Lair of the Shadow Broker, Part 2…
XXxxXX
Haglaz, Shadow Broker's Base
John watched the storm raged outside the shuttle, and riding the lightning, was the Shadow Broker, and his base. The winds howled and thunder cracked, the Spartan felt the tiny craft struggle against the storm. But the base seemed to glide effortlessly through. He gazed at his loadout, making sure everything was up to speed. The Spartan had selected a loadout best suited for ship-boarding actions, which was the energy sword, semi-auto shotgun, M7SC and SCAR.
Liara T'Soni watched Shepard's unique companion from the corner of her eye. She had met with some of the new team members while on the Normandy. Each had given their trust and loyalty to their Commander, but the Spartan stood out to her most. The Asari found it hard to believe that there was a living person under that armour, let alone human for that matter. He moved with such precision and fluidity, and spoke rarely. Jane had told Liara her that the Spartan is a Supersoldier from a long lost era. Shepard had been vague, but then again, she didn't have much information.
"Hagalaz," said Liara as she gazed out of the viewport, "The oceans boil during the day, then snap-freeze ten minutes after sundown."
"The Shadow Broker lives in this?" Shepard asked.
"His ship follows the sunset. Completely undetectable in the storm, unless you know where to look."
"How do we get inside?"
"The shuttle bay is locked down. We'll need to land on the ship and hunt for a hatch."
"But we can't stay outside for long. There's a constant lightning storm where the hot and cold air collide.
"Are there any anti-aircraft or anti-ship defences?" asked John, slightly concerned.
"If you mean any kind of defences that will bow us out of the sky? No. But they do have patrols that cover for that."
"That's comforting to know," said the Spartan.
The shuttle came alongside the hull and shook as the winds blasted against it. Jane and Liara eased on their breathing apparatus as John opened the doors.
The trio leapt onto the ship and fanned out, while the shuttle retreated. John swept the field back and forth, the constant clashing of electricity and the shaking flaps gave the ship an ancient feel. He didn't like it, the ship made him feel uneasy. There was something familiar about it.
"Something wrong Chief?" asked Jane.
"Nothing," said the Spartan as he pushed away his doubts.
"Okay, let's move on then."
"It's hard to pinpoint in this lightning, but I'm picking up signals from a communications array near the back of the ship. There's nothing below but maintenance equipment. We have to find an entrance near the back shielding."
Once again, Jane took the lead. She promptly switched the ammo type of her Mattock to AP, and proceeded down to the side walkways of the ship.
John looked over the edge and saw the olive brown clouds and the misty winds batter the ship, yet the vessel remained steady and unyielding.
"Maintenance drones!" warned Liara.
A red, light based spherical object appeared from the hatches. Its energy signature instantly appeared on the Spartan's sensors, he was clearly impressed by this branch of unique technology.
"Why are they attacking us?" asked Jane.
"They must think we're debris from the storm."
The Adept engulfed herself in a blue mist and quickly dispatched the drones in a biotic blast. The red sphere's immediately flickered and faded away, allowing the group to press on. There was a nagging feeling in the back of the Spartan's mind, something just felt wrong about the entire place. He felt like it wasn't going to be an easy fight. But he stuffed away his doubts and focused back onto the task at hand.
His suit sensors beeped, giving him enough time to dive out of the way as a missile sailed overhead and slammed into a side railing. The Spartan sprinted forward and vaulted over the barrier, the heel of his boots came down with crushing force through the Heavy's visor. The woman didn't even get a chance to scream before her face was crushed into pulp. The Supersoldier steadied himself as he landed onto the metal hull, and shot a trooper with his shotgun. The unfortunate operative convulsed as the rounds tore through his body and shredded his insides. These semi-automatic shotguns fired unique ammunitions, the first half of the gauges expelled would armour-piercing, while the second half that followed in behind were needler shards. Every time the Spartan pulled the trigger, a violet tongue would lash out violently and shred its target with explosive force.
John gauged the battlefield, and decided that it would be best not to engage active camouflage, as the confined spaces directed the flow of battle, thus leaving little room to flank.
"Here we are," said Liara as the group arrived at the entrance. A trooper then tried to jump the Asari, but his shots just bounced harmlessly off her shields. The operative was then quickly lifted into the air by Shepards biotic power, the man was screaming as he knew the higher he floated, the closer he would come to death by electrocution. T'Soni then delivered the killing blow as she threw the trooper off the ship. Being thrown clear of the vessel's protective charge, the operative was immediately incinerated by lighting.
The Spartan winced inwardly; he had been electrocuted before and knew that once you started screaming, you cannot stop until you were dead. He knew that because of his frequent interrogation sessions with the Innies.
"This will just take a moment," said Liara.
"How long's a moment?" asked Shepard.
"The algorithm I'm uploading will allow us to bypass the doors," the Asari then sighed, "I haven't tested it before, and it's illegal even on Illium."
"That's, comforting to know," Jane said sarcastically.
The Spectre took cover behind a barricade which lay atop the ramp that led down to the door. From her central position she began to hammer the approaching mercs with her biotic abilities. Her warp attacks hampered many of the Asari Commandos, allowing her to finish them off with shockwave, sending them flying into the air and caught by the lightning.
