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

My apologies for not updating this story yesterday. It was extremely hot, and I was basically having to stay indoors and near the air conditioner. It's going to be a couple hot days where I'm at, but once Sunday comes around, it's really going to cool down. I'll update in the mornings if I can, but if it gets too hot, updates will be delayed.

Either way, I deeply appreciate your feedback, and I hope you stick around as the story progresses.

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, Piranha Games Inc., WizKids, 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.

Citadel

Citadel Embassies

October 8th, 2186

Today's the day, Shepard thought has he packed up his gear and made sure his armor and weapons were good to go. Break time is over, and now it's back to work. Still, I'm glad that I got a much needed rest. I didn't know how tense and burned out I really was.

It was something that he'd noticed once the team had told him about it. Throughout the party they had on the sixth of the current month, they noticed that he had slowly unwound and relaxed. Before long, when they got up the next day, he had a hangover strong enough that it was like an Atlas was tap dancing on his head, however strange that seemed. Hanse, before leaving that morning, had given Shepard his farewells. "I wish you luck on your next mission," he said to Shepard. "You're gonna need it."

His train of thought was interrupted when he heard the door opening. Looking down from the balcony, he found that it was Garrus that had entered, fully armored up and ready to rock, a contrast to the casual wear that he'd been wearing the previous day. "Morning, Shepard," he beamed as he caught sight of the Commander's face. "How are you doing?"

"Just fine," Shepard replied, and he felt it. He no longer felt tense or tired. He was also in high spirits, courtesy of a news report. "Did you hear?" he asked Garrus. "The Turian colony of Digeris was liberated by the Free Worlds League."

"Really?" Garrus asked, surprised. "I didn't know that the Free Worlds League was getting involved."

"Well they are now. It took them some time, but they're now coming to help out with kicking the Reapers out of Turian territory."

"That's wonderful news. Seems as though the Reapers are going to be getting a taste of their own medicine soon."

"That they are," Shepard agreed. "So, what's up?"

"Just checking in on you," Garrus explained. "Also, I've heard that the Asari Councilor is wishing to speak with you. Apparently, she's become more cooperative now that the Federated Commonwealth's finished the lend-lease deal with the Council."

That had Shepard's attention, as he knew the Asari were focusing on shielding their own territory, rather than going out to fight the Reapers. "Alright," he decided. "I'll head over when I can. Speaking of the lend-lease deal, how's it going?"

"Quite well," Garrus beamed. "Aphus' shipyards got some retooling and refits done to install FedCom tech onto Turian WarShips. I've heard that they've managed to get the new armor and weapons installed, though they're having to upgrade the reactors to do so. In addition, they've been having trouble with structural integrity problems, but they've got a crack team of engineers on that."

Shepard nodded, recalling when the Normandy was refitted with Standard Armor. Inner Sphere armor, from what he recalled, was much denser and had greater mass than the armor used on Council warships. As such, when the Normandy was refitted, the engineers had to make sure the structure could hold up under the increased mass.

Looks like the Turians are having similar problems, but they've got some of the best working on it, he noted. "I see," he mused. "So, any Turian WarShips coming out with the new tech?"

"Yep," Garrus nodded. "The Spirit of Palaven recently finished repairing and refitting. That dreadnought can really pound a Reaper now. The smaller ships will take less time to refit, given that the engineers are applying what they're learning all the time to them as well. It won't be long before quite a few Turian WarShips are capable of standing toe-to-toe with Reaper forces."

"Good," Shepard smiled. "Now, time to talk with that Councilor. I've got a feeling that things are more than what they are right now."

. . .

When Shepard got to the embassies, he learned that the meeting coordinates that Tevos, the Asari Councilor, had sent to him were at what used to be Udina's office. Walking through the door and past a guard, he found C-SEC agents scanning the place from top to bottom. Moments later, he heard Tevos saying, "I want all remaining files secured and marked for Tentron clearance only."

He spotted her soon enough, as Tevos was standing in the middle of the room. Turning to the right, she spotted Shepard fully decked out in his body armor. "Commander Shepard," she noted. "Thank you for coming."

