Fem A/N: I'm sensing a B plot here...

A/N: Yeeeep, trust me it's important.

Chibi A/N: How so mister "Leave the Readers Hanging"? *Get's attacked by a Necromorph* AH FUCK!!! *Punches the Nercomorph off of him and whips out a chainsaw*

A/N: Well if you hadn't already guessed by the name, We're dealing with Markers from the Dead Space universe.

Fem A/N: Alright, guess you did have to flesh that out at some point... But why know? Couldn't you flesh this out later?

A/N: Mmmmm... Not really. For you see, this is happening as the Duel with Jokotsu is happening. While that's not an excuse on its own, I think most of you can put together that something will happen to cause an interesting reaction from the Marker as a result of that Duel.

Fem A/N: Which is?

A/N: Mmmmmmmm... *With a smug smile* We'll have to wait and see.

Fem A/N: *Annoyed Sigh*

Chibi A/N: *Stomping on pieces that were ONCE a Necromorph* Can we fuckin' start already!? Jesus! *Get's attacked by more Necromorphs* MOTHER FUCKER!!!

A/N: Alright alright. I supposed we dillydallied enough. Let's start this chapter!

We start in the Middle of the action here as a lone Soldier was running from a horde of monsters made up of the twisted flesh and bone of what was once Humans. She quickly blasted one of these foul monsters with her biotics while breathing heavily as she never had had to run like ever since she was a young girl. She quickly sealed the door behind her just before the Horde of snarling flesh reached her. Yet she was still not safe as she knew this door wouldn't last for long.

???(Internal): Gotta Hide Fast!

She mentally stated as she frantically looked around. She soon saw a Bathroom with a rather sturdy looking door with an equally sturdy lock. It's a gamble as this Soldier has seen these creatures rip through steel-like paper using their Scythe Like Bone Blades, but one she has to make as she couldn't keep running forever. These Things that were once human don't seem to get tired, unlike her who was already gasping for breath at this point. So continually running from them wasn't an option. She quickly entered the Bathroom and swiftly locked the door behind her as she heard the horde break through and flood the area beyond the door. As held her breath as she heard the hordes of Roars and Snarls pass by the door. They were looking for her that much she could tell, they were intent on making her part of the wall of twisted Flesh and Sinew. Just as it did to her team as she had seen their mangled faces in the crowd of death chasing her down. The Soldier leaned on the nearby sink as she quickly washed off the blood on her face. Soon after she stares at herself in the mirror and we finally get a good look at our current protagonist.

Art by MonoriRouge(deviantART)

You're not seeing things. That IS Commander Shepard. But why is she here? Why isn't she in Your role? The short answer is... Well, I can't say. You'll have to stick around to see. But right now, Shepard was feeling a little hopeless, and understandably so as her team was just wiped out within a matter of moments while she barely got out alive. So she brought up her Omni-Tool and began to record a message. While she wanted to send a distress message, she knew communications were being jammed. So she'll have to settle for a cautionary message that might not even be useful in the long run.

Shepard: *Sigh* This is Commander Shepard of the Alliance Navy. I don't know if you'll find this on my Corpse or one of those shambling monsters outside. Even if this seems futile I have to try anyway, right? Where to start...

She paused for a moment as she was collecting her thoughts. So much had happened that it seemed a little overwhelming to push down. So she'll have to condense it as much as possible.

Shepard: *Clear's Throat* Guess the start of the mission is as good a place to start as any.

Two Hours Before the Team was all but wiped out...

Shepard was leading an eight-man team down toward a Mining location based on a moon around the edge of the galaxy. She quickly addressed the rest of her team as she began going over the details once more as they rode a shuttle down towards the surface towards the dig sight.

Shepard: Alright listen up! I'm only going to repeat this once. We're here to see what happened to the Mining Team stationed on this moon. From their last transmission, it sounded like they were in some serious trouble. Out here it could be anything. Pirates, Slaver, Hell it could be a new alien species that really didn't like us being here. The point is, to keep your guard up and stay alert at all times. You follow my orders without question. Understood?

She stated with a rather strict tone. Shepard wanted to get this mission done by any means necessary and she expected the men under her command to not buckle under pressure when the going got rough. Many in the Alliance question why she was even still allowed to command teams at all given her actions on Torfan which might have been motivated by her past as a Colonist. In My personal opinion, Barbarians should jump off the nearest cliff, but that's just me hating those Arrogant Dick Tips. Shepard has a more believable reason to hate them. Yet that doesn't persuade Galactic Politics unfortunately as Shepard was only able to barely get away with a slap on the wrist and a forced vacation causing her to miss out on joining up with Captain Anderson's new crew upon a new ship. Someone by the name of Jokotsu pulled some strings and threw her out here. Now she's stuck cleaning up messes around the edge of the Galaxy in Alliance-controlled space. But enough Flavor Text. Let's get back to the story.

Soldiers: Yes Sir!

Well, at least she can whip some grunts into shape still. Granted most of these guys were assigned to her for the same reason she was assigned to this task. Most of these guys went out of line somewhere or somehow pissed off a Crabby CO enough to resign them to her squad. Let's introduce two of them since they'll be accompanying Shepard. The First guy is Lieutenant Jankowski, he's your typical Military Man who had a bad run-in with some Turians and he ended up socking one in the face after they made snide remarks about Human Infants being "Grotesque Lumps of Useless Fat". It did not help that his wife and unborn baby were killed when a house fire erupted back home a few weeks before that incident happened. The Second guy was an... Odd Ball to put it kindly, His name was Jared. He has difficulties making any sort of connections with people Alien or not. How he got here was that he managed to piss off his CO after authorizing a bombing run despite the enemy having hostages. How he did this despite him only being a sergeant was simple, the person leading the team at the time Allegedly got killed by a sniper. Needless to say, Shepards kept an eye on him. The moment they touched down they all quickly exited the shuttle and secured the area. After a few moments of searching Jankowski noticed something troubling.

Jankowski: Shepard, I've got a Blood trail here. It leads inside. From the look of it... Someone died here and go dragged off like a sack of meat.

Shepard sighed as she was hoping it was Barbarian Pirates or Slavers. But considering her luck was a pile of flaming dog shit, she's guessing it's some sort of Alien creature that was stirred up by the dig team.

Shepard: *Sigh* Can't be easy, huh?

She paused before calling out to a pair of Soldiers looking at a busted vent covered with even More blood on it.

Shepard: You two! Guard the Shuttle and the Polite. If things get hair, I'm sure none of us wants to be stuck on this rock.

They both nodded and walked over to the Shuttle. Shepard then turned towards three other men. One was trying to crack open the door since the entire Mining Facility was on lockdown while the other two were covering him.

Shepard: You three go get the Lockdown lifted and see if you can't get life support back online. If anything attacks you then take them down. Judging from all the blood I seriously doubt anyone made it out alive.

While Jankowski had some reservations about shooting anything that moves, Shepard had a point. If whatever in there hasn't killed everybody yet, the decompression would have seeing as it clawed its way outside... Almost like it wanted to decompress the entire base. However, Jared, who was tracking the SOS beacon, managed to lock down the signal that brought them out here.

Jared: Commander, I've Isolated the signal. It's in an emergency bunker deeper into the dig sight.

There is a Bunker that far down? For what purpose? If there was a cave in all you'd be doing is entering your tomb. Something fishy is going on here and Shepard intends to find out what it is as well as what happened.

Shepard: Alright. You, Me, and Jankowski are going to head down there and investigate that Signal. Everyone else, you know your orders.

Soon after she said that the Alliance Soldier managed to open the door and so far they only see darkness. So they turn on the Flashlights on their guns as both teams enter the Buildings not noticing something watching them from the vents above. Shepard's team split off to head deeper into the dig sight with nothing but complete silence to greet them.

30 Minutes Later...

Shepard and her team noted how large this facility was for a Mining Operation. Sure you could make the excuse that most of this space was for a large amount of minerals. But that doesn't explain why a lot of this space was taken up by Research Labs, Holding Cells, and an Armory that was opened up by blast charges. Presumably, the Miners did that to arm themselves. The thing that was bothering though... Was that there weren't any bodies?

