Maelstrom Effect Book 2: Shadows of Crimson

by godospartan the Kitsune

After Soverign's defeat, the sibling Commanders left to clean up the mess it left behind. But one of them was struck down by an unknown force. The next 2 years they go in search of the ones responsible, unknowing that a secret group is bringing their sibling back to life to fight the Reapers again. How will they react when they meet again? NaruxTali, Shakarian, Mature content later

4. Shepard Chronicles: Maelstrom Rising

Arch: The board is set. And the pieces are in place. Let the games begin…

Godo: With this, the Shepard Chronicles is done… for now. I know some of you have been really patient and some even groaning about the time taken away from the games but I hope you enjoyed this short look through the extended universe alongside Shepard.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Stepping away from his desk, fixing his hat, Admiral Hackett walked out of his secret office in the deep cover small station he created to keep from any prying eyes. Going to the lounge, he found the best pilot in the Alliance, one Jeff Moreau. "Enjoying some of our imported alcohol? Heard you had stronger stuff through your own medicine."

"Doesn't mean I don't like the burn of scotch from time to time." Setting the glass he had down, Joker sighed. "You know, it's hard to work up any enthusiasm for this meet and greet. Sir. Not to be insubordinate-" Hackett could almost smirk from that. "-But after everything that's happened, I can't even fathom why you need me here of all people and in all places. Can't you call up one of your ghosts?"

The admiral poured himself a glass of bourbon before sitting opposite the pilot; "You'd be right, any one of them could do what I needed. But what I need is you."

"A guy who's bones break just by using the head?"

Hackett shook his head "Nope, I need Flight Lieutenant Jeffery 'Joker' Moreau." The younger man grumbled as he was no fan being called 'Jeffery'. "Out of everyone in the Alliance you're the best pilot we have."

"Yeah I'm a pilot, but me doing spy work was not exactly in the manual of operating ships...Sir;" Joker grunted sipping his scotch; "I'm not exactly subtle, Captain, I mean councilor Anderson can vouch for that. I'd be lucky to get shot in the face."

"I've read the former Captain's reports."

"See," Jeff pointed at the older man.

The Admiral gave a coy look; "Councilor Anderson actually applauded your masterful skills as a pilot. Outside of you is not so disciplined mouth of yours. Even Naruto praised you, I recall him saying, and I quote; 'Craziest son of bitch I ever met'."

At that, Jeff smirked before looking at his glass; "Sounds like him." His voice grew solemn. Things had grown less enjoyable without his longtime friend around anymore. The two argued like cats and dogs but Naruto never pitied him. That went a long way for the crippled man. "Haven't flown anything for a while now."

"I know... But what I am asking might rekindle that."

The said pilot gave an annoyed glance; "All you said was spy mission, no real specifics. Or who you want me to spy against."

"Cerberus."

Jeff nearly dropped his glass as his eyes grew several sizes; "Excuse my language Admiral, but are you out of your fucking mind!?"

Putting his drink down and turning to the extraordinary pilot the Admiral looked serious. "Language excused, Joker. But only because you need to understand some things." Producing a piece of paper, he spoke up with details. "A few months ago, the Council publically called out on the Reaper threat. As much as I don't sway one way or another on the subject, I do not believe Naruto to be a liar. So their slight slander of his words caused some distress to those who know him for being there for his friends and allies. Shepard even gave the Council hell, though she knows not to fight them outright. Some of the Normandy's former crew, alien or otherwise, even spoke up against the accusations he was trying to cause panic."

"And what does that have to do with an antique information system, and me spying on one of the shadiest groups in the known system?" Jeff picked the paper up but didn't start reading it until he got what the point was, and he was hoping soon.

"The papers are to prevent any attempts to hack the information. Low tech, but effective against today's hacking tools. One reason why this station is hardwired and off networks period. But digressing... Several of our personnel have gone missing as of late, but the pattern was always there. Remember Chakwas? She contacted me a week ago, telling me she received a new assignment. No official assignment was given, so she told me, in a very vague way, that the whole thing was shady like an organization I know. I sent one of mine to talk privately before she left for it, and she told them directly. Cerberus was pulling her in. And she told us something very interesting about her assignment." Hackett pointed to the paper.

Peering at his superior then back to the paper Jeff read on. "Lazarus project?" He muttered to himself before he froze. The glass in his hand dropped and shattered on the floor as he stared at the paper. "...T-t-they are... Doing... What..." His voice was broken, filled with flooded emotions as he stuttered.

Hackett remained fixed on Moreau though frowned at the dropped glass for a moment. "Exactly like it says, Joker."

Almost robotically the pilot gazed upwards at the older man; "That's impossible."

"Not anymore it appears; Cerberus has poured in billions of credits to do this. Going to extraordinary lengths... To resurrect Naruto."

"That's insane! No, there's no way. He burned up, he's ash! In my report, I told everyone he went through the atmosphere of that rock unprotected. Even if his body remained intact enough to not be dust then the impact would make him flatter than any pancakes I've seen." Joker kept looking at the report though.

Hackett took a deep breathe. "Cerberus, and The Illusive Man, has been throwing wrenches into every investigation. They look to be going once direction but go into another, one of the reasons why my Corsairs have been... Unsuccessful since their conception of bringing the whole thing down for good. But considering the lengths they have gone through to keep Kushina's body from us, dead or alive, I feel this time we're looking at a very rare opportunity to find out. At first, I thought it was a farce, but considering the personnel that seems to be joining, those who would drop anything to meet Naruto who they believe is deserving of the best treatment, Chakwas even who thinks to believe it, and her new protégé Sakura begging to be onboard. I think if they do, they may try to turn him against us somehow. I doubt it would work, but I need someone to get so close to the project with Naruto that they can find out for sure. You're the only one who would fit the bill, they would need someone to fly him around for their own means so who better than the best pilot? And if it is Naruto, he'd talk with those he knows best. Shepard's against Cerberus right now so they would never let her close before he wakes up, making you the better choice for this operation."

Joker's heart refused to settle down as he dropped the paper and leaned against his chair. "If they are bringing back Naruto. If this not some bullshit... Are they-?"

