"S....seren..dip...p...p..." Cryark barely got out before being knocked out, dropping his Barrager Rifle. "Serendipity-Turian, friendly Alliance reinforcements incoming!" Peacekeeper had replied, as the sound of multiple jumps was heard from the vast battle above space. Miranda looked back and realized that Noble was injured. "NOBLE!" She yelled, before a bullet lodged into her right hip, bringing her down near the Spartan. Val went up to the two, trying to lift either of them up. "Sir, reinforcements have been diverged for extraction, sir." Some Alliance soldier had said on the other end of their comms, as multiple ships jumped through to the hangar, two being very familiar... "Holy shit, it's the Normandy and Deimos!" One of the soldiers said, as both ships opened fire on the hangar, the Cerberus soldiers dropping dead. As a Hispanic-looking man jumped out of the Normandy along with a bunch of soldiers, Lia and Velinnea opened the door to the Deimos, firing their respective weapons. "Come on!" Vel had yelled out to the group. -------------------------------------- "Are you sure about that?" 'Jade' had asked, turning the chair around to reveal...well, [url=http://68.media.tumblr.com/ef6362452977b9d9b5dcd9bec4dc5f62/tumblr_n6eod9Qtgj1sj0sl6o1_400.png]her[/url], another Shepard, except for one key difference... Her eyes were glowing green, almost synthetic-like data flowing through her face. The Geth's one eyepiece on the bridge was also green. "Because last time I checked, Synthesis has allowed me to become a living God. These Geth bow to my every whim, no matter what; I'm their savior...unlike you, Kayla, who'd destroy the Reapers and for what? Taking out EDI and the Geth along with it? Cause mass genocide on every species in your Milky Way?" Jade Shepard explained, getting up from the seat. "Because of all this...because you decided it would be a REALLY good idea to go ahead and rescue poor Hackett when my true master is going after the Krogan and Aria....I'll leave you with an option...right, Master?" She says, before a hologram of a familiar man appeared behind them. "Agreed, Jade." The Illusive Man replied behind them as a hologram. "While you were busy dealing with the situation here, I've already planned the first stages of the return of the one thing that not even Shepard could've destroyed...so as she had said, I've given you a choice." He responds, Jade making a run for an escape pod, Ashley and Kayla on her tail. "You cold stop your friend from potentially killing another Shepard...or perhaps you'd like the Alliance to stay in one piece." He responds. "Don't overstay your welcome, Ghost." The Illusive Man disappeared, as two of the Geth were forced up to the bomb, pulling it out, as a small, controlled (for now) black hole laid in the center of it. The timer ticked 5 minutes until detonation. [spoiler]-Save Hackett and defuse the bomb. (???) -Stop Kayla and Ashley from killing Jade (???)[/spoiler]

Serendipity pulled the legless Turian along the ground, going towards the ship. She looked back at the turian, then doubled over and vomited. She took a deep breath, before continuing onwards towards the ship and pulling him aboard. Noble coughed violently for a moment before getting to his knees and pushing Val towards Miranda, crawling towards his lover. Together, Noble and Val were able to get Miranda up and into the Deimos ship. Lillith and Maya were laughing maniacally as the two of them obliterated the remaining Atlas mech and any Cerberus forces that remained. The Invictus landed inside the hangar as well, besides the Normandy and Deimos. The Militia troops ran towards the three ships inside the hangar, boarding any one of the three. However, the Geth troops remained in the bay, firing at any Cerberus agents that were still around, clearing the way for those retreating. ----------- "Shit..." Ghost's blaster fired off two shots, which tore through the Geth chests and took them down. The Mandalorian walked towards the bomb, looking for any hints as to how to defuse it

Everyone else boarded the remaining ships, as the Cerberus forced below were getting hammered, most of their forces...well, pulverized. "I...I..." Cryark had tried to say. Merrick and the rest were too...well, sad to worry about or day anything for the matter. ------------------ The wires connected directly to the torture mechanism Hackett was chained to...

The Invictus floated into the air and did a 180, leaving the hangar and entering the spacial battle once more. "You what?" Serendipity asked, flustered as she clutched at Cyrak. ------ Ghost found what he was looking for, cutting the wires of the bomb and defusing it? Maybe?

