Note:

Thanks for the very positive response I've had so far, my ego's suitably enhanced.

This chapters longer, thought about cutting it into two but decided against it. Am trying to keep it short and punchy.

Feedback always appreciated.


Ch 4: Lock Down.

Purgatory; Prison Ship.

"Oh today just isn't my day" snarled Shepard ducking into cover as the mechs raked his position.

"Lawson, Fenris, watch you flank" he snapped pointing at the dog mechs coming round her left flank. One of them went down to a hit from her EMP, the second to waspish bursts from her SMG. However the momentary distraction meant a slacking of the cross fire they were laying down which the Blue Sun's used to advance on him and Taylor.

"Jacob line them up I'll knock them down" ordered James lifting the M-15 battle rifle. Jacob made a gesture, his hand glowing blue and one of the leading mercs advancing on them was yanked bodily up into the air and into James's sights.

"Tap-tap" he whispered, squeezing the trigger twice and ending the flailing merc's struggles but the others kept coming. James winced, this was going to get messy.


Normandy SR-2:

Garrus was in the CIC listening to the garbled comms, he heard Shepard snapping orders and the rapid response of the others and above it all he heard the increasing volume of gunfire and the occasional boom of rockets. One thing was certain, they were in trouble.

Garrus had never been very good at sitting around doing nothing, in C-Sec he'd had no choice, now he did and he was damned if he was leaving his friend out on a limb.

"EDI can you pin point their location" he barked at the AI. "Affirmative Mr Vakarian" replied the slightly off tone voice as the hologram burst into life. "Right up load it to my omni tool, tell Zaeed to meet me at the air lock in five minutes."

"Mr Vakarian I am also detecting several hundred prisoners and guards as well as numerous mech's between the teams position and us, you will not be able to reach them without being overwhelmed."

Garrus smiled grimly, "I'll be going in quietly, working with James Shepard teaches you there is a time for stealth and this is it. Now get Zaeed here."


Purgatory; Prison Ship.

Miranda made herself stay calm, refusing to let her face betray the anger she was feeling. After their mission on Korlus had gone so well, this one was rapidly turning into a disaster.

True Korlus had been a tough fight but one they were ready for. Her biotics, Shepard's aggressive, rapid assaults and Vakarian's pin point marksman ship cutting through the enemy and letting them get the tank bred krogan they'd found, Grunt as he called himself, out.

Purgatory by contrast was turning into a blood bath, a slugging match at close quarters where their superior training and abilities were being steadily eroded by massive firepower and overwhelming numbers.

All because that Bastard Blue Suns turian had betrayed them.

Shepard led them through a hole in a bulkhead into the room beyond, greeted by yet more gunfire which sparked off his shields as he dived into cover.

"Shit….Lawson on me, Taylor try to push in close, take those mercs on the left. Lawson clear him a path, I'll hit the shooters on the gantry" he shouted gesturing at an overhead walkway where the heaviest gunfire was coming from.

Miranda hit one of the Blue Suns in front of Jacob with a warp field and followed up the mass effect blast with a burst from her Shuriken, cutting down a second gunman as he lined up a shot on Jacob. Next to her Shepard was snapping of short bursts from his rifle, trading fire with the mercs on the gantry opposite them.

Miranda saw a Blue Sun moving in on Jacob's right as he advanced, going for his blind spot. She levelled the SMG one handed, "Night, Night" she spat and squeezed off a short burst directly at him, dropping the merc in a spray of crimson.

Shepard glanced right at the fallen merc."Nice shot….I've got to push right or they'll flank us and roll us up, cover me" he ordered before vaulting the barricade and moving swiftly. Past where Jacob was now shooting at the mercs to their left flank and heading right, towards the new threat.

Somehow they were turning the fight around. Shepard was being aggressive almost to the point of recklessness but it was paying off forcing the enemy to react to them. Once Jacob had cleared out the enemy position on there left flank Shepard ordered him to lay down cover as Miranda moved forward to a new position parallel with Shepard's own, driving the mercs there out with biotic warp blasts and into Shepard's sights.

