Chapter 18 - Chapter 18, Divided We Fall

Here's the Virmire chapter. At this rate, the whole story should be finished by the end of May. I can then spell check the whole story and start writing Episode 2 which will be called The Collector War.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and the nice little romantic bit I've included.

Chapter 18

Divided We Fall

With the possibility of Saren being on Virmire being very high, Austin felt it best to Wrex and Liara for the mission. He'd need Liara's biotics defiantly and it wouldn't hurt to have the extra firepower from Wrex.

"Commander, I'm reading a signal. Must be our Salarian infiltration team." Came Joker's voice over the radio.

"Check out those defence towers." Said Kaiden as he examined some of the orbital scans.

"Drop the Mako. We'll go in hot and take them out." Said Austin as he, Liara and Wrex climbed into the rover.

"I'll get you in underneath their radar, Commander." Said Joker as the cargo bay doors opened. The bright light from Virmire's sun flooded in, revealing the beautiful landscapes and beaches of the planet.

Austin accelerated and the Mako sped forward out of the Normandy. After a small drop the Mako dropped down.

"We've got a clean drop, Commander." Came Joker's voice over the comm.

"Stay out of range and continue evasive maneuvers until we bring those AA towers down." Said Austin into his wrist communicator.

"I know the drill. Meet you at the camp once those towers are off-line. Joker out." Came Jokers voice as the comm ended.

The majority of the drive was actually very peaceful, which was quite surprising. Occasionally though they did have to stop in order to open several gates. After fighting their way through the Geth forces and finally making it too the Salarian camp where the Normandy had landed.

Austin disembarked from the Mako and headed over to who he assumed was the Salarian leader who was talking with Ashley.

"So what are we supposed to do now?" Ashley asked.

"Stay put until we can come up with a plan." Said the Salarian.

"Are you in charge here? What's the situation?" Austin asked.

"A Helldiver? I've heard many stories. It's an honor to finally meet one in person. I am Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment STG. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hotzone. Every AA gun within ten miles had been alerted to your presence." Said the Salarian.

"What are we supposed to do in the meantime? We can't just stay here." Said Austin.

"We stay put until the Council sends the reinforcements we requested." Said Kirrahe.

"We are the reinforcements." Said Kaiden.

"What? You're all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet." Said Kirrahe in disbelief.

"They couldn't understand the transmission you sent. We were sent to investigate." Said Austin.

"That is a repetition of our task. I lost half my men investigating this place." Said Kirrahe.

"So what have you found?" Kaiden asked.

"Saren's base of operations. He's set up a research facility here, but it's crawling with Geth and very well fortified. To make matters worse, the Geth are even more organized than before after that leader of theirs arrived. A massive, mutated Geth Prime with spikes on its body and a plasma blaster. And the whole base is very well fortified." Said Kirrahe.

"What? The Terror Geth's still alive? I thought I killed that thing back on Feros!" Austin cursed angrily. Once again the Terror Geth had survived. How many times would it take before he put down that synthetic for good?

"Well it seems it survived. Anyway, we've intercepted many messages referring to Saren. This is his facility, there's no doubt about that." Said Kirrahe.

"So what's Saren researching?" Austin asked.

"He's using the facility to breed an army of Krogan." Kirrahe replied.

"How is that possible?" Wrex asked as overheard Kirrahe mention his people.

"Apparently, Saren has discovered a cure for the Genophage." Kirrahe answered.

"Great. The Geth are bad enough. But with a Krogan army… he'd be unstoppable." Said Austin.

"Exactly my thoughts. We must ensure this facility and its secrets are destroyed." Said Kirrahe.

"Destroyed? I don't think so. Our people are dying. This cure can save them." Wrex objected.

"If that cure leaves this planet, the Krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again." Kirrahe disagreed.

Wrex immediately walked right up to Kirrahe at that.

"We are not a mistake!" he yelled. Wrex then stomped off angrily.

"Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry Krogan to deal with." Kirrahe asked.

