Shepard pushed himself up from the crash. He turned to Joker. His face was a mix of worry and regret. "Joker, you, okay?" he asked.

"Urge … I think I broke my rib. All of them." Joker joked, holding his waist with his hand.

"Multiple core systems overloaded during the crash. Restoring operation will take time." EDI answered.

"We knew it was likely a one-way trip." Prometheus stated as he walked up from navigation next to Shepard.

"I do whatever it takes to stop the collectors, but I planned to live to talk about it." Shepard spoke in a controlled voice.

Joker turned his head with a raised eyebrow. "Well, I'm glad you're in charge … what next?"

Normandy SR2: Conference room.

The crew of the Normandy SR2 were gathered around the table. Miranda and Jacob were readying their weapons while conversing silently. Tali and Mordin were standing together, observing the Cerberus operatives. As Shepard entered, the crew turned to face him as he strode purposefully to the table's centre.

"This isn't how we planned this mission, but this is where we are at now." Shepard started seriously, gaining everyone's attention.

"We can't worry about whether the Normandy can take us home. We came to stop the collectors, and that is what we are going to do. That also means coming up with a plan to take down this base. EDI bring-ups bring up tye scans" EDI brought up a holographic map of the gigantic collector base.

"You should be able to overload their critical systems if you get to the main control centre here." EDI explained, pinpointing with a blue indicator arrow.

Jacob huffed, lighting up his omni-tool. He showcased the centre part of the base. "That means going through the heart of the station. Right past this massive energy signature."

"That's the central chamber. If our crew or any of the colonists are still alive, the collectors are probably holding them there." Shepard nodded as he added on.

Jacob crossed his arms. "Looks like two main routes might be a good idea to split up to keep the collectors unbalanced, then regroup and regroup at centre processing."

Prometheus hummed. "Would advise against that. The collectors would block off both routes to stop that kind of attack. The only way past is for someone to open it from the other side." He spoke.

Shepard stroked his chin. "Is there a way past that, Prometheus?"

"Yes. They have a ventilation that gets air out every few years to keep the station running. Someone could sneak past and open it from there."

Jacob smirked with a hunch. "Practically a suicide mission. I volunteered."

Tali giggled. "Jacob, I'm afraid you don't have the necessary skills to do that. She faced her leader. "Shepard, you need a person who can hack into the Collectors' systems. A technology specialist. Legion, Kasumi, or I would work.

"Alternatively, I could take care of it." Prometheus declared. Everyone is focused on him now. "As a collector, I know more about the system than most people." Some of the crew felt uneasy about that, but Shepard spoke up determinedly.

Shepard nodded. "He's right. While he does that, the rest of us split up into two teams and fight in each passage. That should draw the collectors' attention away from what he is doing."

Miranda nodded in agreement. "I lead the second fire team, Shepard. We'll meet you on the other side of those doors."

Ben snorted. "Sorry, Princess, but you need the crew's trust to lead. I can already tell Jack foaming at the mouth if you're in charge." Ben turns to Shepard. "You need either Garrus or Jacob to lead this one."

Miranda narrowed her eyes but conceded to Ben's point when Shepard nodded. Shepard's head turns to Garrus.

"You're in charge of the second, Garrus."

Garrus nodded. "I will get the team there, Shepard. You have my word."

Miranda nodded, crossing her arms. "Well, at least he knows what he is doing."

Shepard started pacing about, and determination filled his voice. "I don't know what we are going to find in there, but I won't lie to you. It won't be easy. We lost good people, and we may lose more." Ben and Ship bowed their heads in shame.

"We don't know how many the collectors have stolen -– thousands, hundreds of thousands. It is not important. What matters is this: not one more. That's what we can do here today. It ends with us. They want to know what we made of. I say we show them, on are terms. Let's bring our people home! Legion, Zaeed with me. The rest follow Garrus."

The collector Base

Shepard jumped down from the Normandy airlock with Legion and Zaeed following behind. Shepard saw Garrus and the rest of the crew heading off. Prometheus going straight towards the ventilation.

As Shepard moved forward. A message came through on the coms.

"Prometheus here. I am in the vents. Pushing through." Shepard moving his hand to his ear.

"Team 2, you in position?"

"We are in position. We'll meet you on the other side of those doors." Garrus spoke confidently. Shepard nodded and pulled out his Avenger M-8 and led forward.

The collector Base: with Garrus

Garrus turns to the shapeshifter. "Ben, ship."

"On it."

"Ship!"

Ben slammed down on his watch.

