Disclaimer: I don't own either Mass Effect or Warhammer 40,000

Commander Jane Shepard sat on the bed in her cabin of the SR-2 Normandy, staring at a mirror. The red haired, blue eyed soldier found herself wondering what her life had become. From a colony girl on Mindoir to recipient of the Star of Terra, her early life had been a story of adversity and triumph. She had discovered a plot involving a rogue Specter and an ancient race of machines that wanted to wipe out all life in the galaxy known as the Reapers. She had succeeded in stopping them after becoming the first human Specter, and enlisting the aid of some skilled and colorful characters. And to top it all off, she had even killed a Reaper while saving the Citadel Council from destruction. All in all, she thought it went pretty great.

Then she died.

What was supposed to be a routine search for the A.I forms known as the Geth ended up an ambush that cost her life and the original Normandy. She had gotten as many out as she could before her demise. But now here she was, brought back to life by a human supremacy group known as Cerberus. Project Lazarus had succeeded in rebuilding her, both body and mind, but it wasn't finished. Whenever she saw her face, the cybernetic scarring that remained was a painful reminder of what had happened. That she was no longer just organic, but also synthetic, she was made in a lab.

She didn't know how to feel about it. Well, she knew how she felt, it was more of a matter of confronting those feelings. Something she was never good at. She had survived the Batarian raid of her homeworld when she was 16 by blocking out the fear. She was the War Hero of Elysium because she closed herself off and focused on the mission. She had been the model soldier, a paragon for humanity. Now she didn't know what she was.

Life had moved on in the two years it had been since her death to her reawakening. But the dangers of the galaxy never stop. Human colonies were being attacked by the same creatures that had killed her, the Collectors. Even worse the Collectors were in league with the Reapers. The council she once worked for now brushed off the Reapers as some myth. The Alliance she had served for years could only offer the smallest semblance of aid. That left her only ally Cerberus. Strangely though, the radical organization was taking great pains and expenses to stop the threat. Not only did they believe her, but they also had rebuilt her, her ship, and were now aiding in the collecting of a crew to stop the Collectors.

It was a confusing time.

Shepard ran her hand along the cybernetic scarring as she let out a small chuckle. She doubted that things could get much weirder. Sadly for the commander, those types of thoughts cause an immediate response.

"Commander Shepard, Operative Lawson is requesting entry to your cabin. Apparently it is important." The ships A.I. EDI spoke through the room's speakers. Shepard snapped out of her internal trauma as she donned the look of the old 'Commander Shepard'. A confident and sure of herself woman who would take on any challenge.

"Let her in." Shepard's voice hid any concern she had as she stood and made her way to the elevator. As the door opened, a raven haired woman who could only be described as perfect walked into the cabin.

This was Miranda Lawson, the Cerberus operative who had overseen Project Lazarus and the Normandy's second in command. Not by Shepards choice though. It wasn't that Shepard had anything in particular against the woman, it was just that she didn't know if she could trust her. Miranda was loyal to Cerberus and was a vessel for their motives, not Shepards.

"Commander Shepard." The Australian accented woman spoke as she gave a polite nod.

"Miss Lawson." Shepard just as politely greeted back. While she was used to the organized greetings of the military, there always seemed to be a tension when she spoke with Miranda.

"I know that you were planning on heading to Omega to recruit Dr. Solus and Archangel, however there has been a development. The Illusive Man sent me a video recording from the colony of Saigon 3 that he wants us to follow up on. After reviewing the footage and investigating further, I agree." Miranda left little room for argument when she spoke to the Commander, perhaps that was why things were always tense between the two.

"And what's so important that the Illusive Man wants us to divert from the mission already? You saw what the Collectors did at Freedom's Progress, they have to be stopped." Shepard crossed her arms.

"And they will be. Cerberus' first and foremost goal is the protection of humanity. However I think after I show you this you will agree." Miranda had a smug smile as she activated her Omni-tool and brought up the recorded footage.

Commander Shepard watched what appeared to be a joint birthday party for an 8 year old boy and his 34 year old uncle. It was taking place in the center of the jungle colony as men and women laughed as the two were opening presents. There was a partial sun glare going across the lens that obscured most things not directly in front of it.

