Hello everyone! I'm Aiden Polonius, and you're joining us for StarView, brought to you be Citadel Galactic News, a subsidiary of Future Content Corporation. We go now to the hottest story in the galaxy: Emily Wong, joining us live from the Ceremony of Remembrance, Temple of the Enkindlers, Kahje. Emily, what's the atmosphere like there?

E: Hello Aiden, the atmosphere here has been heavy with loss and with sorrow at the loss of Ko'le Seneschal, Imperator of the Conclave. We are gathered here at the Temple of the Enkindlers, on the largest mainland continent of Kahje, where the Prothean Remnant has come together to symbolically bury their Seneschal, his body being lost when the Collector Base exploded on the far side of the Omega-4 Relay. Also remembered in this ceremony are the other casualties suffered by the expedition:

Zaeed Massani, onetime leader of the Black Suns

Pyke Morrell, commander of the 1st Heshtok Irregulars

Okeer Basher, Tallaxis of Kahje, Jacob Taylor

Also remembered are the 12 crewmen of the Normandy and the 29 members of the crew of the Indomitable lost in the expedition, as well as Alliance military physician Flight Lt. Karin Chakwas, who was another casualty of what is being called the Battle of the Core.

A: Emily, how is the Conclave responding to this devastating loss of one of their, arguably the best of their political leaders, at such a crucial time?

E: You're absolutely right, Aiden, the loss of the Imperator has been a devastating blow to the Conclave. But, even in their grief, the member races have come together to celebrate his life, and mourn his death. Each of the other members of the Circle have assembled here, along with representatives of all the Citadel races, the Batarian Hegemony, and I'm told, even from the Terminus Warlords Aria T'Loak and Yan T'Ravt: a very impressive gesture indeed.

Imperator-elect Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib is following the coffin into the Inner Sanctum, along with the Protheans gathered here. I'm told this is a great honor accorded to Ko'le Seneschal's successor, as no other outsider has been allowed into the Prothean temple.

A: And Emily, another fascinating development that's taken place over the course of this funeral is the confirmed survival of the first human Spectre!

E: Absolutely right again, Aiden: Alliance Commander and Council Spectre Rebecca Shepard made the first speech at the funeral, confirming the rumors of her survival of the attack on her ship two years ago. The Citadel Council and the Alliance Military have both declined to comment, citing galactic security issues were at the heart of the Spectre's reported death and two-year-long absence. It would appear…

KA-BOOM.

A: "Emily? Emily, what's going on?"

E: "Oh, my God."

A: "Emily! Are you alright!"

E: "Yes, Aiden… we're fine, but it would appear some kind of massive explosion has detonated inside the temple. I can see figures running towards the blast, Commander Shepard and several of the Normandy crew, along with Conclave Security forces. Oh, God, if that went off inside the temple… We need to get closer, Jimmy. Aiden, we'll try and get closer and get more details! Again, a terrible disaster seems to have befallen the already-tragic Remembrance Ceremony of Ko'le Seneschal. This is Emily Wong…"

*ENKINDLER'S SHRINE
FIRST LAND ORBITAL STATION
RELIC SYSTEM
EAGLE NEBULA*

Morinth shut off her Omni-Tool. The news had been replaying the same clips over and over again for the past three days.

"T'Loak," she said, clenching her fists. "It had to have been T'Loak. She struck the Conclave when it was weakest."

"I'm not too sure: T'Loak and T'Ravt are not such fools as they would target a moderate peacemaker such as Koris, especially with warmongers such as Petrovsky waiting in the wings."

"What do you mean? Zaal'Koris is dead, as are dozens of what few Protheans were left. With Petrovsky now in charge, they're about to find out how good they had it with Ko… the previous Imperators."

"A regrettable course of events," Samara mourned. "The strong hand of Ko'le and a peacemaker like Zaal'Koris is precisely what this galaxy needs, not Petrovsky's warmongering."

Samara held up a hand to cut off Mirala's response, "I have already discussed this at length with Shepard. She intends to take the Normandy and return to the Alliance."

"Can she do that?"

