We'd Have Everything
Chapter 1: That Red Letter Day
I been sitting here waiting. I'm not sure how long for but it felt like hours had gone past. The area around me was dark, a patch of light where I was sitting illuminated a small area that surrounded me. I felt like I should get up and venture into the unknown, but my instincts as a soldier told me to stay put and wait it out. This was nuts, where was everyone? I sighed to myself and stood up where I was. Just when I was going to call out I heard a sound. Agitated by this I could feel myself tensing up, where was it coming from? The sound got louder and was occurring much more frequently. It sounded like foot steps but where from? What direction? The source of the sound was getting close and the ground beneath me shock slightly. It never did that before, something bad must be happening.
My fists began to curl together, I was starting to feel my adrenaline slowly kick in as the floor rumbled again, the light above me also began to flicker every now and then. I could start to identify where the foot steps where coming from and readied myself for what was to come. I waited, another rumble this time more viscous. I stared into the unknown ahead of me, I could start making out a figure moving quickly towards me. It was human in shape, female with a slender-like build. As the figure got close I could start making out the facial features, tied back blonde pony tail, blue eyes. This can't be who I think it is, is it?
"Ada?" I sounded surprised, almost like I didn't want to see her but it eased me slightly. Lowering my guard she rushed over and grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "Wake up!" She shouted at me. I was completely thrown by her reaction. "Ada I am awake what's wrong?" responded expressing myself. However this took no effects and she still shook me. There was another rumble, getting much stronger than before. I could now start to hear other voices as well, it sounded panicked and disorderly, like there was an emergency. "Icarus you have to wake up!" I could hear the panic in her voice. "I am awake what's wrong!" I yelled back. Her facial expression was of a worried looked. Things then started to get blurry and fade to black. "Ada!"
It then became apparent to me as my eyes shot open to the realisation that engulfed me. "Bloody well get up, we have to go now!" She didn't sound at all pleasant, her southern London accent rasped into my ear. I felt almost dragged out the cot as I tried to gain balance from her force. She loosened her grip as I steadied myself and corrected my footing. "What's happening?" I questioned above the noise of racket out in the hall way. It felt almost silly but it had to be asked.
"Were under siege Christ sakes!" Was the reply I got from her, almost moody. My first thought was protection, I tried to rush over to the lockers in the room where some of the other lads were gearing up but Ada stopped me by gripping my wrist. "There's no time we have to leave now." She told me with a serious tone. "Take this." She handed me a Lancer Assault Rifle, the standard issue for Alliance Military. Crappy stock equipment, but it got the job done despite the budget. I checked the weapons clip usage, 40 rounds. Fresh thermal clip but will it last? My thoughts were interrupted by a loud explosion within the barracks. "Ready." I stated, Ada nodded and headed to the door leading to the hall way, I followed close behind her.
As we entered the hallway there were others who were half dressed in armour. It was chaos in here, no sense of control. What the hell is going on outside? Ada shot off down the hallway, I closed in behind her and kept up the pace. I felt naked without my suit, but I wasn't alone, some others also haven't had the time to change. This must be desperate...
"We got to get to the Makos." I could head Ada shouting back at me. But why the rush? If were going to counter attack the enemy on Earth why risk the rush of under equipped soldiers? Too many questions at this time! We turned some more corners and approached the opening of the Mako depot. There were several Makos lined up next to each other, the depots door were starting to open as another explosion follow this time it was on the roof creating a hole as debris of a gunship flung into the room. Luckily we weren't close to the destruction but I caught a glimpse of a poor sod that got crushed under the wreckage. What a bloody wicked way to go...
I felt an impact on my shoulder, I turned and saw Ada giving me a death glare. "We can mourn our losses later, we have to leave Icarus!" She was right, whatever it is we aren't prepared to take the fight to them yet. The bastards will get a kicking later.
