Chapter 3: a state of limbo
Unlike Shepard, before him, Saren entered the prison through the hangar entrance. He didn't bother to use stealth to his advantage. A pair of guards saw him come in their vicinity. Their faces registering surprise and then fear at the sight of an armored Turian whose Bayard transformed into a heavy plasma assault rifle. A quick burst from Saren's weapon ended their lives before they had a chance to utter a word. The specter moved quickly through the hangar and into the main building. Again, unlike Shepard, he knew exactly where he was going. Earlier, during their little scuffle, Saren placed a tracking device on the commander's armor. With his omni-tool, the specter could pinpoint Marks exact location in the prison.
He made his way deeper into the penitentiary, where a handful of batarians were inspecting the bodies of their fellow coworkers. While distracted, the grey turian approached them. Saren killed the occupied guards in a heartbeat. He knew he was getting close to his destination when he passed signs on the wall reading restricted access. Saren rounded a corner and yanked open a door with authorized personnel only painted across it. He entered on to an elevated catwalk with railings. Saren Scanned the area and notices something moving down below.
A squad of prison guards were marching together as a single unit. Unlike the others these batarians were Aratoht prisons Elite security. Each member was equipped with an M-15 Vindicator Rifle along with a disruptor ammo mod. Blue tinned tech armor covered their bulky frames, serving as their primary means of defense. The squad crammed into one of the few service elevators, with the push of a button they descended. Like him they were heading deeper into the prison all he had to do is follow.
"The prisoner has escaped! get your asses out there and stop them!" Shouted a voice over the loudspeaker.
Shepard and Kenson maintained a defensive position at the door. There were too many hiding places within the prison, too many places the guards could bunker down behind a wall. He needed something to flush him out. Then he remembered the explosive charges he placed within the prison. The detonation would trigger a catastrophic series of explosions through the facility. Which could destabilize the entire complex, it would probably cause the elevators to collapse. Despite the possible outcome he couldn't risk them being ambushed. Shepard opened his omni tool and detonated the explosives.
Then Several explosions went off throughout the prison. Balls of heat, fire and shrapnel burst loose laying waste as it swept through sections of the complex. Doors were warped and ripped off hinges floors buckled walls puckered. Saren felt the ground heaved under his feet sending him tumbling to the ground. Then a deafening boom echoed throughout the prison and drowned out every other sound. Although his hearing was slightly impaired, Saren heard the piercing shrieks and keying wails of Batarians. A sound he grew a custom of hearing in recent days. Panic and chaos descended over the prison. The alarms had sent some of the personnel fleeing for the exits frantic to get away from the carnage. Even though his instincts were telling him to leave Sarens resolve prevented him from withdrawing for two reasons. The first, he never leaves a job unfinished and two to ring that humans neck.
Suddenly the room was rocked by a massive explosion. Huge cracks appeared in the finish of the walls and several ceiling tiles fell to the floor. The ground beneath their feet buckled and heaved throwing Kenson and Mark off balance. The explosion in the prison had exactly the impact Shepard was hoping for but they had to act quickly. This detonation had only been one of the first in the chain reaction that would cause them to be trapped within. He crouched beside the good Doctor. "Are you alright?" Shepard asked.
She gave him a light chuckle "I didn't break anything if that's what you're asking,"
He helped the woman to her feet. "Let's move out," Mark announced. As the duo advanced into the hallway, he maintained the lead while kenson followed suit. They both had weapons raised and ready as they made progress through the narrow halls. Staying alert while maintaining a decent pace, one moment of carelessness could cost them their lives. Stalactites plunged down like enormous jagged limestone spears. Large cracks were spreading through the floor walls and roof causing chunks of debris to fall to the floor. The pair turned sharply to the right. The passage continued for another stretch before coming across a couple of storage elevators.
Her eyes widen with relief "Just what we needed thank the-," Before they approach an elevator one door flew open, revealing a squad of armored guards. "Oh, bloody hell."
Once they spotted the two humans their stoic expressions shifted into sharp grins. The batarian squad leader gave them the order to unleash hell. His team had been ready for this exact moment. They reacted almost instantaneously to his command. Charging forward from the elevator with a barrage of gunfire. Their collective gun fire was equivalent to a single MAC turret with burst fire.
In that split second, the commander gave the first order that came to mind. "Run!" Shepard shouted. Responding to his words the duo wheeled around and sprinted down the halls, the way they came. Without thinking Mark positioned himself right behind Dr. Kenson as if he were her shadow. Rifle rounds ripped into Shepard's back, although his kinetic barriers were taken the brunt of the damage they were being drained at a faster rate. While retreating Shepard fired blindly, two guards were hit one in the shoulder and the other in the stomach. The projectiles were deflected or absorbed by their tech armor.