Samara smiled. "I do not believe she intended on asking for permission. Zaal'Koris promised the ship to the Commander. I believe she intends to make the most of that promise. Petrovsky cannot afford for his first command to be the repudiation of both of his predecessors' wishes…"

Mirala smiled as well at the back-handed diplomacy of Commander Rebecca Shepard, then grew serious again.

"Thank… Thank you for letting me attend the ceremony."

Her mother nodded.

"He was a good man," the Justicar admitted. "With faults, to be sure, but a good man."

"He was," Mirala agreed.

"It is no surprise that you loved him," Samara said simply. "What he accomplished in three short years is more than most Matriarchs will accomplish in their entire lifetimes."

The shuttle set down on First Land. From here, the AR Adjudicator would meet the pair to bear them to Lesuss.

Back to the Night-sister Monastery.

"Are these really necessary?" Morinth asked as they exited the shuttle, holding up the biotic restraints on her wrists. "I took an oath, for Athame's sake."

"they are not there because I do not believe you," Samara assured quickly. "But other Justicars will be on the Adjuticator. I cannot be seen to show leniency or favoritism."

Before her daughter could make some sort of smart remark, a serious look crossed her face.

"Mother…" she nodded towards the bottom of the landing platform. A single Batarian obstructed their path, with other armed thugs surrounding the platform. He crossed his arms, his helmet unfolding from around his head. One of the batarian's lower eyes was white, blinded, no doubt, by whatever had given him scar that ran all the way across his face.

"Justicar Samara?"

"I am."

"You know who I am?"

A mirthless ghost of a smile appeared on Samara's expression.

"I do."

"Then you know why I am here. You killed my brother, Taka ul Benissal, on Lorek, nine months ago."

Samra drew herself up, but still keeping half an eye on the other thugs surrounding the pair.

"He was a slaver, who preyed upon the innocent, and profited from the suffering of the defenseless. I brought the Goddess' Justice upon him."

"He was my brother," the batarian shrugged. "I claim blood-right, by the ancient laws of Kharshan."

The armored batarian flared his biotics, cracking his knuckles together. Samara braced herself, looking over her shoulder at Morinth. Her daughter nodded, and stepped back slowly. Samara turned back to the armored figure facing her.

"Come then, Kodak ul Benissal," she said. "I will send you to join your brother, if that is what you desire."

The Batarian Slasher deployed twin Omni-Blades, boosting his biotics into a charge. Samara side-stepped and delivered a kick to the chest that, had the biotic not been wearing armor, might have ended the conflict then and there. As it was, it was enough to enough to knock the much larger fighter staggering back, before he came on again.

Samara was impressed. Kodak utilized his blades in tight, controlled thrusts, rather than the wild slashes most batarians she had fought employed. Two miniature biotic barriers she had deployed where acting as twin shields, blocking the savage attacks. Suddenly, as she spun to avoid yet another thrust, Kodak shot out a foot, delivering a kick to the back of her leg. Grunting, she went down on one knee. With a roar of triumph, Kodack thrust downward, straight for her heart.

Just as she had planned.

Leaning left to avoid the thrust, Samara grabbed the arm as it passed, using it to pull herself up, and then wrapped her legs around the batarian's neck. She twisted, hard. The shoulder dislocated with a sickening pop, leaving her free to slide around directly behind him. She seized his jaw and the back of his head, and with a flare of biotic power, twisted hard. Kodak's neck snapped like a dry twig, and his biotics faded as his lifeless corpse flopped to the ground. Breathing hard, Samara turned back to the skycar.

Morinth was gone.

Goddess.

The anger that swelled up in her chest was quickly replaced with sickening dread as she spotted a group of armored mercenaries traveling down the street, asari body in hand.

Mirala.

The biotic restraints had prevented her from protecting herself…

Her blazing charge forward quickly closed the distance between her and her daughter's would-be kidnappers. Suddenly, the figure at the very back whirled and tossed a spherical object directly at her.

She tried to throw herself to the right to avoid the grenade, but a crack was all that emanated from the sphere, and suddenly she was tripping, turning her fall into a controlled roll.

Biotic nullifier grenades?

These mercs had come well-prepared.

A massive blow collided with Samara's chest. With no biotics to protect herself, she was knocked onto her back, winded. She looked down, expecting the worst, but there was no bullet hole in her armor.

