Chapter 20

If you are reading this then that means you found my spy, killed him and then searched his body. I've been impressed with what you've managed to accomplish in the last two years Shepard.

You've conquered the Terminus systems, built an impressive army and crushed the batarian threat to humanity. I am aware of the renewed Reaper threat and that Miranda Lawson is an obstacle in your way.

The council has sent turian warships to the molten planet of Caleston. This planet is where you will find Miranda and what is left of Cerberus. Do with this information as you will Commander.

Illusive man.

Shepard read and reread the message, each time growing angrier each time. "That bastard!" She thought, but she couldn't help but wonder if this really was the Illusive man or if Miranda was even on this planet.

Approaching Cerberus base. The shuttles V.I. said.

"That's strange" she muttered to herself, biting her bottom lip in curiosity. "Miranda would never broadcast a signal that a V.I. could pick up."

The shuttle landed, Shepard stepped out with her pistol drawn at the entrance to the Cerberus base. She walked to the entrance and to her surprise found that the door was open. The inside of the base had a single hallway that leads to an elevator.

She went into the elevator and without touching anything the elevator shot straight down. Staying calm, Shepard used her Omni tool to hack into the elevators controls and after awhile of decrypting through code the elevator descended down the shaft at a normal speed.

The doors swung open and revealed a sight that even had Shepard disturbed. The room was filled with pods that had clones of the commander resting inside them. "Hello Commander." A familiar Australian voice greeted from the front of the room.

Shepard walked further into the room. "Long time no see Miranda." Shepard answered back, not hiding the spite in her words. Miranda looked as she did ten years ago. "I've gotta ask Miri, why clones of all things?" Shepard questioned, looking around the room at all her clones, disgusted by every last one of them.

"It was originally the Illusive man's idea. He wanted an army with your skill and ruthlessness." She explained. "As you know they aren't perfect... they talk too damn much for one." she joked.

"Would you know where he is?" Shepard questioned angrily.

"I do and believe me if I could get to him he'd be dead already!" Miranda snapped, clenching her fists. "But that's not important and getting you to the Citadel is." she exhaled, becoming more calm.

Shepard was confused, Miranda had twice already tried to kill her. "Why the sudden change of heart?" Shepard questioned suspiciously.

Miranda glared at Shepard and walked closer to Shepard. "You were right about the Reapers. They are coming and you just might be the only one who can stop them!" She said raising her voice, pointing a finger at Shepard. "We can either waste time here or we can stop them!"

"Lets just hope that insane theory you have about using the Citadel mass relay and going into dark space works!" Miranda scoffed.

Shepard was shocked, Miranda who was skeptical about Shepard's encounter with a Reaper would even mention that. "You never even believed that would work."

"Mankind is running out of time Zel" Miranda mumbled, putting a hand on Shepard's shoulder. "You're the best the galaxy has to offer."

Sirens suddenly rang all through out the base catching Miranda's attention, causing her to run to her monitor. "Whats going on?" Shepard asked, standing behind the Cerberus operative.

Miranda quickly turned around, standing in front of the monitor as if she was trying to hid it. "Shepard you'll need a ship and not that junker you've been using." Miranda said quickly.

Shepard had a puzzled look on her face. "Get to the hanger another level down and take the Normandy out of here." She said frantically.

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "Did you say..."

"Shepard go now!" Miranda shouted.

Shepard began to turn around but stopped herself. "Aren't you coming?" Shepard sternly questioned.

Miranda rolled her eyes and gave Shepard a sharp glare. "You are whats important not me!"

"Don't... wait for me." her voice cracked.

Shepard nodded and turned around and ran to the elevator. Miranda looked on as Shepard entered the elevator and the doors shut in front of her. Shepard had never been a friend of hers but she always trusted Shepard to do what needed to be done. Miranda never even truly liked Shepard but ironically her greatest work was the woman's very revival.

She respected Shepard's courage, strength and skill. But her faith in Shepard's ability was all she had left. She turned back over to the monitor, the screen showed a satellite image of a turian fleet being blasted apart by advancing Reaper ships.

Shepard brought her war to the door step of the galaxy. Miranda could only hope that what she's done for Shepard will be enough.

End.

AN/ Chapter 20 is finally done! Sorry for the slow up dates I've been really busy and for awhile I had some really nasty writers block with this story. Four more chapters to go and Dark Avenger is done. Just a side note I've got something like three endings for this story and I can't pick. (guess that's something I'll have to figure out my self.)

Anyway some of you might already know that I've started a new fic called Mass Effect: 2187. Chapter 1 of that story is up and whenever my beta finishes with the second that will be up as well.

Please review.