Twin Fates

by Tobias5

Fate played as much a role in Shepard's defeat of the Reapers as did his skill. What if fate had different plans? Did you know that the Shepard on Mindoir was born as a twin? What if both had survived the raid? How would the Reapers have dealt with TWO great heroes instead of one? It's time to find out just how much better and worse things get with TWO Shepards fighting a war.

7. Chapter 6

Twin Fates

By Belle and Tobias

Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Mass Effect or any other referenced copy righted material.

Belle's Note: First, I apologize for the length of time it has taken for us to put this chapter out. It was all me folks. I got stuck in really unpleasant real world crap that totally drained my desire to write. However, the bug has come back and I hope this was worth the wait. Also, it has come to my attention that some people do not like the style in which we are portraying Jane and John. When Toby and I decided to do this fiction, we agreed that we would use our favorite Shepards we played as for the templates for our characters John and Jane. I actually play as a biotic sniper while Toby prefers to play as a soldier tank. These two characters represent our actually Mass Effect play styles. My Shepard that I am basing Jane on is one of my favorites and I have played her through all three games multiple times. Please don't take offense that I am using a biotic as a sniper, it is one of my favorite playing styles even if it is a little unique. I love setting off traps and ambushes early by using the sniper rifle and then funneling them into a biotic trap.

Toby's Note: Also some one left a review that basically said John was left holding Jane's "purse" as it were. Not so. Jane and John have a dynamic. In my mind John is the protective big brother. He tends to defer to Jane sometimes true, but in his mind that's all the more reason for him to do so he can protect her. Also since we're starting to get some reviews with questions that take some thought and we don't have blogs and/or a forum we'll try to answer some reviews at the end of each chapter.

Chapter 6: Justice or Vengeance

Earth Date: June 23rd, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, In Transit near Hades Gamma Relay

Jane was looking over the recon on Feros John had compiled during his shift when the comm began to blink. She ignored it, letting Joker take the call.

"This is the SSV Normandy," Joker stated. He paused for a second. "She's on the bridge as we speak. Roger." He looked at Jane and she looked up from her data pad.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Detective Chellick from C-Sec," Joker stated and Jane's eyes narrowed.

"That was fast, I only sent him that request two days ago...patch him through to my comm, Joker," she stated. "This is Spectre Jane Shepard."

"Detective Decian Chellick returning your contact," A Turian voice stated over the comm. "I have to confess, Shepard, I didn't think I would hear from either one of you."

"My brother mentioned you by name. Said you were ruthless," Jane stated as she opened a second window on her data pad.

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment…" Chellick began and Jane chuckled.

"It's not but I needed ruthless. When I heard about this case, I felt the need to make sure justice was served," Jane stated.

"I can't argue with that. I can confirm all the information you sent me, but I can raise you a lead," Chellick stated.

"Oh?" Jane asked.

"Yes, there was a sting operation for black market organs recently. One of the dealers made a mention of going out to Kepler Verge for a pick up from the MSV Fedele," Chellick stated.

"What will this lead cost me?" Jane asked.

"For you, Spectre, take this guy down and I'll owe you," Chellick said and Jane blinked.

"That is incredibly generous, Detective," Jane stated.

"I'm no saint Shepard, but sometimes," Chellick stated. "It's good to have a Spectre willing to listen when we have a case like this. Maybe in the future, I might tip you off on similar cases." Jane realized what Chellick was hinting at.

"You have my ear, Chellick…just let me take down Saren first," Jane stated.

"Just your ear, Commander?" Chellick asked.

"I…wouldn't count on my brother just yet, Detective, he didn't care for how you treated your informants," Jane stated.

"I suppose I deserved that," Chellick stated. "Still, having one of the Shepards is not too bad."

"I won't chase every Citadel escapee, but the ones that are like this…yeah, keep me in the loop," Jane stated.

"I look forward to working with you, Spectre," Chellick stated and Jane nodded.

"Thank you for the info, Detective," Jane stated. "I'll be in touch." Jane ended the call and looked at Joker. "Change of plans, Joker, we're heading to Kepler Verge."

"Anything in particular that we're looking for?" he asked.

"I'll know it when we see it," Jane stated. "I need to go let John know what I'm up to."

~*TF*~

"Now watch." Wrex rumbled. John was standing with Tali, watching Wrex show off. The Krogan grabbed the shot gun, and to John's surprise, smacked it as it unfolded ejecting the heat sink and slapping a new one in, all before it finished unfolding.

"Well I'll be damned," Tali replied in shock, "I've never seen that before."

"Me neither, I've always had to take mine apart to replace a damaged heat sink. They're not really designed to be interchanged like that." John said, shaking his head. Wrex let out deep laugh.

"I can show you and the Quarian how to do it." Wrex offered as the elevator opened and Jane entered the room. She shot John a look.

"Maybe later, Wrex. I think Jane wants to talk about something." John said as he headed for his sister. He did smile at what Tali said next.

"I'd like to take you up on that offer, Wrex."

John followed his sister into the elevator. She hit the button for the crew deck and started speaking almost as soon as the doors closed.

"Did Garrus ever tell you about Dr. Saleon?" she asked. John thought for a moment before nodding.

"He mentioned it during one of our talks between relay jumps after Earth. Why do you ask?" John inquired and Jane smirked at him.

"Chellick contact me a few minutes ago. Apparently he had a lead on some black market organs coming from a ship named the Fedele." Jane explained. John scowled as the elevator doors opened. They were silent as they headed for their cabin, but he did exchanged polite nods with Ash and Kaidan as they passed the two having dinner with some of the Normandy's other crew. As soon as they were in their cabin Jane sat in one of the chairs at the small table in the middle of the room. John sat in the other.

"What did he want in exchange for this information?" He asked. Jane frowned.

"Apparently nothing, he even said he'd owe me a favor afterwards," she explained. John grunted and crossed his arms.

"Bullshit. I bet you good credits he knows Garrus is onboard too," John mused, "he just wants us to clean up his mess like with Jenna. He knows I'd tell him to get lost which is why he contacted you instead of me, who he's dealt with personally already."

"Actually, I contacted him. When Garrus told me about Saleon I got the feeling he saw joining us as an excuse to circumvent the law. We can't let Garrus think that being Spectres is about being above the law," Jane corrected. She sighed and leaned back into her chair. "Plus it'll be good for Garrus to put this to bed."

"So where is Saleon?" He asked.

"Somewhere in the Kepler Verge. I was think we'd go over this with Garrus in the morning and we do have some info from Noveria that something is going on in that system already. This just gives us more of a reason to stop."

"Fair enough."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 24th, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, In Orbit around Ontarom

"So what do we have here?" Garrus asked and Jane looked at John as they stood around the planning table in their quarters.

"If you remember our visit to Noveria, we came across a terminal that indicated that something was up on Ontarom," John stated and Jane pointed at their scan.

"We have a very obvious complex right here, however we have detected some minerals and other interesting tidbits around. We are going to hit up these locations first and then hit the complex," Jane stated. "This should be a simple in and out."

"We also want to check out the surrounding systems. We got a tip on possible black market organs coming from this system," John explained and Garrus went still for a moment.

"Saleon?" he inquired. John shrugged while Jane nodded.

"I think so but we have firm info about Ontarom in the Columbia system. So we're going to start there and work our way out from there." Jane explained.

"You okay with that Garrus?" John asked. The Turian was quiet for a moment before grinning.

~*TF*~

"Hold up for a minute." John called up to Jane from the back of the Mako. They had been heading for the base when he spotted something on the readings. Jane slowed the Mako to a stop and turned around.

"What's up John?" she inquired. John turned off the display from his Omni-tool that was showing the Mako's sensor readings and moved by the others to get near his sister.

"I saw a mineral reading as we were passing by. It looks like gold and if no one has a claim on it, I want it." He explained. Garrus and Wrex groaned in annoyance while Jane just chuckled. The others were just shaking their heads.

"You can take the colonist off the colony but you can't take the colony out of the colonist. Go on out and take two people with you. We'll wait here." Jane said. John nodded and pointed at Liara and Kaidan to follow him as he popped the hatch. As they exited he was thankful Ontarom had a breathable atmosphere, otherwise this little detour would have been even more annoying. He led his friends up a short hill, past what were essentially space cows. One trotted over to them but they brushed past it to the ore deposit. That's when all of their Omni-tools began to beep in warning.

