Here is the final chapter of this Helldiver short story. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I wrote it. It's kind of a pain in the ass I know. But I'm glad I was able to finish it before my break. Stick around at the end and see my next project I have in mind.

A Shade of Grey

Days later…

Troy and Xun waited for Arma to arrive at the colony after they dealt with his three supporters. As the days went by, they had conversations that was almost everlasting. They are both intelligent people as they continued on to their conversations. Within their minds, they began to feel something they never originally thought about during their time with Alpha squad. Xun who still has feeling for the spy but never found the words to admit it to him. Troy on the other had was a different scenario. He was good with women, but never as better as Shepard. Yes, he has had girlfriends throughout the years and some of them met their end, others were just another breakup for complicated reasons. Xun is different. For the first time in almost a long time and Alexia's death, he felt something within himself that he never felt before. He doesn't quite explain it but he knows there is something about Xun that got his attentions. In his mind, he doesn't know if he should mention it to her at all or not. Time past and all seem well, they knew their mission is at an end.

"Is this a surprise," Xun asked. "Hellspawn is almost at a satisfying end. No more pain. No more suffering. No more Commander influence. When it's all done, what now?"

"I'm not quite sure. It's been an endless mission for me for years now. I saw the beginning. I get to end it. With some help of course. Thanks for being here to finish the job. If it wasn't for you, I would've done it without you."

"Don't thank me yet, Troy. We still have a Hellspawn factory to destroy and a rich boy to kill."

"You're right. We'll do this together this time," Troy said optimistically.

"We will," Xun supported.

To both of their surprise, Troy's omnitool rang as he answered it. It was Katherine. Troy answered it as her face appeared. "It's about time! I finally got a hold of you!"

"What is it, Katherine?"

"Word got out that my son has arrived on the colony and he is on his way here to Arma Tower."

"Really? When will he be there," Troy rushed.

"Slow down there, James Bond. He'll be here in an hour. You got time. There's something you should know. If I die, I want you to promise me to do whatever it takes to put an end of this lunacy. Can you do that?"

"You sound like you are certain you're going to die."

"That's my plan. I've lived long enough to see all this. I'll die knowing my husband and son will die along with their delusion. Can you promise to see all this through?"

The spy and the information broker looked at each other solemnly after hearing the broken wife's words. Troy looked back at her. "I promise."

"Good. When he's done here, follow him. He will take you to your factory," Katherine hung up.

"This is it," Xun said. "Time to call it in."

"Agreed," Troy said as he made his hologram call to Zartrack. The general appeared.

"Troy. Xun. I take it this call is important."

"Yes, sir. We have intel that Arma is on the colony and we are ready to begin the operation."

"Good. I will contact Delta Squad to get everything underway. You two will be known as Ghost 1 and Ghost 2. They will follow your orders."

"Very good, sir."

"We cannot make any mistakes in this operation. This is our only chance to end Hellspawn once and for all. I'll have Delta contact you. Be ready."

"Yes, sir," both Troy and Xun saluted and the general's hologram disappeared. They both put on their suits, set their equipment for their final mission and got in the car. Troy took the driver seat and Xun took the passenger seat and made their way to Arma Tower.

"So," Xun said," this is it. This is the end of the line for Hellspawn."

"Yes. This is it," Troy said in relief.

"We have wait for years to see it all come to an end. I just wish Shepard and Alpha were here to see it. Alexa, Telrass…I wish they lived to see it come to an end."

"Their deaths will be avenged. Alpha has seen enough of all the horrors they saw. The torture, the Commander's home, the Plague. It all ends here. Adrien may not have more control in Hellspawn than his father and the Commander but as long as it exists in any fashion, they will never go away. Failure is not an option. We cannot make any excuses if we fail."

"Agreed. We need to be thorough."

"Ghost 1 and Ghost 2, this is Delta Squad Team Leader. We are ready for the operation, over," said a squad leader over their communication.

