RWBY Effect 2: Rebirth

by Owriush

A year and a half has gone by, since the attack on the Citadel. Team RWBY and the crew of the Normandy suffer a tragedy. Ending in the loss of many lives. Awakened now a few years later. The girls of team RWBY, Elizabeth Shepard and their new allies must fight against a threat. One even more dangerous then the last. This is their Rebirth into a new world of wonders and insanity.

1. Chapter 0

I say hello and welcome.

Here we are. The start of the sequel of RWBY Effect. One that didn't take too long to write up since I already had a good idea on where I was going with this first chapter. I'm sure it will be good enough for at least a starter chapter.

Anyways I'm going to keep this top note short and simple. I've done all I could for grammar related errors to the best of my abilities, and did my best to not make this chapter too short or too long. Since you know, it's just the prologue.

Blabbing aside, I hope you enjoy what I've written up for the start. Because let me tell ya, it's only gonna get crazier after this. So enjoy.

I do NOT own RWBY or Mass Effect. Rooster Teeth/ Mounty Oum own RWBY and Bioware/ Electronic Arts own Mass Effect. All other franchise included within this chapter belong to their respective owners. Please support all the official franchise.

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RWBY EFFECT 2

Ch.0- Upon thy death, come life anew...

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In a room void of light aside from a simulated sun that glowed. Three people stood in this room.

One a young girl by the name of Ilia, a young woman whose views and life had changed during a... incident a while ago.

Next was an older woman, lovely and gave off aura of power. This was Miranda, the second in command to the last person in this room and Ilia's mother.

Last was an older clean cut man, wearing a nice tailored back suit. That and his eyes glowed an eerie light blue. He was currently putting another cigarette on his chair. This person was simply known as, the Illusive man. As three stood and sat in this room. The silence still dominating. Miranda decided to speak up.

"Shepard and those girls did everything right. More then we could have hoped for." Miranda said staring at the holographic sun before her, alongside her daughter

"Commander Shepard and the New Humans uncovered the truth." The Illusive man added in, on what the truth was when it came down to it

"Yeah... still it wasn't enough I guess." Ilia chimed in, a bit peeved as Miranda simply gave her daughter a small rub on the top of her head to convey she understood

"Were at war. No one wants to admit it, but humanity is under attack." The Illusive man mused, taking out cigar this time and holding in between his left index finger and thumb

"But they're sending them to fight Geth. Geth..." Miranda stated, a little more irritated as and her daughter moved closer to the Illusive man

"Which is total bull. Considering the Geth aren't even that much of a threat anymore." Ilia complained, huffing once more as she crossed her arms; before she and her mother stopped an inch or so away from the Illusive man

"Yes. The Reapers are and they're still out there. Waiting." Miranda stated, as the Illusive man took a moment to tap his cigar against the ash tray installed into his chair

"And it's up to us to stop them." The Illusive Man proclaimed, as Illya huffed some more

"No offense sir. But good luck with that, we all know they won't trust us. Trust Cerberus to help out. Even if we brought evidence right to their faces." Ilia exclaimed, as even now she knew the Council would never accept their help "But..."

"But Shepard and those four girls..." Miranda cut in, looking the holo-sun that shined always in this room once again "They'll follow them. They're hero's, bloody icons to the galaxy. Though if we were to lose any of them. Humanity and even the other races might fall in suit."

"Then you, your daughter and your team. Better make sure we don't lose any of them." The Illusive Man sternly explained

With that he put out his cigar, as Miranda and Ilia kept a shiver from taking over. Knowing this wasn't a request from the man, but a demand.

Lord they hoped they could do just that...

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One year ago, an attack on the Citadel occurred by rouge a Spectre Saren, AI humanoids called Geth, and a being known only as a Reaper.

The attack left those who survived to rebuild from the ruins and even now they still struggle some.

During this attack the human Alliance fleet made a tremendous sacrifice to save the Council itself. Thanks to that, Humanity was given a spot within the Council itself.

But during this time too, the newly discovered other New Humans or Remnants. We're recognized as their own species within the Galactic Community as well.

But for the hero crew of the Normandy. They were sent out to take care of any remaining Geths, but more on their own terms. Also were on the lookout for signs of the Reapers.

Though no signs even after a year and a half have been found. The crew of the Normandy did complete their official assigned task with the Geth and currently making their way back to Council Space.

But today would mark a day that would end in tragedy. Though from within this tragedy, would come the next step of the lives of the first Remnants, team RWBY.

This would be their...

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-REBIRTH-

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It was another normal day on the SR-1 Normandy. The ship passing currently over the ice planet Alchera. One last sweep for Geth before they'd make their back to council space. For this crew, it was a long awaited return too. As being out in the Terminus wasn't fun one bit, especially for a year and a half.

Still, they would be returning soon and once there. A much need shore leave would be accounted for. So here we are. Finding ourselves inside the cockpit of the Normandy. The ace pilot of this vessel. Joker was going through the motions as the crew behind did their part.

To his right was Navigator Pressly, doing his job. While also getting use to wearing the prototype aura projector. That Tali had made for crew. Pressly along with a few of the more notable crew members like Chakwas and Adams also wore these prototype projectors to see how they felt and if they gave any ill effects during long usage.

Still the next part of this tale, starts here and what was to happen. Would change the fates of many on the vessel in more ways than could be conceived.

"The Board is green, we are running silent ladies and gentlemen." Joker said over the comms, always having fun doing that; while Pressly rolled his eyes

"Every time. Bless god your little quirks haven't infected the girls even after a year and a half." Pressly remarked, before patting the aura projector "I think I should tell Tali to put some soft leather or something around back of it. I can feel the metal digging into my chest."

"Well next time she's up here tell her that. Still guess I'm lucky I wasn't picked for one. Can't pilot as ship if your chest feels like it's chafing." Joker remarked, Pressly rolling his eyes again as he looked down to the data pad he was using

"Anyways… my personal chest issues aside. Don't think we're going to find anything out here. We've been around this sector three times today and still no signs of Geth. I think we're in the clear." Pressly stated, before lowering his data pad and looking ahead alongside Joker "Personally I'm kind of happy about that. Still…"

"Yeah. Three ships disappearing in this area in less than a month isn't normal at all. Well what we think at this point as 'NORMAL'." Joker exclaimed, putting quotations when he said 'Normal' since the girls made him question what that word could even be used for when it came to their line of work

"Yes well… I think we should go now. Let another team handle it. Besides I remember overhearing Ruby pleading with Elizabeth to visit a new cookie shop apparently being opened down at the Citadel." Pressly stated, with a small smirk as he saw Joker shiver "Heh, I understand that feeling."

"Yep. Let's just hope the moms and the girls can keep that little red hood from going overboard." Joker teased, as he and Pressly chuckled a bit at the good mannered joke when it came to the crew resident red hooded angel

Though as the small moment of comradery between Pressly and Joker went on. Suddenly it was cut off, when Eve popped up in her holo form on the dash board. Having been part of the ship from time to time this whole long mission.

"Sorry to cut the chatter boys. But the scanner picked up something coming in from behind. An unknown vessel." Eve stated, worried on the inside but didn't want to worry the guys too as she read the continuous updates to the scan "Huh, reading say it could be a cruiser of some sort."

Though unknown to the ship and crew of the Normandy. From behind the gleam of the sun around this ice cold planet. A ship of unknown origins was tailing them and catching up quite fast. Alarmingly fast to be exact. From inside the Normandy at the moment, things only became more tense by the second.

"Huh… that's…that's weird. The cruiser just changed course, into interception." Eve exclaimed, her tone more hushed as she seemed to be visibly doing her best to not suddenly freak out

"Eve what are talking about. That can't be possible, the stealth systems are online and the Geth-" Pressly began to say, but was cut off by Joker who realized quickly that this wasn't the run in a mill Geth; not one bit

"It's not the Geth. Brace for invasive maneuvers!" Joker screamed, before moving the ship to the fastest speed it could do

But once more, from outside. The ship of unknown origins, very close to the now quickly feeling Normandy. Blotted out the gleam from the sun behind. A large cannon from below the ship, glowed a bright orange and followed with it. A beam of pure raw burning energy. Which made contact with the Normandy within seconds as it tried to duck and weave. The reaction was quickly noticeable. Especially from the inside.

"GAH!" Pressly screamed, as a counsel near him sparked and exploded as he was flung back against the seat Joker sat upon. His body sparking a yellow coloring before vanishing

"Pressly you okay!?" Joker asked, concerned for the older man who despite his constant criticisms of him; was still a good friend "Please tell me you're okay!"

"I'm... I'm fine." Pressly answered, reaching under his ruffed up military blues as he ignored the sight of a few now dead crew members in the slightly burning hallway. Pulling off a now ruined aura projector "Thank you Tali. You just saved my life."

"Good. Good…" Joker muttered as he'd been doing his best to keep the ship steady "Eve, try and make sure the fires are contained and put on the comm line to the Alliance quickly!"

"Roger that Joker, keep doing your best!" Eve replied back, before vanishing back into the Normandy's systems

"I'll start leading everyone I can to the escape pods." Pressly exclaimed. Making his way to find and help anyone he could to the escape pods as quickly as possible

Though as those three started to do what they could, from their stations. The Normandy now slightly on fire around the right side. Was anything, but an easy target now for the unknown ship. Which fired another beam. Hitting the wounded ship and causing even more damage as it was started to break apart in certain areas; while fire and smoke was shot from around it's whole body.

Back inside, in the lower decks now. One Tali Zora ran pass the flying bodies and limbs of dead crew members caught the various blasts. Before passing down into where the sleeping pods were stations at. Where five females stood doing what they could to douse the flames even a bit.

These five in the same armor type. The first on in black, white and red with a N7. Another black, white, grey with cat ears on the helmet and a purple Belladonna flower printed on. Next to her, a tall yellow, brown and orange colored one; with a yellow flame printed on her armor. Nex to her was a shorter white, ice blue and red armored girl, with an ice blue snowflake printed on her armor as well. Last, was a red, silver and black armored girl. With a red rose printed on. Tali stopping, before addressing the five before her.

"Elizabeth, girls there you are!" Tali yelled, as the five had stopped what they were doing and looked back to Tali

"Oh thank god you're okay." Elizabeth said, relived that Tali was alright as she'd worried when the attack happened

"Indeed. Sorry about the trouble finding us Tali. But we needed to save the few stuck in the pods still." Weiss stated, a bit of pride at that even considering their current predicament

"Almost all of them…" Ruby muttered, with a slight sniffle when she looked at one of the more burnt pods with sadly someone still inside; Yang pulled her into a quick one armed hug

"It's okay little sis. We did our best." Yang reassured, even if she felt the same way her little sister did

"Still, everyone alright dear?" Elizabeth asked, hoping so as she didn't want anyone else dead

"As much as I can tell yes, everyone's getting to-" Tali began to say, before another loud explosion from outside the ship's hull erupted. Making her trip some, Elizabeth and Weiss though caught her as she steadied herself "Thank you… I just hope the Alliance gets here soon."

"They will. They won't abandon us, I know it." Elizabeth reassured, as yet another loud rumble echoed through the ship's hull. She and the others steadying themselves for a moment or so. Before Elizabeth looked to Tali once more "Tali hun. I need you to get to the escape pods too. Me and the girls will get to Joker and Eve. I think these pods are sadly a lost cause. Still I know the boy isn't gonna leave the ship even in this state and Eve isn't gonna leave her friend alone either."

"Like brother and sister almost those two." Blake exclaimed, as the others nodded in quick agreement there

"What no, if none of you are leaving. I'm staying too, I'm not abandoning anymore family got it!" Tali argued, before a much more violent shake occurred, tripping everyone off their feet and onto the ground

"Ugh…" Elizabeth groaned, before she looked to Tali getting back up on her knees. She did the same, before pulling in Tali closer to her for a moment "Tali…go. Now."

"…." Tali didn't say for a moment, before a sigh could be heard. Then she touched the side of Elizabeth's helmet before getting back up, helping Elizabeth onto her own feet as the girls helped each other out. Once they were all up, she quickly pulled them all into a tight hug for a few moments, before letting go and stepping back "You better get off safely. I WILL see you soon, I love you all."

With that Tali quickly made her way off and to the escape pods, Elizabeth sighing for a moment as she fixed her helmet. The girls doing a quick check too and once it seemed like they were all okay to get moving. Elizabeth cracked her neck, before addressing her daughters and daughters in law.

"Alright ladies, let's get our stubborn boy and girl out of here. Then to the escape pod next to his station." Elizabeth exclaimed, ready to face whatever saddening sight they would see on the upper deck of their once proud ship

"Yes ma'am!" Team RWBY replied, all of them ready too as they knew it was going to be quite disheartening to see what was left of the ship they'd made their home ever since coming to this era

Without much more to say. Elizabeth took lead while Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang followed behind. As they ran through the fire, pass dead bodies of those of the crew they'd gotten to know better during this year and a half. It wasn't easy to do so, but they kept on. All the while hearing over the comm's, Joker pleading for Alliance aid against their fight from an unknown ship.

Then they found the right side stairs leading upwards. Going up, they stopped at the door; all of them feeling their boots magnetizing already. Then looked to one another for a moment, knowing they were ready as can be. The door opens seconds later and like they assumed, it wasn't a pretty sight as they took a step outside to the upper deck of the Normandy.

As the air around them was sucked out in the vacuum of space that was clear as day now, thanks to the large gaping hole above. The girls could only slowly walk alongside Elizabeth as they made their way over to the cockpit. Though Elizabeth had her own shock as she walked down the ruins of the once mighty warship. Team RWBY was another story.

As unlike those born in this era before becoming part of the Normandy crew. This ship, again had been their new home for the past year and half. So it was heartbreaking to see so much of that home in ruins. From the galaxy map that had been used so many times during and after the hunt for Saren. Now ripped apart here and there. With the holo map itself, glitching and sparking out.

Then came the roof above. Ripped from its hull, the girls took a moment to look and see past the whisps of fire and smoke. The void of space, the ship and the planet Alchera above them or maybe below them if the Normandy was flipped upside down by this point. Still it wasn't a great sight to behold.

So the girls, silent in shock followed behind Elizabeth as they walked through the ruins of the deck that once housed many of the Normandy crew. Until finally, they neared the cockpit where a mass effect field was blocking the area off from the airless vacuum of space. Joker in his seat. Was frantically doing what he could, with an full clear face helmet on while Eve was in her holo form helping out. As they entered the field. They took a moment, before Elizabeth and them moved right behind the two.

"Joker, Eve we need to go now!" 'Elizabeth stated, as the ship was starting to shake more and more by this point

"No not yet. Me and Eve can still save he Normandy, we won't abandon her!" Joker argued, more in denial that their ship was going down in flames

"Please. Give me and Joker just a bit more time. We can save the Normandy, I know we can!" Eve pleaded, as she like Joker had become quite attached to the ship they called home by this point

"No you two. Please we have to go now, the Normandy…" Ruby began to say, but took a moment to even say the next word as Joker and Eve looked to her "The Normandy is gone. We HAVE to go now…please. We don't want to lose either of you."

Joker and Eve looked to one another, before they both let out a small sigh. Then Eve nodded to the man, who moved his hand to the port where her chip was. Taking it, he stuffed it safely in his pocket. Before looking at the others once more.

"Okay… okay. Help me up." Joker said, as Elizabeth helped him up from his seat while the girls moved a bit to the side to give him space; despite the small grumble Joker let out when Elizabeth pulled a little too hard. Joker sighed one last time "Alright. Let get to the escape pod."

