oMass Effect: The Force Unleashed
Summary: Instead of dying when the first Normandy was destroyed Commander Shepard was saved by an unlikely being wandering the galaxy with his rebel pilot. how will the galaxy fair with Commander Shepard being trained in the ways of the force by the infamous Sith turned Jedi Starkiller? Parings Male Shep/Tali, Starkiller/Juno
Chapter II: A New Hope Returns, Cerberus Prowls
Along time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
After narrowly escaping death aboard the destruction of the Normandy SR1 Commander Shepard was rescued by Jedi masters Starkiller and General Rahm Kota who then took Shepard to Yavin 4 to recuperate where he accepted to be trained as a Jedi Knight.
Now two and a half years have passed since then and Commander Shepard returns to his galaxy as a fully trained Jedi Knight hoping to prepare for the reapers arrival.
But unknown to Shepard human colonies have been disappearing all over the terminus system leaving no trace to the culprit…
10 kilometers outside Omega Station
The Rogue Shadow appeared out of light-speed after being away for 2 ½ years on board consists of Starkiller, Juno and Commander Shepard it was agreed that the rouge shadow would go as far as omega before returning to their own system to rally a fleet of their own. But they need a substantial amount of evidence to present to the senate the Jedi's would help but the rest of the galaxy needed convincing.
And that was Shepard's job retrieve data and evidence on the reaper threat before the republic can assist.
"its good to be home," Shepard said as he gazed at the glowing red of the omega station ahead. He was dressed in his black Jedi robe with two lightsabers hanging from his belt and the hood pulled over his head as the ship quietly snuck past the stations defenses.
The past two years of training or 'torture' as Shepard had commented were hard, frustrating and soul shattering. With his master spending every night and day training him to master the ways of the Force and become a Jedi Knight.
But the results and paid off asShepard picked up on the lessons much faster than the regular recruits and had become one with the force; not enough to be ranked as master but enough so that he could take on his own apprentices.
"Rather big isn't it?" Juno said as she piloted the ship and made sure that the cloaking device was still active, so as she was not shot at by the station's defenses.
"I don't know much about it, but I had heard that it was a mining station the local gangs took over the station and forced the companies of the station," Shepard said as he turned to see his master walk into the cockpit.
"When you enter the station you're going to need some new clothes and armor as well as that 'Omni-tool' device that you use to use in your galaxy so that you don't stick out like a sore thumb" Starkiller instructed his former apprentice as the shuttle began to dock.
He was proud of his one-time apprentice knowing that his teachings will be put to good use, even though Lord Vader had once trained him int his dark side of the force, but the past was behind him and he needed to head home to petition the senate about the reaper threat in this sector of the Galaxy.
"Ok I found an entrance; we can use it to dock it's strictly a maintenance shaft but it should give you a way in undetected" Juno replied as she guided the Rogue Shadow to the maintenance shaft.
"Thank you, Juno, Master for all your help and thank you master for your teachings" Shepard replied with the traditional bow of the Jedi order. He was going to miss these two they had been on so many adventures during his training.
"No worries my student you'll see us some day"
"Yeah, so I can save you for the 15th time?" Shepard remarked with a grin and humor tone.
"14th time that incident with the pirates doesn't count" Starkiller replies with an embarrassed look on his face before both men broke out into laughter with Juno slightly muttering.
"Men, Ok Shepard his your window better catch it" Shepard nodded both turning around and making his way to the airlock
"Shepard" He turns to Starkiller with a serious look on his face "may the force be with you" Shepard nodded in return and left. Juno and Starkiller watched as their friend climbed into the maintenance hatch before Juno broke the silence.
"Do you think he'll be fine?" Starkiller was silent before answering, "of course, he will…he's Shepard and he's a Jedi".
Omega Market District
Away from prying eyes as a maintenance hatch started to open before a man wearing long black robes with a hood pulled himself out and closed it behind him as he then proceeded to make his way into the bustling crowd of the omega markets. A few would stare at him but paid no attention to him as they either didn't care or had other places to be. after all, most of them had to keep an eye on their own wallets encase there was a pickpocket about rare but not uncommon on stations like Omega.
Shepard As he made his way through the market as he noted a lot of techs was either old or brand new from the Alliance, probably stolen from supply ships that were hijacked by pirates and mercenaries.
As he neared the back of the markets he noticed a particular set of armor stamped with the N7 symbol but couldn't see any blood stains on it, leaving him to assume that it was probably stolen on its way to the training facility in Rio.
"Ahh~ See something you like?" a Vorcha merchant hissed as Shepard looked up at him as he picked up the chest plate of the armor.
