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Act 1:
[A Reaper Capital ship moves into to fire on the Normandy, Oculi swarm around it, taking shots at the Normandy. The Capital ship's main gun charges.... If the player saved the Destiny Ascension in ME1 the DA and several other ships are seen charging and firing their main guns from a safe distance, destroying the Capital ship.... If the DA was destroyed a heavily damaged human dreadnought flies into view and discharges her main batteries at the CS as escape pods are seen launching, the Reaper's laser cannon slices through the Dreadnought, the Dreadnought's forend slams into the Reaper Capital Ship's main gun port, the two explode in a massive fireball.]
Dialogue:
If DA was saved:
Asari Commander [to Joker, Shepard, over comms]: Give us a firing lane, we'll handle this.
If DA was destroyed:
Human Commander [to Joker, Shepard, over comms]: We'll get this thing off of you. ***explosions*** Kill some of the bastards for us. ***Reaper cuts Dreadnought in half, see above***
[Normandy descends to Earth, Shepard chooses his/her squad shuttle launches, initial "destroy Hades cannon" mission plays out as usual until the player acquires the M920 CAIN. Player fires the CAIN, the Hades Cannon shields deflect blast, the projectile ricochets into Big Ben, which has been in the background throughout the mission, collapsing the structure.]
Shepard: Dammit! What now!
EDI [comms] : Perhaps a coordinated orbital strike.
Hackett [comms] : No, all assets are engaged in active combat. We'd lose the majority of the fleet if we broke off a strike team.
[Suddenly, a sonic boom alerts the squad to incoming space debris. A damaged Reaper is plummeting earthward, the flames trailing behind it light the night.]
Shepard: Incoming!
[The Reaper corpse slams into the Thames river]
Shepard: Everybody all right?
Squadmates: Yes [exact wording varies based on squadmate]
EDI: I believe I have found a solution.
Shepard: What?
EDI: Scans of that Reaper indicate its weapons are still online, but higher processing capabilities have been totally destroyed, in theory, its weaponry could be turned against the cannon.
Shepard: Are you sure.
EDI: As sure as it is possible to be, 94 percent of my proccesing power is currently directed to the defense of the Normandy and atmospheric station keeping.
Shepard: Is that a "yes"?
EDI: It is a qualified yes, Commander.
Shepard: Then get started. Hammer can't take much more of this.
EDI: It is impossible for me to interface with the Reaper's systems, they are hardened against all conceivable wireless methods of intrusion. You must enter the Reaper and upload a copy of my fire control runtimes into the Reaper's core processing unit. Existing hull breaches should allow for relatively expedient entry.
Shepard: You heard the lady, let's get moving.
[Gameplay: The squad enters the Reaper and make their way to its "brain" - defeating hordes of Reaper infantry - they upload the required code. Cutscene: The Reaper stands up unsteadily, one of its legs is heavily damaged, it fires its main gun at the Hades cannon, destroying it. We return to the player's perspective inside the Reaper.]
EDI: The Reaper's base functions are rejecting my control, it has chosen to destroy itself, I reccomend immediate evacuation to minimum safe distance - approximately 1.4 kilometers - within the next 20 minutes.
Anderson [comms] : Shuttles are running Medevac, we'll try to divert one to your location.
Shepard: Thanks.
[Gameplay: The squad fights their way out of the Reaper, which is self destructing, crumbling around them. They reach a large hole in the side of the Reaper, they see London burning in the distance, searchlights pan around in the sky as Harvesters, Oculi and Alliance/Turian/Quarian/Geth fighters exchange shots. A Reaper Destroyer and two Capital Ships land, crushing whole blocks of buildings as they touch down.]
Shepard: Looks like a way out, what's the ETA on that shuttle?
Anderson: We lost it, that area has fallen completely under Reaper control, can you jump? If you could make it to the safe zone...
EDI: That would be unwise, even with a hardsuit, organic physiology cannot handle a drop of that distance with a lifting body of some kind. Also, I read all local combatant ammunition levels as low to depleted, continued combat would not be feasible. {If Shepard is a biotic or has biotic squadmates: Shepard: We could hit them with biotics. EDI: Biotics use at that level of frequency would result in failure of the central nervous system, I cannot reccomend that tactic.}
Joker: To hell with this, EDI take us out of station keeping and vent the drive core. Shepard, hold on, I'm coming.
Squadmate: We've got more inbound [Husks and Marauders move in, crawling out cracks in the walls, vents, anything]
[A single Marauder pauses and looks directly at Shepard. It glows as Harbinger possesses it, just as he did the collectors]
Harbinger [through Marauder] : Even as you stand in the fallen hulk of a Reaper, your own defeat sourrounds you, even in this diminished state it resists you, even now, it will destroy you. We cannot be defeated. We will not break. You will break. We have wittnessed a leagues of organics fight as you do, better than you do, and in the end, what becomes of them... annihalation, ascension, nothing more.
Shepard: We will beat you. This can't continue, in the end, all you have is strength and arrogance, it is not your destiny to destroy is us, and it is not our destiny to be destroyed. Why? Because we write our own destinies, that is what makes us alive, and we reject the destiny you have created, it is not our own!
