The Reapers have returned, posing the greatest threat to the survival of the galaxy. What deeply concerns Shepard is the fact that they are now being led by a Human known as Sara Anderson, also known as the Shadow. In response to this alarming development, the Citadel Council has called for an emergency session, and the Galactic Coalition, for the first time as a sovereign political organization, has also convened.
Noveria is currently under Coalition occupation, which has raised questions from the Executive Board. They want to know why Coalition and even Alliance soldiers have dared to occupy their world. The Coalition's response is straightforward: they accuse the Executive Board of treason for harboring the Reapers, the Old Enemy. This revelation has caught many by surprise, as they claim to have had no knowledge of any Reapers on their planet. However, a small team sent by the Coalition discovered and engaged Reaper forces, including a Sovereign Class Reaper. As a result, Noveria is now under Coalition control.
Shepard finds herself on the surface of Noveria, specifically in Port Hanson, waiting in a hotel room. She is experiencing a headache and senses the presence of Sara and her Reaper companion, as well as something else. Not long ago, Garrus, Ash, James, and EDI were here with her. Shepard shared with them her experiences since Faros. James and Ashley, understandably, still harbor distrust towards her. Somehow, Sara claims to have the ability to control a Reaper. Shepard and her team are keeping a low profile on Noveria because she cannot trust the Coalition leadership, especially since it was the Alliance, or part of it, that saved her, not the nation she created.
Katherine informs Shepard that the Enterprise is with her. Garrus managed to get a message that her Battered Bastards are at her disposal for deployment anywhere she wants. This includes the recently arrived forces. Prime Minister Croft has expressed a desire to negotiate with Shepard, but she is hesitant to engage in such discussions. Hackett assures her that Croft is an honorable man, as he was one of the few who opposed Shepard's exile during his time as deputy minister. Shepard moves to her bed, where Katherine, a sleeping blonde, rests peacefully. Shepard gazes at her, realizing that Katherine is a member of Phoenix, an organization that has betrayed her. When Shepard confronts Katherine about this, she defends Phoenix, stating that they are no longer Cerberus. However, Shepard knows better. The Director of Phoenix was willing to send her to this location, despite what happened on Faros. This revelation no longer puzzles her. Shepard understands that the Director wanted her either dead or captured by the Shadow.
Shepard remains seated on the bed, engrossed in reading a report. Unfortunately, the Reaper has managed to hide further in the Noverian tundra, taking advantage of the intensifying blizzard. According to reports, the storm is expected to dissipate in approximately 15 days. However, Shepard and many leaders believe they do not have that much time, especially when it comes to dealing with the Reapers.
Her conversation with Hackett did not go well. Sara has completely turned, losing all sense of reason. The war has irreparably divided them. Shepard's actions have created numerous factions that no longer wish to fight alongside each other. Even with the reappearance of the Reaper threat, the galaxy is unwilling to unite in order to defeat the Old Enemy. Hackett, in a diplomatic manner, pointed out that Shepard's desire for vengeance has divided the galaxy, and her willingness to see the Alliance fall has allowed the Reapers to rise again. Shepard recalls the old saying about the path to revenge leading to digging two graves. Hackett is uncertain whether the old common enemy will be enough to unite the galaxy this time. The existence of more Reapers remains unknown, but the odds suggest that there are indeed more. Shepard, as before, asserts to Hackett that she is not sorry for her actions and that she would make the same choices if given the chance again.
For the first time in months, the fighting has ceased. The Reapers have the ability to make organics pause and reflect. The Coalition is fracturing, the Alliance is all but dead, and the Citadel Council is uncertain about the next course of action. Shepard lies down next to her sleeping partner, her mind racing with thoughts and concerns.
