A.N.- Not abandoning my HP fanfics. Ever since my hard drive crashed along with my refined new chapters. I have had little motivation to redo them but I'll still get them done. Much like my college papers XD! I'm currently vacationing with my family so I'm not going be at my computer for long stretches of time. Please be patient. HP and the Veela is MY pride and joy and I will see to it that it gets finished. No longer how long it takes so please bear with me on the long journey ahead.

Good, got that out of the way, next chapter going to be about Freedom's Progress and the commencement of recruiting squad members for the team. Starting with Omega. Genesis won't have much content as Shepard in this one, alas to my great disappointment. Still trying to get an equal amount of content written for both Shepard and Genesis so that one isn't overshadowed by the other.

I hope I haven't made Genesis too much of a MGS character, I didn't intend to make him a swordsman in the Mass Effect galaxy, where it's mostly a cover shooter. He does uses firearms such as the M-12 Locust, very much like Snake-Eyes in the new G.I. Joe movies in that gun and sword mixture aspect. It's easy to remember that he was trained in the ways of the sword when he was young but he's a soldier and N7 also so he's got to be pretty competent with guns of all manners. I hoped you all liked the inclusion of my new character, Nova. I based her on her counterpart in Starcraft 2, I always thought she was badass and flaming hot at the same time. Definitely one of my faves in that universe. That said, the Nova in my story is also an infiltrator class that favors taking out targets from a distance.

A competitor against Miranda? Maybe…

And no, Shepard will not be the absolute unstoppable force that went perhaps a bit too overboard in the 2nd and 3rd game. He may have upgrades but that does not make him Terminator.

P.S.- Martin Sheen is so awesome, the Illusive Man is such a great character and he's got one of the best soundtracks in the trilogy.

So onto the story, here…we...go.

~0~

Chapter 7: Freedom's Progress

Location: Horsehead Nebula, Anadius System, Cronos Station

"Good work on Ferris Fields…though direct interference was not what you were ordered to do." The Illusive Man said to the hologram projection standing before him, taking a sip from his drink. The star churning violently behind him, blood red and calming blue intertwining, still fighting to be dominant but neither gaining advantage at the moment.

"I had the chance of stopping an entire colony being abducted…and besides, you got the proof and specimens you needed…sir." Genesis replied in an indifferent tone. Over the years, his brown hair that he had kept organized had grown out and was now close to being chin length while his frosty blue eyes engaged in a staring contest with his employer's eerily glowing blue ones.

After a moment, the Illusive Man relented as he sat back down onto his chair with practiced suave. "Indeed…but in the future, I expect you to inform me of any change of plans."

"Like what you did with this mission?" Came the reply.

"Your abilities were never questioned, however given a few more hours you would have lost the fight and you, in addition to the entire colony would have been abducted." The Illusive Man countered patiently," and besides, it was Nova who requested me permission to follow you. You should say thank you next time."

Genesis folded his arms. "Why did she do that?"

The Illusive Man shrugged with a rarest hint of a smile, "You'll have to ask her yourself, I'm afraid. I have many fortes but monitoring personal relationships of my operatives is not one of them."

A brief pause of silence then followed but was soon broken as the Illusive Man continued. "The Alliance has touched down on Ferris Fields to provide the colonists with aid but relations remain fragile at best, unsurprising…hopefully, the Collectors will think twice before attack them again…given you singlehandedly held them off long enough for us to make a clean sweep." The Illusive Man rubbed his forehead.

"The Collectors...interesting. Though I thought the they preferred to maintain their distance." Genesis showed no surprise at hearing the name. His mind was processing what he had fought and witnessed on the mission and comparing to the fight on the citadel against Saren and Sovereign. The swarms of insects, the distinct beam like weapons that the biped instectoids carried, the large husk like monstrosities and the being that called itself Harbinger.

"Yes, however now it seems their attitude has changed. They remain inscrutable to many, usually they travel within the Terminus Systems looking for unique specimens with genetic mutations or abnormalities in exchange with partaking some of their technology. Then they disappear back beyond the Omega 4 relay." The Illusive Man elaborated before putting a cigarette into his mouth and lighting it up with a silver lighter.

"What concerns me is that the previous sample sizes were in the dozens not tens of thousands and they're targeting only humans." He exhaled a breath of smoke.

"They're harvesting us." The Illusive Man took a second drag of his cigarette.

"I fear that's what all the evidence is pointing at, yes…humanity must have caught the attention of the Reapers after the destruction of Sovereign."

"Then we need all the intel we can gather on them as well as any information regarding the Reapers fast." Genesis suggested.

"Precisely…I have several plans set in motion, I'll brief you when you returned." The Illusive Man concluded.

Genesis nodded and was about to disengaged the communication when the Illusive Man's voice stopped him. "It might sate your curiosity that Shepard is currently at Freedom's Progress…I assume you have covered your tracks well…the Collectors will be watching you from now on in addition to the Alliance."

