Hello fans. First off let me apologize for my lateness in updating the story, a lot has happened and I can't really blame anyone for this only that I am committed to finishing this story to the end and will try to speed things up in the future.

Now to answer some questions:

WOLF: I have already planned when I was creating this story at the beginning to add that particular armor, but not model it after the war machine armor. Also it will not show up anytime soon.

December 5 2683/2183

Exodus Cluster

Asgard System

Asgard Station

After Shepard stopped the Yanme'e from destroying Noveria and freed Benezia from her indoctrination, the Normandy went straight to drop off Benezia at Asgard station where High Command would interrogate her to learn anything else about Saren and his plans. When Normandy dropped out of slipspace, Joker docked at Asgard Station, Shepard along with Benezia stepped off of the Normandy and were immediately greeted by four OSA Police Force. One of the OPF walked up to Shepard, he was Human about 6'1 with brown hair and grey eyes "Commander Shepard! Admiral Hackett is waiting for you. We will escort you and your prisoner to where he is."

Shepard then walked in front of Benezia. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't call her a prisoner, more like an honored guest."

The Human nodded his head and guided Shepard and Benezia to Admiral Hackett. Along the way, the two of them walked through what looked like a construction area. Benezia was confused when she saw no machines, but that turned into shock when she saw a gargantuan Mgalekgolo and a Mark II Cyclops working together in the construction yard. Shepard chuckled at Benezia's expression upon seeing how big a Mgalekgolo can really be, and the Mark 1 Cyclops seemed to match that.

Asgard Station

Hackett's Office

After a few minutes of going around Asgard Station, they finally came into Hackett's office where he was waiting on them. Hackett got up from his chair and walked up to the group, he looks at the Human OPF. "Thank you for bringing them to me Corporal that will be all." The Human nodded and left the room.

Hackett turned his attention to Shepard and Benezia. "Commander, I heard you had a tough time at Noveria, but I am glad you were able to get the Yanme'e to back off, and I see you brought a guest to Asgard station."

The Commander straightens up and saluted the Admiral. "Yes sir, Benezia here is willing to provide information on Saren and his ship Sovereign, in exchange for asylum."

Hackett crossed his arms and looked at Benezia. "Really? You do realize that asking for an asylum after what you have done won't go so well with the Senate?"

Benezia stepped forward and looked at Hackett straight in the eye "I am well aware of the crimes I have committed, and that asking for asylum from you is a long shot; but even if you don't allow it I am still willing to give you any information I have on Saren so that you can stop him once and for all."

Hackett rubbed his chin and thought it over for a few minutes. "I can't promise you anything, but I can try and get you placed on the independent Asari colony Esan, we have good relations with them."

Benezia nodded her head in gratitude; even if the Human would not be able to keep his promise, she would at the very least have a chance.

Hackett then called up a nurse to his office. "In the meantime, you should get yourself checked out in the infirmary." A nurse walked into Hackett's office with a wheelchair.

Benezia thanked the Commander and the Admiral, and sat in the wheelchair before the Nurse took her to the infirmary.

Hackett then looked to Shepard. "Come with me Shepard." Hackett lead Shepard out the door and to another part of Asgard Station.

Asgard Station

Command Center

In the Command Center was Hackett and Shepard discussing what their next move would be. The admiral listened to what Benezia and Nihlus told Shepard, and the Admiral was speechless the concept of "indoctrination", something happening at Virmire, and the return of the Rachni. He could only massage his sinuses at the concept of everything that he heard so far. "I've got to say Shepard, I am very frustrated at how things turned out; but I am more concerned about this 'indoctrination' concept you have."

Shepard nodded as he completely understood where Hackett was coming from. "I understand Admiral, this is something we never faced before. Saren has the ability to take control of a person's mind and use them like puppets; we don't know anything about this technology, only that it's dangerous."

Hackett nods his head "Too bad you used up all the Thorian spores to save Benezia; we sure could use some of that now."

Shepard wished that to, but the price of creating something like that is to high "We'll just have to create something to fight it, but the reason I'm here is not to talk about the indoctrination but to allow me to head to Virmire and see what these Salarian STG agents found."

Hackett then walked over to a very big holo table in the center of the whole Command area. He brought up an image of Virmire. "It has been scouted out by our colonization teams and was found to be suitable for colonizing in the next year, but if Saren has a base there I want it scouted out and destroyed."

Shepard walked up next to the Admiral. "Are we getting any support on this?"

With a sigh, Hackett shook his head. "Sorry Shepard, but we need all of our ships to fight the Geth; I am sure however, that the Normandy can handle this."

Shepard understood and saluted the Admiral before heading back to the Normandy.

UNSC Normandy

CIC

En-Route to Virmire

Shepard was standing over the pedestal watching the galactic map, calculating the ETA to Virmire; it would only be another twenty minutes until he can be one step closer to Saren. As he contemplated his next move upon reaching Virmire, Equinox appeared and told him of an incoming message in the comm. room from the director of ONI. Shepard was shocked and it showed in his eyes when he heard that, he grinned at the anticipation of finally meeting the director. He headed to the comm. room…maybe he'll get an explanation from the man.

UNSC Normandy

Comm. Room

While Shepard was making his way to the comm. room he passed through the Armory; he watched as Chazarus along with the Normandy's new Kig-yar Jackal crew member Jesk went to work at moving scrap metal. As much as he was impressed with Jesk, but reminded himself that he had more important matters to attend to, and so he continued on to the comm. room.

Once he made it to the comm. room, the table was already lowered allowing Shepard to walk over to it with little to no effort. The hologram was set in a dark room with a desk in front of him. Behind the desk was a chair and in that chair was a man in his fifties wearing glasses and a goatee. The man looked at Shepard for a moment and stood up; the sarcasm was as clear in his body language as it was in his voice. "Commander Shepard, what an honor it is to meet you."

With venom ready in his tongue if need be, Shepard crossed his arms. "So you're the director of ONI? I expected you to be older."

The Director brushed his hair with his hand and grinned at the Commander—oh he's going to enjoy the challenge that Shepard would provide. "Such are the benefits of modern medical technologies. As it is, we are capable of living up to a good 175 years; it's a shame that immortality still eludes us."

It was at this point that Shepard un-crossed his arms, and started leaning on the table. "Let's get down to business; what do you want?"

The Director walked through Shepard and headed to his alcohol cabinet, pouring himself a glass of vintage 2556 Sherman Williams whiskey from Shanxi. He took the glass in one hand and walked back to his desk before settling in on what appeared to be a fine leather seat before facing Shepard. "I called you here to answer some questions; why in the name of god would you hand over a potential resource to UNION Intelligence and not ONI?"

Now he knew what the man was getting at! Shepard stood up straight and looked the Director in the eyes, choosing his words carefully. "After what your people did at the Forerunner Installation, I'm reluctant to trust ONI at all."

