Authors Notes: Alright, so last chapter was focusing on Bloom's state of mind of being back in her original time, though still has some old habits of her futuristic experience. Now this chapter was fun to write as it ties the series to the trilogy and begins Bloom on her trip into the actual heart of the Mass Effect games. Of course, this chapter was also very challenging to write too as a lot of research went into writing it. Enjoy!
Thewanderingoutsider – Even though I already answered this in a private message, I am going to put it out here for everyone else to see as well. Yes, later on in the story Sky does get sent into the future and into the Mass Effect universe, just imagine him in a place like Omega with his sense of justice. Also, she does fall for someone else while in the Mass Effect universe, and no it's not Shepard. I'm a Shepard/Tali person myself.
Serenityskywalker – Yes, Bloom is keeping most of her abilities hidden for now.
Nentone – Actually, I was wondering what was taking you so long to find it.
Scourge From BloodClan – Yes, she has removed her armor before. However over the course of the years she was away, it has become sort of like a second skin for her to slip on for protection.
PierceTheVeil – Yes, I did want to focus on Bloom last chapter. I needed to make the connection that she still remembered where she came from, despite how much she had changed.
Edit: Not sure why it clumped together some of the words like it did, or why it removes the underline in some of the places. Hopefully it is fixed now.
Shepard of Fire
Chapter 3
Gellix, Arrae System – 2182
A small frigate orbited the planet of Gellix, a former human penal colony before it was shut down for having the worst safety records in the System Alliance in 2179. Even now, years after it was shut down lawsuits were still pending. Of course shortly after the closure, a handful of intergalactic corporations began to set up mines, supply depots, and other facilities on the planet. Which lead to why Bloom and her team of commandos were here. One of the groups who had set up shop on the planet was the Blue Suns, a very large and well established mercenary group mostly consisting of batarians, turians, and humans.
Bloom looked around the compartment her and her squad were in. All of them were a little nervous and it showed. The red haired human also felt a wave of uneasiness wash over here. It wasn't the fact of going up against the Blue Suns that caused this. They had faced the mercenary group multiple times before within the last year. No, what caused the uneasiness of the commando unit was the special guest that was coming along for the mission. A turian, and not just any turian. A council Specter by the name of Nihlus. There was plenty of murmuring going on amongst the team as to why a specter was here. Some where saying that there was more to the mission then was revealed while others argued that he was here to scout out possible Specter candidates.
Bloom of course considered it the first option, though she wouldn't be surprised if he put forth one of their names. Her entire unit so far had a very impressive military career thus far. Effectively putting down uprisings, revolts, and even terrorist plots throughout Asari space and beyond. The garden planet of Cyone. The sparkling asari city planet of Illium. The dome cities of Piares. Lusia, where the krogan rebellion began many centuries. And the jungle world of Niacal. Just to name a few of their most difficult missions.
Illium had of course been the most difficult as a terrorist cell threatened to crash the planets economy. Of course the squads mission was to neutralize the suspects without alerting the populace of the planet of what was going on. On any other planet this would have been simple. However, this was Illium; an asari controlled planet and she was one of a handful of humans on the planet, but the only one heavily armed.
Just remembering the mission gave Bloom a headache. She had played along that she was a contracted mercenary to meet her client about the job. The asari questioning her had been skeptic though, a detective by the name of Anaya. With all the attention on the heavily armed human, her team was given the room to maneuver more and take out the terrorist before anyone was aware of what was going on. After the mission was completed, Anesit had come in to play the role of the client.
"Lieutenant." The gruff voice of the turian sounded from behind the fire fairy, shaking her out of her thoughts. "A moment in private please."
"Now to see what this is really about." Bloom commented to herself as she left the room to join the turian specter. Enter the adjoining room, she closed the door behind her to give the two of them the privacy he had requested.
"No doubt you and your team have already concluded there is more to this mission then you were originally briefed on." Nihlus began.
"The thought may of crossed my mind." The human commando responded lightly, earning a slight chuckle from the turian.
"While your teams target is still the Blue Suns, they hold something of value tot he Citadel Council. A Prothean artifact."
