a/n: Okay I'm writing this one as it comes to me. I'm still juggling the details. So updates are going to be sporadic at best. Fair warning.

-brittsis

Alarice cursed as she rushed through the ship. She ran around the checkpoint and hurried to the galaxy map. She started plotting a course while issuing orders. "I want everyman to battle stations. EDI, shut the fuck down. Every system on manual, even the fucking life support."

"Commander?" The synthetic questioned over the ship com.

"You heard me, SHUT DOWN!" The soldier growled out. She wasn't questioned again and systems turned over. The command center filled with curses as rusty shipmen were suddenly required to take over. For a brief second the Normandy stood still, everything going dark.

"Orders Commander?" Joker asked from the helm.

"Start heading for the relay, your first coordinates are heading your way." Alarice replied.

"But what about…"

"SILENCE. She could be listening."

"Correct Commander." EDI's voice filled the ship once again.

Alarice growled and shut navigation down. She was to late. "Hello EDI, I see the Normandy is still in tip top shape."

"Commander, scans indicate that you have commandeered a vessel not in any logs."

"I found me a new toy and I don't plan on sharing." Alarice spat out.

"It is unwise to resist Commander. Your systems are failing and you are out numbered." The voice replied evenly. "Surrender Commander. We promise that the transition will be painless."

"Fuck off!"

Silence was her answer but Shepard didn't relax. She'd been fighting the synthetics to long to believe a simple quip would win against them. Instead, she used to pause to move to the helm and take the co-pilot seat. "The relay Flight Lieutenant, now."

"Shepard-Commander." A geth voice echoed through the ship.

"In case you weren't listening I said Fuck off!" Alarice growled out.

The ship moved closer to their goal and for a brief second it looked like they'd get through free. Then their counterpart moved, blocking their exit.

"Shepard-Commander, consensus has decided to extend one last offer. If you and your crew surrenders and assists the Geth in locating the organics you will be allowed to keep your minds. Conversion will not be attempted on your platforms."

Joker glance over to find a look of pure hatred contort his new Commander's features. Her fists slammed against the consoles as a long string of curses passed her lips. He could only watch as she uttered words that would make Jack blush.

"You can take your mother fucking consensus and fuck yourselves and your creators to hell and back. THIS PLATFORM will shove my foot so far up your fucking ass, your grandchildren will taste it and fucking thank me for it." Eyes a fire with anger turned on Joker as she cut all communications. "I swear to fuck if you don't get us through that relay in two seconds I will shoot your brains out!"

"Yes Commander!" Joker barked out and steered the ship around.

"Weapons at full charge. Don't fire until I say so!" Alarice ordered as the Geth opened fire.

Joker cursed under his breath as his fingers flew across the controls. They took more hits but the ship wasn't in her best shape. Alarms began to sound as he turned her around and headed right for the relay and their counterpart.

"Collision in twenty seconds!" One of the ensigns behind him called out.

"Enemy is charging thanix cannons. Target locked."

"Shields down to fifty percent."

Alarice pulled up the interface and watched the progress.

"Ten seconds!"

"20 percent!"

"Wait…" She leaned forward.

"Cannons at 100 percent Commander! Ready to fire."

"I said wait!"

"Five seconds, Enemy firing."

"Commander?" Joker asked beside her, fingers hovering over the display.

"Three seconds."

The ship shook as it took a direct hit from the thanix cannons. "Shields down to five percent and falling!"

Alarice ignored them as she took over weapons controls. Her finger hovered over the final command one more second before firing. The other Normandy pulled away, avoiding the attack but clearing up the relay.

"Go!" She ordered just as the relay took hold and pulled them through.

Once they cleared the relay, Shepard hurried back to the galaxy map and pulled navigation back up. "EDI, you can come online again."

"Yes Commander." The synthetic replied as her body became animate again.

"Why we come here Commander?" Joker asked as he looked out the view windows. The coordinates had taken them home, back to the Sol system. But it wasn't home, it was so much worse. Thousands of ships floated around them. They'd been torn apart in what appeared a latch ditch effort to reach the relay. So many blown to pieces condemning everyone aboard to certain death. "What…"

Alarice sighed and rubbed her head. "We tried to retreat. The Geth fleet was just too much. But we were too late. A second wave came through the relay and tore our efforts to pieces. This…" She paused for a moment, leaning against the railing. "This is a graveyard now, no place for the living."

