The gunship shook as it flew between the underspires of Omega forcing Jane to hold on tighter to the handles. The day had been an interesting one for her. First the attack on Aria and the second was meeting an Asian version of her who was not only an N7 trooper, but an idol in her reality. That was hard to get her head around. Sure, Jane had sung before, but she was as tone-deaf as a waling Krogan. Shaking her head, she adjusted her webbing, making sure it was secure.

But she did wonder about that vision she had. She still wasn't sure what it was, but a part of her had assumed that this 'watcher' had given her something but he wasn't saying anything. At least not yet. She turned to look over to Miranda who looked at her with a frown.

"What?" Jane asked.

"This whole thing about multiple universes, well… I just don't understand it," she said. "I mean a male version of you I can understand, but a singer? What's next? A vampire? A robot?"

Jane just chuckled. "Don't tempt fate," she smiled. "For all we know we could be on our way to meet a new Shepard," as she said that the world around the gunship began to flicker. "I just had to say it," Jane moaned as the three looked out of the opening.

"Pilot, whatever happens, don't stop," Miranda said as she tapped her earpiece.

"U…understood," he muttered.

The flickering was similar to that of an old movie where scenes just jumped from one to another. But in this case, the underspires changed from red to blue to green and back again. But the flickering soon became more than that as more machine changes appeared. After a green-coloured Omega, the flicker then changed to what appeared to be a steampunk Omega. Jane could make out cogs, brass work, steam blowing everywhere and more.

It then changed again to something more organic. Bones and flesh make up the workings of this Omega before changing again to something that looked more asari. Rounded and sleek. The flickering stayed here for the moment with the only changes being in colours before another drastic change happened. Instead of being rounded and sleek, Omega became angular and smooth. Red lines of light along the edges of some of the buildings.

The changes had been giving Jane and the others a headache, but it seemed that the flicking began to slow down. Changing between the angular Omega, Asari Omega and the Steampunk Omega. As the flickering began to slow, the three could make out something closing in on them. Aircraft from the three different universes approached. They all had the same basic outline as the Kodiak, but each was different based on where they came from.

The steampunk one used sails and airbags along the sides with smokestacks at the back. The Asari universe was the same, but the angular universe was different. Much like the buildings, it was black with glowing red lines of light along the sides. That particular craft came more into focus and the flicking stopped. Their craft and this other one matched speed with each other.

"Looks like we've settled in this universe," James said as the sides of the craft opened up.

Inside were several soldiers dressed in red and black armoured uniforms with a white and red stripe. That's when Jane noted the N7 tags on their breastplates. But something was off about and she couldn't place it. One of them then placed their hands to their head and a second later a buzz echoed in Jane's ear.

"Unidentified craft, you are entering a combat zone. Please leave immediately," the voice said.

It was male, but there was something about the tone that was off. "You aren't going to believe me but, my name is Jane Shepard. I'm here to help,"

The soldier on the other side looked up. While his face was covered in a blank helmet, aside from a few lenses, she could tell that he was surprised. He looked at her for a moment before looking at Miranda and Jacob. Jane thought that she saw some recognition in his movements, but it was hard to tell.

After a moment, he came back online. "Maintain present course, the Commander would like to speak with you. We'll escort you in," with that the door of the craft closed but didn't back away.

Instead, the craft moved slightly ahead of the gunship leading it in. After calling the pilot to let him know what was happening, Jane grabbed onto one of the railings and leaned out. Looking ahead of them, she could see a landing section that looked to be converted into a command-and-control centre with the black and red soldiers moving around. Some of them moved off into the streets. Further ahead of the centre, she could make out the flashes of combat. But the way the spire was set up she couldn't tell more than that.

The two crafts landed on open platforms and both groups exited. Jane watched as the black and red armoured soldiers looked at them before moving off leaving only one. The sergeant removed his helmet and cracked his neck. He had dark skin and was deeply scarred. But his eyes were interesting as they glowed a bright electric blue. Walking over to them, he looked them up and down before his eyes dulled and turned back to brown.

'Cybernetics?' Jane thought as he approached. 'I wonder if John would love that?'

He looked at her and nodded his head towards her. "Shepard?"

"I'm Jane Shepard," she nodded and to her surprise, the man straightened and saluted.

"Captain Briggs, of Normandy Assault Group 10," he said. "But I assume that means nothing to you,"

"You read my mind," Jane chuckled and so did he.

