Vasir stepped forward, grabbing a nearby woman, and holding a pistol to her head. She said, "Back off, Shepard! Or this woman dies."

The Commander chuckled, and said, "No, not really."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because, Vasir, you are a terrible Spectre. I'm guessing your appointment was more political than because of any actual talent you have. So, why don't you let her go, and just tell us where the Shadow Broker is?"

"Why would I tell you if I knew?"

"Um, because you owe me your life."

"Oh right, you think that you stopped an impending galactic invasion by a fleet of sentient starships."

"Slowed down, didn't stop. Reapers are persistent little fuckers, I'll give 'em that."

"You really are insane, Shepard." Vasir said.

"No, not really. It's just that everyone has their heads so far up their own asses that they can't see the approaching apocalypse."

"You really are a strange one, Shepard. What do you hope to accomplish by insisting on spreading that myth?"

"What do I hope to accomplish? I hope to enable the galaxy to shove the reapers back into the darkness from which they came."

"Darkness?"

"The Darkness cannot be breached. That's what their creators told me."

"Their creators? If the reapers were real, wouldn't their creators be extinct?"

"Nobody said the reapers were infallible."

"They're supposedly capable of destroying entire races! You said they annihilated the protheans. So, what the fuck chance do we stand against a force like that, if it exists."

"Oh, they kinda fucked that one up too. Protheans aren't extinct either. Hell, there are probably inusannon in the galaxy somewhere too."

"What the fuck is are inusannon?"

"They're the race that came before the protheans. The race who's ruins revealed to the protheans the secret of mass effect technology."

"You're batshit crazy." Vasir said.

Shepard shook her head, then said, "You think I'm crazy, Vasir, but we'll see who's called crazy when the reapers show up on earth and devastate our defenses."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Exactly ten months from now the reapers will arrive on earth, and two and a half months after that, what we thought was our only hope for salvation, would prove to be our destruction."

"What the fucking hell are you talking about, Shepard?" Vasir asked.

"Nothing. Just stalling." Shepard said, as Jack jumped from an upper roof and tackled Vasir. The asari fell to the ground, and her hostage stumbled forward. Garrus grabbed her and pulled her away from the asari, while Jack slammed a biotic fist into her face.

Vasir groaned, and asked, "Do your worst, bitch." as Jack pummeled her.

Shepard walked up, and pulled Jack away from Vasir, saying, "That's not necessary, Jack."

"Got it, Shepard."

The Commander then grabbed Vasir by the throat, and with cold, emotionless eyes, said, "You will tell me where the Shadow Broker's headquarters are. Now."

"No." Vasir replied.

"That is not the correct answer."

"Well, deal with it, Shepard."

"You don't seem to understand, Vasir. The only way you're going to survive is if you tell me what I want to know."

"If I betray the Broker to you, he'll have me killed. So, there isn't any way for me to live, so I'll die with my honor."

"If you tell us where the Shadow Broker is, we'll kill him and you won't be in danger."

"Yeah right. You're just some crazy dike."

Shepard said, "Really? Really? Are you fucking serious?" her mouth hanging open slightly.

Vasir asked, "What's the problem, dike?"

"Seriously? You're one of a species that will literally fuck anything that's alive. And, you're getting on my case about what I like? Are you fucking serious?"

"Yeah, it doesn't make any sense, Vasir." Liara said.

"I was trying to get a reaction that would enable me to get away."

"Well, when you're dealing with me, you'll have to try a lot harder than that. So, tell me where the Shadow Broker is."

"Sorry, no can do." Vasir said.

Shepard shook her head, and said, "So be it." as she walked to the edge of the building. "I'll ask you one last time. Where is the Shadow Broker's headquarters?"

Vasir looked at Shepard, and said, "Kill me and you'll never find out."

"Eh, what the fuck." Shepard said, dropping Vasir. She then pulled out her pistol, and fired three rounds into the asari's barriers, and then dropped a grenade after her. She looked down, and said, "Rest in hell, bitch."

"Isn't the statement usually burn in hell?" Garrus asked.

