Ω Chapter VII - Not going to fail Ω

Burn It Down - Linkin Park

Non-Beta


"Eric"

I lift my head off of her shoulder as the sound or I think it is sound, of something calling my name. It hard to know with the all the explosions, grinding metal, and the cries from Maia who is still clinging tightly on to me ringing in my ears.

"Eric". A crackling electronic voice calls out from where the desk is.

"You hear that?" I ask, quietly lifting my head a little higher. Maia's tightening her grip on me and shaking her head No, is her only reply.

"Eric." The voice calls out again. Ok that time I know I heard that. Reluctantly pulling myself out of Maia's grasp, I give her the best reassuring smile I can. I stand up unsteadily as ground below me continues its shaking.

Making my way to the desk I see something move to the right of me. Glancing in that direction, a sense of relief washes over me when I see that the guard I knocked out is starting to stir. Content with that fact I step behind the desk, looking at the console, only to be disappointed. I feel that little glimmer of hope that I felt stir when I heard something call my name. Fade when I see only the counter looking back at me

Less than 11 minutes left.

"Eric are you there?" A voice calls out again. Turning to my left, I see Dr. Selious's data pad laying there. Picking it up, I'm surprised when I see the dark face of Sarge looking back at me.

"Hey Sarge, nice to see you again. I-"

"No time you need to get out of there now. You have less than 11 minutes before the reactor overloads." He quickly blurts out cutting me off. As the image breaks up as another explosion rumbles through the station.

"Well I would but I'm kinda stuck. You know a locked doors would do that you know." I comment, smiling God I can be such a dick sometimes.

"Now's not the time. And what locked door?" He asks, smiling I snap my head up at his remark, and see that the door control panel is now lit green. I drop the data pad as I step away from the desk.

"Hey take the data pad with you, I can help you get to the escape shuttle." He yells over another deafening explosion. Quickly grabbing the pad, I start making my way back to Maia as the ground bucks again sending me to my ass.

"Come on. Get a move on. We have a way out; you better not screw this up Lov." Selina says, as she appears by the door in a running getup from my time.

Rolling my eyes at her, I push myself off the floor. Taking a step closer to Maia I stop to glance at the guard who now is shaking his head as he pushes himself up to a sitting position.

Can't let him just sit there.

Running over to him, I grab him by the shoulder causing him to flinch. "Chill man. You need to get the fuck out of here! The station is going to blow in like 10 minutes so you got to move, like now!" I yell, getting a shocked expression, but quickly he nods, and tries to stand up.

Helping, I pull him to his feet. Before turning, and sprinting to where Maia is sitting watching me with a hurt look on her face.

"You need to leave me... I can barely walk. Save yourself." She whimpers, as she buries her face I her hands. While I kneel next to her.

"Come on Lov time's a wastin. She will only slow you down." Selina says, waving for me to a move on.

"I'm not fucking leavening her." I yell, glaring at Selina. Who just scowling at me before turning to red ash.

"Come on Maia we are leavening." I say, reaching down to pick up the bewildered girl who is looking up at me, but she shoves my hands away.

"No I'm too hurt." She stammers, as she tries to holding back more tears that I can see that are building behind those ice blue eyes.

Pushing down the fear, and anger that is now surging through me. I slide my right arm under her legs and wraps my left arm around her mid back too much protest from her. Picking her up off the ground causes her to instinctively wraps her arm around my neck.

"I will say who I will leave behind. Not you or anyone else is going to tell me otherwise." I say, calmly as I flop the data pad on to her lap with my left hand. Looking around the office as I stand up, I notice that the guard that I used as a shield is no longer with us.

I hope he gets out ok

Kicking door controls, I'm immediately bombarded with a torrent of sounds; alarms blaring, metal creaking from heat and the crackle of fire all swarm me at once. As I take a deep breath, I can feel my lungs burn from the toxic filled air from all the plastic and electronics that are burning. Knowing that there is nowhere else to go. I steel my nerves, and take a step out into the hallway, into hell itself.

"Ok turn left at the next junction, and hurry you have 8 minutes." Sarge says, from the data pad. I can feel my arm starting to burn from the strain of holding Maia, who had given up fighting me on leaving her behind. Reaching the hallways I turn only to come to a dead-end filled with melted metal panels. While I'm looking at the mess in front of me I'm hit with this acrid, all most sweet smell that instantly makes me gag. I then notice Maia had her hand over her mouth when she starts hitting me to leave. As I start to turn my eye catches the burning remains of two people under the debris. Both looking up at me in a silent plea for help. As the flesh on their faces turn an odd black color. I suppress the bile that surges up as I watch the skin on their faces crack, and brown liquid starts to ooze out on to the hot floor. Suddenly the head swifts, and a low gurgling noise comes from its open mouth. I almost trip over my feet as I stumble out from the block passage, and away from the disturbing sight.