Before he could say anything, he blacked out, most likely from the loss of blood in his leg less part. "All forces; Arcturus Station defenses have been reactivated; Cerberus is in full retreat, I repeat; they are in full retreat!" Coats replied from comms. "Same on our end; but...why?" Anderson had replied on his end...someone would have to get comms so they would answer. ----------------- It...seemed to have worked, as the bomb deactivated, and shut itself... and then disappeared? Kaidan had grabbed the barely breathing Hackett. "What do we do now?" He asks Ghost.

"They are essentially defeated." It was Iseph that spoke to Anderson through comes, sounding matter-of-fact as usual. "Their numbers are severely dwindled, nearly 60 percent of their forces here have been eliminated." ------ "We got to get out here. Towards an extraction. Escape pod, maybe a dropship or something."

"80 percent of their fleets are destroyed on our end; the rest jumped out of orbit." Anderson responded. ------------------------------ Kayla and Ashley walked from the other door, a bloodied but alive Jade brings dragged by the Vanguard Shepard. "She'll be good. Got that stupid chip out of her brain." Kayla responds, before the ship began rocking, a convenient escape pod right next to them.

"They do not have the capacity to fight any longer. The logical thing to do is, indeed, to retreat." "They have made what you may call, the smart move." ------- "Glad you kept her alive, ladies. We could use her." Ghost opened the escape pod hatched and motioning for everybody to get inside.

"Right. The remaining bits of our ships will have to jump to Eden Prime for casualties...burials...and rebuilding...Join us...personally, we moved your friends from the Citadel to there once Joker and the Commander Shepard myself and Hackett know cleared it out of mercenaries. The other planets are still cleaning up their mess, but they should be back to arms again soon." Anderson responded. "Anderson out." After that, there would be a complete silence within the Deimos and Invictus. ------------------------ Everyone did get inside, as the pod shot in the direction of the Mass Relay, most likely heading for Eden Prime.

The Invictus used it's slip space technology to get to Eden in a few seconds, and floated around the space of the planet, requesting a landing zone -------- "Will the pod take us wherever we need to go?" Ghost asked, looking out a potential window

It was agreed upon, an almost paradise-like place they had landed on with no clouds or rain; just booming civilization and blossoming trees. Ironic, considering the situation at hand. Medics quickly took away the injured on both ships, Merrick following Silsia along the way. The sound of crying was heard as both Val and Riley calmed down the Alliance engineer's daughter, and while Lia looked...almost lost, in a way. Hundreds of civilians were being buried nearby, most likely from the fight here in the Exodus Cluster. Velinnea ran and asked someone where Glitch was, so she could see her, as she ran to check on the hacker. -------------------- "I hope." Kasumi had simply replied, as the pod blasted through the relay. "Coming out of Utopia Relay, ETA 50 minutes." The VI said from inside. -----------

Serendipity escorted Cryark to one of the emergency medical centers that had been set up, staying with him until he could get his leg patched up. Lillith and Maya stayed on board the Invictus. Neither was injured, and they didn't feel like seeing the morbid air of Eden. Noble and Miranda went along with Serendipity to get the genetically modified woman patched up. Hopefully the gunshot to the hip wasn't too severe... Militia troops joined in, helping civilians bury family, friends, and even buried some of the grunts that had died on the journey to Eden The geth troops were deactivated, remaining on board the ship as Iseph went to the main command center of Eden. For once, he was representing the crew. With the absence of Noble and Ghost ----------- "We got time to kill. Anyone want to play eye spy?" Ghost tried to lift the heavy air with a terribly timed joke. ---------- Glitch and Talath were in a hospital not from the landing site, and the Hacker was standing on two robotic legs that resembled human ones

The group, alongside Velinnea arrived at the hospital, where they automatically let them through, the sounds of moans and groans of the wounded throughout the hospital. For Noble and Miranda, they simply took her to a nearby medical station, where a few surgeons began taking out the bullet (after sedating her, of course, in the lower body). Refreshments of water and soda laid near Noble, should he need it. As for both Serendipity and Cryark, they had rushed Cryark into the ER, making sure they could put her in the same bacta tanks that Glitch and Talath were at. Finally, in that same room, Velinnea ran up to Glitch and hugged her. "Thank f*****g goodness you're alright , Glitch." She responds to the hacker. --------------- Iseph had arrived at the command deck, which only consisted of a few Alliance soldiers and Anderson, who had arrrived quickly from Arcturus. "Iseph? Any word on your teammates?" He asked worryingly. "Anything to get rid of the mood." Ashley replied, taking out some emergency medi-gel and some food. "No thanks; I need a rest after all that to be honest." Kaidan replied, taking a simple nap. "Sure...I'll be fine with that, Ghost." Kasumi replied. "I'll be fine. Gonna make sure the b***h dosen't wake up." Kayla had said, watching Jade.

