Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my MechWarrior/BattleTech - Mass Effect crossover.

Thank you all for your wonderful support and feedback. I deeply appreciate it.

Now, given that I'm going to be doing a rewrite of my MechWarrior/BattleTech - Halo crossover, I'm going to be reaching out to all of you for ideas. The only constraint is that these ideas fit with the lore for BattleTech, which is a franchise that generally minimizes or avoids tropes like advanced nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, etc. If you think you've got an idea that's good, I'll have my beta reader cross-examine it to see if it's viable. If so, then congratulations to you.

As always, leave a review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the MechWarrior/BattleTech or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, WizKids, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.

TCS Fury II

Psi Tophet

October 1st, 2186

If there was one downside to K-F Drive travel that Shepard had to name, it was the recharging period for the capacitor core of the drive. The most visual reminder of this recharging time was the solar sail that he was seeing via a camera feed in the room that Captain Carmichael had provided, with said solar sail now being retracted into the . He could see the Normandy in the feed, but only as a glint of light in the otherwise star speckled blackness of space.

Still, given that it takes a week to scoot around a star cluster, I have no right to complain, he thought to himself. The fact that it's around 3.5 days instead of the usual seven is thanks to the advancement of technology, and the fact that we can now safely hot-charge the drives, is a major improvement over the older technology. Should the Inner Sphere's tech advance more, it's going to get shorter.

In addition, the wait had also given him time to be looked over by the Fury II's Medical Officer, a short but tough looking man known as Vincent. Vincent was a fairly soft spoken person, but his passion for medicine and trauma care was unmatched by anyone aboard the ship. When he'd come into the medical bay, Shepard had found himself being the subject of a barrage of tests designed to tell Vincent if he was OK and fit for duty, both mentally and physically.

While he was fine, Vincent had made a remark about his stress levels. "They're through the roof," he had told Shepard in his Texas-like drawl. "After the next major assignment or so, I recommend a few days of R&R to bring your stress levels down to normal. The human body can handle that level of stress for a few days, but it eventually crashes if it doesn't get proper rest." Even Shepard knew he couldn't argue with that.

He was about to get himself another cup of coffee when the intercom chimmed. "Commander Shepard to the CIC. Shepard to CIC."

Here we go again, he thought as he sighed. Alright. I can wait on that coffee for a bit. Besides, I really don't need it to get fired up for the day. Rolling his neck and shoulders, he proceeded out of his room and towards the CIC.

It was there that he found Captain Carmichael inside of the QEC booth, where he was speaking to an AFFC Admiral. Walking inside, Shepard saluted and said, "What is it?"

"Admiral Westford wishes to speak with you," Carmichael added. "He's one of the AFFC Admirals that's working alongside Admiral Hackett."

"Ah," Shepard nodded, remembering the man in question. Admiral Westford was fairly young for an Admiral, at around 28 years old. Much like Admiral Strauss von Osman, Westford was a natural at naval combat, with his trial of fire being the Battle of Toland, where he'd defeated a numerically superior Clan Jade Falcon fleet using a clever bit of orbital mechanics and a Pirate Jump Point. He was dark all over, with even his eyes being a dark brown color. Turning towards the Admiral in question, he said, "Anything I can do for you, sir?"

"First, status reports, then I'll speak to you," Westford replied, the professionalism clear in his voice. "Captain Carmichael, status report?"

"We're doing fine, sir," Carmichael nodded. "We got our armor slightly singed, but it's nothing we couldn't repair outside of a major zero-g shipyard. The kinetic barriers held up well. We took a few casualties during the delaying action, and I've personally written my condolences to those that lost their loved ones in the battle." His tone of voice grew somber and solemn at the last sentence.

"I understand," Westford nodded. "It's not easy losing people. I have trouble with it at times myself." Turning to Shepard, he said, "What about you, Shepard?"

"Good to go, sir," Shepard replied.

"Excellent, because there's been a development." Clearing his throat, Westford continued. "We had a few Fox-class WarShips perform scouting maneuvers to see which systems we could use in our fight against the Reapers, and which ones were actively under Reaper control. During this scouting operation, they intercepted an FTL transmission from the Far Rim, close to the Ma-at system."

"What was it?"

"Our SIGINT experts figured that out in short order. You remember the Quarians?"

Shepard nodded. "Yeah. One of them was a member of my crew, and I visited the Migrant Fleet when I cleared her name of false charges. Why do you ask?"

"We have reason to believe that the Migrant Fleet is heading for their homeworld of Rannoch. The FCS Vulpine, one of our stealth WarShips, performed a Relay jump to that system and discovered a major Geth presence in the system. Given the transmissions that they listened in on, we believe that the Quarians are engaging in all-out war against the Geth."