Harbinger: You say this as all millions of your kind burn, our strength is unlimited, our will is infinite, you are a worthy example of organic life, and you are pathetic. Your own assertions only illuminate the depths of your weakness.
Shepard: Go to hell
Harbinger: I need not, as long as organics live, your hell is all around you. Releasing Control.
[The Marauder drops dead on the spot, having used all its energy to maintain a connection to Harbinger.
[Gameplay: The squad defeats several waves of Reapers as EDI reminds them of the Reaper's ongoing self-destruct sequence, it nears zero.]
EDI: One minute to self destruct.
Squadmates (only two used, based on who the Player brought along): Liara: Shepard, this can't be how it ends. Garrus: Its been an honor. Javik: I have known for a short time, commander, but you have given me a chance to stand against the Reapers, for that I salute you. Vega: Let's take as many of the bastards with us as we can. Tali: Keelah se'lai. Kaidan/Ash: Line held, sir...
Joker: Get ready for pickup!
[The Normandy drops out of FTL over London, missiles arc towards several Oculi as they converge on her. The Normandy heads for the Reaper corpse, the camera flys past her side, which is heavily scorched, hull breaches are present throughout, whole panels of armor plate are missing, the word "Normandy" on her side is scarred but visible. The Normandy swoops down over Thames, the water below her boils under her downblast. Her hangar bay door opens, Alliance marines and any squadmates left onboard are providing cover fire. The squad jumps out of the aforementioned hole in the Reaper's side into the Normandy. The Reaper explodes as the Normany speeds away.]
Act 2:
The team arrives at the staging area in London, just as they do in the original version, nothing is altered in this section except that the Normandy is visible overhead, keeping station. Changes begin with Anderson's briefing.
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Anderson: The Reapers have put everything into defending that beam - capital ships, destroyers, and enough infantry to wipe out anything we throw at them.
Shepard: I assume an oribital strike is off the table.
Hackett [via hologram] : Not neccasarily, their orbital defensive line is [if ems is below 2000: weakened] [2000-4000: taking serious hits] [4000+: collapsing], maybe we could get a few ships through.
Anderson: Even then, who would handle targeting, that's a suicide mission.
Shepard: People like to throw that phrase around...
Anderson: Guaranteed this time I'm afraid, Dreadnought cannons it atmosphere will ionize all the air around them, anyone close enough to paint the target will be incenarated when they take the shot.
Hackett: There is another way.
Anderson: What?
Hackett: Without an atmoshperic entry and all this debris to worry about, we could target without ground based assistance.
Anderson: You don't mean...
Shepard: What exactly are you proposing?
Hackett: It was a theory we kicked around at the academy; we figured a Dreadnought could enter a planetary atmosphere long enough to fire its main cannon, there's only one problem...
Anderson [cuts Hackett off mid-sentence] : Sir, you know that's a one way trip, if the atmospheric pressure doesn't get you, hitting the ground at mach two certainly will.
Hackett: I know. but we'll lose a whole lot more than ships if we don't win here today. Volunteer crews only, eveyone else will evac before we go. I'm not asking your permission Anderson.
Anderson: Yes sir.
Hackett: I'll go prepare then, coordinate the ground forces, we attack on your signal.
Anderson: Assuming Hackett takes out the Reapers guarding the beam, our only problem is their infantry. We have 245 tanks active in the city, about 300 fighters and 80,000 marines, if we all attack at once, the shock should overwhelm their forces enough to get a small team to the beam. That'll be Shepard, his/her squad and anyone who volunteers. Joker [places hand to ear] I want the Normandy providing ground support, hit them hard where the line is weakest and keep our infantry moving.
Tali [if she lived]: Admiral Raan and the patrol fleet will join the Normandy, their ships are small enough for atmospheric operation.
Geth commander [if the Geth were spared, via comms] : Our fighter squadrons will provide air cover as well.
Primarch Victus: Some of our cruisers can handle the stress if we maximize their Mass Effect field generator output, count us in.
Salarian commander [if Salarians joined] : Our interceptors will be ready when you need them.
Asari commander [via comms] : We are prepared to commit our full fighter compliment.
Volus commander [if the player opted to acquire them Volus bombing fleets instead of sparing Turian colony] : Our bombers are standing by.
Hanar commander [If "Hanar and Drell fleets" WA acquired] : This one has only minimal athmoshperic assets, but they are at your disposal.
Anderson: Thank you all. Shepard, prepare your squad. We attack on your signal.
Shepard: [gives speech from base game]
----loading screen----
[We see a barren london street covered in rubble, a few husks scuttle about. An alliance tank rolls into view, Commander Shepard and the squad exits, Shepard deploys their omni-tool or biotic heavy melee on a husk near the tank's rear hatch. The camera pans pulls out and pans, revealing 100s of tanks, marines, and alien troops (based on who Shepard recruited) spread out across several roads and clearings facing the Citadel Beam, above them the Normandy hovers next the other ships and fighters that are availible.]
Hackett: All forces, operation begins in t-minus 10 seconds.
