It's been a week since the Coalition, under the command of Commander Jane Shepard, seized control of an Alliance stronghold. The Alliance has relentlessly started attacking along the line yet has kept from attacking the stronghold directly due to the problematic defense provided by the Geth walker platforms.
Once Shepard was deemed fit for duty, she was able to witness the rapid advancements her troops achieved since landing on the planet. They had successfully commandeered Alliance weaponry and equipment, capitalizing on the fact that the Alliance's standard thermal clips were compatible with their own weapon systems. Striding into the CIC, Shepard reviewed the latest updates. All her commands along the front now had access to radios, although unencrypted, necessitating careful communication. For highly sensitive information, they relied on Geth Communications. The radios, however, proved invaluable for the Coalition remnant. Shepard learned that her old outpost was finally decommissioned, and all personnel and resources were now consolidated within her base's walls.
Shepard felt a minor sting of pain on her left side, a mere echo of the crippling injury she'd previously endured. The Coalition's leadership planned to use the Enterprise to transport supplies and equipment to their base and, in the process, get Shepard off-planet. Shepard, however, very vocally refused to leave, promising to see the mission through to its end. Many among the leadership advocated for her withdrawal as a preventive measure in the event of a critical situation before reinforcements could arrive. Shepard stayed resolute, unwilling to abandon her troops. When word spread about the leadership's willingness to abandon the troops on Faros without their commander, it sparked outrage among the military hierarchy and soldiers of the Coalition. Even Chairman Vakarian, Director Harper, Tali, Wrex, and a few others expressed their shock and disapproval.
Looking out over the landscape, Shepard saw a planet still ablaze. While the Alliance maintained aerial superiority, the Geth walkers effectively limited their air support's effectiveness. Many Coalition ground commanders expressed a desire to launch raids behind enemy lines to gather food, equipment, gear, and medical supplies. Shepard, although hesitant, recognized the need for such actions and authorized them. On the ground, however, the situation was grim. The Coalition's ground forces sustained heavy losses with each firefight, destroying precious equipment and the death of numerous soldiers.
Despite the never-ending pressure, they manage to stand their ground and repulse the Alliance on multiple fronts. Shepard, however, has refused to authorize any further advance for the time being. Their resources are stretched to the limit; they are operating at full capacity. Shepard makes her way down to the main concourse, patiently awaiting the arrival of the Enterprise.
Karen is intently examining some commandeered Alliance crates. During her time being injured, Karen had clearly risen to the challenge. Drawing on her experiences from the Reaper War, she produced an effective resistance force. It was Karen who backed the use of guerrilla warfare tactics against the Alliance, strategically avoiding their strong points and capitalizing on their weak spots. The deployment of snipers has sent waves of fear through the Alliance ranks, particularly among their officers and have been given full operational freedom. Once she regained consciousness and could grasp the state of affairs, Shepard gave her authorization for their continuation. To her surprise, there was no shortage of volunteers. The soldiers followed her team with unwavering trust and discipline. Shepard found herself craving for her old crew. Her current team was outstanding, perhaps the best in many respects, but she couldn't help but crave the familiarity of the past. As she approached Karen, her radio buzzed to life with DAN's voice addressing her.
"Commander, we are five minutes away," DAN informed. Shepard directed Geth and a group of Turian soldiers to prepare for the arrival of the Enterprise, which needed to enter the atmosphere to unload its cargo. Using shuttles posed a risk of detection by the Alliance and following destruction. As a result, the Enterprise had to land in person. Fortunately, the designated landing zone was spacious enough to accommodate the massive ship. However, they needed to act quickly before the Alliance discovered their location. As she waited, Shepard watched as her ship came into sight. For a moment, she mistook it for the Normandy, but the Normandy was no longer hers. It had been taken from her a long time ago.
As the ship began its descent, Shepard got up, ready to examine the Coalition's cargo. As the front hangar door started to open, she spotted a face she hadn't expected to see so soon.
"Sara! What in the hell are you doing here?" Shepard cried out. All but the Turian Republic soldiers swiveled their rifles toward her.
"Calm down, commander. I'm not here for you..." The Shadow responds, avoiding the use of her usurped name. Just then, Katherine emerges from behind the lethal Shadow.
"This might be difficult for you to accept, Shep. But she's telling the truth. We have a problem..." Katherine interjects, struggling to believe the words herself.
