Sorry for being a bit slow, I'll probably be that as long as it involves actual squadmates. . Really trying not to mess anyone up.
"No deep tissue damage. No fracture to ribs. Dense Drell physique… fortunate!"
The Salarian grabbed Thane's shoulder, pushing it to turn him to the side as he thought through what was probably another theory as to the Drell's wound. Thane tried his best to focus on what was going around them rather than listening to Mordin. He knew this could be dealt with somewhat with medi-gel but the good doctor insisted on checking the wound through properly, scanning like crazy and mumbling something that contained Drell in every sentence. Being Mordin, that was a lot of sentences.
They were currently standing outside the shuttle down at the beach but closer to the forest now. Since the Nuelthak's attack, it felt better to have it as close to the foliage as possible. Just in case it would decide to go after the shuttle next.
Some of the others from the team were standing just at the brim of the forest, most of them wearing concerned faces. The revelation of Shepard's situation was surprising to say the least and it gave them a whole new bout of problems. Most of all it had put Miranda in a tricky situation. Further off Jacob had confronted her about something, his facial expression being very agitated. Whatever it was about, it was clear Miranda gave in to his argument, heading towards the rest of the team, holding something in her fisted hand.
The rest of the team paused upon her approach, growing silent to see what she had to say. After all she was the second in command when Shepard wasn't around.
"You'd better have a plan," Grunt snorted, looking impatient. He was intrigued by the whole situation and one of the few who expected Shepard to still be alive. She wouldn't be taken down by something as ridiculous as the Nuelthak.
"We need Shepard to finish this," Miranda said in her usual calm tone. "She's too valuable for us to just turn our back on, in case she might still be alive. So, we will try and find her."
"Glad you sound so enthusiastic," Garrus growled quietly, his sharp look fixed on Miranda who ignored it. Always about the business, the Turian thought dismally.
"How are we supposed to find her when her communications are out?" Jack snorted. Miranda lifted her palm, revealing the black, small device in it.
"Cerberus has put down too much time and effort to bring Shepard back to life. To lose her, just because of something as trifle as communications failing, would be very irresponsible of both me and the Illusive Man. We… installed a tracking device into her armor. It doesn't share signals with the ordinary lines."
"You mean you've been able to personally track Shepard this whole time?" Garrus asked, not sure whether to be relieved or infuriated on his friend's behalf. "Spying on her?" He knew Shepard well enough, she'd be furious if she knew about it.
"Considering this might just be what we need to find her, if she's still alive, I'd say it was a good decision," Miranda defended herself with a frown. "Else we could be looking forward to days of manually searching through the whole area."
"Not recommended. Wildlife too dangerous. Use tracker," Mordin interjected, having joined them along with Thane now. The Drell looked better, probably having been treated by medi-gel which would work fine for now. He too had showed just the slightest frown at the idea of Miranda tracking Shepard around.
"Fast though. Each minute here, worse for Shepard," Mordin continued. Miranda didn't wait for an answer, as she moved the device closer to her, activating it with her Omni-tool. The others waited in tension, Garrus constantly flexing his mandibles back and forth, Thane with his eyes fixed on Miranda.
It emitted a loud beep and Miranda's face showed signs of a frown for a short moment.
"It's still tracking her," she announced to the others. Thane fidgeted slightly but kept his calm posture. "Unfortunately, it can't pinpoint the precise location, only the general area. It must have been damaged during the flight as well."
The device still tracking the Commander could of course mean more than the fact she might be alive. But none wished to voice that out loud.
"I'll transmit the signal to EDI, for easier communications," Miranda said, proceeding to do so.
"The signal is transmitting from a densely forested area relatively close to our current trajectory," came the AI's response soon enough. "I'd recommend haste and a small group for speedier permissible movement through the foliage."
Thane and Garrus glanced at each other briefly. After all their time with Shepard, they had both come to trust one another and knew each other's skill. They were both fast and adaptable. They also had strong personal reasons to find Shepard alive.
"I and Thane will head towards the signal. We know what we're looking for and what to expect from the Nuelthak now," Garrus said with a firm nod; he'd handle no protests by his tone.
"Very well," Miranda said. "We'll stay here and brief you on any changes. Try not to get… eaten as well…" she finished a bit drily. Last thing they needed was to lose more from the team. Although if Shepard was in fact… dead, then this whole mission would fall apart before they'd even get halfway.
Thane stepped away from the group without a word, as was his habit. Garrus remained by the others for a short while, probably just discussing something through with Miranda. The Drell looked towards the nearby trees, his back to the others before he closed his eyes and put his hands together, slowing down his breathing to relax. He couldn't afford to lose focus now.
It had been hard to focus ever since they had returned to the shuttle; his perfect memory making him relive the last moments he had seen before Shepard had been carried off. Not only once, but it had happened several times. Remembering his own wound was nothing compared to watching her in the Nuelthak's maw. Despite her own life-threatening situation, it had been his name she had called, his injury that had taken her attention.
The memories of despair were indeed harder to avoid than those of actual pain.
He could hear steps behind him and he opened his eyes quickly, immediately focusing on Garrus who stopped by his side.
"You ready?" the Turian asked, shifting his gaze down from Thane and to the assault rifle in his hands, swapping the ammo clip on it.
"Of course," Thane replied as he started to move forward, through the foliage.
Might, might not, contain whole team effort later!