Author's notes: And as promised, here's the little preview of my very own ending despite the fact that nobody bothered to review. C'mon guys, it isn't that hard and time-consuming to review a chapter. Heck, it can even be a one line review. As long as you guys make yourselves heard through reviews and lemme know that there are people reading my fic, I'll keep writing for you.
"Admiral, how's the situation on Earth?"Megan asked as Admiral Miller shook his head. "The Crucible completely deactivated all the Reapers from the relay till about Jupiter, but any squid bastards beyond that just powered down for a coupla hours before powering right the fuck back up. Meaning that approximately 90% of the Reapers are still functional. However, the ones in space seem to be suffering from limited mobility, and the ones on the ground are completely immobile but still capable of firing at us." "How the hell is that possible? They're immobilized but capable of firing?"Nicole wondered as Miranda provided the explanation. "Their 'legs' could've been irreparably damaged when they collapsed to the ground and now they're immobile."The brunette explained as everyone in the room nodded.
"Also, the Crucible appears to have weakened the Reapers. Their shielding levels, in addition to the reduction of mobility that Admiral Miller noted earlier on, have dropped by about 35.62 percent."Oriana added on. "Well, so are we completely certain that the fuckers who're not in the Sol system are well and truly deactivated?"Thomas asked, scratching his chin. "Yes. Their drive cores are completely devoid of any energy presence in there. It seems like the Crucible simply wiped out their drive cores."Erin announced as Victus held up a talon. "I'm sorry, but how'd the Sol relay get severely damaged again?"The Primarch asked, his voice slightly garbled through the QEC. "Well sir, during the retreat of the fleets from Earth, a cruiser that was just about to make the relay jump was destroyed by the Reapers, and its wreckage flew into the relay at about a quarter of the speed of light."Samantha replied.
"I see. Well, I agree with Lieutenant Iverson's assessment that all the Reapers not in the Sol system are completely inactive. As of now, we have all our fleets on search and destroy missions against all Reaper carcasses they happen upon."Councilor Irissa cut in as the salarian Councilor nodded. "As are we. However, our fleets will be diverted to Earth when you decide to give the go-ahead Captain Shepard."He nodded as Megan turned to Oriana. "Ori, how many active Reapers are there in the Sol system?" "According to the last count 3 hours ago, about 1627 Reapers. Both Sovereign and destroyer classes ma'am."Miranda's younger twin responded. "Well, how're we going to take out those Reapers? Orbital strikes won't work well; the ships will be sitting ducks in the stratosphere while the fire at the Reapers."Garrus asked.
"I propose we do it like how we destroyed that derelict Reaper. Get inside them, throw charges into the drive cores, and get the bloody hell out."Miranda proposed as everyone began muttering. "No! The risk of indoctrination will be too high! It's unacceptable!" Quentius spluttered as Oriana turned on his hologram. "Well, then do you have any other ideas sir?"The brunette defended her sister hotly as Megan tapped her on the shoulder and shook her head. "...No I don't, I'll admit."The turian Councilor replied in defeat. "Can't we just fire the Crucible again?"Irissa asked as Anderson shook his head. "It's too risky. The Crucible is barely holding itself together after the firing, and when we fired, the Citadel lost all its power and nearly self destructed. The Crucible is off the table."The Admiral shook his head.
"I suppose it's an acceptable risk. After all, the ion cannons we've installed on our dreadnoughts and cruisers are destroying Sovereign class Reapers with just 2 shots, are they not?"The salarian Councilor weighed in as Victus nodded. "While our ships are able to deal with the Reapers, what I'm worried about is the indoctrination of the troops who will be inside the Reapers planting the explosives. We might just lose them all."The Primarch explained. "We have 30 minutes to locate the drive cores, plant explosives, and exfil thanks to a breakthrough by Doctor Megan Jensen here. Doctor?"Miranda turned to the mousy brunette researcher, who stepped forward nervously. "Hello sirs and madam. Over the last few months, I've been developing an anti-indoctrination device."She began before halting due to her nerves.
"You see, how Reaper indoctrination works is that they use subliminal messaging in the form of electromagnetic waves at Hard X-Ray wavelengths to alter the brain's functions and conform them to their own will. How it operates-"The researcher was gently elbowed in the ribs by Megan before she could launch into her highly scientific explanation that only Erin, Mordin, Miranda and Legion could understand. "Just tell them what you've created MJ. Remember, these people are complete morons and won't understand a word of what you're gonna say." The redhead whispered into her ear as the other Megan nodded. "Basically, I've created a chip mounted onto a lightweight lead-titanium alloy that can be retrofitted into any helmet for any race."MJ announced.
