Chapter.8
Reason to Kill.

Shepard leaned against a crate in the shadows of the Normandy's hanger bay, silently observing the new Marines that had just been assigned to the Normandy to replace the ones lost on Arul.

He made a note in his head how each one acted whether they were cocky, smart, or strong all of these traits were needed in some form or another when the fighting started.

Shepard personal team had their own little space of to the side of the hanger most of them sitting on the new Hammerhead lounging around waiting for the word to fight. The Commander had always been amused by his team's method of ignoring the Marines, especially Jack who would try to bully them only to be meet with laughs and inappropriate comments about her appearance which usually lead to many physical injuries.

Suddenly the hanger filled with Jokers voice and all the laughs and talking stopped. "We got something on the radar. Its readings are similar to the Collector ship we destroyed." Joker's voice seemed busy and hesitant.

Shepard clicked the button on his helmet and spoke to Joker; he had already thought it out how they would face the Collector ship. The only thing he didn't know about was if they were expecting him and what they were doing.

"Get us close Joker, try to look for an opening in the ship's hull we can use for a raiding party and pray the new stealth systems work." Shepard replied.

Shepard kept thinking back to Arul when he lost conscious and on the Citadel when he had a sudden urge to fight. He couldn't push these thoughts aside and focus on the mission it was making him uneasy. "If Tali hadn't stopped me…I would have killed those guards, I'm sure I would have." Thought Shepard as he continued to observe the teams from the corner of the hanger.

Suddenly a voice spoke up beside him. "Shepard, what are you doing back here?" The voice belonged to Tali, she had been making some last minute changes to the stealth systems before coming down to the hanger to prep with the rest of teams.

Shepard was slightly startled; he had been engrossed in his mind. Wondering what was causing him to crave violence. He spoke back to Tali in a soft voice once he regained his composure."I'm thinking about what were going to find over on the ship, that is if we find anything at all." Shepard lied; he didn't want Tali to know just how concerned he was about his little 'outbursts'.

Tali leaned against the crate beside Shepard trying to relax herself against its hard surface. "We'll find out soon enough I guess." Said Tali in a somewhat reassuring voice.

Shepard looked at Tali silently, admiring her figure in the little bit of light that illuminated the hanger. Shepard spoke up uncomfortably. "I think you should stay behind on this one Tali, were not sure what's over there and*" Tali cut him off in mid sentence, by putting one of her long fingers up to his lips.

"Shepard..I'm going with you, we may need to analyze the ship and we both now you can't do that without me." Tali spoke clearly and very direct trying to convince Shepard she had to go.

Shepard was glad to see she still had that fire in her that he admired so much, however another part of him was worried and wanted to ask her again to stay but he knew that would be a mistake.

The Commander leaned back against the crate and sighed he was glad to have reassurance she was going; even if it did worry him at least he would be beside her the entire time.

Joker's voice bellowed through the hanger again this time not interrupting anyone. "EDI found something that resembles a dock; I already uploaded the coordinates to the Kodiak so just say the word and I'll bring us in." Joker sounded very concerned about the plan, which was understandable considering the Collectors history.

Shepard once again clicked his helmets mike. "Alright Joker bring us in slow and quiet were mounting up."

Shepard went over to the groups and motioned for them to listen."Alright we've got a Collector vessel that we know is active and they could be waiting for us, Garrus, Arenando, and Grunt you're with me. The rest of you know what to do, make damn sure if they try to board us that they learn what fear is. Oorah?" All the Marines sounded back at Shepard with a loud and testosterone filled voice Oorah.

Shepard clapped his hands once."Alright let's make it happen!" After a short pause were most of the Marines kissed there crosses around there neck, and made short prayers they began splitting up into fire teams to help cover the entire ship.

Shepard looked over his raiding party and motioned with his head for them to get in the Kodiak, he glanced at Tali standing beside him and whispered a few short reassuring words to her before they both jumped in the ship behind everyone else.

20 minutes later….

The Kodiak had touched down on a crusted terrace inside the Collector ship. The ship itself was much smaller than the previous one they had faced, it looked about the same except its front was one solid mass of rock and its sides had small glowing yellow lights that shone brightly in the dark space.

Shepard was ahead of the small team walking slowly inside the small corridor of the enemy ship. The corridor was empty besides a few rocks protruding from the sides and a occasional sack like clump hanging from the ceiling.

"Contacts?" asked Shepard taking a knee and waiting for a response.

"Negative. I got nothing on short range scanners but there is movement ahead." Replied Arenando after checking his Omni-Tool.

Shepard made a quick thrust with his right hand and began advancing again this time more slowly.

The small team moved deeper into the ship making quick stops to scan, according to the scans they were surrounded by movement on all sides but yet nothing moved near them.

The hallway they had been traveling down slowly narrowed into a light grey door that was obviously locked. Shepard looked at the console and before he could say anything Tali was already at work.