"Boss, have a little faith...my credentials speak loudly for themselves, I won't be found unless I wish to be." Genesis responded before severing the link leaving his boss gazing at the now disconnected communicator with an unreadable expression etched upon his face.

The Illusive Man ran his left hand through his hair as he took a drag of his cigarette before exhaling as he called in his assistant. "Time is of essence, please bring me those dossiers that I have requested."

~0~

Genesis left the Quantum Entanglement Communicator and returned to the front of his ship and sat down. For once, his helmet was absent as he ran a hand over his face and up to his sweat matted hair. Having his own stealth ship definitely helped immensely in his effort to keep his identity a secret, he was never a people person and he loathed people who tried to engage him in conversation. The silence suited him.

"Minerva, I'm handing the ship to you…take us back to base for refuel and whatever necessary repairs that are needed." He ordered.

"Understood." His ship's VI replied as he leaned back in his comfortable seat and closed his eyes.

His 'social' problem had only gotten worse after he joined up the army and later the 'N' Special forces program. Although the officers in charge of the program were a little put off, to be put lightly, of having the Hero or Butcher of Torfan, depending on perspective, joining the special forces, his abilities and potential were deemed too valuable to be wasted. They were superseded by an unknown benefactor, which to this day, Genesis had been unable to trace.

That and coming from two military families had gotten him a lot of unwanted attention, other recruits seemed to be in awe of him which he thought was pathetic. His cold and uncaring attitude eventually exceeded his hero status and it found him few friends while he trained and prepared, which he felt indifferent about.

To him, the only people one could count on in the end was themselves. It was why he preferred to work alone.

On more than one occasion did he receive remarks on his mentality but they were discarded due to his ability to bring results. Looking back, Genesis smirked. Training more than twenty hours a day, participating in zero gravity combat, parachuting, jetpack flight, combat diving, it was hell if one ever existed. There were certainly moments along the way where he felt his body would break.

Genesis turned his Omni-tool on and a rectangular holographic screen appeared above it as a video commenced. Three children, two boys, both with dark brown hair, one taller than the other and younger girl with long flaming red hair were running freely, their kites high in the air.

He allowed the nostalgia overwhelmed him as he watched on. It was these memories that became his anchor as well as his anger. While he was never publicly announced as a xenophobe, even after the whole incident with Torfan, it was no secret Genesis hated Batarians. Even when he was inducted into the N7 program, it had caused quite a stir.

It was easy for everyone else to say, they didn't see their families and friends getting blown up into a bloody mess.

When he was younger, he would often dream about that night, houses burning violently, innocent civilians being slaughtered by gunfire, hearing their screams and desperate pleas, seeing his father and sister blown up and the grounds stained with blood, so much of it.

Despite receiving the best counseling therapy money could offer, Mindoir will always be a part of him along with the anger and hate. As a result, that hate had unconsciously manifested itself into his fighting style, regardless of weapon and opposition. Doctor Ivanov had remarked that he was a peculiar and unique case.

As he watched the video continue, Genesis realized that the anniversary of the attack of Mindoir was around the corner. He laid his head back and closed his eyes as he thought of the necessary preparations while his ship flew on in FTL speeds.

~0~

Location: Freedom's Progress Colony

The skies were dark and it was snowing lightly as Shepard proceeded through the disturbingly quiet colony. Upon landing, he didn't like what he felt.

"FENRIS and LOKIS incoming!" Jacob shouted.

"Open fire!" Shepard ordered, lining up his Avenger assault riffle and pulled the trigger. It blew the head of a LOKI right off.

"Nice!" Jacob exclaimed as he used his biotics to lift the other mech before finishing it with his Eviscerator shotgun.

Miranda used her Overload on the oncoming FENRIS mechs and shot a Warp that caused both mechs to disintegrate upon impact. After finishing their welcoming party, Shepard and his 'team' regrouped after the silence had reassert itself.

"Something's not right. Those mechs should've recognized us as human." Jacob muttered.

"Someone reprogrammed those mechs to attack on sight, we're not alone here." Miranda responded.

"Hopefully, it's a survivor or someone that might know something." Shepard added, "Let's go."

"Yes, Commander." Miranda and Jacob said before readying their weapons. Keeping eyes open, the three walked past the broken mechs as Shepard brought them through buildings instead of choosing to remain outside to minimize the chances of meeting more mechs.

As he neared a warehouse, he could hear voices emanating from within. He signaled with his left hand while his right held the Avenger. Miranda and Jacob took their positions on either side of the door while Shepard switched to his shotgun. He nodded at Miranda who turned on her Omni-tool to remotely unlock the door.

As the door opened, the three sprang into action, Shepard and Jacob with their shotguns ready while Miranda gripped her Tempest tightly behind them, announcing their presence.