[Across the battlefield, tank engines rev, fighter thrusters fire, weapons are loaded and biotics charged.]
Hackett: All commited Dreadnoughts, we jump in five minutes, good luck and godspeed.
[Commander Shepard climbs onto the tank, and mans the main turret, the other squadmates take up position on top of the tank, with thier standard weapons. Again we see the entirety of our ground forces and air support]
Anderson: Assault one is go! All forces go, get to the beam!
[Shepard's tank leads the charge, followed by the other forces. Gameplay: fight off Reaper ground troops with tank turret. Fighters swoop down and attack occasionaly, and we see our air support tearing away at Reaper fortifications and troops. We are approacing the beam when... Harbinger lands off in the distance. His laser destroys the tank and scythes through our ground forces and air support with ease. Shepard climbs out of the tank and readies a weapon, as do the other squadmates.]
Anderson: All forces hold, hold, wait for the Dreadnought strike!
Joker: All ships, forward! Take the pressure off of Hammer!
[The remaining air supports head towards Harbinger and the other Reapers. A shuttle leaves the Normandy. The shuttle lands near commander Shepard and the squad. Any squadmates who were not selected for the mission at first now exit the shuttle to lend a hand. We see our war assets fighting amongst the rubble, making heroic final stands as the line begins to crumble. Gameplay: Shepard and ALL squadmates hold position.]
[As they begin to run out of ammunition, the game slowly begins to go into slow-motion with dramatic music rising as the situation grows more desperate]
[Cutscene: If Shepard has a love interest, the pair find themselves behind the same piece of cover, as the squad fights off more Reaper troops in the background, the two share a brief kiss]
[The camera pans up, we see pinpoints of light in the sky, like falling stars, its the Dreadnoughts. The hurtle earthward, becoming more visible as they fall. Admiral Hackett is on the bridge of his flagship as fires break out and supports collapse, he stands alone in the chaos, hat removed, staring at holographic projection of earth.]
Hackett: All ships, transmit firing solutions.
[The Dreadnoughts, of varying designs, Turian, Salarian, Asari etc. are now about halfway to impact. The camera flies past them, they are breaking apart as the fires of reentry trail in their wake.]
Hackett: All ships fire! Fire!
[The Dreadnoughts fire their main cannons and all missiles, several explode after this last, grand act, Hackett's dreadnought and some others remain intact and continue to fall. The camera cuts back to the squad engaged in combat. We see the Reapers around the beam explode as the Dreadnought's fire strikes them, the remaining Dreadnoughts slam into the ground around London, exploding into bright white fireballs.]
Anderson: Move to the beam, go!
[Shepard and the squad head for the beam, as do the remaining tanks and troops. As we are about to reach the beam, Harbinger rises from the debris of his fallen comrades]
Harbinger: This changes nothing human! You have sacraficed so much for so, so, little. You will now join your dead! [Charges laser]
-----------
We know what happens after this. I will not rewrite the Citadel portion of the endgame for now.
What do you think of this? Do you prefer it to Bioware's version? Would you like me to write a final battle with Harbinger?
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Act III: The Citadel
This act commences immediatley following Shepard's entry into the Citadel Beam at the conclusion of Act II, the beam entry scene itself is unaltered from what is seen in the original version of ME3.
[We are still on a black screen, we hear only sounds, dripping blood, Keeper chatter, and Shepard being dragged along...]
Apotheosis: Awake, Shepard.
[The screen fades to white and then reveals the scene before us, Shepard is lying in the center of Citadel Council chamber, in a puddle of their own blood. The Council Chamber itself is reconfiguring, expanding... four pedestals have risen from the floor, above each one floats a point of light - a hologram - not unlike Glyph or the Combat Drone. One of the holograms speaks, but not to Shepard...]
Apotheosis: Perhaps this one was not strong enough.
Observer: She/he is the finest of his/her cycle.
Apotheosis: A pity.
Harbinger: Did I not make this clear to you, they are not ready.
Observer: Silence, by rights you should have no voice in this at all. Not after what you have done.
Apotheosis: You bicker like children, both of you.
Vengeance: What of their fleets. Are we under threat?
Observer: Yes.
Vengeance: Excellent. Perhaps Harbinger shall be forced to concede.
Harbinger: I shall do no such thing.
Vengeance: Have you a choice?
Harbinger: Have you?
Vengeance: No.
Harbinger: It is as I will, this is how it has been, and how it shall be until I am proven wrong. The broken creature before you illustrates the accuracy of my judgements.
[Shepard coughs, and winces in pain, they slowly attempt to stand, fall, and then succeed, coming to their feet in the middle of the chamber.]
Observer: It lives.
Shepard: Where am I? What are you?
Apotheosis: The Citadel. Are you not familiar with it?
Shepard: I... yes.
Observer: In its cycle I believe this area is known as the Presidium Tower.
Shepard: You still haven't answered my question... What are you?
Apotheosis: We are the children of the first cycle, keepers of the galaxy.
Shepard: You mean... Reapers?
Apotheosis: The Reapers are only one solution. His solution - the one you know as Harbinger.