"Commander, someone is slowly draining some of my credits away." Kaidan said, raising his Omni-tool in surprise. Liara checked hers as well and blinked in shock.

"Mine too!" the Asari exclaimed. John scowled and circled around, but saw nothing but the Mako idling nearby, the cow that was following them, the ore deposit, and more cows.

"Now it's stopped!" Liara spoke, puzzlement in her voice. John frowned.

"When we get back to the Mako let's have Tali go over them. Maybe we picked up a virus or Trojan back on Noveria." John said, turning back to the ore deposit. As soon as they started again, all of their Omni-tools beeped in warning again.

"Oh come on!" Kaidan exclaimed. Once again the squad turning around to find out what was doing it, and again nothing but that damn cow was still following them…

"It can't be." John muttered. He circled the cow once but kept his eyes on it. Then, just as he turned his back on it, his credits started to drain away again.

"That's it!" John shouted. To Liara's and Kaidan's shock he snatched his shotgun off his lower back, pressed the tip to the cow's head and blew it clean off. The cow twitched and fell over in a bloody mess. This time when he turned to head back to the gold deposit his credits stayed secured.

"What the hell was that?" Jane demanded over the radio and John grunted.

"I'll explain when I get back to the Mako."

~*TF*~

The group was parked on the plateau over the complex.

"Jane, take Ash and Garrus and prep here for sniping. I'm going to take the rest of the team in the Mako and drive around, be a distraction," John stated. The three mentioned quickly got out of the Mako and trotted over to small cluster of rocks to take cover as John sped off. Jane settled herself on the rocks, set her rifle and looked through the scope.

"We have two snipers. Ash, Garrus, you two are on the snipers, I'll take the first non-sniper furthest from the Mako," Jane stated. Jane and the other snipers sight their targets and she clicked on her comm. "We're set, John."

"Call off second target…if John gives you a chance," Jane stated as they waited. It didn't take long for the Mako to fly up the hill. Three shots fired and the three targets dropped while the Mako landed on a fourth and the cannon decimated the fifth.

"Never saw me coming," Garrus chuckled and Jane nodded as they began walking down the slope to where the rest of the group was getting out of the Mako. Wrex was making sure the one run over by the Mako was dead as the snipers approached. Jane shook her head as the Krogan unloaded his shotgun into the flattened corpse until it overheated.

"We ready?" John asked and Jane nodded. "Let's see what we have." The group entered the first room.

"We're clear," Kaidan said as they reached the next door.

"Let me through," Wrex purred.

"Be ready," John warned before nodding at Wrex. The Krogan opened the door and the sounds of mercenaries quickly broke out.

"They have a Krogan!" Wrex cried out happily.

"He is way too excited about that," Garrus sighed and Jane nodded as she threw up a shield and slipped into the room.

"Watch the sniper!" Ash cried before the sniper's head blew up. "Never mind!"

"Watch their Krogan!" Liara called as she Lifted him in time for Wrex to slam into the mid-air Krogan. The team moved quickly and soon enough the room was clear.

"These are mercs," Garrus stated as he looked over the bodies.

"Not one of the big organizations either," John grumbled. Wrex grunted in agreement.

"What the hell is going on?" Jane muttered as they reached the back room. The Shepards were side by side as point, Kaidan moved to the door. John nodded and Kaidan hit the door. It opened to reveal a mercenary holding a gun on a man.

"Stay back! I've got no grief with you! All I want is this bastard!" the man cried and Jane paused, that voice was familiar. The man was in a science uniform and he looked at the group with a desperate gaze.

"Please! He's a madman!" the scientist cried and Jane looked at the mercenary again. "Mr. Toombs, you're insane! You need help!" Jane's blood froze. Toombs…it couldn't be. John said nothing but he clearly noticed something was wrong with Jane.

"Shut up! You don't get to lie! You don't…" Toombs snarled before looking at Jane. "Shepard? My god, Shepard, is that you?" Jane lowered her pistol.

"Corporal Toombs? But…I saw you die on Akuze! How did you get here?" Jane asked, the memory of the thresher maws howls and the screams of men played in Jane's mind.

"They took me, Shepard. The scientists," Toombs said, the desperation in his eyes, Jane still couldn't believe it was Toombs.

"You can't prove any of this! This man is delusional!" the scientist cried and Jane ignored him as she kept her attention on Toombs.

"See, they were running tests on the thresher maws. They let those things hit us just to watch and study," Toombs said and Jane felt her stomach drop. Hicks' face as he asked her out flashed in her mind, quickly followed by the expression on his disembodied head as she ran for her life. It was on purpose…they had died on purpose. It took all of Jane's control to keep from dropping. "I woke up in a holding cell. The scientists were delighted I'd survived. Now they had someone to run tests on." Jane stared at him.

"Toombs, I…I didn't see anybody. If I'd seen you, I'd have come back for you. I swear," Jane said and Toombs gave her a look. There was something unspoken between the two Akuze soldiers.

"You can't believe Toombs! He doesn't have any proof! I demand a fair trial!" the scientist cried and Jane shot him an unfriendly look.

"She was there, you bastard! She knows the truth!" Toombs snarled as he aimed his gun neck level. "They're part of some organization, Cerberus that runs secret tests like this. They treated me like a lab animal. This man deserves to die, Shepard. For you, for me, for everyone else in the unit. Are you with me?" Jane looked at Toombs, she was so happy he was alive, but killing the scientist…it would feel good, but she could sense John's tense body. John was trusting her and with all they had gone through so far, John needed to know he could still trust her. She thought about Toombs before and remembered an honorable man.

"You're better than this, Toombs. You're not like them," Jane said and Toombs glared at her.

"Don't tell me who I am! You got away with a few scratches and a scary reputation!" Toombs snarled. "The rest of the unit died, and I was tortured for years, Shepard! You can't judge me! You don't have the right!" Jane locked eyes with Toombs.

"Toombs, if I could've helped you on Akuze, I would have. All I can do is help now. Let me," Jane said. The screams of men years dead echoed in her ears as she looked at him. Toombs looked back at Jane, the haunted look in their eyes matched.

"Okay, I'm no murderer," Toombs said as he lowered his gun. "They couldn't make me one. Just as long as he goes to trial. Maybe the screaming will stop now. I don't know." Toombs put his pistol away and Jane reached out to place a hand on his shoulder.

"Those bastards can't hurt you anymore," Jane said before using her other hand to press her comm. "Joker, tell the Fifth Fleet we need a ship for pick-up."

"Aye aye, Ma'am," Joker said and Jane looked at Toombs.

"We will get you justice, Corporal, we will get them all justice," Jane said and John saw something pass between his sister and her soldier back from the dead.

~*TF*~

Jane floated in the hold, biotics lighting the room.

"How are you holding up?" Kaidan asked and Jane's feet touched the ground. She looked at him a moment before she grabbed a protein shake near her towel.

"I've been better," Jane stated. "Seeing Toombs opened some old wounds." Kaidan nodded as he leaned against the support.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kaidan asked and Jane took a sip of her shake.

"Did I ever tell you why I specialized in sniping?" Jane asked and Kaidan shook his head. "When I first enlisted my recruiter made a comment."

"What did they say?" Kaidan asked, he knew there were some people who were not trusting of biotics and they were known to say less than positive things.

"She wasn't rude, she had seen me shielding," Jane stated. "She said she couldn't wait to have a biotic shield like mine holding the frontline. I took the Officer's Entrance Exam, I got a 1550, and she was already setting me up for a human shield."

"1550?" Kaidan whistled. "That's…that's impressive."

"It is, but she didn't see my career as anything more than a biotic shield," Jane said. "So I decided to show that I wasn't just a one trick pony. I wasn't just a biotic. Do you know the rate of biotics that go into the sniping program?"

"I imagine there aren't many," Kaidan stated.

"I was the first, if you look at the Asari, most of their soldiers are biotics, so being a biotic has nothing to do with your military training. Asari biotics are found in every training unit, in fact, there are few Asari commandos who are not training in multiple areas. The Alliance throws biotics straight to the front lines to be shields. Forget if they might be better medics, better techs, or better snipers, a biotic is a shield to the Alliance. I joined the Alliance because I wanted to save lives, to keep another Mindoir from happening. I won't have my fate picked out for me," Jane said as she looked at her shake bottle. "I will not be judged by one aspect of my being, be it being a biotic or a woman or a human, I am more than just a biotic. I chose to snipe because people assume a biotic's place is in the front lines, that is as assumptive as saying a woman's place is in the kitchen."

