Shepard gazes out of her viewport, taking in the sight of her troops arriving. It's been six days since she and Garrus shared the story of how Sara became the Director of Alliance Intelligence with the crew. The blizzard on Noveria is still going strong, adding to the challenge they face. Hackett, Garrel, and their troops are busy preparing for the invasion of the Norverian Tundra, leaving Shepard with lingering doubts about the situation of their mission. The intel they have on enemy numbers and capabilities is scarce, with the only certainty being Sara's control of a pet Reaper. Shepard withdraws to her room, waiting for the briefing to begin. The presence of three different factions adds to the complexity: the Coalition forces, Phoenix operatives, her own Battered Bastards and the Alliance. She takes a moment to go over some reports, reminded of her promise to return to her troops, only to find that circumstances have now shifted, with them coming to her instead.
The weather, which should have calmed down days ago, has actually intensified, confirming the reports of the Reaper's influence. As Shepard reads, there's a chime at her door, and she grants Garrus entry. He walks in, holding a padd in his hand.
"Shepard... My sister has sent a... peace offering," he says, handing her the padd. Shepard takes a look, seeing a video of Sara on Akuz, engaged in some activity involving a Reaper.
"What am I seeing here?" Shepard asks, her curiosity piqued.
"What you're witnessing is what changed her mind about helping you," Garrus explains, pressing the play button.
--
The video shows Sara in her office at the old research building on Akuz. Her mask is off, and she seems visibly disturbed, pacing back and forth. She approaches the workstation, pressing a few buttons while muttering to herself. The human reaper husk lies on the table. Suddenly, she doubles over in pain, gripping her head and screaming in agony. Shepard recognizes that pain, having felt it herself. She continues watching as Sara looks up at the camera, her once dark and cold eyes now glowing with a mechanical and even colder light. The screaming stops, and she stands up, glancing over at the husk. Her demeanor becomes rigid and mechanical. She emits a beep chime, checking a message on her wrist. Then, she heads to her armory, her eyes still radiating a faint, mechanical blue.
--
The video ends after Sara leaves the armory and the building. Shepard hands the padd back to Garrus, gets up from her seat, and walks over to her desk. The realization of how Sara became enthralled by the Reapers hits her, and a single tear falls onto the table. She had hoped that Sara was still herself, but now she knows she's lost.
"So... She was indoctrinated during her business trip after Faros..." Shepard says, wiping away her tears.
"Shepard... The video is time-stamped weeks before you bombed Alliance HQ in London..." Garrus clarifies. Shepard turns to face her best friend, shaking her head in disbelief. The beep and chime she heard could only mean one thing: it was Shepard's message asking for Sara's help. Shepard breaks down, and all Garrus can do is offer a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"How did she even get hold of the video?" Shepard asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern, as Garrus looked at her.
"We're not sure. She mentioned that an interested party sent it to her... but we don't believe it was Phoenix," Garrus responded, his tone reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the source of the video. Shepard wiped away her tears and, activated her Omi-tool to send a quick message to Liara. She trusted Liara's expertise in finding information, especially in uncovering hidden or hard-to-reach sources. The response came back swiftly, confirming her suspicions. Liara had indeed discovered the video buried deep within the security cameras' memory banks and immediately sent it to Solona Vakarian, along with other emails and videos that confirmed Sara's indoctrination by the Reapers. What caught their attention was the forceful nature of the indoctrination, rather than the subtle whispers in her mind. Shepard couldn't help but wonder if she had been wrong in her assumptions. However, the way Sara had acted, moved, and seemed constantly watched and influenced hinted at the manipulative grip of the Reapers. She now firmly believed that Sara was no longer herself, merely a puppet controlled by the puppet masters who were still alive and thriving.
Seven hours later, in the Enterprise War Room, the small task force gathers to discuss the impending invasion of the Norvarian Tundra. The Coalition forces occupy one side of the room, while the Alliance forces occupy the other, with Shepard's own forces positioned in the middle. The Alliance forces couldn't help but notice this arrangement, but they remain silent. Shepard simply listens as the allies discuss their strategies and options. The blizzard remains the primary challenge, growing stronger with each passing moment. What was once a blizzard with tropical storm force winds has now escalated to a hurricane-like storm, resembling a Category 2 storm on Earth. Within the eye of this blizzard, the Reaper lurks, its heat barely discernible through the tempest. The task force must now find a way to neutralize the Reaper and proceed with their mission, their ultimate target being the Shadow, also known as Sara Anderson.
