Shepard is in her hangar bay, she relentlessly pounds on a punching bag. It has been 48 hours since her conversation with Tali and Garrel. Director Harper has been attempting to reach out to Shepard and Katherine, but neither of them has any intention of talking with her. The fighting has most part stopped. The renegade Alliance garrison on Faros has agreed to allow Shepard's Battered Bastards to leave the system. The Coalition is now engaged in peace talks with the Alliance. However, the Coalition leadership is nearly unanimous in their belief that the Hierarchy forces on the Republic Capitol World must be dealt with before addressing the Shadow and her Reaper companion. Shepard is far from pleased with this decision, to say the least. However, they have provided her with a small naval task force and her Battered Bastards to confront Sara. So, something positive did come out of the situation. Shepard has yet to directly address the Coalition leadership, and the other factions have taken notice of this.
Shepard's fist slams into the bag, barely causing it to budge. She turns around to find James standing there, arms crossed. It has been months since they last looked at each other without the threat of a weapon between them. Shepard wonders if he has something to say. She grabs a large towel to wipe away the sweat, while James remains standing, lost in thought. Shepard decides to break the silence.
"Can I help you, James?" she asks, curious about his intentions. James lets out a sigh, gathering his thoughts. As Shepard drops the towel, James finally speaks up.
"Why, Shepard? Why did you do all of this? Why start this war?" James asks, having heard her explanations before. he wants to hear it directly from her. The person he once admired couldn't possibly be so self-centered, so devoid of compassion. Shepard looks at him, contemplating her response.
"Trust me when I say that I never intended to start a war," Shepard begins, her voice filled with sincerity. "When I joined Phoenix, it was simply to create instability and hopefully push the Prime Minister to resign or be removed... It wasn't until the Republic the Rebels at the time asked for our help to break away from the Hierarchy that things escalated. We knew that such a move would inevitably lead to war... And so, from that moment, it shifted from an insurgency to a rebellion, and now it has become an all-out war..." Shepard explains, delving into the origins of the conflict. James listens intently, absorbing her words.
"...As for why I did what I did... I was so angry. Angry at everything I had worked for. Everything I loved was either destroyed or taken away from me..." Shepard's voice cracks, and tears begin to flow down her cheeks.
"...Then the Alliance took you guys away from me... And from my perspective, you let them... Garrus allowed the Hierarchy to end our relationship... And then, a certain Phoenix operative reminded me of why I fought in the first place... She was there with Phoenix when everyone else... abandoned me to live in that hellhole..." Shepard continues, wiping the tears from her face.
"I still want to see the Alliance burn, James. Even now, it's a lingering desire within me. I want to feel their ashes in my hands... Honestly, if it weren't for Sara or her Reaper pet, I wouldn't even entertain the idea of the Alliance surviving this war," Shepard admits, her voice filled with venom as she wipes away her tears. She glances at her former teammate.
"I'm just so tired... Exhausted, really. All I want is to take a step back and let others take the lead for a change... But the Alliance has taken that future away from me," Shepard confesses, looking away from James. Shepard had reached her limit in trying to justify her position. She had grown weary of it all. Once this war was over, she had made up her mind to vanish with Katherine and welcome a life of her own choosing, free from the duties imposed upon her. This time it would be her choice no one else. James gazed at her.
"I get it, Shepard... I may not like it, but I understand," James said, his voice tinged with regret. "For what it's worth... I'm sorry for everything I didn't do." He saluted her and departed the hangar. Shepard was shocked as she watched him walk away. Suddenly, she couldn't contain herself and shouted out.
"Say hi to Steve and Joker for me...!" Shepard called out. James turned around, a smile on his face.
"You can count on it, Lola!" he replied, his voice carrying back to her.
Shepard headed towards her weapons locker, retrieving her new rifle. Phoenix had been trying to reach out to them, but Shepard wasn't ready to engage in conversation with them just yet. Even Kathie, her trusted companion, was keeping her distance for the time being. Shepard took her rifle to the workbench, beginning to modify it. The hangar bustled with activity as the Enterprise underwent upgrades, both in terms of software and hardware.
Shepard awaited the arrival of her troops before she would confront Sara. They were expected to arrive in the coming days, their exact mission still shrouded in mystery. Garrel, too, prepared his forces for the upcoming operation, despite the lack of a clear plan. Shepard glanced at her rifle, realizing that one war was coming to a close while another was on the horizon, or perhaps an old one was about to reignite. Both were undeniably her wars, as Karen had once pointed out. Her conflict with the Alliance was undoubtedly personal.
As Shepard attached an Ala Holographic sight to her rifle, her communicator chimed.
