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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle	By : Veyron722skyhook Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 6104 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's characters. They belong to Bioware and EA. No money/profit is made by me from this.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Much better! :)

I probably jsut got a bit of writer's block with last one, but it seemed to go away after I finished it. That allowed me to work properly on this one with some fresh new ideas.

Hope you like it. Some of the narrative, and the title, and based on my favourite film.

Chapter 8

Citadel Atlas

Austin felt it best to make another check on Ashley since he was back on the Citadel.

To the Helldiver's surprise though, Austin found another very familiar face in the hospital.

"Shepard. When I heard Earth was under attack, I tried to call. I never got through." Said Thane Krios.

"Thane. Good to see you staying in shape." Said Austin.

"My disease kills slowly. Enough care and a healthy lifestyle, I can be delayed for a few years. Fortunately, I still have maybe another year or so left. What are you doing here?" Thane asked.

"Visiting a friend who got hurt. Ashley." Austin replied.

"The dark-haired woman in intensive care… She will be starting physical therapy with my class soon." Said Thane.

"That's her."

"If she is your friend, then I will help how I can. As long as she is here, consider her under my protection."

"I appreciate that, Thane." Said Austin gratefully.

"This year is my final days. It is a good time to be generous." Thane smiled.

"Is the syndrome causing you any pain?" Austin asked.

"Sometimes. The oxygen transfer proteins don't' form correctly. Your human equivalent would be haemoglobin. As a result, my blood is low in oxygen. No matter how much I breathe in, I get tingling, numbness… and that is the best of it. As for my brain, I cannot track the damage. I just track the damage. I just experience dizziness from time to time." Said Thane.

"Well, I wish for best for you, Thane." Said Austin.

"And I for you. Do not grieve for me. I have good doctors. My son visits regularly. Perhaps we will keep up via the extranet. Until we meet again, Shepard." Thane nodded.

Ashley's last message had told Austin that she was out of bed now and doing fairly well.

Sure enough, Austin found her back in her blue armour again.

"Good to see you up and around, Ashley." He smiled.

"Yeah."

"Everything all right?"

"I guess."

"You sure?"

Ashley was silent for a moment before she eventually replied.

"I thinking of declining Udina's offer." She said. "You turned down reinstatement, and had no love for the job yourself. I don't think it wills it well with me either."

"Ash, don't make that choice just because I did. This is your decision. Besides, I'm not what you would call a best example." said Austin.

"You're my friend. That's gotta count for something." Said Ashley.

"True. But I'm not an Alliance soldier like you are. I'm a Helldiver." Said Austin.

"But you're both." Said Ashley, slightly confused.

"I chose not to reinstate my Alliance rank after I died." Austin explained.

"But why? How could you turn your back on that?" Ashley asked, slightly angry that she hadn't been told about this earlier.

"I never liked playing for both sides, and in truth, I stopped being an Alliance marine when I put on this armour for the first time." Said Austin calmly. "You okay?"

"I just can't believe you'd keep that form me." Said Ashley, slightly angrier this time.

"I didn't keep this from you, Ash! I thought you knew." Austin retaliated sternly.

Ashley couldn't' stay mad at her best friend, and his reply was fair. She couldn't' blame him for thinking that she'd been aware of this. She took a few seconds to calm down.

"I'm sorry, It's just… one of the fondest memories I have of you was when we both enlisted." She said.

"Hmm, as I recall you nearly kissed me." Austin teased, trying to brighten the mood up a bit.

"I make no excuses. Back then I had a crush on you." Ashley chuckled. "Still, regardless of this, or the choice you made, I still don't think I want to accept being a Spectre. You and I, we're both soldiers. Status as a Spectre may be something we deserve, but not something we need."

"That is well said, Ash." Said Austin. "So, if you're going to decline the offer, does that mean you can come back to the Normandy?"

"Believe me, Austin. There's nothing I'd want more, but the Doctors say I need to stay a bit longer. Can't get out just yet." Ashley sighed.

"I understand. When you do though, be sure to let me know. I and everyone else would love to have you back." Said Austin. "So, you feeling better?"

"I'm fine, other than the pile paperwork the doc's gonna throw at me." Ashley smiled. "Sorry. I'm so distracted, Austin. It's just…"

"What's going on?" Austin asked.

