Shepard is currently aboard the Enterprise. It has been three days since the events on Akuz, and many of her supposed friends are urging her to stop her chase of the Shadow. She has already informed them of her viewpoints, refusing to allow any experimentation on the Reapers and promising to protect their races souls in the process. As the war with the Alliance draws to a close, the Hierarchy has launched an invasion of the Republic's capital world. Despite Coalition leaders' pleas for Shepard to lead their forces on the planet, she chooses to ignore them and heads toward Noveria. She hopes that by destroying the Reaper god, Victus will lose interest.
In the hangar, Shepard examines her gear while reflecting on recent developments. DAN has examined Sara's laptop and discovered that neither he nor Gibson noticed a protocol that would alert Sara if her laptop was accessed. This means that Sara is now aware that they are on her trail. Shepard realizes the need for increased caution now that the Shadow is aware. She has been reading the journal she found, which provides insight into the mind of the Shadow. Frankly, it terrifies her. Initially, Shepard could see Sara's sanity, but as the journal entries continue, Sara becomes increasingly unstable. This instability may have been the reason why she left the Alliance in the first place. Joining the Republic, however, is out of character for her. Shepard suspects that her own betrayal somehow broke the Shadow.
Chairman Vakarian is resolute in protecting her Intelligence Director. Garrus has made efforts to convince his sister to let go of the Shadow, but her response is cold and calculated. She makes it clear that she will not be dictated to, especially not by her older brother, whom she considers a traitor.
Most members of the Coalition choose to stay out of the personal feud between Phoenix and the Republic, particularly between Chairman Solona Vakarian and Commander Shepard.
Shepard gazes at her AR, unable to fathom how drastically her life has changed in just a few short years. The once mighty Alliance now lies in ruins, its death echoing like a death knell. Yet, she finds relief in the familiar chaos of fighting the very enemy that cemented her legend– the Reapers. While many believed these monsters had been beaten, Shepard knows better. The Reapers may not be making a grand return, but their influence still lingers, subtly puppeteering the galaxy's leaders. And Shepard herself is not free from their puppeteering.
Sara, on the other hand, is playing a dangerous game, one that the Chairman recognizes all too well. Salona's desire to kill the Reaper masterminds derives from the knowledge that keeping such a monster alive poses a tremendous health hazard. Sara, however, remains a mystery that needs solving. Why does she aim to control the Reapers? Her journal entries show a disturbing level of instability, with her thoughts becoming increasingly unimaginable.
In an attempt to gather more information, Shepard reaches out to Hackett, asking about Sara's well-being both during and after the war. So far, the response has been quiet. Liara's research only resulted in a light mention of Sara Hackett, with a brief physical description that matches her perfectly. Shepard can't help but reflect on how much she herself has changed. While Sara accuses her of being the one who has changed, Shepard knows that the truth lies within Sara's own instability.
As Shepard closed her locker, a DAN's voice echoed through the intercom, notifying the reception of a coded transmission. The caller is unknown. Shepard decided to take the call in her quarters and headed towards the elevator. As the doors opened, she made her way to her computer screen and powered it on. To her surprise, the Turian leader, Primarch Victus, appeared on the screen.
"Primarch... This is surprising," Shepard expressed her genuine surprise.
"Yes, just like during the Reaper war, you continue to be a thorn in my side, Commander," the Primarch chuckled slightly, and Shepard caught on, returning the smile.
"I understand that you've lost faith in me and my administration. But I need your help. I know you're hunting the Shadow. She has taken the lives of many of my officers and scientists... I can provide you with the exact whereabouts of the Reaper," Victus revealed, causing Shepard to raise an eyebrow. Now, Victus had her full attention.
"Go on," Shepard leaned in closer to the desk, eager to hear more.
"As you may already know, the Reaper is in Noveria, deep within the tundra of the western half of the Northern Hemisphere. However, the Reaper's movements make it difficult to pinpoint its exact location..."
"So, it's still alive," Shepard interjected, hoping for confirmation from Victus.
"Very much so. I never intended for the Reaper to become a subject of experimentation, especially not while it's alive. If there's one thing the Chairman and I agree on, it's that this last remaining Reaper needs to be turned into scrap metal... And we both know that you're the only one capable of doing just that," Victus stated. Shepard gazed at the aged Primarch, waiting for further explanation.
"'We'...?" Shepard questioned.
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose the identity of the exact 'we.' Good luck, Commander. May the spirits protect you," Victus concluded before abruptly ending the connection.