"Drop your weapons!"

"On the Ground Now!" There were six people inside the warehouse, who were startled by their entry and tried to raise their weapons but stopped as they saw Shepard and Jacob's shotgun had closed the distance.

Shepard's eyes widened a bit before they returned to normal, "Quarians." He thought.

Two attempted to raise their weapons before a feminine voice broke the silence.

"Wait! Prazza, stand down!"

"What?!" Prazza exclaimed.

"Put your weapons away!" The female Quarian commanded. Shepard immediately recognize that voice, recalling hearing it the first time in the lower wards of the Citadel.

"Tali! Is it really you?" Shepard asked with a mixture of hope and shock in his voice.

The female Quarian turned around and froze. "Shepard? No…it can't be…"

"It's me." Shepard took off his N7 Breather helmet.

"You're…You're alive?" Tali choked, Shepard could see the shocked look on her face beneath her mask.

"Yes, I can prove it. Did the geth data I gave you help you on your pilgrimage?" Shepard asked, ordering Miranda and Jacob to lower their weapons with a signal of his hand.

"Yes, it did." Tali laughed lightly.

Turning to her team of Quarians, she commanded, "All of you stand down. This is definitely Commander Shepard."

"Why is your old commander working for Cerberus?" Prazza lowered his riffle.

"I don't know," Tali said.

"Maybe we should ask." She faced Shepard.

"How am I suppose to explain this? What can I say? That I died and Cerberus brought me back from the dead?" Shepard mentally questioned himself though he decided on a half truth would be the best for the current situation.

"I nearly died, Tali. Cerberus spent two years putting me back together. They want me to investigate the recent attacks on human colonies." "

Likely story," Prazza crossed his arms, "No organization would commit so many resources to bring back one soldier."

"You haven't seen Shepard in action. Trust me, it was money well spent." Tali shook her head in response.

"So, what brings you here to Freedom's Progress?" Shepard asked, wanting to switch the topic.

Letting it drop, Tali responded. "We're looking for a Quarian named Veetor. He was here on his Pilgrimage."

This was the breakthrough Shepard was waiting for, his head processing the odds. "If Veetor was here during the attack, he might know what's going on."

Tali became a bit reluctant as she played with her hands as she did when she was feeling nervous. "That's the hope. We've seen him but he might not be in the best state to answer questions. He was injured and ah, nervous-"

"She means that he was unstable," Prazza interrupted. "Combine that with the damage to his suit's CO2 scrubbers and an infection from open air exposure and he's likely delirious."

Tali sighed and pressed a hand to her masked face. "When he saw us landing, he hid in a warehouse on the far side of the colony. We also believe he activated the mechs and programmed them to attack everything that moved."

"Then we need to find him fast, it'll be quicker if we teamed up." Tali considered it for a few seconds then nodded.

"Now we're working with Cerberus?!" Prazza protested angrily.

"No Prazza, you're working for me. If you can't follow orders, go wait on the ship." Tali shot him down before turning her attention to Shepard.

"Head for the warehouse through the center of the colony. We'll circle around the far side and draw off some of the drones to clear a path."

"That's fine," Shepard nodded and added to the other Quarians, "You get your friend and we get our data. That's all there is to it. You have my word."

The other Quarians nodded uneasily.

"Keep in radio contact and…it's good to see you again Tali." Shepard informed his former teammate.

"Will do. Good luck, Shepard. Whatever happens…it's good to have you back," Tali smiled. Returning it, he nodded and donned his breather helmet back on.

After Miranda and Jacob signaled that they were ready, the trio walked through one door while the Quarians walked through another. Shepard held his Avenger with alert eyes as he slowly walked through the quiet colony, he and his team have not encountered anything they couldn't handle as of yet. Some security drones with rockets and more LOKI mechs but they proved to be of little trouble to the three trained personnel.

As they neared a large door that lead to the loading docks, the radio sizzled to life.

"Shepard! Veetor reprogrammed a heavy mech! We're getting pinned down! Get your team ready and I'll open the door!" Tali called.

"Alright, the mech will no doubt have shields on top of its armor. Jacob, you and I will rush in first and distract it behind cover. Miranda, use your Overload on it. Then we split and flank it. Hopefully, it'll drag some fire off the Quarians. Once the shields are down, hit it with biotics." Shepard ordered.

"Tali, get this door open! We'll draw some of its fire away!" Shepard commanded. "Got it! The door is opening now!" Tali responded. As soon as the door opened, Shepard and Jacob rushed in, running for cover at their end of the battlefield. They started firing their weapons at the mech, though the shields were absorbing most of the damage. The mech ignored the Quarians as it shifted its focus to face the new hostiles.

Shepard fired a grenade from his grenade launcher, staggering the mech. Before it could recover, it was hit with an Overload, courtesy of Miranda.

