A/N: Look what I found: My Mass Effect Muse. It's always in the last place you'd think to look.

We will Rise

By Spectre4hire

Chapter 15: Indomitable

Three hundred thousand lives perished in a near blink. Unknowing victims in a great war that their government and most of the galaxy refused to believe was being waged. A war that for the moment was being fought in the shadows, but that would soon change. If the enemy had its way then at this very moment it would've revealed itself to the galaxy in an unprecedented invasion that would've swept through the galaxy with devastating precision and ruthless execution amongst the populace.

Shepard prevented that for the moment. He halted the Reapers attempts to access the important Alpha Relay, a decision that meant destroying the relay and condemning those who live in the system to death. To Shepard, it was a decision he made without hesitation. He saved those people from being harvested. To be at the mercy of the Reapers, to be tortured and twisted, inserted with Reaper tech to become mindless monsters or to be indoctrinated and an unwilling tool to further advance the Reapers efforts.

The loss of three hundred thousand lives never seemed so inconsequential. There was no heavy burden for him. There was no grief or doubt that he had to wrestle with because of the decision he made. He returned to the Normandy with a clear conscious. He knew he had done the right thing. He understood in the war to come that if they lost only three hundred thousand lives in one battle with the Reapers that would be considered a victory. And that's what today was: A victory against the Reapers.

He was no fool to expect the rest of the galaxy to share his perspective. Shepard was certain the galaxy by and large would view this as either a terrorist attack carried out by a rogue Spectre working for a human centric organization or an act of war by humanity on the Hegemony. The proof he had on the Reapers involvement was destroyed with the rest of the system.

The person he had intended to save, Dr. Amanda Kenson had perished along with her indoctrinated coworkers whose ignorance to the Reapers incredible power proved to be their downfall. It was another telling example of how whenever anyone got close to uncovering any sort of weakness about the Reapers they would be enthralled and forced into the role of pawn. The closer you got to them, the more certain you were to fall.

"Your time will come. Your species will fall. Prepare yourself for the Arrival."

Harbinger's taunt stayed with him. The looming glowing silhouette of the Reaper known as Harbinger confronting Shepard before the asteroid would crash into the Alpha Relay. Offering little insight and simply spewing more of its typical rhetoric of the inevitable fate of doom and death that awaited him and the rest of the galaxy once the Reapers arrived.

He had silenced Sovereign. He would silence this one too. When his shuttle finally touched down inside the Normandy, he made a beeline straight to the communications room. He was expecting it empty. He was wrong. Inside waiting for him were his squad mates who still remained with him.

"What have you done?" Miranda demanded before the doors behind Shepard had even closed.

He squared his shoulders back. He was expecting this. He knew they'd be upset that he undertook this mission discreetly and alone. And after what had happened and the choices he had to make, he knew there would be even more questions.

"I struck a blow against the Reapers," he answered simply. He noticed the annoyance flicker over her perfect features. The open distrust and antagonism in the room especially between himself and Miranda highlighted their very strained relationship. If there was one thing he regretted since saving the Collector Base it was allowing their relationship to disintegrate.

He was so focused on the Reapers and trying to find a way to stop them. He knew he was letting things slip away. Their initial argument about the Base's fate wasn't any different than any of their other disagreements which they had in the past. Those times they would meet again, speak civilly share each other's viewpoints, and if they couldn't come to an agreement, they would at least come to an understanding of respect.

That didn't happen this time. He allowed it to fester. He was so distracted that he had made no effort or attempt at reaching out to her since that initial argument. Instead, bitterness remained and any and all conversations since then have been sour and brief. All because he had been too busy to speak with her again, to follow up on their argument that had taken place weeks ago.

Had it been that long? He thought numbly.

"By destroying a relay?" Miranda didn't bother to hide her doubt.

"I would destroy a lot more if it meant an end to the Reapers," Shepard replied without hesitation. His words stirred predictable reactions from his friends.

"Shepard…" Garrus' mandibles twitched. "What you're doing…"

"Is necessary!" Shepard shouted, the anger was pulsating in his gut. "We're not fighting a war!" He could see his outburst had silenced them so he seized it. "We're staving off fucking genocide!"

