A/N: Yes, a new Story for me to work on. Not gonna lie, it's nice to take a break from my other Stories. But that doesn't mean that I plan on abandoning them. I'll still try to get Chapters out as soon as I'm able to.

As many of you know Mass Effect and The Outer Worlds are two very different games. One of them is focused on very Narrative gameplay, while the other just feels like Fallout: New Vegas in space. Not to say that New Vegas isn't good at telling a Story. Just not nearly as well as Mass Effect can.

In this particular Chapter things will start off right after the Collector base was destroyed by Commander Shepard. The next Chapter will be entirely dedicated to the Captain and her Companions.

Should probably say that the ending that I chose in the Outer Worlds was to side with Phineas rather than the Board. I'm pretty that's everything, so please enjoy and leave a Review.

Chapter One: Paragon

No One Left Behind. Shepard had promised her crew that and in the end she came through with her promise. Escaping from the Collector base was almost as hard as infiltrating it in the first place. But despite that they pulled through.

Shepard was still pondering over the idea that the Illusive Man had wanted her to preserve the base so that Cerberus could use its technology and equipment for themselves. Like any other sensible person would she refused the offer and instead she destroyed the base, putting a massive hole in the Reaper's plans.

But like any other day, there was no time for her to rest and catch her breath. Her Crew however was able to, most of them talking with each other in their chosen locations around the Normandy. While they discussed the Hell they had just gone through, Shepard traveled into the Briefing Room.

Knowing how the conversation would inevitably go, she planned on wrapping it up as quickly as possible. Upon stepping on the Hologram transmitter, she was greeted by the Illusive Man. Like always he sat in his chair with a cigarette in hand.

He was very dissapointed in Shepard's actions and he wasn't about to hide it from her. ''Shepard. You're beginning to make a real habit of costing me more than just time and money. What do you have to say for your carelessness?''

That's just about what she had expected from him. So she was quick with her answer. ''There were too many lives lost at that base. You can't really expect me to be sorry that it's gone, can you?''

The Illusive Man countered with an argument. ''Just the first of many lives. That technology could have secured human dominance in the galaxy. Against the Reapers and anything beyond them.''

It was becoming more and more clear for Shepard to see what the Illusive Man really wanted. ''Would you really have used it to secure human dominance, or would you really just use it for Cerberus?''

Standing up from his chair the Illusive Man continued to argue. ''Giving strength to Cerberus is giving strength to all humanity. Don't you get it, Cerberus is humanity. You were too idealistic from the beginning. Always choking on the hard decisions.''

''Then it's a good thing I'm not looking for your approval in all this.'' Shepard said, a smirk on her face. ''We both know that when Harbinger comes he won't be alone. What humanity needs is a leader that will look out for them. So from now on, I'll be doing things my way, whether you agree or not.''

Moving closer to Shepard's hologram, the Illusive Man practically shouted at her. ''Don't you dare turn your back on me Shepard. I'm the one who brought you back from the dead. I made you. Do you really think you aren't expendable, we have contingency plans.''

Deciding that she had enough Shepard called out to Joker. ''Lose this channel, Joker.'' Not taking another second to think about it she walked right out of the room. It was likely that would not be the last time she would encounter the Illusive Man.

Going straight to the Bridge she sat next to Joker and told him to, ''Head straight for the Citadel, and as fast as you can. Everyone needs to know what's coming and there's not a second to waste.''

Joker nodded. ''Roger that, Commander. And let me just be the first to say that the way you handled the Illusive Man was pretty badass.'' He expected a laugh or even a chuckle from Shepard. But instead all he got was a frown. ''Right, sorry. I'll just get us to the nearest Mass Relay. You know you should really be in a better mood. Do you have any idea how much damage we just did to the Reapers?''

He awaited a response but saw that Shepard was already walking away. ''We haven't done enough.'' She said before entering the elevator and going down to the Crew's quarters where most of her Crew was.

A lot of them were still recovering from their recent battle injuries. Jack and Garrus had received the worse of it. Both of them would need serious medical attention when they reached the Citadel. But for now Miranda and Jacob were doing what little they could to ease the pain.

Shepard noticed that Legion and Tali were nowhere to be found. But she didn't have time to look for them as she was approached by Miranda. ''Commander, don't worry we're doing all we can for them. They'll be back to full health in no time. Is there something else you needed?''

''Yeah, I was actually hoping to talk to everyone for a second.'' Shepard responded, debris crashed to the floor behind her after. The Normandy would need some serious repairs soon. ''But it's probably for the best that I wait a bit longer. Actually, could you do me a favor? After we leave the Citadel have the entire Crew assemble down here.''

''I'm guessing it's something to do with the Reapers?'' Garrus asked, there was a lot of pain in his voice. Jacob scolded the Turian's action. ''Dammit, I told you you're not allowed to talk. Do anymore of that and you might start coughing up a lot of blood. It's a pretty bad way to go after all you just went through.''

''Don't go dying on me Garrus.'' Shepard said to who was probably her best friend. ''And that's an order. If you're only method of attacking someone is spitting blood on them then my guess is the Reapers will tear right through you.''

Garrus made an attempt to say something but all of the blood in his mouth made it so no one could understand him, aside from Jack. ''I'm pretty sure that he said something on the lines of, ''Fuck you.''

That caused Shepard to start laughing. Those nearby joined her, aside from Garrus for a few different reasons. ''If anyone needs me I'll be up in my quarters. Hopefully it didn't get as fucked up as the rest of the ship did.''

Walking back to the elevator Shepard opened it and traveled up to her room. Seeing as they'd arrive at the Citadel very shortly she decide that she would use what little time she had to get some rest.

Before she did she quickly gave her fish some food, Kelly was unable to do so for her due to being captured by the Collectors. One thing that she noticed was that her picture of Liara had been knocked over. Picking it up she removed the picture and placed it somewhere safe. The broken frame was a good reminder that her friends and loved ones would soon be in more danger than they could possibly imagine.