What another Chapter the next day! Well yes It is a Saturday so why not just enjoy my weekend writing right! Well seeing you readers want to read the new chapter why don't you just read below then! Enjoy :D
Chapter 10 - Try to know him?
Normandy
Normal POV
"You are telling me that he fought without his kinetic barriers!" Shepard said as she rubbed her temple of her head from hearing the news that Doctor Chakwas just told her. She nodded her head as she pulled out her Omni-tool to show the information of his health.
"Carmine was dehydrated from the heat of the mission Shepard, not only that but his wounds were actually critical this time, luckily his blood is the same of an actual human being so he will recover, but his right leg though suffered a great amount of damage from his thigh and also his shoulder, he won't be able to return in battle for at least a week."
'A week huh' Shepard sighed at least knowing that he will make a full recovery but still was amazed that his body can actually recover so fast than any other soldier. "Karin how is he though really?" Chakwas shook her head as she responded back to her. "I don't know what else to say Shepard, he is actually well built and healthy but the amount of scars and specially his mental health is still surprising that he can still keep moving forward."
Shepard nodded her head understanding her situation leaning against the wall. 'I know he keeps moving forward but why go such extreme measures, why would you?' She shook the thought away as she looked at Carmine sleeping in the med bed luckily they had one that fit his size.
She kept on looking at him she can see that he didn't have his helmet on which she was glad seeing how it might have been uncomfortable to sleep in, she can see that his expression was calm for now but wonder what he is really dreaming right now? Then she can see his whole chest having scars, just by taking a closer look you can tell the amount of damage he really went through in his life.
'Did I really make the right choice to have him help me fight against the Collectors?' Shepard thought as she felt the guilt get to her seeing how Carmine fought a war against a race of aliens that almost wipe them out to extinction to finally earn themselves some peace. Yet to jump to another war that it doesn't belong to him. "Karin, should Carmine really keep fighting?"
Chakwas sat down on her chair as she looked over at Carmine, knowing her years of being a doctor she knew the answer to that. "In reality Shepard he shouldn't even be able to fight anymore. He should be resting."
Shepard and Chakwas turned their heads hearing someone move they see Carmine slowly rising from his bed as was trying to sit but Chakwas walked towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder trying laying him back on the bed.
"Carmine don't push yourself, relax alright." Carmine sighed as he knew too well that the pain on his leg and body was still aching so he tried to move the doctor away but then felt another hand touch him on his shoulder as he looked seeing Shepard trying to put him back to rest.
Carmine took in a deep breath and sighed as he nodded his head understanding the situation he laid back on the bed. "How bad am I doc?" Carmine said as Chakwas just open her Omni-tool. "You suffered a lot of damage from your leg and your shoulder Carmine but you will be fine for a week rest."
"What about the Quarian… is she ok?" Shepard nodded her head as she replied back to him. "Tali is fine Carmine you saved her life." Carmine nodded his head as he looked at his left side seeing his weapons right beside him but noticed his COG Armor was not there.
"What happen to my armor?" Shepard walked by him and replied to him. "Garrus is fixing your armor Carmine, don't worry your weapons are here except for your Torque Bow it's still locked inside your quarters as you left it. Carmine nodded his head as got a good look at his Lancer, his chainsaw chain was gone. 'Must have broke it against that grub'
Carmine took in a deep breath as he felt his shoulder sting, shaking the pain away he stared up into the ceiling raising his hand up he touched his face seeing how he is missing his helmet. "Shepard could you hand me my helmet please."
Shepard was confused of why he would need his helmet when he needs his rest. "Chakwas says you need your rest Carmine and I think your helmet will only bother you."
"Please Shepard, my helmet." Shepard looked at Chakwas seeing that Carmine will not give up she sighed as she nodded her head agreeing to hand him his helmet. She walked up to his helmet and grabbed it handing it to him. "Thank you."
He slowly placed it back on his head as he felt calm now. "Carmine I'm going to leave you alone now alright so you can rest so take it easy on yourself, you done a great job." Carmine didn't respond to her answer as he just stood quiet looking up at the ceiling slowly closing his eyes.