He looked at each of them. Garrus' uneasiness, Jacob's confliction, Miranda's uncertainty, Tali's fear, Shiala's pain, but when his eyes turned to Drek, he could read nothing from the impassive batarian.

The pause allowed him to soothe the burning anger that was radiating inside of him. His frustration faded, allowing him to realize just how sore and weary he was from the recent mission. He had been gone for days, held prisoner, before fighting to escape just to slip out with only seconds to spare.

This was the last thing he needed or wanted. Instead, he decided it was about time to address the bigger issue that his companions were still mulling over.

"I know you're upset with my decision to save the Base," he knew he had hit the bulls eye by seeing how they reacted to this change of subject. "And allowing Cerberus to use it," his eyes fell on Garrus and then Tali knowing he had pinpointed a large portion of their dissent and disagreement. He then moved to Miranda. "But what choice do we have?" He all but pleaded to them. He wanted them to understand, but he couldn't force them to see.

"If we have any chance of beating the Reapers, certain lines must be crossed," he continued, "We have to get our hands dirty!" He placed his hands on the table. "All those who died from the Collector experiments deserve justice." He hadn't forgotten about them. His words stirred Jacob and Garrus, knowing he struck a chord with them. "But Harbinger and the Reapers were responsible, they directed the Collectors."

"And right now we don't have the luxury of turning down helpful tools that can be used to seek and exploit any weaknesses that these bastards may have," Shepard finished. "In case you hadn't forgotten. They've never lost. No species has been able to stop this onslaught."

That painful truth got their attention, but was it enough to stop the dissent once and for all. He wasn't sure, but he knew what might.

It wasn't something he talked about. Not even with Miranda. Yet, it was with him every day. It was a chilling reminder of the fate that awaited humanity if he wasn't strong enough, if he stumbled with this mission, if he made a mistake at the wrong time. It had been with him since Eden Prime where it all began.

"I see what happens if we fail every day," he admitted softly. "The destruction of the Protheans haunts my dreams every night." He let loose a breath. "That's what drives me forward." He tapped the side of his head with his finger. "The Beacon imprinted the Protheans' ruin in my mind. I can feel their fear. I can sense their hopelessness." He looked up at them. "Their cries of help were met with cold silence."

"That's the burden I carry," his eyes found Miranda. The warmth that filled hers was enough for him to finish. "And it will stay with me for the rest of my days." He bowed his head.

"Shepard," Miranda's soft voice got him to look up again. Though her tone remained neutral, he knew her better. He could understand what wasn't being said. "I didn't know."

"Yeah," Garrus added awkwardly.

He offered them a stiff nod. "It wasn't your burden to bear."

"Yes, it is," Tali argued stubbornly. "We're with you, Shepard." She reminded him, "Until the end."

"Until the end," Garrus echoed with a nod.

"The end," Jacob added solemnly.

"To the end," Miranda agreed.

"What happened down there?"

"I sent you the report," Shepard responded. He and Admiral Hackett were in Shepard's cabin. The Admiral had just arrived from Arcturus after a short delay.

"A relay destroyed," Hackett held the data-pad that contained Shepard's report. "A batarian system destroyed." He shook his head. "This wasn't the mission I sent you on."

"Kenson was indoctrinated," Shepard pointed out. "She was trying to be the herald for the Reapers arrival." He noticed the pained look that briefly flickered over the Admiral's face at this revelation. IT caused Shepard to wonder what sort of friendship the Admiral had with the Doctor.

"Maybe," Hackett was noncommittal. "That won't sate the batarian's lust for revenge."

"Fuck the Hegemony," Shepard growled. The so called government funded all sorts of unsavory operations against the Alliance and humanity colonies over the years to feed their broken caste system. They outfitted pirates and centered on targeting outskirt colonies and had no qualms in enslaving children and innocent.

"This could lead to a war with them," Hackett scratched the graying stubble along his jaw line. "A war we can't afford if the Reapers are so close."