--
In the corridor of a colonial prefab, Shepard hears her name being called repeatedly. Bewitched by the familiar voice, she follows it, walking deeper into the deserted corridor. The voice grows louder with each step, leading her to a closed door. The persistent voice continues to call out from behind the door. Filled with curiosity, Shepard opens it, revealing a pristine, silver medical room. On a gurney lies a covered body, draped in cloth. Compelled by the voice, Shepard approaches the table slowly. The voice still resonates, urging her on. Standing above the covered body, she uncovers the head, only to be overcome with disbelief. It is her own face that she sees. As Shepard continues to gaze at her own face, the eyes of the body suddenly open. Startled, Shepard stumbles back, realizing that the other Shepard is now sitting up and looking directly at her. Shepard's attention is drawn to the duplicate, who is an exact copy except for one striking feature – her dark green eyes, glowing with an intensity reminiscent of and Sara's. Overwhelmed with fear, Shepard is frozen in place as the double rises and smiles broadly. To Shepard's horror, the copy reveals a concealed pistol and takes aim. In her frightened state, Shepard remains motionless as the copy fires at her.
--
Shepard jolts awake, her body drenched in sweat, and lets out a scream. Gasping for breath, she hyperventilates, overwhelmed by the intensity of her dream. Startled by Shepard's distress, Katherine wakes up and immediately moves to comfort her partner.
"Shepard... Shepard... Jane!" Katherine calls out, her voice filled with concern. Shepard looks at Katherine, her breathing gradually starting to calm as Katherine takes hold of her hand, providing a grounding presence.
"It's okay, Jane... It's okay... I'm here with you," Katherine whispers soothingly, running her thumb gently over Shepard's hand. It has been years since Shepard had a dream like this, and the residual fear still lingers. She can't comprehend the meaning behind the dream, the significance of the glowing eyes on the copy, or the identity of the voice that called out to her. Shepard finds solace in Katherine's touch, feeling a sense of safety and comfort in her presence.
Shepard lies back down, and Katherine follows suit, resting her head on Shepard's chest. They seek solace in each other's embrace, finding solace and peace as they drift back to sleep, hoping for a more serene rest.
--
Two days later
Shepard makes her way to a conference room aboard the Enterprise. Clad in armor and wearing a balvara, she heads there to eavesdrop on a Coalition meeting. Surprisingly, the Quarian forces are being led by Garrel, adding to the already tense atmosphere between the two fleets. Both admirals, Hackett and Garrel, strive to maintain order and civility within their respective fleets. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the necessary actions to be taken in light of the Reapers' return. The Krogan and Quarians prioritize focusing on the Reapers, while the Republic and Phoenix aim to eliminate the Alliance and repel Hierarchy forces from the Republic Capitol World then target the Reapers. The deciding vote seems to rest with the EPR. Garrel quietly remarks that if she were present, the Coalition would already be on its way to destroy Sara and her pet Reaper.
In a hushed tone, Shepard asks the Admiral, "Why are you helping me...?" She hopes to keep her presence unknown to the leadership. However, before the Admiral can respond, the Coalition leadership interrupts, calling on him to report his findings. Without divulging too many details, he highlights the successful shelling of the Reaper and what his forces witnessed on the ground. He also mentions the surprising number of Republic forces firing upon his marines, which catches the rest of the leadership off guard.
Solona counters, "And what about the reports of your forces fighting alongside Alliance forces..." Tali steps in to defend their cause, stating, "Our forces never fought alongside the Alliance... Besides, the Alliance means nothing compared to the threat of the Reapers!" Shepard observes her old friend engaging in a political battle with the Republic Chairman. Uncertain of the outcome, Shepard wonders if Tali is winning, holding her ground, or potentially losing the argument. Shepard stood alongside a group of Turian soldiers who remained loyal to her rather than the Republic. Observing the Coalition's bickering, she couldn't help but perceive it as childish behavior. The division within the leadership made her see the truth in Hackett's view. Frustrated by what she had witnessed, Shepard decided to leave the meeting, feeling that she had heard enough. As she made her way to her quarters, she removed her mask, deep in thought about the necessary course of action. She stared at her computer screen.
The presence of Sara and her pet Reaper still lingered heavily on Shepard's mind, causing her to approach her next moves with caution. She promptly sent a message to Garrus, instructing him to start the evac of her troops from the planet of Faros. Next, she reached out to Katherine, informing her that they were now operating independently from Phoenix. However, Shepard remained uncertain about the future of the Coalition. Lost in contemplation, she continued to stare at her computer screen, awaiting acknowledgments from both Garrus and Katherine.