As the mech tried to turn to Miranda, it was struck in the back with a Warp by Jacob, followed by two grenades that siphoned the last of its shields.

"Hit it with everything you've got!" Shepard ordered and fired his Avenger riffle. Miranda and Jacob were more than happy to oblige as they unloaded their submachine gun and shotgun.

Raising his arm into the air, Jacob lifted the mech into the air and resulted in a powerful biotic explosion when Miranda shot a Warp, disrupting Jacob's biotic energies that were present on the mech.

The mech gave one final mechanical groan as it landed in a heap before exploding violently on impact.

The following silence told Shepard that the clear was finally clear as he stepped out of cover and activated his radio. "The mech's finished. Tali, you good?"

"Fine Shepard, I'm in a server room tending to the wounded. Two of us got scrapped during our fight. Thank you for helping. Please, find Veetor. I'll join up in a bit."

"Copy that." Shepard replied before turning to his team. "You two alright?"

Both Miranda and Jacob nodded and Shepard signaled them to follow him as he started his approach towards Veetor's hiding place. On the way, he made sure note to scan the remains of the YMIR mech that he destroyed.

Nearing the door, Shepard could hear some inchorent murmuring from within and switched to his M-3 Predator pistol while Jacob switched to his M-8 Carnifex, Miranda her M-77 Paladin.

Miranda overrode the door's lock and the three of them slowly entered the small, dark room. The room seemed to resemble a control hub for controlling the mechs remotely in the colony. The lights were all switched off save the nine monitors a single Quarian was sitting in front of.

The Quarian, whom Shepard suppose was Veetor continued to mumble continuously, fixated on the console and typing on the console furiously.

"Monsters coming back. Mechs will protect. Safe from swarms. Have to hide. No monsters. No swarms. No-no-no-no-no…"

Holstering his pistol, Shepard slowly approached the terrified Quarian. "Veetor?"

"No Veetor. Not here. Swarms can't find. Monsters coming. Have to hide."

"Nobody's going to hurt you anymore." Shepard assured in a calming tone. Veetor kept typing on the console, unaware of the three humans behind him.

"I don't think he can hear you, Commander." Jacob observed.

Shepard sighed and activated his Omni-tool. Overload wasn't one of his specialties but turning down some monitors proved to be elementary as he waved his Omni-tool at the monitors, shutting them down.

Veetor stopped typing, looking up at the monitors with confusion. When he heard the noise of an Omni-tool behind him, he turned his head around.

Spotting the three humans, he stood up. "You're…human. Where did you hide? How come they didn't find you?"

"Who didn't find us?" Miranda asked, after taking her helmet off.

"The…the monsters. The swarms. They took everyone." Veetor replied in a very slow manner.

"We're not survivors, Veetor. We just arrived." Shepard explained.

"You don't know. You didn't see. But I see everything." Veetor lowered his gaze. Turning back to the console, the Quarian began to type and the monitors lit up, each one showing some footage of the colony.

"Looks like security footage. He must have pieced it together manually." Miranda pointed out. The three watched as what seemed to be large swarms of tiny insects were flying about, moving too fast to be seen clearly at the video's speed and quality. What got their attention were the large bipedal insect looking creatures that were patrolling around the colony, pushing something that resembled a large pod.

"What the hell is that?" Jacob asked, eyes wide. Veetor paused the video as all three humans focused on the creature.

"My God, I think it's a Collector." Miranda answered, evident very much clear in her tone.

Shepard narrowed his brow, he'd heard about the name, somehow…somewhere. "I thought they very much kept to themselves."

"They usually work through the middlemen, such as slavers and mercenaries. If they are involved with the Reapers somehow, it could explain what happened to the colonies." They watched as the video played on, their guts clenching as two Collectors threw a human into a pod.

"The Collectors have advanced technology. They could have a weapon that disables an entire settlement." Jacob observed. Shepard remained silent as he fixed his eyes on one particular figure on the most top right monitor though he was interrupted abruptly as Veetor explained.

"The Seeker Swarms. No one can hide. The seekers find you…freeze you…then the monsters take you away."

"Tell me more about these swarms," Shepard politely asked.

"It's how they find you. Seeker clouds. Machines like tiny insects," Veetor explained. "They go everywhere. They find you. Then they sting you. Freeze you."

"They must be the flying insects we are seeing on the monitors. Interesting, probes maybe? Finding victims from heat detecting and immobolize them via nervous system with stasis fields or toxins perhaps?" Miranda hypothesized. Shepard knew the Alliance probably had little or next to zero information on the Collectors so he turned to his team.

"What do you know about the Collectors?"

Jacob shook his head in response. "Nobody knows much. Sightings are so rare, a lot of people don't even believe they exist."

"More importantly, why are they abducting human colonists? What are they after?" Miranda muttered.

