Alright people, I give you this extra long chapter. Why, you might ask? I'll tell you why. Because my new beta has been making sure I don't post crap. and believe me, some parts of this chapter were crap before CriticalRift came along. Now though, I feel I can post this and be happy with it.

Virmire is over. No one died... except for a few thousand marines and such... but no one important. Gods, that was so wrong... Who let Magnus at my keyboard?

Anyway, let's get to it.

Are we not civilized?

Daratar, Faryar system

Compound of Depot-12

09:12

Watching Tara keeling over had so far been one of the most infuriating experiences Magnus had yet suffered on this side of death. The woman who had delivered the second blow was still standing, haughty, in front of the captain.

And he couldn't do shit about it. Cerberus soldiers were amongst them, forcing them on their knees. It was humiliating. Nothing short of humiliating, not to mention the probability that they were most likely going to be shot now. Well, maybe not Tara, seeing as the queen-bitch knew Tara was in command, but probably the rest of them.

Magnus received a rough shove that sent him to his knees, then felt his weapons being pried from his back with little care for their durability. What caused him to halt the tirade of insults, threats and promises of violence, was the sound of heavy, running footsteps approaching Tara and her captor.

"Ymir! Stand down right now! Kraken, release that woman!" An angered, deep male voice shouted, carrying authority above the rest of them. Magnus wasn't the only one who snapped his head towards the source of the voice.

Approaching Tara and her captors, a bulky suit of armor, trimmed with gold and white around the shoulders, was running with a katana shotgun out and ready. There was a visor up, but the voice still betrayed that the man was most likely African or Afro-American. Whatever he was, his commands were heeded and Tara was let go by the bulky soldier who stepped back, visage betraying that he feared reprisals for disobeying orders. The woman though, seemed to glare at her obvious superior in either defiance or anger. Magnus honestly didn't care which.

As the officer reached them, he grabbed the woman called 'Ymir' and forced her away from Tara. Magnus couldn't hear what was said to the woman, but the answer was easy to hear, seeing as the outrage in it carried it across the men and women, kneeling and standing.

"But it's a Quarian! It's a fucking suit-rat, and to top it off, it's Tara'Velan, the Black Widow! She's killed more of our organization than any single other individual! If anything we should shoot her right now!" The woman argued, pointing at Tara with her sidearm, causing Magnus to cringe at the sight. Apparently, the officer didn't like it either, as he slapped the weapon from her hand.

"Stand down! Stand down or I swear I will have you put on trial! We are not here to seek enemies, in case you have forgotten that!" Okay, so that guy was probably the single-most pissed individual Magnus had ever met, if one counted out Jane on one of her mental trips on Torfan. Maybe there was something less-than-rotten in Cerberus anyway.

Ymir backed down, skulking while she pulled a rifle from her back and returned up the hill. Going to steam off, Magnus assumed. The officer then turned to the one called 'Kraken', because honestly, what was it with Cerberus and using Nordic names? Weren't they supposed to be in love with Greek? Whatever he said, it was inaudible to the Suns, although Tara seemed to be able to hear it and stared up at the officer, in apparent disbelief. A moment passed between the officer and Tara, Magnus completely unable to hear what was said.

"Men, stand down. The Blue Suns are not hostiles. We made a mistake, and we will own up to it. Start by releasing Tara'Velan's men." The voice of the officer was drastically changed, now commanding but in a much more personal and less angry manner. If Magnus didn't know better, he'd say the man sounded like he wanted to make it up to them.

Well, he could start by letting Magnus have an hour undisturbed with that 'Ymir' woman.

He stood up, shrugging off the hesitantly assisting hand while glaring at the soldier in question with a ferocity he rarely felt like using. He didn't care crap that this guy just followed his orders. He had seemed plenty willing to strip and capture Magnus before. Instead, Magnus grabbed his Mattock from the ground, dusted it off and held it in a relaxed position, ready to put rounds down if he got the chance to shoot the bitch.

Standing fully, he looked back to where Tara had been on the ground before. The Cerberus officer was reaching down towards her, katana in the other hand. Despite having stopped the abuse of authority, Magnus instantly saw in his mind how the officer snapped around and shot Tara in the head. You could never know with the organization so radical even Terra Firma wanted nothing to do with them.

Instead, Tara was helped to stand, looking just as bewildered as Magnus felt at the gesture. The others had all been released as well now, most sending heated glares at the Cerberus soldiers. A woman in a regular set of phase-II armor, also donned in white and gold, answered the beckoning from the officer and went to Tara, the Quarian taking a step back, wanting to avoid a sudden attack. Not that Magnus blamed her. He himself was still pumped and ready to take down every single white-and-gold piece of armor standing.

The woman said something to Tara, judging by how the captain seemed to let her guard down and allow the woman to bring her Omnitool out, running it across Tara's body while said Quarian stood stock-still, shifting to face either the officer or her men. He wasn't sure how she knew, but he suddenly found her eyes settled on him for just a moment too long for it to be a coincidence. Taking it as a sort of cue, he started pushing through the amassed troops, taking care not to cause too much attention to himself. As he reached the front, he could hear just what was being said, though not everything made sense.

"…here?" The officer said, having asked about something.

"We don't know, which is why we were sent here. We lost all contact with whomever was stationed here, before the uprising. What is Cerberus doing here?" Tara demanded, sounding everything but pleased. In fact, she sounded a good mix between exasperated and pissed. Having been kneed twice, Magnus didn't blame her for that one either.

"I am afraid I'm not at a liability to tell you." Oh great, so the good Samaritan was a choirboy for the bad guys. Fantastic.

"What? This is Blue Suns territory. Our territory, and you think to just withhold any kind of information of what might have happened here?" Tara exclaimed, taking a step towards the officer. To the credit of whatever humanism Cerberus believed in, he didn't pull his gun on her. Rather, he held up his now both unarmed hands to attempt calming her down.

If there was one thing Magnus had learned about Tara so far though, it was that when she did something, she burned for it with a passion.

And right now, she was demanding information.

"As I said, it's classified. Not even all my men know the reason. I'm sorry, but-" He started, until Tara got very in his face. Almost literally, as she grabbed him and, with surprising strength and an action that brought guns to be aimed at her, yanked the human towards her. Magnus found himself losing breath, just a little. He also realized that there were times where Tara scared him, if only a little.

"What the fuck does 'classified' mean right now? I'm missing almost two-hundred men and women stationed here. You tell me you were investigating something. So I say you come clean." Okay, now Magnus definitely was a little scared. Tara had not been like this before, and frankly, it didn't suit her as well as the more adorable version did. Still, there was a hellfire in her. He wasn't even aware he had started walking towards them until they both turned to look at him.

"Look, fighting won't solve shit, okay? I can't believe I'm being the diplomatic one here, because there's a woman on your team I want to kill, but just fucking come clean. It's not any harder than opening your mouth and saying words." He growled. The officer stared at him. Tara stared at him. Every single soul was staring at him. Good thing he wasn't a shy bastard like an old friend had been.

"Who are you?" The officer said, tone a bit less welcoming than it had just been with Tara. For some reason, Magnus found himself wanting to punch the man in the jaw.

"Olafur, I… appreciate you're trying to help, but it would really be much more helpful if you didn't reveal wanting to kill his subordinate. Though I appreciate the gesture." Tara said in her most neutral, officer-like voice.

"Damn… understood… Captain, but he knows something and he isn't going to talk just because we-"

"And he has a lot of soldiers with guns aimed at us, while our snipers are down here out of cover and our mechs are unarmed. Talking might be better than starting an actual battle." Tara said, her voice sweet yet menacingly low. Friend or not, it brought a shiver down Magnus's spine. It was just too much like what Jane had used to do when she was pissed.

"Shutting up ma'am." He said, almost backing away before he stopped himself. Dammit, he would not be intimidated by a girl.

"Good." Tara said, then turned back to the officer; "Still, he has a point. You might know what happened to my comrades here. I don't give a shit about your plans about the Alliance, or if you are harvesting Krogan organs. I want to know, why are you here, on Daratar, at our base?"

The officer seemed like he was contemplating his response, then shook his head. Magnus thought it meant another round of 'sorry, I've got a cock up my ass about classifications'. Instead, the officer started explaining;

"We were sent here to investigate possible activity by Reaper ships." Reaper ships… Reapers…

"Eden Prime was a major victory… One step closer to the return of the Reapers…"

"The Reapers… The Protheans vanished fifty-thousand years ago… There's no way Saren could bring them back…"

"One step closer… return… the return of the Reapers… destroyed the Protheans…"

"You came here to find REAPERS?" Magnus found himself shouting, then promptly kicked his own brain for being so stupendously stupid, his tongue for not being able to shut the fuck up. However, both Tara and the officer were looking at Magnus now. Fucking great. I love it when my mouth gets me neck-deep in shit.

"Reaper ships, Reapers… but yes, that was our mission. Sources said there had been discovered oddly shaped ships here, organic in design but dreadnoughts of huge proportions. Cerberus is the guardian of Humanity. So far only human colonies and bases have been hit. It's our job to find out what is going on, and why." The officer explained, tilting his head as he looked at Magnus, like he was considering something; "You have heard the word 'Reapers' before, I take it?"