So the group of five quickly moved to said escape pod which was wide open. The girls behind Elizabeth as she took the lead. Before doing her best to quick push Joker into the escape pod. It should have been smooth sailing after that. But it wasn't as all of sudden, the ship attacking them. Fire off another beam, hitting the Normandy and pushing back the girls and Elizabeth a bit. Then the deck floor between them and the escape pod began to spark up.

"NO!" Joker screamed, as he realized what was about to happen. But the door to his escape pod closed seconds later and with that he; along with Eve in his pocket were launched

Meanwhile a moment after that. The area exploded, the force pushing the girls and Elizabeth away from one another. Though the girls had been able to quickly grab a hold of each other's hands. While Elizabeth was launched against a wall hard and unknown to her or the girls at the moment. The tube supplying air for the older woman was ruptured.

But it only got worse as the attacking ship. Fired one last beam, right through and down to the mass effect generator. The generator exploding a second after, which caused a chain reaction as the Normandy went from mostly hanging together wreck; to a fiery ball of scrap.

The girls, all kept a tight hold on one another hands as they floated away from the scarps of the once proud Normandy; and we're doing their best not to panic. What made it worse is that none of them could see Elizabeth either in the chaos. But it kept on becoming worse when they suddenly felt the gravitational pull of the planet below them. The planet they had wanted to visit one way or another for fun day in the snow. Now would be their graves.

"No. No…." Ruby muttered as she felt her heart start to sink realizing this was it for them

"Ruby." Yang suddenly said, as Ruby looked to her and even through the helmet. Ruby could tell Yang was smiling back at her "Ruby… it's okay. I promise."

"But we're…" Ruby tried to argue, but she was starting to tear up some

"We know. We all know, b-but… at least if we do die here…." Blake tried to say herself, but even she started to tear up

"If we died here. At least we died as a family…my sisters…my little rose." Weiss exclaimed, as she was tearing up quite a bit herself

"Yeah…yeah… as a family." Ruby simply stated, as she and girls though scared of their sudden deaths. Felt at least at peace knowing, that they would die with one another and not alone

But it seemed fate had other plans in a way. For as the girls felt their bodies start to fall faster and faster. Slight warmer too as they began to enter the atmosphere of the planet below. Their rings, that they had been wearing since being given them all that time ago. Started to glow.

A second after, the rings shot out a crystal like substance. That covered the girls up within seconds, into a large singular crystal structure. That continued to fall down, heating up but keeping the now frozen girls safe. Though it also began to follow the trail of another. One of Elizabeth Shepard who wouldn't be as lucky as she was falling down to the planet below.

As the sun rose around the planet below, the ship that had attacked. Began making its way off and the ruins of the Normandy simply floating around in space. With the survivors waiting in their pods for the Alliance to come and rescue them.

It would be this day, that would mark the end of one tale. But would start the tale of another, though when this tale would begin wasn't the most ideal; it would especially be a shock to our five hero's. Who would one day wake up, into a world so familiar; yet so changed at the same time.

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It felt like a dream, a warm and quiet dream…

That was what the girls of team RWBY felt for the last few minutes, at least to them that's how it felt as each of them were in a deep slumber. Devoid of anything outside the crystal shell that kept them alive and nourished. Not even the loudest noise could be heard by any of them. Only the silence, only the peacefulness.

Well, that was until today.

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BANG, BANG, BOOM!

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Weird, that wasn't the usual thing to ever heard within the crystal. Yes the girls for once heard a noise outside of their protective shell. The sounds of muffled screaming echoed too, loudly as more 'BANGS' and 'BOOMS' echoed.

The girls for their part began to finally stir awake. Groaning some as they started to come back to it, as if the crystal itself took notice of this. It began to slowly evaporate. The sounds of steam could be heard around the four, followed by the sounds of someone stepping back. It wasn't seconds later before team RWBY felt their bodies hit the ground. A loud 'Thud' that echoed, followed by the sudden pain of hitting a metal surface. Forced the girls to groan even more, rolling onto their backs.

Though it was Ruby who was first to start getting her eye sight back as she slowly opened them. The bright light above was blinding that was for sure. But she saw someone looking down at her, a blob at the moment. Her hearing slowly starting to come back too, as she heard the blob speak to her.

'-uby_ e?!" The blob asked, as Ruby couldn't figure out for the life of her what was just said

"Who…?" Ruby muttered, her voice a little cracked from how dry her throat felt. What I goddesses name had happened to her

"-uby_ an_ er me?!" The blob asked once more, the tone sounding more feminine now and the blob shape showing that to be the fact too

"Who…where…where…" Ruby muttered once again. The dryness starting to clear up as her silva was wetting her mouth by this point

"-uby can you_ ar me?!" The woman repeated once more, a slight shake on jolting Ruby more out of her funk as she started to realize this woman looked very familiar

"Mom…is…is that…" Ruby asked, as she was for sure that was her mom. It HAD to be, it was the only answer she could come up with

"RUBY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" The woman screamed very loudly this time, slapping Ruby across the face some as that jolted her awake

"OW!" Ruby screamed, sitting back up as she ignored the weakened feeling she had. Rubbing her cheek as she it stung "Mom…that-"

But before Ruby could say more, suddenly Elizabeth she assumed. Hugged her, which quickly reassured Ruby that this woman was in fact her mother. It was the warm feeling that she felt every time her mother had hugged her. The feeling that everything would be alright. Ruby without hesitating hugged Elizabeth back.

"Mom… I'm so happy you're okay." Ruby said, as she felt Elizabeth pull her in close as she rubbed the back of her head affectionately

"You too. I'm so glad you and the girls are okay. So, so glad." Elizabeth exclaimed, as Ruby could hear her tear up some; before pulling her back. Though Ruby went wide eyed when she saw her mom or at least her mom's new look. Elizabeth took quick notice of this as she sighed "OH…right, my new look. Trust me I was just a surprised when I looked in some broken glass to see…well, this."

For record, Elizabeth had only woken up two minutes or so prior to the girls being released from their crystal like shell. As she had awoken, she was like Ruby at least. Was confused and tried, along with feeling weak. But she had been able to get up quickly enough to look around seeing the laboratory she oddly was in. Then she looked into a broken pile of large pieces of glass near her. To find she had… change a little.

For now, like she had. Ruby saw Elizabeth had a scar across her right cheek. Her skin tone slightly more tanned, with her eyes a lighter amber, her hair a bit longer than usual; but was instead of black it was now a more pecan sort of color. All in all, this woman was Elizabeth Shepard; but had ended up somehow getting a new makeover.

"It's not bad mom… just…ah…wow." Ruby tried to reassure, as she was quite surprised of her mother's radical change in appearance, though she and her mother then heard three more groans, looking back they saw Weiss, Blake and Yang slowly sitting back up if not still a bit out it

"Where… huh, Ruby. Mom?" Yang said, as she looked to Ruby and Elizabeth. Before going wide eyed from at least Elizabeth's current appearance "Wait mom, is that you. What happened?"

"Your guess is as good as mine Yang. But I'm glad you're okay too." Elizabeth exclaimed, as she helped Ruby back to her feet first, before doing the same with Yang and gave her a big hug "Heh, I just as so relived you're alright."

"Same here mom…same here." Yang replied, before she looked to Blake and Weiss who were seeming more back to mind as they looked upon Elizabeth, Ruby and Yang

"What the…where are we?" Weis asked first, rubbing her eyes some as Ruby helped her up and gave Weiss a quick kiss on the cheek at how glad she was to see she was okay

"And what happened to you three…and you Weiss what happened to you?" Blake asked next, getting up on her own before she almost fell to her knees, but Yang caught her and helped her back onto her feet. Though like Ruby had with Weiss, she gave Blake a quick peck on the cheek to show her own relief that she was okay as well

"Can't say Blake, but now that I looked at your four. Huh, you all seem…different somehow." Elizabeth exclaimed, as the girls looked to one another finally taking in the fact that they all did indeed look different in some ways

For one, their hair had grown long, like down to their ankles long which was surprising. Next the runes on their skin were gone. Not fully gone as the could somewhat feel their goddess like energy still. More that the psychical runes weren't there. But aside from that, their clothes they'd worn under their now missing armor. Now looked a bit smaller on them. Then again, it seemed they all had grown a bit taller, more angular in some ways too and all in all; looked more mature in appearance.

But before anyone of them could say more or question why they had changed so drastically. Suddenly the whole area rumbled. The five almost falling to down once more. But kept their footing. Though they were a little worried now in what was even going on.

"Okay so… agree to say that's not a good sign?" Yang mused, as the others nodded in agreement on that one. But thankfully it seem they would finally get some answers as the sounds of the room's comm systems turned on

"Hello, Hello (Static) hear me. Look I don't have much time, but this facility is under attack. I need you all to get out and make your way to me. Me and my daughter are held up in the security room, go to the large locker on left side of the room. Take the armor inside and the weapons. They're not much, but it's better then-" The voice over the comm explained, before another boom from a distance echoed and the station shake for a moment "(Static) Hurry, now!"

The five didn't need to be told twice as they ran toward the large locker. Opening it quickly as a bunch of similar made armor pieces and M3-Predator pistols fell out. Though they quickly took the pieces of armor and the bodysuits that came with them. Placing the body suits over their clothing for the time. Then the steel grey armor pieces after.

Once the armor was placed on them securely, that and using four pieces of wire found to tie their rather long hair into ponytails for the time. They picked up the pistols, seeing they all had one clip in each. Hopefully they would find more down the pathway to well, wherever they were. Still, it wasn't a second later before the doors leading out exploded. The five seeing eight of those recently approved Security Mechs. All with also that new submachine gun on the market, the M-4 Shuriken's. Which began to fire at them.

"Crap, find cover!" Elizabeth ordered as she and the girls moved to a few ledges and large crates; already unloading on the Security Mechs. As they shot, Elizabeth tried using a biotic pull, but it didn't work; actually nothing felt like it used to "What the…"

"Elizabeth keep you head the in the game!" Blake yelled, as she had leaped over her cover she shared with Weiss and kicked the closest security mech, pushing it to the ground and landing three shots to the head. Then took its Shuriken and began firing off the pistol like SMG alongside her pistol

"Right sorry!" Elizabeth responded, as she kept on firing. Though she'd figure out why her biotics felt so…well NOT there and hopefully get some answers on why she looked so different

So with that, the fight didn't last too much longer. Well placed shots to the joints and heads of the mechs made quick work of them. By the end of it, all that was left were scrap piles of broken down mechs. Still the rest picked up a Shuriken as well. That and the ammo, oh sweet heavens yes the recently approved universal ammo.

Once loaded and ready with their new weapons. Blake and Ruby keeping out the Shuriken's as their primary and pistols secondary. While Elizabeth, Weiss and Yang kept their pistols out instead, while keeping the SMG's their secondary. The four gave a nod to one another, before letting Elizabeth lead them. As they came out through the door from the labs to outside of it. They were meet with a somewhat grizzly sight.

It showed a wide lounge room, some fires here and there, with broken down mechs and sadly a few dead uniformed individuals. It seemed as if there had been quite the firefight before any of them had awoken. Still it what made this grizzly sight truly creepy. Was how…quiet it was. Despite what they had felt beforehand when it came to the sudden explosions and such. It was just quiet now. But they kept on, walking slowly up a flight of stairs.

Though as they got up to the top and through the door, yet another sight of a large scale battle could be seen. As the five slowly started to walk through a hallway of dead humans in the same black, white and grey uniforms as the ones before. With dozens of destroyed security mechs too.

"Jeez. The heck happened here?" Yang said, as she cringed at some of the more burnt bodies

"Well aside from the obvious hun. Seems like someone must have hacked the stations mechs." Elizabeth exclaimed, as she stopped for a moment to inspect one mechs with her omni tool; before it beeped "Ah okay so that's how they did it. Used something to override the central cortex of the mechs of programing. Made it so the IFF was set to in laymen's terms 'Extreme Prejudice' to anyone not a mech."

"Huh, you know a lot about that tech stuff… no offense it's just…" Blake began to say, but stopped as she didn't want to sound rude to her friend

"Just we didn't peg you for the techie type." Weiss answered, giving her sister-in-law a nod; Blake nodding back a silent thank you

"Heh I can't blame ya for that. But even though I did get trained with the usage of my biotics during boot camp. I did study engineering a lot too. Not the most useful for combat, but it's always a good idea to at least have some tech know how in our line of work." Elizabeth explained, as she wasn't offended one bit and could understand the girls surprise there

"Huh that's pretty cool mom. So like, you kind of like mama them?" Ruby questioned, before she frowned a little "Hm…I miss mama."

"Same." Yang muttered as now they were hoping everyone else was still okay

"I know girls. But don't worry, we'll all get out of here and meet back up with the others. Then, after that. We're gonna go after and find that ship that attacked us." Elizabeth exclaimed, as she too missed her girl and everyone else as well. But knew they had to get off whatever this station was before that. Looking to the girls with a determine gaze, she smirked "Let's get to it ladies!"

"Yes ma'am!" Team RWBY shouted back, feeling more determined now than ever as they kept on walking down the hallway

After that, it was few more hallways ahead. Similar result with each one filled with dead on both the organic and mech sides. Though a few nearly broken down mechs did almost get the jump on them. Either by firing at them or crawling to them. But either way. The five took each one down in seconds. Then they finally made it to another doorway. But this one was different, this one sounded like it had a firefight still happening in the next room.

Knowing that there could be people with answers for them, the five gave one another a nod that they were good. Elizabeth in front of Team RWBY as the leader, Ruby behind her, followed by Yang, then Weiss and finally Blake. Elizabeth holding up her hand, with three fingers up. Then two, then one and then zero. Seconds later the five barged in, and saw four people hiding behind thick glass walls as they were having a fire fight with mechs on the other side of a gap.

Only the five also saw that out of the four, three of them were very familiar since they'd been with them a while during their Geth Hunting Mission. These three, seeming a bit older and more armored up, but still easy to tell who they were. As it was Oscar, Melanie and her twin sister Miltia. The last of those three, the one to notice Elizabeth and the girls.

"Elizabeth and wait… girls what are you doing here?" Miltia asked, standing up a bit shocked yet happy to see them. But more shocked by the fact team RWBY was here and looked different

"Huh?" Oscar muttered, before he saw them too, alongside Melanie "What the heck?"

"Seriously. Elizabeth we're surprised to see you up. But girls-" Miltia began to say, before being cut off when the fourth person pulled her down. She, her sister and Oscar remembering they were in a firefight "Crap. Sorry Jacob. I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine. Just keep focused." The man Jacob stated, as for Elizabeth and the girls; they got a good look at the newcomer before them

Jacob was dark skinned man, buzz cut hairstyle and a trimmed goatee. Wearing a uniform that was shades of grey and black. In his hand was a pistol like the group had. He seemed to be the one in charge here, that and he finally took notice of the five.

"What the…never mind. You ladies get over here and keep your head down!" Jacob ordered as Elizabeth and team RWBY didn't argue with that logic and did so. Once all five were down on the left of him, he decided to at least say something; even if they were getting shot at "Gotta say, I ain't to surprise to see you here Shepard. But you four, where did you come from?"

"Yeah. Not that we aren't happy to see you but…it's been a while since you disappeared." Oscar exclaimed, popping out of cover for a moment and did shoot off a few rounds before ducking back down

"Well, if you must know. I guess we were in some kind of crystal and-" Weiss began to explain, but then was cut off by Melanie

"OH…so that's why it radiated with so much power. Okay that makes way more sense." Melania exclaimed, before she realized she'd just interrupted her friends "Opp's sorry."

"No problem." Weiss replied, as it was fine and she didn't mind

"Hold on a second though, what…what do you mean we've been gone for a while. How…how long?" Ruby cut in, as that had caught her attention on what Oscar meant by a 'While'; it couldn't have been that long… right

"Well-" Oscar was about to answer, if not with some hesitance. But before he could, a grenade that was throw; but didn't make it exploded near them with enough force to stop their little chat for a second "Man these things just don't quit!"