"Well that's a no go that way Sarge" I cough, trying to fight my stomach from emptying its contents. I look down at the mini map that is under the video screen of Sarge. Who right now looks worried or pissed? I can't tell on that small of a screen.

"Shit...hold on...there we go. I'm rerouting you down three floors. The VI had not detected any fires along the way so you should be good. Now move it!" He exclaims, as the video cuts out when another explosion erupts. Looking at the map and the new route I nod to myself as I get an idea on where to go.

Taking off down the opposite hallway I start down my new path. I quickly find the door leading to the stairway that the map is telling me to go down. Kicking it open I'm greeted by a wall of smoke. Startled by black wall floating toward me. I back away till I hit the wall opposite of the doorway. I watch as the smoke dissipates, and not wanting to waste more time. I walk back to the door, peeking my head in I smile when I don't see any fires.

As I start down the second flight of stairs. A heavy shock-wave sends me into the railing, and with being top-heavy with Maia in my arms. I teeter over the edge, but somehow I manage to slip my left leg between the rungs on the railing. Stopping Maia and myself from falling over. Though it did scare Maia enough to put me into a choke hold.

After unlocking my leg and Maia`s arms. I continuing on my way down the rest of the flights of stairs with only a small shockwave causing me to stumble down the last three stairs. I find the door that leading to the level that I need. Again I kick the control to open it. When it opens I'm happy to find no smoke or smell of burning electronics.

"I think we're going to made it." I mumble, only to get a light punch in the chest from my rider. Causing me to give her a quick look.

"Once we are off the station then you can say that." She says, through the frown that has been on her face from the start of this journey. Though I can see in her eyes that there is a spark of hope.

"Fine. I was trying to lighten the mood." I grumble, starting down the path that Sarge laid out for me.

"See, you should've left her. You would be off of this station, and on our way to safety." Selina says, appearing leaning on the wall to my left. I just look at her, but say nothing. I don't have time to argue with her about the moral repercussions that would do to me.

"Ok turn here and …" I hear Maia say, as I freeze when I turn the corner to see a sight I was not expecting. About halfway down fighting with a half closed-door. Is a woman in a black dress, or dress thing? I would've thought that she would be off of this place by now.

"Well this is a pleasant surprise. Quick ditch the cripple and go for her. Maybe she will be nice, and will keep you around to let you lick her boots." Selina says, walking up next to me.

"Oh will you just shut the fuck up already you little bitch." I growl, making my way closer to Miranda.

"Who are you talking to?" Maia asks, realizing that I was not talking to her.

"I will tell you later if we live. Ok?" I say, looking down at the blond in my arms. I smile as she just nods at my request. I can see the confusion in her face, and I can feel a rocking my stomach at the thought of having that conversion. Shaking my head clear of the thoughts I walk slowly behind Miranda.

I stop about 12 feet behind Miranda who still has not noticed us. She is just too focused on what she is doing. I notice that the control panel it off the wall, and from the looks of it she is trying to jury rig it open, or something. Too bad I don't think that her doctorate covers anything in re wiring switches, and shit. Knowing that I need to get through this door too. I will have to help her. Let's hope that she won't do anything, we both have bigger problems.

"Hey Miranda." I yell, over an explosion that must be nearby. She jumps up, and instantly has her gun trained on me. The look of fear in written all over her. She is pale as a ghost, her hair as a complete mess, and she can't keep her gun straight. It takes a second for her to realize what she is seeing because her eyes go wide from surprise that the people that she left locked in the office is now about 12 feet from her.

She keeps the gun trained on me the best as she can as I kneel, and gently place Maia on the ground. I glance down at the counter on the pad just over 6 minutes. I got to work fast. Standing up I face Miranda, and give her a small smile. Walking over to her, I stop right when I feel the barrel of her gun pressed against my chest. I can hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears from the fear and excitement of staring death in the face.