"You could say that." Yes, but revealing Alliance secrets as well as his own past on the Normandy or relations to its crew was not on the list of things he wanted to tell a member of Cerberus. Though, both Tara and the officer were still staring him down. Since when the hell had she decided to take his side over Magnus's?

"A lot of shit went down before I joined the Suns. One sort was that we survived being attacked by maniacs yelling about Reapers, ascension and other stuff. That's all, really." Magnus said. The officer scratched at the side of his helmet;

"Former Alliance?"

"None of your business." Magnus scoffed. He didn't trust this man more than he would an armed Batarian slaver. The officer looked like he would argue, but just looked back at Tara;

"Fine. About two weeks ago, Cerberus started actively hunting down clues, traces and signs of Reaper activity. A few days ago, we received a ping from a source saying that a ship matching the descriptions from Eden Prime."

"You are sure this is the same ship?" Tara asked.

"It's a four kilometer dreadnought. There aren't a lot of those flying around. Or, there are and we're all screwed. It's kinda fifty-fifty right now." The officer said, offering a shrug.

"Four kilometers? Fuck me… how can you even build something so big? I mean, the Everest-class is just one-point-two, and that's huge." Magnus asked, not fully believing just how big the ship was. Actually it was a stroke of luck they hadn't caught it red-handed, or they would be dead. Hell, a ship that big probably fired slugs the size of the Scorpio.

"That's what we don't know… but the ship might have a connection to your missing garrison. Despite our… bad start, would your group be inclined to cooperate while we investigate this?" Tara crossed her arms at this, while Magnus scowled. No way he would work with the same people who had carried out fucked up experiments, bombed innocents and hurt Tara. At least, not before he was allowed at the bitch who had kicked her.

"You'd have to offer some pretty fucking good terms. I have no reason not to fully expect you to turn on us." Tara's voice was hard, not leaving room for any argument. She really did seem to revel in the commanding role; "Besides, you're terrorists. We have only just gone through an entire revolution to cleanse the Suns of terrorists. It would not exactly be good for our image."

The officer took a hand to the chin of his helmet

"I can understand that. Believe me, not everyone in Cerberus joined because of xenophobia. A lot do, yes, but others join because the Alliance isn't doing enough." The officer explained, putting his hands behind his back. Magnus tightened his grip on his Mattock in case the katana was suddenly pulled out.

"That's why we had the Corsairs. You know, independent captains, no red tape."

"Yeah, but they still had enough legal bullshit to sink a cruiser in red tape. In the end I just quit. Cerberus tend to get the job done." So, the officer was a former corsair. That could be good to know.

"Don't know if you noticed the fleets of Alliance warships hammering down on those Reaper-ships. I'd say the Alliance is doing a few things." He said. Magnus remembered the reports from Valhalla, how many had died there. He knew he could attribute most of the action to either Admiral Petrovsky, the Bear of the Alliance, or Admiral 'Neuter' Anna Fisher. Both were some of the most aggressive officers he had ever heard of.

"Anyway. I don't know if I have the jurisdiction to get you everything you might want. I don't even know what you might want in return for cooperation." The officer said, diverting them back to the subject of terms. Magnus knew he had cornered the guy, and took no small amount of pleasure from it.

"P-Steel hardsuits. Not your designs, never, but Liberator-II models in P-steel for humans, Turians and Quarians. Get us that, or a contract with someone who can, and we can consider this." Tara said, not sounding like she really believed it could or would be done. Magnus guessed she really didn't want to work with Cerberus, given their attack on the Rayya those years back. But at the same time, she put the Suns before personal feelings.

"Should be possible. We have the manufactories and the materials. So… deal?" He asked, extending a hand. Magnus eyed it for hidden knives while Tara seemed hesitant to take it.

"I suppose…" She finally said, taking his hand. Though Magnus saw her other hand resting on the stock of her shotgun. Never one to be too trusting, that was her.

SSV Normandy

Deck 2. Captain's quarters, Mess hall and Med-bay.

04:08

Consciousness slowly returned, along with a headache hammering away at his mind. Thomas was not fully aware of where he was, not until he started smelling the acrid scent of antiseptics and iron. The iron most likely being from… Oh Gods.

He flung himself into a seated position, pressing his eyes shut to fight down the sensation of fainting. He knew Ashley had been wounded, maimed. He had seen her leg, what it looked like, how much blood she was losing. Fear galloped through his body, dread washing over him in waves as he started staring around the room, desperately searching for the woman who's life was more precious to him than his own.

"Corporal, you… you need to lie down." The familiar voice of doctor Chakwas admonished, though with not a trace of harshness in it. Only concern and sympathy, things caused by some unknown factor that he feared more than anything to find out what was.

"Where is she?" He asked, surprised at how hoarse his voice was. He couldn't think of anything else, didn't want to. He just had to know, no matter what. He couldn't go on if… if something had happened. He knew it had, of course. He had seen her leg, seen the amount of blood she had lost. The thought that Virmire had yet claimed a life anyway, was eating away at his soul. Roku wasn't answering, meaning he had no way of knowing until Chakwas told him. Chakwas didn't speak at first, simply nodding at something to Thomas's right. His head snapped around to follow Chakwas' gesture.

"I am sorry. We had to take the leg, or she would lose entirely too much blood."

Ashley was unconscious, he hoped, breathing through a mask that was strapped to her face in the same manner as he had seen on Nicolai on Arcturus. She was dressed down to her dark under-uniform, the clothing he had seen underneath her regular uniform. Despite the memories of their times together, he felt no joy as he looked upon her now. Her lower body was hidden by a cover, hiding from view the horrifying injury he had seen just earlier. Thomas had a hard time understanding that what he was looking at was real. Far too real, to be real.

"Is… is she-" He pressed out, feeling his throat clench up.

"She will live, yes. I fear, had we not had the new bacta, we would have lost her. Knowing Ashley as we both do, I assume she will need a few days rest before we take into account whether or not she will receive a prosthesis. We need to asses what psychological damage has been done." The doctor said, touching her chin with a curled hand.

"So, she… she will…" Thomas muttered, still not daring to believe that his love, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, would survive.

"Live, yes. Calm down, Thomas. Ashley is a fighter. If anyone can pull through this, it's her."

"So… she'll live?" He finally managed to ask, daring to hope at last, that Chakwas was speaking the truth. He had lost too much to lose Ashley now. He just couldn't.

"Yes." Chakwas nodded. Then her expression grew a tone more serious; "I do believe you need to remain in bed as well. The damage to your body was… rather substantial. Not life-threatening, or you'd be anything but awake, but still critical."

"What happened to her?" He asked, not wanting, daring, to take his eyes off of Ashley. He feared that if he looked away, she would vanish into thin air, placed in a coffin of metal in the hangar.

"It's not all clear, actually. From what Alenko told me, they encountered Saren in the base. Somehow, he… Kaidan described it as Saren wiping the floor with them, casting the floor at some, burning others. He seemed… unnatural, to use the word. I'm not sure how else to describe it really. In the end the entire base caved in. A lot of the marines sent in were killed in the cave-in. We lost corporal Yekhev, impaled I believe…"

"Fuck… just… what… I can't. Can I… sit with her?" He asked, his eyes still not leaving Ashley's frame. Thomas sighed, resisting the need to close his eyes, tired as he was. He could not take his eyes off Ashley, no matter what. He had to protect her, no matter what.

"Of course. Just don't push yourself too much. Your body is still recuperating from your injuries." Chakwas said, offering him a small, warm smile as well as a hand. Thomas nodded his thanks, and accepted the doctor's help all the way over to Ashley's gurney, struggling to not let it show that his body was screaming in protest with each step. It was not important. Chakwas deposited him gently on the chair next to Ashley's bed. He once more thanked her, then wrapped an arm across her sleeping form. He could feel the steady rise and fall of her body as she breathed, an almost hypnotic feeling settling over him.

"Eh, Doctor Chakwas." Joker's voice came in from the speakers.

"What is it Jeff?" Thomas raised an eyebrow. He often forgot that Joker was entirely depending on Chakwas for his medicine, and as such they had known each other for years. If there was one person on the ship Chakwas might see as a relative, maybe a son, it would be the snarky pilot.

"We have… we have a gunship requesting permission to send a package over. It's straight from the planet, I think."

"What sort of package?" The doctor asked.

"They won't really tell me. Just that we open the cargo-hold. They'll shove it in, you know, the package."

"Why are you contacting me for this? Where's the commander?" Thomas had wondered that too. Normally you didn't contact the ship's doctor when a package on un-medical nature arrived.

"Well, they say it's for Fisher, so… since he's kinda in the med-bay and all."

"Strange…" She muttered, turning to face Thomas. Only he didn't dare take his eyes away from Ashley's sleeping body; "Thomas, do you have an impending package?"

"No…" He muttered, not really paying much attention. He most of all just wanted to lie up in the bed with Ashley, wrap his arms around her and protect her, keep her safe. He just wanted to hold her close, to keep anything from happening to her.

"Well, they are at the cargo-bay door. The marines are down there to receive whatever the package is. I'll keep you posted. Joker out." The pilot said, ending the conversation. Thomas didn't bother or care with what the package was. He had to stay with Ashley, fragile as she was. He knew that if he ever said it to her face, she would prove she was anything but fragile. Still, for now it was the only thing he could do, and as sleep started creeping over him, accompanied by the steady breathing of Ashley, the sound filtered through the mask, he started daring to hope that they had really escaped Virmire without losing anyone.