"Have I ever been conventional, Garrus?" Sarah asked, as she walked to the skycar. "Let's go to the Normandy. We've got a Shadow Broker to kill."

"But, we don't know where he is!" Liara said.

"Please, I didn't actually need her to tell me where he was. When you're a time travelling badass like me, you know where the Shadow Broker is."

"Oh, right." Liara said, looking at the ground, "But, you're more of a sexy time travelling badass."

Shepard slapped her, and said, "What do I have to say to you to make you realize that whatever we might have had at one point, it is dead, and has been for years. Get the fuck over me, and I won't have to send you to fight Harbinger on your own."

Liara punched Shepard in the face, and said, "I should never have fallen for you. But I'll never give up on you either."

"Too true." Shepard replied, walking over to Miranda. There, she whispered, "I think it's time to make the doctor disappear. You remember the plan I mentioned, right?"

"Yeah, but do you think that'll be necessary."

"It's the only way." Shepard replied, pulling out a pistol. She turned to Liara and fired three rounds into the asari. She stumbled backwards as she felt her barriers vanish, then Shepard fired three more rounds. One piercing her heart, and the other two piercing her lungs.

The bleeding out asari asked, "Why?"

"Because, you couldn't move on. I don't have the time for people who are causing trouble because they can't move on."

Tears fell down the asari's face, as Shepard stepped towards her and aimed the pistol at her head. She said, "Please, don't."

"I didn't want to. But, you wouldn't let go of the past. So, this had to happen." as she pulled the trigger again. The round pierced the asari's head, shattered her skull, and as the fragments of bone tore up her brain, Shepard said, "Throw that trash off the side of the building."

Then, as she walked away, she felt something hit her. She turned around, and saw a black cloud, and heard it whisper in the depths of her mind, "Return to where you belong, Shepard. This is not where you belong."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You do not belong here." it said, as she felt herself faint.

-=0=-

"Sarah!" Miranda said, as the Commander collapsed. She checked a pulse, and asked, "What's going on!"

"Fuck if I know." Jack said, "Could be stress."

"I doubt it." Miranda said, "She doesn't have a pulse."

"What! Shit, we need to get back to the Normandy." Jack said.

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Miranda said, picking up Shepard. As they ran to the skycar, she thought, 'You better not die on me now, Sarah. I don't want to have to do another Lazarus project on you.'

"You alright, Cheerleader?" Jack asked as Miranda got into the back seat of the skycar.

"Just get us to the Normandy. We need her in medical immediately." Miranda said. Jack nodded, and got into the driver seat.

"You'll want to lock yourself in, this is going to be a wild ride."

"Shut up and drive!" Miranda said, as she started to do CPR.

-=0=-

Sarah looked around, staring at the Conduit. Anderson said, "We've got to move!" as Harbinger landed.

She nodded, thinking, 'Looks like I'll be with you again soon, Miranda.' as she, Garrus, and Tali sprinted towards the beam. 'It was always me, Garrus, and Tali. Except for that one time. Why the fuck did I do what she suggested, instead of taking Tali and Garrus. Maybe if I hadn't, she'd still be around, and I'd have a reason to try and make it out of this.'

Then, a mako flew overhead, and a reaper blast, sent Tali flying back while Garrus ran over to her. Shepard turned and ran to Tali. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I can keep moving."

Shepard was quiet for a moment, then said, "No."

"What?"

"Garrus, Tali, go back."

"What!" they both said.

"Go back."

"Why the fuck should we do that?"

She looked at them, and said, "I need to know that someone's going to make it out of this alive."

"Won't you be making it out?" Tali asked.

She grabbed her typhoon, and said, "Not this time."

"You can't be serious!"

"This is the end of the line for me. This is going to be what I'll be remembered for. Giving my life to stop the reapers."

"You can't be serious." Tali said.

Shepard placed a hand on her shoulder, and said, "It'll be alright. But, this is something that I've got to do."

"Why? Can't you stop them and live?"

"Maybe." Shepard said, "But, I don't have a reason to."

"Shepard, I don't think she'd want you to die just because she did."