"He'll be fine. Don't worry, I'll talk with him." Said Austin.

Austin walked up to Wrex who was taking out his anger on several fish in the water by shooting them with his shotgun.

"This isn't right, Shepard. If there's a cure for the Genophage, we can't destroy it." Said Wrex.

"Wrex, listen to me. I know you're upset about this. But Saren's the enemy here. You should be mad at him, not me." Said Austin calmly. He wasn't scared of Wrex. If the Krogan went hostile on him, he could easily defeat him. But he would rather not. He'd grown to respect the Battlemaster and he'd hate to lose such a valuable asset.

"Really? Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it. Help me out here, Shepard. The lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand." Said Wrex. It was clear that Wrex was conflicted. He could still be reasoned with.

"This isn't a cure, it's a weapon. And if Saren uses it, you won't be around to reap the benefits. None of us will." Said Austin.

"That's a chance we should be willing to take. This is the fate of my entire people we are talking about!" said Wrex. He then seemed to appeal to his better side. "I've been loyal to you so far. Hell, you did more for me than my family ever did. But, if I'm going to keep following you, I need to know we're doing it for the right reasons."

Wrex suddenly drew his gun on Austin. Austin also drew his SMG. Now they were in a standoff. Austin racked his brain for how to best appeal to Wrex. Finally he came up with a good enough answer.

"Wrex, these Krogan are not your people! Their clones! Slaves! Tools of Saren! Is that what you want for your people?" he said.

There was a long, tense pause as Wrex pondered this.

"No. We were tools for the Citadel Council once. To thank us for wiping out the Rachni they sterilized us all. I doubt that Saren will be as generous." He said. But he still kept his gun on the Helldiver.

"Exactly. Plus, who's to say he'd keep his promise to give the cure to you? As long as he has this he can manipulate the Krogan to do anything. He'll withhold that cure from you for as long as he wants. He may never give it to you!" Austin persuaded.

Wrex once again pondered this and finally lowered his gun. "Alright, Shepard. You've made your point. I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow your lead. Just one thing… When we find Saren, I want his head!" he said.

"I'll make sure you get it, Wrex." Said Austin. He extended his hand and Wrex shook it.

With Wrex sorted out, Austin headed over to Kirrahe.

"I am impressed at your ability to reason with the Krogan. The assault on Saren's base will be difficult enough as it is." Said the Salarian.

"You have a plan then, I take it?" Austin asked.

"Of sorts. We can convert our ship's drive system into twenty-kiloton ordnance. Crude, but effective." Said Kirrahe.

"Nice. Drop that nuke from orbit and Saren can kiss his ass goodbye." Said Ashley.

"Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. We'll need to place the bomb at a precise location. The bomb must be taken to the far side of the facility. Your ship can drop it off, but we'll need to infiltrate the base, disable the AA guns, and pacify any ground forces first." Said Kirrahe.

"You want us to go in on foot? We don't have enough men." Said Kaiden.

"You've got me." Austin reminded.

"Yeah. The Commander can pack the strength and firepower of at least 4 more men." Ashley concurred.

"Nevertheless though, Kaiden is right. It does sound a bit risky. Is there no other way?" Austin asked.

"No. I'm afraid not. But I think we can work around that." Kirrahe answered. "I'm going to divide my men into three teams and hit the front of the facility. While we've got their attention, you can sneak your "Shadow" team in the back."

"A good plan. But your people are going to get slaughtered." Said Austin.

"We're tougher than we look, Commander. But it's true. I don't expect many of us will make it out alive." Said Kirrahe. "And that makes what I'm going to ask even more difficult. I need one of your men to accompany me. To help coordinate the teams."

"Then we need someone who knows Alliance communication protocols." Said Austin.

"I volunteer, Commander." Said Kaiden.

"Not so fast, LT. Commander Shepard will need you to arm the nuke. I'll go with the Salarians." Ashley objected.

"With all due respect, Gunnery Chief, it's not your place to decide." Said Kaiden sternly.