"Shepard... Director Harper insists on speaking with you. She says it's very important," Kathrine informed her. Shepard let out a sigh, agreeing to have the conversation. She made her way to the elevator and headed towards the QEC (Quantum Entanglement Communicator).
As Shepard stepped into the QEC and entered her codes, the Phoenix Director materialized before her. The Quarian's presence stirred conflicting emotions within Shepard. This was someone she had once trusted, but now she questioned that trust. They stood in silence for a prolonged moment before Director Harper finally spoke up.
"Commander... It's good that we can finally have this conversation," Director Harper began, attempting to justify her actions. "Let me be abundantly clear... Yes, I knowingly sent you to Noveria, fully aware that it would be a trap... but I had faith in your abilities and those of your team to navigate your way out of that situation." Shepard couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu, recalling similar words spoken by the Illusive Man.
"You're just like him... thinking you can play god," Shepard retorts, her tone filled with bitterness. The Director remains unfazed, maintaining a composed demeanor. Then, a faint smile appears on her face.
"I won't apologize for what I've done. Yes... I made a deal with the Republic. It was, however, to have you and your team lead a reconnaissance mission on the Shadow... In return, we would be granted more autonomy in our operations. Sara has severed all contact with the Chairman and the rest of the Coalition," Director Harper reveals. Shepard had already suspected as much.
"So, the Shadow has revealed her true colors... And what about the Chairman? What does she have to say about all of this?" Shepard inquires, already having an inkling of what the response might be.
"She is willing to acknowledge a temporary truce with you, at least until Sara is taken care of. She considers you overrated and a problem that needs to be dealt with... later," Director Harper reveals. The last part catches Shepard off guard. The notion of being seen as a problem, just like the Alliance had viewed her, strikes a nerve. Shepard gazes at the Director, her expression intense.
"I won't sugarcoat it. Many within the Coalition share the same sentiment... But we have a much larger problem, both figuratively and literally," Director Harper states. Shepard's head twitches slightly, her attention fully focused on the Quarian. The Director knows she has touched a sensitive nerve.
"What about you, Director? And don't you dare lie to me..." Shepard asks, her voice laced with venom and distrust. Her dark green eyes convey a sense of malevolence, yet also a desire for the truth.
"You are not a problem. Don't get me wrong, you can be a pain in my ass... Dad was right about you. You are a brilliant problem solver and have the unique ability to create problems for me... You may create problems, but you yourself are not a problem," Director Harper responds, and Shepard can sense the sincerity in her words. Shepard was taken aback once again, this time by the mention of her father.
"Dad?" Shepard questions, seeking clarification. Director Harper meets her gaze, her expression unreadable.
"The Illusive Man... Now, onto why I wanted to speak with you," Director Harper continues, shifting the focus. "When your troops arrive, we want you, along with Garrel and Hackett, to launch an attack on the Reaper. It has retreated deep into the tundra, and the blizzard has intensified to the point of tropical storm-force winds... There is a vulnerable spot we want you to exploit. The Reaper is not the center of the Blizzard, but we believe it is controlling the storm..."
Shepard listens intently, her concern growing.
"... You must kill the Reaper before you can take out the Shadow... By killing it, you will literally clear the way to Sara..." Director Harper's words only heightened Shepard's worry. She looked at the Director, weighing whether or not she should trust her.
"Fine, send me the details... We'll try to come up with a plan," Shepard responds, her voice tinged with caution.
"You might want to inform your team that I didn't send them, and you, into this without careful consideration. It might help for the future," the Director advises before signing off.
"Yeah... just like the Illusive Man..." Shepard mutters under her breath as she makes her way to the bridge.
As Shepard headed towards the battery to update Garrus, she passed by several members of her crew. She sent a message to Katherine, informing her that she would speak with her after meeting with Garrus. Katherine simply replied with an "okay" and mentioned that she was currently engaged in a conversation with Director Harper. As Shepard approached the battery, she unexpectedly heard giggling coming from inside. Initially considering opening the door, she decided against it, unsure of what she might walk into. Shepard made a mental note to speak with Garrus later and proceeded to the cockpit. Upon reaching the cockpit, she noticed Katherine engaged in a discussion with Director Harper. Shepard patiently waited for them to conclude their conversation, leaning against the door and unintentionally eavesdropping. When Katherine finished speaking with Director Harper, she turned her chair and was surprised to see Shepard.
"Shep... I thought you were going to talk with Garrus?" Katherine asked, rising from her seat, stretching, and walking ahead of Shepard.
