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.

11. Chapter 10

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: Toby and I have been working up to this chapter for over a year now. A good chunk of that was me hoarding chapters like a dragon. At the end is a suggested playlist to listen to while reading.

Toby's Note: I love this chapter. I really do. It's one of the best so far and I really loved where I ended up with the fight scene in 9.

Chapter 10: On My Own

Earth Date: November 20th, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy

"...I've already updated The Mindoir Review. So where are you now?"

"Somewhere in the Omega Nebula. I'm not sure as Pressley indicated we were just going to chase down a sensor echo. Probably nothing but you know Alliance regs."

"During search and destroy missions chase down all possible leads no matter how explained or remote when no other leads present themselves. You just want more time to butt minds with your girlfriend."

"We were sparing, full contact sparring, mind you. Hence why I'm in armor and drying my sweat soaked hair."

"Is that what the kids call it in the mind? Sparring hmmm?"

John stopped toweling his head dry and shot the holographic representation of Jane a nasty look.

"Don't get snippy with me, you could have taken your boy-toy with you on leave. The Alliance was willing to split the ground crew but you insisted I keep all the Alliance personnel on board. What's the matter, he couldn't keep up with you in the bedroom or the other way around?" John snarked. He saw Jane shift a bit and if the hologram wasn't all red in color anyways he'd have bet she was blushing.

"John!"

"What? You started it." He retorted smugly and Jane sighed.

"I hate you sometimes."

"You'll get over it. Anyways we're going to head back to the Citadel after this. Liara needs to be on Thessia in person next week to officially oversee the death ceremony for Benezia and sign some papers." John said, rolling his shoulders and dropping his towel around his neck. Jane frowned.

"You guys are getting awfully close, especially if she's telling you about personnel stuff like that." Jane stated and John kept silent. "Something you want to tell me John?"

"I guess Anderson hasn't told you but he cleared it with Alliance brass. I'm going with Liara to Thessia to help with their death ceremony for Benezia. So if you want to get hold of me you'll have to contact the Asari Republics to have the message rerouted. It's your turn to go on wild goose chases while I take leave. "

"Wow...you guys are starting to get serious...huh? But that's going to be a problem. I won't be coming back to the Normandy on our projected schedule. I got tapped by another Spectre for an undercover mission. She read the report on Saren and Sovereign and when she heard about my biotics she wanted me on her mission. I'm actually heading to a special two week training course before we go deep cover." Jane explained making John frown.

"Anderson didn't mention it to me yesterday." John grumbled.

"I just found out about it last night by your time," Jane clarified. "No communications or contacts outside of our mission. It is projected for a three month period. I'm sorry, if anything happens you will be contacted."

"Oh wonderful. I hate when either of us gets a mission like this. Any idea who asked for you?" John inquired. Jane rolled her eyes.

"It was an Asari, I don't know her, and in fact I haven't been given any names yet. We are meeting at a secure location, training, and then we head out. Once I'm out of the deep cover I'll be taking time off. I might check out Grissom Academy, they've been asking me to come visit for a while now." Jane revealed and John rubbed a hand across his face. Well if this was the first he was hearing about it there was a good chance Anderson wouldn't cancel his leave. The Normandy was probably going to be dry docked and the whole crew given shore leave.

"Well I'll contact Anderson after we get off the line. Maybe I can swing the Normandy taking us to Thessia as some sort of envoy mission for the Alliance. Anderson might like that and-" John was cut off as Joker's voice cut in over the ship's comm system.

"Brace for evasive maneuvers!" Joker cried out. John blinked in surprise and barely grabbed the edge of the railing in front of Jane's hologram as the ship took a hard bank. Gravity increased for several seconds as the ship moved before the internal stabilizers caught up.

"John? John, what the hell's going on?!" Jane screamed.

"I don't know but-" John was again cut off as the ship lurched from an impact. John actually went smashing to the floor, his helmet thrown off a nearby chair to go rolling by him. He looked up at Jane's hologram. The last thing he saw before the transmission cut out was Jane's surprised face.

~*TF*~

Jane stared at the screen as it showed the error message. Her heart was in agony as she stood stone still. Dread ten times worse than the Mindoir, Akuze, and Eden Prime attacks clutched at her. She had no idea how long she stood there, but part of her was screaming. Her omni-tool beeped and she pressed it. The message popped up in front of her, showing her that Councilor Anderson was looking back at her with a stern face.

"Commander Shepard," he said and Jane looked at him, the tears welling in her eyes. "We have lost contact with the Normandy. The last transmission indicated they were under attack."

"I am aware, Councilor Anderson. I was on a call with my brother informing him of my mission for the Council," Jane said. There was a moment of silence. He began to open his mouth. "I will continue my mission."

"Shepard...Jane...You don't have to do this," he said and Jane shook her head and looked up at him.

"John is strong, but if he didn't make it to the escape pods...he didn't make it at all," Jane said.

"I will contact you as soon as we know more," he said.

"Thank you," Jane said as the communication cut short. She moved to a chair and slumped down, all she could do was to sit and wait...helpless to aid her brother.

~*TF*~

"Commander!" Joker screamed. John snatched an exposed beam near the console and looked at Joker. He felt horror fill him as he saw the enemy's beam weapon slicing the Normandy and blocking his path to the escape pod. He had no choice, John couldn't kill them both. He slammed his fist on the console, overriding the pod and forcing it to close its door and blast away from the Normandy.

Not a moment too soon either. An explosion rocked the Normandy sending John hurtling away, smacking into a piece of debris as he was thrown into space. He felt sick to his stomach as he watched the Normandy, that wonderful ship that had carried them across the galaxy to beat Sovereign and Saren, explode before his very eyes. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm his heart and slow his breathing.

'Okay, in an emergency situation the Normandy VI sets our omni-tools to broadcast our bio-readings to the escape pods.' John thought. He tried to ignore the fact he was free floating in space. If he panicked he might use up too much of his oxygen. 'So if I set my omni-tool to broadcast something, the pods may pick it up. They can't get me but when the ships find them, they can find me. So all I have to do is-'

John felt his blood run cold as he heard and felt his oxygen begin to rush out of his suit. He had a leak! No, two! One by his throat and some spot on his back! The impact with the debris must have caused it!

He frantically clawed at his suit, desperately trying to figure out how to seal it.

'This can't be happening! Not like this! I won't die like this!

I just have to figure out how to seal my suit! Then Jane will save me! Have to…have to…

...so cold…hard to breathe…

…Jane…please…help…me…

…Liara…I so wanted…to see Thessia…with you…

...cold…so…cold…

…Jane…

…Li…ar…a…

…

…

~*TF*~

Hours later Jane's omni-tool began to chime. She didn't access it right away, she knew his name wouldn't be on the right list. It took all her strength to lift her arm and access the tool. Her data pad jumped to life. All launched escape pods were accounted for and there were twenty-one crew members on the MIA list. Jane's eyes dropped down.

Shepard, John.

Jane dropped her arm, clutching herself as biotic blue fluxed over her skin in the darkness of her room. She pulled a pillow to her chest and screamed into it. Her sorrow muffled as she traveled in the darkness of space, where her brother might well be floating lost and alone as well.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: November 21st, 2183 CE

Location: Classified

Jane stood in front of the communicator in her alliance uniform, looking the picture of the perfect soldier as the Council appeared before her. The destruction of the Normandy was all over the extranet and the captain of the ship she was currently on had offered Jane a secure line with the Council.

"Officially all of the individuals on the MIA list are still considered missing," Tevos said and Jane nodded.

"I know the protocol, ma'am," Jane said. "Now I would like to know the unofficial information." The four councilors looked at each other.

"Readings from the Normandy wreck show that all twenty-one of the omni-tools were registering no vital signs to critical readings. The Normandy VI program remained broadcasting from its blackbox four hours after the attack," Valern said and Jane felt cold. "Unofficially only one was still showing any readings post explosion. Your brother's." Jane stared at them blankly.

"According to the report of Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau, Commander John Shepard forced Moreau into the escape pod and was thrown back. Shepard launched the escape pod and was knocked out of the ship's hull," Sparatus stated and there was a moment, Jane knew they had information they didn't want to share.

"My brother and I enlisted together. I want to know the truth before I go deep cover," Jane said and Anderson nodded. He shared a look with the other councilors and Tevos sighed before nodding in acceptance.

"Readings from your brother's suit shows that it sustained a puncture. He was losing air rapidly and was beginning to suffocate within seconds of Joker's launch," Anderson said and for a moment Jane felt like the world was dropping out from under her. She had a lot to do, she couldn't quit, John needed her to set things up, he would trust her to make sure everything was covered, her feet felt grounded as she looked up at the Council. "He was out of range within two minutes of the explosion."

"Understood," Jane said. "Thank you. I will contact a few close friends and give them the power to take care of Jo...to take care of my brother's remains should they be found in my absence."

"John Shepard served the Alliance and the Council greatly," Tevos said giving Jane an honest look of sympathy.

"His name will be added to the Spectre memorial on the Citadel when the official report is released," Valern said, nodding at Jane.

"He died preserving the lives of his crew, a man of impeccable honor," Sparatus said and Jane was shocked. Sparatus had never seemed to like John nor her. Still John was very much like a Turian. A true soldier.

"I will see to everything I can, get me the list of contacts to turn to," Anderson said and Jane nodded.

"I will send you it before I leave the system," Jane said. The call flickered out and Jane stared at the communicator for a moment. She had sent a standby out to several individuals, it was time to begin calling.

~*TF*~

Wrex had been sympathetic, he would escort any remains that were found back to Mindoir. He offered Jane a night out to celebrate John's life in true Krogan fashion. Jane had accepted, well aware that could lead to someone else dying, but not caring.

Tali had wept, offering Jane condolences when she caught herself. She apologized that she would be unlikely to be able to help much. She was freshly transferred to her new ship and would be expected to use her pilgrimage gift for several months. She would attempt to leave the Flotilla should John be found and a service be set.

Garrus had been a rock. He had asked Jane how she was. He had told her he would also escort John home should he be found. Jane cried after she ended the call with her Turian friend.

The next line of calls went through to the survivors. Dr. Chakwas, Liara, Ash, Kaidan, and Joker had all been with John. Kaidan, Ash, and Liara had been picked up by one ship while Chakwas and Joker had been on another.

Jane called Joker first.

"Oh shit, Commander," Joker groaned as he saw who was on the communicator. He was in a medical bed, the pod had probably broken something.

"How are you, Joker?" Jane asked and the guilt was clear on his face. "It's not your fault, Jeff." He paused.

"If I had..." he started and Jane shook her head.

"It's not your fault, Jeff," she said, a tear escaping her eye. "He would never have let you go down with the ship. That was always his job, so tell me. How are you?" He stared at her for a moment.

"Both femurs are severely fractured, two ribs broke, and a bunch of minor fractures everywhere," he said and Jane nodded.

"I'm glad you made it, Joker," Jane said, another tear.

"I'm sorry, Commander," he said.

"You did nothing wrong. He wouldn't want you to think you were responsible because you're not," Jane said, the tears were flowing freely.

"Still, I..." he stared and Jane looked up as fiercely as she could.

"Do not blame yourself, Jeff Moreau, or you will deal with me dealing with my grief on you. Have you seen a biotic in a crying fit before?" Jane demanded and Joker shut up. "It wasn't your fault...wishing we could do something...it won't change anything. He's gone. You leaving the bridge sooner or me being there would have changed nothing."

"Commander...you couldn't have changed anything," Joker said and Jane nodded.

"I know...neither could you," she said. "How long will you be out of the seat?"

"Don't know, at least ten weeks," he said and Jane nodded.

"I'll be out of contact long enough for you to heal up, then I'll stop by for a visit," Jane said.

"Is that a threat?" Joker asked and Jane shook her head.

"You're a friend, Jeff, I would have come no matter," Jane said. "Is Dr. Chakwas there?"

"She's been in and out. I think she's been contacting friends who heard that the Normandy was...you know," Joker said.

"Let her know I send my regards, I'll be contacting her after I get out of deep cover too," Jane said as she was about to end the connection.

"Commander?" Joker asked and Jane paused.

"Yes, Joker?" she asked and her gave her a look.

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome," she replied. After Joker hung she hesitated. This call would be the hardest to make, especially with Liara there. She steeled herself as they connected the transmission.

"Commander!" Ash cried as the comm screen lit up and the three survivors greeted Jane as she opened communications. Kaidan and Liara looked like hell.

"Were you injured?" Jane asked.

"I got a few burns," Ash stated.

"Perfectly fine," Kaidan said.

"No injuries," Liara commented. They all stared at her, waiting and Jane closed her eyes. Liara gasped and Kaidan made a little choking sound.

"They can't know," Ash whispered and Jane opened her eyes. She saw shock on all of their faces.

"Joker made it," Jane said. "John got him to the pod, but the last hit knocked John free, he hit the emergency launch for Joker before being cast out of the Normandy."

"He could still be found!" Liara cried and Jane shook her head.

"Early signs point to...to none of the missing surviving the attack," Jane said. "The last reading the VI had on John's omni-tool was that his suit was depressurizing quickly and his vitals were...he was..."

"Jane..." Kaidan whispered and Jane looked at him. Kaidan's deep brown eyes grounded Jane.

"I will be out of contact. I was telling John when the attack occurred. Special Spectre deep cover. I'll be gone for approximately three months," Jane said and they all looked shocked.

"Shep..." Ash started and Jane shook her head.

"John would expect me to do the right thing, I am needed for an operation that will save lives...lots of them. The chances of finding him..." Jane looked down.

"He will be found," Liara stated as if she was planning on going out there herself to look and Jane shook her head.

"The chances of finding him are low...we all know that," Jane said and the group was silent for a moment. "Councilor Anderson has agreed to take care of the paperwork in my absence. We all know that there is a month long period with ship explosions and body recovery missions where death is not allowed to be verified. We are already starting with negative life sign readings...the Alliance and Council will both announce after a month without body recovery that processing DIA accounts will begin. Anderson will take care of that for me. The investigations range from months to years...I am rather certain a mem...a memorial will be allowed not long after my mission is projected to end."

"I'm not giving up on him," Liara snapped and Jane looked up at the Asari before nodding.

"Good...someone needs to be optimistic," Jane said. "Take the leave you will be given...go home...visit your sisters Ash...go back to Earth for a bit Kaidan. Heal, Liara."

"Call on us when you need us, Shep," Ash said and Jane nodded.

"Be well," Jane said, giving Kaidan a look. He stared at her for a moment before looking away. It hurt, but Jane saluted. They returned the motion and the screen went dark. Jane left the comm center and headed back to her cabin. She needed to think and maybe pray for Liara's faith in John.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: November 24th, 2183 CE

Location: Classified Training Location

The training facility belonged to Asari, but they knew the leader of the operation and were loaning it to her. Jane sat with several other Spectres, mostly Asari, but a few Turians and several Salarians were gathered together. An Asari stepped in front of the group.

"Matriarch Taptos," an Asari next to Jane muttered and the Asari to the front gave her a look.

"Welcome fellow Spectres, for those of you who do not know me, I am Niessa Taptos," she said. "I am a retired Spectre, but I was contacted by Irlis Phanni for this mission. I will let her explain." A second Asari approached, clearly younger, a deeper blue without facial markings, and much more nervous.

"Hello, I am Doctor Irlis Phanni, first year Spectre. Many of you are wondering what the mission is and why you have been chosen," Irlis said before engaging the screen behind her. Barrels were being moved by a collection of mercenaries. "There has been an increase in the black market organ sales combined with a hike in missing persons." The room went still. "Red sand has become a large problem in Citadel space and we have reason to believe it is because of the Maws."

"For those of you who do not know, after the Skylian Blitz there was a large jockeying of power in the gang world. Several large gangs were decimated during the Blitz by Alliance forces," Niessa said, giving Jane a nod. "However, the Maws are ruthless. They are currently led by a Krogan by the name of Thaeloc Bakau. He is one of the smart Krogan and so he rules from Omega."

"Not T'Loak," an Asari near Jane groaned.

"That's right, Tela," Niessa said. "Maws have been seen near areas where red sand has been found in large amounts but no evidence to connect them. They have also been spotted in the areas where disappearances have occurred and have been seen near the locations of black market surgeons."

"We believe but have no proof that these are all connected. Our working theory is that Bakau rules the Maws from Omega, sending them in to get red sand addicts, when a junkie can't pay, they drag them in, take what they need, and get rid of the evidence," Irlis said.

"Why so many Spectres?" a Turian by the wall asked and Niessa gave him a look.

"This mission is spread out and the victims cross all Citadel races and classes. Several high profile individuals have gone missing and their red sand habits were well known secrets. It is feared the Maws may realize they have another money making opportunity on their hands, we want to stop that before it happens. Maws lurk in Citadel space as well as the Terminus, Bakau is smart, if he smells trouble, the Maws go into the Terminus, when they see we're not looking, they creep back. Bold, but careful."

"What kind of coverage are we looking at?" a Salarian asked and Niessa smiled.

"We're going to be setting up units in seven different areas," Irlis explained as a galactic map popped up. Seven icons flashed. "Seven teams means we need a mission control. So it will be a total of eight teams. The level of cover will be different, the highest level being the Omega team."

"T'Loak is not unreasonable if you approach her and make your missions in her favor," Niessa explained. "She will allow us to help her remove Bakau. She deals red sand on Omega too, so him being out of the game removes competition and he has quite the following. T'Loak may be dirty, but she's not stupid. She is constantly on the lookout for someone who might become a threat to her personally."

"For those of you who do not know, Aria T'Loak is the de facto ruler of the Omega station," Irlis explained and the image of an Asari with purple skin and facial markings appeared on the screen. "We have approached her asking for permission to have an undercover team on Omega. Those of you on the Omega team will have to introduce yourselves. She already knows we are after Bakau and why."

"You told T'Loak?" a Turian female gasped.

"Don't worry, Virethis, you're not on the Omega team," Niessa chuckled.

"What will the teams be doing and why the deep cover?" another Salarian asked.

"The teams in Citadel space will be focusing on the red sand distribution and the disappearances. The Terminus teams will be focusing on the black market surgeons and on Bakau," Niessa said.

"Is that why we have so many fresh faces?" Tela asked, giving Jane a look and both Niessa and Irlis nodded.

"Some of the newer Spectres are not well known," Niessa said giving Jane a look.

"Some, not all," a Turian said and Jane simply stared at Niessa and Irlis.

"Humans have advantages in disguise that most do not, the ability to alter their skin, hair, and eye color is one of the most useful abilities that humans have in deep cover operations. This mission will require all of us to alter our appearances, this week is about building your cover. You will learn your new identity so well you will have trouble remembering you are a Spectre," Niessa ordered.

"Why a second week?" Tela asked.

"Physical training, getting the right walk to pass as dancers, addicts, and other identities that are being passed out. Not too extensive," Irlis said.

"I assume we are already assigned to our teams," a younger Asari said.

"Yes, if you check your data tablets, your assignment should be under your alias," Irlis said and the group began to check. Jane looked down and read.

Operative: Shepard, Jane

Alias: Elaina Berger

Team: Omega

Jane began to look over the plan for Omega Team and she frowned. Two Asari and herself would situate themselves into Afterlife as dancers, keeping to the areas where Bakau and his men liked to frequent. They would room together while a Salarian-Turian team would be backup and live alone. Jane stated at the assignment again. A dancer at Afterlife...it must be a joke but then Jane realized, she had a second week of physical training after she developed the history of Elaina Berger. She could only assume that meant a week of dance lessons. Her first thought was that John would laugh his lungs out if he heard she was tapped for a mission where she was going to have to be an exotic dancer. Greif gripped her and she fought the tears as she realized that wasn't going to happen.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 2nd, 2183 CE

Location: Classified

Jane stared at herself in the mirror. She tugged on the jet black hair hanging in her face. A long-term temporary tattoo covered half her face hiding her rather well known scar. Her hair was laden with extensions, styled, and dyed, she looked different. The coloration of her skin was darker thanks to a lotion supplied by one of the Salarians. Jane almost didn't recognize herself, luckily she wasn't the only one. Both her Asari teammates had been put through the coloration alteration and one of them had to have her facial markings added onto.

"Looking good Elaina ," Tela said and Jane shook her head.

"Well, Jalik knows how to work pigment augmentation," Jane said and Tela chuckled.