Shepard walked up to the holo table and brought up the area. If they were going to have a chance their forces are going to have to weather this storm. Marching through the raging blizzard. That is what will defeat them and break them or clear a path to Sara. Battle for Novaria's Tundra is proving to be the biggest challenge. Shepard turned to Garrus and Karen. They gave her ideas as the rest bickered. The Alliance brass letting their officer bicker withs the Coalition's own Officers as their Coalition brass just watch.
Shepard observed as Karen identified a narrow ravine in the northwest quadrant of the EAO, shielded by canyon walls. It seemed like the only viable option for a small team to navigate and find a way to paint the Reaper for destruction, potentially clearing the path for their ground forces. However, the success of their plan depended on whether the storm subsided before Sara could escape or before they found themselves trapped in a frozen nightmare. Garrel overheard their conversation and quietly acknowledged the similarities to their previous mission on Rannoch.
Hackett reviewed the plan and suddenly raised his voice, commanding the attention of the officers. They all turned towards the three main leaders: Admiral Garrel, Hackett, and Commander Shepard. Karen proceeded to explain the details of their strategy. Shepard would lead a small team through the ravine and brave the blizzard in order to paint the target for an orbital strike. Following that, the invasion would begin, with shuttle transports dropping the assault force at the Shadows' main compound. The objective was to either capture or eliminate Sara Anderson.
An Alliance officer spoke out of turn, suggesting that their true objective was to outright kill the Shadow. Hackett swiftly silenced the officer, while the rest of Alliance delegation remained silent, observing the proceedings.
Shepard happened to overhear the group's conversation. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, the Alliance and Coalition were at each other's throats. And now, they were expected to fight side by side. Even Shepard had her doubts about this sudden alliance. But with the Reapers once again threatening the entire galaxy, there was no choice but to join forces. Her team wasted no time and began preparing for their upcoming mission. They still had a few hours to go, but every minute counted, especially when their target was the formidable Reapers.
Despite the narrowness of the ravine, Shepard knew they could still manage to bring a decent-sized force, although not an overwhelmingly large one. Gibson and Garrus were definitely coming along. Gibson's tech skills were invaluable, and Shepard couldn't imagine going into battle without her best friend, Garrus. Karen, on the other hand, would stay on board the Enterprise to help coordinate with their "allies." Aubry would join them as well, as it had been quite a while since Shepard had taken her on a mission. Shepard even considered bringing Ash and James if they were up for it. With her mind set, Shepard made her way to her own war room, where her crew awaited her arrival. Aubry sat on some crates, fine-tuning her rifle, while Gibson calibrated his gear. Karen and Garrus were engaged in conversation, and though Shepard wasn't sure about the topic, just seeing them together brought a smile to her face.
As Shepard entered the room, all eyes turned to their Commander. Shepard took a moment to go over her plan, fully aware of the uncertainties that lay ahead. They had to locate the Reaper amidst the raging blizzard, and it wouldn't be an easy task. Curious about the weather conditions, Shepard asked about it, and Karen handed her a padd with the latest update. To Shepard's disappointment, the storm has settled into a fierce Category 2 hurricane-style tempest. But she took solace in the fact that the ravine would provide some protection from the bone-chilling winds. Shepard then revealed her chosen team for the mission and advised everyone to get ready. They were set to drop in thirty minutes.
--
Shepard found herself in her room, just after Katharine had left. Before Katherine left she had her slender, yet muscular arms wrapped around Shepard, with her chin resting on Shepard's vibrant red hair as she read her reports at the desk. Shepard wasn't entirely sure about how comfortable she was, but she didn't mind the contact. However, it was time to get ready for the mission in the freezing conditions ahead. Shepard began suiting up in her heavily insulated undersuit, designed to withstand extreme cold temperatures. But the cold they were about to face would push the limits of their gear to the breaking point, with temperatures reaching as low as negative 125F. Any breach in their suits could lead to instant freezing or severe frostbite. And that was just within the ravine; outside, the cold was even more intense. The team remained puzzled as to how a Reaper could be responsible for such severe cold conditions.