Kenson and him dive for cover behind a corner. He instinctively checked the remaining power on his shields, he was down to ten percent. If he was out there a second longer he would've been riddled with holes. Still, ten percent wasn't enough to give him a fighting chance if had to become a human shield for the good Doctor. Shepard holstered his assault rifle in exchanged for his shotgun. The commander and Kenson began blind firing at the enemy squad.
"Die Batarians!" kenson screamed. From her omni tool she fired two plasma projectiles. The two-orange heated plasma struck one of them but it hardly phased the batarian. Then she unleashed an electrostatic discharge upon the same batarian. Which resulted in a miniature explosion, the floor beneath them was streaming with electricity that stunned them in place.
Capitalizing on the opportunity Shepard unleashed a series of shots at them. He relinquished an entire clip into one of them. The slugs punched him square in the chest, his arms flew up out and his body to collapsed to the floor like a ton of bricks. Before reloading Mark caught a glimpse of the dying Batarian. Even with their two sets of jet black eyes, Shepard could still see the moment life faded from them.
With one comrade was down the batarians pushed forward as a unit. The sound of clomping boots and heavy breathing echoed through the hall. Two batarians shot at the humans direction, providing covering fire. While two more alternately advanced, darting in and out of portable barricades. After two second burst, they rolled back behind his own energy barricade. But another popped out from behind cover to lay down another covering burst for his squad mates on the move. Again, and again they repeated the process while the others laid down covering fire to keep the duo on the defensive.
They were between a rock in a hard place. The facility was coming down around them but their only known escape route is through these batarians. If they break away and retreat the squad would follow them indefinitely. Time was defiantly not on their side. Suddenly, a flashbang landed between the two of them. Within three seconds it detonated, producing a blinding flash of light and an intensely loud bang. Unlike standard flashbangs that temporarily disorient an enemys senses. The ones developed in the terminus systems also short out electronics, jam Omni-tools, and on rare occasions disable biotics.
While blind and unbalanced Shepard mistakenly steps out of cover. Then felt an all too familiar shudder as his shields repulsed several shots that would have otherwise found their mark. Until a line of bullets struck him in the shoulder. The pain caused his body to jolt as he fell to the floor gripping his shoulder. "Stay behind cover!" Shepard screamed, trying his best to keep her from making his fatal mistake.
Amongst the firefight, another elevator touch down to the basement floor. The grey turian stepped out the elevator to see the elite guards pining down a pair of individuals. With a flick of his wrist his Bayard transformed into a razor edge wrist blade. A single batarians saw Saren and tried to shout out a warning, his words were silence as the turian beheaded him. One after another Saren dispatched each guard with a unique looking melee weapon. Their screams were swallowed up by the roaring alarm and the sound of their gunfire. mayhem lasted less than two minutes. The specter was nothing if not brutally efficient.
As his senses recovers, Shepard remains still as he hears the sound gunfire from up the hall, mingling with the alarm and the shouts from the guards. This was followed by a second of silence. When his sight returned he glanced up and then a familiar figure appeared. Looming over him was Specter Saren. Although he didn't want to admit it he was glad to see the turian.
"human" the armored turian said in his usual harsh tone. With his middle digit, he rubbed his temple. A byproduct of his recently acquired pounding headache "You did this" as he darted his eyes at Shepard.
At first the commander was puzzled by the statement. Until he realized what the turian was referring to. It was still amusing to see the councils top guy suffering from a minor headache. Shepard got back on his feet with minimal effort and it was only then that he noticed all the dead bodies in the hallway. Saren didn't say anything but glanced at his handy work and back to the commander.
Dr. Kenson emerged from behind cover. Even though shed never met him before she instantly recognized him. "I know you," she said. "The specter Saren, are you here to kill me?"
Shepherd shifted gaze to kenson "wait, what kill you, why would he kill you?" Mark questioned. Returning his view back to Saren. "Is this why the council sent you?"
Saren ignored the commanders question, focusing his attention on the older woman. "What were you working on?"
Not one to be ignored, the commander took a different approach. "Saren," Mark said in a tone reminiscent of Captain Anderson. He steps in between the two of them, halting the Turian's advancement "you're not laying a finger on her"
Kenson Recognized the look in Saren's eyes. She had made her entire career off that look, hunger, desire, and the lust to know more. "you know," she whispered realizing the truth. "Not everything but just enough so that you want to know more" a faint smile creased her lips.
