The Normandy was currently on its way back to the Citadel following the mission to Virmire. Shepard's report to the council didn't go as she had hoped. The Turian and Salarian councilors didn't believe a word she said about Sovereign being a Reaper and the threat it posed should it reach Ilos with Saren.

She knew Tevos believed her, but she played the part of ignorance during the meeting. Right afterward she received a message from the Asari councilor that said she was making preparations should Saren or Sovereign attack the Citadel without the other two knowing. But her hands were tied given she was being outvoted.

It wasn't much, but the Commander was happy she had at least one councilor on her side.

During transit, the Normandy had received a message that the council was taking the threat seriously and was being requested to return to the Citadel.

Shepard immediately had Joker bring them in to spearhead the operation that was coming…only there wouldn't be no operation.

Not long after they arrived on the Citadel and met with the council. The Commander and her team were not only taken off the Saren situation, the Normandy was grounded and locked down so they couldn't get involved.

Shepard had been taken out of the fight, and two out of three of the councilors along with the Human ambassador had pretty much tightened a noose around all their necks.

During the proceedings, Flynn had stood in the back out of sight. When the meeting came to an end, Tevos happened to look his way and flinched when she saw the dark look he was sending her way. Even though he knew there was only so much she could do, but the fact that she didn't fight harder in the presence of her colleagues left him angry.

And she, and every other Asari on the Citadel, knew damn well how bad that was.

A couple hours later, the slayer was in the cargo hold of the ship. All his weapons laid out before him that he was running maintenance on them. He'd ran through his suit's systems, adjusting the Maykr runes he'd absorbed and placing Sentinel token's he'd collected throughout his journey in different slots until he achieved what he needed.

His munitions were able to regenerate on their own now, energy and ballistics. It was a slow process, but it could be sped up if he got his hands on his enemies and killed them in his signature way.

And he figured it out not a moment too soon. His supplies were starting to get too low for his liking.

Footsteps on the metal floor made him pause as he saw Liara slowly approach him. "Mind if I join you?" she asked softly.

Flynn nodded as he went back to work, the young Asari sitting beside him as they settled in a comfortable silence.

How's Shepard? He asked, snapping the heat blast mod back on his plasma rifle.

"Angry. And rightfully so." Liara replied, "The Council's inactions will lead us to ruin, and she's the only one willing to do anything about it."

The slayer snapped the auto-fire mod on his combat shotgun. They're scared. Most people would rather live in comfortable ignorance, than a horrifying reality. In the first few days of Hell's invasion, people still wanted to believe it wasn't happening. Even when their friends and family were being torn apart.

"It's horrible to think about. I had hoped Councilor Tevos would offer more aid, or even stand up to her fellow councilors." Liara said with frustration in her tone. She watched him continue to work for a moment, "What are you doing?"

The Citadel will be Sovereign and Saren's first target after Ilos. Flynn looked down the barrels of his super shotgun before loading flesh shells and snapping it closed. The seat of power is always the first target to weaken everything else. I intend on giving them a warm welcome.

The Asari maiden couldn't help but smile as she watched him prepare. To anyone else it would have been strange to see anyone so enamored watching someone else literally prepare for war. But to her, it was like watching an artist getting ready to do a masterpiece.

Her earlier talk with Wrex came back to the front of her mind and she decided to take the old mercenary's advice. "If you wouldn't mind, could we talk for a moment?"

Flynn gave her a look, noting the serious look on her face in return. With a quick command, all his weapons returned to his suit's quantum pack. He then removed his helmet so she could see she had his attention.

"Before the mission to Virmire, you no doubt remember the discussion we had before?" she asked. The slayer nodded, having been thinking about his talk with Shepard while he'd been working on his guns. "Knowing what you face, and the dangers that come with being around someone of your status, I've had much to think about."

Liara met his gaze, her blue eyes hardened sapphires. "My decision hasn't changed. I know the dangers I will end up facing, should I stay with you like I wish. But I will face them with all the strength I possess, so I can stand at your side."

The hardened look slowly became vulnerable, "Do you…still feel the same?"

And that was it. Liara had laid everything out in the open, her decision had been made and now it was his turn to decide how things went.

Flynn could choose to end things here, it would keep her safe from Hell's attention and they wouldn't have a way to exploit a weakness out of him…

But then Shepard's words came back to him. And she'd been right. Beneath everything he became, he was still human. One that had been broken beyond what many could come back from, overcoming trial by fire after trial by fire until he became something beyond the man he once was.

