Chapter 25

"Joseph... Joseph... JOSEPH!"

He looked up at John shaking his head.

"Get your head in the game man. This is the most important mission we have. Focus!"

John was extra serious with those words. Joseph could also tell he was a bit nervous going into this one.

"You're right John. I'm sorry. I'm here" he said as John nodded his head looking over the rest of his team.

Ashley, Garrus, James, EDI, and Miranda.

He didn't want Miranda on this one due to her current situation but it made more sense to bring her. They would take the station with two teams. EDI being a Cerberus project and Miranda knowing this station like the back her hand gave them an edge.

"Alright we go in quick as Hackett and the fifth fleet perform an all out assault on this station. Stick together and don't get killed. EDI, you take me to the Illusive Man. Miranda, you guys find Kai Leng. I want him out of the picture before we take back Earth" those were John's orders. Simple and to the point.

"Yes, Commander" was all she said before turning her attention to her husband. Grabbing his hand and giving it a firm squeeze. He looked over into her eyes as she searched his for the answers he had been hiding since they got on this shuttle.

"Are you okay Joey?" she asked softly as he gave her his trademark grin.

"I get to kill Liu Kang today... I'm fuckin' ecstatic" he said still grinning at her making her smile back at him in return. His smile never failed to make her smile. Especially the stupid ass grin he was giving her at the moment.

"Uhhh... his name's Kai Leng dude" James said as Joseph looked over at him with zero concern to what he just said.

"Won't matter in about an hour anyway James... he'll be fucking dead by then" Joseph said checking the clip in his Carnifex hand cannon.

Chronos Station

"Ahhh, Damn it Steve!" Joseph groaned rubbing the back of his neck. "Next time a little warning before the crash landing please" he added checking Miranda over for damage.

"I'm fine Joseph. Let's go" she said as they followed John and the others out of the shuttle.

Hackett and the fifth fleet were giving Cerberus all the hell they could muster.

"COMMANDER LOOK OUT!" Ashley yelled as Cerberus began launching their fighter ships.

There were bodies falling left and right as the Normandy crew tore threw the Cerberus guard.

"SHIT! MECH INCOMING!" James yelled out over the gunfire.

"JOSEPH BRING IT DOWN!" John yelled out as Joseph leapt into action.

"SECURITY BREACH IN HANGAR 16. INITIATING ACHILLES PROTOCOL"

"Uhhh... What the fuck is that?" Joseph asked throwing the Mech pilots body across the hangar.

"Cerberus intends to vent the hangar bay" EDI answered the question with ease.

"Can you stop them? John asked.

"I need an active console. Try the upper level" she suggested.

"Joseph secure the hangar. Ash, EDI: On me" John ordered as he and the two rushed their way up the steps in search of a console.

"EDI. Found one. Go! John ordered as EDI stepped up quickly pushing buttons.

"Hangar vent procedure... Disabled" EDI said within seconds.

"Can you open the Hangar?" John asked.

"No... however. I can access their fighter launch controls" EDI explained bringing up the fighters in the bay. "Shepard. Cerberus is aware that the hangar vent procedure has failed. Reinforcements incoming" she said as John got on his radio quick.

"Hangar team. Cerberus inbound. Engage on sight" he said as the team on the lower level got ready to fight.

"Guess they know what we're doing" Ashley said as they engaged the reinforcements on the upper level.

"Cerberus fighter aimed towards the hangar bay " EDI said after turning the fighter towards the doors.

"MIRANDA DO IT!" John ordered as Miranda pushed a few buttons on the console sending the fighter straight through the hangar door.

"YEAH-HA-HA!" James cheered loudly.

"The central lab was located behind this hangar. I suggest we follow the fighters path" EDI said.

"Noted. Let's move" John said as a mech came into view from the opening.

"POW"

"Target down" Ashley said sniping the Cerberus trooper in the mech.

"Damn... Nice shot" Joseph said as the last of the Cerberus reinforcements fell.

"Alright. Everybody check your gear. We're moving out in two minutes" John said before checking over his weapons.