"They'd be fools to declare a war on us," Shepard responded, "They're just posturing. It is all just empty threats." He wasn't going to be fooled by their antics. Humanity was on the Council, as much as he disliked the other Council species. They were still linked through Council membership which meant they were expected to support humanity if it became under attack by a threat which a declaration of war from the Hegemony would be.

"The Alliance brass isn't as sure as you seem to be."

"What are you saying?" Shepard had a suspicion at what Hackett was hinting at.

"You had your reasons, Shepard," Hackett clasped his hands behind his back, "But it will fall on deaf ears when it is scrutinized by the loss of more than three hundred thousand batarians." He paced in front of the fish tank. "That evidence cannot be argued." He sighed, "The Reaper's threat can be."

"This is bullshit!" Shepard was not the soldier he once had been. His ability to hold his tongue had waned over the years, and his autonomy as a Spectre and now as an ally of Cerberus had all but made him unabashed in speaking his mind no matter the form.

Hackett frowned. Not receptive to Shepard's outburst. "If it was up to me, Shepard, I'd give you a medal and bury this blasted mission." He waved the data-pad, "But this isn't up to me."

"At some point you'll have to go to Earth and face the music."

"No," Shepard said firmly. He understood what Hackett meant. The Alliance wanted him to come back so that he could be the scapegoat, placating the Hegemony. He knew what would happen when he returned. He'd be locked up. He was already considered an outlaw by the Council, and if he went back to Earth, he was sure he'd remain in an Alliance prison for a very long time.

"Shepard," Hackett began.

"We're at war," Shepard cut him off. "I'm doing everything I can to stop the Reapers and you want me to go back to Earth where they'll lock me up and throw away the key!" He clenched his fists. "It's not going to happen."

"The Alliance-"

"Fuck the Alliance," Shepard was surprised by how good that felt to say. He was sick and tired of how the Alliance had used him over the years. He was not going to have any more of it.

"I see," Hackett said, disappointment filled his tone, "I know this isn't easy or ideal, Shepard, and that your history with the Alliance has been checkered long before Cerberus got involved, but think carefully about this."

"I won't do it," he argued. "I'm needed on the frontlines to stop the Reapers. Not in some Alliance cell."

"I happen to agree with you," Hackett admitted, "I can't stop this from happening, but I will make them work for it."

"Thank you," Shepard meant it. The Admiral was one of the few men he respected and trusted in the galaxy. He understood how much Hackett and Anderson had sacrificed for him, in defending his actions and believing his story about the Reapers. "But this is something I can't do."

A tired smile came to the Admiral's lips. "You're still as stubborn as ever, Shepard." He moved to get a closer look at Shepard's medals which were displayed in a glass case. "I still remember you as that skeptical, weary recruit from the ICT program. I knew then you'd do great things. I knew you'd make a good leader someday." He looked over his shoulder to Shepard, "Because even then I saw that you'd do what it took to get the job done."

"You fight the Reapers, Shepard. You delay them as long as possible," Hackett placed the data pad containing Shepard's report on his desk. "All I ask is that you keep me informed."

"I can do that, sir," Shepard agreed.

"Good," Hackett nodded his head. "And when the Alliance summons you," he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Well that will make for one interesting day."

"I won't forget this, sir."

"You shouldn't," Hackett stated dryly.

Shepard smiled at that. He always appreciated Hackett's dry humor. He offered his hand and Hackett shook it.

"It was good seeing you, Shepard." He turned to go, "but just remember why you're fighting."

"I will, sir."

Since the Collector base mission, Shepard had found himself spending more time in the Starboard Observation Deck on the Normandy. Now, that its previous occupant had been dealt with on Omega before the initiation of the suicide mission. He found a strange sort of comfort looking out at the sea of stars stretched out as far as the eye could see before him. It was not just comfort that stirred within him, but awe at the great vast void that the Normandy moved through.

In the aftermath of the Alpha Relay destruction he couldn't help but wonder about Harbinger and its horde of Reapers. What schemes were they hatching? How would they respond? Where would they move to next? The questions pummeled him one after another as he was forced to mull them over without any satisfying response. He knew nothing and that was terrifying to him.