What in Athame's Name?

The roar of a shuttle filled the air as another air-car came directly overhead. The human activated a jet-pack on her back, conveying her into the open side door, even as Samara rolled to her side and then to her feet, willing her biotics to return. She pulled the heavy pistol from her back, but gauging from how the shots bounced off the shuttle's body, it had been heavily reinforced. A shout of frustration escaped the usually-serene Justicar as the air-car pulled away, back towards the spaceport. A short run back to her own rental confirmed what she already suspected: the controls had been sabotaged.

Mirala…I will find whoever took you, she silently vowed. And they shall be judged.

*MEANWHILE*

"How is she, Jane-sho?" Turro asked, programming the shuttle to take them to the nearby merchant vessel.

"Unconscious," Jane said, pulling off the helmet and checking the Ardat-Yakshi's pulse. "But still fine. That tranquilizer would take down an elephant. Figure she'll be out of it for a while yet."

"And Samara?"

"The round was a non-lethal suppressant," Jane said, flopping down into the co-pilot's chair. "Besides a bruised rack, she'll be fine. Pissed off, I imagine."

The clone exhaled, putting her face in her hands.

"I still can't believe we pulled it off. I mean, how…?"

"The mercenaries were a simple matter of pay," Turro shrugged. "And it was not difficult to find someone on First Land with a grudge against Justicars."

The High Seeker turned to look at Jane.

"Thank you for helping me carry out this mission, Jane-sho." He turned to stare out the windshield as the tiny shuttle broke orbit. "I have lost enough friends," he answered, though the question was unspoken. "I had to save Mirala from death, if I could. And to save Lady Samara, as well."

"From what?"

"From having the blood of her eldest and most beloved of her daughters on her hands."

"Oh. I was just happy to wipe that insufferably smug grin off her face."

Turro's head tilted right in a Raloian smile. "I thought you might. It is why I asked you and not… the others."

The pair grew silent, the loss of their friends once again weighing upon them. Jane cleared her throat.

"So, what's next for you?"

"The College of the Eyries needs my report. The days ahead will be perilous. As a High Seeker, it is my duty to help guide them through the storm."

"And as the newest Warden of the Conclave," Jane reminded him.

Turro scoffed. "Petrovsky gives out ranks, in hopes that planting gifts will garner loyalty. But enough of that," he dismissed, "What of you? Back to the Alliance, with your sister?"

Jane shook her head. "I'll go with Morinth back to Omega. She'll be safe there."

Turro's head went far to the left. "Jane-sho… Petrovsky has publicly blamed the Terminus Warlords for the bombings on Kahje. The talks with the Geth have already ceased, and Mira-sho and Legion-sha have departed back for the Veil. War will be declared soon..."

"Which is precisely why Samara will be unable to track her there," Jane stated confidently. "Besides… I don't… not after…"

Turro reached out a feathered wing and laid in gently on the human's knee.

"Call upon me, Jane-sho, and I will be there. By Father below and Mother above, I swear it. "

Jane smiled and patted Turro's "hand."

"I know, my friend. And thank you."

"BLEAAUGH!" Mirala shot up suddenly, thoroughly freaking out the freelancers and mercs still lounging in the back of the shuttle. "HWHAT HAPPENNNNNEDED? HAWAT's going on?!"

Jane smiled. "Better go fill her in on the situation."

Turro nodded.

"That would probably be best."

*BETHESDA HOSPITAL
ARCTURUS STATION*

"Shepard?"

Rebecca started awake, looking up to find the source of the voice.

Garrus was standing above, a slightly contrite look on the turian's face.

"We're coming into the shuttle-bay. Thought you'd want to be awake in case there were any reporters waiting to waylay you."

"Oh, God," Shepard groaned. "If Khalisah al-Jilani is standing there with her camera, I swear I'm gonna punch her stupid, bitchy little face!"

Garrus chuckled as he sat down beside the Spectre.

"Well, now I'm hoping she's there…"

The two of them sat quietly for a moment.

"You sure I can't convince you to stay on the Normandy?" Shepard asked. "Even if I promise not to make any more 'calibration' jokes?"