The path of perpetual torment, a lone wolf who only sought battle and the blood of his enemies. He'd chosen to walk this path because he had nothing else. Yet somehow, some force beyond him had brought him here to this universe…to her.

Out of all the places in the Mass Effect universe he could have been sent, why had it been Therum? Why had it been moments before Liara's recruitment where he encountered her first? Why had it been the dig site where she was trapped?

Deep down, somehow he just knew that something had sent him there at that moment to find her, to connect with her.

Was it some kind of reward for everything he'd done? Giving him something more to fight for? Something to look forward to when he finished his mission? A life he could have when he finally achieved peace?

The odd stuttering in his chest suddenly stopped, and was then replaced with a comforting warmth. As if he'd found the answer he'd been looking for. Flynn focused on Liara again, who had been patiently waiting for him to answer this whole time.

Taking Shepard's advice, he thought like Flynn Taggart instead of like the Doom Slayer. And his answer didn't come in the form of his usual signing.

Liara let out a soft squeak when she found herself being picked up. Flynn's large hands encircled around her tiny waist as he set her down on his lap. "F-Flynn? What are you…" she trailed off when she saw the look in his eyes, and the genuine smile that spread across his lips.

Those same lips were on hers a moment later. Stealing the breath from her lungs and nearly shutting down her brain. Heat burned in her chest that spread to her face as she realized what was happening. Once she came to grips with what she was feeling, the young Asari managed to wrap her arms around Flynn's shoulders and close her eyes and allowed the new sensations to overtake her.

It had been…well, it had been forever since Flynn had been with a woman. Not factoring his old life, he had a few relationships in high school. And a couple of flings during his time in the army. But his dating history ended there abruptly when he became the slayer. It hadn't been on his priority list at the time…or the eons that followed.

He was far from a virgin, but given the length of time it had been he felt as out of practice as one. Though he could feel Liara was just as inexperienced, given her youth by Asari standards. But by the soft sounds she was making in the back of her throat, he had a feeling he was doing pretty well so far.

They separated after some time, Liara taking in shuddering breaths as her heart threatened to explode out of her chest. When she opened her eyes, they were deep black pools. The sensations driving her to the edge of initiating a meld.

Taking a moment to calm herself, the young Asari's eyes slowly changed back to their usual blue. "That was…" she couldn't seem to find the words. The slayer gave her a cheeky grin that had her blushing, but also smiling back at him in return.

"Ground team, this is Commander Shepard. I need everyone to meet me at the airlock in five." Jane's voice resonated from the PA system across the ship.

Flynn glared at the ceiling. "Duty first, I suppose." Liara said with a little disappointment in her voice as well.

Nodding, Flynn leaned forward and rested his forehead against the young Asari's. Eyes locking with hers with silent promises that had her blush returning.

X

Shepard had informed them that Anderson had contacted the Normandy and asked her to meet him at the club Flux in the wards. The team joined her as they left the ship and entered the club to find the Alliance Captain sitting alone at a table in the far corner in civilian clothes.

"Captain." Jane said as she took the seat across from him, the others spreading out around them to keep it from looking too suspicious.

"I'm glad you came, Shepard. I heard what happened." Anderson said back, "I tried to send you a message to warn you, but you'd already docked before I had a chance."

The Captain leaned on the table, "I know you're pissed off. But you can't give up. They think all this is over, but we both know it's not. You have to get to Ilos and stop Saren from using the Conduit."

"They grounded me, Anderson. The only ship that can get me into the Terminus Systems is locked down tight." said Shepard.

"Citadel control's locked out all the Normandy's systems. But if we override the ambassador's orders, we can get them to bring the Normandy back online. You can be in and out of the terminus before anyone knows you're gone." said the Captain.

"That's treason, Captain!" Kaiden said in shock, Ashley nodding in agreement beside him.

"They're right, Anderson. We steal the Normandy, you'll end up taking the fall." added Jane.

"And if Saren reaches the Conduit, we're all dead. You're the only one that can stop him and the Reapers, I'll do whatever it takes to get you back out there to complete your mission." The Captain said, not backing down from his decision.

"And he isn't alone."

Everyone turned and was stunned to see Councilor Tevos approaching them, also wearing civilian clothes.

"Councilor?" asked the Commander.

"Commander, I do apologize for my inaction. But my fellow councilors had me outvoted at every turn. I could only push so hard before they pushed back for answers I cannot give them." the elder Asari admitted.

She turned to the slayer, feeling hesitant. But he gave her a slow nod that relaxed her nerves greatly. "I believe I have an answer to our problem. One that shouldn't leave anyone in dire straits." She continued to the gathered team.