Shepard tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. With a sigh, she turned on the screen and reached out to the one person she never thought she would contact. She had no other choice. While she desired to see the Alliance crumble, she recognized that there were greater threats that needed to be dealt with. She initiated the call, and after a few moments, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair appeared on the screen.
"Prime Minister Croft..." Shepard addressed the current leader of the Alliance, her tone filled with a mix of formality and weariness.
"Commander Shepard... Thank you for agreeing to speak with me..." The Prime Minister responded, acknowledging the legendary Commander.
"Not like I have much of a choice in the matter..." Shepard replied, her voice tinged with resignation, as the Prime Minister observed her.
"Yes... The Reapers pose a threat to all of us... I propose a compromise... If you allow the Alliance to remain intact, we will offer you the remaining fleets to aid in your Reaper hunt..." The Prime Minister presented his proposal.
"What about..." Shepard began to inquire, but the Prime Minister interrupted her.
"You will receive a full public apology, my predecessor will be handed over to you for trial, and the Coalition will be recognized as a sovereign organization..." The Prime Minister outlined the terms. Shepard let out a sigh, hearing the words she never thought she would entertain. She craved to see them burn, she insisted on their destruction, but she knew it had to wait for now.
"Prime Minister, I will need to discuss this with the rest of the leadership... Give me 24-48 hours. As far as I am concerned, I accept your terms," Shepard uttered the unexpected words, surprising even herself. The relief on the Prime Minister's face was evident as he acknowledged her statement and signed off.
Shepard headed over to where Garrus was chatting with Karen about evacuating her troops from the planet Faros. Shepard had just agreed to the Alliance's terms, but now she had to figure out how to convince the Coalition Leadership to consider making peace with the Alliance, even though deep down she wanted to see the Alliance go down in flames.
As Shepard approached the battery door, she heard something she never thought she'd hear again: Garrus telling a cheesy joke, the kind that had sparked their romantic relationship in the first place. Shepard couldn't help but cover her mouth, trying to hold back a laugh. The joke was so bad, but even Karen let out a little chuckle. Just as the door opened and Karen tried to walk out, her face turned beet red and Garrus looked embarrassed, his mandibles flickering. Shepard just grinned as she walked past Karen and up to Garrus. The door closed behind them, giving them some privacy.
Shepard locked eyes with Garrus, deciding not to pry into whatever was going on with him just yet. They discussed the plan for evacuating her troops from Faros and Shepard shared her worries about the fractured state of the Coalition. Hackett's words during their conversation had hit her hard, and she admitted that she hadn't talked to Katherine about it yet. She also filled Garrus in on her meeting with the Alliance Prime Minister and the terms they had hammered out. Now, she had to find a way to get the leaders on board and working together. Garrus, being the awesome friend he always was, listened attentively.
"So... You and the Captain," Shepard said, making Garrus uncomfortable. But he had anticipated this from his old friend and former lover.
"There is nothing between us... I think. We had some conversations on the Normandy. We grew closer. But your war may have prevented anything from happening," Garrus honestly replied. Shepard, however, didn't believe it. His joke had fallen flat, but Karen laughed at it, just like she had many times before, especially the one that marked the beginning of their romantic relationship.
"From what I've heard, you have a good chance. Especially when she blushed as intensely as she did... Just keep at it, Garrus. I know we're not together, but I do want to see you happy," Shepard explained, as Garrus's mandibles flicked in understanding. Garrus thanked her and also informed her that her forces were covertly leaving Faros. Many were relieved about leaving the system, and they would be ready when she needed them. Shepard expressed her gratitude as she left the battery.
Shepard made her way to the cockpit to see a certain blonde she had fallen for. Katherine was still unhappy about leaving Phoenix, but she understood why they had to go. Shepard had tried to make it up to her, but Katherine was being stubborn at the moment. Hopefully, she could change that soon. As Shepard approached, she overheard DAN informing Kat that she was on her way. Kat didn't turn her chair, not because she didn't want to, but because she was in the middle of some calculations.