"So you don't cook?" Kaidan joked and Jane smiled.

"Actually I cook well, I just don't often have a real kitchen to work in, but you get my point, right?" Jane asked and Kaidan nodded as he looked at her.

"Yeah, if I had a score of 1550 on an Officer's Entrance Exam I might have gone for a different specialization myself," he said and Jane smiled.

"In what?" she asked and he shrugged.

"Didn't think about it until just now," Kaidan replied as Jane's omnitool beeped.

"Sorry, I need to grab a shower and some sleep," she said and waved as she walked to the elevator, Kaidan's eyes watching her as she left.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 27th, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, Herschel system

"Sir? I've got an IFF signal of the MSV Fedele." Joker called behind him. John gave back the data pad to the crewman who had been speaking to him and made his way to the pilot.

"Is she responding to our hails?" John asked. He leaned over Joker's shoulder to peer at the readings. The Fedele was a civilian ship but this one had been modified with several biological research modules attached.

"Actually they're trying to use the nearby planet to shadow them and skirt by us." Joke replied, his fingers flying over the controls and the Normandy responding.

"Don't lose them Joker. If you do…" John trailed off as Joker brought the Normandy directly into their path. The other ship tried to veer away but Joker was right on them. This time they powered down their engines.

"Damn good work, Joker," John praised. "I'm going back to get a boarding team. Keep them in line if they try anything else." He turned to go get his sister only to find her watching him and Joker.

"Actually Joker sent me a message just when he called you." Jane said, grinning and Joker laughed nervously.

"Sorry Commander, I forgot to mention it." Joker said and John shook his head, smiling a bit.

"It's alright Joker."

"Come on John. Garrus wants just you and me to go with him." Jane explained. John smiled.

"This is going to be interesting."

~*TF*~

"No one is answering our hails, Commander," Joker said over the comm as the group prepared to board.

"They're not very friendly," John grunted, "this doesn't feel right at all." Jane nodded in understanding.

"He's probably getting ready to bolt in an escape pod, let's be quick," Jane stated as they entered. The main cargo hold was set up with walls made out of containers and there was the sound of something moving. Garrus gave Jane a look, he heard it too.

"Take the rear, Garrus," Jane ordered as she let John take point. They moved through the crates until they saw the creatures. They were twisted and vaguely reminded Jane of the husks on Eden prime.

"Incoming," John shouted and Jane saw a canister, she threw it at the approaching creatures and John fired. The blast knocked the creatures back. There weren't many and the canister took the majority down. Jane look at the creatures, they were most likely humans that had been tested on, but something about them looked plant like. Hard to tell without an autopsy. One managed to get by but John caught it with his free hand. Jane was wondering why he didn't shoot it when she saw his assault rifle was discharging heat, obviously overheated. John casually bashed the creature into a crate, smashing its head in.

"I think the doctor is in," Jane muttered as they moved through the ship.

"He's a sick bastard." John muttered, switch his rifle for his shot gun.

"I have a bad feeling that those things may have been his crew." Garrus noted. John grunted in agreement. They checked the bridge but it was empty. They opened the next room and Jane saw the Salarian. His large eyes gazed at her and she returned the stare.

"Thank you for saving me from those...things," he said. Jane stood down but didn't holster her weapon. She saw John move a bit to right, his gun still pointed at the Doctor.

"Commander, that's him. That's Dr. Saleon," Garrus stated and the Salarian's eyes flickered to Garrus as his mouth pursed.

"What? No, my name is Heart!" he cried and Jane wanted to shake her head. Some never believed that they were caught. "Please, get me out of here." Jane gave a look to Garrus, the look in his eyes was enough for her.

"Are you sure it's him?" John asked and Garrus nodded.

"Positive," he stated. "There's no escape this time, Doctor. I'd harvest your organs first, but we don't have the time."

"You're crazy. He's crazy. Please, don't let him do this to me," Dr. Saleon cried and Jane saw the cold coming into Garrus' eyes. She knew that feeling too well, the mental killing zone. She couldn't let Garrus forget, they were serving the law. Murder, even justifiable, was still murder.

"We'll take him in. Drop him off with the military," Jane stated and John gave her an approving nod. Jane could tell John was worried, but this therapy was for Garrus. Saleon wasn't her demon.

"But...we have him. We can't let him get away. Not again?" Garrus cried and Jane gave him a look.

"If he dies, we'll never know what he's been up to, or how he did it. We'll take him in, interrogate him, and he'll serve his time," Jane said and Garrus' eyes spoke of his readiness to follow orders but his body language was tense with contradictory thought.

"I've...okay. You're right," he said and Jane smiled. He was letting go of this demon, maybe one day she would be able to do the same. "You're a very lucky Salarian. You owe the commander your life."

"Oh. Thank you so very much!" Saleon sneered, his handing flying to his hip for his pistol. Jane brought her hand up, crackling with blue light. She threw Saleon into the air, even as he was moving his hand grasped at the pistol at his hip and she brought her own pistol up. The shot hit him in the head, splattering his brains on the ceiling behind him. She holstered her weapon and watched the body hit the floor.

"And so he dies anyway. What was the point of that?" Garrus snapped and Jane gave him a look.

"You can't predict how people will act, Garrus. But you can control how you'll respond. In the end, that's what really matters," Jane said and Garrus gave her a very thoughtful look.

"Yeah, I don't think I've ever met anyone like you, Commander," Garrus said and Jane smiled.

"Watch it, Garrus, don't think I don't know about you sneaking into my baby sister's room when we were back on Earth," John interrupted and Jane rolled her eyes as Garrus started to sputter.

"Ignore my idiot brother, Garrus, he just couldn't help himself. He has this strange idea that his jokes are funny," Jane stated. "We're done here."

~*TF*~

John was busying cleaning his left gauntlet of his armor. That creature on the Fedele hadn't damaged it but it's…gunk was covering the glove and arm pad. He'd noticed it had been stiff to close and he'd decided to clean it and do some routine maintenance on his armor before Feros. Jane had taken command of the Normandy shortly after they got back anyways. It was perfect time to rest and decompress. He looked up as Ashley finished her maintenance on his rifle and held it out to him. He nodded at the table in front of him and she set it there.

"You were right Commander that heat sink was going bad. I replaced it and the barrel too. The end was off by a millimeter." Ash explained and John smiled at her before turning back to his armor.

"Thanks Ash, I thought my aim was off a bit." John explained. He frowned as the solvent didn't get rid of some of the crud between the finger joints. Scowling he picked up a small bristle brush and began to scrub at them.

"Mind if I join you two?" Garrus inquired, approaching Ash's maintenance table with his sniper rifle. Ash shrugged and John waved his hand at space by the table.

"Help yourself." John said. Garrus came over and quickly began to disassemble his rifle. The three work in companionable silence for a few minutes.

"So how are you doing Garrus?" Ash asked after a few minutes. John glanced at the Gunnery Chief, noting she was now giving a pistol a once over that he was sure was Tali's.

"I feel good actually, if a little tired." Garrus said after a moment. "I'll never have to lay there at night, trying to sleep and thinking about what Saleon is doing out there. Who he's butchering."

"Well we're going to Feros in the next few days." John said, finishing up cleaning his armor. He gathered it up in his arms and headed for his locker storing it away. "I'll go talk to Jane about letting you in on light duty for the next day. You get some sleep, my friend."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 29th, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, in transit between Kepler Verge and Attican Beta

"So ExoGeni is in charge of the Feros colony development," Joker stated as Jane took a seat in the co-pilot's seat. She had a steaming mug of what smelled like chocolate while she looked over a data pad.

"Yes they are," she replied.

"And Saren is interested in them," Joker led.

"I somehow dislike the idea of Saren being interested in another human colony," Jane stated and Joker nodded.

"How are you holding up?" Joker asked and Jane shrugged.

"To be fair. I have been in much worse condition than this," she stated and Joker nodded before the comm beeped. "Who is it?"

"Fifth Fleet," Joker stated.

"Patch it through," Jane said.

"Normandy, this is Admiral Hackett with Fifth Fleet," the stern voice stated.