They killed three between them like that. All through it Shepard stayed calm, directing their attack, guiding them into good positions, moving when he saw an opening to hit a weak spot or outflank the enemy and constantly firing with lethal effect. Miranda was grudgingly impressed, here it seemed Shepard was in his element.

They were winning, they had taken the second to last enemy barricade across the width of the room and Shepard's marksmanship in combination with her and Jacob's biotics had finally dealt with the last of the gunmen on the gantry.

They were in good cover in an elevated position, almost through the enemy defense and onto the door at the far side of the chamber.

Then the bulkhead exploded and the heavy mech entered the room.


Normandy SR-2.

Garrus met Zaeed at the airlock, "What's going on Vakarian" snapped the mercenary, "Shepard's in trouble, I'm going in after him and I need a rear guard to stop anyone swarming the Normandy, you're it" replied Garrus checking his weapons.

"You're going in on your own, are you crazy" asked Zaeed, "I signed on with James Shepard of my own free will….twice" replied Garrus.

Zaeed spat on the deck, "Fuck that, give me one good reason why I should risk my neck out there."

Garrus paused, looked at him coolly and very deliberately cocked his rifle, "I'll give you two, one the merc's out there are your old pals the Blue Suns. Two if you don't I will take it personally….very personally."

Zaeed locked gazes with the Turian for a long moment, then shrugged, "Fine, whatever Vakarian."

Garrus smiled, "I knew you'd see it my way, let's go."


Purgatory; Pison Ship.

Miranda hated the bloody heavy mechs, a mobile weapons platform with heavy armour, kinetic barriers and no thought of self-preservation. Not an enemy that could be out thought or out scared into retreat or doing something stupid, they required a brutal battle of attrition to win, not her style at all.

Sheaprd reacted to the mech as she knew he would, head on.

Leaping up with a yell of "Cover me" he charged left, across their field of fire towards the mech, snapping off shots as he did which struck the YMIR head on. It didn't expect the movement or the fire and its aim was thrown for a vital second so the stream of tracer which would have torn Shepard apart when overhead as he dived into cover.

"Lawson get into cover and hit the damn thing with an EMP, Taylor watch her back" he ordered. "I don't need a bloody nurse maid Shepard" she spat back.

Shepard's initial reply was drowned out by the impact of the rocket which struck the other side of his cover.

"Fuck…agh" he snarled, "Lawson this is not me being chivalrous, we lose you we lose our EMP and then we're well and truly fucked. So damn well stay in cover and overload the damn YMIR's shields."

They hammered the mech, Shepard drawing its fire, taking the heat off Miranda so she could hit its shields with concentrated EMP blasts. Each time she did the YMIR would turn towards the new threat and Shepard would rise out of cover, fast as lighting, the tell-tale sign of an adrenal boost, and hit it with short bursts of armour piercing rounds aimed at its head and weapon mounts.

Between them they wore it down, working together, hammering its blind stops. The damn thing fought back, their shields flashing as they took hits. None of them escaped unscathed, Jacob was skimmed by a piece of shrapnel which opened up his scalp and it bled like crazy. Miranda herself hissed in repressed pain as a piece of shrapnel opened up a deep cut on her hand, missing the tendons by a hairs breath.

Shepard though took a whole different level of battering. By the end it was clear he had broken ribs and at least one bullet had penetrated his armour, blood jetting down his side.

Finally the thing collapsed, far too close to his position for comfort. Shepard dived into cover as the power cells went critical and the explosion ripped through the immediate area.

Standing up painfully Shepard used the unity command function on his armour to remotely activate the medi-gel dispensers in his teams armour, increasing the dose the armour's passive systems were issuing by an order of magnitude. The fight felt like it had taken hours but in fact had been over in about two minutes.

"Ok…good work people, you ok to keep moving", before they could respond the large cargo doors at the other end of the room opened and with sickening mechanical thuds two more YMIR mech's strode in.

"Shit, take cover" ordered Shepard un-slinging his grenade launcher and diving behind a crate, "This day is turning out to be no fun at all" he muttered as the mech's opened fire.


