"Shepard. Good work on Horizon. Hopefully, the Collectors will think twice before attacking another colony." The Illusive Man tapped his cigarette into the ashtray.

"It's not a victory. We interrupted the Collectors, but they still abducted half the colony," Shepard pointed out.

"That's better than an entire colony, and more we've accomplished since the abductions began. The Collectors will be more careful now, but I think we can find another way to lure them in."

Another way. He'd known, but it was nice to have confirmation. "Ashley said the Alliance got a tip about me and Cerberus. Was that you?"

The Illusive Man took a drag from his cigarette. "I may have let slip that you were alive. And with Cerberus."

Shepard felt calm and cold. "You risked the lives of my friends, my crew, and that entire colony? Just to lure the Collectors there?"

"A calculated risk." The Illusive Man shrugged. "I suspected the Collectors were looking for you, or people connected to you. Now I know for certain." He straightened. "I told you I wouldn't sit and wait while the Reapers and Collectors gather strength." He waved a hand. "Besides. They would've hit another colony eventually. And without a way to predict which one, they would've abducted everyone."

"We have to make sure they don't abduct anyone else."

"I want the Collectors start for that very reason," the Illusive Man assured That's why you're doing this, Shepard." The Illusive Man leaned back again. "I'm devoting all resources to finding a way through the Omega 4 relay. We have to hit them where they live. Your team will need to be strong…" He shifted in his chair. "As will their resolve. There's no looking back. The same goes for you. Can I assume you've put your past relationships behind you?"

Shepard narrowed his eyes. "None of your damn business."

"If it affects the mission, better you should leave it behind." The Illusive Man tapped ashes from the end of the cigarette. "Shepard. Once we find a way through the Omega 4 relay to the Collector homeworld…" He took another puff. "There's no guarantee you'll return. To have any hope of surviving, you—and your entire team—must be fully committed to this."

"Let me worry about them. You just find us a way to the Collector homeworld."

"I just want to be up front about your odds. You'll need everyone at their best. I've forwarded three more dossiers. Keep building our team while I find a way through the relay. And be careful, Shepard. The Collectors will be watching you."

Shepard turned to see Jacob watching the tail end of the conversation. "I guess we're really gonna do it. Hit the Omega 4 relay, take the fight to the Collectors in person." Jacob nodded. "Looking forward to the action. After seeing what those bastards did on Horizon, though…" Jacob folded his arms. "Makes you think."

"They're powerful, but we've got a few tricks for them. If anyone can stop them, we can."

"No argument there, Commander. Horizon just hit me home. What we're doing up against." Jacob let his arms fall to his sides as he stood up straighter. "Gonna go take care of a little unfinished business. I imagine everyone else is, too—getting some closure, you know?" Jacob nodded before leaving the room.

Shepard was up the mess hall having lunch and looked up to see Kelly sitting down opposite him.

"I saw a report on Horizon, Commander," she said. "What you did was amazing. The report mentioned that Ashley Williams was there. How did it go?"

"We've been through a lot. I wish we could have had more time together."

"Do you have strong feelings for her?" Kelly asked curiously.

"Ashley is an incredible woman. I didn't like saying goodbye."

Kerry looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Parting ways with someone so close is never easy."

Shepard nodded. "I appreciate that, but I'll be okay."

Shepard went down to the cargo bay to talk to Grunt and had a little conversation which involved the inference that Okeer had put into him. Useful information like knowing anything you could sever the spine of humans, asari and salarains. It was discovered that Grunt felt a bit easy with what Okeer had did to him.

He then went down to talk with Jack and apparently she didn't understand that he just wants to get to know. She talked a bit about how she got some of her tattoos and who she hung with before getting captured.

Shepard was walking away, but Jack spoke, "Wait. My turn with the questions. People usually walk by now. Why are you really asking all these things? You eyeing me up? Because of this is just about sex, maybe you should just fucking say so."

"I'm not looking for that," said Shepard.

Jack frowned. "I don't get to. You don't want anything, but you keep coming around."

Shepard shook his head and walked off.