Shepard, still reeling from the recent events, contacts Kathie via radio and instructs her to search the Northern Hemisphere tundra when they arrive. Kathie, puzzled by this unusual order, acknowledges it without fully understanding the reasoning behind it. She then calls for Garrus and Karen to her quarters to brief them on Vitcus's message. As they enter the room, Shepard is already studying current Noveria maps, focusing on the Northern Hemisphere and the western locations, at least on a map.
Garrus arrives first, followed by Karen. Shepard turns to face them, ready to share the information received from the Primarch. Garrus, however, exhibits hesitation, skeptical about blindly following Victus' advice. Shepard recognizes his concerns but stresses that this lead is their most meaningful one yet. Karen, on the other hand, remains silent, unsure of her own emotions. Since joining the Enterprise, she has been thrust into one unexpected situation after another, while Shepard and Garrus seem unfazed, treating it as their norm.
Karen decides to go along with their plan, ultimately agreeing with Garrus. Something feels off, and Shepard's actions seem desperate, clinging to any shred of hope. As they prepare to depart, Shepard informs them that they will be joining her, along with Gibson.
--
Several hours later, aboard the Enterprise in the planetary system of Noveria
Shepard and her team are geared up on the bridge. Karen is actively scanning the planet when DAN's voice chimes in.
"Commander... I'm detecting a massive heat signature near the pole. The reading indicates a Sovereign Class Reaper," DAN informs, causing Shepard to sigh. She had hoped for a smaller enemy, relatively speaking of course.
Shepard asks for suggestions, and Karen examines the readings. The Reaper appears to be colossal.
"Is it damaged?" Karen asks, and DAN responds once again.
"Unknown, Captain. The poles are currently experiencing severe blizzard conditions, making scans inconclusive," DAN reports, while Shepard studies the weather map.
Shepard questions whether they can still reach the Reaper, but the weather map indicates worsening conditions.
"Yes, but I can't guarantee extraction for at least 24-48 hours," DAN exclaims, causing Garrus's mandibles to flicker, and Karen focuses on the map.
"Fine. We'll leave in fifteen minutes. We'll have to make do. Let's change into warmer gear in the hangar. It won't keep us completely warm, but it will help," Shepard orders.
As Shepard heads towards the shuttle, she hears her name being called. She turns to see Katherine jogging towards her.
"Kathie... What's wrong?" Shepard asks, but Katherine simply removes Shepard's helmet and quickly kisses her. In that moment, both of them feel a deep connection.
"Nothing is wrong. Just stay safe, okay?" Katherine says before returning to the cockpit to prepare Shepard for the descent onto the planet.
--
Shepard and her team headed toward the surface of the icy and inhospitable surface. Using the Enterprise's stealth system, they were stealthily transported close to their EAO. Katherine, facing the challenging task of navigating through the harsh blizzard, struggled to maintain the ship's position within the atmosphere. The blizzard, relentlessly assault the ship, also battered Shepard's shuttle. In response, Shepard activated the heat function on her armor, followed by the rest of her team. As the shuttle plunged, the door opened, revealing a landscape blanketed in pure white. Eagerly, Shepard emerged from the shuttle, with Garrus and the rest of the team following suit.
The fire team tackled on a hazardous trip through the intense blizzard, surviving the biting cold and wading through deep snow that reached halfway up Shepard's leg. They pressed on, navigating towards the last known location of their target. However, the storm grew increasingly severe. Recognizing the need for protection, Shepard commanded her team to find shelter before the storm worsened. The group sought solace within a canyon, and Garrus, with his keen vision, spotted a cave atop a slight hill. Shepard led the way towards the cave, and as they entered, the bone-chilling wind subsided, though they could still see the effects it created
Karen, looking into the depths of the cave, noticed a distant light. She alerted Shepard, who turned to confirm the sight. With caution, Shepard and her team readied their rifles, pulling back the bolts in preparation. Advancing towards the light, their rifles held high, they cautiously moved along the cave until they reached an unmistakably artificial electronic door.
Shepard turned her attention to Gibson, signaling him to approach the keypad. With expertise, Gibson removed the keypad and began hacking into the door's security system. Although it took him slightly longer than usual, he successfully bypassed the security measures. The door slid open, and the group entered the base. Shepard led the way, followed closely by Garrus, Karen, and Gibson.