"EATLE!" A round beetle like biped with a metal jaw and green stomach. Ship slammed his liquid body into Miranda"s M-3 Predator. It was a green and black gun with attachments on.

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Thank you ship." Kasumi pouted at the scene.

Garrus cocked his Vindicator. "Let's move, Grunt and Samara take point." Both nodded in return. The collector doors open with a swarm of collectors on the other side.

"Open fire and push!" Garrus shouted. The collectors swarmed on Garrus' team with heavy laser fire. Grunt charged in, taking a squad of collectors, while Samara used reave on the Collectors to keep them in place, draining their power. Eatle snacked on metal walls, then green laser fired off at the tip of his horn.

Thane sniped from the back, covering everyone. Kasumi sabotaged the enemy's weapons, preventing the team from being pushed back. Miranda, with the now newly upgraded gun, blasted through the collectors. Mordin burned any flying collectors with Incinerate. Jacob followed closed up narrow encounters and stopped the collectors from flanking. Jack sent out shockwaves in the dead centre. Tali stayed at the back, unleashing her drone.

Garrus fired round into husk and scion. He also saw his squad pushing. "Garrus here. Taking heavy fire, but we're moving." He said over the communication towards Shepard.

"Watch out! Reinforcements!" Tali shouted. Garrus quickly saw flying collectors and platforms full of scions heading their way. Eatle took a chance and fired beams of energy at them.

The collector base: with Shepard.

Shepard, Legion, and Zaeed were pushing forward. Shooting every collector that flew in. Legion covering the flank with his drone, and Zaeed monitoring the front using his inferno grenades. Shepard leading the charge, like the N7 always does, using his warp to bypass many Collector soldiers. As they walk towards an archway, their eyes linger towards the vent system in front of them. Prometheus appeared before them, walking through the pipeline.

"Ah, can one of you unlock the heat valve? I need it open in order to pass through. Its appearance is one of a green hexagon shape." Prometheus asked, and Shepard nodded, his eyes darted to Legion.

"Legion, unlock the valve."

"Affirmative."

Shepard turn back to Prometheus and asked. "How many more valves do we need to bypass for you to reach the other side?"

"There two on the other side in a tight, long walkway." A slight steam sound came out of the pipe, and Legion walked back to Shepard.

"Good, I am heading through the gate now, I will meet you around the corner." Prometheus informed them as he went on ahead in the ventilation. Shepard and his squad followed behind in the hive-like walkway.

All three pushed as their eyes saw a swarm of collectors ahead of them. Zaeed fired off some rounds with his Concussive Shot hitting a squad of Collectors. Using the M-96 Mattock as his main gun. Legion and his drone sniped off the heads of collectors with his Widow sniper rifle. Shepard used his sentinel armour as a shield to charge ahead to open the second valve for Prometheus.

As the valve opened, Zaeed shouted. "Above us! Goddamn Bugs!"

"Legion, cover the air, make sure those bugs don't land." Shepard responded as he and the other run forward.

"Affirmative Shepard commander!" Shepard managed to push to the third valve.

Garrus spoke over the coms. "Garus Here. We are making good progress. We meet you at the rendezvous."

The collector Base: with Garrus

"Ben, we need an opening! Provided it!" Garrus shouted. Ship in turret form was blasting a hive of the collectors.

Eatle smirked after firing a blast from his horn and shouted. "On it" He slammed the Omnitrix and change.

"Spitter!" Spitter looked like a ball wrapped in dry winkle skin. Spitter went to work, he jumped high, firing acid from his gummy mouth, spraying a bunch of collectors, green liquid. Leaving a path for Grunt to charge in and Krogan smash a bunch of the bugs.

Garrus grinned and shouted to the team. "Everyone charge!" Everyone did so quickly, charging up to meet up at the rendezvous point with Shepard and his squad. Squadron of platforms filled with scions flying across them, blasting at Garrus' group with shockwaves. Because of the Grunt's krogan smash, the floor started collapsing on itself.

Everyone slowly stopped charging. Even the Collectors were hesitating. Spitter being at the forefront could not do anything and fell through the collapse. Miranda and Kasumi try to reach to save him but was pulled back by the shoulders by Jack and Samara.

The collectors saw this opportunity to start in their heavy attack while the scions flanked the group. However, a green flash appears below.

"Gravattack!" A flying miniature planet flew out towards the scions. Using his powers, he grabbed hold of the many platforms, shaking the Scion off and flung the platforms toward the collectors.

"Gravity powers," Impressed Mordin, mumbled. "Yes, very unique. I calculate that his abilities stem from the fact that he is a miniature planet statue with his own geotropism." He said this while incinerating some collectors.