"Resurrecting Kushina as well? It is possible. Then I can't express enough the importance of this. Naruto will need you, Chakwas, and Sakura. And if by some miracle we also get Kushina back, she will need every alley she can in that hornet nest."

Joker adjusted his hat; his breathing becoming more controlled clenching his hands into a fist. He sharply gazed at the Admiral; "When do I leave?"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Cyrene, one of the many human colonies at the border on the Terminus Systems. One of the many colonies that came from the expansion of humanity since joining the council races. However, being on the edge of the Terminus things was looser with laws adherent to the Alliance. Yet despite that, Cyrene and other Terminus Human colonies got a defense boost like the rest after Eden Prime, Feros, and Terra Nova were attacked. The Alliance brass no longer could avoid the issue and thus every human colony was given proper fortifications, soldiers, and defenses.

An alliance shuttle appeared near the relay as it neared Cyrene. Inside Emily sat quietly with several other Alliance soldiers while she gazed at the pilot; "How is it looking, Lieutenant Cortez?"

At the pilot seat sat a man of Hispanic descent, dresses in standard alliance fatigues with a buzz cut and well-trimmed goatee. "Hitting Atmo in two minutes Commander. How's that new arm?"

Thanks to some new friends with the Andromeda Initiative, after her arm was gone, she was given the best care and implants and even a prosthetic cybernetic arm. Lifting it, it was a matte jet black color with red N7 lines down it, the Human Spectre smiled as the fingers sprang forth several tools on command, wrenches, and the like. "Engineer's dream. Have to admit, I was skeptical at first with the new research not even halfway through testing yet, but Ryder took the plunge first and came out fine. So, any word since the last transmission from this place?"

"Opening the last message, from two weeks ago. Not a single thing since." The pilot flipped the recording up.

"As much as I don't like having more troops here, the pirates are gone now so I guess the Alliance isn't leaving us high and dry right now. Still, for whatever Admiral is trying to show authority, we'd appreciate it if you split. We're starting to see strings attached to this arrangement. Give us some firepower and some bases and we'll handle things from here, capiche?"

"Since then, the small troop detail has even gone silent, Ma'am. We're hoping they only got cut off with a random attack and are still alright and rebuilding their communications network." Cortez took the screen away.

But something didn't feel right with the dark-haired Spectre. "Two weeks of nothing? Sounds worse... We will hope for the best-case scenario for now. Nothing we try to raise them with is working, so all we got now is landing and seeing the damage. Keep up in the sky to overview the area first, any non-hostile activity we land."

"Roger that. Hitting Atmo in thirty."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The shuttle jostled as it landed on the ground near Cyrene. While large the colony had a modest look about it with small and large buildings clustered together. Cortez looked back to the Commander; "Smooth landing ma'am, but still no radio chatter."

Emily nodded as she checked over he shotgun; "Understood, keep the shuttle ready for anything."

"Yes, Commander."

The human Spectre turned to her current unit; "I want every inch of this place searched. But keep your heads on a swivel for any possible hostiles. We need to find out what exactly happened here, and maybe get lucky and find a survivor."

"Yes ma'am!" The unit chorused as the shuttle doors opened.

As the shuttle touched down completely the five-man squad plus Shepard came out and started searching, two by two in each direction with the Spectre walking with a new soldier. "So, what do you make of this place, Private?" They were entering the suburban area and they saw absolutely no one.

Seeing a barbeque with burnt ashen meat a week old on the grill still, the young woman was getting a little tense. "A nightmare, ma'am. Who leaves meals out in the open for days on end and never come back? Mercs hit the place maybe?"

"No... This is something else..." They entered a house that was opened up and saw everything right as rain... except for the obvious lack of anyone there and the whir of the central climate control. "No struggle, no destruction, not a single thing out of place even plates from meals half-eaten. It's more like they vanished completely. Nightmare? Maybe this is Elm Street then because this is horror in a nutshell when thin air is where people went."

The private gave an odd look; "That one of those old 20th-century movies?"

"Watched and listened to whatever you could find in the slums. Everyone in my old gang became die-hard Linkin Park fans." Emily admitted while remaining on task. The commander tapped her comm; "Anything in your area Sargent Willis?"

"Nothing Commander, empty homes. The place is a damn ghost town."

Emily lightly cursed as they left the house; "We keep looking."

"Yes ma'am." The Sargent spoke up before the comm went silent.

"Be nice to find someone," The private quipped.

After a few more houses, the call came from the next team. "Corporal Garn here, we've got to the makeshift shelter and troop camp. Halfway finished, no one is here either. But we found something strange, rendezvous?"

"Be there shortly, all teams converge." Shepard picked up the pace to round the block. Getting there to see everyone else gathered; the Corporal saluted. "What you got Garn? Give me something..."

"Yes, Ma'am. Though the definition of 'something' is left to be desired." He hooked his Omni-tool into the nearby computer and streamed some data. "They were starting up standard recording protocol, but we only have two days of data. Seems they got something but..."

"Play it." The video played to show some of the off duty men playing a game before something caught their attention. As they grabbed their rifles and walked out to see what some commotion was gathering, the screen started to corrupt a bit before some sudden loud voices and calls for help were given, the nearby soldiers firing at something. It took less than a minute from when the firing started to it ending, and another five before all noise was gone, all but the buzzing of some kind and the video's corruption finally ending the recording. "... You're right, leaves lots to be desired in the way of giving us any clues, all we know is that they were attacked by something and then nothing."

"What freaks me out, even more, is that we don't see any indication of a battle. No buildings have had bullet holes, not a single dropped body. It's like they fired at nothing or were shooting blanks." Willis sighed. "I don't get it, not one bit."

Shepard hacked into the computer as well to try and figure out what corrupted the data. It looked tampered with, jammed even. It was almost like the attack hit every single device that could give any indication the colony was being attacked. "Alright..." Groaning, the Spectre put her rifle away. "Well... We're not finding anything here right now; a general sweep isn't going to turn up any clues. We call in a team to turn over every rock for anything that could point to what happened here... I have the worst feeling about this, but we've done all we could. Back to the shuttle everyone."

As the group made their way back Willis stopped; "Ma'am." Emily turned to peer back at the Sargent. "Swore I saw movement a second ago."