As they stepped inside, Shepard was taken aback by what lay before her – an abandoned Turian base. However, what puzzled her was the unexpected warmth within the facility, maintained at a comfortable 71 degrees. This indicated that either the life support systems were operational or something else was happening. Shepard remained vigilant, keeping her rifle at the ready as they proceeded along the catwalk towards what appeared to be an Operating Post. The sound of activity grew louder as they approached, confirming that the base was still active.
Shepard's gaze fell upon a manual door, prompting her to grasp the lever and lift it to unlock the door. She entered last, ensuring the team's safety. They continued their path towards a data core, with Shepard following Garrus, who recognized the layout as standard for Turian bases. Along the way, they observed Republic Turian soldiers patrolling the base, a sight that didn't surprise Shepard. She deduced that Sara must be present, and it was likely that she had discovered the Reaper. Time was of the essence.
After an additional twenty minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the data core. Gibson once again took off the keypad, facing the strongest encryption they had encountered thus far. With caution, he moved, mindful of the lack of DAN. Five minutes later, Gibson successfully cracked the keypad, allowing Shepard to enter the core. However, the core was empty. Gibson swiftly moved to the main console, preparing to access the data.
"Damn it, if I attempt to access the data it will trigger a station alert," Gibson called out, prompting Shepard to exchange glances with Garrus and Karin. They positioned themselves, ready for any possible threat down the hallway. Shepard gave Gibson the green light to begin. To their surprise, accessing the data did not trigger the alarm.
"Shepard... I know you are here... Go ahead and retrieve the data. I no longer need it," Sara's voice echoed through the intercom, catching Shepard off guard.
"I have more bigger matters to attend to..." Sara's voice trailed off, leaving the intercom filled with static. Shepard muttered under her breath, feeling a mixture of surprise and frustration.
Shepard swiftly issued an order to Gibson, instructing him to extract any available data. Gibson promptly carried out the task as ordered. Meanwhile, Shepard's attention was caught by the sight of three Turian soldiers rushing towards a stack of crates. In a sudden burst of aggression, the Turians opened fire on Shepard and her team, initiating a fierce exchange of gunfire. Responding with equal force, Shepard and her team returned fire, with Karen successfully taking out one of the Turians. However, the situation became more problematic as additional Republic Turian soldiers arrived on the scene, joining the assault against Shepard's team.
Amidst the chaos, Shepard's rifle clicked, her thermal clip empty, With a swift motion, she replaced the magazine as the last clips flew out. Wanting an update in the ongoing data retrieval, Shepard called out to Gibson, demanding an update. Gibson, having completed the transfer of relevant data, moved towards Shepard and tapped her on the shoulder. Shepard observed Gibson swiftly shifting focus, engaging the Turians with his UMP-45 variant weapon. Seizing the opportunity, Shepard and her team eliminated several more Turians, allowing them to advance further down the hallway.
Shepard and her team pressed forward, determined to reach the door leading out of the Operating Post. However, they soon realized that their intended escape route was heavily fortified and defended. Frustrated, Shepard couldn't help but curse Sara aloud for the quagmire they found themselves in. Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a Turian hurled a grenade toward the team. In a split-second reaction, Garrus pushed Shepard into another nearby hallway, narrowly avoiding the blast. Unfortunately, as the door closed, Shepard's rifle was left behind and was severed in half as the door closed.
Getting back on her feet, Shepard quickly drew her pistol, ready to face the dangers ahead. She called out to Garrus over the comm, seeking to establish contact and make sure he is safe. Garrus answered, telling her that they had managed to make it outside and that the hostiles were not pursuing them. He expressed their idea to come for Shepard, but she made a different decision.
"No, check the weather conditions first. Contact the Enterprise if possible. Instruct them to relay all the information to Phoenix," Shepard ordered, considering the situation. Garrus simply acknowledged her command, understanding the importance of the mission. Shepard was well aware that Sara wished for this outcome, but the reasons behind her actions remained unclear.
Shepard continued down the dark corridor, moving cautiously. After a brief moment, she arrived at a closed door. Just as she was about to open the door, it unexpectedly opened. Three Turians stood before her. They turned to face Shepard and Shepard swiftly eliminated two of them with her practiced gunfire. The third Turian fired back, narrowly missing Shepard. In response, Shepard fired again, taking down the last remaining Turian. With the primary threat taken out, Shepard turned her attention to the sole remaining person in the room – a slim human with blonde hair who had been enthralled in analyzing drone footage. Shepard picked up a Coalition rifle from the ground, ready to engage the Shadow.
"Shepard, took you long enough to get here," Sara remarked without bothering to face Shepard.