"Maybe the Illusive Man can figure it out." Jacob responded. Shepard had a gut feeling that his 'benevolent' benefactor already knew.

Returning his attention to Veetor, he asked, "Why didn't the Collectors take you?"

"Swarms didn't find me. Monsters didn't know I was here," answered Veetor nervously.

"The Collectors aren't known for being careless." Jacob informed Shepard. "Maybe his enviro-suit kept him from showing up on their sensors."

"Or they were using technology specifically designed to detect humans. Only human colonies have been hit as of far," Miranda replied dryly.

"What happened next?" Shepard nodded at Veetor.

Looking at the monitors, Veetor's voice cracked as he trembled. "The monsters took the people onto the ship, and then they left. The ship flew away. But they'll be back for me. No one escapes!"

"I think that's about all we're getting out of him, Commander," Jacob said softly.

"We appreciate what you told us. You were very helpful. Thank you." Shepard said, trying to calm the hysterica Quarian down.

"I studied them. The monsters. The swarms. I recorded them with my Omni-tool. Lots of readings. Electro-magnetic. Dark energy," Veetor burst out.

"We need to get his data to the Illusive Man," Miranda said. "Grab the Quarian and call the shuttle to come pick us up."

Before Shepard could open his mouth, Tali's voice interrupted and she was quite irate.

"What?! Veetor is injured! He needs treatment, not an interrogation!" She yelled as she stepped into the room.

"We won't hurt him. We just need to see if he knows anything else. He'll be returned unharmed." Jacob tried to placate the angered Quarian.

"If we give him up to you, we'll never get the intel we need." Miranda folded her arms.

Looking at Shepard, Tali pleaded, "You're welcome to Veetor's Omni-tool data, but please, just let me take him."

"You don't have to take Veetor and go. We could work together. Just like old times," Shepard offered softly.

Softening her gaze, Tali looked down. "I want to, but I can't. I got a mission of my own. It's too important for me to abandon…even for you." She sighed.

"That sounds dangerous, what are you doing?"

Casting a glance at Miranda and Jacob, Tali replied cautiously. "I don't believe Cerberus needs to hear about it. But it's in Geth space. That should tell you how important it is."

Shepard nodded with understanding. Turning towards Miranda, he ordered. "Veetor's traumatized and needs medical care. Tali will give us his Omni-tool data and take him back to the flotilla. It'll work better than a testimony."

"Understood, Commander." Miranda showed no emotion as she responded.

"Thank you, Shepard. I'm glad you're still the one giving the orders." Tali said appreciatively and stepping forward, gave Shepard a big hug.

Shepard awkwardly returned the gesture before Tali took a step back. "Good luck out there. If I find anything that can help, I'll let you know."

"Thanks Tali. I hope we can talk soon, stay safe."

"Will do." With that Tali gently took Veetor's hand and led the now silent Quarian out of the room.

Turning to Jacob, Shepard requested, "Jacob, call the shuttle. We'll take a sweep for anything else this colony has hiding and secure an LZ."

"Yes, Commander."

"Miranda, get on this terminal and download everything Veetor recorded. Hopefully, with in addition to his Omni-tool data it will be enough."

Miranda nodded and started towards the terminal. Shepard placed a gloved hand on his face as he took time for everything to digest and set in. He was at a complete loss at what he was suppose to do.

~0~

Location: Horsehead Nebula, Anadius System, Cronos Station

A small flame ignited, dancing in the shadows at the end of a fresh cigarette and illuminating his face for a brief moment before it was put out, leaving only two glowing blue eyes that were visible in the darkness. The Illusive Man exhaled a breath of smoke before addressing the projection of Shepard in front of him.

"Freedom's Progress was a success. The Quarians forwarded their findings from Veetor's debriefing. No new data, but it's a surprising olive branch, given our history." He informed Shepard.

"You ever think about playing nice once in a while?" Shepard asked with distain.

"Diplomacy is great when it works but difficult when everyone already perceives you as a threat," The Illusive Man countered and went back to the point, added, "More importantly, you confirmed the Collectors are behind the abductions."

Shepard felt a sting of annoyance and grinded out, "Why do I get the feeling that you knew about them already."

"I had my suspicions before one of my agents returned from stopping a Collector abduction on another colony shortly after your mission on Freedom's Progress commenced. I was doubtful at best before that. The Collectors are enigmatic at best." The Illusive Man responded nonchalantly.

Shepard was stunned at the news though he tried to not allow the shock to appear on his face, it was difficult to see how one person could stop abduction with such a large numerical disadvantage.

"It's hard to believe one single person can stop an abduction on that scale." He stated, prompting the Illusive Man to smirk briefly, as if he had just made an ironic joke.

