Loyalties:
Mass Effect Trilogy is a Bioware game. For any reference to the Official Game All rights are owned by Bioware. The Fan Fiction "Mass Effect At Dawn Again" is fruit of my imagination and my work, it is a free tribute, passionate and personal to a great video game. It is not allowed any use partial or total for profit and not.
Chapter 10
Suicide Mission
… I was back at my position just a few minutes, when I heard the Normandy unhook from mooring dock. I opened shutters, looking off through horizon, until it was becoming a tiny dot far away, completely dissolving, into Hagalaz threatening atmosphere of. Broker's control room was deserted and silent. Everything enveloped by loneliness. I slumped, leaning to terminal console, I bowed my head. My chin tilted along the neck, my arms gathered around my body, imagining you still in my embrace. Everywhere I could look, I saw your face. On my skin, I still felt the gentle touch of your hands. On my cheeks the tenderness of your fingers, on my lips the sweetness of your kisses. Inside heart, into every cell, filling every fiber of my body, I felt my destiny, now inextricably linked inner of yours ... My Love wrapped you, pervading everything of you. Your presence was so tangible, it instilled me a deep sense of peace, security and contentment. I felt between us such a deep contact it was established that, not even distance was more able to break! We were connected, I could feel you inside me, like a constant presence ... It was a wonderful feeling! For the first time since the day I watched you die, I didn't feel myself alone anymore! I prayed the Goddess, you too could experience the same feelings, perceiving me within yourself, to infuse you, strength and security. I wished you could feel yourself flooded with all the love I felt for you! In all my life, I never had been so happy, so satisfied, so grateful to fate, having granted us this wonderful second opportunity to be together ... I thought "Oh thank Goddess! I beg you, let her come back soon to me!" I felt so excited, regenerated, thanks to what a formidable, it had been between us! I felt our relationship so strong as nothing could ever dent it. I had a great desire helping you defeat the Reapers, to come in handy. So, I glued to terminals with renewed enthusiasm. I focused me on Broker's data, looking for any clue as weak could to be useful. My days slip away fast, there was much work to do. Luckily, I could count on Feron, who bent over backwards to help me out. One evening, while I was examining agents in mission reports, I suddenly felt your voice, unexpected look out in my head. First, as a slight intuition, then more and more distinctly. You stroked my mind, coming in, gently. Then, you spread everywhere, intimate and enveloping. Turning you into an intense, tender embrace, deeply loving and sweet, ever so warm and comforting ...
S: "Oh Liara ... I hope you can hear me ... Here we go! We are going to cross the Omega4 Relay ... I love you! "...
My heart sank almost made me pass out with emotion, but I stood motionless, leaning against the terminal. No movement, not even the smallest breath you could guess. Only my eyes wide open. Immediately, turning in darkness color. I wrapped my body into a deep blue halo, while my mind ... it could see yours!
L: "Emily! ... Oh by the Goddess! Here I am, my love! I nor forsake you, it will be all right! Take courage Commander! If anyone can defeat the Collectors, it's you! You always will because, you always know what you have to do! Then, you've the best technology, the best available team ... You are not going to fail! Oh Shepard, you cannot fail!"
S: "I ... I can hear you! Ah, it's incredible! Liara ... Oh, my love, we are not going to fail, I promise!"
Next moment you were inside! You looked carefully outside, in bated breath. The Normandy was plunged into a sea of junks, they were raining down from all sides. A dangerous threat to the hull integrity. I could see the cockpit, you were next to Joker. A little over away, there were Miranda and Jacob, then Jack and the Justicar. You turned up right in the middle of a debris field. There were exploded scrap ships, scattered everywhere, and an Oculus multitude, which shot you their particle beams. One of them punched through the cargo hold, but along with Garrus and Grunt, you quickly got rid of it. Finally, you were ahead of the Collectors Base, which seemed to me more huge and frightening than I imagined. Something suddenly materialized! The Collector Cruiser appeared from nowhere, as if by magic, while I felt a shiver down my spine! That upsetting giant silhouette ... oh, I could never forget it! It was the same destroyed the Normandy, and ... who had killed you!
You couldn't take your eyes off from the dark death messenger. I heard your heart speed up, my own together, while your nails pressed down, into tight fists of your hands. I could feel the pain of your palms scored in-depth. But you were not listening, you only yearned beating to a bloody pulp the evil. One by one all faces, and all names of our comrades we lost in two years earlier assault, they were passing through your mind, and … my own mind through! Finally, you spoke, with your voice in commanding tone ...
S: It's time to show off our new fangs!