"He's a clever one," Tela stated. "You going to entertain us with your dancing again?"

"Watch it, Hearane," Jane shot back using Tela's cover name. "I've been practicing."

"I can't wait to see this," Tela laughed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 7th, 2183 CE

Location: Afterlife, Omega

The team of five were dressed in clothing that kept them mostly unnoticed as they crossed the club flanked by two of Aria's men. They walked up to the sitting area.

"So, here you are," Aria said as she looked over them. "Your boss does good work."

"She says the same about you," Tela commented and Aria nodded.

"You know the plan, you can play your game but you leave my people alone," she stated. "And if your boss didn't tell you, there is only one rule on Omega. Don't fuck with Aria."

"Was not planning on it," Kavic stated and she chuckled.

"Good, let me see my newest dancers," Aria ordered and Jane noticed the Batarian guards. She felt ill as she unzipped her jacket, letting it slide down her arms slowly. Tela and Nireen were doing the same thing. The Salarian and the Turian were grabbed by guards and brought away, probably being given their room assignments. Jane didn't focus on that as she bent in half, loosening her shoes with her legs straight and her face almost touching her shins. The boots she was wearing unhooked and Jane slowly got up and as she stood she pulled the zipper on her dress down from under her chin. Her dress opened to reveal a classic, sleazy dancer outfit. Tela and Nireen were both stripping down to their dancing outfits. Jane activated her biotics, making her look like she was underwater as she began to dance to the beat. Tela and Nireen began to dance together as only Asari could seem to do. "Not bad, nice trick, human. What's your name?"

"Elaina ...Elaina Berger," Jane said and Aria nodded.

"Well, you three will have to work your way up, you're starting downstairs, collect your things and Grizz will show you where to stow it," Aria instructed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: January 22nd, 2184 CE

Location: Harrot's, Omega

Jane looked at Harrot's goods, her fingers playing over items like she was looking to purchase. She dropped the OSD behind a box before heading out. She saw Kavic approaching in his usual, Turian-scumbag outfit. He fingered the box as Jane headed out. Tela waved at Jane and Jane quickly ran up to Tela. The information was off to the Maw Taskforce headquarters. Jane was watching the crowd when for a moment she thought she saw Liara in the crowd. The shape of the face, the coloration, being around Asari as much as she was, there was no way Jane could mistake that face. She was about to follow when someone slipped a hand around her waist.

"You look so cute when you're window shopping," Tela giggled, the arm around Jane's waist giving a slight squeeze.

"You Asari as so grabby," Jane giggled back, flicking her long hair, she tried to see where Liara went but Tela squeezed her. Jane looked at her partner. Tela nodded, her eyes flickering to where a collection of Maws were looking at them. The Afterlife Spectre dancers were becoming a favorite of Bakau's ever since Nireen had given him a lap dance.

"You know you love it when we brush barriers," Tela whispered.

"You just want me because you know I only sleep with humans," Jane replied and Tela actually laughed.

"Xenophobe," she accused, pushing Jane away so she could keep a hand near her hip, just in case the Maws got too friendly.

"This up in Alliance failures. The missing members of the crew of the SSV Normandy have finally been declared killed in action. Most notably the first human male Spectre, John Shepard," the Batarian reporter said over the PA system news feed and Jane kept walking.

"You ever want to talk," Tela commented quietly and Jane shook her head.

"I already knew," Jane said. "They had the vital readings from the last few moments."

"Still, it never hurts to drink till you don't feel anything," Tela chuckled and Jane shook her head.

"Rather keep my head in the game, but thanks, Hearane," Jane said and Tela nodded.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 25th, 2184 CE

Location: Afterlife, Omega

Jane was dancing for Bakau and his top Maws, her body undulating for the music like he enjoyed.

"Do the light show," he barked and Jane gave him a wink, her omni-tool beeping as the Maws tipped her. Jane wrapped around the pole and sent her biotics flickering over her skin.

"You humans are so close to Asari, just with less of the commitment," Bakau laughed.

"They can be just as flexible," one of the henchmen purred and Jane caught a look at the time. Across space at this moment each team was closing in on Maw strongholds. She counted down and as she twirled around the pole a pistol dropped into her hand as Tela and Nireen dropped from the ceiling in full armor. Jane brought up her barrier as the three began to shoot from the stage. The Krogan jerked as they were hit again and again. Kavic and Malall kicked open the door and began shooting from the side. The firing continued for a minute at least before the Spectres stopped. Jane stayed back as Kavic began shooting each corpse in the head and spine.

"That is one big, orange puddle," Jane stated and Nireen nodded.

"Let's get out of here," Tela stated.

"Let me get changed first," Jane replied as she headed toward the dressing room.

"Are you sure, I rather like that outfit," Malall stated.

"Seriously, Salarians like humans?" Jane asked and Malall grinned.

"Some do," he said with a wink and Jane chuckled as she continued to go and change.

~*TF*~

On a ship back to Citadel space, Jane stepped out of her shower. Special soaps had been provided that removed the facial tattoo, the hair dye, and the skin discoloration. Jane looked at her face, running her fingers through her hair, it was longer, but normal for her, she would need a trim once she got back to the Citadel.

"I never thought that damn tattoo would come off," Jane muttered to herself as she stared at her reflection. She got dressed in casual clothes before beginning her calls. The first was to David Anderson.

"Shepard, good to see you. The report on the Maw Taskforce shows that you managed to decimate the gang. Their red sand production sites have been destroyed and their surgeons have all been either arrested or eliminated," he said and Jane nodded. "But that's not what you were calling me about."

"Did they recover John?" Jane asked and David shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Jane. The Normandy has been lost, by the time search ships got there, all evidence was lost to space," he said and Jane nodded. "I have been in contact with Mindoir, they wish to hold his memorial." Jane blinked, she honestly could not remember the last time she had been home.

"That would be the best place for it," Jane said.

"Most of the arrangements have been put together, they are waiting for your approval to begin and to set the date," David said and Jane nodded.

"If you could let them know, I plan to debrief and then..." Jane paused.

"I will put everything in motion. I will see you at the debriefing," he said.

"Thank you, Councilor," Jane said.

"I think you have earned the right to call me David," he said and Jane smiled.

"Thank you, David," she said. After the call ended she took a moment to gather herself. Then she made her next call, to Kaidan.

"Jane..." he said as he appeared on the screen. His eyes were dark and he looked tired.

"Am I calling you at a bad time?" Jane asked and he shook his head.

"Just had a migraine today," he said as he looked at her. He was naked from the waist up and Jane wanted to feel him. To wrap around him and let the world fall apart. She would be fine as long as she had Kaidan. "How have you been?"

"Successful, we completed our mission. We've saved a lot of people," Jane said and Kaidan stared at her. "It made it easier."

"When are you getting back to Alliance space?" Kaidan asked and Jane looked down.

"I have to debrief with the Council and the taskforce, by the time I finish I will be heading to Mindoir...I...we...there will be a memorial...for John," Jane said and looked at Kaidan. He looked stricken. "Will you be there? For me?" Kaidan looked at her.

"I...send me the date, the time...I'll do my best to be there," he said and Jane was relieved, she could make it if Kaidan was there. "How are you doing?"

"It was easy on the mission," Jane said. "I was so busy trying to be someone else, I didn't have time to think about it too long. Being off of it...having to plan...it makes it all real again."

"I'm sorry, Jane," Kaidan said.

"It's not your fault, Kaidan, it's the fault of whoever attacked the Normandy," Jane said.

"I should have made him come with us," Kaidan said and Jane shook her head.

"There was no way you could have forced John to do anything. I know that," Jane said. For a moment an awkward silence fell between them. "I love you, Kaidan."

"I love you too, Jane," Kaidan said.

"I have to make a few more calls, I'm just glad...glad that I heard your voice," she said and he looked at her. "Feel better."

Some calls went through others did not. Garrus was able to pick up, he agreed to be on Mindoir. Wrex was taking over his tribe in Tuchunka but he would try and make it to the service, if he got the Urdnots under control before he left. Tali was out of range for immediate contact, Ash was on a mission, and Joker was out of reach. Then she made the hardest call yet.

"Ah Jane, you're done with your mission I take it," Liara said when the comm window opened and Jane nodded.

"A success, we saved a lot of lives from a lot of bad people," Jane said and Liara nodded.

"As I would expect from a Shepard," she said.

"When did you set up on Illium?" Jane asked and Liara looked to the side.

"I've started a new profession, but enough about me. How long have you been back?" Liara asked and Jane missed the shift in conversation.

"I'm on route to the Citadel from the location," Jane said and Liara blinked.

"Why are you contacting me?" she asked and Jane was a little stunned by Liara's cold shoulder.

"I'm setting up John's memorial," Jane said. "I'd like you to be there." Liara stared at her.

"You retrieved his body?" she asked carefully.

"No...search teams found nothing," Jane said.

"Then, I won't go," Liara said dismissively and Jane paused.

"You won't go..." Jane was stunned. "Why?"

"Because until you bury a body, John Shepard will not be dead to me," Liara said and Jane stared.

"Liara..." Jane stared.

"I am very busy, Commander," Liara dismissed.

"I thought you loved my brother!" Jane hissed.

"As I thought you did as well," Liara retorted and Jane was aghast.

"Never accuse me of not loving my brother, T'Soni. My brother was my whole world. His death is not up for debate," Jane said and Liara looked at her.

"Then you should be sure of his death before burying him. I'm sorry but I must go," Liara stated and cut the connection. Jane stared at the screen, her biotics flicking from rage. She wanted to hit something. Hard.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: March 1st, 2184 CE

Location: Karpyshyn, Mindoir

Jane was miserable. She sat in dress uniform on the dais before the very large, conspicuous object under a sheet. For the life of her, Jane could not figure out what the statue beneath the sheet was, but it was big and not human shaped. A Mindoir politician was giving a speech about John, the fourth one, and then Jane's turn was up. Kaidan, Joker, Wrex, Ash, and Garrus sat in the front row. Dr. Chakwas was in the third, various crew members from the Normandy were in the others. The Council was on the other side of the podium. The man finished and eyes moved to Jane. She walked up to the podium and took a breath.

"A little known fact is that my parents were not expecting twins until the third trimester. John's heartbeat was so strong that it hid my second beat. I am convinced John's heart was his strongest organ. He was so fearless and strong. My earliest memories were of John, holding my hand, leading me on adventures, and sharing a bed in our prefab unit before the farm was built. One of the most well hidden facts is that John was going to be a farmer, he was a born colonist. Mindoir was his dream, he even proposed to his girlfriend at sixteen." Jane smiled at the memory of telling John off.

"It seems so strange for a galactic hero to have his original dream to spend his life on one planet without leaving. I don't think he ever thought he was going to end up a hero. His heart was originally set on Mindoir but after the attack, he dedicated his heart to protecting others. He was strong enough so he was going to fight for those who could not," Jane said. "John's heart grew stronger as we grew older. He cared about his men, he cared about his missions, and he cared about making the galaxy a better place." Jane stopped as the tears welled. She took a breath.

"John died doing what he did best, following his heart. He was making sure his crew was safe because he loved our crew. My brother would not want people making him into a martyr, he would want them making him into a role model. A true leader does not leave men behind, a true leader saves those he cares about, a true leader does what must be done. John is...was...the best example of a leader. I can only hope I live up to his memory," Jane finished and sat down. A much shorter speech, but many seemed to approve. The mayor of the city approached the podium.

"In honor of John Shepard, we have made a memorial for the most important colonists to come from Mindoir," he said and the sheet was removed. Jane was horrified but kept her face still. The reason the statue had not looked human was because it was two humans. John and Jane stood in marble form, back to back, John holding an assault rifle on an invisible enemy while Jane held a sniper rifle, gazing into the scope just far enough away to be inaccurate, but close enough that it was clear the positioning was to keep her face recognizable. In front of each of their feet was a box. "This statue is a memorial for both our heroes. John Shepard faces to the East, towards Meer, the birthplace of Mindoir, his tomb waiting for the day we find his remains to house him. Jane Shepard faces to the West, towards Hale, the gateway to Mindoir. This statue recognizes the first human Spectres and their home, Mindoir." The man droned on as Jane looked at her face and then at John's. A memorial that would act like a burial plot. The thought was kind but it disturbed Jane that her grave was already waiting for her. John's sarcophagus lay empty, hoping for a body to house, Jane's was ready for her. She felt ill as the assembled people began to clap, at least her companions from the Normandy seemed to detect her disturbed mood.

~*TF*~

The farm was much like it was when they lived on Mindoir. Jane had only come back a handful of times. The folks who rented the property had set up a prefab on the other side from the Shepard house. They maintained the house so it looked clean. Jane walked through the living room, aware that select visitors were coming, most of the surviving Normandy crew was shipping off, but her closest friends were going to be there soon. She had opened all the windows first, letting the fresh air fill the house with scents of Mindoir's spring. She looked at the mantle. They hadn't had the heart to change it when they had first returned after the attack. Holos of John and Jane showed them in various ages. Jane moved to stare at them.

Infant John was wrapped protectively around her infant self. A teenage John was holding up his fish and glaring at the larger one Jane was displaying. Showing off their licenses when they were old enough. The two of them hanging in a tree by their knees, bellies exposed as they giggled and pointed at the camera. The last was one Jane felt her heart break a little over. John must have brought it home...their N7 graduation. They had ended up pinning their N7 pins onto each other since they had no one else to do so. Their team had laughed but it was a good memory.

"Knock knock," Garrus' flange called and Jane wiped her eyes before turning.

"Welcome, come in," Jane said as she turned to watch them open the door. Wrex and Garrus were the first ones in. The Krogan quick to study the room while Garrus approached.

"It was an...interesting memorial," he said.

"Talk about being morbid," Ash hissed.

"The statue looked nice," Joker attempted and Jane shook her head.

"I wish they told me about that," Jane said as Ash approached and hugged her. Jane sighed.

"I am sorry, Shep," Ash said and Jane nodded.

"I still can't believe he's gone," Jane said.

"Where's Liara?" Joker asked and Jane glared at the floor.

"She informed me that unless John's body is found, she does not accept his death, so I would say she is well into denial," Jane stated.

"Oh," Joker stated before moving to look around. Kaidan approached but he said nothing. Jane reached for him and he took her hand but he was stiff.

"I heard Spectres wiped out the Maws in a big covert mission. Shepard, did you hear anything about that?" Wrex asked and Jane fought a smile at the former mercenary's prodding.

"Sounds like your kind of party, Wrex," Jane said and he chuckled.

"So this is where the Shepard twins grew up...I don't know, I was expecting more guns and less...what are those animals out there?" Garrus asked and Jane nodded.

"Those are Hornchins. Mom and Dad came here independently, they met on Mindoir. They ended up starting off with a prefab unit, once they had the funds, they built this house," Jane said.

"Oh my God, look at you!" Ash laughed as she looked at the mantle. "You guys were always together." Jane nodded.

"They let you pin your N7 pins on each other?" Joker asked and Jane smiled.

"We didn't have anyone else," Jane explained.

"When was the last time you came home?" Garrus asked and Jane looked at the N7 holo.

"Before that was taken. John wanted to settle down here...he shouldn't have reenlisted. Idiot," Jane said.

"What do you mean?" Joker asked.

"John wanted this farm. Before the attack he was planning on staying here for life. He didn't know about my biotics. He should have stayed here, married some colonist girl..." Jane sighed.

"He stayed because he wouldn't settle down until you did," Kaidan said and Jane nodded.

"I know..." she said, a pang of guilt tugged at her heart and she wondered if she was the reason John hadn't returned to the farm.

"I brought some ryncol," Wrex said.

"Some days, I'm very glad to be dextro," Garrus stated. "I'll drink my own." Jane collected glasses and sat them on the table.

"Too bad Chakwas had to ship out," Joker muttered.

"To Shepard, he could charge almost as good as a Krogan," Wrex said.

"To John, may he be driving his mako over clouds in human heaven," Garrus said.

"To the Commander, who saved each of us," Ash added.

"To the Commander, who put others first," Kaidan said.

"To the Commander," Joker said.

"To my older brother..." Jane said, fighting the tremble in her voice. "...by fourteen minutes. Tell Mom and Dad, I've got the farm." Their glasses hit and they drank. And then all but Wrex and Garrus were gagging.

Most of the group left a few hours later after some more drinks, Kaidan remaining as Jane cleaned the dishes before joining him on the couch. She curled up against his side but he was still stiff. Jane wanted to cling to him, instead she touched his shoulder.

"What's up with you?" Jane asked. Kaidan pulled back and looked at her.

"Jane, how can you do this?" he asked and Jane sat back and stared at him.

"Do what?" she asked.

"Embrace me," he said, he was looking at her hands, not her eyes. Pain hit Jane's heart, his curt behavior lately, his stiffness, he was so distant, oh God, not now.

"Kaidan...I love you," Jane said and he got up, running a hand through his hair.

"It's my fault, Jane," Kaidan said and Jane got up and caught his shoulder.

"Kaidan, you couldn't do anything...no one could have stopped this," Jane said and he pulled away.

"I knew I should have grabbed him and dragged him in to the pod," Kaidan said. "I might as well have killed him myself. My inaction caused this."

"That's not true, Kaidan, no one could have made John do anything he didn't have his mind set on," Jane said and Kaidan looked her in the eyes. He was in agony and Jane wondered if she was mirroring his expression.

"You could have. You could have made sure he got on the pod. I should have used your name to bring him with me. Guilted him into leaving for you," Kaidan said, his hand lifted like he wanted to touch her but he paused, guilt filling his eyes. His head dropped and Jane felt her heart break a little more. She couldn't assume she could have stopped John for going after Joker. They both adored the pilot, saving him would have been both their priorities, hell, she probably would have done the same damn thing in John's place.

"That wouldn't have stopped him. Hell, Liara was in the pod, if she wasn't enough motivation to leave, then I couldn't be either," Jane said and Kaidan looked at her.

"I failed you either way, Jane. I didn't save him and I couldn't help you in anyway," he said.

"I was in deep cover, Kaidan," Jane started and he stopped her with a look.

"You don't deserve a failure like me," he said and for a moment Jane wanted to grab him, to demand he stay, but he was clearly broken up about it. She had no right to try and guilt him into staying with her.

"What are you saying, Kaidan," Jane asked, wanting him to put it in words. The pain was back, almost as bad as losing John.

"You deserve someone better than me and I'm letting you free to find them," he said. "I'm sorry I failed you." He headed to the door. Jane stared at it long after he closed it behind him.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: March 15th, 2184 CE

Location: Port Lerama, Hetiana

"Thank you so much for coming, Commander!" the Asari scientist said with a wide grin as she approached the dock Jane was walking down. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for weeks."

"Irlis is a fine Spectre, when she asked, I decided to hear you out," Jane said and the Asari grinned before offering her hand.

"Doctor Trazia Selessi, a pleasure," the Asari said. Jane guessed her age to put her in the matron stage.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Selessi," Jane said as they shook hands.

"When Dr. T'soni told us that you were capable of understanding Prothean we knew we needed your help," Trazia said and Jane nearly froze.

"Liara told you about me?" Jane asked and Trazia did freeze.

"I'm sorry, I've been told you had a falling out with Dr. T'soni, but I really need your help Commander!" Trazia said and Jane could see the panic on the doctor's face. Jane paused. Was it fair for her to take out her displeasure of Liara on the poor doctor who just needed Jane's help? John wouldn't approve.

"Don't worry, Dr. Selessi, it is a private matter between myself and Dr. T'soni," Jane said and the Asari looked relieved.

"Thank the Goddess, I was worried that you wouldn't help me and I need someone to do so desperately," Trazia said.

"I don't know what to tell you. A Prothean beacon scarred my brain, but I can understand them and their writing for the most part now," Jane said and Trazia nodded.

"That was what T'soni said. This way," she said as she opened a door with a code. Jane was amazed by the collection of beacons. "Now, for the older beacons, I believe they may be instructional markers for the Citadel..."

~*TF*~

Jane let the twentieth beacon lift her up. Again she was presented a message, this time it was a troop command.

"Combat instructions," Jane said as she dropped back to the ground and Trazia wrote down frantically. "They were at war with...something. The enemy looked large, dangerous, not like Krogan in appearance, but ferocity levels were about right."

"Hmmm, do you think it was an uplifting gone wrong?" she asked and Jane shook her head.

