Italics - Flashback or Temporary TimeSkip forward
The Quarians and Geth have only been at war with the Systems Alliance for a little more than 76 hours. Many think it is a lopsided war as the Alliance is vastly superior. However, after Phoenix's broadcasted assault and the apparent reentry of the Orbital Station, public outcry ensued, leading to protests against the current administration. Citizens are calling for the Prime Minister's resignation, but he denies any involvement in the Quarian orbital station attack, claiming that neither he nor the Admiralty authorized such an action. He maintains that the Alliance would never stoop to using orbital platforms as weapons, despite evidence to the contrary. The protests coincide with a growing defection of Alliance ships and soldiers to what's become known as Shepard's War.
On the Turians' homeworld Palaven, the situation is equally perilous to that of the Alliance. The Primarch's continued support of the Alliance creates division among his people, many of whom remember how Commander Shepard fought for them and risked everything for their sake. She is the Human they trust the most. Turians and Krogan alike lost their lives on Palaven, within an Alliance forged by Commander Shepard. A Turian faction has broken off from the Hierarchy, and seven planets have declared their independence from the Hierarchy and the "traitor" Victus. The Hierarchy has realized that these rebels have support from what is now considered public enemy number two, the organization known as Phoenix, and public enemy number one, Commander Jane Shepard. However, this public statement is not met with enthusiasm.
The Salarians, for the most part, have maintained a neutral position in the impending war. However, their status and prestige in the galaxy have greatly diminished since Urdnot Wrex exposed their double-crossing tactics, revealing their attempt to sabotage the cure for the genophage. Consequently, they are cautious not to take sides and are being closely monitored by both parties.
The Asari find themselves in a similar predicament as the Salarians. Once the truth about how they achieved their power and advanced technology became public knowledge, their standing in the galaxy diminished rapidly. However, unlike the Salarians, the Asari people are demanding the Matriarchs take a stand, and the cries are largely in favor of Phoenix and Shepard. The Matriarchs, however, remain hesitant to commit to a side.
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"Move!" Shepard barks, commanding three squads of Quarian and Geth troopers as they engage an Alliance unit. Shepard takes cover behind a Geth trooper and orders the advance, encouraging her allies to move without stopping. "Sitrep now!" she demands.
"We're advancing now! Krogan forces are pushing the Alliance back into the breach!" Jack reports.
"Excellent work. Keep the pressure up," Shepard replies, firing her SCAR rifle at the retreating Alliance as she advances with her allied forces. However, she's unaware of a lone sniper in a ruined building who has taken aim at her. The sniper waits and watches as Shepard continues to fight alongside her allies. As the Alliance falls back, the sniper sees an opportunity to take the shot.
As Shepard changes her magazine, a slug slams into her, sending her back a few feet, and she slams into a Geth rocket trooper. Quickly, the Geth pull her out of the line of fire as Shepard remains on the ground while being dragged away. A trail of crimson blood follows her as one of the Quarian marines approaches her.
The marine assesses the situation and sees that the slug hit Shepard's vest just above her heart. Unfortunately, it shattered the ceramic plate and went straight through her, exiting out her back. The marine does what he can to help the hero of the galaxy.
"We need immediate medical evacuation! Commander Shepard is down and critical! I repeat, we need immediate medical evacuation!" the Quarian marine announces urgently over the comms.
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48 Hours Earlier
Galactic civilization is in disarray as the Geth and their Quarian creators launch coordinated attacks on three Alliance bases. Meanwhile, Shepard is en route to the newly established capital city of the United Krogan Clans. The newly created war has caught the Citadel Council off guard, and they are ill-equipped to handle the situation. Their hope that the Commander Shepard matter would be resolved has been proven unfounded.
As Shepard looks out at the newly constructed buildings of the Krogan homeworld, she is uncertain whether her old friend Urdnot Wrex will offer his support. Having previously promised not to expand by conquest, many remain skeptical of his intentions. Nonetheless, Shepard remains determined to try and secure his aid.
As the shuttle initiates its landing sequence, Shepard's team sits across from her, exhausted from the past few weeks of nonstop activity. They're hoping that with Krogan support, they can turn the tide in their favor. Despite recent defections and desertions, the Alliance still remains a formidable presence in the galaxy.
As the shuttle touches down, Katherine, Shepard's helmswoman on the Enterprise, informs her that the Normandy has just entered the system. Shepard acknowledges the update, and as the shuttle door opens, she is greeted by an old Krogan waiting for her.
"Shepard!" Urdnot Wrex exclaims loudly as Shepard approaches him. Shepard quickly embraces the old Krogan in a hug.
"Wrex, how have you been?" Shepard asks, taking a moment to look around her and take in the changes on the planet that have occurred over the course of a few years.
"It's been as good as can be expected, Shepard. The Council and Alliance have been pressuring me to align with them," Wrex says bluntly.
Wrex's response surprises Shepard, as she knows how fragile the political situation is for the Krogan.
"I haven't made a decision yet, Shepard. I need to hear from both sides to avoid repeating past mistakes. Hopefully, when we join you and we win, we will be on the right side of history again," Wrex states. Shepard is taken aback, as she desperately needs Krogan help, but is uncertain whether Wrex will be willing to risk his people's status.