"Heard from my mom. They got out in time. They're okay."

"Good. That's good news."

"It is."

"Did your sister make it to the Citadel?"

"She did. But… her husband was killed in action."

"I'm sorry, Ash."

"Thanks. Yeah, Sarah wasn't much for the military. We were all surprised when they got married…"

"This war will take its toll. Sacrifices like his have to give the rest of us a fighting chance."

"It never changes, does it?" Ashley asked. "I wanted to protect her from all this…"

"Don't blame yourself for this, Ashley." Said Austin supportingly.

"I know, but I'm her big sis, you know? She wants to do a thing at the memorial. Nothing fancy, just some words about family. It'll be tough." Said Ashley.

"Keep me posted, all right?" said Austin.

"Will do." Said Ashley.

As Austin had headed back to the Normandy, he'd got a message from an unexpected acquaintance telling him to meet him in the Purgatory Bar.

As the Helldiver entered the club, he could see a C-sec officer arguing with the person who'd invited him.

Seated in the lounge area, was the Queen of Omega herself, Aria T'Loak. Standing between her and the C-sec officer also was her favourite Omega dancer, Elraa. She was an extremely dark red skinned Asari covered from head to toe in white tattoos.

Last time Austin had seen her, she'd been in a black dancer's outfit. Now though, she was dressed in a set of Janissary armour. It seemed perhaps that she was now serving as her mistress' bodyguard rather than entertainer.

"So you admit you and your thugs are here illegally." Said the officer accusedly.

"Yes. And it only too C-sec three weeks to figure it out." The Queen of Omega smiled calmly.

"I don't care who you are-you're required to go through processing like all other refugees. Come with me." The officer demanded.

"I don't think so." Said Aria.

"Touch her and you are dead, human!" Elraa threatened, he eyes and hand glowing slightly with biotics as a warning.

"Now now, Elraa. No need to threaten her with rape. Get me the Asari councillor." Said Aria.

"Yes, mistress." Elraa replied, bowing her head and activating her omni tool.

A hologram of the Asari councillor was projected out of it.

Normally, people would think that was the real Councillor, but Austin's suit showed him the truth. It was a VI that had been modified to the highest possible standard to sound and look exactly like Councillor Tevos.

"Greetings, Aria. Is there something you need?" said the VI.

Austin Did have to give Aria credit, that was very clever and also that forgery was the most convincing thing he'd ever seen.

"I'm being asked to submit to immigration processing." Said Aria.

"Of course you are." Said the hologram, mimicking Tevos accessing a console and then clearing Aria, much to the officer's annoyance, before then turning back to her. "Done. What else can I do for you?"

"Nothing, thank you." Said Aria.

"My pleasure."

The hologram disappeared and Elraa once again made sure the officer didn't' try anything that could risk her mistress' safety.

"I think we're done here." Said Aria. "I suggest you leave before my bodyguard gets personal."

The officer simply huffed and left. It was now that Aria noticed Austin.

"Enjoy the show, Shepard?" she asked, as Austin sat down near to her.

"I guess there's one rule on the Citadel, huh?" he replied.

"I guess so." Said Aria. "I hate this place. So sickeningly uptight."

"Then why are you here?" Austin asked.

"Cerberus stole Omega from me. The Illusive Man is now squarely at the top of my shit list. He will pay for every second I've spent in this bureaucratic hellhole." Said Aria bitterly.

"How did Cerberus defeat you?" Austin asked, surprised that Aria had actually lost Omega. This was something he didn't' think could happen.

"Deceit, distraction, and a big fucking army." Aria replied angrily. "They lured me away from Omega and ambushed me. I escaped, but Cerberus had already laid siege. By the time I could launch an assault, they were too entrenched."

"At least you escaped to fight another day." Said Austin positively.

"And that day is coming." Said Aria. "I'll take Omega back, but I'll get to that. You're here because I have a proposition."

"I'm listening."

"The way I see it, if you don't defeat the Reapers, we're all dead. Won't matter where I'm sitting. It's in my interest to help you and your Reaper Resistance."

"What are you offering?"

"On Omega, I kept the Blood Pack, Blue Suns, and Eclipse in check. Now they're running amok. Nobody wants that. Unite them under my rule, and you'll have a powerful and ruthless force for your army. I've laid the groundwork with all three groups. I just need you to close the deals."