"What did you get jake?" The female voice of the camera operator asked the child. The kid unwrapped a toy gun that he immediately took a liking to. Opening the box the kid moved the prop gun around and fired it as it made sounds.

"Aww yea! Thanks big Sis!" It seemed his older sister was the one filming.

"*Chuckle* Watch out there now Leana, kid will grow up to be in N7 if you start him this early." The camera turned to the uncle who opened a package of cigars. Holding the box up to the camera he mouthed 'This is the good shit' and winked. As the party was continuing on the sounds of shuttles filled the air as the camera looked up.

Shepard bit back a growl as she watched a group of Batarian slavers descend onto the colony. The colonist began to scatter as the camera woman, Leana, grabbed Jake and went to hide. Shepard watched all too familiar destruction as she saw people being shot dead, and those that weren't being dragged off to be enslaved. She fought to keep the memories of her homeworld from reemerging. The camera continued to film as the two took shelter in a supply closet nearby, tossing out the equipment used for keeping the foliage back. The most notable of those being the M-451 Firestorm fuel canisters. The slot in the door made it so that everything was still visible as several Batarians surrounded and beat down the uncle with their rifles.

The slavers then began to sweep the area for anyone they could take as they barked out orders to one another. Leana and Jake's heavy breathing and whimpered cries were picked up as they watched their home be destroyed.

"Why are you making me watch this?" Shepard asked through gritted teeth. Surprisingly, Miranda put a comforting hand on the commander's shoulder.

"Just watch, it gets….strange." The Specter tilted her head at Mirnada's honest statement as she looked back to the Omni-tool.

Things seemed bleak for the two as a Batarian made its way towards their hiding spot. Shepard could hear Leana rummaging around, no doubt trying to find something to defend herself with. Grabbing a spade, she held it like a dagger as the slaver was now right in front of the door. As the alien swung the door open she stabbed at it's head. She was able to injure two of its four eyes as the alien cursed and grabbed her arm. The camera followed as she was tossed from the closet onto the dirt as the slaver then pulled out the kid. Leana began the futile attempt of begging for it to leave him alone.

"Little bitch! This is what you get." The Batarian was about to blast the child's head off when a red beam disintegrated it's head. Jake tearfully ran to his sister as the body of the Batarian burst into flames. More red beams shot from the jungle as nearby slavers suffered the same fate as the first. Leana went to shield her little brother with her body as the camera now faced back towards the rest of the colony. The Batarains were taking cover from an unseen threat as three more had holes punched through them by the red beams.

"Is that a laser weapon?" Shepard turned to Miranda as the Cerberus operative had a smile.

"It would seem so. And fifty credits says you won't call who is using it." The red haired woman raised her eyebrow at the comment as she went back to watching. Off in the distance, the shuttle that brought the raiders down exploded in a massive fireball. Everytime a Batarian poked their head out or tried to make a move to advance on the jungle, they were blasted.

"They're a good shot, whoever they are….hmm, STG?" She guessed as this time Miranda raised an eyebrow.

"On a human colony world? They probably know about this incident, but it wasn't them."

As the footage continued, the laser fire stopped coming from the jungle. Taking the quiet moment, Leana grabbed Jake as the two hurried over to where their uncle had been beaten. He now took cover under the bench tables they had been sitting as they joined him. Shepard wanted to call them idiots, but she knew all too well what the emotions of raid put in you. They watched as the Batarians lit up the tree line as they gradually pressed their position forward. They blindly fired into the jungle, tearing up the foliage and the smaller of the trees. As their heat sinks fell to the dirt, one by one each Batarian stopped firing.

As the center most Batarian took a step forward, a canister came from the side and nailed him in the head. Snarling and looking down, it appeared to be a jury rigged combination of two of the Firestorm canisters wrapped together. The Batarians had little time to move as a laser connected with the improvised device. The Batarian it hit exploded into fire and gore immediately, the others were not so lucky. They screamed as the fires burned through their shields and melted their flesh. Leana placed her hand over Jake's eyes as her and her uncle watched the slavers burn alive. One of them had run towards where they hid as it dropped to the ground and rolled out the flames. Charred and smoldering, the alien weakly began to drag itself in an attempt to get away.