Jankowski: Shepard, something doesn't feel right here. It feels like-.

The Commander quickly cuts him off. She already knew something was watching them from a distance.

Shrepard: Quiet Jankowski! I already know.

The Lieutenant quickly scoffs after she says that. She could have just said that last part without the attitude.

Jankowski: *Scoff* Well what the hell are we going to do about it? We're sitting ducks here in the dark.

*Click!*

Just after he said that the lights quickly turn back on as the area around them gets illuminated. As expected there was blood everywhere, but also strange markings written in blood. Some sort of symbol that Shepard can't make out. Soon after that, she got a radio call from the second team.

Alliance Soldier: Commander, we just got the Lockdown shut off. Working on sealing up the Facility. Some crazy bastard blew a hole in one of the hallways. We're accessing damages now. Also keep an eye out for any strange Fleshy Growths along the walls, floors, and ceiling. One of my guys nearly got stuck in it and sprained his ankle, said it was grabbing his leg.

Shepard had to take a bit of a pause upon hearing that there were Fleshy Growths along the walls... *Looks at the Reader* Not for That reason either.

Shepard: *Underbreath* I swear to god if there's a giant blob monster. *Sighs as she Radio's back* Understood. We'll keep our eyes out for any...

She paused as she turned the corner only to see a MASSIVE wall of putrid flesh blocking the elevator leading to the Mine's.

Shepard: Fleshy... Growths... Shepard out.

The Commander soon looked to Jankowski who looked like he wasn't believing what he was seeing and Jared who looked... Oddly intrigued by the clump of dead flesh blocking their path.

Shepard: Jared. Is there any other way to get to the Mines from here?

Jared looked at the Commander for a second before looking at his Omni-Tool. As he looked through the Map of the Mine Jankowski suddenly aimed his gun down the hall, seemingly at nothing from Shepard's and Jared's point of view.

Jankowski: Shit! Did you see that!? Something was peeking around that corner!

The Lieutenant shouts while whispers seemingly emanate from the walls. Something that both Shepard bearly noticed, but decided to ignore. Thinking it was just nerves getting to them. Jared on the other hand... He kept to himself but had a look of recognition under his helmet. Not that he experienced this before mind you.

Shepard: Jankowski, now is not the time to let your nerves get to you! Now, Pull your ass back together!

Just then the Team noticed something darting across the Hallways they just came from. Everyone pulled out and aimed their weapons down the Hall as Jankowski's head started to throb in pain and his ears started to ring.

Jankowski: A-ah! M-my Head!

The sergeant glanced at Jankowski for a brief moment before he quickly looked at his Omni-Tool.

Shepard: Jared now would be a good time to find us that alternative route!

She stated with a hint of agitation in her voice. Just then the light suddenly switched off leaving the team in total darkness for a moment as they scrambled to turn on their flashlights again. However, Jankowski started to act strange before he could turn on his flashlight.

Jankowski: S-sarah?

Shepard internally groaned to herself as she was the first to flick on her light. After doing so she illuminated someone's bloody foot.

Shepard: *Underbreath* Great if it's one thing after another... I am Commander Shepard of the Alliance Navy! Identify yourself!

The Bloody Figure slowly shambles towards the team as Shepard moves the light towards their chest to get a better look at them.

Shepard: I said-!

She stopped mid-sentence as the Bloody Figure was now fully illuminated under the Commander's flashlight. It was for a good reason seeing as this Thing parading around in a human's skin had its belly wide open, exposing its guts as well as a pair of small malformed arms that were reaching out towards the team. The upper torso wasn't much better as its head had its jaw completely missing and oozing a sicking bile. Its arms were awkwardly bent upwards as scythe-like blades made of warped bone protruded from their hands. All while having eyes blacker than the void of space.

Slasher: BAARRRRRRRGHHH!!!

*BAM!!BAM!!!BAM!!!* *BOOM!!!PUMP!!!BOOM!!!PUMP!!!BOOM!!!* *BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAT!!!* *BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAT!!!*

It roared at them just before they opened fire upon it. Despite unloading entire thermal clips into its chest, all it did was push it back a bit.

Jankowski: W-what the fuck is that thing!?

Soon after the Lieutenant asked that another one of these monsters lunged out of the darkness beside him and took a slash at him.

*SLICE!!!*

Jankowski: AH!!! Shit! I'm hit!

He shouts as he drops his Assault Rifle to the ground after suffering an injury on his right forearm. Shepard quickly pulled him away out of reach of the creature's reach before swiftly charging up a Nova(Vanguard Ability) and slamming it into the monster's face.

*WA-BOOOOOOM!!!*

While that didn't exactly kill it like Shepard wanted it to, it certainly sent it flying towards a wall and slamming into it hard enough to cause it to explode. That seemed to put it down... For now at least. But there were too many of them for her to continually use her Supernova just to deal with one at a time.

Shepard: Fall Back! Now! We're too exposed out here!

She shouts while Aiming her Katana Shotgun to blast back any monster that got to close. She didn't have to tell Jared and Jankowski twice as the team quickly booked it towards any place that wasn't teeming with those things! Thankfully they wouldn't have to look for long as Jared spotted a security checkpoint up ahead.

Jared: There! We can Lock them out if we make a bypass!

As he said that the Team arrived at the checkpoint and Jared quickly got to work trying to bypass the security measures while Shepard and Jankowski covered him.

Shepard: Then do it and make it snappy! We can't take on a whole horde of those things!

She shouts as she swaps out her shotgun for her SMG while Jankowski is stuck to resorting to one handling his sidearm due to his injured arm. They soon put their weapons to good use as they quickly started firing upon the mass of twisted flesh that was currently barreling towards them. Knowing that taking them out by conventional means wouldn't work, they both resorted to shooting their limbs to slow them down as much as possible. This proved far more effective than aiming for any vital organs as it seems their legs were easily severed thanks to prior damage, however despite that the creatures used their Scythe Like Limbs to crawl towards them.

Jankowski: Any time Jared! These things aren't exactly going down!

Jared glanced up at the Horde for a brief moment before glancing back down seemingly unphased by the predicament he was in. This obviously went unnoticed seeing as both Jankowski and Shepard were more focused on the Horde coming towards them. Due to this Jared managed to bypass the security without much issue. For a second he looked towards both Shepard and Jankowski as if weighing his options before ultimately deciding on a course of action.

Jared: Got it! Get in now!

Shepard and Jankowski wasted no time in entering the checkpoint. Soon armored plates slammed down just as the wall of twisted flesh nearly reached them. For a moment all Shepard and her team heard was scratching as well as aggravated roars as they tried to claw their way in. Once they realized they couldn't penetrate the walls they left... For now. Shepard then quickly tried to contact the other teams.

Shepard: This is Shepard! If anybody is Listening we've got an Unknown Alien Creature! It's Hostile and Immune to gunfire! Is anyone listening!?

After she asked that there was nothing but static and total silence. Jared started applying medi-gel to Jankowski's wounds as Shepard got a patchy signal from the second team.

Alliance Soldier: *Bizzzzz!* Oh God! *Bizzzzz!* Too Many-! *Bizzzzz!* Polite's Dead! And the Shuttle-! *Bizzzzz!* Completely Destroyed! *Bizzzzz!* They turned my team into more of those-! Oh God No! No! NO!!! *Bizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!*

The sounds of gurgling screams and tearing could be heard over the radio before it completely cuts out.

*WHAM!!!*

Shepard: God Damn it! That was our only way out of this hell hole!

She turned towards the console on the Security Station and turned on the camera feeds to reveal some more of those things shambling around. Including the one they shoot up to hell in the back which was walking around as if it hadn't gotten enough holes to make Swiss cheese look like California Crottin.

Shepard: What the hell are those things!? They took enough Plasma to pop a tank!

After Jared finished applying the medi-gel he looked up to see one of these creatures start to climb into the ventilation system. Soon after that he looked around and noticed another vent within the room.

Jared: Commander. It's only a matter of time before they get in here. We need to keep moving.

While that was a logical course of action, Jankowski seemed to disagree a bit seeing as they don't have a known method of escape.

Jankowski: And go where? If you hadn't noticed we're stuck on this fucking rock with creatures that want to rip us apart! We'll be dead before reinforcements arrive!