"It's Jane, Admiral," Jane stated.

"Where is the Normandy located?" Hackett demanded.

"In transit right now, heading to Attican Beta," Jane responded.

"We have some intel that points to a Batarian attack on Terra Nova," Hackett stated and Jane's eyes narrowed.

"How long do we have?" Jane asked as she gave Joker a look.

"Unknown, get there fast, Shepard," Hackett ordered.

"Adjusting course now, Admiral. Shepard out," Jane said. "Joker, set course for Terra Nova...we need to be there yesterday." She got up.

"Informing Commander Brother?" Joker asked.

"ETA?" she asked.

"I can get us there in thirty hours," he said and Jane grit her teeth.

"Let's pray we get there in time," Jane whispered as she headed to wake up her brother.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 1st, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, Approaching Asteroid X57

"Here's what we know," Jane stated as they pulled up the holo of the asteroid. "Twelve hours ago a group of Batarian terrorists landed on Asteroid X57. Terra Nova is planning on using this particular chunk of rock for resources and then for use as an orbital station. The Batarians are planning on throwing her into Terra Nova...most likely into Scott, the capital."

"The death toll will be staggering," Liara gasped.

"Bastards," Ash added. Jane nodded.

"Intel got wind of the location but not the plan. We need to go in and we need to go in fast and quiet," John stated.

"Small team on this one, guys," Jane stated.

"Commanders," Kaidan said and the two nodded.

"We're tagging Tali and Garrus on this one," John stated and the two mentioned crewmen nodded. "We slip in under the radar and we take them out systematically."

"Roger that," Tali stated.

"Gear up, we're on the ground in ten," Jane ordered and the room cleared out.

~*TF*~

As the Normandy was sweeping by the drop the Mako the Normandy's VI connected to this comms.

"Status: Sensors reveal three fusion torches propelling Asteroid X57. At its current rate of acceleration, the asteroid will collide with Terra Nova in approximately four hours. Analysis: Torches must be disabled to cease the acceleration." The computer program chirped. John was strapped into the Mako's pilot seat with Jane, Garrus and Tali in their seats behind them.

"Shit." Jane muttered.

"Everyone set a timer on your Omni-tools for three and half hours." John ordered, doing the aforementioned to his own. "We are officially on the clock now."

"Commanders, I'm getting a distress call from the asteroid." Joker said over the comm. John looked over his shoulder to see Jane was scowling.

"Put it through Joker." Jane ordered.

"Aye, aye ma'am. Patching in through." There was a momentary squelch and then the message came in.

"-lo? Hello? I heard your transmission. Can you hear me? They haven't found me yet but I can't talk long." The Mako jerked as the Normandy launch it out of the shuttle bay, sending it to the asteroid below. "Please. Shut down the fusion torches or we're all going to die. God, I hope you're hearing this."

"John resource asteroids like this are usually brought into orbit for the supplies." Jane said as John stomped on the accelerator, making the Mako zoom forward.

"I remember. I know they set up transmitters to boost communications on the asteroid and with the colony. We could use it to find the outposts and fusion torches but that would waste I have some general readings the Normandy took with heat blooms. We can use them to find the torches and waste less time trying to find the transmitter." John explained. "I'm heading for one of the heat blooms now."

"Actually Commanders, we Quarians have encountered used Alliance resource asteroids before." Tali chimed in from the back. "We learned how to send out a general ping that helps us find them so we can salvage the transmitters."

"Good idea Tali," Jane praised. "Do it." Tali unbuckled herself and moved past Jane and tapped away at the communications console. The Mako's sensors pulsed and something responded in the distance. Tali marked it on the map.

"Damn good work, Tali." John remarked, changing course. They zoomed up a large rocky formation before reaching the transmitter.

"Tali with me, Garrus work the gun as John keeps an eye out."

"Yes ma'am."

The two women exited the Mako quickly. John watched them carefully, Jane with her sniper rifle unfolded and providing Tai with cover as she hurried over to the transmitter.

"This is going to take a few minutes, Commanders." Tali explained over the comms. "The transmitter has been disabled."

"You've gotten fifteen minutes Tali," Jane said. "That's all we can afford. If you can't get it running by then we're going to use John's plan."

"Yes ma'am." It was quiet for about five minutes before the transmitter let off a few sparks and then the Mako's map over view of the area lit up with three survey stations, the fusion torch locations and the main complex.

"Transmitter is online and we're patched in, Commanders!" Tali declared happily. John grinned as they began to jog back to the Mako.

"Well done, Tali. There's a survey post not too far from us. As soon as you two load up we're heading there then to the closest torch."

They found the outpost in short order with only the body a G. Mendel who had been badly beaten before being shot in the head. Jane grew quiet at the discovering that. They all were quiet in fact, it was just grim reminder of how savage Batarians could be. On the way to the fusion torch they also found a burned civilian cargo transport with the body of a T. Slajs. Soon after they made their way to the first fusion torch.

The fusion torch was protected by six heavy turrets but they quickly took them out. The only thing of note was that woman tried to contact them as they approached the first fusion torch but she went silent very quickly afterwards. After quickly circling the turrets and taking them out, they headed inside to turn off the torch.

And John was remembered just how much his sister loathed Batarians.

~*TF*~

Jane and Garrus flanked the interior door after they made their and John gave them a nod. The door opened to reveal Batarians feeding a human corpse to varren. Jane's eyes narrowed in rage and John quickly moved to the side letting Jane and Garrus knee in the doorway and make short work of the varren before ducking back behind the door.

"Shielding," Jane cried as she quickly threw up a barrier and ran for cover inside the large room. John followed and went to the opposite side with the Batarians focusing fire on Jane.

"Release the varren!" a Batarian cried and Jane quickly used a singularity to trap the two beasts. John and Tali began dealing with the closer threats while Jane and Garrus worked on the Batarians in the back. The battle was over fairly quickly. The group moved through the room and headed for the stairs. The upstairs was clear and the group went off of high alert.

"Tali," John ordered and Tali quickly moved to shut off the torch.

"Offline," she said.

"That was a little too easy," Garrus stated.

"If you take out the massive turrets and the need to take out enemies before they alert the others," Jane replied.

"I'm reading that the torch is offline," the woman's voice whispered over their comms. "Was that you? Can you hear me?"

"I hear you. What's going on? Who are you?" John asked and Jane pulled her rifle up and stood by the door watching.

"My name's Kate Bowman. I'm an engineer. I was part of the team assigned to bring this asteroid to Terra Nova," the woman said. "We were attacked yesterday by Batarian extremists. I've been hiding since they arrived. I think they know the torch went out."

"Do you know why they are doing this?" John asked and Jane fought the urge to roll her eyes. Batarians came to human colonies for two reasons, to get slaves or to kill, sometimes they did both.

"I don't know. But if this asteroid isn't slowed, millions of people on Terra Nova are going to die. If I find out anything I'll...I've got to go. Good luck!" Kate whispered before the link terminated.

"That's not good," Garrus muttered.

"We need to get moving," Jane stated and the group headed down. Jane entered the atrium and saw a form. "Hey!" The form shot at her but her shields blocked it.

"Oh, God!" the form cried. "I didn't mean to...are you hurt?" A human stepped out of the shadows, clearly rattled.

"Takes more than that one shot to bring me down," Jane stated.

"Sorry, I didn't even realize you were human until...well. Guess I'm not much of a soldier," the man said.

"I know you're scared. But we're here to help. Commander Shepard, with the Alliance," Jane said as the rest of the team approached.

"Simon. Simon Atwell. I'm the chief engineer on this rock," the man said. "Listen, we don't have much time. The Batarians fired up the fusion torches. You've got to shut them down before we hit Terra Nova! There are four million people down there, Shepard. I...my family. They live in Aronas. My kids and grandkids. Nice community. Good schools..."

"Batarians everywhere, and we need to shut down all three torches. Anything else we should know?" John asked.

"One of the torches is surrounded by live blasting caps. We were set up to excavate when we arrived at Terra Novas. I rigged them with proximity detectors," Simon explained. "That tank of yours will set them off, so you'll have to go in on foot. Even then, they'll explode if you get too close. Just go slow and easy and you should be fine."

"You set them up. Can you disable them?" Jane asked.

