Chapter 19 - Chapter 19, Shepard's Plan

Yes! Finally managed to finish writing it all again after I lost it! Hope you enjoy this one. Just to let you know that Chapter 20 will be the night before Ilos and will contain Sex.

Please do enjoy this one, it's building up to an epic finale!

Chapter 19

Shepard's plan

"I… I can't believe Kaiden didn't make it out. How could we just leave him there?" said Ashley, her voice full of sorrow.

"Alenko knew the risks going in. He gave his life to save the rest of us." Said Austin.

"It should have been me, Commander. You know that." Said Ashley.

"You think I don't know that, Ash? You think that it was an easy choice for me to make?" said Austin. Truth be told, he also felt greatly for Kaiden's death, but he had to hide it. He had to remain strong for his team.

"I—I'm sorry, Shepard. You saved my life. I'm grateful for that. But it should have been me. Alenko was a superior officer. I would have gladly stayed behind." Said Ashley.

"Ashley, there's no right or wrong choice when it comes to a decision like that. But I had to make that call. I chose you. It wasn't your fault and it wasn't my fault. The only one to blame is Saren." Said Austin.

"Yes sir. I'm—We'll get it done." Said Ashley.

Then Liara spoke up.

"Commander? Excuse me for interrupting. But I have an idea. I think the beacon you found in Saren's base was similar to the one on Eden Prime. It may have filled in the missing pieces of your vision. I might be able to help you put all those pieces together." Said Liara.

"You want to join our minds again, don't you? Okay. Go ahead." Said Austin. He got up from his chair and removed his helmet so that Liara could place her hands on his face to properly meld with his mind.

"Relax, Shepard. Embrace Eternity!" she said.

Liara's eyes went black and the visions once again flashed before Austin's eyes. But this time, they were not blurred or unclear. They all made sense now. From what he could see, Austin saw the images of the Reapers descending from the skies and slaughtering the Protheans. Then the vision changed to show the far reaches of space, and a planet which he didn't recognize. The final bit of the vision showed what was clearly Sovereign. Finally everything came back to reality.

"I… I never thought the images would be so… intense. I need a moment to collect myself." Said Liara in a bit of shock.

"Did the vision make any sense to you?" Austin asked.

"There were other images. Locations. Places I recognized from my research… Ilos! The Conduit is one Ilos! That is why Saren needed to find the Mu Relay! It is the only way to get to Ilos." Liara replied.

"Then it sounds like that's our next destination." Said Austin.

"Forget it. The Mu Relay's inside the Terminus Systems. Alliance ships are not welcome there. Neither are Spectres." Said Tali.

"Helldivers are though. We operate in both Alliance space and the Terminus Systems. Plus if the coordinates for the Mu Relay are correct, we'll have to pass through Helldiver territory anyway. I can safely get us through." Said Austin.

"Saren will have his entire fleet orbiting Ilos. We will never make it down to the surface without reinforcements. You must alert the Council. We need a fleet to—ohhh… I am sorry. The joining is… exhausting. I should go to the medical bay and lie down for a moment." Said Liara.

"You go and do that. The rest of you, dismissed." Said Austin.

"Commander, there's a comm buoy nearby. I can link us in if you want to report back to the Citadel Council. You know, to warn them about Sovereign." Said Joker over the radio. His voice had more sorrow in it.

"Set the link up, Joker. We all know they're not going to listen. But they need to know." Said Austin.

"Patching it through." Said Joker.

The three orange holograms of the Council once again appeared in front of Austin.

"Commander Shepard. I'm pleased to see your mission on Virmire was a success." Said the Asari councillor.

"Saren is formidable enough without an army of Krogan serving under him." Said the Turian councillor.

"The Krogan would have served Sovereign. A Reaper." Said Austin.

The Council was silent for a while.

"Yes, we saw mention of this on your report. Sovereign. A sentient machine. A true artificial intelligence. This news is quite alarming… if it turns out to be accurate." Said the Salarian councillor.