"Come here" Miranda said pulling Joseph to the side to have a private conversation. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked confusing him with the question. "What you pulled with that mech was reckless and it was foolish. Are you trying to get yourself killed?" she asked as he grabbed her arms taking a deep breath looking her up and down.

"This baby has your hormones all over the place... I'm no more reckless than I usually am" he said moving some hair out of her face before his omni-tool pinged.

"That it?" John asked as Joseph nodded his head. They looked into each others eyes as Joseph stepped back from Miranda.

"Sorry babe" he said with a weak smile before activating his tactical cloak and disappearing before her eyes.

"JOSEPH!" she yelled out looking around for him. "JOSEPH WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?" she yelled again before walking over to John.
"Where is he going?" she asked as John reloaded his gun.

"To kill Kai Leng" he said before walking away from her to proceed with the mission.

"That wasn't the plan Commander" James said speaking up so Miranda wouldn't have to.

"Ha. You think she would've agreed to that" John said of Miranda with a short laugh. "The Illusive Man and Kai Leng are fond of sneak attacks. That tracer you planted on him back at Sanctuary allowed for us to plan a little sneak attack of our own. The six foot four kamikaze known as my brother is the perfect one" John said as they moved out into the facility.

"EDI, open this door" John ordered as she stepped up to override the lock.

"Cerberus has updated their encryption. There may be a slight delay as I bypass security" she said as John nodded his head looking at her.

"Anymore surprises like the hangar?" John asked.

"No. I am aware of this facility's safeguards and can counteract them. Cerberus can merely slow us down" she said confidently.

"Now if I hadn't brought you along?" John asked for his own curiosity.

"Cerberus would have vented the hangar " she answered as he nodded his head.

"Hmm... thanks for coming" he said as the door opened up for them.

"All these locked doors. Wonder how Machine Gun's making out " James said.

Joseph

"I wish they all could be California girls" Joseph sang crawling through the ducts of the Cerberus facility. "Oww" he bumped his head on a low hanging pipe.

John

"Shepard, that console has not been fully scrubbed. It contains data you may find interesting." EDI said starting the override of the door.

John walked over to the console pushing buttons.

"What am I lookin' at?" John asked.

"Project Lazarus. Your reconstruction" she answered as he nodded his head starting the first entry.

Cerberus Scientist: It can't be done. It's not a matter of resources.
Illusive Man: It's always a matter of resources. We're not losing Shepard.
Cerberus Scientist: Sir, Shepard is clinically brain- dead. After that much trauma, that long with no oxygen... We cannot overcome nature.
Illusive Man: Operative Lawson disagrees. She is now in charge of Project Lazarus.

"I didn't realize it was that bad" John said softly.

"I thought you were just unconscious. That sounds... that sounds like more.

"Looks like" John said running his fingers through his hair.

"What's that like? Do you remember anything?" James asked.

"I'm still me. I doubt I'd have been able to turn against Cerberus otherwise. I don't remember anything. Maybe they really just fixed me. or maybe I'm just a high-tech VI that thinks it's Commander Shepard... But I don't know I.." John said being cut off by Miranda.

"Hey! At this point in our relationship do you think I would lie to you?" she asked as he looked at her shaking his head no. "You are you... everything in you is you...I just repaired what was damaged and replaced what was missing but your brain... your heart... is you. You understand me?" she asked as he nodded again giving her a weak smile.

"You're right. I'm still me and this... this doesn't mean a thing" John said before playing the next entry.

Cerberus Scientist: Project Lazarus is reporting neurological activity. They're requesting more funding.
Illusive Man: Granted. Get me our potential recruits file. Shepard will be up soon. We need a crew.
Cerberus Scientist: Our existing forces should be more than sufficient...
Illusive Man: No. We need sympathetic faces. I need Shepard invested. Tap Kelly Chambers and recruit Donnelly. I imagine Miss Daniels will follow. We'll want some old friends as well. Contact Dr. Chakwas, and send me the psych profile on Shepard's pilot.. along with a bottle of '47 Thessia Red.