"Then why come here? Why not go right for our destination?"

"When it became evident that we were loosing the war. That slowly the Geth was taking us out one colony at a time, we started to take efforts to slow them down." Alarice explained, sending him two more coordinates. "Rule one; All FTL jumps were to be calculated manually and at random. Rule two; Never go straight to another colony or civilization. Hit a dead zone first. Rule three; Have at least three jumps before reaching your destination. And rule four…"

Joker turned him chair, watching her down the isle. "What was rule four?"

"If you couldn't escape, you fought to the end. Erase all navigation, overload your drive core, and drive right into the biggest and closest enemy you could find." Alarice paused, remembering the lost. Some had been heroes, others had just died horrible senseless deaths. "You have your heading Flight Lieutenant, lets get this bird fixed."

They limped into the docking area, just barely making it. Liara had held her breath the entire journey, waiting for the alarms to sound for evacuation. Her Shepard had drilled them over and over, often doing tests in the middle of the night. Liara knew her duties like the back of her hand and could perform them blind folded. Yet she still couldn't stomach the thought of the ship breaking apart around them and having to leave by the escape pods. So it wasn't until they were safely docked they she allowed herself to relax.

Now only essential crew would remain aboard as repairs would begin. They would remain docked for two months, forced to wait while maintenance did their work. Everyone waited in the cargo bay, gear packed away. Shepard had decided to use the down time to assess and train everyone. This was no vacation.

Alarice stood at the front of the group, bag slung over her shoulder. Lieutenant Hunter stood beside her, grin spreading his lips. He had muttered something about hot showers and a soft bed as he pushed his way to the front of the group. Leyna stood at attention on her other side, unable to keep the smile from her lips.

The doors opened and the group moved forward. They were greeted by men in Cerberus uniform and directed to sleeping quarters. The Normandy crew had tensed upon seeing the insignia, instantly on guard. But these men were human, no Reaper modifications evident. They smiled at them and spoke slowly, offering a kind word and warm food.

"Shepard!" Liara called out, pushing forward.

Alarice turned around and raised a brow. "What's wrong?"

"They're Cerberus!"

"Yes I can see their uniforms. Anything else you wanted to point out?"

Liara was took a step back, hurt slightly by the tone. For a short second she had forgotten. This woman wasn't the kind human that never rebuked her crew. All questions had been welcomed and her ear was always open. This woman didn't allow even the slightest give. If she gave an order, you performed it. "But.. They…"

"I think the Doctor is referring to their own encounters with Cerberus Commander." Leyna came to her rescue, drawing Shepard's attention. "No disrespect ma'am."

Shepard grunted and waved one of the Cerberus men over. "Explain to our guests about Cerberus."

"Ma'am" The soldier snapped into attention and saluted her. "Cerberus is the last vanguard ma'am. We guard the gates of our final hope. Not just humanity's but everyone's hope. Made of the select, we pledge to fight to our last breath and take down as many synthetics as possible. Ma'am."

Shepard nodded and waved him away. "Any further questions?"

Liara shook her head.

"Good." Alarice raised her gaze and addressed everyone. "Find your bunks and unpack. Mess is at eighteen hundred. Ground team, meet me in the mess hall at seventeen hundred sharp. Any questions?"

"No ma'am." The crew answered.

"Dismissed." Alarice spun back around and hurried back down the hall.

"We need to find a way home." Tali spoke softly as everyone gathered around. They arrived early, deciding to have a get together of their own.

"I have gone over the data Miss Zorah." EDI spoke up from her place beside the table. "Replication of the jump is inconclusive and unreliable."

"In other words were stuck." James grunted. "Lola just isn't Lola and this place is…"

"Dead." Garrus answered for him. "They keep fighting but you can sense it everywhere you go. Death isn't far away and they've lost."

"So what are our choices then?" Kaidan asked, leaning onto the table.

"We only have one choice until EDI can figure the data out." Joker grunted, massaging his legs. "We fight, we stay alive."