"Give a criminal a gun, he'll shoot you in the back." Said Austin distrustfully.

"They already have guns, Shepard. Aria will make sure they point them at the Reapers." Said Elraa.

"I'm trying to help you. Why don't you think it over. Meet with Narl, my agent who's dealing with the Blood Pack. The Blue Suns leader is incognito here on the Citadel-he'll be expecting you. And I already have a deal with Jona Sederis, the Eclipse leader. You just have to get your friend Captain Bailey to let her out of jail." Aria instructed.

"You obviously don't know Bailey very well." Said Austin.

"Bailey respects you. Lean on him." Said Aria. "I think a united force of professional mercs is worth it, don't you? It's always a pleasure, Shepard. Let me know if you want to talk later."

As Austin left Purgatory, still trying to figure out how the hell he was going to pull this off, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. It suddenly occurred to him that if the mercs wouldn't' easily be swayed by him, perhaps he knew how they could be.

He activated his omni tool and called Alaara, who was quickly projected from out of it as a mini hologram.

"Shepard, how are things on the Citadel?" she asked.

"We may have another ally who'll join the resistance. However, some things need to be done first." Said Austin.

"Like what?" Alaara asked, a tiny bit nervous about what her squad leader might say next.

"I've got a job for you and some of the squad…"

Kraan simply sighed as he strode through the Presidium commons, a little bit grumpy about what was going to happen.

Austin had come up with the idea of all the former merc member of Alpha doing the jobs of getting the support of the mercs they'd once worked with.

The Krogan did admit though that it was a clever idea in a way. Despite the fact that he, who had once been a member of the Blood Pack, Alaara who had once been an Eclipse merc, and Griffin who had briefly been a Blue Suns, had all turned their backs on the merc groups, they were in a way still respected among them. To become a Helldiver and be accepted into the legendary Alpha Squad under the command of THE Sir Major Austin Shepard made them a force to be reckoned with.

Kraan had been instructed to meet Narl in secluded room on the commons. As the door opened, Narl quickly reacted to his presence.

"Quick, hands behind your back. They'll be here any minute." Said the Batarian.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kraan replied back, not fond of being ordered around by a Batarian.

"Kreete. Blood Pack's leader Aria brings him former Blood Pack Urdnot Kraan, Kreete pledges the gang to her. We're just luring him into the open so we can take him out." Narl explained.

"Not the best start to our friendship, Narl." Said Kraan bitterly.

Narl had been afraid of this…

Alaara could only sigh as she walked into Bailey's office.

Despite the many times she tried to put her Eclipse past behind her, it always seemed to keep pulling her back in or kept coming back to bite her in the ass.

"Shepard's second in command, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Bailey asked, as the Asari Helldiver walked in.

"Here to talk about Jona Sederis." Alaara replied.

"Look, there's no way I'm letting that psychopath out. The woman's unstable and a clear public threat." Said Bailey, pretty sure he knew what Alaara would be asking.

"I know. I don't like this anymore than you do. For now, I'd like access to her to judge for myself." Said Alaara.

"Go to the C-sec outpost. My assistant will connect to Sederis' cell from there… Then call me back." Said Bailey.

"He's coming! Put your hands behind your back and—uh—try to look like I beat you up or something." Said Narl urgently.

"This goes wrong, it's your ass." Kraan groaned as he got into position in front of Narl.

"Quiet!" Narl hissed.

Three Blood Pack Vorcha walked in. The leader, Kreete, looked more than surprised to see Kraan.

"Aria T'Loak even more powerful than Kreete thought. Her instructions on boarding Citadel undetected were one thing. Now this!" he snarled in the traditional hissing Vorcha voice. "Traitor Urdnot Kraan! Want you to know: your head will be hood ornament on my personal shuttle."

This sort of thing was beginning to bore Kraan. At the same time though, he had doubts. Could Narl be trusted? He was a Batarian after all, and Kraan was a Helldiver. The two had an immense hatred and rivalry for each other. Kraan wouldn't' be surprised of Narl tried to stab him in the back for personal reasons…

Griffin couldn't believe that Austin had asked him to do this.

What had he done to make the lord so angry with him to come up with such a punishment as this?