"Ship!" Eagerly nodded.

Thane nodded but hummed out. "You can be impressed later. We need to move on." Garrus nodded in agreement and ordered a quick charge forward towards the doors. As the group reach the doors, Garris calls out to Shepard through the com link.

"We are in position. Just waiting for the door to open."

The collector base: with Shepard.

Shepard slammed his omni-tool into the valve controls. Letting Prometheus through.

"Just four more valves to go Shepard." Prometheus stated. Shepard nodded, moving forward along with Zaeed and Legion following behind.

They reach a huge open wide platform, filled with collectors and one possessed Collector. Zaeed tossed his inferno grenades scattering across the platforms. Burning a bunch of collectors. Harbinger slowly walked towards Shepard only for Legion to snipe it with his Widow. Shepard ran across to release another valve.

Prometheus shouted out. "I am moving forward!"

Shepard quickly turned to his team. "Come on!" The team started running to the next valve.

"Good, moving on to the next valve. Just two more to go." Prometheus explained.

The groups started blasting a bunch of collectors as they ran to the next valve. They made it to the next room filled with more collectors.

"Push! We need to get those valves open. Zaeed charge on ahead and cover us by the doors. Legion with me!" Shepard ordered.

"Affirmative Shepard commander."

"God Dammit Shepard." Zaeed shouted as he started running to the doors while getting fire upon by the collectors. When he got into position, he started firing off shots to cover Shepard and legion. Shepard saw this and charged to the next valve release. Legion was running behind Shepard using his drone to cover Zaeed and his energy drain to immobilise some of the collectors. When Shepard hit the second to last valve, he started running to the last one which was on the other end by the doors. The collectors started to rapidly open fire to stop Shepard. Harbinger was walking faster to stop Shepard.

"One more Shepard." Prometheus shouted out. Shepard jumped over some cover and ran as fast as he could.

He managed to hit the valve.

He ordered. "Legion Door. Now!" Legion did so. So, with him, Zaeed and Shepard were in a firefight against collectors. Shepard started banging the door behind him.

The collector base: with Prometheus.

A door opened, with Garrus and his crew coming in. Prometheus was at the controls trying to close the door now that Garrus' crew started slowly coming in.

Garrus shouted. "Watch out seeker swarms!" Both Garrus, Grunt and Samara were covering the rest of the crew to get in, using their assault rifles. The kept fightback till Shepard voice came in the coms.

"We in position. We need this door open." Shepard ordered. Garrus nodded and pushed Prometheus to Shepard door.

"Go, we cover you." Garrus ordered.

Prometheus got to the control and worked his magic but shouted. "The door has been overridden. I need a few … I got it." The other set of doors open with Shepard, legion and Zaeed retreating into it.

Shepard shouted out, "Here they come." With Legion and Zaeed fighting alongside him. Garrus door's shut as Shepard said that and with that Garrus' team started to form a line with Shepard.

"Suppressive fire. do not let anyone through that door." Garrus ordered. Grunt, Samara backed him and Shepard up. Covering Prometheus who was trying to shut the door.

Gravattack came up from behind. "Allow me." He hit his watch.

"Bloxx!" Bloxx was a primary-coloured Lego Ape that could create constructs using Lego. He reached out his arms and created a barrier to protect Shepard and the gang from being hit on the other side of the doors. This allowed time for Prometheus to close the door. Crushing parts of Bloxxs arms but he regenerated them back.

"Thanks Prometheus." Shepard thanked.

"You're welcome, Shepard." Shepard then turn to Ben. "Lego?"

"Hey, don't knock if…." He was interrupted by Miranda soft voice.

"Shepard you need to see this…" Shepard turn to Miranda coming up next to her. The crew walked up behind seeing pods stacked next to each other.

Prometheus ran up to the pods and spoke up harshly but quickly. "We need to get the humans out of these pods. This is where they process humans. It's your missing colonist and crew!" Prometheus proceeded to break open one of the pods.

"You heard the man! Get to opening these pods.! MOVE!" Shepard ordered. Everyone went to work. Bloxx changed to Four arms to rip open these pods. While the rest work with Krogan strength, biotics and Tech. Shepard got to work with Dr Chalkwas pod.

"Dr. Chalkwas, are you okay?" Shepard asked gently.

Dr. Chalkwas struggled to balance herself. She looked up. "Shepard… you came for us."

Shepard smiled warmly "I never abandoned my crew, and no one gets left behind." He grabbed Dr. Chalkwas and helped her up. Another voice appeared. It was soft but faint.