"Shep..." Kathie said as Shepard placed her arms on the back of her chair and leaned on it. Kathie eventually turned her head and looked at her. Shepard knew that her chair was off-limits to everyone, even Shepard. The look Kathie gave her made her back up. Shepard knew this would irritate her, and she was right. Kathie then went back to what she was doing.
"Can I help you, Commander?" Katherine asked, surprising Shepard. Kathie never used her rank. Oh, she was still angry.
"Just wanted to see how my girl is doing, that's all," Shepard replied to Katherine. She didn't even glance at her, not even for a moment. Shepard walked around to get a better view. Katherine had finished whatever she was working on.
"What's wrong, Kathie?" Shepard asked. She knew very well why Katherine was irritated with her. Katherine looked at Shepard as she closed the door to the cockpit.
"It's simple... You're keeping something from me, and you know it!" Katherine said through clenched teeth. Okay, maybe Shepard didn't realize what was bothering her.
"I don't know what you mean, Kathie..." Shepard tried to say, but Kathie's expression said it all. She wasn't buying it.
"Don't lie to me, Commander. That night you had your little nightmare, I heard you say a name. I couldn't understand what you were saying, but I heard it. Your call with Hackett, the PM, and now Garrus. I am your XO and your partner, and I am the last to know anything! You tell me you trust me, but it's clear that we are far from trusting each other... And the fact that you're avoiding me right now proves it..." Katherine's voice cracked. Shepard couldn't look at her. She was right. She couldn't even claim that she was trying to protect her. Katherine had helped her escape that hellhole, kept their relationship a secret when she wanted people to know, and believed her when Sara tried to destroy her nation. Hell, she had even gone with her when they left Phoenix.
"Katherine... I am sorry," Shepard began to explain, her voice filled with remorse. Katherine, feeling even more irritated, tried to speak up, but Shepard urged her to wait.
"Katherine... I'm not very good at relationships. I apologize for not being more open with you. I never meant to keep anything from you. I had every intention of telling you everything. I am sorry for making you feel like the last priority... I am so deeply sorry... Kathie... I love you. I would never knowingly withhold anything from you. If I have done so again, I am so very sorry. I have shared everything I know, except for what just happened..." Shepard poured her heart out to her partner. Katherine simply looked at her, shocked that this was the first time Shepard had ever expressed her love. Katherine didn't know what to say. She had taken many risks since joining Shepard in Texas, giving their relationship a lot of leeway.
"I understand what you're saying, Commander. I do. And I'm tired of being left out of the loop. I love you too, Shep. But I'm done. If you keep anything from me again, we're finished..." Katherine's words pained her, but she meant them. She had reached her breaking point. Shepard agreed to her terms, and in that moment, they both realized they had confessed their love for each other. Just then, DAN's mechanical voice interrupted.
"Commander, Admiral Garrel wants to have a word with you," DAN's voice came over the comm. Shepard quickly kissed Katherine before rushing off to attend to the call.
--
Shepard headed towards the QEC, feeling surprised by Garrel's desire to speak with her. The fact that Tali and Wrex wanted to attack Sara and the Reaper also caught her off guard. While she could understand the Republic's perspective, she found it most irritating that they wouldn't even entertain the idea. Shepard wasn't sure how she would convince the leadership to help her put an end to this threat once and for all.
As Shepard made her way to the QEC, she observed her crew working diligently without hesitation. She knew they were loyal to her, but they followed Katherine rather than herself. Shepard had lost that loyalty when she discovered the true origins of the war. However, Katherine was currently loyal to her, and Shepard made a mental note to share any new information she hadn't yet disclosed. She didn't want to lose Katherine. She had already lost so much to the Alliance, Citadel Council, Phoenix, Cerberus, the Turian Republic, and, of course, the Reapers. Losing Katherine to them was something she couldn't bear.
Upon entering the QEC, Shepard was surprised to see both Garrel and Tali waiting for her. She approached the two admirals and greeted them, using their names.
"Tali, Admiral Garrel," Shepard said, and the two Quarans turned to face her.