He stated that they were outnumbered by things that would not die no matter what they did. However, Shepard wasn't going to take any of that crap and promptly grabbed Jankowski by his chest plate and slammed him into the wall.

*WHAM!!!*

Shepard: Quit bitching and find the pair of balls that made you punch a Turian after insulting human infants! You only get to lay down and die when I say you can, got that!?

While Jankowski didn't exactly like Shepard manhandling him like that, he didn't exactly feel like attempting to deck a Vanguard or just a Biotic in general. That doesn't exactly end well for the person who was foolish enough to get remotely close to one in the first place.

Jankowski: *Grunt!* *Sigh* Understood, Sir.

Soon after he said this, Shepard then let go of his chest plate before turning towards Jared.

Shepard: We're going after that beacon. Maybe we'll find someone who can tell us what the hell is going on here.

Jared looks to his Omni-Tool and quickly finds a route through the checkpoint they just hid in.

Jared: We can get to the SOS beacon through here. Plus Oxygen levels are increasing to normal levels. The second team must have patched the breach before getting swarmed. It should be safe to take off our helmets now.

Shepard nodded as she took off her helmet and was able to breathe well enough. These helmets are a bit difficult to see through and those things blades, despite being made of bone, seem to tear through armor easily. So the small amount of extra protection isn't exactly worth it in this case. Jankowski did as well, but Jared kept him on as they went deeper into the mines.

30 Minutes Later

Shepard's team was on edge and understandably seen as monsters wearing the twisted flesh and bones of their fellow humans infested the "Mining Facility". But Jankowski was on edge for a different reason than he's been... Seeing things. Things that his teammates don't. On top of that, his head felt like it was about to split open like a ripe Mellon. All while whispers emanate from the dark corners of the facility... Or at least that's what the lieutenant hears. Both Jared and Shepard don't hear anything but notice Jankowski's increasingly erratic behavior.

Shepard: Jankowski, what the hell is the matter with you?

The Commander asked somewhat annoyed seeing as she thought she told him to pull it together. However, Jankowski glanced around somewhat wildly while having a bit of a spaced-out look on his face.

Jankowski: D-don't you hear them? Voices coming out of the walls... T-they're telling me to "Make them Whole". I-I...

He paused and looked at a nearby wall for a moment. The Lieutenant was staring at it as if he was seeing something his squadmates couldn't as he had a look of shock.

Jankowski: S-sarah!? H-honey what are you doing here? Why aren't you back home? I-It's too dangerous for you and the baby to be here!

Shepard looked Absolutely baffled by what she was seeing. Jankowski's wife is dead and he knows it, yet he's acting as if she was alive and right in front of him. The strangeness doesn't stop there as the Lieutenant starts to follow this vision like he was hypnotized or something.

Jankowski: W-wait... Honey, come back... W-where are you going?

Shepard was about to stop him by slapping the piss out of him, but Jared stopped her.

Jared: Commander wait! If you'll humor me for a second, Look where he's heading.

The Commander narrowed her eyes at her for a second before sighing as she looked at where the Lieutenant was going... And it was some sort of lab... With an "Unfamiliar" logo next to it.

Idk if this is official art or not, but I got this on the Fandom Wiki. Either way, I don't own this. Oh and if you know, you know. *Wink!*

Jared: I'm getting some strange readings from that area. It's some sort of signal. I found it when I was tracing the distress beacon. Maybe we should take a look. It might give us a clue as to what caused this outbreak.

Shepard paused for a moment and thought about it. While she is still suspicious of Jared, the Sergeant has a point. Besides it wasn't like they had to go through half the entire station just to find the signal.

Shepard: Alright, but keep your eyes on Jankowski. Make sure he doesn't do anything I'm gonna regret later.

Jared nodded as he was already doing that. Almost as if he was studying him... Either way, Jankowski's behavior wasn't being thoroughly watched. Both Shepard and Jared entered the lab to see some of those... Things strapped to tables. Thankfully they were dead or at the very least incapacitated, but they were practically ripped apart as if they were ruthlessly dissected to find out what made them tick.

Shepard: Whoever was in charge here knew about these things.

She bluntly stated with a hint of anger. If they knew these things could get out why didn't they take more measures to keep them down? Jared seemed to be somewhat unfazed by all of this as he looked at Jankowski who was staring at something. Some sort of pitch-black rock with more of those strange symbols... Actually, it was more like a shard than a natural stone. It looked pretty damn sharp too.

Jankowski: It... Wants... Our... Bodies...

The lieutenant grabbed the shard and gripped it tightly which cut into his fingers. His blood soon ran down the shard as slowly turned to the Commander and Jared. The Sargent trained his rifle on Jankowski soon after.

Jared: Commander, we got a problem.

Shepard turns towards the situation to see Jankowski clutching his head while holding the black shard in his bleeding hand. The Lieutenant's eyes looked more dead than the corpses strapped to the operation tables around them.

Jankowski: T-they want... Our... Bodies, Shepard. They w-want to make us whole.

While Shepard was more of a renegade, she was far from a psychopath as she attempted to talk Jankowski down while slowly approaching him.

Shepard: Jankowski, Put down the shard. No one has to die here.

She said while keeping her hand next to her pistol just in case Jankowski tried anything. Jared kept his rifle on him as Jankowski seemed to be mentally struggling with something.

Jankowski: I-I... N-no, Death is the first step... It is not the end, t-the Marker will make us whole a-and ascend us t-to the stars... M-make us Whole...

He clutched his head as he kept trying to fight the urge to kill anything he see's the draw's breath.

Jankowski: I-it wants m-me to K-kill you... B-but I can't... S-sarah... S-she's w-waiting for me...

Shepard tried to reach towards the shard, only to quickly put the shard to his own throat while stepping out of her reach.

Jankowski: S-sorry... Sir...

*SLICE!!!* *SPLATTER!!!*

The Commander watched in horror as Jankowski tore open his throat with the shard. The Lieutenant's blood soon splattered onto her cheek as she watched him slowly die while choking on his own blood. The sound of his gurgles was permanently etched into her mind as the Lieutenant fell over dead in a pool of his own blood. Shepard just stared at his lifeless corpse as Jared slowly took the shard from Jankowski's Cold and Dead hands.

Jared: Commander. We have to keep moving.

Shepard didn't respond as she just kept staring at Jankowski's corpse. She could hear a faint ringing in her ears as memories came flooding back to her teen years when Slaver attacked her colony. Once she blinked she saw the parents instead of the Lieutenant's corpse. Their throats were slit and blood dripped from their wounds. The ringing in her ears grew more louder and louder before she was snapped out of it after Jared gave her a good nudge.

Jared: Commander! Snap out of it! We have to move before Jankowski's corpse attracts more of those things.

The Sargent bluntly stated as Shepard shook her head a bit. Not in disagreement, but in an attempt to shake off those memories she had long since buried along with her parent's corpses.

Shepard: Right... We need to find out what the distress beacon. Let's move out.

She stated while heading out where they came from. All the while Jared pulled out some sort of cylindrical containment device from his belt and put the dark fragment within it. Soon after he did that he quickly followed the Commander as something with bat-like wings lurked in the shadows of the lab.

30 Minutes Later

The more deeper Shepard and Jared go, the more putrid flesh is on the walls and floors. They try their best to avoid it, but it's getting increasingly harder and harder to do. Between fending off more of those things and trying to find out what in God's green earth happened here. It's obvious that an outbreak happened, but what caused it? Shepard intends to find out.

Jared: We're nearing the signal... Shepard, are you feeling well? Any hallucinations or voices?

Shepard stopped for a moment and glanced back toward Jared with a slightly puzzled look on her face.

Shepard: Why are you asking this Sargent?

The Commander asked bluntly and somewhat aggressively as she still suspected something was up with him. However, Jared had a reasonable excuse for asking this question.

Jared: I noticed the Lieutenant's brain waves were growing increasingly abnormal over a short period of time. So far I haven't seen any changes to yours, but I had to make sure. It's possible you're Biotics are blocking some sort of Signal from altering yours. My guess is whatever they found down here is causing all of this.

