Allers: Let me get this straight you were the reason as to why Jack was in Purgatory.

Ashley: We were.

Allers: That was how you got the Commander back.

Ashley: It was. That was when Project Lazarus began.

Allers: We've heard about Lazarus but never had anything concrete, can either you or your wife tell us more.

Miranda: Lazarus was the project where we brought the Commander back to life. Using various different implants that came from every society including the reapers. We literally stitched her back together and replaced anything that was missing with implants. We recreated the ultimate human but made her better. She was built to be ready for the battles that were to come. She was still Commander Shepard but it had taken us two years to bring her back, even then the circumstances in which she was brought back weren't ideal.

Running, always running. Running with a purpose. Lazarus station was under attack by unknown enemy. My job was to run to the Commander. Miranda was in the control room slowly resurrecting the Commander and I was on my way to the find her. We needed to get out but the Commander was in no real position to fight back. After two years of death she'll be as groggy as hell, but that didn't matter the universe needed her.

"Miri, I'm here."

"Good. She'll be waking up any second now. Once she's ready, meet me on the Artemis."

As soon as Miranda's voice had gone the Commander started to wake up, slowly coming to her senses.

"Ash. Where am I?"

"You're on Lazarus Station."

"Alliance?"

"No. I've not been with the Alliance for over two years Commander. No more time for talk we need to get going. We're under attack."

"I don't have a weapon or armour."

"You're in no condition to be holding weapons or armour Shepard. Now move. You're not in command here."

"Miranda. I have Shepard we're making our way to the Artemis."

"I hear you Ash, we'll rendev..."

"Miranda! Damn it. We need to get to the Artemis. Come on Shepard."

We made our way through the complex and ended up under fire from the security mechs. Unfortunately they had the higher ground and the advantage as was shown by the Cerberus bodies littered across the ground. All researchers apart from the one military man who ended up with his biotics fried and his pistol still in his hand. Jacob. The bots took a few minutes to disarm but after that we were back on our way with the Artemis in sight. The port was eerily silent all the mechs had been destroyed but there was no sign of Miranda.

"Williams, you weren't supposed to get this far. Those mechs were programmed to kill you and take Shepard alive."

The voice came from behind us and it was attached to one of the doctors who had helped bring Shepard back. Unfortunately the voice also carried a gun that was pointed directly at a surprised Miranda.

"Sorry to disappoint."

BANG

"You ok Miranda?"

"I am, let's get out of here. The purge has been started."

We were soon back on the Artemis and heading towards the Minuteman Station undergoing the assessment of the Commander.

"Now Commander we have to take an assessment and see whether your faculties are still there, to put it bluntly."

"I remember you Sarah Walker. You've changed your name or was that even your name to begin with."

"It's a name, but ultimately it is mine. So is Miranda Lawson. Now Commander what happened once the Normandy left the Citadel?"

"We had a mission we were sent to the far reaches to search for Geth activity. A source gave u s the position of a Geth fighter but we were ambushed, but it wasn't Geth. I'd never seen any ship like it before. What happened?"

"You've been dead for two years. WE were tasked with finding your body and bringing you back. Project Lazarus took millions of credits and two years in order to get this far. You've been upgraded."

"But you're not Alliance. They wouldn't spend all those credits on one person. Who are you with?"

"That's not for us to say."

"You've changed Ash and not in a good way."

With that the Commander was quiet and the journey was almost over with the Minuteman Station coming into view. Once we arrived the Commander was shown directly to the communicator to meet with the Illusive Man and we were left waiting for the outcome, which wasn't a long wait.

"Cerberus. You're working with Cerberus. They're a terrorist organisation and you are willingly working with them. Do you know the amount of innocents they have killed all for the future of humanity? What happened to you Ash? You have friends amongst the other species. What happened to make you forgot those friendships and turn to a human first organisation?"

"Have you finished Shepard? Don't pretend you know me, you've been dead for two years and you don't have any clue as to what has gone on in the galaxy since you left. Do you know how long me and Miranda have spent bringing you back? The sacrifices we have both made."

"What sacrifices? You've been with Cerberus since Noveria. The Illusive Man informed me of such. You've done nothing put betray everything. You've betrayed me, the Alliance, Tali and ultimately yourself."

"How is it betrayal when the reason you leave everything behind is love?"