"Ben?"

Four arms chuckled and picked her up. "Yeah, it me Lilith. Don't worry you're safe… I could not save all the colonists though." He looked over at the process humans. Lilith was a Petit human female with light short brown hair.

She nodded. "The children?" she asked.

"They safe on the citadel. I protected them. Like you asked."

"Thank you." Her voice was soft but tired.

"Ship!" shouted said Ship.

Lilith giggled softly. "Yes and thank you too, Ship."

Kennith walked up behind Chalkwas and spoke up. "Thank goodness you came in time. A few more seconds and we be … well will be munch meat." Shepard nodded.

Dr. Chalkwas shivered but carried on. "The colonists were… processed. Those swarms of little robots they—Melted Their bodies into grey liquid and pumped through these tubes.

"Prometheus why are they doing this? What do they want with are genetic material?" Shepard asked his bug companion. Some of the colonists that were saved shivered at Prometheus.

"Reapers!" Was all his answered back wit.

"Great that it's not cryptic at all!" Jack murmured.

"Shepard, we still have a job to do. We have done well so far. Let hope we can finish it." Miranda stated. Shepard nodded and patch through to Joker.

"Joker, can you fix on are position?"

"Roger, that commander. All the tubes lead into the main control room right above you. The route is blocked by a security door, but there's another chamber that runs parallel to the one you're in."

EDI chimed in. "I cannot recommend that. Thermal emissions suggest the chamber is overrun by seek swarms. Mordin counter measures cannot protect you against so many at once."

Four arms smirked and crossed his arms. "I have a form that makes it so that the seeker swarms won't even be able to touch me in a mile radius."

Prometheus nodded. "And I be invisible to them due to my genetic makeup. Me and Ben should be enough to pass through the seeker swarms and meet you on the other side. We open the security forms and meet you there."

Shepard nodded. "Then I lead the rest of us. We will be the main diversion, you two will go through the main passageway."

Dr Chalkwas spoke groggily. "What about me and the rest of the crew Shepard. We in no shape to fight."

Lilith chimed in. "Us colonist are feeling the same way."

"Commander!"

"Joker?" Shepard asked

"We have enough systems back online to do a pickup, but we need to land back from your position."

Four arms came forward, His four-arm crossed. "Ship can take them. He has enough space in the trunk."

"Ship, ship." Ship nodded in agreement.

Shepard also nodded in agreement, "Mordin go with them. They need medical as soon as they back on the Normandy." Ship Jump and change into his spaceship form.

Mordin open his omni-tool. "Joker, need location of landing zone. Will meet you there." He then proceed to board ship, with the rest of the crew following in tow, along with the surviving colonists.

Shepard crossed arm. "We all got our assignments. Move out!" Four Arms slams his hand into the Omnitrix.

"HEATBLAST! Come on, Prometheus!" Both of them walk towards the parallel route.

The collector base: with Ben/Heatblast.

Both Heatblast and Prometheus started to walk through the pathway. The seeker swarms did try to surround Heatblast but got burned to ash when they came into contact to Heatblast's molten lava skin. The swarms ignored Prometheus completely.

The collectors flew in and fired at Heatblast and Prometheus. Heatblast ran forward, blasting heat at the enemy combatants. Their bug-like skin melted under the weight of Heatblast's fiery atmosphere. Prometheus was firing energy blasts at his ex-brethren.

"Be..n. Team …osti—n. we… w..tin for y_o" Shepard tried to state for the radio com.

"It seems the swarms are interfering in radio contact". Prometheus claimed. Heatblast click his fire mouth.

"Damn, then there is no need to waste time."

"Agreed."

Both increase they pace to reach the other side. Husk and Abomination appear from the ground. Scion coming out of the shady corners firing off their annoying shockwave. Though the abomination do tend to explode on impact when getting near Heatblast. Prometheus striked at the scions killing them through the collector beam laser. The husk just smack at Heatblast but melt when come into contact.

"Have you notice that Harbinger never appears when Shepard not here." Heatblast asked while blasting his way through a horde of husks. Melting them down to liquid.

"It because Shepard did something most reapers would calculate impossible. Destroying a reaper." Prometheus responded.

"So there scared of him?"

"More intrigued … Look the doorway leading to the security termial down there." Prometheus pointed to an open door. Heatblast nodded and lead the charge. As they run more Husk and Abomination appear from the ground below. Heatblast slowed to cover they rear. He pulled in his arms and released a bunch of moulting fire at every collector, Husk and Abomination in front of him. Heatblast slowly walk to the door where Prometheus shut it behind him.