"Got that right. Look ladies, help us take care the rest of these mechs and then we can play twenty questions. How's that sound?" Jacob suggested

"I think that's fair, ladies?" Elizabeth replied, looking back at the team RWBY

"Sounds fair." Ruby exclaimed, Weiss, Blake and Yang nodded in agreement with their team leader as she looked to Jacbo "So any idea how to stop them, numbers?"

"From what we can tell, they're just coming in after we take a few out. So if anything. Take the bridge over their side out. Trouble is we can only get a few pot shots here and there since they just fire at us when we pop our heads up." Jacbo explained, before smirking as he pulled out a grenade "Well we're having a problem. But with you four, we should be able to take out their support beams below. Just need some covering fire."

"I think we can do that. Tell us when and we'll get to it." Elizabeth exclaimed with a smirk, the girls smiling a little themselves as they got their guns ready

"Right." Jacbo said, looking back to those who'd been with him as they nodded that they understood. Jacbo took a moment before his hand started to glow with biotics "NOW!"

With that, Elizabeth, the girls, Oscar, Melanie and Miltia stood up and began to fire at the mechs gather on the other side of the gap between them. Jacbo took the moment, standing up as he used his biotics to push the grenade fast, as it flew to the singular if not strong support beam below. As it made contact, it exploded taking the beam out.

Seconds later the mechs firing back, stopped when the floor below them crumbled into pieces and before falling down the surprisingly deep abyss below. The group waited after that, reloaded and waited a minuet more just in case more mechs would come out from the doors and shoot from there. But it didn't happen, much to their relief.

"Thank god that's over with. Before you five came along, we were starting to get low on ammo." Jacbo stated, as he holstered his weapon "Anyways, guess now you can ask us some questions. So, ask away."

"Well first off, before we get back to what was asked before. But can you tell us where we are and what exactly is going on around here. Also who are you people?" Elizabeth asked first, Jacbo looked to the others of his group who took a moment, before nodding and the man smiled some having been on the same line of thought

"Right well for what happened. We can't say, I was getting ready to get some rest myself." Jacob began, before everyone else on his side joined in

"And I was with a friend getting some dinner when the mechs started acting up." Oscar added in, as he hoped his friend was okay; but she probably was considering who her mother was

"Me and sis here were about to get some rest too. Then like Oscar said, the mechs started acting up before shooting at everyone that wasn't them. Thank god we were armed at that moment. Still, we… lost some friends we made on the station there." Miltia exclaimed, as she clenched her fist a little as Oscar gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder feeling the same

"When we all meet up after taking out quite a few mechs. I theorized that this must have been an inside job." Melanie exclaimed, as her mind still racked on who could have done it; a few came to mind but she didn't want to point fingers yet

"And I agree with her. It must have been one, only someone with high level security status would have been able to reach the mechs control module and caused them to haywire before… well you know. Anyways, we were gonna find out who could have done this. But as you saw, we got held up. Thanks again by the way. Now for the second part your question. This place, it's a lab a bit out a ways in the Terminus. Just far enough that it could never be found. Which is where we conduct Project Lazarus." Jacbo explained, but now it was the girls turn to cut in; at the moment Weiss

"Okay hold on there. What is Project Lazarus, must be important if you need a facility THIS big." Weiss asked, as she was curious now on this project

"Right... was hoping Shepard here was gonna be awake before one of us told her but…" Jacob began to say, rubbing the back of his head as he seemed a little hesitant

"Do you want one of us to them?" Oscar suggested, patting his boss's shoulder for a moment

"No. I need to, but thanks for offering." Jacbo replied as he did appreciate the offer, but he felt he needed to. Considering he was the one to bring it up, even if it was by accident

"W-What's the issue?" Blake questioned. As she, the girls and Elizabeth were feeling kind of unsettled with how hesitant Jacbo seemed

"It's just and… now that I think about it. I just realized you four must have been in that large crystal right. The one we left next to the commander here?" Jacob stated as he realized that must have been why team RWBY wasn't found amongst those who were escaped the Normandy before it was destroyed. When the girls nodded, Jacbo sighed at his correct hunch "Right, that mean this also will be important to you four. So just…just please try not freak out okay?"

"O-Okay… but it seems like it will be hard considering how you're. You know." Ruby exclaimed, as the others nodded in agreement

"Sorry about that. Anyways… right. Okay look, it may feel like it's only been maybe a day, two days or even a month for you five. But, in reality. It's been… four years today. That alongside the fact, you Shepard were technically dead until today." Jacbo explained, as he and his team waited for some kind of response. But that didn't seem to be the case when none of them uttered a word and were wide eyed "Are you-"

Before Jacbo could finish that sentence. Ruby and Blake at least fell on their knees as they lost feeling in their legs from the sudden news. Yang and Weiss almost did. But caught themselves as Yang held onto the side and allowed Weiss to cling to her for support. Elizabeth, well she was just stunned in utter shock.

For Elizabeth especially. It was rather…harrowing to hear such a long time had passed and the fact she had been until today. Dead, like dead-dead. She knew too that Jacbo wasn't lying, she was good at telling a lair when she saw one for the most part. That and she could tell Jacob was a good one. Still, she just couldn't believe it.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to…" Jacbo tried to apologize as Oscar and Miltia went to help Ruby; and Blake up to their feet. While Melanie moved to Yang and Weiss to make sure they wouldn't pass out or fall to their knees. Though Jacbo was cut off by Blake, being the first one to come back to it mostly

"STOP…just…sorry just. Y-You aren't to blame, it's just. Four years exactly today. That's hard to warp your head around you know?" Blake explained, as the others were coming back to it by now

"We can only imagine and for the reason of this project. It was all made for the sole reason of bring back the commander here. Just her." Oscar answered, much to the group's confusion

"W-What?" Elizabeth questioned, as she found that notion utterly surprising "Why, for what reason would you devote this all for just…just ME. In fact, who are you people anyways. I-I doubt you're Alliance."

"That the million credit question. I guess none of you remember then what me, my sis, Ilia and Oscar told you then while we were still on the Normandy?" Miltia asked, as the five took a moment before nodding a defiant 'No'. She looked back to her sister with a sigh "I hate when I'm right."

"Huh?" Team RWBY said, confused on what the heck Miltia was going on about

"She means that when we first found Elizabeth. Sis here theorized to our project leader that if she were to wake up. She may have gaps of memory lost after being ahem…dead for so long." Melanie answered, before looking to the girls "Though since we just learned you four were in the crystals all this time. I guess it effected your memory too. But it shouldn't be that bad, at least you have most of your memories."

"Thanks…I think." Yang muttered, before Jacbo cut in

"That aside. I was gonna tell you anyways. Better you trust us then expect a back stab. So for who we are, we're a human made group called; Cerberus." Jacbo answered, as he and the rest of his team waited for what kind of reaction they would have and if the mention of their groups name would jog any kind of memories

"Cerberus…" Elizabeth muttered. As she was trying her best to remember what that was, her mind coming to something but not fully enough for a clear answer

"Yeah we heard that name from you guys then. Hm." Yang exclaimed, as she definitely remembered the name now. It was coming back to her rather quickly. Yang snapping her fingers as it was on the tip of her mind what else there was "They…they…"

"They…WAIT. That's right. I remember somewhat. You guys and Ilia told us your groups name and that you were some kind of Pro-Human group." Ruby began to explain, before Blake abruptly cut her off

"Yeah…you were freaking terrorist that's right. I even remember some of the side missions we did when we stumbled upon some of your groups little dark secret ops." Blake sated, sternly as she narrowed her eyes a little at the four "Pretty horrid stuff I believe too."

"Like the one with the Thorina Creepers and…right Admiral Kahoku being killed off too." Weiss exclaimed, as she narrowed her eyes too as certain memories were coming back to her now

"Then you also remember the fact we were just as shocked too. Honestly, I knew some cells did shady things but…" Oscar tried to say, but shivered some in anger at the actions he remembered seeing from the other cells on those missions with the girls and Elizabeth

"We do… which is why we shouldn't be blaming Oscar, Miltia and Melanie here for those. Right Weiss, Blake?" Elizabeth finally said, somewhat sternly as the two she mentioned took a moment before seeming to calm down and nodded that they understood. Then Elizabeth looked back to Jacob with a small smile "I'll be honest I'm not exactly happy that we've been saved by a terrorist organization. BUT, I am happy to know that we have friends in this place. Even you Jacbo. I think I can say for me and the girls, but we appreciate you being honest with us."

"That we do, thanks dude. You're okay in our book!" Yang exclaimed in glee, as she was at least happy it seemed they were in the company of the more moral members of Cerberus

"Indeed. Like my dear said, you're all friends. Despite my…reservations about your group." Blake added in, feeling a little shameful she just threw these four into the same category as those who conduct such horrific experiments on those side missions

Though before anyone could say more or add in anything. Yet another loud explosion from far off echoed and the rattling of the area they were in stopped them. After a few moments and keeping their footing. Jacob checked his pistols magazine before putting it back in.

"Alright look. Let's do this, we get out of here. Find two more of our team I know have to be alive still, that being the project leader and her daughter. Then we take you to our boss, he can explain more about who he is. Why he did what he did and whatever else you need to know. Deal?" Jacob suggested, holding his hand out to Elizabeth, who took a moment before she shook it

"Agreed. We may not trust Cerberus, but like my older daughter said. You four are okay in our book. So, let's get the heck out of here." Elizabeth exclaimed, ceasing her handshake as she and the girls took their guns back out; followed by the rest of Jacobs team

"Sounds good. You lead commander, we'll follow behind." Jacob suggested, as Elizabeth found that fine enough

Without saying a word, Elizabeth then began her way out of this room and hopefully to the docking bay. The others following behind her. By this point, all of them kind of hoped it wouldn't be TOO much more difficult. Then again, with now nine of them in a group. It probably wasn't going to be too hard.

At least that's what team RWBY believed.

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OKAY. Maybe the girls should stop assuming so much…

That was what was the current regret team RWBY was experiencing. As at the moment they were hiding behind a few creates with the others and-

"I TOLD YOU. I TOLD YOU THEY'D BE WAITNG FOR US!"

Oh right… their tenth temporary member in this little band of warriors. Being a man in a uniform many of the dead bodies wore. Peach skin, brown eyes, bald and with some stubble as he shot off a few rounds from his pistol. This man was Wilson. A man who apparently worked alongside the project leader when she inspected Elizabeth on her own. A woman who they also learned was named Miranda Lawson and the mother of another friend of theirs, Ilia. Who the girls hoped was okay.

Still, the group had found Wilson along their way being shot at by some mechs while also bleeding out from a leg wound. Mechs, they handled and then helped heal up Wilson with some Medi-gel. After that, he explained he was supposedly making his way up to the security mech terminal to shut them off for good. Which kind of was a bit suspicious considering from what Jacob pointed out, Wilson wasn't even supposed to have those. But the man argued he found them on a dead engineer.

Now none of the others really believed the man's words and even had their own suspicions about his possible involvement in this whole mess. BUT, considering they needed the numbers and Wilson had the codes. That and they weren't just gonna shot the guy without any solid evidence. They all decided to keep an eye on him.

Which wasn't too hard. BUT Wilson did say that they should find another way off the station with the escape pods since the docking would be filled with mechs. No one believed him and didn't want to risk it, so they decided to just go for the docking bay. Which again the girls of team RWBY at least thought would be an easy thing to deal with, if the mechs ended up being in there.

Again, maybe the girls of team RWBY should just stop assuming so much. Because for some reason, they always tend to make it worse every time they assume. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. By this point they wouldn't be surprised if it was cosmic curse messing with them. Still at least it was never too dull on these missions when stuff like this occurred. Speaking of, they should start helping out with the horde of mechs shooting at them currently… yeah.

"WE GET IT DUDE. SHUT UP!" Yang argued, as she pulled up from cover and fired a few pot shots, taking out at least one mech who was getting a little too close to them. Before hiding back down once more and looking to ones she was sharing her cover with. That being her dear Blake, Melanie, Oscar and Jacob "Seriously. How do you deal with that guy?"

"Trust us… I wish we knew." Oscar answered, sighing some as he for the life of him could not figure out how Ilia's mom had not killed Wilson yet for how irritating the man could be at times

"Him aside. Any idea how we deal with knockoff Cybermen army?" Melanie exclaimed, as Oscar and Jacbo gave her a look "What?"

"You know Doctor Who?" Oscar questioned as even Jacob had taken a liking to show, more casual but liked it none the less

"I do. I do." Melanie remarked, rather calmly despite the situation at hand

"Every day we learn more and more about you." Oscar replied back, also rather calmly as a grenade went off near them

"And that's part of the journey." Melanie quipped, as Oscar simply hummed alongside Jacob who again. Were a little TOO calm right now, though Blake and Yang witnessing this realized they must have already been infected by… the curse

"NO. NOT ALREADY!" Blake screamed, as she swore to whoever excluding themselves. But she swore, that someone must be having a laugh at the mere fact their randomness curse was infectious still after this much time passed "WHY?!"

"It's okay Blakey…it's okay. We just have to bear and grin it." Yang responded as she felt the same as well when it came to this revelation; pulling her girlfriend into a hug as they kept on dreading the curse of randomness

Meanwhile the others who were sharing cover with Wilson, being Weiss, Miltia, Ruby and Elizabeth. Took a moment to just stare at the oddness before them. For Ruby, Weiss and Elizabeth they had a bad feeling what it was about. That stupid little curse they swore was real, Wilson primarily had his right eye twitch while Miltia just fired at the mechs to ignore what she just saw.

"Is…is that normal?" Wilson asked Elizabeth, Weiss and Ruby

"Yes…" The three answered back, slumping some as Wilson's eye twitched a bit more now like he was having an aneurism

"I'm starting to think maybe Project Lazarus was a mistake." Wilson muttered, as he went off shooting alongside Miltia back at the mechs; while trying to figure out how in god's name these women were supposed to be the best of the best; especially Elizabeth. Speaking of…

"Girls, I know that harrowing news is well de-moralizing. But curses aside, we should help. But how… I don't want to waste all our ammo." Elizabeth exclaimed, as Ruby and Weiss gave her deadpanned looks "What?"

"Um…mom. Your friend on your back?" Ruby said, as she pointed to her back while Weiss face palmed some

"My…oh…OH. Right. My ah…grenade launcher. Ahem, a moment girls." Elizabeth in slight embarrassment as she pulled from her back. The recently acquired grenade launcher she found a bit before meeting up with Jacbo and his crew. She had yet to use it, but better now the never. Aiming it as she stood from cover, and let her shield take a few hits, she then pulled the trigger "FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

After that. It was a hail of nine more shots from her grenade launcher, once it was done everyone else slowly stood up. Seeing the scraps of mechs and knew they were safe. Everyone looking to Elizabeth who holstered the large grenade launcher onto back once more. She sheepishly smiled at the stares.

"Hehe. Yeah, I kind of forgot about the grenade launcher." Elizabeth explained, as one or two individuals of the group. Mainly Wilson and Jacob faced palmed too, like Weiss had. While the rest sighed, Elizabeth huffed a bit "Oh give me a break. I only woke up like nearing an hour now. So I think I can have a LITTLE leeway here."

"Guess so. Either way, the mechs are cleared and were good. Last shuttle should be past the doors up ahead." Jacob exclaimed, as another boom echoed from somewhere on the station "Yeah let's get going NOW."