Garrus rapidly crawled through the ventilation systems, approaching the room where he knew Shepard and the others would be. He didn't need to use the omni-tool map any more, he just followed the sound of shooting.


Under heavy fire they managed to drop one of the YMIR''s as Miranda hit it with a concentrated EMP and a second later Shepard put three grenades on its head, blowing it apart in a fiery explosion. The second mech though had advanced between them and was closing on Shepard, about to isolate and trap him in his firing position where he had been forced to stay to deal with the first mech.

Miranda hit it with a warp attack which struck the mech and tried for an EMP but her omni tool was still recharging. In desperation she opened up with her SMG, but the light weapon barely made a dent in the mech's armour as it closed on Shepard. Jacobs shot gun wasn't much better and in desperation he'd switched to his hand cannon, firing the Carnifex repeatedly at the mech.

Then to make matters worse a squad of LOKI mechs came through the door behind the YMIR, opening fire with there light weapons. They weren't a major threat but they forced Miranda and Jacob to switch their fire to them and off the YMIR which now advanced un-hindered on Shepard.

Shepard was pinned down by a torrent of fire and soon he would have to break cover and be gunned down or be crushed under the mech's feet. "Fuck" he snapped looking for a way out, finding none.

Then a super charged EMP hit the mech and dissolved its shields. "Nice shot Lawson" he said, before realising the mech was still mobile, "It wasn't me Shepard" she replied over the com.

"Heads up Shepard, twelve o'clock high", came a new voice over the com.

James glanced up in time to see the blue armoured turian drop from the roof onto the YMIRs back, pull something from his armour and clamp it onto the things head, then vault clear as the mech thrashed, trying to dislodge him.

Miranda realised what the shape charge was a second before it blew and took the YMIRs head off. The mech staggered and collapsed "Take cover it's going to blow" yelled Jacob as the power cells went critical.

The explosion stunned them all, making them hug cover. The LOKI mech's were also thrown of balance by the blast. Mirianda rose to take advantage of the distraction when a sudden volley of gunfire sliced into the mechs from there left flank, tearing them apart.

She looked over to see Shepard and Vakarian, moving swiftly as they fired in slick, rapid motions, one dashing to new cover as the other fired at the mechs. Moving parallel to the LOKI squad, gunning them down as they did. Then she heard their chatter over the com…..it was not what she expected.

"What the hell took you so long jackass" snapped Shepard shooting.

"I stopped to take in dinner and a show" replied Garrus, running to new cover and raising his rifle.

"What did you see", asked Shepard ducking behind the turian and sprinting to new cover.

"That new all elcor production of Hamlet", replied Garrus gunning down a mech with precise shots.

"Is it any good" asked Shepard adding his fire to Garrus, catching the mech's in a lethal cross fire."

"Bit pedestrian but very well delivered….I'd give it a solid four out of five" replied Garrus catching a mech trying to outflank Shepard.

"I'll try to catch it next time I'm on the Citadel then" Shepard added lightly shooting down the last mech.

They paused, sweeping their rifles, scanning for more targets, there were none.

Miranda was stunned, she managed to conceal it well, slipping into the well-practiced dismissive persona but there was no denying it.

In thirty seconds the two of them had annihilated a squad of mechs without biotics or tech attacks or even heavy weapons. Just their rifles and their combat skills and…..something else.

She'd seen many professional killers at work, she was lethally efficient in combat herself. But there had been an energy to Shepard and Vakarian's attack that transcended mere aggression, it was all the more apparent for the light hearted, almost relaxed way they'd treated the whole fight.

Pulling herself together Miranda walked down towards them, past Jacob who was staring open mouthed in amazement.

"God damn Miranda, did you see that" he asked, "Pull yourself together Jacob, you're a professional" she replied.

Shaking his head Jacob joined her as she headed over to Garrus and Shepard.

Shepard nodded to them as they approached, "Good work people, that was some seriously tough going, lucky you showed up you ugly bastard" he said with a grin to Garrus. "Yes your timing was fortuitous…..if unplanned Mr Vakarian" added Miranda.