"Did you find something?" Shepard asked. "Your message was a little vague."

"That we did, once I and the other Councilors ordered a full review of Udina's activities," Tevos nodded. "I apologize for the vagueness of the message. Given the recent coup, I had to take the necessary precautions. Plus, we're still piecing together his coup attempt." Stepping forwards, she added, "That isn't why I'm asked you here."

"Oh?"

Tevos looked off to the side, then she said, "The situation for my people is urgent. We're aware that your Crucible is still missing a key component."

Shepard immediately knew what she was getting at. "The Catalyst," he mused. "Do you know something?"

Tevos, hearing this, motioned for him to walk with her onto the outside balcony through a door. Closing the door, she said, "Not exactly. But there is an… artifact on our homeworld, Thessia, known only to the highest levels of my government."

"What is it?"

"With any luck, it's a means to help you locate the Catalyst. The artifact is kept in a temple located at these coordinates. I've ordered a science team to meet you there once you take care of something for us." She handed him a data pad moments later.

While Shepard was quite interested in that, he had a few questions that needed answering. "If this artifact is so important, why keep it hidden?" he asked.

"Every species in the Council has it's secrets, Commander," Tevos said cryptically. "But this one, in the wrong hands, could upset the balance of galactic power; not that it hasn't been upset already, given the Federated Commonwealth and the Inner Sphere."

"Plus the Reapers on top of that."

"Which is why I'm bringing this to you."

"I appreciate the help."

"It's you that'll be helping us," Tevos agreed. "The Matriarchs are growing desperate. For the first time in our history, Thessia is vulnerable. For all our intellect, we're outmatched by Reaper firepower."

"I'll do what I can," Shepard reassured her.

"Whether you know it or not, you and the Federated Commonwealth have become the sole rays of hope in a very dark night. Goddess guide you."

"Thank you," Shepard nodded. "You mentioned a little favor you needed done. What is it?"

"A team of Asari Commandos recently went silent," Tevos explained. "We were wondering if you could investigate the disappearance. Once you do so, I'll have the clearance you need for the temple ready for you.

"Understood," Shepard nodded. "You might want to inform Victor Steiner-Davion as well."

"I have already done so," Tevos replied. "Again, Goddess guide you, Shepard."

"And you as well," Shepard replied as he turned to leave.

. . .

The location of the missing team in question happened to be located in the Nimbus Cluster, more specifically the planet Lesuss, located in the Mesana star system. Onboard the Normandy, Shepard waited until the JumpShip had made the jump to Mesana before heading down into the cargo bay to make sure he and his team were ready to go. By the time the mission's complete, the Lithium Fusion batteries for the JumpShip will have fully recharged the drive.

By the time the Normandy had reached the planet, Shepard had his team fully picked out and ready to go. Edward and Garrus were making sure their equipment was ready to go, while Liara was already fully armored and ready. Shepard himself was fully armored up and ready for war.

"So," Garrus asked as they boarded the shuttle, "what do we know about this monastery?"

"Liara? Dig up any information?" Shepard asked.

"I did," Liara replied just as the shuttle they were in took off and headed towards the planet surface. "When I finished reading the info, I understood why High Command would want to keep this place hidden. Lesuss is the location of an Ardat-Yakshi Monastery."

"Ardat-Yakshi? Like Morinth?" Shepard asked.

"What the hell's an 'Ardat-Yakshi' anyways?" Edward asked. "I've never heard of that before."

"It's a term in a dead Asari dialect," Liara explained. "It means 'demon of the night winds.' The term describes a rare condition that can crop up in Asari. You know how Asari mate via a form of parthenogenesis, correct?"

"Yes."

"Well, when we do so, we perform a meld, which synchronizes our nervous system with that of the other partner's, alllowing us to exchange traits. With Ardat-Yakshi, there is no gentle melding of nervous systems. If you were to attempt to mate with one, her nervous system would overwhelm and burn yours out. You would be nothing more than a vegetable."