"How much for the N7 Gear?" he asked as the Vorcha merchant grinned at him. His skin a sickly yellow color with red tribal marks going sideways on his face he wore the standard Vorcha uniform colored red.
"Ahhh~ you have good eyes, quality goods, completely legal, come with free predator pistol and latest in military grade Omni-tool only 1200 credits" the Vorcha spoke with their usual voice pattern he seemed more like a lackey than salesmen.
'This grade of equipment for only 1200 credits? Clearly something's not right as no merchant wouldn't sell gear like this for so little credits. it has to be a set-up wait until I buy their product the jump me in the alleyway and steal anything valuable I have on my body." he then smirked as his lightsaber dangled from his waist.
"They think I'm unarmed so they give me a pistol that doesn't probably work thinking I'll cower in fear of them...alright I'll play your game' Shepard pondered as he purchased the goods and then proceed to leave the stand as four sets of eyes were on him. As he made his way down the alley he could sense two presences in front and behind him effectively cutting off any escape.
At the front were a Turian and a Human behind him was another human and a Batarian all wearing blue colored armor with what looked like a sun painted white 'Blue Suns if memory serves correctly they're a mercenary group probably lackeys and underpaid' Shepard thought as he analyzed the situation.
All chance of escape was cut off…for them.
"Don't even think about using biotic's, we jammed your implants the moment you stepped into this alley, and you gun is basically useless, so you no choice but to give up" the Turian spoke as he and the other three closed in on Shepard.
One of them, a Batarian, then produced a pistol and placed it at the back of Shepard's head full intent on blowing his head off.
"Don't try anything funny human or we'll-" he was cut off as Shepard spun around lightsaber and had cut off the merc's arm who then proceeded to scream at the stump that was his arm.
"ARRRRG! YOU BASTARD!" he screamed as he grabbed what was left of his arm as the men jumped back in fright of the glowing blade in Shepards hand. The Turian aimed his shotgun at Shepard before it was sliced in half before being thrown backward by an unseen force and slammed into the wall rendering him unconscious.
The other two were too scared to move as Shepard used the force to lift them into the air and slam them into each other knocking them out cold. The Batarian with his now stump of an arm stared in shock as he had seen his men taken down in under a minute in short he was terrified
"W-what is that?! H-how did you d-do that! You shouldn't be able to use biotic's!" the batarian stammered trying to form coherent words. Shepard ignored him for a moment before stepping towards him light saber still draws now aimed at the batarian neck just an inch away from the jugular.
"Who said I was a Biotic?" Shepard coldly replied as he glared at the batarian how was doing an impression of a four-eyed fish out of the water.
"Now I hate to be a bother but you wouldn't happen to have a shuttle now would you?" Shepard asked with a scary looking grin on his face which just proceeded to scare the batarian even more as he frantically searched his armor for the shuttle codes while he handed it to him.
"H-here" he stuttered as he handed to codes to Shepard who kept staring at him with his scary face until they were in the palm of his hand. Then he suddenly smiled like nothing was wrong a said.
"Thank's for the ship, have a nice day," he said before he got up and proceeded to exit the alley leaving a stunned batarian that began to froth at the mouth then pass out.
It didn't take long to find the shuttle after entering the codes and checking the engines Shepard took off and set the co-ordinates to the nearest Mass Relay so he could head to earth and report in, he had a lot of explaining to do.
"-Estimated time to relay 2 hours 45 minutes and 53 seconds-" the onboard VI sounded as the autopilot took over which gave Shepard the opportunity to put on his new armor and Omni-tool.
The armor was painted dark gray with a red stripe going down the right arm with two smaller white stripes running parallel to each other, on top, his black cloak over the top with the long sleeves purposely cut off.
He then removed the shoulder pads as not to constrict his movement with his lightsabers as around his waist was a utility belt with a harness attached to clips of his lightsabers.
After setting his kinetic barriers and activating his Omni-tool Shepard took the time left to meditate and gather his thoughts as he did this he suddenly gained a vision of the future.
Shepard found himself standing in a deserted house food was scattered across the table like someone had left in a hurry on the wall was painted a word 'Freedoms Progress' as he stepped outside he noticed the whole colony was deserted like it was a ghost town.
Suddenly he heard gunfire as ran down the ramps towards the sound he heard screams as it sounded like people were dying as the door opened he noticed a squad of Quarians that were engaged with some form of mechs; one of them had 'Loki' painted on the side.
As the mechs closed in one of the Quarians, a female wearing a purple hood and swirl like fabric patterns on her enviro-suit activated her Omni-tool and shorted one of the mechs causing it to explode but the one behind it managed to knock her barrier off which caused her to collapse in front of the mech.