"Dr. Kenson, can you not lead him on," Shepard hissed
"I don't think he means any harm," Kenson replied. Speaking more to Saren than the commander. "I have something he wants, he needs to keep me alive"
"For the most part," Saren warned. Then he spun around on his heel and walked away. "unless the two of you wish to be buried alive a suggest you follow"
Unable to argue with the Turian's logic they both tailed behind the specter. The good Doctor had no problem with the situation. Shepard on the other hand only follow through for the sake of the mission. The three of them entered the elevator platform. Saren pressed the ground floor button, sending the elevator upwards.
They all stood in silence, letting their minds cooldown for a moment. Mark tended to his wound, using medigel to stabilize his condition. Once finished he looked up, only for his eyes to meet with the turian. The two found themselves having a staring contest of sort. Kenson walk over and stood beside the commander. Instinctively aligning herself with one of her own kind.
"Now what questions do you guys have?" she said tersely
"Are the charges against you true?" Shepard asked before the turian could say anything.
"Not necessarily," she admitted. "my people and I were here to established a black site within batarian control space. There were rumors of advance technology out in the fringes of this system."
"I guess you found something," Saren chimed in with an intense glare.
"Proof that the batarians had access to technology that predates the Protheans," kenson added.
"Predate the Protheans," Shepard repeated trying to make sure hed heard her properly.
"Exactly," She confirmed. "As we speak the batarians now possess the means to fight both the Alliance and the council."
"Please tell me you got a contingency plan?" he asked.
"We came up with what we called the project, a plan to launch a nearby asteroid into the relay and destroy it." She sighed. "of course, the resulting explosion would probably wipe out the system"
"Isn't that a little extreme, wiping out an entire system," Shepard said apprehensively.
"The mass relay for this system, we call it the alpha relay. From here they can invade anywhere in the galaxy. She informed him. "this would halt any invasion by months or years."
Uninterested with the current topic Saren sought to direct the conversation in his own direction. The turian crossed his arms "what did you find on the asteroid?" Saren pressed." What are you actually working on?"
"An artifact," kenson offered before Shepard could speak.
Saren tilted his head to the side puzzled "An artifact, that's all?"
"What do you mean that's all?" Shepard sputtered in disbelief.
"That hardly seems like justification for being marked a terrorist," the turian replied.
"Were on the edge of a war in the verge," Shepard insisted. Before he could continue Saren cut him off.
"No," the specter said flatly. "There's more to this then you realize, human"
There was a long pause then the doctor spoke. "Integration," kenson blurted out. "We were trying to find a way to augment our troops with the tech we've come across."
The turian considered her explanation for a moment then asked. "What were the results?"
"We were close," the older woman admitted her voice getting softer. "We didn't have any human volunteers so we've apprehend some local batarians. Before my capture we were in the middle of implantation surgery on a promising test subject"
It was difficult for Mark to hide his reaction. Shepard was appalled by what had just heard. Even though he didn't hold batarians in high regard they were still sentient beings. "Alliance command will have your head for this" the Commander hissed.
Kenson lets out a small chuckle. "who do you think green light all this project."
Corporal Jenkins made his way through the ship, moving past scrambling crewmen that were trying to deal with the flames and explosions. He ran to the captain quarters only to see that the doors were sealed off by a mess of wires and debris. "captain," he cried out, trying to reach Anderson.
"I'm alright corporal," Anderson answered. "did the fire suppression systems kick in?"
"No, sir" Jenkins replied.
"I need you to activate the console at the end of the hall," he said while using a fire extinguisher to combat the blaze in his quarters.
"What about Shepard?" He exclaimed "sir" he added a second later recalling who he was speaking to.
"We don't abandon our own son," Anderson affirmed. "He'll make it back"
Not wasting anymore time, Jenkins grabbed an extinguisher and fought his way to the console. Once he got to it, he read the instruction to operate the device. The corporal finally activated the fire suppression system, putting out all the fires on the ship.
As captain of the Normandy it was Andersons reasonability to take care of his crew. So far, he has been failing his duty. For all the action, he Anderson had endured for all the battles hed fought for all the atrocities hed witness, nothing prepared him for this scenario. The people under your command dying and they're almost nothing he could do about it. He activated his omni tool, patching himself into his emergency backup comm. "Engineering report!" Anderson voice barked through the loudspeaker.
"Whatever hit us fried everything! We must balance the power load, or it could explode," said Engineer Adams. By nature, Adams was a man of even temperament, his tendency to accept things as they come made him an essential component of the Normandy crew. "Hobbs, run a diagnostic"
"I found it," said a technician. He punched a few keys on the terminal. "Relay 1-D shows considerable damage."