At that, Edward started slightly. "Shit," he frowned. "I can see why you'd want to keep them quarantined. Are they dangerous?"

"If they escape the law, yes," Liara nodded. "The disease also renders the melding process to be highly addictive. The more they do it, the more they desire to do it, and each melding dramatically increases their biotic strength. They can also easily seduce potential victims into willingly mating with them. Morinth was one such Ardat-Yakshi that Shepard killed."

"Damn," Edward remarked, though he shivered inside of his Puma Battle Armor. "That makes them sound like the vampires of ancient Terran myth. I take it the law-abiding ones ended up here?"

"Yes. The Ardat-Yakshi here isolated themselves to avoid becoming like Morinth, but it doesn't mean that they're harmless. Their urge to feed can be powerful. That's why High Command sent in Asari Commandos when they received a distress signal from the monastery."

"Amplified biotics," Garrus frowned. "Just great. So what's our strategy?"

"If there was a chance that the Ardat-Yakshi would break loose, the commandos were to purge the monastery."

"Purge?" Shepard asked. "You mean destroy."

"They would've brought heavy explosives with them, yes."

"Morinth was dangerous, but are these Ardat-Yakshi this big of a threat?"

"Morinth was just hitting her stride. Ardat-Yakshi who kill leave behind astronomical body counts. That is why they can never be free, and why they're such a great source of shame for the Asari. That's why High Command won't rest until this place is destroyed. They'll never risk a single Ardat-Yakshi getting loose."

"Let's not assume anything," Shepard decided. "Maybe the Ardat-Yakshi sent out the distress signal. If the Asari want to destroy this monastery, I need to know what happened here."

"Once we send back a report, High Command will stop wasting lives here," Liara agreed.

"Victor, you get all that?" Shepard asked.

"Yes," Victor replied. "I must admit, Edward's comparison of Ardat-Yakshi with the vampires of ancient myth is quite appropriate. Still, we're going to investigate the matter and see if this place needs to be destroyed." Just as he said this, the shuttle landed.

"We're here," Cortez informed them. "Gotta admit, for a prison, it looks quite pretty."

When Shepard stepped outside, he could see why Cortez had made the remark. They were on a landing pad that had a single entrance into the facility. The pale white moon cast an unusually bright glow onto the pad itself, and Shepard could see an elaborate symbol on the ground. Some crates were nearby, though they held little of anything interesting.

"Interesting," Edward noted. "I didn't know Asari architecture was so… elegant in appearance."

"Most Asari take great pride in the way their buildings look," Liara explained.

Just then, Shepard spotted something. Just off to their right was a sky-car that had been set down on the landing pad. Garrus, who was nearby, said, "My visor's detecting some heat radiating off of it. Someone just recently used it."

"We ain't the only ones to come here," Edward mused. "We might wanna watch our backs."

"Good idea," Shepard agreed. "Let's head inside. The sooner we find out what happened here, the sooner we can leave." In addition, he found the silence and lack of activity unnerving. Moving forwards, he opened the door.

While it opened, he found that it didn't lead to an elevator. Instead, there was a catwalk that led to an emergency ladder shaft ahead of him. "Elevator's been disabled," Liara noted. "To prevent entry or escape, I wonder…" With that remark hanging in the air, Shepard jumped to the other side with the others. Edwards, due to his armor's jump jets, simply jumped down, using the Jump Jets to cushion his landing on the floor below.

As he got up from his landing, Edward felt the hairs on the back of his neck creep up. I don't like this at all, he frowned. It's quiet… too quiet. Just as he thought this, he thought he heard something resembling a screech, but it was so faint that it sounded just like the wind. The sound only made him more edgy, though he relaxed when Shepard and the others reached his position.

Moving through a door, the team found themselves inside of what appeared to be a large lobby, or a cafeteria of some kind. There was an extranet terminal nearby, and a series of tables and chairs that were present. As they proceeded inside, Shepard thought he heard a bottle hitting the ground. "What was that?" Liara asked.

"Stay sharp," he ordered. With that, they investigated the area they were in. There wasn't much of any interest, other than a student that had smuggled in some contraband, as well as an announcement from the Matriarch in charge of the monastery. Hearing something, he said, "I heard something."