"Could be your eyes playing tricks Serge," A private remarked. It was then everyone heard a loud clanging of metal that drew everyone's weapon and turned to their left.

Shepard held her shotgun as she surveyed what she could see. "No one fire unless fired upon, we do not want to shoot a colonist." The members of the units nodded and begun moving.

Their steps were slow and measured; pointing a finger Emily had half the group split in hopes to surround who or whatever they heard. Rounding a warehouse a few gasped in shock as a child ran from out of the shadows passed them at the top speed her little legs could manage. "Lower your guns!" Emily commanded before she and the others began to give chase.

Though a fast one, the child was not as skilled or as fast as Shepard, who rounded the corners and cut the little girl off, arms open to catch the sole remaining colonist. The child began to fight and struggle, but Shepard had put her helmet on and just took it. "As annoying as the pounding of my helmet is, you're more likely to hurt yourself than me, so calm down! We're not here to hurt you!"

"Good going, Captain Shepard. Hey, kid, it's alright, we're the good guys!" Garn came up to help, but his helmet was off, and the girl smacked him good in the nose. "GAH!"

The child however did not respond as she only snarled growled.

"You're safe now," Emily stressed while Garn held his nose with some blood dripping out.

Yet the little girl kept flaying wildly, almost in a feral state. That however begun to slow as exhaustion seem to set in. The girl breathed heavily as she was limp in Shepard's grip.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The shuttle door closed as Emily took a cloth to clean the little girl's face. She had to be no older than ten or nine with dirty brunette hair. Her clothes were just as dirty as she looked somewhat malnourished. Cortez walked over with a glass of water as a private typed on her Omni-tool. "Kid's name is Sara, who was born here in Cyrene." She glanced at Garn who was fixing his nose; "And has one hell of a left hook."

"Ha-ha," The man groaned.

Taking the glass Emily looked back at Sara who looked at everyone fearfully and then to the ground. "Sara," the child looked to her as she spoke in a calm gentle voice; "My name is Emily. We mean you no harm"

"...Papa said soldiers were bad people."

Cortez knelt beside the Captain; "Well, we're not. I promise."

"Do you know what happened here," Emily asked gently.

She kept silent for a few moments. Sara soon looked down at her hands and feet. "...I don't know."

"Anything can help us understand what happened here." Shepard finished cleaning the girl up. "All we know is something happened here that made everyone here, except you, just disappear. Even if it's the smallest detail, you'd be a major help."

"Honest... I don't know what happened. My parents got into a fight and I ran off, I thought if I ran far enough away that they would be so worried they wouldn't fight anymore and come find me." Looking to the side and pointing, Sara continued. "I went that way towards the lakes. There's this cool underwater cave I found, I hid inside there for a whole day. When I started getting hungry, and... And no one came for me... I..."

Understanding fully, the Spectre nodded. "You came back and no one was here... It's ok; we'll find out what happened and see about getting your parents back to you." She smiled but sighed when she stood and went to make the girl something to eat and drink, though she suspected the kid lived off refrigerated quick snacks till they got there.

"So, what do we do now? If she doesn't even know, and we have no clues, what can we even do here?" The Private had a point. "And even if we do manage to find out, how long? We can't just leave her here."

"As much as I hate to do it, Lin, she comes with us and into protective custody until we find living relatives she can stay with. We'll see about finding her parents but... who knows the culprits responsible and their tactics on prisoners. We just have to have hope."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Once the shuttle went to the nearest Alliance station and given Sara to proper protective custody, Emily's unit went to another human colony which was further in the Terminus System.

Fehl Prime… Despite being out from Council space, this colony was heavily protected by the Alliance given its rich pharmaceuticals productions. Currently, the said protection has doubled since the Geth attack.

And while everything was in the green, it never hurt to check on things. But also came a transmission from a Lieutenant James Vega and Asari Anthropologist Treeya Nuwani on discovering Prothean ruins.

Landing, the team walked out to meet the defense team, one James Vega and their commanding officer Captain Toni. Stepping forward, Shepard gave her salute. "Captain, a pleasure to meet you. And these must be your honored squad." Having looked at the personnel files, she knew the rough-faced marine with the muscles to spare was their first contact for the ruins. "You must be James Vega. How I hear it, you led the scrambled defense to victory against the Blood Pack opposition. The battle report mentioned being a lost cause until you took out the leadership."

Nervously, the Hispanic Lieutenant gulped and took the offered hand after saluting. "Uh, thank you Ma'am, but honestly it wasn't just me. The team was prepared to give their all for the colony; I just took the frontal barrage to give them the time to do their specialties."

One marine behind him snickered a bit, which gave him an elbow from the one beside them. Toni turned to them with command. "Quiet! Show some respect to the Spectre." He turned back. "Pleasure's all ours, Anderson stresses enough and beyond how you've proven yourself time and again. I'm still wondering why they only promoted you to captain. You should be a full-blown Rear Admiral with your qualifications.

"Whilst I was called Commander, I was still only a Lieutenant Commander two years ago, ranking me up further than one rank a year is against the rules. You know this sir."

At that Toni grunted with a smirk; "You like to go the hard way."

"Yes sir."

"So why you're here would be because of the ruins Vega and Treeya found?" Toni questioned as they began leaving the landing area. "Our Asari friend has been at it for a day trying to crack the main complex of that thing. No idea what's inside?"

Vega spoke up; "But gotta be important right?" Toni dryly glanced at him; "Sorry sir."

"Anything Prothean is important," Emily remarked.

Heading through the compound to the colony, Willis hummed aloud. "I have to ask, what makes these ruins important? Prothean or not, our mission is Terminus Support. Forgive my lip here, ma'am, but even as our commanding officer you're not strictly part of this team's mission. You're part of your own mission here right?"

"Got it in one, and that's strike one for the lip but I'll disregard it for now. All we need to know is that this Treeya Nuwani is apprenticing under Liara T'soni. The latter being a very good friend and ally of mine, so if she thinks Treeya is up to the task on Protheans, then I want to know what's got her student's full attention." Pulling up her recent messages, Shepard hummed. "So, where's Treeya now?" She switched off her messages, for the time being, seeing it was from an anonymous source.

James spoke up quickly; "At the site ma'am."

"Good, then we can go check this place out now." Emily and Toni walked in the front as their units followed.