"Why is it that whenever someone says "with all due respect" they really mean "kiss my ass?" said Ashley angrily.

"That's enough you two!" Austin shouted. He then turned back to Kirrahe. "Captain, who would be better suited for this mission?"

"Either of these two will do, Commander. Both seem willing to sacrifice their lives if necessary, though if we are lucky, such sacrifices won't be required." Kirrahe answered.

Austin took a moment to think. After a few minutes he finally made his decision.

"Ash, you're with Kirrahe. No heroics, understood?"

"Aye, aye, Commander!" said Ashley.

"I will have the ordnance loaded onto the Normandy and brief your crew on its destination sequencing." Said Kirrahe.

"When do we begin then?" Austin asked.

"We will assault the base tomorrow at dawn. In the meantime have your crew get some rest. They're going to need it." Said Kirrahe.

The captain walked off and Austin turned to Ashley.

"Well, this is it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, LT." she said. She sounded nervous.

"We'll be fine. You'll see." Said Kaiden.

"Yeah, I just… good luck." Said Ashley. Once again she made it sound as though this would be the last time they'd see each other.

"It's a dangerous situation. Keep your eyes open and be ready for anything. In my time with Alpha squad we've faced far worse missions. Whatever happens, everyone just keep shooting. We go in hard, hit 'em harder, and we'll be the only damn thing that comes out on the other side!" Said Austin.

"You bet, old friend!" said Ashley.

"Take care of yourself, Ash. The beers are on me when this is over." Said Austin.

Austin sat by himself on the beach, watching the sun set in the distance. Everyone else had turned in by now for some early sleep to prepare for the crack of dawn tomorrow. Not him though. He would eventually get some rest himself, but he at least like to keep his spirits calm by watching the sunset. It always made him feel very peaceful. He had eve removed his helmet to enjoy the feel of the suns light and Virmire's air on his face. Plus the setting of the beach was a very pretty and calming sight. As he continued to admire the beautiful sight he felt a presence behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Liara walking up to him.

"I was wondering where you were." She said as she sat down in the sand next to him. "Can't sleep?"

"I will. I'm just enjoying the sun set." Said Austin. It made him even happier to know that she was here with him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Liara asked.

"I know one thing that's more beautiful." Said Austin as he looked at Liara.

Liara looked at him and smile, knowing full well what he was referring too. She smiled at him.

"Always so sweet." She said.

Both lovers intertwined their hands together and continued to watch the sun set over the camp.

"I only wish we could be here under better circumstances. Maybe once this is all over we might take shore leave here. Just you and me. I wonder why my old Squad and I never considered leave here." Said Austin.

Liara then nuzzled up to Austin and rested her head against his armoured shoulder. Austin smiled at her and put his arm around her.

"You ready for tomorrow?" he asked.

"You're strength gives me strength, my love." Said Liara.

Austin looked down and gave her a peck on her fringe.

"What do you think we'll do when this ends?" he asked.

"See where our relationship goes. I love you. You do know that right?" Liara asked.

"Of course I do. And I love you too." Said Austin as he cuddled his girlfriend.

"You wanna get married?" Liara asked.

Austin was very shocked by this. "Right now?" he asked.

"No. I mean, do you think we'll get married?" Liara corrected.

"I don't think that we may get married. I prefer to think that we will get married." Austin smiled as he rested his head against Liara's.

"I like to think that too." Said Liara.

The Asari then lifted her head off of Austin's shoulder and looked into his eyes. Then sun had disappeared now. Only the faint glow still remained in the sky.

"You should come to bed. You'll need the rest." She said.

"No sex tonight though, Liara. We need to be focused." Said Austin.

"I know. I understand completely." Said Liara. "One last kiss at least?"

"That, I can do."

Both lovers sealed their lips together and refused to stop for kiss for a long time.

Morning dawned on Virmire. Austin, his crew, and the Salarian's where all up very early so that they could prepare everything and be ready to attack at first light.

"This is it, Commander Shepard. Are your crew prepared?" Kirrahe asked.