This time, Normandy's guns and shields were greatly enhanced. Joker was a real ace in evasive actions, which allowed you to return fire. Fight was really hard, but you well knew your stuff. When Cannon Thannix hit the target, you stayed in silence for a moment, looking at that damn ship go shatter, blow up into a thousand pieces, scattering it in vacuum, inside a hurricane of light flashes, and fire. Together with me ... we both with the same feeling of rematch, well engraved in the middle of the heart. Normandy had been damaged, but it was possible landing back on Collector Base. Joker and Edi taken care of some repairs. You ordered a briefing in Communications Room, studying Base's map, finding a way to enter. The things were not going according to plan. You realized to complete the mission, it would be more difficult than expected. The main doors were locked, secondary corridors invaded by thousands of seeker swarms, but ... you couldn't give up! I felt a terrible thought cross your mind, then anger, and pain. I too was invaded, as I realized, the Collectors had kidnapped your whole crew, imprisoned its into the Base. If you fell through, all of them would die, but not only this. The Collectors would have had free rein, kidnapping who knows how many millions of humans, probably until your species complete annihilation! All you wanted it was just to stop them, at any cost! You knew, you had to be totally honest with the crew ... I heard you, thinking desperately my name, then a strong stomach hurt, and tears angrily throw back. Finally, your confident voice, against the silence, once again, which showed only determination and strength ...
S: The plan didn't work as we expected. The situation now is this! We can't be concerned if the Normandy succeed in taking us at home! We came here to stop the Collectors. This means, develop a plan to destroy this Station ... It isn't a fortress, it will have to be some way!
The only way to proceed was through air ducts systems. However, the temperature inside, it was very high. It could be lowered solely through a series of control valves, located in another area of the Base. You assigned Tali for systems bypass through the ducts. You, Garrus and Grunt had to open cooling valves. You assigned the command of all other squad's members to Miranda. The goal was to keep enemies busy, as long as possible, on a second battlefront, trying to distract them from you. Situation was serious, the absolute cooperation of all, not less than essential. It was time to be completely honest with your team. Making anyone feel essential and indispensable. Stimulating their sense of duty, their heroism, lead by example, to make history, succeeding in sweeping away the evil from the galaxy, to claim the Peace. It was time to fight and not to give up! Exactly what the Commander Shepard, can do best, at any cost, with heroism and ... up to the end! There was a long moment of silence, in which I clearly perceived, I was all, in your thoughts! Suddenly one of our memories completely taken your mind, grabbing mine too. I felt shivers run on your skin, reaching my back. Your lips showered me of love, holding me tight to you that impetuously were whispering … "oh, I swear ... never again!" It was so real, so deep ... Another thought left my mind, echoing immediately inside yours "No damn dark threat will keep you long away from me! ... I love you, Shepard ... I'm sure you'll come back!" Finally, your intrepid tone caught the attention, fueled courage, lighted the hope ...
S: I don't know what we'll find out there, and I won't lie to you. It won't be easy! We've lost some valid comrades, we could lose more again ... We don't know how many people the Collectors have caught ... thousands, hundreds of thousands, it doesn't matter! What matters is this ... They won't kidnap others! This is what we'll do, here and now! It will end with us! ... They want to find out what we are made. I say we show them, but in our own way. We bring home, our people!
… Collectors' Base was boundless and teeming with enemies, but you knew Tali's life depended on your speed of cooling ventilation ducts. This doubled your strength and your determination. I felt intensely flowing inside me, all your energy, your concentration, a great calm and lucidity with which you faced every situation, exploiting it quickly to your advantage. I could see the battle through your eyes, I could hear your thoughts, your pain, the speed with which you responded and reasoned out. Your talent, was really terrific, every action or reaction came out spontaneously, like a reflex to an extreme stimulation of survival. All your senses extended on high alert. You foretold each individual event, with surgical precision before it happened. Each member of team, including the new ones, trusted blindly. All of them following you in perfect harmony, and their loyalty instilled you an invincible safety and strength! When the last valve was opened, Tali got bypass of main door, allowing everyone to go in. All of you found you into a huge room, which contained hundreds and hundreds of stasis pods, inside which, thousands of human beings were kept alive. They were poor kidnapped settlers! Periodically they were dissolved alive and turned into a gray liquid, which flowed continuously through huge pipes. It was directed towards Station's Center, probably to the Control Room. My eyes cried out, my heart bleed while I was watching helplessly, through your gaze, liquefying of a poor girl! It was the most chilling and terrifying thing I had ever seen! I felt your anger, your dismay and your frustration, exploding and mingle with mine. We were aghast! Both wondered how it could exist in the Galaxy, beings so repugnant, cruel, devoid of any sentiment ... Both we got no answer! How did it possible for someone to do so much, to be so monster?! Finally, you found the pods contained your crew, and I was invaded by an explosion of joy that pounding in your heart, by an intense emotion that swelled my soul, filling me up in every cell. You were furiously struggling not to burst into tears, your soul pressed against your throat. They were still alive! You had to hold on, staying focused, getting act quickly. There wasn't a minute to lose! You all precipitates on them with nails, with gun stock's blows, bare-handed punching and kicking against that horror. Miraculously, one by one all the pods detached, freeing up their valuable content. Your comrades were amazingly unharmed and you were ripping them off to a horrible fate!