"Roger, Delta. We are in bound to the target building and awaiting the target. Await further orders."

"Roger, Ghost 1. Holding position."

"Over and out."

"They may not be Alpha Squad but they seem to know what they're doing. I've seen their files. They look like they're the support here."

"True. As long as they know what they're doing, we should be fine. If the general selected them for this mission, then they must keep this a secret."

"I just hope that we can trust them on this mission. We both know what's at stake. Do they even know the truth behind this operation?"

"All they know is Hellspawn is still around and they know they are a threat. This portion is still alive and as long as we give them orders, they have to follow it. That's all they know."

"So, we're still lying," Xun stated. "I don't like it."

"It's not an entire lie. Only half of it is true."

"No offense, Troy but you're kind of a hypocrite."

"Didn't you lie to the general for me," Troy shot back.

"Point taken," Xun sighed. "But still, I feel like crap for lying to the top general and the council."

"Either if it's a lie or a half truth. It's all for the best."

"That doesn't make it right."

"Sometimes, we have to do the wrong thing for the very right reasons. To me, I don't see what so bad about right and wrong in my line of work. It may not be perfect but it is what it is. Even if there is a difference between Good and Evil, there's always a thin grey line. I may not like it but it's all we've got."

"So, what you're saying is that those two are two sides of the same coin and you are trying to play both sides while you serve the good of all. Doing bad things for doing the right thing. Does the Commander count for his own reason?"

"No. He's evil all the way. He's a nutcase. As far I can see it, he thinks himself as the Antichrist or Satan's servant of Hell. He doesn't count at all."

"That's a little much," Xun laughed.

"You know it's true. You were thinking the same thing."

"Can you prove it?"

"Hm. Probably not." Troy drove on as they talked and arrived a block from the Arma Tower. "Ok. We're here. Adrien should be here right…now," Troy said as a fancy skycar parked in front of the tower and a young man came out of the car furious and walked in the building. "We need to hear what he says. I have a small drone that we can use to hear everything he says," Troy said as he takes out a tiny insect like drone and opens his omnitool to control it.

"Seems kind of small for a drone."

"These are for spy purposes only from our R&D department in our government facilities. This is just a prototype. Would you like to try it out?"

"Really? You want me to try out a prototype," Xun asked in surprise.

"Yep. I'm trusting you with this."

"Thanks." Troy converted the drone's control over to Xun via omnitool. "Ok. I have full control over the drone. And we're off." Xun used the controls to control the drone and flew it to the top building. "OK. Setting up audio and live feed to the office…now."

Katherine stood up with her wine glass with a smile on her face in front of the large window of the main office alone, waiting for her son's arrival. She is completely unaware of the bug of the bug Troy and Xun is controlling and all she sees is just some random bug on the large window. She heard the door open and foots steps stomped right at her. She turned to see her son with a furious look on his face. He looks like the spitting image of his father but younger. "What the hell is going on, mother?!"

"Whatever do you mean," Katherine said faking confusion still smiling.

"My money, my resources, my workers! GONE!"

His mother turned back to the window. "Everyone suffers financial crisis. Especially those with a corporation," the woman lectured.

"Is there any money left," Adrien asked like he is a child wanting something from his parent.

"No. There isn't any money left for anyone. All you have is your father's money. Why don't you use that?"

"I'll find more people to get what I want."

"I don't think you know what you want. All your doing is your father's work like a dog. Speaking of which, let me ask you something. Are you aware that your father's friends have been killed?"

"What? How did- Did you- "

"What makes you think I killed there? I'm a drunk, defenseless old woman. Even if I tried killing a pervert, a labor guy, and a spy, I would die completely," she stated.

"But who killed them?!"

"The Helldivers murdered them," she concluded.

"Why did you not stop them?!"

"Because it was never my decision to work for a goddamn psychopath! It was your FATHERS," she yelled like a banshee. "Apparently, neither you or your father have saw the consequences of your actions," she said calmly.