It raised it sub-machine gun at her ready to kill her at a moment's notice; the woman just seemed to bow her head waiting for her fate and whispered to herself it was loud enough so Shepard heard what she said "Shepard…I'm sorry…I'll see you soon"
"TALI!" Shepard screamed as his eyes snapped open he was sweating and breathing heavily trying to get a grip on what he saw.
He remembers his master telling him that Jedi's have the ability to gain brief glimpses of the future which meant that…he had to hurry.
He bolted up from his place on the floor and ran to the pilots seat "COMPUTER!" he screamed at the VI that responded.
"-yes-"
"search for a colony called Freedoms Progress and re-direct coordinates to that location!" he ordered/barked to the VI.
"-as you wish…co-ordinates received changing direction…now entering Mass Relay Omega"
The shuttle reached the mass relay as the ship started to shimmer blue before suddenly picking up speed and then zooming off with one impatient Jedi knight hoping he can make it in time.
'Tali hold on I' am coming'
Cerberus Orbital Science Facility
One thing that Cerberus was proud of is their secret research facilities disguised to look like an ordinary space station or ship. These facilities were in locations that were essentially invisible to radar and scanners; where they were free to do whatever god-awful experiment they wanted to but were deemed monstrous in the public's eyes.
Miranda Lawson stood in front of the QEC as she was getting debriefed on her upcoming assignment.
After the unsuccessful attempt to recover Commander Shepards body Miranda was re-assigned to field operations where her biotics would come in handy among other aspects of her file.
"Miranda recently one of our human colonies Freedoms Progress has gone dark; we believe it may be connected to the other colony disappearances but can't be sure until we assess the situation ourselves. I want you to go in with Jacob and search for any valuable Intel before the Alliance can get there." The illusive man addressed his most loyal operative.
The past two years have been uneventful to say the less with Cerberus unable to recover Shepards body the chances of facing the reapers seemed bleak and Project Mirror Image had been a failure and had been ordered to cold storage.
"As you wish Illusive Man" Miranda addressed as the QEC went silent she then proceeded to exit the room where a man was waiting for her.
His name was Jacob Taylor an African American former Alliance soldier who was skilled in Biotics and was an excellent leader if given the chance.
"Where to Miranda?" Jacob inquired as they made their way to the docking bay.
"Freedoms Progress, a small colony in the terminus system we need to investigate" she spoke with authority and a hint of arrogance.
"Let's just hope we actually find something there instead of more ghosts" No one would ever believe the events that transpired on that colony. The return of a hero, an unrequited love realized and the unlikely partnership formed.
Relay before Freedom's Progress
The relay sparked to life as the shuttle shocks out and guides its way towards the lone human colony. Its contents were one former alliance soldier, now turned Jedi Knight, as he meditated in the hull as he desperately tries to keep his anxiety in check as the planet grew closer.
He needed to calm down or else he could make the situation worse by just running in guns a blazing; he learnt that from his training in the military and his Jedi master 'a clear mind is a sound mind' as he was often told.
Suddenly the cockpit lights flash red and a constant alarm sounds off as the words warning were displayed over the controls. Shepard bolts to the controls trying to identify the problem as best as he could
"status?!" Shepard asks as the ship shakes violently from side to side.
"WARNING SHUTTLE'S HULL IS LEAKING OXYGEN, ENGINES OFFLINE, GUIDANCE SYSTEM OFFLINE, BARRIERS OFFLINE IMPACT IMMINENT PREPARE FOR CRASH LANDING" the VI responded as it listed off the multiple problems the ship was having.
Apparently the ship was in terrible condition and had not been repaired enough to make a trip through a relay and now the poor thing was barely holding together.
"just great" he muttered as he strapped on his helmet and made his way to the shuttles escape hatch.
Opening the hatch he saw the ground rushing towards him as smoke billowed from the engines. He had to time this just right or else it would hurt like hell. As soon as the shuttle was close enough to the ground, he jumped and rolled across the ground as the shuttle continued its descent into a ravine and exploded into a million pieces sending a shock wave as the Eezo core detonated into a ball of blue flame. After the explosion settled Commander Shepard dusted off any bits of debris that was on his person before staring at the ship or what's left of it.
"Well I'm not getting off the planet in that," he said as he spotted some lights in the distance.
"There's the colony they must have seen me crash" he turns on his Omni-tool and starts scanning frequencies "this is Commander Shepard Alliance Navy is there anyone on this frequency can you read over" in turn all that came up was static.