"Step away from the console, Sara," Shepard demanded, raising her rifle with determination. However, her attention was abruptly diverted as she caught a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye. Reacting swiftly, Shepard raised her rifle, but before she could take action, an N7 Shadow's sword sliced through her weapon effortlessly. The N7 continued his assault, swinging the sword with deadly precision. Shepard quickly drew her pistol and fired at the N7, but the bullets were deflected or absorbed by its defenses. The Shadow lunged towards Shepard, but she managed to dodge, causing it to overshoot its mark. Shepard, taking advantage of the opening, activated her omni-blade and thrust it into the N7's stomach.
As Shepard withdrew the blade, she turned to face Sara, only to be met with a powerful punch to her face. Stumbling backward, as Sara shaked her hand from striking Shepard's helmet. Shepard attempted to regain her footing. However, Sara relentlessly attacked, delivering a kick that sent Shepard crashing into a nearby workstation. With a knife in hand, Sara brought it down, narrowly missing Shepard as the blade embedded itself in the console. Now on her feet again, Shepard lunged at Sara, tackling her to the ground. In the midst of the struggle, Sara struck Shepard's back with a forceful elbow. Sara threw Shepard off of her. Seizing the opportunity, Sara rose to her feet, delivering a knee strike to Shepard's head, causing her helmet to go flying. As she fell onto her back. Shepard dazed remained on the ground.
As Sara approached Shepard, she grabbed her foot and forcefully dragged her towards the window. With a determined grip, Sara unholstered her pistol and fired relentlessly at the thick window until it shattered into countless shards. The sound of gunfire reverberated through the room as Sara continued to pull Shepard until they reached the ledge. Nudging Shepard with her foot, Sara stood triumphantly over her, her glowing blue eyes piercing through the darkness.
Shepard's gaze met Sara's, and in that moment, a flicker of recognition crossed her mind. The glowing blue eyes looked hauntingly familiar, triggering a surge of memories and emotions. However, there was no time to dwell on it as Sara spoke with a chilling tone.
"Someone wants to meet you, Shepard... an old friend..." Sara taunted, her words filled with a chilling sense of uncertainty. With a final push, Sara sent Shepard tumbling off the ledge, causing her to land in the deep snow below. Shepard rolled down the snow-covered hill, her body twisting and turning. After a few tens of meters, she came to a stop, lying face down in the snow. Her face was barely covered, revealing the cold, harsh reality of her situation.
--
Shepard wakes up, her surroundings coming into focus. She rises to her knees and gazes upwards, struggling to recognize the point from which she fell. The realization hits her like a wave—the bitter cold engulfs her, and without her helmet, she lacks both a means of communication and protection from the freezing temperatures. Despite scanning her surroundings, the storm shows no signs of letting up. Clutching her sides for warmth, she attempts to move, only to discover that her heating system has malfunctioned. With each step, her legs sink deeper into the soft snow, intensifying the bone-chilling cold. Shepard trembles as the frigid air cuts through her to the core. Her eyes catch sight of a nearby cave, and she musters the strength to drag herself towards it. Upon entering, she finds solace in the relatively milder temperature and settles in, hoping to regain some warmth.
Shivering uncontrollably, Shepard finds herself overwhelmed by the piercing cold. Seated on the cave floor, she struggles to comprehend the events that just unfolded. Sara's words echo in her mind, the mention of someone wanting to meet her—an old friend? She ponders the potential identity of this individual, but first, she must focus on thawing her chilled body. The cold's relentless grip feels almost unbearable. Suddenly, a sound emanates from within the cave, capturing Shepard's attention. She turns, looking into the depths, but finds nothing. Remaining seated for a moment, she hears the sound once more. Determined, Shepard rises and rummages through her belt, searching for a glow stick. After locating one, she cracks it open, illuminating the cave.
With the glow stick in hand, Shepard proceeds cautiously through the darkening cave. Despite the feeble light, the darkness seems impenetrable. After several minutes of traversing, she reaches the cave's exit and steps outside. It is then that an unforgettable screech fills the air—the haunting cry of a Reaper.
"Shepard! You have become nothing but an annoyance!" the towering Reaper declares, sending a searing wave of pain through her mind. Overwhelmed by agony, Shepard collapses to her knees.
"Did you truly believe that our harvest had come to an end?" the Reaper taunts, while Shepard remains in a state of anguish. Amidst the torment, a vision flashes before her eyes, incomprehensible yet deeply unsettling. Tears stream down Shepard's face as the relentless mental assault continues, her screams growing louder with each passing moment. Suddenly, a figure approaches her, and she lifts her head to meet the gaze of someone with dark blue glowing eyes.
