A/N: After learning something from one of my reviewers, I'm not breaking any records for updates. Sad...but that won't stop me from cranking these bad boys out right up to the end! And with what I'm cooking up, it'll be one hell of an end!
I own nothing
Alexander 'Maverick' Drake
SSV Normandy - Private Quarters
August 21, 2183 - 21:01 hours
Staring at the ceiling above him, Alex couldn't help but think back on when he first arrived in this universe. How much things had changed for him over the last three years. He knew that his presence would ultimately alter the timeline in more ways than he could understand. But a large part of him knew that none of that mattered as long as he did what he knew was right.
Jane shifted in her spot, head on his shoulder with her arm draped over his torso as she slept peacefully. They'd spent the first hour or so expressing just how much they had fallen for one another. After saying a few sweet nothings to each other she had fallen asleep radiating happiness.
Alex had never seen her so happy, and he made his mission to ensure that she stayed that way for as long as they were together.
He shook his head smiling. If anyone told him a few years ago that he'd wind up in a relationship with Commander Shepard he would have beaten the hell out of them for wise cracking. But after everything they shared, the nano soldier just couldn't see a life without her in it.
She had gotten so deep in his heart that there was no chance of it being empty again. But with all these good feelings came a cloud of dread. The future was going to be hell, and Alex knew that Jane would be facing some serious shit. But the biggest thing clouding his thoughts was the first of several horrible things to come.
The Collector attack on the Normandy.
The mere thought of it made his heart nearly stop. Jane would be killed in the attack along with several other crewmen. But with the way he changed certain things would it be different? Better? Worse? He had no way of knowing. 'Guess I'll have to deal with that when it happens.' he thought to himself. 'But I'm not going to stand by and watch her die. I won't let those bug bastards take her away after I just got her in my life.'
"Alex?" The Post-Human looked down and saw jade-green eyes looking back at him. "Are you okay? You've been staring hard at the ceiling for a few minutes now." she said a little concerned.
Alex smiled, "Just thinking about the mission, and what's going to happen when we beat Saren and stop the Reapers." he lied smoothly.
She nodded before nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck. Her bare legs intertwining themselves with his under the sheet covering them. "If I had known your stamina in the bedroom matched your stamina on the battlefield I would have prepared myself better. You damn near broke my pelvis." she muttered into his skin.
"If I remember correctly, darlin. You were the one on top throughout most of it." said Alex running his fingers up her back and making her shiver. "I'm definitely not complaining though, I like seeing you from that angle."
Jane muttered something about crazy/sexy super soldiers into his neck before sitting up, the sheet wrapped lightly around her chest. "Alex, what does this mean? For us?" she asked seriously.
Alex sat up on his elbows, "What do you want it to mean? What do you want from this Jane?" he asked motioning between the two of them.
The Commander bit her lip, "I like this. Us I mean. This is the first real connection I've had with someone in years, I just want everything to go right."
Leaning up against the headboard, Alex pulled Jane into his chest and held her. "How about we take things one step at a time. It takes a lot of work when it comes to relationships. But considering what we each have been through I think we can handle it. If we work together that is."
Jane smiled, "Sounds good to me." she said snuggling into his warmth.
It was then a memory flashed through her mind. Images of Alex in the nano suit, walking into the Ceph's Central Spire. His body ablaze as the nanites in the air ripped the suit apart while he continued to push forward.
She didn't know she had been crying until Alex took notice. "Jane? Jane what's wrong?" he asked worried while wiping the tears away with his fingers.
Wiping her eyes herself, she pressed her forehead against his. "Just...don't do anything stupid, Alex. I can't lose you...not after all of this. I don't think my heart could take it if anything happened to you."
Alex was shocked to say the least, but he understood where she was coming from. "I'll do the best that I can. That much I can promise you." he held her face in his hands and kissed her gently. "You won't lose me. No matter what, I'll always come back to you." he said smiling.
Jane smiled back before kissing him again.
"Heads up everyone. ETA to the Mu Relay 15 minutes." came Joker's voice throughout the ship.
The two Spectres sighed, "Duty calls." Jane muttered not wanting to leave the bed or Alex.
