A/N - This is another dark one, but I wanted to capture this moment. The tragedy of war is not only what is inflicted on the soldier, but is also what he inflicts on his enemies.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Skyllian Verge,
Torfan Moons,
October 4th, 2178
White, curling tendrils of smoke hung amidst concrete corridors, accented by the pale blue of emergency lighting. A squad of heavily armored Marines strode the halls, past bodies and over smoldering equipment. The pockmarks of weapons fire and the crumbling facades of doors were accompanied by walls and floors painted with bright red and blackish crimson streaks.
At their head stalked a large figure in dark grey armor bearing the rank of a Lieutenant. The visor of his helmet did not obscure his cold demeanor. In one armored fist hung a small cloth bag whose contents clinked softly in time with his footsteps.
His name was Shepard.
The corridors gave way to a massive cargo bay; a second level was filled by silent Marines who gazed downward in unconcealed loathing at the occupants of the ground floor. They were Pirates, murderers, Batarians.
Prisoners; spoke a part of the Lieutenants mind, on its heels came another word: Opportunity.
His orders had been clear.
The Pirate base on Torfan had plagued the human Systems Alliance for over a decade. It had been the launching point of assaults on worlds such as Mindoir, Elysium and Franklin. Dozens of ships had been taken as prizes, their crews sold as slaves.
After defeating the Terminus Pirates in the Skyllian Blitz the Alliance would endure no more. The base would be leveled as an example.
Lieutenant Shepard would deliver this example.
He and his men had taken the base, but at a cost. The imbalance would be corrected.
Shepard's thoughts were interrupted as a Gunnery Sergeant approached.
"Sir, we have the area secured. Two KIA, five wounded…" Shepard extended his hand towards the Sergeant, cutting off the flow of words.
"Give me the tags, Gunns."
Shrugging slightly in discomfort, the NCO handed Shepard two steel dog-tags. The cloth bag's draw string was loosened, and the tags added to those already within.
"Do they have wounded?" Shepard asked softly.
"No Sir. They shot them."
Shepard turned a questioning look on Gunns. "Why?"
"I asked one of em, said something about that, if they'd won there would have been a cash reward on the way from Khar'Shan. Bigger shares between em' I suppose." Gunns replied.
Shepard wasn't surprised in the least. In fact, it made things easier for him.
Opportunity.
"Want me to call in the Navy boys to come take them off our hands Sir? I'm sick of looking at them."
"No. We are here to send a message."
Gunns stepped closer and lowered his voice, "Sir…Jack, we took the objective. Hell, I'm all for what you're thinking, but…"
Shepard spoke quickly, harshly; "We save lives this way! It's not personal, it's War."
"Yes Sir. I reckon so." Gunns whispered.
Shepard turned away, and activated the platoon frequency. He gave the order for all translators to be turned off and weapons readied.
The Marines obeyed, the air becoming thick with tension. The Pirates noticed the subtle change in their captor's stance and began to shove and push each-other in the cramped bay.
Shepard stepped to the railing and his voice echoed down to the milling mass below;
"You have been found guilty of Acts of Piracy, slavery, and terrorism against the Systems Alliance. How do you plead?"
A cacophony of curses, threats, and pleas for mercy were shouted in the Batarian tongue.
Their words meant nothing to the humans.
"Your plea is denied. Under Citadel and Alliance law, I sentence you to death."
Shepard paused.
Can I ever justify this?
A heart-beat…
Yes.
"Fire!"
The cargo bay shook with the roar of weapons discharge, muzzles flashing like strobe-lights.
After a few minutes, there were no more targets, and the Marines chests heaved with exertion and adrenaline.
Gunns crossed himself, and bent over to vomit.
Jack Shepard trembled.
Forgive me, for I have sinned…
I'm sorry if this offended anyone, but I do hope that it makes you think. War is terrible, and maybe I captured a moment of that here. -Redbeard