The dossiers were waiting in his mail. The name on one caught his eye, and he immediately opened it before hitting the button on his communicator. "Joker, set a course for Haestrom."

A moment later Joker's voice came back. "That's in geth territory, Commander."

"I know. We're going in to pick up Tali."

"Copy that."

Haestrom was a really hostile environment that orbited a red giant already making their way down to the planet in a shuttle towards a city that the quarians was inhabited when the controlled the system.

EDI's voice came over the communicator. "Shepard, our data indicates that Tali is somewhere in these ruins. There is considerable geth activity, and an environmental hazard."

"All right, you had the lady proceed with caution." Shepard nodded as the shuttle landed.

They did get very far when they had to cross a littered area and was they can feel their shields been burnt away by the sun's radiation.

"I'm having serious issues with my shields." Garrus muttered.

"So we'll fight from the shade," said Grunt. "But no hiding."

"Personal stainless any more than we have to be, especially in a firefight," said Shepard.

"Wish I brought some sunblock," said Zaeed.

"Emergency log entry. The geth are here. I've stayed to buy the others time. Anyone who gets this, find Tali'Zorah. She and that data are all that matters. Keelah se'lai."

He bent down to examine the corpse, and the radio crackled to life. "OP-1, this is squad leader Kal'Reegar, come in, over."

Shepard picked up the radio. "This is Commander Shepard of the Normandy. Can we provide assistance?"

There was very little hesitation from the other voice. "Patch your radio into Channel 617 Theta. We were on a stealth mission. High risk. We found what we were after, but the geth found us. They've got us pinned down. Can't get to our ship, can't transmit data through the solar radiation."

"What's the status of your team? How many of you are left?"

"We were a small squad. Dozen marines, plus the science team. We're down to half-strength now. Made the synthetic bastards pay for it though."

"How are you holding up? We can be there in a few minutes." He checked his ammo load.

"Take it slow and careful. Direct sunlight fries your shields all to hell. We're bunkered down at base camp across the valley. I left Tali'Zorah at a secure shelter, then doubled back to hold the chokepoint." He looked out and saw fire in that direction. "Getting Tali out safely is our top priority. If you can extract her, we'll keep them off you."

"You've got confirmation that the geth haven't reached Tali yet?" Shepard began gesturing for his team to move.

"Affirmative. Left my best men with her. When you get here, you can talk to her on the comm. Every marine on this rock is sworn to protect Tali'Zorah. Long as one of us is still drawing air, she'll be safe."

Shepard nodded. "Hold position. We'll hit their back ranks."

They'd gone about two steps when the voice came over the radio again. "Wait! Watch your ass! We've got a dropship coming in!" The geth vessel fired, taking out the marines guarding the door. And what was worse, one of the stone columns collapsed to block the door. "Crap." The voice on the other end of the radio apparently agreed. "Doorway's blocked! Grab the demo charges in the buildings nearby! Use them to clear a path!"

Shepard looked at them. "Right, grab those charges. We have to hurry, because Tali could be in trouble. Move!"

Zaeed shut down several geth troopers all on his own and Shepard wish that the man would consider his teammates before jumping in. They'd shifted their positions a little. The two geth that survived Jack's initial biotic blast were smashed to bits by Grunt who charged in on her heels. Garrus and Shepard took up higher positions and sniped anything that tried to regroup, while Miranda and Jacob picked up stragglers and providing backup with her biotics. Kasumi uses her cloak to getting behind the geth and attack them from behind. Shepard wish that Mordin was with them, but they needed him on the ship to do his research.

Sheppard then heard Tali's voice from one the computers. "We need a core sample to get a timeline on the rate of radiation increase, but our equipment keeps dying on us. Shepard once used a mining laser to clear some rubble back on Therum. Maybe I can do something similar with demolition charges."

"It seems she come quite the confident commander," said Garrus.

"She still have a lot to learn," said Shepard smiling. "Still it's nice that she's using her experience in tough spots."

"Found the charge." Kasumi held it up.

"All right, let's set it and find the other…" Shepard glanced at the doorway. "And there's more geth."