Anderson and Shepard looked at one another before turning back to Tevos. "What did you have in mind, ma'am?" asked Jane.

"If the Normandy was to be moved to another docking bay to make room for another vessel at the behest of a Councilor's order, but was to suddenly 'change course' before anyone can realize it…" she trailed off, raising her eye ridges with meaning.

Everyone got it immediately, "Devious of you, Councilor." Anderson said with a grin.

"I was a wild maiden in my youth. This wouldn't be the first time I assisted in the theft of a ship." Tevos admitted much to the surprise of everyone else.

Some time later, the team had returned to the dock where the Normandy sat waiting. "Alright, as soon as we get the signal, we're on our way." Shepard said as everyone got ready to enter the airlock.

Everyone but one.

"Flynn?" the Commander asked when she saw the slayer remaining where he was.

Someone needs to stay behind. Incase Saren or the Geth manage to get through the council's blockade. He signed.

Shepard wanted to argue, but underwood his reasoning. "You sure?" she asked anyway.

You and the others got this, Shepard. I'll watch over the Citadel. Put a bullet in Saren for me.

"With pleasure." The Commander said with a nod before turning toward the airlock. Liara gave him a long look, but she saw the slayer moving his hands so only she could see.

Be safe. I'll be here. The young Asari smiled as the airlock door closed and began to cycle.

Flynn took a deep breath before making his way to the elevator. Even though he knew Shepard and the others would succeed, the Citadel and its people were still at risk.

He knew what the Conduit was. He knew where the Geth would appear at the heart of the station.

Only they didn't know they would be walking right into a killing field he was about to set up.

X

The Presidium was one of the many visual marvels aboard the Citadel. The man-made lakes, fountains and statues of heroes from various species dot the metal landscape, the artificial sun making it really stand out to tourists and residents alike.

But to the slayer, only one thing had his full attention.

The 'Relay Monument' in the heart of the ward. Everyone believing it to be just another statue, not knowing that it was a backdoor into the Citadel made by the Protheans to help fight back against the Reapers.

A backdoor the Geth were going to use to gain control of the station so the Reapers could pour through.

From a bench twelve meters away, Flynn sat staring at the conduit without so much as blinking. He'd been there for a few hours now, as still as the statues nearby. People of all races walking by him, only giving passing glances, a few Asari had seen him and had taken a picture of him with their omni-tools.

When he'd first gotten to this current spot, he'd sent a message to Sha'ira about a possible invasion that might happen within the next few hours and told her to evacuate who she could. Hoping her influence would help save as many lives as possible.

Another hour passed without incident. Then another. The slayer's fingers began to twitch with anticipation for the coming fight.

"Excuse me? Sir?" His eyes flicked to the left and he saw two C-Sec officers, a human male and a Turian female, standing there. "We've received reports that you've been sitting here for some time now. I understand that this is a public place, but some folks are feeling a bit nervous given you're…well…armor."

Flynn switched his attention back to the conduit. He knew they were just doing their jobs, and it wasn't like they could even move him if they wanted to so he simply ignored them. They kept trying to ask him questions, but he didn't answer which he could tell was causing frustration. One of the officers got on their omni-tool to talk to dispatch…when it happened.

The center of the 'relay monument' suddenly began to glow blue, the dyson rings around the center spinning around like a full sized relay. This immediately caught the attention of passersby who stopped to watch awestruck at what was happening.

The slayer rose from his seat, combat shotgun appearing in his hands as he began to stalk toward it. The C-Sec officers saw the weapon and immediately drew their own, demanding he put it down and surrender. He continued to ignore them as the rings on the conduit spun faster.

A second later there were flashes of blue light…and Geth of every shape and size began to appear. There was a brief moment where the world stood still before the synthetics raised their rifles and opened fire on the now screaming crowds.

Flynn dashed ahead, absorbing a good number of rounds and saving a few civilians in the process as he opened up with his shotgun. The auto-fire barrel spinning fast as he unloaded a storm of buckshot that tore through the Geth in seconds.

His equipment launcher lobbed a pair of grenades into their ranks, the explosions sending body parts in all directions. More Geth began to pour through the conduit in large numbers, from troopers to primes.

But the slayer was in his element.

Switching his combat shotgun to his chaingun, he activated the turret-mod. In the next moment, he unleashed a tidal wave of death at the invading machines.

X

Meanwhile, Shepard and her team had just finished speaking with the Prothean VI Vigil. Learning the truth about the Citadel and Mass Relays along with the purpose of the Conduit after the Protheans had been brought to extinction.