Now aware of the problem, they could take the proper precautions. Adams points to a fellow engineer "McGill, go reset it,"
she gave a quick nod before undertaking her task. Went to the console to reboot the system. "I'm rerouting the power," she concentrated "Its working", she said gleefully. "Readings are in the green."
The entire engineering staff rejoiced at the sound of good news, all expect Adams who performed three claps. "Excellent job everyone but we're not out of the woods just yet," he affirmed.
Hearing some good made the captain slightly more optimistic about the current condition. Anderson followed up by patching in with their pilot "Helm control report!"
"Were starting to drift," said Joker. "flight controls are coming back online,"
"Stopping any outages is a secondary priority," The captain replied.
"But captain our mainline powers been knocked out were on reserves. They won't last" Joker countered.
"What's our position from the relay," he asked.
"I wish I could tell you but we lost telemetry," Joker replied.
"Someone gets us eyes out there," said the Captain.
Outside the Normandy the black lion is decimating the remainder of the Batarian shuttles. Despite their numbers they lack the proper weaponry to combat a machine of this caliber. A single Krnat charges directly at the beast, firing its cannon at the titan. With a swipe from the beast serrated paw, the craft is obliterated instantly. After the swift kill the black lion released a mighty roar. Although sound can't be heard in the vacuum of space the mere sight of its performance was discouraging. In retaliation, another Krnat approached the beast from its backside. Once in range the shuttle was blindsided by the lions coiled tail. The impact didn't destroy the transport outright, lucky for them it only damaged the engine.
"This is shuttle 6 are engine is shot, were sitting ducks out here," the pilot blurted over the comm.
"This is captain Pazis," his gruff voice rang over the comm. "shuttle 3 recover shuttle 6 over," As ordered shuttle 3 flew towards the down shuttle. Before it could come to the rescue the black lion captured the vessel in its jaw. The occupants screamed in terror as they trap within the mouth of the beast. Then it bit down on the shuttle like a chew toy. The bridge crew shrieked in horror as they heard their brethren's scream before the line went dead.
The black lion noticed a retreating shuttle and pursued it. Then the shuttle made a swift u-turn, facing its stalker. "For the hegemony!" the occupants yelled as they charge the mech. Then the lion performed a barrel roll, avoiding the head on collusion. Unbeknownst to them another shuttle pursued the mech.
"Pull up pull up- "the fire from the ship tore through the pilots of each vessel. Then the two shuttles coiled in a fiery explosion. The lion turns its head and spots another Krnat in the distance. It opened its mouth and fired a plasma beam, which obliterated the shuttle on contact.
Shuttle 6 remained floating in space. The black lion flew towards the downed Krnat. Inside the batarian enforcers huddled together. Aware that death awaits them they part took in a group prayer. A custom that warriors do to preserve some honor in their last moments. With its mouth, it grabbed the vehicle and held it in place. The mech faced the ship as if it's staring directly at the captain. Then it slowly bit into the shuttle, subjecting the batarians to a slow and painful death.
On the Dradgagoh, the crew were stunned at what they had witnessed. Captain Pazis stood up and stared into the monitor staring the beast directly into its optics. Balak tried calling out to him but Pazis was too focus on the lion. The look in his four eye balls said it all. "These men entrusted me with their lives. I am their captain. We fought to carve our place in this galaxy and now this beast has come, claiming the lives of our people. Batarians are no one's prey."
Then a squadron of star fighters exited the ship in standard formation. The Sharads were batarian fighter jets capable of air/space combat. Single-pilot vehicles designed for fast paced dogfights. Though lightly armored, the Sharad sports a pair of powerful, if small, mass accelerator cannons and a pair of air to ground missiles, used to cut apart fighters, shuttles and missiles that threaten their parent crafts formation. Lastly, their ace in the whole were their single disrupter torpedo.
"This is Balak, on my command engage the enemy."
"Roger that," Said the pilot of Sharad lead. "All fighters on me!"
Willing to accept the new challenge the black lion activated its boosters and charge at the incoming force. It approaches with its claws out and mouth wide open, as if it's going to devour them all in one fell swoop.
"Now!" Balak ordered.
"let's Tear this thing in half!" a pilot yelled.
"With pleasure," another replied.
The starfighters unleashed their payload of Disruptor torpedoes. They were launched from point blank range in ripple fire waves reminiscent of ancient rocket artillery launchers. Once the projectiles made contact it created an unstable mass effect fields around the lion. Causing the beasts shields to rip apart. With the lion's kinetic barriers down, they were capable of inflicting damage on the mech.