Shepard looked at her, and said, "We can't be sure, because she's not with us anymore." Shepard said, turning to the reaper, and saying, "It's been an honor serving with you. Until we meet on the other side."

Tali said, "No! I'm not going to let you get yourself killed!"

Shepard hugged the quarian, and said, "Don't worry, this is what I want."

"What about the rest of us who care about you?"

Shepard looked around, and said, "We'll all be dead if I don't get this done. So please, go get to safety."

Garrus said, "It'll be alright, Tali."

"How can you say that? Shepard's going off to die."

He said, "It's like Thane said, the Shepard who was more than a soldier died when she failed to catch Miranda."

Tali sniffed, and said, "I suppose you're right." before turning to Shepard and saying, "I'll miss you, Shepard. You were always like a big sister to me."

Shepard smiled sadly at the quarian, "Thanks, Tali. And you were always like a little sister to me." she turned to Garrus, and said, "I know I don't have to say this, but take good care of her."

He said, "I will. If you don't succeed, see you in the bar."

"Sounds good, Garrus." she said, as she turned to Harbinger, "But, we don't have time for long goodbyes." she said, "So, go, guys. And, tell everyone on the Normandy that I loved them all like family."

"Will do, Shepard." they said.

"Good. Bye, guys." she said, with tears in her eyes.

"Bye, Shepard." they said, as she ran towards Harbinger. She held down the trigger of her typhoon, as she aimed it at Harbinger.

As she charged, she said, "Harbinger, you stole what mattered most to me, so I'm going to kill you, no matter the cost."

The reaper turned to her, and said, "Save us." as it fired on her.

She continued to run, until the blast hit the ground directly behind her, and sent her flying towards the Conduit.

-=0=-

"What's going on?" Chakwas asked as Miranda ran into the medbay.

"She collapsed during a mission, and now she doesn't have a pulse." Miranda said as she started pulling off Shepard's armor.

-=0=-

Sarah groaned, as she stood up. She looked around her, and saw trees like those in her nightmares. As she stumbled to her feet and grabbed a carnifex pistol from a fallen soldier, she stumbled forward towards the beam of energy in the center of the conduit, killing three husks that charged her. Then, a moment later a marauder stepped out from behind one of the arms of the conduit and opened fire on her. She staggered backwards as she felt a round pierce her side, then finished the marauder off with three shots from the Carnifex, before collapsing.

Then, she heard a familiar voice with an Australian accent say, "Is that the best you can do, Shepard?"

"Miranda?" she asked.

"Yes, Sarah?" the voice asked, as she suddenly appeared in front of Shepard, and walked up to her. As she squatted, she said, "What is it?"

"Am I dead? Is that why I see you?"

"You're not dead, just dying." a man's voice said.

"Dad? Is that you?"

"Yeah. Never thought I'd see you like this. Broken on the ground. You always fight back, Sarah. So why don't you get back on your feet?"

"I'm done fighting back. I don't have any strength left to fight with."

Miranda said, "That's not the woman I fell in love with. Get back on your feet. Getting spaced and atmospheric reentry didn't stop you, don't tell me that you're going to let a little wound like that break you."

"Seriously, Sarah. What's gotten into you? I remember you kicking that guy's ass after he broke your leg." a young female voice said.

"Cynthia? Why am I seeing you guys now? You're dead."

"We'll explain everything later, but for now you need to stand up and finish this fight. The reapers have to be destroyed, and you're the only one who can do it." her father said.

"Please I just want it to be over. Can't I just rest in peace? Haven't I given this galaxy enough?"

"Not yet, Sarah." Miranda said, "You have to finish the fight with the reapers now. The Illusive Man is on the Citadel, as is Anderson. If you don't stop the Illusive Man, there will never be a chance for the galaxy to be free of the reapers. You have to go and stop him. Otherwise, there is no hope."

"Why?"

"We'll explain everything when this is over." her father said.

"Yeah," Cynthia said, "We'll all tell you about it."

"But, why me?"

"Because you always fought, even when you were dead." Miranda said.

"You never let anything stop you, and that makes you the only one who can stop them."