The Director took a sip of his whiskey and set it down before lighting a cigar; he was hardly worried as he took one long drag of that Cuban-style classic. "The next time you accuse ONI or my agents you better have the proof to back it up." The director sighed with apparent disappointment. "It's too bad you don't have the same morals as your father did; he would have done anything to protect Humanity."

That hit a nerve for Shepard. "How the HELL do you know my father?"

The Director chuckled at Shepard's demand. "Your father was a great ONI agent, one of the best."

"Bullshit! My dad was a colonel in the UNSC!" shouted Shepard, very angry at the accusation.

The Director chuckled at Shepard's delusion. Knowing he was winning, he decided to press on. "That's just a lie."

"Enlighten me." said Shepard, unconvinced by the Director's claim.

"Have you ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? by Atticus Finch, Small-town heroes. Believe in the truth. Not willing to back down."

Shepard only had a confused look, and so the Director explained. "You and your father are the same; always seeking the truth. But instead of saving a town, you both are trying to save the galaxy."

Shepard just ignored the Director's claims and cut the comm. leaving the Director by himself with a grin on his face. This was not over—not by a long shot.

Sentry Omega

Hoc System

Virmire Orbit

UNSC Normandy

The Normandy dropped out of slipspace in orbit of the planet Virmire. When that happened, Equinox managed to get a lock on a signal. "Commander I am reading a signal. Must be the Council's Salarian infiltration team."

Joker took this time to comment on the defense towers near what looked like a base. "Check out those defense towers. Think they can punch a hole in the Normandy?"

Shepard had a slight smirk on his face. "I doubt it, but I am not taking any chances; drop the Cougar. We'll go in hot and take them out quietly."

Joker complied with the commander's request. "I'll get you in under their radar Commander." He then pulled the Normandy close to the ground and dropped the Cougar in a beach area.

Virmire Ground side

Shepard along with Kaidan and Ash were outside of the Cougar. Joker came on the comm. and reported to Shepard "We've got a clean drop Commander."

Shepard reported back. "Good job Joker, now stay out of the way and keep the stealth systems on, I don't want them to know we're here until we're right on top of them."

Joker understood and stayed in orbit of Virmire. Shepard and company got in to the Cougar and headed to the AA towers, driving through sand and water for a while until it came across a few Geth along the way. It didn't take long for it to come upon the first AA tower. Shepard and squad dropped out of the cougar and made their way to the AA towers; when they made it up to the control tower, the Geth charged at them, Shepard and Kaidan pushed them back with their biotics while Ashley threw a frag grenade destroying the Geth. Shepard then walked up to the controls and deactivated the AA towers, after that all of them hopped back in the cougar and headed straight to the Salarian base camp.

Salarian Base Camp

The Cougar drove up to the base camp and there Shepard and squad could see the Salarians along with Garrus and Nihlus talking to one of them. Shepard got out of the Cougar and headed to where they were.

When he got there, Garrus and Nihlus were talking to Captain Kirrahe, the Salarian in charge of this group—it was obvious that he wasn't happy about this all if his frown were any indication. "How could you two bring the UNSC here of all places? This was supposed to be top secret for only the Council to know about!"

Nihlus shook his head in frustration. "This is bigger than the Council Captain, we must work with the OSA to bring Saren down and we are going to need all the help we can get."

But before Kirrahe could respond, Shepard walked up to them. "Are you in charge here? What's the situation?"

Kirrahe looked at the Commander with distrust in his eyes "I'm Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment, STG. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hot zone. Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted to your presence and that is all I will be saying."

Shepard took notice of the Captains hostility towards him. "Is there going to be a problem?"

Ignoring the only human in the group, Kirrahe turned to face Nihlus. "Where are the reinforcements that we asked for?"

This was not going well, as Nihlus looked at the Captain with a weary look in his eyes. "They sent me in to investigate."

Kirrahe was not happy, but before he could make his anger known, Shepard cut in and faced with his own brand of fury. "HEY! Are you ignoring me or just being stubborn? Now cut the bull, and answer my questions!"

Kirrahe turned to face the Commander with a retort in mind. "This is a Citadel matter; the OSA has no business here."

Garrus then stepped in "Saren attacked an OSA colony, that means it's their problem too, now you are going to work with them under Spectre orders?"

Kirrahe didn't like it, but had no choice, his shoulders slumped as he sighed. "Very well, seeing as how the Council didn't understand our transmission, we will tell you what we know so far. This is Saren's base of operations. He's set up a research facility here, but it's crawling with Geth and it's very well fortified."

When Shepard heard that, he soon started asking his questions. "Is he here? Have you seen him?"

"No. But his Geth are everywhere, and we've intercepted some comms referring to Saren. This is his facility, there's no doubt about that."

Shepard was curious "What's Saren researching?"

At that, Kirrahe looked worried. "He's using the facility to breed an army of Krogan."

While everyone was surprised by this, Wrex on the other hand overheard the announcement and walked over and asked. "How the hell is that possible?"

It was Kirrahe that answered his question. "Apparently Saren has discovered a cure for the Genophage."

Shepard began to think about how bad things would be if Saren controlled a Krogan army. "The Geth are already bad enough; but with a Krogan army under his command, he'd be almost unstoppable."

Kirrahe finally agreed with the Human. "My thoughts exactly, we must ensure that this facility and its secrets are destroyed. Without the Genophage the Krogan, will quickly overrun the Galaxy…and what's worse is that these Krogan follow Saren."

Wrex didn't like the sound of that. "Destroyed? I don't think so! Our people are dying, this cure can save them."

Kirrahe turned to the Spectres hoping they would listen to reason. "If that cure leaves this planet, the Krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again."

Wrex walks up to the Captain and puts his face in front of the Salarians "We are not a mistake!" Wrex then walked away from the group.

Kirrahe looked at the Commander with suspicion in his eyes. "Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry Krogan to deal with as it is."

Garrus looked at the Commander, knowing immediately what was going through his head. "I know Wrex may not like it, but the Captain is right that cure cannot leave this planet."

Nihlus only agreed. "It's true; we still feel the toll of the Krogan rebellions."

Shepard looked at everyone. "He'll be fine. I'll talk to him."

Kirrahe was pleased, but could understand where the Krogan was coming from and could not envy Shepard's position. "I appreciate that Commander. My men and I need to rethink our plan of attack. Can you give us some time?"

Shepard nodded his head. "Go ahead Captain, I'll be back soon."

Nihlus looked at the Commander in understanding. "We won't be long Commander." After that both left for the tent nearby. While Garrus and Shepard stood around and talked to one another.

Garrus went first. "Looks like things have gone to hell, I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for Wrex."

Shepard nodded in agreement—convincing Wrex was not going to be easy. "I'll go and have a talk with him now." Shepard then headed to where Wrex was. Wrex was shooting at some fish with his shotgun, Shepard could feel Wrex's anger when he got closer to him.