"You'd be surprised...back to the issue, the Collectors periodically travel to the Terminus Systems, looking to gather seemingly unimportant items or specimens. Usually in exchange for their technology." The Illusive Man pausing to take another smoke and exhaled. "When their transactions are complete, they disappear as quickly as they arrived; back beyond the unmapped Omega 4 relay. Until a couple of hours ago, we've had no evidence of direct aggression by the Collectors."

"What are the Collectors getting from these deals?"

Tapping his cigarette into his ashtray, the Illusive Man replied. "The Collectors aren't very forthcoming about their motives. Generally, they seek out species with rare genetic mutations or abnormalities. They pay slavers and merc groups exorbitant sums to obtain these specimens. And then they leave. But they've never targeted a single species before."

"Any ideas why they've shifted their focus to humans?"

"If they're agents for the Reapers, it could be any number of reasons. Obviously, humanity played a huge role in Sovereign's destruction. That might have been enough to draw their attention," The Illusive Man hypothesized. "What really concerns me is why they bother abducting the colonists. They seem to go out of their way with paralyzing them, not killing them."

"Do you know anything about the Omega 4 Relay?" Shepard asked.

"Unfortunately, there is little to no intel regarding to it. But it remains a fact that no ship has ever returned after passing through it. Our guess is that the relay reacts differently to Collector vessels, allowing them safe passage. If this theory is true, that further solidifies their connection with the Reapers."

"You're holding something back. How do you know the Reapers are involved?" Shepard crossed his arms, though everything fit together, he had little reason of trusting the figure sitting in front of him.

"The patterns are there, buried within the data," was his reply.

Taking another drag of his cigarette, the Illusive Man continued, "The Council and the Alliance want to believe the Reaper threat died with Sovereign. Naïve…You and I know better. I won't wait around until the Reapers arrive to take action. We need to take the fight to them."

Shepard was on a similar mind track but his strategy involved the Alliance. Digesting the words of the Illusive Man, it was clear that he was willing to end the threat at all costs. As much as Shepard hated to admit it, the mysterious figure in front of him was correct, the Alliance would favor politics first before any real help would even be contemplated.

Knowing he had no option he relented, "If this is a war, I'll need an army. Or a really good team." Shepard stated.

A holographic console appeared next to the Illusive Man's hand. "I've already compiled a list of soldiers, scientists and mercenaries. You'll get dossiers on the best of them."

Tapping several keys, he went on. "Finding them and convincing them to work with you could be challenging, but you're a natural leader. I'll continue to track the Collectors. When they make their next appearance, I'll notify you and your team. Be ready."

Shepard had a few reservations, noting that his 'benefactor' had this planned out too quickly. "I don't suppose you know what happened to my old team?"

"Most of them have moved on…or their allegiances have changed," came the dry reply.

Shepard stood his ground, eyes narrowed.

Obviously anticipating this, the Illusive Man started listing all of Shepard's former squad members from the top of his head.

"Chief Williams is still with the Alliance. Promoted, I believe…Her file is surprisingly well-classified for one with her family history." Shepard stoically allowed the news to sink in, from his tone, he deduced that the Illusive Man must have known about Ash's grandfather either personally or intel on the Alliance. He had no idea what to do if he were to meet her again.

"She's going to blow up, that's for sure." He thought to himself and focused on the Illusive Man again.

"The Turian disappeared a few months after you were declared dead. Even we haven't been able to locate him." At this, Shepard couldn't help but wonder what Garrus was up to. "Did he go for Spectre training or went back to C-Sec?"

"The Krogan returned to Tuchanka and hasn't been off-world in a year. He's trying to unite the Krogan clans." Shepard was surprised at his friend's change of heart, Wrex had tried before but was almost killed by his own father Jarrod. The Krogan merc left his homeworld believing that there was nothing left.

"Dr. T'Soni is on Bekenstein. Working as an information broker for the Alliance." Shepard was startled and relieved at the same time, and it immediately brought feelings of dread and nervousness to his gut. How could he possibly explain this to her and his family after two years.

"Jason Shepard is listed MIA by the Alliance, though there has been rumors that he handed in a notice of resignation shortly after your demise. The Alliance is searching for him but as far, there has been absolutely no information pertaining to him…as if he had vanished from the face of the galaxy."

Shepard was stunned and he longer cared about hiding his emotion, as he felt nothing but pure shock and worry. His brother went missing. The thought was like a stab to the gut.

"No, that can't be, he wouldn't…" He muttered out loud, weakly trying deny it. His brother was Alliance, he wouldn't just resign for no apparent reason. He had to find him.

The Illusive Man said nothing as he observed the projection standing before him with a blank expression as he took another drag of his cigarette.

Saving his worrying till after the discussion, Shepard prompted, "What about Tali? She already helped us on Freedom's Progress."

"That was unexpected. I'll need more intel before I'll commit to that." Came the reply.

"I'm the one leading this mission. Do I need your permission now?" He said in a low tone.