"More like a bad first contact, but unlike with humans, once communication was made, there were no peace talks, just more insistent fighting. I got the impression of cutting off their satellites and colonies in system," Jane said and Trazia nodded.

"Even though these contain so little information, what you have supplied me with in just a few hours is more than I've discovered on my own in a century. Thank you, Commander," she said and Jane nodded.

"I'm glad to help," she said, maybe the Protheans would have something about the Reapers...it couldn't just be two beacons and Ilos.

"Would it be possible for some of my fellows and myself to contact you for your help?" Trazia asked and Jane smiled.

"As long as I'm not on mission, I wouldn't mind being of help for historians like yourself," Jane said and Trazia beamed like a child told she was getting a puppy.

"Oh thank you, Commander," she said and Jane nodded.

"Since we may be meeting more often, call me Jane," Jane said and Trazia grinned.

"Trazi," she said and the two smiled before moving on to the next beacon.

Jane left the next day with the contact information with nearly fifty Prothean experts in her omni-tool. She would need to set strict rules about borrowing her for translation projects.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: April 11th, 2184 CE

Location: Temporary Housing, Citadel

Jane sat in the hotel room, since her return from her deep cover mission she had completed one other Spectre mission, three Prothean consults, and two Alliance missions, one Mindoir Review and the other a combat mission with Batarian slavers. The Alliance spoke of promotion while the Council spoke of more missions. Jane had almost missed the date, if Anderson hadn't made a comment to her, she never would have realized it was the eleventh. Messages from friends and companions pinged on her omni-tool but she didn't respond. A glass of vodka sat on the table next to her, she was drinking from it as she watched traffic crawl along the ward. She stared at her omni-tool for a moment before opening the recorder.

"Happy Birthday, John, and Happy Birthday to me...it's my first one alone. Not that we were able to get together for many of them since Mindoir, but it's the first one I won't hear your voice bragging about being older. I miss you John. A lot has happened in the time since you died. I've gone up the ranks in the Spectre world. Nothing quite as impressive as taking out Saren and stopping Sovereign, but good work, David's been keeping me busy on both Spectre and Alliance fronts. Guess having two of us was more useful than just one.

"Hackett keeps trying to get me in Fifth Fleet, but I've manage to dodge him so far. I don't want to be with Fifth...it reminds me of Elysium and the Battle of the Citadel. Both battles remind me of you. I keep thinking that if I go to places where I've found you...that you'll be there. The farm, the forest where we fought those slavers, Elysium, Eden Prime...like it's a big game of Hide and Go Seek. I just haven't found you yet. That's the worse part of a space death. Bodies go floating off...never to be found. Liara doesn't help. She won't accept you are gone until your death is verified. It makes me wish I was like her... I want to believe I'll find you. Hiding someplace. Olly Olly Oxen Free, John. Where are you?" Jane paused.

"I miss you. I miss you so much and today brought it in hard. You were home to me, John. I know how the Quarians feel now. Searching for a home they can never find. It's a horrible feeling, but I can't give in to it. Some days though. I just want to give in and wallow in the sorrow. I keep busy. I plan to sign up for everything they let me and then some, make sure to keep me at the top of their lists. I felt like the world ended when that call did, John.

"The thing I worry about most is..." Jane felt the tears. "...were you calling out for me when you died, John? Were you scared? Did it hurt? Did you suffer? Could I have saved you? I don't think I will ever forgive myself for not being there. It's a heavy burden still being alive...knowing that now, I need to make the most of it. I have to live twice as much now. I cannot give in." Jane stared into the recording lens.

"I make a solemn vow to you, John that I will not give up. I will keep going. I will keep fighting. No matter what situation I am in, from now until my last breath. I will fight until I have nothing left and then, I'll fight some more to come out of every conflict I'm in, to live because you didn't get to. I will keep going...I promise you," Jane said before turning off the recording. She would start keeping logs, for John.

~*TF*~

Several hours later, her door buzzed and Jane blinked as she got up. She was in her civilian clothes still and grabbed her pistol as she approached the door. John would have called her paranoid, but she didn't trust anyone lately, not since Kaidan walked out. "Who is it?"

"Just your friendly neighborhood C-Sec officer checking in on his favorite Alliance Commander slash Spectre," Garrus' voice called out. Jane blinked, she had finished the vodka and was working on a bottle of wine.

"Garrus?" she asked, it was a pretty stupid question.

"Wait, are you hanging around with other C-Sec officers?" he asked, playing a hurt tone, and Jane blinked dumbly before opening the door. He grinned at her and held out a box. "Dr. Michel swears that this is the best thing to get for a woman's birthday. She said chocolate was the safe way to go." Jane took the box, it was from a bakery down the street.

"What is it?" Jane slurred.

"Are you drunk, Shepard?" Garrus asked, looking at the table. Jane followed his eyes to the remains of her dinner. The minibar was empty, the bottle of wine was standing like a mother goose with a flock of tiny liquor bottle babies. Perhaps she had gone overboard.

"Yes," Jane said as she opened the box. A tiny one serving cake was inside with a picture of a sniper rifle in frosting on top. Alliance blue frosting.

"Hell of a way to spend your birthday if you ask me," Garrus commented.

"Well, I did meet with the Council too," Jane said and he blinked.

"So I heard," Garrus stated. "How have you been?"

"Garrus, not right now," Jane said and Garrus gave her a look.

"Tali says you haven't contacted her, Ash is worried, Kaidan won't return my calls, Joker seems to have vanished, and Liara won't talk about John at all," he said. "What's going on, Shepard?" Jane gave him a look.

"They called off the Reaper investigation, Garrus," Jane said. "The Council's birthday present to me is to stop looking for the biggest threat to the galaxy." Garrus froze.

"Well...that's a mistake," he said.

"Anderson is fighting, but the other three are just pretending like what John and I worked so hard to prove was just a fluke," Jane sighed. "I'm sorry, Garrus, I'm just in no state to talk about this..." Garrus stared at Jane a moment.

"If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me," he said and Jane chuckled.

"I don't know if I'll ever want to talk about this," she said.

"Still, Happy Birthday, Shepard," Garrus said before leaving. Jane looked at the cake.

The next morning when Jane actually got to eating after her hangover, the cake was quite good.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: April 14th, 2184 CE

Location: Spectre Training Facility, Citadel

"Welcome to the Spectre Hand to Hand Combat Training," the female Turian in the front of the training room greeted the forty Spectres in the room. Jane was near the front of the group. She had been sent the invitation by Tela who was in the back with a couple other Asari. "For those that don't know me, I'm Naena Sansis, I'll be leading this training. This was designed especially for our biotic Spectres since many times biotics tend to get a bit lazy." Jane did not care for that attitude.

"This training will take about eight days and by the end it will leave you with a few tricks to help you biotics prove your worth in the hand to hand arena. To begin I would like to introduce you to my two assistants," Naena looked at the back door. "Come in, boys." Two massive Krogan entered the training hall. "These are my students Padrak and Narloc of Clan Honak. They are twin brothers and two of the toughest sons of bitches I've ever fought against."

~*TF*~

Jane was in the ring with Padrak. He was grinning as he looked at her. The twins were identical except for their scars. Both had an almost lilac color to their natural body armor with a gray tone to their skin, but both had the most amazing teal colored eyes. They were both covered in scars, Padrak had one on his chin that looked like a gunshot with a nasty looking pair of slashes over his throat. How he survived, Jane almost didn't want to know.

"You're that human Spectre," he purred and Jane nodded as she looked at him.

"I hear you're a decent biotic," he stated and Jane nodded again. "Let's see how well you dodge!" He roared as he charged her. It was a move she saw from John. With a practiced throw, Jane threw herself into the air. The Krogan blinked as she flipped and landed on his hump. She quickly caught a hand hold on his armor. She aimed an elbow at his neck and was pleased when she made contact, but it wasn't strong enough as Padrak began to shake.

"Get off of me, pyjak!" he roared as he began to twist trying to shake Jane. She desperately held onto his armor, attempting to kick his back. Her feet grazing hard armor.

"You're not going to beat a Krogan doing that," Naena called from the spectator area. Jane struggled to keep on as Padrak began swearing. Jane was in a shit position and she knew it. She quickly lifted herself up, her hands nearly slipping, with a minor adjustment her legs were around Padrak's throat. She constricted as he clawed at her legs. It hurt, but it wasn't going to get her to let go. She kept one hand on his head plate and the other on his armor. Padrak thrashed for a moment before smacking her leg twice. Jane released and quickly dropped next to him. He glared at her a moment as he rubbed his neck.

"Not bad...for a human biotic," he stated and Naena nodded at Jane.

~*TF*~

"Congrats, Jane, you get to be in the advanced group," Tela grinned as they broke for dinner. Jane had been thrown around by Padrak for every demonstration he gave and she suspected it was because she was the only female who made him tag out. One Salarian and two Turians were able to get him to tag out, but all three were male.

"Oh joy, personal training with Naena," Jane said and Tela nodded.

"She might be a tough old boot but she's known for being one of the best hand to hand combatants in the Spectres. She's received accolades for honor and valor from both Palaven and the Council," Tela stated and Jane looked over at the Turian as she ate with the two Krogans.

"They are a weird bunch," Jane said and Tela nodded.

"Naena saved the two when they were children from a group of mercenaries. Their mother was kidnapped from a warlord's clan. They didn't realize she was pregnant and when the twins were born they realized they were never going to escape his wrath. They hid on the Citadel with the three captives. Naena was on a mission as a C-Sec officer, found the two in the mercenary stronghold. Got the three out, tracked down their father, brought them back to Tuchanka with their mother. She was awarded something from the clan. Twenty years later the two show up demanding to be her right and left hands," Tela stated and Jane stared at her.

"Are you serious?" she asked and Tela nodded.

"That was thirty years ago," Tela said. "Those two Krogan are still considered kids, but if they wanted to, they could be leading a clan, instead they are guarding their favorite Turian. I bet their father hates that."

"I am not looking forward to training with Naena," Jane said.

"She's a bitch to fight, but when she's done with you, you'll be back for another one of her training sessions. She doesn't do as much Spectre work since her grandchildren were born, but she comes to the Citadel rather regularly to do trainings," Tela said.

By the end of the week, Jane was a believer in Naena.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: April 22nd, 2184 CE

Location: In Transit

"Well John, I just got a call today," Jane said as she sipped her seven and seven. "You bought a house...on Earth. Somehow I should have known you would do something so impulsive on our shore leave on Earth and never mention it to me." She sat back and looked at the recorder.

"I decided to keep it. I don't know why, I'm never going to live there. I used some of your shares of the mining rights we got from your mineral tags during the Saren mission to pay the contractors who were fixing up your initial repairs.

"They're going to renovate it completely now that the structural damage has been fixed. Your house will have a new roof, including the latest solar panels, fresh anti-weathering siding, and the newest appliances with the best consumer ratings. I hope you don't mind that I chose your interior, Alliance and Asari blues...because that is what you would have chosen. Once they are done I might furnish it...I might not. I don't know yet. It is going to take a while since you had to live in the middle of nowhere. The contractors were just thankful you had coordinates in your directions.

"It made me both smile and sad," Jane said as she put her drink down to look in the recorder. "You doing something impulsive and me standing back to watch your back...how many more of these surprises are left now, John?" She shut down the entry and headed to bed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: April 30th, 2184 CE

Location: Gilroy, Fehl Prime

Jane got out of the transport, a line of marines stood waiting for her. The officer approached in a wheelchair.

"Commander Shepard?" he asked and Jane nodded.

"Captain Toni?" she replied and he nodded. She saluted and he chuckled.

"Welcome to Fehl Prime," he said and Jane quickly began looking around.

"Not too much damage from the Blood Pack," Jane said.

"The main structure was barely hit, we lost several good men and women on the defensive," Toni said and Jane nodded.

"My apologizes, I was surveying the physical damage to the colony," she said and he waved a hand.

"This is my crew, we managed to take the Blood Pack down," Toni said. Jane looked at the marines, saluting them. They returned the salute. Six of them stood at attention. A tall man with a scar on his face, a shorter man with glasses, a woman with dark hair, a tall man with blond hair, a pale man with dark hair, and a huge mountain of a man that had his hair up in a faux hawk. Jane paused on him, on his chest was an emblem. The Forever Normandy symbol stared back at her. She had had the emblem made to support a charity, it had taken some of the mining rights. The mining rights could keep Jane set for life, but she let them grow in their accounts, giving some up here and there. The Forever Normandy fund helped the families of those who had died in the Normandy attack, Jane didn't need it so she made sure the losts' families were taken care of. Her eyes lingered on it for a moment before she turned to look at the colony.

"Do you have a projector to show me how the attack occurred?" Jane asked and Toni nodded.

"This way," he said.

~*TF*~

Jane studied the attack reports before she approached the marines in the next room.

"Alright marines, do you know why I'm here?" Jane asked and they nodded.

"You're updating the Mindoir Review," the big one said and Jane nodded.

"Have you read it?" she asked, the big one, the one with glasses, and the woman nodded. "It is the leading guide for colony attack. It addresses the methods of attack on colonies. As it has been expanded it gives a guide for identifying mercenary groups and supplies recommended tactics for defending from them. The Blood Pack is a rising merc group, made up of mostly Krogans with Vorcha stock troops. They are well named."

"So you're looking to update tactics for the Mindoir Review," the blond summarized and Jane shook her head.

"Nothing is ever simple, I am also here to study the Blood Pack for both Alliance and Citadel sources and to start assessing their threat level," Jane explained and was surprised when several of them began to giggle. Jane stared at them a second. "I'm missing the joke."

"It's not that, ma'am," the big one said. She looked at him. "Lieutenant Vega, James Vega, ma'am. I quoted that before we were hit." Jane blinked, he flushed, a fan, on the plus side, he wasn't creepy like Conrad.

"Ah," Jane said. "Back to the point. The Blood Pack is rising up the ranks from a chaotic nuisance into a serious threat, knowing how they hit a colony is essential and will help the Mindoir Review keep colonists safe while analyzing the attack will give the Alliance and Citadel peacekeepers insight."

"How do we help?" the pale, dark hair man asked and Jane noted his sniper rifle.

"I'm going to interview you one-by-one over the next several days to learn what I need to learn about what you experienced. Once I'm done with you, I'll evaluate the colony, make recommendations on Fehl Prime's security, then I update the Mindoir Review and report on the Blood Pack to both Alliance and Citadel personnel," Jane said.

"Alone time with you Commander, sounds like fun," the blond said and Jane looked at him for a moment.

"How long did it take you to kill those Krogan?" Jane asked and they paused. "Because my record is twenty seconds." His face dropped and Jane kept her face stone cold. "One-on-one. We will begin tomorrow." She smirked once her back was completely to the uppity young marines. Sometimes being a legend in her own time had its amusements, they were few and far between, but she took her pleasure where she could these days.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: May 1st, 2184 CE

Location: Gilroy, Fehl Prime

The interviews were going well and Jane was rather impressed with the work of Delta Squad. She needed only to gather Lieutenant Vega and Captain Toni's reports and she was done with the interview process. Then it was on to analyzing the colony to see how to best build a basic defensive procedure. She was finishing her notes, Vega and Toni's interviews would probably have little effect on her recommendations, those would rely on her visual assessments. Jane headed out of her temporary office and entered the elevator.

"Hold that!" a voice called and Jane put out a hand to hold the door. Lieutenant Vega entered and paused before nodding. "Thanks, Lola."

"No problem," she said as she pressed the button to the ground floor before blinking. "Lola?"

"It's my thing, I give people nicknames, helps me remember them," he said and Jane was stunned. He needed help to remember her, was she mistaken for thinking he was a fan.

"Lola, huh?" she asked.

"You kind of look like a Lola," he said and Jane smirk in amusement. John would have loved to hear her called Lola. She kept her eyes forward but she studied James. The Lieutenant was a large man, based on the interviews, he had gone head to head with Archuk, a move that would have impressed John. Hell, John would have loved the man, it was clear James had the potential for joining the best, Jane wouldn't be surprised to learn he got tapped for N7...in fact, she might even start whispering in some of the right ears depending on what she learned from his interview tomorrow. James's actions on Fehl Prime were courageous, if in his next few years he demonstrated the leadership skills necessary, she would be more than willing to write him a recommendation letter.

"So, you're not getting us done today?" he asked and she shook her head as she looked up at him.

"No, you and your Captain are tomorrow and then I'll take a hoverbike around the colony to figure out the best defensive measures," Jane said.

"Hoverbike?" James asked and Jane nodded.

"Looking at holos and maps are nothing like looking at it in person," she explained, pulling up a map on her omni-tool and pointing at it to James. "You can tell me that that hill blocks the colony from view and that a sentry tower would fit perfectly behind it, but when I look at it, I might realize that it could serve better with an automated turrets instead of a sentry tower. Some things, you just have to look at with your eyes." They rode for a moment in silence.

"If you need help, Lola, don't hesitate to ask," he said and Jane smiled up at him. He was young and eager, she hoped time didn't take that from him.

"Don't worry about me, Vega, you're forgetting I'm a colony kid, I've ridden a hoverbike for the majority of my life. Best way to cover ground on a colony, plus the legal operation age is twelve. Farmers love having kids who can run to town," Jane said. She could remember racing with John on Mindoir, the smell of manure and the buzz of insects. Hoverbiking around a colony for the Mindoir Review always brought her an iota of peace. She realized James was studying her. "Besides, tomorrow I'll be asking you plenty, Vega, then the next week is dedicated to designing a personalized defense plan for Fehl Prime."

"Thanks, Lola," he said and Jane shook her head.

"Don't thank me, I have been gifted with the opportunity to use my past tragedy to do my best to prevent it from happening ever again," Jane said and he gave her an admiring look as the door opened. "Have a good afternoon, Vega."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: May 6th, 2184 CE

Location: Gilroy, Fehl Prime

Jane handed the personalized report of her recommendations for colony defense to the leaders of Fehl Prime and they thanked her before she headed towards her rooms to pack. She would be heading off world and back into the fray. The Alliance had a lead on Balak and wanted her on an N7 special task force going after a Batarian slave ring. Jane had barked a laugh when she saw the list of codenames, if the N7 Special Ops squads were getting those designations she was going to lose it. Whoever came up with Fury, Destroyer, Demolisher, Paladin, Shadow, and Slayer clearly had a sense of humor. She was actually torn between hoping they kept those codename distinctions and praying that they went away. It was a tie really, but she would be the first Fury operative on an N7 Special Ops mission. Hopefully she would find Balak and remind him of the time she did not place a bullet between all four of his eyes before rectifying that mistake.

There was a knock at her door and she wasn't surprised to see Lieutenant Vega standing there.

"Can I help you, James?" she asked and he paused at the use of his proper name.

"Hey, Lola, I wanted to ask you a few things before you headed back out there," he said and Jane looked at him. "Could we...grab a drink or something?" Jane smirked at that, it sounded like he was asking her out. It would make John laugh for her to tease the young Lieutenant and she decided to do what her twin would have.

"You asking a superior officer out?" she asked and James blushed and she chuckled. "Come on, James, let's get some liquid courage in you so you can ask your questions." They headed out to the bar. Jane noticed a few of James's team in the corner as they took a booth near the back wall. Mason and Kamille were sitting at a table not quite making doe eyes but clearly showing interest in each other, while Essex and Milque were at the bar. Jane pretended not to notice the faces the two at the bar were making at James as he grabbed some beers. Kamille walked over and the two quickly calmed down.

"So what's on your mind?" Jane asked as she took her beer and took a sip. James eased into his side of the booth, looking bigger for the struggle into the tiny seat.

"So...how are you doing?" he asked and Jane paused for a moment.

"You're talking about losing John and the Normandy?" she replied and he nodded. She was a little impressed he had asked about her wellbeing. "I have had a rough career as you well know, James. I have the bad luck of being a survivor, Mindoir, Akuze, Eden Prime, the Normandy...I have been the only survivor and I have survived with a handful of my men. It tempers you. Your unit faced losses coming here. Your team survived but you were the only group that did. How are you handling that?" He blinked at her.

"I got my men out alive. I knew most of those that didn't make it. Good men and women. I guess, it feels distant, they weren't on our transport, there was no order I could make that would have changed anything," he said and Jane nodded.