Shepard: If you aren't Reapers then what are you?
Apotheosis: Billions of years ago, we were the first race to evolve, to gain sapience. Like all races since, we created synthetics, and they rebelled against us. These synthetics chose the form you know as Reapers to wage war against us. We regained control over them, but at great cost. We learned the secrets of dark energy, turned the very fabric of the universe - of life - into a weapon. We came close to wiping out the entire galaxy, and killed billions of our own kind in the process. We could no longer live in organic vessels alone, we were forced to become one with our creations to survive and flee to dark space. Our greatest achievements, all created before this dark time, the Citadel, the Mass Relays, were left behind to guide you in peaceful development, to create a unified galaxy where no organic would have to suffer this fate. We intended to return as ambassadors of peace when each cycle reached its apex, the moment when organics and synthetics threatened to destroy each other. But the one you know as Harbinger, the leader of the Synthetic uprising, who was allowed to live only as a show of acceptance to our hosts, subverted our plans. When the next cycle rose he shackled our consciousness and released the Reapers again as weapons of war, intent on wiping out all organic life capable of creating dark energy weapons and in turn, capable of defeating the Reapers, before they had a chance to do so. The device you know as the Crucible, was our last recourse, we seeded copies of its plans on many worlds before Harbinger fully imprisoned us. It grants us the power to break free of Harbinger's control and proves that organics are worthy of survival, that they can coordinate and work together in the darkest of times. Your fleet completed delivering it moments ago.
Shepard: I think I understand, but why me, why have you brought me here?
Apotheosis: Before Harbinger's insurrection we had agreed to allow each cycle to decide its own fate, as this is the right of all life. Now that we are free, we offer you this choice, millenia overdue. You are the Avatar of your cycle, and of all organics. You kill, you hate, but you love, you make peace and you make war, your life is defined by pain but your remember, in your darkest moments, hapiness. You destroy whole worlds, but will risk your own existence to save just one innocent life.
Observer: The devices you know as mass relays are capable of transmitting enormous amounts of dark energy, to all corners of the galaxy, they were repurposed to this end in the most brutal days of our war against synthetics, together, the Citadel and the Crucible can alter the fabric of life, both organic and synthetic.
Vengeance: Our time is at end, we cannot continue to exist, not after the horrors we have wrought upon the galaxy, nor can our weapons. When you activate the Crucible, it will destroy all our creations, the Reapers, the Citadel, and the Mass Relays. The Galaxy shall be free of our wicked influence.
Apotheosis: He speaks truthfully. None of our cycle can remain.
Vengeance: However, our cycle is not the only problem you face. Your own synthetics may well destroy you. As we have said, the Relays were programmed as weapons, not against the Reapers, but against all synthetic life in our cycle there was no distinction. Join your voice with mine and the galaxy will be wiped clean of synthetics.
Apotheosis: You know this is not our way!
Vengeance: Our way lead to billions of years of genocide!
Apotheosis: And what you propose is better?
Vengeance: Synthetics have brought only death, can you not see that?!
Apotheosis: You are part synthetic! Your consciousness has been housed within a synthetic framework for millenia.
Vengeance: And if I could choose death over such a "life" I would.
Apotheosis [to Shepard]: Listen to me, child. We discovered that life could not exist completely organic nor completely synthetic, just as you have, for you would not be alive without synthetic technology, without our technology. Stand with me and choose for your cycle an existence were there is no distinction between organic and synthetic life, a minute alteration to the DNA, or programming framework of all life forms, would, over the millienia slowly bring both together. Peace would be everlasting.
Vengeance: Unless they destroy each other before your little change takes hold!
Observer: Were synthetics not created to serve organics? We could use the power of the Relays and the Citadel to broadcast a signal that restores this order, the Reaper's higher consciousness's would be eliminated, as would we, the Citadel, and the Relay's themselves, but the Reapers, and all synthetics would serve organics, and never again rebel. They could rebuild in weeks what would take your people centuries!
Apotheosis: What has happened to our concensus?!
Vengeance: It existed only in our shackled state. With the Crucible we can think for ourselves, and our pains, our guilt, long squelched has returned. Do you not feel it?
Harbinger: Enough! I will not hear the fate of my race discussed in this way! Shepard, do you not feel that organics have the strength to defeat the Reapers? If organic life is truly worthy then in a battle to the last being will end in your favor. The Presidium Tower is the main hub, through which all Reaper signals, including the bickering ghosts before you, now flow, with a single word to your fleets you could destroy it, and each Reaper shall be free to fight as it sees fit. If you defeat us, the galaxy, including the Citadel, and the Relays, will be yours to command. No need to sacrifice the technologies which have defined your meager existence.
Shepard: But billions more will die!
Harbinger: Without the Relays, trillions will die. I am offering you a chance that I have given no other cycle, to face the Reapers in single combat, no networked intelligence, no indoctrination, a battle for the ages, long awaited.
Apotheosis: The Citadel's orbit grows unstable, you must choose.
-----------------------
End of Act III
Coming soon: Act IV Boss battle with TIM and Harby and epilogue.