"Why would I want to stop Anderson too?"

"Not Anderson, someone else, Skipper." Ashley said.

"Who? What?"

"We'll explain later. When you're fully here, not just partially." her father said.

"What do you mean?"

"Later. It'll all be clear once you've stopped the reapers, and the end has come." Miranda said, "But, there's a possible resolution which will make you forget this ever happened."

"Why? How?"

"It's complicated." Miranda said. "Just go. There isn't much time."

"Got it." she said, barely managing to push herself to her feet. "But this better be over soon."

"We can't promise that." her father said.

"Well that sucks."

"Not as much as getting nuked, Skipper." Ashley said.

"You're probably right, Ash." the Commander responded, entering the Conduit.

-=0=-

"The machines are keeping her alive, but if her heart doesn't start working on its own again, she won't wake up." Chakwas said.

"What can we do?" Miranda asked.

"Nothing. Whatever's causing this, isn't something I've ever encountered before. In fact, there doesn't appear to be any reason at all why it isn't working properly."

"Could nerve some nerve connections be broken?"

"I checked everything, Miranda. We'll just have to wait, and see if she makes it out."

"And what if she doesn't?"

"Eventually we'll have to pull the plug."

"You can't be serious! This is Shepard we're talking about!"

"We don't have the resources to keep her on life support forever. The risk of that time coming, where we can't keep her up before she's back, is slim."

"How slim?"

"Only about one in ten million."

"Alright, keep an eye on her stats. I've got some reports to fill out." Miranda said.

-=0=-

Shepard collapsed in front of the panel she had used to open the Citadel, and as she began to faint, she felt the section of floor she was on rise.

A few moments later, a child's voice said, "Get up."

"Who are you?"

"I am the Catalyst."

"I thought the Citadel was the Catalyst."

"The Citadel is my home."

"Do you know how I can stop the reapers?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Before you make your choice, there is much you need to know, and there is little time."

"So tell me."

"I was created to solve a problem. Organic races were being annihilated by their synthetic creations. My creators realized that war between organic and synthetic life was inevitable unless a solution was found, so they created me. I was to find a solution, no matter the cost. Eventually I came to a temporary solution, the reapers."

"You created the reapers?"

"Not the original reapers. Those were created by my creators to gather data for me."

"So, you were created by the Leviathans?"

"Yes, but we are getting off topic."

"I don't need to know anymore." she said, "I can't trust you. Whatever you tell me I will doubt because you are behind this. You are the single greatest serial killer in the history of the galaxy."

"The races that the reapers harvest are not destroyed, but stored in reaper form."

"If you change our form, you aren't really preserving us. You're repurposing us."

"NO! That is not true!"

"Just tell me how I can stop the reapers." she growled.

"Very well. I know you have thought of destroying us." the Catalyst said, as he did so, an image of Anderson firing on a tube a bit forward and to the right of her location ran through Shepard's mind.

She collapsed to the ground, and asked, "What the fuck did you do to me?"

"I showed you how to destroy us, but your device will not discriminate between reaper and non-reaper synthetic life. All will be destroyed, including you, since you rely on synthetic implants."

Shepard said, "I'm not going to kill the geth. What other options are there?"

"You could control us, if you want."

"So, the Illusive Man was right." Shepard said, as an image of him grabbing a pair of handles with electricity running between them, and then being destroyed.

"Yes, but you would lose your corporeal form. Your mind and memories would be forever preserved."

"Why would I want that? Are there any options that aren't shit?"

"Yes, synthesis."

"What's that?"

"Add your own energy to the Crucible."

"What the fuck does that even mean? And what energy?"

"The organic energy within you will enable you to create synthesis between organic and synthetic life. It will rewrite everything into a new lifeform, a new DNA. Synthesis is the final evolution of life."

Shepard looked at it, then asked, "Are you serious? The only ways to stop the reapers are genocide of an innocent race, the complete undermining of free will, or fucking everyone's DNA?"

"It is not how you see it. Allow me to explain it more thoroughly."