It was happenstance that brought him to the Alpha Relay. It was Hackett's need of discrepancy and his personal trust in Shepard that had the Alliance Admiral seek him out to find Dr. Kenson. For all Shepard knew, he could turn on the holo-net to discover that the Apien Crest had gone silent. Only to realize too late that the Reapers had arrived as they poured through relays to descend upon the rest of the galaxy.

What chance did they have then?

He had received some promising news from the Illusive Man. Leads he intended to follow; he had already sent them to Liara. The Illusive Man seemed adamant that there was more information to be uncovered in the Prothean ruins on Mars. He informed Shepard that only so little had been learned from the Prothean relics discovered there. That the Alliance had barely invested the time and effort needed to dig deeper into the Archives and to try to tap into more wisdom and secrets, that the Protheans were sure to have kept.

The other lead was just as interesting, if not vague. It seemed, Cerberus agent had stumbled across hidden Prothean ruins beneath one of the Eden Prime settlements. It was too early to decide what had been discovered and on what scale, but the Illusive Man was optimistic from the reports he had gotten. He had sent an undercover force to continue to discreetly excavate the ruins.

Even with the helpful leads that Cerberus had provided Shepard, it didn't change what this relationship was between him and them. It was one of convenience. Who was he to turn away potentially powerful allies when a far danger threat lurked over them? He was no Cerberus stooge, he was his own man. He hadn't broken free from the yoke of the Alliance and then the Citadel's grasp to allow himself shackled to Cerberus.

No, never again would he allow others to dictate to him what his orders were. He wouldn't stomach bureaucrats trying to lecture him on how a mission should have been accomplished or have them throw him under the bus to get a plus four approval rating. He was done with that life.

There were times when he wondered if he did the right thing all those years ago when Saren attacked the Citadel. He could've gathered more political clout in the aftermath of the Battle. He was considered a savior of the galaxy, the Alliance and the reeling Citadel species could do nothing to stop his popularity from soaring. He could've seized a spot on the Council. Transformed himself into the military arm of a new Human led council, to help advise the galaxy and prepare for the Reaper threat, but he didn't. He allowed himself the role of errand boy and ended up getting killed by Collectors.

So much could have been different.

The swoosh of the doors brought him out of his reverie, using the reflection of the window to see the visitor was Drek. The batarian had yet to utter two words to Shepard since the destruction of the Alpha Relay that led to the death of three hundred thousand batarians.

He turned to greet the former Blue Suns legionnaire who had slowly become Shepard's friend and trusted confidant over the months that led up to the suicide mission. "Have you heard any news?" Despite his current obsession with the Collector Base, Shepard was aware of his friend's efforts in trying to raise awareness in Khar'shan of the Reaper's imminent threat.

"It's hard to gain trust when the man who's suppose to be our ally just killed three hundred thousand of our own people," Drek observed gruffly.

Shepard inwardly chastised himself for his lack of tact. "I don't know what to say."

To his surprise, Drek chuckled. "Not the best defense I've heard, Shepard."

"That's not-" Shepard wanted a second crack at forming some sort of defense or explanation, but Drek held up his hand, and Shepard decided it may be smarter to hear him out first.

Drek seemed impressed that he had been successful in silencing Shepard. Yet, in the new found silence, he did nothing to broach it. Instead, he moved past Shepard, his attention on the wide windows that provided a glimpse of the darkness of space with the bright shimmer of stars speckled in.

"I still see them," Drek observed, "those monsters that the Hegemony created using the Leviathan reaper tech." He clenched his jaw. "That was the fate waiting my people in the Bahak system had the Reapers been able to access the Relay." He kept his eyes on the window. "What the Hegemony sees as an act of war, I know better." He raised his hand to show that his omni-tool was glowing. "I knew it was an act of mercy."

An image was projected via his omni-tool, a sickening sight that Shepard remembered all too well. It was a still of one of the twisted cannibals that they had found at the Hegemony's secret funded base that had been dedicated to studying the Leviathan of Dis.

"It's still hard to stomach," Drek gave a lazy flick on the screen and the image disappeared.

"It is," Shepard agreed, remembering his first reaction to the husks and the dragon's teeth that were used to turn those colonists back on Eden Prime into them. It was burned into his mind. The sick, twisted feelings of fear and nausea tangled into a knotty mess of emotions of trying to rationalize what he was in fact seeing.