"Follow me, the XO will want to see you," he said turning and leading the three into the command centre, earning them several looks.

Eyes of curiosity and confusion echoed across the soldiers gathered at the three newcomers. Whispers began to echo across the area making Jane feel like she was in a bar. They approached a space that dipped allowing for a large round holo table to be set up. It showed the area of operations but it was hard to tell who was winning and losing. Other than a few operators, one figure stood out. She had short hair and silver hair and was dressed in a black red and white skin-tight outfit. Her arms were cybernetic with lines and cables visible through some of the gaps.

She also had an artificial spine running down her back that had sections which glowed blue. But the way she stood and looked seemed familiar to the commander. She glanced at the woman next to her but looked away not saying anything.

"XO, I brought the people," Briggs said.

"Good, now we can…" she began to say turning only to freeze looking at Miranda.

Miranda Lawson froze as she looked at a completely different Miranda Lawson.

"Two Miranda's?" someone whispered. "We're so dead,"

"Forget her, who's the other girl?" another asked.

After a moment the two Miranda's walked up to each other and began to circle each other, looking each other up and down.

"Cybernetics," Jane's Miranda said.

"Genetics," the other Miranda replied.

"This is weird," Jacob said and Jane couldn't help but agree.

"You're telling me," a familiar voice said as Jacob came face to face with this universe's version of himself. "I heard that there was a look-alike, but I wasn't expecting to look into a mirror," he said walking up to Jane's Jacob.

Much like Miranda, this Jacob had cybernetic arms and a spine. But unlike Miranda, he had a series of cables and pipes along his neck. He also had a single black visor that covered both of his eyes but it split and retracted showing his natural eyes.

"It's almost like a mirror," the cyborg Jacob said.

"Tell me about it," Jane's Jacob said. "Cool gear, but what happened to your neck?"

"Pirate tried to slit my throat and damaged my lungs. Had both replaced," the cyborg Jacob answered as she stroked his neck.

"Damn, and I thought I had it bad," Jane's Jacob said with a stroke of his neck.

"Speak for yourself," a new voice echoed and all eyes turned to a man in a black leather jacket walking a set of stairs.

He had tanned skin and short-cropped brown hair. His eyes were two different colours, one green and the other blue. Just like Miranda and Jacob his arms were cybernetic but only the forearms. A bandoleer of heat syncs was strapped across his body and a sniper rifle locked to his back.

"Since the two of you have met your alternate selves, I guess the only one left is me," he said as he stepped up. "Ajax Shepard, Commander and founder of Normandy Security Services,"

"Jane Shepard, Commander of the Normandy," Jane replied. "It's a ship, not a company,"

"I gathered," he chuckled. "I wasn't expecting it anyway, another universe and all,"

Jane blinked at that. "I assume that this Darkstar guy called you,"

Ajax moved his head from side to side. "Yeah, but not about this. During my hunt for Saren, Darkstar contacted me with a contract. Very beneficial. He wanted me to find a group of Pirates and take them out. At the time I didn't understand, but now… now I think I do," he then jerked his head to the side. "Let me show you,"

He led the three over to a screen and hit one of the keys. The image showed one of the residential sectors. It was run down with graffiti, trash and more out on the streets. After a few seconds, the scene began to flicker. At first, Jane thought it was a problem with the recording but quickly dismissed that idea as she saw the flickering increase this time changing the scene before her.

From the trash and graffiti to the clean yet dark of the Omega she recognised. She leaned in as Ajax switched to other sectors showing Jane and the others what he had found. Then he switches to a recording that overlooks a residential building with a sole sniper on it. The group watched as the filtering started for a second before stopping now showing two snipers overlooking the bridge in front of them.

Almost immediately they pulled pistols out, pointing them at each other. After a moment they looked at each other before standing not taking their helmets off. It seemed that they were talking with each other, but it was hard to tell due to no sound. They lowered their pistols before removing their helmets and looking at each other. They stood there for a moment before incoming fire forced them behind cover. That was when the video cut off.

Jane looked up to Ajax who returned her look. "If there are two Archangels…"

"There's going to be more targets," he nodded. "That's why he sent me on that mission. It was a similar situation,"

Jane nodded as well before turning to the holo-map. "So, what's the plan?" she asked as she walked up to it.