"No signal?... that can't be good" he gazed up at the colony before he started to run towards the colony using the force to accelerate his body 'hold on Tali I'm coming'
Freedoms progress same time (Quarian Rescue team)
The team were startled by the sound of an explosion and a plume of smoke coming from the east side of the complex a few clicks away.
"what was that?" a young Quarian marine asked voicing his opinion of what was going on. One of them squad leader Prazza as he likes to call himself answered the young marines question "it sounded like an eezo core detonation probably lacked repairs but enough of that we need to keep moving grab Veetor and get off this planet" he turned around to proceed till someone spoke up.
"You're just going to leave whoever was in that shuttle? There could be survivors!" the woman spoke out her honest opinion.
"not our priority Miss Zorah our mission is to get Veetor and evacuate as soon as possible this place is…unnatural...and I don't like having my men staying here any longer than we need to you may be in charge of the mission but I lead the squad" the arrogant Quarian addressed the now identified Quarian female as Tali Zorah former crew member of the SSV Normandy and Commander Shepard's closest friend.
She didn't like it but Prazza made a point they need to get Veetor and leave as soon as possible, but still she couldn't help but think of what Shepard would do in this situation knowing he probably go and help the downed shuttle.
The memories of the Commander started up again in her as she pictured his face, his blonde hair, his blue eyes and his warm smile that always left her feeling happy inside.
Followed by the painful memory of his death and the funeral that followed after, she cried so much that day regretting her indecision of telling the Commander her feelings 'Shepard I wish you were here I miss-' she was cut off her train of thought as a Quarian female in a black enviro-suit ran up to the rest of the squad "Tali a Cerberus shuttle just landed over to the west near
"Tali a Cerberus shuttle just landed over to the west near Veetors location!" she managed to get out through laboured breaths.
"Damn it! We've got to move NOW!" Prazza ordered as he and the rest of the squad bolted into action running towards the exit.
The squad ducked and weaved their way through buildings to get closer to their destination reaching the point of no return as they came across a huge door sealed off; Prazza ordered one of the squad to unlock it but as they did an alarm went off "LOKI'S!? TAKE COVER!" as a soon as those words were said twenty Loki mechs quickly zoned in on the Quarian squad.
One got a lucky shot and killed a Quarian straight through the head, as the marine collapsed into a pool of blood as the battle still followed forgotten.
Two of them tried to flank the squad but proved futile as they were quickly gunned down before they even got into position Tali was able to short out one of the mechs circuits causing it to self-destruct. "We can't keep this up for much longer what's the status on the door private?"
"We can't keep this up for much longer what's the status on the door private?" Prazza ordered while desperately trying to regain control of the situation.
"sir the doors are not responding! it doesn't have enough power!" the private tried to answer his captain while dodging incoming bullets.
"Damn it HOLD POSITION!"
Tali hearing the situation scanned the area quickly locating the problem of a shorted out fuse box that was too far for a remote reboot meaning it would have to be fixed manually.
Taking a deep breath, Tali jumped over cover before charging towards the fuse box shooting two mechs with her shotgun before continuing her mad dash towards her target before a mech got in her way. Quickly she shorted out its shields then shoots it in the head leaving her in the clear.
Till the mech behind the one, she killed fired at her knocking both her and her barriers down. Dazed and confused she lifted her head to stare down the barrel of the mechs gun. At that point, there was nothing she could do she would die on this planet and there was not a single thing she could do.
But in that moment, she realised that she wouldn't suffer anymore and she would see her beloved commander again.
"Shepard…I'm sorry…I'll see you" as she said her words a black blur appeared right in front of her followed by a flash of blue light.
(Earlier) Commander Shepard East Complex 5 meters from Tali's Squad
Shepard was standing in a deserted house food was scattered across the table like someone had left in a hurry on the wall was painted a word 'Freedoms Progress' as he stepped outside he noticed the whole colony was deserted like it was a ghost town.
"It's just like my vision! which means Tali has to be around here I have to hurry" Suddenly he heard gunfire as ran down the ramps towards the sound he heard screams as it sounded like people were dying as the door opened he noticed a squad of Quarians that were engaged with some form of mechs; one of them had 'Loki' painted on the side.
As the mechs closed in one of the Quarians a female wearing a purple hood and fabric patterns on her enviro-suit activated her Omni-tool and shorted one of the mechs causing it to explode, but the one behind it managed to knock her barrier offline which caused her to collapse in front of the mech.
It raised it sub-machine gun at her ready to kill her at a moment's notice; the woman just seemed to bow her head waiting for her fate and whispered to herself loud enough for Shepard to hear what she said
"Shepard…I'm sorry…I'll see you soon".