We headed to one of the Makos where a Sergeant was hanging outside the side of the Mako hauling in troops. "Get in and get strapped!" He called as we poured into the Mako taking a seat in the cramped hold. I managed to get a seat next to Ada, we were positioned roughly in the middle of the crowd. I took a quick look round at the face that appeared before me. Men and women of the Regiment, the Coldstream, Her Majesty's Guards. We all have had our fair share of Alliance service in grittiest battles. Though some of them knew something the others didn't. There was a sense of worry in the Mako and Ada was one of the few in here to share it. She gripped my hand when another explosion was heard. I couldn't think of what to say but let her be.
The Sergeant retreated into the Mako as the last of the few lads crawled in. He sat himself at the exist of the carrier. The doors sealed shut. "Get this heap of junk rolling driver." The Sergeant rasped. There was a jerk as the Mako began to roll. We had no idea where we were going until the Sergeant spoke up. "Listen up Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm not going to repeat myself." He called down to all of us. The Sergeant kept a stern face to maintain the morale of some of the lads here. If he couldn't control us, no one would.
"Before we lost contact we received word that our attacks are known as Reapers." The Sergeant stressed the last word. This was some dismissed claim done by the council of some sorts. I wasn't sure, politics didn't really interest me. The word Reapers shook some of the life out of the fellows here. "This all seems far fetched but we have limited options right now." The Sergeant continued, rumbles could be heard outside the Mako as well as over head gunships. This was a bigger scale than I thought, could this be an invasion? "How could we not have seen this coming?" I asked. There were turns of heads facing me, a moment passed before the Sergeant spoke up. "They didn't come through the mass relay system, it's they just appeared."
How? Why? There were so many things to ask but this was the time. There was mutter from the driver in the front. I couldn't make out the words, but the Sergeants head turn was enough to prove it was related to him. I turned my attention to Ada who had been awfully quiet. "How you holding up?" I asked her. She looked at me and gave a weak smile, she released her grip from my hand. "I'm okay, just surprised." It wasn't much from her but it was enough to put me to ease. "When we get out of this, remind me to take to you visit my family." I told her with some enthusiasm. She abruptly let out a laugh. "You make it sound let were together." She sheepishly replied. It nearly did sound like didn't it? It was silly thinking really, I mean sure it might be a great idea. No! That's stupid to think like that! Ada Wicket was my friend, a very good one at that. I couldn't trade out friendship for something more. We only had each other in this harsh place, I'm not prepared to throw it away for a temperamental moment of ecstasy which could fade away.
The rumbling outside continued at random intervals some rougher than others. There was shout from the driver and rapid gunfire was heard coming from our Mako. Did this mean there's ground forces already that have landed? After some burst the remarkable 155m mass accelerator cannon kicked off a punch at something. "Make yourselves ready, were approaching Gatwick Starport and are expecting company." The formidable Sergeant called out. But one thing questioned me, why the half arsed effort in equipping the troops?
Other gunfire were heard as we got closer to where we are going. Then there was a explosion and jolt in the Mako shifting the vehicles angle to swerve to the right giving everyone including me a shock. As we maintain control there was an uneven balance in the vehicle. One of the rear tires could have been blown off. "Kinetic barriers are down, we lost our rear wheel!" The driver cried. Things were getting tense already, the pressure was building up. The Sergeant once more spoke up. "Once we are there wait outside, I will give you the details there." Why couldn't he tell us now?