Shepard made her way down to the hangar, where her team was already gearing up. Ash and James had agreed to join them, adding to their team. Shepard went to her locker and started putting on her winter armor, double-checking that her heating system was functioning properly. Even with the heating system, Shepard knew she would still feel the biting cold gnawing at her bones. She sealed her helmet, picked up her dependable SCAR rifle, and led her team towards the waiting shuttle. Garrus, Aubry, Gibson, Ash, and James were all there, ready for the mission. Shepard reached out and grabbed Garrus's arm for support as he helped her aboard the shuttle.
Taking a deep breath, Shepard braced herself as the shuttle door closed, unsure of what awaited them. She grabbed hold of a handhold above her, while the team remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Each one of them had believed that their days of fighting Reapers were over, that the war against the puppet masters, their old enemy, was finally done with. But they were about to discover that they had been gravely mistaken.
As they approached their designated EAO, the blizzard winds kicked into high gear, mercilessly battering the shuttle. The shuttle jolted and bounced around, making their journey quite the rollercoaster ride. To make matters more intense, the shuttle pilot issued a quick thirty-second warning, prompting Shepard's team to swiftly double-check their gear. However, just when they thought the pilot had it under control, something collided with their shuttle, sending it into a wild tailspin. Shepard was thrown backward, crashing into James, as the shuttle careened towards the ground.
After a few moments of disorientation, the team sprang into action. Shepard took a moment to survey her team, relieved to see that despite the chaos, everyone had come out of it battered but alive. It was then that she felt the bitter cold seeping in. She quickly glanced around her suit, finding it still sealed and undamaged. The rest of her team chimed in, confirming their status. Garrus, ever the vigilant one, made his way to the cockpit to check on the pilot, moving about with ease. The pilot had wisely prepared himself with winter gear, just in case such a scenario unfolded, and he needed to join them outside the shuttle. Ash tossed the pilot an SMG, which he caught. Meanwhile, Shepard approached the stubborn shuttle door, only to find it refusing to budge. She called upon James and Garrus to lend a hand in prying it open. Together, after a few minutes of determined effort, they managed to crack it open. What lay before them was a frozen hellscape, with darkness swallowing the Novarian sun, hidden behind the relentless blizzard.
Without wasting a moment, they swiftly disembarked from the shuttle, avoiding the risk of being buried under the unforgiving snow. Shepard consulted her map and realized they were within close reach of the ravine. Motioning for the team to follow, she took her first step, sinking her leg deep into the snow, the icy cold creeping up to her calf. Nevertheless, they knew they had to reach the ravine before their heating systems gave out. The pressed forward, braving the harsh elements that surrounded them.
Shepard and her team cautiously made their way towards the relative safety of the ravine. With each step, the snow gave way, causing their legs to sink deep into the powdery white. Her team faced the same struggle, trudging through the challenging terrain. After approximately fifteen minutes, Shepard's foot made contact with something solid yet slippery. As she continued walking, the snow only covered her boot up to her ankle. Soon, they caught sight of towering walls and a lightly dusted frozen stream. The ice appeared to be frozen solid, capable of effortlessly supporting the weight of the team. Shepard led the way, carefully walking along the frozen stream. While the cold still gnawed at their bones, it felt comparatively warmer than the open expanse before the ravine. They continued their hike for about thirty minutes, until the ravine began to taper off. The sky started to brighten, revealing the Novarian sun shining through. However, its rays offered no warmth, and the bitter wind showed no mercy. The relentless cold persisted, relentlessly biting at the team. Suddenly, in the distance, they heard it—the unmistakable screech of the Reaper. Even in this desolate hellscape, the Reaper asserted its dominance, reminding them of its formidable presence.
Shepard spots the massive monster towering before her, while also catching sight of a camp down in the valley. She makes her way down the snow-covered hillside, ensuring her team follows suit, taking it slow to avoid tipping off the Reaper forces. The temperature, as displayed on her helmet's HUD, rapidly drops from a bone-chilling -119F to an even more frigid -135F, with no signs of letting up. Shepard can't help but feel the intense cold seeping into her bones. It's like Hell itself has frozen over, and the devil is completely pissed off.
As the camp comes into clearer view, Shepard's curiosity is piqued by the sight of Turians strutting around in regular armor without their helmets. But as she gets closer, she notices something peculiar – cybernetics visibly coursing through their skin, a clear sign of corruption. This revelation leaves her questioning the very fabric of reality before her eyes.