"Of course it's accurate! You think I'd lie about something like this! Sovereign's a Reaper. Saren admitted it." Said Austin, slightly crossly.

"He's playing you, Shepard! Saren still has contacts on the Citadel. He probably saw your earlier reports. The ones talking about your vision. And the Reapers." Said the Turian councillor.

"It's highly possible Saren is using false information to throw you off balance. Our own intelligence has never turned up any corroborating information." Said the Salarian Councillor.

"Of course it hasn't! I tried to warn you about Saren. You didn't believe me then, and look how that turned out." Said Austin.

"I believe you humans have a saying; even a broken clock is right twice a day." Said the Turian councillor.

After that, Austin lost it.

"That's it! Here's another saying: got to hell! Joker, lose this channel! I'm done talking with these assholes!" Austin yelled.

Joker did as he was told and the holograms vanished.

"That never gets old does it." Said Joker.

Austin took a moment to calm down and get rid of his anger at the Council. He even took his anger on a nearby chair. Fortunately he was able to quickly calm down.

Austin sat on the edge of the bed in his quarters. He was still trying to get over the fact that he had been forced to make a critical, life changing decision that had caused the death of one of his squad mates. Back when he had worked with Alpha Squad, he had never been forced to make a decision like that. There'd always been an alternative and better decision.

He then heard the door open and looked up to see Liara. She sat next to him on the bed.

"It's not your fault, Austin. Kaiden knew that only one of them would survive this." She said.

"I know. But it still doesn't make me feel any better." Said Austin. "I made that choice, and that choice got him killed."

"Kaiden never regretted anything. He never blamed you for choosing Ashley and he considered it an honor to fight with you until the end. Besides, I believe you did say that there's never a right or wrong choice when it comes to a decision like that." Said Liara.

Austin's mood brightened a bit. Liara always managed to cheer him up.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say that some of me is starting to rub off on you." Said Austin.

Liara leant against Austin's shoulder and he put his arm around her.

"I've been thinking about Saren. I actually feel a little sorry for him now." She said.

"So do I. I never thought I would, but after learning the truth about the Reapers and hearing what he said on Virmire, I now do. He's become a slave to the Reapers and he can't even realise it." Said Austin.

"He is trapped inside his own mind. Part of him senses his identity slowly being swallowed up by Sovereign, but he is powerless to stop it. I wonder how he first fell into Sovereign's trap? Did he think he could somehow stop the Reapers from returning? Or was he simply driven by a lust for power and glory?" Liara asked.

"Whatever Saren's reasons may have been, they're long gone now. He has to be stopped." Said Austin.

"Yes, I suppose you are right. He may be Sovereign's victim, but he is also a threat to all life as we know it. Let's not spend every free minute talking about Saren. It is bad enough we are chasing him across the galaxy." Said Liara.

"You know that I like talking with you, Liara. No matter what the subject." said Austin.

"You have been very understanding with me, Austin. Very patient. I appreciate that. I know there are some strange beliefs about my people. I am familiar with the legend of Asari promiscuity. But those rumours have little basis on fact."

Austin was slightly confused by this last statement. "Not sure I understand what you mean." He said.

"When one of my people joins with an individual from another species, it is a very deep and spiritual exchange. We do not enter lightly into a Union." Said Liara.

Now Austin understood what Liara was talking about.

"You make it sound almost mystical." He said.

"A true union goes far beyond an ordinary melding. It is a connection that transcends the physical universe. Two become one. Thoughts and senses merge. Identities intertwine. Memories and emotions weave themselves together, becoming entangled in a single rapturous whole. It is unlike any other experience. In some cases, it can be a truly life-charging event."

"It sounds amazing." Said Austin.

"As I said before when you first made love to me, the union is more than just sex. It is the life-blood of my species, the way we Asari evolve and grow as a society. That is why we must choose our partners with great care." Said Liara.

"And do you think you've made the right choice?" Austin asked warmly.