In the hangar, the members of the marine-detail that had so far avoided death or injury, was being mustered by Commander John'Shepard, the Quarian turning his attention to the opening into space. The barrier was keeping in air, but he never really got a good feeling about standing with only a magnetic barrier between him and the void.

The white shape of a gunship slowed its pace, coming to an almost stop in front of the opening. It couldn't very well land, seeing as it was too tall for the hangar. A reason they had used the Mako was that it was capable of being in a hangar as small as the Normandy's.

"Please Stand by. Barrier penetrated. Package received." The ship's VI said in soft, female tones. Not that John was fooled in the least, he still hated AI's, geth in particular, but VI's were just computers given faces. Like, Avina, for one. He wasn't scared of Avina. Instead, he settled his eyes on the heavy crate that had now settled on the floor. It looked like an ammo-crate, but beyond that he really had no idea what or why someone from the fleet had sent Thomas a crate.

"Suppose we just open it?" One of the marines asked.

"Corporal Fisher can't get down here for the moment, so grab the loader. We're taking it to the Medbay." Shepard said. Inwardly, a part of him was not really all that focused on what the package was. Instead, his mind constantly went to his colleague, Jane. Ancestors, the shape she had been in, he was amazed she still breathed. He remembered how badly Thomas had been injured on Feros, yet that had been nothing compared to Jane now. How could humans even survive that?

"Got it. Open the lift." The marine with the loader said, having hauled the heavy crate onto the lift before heading for the elevator. John shook his head, shoving out the worry as best he could, then followed the men under his command into the elevator.

They found the Medbay much as he had expected it, holding the injured the Normandy had the capacity to treat. Tequila had scrapes, burns and broken bones, Vega was in shock and needed rest, and Ashley was in need of an amputation. There was hardly a day, he believed, that Chakwas didn't thank the human God for the invention of the new wonder-gel, bacta. In ways, it far surpassed Medigel. Still, it didn't have the same disinfectant and blood-flow stopping abilities as Medigel. It was just much faster at healing injuries once the blood had stopped pouring out. A genius would think of combining the two. The expected bed was empty though, and John received a gesture from Chakwas, pointing at Ashley's bed where the young corporal was slumped over her waist, one arm wrapped across her abdomen in sleep.

Believing that the corporal needed sleep, the marines were told to just deposit the crate on the floor and vacate the premises. John followed, but not before giving the crate a light kick, annoyed that he would have to go back to worrying about the people on the ship, his ship. To be fair, it was his and Jane's, but with her… incapacitated, as she was, he was the highest ranking officer on board along with Alenko and Nihlus. The Turian was engaged in conversation with Vakarian in the mess, leaving only Alenko to speak to. John found him in the conference room, slumped in one of the chairs with a an unopened bottle of… where the Kazuat had he found whiskey? John knew enough of regular Alliance protocols that alcohol generally was frowned upon, especially if it was something as potent as whiskey.

"Shepard. Hey." The lieutenant greeted, nodding at John from where he sat, apparently having still not reached a decision on whether or not he was going to drink from it. John didn't say anything at first, simply opting to slump down in one of the closest chair, drawing out a long breath. Ancestors, he was tired. He was just so, so tired and worn out from stress and shit happening and people dying or getting hurt and… John really couldn't blame Kaidan for wanting to drink if he felt anywhere near as strained as he did himself.

"Kaidan… I really hate it when people just call me 'Shepard'…" He muttered, worrying that he might come across too hard. But he really couldn't help it. His sense of politeness had gone down the drain at some point while fighting a fire- and steelbending Turian with what seemed like a Roku-like complex. That was just one more reason they needed to ask the spirit just what the Kazuat was going on.

"Sorry… habit of addressing command. Never served with someone wanting to be on first-name with the crew." Kaidan shrugged, looking down at his bottle for a few moments before resuming speaking; "I never really was much for religion and mysticism, you know."

"…I didn't." John muttered, eying the bottle himself, then reminded himself that whiskey, while being alcohol, still had some chirality in it. Vodka, on the other hand, he had had before. A shame, he had heard whiskey was delicious in the right amounts.

"Yeah no. But… then all this happens, with Jane and Thomas and Teresa and everything else… it's difficult to really keep to thinking science has all the answers when you've seen a Turian throw the floor after you, or a comrade burn his way through an army of geth." Kaidan said. John wanted the man to get to the point, but didn't want to break whatever mood was in the room by asking so.

"I know. I was… surprised too, when we saw it."

"And now… the ship is feeling a lot emptier these days." Kaidan said, reaching his point. At the same time, he put down the bottle and leaned back, closing his eyes with a strained expression on his face.

"None dead though. Tali, Tengberg, Liara, Scorch and Boss are alive and… somewhat well on Arcturus, and Thomas, Aquila and Vega are here… Ashley though…" John muttered, wishing he could pinch the bridge of his nose as it was. He was feeling worn-out and tired of it all. They had had Saren, they'd had him, and he had just stomped right over them.

"Ashley is a fighter. Strongest woman I've ever seen aside from Jane. She'll pull through…" The Canadian said, his face growing worried once more. It was obvious he was concerned, and John had a good inkling as to whom he was concerned for.

"They'll help her."

"Ashley?" Kaidan asked, even if his eyes betrayed him.

"Jane. The hospital-ship is equipped better than most hospitals. She'll make it, and be back shouting at us again before we know it." What he didn't say was that he really couldn't see himself doing this without the intimidating red-head alongside him. Not anymore. At the start, she had been a competitor, someone he had to prove he was better than, but… Not anymore.

"Heh… heh, yeah I imagine. The two of you did spend some time shouting and arguing, didn't you?"

"Not that I recall. We had debates, but…" John said, rubbing his neck through the suit.

"After Feros, you blamed her for Thomas's injuries, you know that?" There had appeared a slight tone of blame in Kaidan's voice. Despite wanting to dismiss the blame, John knew that people had, especially after a mission that had gone so FUBAR as Virmire had. So, the best avenue was to simply listen to the crew, should they need an outlet.

"I did… I thought… Ashley was sure it was Jane's fault, and I'd sent Jane down there myself. In hindsight, I suppose it was my fault too. I could have given her more people or… I was, am, not a trained leader, like you or Jane are. I just… I do my best for my people to survive." John confessed, letting his head rest in his palms as he bent over. Ancestors did he just want to sleep.

"And you do a good job off it too. Both of you. Sev and Fixer… they couldn't be saved. I know Jane's been beating herself up over the people we've lost. I don't want to tell you not to as well."

"So… just move on or…?"

"I don't know. I'm just glad Jane took over my commanding spot between the three of you. I'm not a leader. But you are. A great one. Even if you don't agree with it." Kaidan's voice held firm belief, something John often didn't think… he wasn't sure. He just did not think one could call him a 'Great' leader. Just one who tried to keep his crew from dying. He had had one team die already. He wasn't sure if he could take losing another.

"Honestly I can't decide whether I do or not…"

Deck 3. Captain's quarters, mess hall and Medbay.

09:17

Thomas was awoken by the feeling of his arm starting to buzz. It was the simple, familiar sensation of blood having completely left the limb, leaving it senseless and essentially dead, in all but the ability to resume functionality. He lifted his chin, finding it sore, from having rested it against one surface the entire night: the left side of Ashley's hips. His teeth hurt and his gums hurt, sore. Sending signals to his right arm, he received no response as the limb was still awakening. The next thing he felt was the body, warm through the covers, beneath him. The stable breathing told him that the body was very much alive. That she was alive.

She was alive, and they had surpassed Virmire.

They had done what should, ought not have been possible. His beaming smile faltered a fraction as he accidentally touched at her left leg, finding that there was nothing there beneath the lower thigh. They had amputated the leg at some point, he knew, but he had not even noticed it before now. He had not noticed it before now… how had he not noticed it before now? He was supposed to watch over her, to protect her, sod what she thought of it, and he hadn't even noticed that she was missing most of her left leg now. Gods, what was wrong with him?

Thomas looked up, at Ashley's face. Despite the situation, despite maybe not even knowing she had lost her leg, her expression was peaceful. Serene. Like, she had no real worries in her sleep. It baffled him, to be perfectly honest. He could see her entire face, the mouth and nose only covered with a transparent breather. Yet, her breathing, as opposed to what it had been just the night… or hours, before, was her own. It wasn't the assisted hissing of a machine. It was natural. It was Ashley's, and he thanked Mara, it was alive.

He wanted to wake her up. To cry with relief and joy into her… somewhere, just cry and embrace her, hug her tighter than he ever had before. Gods above, the love of his life and he had almost lost her. Never again. Never, never again would he watch her suffer this kind of traumas. He couldn't even… he could imagine what waking up, missing a limb would be like. Almost out of thought, he rolled the fingers on his left hand. Synthetic or not, he rarely thought about the appendix these days.

Steps sounded from behind, causing him to look up, forcing his eyes away from Ashley's peaceful form. She was alive. He breathed, repeating that joyous fact over and over. She was alive. He had… they had been through Virmire, and she had survived.

