AU. How did the Borg Collective come to be? What if the Systems Alliance had the Borg as allies during The First Contact War?

Shepard is a guardian of life from an alternate stream of history. She's the hero this Galaxy deserves but not the one it needs right now. She'll fight for us all, whether we like it or not! WARNING! Contains pure awesomeness!

One minute, I'm at home; the next, I'm in a wretched hive of alien criminals. This universe is a death-trap; the apocalypse is coming and the Reapers are going to kill us all. I'm no soldier, I'm a cowardly thinker. To survive, I'll have to think outside the box. But first, I have to survive Omega. To do that, I'll have to cast my lot in with the ruler of this rock, Aria T'Loak.

After the events of ME2, Samara finds evidence of another rogue Ardat Yakshi on the loose. The only lead that they have is a damaged woman with no history and no future. Soldier Femshep/Samara

Rework of my piece. 9/7/11 Slight update to chapter 3.

Shepard has taken down the Collectors. But what can she do now to help the Galaxy against the Reaper Threat? Dark, mostly. An old comrade serves as the guide. R&R generously, please!