"Definitely. Though I never really thought about it before. Not until I met you. I love you so much, Austin. But with all that's happened—Saren, the Geth, and the Reapers— I do not know if we are ready for this." Said Liara.

"I understand, love. These are dark times. Maybe once all this is over…" said Austin.

"I'm glad you understand, my love. There is too much at stake. For now, we need to focus on stopping Saren. I wish it did not have to be that way though. Personally, there is nothing that ever I would ever want more than to truly become one with you." Said Liara.

"Me too, Liara. You gave me purpose again. With you at my side I now have a purpose to keep fighting again. You know, Sha'ira actually foretold me about this. I'm glad to see that she was right." Said Austin.

"Me too. But we all have to make sacrifices." Said Liara.

"Would a kiss be okay though?" Austin asked.

"Absolutely!" Said Liara as she and Austin warmly embraced and pulled each other into a long passionate kiss.

Before they headed back to the Citadel, Austin thought it best to just have a little chat with his crew. Especially Ashley. She needed it. Kaiden's death had hit her hard.

"Commander." She greeted.

"About Lieutenant Alenko, how are you holding up?" Austin asked.

"Can't say I'm better. Sorry for anything I said back there. I just—I don't want any deaths on my hands. And it's my fault." Said Ashley.

"Ash, listen to me. I'm in command of this mission. I had to make the call. Not you. It's not your fault that Kaiden's dead." Said Austin as he put a hand reassuringly on her arm.

"It's funny. I don't have any fear for the Alliance. But when I think of someone dying for me—If you don't mind my asking, how did you deal with the losses of your training unit on Akuse?" Ashley asked.

"Er… Look, Ash. It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that Akuse always brings back the pain. In truth, I never fully healed from that. So I'm afraid I do mind you asking." Austin replied politely.

"I understand, Austin. I'm sorry." Said Ashley.

"It's alright. We'll talk later, Ash. I hope you feel better soon." Said Austin.

"Shepard, I wanted to thank you." Said Garrus.

"What for, Garrus?" Austin asked.

"For everything. Taking me with you, letting me be part of your team, I've learned a lot. I've thought a lot about what you've told me, about not sacrificing innocents to achieve the goal. About finding the best way through, not just the fastest." Said Garrus.

"I'm glad you think so, Garrus. But words don't mean anything unless you turn them into action. What are you going to do after this?" Austin asked. He had the feeling that Garrus had something to tell him.

"Well I've thought long and hard about this decision and I've decided that instead of going back to C-sec, I'm going to see if I can apply to join the Helldivers." Garrus replied.

Austin was completely stumped by this. He had definitely not expected Garrus to say that.

"Really? Wow! That's unexpected. You sure about that, Garrus?" he asked.

"I'm sure. Don't get me wrong though, I understand why C-sec has all its rules and why it has things done a certain way. But I think that maybe I can put my skills to even better use as a Helldiver. You do the same sort of things, only you have far less restrictions than C-sec and no red tape. Also, instead of just dealing with thugs and criminals, Helldivers actually free human slaves. That's something I think I'd much rather be doing." Said Garrus. He definitely sounded as if he'd made his mind up.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, Garrus. We could use someone of your talents. They'll welcome you with open arms." Said Austin as he shook hands with Garrus.

"Thanks, Shepard. Maybe one day, If I'm lucky, I'll even end up serving under you again." Said Garrus.

"It was an honor working with you, Commander Shepard. Despite the losses, our mission was a success. My superiors will dually honor Lieutenant Alenko for his actions. His sacrifice has earned humanity a great deal of respect from my people." Said Captain Kirrahe.

Kaiden was a hell of a soldier. He knew what the risks where, but he did what he had too." Said Austin.

"Of course. The grim reality that every soldier must accept. Rest assured, Commander, my men and I will not forget what you have accomplished here." Said Kirrahe.

"Commander. Things got heated back on Virmire. You did what you had to do, I respect your choice." Said Wrex.