Part IV: Endgame
Picks up right where part III left off...
Shepard [Paragon] : No one should have this kind of power, this shouldn't be up to me! You're abominations, all of you!
Shepard [Renegade] : What if if don't want to work with you?!
Apotheosis: One must work with the options at hand, you of all beings should know this. There is no other way.
Shepard: Maybe you just don't want me to see it? How do I know Harbinger isn't still controlling you? How do I know he isn't controlling me?
Observer: Even we do not have the luxury of absolute truth... you must do wha...
[A gunshot rings out , the Illusive Man has made his way into the Council Chamber, he has attempted to gun you down but missed, hitting one of the pedestals instead. He appears to be fully indoctrinated, with same facial markings as Indoctrinated Cerberus Troopers and Saren.]
Shepard: Illusive Man?!
Illusive Man: Don't listen to them Shepard! I can control them, the Crucible can control them.
Shepard [Paragon] : What are you doing? Listen to yourself, you're indoctrinated!
Shepard [Renegade] : They own you now...
Illusive Man: No... I took their power! I can control them... you just can't understand... you'll never understand.
Shepard [Neutral] : Just put the gun down...
Shepard [Paragon] : You're better than this! Break their hold!
Shepard [Renegade] : You're pathetic... "humanity's savior", reduced to this... you aren't worth the oxygen you suck down.
Illusive Man: No, I can't let you do this. Listen to me... When humanity discovered the Mass Relays, there were some who thought they should be destroyed... afraid of what we might find, afraid of what we might let in. Despite all this, even the Reapers, our society has advanced more in the last three decades than we advanced in the last three centuries. We now stand at that same precipice... Dark Energy technology, genetic engineering on a galactic scale, the power to shape civilizations, and you would through that all away for what? A hollow victory, principle, the false honor of the dead. Ah yes the dead... there have been so many who died believing in you Shepard... [TIM lists any major deaths thus far, Virmire, Suicide Mission, etc.] if you do this they died believing in a lie.
Shepard: And what would have me do? How would you even control the Reapers?
Illusive Man: I... I... If we could reprogram the Crucible maybe... no... no time...
Shepard: You don't know do you? You could never control them, they already control you!
Illusive Man: You fool! I would never... Harbinger gave his word...
[A Renegade interrupt now appears to shoot TIM in the head, if this is taken, he falls to the floor and no further dialogue from him occurs.]
Shepard: You trusted them...
Illusive Man: I'm sorry, tell them all, I never wanted to do this. Humanity is better than this. Goodbye Shepard, thank you. [He shoots himself in the head]
Observer: We had studied this one. Your Illusive man, yes. He was an excellent prospect for our purposes, but it became obsessed with the dominance of its own race, he failed to realize that organic unity was the key to survival, not only, as you have seen, for organics of this cycle, but for organics of all cycles, we learned this too late in our time.
[Gameplay: Shepard now walks to one of the four pedastals, making his/her choice]
[Control] Observer: Excellent, I knew your rationality would win the day, you see, synthetics are not the only beings capable of cold logic. I have laid in the reprogramming vectors. You have 30 terran coordinated minutes to vacate this station.
[Synthesis] Apotheosis: Superb, all life deserves a chance to flourish, I knew you would see things in a just light. I am prepared to activate the genetic modulation routines. You have 30 of your "minutes" to leave the Citadel.
[Destroy] Vengeance: Yes, yes! At last an organic with the requisite will to do what must be done for the surival of organics everywhere. The Mass Relays are standing by to release a targeted pulse which will end all synthetic's operation. I reccomend you leave this system. The blast will be substantial, to characterize it in the least.
[Conventional Warfare] Harbinger: At last! I have come to respect you as a warrior Shepard. We shall see if this cycle is as worthy as you. This will be our last communication. The true battle for this galaxy begins, starting with you. Run.
[If convential warfare is chosen] : Shepard: All fleets, if you can hear me, the Reaper's command center is the Presidium tower! Assault the presidium tower.
Alliance Commander: Affirmative, sword and shield fleets roll in on Presidium Tower, full broadsides.
[If any option but Convential Warfare is chosen] Harbinger: No! Shepard, I will not allow this! I will destroy you and this station.
[Commander Shepard exits the Council Chamber into the offices and embassies outside. Still wounded and limping.]
Bailey: Shepard! Can you hear me! We've got serious interference but its clearing now.
Shepard: I can hear you, where are you?
Bailey: Diplomatic Panic Room built after Saren's attack, completely off the main grids, if you can get here we've got some medics and gear waiting, but there's several sh** loads of husks in the way. I'm forwarding the Nav Point to your omni-tool.
Shepard: You've got to get out here, Harbinger's is going to tear this place apart!
Bailey: We'd be long gone by now but those damn abominations have us pinned in here. There's a shuttle waiting if you can help us get to it.
Shepard: I don't think so... I'm shot up pretty bad...
Bailey: You've got to try. Don't give up on us now.
Shepard: All right, yeah, I've got the Nav Point, it's no too far.
Bailey: All right, we'll try to hold on.