"Its barriers are down I repeat barriers are down" a pilot announced. Just then an energy beam. Grazes the side of the fighter. "I'm hit I'm- "before he could have finished his spacecraft exploded.
What stood before them was a monster, angry, dangerous and unpredictable. Just then, the mech lashed out with slash, clipping the wing off a starfighter. The tip of its tail opened, unleashing a stream of plasma which disintegrated two more crafts into pieces on impact. In amazing speed the mech dashed pass the rest of the squadron star fighters and heads straight for the Dradgagoh.
"Sir, it entered GARDIAN firing range!"
"do we have a clean shot?" Pazis questioned.
"yes sir," an ensign confirmed.
On Pazis command, the cannon charged and fired out its beam. In the last second the mech tried to avoid the attack but it was too late. It ripped through its shoulder with minimal resistance. Unknown chunks of alloys flew out from the lions wound. The mech flipped and rolled half a dozen times before floating upside down Again, it roared but this time to simulate pain.
True to their words the squadron swarmed the lion, placing it in a kill zone. With their retinal locked-on the mech they began firing their two cannons, boiling away at its armor. Inside the cockpits, the pilots let loose with spontaneous exultant cheers. The tables have turned in their favor.
"Keep moving!" Saren shouted staring to be heard above the shrieking alarms. The gulag was structurally wreaked by the second explosions and more were sure to follow. We must flee before it caves in" He led the way one hand clutching his Bayard, which started to glow neon purple. They emerged from the facility racing for the perimeter fence.
The doctor frantically scanning the area around them for a transport to escape in. "where is our ship?" she questioned.
"Come in Shepard, do you copy Shepard," Mark heard Anderson's voice through his helmet. He was once again packed into their secure line.
"Yes, Anderson I can hear you," he said in relief.
"Do you have kenson?" the captain asked.
"Affirmative," the commander answered. He took a brief look at her and Saren, who were in the middle of a discussion. Mark didn't by attention to their conversation choosing to resume his. "How long until extraction?"
The senior officer didn't answer at once, choosing his next words wisely. "The batarians ambushed us, the Normandy sustained heavy damages. A handful of crew didn't make it," he explained. Just hearing his own words were enough to make himself cringe. Anderson purposely left out the information about the lion fending off the batarians, seeing it as not important to the conversation. Besides it severed as a better target for the enemy than the Normandy. "but as soon as we get our power back on we can swoop down for a pick up."
As much as he wanted to hope mark could indulge himself too. Hes been around Anderson long enough to know when hes exaggerating the truth. "Sir, we both know that can't happen" he said remorsefully. Shepard took a deep breath, "I'll stay with Saren and doctor kenson, you and the Normandy need to get to get the out of here"
He understood the true meaning of words like honor duty and sacrifice. For years he served the alliance without question or regret. His only pitfall was making the tough decisions that didn't have an oblivious answer, choosing one life in exchange for the lives of so many others. Anderson knew he would try to save everyone if he could but circumstances had made it near impossible. He knew himself well enough to know which choice to make.
"Captain our core is running again, what are your orders?" Joker inquired as his voice came through to Andersons. The helmsman hoped the captain would order him to descend the ship straight for Aratoht's surface.
Andersons voice come over the comm. "Joker, head for the relay,"
In that millisecond, the pilot's world went upside down. He was just ordered to leave his friend behind enemy lines. "No, I won't abandon Shepard! We can still save him," the helmsman countered. The first time ever challenged his commanding officer.
Instead of just pulling rank like any other captain would do. Anderson applied a different method. "Are you ready to the gamble with the lives of everyone on board this ship?" He asked. "would Shepard approve your decision?"
Joker looked down with despair in his eyes. fighting the truth, if they don't flee now the whole crew might die. He nodded reluctantly. Aye aye sir. Then the Normandy accelerated with what power she had left, limping away from the battle. Futilely using what thrusters remained, the Normandy was hurtling towards the Alpha relay.
Balak noticed the ship moving. "Captain", he said while tilting his head to the left, a batarian gesture of respect. "the human ship, is escaping"
Pazis could lash out at him for the comment but there was no point. Although not his smartest ally but he was loyal. Getting upset at Balak served no purpose. "it just one scout ship," He mused. "it's hardly a threat to us"
"because of that scout ship that animal attacked us "Balak offered
Rather than respond Pazis fixed him a penetrating stare.
Balak continued quickly realizing he need more than his personal hatred of humans to be convinced." The two are connected," The batarian insisted. "both were in batarian territory around the same time. This was their preemptive strike against us."