"Enough. You have caused enough harm. I will take it from here..." Sara intervenes, causing the Reaper to cease its attack. With a turn, the Reaper departs, leaving Shepard weakened and vulnerable. She looks up at Sara, her old friend, who squats down to meet her gaze.
"Welcome, Shepard... to the grand stage," Sara remarks, as two Turians seize Shepard and drag her towards a chair. Her hands are bound behind her as Sara walks towards the edge of the cliff, observing the Reaper's movements.
--
Twenty-four Hours Later
Shepard gazed at Sara, who stood overlooking the Reaper. The Reaper's baffling movements and occasional screeches unsettled her. The haunting sound of those screeches is forever carved in her memory. Since catching Sara, she had been ignoring her, aligning herself with their old enemy. The mental assault from the Reaper still left Shepard with a throbbing headache. She hoped that Garrus and the rest of her team had safely returned to the Enterprise. Observing the Republic soldiers, Shepard noticed their indifference towards her, much like Sara's.
Out of nowhere, Sara spoke up, "You know Shepard... I never wanted it to come to this. But witnessing the Chairman and you fighting like dogs has convinced me that true change is necessary... At least we can agree on that." Shepard simply stared at her old friend, speechless.
"How...?" Shepard finally managed to ask. Sara turned to face Shepard, meeting her gaze.
"Intelligence I got from the Alliance and Cerberus, or should I say, Phoenix. Despite their efforts to hide it, Phoenix is still Cerberus," Sara explained as she approached Shepard.
"I can control the Reapers, Shepard. I can harness their power to bring about real change," Sara declared, leaving Shepard utterly appalled.
"You want to use the very monsters that nearly wiped us out," Shepard stated. Sara remained unfazed, devoid of emotion.
"Yes... The horrendous experiments conducted by Cerberus and the Alliance are indeed appalling. But why should we discard such a valuable asset? We have the opportunity to reshape the galaxy's power dynamics once and for all, to bring about genuine change. If real change had occurred at the end of the war, we wouldn't be in this situation... You would be dead," Sara argued, causing Shepard to turn away, unable to bear looking at her old friend any longer.
"You're insane," Shepard uttered, struggling to believe the words she had just heard. Sara walked away, but before leaving, she turned to face Shepard one last time.
"You do realize that Victus sent you into a trap," Sara stated, locking eyes with Shepard.
"Of course he did," Shepard replied.
"...And you know that your beloved director and the chairman also sent you here to die," Sara revealed, leaving Shepard in disbelief.
"Solona struck a deal with Victus to eliminate you and it would bring peace," Shepard's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"...Your director agreed to it. And in return, they gain power to conduct experiments and maintain their existence as they were before the war. They are betraying you. Join me, and together we can put an end to them, bringing about real change. I know you've considered it, Jane... You desire a truly united galaxy governed by a single set of laws, one set of ideals, a single unified people," Sara calmly continued. Shepard still couldn't fathom what she was hearing.
"How do you know all of this...?" Shepard asked, her voice trembling.
"The Reapers have shown me. Right before I took control of them..." Sara says, pointing to her eyes. Their blue mechanical glow reminds her of him, the traitor of humanity, the Illusive Man.
"You are just as insane as he was..." Shepard says, her words dripping with venom. Sara simply smiles.
"...and yet, I now have control over a Reaper, Shepard. Why do you fight me? Together, we can bring about change and peace to your Empire..." Sara suggests, causing Shepard to look at her. In her own thoughts, Shepard has only considered the nation she created as her empire.
"I have no desire to rule, Shepard. I will leave that to you and those we trust. We can achieve true peace, free from the Alliance, the Council, and the Coalition. Peace, Jane... I know I once wished for you to be killed by my hand, but now I understand that only you can bring the peace we both desire. And through the Reapers, we can make it a reality..." Sara continues to try and persuade Shepard. Shepard is unsure of what to think. She won't deny that what Sara offers is tempting, but she remains uncertain. But no, Shepard refuses to use the old enemy in such a way. She knows that too many people still remember the atrocities committed by the old enemy. They remember the devastation inflicted upon their loved ones, entire planets, and civilizations. No, Shepard cannot bring herself to use the old enemy.
"Do... Do you truly believe that people will follow me if I resort to using them? No, Sara, I cannot use the monsters. It goes against everything I have fought for..." Shepard declares. Sara simply gazes at her, laughing at Shepard's words. Just like everyone else she has ever known, her best friend is now a hypocrite.