The Mako came to a stop, the doors slid up and a chorus of belts being unstrapped could be heard. We piled out the Mako quickly and formed a semi circle outside. As I stepped outside the Mako I noticed we parked ourselves outside the North Terminal of Gatwick. This is an area of importance I guess it's a attempt to protect the runway to allow further reinforcements. However, this was not the case for some. "As we have little options available, we can't make our efforts here go to waste." Our Sergeant stated. "Some of you have been chosen to leave Earth in the prepared shuttles stationed here in Gatwick." This is odd, some of us are going to run and let the others die? There was an instant array of noise coming from everyone's mouths but we settled down quickly. "Do not argue, do not question, if you are called out you get out of here!" The Sergeant shouted down. "Rebecca, Sam, Ray, Scott, Jessica, Ruby, Icarus..." My name was called. I snapped my head to Ada who wasn't pleased about the result. "No I can't do this, I can't leave you!" I shouted. Ada trembled with her words, she was struggling to say what ever she wanted to say. We were rudely interrupted by the Sergeant. "Icarus there's no time to fuck about, get out of here and find Shepard!" Shepard? That name. The saviour of the Citadel. I tried to retaliate with my own words. "Send someone else, I better off here sir!" However I couldn't play the right cards. "Your not dressed for this and you were chosen to do this should such an event arise, it's your chance to be the saviour of Earth!" God damn it! How can I just leave these soldiers my brother in arms to fight against the unknown while I go on a goose chase! "At what cost sir." I expressed. He shook his head and shoved me away from the scene. "Get going, I hate it as much as you do!" He called out. I took my last look towards Ada. "I'll come back for you, I promise!" I promised her. I turned at made my way with the fellow comrades. I heard Ada shout something back. "I..." Damn it! That's all I got, there's no time to go back for Chinese Whispers.
We navigated our way through the terminal, there were still civilians here and security trying to take hold of the situation. Again I checked my rifle to make sure it didn't accidently ejected the thermal clip. Luckily it didn't and just as well. There was gunfire heard coming from the reception points in the terminal, a choir of screams and shouts erupted. I could here some of my comrades shout and point towards the direction of the gunfire. We moved across the scene to try and evade but provide some assistance where possible. We approached the first check point where we see some security staff opening fire upon an unknown target. "We have to punch through!" One of fellow comrades shouted.
I positioned myself by one of the checkpoints and heard the oncoming and out going fire. I peered my head round the corner and saw the enemy ahead of us. They looked almost insect like with four piecing eyes. I then heard a scream of pain behind me, a sister in arms had been hit in the shoulder and put her out of action. Checking my rifle one last time I moved out of cover and took aim at a lone wolf advancing on us. I squeezed the trigger and felt the gun kick into my shoulder several times. The target was downed but was still shooting back, this time at me. I quickly shifted myself back behind the checkpoint. Someone else finished off the scum on the floor. Looking at my rifle I depleted 13 of available shots before switching thermal clips.
The fire fight was over before I had the chance to let off another load. I turned to my comrades as they signalled to move on. Hopefully we won't encounter another engagement.
We managed to make our way down to the arrival department of the starport. It was deserted. I heard some groans behind me, I turned back and saw our wounded sister being supported by our brother. "Were nearly there." I encouraged the women. She coughed and smiled back. "Ain't no bastard going to stop me that easily." I chuckled at her remark and continued onwards following the sheep.
We approached a maintenance door and held up just outside to catch our breath and check on ammo. Thankfully some of us came equip in gear and supplies. There was a volley of panting between us all. "I'm out got a spare mag?" That was an old word. The term Mag died out after the conventional use of fire arms back in the day. "Yeah don't waste it." As one of our guys passed around some clips. I took a look around the seven of us. "We aren't far now, just through here and across the stretch of open ground and we'll be home free." One of the women said, I think her name is Rubella? Ruby? Yeah that one. "How do you know they'll be there?" I said in question. It catches the others off guard, what if they weren't there? What if they were taken already, or even destroyed. "There's one way to find out, ready everyone?" She replied, there were a wave of nodding heads. We pressed ourselves against the wall as one of our guys took his place in front of the maintenance door and used his omni-tool to open the door. We poured inside moving besides the conveyor belts in the room. There was an opening at the end of the maintenance. I was first to arrive at the edge of the darkness. I took a look outside and noticed the chaos that beholds itself upon the great skies. I was left googling at the sight, this is really happening...