Shepard cautiously approached a stack of crates within the enemy camp, observing the Turians as they moved about with a noticeable stiffness. The infrared (IR) scanning barely detected the presence of the corrupted Turians. With her rifle held high, Shepard couldn't help but wonder if it would even function in such extreme cold. As a team, they strategically positioned themselves to form a fire line, aware that moving around the camp would surely expose them. Their only option was to fight their way to the ridge and target the Reaper, and they needed to act swiftly. The heating systems in their suits were already pushed to their limits, and any further drop in temperature would risk their freezing as the heating systems failed.
Shepard took careful aim at one of the Turians, who was scanning the camp, and as soon as the Turian noticed her presence, the rest of the corrupted Turians turned their attention towards Shepard and her team. With a quick pull of the trigger, Shepard's shot found its mark, bringing down the targeted Turian. In response, the remaining corrupted Turians unleashed a barrage of hellfire towards Shepard and her team. Each shot fired by Shepard and her small team took down another Turian. Shepard then gave the order for Garrus and Ash to follow her, while the rest of the team held their ground. Moving through the camp, they continued to exchange gunfire with the corrupted Turians. Shepard couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu, as if she had been in a similar situation before.
As the Reaper became aware of Shepard's presence, it started to advance towards her position, searching for an opportunity to strike. Suddenly, Shepard was hit by an intense wave of pain, causing her to grip her head in agony. Garrus quickly rushed to her side, while Ash found a suitable location to paint the target. Despite the storm raging around them, Shepard hoped that their signal would manage to reach the fleet. Overwhelmed by the excruciating pain, Shepard found herself on her hands and knees, struggling to endure. Ash kept the laser insightfully focused, and then, as if answering a prayer, the combined forces of the Alliance and Quarian fleets unleashed a barrage of shells upon the Reaper. In an instant, the pain that Shepard had been experiencing vanished, as if it had never been there.
Shepard allows the headache to fade as the shells relentlessly pummel the Reaper. While her team continues to fight, the Reaper retaliates, not against the fleet in orbit, but against their camp. Shepard witnesses the destructive red beam striking the camp, eliminating the corrupted. Realizing the danger, Shepard orders her team to fall back. However, she, Garrus, and Ash will remain behind, resolved to keep the laser focused on the Reaper for as long as possible. The Reaper continues its onslaught, firing shells without respite. Shepard and Garrus engage the corrupted, but their numbers seem endless, wave after wave.
"We need to fall back! We can't keep this up!" shouts Garrus as he reloads his weapon.
"No! We stay until that Reaper goes down!" commands Shepard. She understands that this is their only opportunity to take down the Reaper, a crucial step in eliminating threats to her new Empire. As she fires her rifle, the rest of her team, whom she had ordered to retreat, regroups with her.
"I thought I told you to fall back!" she questions, observing the relentless waves.
"Yeah, you did. But we couldn't! The Reaper forces cut us off from the ravine!" answers James. Shepard curses as a Reaper beam narrowly misses their position. Glancing back at the wounded god, she can see that is is wounded. The corrupted waves persist without mercy. Shepard drops her magazine and reaches for her belt, only to find her pouches empty. The snow-covered ground is littered with spent thermal clips and empty magazines. Suddenly, the barrage ceases, replaced by a thunderous crash. Shepard turns to see the Reaper lying on its side, and the waves of corrupted also come to a halt. She stands up, drawing her pistol, uncertain if they have truly retreated. Her gaze falls upon the dead or dying god.
It doesn't take long before the temperature begins to rise, gradually. Shepard takes a magazine from Garrus's ammo pouch, replacing her depleted one. Then, the radio crackles to life. The Coalition Command demands an update on the Reaper. Unfortunately, Shepard and her team are still cut off from reinforcements for the time being. Through the dying tempest, three Coalition gunships emerge. Shepard orders a flare to be launched, confirming their location after they confirm the Reaper is down.
"Confirmed, Reaper down..." states the leader of the gunships upon spotting a flare at his 10 o'clock.
"Be advised, we have Shepard and her team in sight... Sending coordinates now..." he adds as the gunships make their way towards her position.
As the gunship approached, the temperature continued to rise, but the air remained chilly, devoid of any warmth from the sun's rays. One of the gunships landed, and its captain stepped out, standing before Shepard and her fire team.
"Commander! Good to see you. We were worried when the shuttle didn't come back... The invasion forces will begin landing shortly," the Turian said, while Shepard sensed something nagging at the back of her mind. Shepard walked alongside the Turian as they made their way to a tent. Inside, a holo table stood frozen, rendered useless by the harsh conditions of this hellscape.