"It's next too impossible to get accurate solar measurements. The radiation keeps burning out our equipment." Tali's recording spoke to them. "This sun shouldn't be like this. It was stable a few hundred years ago. Stars don't die that quickly."

"Sounds like Tali found herself some real trouble." Garrus looked down at the recording.

"This data about this sun ageing to quickly is troubling," said Miranda.

"Something to figure out for another time," said Shepard. "Right now we need a rescue her from me geth."

"Quarian architecture." Garrus looked around. "There's two words you don't expect to hear together."

Jack nudged a body with her toe. "Why would the quarians risk death by coming here?"

Shepard found another recording. "Our ancestors walked these halls with uncovered heads. The sun must have been normal back then. So much space. Walls of stone…" She took a deep breath. "It's amazing. I wish my friends could see it. I wish Shepard were here."

He stared at the recording for a moment, then heard her voice again. "Tali'Zorah to base camp. Come in, base camp." His head came up, and he saw the communicator. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Tali, it's Shepard. I'm sorry. Everyone here is dead. Any survivors must have fallen back."

"We knew this mission was high-risk. Damn it." The static-filled hologram visibly jumped. "And what are you doing here, Shepard? We're in the middle of geth space!"

Shepard shrugged. "I was in the neighbourhood. I thought you might need a hand."

"Thanks for coming, Shepard. It means a lot to hear your voice. Kal'Reegar and what's left of the marines got me into the observatory. From where you are, it's through the door and across the field." She gestured. "I got the data I needed, and I'm safe for now, but I've got a lot of geth outside."

"Would it help if I brought in the Normandy?"

"Doubtful. These buildings are centuries old. If you bring down heavy fire, this whole place could collapse on us."

"It looks like somebody sealed the door against the geth, and the console is damaged. Can you get it open on your end?"

"Let me see…" She looked down at something off screen, then nodded. "Yes, I can do it. Here. Should be unlocked now." She looked back up at him. "Be careful, Shepard. And please, do what you can to keep Reegar alive."

Shepard stepped around the corner, and then quickly pulled ran out of the way just as the colossus incinerated the area they'd been standing a moment ago.

"What was that," said Miranda.

"Colossus!" said Garrus looking out the window.

"This is why I follow you, Shepard." Grunt's voice was ecstatic. "Big things."

"Over here." Another voice called to them. "Get to cover."

They quickly turned the corner and found a lone quarian hiding behind cover.

"Squad leader Kal'Reegar, Migrant Fleet Marines. We talk on the radio before that dropship arrived. Still got no idea why you're here, but this ain't the time to be picky." Suddenly there was a huge explosion close by. "Tali's insider over there." He gestured towards the building opposite them was surrounded by geth. "The geth killed the rest of my squad, and they'd trying to get to her. But I've been able to do is draw their attention."

"How many geth are out there?"

"The geth are near platoon strength, but the colossus is the worst part. It's got repair protocol. Huddles up and fixes itself. I can't get a clear shot while it's down like that. I tried to moving closer, one of the bastards punch a shot clear through my suit."

"How bad is your suit damage?"

"Combat seals climbed down to isolate contamination, and I'm swimming in and antibiotics," Reegar assured. "The geth might get me, but I'm not going to die from an infection in the middle of a battle. That's just insulting."

Reegar then began to give them details on the battlefield, it didn't look promising. However, none of them were quarians which meant they didn't had to fear of infection. He then told them about the colossus and the fact that it had the repair protocol. What was worse when it curled up it was protected by the buildings.

Seconds later there was another explosion this time a lot nearer. "We need to get to Tali. Got any ideas?"

"Just one. I'm not moving so well, but I can still pull a trigger, and I've got a rocket launcher that the sun haven't tried yet." He said holding his rocket launcher. "You move in close. I'll keep the colossus busy, maybe even drop its shields. With luck, you'll be able to finish it off."

Shepard shook his head that plan would involve him getting himself killed and he made a promise to Tali. "You've done enough, Reegar. You don't need for your life away."