"That it does." said Alex also not happy about being interrupted. "Well, Saren's ass isn't going to kick itself." he said as they got out of bed and started gathering their clothes. Alex peeked over his shoulder and got an eyeful of Jane's bare form in the light of the room.
Looking over at him, Jane gave a sultry smirk. "Like what you see?" she asked winking.
"Considering I spent the last two hours getting to know it inside and out? Yes, yes I do." said the nano soldier grinning while the Commander's face glowed red at the innuendo.
Not wanting to be outdone, she turned to face him. Walking forward with a noticable sway in her naked hips until she stood in front of him. "Just remember," she said with lust in her voice as her hand reached up to the back of Alex's neck. "The only one getting inside of this." she motioned to her body. "Is standing in front of me."
She pulled the Post-Human down into a seering kiss that made both their heads spin. When they separated the only thing Alex wanted to do was throw her back on the bed for another three rounds.
Jane patted his cheek, "Now get dressed Maverick. We have a galaxy to save." she said gathering up her clothes.
They dressed quickly, sharing one last kiss before Alex left to put on the nano suit. Jane sat on her bed, memories of what they did and what they shared in the room together filled her mind and her heart. She'd never felt like this before, and she really liked it.
Her omni-tool chimed snapping her out of her thoughts. Looking it over she saw that it was a message from Alex;
Just so you know. I'm intending on taking you on a real first date when all of this is over. So be ready for it darlin. - A
Jane smiled and blushed. Now she had another reason to put an end to Saren's madness.
X
The Normandy flew straight toward the Mu Relay. Pulling up along side the large structure as the eezo contained within charged the ship before catapulting it off into the distance.
After a few minutes, the ship came out it's jump near a second relay as it drew closer to Ilos. "Uhh...We've got company guys." said Joker as Jane, Alex, Liara, Tali, Ashley and Pressly stood around the cockpit behind him.
"Have their sensors picked us up yet?" asked Liara.
"Stealth systems are engaged. Unless we get close enough for a visual, they won't have any idea we're here." said Joker.
"Geth don't use windows." said Alex. "Their machines, it'd be considered a structural weakness on their part." he explained at the odd looks he was getting.
"He's right." agreed Tali. "Using viewports on their ships would be outside of their nature."
"Picking up some strange readings from the planet's surface." said Pressly from a nearby console.
"Take us in, Joker. Lock in on the coordinates." said Jane.
"Negative on that, Commander. The nearest landing zone's two clicks away." said Pressly.
"You'll never make it in time on foot." said Ashley from the communications terminal. "Get us something closer!" she called over her shoulder.
"There is nowhere closer! I've looked!" Pressly shouted.
"Just drop us in the Mako like we planned." said Alex.
"You need at least a hundred meters of open terrain to pull off a drop like that. The most I can find near Saren is twenty." said Pressly.
"Twenty meters? We'll never get in close enough for a drop." said Ashley.
"We have to try." said Liara.
"Are there any other landing zones?" asked Tali.
"Negative, and the descent angle's too steep. And we don't have any other options." said Pressly.
"It's a suicide run! We can't-" "I can do it." Joker said cutting Ashley off.
"Joker?" asked Jane.
"I can do it." the helmsmen repeated. "It'll be tight, but I can get you guys in there."
"If there's ever anyone in the Traverse to trust with this kind of thing. I'm pretty sure Joker here is at the top of the list." said Alex patting the back of the pilot's chair.
Joker smirked, "I won't let you guys down."
Jane nodded and looked at the team, "Gear up and head down to the Mako. Joker, drop us right on top of that bastard." she said as they filed out of the room.
"Good luck guys." said Ashley as she continued to work the comms.
X
On Ilos, a battalion of Geth ranging from Troopers to Armatures marched down an old stone path and into a tunnel network before them.
Saren was in the center of the group, glowing eyes looking forward in determination as he flexed the fingers on his new arm. Fury still deep in the back of his mind toward the Human that had torn off his last one during their confrontation. And he vowed to make sure that Maverick paid dearly for his humiliation.
The sound of a ship's engines roared through the air. The Turian looked to the sky and snarled when he saw the Normandy barreling down through the atmosphere toward his position.
On board, Joker gritted his teeth as he timed the decent and angle just right as the ship drew in closer.
"You two, keep moving. Inside, NOW!" Saren ordered as the Normandy angled up and dropped the Mako.