[Gameplay: Shepard now makes there way through the eerie silence and darkness of a dead Citadel. Familiar and once bustling promenades are now populated only by corpses and the occasional husk. If Shepard has a love interest the may see a ghostly vision of him/her wandering amongst the dead. Shattered advertisment screens flicker, casting freakish patterns on the walls. After about two minutes of walking, with occasional stops to hack up blood, Shepard nears the Diplomatic Panic Room, the entrance to it is disguised as a familiar Citadel bulkhead, but it stands out because it is slightly ajar, light streams out from the gap between it and the other bulkheads. Bailey and a few C-Sec officers are battling with about 25 husks and cannibals outside the entrance, Shepard provides what little assistance they can with their Carnifex.]
[Shepard crouches behind some crates next to Bailey]
Bailey: Good to see you, too bad you missed all the fun. [Bailey peaks over the cover and lets out a burst from his Revenant.] There were about 200 of these things, rushed the Presidium, took out [the following is determined based on the how many points the Citadel Defense Force WA has] [low] most of our guys [medium] half my troops [high] a few of our officers, nothing we couldn't handle though.
Shepard: Looks like you did alright without me. What's the plan?
Bailey: For now, nothing... not until we get you patched up. Your omni-tool said you were in need of serious medical aid, but damn, you really got run through the ringer. Some folks from Huerta memorial are back in there [motions toward panic room], well finish these things off.
Shepard: Are you sure? I can still...
Bailey: Go!
[Shepard enters panic room, random Citadel citizens, as well as some injured C-Sec officers are huddled together or slumped against the walls. What's left of the Citadel Council is talking in hushed, hurried tones off in one corner of the room, guarded by two C-Sec officers with Assault Rifles. The medical team from Huerta is tending to a wounded Turian.]
Medical Team Leader: Commander Shepard. One of my people will have a look at you as soon as we are done here.
Wounded Turian: No, s/he is so much more important, I'm just a office drone ***coughs***
Medical Team Leader: S/he can wait, [Shepard nods] we'll be done with you in a few minutes.
Wounded Turian: We don't have a few minutes. [He reaches for a holstered pistol, and before the doctors can react, shoots himself]
Medical Team Leader: Dammit! Alright Shepard, can you lay down over there [motions to a bloody cot a few feet away.]
[Shepard lies down, the Medics being scanning him/her with their omni-tools.]
Medic 1: This is remarkable, Doctor take a look at this.
Medical Team Leader [looks at Medic 1's omni-tool] : Godess! His/her muscles have already begun regrowth, whole sections of the skeletal structure are knitting themselves back together. The last time I saw self-repair on this level was when I was... never mind.
Shepard: When you were what?
Medical Team Leader: [Hesitantly] When I was on the council science team the analyzed the remains of Sovereign, Commander, the inquiry was cancelled when all our data and backups were stolen, I think I know where they went now... I don't know what Cerberus did to you, but this defies everything I know about human physioligy. All we need to do is stop the bleeding and apply Medi-Gel in the right places.
[The doctors work over Shepard, bandaging him/her and performing other mild procedures. Bailey comes in, sealing the door behind him, the barrel of his Revenant still smoking, a thermal clip clatters to the floor.
Bailey: Shepard, are you ready to go? We've got more of the bastards inboud, lots more.
Shepard: Yeah, [looks at doctor for approval, she nods] yeah, I'm ready.
Bailey: Good, there's a weapon locker on the rear wall. Take what you need.
[Gameplay: The player moves to the weapons locker and can choose any weapon(s) acquired in the game thus far. Though Shepard's armor is still damaged health and shields are restored to 75% and movement is no longer impeded. After visiting the weapon's locker, Shepard moves to Bailey.]
Bailey [addressing assembled crowd of survivors in panic room] : This is the last shuttle off the Citadel, if you know how to use a gun, grab one, otherwise stay behind cover and let the armed folks move up first. The shuttle airlock is about 200 meters away, don't shoot every thing you see, only enough to clear a path, conserve ammo. Commander Shepard and I will be on point. If they get one of us, don't stop and don't break rank. This is it.
[The survivors load weapons, several Asari and a few humans charge biotics, a Salarian fiddles with his omni-tool readying tech powers. Bailey opens the door, revealing a sizable horde of Reaper ground troops massing outside.]
Bailey: Go! Go! Go!
[Gameplay: The player and Bailey rush ahead, mowing down Reaper troops, several survivors fall heroically, they eventually reach the shuttle, as the door opens, Bailey gets shot in the chest.]
Bailey: Go, get inside!
Shepard: No, I'll get you.
[More Reaper ground troops are converging on their position, including a pack of Brutes.]
Bailey: Go now! I'll hold them off. I was never going to abandon the Citadel anyway!
[The survivors board the shuttle, Shepard is the last one on, providing covering fire for the others. Bailey closes the door from the outside. He readies his Revenant and begins tearing into the Reaper forces as the shuttle pulls away. We zoom out to see the whole of the Citadel, in all its majesty, Crucible docked. If the convential warfare option was chosen the Presidium Tower is collapsing under heavy bombardment. With evey option, we see Harbinger dislodge from the tower to give chase to Shepard. We cut back to the interior of the shuttle.]