"I appreciate what you did, Wrex. I won't forget it. I understand a lot that it wasn't easy for you to make the choice you made. But trust me, you did the right thing. I'm sure one day you'll see that." Said Austin.

"I hope so. But for now, just make sure it was worth it. Saren has to pay for what he's done, and not just to my people." Said Wrex.

"I promise you, no matter what, I'll make sure that he does." Said Austin.

"It feels like we're getting near the end, doesn't it, Austin? With Saren, I mean." Tali asked. Ever since he'd given her the Geth data, the Quarian had started to call Austin by his first name.

"It won't be much longer. One way or another, it'll all be over soon." Said Austin.

"You'll find the Conduit before he does. I know you will, you have to. And after this is all over, when my pilgrimage ends and I go back to my own people, I'll be proud to say I was a part of it." Said Tali.

"We couldn't have done this without you, Tali." Said Austin.

"You've been good to me. A lot of people treat Quarians like second class citizens. They just want us to go back to our fleet and disappear. But you've treated me just like everyone else on your crew. Like an equal. That means a lot, and it says something about you. Whatever happens, I just want to say thank you for that." Said Tali.

"You know, I'm gonna miss you when you go back to your people, Tali." Said Austin.

"That won't happen for a while yet. I'll be right here any time you need me." Said Tali.

"I forwarded the mission update to the Citadel, Commander. We've got confirmation on those reinforcements. Ambassador Udina wants us to report back to the Citadel. The Council is massing a joint-species fleet to deal with Saren and his Geth." Came Joker's voice over the radio.

"About bloody time! Back to the Citadel, Joker. I want the Normandy at the head of that fleet!" said Austin.

"Good job, Shepard. Thanks to you, the Council's finally taking real action against Saren!" said Udina.

"The Ambassador is correct. If Saren is foolish enough to attack the Citadel—as you believe—we will be ready for him." Said the Asari Councillor.

"Patrols are stationed at every Mass Relay linking Citadel space to the Terminus Systems. The Helldivers have also been informed and have their fleets monitoring the relays in their territory." Said the Turian Councillor.

"How many ships are being sent to attack Ilos?" Austin asked.

"Ilos is only accessible through the Mu Relay, deep inside the Terminus Systems, Commander. Your fleets may be welcome there, but ours are not. If we send a fleet in there, the only possible outcome is full-scale war." Said the Salarian Councillor.

"I knew it! I knew they'd do this to me! Why did I ever think that for once they'd be willing to stop fearing the Terminus systems? It seems I'll have to take matters into my own hands. It's time to put my back up plan into motion. But first I need to make them think that I'm letting this go." Austin thought in his head.

"Now is the time for discretion, Commander. Saren's greatest weapon was secrecy. Exposed, he is no longer a threat. This is over!" Said Udina. Fortunately, this worked to Austin's advantage. If the Council saw him agreeing to Udina that would only convince them more.

"I suppose you're right, Ambassador. The whole galaxy knows about him now, so all we need to do is wait for him to stick his head out." Austin lied.

"What? But Shepard! You can't side with them over this!" said Ashley.

"No! Their right, Ash! Our work on this is done!" said Austin. It hurt him to say that to his best friend, but he had no choice.

"We are surprised, but pleased that you at least see it our way, Commander." Said the Asari councillor.

"I'm not an unreasonable man, Councillors. Now I hate to suddenly leave, but I have several urgent assignments that I have to take care off." Said Austin as he and his comrades left.

"No offense, Austin, but have you gone mad?" Ashley hissed so that the Council wouldn't hear her.

"Don't worry, Ash. This is all part of my plan. I knew the Council would do this, but I always have a backup plan." Said Austin as they entered the elevator that would take them down to the wards where they could head back to the Normandy. With the Council now having no chance of hearing them, Austin activated his wrist communicator.

"Joker, have the Normandy ready to leave A.S.A.P! The Council have forced my hand." He said. They were leaving the Citadel.

Getting back to the Normandy involved having to go through the Wards. Along the way they were stopped by a familiar face.