"I was. He was... occupied at the moment," Shepard replied, following behind Katherine. When Shepard shrugged her shoulders, Katherine gave her a skeptical look and rolled her eyes. As they walked, they engaged in conversation. Shepard proceeded to explain the director's message and the new expectations they faced. Eventually, they arrived at the galley.
Phoenix and the Coalition aren't enthusiastic about staying on Noveria. The Alliance is also keeping to themselves for now. Shepard never imagined sharing a spaceport with the Alliance again. Her conflict with the Alliance is temporarily resolved. Now, she finds herself entering another battle, or perhaps revisiting an old one, depending on one's perspective. She was taken aback by the Alliance Prime Minister's swift action to seek peace and the extraordinary measures he took to achieve it. He sought out the heart and soul of this rebellion. Shepard hopes that her war hasn't fractured the galaxy's ability to unite against a common enemy.
Shepard sat beside Katherine, both enjoying a cup of coffee, relishing a brief respite from the chaos of the galaxy. Shepard found herself torn between leading her new empire and yearning for a retirement from public life. Initially, she had envisioned a life with the Turian in the battery, who likely had another human female in his arms. However, her dreams now intertwined with the woman sitting next to her. She had once loved the Alliance and dreamed of ascending its ranks, exploring the mysteries, beauty, and dangers of the galaxy. She never anticipated the life she ended up living. She had fought in two wars, led successful invasions, endured failed ones, and held the line countless times, waiting for backup or extraction. She had made decisions that shaped history and choices that impacted only her and those close to her.
"Shep... What happened on Akuz with Sara? How did she end up in the Alliance?" Katherine asked abruptly, catching Shepard off guard. Shepard looked at her, knowing this question would eventually arise. Even she didn't possess all the exact details. There was one person who knew, but he was currently occupied in the battery, reminiscing about those years gone by.
"I wasn't there, so I can't provide you with precise details. At the time of Akuz, Sara was working as an independent contractor. She had taken on various contracts, including eliminating Alliance and Hierarchy officers and personnel. On Akuz, she accepted a contract to eliminate a hostile scientist. Unbeknownst to her, it was a trap set to ambush her. The Normandy's development wasn't the first joint operation between Turians and Humans. Akuz was. To put it mildly, it was a disaster..." Shepard began explaining, but was interrupted by Garrus.
"...it wasn't a disaster, it was a massacre," Garrus interjected, joining them at the table with Karen by his side.
"We had the element of surprise and everything. We had her cornered, surrounded. Yet, she single-handedly took down thirty of our best soldiers as if they were green recruits... Not all at once, of course. Then, when she was wounded and outnumbered, an Alliance officer approached with a hologram of Hackett. We thought they were trying to extract information before killing her. But no, instead they offered her a job..." Garrus continued, recounting his side of the story.
"I don't know what happened next. She accepted the offer. I've only seen her a few times since then, mostly in her role as the director of Alliance Intelligence," Garrus added, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
"The Alliance then used the Thresher Maw attack that occurred just a few hours later as a cover for the massacre," Shepard concluded the tale. There was more to the story, but she had made a promise to Sara never to disclose it. Shepard was the one who had pleaded with Admiral Hackett to spare Sara's life. He had presented a case to the admiralty and the Prime Minister at the time. They agreed not to let such a valuable asset escape or be killed, but there were likely certain conditions included in her contract with them.
--
As Sara stealthily navigated the walls of the Akuz facility, she found herself in a precarious situation. The Turian Blackwatch, Alliance N7, and marines were all on her trail, with the intention to either capture or eliminate her. Despite her father's lower rank as an Admiral, she knew he had no involvement in this operation. Moving along the corridors, she observed the joint operation between humans and Turians, realizing that she had managed to anger two powerful governments to the extent that they sent their best forces after her. It was disheartening, considering she had recently assisted in defending a human colony, expecting some gratitude from the Alliance. However, she wasn't surprised that her old friend hadn't mentioned her involvement.
Remaining hidden in the shadows, Sara encountered a Blackwatch detail consisting of five individuals. One of the Turians had removed his helmet, revealing his dark blue clan markings, and held a sniper rifle. Fortunately, they were unaware of her presence, giving her the advantage. Drawing her combat blade, a gift from her father capable of cutting through any known material, she swiftly attacked. Sara lunged at a scout, lodging her blade in his shoulder. The other Turians turned around, witnessing her dislodging the blade, but were oblivious to her intentions.