"I repeat. Ben, do you copy?" Shepard called through the radio. Heatblast nodded to Prometheus.

"I got you shep. Where you at?"

"We at the door. We pinned down."

"Shit!" Heatblast swore. He and Prometheus started running to the other door.

"We are coming, Shep. Prometheus, get this door open. Shepard, prepare to duck, truck and roll." Prometheus worked on the controls as soon as he touch it. The doors open with Shepard, and the gang started to fall back through the now open door, firing back at the collectors. Heatblast breathed in, then breathed out a fiery breath from his nose, covering every collector that pushing forward, burning them.

"Closed the door!" Shepard shouted as he can see everyone is in. Prometheus did so.

Shepard spoke into his radio. "Joker, are you at the rendezvous point?"

"I'm here, commander. Chalkwas and the rest of the crew just arrived, as well as the surviving colonists."

"Mordin and Ship's group just arrived, Shepard. No casualties." EDI added.

Miranda stepped up next to Shepard and was smiling as she heard that. She called out to EDI. "Excellent, now let make it count. EDI, what our next step?"

"They should be some nearby platforms that will take you to the main control console. From there, you can overload the system and destroy the base."

"Commander, you got a problem." Joker alerted. "Hostiles are massing outside. It won't be long until they bust through."

Shepard nodded and stepped up onto the platform. "A rearguard could defend this position and keep the collectors from overwhelming us."

Miranda nodded and spoke. "Pick a team to go with you, Shepard. Everyone else can bunker down and cover your back."

Shepard nodded and indicated for her and Thane to join him. Miranda nodded and jumped up.

"Ready, commander."

Thane followed suit, "Ready, Shepard."

"Anything you like to say, Commander, before we do this?" Miranda asked.

"Collectors, the reapers — they aren't a threat to us. They're a threat to everything – everyone. Those are the lives we're fighting for. That's the scale. It's been a long journey, and no one's coming out without scars, but it all comes down to this moment. We win or lose it all in the next few minutes make me proud make yourselves proud." Shepard's speech clearly boosted morale among the crew as they ready, they weapons and Ben triggered his Omnitrix.

Shepard's platform started lifting into the air, hovering to the last encounter, with Thane and Miranda by his side. The rest of the crew turn back to the doors, ready for the incoming assault from the collectors, husks, abominations, and scions.

A green light flashed.

"RATH!"

The collector base: with Shepard.

The platform rises forward towards other platforms. Miranda eyed the moving platform in front of her.

"Watch out, enemies ahead!" She shouted. Shepard noticed a horde of collectors approaching them on different platforms flying towards them.

"Thane, time your shots. We won't be able to restock. Don't waste any Themo clips and aim for their heads." Shepard ordered.

"On it!" Thane pulled out his M-97 Viper and fired off shots towards the collectors' skulls.

"Miranda warp them. Conserve ammo. I throw them. For some reason, they don't fly when they fall off the edge." Shepard ordered out.

"Got it, commander." She fired off some warps at the approaching collectors. Shepard threw the one collector, who ducked behind cover. Shepard went to flank it with his Carnifex, shooting at the sides, killing the collector.

"More incoming." Thane shouted. Shepard eyes darted to see indeed more collectors were coming.

"Same as before. Let's do this quickly." Shepard ordered.

"I will direct this personally!" a collector started glowing yellow. Cracks form around its body. Harbinger appeared. Miranda fired up a slam on a collector and thane, biotic throw another off the edge. Shepard fired a warp off at Harbinger, lowing it amour, while Miranda let off some rounds into Harbinger. Harbinger return fire with an energy drain, Shepard dodged it. Thane used his biotic pull to stagger Harbinger, with Shepard hitting Harbinger with an overload, killing him.

As soon as Harbinger was defeated another platform emerged, with Abominations and two scions appearing. Shepard did not have the time, so he distracted the Abominations to follow him and lead them to scions. Shepard ordered Miranda to warp the Abominations. She did, which cause an explosion, making the scion collapse. Shepard ducked down onto the floor, feeling the weight of the explosion on his shields.

Thane ran up to Shepard. "That was reckless, Shepard." He helps the commander up from the floor. Shepard turn to see a green console on the platform that was holding the scions.

"Alright, let's go! This platform should lead us to the main central core" Both Miranda and Thane nodded and follow Shepard onto the platform. Shepard clicked on the console, and the platform started floating forward.