"Hey Shepard. I've got an idea, and I wanted to run it by you." Said Conrad Verner.

"Alright Conrad, but please make it quick. I'm on a tight schedule here for a very important mission." Said Austin. He would rather they were light years away from the Citadel before the Council found out what he was up to.

"With so many human colonies being attacked, I'm not sure that one Spectre is enough. What if you signed me on as another Spectre?" Conrad suggested.

"Why would you want to be a Spectre, Conrad?" Austin asked.

"Because I want to show the Council what humanity can do, just like you! I'd make a great Spectre! I want to be with you, fighting the good fight, like you did on Elysium during the Skyllian Blitz!" said Conrad excitedly.

"This has got to stop!" Austin thought. He took a moment to think of a good enough answer that would convince Conrad to let it go. He eventually came up with a satisfactory answer.

"I believe you, Conrad. But there's another fight that needs you." He said.

"What? I don't understand." Said Conrad, puzzled.

"You know what keeps me going out here? Knowing that people back are keeping humanity strong." Said Austin.

"You- You're right. I just got so caught up in all of it. I wanted to help. I'll go home. Thanks for setting me straight." Said Conrad as he left. Austin watched him go. The Helldiver hoped that would be the last time that he saw Conrad. It wasn't healthy for the man to keep obsessing over him like this.

When they finally made it back, the Normandy was already primed to leave.

"Joker, get us out here!" Austin ordered.

"What? Why? What's going on? What about those reinforcements? Information please!" Joker asked, confused.

"Just get the Normandy out of here! I'll explain on the way!" Austin ordered again urgently.

Joker didn't need to be told twice. Within seconds, the Normandy disengaged from the Citadel and sped away.

"Okay, we're clear now, Commander. You gonna tell us what's going on? Why aren't we heading to Ilos without those reinforcements we were promised?" Joker asked once they'd cleared the Relay.

"We tried to negotiate but unsurprisingly, the Council refused to help us because they fear we'll cause a war with the Terminus systems." Said Austin.

"You know, you're right. That's not surprising." Said Joker. "So what are we gonna do now? I assume you have a backup plan?"

"I do. Plot a course for these coordinates" Said Austin as he began typing at his omni tool and uploaded the coordinates to Joker.

"The Entrain Abyss? Are you sure about that, Commander? That's inside the Terminus systems. I thought we were heading for the Mu Relay?" Joker asked. He was now puzzled.

"We are. But we can't go to Ilos without reinforcements, but the Council won't help us. Fortunately, I know where we can find help outside of the Council." Said Austin.

Joker checked the coordinates. Now he understood Austin's plan. The Entrain Abyss had recently been taken from pirates and slavers by the Helldivers six months ago. A large portion of their fleet was there right now.

"You're certain they'll listen to us, Commander? Their systems will identify the Normandy as an Alliance ship. Plus what makes you think they'll listen when the Council didn't?" Said Joker.

"They'll listen on me. Plus I'm told that General Zartrack is there right now. He'll help." Said Austin.

"Well, if you're certain, who am I to argue." Said Joker.

"Let me know when the fleets within range. You'll need my help to get landing access." Said Austin as he walked out of the cockpit. Just before he reached the stairs however, Joker voice sounded over the Radio.

"Hey, Commander. The Council's demanding to speak with you. Want me to cut them off?" Joker asked.

"Actually, no. I've got something I want to say to them first. Something I've wanted to say for a long time." Said Austin smugly as he headed into the comm room.

"You're the boss." Said Joker.

The holograms of the Council once again appeared before him. They did not look happy.

"Commander! We demand to know why you have suddenly left the Citadel and why the Normandy is on a course for Terminus territory!" the Asari Councillor yelled.

Austin smiled smugly under his helmet. This was a moment he would treasure forever.

"By refusing to help us, you've left me no choice Councillor. Plus, I believe you did say that I must take whatever steps are necessary to stop it if I believed Sovereign was a threat." He said.