"I'll keep an eye on him Shepard." Chakwas said as she turned around looking at her. "Please do Karin, if anything let me know." Chakwas nodded her head as Shepard began to walk out the medical room. Walking through the mess hall she saw there were a few crew members today. 'Seems like they are working'
Shepard walked inside the elevator as she pressed a button heading towards engineering.
"Let's see how Tali is doing."
-x-
Normandy
Shepard POV
Walking outside the elevator I noticed that I heard a lot of talking coming where Donnelly and Daniels where. 'What's going on in there?' Walking inside I saw Tali having her arms crossed as Kasumi was there standing beside her while Jack and Grunt where their talking to her.
"Come one let us see! I heard you say that you had a video of Carmine fighting the geth let us see!" Jack said as she seemed to be getting impatient as always. "Now, now Jack patients it's a virtue, if she doesn't want to show it then let her." Kasumi said to Jack but she was now getting irritated.
"What is going on in here?" I said as I finally have everyone's attention towards me I heard Grunt say. "The Quarian here haves a video of Carmine fighting against the geth and we want to see it!"
"I have a name you know!" Tali said as she seemed to be getting annoyed also but why does she have a video of Carmine fighting against the geth? "Come on just show us already!" Kasumi then stepped in front of Jack as she said to her.
"Why do you guys want to see the video anyways?" I knew what Kasumi was doing and in reality I wanted to hear this from them too as I heard Jack respond to her. "Have you seen him how he came back from the mission? I want to see what happen to him how he end up liked that."
"I also heard he fought two geth primes alone and charged towards a colossus head on. He must have had a lot of fun facing strong enemies!" Grunt said as he pounded his fist together feeling his blood lust coming out of him as I just shook my head but heard Kasumi say.
"Is that really all?" 'What are you trying to do Kasumi?' I wondered as I saw Jack crossed her arms as she just looked away from her and respond back. "It's just that… I want to see what went wrong alright nothing else. Anyways how is he Shepard?"
'Was she worried?' I shook my head seeing how it might have been hard to believe that she would be worried about Carmine but she did say that she respected him."Carmine is fine Jack he just needs a week's rest and he will be up and running again."
I saw Grunt laughing as he said. "Ha, only a week! He will be ready in a few days; he doesn't have the blood to stay still for a week." I was confused of how Grunt might know that.
"Yeah and to let you guys know right now he fought in Haestrom with no kinetic barriers throughout the whole mission." Everyone in the room was shocked except for Grunt as he just laughed amused of what he just heard.
"You are shitting me, no barriers at all against the geth? In that type of heat?" Jack said as she shook her head smiling how strong he truly was.
"Ha, a great warrior indeed!" Grunt said as he was happy to hear that. 'Only Krogan'
Kasumi stood quiet as she seemed to see that happen from him but then I turned my head to Tali as she was purely shocked. "That can't be possible Shepard there is no way he could have kept going through all that heat without barriers! And specially his wounds!"
Yeah it was true what she said it; with that amount of heat it could have actually made a marine loss conscience and not only that but also with great amount of skin burn. But I shook the thought away as I wanted to know why Tali had video of Carmine fighting the geth.
"Tali, why is it that you have a video of Carmine fighting the geth?" Tali then began to fidget her fingers like that when she gets nervous or when she is shy, knowing here since the fight of Saren I know how she is. "Well… I was going to show it to you but seeing how they want to see also I guess have no choice."
Tali raised her arm up as she began to type in her Omni-tool as she sends the video feeds to all of us. "While I was getting the information of my mission I was able to monitor the video around the facility of the area as I was able to see what you guys were doing." She stopped as we saw Carmine video screen show as he was taking down the first geth prime by himself and I was actually surprised to see how he took care of him.
"Seeing him take down a prime by himself was something I couldn't believe Shepard, not even my people can do that, then taking all the heat of the sun and fighting against more geth alone was something that surprised me even more." I can understand her motives looking at the next video seeing how he stomped the heads of the geth clean, tossing one over the bridge and beating some of them barehanded.
"I never seen such brute force and hate coming from a soldier like him, seeing him take down his enemies like his life didn't matter and using nothing but pure carnage was something I never seen in my life." We all know how Carmine fights in the heat of battle hell me, Jack and Grunt seen it in action. Although I'm worried of how he does things, not like this two that approve of his actions still worried me of why he would sacrifice his life like that.