Wrex noticed the Commander coming up to him. "This isn't right, Shepard. If there's a cure for the Genophage, we can't just destroy it."

Shepard tries to calm Wrex down. "I understand you're upset. But we both know Saren's the real enemy here. He's the one you should be angry with."

Upon hearing this, Wrex walked up to Shepard. "Really? Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it. Help me out here Shepard. The lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand."

Shepard then got frustrated with Wrex. "This isn't a cure, it's a weapon. And if Saren is allowed to use it, you won't be around to reap the benefits. None of us will."

Wrex walked up even closer to Shepard. "That's a chance we should be willing to take. This is the fate of my entire people we're talking about. I've been loyal to you so far. Hell, you did more for me than my own family ever did. But if I am going to keep following you, I need to know we're doing this for the right reasons." Wrex stepped back and pulled out his shotgun, aiming down its sight at Shepard.

Shepard didn't flinch nor did he pull out his own weapon. "Wrex, these Krogan are not your people. They're slaves of Saren. Is being resigned to being mere tools what you want for them?"

Wrex waited a few seconds and thought it over. "No. We were tools for the Council once. To thank us for wiping out the Rachni, they neutered us all. I doubt Saren will be as Generous." Wrex then lowered his weapon. "Alright Shepard, you've made your point. I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow your lead. Just one thing though; when we find Saren, I want his head."

Shepard nodded his head with a smile. "If I get to him first, then you'll get dibs."

Wrex laughed at that and walked away to go prepare. Knowing that he too had work to do, Shepard did the same and headed back to where Kirrahe and Nihlus were planning their attack. Shepard walks into the tent and saw Kirrahe and Nihlus were finished talking, Shepard immediately walked up to the two of them.

Kirrahe noticed Shepard and was the first to speak. "Thank you for speaking to the Krogan, the assault on Saren's base will be a lot easier without a Krogan going wild on us."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "I trust that it means you've come up with a plan?"

Nihlus joined in on the conversation. "Yes it was mostly my idea, we use one of your nukes to destroy Saren's base."

Shepard was confused—what did those two want with nukes? "I thought Saren has AA guns, won't he use those to shoot it down."

Kirrahe nodded his head. "yes he would be able to shoot down your nuke, but it is well known among the STG of the OSA and UNSC's teleportation technology, and so you can easily send one into Saren's base at the heart of the facility and detonate the nuke, without anyone losing their lives trying to storm the facility."

Shepard understood the idea and put his hand to his ear. "Equinox did you get all that?"

Equinox connected to the Commanders head piece. "I did Commander and we have a problem, it would be best for you to come aboard the Normandy so I can explain."

Shepard excused himself and headed to the Normandy.

UNSC Normandy

Bridge

Shepard walked onto the bridge. There he sees Ash, Kaidan, Joker and Equinox waiting for him. As soon as he stepped onto the bridge he spoke "Okay I'm here, what's the problem?"

Joker turned his seat around to face the Commander. "The thing is, it's about the plan to attack Saren's base. There is a small problem with it."

Ash then glared Joker—she was not amused at all. "Are you kidding me? This isn't a small problem, this is a serious problem we have here!"

Kaidan stood at the ready to restrain Ash should things get violent. "Ash! Joker was only kidding, he doesn't really know how bad this really is."

Shepard then stepped in. "Okay what the hell is going on here, what's wrong with the plan?"

Equinox then answered the Commander. "If I may Commander, I will explain." Equinox waited until Shepard focused on his avatar. "Captain Kirrahe's plan was to have one of our nukes teleport at the heart of Saren's facility near the geothermal taps. Any other day, it would've been feasible but that plan won't work now because Saren has found a way to prevent us from teleporting anything inside the facility."

Oh hell no! Shepard was shocked beyond belief and was speechless for a second "H-how is that possible?"

Equniox then brings up a holo-image of the facility. "As you are all aware the teleportation technology does not really teleports; rather, it encases you in a compressed slipstream field transporting you from one position to another almost instantaneously. This happens much in the same way that a spaceship uses slipspace to travel between star systems - time passes for the individual, but due to the short distances involved it is negligible."

Shepard rubbed his fingers on his forehead trying to calm his nerves. "We are familiar with the technology Equinox. Now can you get to the part how Saren was able to counteract it?"

Equinox had his hand up signalling the Commander to be patient. "I am getting there, be patient. Now when we first discovered this technology and reversed engineered it, the Office of Naval Intelligence funded section four to create a countermeasure to protect all UNSC facilities from unwelcome guests. Well they succeeded by creating a device that creates an interference in the slipstream field that sends the user to a different destination, preventing them from teleporting into the facility."

"Okay! We understand that, but how has Saren able to prevent us from transporting the nuke into his facility?" asked Kaidan

Equniox turned to face the holo image of Saren's base. "Saren has placed a jamming field that surrounds the facility in an electromagnetic field which prevents us from getting a target lock. As long as the system is up, it is impossible to teleport an object to or from within the jamming fields radius."

Shepard thinks about it for a second. "Can you hack whatever Saren is using and shut it down?"

The look on his avatar's face was not a good sign, and Equinox did not hesitate to give him an answer. "I thought about it, but Saren's Geth may be able to stop me if they put all their processing power into it; besides Saren is fully aware of UNSC and OSA AI's and their capabilities, he probably put the machine or whatever it is on a separate system—somewhere I can't reach."

Shepard sighs in disappointment "Okay then, plan B it is."

Salarian Base Camp

Shepard along with Kaidan, Ashley, and Garrus were inside the tent going over plan B with Nihlus and Captain Kirrahe. Shepard was the one giving out the plan. "Okay here's the plan, we take the nuke to the far side of the facility, my ship can drop it off, but we'll need to infiltrate the base, disable the AA guns, and pacify any ground forces first."

Kirrahe didn't like the sound of that. "You want us to go in on foot? We don't have enough men."

Nihlus agreed but went with Shepard's idea instead. "It does sound a bit risky, but I think we can work around that."

Kirrahe could only sigh in disappointment, but conceded. "Fine! But if this is going to work then I will divide my men into three teams hit the front of the facility. While we've got their attention, you can sneak your "shadow" team in the back."

Shepard liked Kirrahe's addition to the plan, but was concerned for their safety. "It's a good idea, but aren't you worried that your people are going to get slaughtered?"

Kirrahe nodded his head. "We're a lot tougher than we look, Commander. But it's true I don't expect many of us to make it out alive." He looks at Shepard intently and asked. "Are you sure your teleporters are offline right now?"

Shepard looks at the Salarian Captain in the eyes. "Yes! Equinox, our AI has said that using the teleporters now will turn are insides out. He believes there is something wrong with the power couplings, and my people are working on it but we won't be able to fix in time. We need to hit Saren's base now." Shepard along with Kaidan and Ashley knew Shepard was lying in order to protect the OSA and UNSC from telling them about a weakness in their teleportation technology.