-=0=-

Kasumi walked around, hacking into a few terminals, then asked, "So, why is it that you're so pissed at Shepard?"

"She betrayed the Alliance when she joined Cerberus." Ashley replied.

"Really? If that was it you'd just have shot her."

"What makes you say that?"

"I've seen you in action. With everyone else you've considered a traitor to the Alliance it was always shoot first ask questions later. So, why are you actually pissed at her?"

"I already told you."

"No you didn't. You lied, because you're trying to hide something."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh please, you were so obvious on the SR1 I'm shocked Shep didn't realize it. I wasn't even there and just from seeing a bit of security footage I was able to figure it out. Though, she's never exactly been that good at telling when someone's hitting on her. You're in love with her, and you're upset that she's gone with someone else."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Ashley asked.

"You wanted to get into Shep's pants, but it never happened, so you're upset about her being in love with Miranda."

Ashley shook her head, and said, "You're spouting nonsense."

"Not really. And, I wasn't certain about you wanting Shep until I found out about your little thing with Lillith. Thought your religion and shit was against the whole same-sex relationships thing."

Ashley looked at Kasumi, clearly uncomfortable, then said, "Even if that was the case, it is none of your business."

"True. Just trying to get some more help for Shep before the reapers show up."

"When the reapers show up, I'll fight them. But, I'm not going to work with a traitor who is working for Cerberus."

Kasumi shook her head, and said, "I can tell you for sure that Shepard is going to tell the Illusive Man to go fuck himself before she blows the Collector base to kingdom come. She does not agree with him, she's just using his resources to do what she can to stop the Collectors."

"What makes you so sure?"

Kasumi said, "Because, it's what she did last time."

"You always talk about the future like it's the past. I swear you're as crazy as she is."

"Nope. Just trying to get you to realize that she isn't a traitor. She'll even put a round right between the Illusive Man's freaky eyes herself." Kasumi said, while reading through some data. "Aha! Found it!"

"Found what?"

"A Cerberus base which should be helpful in finding Shep's clone."

"Wait, clone?"

"Yeah, they made a Shepard clone for spare parts. Don't worry, it's the real Shepard you met on Horizon." Kasumi said.

-=0=-

When the Catalyst finally quit talking about the various options, and why they were not monstrous. Shepard walked to the control section, where she leveled her pistol at it, but just as she was about to pull the trigger, a voice said, "None of this is real. He is trying to deceive you. To trap you in your past."

"Who?"

"I cannot tell you. I have managed to hold him off, giving you a chance to escape. Leave this place."

"How?"

"We both know the only way to escape from this falsehood is to reject it. To refuse to accept this lie."

"I see." she said, before turning, and shooting the Catalyst's avatar.

It said, in the voice of a Leviathan, "So be it. The cycle continues." before vanishing.

-=0=-

Miranda was typing at her desk, when John walked in and asked, "What has happened to Shepard, on your watch?"

"I do not know. She just collapsed in the middle of an operation. We have her hooked up to machinery to keep her alive until she comes to."

"Why do you think she collapsed?"

"I do not know. It could be any of a number of causes."

"Why did she collapse?"

"I do not know."

"I seriously doubt that. Why did she collapse?"

"As I told you, I do not know why Shepard collapsed."

"You put her back together when she was just meat and tubes. Surely you can tell why she collapsed."

"I do not know why she collapsed because all of her implants are running optimally, and there does not appear to be any reason she did so. She appears to be in top condition. So, quit asking me why she collapsed. I don't bloody know."

Then, the door opened, and Shepard entered. She said, "John, why are you harassing my XO? I don't seem to remember that being part of your job description."

"You collapsed for no reason. I wanted to know why. As did the Illusive Man."

"Well, tell the Illusive Man, that there is no rational explanation for why I did. It just sorta, happened."

"Really? It just happened, with no rational explanation?"

"Yes. Do I have to repeat myself, John?"

"No. Where is our next operation?"

"We're going to Hagalaz."

"Why?"

"I have my reasons, John. Don't question me."

"Could I accompany you on this operation?"

"No."

"Why?"