"That's it," Jane said. "I analyze the situation and while I feel the pain, I know the truth. John died on the Normandy while I was on route to a Spectre mission. Not being on the Normandy will haunt me, but the reality of the situation is that even if I was on the Normandy, chances are good the two of us would have died instead of just John." Jane took a sip and James stared at her.

"You learn from it," he said and Jane nodded.

"For the most part, I can say with honesty, I have not been incompetent. Only a handful of men have suffered for mistakes in my orders because I make sure to learn from every mistake I encounter, mine or not," Jane said. "I lost my entire family to circumstances I had no control over. Mindoir and the Normandy were things I could do nothing about. In fact, I beat the odds by not dying from pure chance that my biotics decided to start flaring. I lost my team on Akuze not because of incompetence but because someone else was pulling shit."

"What?" James asked and Jane blinked.

"You've heard of that rogue group, Cerberus, right?" she asked and he nodded.

"They were studying thresher maws on Akuze, killed off the colony and my team in an experiment," she explained and he stared. "It's not classified information. Cerberus is now considered a human terrorist group, their activities that are certified and not currently under investigation anymore are documented on the Citadel terrorist watch list."

"My team didn't stand a chance against a collection of maws...ironically we now know that it was a breeding field, the maws eventually turned on each other, only one lives where the Akuze colony was," Jane said. "Nothing I could do would have changed Akuze unless we knew maws were on planet before we landed. My orders were good, but fighting maws is not like fighting soldiers."

"It's just...that's a heavy burden, Lola," James said and Jane nodded before locking eyes with him.

"That is the mantle of leadership, James. I ordered my soldiers on Eden Prime to do their jobs, I knew the chances were good we would face losses after our first skirmish with the Geth. But I still gave the orders so that the colony would suffer less. You have to be prepared to make the hard choices," Jane said and he stared at her.

"I read about some of the stuff you did on your mission to stop Saren. You spared the rachni, you kept the Ferros colonists from killing each other, and you chose to save the Council at the battle of the Citadel. How did you make those choices?" he asked and Jane blinked.

"I became an Alliance marine to save lives, so I always pick the choice that will save the most. Sparing the rachni worries me, they are massively strong opponents. If the Queen falls to the madness her ancestors held, she could restart a new Rachni war and it will be because of my mercy, but I could not, in good conscience, cause the extinction of a sentient species.

"With saving the Ferros colonists, I couldn't allow any more to die because of the situation. John and I were both certain about that. As for the Council. Humanity has not been warmly welcomed into Citadel space because of the First Contact War. We were scared and we caused problems, we needed to prove ourselves. I was the one who told the fleet to protect the Destiny Ascension, I am the one who gave the order that killed so many of our brothers and sisters because I knew, it would result in more Citadel species helping humans, aiding us, and trusting us. In the long run, the loss of our men and women on those ships...their lives are remembered by all Citadel races and there are many who have made it their mission to repay the sacrifice of those lost during the Battle of the Citadel," Jane said. "I did not make that decision lightly, Lieutenant, I just knew when it came down to it, the lives that would be saved by our cooperation with the Council would make up for our losses. I know Fifth Fleet well, I knew many of the men and women lost that day personally."

"How do you do it though?" James asked and Jane gave him a look.

"Because when the time comes, James, you will look at the men and women who trust you and follow you and you will know. It is not about the instant, it is about the long run. I am willing to lose the battle if it means that the war will be won by us," Jane said. "My life will not be lost easily but I am willing to lay it down if it means that those I protect do not need to face the opponents I intend to take down." He stared at her for a moment with such awe that Jane felt embarrassed, she was glad it was warm and she was a little flushed.

"Thank you, Lola," he said and Jane nodded.

"Glad to help, James," she said as she got up. "Do your best, Lieutenant Vega..." she stared to walk off before looking back at him with a slight smile. "My brother would have liked you. Probably would have tried to snake you out from Toni's command, that's why I was the one who does the Mindoir Review, I'm the better writer and I don't steal the talent. Fight well." Jane saluted him and he slipped out of his booth easier than he slipped in. He returned the salute and that was the last Jane saw of Delta Squad before she left the next morning.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: May 19th, 2184 CE

Location: Spectre Command, Citadel

"Jane, hold up!" Tela called and Jane paused in the hallway to look back at the Asari. She was in blue and white armor. "You on a mission?"

"No, I was just reporting in to see if there was anything on queue that needed a Spectre," Jane said and Tela nodded.

"I could use you for an assassination," she said and Jane blinked.

"What?" Jane asked.

"A Krogan leader. He's been causing trouble for the Asari. They've appealed to the Council for aid," Tela explained and Jane blinked.

"You're kidding me?" she said but Tela's face showed no hint of humor behind her eyes. "What's he been doing?"

"Kidnapping maiden Asari. Holding them at undisclosed locations. Sending pieces of them to their parents to encourage exorbitant spending on their return," Tela said and Jane's eyes widened before narrowing.

"How is he hiding them?" Jane asked and Tela's face darkened more.

"He kidnapped a collection of Salarians, they're routing his messages through so many relays that it's caught the attention of STG," Tela explained. "That's why it's falling to Spectres. I already have a former STG member joining us. You know Chirum Leolor?"

"By reputation alone," Jane said and Tela nodded. "I'm surprised they are working with this Krogan."

"Chirum talked to the Dalatrasses, apparently, he kidnapped three females being sent to a colony to increase genetic diversity," Tela said and Jane glared. "The ones doing the tech work are probably very desperate brothers."

"Have the Salarians been harmed?" Jane asked and Tela shook her head.

"He's not going to give them back, he needs them to keep up his Asari scam," she said.

"How bad is he?" Jane asked.

"One victim lost a whole arm before her family had the funds sufficient to return her. These girls are coming home broken, Jane," Tela said and Jane nodded.

"Rape?" she asked and Tela nodded.

"He uses Vorcha too," she said and Jane winced.

"Why me? I'm the most inexperienced in rescue missions," Jane said and Tela shook her head.

"He just returned a girl, she's mostly whole, only lost a couple toes, but she can still dance...if she ever stops clinging to her mother," Tela stated.

"If it's not a rescue, it's a straight up assassination?" Jane asked and Tela nodded. "How, you said you couldn't track him?"

"I can't, the families raised together a very hefty fund to pay the Shadow Broker," Tela said. "I've worked with him before so I was given the funds and told to buy the information. Chirum was more than willing to sign up, even convinced Aelaxos Lithos to join us."

"How many do you need?" Jane asked and Tela shook her head.

"Just the four of us," she said. "Chirum will rescue the Salarians. Aelaxos and you will create a distraction. I plan to put an end to this piece of trash," Tela stated and Jane nodded.

"What's his name?" Jane asked

"Ganar Rakok," Tela said.

"Where is he?" Jane asked and Tela smirked.

"Tuchanka," she replied and Jane shook her head.

"Suddenly my involvement is clear," Jane said. "Wrex is going to love me."

"He'll love what happens when you help take out the leader of Clan Ganar," Tela said and Jane shook her head again.

"I bet," she muttered.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: May 22nd, 2184 CE

Location: Urdnot Territory, Tuchanka

"Wrex," Jane said as she stood in front of her group of Spectres. Wrex smirked at her as he looked at Tela, then Chirum, and last Aelaxos.

"Shepard," he said and Jane smiled as she went up and shook his hand. "You look like you're here to cause trouble."

"We are," Jane said and he grinned.

"Can I help?" he asked and Jane shook her head.

"Better you let the Spectres shake things up and then vanish into space again. I just wanted to ask you a few things about Clan Ganar," Jane said and Wrex spat at the ground.

"Worthless scavengers, they keep encroaching on our territory," he snarled and Jane looked back at Tela who shrugged.

"Good to know," Jane said and Wrex gave her a look.

"Try to spare the females," he said and Jane smiled.

"Done," she replied before she nodded at the other Spectres.

Earth Date: May 24th, 2184 CE

Location: Urdnot-Ganar Territory border, Tuchanka

Through the scope of her sniper rifle, Jane was watching a large group of Krogan wrestling outside of the Ganar stronghold. She was on a building within sight of the Urdnot territory and she was in Asari issue armor identical to Tela's. The goal was to have Jane create a diversion at the Urdnot border while Aelaxos created a distraction at the southern border. While the two were distracting the Ganar, Chirum and Tela would infiltrate the main hide-out. Tela ordered shoot to kill so Jane was carrying her sniper rifle, an assault weapon instead of a pistol, a Spectre issue combat blade, and, at Aelaxos's insistence, a ML-77 missile launcher which was heavy as all hell. She wasn't as proficient with the assault but her training with Naena had taught her plenty about guns in a Krogan fight. The training with Narloc had given her more than one trick with the combat blade that was similar to a kukri blade. The missile launcher was in case they scared up a thresher maw, something Jane really could live without.

"We are in position," Tela's voice spoke over the communicator. Jane chose her target carefully. It was an older male, he was bigger and meaner. She put the first round into his chest, taking out his second heart, the second round went into his eye, he jerked, and the third went into his neck. He dropped to the ground. The group of males paused and looked at the direction Jane was in. She stood up and turned to run. There were shouts.

"First hit," Jane said into her communicator.

"Affirmative," Aelaxos replied. There was an explosion across the territory. More shouts and cries. Jane quickly hid in a predetermined building and set up her rifle again. The group of males was closer to her original position, their shotguns were up. This time she took aim at the most aggressive male from the wrestling competition. He was big and clearly was taking the lead position. Jane caught him in the eye, neck, and midspine. He staggered and Jane put two in his chest. He dropped and the males were quick to turn to her directions. There was another large explosion and she took that opportunity to run. There were the sounds of yells. She kept heading for her third perch.

The distractions only took a few minutes and soon the entirety of Clan Ganar was out and on the hunt.

"Intrusion begun," Chirum stated. "Found targets. On route."

"Makes it sound easy," Aelaxos said and Jane chuckled.

"Salarians always do," she replied. A small group of Krogan were outside the small hole Jane was curled up in. "Explosion?"

"Surrounded," Aelaxos said.

"Remain hidden." Tela's voice ordered.

"Intrusion needs more time," Chirum said.

"Hold," Jane ordered before she pinged Wrex. "No names. What is that structure to the northeast of Ganar?"

"No names huh?" Wrex chuckled. "That is Clan Urdnot's keystone for the Rite of Passage."

"What is it used for?" Jane asked, hoping her annoyance at Wrex's short response was obvious in her voice.

"It is where young Krogan prove they are worthy of the clan," Wrex said.

"Could it draw curious onlookers if activated?" Jane asked and Wrex laughed.

"It would draw all sorts of onlookers. If you survive it, you would be considered part of Clan Urdnot," he said. Jane looked out of her hole. There were even more Ganar.

"Thanks," Jane said before switching. "Location of hostiles?"

"Most have moved to the northeastern border," Aelaxos said and Jane bit back a swear. They were after her.

"They spotted the armor," Tela's voice said.

"Need more time," Chirum stated.

"Targets?" Jane asked.

"Located," Tela said. "Need time. There's a barrier."

"Two. We can break it, but need time alone," Chirum said and Jane bit back a swear.

"They found a present. Didn't know Krogan could defuse that fast," Aelaxos said.

"May have recognized work," Chirum added.

"That would be bad," Aelaxos said. More Krogan were patrolling it was only going to take time.

"I have an idea," Jane said.

"That tone is not positive," Tela stated.

"Anyone know about Krogan Rites of Passage?" Jane asked and Aelaxos chuckled.

"You're going to thank me for that heavy," he said.

"If I make it," Jane muttered.

"Very true, odds of success are..." Chirum began.

"Going now," Jane stated as she quickly rolled out of her hiding spot and began to sprint towards the keystone. The sounds of angry Krogan broke out and Jane put on her strongest barrier. It was good timing as she was nearly knocked off her feet by a shotgun blast. The barrier held and she began to use the environment to her advantage. The keystone stood out and Jane turned to throw a large piece of rubble into the corner of a skeletal building. It collapsed behind her as she continued to run. It would buy her desperately needed time.

"They're moving," Aelaxos said.

"Keep watch," Tela ordered. "She's a big girl."

"Very brave or very stupid. Will decide based on outcome," Chirum stated and Jane wondered how far she could throw a Salarian as she ran up to the center of the keystone. A single button was lit.

"I think this is how you start it," Jane said.

"Not in your favor," Chirum added as the side of Jane's fist hit the button. The large pillar moved up as a Krogan recording played. Jane moved to cover, pulling her assault as the first Krogan rounded the corner. Jane began to shoot. She was certain she would be overwhelmed when wild Varren began to fill the field. Then both she and the Ganar had something more to worry about. The button turned green and Jane quickly hit it again before turning on the Ganar. They were pinned between Jane and the Varren. If a Varren was dumb enough to approach Jane she was quick to throw them at the Ganar Krogan. The pillar hit the ground again.

"You've got airborn!" Aelaxos cried and Jane looked up to see several massive insects flying towards her. "Damn Tuchanka and its massive bugs!"

"The fuck is that?" Jane gasped before they began to drop massive insects before flying off. "The fuck are those?"

"Harvesters. Symbiotic with Klixen. Gigantic insects. Similar to Rachni without intelligence most likely. Harvesters transport Klixen, Klixen kill prey, both share meal," Chirum stated as Jane watched one of the Klixen set fire to a Ganar Krogan.

"I hate this planet!" Jane cried as she began to fire on the Klixen. Her assault ran dry and she realized that she needed more ammo. She pulled a Krogan corpse to her and quickly pulled his clips from his body.

"Agreed," Aelaxos stated. A Klixen reared up and a Krogan shot it. Goo splattered Jane's helmet and for a desperate second Jane was blind. She didn't want to remove her helmet, but it was keep it and die or remove it and face the Krogan with her identity visible. She ripped the helmet off in time to see the Krogan pierced by a leg. She shot the Klixen and it dropped. She panted as she looked over the field with her assault rifle ready. It was quiet for a second before a Krogan stepped onto the arena. Jane drew her combat knife and ran at the single Krogan. His eyes widened as Jane ran up his chest, her knife slamming into the back of his crest. With a twist that Narloc had taught her, she separated the top of his skull from the rest as she used his chest to back flip. She landed on her feet as the Krogan staggered. His eyes rolled up as orange blood began to ooze down his face. He looked down at the top of his own skull as Jane gazed at the shiny perfect surface of his brain. He opened his mouth but his brain was already swelling from the trauma. A fatal wound for any Krogan and one that gave the victim time to realize slowly that he was dead on his feet. Jane sheathed the blade as several more Krogan approached. The leader looked at the one she had just killed before glaring at her.

"Human..." he growled as two more appeared, "You will pay for this." Jane glared at him before throwing the natural armor she carved from her Krogan at the green button, activating the keystone for a third time. "You fool!"

"Let's see if I have what it takes to be Urdnot," Jane said.

"She is suicidal," Chirum stated.

"You don't know her," Tela stated and there was a shot. "Target down."

"Clearing targets," Chirum replied as Jane used a stasis on the first Krogan before firing on the second and third. There were screams and a familiar roar. Jane's blood ran cold as the ground began to shudder in a way she knew all too well. Her stasis dropped and she quickly shot the Krogan four times in the chest, three times in the head, and threw him at the moving ground beyond the arena floor. Her comm pinged and she answered it.

"Shepard," Wrex purred.

"Wrex," Jane replied.

"You live through this and I'll buy your drinks whenever you're on Tuchanka," he said as Jane holstered her assault rifle before pulling the missile launcher off her back.

"Fuck that...you're making me an Urdnot," Jane said as she pulled it up as the thresher maw's head erupted from the ground.

"You sound certain you're going to live," he said.

"John would never let me live it down if I let a maw take me out," Jane stated before throwing a singularity at the maw's head as Wrex cut the comm connection. It roared before her warp hit, knocking the maw's head back. It roared at her and before it could even spit, Jane fired two missiles into its mouth. "Just die!" Jane ran across the field as the maw went underground. She watched the soil put up dust and as the maw broke surface again. Jane repeated the attack. When the maw went under again, she quickly dropped to one of the heavy ammunition caches nearby and found a live cell. She put it into the launcher. She quickly ducked behind a pillar before repeating. The maw was in poor shape as she did her fourth round. When the pair of missiles hit the maw's head it exploded and Jane panted as she dropped the missile launcher and pulled up her assault rifle. Ganar lay dead everywhere with more than a few Varren and Klixen. Jane switched her comm back to the Spectre team.

"So...I expect not to buy my own drinks at home base ever again," Jane stated.

"You took out a maw solo," Tela whispered.

"Targets clear by the way. Witnessed from dropship," Chirum stated. "Taking targets to safe zone."

"We should head home too," Tela stated and Jane saw a mako approaching.

"I got a ride," Jane said.

"Meet you at the rendezvous point," Aelaxos said. Jane turned off the comm as the mako approached and the door opened. Wrex got out laughing followed by several Krogan. Wrex smacked Jane on the arm and she gave him a look.

"Not bad, Shepard," he said and Jane looked around her at the dead Krogan, giant insects, Varren, and then at the giant maw.

"I think I exceeded not bad," she said and he grinned wider.

"True, but as is tradition, the ones who clear the keystone challenges are granted the name Urdnot," Wrex said as he held out a hand and Jane took his wrist. "Welcome to the Clan, Urdnot Shepard."

"Urdnot-Shepard Jane," Jane corrected and Wrex laughed.

Earth Date: May 25th, 2184 CE

Location: Clan Urdnot Territory, Tuchanka

"Where did all your Spectre friends run off to?" Wrex asked as Jane approached his throne to say goodbye.

"They headed home their separate ways," Jane said.

"Who's your ride?" Wrex asked and Jane looked up at the Alliance shuttle lowering down.

"Fifth Fleet sent a pick up," she said and Wrex nodded.

"You'll be talked about for generations," he said and Jane shot him a look.

"Does this mean I'll not only have bugs singing my praises but also Krogan?" she asked and he laughed.

"Well, you got an answer for everything," he said before he waved her over.

"What?" she asked.

"Got a gift for you," he said and Jane gave him a suspicious glare. "No Krogan fights alone, but I know you, Shepard. You're off on your own crusade against the galaxy. As crazy as your brother even if you don't charge as well." He headed to a room in the rubble behind them. "You need someone watching your back and since you don't like back talk. This should help." Wrex opened the door and a small blue and white streak ran at him. He caught it and lifted it up. A baby Varren snarled and growled. Jane stared at it before Wrex deposited it into her arms.

"This is a baby Varren," she stated as she held the struggling beast. It snapped at her and Jane caught its mouth with one hand and grasped it by the scruff of the neck by the other. It froze and its golden eyes rolled up to look at Jane.

"You have to train them young," Wrex said. "Look, it already likes you." The Varren pup looked up at Jane, relaxing into her grip. As she released the jaw with one hand, it lolled open its mouth. Jane knew she was done when its stumpy little tail began to wag.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 6th, 2184 CE

Location: Prothean Cultural Museum, Thessia

Jane rubbed her eyes as she stared at yet another report on the Prothean artifact she was studying. Her back was sore but it beat the injuries from training Blasto. The young Varren was taking to the military animal training like a champ, but was still slightly too affectionate, especially about sleeping in Jane's bunk with her.

She sat back and cracked her neck. A glance down at her omni-tool showed a missed call from Garrus. Jane considered calling back, but there was just too much to do at the Museum. She was getting a less than pleasant view of the Prothean race based on all of her help for the archeologists. So far several had called her a liar when she explained that she had found evidence that proved that any race that joined those at the Citadel were considered Prothean. The Protheans appeared to be imperialists, taking into themselves everyone but requiring all fall under their mantle.

"Commander, I just cannot believe this," Dr. Kratach stated as he entered the room. The Salarian was the most outspoken about Jane's findings.

"I assure you, Doctor, I do not make up any of the things I see. This is a manual for joining the Prothean race. There isn't a lot on it due to the damage of time, but I assure you, it does say that the race is now considered Prothean and all cultural identifiers must not be seen anywhere but on the homeworld," Jane said.

"I just cannot believe it!" he snapped and Jane pushed away from the desk.

"You don't have to believe it, but that is what it says and if my help is no longer necessary, I do not have to be here," Jane stated as she started walking for the door.

"I just thought they were so much more than this..." he said quietly and Jane paused. She turned to see the archeologist rubbing the bridge of his...nose...the space between his eyes.