Heavy footsteps came from nearby as the camera turned to see a pair of heavy combat boots with metal on the top of them. The legs of their owner were massive and wearing green camo as they came to a stop near the Batarians head. A strange gun that didn't follow any design Shepard had seen before came down and pointed at the aliens head. It went to raise its hands in surrender when a red laser came from the barrel. The raider had one last twitch of life as it's head was turned to fine ash, the barrel of the gun glowed with heat. The boots turned and faced the table as Leana began to make her way out from under the table, despite her uncle's protests.

As she stood up, she came face to chest with the largest human she had ever seen. He was the size of a Krogan, and had enough bulging muscles that he could probably take one in fist fight. The arms were the size of her entire body as the left arm had a skull with a dagger going through it tattooed on the bicep. The action movie star looking man had a 5 O'clock shadow with a large scar going from the right side of his lips up to his ear. He sported a red bandana wrapped around his head, and a large knife at his side. The man stared down Leana with dark brown eyes as he opened her uncles cigars. Unwrapping one, he never broke eye contact as he placed the end of it against the still red barrel of the laser weapon. As it lit, he removed it and took a puff.

"Ahhhhh." He smiled as he nodded at the cigar. Placing it back in his mouth he patted Leana on the head, took the package, and began to walk back to the jungle.

"Hey wait!" The girl called out, but the man seemingly ignored her as he gave a wave and entered the jungle. As the footage ended, Shepard's jaw had dropped. She had since dropped the serious soldier tone when the 80s action hero reveal happened.

"Was that Rambo!?" Her voice had lost all edge and was replaced with a child like glee. The comment earned a snicker from Miranda as the Cerberus operative spoke.

"Rambo or not, he's got a portable laser weapon that seems to deal a number on it's targets. Add in the precision fire and being able to single handedly fight off a Batarian raid, the Illusive Man seems to think he could be an asset. We have to move quickly though, no doubt that same footage is in the hands of STG or the Asasi Commandos, and they'll be looking for him as well."

"I'm just shocked that Dutch is still playing in the jungle." Shepard again made an 1980's action movie joke. She would admit, they were a guilty pleasure for her. And it seemed that they inspired that man's entire existence.

"Shepard please, make the jokes when we recruit him." Miranda sighed as Shepard regained her composure. Giving the raven haired woman a nod Shepard gave orders.

"Plot a course for Saigon 3." Her voice regained some semblance of authority as she took charge.

"Will do, Commander." EDI's voice chimed in as the A.I. sent the pilot the new orders.

As Miranda left the room, Shepard's mind revisited the raid she just watched. It had started out so much like the one that claimed all her friends and family. She could feel the panic of hearing the Batarians issue orders to capture the women reemerging from the past. Shaking her head, Shepard cleared those thoughts from her mind and instead decided to focus on the task at hand.

Turning around she went to enter the shower, passing by a mirror as she did so. The commander stopped for a moment and let out a sigh. It seemed no matter how much she didn't want to face it, the past wouldn't let her go.

xxxXXXXxxx

As the Normandy entered the orbit over Saigon 3, Shepard, Lawson, and the last Cerberus member with her, a dark skinned man named Jacob Taylor entered their shuttle. Miranda had already briefed Jacob on their job here as each member checked their weapons and armor. Just because the Batarians were fought off didn't mean they would stay away. Or that the jungle they would have to enter would be any less hostile. As the soldier and two biotics landed at the colony's dock, they were greeted by the uncle from the video.

"Commander Shepard, what a pleasant surprise. I'm Michael Dehan, welcome to Saigon 3." The man extended his hand as Shepard shook it.

"Mr. Dehan, I saw the footage. Is your family ok?" Shepard asked in earnest as the man looked down and nodded.

"Seems lot's of your types have seen it. Jake and Leana are fine, but their parents were killed in the raid so now I'm watching over them" He explained with a saddened expression.

"What do you mean by 'you types'." Miranda noticed the wording and began to feel that they may have been late.

"Military types I mean. Some Saladrians came by, same with some Asari. Figure they're looking for 'Tarzan' as Jake calls him. Don't think they've had any luck though."