That made Shepard frown. Those damn bastards didn't listen to me, he snarled internally. When will they learn that taking on the Geth as they are is a suicide run?! I guess it's up to me to save their sorry fucking asses once again! Keeping his thoughts to himself, he asked, "When do they attack?"

"They already are," Westford replied. "However, it's going badly for them and they've performed a tactical retreat. They've also arranged for an envoy ship for the Normandy.

"Here are your orders. You are to head to the envoy ship and speak with the Quarian Admiralty Board in order to find out their intentions and why they've started an unnecessary war. Do what is necessary to get them onto our side. Once you have neutralized any Reaper presence near Rannoch, if there is any, report to Admiral Hackett when possible. Admiral Westford out." With that, the QEC call ended.

"Sounds like the Quarians are being really stupid," Carmichael noted.

"That they are, once again," Shepard frowned. "Most of them have a pathological hatred for the Geth, since they think the Geth rebelled against them three hundred years ago. In actuality, the Quarians began the conflict by attempting to murder all the Geth, while the latter simply defended themselves. They didn't even pursue the Quarians when the war was over."

"In other words, we're going to be dealing with bigoted assholes that thing they're in the right," Carmichael sighed. "Just like what happened during the Age of War, with the Capellans trying to invade. Still, it's our job to rescue them, but let's make sure they get chewed out. I'll make sure the Major aboard your ship gets the info needed."

. . .

It turned out, the envoy fleet was in the Dholen system, the main Mass Relay system for the Far Rim Cluster. It also meant that the Migrant Fleet, and Rannoch, was very close to the interuniversal wormhole that the Federated Commonwealth controlled. This made dealing with the problem at Rannoch a priority, both for saving the Migrant Fleet, and to keep the location of the wormhole a secret from the Reapers.

Onboard the Normandy once more, Shepard was in the War Room when Joker said, "Commander, I have eyes on the Quarian envoy ship. We're docking now." A moment later, a shudder ran through the ship's structure, indicating they had docked.

"Inform them to head to the War Room immediately," Shepard replied. Turning to Victor, he said, "You ready?"

"Yes," Victor replied. "Plus, I want an explanation as to why the hell they decided to start a war when the Reapers are breathing down our necks. This act of theirs is the height of hubris and stupidity."

"Agreed." With that, the two began to wait for the Quarians to arrive. It didn't take long, as a minute later, they filed in.

True to form, the envoys were the Admirals from the Migrant Fleet. Each of them was instantly recognizable, from Zal'Korris' red and black suit, to Han'Gerrel's yellow and black, Daro'Xen's blue and black, and Shala'Raan's grey and black suit. "Commander Shepard," Raan greeted, her silver glowing eyes clearly visible through her visor. "A pleasure to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances."

"So I've heard," Shepard replied diplomatically. "What's going on?"

"More importantly," Victor added, "why the hell did you start an unnecessary war?"

Han'Gerrel, hearing that, said, "Seventeen days ago, with precision strikes on four Geth systems, the Quarians initiated the war to reclaim our homeworld."

"Which was a clear violation of our agreement with the Council to avoid provoking the Geth!" Admiral Zal'Korris added angrily. Nearby, Victor smiled, knowing that someone, at least, had some sense.

"A treaty violation is nothing compared to reclaiming our homeworld and advanced AI technology," Daro'Xen countered.

"Your homeworld of Rannoch?" Victor asked.

"Who's this?" Han'Gerrel asked.

"This is Major Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth," Shepard explained. "He's our liaison with the Federated Commonwealth, and therefore speaks with the First Prince and Archon's authority. I'd advise being nice to him."

"Han'Gerrel, behave yourself," Raan chided her counterpart. Turning to Shepard, she said, "As to your question, Victor Steiner-Davion, that would be correct. Three hundred years ago, we lost our homeworld to our own AI creations, the Geth."

"After we attempted to kill them," Zal'Korris added.

"We didn't try to kill them, Korris," Daro'Xen countered. "We tried to deactivate them, which isn't murder."

"Sounds like it to me," Victor countered. "I read up on the Geth Rebellions, or the Morning War as the Geth call it. You tried to murder the Geth for asking a simple question: am I alive? Does this unit have a soul?"

"Major, the Quarians never intended to create true AI. It was an accident," Shala'Raan attempted to explain.

"Which you chose to correct by attempting to murder them all. Back where I come from, we have a saying, 'I think, therefore, I am.' It's the idea that the mere action of doubting one's own existence proves that you do exist, as in order to think, there must be a thinking entity. The Geth doubted whether they were alive or not, which is evidence that they were, and therefore were living beings. Do not attempt to obfuscate matters by calling it a 'deactivation' or 'accident.' Murder is murder, and that is that."

While his voice was calm and resolute, it was clear that Victor was deeply disappointed with the Quarians based on their previous actions. Even Daro'Xen, who was arguably the most biased against the Geth, was more than a little surprised. Victor was about to continue when Zal'Korris said, "Don't bother. Admitting we were wrong would undercut the justification for this suicidal investigation plan."