Garrus rolled his eyes, "You're welcome Ms Lawson" he replied with a smirk.

"Alright break it up" said Shepard grinning. "I'm still good to go, are you both intact."

Jacob nodded eagerly, Miranda gave a slight inclination of her head, "Of course Shepard" she replied. Shepard glanced round, "Ok there's no shortage of thermal clips lying around but we're short on medi gel."

"You'll just have to do what you always do Shepard, steal it from some unsuspecting passer-by" replied Garrus with grin.

Shepard paused, pursed his lips and nodded, "That'll work, ok police up the bodies, thermal clips, weapons, tech, medigel. We move in one minute, let's find this girl and get the job done."


Jacob flipped a body with his boot and winced, "Guard got swarmed by the prisoners before the mechs got involved, got shived….messily."

Garrus looked over his shoulder and grimaced, "Shows you what kind of people these prisoners are. I don't agree with everything they do here but it's in the galaxies best interest to keep them locked up. This guard kept maniacs from hurting innocent people."

James looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "Don't be short sighted brother, this isn't a prison it's a cattle market. Besides if we'd been locked up and I'd watch you having finger nails pulled out and I got a chance for a little pay back…..I'd gut the bastards."

Garrus gave him a glare and huffed, "Why do you have to challenge my prejudices with a perfectly reasonable argument Shepard."

James shrugged, "It amuses me, everyone ready let's get mobile, I want to get to this girl before one of these bastards gets lucky….or she tears the ship apart." He glanced up to see Miranda watching them intently, "You good Lawson" he asked.

She paused then nodded, "Yes….lets go" she added briskly.


They moved through another hole blown in a bulk head, over a deck strewn with debris and mangled bodies, weapons up and scanning.

"This girl is powerful, but she lacks subtlety muttered Garrus.

Shepard raised an eyebrow, "Ah the fine analytically mind of the C-sec investigator at work, tell me inspector what was your first clue."

"Piss off Shepard" replied Garrus with a grin.

Then they froze and dropped to one knee their weapons up, listening to the warden's broad cast over the prison loud speakers. "This guy is really starting to piss me off" commented Shepard.

"Sounds like he's up ahead" added Jacob.

"Well then, let's go return some of his marvelous hospitality" replied Shepard checking his rifle.


They emerged in time to see the warden gun down another unarmed prisoner, Miranda felt contempt at the narrow minded waste and inability to plan for contingencies that showed.

"Cover" ordered Shepard as they entered, moving swiftly out of the line of fire as the warden turned towards them.

"Your valuable Shepard, I could have sold you and lived like a king" he shouted.

"Don't get any ideas Vakarian, I see my name on an extranet auction site you and I will be having words" Shepard said to his friend lightly.

"But your too much trouble, at least with you dead I can recapture Jack" the Warden continued, ranting.

"Bare faced prick" shouted back Garrus, earning a burst of fire from the warden's LMG which he ducked to avoid.

Miranda was about to admonish Garrus for being unprofessional when she realised Shepard was using the distraction to quickly check the warden's position before sliding into cover.

"Three shield projectors, we'll need to take them first. Garrus I'll get his attention, take Taylor and move right, then hit the right hand projector with your EMP, Taylor cover his back. Lawson stay with me, when Garrus goes loud you hit the one on the left, I'll cover you, then we focus fire on the one in the centre."

"Got it brother, Jacob lets go" Garrus said dropping flat and leopard crawling right, keeping out of sight his rifle cradled in his arms, Jacob followed suit.

Shepard motioned to Miranda to be ready then raised his voice and shouted, "You're a two bit slave trader Kuril so I won't appeal to your honour but how about your survival instinct. The only way you get out of here alive is with me, give it up now, let Jack go and I promise I'll drop you off in Alliance space where you'll get a fair trial and a cell in a prison which compared to this place will be a paradise."

His answer was accompanied by a long burst of gun fire and Shepard ducked down again.