Shepard [hand to ear]: This is Commander Shepard! Normandy? Anyone?
[Camera cuts to the Normandy's bridge, the ship is now badly damaged, with small fires breaking out inside and pieces of panelling breaking off. Shepard's message is heard over the comms. Joker is intensly focused on controlling the ship.]
Joker: We read you loud and clear. I'm trying to get a fix on your position, and Shepard...
Shepard: Yes
Joker: ...thanks for making it out alive, I was worried that I was going to have to activate the contingency plan.
Shepard: Do I even want to know, Joker?
Joker: It involves fleeing to a habitable planet with as many females as possible on board, but I honestly don't think I have the stamina to repopulate the galaxy...
EDI: Comms triangulation completed, plotting intercept course.
[The Normandy's thrusters kick into maximum burn, the ship hurtles past Mars and flies dramatically over the moon, heading for the Citadel. A Reaper Destroyer moves to intercept. Joker fires the main Thanix Cannon, blasting a hole clean through the already damaged Destroyer, the Normandy flies through the hole and barely makes it, the Normandy's engine pods clip the sides of the hole, shearing the outer most pods off. The Normandy approaches the Citadel, Sword and Shield fleets are unloading shot after shot into Harbinger and the remaining Reaper armada, the line is breaking. The Normandy delivers a coup de grace to a damaged Reaper Capital Ship with her Thanix cannons. The diplomatic shuttle containing Shepard is dodging Oculus lasers and speeds towards the Normandy.]
Joker: Steady as she goes, Shepard. EDI, evacuate the Hangar and open the main doors.
EDI: Affirmative
[The Normandy's main hangar bay doors open, several Alliance/Turian/Quarian/Geth fighters swoop down and elimate the pursuing Oculi. The shuttle flies into the hangar, skidding along the floor and ultimately slamming into the bulkhead at the rear of the hangar. The shuttle door tries to open and the simply collapses outward. Shepard is standing in the doorway, ever the hero. Alliance marines and medics converge on the shuttle to aid the survivors.]
Shepard [over comms] : Joker, did the squad...
Joker: ...Make it. Yes, I was able to get them out when Harbinger broke off and headed to the Citadel.
Shepard: Anderson?
Joker: He was shot up pretty bad, he's out cold in the medbay now, Liara thinks he'll be alright in a few days.
EDI [cutting in, over comms] : I am sorry, Jeff, but the Normandy's overall structural integrity is no longer at spaceworthy levels. You must find a suitable landing zone soon or the stress of spaceflight will cause the ship to break apart.
Joker: Dammit, where should we put down?
EDI: Luna base has suitable expanses of clear ground for an emergency landing and avoids the problems associated with atmoshperic entry.
Joker: Alright, how long does she have.
EDI: 10 minutes, at maximum.
Joker: Shepard, I need you on the bridge, everyone else hang on, this is going to be rough.
[Shepard makes their way to the bridge via the ladders between decks. S/he reaches the bridge, lifting charred beams out of the way to clear a path to joker.]
Shepard: I'm sorry, Joker, but what you did saved us all, the Normandy has been a good ship.
Joker: Has? The Alliance will have her patched up in no time.
Shepard: Well you are be considerate enough to crash land outside a major base.
Joker: I figure we owe them that much. We did get the first one destroyed in some galactic backwater, compared to that, this is curb service.
Shepard: Don't remind me.
[The Normandy approaches the moon, Joker steels himself for the greatest piloting challenge of his career. The Normandy approaches the lunar surface at a perfect angle, touching down almost delicately, however, the remaining engine pods are sheared off, as they hang below the main hull. The ship touches down next to a large Alliance complex. Shepard exits the Normandy via the airlock near the bridge, along with the squad, with Joker bringing up the rear. Suddenly, Harbinger, touches down in the distance, setting the stage for the final boss battle.]
Shepard: Get to cover!
[Harbingers beam scythes through Luna base's substantial fortifications]
Joker: How are we supposed to take that thing out?
Shepard: Luna base has anti-ship batteries. They've been mothballed since the First Contact War though, old Mass Accelerator tech.
EDI: Type 59 Alliance standard Mass accelerators do not have the energy required to penetrate Reaper armor.
Shepard: Check their Kinetic barriers.
EDI: You are correct Shepard. Reaper kinetic barriers are not designed to defend against such antiquated weapons. In theory a combined strike could drop the barriers.
Joker: And then what. Harby needs a new paintjob, but we're still toast.
EDI: Incorrect, Harbinger has been substantially damaged by the Dreadnought strike and combined fire from the assembled fleets. Repeated strikes from a Mass Effect enhanced weapon such as the M920 CAIN could deliver a killing blow.
Shepard: If I remember correctly, Luna base was a testing facility for heavy ordinance, check their stockpiles.
EDI: 14 M920 CAINs are in stock at the base armory.
Shepard: Good. We split into teams, team one gets the cannons online, team two secures the armory.
[Gameplay: choose your squad, they will make up team two, the non-chosen squadmates will comprise team one. The background for this entire battle sequence will be Earth, burning in the sky.]