Garrus grinned. "Tempting offer…"

"With Tali going back to Ilos, and Grunt returning to Tuchanka, I'm losing my crew," Shepard stated, trying (and failing) to make the statement seem lighthearted.

"Miranda?" Garrus asked. "Jack?"

Shepard shook her head. "Miranda said she was leaving the Conclave. Took an offer to teach at Grissom Academy. Says she got Jack a position, too."

Garrus smiled. "And Jane made fun of me for calling those two. No sign of Kasumi either?"

Shepard shook her head. "She was gone before we even made it back to Kahje. No trace. Mordin says he's going back to Sur'Kesh. Wants to continue Maelon's work. And Jane…" Shepard bowed her head again. "I don't know what to do with that situation…"

"Well, look at it this way," Garrus jibed. "I've gotta go talk down my dad, the big, powerful, no-nonsense retired general, and convince him that giant space monsters are coming to kill us all. Aaand you've got to go confront your mom."

"I'll take the turian ex-general," Shepard moaned.

"That's the trouble, Shepard: not fast enough with the 'dibs.'"

Shepard glanced up at Garrus.

"'Dibs' is a thing in turian culture?"

"No," admitted Garrus, "but I confess it's a human custom I've adopted with relish. If only for the fact that humans are so bad at it, and yet for some inexplicable cultural reason, the 'dibs' is nearly universally recognized."

The pair shared a chuckle.

"I'm gonna miss you, Garrus."

"Same here, Shepard," the big turian replied. "But now we've seen what's coming for us. Hell, Reapers making other Reapers? The Hierarchy can't be content to wait and see what's coming. We've got to prepare."

Shepard nodded in agreement. "I've got to go put boots up asses at the Alliance, too."

"Come on," Garrus smiled, nudging the human, "Shepard/Vakarian vs. the Council? They haven't got a prayer…"

Shepard grinned and leaned against the big turian.

"I really thought he was gonna make it, Garrus."

"I know," Garrus answered, not needing an explanation on who she was talking about. "He always tried to present himself as larger than life. But in the end, he was just as vulnerable as the rest of us… It's not your fault, Shepard. We all knew what we were signing up for before making that Jump."

"I know. I just wish…"

"NOW LANDING AT ARCTURUS STATION," the passenger shuttle's VI announced over the loudspeaker.

"What about EDI?" Garrus asked, "What's she doing? How did she react to your whole 'Take the Ship' Plan?"

"She suggested it," Shepard answered. "She's requested to stay on the ship, posing as the ship's VI interface. I agreed."

"After what she did for the rest of us, it's the least we can do," Garrus agreed. "Joker will be glad to hear it anyway."

The doors opened, and the few passengers disembarked. Shepard was again grateful that she had decided not to bring the Normandy to Arcturus Station. On this nondescript passenger shuttle, she and Garrus were just another turian and human.

Gone were the dreaded figures of reporters and politicians, seeking a quick sound-byte or a photo-op with the first Human Spectre. On the far side of the platform, two figures awaited them. The man stood at ease, just behind the woman in crutches.

"Ash."

"Skipper…"

The word had barely escaped Ashley's lips before her grip on the crutch slipped, causing her to fall to her right. Vega and Shepard caught her together, just barely averting disaster as the sobs came.

"It's not fair…!"

"I know."

"We were… *gasp*I never got to…"

"I know."

"What do I do? What… How…?"

"We push on, one day at a time," Shepard answered, helping Vega get her back to her feet. "And we get the galaxy ready to finish his work."

She looked deep into William's teary gaze.

"I need you, Ash. He needs you."

Ashley sniffed, clearing her throat, taking a second to regain her usual tough-girl composure.

"Lt. Ashley Williams, reporting for duty, Commander."

Shepard gave her a sideways glance.

"LT, you're on crutches."

"I'm fine," Ash insisted. "Battle-Ready and fit for combat."

Shepard shot a look at Vega.

"That true, marine?"

Vega gave a curt nod.

"PT three times a week, the Doctores have been saying. But she's getting back her strength, Commander. I'll have her ready."

"Good," Shepard nodded approvingly, "Because you're coming along too, Vega. I need good soldiers: as many of them as the Normandy can hold."