Indifferent to his attitude, the Illusive Man remarked, "According to Miranda's report, your friend is unavailable for now. I am merely curious as to whether her assignment will jeopardize the mission…however, if she's willing to travel with you, then that's your choice."

Taking a sip from his glass, the Illusive Man tapped some more keys at his console. "You're a leader Shepard. You'll get who you need." He exhaled a breath of smoke.

"I'm still a Spectre. Maybe I can get the Council to help me out," Shepard noted.

"If you can convince them, by all means," The Illusive Man replied with what seemed to be a lace of sarcasm in his tone.

"Just remember," The figure before Shepard warned, "You've been gone for a long time. Things have changed."

Shepard nodded, "You worry about the Collectors, I'll make sure my team's ready."

"Good," The Illusive Man tapped his cigarette on his ashtray, "Two things before you go…first head to Omega and find Mordin Solus. He's a brilliant Salarian scientist," The Illusive Man advised. "Our intelligence suggests he may know how to counteract the Collector's paralyzing seeker swarms."

"You're suggesting that I work with non-humans?" Shepard remarked, "That must sting."

The Illusive Man didn't rise to his subtle taunt.

"Feel free to ignore my advice and leave you and your team vulnerable against the Collectors…Sarcasm is unbefitting of you, Shepard." The Illusive Man admonished him as a parent would to a petulant child.

Swallowing a retort, Shepard grounded out. "What else?"

"I found a pilot I think you might like," The Illusive Man smiled, "I hear he's one of the best. Someone you can trust." With that said, the Illusive Man terminated the connection.

Despite Shepard's idealistic and disobedient attitude, the Illusive Man smirked coldly.

Shepard unlike his sibling wore his thoughts on his sleeves, admirable but naïve, making it all too easy to predict him. And from the advice he received from the best source available, this game was destined to be his to win.

Whereas other species will fall to the Reapers, humanity will triumph. A holographic panel appeared next to his right hand and he tapped a key.

The holographic projection emerged, depicting a tall man in his late fifties, dressed in a uniform and cap, the design was similar to what an Alliance Admiral would wear except the color was black and not blue. He had a weathered face, one that had endured the hardships of battle, short silver white hair and a black eye patch that covered his left eye, leaving one grayish blue eye that focused solely on the Illusive Man.

"Sam…it's been a while." The Illusive Man greeted evenly as he stood to face his guest.

"It has…Jack."

~0~

Location: Horsehead Nebula, Unknown System, Minutemen Station

Shepard stood on the projector disk with a hand on his face, as he suddenly felt overwhelmed by fatigue. Angrily, he punched the wall with a fist. The distressing news of his brother's disappearance was only now fully sinking in.

He couldn't bear to face his mother now, since his sister…since Jenny left along with his father, Shepard knew his mother never really recovered from that shock despite her strong outward mask.

After the incident on Mindoir and the severity of the trauma Jason had, Hannah rarely allowed him out of her sight. She had never admitted it but Jason was her favorite child, which John understood as he was more sensitive and he needed it. Jason was his little brother and his best friend.

Losing him would undoubtedly break what's left of their mother. The edges of Shepard's eyes moistened a bit. Where did everything go wrong? Why his family?

Hearing footsteps behind him, Shepard steeled himself and turned around. Immediately his eyes widened.

"Hey Commander. Just like old times, huh?" Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau, "Joker" grinned nervously.

Despite the heavy feeling, Shepard managed a smile. "Joker."

"The one and only." Joker retorted jovially.

~0~

Walking alongside Joker through the maze like facility, Shepard couldn't keep the surprise in his voice. "I still can't believe it's you Joker."

"Look who's talking. I saw you get spaced."

"Got lucky, with a lot of strings attached," Shepard responded.

"How'd you get here?" Walking up a flight of stairs, Joker began in a somber tone, "It all fell apart without you, Commander. Everything you stirred up, the Council just wanted it gone." Shepard remained silent as Joker continued, "Team was broken up, records sealed and I was grounded."

"The Alliance took the only thing that mattered to me. Hell yeah I joined Cerberus." He bitterly spat.

You really trust the Illusive Man?" Shepard asked after remaining silent for a while.

Joker stopped to look through a window. Shepard copied the motion but saw nothing but a dark room.

"I don't trust anyone that makes more than I do," Joker shrugged.

"But they aren't all bad. Saved your life. Let me fly - and there's this," He concluded with a nod and crossed his arms. "They only told me last night."

Shepard watched with curiosity as the lights came on, one by one.

His smile grew a bit wider as all the lights were turned on, revealing his new ship, looking just as great and twice the size as the original.

"Good to be home huh, Commander?"

"Guess we'll have to give her a name." Shepard responded in a mixed tone as he noted the SR-2, knowing the perfect name for her. Joker nodded enthusiastically, like a child in a candy store.

"She'll be ready by tomorrow. We'll leave on your orders."