"Not from here, no," Simon said. "There are manual controls by the entrance to the torch facility, inside the blast zone. You can disarm the caps there. One last thing: I had a crew working off-site when the attack hit. I'm worried about them. These Batarians are ruthless. I saw them smash the faceplates of guys working vacuum. And those varren...I don't think they always wait for a corpse before feeding."

"Those guys, any idea where we could find them?" Jane asked.

"They were running checks on our perimeter equipment," Simon explained. "Easiest thing would be to tap into the transmission tower out on the surface. The equipment stations will show up on your sensors."

"We've already found two," Jane stated and Simon gave her a look. "Mendel and Slajs are both dead." Simon looked down.

"We'll look for the rest," John said. "But the torches are our main focus."

"Yeah...you're right. Saving Terra Nova's more important than my team," Simon wore the face of a man who knew hard decisions. "There were a bunch of engineers over at the main facility, but they're probably all dead. That, or being held hostage by the Batarians.

"A woman named Kate Bowman contacted us. The Batarians haven't found her yet," Jane said.

"Katie's alive? She's one of my best engineers. She signed on with her brother. Aaron, I think his name is. He's part of the security detail. I hope they're okay," Simon said.

"Give me a worst case scenario. We can't stop the asteroid. Could the colony be evacuated?" John asked.

"Evacu... Shepard, it took 30 years for the population to grow that large," Simon stammered. "I'm sure they're moving people to remote areas, but they'd never be able to get more than a few thousand off-world. We just don't have enough ships. No one does. Well, maybe the Quarians. But I don't see them suddenly showing up and offering us a ride."

"You'd better find a good place to hide. If the Batarians come back and find you..." John began and Jane looked at the door.

"Yeah, I think I'll make myself scarce. Good luck, Shepard," Simon said and the group nodded at the man.

"This is bad," Garrus stated and Jane shook her head.

"We can do it...we have four hours to do this," Jane said.

"Can we?" Tali asked.

"And still make it back to the Normandy in time for lunch," John replied and they climbed into the Mako.

"I have a reading on a site right above the torch...we should check it out," Jane said and John nodded. The ride was unpleasant but they arrived at X57 Radio.

"It's a radio station," Tali stated and Jane looked at the messages.

"Let's go, there's a survey sight on that next ridge," Jane said.

"Jane..." John began.

"It's worth it if we find one engineer alive," she said. As John bounced the Mako to the next site it was clear no one was alive, but Jane got out and quickly entered the structure. A body in the burned remains of the structure. She found the recording. As she exited, she shook her head and headed in.

"I have an idea for the next torch," John stated and Jane listened as he drove.

~*TF*~

"You're insane, Commander." Tali noted over the comms. John just grinned to himself as he led Tali carefully around the back of the building, paying attention to the sensor readings of his suit and staying away from the charges the best he could.

"They'll never expect a small team to come up behind them as Jane and Garrus take out the turrets. I'll cover you as you take the charges off line. Then Jane will drive up once we're done. Simple." John assured her. Tali seemed to give him a look and he was willing to bet credits that she was muttering and swearing at him. A missile flew over their heads as Jane drove by in the distance, focusing on the turrets. After ten tense minutes they finally picked their way through the jerry rigged mine field. They crept along the side of the building. When they got to the corner John made a hand signal for Tali to hold position. Then he peaked around the corner.

Four Batarians but two were holding rocket launchers. Fortunately for him, they were closer to the corner than the other two. Making another hand sign for Tali to wait there, he drew his knife. He silently crept up behind the closet one. When he was close enough he lunged forward, grabbing the Batarian from behind around the throat with his left hand and jamming the knife into the Batarian's back where he approximately remembered the Batarian heart to be. Since the Batarian was caught off guard his shields weren't up and the specialty yet expensive blade penetrated the armor with all of John's strength. Still the armor was armor after all and as the systems tried to protect the terrorist the shields flared to life, snapping the blade in half. John cursed as the shield flared drew the other three's attention. As they moved John tackled the other rocket trooper, sending him to the ground. Before his suit's own shields flared to life, John smashed the hilt of his broken blade into the Batarian's face mask, shattering it. John dove away as the other two opened fire, their friend already dead from the sudden atmospheric decompression of his suit. As he skidded on the ground he dropped the handle and snatched a grenade from his belt. He tossed it at the two and it detonated in their faces. It sent them flying into the mine field and even if they had survived the initial explosion, the mine they landed on finished the job.

"You're clear, Tali." John said over the comm, getting to his feet. Tali scurried from around the corner and quickly went to work on the demolition charge console. After a few moments the charges were disarmed and Jane and Garrus drove up in the Mako. They were quiet until after they got through the airlock and they were all, expect for Tali, taking off their helmets inside.

"Nicely done, John." Jane said as they cleared the room. Nothing was inside.

"Thanks Jane. Broke my knife though." John said, giving a fake pout making the rest of the team chuckle.

"I heard they're coming up with something called an Omni-blade, Commander." Garrus said, unslinging his assault rifle. "You should get one of those when you can."

"That sounds interesting." John mused. Jane shook her head as they took up positions around the door to the inside. Exchanging a nod with his sister, they opened the door. This room was filled equipment provided excellent cover as they stormed in. With the four of them working together, they quickly disposed of six Batarians and six rocket drones. John was happy to note that Garrus and Tali were quickly falling in sync with them. On the way to Feros he was going to suggest to Jane that they break the ground team into two smaller teams, one led by each of them. If the others were falling in sync with them just as well, two well trained, well balanced fire teams would give them more options.

They found the fusion torch shut off upstairs and just as Tali was finishing shutting it down Kate Bowman came back on over the comms.

"Are you there? You've got to hurry. You've really pissed them off. Their leader's setting charges everywhere. I think he's going to blow this whole facility."

Jane pressed a hand to her ear piece.

"Kate, we're trying to reach you. We just shut off the second torch. Try to stay safe and off the comms now. We're go-"

"Get away from there!"

"Oh fuck no. Please no." Jane whispered and John frowned. A Batarian had found her. There was the sound of scuffle.

"Don't shoot. Please!" Kate again.

"Who's shutting down the torches?" Another Batarian demanded.

"Tell him Kate, We'll be fine." Jane whispered. She was shaking in rage and Garrus shot John a concerned look. John shook his head.

"I won't ask you again." The second Batarian snarled. After a few moments there was a loud gunshot. "Find this problem and deal with it. Get her out of here!"

As the comm shut off Jane stormed from the room.

~*TF*~

"We could make a U-shape around the main building, hitting the two sites of interest, then hitting the third torch," Jane said as they made their way back to the Mako. John gave her a look. "They're looking for us now. They won't expect us to go the long way."

John waited until they were back inside the Mako before responding.

"Do we have time for that?" he asked.

"With you driving, we will," Jane said and the twins nodded. John made the Mako fly and soon enough they were at a relatively empty construction camp.

"I found something you might like," Garrus called and showed them a note indicating an explosives cache.

"Explosives are good," John said and Jane nodded.

"Let's get them before the Batarians have a chance," Jane said.

"Am I the only one a little worried about riding in the Mako with explosives?" Tali asked.

"I wasn't until you mentioned it," Garrus replied.

The next survey station was the same as the prior two, just dead bodies.

"They made sure to kill as many as they could," Jane stated, puzzled.

"I know it doesn't make damn sense," John agreed.

"What do you mean?" Tali asked.

"John and I wrote the Mindoir Review, we know Batarian policy." Jane began.

"You wrote the Review," John said as he tried to find any explosives. No luck. "I just gave a helpful paragraph or two."

"This is unusual. They normally take as many slaves as they can but this reads like an extermination," Jane stated, ignoring her brother's quip.

"Extermination?" Garrus asked.

"That's what's weird. They usually only kill those they can't take as slaves. They've been on the asteroid long enough to have processed every member of the team for slave transport, but they're not, they're killing everyone," John replied.

"The Hegemony wouldn't condone this..." Jane started.

"But they sure as hell wouldn't condemn it either," John replied.

"I don't like this," Jane growled.

"There's nothing to like," John replied as they approached the third torch. "Look...more turrets."

"A lot of good they did when the engineers needed them," Jane sighed as John began to blast.

"What do you think about this?" Garrus asked Jane and her face was hard.

"Batarians hate humans. This is just another group looking to kill as many of us as possible," Jane said in a cold voice.

"We'll stop them," John said as he maneuvered the Mako around, slamming the Mako into a hard skid to avoid a rocket barreling right at them.