Lin glanced over to Garn; "That James guy a little jittery?" she whispered earning a shrug from the man.

One of the squad under Veg and Toni leaned in, overhearing them and whispering back to the woman. "Major fan of Shepard right there, as soon as we heard she was comin', knew he'd be all over trying to make an impression."

Ribbing him slightly was the woman in the same squad. "Shut it, Milique, you aren't helping." She smiled at the new squad in. "Sorry about him. He's a gossipmonger. Kamille, nice to meet you guys."

The members of both squads got along as they went through town. Though they didn't get far before a little blond girl trying to tackle Vega from jumping from behind a box. He caught her quick and smiled. "Well, there's the little one, been a full day since last I saw you, huh?"

The girl pouted; "Didn't surprise you did I?"

"Nope, you've got a lot to learn about stealth muchacha," James smiled before looking over to Shepard; "April this is Commander Shepard."

That seemed to spark the girl's attention; "The commander Shepard!?"

Amused Emily nodded; "The very one kiddo."

"James talks so much about you!"

"And yet never met me." Knowing full well the fan base she had, Shepard could only keep her eyes from rolling until she could judge the type of fan James seemed to be.

James nervously smiled but returned to the little girl's attention. "Shepard is here for an inspection of the ruins we uncovered out here, we're on our way to meet with Treeya and get ready. Sorry to disappoint but you need to keep in town for this one."

"But it's not even dangerous! Come on, after you beat back those creeps over a year ago there's been nothing but quiet and boredom! Just this once can't I go with you on a mission?" The pout was incredibly cute, in an attempt to sway them to let her join.

"Sorry April, but where we're going the site's a tad more dangerous than advertised." He set her down. "But when we got some spare time, I'll take you to the safer parts to explore. Suena justa?"

April pouted but nodded; "Suena justo. Dime lo que encuentres ahí, promete?"

She smiled as James patted her head; "You got it!" At that April waved as she ran off. He sighed; "Taught her Spanish, didn't think she'd learn it so fast."

"Kids can surprise you," Emily quipped; "And whatever we find, tell her it is something else." The lieutenant blinked wide; "I learned a lot of languages back home. Had to in the slums."

"Right, you and the foxes were a group of orphans. You know, I heard some say you were just slave labor for one of the bigger gangs out there in those ruins."

"Not the case, we were just trying to survive, stealing from those gangs was better than stealing from any other down on their luck group there. Shall we move on though instead of standing still?" Gesturing forward, not knowing the layout of the colony or where anyone was, after all, the one-armed Spectre smiled.

"Of course, disculpas. This way." Leading on again, he composed himself. "Treeya's waiting on the outskirts with a couple of utility vehicles, off-road four-seaters. We'll be there shortly."

Turning to the older Captain, Garn hummed. "So, what's this Treeya like?"

"If I had to describe her, she's like most Asari I've met. Focused on their goals, don't take kindly to military types on their dig sites, and a logical mentality. Then again, I only really have five other examples of Asari I've met so I could just be working with a certain group of them that rotate out of dig sites." Toni scoffed though with a smile. "Treeya's the hardest on us out of them all though, and that's saying something. The woman doesn't take any shit from us without a lot of lip."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Leaning against one of the off-road vehicles was an Asari in a uniform fit for a scientist. Her foot tapped as her blue eyes took notice of figures coming towards her; "There you are."

A weak chuckle came from Vega; "Sorry to keep you waiting." Emily saw the knowing smirks from James's squad but ignored it as she gave a formal Asari bow; "About how versed I am compared to my brother."

Treeya gave the bow back; "Being respectful always goes a long way. I think that is a human phrase... Treeya Nuwani."

"Captain Emily Shepard."

"Liara speaks highly of you, and your late brother. Though that's hardly a fitting subject for the time being. The ruins are a half an hour drive from here, though I wonder why the Alliance is so closely interested in these ruins. It's not a primary focus these days."

Shaking her head, Shepard stepped up to one of the vehicles. "Alliance isn't, not really. In fact, I am interested in the ruins more than the brasses are. Just so happens we got a tip these ruins might prove beneficial in terms of information, and it became official. Kind of why my team's an investigative force, not a hardened strike team."

"Gee, thanks, Captain." Willis laughed as he got in the truck with Shepard and Kamille.

Treeya got into her vehicle with Garn and Vega, though she wasn't the happiest about it. Turning to the doctor, the Spectre smiled. "Besides, Liara taking on a protégé? I wanted to see for myself."

"Liara takes her work at archeology extremely seriously. She had mentioned a few times how she was like her mother in that regard," Treeya remarked. "While other scholars and the council scoff at her work, I have learned a great deal. And I believe her theories. Prothean ruins that seem too clean, even for ruins. Like someone was ensuring there was no trace of how they were wiped out. Even more so for the races older than the Protheans."

Emily glanced at the Asari; "Liara fill you in on what she saw with us?"

"She did, even showed me the images she saw from your brother's mind from the beacons. While nightmarish there was valuable knowledge we could not ignore."

Shepard nodded as the vehicles drove off for the ruins. "Have you been able to enter these new ruins?" as on her comm.

"Not yet," Vega spoke through his comm. "Whatever those rudos put in there is locked up and tight."

"I have reason to believe a nearby artifact contains the key to unlocking the doors further in. However, it's taking me more time than I'd like to fully understand it." The Asari doctor spoke up as she explained. "I do not know what you can do to help, but I am open to anything you can do to provide that help."

Turning to Willis, Private Lin shrugged. "Best engineer and tech specialist in the Alliance unable to hack into something? That'll be the day."

"Respect, Private. Show it."

Wincing from that, Lin groaned. "Sorry, Ma'am."

Milique was snickering a bit to himself a moment. "So, Shepard, forgive the lower rank banter but I gotta ask. Word is with your brother he was able to use Prothean tech. You sure you can get into some yourself? Not doubting you, just want to know we're not driving through this heat for nothing."

"Naruto explained to me the basics in case I found anything on my own. The cipher he gained on Feros gave him an extensive understanding."

Treeya nodded; "Liara also showed me through melding. She has been trying to process what she could like your brother. But he experienced deeper than she did."