"Right. Let's get to it then." Elizabeth replied back, as she began making her way to the door, followed by the others. Though despite the lack of mechs, they still had their weapons out

So as they took a few more steps, still a little cautious considering. The first the door they went through, waiting for everyone to get inside the little area; before the second door to the shuttle that would get them off this station of nightmares. Wilson was the last one to come through, once the doors closed. For some odd reason he ran up to the next door, his omni-tool out.

"Wilson what are you doing?" Ruby questioned as she felt that was little odd

"The door here is locked kid, access to it will need a code. I got it, just give me a minuet and I should be able to get it open." Wilson explained as he seemed focused

"What about Miranda and Ilia though. We can't just leave them!" Oscar argued, as he was feeling much more suspicious of Wilson right now

"Face it. By this point, those two are probably-" Wilson tried to explain, only for the doors to open finally and much to his shock; two women were there staring right at him

One was Miranda Lawson, the project director with a pistol aimed right at his face with her finger slightly pulled own on the trigger. Next to her was Ilia in her combat armor, narrowing her eyes as she cracked her Knuckles. Wilson was rightful scared.

"M-Miranda, Ilia I thought you both were-" Wilson began to say, before he was cut off

First by Miranda who, instead of shooting him in the face. Shot both his knee caps out with two bullets in each. Wilson screaming in agonizing pain as he fell on his stomach, before looking up and seeing the bottom of Ilia's combat boots. Then lights out for him as he felt for a moment, the bottom of said combat boots collide with his face. Though as he fell to his back, Miranda smirked as she holstered her weapon.

"Dead?" Miranda snarked just a little, as it felt good to do that to such a… irritating man. Then she looked to her daughter with a kinder smile "Looks like you HAVE been training."

"Told you mom." Ilia replied, smirking some as Miranda simply patted the top of her head much to Ilia's glee

"W-Why'd you do that?" Jacob questioned from the initial shock of what just happened to Wilison

"Relax Jacob. He'll live, but he did earn that though. Turns out old Wilson here was the reason all THIS happened." Ilia exclaimed, giving the unconscious Wilson one last dirty look

"That he was. Would have killed him, but Ilia here convinced me that it would better to take him in then kill him. I'm sure under our people, he'll squeal quickly." Miranda exclaimed, before looking to Elizabeth and the girls "Well now. I'm glad you five made it here and even saved my best people."

"It was nothing Miss Ilia's mom, that and also nice to meet you finally. Oh, and speaking about her. Hi Ilia, we super missed ya and are really happy to see you again!" Ruby cheered as she and the girls gave Ilia big smile; along with wave

"And I'm happy to see you again too. When we heard of the Normandy's…end. Me and the rest here got worried for you. But guess that crystal we found alongside Elizabeth here kept you safe. For that, again I'm happy to know you're all okay." Ilia remarked, before motioning for Oscar to help her pick Wilson up and bring him into their custom made shuttle

Oscar did so, Miltia helped him too while Melanie just followed to make sure Wilson stayed out cold for the duration of the trip out of this place. Ilia joined them, but not before giving Elizabeth and the girls a quick hug before doing so. Once she and the others were in the shuttle, Miranda and Jacob looked to one another. Before the woman sighed, facing their newest guests.

"So, I assume Jacob here already told you…about us. This place and…?" Miranda began to ask, but left it so one of the five could answer if her hunch was correct

"Yes, yes he did and we do appreciate it." Weiss answered, as she gave Jacob a nod of another silent thank you while Miranda sighed

"Oh Jacob. I knew your conscious would get the better of you." Miranda exclaimed, as she knew her old time friend had issues with lying; he was more of a lay it all out there kind of man

"They won't be as willing to help if they expect a stab to the back." Jacob exclaimed, crossing his arms as he wasn't sorry for that

"Hm… well what's done is done. Ladies we should get on the shuttle now." Miranda said, but the girls and Elizabeth didn't feel right about just leaving when there could be survivors; Yang the one to voice this sentiment

"But what about the others. There has to be someone here, maybe we should look for them?" Yang suggested, as Jacob and Miranda looked at one another, before back at the Yang and the rest

"That's not likely. Wilson was… well let's just say. Out the staff, everyone here I know for a fact is dead. But don't feel too bad. Everyone in this station knew the risks. They didn't die in vain." Miranda exclaimed, as she still saw the hesitant from the commander and team RWBY. If she'd been younger, she'd been blunt; but having Ilia in her life had taught her how to mend her words when needed "Look. I know you five probably don't have a great view on us. Trust me, when Ilia and the others reported back with the intel on some of those other cells. I wasn't fond of it either, loyalties aside. But you have my word that we are you allies. So please come with us and I know our boss with have answer for you. Please."

Team RWBY and Elizabeth looked to one another for a moment. Seeming to try and silently convey an answer amongst one another. It was a few seconds later, that they slowly nodded. Though didn't seem so happy about the situation, they looked back to Miranda and Jacob. Elizabeth this time nodding once more, that they were for it. Without much more reason to stay, the five followed the two operatives into the shuttle.

They just really hoped they get some answer soon.

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Turns out, seems like they were all freaking strong armed into NOW going down to a recently abandoned settle of Freedoms Progress. In a shuttle currently was team RWBY, Elizabeth, Miranda and Jacob. The others staying at the temp-HQ for their own debriefings and for a quick rest considering what they went through.

That and they had beforehand, gotten to know Jacob and Miranda too. Both nice in their own ways, Jacob in big brother way so far; while Miranda was a stern big sister. To the girls at least. Still, they had been surprised mainly that it seemed Jacob was Ex-Alliance and that Miranda had taken in Ilia around her first or second year at Cerberus. Maybe a little later than that, the woman wasn't too clear.

Still aside from those two, the also big guy, the head honcho. The Illusive Man as was learned, turned out to leave quite an impression on the Elizabeth and the girls. But mainly the girls who already decided they did NOT like the man one bit. Yep, how fun that was to talk to such a man, the memory obviously still very fresh…

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The girls and Elizabeth had entered the meeting room, well more of a small-ish room with a big circle that could hold them all in for a conversation if needed. Still Ilia had explained they all simply needed to stand on the platform and the rest would take care of itself.

So, they did, waiting for a few moments as they head the machine start up. Then they saw orange holograms rise up and circle them. Before it changed to a imagine of a man sitting in a chair, behind a large holo of a sun of all things. Still even in holo form, his peach skin and grey hair were easy to spot. He wore mostly black clothing with some grey around the chest. He had his legs crossed and was smoking a cigarette. But what had been most striking was his glowing, almost techno like blue eyes. That also added a bit of a creepy factor to him.

-"Ah the famed Commander Shepard and Team RWBY. Honor is mine."- The Illusive Man in a clam and confident tone exclaimed, as snuffed out his cigarette into an ash tray

"The Illusive man. Though you'd be meeting us face to face." Elizabeth explained, crossing her arms a bit and not all the too happy already to be talking with this man

-"A necessary precaution. You ladies should understand that in our line of work, this isn't so unusual. Especially for what we all know."- The Illusive Man remarked, as on his left was a glass of wine on a table, he picked it up taking a sip of it

"Look. You might be the reason Elizabeth is alive, that I'll at least say thank you for. But after some of the other 'Projects' your people conducted. Don't be offended, but none of really trust you." Blake exclaimed sternly, as her senses were screaming bad news from this man by mere hologram alone already

"That and from what we remember too. Your views on aliens. Not a fan of the racists if you don't mind me saying." Weiss added in, her own experiences with the wealthy and elite already showing from the man; that and the way his eye gleamed in a way reminded her of her dear old… father. Maybe even worse than that man, which made her shiver at the thought

-"I'll admit. Some of those projects you found, weren't one's I would have backed either. That and the fact they ended up becoming rouge elements despite what you may think. For our views…well I didn't want it to get so zealous. But it happens, better to just move on from it and deal with what you have."- The Illusive man exclaimed, as Elizabeth and the girls couldn't tell if he was being honest or was a really good liar; either way they trusted him even less now. The Illusive Man meanwhile straightened himself up as he placed the wine glass down -"That aside. You ladies need to put your feelings aside. Because Humanity is facing an enemy unlike any other."-

"The Reapers…" Elizabeth stated, scowling some at the mere mention of the name

"Please no." Ruby groaned, as the girls sighed alongside their younger leader feeling the same way

-"Good to see your memories on them didn't fade away. Speaking of, how are you ladies feeling anyways. Dizzy still, queasy?"- The Illusive Man remarked, but the girls didn't feel great much more that this man was acting like they were already friends

"No offense dude. But you ain't our friend, you know the people who have a right to ask us that. So don't think you can." Yang snarked, as she narrowed her eyes at the man who seemed calm as ever

-"Cerberus isn't as evil as you ladies believe. Were on the same side here, we just use different methods is all to get our goal completed."- The Illusive man informed, but the girls at least did their best not to huff some

"Right… look I don't want to sound rude. But can you just tell us what you want from us, we're still getting our bearings. But we just want some answers. Like for one, not that we aren't happy about this like Blake said. But why did you spend so much effort bring mom back. What have the Reapers done?" Ruby chimed in, pouting a little as she really was getting a bit irked at how vague everything so far had been; but mainly it was just this man making it worse

-"Simple. We, Humanity are at war. But no one wants to admit that fact."- The Illusive Man answered. Getting up from his seat and walking a bit closer to the holograms of Elizabeth and the girls -"While you all were taking a long nap. Entire colonies have been disappearing. Human colonies only. We believe it's someone working for the Reapers. Just like Saren and the Geth. For why we did what we did, it's that the commander bested them all. One reason we did our best to revive Shepard here. You four were a welcomed unknown."-

"I guess that makes sense. But look and again no offense, but fighting a war like this. I just don't see your group as the type. So why and why not ask or even have the Alliance for help?" Ruby asked, curious if she could help get some important info on these people

-"Like I've said before, were on the same side here ladies. Mainly our goal is and has always been, the advancement of Humanity as a whole. If the Reapers are targeting us, trying to wipe us out. Cerberus will stop them. The Alliance will take too damn long with their policies and politics to act accordingly. By that point, all Human colonies will be wiped cleaned."- The Illusive man explained, a slight edge to his tone at the mere mention of the Alliance

"But why just a few Human colonies. The Reapers we know wanted to kill all life as we know, so why would they just want to target a few human colonies instead?" Weiss questioned as she found that odd, like really odd

"Yeah kind of weird honestly. I mean wouldn't it just be easier for them to try again with the whole invasion thing?" Yang added in, as she also found this reasoning odd and the motives of the supposed accused odd too

"Same. I mean if they were being more discrete this time. I would make more sense to do one planet at a time. Take out the one's farthest away and work their way inwards." Blake stated, as like Weiss and Yang found it quite odd for the Reapers to be only attacking small settlements or at least sending whoever was working for them to do it

-"I can't say honestly ladies. Maybe they're after resources, labor in this case. Maybe they just want to or at least what I theorize. Is because you killed one of them, even if four of you would technically not be considered part of humanity. You still look human enough. But maybe because you killed one of them, it showed the potential threat of humanity that it could pose later on. I honestly can't say, but if they know of emotions. Maybe they at least can't help but respect that fact alone. Who's to say."- The Illusive Man exclaimed, before he kept on -"This is a harvest mark my words, each colony holding hundreds and thousands. But nobody is paying mind to it because it random and always in remote locations. Most have been blamed on raiders or slavers."-

"Even so. Wouldn't at least some Alliance aid help, despite your opposition against them?" Ruby once more argued, as she thought it was good idea at least "Look I get it. You don't trust them and they don't trust you. But couldn't you at least try?"

-"An optimistic view there, but even if I wanted to or tried. It wouldn't be much help. The Alliance is still rebuilding after the battle with sovereign and are stretch thin as it is."- The Illusive Man explained, a bit kinder this time as he did understand what Ruby was trying to say and it had once or twice crossed his mind to at least think on it as a last resort. Then he looked to Elizabeth -"Which is why I opted out to bring you back commander."-

"And again, I'll at least say thank for that. But there has to be another reason why you brought me back, sure I'm skilled and helped take down Sovereign. But with what I'm guessing was expensive project to bring me back at all. You could have trained an army near as good as I was. So what other reasons did you have?" Elizabeth questioned, getting her head wrapped around on the why still or the mere fact so much was spent on bring her back from the dead

-"Well I guess I did have one other reason. Mosty because of what you stood for and experienced during all this. Yes, I could have made an army. But you make up for that army with what you know and accomplished four years ago. You were the idol of all those of earth, her colonies and humanity. You were its champion and now we'll need that champion again. To not only defend us, but to also inspire us."- The Illusive man explained, putting his hands behind his back -"Is that a good enough reason?"-

"Yeah… yeah." Elizabeth responded back, as she hadn't expected that or the fact she seemed to have been that inspiring to others. It was a little surreal if you asked her. Taking a moment, she decided too at least be a little more agreeable, if only a little "Okay. Say that I DO believe what you've said, if the Reapers are behind this. Then maybe me and the girls will consider helping you. Fair ladies?"

"I think so. I may not like your group cause of all the real bad things we saw from it. But… you did help bring mom back so. Fine." Ruby answered first, not happy about this; but she was at least willing to give them some benefit of a doubt considering that her mom was back alive thanks to them

"Same. But this better be all legit bud." Yang answered next. A bit sterner and more guarded, as she wasn't happy at all with this arrangement; but knew that if he was right it would be for the best to see it for themselves; that and like Ruby. They had brought their mother back, so that was at least one brownie point to them

"Agreed…for now." Blake chimed in, as she didn't want to say more on that matter even if her instincts were still screaming at her not to trust this man. She felt Yang hold her hand to help comfort her, which Blake greatly appreciated

"I guess with that all said. What now?" Weiss stated, crossing her arms as she was going to keep tabs on this guy if they were to keep meeting like this with the man

-"Hm not too trusting still. We'll I'd be disappointed if you all had accepted without seeing first hand."- The Illusive man exclaimed, before moving back seat and sitting down -"I have a shuttle for you to take you to Freedoms Progress, the latest colony to be abducted. A few who were with you on the station won't be coming, as they requested some rest before helping out later. Miranda and Jacob on the other hand will be coming with you."-

"Well at least it's with people we CAN trust." Ruby remarked, as so far Miranda and Jacbo despite their allegiances. Had proven to be trustworthy enough so far; the others seemed to agree with that statement

-"Yes. They're both some of my best operative, Jacob is a solider through and through. That and he doesn't trust me much either, but he's always been honest about it. While Miranda is loyal, but she's also loyal to the mission and won't try anything while under your command."- The Illusive Man explained, which only helped the five feel better having Jacob and Miranda on their side -"Now then get going to Freedom's Progress and see what's been going on."-

"Not even a second and already giving us orders. Sure I'm the one in charge right now. Do we even have a choice in this matter?" Elizabeth snarked some, as she crossed her arms. The girls not real fond of it either as they glared at the Illusive man, who didn't seem all that bothered by it

-"You always have a choice here. If you don't find anything down there, then you're all free to go. You have my word, but before that. Go down and see if you can find anything. See if there is any evidence of Reaper involvement with the abductions of the colonies. I brought you back, now it's on you and your team to do the rest."- The Illusive Man exclaimed, as the holo connecting him and the girls cut off

Seconds later, the girls and Elizabeth were left alone. Alone to ponder just for a moment or so on what just had occurred. That and what they had just been thrown into, despite not feeling quite happy about the suddenness of it.