"They are. We're ready when you are, Captain." Said Austin.

"Excellent. Then if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare my men." Said the Salarian.

The rest of the Salarians gathered in front of Kirrahe. He began to address them all with a motivational speech. I reminded Austin a bit of himself. He'd done a lot of speeches for Alpha Squad. It brought back a lot of memories.

"You all know the mission and what is at stake. I have come to trust each of you with my life, but I have also heard murmurs of discontent. I share your concerns. We are trained for espionage. We would be legends, but the records are sealed. Glory in battle is not our way. Think of our heroes: the Silent Step, who defeated a nation with a single shot. Or the Ever Alert, who kept armies at bay with hidden facts. These giants do not seem to give us solace here, but they are not all that we are. Before the network, there was the fleet. Before diplomacy, there were soldiers. Our influence stopped the Rachni, but before that, we held the line. Our influence stopped the Krogan, but before that, we held the line! Our influence will stop Saren! In the battle today, we will hold the line!" Kirrahe said to his soldiers. He then turned back to Austin. "Good luck, Commander. I hope we will meet again."

"See you on the other side, Captain." Said Austin.

Austin, Liar and Wrex began their push towards Saren's base from the back. Almost instantly they found themselves fighting several Geth guards. Along the way, they managed to destroy a Geth comm tower and several Geth flyers.

"I don't know which is worse. The Geth, or all this sand in my… never mind." Said Liara.

Austin chuckled slightly when she said that.

"I'll help you clean it all out later." He flirted.

Liara giggled and blushed slightly behind her helmet.

"Get a room, you two!" said Wrex.

Eventually, after fighting their way through hordes of Geth, they made it into Saren's lab.

"There is something foul in the air here." Said Liara.

Even Austin had to admit that the whole atmosphere of this place felt wrong. Eventually they reached the controls for the base security.

"We've got access to base security. Should be able to cut off the alarms from here. Might even be able to trigger alarms on the far side of the base. It'll clear the guards out for us, but they might be too much for Williams and the Salarians to handle." Said Wrex.

"Just disable the alarms. We can handle any guards inside. The Salarians have got enough trouble as it is." Said Austin.

Further into the base and the whole atmosphere was getting even more eerie. Something was definitely going on here. As they exited an elevator, they found themselves inside a laboratory. In it was a Krogan scientist, an Asari scientist, and several Husks that where being experimented on.

"What is going on here? Where are the guards? Where is Saren?" said the doctor as he noticed the intruders.

"No! Stay back! This is important work! This is the glorious salvation of my species! You will not destroy the work we have started!" The Krogan shouted as Austin, Liara and Wrex fired on the attacking Husks and the Asari assistant. Wrex forced the Krogan scientist on his knees.

"You're a traitor to our people!" the scientist choked.

"No! You're the traitor for allying with Saren!" said Wrex angrily as he unloaded a shotgun round into the scientist's head. Austin and Liara meanwhile finished off the last of the Husks.

Eventually they found several prison cells. One of them had a Salarian prisoner in it.

"You're not a Geth, and you're not wearing a lab coat. I guess I'm glad to see you. Lieutenant Ganto Imness of the third infiltration regiment, captured during recon. I assume the fleet was called in to destroy the base?" the Salarian asked.

"I'm sorry. The transmission wasn't clear. The fleet isn't coming." Said Austin.

"I see. Then you must be the infiltration team. I know the Captain. He will want this facility destroyed. My team was altered, indoctrinated. He knew about the breeding grounds. But the indoctrination is a greater threat, and far more horrifying." Said Imness. "I watched good people reduced to mindless husks. There wasn't anything left. Others died during the experiments. I envy them."

Austin noticed that there were more Salarians in another cell. They seemed to be completely unaware of the Helldiver and his comrades.

"Do you know anything about the experiments they were conducting? Austin asked.

"They were studying indoctrination. Symptoms, progress. Saren uses it to control his people, but I don't think he fully understands it. I don't know much else. I just saw what it did to the others. Turned them into empty husks. I can't end up like that. Please – let me out!" Said Imness.