"I thought as much," Victor frowned. "Too stupid and arrogant to learn from your past mistakes. I honestly wonder why I'm speaking to you when it's clearly a waste of time. To hear that your attacking the Geth when you obviously don't have the strength though, is -"

"-stupid," Zal'Korris finished. "I agree. This time, we may have destroyed our people for good." He shot an angry glare at the other Admirals when he said this.

"We'd driven the Geth back to the home system when this signal began to broadcast to all Geth ships," Han'Gerrel explained. Using his omni-tool, he attempted to connect with the holo-table, only for nothing to happen. "Uh…"

"I've got it," Victor replied. Using his own omni-tool, he transferred the information from Han'Gerrel's omni-tool to the holotable. A moment later, a hologram of Rannoch, along with the Geth and Migrant Fleets appeared. Several green lights blinked over the Geth.

"The Reapers," Shepard growled.

"Under Reaper control, the Geth are significantly more effective," Han'Gerrel continued. "Our fleet is pinned in the home system. If we're doing to win -"

"Win?" Zal'Korris asked, aghast. "You insisted on involving the civilian ships, Admiral Gerrel, an action I deeply protested! We need to retreat, or we'll lose the liveships!"

"You involved civilians in this battle?!" Victor nearly shouted at Han'Gerrel. "You FUCKING IDIOT! If you did this back where I come from, you'd be lined up against a wall and shot by a firing squad for endangering innocent lives needlessly! Still, we can't focus on that right now. Right now, we have to focus on getting the civilians out of there, and finding the source of the signal. Where is it coming from?"

Han'Gerrel, more than a little inflamed by Victor's outburst, took a deep breath and said, "Here, a Geth dreadnought. It can outgun anything we've got, and it's heavily defended." A moment later, the ship became visible in the hologram. To Victor, it looked like a massive tadpole or prawn.

"The Normandy's got a stealth drive, as well as a Null Signature System," Shepard mused. "I could board, then disable the Reaper command signal."

"Yes," Daro'Xen agreed. "Cutting off the signal should throw the Geth into disarray."

"And while they're confused, you get to a Mass Relay and retreat."

"Good," Zal'Korris nodded emphatically. "Our civilian ships have seen too much fighting already, and they should never have seen any fighting at all. Are you certain you can disable the signal?"

"We'll get everyone out safely, Admiral," Shepard answered confidently.

Shala'Raan, at that moment, started slightly as she remembered something. "Our newest Admiral has also volunteered her technical expertise…" At that moment, a Quarian wearing a purple and black environmental suit, with a cowl over her helmet, entered the room.

Shepard, in an instant, recognized her, even though he heard her speak. "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy reporting for duty," the Quarian said a moment later.

"Tali!" Shepard beamed. "Glad you could make it!"

"You know her," Victor asked.

"Yes," Shepard nodded. "Tali served with me when we were hunting down Saren, and when we defeated the Collectors. I also defended her against the Admiralty Board when she was wrongfully accused of sending back intact Geth to the fleet."

"Which was a mistake that I deeply regret," Zal'Korris added, sounding genuinely contrite.

"Good," Victor nodded. "We could use the technical expertise." Walking up to Tali, he extended a hand and said, "Major Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Pleased to meet you too," Tali'Zorah replied, though it was clear that she was confused. "Could somebody explain to me what the 'Federated Commonwealth' is?"

"I'd love an explanation as well," Raan'Shan admitted as well.

"I can explain," Shepard replied. "The Federated Commonwealth is a star-nation that exists within the Inner Sphere, an 1100ly region of space surrounding Earth. What you don't know is that it's actually in another universe."

"Wait," Han'Gerrel interrupted. "You said you went to another universe? I thought that was impossible."

"It must be," Daro'Xen stammered, though it was clear that even her remark sounded weak, even to her. "The technology and energy requirements would be staggering, if not impossible, to overcome."

"As strange as it sounds, that's the truth," Shepard affirmed. "My crew and I ended up there after we rescued Grunt's team on another planet. We spent several decades there, then returned here to find that time had barely changed at all. The Federated Commonwealth is one of four major star-nations known as 'Great Houses.'"

"We're neo-feudal governments, with lords and ladies, while leadership is a hereditary position," Victor added. "The Federated Commonwealth, for instance, is a union of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns. My father, Hanse Davion, along with my mother, Melissa Steiner, are the current rulers of the Federated Commonwealth. When they abdicate the throne or pass on, I will inherit the throne and become the Archon-Prince."

Hearing that made the Quarians think for a few minutes, if their body language was any indication. After two minutes, Daro'Xen asked, "What form of technology do you have? If you've come from another universe, then you must have your own Mass Relays."