"What makes you say that?" Shepard asked as he took a look over the colony. Dehan pointed to the side where the trio saw two parked shuttles that had large scorch marks and shattered glass.

"One of the maintenance guys was checking on a water tank deeper in the jungle, and came across the Salarian one first. We sent out a search party, and they found the Asari one."

"Find any of the crew?" Jacob asked as he looked over the damages. Seemed to be demo charges rigged to the shuttles fuel lines.

"Parts of them." Dehan's statement made the crew of the Normandy look at each other. Shepard spoke what they all were thinking.

"Define parts of them?"

"I mean parts of them. The jungle beasts can get real nasty around here if you're not careful. Though between us, some of them looked like they were caused by an explosive. Hell one Asari looked like she was got by a sword."

"A sword?"

"Or a very, very big knife. I don't think the guy likes people very much, or at least aliens very much. But I'll point you in the right direction." Dehan shrugged as he pointed towards the jungle. Looking her squad over, Shepard gave a nod as they proceeded into the jungle. Once in the trees, they drew their weapons as Shepard took point.

As they pushed their way deeper and deeper into the jungle, Shepard raised her fist, ordering a stop. Pointing ahead she called attention to a lone piece of armor lying on the jungle floor, lying on a pile of leaves and branches. From the looks of it, it seemed to a forearm guard.

"Think it might have the Omni-tool?" Jacob asked as he scanned the dense environment. He didn't like that there were too many ways to be ambushed here. And if this unknown was living out in the jungle, he more than likely knew it far better than they did.

"It's possible. Cover me." Shepard began to make her way towards the armor as she kept her eyes peeled. With the two biotics at a distance, and her trusty shotgun in hand, she figured they had their ranges covered. As she got closer she noticed it was armor that the Asari would wear.

"It's an Asari's." She informed the other as she knelt down. Seeing blood splattered across it told Shepard that it's owner was more than likely not among the living anymore. Grabbing it, Shepard began to lift it off the ground when she felt it snag on something.

"Ah shit." Shepard let out as a hidden net trap sprang from under her and trapped the commander in the air, her shotgun falling out of her hands. While physically fine, her pride was not. Shepard would have to make sure that Miranda and Jacob never told anyone about her carelessness. As the soldier twisted in the net she was able to activate her Omni-tools blade and slice her way free. Landing on the jungle floor with a crouch she reached for her shotgun. Picking it up she brushed the gun off.

"So how much do I have to pay you two to not ever mention this?" She joked as she turned around. Seeing both Mirnada and Jacob with their weapons on the ground and hands in the air was a bad sign. Rising from behind them came the red bandana of the man she was looking for, a cigar still in his mouth. He had quietly taken her squad captive while she had been temporarily distracted by the simple trap. Smart, crude, but smart.

"We're not here to fight you." She spoke out as she lowered her own weapon. The man raised his eyebrow and then spoke a language she had never heard before. The two biotics looked at each other as Miranda mouthed to her 'no translator'. Nodding Shepard kept her hands raised but slowly took off her helmet. Seeing another person's face as opposed to a faceless helmet helped greatly in negotiations. Attempting to show she wasn't going to try anything, Shepard pointed at her Omni-tool. All she received was a raised eyebrow from the man, but otherwise he made no hostile gestures. Activating the translator tool she spoke again.

"I'm Commander Shepard, the two you have are Operative Miranda Lawson and Armory Officer Jacob Taylor. We don't mean you any harm and just want to talk." Shepard began to get a response back that she couldn't understand. But after a few lines passed from the man, her translator seemed to pick up what he was speaking. She repeated herself, though this time through the translator. Initially the Rambo like man seemed surprised, but quickly went back to his confident grin. After she finished speaking, she got a response back.

"We can talk right now Commander Shepard. And I'm not worried about you hurting me, it's the other way around." He had a rough voice fitting his appearance. Shepard noted it wasn't quite like Rambo, but it was close.

"Nobody has to hurt anybody. How about you let my team go, and then we have a talk."

"No can do Shepard. So far everyone who's entered this jungle has been gunning for me. Admittedly you're the first non xeno to do so." Shepard furrowed her brow at the use of the word 'xeno' but figured that it technically was correct.