They had no idea, some days her brother spoke in a very strange language like it was second nature. They figured out it was Prothean of all things. He had gotten more than a few odd glances on Normandy because of that.

Finally arriving, the group got out of the vehicles and started into the first room to be uncovered and looked around at the strange architecture. "Well, this is new to me, then again Protheans have a signature, and this matches."

"What's that mean?" Willis said in confusion as he stared at some statue. "It's all Greek to me, either way that you cut it."

Unbelievably, Vega had insightful input. "Know how Earth has several hundred different types of buildings and shapes of walls and art throughout its history? Protheans would have different styles through theirs and on different planets. It's a cultural thing."

Hitting the locked door, Treeya turned to Shepard. "This is the locked door; we can't seem to get in without an electronic key of some sort. And I believe the key is over here." Leading them into a deeper recess, the Asari pointed out the object on the wall. It looked like a giant plaque of some kind but was giving off access of data like any computer.

Humming aloud, Shepard lightly brushed the first off some of it and inspected it. "Not familiar with this thing, but the room looks like an office of some kind... Maybe this was a major access point for everyone who worked here."

"That was also my guess." Treeya tried getting into the computer but was having trouble still. "The firewall was active the moment I hooked up to it, and it's been increasingly frustrating. It's like it changes as I am trying to break through and closing off any back door I can find."

Trying to get in as well, the Spectre used an Omni-tool on her real arm to gain access and start fiddling with the code for a moment. "There's always a way in, moving or not. The usual trick to a random access firewall is to find the pattern. Figure you know that and it's still not working so onto an advanced trick."

Sadly, even that did not work, as the way she hacks in was being foiled, as if something was actively fighting her from entering. That got her attention. "This isn't a firewall... It's an advanced VI program."

"Wait, VI?" That got everyone's attention. Willis crossed his arms and had first say. "Then access the terminal and talk to it."

"Not that kind of VI. This one's just a code to keep anyone out under lockdown." Shepard smirked and activated her real arm's Omni-tool to single-hand mode. She did this to activate the Omni-tool on her cybernetic arm and using both to hack in at once she managed to override the VI firewall and breakthrough. Seeing as the VI was actually pretty advanced in defense measures, she made a copy before deleting it and opening the display overview on the plaque. "Open says I. Now we can get the key. Treeya?"

A grateful sigh escaped the Asari; "Thank you, Captain." She came over and touched the plaque. In seconds two small doors opened as a perfect sphere of strange metal came out. It floated just above the woman's hand as they walked back to the large doors. Standing at the center Treeya extended her hand as the sphere floated into the door.

For a second everyone saw a flash and what looked like a vein within the doors themselves. Soon the enormous doors begun to part as dust picked up around the group. A few coughed before noticing lights lit up a long hallway. Without a word, the Asari strolled in with the others following. After two minutes they came to a flight of stairs that went downwards.

"The Protheans have to make this place annoying," Lin asked no one.

Vega looked back to her; "Had to have their reasons."

After five minutes they reached the end which came to an even larger set of doors which thankfully opened. This time they had to use their Omni-tools to light the area which made many of them look in awe. "I-Is this what I think it is," Garn questioned.

Emily made her way beside Treeya who looked more annoyed than happy; "It's a giant weapon's cache."

Indeed, there were all manners of Prothean based weapons neatly placed around the walls and tables in the room. A few gasped as they shined some light on what had to be Prothean Armor! Several in fact. "The R&D department will be orgasming seeing all this stuff," James spoke up with a smile.

Noticing how Treeya was not too pleased with the armory, the dark-haired Spectre looked around before finding a door to another place. Opening it up they noticed a small but very important looking artifact. It was almost like the ball of metal she saw, the one her brother said showed what looked to be an Asari talking about humans. "Treeya. Maybe you can figure out this thing. It might be a data module. Maybe something much less... weaponized."

The young Asari hurried over as Garn gave the order to pack enough to head back with. Gently picking the orb up, Treeya tried to access it with her Omni. "This is a data module, but it's not like any I've ever seen. I'm not picking up an electronic signature; it's almost a construct rather than a device. Interesting..."

Knowing from Naruto the one from before had a key or something; Shepard looked at it before finding a small hole. "Missing a piece... Find that thing, you might gain access."

As the group loaded things up, Vega turned to Shepard. "You know, I hate to let this stuff go but we're just a pharmaceutical colony here. Though I'd rather be asking to join you for a mission I have my orders from Anderson, the Counselor wants the Terminus colonies to get some extra guard up."

"I heard, he told me he's been trying to send extra personnel around that show the fortitude to take on bigger odds. Believe it or not, he got word that something was happening out here for a few months. First colonist expeditions went missing, then outposts just up and vanished without so much as settling down on site. All I can say is this, Lieutenant; you'll need to keep sharp. After my report, I'll be asking for beefing up of our outer colonies big time."

Kamille heard this. "What's this about?"

"I can't say anything yet, it's still a classified investigation. But just know I mean it. Whatever is hitting the outer colony efforts, whoever it is taking out ships and supplies, they just took out an entire established colony. And it's nothing we have ever seen before. Expect some kind of increased defense measures."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Cortez only looked wide-eyed seeing a crate of unique weapons and armor were loaded up in the shuttle. Upon looking inside it, he sharply turned to the Captain; "Are these?!"

Emily nodded; "We take these to Admiral Hackett directly."

"Understood ma'am." The pilot saluted before heading to the cockpit.

As her group got back on board Emily stopped as she noticed a tiny figure trying to sneak in. And poorly doing it since her blond hair was noticed; "I think your mother would worry trying to sneak away."

April gulped as Shepard's crew turns to see the little blond near the open shuttle door.

Coming over, the Spectre put a hand on her blond hair. "What's the big idea young lady? Why even try to sneak away?"

"Yeah, I mean it's not like we're doing anything a kid might find interesting." Willis shrugged as he leaned back in his seat. "Just back and forth to colonies, looking at everything there and reporting in. Hell, after we take these back we're hitting... what, three more colonies before we get reassigned?"

Lin crossed her arms. "If that, not sure about the reassignment but it's just how it goes."

"Back to this stowaway please?" Sighing, Shepard looked to April who was twiddling her thumbs. "You gonna tell me why you're here? There's a good reason right?"