"This operation is going to be handled by a team I can trust. I don't have any reason to trust you, so you aren't coming along."

"How about the fact that the Illusive Man placed me on this ship."

"That's just a reason not to trust you. So, why don't you quit questioning my orders like you're in charge of this vessel?"

He sighed, then said, "Very well, Commander. If you need me to do anything, I will be in the mess hall."

"Good for you. Maybe you can help Gardner with the dishes."

"I am a soldier. I kill things. I don't clean dishes. That is one of Mess Sergeant Gardner's duties."

"Doesn't mean you can't help him. Or maybe you could sweep the floors."

"Are you just fucking with me, Shepard?"

"No, go sweep the floors of my ship."

"Do I need to take this up with the Illusive Man?"

"No, he can help you sweep the floors." Shepard flatly said.

"Who do you think you are?"

"Space Jesus."

John shook his head, and said, "You're just fucking with me."

"What tipped you off? The fact that I told you to go sweep the floors, or the fact that I said I was Space Jesus? Or was it saying TIM could help you sweep the floors?" Shepard asked, grinning.

"All of the above." he said, as he left the room.

When he was gone, Miranda burst out laughing, and said, "That was hilarious. I wish I could have seen the look on his face."

"Maybe now he'll leave people alone. Or, I'll actually make him sweep the floors."

"That would be priceless. The Illusive Man's watchdog sweeping the floors like a janitor." Miranda said, "So, where are we going?"

"Is everything set up?"

"Yes."

"Well then, EDI, tell Joker to set course for Hagalaz. We've got some bitches to kill."

"Hagalaz. That does make sense as a place he'd be hiding. What do you think are the odds that there'll be an army of guards?"

"Oh, there'll be a ton. So, once we've taken care of this, we'll pick up Samara, then go the Citadel and pick up Kasumi. Also help Garrus and Thane while we're there. I should probably go talk to them. See you later." Shepard said.

"Got it. I still have some reports for the Illusive Man."

Shepard said, "You could quit now, save you a lot of time in paperwork."

"That's not a very good reason." she replied, typing.

"Just a suggestion." Shepard said, stepping out of the room, and heading to the main battery.

-=0=-

The air shimmered, and a man appeared in front of Kasumi and Ashley. The thief stepped back, and said, "That can't be possible!"

"What?"

"He can't be alive. I found his corpse!"

"I saw Shepard get spaced, she isn't."

"That's different, Ashley." Kasumi said. "How are you alive, Keiji?"

Keiji said, "I'm not. And neither are you." and from his hands shot a beam of red molten metal. Kasumi tackled Ashley.

"What are you?" she asked.

"Your destroyer. You shall not help Shepard."

"What do you have against Shep?"

"She does not belong here, and neither do you."

"What do you mean?"

"You belong where you came from. I will not allow any to come here and change the future. I will not allow them to win!"

"Who? The reapers?"

"No. Those who betrayed me so very long ago."

"Who betrayed you? And how would we help them win? And how did they betray you?" Ashley asked.

"You ask too many questions, prepare to die." he said, as another beam of red energy fired from his hand. Only for it to stop in its tracks.

"What the?" Ashley said.

"So, interference. From quite a few too. It seems you will live, for now." the man said, as his body crumbled to ash.

"What was that?"

"Beats me." Kasumi said, turning and walking away.

As Ashley followed, she heard a voice say, "You've got to help Shepard. If she does not have help, the future is doomed."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You must follow Kasumi as she joins Shepard. You must help Shepard."

"What?"

"You must help her. I cannot say more." the voice said, "And you must do so soon."

"What are you, and why are you telling me this?"

"My time is short. I cannot say more than that. Otherwise, it would be even shorter." the voice said.

"What?"

"Soon I will fade away, and you must be fighting alongside Shepard once more before that time comes."

"Fade away into what?"

"I cannot tell you."

"Why not?"

"What are you talking to?" Kasumi asked.

"Nothing." Ashley replied, "Where to next?"

"The docks."

"Got it."

-=0=-

A/N: Woo! Eight chapters done. Thanks for reading, and please drop a review. :-)