"Eeek!" Tali cried as she slid into Garrus.

"What are our chances?" Garrus asked.

"Of stopping this rock?" Jane asked. "Excellent, we've only been here forty minutes and we're already shutting down the last torch."

"Of saving the engineers?" Tali asked and Jane got quiet.

"We've already failed to save five," she answered. "I don't know...but I intend to make sure we save as many as are left breathing."

"Then let's shut down this last torch and head over to the main facility," John said as he pulled up in front of the torch.

"Done already?" Tali cried.

"I know what I'm doing," John replied as they got out of the Mako.

~*TF*~

As they entered the third torch facility John was surprised to find only three Batarians and two varren guarding the torch. They again made short work of them and went upstairs to turn off the fusion torch. John himself couldn't help but let out a deep sigh of relief as Tali disable the final torch. They headed down stairs and John was almost expecting what he saw. Three Batarians holding guns on them down the end of the room from the stairs. Jane's rifle was in her hands in an instant and she was raising it to her shoulder.

"Hold it right there. This doesn't have to end in bloodshed," the Batarian in the middle said. Jane kept her eyes on the space between his four eyes. Batarians liked confusing humans with which eye to look at, Jane made up for it by looking at their foreheads right above their nostrils. "Don't come any closer." He put his weapon away and John did the same. Jane almost kicked her brother in the back, but she didn't dare with three Batarians, two of which were still armed. "We can do this the hard way...or we can end this peacefully."

"I didn't think you Batarians knew the meaning of the word," Jane snapped. John's body went stiff and Jane knew she shouldn't have spoken.

"Look, I'm just doing my job here. Hijacking this rock wasn't my idea," the Batarian confessed and Jane wondered what his job was. "I signed on to make a little profit. A quick slave grab. Nothing more." Jane's blood boiled, her finger twitched but she didn't squeeze, not with John facing the two guards.

"This isn't just a slave grab anymore. Millions of people are going to die," John said.

"Don't you think I know that?" the Batarian snarled. "I'm just following orders here. If it were up to me, we'd have already left."

"Well, it's not too late. You can still leave," John said and Jane fought to keep from swallowing her tongue. He was going to let them go?!

"I don't think so. Balak would skin me alive and sell my hide out of spite," the Batarian said. "Crazy bastard. This whole mission's gone to hell and I'm gonna pay for it."

"So why do you listen to him?" John asked and Jane focused on Alliance negotiation technique. She hated dealing with Batarians. Hated them. But she wasn't dealing with them...John was. Her finger twitched on the trigger and Garrus shifted next to her. She had just told Garrus off on revenge, what kind of a hypocrite was she? One that had lost her whole childhood and innocence to her demons. Jane couldn't understand how John was so patient and calm.

"Good question. I had a bad feeling about this from the moment we landed. Now Balak wants you dead," the Batarian growled. "And what Balak wants, Balak gets. I can't change that."

"Do you always want to be second in command? Get me out of here and I'll take care of Balak. Then you can start giving the orders," John said and Jane knew he was creating unrest in the band of Batarians, but she was still sick of them.

"An, uh, interesting proposal. It certainly has benefits over the current situation," the Batarian stated. He hesitated for a moment before nodding and looking at one of the other Batarians "Shut it down. This is Balak's problem now. I hope you're as quick with a gun as you are with your promises. For both our sakes."

"Balak will get what's coming to him. And so will you if I ever catch you in human territory again. Are we clear?" Jane said as she trained her killing eyes on him. The Batarian looked at her for a moment, then at John. There was a bit of recognition there.

"Perfectly," he said before tossing a security pass at John. "Balak's holed up in the main facility. You'll need this to get in. Don't underestimate him. He's a mean bastard." He looked at his men. "Let's go. We're getting off this rock." Jane watched them go, finger twitching on the trigger. John placed a hand on her shoulder and the group waited a moment before heading back out to the Mako.

~*TF*~

The Main Facility again six turrets but three were mobile on tracks. Jane was oddly quiet as John quickly drove around them, Garrus using the Mako's turret to quickly take them out. Then as they were making their way inside John noticed Jane was staring at a blood stain by the communications console. That was not a good sign.

They made their way up the stairs into a courtyard area and a large group of Batarians with several drones began to open fire. They hunkered down behind the walkway guard for a moment.

"John, Garrus and I are going to find a perch, give you guys some cover fire." Jane said, before darting off. Garrus blinked in surprise as Jane moved. Then he followed her as quickly as he could.

"Tali stay right next to me, okay? I want to do a slow march up the right side. If we draw them to us, Jane and Garrus will get some clear shots." John ordered. Tali nodded and brought her shotgun up to blast a drone that tried to get above them.

"You got it Shepard." She replied. John shot her a grin and they stayed low. Popping up to blast down any drone that got close. When a few Batarians rushed them Jane or Garrus would take a few down as John and Tali shot the rest. They had slowly made their way along the edge before it got eerily quiet. One last Batarian tried to rush them, screaming for them to die but Tali blasted him in the face with her shot gun. John was about to call Jane and Garrus down to help them find where the hostages were when he heard a deep growl of a varren. He looked to the back of the room and he saw a Batarian descending the stairs with two varren and another Batarian by his side.

"You humans. You're almost more trouble than you're worth." The Batarian snarled.

"You must be Balak." John noted. He kept his gun at the ready but not point at him. He saw Garrus making his way from his left with his Assault rifle at the ready. Tali was covering John on the right. He smirked to himself as he thought about Jane taking aim at Balak's head. He held up his left hand in the Alliance signal for 'hold for orders'. Then he turned focused back on Balak. "Let the hostages go and maybe you'll live long enough to explain yourself to the Council."

"I don't answer to the Council! Or to you. I'm leaving this asteroid. If you try to stop me, I'll detonate these charges and your helper and her friends are all going to die." Balak snarled. John glared.

"I can't just let you go, Balak. Not after what happened here." John snarled.

"This is nothing. You humans have done far worse to the Batarians. We've been forced into exile. Forced to survive on what we can scrounge up. It's been like that for decades." Balak snapped.

"Why take it out on these people? They didn't do anything to you or the Batarians." John questioned.

Didn't do anything? Aside from colonizing a world that could have been ours? Aside from using resources that should have been ours? We were left to defend ourselves. But the humans were stronger than us. We knew that. The Council knew that. But it didn't matter. It was you. You and your kind are the only reason we're in this position." Balak retorted.

"How does killing innocent people make up for that?"

"We had no other options. Sometimes you need to get someone's attention before they'll listen."

"Is that what Elysium was?" John demanded, fed up with Balak's apparent high and mighty routine. "A way to get our attention? Well, you got it. And when we responded you ran like cowards. Now you want to start it all over again."

"Enough! You couldn't possibly understand...Actually, you just don't want to understand. And I'm done wasting my breath. Now, if you want your friends to live, I suggest you step aside." Balak ordered. John ground his teeth,

"You can go. But this isn't over. I'll find you eventually." John snapped, but he did step aside. No matter what happened he would never sacrifice innocent people just to get someone.

"Maybe. But I made sure you won't follow me today. Those charges are still on a timer. Better hurry if you want to save your friends." Balak snarked before hurrying off. John swore under his breath and then swore again as two more drones flew in behind the retreating Batarians.

"Garrus cover Tali while she disarms those bombs! I've got these things." John ordered. As the two scurried off and John opened fire on the drones he had to wonder where the hell his sister was.

~*TF*~

Jane watched over John as he looked up at the Batarian on the top of the stairs. Balak. Jane's eyes looked at Balak, memorizing his markings. He would not get away if she had anything to do with it.

Jane had her scope centered on Balak's skull. Right between all four of his eyes. He was so focused on John, he and his troops hadn't noticed that she wasn't with them. The cross hairs were steady, John only had to give the signal and Balak would be a splatter on the back wall. She could probably get the two guards flanking him too.

John was making the stand down signal and Jane was furious. Was he crazy? She could take Balak! John had no faith that she knew when to fire or stand down. Anger burned in Jane.

