Mass Effect Betrayal Act 1- Shepards Revenge

Chapter 34

"The fact that the Geth and our AIs are still operating... It's not completely out of the question," Director Harper said, meeting Shepard's gaze. Now Shepard faces a tough decision. Should she abandon her troops on Faros and track down Sara, or should she stay and continue the fight here, keeping her promise?

"Without the data that Sara has, we won't be able to locate the third Reaper... The choice is yours, Commander," Director Harper concluded, leaving the decision in Shepard's hands.
---
"You hid this ... why?" Commander Shepard's voice drips with venom as her face fills the screen.

"We all have our secrets, Commander," the Turian on the other end of the call responds. Shepard leans back in her chair, frustration evident on her face.

"Why wasn't I informed?" Shepard demands, unsure why her supposed ally would withhold such crucial information.

"Consider yourself well-informed now, Shepard," the Turian replies bluntly.

"Well, that's really fuckin helpful, Chairman. Thank you. But you're a day late and a Reaper short. There are three of them, and we've only found two," Shepard states, her annoyance palpable.

"Then point yourself in that direction and fix it," the Turian retorts, growing increasingly irritated.

"And who fixes you, huh?" Shepard counters.

"I don't need fixing. I'm a patriot protecting my people," Solona asserts, looking at the Human.

"You're protecting your own ass," Shepard says matter-of-factly.

"I do what needs to be done, and no one holds me down with red tape. I know what's best for the cause," Solona asserts confidently.

"Haha. You've lost your mind, Chairman," Shepard remarks, rising from her chair and pacing.

"And you've forgotten what you're fighting for, Shepard," Solona looks at the Human, no longer seeing the mighty Commander Shepard, but rather the problem the Alliance sees. Shepard leans on the table, locking eyes with the Turian leader.

"You need to call off your Shadow," Shepard commands.

"Sara...? Hahaha... She's a dog with a bone, and I highly recommend you don't try to take it," Solona warns Shepard.

"This is your last chance to change your mind," Shepard states, issuing her own warning.

"Then what?" Solona asks, curious.

"Then, after I go after her... I'm coming for you," Shepard declares before abruptly ending the call.
---
Shepard closed the laptop, feeling the weight of the situation settling upon her. She turned to Karen, Gibson, and Garrus, along with a few other ground leaders who had gathered. The chaos of war had always been described as overwhelming, but Shepard now realized that it was an understatement. The conversations with the ground leaders had been difficult, but they understood her decision. The Enterprise was en route to pick her up, along with her command staff. Shepard had promised her troops that she would return and help them finish the fight if they were still engaged. It was now clear that the battle for Faros would be long and grueling.

Shepard turned to Garrus, looking for his advice. "Do you have any idea where Sara might have gone?" she asked, looking into the eyes of her best friend.

"The Republic Capital world, possibly. I'm not entirely sure," Garrus replied with a sigh. The thought of infiltrating one of the most heavily fortified planets in the galaxy was intimidating. In comparison, even Earth or Palaven seemed like open worlds. Shepard glanced at Karen, Gibson, and Garrus, knowing they were with her on this seemingly suicidal mission. Aubree, most likely, was also by her side, along with the rest of the Enterprise crew. Shepard knew she needed to reach out to two old friends for assistance. With Garrus by her side, she hoped to convince a Quarian admiral and the Krogan Clan leader to join their cause. Things had just become a lot more interesting.
---
Three days have passed since Shepard left her troops on Faros, and to her surprise, as well as the Coalition leadership, her Battered Bastards of Faros are holding their ground. Reports from daring journalists who managed to sneak in dirtside on the Enterprise reveal that the Coalition forces on Faros have unwavering faith in their commander's return. They no longer rely on Coalition support but eagerly await Shepard's comeback.

Shepard is aboard her ship, accompanied by her loyal crew as expected. Katherine and Aubree stand by her side. On the fourth day of their journey to meet up with Tali and Wrex, they receive word of a Hierarchy task force heading towards the Republic Capitol World. The secret is out. Victus now knows the location of the intel he needs to find the third missing Reaper. The Coalition military scrambles to assemble a force capable of repelling the most powerful military in the galaxy. Surprisingly, the Coalition Task Force heading to Faros remains undiverted. Instead, EPR and Geth forces are being sent to reinforce the defenses of the Republic Capitol World. Shepard now ponders how she can obtain the intel from Sara before the Hierarchy forces can force her off-world, unless that is precisely what Victus intends.

Shepard reaches out to Tali and Wrex, with Garrus by her side in her quarters. They appear on Shepard's screen, and Tali is the first to respond. However, Wrex seems preoccupied but still listens in on the call.

"Where is she, Tali? Where can we find the Shadow?" Shepard demands, her frustration evident. Tali looks at Shepard, having already reviewed the reports sent by Garrus. The Coalition is starting to question whether Shepard should remain on the front lines, concerned that she may be liable to manipulation by the old enemy.

"What makes you think I would tell you, even if I knew where she is?" Tali replies calmly, causing Shepard to slam her hand on the table.

"Because she and the Chairman trying to find a Reaper!" Shepard claims, her gaze fixed on the Quarian Admiral.

"I know, Shepard. I was there during your conversation. Frankly, I'd rather have Solona find the Reaper than have you involved," Tali admits, surprising Shepard.

"What...?" Shepard stammers, taken aback by Tali's unexpected stance.

"Shepard, you've become a liability. The reports we've read, especially the episode at the research facility, have raised some nervousness among the leadership," Tali explains, her gaze focused on Shepard.

"Tali... Please, don't do this..." Shepard pleads, her voice filled with desperation.

"I'm sorry, Shepard... I can't help you," Tali states firmly before abruptly ending the call. Wrex's connection remains open.

"Wrex...?" Shepard tries to reach out to him.

"Shepard, you know I've always been suspicious of Turians. Right now, I trust Vakarian more than I trust you. Like the kid said, I can't help you... I'm sorry, kid. Truly sorry..." Wrex responds before also terminating the call. Garrus observes Shepard's tension and hears her sobbing. He quickly sends a message to Katherine, asking for her company. Garrus places a comforting hand on Shepard's shoulder, assuring her that he's there for her, just as he has always been. He knows Shepard well, recalling how she cried when Liara left her to hunt the Shadow Broker and when he abandoned her during her exile. He understands her better than anyone. Whatever his sister's intentions may be with the Reaper gods, he knows it cannot bode well.  He is with his best friend till the end. 

The door to Shepard's quarters opens, revealing a blonde-haired woman. Garrus brings her up to speed, and Katherine assures him that she will take over from there. Garrus exits the room, observing as Katherine wraps her arms around Shepard's waist and rests her head on her back. He watches the scene briefly before the door closes.