"Shepard... You betrayed everything you held dear when you set the galaxy ablaze. You betrayed the very people you swore to protect. You are the greatest hypocrite I have ever met..." Sara states, looking at Shepard, waiting for an explanation.
"You're right... I set it on fire... I did everything you accused me of! I did it! And I will never apologize for what I have done! I wanted to watch the Alliance burn, and everyone who left me to rot in that hellhole! I will never apologize! But I will never resort to using Reapers to win!" Shepard proclaims. Sara simply looks at her best friend.
"I am deeply disappointed in you, old friend..." Sara says, just as an explosion resonates in the distance. Both Sara and Shepard turn their heads to see the Reaper being struck by another round, the source of which remains unknown.
Sara asks what is happening, and a Republic soldier informs her, "We have Alliance and Coalition ships in orbit! They are attempting to shell the Reaper." The mention of the Alliance and Coalition catches Shepard off guard. She watches as the initial shelling turns into a barrage, causing the Reaper to screech and its tendrils fire at an unseen target.
After a few moments, an Alliance shuttle enters the cave, heading towards them. Sara calmly walks away from Shepard and heads inside the base. A group of Turians remains behind, and one of them tries to drag Shepard away. Suddenly, the shuttle's door opens, revealing three Alliance soldiers and one Turian. Shepard's vision blurs for a moment, and when it clears, she sees the Turian who was holding her falling to the ground, taking her down with him.
Soon after, Shepard notices a familiar female Alliance soldier moving to untie her. Meanwhile, another large male figure fires at a group of Republic soldiers, while the Turian and a human AI engage another group. The female soldier helps Shepard to her feet, and Shepard realizes that she knows who she is, though the soldier doesn't reveal her identity.
"Let's go, Commander. We don't have much time," Ashley Williams says, putting Shepard's arm around her shoulders. As they made their way towards the shuttle, Shepard suddenly has a vision of the shuttle exploding. She urgently warns the group, "Wait, don't get on that shuttle!" Ash, confused, slows down, and just as they do, a Reaper beam obliterates the shuttle. Ash looks at Shepard in astonishment as they quickly move to take cover behind some crates. Shepard spots the door ahe had entered through earlier and points towards it. The group swiftly makes their way to the door, with Garrus and James providing cover fire against the advancing Republic troops.
As they fall back, Sara's voice comes through Ash's comms. "Who showed you that vision, Jane?" Ash, still perplexed, asks Shepard what she is referring to. Shepard simply responds with a promise to explain later. They enter a canyon that Shepard had fallen into previously, and Ash calls for a shuttle pickup. Ashley places Shepard next to a snow-covered boulder, and Garrus hands Shepard his pistol. Shepard chambers a thermal clip as James and EDI begin firing at the cave entrance.
Shepard spots three Republic soldiers struggling through the deep snow, making their way towards them. Shepard and Garrus open fire on the Turians. After a few intense minutes, the sound of a shuttle is heard in the distance. The firefight escalates as the shuttle tries to land, being peppered by Republic soldiers. Ash picks up Shepard and, with her arm around Ash's neck, leads the group into the shuttle as it begins to ascend. Ash gently sets Shepard down on a bench.
"Shepard, are you okay?" Garrus asks as he removes his helmet. Shepard looks at the rest of the team, and to her surprise, Ash and James also take off their helmets. It's really them. Shepard glances at the pistol in her hand, realizing that the slide is stuck and the last clip had been emptied a while ago.
"I've been better... What are you guys doing here... no offense," Shepard asks, her gaze shifting between the two Alliance officers.
"None taken... Garrus called Hackett and informed him about what he found. He mentioned that you got separated... and they needed help," Ash responds, offering some explanation.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for Hackett practically ordering us, we wouldn't be here... Especially after everything that has been happening," James adds, his tone filled with bitterness.
"I see... Well, thank you, both of you. I appreciate it. So, where are we heading?" Shepard inquires.
"We're heading to your ship... Both the Normandy and the Enterprise, along with a few Quarian ships," Ash reveals, surprising Shepard with the presence of Quarian forces.
"We also overheard what you said... EDI managed to crack the Republic comms. We can talk it about it later, Shepard," Ash states. Shepard simply looks at her.
"Ash... there's nothing to discuss. I meant every word I said... and yes, I would do it all over again," Shepard declares firmly. The shuttle pilot interrupts, announcing their arrival at the small task force.