"that is a possibility" the captain noted. impress with the amount of thought he put into it. "if that's the case the ship still leaves but with a warning for their masters. That the batarians will become for them next."
Once in range Joker took the element zero drive core offline disengaging the mass effect fields. Blue energy waves covered the ship, igniting the darkness of space like a flare. They accelerated until they were nothing but a blur. Sending the ship, a thousand light years from its previous location to its destination.
While being bombarded by a squadron of fighters. The black lion's golden optic suddenly illuminated a purple hue. Then it vacated the kill zone, withdrawing from the fight. Its pace awkward because of the damage it sustained. The mech entered the orbit of the planet and pushed around the planet to break line of sight, using he planet as cover to get away from the enemy ships
Their attention was drawn to a deafening roar from was drastically different from the sound of a space vessels drive core engines burning in the atmosphere. Turning their attention upward they saw the black lion mech swooping down from the sky.
"What the, is that your ship!" she cried out.
The beast was moving fast diving straight for the trio. It landed before them with regality and poise. The animalistic machine stood before them, its bulky form and red wings struck an opposing form of governance. Like a shining beacon within their darkest hour.
Fixated with the imposing figure before him, Shepard forgot about the uncertainty he felt before. His eyes only saw black, the shade associated with the unknown. A sense of excitement pervaded his being, mark approached the metallic beast.
Two Sha'rad's tailed the mech. Less than fifty feet and they pulled up sharply and open fire. Four well targeted missiles flew into the lions shoulder. The projectile tore thought the breach. Plates and chucks of metal were scattered on the planet's surface. They banked and hanged directions. Their trajectory bringing them back up to height altitude.
The attack was an inconvenient but not unanticipated event. In a quick but calm sense of purpose the black lion stood straight up. While the fights circle around for another volley, the beast was charging its lasers. Blue energy particles were gathering in both its mouth and tail. As the aircraft's bank towards the mech in a long sweeping arc, the black lion adjusted its aim. The Sha'rad's shields were overwhelmed by twin streams of plasma fire, resulting in their destruction.
The trios kinetic barriers reacted to the impact deflecting most of the shockwave. The force of the blast lifted them off their feet and hurling them back a foot away. Each of them landed heavily on the ground. Melted chucks of shrapnel rained down all around them, pining them to the floor. when it was over doctor Kenson was the first to recover. She struggled to her feet, one of her ears continued to ring. "Saren, Shepard" She managed to gasp once the wind returned to her lungs. Kenson peeked over to the Alliance Marine with curiosity. "Commander?"
Shepard slowly got back on his feet. His eyes remained shut but he expresses a gleeful smile towards her. "Don't mind me, just counting my blessings over here," He fibbed. An iconic thump up was formed to sell his words. From head to toe his body was crying in pain.
Mark took a quick glance around the vicinity his eyes coming to rest on the Turian's body. Oh no, he thought to himself at the site of the down alien. The commander limped over to Saren, grimacing slightly he rolled him over. Then nearly jumped back in surprise when the turian eyes shot open. Sarens hand reached out and grabbed him by the throat. With a snarl, the specter sat up with one arm on the commander, while the other was gone. A shard piece of shrapnel severed Sarens left arm, only a bloody stump remained.
Saren tossed Shepard back, the commander landed flat on his ass. Last time I check if your alive, Shepard mused to himself. The turian shifted his gaze to his armor which was peppered with small holes the padding scorched and burned. Pressed against his heavily bleeding wound. Fortunately for Saren his suit automatically dispenses medi-gel to stabilize his condition. Which instantly sealed his minor injuries against infections. Without Wasting time, he reached for his Bayard on his right hip. Held it up to his bloody stump. Then a stream of purple energy met the wound. Within seconds the wound was instantly cauterized. Saren noticed the shock in the both kenson and Shepard's eyes.
"We need to get out of here," kenson said, approaching the two soldiers. Just by looking at the turian she knew he was weakened by the amount of blood lost. Kenson turned towards the commander. "quick let's get him up."
Getting Saren up wasn't easy. The heavy armor he wore didn't help either." Don't require aid," he grumbled as they struggled in vain to lug him off the ground and on his feet. Kenson stood on one side holding his injured side. Shepard was on the other awkwardly gripping him around the waist and back to avoid touching an of his open wounds. Each time they tried he simply flopped back down.
"This isn't going to work," she grunted.
"Right," he agreed. "Let try this." Shepard knelled down next to the specter. Then pulled the Turian's only arm up across his back and over his shoulder. With Kenson's help he managed to stand taking Saren's full weight in a firemans carry.