~0~

"Heard you were on Freedom's Progress, found anything?" Miranda wore a smile that revealed nothing as she gazed at her personal data tablet on her bed in a room. A man with sharp blue eyes and chin length dark hair filled the screen of her device.

"I will if you tell me every assignment you've completed in the last two years." She replied dryly.

"Such fairness," Jason Shepard remarked sarcastically, "You know I can't tell you Miranda."

Over the last two years, the two have struck what seemed to be an unlikely friendship. Miranda rarely found someone who she could have intellectual debates with or discuss classical music with, her childhood was a lonely and oppressing one under a madman of a 'father,' who cared nothing for her and was only obsessed about securing his dynasty. The thought alone disgusted her. Having someone she could trust and talk to was strangely comforting.

Although not always present, whenever Jason replied her mails or spoke to her via extranet, she would feel better. Having a friend, someone to trust felt right. When the Illusive Man ordered her to recruit Jason Shepard, she was sure that he was just another typical Alliance personality until she read his dossier and his history.

She would never dare utter it to his face that she admired him in some way. Despite everything that has happened to him, he was still able to carve out his own path and defeat his demons.

"I could always inadvertently leak your details on the extranet…" Miranda said in a teasing tone.

The result as a raised eyebrow, "I thought you were above blackmail, Miranda. It would seem that I was sorely mistaken about you." Jason drawled and turned to sever the connection but stopped as Miranda smirked.

But the optimistic atmosphere sank a bit when Miranda popped the next question. "You knew about the Collectors didn't you…don't lie."

Staring straight into her icy blue eyes without moving his gaze away, the former Alliance operative slowly nodded. "I did, however I was only informed of such several hours earlier."

"This mission…it's bigger than I had thought. It would seem Project Lazarus was only the easy part…How do you deal with all this?" Miranda confessed quietly.

Jason remained silent for a while before he spoke, "I think about what's at stake, all those people that are helpless against what's to come."

"I wish it could be that simple. We can't afford any mistakes." Miranda sighed.

Blinking his eyes, Jason responded, "It's alright to slip and fall once in a while, Miranda…we as a species are flawed, no matter our genetics…It's how we react to those mistakes that makes us better."

"And to think, you were once against the idea of working with us…now you're trying to comfort a known Cerberus operative." Miranda retorted, though there were absolutely no records of the missions he had undertook during the last two years. She knew better, the Illusive Man was very much satisfied to have finally recruited Jason Shepard. He wouldn't have been assigned to doing menial tasks.

Miranda knew something happened to him. The signs were subtle, barely visible but they were there and she would find out what.

~0~

Location: Crescent Nebula, Tasale System, Illium

On the balcony of a spacious and what seemed to be a luxurious apartment, surveying the sunset and the busy streets below, a man in his mid-late twenties clad in a silver shirt and black trousers gave the slightest hint of a smile that vanished as soon as it appeared.

He focused his attention to the data tablet in his hand and started slowly, "Sometimes, you have to put your personal feelings aside for the greater good...if that means embracing a lesser evil, so be it…"Here his eyes looked away from the screen and stared at the seemingly ordinary and routine traffic below him. It was a deception, an illusion of the horrors to come.

"A storm's coming…" He finished in a rather distant tone.

There was a long stretch of silence before a electronic beeping noise began emanating from the interior of his apartment.

"The boss most likely, I should go." He said softly.

"I wouldn't keep him waiting…Miranda replied slowly.

He was about to terminate the conversation when Miranda's voice stopped him, her tone filled with unease. "Wait…stay safe..."

He froze for a split second, then he relaxed and offered her a nod and terminated the video chat.

Walking pass the sofas, he placed his data pad on the rectangular crystal coffee table before receiving his call on his private Quantum Entanglement Communicator in his study room. The shadows enveloping him as he retreated away from the light.

~0~

Location: Horsehead Nebula, Unknown System, Minutemen Station

After spending a restless night on the station, Shepard was up early and was soon following Miranda and Jacob towards the airlock that led to the Normandy SR-2. He looked down and glanced at his uniform, it felt alien to be wearing a uniform that was similar to the Alliances' in design but furnished in Cerberus colors.

He had been faithful to the Systems Alliance for more than ten years, despite the politics that came with it. Dispelling those thoughts away, Shepard knew what was at stake. As soon as he was able to, he researched all the events that happened in the last two years.

He hated to admit it but the Illusive Man wasn't lying. Colonists were disappearing and nothing was reported regarding to it. It was the belief that the Alliance and the Citadel were satisfied to distant itself from the affairs in the Terminus Systems, leaving many helpless.

Cerberus, so it would seem, was their sole ray of hope. After the three of them took an elevator down to the airlock, Miranda merely turned around and gestured at Shepard. Shepard nodded and entered the new Normandy for the first time.

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