"Are you sure, Wrex? Are you sure you want to risk it?" Shepard asks.
"Shepard, you are my sister. Besides, Bakara would have my hide if I turned against you. No, we need to meet with the Alliance representatives. I hear Spectre Williams will be among them," Wrex states determinedly as they walk towards the new capitol building. Shepard follows closely behind as two Alliance shuttles land across from their own. As the shuttle doors open, Ashley, James, Garrus, and a well-dressed man who Shepard assumes is the ambassador Phoenix had warned her about, step out. The group stops in their tracks as they see their old commanding officer.
Shepard understands that the Alliance representatives will not attempt anything foolish with Urdnot Wrex present.
Ashley acknowledges the Krogan by saying, "Wrex...".
"It's Clan leader Urdnot Wrex to you Alliance," retorts Wrex. This response takes Ashley by surprise. The representatives from the Alliance now know that their goal will be even more difficult, especially with Shepard present.
Upon entering the main chamber of the capital building, Wrex is seated on his throne right beside Urdnot Bakara. Despite this, Wrex allows the Alliance to go first. The ambassador who had previously been with Shepard's old crew proceeds to step forward.
Clan Leader Urdnot Wrex. On behalf of the Alliance, I thank you for entertaining us. The Alliance Command and the Council have... Overlooked your proposal. Unfortunately, the Alliance and Council can only agree to the uninhabited systems. The other systems already have settlers. We simply cannot speak for them," the ambassador stated. The other Krogan in the room grunted as Wrex knew this would happen.
"I understand, Ambassador Kelly. Shepard, what is Phoenix and the Allies' proposal?" Wrex asked as Shepard stepped forward.
"Like the Ambassador, we can only agree to the uninhabited systems. However, the Quarians have a few systems under their control they are willing to... part with. They are still rebuilding and have no use for them. They just ask that you allow any who want to emigrate to the systems to do so," Shepard stated. The proposal took the Alliance by surprise. The ambassador remained unfazed, unlike the rest of the delegation. Wrex laughed at this proposal.
Shepard knew her old friend, and this laugh was one of approval.
"Does the Alliance have a counteroffer?" Wrex asked as he chuckled.
"The Turian and Salarian councilors asked me to deliver this in case you entertained Shepard and any proposal her Phoenix backers would give. They both give you this warning: if the United Krogan Clans turn against the Council and aid the fugitive Jane Shepard and her terrorist organization known as Phoenix, serious consequences will befall the Krogan people. I am assured the Genophage is a thing of the past. But you are encouraged not to aid Phoenix and the terrorist Shepard," the ambassador went on the offensive, trying to keep the Krogan out of the war. So far, all he had done was provoke the Krogan.
"Watch your tone, Alliance! The next time you speak ill about my sister and threaten the Krogan, Phoenix will be the least of your problems!" Wrex bellowed as he rose from his throne. Shepard saw the Alliance delegation move for their pistols as the Krogan rose from their seats. Shepard looked at them as her own team moved for their own pistols.
"I am sure the Alliance is not so bold as to do such a thing, especially after the Orbital Station fiasco," Shepard said as the Alliance looked around.
"But then again... the Alliance only cares about what is useful or what can be controlled. Since the Krogan can't be, nor should they be controlled, they are not just willing to neuter you again, but make sure the Krogan threat is no more!" Shepard started to preach as the Krogan yelled in unison and the Alliance delegation moved back.
"Just like the Commander Shepard so-called question! They lie about everything! I seriously doubt they would ever give you what you wanted! Join us! Join Phoenix! And you will secure a future worth living! A future free from the Council's threats! Free of the Alliance's hollow promises! Free from extinction, yet again!"
The Krogan cheered as Shepard finished her speech, and the Alliance delegation left the room in defeat while the Krogan howled and cheered. Wrex joined Shepard and her team, descending the steps as a sign of solidarity.
Wrex declared that the people had spoken and that his troops were at Shepard's disposal. As they embraced, Shepard felt a sense of relief and gratitude. With the Krogan on their side, the fight against the Council and the Alliance had become a little more equal, and the odds of success had improved. Shepard knew that the road ahead was still long and fraught with danger, but with Wrex and the Krogan by their side, they were one step closer to securing a future worth fighting for.
Shepard received an urgent message from Kathie over the comset. Kathie reported that four Alliance frigates had just come out of FTL, and more were arriving by the minute. Although Phoenix was sending some ships, it would take some time before they could arrive on the scene. In the meantime, Admiral Zorah had landed a Quarian and Geth Detachment to assist in the fight. Shepard knew that the situation was escalating quickly, and they needed to act fast to prevent the Alliance from gaining the upper hand.
Shepard relayed the information to Wrex that they had visitors, and the Krogan howled in response. Wrex wasted no time and ordered the Krogan to teach the Alliance a lesson. The Krogan picked up their weapons and rushed out of the building, ready to engage the Alliance and defend their cause. Shepard knew that the situation was about to escalate into a full-scale battle, and they needed to be prepared for whatever came next.