M-Angel: I love my reviews. I can't believe I am almost to 300. :-D So summer is coming to a close, sadly. This means school is about to begin and in some areas it already has. So I hope everybody remembers everything they learned last year!

Knight: HA!

M-Angel: Did you forget what you learned last year?

Knight: Did anyone not forget? Anyone?

M-Angel: *facepalm* Just read the dang chapter.

Chapter 18: Threats

After Ian had calmed down a bit, he told me he needed to think about some 'things', and he'd see me tomorrow, on the Normandy. That had been last night. This morning he'd come aboard with Jacob and Aberdeen trailing behind him, like they were his posse. Jacob looked… different. Definitely younger looking, a bit taller too, and he actually smiled. It didn't even look forced. He seemed happier now than he had aboard the Cerberus Normandy, which caused me to smile. Maybe with him and Aberdeen things would be different. I don't know why, but that's how I felt.

After the men were shown to the crew quarters, we began our journey to Noveria. We were 5 minutes from the relay when Ian grabbed me and pulled me into the debriefing room.

"Ah, so you're not ignoring me anymore?" I asked sounding a bit annoyed.

"This isn't funny," He deadpanned. "Noveria is a dangerous mission, which is followed by Virmire. Either Ash or Kaiden will die there,"

"Yeah, I know," I said sadly, as I sat down. "Ann told me. She chose Kaiden over Ash. John seems to like Ash as his Chief, but Kaiden and him are really good friends...,"

"Either way, it won't be pleasant," He finished as he sat down across from me.

"Also, last night...," I began.

"Hmm?" He said, seeming to be in deep thought.

"After I returned to the Normandy, a thought came to me,"

He looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "You ended up here and I ended up with Ann. What if, and this is a big 'if'...but what if others from our universe and time haveended up here in different Mass Effect universes?"

"You think somebody is doing this on purpose?" He asked. "Why?"

"To change the outcomes," I answered. "It was just a thought.

"A scary one." he mumbled. "But a possibility."

"Not like people never wrote about it back home," I said causing him to laugh.

"This is weird," He said with a smirk. "Never did that kind of stuff myself,"

"I kinda liked the one with Brendan and Nick," He laughed. "There was this one that went into Mass Effect, halo, Stargate SG1 and Atlantis," He laughed again just as the doors opened to reveal the Commander.

"Ah, Ian," He said. "Get suited up. You're on the ground team with Liara, Jacob, and I,"

Ian quickly stood. "Yes sir," He said and left, leaving John with me.

"Benezia is on Peak 15," I said as I stood, my arms crossed my chest. He nodded. "You'll need to get a garage pass for it. There are trapped scientists up there,"

"Why are they trapped?" He asked with a frown.

"Because they found something up there in the glacier," I said, sounding uncertain. "It was a Rachni queen. They're taking her eggs from her and hatching them; but something went wrong and now they've turned on the scientists," I paused. "It's because they weren't raised by the queen. They don't have control of themselves,"

He sighed. "Alright." He then turned to leave. "Anything else?"

"When you get back, the Council will want you to go to Virmire to save a salarian Captain. We'll need to talk afterwards," He nodded. "Be careful Commander,"

He smirked and left.

John entered the airlock and spotted his team ready, Ian just putting his helmet on.

"Okay...we all ready?" He asked.

"Ready Commander," Liara nodded as she rechecked her shields.

"Ready sir." Jacob acknowledged with a smile.

"Ready here Commander." Ian said with a quick nod.

"Be careful out there guys, the weather is really bad." Joker said over the ships comm system.

As they exited the ship a blast of frigid air hit them, all four taking deep breaths while their suits readjusted to the far colder temperatures. Nobody stood outside at the custom's door to greet them, which the four were thankful for as they made their way back to the administrator's office. A woman looked up at them when they arrived.

"Ah...Commander Shepard. If you'll wait I'll go inform Administrator Anoleis that you're here," She said with a smile.

"Call ahead?" Jacob inquired.

"No," John said with a frown.

After a few moments she returned. "Mr. Anoleis will see you now," She said as she opened the door for them. Inside they saw a salarian sitting behind an elaborate desk.

"You'll pardon me if I don't stand up. I don't have much time to entertain colonial rubes." He said snidely without even bothering to greet his guests. "What do you want?"

"I need to get to Peak 15." John said as began to get annoyed.

"The tram to Peak 15 is shut down and road access is restricted." Anoleis quickly answered sounding increasingly nervous.

"I saw a Mako-" John began but was interupted.