Noble ignored the food, his hands were shaking at the thought of Miranda Dying. He couldn't do it. He needed her, now more than ever. With everything going on... Serendipity screamed and begged, wanting to follow Cryark all the way into the operating room, but she couldn't. Policies Restricted anyone besides doctors in the OR. "Woah, easy there tiger." Glitch said with a laugh as she wrapped her arms around Vel in a hug. "They gave me a reboot. Gave me a robotic spine, with matching legs." "Lucky, all the body parts down there are still real." She whispered into Vel's ear seductively ----- After a riveting game of I-spy, Ghost knocked out.

They slowly and carefully removed the bullet from her hip, Miranda just groaning in pain. They eventually applied medi-gel to the wound. "She should be patched up in a little bit, Mr. Noble. Give it about 12 hours or so." The Doctor replied, before leaving the two alone again...which caused Miranda to laugh for some reason. --------------------- The sound of yelling doctors was heard, before a sound of something shutting itself was heard. The doctor peered his head to Serendipity. "You can come in, now." He says. --------------------- "So...guessing your gonna upgrade them at some point, like you always do?" Vel asked, her smug smile slowly coming back...albeit it was more sad. ---------------------- Ashley and Kayla simply held on to one another as they slept, leaving Kasumi to look at the space beyond them.

"What're you laughing about?" Noble asked, getting to his feet and walking to Miranda, holding her hand with his own. -------- Serendipity rushed through the open doorway to Cryark, looking at the injured Turian --------- "Make em look a look more human. I'll be back in no time at all. So cheer up." ------------- [spoiler]Timeskip? [/spoiler]

"No; strangely it kinda reminds me of the times I used to have with Shepard. We were out saving the Galaxy and all; you can't exactly blame us for saving the Galaxy from the Collectors." She responds, grasping his hand while putting her head down to her shoulder. "Oriana says she's fine for now. Has Blue Sun mercs protecting her in case things went wrong like they...did here." She responds before yawning. "You wanna...go to sleep?" -------------------------- Cryark was inside a bacta tank similar to the ones that Glitch was in. Mechanical parts laid all over the place, engineers and medics talking about things. "According to them, it'll take about...three or so months for them to repair his leg, another one to make him get used to his new body part; he will be okay, though." The doctor told Serendipity, staring at Cryark's stasis. -------------------- She simply smiled, hugging Glitch harder. "And I'll be there all the way for you." Vel had responded, tears of joy running through her face. -------------------- [spoiler]I guess so.[/spoiler] "[i]Be advised; pod will be landing on Eden Prime shortly." [/i] the VI had said, only Kasumi hearing it considering everyone else was knocked out. She nudged Ghost first.

"No. Someone's got to make sure you're not assassinated, ya know?" He said with a light chuckle, bending down and kissing her forehead "Happy to here about your sister though. Glad to know she's safe and all." -------- "Oh thank the stars...." Serendipity let out a sigh of relief, just knowing that he would make it through the injuries -------- "I wouldn't expect any less!" Glitch said, rubbing the crying woman's back to ease her ------- "Huh?" Ghost jerked upwards, his hand wrapping around Kasumi's throat and choking her "SHIT." Ghost let go, and looked down at the ground while moving his hand "I'm so sorry..."

"No; strangely it kinda reminds me of the times I used to have with Shepard. We were out saving the Galaxy and all; you can't exactly blame us for saving the Galaxy from the Collectors." She responds, grasping his hand while putting her head down to her shoulder. "Oriana says she's fine for now. Has Blue Sun mercs protecting her in case things went wrong like they...did here." She responds before yawning. "You wanna...go to sleep?" -------------------------- Cryark was inside a bacta tank similar to the ones that Glitch was in. Mechanical parts laid all over the place, engineers and medics talking about things. "According to them, it'll take about...three or so months for them to repair his leg, another one to make him get used to his new body part; he will be okay, though." The doctor told Serendipity, staring at Cryark's stasis. -------------------- She simply calmed down, hugging Glitch a little harder. She looked to Talath. "What about you?" She asks. "They implant you with anything?" ------------------- She breathed heavily, which proceeded to wake Ashley up. "No...could've been worst...it's fine." She replies.