The last of the Geth got inside, Saren spun and glared at the rover as the reinforced doors leading to the bunker slammed shut and sealed. The Mako's breaks squealed as it came to a stop just over a foot away from the large doors.
"Dammit! So close." said Jane smashing her fists on the steering wheel. "Everyone out, we have to find a way to get in there and get after him."
Fitting all six of them into the Mako wasn't hard, there was just enough space to fit all of them. But it was still a bit close for those crammed in the troop compartment. Which was why they were all glad to be out in the open when they got out.
"We have to get inside this bunker before Saren finds the Conduit!" said Garrus looking the large door over for structural weakness.
"We'd need some serious ordinance to get through here." said Alex twirling an explosive arrow in his fingers. "And my arrows and explosives won't be enough to punch through."
"If Saren could open it, than so can we." said Liara. "There must be some kind of security override somewhere in this complex."
"Then that's our objective. Let's move." said Jane as they all drew weapons and began to head deeper into the complex. Two Geth Troopers greeted them, but were quickly cut down by the team of six.
"Heh, tin cans don't stand a chance." said Wrex racking his Claymore.
They moved quickly into a courtyard just outside the landing zone. Alex scanned the area with his visor as three large blips appeared on his motion tracker. "Ordinance Incoming." "Heads down!" he shouted as a plasma blast exploded against the wall behind them.
"Armatures!" shouted Jane as they took cover. "Garrus and I will take the first. Wrex and Liara the Second!" ordered the Commander as they fired upon the large Geth.
"Guess that leaves the last for us Tali." said Alex to the Quarian as they got into cover. Alex drew his bow and nocked an explosive arrow. "Care to do the honors?" he asked drawing the string back.
"My pleasure." said Tali firing up her omni-tool and blasting the large Geth with a powerful overload. Thanks to Alex and Prophet, everyone's omni-tools and the programs in them had gotten a huge upgrade. The Armature's shields sparked before shutting down allowing Alex to pop up and fire the explosive.
The Armature's body shook from the blast as it ripped into its armor. It shuddered with a few sparks coming out but it remained standing. Alex put his bow away and drew his new assault rifle and fired into the opening of the platforms armor and shredding the insides until its optic dimmed and it collapsed.
When the other synthetics fell dead the team regrouped and headed for the structure in front of them. Going down several stone corridors covered in foliage, they kept their eyes out for any Geth that could have been hiding.
"Are these the Protheans?" asked Garrus looking at the odd looking statues that were scattered everywhere.
"They must be. If this is one of their worlds." said Liara looking over a statue with a close eye, her expertise coming out.
"No time for that now. Lets get to that security override." said Jane as they moved forward.
They stood upon a landing above another courtyard where several Geth Shock Troopers and a Destroyer where waiting. Garrus, Jane, and Alex took out their sniper rifles and started to pick the Geth off one by one.
"Got 2." said Alex.
"3." said Jane smirking at Alex in victory.
"4. I win." said Garrus smirking as they started moving again.
"The Destroyer counts as one Garrus." said Alex as the team made their way down to the next courtyard.
The Turian sighed, "Fine, I still beat you though Alex."
"But you tied with me." said the Commander smirking to herself. A gunshot went off and a Stalker fell dead to the ground in front of them.
Alex pulled the bolt back on his rifle to vent it before looking at the others, "Now we're all tied." he said smugly as they kept moving.
The squad encountered more Geth, but with each one taken down they started to realize that the number of synthetics was lower than what they were expecting. "You know, you'd think Saren would have a lot more guards stationed around the complex." said Tali sweeping with her shotgun.
"He must be focusing most of his forces to finding the Conduit and securing it." said Jane as they entered an old elevator. "This gives us a chance to catch up, let's not waist it."
The lift descended for several floors before opening up to a long room with lights and a few terminals active. "This place still has power. There must be a generator nearby." said Liara.
"From the looks of this place it must be the command center for the complex." said Garrus scanning the room. "Saren's troops must have sealed the doors from here after he went inside."
The squad spread out and began to cover the room from different angles when two Destroyers and a Prime both came out of hiding and began to fire on them. Dropping into cover, the team returned fire. One of the Destroyer's shields went down, a blast from Wrex's Claymore blew it to pieces as the remaining platforms kept up the assault.