At the words 'prothean', Blooms eyes widened slightly. Could this be her ticket back home? Then she thought of her team. She had formed a very close friendship with Anesit and some of the others, they had essentially became her extended family. She knew she would feel guilty if she suddenly got sent back to her home time.
"I'm afraid it won't help you get back home." Nihlus continued, gauging the humans reaction. This of course confused Bloom, only one other person knew of her circumstance. She hadn't even told Anesit of what had happened. As far as her team knew, she was from earth.
"Councilor Tevos had briefed me on your extraordinaire circumstances." The turian explained, seeing the confused look on Bloom's face. "The artifact we are after is a sphere of some sort. What it is or what it contains we don't know. However, we can not afford to let the Blue Suns keep it to sell to the highest bidder."
"So what do we know of the complex they are using?" The fire fairy asked, looking over the map of the compound that was brought up on the table between the two of them.
"Extremely unstable." Nihlus answered. "The complex they are using was a previous maximum security wing. It was intentionally built to drop the entire complex into the large crevice it was built over should things get out of hand."
"Great so they can collapse the compound on us at any minute once we're inside?"." Bloom asked.
"Fortunately no." The specter explained. "The sequence to destroy the complex has been disabled, and also located at the entrance of the compound. However, explosives like grenades may trigger a cataclysmic failure of the compounds supports."
"Alright, so keep fighting in close quarters to avoid the use of explosives. Assuming the Blue Suns are aware of the structure instability." The red haired fairy responded. "What's the plan of attack?"
"There is only one way into the facility. Your team will enter into through the front and forgive me for saying, but being the decoy to allow me to enter into a maintenance duct in the back to secure the artifact." Nihlus said, not liking the idea of using a squad as a decoy but it was the only viable option to ensure the missions success.
"Don't worry about us." Bloom reassured the specter, sensing his displeasure of the plan. "We have been through more difficult missions."
"Very well Lieutenant," The turian said. "I will leave you to debrief your team."
With that Bloom left the room to rejoin her team, each of them all having the same unasked question. What was really going on? Waiting until Nihlus left the compartment to talk with the frigates pilot, the human commando looked over her team.
"So what's going on Lieutenant?" Anesit asked, looking up at her friend. "Find out why we have a Specter with us?"
Bloom hesitated for a second. Should she divulge all of the information, including the artifact or keep it light. Using her better judgment she decided to spin the facts a little, keeping the real mission details in the dark and only focusing on what was important to complete the mission.
"Nihlus is here to evaluate our performance." Bloom lied, though earning excited murmuring from the squad. "That being said, no one do anything stupid. Treat this just like any other mission and we will do fine."
"Did he say if he was looking for anyone in particular?" One of the asari commandos asked.
"No." Bloom replied. She was about to continue but got interrupted.
"I think Bloom would make a great Specter." Anesit stated, fully believing in what she said. Also earning many agreeing nods. The first human to become an Asari commando, and she had managed to keep them safe throughout all of their missions. It gave the fire fairy a sense of pride that her friend had such admiration for her, despite Anesit being nearly four times older then her. "Just imagine it. Bloom, the first human specter."
"Thank you Anesit." Bloom commented, though truly flattered by her friends confidence in her. "May I continue with the briefing? Good.
Like I was saying, the complex that the Blue Suns are hiding in is extremely unstable. It was purposely built this way to prevent any riots from the prisoners who were housed here. That being said, avoid using explosives at all costs. Any questions?"
Each of the squad members shook their head, silently confirming they understood the mission details.
"Alright, let's suit up."
Gellix, Planetside
The small UT-47 Kodiak drop shuttle descended rapidly towards the planets surface as they raced to get below radar before the Blue Suns picked up them up., aiming to drop the commando team literally at the front door of the complex to keep any of the mercenaries from escaping. The shuttle made a brief stop over the complex, dropping Nihlus off on the roof before moving to the front where four Blue Suns mercenaries were on guard.