The Turian provided updates from the Coalition. The Coalition and the Alliance had drafted a treaty, awaiting Shepard's approval. The Hierarchy remained on the republic's capital world, while the Coalition holding strong. Shepard absorbed the words spoken by the Turian. One war was coming to an end, while another was far from over, with an enemy they believed had been defeated long ago, lurking in plain sight. The puppet masters were still pulling the strings, and Shepard had just eliminated one. Now, she had to send her troops into the fray to combat what her soldiers now referred to as the Corrupted, as they were not true husks, but still posed a threat. The Turian soldiers they faced acted as if they were husks. She needed to warn her men and allies about the Corrupted soldiers. Despite the death of the Reaper, the second puppet master, Sara, remained alive and dangerous. Shepard needed rest and supplies. She had established a beachhead and immediately issued orders to repurpose the camp for their own use. Shepard walked out as shuttles began landing. Allied troops swiftly disembarked and moved towards Sara's base. News of the Corrupted forces in the area had already reached their ears.
Apparently, her troops had already encountered Corrupted forces on Faros which is probablywhy they were thrilled at being deployed out of Faros. Although new to the Quaren and Alliance troops, the situation felt eerily familiar. The battle to bring down Sara had begun.
--
Shepard finds herself aboard a Quaren ship, anxiously awaiting news of her forces' contact with the corrupted forces. In front of her, Garrus diligently works on their rifles, replacing parts and addressing the stress fractures caused by the extreme cold and relentless fire. It has been decided that their rifles need repair or replacement, given the equipment failures and the freezing conditions reported by her forces. Although the temperature is slowly rising to a relatively warm -109F, it is not warming up quickly enough.
Meanwhile, Shepard's attention is drawn to the new treaty between the Coalition and the Alliance. While it may not fully align with the promises she made to the Prime Minister of the Alliance, the fact that he signed off on it suggests his acceptance. Shepard reviews the treaty and sends her report back with her approval. The war with the Alliance is now over, and the Alliance, once spanning many systems, is reduced to just five star systems. Eden Prime has gained independence and joined the Coalition. In addition, the Alliance will formally apologize to Commander Shepard and extradite the individual responsible for her illegal exile and the war, so he can face trial within the Coalition.
However, the UN is displeased with the loss of Eden Prime and the growing desire for independence among other planets. Despite this, they maintain economic ties with Mother Earth. Primarch Victus aims to bring the Republic back under the Hierarchy's influence, leaving Shepard with little choice but to address this issue once she is done dealing with Sara. She has a list of individuals she needs to confront in order to protect her new empire: Sara, Victus, Solona, Director Harper, and the Coalition Leadership. In her mind, the Alliance is a thing of the past, and those she once trusted are turning into the very thing she swore to fight against. Shepard desires a stronger central federal government, rather than the current loose system of states. The war has demonstrated that the states hold more power than the central government, and she acknowledges the need for state autonomy, but believes the central government should have more authority. Victus is aware of this and is gradually exploiting the divisions within the Coalition's leadership. It is crucial to deal with the leadership now before Victus destroys the Coalition, and then Shepard must confront Victus himself.
Lost in her thoughts, Shepard notices Garrus completing the weapons maintenance, with a pile of parts and barrels beside him. Garrus hands Shepard her rifle, and she feels its familiar weight and sights, satisfied with its condition. Setting the rifle down beside her, she waits for the signal to storm Sara's base of operations. Finally, she hears the news she has been waiting for – her forces have made contact with the corrupted forces. Shepard rises, grabs her helmet and rifle, and heads towards the waiting shuttle. Today, they will put an end to the Shadow's reign, no matter the outcome. The Shadow will meet their demise. Shepard boards the shuttle, joined by her team, and this time Karen accompanies them. The reign of the Shadow ends today.
As the shuttle plunged into the midst of chaos, it jolted and swayed amidst the fierce winds and anti-air fire. Shepard peered through the crystal-clear front screen of the shuttle, her eyes capturing yet another frozen wasteland. The sight of smoldering wreckage and the flicker of muzzle flashes filled the desolate landscape. With a decisive command, Shepard directed the shuttle pilot to initiate a landing, which was promptly acknowledged.