Austin took a very quick moment to consider. The Salarian seemed to be fine though. Even if he was a threat, he wouldn't stand much chance against them anyway.

"I'm opening your cell, but then you're on your own." He said.

The Helldiver walked up to the controls to the cell and opened them.

"Don't look bad and hope to outrun the blast, hmm? A better chance than I had before you showed up. Thank you, Helldiver. And good luck. You'll need it." Said Imness as he left.

The team then turned their attention to the Salarians in the next cell.

"They look docile. Their minds are gone." Said Liara.

"This is no way to treat a prisoner. Kill them sure, but leave them like this?" Wrex disapproved.

"Let them out. There not a threat to us. Give them a chance to escape the nuke." Said Austin.

The team opened the door. The Salarians didn't do anything. It seemed as though they had no brain function. The team went back to their mission and continued through the base. Eventually they found themselves in a science office. There was an Asari scientist hiding behind the desk.

"Don't shoot! Please, I just want to get out of here before it's too late." The Asari begged.

Austin lowered his gun when he noticed that the Asari was unarmed.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Who are you?" he inquired.

"Rana Thanoptis, neurospecialist. But this job isn't worth dying over. Or worse." The Asari said. She sounded very panicked. "You think the indoctrination only affects prisoners? Sooner or later, Saren will want to dissect my brain, too!"

"I thought this was a breeding facility." Said Austin, confused.

"Not this level. We're studying Sovereign's effect on organic minds. At least, that's what I assumed. Saren kept us in the dark as much as possible." Said Rana.

"That still doesn't mean I trust you." Said Austin.

"Please! I can help you. This elevator behind me goes to Saren's private lab. I can get you in." said Rana. The Asari walked up to the door and unlocked it. The panel went green to indicate so. "See? Full access. All of Saren's private files. Are we good? Can I go?"

"Everybody deserves a second chance. You've earned yours. Though, I should warn you that I'm blowing this place to hell and gone. If you want to make it out alive, you'd better start running." Said Austin.

Rana's eyes went wide with horror. "What? You can't… but I'll never…"

Faster than Austin had ever seen anyone move, Rana fled.

"That was fun." Said Wrex.

Saren's lab didn't seem to be much. All it appeared to be was a large room. But then Liara noticed something on the lower levels.

"It's another beacon!" she said. Austin knew immediately what she was thinking. He walked over to the beacon and fiddled around slightly with controls to the beacon. Once again he found himself hauled into the air and visions began to flash before his mind. This time though, the transition was painless. The Helldiver felt himself relax. He didn't pass out. Finally the beacon dropped him. He landed upright. It had shook him up a bit, but he was fine.

"Are you alright?" Liara asked as she helped him up.

"Yeah." Austin replied. "Let's get out of here."

As they neared the door however, a large red holographic projection of some kind of creature appeared before them.

"I get the feeling something bad is about to happen." Said Wrex.

"You are not Saren!" The hologram boomed.

"What is that? Some kind of VI interface?" Liara asked.

"Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding." Said the hologram.

There was something very familiar about the holograms appearance. But just couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"I do not think this is a VI…" said Liara nervously.

The holograms voice was probably even scarier than the Terror Geth's voice. The slightest sound of it gave Austin goosebumps on his skin. Plus his suit was detecting massive amounts of dangerous airwaves. This thing was more than just a hologram.

"There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign!" the hologram boomed.

Everyone recoiled back slightly. Saren's flagship. The dreadnought that had attacked Eden Prime, was alive? Then it all clicked into place for Austin. All this time they had thought that Sovereign was one of the ships that the Reapers used. But they had been so wrong from the start. The ships weren't by the Reapers. They were the Reapers!

"Sovereign isn't just some Reaper ship Saren found. It's an actual Reaper!" he said.

Sovereign seemed to find the name odd. "Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they chose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are." It said.

"The Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago. You couldn't have been there. It's impossible!" Liara objected.