" Sorry, Kat...but in case you haven't noticed, I'm currently fighting a battle..." Shepard retorts, catching sight of a Turian trailing behind the pair. She could hardly believe her eyes. She thought she was dreaming.
"Gar...Garrus?" Shepard stammers, struggling to speak the words.
"Shepard..." is all Garrus manages to say. Shepard bypasses the two women and heads straight for the formidable Turian. The expressions on Shepard and Garrus's faces say it all. Shepard studies him and, just like what his sister had done, she delivers a resounding slap across his cheek. His reaction is matching what his sister had done.
"I deserved that..." Garrus admits as Shepard embraces the Turian. She starts to sob. Katherine watches, her jaw clenched in jealousy. Sara reaches out and gently touches her shoulder, whispering into her ear.
"There's no need to worry. If there were anything between them, she would have kissed him by now..." Sara whispers, then stands up straight and coughs. This draws Shepard's attention. She turns to face them. Katherine's irritation is still noticeable.
"What took you so long, Vakarian?" Shepard jested. Sara decided to answer on Garrus's behalf.
"That's why I'm here. But I think Garrus should explain... in private." Sara suggests as the group begins to head toward Shepard's quarters. She signals Karen to follow them as well. Shepard would need her second-in-command to be in on whatever was spreading out. Shepard opened the door to the stronghold and allowed everyone else in. However, she noticed Katherine's still clenched jaw, a sign of lingering anger.
After they all entered the room, the group arranged themselves into a circle. Shepard waited to hear why two of her friends, or at least one of them, had shown up. Garrus cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Shepard... Have you noticed any movement from the Hierarchy or Council forces here?" Garrus asks. Shepard isn't aware of any CDF or Hierarchy forces being present on the planet. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't there. Her ability to collect intel is very limited.
"I haven't seen either on the ground. That doesn't rule out their presence, though. My ability to collect intel is relatively limited," Shepard elaborates. Garrus and Sara exchange a glance.
"Victus is, to put it mildly, rather paranoid... He's in search of something here on Faros. Sara stumbled upon some intel about him looking for something on Horizon. We just don't know what it is. We suspect it might be the Thorian here on Faros," Garrus explains, his gaze fixed on Shepard. Shepard listens as her best friend outlines his concerns. She thinks it over. She doesn't believe it's the Thorian. She suspects it's something far more demonic. During the war, Faros was a hub for Reaper Technology research. It was a highly classified operation; she only knew about it because Hackett had mentioned it in passing.
Reaper tech is still much in demand. Any piece of technology, no matter how insignificant, would warrant intervention. Then, like the Reaper at the war' end, realization strikes her. Shepard now understands why the council is intervening. Why the UN is interested in Faros and Eden Prime. Why Victus is on Horizon. Why the Alliance is fighting so fiercely on Faros. The Reapers. Even now, Harbinger is puppeteering the course of galactic evolution. Shepard rises to her feet. The group turns to look at her.
"Sara... Do you know if the research facility was ever shuttered?" Shepard asks. Sara's eyes widen. She had completely overlooked it.
"It should have been... but considering the Alliance's track record, they might have reinstated it," Sara speculates, pulling up a data file from her time as director of Alliance Intelligence. The rest of the group looks on, even Garrus looks confused.
"Garrus... Victus isn't after the Thorian. He's after Reaper tech, a considerable amount of it. It makes sense why he's on Horizon..." Shepard clarifies. Garrus listens attentively.
"Sanctuary..." Garrus murmurs. "The Alliance never discontinued any of the experiments?" He questions. Shepard just smiles. This is why she's fighting. Why she set the galaxy ablaze. Why she's done everything she has. Why she's defending her new empire the way she is now.
Shepard surveys the room. Everyone appears stunned. Sara then projects a map of the area. The EAO, their current location, is only 89 KM away from the research facility. A bit of a trek, but feasible. Shepard examines the holographic display. Sara then switches to a 3D view of the Facility.
"How did you get this? I knew you were the director, but this map is extremely detailed," Shepard states. Sara grins beneath her mask.
"When you're in my line of work, you keep tabs on everything, and I mean everything," Sara replies as she highlights the area where the research was presumably conducted.
"So, what's the plan?" Karen questions. Sara deactivates the holo.
"I have a small team on the Enterprise. We can get there and back... while you continue your little war," Sara proposes, aware that Shepard would find it hard to refuse a chance to join. She's merely extending her the option to stay put. She was correct.