"I-I want to join the Alliance," The little one declared loudly.

Lin gave a coy look; "Think you're a bit too young right now kiddo."

"I can make it, I want to be like Vega and you Captain! I want to save people from bad guys!"

Emily knelt in front of the girl; "That's noble kiddo, but I gather the Lieutenant told you, you had to be eighteen to join."

"Not even if I ask really nicely?" The girl gave the most adorable puppy-dog eyes at the group. "I know not everyone likes the Alliance; hear that from some people in the colony. But you got to be the good guys; bad guys would never have saved us."

Such an innocent. Emily wanted to hug her but fought off the urge. Instead handed the girl one of her spare Omni-Tools. "This has a direct line to call me. If you truly want to be in Alliance you need to learn patience. In eight more years, if you're steadfast in your choice, call me on that. Meantime you can figure it out."

April seemed to be quite sharp as she put on her hand and it glowed to life instantly. Her sapphire eyes were wide with wonder before gazing up to Emily. "You promise?"

The Captain winked; "I'll take you there myself. How about that."

"Don't be stealing my spotlight, Captain." Vega ran up after finding out and looked nervously. "Her Madre is gonna kill me if she finds out about this..."

"Vega, look!" April waved the Omni-tool a bit. "I can call Shepard anytime!" Smirking, the blond girl turned it off and put it away. "You can't borrow it, no matter how much you like her!"

Vega groaned aloud but the team snickered with Shepard herself standing up and smiling. "Least you're not like that one fan I had... Run along now April, give us a minute."

As the girl left, Shepard stepped up to Vega with her real hand stretched out for him. "Well, Lieutenant, I can say this for certain. You've got a handle on being a hell of a marine. Maybe one day you'll work with me in the future, but until then you keep up the good work here. Got it?"

Though nervous, the muscular man took the hand offered. "You got it, Captain. Can't wait for that future though, gotta say. Viajes seguros, Shepard."

Finally loaded up and no stowaway, the shuttle left the colony and started their way back with the cache. Garn and Willis chose to have an arm wrestle as Lin looked at her commanding officer. "That Omni-tool you gave her really has a direct line? Thought most personnel devices like those don't have direct contact unless it's a quarter-mile out."

"True, but those ruins have an active relay for communications, Treeya mentioned on the way back its active and how she stays in touch with Liara. Figure she uses that to hit the communications network and get to my terminals." Shepard smiled and just relaxed.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

White noise...That was all he heard like an explosion had been set off and he had been too close. And darkness, never-ending darkness as far as he could see. Was he floating? No, he couldn't comprehend how he felt at that moment.

"Almost time..."

That voice. He had heard it before. But where? His eyes opened and all he saw was blurry white, images he wasn't sure what they were. Was it a lab? Two figures came up to his side; one a bald man with a short goatee. The other was a beautiful brunette haired woman with rich sapphire eyes. They looked like characters from a water painting... Blurry for the most part till they drew close.

His eyes wandered; "As I told you. Your work is far from done... Naruto..." His cerulean stopped at his feet. There stood another figure, but she was crisp and clear as day. An Asari draped in an ethereal white silk dress which hugged her figure she stared directly at him.

But... She looked, off, wrong... Her skin was the deepest shade of red he had ever seen. And her eyes, they were the richest amber with slit irises. Her body was still as a statue, her gaze bored into his own. Neither the bald man nor the beautiful woman seemed to notice or care of the Asari's presence as they work around him.

"The one thing they shall fear," The red Asari spoke yet her mouth remained unmoved; "Will be you..."

Hissing noises were heard as he felt himself start to fall under again, and then he was out and completely unconscious. The woman sighed heavily as she checked everything again, her Omni-tool checking his system. As Naruto laid there, his body still scarred just about everywhere, the woman leaned over the slab he was on. "Next time I tell you your numbers are off, you triple check them, got it, Wilson?"

"Hey, any normal human would be out cold until we chose to wake them with the amount of sedative we're giving this guy! I'm telling you that your blood work isn't coming in right! No one can work immunity to several cocktails of knock out juices in a month, let alone someone whose been dead until two months ago, Miranda." Wilson went to get the tanks refilled that went empty after the scare.

"I'm telling you his blood is unique. There are strings of genetic code I have never seen before, and truth be told whatever blood we received that was classified as human also had some sort of strange variation of sequences that made no sense. Whatever the case may be, you treat the sedatives like candy to Naruto until we're sure he's ready to wake up. Until then, I'll be in my office." Leaving the room, the in-charge woman decided to make a report.

Wilson finished his clean up and refills before heading out on his own. After a few minutes, he went into a dark room and scanned for anything electronic waiting for him and found nothing before turning on his Omni and started recording a message. "This is Gray, reporting in. The process worked, and we've got a live one. Cerberus still has no clue what I'm doing yet, but thankfully I am the one putting in the implants. Requesting orders." He sent the message out on a wave that was undetectable even by Cerberus' paranoid system management standards.

"The implants are up to spec?" The voice of Mirage spoke from the communication.

"Damn straight, Uzumaki won't be made into a Cerberus puppet any time soon." Wilson paused; "Did you get those blood samples I sent?"

"Affirmative. But we are as unsure as you are what to make of them."

The scientist shook his head; "As much as I look into it, I just can't figure it out. Maybe someone over there will figure it out."

"And your other job?" Mirage asked, knowing full well what it was.

"After this and on a slightly more detectable frequency. I'll keep it short and vague, as usual. I know what I'm doing. As long as I can get to the end without any hitch in the plan, we'll have Naruto back and Cerberus will have nothing left." Wilson smirked. "Almost time."

"Remember, once in the shuttle you go to the designated spot and signal, we'll be ready. If you don't arrive, we'll know the escape plan failed. As long as the first plan succeeds, things will be in our favor." Mirage logged off so the frequency band wouldn't be noticed.

Wilson started up the next and a synthesized voice came up. "Your report?"

"All according to plan... Uzumaki will be ready soon." After a quick confirmation, he let the band break and smirked more. "Better be ready, I'm about done with Miranda's bitchy attitude."

"Attitude aside she does show immense intelligence." The voice remarked. "But regardless, fantastic work Wilson."