"This is it. All tubes lead to this spot. EDI, what can you tell us? What are they doing?"

EDI's voice carried through the coms. "The tubes are feeding into some kind of superstructure it is emitting both organic and non-organic energy signatures. Given these readings, it must be massive … Shepard, if my calculations are correct, a superstructure … is a Reaper."

"Not just any reaper…" Shepard started as all three looked what in front of them as the platform they connected to a station. "A human reaper!"

A huge construct appeared before the crew. It has a massive metallic human skeleton that is being holed up by wires and tubes. Those tubes are filled to the max with humanoid liquid.

"Precisely … It appears the collectors process tens of thousands of humans, significantly more will be required to complete the reaper. I theories that the reapers are basing this on you, Shepard."

Shepard growled. "Good thing I came packing heat. EDI, how do we take it out?"

"The large tubes injecting the fluid are a weak structural length, destroying them should cause the supports to collapse and the reaper to fall." EDI explained. The tubes that were open, now close shut.

"Shepard, we got company." Thane called out. So, they did more Collectors appeared in front of them as a new platform arises in front of them.

"EDI, we get back to you in a minute. We ned to take of some old friends." The collectors came flying towards Shepard, Thane and Miranda. Shepard used his warp to neutralize one. Miranda slam another of the edge and Thane used a biotic throw at one of the collectors to the edge of the platform, to then proceed to shoot the collector in the head. Shepard quickly check if the team was clear before hearing a A noise rumbles and Shepard turn to see the tubes open up. He turn to Thane.

"Thane, shoot the two tubes on the right, I got the left." Thane nodded and snipe of the tubes breaking the container. Shepard did the same with his pistol. The giant human Reaper collapse from the tubes destruction and falls into the collector ship abyss.

Miranda opens up her radio. "This is Miranda, Ground team what your status?"

The collector base: with Garrus.

"RATH! GOING TO DESTORY YOU, COLLECTOR SCUM." Rath was running across the battler to smash and bash the collectors. Garrus was holding the line with Jacob. Jack was sending out shockwaves, with Samara backing her up with Biotic support. Grunt was following Rath along like a lost puppy, smashing any collectors.

Zaeed and Kasumi were covering the door, shooting any collector that comes near. Legion snipes any that flanks the crew with his drone and widow. Tali sent out her drone for Air support. Prometheus also provides air support with his collector drone laser.

Garrus snipers a headshot at a collector, when Miranda Voice echoes through the radio.

"This is Miranda, Ground team what your status?"

"Garrus here. We are holding but they keep coming, we need a way out soon." Garrus had to duck when a energy beam hist his cover. Garrus turn to Rath.

"Ben, Destroy the pillar block. We need to slow them down." Garrus ordered.

"RATH, WE DO IT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO, NOT BECAUSE YOU ORDERED. PUNY GRUNT COVER ME."

"I want to fight you," Grunt excitably shouts as he fired his shotgun into a collector's face, Rath hits the Omnitrix.

"Ball Weavil!" Ball Weavil is a tiny four-legged beatle bug that cover in yellow skin. He spat out some goop and started rolling around on top of it. The more he rolled the more the goop got bigger. In became huge by the time it reach the pillar. Ball Weavil jump from the goop letting it roll into the pillar and landed on Tali.

"Boom!" The goop exploded.

Ball Weavil looked to Tali. "Mind hitting the Omnitrix?" He asked in his small squeaky voice. Tali was amused and did so.

"Jury Rig! FIX, Fix… FIX…!" Jury rig was a small gremlin-like creature, that wearing a straight jacket and a helmet. Tali was shell shocked. Jury Rig seemed to be collecting the collector's energy weapons. Garrus who watched from afar was mortified. Then he heard Shepard's voice.

"This is Shepard. Head to the Normandy Garrus. Joker – Prep Engines. I am going to overload this place and blow it sky high."

"Roger, that commander." Joker accepted.

Garrus smirked and turned to Ben.

"Ben, get us a way out!"

Jury rigg smirked back and picked up the energy weapons that he collected. They now form a Hover craft of sorts with a turret mounted on the back. "Oh, I got us a way out. FIX, FIX."

The collector base: with Shepard.

Shepard turn to see Miranda on comms. After a few minutes of checking if the place was clear, he went for his radio. "This is Shepard. Head to the Normandy Garrus. Joker – Prep Engines. I am going to overload this place and blow it sky high."

"Roger, that commander." Joker accepted.

Shepard was pulling out the controls from the floor to set up the overload. That when Joker voice return.