Immediately the shuttle door flew open as Bloom and Anesit took point and began to open fire on the mercenaries. Bloom immediately took out the nearest two, with two quick head shots from her assault rifle. While Anesit took the two furthest with her sniper rifle.
"Alright, go, go go!" Bloom commanded as her and Anesit kept their guns trained on the doors of the complex as the squad filed out of the shuttle. As the other commandos took their position, the fire fairy and her friend exited the shuttle as well to join the squad. Not seeing one of the squad members had stayed on the shuttle as it left.
Once more taking point, Bloom lead the squad to the front door, flanking the entrance before motioning two of the commandos to come forth and open the door. With guns trained on the entrance, the two asari moved forward and opened the doors, quickly moving to each side expecting gun fire from the Blue Suns inside.
"That's weird." Anesit commented, peering through the doorway. Lights flickering on and off in the back, just barely giving off enough to illuminate the hall way before them. This was sort of anti climatic for the team after the initial assault on the complex.
Bloom didn't like the look of the inside of the building. The hallway walls were flat, offering no places for cover in case of a fire fight. She deducted that it was designed that way on purpose. Probably to make it easier to control the prisoners and detour potential riots.
"I want you four at the rear, make sure nothing comes up from behind." Bloom ordered, motioning towards four of the asari. "Elnora, I want you..."
"Where's Elnora?" Bloom asked, looking around the squad, only counting nine of them.
"She probably missed the shuttle." Anesit half joked. "You know how lazy she can be."
"I guess." The fire fairy answered, not liking the feeling that one of her squad was already missing. "You and I will take point. Everyone else stay focused, this is a perfect place for an ambush."
"Just like Piares?" Anesit commented.
"No, I think this is worse." Bloom responded with a small laugh as she moved forward. In the back of her mind she knew she should call for a retreat, but she knew she couldn't let Nihlus down.
Cautiously the team moved down the corridor, checking each corner carefully for any signs of Blue Sun activity. Each time they came up empty, more and more uneasiness crept over Bloom. Something just wasn't right about this, she just couldn't figure out what it was. Suddenly three doors opened, one in front and one on each side of them.
"Contact!" Anesit responded as the team of commandos moved into position to return fire at the Blue Sun mercenaries which were firing upon them, already taking out two commandos.
"It's an ambush!" Bloom called out, as she turned to see a squad of Blue Suns coming up behind the team, quickly over whelming the four who were protecting the rear. "Fall back!"
"Where!?" Anesit asked while taking out another mercenary. "The have us surrounded!"
"Not for long." Bloom gritted out as she focused her biotic powers. Moving her right hand in an uppercut motion, she sent a shock wave of biotic energy towards the mercenaries that where behind them, sending them smashing into the sides of the walls enough enough force to crack their armor, causing the complex to shake violently. Anesit struggled to hold the barrier in front of them to keep the fire away from them as one by one each of the asari commandos fell, until only Bloom and Anesit remained.
The Blue Suns mercenaries continued their assault, finally punching through Anesits barrier, striking her once in the chest, and another in the knee, causing the asari to scream out in pain. Hearing this Bloom immediately rushed to her friends aid, erecting her own barrier over the two. Though not before taking a bullet to her shoulder and thigh herself, trying to drag the injured commando out.
"You have to get out of here Lieutenant." Anesit said, coughing up some purple blood. Meanwhile moving her hand to her chest, grabbing the clips to her grenades.
"No, I am not leaving you here." The fire fairy insisted as her barrier began to crack under the onslaught of fire from the mercenaries.
"Not up for debate." Anesit bravely smiled as she took Blooms hand and forced the human girl to grasp the clips of the grenades. "I have always thought of you as a sister Bloom, now live and avenge us."
Those were the last words Bloom would ever hear Anesit say as the asari charged up a strong biotic push that knocked the fire fairy down the hall and out of the complex. Forcing the fire fairy to pull the pins on all six of the asari's grenades. Bloom came to a rolling stop and looked up just in time to see the explosion rip through the halls of the compound. As a result of the large explosion, the complex began to shake and creak as it slowly sank into the ground, exposing a massive lava pit below it.