"Those were my father's consequences! This is nothing to me!"

"You are such a dull little boy. So short-sided. You haven't learned anything from your father have taught you. You are thinking way too small. You are nothing like your him," she said in a hateful voice.

"My accomplishments are what he taught me," he argued.

"Oh really? What have you accomplished so after retrieving what's left of Hellspawn," Katherine pointed out.

"You dare lecture me," Adrien hissed.

"Your father gave you everything you wanted but it was never enough for you," she hissed back.

"His love for me was good- "

"HA! Don't make me laugh! He never loved anybody but himself! He never loved you like I never loved you!"

Adrien looked at her shocked hearing her say that to him. "…Get out, you old hag," he whispered in discus.

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it," she smirked as she took a big gulp of wine from her glass. "You don't have the balls to do anything."

"…Don't you see? I have more control than you think! If I want to take, I will take it. If I want control, I will control it. If I want to kill you, I WILL KILL YOU," Adrien yelled as he picked up his mother's wine bottle and smashed her head with it as it broke. She fell and Adrien stabbed her with what's left of the broken wine bottle he hit her with, in the head. He stood up as he looked at her corpse as blood poured on the carpet. "I'll deal with this shit myself! I'll show you! I'll show everyone," he roared out of anger as he stormed out of the office.

Back at the car outside the tower, Troy and Xun saw the whole thing from the spy bug in their omnitools. Seeing Adrien killing his own mother almost shocked the pair as the watched. "God damn," Xun said. "What a little shit he is compared to his father."

"I'll say," Troy commented. "I heard some things about him from sources and Antonio we killed but I never saw him at a low state like that. It seems he's running his father's business down to the ground. He just doesn't know it because he's too ignorant to see it that way." They both sat in the car as they waited as they saw Adrien storm out of the building angry and went into his car. He took off quick in his car. "He just left a body right in the office," the spy said dryly.

"How pathetic," Xun agreed. "I'll alert the authorities and make an anonymous tip," she said as she typed on her omnitool. Troy started the car as Adrien's car lifted in the air.

Troy drove after Adrien from a distance to be sure they are not seen by him. He contacted Delta Squad as he drove. "Delta TL, this is Ghost 1. We have eyes on the target. He's moving. Following now. Giving our GPS location now. Follow up but keep your distance."

"Copy, Ghost 1," Delta leader responded. "Following now."

As they drove and followed the car outside the colony, Adrien drove faster than he drove out of the Tower. "He seems to be leaving the colony area," Xun stated. "He's not heading for the mine either. He's defiantly heading somewhere. But where?"

"Let's find out where he's going," Troy said as he typed a few buttons on the car console. Xun heard a low hum around the car as she looked around in confusion.

"What was that," she asked.

"Oh. That's a new feature R&D worked on. A new stealth drive for the car. The cloaking is similar to the cloaking we have on our armor, but it's a little bit more in its prototype stage. That's why it's humming from the inside of the car and we can hear it."

"Aren't you worried about it malfunctioning?"

"Not really. It has a 50/50 chance of it working at long periods."

"So, the only thing we have for this mission is relying on prototype technology that are being used on the field for the first time? Great," she said sarcastically.

"This mission is making us pull out the stops. Plus, they passed all the short-term tests from the departments. This gives us a chance to us them at their fullest."

"You seem awfully calm about all this."

"You learn not to show any concern over small mishaps such as this. Yes, I'm concerned that it has a 50/50 chance of it not working. It's a gamble that we have to take." Troy continued to drive the cloaked car as the pair continue to follow Adrien for where he is going. For a short while, they see a factory coming into view as they drove on. "Looks like we found our factory. We need find a place to land to hide the car." He landed the car in the forest not far from the factory. They disengaged the cloaked car and got out as Troy made contact with Delta Squad. "Delta 1, this is Ghost 1 and 2. We landed near the factory and sending your coordinates to our location, over."