Goddess, what a relief! There was also Karin, and Kelly Chambers, that girl so kind, I met onboard Normandy. I could feel only a great happiness for them safety overwhelm me! However, your companions were all very worn out, and certainly they couldn't follow you into battle. So, you entrusted them to Dr. Mordin Solus, the Salarians scientist, keeping them healthy and safe back on Normandy. In the meantime, Collectors were slowing down your advancing. Seeker swarms were everywhere, they seemed to never end. They were too many, even Mordin systems shading wouldn't be enough, keeping you safe. I tried helping you with a suggestion ... "Shepard, perhaps a very powerful biotic, would be able to protect a squad with a barrier, allowing to pass" ...
You received my idea immediately ...
S: What if using biotic powers? Could we create a biotic field, preventing them from approaching!?
SAM: Yeah, I think it's possible. I couldn't protect everyone, but only a small team, and it should remain close to me ...
M: I could do that, too. Any biotic can do it, theoretically ...
You entrusted Samara for task. I felt reassured. Justicars probably are the most powerful biotic among us Asari. She would surely be able to keep you safe. You brought Miranda and Grunt with you, while the others were creating a diversion, proceeding along the main passage, headed by Garrus. Advancing through seeker swarms, it was very hard. Luckily Samara was really powerful, and her insurmountable biotic barrier kept you safe. You were forced to stop frequently because, enemies were everywhere. Several husks, abominations and scions are trying to weaken protective barrier, coming before the even more deadly Collectors troops. The one in particular really gave me the creeps, every time his voice bounced from your mind to mine, threatening thundering ... "I'm Harbinger, assuming direct control ... This hurt you! You will know pain Shepard! If I must tear you apart, Shepard, I will!" I learned from Broker's archives, Harbinger was the first Reaper of history, who commanded everyone Reapers, and directly even Collectors. It was clear, he had it with you! Perhaps because he knew that it was you who destroyed the Sovereign! Anyway, it was terribly disturbing because, every time you killed him, Harbinger took control of someone else, shooting against you biotic energy spheres really lethal. The distance you had to travel was considerable, the battle really challenging, but you never lost heart, inciting squad to resist, not to give up, keeping on fighting! Finally, you got to reach the door, when Samara was now really exhausted ... Other enemies, preventing you from crossing the entrance. Samara's biotic barrier was about to give in. With a last desperate effort, Samara gathered all the biotic force she could find, hurling against enemies one biotic field, so powerful as it swept them all at once, allowing you to come in. Base's Central Chamber was near, but reaching it strong difficult. Only one possible way, following along suspended pipes, using on a floating platform. It was risked, but no other way was available! It was time talking back to the team. Boosting confidence, spurring dare, pull out the heroism from each other, taking responsibility … All of a sudden, my name in your mind once again, inextricably mixed it into yours. A wave of love, both enveloping, the warmth of your memories, in mine. Sighs, perfect fusion, flight ... "I don't want to miss you! ... I won't lose you! ... I love you!"..."Then, come back! ... Come back! I love you!" Finally, your voice, even more determined, confident said ...
S: The Collectors, the Reapers aren't a threat for us. They are a threat for everything, for all! That's why we fight. That's at stake! It's been a long journey, and no one will come out without scars. Everything is decided right now! In the next few minutes, we'll win, or we'll lose everything! Make me proud of you, and make yourself proud!
M: Well said! Let's go to complete the mission!