"That was me," Garrus replied. "My foot got snagged on one of the chairs and I fell over. I'm sorry."

"Just be more careful next time," Shepard reassured his friend. "I'd rather not start jumping at shadows, if you know what I mean." With that, they continued investigating.

"Shepard!" Edward called out. "I got something." Coming over, Shepard spotted it, even as Edward explained what he found. "Got some dead Reaper Cannibals over here. Whoever arrived here in that shuttle's cleaning house."

"Looks like it," Shepard remarked. Then he spotted it: a dead Asari Commando lying on the ground near a data-pad. Walking over, Shepard examined the corpse. From what he could tell, this Asari Commando had died due to someone punching her in the gut with a biotic blow. There was a hole in her stomach as big as his fist, and a massive pool of dried blood.

"This was the Commando's captain," Liara noted as Garrus picked up the data-pad. "It seems they gave their lives, fighting the Reapers."

So it would seem, Shepard noted. Still, there was something out of place here. "This monastery's out of the way," he mused. "What do the Reapers want with Ardat-Yakshi?"

"Whatever it is, it's nothing good," Edward frowned.

"Anything useful?" Shepard asked Garrus?

"It's a floor plan marked with the NavPoint location of a bomb. According to the schematics, it's in the Great Hall."

"So the Commandos started the purge after all," Liara mused.

"Ardat-Yakshi or not, evacuating this place would've saved a lot of lives," Shepard added. "If there's no survivors, let's get to the Great Hall and blow that bomb." With that in mind they continued their advance. Vaulting over a small planter, they bypassed a broken door and came to a working one.

Moving through this door led them into a high ceiling room that had windows looking out into the landscape of the planet. Plants in planters were present here, though the lack of activity and sound gave the place a haunting feeling. Doors were on either side, though they were all locked. One, however, had an active panel that was orange, and it wasn't long before Shepard bypassed it.

That led them to another high ceiling room, though they were on a balcony near the top. Moving forwards, Shepard thought he heard something. At that moment, a gunshot rang out, prompting him and the others to get into cover. Looking down into the floor below, he could see the source of the commotion.

Looking down, he was just in time to see a Reaper Cannibal being smashed into a wall, it's brains being splattered all over the hard surface. Just then, he heard a voice that was oddly familiar. "Very good. I almost didn't hear you." At that moment, an Asari wearing a red and black body suit with gold trimming walked into view. She had small pieces of red metal that were resting on her forehead, with the pieces following the contours of her forehead. A gold-colored metal collar was around her neck, though it didn't look uncomfortable.

Shepard almost immediately recognized her, both from her appearance and her voice. "Samara?" he asked.

Samara looked up at him an instant later, her blue eyes focusing on his. "It has been some time, Shepard," she smiled. "You are a most welcome sight. The corruption here runs deep." Spotting Edward, she said, "And you have new comrades."

"That we do," Shepard nodded. "Edward, this is Samara, an Asari Justicar that I've worked with before. Samara, this is Edward. He's one of our liaisons from the Federated Commonwealth to us and the Taurian Concordat."

"Hi there," Edward replied. "I'm the explosives expert. If you want something to go boom, then I'm your man."

"I see," Samara noted. "I have heard of both governments in very recent times. It appears as though the Goddess had plans for you, Shepard."

"I guess," Shepard shrugged.

Liara talked at this moment. "I assume you are here on our own, Justicar?" she asked. "Perhaps for something special?"

"You are correct," Samara nodded. "Two of my daughters live here, and I have come for them." She frowned, then added, "Unfortunately, the Reapers had already infested this place by the time I arrived here."

"Are your daughters a threat?" Shepard asked. "We met while you were hunting down your other Ardat-Yakshi daughter."

There was a silent moment, then Samara said, "Falere and Rila have followed the monastery's rules ever since they arrived. They've shown no inclination towards violence."

"And you're here to save them…"

"They are my responsibility, and it's one that cannot be abandoned, even as the galaxy crumbles."