Scanning the room, Alex highlighted two deactivated Armatures on either side of the room hooked up to terminals. "Time for a little backup." he said bringing up his omni-tool. He targeted the one on the right first as he began to connect the frequency nodes. "Connection Established."chimed Prophet.
The Armature unfolded itself and charged its main gun. The blast tore into the second Destroyer and reduced it to salvage while causing damage to the Prime's shields.
Alex turned to the second Armature and quickly hacked that one too. "Connection Established." the platform sprang to life and fired on the Prime with it's twin. The joint fire from both hacked Geth and the team dropped the Prime in seconds and giving the squad a straight shot for the control room.
"Nice touch." said Jane as they passed the Armatures that remained on standby incase anymore Geth tried to flank them.
"Thought they could help." said replied Alex as they walked up a ramp and into the control room.
Going through the various panels, Jane found one that seemed to still be functioning and activated it. "That should do it. Come on, Saren's already got a head start. We need to find him before he reaches the Conduit." said the Commander.
"Unless he's already found it. Then we're just walking into a trap." commented Wrex.
"Good thing we all love a challenge." said Alex as they began to leave the room.
Liara stopped as something lit up in the center of the room. "Wait! Something's happening." she said as everyone looked at the anomaly that resembled a damaged hologram.
The image garbled something in a language most of them didn't understand. "It sounds like a message, but I can't seem to understand the language." said Tali intrigued.
"It must be Prothean." said Alex as he tried to have Prophet decipher the language. "Being over 50,000 years old, not many things function as well as they did before."
"I...understand some of it." said Jane concentrating. "It's a warning against the Reaper invasion. It's saying something about the Conduit too, but it's too degraded to help with anything. We should get going." she said as they all filed out.
Alex looked back at the hologram a moment before following after the others. "I have to scan some Prothean tech before we leave. It'll give us an advantage later." he thought as they headed back to the lift and rode it back to the main courtyard they were in before.
Taking out a few stragglers along the way, the team got back into the Mako as the bunker's reinforced door opened allowing them to surge through. "I thought Saren would have set some kind of a trap for us." said Garrus from the navigator's seat.
"Seeing us coming down on him must have lit a fire under his ass." said Alex from the turret seat. "But we should stay alert. We may not see anything yet but he might have left something to distract us."
They kept driving through the tunnels leading further and further into the planet. The walls they passed had several long oval containers sticking out through the the roots and foliage that covered them.
"What are all of those things on the walls?" asked Tali.
"They look to be stasis pods of some kind." said Liara. "Perhaps the Protheans tried to keep themselves alive through cryogenic freezing."
"And since the power went out long ago...this bunker became their tomb." said Alex grimly.
"Hostiles Detected." the nano soldier swung the cannon around and fired. Blowing three Rocket Troopers apart as they launched a volley of explosives at them. Jane hit the thrusters, having the Mako leap into the air as the missiles flew under them.
"Guess Saren left us a few gifts after all." grunted Wrex as the rover kept moving.
After another minute. Jane slammed on the breaks as a glowing orange shield sprang up in front of them and sealing off the tunnel. "What the hell is that?" she said looking it over. A second barrier appeared behind them boxing them in.
"It's a trap! Saren must have set an ambush!" said Garrus.
Stopping the rover, everyone got out and looked around. "I don't think Saren's behind this." said Liara.
Alex walked toward the only opening available to them. "Theres an elevator over here. It looks like someone's trying to lead us somewhere." he looked back at the others. "Jane, Liara and I will go on ahead. You guys stay with the Mako and make sure nothing happens."
After getting confirmation, the team of three entered the lift and punched the panel. "What do you think this is?" wondered Liara as they descended.
"Whatever it is, hopefully it's friendly. We've got enough problems as it is." said Jane.
The door opened to a chamber filled with more of the pods they saw out in the bunker. The path before them leading to a terminal at the end of a platform.
Weapons drawn, the team treaded forward. "What is this place?" Jane whispered while keeping her assault rifle ready.
Alex looked at the end of the platform as a hologram appeared before the terminal. "We're about to find out." he said as they stopped in front of the projection.