"That does not give you the right to just charge into the Terminus Systems! You are in an Alliance Vessel Commander. You'll start and inter stellar war!" the Turian Councillor yelled.

"If Saren finds the Conduit, we're all screwed! I won't let you endanger the fate of the entre galaxy over some political bullshit! I'm heading into the Terminus systems to pick up reinforcements for assaulting Ilos. If you don't like it, screw you! I plan to finish what you made me start! I'll stop Saren with or without your help!" Austin shouted.

"I knew even from the beginning you were not fit to be a Spectre! You are hereby stripped of your Spectre status and ordered to return to the Citadel for arrest!" the Turian Councillor yelled angrily.

"Well, since you've just revoked my Spectre status, I don't think that I take orders from you anymore! So goodbye Councillors! Joker, loose this channel!" Austin ordered.

Joker immediately did so and the Council vanished. "That was priceless, Commander! I wish I could've seen their faces!" He said.

Austin also gave deep sigh of relief. It felt good to no longer be a Spectre any more and be a normal Helldiver again.

"Let me know as soon the fleets within range. It's time to take the fight to Saren!" he said.

After about three or four hours, the large Helldiver fleet was in sight. Joker was amazed, and at the same time nervous, of how many ships there where. There where at least six Helldiver carrier cruisers, each of them at least two kilometres long. What made Joker most nervous though, was the massive flagship, the Legacy.

The dreadnought Legacy was the largest ship in the entire galaxy, and the flagship of every Helldiver fleet in existence. At four kilometres long it was easily compared to a large space station with lasers and Thrusters. Joker couldn't deny how intimidated he was by the sight of it. Not even Sovereign was that massive. Austin strode onto the bridge and stood next to Joker. The sight of the fleet made him smile. It was nice to be able to gaze upon a familiar sight after all he had been through.

Two Helldiver atmospheric fighters appeared on either of the Normandy, and then the Legacy itself contacted them.

"Unidentified Alliance Vessel! You are in restricted Helldiver territory! We have you on our screen now and our whole fleet is aware of your presence. Please identify and state your business here!" said the voice.

"This is the SSV Normandy requesting permission to dock. We got a Helldiver aboard. Our business is if with General Zartrack." Said Joker.

There was a brief pause.

"SSV Normandy, we will ask your Helldiver to confirm his identity. If you do not comply, we will use deadly force!" the voice responded.

"They're just as fun as the ones on Noveria." Said Joker sarcastically.

"You can hardly blame them, Joker. We're in the middle of a war after all." Said Austin as he accessed the comm channel. "This is Commander Austin Shepard of Alpha Squad requesting permission to board the Legacy. Authorization code: zero one twelve nine, nine three slash APW slash eighteen."

There was another brief pause.

"Identity confirmed. Code clearance confirmed. SSV Normandy you are clear for docking. Dock in hanger seven. Our fighters will provide escort. Welcome back Commander Shepard." said the voice again.

The Normandy docked in the designated hanger bay and Austin and his team disembarked via the cargo bay doors, including Joker.

"Ah. It's good to be home." Said Austin as he drank in the sight of the Legacy's huge hanger area.

The entire hanger bays where actually joined together and they had no walls. So altogether, it was all just one massive hanger area. The landing bays where separated into sections so that they matched up to the separated hanger bay force fields which kept the oxygen in but allowed ship transition.

"Everyone, welcome to my world." Austin said happily to everyone else.

Even Wrex was lost for words at the sheer size of the massive hanger area. This after all was only one quarter of the ship and it was enormous. As usual, it was abuzz with fighters docking, drop ships being repaired, pilots, engineers and Helldiver soldiers rushing to their stations, and even a few Helldiver squads waiting patiently for their transports to be ready for departure.

As Austin and the crew descended the cargo ramp, they found General Zartrack waiting for them.

"Shepard! Welcome back!" he greeted as he shook hands with his former student.

"It's good to be back, General. I take it you received my message?" Austin asked.

