring our people home"

The human Spectre then turned to Saren, Cypher, and I.

"You three are with me, Cypher your dragon fire will definitely be useful"

The Metal Dragon gave the Commander a wicked grin. The meeting concluded and I turned to my husband.

"See you on the other side"

"Always my Nightshade"

My beloved then looked to Saren.

"Watch her back"

"I plan on it" Saren reassured Garrus.

Then to my surprise, the older turian held his hand out to my husband. Garrus looked at me and I smirked before my Archangel returned the handshake.

A short time later our group exited the Normandy and I drew my guns out while Saren and Shepard did the same. We followed Shepard as he guided us into the base and Legion told the Commander over the commlink the second team was in position. Garrus confirmed this and told our group we would see them on the other side of the doors.

Cypher immediately took flight when the first group of Collectors saw us. His illusion spell was already active and the Metal Dragon began to burn many Collectors while the rest of us let loose with our guns. Once they were gunned down Legion mentioned there was an obstruction and Shepard found a valve. He used his omni-tool to open the valve and Legion said the path was clear.

In the next room were some more valves and Collectors. Saren and I covered Shepard as he opened the second and third valves. Garrus came over the commlink to update us and his group was making good progress. Cypher let out a whoop of glee as he burned his prey from the air.

"I will never understand why that dragon enjoys killing these things!" Saren shouted at me as we killed some Collectors while Shepard opened the fourth valve.

"Who knows!" I yelled back.

Getting to the fifth valve was more of a challenge. The damn Collectors were constantly coming out of nowhere and thank god Cy was with us because his dragon fire was indeed beneficial. A Harbinger began to talk bullshit and I told Cypher to shut him up.

The Metal Dragon silenced the Harbinger in a fiery tornado and hearing the alien scream in agony was satisfying. I had the pleasure of blowing a Collectors brains out right in front of the fifth valve. Since I was closest to it I used my omni-tool to open it and then did the same with the sixth valve.

Saren told me to duck and I did as he asked while he sent a wave of his biotics at the three Drones. As the seventh and final valves were opened Cypher rejoined us and he landed on Saren's shoulder as the doors to the rendezvous point opened and I ran like hell through them first with Saren and Shepard following behind.

Legion got the doors to close and Garrus drew me into his arms while Shepard praised Legion for a job well done for part one of our mission.

Cypher's POV

I used my claws to form the bird and repeatedly made the gesture at the doors.

"You have an odd sense of humor dragon" Saren muttered watching me.