With precision and agility, Sara incapacitated another Turian by striking his windpipe with her fist. As the remaining Turians closed in on her, one of them brandished his own blade, determined to bring her down. Engaging in a fast-paced dance of dodges and strikes, Sara failed to notice the Turian with the blue clan markings sneaking up behind her. Just as she evaded the Turian in front of her, the other Turian plunged his blade into her shoulder blade. Agonizing pain surged through her arm and body. To her surprise, a third Turian charged at her, crashing into her and sending both of them crashing against a wall, tumbling to the ground.
After pushing aside the Turian who had fallen on her combat blade, Sara mustered the strength to get on one knee, using her good arm and hand. With determination, she reached for the Turian combat blade lodged in her shoulder and removed it, gritting her teeth against the pain. It had been a while since she had seen her own blood on a job, but she tried to ignore the discomfort. Meanwhile, the Turian with the dark blue clan markings radioed for reinforcements, calling for the rest of the task force to report to their position.
Shortly after the call for reinforcements, a group of Alliance N7s, accompanied by Turian Blackwatch members, approached the scene. As they stood before her, they couldn't help but notice the human figure in the black two-piece body suit, her mask concealing everything except her piercing blue eyes. Many were struck by the sight, realizing that this individual had managed to bring together two rival races.
One of the N7 commanders walked past the joint detail, who had their weapons trained on Sara. The commander brought up a holographic disk, projecting an image of an Alliance Admiral.
"Admiral Hackett, it's been a while. If you needed a job done, you didn't have to go through all this trouble with the Hierarchy," Sara stated, standing up as the detail tightened their grip on their weapons.
"I don't have a job for you. I have a contract for you," Admiral Hackett responded, surprising the detail.
"A contract... for what?" Sara asked, sounding more confused than the detail.
"For you to work for the Alliance. This test has proven that you are an asset, especially when you leave 35 dead Turians and humans in one room. The Alliance brass extends this one-time offer to you," Hackett explained, as Sara carefully considered her options, seeing the potential benefits in this arrangement.
"Fine, I accept, but on a few conditions," Sara replied, causing the detail to look at her as if she were crazy. Standing her ground, she continued, "First, I get to keep taking side contracts, and second, my mask stays on. That is non-negotiable."
"Very well, I agree to those conditions. However, the side contracts must not target Hierarchy or Alliance personnel without your authorization,"Hackett confirmed, and with that statement. Sara responded, wincing in pain.
"Agreed, "Sara responded, wincing in pain, the detail finally understood the purpose behind their leaders' decision. They had contracted the "Shadow," as she preferred to be called, to prevent their own people from falling victim to her lethal skills.
"You are to head to Earth aboard an Alliance shuttle for final details on the contract," Hackett informed her, as the detail received new orders to stand down. Reluctantly, they lowered their weapons. The Alliance commander motioned for Sara to follow him. Before she did, she approached the Turian with the blue clan markings and offered him his combat blade.
"Keep it. You might need it," she said, but he rejected the blade and returned to his men, preparing to depart. With that, Sara followed the Alliance commander to a shuttle, ascending the ramp as it lifted off the surface and made its way to the starship in orbit.
"We are heading to the SSV Houston. There, you will be assigned quarters, and then we will proceed to the Sol system. Oh, by the way, Admiral Hackett would like to have a private word with you in two hours," the commander informed her, settling into the pilot's seat.
--
A Few Hours Later
Sitting in the guest quarters of SSV Houston, Sara Anderson, a well-known infiltrator and target killer, awaited Admiral Hackett's call. She had just finished taking a shower and tending to her shoulder with medi-gel. Now, she examined the Turian blade that had been used on her. As she studied the knife, the communication terminal opened up, revealing Admiral Hackett.
"Hey, Dad," Sara greeted her father.
"Good to see you, kid. How's the shoulder?" Hackett asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"It's fine, Dad. It's much better," Sara reassured him, still inspecting the Turian blade.
"What's with the blade, kid?" Hackett inquired.
"It's the Turian blade that was used on my shoulder," Sara clarified.
"Why is that a concern, Sar? He gave it to you as a souvenir. Many don't get past the Turian elite," Hackett explained, catching Sara's attention.
"No, it's a taunt. I'm an infiltrator, not supposed to be caught or injured. I'm supposed to be a shadow, moving without being seen. He gave me the blade that was used to catch me and injure me. Damn bird," Sara expressed her frustration.
"I see. It will get better, kid, now that you're part of the Alliance," Hackett tried to calm his daughter and change the subject.
"What am I doing for the Alliance, Dad?" Sara asked, placing the knife on the table and looking at her father.
"Simple. Some target killing, and you'll also train a group of top Alliance soldiers in your line of work," Hackett explained.
"That's all, Pop? I think I've done more than just kill a few soldiers, Dad," Sara teased.