"I think you can drop it now. We both know that you are not going to use that right now." I say calmly, putting on my best clam face as I place my hand on the barrel, and gently push it down. She doesn't even try to fighting me. She just looks at me completely confused. Must be wondering I'm not trying to kill her. "Good. Now how do these doors work?

"What?" She asks, obviously baffled

"Are they electric, pneumatic, hydraulic? What?" I ask, pointing at the door.

"Pneumatic I think." She finally says, looking at the door. "But the controls are fried, there is no power to it now."

"Don't care about power." I say, stepping up to the door. Glancing from the top to bottom, I shrug, hope my luck holds out. Pulling out my knife, which I'm glad that I decided to bring along out of my pants. I slam the blade in between the seam of a metal panel above my head. Giving it a twist, I pop the panel off, and let it fall to the floor with a clatter. Just as a large explosion rocks the hallway sending Miranda, and myself in to each other. She quickly pushes herself away from me, but not before looking me in the eyes. For a second there I see decent person looking back at me.

Yep definitely not like the game.

Looking up I'm relieved to see two pipes one marked high pressure, the other low. Spinning the knife in my hand, I slam it in to the one marked high pressure, and twist. There is a loud burst of air as the blade is sinks into the pipe, but soon all the pressure's relieved from the pipe. Letting go of the knife I bend down, and grip the bottom of the door. Giving Miranda a nod, she too then does the same.

"On three. Ok... One...two...three." I say, grunting as we both lift, slowly the door opens till there is enough room for someone to fit through. I kneel, and use my body to brace it open. Miranda stands there just looking at me in disbelief. I just look up at her, and smile. I gave her a small nod toward the door. For her to crawl through that's it all it took. She crawl over on the other side in a flash.

"So now what Lov. Your not going to be able to save yourself, and your friend over there." Selina says, appearing in front of me, crouching, looking me in the eyes.

I'm just about to answer her when a crate slides in front of me. Looking under the door I see Miranda kneeling, looking back at me with a smile. I smile back as I slowly release the door. I hear the metal crate creek under the stress of the door, but it holds true.

Scrambling out from under the door I quickly crawl over to Maia. Not sparing a second I scoop her up, ignoring the protests coming from my aching body. Pushing myself back to a standing position. I walk over to where I see Miranda kneeling under it, waving at me to hurry up. Glancing at the data pad I see that we have just less than 4 min.

"Move your ass; I don't think this crate will hold much longer... Come on." She yells, over the alarms, and explosions that are going off on around us.

Reaching about half way a shock wave slams into the hallway, making to wobble almost losing my footing. As it passes I start hearing a strange noise like popping. Just then a side panel explodes outward sending me backwards into the wall. As I slide down the wall I see Miranda start to move toward us before freezing, and looking at the metal crate in horror. I watch her as she dives back under before the create gives out, and the door slam shut.

Slowly I push Maia off my lap, and with pain raging across my back. I push myself off the floor, and stumble over to the door. I let myself fall into the door as a weaker shockwave causes me to trip into it. Reaching up to the window sill, I pull myself up and look through it. I see Miranda looking back at me.

Well at least she is ok.

"I can't get this door open again." She yells, hitting the door with her fist as a worry look comes across her face.

"Get out of here. There is nothing you can do for us now." I say grimly, as the pain in my back starts fading. Letting the fear, and sadness to take its place.

"But…" She stammers.

"No buts Miranda you need to save yourself. No point for you die here too." I reply, giving her a lopsided grin. There is too much for her to do if this time is anything like the game I know.

I can see the conflation going through her mind on her face. It only lasts a few moments before she reluctantly nods, and starts running down the hall.

Too bad I'm never going to see her again. I think I could like her.

I glance one last time at the window before making my way over to Maia. I see her looking at the data pad in her hand. She hands me the pad as I kneel next to her. Looking at it I notice a different path laid out for me, and Sarge's worried look in the vid screen.

"Maia told me what happened so here is a new path to a different shuttle. This one's meant for the key scientist, but it is the only one left on this floor. If it takes off…."

"I know Sarge... thanks." I say grimly, as the reality of everything starts to sink in. We not going to get off of this station. A part of me just wants to sit, and just wait for the end. I'm so tired of running and fighting for nothing, but I can't.

I just don't know how to give up. My family used to say I was like a dog with a bone. Once I have it I never let go. Smiling at that memory. I scoop Maia up, and start moving on the new path that Sarge has laid out for us.

...

"Time." I shout, jogging down the hall. I can still hear the alarms blaring, but the so far no fires have cut us off yet.