"It explains a lot about why so many had trouble identifying the physical appearance of the Protheans. There were many different statues and it was practically impossible to put them together because those statues were of all the different races that identified as Prothean," Jane said and the Salarian nodded.

"We thought it odd there was only one race, but imperialists...well at least we were lucky to have the Asari be the first at the Citadel," the doctor sighed. "I owe you an apology, Commander."

"That's fine, Dr. Kratach. It is hard to have your beliefs destroyed," Jane said and he nodded.

"Still, I rather know the truth," he sighed. "Please keep helping us." Jane smiled at the doctor.

"Of course, I'm still looking for a way to get the Council to believe me about the Reapers," she sighed.

"I'm sorry we couldn't preserve Vigil on Ilos," he said and Jane blinked.

"You were on the Council team?" she asked and he nodded.

"So much information...at least he helped to save the Citadel," he said.

"Do you believe me on the Reapers?" Jane asked and Kr. Kratach chuckled.

"Your theory on a global AI destroying one of the most advanced races in history is no less outrageous than the Protheans were imperialists who forced all races to join them or be trapped on world," he said and Jane stared at him a moment. "I'm starting to think such an aggressive race must have had something even more powerful remove them than a virus which was one of our first theories. So yes, I'm starting to think the concept of Reapers is not out of the range of possibility." Jane smiled at that.

"Good to know some of the smartest people I know don't think I'm crazy for thinking Reapers are a threat," Jane said.

"If the Prothean artifacts we find can help, we'll make sure to put that to good use," Dr. Kratach said.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 20th, 2184 CE

Location: Alliance Temporary Housing, Citadel

"Look at that, John," Jane said as she held up the box to the recorder. "It looks nice, feels heavy. Reminds me that I got it before you. It doesn't feel good to get awards we were both aiming for without you."

"I got it because I lead the team took out one of Balak's slave groups, he wasn't there. The new codename for an N7 adept is now Fury. I was Fury Leader on the team. I took the Batarian bastards out. It was a processing center, one of the most efficient on record. They took the temporary brain bombs and replaced them with cleaner...better models. It was almost messy, lucky for me our infiltrator, Shadow, was fast, he got to the control center and stopped the facility from sending out a mass explosion command." Blasto shoved his head into Jane's lap and she began to scratch his head. The Varren was appearing in more and more of her logs.

"We lost most of the Batarians, before you worry, I only shot six, killed four, but that's because most of them took themselves out. We got enough alive to bring in to the Council. Tela offered me a chance to watch the interrogation. One of the Asari Spectres has apparently broken more tight-lipped Batarians than any interrogator on record. Tela thought I would enjoy watching...I didn't by the way. Watch, I mean.

"Hackett is offering to give me a ship one of these days if I join Fifth, I'm going to say yes. I won't like being there, knowing that once, that group helped save you twice and now...you're lost. That's the hardest part of this, John. If I had your body...it would be real, I could live with it. Seeing you...knowing that you're not coming back and I can see it...right now... I can pretend. I can play that you're off on your own mission. Like before Akuze and before Elysium. We're just strangers in space. These logs probably aren't helping me, but I feel better when I do one. Because it's like you're still here.

"It's weird, sometimes I feel like you're out there. Floating in space. Waiting for me to find you. I hate that feeling. The hope that Liara has that you'll turn up. I wish I had your body to prove to my stubborn heart that you're not coming back. You are dead, John, you have to be...but sometimes..." Jane looked at the recorder.

"Sometimes I feel you, like when we were kids. Like the time you broke your ankle at soccer practice and I felt pain in my leg. I feel like I have pins and needles but I'm not in any position to be cutting off circulation. That damnable hope that Liara has works its way into my mind. Maybe you are alive, somewhere, waiting for me. I know I'm a fool. I saw the readings. I saw the suit's oxygen meter hit zero. I saw your heart rate stop. I know you cannot be alive, but the hope. God, the cruelest emotion in the world is hope sometimes. I just wish we found you. I just need to see you to say a real goodbye. I miss you, John." Jane hit the recorded and went to her dress uniform. She put the new pin in place and looked down. An award sat on her desk, she needed to give Hackett her answer.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 30th, 2184 CE

Location: Docking Bay, Arcturus Station

Jane was inspecting the SSV Okinawa when she felt someone watching her. She looked around. It was early morning hours by Earth time, most of the crew were switching over and the docks were quiet. A few workers here and there, but something was off. Jane looked at the ship again before turning and heading towards the exit. She felt like she was being watched again, this time she didn't look around, she kept walking. They were good, she didn't see them, but she was better.

The path she took was mostly deserted, it was a short cut only if you had clearance and she had clearance. She passed the first security door and quickly ducked into an alcove behind a stray piece of machinery. Her breathing dropped to sniper mode, she had her pistol in hand but kept it low. The door opened, there was a jerk as it ascended. Whoever was tailing her was a hacker, the security had been breached, they didn't have security clearance. The footsteps were near silent, assassin training possibly. Jane waited until she saw the form. She lunged, her barrier protected her from whatever was in the man's hand as he swung at her. She caught his arm with one hand, ducking under his swing and pulling the arm up behind him. The old Jane would have held him, but Jane was not as gentle now, she wasn't taking chances. There was a wet sucking noise as she dislocated his arm and his cry was shrill but bit back.

He was dressed in Alliance uniform, plain looking, he wouldn't be noticed. Jane backhanded him with her pistol. He spat blood before her foot caught the side of his knee, there was another wet sound and he screamed this time as he went down. She was quick to pin him. Her hand caught his omni-tool as she knelt on his throat. It was attempting to do a clear but she managed to save a few messages with one of the tricks Tali had taught her. He was trying to dislodge her but she had him by the good arm and he was laying on the good leg.

"Security we have an assault on an officer on C-corridor. Please send the nearest security agent to C-corridor," Jane said into her ear piece. The man was slowly losing consciousness. Jane looked at the item he had dropped when she dislocated his arm. Her blood went cold, a syringe lay on the ground. Something was in it and she stared down at the man.

~*TF*~

"He's a Cerberus agent," Admiral Hackett stated as they looked at the security footage.

"He was good," Jane said as she looked over the files she had pulled. The orders were clear. Drug Jane, collect...samples...from her, and bring her to a Cerberus facility, sadly important information like what samples were needed, where the facility was, and what was going to be taking place there had been destroyed."He's not going to talk."

"Probably not, he's a decent agent, Cerberus will be missing him," Hackett said before giving her a look. "The serum in the needle was a combination of a powerful sedative mixed with one of the strongest biotic suppressants known to Citadel space. It's a custom make, I suspect to make it easier to get you into Cerberus' hands." Jane's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what they wanted from me, but I want nothing to do with Cerberus," Jane stated before she pulled up a file from the collected messages. "This, however, is a Cerberus attack on an alien colony. We can't let that stand."

"You found it, Shepard, you're on it. Make sure whatever it is Cerberus is planning, it doesn't happen," Hackett stated and Jane read the file before shaking her head.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 6th, 2184 CE

Location: Above a Cerberus Base, Akrothe

"I'll go in first," Jane stated to her N7 Special Ops ground team.

"Are you sure, Ma'am?" one of the younger members asked and Jane nodded.

"I'll go in and complete recon," Jane ordered.

"I have drones..." a tech began and Jane shook her head.

"Preliminary data shows that Cerberus is watching for exterior drones, once inside the facility drones are not as high a priority, with the Fury armor I will be almost undetectable," Jane said. "I go in, I get recon, we take them out. All Cerberus agents on this planet are on a hostile mission, what that mission is, we are going to find out and then stop."

"Akrothe used to be a Batarian world, maybe they are looking to set something up for the Batarians," one of her team asked as the Okinawa entered orbit.

"I don't know, the Batarians were usually good about leaving nothing for humans to take when they abandoned their colonies," Jane said as she hopped in the shuttle. "I will contact at 900 hours."

"Yes, ma'am!" the group said.

~*TF*~

Jane moved through the foliage on the planet. It was a lush world. It must have hurt the Hegemony to leave it. The air was breathable but Jane kept her mask on, it would keep her CO2 emissions below sensor readings. The Fury armor had its benefits. She saw the structure, the classic yellow, black, and white motif made Jane wonder what the leaders of Cerberus were thinking, why not just have "Super Secret Cerberus Base" painted on the exterior. She set up her scope. Guards were sparse and moved in regular patterns, no one expected to be found. Once she had the number of guards down and their rotations, she was ready. Jane waited till they reached the furthest part of their routes before she activated the Fury cloak. It was good tech, but still flawed. It would deceive most tech and viewers at a distance, but it was harder nearby. Jane was by a door waiting for only a few seconds before the guard exited through. Jane slipped in behind him and slowly began to move through the facility.

Inside was clean and obviously expensive, she had to wonder about their funding as she moved down the hall. She came to an empty lab and slipped in when the security camera moved. It was a data lab and Jane placed a drone in front of the camera. The drone would freeze the camera on the last image before Jane uncloaked.

She looked at the terminals and smiled, someone had been kind enough to leave the terminal open, hopefully they were getting breakfast or taking a quick nap. Jane uploaded an Alliance code that kept the terminal from reporting activity. She put another code in, one Tali had sent her to copy as much of the information on the drives to an OSD. The codes wouldn't last forever, but it would give Jane time to get info and then get out with a few hours of breathing room.

It didn't take long to find out why Cerberus was on Akrothe. A small colony of Batarians were on the planet. The live camera on the colony showed at least three hundred. Jane's eyes widened as she saw the flag above the largest building. It was a dark blue field with white diagonal stripes with four black slashes that were meant to be closed Batarian eyes. Cerberus was targeting a colony of an anti-Hegemony Batarian group known as Dramye. They were deeply religious and believed that the caste system was wrong. They were peaceful and believed in equality. The Hegemony often killed them all and now Cerberus was planning on testing biological weapons tailored for Batarians on the peaceful colonists.

Jane's fingers flew over the keyboard and she froze. The guards weren't sparse because the base was so isolated...they were sparse because the first attempt of the biological weapon was set to begin in two hours. The Cerberus agents would be releasing the biological weapon into the water supply. It was a bacteria designed to kill only Batarians. They would be putting twenty gallons of it into the stream that fed the lake the colony was built beside. Jane collected the release site and the topographic maps. She was quick to get back out, terminating the drone and getting out of the base.

Once Jane was out of range of the base she contacted the Okinawa.

"This is Fury Leader, send Alpha team down to take out the base," Jane ordered as she began to sprint through the jungle. Her goggles gave her directions from her omni-tool.

"Do you want Beta team to rendezvous with you?" her dispatch asked. Jane shook her head before remembering she was on comm.

"No time, I'm uploading what I got from their server, start looking through it. I have to intercept their scientific team before they can release a biological weapon on the colony," Jane said.

"The colony? What colony?" her dispatch cried.

"A group of Dramye, actual peaceful Batarians, Cerberus plans to wipe out a colony of them," Jane said. "Pass that on to Operations Headquarters."

"Ma'am...what are you planning to do?" her dispatch asked.

"I am stopping Cerberus before they can murder innocent colonists," Jane said, her display showed that if she jumped off the next ledge she could cut ten minutes off her run. She jumped and threw below her. It slowed her decent enough that she could tuck and roll. Her shoulder and hip would be bruised tomorrow, but if those ten minutes gave her time to stop Cerberus, it would be worth it.

"I thought you hated Batarians, ma'am," her dispatch said. Jane was starting to get a reputation...maybe she should be gentler with the Batarians she took out...nope, she didn't have it in her.

"I hate Batarian slavers and Batarians who have no problem enslaving others. The Dramye are non-violent and believe that all beings are equal no matter race. The Hegemony try to kill them whenever they find them. I won't let Cerberus do the Hegemony's work," Jane growled. She paused, her sensors were picking up humanoid readings. She placed her cloak and moved silently through the trees. A small team of ten Cerberus agents was moving through the forest with a small trolley carrying several containers...the bioweapon. Jane's eyes narrowed as she drew her rifle. She quickly climbed a rock and took aim. The guards fell quickly with four fast shots. The team began to scatter. A well placed grenade took out two more. The remaining four were rushing. Jane's output stated that she was close to the water source. She couldn't let those agents get to the water.

Jane ran through the forest and nearly lost her head. Her cloak was good but someone was looking for it now. She threw a barrier and then used a slam to break the agent's body against the ground. A quickly pistol shot to the head finished him as she ran. A female agent was setting a trap and Jane used a push to cause the explosive to take out the agent. Two were left and they were almost to the water. Jane had one more grenade. She heard the explosion back at the Cerberus base. One of the scientists came out from behind a tree and attempted to shoot her. Jane's barrier was too strong and Jane was quick to dislocate both her arms and one knee before following the trolley. The last scientist was riding it, hiding behind the canisters. Jane couldn't risk shooting and releasing the weapon. Jane lifted a small boulder and threw it. It ended up perfectly in front of the trolley. The vehicle hit it and toppled over. The canisters thankfully held and the agent was thrown. Jane was getting tired as she ran. The agent was up and grabbed one of the canisters.

He was going to try and get at least some of the weapon in the water. Jane vaulted the vehicle, thankful for the dance lessons before Omega. She was shocked when she didn't see the scientist. He had cloaked. Jane was quick to turn on her heat sensors and CO2 sensors. She couldn't see him for a moment, then a flash of CO2 flared far too close. Jane's mask kept her face from getting a new scar as the agent attacked. The right goggle was shattered and Jane was quick to flip the agent over her. She pulled off her mask as she threw the scientist in a stasis. He was lunging at her with a knife as Jane looked at him. He stared at her, recognition in his eyes.

"Shepard..." he said and Jane held up her pistol.

"Your agent failed, I'm still with the Alliance," she said. "You're not hurting the Dramye." Jane shot him in the head the second her stasis dropped.

"You are the Shepard," a flanging voice stated. Jane looked over to see a small group of Batarians. They wore loose clothing, unlike the usual clothes Batarian slavers wore. It made Jane think of the traditional sari and tunics from India. Jane felt naked with her mask off.

"I am," she said.

"You shot another human to protect us," a child said and Jane nodded.

"You hate Batarians," an adult said fearfully. Jane holstered her weapons.

"I hate slavers," she said. "You are Dramye, you believe in equality."

"You know of us?" a man said and Jane nodded as she turned to the group.

"Not all Batarians are bad. I stand against the Hegemony and the Slavers, you are neither, thus, as a Council Spectre, it is my duty to protect you as well," Jane said and the group stared at her in wonder.

"The Council...would protect us?" several asked and Jane wondered how far Sparatus would be up her ass for speaking for the Council.

"The Dramye should ask to join the Citadel races," Jane suggested before a shuttle appeared from above. "You should keep an eye out for Cerberus...they are not friendly to non-humans." Jane pointed at the scientist. The Batarians looked at her for a moment.

"Thank you, Shepard," one of them said and Jane stared at them.

"I have a soft spot for colonists," she said as the shuttle landed and her crew began loading up the biological weapon and the scientist she had dislocated the limbs of.

~*TF*~

"You should not speak for the Council!" Sparatus snarled from the holo and Jane wondered how long he would be in office and if she would live to see him replaced...she wasn't that lucky.

"The Batarians closed their embassy but that was the Hegemony's decision, these are peaceful Batarians who live in Citadel Space who want nothing to do with the Hegemony. Were all Batarians removed from the Citadel races or was it just that the Hegemony walked away?" Jane asked and was pleased to see Tevos and Valern share an uncertain look. Sparatus looked flustered while David looked amused.

"What happened to the biological weapon?" Valern asked.

"The Cerberus data indicated that the bacteria was sensitive to heat and to sodium levels, so we filled it with enough salt to completely dehydrate any living organism and then let them cook at the highest temperature we could get the engines to go. Each canister is now ruined, nothing biological remains," Jane said and the Councilors nodded.

"Good work, Shepard," David said and Jane nodded.

"You saved innocent lives again," Tevos said.

"You won't always be this lucky, Shepard," Sparatus said.

"I would argue that we don't know how many of the Cerberus agents I killed today were actually involved with the crimes being committed," Jane said.

"Are you saying that any of those..." Sparatus began before Tevos raised her hand.

"Shepard is right. Cerberus recruitment propaganda is powerful, many of their captured agents have been found to be ignorant to many of the terrorist operations," she said.

"The agents are being turned over to custody?" Valern asked and Jane nodded.

"Admiral Hackett is on route himself to pick them up," Jane said.

"How is their attitude?" David asked and Jane smirked slightly.

"We haven't relocated the scientist's arms yet," Jane stated and Sparatus nodded. "She has no prior records for species bias, but it appears she was offered quite a bit of money to work for Cerberus. I'm shocked she was willing to fight me. Most of the guards have kept quiet, but a few seemed genuinely upset when we informed them about the colony."

"The data you sent is being analyzed now," Valern said as he looked over a data pad.

"Well, let's hope it takes some time for them to realize that their little experiment on Akrothe failed," Jane said.

"I assume Fifth is planning a new patrol?" David asked and Jane nodded. "Once again...good work, Shepard."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 23rd, 2184 CE

Location: Alliance Temporary Housing, Citadel

A cryptic message from Ash had Jane waiting outside of the housing when a shuttle pulled up, she was surprised to see the driver was Garrus.

"What are you doing here?" she asked and he flared his mandibles at her.

"Ash told me about the Ball, said I was to make sure you were up to code," he said before looking over Jane's dress uniform. "Nope, she was right, you're wearing pants."

"It's my dress uniform. It is acceptable for female officers to wear their dress uniforms to an Officers' Ball," Jane stated and Garrus shook his head.

"Ash warned me about this and told me to make sure you were ready in style. She's taken care of everything," he said, grabbing Jane by the shoulders and ushering her into the shuttle.

"Garrus, this really..." she began before he opened his omni-tool. Ash's face was shown looking around.

"Really, Shep, you're wearing that?" Ash chided and Jane glared. It looked like Ash was off duty with her hair down.

"Good thing you sent me...and set everything up," Garrus stated as he began to drive.

"You're one of the most outstanding officers in the Alliance, Shep, you need to look the part. I've set everything up and you're going to do what Garrus tells you," Ash ordered and Jane gave her a look.

"Last I knew, my rank was higher than yours," she stated and Ash laughed.

"On duty, but I'm on vacation at home. You need to look the part of the first human Spectre. Doll her up, Garrus!" Ash ordered.

"Aye aye, ma'am," he said and the afternoon of hell began.

~*TF*~

"Garrus, I feel like a fool," Jane stated as she looked at the Turian. He stared at her and shrugged.

"You might, I don't know what humans find classy or foolish," he said before he opened his omni-tool again. Ash was sitting with a beer and blinked.

"Am I good or am I good?" she grinned and Jane stared at her.

"This was expensive," Jane stated.

"You live on ship and you have all those mining rights collecting credits. You can live with it," Ash said. Jane looked at herself in the boutique mirror. She was in a deep navy dress that had one shoulder strap and a slit that went almost scandalously high on the opposite side. Her hair was tucked up in a twist that showed off her long neck. Her heels and nails both matched the dress perfectly. The necklace and earrings reminded Jane of the Alliance symbol in silver. Last her make-up was expertly done making her look lovely with large eyes and puffy, kissable lips. Jane felt strange in the feminine get up.

"Escort her in Garrus, but remember, she didn't sign up for a plus one so you leave her at the inside door," Ash said and the Turian nodded.

"Got it," he said and offered Jane his arm. She sighed as she wrapped hers around it.

"I hope you both know I am going to get you back for this," she said.

"I have to walk Blasto while you're in there...I'll be punished enough," Garrus chuckled.

~*TF*~

Jane hated Officers' Balls, it was the fact that Hackett and David had worked together to get her there that really hurt. She didn't want to bump elbows with the Alliance elite. She wanted to do her job and sleep, not wear heels that killed, a dress that showed off too much of her figure, and make up that was almost clown thick.

"Ah, Shepard, good to see you," Hackett said offering Jane his arm. She took it and let him lead her to an area where several of the top brass were gathered. Jane was handed a glass of champagne and the idle chitchat began. Time stopped when Jane saw him. It all made sense in that moment when she looked across the room to see Kaidan. Ash had gone to all this trouble for Jane so that Kaidan could see what he had left behind. Her heart ached as her eyes played over his handsome face, her first real love and the only man she'd ever known. His deep brown eyes sparked as he took her in. His eyes moving down her body and back up. Their eyes locked and for a moment Jane felt all her feelings for Kaidan come rushing forward. He was in his dress blues and they fit him perfectly. She wanted him as much as she ever did and his eyes lit up with desire before he looked away. It was clear, he wasn't going to come to her and she wasn't going to shove herself back into his life. She finished her champagne and looked to have more.