Vega used his free hand to offer a salute.

"Aye-aye, ma'am. Reporting for duty."

"Let's find a shuttle," Shepard replied. "We've got to get you two checked out of a hospital. Then I've got a briefing with the brass. Garrus will…"

But when Shepard looked around, the former C-Sec detective was nowhere in sight. Shepard took a deep breath.

"We've got work to do. And I don't know how much time we have to do it. But we'll be ready."

*COLLECTOR STATION
GALACTIC CORE*

ORDAINED.

What the-OH MY FUCKING GODSHITDAMMIT…

Pain blinded all thoughts. My body felt like it was on fire, and my limbs did not respond to my mental command to claw at my own flesh in an attempt to put out the invisible flames devouring me.

Then, just as suddenly as the pain had hit me, it subsided. And I was standing in my Mind Palace once again. But now, rather than the pristine white plain to which I had become accustomed, I stood in the middle of a ruin made of rotting, burning flesh.

YOU ARE AWAKE.

I turned to see the figure of Kaiden Alenko standing in the middle of the flames, burning, but not burnt.

"Leviathan," I responded. I looked for Ko'le and Beast, but they were nowhere to be found. There was me, and only me, surrounded by this prison of flesh. "Get out of that ridiculous costume."

AS YOU WISH.

The figure of Zaeed Massani now stood before me.

"Do you mock me?"

IT IS NOT WE WHO CHOSE HOW WE APPEAR, ORDAINED. THESE ARE THE IMAGES FOREMOST ON YOUR MIND. THEREFORE, THIS IS HOW YOU SEE US.

"Fuck that."

Pyke Morrel walked past me.

Jacob Taylor walked behind me.

Kaiden again.

Dranen Thurn floated above me.

Karin Chakwas folded her arms, smiling in her grandmotherly fashion.

"Enough, God Dammit! I Know, Alright? I Know I Failed! I'm Sorry! I'm Sorry! I'm Sorry, Alright? Just Stooooooooooop!"

I shut my eyes tightly, for all the good that did me here. When I opened them, I was standing on the edge of an abyss, where floated in front of me the giant cuttlefish-like form of a Leviathan.

"What is happening?" I asked. "Did it work? What is happening here?"

YOUR BODY IS BURNING, ORDAINED. EVEN NOW, LITTLE REMAINS OF YOUR FRAIL SOUL-PRISON.

"Wait… so… what are you doing here?" I wondered. "If it's to help me free my people you're a little late."

WE CAME WHEN YOU SUMMONED US, ORDAINED. WE SENSED OUR CODE BROADCAST FROM THE REMNANTS OF THIS STATION. WE SEARCHED AND FOUND YOUR MORTAL FRAME.

"And… what happens now?"

THE WAR BEGINS.

"Wait…what?"

OUR CONTRUCTS WILL BEGIN THEIR ATTACK SOON. YOU MUST BE THE SWORD OF THE FIRST MASTERS. THIS IS THE PORTENT OF OUR RETURN. THE SIGN OF THE REESTABLISHMENT OF OUR STAR-REALM.

"No."

NONE OTHER HAVE BROUGHT THEIR CYCLE SO CLOSE TO VICTORY. IT MUST BE THIS CYCLE, OR NONE.

"I failed. My own people killed me, or tried to. I am not the leader you seek. Go find Shepard. My task is done.

IT MUST BE YOU. ONLY YOU ARE ORDAINED. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE. THE OLD ONE WOULD NOT HAVE SENT YOU IF VICTORY WAS NOT A STATISTICAL PROBABILITY.

Anger swelled in my chest, and hot words of anger, loss, and sorrow spilled from my lips, as hot tears of shame spilled from my eyes.

"I unequivocally, absolutely, and in all other ways, refuse. Leave me to die… I have fought enough video-game wars for giant SPACE CUTTLEFISH. Fight your own fucking battles if you're so grand and mighty, 'First Masters.' Find somebody else to be your fucking sword and light and whatever bullshit titles you want to slap on them."

YOUR PERMISSION IS IRRELEVANT.

"Wait, what?" I challenged, very much not okay with the direction this conversation had suddenly gone.