With little time to spare, he grabbed the edge of the railing and jumped across the field landing directly in front of the mech while swing his lightsaber in a forward arc slicing the android in half before using the force to push the two pieces away before exploding.
When Tali realised she wasn't dead she looked up and noticed a man human in origin dressed in black robes with a combination of N7 light battle armour holding a strange weapon in his right hand that looked like a sword she admitted to herself that it was amazing and beautifully designed she was about to ask who he was till he suddenly sprinted forward and proceeded to slice and dice the other mech.
The speed in which he moved was both breathtaking and frightening as he was going through the androids as they were nothing but plastic dolls. When the last mech fell the stranger deactivated his sword and turned to gaze at the quarian on the ground his hand stretched out to help her up.
"Are you ok?" he asked his voice has soothing and gentle but also very familiar her she just couldn't put a pin on it.
"yes...yes I'm ok, thank you...who are?"
"Who am I?...Tali it's me Shep-"
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" The two turned to look at Prazza who was now aiming his gun directly at Shepard with every intent on shooting him in his place if he didn't comply with his orders.
"PRAZZA! What are you doing? He just helped us and saved our lives"
"I'm not trusting him he could be working for Cerberus!"
"Cerberus? Wasn't that the pro-human splinter group I had a ran in a couple of time while I was hunting Saren the same ones that were experimenting on Rachni and The Thorian creature?" he thought it would be best if he cleared up any miss understandings before things got out of hand.
"Relax I'm not working for Cerberus"
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Seeing no other way Shepard released the clips proceeded to take off his helmet.
"My Name is Commander Shepard and I'm here to help"
In that moment, Tali felt that time ceased and everything around was slowing to a crawl for standing in front of her was the one man who had ever treated her right, the one man who could overcome impossible odds...
the one man who held her affections.
"Shepard...is that...are you?"
"Yes it's me Tali"
"How do I know you're really Shepard" Now was the hard part, trying to convince Tali it was really him, all he needed was one memory that could help him out. And he instantly thought of the right one.
"Remember when I gave you that geth data Tali? I could have just given it to the Alliance and never let you have it, but I gave it to you because I cared about you. Did it help you complete your pilgrimage?" She felt relief wash over her because the only ones to know about the data's origin were herself and Shepard so it had to be him.
"Yes...yes it did...Prazza weapons down"
"But.."
"WEAPONS DOWN!" Seeing no other choice he lowered his weapon but didn't stop glaring at Shepard. Tali approached him as they awkwardly but carefully embraced each of with Shepard stroking her back in a soothing manner while she quietly cried behind her mask in happiness that the one she loved was alive.
Their eyes meet and they gazed at each other lost in their own little world...followed by Tali kneeing the commander in his crotch leaving him winded and huddled in a fetal position.
The squad stared at the two bug-eyed at their normally kind and reserved leader kneeing the human in the reproductive organs the men cringed and instantly covered their crotches.
Shepard brought his head up to gaze at the angry glare from the love of his life wondering why she just attacked his southern region.
"Ow...ow...ow...Tali?...Why?"
"WHY? WHY!? WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN YOU BOSH'TET! HOW ARE YOU ALIVE AND WHAT IS WITH THE ROBES?!"
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I was at the other end of the universe with no way of communicating with you I'm sorry"
"SORRY DOESN'T CUT IT, MISTER! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I SUFFERED BECAUSE OF YOUR DEATH, HOW MANY NIGHTS I LAID AWAKE CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP! HOW MANY TIMES I SAW YOUR FACE IN MY DREAMS! HOW...(sob)"
She screamed at Shepard while clutching his robes crying into his chest as if he was going to disappear again.
"How much I missed you..." She barely whispered as she continued to hug Shepard with everything she had. A part of him felt guilty for making her feel this way for three years but he was just glad that she was safe.
"I'm sorry Tali I mean it I never meant to hurt you and I promise to never do it again," he said as he touched the side of her helmet as she held his hand in hers.
"Ahem!" Prazza coughed gaining the love birds attention
"As much as I love stopping this...touching moment we need to get moving Veetor is not going to rescue himself"
"Who is Veetor?" the commander asked hoping someone would fill in the blanks on why there was a heavily armed quarian team in a abandoned human colony.
"Veetor is a young quarian on pilgrimage he had always liked the idea of helping small settlements but he was always nervous in crowds-"
"She means that he was unstable combine that with damage to his suit's CO2 scrubbers that and an open air infection and he is likely delirious" Prazza cutting in trying to speed things along.
"We need to get moving now Miss Zorah"
"Not with those mechs in the way and I'm pretty sure there's more where they come from. What I don't understand is why are they attacking anything on sight?" Shepard said as he pointed in the direction of the drones.