"Two and a half minutes...turn here." Maia says, as I near an intersection.

"The shuttle is just at the end of the hall. I overrode the door for you so you should just be able to climb in." Sarge yells, making the speaker crack

"What about you?" I ask, panting it is a good thing that they made me do all that training. I would have never lasted this long.

"Don't worry about me. Sharon, and I have a way off. Now hurry you don't have much time."

"How do you know that there are not any guards waiting for it?"

"If there was any left, it would be gone by now. This floor is almost empty, there are a few people trapped, but there is nothing that we can do for them. I was not expecting the overload to have an effect on the stations superstructure." He says quietly.

"Wait you caused all this." I stammer, my voice cracking in shock.

"Yes, but I did not think that it would cause all this. Anyways there is no time to talk about this. Get your ass to the shuttle. I will talk you more when you get there." He says firmly, cutting the video link, but not before giving me a salute.

I turn the corner, and push myself harder knowing that salvation is within reach. A sudden shockwave hits the hallway causing the floor to buckle under me causing me to stumble. I slam my right shoulder into the wall as I start to fall, but somehow I manage to stay up right. I feel Maia cling tighter to me as the fear of death overcomes her. The knowledge if her being scared, causes me to push through the pain.

Running as hard as I can, I make it to a stable part of the hallway. A sense of relief washes over me as I can finally see the red chasing lights signaling that the shuttle is ahead. The sight of lights makes my body come alive with excitement, giving me an extra boost of strength. As I close in on my goal. I miss the right turn, slamming my shoulder again into the wall. Grunting as the pain in my shoulder causes stars to appear in my vision. Shaking my head clear of the stars and the sound of Maia's scream from when I hit the wall. I see the open door of the escape shuttle.

So close, I'm not going to fail.

"Come on you almost made it Lov. Move your skinny ass." Selina say, appearing next to the doorway. Wearing, to my surprise, a plane non revealing outfit.

With the prodding from Selina. I will myself to take the final steps to the shuttle. The doorway is a lot smaller than I would have thought, but at this point I don't care. I'm getting off this time bomb. Placing Maia on the doorstep, I kneel to help her through the small opening. When I pair of large hands grab my shoulders, and toss me back against the far wall. I slam into it with such force that my vision goes black for a second. Just enough time for my attacker to step on my chest, and start to press down.

"Your ars is mine you little asshole." a heavy Irish voice says, as the heavy boot crushes the air out of my lungs. When my vision comes back, I see the bloody face of Samual glaring down at me. I try lifting the heavy boot that is crushing the life out of me, but my strength is failing. I stain to pull air into my burning lungs, but with each breath less air comes in. I start weakly hit his leg as darkness crawls in from the sides of my vision.

"Eric." the weak voice of Maia calls out of the shuttle door. Suddenly the pressure lifts off of me, and cool air rushes in to my lungs. I roll over to my side coughing, and gulping down as much of the life-giving gas as I can. I look up through teary eyes to see Samual about to step into the shuttle door. Something deep inside instantly forces the pain outta my head.

Filled with rage I jump to my feet, and rush at Maia's tormentor. Tackling him at his midsection, I force him out of the doorway, and slam him into the adjacent wall. I hold him there with all my strength expecting to be thrown off, but nothing happens. I'm startled out of my rage induced tackle. When I feel something warm, and wet hitting my forehead. Pushing off of him, I see a 2 inch pipe protruding from the middle of his back. I cringe at the sight, I impaled him through his heart.

"Eric!" Maia yells in a strained voice. Snapping me free of the sight that is in front of me. Turning I throw myself through the door, just as it starts to close. I place my hand on the chair to lift myself into it. Suddenly I'm thrown into the back of the cabin as the shuttle's launched away from the self-destructing station. Shaking my head clear of the ringing. I start pushing myself up from where I landed. Only to be thrown against side wall when the shuttle is hit by a shockwave.

"God dammit will you just let me get strapped in first. Geez, now I know what a pinball feels like." I say weakly, picking myself up off the floor, and crawling up to the cockpit.

"I hope you know how to fly this thing Maia." I say, pulling myself off the floor, and into the pilot seat. I pause for a moment when I realize that I did not receive a response. Spinning the chair around I see Maia slumped over in her seat.

"Maia!" I shout, throwing myself out of the seat, and crawling over to her. Pushing myself over her lap, I place two fingers on her neck. Instantly all the fears, and worry disaggregates as weak pulse reaches my fingers. Happy that she is still with me, I collapse on to her lap giving into the exhaustion that my body's been fighting.