Alright, Shepard noted. "Let's go together," he suggested. "Maybe your daughters can tell us why the Reapers hit this place."

"I suspect they will have much to tell us," Samara agreed. "It has been centuries since I last saw them." Just then, they heard a loud screech, though this one was muffled.

"The fuck was that?!" Edward nearly shouted.

"We're out of time," Samara interrupted, her body surrounded by a purple-white aura of energy. "We'll meet again. I will draw these creatures off." With that, she walked through the door on her floor and out of sight.

"What did she mean by that?" Edward asked.

"I've got a feeling we're going to find out," Shepard frowned. With that, they continued to move. Reaching the door to their right, they opened it, with the door leading outside. The path they took led them into a large plaza. The plaza had a lot of planters, as well as a water fountain that was still running. The plaza's main walkway had sculpted arcs over it, and it led to a door on the other side.

Garrus, though, noticed something odd. "This place is massive," he mused. "There must've been thousands of people here. Where did they all go?"

"I haven't noticed any survivors," Shepard frowned. What he didn't add was that his instincts were ringing their alarm bells like crazy. Something is not right, he frowned internally. This place shouldn't be abandoned and silent. What is going on here?

It was then that they heard another screech, though this one was much louder, and it wasn't muffled at all. "Uh, oh," Garrus frowned. "That one's a lot closer to us, and I think it's pissed!"

"Up there!" Liara shouted, pointing to an open air window to their right. Looking in that direction, Shepard spotted the source of the screech.

For the first time since he arrived at the monastery, Shepard saw what the Reapers had done to the Ardat-Yakshi present here. The creature he spotted resembled an Asari in shape, but that was about all. Said Asari had been mutated, until she was three meters tall, while her body had become a dark gray, almost black color. Her fingers had elongated into talons, and she had a number of tentacles that were frozen in position on her head. Her face was the only other recognizable feature, though it was now twisted into a mask of rage and agony. The creature also appeared to be gaunt and thin, as though someone had starved it.

Edward, seeing this, let out a howl of terror and anger all mixed into one. Garrus yelped, while Liara's blue skin turned pale with fright. Shepard could also feel that fear, though like the others, he quickly clamped down on that fear and opened fire. A barrier shimmered into existence, blocking the rounds from his M42C. Just then, he saw a biotic ripple, then the thing seemed to teleport to another area. "Watch it! It teleports!" he shouted.

"What the fucking hell did the Reapers do to them?!" Edward shouted.

"Just shoot the Spirits damned thing!" Garrus roared. Seeing that the thing had strong barriers, Garrus whipped out his TK70B and opened fire. The pulsing emerald beam bypassed the barriers, cutting into the Reaperified Asari with full ferocity. The armor was tougher, as Garrus saw a molten trail of metal, rather than the thing losing an arm.

Shepard, at that point, finally shattered the thing's barriers, allowing the AP/D bullets to tear into the creature's hide. It screeched in rage, and tried to get closer to Shepard, only for Edward to nail it in the head with a precision shot from his rifle. It screeched before falling over, it's body disintegrating into dust.

"What was that?!" Edward gasped. "What the fucking hell was that?!"

"Goddess," Liara gasped, her body quivering slightly. "I knew the Reapers were depraved, but to see them twist my people into such monsters…" She shivered at the thought.

"Whatever it was, it was tough," Garrus added. "My TK70B damaged the armor, but didn't get all the way through. I think the Reapers are trying to adapt their forces to our weapons."

"Looked like it," Shepard noted. "Took an extra bullet to take it down, and the barriers were much stronger than before. Either way, I don't intend on letting the Reapers get away with this depravity! Whatever they're doing here ends right the fuck now! Edward, if you see one of those things, blast it with your grenade launcher until it goes down."

"Got it," Edward replied. "Given that they're obviously the source of the screeching we heard earlier, I'm calling them 'Banshees.'"

"Good idea," Garrus nodded. "You OK, Liara?"

"I'll be fine," Liara replied. "To see the Reapers twist my people into monsters… I fully intend to destroy them. They've made an enemy."