That sounded pretty reasonable, even to Shepard who was watching him carefully. Jankowski did seem to decline in mental integrity as time went on. However, that didn't explain these... Monsters roaming the facility.

Shepard: Alright, but how does a signal that drives you insane lead to shambling monsters?

She asked bluntly as they entered some sort of living quarters... And judging from the blood-stained sheets they probably became someone's tomb.

Jared: I've been scanning some of those things we incapacitated. I'm sure you already figured out they used to be the miners and researchers here. But something I found interesting was that their DNA was also responding to the signal as well. So my guess is that whatever these people dug up drove them mad, made them kill each other, and repurposed their corpses into some sort of drone to make more corpses to convert. For what purpose I don't know. I'm gonna need more data to figure that out. I'm curious as to how it converted dead tissue into the creatures we've been fighting. Who knows, maybe we'll see some of the soldiers we came in with. Would be a great chance to dissect them.

The Sergeant stated with a somewhat clinical tone. Which is to be expected seeing as his Psych Profile described him as a somewhat... Cold person for a bit of a Tech Head. Or in other words, the guy is a Psychopath.

Shepard: Jared, I get you can't exactly express emotions like everyone else. But if you don't show some damn respect for the soldiers that were slaughtered today I might punch you through a wall.

As you can clearly tell, Shepard wasn't exactly taking how Jared talked about his fellow soldiers well at all. I mean who could really blame her though?

Jared: Apologize's Commander. But if you're reasoning for threatening violence upon me for "Desecrating" our comrade's corpse... Well, let's just say whatever is causing this outbreak has already done that. So I don't see a reason not to incapacitate and study how these creatures function. If anything, we'd be both preventing more casualties and putting their bodies to rest.

The Commander glared at him for a moment with anger and a tightly clutched fist. But the Sergeant was once again correct. She relented even though she wasn't happy about it.

Shepard: You made your point Sergeant. But don't take that as approval. If you see any of our men as those things you take them out and retrieve their tags. I don't want to see a scalpel anywhere near their corpses, Understood?

Jared stared at her for a moment and while his face was still covered by his helmet, Shepard could feel him squinting his eyes.

Jared: Understood Commander.

He stated with a hint of annoyance in his tone. While Shepard was willing to take that and move forward with the mission, she was still keeping an eye on him. Ever since he got here he's been rather calm. Almost like he wasn't concerned by the horrors around him. Furthermore, if what he says is true and there was a signal making people go crazy... How is He not affected? Jared isn't a Biotic he's a Techie. Something isn't adding up... However before she could ponder further they find something... Haunting...

I do not own this Art. Got it from the Fandom Wiki. Not the info though, I used to official wiki for that. Also, I'm pretty sure this is concept art. Correct me if I'm wrong XD.

Shepard: Dear God... Is this thing some type of Obelisk?

There were a lot of fleshy growths around this place. Some of it snakes around the area and up into the roof of the facility. Some type of glowing yellow liquid was pulsing through them. However, despite the horrific surroundings, it was this... Obelisk or whatever it was... That was the most ominous thing about this room. She accessed the terminal next to it, looked like someone was making logs about their experiments with this thing. The Commander began playing the first entry as Jared looked around the area for something.

Dr. Gunner: This is Sinor Researcher, Doctor Gunner. Log Entry 1. The Marker we've plated here has successfully been found by a mining operation. Results are... Gruesome, but to be expected. Widespread Dementia, Psychotic Breaks, Murder, and a Necromorph outbreak. While the Marker provides limitless energy it will stop at nothing to complete something called Convergence. One of the miner's we quarantined kept rambling about it none-stop. I'm sure we'd be saying the same thing without these cybernetic enchantments blocking the Markers signal. Tomorrow we're going to try to question the Miner and see if we can't find anything. We'll keep you updated. Gunner out.

Soon after the log ended Shepard noticed that some of the logs were missing... Whoever these guys were, they were probably trying to scrub the system but ultimately weren't able to finish. Probably due to a severe case of Death caused by these Necromorphs as the Doctor called them, but that's just a guess. Regardless, the Commander is gonna just have to play the Third one... Hopefully, it gives some more context to what this Marker is.

Dr. Gunner: *Sigh* This is Doctor Gunner. Log Entry 3. With the last week's incident when integrating the Miner ending with the unfortunate death of the subject tensions are high at the moment. Everyone's blaming me for the Miner's death. What was I supposed to do? He lunged at me and nearly strangled me to death! If Jacob hadn't pulled him off of me with his Biotics when he did... Well, I'm sure my corpse would be... Repurposed for this Experiment. After all, the Marker reanimates dead tissue and changes it no matter the body. Either way, one thing is clear here. I'm thinking the Marker is trying to influence us to start this whole twisted cycle again. Everyone's been complaining of headaches... It's possible that continued exposure to the Marker allowed it to adapt to our cybernetic upgrades. *Sigh* God I hope I'm wrong. At least anyone with Biotic's seems to be immune to it. Gunner out.

As that ended Jared found what looked like a Black Box of sorts. Shepard was too distracted by the terminal to notice him glance over to her for a moment before inching his way toward the nearest exit.

Dr. Gunner: *Pants as Alarms scream in the background* D-Doctor Gunner! L-Log Entry 5! W-we made a terrible mistake coming here! Our Cybernetic Enchantments only Delayed the enviable! T-the Marker is talking to me! It's using the dead to convey its message! Convergence must not happen! The Marker must not be made whole! If it succeeds then I fear the entire Galaxy is at stake! Not just humanity! *Shakey Breathe* The only reason why I'm safe from the shambling corpses that used to be my crew is because I'm standing close to the Marker! I am surrounded on all sides! *Clutch's head* I should have transferred like Jacob... He's lucky to of missed all this horror... It happened so fast. One moment my crew started ripping each other apart and the next... *Labored Breathing* I got cut deeply trying to get here. Without medical aid, I'm going to bleed out within the hour. *Amused Chuckle* I... Guess this is how I die... This has been Doctor Gunner. Signing off... For the last time.

Shepard looked at the Marker after that with a look of skepticism. How can a fancy rock cause all of this destruction? Just before she could tell Jared to collect the data they found, the sergeant quickly shut and locked the door they just come in. She quickly runs over and radios Jared.

Shepard: Jared! Open the goddamn door! That's an order!

She shouts into the comlink, but Jared's reply tells her she probably wasn't getting out of there... Not alive anyway.

Jared(Com): Sorry Commander, but I can't do that. You already know to much. Cerberus could have used someone like you. But I can't change it. If this were to get out the Aliens would be all over it. Besides, you saw what the Marker does to people who aren't lucky enough to be a Biotic.

Shepard gritted her teeth and quickly slammed her fist into the door. She knew something was off about him, but she didn't figure he for a double agent.

Shepard: You bastard! When I found you-!

Jared quickly cut her off right there. Not to gloat, but to bluntly state her chances of doing that... Which were obviously slim.

Jared: I doubt you will. If you somehow get out of this hell hole, I'll be long gone and assigned to a different mission. Though I will wish you luck... I'm sure you'll need it.

Soon after that, his Com Link cut out as Shepard heard a roar in the distance... Followed by a whole lot more. Thinking quickly she sees a way deeper into the Facility and without hesitation, she takes it as a horde of Necromorphs soon follows her.

Back to the Present

Shepard: Ever since then, I've been running for my life. All thanks to Sargent Jared... If that even is his name since that asshole was a Cerberus Agent. *Scoff* I don't know what Cerberus is. All I know is that they're willingly causing chaos for the sake of experimentation and will go to great lengths to get it. That's enough for me to head in there and burn everything to the ground in my opinion. But the last time I had one of those, I got shafted out of serving the Normandy and Anderson. *Underbreath* If it weren't for that bastard... I wouldn't be here.

Soon after she said that the Necromorphs began to get more loud just outside her door. Shepard assumes they found her and are about to break their way in.

Shepard: *Sigh* It's time. Commander Shepard, signing off.

She ended the recording and pulled out her shotgun. If she was going to go out, she was gonna do that swinging. However the longer she aimed her gun at that door, the more she listened. The more she listened... The more it sounded like something else the just Necromorph's were out there. Whatever was out there was attacking that horde outside.