...

"Eri...are...ou...ere," a static voice calls from the darkness, stirring me from the slumber I fell into.

"Sarge?" I ask weakly, pushing my sore body off Maia's lap, and into the pilot seat. I rub my face to wake myself up better as I get my first good look at the controls. They are about what I expected. There is a large panel laid out in front of the window. There are a few hard buttons, but most of it looks like holo displays. There is a large display with a set of numbers and arrows in front of me. To the right it looks like a diagnosis grid with of all the shuttle systems, engine, life support, navigation. On the left looks like a navigation screen. There is a small solar system map with planets marked and a flashing white dots on it. In front of the seat is the stick to pilot the shuttle. Does not look like much has changed from planes from my time, but it is just a shuttle. If you can call it that. Looking back behind Maia I see that there is only nine chairs in here. Three in the front, three behind those, and three lining the far back of the cabin.

"Goo...you….it." The sound of a voice pulls my thoughts to the screen in front of me.

"Say again you are breaking up bad"

"To improve the reception you will need to tune in to the proper frequency." A synthetic female voice says, from all around me causing me to jump out of the chair, and on to the floor again.

"Fuck don't do that, and who are you?" I say, pulling myself into the chair again. This time I buckle myself in.

"I am the shuttles VI. I monitor the power and life support systems. I can also answer any questions. To the best of my ability of course. You may call me V.I.L."

"Well ok... V.I.L how do I change the frequency to what I need?"

"The screen in front of you is currently displaying the radio. Just use the two arrows on either side of the number to change it."

"Ok I got that you know that frequency he is using?"

"No I do not possess that ability. I'm just a basic VI."

"Alrighty then." I comment, pressing the floating the arrows. To my surprise I actually feel something when I touch it. Almost like a spider web, light enough to feel it but not heavy enough to stop you from going through it. I start pressing the arrows faster as the numbers begin climb. While listening to the garble words, get better, and worse.

"Eric. Are you there?" The sound of the clear voice suddenly coming through the speaker without static causes me to jump again.

"Yea...Sarge is that you?" I ask, the open air after I get my heart out of my throat.

"Thank god. I thought you didn't make it." He says, as a video screen pops up in place of the numbers, and arrows.

"I'm glad that you made it out to. Maia's here, but I think she is out cold. That asshole hurt her bad." I say, turning to see her still slumped over in her chair.

"There is a med kit at the back of the cabin; it should have all that you need. Listen, I programmed the shuttle to take you to Asteria it's in the Hekate System. It is a small out-of-the-way colony. Well I would not say small, but Cerberus does not have any eyes there. So I think you will be safe there." He says smiling.

"Wait a shuttle has a FTL drive?" I ask, I may not know much about FTL, but that does not sound right.

"Yes it this one does. It is one of three on the station has one? Lucky for you it was still there. So it work out for the better." He says, smiling.

"I hope you take care of yourself." A female voice comments, as Sharon's head pop over Sarges shoulder.

"I will try Sharon. Thanks." I reply, with a half-smile.

"You will be fine. You made it out of there alive. I think you will be able to handle everything." She comments, with a smile.

"How am I going to get to Asteria? I mean it sounds a way off to be not watched by Cerberus." I ask as the thought comes to me.

"The shuttle is good for one trip through relays. So you will be fine. Right now the only thing you can do is taking care of Maia." He says, looking over to the only one in the cabin with me. I look over also with a sad smile. At least I have someone I can trust. Well I think I can trust her.

"Why did you do all that?" I ask, watching her chest slowly rise and fall before turning back to face Sarge. He looks down, and takes a deep breath. Guess this is not going to be an easy answer.

"I thought I was going to be making a difference on how humans are seen, to show that we are not bullies... I know I'm just a guard. Not a scientist, but still ...I did not sign up for this. In the end all that I saw was ways for Cerberus to grow stronger. Then you came in…" He says, before he drops his head.

"...When you they brought you in, it all just felt off. From what you are charged with to the timing of you being brought here. It just did not add up. So I started to dig around, and the more I dug the less I got. So in the ended I made up my answer." He says, bringing up his head. I saw that Sharon had placed her hand on his shoulder as he talked. I'm glad that he has someone.

"So what's your answer?" I ask, running my hand through my long hair. Damn I really need a shower and a haircut. I just don't do the long hair thing.