"You did all this because of love? For her! Do you even know who she is? Sarah Walker or Miranda Lawson or is she called something else!"

"I know who she is. Do you think I just blindly followed? I've known since the beginning who she is, she's always been honest. I'm one of the few who know everything. In the two years that we've been putting you back together again we've become even closer. You see this Shepard it's an engagement ring. Do you really think that if I didn't know her that we would be engaged?"

"No. I suppose not. But why Cerberus?"

"Because its home. It's where Miranda is and ultimately they were the ones to acquire your body. The cause is worth it, to bring back the only person who has the capability to stop the reapers. The rest of the universe has turned their back on the warning that you gave them, Cerberus hasn't."

"You've changed Ash."

"I've had to. You've missed two years Shepard. Ever since humanity got its place on the Council there has been a lot more hate towards us. I've been training and sent on ops for Cerberus, I've had to toughen up. I'm still me but a bit of Cerberus and a lot of Miri has seeped in. Cerberus teaches you to be ruthless but I still have everything I learnt whilst serving under you. So I'm not a completely ruthless bitch. I maybe engaged to the Ice Queen but I'm not the Ice Princess."

"You've made your point. What's next?"

"A mission in order to make you see the light. Freedoms Progress has been attacked by the same people who destroyed the Normandy. We're going to investigate."

Freedoms Progress was silent. All the colonists had just disappeared. There were no bodies littering the ground or any signs of a fire fight. The shuttle set down on top of a building with roof access. The team comprised of myself, Miri and the Commander stepped out and made our way down. The place was eerie. The first mechanical door we came to Miri was quick to hack and we went through and were immediately attacked by more Mechs. Someone had hacked the security bots and turned their friend and foe mechanisms of. Ysmir and Fenris Mechs came out of the deserted buildings and started firing down upon our position. The Commander immediately started dishing out orders and we became a fighting force making our way through the buildings. Miranda's biotics causing having upon the Mechs and then our gunfire disabling systems. Before we knew what was happening we were storming into a building full of Quarians. We held our position but our guns were still aimed.

"Shepard, how are you here? I saw you get spaced."

"It's a long story Tali. Why are you here?"

"We received a transmission from a Quarian who was on his pilgrimage when the planet was attacked. We came looking for him. What are you doing here?"

"This is a human colony; we've come looking for information as to who attacked."

"Who are you with Shepard? There not Alliance personal."

"No they're not."

Up until that point Miranda and I had remained in the shadows where our faces weren't visible. But now the Commander had given us the signal to come forward. How would Tali react when she saw us? Slowly we stepped forward.

"Ash, Sarah. What's going on?"

"Tali. The signature of the ship that destroyed the Normandy was detected here shortly after the attack. The two are connected and we need to find out why. The Alliance isn't doing anything about it, so we're here to find out."

"Cerberus! You're Cerberus Ash! And you Shepard?"

"I'm not Cerberus. I was just as surprised as you are. I only woke up two days ago. Enough of this for the moment, we need to find out what happened. Care to join us Tali?"

"We can split up. We'll take the left and you take the right."

With that we moved away from lost friends and headed towards the last area to search. As we walked more drones surprised us, taking fire from bullets and rockets as we dodged our way to cover. The drones only hindered us slightly as we reached the final door. With a quick hack we were through and facing an Atlas mech. Its superior shields and firepower had already decimated the impatient Quarian team. The cover provided wasn't very comforting a few cargo boxes scattered around the mech, which wouldn't take a lot of damage before they collapsed. Our survival instincts took hold and we jumped into cover, Miri sending out a quick singularity into the path of the Atlas. A warp was quickly then thrown into the path of the singularity and the Atlas was covered in biotic fire, that seeped through the metal and attacked the wiring underneath. The Commander then started firing at the mech in order to draw its fire. Its sluggish movements meant that I could duck out of cover and run straight at its back. With my grenade primed I placed it in between two sections of the mech. Turning on my heels I ran towards cover and waited for the fireworks. After several seconds the grenade exploded and pieces of the mech were splattered all over.

Once we collected ourselves we headed into the command post the mech had been guarding. Inside we were met with the Quarian, that everyone was presumably looking for. It was just watching the screens over and over, watching the demise of the human colonists. With a quick flick of her omni-tool the Commander turned the screens of catching the attention of the Quarian.