"Veetor must have reprogrammed the mechs to attack anything and anyone we need to be careful Shepard do think you can help us?"
"Of course, Tali, I'll always help a friend in need especially you"
Upon realising his choice of words both of them blushed not that you could see Tali's but you know it was there "let's go"
"Ok," they replied all too quickly as they speed off towards veetor.
Along the way, they encountered more mechs and drones which were easily dispatched with Shepard force crushing them in the air or throwing his lightsaber slicing them in half followed by Tali reprogramming some to fire on themselves this continued until they reach the second last building the team had to stop to catch their breaths.
"We are almost there Veetor should be just on the other side of those doors up ahead" Tali noted as she sat down next to Shepard.
"That's good maybe we can get some answers like what happened here and who's behind it" Tali finally decided to bring up something that had been bugging her ever since he arrived.
"Shepard where have you been? and what are those light sword things on your belt?" Shepard sighed he knew this was coming so he might as well get it over with.
"Oh boy, where do I even begin? Well to start I didn't actually die that day, they were these humans that came from another galaxy far beyond ours where their ships don't need eezo or relays." Tali raised an eyebrow at this as she found it hard to believe.
Then again odds are if Shepard was saying it was true, then more than likely he was telling the truth.
"They used technology so advanced that it still amazes me even now, they have this thing called a hyperdrive that allows them to travel to basically anywhere in the galaxy in a matter of hours!" he said as he smiled at her,
"And the people that saved me are a part of this cult called the Jedi order. they are like the guardians of what they call the Republic a collection of alien races that govern the universe" he sighed as he looked into the reflective gaze of her eye as he held her arm.
"For the past 3 years, they taught me this power called the force that lets me do all these amazing things and they gave me their signature weapon called a lightsaber a blade made of energy that can cut through anything." he leaned back as he turned his head to face her.
"But none of that matters now, because I'm here and my war with the reapers is not over yet because they need to be stopped... and because...I wanted to get back to- " he was interrupted when Prazza pointed his gun at Shepard.
"This is as far as you go human"
"Prazza what are you doing? lower your weapon now!" Tali ordered but he didn't seem to care.
"Not, this time, Miss Zorah I don't care who you say this human is I don't trust him I don't trust any human not after what Cerberus did" he spoke while he and the team we walking back out the door guns pointed at the two
"I'll make sure you'll be convicted of treason for collaborating with a member of Cerberus, private lock this door," he said as a young Quarian looked between the two before nodding.
"Yes sir" the private reluctantly replied as he closed the door locking both of them inside and destroying the lock on their side Tali raced to the door and banged on the door trying to open it.
"PRAZZA! YOU BOSH'TET OPEN THIS DOOR!" she brought up her Omni-tool attempting to hack the door but it was no use with the door controls smashed.
"Dammit they broke the lock I can't open it on this end"
"Tali stand back" he ordered as he drew his lightsaber and stabbed into the wall cut a circle into the door.
"So what's with that guy why does he hate me so much and what did Cerberus do?" he asked as he continued to cut the metal door.
"Cerberus attacked the flotilla and destroyed one of our ships, the Idenna because they were attempting to take a young biotic that had made a safe passage on our ship," she said as she waited for Shepard to cut through.
"I see so that's why he doesn't trust me but his arrogance is going to get him and everyone else killed" as he finished the door was successfully cut and the two bolted into the direction of the rest of the squad but they also heard gunfire and screaming coming from the other side of the huge gate.
"Damn it's too thick I can't cut through it in time!"
"-miss-miss Zorah can you hear me-?"
"Veema is that you? what's happening there"
"Huge mech - came out of nowhere-" the sounds of explosion and gunfire could be heard on the com
"I'll open the doors- hurry Cerberus is -" she was interrupted mid-sentence by an explosive sound.
"Veema? Veema?! damn it"
"We need to hurry they won't last much long if Cerberus is there"
"Right!"
The gate opened up into a battle zone with a giant mech bulkier then the Loki model and heavily outfitted with a machine gun its left hand while a rocket launcher was attached to its right. Under its foot was Prazza who was struggling to get away in vain as the mech raised its gun at the squirming Quarian.
"no!...no!...NOOOOOOO!" Prazza screamed as bullet after bullet-riddled his body leaving nothing but a bloody pool and a bullet filled corpse.
Tali just stared at the corpse of the fool who tried to take control of this mission from her and ended up killing nearly half of her squad in less than half an hour yet she still felt guilt for letting this happen but she'd worry about that later when there wasn't a mech trying to kill her.