"Thomas, I am glad you are awake. How are you feeling?" The soft voice of Doctor Chakwas came from behind him as he turned in the chair. His muscles screamed in protest at the exercise of movement, having been stuck in the same position for hours. Still, the beaming, if tear-wet smile he sent her, was genuine;

"Good. I… I'm good. Gods, she's alive. I… I didn't lose her."

"No, we didn't. Ashley is a strong woman, I've always said and believed that." Chakwas replied with a small smile, reminding Thomas most of all of his grandmother. And, it struck him then, he had no idea how old the doctor was.

"I love her!" He hadn't meant to just blurt it out, or simply say it without context. Still, it was true, and he felt an overwhelming energy in his body, like his heart was pressing outwards on speed, now that he knew she would live. Still, the warm smile Chakwas sent him was enough to remind him why he rarely told others that he loved Ashley: He tended to be embarrassed by the sudden attention. As of now, the doctor's smile made him blush and rub his neck; "Sorry, didn't mean to just blurt out like that.

"I know, and believe me, I was like you once. Ah, there is something about young love persevering in trying times." If she was trying to make him blush even harder, she was certainly doing a good job; "Oh don't be so ashamed. It's really quite obvious, with how you usually look at each other in the mess. There is a passionate fire in… I'm just making this worse, aren't I?"

Thomas just tried not to burst into flames, from how hot his skin was feeling from shame. Gods, had they really done that? He couldn't remember, and receiving sultry looks from a gorgeous woman ought to be on his list of things to archive into memory.

"A little…maybe…" He muttered, wanting the ground to swallow him up. Or, actually he wouldn't mind a hull-breach right about now, centered in the Medbay, just so it would be done with.

"I'm sorry. But it warms these old bones to see love blossoming in these dark times. It gives an old woman hope for the future. Also, I can't very well see Tali or John's looks, since they have visors on all the times. Reminds me of something actually." The old doctor said, interrupting Thomas before he was able to ask whether or not she had just made a joke about Tali and John; "Tali sent a message some hours ago. It didn't say much, only 'get that Kazuat human to send me Jennifer's mail-address or I'll hack Nicolai's breathers'. I of course replied that you would, and that she better refrain from doing so, as I think Nicolai is a rather fine young man. Good manners, and he can cook. Certainly sets an example for much of his generation."

"Right… because I can't cook…" Thomas sighed, feeling at least a little of the blush creeping back down as the subject was changed. Dammit, he had completely forgotten to send the mail-address to Tali. Crap. That meant Jenny was probably thinking Tali had forgotten about her. Great, so now instead of embarrassed, he was feeling guilty; "And I'll have to send a certain angry Quarian a message… honestly thought I had given it to her."

"To change the subject, and considering the fact that you have been on a mission and essentially haven't eaten for the better part of the last twenty-four hours… would you like something to eat before opening your package?" Accompanied by the growl his stomach made from the word 'eat', he also raised an eyebrow at her mentioning a package. There was a slight noise coming from it, like metallic banging and maybe a radio? Voices, and it was big enough to hold a suit of armor.

"Forgive me, I thought… John came here some hours ago, with the guards. They were carrying a package… thát package, actually, and told me it was…" Chakwas trailed off as the banging became more violent, and the crate, easily weighing fifty kilos, was rocking and scraping across the floor. Almost like it was angry.

"I think opening it would be better first." He said. He was confident that even if Roku had yet to resume from whatever repairs he was doing to his mind this time, using fire against possible dangers was still a viable option. Not waiting for Chakwas to give her consent, more out of curiosity than lack of respect, he grabbed the handles on the crate and slid the lock open, allowing air to stream in with a hiss.

And with the hiss of air, curses followed.

"Seven fucking Hells! If I'd known the crate would be so tight I would have burned the fucking waste of tissue who suggested it!" The curses and swears went on, followed by yet another attempt at opening the crate. As it was unlocked, the power applied this time forced the lid open with loud enough a bang to startle corporal Tequila from her sleep, instantly causing the woman to wince in pain as her yet-to-heal burns protested the action.

In the crate, a geth slowly, as if groggy or drunk, sat up in the confines of its container. The sound of a gun being readied and aimed brought Thomas's eyes to the equally shocked Chakwas, only to find her unarmed as well. He then glanced at Tequila, finding her to be pointing a gun at the geth. How the hell she had produced the weapon, Thomas had no idea. Still, more important: Why was there a swearing geth in a crate meant for him?

"Jehovah is probably laughing his ass off right now…" The geth growled, its synthetic voice sounding almost like when John spoke through his filters. Thomas took a step back, mindful not to be in the line of fire if Tequila started shooting.

"Legion?" He asked, both eyes narrowed in confusion.

"How the hell can you confuse me with a… right, I look like a geth." Thomas almost had a heart-attack as he realized who was in the geth.

"Roku?! What the pancake?" He almost cried out, not sure if he should be afraid or laughing.

"The fuck? Thát's the spirit-guy-thing in your head?" Tequila exclaimed, her gun starting to lower.

"Except for the fact that I am no longer in his head. Also, I can't see or do anything without pointing this thing's eye at it. How in the Planes do you mortals make do with just those few degrees of vision?"

"Okay… this is simply just wrong. And creepy. And a little entertaining." Thomas said, trying to mask a building grin behind his hand.

"This is unbelievable. I don't know what would be more horrifying. A geth or… whatever you are, being on the Normandy." Chakwas said in a low voice, like she was afraid people would hear her.

"Personally I think either will do. For now though, lets focus on the fact that I'm trapped in a geth platform."

"Trapped?" Thomas asked, now feeling some of the trepidation and worry he should have before. If Roku was trapped in a geth, what would happen with the whole 'defeat Saren and Sovereign' thing? Having a god help out was somewhat crucial.

"Perhaps. But yes, I cannot leave this plane, nor return to any void but my own. This is unusual, as well as uncomfortable, because this has never happened to me before."

"You can't just return to my head?"

"I've been trying since I woke up in this… this thing. There is a barrier, a wall around me that prevents any sort of transitioning. I cannot leave this platform. At least not for now."

"I'll take a wild guess on all this spirit-crap and say this is bad." Tequila said, putting away her gun. The geth… Roku, Thomas reminded himself, looked over at the woman and nodded. Okay, so this was really, really disturbing. But also a little cool, Thomas thought.

"Indeed. I need to change some plans to adapt to this. One is depending altogether on whether or not Thomas can still control my powers. There is a chance that he can, but… this is all unprecedented, so I don't know." Roku said, then turned his flashlight to Thomas, flapping a few of the petals; "Can you still make a flame?"

The synthetic voice coupled with that of an old sage, sent shivers down Thomas's back. Still, he held out a hand and attempted to focus enough energy there for a flame to erupt from his fingertips. Instead of the somewhat gassy flames he had grown used to over the months, the flames produced from each fingertip was clear, almost glassy in its appearance. Each flame, as intended, was no bigger than a thumb. It flickered lazily, as there was no need for anything more. Thomas never failed to be absolutely amazed at the ability to do so.

"Still a firebender, eh?" Tequila asked, looking both jealous and grateful that she was not in his shoes.

"I suppose you could call it that. Especially considering Roku's name and all." Thomas shrugged, trying to appear casual as he mulled over the problem. Roku was out of his head, maybe for good. However, he could still make fire at will, and was rid of the intrusive thoughts whenever Roku snuck in on him and Ashley.

Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

"Well that solves thát problem. Still, we need to find out whether or not you can still learn more. However, I think we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." The geth… Roku said, clasping his hands together; "Now, how did Virmire end up? Did we lose Kaidan or Ashley? Or did we kick Saren in the balls?"

"Both, I think. Ash and Kaidan are alive, but Saren got away."

"Damn… that means Nazara got away too. Alright, better come clean before we butt heads with them again." Roku said, rubbing at the side of his curved head with a synthetic hand. He took it away and looked at it as if it had insulted him. Thomas repressed a chuckle. Being material was probably going to take some time to get used to, he wagered. Still, what was this about Nazara?

"Not sure I follow. Who's Nazara?" Tequila asked. Roku flared his petals a single time towards her, then looked at Thomas;

"It's what the geth call Sovereign… I think." Thomas said, looking back at the synthetic platform.

"Not wrong, though there is more to it. Nazara is, like me, an aspect. Or, god or spirit, as you call it. Her devotions are… incomprehensible, to mortals. She defected from the Council and caused a split in the order of everything and… too heavy?"

"A little…" Thomas said. Chakwas had slumped down in her chair, after having pressed a button, most likely calling for John or Jane.

"Understandable. Understand then, that Nazara is not simply a Reaper. She did willingly what I was forced into, taking a physical body in order to cut the bonds. While the Master deems her a threat, it is my trial to see her unmade. Sad, as we are eternal and therefore we do not become more in numbers. Nazara has taken a host of her own, the Turian, Saren Arterius."

"Goals being?"

"Cleansing enough galaxies of life that she will have sufficient power to challenge the Master. Thousands have fallen already, in thousands of cycles. This is the next one." Roku said, finally having managed to tune down his voice so that he didn't sound like the gods themselves. Now, it was a lot more like speaking to a person.