"Indeed. We've also been receiving the mission reports you've been sending us." Said Zartrack.

"Reports? I thought only the Council read those." Said Ashley, confused.

Then Liara figured it out. "Isn't it obvious? Shepard's been filing the mission reports to Helldivers and the Arkanes as well as the Council." She explained.

"Clever girl!" came a British female voice "No wonder Austin's in love with you."

Everyone turned to the source of the noise. Austin however simply smiled and shook his head as he sighed happily. He'd know that voice anywhere, even if he was blindfolded.

Out of the shadow that the Normandy was casting stepped a young woman. She had red hair tied in a bun and was wearing an N7 Defender armour. She also had an N7 Death Mask held under her left arm.

"Always in the right place at the right time, aren't we, Sarah?" Austin asked. He turned around and sure enough, found himself looking into the face of his sister, Sarah Jane Shepard.

"Good to see you too, Austin. It's been too long!" she said.

Both siblings pulled each other into a tight hug.

"Who's this?" Wrex asked.

"Austin hasn't mentioned me? That is surprising." Said Sarah as she turned to the Normandy's crew. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the other Shepard." She said as she gave a slight bow.

Austin chuckled. Ever since he'd become so well known in the Alliance, Sarah always seemed to introduce herself as "The Other Shepard."

"You haven't changed a bit Jane." Said Ashley as she greeted her childhood friend's sister.

"Ashley Madeline Williams. Always a pleasure." Said Sarah as she warmly shook hands with Ashley.

"Still don't get it." Said Wrex, still confused as to who this Alliance soldier was.

"Everyone, this is my sister, Lieutenant Sarah Jane Shepard. Sarah, this is my crew. Urdnot Wrex, Garrus Vakarian, Tali Zorah Nar Rayya and Jeff Moreau. But we all call him Joker." Said Austin as he introduced everyone. He then turned to Liara. "And this, my dear sister, is the lovely Liara T'soni."

"It's an honor to meet you, Lieutenant. I've heard a lot about you." Said Liara as she also greeted Sarah.

"And I've heard a lot about you, Liara. My brother's told me everything about you." Said Sarah. Liara blushed at this.

"I see you've upgraded your armour, Sarah." Said Austin as he indicated to Sarah's new N7 Defender armour.

"A gift from Admiral Hackett. He gave it to me as a present for you being the first human Spectre. It was also partly a reward for my recent mission with a Helldiver squad. I believe you're familiar with them." Said Sarah as she indicated to where she'd been standing earlier. Austin's eyes went wide with shock. Right in front of him, looking overjoyed to see their old Commander, was Austin's old team, Alpha Squad.

"Guys!" he screamed with joy as he ran up to them and embraced every single one of them.

"You look good, Shepard. Nice to see that working as a Spectre for the Council hasn't thinned you out." Said Leena as she patted her Commander on the back.

"Keehlah! As I live and breathe! Leena Vas Penthra!" said Tali as she walked up to the Helldiver Quarian and they warmly greeted one another. "I'm Tali Zorah Nar Rayya. It's an honor to meet you."

The rest of the crew also introduced one another to their own species of Alpha Squad. The Helldiver squad where particularly interested in Liara since they had heard about her relationship with Austin.

Austin meanwhile was discussing the plan with Zartrack.

"So the Arkanes are aware of the situation?" he asked.

"Yes. Unlike those Citadel fools thy actually believe you. They're full aware of the situation Ilos and we've already begun mobilizing the fleet for the Mu Relay. We converge on Ilos tomorrow." Said Zartrack.

That was good news for Austin and he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that it would take some persuading. Now though, he wasn't worried at all. Tomorrow, Ilos would be where the battle was won, or lost.

For anyone that might still have difficulty picturing Sarah, she basically has the Default Femshep appearance from ME3. Plus her armor is really desgined to look like the female soldier from multiplayer, but with N7 colours.

Please do let me know what you think of the story changes. I always love reviews.