To her left she spotted two humans one man and one woman both using biotic attacks trying to take down the mech but with little success.
"it's got heavy armour plating Quarians never stood a chance," the male said as he fired his shotgun attempting to take out its shield.
"This is going to be one tough son of a bitch to take down" the woman yelled back unloading bullet after bullet at the mech which only seemed to annoy it more than anything.
Just as it aimed its rocket at the two they heard someone scream "INCOMING!" as a large crate flew through the air slamming the mech into the side of a building stunning it slightly as the machine turned to the newcomer who charged at the mech at full force.
Shepard jumped over as the mech swiped to the left in an attempt to hit the commander followed by Shepard slashing at its legs causing it to kneel on the ground. It raised its gun and fired a wave if bullets at Shepard who dashed to the left then charged again bisecting its arm from its body.
"WARNING LEFT ARM DAMAGED GUN OFFLINE!" the vi screamed as it raised its rocket at Shepard who threw his swords straight into the robot's face, embedding the lightsabers deep causing the mech to stumble back. The Cerberus agents stared in shock as the commander was making short work of a YIMR class mech.
"what the hell are those" Jacob asked as he saw the carnage being unleashed on the mech. Miranda could on stare as the man seemed to deflect the thermal blasts with his swords at incredible speeds.
"I...I have never seen anything like those weapons" she stated still in shock.
"Time to finish this," Shepard said as lightning started to dance around his arms catching the attention of everyone around him sending lightning straight into the mech using the lightsabers as conductors.
"ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" the machine screamed as the lightning overloaded its system causing the head to explode before slumping down on the ground. Miranda and Jacob looked like fish out of water when the lightning came out his hands like he was made of the stuff.
"I have never seen anyone shoot lightning before...no way that was a biotic move..is it?...who is he?" Jacob thought as he tried to gather his thoughts while Miranda looked more interested "this man could be useful...but who is he?".
Using the force to retrieve his lightsabers Shepard walked towards the headless droid to make sure it was dead.
"That was close" beep "hmm" the droid started to beep as the area that uses to be its head started to glow as the beeping became louder "what the?"
"SHEPARD GET OUT OF THERE IT'S GOING TO BLOW!" Tali managed to scream of the constant beeping that was getting louder and faster "WHAT?!...OH SHIT!".
Shepard ran as fast as he could barely making it over cover before the whole mech exploded in a ball of nuclear fire bathing the area in an orange glow. When the light died down the occupants were able to move out of cover to inspect the damage made by the mech.
"Wow, that was intense you ok Tali?"
"Yeah...yeah, I'm ok Shepard but what did you do before? You shot lightning out of your hands!" Tali dramatically exclaimed waving her arms in the air,
"That was one of the powers of the force I was telling you about pretty cool huh?" Shepard just grinned back at her causing her to blush slightly behind her mask.
"Yes..yes it was I'm just glad your ok Shepard"
"Shepard?" They stopped and turned to see the two humans walking towards the commander and Quarian.
"is it true...are you commander Shepard?" the woman asked who for some reason was dressed in a skin-tight leotard that didn't seem to offer much protection.
"Yes I'm who the hell are you?" he asked curiously while carefully reaching for his lightsaber being weary of the two.
"Commander Shepard, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Miranda lawson and this is Jacob Taylor" she gestured towards her male companion who nodded in turn with his arms crossed.
"We work with Cerberus we were hoping to-" as soon as she said 'Cerberus' the two found themselves being thrown backwards by an unseen force while pinning themselves to the wall while Shepard just glared at them arm stretched out in their direction.
"What is Cerberus doing here? Are you responsible for the missing colonists?" he questioned them with utmost authority in his voice.
"No Commander please listen to us Cerberus is not responsible for what happened here we were sent here to investigate the colony we didn't expect to find you here" Miranda quickly explained.
He felt they were telling the truth so he let them go but took their weapons away just in cases before crossing his arms.
"Ok I'll believe you, for now, do you have any idea who might be behind this?" he asked as the two shook their heads.
"No we were hoping to find some clues on who did or maybe even survivors but...that doesn't seem likely now," Jacob said observing the empty houses and deserted streets.
"On another note," Miranda interjected "we were hoping you would help us maybe even join us?" she said with a slight arrogance in her voice as she eyed the commander.
"What?! no way Shepard would have anything to do with you!" Tali sternly enforced completely objecting to the idea of Shepard working with a terrorist group.
"Tali is right why would I work for you after all the things you've done," Shepard said equally appalled by the idea
"Commander listen colonies have been disappearing for the past two months and neither the Alliance or the Council has done nothing about it while we have...did you know that council has completely dismissed the reapers and blamed the attack on the Geth" Miranda stated looking calm and level headed.