"Well, that was fun. Girls, you okay. Thoughts?" Elizabeth inquired, as she wanted to make sure the girls were feeling decent enough about the whole situation so far

"Mom, you REALLY want to ask us for opinions. Cause I have like a ton of 'Choice' words that I don't want to say around baby sis here." Yang exclaimed, patting Ruby on the head as the younger sister grumbled some

"Hm…not a baby." Ruby grumbled, though if Yang heard or not was up for debate since Yang just chuckled while ruffling Ruby's hair some more

"My sister does have a point. I'd rather not say too much since I have some choice words myself, and I fear I won't stop once I start." Weiss chimed in, as she also had very choice words when it came to this situation as a whole; she definitely could agree with her future sister-in-law there

"Well if it helps. I think we can all agree, this situation is… sudden and unfavorable. Sounds good?" Blake suggested, as she like her dear Yang and future sister-in-law Weiss had many choice words to use. But unlike Weiss and Yang, who were the more temperamental of them, she was able to keep calm enough to find better words to use. Looking to Ruby, she wondered what her future little sister-in-law thought "Ruby. Thoughts?"

"Hm…all I'm gonna say is that Illusive man is really a big jerk." Ruby answered, pouting some more in a rather cute manner. Weiss almost gushing and pulling in Ruby for a kiss, while Yang just wanted to snuggle with her adorable little sister; Elizabeth and Blake simply let an internal 'HNNGGG' while they kept calm externally

"Hehe. Well, I guess that's one way to say it. Let's get going though." Elizabeth suggested kindly, though amused by her younger daughter's answer

So, with that the four made their way out. Ready to see and fine evidence of what was happening to the human colonies. Though they hoped it wasn't what the Illusive Man suggested. Truly they hoped that wasn't the case at all.

.

.

So once more, here was the situation team RWBY and Elizabeth found themselves in. All of them with brand new shinny armor, new weapons and newly updated Omni-Tools.

Starting with Elizabeth, she now had her newly N7 armor, with red strips on her torse and down her thighs; with an extra red colored tint to add more flare for fun. Her armory, with the standard M-8 Avenger Assault Rifle, the M-3 Predator Pistol, the M-92 Mantis Sniper Rifle, M-4 Shuriken Submachine Gun, M-23 Katana and finally the M-100 Grenade Launcher. Out of everyone, she was the most heavily armed.

Next we come to Ruby. Whose armor was taken, refitted and crafted into the Ariake Technologies Set. With the colors of red for the primary, black for the secondary with stripes like Elizabeth and silver for the tint. Her weapons for the time consisted of the M-97 Viper Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle, a confiscated Blood Pack Punisher SMG painted in more Alliance standard colors and another confiscated Blood Pack Executioner Pistol; also painted in Alliance standard colors. Why she wanted the last two, she just did and felt like they'd be the most useful to her personally.

Then came Weiss. Her armor refitted into the Serrice Council set. The primary color white, the stirps a red and the tint an ice blue. Her weapons for the duration consisted of M-9 Tempest Submachine Gun, the M-5 Phalanx Pistol and finally a confiscated Striker Assault Rifle. Weiss was personally happy with her loadout as it was a mix of close and medium combat.

After the first two of team RWBY, now came Blake. Her armor fitted into the Rosenkov Materials set. The primary color purple, secondary for the camo pattern black and the tint white. Her weapons included that of the M-96 Mattock Assault Rifle, a black market purchased AT-12 Raider Shotgun and lastly an also black market purchased Kishock Harpoon Gun/ Sniper Rifle. Blake's choice on these were mainly for a mixture of close to long range combat when needed.

Then at last was Yang. Her armor taken, and then fitted into the Hahne-Kedar set. The colors choose being yellow as the primary, brown for the secondary pattern coloring and for the tint, orange. Her weapons of choice, an 'Accidently' lost N7 Typhoon Assault Rifle which had the N7 print scratched off, a N7 Crusader with also had questionable means of obtaining it and also too had the N7 scratched off. Finally, was the M-77 Paladin Pistol. Yang reasoning here was that she was pretty much gonna be the tank, the agro maker, the shield for the others when in battle. That and she just wanted a more up close, to medium loadout. So it worked just fine for her.

Anyways, the girls and Elizabeth decked out with their new weapons and amor. Were ready as can be for this first and hopefully non-Reaper related mission for the Illusive Man. Miranda and Jacob armed too, moved up to them and turned their attention to Elizabeth.

"Well here we are commander and as of now. You are officially in charge here." Miranda exclaimed as she gave the woman a half smile, though frowned a little remembering Elizabeth… previous state of mood while they made their way down in the shuttle to Freedoms Progress "Are you ah…still a little… you know?"

"Sad. YEP, but I am keeping that to the side since we have a mission here. I mean's it's not like my sadness also is mixed with near blinding rage at the fact that I CAN'T USE MY BIOTICS ANYMORE I MEAN COME ON!" Elizabeth had started of calmly saying, only for that rage to come out for a moment as she was peeved more than anything about that little revelation

The girls, Miranda and Jacob cringed a bit at that moment. Wasn't Elizabeth most dignified or best moment, but considering how distressing the news was for someone who'd had biotics nearly her whole life. Again, it was understandable.

Though the girls also remembered, before that. They and Elizabeth had learned a great deal of information that answered some questions they'd had since waking up.

.

.

The group of five, plus Miranda and Jacob were in the shuttle leading downwards to the colony planet side. At the moment, the girls had kept quiet while Miranda and Jacob in part. Had asked Elizabeth a few questions, just to make sure Elizabeth was fully there. Currently Elizabeth had just finished answering the final question and Miranda just finishing up writing down her assessment.

"And done. Well Elizabeth I guess you're all there, sorry again about some of those questions. But…" Miranda began to say, but wasn't too good at this apologizing when it came to people not her daughter or Oscar; or the others in her small group of friends. Since she'd considered them family

"But like she said before. Had to make sure is all, would have done it on the shuttle ride before. But I'll admit, we both needed the quick power nap. Still good to know your heads on straight." Jacob explained, before looking to the girls who seemed curious on something "You girls have any questions. Looks like you do."

"Oh ah…." Ruby tried to say, but was caught off guard. Before taking a moment to calm herself and get her mind back in place "Right…right sorry. But ah, we kind of were wondering a few things. If you don't mind us asking I mean."

"Not a problem. But we might not have an answer, so yeah." Jacob exclaimed, as the girls understood that and were grateful he at least was honest there

"So ask away." Miranda chimed in, as she was glad these girls were as nice so far as her daughter had made them out to be when she'd returned

"Thanks. Anyways, first off. Do you guys know why me and the girls here look taller, sound a little different and why; and just saying. Why does my chest plate hurts more than usual. Because it does and it's a bit uncomfortable." Ruby questioned, though the last questions everyone was a little wide eyed at the realization on WHY the must be; though Ruby was still probably a bit out of it. So no one blamed the girl for asking

Jacob and Miranda looked at each other. Like debating who should answer all those questions, both doing a quick mini-match of rock, paper, scissors. Miranda won all three, smugly patting Jacob's right shoulder and man groaned irritably. Before facing Ruby and the girls.

"Right, so… okay. For why you girls look and sound a bit different. Is at least what I hear Ilia theorizing with Miranda here just a while ago after we landed on the station. But it was that maybe you four aged psychically, but not mentally. That said, Weiss, Blake and Yang. You three would be considered eighteen years old's in the bodies of twenty-two year old's. Ruby you meanwhile would be a sixteen year old girl in the body of a twenty year old. That make sense?" Jacob explained, as the girls nodded. Though Jacob became a bit more skittish when it came to the other part of Ruby's question "For the ah…ahem, chest thing. I think you grew to your ah… fully developed size, if you get my drift."

"Huh?" Ruby questioned, as she hadn't really taken notice until she put her new armor on and still wasn't sure of the reason why. Jacob and Miranda for a moment face palmed. Elizabeth almost was laughing, like Yang and Blake. While Weiss, well…

"YES!" Weiss suddenly screamed, a look on her face liked she'd been blessed with a holy gift. She also had noticed by swore it was a trick of the mind, but now. Her little Rose was a bit bigger in a fun way when it came to Weiss's fantasy about her love. Though she quickly noticed everyone looking at her, that and the fact her nose was bleeding just a bit. Wiping it, she cleared her throat and sheepishly smiled "Ahem. I mean… good for my little darling Rose. More beautiful with every year."

"Aw, Weiss thank you!" Ruby cheered, as she hugged Weiss and kissed her cheek a dozen times at the kind words

"I blame this for you Yang. You corrupted Weiss with all your weirdness." Blake teased, as Yang chuckled some. Though Blake was happy to see Ruby had grown into the woman she knew she would be –"Still, gonna have to help my future baby sister-in-law shop some when we can. Would let Weiss, but I think she'd have other ideas in mind. Yang would just make it too embarrassing for her, that and maybe cry some at how older her baby sister was getting. Yeah. Note to self, make a future sister-in-law to sister day when I can. If she's like Yang, she'll probably be the same size bra wise. So it should take too long to help out."-

"Hehe. Anyways, aside from Ruby's question. Mind if I ask, but why does mom look like…well that?" Yang questioned, though looked to her mom with a smile "Not that it's bad but…"

"No. No I understand, I'm kind of curious too." Elizabeth responded back, then looked to Miranda and Jacob "I'm also curious, but aside from my looks. I noticed I couldn't use my biotics at all. Any idea why?"

Though Elizabeth and the girls, noticed the cringing faces of the Cerberus operatives. One's of worry and slight fear of all things. Which was odd if you were ask the girls and Elizabeth. Like really, really odd and not the best kind of reaction one could get from such a question.

"Is there a problem?" Elizabeth questioned, as she a little worried her looks weren't the only things that changed and was getting more anxious about the answer

"Well ah…ah… Miranda tell em." Jacob tried to explain, but couldn't so he dumped on Miranda. Who gave him back, a rather nasty stink eye; before sighing and answering the commanders question

"No problem peer say, BUT for your looks. When we found you. You were in ruff shape, like real rough. I took us a month to just diagnose the damage. But that aside, when we started to re-make you. We ran into an issue or two. One being how to correctly revitalize your cells to the point they wouldn't either collapse or die off. End result, we kind of… maybe somehow invented a way to unlock one's recessive genes. Yours being well, how you look now. Was there anyone in your family with a particular appearance like your current one?" Miranda asked, curious if there was an answer to that particular question that had plagued the minds of many of the project before it's sudden end

"Hm… well I do remember see a few pictures on my mom side. Of my great grandfather who had a similar hair color like my mom. Then also of my great grandmother on my dad's side, who a similar skin complexion and eye color. So I guess those would be the best candidates for this appearance of mind. But I'm just guessing like you are. Still what about my biotics?" Elizabeth explained, as honestly that was the only answer she could give. Though she yet again noticed a cringe between Miranda and Jacob when asked about her biotics "Seriously what the heck is up with those reactions?"

"It's not that we don't want to tell you. It's just…ugh, we've been trying to find a good way TO tell you. As fellow biotics, we can sympathize some more at what you'll probably feel after we tell you." Miranda explained, as Elizabeth motioned her hand to go on even if she herself was having second thoughts of knowing. Miranda and Jacob looked to one another, Jacob nodding with a slight reassuring smile as Miranda sighed. Before clearing her throat, taking a deep breath and looking back to Elizabeth "Okay first. Don't panic once I tell you, but during our time trying to bring you back to life. Aside from dealing with the cellular regeneration issue. We also learned quite a bit about biotics. Apparently once you die, the biotics go as simply as I can put here in a nice way but… your biotics went to take a rest."

"Huh?" Elizabeth mused, rather out of actual confusion or possible denial at what she was screaming was the case. It was Jacob who decided to just be the blunt one

"Commander. Miranda was trying to say and I don't think I can be any more blunt here but…you don't have your biotics anymore. Like at all." Jacob answered, as he let out a breath of nervousness he'd been keeping in without realizing

It was during this moment too, that Elizabeth went silent, wide eyed and still. A little TOO still to be honest. Though nobody wanted to try and snap her out of it. Mainly out of the fear they might get hit by reflex alone. It wasn't until like thirty seconds later before Elizabeth kind of snapped out of it.

"I…hehe…I…. I'm sorry did y-you just say…." Elizabeth asked, her tone seemed a little… unhinged all of sudden as she kept her thousand mile stare "My biotics are gone… like g-gone, gone?"

"Eh….." Jacob tried to say, looking to Miranda who in a rare moment looked kind of scared; then to the girls who were scooting just a bit away from Elizabeth. He then looked back to Elizabeth who was still staring at him for an answer "Eh… yeah. That's about it Shepard."

It was about a minute, maybe half a minuet more of total silence after that. Everyone just staring and waiting for Elizabeth to say something. Since the girls at least, had never seen Elizabeth behave this way. To be honest, it was a little unnerving. Didn't help when she finally did say something, well not exactly 'SAY' more of well, you'll see.

"Heh…Hehe…Heh… Ha, ha… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Elizabeth laughed, laughed like she'd gone mad and this was the start of her lost in sanity

Though she didn't stop, she just kept laughing and laughing…and laughing. Everyone else in the shuttle just keeping quiet and were pretty scared by this point. Even years later, everyone on that shuttle would agree on one thing.

Never allow Elizabeth to laugh hysterically, never; ever allow it to happen. Because a hysterical Elizabeth was just downright scary.

.

.

Yep, that had been an… awkward rest of the flight down to Freedom's Progress. BUT there was at least a bit of a silver lining, mainly that Elizabeth. As despite having loss her biotics, did have some other formal training as well. One that Miranda decided to bring up, despite how cheerful Elizabeth was trying to act from the rather devastating news.

"I see. Then look at it this way, at least you've got formal training as an Alliance Combat Engineer and since the four years during your sleep. Their tech has improved. So I'm sure you'll be quite happy with what you have now. Still me and Jacob can sympathize with you. We can only imagine what you must be feeling without you know." Miranda exclaimed, as Elizabeth sighed some more. Blake patted the woman's shoulder

"Anyways, girls. Hope you like your new weapons. Sucks that you lost yours during the Normandy's destruction. But maybe later on we can find a way to make you new ones." Jacob stated, as he gave the girls a small reassuring smile

"Thanks Jacob. We appreciate, and who knows. Maybe we'll just decided to modify these current weapons. Would be fun to do and will give us a chance to use some weapons from his era some more." Ruby replied back, as she and the others looked to see Elizabeth straightening herself out and taking a deep breath "You okay mom?"

"I am. I am, no use dwelling on what I lost. I'm just glad to have something. Anyways, lets move out people. We stay in tight formation, keep our wits about us and hopefully find some kind of answer. In the survivor type of information preferably." Elizabeth stated, as she began to make her way ahead into the colony itself; weapon ready at hand

The others followed behind, Jacob and Miranda in the back, Ruby and Weiss behind Elizabeth; while Blake and Yang were in the middle. As they and walked, they entered through the first of many homes to come. This one still lite up, with plates of food and drinks on the table. Yang moved over to the plates, putting her hand over it as her armor sensed some heat and notified her of it. Yang looked back to the others.

"Still warm. Creepy too, it's like…well like everyone just went and vanished. Already getting a bad feeling about this." Yang exclaimed, as she gulped for a moment before moving back in formation

"I have to agree. My senses are just screaming danger, unsettling danger. Miranda, Jacob. I think your boss is gonna get the info he wants. I just hope it not something that will try and kill us." Blake chimed in, as the fur on her ears bristled some at already eerie atmosphere

Without saying much more. They all continued on, throughout the house and into a large area with crates and leading downwards to a large closed gate ahead. Though as they walked slowly down to the gate. Again, manly the girls couldn't shrug off the uneasy feeling they got just by being in this place.

What made it worse, was the fact of how silent it was. So silent it seemed like this colony was some long lost relic from a bygone era. It was dead, devoid of any kind of life. Heck they'd take a distant scream for help, random footsteps and even random sounds instead of the utter silence.