"Tell me about it," Shepard added. "Let's move out." With that, they moved up.

Spotting some Cannibals, Shepard allowed Garrus to take the majority out, before he gunned down the rest. Moving through the door, they found a Cannibal chasing an Asari that was running like crazy. Her eyes were filled with fear, and her biotic attacks were proving to be useless. Shepard ended that, however, when he fired his M20A sidearm, blasting the Cannibal apart with a particle bolt. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I-I'm all right," the Asari replied, Falare according to a tag she wore on her chest. Just as she said this, Samara came by, crushing an incoming Cannibal as she landed on the ground. "Mother?" Falare beamed. "You came!"

"As soon as I was able," Samara replied. Turning towards Shepard, she said, "Shepard, this is Falare, my youngest. She and her sister Rila are Ardat-Yakshi. They -"

"Mother," Falare interrupted, "they have Rila!"

Shock blossomed on Samara's face. "What?" she asked.

"I saw some of those creatures take her into the Great Hall," Falare explained. "I've been trying to get there!"

"What are the Reapers doing here?" Shepard asked.

Falare looked at the corpse of a Banshee, then she said, "Harvesting us. They're turning us into those. Monsters." Looking at Shepard, she said, "Please, you can't let that happen to Rila! I beg you!"

"The Asari thought the Ardat-Yakshi were responsible for the attack," Shepard mused. "I guess they were in error."

"Why would we attack this place?" Falare asked, anger in her voice. "This is our home! Most of us are grateful to be here. This monastery is a place where Ardat-Yakshi can achieve peace."

"Falare speaks truthfully, Shepard," Samara added, causing her daughter to smile. "I vouch for her words – with pride."

"Then we have to find Rila fast," Shepard decided. "There's a bomb in the Great Hall."

"A bomb?" Rila asked, confused. "Didn't you come to rescue people?"

"We did," Edward explained, "but Asari High Command is a bit paranoid. They wanted to blow up the entire monastery in case any Ardat-Yakshi got loose. However, we came here to see if there were any survivors. We planned to blow the place up if we found none, so that the Reapers couldn't use this place to create more monstrosities."

"You sound like the Commandos," Falare growled. "They didn't stop to help anyone!"

"Falare," Samara chided her.

"They didn't," Edward added, "but we will. Unlike them, people where we're from understand the value of life. We can't let this place stand, but we can save as many people as we possibly can. OK?"

Falare seemed to become angrier, though she took a breath and let it out in a long, low sigh. "OK," she decided, "but we have to find Rila! If we don't…"

"We know," Shepard replied. Looking at Samara, he said, "We can't take her with us, given that we're going into high risk areas. You'll have to do so."

"I will," Samara replied. "And Shepard? Thank you for saving Falare."

"Anytime," Shepard smiled as he and the others advanced. As they did so, Samara and Falare descended to the lower level.

Moving through a nearby doorway, the team soon entered what appeared to be an internal courtyard. Artistically sculpted supports helped keep the walls up, and he could see a number of planters, along with a door on the other side. Hearing another screech, he said, "Edward?"

"I'm on it!" Edward shouted. "Focus on the other hostiles!" With that, the team opened fire on some Cannibals and a pair of Marauders that came out. Spotting the Banshee, Edward shouted, "Hey, bitch! You want some of this?! COME AND GET ME!"

His shout had the intended effect, as the Banshee looked at him and howled, before trying to teleport over to him. When it tried a second time, it got several 40mm grenades to the face, blasting apart it's barriers, while shredding some of it's armor. Firing another grenade, Edward blasted the Banshee apart, sending bits and pieces of it flying everywhere. "Never bring your claws to a gunfight," he taunted it.

Shepard and the others were also proving to be quite dangerous as well. Firing his M42C, Shepard blasted apart a pair of Cannibals that were coming at him, the rounds tearing the creatures apart. Garrus, who was further back, fired his Minolta, popping the head of a Marauder that was trying to provide kinetic barriers to the other hostiles.