Jane's eyes bulged as she realized Balak was going to get away with it! That vile, racist was so diluted by his victim complex that he couldn't see what the Batarians really were. Bottom feeders, low-lives. Jane could remember the stench of her father's body as it burned, the smell of her mother's blood. Killing cold seeped into her body as she prepared to fire on Balak. The murderous son of a bitch wasn't leaving this damn rock. John knew she was on Balak, but he didn't know where she was. John wouldn't stop her from putting this mad dog down. As she was about to fire Garrus moved.

Garrus had faced Dr. Saleon and had listened to her. Jane felt sick as she realized the truth. Leaders had to lead by example. Bile burned the back of her throat as she pulled her rifle off of Balak and she glared at the Batarians. As she watched them run off she headed after them…

~*TF*~

The blast hit the doorway in front of Balak's face and he paused as he was about to exit. Jane stood there and looked at him, the tip of her rifle smoking.

"I will find you...and I will kill you," Jane stated before she turned on her comm. Hopefully she could warn Balak's deserters. "Balak is leaving the main facility at this time. Just thought you would like a heads up." She turned and saw a drone, she quickly brought it down before taking on its twin, when she looked back at the doorway, Balak and his group were gone.

"Jane we got the devices," John said over the comms. Simon appeared in the doorway and looked at her.

"He left? Is that...is that all right?" he asked Jane and she looked at the older engineer.

"Letting him go was better than the alternative," she said, her hands tightening on her rifle. "I thought you were going to stay someplace safe?"

"I...there might have been something I could have done to help. I thought I should be here. I know this asteroid better than anyone," Simon said. "You did it. Another hour and our course would have been irreversible. I ran the numbers, Shepard. X57 would have struck near the capital city. The most densely populated region. But that's not going to happen, thanks to all of you." The two of them moved to meet up with John and the others outside of a door.

"Is Katie in here? Is she all right? Is her team?" Simon asked.

"Balak was holding them hostage. I let him go to save them," John said.

"Let a terrorist go, or sacrifice innocent lives. I...I'm glad that not a choice I had to make," Simon confessed. "Is that...will you get in trouble for that? I mean, he could do the same thing somewhere else. Couldn't he?"

"Yeah, he could. Balak seemed like a practical man," John said and Jane stood next to him.

"Practical, but callous. If he'd been in your place, John, Ms. Bowman would be dead now, along with all the terrorists," Jane said. "But I'm not going to sacrifice people who happened to be between me and my target." She looked at Garrus. The Turian's blue eyes shone with admiration.

"So what happens now? The bad guys get away?" Simon asked.

"Balak gets away today," Jane said.

"But we'll be after him tomorrow, and the day after that. Me, my crew, and every other crew in the Alliance," John said, his hand on Jane's shoulder. He did his best not to look shocked at the clenched muscles in his twin's body. "He'll run, and he'll hide. But eventually he'll slip up, and we'll get him. Bad guys never get away, Simon."

"Not unless the good guys give up," Jane added, making sure Simon knew that she didn't intend to do that.

"Well, I wouldn't want you after me," Simon said, giving Jane a nod. "Thank you. For my grandchildren's lives. I don't think I'll stick around, though. Not with the team gone. Too many ghosts. It's time for me to get back and spend some time with my family. But before I go...I'd like to offer you something...maybe you'll have more use for it than I will. As lead engineer, I get some quality items. Take your pick: you've earned it. I hope you get good use out of it." He pointed to some crates in the corner.

"Simon...we found the rest of your team...their bodies, anyway," Jane said and Simon looked down.

"Oh...I...I see. Well, then. I guess it's better than not knowing," Simon muttered.

"Take care of yourself," Jane said.

"Be well. We owe you," Simon responded as Tali finished hacking the door. The engineers quickly rushed out. A woman approached John.

~*TF*~

"I can't believe you let Balak go...to save us. I half expected you to just let us die. Sacrifice the few for the many." Kate wondered.

"Then I'd be no better than the Batarians. Beside, Balak won't get away with this. I know who he is now. He can't run forever." John noted. Jane scowled.

"Huh. You sound like my brother. He was always so stubborn. But always willing to do the right thing...no matter what." Kate said and Jane winced

"I wish we could've save him, too." Jane said. Kate sighed.

"It's not your fault. You did what you could. At least Aaron died in a place he loved. He was the one who convinced me to join the team here. Said it would be an adventure. I...I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I should see to Aaron." Kate said and took in a deep, shuddering breath.

"I understand. You've been through enough today. We'll get out of your way." John said. He motioned to the others and they began to leave.

"Thank you...huh, I don't even know your name." Kate mused. John smiled.

"I'm Commander John Shepard, that's my sister Commander Jane Shepard, the Turian is Garrus Vakarian and the Quarian is Tali'Zorah." John introduced them.

"Thank you. You're not exactly what I expected, but thank you." John smiled and waved and Jane hesitated for a moment before she left.

"That was a brave thing you did, Kate." Jane praised her. "Contacting us on the radio, risking your life."

"Stubborn and determined runs in the family. My father was in the Alliance, back on Earth. I think he was disappointed none of his kids signed up, but he'd be proud of Aaron. Sorry...I'm just..." Kate trailed off.

"You've been through a lot. I'll get out of your way. So long, Kate."

"I appreciate that, Commander. Goodbye."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 2nd, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, In Transit to the Citadel

John was starting his usual PT round as Jane entered the hold. He paused to look at her and she crossed her arms.

"I know what you want to talk about Jane," John sighed. "But I don't feel like talking."

"No John, we need to talk," Jane stated as she took a fighting stance.

"Jane..." John said in a warning tone. Jane's biotics flared and John rushed her, getting in quick. He went for a shoulder jab only to end up with his arm caught between hers.

"We are talking about this now. We haven't had to be in the same unit since N-7 training and we are barely cohesive," Jane said before kicking John backwards, biotics swirling around her in preparation of attack.

John stepped back to let Jane's kick pass by him. As Jane lashed a hand out to catch him in a Stasis field John side stepped her hand. He grabbed her free arm to wrench it behind her back as he pinned her extended arm by her side. Jane bit back a gasp.

"We may not have been the finely tuned team we were then but we're both much better than we were." John snapped in her ear. Jane reared her head back and John was forced to let go or have his nose broken.

"That's my point," Jane stated as she ducked down to try a leg sweep. "Both of us have lost men, John, and both of us have developed as Commanders without the other."

John ground his teeth as he hopped back even farther and avoided the leg sweep. As Jane moved with the momentum from her leg sweep he lunged at her.

"I doubt a little sparring will help us move back into sync." John snapped as he moved.

Jane dropped onto her back and used her feet to throw John over her before she rolled onto her feet, biotics swirling around her.

"Can't it?" Jane asked as she threw a Lift at him.

As John landed on his back on the mats he saw Jane throw the Lift at him. He rolled to the left and let the Lift hit the mat throwing it up into the air. He saw Jane blink in surprise so he kip-upped and spun back around.

"Nicely done but I thought of how to get out of that trick of yours since our last spar, little sister." John taunted. His grin got wider, remembering what an old movie buff Jane was. He went into his ready stance but extended his right arm out, hand up. He made a come here gesture with his fingers at her.

"I was wondering when you would catch on," she replied before she rushed him lifting a glowing fist in a mock punch, but instead of hitting him with her fist, she shoved a Throw down in front of John, launching herself into the air. Jane quickly hooked a leg around John's chest, hurling her weight over his body, flipping him over her as she quickly rolled into a crouching position. "You're not the only one with new tricks, big brother."

John curled around himself and when he hit the ground he used his momentum to end back up on his feet, if a little wobbly.

"Not too bad, Jane but I have fought biotics before." John said. He lunged at Jane but checked the move at the last minute. As he thought Jane moved to grab him but got nothing but air as he came up short. Jane's eyes got wide as he jabbed at her stomach with a fist.

Jane gasped as she fell onto her brother's shoulder, using him for support. He paused for a second, long enough for Jane to plant a foot between his legs. She shoved the palm of one hand up into John's chin, pushing his head back and used her other leg to pull out John's leg, causing them both to fall, Jane on top of John. Jane used her momentum to roll, shoving a fist into his side and rolling away to catch her breath.

"Yeah, and I've been practicing my hand to hand just for those who are familiar with typical biotic fighters. Funny how we are both capable against each other...huh?" Jane ran a hand over her sore stomach, there was going to be a bruise from that.

John slowly got to his feet, not willing to favor himself despite the ache he felt. Jane had gotten a lot better, he admitted to himself but she wasn't trained to brawl like he was. True her hits hurt but they weren't debilitating.