The Blue Sun's new leader, Darner Vosque was waiting for him in the refugee camp. It had been a holding are near the docks, but with the war going on, it had now been converted to accommodate the many refugees seeking safety from the Reapers.

"Wow, Aria wasn't kidding-the great Sir Major Shepard on a leash and he sends one of our own to do his job."

"I'm here for my own reasons, Vosque." Said Griffin bitterly.

"Sure you are. Anyway, tell her I'm impressed, but to do business, I still need my little problem taken care of." Said Vosque.

"Which is?"

"A Turian general named Oraka has it out for the Blue Suns. He's raising a stink over our activity in this sector. I'll commit my gang to Aria as soon as Oraka's dead."

With his three squad members working on getting the mercs under Aria's command, Austin could now tend to another matter that had come to him via a message.

A Salarian spectre had requested his assistance with a matter regarding that hanar.

As had been said, the Salarian was stood outside bailey's office.

"Major Shepard. Jondum Bau, Special Tactics and Recon. I've got intel suggesting that high-level hanar officials may be indoctrinated." He said.

"That's a damming accusation. What have you got?" Austin asked.

"Evidence of an Alliance black ops team raiding a Batarian research station. The Batarians were studying Reaper technology." Bau replied.

"The Batarians had Reaper technology?" Austin asked.

"The Alliance raid turned into a massacre, and the humans ended up with nothing. Your people faked a power failure to hide the incident." Bau explained.

"This would've provoked another war if the Batarians had found out. But how does this implicate the hanar?" Austin asked.

"They maintained discreet grey-market trade relationships with the Batarians—and led the Alliance to the station. We suspect those hanar operatives escaped with Batarian tech. If your reports on the Reapers are accurate, they could already be indoctrinated."

"What's your source on all this?"

"It was an anonymous "gift," but I believe it came from a thief names Kasumi Goto. I've been after her for years."

"Kasumi? You're hunting a thief?" Austin asked in surprise.

Kasumi had been part of the team he'd assembled to fight the Collectors. During her time on the team, she'd become a very good friend.

"A master thief. Her intelligence and skill are almost Salarian." Said Bau, his voice sounding like admiration.

"I'm sure she'd appreciate praise from the Spectre who's chasing her down." Said Austin.

"I only need her data. I admire her personally. And since she sent me this, I assume her feelings are mutual." Said Bau.

"What do you need me to do?"

"The hanar operative is now a diplomat on the Citadel. I don't have a public name, and the hanar will go to ground if I make a formal inquiry."

"So we're hunting."

"I'm tracking suspicious transmissions to the hanar homeworld. I could use your help."

"Let me see if I can dig up anything."

"Thanks, Major. And for the record-not everyone doubted your concerns about the Reapers. I just hope we're not too late."

Although Austin had refused to be reinstated as a Spectre, the Arkane Council had been able to make arrangements form him to get authorization to use the Spectre office if he needed to.

As he headed in, he heard a very familiar and welcome voice behind him.

"So remember when you helped me get Keiji's graybox from Donovan Hock? The one with information that could start a war?" asked Kasumi Goto as she uncloaked out of thin air.

"I thought we destroyed that information to keep you safe." Said Austin.

"There were enough clues for me to piece things together when I… got curious. It was big enough to leak it to Bau." Said the thief. "If you don't mind me tagging along cloaked, maybe I can help you dig up some dirt on the hanar."

"I'd appreciate it." Said Austin.

Alaara enjoyed the view of the Presidium commons as she found the C-sec outpost where she could talk with Jona Sederis. She wouldn't' pretend she was looking forward to it. Especially since Jona did actually know her. During the decades she'd been in Eclipse, she'd earned a bit of a reputation.

"I've connected with Jona Sederis in her cell, Captain T'onrak. You can speak with her via that console." Said the Turian officer.

"Thank you. We'll need some privacy." Said Alaara.

"Of course. When you're done, you can also contact Captain Bailey from that terminal." Said the Turian as he left.

Alaara walked up to the console. Sure enough, Jona Sederis' face appeared don it.

"Who's' that spying on me, now?" she said. "Well, well , well, look who it is. The second in command of Aria's indentured servant has finally come to deliver me to freedom."