"Wait… so when you brought me here…"

"Partly because I needed a host, and partly because of the reasons you already know of. While my goal here was to bring down Nazara, it would be preferable if I could ensure the survival of Humanity in the process. After all, you do make the best comedies since the Khandesi's roamed the galaxy… just so you know, that was a few million years back." The way Roku's voice came out personal, yet from the unflinching and mechanical platform, caused the hairs to stand on Thomas' neck.

"Okay, that's fine with me. I have a question, Spirit-guy." Tequila cut in, curiosity and annoyance, both an odd combination, clear in her voice. Roku's platform turned its flashlight-face towards the corporal, making her sink just a little back. Thomas didn't exactly fault her for that one. Geth were spooky, with their inability to show compassion or mercy.

"I prefer to be called 'Roku', not spirit-guy. Especially since I am far more than what you would deign a spirit." Again, there was the fact that Roku's voice was the same as always, only now Thomas wasn't hearing it from his own head. As a result, the headache was nowhere near him. Which was good.

"Alright, Roku, I have been completely messed up these past twenty-four or so hours. I can fucking tear apart solid steel with my hands, and in case you didn't read that part of human anatomy, that isn't supposed to be a human thing. So, what the fuck is wrong with me?" Tequila had her hands curled into fists. Stupid or not, Thomas didn't doubt she would try punching Roku if he averted the question. Also, she could tear metal?

"I had wondered what happened with all the extra energy… unexpected, yes, but no, you are not in danger or whatever you are afraid of. It is… a latent gene, in all humans. Chi is what essentially fuels whatever Thomas or you can do."

"Bullshit. Chi is something philosophical people invented." Tequila retorted, though her arguments were starting to grow weaker in the face of an objecting god.

"Is that what they teach you these days? That Chi is fictional? It is not."

"Then what is it? Because I sure as hell would have remembered hearing about people suddenly being able to breathe fire."

"You really need to educate yourself, Aquila." Roku said; "Chi is a reaction from the nerves, akin to what enables biotic abilities."

"The Jedi-thing?"

"…Yes, the Jedi-thing. It usually takes decades for people to be able to make any use of the web-ways of chi going through the human body."

"Really?" Tequila stared at the geth. Thomas just shook his head, once more reminding himself not to follow her example. Roku was in a geth's body. No matter how many times he mulled this over, it was still weird.

"It's science, believe it or not. You can watch the Krogans if you need an example. Well, before the Rebellions anyway. They had the time, and those who cared developed what they called 'the Gift'. Regardless of what it was called, their Chi-network was effectively short-circuited when the Salarians dropped the Genophage on them."

"The Genophage attacked hormonal and reproductive centers. Does this mean the Chi you are talking about is connected to hormones?" Thomas almost jumped. He had completely forgotten Chakwas was there too.

"Might be. I'm not the designer of either effect, so I can only guess. Fire is my domain, which begs the question how Teresa seems to have received Kalros' gift instead… Fuck, this is where I miss being omniscient. Being restricted to what I can see is… it's fucked up, to use your human terms."

"This is really confusing." Tequila muttered, rubbing her temples. Thomas glanced at her, noticing how her throat was covered in large, painfully looking burns.

"Indeed. However, it just adds to the fact that I need to bring Thomas through training with what he has as of now. While he can unleash fire, it is something very different altogether to control it and make it art." As a demonstration, Roku waved the platform's arms around, drawing strings of liquid yet floating, green fire through the air. In the end, he had produced the simple, yet baffling image of a square with a circle on the inside, hovering in the air with no heat or licking flames to spoil the demonstration.

"This, is a crude example, but it will serve. Fire, even the Spirit-fire, is still fire. It is bound by the laws of physics, meaning gravity has an effect on it. So, a step forward is to flow around the law of gravity. However, this is all relatively advanced for you yet, so let us keep it simple." Roku said, then turned to Chakwas; "Urdnot Wrex could be of some help here. Do tell me he survived Virmire."

"Yes, though he suffered an impalement. I wanted him hospitalized but he refused." Chakwas said, not bothering to hide the annoyance that a patient had denied care.

"That's good. Now… I have to figure out how to cope with a physical body. I have to go there to see something, or at least turn the head of this thing." Roku's voice changed from explaining to annoyed, dissipating the geometric shapes of fire in the air. Thomas stared at where the shapes had been, for a moment, then smirked and looked at the geth platform.

"Sounds tiresome. I wonder what would happen if a being had to make do with that for all its life." Thomas said, putting as much sarcasm into it as possible.

"I know. I think… very funny, ha ha…. By the way, could someone just inform the rest of the ship of my new form? I'd rather not have to burn someone alive." Roku said, shooting at Thomas what could only be described as a geth glaring. Thomas shrugged it off, then turned towards Chakwas who was watching the exchange with mild bafflement.

"So… where are we going next? And what about Jane?"

"We're headed for the Citadel, I believe. The Council has called for a meeting with the individuals so far involved with this campaign. That includes Ambassador Udina, Admirals Petrovsky and Fisher, of course, and captain Anderson I believe is there too. Jane though, she will be transferred to the Huerto Memorial Hospital when we arrive at the Citadel."

"When will that be?" Tequila asked.

"In two days, I think. We are on the other side of the galaxy, mind you. It will take a while."

December 4th

Citadel, Serpent Nebula

14:02

Despite being looked at with annoyed glares from pretty much every alien who disliked Quarians, Anna felt there was an air of pleasant familiarity about being back in her Citadel office. It wasn't as big as her own on Arcturus, but it was better lit and had more comfortable chairs.

She had only just settled into of said chairs when her cellphone rang. Peculiar, that the little gadget had managed to survive the introduction of the Omnitool. Of course, it was easy to see how, when one merged the two of them and received an easy-to-use cellphone and computer in one. Grumbling about being disturbed, she picked it up and activated her ear-plug.

"Fisher here."

"Admiral Anna Fisher? This is doctor Satolie Faro. We are concerned that the members of the 212th, Fisher and Williams will not be back in time for the reawakening."

"Wait, hold your horses… or whatever Salarians ride. Bringing who out of sleep?" Anna muttered, rubbing her eyelids. Damn, why did everyone have to wait till one of her power-naps before calling her? Sure, Anna is free now, lets not go see her. Anna is asleep? Let's go see her then.

"Private Hillary Pennyloafer. She suffered substantial damage to tissue and nerves while fighting on Eden Prime, and we have her in a state of artificial comatose. She is starting to wake up, however, and while it would be preferable that it was Chief Williams who was present, we believe a person of certain charisma and-"

"I get it, I get it. No need to start kissing my ass. Right… not like I was trying to sleep or anything. Where do I go and when?"

"Huerta Memorial Hospital. And… now, actually." There was some commotion in the background that made Anna ponder just how idiotic doctors were at that place. When someone came to after a coma, the last thing you wanted was commotion and noise. Still, Anna jumped from her cushioned chair and pulled her socks and shoes on, adjusted her uniform, one where she had been allowed to reinforce it with a metal harness over the torso, as well as light plates over her shoulders. She had enough enemies that it was warranted.

A few minutes later, she barged through the doors to the hospital, looking about with annoyance at not knowing where to go. A human doctor spotted her though, and approached her. Turned out, she was rather well known and recognizable. Anna was then led into a room where a woman was lying on a bed, covers up to her waist while her hands rested on her stomach. Despite the situation, she looked rather calm.

"Admiral Fisher? I'm… sorry I can't do a salute here." Pennyloafer said. Anna shook her head, closing the door behind her.

"At ease. How are you feeling?"

"I can't feel my ass… is that a bad thing?" The private asked with just a hint of a smirk on her lips. Good, so she had some humor. Point in her favor.

"Considering you have been lying on your flat ass for… I don't know, two months? I'd say it's to be expected."

"Great, I… how long did you say?" All humor was gone from Hillary's face as the words sunk in.

"Honestly? You… might not want to hear it." Anna said, rubbing her neck. For an admiral, she had never been one to hide her emotions. Tevos had felt that when she threw the bottle at the Councilor. Again, good thing with the kinetic barriers.

"Just say it, okay?... it's not been years, right? RIGHT?"

"Wha- years? Fuck no, it's been around four months." Anna said. The devastated look on Hillary's face made the admiral cringe a little. With a sigh, she slumped down into the bed-side chair, folding her hands under her chin.

"Four months… God, I've… did the others make it?" Anna was a little confused at first, not knowing these others. Then again, it was likely Pennyloafer was referring to Williams and Thomas. Brother sure as hell had some odd connections, but what was a brother for if not that?

"If by others you mean Chief Ashley Williams and Corporal Thomas Fisher, then they are both alive, yes." Anna nodded, pulling a plastic-cup from a stand before taking a drink of water from the canteen.

"But what about Jim? Mikail? Donkey?"

"I'm sorry, but… shit, the three of you were the only survivors, and you barely made it at all. Williams took a hit to the leg, Fisher to both while you… you know."

"Straight to the spine…" Hillary muttered. Anna's eyes widened at that. The doctors hadn't told her she would be helping a paralyzed patient. Anna had zero experience with that at all.

"Fuck, I'm sorry. I didn't know. Can you… move, at all?" Anna asked. Instead of responding immediately, Hillary poked her toes out from beneath the covers and waggled them, causing the older woman to let go a breath of relief.