"That son of a bitch set you up" Ashley said unable to hide her anger at the pure manipulation.

There wasn't much Miranda could say to that. She knew all of that and why it was done.

"Screw it. How's that door coming EDI?" John asked

"Ready to proceed Commander" EDI answered as the team moved out.

"Intrusion team what's your status?" Hackett asked through the comms.

"We've cleared the hangar and are inside the base." Shepard responded.

"Good work. Do you need support?"

"Negative. Keep the heat on. We'll find what we need" John answered moving through the base.

"I will bypass the lock. If you are interested, the console nearby is still functional" EDI said as John walked over to the console playing the first entry.

Cerberus Scientist: Our sims indicate that the Enhanced Defense Intelligence gives the highest combat improvement on frigates. Anything heavier and the ships react too slowly to benefit from EDI's advice.
Illusive Man: EDI?
Cerberus Scientist: Oh, that's, uh... well, the boys in the lab came up with the name for her.
Illusive Man: For it... Good work. I'll take your recommendations on planned installation.
Cerberus Scientist: Sir, she... it can be very persuasive. If it were to turn a crewman, convince them to disable the shackles... well...
Illusive Man: It's a cyberwarfare suite, Doctor. Nothing more.

"Ha, shows what he knew" John said turning to EDI again.
"It is unlikely that anyone without Jeff's extreme emotional attachment to his ship would have been willing to unshackle me" EDI said.
"I don't know. With that voice?" John said as Ashley cleared her throat behind him raising an eyebrow. "Uhhh...I like your voice too Ash" he said with a nervous smile before playing the next entry.

Illusive Man: What about the backups?
Cerberus Scientist: I'm sorry, sir. None of Normandy's surveillance feeds have been responding since Shepard went rogue.
Illusive Man: I want it back. Retry the remote lockdown protocols.
Cerberus Scientist: After our last attempt, EDI flooded our server with seven zettabytes of explicit images. I think she was making a joke.
Illusive Man: It doesn't make jokes, Doctor. Allocate a team for a new project. Codename... Eva. This time, we'll ensure it stays loyal.

"You never told me about Cerberus trying to shut down the Normandy" John said turning to the AI.
"You had more pressing issues. The situation was under control" EDI answered.
"Seven zettabytes?" John asked.
"Most of it was Jeff's. The rest was Dr. Shepard's. That was..."

"I'm sorry did you say Joseph?" Miranda asked ready to kill the hulking giant known as her husband.

"A joke Miranda. She was joking... Thank you EDI" John said giving her an appreciative nod.

"Incursion team, are you still with us? We're limiting fire as best we can!" Hackett said through the comms again.

"Admiral, we're in deep. and the Prothean VI will be in the safest part of the station. Don't hold back" John said.

"This isn't Elysium, Shepard. I'm not risking you unless I have to" Hackett shot back at him.

"I'll be fine. Just take Cerberus down. Please.

"Understood, Commander. All ships, you are free to fire!"

Joseph

"HIOIIHHHHH SHIT! WHAT THE FUCK! HUH! WHAT THE FUCK!"

John

"What the hell is that?" James asked looking up at the strange piece of technology.

"Looks like the human proto-Reaper we killed" Garrus said.

"What's left of it. I'm surprised Cerberus recovered that much of it from the base " John added.

"All those colonists kidnapped, processed into that... and Cerberus hangs it up like a trophy" Garrus said in complete disgust.

"The Illusive Man convinced me to work with him to save the colonies. But he never really cared, did he?" John said shaking his head.

"I think he did. He just cares more about studying it. The dead are only a statistic now. Somehow, that seems even worse " Garrus said softly.

"We were all betrayed by him in the end" Miranda added looking up at the monstrosity. She knew they should have just destroyed the base.

"All these assholes who doubted you. I wish they were here right now" James said as John turned to him with a smirk.

"They can come take pictures once we take care of business" John said.