"Do you mind if I tag along? Karen seems to have everything under control here..." Shepard proposes, and Sara looks at her, then nods. Shepard knows that Sara is currently under a contract with the Republic that denies her from causing her any harm, at least for now. She also knows that once the Chairman releases that leash, Sara will be after her. Shepard glances over at Katherine, who has been silent throughout their time here. Katherine still appears to be bothered by something. As the group breaks up the meeting and the others begin to exit, Shepard and Katharine linger behind. As Katherine is about to leave the room, Shepard stops her by catching her arm.
"Kathie, what's bothering you? You seem quite irritated about something," Shepard asks Katherine. She shuts the door and turns to face her.
"Really? Do you really need me to spell it out for you?" Katherine replies. Shepard looks at her, utterly confused.
"The display..." Shepard remains clueless. "With your ex..." Then it dawns on her. Shepard looks at her.
"There's nothing between us anymore..." Shepard clarifies. Katherine looks at her.
"Are you sure..." Katherine begins, but Shepard silences her with a kiss. After a few moments, they break apart.
"There's nothing between us..."
"Even now that he's back?" Katherine asks, seeking reassurance.
"Yes, even now. He may be back, but that doesn't change anything. He chose not to fight for our relationship back then. He is a friend, a close friend. Nothing more," Shepard reassures her. Katherine kisses her again, and Shepard responds in kind.
--
The following night, Faros Planetary System, 23 km behind Alliance lines
Shepard, alongside Sara and her team of four former N7 Shadows, a Turian named Garrus Vakarian, and Gibson, tread carefully. They've been on the move for hours, skillfully evading Alliance patrols. Their objective: to investigate whether a supposedly decommissioned research facility is active under the Turian Hierarchy or Alliance. They had used Phoenix shuttles to land approximately 11 km deep inside the Alliance territory. Ideally, if the invasion had proceeded as planned, they would have surpassed this location by now. But reality had taken a different course.
Throughout their journey, they come across numerous fallen Coalition soldiers, abandoned to decay under the scorching Faros sun. Thankfully, they all have helmets equipped with respirators. The situation on both sides of the battle line is critical. The remnants of the Coalition invasion are battling fiercely for survival, and the Alliance is well aware that the Coalition won't stop until the Alliance is reduced to ashes.
As Shepard navigates through a narrow alleyway, she is reminded of the towering heights of the buildings on Faros' surface. They catch glimpses of Alliance shuttles and gunships hovering over the ruins. Sara has been keeping an ear on the Alliance's communication channels. It seems that the guerrilla attacks have reached this far inland, causing the Alliance forces to scramble.
While climbing a mound of rubble, Shepard stumbles and clutches her left side as the pain resurfaces. Her injuries are healing but still tender. Garrus moves forward to assist Shepard, but Gibson beats him to it.
"Easy there, commander. We don't need the captain on my back if you get hurt again," Gibson warns as Shepard grips her rifle and brushes off the dust.
"What's this about you being hurt, commander?" Sara inquires. Shepard turns to her.
"I was thrown out of my shuttle during the initial invasion. Had a pretty rough landing," Shepard explains, noting the group's concerned gazes. She shares details of her injuries and recovery since seizing the Alliance stronghold, opting to leave out the specifics of what occurred during the base assault.
As they carry on, they walk into a potential ambush area. However, instead of the usual threats, they find nothing, but bodies dressed in dark navy-blue armor. The Coalition's presence is unmistakable and intimidating. Sara approaches one of the fallen Alliance soldiers, examining the body. Suddenly, she hears a challenge call.
"Phoenix!" The call came from one of the surrounding buildings, immediately causing the group to seek cover. Shepard responded with the counter-call, "Ice pick!". From the buildings, a diverse group of Coalition soldiers emerged - Turians, Krogans, Quarians, Humans, and Geth. The squad leader, a towering Krogan, approached Shepard.
"Are you our relief?" he asked, his gaze scanning the buildings around them.
"No... We're on a different mission," Shepard responded. Recognizing her distinct voice, the group immediately knew who she was, but they refrained from saluting her so deep behind enemy territory.
"Commander, what brings you out here?" the Krogan inquired.
"That's classified. Have you seen any CDF or Hierarchy troops around?" Shepard asked, to which the group exchanged looks.
"No, we haven't. Our fights have only been with Alliance troops. But we've heard reports of some activity not far from here," the Krogan relayed. A Turian stepped forward and whispered something to the Krogan, which Shepard overheard.