The door lurched open after a few second reveling a large room with different sections that seemed to either rise up or lower, it looked like a storage room but the only thing in it were strange looking rocks that looked like they were about to fall apart.

Shepard and his team cautiously stepped into the room making mental notes of where to go if shooting started. They stopped once they had all gone a few feet inside; Shepard took a knee and whispered over the comm."Anything in here a terminal?" Shepard made sure to be quiet even though the Kodiak made a hell of a racket landing.

Arenando looked at his Omni-Tool again and pointed to an elevated rise in the middle of the room. "I'm picking up some reading from that position, it distorted on account of all the movement my scanners picking up….must be a malfunction." Arenando looked curiously at his Omni-Tool not sure whether to trust it.

Shepard's eyes jumped around the room looking for some sign of life. "Alright…Garrus you wait here and cover are exit with Tali, Grunt, Arenando were going to check on that terminal." Shepard made a quick glance back at Tali and nodded his head trying to reassure himself more than her.

Shepard and his smaller team made their way up the platforms to the position Arenando had mentioned, it was a good thing he left Garrus to cover them since they had to set their weapons down to boost themselves up onto the different platforms that lead up which left them very vulnerable.

Shepard was the first to reach the terminal followed by Arenando, Grunt lurched himself halfway up then just rolled on his stomach to get a good footing to stand up on. Arenando chuckled after seeing the massive Krogan struggle to get up the little ledge; Grunt pushed his way past Arenando making sure to hit him with his shoulder as he did.

Grunt stood beside Shepard who was already typing something into the console."See anything Shepard?" Asked Grunt in his heavy voice.

Shepard replied without taking his eyes off the small illuminated screen. "Looks like the ship was on a expeditionary mission to Sol but it looks like they changed their course to idle around the Exodus Cluster. There's some more readings but I can't tell what they say." Shepard activated his Omni-Tool and ran it across the screen.

"EDI I'm sending you some data from the ship. This time make sure it's clean before you activate it." Shepard grinned remembering how pissed he had been last time that happened.

EDI replied back into his helmet."Information received processing now. Suggest you depart from the ship immediately to avoid detection, we have what we require."

"Alright were on our way out, make sure Joker is ready to pick us up on our*" Shepard was interrupted by a cracking sound that seemed to surround them.

Suddenly the rock formations they had passed on their way up to the terminal began falling apart and shacking violently. Everyone was stunned silently watching in fear as the formations crackled apart.

Shepard yelled into his mike once he regained his balance from the rumbling in the room. "Garrus get Tali out of here were right behind you!" Shepard made a few last adjustments to the terminal and turned around to leave.

Garrus replied quickly."Sorry Commander you told us to watch your exit so you better get down here if you want us to go." Garrus sounded calm despite the strange phenomenon occurring.

"Grunt, Arenando GO!" The two squad members began rapidly jumping from platform to platform making their way down.

Shepard followed behind them quickly picking up his pace. He stole a quick glance up to see Tali behind Garrus doing something with her Omni-Tool.

Shepard was about to catch up with the rest of the team when a crash knocked him to his feet.

Shepard had some dirt and rocks scattered on top of him, he opened his eyes looking through his visor. His eyes stung with sweat and he blinked quickly in a fruitless attempt to clear them. His head rang with a sharp stinging sound; he rolled over to his stomach and tried to stand up. The debris fell of his back and joined the large clumps on the ground.

Shepard on his hands and knees made a quick glance around the room trying to find his team; instead he was met with the gaze of unfamiliar figure standing in front of him. Shepard quickly fumbled for his Revenant that had been covered in rubble during the crash.

He found his weapon buried beneath the rubble, he grabbed the massive firearm and looked up. He was almost ready to fight; almost ready to destroy the strange figure ahead of him but before he could perform any action he was grabbed by a large heavy hand.

The hand grabbed him tightly around the throat as it pulled him up off the ground; he tried to point his weapon at the creature but lost his grip and his mighty weapon fell to the ground into the piles of rock. Shepard looked up at the creature and his eyes focused to see that it was Harbingers minion. Shepard grabbed the large glowing creature's arm and tried to loosen its grip but to no avail.

Shepard began to fill lightheaded and knew Harbinger was draining the last of his life out of him; he started to give up and let the feeling of death take him once more. He began to forget about hope and lose his sense of reality.

It was then when Shepard's spirit failed him and he wanted to let go, but then he heard it. A faint and distant scream, a scream of terror and fear that awakened him. Shepard felt a familiar feeling wash over him when he heard that scream.

He turned his head as far as he could with the hand still choking him; he saw a small figure bending over a Turain that was lying on the ground. The small figure he instantly recognized as Tali, she was in trouble and he didn't see anyone there for her.

Shepards heart began to increase in beats and its sound filled his head. All he heard was the loud thumping of his heart as it raced to awaken the part of him that he needed…but feared.

His eyes shut and his entire body tensed, he was shaking and convulsing his heart fueled with hate began to increase again. He let the strange feeling take over his mind and allowed it to shut off his senses; he knew he needed to cooperate in order to save Tali.