"You are not Prothean. Yet I sense that one of you is part machine dissimilar to that of our enemies. This eventuality was one of many that was anticipated. This is why we sent our warning through the beacons." spoked the ancient VI.
"Looks like a badly damaged VI program." said Liara.
"I do not sense the taint of indoctrination upon any of you. Unlike the other that has passed recently. Perhaps there is still hope." said the VI
"How can we understand you? And how did you know that part of me is machine?" asked Alex.
"I have been monitoring your communications since you arrived at this facility. I have translated my output into a format you will comprehend." said the program. "As for your condition, I was able to scan your form when you entered this chamber. You are similar to the other that has passed, but you are not indoctrinated. The technology you possess is far more advanced than that of your compatrons."
"My name is Vigil. You are safe here, for the moment. But that is likely to change. Soon, nowhere will be safe." said Vigil.
"What exactly are you? Some kind of Artificial Intelligence?" asked Jane.
"I am an advanced organic analysis system with personality imprints from Ksad Ishan, chief overseer of the Ilos research facility." replied the program.
"Its like Prophet." said Alex. "An AI that can read, analyse and learn from everything around it. Though Vigil seems to be far more sentient. But Prophet is almost an imprint of Barnes."
"I sensed the other intelligence within you upon your rival. It is constructed with similar functions to my own. Whoever created it would have proved to be on equal ground with some of our engineers." stated Vigil.
"Why did you bring us down here?" asked Jane.
"You must break a cycle that has continued for millions of years. But to stop it, you must understand, or you will make the same mistakes we did." said the program. "The Citadel is the heart of your government. As it was with us, and as it has been with every civilization that came before us. But the Citadel is a trap. The station is actually an enormous mass relay. One that links to dark space, the empty void beyond the galaxy's horizon."
"When the Citadel relay is activated, the Reapers will pour through. And all that you know will be destroyed." Vigil finished ominously.
"How did no one discover that the Citadel was actually a relay?" asked Liara in shock.
"The Reapers are careful to keep the greatest secrets of the Citadel hidden. That is why they created a species of seemingly benign organic caretakers." said the VI.
"The Keepers." said Jane now understanding.
"Yes. The Keepers maintain the station's most basic functions. They enable any species that discovers the Citadel to use it without fully understanding the technology. Reliance of the Keepers ensures no other species will ever discover the Citadel's true nature. Not until the relay is activated and the Reapers invade." said Vigil.
"You said that the Reapers came from dark space. How can they survive out there?" asked Jane.
"That's pretty easy when you think about it." said Alex getting their attention. "Kind of like the Geth. They must put themselves in stasis until they detect that the Citadel relay is open. They are machines, it must be simple for them."
"He is correct." said Vigil. "This also allows them to survive for thousands upon thousands of years until a new organic civilization builds itself to their apex. By retreating beyond the edges of the galaxy, they ensure that no one will accidentally discover them until the Citadel relay is opened once more."
"And with the galactic government all centered in one place, they can wipe out the most powerful leaders in the Traverse in a single surprise attack!" said Jane fully understanding what Vigil was saying.
"That was our fate." said Vigil. "Our leaders were dead before we even realized we were under attack. The Reapers seized control of the Citadel, and through it the mass relays. Communication and transportation across our empire was crippled. Each star system was isolated, cut off from the others. Easy pray for the Reaper fleet."
"The perfect divide and conquer strategy." Liara said shaking her head in horror.
"Over the next decades, the Reapers systematically obliterated our people." Vigil continued. "World by world. System by system, they methodically wiped us out. They had but a single goal: the extinction of all advanced organic life."
"And by gaining control of the Citadel, they used the archives to know everything and anything about your people; using it against you." summarized Alex.
"Yes. And within a few centuries the Reapers had killed or enslaved every Prothean in the galaxy. They were relentless, brutal and absolutely thorough." said the VI
"Why would they do this? What do the Reapers gain from doing the same cycle of genocide again and again?" asked Jane.
"The Reapers are alien, unknowable. Perhaps they need slaves or resources. More likely, they are driven by motives and goals organic beings cannot hope to comprehend." replied Vigil.
Alex clenched his fists, 'If they only knew...if only I could tell them everything...I fucking hate this!' he raged in his mind.