Austin had expected the Prothean expert to say that. Sovereign didn't show any fear or emotion. Nor did it show any sign of doubt to this accusation.

"Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your live are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything." It said.

"If you think I fear you, your very wrong. Whatever your plan it, it's going to fail. The whole galaxy is united and ready to face to you!" said Austin.

Sovereign however remained completely unaffected. "Confidence born of ignorance, Helldiver. The cycle cannot be broken. Yours is not the first, and it will not be the last!"

"Cycle? What cycle?" Wrex asked.

"The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, and at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. The Protheans were not the first. They did not create the Citadel. They did not forge the Mass Relays. They merely found them, the legacy of my kind." Said Sovereign.

"But… Why construct the Mass Relays, then leave them for someone else to find?" Austin asked, in slight disbelief.

"Your civilization is based on the technology of the mass relays, our technology. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it." Said Sovereign.

"They are harvesting us! Letting us advance to the level they need, then wiping us out!" said Liara in shock.

Austin now took back everything he had said about doubting that the Reapers existed. All of them where gone now. The Reapers where far more than a simple legend. They were real. And from what Sovereign was saying, they still existed. Austin however mastered his courage.

"You're not even alive. Not really. You're just a machine. And machines can be broken!" he said.

"You are quite confident for someone who uses a machine." Said Sovereign.

Austin hesitated. He hated to admit it, but the Reaper was right. Every single Helldiver used a machine. Their suits.

"Still. A technology that is not derived from ours is impressive. But your words as still as empty as your future will be. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over!" said Sovereign.

Almost instantly, the whole place shook and the windows shattered. Sovereign's hologram disappeared.

"Commander? We got trouble!" came Joker's voice over the comm.

"Hit me, Joker." Said Austin. This day just kept getting better and better.

"That ship, Sovereign? It's moving. I don't know what you did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would shear any other ship in half. It's coming your way and it's coming hard! You need to wrap things up in there – fast!" Said Joker.

"This console is no longer functional. Orders, Shepard?" Liara asked.

"Let's head for the breeding facility. Time to finish what we started!" said Austin.

After disabling the AA guns and clearing out the Geth, the Normandy landed. Kaiden and a few other Alliance soldiers disembarked with the bomb. They placed it right near the tower in the landing area.

Kaiden then pressed his hand to his ear piece and contacted Kirrahe and Ashley. "Bomb is in position, we're all set he-" but he was interrupted by Ashley's voice and the sounds of heavy fire.

"Commander, can you read me?" she said.

"The nuke is almost ready, Ash. Get to the rendezvous point!" Austin said into his wrist communicator.

"Negative, Commander. The Terror Geth and his troops have us pinned down on the AA tower. We've taken heavy casualties. We'll never make the rendezvous point in time!" Came Ashley's voice.

"Hold tight my old friend. We're coming to get you." Said Austin.

"Negative! Just make sure that nuke is set. We'll hold them as long as we-" Ashley objected. But the comm cut off.

"It's okay, Commander. I need a couple of minutes to finish arming the bomb. Got get them and met me back here." Said Kaiden.

"Right. Liara, Wrex, you're with me! Up to the AA tower. Move!" Austin ordered.

As the team neared the AA tower, they saw a Geth drop ship heading for the bomb site.

"Geth are sending in reinforcements." Said Wrex.

"Heads up, L-T. We just spotted a troop ship headed to your location." Came Ashley's voice over the radio.

"It's already here. There's Geth pouring out all over the bomb site." Came Kaiden's voice, also over the radio.

"Can you hold them off?!" Austin asked.

"There's too many. I don't think we can survive until you get here. I'm activating the bomb." Came Kaiden's voice.

"What the hell are you doing Alenko?! Delay that command!" Austin shouted into his communicator.

"I can't, Commander! We have to make sure this bomb goes off no matter the cost!" came Kaiden's response.

"Damn it, Kaiden!" Austin cursed.

"It's done, Commander. Go get Williams and get the hell out of here." Said Kaiden.