His eyes finally irrupted and showered the creature in front of him in a dark red light, his entire body glowed with hate, anger, and power.

The minion began to act nervous and it shifted its weight trying to understand what its victim was doing.

Shepard quickly placed a hand on the creatures face and let a force irrupt from his hand that shattered the minion's body, shredding its once powerful figure into a mass of flesh.

Shepard's feet hit the ground and he turned towards the figure that had caused him to break free of his certain death. He couldn't recognize the figure anymore all he knew is that it was in need of his protection. His mind was buried beneath an unknown power that swelled inside him, and he enjoyed the strange sensation.

Shepard targeted the nearest enemy that threatened the figure he knew, he charged forward propelled by the unleashed storm of power in him. Shepard brought his right hand down over the enemy causing a stream of biotic energy to rip through the fleshy creature. He looked around the room and began destroying the fleshy creatures that were strewn about the room, one by one he ripped them apart causing the contents of their insides to spray out over the room.

Shepard was enjoying the exercise; he had wanted a chance to destroy something and now was his chance. He once again began removing his helmet and gear that restrained his movement, he heard nothing but the shrill sounds emitted from his victims as he ended there pathetic existence.

Tali helped Garrus up and yelled at him over the chaos behind her. "We need to get Shepard, his still over by the terminal!" Tali's voice was drenched in fear and worry. She had seen Shepard fall behind a large rock and needed to go help him.

Tali hid behind a small pile of rubble with Garrus and peered over the edge. She saw Grunt and the young Marine running back to the door were she was at. Grunt dropped down beside her and started firing his weapon at the hordes of drones that had broken free from the small rocks that seemed to act like a stasis pod.

Grunt growled over the combat ahead of him. "Shepards doing it again!"

Tali looked over at him confused and worried."What are talking about?" she cried.

Grunt looked back at her and replied. "We saw him start going crazy again, I think he is*" Grunt stopped and pointed with his gun towards a bloodied and crazed Shepard.

Tali whispered under her breath."Keelah no." she stared after the blood thirsty demon that had buried Shepard beneath itself.

Shepard effortlessly removed the head of another drone from the rest of its body and once again shot forward to his next target. He had decimated the Collector forces which were now only a few small groups that remained alone on the uneven battleground strewn about with disgusting corpses.

Shepard made quick work of the last few drones by making a fist with his hand and drawing in his biotic power until the amount satisfied him, he then released his fist towards the last group which were thrown against a far wall and reduced to pieces upon impact.

Tali stood up from her hiding spot and looked over the battleground, she had attempted to stop Shepard but had been stopped by Grunt who refused to let her walk into a massacre.

Tali ran into the open area of the room and looked around trying to find her love. Grunt, Garrus, and Arenando joined her. Garrus had been hit in the shoulder during the fight but was patched up with some medi-gel and was doing fine.

Garrus spotted Shepard standing near a pile of recently deceased Collectors, He was breathing deeply in and out.

The small group rushed over to him and stopped a few feet away nervous about his reaction to them.

Shepards body was covered in the Collectors fluid, he was glowing red with a biotic force, and an occasional red spark would jump across his body. His eyes shown like spotlights brightly illuminating the body of corpses as he stared at them.

Tali was the only one that moved, she stepped forward to Shepard and softly said his name. "Shepard?.." she sounded worried but not afraid. She quickly raced to him, as she neared him he turned to face her.

She stopped just a few inches from him, she stared into his bright eyes almost unable to look past the bright light that shown from them. She suddenly spoke again. "Shepard, don't you know who I am?" She asked on the brink of tears.

She kept looking at him waiting for a response she began to say his name again. "Shep*" her voice was cut off by the sound of Shepard screaming. He fell to the ground on his hands and knees, Tali rushed over to hold him but when she touched him she was thrown back by some unknown force that surrounded Shepard.

A tear ran down Shepard's face, he suddenly convulsed again and was brought into the air. He felt the hatred within him die and the anger he only moments ago used to slaughter the Collectors faded away. He fell back down to the ground, his body had closed up and no longer glowed red. His eyes had gone back to their original light blue, and he felt emotions wash over him as he looked up at Tali's motionless figure on the ground. He stood up and rushed to her side, he knelt down beside her forgetting everything that just happened.

Tears were streaming down his face uncontrollable and painful, he thought quickly to himself as he knelt down beside her. "This can't be happening, if you killed her you bastard I'll kill you!" His whole body was filled with grief over Tali; he couldn't believe what had just transpired. He bit down on his tongue causing it to bleed profusely, he didn't notice it nor did he notice the Collector blood that covered him.

He gently put a hand around her head and looked into her mask. "Tali" he spoke softly and just loud enough for her to hear.

Tali's bright silver eyes fluttered open when she heard him speak her name. She looked up into his blue eyes and smiled. "Welcome back Shepard."