Ajax looked at Janes' Miranda and Jacob. "Vanguard and Sentinel, right?" the two nodded as he looked at his own Miranda and Jacob. "Jacob, you go with Jacob, Miranda goes with Miranda,"

The two Jacobs nodded while the Mirandas just looked at each other with wary expressions. With that done, Ajax walked up to the holo-map and looked at Jane.

"This is what I had in mind," he said as he began to manipulate the controls.

OOOOO

John pulled the outer casing of his shuriken pistol to check the internals. The targeting computer and rate of fire seemed a little off and wanted to check. Opposite him, Shion was chewing some gum while playing a game. While she was in her twenties, it seemed she still had the mind of a teen. Something he smiled about that, it reminded him of a conversation… he shook his head and focused on his weapon. But Shion noticed it.

"Something wrong?" she asked pausing her game.

"Nothing just found the problem with my pistol," he shot back.

She leaned in and looked at him, her piercing green eyes meeting his brilliant blue. "You're deflecting," she stated. "Don't even try to deny it. We may look directly have different minds but we are practically twins,"

John stared at her as well but in the end, nodded and hung his head. "I…. I … I was thinking about who I left behind,"

Shion's expression softened and pulled back. "So, spill who were you with?"

John said nothing as he remembered what happened. He knelt holding her in his arms, her blood decorating his armour and hands. Nothing he tried could stem the bleeding, not that he hadn't tried. Using up all of his medi-gel to heal a wound she had earned from a Reaper using an explosive. But the wound took her leg and part of her torso. Blood leaked from her like no tomorrow and dyed her dark hair red.

She tried to speak, but the blood prevented her from doing so. The only words he heard from her were 'I'm sorry, I love you,' before time took what she had left and died. He didn't know how long he was there for crying over her body, letting the rage build up in him. But all he knew was rage. After laying her down, placing her hands on her breast and finding a flower to place in her he ran. He was going to end it; he was going to stop the Reapers.

The memories were recent and fresh, but he pushed them to the side. He had a mission to focus on and he would cross that bridge when he came to it and voiced as much.

Shion looked disappointed but nodded. "Such is the curse of command," she said with a wistful expression on her face. "I left Ashley on Virmire and I always wonder if there was anything I could do,"

John nodded at that. "For me, it was Kadian," he smiled. "He was a good guy,"

Shion nodded. "Ashey was a good woman as well. Both were great fighters. But sometimes you have to let your feelings go and do what is best for the mission,"

The two Shepards looked up at each other seeing the pain that hid behind their exteriors. Saying silent for a moment, John leaned back looking at the girl up and down.

"So, what's your story?" he asked. "How'd you become a singer? What's with the sonic weapons?"

Siling even more Shion sat up straighter. "Well, the sonic weapons were developed in Germany during World War 2 as a special medication to their Tiger tanks. But it was tricky tech that didn't work all the time. But when it did work, it was devastating. Crushing tanks, blowing bunkers…" she shrugged. "It was a powerful weapon, but expensive and didn't help them in the long run. The tech was shelved for years until the 90s when the Gulf War erupted. Sonic tech was re-used with some American Abrams. It was everything that they needed to help win the war. Over time, the tech shrunk to allow regular troopers to carry them on their shoulders, like me," she winked.

John smiled in genuine amusement. "So, I guess the tech continued well into the 2200's"

"Absolutely," she smiled wider. "The Alliance was making us of idols, like me. We had the vocal range to use the sonic weapons effectively. We were also a good propaganda tool,"

"I'll bet," John chuckled. "A soldier who could sing and fight? The Alliance would be all over you,"

Shion was about to talk but the car shook forcing the two to grab onto the nearest handrails. Thinking quickly, John grabbed the outer part of his pistol slid it back on with ease and holstered. Large calibre rounds then sliced into the car ripping part of it off. The two leaned out to see several Blue Sun soldiers targeting them with turrets. Both cursed as John leaned out to try and fire at them while Shion grabbed onto the controls to direct them to the nearest platform.

They were still flying between spires but there was an open section of street ahead of them. She aimed for that with the hopes of landing on the roads.

But another burst of rounds put an end to that idea as it destroyed the engine. "Ssi-Bal, hold on!" she yelled as the sky car flew and slammed into a habitation block with a boon and shake of the area.