"Seems like it. But, you said Fisher was a corporal now. What happened?" Hillary asked, a slight smile on her lips. Apparently it did her good to know her team-mates had pulled through, even without her.

"Yep. Got himself blown up on Feros. Received both the Purple Heart and a promotion for that one." Anna smirked, feeling a soft laugh protrude. It always felt good bragging about her brother. Even if he was officially her nephew.

"The medal-part I get. But why the promotion, and what was he even doing on Feros, and what about the Chief?" Anna held her hands up, trying to stem the flow of questions.

"Easy, one question at a time. In order, Chief Williams and Corporal Fisher are together, in both senses of that word. Second, they were on Feros to save the colony Zhu's Hope from geth. And third, Thomas got himself blown up by blowing up a giant megalomaniac plant that liked to make zombies out of people, hence the medal… That sufficient?" Anna smirked, loving the casual sensation of cheeky satisfaction when she managed to confuse someone completely.

"Damn, a plant? I didn't even… even… What?" Hillary's face froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"What?" Anna said, despite very well knowing what the private was so shocked over.

"Ashley hooked up with him? The goof-ball?"

"You'd be surprised. Thomas has really advanced since Eden Prime. Hell, he even toted a badass scar, plus cybernetics when he left this place. Actually I think Ashley was here to see you while he was laid up."

"Yeah but still… him?"

"Right… it'd probably be best to just say it and prevent confusion. Thomas is my nephew, which is why I'm keeping tabs on him." Anna said, draining her cup before crumbling it and throwing it at the garbage-bin.

"Your… okay, I suppose that would explain the similar names and all. But, you said cybernetics… just what happened on Feros?" Hillary's face was still locked in the one that said 'I'm fully expecting a "got ya!" moment'. Anna had to at least agree that, in hindsight, Thomas's development was difficult to believe.

"Oh that? Well, bugger lost one eye and arm, both on the left side. The kid is practically a cyborg now. Just don't use those words. You really can't see the bionic parts unless you know they are there… or take a flash-photograph. His left eye would shine like a cat's." Anna shrugged, taking a relaxing breath before looking over at Hillary again. She'd guess the woman was around the twenty- twenty-five years. No wrinkles, blond semi-short hair and a glint to her eyes.

"Okay… that's not creepy at all. Okay, last questions." Hillary sighed, looking out the windows for a moment before resuming her intense watching of Anna; "You said they were together and had been to Feros…"

"And Noveria, Valhalla and Therum. They are on Virmire right now actually." Anna counted off on her fingers. Five planets on four months. Despite Thomas having cheated and spent almost a month in bed after Feros, it was still pretty impressive.

"Yeah those too. Well… how the fuck are they getting around? And why?" Hillary's question made Anna slap her own forehead. Mostly it was at her own forgetfulness, but also at the idiocy of the doctors.

"Right, of course. You haven't exactly been privy to information for the past months. Well, short story. Saren Arterius, Rogue Spectre, wants to end all life by bringing doomsday machines known as 'Reapers' back to the galaxy. Ashley and Thomas are onboard the SSV Normandy right now, serving under the Quarian Commander John'Shepard, Captain Jane Shepard… or was it the other way around? Also, there's Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, and Council Spectre Nihlus Kryik. So yeah, pretty big command-chain, even if I think Alenko stepped down." Actually, it was a ridiculously large amount of people calling the shots. Normally, you'd have one or max two people in charge. The Normandy had three.

"Wait… Arterius? He was on Eden Prime!" Hillary exclaimed, then frowned; "What's the Normandy?" Right, Anna thought. Stealth frigate and all, it wasn't everyone who knew about the ship.

"State of the art stealth frigate. It's spear-heading the hunt for Saren while the regular navy engages the Reapers… and before you ask… No, we don't know much more about them than what I've already told you."

"Fuck…"

"My thoughts exactly. Now, I have a job-offer for you, seeing as your old one got turned into a smoking ruin. Wanna hear it?" Anna smirked again. Hillary looked around, then shrugged;

"Not like I've got much else to do. What is it?"

"How would you like to rejoin Ashley and Thomas? I can make it so that you are redeployed to the Normandy. I have it from sources that they are on their way back to the Citadel… well, them and the whole fucking 6th Raiding Flotilla. So, what do you say?"

"What… would be my role, job, on the ship?" Hillary asked, sounding like she didn't dare hope there wasn't a catch or strings attached to the offer. Anna tapped her chin with an idle finger, doing her best to loom thoughtful before a smirk broke through the facade;

"I imagine your job would involve kicking some serious ass. You're good at that I hear." The smirk on Anna's face was slowly being mirrored by the shit-eating grin on Hillary's face. The private, much to Anna's surprise, threw off the covers and planted her bare feet on the floor.

"I think I say, fuck yeah ma'am." She said, and the grin became a full on laugh. Anna just shook her head. Sometimes, she really just loved being amongst the jarheads again. The admiral nodded;

"Good. Now, stay here and I'll see if I can't find you some clothes." She said, pointing out the fact that Hillary was standing on the floor, wearing her underwear and pretty much nothing else. The blush that crept up her face upon the realization just made Anna chuckle as she left the room.

Later, after Hillary had been given a new uniform, Anna took her to Flux. It was a good place to relax and get the private situated. Also, Anna needed a drink, and she didn't doubt Hillary wanted one as well. They ended up seated at a booth in the far corner, next to a large window that overlooked the wards. Thankfully, Hillary didn't seem the type to mind the silence as Anna pondered at what to say. The private just drank from her beer, a peaceful expression upon her face.

"So, good being out of bed?"

"More than you'll ever know, ma'am. I still can't feel my left butt-side, but at least I'm not smelling like a sweaty pig anymore." Hillary said, offering Anna a grin. Good, she still had the good mood. That was probably going to be important for the times to come.

"Alright. I haven't really gotten a dossier. What sort of combat are you trained in, private Pennyloafer?" Anna asked, putting down her own glass of bourbon. The alcohol left a sharp tingling on her tongue.

"Would it be out of line if you called me Hillary instead? Everyone calls me Hillary. Well, except for the Chief when she's pissed." She looked slightly nervous at the request, which Anna could perfectly well understand. Not just everyone could ask to be on first-name basis with an admiral. Still, so far she rather liked the young woman, so she agreed.

"Not at all. Now, you were saying?"

"Well, I'm trained to use both heavy weapons, rifles, the long-range type, as well as shotguns and assault weapons. Other than that… does armed CQC count?" Anna let out a small whistle of approval.

"You went pretty much all in in your training, didn't you?" She asked with a grin. Hillary looked down a moment, perhaps hesitation. When she answered, her eyes were still at her drink;

"Dad always said to get the best training…" Anna didn't miss the note of regret in her voice.

"Personal or mind sharing?" She asked, putting her joking tones aside in favor of more gentle ones.

"Slavers hit my home colony while I was on tour… no one left alive. If he was taken… I'd rather he be dead." Hillary's fingers became white with strain around her glass. Anna nodded, knowing full well the pain brought by losing family or friends to slavers and invaders.

"When was this?"

"Six years ago, on Fehl Prime. Back when the colony was just getting started." It was obvious that Hillary didn't want to talk about it any more, so Anna just nodded and went back to the subject of the Normandy.

"First, you should know the Normandy has become a multi-species ship. The crew I know of consists of a Krogan, a pair of Turians, two Quarians whereas one is in the hospital on Arcturus, and an Asari, also on Arcturus." Actually, it was about time the hospital released Liara T'soni, from what the reports on her said. Strangely, it seemed she insisted on remaining as long as the clones did. Still, Hillary didn't need to know they were clones.

Anna was going to leave thát little hurdle for the people who knew Hillary.

"A Krogan?" Ah, so Hillary had caught that one.

"Don't worry, he's harmless. Okay, harmless is never the word to use with Krogans… he is not hostile, is a better way to say it." What Anna didn't say was that Wrex was the one giving her reports on everything going on with the ship, bringing in details even Thomas somehow didn't deem proper to tell her. The revelation that Roku had somehow still shared his powers, now to the young corporal Teresa Aquila, was a kick in the quad, as Aytheta would say it. The spirit had been adamant that his powers were unable to be shared, and now some Hispanic corporal was strolling around, capable of God knew what.

"Then I have no problems with him. But, why are there so many aliens on an Alliance ship?"

"Ah, but remember that the Council helped fund it. Anyway, the fact is that the Normandy is relatively freelance, meaning that the commanders get to decide who to bring. I have their dossiers here, actually, in case you wanted some more info" Anna said, pulling a set of documents up on her Omnitool. The files each had a picture attached as she went through them.

"John'Shepard. Quarian, de facto commander and biotic. Friendly enough, if you don't start pulling racist shit on him or Tali." Hillary nodded, having studied the picture for long enough. Anna went on, scrolling through the files while offering additional details and explanation.

"Those two, Scorch and Boss… are they brothers?" Hillary asked. Right, Anna had expected that one.

"They are. There were four of them to begin with, a sniper and a tech expert too. Sev Oh-Seven died on Noveria while Fixer was killed on Valhalla. Don't bring them up and you'll be fine around those two as well." Anna still wasn't going to explain the 'clones' thing. Hillary was going to learn that one from Thomas.