"Anesit!" Bloom screamed out in despair, knowing it was futile and that her friend and sister was no more. The fire fairy violently punched the ground in frustration as she let out a massive and drawn out anguished cry, ignoring the pain from her bleeding wounds from the gun shots she took.
"Bloom!" Nihlus called as he ran up towards the anguished fire fairy, just barely escaping the explosion himself. Kneeling down in front of her, he placed his hands on both of her shoulders, gently shaking her. "Get a hold of yourself! What happened?"
"It was a trap, the Blue Suns knew we were coming." Bloom whispered, still not looking up at the turian. "And I am going to hunt every last one of them down." She vowed.
"Are you sure that will honor your team?" Nihlus asked.
'Team' The word repeated itself in Blooms mind as she suddenly realized who was behind the ambush. "Elnora."
"What?"
"She's the one who set us up." Bloom commented, struggling to stand on her bad leg though having to rely on the turian for support. "Elnora tipped off the Blue Suns."
Nihlus watched on as the human commando began to move forward on her own with a renewed fire burning within her. A dangerous one. Revenge.
Alfea, Present
Everyone in the room was speechless as Bloom stood at the large window, looking out over the darkening sky. None of the Winx girls or even the specialist could imagine having to go through such an ordeal. Even Sky didn't know anything of what happened before he was reunited with her on Omega, though under less the pleasant circumstances for him.
"Did you find her?" Musa asked, referring to Elnora. Bloom only shook her head.
"No, by the time Nihlus and I returned to the ship she was long gone."
"What about the artifact you were after?" Tecna asked.
"Nihlus was able to get it just before he made his escape." Bloom answered.
"Perhaps you should get some rest for the night dear." Ms. Faragonda said, as she pushed herself off of her large chair behind the desk.
"Where will I be staying?"
"Your bed is still available in the room." Flora answered, as she gave an inviting smile. Though Bloom only nodded in response as she moved to exit the room before she was stopped by Faragonda.
"Forgive me Bloom, but where are your other items?" Faragonda asked.
Bloom took a moment to eye the elder woman up and down before simply answering.
"Someplace safe." She said before leaving the room, not leave room for an argument. Though at the same time making a subtle message that she was not giving up her armor or firearms.
As Bloom left the room, Brandon moved over to Sky, giving him a questioning look.
"She never told me anything of what happened before I got there." Sky answered the unasked question.
With that the rest began to shuffle out of the room, each of them solemnly quiet as they took in what Bloom had told them so far. None of them could honestly say they could relate to what the fire fairy had gone through, even Helia who was an expert in espionage had never been put in such high risk situations.
As Sky and Brandon started to leave, the elder headmistress stopped them before closing the door so that she could talk to the two in private.
"Is there something wrong Ms. Faragonda?" Brandon asked.
"I have an assignment for the two of you." The headmistress stated, gauging both boys before continuing. "I want you to find where Bloom has hidden her weapons and bring them to me so that they may be destroyed."
"I'm not sure if that's such a good idea." Sky said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He had seen first hand what happened to one unlucky individual whom had tried to relieve the fire fairy of her weapons. He was sure the janitor at that establishment was still cleaning blood off the walls even to this day.
"I don't doubt Bloom's intentions." Faragonda persisted. "But I can not allow her to have possession of such weapons within the school."
"Fine." The blonde prince relented, not comfortable in the assignment at all. "Let me just go and write out my final Will."
"I am sure it wont be that bad man." Brandon smiled.
"You didn't see what she did to the last guy who tried to take her weapons." Sky commented with a grimace at the memory of the event, earning a worried look from both Faragonda and Brandon.
Additional Authors Notes: Whew, that chapter actually took some work and a lot of research behind in. Between military ranks and which planets to use for Bloom's impressive military career. But, I think it paid off in the end. If you didn't catch it, yes Sky does get sent to the Mass Effect universe as well. Next chapter we will see how it turns out for Sky, Brandon, and Faragonda in taking Bloom's weapons and armor. Until then, leave a review and tell me what you think!