"I make the hard choices civil governments are unwilling to" he yelled back. Miranda saw Shepard roll his eyes, "Well I tried, I really did but some people just don't want to be helped, be ready Lawson."

To Kuril he shouted, "Tell me, what's the view like with your head that far up your own ass."

The warden's response was drowned out by the crackle of Garrus's EMP hitting home.


Miranda glanced contemptuously at the dead warden, one thing you could say for Shepard he finished what he started. He was too soft but once he made up his mind to deal with a situation he did it, no matter the opposition…..or the odds.

That seemed to be doubly the case with Garrus Vakarian backing him up and she couldn't help but contrast Shepard earlier grim resolve with the easy, relaxed confidence he showed when fighting next to his friend.

"Do you know Sherlock…..I'd say by the trail of broken bodies that Jack went this way" commented Shepard to Garrus. Needling his friend, "Piss off Shepard or I will have to perform a citizen's arrest on you for looting" commented Garrus with a wiry grin.

Their conversation was cut off by the sounds of shouting just round the corner, followed by shots and the 'whoosh' of biotics.

"Let's move" ordered Shepard and they broke into a run.


The two Blue Suns who'd tried to stop her were already dead and she was staring out of the window, almost frothing at the mouth with anger, so much so she didn't notice the merc closing on her from behind.

Shepard's M-5 barked once, the merc dropped to the floor, blood splattered the glass around Jack and she whirled around to face them.

"What the hell do you want" she snapped, her body glowing blue with biotics.

"Take it easy Jack, my names James Shepard, I'm here to take you off this hell hole" replied Shepard calmly.

If he was expecting gratitude he was disappointed, she spat on the deck, "Don't give me that crap what do you really want."

Miranda's eyes narrowed, she was about to speak but Shepard beat her to it, his tone calm and reasonable. "Like I said, you're in trouble I'm here to get you out of it."

Jack snarled at him and paced like a feral cat, "Shit you sound like a pussy to me."

Shepard appeared to consider this for a moment before replying with a shrug and a grin, "Nah….I don't have the warmth or depth to pull it off."

That wrong footed Jack, she glared at him, "What" she snapped.

Miranda felt the start of a migraine coming on, "Oh for heaven's sake cant he take anything seriously", she hissed under her breath.

"There's been absolutely no evidence of it to date" replied Garrus who's hearing was clearly sharp. As he spoke he moved slowly to one side so he had a clear line of sight to the agitated young biotic.

Shepard meanwhile still looked calm, relaxed and as non-threatening as it was possible to look in N-7 combat armour. Jack was clearly having difficulty working out weather he was a threat or not…..but predictably she reacted aggressively.

"You think I'm stupid, I'm not going anywhere with you, I don't fucking trust Cerberus."

"I'm not with Cerberus, they're with me" replied Shepard which ratcheted Miranda's head ache up another notch, she felt her knuckles going white on the grip of her pistol as her frustration mounted.

"Bull shit", snapped Jack gesturing at the prow of the Normandy and the Cerberus symbol.

Shepard sighed, "Look Jack ask yourself this, what reason have I got to lie to you at this point…..I mean think about it. If I wanted you dead I could just leave you here, I'm offering you a free ride, no strings."

She paused, crossed her arms and fixed him with a glare, "Make it worth my while."

"How" asked Shepard calmly.

"I want information, everything you've got on Cerberus, every file, every record, I want to see what Cerberus has on me."

Shepard paused then to Miranda's outrage and horror he nodded, "Deal, full access."

"Shepard you don't have the authority to do that" Miranda spat, her frustration boiling over.

He looked over at her, his expression set in unflinching stare, "No I don't, but you do" he replied simply, leaving Miranda speechless with indignation.

"Ah it upsets the cheerleader, even better" hissed Jack.

"The 'cheerleader' just got shot up breaking you out Jack" replied Shepard his voice suddenly hard, "In exchange for the data you play by my rules, don't start any trouble you'll get none from me, do we have a deal?"

She glared at him and nodded, "Deal, you better be straight with me Shepard."

He nodded, "I am, now let's get the hell off this garbage scow before it breaks up."