Shepard(Internal): Who or what would be crazy enough to attack so many enemies?

The Commander thought as she kept her gun trained on the door. The sound of violence slowly started to dwindle as the Nercomorphs started to fall, one by one... Until it was completely silent...

*SHINK!!!*

Or not I guess! Shepard jumped a bit after seeing something stab cleanly through the door... It... Looked like some type of Purple Energy! Soon after the door was pried open as a figure shrouded in shadow stands in the doorway.

???: Hmm? Oh good. A survivor. Give me a minute. I got a few questions for you.

He casually stated before walking over to one of the sinks and began washing his face off of all the blood and gore he left behind in his wake. That's pretty impressive considering he looked on the Older side. Shepard peeked out and saw as he was cleaning himself... The Necromorph's were cut into Litral Pieces! Shepard quickly aimed her shotgun at him.

Shepard: I am Commander Shepard of the Alliance! Who the hell are you!?

She shout's as the man continued to wash himself off in the sink. He wasn't even bothered by the gun that was currently pointed at his head.

???: Do you always thank the people who just saved your ass by pointing a gun at them? Seems a little rude.

He stated in the same old casual tone he had before. Shepard maintained her aim as she kept her finger on the trigger.

Shepard: Can't take any chances that you're actually here to kill more. I just got ditched on this rock by one of my own men, who just so happened to be a Cerberus Agent. So who the hell are you?

She asked somewhat aggressively. The man rolled his eyes after finishing giving himself a face wash before turning around and staring at her with purple eyes that emanated a similarly colored purple glow.

Art was done by... Me! :D, well it's not really art... But I made that shit! In X-com 2 >:D. Modded of course XD. For a Voice reference, he sounds like OG Sam Fisher, if you don't know who that is look up Splinter Cell on YouTube. Anyways! Back to the story!

Mystic: It's Mystic. I'm not with Cerberus or the Alliance. I would have told you sooner if you had been more polite about it. Now can you please put the gun down? I can tell the Marker can't affect you since you're a Biotic.

Shepard looked a little surprised that he could tell just from a glance. But she would soon learn that he wasn't. I'll let the man himself explain.

Mystic: Suprised? Eh, don't be. I could see the Biotic Amp in your head. I'm what they call a Psionic, we basically have Mind Powers. Guess you could say the same thing about Biotic's... But I don't think we have the same sources when it comes to power.

Yeah, you can definitely say that... Pretty sure harnessing Mass Effect Fields using Element Zero Nodes within your own body is way more different than blasting someone's mind with pure Psionic Energy... Or in this case, hacking them apart with energy blades made of said energy. Speaking of which...

Shepard: If this Psionic stuff is real, then why haven't I seen anyone using energy blades to attack people?

She said discounting the Vorcha since they're dumber than a bag of rocks and almost as feral as Varren. It's natural they would run headlong into enemy fire. But Mystic had a compelling reason.

Mystic: Because A I'm not supposed to even be in this universe and B neither is the Marker. So think of me as an outside force butting into the affairs of a completely different galaxy. Just like whatever sent the Marker here.

Shepard lowered her gun as she knew why the Marker was there. I mean she did listen to those logs in front of the damn thing. So it's obviously still fresh within her mind.

Shepard: That hunk of rock was here because some Terrorist Organization named Cerberus planted it here to see the effects on normal people. You can see what happened after that just by looking around you.

She bluntly stated as Mystic crossed his arms with a slightly concerned look on his face. That signaled to Shepard that might be a problem and the Psionic confirmed that.

Mystic: Of course Cerberus felt the need to Experiment with it. Can't keep their damn greedy mittens on shit they have no way of controlling. First, it's Reaper Tech and now Markers! *Sigh* I swear if they fucken touch the Golden Altars, I'm going to break that fuckers hands...

Shepard just looked at him with a confused look when he mentioned Reaper Tech and Golden Altars... I know weird, but hey she's seen what the marker can do so anything is possible. But before she can ask anything about that, Mystic makes a good point.

Mystic: That doesn't matter right now. What does is finding that Marker and destroy it. It shouldn't be too hard since the Marker doesn't exactly react too well with Psionics. They tend to explode when they come into contact with it. The problem is, I doubt it'll just let us walk up to it and stab it. It's gonna push back with everything. So I hope you're ready for a fight.

Shepard just raised a single eyebrow towards her as she's pretty sure she can handle herself in that department. She isn't a Vanguard for nothing after all.

Shepard: My whole occupation is fighting. I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Besides, I know where the Marker is. I'll take the lead.

Well, it sure didn't take her too long to establish who's in charge, huh? Mystic looked at her for a brief moment and shrugged stepping out of her way.

Mystic: Well then after you Ma'am.

He stated bluntly with the casual tone of someone who's dealt with people like Shepard before. Something that obviously rubbed the Commander the wrong way a bit, but judging by the fact he looked to be around his 50s and was hacking Necromorphs to pieces with energy blades... Yeah, something tells her that he's probably seen some shit to just shrug off the horrors of the Marker like it was just another day at the office. So she just flipped him off while walking past him. To which Mystic replied with his own middle finger as he followed her. Fortunately or Unfortunately depending on how you look at it, on the way to the Marker it was pretty quiet and uneventful. Needless to say both Shepard and Mystic were on edge here.

Shepard: Where the hell are those monsters? I was just chased by a god damn horde of them moments ago!

She stated in annoyance hating the feeling of pure tension looming over her like a cruel joke waiting to be played. Mystic had an answer for her, but he doubted it would give her confidence.

Mystic: They probably know what we're doing and setting up an ambush for when we make our move. They may look like Space Zombies, but they can be as cunning as a hive mind... Probably because they are a Hive Mind, but that's not a problem right now.

Greeeeeeat... Just casually mention that the murderous space zombies are definitely plotting to kill them. Confirm that if this breaks out in any population whatsoever everybody is more boned than a twenty-something Straight Man in a bar full of Horny Cougar's... No pressure.

Shepard: That's... That's just great. Hey, can you do me a favor and keep your mouth shut? Everything that comes out of it is only making me feel a little insignificant...

Mystic glanced at the Commander once with a raised eyebrow as he was definitely going to make that feeling of Insignificance worse with what he said next.

Mystic: Oh, then I will withhold the fact these Markers are connected to a race of Gaint Monstrous Moons that wish to expand by assimilating any intelligence species they come across and/or cultivate into another Brother Moon.

Shepard just glared at Mystic for a hot minute, who had a tad grin on his face telling the Commander that he did it on purpose.

Mystic: If it makes you feel any better, then you'll be happy to know that this whole mess is only them prodding at the galaxy to see if they can easily take it over or not. However, something tells me the Gaint Robot Crabs are going to be an issue for them... And us eventually.

The Commander just flipped him off again while giving him an unconvinced look... Sounds weird to say that considering who I'm talking about, but she didn't exactly get brain-blasted by a damaged beacon like you did in this story.

Shepard: You can shove that bullshit where you found it. These Necromorphs and your Abilities are one thing, Cosmic shits another.

She bluntly stated expecting Mystic to be somewhat offended... Yet that wasn't the expression that he had. No, he had a look of... Pity? Or was it envy? She couldn't pin it down, but it was a knowing look... One that only survivors and witnesses have.

Mystic: In all honesty... I wish that was the case. If only blind disbelief could make that problem go away maybe the cosmos wouldn't need men and women like me. Yet here I am. Tending to a mess that spilled over into another galaxy. It's bad enough that a shard of a Black Marker made it here in the first place. Now Cerberus is using it to make Red Markers. *Sigh* This whole mess is a shit show waiting to get worse.

He paused for a moment as they both arrived at the room where the Marker resided. The Psionic soon continued after turning towards Shepard with a serious expression.

Mystic: I'm not asking you to believe in anything I say. From my experience that's asking too much. But I will ask you to at least trust that I know things you would rather not and how to handle them well enough to keep them at bay. Something I've been doing well before Humanity's birth.

Shepard was a bit skeptical about that last part and understandably so. I mean no one can live for That long right? Not without some sort of stasis. *Cough! Cough!* Javik. *Cough! Cough!* But something tells her that Mystic wasn't lying here or at the very least believes what he says. Either He's crazy or goddamn old... And she's willing to bet on that latter seeing as she has no idea what Psionics are capable of. But she wasn't going to voice that.