Satisfied with Shepard's answer Kirrhae continued. "Very well, there is something I'm going to ask that will be even more difficult. I need one of your men to accompany me to coordinate the teams."

Shepard understood where Kirrahe was coming from "Good idea, you'll need someone who knows UNSC communication protocols." Shepard thought it over and chose Ashley for the job. "Williams front and center." Ash walked forward and stood before Shepard. "You'll accompany the Captain. No heroics, understood?"

Ash nodded her head "Aye, aye, Commander!"

Nihlus then stepped forward. "Commander if it will be alright I would like to be on the Normandy and learn the detonation sequence for the nuke."

Any other day, Shepard would have been suspicious of Nihlus's request; but after everything that has happened so far, he had come to trust him. "Alright Nihlus." Nihlus nodded his head in appreciation. Shepard then turned back to Kirrahe. "Let's go over the plan again "I am team 'Shadow'. You will create a distraction while I take my team to infiltrate the base. We'll make our way to the breeding grounds at the heart of the facility, we will disable the AA guns so the Normandy can land and deliver the nuke."

Kirrahe nodded his head in agreement. "If we get that far, we'll try to help you with the guns, but don't count on it."

Shepard then continued. "Once we have the bomb, we'll place it next to the geothermal taps, we'll then get out before it detonates."

"Excellent," said Kirrahe, "now then if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare my men." Kirrahe walked off to gather his men for what he believed to be his last speech.

Shepard turned around to see Ash and Kaidan. She then turned to the Lieutenant and Commander. "Well this is it, don't do anything stupid while I'm gone LT. You too, Commander."

Kaidan tried to calm her nerves "We'll be fine. You'll see."

Ash looked at Kaidan "Yeah I just...good luck, okay?"

Shepard had an inquisitive eye trained on Ash. "Is there something you want to say Chief?"

The Gunnery Chief just looked at Shepard. "It's just weird. Going in under someone else's command, and a Salarian's no less!"

"Don't worry we'll see you on the other side." said Kaidan

"I know. I, ah... it's been an honor serving with you, Commander." said Williams

Shepard tried to calm everyone's nerves. "It doesn't matter if we're not in the same unit, we're still a team. Watch each other's backs, keep your eyes open, and fight like I know you can. We'll all come out of this in one piece."

Ash felt a little better after what the Commander said. "You bet, Commander."

Saren's Base

Back Entrance

Shepard and his squad consisting of Garrus and Liara jumped down behind a wall and surveyed the area after a few seconds Kirrahe came on the comm. "Comm. check. Do you read me, Commander?"

"It's fine. Let's move." said Shepard

"Good we'll start our push," said Kirrahe "we'll try to make it to the AA guns, but it might be up to you to finish the job. And Commander? If you see any way to undermine their defenses, we could definitely use the help."

Shepard and Squad begin moving towards Saren's base and along the way Kirrahe continues to talk in the Comm. "Shadow is on the ground. Repeat: Shadow is on the ground. Chief Williams, with Aegohr team! Mannovai, Jaeto teams, move! Time to get some attention!"

Shepard and squad soon came upon the first patrol of Geth, there were only two of them and they didn't notice Shepard and his squad. So Shepard ordered Garrus to take them out with his sniper rifle. Garrus did as he was told, he lined up his shot and took both of them out with accurate precision.

After that was done they continued forward and came across what they assume was a watchtower of sorts. They made their way to it and as they got further Kirrahe again came on the Comm. "Mannovai is under coordinated crossfire. Check for long-range turrets helping the Geth target!"

As Shepard and Squad got closer the Geth up at the outpost began firing at them. Both Shepard and Liara threw up a singularity at the Geth. The Geth were then floating in the air allowing Shepard and team to pick them off with their weapons. After the fighting stopped and the Geth were taken care of, Shepard walked up the ramp and looked around for anything useful and suddenly Shepard notices a Geth console, he walks up to it and connects Equinox to the console. After a few seconds Equinox disabled Geth communications, Shepard then went down the ramp and headed south.

After a while Shepard heard Kirrahe again on the comm. "Something scrambled their targeting. We've got a clear shot! Chief Williams, take the heat off Mannovai." Shepard continued and along the way he came across more Geth, he took out the Geth with his biotics with ease and making his way to yet another watchtower look alike. Shepard took cover and with his squad, they scouted out the watchtower with their binoculars and saw the Geth were on high alert.

Shepard took notice of the satellite on top of the watchtower and connected to Equinox for information, Equinox told Shepard it was an uplink for the Geth taking it out will help Captain Kirrahe and his men. Shepard didn't think twice and shot at the satellite with his assault rifle, after that the Geth began firing at them, this time with rockets. Shepard and squad dodged the rocket fire and headed towards the watchtower, as they continued Shepard and Liara used there biotics to make the rockets guidance towards them out of their way and into the rocks and boulders on the sandy beach. Once they got closer Garrus threw a grenade that took care of the Geth, but unfortunately there was a Geth destroyer that charged at them, but Shepard sent the destroyer flying with a biotic push.

Shepard along with Garrus and Liara walked up the ramp and saw Saren's base in the distance. Shepard took his squad and continued, but along the way there were Geth destroyers, Krogan, and Geth drones. Shepard and his squad took care of all of them and continued to head to Saren's base, as they got closer to the entrance there were more Geth and Krogan, Shepard threw a plasma grenade and stuck one of the Krogan who panicked when the grenade wouldn't come off and exploded. The rest were easy pickings; once they were done they entered through the door.

The door they went through lead them down a ramp and walked along some doors that were closed, Shepard sees a console and connected to Equinox. The AI appeared before the Commander on his Omni-tool. "I've got access to base security. Should be able to cut alarms from here, and then trigger the alarms on the far side of the base. It'll clear the guards out for us, but it might be too much for Chief Williams and the Salarians to handle."

Shepard thought it over. "Just disable the alarms, we can handle any guards we come across inside. We want to make this as quiet as possible."

Equinox nodded his head and did as he's told.

Saren's Base

Exterior

When Shepard and squad made their way into the base, the leader of the squad made comments as being inside of a warehouse as he could clearly see crates stacked on top of each other. Once he was done looking around, Geth and Salarians came out of the corner of those stacked crates and began either shooting at Shepard or charging at him. Shepard took care of the Geth easily, but tried to calm the Salarians only to get shot at for trying, Shepard then sent the Salarians back against the wall with a biotic push. After that, Shepard moved through the warehouse and came upon some stairs once he climbed the stairs and turned a corner and came across a door which that door led to another and through there a catwalk across a room. Shepard looked down from the catwalk and saw Salarians in what looks like a prison cell, Shepard continued on hoping to reach them.