But as they walked, and walked downwards to Gate. Stopping at it as it opened. Seconds later they were being fired at from a few mechs ahead, while two mechs that looked like a dogs ran at them. Without a moments of hesitation, the group of seven held their ground and began to fire upon their attackers.

Miranda using her biotics to lift up one of the attacking mech dogs into the air. Blake and Jacob firing at that one as it exploded. Elizabeth meanwhile accidently shot out an incinerate, instead of an overload like she wanted. She'd have to get a better control over her new set of skills. Still she hit one mech, but the blast hit the other two as all three were on fire. Ruby took this moment to sniper all three as she pulled out her rifle. Three shots and three buring mechs without heads seconds later.

Lastly in this quick skirmish. Weiss and Yang fired upon the last mech dog. It's legs shot off by Weiss with a few goods shots, before it slid right up to them. Yang took her shotgun and blasted it's head as it began to spark. Yang then kicked the mech away before it exploded.

After all of that, the battle was over and silence reign over the once quick battlefield. Everyone took a moment to reload, though once they did. Weiss looked down seeing a scorched mech head next to her. She picked it up and eyed it.

"You know this is odd. When these mechs were advertised for release four years ago. They said it would never attack living beings, even if it was damaged. So why did these ones?" Weiss questioned

"Most likely something external caused it. Well more of someone, that's the only explanation I can think of." Miranda exclaimed, on edge a bit more

"So that mean's someone is here. That's good right?" Yang asked, as that was a relief at least

"Hey questions for you Miranda and you too Jacob. But either of you know what other defenses colonies have now a days?" Ruby questioned. Hoping it wasn't TOO bad, how much could have changed in just four years really

"Aside from these mechs. I'd say combat drones , small turrets and YMIR Mechs. Those last ones are like, really, really big mechs." Jacob answered, before Miranda cut in

"More simple terms. Think of those as giant Krogan in a mechs body. With thick armor plating, advanced targeting, machine guns built into it's arms. Alongside the fact it also shoots missiles. The usual." Miranda explained, rather calmly like this was a totally normal thing to even say to people who had JUST woken up from a literal four yearlong nap/ resurrection

"Great…just great. Dear lord there is SO much to catch up on." Elizabeth groaned, as she didn't even feel like screaming. She just let it be, as she and the rest continued their way

So as they walked, and walked, and walked some more through the abounded homes of the colony. Each one empty, yet seeming like it was an abrupt and sudden disappearance. The group of seven only kept feeling the uneasy aura of what must have occurred here grow. But they knew they needed to find whoever was still left in this place and get answers. Hopefully said person would be alive still.

Thankfully in a twisted sense. The silence was at times disrupted by the flying combat drones, the security mechs and mech hounds. That would shot at them on site, each time was a quick battle for the group of seven. The security in this place may have the numbers. But the team of seven had the skills and training. All in all it was easy enough.

After a bit more walking, shooting and exploring the dead colony. They entered another larger home. Only instead of the usual emptiness, this one was filled with squad full of armed Quarian's. Who quicky took notice of the group, before aiming their guns at them. The group themselves aiming back, if only for defense if things got ugly. Which for Elizabeth and the girls, they hoped not.

"Stop right there!' One of the male Quarian's ordered, as he was the in front of the others of his group. The two groups were in a standoff now "Drop your weapons!"

"You first." Miranda ordered back, sternly as the girls at least cringed a little at how much tense the room became as the Quarian's seemed to grip their guns slightly tighter. That and even with masks covering their faces; the girls could see the narrowed eyes of the Quarian's

All seemed to be the perfect stage for a firefight to occur at the drop of a hat. But with a stroke of luck some would say. The door to the Quarian's left opened. As a female came out, one who look a bit familiar to Elizabeth and the girls. One who also noticed them, just for a moment. Before running in between the two groups.

"Prazza don't. Let me handle….wait… you-" The female Quarian started to say, with a very familiar voice before she looked to the group and was cut off when Ruby and Yang tackled her with a hug

"MAMA!" Ruby and Yang screamed, as they hugged Tali, who herself took a moment to register what was happening; but when she did. She hugged the girls back so tightly, before letting go and kneeling down; placing both hands on their cheeks

"Oh my…it's…. my babies. My beautiful babies!" Tali stated, as her voice cracked some. Ruby and Yang almost tearing up themselves as they cooed their cheeks against their mama's hands. Tali then looked seeing Elizabeth and stood up once more as Ruby and Yang moved to the side. Tali pulling Elizabeth in a tight loving hug, before Elizabeth herself hugged back "Elizabeth. I can't...I…how…"

"That's a bit of a story Tali. A real long story, but I missed you so much." Elizabeth answered as she hugged Tali for a few more moments; before letting go. Once Tali did the same, she saw Blake and Weiss; happy as can be ever more. Tali pulled her two future daughter in laws into a hug as well

"I'm so glad you both are safe too. I was so worried for you all and… I just…I just am so glad." Tali rambled, before letting go of two

"We know Tali. We know, and we're glad to see your doing well too." Weiss chimed in, glad to see the woman was doing just fine from the looks of it

"Agreed. But trust us, this is just as surprising for us as it is for you. Speaking of…" Blake exclaimed pointing at Prazza and the other Quarian's "Are they gonna be an issue Tali or…?"

"No, they won't." Tali reassured, as she looked back at Prazza and moved up to him; and the other Quarian's "Lower your weapons Prazza. My family here is not the enemy."

"You mean these are your wife, kids and friends you talked about?" Prazza questioned, as he eyed those Tali spoke of; then looked to the two Cerberus operatives as he saw their logo on them "If that's so. Why is your family in league with those Cerberus Operatives?"

"Actually I am curious about that too. So, what's up with… them?" Tali questioned herself, having noticed the two after her initial shock of seeing her until now; assumed dead daughters, girlfriend and two best friends alive. But didn't want to spoil the mood until either those two spoke or she brough it up

"Tali. Sounds like you and your friends aren't fans of Cerberus. Did something happen to cause that?" Blake stated, as she eyed Miranda and Jacob.; curious on that fact

"Yeah anything you two may know?" Ruby said, though sounding more disappointed then mad since she liked the two already as friends

"Ah so they didn't say anything. Figures. Well, you're little friends group attacked one of our ships in the Flotilla, killed quite a few of our people and tried blow up the ship afterwards." Prazza answered angrily, as he and some of the other Quarian's were glaring daggers towards Miranda; and Jacob

"Wait seriously. Miranda, Jacob the heck was that even for?" Yang stated, angrily a bit too since in a weird way; Tali four years ago had somehow convinced her father and Admiralty Board to make her, Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Elizabeth Flotilla citizens. Which went through, along with Elizabeth and the girls meeting Talis father for a bit on the Citadel for the full details

That had been an interesting few days to say the least. Tali's father though a tough and rather stern man. Seemed to like the girls well enough, especially Ruby and Yang who he'd allow them to call him 'Gramps'. That and though maybe a bit less warm to Elizabeth at first. Tali's father had also seemed to take a liking to the woman.

Which Tali had admitted to the girls. That it had been odd in sense, since despite knowing her father did love her; was also quite hard to be close with too as a person. Then again maybe having kids of her own by that time, had helped her not be as critical of the man as before. Since she'd learned in a way how her father dealt with when it was just him and her.

Oh yes during the year mission, four years ago. Yang remembered when she and Ruby had gotten into a few verbal spats with their mother-mother. Even giving Tali the silent treatment. But again, maybe that was why Tali had become a bit less critical of her Gramps. At least if you asked her.

Still to back to the point. Yang and the girls, especially felt a little upset by this news. Considering the Quarian's would be their people

"Look it wasn't anything personal. We just need to get someone who'd been hiding in that ship. I'll admit, I wasn't too happy when I read the report. Since the Illusive Man had said, only to infiltrate and leave when we get the target unnoticed. But again, it wasn't anything personal." Miranda explained, the girls and Elizabeth at least seeming to not be as upset/disappointed with them as much; though the Quarian's seemed still pretty irked even if they softened their glares

"We can talk about the past and play the blame game all we want later. But I think we should focus on the more important manner. Why you all are here in the first place." Jacob cut in, bluntly though spoke the truth as the past was the past even if it wasn't a great memory to bring up

"He's right. I can ask my questions later, when this mission of our own isn't going on. So for why where here, we've come to find and rescue a fellow Quarian name Vetor. He was on his pilgrimage and had decided to come here for it. Help out the locals. But about a day ago, we got a distress beacon from him. So, we made our way here and you know the rest." Tali explained, as it started to make sense on what was going before with the mechs and security systems

"I guess that would explain why we kept getting attacked by the mech and security here." Weiss said, as she was now curious on why this Vetor made the mechs and security so aggressive in the first place

"Ah yes. Vetor has always been a little… off." Tali carefully exclaimed, though it seemed Prazza was the blunter one here

"She means that Vetor was a bundle of anxiety and nerves. He never did well in crowds, so that coupled with if my guess is correct. Bullet wounds and punctures to his suit. He's most likely delirious and paranoid beyond belief. Which is why we need to get him quickly." Prazza stated, as Tali gave the man a slight glare, before she sighed and looked back to the others

"Though I didn't want too as blunt. Prazza is correct, which is why I'm guessing. Is the reason you're here for information on where everyone went. Information I can bet Vetor has." Tali stated, before smiling a little "Let's work together here. If we do, then our teams can cover more ground quicker."

"That sounds reasonable. How bout the rest of you?" Elizabeth asked, as the girls nodded in agreement with no hesitation. Jacob did a few moments later, while Miranda took a few seconds before she finally nodded also. Elizabeth happy with the unanimous agreement, looked back to Tali as she placed her left hand gently on her helmet "We'll go ahead dear. You and your friends stay safe okay?"

"I will. The same goes for you. All of you, even your new…friends." Tali replied back kindly, as she held Elizabeth's hand for a few seconds; before letting go. Then let the girls give her a quick group hug, before they let go as well, finally she simply gave Miranda and Jacob a hesitant nod "Before you go. Expect more mechs in the area head. Vetor moved most of them closer to where we're assuming he's held up. So be cautious."

Without much more to say, the group made their way off through the door ahead. Once past it, they began their way in a slightly faster pace, with their weapons out. It wasn't too long before they encountered some security drones, alongside more mechs. Firing at them and taking them out as quickly as possible. They did so. After that they kept moving forwards.

Once more it was empty home after empty home. A few locked safes here and there with credits. As much as they didn't want to, Miranda had been able to at least make them feel less guilty about taking credits from the safes of missing and possibly dead colonists. Mainly that they would need credits in the future and such. That and it was better with them, then some pirates or raiders coming in later on. One's who could use the credits to buy weapons and such to cause more harm.

Still, none of them were fond of it. But decided Miranda had a point. So they took as many credits as they could easily take out. By a few houses. Jacob who'd been kept count every time the girls logged in their omni-tools. But the estimate for now, was about 14,000 credits total. Though they again had to fight off mechs, the mech hounds and a few more drones during the trip up to their current point. Which was nearing another hill side leading down to a closed gate. Though as they moved closer, Elizabeth's omni-tool beeped as it was call from Tali.

"Tali what's up?" Elizabeth asked as she and the others stopped for a moment

"Bad news dear. Prazza and most of the others made a run for Vetor. They want to get to him before you do." Tali explained, much to the group's irritation there

"Ah come on, seriously?!" Yang screamed, as she swore if she saw that Prazza guy again; she'd break the visor of his helmet

"Well ah, considering our… new friends. Can't blame them. Ah, no offense Miranda, Jacob." Ruby stated. Before sheepishly smiling at the two Cerberus operatives

"Eh, none taken." Miranda and Jacob answered, shrugging as they had a feeling this would happen. Wasn't less annoying, but it was a high possibility considering the bad blood between their groups

"We better hurry then." Weiss exclaimed, as she had a point

"Got that right Weiss. Oh and one more thing, take extra caution. Our intel shows Vetor hacked into a YMIR mech too." Tali added in, which only increased the frustration for the group

"Joy… alright. Thanks for the heads up. We'll make our way quickly down there. You stay safe." Elizabeth responded back, before canceling the call and looked to the others "Alright people, double time it!"

Without much argument, they all followed behind Elizabeth as they raced to see if they could help out the Quarian's and hopefully come to some sort of agreement while they were at it. Besides, how much trouble could this YMIR mech be with all of them attacking?

.

-2 Minutes Later-

.

OKAY…so, new rule. Maybe it's best not to tempt fate and questions how hard something could be. Would that rule ever be followed or even remembered. Probably not, actually it was more like it was already long forgotten. Either was Elizabeth, Mirand, Jacob and the girls were currently-

"AH COME ON, JUST DIE ALREADY!" Yang screamed out, firing off another few rounds of her shotgun at the attacking YMIR mech, before moving back down behind cover. Alongside her were Blake, Elizabeth and Jacob "GAH, what is with this thing. It's stupidly OP. OP I SAY!"

"That's high grade military tech for you. Those guns made quick work of the Quarian's, they never stood a chance." Jacob exclaimed as he looked over to one of te shot up dead Quarian's and grimaced some. Before looking to Blake who was covering a slightly bleeding right arm "You feeling okay still. No dizziness?"

"None. Thanks for asking… that stupid mech and it's stupid chain gun." Blake said, grumbling some as she'd accidently been shot through her right bicep. The speed and caliber of the mechs rounds making quick work of her shield and even aura at that moment. Hence the arm wound, which thankfully wasn't anything too serious aside from it hurting a lot "Anyways, what are we gonna do with this bucket of oversized bolts. Its shields are strong and those guns it has aren't making it easy for us?"

"Simple, we just wear it down. That's all we have Blake." Elizabeth stated, as she just came back down after unloading another clip into the YMIR's shields. Frowning some as she wished she had her biotics still "Man can't figure out these news skills fully yet. Worse time to for a crash course."

"Could be worse ladies. We could be out of ammo or out in the open." Jacob exclaimed, peaking overseeing the other three of their group shooting at the large mech from different sides of the area to keep it busy. Moving back down, he decided to make a suggestion "Alright. Ruby, Weiss and Miranda are keeping it busy right now. Let's check our ammo and see if we can make a plan. That good?"

"I think it is. Let's do it." Elizabeth replied back, happy to see someone had some kind of plan at least on what to do next; as she, Yang, Blake and Jacob began to see how much ammo they had left and to hopefully make a plan to take down the YMIR mech

Meanwhile as that was going on. Ruby, Weiss and Miranda decided to keep the large mech busy as long as they could. Weiss on the far back opposite of the others as she was using her Assault rifle as she ran out of ammo for her other two guns. Ruby using her SMG now since she needed a more CBQ weapon at the moment. That and her SMG had a large enough clip to it. Miranda was just using her own SMG and biotics to slowly help weaken the mech.

"You know. I didn't think this would be part of our day already!" Weiss yelled, dodge rolling to the right as she narrowly avoided a missile shot at her; despite he fact she still felt the heat somewhat against her body "Can this thing just go up and offline already. I mean seriously!"

"We know hunny. We know!" Ruby replied back, leaping over cover as she fired a few around against its back. The mech's sights on her now as it began to slowly try and turn around to shot her. Only for Miranda to fire a few biotic pushes which almost trip the mech since the pushed were so sudden and against its head. Ruby meanwhile neared where Weiss was and leaped over. Before landing next to her, kneeling down she smiled "Your knight has come my princess."

"Okay one. You're a dolt for getting me worried right there with that little stunt of yours. But two…" Weiss started to say. Scolding her little rose for nearly giving her a heart attack not even seconds ago. But then pulled Ruby in a quick if not… ahem, hot and bothered type of kiss. Pulling away from one another, Weiss gave Ruby the most seductive smile she'd ever seen "We are SO going to be 'catching' up after this. Your princess is gonna need a lot of…pampering."