"You were kidnapped, and have been brainwashed to do what they said you did, but you. The one I'm talking to right now did not do it. So to me that is kidnapping." He says, with renewed strength in his voice.

"He does not know how right he is." I hear Selina say from somewhere in my mind.

"Thanks for thinking that. Now maybe I might have a chance to maybe redeem myself in some way." I say, looking back at Maia.

"What about you guys. What's going to happens now?" I ask, turning around again.

"The Alliance is going to show up, and find a lot of escape pods. They will pick up everyone, and from there we will go back to Cerberus. But this time it is for a different reason." he says, with a smile.

"When are they going to get here?" I ask, nervously as worry sneaks into my mind. I don't have anything against the Alliance. I just don't want to answer all the questions why I don't have any info about me.

"They will be here in about 30 minutes. So you will have plenty time to hit the relay, and disappear. Before you ask if the Alliance was to pick you up they most likely throw you back in to prison just for not having any history. I just could not live with myself if that happened..."

"That, and it would just destroy Maia if that happened to you." Sharon says leaning a little closer to the screen.

"What do you mean?" I ask, looking behind me at the slumbering Maia.

"The first day that they had you lock in the Hole. They broke Maia's arm, and they called me to treat it. I was not ready for what I saw." she says, as a painful expressions comes across her face. Just seeing that breaks my heart. I don't know why I feel this way toward her. I know that I'm starting to care about her. I just don't know why when I don't know anything about her.

"It just made me sick that Dr. Sauiole allowed that to happen. While I was setting her arm she kept asking about you. I don't know what you did, but she is really taken by you. So you better take care of her, or I will come after you." She says, in a lighter tone as a smile comes to her. I can feel the blood rushing to my face when I hear that this girl that I just saved apparently has some feeling toward me also.

"Looks like you are coming up to the relay soon. So be careful out there." he says, giving me a half ass salute.

"Yea I will do that. Thanks again." I manage to say, once I get my embarrassment under control. Turning the chair to face them I give them a quick wave before the screen goes dark.

"V.I.L?"

"Yes"

"How soon till we hit the relay?"

"ETA is 22 minutes and 45 seconds."

"Ok cool. So where is the med-kit located?"

"The med-kit is located in the back left of the cabin. It going to be marked. Would you like me to access my medical files?"

"What would that do?"

"To assist you on using the med-kit."

"Oh…right."

Getting up from the pilot chair, I make my to the back corner of the cabin, and sure enough there is a panel on the wall with the red cross painted on it. Well at least a few things that are the same. So I'm not completely screwed. Opening the panel I grab the red satchel looking thing, and head back to the front.

I smile when I see a light over Maia start to brighten. So far I don't mind having to deal with a V.I. It is like having someone helping you, but without the chance that they will give you their opinion.

I place the med kit down, and open it up. To my surprise most of the things here are almost the same from my time. There is gauze, bandages, disinfectant, small splints. Everything that one would expect in a med-kit. The only thing that is new to me is the small silver package with the words Medi-Gel on it. Though I already know what that is. Taking a piece of gauze, and the disinfectant. I get to work on cleaning, and dressing her wounds the best I can.

I rip the last piece of tape off of the roll, and gently place it across the bandage on her leg. I don't know if this cut was from the beating or from our escape, but it looks fairly fresh. The page that V.I.L pulled up was very helpful on how to treat the wounds that she had. I must say it is a lot easier than in my time. Here all you need to do is in the cut is not too deep just pack it with Medi-Gel, and wrap it up. The gel will do the rest. If the wound it really bad then stitches are needed, but I'm not even going to try that. I sit back and look at my work. She looks even worse with all the bandages over her.

They just emphasize everything that she went through. I lost count with all the cuts, bruises and burns that I uncovered. Seeing them all really nails it home on what she went through. I still can't get over the fact that it might not have been so bad if I did not interfere.

"She was such a pretty girl. Till you came along. Selina's says, in my head. Driving the nail deeper into my soul.

"You know that you don't have to help me feel worse. I think I'm doing well without you." I say, fighting to keep the tears at bay.

"Just pointing out the truth that is all Lov. The good thing is. I think that you did well to patch her up as best." She says, almost caringly.

"Thanks I needed that." I say, as my sprites start to rise.

"Too bad she will have the scars to remind her of what you caused. You should try, and get some sleep Lov." She says in a lighter tone. I swear she is smiling. I feel my heart-break at her words, but she's right. There is no way that she will not have scars from this.