The sound of gears caught their attention and the lions mouth automatically opened. Kenson cocked her head in confusion. "I guess we enter through there."
They entered the beasts mouth. Saren raspy panting echoed throughout the cockpit he entered. Shepard assisted the turian into his pilot seat. The screens lighted up, turning from a blank screen to now a representation of outside. A sudden rumble shook the cockpit. The creature blasted off into the sky. The clouds passed by in a blur of grey and off white. Within seconds of flight, the lion burst from the planet's atmosphere with an enthusiastic roar.
Kenson took the time to inspect her new surroundings. Her eyes studied the symbols scrolling across the hard-light screens. She couldn't quite believe that she currently resided inside a mechanical lion. Its tech didn't match anything she was familiar with. Possibly related to the artifact her team discovered on the asteroid.
Suddenly the screen started beeping. A red unknown symbol kept blazing and the siren wailing rang in their ears intensely.
"What's going on?" Shepard asked.
Before a word was uttered. A massive ship manifested, larger than any batarian ship they've had ever seen, appeared before their eyes, along with a few starfighters. Kenson recognized that ship anywhere. "It can't be its their weapon," she warned.
Mark gasped at the sight of the ship. The WMD that he was warned about was floating hundreds of meters away from him. It was raw power incarnate, his hands trembled just by staring at the behemoth.
From inside the ship, Pazis watched on his screen at the black lion. His mouth formed a sharp grin. "There you are," he whispered to himself, his stomach tingled with excitement. "All fighters reengage!"
The starships dispersed, not wasting another second to engage the lion. In retaliation, the mech projected a shield around itself. After absorbing fire, the lion roared ferociously and the shield expanded before spiraling towards the surrounding fighters, dismasting them in an instant.
Smiling in satisfaction, Saren pressed a button on the handle. A jaw blade materialized in the beast's mouth. The black lion came swooping down like a rocket, slicing the incoming ships. Which Caused them to explode in a brief fiery inferno. Two ships were trying to flank but the lion shot lasers from its tail, having his lion aiming its powerful beam at the fighters, creating a neon blue crack in its way before it exploded.
From inside the ship, the captain turned to the weapon officer. "Yes sir," he replied as he tapped the screen. The lion collides with the Drad'gagoh shields, causing the mech to repulsed away with great force. Mark and kenson screamed as they were spiraling out of control, but the wings on the lions back helped it regain balance.
"Amazing the shield acts as a feedback loop," she informed her acquaintances. "The more force applied, stronger the feedback"
The black lion's wings increased in power and thrusted itself towards the ship. It actives it jaws blades again. This time attacking the shield from different spots. Saren aimed the tail beam at the cannon, and flew around the ship, shooting the beam. With every hit, yellow discharges emerged from the barrier. Severely damaging the ship.
"What's happening?" Pazis screamed.
"It's moving faster too fast for the shields to redirect," the weapon officer explained to his Captain. Aware that an offense must be mounted he once again fired drive killer missiles.
The ship launched the drive killer at the black lion, who effortlessly maneuvered all them. Once Saren in close range with the ship he unleashed a volley of lasers fire. Breaking a part one of its cannons. The lion landed on the surface of the ship with crushing force. Saren charged forward, aiming his beams at the other cannons. The batarian crewmen held onto their control panels to keep balance.
Pazis groaned from inside the ship, seeing the black lion assaulting it. "Status?"
"Remaining weapon systems are offline, Captain."
Paz felt his muscles burn, his eyes dead lock on the lion. His fist was clenched so tightly that it blood started drop from his palm. This was the creature who caused the deaths of countless batarians. Brothers butchered. Families torn apart. His mind was locked on one setting alone, with little to no room for thinking back. To win at any cost.
Throughout the ship, the blows were felt. Systems were overloaded as the assault tore it way through the ship. Alarms blared, and crewmen were scrambling to contain the damage. The power of this creature was not to be under estimated.
"Multiple system failures," a crewman shouted.
"Can anything be done?" Balak requested.
"Helmsman, Lock on that thing and ram that son of a bitch" he ordered. The entire bridge looked at their captain knowing full well what he's asking for. "This is the captain I need every personnel into the escape pods now." He activated the evacuation alarm, it rang throughout the wounded vessel.
An explosion shook the deck. Regaining his balance, Balak tried desperately to get out his words. All he could say was, "Captain Pazis,"
He turned to look at his XO one last time. "Lead these men to safety and what ever happened tell the hegemony what happened her today," said Pazis.
Balak stood still for a moment, contemplating on defying orders but reconsidered. "It was an honor," he uttered before exiting the room. He ran to get as many of the crew to the escape pods. The bridge was almost empty beside the captain along with two others.