"Screw that! We can handle ourselves. Go back and get Alenko!" Ashley objected.

Austin was now left with one of the most difficult choice of his life. In all his life with Alpha Squad, he'd never had to choose between squad mates. Kaiden was a superior officer to Ashley. But Ashley was his best friend. He couldn't just leave his old childhood friend to die. Plus the Salarians where with her. Eventually, Austin let his instincts decide.

"Ash, radio Joker and tell him to meet us on the AA tower!" Austin ordered.

"Yes, Commander. I…" Ashley hesitated.

"It's the right choice, and you know it, Ash!" said Kaiden.

"Just hold one, Kaiden. We're coming for you too." Said Austin.

"I think we both know that's not gonna happen, Austin." Said Kaiden.

The Helldiver sighed. Kaiden was right.

"I'm sorry, Kaiden. I had to make a choice." He said.

"I understand, Austin. It's been an honor to fight at your side." Said Kaiden as he cut of the communication.

The team immediately made for the elevator to the AA tower. The whole place was a blaze with gunfire and plasma shots from the Terror Geth's blaster.

"Liara, Wrex. Deal with Geth soldiers. I have a score to settle with that Terror Geth!" Austin ordered.

Wrex and Liara threw all that they had at the Terror Geth's soldiers. The Terror Geth noticed it's old nemesis.

"Shepard! We meet again!" it said.

"This time, I'm going to truly terminate you!" Austin yelled as he fired at the Geth.

The Terror Geth threw up its shield and retaliated with a plasma shot. It just barely missed the Helldiver.

"Why do you fight, Helldiver?! Our gods have stood before millions of civilizations, all superior to you. They have constantly prevailed! What hope do you have?!" the Terror Geth taunted.

"Your "gods" are just machines! And they'll break just as I will break you!" Austin yelled back as he continued to fire. The shield however, didn't even crack. The Terror Geth fired another shot. This time, Austin wasn't quick enough. The blast missed him, but he wasn't fast enough to get away from the explosion it caused. He was sent flying and his rifle flew out of his hands.

"Only human." Said the Terror Geth as it readied for the final shot. Several shots however suddenly hit the Terror Geth's back. It turned around to see it's attacker. Ashley and the Salarians, along with Captain Kirrahe had managed to recover and where firing on the Geth. Some of them broke through the Geth's armour before it put its shield back up. True it was now out of harm's way, but not for long. For it had turned its back to Austin, who had activated his mini nuke launcher.

The Terror Geth reacted too late, and got caught in the nuke shot. When the smoke cleared, the damage it had sustained was immense. The shot had blown off the Geth's left arm, shoulder, and part of its torso as well. The Terror Geth fell to its knees from the damage.

Just as Austin got up however, a biotic warp blast impacted close to him from the air. Austin immediately picked his rifle back up and looked to the sky for the attacker.

Saren had finally joined the fray. Riding on a hovering Geth platform, Saren threw biotic after biotic attack at the team. Liara and Wrex ran for cover. Austin did the same too and also fired several shots at the Turian. All of Saren's biotic attacks missed him, but the very last one hit him in the left torso, damaging his armour and injuring him badly. The Helldiver grunted in pain and fell to his knees, clutching his side. Fortunately though, he managed to crawl to cover just as Saren touched down right beside his damaged second in command.

Austin blind fired a few shots at Saren, but they were no good. The Turian's biotic barriers disintegrated them.

As Austin began applying some emergency medi-gel to his bleeding wound, Saren spoke.

"This has been an impressive diversion Shepard. My Geth where utterly convinced the Salarians where the real threat. Of course, it was all for nothing. I can't let you disrupt what I've accomplished here. You can't possibly understand what's really at stake." He said.

"I know that you've allied with a Reaper. But why?!" Austin groaned as his side stopped bleeding and the medi-gel slowly resealed the wound. He then activated his omni tool.

"Activating emergency repair protocols." Said his suit's computer.