Feeling a yawn coming on I start stretching my arms over my head. When a sharp pain rips its way through on my side. Causing me to buckle more in surprise than pain. Placing my hand under my jumpsuit I feel something warm, and wet. Pulling out my hand I see some blood on my fingertips.

Lifting my right arm up I look, and see a cut running diagonally across my side. How'd the fuck I get that? Knowing that I just used the last bit of the Medi-Gel. I will just have to do it old school. Slipping off the top to my jumpsuit, and removing my shirt. I'm surprised by all the bruises that I have covering my chest, and arms.

Shaking my head at the sight I pick up some gauze, and start cleaning my wound. I hover an inch over the cut knowing that it will sting like a bitch, but if I don't at least clean it, it will get infected. Gritting my teeth I place the disinfectant laced gauze on my cut. A sharp sting instantly over takes my senses. Causing me to flinch away from the gauze. Fighting through the pain I continue to clean.

When I'm happy with my work I take the bandage, and wrap it around my mid chest. It is not the proper way of doing things, but I do what I must with what I got. Content with my work I carefully slip my shirt back on. I lean back in the pilot chair as my body finally relaxes. Even though I feel like crap with what they did to Maia. I still made it. Dealing with Dr. Selious, escaping, and making sure Maia made it to the shuttle. I close my eyes to help speed up what I know is coming.

"Well Lov. We made it. Now we are off to places unknown, but at least it would be better than where we were." Selina says. It sounds like she next to me but I'm too tired to look.

"You are correct on that." I say, tiredly.

"I do not recognize the request. Please repeat your request." V.I.L says softly. Causing me to chuckle.

"Never mind V.I.L. how long till we hit the relay."

"Five minutes and counting." V.I.L replies. This causes me to slowly turn the chair, and look through half-open eyes to see this massive relay with blue energy radiating from its core. Holy shit that thing is huge. I squint my eyes as I notice something on the other side other the relay moving. My heart drops into my stomach when I see two huge ships come around from the other side of the relay. By the coloring on the sides, I know that the Alliance has arrived.

Shit

"So Lov, how's your poker face. You're going to need a good lie to get out of this one." Selina says, from the right of me, but I'm too fixated on the large ships that are coming toward us to look at her.

"This Captain Hannah Shepard of the Alliance dreadnought SSV Kilimanjaro. To all the personnel around the space station Acheron, help has arrived." A stern female voice says, loudly over the speakers in the shuttle. Filling me with more fear. Great not only do I have the Alliance to deal with, but now I have deal with Shepard's mom.

What else can go wrong?

"Shuttle LR254, abort your flight path, and shut down your engine, or you will be fired upon." A different voice says.

Figures

"V.I.L how much longer?" I yell frantically. Feeling the blood drain out of my face. I have no idea now I'm going to get out of this one.

"Two minute before FTL jump." V.I.L says, without a hint of worry or fear of the possible of becoming space dust.

"Shit. Is there any way to speed this tub up. We are going to be shot at, and I kinda like breathing." I yell looking at the control in front of me. Hoping something would pop up or something.

"Negative the speed, and flight plan cannot be altered at this point." She replies flatly.

"Shuttle LR254. This is Captain Hannah Shepard abort your run, and shut down your engines or you will be fired upon this is your last warning.

"Quick Lov do something, anything. Just buy us some more time..." Selina say with a shaky tone, causing me to glance her way. I notice that she also is scared.

"Like what?" I say, turning back at the window, and the large ship to my upper right

"Anything!" she yells

"Sorry captain. Wish I could, but can't so I won't. Anyways I hope that your kids N7 training went well." I quickly say, as I try to think of something to buy us time. What better way than to bring in the commander.

"How the hell do you know my daughter?" She shakily responds with a different tone to her voice.

"FLT drive spinning up. 30 seconds till jump. Please remain seated." V.I.L says, completely ignoring the conversation that I'm having

"Sorry Captain maybe next time." I say, smiling as the counter on the controls counts down to 0

"Fire." She yells, causing the speakers to crackle with static.

I hear the alarms start to sound as I watch strand of lighting reaches out of the core toward us. The blue light touches the outside of the shuttle, and I'm pushed lightly back into my seat as the relay rockets us on our way. I'm surprised that the inertia is not that bad.

"Nice work Lov. Not only did you buy us time, but how you know a little about Shepard too. I'm impressed." She says, as I lean back further into my chair completely exhausted from what just happened.