"No, I won't go to sleep just yet. Someone's got to make sure you're not assassinated, ya know?" He said with a light chuckle, bending down and kissing her forehead "Happy to here about your sister though. Glad to know she's safe and all." -------- "Oh thank the stars...." Serendipity let out a sigh of relief, just knowing that he would make it through the injuries "Thank you doctor, you saved his life...." -------- The red eyed strange bug alien creature shook his head in dismissal. "He's still not talking as you can see." Glitch said with a laugh, her nose sniffling as she took a breath Was she crying? ------- "Still sorry... What's the word?" He whispered back at her, trying to stay quiet

She smiles, instead going to his lap. "Then I guess I'll have to sleep on you." She replies, nudging her head to Noble's lap. -------------------- "He'll have to stay here for the time being, however. We can't move him anywhere else without an increased risk of death or cracking of the tank." He responds. "Once therapy begins however, we can easily move him to the Dojo or wherever you and Mr. Merrick like to go to." He responds. ------------------ "Why exactly are you crying? I didn't hurt your feelings or anything, right?" She responds, holding back any tears this time, as she continued to hug Glitch. ----------------------- "[i]Pod breaching. Prepare for landing."[/i] the pod told the people inside the pod. "Oh shit..." Kasumi responded, before a heavy rocking woke everyone up forcefully, including Jade, which yelled out in pain. "Get your a****s out of the damn pod and..." someone said from right outside of it... "I said, put your damn guns down, soldier!" A familiar voice had said. "Follow the Commander; she won't like it when you command her." A familiar pilot said from nearby. "Hey; you guys in there?"

Noble laughed a bit, wrapping his arms around her waist as she made herself comfortable on her lap. He kissed her cheek, placing his head on her shoulder --------- "That's fine. As long as he survives, I don't care where he does it." She laughed a bit, and took a step away from the doctor, burying her face in her hands ------------- "I've never had someone care so much about me." She said through sniffles, obviously trying not to cry. ----------- Ghost opened the escape pod Hatchway and looked out at whoever was outside "Hello?" He asked

She naps on it, peaceful snoring being heard throughout the room. ---------------------------- "Alright. I believe you have a few friends you would like to return to? Or would you like us to give you privacy? The doctor asked. [spoiler]-Regroup with the Invictus and Deimos crews -Stay in private with Cryark for a little longer.[/spoiler] --------------- "Well, us women need to stay together. One can't live without the other, right?" Vel responded, before dragging Glitch. "Come on; I'd think your people want to see that the two of you are alive!" She excitedly yelled, motioning Talath to follow. ------------------------- The door opened...to reveal Joker, and a [url=https://videogamegeek.com/camo/23d467839bde98171b3d47532a4805182f085e60/687474703a2f2f7374617469632e6769616e74626f6d622e636f6d2f75706c6f6164732f6f726967696e616c2f31342f3134343132382f323538323934312d343031373139383837312d64656661752e6a7067]redhead[/url], a white and blue Alliance t-shirt on her with jeans, which looked at Kayla and Ashley in wide confusion. "Ashley?" She asked. "Commander?" She responded. "By the way, that's the real Commander." Kasumi whispered to Ghost, as Joker waved hello to the Mandalorian, as the Alliance soldiers helped them out of the pod.

Soon afterwards, Noble slowly started falling asleep as well. Eventually, he yawned and knocked out [spoiler]Is that the end? [/spoiler] ------------ "Yeah, yeah. You're right. I should probably start heading back." Serendipity said, lifting her head as she left the room. ----------- "Oh please, I'm sure they all know." Glitch laughed as he ran along with Vel, Talath following behind them. ----------- "You mean, this universe's version of her, right? Ghost whispered back, glancing over

[spoiler]Yes; yes it is.[/spoiler] ------------------- She left the place, rendezvousing with the remains of the Invictus crew. [spoiler]End.[/spoiler] ------------------- Vel smiled, as the trio made their way to the group. [spoiler]End.[/spoiler] -------------------- "Yes. This is the Shepard I know." Kasumi whispered, as they got out of the pod. As Ghost got out, so did a weakened Hackett, surprising most people. He ended up being supported by Ashley and Kaidan, Kayla immediately sneaking away into the Deimos nearby with Jade in tow. "Ghost..." Hackett whispers, motioning him to come over...which surprised Kasumi's Shepard.