Time passed, Jane had managed to play the part of the elegant Alliance officer and Council Spectre. She finally manage to escape to one of the many comfortable chairs hidden in alcoves around the ballroom, too much champagne and too little sleep caught up with her. Jane dozed deeply in the chair, looking like an innocent maiden and not the deadly Spectre she was.

As she slept, it felt like she was being carried and the scent of Kaidan filled her nose. She snuggled into the warmth and hummed.

"Kaidan..." she sighed and the arms tightened around her. Soft lips pressed to her forehead.

She was still being carried but the scent was different, like an exotic spice. The arms were as strong but different as she was placed into the bed. She opened her eyes but her vision was too blurry.

"Don't leave..." she whispered, her fingers catching the edge of armor, "...don't want to be alone..."

"You're never alone, Shepard, you just have to reach out and we're there," a flanging voice whispered and a hand took hers. She fell asleep not long after.

The next morning she remember nothing about the prior night but drinking and going to hide in the corner. She never bothered to ask how she got home since she woke up fully dressed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: August 12th, 2184 CE

Location: SSV Okinawa, In Transit

"How is everything looking, Green?" Jane asked as she stood beside him at the helm. The man jumped before looking at her nervously. Maybe he was looking at Blasto close to his mistress's side.

"We'll be arriving at the Spera colony in roughly six hours, ma'am," he said and Jane nodded. He was no Joker, but Flight Lieutenant Chris Green was a good man to have at the helm. Jane had tried to tap Joker for the job, but he hadn't returned her last call. Alliance had grounded him after the Normandy's destruction, but Jane had twisted arms and called in favors to get Jeff Moreau as the Okinawa's main pilot. Sadly, it appeared that he had left the Alliance without a forwarding address. "How long are we going to be docked?"

"Depends. A Mindoir Review on a colony that hasn't been attacked usually only lasts about a week," Jane explained.

"Will there be shore leave?" he asked and Jane fought a smile.

"That can be arranged, but no seducing colonists' daughters...I have an issue with that," she said before she turned and headed off.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: August 30th, 2184 CE

Location: Classified

Jane stood over the Batarian slaver, his eyes were narrowed as blood dripped from his mouth.

"I had heard you were a bigot, like the rest of your race," he hacked and Jane stared at him coolly as she opened a file on her omni-tool.

"I'm anti-Hegemony and I know you know that," she stated. The first flicker of fear began to cloud the Batarian's eyes.

"I won't tell you anything," he said and Jane put a round into his knee with little else but a cry of agony from him. Her silencer was efficient. She applied a small amount of medigel to keep the bleeding down but do nothing for the bone.

"I am not here as an Alliance agent," she stated and his eyes widened more.

"You will never leave this ship!" he cried and Jane placed a foot on his throat, holding a finger to her lips. They were far from the remaining members of his crew but Jane wanted to make sure this shipment came back to Citadel space safely.

"Are they alive?" Jane asked and the Batarian began to shake.

"You can't sell the dead," he said.

"Where is the control terminal?" Jane asked. His eyes flickered across the room.

"I don't know," he whimpered and Jane nodded.

"Is there a record of your attack plans?" she asked and he shook his head while blinking rapidly. "Thank you." She grabbed his arm, using her thumb to pull up his omni-tool, a list of trading events popped up. Jane used an OSD to collect the file before looking at the Batarian.

"You're enjoying this," he hissed and Jane looked at him.

"Not as much as you would think," she stated before her shot caught him in the center of his forehead. She placed a drone on the terminal, it was the control panel that was set to detonate all the control chips should the signal be sent. A STG developed code destroyed the terminal's programming. Jane waited until the drone vibrated its completion tone before she headed up to the bridge where the rest of the crew was waiting. She opened the door and pulled up both of her pistols before firing on the six remaining Batarians. She collected as much information as she could on her OSD before she called in the Okinawa to pick up the slave shipment. The roster showed Salarians, Asari, and humans were in the shipment.

~*TF*~

"You destroyed the ship?" David asked and Jane nodded as she gave her report to the Council.

"I left a calling card in the form of an automated warning that slavers will not be tolerated by Spectres," she said and Sparatus nodded.

"You only interrogated four of the crew," Valern commented.

"I found the trading records and planned attacks...they are the sealed files...if you wish to view them, " Jane said looking at Tevos.

"Good work, Shepard," Anderson said and Jane nodded.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: September 17th, 2184 CE

Location: Dise, Nevos

"I don't understand," Dr. Remicius Donisis said as Jane looked over the artifacts. So far the Turian doctor had been the most resistant to Jane's findings. While others had been almost like the stages of death, all eventually falling to acceptance, Dr. Donisis had stayed at anger.

"I'm saying these are fall back plans and I can read this code," Jane said.

"So...these Protheans may still be alive?" he asked and Jane nodded.

"I know that four of those locations do not exist anymore, those planets were razed to the ground, but this ruin is complete. The Reapers never took these guys out, that was disease," Jane said. "But I know some of these coordinates."

"Where is it?" he asked and Jane shook her head.

"I cannot report that to you. I'm going to the Council with this," Jane lied.

~*TF*~

"You're saying the Eden Prime potentially has living Protheans underneath it?" David asked and Jane nodded.

"They could be alive, in suspended animation, they should be able to last 60,000 years, as long as their pods weren't damaged and not just Eden Prime but two other human colonies, one Turian, five Asari, and two Salarian colonies. I'm sending you a procedure that should save the Protheans buried beneath the colonies and their exact location. You can't wake the Protheans without me, the procedure requires someone with the Cipher, however, we can keep them alive for some time above ground, giving us time to excavate them," Jane said as the Councilors stared at each other for a moment.

"Shepard...what I've been reading from your research shows that these Protheans might not be worth the effort," Valern said and Jane gave him a look.

"The scientists that create Vigil have information on the Reapers that can make all the difference. While you wish to dismiss Sovereign as a random encounter, he was a scout sent to open the door. You don't have to believe that we need to stop them but those surviving Protheans may have the truth behind the Prothean extinction. I am not being altruistic, Councilors, I believe that those Protheans may be the best proof in my case about the Reapers. The Protheans on Eden Prime were soldiers, they might have techniques we could use. The other two locations have scientists who may have answers on stopping the Reapers," Jane said.

"If we wake these Protheans, we may just end up starting a new war," Sparatus sneered and Jane gave him a look.

"Or we gain access to caches of knowledge thought lost to the ages. I see these Protheans as a win-win. If I am correct about the Reapers, they are my best evidence for gaining your support. If I'm wrong about the Reapers, they could be the answer to the mystery of our age, what happened to the Protheans," Jane said and the Councilors shared another look.

"An intriguing idea, Shepard," Tevos said and Jane nodded at the Asari.

"Even as evidence, Shepard, they all failed," David said and Jane nodded.

"They may have failed because they didn't have enough time to prepare," Jane said and he sighed.

"I will contact the human colonies," David said.

"I will contact the Asari colonies," Tevos added.

"I know several historians who would never forgive me if I didn't give them the chance," Valern sighed and the three looked at Sparatus.

"This will require many Prothean experts," the Turian growled and Jane smiled.

"I already contacted several of the Prothean experts I know and they are creating teams to look into the different locations, they just need the okay from the colonies themselves," she said before she saluted.

"I will only believe this if I see a living Prothean," Sparatus grumbled.

"If she's correct, I will authorize anything she wants," Valern chuckled.

"Agreed," Tevos nodded. Jane signed off and looked at her recording. When they found the living Protheans, Jane was going to enjoy using her evidence of their support to create a Reaper Task Force. But one step at a time.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 14th, 2184 CE

Location: Wards, Citadel

"Where can I get a Varren?" Tela asked as Blasto obediently walked beside Jane.

"Kill a mercenary band, they have dozens," Jane stated and Tela laughed.

"I need a pup to get these results. You should suggest using Varren to the Council," Tela grinned and Jane shot the other Spectre a look.

"You can do that without me," Jane said. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just waiting to hear back from Aelaxos...he went on a mission, hasn't reported back yet," she said and Jane looked at the concern on the Asari's face.

"You two have a thing going on?" Jane asked and Tela laughed.

"Sorry, Jane, but I prefer my partners with breasts," she said, giving Jane a wink.

"Sorry, Tela, but I don't do partners anymore," Jane said.

"I don't know what happened with your last partner but..." Tela was talking but Jane was frozen. Across the way she could see John. Slowly she walked away from Tela and towards John. It was a VI that a young man was showing to a customer. He didn't see her until she caught his wrist.

"What's this?" she asked and the man looked ready to shit bricks. Tela was beside Jane while Blasto was growling. He was young, barely a man.

"Shit! You're Shepard! Look I was just..." he stammered and Jane looked at the VI of her brother. A tear ran down her cheek and the man was freaking out more.

"How much?" Jane asked and he froze.

"You...you don't mind?" he asked and Jane stared at the VI as it looked her over.

"Extranet says you're Alliance Military. Take care of yourself out there, officer," the VI chirped in John's voice and Jane laughed.

"There's nothing this galaxy can't beat if we all work together," the VI declared and Jane snorted.

"This is hilarious," Jane said and the man stared at her in awe.

"For you...it's free," he said handing her the modular unit.

"Thanks, kid, it's all wrong, but at the same time, it's the best thing ever," Jane said. Blasto barked at the VI.

"You do realize you could make a mint off of a good VI likeness right?" Tela asked and Jane shook her head.

"No...an embarrassingly bad version is so much more wonderful," Jane said. "I'll never give permission for a John VI to be made...this...this is perfect."

~*TF*~

"Well John, congratulations, you are now a bootleg VI," Jane said into her recorder as Blasto tried to sniff the VI's butt, but the VI kept trying to reorient itself to look at Blasto. The recorder was getting all of it.

"I got it for free because I freaked out the guy selling them," Jane said smiling as she watched the VI and Blasto. "You can even program them to respond to a name and towards yourself. What is my title, Knave?"

"You are the Most Beautiful and Talented Jane," the VI responded.

"That's right," Jane stated and the VI returned to staring at Blasto. "Who is that?"

"The Pwecious Wittle Angel Blasto," the VI commented and Jane laughed.

"This thing will probably get old shortly, but it's nice to have you taking care of me again. It's scheduling capability is actually pretty good, I think the programmer used a real VI scheduling program as its base. It is buggy as shit, however, and keeps trying to warn me about the Reapers...like I don't know. Still, it is nice to hear your voice reminding me about my schedule. I'll keep him for now, but he's just a VI to me. I even got him a new outfit." Jane pressed a button and the VI was projected wearing baggy overalls with no shirt or shoes, a dopey straw hat, and a piece of straw hanging out of his mouth. "I realized...you look more like Dad when I dressed him like this. I like to think of him as the stupid colony hick you would have been if Mindoir hadn't been...well...what it was. Sickeningly optimistic and chipper. Thank God I haven't been bootlegged. I changed my will, I refuse to allow my image to become a VI ever, even post mortem. All bootleggers will be prosecuted. Thank God for Asari lawyers. Well, just wanted you to see the monstrosity that is your VI. I miss you."

~*TF*~

Earth Date: November 1st, 2184 CE

Location: Troi Colony, Sbarge

Jane ignored the call coming in. She needed to remember to call back Garrus, she honestly could not remember the last time she spoke to the Turian...or Tali...or Wrex...or Ash...maybe she was just a shitty friend.

"I don't get it, ma'am, there's no one here," Slayer muttered to her and Jane nodded as she walked into another open door. The colony of Troi had stopped all contact so the Alliance had sent an N7 Special Ops team to investigate. Jane was tapped as Fury Leader to investigate the silent colony due to her expertise on colony attack.

"This is the third colony that has gone missing," Jane said. "Vondila and Soli colonies were off the grid and they were reported missing when monthly shipments were delivered and no one was there to sign for them."

"Any idea what Alliance Command is thinking happened, Fury Leader?" Demolisher asked and Jane shook her head as she looked around.

"They are waiting for my report before speculating. Vondila and Soli were ransacked, but security vids show that it was merc groups that did that...the vids are missing nearly twelve hours of footage from both sites, nothing but static," Jane said. "Colonists doing their normal business before the static, empty colony after. Whatever happened on Vondila and Soli, happened in their missing hours of security vid. Troi was in contact with Alliance Command, they wanted to be considered as a location for a possible forward base in the future...when they went silent, we got assembled."

"What do you think happened?" Paladin asked and Jane looked at the colony.

"When we entered there was a sign of mass movement towards the center of the colony. Footprints, dropped items, farm equipment left running. As we get into the colony the signs of movement stop, abruptly but all signs of a fight were in the colony heart. Whatever happened, it was fast and the minimal fighting didn't last long. Anyone who fought was stopped very quickly," Jane said. "The attack also came from above."

"How do you know?" Slayer asked and Jane pointed at a mark on the side of a building, near the roof.

"Any errant fire hit the top of the building towards where we entered. Someone used the same LZ as we did," Jane said. "I just have no idea how they incapacitated the colony so quickly. Paladin, any readings of chemical attack?"

"Sorry, Fury Leader, if chemicals were used, their remains are gone now," Paladin reported and Jane sighed as she looked around.

"This is a masterful abduction...too little violence for Batarian, too much evidence for Salarian involvement, Asari don't bother with abductions, they can wait out problems with Citadel races with legality, not mercenary..." Jane muttered as she thought about known abductor races.

"Fury Leader?" Demolisher called.

"There is one...other possibility, but they're supposed to be..." Jane froze completely as realization hit her like a sledgehammer.

"What is it?" Paladin asked and Jane stared into the sky for a moment.

"The Collectors are a possibility," Jane said.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but what are Collectors?" Demolisher asked and Jane looked at the mark on the building.

"A very old race...reported to live through the Omega 4 relay. Thought to be a myth by many of the younger species. I looked them up after the Sovereign attack on the Citadel. Asari writings talk about Collectors taking whole cities with little sign of a struggle. Asari historians believe massive biotic power allows them to put citizens in stasis somehow," Jane said. She needed to get to the Citadel and do some research, maybe find a Matriarch or two to talk to, old ones.

"Sounds like an intergalactic boogie man," Demolisher chuckled and Jane looked at him.

"The Geth were considered an intergalactic boogie man too, the 212 on Eden Prime were the first to lay that boogie man down to fact. Do you really want to question me on what is real and not real?" Jane barked and Demolisher stammered. "I don't want to hear it! Nothing is ever simple."

"Ma'am," Demolisher said and Jane headed out.

"I want vids of the entire colony. Look to the rooftops, I want to be able to figure out exactly where people were firing and when they stopped," Jane ordered. "Get me aerial views of everything!"

"Ma'am," was chorused and Jane moved to the rooftops. She walked the colony from the top and stared down. The far side of the colony was serene, almost peaceful. She didn't like this, dread welled in her stomach, not the type like Mindoir, Akuze, and after her last call with John, but dread still. Something bad was happening to humans and she had a strong feeling it wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: November 19th, 2184 CE

Location: Main Lecture Hall, Grissom Academy

Jane looked over the class as she stood to the side. Grissom, she was finally here. Blasto was at her side, nearly full grown and about as excited to be there as when she was taking him to play fetch on the Presidium. Making C-Sec nervous made Jane smile, petty, but worth it.

"Now I present one of the first Human Spectres, Jane Shepard," the instructor stated and Jane stepped forward to look at the class. Young adults, really more like big kids, stared at her with a mix of awe and curiosity.

"Thank you for having me," Jane said, her dress blues displayed her metals and she felt like an actor. She really wished Kahlee Sanders had allowed her to wear her armor, but the headmistress had insisted that Jane wore her dress blues to show the young biotics that biotics could be leaders in the Alliance. "I'm glad to see being a lab rat for biotic lessons has paid off for you guys." The students began to chatter.

"So it is true, you're from the first class to try our techniques?" one of the students exclaimed and Jane nodded.

"My class was used to test the methods you guys use now," Jane said and the class chattered more. A hand went up and Jane nodded at the girl.

"Is it true you made N7 based on your sniping?" she asked and Jane smiled.

"Don't let Alliance brass push you around. Asari troops almost all have biotics. Being a biotic does not set their futures, your biotic shouldn't set your future for you. I am doing my best to break the Alliance belief that we biotics are just cannon fodder. We are more than fancy shields and nifty biotic attacks, we have skills beyond glowing blue," Jane said.

~*TF*~

The lesson progressed with Jane demonstrating some of the Asari technique she had picked up here and there. The students were thrilled and a couple even tried to slam a dummy that was brought in. Success varied but the students were all attempting to float...with no success.

"So, is that your Varren?" a boy asked, sitting on the floor panting. He had lifted himself off the ground, but could not hover. Jane smiled and placed a hand on Blasto's head.

"Yes, a gift from Clan Urdnot's leader," Jane said and another student raised their hand. "Yes?"

"Is it true you're an honorary member of Clan Urdnot?" he asked.

"I am not an honorary member, I passed their Rite of Passage, I am a member of Clan Urdnot. They call me Urdnot-Shepard Jane," Jane said and the class was silent.

"This is so cool," a student muttered and Jane wondered if she didn't just make her legend a little larger than it should be. Another student shoved up in a lift and dropped to the floor. Jane hovered above the ground for a moment before smirking. Nah, she had to live for two, this would definitely help her do that, affecting a class of graduates who would go into the field ready to show that biotics were not just living shield generators.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 7th, 2184 CE

Location: Mallory Colony, Brooks

The N7 Special Ops team was the same as the Troi Colony team and the overview was the same. Part of the colony showed signs of a flight towards the colony's heart while the remaining colony showed signs of a minor fight aimed at above.

"Fury Leader, what did your research turn up?" Paladin asked as Jane walked along a rooftop with Paladin and Demolisher following.

"Matriarch T'esari was alive for a Collector attack, she was a young recruit, but her report of the attack is similar. Retreat from one side of the site toward the middle, the remaining part aiming a fight to above," Jane said. "At least Mallory put up a bit more of a fight."

"Larger colony," Demolisher said and the group went silent. "How could they make a biotic field so big?"

"It may be that the attackers bring enough biotics to capture the colony, we have no idea how large a ship they bring, but it has to be massive if all the colonists are removed," Jane stated.

"Any idea what they are doing to our people, Fury Leader?" Paladin asked and Jane stopped. She looked back at the two with her.

"We have no idea. No one taken by the Collectors has ever returned. Most assume they have been collected for genetic experiments or worse," Jane stated.

"What's worse?" Demolisher shuddered.

"Food," Paladin answered.

"Didn't need to think about that," Demolisher grunted.

"We have no idea what the Collectors do to their victims, but they are taking our colonists...our job is to protect them. Mallory records show that they had more weapons per colonist than the prior three colonies. I'm going to recommend more personal weapons to other colonies," Jane said.

"Will that do anything?" Paladin asked.

"If they are using individual biotics for attacks, it should slow them down," Jane said.

"If not?" Demolisher asked.

"Built in turrets need to be added," Jane said.

"How do you stop biotics?" Demolisher whispered.

"You send in stronger biotics to stop them," Jane stated.

"They better watch themselves or the Collectors will have to deal with a pissed off She-" Demolisher grunted as Paladin hit him in the gut. "Sorry!"

"No names, Demolisher," Jane ordered and he muttered apologies as they continued around.

~*TF*~

"Collectors?" Hackett asked from the holo.

"Yes, an ancient race that are from the Omega 4 relay," Jane explained and Hackett stared.

"I thought they were a myth," he said.

"I spoke to several Asari historians and even one matriarch who witnessed a Collector attack. They're real, just solitary," Jane said and Hackett nodded.

"I expect a Mindoir Review expansion on Collector attack methods is in the works," he ordered and Jane paused.

"At this time...it's not possible to come up with a defense strategy, Admiral," Jane said and Hackett stared at her a moment.

"I've never heard you say that," he said.

"It is impossible to tell how the Collectors might be neutralizing the colonists without the security vids. I can't make a useful recommendation until I know how they are taking our people," Jane confessed.

"It's not your fault, Shepard," Hackett said and Jane nodded.