Shepard: Alright... I'll trust you for now. Now can we destroy this thing before it can cause any more damage to the Galaxy?

She bluntly asked and Mystic took a look at the Marker. He examined it for a moment as if he were calculating something in his mind. To be honest that Marker is pretty big, it's roughly 1/4 the size of the room and it's a pretty big room. So it'll probably take a lot of energy to completely destroy it. Something that the Psionic Soldier confirms after finishing his examination.

Mystic: It's gonna take a lot to take that thing out. I know it's a lot to ask...

Yeah yeah, Shepard understood what she had to do. She had to watch his ass while he took care of the Marker. While it Was a big ask, it's not like she has much of a choice in the matter.

Shepard: Just start destroying that thing. They won't get past me as long as I'm breathing. *Underbreath* Just hope I can stay that way long enough to survive this nightmare.

She stated feeling some amount of anxiety over fighting god knows how many Necromorphs. This is understandable as when Mystic started to channel his Psionic Energy to destroy the Marker, Shepard heard distance roars and vent covers breaking.

Shepard: Well shit... Here they come!

The Commander shouts as she readies her shotgun and Biotic's for a brutal fight. One that gets started with a nearby Ventilation cover being destroyed.

*SMASH!!!*

Slasher: BARRGGGGGGGG!!!

*BOOM!!!* *Pump!* *BOOM!!!*

Yeah, the Necromorph didn't get the chance to even do anything before Shepard blew off its scythe-like appendages instantly incompastating it. After that, she noticed a tightly packed group and while throwing out Biotic abilities willy-nilly really sucks considering that her Biotic Implant is definitely going to heat up, she doesn't really have much of a choice with a fuck ton of Space Zombies coming toward them. So Shepard gritted her Teeth and threw a Shockwave towards the group throwing them around like ragdolls. Hearing more trying to ambush her she quickly whipped around and used her Biotic's to create a hectic energy field which ripped the ambusher to pieces... Literally.

Shepard: *Pant*... The one good thing about these fucking things is that... *Pant* They're not very durable.

Mystic glanced at her with a "You just Jinxed us" Look as he continued building Psionic energy which was growing noticeably more potent by the second. Soon they both hear something Big.

*BOOM!!!*

???: OOOOOOOOOOOOOGH!!!

Yeah... That definitely can't be good. Shepard watched as something very large broke threw a wall like it were made of wet tissue paper. It was a monster made of a grotesque amalgam of flesh and hardened bone of many people. Its arms were large enough to crush a man with ease and its body was massive and covered in a thick layer of bone.

*BOOM!!!* *Pump!* *BOOM!!!*

Shepard: SHIT!!!

She quickly rolled out of the way as it quickly roared and charged towards her! She bearly dodged it as she saw glowing yellow sacks at the joints of its arms and (tiny)legs! Thinking fast she quickly pulled out her pistol and unloaded her thermal clip into one of the sacks!

*Bam!Bam!Bam!Bam!Bam!* *SPLATTER!!!*

Brute: OOOOOOOOOGH!!!

It let out a horrid moan as its arm quickly slopped off onto the ground forcing it to support its weight with only one arm. However, it wasn't out of the fight just yet. It quickly reared its head back and spit a large ball of flesh infused with yellow bile towards her! The Commander quickly dived out of the way of the shot, but not the blast radius.

*SQUELCH!!!* *KA-BOOM!!!*

Shepard: Damn! That Burn's!

She shouts quickly applying Medi-Gel to her wounds and quickly rolling out of the way of another explosive loogie. Only for Mystic to pull out a strange SMG and fire it one-handed at the Brute's remaining weak spot.

*KA-BOOM!!!* *Mmmm-BRRRRRRRRRAT!!!*

A Burst of Blue Plasma suddenly ripped right through not just the weak point, but its bone armor as well easily blasting a massive hole into the massive creature. It was soon incapacitated and Shepard got back up onto her feet.

Shepard: The hell kinda weapon was that!?

She asked someone shocked at how easily it just ripped through that monster's armor. However Mystic kinda lets out a grunt as he holstered his SMG and continued building up Psionic energy... Which he is struggling to control with the momentary laps in concentration.

Mystic: N-not now! Later! J-just keep them busy for a l-little longer!

He stated that it looked like he was holding back a Very Large Explosion of raw Psionic Energy. Soon after that Shepard saw something crawling on the walls. She quickly swung around to see what looked like half a man with a massive barbed tail made of what appeared to be an elongated spine. Needless to say, Shepard quickly aimed her Shotgun and fired at this-.

*BOOM!!!* *Whooooosh!!!* *Pump!*

Surprisingly agile opponent... Oh shit, Shepard just lost track of it! As she was looking around she saw that more Slashers were coming towards her so she quickly dealt with them before-!

Leaper: SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Jesus Fucking Christ!!! U-uh I mean, Shepard was quickly caught off guard by the sudden attack that knocked her on her back with this fucking monster trying to eat her face! However, the Commander being a Biotic and more importantly, a Vanguard just used her Nova ability to send that jumping demon flying into a group of Slashers stunning them and allowing her some much-needed breathing room to get up.

*BOOM!!!* *Pump!* *BOOM!!!* *Beep!*

Shepard: Shit! Mystic! Now would be a good time to break that damn thing!

She shouts having run out of ammo of her shotgun forcing her to swap to her SMG. While it didn't provide nearly enough firepower to stun the Necromorphs, Shepard could maneuver much more quickly than before. She quickly rolled out of the way of another Leaper's tail strike before unloading the SMG into its tail almost cutting it off entirely. Unfortunately, she wasn't given the chance to finish the job as one of the Slashers grabbed her with its scythe-like appendages and tried to gnaw off her face! As that happened the other Necromorphs tried to close in towards Mystic, but were struggling due to his close proximity to the Marker. Soon the ball of Psionic Energy was growing too unstable to handle and Mystic quickly braced himself as he was going to make one hell of a bang!

Mystic: *Grunt!* W-with Pleasure! RAAAAH!!!

Mystic soon threw the ball of raw Psionic Energy directly towards the Marker as the Necromorphs closed in. Shepard managed to push the Slasher off of her and quickly punched it with a Biotic-infused punch just as the ball impacted the cause of this nightmare.

*SAWOOOOOSH!!!* *BA-BOOOOOOM!!!* *BWAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!*

When the Psionic energy hit the Marker it caused some sort of reaction! The Necromorphs that were around them began to fall over dead as both Mystic and Shepard covered their face. But while Mystic looked away, Shepard watched as the Marker crumbled to pieces while unleashing a beam of energy that went through the energy facility! It soon unleashed a blinding light forcing Shepard to close her eyes for just a moment... And then... Total silence. She slowly opened her eyes to quickly notice she wasn't in the Facility anymore... Instead she was in a strange place. The sky was Blood Red... And she was standing in an Ocean of Blood...

Shepard: The hell...?

She was waist-deep in the deep red liquid. All while the pungent smell of iron hung in the air. She quickly looked around to noticed a strange structure in the distance. Upon further examination, there was no structure... It was a Moon! Either that or something posing as a Moon seeing as Shepard noticed Gaint Yellow Eyeballs, a Gaint Mouth, and Countless Tenticals protruding out of his moonlike shell. Whatever it was... It was clearly dead as it lay there motionless within this sea of blood with what she thought were large wounds across its body. It's hard to tell since its physiology isn't exactly consistent with what she knew.

Shepard: What even is that thing!?

The Commander shouted in astonishment as she quickly turned to see another large entity! At first, she mistook it for some kind of ship, but upon deeper thought, she realized that this was no ship... It was a giant robotic Monster with an alien design she had never seen before! It was also dead and lying in the endless sea of blood. However, unlike with the moon creature she was able to tell that it had large slashes across its body due to its fairly consistent form... Like a large beam or blade cut threw its armor with ease.

Shepard: T-the hell is-!?