"Don't flatter yourself, kid. In the end, 25 elites had you cornered," Hackett replied.
"Please, that's child's play. One of the first things Thane taught me. Besides, you should upgrade your firewall. The lights may turn off, and when they turn back on, you might find 25 dead or dying elites," Sara stated, rubbing her shoulder, while Hackett simply looked at his daughter.
"Well, I've got to go. We'll catch up more when you're Earthside, kid," Hackett stated.
"Wait! One last question," Sara pleaded, and Hackett nodded in response. "Was it you who convinced the Alliance to give me a contract, only to then try to kill or capture me?" Sara asked, her gaze fixed on her father, awaiting his answer.
"Yes, it was. This was a test, and you passed with flying colors. I couldn't bear the thought of my baby girl being killed or taken prisoner. So, I convinced them to consider offering you employment instead. Why let such a valuable asset slip through our fingers?" Hackett explained, his words resonating with Sara.
"I didn't know you cared, Dad," Sara teased, a hint of surprise in her voice. Hackett chuckled lightly in response.
"I may not express it often, but I do, kid. Stay safe. Meet me in my office in London, and we'll go over your contract and catch up some more. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Take care, kid," Hackett said as the screen went blank, ending their conversation.
--
Sara Anderson walked down the hallway, being escorted to her father's office, Admiral Hackett. As they approached the office, she waited outside as Hackett was in a meeting with someone. After five minutes, the door opened, and Commander Jane Shepard walked out.
"Shadow, I wasn't expecting to see you here..." Shepard remarked, surprised to see Sara.
"Really now... Before you go report to the Normandy, I need to talk to you... Leave before that, and I will hunt you down. You know I can, Shepard," Sara warned, her tone filled with authority.
"That's Commander Shepard... Contract worker," Shepard retorted.
"Actually... it's Director, Commander," Sara corrected her, catching Shepard's attention.
"At least that's what Admiral Hackett has told me, anyway," Sara added. "Meet me in the building's war room."
Shepard walked away, and Sara entered the room where Hackett was sitting behind his desk. She approached the desk, and Hackett motioned for her to take a seat.
"Go easy on her... I still need her," Hackett requested, and Sara chuckled softly.
"No promises, Admiral," Sara replied, her voice laced with amusement.
"Now, let's discuss your contract, Director," Hackett said, and Sara's mask concealed her smile.
--
Sara made her way to the war room, surprised to find Shepard waiting for her. The staff began to leave, giving them privacy. As Sara approached, Shepard straightened up from leaning on the holo table.
"Shepard," Sara addressed her.
"You don't need to wear the mask around me," Shepard told Sara. She then went to the war room console and accessed the video surveillance system, disabling the cameras with her new access codes. She needs to create new protocols. Her cybernetics ensured that any hidden cameras would only show static. With that taken care of, Sara returned to Shepard and removed her mask, revealing her long blond hair. She ran her fingers through it, tousling it slightly.
"Do you have to be an ass with me? I got you this position, Sara, as a thank you for Elysium, so I wouldn't have to worry about you too much," Shepard explained, almost making Sara laugh.
"You got me this? Just three days ago, I had eight elite fire teams from the Higharchy and Alliance on my tail. I managed to take out three of them, but I got cornered. Were you with him when I was cornered?" Sara asked, capturing Shepard's attention.
"No, I wasn't. This is the first I'm hearing of it. I simply mentioned to Hackett that he should hire you because you're valuable to a few people," Shepard replied.
"Thank you, Jane. Really, I mean it," Sara replied as she looked at the time. Sara was due in Intelligence Operations to get to know her team, and Shepard was due to report to Captain Anderson, where they were going to oversee the construction of the Normandy.
--
Many years later
Sara finds herself seated in her office in London, UK, engrossed in reviewing after-action reports. She remains dedicated to her work for the Alliance, and she is still taken on side contracts, some of which are contracted by her current employers. Recently, her old friend Jane Shepard was deployed to Eden Prime, and the reports and information she's receiving leave her perplexed.
Prior to the mission on Eden Prime, Admiral Hackett and Udina approached Sara, seeking a list of candidates for the Citadel Spectres. Sara, without hesitation, handed Admiral Hackett only one dossier – Shepard's. Her father regarded her with a questioning look, but he took the dossier and met with Udina. As Sara examines the events unfolding from the after action reports, she realizes that Saren, the former Spectre, is now in her crosshairs, with Shepard relentlessly pursuing him. She has shared all the information she possesses about the rogue Spectre, doing everything in her power to protect her only friend since assuming her position. Regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, Sara is determined to continue supporting Shepard. As the annals say, the rest is now history.