"Shepard... The Conclave is far from pleased with you and Phoenix... But for now, we're willing to put that aside," Garrel stated, his gaze shifting towards Tali, who stood silently.
"Just know that we took a big risk by informing the leadership that we were not been fighting with Alliance forces," Tali added, fully aware of the gamble they had taken.
"Thank you for that and for the help you guys have provided. Just one small question, why?" Shepard asked, curious about why they had helped her despite their initial reluctance.
"Trust us. We wouldn't have done so if Garrus hadn't reminded us why we're fighting and the threat posed by the Reapers. So, reluctantly, I agreed, as did the rest of the board. We owe you that much, at least," Tali explained, sharing her people's stance and her own, for the time being.
"What's the plan, Shepard," Tali inquired, with Garrel observing attentively. Shepard found herself uncertain, despite having a task force at her disposal. She was at a loss for a plan.
"I honestly don't know, Tali... I just don't. My forces on Faros are ready to be deployed, but beyond that, I'm unsure," Shepard replied honestly. Tali and Garrel exchanged glances, confirming what they had heard.
"So, it's true then? The Faros garrison is following you?" Garrel asked, echoing what the rest of the Board had heard.
"Yes, they've pledged their rifles to me. I just need to decide where to deploy them," Shepard confirmed. The two admirals exchanged another look.
"Perhaps we should deploy them on the Turian Capitol World. With the Alliance and our own forces here, we can handle your friend and her Reaper," Tali suggested, merely offering a suggestion. She was well aware of Shepard's mistrust of the Chairman. Shepard couldn't believe what she had just heard, and even Garrel seemed taken aback. It was enough for Shepard to lose trust in her old friend.
"I'll consider it, Tali. We still have time to decide. Right now, we need to address the Leadership. The Phoenix Director cannot be trusted. She sent me on a suicide mission knowingly," Shepard stated. The two admirals exchanged another glance, this time with Garrel aligning with his associate.
"We're aware of your mission, which is why I'm here. Raan was concerned you might need help, so I came with a small task force. We weren't aware that you were separated. What surprised us was the presence of the Alliance fleet. Your XO filled us in on what's going on. She seemed a bit shaken," Garrel explained, raising an eyebrow, or so Shepard thought. Shepard wasn't surprised that it wasn't Tali who sent the task force. She had made it clear she wouldn't help. So Shepard wondered why she was suddenly eager to assist.
"Either way, thank you for your help. I... spoke with the Alliance Prime Minister," Shepard dropped a bombshell on the two admirals. Tali, who had been standing with crossed arms, now stood upright.
"We negotiated terms for me to present to the leadership. Terms I'm not entirely happy with. Yes, I want to see the Alliance burn, but I won't allow the Reapers to roam freely, especially with Sara supposedly leading them. For now, I'm willing to let the Alliance survive," Shepard explained, looking at the two officers. They appeared horrified, which caught Shepard off guard.
"The Chairman claimed she had already spoken to the Prime Minister," Garrel mentioned, returning Shepard's look. Although Hackett hadn't explicitly stated it, he implied that the Coalition wasn't in contact with them. So, the Alliance sought out the source of this war, her.
"Hackett never said it directly, but it was implied that no one in the Coalition was speaking with them. So I did... and I negotiated terms that benefit all of us," Shepard said, her voice tinged with irritation. The Chairman was playing the Coalition for fools. Shepard sent them the terms she had discussed with the Prime Minister. Garrel and Tali informed Shepard that what she had presented differed significantly from what was presented to the leadership. The terms she presented were much more favorable to the Coalition and the Alliance. What Solona had presented demonstrated a disillusioned mind that had lost touch with reality. For now, they needed to discuss with the rest of the Board, Wrex, and the EPR leadership. They would maintain their distance from Phoenix and the Republic. Shepard thanked them as they disconnected. She knew Garrel would keep his distance, but she wasn't so sure about Tali, at least not right now. She headed back to Kathie, intending to keep her promise and inform her of the situation. Then she would talk to Karen and Garrus, explaining how the Republic was tearing their empire apart.