"Copy, Ghost. We're almost there, over."

"Roger. We will disable security from the inside of the factory and give you a go for breaching. We will give you weak points to breach at. Wait on our signal.

"Roger, Ghost. Delta out."

They walked through the forest toward the factory. The factory has the look of a basic factory in the galaxy from the looks of it. A large two-story building with two large siloes with a large escalator carrying resources into the factory to be manufactured inside the factory. Inside, the two Helldivers can hear heavy machinery being made inside the factory. Troy and Xun made their way the fence of the factory as they find a way to get inside without being detected. They see several Hellspawn soldier patrolling to inside and two other guarding the doors as they see Adrien walk inside. The two Helldivers cloaked as they made their way through the factory without being spotted by any soldiers or any cameras. They made their way to the escalator without being detected and road on it to get inside. Easy peasy. Their security is not even good compared to what Troy and Xun from infiltrating Hellspawn bases back in the Hellspawn Civil War. This place looked like a dump. There are very few cameras and rarely any guards around the factory. This made their jobs a lot easier than they anticipated. They finally made it inside the factory building from the escalator entrance and got a good look inside. Factorial machines making Hellspawn armor and weapons. While others were making mechs. There are a few workers operating the keep everything going and a few guards are patrolling around.

To the two Helldiver's credit, this is a lot easier to maneuver throughout the inside of the factory. It gives them some good cover to pass by the employees and troops. They made their way to the second floor and a few hallways to find the control room. As they did, the avoided being touched by Hellspawn troops while still invisible. They made it to the control room of the factory and took position on each side of the door. They nodded to each other as they opened the door and threw a flashbang. As it went off, they quickly took out four control personnel and three other Hellspawn troops. The two Helldivers locked the door as they both looked through the controls.

"Ok. So, we need Delta to get inside the factory before we activate the emergency lockdown protocol. But first, we have to shut down all operating machines throughout the factory," Xun said as she typed in the controls.

From the security camera factory level, all the workers and the troops we confused as the machines shut down on their own. "That's a good start. I'll contact Delta Squad now. When they get in, shut out the factory from the outside."

"Got it," Xun replied.

"Delta, this is Ghost 1 and 2," Troy contacted Delta Squad. "We're in the main control room and opening the doors for you. Execute breach when ready."

"Copy, Ghost. Ready to execute breach in 5…4…3…2…1."

From the cameras, Delta Squad as they breached the entrance and several windows. Xun typed in the control's commands and every door and window was closed off by metal doors. 'Factory lockdown initiated.'

"I'm going after Adrien. Where is he," Troy asked Xun.

"Let's see…There! Main office. He's probably locked himself in for protection," Xun said.

"Guide me there," Troy instructed. "Lock the door and look out for yourself."

"You too. And Troy," she called. "If you disappear on me his time, I will find you again," she threatened.

"Don't worry. I'm not leaving this time," Troy said honestly as he ran out of the control room.

"I've linked the location in your helmet visor so you can make your way through without getting lost. Just follow the mark," Xun said through Troy's comm. In Troy's helmet visor, he can see an arrow light pointing the direction he needs to go with a map locating Adrien from the right corner of his helmet. "I'll see what else I can do from here. Dig anything up or perhaps do some damage."

"Sounds good to me," Troy said as he made his way through the hallway following the arrow and map.

"What the hell is going on here," Adrien yelled through the intercom.

"Sorry, Adrien Arma. But I'm afraid we're closing your stores today," Troy said with a smartass remark.

"God damnit! It's you Helldivers Mother has hired! I won't let you get to me!"

"Sorry, kid. Everyone seems to be busy down stairs. For someone who thinks he has everything under control, you don't have anyone to protect you."

"I won't let you get away with this! All troops! Fall back to my office!"

"We can't! We're being blocked and taking heavy casualties," said one of the troops during the firefight against Delta Squad.