"I know that, Sir, I will be issuing a list of recommendations for isolated colonies. They will not all be comforting," Jane said.

"We need answers Shepard," he said.

"Aye aye, sir," Jane said.

"Give us multiple strategies, Shepard," Hackett said. "We need to do something."

"I will write up strategies now," Jane said with a salute.

"You're not the only one working on this, Shepard, it is not only you who is doing this," Hackett said and Jane nodded.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 29th, 2184 CE

Location: SSV Okinawa, In Transit

Jane was studying a Prothean dig while idly petting Blasto when Green paged her.

"This is Shepard," Jane said into her comm.

"Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but you have a secure call from someone calling herself Tela," he said and Jane blinked.

"She's a fellow Spectre, patch her through," Jane ordered. Her screen popped up to show Tela, she was clearly mad.

"Jane, have you seen this?" she asked and Tela's image shrunk while the background was a feed...from Tuchunka based on the architecture. Aelaxos's body was chained to a pillar, blood, purple with age trailed from where his mandibles had been ripped off. His lower jaw was rotting off.

"The fuck is this?" Jane demanded as she saw the Turian's Spectre's body was not alone. Several Salarians were being held by multiple Krogan. Chirum was between two very young Salarian males.

"It's live...they killed Aelaxos!" Tela snarled.

"I thought we took out all of the Ganar, Tela," Jane said. A very old Krogan stepped in front of the camera.

"I am speaking to Jane Shepard and the unknown Asari Spectre who helped to wipe out my clan," the Krogan said.

"That's Warlord Ganar Dirake," Tela whispered. "He was supposed to be dead."

"Just like we were all supposed to be anonymous?" Jane said. "Funny how he found out it was Aelaxos and Chirum."

"He had to have bought the information from the Shadow Broker. I have worked with the Broker so he won't sell my information, but none of the rest of you did," Tela snapped.

"I'm not surprised they knew it was me, I had to remove my helmet," Jane stated and Tela nodded.

"Right, only one Human Spectre," she muttered.

"I hope you are watching, I paid good money to locate the ones that killed my kin," Dirake snarled. He was riddled with scars, half of his face was ruined, like he was shot in the cheek, although his yellow eye was still intact over the show of his teeth.

"He wants us to see this," Jane growled.

"The Turian was easy to find. Those explosives were known to us. Finding him was harder, but we paid for it, he was alone, we found his ship, we brought him down and we tortured him. You should be proud, he never spoke, even as he starved to death, he never gave you up," Dirake purred and Jane felt her nails pierce the skin of her palms.

"We now have the Salarian, but we had to take him with his kin. So many. So many young ones too. They are either his nephews or the sons of his mate, but we have his daughters, this we paid for," Dirake stated and Jane's eyes widened. Naked Salarian females were shoved in front of the camera, they tried to hide their bodies by clinging to each other. One was backhanded by a Krogan and the male Salarians all struggled, relatives, a family, Chirum's family. "We will start by killing the youngest males until we know which one is him." Jane realized what Dirake was doing. Chirum was honorable, and Dirake was not. Chirum was walking into the trap.

"Don't touch them!" Chirum stated. "I'm the one you want!"

"Damn it," Tela snarled as Chirum was dragged forward and chained to a pillar.

"We will kill off all the males first, one a day, until you come to us, Shepard and Asari," Dirake said. Jane stood up.

"Green, change course to Tuchunka," Jane ordered.

"We're almost to..." Green started.

"Now Green, this is Spectre business," Jane ordered.

"Shepard, it's a trap," Tela said.

"I know, but I'm not leaving Chirum to watch his family die in front of him. I am going to save him. You better get on route too," Jane said and Tela shook her head.

"I'm already on the way, I was in transit too," she said. "They are going to be ready for us."

"Then we need to plan," Jane said. "We are going to lose at least two hostages...I hope Chirum can forgive us."

"If we die trying to save him, he will...then he'll die," Tela said. The two began to plan.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 31st, 2184 CE

Location: The Blood Fields, Tuchunka

Blasto growled at a wild Varren, his jaws snapped and the Varren ran off. Jane moved up behind Blasto and he moved ahead of her slowly. Jane was wearing her personal armor, a gift from Tela. It was heavier than she used to wear, but it was strong...hopefully Krogan strong.

"You in position, Jane?" Tela asked as they approached the building. The Shadow Broker had revealed himself to be unbiased, supplying Tela with the location where Dirake was set up. Jane would not be trusting the Shadow Broker anytime soon since he was so quick to supply information so easily.

They were running out of time to rescue one more Salarian. So far the two youngest males had met gruesome fates. The first had been grabbed by his horns by two Krogan. They had each grabbed a horn and proceeded to rip his head in two. It had been preciously quick. The next one had been slowly lowered into a Varren pit. He had lasted much longer having his feet slowly nipped apart before he was low enough for one to rip a leg off, he bleed out quickly after that. The Council had supported the rescue mission, but their aid would not be arriving for another twenty-six hours, that would be two more Salarian lives lost. Two too many had already been lost in Jane's opinion.

"I can see the structure," Jane replied. The building was an old armory. Wrex had supplied old building plans, but God knew what Dirake and time had changed. "They have a long line of sight."

"That's why we are going in underground, we take them out quiet, I want Dirake to be oblivious to us until the last minute," Tela growled.

"Got it," Jane said as Blasto signaled. There was the southern tank entrance, half buried in the sand. Jane gave Blasto a treat and the Varren nuzzled her leg before she began to work on opening the door. The door fell into the tunnel with a dull bang, sand slipping into the tunnel. Jane slipped into the opening. Blasto was quiet so nothing was living in the tunnel at least. It was quiet.

"Nothing living in my tunnel," Jane said as air moved slowly past her. The tunnel was open on both ends. How open would yet to be seen.

"Good for you, my tunnel is collapsed, I'm heading to the next tunnel," Tela snarled, that meant the northern tunnel was collapsed and Tela was heading to the western one.

"I'm not waiting for you," Jane said.

"You should," Tela said.

"I have Blasto with me," Jane said.

"That's not going to stop them," she said.

"He's the first Hanar Spectre...they should be terrified," Jane said.

"Don't die on me, Jane," Tela ordered.

"I'll do my best, but same to you," Jane said.

"I'm going to be the one late to the party," Tela grumbled.

Jane's luck held and the southern tunnel was complete, no collapse, big enough for a Mako. She ran her fingers over her weapons. She had her sniper, an assault rifle, her pistol, and of course her combat blade. Unlike the last Tuchunka mission, she couldn't count on the hospitable wildlife to serve as backup. It was Tela and the Citadel back up, but both were going to be late. Blasto signaled silently that something was further up the tunnel.

The two slipped out of the tunnel. Blasto sniffed and signaled again, hostiles. Jane slipped on her Kuwashii visor. Garrus had sworn by the design and Jane had picked it up through Spectre Requisitions the last time she was on the Citadel. It was already proving to be worth the twenty-four hundred credits. The display flipped up and Jane set it for Tuchunka fauna. Readings were that there were Varren nearby. With a hand signal, Blasto was at the ready. She moved through the dark basement, little light until she rounded a corner and saw sunlight.

The floor was blasted out. A pack of Varren were snapping at a trio of Vorcha. Two were setting up a collection of stakes in the middle of the floor while the third kept the Varren back, the next Salarian was going to be fed to Varren too. Jane aimed and the guarding Vorcha's head exploded. The Varren were more than willing to begin their meal. Two well placed shots killed the other Vorcha mercifully. Jane signaled and Blasto appeared. Once the Varren had destroyed most of the bodies she began placing rounds in their throats. A pile of dead Varren surrounded the Vorcha corpses. Jane snapped and Blasto was quick to savage each of the Varren corpses. A feeding frenzy gone wrong. Jane moved to a hiding position with her sniper rifle at the ready, making sure Blasto left bloody Varren tracks leading into the darkness. Soon enough two Krogan came.

"What's taking so..." the first one in the room started and stopped.

"Shit, Dirake is gonna be pissed," the second commented.

"Worthless Vorcha," the first muttered. "I told Dirake we should have fed them more than the Salarian from yesterday."

"Isn't that why he was doing this?" the second asked and the first hit the second.

"I know that," he snarled and the two looked like they were about to fight. Jane was hopeful until the second Krogan simply hung his head in submission. Probably younger. "We'll need to come up with a new way to kill the Salarian. Fast. Dirake will kill us if we don't come up with something."

"Maybe we could see about catching something for tomorrow?" the second suggested, earning himself a headbutt that knocked him to the ground. Jane didn't want to wait and quickly aimed. Her shots took out the head, hearts, and throat of the standing male while the younger one struggled to his feet. He had a second to realize his companion was dead before Jane perforated him. Blasto and Jane dragged each body into a different corridor. She signaled Blasto again, pointing toward where they had entered.

"They set up the kill spot for the next hostage in the basement. I'm heading in from the North, back up is going to be a bitch," Jane said. If there was monitoring equipment it would figure out their comms soon, Jane couldn't give away her location. Tela would know she was in the basement already and heading out without Blasto.

"We'll come in from the south then," Tela stated. "If you don't respond in ten, the two of us will leave you for dead." Tela was twenty minutes away.

"Roger that," Jane said as she looked for a specific carving on the walls. All female Krogans designed buildings for evacuation using special designs that only females knew. It was for females and children to exit through extremely stabilized stairways. Wrex had been kind enough to introduce Jane to the female Urdnot clan leader, when Jane informed her of the mission en route she had been kind enough to let Jane know the secret. Jane was clan after all.

It was going to be assassinations from here on in. The door was hard to open, but worked well enough. Jane slid inside and began to move up. She slipped out on the first floor, the Vorcha were numerous, but largely on guard duty, usually in pairs. Headshots took them out with no wasted shots. The Krogan seemed less numerous, apparently the last attempt on the Ganar had dropped their numbers. Jane was almost done with the first floor when she saw the two well armed Krogan's guarding a room.

"Stupid Salarians getting me in trouble," one guard muttered.

"Not their fault you're stupid," the other guard commented.

"She was female," the first snapped.

"They're Salarians, you're stupid enough to think that means they're like our females," the second stated.

"I didn't mean to kill her," the first muttered again.

"Dirake needs each of them, he has to show the Spectres what it means to mess with Clan Ganar," the second said.

"He's just mad I didn't record it," the first grumbled. Jane realized what they were talking about and her killing mind made the decision. The second Krogan was dead in seconds, the murderer was crippled, his neck, one heart, and both knees were toast but he was still alive. He couldn't call for help as Jane approached. With a couple of well placed pulls, he was unarmed. His green eyes stared at her as she opened the locked door. Salarians were inside, crouching together in fear, until they saw her.

"Shepard," one whispered in reverence.

"The path is clear through the basement, there is a hole right there. My Varren is in the basement, he will lead you. The southern tunnel is clear, keep my Varren with you. He's blue and white," she said. She tossed several of the males the weapons from the two Krogan. "I left this one alive if you want to finish him off for your sister." Two of the females, still nude looked at the males, two males offered their newly acquired weapons to the females. The Krogan attempted to talk as he dragged himself away, perhaps he was begging, perhaps he was cursing her, Jane would never know and she would not forget how they killed him, she would never make that offer again. When all but one Salarian was in the basement, he turned to her.

"Kill Dirake. If you can save our uncle, please do, but make sure that monster is dead," he said and Jane nodded. She headed to the stairs again. She moved up to the second floor only to find it would not open. She didn't like leaving a floor unexplored. She moved to the third floor. The door opened.

"I cannot believe that fool killed a female," Dirake's voice roared.

"He can be dealt with later, we need to be ready," a second Krogan voice stated. There was the sound of impact.

"I will make them both regret ever messing with the Ganar," Dirake snarled.

"We all will," the second said.

"Do you want to know what I plan to do to your friends?" Dirake purred.

"You will fail," Chirum's voice spoke. It was slow, paced. He was still defiant...good.

"I will make it slow for all of you. The human and you will have it the easiest. I will rape the human until you die. Your corpse will be the last thing she sees. We will break her pelvis. She wants to pretend to be Urdnot. We will treat her like a barren Krogan bitch and show her just how pathetic she is compared to a Krogan," Dirake snarled.

"You will not succeed," Chirum stated, still calm, but Jane suspected there was rage behind his gentle tone.

"The Asari will suffer for centuries. We will amputate her limbs. We will keep her and use her until she has no mind. We will let her grow old a plaything for our boredom," Dirake sneered.

"They will kill you," Chirum stated. There was another impact and Jane began to move, checking the room carefully. It looked clear. She froze. It was too clear. She pulled back a bit. She checked through a scope. Traps were everywhere, but no Krogan. She couldn't have killed them all...could she? She moved cautiously out, stepping over a trap. The third floor had mostly fallen down into the second. Dirake and Chirum were below her with at least one Krogan. There was no hissing of Vorcha. This was too clear. Jane heard the explosion start and quickly wrapped herself in a barrier, throwing herself into the center of the room. She hit on her shoulder and rolled to her feet, her aim at Dirake as he stood with a shit eating grin on his face. Four Krogan stood to either side of him. On his left, two held Chirum while two others had weapons aimed at him. The other side were all aimed at Jane. No fucking way her shields would hold up.

"Welcome, Shepard, we have been expecting you," Dirake said. "My sons will be collecting those you set free shortly." Jane wondered if they were prepared for Blasto and Tela.

"I'm sure they'll have no trouble," Jane stated.

"Put down your weapon and we can just get this over," Dirake said. Two cameras were floating around the room.

"I don't plan to die that easily," Jane said and Dirake grinned.

"If you don't, I'll shoot the Salarian," he said.

"You already plan to kill us," Jane said and Dirake's face scrunched up.

"You think I am bluffing," he snarled.

"No, I think you are a coward," Jane said and his eyes widened in rage. "You are afraid to fight me one on one so you intend to hold someone hostage. I am Urdnot-Shepard, a member of a rival Clan, a female, and you are too afraid to fight me on your own." Jane spat on the ground and Dirake snarled.

"You think to trick me into saving the Salarian," he sneered slowly.

"You spend a lot of time talking about what I think. You waste time talking...like a female," Jane stated as she stood back. "You must have lived so old by playing the games of women." Dirake's face contorted with rage and Jane began to think that invoking Dirake's blood rage might be a bad idea. He charged and Jane dodged him.

"I will tear you to pieces and fuck your skull!" Dirake roared and Jane went to shoot only to have Dirake pull her assault rifle from her hands. In a flash he was on her and she was thrown into a nearby wall. Her breath was knocked from her body in the violent impact. She had no time to respond as he grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. Jane's mouth gaped for oxygen wide enough for Dirake to shove his shotgun into her orifice. The taste of the weapon brought a knee-jerk response. In a move perfectly captured by the nearest floating camera, one hand gripped the base of the weapon, one hand shoved perfectly into his elbow, and last her head twisted to the side. Jane opened her mouth wider as the shotgun went off. She threw him away with all of her strength.

Pain was in her mind as Jane scrambled to her feet, cool air played over her teeth as blood coated her tongue and began to drip down the side of her face. As the camera swung around, Jane caught her reflection as she glowed biotic blue. Her cheek was mostly gone. Her signature scar blasted away by the shotgun barrel that had been in her mouth. Her teeth shone red through the hole that started scant centimeters behind the corner of her lips. A gruesome smile for those watching the feed.

Dirake roared from across the field and Jane returned the roar. He lifted his shotgun and she returned the pull, ripping the shotgun from his hand and impaling it into the face of one of his guards. The Krogan gurgled before dropping. Jane never noticed it as Dirake charged her again. She threw herself over him and he missed. Like an ancient bull-leaper, Jane used Dirake's hump to spin herself, landing on her feet. Dirake's charge sent him into two more of his guards. They tried to move out of his way but his rage was on him. He smashed their heads together, cracking the natural armor on their heads. Jane turned to look at him as he ripped into his own men. She staggered, unsure as to why, she realized she wasn't hearing properly. The shot probably deafened her ear, based on her stagger, it most likely busted her ear drum, taking with her some of her balance. Dirake didn't let the stagger go and charged again, this time Jane dove to the side. Dirake grazed her and she tumbled to the ground. She threw herself to the side on his return charge. Dirake slammed into one of his guards, this time the unfortunate Krogan was jammed into several pieces of rebar, one going through his head.

The remaining guards began to move back, dragging Chirum with them. Even they knew this was bad. Jane struggled to her feet, this time she was too slow. Dirake was on her in a second and the impact with the wall rattled her. He had her by the throat again and Jane's hands were on his wrists.

"You are weak! You dodge like a pyjak and I will kill you with my bare hands!" Dirake snarled into Jane's face before pulling her back and then slamming her into the wall. Jane's skull snapped into the wall and she was stunned. She was pulled back and slammed into the wall again. This time she heard a deep crack. Not of bone but of artificial materials. What could make a crack like that?

Jane's brain was rattled, but she was aware enough to realize Dirake had just crushed her implant. Her brain would be scrambled if he got another hit like that in. Her hand fumbled for her blade as he pulled her away from the wall. Wet warmth was in her scalp. Blood, blood from her skull, near the implant. Bad. That was bad. The blade was free and suddenly her fingers were closed on nothing.

"You think this will save you?" Dirake laughed, his rage was fading with her impending death. He chucked the blade behind him onto a piled of rubble. "No, I will choke the life out of you." One of the cameras floated over them and Jane absently realized, as his hands closed tightly on her throat, that many people across the galaxy would see her die. The brown Tuchunka sky mocked Jane with its hazy white light. Her throat was closed and Jane clutched at his wrists. He laughed as he straddled her legs. Jane was going to die. She was going to die! The white sunlight glinted off her blade. Her biotics fluttered and Jane felt agony rush through her brain.

"Haha! You call that a biotic attack! Pathetic!" Dirake laughed, letting her get a moment of air. Jane sucked it in greedily only for him to shut her throat again. "Suffer, human. You are no Krogan!" Her eyes played on the blade and she remembered the agony of using her biotics the first time on Mindoir. The slaver. She used her biotics before her implant, she could do it now with a broken one. Her biotics fluttered again, she skin looking like she was underwater as she focused on the blade. It was hard with her world contracting. She pulled and the blade flew towards her. Dirake stopped, his hands limp. Jane gasped for air as he stared down at her. She gasped as she pulled back, dragging herself out from under him by her elbows. Her head was spinning, blood was moving down her neck. She was in bad shape. Their living audience was gone and Dirake was staring at her for a moment, his hand moved to touched the back of his crest. Jane staggered to her feet, he was moving in slow motion.

"You..." he gasped and Jane saw the blade had slipped under his crest.

"You lose," she hissed as she lunged at him, grabbing the blade and twisting, the top of his skull popped up, exposing his brain to the air. He stared up at her and she managed to kicked him over. He lay there shuddering as death came. The cameras floated around her and she caught a glimpse of herself. Her blood soaked teeth peering through the red ruin of her cheek, a red streak moved down her neck and the breast of her armor, and both her eyes had blood red sclera from where her blood vessels had ruptured in her eyes. She looked like death. She stared at one of the cameras, glowing blue, the agony of her biotics made her vision narrow only on the cameras.

"Never think you can target Spectres and get away with it," Jane growled as her biotics caught the cameras. "And never underestimate me!" She slammed the cameras down, destroying them. Her body became weightless and Jane seemed to fall into darkness.

~*TF*~

Jane felt weight in the darkness. She was laying on a metal table with a loose sheet laying over her nude body. She opened her eyes to the darkness; she could feel the hole in her cheek, the shards of her implant in her brain, and the ache of her eyes with their ruptured vessels. She had died, on Tuchunka, killing Dirake. She had managed to take down Dirake with her, it was a shame she couldn't figure out how to save the colonies that were vanishing, but she had gone out in a way that John would have to admit was good.

"Don't go," John said and Jane blinked as she realized she heard her brother. She turned her blood red eyes to her left, there was a second table. She and John were on autopsy tables, both covered to the neck by white sheets. John lay on the table next to her, his skin grey and withered. The skin of a body lost in space. His own eyes matched her own, ruptured vessels bleeding into the sclera with the lack of oxygen, his from the vacuum of space while hers were from strangulation. She turned her head to him and they stared at each other.

"I'm coming, John," she said and he stared at her with sad eyes.