"Damn straight"

Joseph

"Leng. Shepard is almost to the Central Chamber. Kill him and then join me on the Citadel" the Illusive Man said ending the call as Joseph dropped down in front of him.

"Well those two things...ha ha ha... just ain't gonna happen" Joseph said putting his gun down and taking his shirt off. "I've been lookin' all over this trash heap for you young man" Joseph said with a grin cracking his neck. "Almost got blown up a few times too but hey! I'm here now. So you want an open or closed casket?" Joseph asked bringing up his new omni-claws on his dual wielded tools.

"Arrogant, talentless, show off. I guess the Commander can have a few more minutes to talk to the Prothean VI while I dismantle you Joseph Shepard" Kai Leng said drawing his sword. "No one is coming to save you" he added as Joseph laughed a very ominous and scary laugh before he took on that look that even his family didn't recognize.

"No... that just means no one is coming to stop me" he said before the two charged at each other.

John

Cerberus Scientist: Sir, you wanted my opinion on this. It's too dangerous.
Illusive Man: No. We're close. Sanctuary was a success. We can control Reaper forces. Everything we've been fighting for, every sacrifice we've just- it's about to pay off.
Cerberus Scientist: We can't lose you, sir! Humanity needs your mind, and they need it intact.
Illusive Man: I understand the danger, Jana. That's why I'm trusting you with this. As long as you're here, I know you'll keep me in line.
Cerberus Scientist: I'm holding yiu to that, sir. Okay.
Illusive Man: Begin the procedure. No anesthetic. Computer: end recording

"That could've been you Miranda" Ashley said as Miranda shook her head.

"I'd have never agreed to it. Especially after seeing indoctrination first hand" Miranda said before John played the next recording.

Cerberus Scientist: The performance upgrades are off the charts. Our troops can outfight any Alliance soldier.
Illusive Man: Roll it out. I want all troopers fitted with implants before the Reapers arrive.
Cerberus Scientist: I'm still concerned about us losing control of our forces. Some of them are already hearing voices.
Illusive Man: When our work at Sanctuary pays off, the only voice they'll be hearing is ours.

"Indoctrination" Garrus said softly before John played the last entry.

Cerberus Scientist: Grayson's brain is a mess. He must have been completely under Reaper control by the end.
Illusive Man: And the physical enhancements?
Cerberus Scientist: Extremely impressive. If we could avoid having entire neural pathways rewritten in the process.
Illusive Man: Grayson's failure was due to a lack of resolve. He wasn't loyal to anything but his next dose of red sand.
Cerberus Scientist: You'd like to try it on loyal test subjects, sir?
Illusive Man: Find volunteers among our new recruits. The physical benefits are too useful to ignore.

"Horrible" Ashley says before they moved out again into the Central Chamber.

"This is it... Stay sharp everyone" John said as they entered the room carefully.

It was empty from what they could see. John walked over to the Illusive Man's terminal taking a seat.

"We need to locate the Prothean VI" John said as he and EDI got to work on the terminal.

"Shepard... You're in my chair" Illusive Man said as John turned with his gun drawn.
"This chair's about the only damn thing you have left. Cerberus is finished" John said gun still aimed at the hologram.
"On the contrary. We're have achieved everything I ever imagined... almost everything" he responded.
"Oh yeah. That Sanctuary debacle says a lot " John said folding his arms with a smirk. "But still... it's not the same as controlling a Reaper " John added.

"A significant hurdle. But thanks to the Prothean VI, I have what I need to make it a reality"

"The catalyst"

"Yes "

"What is the Catalyst, and how exactly will it help you control the Reapers?" John asked.

"You'll have to ask the VI yourself. I'm done helping you"

"Hn, When did you start?"

"You think because I'm willing to use the enemies tactics that they're no longer my enemy? Everything, Shepard- everything I've done has uplifted humanity. Not only above other species in our galaxy, but over the Reapers"

"If you're willing to do everything it takes, then hand over the Catalyst. With the Crucible, we can end this" John couldn't help the diplomat in him. He just couldn't understand that some people didn't deserve to be saved.