Seeing this, the Bule Suns moved to secure the location. As they got near, they split up into teams before moving close to the crash site. Taking a quick look at each other they moved up faster. It didn't take them long to reach street level with the upper residential street. Upon seeing where the sky car had crashed, they walked over to it weapons still up and alert. But as they approached, they never noticed the trap that had been quickly set up. The point man stepped forward, pulling on a wire that pulled the pins off several grenades which detonated almost immediately.

The ones at the front were ripped apart by the shrapnel while the Suns at the rear were only injured. But that didn't last as Shinon and John exited from an abandoned shop to finish them off. With the Suns dead, the two walked up to them to get a good look at what they were dealing with. But as they did John frowned at the uniforms they wore. For starters, their helmets had a nape guard which was made out of strips of metal. But it was the slightly rounded rectangular shoulder armour and leg armour that told him all he needed to know.

"We aren't in Jane's universe," he said squatting down turning one of the humans over.

The two got a good look at the blue and white samurai in front of them. While based on mass effect tech, the armour was inspired by the Japanese warriors of old. They even had a katana strapped to his side. But before anyone could ask any question gunfire cut that off as more Blue Suns soldiers advanced to see what happened to their friends. In response, John opened fire with his pistol while Shion yelled into her mic sending the Suns flying back.

"We need to find cover," John said.

"Couldn't agree more," Shion said as she readied her pistols the two looking around.

They quickly spotted a defendable location at a store behind them. As another group of Blue Suns advanced, the two ran to the location. Each taking it in turns to turn and take quick shots at the suns to try and slow them down. Once they reached the location, both of their shields had drained and needed a recharge. This allowed the Suns to get close and move into a horseshoe formation around the shop.

"Surrender and will be merciful," the Suns commander said.

Shion and John looked at one another before rolling their eyes. They readied themselves for a fight. Gunfire echoed, but none of it was aimed at them. Mirroring each other's frowns, they peeked out from over to see three people take out the force in front of them. One of them being a 6,9 giant with dreadlocks. Looking at each other again they slowly stood and exited the shop.

"Hey," John said.

The three newcomers turned to face them, one of them drawing his katana and levelling it at John's face. He got a good look at them now. Miranda and Jacob were indefinable despite their outfits. Jacob had armour like a samurai but lacked the shoulder armour, instead, he had a tight-fitting cloth gi. Miranda still supported the bodysuit she also supported a martial artist's gi over it with one side being larger than the other. The two of them also supported a half mask that covered their mouths and jaw. Their gi's also had the Cerbrus emblem on the lapels.

But it was the middle who caught John's attention. The man had dark skin, green eyes and dreadlocks pulled up into a ponytail. His armour was much like the Blue Suns except for it being yellow and black with a red and white stripe along the shoulder pad. Aside from the N7 marking on his chest plate, there was an emblem of a flower which was split into 5 sections.

Being a bit of a history buff, John recognised that symbol but didn't want to say anything yet. "Who are you?" Miranda asked, her voice having a slight Japanese accent to it.

John and Shion looked at each other before at the yellow armoured man in front of them. "I'm John, John Shepard," he said.

"I'm Shion Shepard," the idol added.

While Miranda and Jacob looked at each other with confusion and scepticism, the yellow-armoured giant frowned imperceptibly his eyes looking between the two of them.

"What are your serial numbers?" he asked.

"5923-AC-2826," both John and Shion said at the same time.

"I'm Yasuke Shepard," Yasuke said as he lowered his sword. "I was told to expect some help,"

Both Miranda and Jacob looked at him. "And you didn't tell us why?" Miranda asked.

"You wouldn't believe me," Yasuke shrugged. "I assume you are also here for Mordin?" the two Shepards nodded. "He's somewhere ahead, but there is currently a war going between Blue Suns, Eclipse, Blood Pack and Aria's forces. The merc companies are trying to take over the station,"

John and Shion looked at each other. "Here as well?" John frowned.

"That can't be a coincidence," Shion added before turning to Yasuke. "Were you at Afterlife when the merc attacked?"

The Yellow Samurai nodded. "We replied the attack, earning her favour,"

"The same happened to us," John said. "But if we got transferred to another universe…" he didn't have time to finish that thought as an explosion got their attention.

"That's where Mordin is," Jacob said.

"It seems we need to hold this discussion for later," Yasuke.

John and Shion nodded before the five of them moved off in the direction of the explosion.