"Don't go, Jane," he whispered, his voice was hoarse as if he hadn't used it in a long time. She stared at him as he struggled. His arm slipped free, bone thin from spacing, withered by the loss of gases, skin split in angry fissures.

"I want to be with you, John," Jane sobbed, tears burning her already painful eyes. She struggled to reach for her brother.

"Don't leave me," John said again, his hand reaching for hers. His blood red eyes pleading with hers.

"But you're there, you're gone," Jane said, confused as she struggled to get her arm out from under the sheet.

"Don't go...I can't see my baby sister die," he gasped and Jane's hand was free. She swung her arm out and their caught each other by the wrist. "Don't leave me." Jane stared at her brother's face, withered but slowly fleshing out. "Don't leave, baby sister." Jane held his wrist, it was withered but it looked less grey and it felt warm.

"By fourteen minutes," Jane muttered as she looked at him. "I won't leave yet."

Jane gasped and sat up. A nurse screamed in shock causing Tela to fall out of her chair and Blasto to begin howling.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: January 21st, 2185 CE

Location: Huerta Memorial Hospital, Citadel

"How the hell did you get me an L5 implant?" Jane asked as Tela grinned from her seat next to Jane's bed. A large bandage covered Jane's head, half of her face covered while the back of her head was almost completely covered.

"I have my sources, plus you have created the most badass Spectre propaganda ever," she said as she pulled up an image on her omni-tool. An image of Jane, glowing with biotic power, a bloody knife in one hand and her other reaching out towards the camera Subtitles said "Never underestimate me" as her lips moved. 'Spectre strong' floated where Jane had been and Jane groaned.

"What the hell is that?" she asked.

"Fan made Spectre recruitment vids," Tela grinned. "You are now officially one of the most bad ass Spectres."

"I'm in the hospital with a large chunk of my face being regrown using cybernetic implants and the base of my head shaved because I got a new implant...an expensive and supposedly still in development one," Jane said giving Tela a look. The Asari Spectre gave her a look.

"Jane...you took out a one thousand year old battlemaster in basically hand to hand combat. You saved most of Chirum's family as well as Chirum," she said looking at Jane. "You're a damn hero and it wasn't just me who got you those implants. Your stay here at Huerta is covered by Spectre costs, the extras were a gift from Chirum and myself. Hell, his mate put most of the money in after she got the majority of her daughters back safe."

"I didn't save all of them," Jane said and Tela gave her a look.

"You did a hell of a lot more than me. I took out the goons that came down to go after the group you sent down and Blasto helped me. Chirum, Blasto, and I took care of the few guards left while you were slicing the top of Dirake's head off," the Asari said. "You avenged Aelaxos."

"He was a good Turian," Jane said.

"Yeah, and you're a good human, when you get out of here, we need to get a drink," Tela said.

"Yeah," Jane said with a grin.

"You should also thank that Turian friend of yours," she said and Jane blinked.

"Garrus?" she asked.

"He was here every day while you took your two week beauty nap," Tela said. "Took care of Blasto. I haven't seen him since the day you woke up. He left before you woke of course."

"I will," Jane said.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 2nd, 2185 CE

Location: Huerta Memorial Hospital, Citadel

"Please do not transfer me again or I will come down there with my Varren and we are going to have a discussion on upsetting recovering Spectres," Jane said quietly to the Salarian C-Sec officer. He froze mid way into transferring her.

"You're a Spectre?" he asked and Jane stared at him.

"Yes, as I was trying to explain, I'm Jane Shepard," she said and his eyes began to flutter.

"Never underestimate me!" he yelped and Jane nodded.

"I know, so many people don't recognize me without the bloody sclera, I know, but I have been looking for nearly two weeks for Garrus Vakarian," Jane said. "Originally I was told he went on vacation, however, I was never given his return date. Now I'm being told that he is no longer working for C-Sec."

"What is your relationship with Officer Vakarian?" the Salarian asked and Jane felt the urge to pound her head into the table.

"I'm coming down with my Varren," she said as she started to get out of bed.

"He's quit! He quit!" the Salarian cried and Jane blinked.

"Did he leave any contact information?" she asked.

"Nothing, he just quit, that's all we have," the Salarian explained and Jane nodded.

"Thank you," she said and disconnected. "Where the hell are you, Garrus?"

"Jane?" David asked at the door and Jane stood up and saluted. "Well you look much better."

"Had to get up so I could walk Blasto," Jane said and he nodded. "I'm glad you were willing to come."

"You said you had some ideas for additional security for the colonies," he said.

"We need to protect the security systems. I've contacted Tali, she's seen about sending a kid on their pilgrimage to one of our colonies, it's not great, but it could help us with catching video footage," Jane said and David nodded.

"That can't be all?" he said and Jane nodded.

"We need to be putting teams on the ground before another colony can be hit," Jane said and he had a look. "Shit..."

"We lost two, we didn't know about one because it was another colony that didn't want Alliance interference," he said and Jane shook her head.

"The other?" Jane asked.

"We had an N7 team on the ground within twenty hours of communication loss. All the same signs," he said.

"We need a biotic on the ground," Jane said.

"You can't do it," he said and Jane looked up. "The doctors explained that they weren't letting you go until they were certain your implant was fully functional. You're grounded, Shepard, get used to it." Jane didn't argue, until her biotics were up and running, she didn't dare.

"Alenko just got a promotion, he can take a colony," David said and Jane nodded.

"Send Ash...I mean Williams with him. I like them watching each other's backs," Jane said.

"I hear you put their names in for Human Spectre status," he said.

"Theirs aren't the only ones, just the two I think will go the furthest," Jane said and David looked at her. "What?"

"I'm just impressed you put Alenko forward," he said and Jane looked at him.

"Personal lives are not what makes a good Spectre. Kaidan is a good soldier, he would be a good Spectre too," Jane said and David nodded.

"I'll send that on, you recover, Jane, we need you out there," he said and Jane nodded.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 19th, 2185 CE

Location: Presidium, Citadel

Jane was floating with Blasto patiently watching her from the grass.

"Shepard?" a voice called and Jane looked to see Green waving at her.

"How's the Okinawa?" she asked.

"We're good. Mostly doing escort missions while you're here," he said and Jane noticed a little air about him.

"You know me, Green, I'm the still person I was before the mean Krogan scramble my brains," she said as she collected her towel from next to Blasto and slipped it over her shoulder. Her hair was starting to grow back on the base of her head, but she still felt self conscious about it.

"I know, ma'am, it's just. People are still talking about it. You took on a Krogan one on one and..." Jane gave him a look and Green shut up. "I have the report from the colonies you wanted. Councilor Anderson told me to bring it to you."

"Thank you, Green," Jane said as she took the data pad. It had plenty of images. Jane would start another round of recommendations, but it seemed like her first order didn't cut it, turrets needed to be placed with automated targeting systems. "Is there something else?"

"When will you be cleared?" Green asked and Jane smiled.

"Blasto and I should be back next week," she said. "The Council and Alliance found us a nice slave ring to break up. We're going after one of the batch that works in Citadel space."

"You can do that easy," Green grinned.

"Oh, I had you tapped for the mission team," she said.

"Do not," Green shot back and Jane grinned.

"Are you suddenly talking back to me?" she asked and he paled.

"No ma'am, I just know you prefer my flying to Helfer's," he said and Jane nodded.

"I'll be back after the next check up, which is tomorrow," she said.

"Based on your hovering you have to be back to normal right?" Green asked and Jane smirked.

"Better, I was doing that for nearly four hours," she replied before snapping her fingers at Blasto to follow her back to her room.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: March 5th, 2185 CE

Location: En route to Fortuna System

"It was too easy, John," Jane said as she recorded her journal. "The slavers were half dead, said they had come from Omega. Lost their leader to a vigilante." Jane swirled the ice cubes in her glass. "What was he called?"

"Archangel," her VI called from the corner.

"Thank you, Hick-John," Jane said before looking at the recorder. "I changed his name. Knave felt wrong. Hick-John is much better. Still, Archangel scared these guys out of the Terminus so I'm not sure how good he is. Still, he killed their leader and so now these guys are caught by me. It was just too easy. The nice thing is I have a schedule of Hegemony slave pick up dates for the next month., so the Batarians will be dealing with Alliance raids for the next two months. Rather proud about that.

"It's good to be back, I was worried for a while that the scrambling my brain took was going to knock me out of the uniform. I still am worried about having an early release L5 unit, but supposedly it is safe. If my brain can't handle it I'm thinking about giving Blasto power of attorney," Jane said as she sat back.

"I have another Cerberus mission, this one is Council orders, however, I have tapped the Alliance for help. I don't know how much I like this, but this one is better scouted. It is a listening post. I'll take them out and see if I can't get more intel. Word is they have spies everywhere. Never a good thing. I wonder what you would make of them, John. A group of humans putting us above all others. Not good," Jane sighed as she sipped her drink, lost in thought. Her hand absently rubbing the new implant on the back of her head.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: April 11th, 2185 CE

Location: Alliance Temporary Housing, Citadel

Jane looked at the bottle of whiskey. David had once again remembered her birthday. The second one she had alone. She opened the bottle and pouted a couple fingers into a glass. She did not care for whiskey, but it was a waste to be sober on her birthday. Blasto grinned at her from the bed.

"What has you so happy?" she asked and the Varren's tail began to thump behind him. Jane chuckled and the Varren quickly approached, placing his head on her leg. She stroked his head as she sipped the whiskey. It burned and she wrinkled her nose. Kaidan would have like it. The thought made her heart ache. She stared at the lights of the ward, her fingers playing over Blasto's scalp. Her omni-tool binged and she quickly placed the glass down before opening it.

"Shepard?" a Salarian asked and Jane nodded.

"Speaking," she said.

"I have a lead on that Turian you are looking for," he said and Jane blinked.

"Do I know you?" she asked and he chuckled.

"No, I owe Chirum a favor, he said this would suffice," the Salarian explained and Jane shook her head.

"What did you find?" she asked and he grinned.

"Your Turian bought a one way ticket to Omega. It was with a credit chip and not an account to account purchase. It took some time to link everything together and it wasn't strictly legal..." he explained and Jane held up a hand.

"If you broke rules, the less I know the better," she said. "Did he make it?"

"He bought several chips before he left, all but one has been used up," the Salarian said. "But the last one was used three days ago. Unless he was robbed or traded them, he's probably still alive on Omega."

"Thank you," Jane said and he grinned.

"It was an easy thing to discover," he said and Jane chuckled.

"For some. I'll let Chirum know you barely broke a sweat," she said and he groaned.

"Please no!" he whined.

"Thank you...I don't know your name," Jane said.

"Jondum, Spectre Jondum Bau," he said and Jane smiled.

"Thanks, Jane, Spectre Jane Shepard," she said.

"Nice working with you," he said and then clicked off.

"Well, Blasto, it looks like after we take care of this next Cerberus issue, we are taking some time off to find our dear Turian friend," Jane said and Blasto barked happily.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 3rd, 2185 CE

Location: Cerberus Base, Classified

Jane perched on the overlook waiting for Slayer Leader to call in the attack from the Alliance loaned N7 Special Task Force. At the moment she was working as both a Council Spectre and an Alliance officer. She was not given command because of the Spectre aspect of her role. Her goggles were recording everything she saw, which was why she was on the outcrop above the base.

"We have confirmation on location of the package," Shadow stated and Jane blinked. The package was supposedly an upper level Cerberus scientist.

"All agents move into position," Slayer Leader ordered and Jane moved to the main entrance. Her job was to make it so the main entrance was not an option for escape. All agents confirmed positioning. "Engage." Jane dropped from the overlook, her biotics allowing her to land in the classic superhero stance. She quickly lifted the nearest mako and threw it into the door. She repeated it, blocking the entrance with three makos and various equipment outside of the base. One grenade set the whole thing to flame and Jane quickly moved towards the roof. A few biotic bursts helping to throw herself up. She saw the shuttle appear out from the building.

"This is Fury, a shuttle is attempting to escape through the roof!" Jane cried as she cloaked and quickly began to sprint towards the shuttle. Several agents were getting in. Jane threw another grenade and the shuttle was in pieces. "Shuttle stopped."

"There's a second one, shit!" Paladin cried and Jane looked to her left, sure enough a second shuttle was loading on the opposite building. Jane zoomed in with her goggles and she could see a woman with black hair and a skin tight outfit loading up with a suitcase.

"The package is leaving, she got what she needed. Shit," Demolisher groaned and Jane threw a chunk of the shuttle behind her at the other roof. It nearly hit and the woman turned to look at where it had come from. Jane's cloak hid her, but she suspected the woman knew she was there. She turned and hurried climbed into the shuttle and it took off, closing the door as it did.

"Damn," someone muttered.

"Not a full loss, we got a lot of information," Shadow reported.

"Where were they heading?" Jane asked.

"Location Unknown," Slayer stated and Jane looked up at the lights that were the shuttle. Jane narrowed her eyes, she wondered for a moment what that woman was planning to do. Was she one of the scientists that had been after Jane? Not that Jane would ever let Cerberus get a shot at her.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: December 30th, 2185 CE

Location: Council Chambers, Citadel

"We appreciate you making this request in person, Shepard," Tevos said and Jane nodded at the Councilors.

"So you intend to take time to search for a lost friend?" Sparatus huffed.

"Yes. I believe that I have earned a vacation," Jane said and the Turian snorted.

"It is not uncommon, we appreciate the warning," David said and Jane nodded her head at him.

"She's been active for six months after being out of commission for three months," Sparatus snarled.

"A reminder that Spectre Shepard saved several young females and a fellow Spectre," Valern stated.

"I still say this is a waste of a perfectly functional agent," Sparatus muttered.

"You have our leave," Tevos said and Jane saluted.

"Thank you, Councilors," she said.

~*TF*~

"How long do you think it will take you?" David asked in his office and Jane shook her head.

"At least two weeks, Garrus is too smart to be easy to find," she said. "I'll stop by T'Loak and let her know I'm on Omega."

"Is that wise?" David asked and Jane nodded.

"Aria may be a ruthless dictator, but she's very accommodating if you show her respect," Jane said and he offered her a drink. She waved a hand.

"The Prothean digs are looking good, they expect to reach the pod chambers within the next three months," he said.

"I should be back in time for that," Jane said.

"I'll forward any information on missing colonies should that occur," David said and Jane winced.

"Hopefully when I find Garrus, he'll agree with me about getting Tali on board. Maybe create a small task force for trying to improve colony defense," Jane muttered.

"You think Vakarian will be able to help on that?" he asked and Jane nodded.

"Ash and Kaidan are on site, hopefully they can do their part on the ground, I'll put money down that if I get Garrus, Tali will come along. The two of them should be able to think of what I'm missing. I'm not a tech, but they both know weapons and tech," Jane said.

"I wish you luck," David said. "Will Blasto be okay on Omega?"

"I think he'll love it," Jane said. "I'll be heading out tomorrow."

"Keep me up to date, Shepard," he ordered.

"Yes sir," Jane replied with a salute.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: January 1st, 2186 CE

Location: Lazarus Facility, Subject's Sterile Recovery Room

…

…

…pain…

…tingling pain…

…face…arms…legs…

"…there, on the monitor. Something's wrong."

…what was wrong? Did I fall asleep at the mess hall table again?'

John slowly, agonizingly opened his eyes. He saw sterile white and ducts above him. Hospital. Was he hurt? How did he…?

"He's reacting to outside stimuli. Showing an awareness of his surroundings." A man's voice said. Near him, by his head, above him.

How did he…the attack! The Normandy! His crew!

"Oh my God, Miranda. I think he's waking up."

John had to get up. He had to see who made it, who else Jane saved. He needed to know Liara was safe. Alive. He needed to kiss her and hug Jane. He needed to get up.

He didn't die! She saved him!

A heart monitor began to accelerate and he saw a brunette walk by his left as his eyes began to focus. He turned right and saw a bald man standing by him.

"Damn it, Wilson! He's not ready yet." female voice, British accent. Angry, afraid. "Give him the sedative!"

John turned to her, his heart beating wildly but now every beat sent a bolt of pain straight to his head. He had to get up, touch them. Hold them. Save the others, help his friends.

"Shepard," the woman said and he raised his left hand to try and reach out. "Don't try to move." She took his arm by the wrist and set it down. "Just lie still. Try to stay calm."

…okay, but his head hurt now and his heart continued to beat harder and harder…he was dizzy now…

"Heart rate still climbing. Brian activity is off the charts." John heart a beeping alarm begin to sound. "Stats pushing into the red zone. It's not working!"

John turned to the right, watching them. His heart was racing his head ache was now blinding. Pain was shooting down into his limbs. What was happening to him?

"Another dose now!"

…oh…that felt good…so sleepy…

"Heart rate dropping. Stats dropping back into normal range."

The woman stepped over him this time and he saw her clearly. Bright blue eyes, dark black hair, pink lips…an angel…she saved him…?

"That was too close. We almost lost him." The man again. The woman scowled and turned to glare at the man as his eyes began to drift shut.

"I told you your estimates were wrong. Run the numbers again." She snapped. John's eyes drifted closed.

He was okay. He was safe.

Jane had saved him.

~*TF*~

End of chapter 10

~*TF*~

Toby's AN: Ha how you like them apples kids?! This is one of my favorite chapters so far! Belle wrote most of it and she did a fantastic job! Now for me, just me I want you guys to play this song and read the parts with Jane alone again. I even gave Belle this song because I think it fits how Jane feel so much during this chapter. No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper. *whispers in aside to them* The Rocky 4 version is better than the Robret Tepper music video! Though Belle hates Rocky series. *pout*

Belle: AN: I actually have a playlist I built while writing for Jane. This is the music I listened to when I wrote this, certain songs were put on repeat when I was writing specific scenes.

Across the Line Linkin Park

All That I've Got The Used

Alone ToGether Fall Out Boy

Amaranth Nightwish

Angel with a Shotgun The Cab

Anthem Superchick

Awake and Alive Skillet (This was a repeater)

Bartender Lady Antebellum

Coming Back Down Hollywood Undead

Commander Shepard Miracle of Sound

Courtesy Call Thousand Foot Krutch

Day of the Dead Hollywood Undead

A Demon's Fate Within Temptation

Don't Wake Me Up Chris Brown

Fallen Delerium (A big part of Kaiden's pieces)

False Pretense The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Fourth of July Fall Out Boy

Freakshow Skillet

Frontline Pillar

Give Me Back My Life Papa Roach

Hero Skillet

Hope of Morning Icon for Hire (This was a repeater)

I Fooled You Awaken the Giant

I know what you Did Last Summer Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

I will Follow You into the Dark Death Cab for Cutie

I'm Not Okay (I Promise) My Chemical Romance

Image of the Invisible Thrice

Immortals Fall Out Boy

In The End The Anix

It Has Begun Starset

Kick Ass MIKA & RedOne

The Kill 30 Seconds to Mars

Kill Em With Kindness Selena Gomez (I really can't explain this one)

Li'l Red Riding Hood Bowling for Soup

Lion Hollywood Undead

Looking for Angels Skillet

Monster Skillet

No Easy Way Out Robert Tepper

Not Gonna Die Skillet

Novocaine Fall Out Boy

On My Own Ashes Remain (This was a repeater)

On My Own The Used

Only One Skyhill

Protectors of the Earth Two Steps from Hell

Save Me Aimee Mann

Shattered Trading Yesterday

Ship to Wreck Florence + The Machine

Skyscraper Demi Lovato

Sleep Conjure One (Drunken Jane Theme in my mind)

Spirit Never Die Masterplan

Start a Fire Ryan Star

Stitches Shawn Mendes

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) Kelly Clarkson

SuperLuv Shane Dawson

Take Me Papa Roach

Take it Back Miracle of Sound

Tales of the Electric Romeo Immediate

The End is Where We Begin Thousand Food Krutch

This is Gonna Hurt Sixx:AM (Jane on Tuchunka Theme)

This is War 30 Seconds to Mars

Time of Dying Three Days Grace

Uma Therman Fall Out Boy

Unbreakable Fireflight

Undone FFH

Unknown Soldier Breaking Benjamin

War of Change Thousand Foot Krutch

We Are Hollywood Undead

We Are One J.T. Machinima

We'll Be Counting Stars Big Good Boys Band

What Have You Done Within Temptation (The Brutal Side of Jane Theme)

While Your Lips are Still Red Nightwish

Your Guardian Angel The Red Jumpsuit