"What was that?" Shepard asked.
"Unconfirmed, but we've heard rumors of the Alliance executing our comrades," the Krogan squad leader disclosed. Shepard looked at her team. She had heard such rumors before, but she had dismissed them as mere rumors. However, if true, it was a severe repercussion of their insurgency. The Alliance was responding with relentless aggression. Yet, she had witnessed none of it and would not order retaliatory action without solid evidence. This was a delicate situation; she needed irrefutable proof. Yet it was a reality she hoped she wouldn't have to face. Shepard instructed the Coalition group to stay watchful and to report any proof of these allegations immediately.
The Coalition soldiers confirmed her instructions and began to collect the fallen Alliance soldiers. Before parting, the tech officer handed Sara the intelligence he had gathered from the Alliance officers. Shepard and her team pressed on towards their objective, as the battle and their war raged on.
--
Several Hours Later
Shepard and her crew were cautiously moving closer to their target. The Alliance's forces were thickening, although remaining somewhat disorderly. They had managed to quicken their pace, but an unforeseen encounter with an Alliance convoy had kept them immobile for around an hour. This break turned into a chance for Shepard and Garrus to reconnect. They had both changed, their love for each other still there. But it was different, and they had come to accept this. Garrus even broached the topic of her new partner. Shepard shared her story but chose to keep a particular mental incident to herself. She could sense Garrus's self-dissatisfaction when he confessed.
"Shepard, I am sorry...for everything. I should have fought harder for us. I'm not asking for a second chance; I see you've moved on. Still, I hope we can still be friends," Garrus shared his feelings honestly.
Shepard just absorbed his words. Before she could formulate a response, Gibson alerted them that the convoy had moved on. Getting up, Shepard made her way over, Garrus in tow. They still had a considerable distance to navigate and hopefully they commandeer Alliance transport.
That conversation had taken place a few hours ago. Now, they were far behind enemy lines, with no support from the Coalition. They came across a small Alliance recon team - six scouts who had enough transports for the entire team. Sara gave her Shadows the go-ahead to swiftly neutralize the scouts. They did so with precision, barely avoiding being spotted when one scout saw a Shadow take out his teammate, only to be quickly silenced himself. The crew then moved towards the vehicles. Sara efficiently disabled the IFF and trackers. Shepard climbed into the second vehicle with Garrus, as Gibson took the driver's seat. They set off down a seemingly underused street.
Shepard soon drifted off to sleep, the irregular and uncomfortable sleep patterns of their mission finally taking their toll. After three hours of driving, the crew took a break and Garrus woke Shepard, indicating that there was something she needed to see. Gathering her energy, she picked up her rifle and ventured towards an alleyway.
As Shepard rounded the corner, she froze. The sight that greeted her was chilling. Six Coalition soldiers—Quarians and Turians—had been lined up against the alley wall and executed. Sara was sifting through the database to identify them while the rest of the team captured images of the gruesome scene. Shepard's inspection confirmed they had been shot multiple times and then discarded.
Her blood started to simmer. The rumors were true. She had wished for them to be just rumors. But the evidence was before her. Whether it was enough to justify retaliation, she wasn't certain. If there was one such scene, there were likely more. However, she still needed more concrete proof. One of the Shadows approached, handing her six identification tags belonging to the deceased soldiers. She studied them, reflecting on the fact that these soldiers would never gaze upon the stars of their homeworld, nor witness the peace they had fought so hard for.
Shepard approached Sara, requesting her encrypted communicator. She needed to inform Coalition command and Karen of the discovery. If they had more proof of such heinous acts, retaliation was imminent. They had their own prisoners. Her superiors needed to be prepared for the potential political fallout if it came down to executing Alliance POWs in response to the Alliance's actions. Karen answered the call. The news she shared fueled Shepard's anger further—they had received additional reports of Alliance-perpetrated Coalition POW executions. Evidence was accumulating. Karen had already communicated with Coalition Command. They were prepared to back any decisions Shepard made in this situation. Shepard scanned her team, her gaze landing on Garrus. His mandibles were clenched tight with rage. Shepard issued the order, though she was only authorizing six prisoners to be executed. If the Alliance persisted in their executions, they would respond in kind. Karen simply confirmed the order, and prepared to carry them out soon. Shepard also instructed that this decision be broadcasted, along with the reasons behind such retaliation. Karen simply acknowledged this order too. The line went dead. Shepard had just issued one of the most difficult orders of her life.