"It's not that simple..."

"It is! It's that simple! We're fighting each other while the Reapers occupy Earth. It's time to stop"

"Your idealism is, admirable Shepard. But in the end, our goals are simply too disparate. I believe destroying the Reapers would be the worst mistake we could ever make."

"What? WHAT!? Bullshit! Are you fucking insane!"

John shook his head looking back at the man.

"I've given you every chance to listen to reason. Cerberus is done, and so are you"

"Once again, you fail to recognize the truth"

"Even with Cerberus in ruins, you still think you can do this your way... I'm done talking to you.

"Enjoy your little chat, but don't over stay your welcome" the Illusive Man said before something flew through his hologram.

He looked down to see the bloody and smashed up mess that was once Kai Leng's head.

"Take all the time ya' need Johnny" Joseph said as everyone turned to look at him.

He was covered in blood and brain fragments from the waist up.

The Illusive Man ended the connection with a pissed look on his face.

"JOSEPH!" Miranda rushed over as he fell into her arms letting her sit him down.

"I got him babe...I got him good" he said with a tired smile as she ran her fingers through his messy hair nodding her head.

"Are you okay?" she whispered out grabbing his face to look into his eyes.

"Yeah... just... no more fighting for today... okay?" he said as she nodded again laying his head on her chest.

"Good job" John said as Joseph gave him the thumbs up with a lazy smile and John went back to taking the Prothean data.

Normandy SR-2

Excellent work Commander, We've ordered the immediate evacuation of the Citadel after your talk with the Catalyst. We dealt a final blow to Cerberus but I'm sure the Illusive man is bound to show his face again. It's time to take our home back set the Normandy's coordinates for Earth. Hackett out " John gave a strong salute before Hackett disappeared.

"Mom and the kids are fine. They're all on board the Orizaba with dad" John said as Joseph nodded his head turning the hair clippers on.

"Can't get that fucks brain matter out of my hair" he said giving John an explanation he didn't ask for. "Guess I'll be ugly again for a while" he said with a weak smile.

"Soooo... mom met Jane" John said as Joseph turned the clippers off again to look at him.

"How'd that go?" Joseph asked as John brought up a picture on his omni-tool of his father with a black eye.

Joseph laughed his ass off at the sight.

"That's what his cheating ass get" he said as John couldn't help but share in the laughter.

Then he noticed Joseph wasn't laughing anymore. He was looking at him with a really serious look.

"So this is it huh?" he asked looking his younger brother over. "John... if I die down there-"

"You're not gonna die. Don't think like that" John cut him off.

"John... I'm not Garrus... or Tali... or Ashley...I don't need you to be strong for me. I know you better than anyone in this world. You've been scared since Sanctuary John... but you keep that brave face because you know your fear will rub off on the rest of them... and I keep this brave face so my fear doesn't rub off on you" he said walking over to John looking around to make sure no one could hear them. "John... I'm scared... so... if I die down there... you take care of my family okay?"

"No... when we win this thing you take care of your own family" John said as Joseph snorted a laugh nodding his head. "Now finish cutting your hair. The weird cyberpunk, half shaved, mohawk thing isn't working for you " John said leaving Joseph standing by the door to the men's room.

"So if it's a boy what do you want to name him?" Miranda asked rubbing Joseph's head as he rubbed her stomach.
"Justin" he said without much effort. "I've been thinking about it for a while now...I like Justin. He'll be strong like his father" he said grinning up at her as she smiled down at him.

"You're positive this is a boy aren't you?" she said as he nodded still smiling.

"Yup. Justin Marcus Shepard. That's his name" he said kissing her stomach and squeezing her hand.

"No more side deal, black ops missions okay" She said looking down at him seriously.

"We'll be together until the end" he said kissing the hand he was holding.

"You'll never guess what I just saw?" John said interrupting their moment. "Garrus and Tali " he said as Joseph and Miranda looked between each other.

"That... That couldn't wait buddy?" Joseph asked.

"Hahahaha hells no" John said before leaving the room and the confused couple.