Miranda and Grunt came with you, while Garrus was in head of others, with the difficult task to cover your back, keeping busy the most possible enemies. Many Collectors platforms were incoming, trying to stop you in every way. Enemies were overwhelming numbers: Collectors drones, guardians, assassins, and abominations and scions, arriving continually, but you and your teammates had no intention of surrendering. I felt the great effort of the battle inside you, and your determination to resist! By now it seemed almost got it, but the work was hard. The struggle was becoming more and more intense. You felt a great pain in your arms and legs, but you didn't listen, you pushed back. You had to stay focused, neglecting each signal of your body, although every shot caused you more and more pain. I could feel all your strain hard, the pain and fatigue. They were the same that crushed my body. I didn't want to give up! I didn't want to give up! I didn't want to let you go. I kept repeating that you had to resist ... that I had to resist … "Come on Shepard, hold on! Here we go! You cannot give up, just right now! ... Think to humanity, to all those poor settlers, to your team ... to me! ... You promised, remember? You are not going to fail!" From your mind to my mind … "I won't fail! ... I won't fail! ... I will not fail!" Then your cries over the fury of the fight ...
S: Come on people, hold on! We are not going to fail!
You finally cleared the latest wave of enemies, coming to the Central Core, powering the Base, but something unthinkable emerged out of nowhere! A strange Reaper, synthetic and horrible, but different, definitely in human form ... It had a body littered with metal and pipes. A human Reaper Larva, with three huge pulsating red eyes, which swirled menacingly, able to fire lethal energy beams. At the center of the chest, it swirled another big red nucleus, which was able to wipe out whatever it could hit. Horror in your mind, in my mind, in my heart!
S: this thing is an abomination! Edi, what about how destroying it?
E: The feeding tubes are a structural weakness. Destroying their supports should make collapse them, eliminating the Reaper.
However, the Human-Reaper was constantly moving. It made difficult to hit those tubes, avoiding to take shots. You were always more focused, and determined shoot it down, as quickly as possible. I felt the great willingness that you needed, not to succumb to the pain, which it was invading every cell of your body, and mine. When you were about to give up, you always addressed me your thoughts, and every time, you miraculously could find the strength to give yet another blast at Reaper Larva. Grunt and Miranda took care of Harbinger and other Collectors incoming, which kept arriving on floating platforms. Finally, you hit the nail on the head, precipitating what it left of it, into the chasm below.
S: Joker, ready taking off! I'm going to plant a bomb, to blow it up!
J: roger Commander!
Just as you were about overloading the core, you had contacted by the Illusive Man through Miranda's comm. You seemed unmoved, but an alarm sounded in your brain, in mine. Suspicion, fear ... "Beware Shepard, he is merciless, I don't trust him!" ... "I know, neither do I. Don't be afraid!"
IM: Shepard, you've done the impossible!
S: I was just part of a team, some of the members gave their lives!
IM: ... a radioactive pulse should kill remaining Collectors, but leave intact machines and technology. It's our chance Shepard! They were building a Reaper, this knowledge, could secure humanity's future against the Reapers and beyond.
S: They break up people, reducing in something horrible, we must destroy the Base!
IM: Don't be so limited! Directing these resources against the Reapers could be our only chance!
Miranda also seemed on your side ...
M: I wouldn't know! Seeing it in person, use something from this Base, it seems almost a betrayal!
S: ... You're ruthless, over time you'll choose to build your own personal Reaper! No matter what technologies we could find, it isn't worth it!
IM: Shepard! You died fighting for what you believe. I've brought you back to life, so you could keep fighting. One might argue we've gone too beyond, but look what you've made! I didn't leave you because I knew your worth. Don't give up so lightly this structure, think of its potential!
S: we'll fight and we'll win without! I'll not let my fear compromise my ethics!
The Illusive Man would do anything to get Reapers' technology. He ordered Miranda to stop you. In my mind nothing else than a flash of suffocating terror! ... "Oh Goddess, Shepard!" ... "Don't worry, it's all right!"
IM: Miranda, don't let Shepard destroy the Base!
M: otherwise ... you'll also replace me?
IM: I gave you an order Miranda!
M: I've noticed! You Regard it my resignation!