Shepard entered through the door the catwalk lead them to and on the other side was what Shepard assumed was a security office with two Salarians. Shepard immediately disposed of the Salarians and looks around and saw a door next to the one he came through and goes through that door and headed down some stairs. Shepard reaches to the prison cell he saw when walking across the catwalk, he walks up to each one, but the Salarians were just too scared to talk. However when he reached the last cell on the left, the Salarian walked up close to the Commander and spoke.

"We'll, you're not a Geth, and you're not wearing a lab coat. I guess I'm glad to see you. Lieutenant Ganto Imness of the Third Infiltration Regiment, captured during recon. I assume the fleet was called in to destroy the base?"

Shepard took it easy when talking to the Salarian. "I'm surprised you're not concerned that I'm Human."

Ganto just sighed. "Look, I wouldn't care if you were Batarian slavers at this point, but I see you accompanied by a Turian and Asari so I assume they came here with the fleet."

With disappointment in his voice, Shepard shook his head. "The transmission wasn't clear. The fleet is not coming."

Ganto nodded his head in sadness. "I see. Then you are from the UNSC helping us out I guess. I know the Captain. He will want this facility destroyed. My team was altered, indoctrinated. He knew about the breeding grounds, but the indoctrination is a greater threat, and far more horrifying. I watched good people reduced to mindless husks. There wasn't anything left. Others died during the experiments. I envy them."

Shepard looked at a cell full of Salarians who look depressed after hearing what Ganto said before he turned his attention back to Ganto. "Do you know anything about the experiments they were conducting?"

Ganto then explained. "They were studying indoctrination. Symptoms, progress. Saren uses it to control his people, but I don't think he fully understands it. I don't know much else. I just saw what it did to the others; it turned them into empty husks. I can't end up like that. Please - let me out!"

Shepard thought about it for a second before he came to a decision. "I'm opening your cell, but you're on your own from here on out."

Ganto had a lopsided grin on his face. "Don't look back and hope to outrun the blast, hmm? A better chance than I had before you showed up. Thank-you Human, and good luck; you'll need it."

Before he left Shepard asked him a few more questions "Are there any other survivors?"

Ganto looked back. "If there are, then they are probably already indoctrinated. I recommend not helping them as they could be dangerous to help."

Shepard then contacted the Normandy to launch the shuttle he then pulls out a small handheld device. "Hey Ganto!" The Salarian turned around to look at the Commander. "Take this with you, my shuttle will lock onto the signal and pick you up. Better than trying to outrun the blast radius and believe me you won't be able to."

Ganto greatly appreciated gift and began leaving the facility. Shepard and squad headed back up the stairs and into the elevator.

Saren's Base

Interior

When the elevator reached the top and opened, Shepard and squad stepped out and was surprised to see husks in stasis chambers along with a Krogan and Asari with some guards. The Krogan ordered the Guards to attack Shepard and his team along with unlocking the husks from the stasis chambers; the result was that the husks began attacking Shepard. It didn't take long for them to immediately take action and dealt with all of them.

Once that was done, Shepard and squad went through the door and went left where they walked over a bridge and to their surprised Shepard saw two Geth troopers, Garrus takes care of them with an overload and the Geth simply collapsed. Shepard then went into the building the Geth were guarding and walked in; at first it looked like no one was home, but then an Asari scientist appeared right in front of them from behind her desk.

"Don't shoot please! I just want to get out of here before it's too late." said the Asari

Shepard tried to calm her down "I'm not going to hurt you. Who are you?"

The Asari walked over to where Shepard was "Rana Thanoptis, neurospecialist. But this job isn't worth dying over. Or worse! You think the indoctrination only affects prisoners? Sooner or later, Saren will want to dissect my brain, too!"

Shepard was confused "I thought this was a Krogan breeding facility."

Rana shook her head. "Not this level. We're studying Sovereign's effect on organic minds. At least, that's what I assumed. Saren kept us in the dark as much as possible."

Garrus didn't like the sound of that. "You helped him and you don't even know why?"

Rana tried to defend herself at the accusation. "I didn't have the option of negotiating. This position is a little more... permanent than I'd expected. But I can help you. This elevator behind me goes to Saren's private lab. I can get you in. See? Full access. All of Saren's private files. Are we good? Can I go now?"

Shepard knew how important this was, access to Saren's files could effectively finish him for good, but Shepard needed to know more about the research that was going on around here. "What were you studying here?"

Rana began to explain herself. "It's that ship, Sovereign. It emits some kind of... signal. Undetectable, but it's there; I've seen the effects. Saren uses it to influence his followers, to control them. It's called indoctrination. Direct exposure to the signal turns you into a mindless slave, like the Salarian test subjects. But there's collateral damage, too."

Shepard was curious, and he especially didn't like the sound of it. "What do you mean by "collateral damage"?"

"Sovereign's signal is too strong. Spend too much time near the ship and you feel it. Like a tingle at the back of the skull. It's like a whisper you can't quite hear. You're compelled to do things but you don't know why. You just obey. Eventually, you just stop thinking for yourself. It happens to everyone at the facility. My first test subject was the man I replaced. Now I just want to get out of here before it happens to me!" said Rana, very concerned about this.

Shepard was confused about one more thing. "Why is Saren researching this? Isn't he the one controlling it?"

Rana explained what she knew. "The signal comes from the ship. It makes us obey Saren, but I don't think he controls it. Not exactly I think... he's scared it might be affecting him. Indoctrination is subtle, but by the time the effects become noticeable, it's usually too late."

Shepard wasn't finished yet. "Tell me more about this signal."

With a sigh, Rana continued to elaborate. "I'm not sure that signal is the right word. There's some kind of energy field emanating from the ship. It changes patterns. Over time-days, maybe a week-it weakens your will. You become easier to manipulate and control. But it's a degenerative condition. There's a balance between control and usefulness. The less freedom a subject maintains, the less capable it becomes."

Shepard was satisfied, but realized that he could not afford to lose a potential asset, especially when it comes to indoctrination "I need all the information you have on this indoctrination, notes, experiments, the signal."

Rana shook her head. "Everything I have done is in Saren's private lab, he wanted regular updates on all our work; everything is through that door."

Shepard walked up to Rana and pat her back "It's okay, you had no choice but to help Saren, but I'm going to blow this place to hell and then leave. If you want to make it out alive you better start running."

Rana was speechless upon hearing that. "What? You can't... but I'll never...ahh!" She ran out the door as fast as she could—even she knew that when the UNSC declared war they were going to blow a place, she did not want to be there when they did.

Garrus looked at Shepard with an amused look in his eyes. "You enjoyed that! But I can't help but noticed you let her go. Are you sure that was wise?"

Shepard just grinned and connected to the Normandy. "Equinox, are you tracking her?"

Equinox spoke on the Comm. "Yes I am Commander."