The combined biotic power of Shepard and Liara, coupled with the Spartan's hyper reactive and accurate reflexes, caused wave after wave of operatives to be broken and destroyed. Some were riddled with scorch marks; others were unfortunate enough to be thrown clear of the ship, but most were turned into pulpy mass of gore and twisted armour.
"They'd be a lot more effective if they attacked all at once," said Liara.
"Don't jinx us," grunted John.
"Best not to give them any ideas," added Jane.
Using his enhanced agility and strength, the Spartan vaulted himself onto the alcove above the entrance, giving him a wide area of fire. The SCAR roared as lances of ion beams slashed at the counter-attacking forces. The barricades that covered their avenues of approach began to turn into shreds of burning metal, forcing them further back.
"They're coming at us in greater strength now," said the Asari.
"You just had to give them tactical advice," said Shepard exasperated.
"At least there will be less to deal with when we get inside," said John.
"Keep dreaming Chief," grunted Jane as she picked off an operative with a headshot.
The armour-piercing round of the Mattock struck her between the eyes and blowing out the back of her helmet, dropping the operative instantly as her missile launcher clattered onto the deck.
Another trooper made a mad dash for the launcher dropped by his comrade. The Spartan, having spotted this, fired a quick burst, melting the weapon and roasting the man's hand. The operative screamed in shock as the stump of where his right hand was cauterised by the sheer heat of the Ion beam, but his screams didn't last long. They were quickly ended by Liara who sent a bullet crashing through his skull.
The console on the door then beeped, indicating that it was unlocked.
"We're in," smiled Liara.
John finished off the last trooper before jumping of the alcove and onto the ramp below. The doors hissed open, allowing the group to enter the stable environment. As the entrance closed behind them, Shepard and Liara took of their helmets and readied their weapons. John's scanners began to pick up a group massing at the end of the olive brown hallway. Whoever designed this ship was a tactical genius, or it was just a coincidence, because the approach to the main section was through a very narrow and exposed corridor.
…
Jane could hear the Shadow Broker reel off orders over the ship's intercom system.
"I want all teams to move in a deal with the intruders," he said in a deep voice.
A squad rushed out and took up firing positions at the end of the hallway, one provided covering with his M8, while his comrades lay on the heavy fire support with rockets and attack drones. The Chief fired a quick burst, disabling the drone, and shifted his attention to the Salarian Engineer. Another quick roar from the SCAR quickly turned the Slaraian's head into ash and burning flesh. Shepard dealt with the remaining troops with her biotics, sending a shockwave into the enemy formation.
"How many guards do the Shadow Broker have?" asked Liara.
"Told you," replied Shepard.
The Spectre stayed close behind the Spartan, for cover. She watched his shields flare gold as enemy fire splashed and ricochet off his energy barrier. But what caught her attention was the shotgun. An Asari Commando popped out from a corner, trying to take the group by surprise. But she made the greatest mistake of her life; never take a Spartan on in close quarters. The Supersoldier slammed the butt of his weapon onto the Asari's temples with shocking force. The Commando stumbled and dropped her weapon, before being kicked squarely in the chest. Jane could hear the Commando's shields overload, and her armour crack under the impact. The Commando was sent reeling end over end, and collided into the mass of soldier's down the hallway.
The Spartan resumed his firing; the group of mercs stumbled and jerked violently under the hail of specialised ammunition. Jane could see the streaks of violet lash at the troopers; she heard the constant thump, as round after round was fired. The Chief had emptied his entire clip into the group, and a few seconds later, he was awarded with a bright violet flash and a crackling explosion. The bodies were tossed aside like ragdolls, allowing the team to pass through the blood smeared corridor.
Shepard followed Liara through the eerie corridors and arrived at an interrogation room. Feron lay strapped into the chair, looking absolutely exhausted and nearly broken. His eyes were closed and his head titled to one side. While John swept the room, Jane and Liara moved closer to Feron. The Asari's conflicted expression softened to one of sadness and despair as she saw her Drell friend.
"Feron!"
The Drell twitched, and opened his eyes slowly.
"LIara?" he gasped.
"Hold on," the Asari said as she ran towards the console, "we're getting you out of here."
She entered in a few keys in the hopes of freeing her friend.
"No!" he breathed. Electricity then wracked through his body, causing him to scream as he endured the excruciating pain.
"Feron," said Liara as she pulled away from the console.
"What the hell is the Shadow Broker trying to do to you?" asked Shepard.
"The equipment is sensitive to tampering," the Drell grunted in pain, "this chair plugs into the Broker's info network. You have to shut off the power. Pull me out now and my brain cooks."
"Do you know where we can cut the power?" asked Liara.
"It won't be easy; you'll have to go to central operations."
"What's the point of this cage?" asked Shepard.
"I don't… urghhhh!" Feron was immediately cut off as another dose of electricity was sent through his body.
"It's a neural grounding rod," explained Liara, "the medical equipment is to make sure he…" she paused for a moment before looking back at Feron, "…expire. We have to shut this place down!"
"Where'd the Broker get the mercs?" asked Shepard.
