Eden Prime, continued

The two of then immediately lifted their rifles and stopped the thing in its tracks. Kaidan put an extra round in its head just to be sure it was dead.

Shepard scanned the creature with his omni-tool, making sure to keep some distance.

"Commander, over here!" Kaidan called out.

Shepard jogged over to him near the tripod.

"This must be what the geth are doing to the colonists. Explains why we haven't seen any," Shepard inferred.

"I think there's a lot going on here that we don't know about, so just watch your back." Kaidan nodded in agreement.

Kaidan heard a wheezing sound. "You here that, Commander?" he asked.

Shepard unholstered his pistol and said, "Yeah, sounds like he has some friends nearby. Get ready."

Just then, several of the creatures emerged from over the hill. Shepard fired his pistol, dropping several enemies before overheating. Their focus was interupted as a cry pierced their comms.

"I need support, someone help!-" Jenkins' radio was cut short. They continued to beat back the enemies and moved towards Jenkins position.

"Don't let 'em get close!" the Kaidan yelled as he activated his biotics.

Several creatures were encased in a blue aura before being hurled away, clearing a path for them. They raced to their last position but it seemed too late.

"No!" Shepard yelled. Both his weapons were still cooling down, making him unable to fire. Three of the creatures lay dead near the corporal but a third was on top of him, slamming its arms downs. It raised its arms to deliver a killing blow until the thing's head exploded, the body sliding onto the ground. Kaidan moved towards Jenkins while Shepard kept his rifle raised, looking for the source of the shot.

Kaidan crouched down next to the corporal and administered a bit of medi-gel where his armor had cracked and scanned him with his omni-tool.

"Friendlies, comin' out!" a voice yelled.

Shepard kept his rifle trained on the female coming from behind the rocks. He lowered it when she came closer, seeing her Alliance rank. She saluted him when she saw him relax.

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, sir!" she snapped off. Shepard saluted in kind before talking.

"I'm Commander Alan Shepard. What are you doing out here, Chief?" he asked.

Ashley lowered her head and balled her fist.

"I'm was part of the 212, sir. The rest of my unit was wiped out when the invasion began," she somberly replied.

Shepard was about to respond until Kaidan called him over.

"Commander, over here!" he called. Shepard motioned for Ashley to follow him over to Kaidan, who was crouched next to Jenkins.

"What's his status, lieutenant?" he asked.

Kaidan shook his head. "Not good. He has internal bleeding and a collasped lung. If he doesn't get medical treatment soon we're going to lose him."

Shepard turned and raised his hand to his ear. "Ground team to Normandy, how copy?" he asked.

"Shepard, this is Anderson. What's the problem?" the captain asked.

"Corporal Jenkins was critically injured after an engagement. We need a med-evac quick sir,"

"The Normandy's not equipped with a shuttle, but I'll have Joker map out a pick up spot," Anderson replied.

Joker's voice appeared on the radio. "I can have the Normandy got to the original spot from where you dropped off. ETA 5 minutes."

"Thanks Joker," he replied. Shepard turned to face the gunnery chief. "Williams, I want you to take Jenkins to this location," he ordered, typing a quick message on his omni-tool.

The gunnery chief looked shocked.

"But sir, I want to give those bastards some payback!" she yelled. Shepard stepped closer and got in her face.

"I understand that, Gunnery Chief, but I gave you an order," he spoke.

"Yes sir," Ashley muttered, lifting Jenkins and supporting him on her shoulder. She turned away and began making her way to the pick up zone.

Shepard turned to see Kaidan examining his weapons.

"You ready to go, Commander?" he asked. Shepard nodded.

"Let's move out."

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Some of you might be thinking that Kaidan doesn't talk enough or that Ashley was mistreated. I'm going to flesh out their characters more and give them more spot light time. A little more of Eden Prime and we'll move forward.