"I want to talk with you before I secure your release, Jona." Said Alaara coldly. "I may have been your favourite, but don't think that's going to help you now. I put my Eclipse life behind me decades ago."

"Bullshit. You have no choice." Sederis smiled evilly. "And when I get out, heads will roll. Oh, yes. You, my dear traitor, and you're Helldiver Squad have killed a lot of my people! Don't think I've forgotten that!"

Alaara had definitely be afraid of this. This would definitely complicate things if they needed Eclipse to join the Resistance…

Austin accessed the Spectre office and looked through what reports he could concerning the hanar.

"Shepard, I'm checking security reports. Can you track the transfers coming from the hanar embassy?" said Bau through the radio.

"Bau's got a good plan. Hanar are predictable. Anything suspicious in their terminal use should narrow down our list of suspects." Said Kasumi, clocked somewhere near Austin.

"And the fact he's trying to arrest you?" said Austin.

"Well, nobody's perfect." Said Kasumi.

"It'd be smart to bury the threads, Jona." Said Alaara.

"I'll toss them into the caskets with my victims." Said Sederis. "I love holding all the cards Even in here, you must deal with me-I have all the power!"

"Is that right?"

"Yes. Sayn, my second-in-command, is a weak-willed toady. If he had balls, he'd leave me to rot and take control himself. But he won't defy me. He knows better." Said Sederis. "Now, get me out of here, Alaara. Tell Bailey to release me."

Alaara was now left with a very difficult choice. Even she agreed that Sederis was too dangerous to let out, even for this. Alaara was forced to ask herself one question.

"What would Shepard do?"

"Bau, I have some possible hits. Got some strange money transfers on Bolohn, and Oloon is sending a lot of data." Said Austin.

"Bolohn's clean. His money transfers are to support his mistress. Not sure about Oloon. I'll pull his bio." Bau replied.

"I'll check Oloon's personal records and pull his recent messages." Said Austin.

"Can I just note how odd it is for a hanar to have a mistress?" said Kasumi.

"You know, if Bau catches up with you, I can grant you immunity." Said Austin.

"What, if I join up? Last time I did that, you roped me into a suicide mission." Kasumi asked.

"I didn't say you had to join up." Said Austin.

"You were working your way around to it."

"Keep your distance, Kreete. So… do you agree to Aria's terms?" Narl asked.

To Kraan's surprise, he felt the Batarian slide something into his hands. No mistaking that it was a gun.

"Most definitely. Aria can use Blood Pack as she sees fit." Kreete snarled.

"Wasn't talking to you, Kreete. Gryll?" Narl asked.

"What?"

"Bailey, I've seen Sederis." Said Alaara.

"So, she's crazy, right? It would be ridiculous to let her out." Said Bailey.

"She's a menace. Let me try to make this problem go away." Said the Asari.

"Sounds good. I'll hold the line until I hear from you or Shepard." Bailey nodded.

"Bau, Oloon's doing some heavy lobbying for the hanar to support the war effort."

"So he's clearly not indoctrinated. Who's opposing him?" Bau asked.

"An unarmed hanar recently posted here from Kahje. I'll check transit records for incoming hanar." Austin replied.

"It all comes down to the war… and you trying to pull everyone into it." Kasumi commented.

"Would you rather the Reapers win?" Austin asked back.

"No. And I owe you for getting Keiji's graybox from the hock. But I can't do another Collector base, Shep. The Reapers aren't people. I can't infiltrate a Reaper party and steal a big "I win." bomb." Kasumi replied.

Griffin wasn't impressed with Vosque's statement.

To the Blue Suns leader's surprise, the Helldiver thrust his massive gauntlet forward and held him up by the neck.

"Let me make this clear, Vosque." He threatened. "You either join the Resistance now, or you'll be left at the Reaper's mercy."

"You don't' know who you're talking to, do you, boy?" Vosque chocked under Griffin's grip.

"A dead man if you don't agree." Said Griffin. "There will be no negotiating. Join now, or don't at all."

"You have my word. Now open fire!" Gryll yelled.

Both Kraan and Narl pulled out their guns and killed both Kreete and his guard. Just before Kraan could shoot Gryll though, Narl stopped him.

"Not him! Gryll's next in line to take over. Aria's deal is with him." He said.

"Yes! Yes. I'm Aria's mole, Kraan. You've scratched my back, now I'll scratch yours." Said the Vorcha.