"Hehe…yeah…hehe." Ruby tried to respond back, as she was already in her Lala land of all the possibilities of later on; that and the dorky grin she made indicated that enough also

"Ladies less pillow talk and more fighting please!" Miranda scolded as she was really wondering how these girls and even Shepard defeated Saren; alongside the bloody Reaper

Then again she hadn't thought she'd been near two teen girls pretty much saying they were gonna have a as she once read on a headline from a website. But a 'Wild Hot Night of Pure Animalist Love Making'. She regrets ever taking the mission to skimming through three years' worth of Cerberus private internet to find out, who was leaking information. God she will NEVER get any of those images out of her mind. That and she will never be able to look at chocolate ice cream the same either.

Still seeing Ruby and Weiss behave that way, kind of made her wonder and more importantly. Worry about her own daughter's possible sexual life. Which Miranda hope was not active. Oh dear lord she hoped not, not her sweet little Cerberus princess. She wasn't gonna let that happen in million years.

Wasn't that she was an overprotective mother… mostly. It's just, she wanted to keep her baby pure. Pure and sweet, like she should be. Maybe she should think about giving her daughter a Chasity belt. Those were still a thing, right. Eh, still… this feeling of sudden anger came to Miranda's mind at the very thought of her sweet little Cerberus princess getting naught with some punk. Just the thought of it angered her, angered so…so… very-

"Yo Miranda!" Yang suddenly yelled, getting Miranda to snap out of her daze as she looked seeing everyone had come to her and were staring; that and it was quiet

"Ah…w-what?" Miranda asked, confused a bit as she had no idea she'd been in some kind of motherly worry trance just now; which was a bit embarrassing to be honest "Where's the mech, what happened?"

"You tell us, look ahead at your; ahem… handy work." Elizabeth replied back, pointing to the direction Miranda was facing towards. As the woman looked she was, shocked to say the least

For you see. It seemed that Miranda had somehow, most likely from that anger she felt in her little trance. BUT, she had absolute torn the large mech to shreds. Pieces and chunks of it ripped off, barely anything left aside from scarp and just all in all. It was barely recognizable.

"Oh ah…ah… I ah, destroyed it. Yep destroyed it, with nothing more the sheer skill and not getting angry; and fretting over my daughter's virginity." Miranda exclaimed, as in rare moment she was doing her best smile so she could to ward off any suspicion; even despite the fact she pretty much admited to why she was angry and worried in the first place

-"Yeah…."- Everyone else thought, as they had no idea Miranda was this…motherly or that she was this type of mother in the first place; aside Jacob who'd know the woman for years as he simply sighed

"Anyways... good job Miranda. Now I think all that's left is Vetor. We ready Shepard?" Jacob exclaimed, as Elizabeth looked back at the battlefield

She wanted to at least move the bodies in more secure place for Tali and what was left of her crew. But then she saw they were already doing so, moving bodies and seeing who was alive or dead. Knowing that they were in good hands, Elizabeth reloaded her gun and looked ahead to the only active door left. Which must have had Vetor locked inside.

Without a second more waiting, Elizabeth made her way to Vetor. The others following behind like usual, once at the door. Elizabeth opened it and what was inside was a dark room. No lights were on aside from the ones ahead.

It was a dozen so or more. Each glowing that omni-tool orange as they lite up the one far of part of this building. Each screen displayed various different functions. But what caught their attention was the person sitting at the chair. Looking over each screen, as they got slowly closer. They even started to hear the synthesized tone of a Quarian male or in this case. Vetor.

"Monster coming back. Mechs will protect…safe from swarm. Have to hide. N-No monsters. No swarm. No, no, no, no, no…" Vetor franticly muttered as he kept pressing buttons and buttons. He didn't even hear the group as they stopped just few inches behind him

"Vetor?" Elizabeth asked, carefully just in case the nervous young man attacked if he took sudden notice of them

"No Vetor, not here. Swarms…Swarms can't find. Monsters coming. Have to hide. Have to... have to…" Vetor replied, though it sounded like he didn't even realize he responded back

"Poor guy. He must be really out of it." Yang stated, as she felt bad for the man. Since from remember what her mama told her when it came to just how frail Quarian immune systems were, this must be an effect like Vetor was showing of long exposure

"That and the fact he seems like he's traumatized." Weiss exclaimed, as she noticed some dry blood on Vetor's suit and realized it must have been a wound that was covered up by his suits systems. That and whatever happened clearly didn't help "Not that I blame him. I kind don't want to know now what the poor fellow saw or survived to end up this way."

"But we have too. Though I don't feel much better with our chances of snapping him out of it. He really seems all iffy." Ruby chimed in, as she wanted to give the poor guy a big hug and tell him it was gonna be okay; she felt horrible that he must have experiences something so horrifying to put him in such a state "Maybe we should try to gently get him back to his senses."

"No offense Ruby. But we need the information now. Gentle isn't going to do us much good." Miranda argued, as Ruby huffed a little

"I gotta agree with Ruby here Miranda. I know we need the info, but this guy seems like he could snap if we try getting forceful." Jacob chimed in, as Ruby smiled a bit that at least one of their new allies had a similar idea

"Well then what do you suggest Jacob. Come on tell me?" Miranda snapped back a bit, though Jacob resist the urge to roll his eyes at his old friend's temper at times

"Hey he's just trying to be helpful Miranda. No need to bite his head off." Yang cut in, as she didn't like it when people snapped at others who were just trying to help. She and Miranda glared at each other a bit, like sizing each other up all of sudden

"Hey, hey now let's all just calm down. I'm sure we can figure out something." Elizabeth suggested as she and the others began to just talk amongst each other on how to NOT freak out Vetor or have him snap at them to get his attention

Though Blake, who by now had her wounded arm fixed up enough. Was the only one to keep staring at Vetor, who kept mumbling and frantically tapping the holo-board of the terminal. Feeling awful for the man. That and seeing as if might take the others a bit to come up with an idea. She decided to try herself. Walking up a bit closer, she then addressed him.

"Vetor. Vetor can you hear me, your safe now." Blake said, as kindly and softly as she could; though it didn't seem to do much

"Must keep…keep…keep monster. Monster out." Vetor mumbled, as his voice sounded a little strained like he'd been doing that for a while now

Realizing that just talking to Vetor wasn't going to cut it. She tried to see if something else could get his attention, it wasn't long before she figured out that maybe taking the terminals offline would do the trick. Activating her omni-tool. She then swiped her hand from the left to the right. As the terminal and screens one by one. Shut off.

Once that happened it was silent, the sounds of everyone else taking notice and moving quickly next to Blake could be heard. Alongside Vetor seeming to take a moment, before getting up himself. Then looking back at Blake, and the rest. Who were surprised at what Blake just did to get Vetor's attention. That and all embarrassed none of them thought of just shutting of the terminals in the first place.

"Vetor?" Blake said, as she hopped the man wasn't to out of it to speak or even really notice them

"You… h-how are you here. You're all human, or human looking. I…how, the monster should have taken you. So how, where did you hide?" Vetor asked, as he seemed shocked that any human or humanoid was here

"Vetor we just arrived here a while ago. I'm Blake and these are my family and friends. We came down here to figure out what happened here. Do you know what happened. If you do, please tell us. We need answers." Blake exclaimed, kindly as she decided to take the reins here since she was the one to take Vetor out of his trance

"You didn't know, you…you didn't see them. But I did, I saw it all. All." Vetor replied, before looking back at the terminal and turning it back on. Then he took out his omni-tool, before a few seconds later a video began to play

This showed an upwards roof view. That was pointed down near some stairs and homes. Small fly like bugs flew past it, while out of one of the homes. Two large bug like humanoids were carrying a pod off sight of the camera's range. Vetor paused the video, as everyone got a good look at the odd alien.

"My god. I.. I think that's a collector." Miranda explained in stunned belief at the very fact. The name though didn't seem familiar to Elizabeth or the girls

"Collectors. More like creepy bugs if you ask me." Weiss commented, as she cringed a little at the thought of human sized bug people

"Agree with you on that sis." Blake muttered, as she wasn't fond of bugs much either

"Collectors. Are those new species?" Elizabeth questioned, as she wondered if during these four years these Collectors had been discovered

"Not exactly. They're a species beyond the Omega Four Relay. Only a few if barely anyone has meet them in person." Jacob started off explaining, as he felt shivers just seeing them in the video

"From what is known by some groups. They usually do business through intermediaries like slavers or hired mercenaries. If the Reapers are back and the Collectors are working for them. It makes sense now how the colonies are wiped clean of everyone." Miranda theorized, as even she was feeling a bit scared realizing the implications

"Seriously, are they that dangerous?" Ruby questioned, mainly to help herself keep calm and help the uneasy feeling in her stomach settle

"Very dangerous if some of the stories are true. But Miranda is right, the Collectors most likely have technology beyond our own. They could have a weapon or some kind of gadget that allows them disable an entire colony at once." Jacob said, as he could see Ruby shiver a little now and felt a bit bad for bring the mood down

"Or maybe even animals. Like those bugs maybe?" Weiss suggested, as she wondered if that was a possibility since she did hear Vetor say something about a swarm. Looking to Vetor, she gave him a sympathetic smile "Is that how they did it Vetor. The bugs, the…swarm?"

"Y-Yes. The swarms, seekers. They find you, sting and freeze you. Leave you like a statue and unable to fight back when…when the monsters take you away." Vetor explained, as that was a big piece of information that would help in the future

"Speaking of that. Why didn't they take you buddy. Not that we aren't glad, but why?" Ruby asked, curious on this since she was guessing these Collectors weren't sloppy

"I…I don't know. They just didn't find me." Vetor replied

"Maybe his suit, remember mama told us the suits can sometimes jam sensors from finding them. Especially in hostile territory." Yang suggested, as she did remember enough of the lessons her mama gave her and Ruby

"Could be it. This swarm could have missed him by chance if that's how it went." Jacob agreed, as it did seem like a possibility there

"Or, maybe their tech was only meant to find humans. It has only been human colonies after all." Miranda added in, as that was also a good point

"Either way. We have our answers now, but before anything else. Miranda, Jacob since you know a bit on these guys. Can you tell us more about them, maybe about the swarm too if you know?" Elizabeth questioned, as she looked to her two newest teammates

"Not much else. Aside from what we told you. For the swarm no idea. First time me or Miranda have seen them." Jacob replied back

"Swarms are like cloud, mean buzzing cloud. Come down and sting you. Worried, so worried they'll come back down. Take me too, finish the job." Vetor stated, as he was shaking a little by now at the very thought of being taken away

"Mom that's all I think we're gonna get from him." Ruby stated as she didn't want to ask any more of the scared man

"I think so too. Vetor, you've been very brave here and thank you so much for the info." Elizabeth thanked, as she gave the young Quarian a reassuring smile

"Y-Your welcome. But I ah. Also recorded and studied the monsters. Found dark energy readings, much more too. Yes." Vetor said, as he seemed a little calmer

"Well that's good. Let's take Vetor here with us then and book it." Miranda stated, though the girls were about to argue with her on that before the sounds of a door opened and Tali came walking in

"I overheard what just you said now. No way, Vetor needs to be taken back to the Flotilla for medical help." Tali argued, as she crossed her arms while glaring at Miranda from behind her visor

"We're just gonna take him for a bit. See what else he knows and then give him back to you." Jacob tried to reassure Tali

"That and don't forget the fact your people already backstabbed us once. Who to say we'll get the data if we let you take him now." Miranda sternly stated, as Jacob cringed a little at how blunt his old friend was being in an already tense situation

"Miranda!" Ruby yelled, as Miranda shrugged not seeming sorry about her word at all. Much to Rubys irritation as she grumbled some

"Look Prazza was a fool. He and his men paid for it as morbid as that is. But we can't let you take Vetor, he'll most likely die if you do take him. His suit took more hits then it looks." Tali explained, before looking to her girlfriend "Dear. Please you must know I'm right. Please."

"You don't have to butter me up Tali. I was already going to say that Vetor will go with you." Elizabeth kindly stated, as Tali gave her a quick hug before letting go. Then Elizabeth looked right at Miranda with a stern gaze "Is that understood?"

"I…yes ma'am." Miranda was about to explain. But held her tongue and let it be, since Elizabeth was in charge now. Even if she did disagree, she would follow Elizabets command

"Good, Tali take Vetor and get him fixed up. After that, have him send what info he has on his omni-tool. Okay?" Elizabeth asked, as Tali nodded back giving one more tighter hug this time

"I will. You and the girls stay safe; and ah… look. I would join but I need to do something first. It's very important. But when I do finish my mission, I'll be by your side in a heartbeat." Tali stated, as she and Elizabeth hugged for a good few more seconds before letting go; then she moved over to Weiss and Blake

"You two stay safe and keep my daughters in line okay?" Tali remarked, as she chuckled a bit

"We will Tali. Just be safe yourself kay?" Weiss responded back. Amused a little herself, though was also feeling blessed that they found one of their friends so early

"And for you daughters. We'll try, but you know how they are. Take after Elizabeth." Blake joked, as she and Weiss hugged Tali; who hugged back as they shared a quick laugh before letting go of one another. Tali finally moved to her daughters, as once more she cupped their cheeks within the palms of her hands

"Now for you two. Please, behave for your mom and… and be my brave girls while I'm away. Okay?" Tali asked sweetly, though she did sound like she was holding back some tears

"We…we will mama promise." Ruby replied back first, tearing up just a little as she nuzzled against the fabric that covered her mama's hand

"Yeah, we will. Can't wait for you to join us when you can mama." Yang replied next, as Tali pulled the two into a hug and stayed like that for a good ten seconds more. Before they let go of one another, Tali moving back, as she looked to Vetor

"Vetor. Come on…lets go." Tali stated, as she began making her way out

"Right…" Vetor muttered. Following quickly behind Tali as the door opened for them. But before they went through, Vetor stopped and looked back to the group "I… I just wanted to say. T-Thank you for saving me."

With that, Tali followed by Vetor left. Once the doors closed, the group took a moment to take a breath before Miranda or Jacob would call in the shuttle. But Elizabeth and girls meanwhile. Turned their attention back to the paused and somewhat blurry image of the Collectors.

For some reason, the mere sight made the five recently awoken. Feel a deep dread. They began to wonder then. How much more difficult would this mission be from the previous one. Because so far, it was proving that it was gonna be MUCH more dangerous than before.

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It hadn't been as a long of trip back to the temporary HQ for the Elizabeth and the girls. Maybe because their minds were still on all the 'Why's' that kept coming to them. Why's about the reasons for these Collectors to attack human only colonies. Why the Collectors seemed to be working for the Reapers, what goal was there. Worst of all, if not the Reapers. Did the Collectors work from someone else or themselves.

All those questions stirred in their minds. Even when they landed and Miranda told them that the good old, Illusive Man wanted to speak with them. So they'd entered the room and had waited for it to turn on like before. Once it did, the call loaded in and they saw the Illusive man in his chair once more. He took a sip of whiskey, before addressing them.

-"Good work on Freedom's Progress. The Quarian's forwarded their findings to us just a few minutes ago. Not too much new data, at least any that was truly useful. But it was a surprising olive branch between the us, considering our past history. We may have different methods here. But I can't argue with end results."-The Illusive Man explained, as already Elizabeth and the girls fought the urge to roll their eyes at least; though that did not exclude small scathing insults

"Yeah wow. It's like having friends pays off. Weird isn't it?" Yang remarked, with the most condescending tone she could make

"So weird. It's like also being a decent individual also helps there. You know politeness and all. No backstabbing too, that's a must." Weiss chimed in, with a more fake snobbish english woman tone

"Such amazing news. We should write books, make a PSA and have an anthem too!" Blake exclaimed, like a crazy happy woman who also was being so sarcastic at the same time

"And we can make cookies, have a bake sale and sing the wonders of being friendly!" Ruby shouted, with a babyish tone and fake innocents that borderline between scathing; and mocking

-"Charmed."- The Illusive Man replied, keeping as calm as he could even though it seemed he was a little irritated just now. Elizabeth, well…

"I am SO proud of them!" Elizabeth thought, as she knew she shouldn't be happy with the girl's behavior right now. But they were doing it to a boss of literally a terrorist organization. So it was totally fine in this case. Though she decided to say her piece at least too "Have to agree with the girls here. Ever tried playing nice with the others kids on the playground. It helps a lot if you do."