Liara, however, was tearing into the enemy with ruthless abandon. Her MP-11 was roaring loudly as she gunned down Cannibal after Cannibal. Her face was calm and tranquil, though Shepard could see that, underneath that calm exterior, was a roaring fire of white-hot rage. When she hurled four Cannibals into the wall and crushed them into pace, he knew that she was not messing around at all.

Eventually, all of the hostiles were down, allowing the team to advance through the door and into the next area. Seeing a corpse, Garrus said, "I'll never understand seeing dead soldiers in a monastery."

"Asari High Command couldn't take a chance with the Ardat-Yakshi," Liara frowned. "Something had to be done."

"Sending in commandos and explosives is more like damage control. Not a real plan," Edward frowned.

"Agreed," Shepard added. "Let's get to the Great Hall."

With that, they passed through a hallway and, after taking an elevator up, they moved into the Great Hall. The name wasn't chosen in jest, as Shepard could see walkways leading to other doors, as well as a large window on the other side. The sculpted upper walls and ceilings gave the place a calm and serene air, though that air was now shattered by the war.

On the other side, Shepard could see Samara and Falare near what appeared to be a cache of explosives. Leaning against the cache was another Asari, though from the looks of it, it was likely Rila. "Rila," he heard Falare say as he walked over. "Rila, wake up! Please!"

"Falare, Rila cannot hear us."

"But she's alive! Look!"

"I know – but I do not think she is well."

"What's going on?" Shepard asked.

Just as he asked this, Rila woke up, though her gaze was glassy and dead. A moment later, she surged forwards, grabbing Falare by the throat. Before she could do any real damage, however, Edward got between her and Falare, knocking Rila to the ground and knocking her out. "Rila!" Falare gasped, shocked. "Rila? Why?!"

"Because they've begun to turn her into one of the Reaper's creatures," Samara replied, though her tone of voice showed that she was also worried about Rila.

"I'm sorry," Shepard frowned. Looking at the bomb, he asked, "Is this the bomb?"

"Yep," Edward added as he examined it. "Can't set it off without a detonator. Fortunately, I can hook up the detonators I link to my suit's computers to the bomb itself. I need a minute to do this, though."

Just as he said this, more screeching came in, along with more growls and howls. "Company," Shepard growled.

"One second," Edward replied. A moment later, there was a muffled boom, followed by surprised screeches and howls. "Placed a few mines down as we came in," he explained. "That'll kill the Banshee, but not the others."

"Got it," Shepard replied as he and the others took cover. Just as they did, a Marauder that had most of it's armor blown off came through, only for Shepard to blow it's head off. More Cannibals and Marauders came in, along with a Banshee that had lost it's left arm. It howled in rage.

Firing his rifle's grenade launcher, Shepard blasted apart some of the Cannibals, while Garrus fired his Minolta at the Banshee. The barriers on the Banshee flickered, before failing on the second shot. Just then, it teleported next to him, thinking he was easy prey. Garrus, however, surprised the Banshee when he lashed out with a sorv, a kind of twin bladed Turian knuckle. The blade cut the Banshee clean in half at the waist, the blade vibrating as he plunged it into the Banshee's head. "Dumb Reaper," he growled.

Liara, seeing more Marauders incoming, hurled a biotic throw at them, sending them flying while Shepard cut them down. Before long, all of the hostiles were dead.

Just then, Edward whistled, with the others coming over. "Got the detonator ready," he explained, holding out the device in question. "Just need to get clear."

Just as he said this, Rila got up, though her eyes were now fully alert and aware. Spotting Falare, she said, "Falare, go! Take the elevator!" As she said this, she yanked the detonator out of Edward's hand with a biotic pull, surprising him.

"Rila! W-what are you doing?!" Falare asked.

"It's too late for me," Rila explained. "I can hear the Reapers whispers in my head already, and there are hundreds of those things coming for me. Go! NOW!"

"Rila!" Falare screamed.

"We can still get you some help!" Shepard suggested. "We -"

"NO!" Rila shouted. "It's too late for me! Even now, I can hear the Reapers trying to claw into my head! GO! BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"

Shepard was about to protest, then he realized she was right. "Give 'em hell," he told her, even as he and the others left.