Shepard turned to Tali "Is it true Tali?" hoping it wasn't true but from the way she was positioning herself it seemed not.
"...Yes...the council completely dismissed your warnings after your death, saying you were unstable and out of control and blamed it all on the Geth...I'm sorry" she solemnly said as the man shook his head.
"don't be, I should have known they'd try and cover it all up, I'm just glad you still believe me. But right now let's go get Veetor" he turned to the few Quarians left not injured.
"keep an eye on them make sure they don't try anything we'll be back" with that Tali and Shepard made their way towards bunker where Veetor was.
Inside was a Quarian male sitting at a console muttering to himself about monsters and demons scared completely out of his wit.
"Veetor are you all right?" Shepard asked but he didn't seem to listen.
"I don't think he can hear you, Shepard," Tali said as Shepard thinking on his feet he activated his Omni-tool using it to disable the monitors which seem to grab his attention now.
"Your..you're human? Where did you hide how come they didn't find you?"
"Who didn't find me I only just got here?"
"You don't know...you didn't see...but I see...I see everything" he replied while activating the monitors bringing up the security footage.
"It looks like he pieced it together manually after it was wiped" Tali observed.
"What the heck is that?" Shepard asked pointing to the strange creature that looked like a humanoid insect with four glowing eyes and insect-like wings.
"Keelah I think that's a collector!" Tali said somewhat recognising the creature.
"What's a collector?"
"A collector is a species that lives beyond the Omega-4 relay no-one knows where their home world is...because any ship that travels through the relay never return. They have advanced technology and usually, only collect rare species or animals. But why would they target humans? Unless" she started as Shepard nodded.
"Unless they're working for the reapers? who else has the power to control a relay?" Shepard pointed out knowing the true origins of the mass relays.
"Veema please come in here Veetor needs medical attention" Tali ordered over the com
"-right away-" Veema replied as she took Veetor out the bunker but gave Shepard the intel from his Omni-tool before leaving.
"Are you ok Shepard?" Tali asked noticing the commander's quite abnormally behaviour he sighed before turning to her.
"I'm just thinking about Cerberus and the colonies, if what they say are true. Then why is the council doing anything about it? what should I do?" Shepard asked his closest friend hoping for some answer but sadly she didn't.
"Shepard" the commander turned around to the voice only to see a ghostly figure wearing Jedi robes long brown hair and beard.
''master qui gon?'' the commander spoke in his mind as not to scare Tali or freak her out.
"Shepard I know that it's not the best option right now but...I think it would be best to follow Cerberus for a while and find out more on the collectors maybe even gather intel on Cerberus and their operations," he said as Shepard stared at the man.
"While it may seem like a bad idea in the past some Jedi had to go undercover in order to protect the galaxy but do not fear I sense that you will not be alone in this endeavour trust your friends as they trust you" the ghost said as Shepard nodded in agreement not liking it but what other choice did he have?
"Tali I know you're not going to like this but I have an idea...I go with Cerberus as an undercover agent and find out what exactly is going on with the colonies"
While she couldn't believe what he was saying she knew the logic in his answer. If Cerberus was offering him a way into their Organisation then it would only be logical to join for a short time.
She still didn't like it "ok...I understand Shepard I would come with you, but I have a mission I absolutely have to do but when it's over...I'll be happy to join your crew" he smiled knowing that at least he still had a true friend left "thank you Tali".
When they returned to the group Tali, ordered the team to take the injured to the shuttle while Shepard spoke to the Cerberus agents "so commander what did you find out?" Miranda asked.
"From what we can tell this place was attacked by the collectors"
"Collectors?...this just became more serious...and what of our proposal?"
"I'll come," Shepard said as if he were forced to swallow acid.
Miranda smirked as she heard his reply "excellent I knew you would see reason I'll look forward to working with-"
"let me make one thing clear" Shepard interrupted causing her to stumble back.
"I'm not working for YOU! I'm not working for CERBERUS! I'm only joining to stop the collectors and that's it!...are we clear?" the tone of his voice made her have chills run down her spine as she stared at the Lion of Elysium, The Hero of the Citadel, The First human Spectre and the most powerful Adept to ever survive the N7 program.
Regaining her composure she replied "Understood Commander...this way the shuttles over here we'll take you to the illusive man" he nodded and proceeded to the shuttle while his mind was occupied
"And so I descend...into a world of monsters...hoping I do not turn into a monster myself...let's begin!".
I have decided to combine Chapter three and Two into one, so as to make the chapter longer and fixed up some of the Grammar problems in the page. Hope you all enjoy it.