I couldn't believe it! Miranda Lawson, a Cerberus' Officer, had just ignored one direct order of Illusive Man. She had hung up comm., helping you overload the Core! I felt your satisfaction with the behaviour of Miranda, and your affection with her. Miranda's gratitude towards you into that quick glance between you. There was friendship! I thought you made inroads in her cold-heart when you helped her, to save her sister Oriana from the clutches of his father, you gained her loyalty! When overloading was complete, you had only ten minutes to get back on Normandy. Really short time! There was not a moment to lose! But, it was not yet over! Exactly when you ordered to get in, the Human-Reaper returned, darkly uploading its central core, forcing you to start all over again! Time seemed to slow down, every second long an eternity. I was starting to be afraid losing mental connection, but not even I was going to give up! My concentration was at least equal to yours. My willpower was feeding itself with all love I felt for you! You were exhausted, but you had to fight that monster again! You needed my full support ... I was exhausted, but I had no intention to leave you alone! I would have died rather than lose the mental contact! I was firmly clinging to your mind, I hold you tight inside my mind, inciting you, spurring you, push you not to give up, saying you how much I love you … "Emy, I love you! Don't listen the pain! ... Please, listen just to me! I love you ... I want you ... I need you!" … "Oh, Liara, please don't go! I love you!" While you lined up your shot to its right eye, its energy beam grazed you, completely eliminating your shield, causing a stabbing pain throughout your body, which made you scream! But you resisted … I resisted!
Finally, I sensed you were holding your breath, letting go the last shot. A perfect center, then a massive explosion was putting a definitive end to the abominable thing. Several minutes had passed, you couldn't stay longer! You had to escape, but running. The explosion had terribly tilted your platform. I saw Miranda to slip, she was about falling! None thoughts in your mind, just one name "Miranda!" You let yourself slide down the sloping floor, your hands outstretched, managing to grab her on the fly, just a moment before she plummet in chasm! Finally, you were fleeing, but thousands of swarm seekers were chasing you. Collectors were incessantly firing on. When finally, you reached the Normandy ... Miranda and Grunt jumped, getting on board safe and sound. However, you covered retreat, engaging by Collectors, while the ground collapsed. The distance of Normandy was enlarged, before you could jump. Suddenly your lifeline seemed out of reach! I had a terrible fear "Oh, Goddess! Is too far!" But I hid my thoughts in silence! My heart in your heart, madly. I felt you didn't give up! ... "I can do!" in your mind, in my mind, "Sure you can!" I just wanted to believe it, with all my strength, and I cried in your mind ... "Run, Shepard, run! Let you jump! You've to do it right now! You must do it! I love you, Emily! You cannot fail! Did you hear me!? Woe to you, if you don't come back!"… Only your sweet voice in my mind ... "I hear you! … I love you! ... I swear, never again!" You already were running at breakneck speed. You had the terrible feeling that your legs will explode with the effort, but you managed to even accelerate a little. Just enough, it made you took out a long jump. You left for a moment suspended in air, finding yourself at the last moment, with your hands firmly clinging to Miranda's ones, who quickly dragged you onboard. The Normandy was all right, Joker couldn't wait. So, in a flash he took you off! Your beats banging at breakneck speed, rolling your heart painfully against your chest. Your chest, and mine. Then, the joy ... You all were alive! I could feel weeping, pressing at your throat, and be pushed back. Tears swell your eyes, reach out to the limit, and then go back into hiding. I could feel the joy flooding your stomach, and then explode, invading you, invading me, and then! ... Then, I couldn't understand what were my emotions, and what were, yours. It was beautiful! A total and deep involvement, where everything was ... just ours! Finally, your voice proud and excited, warmed my heart once again, as you spoke to your Crew...
S: It's over! ... It's really over! We defeated the Collectors, we came back all alive! Congrats to all of you! Mission had been a resounding success! You did a great job, I'd never could to make it, without each of you! You've been ... really great, my friends!
M: Credit with you, Commander! It was a real honor to serve under your command! The Illusive Man was right at least in this ... You are a great leader, a great woman, and a true symbol for the whole of humanity!
I spoke back to you in your mind, without finding all the words that I wished, to tell you what I sensed ... "Oh yeah! For once, I agree completely with Miranda! You've been simply fantastic! I'm so proud of you, Shepard! I ... I am deeply honored to deserve your love, for eternity! Come back home soon, my love!"... "Oh Liara, I couldn't do it, without you! Thank you, my love! I hope to see you soon! I love you!"
… Then the merger broke down, and I found myself sitting on the ground, absolutely exhausted by the effort, but at the same time completely overflowing with joy! I still couldn't believe it! The Collectors were defeated, the crew of Normandy saved, and all of your team members surviving. I couldn't breathe, I felt myself exploding with joy, fainting with happiness. You were alive, you loved me, and ... Oh Goddess! You were coming back to me!
As soon as I recovered by emotion, I sent to Edi all Reaper's data, I was processing from Broker's information. I wished data might come in handy, to update the Council and the Alliance about Reaper's real threat for entire galaxy. I hoped in my heart, they finally gave heed to you, and they were taking every possible precaution, preventing all of us, to be unprepared, in front of their inevitable ... arrival!
To be Continue ...