"Permission to see this mission through,sir," one of them said.
The captain didn't speak he only nodded in affirmation. The two went back to their stations ready to complete their final tasks. He sat backdown on his throne like chair. "Reroute remaining power to thrusters," he barked.
The ship's hull opened, revealing multiple escape pods on her starboard side. One by one, they ejected, sending all the survivors of the ship towards the planet. A trail of debris was drifting behind her. Satisfied that the pods were ejected, the captains focus his attention on the black lion.
The lions roar echoed in their ears and as it gains speed. Saren looked over to the other handle unable to activate it to due losing his arm. Shepard picked up on what Saren was planning to do. So, he reached for the handle and pushed it forward. the turian pushed his Bayard into a panel on the side. In that moment Mark felt a strange energy current traveling through his body. It was as if he drank a case of caffeine-filled energy drinks.
Then the mechanical wings on the beast back began to shimmer like stardust, glowing and expanding. The particles dispersed, revealing a pair of energy-bladed feathers. In this state the black lion is purple energy, giving it a massive speed boost. Saren and Shepard charged at the Drad'gagoh, as the ship flies towards the lion. Before they made contact the black lion phased right into the battleship, destroying anything it passed by. With both their strength, they exited out the other end of the ship. Which began to glow a powerful purple color.
From inside, Pazis screamed as the ship was being torn apart before his very eyes and under his feet. A blinding light, engulf everything within a hundred yards. The batarians shielded their eyes, temporarily blind by the impact. Once it cleared, pieces of debris littered the area. The batarians gasped in horror as the pride of the hegemony was defeated.
Suddenly Shepards world exploded as his body as impact by a powerful current. His muscles went into a spasm. Every never in his body was on fire. He fell on his back, while on the floor his body continued to tremble until it stopped. He heard kenson speaking but he couldn't understand her. His made was being ripped apart piece by piece then everything went black.
Consciousness came back to Shepard, for a long while he floated in a half world of wakefulness and sleep. The last thing he remembered was passing out on Saren's ship. How long have I've been out he thought to himself? He opened his eyes to see a bright light above him. Even with his eyes close he could still feel the brightness. Mark tried to move only to discover that hes immobilized. His arms and legs were held down by metal straps. He peaked down to see himself wearing just white scrubs. A wave of panic surged through him twisting and straining trying to free himself.
A familiar female voice spoke from close by his side. The brightness dimmed drastically. Then he saw her the one and only Doctor kenson looming over him. She looked a lot better than he last seen her and now she sports a white lab coat.
"Kenson what's going on and why am I locked up?" He questioned her. opening his dry mouth.
"interesting, he said your mind was reduced to paste" Kenson amused him, as she leaned back. "welcome to the project base, commander. "
Shepard was puzzled by her statement. He then noticed they weren't alone, there were other people moving about the room. He cast his eyes from left to right, trying to take in as much as he could before they turned the light back on again. On his far right, he saw a table filled with strange and terrifying pieces of medical equipment.
"I choose you for this honor," She said her tone was calm almost nonchalant, she continued. "the first human suspect, think about all the vital we can learn from you"
He recalled the conversation on the elevator about enhancing individuals with unknown tech. "I don't remember volunteering for this," Mark argued. Whatever he was going to endure he didn't want to show any sign of fear.
"you swore an oath to serve something greater than yourself, yes?" A smiled formed on her lips.
A female scientist wearing a standard lab suit approached him on the slab. She began touching his right arm feeling for a vein.
"Get your goddamn hands off me!" Mark shouted as he convulses under his restraints. She narrowed her eyes at his uncooperative behavior. To rectify this, she injects him with a sedative. Mark felt the foreign substances enter his bloodstream. Whatever she gave him won't do him any favors any time soon.
"No," Doctor Kenson slapped the needle out of the scientist's hand. "I wanted him awake enough to feel this". Then the doctor opened the commander's mouth and forced a ling tube down his throat. Then the tube began to pulse as some sort of liquid rushed down it his stomach.
Another scientist handed kenson a drilling tool of some sort. She took from his and pointed towards marks face. In that moment when he stared into her eyes, they weren't normal. They were glowing a yellow fiery color, she looked completely inhuman. All he could've done in that moment was close his eyes.
A/N: This by far the longest chapter I've written so far. Now we've reach the end of the batarian arc, the next chapter will introduce our second major player along with other important characters. With the set up out the way we can dive into Mass effect proper. So, until then stay frosty my N7 Family.
Ps. Do you guys think the batarians are justified in their actions?