Chapter one;
They had done it they had rescued the crew and destroyed the abomination that the reapers had created in the dark underbelly of the ship, but it wasn't over yet they still had to reconcile with the stricken Normandy's and pass back through the Omega four relay. This is only the beginning shepherd thought as he and his two squad mates fled through the cavernous corridors of the reaper ship desperately seeking a way out.
The Normandy had taken quite a beating on passing through the relay, he only hoped it was stable enough to carry them all home one last. EDI's familiar tones crackled over his headset; 'Commander' the reapers appear to be trying to subdue your escape, I have detected a possible exit 100m north of present location, I am working to override the lock they have put in place'.
'Thanks EDI' he managed as he dodged a falling piece of debris. 'Shepherd ahead' he heard from somewhere behind him, he squinted and could see a horde of husks clambering from the depths beneath the already precarious walk ways. The reaper structure was collapsing in around them as the larvae creature ripped through its supports falling into the central core, causing the entire structure to destabilise and collapse.
Miranda unleashed a powerful biotic field knocking back a number of husks clearing just enough to allow them to pass relatively unscathed. Grunt preceded to melee any reaming with the butt of his shot gun sending them hurling back over the edge of the walk ways. It saddened him to think that these abominations were once people ripped from their lives and subjected to such horrors at the hands of this galactic scurge, but he couldn't let his emotions get the better of him, he had come he for one purpose, to get his crew back alive and by god he was going to do that no matter what it took.
They rounded another corner appearing no closer to an exit strategy, he ducked behind cover just as a beam streaked past him tearing through a rear wall , sending shards of debris crahing in around them. He peered out and to his horror saw a praetorion ' get to cover NOW!' he screamed helplessly to his crew'. Already fraught with trying to avoid ailing sections of the ship now they faced a new threat. 'Miranda, Grunt ill draw his fire get out of here, the Normandy should be just beyond that door.'
'Shepherd I'm not leaving you here!'
'That's not a request now get out of here!'
Come on shouted Grunt as he charged towards the door, reluctantly followed by Miranda. They ducked behind what little cover they could find as she activated her omnitool to pry the door open, trying desperately to override the lock mechanims. Shepherd drew a deep breath and bailed from his position firing a beam at the praetorian, significantly damaging its shields but not enough to deter it from unleashing another vicious attack, it barely missed him as he rolled to cover, 'Ha you bastard you aren't taking me today, he shouted as he weaved between cover firing shots whenever he could while avoiding its devastating particle beam attack.
The bay doors hissed open a fraction allowing Miranda to slip through, tears filled hers eyes as she peered back at the commander. Grunt was able to force a larger gap, 'come on the commander' ll be fine he'll meet us back at the Normandy, he urged when saw her pain gaze. Reluctantly she followed as yet another beam attack tore through the already fragile ship, sending more debris crashing to the ground . They ran through the narrow corridor, seeing the Normandy hovering precariously on the horizon, airlock doors invitingly open. Mordin and Garrus stood in the door way urging their comrades on. Where is the commander? shouted Garrus as they drew closer
'He's still inside he drew its fire away so we could escape, he saved us' she declared, tears visibly forming in her eyes.
'To hell with that!' shouted the proud Turian as he leapt from the Normandy onto the reaper, 'leave no man behind!'
Garrus don't be a fool, he could hear Mordin in the background, but ignored him as he tore towards the Commander, followed by Miranda. She wasn't prepared to leave him behind, not this time. They took cover behind the wedged doorway and glanced inside, they could see a visible injured shepherd slumped against, the rear wall, precariously hidden behind some rubble that made for make shift cover. They could see also the praetorian scanning the room, detecting signs of life, ready to take him out, not today, Shepherd is not making his last stand here in this place.
Carefully they picked their way into the room, trying not to alert the praetorian to their presence. Garrus motioned to his left, indicating his plan to flank the machine, as he drew his trusted sniper rifle, Miranda nodded in acknowledgement, barely able to take her eyes off of Shepherd. The praetorian continued to scan the room, slowly making its way round, it was nearly upon the broken, laboured form of Shepherd when it was hit with an unseen biotic field, causing it momentarily to lose its barings and sending it into a panicked spin. Seeking to exploit this, Garrus unleashed a tirade of carefully aimed shots taking out its key drive core. Shepherd drifting in and out of consciousness was unable to focus on the scene of carnage before him. 'Hell yeah' Shouted Garrus as the machine crashed to the floor, its menacing lights blinking out for the final time. He and Miranda raced to Shepherds still form, can you hear me, Shepherd you need to wake up we are getting out of here'. This was met with a muffled response before he slipped deeper into unconsciousness.