"Good! When she gets away from the jamming field, teleport her up to the Normandy's brig." Shepard then disconnected and looks at the two confused team mates "What?"

Garrus and Liara looked to each other before the former spoke first. "How are you able to track her?"

Shepard pulls out a small device as big as a pill "I slapped a locator beacon on her back before she left, I wasn't about to let her go with what she knows."

Liara felt conflicted about what Shepard had done. "I can understand why you can't let her go, but tricking her was not right."

Shepard shook his head. "This is war, we often have to do the things were not proud of, now come on, let's go get those files." Shepard and squad headed to the elevator and went straight to Saren's lab.

Saren's Lab

When the elevator stopped and opened, Shepard immediately walked into Saren's lab with his pistol in hand expecting Saren to be here, but to his disappointment Turian terrorist wasn't. Instead there was an overhead catwalk in the room along with windows, but to Shepard's right side were computer consoles which Shepard immediately established a connection between the consoles and Equinox. While Shepard was doing this, Garrus went down the ramp to the lower part of the lab to look for anything useful, but instead found something even better "Shepard! You need to see this."

Shepard left the consoles knowing that the connection was established leaving Equinox to gather everything in the computer. Shepard walked down the ramp to where Garrus was. "Garrus what did you find?"

Garrus pointed in the direction of a piece of familiar technology to Shepard. It was a second Prothean beacon, Shepard walked up to the beacon arms out in front hoping to activate it and then all of a sudden the beacon lit up and lifted Shepard off the ground, downloading the remainder of the message the Protheans left behind. Shepard began seeing the images all over again, but this time he was a lot more in control of this sensation than last time, after a few seconds he fell to the ground, but this time he didn't pass out from the shock and the beacon didn't explode.

Garrus and Liara rushed over to him to make sure he wasn't hurt. Liara then spoke "Commander are you alright?"

Shepard nodded his head. "Yeah I'm fine, it just shook me up a bit; let's get the hell out of here." Shepard then put his hand to his ear. "Equinox did you finish the download?"

Equinox came on the comm. "Yes Commander, I have everything Saren had so we are good to go."

Shepard was happy with himself and told the squad to head back out, but just as they were walking back up the ramp, he noticed a red hologram at the end of the catwalk. A sense of curiosity beckoned him to walk over to the hologram, but as soon as he got there the hologram manifest into the image of Saren's ship Sovereign, Liara commented on a feeling she had that something bad was about to image then spoke"You are not Saren."

"What is that? Some kind of VI interface?" asked Garrus

The hologram spoke again, this time in threatening manner "Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding."

Liara then answered Garrus's question "I don't think this is a VI..."

The image then spoke again. "There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign!"

Shepard then pieced the puzzle together what this thing was saying "Sovereign isn't some reaper ship Saren found, it's an actual Reaper!"

Sovereign then spoke again this time about the name Shepard used "Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they chosed to call us is irrelevant. We simply are."

Liara then questioned Sovereign about the Protheans "The Protheans existed 50,000 years ago. You couldn't have been there. It's impossible!"

Sovereign continued to mock the organics before him. "Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything."

Shepard wasn't afraid of this thing "Whatever your plan is it's going to fail. I'll make sure of that."

Sovereign was not intimidated by Shepard's threats. "Confidence born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken."

"Cycle? What Cycle?" asked Garrus

If it were possible for machines to taunt, Sovereign did so with its mechanical voice. "The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. The Protheans were not the first. They did not create the Citadel. They did not forge the Mass Relays. They merely found them, the legacy of my kind."

Shepard was confused, but was brave enough to ask. "Why would you construct the Mass Relays, then leave them for someone else to find?"

Sovereign answered his question clearly as if a triumphant victory for his kind. "Your civilization is based on the technology of the Mass Relays, our technology. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it."

Liara was shocked beyond belief and it showed in her voice laced with disgust when she spoke. "They're harvesting us! Letting us advance to the level they need, and then wiping us out."

Shepard then walked up to Sovereign with a grin on his face. "Your plan is impressive, but you forgot one thing. The OSA didn't base their technology around the Mass Relays, we developed on our own."

Sovereign didn't feel threatened by this at all "Whatever you create, whatever you built on your own it means nothing. Your kind will fall like those that came before you and there is nothing you can do to stop us."

Shepard wasn't done yet, and he continued his barb. "Even if we used the technologies of the Forerunners?"

Sovereign was getting annoyed. "The Forerunner's as you know them were nothing more than a nuisance to us. They could not stop us from wiping out the species of the galaxy during their time and eventually they were wiped out by us."

Shepard was shocked, he couldn't beleive what Sovereign said. "You're lying, the Forerunners couldn't have lost to you."

Sovereign, as if wishing to twist the knife in the wound, simply continued. "If that is true then why is it my kind still here and not them?"

Shepard had enough of this and wanted some real answers. "What do you want from us? Slaves? Resources?"

"My kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nation. Independent, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp the nature of our existence."

Shepard continued with the interrogation. "Where did you come from? Who built you?"

"We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions of years after your civilization has been eradicated and forgotten, we will endure."

Shepard had one more question. "Where are the rest of the reapers? Are you the last of your kind?"

"We are legion. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom."

Shepard was finished and had enough of this machine. "You're not even alive. Not really. You're just a machine. And machines can be broken."

"Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over."and just like that Sovereign disconnected from the room and disappeared. As Shepard tried to make sense of this, a blast from the window knocked him out of his thoughts and brought him back to reality. Shepard then scanned the room for a second until Joker came on the comm. "Commander? We've got trouble!"

Shepard lifted his hand to his ear. "Hit me Joker. I love bad news."

"That ship, Sovereign, it's moving. I don't know what you did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would give any of our ships a run for its money. It's coming your way, and it's coming hard! You need to wrap things up in there - fast!"

Shepard turned to face his squad. "You heard the man, let's head to that breeding facility and blow it up!"

Garrus and Liara nodded their heads and followed Shepard back to the elevator. None of them were aware that five individuals witnessed the whole thing and recorded the entire conversation. The five individuals de-activated their active camouflage and headed to where the Beacon was. These five were wearing black and white advanced armor with a symbol on their chest plate looking at the beacon. One of them opened a comm. channel. "This is operative Armistan Banes calling the Hades, we have secured the package, where is our ride?"

After a few seconds a voice came on the comm. "This is the Rear Admiral, your ride is en route to your location, prepare the package and get out of there." The mysterious man on the comm. disconnected leaving the five preparing the beacon for pick up. After a couple of minutes, the window area was blasted through by a phantom plasma charge and the side door opened revealing two Sangheili in combat armor jumping from the phantom into the building. They, along with the four humans, lifted the beacon and placed it into the phantom. Then they all jumped in and left.

Banes then got on the comm. again. "The package is now in the phantom and we are on the way to the Hades."