The man scratched the back of his bald head; "Was far from easy. Bringing back the dead."

"Yet now we know can be done and possibilities are endless."

"Absolutely," Wilson spoke in earnest; "The medical field would be blown out the water by everything here. But that's far from your interest, right sir?"

The voice chuckled; "I admire progress greatly. It means more knowledge, secrets, and someone willing to pay for them."

"I made sure to download every file of the Lazarus project," Wilson smirked; "You won't be disappointed."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

It was a few months of touch and go, but Emily Shepard was finishing her latest assignment. As her team was assigned to another colony for protection, she was leaving Arcturus station when she got a message from Grim about something. As she read the message her eyes went wide. "Wait... what?" The attached file was audio, and she played it in a hurry.

"I don't make a habit of suicide missions, this doesn't seem like it pays very well. Saving the universe tends to be a heroic task and heroes normally die without pay. So I'd have to decline this one."

"That's one thing Cerberus does better than the Alliance. We know your work and we need your skillset, and we know your price. You'll get a modest sum in advance, but in total, you'll be receiving the amount shown to you right now..." A bit of silence and a surprised huff was heard. "Do we have a deal?"

"... Alright, I'm in. But you can save the advanced pay if you have that so-called Uzumaki help me out with something. If it really is that bastard of a hero in the flesh that sees me, then I'll hop aboard as long as my task gets done."

"Send the details of your mission and I'll be sure to put it in writing. Just know you're not the only one being recruited, expect others. We'll be sending Uzumaki to Omega first thing after he wakes up, be there, and ready to help him get the other two allies, Archangel and the Salarian doctor Solus."

"Got'cha. Don't keep me waiting for too long then, if I don't see him after a few weeks it'll be called off."

The transmission ended. After checking the time of its transmission, Shepard found it to be a week ago. She frowned as she put a call to Hackett. "Better pick up, I want some answers..."

After a few minutes, her Omni-Tool lit up; "Wondered when you'd read that message, Shepard."

"What," Emily spoke slowly; "...the hell is going on... Sir." Emotion bled in her voice.

"To be blunt, Cerberus has resurrected Naruto."

"Impossible!"

The admiral cleared his throat; "So we thought as well. But it is true, we have a man on the inside working alongside the head scientist in charge of bringing Naruto back."

"... Let's say it's possible and not some trick, but if it's Cerberus in charge of it then it will not be the Naruto we all know and care for. They will warp his mind." Shepard frowned more. "Or put some kind of control on him.

"As I said, I have a man inside and we know all those dangers too. Do you think I'd let that happen? Turns out, though, that the head scientist is being ordered not to put any control restrictions on him at all, the head of Cerberus seemingly wants Naruto to be unaltered. That's the word, but we've taken every precaution just in case he's slipping orders under the table. You know I wouldn't let anyone corrupt Naruto if I can help it."

"I know, sir..." She sighed heavily. "Alright, so now what? What do we do from here? Do I go meet this gun for hire?"

"That's more up to you. All we know is that Cerberus is coming up to recruit three individuals from omega. Archangel, information is limited but they say it's the leader of a gang on Omega that's, surprisingly, more vigilante heroics than a criminal organization. This gun for hire, which we have three leads on a name but cannot pin down yet so he's not your best bet. And a Mordin Solus, a Salarian who is rumored to be former STG with what we could only find out as having a degree in biology, all biology, and physiology to be exact. It's up to you who you try to find but as long as you find Naruto with them then it's a win."

"Understood... I think it'd be best to find Archangel if your reports are true then having someone with a mind for helping people is better than a gun for hire or a doctor for whatever Cerberus is doing." After a moment of thought though, she frowned. Shepard remembered something. "I'll be sending you my cybernetic arm for safekeeping."

Hackett was a little surprised to hear that. "You sure that's wise? I don't know what you'll be facing with Cerberus on this matter."

"I'm sure. They've been going into heavy AI research, I don't need any chances they use my arm against me. I haven't been hitting bases of late but I requested an arm that's as bare bones of a prosthetic to control for the purpose of combating AI control. It should be at the Citadel waiting for me. I'll go there, give Anderson my current arm, and get my basic weak arm before running to Omega."

"Alright, but be careful in Omega. Hackett out..."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

After a quick hop from the Citadel and replaced her arm. A few parting words with her mentor, Emily landed in one of the docks of Omega. Not to her surprise, she was greeted by one of Aria's men who directed her to the queen of the station. Heading through the crowd of the After Life there sat the Asari with the same alluring, arrogant smirk.

"Welcome back Shepard. You... Seem different than when last here." Aria cocked her head.

Emily felt her eye twitch; "Gee, I wonder what it could be... Oh yeah." She unattached her cybernetic arm waving it at the Asari; "Had so much fun here last time I lost an arm." Her sarcasm as thick as the venom in her tone while reattaching her arm.

While the guards tensed, Aria laughed getting up from her seat. "Finally someone with a spine to speak back to me. Your brother was more formal, but that had to be being around my people for as long as he was." She descended the stairs; "So what brings you to Omega this time? If you're looking for your real arm I don't have it. Think a Varren ate it."

"Looking for Archangel, actually. You know anything?"

Aria looked physically confused for a moment before shrugging. "You think I wouldn't know about someone if they made moves on Omega? Of course, I know about them. The real question is what intentions are yours for Archangel?"

Making sure her lesser cybernetic arm was locked in tight; she gave the Asari a smirk. "Depends on how you feel about them. Are they friend or foe of the great Queen Aria?"

"Ah, an opportunist in this case... Well then." Walking up to the strong-willed woman, Aria told it as she saw it. "Archangel... He moved in one day, started taking on small thugs here and there, for the most part, small stuff. Then he started gaining people who looked up to that kind of grit, and now it's a group of people whose sole purpose is to make any criminal element in the station regret their actions. Being Omega, criminal activity is plentiful so it's gotten on quite a lot of nerves since. But he's known well enough that anything with my name on it is off-limits, so truth is told I'm fine with his operations. However, many others see it differently since he's made their lives all a living hell."

"I see... So vigilante justice, but clever enough to keep from your wrath."