"How do we stop them?" he asked out loud.
"The Conduit is the key. Before the Reapers attacked, we Protheans were on the cusp of unlocking the mysteries behind mass relay technology. Ilos was a top secret facility. Here, researchers worked to create a small-scale version of a mass relay. One that linked directly to the Citadel, the hub of the relay network." said Vigil.
"The Conduit isn't a weapon. It's a back door into the Citadel!" exclaimed Liara.
"When the Reapers retreated back to dark space through the Citadel relay, some of our best scientific minds had managed to keep themselves hidden here at Ilos. When the extinction of our people was inevitable, they vowed to find some way to stop the Reapers from returning. A way to break the cycle forever. And they knew the Keepers were the key." the VI explained.
"The Keepers are controlled by the Citadel. Before each invasion, a signal is sent through the station compelling the Keepers to activate the Citadel relay. After decades of feverish study, the scientists discovered a way to alter this signal. Using the Conduit, they gained access to the Citadel and made the modifications. This time, when Sovereign sent the signal to the Citadel, the Keepers ignored it. The Reapers are trapped in dark space."
"That's why Saren needs the Conduit." said Alex. "He'll be able to gain access to the Citadel and undo everything the last Protheans did."
"He will most likely transfer control of the station to Sovereign. Once in control, it will override the Citadel's systems and manually open the relay. The cycle of extinction will begin again." concluded Vigil.
"Is there a way to stop this from happening?" asked Jane wanting to find the Conduit now more than ever.
"There is a data file in my console. Take a copy when you go. When you reach the Citadel's master control unit, upload it to the station. It will corrupt the station's security protocols and give you temporary control over the Citadel. It might give you a chance against Sovereign." said the program.
Alex walked around the projection, omni-tool flared as he went over to the terminal. "Prophet, copy the data and have it secured as mission critical." he ordered.
"Connection Established. Copying Mission Critical Data."
"Hybrid, there is something else." said Vigil.
Alex turned to the projection. 'Hybrid' had defiantly been a name he hadn't been called before. "Yes?" he asked.
"I have scanned your suit thoroughly since your arrival. It is a powerful piece of technology. And it's adaptability is invaluable. There may be a way I can improve on this to help you on your mission." said the VI.
"Improve? How?" asked the nano soldier a little interested. Green sparks started to come off of the terminal making him take a step back. Three bolts of green electricity shot out of the console and pierced the chest of the nano suit.
Alex froze as the current went through both the suit and his body. "Unknown Energy Surge Detected. Nano Suit Systems Reconfiguring." Alerted Prophet as the Post-Human's body rose off the floor and hovered in the air.
"ALEX!" Jane and Liara screamed up at him as he went through what looked to be the same thing like what happened with Sovereign back on Virmire. The power output became so bright they had to shield their eyes from it as the energy began coiling around the nano soldier's form.
His HUD went haywire as it glowed bright green around the edges from the energy flowing through the suit. Alex felt something changing. The suit, his body, his mind, he could feel everything changing.
After a few moments the energy began to die down, the nano soldier was lowered back to the ground until he was back on his feet. The terminal darkened and shut down as the green energy continued to crackle along Alex's form. "Adaptation of Unknown Energy...Complete. System Rebooting."
"I have given you something to help aid you against Sovereign and the other Reapers. Use it well..." said Vigil as its projection faded before their eyes.
Alex looked as his hands as the energy died down. Everything looked the same. But at the same time felt different. He didn't know what changed, but whatever it was he had a feeling that it was a good thing.
"Alex are you okay? What happened?" asked Jane a little worried.
Looking up at her, all he could do was shrug. "I'm not sure exactly...Nothing seems to be wrong with the nano suit's systems. But something feels different." he shook his head. "It doesn't matter right now. We got the data. Now let's get going, Saren's got a big enough lead as it is."
Casting him another concerned glance, Jane nodded before leading them to the lift that would take them back to the Mako and the rest of the team.
Along the way, a small bolt of green electricity arced along Alex's back before fading back into the suit.
A/N: The end of the ME1 arc has truly begun. And with a bit of a plot twist to start. What Vigil did to the nano suit will be revealed very soon, so any answers you have will be answered quickly. The battle for the Citadel is next, so be ready for a wild ride folks!