The captain of the Hades came on the comm. again. "Excellent, the Illusive Man will be pleased with the success of the mission, Rear Admiral Kahoku out." The Phantom continued up into space and docked with the Hades before the ship went into slipspace heading to the nearest Cerberus facility.

Breeding Facility

Shepard and Squad made it to the breeding facility after going through Krogan and Geth and shutting down the AA gun to get here. Now Shepard was waiting on the Normandy to deliver the bomb; it wasn't long until the Normandy swooped in and landed in front of Shepard. The cargo bay doors opened and out came UNSC soldiers with Kaidan and Nihlus right behind them. Shepard walked up to them. "Where is the nuke?"

Kaidan was the first to answer. "It's right behind us sir." Kaidan turned around looking in the direction of where they came from. And after a few seconds, a robotic carrier came out of the cargo bay carrying the nuke. It hovered down the ramp using its anti-gravity technology and stopped right in front of Shepard.

Nihlus walks up to the Commander. "The nuke is in position, we're all set here."

As Shepard was nodding his head, Ashley came on the comm. "Commander, can you read me?"

Shepard put his hand on his ear. "The nuke is almost ready. Get to the rendezvous point, Williams."

"Negative, Commander. The Geth have us pinned down on the AA tower. We've taken heavy casualties. We'll never make the rendezvous point in time." said Williams clearly shouting over the Geth pulse weapons fire in the back ground.

Shepard acted quickly "Get them out of there, Joker. Now!"

Ash came back on the comm. "Negative, it's too hot! I can't risk it. We'll hold them off as long as we-" and just like that the comm. was disconnected, Shepard was pacing back and forth wondering what to do.

Nihlus stepped forward. "Commander, you should go and save Chief Williams, Lieutenant Alenko has already told me how to arm this nuke."

Shepard stopped his pacing and looks at Nihlus wondering as to whether or not to let him do this, but after a second he made his final decision. "Keep that nuke safe, Spectre."

As Shepard was calling for Wrex to get his ass down here, Nihlus told Kaidan to go with the Commander as he could handle it from there. Kaidan thanked Nihlus and he set out with Shepard and Wrex to go save Ashley.

Shepard and his squadmates Wrex and Kaidan opened the door leading them to the AA tower. On the other side of that door were two Krogan and four Geth hoppers. Shepard and squad took action with Kaidan and Shepard blasting a biotic wave at the two Krogan sending them flying at the wall, while Wrex took pot shots at the Geth hoppers taking care of them. They then headed to the elevator and went up. Once they arrived Shepard took a left and started heading to the AA tower, but as soon as he broke into a full-blown run, he heard a ship in the distance and Wrex commented on it. "Damn, Geth are sending in reinforcements."

Ash comes on the comm. and mistook the lieutenant at the nuke site. "Heads up, LT. We just spotted a troop ship headed to your location."

Kaidan responded on the comm. "I see it Ash, but I'm not at the nuke, Nihlus is."

Shepard then connected with Nihlus. "Nihlus what's going on over there?"

Nihlus' voice came on the comm. "It's the Geth, they're pouring out of their ship all over the nuke site."

Shepard went straight to the point. "Can you hold them off?"

Nihlus' frantic voice said it all. "There's too many of them. I don't think we can survive until you get here. I'm activating the nuke."

Shepard was surprised by this. "Nihlus what are you doing?"

"Making sure this nuke goes off and ruining Saren's plan. It's done, Commander. Now go get Chief Williams and get the hell out of here."

Ash wanted to protest, but she couldn't say a word; ultimately Shepard decided to go and save her. "Williams, radio Joker and tell him to meet us at the AA tower."

Ash just replied. "yes, Commander."

Shepard apologized to Nihlus. "I'm sorry, Nihlus. I had to make a choice."

Nihlus wasn't the least bit mad or sad about it. "I don't regret a thing, Commander. Just promise me when you get to Saren to put a bullet in his head for me!"

After knowing things were square between him and the Spectre, Shepard replied. "I will, now give them hell Nihlus." Shepard disconnected the comm. and headed to the AA tower.

AA Tower

When the elevator stopped at the AA tower, Shepard and squad could hear gun fire behind them. They stepped out of the elevator and turn the corner and begin firing at the Geth. Shepard, Kaidan, and Wrex sent a huge Biotic waves at the Geth sending them all flying over the AA tower. When the last Geth fell, Shepard heard a noise and looked up; to his surprise it was Saren on a hover-platform. Saren then fired Biotic attacks at Shepard and his squad, as Shepard decided to take cover, but at the same time Saren landed his hover-platform and walked off of it. Shepard decided to take a chance and gets out of cover and fired at Saren but his shots were useless as his barriers deflected his weapons fire. Shepard went back into cover out of Saren's line of sight.

Saren walks for a while but stopped and spoke. "I applaud you, Shepard. My Geth forces were utterly convinced the Salarians were the real threat. An impressive diversion! Of course, it was all for naught. I can't let you disrupt what I have accomplished here. You can't possibly understand what's really at stake."

Shepard just grinned at what he was about to ask. "Before we get on with how you're a puppet for the Reapers and how you're going to fail, I've always wondered how did you get that cybernetic arm?"

Saren looked at his arm and it filled him with an unreasoning rage at the scar from the Bostra Conflict. "Complements from one of your Spartan commandos sparing my life, and I remember him well for he was their supreme leader—you know him as Sierra-117, or the Master Chief. Another reminder of how I despise your kind."

Shepard just grinned at that—that Turian was almost killed by the Master Chief! "Now that we have that out of the way. Why are you doing this?"

"You've seen the vision from the beacons, Shepard. You of all people, should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. Do not mire yourself in pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the sake of petty freedoms. The Protheans tried to fight, and they were utterly destroyed. Trillions dead. But what if they had bowed before the invaders? Would the Protheans still exist? Is submission not preferable to extinction?"

Shepard shook his head in disbelief. "I think you underestimate the OSA, Saren. We have the technology and the numbers to fight the Reapers and beat them back to whatever dark hole they came out of."

Saren snarled at Shepard's comment. "True, the OSA may be able to survive the coming invasion, but the rest of the galaxy doesn't have such luxuries. That's why I am forging an alliance between us and them."

Shepard didn't believe the bull that was coming out of the Turian terrorist's mouth. "Do you really believe the Reapers will let us live?"

"Now you see why I never came forward with this to the Council. We organics are driven by emotion instead of logic. We will fight even when we know we cannot win. But if we work with the Reapers - if we prove ourselves useful - think how many lives could be spared! Once I understood this, I joined Sovereign, though I was aware of the... dangers. But I was determined not just to protect every species of the Citadel, but hoping the Reapers would wipe out your kind and destroy the OSA for good."

Shepard just laughed coldly at that notion. "I think you underestimate how powerful we really are. If we were able to beat back many enemies, think of how the Reapers will fare against us!"