"You've seen the vision from the beacons, Shepard. You, of all people should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. Do not more yourself with pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the sake of petty freedoms. The Protheans tried to fight, and they were utterly destroyed." Said Saren.

Austin's finally finished repairing itself. For now, the damage and the rupture was patched up. But it would need to be properly repaired back on the Normandy. He winched slightly as the Medi-gel finally finished its job. He felt the pain in his torso disperse.

"Trillions dead. But what if they had bowed before the invaders? Would the Protheans still exist? Is submission not preferable to extinction?" Saren asked.

"I'd rather die than live under the rule of the Reapers!" said Austin.

"Now you see why I never came forward with this to the Citadel Council. We organics are driven by emotion instead of logic. We will fight even when we know we cannot win. But if we work with the Reapers—if we make ourselves useful—think how many lives could be spared! Once I understood this, I joined Sovereign, though I was aware of the.. dangers, I had hoped this facility could protect me." Said Saren.

"You're like every other poor bastard in this place. A tool Sovereign can use, then cast aside." Said Austin, now fully recovered from his injury.

"I've studied the effects of indoctrination. The more control Sovereign exerts, the less capable the subject becomes. That is my saving grace. Sovereign needs me to find the Conduit. My mind is still me own… for now. But the transformation from ally to servant can be subtle. I will not let it happen to me." Said Saren.

"Sovereign's manipulating you and you don't even know it! You're already under its power!" said Austin. It all made sense now. Saren wasn't the one in control. Sovereign was the one pulling all the strings. No one would ever ally with a race or being that would destroy everything.

"No! Sovereign needs me! If I find the Conduit, I've been promised a reprieve from the inevitable. That is my only hope."

"You expect that Reaper to honor that choice? Sovereign's kind have wiped out so many civilizations before us. What makes you think that they'll make an exception with you?!" Austin tried to persuade.

"Do you think you can sway me, Shepard? Do you think I haven't already thought of this? Sovereign is a machine. It thinks like a machine. If I can prove my value, I become a resource worth maintaining. There is no other logical conclusion!" said Saren.

"So that's it? You could've stopped all this and yet you gave up. And in the end all you could think about was saving your own hide?!" Austin asked angrily. The indoctrination was even worse than it appeared. Saren truly believed he was doing the right thing.

"I'm not doing this for myself! Don't you see? Sovereign will succeed. It is inevitable. My way is the only way any of us will survive! I'm forging an alliance between us and the Reapers. Between organics and machines. And in doing so, I will save more lives than have ever existed." Said Saren.

"Over my dead body!" said Austin as he stood up. The initial feeling in his legs was painful, but it quickly went away.

"That is part of my plan anyway. You would undo my work. You would doom our entire civilization to complete annihilation. And for that, you will die!" said Saren.

Austin immediately raided his gun at Saren. Before he could though, the Turian used his biotics to charge right in front of the Helldiver. Taken by surprise, Austin was caught off guard. Saren used this to his advantage and used his Geth arm to fling Austin all the way to the other side of the AA tower. He also threw a biotic warp at Wrex and Liara. As Austin struggled to get back up, Saren grabbed him by the neck and hauled him up with his Geth arm, despite the Helldiver's immense weight. Austin could only struggle as Saren's mechanical grip began to tighten around his neck, chocking his windpipe.

An alarm however distracted Saren, giving Austin an opening. Using all his strength, he punched Saren right in the face. Saren was knocked back by the punch and he let go of Austin's neck. As Austin got his breath back, Saren went back to his Geth platform. The damaged Terror Geth limped on as well.

"This isn't over, Shepard! We will meet again!" the Terror Geth struggled to say as the platform flew away.

As Austin watched Saren and The Terror Geth retreat, he saw the Normandy fly into view and touch down.

"Everyone, onto the Normandy!" he yelled.

There we are. Little more for me to say after that.

Next chapter will be titled, Shepard's Plan. I'm pretty certain you are going to like it. Especially what Shepard says to the Council that causes him to lose his Spectre status.(Which is what he wants)

Please do keep those reviews coming.