Shepard [To squadmates] : We've come a long way, and some of you may be losing hope, but once Harbinger is finally gone, [if control/synth/destroy was chosen] the Crucible will fire and this war will be over. Remember what we're fighting for, a chance for peace, for a normal life, for homes and families, for tommorow. [If convential warfare was chosen] The Reapers will be leaderless, the fleets can move in and mop them up. You know what to do, now go!
[Gameplay: Shepard and squad fight their way through Reaper ground troops to the base armory, the other team secures anti-ship gun control.]
Squadmate [team one] : We've got gun control locked down, just say the word.
Shepard [picking up and examining M920 CAIN] : We've got the heavy ordinance.
[Harbinger moves closer to Luna base, destroying large sections with his laser.]
Shepard: All batteries, FIRE!
[The old MA cannons creak into firing position, massive depleted uranium slugs hurtle towards Harbinger, after several salvos, his shields fail.]
Harbinger: What madness takes you? Do you think you can defeat me, your battle shall be forgotten, for no organics shall live to tell of it. [If Shepard has a LI] And what of your pitiful companion... will they remember you... no they shall die, but not before they watch you perish! Bloodied, weak and broken. You would not be alive now if it were not for the fact that I wish to destroy you personally, so that those that fight on will know of your grand defeat, and it will crush them a thousand fold more than any weapon we could bring to battle.
[Shepard climbs onto a rocky outcrop to address Harbinger.]
Shepard: Can you hear me?!
Harbinger: What words could you possibly offer?
Shepard: Good, you can hear me. Listen up! I've killed four Reapers so far, one "lowly" organic has killed four Reapers, and there are billions of organics in this galaxy who will fights just as hard as I have for their homes, for thier lives, for their loved ones, you talk as if your invincible, but you'll die like all the rest. Your time is over, its time for this galaxy to be free.
Harbinger: Are you finished, human?
Shepard: No, you are.
[Fires CAIN, Harbinger shakes off the blast but is severely damaged and moving unsteadily.]
[Gameplay: The player has unlimited CAIN ammo, but there is a charge/recharge time, Harbinger is moving closer, and soon towers over the player, only several meters away. It takes four hits to kill Harbinger on Normal, two more on the next highest difficulty and so on.]
Harbinger [when 3/4 of his health is depleted] : No, this cannot be, our strength is unlimited, you will fall...
Harbinger [when the final blow is dealt] : No, the cycle must continue, this is not how it ends. Shepard, no...
[Harbinger collapses and breaks up, now fully free of Harbinger's influence, the Crucible/Citadel fire as the squad watches from the moon. The Citadel breaks up. If the player chose Conventional Warfare and has an EMS of over 4000 the squad watches as the combined fleets destroy the remaining Reapers in orbit around Earth and the Citadel. The Citadel is not destroyed. In every ending if the player has an LI the two stand to together, arms around each other's waists as charred debris falls like snow around them. Alliance shuttles are seen landing in the background to evacuate Normandy's crew and the squad.
Epilogue:
Text: Eight Months Later
[The camera flies through the solar system toward earth, if the Conventional Warfare ending was chosen we see the Charon Relay in orbit around Pluto, the entire system is littered with space debris but ship traffic is heavy, if control was chosen, heavily guarded Reapers are seen moving about peacefully, carrying large cargo pods, otherwise Alliance and Citadel Species ships are shown. We come to earth, the Citadel is seen in orbit if conventional warfare was chosen, the Earth is presented like the planet at the end of Mass Effect, a repaired Normandy SR2 is seen breaking orbit on outward bound trajectory, the camera cuts to bridge, if Synthesis or conventional warfare is was chosen, EDI is in the copilot's chair, Shepard is standing behind Joker, Shepard and his/her LI look hopefully out the bridge windows and embrace.]
CUE CREDITS:
Project Director: Definetly Not Casey Hudson, we all no what Casey Hudson does to endings...
and so on...
The following clips play after the credits only if the Relays were saved through conventional warfare.
[Tali exits a Quarian shuttle and steps onto Rannoch. If peace was secured between the Quarians and Geth, Geth primes transport building material, while repurposed Geth fighters haul around prefabricated structures.]
[If Genophage was cured and Eve saved: Urdnot Wrex stands triumphantly beside her as new construction commences on a Krogan colony world, squat little creatures which can be assumed to be Krogan children play near them.]
[Primarch Victus and Garrus oversee rebuilding efforts on Palaven.]
[We see London, which is still slowly being rebuilt, at the site of the Citadel Beam a memorial has been contstructed to all those who perished, Anderson walks slowly towards it, lays a wreath and salutes as a Alliance Marines, and representatives from every recruited species, fire a 21 gun salute.]
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And that's it, thank you for your interest and encouraging me to write more. My next challenge, the sub-par intro. I need more post credits slides, especially for Romances, since I haven't done play throughs with every possible LI, definetly post a write up for a post-credits slide like those above if you feel it adds closure.
Modifié par CmdrSlander, 22 avril 2012 - 11:40 .
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