"I've got a list of new hanar arrivals, Bau. Forwarding it to you." Said Austin.

"Damn. These are all face names. The hanar names from the Alliance raid are soul names." Said Bau. "And hanar soul names are private. There's no public record. Can you get back to their communications?"

"On it. Maybe we'll find names there." Said Austin.

"So how's the rest of the gang? Met up with anybody else?" Kasumi asked.

"Garrus is back on the Normandy." Austin replied.

"He never could pass up a good fight." Said Kasumi. "What about Jacob?"

"Haven't heard from him yet."

"See, Jacob could've gotten me back onto the Normandy."

"I'm touched." Said Austin. "Are you two still…"

"I hope so.

Vosque was struggling to breath now as Griffin held him up. In the end, he could see that the Helldiver wouldn't' hesitate to kill him. The next leader might be even easier to persuade. That could weaken the suns for all he knew.

"Alright, alright… just let me go…" he spluttered.

Griffin loosened his grip and let Vosque drop to the floor.

"I'll let Aria know that Suns are all hers."

"Don't' double cross her or me. If I find you've lied, I'll be back." Griffin threated.

"No need to worry about that, boy." Said Vosque. "Looks like the Blue Sun is still in your blood.

Vosque went to leave, but quickly turned back.

"Oh, and… tell Aria I still expect her purple ass in bed with me." He added.

"Dream on, scum." Griffin muttered.

"Word of advice: don't double-cross Aria, or me for that matter." Said Kraan.

"I may be ambitious, but I'm not crazy." Said Gryll.

"Uh-huh." Kraan nodded. "Good work, Narl. Thanks for the gun, not that I needed it. Could've easily smashed their faces in."

"Anytime. Gryll and I will let Aria know the light is green. Tell Shepard that the Blood Pack are on her side." Said Narl.

"Bau, here's the correspondence. If there's any mention of soul names…"

"I've got it. A recent arrival. Zymandis. Soul name: Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair." Said Bau. "He was with the Alliance team that massacred the Batarians. He's been on "special research assignment" ever since."

"So he got his tentacles on some Reaper tech." said Austin.

"Looks that way. I'm sending you the NavPoint for his office. I'll meet you there." Said Bau.

Alaara had found at that Sederis' second in command, Sayn was down in the refugee camp awaiting instructions. The Asari had thought up an idea that was a long shot, but ti could work.

"Men, get ready for trouble." Said tha Salrian as he noticed the former Eclipse Helldiver.

"Not here for that, Sayn. Just want to talk about Jona's release." She said.

"So you're the one coordinating that?" said Sayn. "My idea, you know? Aria came to me looking to gain Eclipse support. I'm leveraging it to bust the boss out."

"Sayn, you should run Eclipse." Said Alaara.

"Huh?"

"You can do it. Leave Jona locked up and make the deal with Aria yourself."

"Hmm, Aria would be a step up. And you think she'd let me run things?" Sayn asked.

"I don't see why not. She's do the same if I was in your position." Said Alaara.

"Right, right. Then that's the plan. Keep Sederis in jail-I'll call Aria right away." Sayn nodded.

"Good man. Jona chose well." Said Alaara.

"Yes. You're proof of that, even if you're not one of us anymore." Said Sayn, much to Alaara's amusement.

Austin, Bau, and also Kasumi, still cloaked, walked into Zymandis' office.

"Zymandis?"

"Or should I say, Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair?" said Bau.

"It seems this one has been apprehended, but confinement is irrelevant. The work of the Enkindlers cannot be stopped." Said Zymandis.

"Why are you trying to help the Reapers, you traitor?!"Austin asked.

"We obtained information regarding the Enkindlers from classified sources. As you are aware, major Shepard, the Protheans eventually became the Collectors. And the Collectors serve the Reapers." Zymandis replied.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Therefore, as a faithful servant of the Enkindlers, we too must serve the Reapers."

"YOU BIG… STUPID… JELLYFISH!" Austin shouted.

"You know, I support religious freedom for all species, but that's just crazy." Kasumi whispered.

"Your scepticism does not matter. When the Enkindlers uplift us as their chosen sapients, the galaxy will bear witness." Said Zymandis.