"Damn it!"

"Like I said. You're fucked!"

"No! No, I'm not! I won't let you get away with this! Try and stop me, Helldiver scum!"

"We already have," Troy muttered. He reached the door where is going his going and opened the door. He finds it empty and looked around for Arma.

"What do you mean everyone is dead!" Troy heard a loud muffled voice from the right side of the room where it leads to a closet. He walked over to the closet, opened it and seeing Adrien hiding there. "Wai-wait! Hear me out," Arma cried out in horror as he was punched in the face by the spy, knocking him out.

"You're finished, Arma! You're done! Hellspawn is done," Troy yelled as he got out cuffs to cuff his arms and legs together. "Xun, I got him. Let's take him to his car and get out of here. Delta can do the rest from here," he contacted.

"I'll meet you there," Xun said.

'Lockdown disengaged,' the computer intercom called out the entire factory.

"Good," Troy switched comms as he carried the unconscious Arma over his shoulder. "Delta, this is Ghost 1. We have the target. What is your status?"

"We've secured the factory. Waiting for orders," said the Delta leader.

"Secure the rest of the facility and get more information for the Helldiver Archives and blow this factory to kingdom come and get out of the colony as quick as possible, over."

"Copy, Ghost."

Troy walked out of the factory to Adrien's car as Xun waited for him. She opened the trunk of the skycar and Troy threw Adrien in. They both go in the car as they flew off to their next location. Troy made a connection to Zartrack. "General, we have Adrien Arma. Delta Squad is taking care the rest of the factory. We're about to make him disappear off the map. I like to request two transport ships to a location I'm sending you."

"Understood, Troy."

"Is there something you want to tell me," Xun questioned.

"I'll explain it when we get there," Troy answered shortly.

"No. We agreed no more lies and half-truths. That also includes you have to tell me what your plan is," she said sternly.

"The reason I asked for two transports shuttles is because we're parting ways after we get rid of Arma here," spy sighed.

"You're…leaving. Again," she stated.

"Yes," Troy answered honestly. "This has been the plan since the start. Besides, the whole galaxy thinks I'm dead."

"So, you're just going to ditch me and everyone else?"

"Yes. There is no other way."

"There's always a way!"

"True. But this one is no exception. The Council and the general even agreed to this."

"So, will I see you again," Xun asked.

"You will. But only when I make contact with you or if there is an emergency," Troy instructed.

Xun was silent. "And like that. Just all said and done?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's depressing," Xun said dryly.

"It's not all bad. You get to be free, once you disappear. But right now, I want this whole nightmare to be over. It wasn't the victory I pictured originally, but ending it in style will do."

"I guess I won't argue that logic. What was the victory you pictured the first time around?"

"You know," he chuckled "it's funny. I don't remember anymore. It's been so long, that I completely forgot about. When I defected -if you would like to call it that- I came up with this plan with the Council and Zartrack. They may not know all of it but it is a plan to take down Hellspawn no matter what. Even if it in pieces, we want them completely gone. Then, you and Alpha Squad came into my life and had to change a few things. Even after everything we all went through; we'd do anything to rid of Hellspawn and the monster who created it. Imagine if they did start a full galactic war. The other species will see humanity is the worst way possible. During all this, all I want is just peace. To be honest, I've done things for governments you wouldn't even believe. That's why Rodrigues recruited me. When I discovered what his true intentions were, I decided to change things around. I decided to do the wrong thing for the right reasons instead of taking orders for people who want to do only the bad because it will only benefit them. I decided to use my own action in the grey area. That's why I did what I had to do before I went to the Council."

Xun stared at him in awe as he went on with his reasons for this secret mission he had been doing for years. "Well, I guess that explains everything."

"What?"

"The reason you like going solo missions and not to mention the drinking but damn," she said. "Promise me you won't drink just as much, please?"