She quickly turned to see something moving in the distance... Something... Golden? She tried to move closer to see what was going on. She got close enough to identify that this Golden Thing looked like some type of... Twisted Angel, its eyes looked like molten gold while its wings were made of pure flames. It was battling a shirtless man covered in blood with what looked like a Black Blade... Or at the very least a Deep Red Longsword.

*Ting!* *Twing!* *Twong!*

???: DAMN THEE!!! WHY WON'T THO FALL!?!?!?

The Commander noted that the Angelic Figure was having a hard time battling this unknown figure. Whoever this man was he he was parrying his blows of ease. Not only that... Shepard felt a strange presence emanating from this person... It felt overwhelmingly threatening! It was causing her to shake as she found herself unable to move. All while their battle raged on as one-sided as it was.

*Ting!* *Twang!*

???: *Aggravated Grunt!* YOU WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF-!!!

*Sawooosh!* *SLASH!!!*

The Twisted Holy Figure paused mid-sentence and slowly looked down to see the Frighting Figure's blade was firmly impaled within his chest.

???: *Coughs up Blood...* D-damn... It...

*Sssssslice!* *SLPOOOSH!!!*

The Imposing Man slowly pulled his blade upwards carving open this Angelic figure's chest, causing his molten blood to mix with the sea of red liquid as the light faded from the Twisted Angel's eyes while his body began slowly sinking. It was then the Bloody Man turned towards Shepard and glared at her with a furrowed brow. The Commander then noticed that in the distance behind him... Was some sort of giant spire or pillar... It was hard to make out and even harder to see what it was exactly made of. However, she had the nagging feeling that she was better off never knowing as then Bloody Man continued to stare her down. Now that he was facing her she could tell that there was a massive scar on his chest! It looked like someone took their hand and ripped out a solid chunk out of his chest. As for his face? Well, she was too far away to accurately tell.

Shepard: W-who are you!? What do you want!?

She shouts in a somewhat fearful tone. Soon her head began to ache as her ears began to ring. Her vision began to blur as she quickly bent down in pain. She nearly dunked her head into the pool of blood. As she was clutching her head she noticed the Man was suddenly standing right beside her.

*Grab!* *YANK!!!*

The Man grabbed her hair and pulled it upwards forcing her gaze towards the sky. She found herself staring at the Pillars in the distance while the Bloody Figure held her in place.

Shepard: *Groans while gritting teeth* Shit! What the... H-hell...?

She paused as the Pillar... Have you begun to move towards them? H-how does a Pillar Move? Wait... Is that... A-are those bodies!? The Pillar was made of Countless bodies! There were so many! Almost every Alien Species she knew made up that absolutely massive pile as well as races she didn't know! Not only that but Humans too! T-there were so Many Corpse's!

*WHOOOSH!!!* *SPLASH!!!*

Without warning the Bloody Figure shoved her head down into the Ocean of Blood to reveal that the entire bottom of this crimson sea was made of several corpses made from Horrors beyond her comprehension. They were so massive that she couldn't even begin to fathom their entire bodies much less what they looked like before their untimely end. All presumably by the hands of the man holding her head under the ocean of blood. She screamed as the Bloody Figure pulled her head out.

Shepard: *Cough!* *Pant!* *Pant!* W-who the Fuck are you!? W-why are you showing me this!?

Soon after she asked this she noticed that there were even more pillars of bodies reaching infinity into the red sky.

*SPLASH!!!*

Before she could say anything else the Bloody Man swiftly dunked her head back down and brief fleshes started to flood her vision and mind that were far too quick to fully understand. They were of countless possibilities of her own life. One showed her as a noble hero saving the galaxy another was a ruthless psychopath who resorted to violence any chance she got. Her head quickly began to pound as the fragmented knowledge poured into her mind. It only stopped when the Man pulled her head out of the crimson liquid.

Shepard: *Cough!* *Cough!* *Sharp Gasp!* S-stop! Please! I-I don't-!

*SPLASH!!!*

Yet again the Fighting Being plunged her head into the Red Sea below and now she saw the Entire Galaxy at risk of the same robotic entity that she saw earlier. They were numerous and overwhelmingly powerful! When she blinked in their place were the Moon Creatures along with their brethren, they were... Harvesting earth to assemble another moon! She blinked again and the monsters changed once more to the Twisted Angelic people which had a cult-like army attacking and capturing every Man, Woman, and Child they saw before forcibly pouring gold into their eyes upon golden altars! Before she blinked once more the Man pulled her head out of the blood one more time to see not a massive Pillar of Bodies, but a massive Set of Statue's. One was of a Massive Wolf glaring right at her and staring into her soul with tears running down her cheek. Another was of an Old Man resting his head on the handle of an Axe with a look of regret on his face. The last one was of a Man with Blood running down his chest from a massive wound, he held a familiar-looking blade in his right hand while having his own blood run up his left and form into some type of Floating Orb. Her mind began to slowly receive trickles of knowledge that were lost to time.

Shepard: *Heavy Breathing* I-I... I-I D-don't want to understand! Please don't-!

*SPLASH!!!*

Her pleas go ignored once more as she is plunged under the Sea of Crimson once more... Only this time she isn't drowning... No, this time she was falling from up high in the sky! Her heart raced when she realized she wasn't falling down... But upwards instead! High above her was a bright light. Within that Light was an Answer to a question she never asked... Nor wanted the answer too.

Shepard: No! Y-you can't! Please I don't want to know! PLEASE!!!

The Commander shouts in vain as the Answer pours into her mind as she is enveloped within the light. She let out a scream before opening her eyes to see she was in a medical bed aboard a ship. The Nurse soon ran over to check up on her as Shepard was in a cold sweat.

Nurse: Woah! Woah! Calm down! You're ok. You're safe now.

She said calmly trying to ease the Commander's nerves a little. Shepard looked around to see she was indeed safe. She began to calm down a little as she wondered where she was and how she was alive.

Shepard: Where am I? Where's Mystic?

The Nurse was surprised that she remembered Mystic. Normally he wipes the minds of anyone he encountered that wasn't supposed to know about his existence. However, she quickly adapted and answered her questions.

Nurse: You're on an Alliance Ship, The SS Day Dreamer. Mystic carried you here after he destroyed the Marker. He said you just passed out after a bright flash blinded the both of you. He's currently writing up a Report for the Captain. I can see if I can get him if you-.

Before the nurse could finish speaking someone walked into the room... And judging from his looks he's either a Gear Head or a Jar Head... Or Both.

This guy another one Characters I created in Modded X-Com... Take a Guess what he listens to on his way to Atomize his enemies with Explosives XD. Oh and if you wonder what he sounds like, It's Dutch from Halo 3: ODST. Anyway back to the story!

Nurse: O-oh! *Quickly Gets up and Salutes Him* Brigadier General Bouge, Sir! I didn't expect-!

The Brigadier General quickly raised his a bit to signal that it was alright as he took a puff from his cigar. He paused for a second to blow out some smoke before properly replying to the Nurse.

Bouge: It's alright. Just got to talk to our guest in private for a bit, can you give us a minute?

He said somewhat casually before taking another puff from his Cigar. The Nurse looked towards Shepard and then back towards Bouge.

Nurse: Uh... Of course, sir.

She soon after left the Medbay, but not before saluting him. Whoever this guy is, he must command a lot of respect. Naturally, Shepard had questions.

Shepard: Who are you?

She asked inquisitively as she had never seen this man, but that's normal seeing as the Alliance is fairly large... Not as large as the Turians, but still large enough to not know Every notable figure.

Bouge: Just call me Bouge, Shepard. I'm not exactly one for formalities when I'm not on a mission. *Slight Chuckle* Mainly because those tend to go out the window when shit starts to blow up.

Shepard raised a warry brow at the Red Clad man as it sounded like he planned to blow up the ship they were on... Out of context of course.

Shepard: That sounded a little ominous... Are you planning anything?

While his aviators obscured his eyes, Shepard could feel him rolling them as if he'd had that reaction before.

Bouge: Relax, I meant that as a figure of speech. Not a decoration of terrorism. Trust me if I wanted you dead you'd already be in pieces floating in the void of space along with everyone else.