Saren just chuckled. "Your people and those under your banner may be advanced Shepard, but you can't stop the Reapers from simply getting inside your head and turning you against your own kind."

"Not yet, but were learning all we can about this indoctrination and are taking steps to create a countermeasure against it. Now tell me why are the Geth following Sovereign?" asked Shepard

"They believe Sovereign to be some kind of god. The pinnacle of their own evolution. But the reaction of their deity is most telling: it is insulted. Sovereign does not desire the pitiful devotions the Geth hurl at it. They are just tools, and no amount of belief on their part will change that. But as tools, they are useful. They will survive the coming invasion. If organic life is to survive, we must also prove we are useful. We must work with the Reapers."

Shepard shook his head in disappointment. "I'm not like you. I'd rather die fighting, than to live as a slave."

Saren felt insulted by that. "I'm not doing this for myself. Don't you see? Sovereign will succeed, it is inevitable! My way is the only way any of us will survive. Sovereign is a machine. It thinks like a machine. If I can prove my value, I will become a resource worth maintaining. There is no other logical conclusion!" Saren then became aggressive in his words "But you would undo my work. You would doom every species in the Citadel to make the OSA the dominant race in the Galaxy. And for that you must die."

Saren got back on his hover-platform and began to open fire at Shepard. Shepard's shields were strong enough to deflect the shots aimed at him, and his response was a hail of heavy-caliber rounds being sent in the Turian's direction from his assault rifle. Saren began maneuvering across the AA tower, flying on his hover-platform trying to dodge Shepard, but he forgot that he wasn't alone: Kaidan and Wrex tried to use their biotics to hold Saren in place for Shepard to get a clean shot. The two biotics were able to hold Saren down, allowing Shepard to throw a power drain that Chazarus himself crafted for Shepard to use in battle. The power drain disabled Saren's hover platform, causing it to come crashing down, but not before Saren fired a couple of missiles at Shepard and his Squad.

Shepard was hit by the missile and lying down on the ground, he looked over to where his squad was and sees that they were also out of commission too. He then heard a snarl and saw Saren walking over to where he was. Saren threw his rocket launcher away before grabbing Shepard by the throat with his cybernetic arm and hanging him over the edge of the AA tower. Just as Saren was strangling Shepard, his attention was elsewhere when he heard the sirens from the base. This gave Shepard an opportunity to deliver a right hook to Saren's chin, making him drop Shepard on the ground, barely escaping the fall off the edge. As Shepard was trying to recollect himself, he pulled out his pistol and tried to point it at Saren, but the Turian escaped with his life on the hover-platform.

Shepard stared at Saren for a few seconds until he lost him from behind the AA gun. Shepard walked over to where his squad was and knelt down to check on them, but then all of a sudden the Normandy pulled up to the AA tower and landed to pick everyone up.

Virmire Orbit

UNSC Normandy

Viewing bay

The Normandy flew out of Virmire's atmosphere and broke through its orbit trying to make its way far away from the blast. Joker then came on the intercom "Everybody hang on"

Below the planet, a huge explosion only seen by those in the UNSC and for first time viewers were stunned by the destruction it was capable of. Shepard on the other hand was looking at how one brave Turian could show Shepard that the Species itself was not as bad as he was lead to believe.

UNSC Normandy

Comm. Room

In the Comm. room the morale of the team was low because of the death of Nihlus, his sacrifice saved everyone and more. Garrus was having the hardest time believing his friend didn't make it "I... I can't believe Nihlus didn't make it, he was a good Turian and a great Spectre."

Shepard tried to cheer Garrus up. "I know what you're going through Garrus. Nihlus may not have started out with us at first, but he earned the right to be a part of this crew, but we shouldn't be mourning: Saren is to blame and we need to take him down before anyone else gets hurt." Everyone agreed on that.

Liara then spoke. "Commander? Excuse me for interrupting. But I have an idea. I think the beacon you found in Saren's base was similar to the one you found on Eden Prime. It may have filled in the missing pieces of your vision. I might be able to help you put all those pieces together."

Shepard knew where Liara was going with this. With a sigh of resignation, he let his weariness show. "You want to join our minds again, don't you? Okay. Go ahead."

Shepard and Liara walked up to each other. "Relax, Commander. Embrace eternity!" and like that, the images flashed through Shepard's mind again, this time making a little more sense than before. After it was over, Liara was amazed by what she saw. "Incredible! I...I never thought the images would be so...intense. I need a moment to collect myself."

Shepard didn't have a moment. He needed answers now! "Did the vision make any sense to you?"

Liara then put the puzzle together. "It's a distress call, a message sent out across the Prothean Empire. A warning against the Reapers, but the warning came too late."

"What about the Conduit?" asked Shepard

Liara tries to recollect what she saw. "There were other images. Locations. Places I recognize from my research. Ilos! The Conduit is on Ilos! That is why Saren needed the Mu Relay! It is the only way to get to Ilos."

Shepard was a little suspicious. "How come you never told us about Ilos before?"

Liara then proceeded to defend herself. "The Mu Relay links to dozens of systems and hundreds of worlds. How was I to know Ilos was the one we wanted? Without the cipher, the images in your visions were never clear. It's only now that I recognized them as landmarks from Ilos."

Shepard understood what she meant. It didn't take long for him to reach a decision: "We have to get to Ilos!"

Tali then spoke up—her voice was an omen of ill tidings. "Forget it, the Mu Relay is inside the Terminus systems. UNSC ships are not welcome there, and neither are Council ships."

He knew what she meant, but Shepard was hearing none of it! This was too important! "The Conduit's on Ilos, and that's where Saren is heading. I plan to be waiting when he gets there!"

Liara was concerned about the Commanders safety. "Saren is likely to have his entire fleet orbiting Ilos. You'll never make it down to the surface without reinforcements. You need to alert the Council or the OSA Senate. We need a fleet to - whoa! I'm sorry. The joining is... exhausting. I should go to the medical bay and lie down for a moment."

Shepard looked at everyone. "We're done here, dismissed!" The team left the comm. room allowing Shepard to activate the slipspace comm. to connect to the OSA embassy, but to his surprised it connected to a face he never thought he'd see. "Admiral Hackett, I'm surprised to be speaking to you."

Hackett nodded his head. "a lot has happened when you were off on your mission to Virmire, I have read your reports on your mission, Commander. This is a lot more than what we had expected, Shepard you have to come to Asgard station to make your final report to the committee."

Shepard was shocked to hear this "But sir! Saren is on his way to Ilos right now, we need to mount an attack."

Hackett shook his head in disappointment. It was obvious the older man was weary of the red tape he had to go through. "Not until you give your report to the committee, only then will they help you. Shepard, report to Asgard station that's an order. Hackett out."

Hackett cuts the comm. leaving Shepard to himself in the comm. room. Shepard snapped out of his funk and told Joker to head for Asgard station.