"This is Icarus UT-47. If there are any Alliance buoys within transmission range Do not use. Repeat do not use this frequency. This channel has been compromised by Cerberus in pursuit of this vessel. We have taken heavy fire and lost a thruster in our last jump. At least three bogeys still on our tail. Seeking safe passage in a no fly zone of Reaper territory our only chance. Looking for supplies and dextro medigel supplies."

Shar replayed the message she and EDI had cleared up and pieced together. It had taken them hours but even Kaidan had to admit the SOS or whatever it was, was most definitely Shepard. The fact that she had not contacted them directly did not bode well. The fact that she had not even attempted to contact him directly had concerned him even more. Hearing her voice now over the transition who knows how old scared him.

She was scared. He realized. Whatever state the Kodiak was in and whoever else was with her Shepard had been trying to keep up the in control commander act. But Kaidan knew better. He also knew she would not risk the training camp to save whoever was with her. Or herself. He knew this was too damn risky for the pay off. Even if communications for the Alliance had been restored the cost was too damn high.

Kaidan slammed a hand into the display in front of him causing Shar and EDI to jump. Only Plava was looking at him with understanding. Somehow that made it worse. He had been putting everything he had into this little training camp and somewhere in the ass end of the universe Shepard needed him, who knows if she was even still alive.

Plava put a hand on his elbow and looked at the other two women. Without waiting for him to recover she takes control of the situation.

"You two coordinate with Traynor. See if you can get anything out of the background static. Time, location, frequency of repetition. EDI monitor the Cerebrus channels see if you can pick up anything on this Icarus codename. Shar can crosscheck with what we got on Omega before we left. Dismissed." For once Shar did not think it wise to argue with the Commando.

Her wrapped hand had not left his arm but somehow hearing the Asari snap the orders he should have been giving centered Alenko. Now was not the time to fall apart, Shepard had known this was a possibility and had trusted him with their crew and mission, he was not about to let her down.

" Pull Tali off of whatever she is doing too. Liara can contact Miranda Lawson get us intel on this project."

"Cerebrus always have meanings behind the codenames. What is this Icarus?"

The camp was buzzing within a few hours. Samara and Alenko knew it was only a matter of time before word got out. They had agreed that whatever time they had believed they had was almost done. They had quietly informed Vega to start loading the weapons they would be taking with them when they left orbit back into the cargo bay as well as having Westermoreland cancel the remainder of weapons training for the rest of the day.

Tali had confirmed that Alliance and Terminus communications were mostly back online. Shar had gotten a feed of Aria's announcement and something akin to surprised crossed over Plava's face when she heard part of it. But as usual the Commando kept her thoughts to herself in front of everyone. If time allowed Kaidan wanted to ask her about her former bosses little stunt but there as always was way too much to do.

"Major, Lt Cortez is requesting to speak to you. Something about the ship Shepard is in." EDI chimed in. He gave Samara an nod and the door opened. Cortez entered and he looked almost as concerned as Kaidan felt. Whatever he had discovered it was more bad news.

"Major I think we might have something. Based on what we pulled from the tape and known relays that are still operational we might have a problem." He pulled up a map similar to the one used in CIC and a trail starting at Omega light up. Several more followed to the gate."

"EDI and used thermal readouts to determine how many ships and narrow down possibilities where they could be currently." He typed and several individual trails left Omega and he continued. "We don't know exactly where they went but using probabilities we can narrow down options. Here are the jumps that were recorded within the past few days in Reaper controlled territories. Now five ships continue passing through the second relay. "

"We don't have enough to go on yet to determine where the ships are going but we are pretty sure Shepard is leading them on a wild-goose chase through enemy territory, hoping the Reapers will do the work for her."

"But there is a problem with that. Out with it Steve."

"Well we know she is in a Kodiak. And as sturdy as those buggers are they are not made for extended FTL travel. Each time they jump, they lose a lot of inertia. "Another jump and now only four come out the other end. " In the transmission she said they had lost a thruster, unless they can limp along to a repair dock or drop whoever is tailing them they are running out of time. Fast."

"EDI you ran these numbers with Cortez?"

"Yes Major. Our estimates suggest the Commander's borrowed ship had at most only two more jumps worth of fuel left before the hull becomes …unstable." The AI falters on the last word. The meaning was clear to all in the room however.

"EDI get Shar up here." He gives Plava a meaningful look before she can question. "We are bringing the Commander home."

A/N Yeah an update! So I have started a new job that has been kicking me around so sadly my stories have had to suffer. I would like to say that I can post at least every other week but even that might be a bit tricky unless I go back to 400 page chapters. Let me know you are still out there! Cheers Raven