"NO!" Falare screamed, though Edward picked her up and hefted her onto his shoulder. "RILA! NOOOOO!"

Tears seeped from Rila's eyes, though she held firm. "Go," he told Falare. "Falare, I love you. Go, and live, for me." As she said this, the team entered the elevator, with the doors closing.

As she turned towards the bombs, she could hear the Banshee's approaching. Pain shot through her skull as a voice said, "You will submit to us. Do not resist."

"Never," she growled, even as the Banshee's drew closer. She hurled a few biotic attacks, doing what she could to hold them back. Then, pain exploded in her face as a claw smacked her in the face, before more pain exploded in her torso as a claw tore through her belly. A scream of agony erupted out of Rila's mouth, though not once did she let go of the detonator.

Opening her eyes, she forced herself to look into the Banshee's demented face. "We're not your slaves," she spat defiantly at the Banshee. "I die a free Asari, monster!" With that, she let go of the detonator. Closing her eyes, she heard the Banshee's screams of terror, then everything went white.

In the elevator, Shepard felt the cab rock as the explosives detonated. Falare, who had tried to get out through the door, slumped to the ground, realizing that Rila had given her life to save her. Sobs came from her as she wept the loss of a sister that she'd deeply loved.

. . .

The rest of the trip out to the platform was somber, even as they found the shuttle waiting for them. "I'm sorry, Falare," Shepard frowned. "I know what it's like to lose someone you love. Believe me, I do."

"Rila…" Falare sobbed. "There… there wasn't even time to say goodbye!"

"Few can break the Reaper's hold," Samara said to her in an attempt to comfort her daughter. "Rila's will was extraordinarily strong, as was her love for you. You were all that mattered to her, and she wanted you to live on for her."

"We left her to die!"

"Rila made her choice, and it has reminded me of what is truly important, why I swore I'd lay down my life."

"What is that," Falare asked.

Samara looked mournful as she turned to her daughter. "Falare… the Code demands that an Ardat-Yakshi cannot live outside a monastery that no longer exists." She pulled out a pistol as she said this.

"What are you doing?" Shepard asked, realizing what might be happening.

"I'm sorry, Shepard," Samara mournfully, but calmly, informed him. "By the Justicar's Code… there is only one way to save Falare." A moment later, she placed the muzzle of the pistol against her own forehead.

"MOTHER, NO!" Falare shouted.

"My daughters. You were all so much stronger than I had believed." Just before Samara pulled the trigger, though, Shepard rushed in and grabbed her by her arms, forcing the pistol to fall to the ground. "Let… go!" Samara growled.

"What are you doing?" Shepard demanded.

"Fulfilling the Code."

"By throwing your life away?!"

"I won't kill my last daughter!"

"You won't have to," Falare interrupted.

"Falare?" Samar asked, confused.

At Falare's question, Shepard released Samara. "I'll stay here," Falare explained. "Home… no matter what's become of it."

"Without a proper monastery…"

"I could have left at any time," Falare explained. "I don't need a building to honor my own code. And if the Reapers return, they won't take me alive. I promise."

For the first time since Shepard met her, Samara looked conflicted, confused even. There were a few seconds of silence, with Samara looking out over Lesuss' surface. Then she said, "Then… the Code permits you to stay, as you are." With that, the two embraced. "Once this war is over, and if I am able, I will visit, as a Justicar should."

"I understand if you want to help Falare build a home here," Shepard remarked.

"It must wait, now that I can help oppose the Reapers," Samara countered. "I'll speak with Falare, then join your forces, if you will have me of course."

"I'd be glad to," Shepard smiled, even as he and the others walked into the shuttle.

(Author's Q&A)

SulliMike23: That they will. The Reapers will soon get their just desserts.

Tohoufanatic: Definitely.

edboy4926: Yeah, though there's only so much I can add without the chapter becoming tedious.

Chronus1326: You asked for more action, so here you go. Does that help?