"Humans. Not from Freedoms Progress, can't be. All humans abducted by collectors. Must be imagining. I've been here so long, so alone."

Whilst it had been speaking Miranda had been observing and scanning the Quarian.

"He's not going to be much help. Though he seems to have collected data from the attack. It's all on his omni-tool. I suggest taking it with us."

"He's not going with you. He's coming back to the Migrant Fleet. Shepard he's our responsibility not yours. Trust me."

"He goes with Tali. We're not just abducting random Quarians."

"Thanks Shepard. I'll make sure you get a copy of the data."

"Appreciated Tali. Why don't you come with us, I could do with a friendly face."

"I can't Shepard. Not yet. Maybe later."

With a quick nod of her head Tali led the Quarian away and we headed back to the Artemis. Once under way the Commander started asking questions, mostly to herself. Trying to figure out what had happened. She needed information not just about the last couple of hours but about the two years that she had been gone.

"Read this Commander. It should fill in the gaps."

The datapad held every major piece of galactic and human news that had happened in the last two years. Hopefully it would help. There were even some slight dossiers about her old crew and her mother. It kept her quiet for the journey back. Once we reached the Minuteman Station Shepard went to go meet with the Illusive Man again and we were left to our stations filing in our reports. Nothing was left out.

"Ash."

"Joker. How's your baby?"

"She's so much better than her sister. Much more luxurious. I take it the Commander is still with the Illusive Man."

"She is, she should be out soon."

"Good. I can't wait for her to meet the baby. Although it's got a parasite, and I can't get rid of it. I don't suppose you could."

"Nope, that I can't. And neither can Miri before you ask. Don't think of it as a parasite. It's more of a beauty spot."

"My baby is already perfect. To add another beauty spot would make it imperfect. This is my baby's imperfection."

"Well then Joker, you're going to have to come to grips with your baby's imperfection."

Grumbling Joker made his way down to where the Commander was. This left me and Miri alone again, but we had to move. There was still a lot to do before we could get away. For starters the Artemis needed to be secured into the shuttle bay and our belongings stored in our quarters. We would be ready and we were. When the Commander eventually came onboard we were waiting by the airlock.

"Commander welcome to the Normandy SR-2."

"Miss Lawson. What's our status?"

"We're ready to go when you are. You'll find the dossiers from the Illusive Man at your terminal in your quarters. You decide where we start. May I suggest you take a quick tour before we head out, we've made several changes."

"I'll do that. Ash will you give me the guided tour."

"Sure skipper. Where do you want to start?"

"Bottom up."

"Engineering. Don't expect me to be too much help, I don't know anything about engines. I'll introduce you to the people in charge engineers Kenneth Donnelly and Gabriella Daniels."

The tour didn't last that long, introductions were made between the Commander and the majority of the crew. When we arrived at the Captains Quarters where the questions truly began.

"Is this really happening Ash?"

"What?"

"Working with Cerberus. You for love and me because there's no one else that will listen."

"Yes its happening. You may think it's a necessary evil if you must. But I'm Cerberus Commander. Tell yourself whatever you need to make it easier for you. Don't take too long though Skipper."

"I'll think on it. Have you read the dossiers provided?"

"Who do you think helped create the dossiers? Yes I know what's on them."

"Do you mind if we go through them. You'll know more than I do."

"Of course, where we starting from?"

"Mordin Solus."

"The Doctor from Omega. He's a loose cannon but a genius at the same time. Spent time with the STG. He should be able to help synthesise some sort of protection from the swarms on the video feed. Also provides his own weight on the front line, but ideally should be kept on the ship. The only problem with recruiting him is that he's currently in the quarantined section of Omega. A plague has erupted and he seems to be running a clinic. He most likely won't leave until the plague has been cured."

"Sounds useful. How would we be able to reach him if there's a plague? We can't exactly just waltz in and get him."

"Humans are immune. So we can just walk in, with Aria's permission."

"I'll keep that in mind. What about Samara?"

"The Justicar. A biotic Goddess. Justicar's are an order of Asari who seek the truth and justice. There not usually seen outside of Asari space. But this one seems to have some sort of mission where she's hunting someone. Apart from that all we know is she's on Illium our contact there can give us more information."

"That's vague to say the least. The Drell?"

"Thane Krios. Assassin. Not much was found concerning his background but you can't deny his skills will be an asset. He's currently on an assignment on Illium, once again our contact there can give us more information."