"Sure," Troy promised. "You know what Xun? This life isn't for everyone. In this kind of life work, you have to make sacrifices. Alpha has things to lose like you. Me? I rarely have anything but you guys." Troy was silent for bit thinking what he wants to say next. "I'm…sorry for ditching all of you and you specifically. I don't expect you to forgive me for this but it was the only way for move forward with the plan. I'm sorry for lying to you about most of my background about Hellspawn. I'm sorry for all the pain I have caused you."

Xun looked at him in surprise to hear him say 'I'm sorry' in the most truthful way. "I thought you were dead," she whispered.

"Be careful what you wish for," Troy said poetically.

Xun tried hard to say the right words but she couldn't it out of her. Instead, she wanted to say something else. "You are the best and the most intelligent man I have ever me." Troy stared at her confused. "Yes, I forgive you."

"That's a relief to hear," the spy sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"Your welcome. Troy, this is something I want to- "There was a loud but fait bump coming from the trunk of the car. God damn it, she screamed for her head and made an annoyed face.

"What? What is this?! Where am I," Arma screamed from the trunk.

"Our bosses will not be happy if we unload a clip into the trunk," Troy called out.

"You! You Helldiver fucks! It was you who did this! My father's company!"

"You were doing a crappy job at running it," Xun retorted.

"You won't get away with this! You are screwed!"

"How are we screwed if we are already taking care business at that factory of yours," Troy said in a cocky manner. "By 'we' I don't mean me and my partner here. I mean the Helldivers in general. Ergo, you're the one that's screwed"

"Ok, ok, ok. Look I can give you anything you want if you can help me restart it all," Arma bargained.

"Are you serious," Xun called out as if she's insulted. "We're Helldivers, not genocidal, fanatical bastards who worked for a murderous psychopath! You disgust me!"

"This is a serious offer! Work for me and rebuild it to something new and you'll have everything you want!"

"Apparently, you haven't learned anything from your father, you little shit. You should know: everything you two ever owned is plummeting straight to the ground. Prepare for the end, kid," Troy called.

"You sons of bitches," Arma yelled out in anger as he continued to bump inside the trunk trying to get out. This annoyed the Helldivers.

"This kid is giving me a headache! How long until we're there," asked Xun.

"About an hour. Don't worry. I got some tunes I think that will block the noise this kid is making," Troy said as he turned on the radio and 'Another One Bites the Dust' plays. Troy and Xun smiled ironically due to the situation they have going on. "That was- "

"Ironic," Xun laughed. "Is it me or have we been hearing Queen all week?"

"It's just us. Most people have no good taste old fashioned music than any bad generation that passes by us day after day," Troy said.

The radio kept playing for an hour as they drove to the location they are heading: a large cliff with an open area for a few shuttles to land. "Here we are, Adrien! We're just gonna wait here for some good old talking," Troy called out to Arma as he landed the car. Now, all they have to do is wait for the shuttles to arrive.

Hours past, sunset…

Troy and Xun sat on the sky car staring out into the sunset as they waited for the shuttles. During their pastime, they talked to each other and Adrien so he can get some air until they finally had enough of him complaining. They gagged him and threw him back into the trunk. They moved the sky car at the edge of the cliff so when it's time, they can finish him off. They hear two Helldiver shuttles and landed near the pair. One of the shuttle doors open and General Zartrack appeared as he walked out. The spy and the information broker stood at attention as he appeared. "At ease, you two. There's no need for formalities. Although, Xun, the Council and I would like to have a work with you once we're done."

"Of- of course, sir," Xun responded in shame.

"There's no need to be shameful about this situation. We just need make some agreements. After all, you were part of Alpha Squad to destroy Hellspawn. You're a hero in my books. The Council agrees," the general said optimistically.

"That's…good to hear. I was the one who sought out Troy and didn't know why. I do have some explanations to answer for after all. I suppose my emotions got the better of me when I found out Troy was alive this whole time. I'm willing to answer any questions and agree to anything you all say."