"It's a bit funny." John said, rolling his shoulders. He watched Jane and sighed. "I'm sorry. You were right about Tali."

"I never cared about being right, John. I want Saren," Jane stated as she got back into the fighting stance. "I had him in the scope, John, I could have taken him out, but I didn't. I need to get him." Jane flashed blue before whipping a mat from the floor right into John.

John rolled his eyes as he neatly side stepped the thrown mat. He took two quick steps at Jane before jabbing at her with a basic left cross. Jane blocked and countered. John struck at her again and countered. Soon it degenerated into nothing but strikes and counters. They exchanged blows like this for a few minutes, getting faster and faster.

"I want him just as badly Jane. You couldn't have known. It's not in your nature to just shoot people without a reason. Before he killed Nihlus and was protected by the Geth did you have any reason to shoot him?"

Jane was standing her own in the boxing match, she couldn't beat John in strength, but she wasn't the farm girl she was as a child and she had done a hell of a lot of growing since the N-7 training. She could keep him at bay, but it would be an inevitable stalemate.

"I felt it John. Like that day on Mindoir, like on Akuze, I felt it John and I didn't listen. Just one shot and he would have been a corpse," Jane growled, biotic blue flashed in her eyes and trickled over her skin, but not offensive, just reactionary. "I felt it and I didn't listen. I want him, John, I want to kill him myself!" The look in Jane's eyes was cold and dead.

John frowned as he saw Jane's face. Jane always had doubt. In his eyes that was why she studied so hard when they were younger, why she trained so hard, why she was a sniper. She was trying to distance herself from making a mistake and be eaten up with guilt. Akuze came close to breaking her and she was dwelling too much on Saren's actions. John felt it click in his mind and he sighed. He caught one of her fists with his hand. Jane snarled and swung the other and he caught that as well. She thought everything Saren was doing was her fault because she didn't kill him when she didn't know any better.

"Jane, calm down for a minute." John snapped and Jane growled. He sighed and then slammed his head forward catching her in the nose.

Jane threw up a shield, throwing John away from her. She quickly caught her nose and swore.

"Damn it, John, stupid move. Who taught you counseling? A Krogan?" Jane muttered as she felt her nose. "Never confine a person...damn it. What do you want to say?" She looked at him, her shield still glowing around her.

"You weren't going to listen while you kept throwing punches." John countered, giving his head a shake. "Saren's not your fault. He found Sovereign long before he walked into your scope. He's had these plans well into motion before Eden Prime. The people he kills are not your fault!"

Jane stared at her bother for a moment.

"You can tell me that every day, John...I know that in my head. But every time I look at Liara...I know she lost her mother because I didn't shoot that son of a bitch when I had the chance. I know it's not my fault, but I know my hesitation has and will cost many people..." Jane said as she looked at John. She stood tall and her biotics flashed out. "Do you trust me to lead when you are off command?"

John returned her look with one of his own.

"Is this about me taking the lead on your shift? Jane I'm not used to sharing command, that's my fault and I promise I'll do my best to not do it again. And you're changing the subject!"

"I'm not changing the subject, I know my weaknesses John. I don't get close to people. Hell, Tali thought I disliked her, but you know me and I know me. I don't get close, Akuze did more than leave me with a physical scar," Jane said as she ran a thumb over her scarred cheek. "I know my obsessive behaviors when I do make mistakes. Why do you think I work so hard on my biotic abilities? Anytime I learn about a new Asari trick I take hours to try and practice it. Because if my biotics had been a bit stronger...Akuze could have had a much lower body count." Jane looked at John. "Your turn."

John stared at her for a minute before the turn sentence sank into his brain. He sighed and headed for the table where Ash would normally be working. He was thankful he had decided to do some PT after his shift when everyone was sleeping. He snatched up his towel and began rubbing his head dry.

"Yes, Jane I trust you. I always trust you but I want to know my team is safe. I try too hard sometimes and to be honest I care more about my crew than the mission some times."

"I suppose that is a massive difference between us then," Jane stated as she began to stretch. "Once engaged, the mission has priority. I will do my best to make sure that my soldiers are prepared to handle any mission I put them on but I expect them to be able to stand on their own if I bring them on the mission. You didn't fail Tali, she just got unlucky. It could have happened to either of us. Sometimes it is just bad luck, but I will put money down, Tali will make sure any downed drones are completely non-functional the next time she is in a fight with them. I think we all will." Jane gave John a look as she grabbed a towel from Wrex's usual haunt where she had tossed it. She slipped it under her hair patting her face.

"You didn't kill Balak," John commented and Jane froze.

"I wanted to...badly...but Garrus...I told him to let go of that rage. What kind of a hypocrite would I be if I killed Balak when the mission was to save the people?" Jane said keeping her back to John.

"When we're done with Saren..." John started.

"No...I'll do my assigned missions just like you but if we happen to find Balak on the way..." Jane said and John nodded.

"Count me in," he said.

"I already was," Jane got onto the elevator and headed up to bed. John rubbed his side absently. She really had gotten better at hand to hand.

~*TF*~

End of Chapter 6

Toby's Note: I talked with Belle and bit and she agreed we should answer any questions or comments at the end of the chapters. I hope you guys like what we've done so far. A special thank you to BlunderBore. You made me realize we needed to open a dialogue with all of you who read this fanfic.

To BlunderBore

Toby: I spent a lot (and I mean A LOT) of time mulling over what you said. You were fair, honest and to the point. Yes I have let John become somewhat of a background character. I tried to address that in 6 and I mean to keep addressing it in future chapters. I would say John letting Jane lead a lot of the time stems a lot from their childhood. As a male in a brother/sister relationship I can honestly say a lot of the times I let my sister just do what she wanted. And while that might work for siblings growing up that wouldn't work in the military. So I will be addressing that flaw in John in the future. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

To Elder Sibling

Toby: If you mean nepotism I disagree. John had no influence to get Jane elevated to a Spectre. The Council was impressed by both of their actions. As we said in the chapter when they were both elevated to Spectre status, the Council has had sibling Spectres before. Tavos saw potential in them both and had them both drawn into the Council's service.

Belle: Sorry if you don't like the story, we were NOT trying to make it seem like they were getting in based on each other's success. We tried to set it up so it would seem like it was a tough decision between John and Jane as well as making it clear that having sibling Spectres made things easier.

To Nickbana1989

Toby: If I understand the Mass Effect Wiki right, a Rear Admiral can be addressed as just an Admiral as well but the wiki lists Admiral above Rear Admiral. So I think when you address a group of officers with different ranks, you need to use full rank. I think.

Belle: Toby and I double checked both the Mass Effect cannon as well as actual military.

To Hebisama

Toby: You brought up pairings and while some are obvious (John/Liara) we make no promises on keeping them paired together. Belle and I strive for realism (I know that's weird in a fanfic about kicking ass in space) and we discuss (or argue) about how so and so would react if so and so did this or was here, blah, blah, blah. So you never know how pairings will turn out. Plus I can safely say the ME1 arc will be the closest to canon we come. So later arcs may put different strains (or deaths, heh heh) on relationships. All I ask is even if someone gets paired with someone you hate please keep reading. It may just change, or we may even kill them off.

No one is safe. ~*insert Toby cackling evilly*~

Belle: *coughs* Um...some people might like Kaidan and find his voice really hot and you know some people like Liara but others don't necessarily romance her even if they like her as a friend. So, no hate. To each their own and yeah. Sorry about any disliked pairings, there are many romance options that are enjoyed and only so many in a fiction that is trying to be serious and not smut can do. Personally I love Vega and he can only be a one night stand. Way to go screwing over the female gamers EA.

To Any Guest/Anom reviews

Toby: We don't describe the Shepard beyond their blue eyes because we want you to think these Shepards are your Shepards. We're using the canon names because there are two of them and they have to be addressed beyond male Shepard & female Shepard (though Wrex still does). The blue eye thing is mainly for the sibling thing.

Belle: Exactly as Toby said. I don't know about others, but when I read fanfiction I try to picture my Shepard in the story, sadly, that makes it hard for me when I keep reading some name that I would never have picked. I actually have an easier time with fictions with Jane or John instead. Sort of like, I can turn these characters into my Shepards in my head easier than personalized names. Picture your Shepards when you read this story!