"Who is he Shepard, is he even human?" I sighed knowing this was coming, I looked around seeing how Jack was looking at me as Kasumi also; Grunt was still watching the video seeing how he was putting a grin on his face appearing that he was happy of what Carmine was doing.
I looked at her as she was still fidgeting her fingers I decided to answer her question. "Look Tali he is indeed human and if you really want to know, why don't you go and ask him yourself." I could see through her purple visor that she was wide eye assuming that I might have been crazy.
"I… I don't know? I did receive his name and all but… I don't know… He might not like me to interrupt him." Tali said as I shook my head seeing that I might have failed to convince her but then Jack stepped in and said. "Look here girly, he may not seem the person to be open about things but the time his been here with us he showed nothing but respect and care for the rest of us. You can even ask Grunt, Kasumi, Garrus and hell even me."
'Wow who would of thought' "That's actually nice of you to say Jack. Never thought I hear you say that?" She crossed her arms as she looked away from me. "Say whatever you want Shepard but I know how it is to be judged alright, this girly is just scared of him just because she doesn't have the guts to go and talk to him."
I looked at Tali as she stood quiet for a while as she rubbed her hands together and looked at us. "Do all of you know who he truly is?"
"He only told me how his people execute his enemies and how strong his squad is." Grunt said as he smiled at that, I remember how Carmine explained to him how there possible ways to execute an enemy with Grunt.
"He may look terrifying but he haves a good heart inside of him, I know he haves been through some rough times in his past but I know he really cares to the people he cares for." Kasumi said as I can see her smiling under hood.
Seeing how everyone really respect Carmine made me happy to see that everyone is there to support him. 'I wonder how he does it' I looked at Tali once more and said. "Tali I know he may seem stranger to you but he did risk his life to save your life against a prime. Who does that?" I saw her nodded her head she stopped fidgeting her fingers as I kept going. "Go and talk to him I'm pretty sure if you thanked him he be glad to hear it right about now."
Tali nodded her head as she said. "I will Shepard and thanks for having me in the Normandy. When will I be able to see him?"
"Glad to have you on board Tali. You can check up on him in a few hours from now he is resting, I hope." I shook my head hoping he is indeed still in the med bay with Karin resting. Seeing how everyone is leaving back to their station I heard my Omni-tool beep as I walked out and opened it up seeing how I got a message.
"Hi sweetheart, I know we haven't talked since well when you came back from the grave. I was just checking up on you and see how you were doing. I'll be heading towards the Citadel and I'll be there for a couple of days so I was wondering why you don't come down and let me meet your crew. So come on over and see me, It's been two years since I haven't hanged out with my daughter so call me when you are here and that's an order to understand.
Well love you and hope to see you soon.
Love Mom."
"This is going to be bad."
-x-
Normandy
Carmine POV
"Carmine we have to retreat!" Who is this person, where am I? Wait I know this scene I'm back in the Hollows ,the grubs! "Carmine we have to retreat are squad leader is dead we have to fall back!"
"What about the rest!" I saw him shake his head as he was shaking. "They are all dead Carmine the Locust killed them all we have to get out of here!"
No, no, no, no that's not true! "We have to stay here we have orders to protect this area until reinforcements arrive!" He started to panic as he grabbed me by my shoulders and pointed his finger towards the battle.
"Look around you Carmine we are surrounded! Drones, Grenadiers, Therons, Kantus and Maulers have passed our lines we are getting slaughtered!"
I can see them, my friends being killed by the grubs. The drones shooting down at my friends, my squad mates that I served since my training days in boot camp being slaughtered! The Kantus lifting up one of them up as he took out his helmet "Die ground walker!" bringing his sharp teeth at his head, hearing him scream in pain as I can see his brain spilling outside of him as he dangled dead in his hand.
"We can't hold this position any longer!" I kept on looking around as I saw two of my team mates running away from the Mauler but the giant grub swung his flail ripping them both in half as their guts and blood splatter all over the ground.