"What an asking for your permission. My job is to keep Tali safe. This is our best shot."

Reegar got his feet and was prepared to fire another rocket, but Shepard pulled him away. "We don't have enough people on our side to take one for the team! Stand down!"

"I'm not going to stand there while you run into enemy fire! They kill my whole squad!"

"And if you want to honour your squad, watch my back! I need you in case they bring reinforcements!"

A shot fired over their heads, a shot no doubt meant for Reegar. "All right, Shepard. We'll do it your way. Hit them for me. Keelah se'lai."

"Okay, Kasumi…" Shepard took a couple of grenades from Garrus. "Please leave the grenade on the colossus." He tossed one of the grenades to his left, and she came back into view as she caught it.

"Right." She nodded. "Going dark."

They fought their way across another field of debris and geth. At least there was plenty of cover. Shepard sniped another drone, then watched as it exploded to take out two others. "Get me some cover."

Miranda nodded and flung up a barrier. Shepard rolled, drawing fire from the juggernaut. As soon as it turned to track him, Garrus and Zaeed popped out of cover to open fire. It exploded, and the shrapnel bounced off the barrier.

"Kasumi should apply to the grenade by now," said Shepard.

"It might only be enough to damage its shields," said Garrus.

"We have the moving closer and attack it from its side."

They moved into position just in time to see an explosion near the colossus. When the smoke cleared it was still standing, but heavily damaged. It then curled up so that you can repair itself.

"Now!" Shepard yelled.

At once they all emerge from behind their cover and began firing on colossus. With its shields down and unable to fire back they were able to destroy it in a massive explosion.

"Just a second. I locked the door to keep more geth from getting inside." Tali's voice came over the radio. "There, that should do it. Just let me finish this download…"

Shepard opened the door just as Garrus and commander caught up to them. He could see the rest of his team coming. "Tali…"

"Thank you, Shepard. If not for you, I would never have made it out of this room." She turned to face him. "This whole mission has been a disaster. I wish I'd joined you back on Freedom's Progress, but I couldn't let anyone take my place on something this risky."

"Whatever the reason, I'm glad I could help." He looked her over, but she didn't appear wounded. "Once you deliver that data, I could use you on the Normandy."

"I promised to see this mission through." Tali nodded. "I did. I can leave with you and send the data to the Fleet. And if the admirals have a problem with that, they can go to hell. I just watched the rest of my team die."

"Maybe not the whole rest of your team, ma'am." Reegar was leaning heavily on Jacob, but he was up and moving.

"Reegar! You made it!" said Tali relieved.

"Your old captain's as good as you said. Damn colossus never stood a chance."

"If need by, the Normandy can get you out of here, Reegar," Shepard offered.

"The geth didn't damage our ship. Long as we get out of here before reinforcements show up, we'll be fine."

Tali took a step closer to Shepard. "Actually, I won't be going with you. I'm joining Commander Shepard."

Reegar didn't argue. He just nodded. "I'll pass the data to the Admiralty Board and let them know what happened." He turned his face to Shepard. "She's all yours now, Shepard. Keep her safe."

"Cerberus saw footage of you in action, Tali'Zorah." Jacob nodded as Tali entered the briefing room. "We're looking forward to having you on the team. Your engineering expertise will really benefit the mission."

Tali paced behind Shepard. "I don't know who you are, but Cerberus threatened the security of the Migrant Fleet. Don't make nice."

"That's why you're here, Tali. I need people who aren't Cerberus—people I can trust." Shepard nodded to her.

"I wasn't part of what happened to the Migrant Fleet, but I understand your distrust. I hope we'll get past that as we work together." Jacob leaned on the table.

She ignored him completely as she turned back to Shepard. "I assumed that you were undercover, Shepard. Maybe even planning to blow Cerberus up." He really hadn't ruled out that possibility. "If that's the case, I'll loan you a grenade. Otherwise, I'm here for you. Not for them."

"If it helps, check out the Normandy while you're here. We've gotten a few upgrades." He waved a hand.