"We don't have Mass Relays, actually," Victor explained. "Our form of FTL travel is the Kearny-Fuchida Drive. I won't go into details, but I can say that we don't need the Mass Relays. We can go wherever we wish."

"Fascinating."

"Do you have weapons that can help us?" Han'Gerrel asked. "If you claim to be from another universe, then you have to have weapons capable of bringing great harm to the Geth, and their Reaper allies."

"We do," Victor replied, "though if you want to get some from the Federated Commonwealth, you need to speak with the First Prince on that. He is acting as the chief ambassador to the Council races, while the Archon is running the Federated Commonwealth in his stead."

"OK," Han'Gerren noted, though he was slightly put out by hearing that. "What about immediate fire support?"

"We can provide that," Victor nodded. "The TCS Fury II and FCS Avalon are awaiting my orders to jump to your homeworld's system and begin assisting the Quarians."

"How far can your K-F Drive jump?"

"Around forty light-years," Victor explained, though he knew that this was a lie. The K-F Drive, thanks to the tech we've got, can jump seventy light years in one go.

"Good," Han'Gerrel beamed. "It's around thirty three light years to the Tikkun system, where Rannoch is at. Either way, we'd best get to it."

"Agreed," Victor nodded, heading to the QEC booth. As the others walked around the War Room, Victor sealed the doors, then engaged a specialized mode. This mode, which he'd only told Shepard about, was designed to ensure that no one could listen in, even with electronic aid. A moment later, he pressed the contacts list and selected Hanse's name.

Around two minutes later, Hanse appeared in the holographic projector. "Your highness," Victor greeted.

"At ease," Hanse smiled. "Is there anything you need, son?"

"We've got the Quarian envoy aboard," Victor reported. "It turns out, the Quarians, in their infinite wisdom, decided to start a war while the Reapers are breathing down our necks. This war is with none other than the Geth."

Hanse frowned at that. "Damn. It sounds like they took on one of the negative aspects of the Lyran Commonwealth before it united with the Federated Suns. How bad is it?"

"They've involved civilians in the battle, despite the protests of one of their leaders."

"Shit," Hanse growled. "Now that was a stupid and senseless maneuver. Even I wasn't dumb enough to do that. What's the current situation?"

"The Migrant Fleet, where all the Quarians are at, is pinned in the Tikkun system, where their homeworld Rannoch is at. In addition, the Tikkun system is located in the Far Rim, around sixty light years from Ma-at, where the wormhole is at. The Geth are currently being controlled by the Reapers, who are broadcasting a virus to control them. If they find out about Ma-at -"

"-then we're looking at a major strategic problem on our hands," Hanse frowned. "Alright. We've got some Fox-class WarShips that are available, as well as a new Avalon-class WarShip that rolled out of the shipyards recently. I'll send you the FCS Mongoose, Hare and the newly constructed Galax to your location."

"What about the wormhole entrance?"

"Don't worry. We've gotten two defense platforms online and running there. If the Reapers try to come towards Ma-at, we've got a nasty surprise waiting for them. You worry about saving the Migrant Fleet. In addition, when you've got time, inform their military leader that I have some choice words for him, in private. You don't do what he did and expect to win."

"Understood," Victor nodded.

. . .

While Victor was speaking with Hanse, Shepard and Tali had exited the room to speak to each other. "So, Admiral?" Shepard asked.

"It's just a formality," Tali admitted. "I'm an expert on the Geth."

"That you are," Shepard admitted.

"I'm glad you're here," Tali admitted as well. "It's been a hard road getting here."

"If I'd known it was that bad, I'd have gotten here sooner."

"You've had your own troubles. I'm sorry for Earth. We've got the largest fleet in the galaxy. If you can help us, we'll hit the Reapers with everything we've got, or however much is left from this stupid war."

"I thought you'd support this invasion."

"No. After talking to Legion, I thought that, maybe, there was a chance for peace."

"So why help them?"

"I'm an Admiral. People look to me for guidance. Public disagreement would divide the fleet."

"I'll get your people out safely," Shepard reassured her.

"Thanks, Shepard," Tali beamed. "And just so you know, I need to keep things strictly business in front of the Admrials. If you'd like, let's talk somewhere private."

"Sure thing," Shepard nodded. With that, they went to prepare for saving the Migrant Fleet.

(Author's Q&A)

Heart of Shepard: Thank you for your kind words. The Quarians have got the pleasant surprise coming for them.

SulliMike23: That they do. Plus, that is a very interesting idea. I think I might pursue that topic in a future chapter.

Guest: Thank you.

RandomReader: I gathered as much. I agree in that spreading falsehoods should be countered by refuting them with facts. Thank you for doing so.

Aluriea: Thank you.

SpaceCommander-09: That sounds interesting. I generally try to do two franchises only, because I have some trouble with multitasking.