As the shuttle's doors swung open, Shepard and her team leaped out, accompanied by Ashley and James from the second shuttle. Trudging through the snow that reached up to their thighs, Shepard gripped her rifle and skillfully eliminated a corrupted Turian. In unison, her team and the allied forces unleashed a hail of gunfire. Amidst their progress, Shepard momentarily slipped on an icy patch as a corrupted Turian took aim, only to be sent hurtling through the air by a thunderous blast from a Geth Colossus. Extending a helping hand, Aubree assisted Shepard, and together they pressed forward towards the Shadow's primary facility.
With each passing moment, more shuttles from the Coalition and Alliance descended, swelling their ranks. Shepard opened her Omni-tool and opened the map, realizing they were a mere of a kilometer away from their destination.
The assault force pushed forward alongside Shepard, but their advance was severely impeded by the deep snow. The once pristine white landscape now bore witness to the fallen bodies of both soldiers and Corrupted, their blue, purple, and dark red blood stains marring the snowy canvas.
With the subsiding winds, Shepard called in three Turian Gunships to provide much-needed support. Roaring into action, the gunships swiftly eliminated the Corrupted forces, clearing the way for Shepard's gaze to settle upon their ultimate prize – the facility housing the Shadow.
"Red-actual! We've got three gun emplacements at our twenty! Fire for effect! Danger close!" Shepard's command echoed through the air as the gunships thundered in.
"Solid copy! Danger close!" the gunship leader acknowledged. The emplacements were reduced to mere smoke and debris. Shepard led her team up the ramp towards the front of the facility, readying themselves for the assault. Orders were issued for the assault force to clear out the hangar and other facilities. Despite the heavy losses they had already suffered, they still possessed the numbers required to seize the facility. Shepard's squad leaders acknowledged her orders. This time, Shepard would not face the challenge alone. Sara, now under the control of the Reapers, posed a formidable threat. Shepard was well aware of the dangers and knew not to underestimate her. As they stacked up, Karen expertly placed a breaching charge.
"Three! Two! Execute!" Karen's command rang out, and with a resounding explosion, they surged forward, rifles held high as kinetic rounds whizzed around them. Seeking cover in the darkness, their path illuminated only by sporadic muzzle flashes, they could make out the glowing eyes of the Corrupted. Shepard swiftly replaced her rifle's depleted magazine, hitting the mag release and replaced the magazine.
"Shepard, we can't stay here! We're too exposed!" Ashley's voice cut through the chaos, as the relentless onslaught of Corrupted Turians continued. Shepard quickly assessed their options, realizing that their only viable path lay directly ahead. Moving towards James, she retrieved a grenade, instructing Garrus and Ashley to do the same.
"Covering fire!" Shepard commanded, and her team responded, providing suppressing fire as Ashley, Garrus, and Shepard armed and hurled their grenades. After a tense moment, the grenades detonated, followed by an eerie silence. Karen cautiously peered over to survey the aftermath – a grim scene of mangled Corrupted bodies. Without hesitation, they pressed forward, moving down the corridor, determined to face whatever awaited them.
They make their way down the corridor, firing at the corrupted forces who return fire. Bullets bounce off their kinetic barriers as Karen stays close to Shepard, their rifles synchronized as the team advances towards the main command room.
Shepard and her team successfully reach the main command center. Behind the sealed door lies their target and the remaining corrupted forces. Gibson diligently works on unlocking the door while the rest of the team provides overwatch. The door's security is heavily fortified and intricate, but DAN and even an old friend from the Normandy lend their assistance. As time ticks away, their ammunition starts to dwindle, but fortunately, the corrupted Turians use the same thermal clip system.
Finally, the door opens, and a barrage of corrupted rounds surrounds them as they step inside. Despite the onslaught, their barriers deflect many of the incoming bullets.
"Open fire! Keep up the pressure! Locate the Shadow!" Shepard commands, her voice cutting through the chaos as their rifles continue to chatter.
Shepard raises her rifle, the bolt flying back as steam escapes, and she unleashes a volley of shots. Amidst the chaos, she catches sight of a human silhouette in a conference room just above the main area. The figure's dark blue eyes glow in the darkness as they stand with hands behind their back. Shepard signals Karen to follow as they move and fire together. Spotting a ladder, they quickly climb it. Shepard positions herself on the right, while Karen takes the left. Karen places a breaching charge on the door and counts down before setting it off. The resulting explosion sends the door flying open.