"The fact it was batarians doesn't bother me," Drek admitted, finally turning to face Shepard for the first time, "Because I know you," he let loose an amused snort, "And I know that if that colony was human you would've made the same decision without hesitation."

"I would have," he affirmed.

"Exactly," Drek nodded, moving to sit on one of the leather sofas. "The Hegemony has made a fucking mess of everything."

"What do you mean?"

"Their control of both security and the media has tightened to a degree that I can't remember seeing before," Drek placed his arms on his lap allowing him to rest his head in his hands. "I can no longer complain from a far."

And suddenly Shepard understand what it was Drek was referring to. "Ahh," he said, moving to take a seat beside his batarian friend, but leaving some space between them.

"That's the best you can say?" Drek cracked. "I'm only the best infiltrator you got."

Shepard smiled. "My apologies, but your revelation has left me without my senses or purpose moving forward."

Drek laughed, "better." He turned in his seat to face Shepard, "I didn't expect I'd miss leaving this ship as much as I do, or the people," Drek paused, "including you and the turian."

"I understand," Shepard agreed with him. It had been a strange path the two had taken, but it had proved most rewarding, and it wasn't something he would change.

"But I need to do this," the resolve in Drek's voice was palpable. "I have to return to Khar'shan and do all I can to muster any and all support and awareness." He pushed himself out of his seat.

"Your people don't realize how lucky they are to have you," Shepard had mirrored Drek, returning to his feet.

"I'm not going to blush, Shepard."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

Drek looked him over for a silent second, before tilting his head to the left and then offering his hand.

He understood the gesture that Drek was making. It was a sign of respect. "I'm going to miss you." He took the hand and shook it firmly. "I hope that when the time comes I'll have you fight by my side once again."

"I wouldn't miss it, Shepard." Drek offered him a nod before making his way to the door.

Shepard's eyes followed, and when the doors opened with a swoosh, it hadn't been because it had detected Drek's departing presence, but because of the arriving presence of Miranda. The two eyed one another before offering a respectful nod, Drek left the room without another glance and when Miranda stepped into the room her eyes were on him.

"I'm sorry," he found himself saying.

Earning a smile from Miranda, "I know." She moved towards him. "I am as well."

His arms were at his sides feeling heavy and awkward as he wasn't sure what to do with them. He wanted to reach out and hold her, and kiss her like they use to, but their relationship had frayed in the past few weeks, and now he wasn't sure what an appropriate response was.

She made the decision for him. She placed her arms around him, her face finding its way the crook of his neck.

Automatically, his arms moved to return her vulnerable, but still firm embrace. The smell of vanilla filled his nose, as he kissed the top of her head. Nothing was said in the tender embrace they shared, in those peaceful seconds that followed, words weren't needed for either to express their regret in allowing their relationship to crumble as it did.

"Everything is going to change," he informed her when their embrace ended.

"Not everything," she emphasized her meaning by squeezing his hand.

He smiled, "No, not everything." He agreed. They'd be together throughout it all. He would't make that mistake a second time.

In the silence that followed, Shepard found peace with just him and Miranda.

This was why he was fighting.

And it was why he was going to win.

The End

A/N: I finally got here. I'll admit it took me a lot longer then I initially thought and planned, but I'm still pleased to be able to finish this story.

I like to think this story was somewhat decent especially since I initially had no plans to write any sort of sequel to "I will Rise."

Yet, it did give me the option to explore a more pragmatic (renegade) Shepard which I found a great deal of fun writing. As well as dropping some Garrus/Liara which was also fun to write.

In terms of an ending, I'm never good at those, or satisfied with what I have, but in the end, I decided to just do a simple, quiet scene between him and Miranda. I hope I didn't botch it too badly.

I want to thank everyone who gave me and this story support over the years. Your positive feedback from 'I will Rise,' was what finally convinced me to try to write a sequel. I only hope it lived up to its predecessor, and your expectations.

My last request for this story: Since this is the last chapter, please review.

Thank you,

-Spectre4hire