"Very good, Xun," Zartrack said and turned to Troy. "Do you still have him?"

Troy opened the trunk as Xun and Zartrack walked towards him. "Safe and sound." The young Arma was still live with his wrists and ankles tied up and a piece duct tape over his mouth to keep him quiet. He has a bloody nose from getting punched by one of the Helldivers. Adrien stared up at the trio in anger as he muffled through the duct tape. "You look way better than your father. I have no words for you since I already talked your ear off. Do either of you have something to say to him," he asked Zartrack and Xun as he turned his head.

"Adrien Arma," Zartrack began "you have committed an act of high crime through legitimacy, bribery, conspiracy to turn Hellspawn into your own business to carry out your own purposes. You also been involved with assisting Hellspawn during the war and that makes a war criminal. For that, you are sentenced to death by our own hands."

"I too like to say something," Xun added. "I'm an information broker and I have my own business. You and your father ran one together. As a business woman, the way I see it all, there are two evils in the universe that has the type of capitalism that you two practiced. Number one: You two paid companies to do your dirty work for you to assist Hellspawn and then under paid those companies because you idiots thought you can big and bad enough you didn't want to play by the galaxy's rules. You'd guys rather work for a psychopath than be part of galactic community. Number 2: Off shoring your profits," Xun pointed out in the open sea over the cliff as she made a pun.

"Off shoring," Troy asked in confusion.

"Yeah, that's horrible," she made a mocked horror face. "Would either of you save a little money something good rather than spend it all on something meaningless than this?"

"No, I would not waste it all such as this," Zartack stared down at Adrien.

"I would not spend a single credit on a dumb job like yours," Troy added his answer to the general.

"Here's the thing, Arma, keep your problems out of everyone's lives!"

"When you listen to a woman who can get their shit together more closely, it makes sense. You on the other hand was doing the opposite of that," said the spy.

"Yes. It sure does."

"One more thing," Troy said as he laid his hand on the door trunk. "Goodbye, Adrien Arma. It was nice knowing you while it lasted." The spy slowly closed the door and locking him up in the trunk. The three Helldivers began pushing the sky car towards the end of the cliff down the rocky sea shore and they all looked down. They looked down in confusion as they waited for an explosion. A brief pause and an explosion set off destroying the car.

"So, now what," Xun asked.

Troy looked at both of them and made up his mind. "General, I believe it's time to set up the Houdini Protocol."

The general stared at him in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"It's the only way. After all, the galaxy thinks I'm dead."

"If you say so," the general activated his omni tool. "It needs voice conformation."

"Reign of Terror," Troy said in French.

"Very good. Your instructions are set on schedule. I suppose you two need a moment," the general said as he made his way to the other shuttle. He stopped himself and turned to look at the spy. "Troy, after all you've seen and done, I believe you deserve some peace."

"Thank you, general for everything. And I thank the Council for hearing me out years ago."

"You're welcome. Good luck out there," the general said as he made his way back to the shuttle.

Troy turned back Xun as she walked to him. "So, I guess this is it. This is the part when you disappear on us," she stated.

"Yeah. This is it. This has been…an experience. Working with a partner again after all these years."

"What did you learn from all this?"

"What did I learn? You can't do anything all by yourself. You need someone you can trust and count on. A friend to look out for you. Thanks for being my partner on this mission. I may not admit it, but it was nice having on your side."

"It's what we do don't we?"

"Yeah. We do," Troy smiled. He reached for a hand shake to her. "Until next time, Xun."

She took his hand and shook it. "You too. Be careful out there will you."

"I will. When the time comes, I will be the one calling you. Emergencies only," Troy instructed. "Goodbye, old friend." Troy took his leave and walked to the shuttle. Xun watched the shuttle take off as she stood with a tier in her eye.

"I love you, Troy Benning," she whispered to herself. She whipped the tier off and walked to the general's shuttle.