"Right… well, what now then?" She asked. She had already emptied her beer, plus the second one she had ordered. Anna found herself almost hoping the Normandy was filled to the brim, just so she could take on Hillary herself. Having another female military around, one that could swear, was a rare opportunity.

"Now? Now we head for the Alliance administrator offices. The hardsuits were upgraded while you took a nap, so you need a new one. Normandy's got weapons to spare, but no full sets are still unavailable. Then, we head for the docks, sit our asses down and wait… or, you wait, I might have to go help Udina pull Anderson's ass out of the political minefield."

Republic Senate, Coruscant

18:22

Kasumi drew in a heavy breath, adjusting the new attire she had, without either Padme or Ahsoka finding out, acquired for herself. Wearing a dress had never really been her choice of clothing while working. Instead, she had gotten her hands, legally even, on a more practical yet still formal attire that bore intricate decorations of geometrical shapes. Circles mostly, but a few hexagonal shapes decorating the hood she had managed to shake up. Her face once more somewhat covered, she found just how much she had missed the safety of it. Adjusting the clothes one more time, she rapped the door into Padme's office with a few gentle knacks.

"Come in."

She palmed the door and entered the office. Padme was sitting behind her desk, typing away at a computer with a physical keyboard. In some ways, this place was decades after her own, Kasumi mused. The senator looked up and greeted Kasumi with a smile that turned into a confused frown upon seeing the new attire.

"Hey Pad'" Kasumi said, nodding with a small smile at the woman.

"Kasumi, you've changed your… how did you get through security with a hood on?" Padme asked, confused and maybe a little disappointed that Kasumi had not chosen the likely expensive dress the Senator had bought for her.

"I know how to get around security. Do you have a moment to talk?" Kasumi asked, gesturing at a chair. Padme gestured for her to take it;

"Of course." She said, waiting for Kasumi to take a seat; "How can I help you?"

Kasumi sighed, not wanting to upset or lose one of the only friends she had in this galaxy. She had Padme, Ahsoka… maybe Obi-Wan, though she hadn't seen him since that time they caught and brought her to the Council… Oh, and Riyo too. Kasumi really liked the Pandoran… Plantoran… what was her race again? She really liked her blue non-Asari friend. And now, she might lose Padme, if she went about this the wrong way.

"Padme, I… I'm not sure how to go about this. I mean, I thought I had it planned out, but… I don't know." Padme's smile thinned at her insecurity.

"What's wrong?"

"I've… you know the guards you assigned me? Fox, Slammer and Blast? I've been talking with them." Kasumi still didn't know how to go about it, so she chose a rare option: Trying to skirt around it until Padme brought the issue up herself. Then she could be defensive and all would be well… somehow.

"I'm not surprised. Ahsoka said they were eager to accept the job of guarding you." Padme said, then frowned; "They haven't said anything… untoward, about your home, have they?"

"What? No, no… not like that."

"Then… what is it?" Padme asked. Kasumi breathed, closed her eyes for a moment before saying, still with her eyes closed;

"What you are doing to the clones is wrong" And oddly enough, her voice was firm and steady. She had expected it to be shaky, but… she wasn't going to question providence.

"Wrong? What are we doing to them exactly?" Padme asked, clear confusion, as well as a little disbelief on her face as Kasumi opened her eyes again. Baka, there was no way back now.

"You keep them in slavery, send them off to die for a Republic that doesn't care enough about them to even pay them a small salary. When they get injured beyond recovery, you…God, how can you even? Repurposing human beings, it's…" Kasumi found she couldn't go on, and stopped for breath. To her credit, Padme didn't interrupt, which was good as it might have made the ambassador unable to continue; "You say you fight for a free and just Republic. But… the Republic isn't just, and you aren't the ones doing the fighting. You won't even grant them citizenship for their service." Kasumi finally had to stop, or she would end up shouting.

There was a long moment of silence. Padme didn't speak, and Kasumi didn't dare speak in fear of starting to shout or growl. She liked Padme, she really did, and didn't want to lose a friend over politics and humanitarian misunderstandings.

"It's… just necessary." Padme finally said. Kasumi snapped up, eyes wide as she stared at the other woman's mouth, not believing what she had just heard; "The Separatists send armies of droids at us. We can't afford to send the citizens of the Republic at them. The losses would be… devastating."

"What? And you think breeding soldiers for the sole purpose of getting killed is any better?" She demanded, aghast that a sensible woman like Padme could even think something like that just or right. Even the Batarians granted citizenships to their soldiers after their tours of duty.

"What else would we do? The Republic cannot afford to make every single clone a citizen. Do you even realize what that would cost us? And without the Clone Armies, we would lose the war." Padme exclaimed, palming her forehead.

"Mother of- Padme, I'm no military strategist, but from the vids Fox showed me, even I could come up with better strategies than what you guys are using. Mass frontal assaults? I swear, it's like the Red Army all over again. I mean, Padme, my people, the Humanity of Earth, has fought wars that dwarfed this one by far. Our entire planet went ape-shit on itself, but we didn't lose nearly as many as you do all the time. I… what I am trying to say, is that if you stopped throwing away lives like you obviously are, you wouldn't need half the army you have." So, she had ended up shouting anyway. Great. Padme rubbed the bridge of her nose in exasperation;

"Kasumi… I agree that the death tolls are great, but I'm not in charge of the military. I can't change tactics or military demands."

"You are a bloody senator Padme! Unless that term changed meaning when I jumped galaxies, your job is to serve the people. Guess what, the soldiers of the Republic are people. You want to keep losing men, use droids instead. You can at least start paying them for risking their lives every single minute they breathe."

"Again, the Republic cannot afford it…"

"Then maybe the Republic should not be at war at all. Human history shows that war needs soldiers. And if you don't pay them, they'll desert or simply turn on you. Why are you even fighting the Separatists?"

"Because they want to leave the Republic." Padme declared, with a suddenly much more firm voice.

"Wait what? They want to leave, so you throw a full-on war at them? A war you don't even have the legitimate soldiers to fight?" It was simply one unbelievable stupidity after the other.

"The Senate acknowledged the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic. It's as legitimate as it gets. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is." Kasumi threw her hands up.

"How- what kind of idiots lead this- Padme, you told me that the Citadel Council couldn't function like it does for long. Well, the way things are going here, I won't be surprised to someday wake up and find that the entire Clone Army has rebelled and taken over. I just… please, just change things." Kasumi pleaded. Padme's expression grew saddened as she looked at her desk instead of Kasumi;

"I can't…I'm sorry." She muttered. Kasumi could feel the rumble as her innards jumped around in a mixture of outrage and sadness.

"If you can't or won't… I'll do this myself." She pressed out. Without another word, she then stood from the chair, now seeming overly luxurious, and went to the door. She stopped there and looked back at Padme, the senator looking troubled and saddened at the outcome of their argument.

"Kasumi, I…"

"It's okay. I understand. Take care Padme." Kasumi said. She then left the office, heading down the luxurious red carpets that covered the floors of the senate's hallways. God, what had she gotten herself into with this faction?

December 4th

Citadel, Serpent Nebula.

21:05

The Normandy, along with the rest of the 6th Raiders, silently slid into docks around the Citadel, taking whatever haven would and could hold them. Not all the stations were meant for ships the size of the Stalingrad or the Moscow, and so shuttles were sent in from those ships not able to find a place to rest.

Thomas waited behind the gurney, fingers tightening on the handle. Ashley was still asleep, as she had been for the entire return from Virmire. Kaidan had assured him, as had Chakwas of course, that exhaustion was normal after a surgery like that. Amputation was no small operation, no matter how advanced the tech was. As he heard the sound of the docking tube extend towards the ship, he waited for the shudder that always accompanied it.

"Hey, she's going to be alright." Garrus said, placing a hand on his shoulder from behind. Thomas shrugged it off, even if he knew Garrus meant well. He just wasn't in the mood for small-talk. Kaidan looked to be of a similar state of mind, and kept glancing at where the Leningrad had docked, the cruiser and hospital-ship filled with injured and dead. Jane was on that ship, somewhere, and Thomas knew Kaidan was sick with worry.

There was a bond of some kind between the Canadian and Jane. Even if it wasn't the traditional love that was supposed to happen between those two, it might just be the beginning of something more than friendship. Thomas knew Kaidan was worried, because he himself was sick with worry each time Ashley suffered a strained breath. The airlock opened, revealing the Citadel in all its lacking glory that was the docks. Not even waiting for the VI to give them the go, Thomas pushed the gurney over the line, driving it down and through the tube, Tequila and Garrus close behind.

A blond woman and an older one were waving at him as he rushed past. He didn't care. All that mattered now was that he got Ashley to the hospital. If Saren himself got in the way, Thomas would simply brush him aside. Thomas rushed on, surprised to find a waiting team of Turian paramedics waiting at the docks proper. His chest surged in relief at the sight of them.

"We'll get her to the hospital. Huerta Memorial, it's just a short run from here." The lead Turian said.

"I'm going with her." Thomas said. The Turian looked between him and Ashley with sympathy;

"Of course. Don't worry, she'll be fine." He said. Thomas idly wondered if that was something doctors were just supposed to say or if she really was going to be fine. Of course she would. Ashley was a fighter, Chakwas had said so herself. Roku too, had said she would be fine.