Shepard and Karen enter the room, ready to confront their target. Sara remains at the window, something ominous emanating from her. A dark, mist-like substance surrounds her. When Sara turns to look at her old friend, Shepard is confronted with a sight she never thought she would see again. The corruption of cybernetics courses through Sara's veins and skin, a blackened manifestation. The bright yet dark blue eyes shine amidst the corruption that surrounds them, devoid of any trace of the woman she once was. Her eyes hold no light, only an eerie glow. Her humanity lost.
"Shepard... Took you long enough to get here..." Sara states, her voice concealing another voice that Shepard cannot identify.
"It takes time to kill a few hundred of your followers..." Shepard echoes, recalling the events that started it all against a rogue Specter, though not using the exact same words. She aims her rifle as an explosion shatters the window of the conference room. Sara remains unfazed as Shepard and Karen seek cover. Shepard notices cuts on Sara's face.
Sara grins and draws her combat blades. Shepard and Karen take aim, but when they pull the trigger, instead of a shot, the bolts open and steam escapes. Sara charges at them. Shepard raises her rifle to block a strike, and the knife digs deep into the weapon. Karen drops her rifle and draws her pistol. However, Sara swiftly lodges her blade into Karen's thigh, causing her to drop to her knee. Sara then slams her helmeted head onto the conference room table, rendering her unconscious. Shepard looks at her fallen comrade, still breathing but out of the fight.
Shepard discards her useless and damaged rifle and activates her omni-blade. She attempts to strike Sara, but Sara evades her attacks. Shepard manages to block Sara's strikes, their combat blades sizzling against each other. Shepard does her best to avoid Sara's relentless assault. The two women fight, moving across the room. Sara manages to maneuver Shepard near the open window that once spanned from floor to ceiling. Taking advantage of a momentary lapse, Sara punches Shepard in the head, causing her to stumble. Sara lunges forward and plunges one of her blades into Shepard's stomach. Shepard screams in pain as the blades bypass her barriers, penetrating deep into her body. Her omni-blade deactivates as she grabs onto Sara's shoulder. Sara twists the blade slightly, her lifeless blue eyes locking with Shepard's pain-filled dark green eyes. Sara then withdraws the blade, leaving Shepard on her knees, clutching her side. Shepard looks up at her old friend, and Sara prepares to swing her combat blade.
Suddenly, Shepard hears a loud crack. Sara collapses to the floor, a hole in her head. Shepard looks behind her and sees Aubrees standing across from them, elevated with her black widow rifle in hand. Shepard then turns to gaze at her old friend.
Shepard, despite her efforts, couldn't defeat Sara in a one-on-one fight. However, she remained true to her word to Hackett. In the end, Sara's end was swift. Garrus rushes in and kneels beside Karen, while the rest of the team arrives, their footsteps echoing in the room. Shepard's hand covers her wound, warm blood streaming between her fingers. She notices the small amount of blood seeping from Sara's entry and exit wounds. Ash moves over to Shepard, working to stabilize her injury. Shepard can't tear her eyes away from her old friend.
Once Shepard is stable, Karen is awake and sitting with Garrus by her side. They attempt to move, "Shepard..." the supposedly lifeless body of the Shadow coughs, dark blood escaping her lips. Shepard notices that the blood is not the usual dark red.
"You... think you have won... Solona won't let you win... Harper... will turn on you..." the corrupted Sara says, her words filled with malice, as Shepard approaches her. Shepard's hand rests on her own wound, and Shepard kneels beside her.
"Is that so, Sara..." Shepard responds, her tone more of a statement than a question.
"Did you really think that sniper round was meant for me... no... old friend..." Sara coughs, black blood staining her lips.
"... It was meant for the legendary Commander Shepard... Noveria was meant to be your grave..." Sara continues, her voice filled with a twisted satisfaction. Shepard simply gazes at her old friend, her expression cold and calculating.
"Oh, I know, Sara... Aubree told me right before I left. Phoenix, with Coalition leadership approval, was supposed to assassinate me while on this 'mission'... Luckily, I have friends in low places..." Shepard reveals, her team unsurprised by this revelation. Sara's smile widens. Shepard, for the first time in this battle on Noveria, sees her friend within the corrupted shell.
Garrus then hands Shepard his pistol. She takes it and points it at Sara's head. Sara smiles, closing her eyes.