"Raised his own private force," Feron answered, "They're completely loyal."
Another shock wracked the Drell's body again.
"Shepard we really don't have the time," urged T'Soni.
"What do you know about the Broker?"
"He did this too me."
"I was hoping you'd know what he is."
"I never got a good look, but he's big. The guards are terrified of him."
"A Krogan?" asked Liara.
"I don't know, but not everyone who visits his office comes back out."
"Easy or not, we're all getting out of here."
"Good," the Drell relaxed back into his chair, "central operations is down the hall. You know the Shadow Broker's waiting for you right?"
"I'm counting on it."
"We'll be back for you Feron," said Liara, though it sounded like she was trying to reassure herself more than reassuring her friend.
"I'll try not to go anywhere," said Feron, trying to ease the nerves of his rescuer. But then he turned to the Spartan.
"The Broker has mentioned you before Spartan."
"How do you know that?" asked John.
"He talks about you a lot over the past week."
Shepard remembered that the Spartan had been thawed out about ten days ago. His rate of adaptation to his new environment was amazing. But since the Broker knew of the Supersoldier's existence, it was a cause for concern. It either meant that the Broker had people on the ground during the excavation of the bunker, or he knew how to get into the encrypted Alliance channels.
"What has he been saying?" asked the Chief.
"I didn't hear much, but he says that he cannot take you head on, so he's gotten in something to deal with you."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
The group quickly filed out, and the Spartan slapped in a fresh clip into his shotgun.
"I want all teams to outpost C," said the Shadow Broker of the intercom.
Resistance began to thin out, and by the time they reached the Broker's office, there was only one guard standing in their way. Shepard quickly finished him off by slamming him into a wall with her biotics.
As Jane approached the entrance, the doors parted, revealing a darkened room.
The group glided into the circular room, at the corners stood grey pillars that offered some lighting. The ceiling overhead was made of glass, and Shepard could see the electrical currents flow through the liquid above. Over on the darker side of the room, sat the Broker, behind him was an elevated platform, and two his left was another room.
Shepard could see the Spartan's stance had increased in tension; his weapon was aimed at the Broker's head as shifted to the right side of the room.
The Broker leaned forward and clasped his three fingered hands as the rest of the group trained their weapons onto him.
…
John's index finger hovered close to the trigger. He could recognise this alien anywhere, its silhouette was unmistakable. He was tempted to pull the trigger, but he wanted answers. And if the Broker knew of the Spartan, no doubt he'd have some kind of defence to counter or at least hold out against John's weapons. He was also sure that the room was coated in a special alloy, because his suits sensors did not detect anything in the room on the way in.
"Here for the Drell?" the Broker asked in his deep raspy voice, "reckless, even for you Commander."
"That bombing wasn't exactly subtle," Jane rebutted.
"Extreme, but necessary," the Broker justified.
"No it wasn't!" argued Liara, "neither was caging Feron for two years!"
"Dr T'Soni, your interference caused all this. Feron betrayed me when he handed you Shepard's body. The Drell is simply paying the price."
"Someone was bound to come after you for working with the Collectors," said Shepard.
"It was a mutually beneficial partnership. You're arrival is convenient, the Collectors' offer still stands."
"It will be pretty hard to run a base this size with no crew."
"They're replaceable," the Yahg said coldy.
"You're arrival is barely an interruption. Enough talk, my operations are too crucial to be compromised by a traitor."
"You're quite confident for someone with nowhere left to hide."
"You travel with fascinating companions Doctor. The Spartan here holds many technological secrets." The Broker then faced John. "Surprised that I know of you?"
"Not many people here know of me," said the Spartan in his baritone voice.
"My forefather's spoke of you. You're kind slayed many of the Covenant, killed so many who walk the path of light. You will be left behind."
"We have a fanatic," said John, "an overzealous fanatic. There is no such thing as the Great Journey, it's just a lie."
"The Prophets speak the truth! You and the Elites will burn in a sea of holy light, while I will join the Forerunners."
"So that's how they turned you," said John, "they lifted you from your homeworld, and promised you transcendence."
"I will become a god."
"I expected more intelligence from one that holds so much. The Great Journey is a lie; the sacred rings were for containment."
"You may have destroyed the sacred rings, but more still remain. Once I've dealt with the Collectors, I can focus on the Great Journey."
"You are deluded; the rings were created to stop the Flood."
…
Jane felt an odd sensation as the conversation between the Spartan and the Broker allowed her to delve into the missing piece of history. She was shocked off the Shadow Broker's faith. The religion he followed was similar to that of the Hanar, except in this case he worshipped a race called the Forerunners.
"Shepard, what's going on?" asked Liara.
"The Chief seems to have a history with the Yahg."
…
"I know that I cannot stop you," said the Broker, "But I have brought people who can."
A low rumbling grow came out from behind John, he knew that growl.
And for the first time in his life… he cursed.
XXxxXX
A/N: As I was writing this story, I realised the imagery BioWare used for the Lair of the Shadow Broker. Electricity symbolises power, the storm represents the danger of misusing power, etc. Who says games can't be intellectual as metaphysical poetry or dualistic literature?