"You sound like you expected me to fail." I comment, as I try to fight the sleep that is now pulling me under.

"No... No my Lov. I knew that you would think of something. I just did not expect you to get some useful Intel out of it that all."

"Yea that was pretty sweet." I say, smiling at the thought that her mom just gave her up without knowing it.

"Nite Lov ...You earned it." She says, with a light chuckle.

All I manage to say back is a quiet mumble as I fall into a good sleep One that has been eluding me for such a long time.

A sudden, but light shutter wakes me from my sleep. Bringing up my hands I rub my face to help speed up my awaking. As I move my right arm a sharp pulling pain flashes through my side. Causing me hiss in pain as I grab my side which in turn causes me more pain.

"God dammit." I hiss, through clenched teeth.

"Morning Lov. I hope you slept well. From what I could tell that was the best sleep that you ever had here." Selina says, materializing in the copilot seat wearing a skin-tight flight jumpsuit from my time.

"Really?" I ask, looking over at her. All she gave me was a smile and a salute.

"How close are we?" I ask, turning my head to see a planet in the distance. Wow it looks like Tatooine, just a tan looking planet. Well I wouldn't think of looking here if I was looking for someone. Turning around I see Maia is now curled up in a little ball on her chair. She looks kinda cute like that. In a way it reminds me of a little kitten. Smiling at the thought I turn back around to face our destination.

"We are currently 398.400 km from our destination, ETA is 15 hours." V.I.L says flatly.

Why the hell does everything have to be in kilometers?

"What can you tell me about this planet V.I.L?" I ask, unbuckling my belt, and standing to stretch my legs. Man I sometimes hate being tall. I slowly twist my back to make it crack to help release the tightness in my back. Straining against the pain I keep twisting till I feel a series of pops go up my spine. Smiling I sit back down, and wait for V.I.L to answer my question.

"Asteria is a habitable planet known for its arid sulfurous deserts; Asteria is colonized near the poles to avoid the uncomfortable temperatures that can reach 65 degrees Celsius in more southern latitudes. While the seas contain primitive animal life, little of it can live on land, leaving the soil to hardy plants that can survive in the extreme heat. Asteria is home to thriving human, and Asari agrarian colonies, but little in the way of manufacturing or mining."

"Ok then, and that... means what?" I ask, as most of that did not make any sense to me.

"Only the poles are livable and the land around them is perfect for farming." V.I.L quickly responds.

"Just like your days on the farm Lov. You might be able to work on that tan." Selina says, laughing at the end.

"Oh...Umm ok so not like Tatooine then. Well I still don't think they will look for me on a back water farm planet."

"Do they have cities there?"

"Yes. The Capital Blackdamp is quite large."

"Is that where we are headed?"

"No the shuttle is set to land just outside of the outlying settlement of New Tristan." V.I.L replies.

Well that's not what I would've expected, but I'm not going to complain.

Happy with the answers that I got, and that Maia is still alive, sleeping but alive. I decide that I should get some more sleep too. I don't think starting over in a new universe. With no record, no past, no nothing is going to be easy. Yawning again I shift around a little till I finally get comfortable enough to drift back to sleep.


Codex

Tamarin JS-234 'Mercury' Escape Shuttle:

With Cerberus actives drawing more attention. The Illusive Man commissioned a new shuttle that can be used to evacuate key personal. The Tamarin JS-234 or Mercury as the builders called it is what presented. Takes it design from the pages of human history.

It is a two stage escape vessel. The first half holds all essential systems for the personal to survive. Second half holds a single use FTL drive. It is one quarter the size compared to a standard FTL drive. Before the initial relay is reached the auto pilot cannot be altered or disabled. Once the shuttle reaches the destination relay. The FTL drive will disconnect. Allowing full control of the shuttle. The FTL drive will self-destruct to avoid being recovered.

Currently there are only 10 in existence.


Update 8/13/14still cleaning it up a little. Hope it helps make it read slightly better.

A/N

Well we are now on our way.

Thank you all for all the Favs and Follows. It is so great seeing that people like what I'm doing, or trying to do.

Hope I did not F*things up with my shuttle concept.

The next chapter will be up...well I don't know it is proving to be one of the most difficult one for me so far, I know that it is not saying much. It will be up in a month at the latest

I got nothing else. Thank you all for reading. I hope I did not let you down with this chapter.

Till Next Chapter