"Are you ready to go home," the general asked.

"Yes, sir," she said as she took her seat. She felt the shuttle take off in the opposite direction and the general sat across from her.

"We need to have a talk about this whole thing. I'm sure by now, you got involved with the Council and myself in the middle of an operation that has been going on for years. All I want to know is why did you find Troy?"

Xun was silent and nervous around that question. "To be honest, I heard some small news about mysterious deaths for a while. When I found out they were Hellspawn alias's and allies, they started to turn into a pattern. I didn't want to believe it was Troy the whole time but I wanted to know. So, I just went after him."

"As the head of an army, I admire your intellect as an information broker for the Helldivers and a soldier. You share a form of intelligent source for and you've done quite well. You served in the Hellspawn Civil War alongside of Alpha Squad. As a minor decision you've made so reckless to find Troy, the Council and I decided to let that slide. In return, we'd like you to work for us on secret missions when we need you the most and find any source of information throughout the galaxy to prepare for the Reapers. One other thing, this operation never happened. Troy is still dead. We need to keep this quiet. Can you do that?"

She sat quietly as she took in the information in surprise. She wasn't going to be charged for interfering in an ongoing operation set by Troy, Zartrack and the Council. "Yes, sir. I will," the accepted.

"Good. The Council and I will debrief you back on Arkadia. Once we've finished our meeting we'll drop you off back on Illium for you."

"What about the hotel Troy and I stayed at?"

"We already signed you both out. There's no need to worry. You are set," the general assured as sat up and walked over to the pilot seat.

Xun looked out at the window and thought about what she had learned during her time with Troy. She was told of the dark truth behind Troy's plan. A plan that the general and the Council doesn't partially know. The things she saw what Troy did and what he told her; they were all for the good of what he believes in. Troy has taught her how to dance in the grey. She can achieve in something more when she does the bad for the good. All his actions, they were justified because of when Rodrigues had done. She can do the same things as Troy did. Sometimes crossing a line to do something she wants to achieve. Other times, she can pull a few strings on mercenaries to do her dirty work, etc. That moment, she saw the truth she had been told, she sees a new way for being a Helldiver really means. She must walk in the grey line to become something so much more. She will have a plan in her own making to make preparations for the Reapers arrival. She smiled knowing Troy is out there, alive and at peace with himself.

Unknown location…

Out in the wilderness, there is a cabin in the middle of the woods with a river passing by as the sun rose in the sky. Troy walked out in the morning breeze to admire the few from his front porch. He sat in his chair staring out in the beauty of the wilderness. He sighed heavily as he knew his work is done. Hellspawn is gone. He was free. He avenged everyone who he ever loved. Alexia, Telrass, and everyone who fell as a victim of Hellspawn and its leaders. He smiled as he continued to stare out into the sky. This part of his journey is not over. Now, he must rest. All he had to so was wait.

Epilogue

Two weeks have passed. Xun sat in her new office on Illium as she looked though her consul to look over information. She had been to Shepard's funeral but there was no body to recover. She and Alpha grieved at the funeral. Even the Normandy crew and his parents were there too. She asked her self why there was no body to recover if there is a funeral. She decided to look of him but there has been no source of any kind yet. A call came in from her intern. "Ms. Xun? You have a…visitor who would like to see you.'

"Send them in," she told her. The door opened and to her surprise, a familiar asari walked in with asari armor of her own. "Liara T'soni?"

"Hello, Xun. I need your help," the asari said in desperate need.

"What do you need?"

"I need your help to find Austin."

Xun will return

Yep! I'm doing another Mass Effect Helldiver short story with a green light from my good old friend. Hopefully, I can do other projects after I'm done with this one. I'll be able to get it started as soon as I get back from my Christmas break. When I finish it, I plan to make either a Destiny story or a RWBY OC story. I'll leave the votes up to you in the comment section. For now, I'll see you later.