With this new knowledge, and the access data needed to get control of the Citadel to keep the Reapers from returning, they jumped back into the Mako and floored it toward where the Conduit was stationed. Blasting their way through any opposition that stood in their path.

"If the Conduit's a backdoor into the Citadel…then that means the Geth could be pouring through into the Presidium right now!" Tali suddenly exclaimed.

"Then it's a good thing Taggart stayed behind," said Wrex. "If anyone can slow those bastards down, it's him."

"What about Sovereign and the Geth fleet?" asked Ashley. "Flynn's good, damn good, but I don't think he could take on a fucking Reaper on foot."

Shepard gripped the controls, "Then we better hope the Citadel fleet can do some damage until we can get there." She saw Liara gripping the pistol the slayer had given her tightly. Bumping the young Asari's shoulder to get her attention, the Commander gave her a reassuring smile.

"Big man's got this, Liara. Guarantee he has some kind of plan up his sleeve." The words had the desired effect as Liara seemed to calm down a bit.

The Mako reached the top of a large hill overlooking a small valley where they saw a miniature mass relay sticking straight up from the ground below. "Hang on, Flynn. Backup's coming." Jane said before gunning the engine.

X

Back on the Citadel, the Presidium had become a warzone.

The ward was bathed in red emergency lights as the local VI ordered civilians to evacuate the area over the sounds of gunfire and explosions.

A Geth Juggernaut was knocked to the ground before its head was crushed beneath a heavy boot. Flynn reloaded his super shotgun as he surveyed his surroundings.

The bodies of Geth, husks and a couple Krogan clones were scattered everywhere, but so were the bodies of a few unlucky civilians and C-Sec officers. Within minutes of the conduit coming online, C-Sec immediately responded and gathered around the site in force. There were even members of the Human, Turian and Asari military that joined in the fight to hold off the invasion.

Currently, he was trying to keep all the enemies focused on him to give everyone else a fighting chance. Which wasn't hard considering they knew he was the biggest threat.

Seeing a couple Alliance soldiers and an Asari Commando pinned down behind a crumbling monument by an Armature. The slayer fired his meathook into its side and slingshot across the distance to deliver a blood punch that sent the large Geth platform tumbling off the walkway and crashing to the ground below.

Immediately switching to his plasma rifle, he fired on a small horde of husks that were trying to overrun a C-Sec defensive line. Each synthetic undead exploding in bursts of blue sparks. The weapon beeped when the heat built up to max and he unleashed a blast that obliterated a pair of Geth troopers that were within range.

Loud explosions from above had Flynn looking up. His visor enhancing his vision to show the Citadel fleet engaging with the Geth fleet that more than likely just came through the local relay.

Which meant Sovereign was out there, waiting for its moment to make for the Citadel tower.

"We got Geth dropping in all over the Citadel!" he heard a C-Sec officer shout. He was proven right when a dropship flew overhead and unloaded several platforms around the Presidium. The slayer brought out his BFG and fired, the green ball of destruction exploded against the ship's underbelly, nearly ripping it apart as it pitched to the side and crashed somewhere a short distance away.

Several people stopped fighting to look at him in disbelief. "Where the hell can we get more of those?" wondered a Turian soldier.

Flynn rolled his eyes before switching to his ballista and blasting the head off another Armature. So far he'd killed dozens upon dozens of enemies, but there had been no sign of Saren. He'd grievously wounded the bastard on Virmire, but that didn't mean his machine master wouldn't give him more implants.

Sovereign couldn't access the Citadel without its puppet. So where the hell was he?

After a bit more fighting…the Geth stopped coming through the Prothean-made relay. The remaining defenders were quick to establish defenses incase of another push while also handling any wounded.

Flynn was growing anxious with still no sign of Saren, that's when he heard one of the officers behind him. "Just got word from Executor Palin, they can't reach Citadel control! The fleet's in disarray!"

The slayer whipped around before snapping his gaze up at the Citadel tower. Gritting his teeth, he ran toward the closest elevator.

How the fuck did he get past him?!

X

The technicians within Citadel control were working overtime trying to understand what was happening. Geth were appearing in the heart of the station and were locked in a firefight with local law enforcement and, from what some reports had stated, a lone human in powerful armor.

But then an entire fleet, led by a ship bigger than any dreadnought recorded appeared through the relay and was attacking the fleet. The surprise attack being enough to cripple the station's defenders and give Geth dropships a chance to slip through and release more troops across the Citadel.

