Meanwhille, as John Shepard and the Normandy crew hear about what's happening in the war, they continue their "Exploration" mission of the Rayath Galaxy, collecting any advanced weapons and technology and sending them back to the Milky Way while also helping anyone in need that they happen to come across. On Belsavis, they discover an ancient ship containing an army of HK assassin droids, On Nar Shaddaa, they find plans on an ancient super-soldier program called the Power Guard Project, and because of the salvageable data left on Odessen, the Normandy crew discovery the artificial planet, Iokath.

EDI had begun integrating herself into the planet where she then saw an opportunity to further her evolution. There was a blinding flash of light and where EDI was stood a beautiful human-like woman with traces of cybernetics on her body. When they returned to the ship, Joker became all giddy at the sight of EDI's new appearance. John thought of Tali who went back to the Milky Way because of her pregnancy as he signaled Admiral Hackett to pick up all of their finds. The Milky Way was going to use the Rayath technology to cause a boom in their economy, rebuild the military and government and serve as a deterrent if the New Sith Empire tried to invade the Milky Way. Hours later, John contemplated everything that is happening in the two galaxies and his recent fight with just two inquisitors. He and his squadmates just barely managed to kill them without dying themselves and the empire has thousands just like them. Rayath's Civil War IS going to spill out into the Milky Way and they're going to need both a miracle and a hero to come out of it alive.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.