"We have orders to defend this area!" I yelled as he then turned me around and yelled right in my face. "To hell with their orders! I have a family waiting for me! I'm not going to die in this shit hole!" He pushed me away as I saw him sprint away but it was too late as I saw an arrow stuck behind his back as he then exploded into pieces seeing his guts and blood splatter all over the ground.
Seeing a grub rushing towards me I ripped up my chainsaw as I cut him apart feeling his blood splatter all over my armor as he screamed in pain seeing his body parts land on the ground as I aimed and shot a few more grubs dead.
"Does anyone read me? Anyone still alive!" I didn't get any respond as I looked around once more. Seeing more of them grubs killing my friends, taking them out in the open as one of them curb stomps him destroying his whole head.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I saw a friend of mine I recognize in my boot camp days he was about to be a father in a couple of months as I saw him being beat to death as one of the grubs plunged a bayonet straight into his stomach as they ripped him open.
I can hear the screams come from every direction, looking down I saw another friend of mine I knew. He was crawling towards me as I saw his face with pure fear in him as he lift his hand to me yelling. "Carmine help me please!"
I heard him I did but my body didn't move, why didn't I move? Why couldn't I move! Looking past him I saw a Kantus walking right towards him as he stomped on his head reaching down grabbing on to his left arm the grub pulled as I could hear him scream in pain as I saw his whole arm being ripped off from him.
The grub then began to beat him to death in his head hearing him scream for help, pleading for mercy but he didn't stop as he then hit him one more time as the back of his head popped open as his brain splatter all over the floor only having the grub tossing his arm at him saying.
"Puny human!" I stared and watched as my friend was killed in front of me, in front of me! The Kantus then looked at me and screamed at me. "Ground walker!" Pulling out his Gorgon pistol he aimed at me as I felt the bullets hitting me on my shoulder knocking me on the ground as I was looking above me.
The ground was wet and cold as I looked to my side seeing I was in a pile of blood. Hearing the grub walking towards me I looked down as he was standing right in front of me aiming his pistol right at me. 'Was this it? Is this how I die'
"Die human!" I gripped my hands into a fist as I got up quickly form the ground as he missed his shot hitting me on my leg I grabbed on to his arm as I yanked the pistol away from him and punched him straight into his jaw. Seeing him stumble back I kept on punching him as he was trying to defend himself I didn't even let him. I punched him under his chest as I saw him land on his knees I gripped his throat as I stared him straight into his eyes.
I can tell he was scared, he was afraid of me, a Locust showing fear towards me. I placed my hands on his mouth as I was stretching it open I felt him squirm away from me but I didn't let him. I kept on pulling as I heard his whole jaw snap as I felt his whole body stop moving.
"Carmine!"
"Carmine!"
I snapped from my thoughts as I looked at my left seeing Doctor Chakwas standing right beside me. 'I guess I'm back' I slowly got up from the bed as I sat looking at Chakwas. "Was I moving a lot doc?"
I saw her give a smile at me as she nodded her head. "Yes Carmine once again you scared me making me believe you were having some sort of heart attack." I laughed seeing if I was ever going to have a heart attack it better be from bacon at least.
"Sorry I worried you doc, if you don't mind I'll be getting off this bed now." I placed my feet on the ground as I slowly got up feeling my right leg sting seeing that it was still not healed up I looked down as I put on my tank top.
"Carmine I suggest that you keep on resting here when you feel better to walk again." I looked at her and then look back at the bed. Yeah it was comfortable and all but I really didn't like to stay in here. "I'm alright doc I'll just head on to my room and rest there really."
She sighed nodding her head to my answer as I reached down grabbing my weapons. "Carmine as your doctor I suggest you stay well rested, don't strain yourself as you already are. Or I will have to sedate you." I laughed at her last statement knowing her she would really do it I looked at her and responded back to her.
"I'll be careful doc, thanks." I waved at her as I slowly walked out of the medical room seeing the mess hall was empty. It was for the best really I didn't want to talk to anyone right now except for one person though. Walking towards the mess hall I walked towards Garrus room as I open it seeing him fix my armor, he slowly stopped as he turned his head around and said to me.
"Carmine I guess Chakwas cleared you to fight once more this time a platoon of Krogan right?" I shook my head as I walked towards him padding him on the shoulder as I looked at my armor seeing how it's almost fix.