"I'm happy to hear that." Shepard walked in with Hunter right behind her, causing everyone to turn to look at her. "I wouldn't want to have to lock you up and commandeer your ship."

"I won't let you do it!" Joker threatened.

"Oh really? You guys seem to forget something." She walked over and pulled a chair out, straddling it. Hunter stood behind her, arms crossed over his chest. "I do what ever the fuck I want because I won't lose. Too many people depend on me. If you can't accept that, Hunter will escort you to the brig. Any questions?"

She paused, looking at each of them in unison. They all kept their eyes averted, refusing to make eye contact. Alarice grinned, knowing that she had won for now. "It's time we got things straight, rules written, and line drawn. I am in charge, everyone listens to me. When I say jump, you just do it. Don't even ask me how high. Hunter is my second in command. If he gives you an order assume it came from me. Any questions?"

"And if we don't accept? If we take the Normandy and leave?" Kaidan asked, stepping forward.

Alarice pulled her sidearm from her holster and examined it. "Then I will shoot every one of you and take the ship as my own. You're either my ally or my enemy Alenko. Make your choice now."

Kaidan frowned as everyone froze in place. He glanced at each of his teammates, considering their options. It as the entire team against the two of them. Normally he'd like those odds but he'd seen their Shepard go against worse and live and this woman definitely wouldn't think twice about shooting them. They'd be lucky if half of them make it out alive. "We're your allies Commander."

"Good boy. I'd hate to get the mess hall dirty right before dinner." Alarice put her pistol away. "Rule two, turn in all communication devices, omnitools, VI's, or computers of any kind. They will be replaced with safe devices."

She gave them a few minutes to obey, signaling Hunter forward. He pulled a hammer from his belt and proceeded to smash them all to pieces. There was no protest but Alarice had seen them all flinch as they watched the process. "Now, are any of your crew pregnant or a chance of being pregnant?"

They all gapped at her, Vega choking on his drink. Liara cleared her throat. "Why would that matter?"

"You're forgetting rule number one but I'll let it slide." Alarice growled. "If you haven't noticed, organics as a whole are becoming extinct. Children are our most valuable asset right now. No one caring a child will be sent to the front lines. Now I will ask again.."

"No need Commander." Kaidan interrupted. "To my belief no one is pregnant."

Shepard nodded. "All relationships are to be reported. You can send the data to Hunter later, I don't need it now. Your assessment will start in the morning at oh four hundred. Any questions?"

When she received no answer, she nodded and stood. "If you have any questions, bring them forward to Hunter. I will have the standard play book sent to each of your quarters. Read it, memorize it, destroy it. Every letter of it is classified and if it fell into enemy hands…."

Shepard was interrupted by a chorus of voices as a group entered the mess hall. Fifty or so small voices chanted for ice cream as they were ushered inside by three Asari. There was an assortment of children in the group. Turian, Asari, Human, and even a Krogan stood in a line, hands linked together. They all froze upon seeing their group, hushing down as the Commander turned around.

"Commander I'm sorry, we didn't know anyone was in here." One of the Asari spoke up as she began to usher the children back out.

Alarice handed her weapon to Hunter while a smile slowly surfaced. She shook her head and waved them back in. "No no, it's alright. We all want a little ice cream now and then."

"Papa?" A voice asked from the back. There was some movement as a form forced its way through the group. A young Asari emerged, a smile on her face. "PAPA!" The girl yelled in excitement and ran forward.

Alarice took a hurried steps forward and met the girl halfway, scooping her up and giving her a big hug. A young human boy also pushed to the front, a wide grin on his face. Alarice noticed and knelt down, waving him forward. "What no hug for your Aunt?"

He ran forward and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Did you see mom?"

Alarice shook her head. "No, but I'm going to as soon as my ship is fixed."

Alarice pulled him into her arms as well and turned back to the crew. "I want you two to meet some people. These guys are my new crew, they are going to help me beat up the bad guys. Can you wave hi?"

The boy grinned and waved his hand as the girl buried her face in Alarice's neck and waved her small hand. "Crew these two children are the most important people in my life. This little bastard is Ashley's son, Kaidan Williams. And this shy little girl is my daughter, Callias Shepard-T'Soni."