"I don't think the Enkindlers are going to be doing anything today." Said Austin.

"Your belief in your victory is mistaken. Our planetary defence network largely automated. It can be disabled with a single virus." Said Zymandis. "…which I have just uploaded."

"Damn it! Wait… a virus would be detected unless sent on low-priority channels, which have a time-lag. I may be able to upload." Said Bau.

Suddenly, another human who'd been standing nearby pinned Bau to the wall.

"You may be delayed." Said Zymandis.

"Help him! I'll handle this!" Kasumi yelled as she uncloaked and worked on hacking the nearby console.

Austin ran up to the human and snapped his neck, allowing Bua to then shoot Zymandis.

"Got it! Uploads disabled. Looks like we're in the… wait, he's got some kind of failsafe. Get down!" Kasumi yelled.

The console exploded, causing Kasumi to vanish from sight.

"She was here the entire time." Said Bau.

"She was an old friend." Said Austin sadly.

"I intended to arrest her."

"She helped me take down the Collectors, and she just gave her life to save the hanar homeworld."

"Point taken. It was an honor to work with you, Shepard. When the time comes, I'll be there to return the favour… with a few friends."

Bau left, allowing Austin to drop his act.

"You can come out now." He said.

"How'd you know?" Kasumi asked as he uncloaked.

Austin tapped his helmet in a meaningful way.

"Your cloak's model is a very old one. I could've spotted you in the dark." He said.

"There's no way you're recruiting me to fight in a galactic war." Said Kasumi.

"The Crucible needs technical experts."

"I'm not a scientist!"

"No, but you're the best thief in the galaxy, and you can hack unfamiliar technology better than anyone." Said Austin persuasively. "They could use your help. And think of it: all that expensive tech just lying around… It's not like they're going to check your pockets at the end of the project."

"You say the nicest things. All right. I'm in." said Kasumi. "And Shep… nice working with you again."

"Likewise, Kasumi." Austin smiled.

As Kasumi left, Austin's omni tool suddenly bleeped again.

"What this time?" he said to himself as he opened the message.

Shepard

I need your help. Meet me in the refugee camp.

Shiala.

Austin found the green Asari where she said she'd be.

"Shepard. Thank you for coming. I'd feared you'd be too busy managing the Resistance." She said.

"I can always find time for friends, Shiala." Said Austin. "What do you need help with?"

"Zhu's Hope has been attacked by the Reapers. The people of Zhu's Hope are fighting again. The Thorian is dead now. I can confirm that. But the spores in our bodies remain, and on some level, we are still connected. This is not necessarily a bad thing. As we fight back the Reapers, we feel each other, and act with one mind, ignoring pain when the need arises. This situation is imperfect, and dangerous. Perhaps the colonists should separate, for their own safety. But with one mind, the untrained fight with the skill of veteran commandos. Our force is strong." Shiala explained. "However we're are starting to lose ground. I've come to ask for your help. I'm not asking much. If you can simply send a Helldiver squad or two to help us push the Reapers back…"

"If I help you, would you be willing to help me too? The Resistance is always in need of more allies to fight the Reapers. If I help, will you join us?"

"Without question. You helped me and the colony twice, it's the least we can do." Said Shiala. "Help us keep the colony in our hands, and we will gladly fight at your side when the time comes for the Resistance to fight back."

"Consider it done then." Said Austin. "I'll send a Helldiver squad and also see if I can get my sister to dispatch an N7 special forces unit to help as well."

"Thank you, Shepard." Said Shiala, who suddenly hugged him. "I owe you my life for this."

"You helping is more than enough, Shiala." Austin smiled. "Take care of yourself. Also, give Lizbeth and her mother my regards."

"I will." Shiala smiled back.

I'm quite proud of that one. Quite a significant achievement, if you ask me.

In fact, I may try and use that narrative more often. It could come in particularity handy for the upcoming prequel, Alpha Origins.

Hope that also answers the questions of several Guest reviews who kept asking if I'd include the missions. As you can see, I am doing them.

Just to also clarify, Zaeed's mission and a few others take place after the Cerberus Coup, so those will have to wait for while. Rest assured though, they are being included.

Next one will be the Rachni mission. I've come up with some very interesting changes you will like. In fact, this chapter will play a critical part later on in the original parts of my story. ;)
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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle