Chapter 1: Local isn't enough

"Get those guns online, now EDI!" Commander John Shepard was crouched behind some crates in the shipyard, firing at a floating Collector machine as it shot it's burning blue eye beams at him. "I have control," EDI's voice rang out. The anti-air guns suddenly came online and fired on the Collector ship in the distance. Garrus Vakarian was engaging some Collector troops that were attempting to flank Shepard's squad. He looked out toward Shepard and saw the machine bearing down on him. "Shepard, it's right on you!" Garrus yelled from across the yard. "I know, Garrus!" Shepard yelled back, "Would love some help here!" The Collector machine was getting closer; he could feel the heat from its beams. "I've got your back, Shepard!"

Grunt screamed as he ran from cover behind Shepard. He shot his Claymore shotgun, disabling the monstrosities shields, leapt onto the crates Shepard was hiding behind, and tackled the creature to the ground. It squealed in pain as Grunt bombarded it with shotgun rounds to its face. Soon it stopped writhing on the ground. It was dead. Grunt jumped off, discharging the thermal clip from within. "That," he said, "was a good fight." Suddenly there was a slight tremor. It knocked the group off balanced. Shepard looked up to see the Collector ship's engines starting up. "They're pulling out!" Garrus yelled. The ship slowly rose up from the ground, still being hit by the defense turrets, and flew away. Shepard looked on, defeated and distraught. "The other colonists were already on that ship," Garrus said, putting a hand on Shepard's shoulder, "They got what they came for."

The mechanic Shepard met earlier, Delan, came out from behind some crates and ran to watch the ship depart. "This whelp again," Grunt grumbled. "No!" he yelled, "Don't' let them get away!" Shepard tried to reason with the manic mechanic. "There's nothing we can do. They're gone." Delan continued to scream. "Half the colony is in there! They took Egan, and Sam, and Lilith! Do something!" Shepard walked over to Delan. "I didn't want it to end this way," he said, "I did everything I could." Garrus interjected, supporting his friend. "More than most, Shepard." Delan stopped looking up and spun around. "Shepard?" The Commander nodded at Delan. "Wait. I know that name. Sure, I remember you. You're some big Alliance hero."

There was a jostling to Delan's right from behind some crates, and a figure emerged. Shepard smiled to see his former squad mate, Kaidan Alenko, walking toward him. "Commander Shepard. Captain of the Normandy. The first human Spectre. Savior of the Citadel." Kaidan looked at Delan. "You're in the presence of a legend, Delan." He then looked to Shepard. "And a ghost." Delan shook his head furiously. "All the good people we lost, and you get left behind. Figures." He started to walk away. "Screw this, I'm done with Alliance types." The mechanic swiftly walked away, and Kaidan went to greet his lost Commander.

Kaidan's eyes met with Shepard's. He looked as if he was analyzing Shepard, like he was making sure it was him. After a moment, he outstretched his arm. "I thought you were dead, Commander," he said as they shook hands, "We all did." Shepard smiled. "It's been too long, Kaidan. How've you been?" Kaidan's smile turned into a frown. "Is that all you have to say?" he said scoldingly, "You show up after two years and just act like nothing happened? I would've followed you anywhere, Commander! Thinking you were gone… it was like losing a limb." Shepard felt a sad heaviness in him as Kaidan continued to vent at him. "Why didn't you try to contact me?" Kaidan yelled, "Why didn't you let me know you were alive?"

Shepard put his hands up. "Not my choice," he said defensively, "I spent the last two years in some kind of coma while Cerberus rebuilt me." Kaidan walked back a little bit in disgust. "You're with Cerberus, now? Garrus too?" he said as he gestured to the turian. Garrus shook his head. "I can't believe the reports were right," Kaidan said. "Reports?" Garrus interjected, "You mean you already knew?" Kaidan nodded at his former teammate. "Alliance Intel thought that Cerberus might be behind the missing human colonies. They got a tip this colony might be the next one hit." He turned to Shepard. "Anderson stonewalled me, but there were rumors that you weren't dead. That you were working for the enemy."

Shepard got a little heated. "Cerberus and I want the same thing: to save out colonies. That doesn't mean I work I answer to them." "Do you really believe that?" Kaidan asked, "Or is that just what Cerberus wants you to think? I wanted to believe the rumors that you were alive, but I never expected anything like this." He spewed his words into Shepard's face with a sad anger. "You've turned your back on everything we stood for!" "Kaidan, you know me," Shepard said, trying to calm him down, "You know I'd only do this for the right reason. You saw it yourself. The Collectors are targeting human colonies, and they're working with the Reapers." Kaidan just shook his head. "I want to believe you, Shepard. But I don't trust Cerberus. They could be using the threat of a Reaper to manipulate you. What if they're behind it? What if they're working with the Collectors?"

"Damn it, Kaidan," Garrus said, "You're so focused on Cerberus that you're ignoring the real threat!" Shepard nodded in agreement. "You're letting how you feel about their history get in the way of facts." "Maybe," Kaidan said, "Or maybe you feel like you owe Cerberus because they saved you. Maybe you're the one who's not thinking straight." Kaidan turned to leave. "I've got to report back to the Citadel. They can decide if they believe your story or not." Shepard was so crushed. He wanted to ask him to join him, but he was too hurt. "So long, Kaidan," he said. Kaidan turned to face his former friend. "So long, Commander. Good luck." And with that, Kaidan left. Shepard just felt dejected. Completely defeated. He just got a slap in the face by his most trusted squad mate. Cerberus was just making him angrier. Shepard reached up to his ear piece to radio for pickup. "Joker," he said, "send the shuttle to pick us up." He dropped his hand as he looked on into the distance. "I've had enough of this colony."

The Illusive Man's cigarette burned as he sucked in it's fumes. The QEC hummed to life as the hologram of Commander Shepard appeared in front of him. "Shepard," he said cooly, "Good work on Horizon. Hopefully the Collectors will think twice before attacking another colony." Shepard shook his head. "It's not a victory," he said, "We interrupted the Collectors, but they still abducted half the colony." "That's better than an entire colony," the Illusive Man retorted, "and more than we've accomplished since the abductions began. The Collectors will be more careful now, but I think we can find another way to lure them in." Another way? Shepard became suspicious. "Kaidan said the Alliance got a tip about me and Cerberus. Was that you?" The Illusive Man inhaled his cigarette before answering. "I may have let it slip that you were alive," he said calmly, "and with Cerberus."

Shepard became furious. "You risked the lives of my friend, my crew, and that entire colony? Just to lure the Collectors there?" "A calculated risk," Illusive Man said, "I suspected the Collectors were looking for you, or people connected to you. Now I know for certain." Shepard put his hand to his head. This guy was seriously pushing the envelope. "I told you I wouldn't sit and wait while the Reapers and Collectors gather strength," the Illusive Man said. "Besides, they would've hit another colony eventually. And without a way to predict which one, they would've abducted everyone." "We," Shepard emphasized, "have to make sure they don't abduct anyone else." The Illusive Man nodded his head. "I want the Collectors stopped for that very reason. That's why we're doing this, Shepard."

He extinguished his cigar in his ashtray and picked another from his pocket. "I'm devoting all resources to finding a way through the Omega 4 relay," he continued, "We have to hit them where they live. You're team will need to be strong, as will their resolve. There's no looking back." He looked Shepard dead in the eyes as he spoke. "The same goes for you. Can I assume you've put your past relationships behind you?" Shepard put his hand up. "None of your damn business." The Illusive Man shook some ashes into the ashtray. "If it affects the mission, better you should leave it behind."

He gave a stern and serious look. "This brings us to the present business. I've forwarded three more dossiers, and also the location of a Project base we've been working on for a year now." Shepard was confused. "What's at this base?" The Illusive Man inhaled his cigarette again. "It's Project Wormhole. We've created a way to make connections to other dimensions through the use of massive Element Zero bombardment into a miniature Mass Relay, similar to the Conduit on Ilos." Shepard had to take in what the Illusive Man just said. "Excuse me…. You've created a miniature Mass Relay?" The Illusive Man nodded. "Yes, and we've been able to send people to and from several different dimensions, each unique and parallel to ours." Other dimensions? Parallel to ours? "What does this have to do with the Collectors?" Shepard was deeply confused.

"You see, Shepard," The Illusive Man explained, "I have full confidence that you and your team could go through the relay and succeed in destroying it, but you are an investment. You're all investments. And very pivotal to the coming war with the Reapers. I think we both know that destroying the Collectors will just make their masters angry." Shepard nodded in agreement. "I need you alive, Shepard," he continued, "And in order to stay alive, we may need extra help, particularly from outside our realm. Local isn't enough." Shepard frowned as he tried to connect all the dots. "You want me to start pulling people from other universes now? We should focus on the Collectors, then bring them in. They're more needed for the Reapers anyway." The Illusive Man shook his head. "This is a priority. You've fought the Collectors, seen how tough they are in battle. The homeworld will no doubt be crawling with them. You're a leader, and I have no doubt in your abilities. But we don't know what is waiting for you at the other end of that relay."

Shepard crossed his arms. Now he starts telling me what to do, he thought. "Go to the planet Project Wormhole is based on, Sanctum, and start searching for potential recruits. We need scientists, soldiers, ships if you can find them. You'll see how the device works. However, there is one particular duo that we discovered while on an initial test mission. I would ask that you recover them first." Shepard sighed. "Who are they?" The Illusive Man smiled. "Have you ever read any Arthur Conan Doyle, Shepard?"