"Not exactly Garrus but she did say I can fight you though, I heard you Turians are weak against hand to hand combat." I lied to him really I didn't know anything know shit about Turians but that they are the strongest army in the galaxy. But I got to see his reaction as he responded back.
"I'll have you know that I'm an expert on hand to hand combat Carmine and I bet I can take you on any time." I laughed seeing how he doesn't back down on any challenge sort of remind me back home.
"So what bring you here Carmine?" I pulled out my Lancer as I handed it to him. "Is there a way you can fix my chainsaw bayonet Garrus?" He set it beside the table as he was expecting it, after a few minutes he said.
"Well it doesn't seem that difficult to fix Carmine really but why not use one of our weapons?" I shrugged my shoulders at his responds, I really didn't want to use one of their toys really, and it will just not be the same as my Lancer. "To tell you the truth Garrus I don't want to use your weapons really it's just not the same as my Lancer. A Gear without his Lancer is a useless Gear without it."
He nodded his head seeing how he understood me he turned his head back on my Lancer as he was expecting it. "So what material do you want me to use? Or what sort of damage you are looking for it to make?"
"I want it to rip right through any material Garrus, I want it to be stronger and that it always stay sharp never able to break, I want it to rip right through a geths armor." Garrus stood quiet as he placed his hand under his chin thinking of what to do.
"I got an idea but it's not going to be easy to get though Carmine and this material is going to cost quite a fortune to get." I sighed knowing that it was not going to be that easy. "So is going to be impossible then?"
"Not exactly." I crossed my arms not understanding his situation as he looked at me. "I can get it with no problem using Cerberus funds, and don't worry the Illusive Man won't know what I'll be making I'll be giving him false information, but I can get it."
'Why do I have the feeling that he wants something from me' I shook my head as I looked at him. "Alright Garrus what do you want?" This time I saw him put a smile as he looked at me. 'Bastard'
"Although I would very much like to use your sniper once again on the next mission." I sighed knowing that's what he was aiming for but he continued. "But seeing how you saved my life and I saved yours how about we go to a bar and call it even."
I was surprise to see that an alien wants to know me better, seeing that he indeed saved my life back on Haestrom he did seemed a good person to know, hell even Grunt was great to talk to he just loves battles like I do. "Alright Garrus sounds good to me. But I warn you though I can drink quite a lot."
He laughed as he extended his hand to him as I gladly shake it hearing him say. "Sounds good Carmine but just don't tell Shepard about this alright."
"You got it Garrus." I said my goodbyes as I exited the room. 'Well that went well, glad that he will be able to fix my Lancer' Walking through the mess hall I pass through the elevator as I stood outside my room for a quick moment as I felt my leg throbbing. 'Damn I guess I walked too much for today'
"Umm… Carmine?" It was indeed a female voice but different of what I heard from but it sounded very familiar though. I turned my body around as I spotted the same female Quarian I saved at Haestrom. I saw could see that she was fidgeting her hands in front of me. 'Is she nervous or something?'
"Did I disturb you in a bad timing?" I turned towards my room as I really wanted to get some rest in because of my leg really, sighing I turned my head towards her as I replied. "Not really umm… Tali right?"
"Y-yeah that's my name… um I just… wanted to see how you were doing." Seeing that she was moving her hands even more I wondered if she was scared of me or something or was she just nervous standing around in the middle of the hall way here.
Opening my door I looked at her. "Well I'm doing fine at the moment but my leg is killing me so if you want to talk just come on in alright if not then we can talk another time." I began to walk inside my room as I placed my weapons on the table as I began to sit down on my bed.
I turned my head seeing how Tali walked inside holding her hands together as the door closed behind her. 'I thought she would leave' Seeing how she stood still in the middle of the room I extended my hand offering her to sit down on the chair.
"Do you want to sit down or just keep standing?"
"Umm… I'll sit down thank you." She walked towards the chair as she sat down across from me, not really knowing what she is doin ghere and me personally not knowing why indeed she is in here for, I don't know anything about her and her being a Quarian.