"Urm, commander? I got an incoming signal from the illusive man. EDI patching it through." Miranda open up her Omni-tool to highlight the Illusive man appearance.

"Shepard you did the Impossible." the Illusive man praised.

"Not yet, I still need to blow this place up. The horror of this place." Shepard responded.

"Shepard, I'm looking at the schematics EDI forward to me. A timed radiation pulse would kill the remaining collectors but leave the machinery and technology. This is our chance Shepard they were building a reaper that knowledge that framework … it could save us." the Illusive man argued.

Shepard did a slight turn of his head. "A few hours ago, you were having a go at me for allowing Ben to snoop into your files. You also were trying to blow me up and my crew up along with some loose ends. Now you want to use the technology that liquefied people. Turning them into mush" Shepard said this as he eyed Miranda. the Illusive man notice the shift in Miranda face.

"Don't be short-sighted our best chance, don't be short-sighted our best chance." the Illusive man argued back calmly. Though the frustration is showing in his facial features.

"I don't deny that personally, but the problem lies in the Reaper technology. They can indoctrinate, corrupted. Using this technology seems like a betrayal at it core." Thane counted.

"if we ignore this opportunity that would be a betrayal, they were working directly with the collectors who knows what information is buried there. this base is a gift we can't just destroy it." Illusive man counted back at the Drell.

"No matter what kind of technology we find … it is not worth it." Shepard softly argued,

"Shepard you died fighting for what you believed, I brought you back so you could keep fighting. Some would say what we did to you is going too far but look what you've accomplished. I didn't discard you because I knew your value don't be so quick to discard this facility think of the potential." the Illusive man argued desperately.

Shepard was still at the controls and shook his head. He turn face to the Illusive man. Eyed the man. "I win without it. I won't let fear compromise who I am."

The Illusive man turned to face Miranda. "Miranda, stop Shepard …."

"Like how you stop Niket in kidnapping my sister or funding my father's sanctuary," Miranda growled out sarcastically. Illusive man was stunned, jaw dropped.

"How did you know…." Miranda did not care to answer and cut the call. She handed Shepard and overload disk. While he was wiring up the controls on a set timer.

Shepard finished with the console and got up. He ordered both Thane and Miranda. "Let's move. we've got 10 minutes before the reactor overloads and blows this whole station apart"

A shake on the platform suddenly got the crew attention. The human reaper larva emerge from the depths.

"Shepard!" Miranda shouted as she and Thane jumped out of the way.

"Yeah. I see." Shepard pulled out a massive Yellow heavy gun. With a warning label on it.

"I aim for the eye see if that make it blind! This Cain Better be worth it Jacob" Shepard shouted. The human reaper was slamming his metallic arm down on the platforms, destroying one in an instant. Shepard was holding down the Heavy gun while aiming on its eye. Miranda and Thane were covering him, shooting the Human reaper chest core. Shepard release the trigger firing of a bright light, blast at the human reaper right eye. Exploding it.

Boom!

"Shepard." Thane Shouted on his left as he sees him being tossed back from the explosion as the cain in his hands slipped. The human reaper ducked under the Platforms. Miranda came running towards Shepard with Thane.

The human Reaper emerged from the depth and open it mouth. A blue light flashed attacking all three Normandy crew members. All three retaliated by opening fire on it left eye damaging it but not enough as the human reaper smashed another platform. Leaving Shepard, Miranda and thane only two platforms left. Shepard looked around to see the cain, only to find on the edge of the platform on the far end of him. He ran towards until the human reaper open it mouth to fire again. Miranda and thane were covering him damaging the left eye but was not working.

Shepard grabbed his Cain and pressed the trigger letting it load up. The reaper fired from its mouth, pushing Shepard back, but he held firm and kept a hold on to the trigger, though his shields were depleted, and the human reaper left under the cover of the collector base depths. Miranda and Thane were behind cover trying to recoup the damage done to them. Shepard was sweating because when the Cain ran out of charge, they were done for.

"Crack!" The second platform collapsed, leaving the gang with only one, and the Human Reaper returned, but Shepard smirked.

"Eat this, you son of a bitch." He released the trigger and the Cain released another blast, hitting the left eye of the human reaper larva. The said reaper collapses but not before taking out the last platform with it, making Miranda slide down toward the edge. Thane kept himself steady on the platform as it collided with other falling platforms. Shepard leapt forward, sliding down to catch Miranda. He grabs hold of her arm before pulling her up. Then the platform tips to the other side making her and Shepard roll down to where Thane is. As the group fell, Shepard looked up to see another platform smash into them. His eye turn to black.