"All right this is it, we move quickly to our escape vessel and be out of here before the cows come home." One of the lads trying to brighten the mood. I knew what was at stack, we had to achieve victory no matter the cost. "Lets go." I said and we were off, the adrenaline kicked in like never before there were a few shuttles parked neatly, one of them will get us out of here. Our travel was intervened by a hail of gunfire. Shit this can't be happening not now, I felt like I was dodging bullets! The horrors then sunk in as I heard some cries from our unprotected comrades who were hit. Some of us halted and dived to the floor and returned fire. "Get going, we'll cover you!" This was getting too tense, another fell in front of me. I hurdled over the downed soldier, if it were any other situation I would have stayed to help but not this time...
There was only three of us now, the further ahead got to the shuttles side and hacked his way into the holographic panel and the shuttle doors began to slide open. I was nearly there as I heard a grunt come from behind me, that's another down comrade down...
I managed to hop onto the shuttle. "Close it now!" I yell as I turned round and let our bursts of fire upon the foe. My fellow soldier worked his magic, the doors were shutting. As they were about to seal, the last of my comrades was struck in the side of his neck, bypassing his shields. "Shit!" I curse as I run to his side. I scramble to search if his has medigel, his omni-tool shows none. "I used the only one on a lad." The wounded soldier managed to splutter out. I weakly smile. "You unselfish tit." I remark. This wasn't over, I stood myself up and looked round the shuttles insides for signs of a medigel station. Nothing, there was nothing here! I curse again at myself, but this wasn't the time for sorrow. I still had to escape this hell hole which I call home...
I rush myself into the head of the shuttle. I placed myself in the helms seat and no idea what do to now. I remember vaguely doing shuttle training when I attempted to join the navy but fucked up in the sims by failing to leave the cruisers hull. This time it wasn't a cruiser. I furiously looked for a button or switch to activate this thing. I could hear impacts of small arms fire on the hull, I need to get out fast! I could feel myself on the verge of hyperventilating, I had to keep myself under control. I then hit something and power switched on, I heard the hum of the engine engage. The holographic interface starts to appear in front of me. "What now!" I exclaimed. I saw a some throttles on the interface and just thought screw it, what's the worst that can happen. I jerked one of the throttles forward and felt myself sink back in my seat. At least were moving in the right direction. I start to wave my hands about the holograph and managed to shift the angle of the shuttle upwards. As we ascended I could see the chaos hanging over London, these Reapers... Were god damn huge!
I managed to get this box out of the atmosphere. I relaxed my arms and felt my hands tremble. I tried to stand and nearly fell back down. That adrenaline rush was a toll and a half. I steadied myself and went back to check on my comrade. "Hey we made it." I said as I came down kneeling beside him. Sadly there was no response, no movement, no sign of life. I move my hand over his head and close his eyes. Just typical, I get left alone to find Shepard.
I scavenge what I can find off my fallen brother. I found a few thermal clips and not much else. I took his rifle and lay them on the passenger seats along with my own rifle. I'll sort them out later.
Back at the head of the shuttle, I started to fly thing thing towards the mass relay. I looked back at Earth and saw the horrors that descended upon it. I was lucky enough to escape with my life, what about Ada? Will she be all right? She's a tough cookie... Heh I liked saying that...
I think an hour or so passed by before I got closer to the mass relay, I started to set up the course for the Citadel, it's a place to start. If I remember correctly, Shepard is a spectre. Maybe I can get some information where to find him.
I drifted closer and began to turn the shuttle round to face the needles end of the mass relay. I then notice the sparse blue effect engulf the shuttle, moments passed and I was shoved into FTL flight. I check the destination ETA, eleven hours and twenty three minutes... It was enough time to have a nap before embarking on.
My thoughts of Ada run through my head, it was a curse. I guess this was the red letter day.
The goose chase begins here...