"As I just said...road access is restricted to those with a garage pass. I don't know if I could make myself clearer." Anoleis snidely replied.

"Then give me one." John demanded.

Anoleis leaned back in his chair. "Garage passes are only for department heads and managers, which you are neither."

"This is a matter of galactic importance. We need to get to Peak 15." John said clenching his jaw.

"I said no... Commander. Either abandon your plight or wait until the storm passes." Anoleis said with a smirk.

"How long will-" John began but was interrupted.

"Storms around here are known to last days, even weeks." he turned his attention to his terminal. "Now go. I have work to do."

Ian saw the growing anger on Shepards face. "Come on Commander...we'll find another way." he urged, pushing John gently away from the desk and out of the room.

Everybody groaned as John used the Mako's thrusters, sending them hurtling down the pass to avoid being hit by a Geth rocket trooper. Ian found himself feeling like he was on some deranged lunatic's roller coaster ride.

"Commander, please don't do that. I feel sick," He complained, which caused John to laugh loudly.

Once they'd gotten past the Geth, they had to deal with the wind from the storm, which was far worse than it had been hours before. The wind blew without mercy as it whipped and swirled snow in all directions. They all blew out a sigh of relief as the entrance to the facility came into sight.

"That was an exhausting trip Commander. Perhaps a rest before we continue?" Liara asked hopefully.

"Sounds good," He said, but frowned. "But we don't have time," He turned to Jacob. "Your record says you have powerful biotics. If you see hopper Geth, throw them and destroy them,"

Jacob nodded. "Keep your eyes open. I've been told that we may encounter some insectoid type enemies,"

"What kind?" Ian asked but secretly already knew.

"The Rachni," He said, causing everybody to shiver at the thought of running into those deadly beasts.

I watched Garrus grab another tool for the Mako.

"Garrus...," I began.

"Hmm?" He answered as he sat by the Mako's scanner.

"What are those spikes on your legs for?" I asked.

He chuckled. "What, didn't you ask that to my 'other' self?" He asked.

"No," I said, pulling my legs up to my chest. "He taught me how to shoot, and how not to get myself killed," I smiled.

"I basically saw him as a big brother, and didn't ask personal questions, but I've always wondered,"

"Way back in the good old days, leg spikes were used to protect our mates and our clans," He said. "A spike kick, done right, can be lethal to an opponent. Done wrong, it could kill both people," He gave me a smile.

"When the spike it extended it fills with a poisonous venom. It's extremely potent,"

"Wow!" I said with wide eyes causing him to chuckle.

"There's a saying..." he began. "The bigger the spike, the bigger the man" he chuckled at my blush.

"Funny Vakarian, very funny," I muttered under my breath. Just then my omni-toll pinged. Looking down I saw it was from an unknown account. "Huh?"

Garrus looked up from his calibrations. "What is it?" He asked.

"An unknown just sent me a message," I said, opening it. Garrus leaned over to read it to.

To: Serena Lavargus
From: A Friend
Miss Lavargus,

I have been watching you since you've arrived in our universe. May, I, on behalf of humanity, say welcome. I am sure you've been through many difficulties. Your knowledge of the attack on Eden Prime was...unexpected. You were unexpected. I am sure the Reapers will never know what hit them, once you join our side. I can give you anything you want. Protect whoever you love. Destroy your enemies. All you have to do is pledge your alliance to me, and give me what I seek. If you do not contact me by the end of an Earth week, I will take that as evidence that you will not be joining me. I warn you, Miss Lavargus, I am not a man to be crossed.

I read and reread the message twice, until I heard a growl next to me. "Somebody is threatening you," Garrus growled. "You should tell John," I nodded. He looked back at me and touched my shoulder. "Nobody will hurt you on my watch,"

"Y-Yeah." I stuttered. "I mean, they'll have to go through you and John first,"

"Who's threatening who?" Wrex growled from his seat in the corner.

"Serena just got a letter. Anonymous sender," Garrus said as he pressed a button on his omni-tool causing Wrex to look down as his pinged.

Wrex chuckled. "This one has a quad to threaten anyone of the crew of this ship,"

I smiled.

"He won't hurt you. Besides, I'm sure you'd kick him in the quad," This caused me to laugh. Yeah, no way anybody will hurt me. I thought. But still, who sent this to me? I silently wondered as I looked back down at the haunting message. Something about the way it was written was eerily familiar, but what?

M-Angel: Oh goody, another cliffy!

Knight: *laughs* People don't like those. XD

M-Angel: *laughs evilly* I know! Review and I'll update faster!