"And what happened to them?" She asked as he puffed his cigar. Jacob and Miranda were now simply waiting for Shepard to give some kind of signal for them to make a diversion, or for her to talk this guy down.

"Jungle got most of 'em. I got the others. Figure they're upset after I fragged the raider crew they sent."

"The Batarians are slaver scum. The Asari and Salarians are not, they were looking for you for a different reason." The man gave Miranda and Jacob a slight push forward as he stared down Shepard. The two began to walk to her as she saw he had the laser gun to Miranda's back, and a large knife to Jacobs'.

"I wouldn't know anything about any of that. I just know that when humans get attacked by xeno scum, I kill the xeno." Shepard now fully tilted her head at the man's admission. While xenophobia was definitely common after colony attacks, she gathered this wasn't the case.

"Wait, wouldn't know anything about the Salarians and Asari, or that they are anti slavery?" Miranda was about to ask what Shepard was doing when her former captor spoke.

"Either. I'm figuring at this point I'm well outside of Imperium space. Damn Warp storms." The man put away his knife as he removed his cigar and blew smoke.

"I'm sorry, but what? Now I don't know about any of that." Shepard was now the confused one.

"...The Imperium of Man or the Warp?"

"Either." Her two compariots nodded in agreement as they were now figuring they were dealing with an insane jungle man.

"Hmmm...it would appear we are both in the dark of the others context." He commented.

"What?"

"We don't know from what position the other is talking. Tell you what Shepard, as fun as it is fragging blue women and frogmen I'm wanting to get back to my regiment."

"What regiment would that be?"

"The Catachan 2nd Regiment, the "Green Vipers", Imperial Guard." He spoke with immense pride as he put the cigar back. Shepard looked at her squad for any form of recognition, when there was none she let out a breath.

"I can't say I'm familiar with that regiment. I served with N7 in the Systems Alliance."

"Can't say I've heard of them either. Tell you what Red, we ain't gonna accomplish jack sitting here and naming things the other don't know. That orange thing you all seem to have got basic info?" Shepard's eye twitched at the nickname as she gave a nod.

"Don't call me 'Red', or I'll hurt you. But yes, the Omni-tool has galactic information." The man made a head motion for them to follow him as he began to make his way back through the jungle.

"Are we following the crazy guy through the jungle?" Jacob turned to the commander. The woman pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"Well, I'm invested now, so might as well." She picked up her shotgun as she followed the man. As the others retrieved their firearms and followed shortly behind, Miranda whispered to Jacob.

"This goes south, take him down with no hesitation." He gave her a stern look but nodded. As they caught up with the commander they realized they couldn't see the massive man anymore.

"Where did he go?" Miranda searched for any trace of the individual as she found none.

"Lawson, I saw him enter the foliage and then he just disappeared. I think he's still watching though."

"Got that right Red. Not gonna have my back when two of the three of you are plotting to kill me. Keep walking straight though, I'll let you know when to stop." Shepard turned and glared down the two Cerberus members as they wondered how he had heard them.

"Do not engage. That's an order." Shepard was staring directly at Miranda as she spoke. Jacob broke whatever tension there was about to be.

"Understood commander. You're in charge." His side look at Miranda told the Cerberus operative where he stood in the matter.

"Understood Shepard."

"Good. Now let's go. Rambo is probably watching." She now used her own nickname for the man. Stopping, she shared the translation of his language with her squad as now at least they all could talk.

The trio traveled under the unseen supervision of the jungle man as they walked for about 2 hours deeper into the jungle. There were few twists and turns, but for the most part it was a straight shot. As they walked Shepard noticed why. As they approached a rockier part of the jungle, a sniper's nest was set up facing the way they had walked. On the sides that would allow any form of flanking sat well hidden traps and trip wires. The only safe way to approach the rocks was directly in a snipers kill box. Shepard was willing to bet that Rambo had the whole jungle wired up as well. Crazy or not, he seemed to know what he was doing.

"Careful with the stream Red. Got some toe poppers buried." Shepard twisted quickly as his voice appeared from behind her. She didn't like that someone the size of a Krogan was as sneaky as Rambo was. He was pointing his knife at a stream she was about to cross as she saw a faint metallic shine coming from the bottom.