"That's even vaguer than the last. Archangel?"

"There's currently a rather large bounty on his head. Currently based on Omega, nearly every mercenary group is looking to gather the bounty. His skills with a sniper rifle are unmatched and he seems like a ghost. He just suddenly appeared on Omega two months ago and started causing trouble."

"He seems like a good addition."

"He does, other than that we have no personal information about him. I have a theory about who he is, but other than that nothing."

"Theories won't do us any good. Subject Zero?"

"Subject Zero, the psychotic biotic. She has the strongest biotics that have been seen within a human, she's only rivalled by the Asari. The main problem with her is that she's currently in prison but we have a deal with the Warden to release her to us. When we meet her you might want to call her Jack."

"That doesn't exactly sound like someone we'd want."

"There's no one quite like her out there. She'll be problematic at best but she'll come in handy."

"True, the Krogan."

"Okeer, a Krogan. That's it. What more do you need to know, oh and he's a warlord who also happens to be a scientist as well. His work has been mainly towards curing the genophage but he's promised us something that will help us. His whereabouts are currently still being looked into, his dossier didn't actually include a location but we'll find him."

"That sounds more and more suspicious. The bounty hunter?"

"Zaeed Massani. He's definitely a colourful character; our intel pegs him as being a former member of the blue suns. He's collected several hundred bounties, some of them rather impressive especially considering his impairment."

"Impairment?"

"He's only got on eye. He lost one during a bounty where he got set upon and he says acid was involved. He'll be able to create a lot of mayhem, him and Jessie."

"Jessie?"

"His gun, he's a bit of a sentimentalist. He named his gun."

"Really can we get anymore crazy? Kasumi?"

"Kasumi the thief. We've acquired her services and she has acquired ours. I hope you're up for a heist skipper; our young thief wants you to help her steal an artefact from Donovan Hock. No ifs, no buts, you either do this or we don't have her help. Some of the crimes she's been accused of our impressive to say the least, the way that they've gone missing. But anyway with her cloaking systems she'll be a great help. This leaves us with one left."

"Tali, she can't have changed that much."

"You'd be surprised Jane. Tali, well from what we've gathered, she's risen up in the ranks. After the Normandy was destroyed she went back to the Migrant Fleet and completed her pilgrimage. The ship she was accepted onto was commanded by Admiral Xen. Since then the two have become close, they've worked together for two years and in that time they have become inseparable. The two announced their interest in each other after a particularly difficult mission. They're now an item."

"How do you know all this Ash?"

"We have eyes and ears everywhere Commander. Plus we actually did keep in contact for a while. Up until the point she came back from that mission. That's as far as our intel goes on Tali."

"What stopped you from communicating with her?"

"You did. I got caught up with helping Miri bring you back that I just forgot."

"Do you know where she is?"

"We do. She's on Haestrom, we don't know why though."

"So that's everyone we have a dossier for. Do you know what happened to the old crew?"

"Only parts I don't know everything. Pressley was killed in action, he died when the Normandy was destroyed. Dr Chakwas will be here shortly, she'll be the medical officer on board. Adams is on leave from the Alliance his wife gave birth to their first child. Wrex went back to Tuchanka where he started to stabilise the clans. Clan Urdnot is know the strongest clan, which means they're in charge. So Wrex is King of the Krogan. Garrus he rejoined C-Sec but was quick to resign his position and since then he's fallen of the radar. Shiala is still in mourning for her Commander. You left a mighty impression there skipper. She really does love you and she's currently on Illium. And Kaidan well he stayed with the Alliance, a good little soldier boy."

"What happened to Liara?"

"We never actually told you the truth about Liara's condition."

"Don't worry I knew, Shiala told me not long before the Normandy was destroyed."

"Well in that case, once you and Shiala both left her, her condition worsened. She ended up killing a young Asari on the Citadel. She's currently wanted by C-Sec for questioning. It's not looking good for her, we managed to track her for a while, we just followed the bodies. But she eventually caught on to how we were doing it and we've not had track of her since. She's completely lost."

"That's not good Ash. Couldn't you do anything?"

"Unfortunately no. As far as we are aware there's no cure and she didn't want to be caught."

"Do you have any good news?"

A/N I seem to have come to a point where I can't stop writing. I've just finished this chapter and I've already started on the next. Longest Chapter so far I think. Till next time