I’m torn on this. On one hand, I love your characterization of Shepard and the build up to his relationship with Tali is great. The interaction we see between Thane and Zaeed was magnificent to say the least, and the OC Shadow Broker merc sergeants were a good addition. But, this cliffhanger ending is a real fucking bitch and while the arc with Morinth was good, it just doesn’t suit me. Good fic, just not my cup of tea I guess.

Ok, sorry for the long post but I just have to put something here. It's been years since I read this story but lately I've had an itch for Mass Effect again and I've been reading through some stuff on here. Finding this hidden on my favorites list has just made my day as I remember how expertly written I remember this story to be and how much I enjoyed it. It takes me back to a time before Mass Effect 3 came out and I turned to this site to tide me over. It's also when I found some of the best stories, this one being without a doubt my favorite Mass Effect 2 story and in my top 3 overall. I just want to thank you for putting this up. I will be reading through this again and I'm confident I'll enjoy it just as much as I did when I read it years ago.

A well done and brutally dark story. It's rare to see a paragon Shepard done with such detail and finesse.

This was good. I wish there would have been more, but I loved it.

I thought you had killed off Liara so you didn't have to deal with a previous relationship, but this is well done. You created action that reverberated throughout, and the proper reactions to those. Also, very touching finish to the chapter.

Oh... Did you just kill off Liara? That's sad.

Well done in working the red eye glow of the renegade into the story.

I just want you to know, that this foreward/authors note/whatever gives me a lot of hope for this story. If I am disappointed, I will cry. I just want you to know that.

I love how your stories crossover. How this story is basically Mass Effect 2 but with skillful reinterpretation is a testament to how much thought you put into your work.

Man, you are the best! I haven't read much Mass Effect fan fictions yet, but your's amazing! Every moment of Shepard with Tali gave me butterflies in the guts! Fantastic! Keep writing, your abilities are great!

I can't say I agree with Tomon below on his view of missing Tali's trial. Normally it would be important to include it bu here it wouldn't fit. This story is about Tali helping Shepard out of his own troubles it would confuse things for Shepard to start comforting Tali... in my opinion that is.

Very good tale and enjoyable reading material :)

Your Shepard could be probably best pal with Saren, at least if there wasn't the minor detail with bringing back the Reapers and killing all advanced organic life in the universe :-D

You make him really ruthless but still aiming for greater good. Your version of Tali is really like an angel and it's her who saved Shepard and make him able to succeed.

The only thing I mind in your story is skipping several important part. Your last final cliffhanger is a naughty thing but it's okay. But to skip Tali's trial? It's very important moment for their relationship... But whatever. It's your story to tell and you decided to not write it.

Still very good and you can be proud of yourself :)

Arlen?! Dear sweet Arlen from the Interceptor story? HE'S torturing Shepherd? Say it isn't so!

A great work. Great characterization throughout, and you were able to do something I've seen few people do successfully: having lengthy combat scenes that genuinely feel tense without becoming taxing (especially the Haestrom bit). While the plot started to move forward in leaps and bounds toward the end, I can understand your desire to focus on their relationship. As for the ending, I'd say there's plenty there to tell what's going to happen in the collector base. That and the high note conclusion make for the polar opposite of the infamous Halo 2 ending.

Overall, a satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable tale.

Just read the foreword...the stuff you said about Liara and Tali, in my opinion you hit the nail squarely on the head. I went through the same kind of thoughts with Liara as my love interest in ME1, then getting the cold shoulder in ME2 and moving on to Tali. (Also, Author notes in every chapter gets really annoying after awhile, FINALLY AN AUTHOR WHO AGREES WITH ME ON THAT! THANK THE LORDS OF KOBOL! (sorry, just read like 3 Battlestar Galactica stories, couldn't resist saying that)).

All in all, I'm looking forward to reading this story!