"Toe-poppers?" Miranda's voice came from the back of the group.

"Shotgun shells buried with a sharp rock under the stricker. Nasty surprise for a careless step." Maybe he was more like Dutch than Rambo now that she thought about. As he led them to his rock encampment, Shepard took note of what seemed to be four graves. Each was a pile of rocks stacked on top of each other with a similar knife, though each had some variation, to the one Rambo carried stabbed into top most one. Wrapped around the handle of each was the same red bandana. The graves were unmarked, so she could only speculate on who was buried. She noticed his gaze fell to the far left most one on their way in, the knife bore far more resemblance to his, almost like it was a twin knife. His gaze lingered for a bit before he pressed on to a rock face.

"Did you have a squad here?" Shepard asked as the man began to move a large boulder that blocked off a small cave mouth. Sitting inside was an encampment with several weapons and what looked to be a sword leaning against the far wall.

"Not here." His response was vague, but she wasn't going to pry, at least not now. As he finished moving the boulder out of its spot he made his way over to a backpack and began to go through it. As Shepard and her squad looked around they noticed recurring designs of aquilas, skulls with wings, normal skulls, and other religious like iconography. Though any that were on a weapon seemed to have been purposeful dulled. Before she could ask him anything, he handed her a book. She couldn't read the cover initially but after scanning it with the Omni-tool she got her answer.

Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer

"Is this a military tactics book?"

"It's much more useful as toilet paper as half the shit in that is more than likely going to get you killed than be helpful."

"Then why hand this to me?"

"Context Red. That book has about 5% of the context needed for the two of us to have any form of conversation. Now, I need an orange thing." He flicked his cigar but to the ground. Shepard sighed as Jacob removed his Omni-tool and handed it to the man. After instructing him in the basics, the four sat in relative silence as they learned about the other. Shepard balked at how utterly insane the contents of the book. God Emperors, Machine Spirits, fantasy monsters out in space. And despite the book saying otherwise, she doubted that the threats were as harmless as it made them out to be.

Miranda watched the large man scroll through basic information on Earth and the galaxy. He seemed to look at the date frequently and was disgusted by the First Contact War if his frown was anything to go off. He looked at a galactic map, in between the Shadow Sea and Styx Theta. As there was no known active Mass Effect relay to the area he was searching he got nothing. Closing the Omni-tool, he handed it back to Jacob as he stared out the cave and into the jungle.

"This was just insane propaganda with some military tactics thrown in." Shepard tossed the book back to him. The man merely nodded as he looked towards the graves.

"What do you people want from me?" Shepard noticed the defeated tone he had as Miranda took over.

"We saw your skills and technology when you defeated the Batarians. It's impressive that you have portable direct energy weapons."

"Standard issue in the guard. I have four more." As he pointed to more of the weapons lying in the corner of the cave. Miranda was about to simply ask to take them before Shepard interrupted.

"That's not all. You displayed pin point accuracy, have a great mind for guerilla tactics and traps, were able to demo charge two shuttles and deal with the special forces crews of each. In the short time I've known you, you've disappeared from sight in the jungle and were able to hear a conversation that was whispered nearly 15 meters away. And, you just moved a boulder." The man was chuckling by the end of Shepards pep talk.

"Well how nice of you to notice Red. I got other tricks too. But is there a point?" Shepard sighed as she braced herself. He had said nothing but insane things, so maybe he would believe hers.

"Human colonies are under attack by an alien race known as the Collectors. They are capturing human colonists for unknown reasons. We believe them to be working for a species of ancient machines known as the Reapers. I am leading a team to put a stop to whatever they have planned and stop the abduction of human colonists." Blue eyes met brown as the two soldiers stared at each other. A moment of quiet past, a moment that Shepard was waiting for the disbelief to come. However it never came.

Rambo stood and made his way to the sword leaning against the wall. Slinging it across his back he then began to move around the cave collecting the weapons. Casting off a large blanket, Shepard saw a massive flamethrower that he shouldered. Holding up another cigar he gave the trigger a small pull to light it. Chomping the cigar he gave the Specter a smile.

"That's the most sense you've made all day, Red. Names Lieutenant "Ripper" Stone. When do we leave?"