"Someone get me an update on the Council! They need to be evacuated!" One of the Asari techs ordered as they worked the consoles.

All actions were interrupted when a red and black portal suddenly opened up in the middle of the control room. Everyone turned toward the strange opening, some reaching for weapons before a squad of Geth came through and opened fire on them.

Several techs and security personnel were killed before the survivors started fighting back. The Asari tech threw warp attacks at the machines, taking out several before something else walked through the portal.

Whatever it was, it looked to have once been a Turian. Their body covered in bits of black armor with glowing-crimson lines of energy running through it. Both arms were bionic, one ending in long sharp claws while the other looked to be some kind of cannon that had an ominous red glow coming from the barrel.

But it was the eyes that filled her with fear. Glowing like hellfire and seemed to pierce through her very soul.

She suddenly felt pain in her chest. Looking down, she found a fist sized hole in her chest that was smoldering at the edges. A strangled gasp left her lips before she collapsed to the floor. The abomination lowered its cannon-arm as the Geth finished killing her colleagues.

"Seal the station." the former Turian spoke in a deep, mechanized voice before turning and leaving the control room with the Geth right behind them.

X

The conduit flared to life again, everyone had weapons trained on it until a Mako tank came flying out. Barrel rolling across the ground before landing on its roof near the base of the tower. The nearby defenders slowly approached, guns ready until Shepard crawled her way out with her team shortly behind.

"Commander Shepard?" one of the Alliance marines said when they recognized her.

"I need a sitrep, now!" she ordered when she saw all the destruction around her.

"The Geth came pouring out of the monument like it was an actual relay." one of the C-Sec officers. If it hadn't been for that big guy in armor-"

"It was the Slayer!" An Asari Commando shouted while she was being treated for a leg wound. A wide smile on her face despite the pain she was in, "Athame be praised, he truly is here!"

Kaiden looked at all the destroyed synthetics around them, "Guess Flynn managed to keep most of the fighting here."

"Where is he now, though?" wondered Liara.

"We received reports from the Executor that Citadel Control is not responding and he ran for the tower. I think he was heading for the lifts." said the first officer.

Shepard nodded and turned to her team, "Weapons ready people! We gotta catch up with the big guy!"

X

The Citadel fleet did its best to hold off the attacking Geth ships. But the surprise arrival had left them underprepared as many of their ships were destroyed before they realized the full threat.

To make matters worse, they were cut off from Citadel Control and didn't know what was happening on the station itself. Things were looking grim…but it became even more so when the arms of the Citadel began to suddenly close.

At that point, Sovereign began to accelerate forward. Its barriers absorbing the rounds fired at it as it smashed its way through what was left of the fleet blockade and entered the station just before it completely sealed itself.

The Reaper Vanguard extended its limbs and wrapped them around the Citadel tower, a series of large cables extending from its body and inserting into the structure as it began to take control of the station and prepare it for its true function.

X

The elevator carrying Shepard and her team came to a stop midway up the tower. Realizing they were stuck, the Commander looked to the others as she put her helmet on.

"Suit up! We're going out!" The rest of the team followed suit as Jane drew her sidearm and shot out the lift's large window. One by one they jumped out, their magnetic boots activating as they stuck to the outer wall of the tower and faced toward the top where Sovereign's massive frame clung to it.

"If the elevator's out, where do you think Flynn ended up?" asked Tali as they began walking up the length of the tower.

"He had a lead on us, so chances are we'll meet him at the main control room." said Shepard.

Wrex grunted, "If he even leaves anything left for us to kill."

X

A dozen floors above them. The sealed doors that led to the elevator were roughly wrenched open by a pair of gauntlet-clad hands. Sparks shooting out as Flynn stepped off and onto the floor he'd stopped at.

He'd seen Sovereign attach to the tower and now had control of the systems. It was only a matter of time before it opened the primary relay and let the rest of the Reapers in.

From what he knew, he was only a handful of floors below where the Council chambers were located. And where Saren was most likely waiting.

Gripping his heavy cannon, the slayer stomped forward. Prepared to end this battle with extreme prejudice.

X

A/N: You know, I thought i should start slowing down a bit with how fast I'm cranking out chapters. But with things so close to the end of ME1 I can't help but want to see it through before taking a small breather.

I'm not burned out yet, and I have some catching up to do with my work!

The final fight against Sovereign is getting closer, and with the few hints given in the last couple of chapters there is going to be some revelations many of you have been speculating about. I won't spoil anything, but I will say that what is coming may change the Mass Effect universe in big ways.