"I'll get Tali-Zorah the necessary security clearance to access our systems." Jacob nodded.

"Please do." Tali's voice rather frighteningly sweet. "I can't be part of your team if I don't know how the ship works." She started to walk past, then looked up at Shepard. "Remember, Shepard, these people thought enslaving Thorian creepers and rachni was a good idea. I'll be in engineering."

She was to the door when Jacob spoke up. "Don't forget to introduce yourself to EDI, the ship's new artificial intelligence."

Tali turned around slowly, and her eyes glowed behind the mask as she focused them on Jacob. She stared for just a moment before turning and continuing onward.

Shepard made his way down to the engine rooms to see how Tali was adapting to a situation.

"Shepard! What can I do for you?" she asked when he engine room.

"Have you got time before?"

Tali looked over towards Daniel and Gabby and then gestured him to the drive core so they couldn't be overheard.

"We really didn't have time to chat while taking out geth on Hasetrom, did we?" Tali shook her head. "I can't believe so many people died. Thank you again for getting Reegar out alive. All for the data about stars blowing up. I hope the Admiralty Board get some use out of it."

"Have you heard any word about Kal'Reegar?" Shepard asked. "Did he survive his injuries?"

"He sent me a message. It looks like you'll make a full recovery." Tali rubbed her arms. "Any time you get a simple puncture, it's a matter of luck. Reegar got out with a relatively minor infection."

Tali then went on to explain how the Admiralty Board operated and how it was one of the major powers among the people. The admirals focus on defence or needing immediate action and major criminal charges like treason. The other was the Conclave that made most of their laws and Fleet decisions.

"Having any trouble settling back on the Normandy?"

"I like the quiet," said Tali sadly. "I miss the old faces, though. Pressly, Engineer Adams, all of them. It doesn't seem right having Cerberus in charge of this ship. Are usual working with them is the right thing to do?"

Shepard looked at her curiously. "I caught some tension back on Freedom's Progress and again when you first came aboard. What happened between servers and the quarians?"

"They attacked one of our ships, the Idenna," she said bitterly. "It seems they were attempting to kill or control a young human biotic who was on the Fleet. I don't really know the details. I do know that Cerberus made an enemy of the quarian people."

"Does it look like they're pulling strings, Tali?" said Shepard. "I'm not working for them. They're working for me."

Tali folded her arms. "So you ordered the listening devices and tracking beacons that are all over this ship? I know you need resources to fight the Collectors, but be careful, Shepard."

"I fully expect them to betray at some point. And we'll be ready."

"I'm glad to hear that, Shepard. Just let me know how I can help." They then made their way back to the engine room. "For now, I should get back to work. Thanks for coming by."

"So, I take it that things then go well between you two," said Rick as he checked his datapad to check on their supplies.

Ashley certainly looked furious as she approached. "How did you think it went?"

"Ash, I understand you're furious, but you have to accept why you joined Cerberus," said Rick.

"He turned his back on the Alliance!" Ashley yelled bewildered.

"Technically the Alliance turned their back on him," Rick reminded blowing his datapad. "Ash, both the Alliance and the Council denied the Reaper threat and pretty much disgraced him. You know how stubborn he is, he'll do anything to stop the Reapers. But he needs supplies, resources and clearly Cerberus has given him that."

"Are you knew defending them?"

"Shepard doesn't trust Cerberus, but he needs them to accomplish his mission. I doubt he is very happy with the arrangement either."

"Still can't believe it's him," said Ashley rubbing her forehead. "I can't believe you came back from the dead."

"Nor can I, but correct me if I'm wrong if Jesus didn't come back from the dead to save mankind?" said Rick with a raised eyebrow.

Ashley blinked. "You know really comparing him with Jesus are you?"

"No. I'm just saying that God moves in mysterious ways." He then looked back at Ashley. "And I know you feel bad for what you said to him."

Ashley placed her head in her hands. "I admit that I'm happy that he's a life, but this is quite a shock."

Rick nodded. "Take my advice and sent a message. I expect he's as heartbroken as you are and he can do with some comfort in knowing that you miss me."