The Commander just looked at him with a wide-eyed glare as he said that so casually you'd figure he thinks about blowing shit up once he had his morning cup of coffee. Luckily Bouge steered the conversation back to his original topic... That being Shepard's well-being.

Bouge: *Clear's Throat* Anyway, I just came here for a few things. One of them is your Physical well-being, looks like you are fine on that front. The other is your Mental facilities, I think you're pretty Sane from what you just experienced. Not a lot of people would have been capable of that so you must have an Iron Will or something.

He paused for a moment to take another drag of his cigar before putting it out using a nearby ashtray. Soon after he reached into his coat and pulled out a canteen that smell's like whiskey.

Bouge: The last thing is about what you saw within that vision you were having. The Nurses reported that you were experiencing abnormal brainwaves during your five-hour nap. Nearly went off the damn charts.

He soon took a swig from the canteen after twisting off the cap. After that, he put the cap back on and tucked it back into his pocket before leaning back on a nearby wall.

Bouge: I'll cut to the chase. What did you see? From what we could tell by your rembling mumbles it wasn't pleasant. But I want to any details you can remember.

Shepard took note that he was being pretty serious now. His tone went from casual to business on a dime. She looked to the ground for a moment as she collected her thoughts.

Shepard: It's... Hard to piece together... I was waist-deep in an Ocean of blood... Massive Corpses of some unknown monsters... And this man was covered in blood fighting something. *Sigh* It's a bit of a blur from there. All I can Remember vividly was being baptized in blood and falling upwards into the sky.

As she spoke Bouge listened to every word she said. The Brigadier General caught plenty of hints that she may not be remembering the vision clearly due to her own mind blocking out that information. Whether it was traumatic or just scrambled from the get-go is honesty a coin toss, but Bouge is willing to bet the information Shepard received was probably fragmented rather than it being a result of Trauma. After all, she's a pretty strong-willed woman who's willing to do anything in her power to succeed... Even if that involved committing a few War Crimes. Not that he's discounting the fact she's definitely racist towards Batarians... Kinda hard not to be when they fucked up your life and murdered your family in all honesty. Top that off with most Batarian's general attitude being Arrogant Dickhead due to their massively misplaced pride... Well, let's just say Bouge has ways to give them a massive attitude adjustment by plucking out two of their four eyes and spoon-feeding it to them. *Fake Cough* Theoretically of course. To make a long paragraph short, Shepard got enough Trauma as is to give her some thick skin.

Bouge: Mmmm. Sounds about right. At least the Marker didn't imprint into your brain box like I feared. Even still you've seen something that would drive most batshit insane. Not to mention you're skills in Combat and Biotics are superb. Makes me wonder why the Alliance has you cleaning up messes out here in the sticks. Who did you piss off to warrant that response?

Shepard was getting the feeling that the Brigadier General was sizing her up for something... No not that! Get your mind out of the gutter! What I meant was Mister Bouge here might have her transferred over to his command. Something that Shepard is a bit iffy about.

Shepard: *Sigh* I don't think that matters, but it can't hurt to try. If you're planning to transfer me to another post they'll just make another transfer order. Trust me I've tried, but this guy called Jokotsu keeps having them denied. So unless you have higher authority than him, I'm stuck out here.

The moment Bouge heard Jokotsu's name... He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head a bit before sighing in annoyance.

Bouge: *Sigh* I sware to god I'm gonna stick a fucking flash bang in that man's bedroom for weeks...

He paused for a moment as he stopped leaning on the wall and began to pace a bit... And by a bit I mean he was pacing around for a hot Minute before stopping and turning towards Shepard.

Bouge: Alright so here's what we're gonna do. You're going to come with me and get transferred over to my unit whether he likes it or not. Mainly because that Icy Prick can't replace me. The Good thing is he's too busy to stop this so he's gonna have to fuckin accept it. The Great thing about this is that I'm gonna stick a flashbang under his Pillow and tan his ass with a large sock full of oranges.

Shepard looked at him with a mixture of confusion and worry as assaulting your CO seemed like a good way to get sent to the brig. Not only that the mention of Good and Great things means that there is gonna be at least one Bad thing about this situation.

Shepard: And the Bad thing?

She asked somewhat hesitantly. To which Bouge replied with an... Interesting answer.

Bouge: Oh he'll try to lock his door twice as hard. It never really works out for him since he forgets that I make the damn locks on our ship... And if he gets any other locks from other sources... Well, let's just say there isn't a room I can't get into with a breaching charge. Gonna have to skip the Flash Bang step for that one though. Shouldn't be too hard if I wear my armor.

Shepard took note not to piss this guy off. I mean I wouldn't want to anger a man willing to blow my Door and/or Walls down just to beat me with a sock full of oranges, would you? But what she was gonna ask is the fact he Makes things despite being a Brigadier General.

Shepard: Wait, you Make the locks on your own ship? Why don't you get an engineer to do that? Or even the people who made the ship?

She asked wondering why someone as high rank as him would do grunt work... She would soon find out that he does a LOT more than that... On his ship at least.

Bouge: Because I was the one who made the ship, the guns our people use, our shuttles, and all of our ordnance we use. That last part is my favorite if I'm gonna have to be honest. Heh, Nothin' like making a huge ass creator where the enemy once was! Also, I like making some heavy Firepower too, that Plasma SMG Mystic has was made by yours truly. Though technically I'm not supposed to be making stuff like that, mainly for the sake of denying Cerberus or any origination like that the chance to replicate it. If they were able to do that they'd have an edge over everyone else in the galaxy. But I trust Mystic to be able to keep that gun out of the wrong hands. He's one of the hardest men to kill along with me and Jokotsu.

Wow, the Brigadier General knows his stuff. If he can make an SMG that blows threw armor like it was nothing... Imagine what kind of damage a rifle or a sniper rifle can do. Or in her case a shotgun, I mean he'll probably not make her one but one can hope.

Shepard: I'm hard to kill too. Many tried to kill me and none of them succeeded... So far anyway.

She stated with a hint of ruthless confidence. However, Bouge, as you would imagine, is far from stupid and can easily sense that she is acting tough to make herself feel better.

Bouge: Right... Look if you got any baggage there's a fully loaded bar and-.

Before he could finish Shepard got up and had the look of someone who wanted to meet an Old Friend. That Old Friend's name is Whis Key of course.

Shepard: You had me at Fully Loaded Bar. I'm ready to go when you are.

The Brigadier General sighed as he was gonna mention they had a Therapist on the ship too, but judging from Shepard's reaction... He'd say she already had a coping strategy in mind.

Bouge: Right... Forgot most Biotic's don't get hangovers. *Sigh* Alright, follow me and we'll get you to a bottle soon.

He stated wondering if he'll regret his life choices as Shepard started Punching people in a Drunken Rage... Or laugh his ass off at Shepard trying to sing karaoke while so sloshed that even a Krogan would tell her to lay off the drinks. Either way, it'll be entertaining. Though he'd rather it be the latter than the former for obvious reasons. Regardless Bouge began to lead Shepard out of the Med-Bay, all while the Commander what awaits her in the future.

A/N: Aaaaaand I'm calling it here.

Fem A/N: Cool, uh just one question... WHY DID IT NEARLY TAKE OVER A MONTH TO DO THIS!?!?!?

A/N: Oh, that's simple. I kinda rewrote this chapter a lot until I got something I felt was decent enough to please my dumbass brain.

Fem A/N: Oh... So Writers Block?

A/N: Yeah Writers Block. Plus managing priorities IRL, Cleaning House because Dust is my worst enemy right now, and it being so fucking Hot the air gets stagnant. That last part is something I had no idea could happen, but having an entire month over 90 degrees is not fun.

Fem A/N: Mmmm. Uh... Fair enough... Say what's Chibi doing?

Chibi A/N: *Pants as he feeds George(An Eldritch Monster) Necromorph parts.* Oh don't mind me... *Pants* Just doing some pest control...*Pants* And clean up...

A/N: With that, I think it is time for the send-off. Thank you everyone for Reading this Chapter! I hope you enjoyed it as this took way too long to finish as always! And I hope you guys and gals have a wonderful day! Stay safe out there!

Fem A/N: Uh... Bye...

Chibi A/N: *Starts Burning what George can't eat with a Heavy Flamer*