-" Your own childish remarks aside. Diplomacy is great when it works. But it can be difficult when everyone around you. Already perceives you as a threat. So in your own words, no I can't. Because all the school kids want to pick on the quiet kid."- The Illusive man explained, doing his own barely noticeable snarky tone as he addressed the issue. The girls and Elizabeth frowned a bit, but the Illusive man continued on –"On a more serious note. You did what was asked of you, confirming the Collectors involving with the adductions."-

"You don't seem too surprised there. Why do I have a feeling you already knew, didn't you?" Elizabeth questioned, placing her right hand on her hip

-"I had my suspicions, but with no proof. Until now, best to say the Collectors are enigmatic at best. From what is known by a few, they tend to periodically travel to the Terminus System. Usually they look for seemingly unimportant items or specimens. Usually, they trade their own technology for these resources. Then once they get what they want, they quickly leave back into the Omega Four Relay. Like they were never here. Until now we've had no evidence of direct aggression from the Collectors."- The Illusive Man explained, as he took out a cigarette; before lightening it up and taking a smoke

"Hey speaking of that. Why at is the Omega Four Relay. Never heard of it until today." Ruby questioned, as that had been something on her mind since hearing of the thing

-"Aside from what I just told you, it's the only relay know to have no one come back out. Why I can't say, but the Collectors somehow are able to. Which is what many who know of them and the Omega Four Relay. Have been trying to figure out. Best guess we have, the Collector ships have some sort of signal that allows them to. If that's true, it wouldn't be so far fetch to think they have a connection with the Reapers too."- The Illusive Man explained, as he took another hit of cigarette –"What I don't personally understand is why not just kill them victims. What point would there be to paralyze them?"-

"I'd say that's a good thing, still. Not to be rude…mostly, but it feels like you're hiding more then you're letting on. Like how would you even know the Reapers are involved in the first place. The Collectors could be doing this on their own want to do so." Weiss said, as she crossed her arms since it did feel like the Illusive Man was hiding more then he'd like to admit

-"Not really. The patterns show themselves the proof. The Alliance and Council would like to believe that the Reaper threat is done and over with. When Sovereign died. But we all know better, even if you all don't want to say it. We all know the facts, the Reapers aren't dead, they're out here waiting for the right moment to strike. Personally, I'm not incline to let them. More on the side of wanting to fight back before its too late."- The Illusive Man sternly stated, snuffing out his cigarette in his ash tray –"And I know you five feel the same."-

"Hm…" Elizabeth hummed, as she and the girls looked to one another. Before turning their attention back to the Illusive Man "Alright we get your point. But if this is gonna be our mission. We're gonna either need an army or a really good team."

-"I've already gone and done that. A list of soldiers, scientists and mercenaries. But you'll only get the dossiers of the best ones. Finding them and convincing them to work with you will be the challenge. But I'm sure you can handle it. I'll be helping too in way, I'll be keeping an eye on Collectors movements and whenever something pops up. I'll notify you on the details." The Illusive Man explained, though Elizabeth and the girls seemed a little iffy

"Not that we don't appreciate it. But maybe we could just…you know, get our friends from before to help us?" Ruby questioned, though the Illusive Man chuckled for a moment "Huh?"

-"Sorry wasn't being rude. The thing is I don't think that will be possible. You still haven't realized even after being told. But it's been four years since the Normandy was destroyed. They've all moved on one way or another. Lives of their own, jobs that would get them in a lot of trouble if they were to help us."- The Illusive Man explained once more, but he did feel slight sympathy for the five as they seemed a little down by that reminder –"If it helps, they're alive, safe and happy. Our people have been keeping an eye on them. That said, if you want to know more about them. I'll tell you as much as I can."-

"Well, since you're offering. What happened to the first six of companions?" Weiss asked first, as she hoped they were doing well enough

-"Ah, you mean the ones by the names of Kaiden, Ashely, Garrus, Wrex, Tali and Liara?"- The Illusive Man said, as he straightened himself on his seat –"They're doing well enough last we check. For your secondary mother Tali. As you saw, she's been well. Put into a slightly higher position of governmental importance and on a mission we have yet to learn more on. But I don't think it's anything counterproductive with our mission."-

"Well at least he'll probably leave mama alone." Yang muttered to her little sister, as Ruby nodded in agreement

"Totally." Ruby whispered back, happy that it seemed her mama was doing better then she'd originally thought

-"For the one's named Ashley and Kaiden. We don't know where they are. Aside from the fact they were sent somewhere nearing Citadel space. For a special assignment. Next the ones called Wrex and Liara. They are fine too, Wrex went back to Tuchanka. Our intel says he's been working on uniting the clans once more. Something along the lines of 'Five brats made me too soft. Now I gotta help.'. Aside from him. Liara is on a planet called Ilium as her home. She and her husband of three years and fellow Remnant of yours. Yatsuhashi have made quite the small business for themselves. It's also rumored they may have some connection with the Shadow Broker."- The Illusive Man continued on, before he gave the group a moment to digest the news. But before anyone them could speak after a minute of silence. He kept telling them what he knew –" Now when it comes to your native friends of Remnant. We haven't been able to keep an eye on them as easily. But all are married aside from the one named Fox. Who's been on Citadel Magazine as one of the most sought of bachelors. But like I said, they're all well, okay and living happily."-

"That's good to hear. I'm glad most of our friends got out." Weiss said, before she brought up something she realized the Illusive Man didn't say "But what about Garrus, the rest of the crew. You didn't say anything about them."

-"That I did not. Only because Garrus we haven't been able to locate for a while now, his last know location was that of Omega in this sector."- The Illusive Man explained, as the Elizabeth and the group looked a bit worried once more at that news –"If it helps again. Garrus was also last followed making a call to one Kianna and Ziara. Two other fellow Remnants. I could tell you more. But rest assured again. But everyone and I mean everyone you knew personally is okay and alive. Just maybe a bit different from when you last saw them. But for the crew of the Normandy, the one's you know well you'll see. But there is one more thing I need you to do, it's urgent."

"And that would be?" Elizabeth asked, as the Illusive Man turned on his omni-tool and the did something. Before an image of a planet was seen, this one with the letters –'UNKOWN: W101'- "What is this, a new planet?"

-"That it is. Our intel spotted this world only because of a mass energy spike in this sector. It's at the edge of this place. Why no one found it until now, I can't say. But the energy spike was beyond anything in the records. Ours, the Alliance, Citadel and many others mind you. Now I know recruiting your new squads is the upmost important mission as of now. But this can't be ignored. If someone else spotted this energy spike. Especially if it's the unsavory types. I don't need to say what chaos could come from it."- The Illusive Man answered sternly, as for once the group had to agree with the man that it wouldn't be a good idea to leave such an energy alone. Seeing that the five understood, the Illusive Man decided to finish up what he need to say –"This said. Before you do anything else, travel to these coordinates and find out what the energy spike is and see if it could give us the edge on the Collectors. That's all for now. Oh and just to say, we already have a pilot and co-pilot for you. You know them very well."-

With that, the call shut off, leaving Elizabeth and the girls quite confused on what the Illusive Man meant there. That was until from behind the door opened suddenly. Looking back they went wide eyed seeing a goatee sporting, hat wearing man in a Cerberus casual uniform, holding in his left hand a holo-pad and smiling.

"Hey ladies. Miss us?" The man or Joker mused, but a gleam in his eye showed he was doing his best not to tear up just a bit seeing them; then a hologram or Eve appeared on the holo-pad

"Heya girls!" Eve added in, smiling widely in utter glee as she looked a bit different, with a ponytail hair style now she sported; along with a business dress and heels

It was a few moments of silence there. Mainly because for Elizabeth and the girls, they finally could see two friendly face from way before. It was surreal in a way, but also joyful too. The girls were the one's to convey such joy, at seeing two of their old freinds after a day of non-stop insanity.

"JOKER, EVE!" The girls of team RWBY screamed in joy, as they ran up and pulled Joker into a semi-hard hug since they didn't want to crush his frail bones

Joker just let them and was glad they remembered to NOT hug too hard. Even if he was in some pain, though he kept Eve's holo-pad up. Eve herself giggling as she watched the scene before her. Elizabeth decided to let the girls have their hellos first. But smiled, happy that at least they could have one old friend with them on this mission.

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It had been ten minutes of catching up between everyone. But it was all needed since it helped ease whatever tension and worry they had. Now the group, plus Joker and Eve were making their way somewhere. Joker said it was a surprise and they just to follow him. So here they were, following Joker to who knows where.

"Still feels like a dream. I mean me and Eve here saw you all get spaced." Joker stated, as he was leading the group; while still holding up Eve's holo-pad

"Indeed, it feels as if this is something of biblical proportions!" Eve exclaimed, as she found it rather surreal even if she was staring at Elizabeth and the girls right now

"Well I'll admit. It was lucky me and the girls survived; and ended near one another when we…crash landed. But I'll say too, this doesn't come without a few strings attached." Elizabeth exclaimed, as she was a bit unhappy about this. But considering what she and the girls had seen, they needed to do this "How'd you two end up here anyways?"

"Well after the attack. We were stuck in the escape pods for a bit, until the Alliance found us. After that, turns out everyone wanted to push it under the rug. Saren, the Reapers. The Citadel and everyone didn't it want to be brought up again. They spilt the team up too, grounded me and almost took away Eve here." Joker explained, angrily as the others were a bit shocked at that and the fact it happened so recently after the whole incident four years ago

"Good thing I was able to act like a simple V.I. I am legally Jokers Portable V.I aid when it comes to keeping reminders for him. Still, it wasn't right what they did to our team, our family. After all we did for them." Eve stated, frowning for a moment

"Yeah, they took everything away from us. Everything that meant something to me, to Eve. So damn right we joined Cerberus." Joker finished off, as Eve gave him a small thumbs up

"I guess that makes sense but… are you both okay with this. You remember what we found four years ago on our little side missions." Weiss asked, as she was hoping these two weren't being lured in by Cerberus ideas too

"Aw don't worry Weiss. Me and Eve might be part of Cerberus, but we don't like them anymore then you." Joker answered, as he stopped at window looking at something. The girls and Elizabeth stopped too, noticing the slight excitement Joker and Eve were showing, Joker smirking himself "That said. They might be bad and all that. But they did bring you ladies back so there that at least. But there is also one more thing they did. Something me and Eve here like."

"What's that?" Ruby questioned, as Joker and Eve simple smirked. Eve pointing to whatever was in the darkness

Seconds later. Lights lite up what could now be seen as a docking bay. Large and spacious, but what was inside of it. Was what caught Elizabeth, Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang off guard. For what it was, was like a blast from the past. It was exact replica of the SR-1 Normandy. Expect this one was much large in size. Two times or maybe four times bigger. But the color scheme was exactly the same, if maybe a bit more black on it. The only thing that wasn't there was the logo and the name. All in all though, it was a true beauty.

"Holy…" Yang said first, wide eyed as she continued to stare

"Mother…" Weiss stated next. Rubbing her eyes, as to only to make sure this was real

"Of…." Blake now said herself. Pinching to tip of her left cat ear for a moment, flinching a second later she knew this wasn't a dream at all

"Awesome cookies!" Ruby screamed, as she smiled in utter disbelief; before looking to Joker and Eve "H-How did they do this?!"

"Can't say Ruby. They only told me and Eve about it an hour ago. But ain't she a beauty." Joker answered, as he was happy to see the awe and wonder the others were displaying. Looking to Elizabeth, he could see though stoic. She was as happy too "So commander, pretty as she is. But don't you think it's missing something?"

"Hehe. I do Joker, I do. I think we can ask for two more add on's." Elizabeth simply remarked, crossing her arms as she smiled

The others knowing what was going to be added on, smiled at the fact that it seemed after such a tragedy. Things were starting to look up for them once more.

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It was only an hour later, when from outside the station that had served as a temporary base. Opened its shuttle bay doors. Out came the new SR-2 Normandy. Name and all painted on as the ship, as it began to fly away from the station, and to the energy source the Illusive Man asked to make their current priority. Before heading to recruit their new teammates for the future ahead.

If only they knew, what would wait ahead of them and what would end up becoming; an adventure beyond their first one. One even more hazardous, full of wonder and full awe. All of this insanity this time, starting with that energy source.

Of how fun it would be, how fun and full of insanity….

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Cut and end!

Alright first chapter done. What did ya think?

Now let's get started with a few things I'll make clear.

So first off, I hope it didn't seem rushed. Because that wasn't my intention if it did seem like that. I just decided that when writing. I'm gonna do my best to focus more on the dialogue/combat portions of the game. If it's just combat portions, I'll be a bit quicker with how those go. Like how in combat only portions of the game. You do a fight and pass through it without much thought. Kind of like that. Oh I hope that makes sense.

Anyways. Second thing. I'm gonna do my best to follow the story game as a whole. But with some changes here and there with how dialogue goes at times. That and some characteristics of certain characters.

Like for example Miranda. She's mostly the same, but she does as you may have seen. More motherly, more silly at times. Maybe more temper prone. Well that's mainly because I counted in the fact in this stories timeline from the original game. Miranda had Ilia as her daughter, one she raised since she was a little girl. So you can see in a way, how Miranda changed a bit here and there to help her adapt for having to raise a child; while also being the one of the Illusive Man's top agents. SO that's just one example I'll use.

Second, if you realized what our girls are gonna be finding in the next chapters. When it comes to the unknown 'Energy' source. Then you'll probably realize that things afterwards are gonna be get really crazy real quick. For those who don't know what I mean or didn't real the epilogue of the pervious RWBY EFFECT. I will not say and ruin the surprise. I only say go and read the epilogue so you get a good idea what's gonna be coming in this story.

Third, as you can see. I made it four years instead of two. Mainly because in lore in this timeline. They took a month to just diagnose Elzabeth's wounds, then took nearly two years to figure out how to even start to safely fix up Elizabeth. Then the next two years after, was when they actually started to bring her back to life. Avid as you saw, with a slightly different look and the loss of her biotics. Also not forgetting the fact that team RWBY though looking as adults, are still in their mindset from four years ago. So that's gonna be fun to explore how they interact in some ways considering how older they look. Especially Ruby who's a sixteen year old, in the body now of a twenty year old. Which will make some funny moments when people see a twnety year old woman pouting and getting super joyful when it comes to cookies. tthat and if you noticed I may have added things from Mass Effect 3 into this story. Armor and weapons wise at least. I did that just to add more varity you could say.

Fourth and finally. If you're curious on who are the first set of companions, aside from Miranda and Jacob. Well Ilia, Oscar, Melanie and Miltia are all companions too. So lots more Cerberus companions in this story. That and they're on the ship already by the end of this chapter. So yeah.

Anyways. All that said and done, it will be a bit before I get to the official chapter one of this story. I need to focus my attention on a fic or two I've been neglecting. But I had wanted to at least put this up. To at least give you a good taste of what's to come. I can't wait for it and I will do my best for you all to enjoy it.

Until the next chapter. I truly wish you all the best days ahead and to keep safe. See ya till then!