The… what was Thomas even going to classify Roku as now? Spirit wasn't going to work when it was inside a geth, and 'geth' was definitely not an option anymore. It was only now, as the medics hooked Ashley up to new batches of Medigel and fluids, that he allowed himself the moment to think…

…And to where he was roughly snatched from the elevator and pulled to a stand by a pair of wrinkled but strong hands. Almost per reflex, his vision grew tinted with green. What stopped him was that he saw the face of his assailant.

"What the- Anna?" He exclaimed, seeing his sister release her hold on him as recognition dawned on him. The last time he had seen her had been on Arcturus. What was she doing on the Citadel?

"Hey Thom." She greeted with a toothy smile that was so much not what an old woman should greet like. Reminded him more of a teenager, was what it did. Anna then gestured to her left, where a soldier in phase-II armor was standing at ease, helmet on. The same reddish stripes as Ashley's armor had, were decorating the, he saw, female soldier too.

"Fuck! You almost gave me a heart attack there. And you should know why that is an exceedingly bad idea." He exclaimed in a hushed voice. Anna just chuckled. Around them, the rest of the crew seemed to consider joining in, but eventually left them be. Right, just leave him with his over-eager old lady of a little-sister.

That whole sentence was as messed up as he could think off.

"Roku still giving you problems?"

"Have you ever heard of the word 'secrets' as in 'don't shout his name on the docks'?" Thomas hissed, resisting the temptation to slap a hand over her mouth. He couldn't very well do that when Anna had a bodyguard following her around.

"Fuck, Thomas, you've gotten some scars… and a beard." The soldier next to Anna said. It was a voice he hadn't heard in nearly four months, but one he was surprised and overjoyed to hear all the same.

"Wait… Hillary?" He asked in disbelief. Wasn't she still supposed to be at the hospital? He hadn't gotten any calls from the doctors saying otherwise. The soldier chuckled and removed her helmet. Despite having been somewhat 'asleep' for almost half a year, Hillary's hair was the same length as it had been on Eden Prime, if less tidy.

"What happened to Ashley?" Hillary asked as Anna motioned for the both of them to follow.

"Saren. That's what happened." Thomas said, feeling rage emerge at the very mention of the Turian; "He… performed some messed up shit and took out twenty marines. We were lucky. Our guys only got… injured." He changed the last word from 'maimed' as they passed through the doorway leading to the elevators.

"On Virmire? Heard you took part in some big invasion with the 6th Raiders."

"Right... It was a bloodbath. Remember Eden Prime? Well, time that twenty and you have the carnage on that mudball." Thomas found himself growing increasingly angry with each mention of Virmire.

"Fuuuuck… still, what happened to her?"

"I don't… I wasn't with her when it happened. I was in the Medbay when they fought Saren. He…" Thomas paused and winced at the memory of when he saw a glimpse of Ashley's leg; "Tore her leg off. Started throwing fire and shit." Thomas looked down at his feet as they exited the elevator.

"Damn… so… did you at least kill him?" Hillary asked, looking intensively at him.

"I don't think so. The bombardment might have, but… with our luck, he'll just come back and spit us in the face." Thomas muttered. They were both silent for a while as the trio moved through residential areas on the Presidium. As they came by a window overlooking the Presidium lakes, as well as the Relay monument, Thomas had to take a second look.

Everything civilian was removed from the area, sandbags and entrenchments replacing benches and flower-pots. C-Sec paramilitary vehicles were set up, guns turned off but pointed at the Relay. Machinegun emplacements were in place, only a few of them actively manned though. Dozens of marines from the Turian navies, as well as C-Sec personnel and Loki-mechs were standing around.

So they were preparing after all.

At least that made Thomas smile a little as they entered a café, the very same one that had housed the show of Ashley verbally kicking Bosker's ass. Anna went to the bartender, while the two remnants of the 212th sat down at a table.

"Are you alright?" Hillary asked, placing her helmet on the table. Thomas kept his own clipped to his waist, an old habit of doing the same with his bicycle helmet. At her question, he offered a small, choked laugh;

"You just came out of the hospital. I thought I was supposed to ask you that one." He said, the frowned and looked out the window, at the occasional vehicle speeding past outside; "But… I don't know…"

"Feel like sharing? I've missed out on a lot… where'd you get that scar?" She asked, pointing at the vertical scar running across his left eye. As if on reflex, he closed it.

"Feros… I think. No wait, it was Feros. A grenade blew up before time, and sent the glass of my visor into my left eye. And before you ask: yes, it hurt like bitch." He said, the offered her a smile when he noticed how the question had almost instantly been regretted on her part.

"It's strange…" She muttered, tapping a finger on her helmet. Thomas looked at her with a clear 'what is?'; "I've been asleep for months, yet it doesn't feel like it… I just wonder…"

"If we forgot about you?" Thomas asked. Hillary looked at him with brief surprise, then nodded. Thomas sighed before continuing; "Considering the fact that I'm now carrying a good deal of synthetic augmentations in my legs, courtesy of the geth when I carried you and Ashley from Eden Prime, I'd say it's difficult to forget."

"Thanks… wait, you carried me?" Hillary asked, eyes wide in surprise.

"You don't remember?" Thomas said, then mentally slapped himself as he remembered that Hillary had been knocked unconscious from pain shortly after having been shot; "Right… I carried you and Ashley up the hill outside the dig-site when the geth shot me in both legs. Then, I took a rocket to the ass and went flying into a rock."

"Damn… then… Thanks, for saving my life. By the way, congratulations." She said, shifting into a smile. Thomas was now confused. Congratulations… for what?

"Thanks?"

"For being promoted… and because your aunt told me about you and Ashley." Hillary said. At the last part, Thomas blushed furiously, starting to think of several things he wanted to call his sister because of that one. Dammit, that was the last time he trusted her with a personal secret; "You're reddening. God that's adorable."

Hillary's chuckling just made his blush even worse. As Anna sat down at the table, Thomas sent her the mother of all dagger-glares.

"What?"

"Just how many people have you told about me and Ash?"

"Oh…" Anna seemed momentarily taken aback. Then, to Thomas's horror, she started silently counting on her fingers; "About… One, I think. And she's sitting right here."

"I have no words for my level of hatred towards you right now… Auntie." He said, adding the last part with a smirk. Calling Anna 'Auntie' was the same as calling her old. And he knew she hated that.

"I ought'a spank you for that one… nephew, but… I think I'll let Ashley do that instead." When Thomas felt his breathing hitch and his face heat up, he knew he had lost it. He shrugged it off eventually, then thought back to his earlier wonderment;

"By the way… Anna, what are you doing here on the Citadel? I thought preparation had you cooped up on Arcturus."

"Preparation for what?" Hillary managed to ask before Anna got a word out. The admiral just smiled at her.

"Oh, just the impending doom of all sentient life in the galaxy. Nothing to worry about. Now… I'm here because the Council finally managed to pull their head-fringes and horns from their collective buttholes."

"Their what?" Hillary exclaimed. Of course, she wasn't used to Anna's way of talking about the Citadel Council, so of course it came as a surprise. Actually Thomas was confused why she wasn't demanding an explanation of the whole 'impending doom' thing.

"They have asked for the military leaders with experience in battling the Reapers, meaning me and Oleg, plus Anderson. I don't know what the meeting will be about, but I'll most likely return to Arcturus straight after. The 'Hammer of Vengeance' is nearly completed, what with the Quarian people now being a member of the Alliance and all."

Thomas's eyes went wide at that one.

"They are what now? Since when?" Not that he complained, at all, but it was unexpected. Very unexpected.

"Right, you probably didn't have TV out in the Terminus. Well, due to some common goals and the shared interest in not getting killed by doom-squids from outer space, the Systems Alliance took in the Quarian people about five days ago."

"You've been busy…" Thomas remarked, being somewhere between disbelief and awestruck. Was there anything Anna wasn't capable off? Well, except keeping secrets.

"Damn right I have. But it's paying off, what with my new command-ship being nearly…Price, how far are we on it?" Anna asked, out loud and not directed at Thomas. After a short moment, her focus returned to the pair of soldiers; "Ninety percent. Between mechs, overpaid workers and Quarian nightshifts, we will soon have a super-dreadnought capable of surprise-buttsexing the Destiny Ascension."

"Why… would you even use… gods, those words…" Thomas groaned. Great, now there was another image that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

"Well… anyway, I've better get going. I've taken the liberty of having Hillary added to the crew complement. Just thought you should know. Enjoy, and don't worry, Ashley will be fine." Anna said, then left the café. Both Thomas and Hillary sat stunned for some time, Thomas only now noticing that Anna had left a few empty cans of alcohol on the table. Next to them, the bartender came up to their table and pointed at said cans;

"So, who's going to pay for the crazy admiral?"

Yep! I can say I am quite happy with this one. Once more it is thanks to CriticalRift who betaed my work and pointed out the places where I messed up. The Daratar part, for one, I had planned as a torture and prison scene. Rift got me on other thoughts though :)

Things are about to get heated now... and what will happen when Shepard has no idea where the Mu Relay is?

Review and reload, the galaxy is soon to go down a path of pain.