Shepard's eye suddenly awoke, getting up from the crash, pushing the metal bar of him. He went to check on Thane, who was alive and well. Shepard breathed a sigh of relief. His face turned to see Miranda under the weight of a metal column. He went to check on her, when he heard that she was breathing, he helped her up, releasing her from the metal column.

Static over the radio is heard, and Shepard goes to check. "Do you copy… Commander? … Come on Shepard, don't leave me hanging here?"

"I'm here, Joker. Did the ground team make it?" Shepard asked.

"All survivors on board. We are just waiting on you." Shepard nodded but ordered Miranda and Thane to run as seeker swarm charge at the three. He pulls out his pistol and fires three shots then runs after his crew.

"Human, you change nothing. Your species has the attention of those infinitely or greater. That which you know as reapers are your salvation to … destruction." Harbinger called out, as the three crew members of the Normandy ran to said spaceship. The collectors come running after fire every shot.

Shepard, Miranda and Thane reached the edge when Normandy appeared in front of them. The airlock door opened with Joker, Ship (as a turret) and Ben as 10/10 covering fire for the three. Miranda and Thane jumped and made it to the Normandy. Shepard had to make a running jump since the floor started to collapse on him. He ran and jumped only able to grab hold of the edge of the airlock. Joker crouched down to pull Shepard up. The airlock door closed and everyone went inside.

EDI Voice carried through the Ship. "Detonation in 10, 9, 8, 7…..."

Joker interrupted her as he went to sit on the pilot seat. "Yeah, yeah EDI. We get the idea. Everyone, hold on."

The Normandy flew as fast as it could out of the blast radius, heading towards the edge of the system to escape. The collector base went Claboom!

The collector base?

A lone Collector with glowing yellow eyes was at a control console, working on the console, trying to save his Base. A holographic reaper appeared in front of him.

"You have failed. We will find another way. Releasing control" The yellow eyes dim and the sole collector turns, seeing a blast of inferno heading to its direction.

Normandy SR2: conference room.

Shepard walked in the room with his head held high. Walking past the debris from the space battle. The table lowered, with the illusive man appearing before him.

"Shepard, you're making a habit of costing me more than time and money." The illusive man started the conversation.

"Too many lives were lost at that base I'm not sorry it's gone." Shepard retorted with a harsh undertone.

"The first of many lives. The technology from that base could have secured human dominance in the galaxy." The illusive man argues.

"Human strength or Cerberus strength?" Shepard questions back.

"Strength for Cerberus is strength for all humans. Cerberus is humanity. I should have known you'd choke on the hard decisions too idealistically from the start." The illusive man angrily points out.

"Me, Hard choices. Please let us go back to Virmire or the Citadel. I made tough calls when needed, and I'm not certainly looking for your approval. Harbinger is coming and he won't be alone. Humanity needs a leader who's looking out for them. From now on I'm doing things my way whether you agree or not" Shepard Angrily bits back.

The Illusive man snorted. "I guess she was right about you then. You were never one to stay loyal. Especially family. I made you Shepard so don't turn your back on me." Shepard narrowed his eyes at the Illusive Man.

"My sister was never one to be a good judge of character. Joker, lose this channel." Shepard ordered.

"Aye, Aye." The call was cut with a now agitated Shepard. He gripped his fist and walks out.

Normandy SR2: Hangar Bay

Shepard walked out of the elevator in his worker clothes toward the hangar doors. He sees several of his crew helping on repairs. Ben in particular is seeing with Kenneth and Gabby, working on the air conduits. Joker walks up to Shepard, handing him a data pad.

Information from the Collector base: REAPERS!

Shepard looks up.

Silhouettes appear in the dark, flying toward the galaxy.

Notes: Hey, sorry for the delay on posting this but things happened. This chapter has been updated thanks to the wonderful beta reader.

My boko no Hero chapter will be coming and is in the works, so bear with on that for those that also read that story. That chapter will be out either next month or next year.

My plan next is basically work on the Arrival DLC chapter next which will lead into mass effect 3 part of the story.

I have 20-30 chapters for Mass effect 3 story planned coming off after chapter 33 , but as most know when planning it does not end the same result. If there is a specific mission you want for the Mass effect 3 story let me know because I am planning to cut of most of the side quest (the Hackett ones). They still happen they just off screen.

The next chapter won't be posted till next year, I might have time to write it in December.

Thank you everyone who reads my story up to this point. I hope everyone has a Lovely holiday over December.

Chapter 32 Shepard Retribution

Chapter 32 Shepard Retribution