"And what's the groundbreaking part Doctor? It's just a metal helmet that prevents indoctrination."The salarian Councilor asked. "It's the chip sir. You see, early on in the war, soldiers outfitted with helmets that had lead in its composition were resistant to indoctrination for awhile. After that they ended up indoctrinated too. That's because the Reapers can detect whether or not their subliminal broadcasts are effective. If they're ineffective, the Reapers simply change wavelength to a lower frequency one that can penetrate through the lead. This chip deals with that by actively jamming the lower frequency wavelengths and preventing indoctrination for awhile."MJ concluded as she quickly stepped away, choosing to stand beside Ashley, who laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I see. So if the transmitter blocks the low frequency wavelengths and the lining itself blocks the high frequency ones, why is there a time limit?"Councilor Quentius asked in puzzlement. "That's because the Reapers are highly sensitive to interference with their transmitted EM waves. They will actively jam the jamming source, rendering any kind of long-term prevention useless as they will eventually overcome the jamming source with their transmissions. In field trials and lab tests, the average amount of time the jammer can block the signal is half an hour, so we'll go with that number."Miranda explained as the Councilors just nodded. "I see. Let me know when you want to retake Earth, and all my fleets will be there with you Captain Shepard!"Victus declared as Megan nodded and saluted him before the Primarch terminated the connection.
"As will the asari fleets Captain. We have retaken Thessia just hours after the Crucible fired, and now our fleets will be supporting you. We do owe you a great debt, and the asari people wish to repay in full."Councilor Irissa announced before signing off. All eyes in the room turned to the salarian Councilor Esheel's hologram. "I owe you my life, and the salarian race may very well owe you its very existence. Our fleets will be there during the battle for Earth Captain Shepard. We'll be waiting on your go."The salarian leader nodded before she terminated the connection. "Great. At least I don't have to waste time hunting her down and can get right to blasting Reapers. Needless to say, the krogan and I will be carrying you weaklings to glory!"Wrex guffawed as he clapped Megan hard on her shoulder, causing the Captain to wince.
"Weaklings? It seems you have forgotten the thrashing I gave you in the cargo hold, primitive."Javik rumbled from his chair as he fought down the smile he was feeling at seeing all these primitives he used to observe coming together to destroy the Reapers. The destroyers of his civilization. "You were cheating Prothean. Biotics in a fistfight. Bah!"The krogan leader grumbled as Javik looked mildly amused. "I did not use any biotics to defeat you. I simply flared them up to distract and confuse you."The Prothean stated as Wrex just waved him off with an annoyed expression much to everyone's amusement. "Oh Wrex, you haven't changed at all. So how's Bakara doing?"Megan chuckled as Wrex grinned, his teeth showing. "She's doing great. Rallying the krogan clans, educating the females…oh and she's pregnant with twins. One will be called Mordin…probably the girl. Heh."Wrex snorted in amusement.
"You did great MJ. You should be proud of yourself; you just invented a device that helped the soldiers win the war! And you spoke so fluently and smoothly in front of the Council. You're going to be a hero."Miranda beamed at the shy scientist who giggled in that cute way of hers as Wrex went around shaking hands with everyone, and even fist bumping with Thomas, James and Garrus . "You really flatter me LC. I was just helping out like everyone else, y'know? I never asked for this."MJ replied, her face blushing. "But you did it Meggy. You may not have asked for it, but you've certainly got it."Samantha smiled at her girlfriend before both women kissed briefly. "Alright guys, settle down. Sorry to spoil the fun and chatter, but I'd really like to say something right now. Erin, could you get the intercom on?"Megan's commanding voice cut through the chatter as everyone instantly quieted down and Erin turned the shipwide intercom on.
"I'd just like to say that I'm proud of everyone here and how far we've made it. The Reapers are almost dead, but Harbinger and a few more of his buddies just refuse to die. So I say it's time we wipe the fuckers off the face of the galaxy for good. They've been around for too damn long, harvesting too many civilizations just because they feel like it. Well, I say it stops right now. They will not harvest any more people. Not. One. More. Person. These metallic squid pricks have got a lot of payback coming after them, and payback is a bitch. So go out there and give them hell however you can people. Kill these shitbags, and kill them good. We're going to Earth."Megan said authoritatively, her words resonating with everyone on the ship and sending shivers down their spine at those words.
"Yeah! Let's stick it to these squid bastards just like the Captain here said. By the way Shepard, the next time you want to shag all of us, just drop those clothes. No need for the long speech."Thomas was the first to respond, and as usual, he had to crack a sexual joke in his reply. Miranda just punched the Briton in the gut at about half her strength, which was enough to wind him as everyone laughed. "But seriously guys, you're family to me. Take care out there so we can all get drunk and wasted when this is over. Legion, let the geth fleets know that we're heading to Earth."Megan dismissed them with a laugh as they cheered before leaving as Legion just nodded and stood next to her as he said "Acknowledged. I will inform the Consensus of your decision immediately, Captain". She then leaned over to press the console to contact the Councilors, Primarch Victus and the Quarian Admiralty to inform them of her decision to move on Earth.
Final notes:And there you have it, one of the final chapters leading up to the penultimate battle. As some of you may have noticed, I will be droppin' tha science (which Bioware failed at spectacularly)in my fic, just so it's a bit more believable. Also, can anyone spot the crossover character in this snippet (yes, this will be in the actual fic)? No cash, but I got internet cookiez. Owait, there are actually 2 crossover references in this fic, so 1st person to spot both gets cookiez and kudos! As always, hope y'all enjoyed this and REVIEW IT. Have a great day!