YOU WILL BE OUR WEAPON AGAINST OUR CONSTRUCTS. YOU WILL FIGHT. YOU WILL DESTROY. YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS. YOUR WISHES COMPARED TO GALACTIC EXTINCTION ARE INSIGNIFICANT IN COMPARISON.

My body was suddenly lifted off the ground. The burning sensation returned, tenfold, as the sound of screaming filled the air.

That's me, isn't it?

The Leviathan spread his tentacles wide, tendrils of blue energy spilling forward. The flames around me in my Mind Palace turned from orange to blue, lines of code suddenly appearing all around. A massive cybernetic spike appeared at the end of the multiple tendrils emanating from the Leviathan before me. It slowly came forward, then stabbed deep into my chest, barbed teeth sinking into my flesh. Jolts of electric energy began coursing through my veins.

"FFFFFUUUUUUUCK YOOOOUUUU! YOU FUCKING FUCK FUCK SHIT GEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" I managed, fading back into incoherent babblings and screams.

The Leviathan continued his monologue, seeming unimpressed by my screams of pain mixed with profanity.

YOU WILL BE REBORN, ORDAINED. YOUR BODY, YOUR FLEETS, YOUR ARMIES: REMADE AND RECAST IN THE IMAGE OF OUR GLORIOUS PERFECTION. THE OLD ONE'S DREAM SHALL BE MADE REALITY, AND WE SHALL RETURN TO OUR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE GALAXY.

AFTER COUNTLESS EONS, OUR TIME HAS COME AGAIN.

THERE WILL BE DEATH.

THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE.

THERE SHALL BE JUSTICE.

BUT FIRST, THE CYCLE MUST BE BROKEN.

THE RECKONING SHALL BEGIN.

Author's Note:

Thanks, everyone for sticking with me. Last chapter was a roller-coaster of emotions for everyone: None more than me, I promise. There were losses. There were victories. But now, we are moving forward. Now we will begin Beacon's Effect 4: The Reckoning, which will probably be posted in early January.

I hope each of you will subscribe to the final chapter of Kevin's epic journey into Mass Effect. I cannot thank each of you enough for your support, your thoughts, your reviews, and your kind words. If I am a better author from Beacon's Effect: 1, it is only because of you all.

Ee-Rah, my friends!

-Tusken1602

Reviewer Responses:

Zeru'Xil – I actually have not read Worm. But yes, everything culminates VERY quickly in Mass Effect:2.

Deathknight999, Toothless is best, KyuubiNodachi, OBSERVER01, redcollector, METALHELLSPWN, DaToskin, tamagat, Sheity Williams, Squadpunk 2.0, griezz, general-joseph-dickson, Guest, spiral83 – Those who have fallen shall not be forgotten, and we shall rejoin them in the Well of Souls of our Father below. It was a clash of ideologies: those who believe that the ends justifies the means (Ko'le), and those who will believe that the means determine our end (Javik).

Blaze1992 – I cannot answer any of your questions without huge spoilers, but I hope you will stick it out and join me for the next installment of Beacon's Effect.

Tahkaullus01, DLM4, – Pyke was one of the hardest soldiers I lost. But as a sixteen year-old vorcha, his days were numbered. And a sickbed was no fitting end for the Sergeant Major of the 1st Heshtok Irregulars.

Jessetimm5491, The Mad Author, Dragons guard– Here it is, ahead of schedule… ;) (Not that much of a sadist…)

BrotherCaptainSheperd – It will not necessarily be Ko'le unleashing the Fallen… :)

StrawHatLuffy94 – Hmmm no, Shepard can't necessarily legally take it. And something tells me EDI only recognizes her dad as Imperator.

Pietersielie – No depression, but thanks for asking!

Bearmauls Deadly6 – What has your theorycrafting yielded now, my friend? And trust me, we have not seen the last of Mira, either.

Asahar4 – "The Leviathans send their regards."

Elvisfonz23, Hiei-Uchiha, Adrenaline, shugokage, Guest, Dreaded Wolf, Lord Mortem, BJ Hanssen, diet docelb – Thank you all. Your support means a lot.

May the Father below accept you when your time comes, and until then, may the Mother keep you always.

EE-RAH!