"So Tali, what did you want?" I saw her stop as she was staring at my weapons and my old COG Armor seeing her look straight at me. "Oh I just well… I wanted to thank you for saving my life back on Haestrom."
"It was nothing Tali really I just couldn't stand and let the grub kill you." She tilted her head guessing she didn't understand my word 'Grub' and. "What's a grub? You mean the geth?" Yeah should have seen that coming.
"I guess you want to know who I am and where I come from huh?" She slowly nodded her head seeing that I make her nervous I looked straight her as I can her eyes looking at me through her purple visor and said.
"Look Tali, I'm human alright and where I come from is something that you might not believe me but I'm not from this universe. I'm from a planet called Sera and I'm indeed a soldier, a Gears really." I can tell she seemed surprised by seeing her hands stopped moving she was just looking straight at me as her visor never moved.
"You're not lying are you?" She said to me as I shook my head to her. "No, I was never a good liar really so believe what you want Tali."
"Wow you're not lying."
I nodded my head and I don't know if it was me but it seemed to me that she was smiling? "Wow that's amazing how tall are you exactly?" I was now confused of how this girl was somehow scared of me and now was happy with full of questions?
"I'm seven feet and two inches."
"Wow… what are those around your neck?"
I looked down as she pointed her finger at my COG Tags. "These are my COG Tags, it's just the same as Shepards tags I guess."
"And why do you say grub? Or how did you get here? And… Oh I'm sorry I guess I'm asking too much aren't I?" I shook my head not knowing how this girl is jumpy somehow never met someone like her.
"Look I know you want answers Tali but right now I'm tired ok." She nodded her hand seeing her get up from the chair she looked at me one more time as she said.
"Sorry if I bothered but Thank you for saving me Carmine, most people don't do that for a Quarian."
'What does a Quarian have to do with it?' "Don't worry about it Tali, Quarian or not I would help you no matter what." I can see she was fidgeting her hands once more as she said.
"T-thank you Carmine."
"Anytime Tali before you leave can you put my helmet on my table please?"
"Sure."
She walked towards me as I slowly removed my helmet as I could get some nights rest in and I looked at Tali as I handed her my helmet but I heard her say. "Keelah!"
'Keelah?' I kept on staring at her as she still didn't grab my helmet. "Tali? Tali are you alright?" I saw her shake her head as she quickly grabbed my helmet and placed it on top of the table.
"I-is there something else y-you need?" She was fidgeting her hands a bit faster this time and I don't if it was me being tired but I could have sworn I could see her through her purple visor as she was blushing? 'You're seeing things clay'
"No Tali thanks."
"W-well see you around Carmine." As I saw her walk out the room leaving me alone, I sighed as I lay in bed trying to get comfortable as I slowly closed my eyes.
"She does have some nice hips though."
Hahaha oh how I had fun writing this one and now guessing that you readers might know now indeed it is time for Carmine to explore the Citadel! XD
To my reviewers!
edboy4926 - Glad you liked the chapter!
The Constitutionalist - Glad you liked the chapter and that you were surprised of how his Lancer bayonet was destryed but don't worry a Gear is nothing with out his Lancer. (Not true because Carmine seems like he can use any sort of weapon really lol) But you get what I mean. And Carmine being open to people? I don't know I just don't see it? And it also got me curious what sort of paring YOU want for carmine? Who are you favoring here! lol But don't feel bad if you think you ramble to much don't worry. I like what my reviewers think and it makes me glad to see that this story is still at your interest.
To my Guest - So Tali huh but also Jack! Thats actually new to me really I guess your the first to actually that you want to pair up with Carmine lol But hey it may seem possible who knows! I like you opinion and hope you liked this chapter.
Hazzamo - Hahaha thats what I say when I play Gears of war lol Carmine is Beast! But he haves to watch himself now and then. I know I loved that part too lol
TheFallenGeneral - Indeed you have a good point there. Jacob seems like he could leak information to TIM! But think about it? Would he actually dare to leak information against Carmine? I know I wouldn't lol
Well readers, favorites, followers hope you liked this chapter and please leave a review of how this story is going so far I'm always pleased to see your reviews thanks. So readers stay safe and I'll see you next time it could be today, tomorrow or the next who knows really lol Till next time!