"Not the wrath of others, who are bigger players on Omega than you'd think. I hear his time is running short, so if you've got any inclination towards him then you best go now. Blood pack, Blue Suns and Eclipse all are forming together to end him. If you want in, there's a recruitment center starting up in the club. If you want him saved then best go before they finish the job."

Shepard crossed her arms, knowing there was more to this major information dump. "Thank you, Aria. But what am I giving in return?"

The Asari thought for a moment; "If you're lucky a group of vigilantes on your side."

"I get the feeling you wouldn't mind if I...Oh, say, brought down all three groups and the ones leading them in this attack."

At that Aria looked amused; "So we're talking business. Are you asking for a cut?"

"Seems fair if something were to happen to the groups while trying to get to Archangel. More for you." Emily smirked back.

"Well, you piqued my interest," the Asari rubbed her chin; "Tell you what. If you can, and this is a big 'if' remove all the bosses doing this operation. I'll send not only credits but quite a few goodies your way. And by goodies, I mean some tech and weapons." Aria leaned in; "Assuming you can pull this off without the most dangerous assassin in all of Terminus space coming to save your ass again."

"Deal," Emily extended for which was returned by Aria. Both held a strong firm grip as they stared hard at one another. Letting go Emily gave a nod before leaving.

Aria watched her leave. A chuckle escaped her lips; "I'm starting to like her."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Heading down to the club again, Emily Shepard looked around. She wasn't exactly told where Archangel was at the current moment, and if the gangs had already started on him then she couldn't waste time roaming the entire station the size of an entire ward wing. Finding the recruitment room, she walked in and was next in line. A Turian was signing up and he left as soon as he was done. Getting called forward, she glared at the Batarian. "I'm not joining up for this expedition. I want to know where Archangel is and I'm going to go after him myself. Tell me about his location, and I might just offer you a thousand credits."

After last time, the face of Shepard was well known to the gang elements throughout the station. The Blue Suns recruitment officer was sweating. "Uh, sure... But I don't know if it's such a good idea."

"One thousand... right here and now, to you only. Just give me the location and stay back here in this room and you'll be set." She produced the chit with the amount. "And if I don't find Archangel, you'll be fucked. So choose wisely and thank your stars for the good fortune."

The Batarian looked at the human and the chit; "Let's see if you can back up that mouth human." He took the chit; "Kima district, don't worry. You'll see it and hear it." He chuckled as the Commander left.

Upon leaving the club she checked her Omni-tool; "Kima district is quite the distance away from here." She muttered before scanning the area and found transport. "Somehow know Aria will be watching. Hope she enjoys the show."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Whizzing bullets and explosive firearms were tearing at the defenses of his hideout; Archangel was talking to someone on his Omni-tool. "You know how it is, could always use a few more."

"Then work with what you got, don't stop pulling that trigger until it clicks, son!" The Turian's mandibles twitched in a half-smile as his father continued. "No matter how things are falling apart around you, as long as you have one bullet left you can still get the job done. Understand?"

Looking at the sudden whooshing of a transport taxi, Garrus was almost too distracted to listen but heard the last of his father's words as the car turned on a dime and the cockpit opened as it flew back and at the bridge. "You finish up what you have to do there and get back home to Palaven. We have a lot to sort out."

Just as he finished, Garrus saw the person in the taxi jump out as the vehicle smashed into the bridge after veering towards the group of mercenaries and gang members, causing them to pull back as several were crushed and killed under the suddenly crashed vehicle. The person was human as they landed and rolled on the ridge before jumping up gracefully and looked up at the Turian. They both locked eyes and both sets of eyes went wide, as both recognized the other. The human ran inside and a moment after she did the vehicle suddenly blew up and caused a severe amount of damage that made the entire force against him run back to regroup.

"What the hell was that? Garrus! You alright son!?"

Looking into his Omni-tool, Garrus smirked. "Yeah, dad. Loud and clear. Thank you, for everything. Gotta go now but don't worry, I'll get home as soon as I can." The door he locked opened up to Shepard, huffing in excitement from the crash, the run, and finding her friend again. "The odds just got a whole lot better." He clicked the call off and walked up to the human woman. "A sight for sore eyes, Shepard. I missed you terribly."

Said Turian blinked for a moment as Shepard wrapped her arms around him, "You big oaf! You had me worried sick!" Emily muttered soon feeling Garrus hug her back.

"Sorry about that..." The two detached; "Can fill you in later." Groaning, Garrus took a seat on the floor with Emily beside him. "Right now, kind of have a problem on my hands."

Emily deadpans; "Gee, how could I have guessed with the Blue Suns, Blood Pack, and Eclipse wanting your head." she paused; "I think even Wrex would be impressed. "

That earned her a good chuckle; "Oh he'd be loving this. Know for a fact he hates the Blood Pack leader I've been dealing with."

"Yeah? How do you know that? Which leader is here that's got you in the corner?" Knowing full well that usual leaders were battle-hardened to the point of absurdity sometimes.

"Garm, the bastard is a freak of Krogan nature. Faster regenerating capabilities than any Krogan I have ever seen, and since I've been here I've seen more than any fair share of battle masters. It's been tough keeping I touch with everyone; I get a catch or two on sub-extranet signals. Mentioned Garm before I knew what he was able to do and Wrex told me he doesn't envy the fight I'd be in with this one. Told me not to be careless but take him down without mercy." Garrus shook his head. "Almost had him too, but got swarmed with his reinforcement. Now I'm in even bigger trouble. Enough about my fight here, though. As much as I love the fact you came here and are helping me? I've got to wonder what the sudden urge was to randomly come back to Omega and take on the gangs here just to see me."

Emily did not look at him for a moment before releasing a long sigh; "Got something to tell you."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The sound around him felt low, like a hum. The sound grew louder and made more clear of that of an alarm. A low groan escaped his mouth as Naruto felt two warm hands on his cheek. "Time to rise Naruto." In a blink, his eyes shot open as he saw the red Asari looking down at him. At that moment everything stopped as he stared up at the woman.

"W-" Naruto coughed as his voice sounded like sandpaper; "Who are you?"

The red Asari said nothing before his blinked and she was gone. The alarms once more blared around him as a voice from an intercom rang out; "Uzumaki, you need to get up!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Arch: ME2 begins…