Chapter 13 – Turn on or on?
She lay in the cold bed looking completely serene. Her face was relaxed as if she was in a deep sleep but her eyes fluttered beneath her eyes. Despite the look of peace she often experienced REM, Rapid Eye Movement, and tonight was no exception. Dreams haunted her, memories of everything done to her flooded. She finally gasped awake, sweat between her breasts yet nowhere else. Once awake the sweat began to pour, running into her eyes. She rubbed them as she grabbed her omni tool and fastened it to her wrist; it was only 4:52 in the morning. She sighed, swinging her feet from beneath the sheet she used, kicking it to the ground in the process. Her dark blue boy shorts fell to mid-thigh as she stood up with a tilt of her head which made her neck crack. She rolled her shoulders, feeling the bones cracking into place as she let out a small groan. Her room was cold, plain save the single bed against the right wall. She wondered into the small bathroom provided then proceeded to shower via the tap and a sponge. She noted her scars, the tattoos she used to cover the ones on her back and down her spine. Much like Shaun, every bone had a tattoo of the bone although Shell had opted for pirate skulls to add some flair. They somehow went with the girlish tattoo on her lower back. Her scars roamed her collar bone and breasts; small pin punctures down her breasts in circles, line scars following above and below her collar bone. She traced the line down her middle, over her stomach and into her pants to her folds. She had hated these scars, but now they made her who she was.
"Sorry to wake you Shell, Kelly would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience" Miranda announced. Shell rolled her eyes; the Raven haired woman was not her type at all. Humans had not been her type in fact, until Kaiden. He had died on Virmire; although the details were sketchy she didn't dwell on them. She absently traced a raised scar on her ring finger. She remembered the simple gold band he had offered for his love, before she had shrunk it down and had it implanted beneath her skin. She would never forget her promise to him, but she would move on. No more humans.
She pulled her Cerberus uniform on before she used a special pin in the middle of the short sleeve, then she pinned it to her shoulder. It resulted in a penguin suit angle on her sleeves. She didn't mind the scars on her shoulders showing, it was easy to make excuses for them as they did not match. She then pushed a biotic hand to the Cerberus symbol. She pushed the biotics through the cloth before she tore away, leaving a hole over her uniform to reveal the singlet she wore beneath. Satisfied with her appearance she walked out the door, towards the Quarters of Kelly Chambers, the Psyche and Attendant to Shepard.
…..
Shell sat in the room at the table Kelly had requested she sat in. it was white, with welcoming decorations but it reminded Shell of a lab. She tapped her fingers on the table in a slow, pondering rhythm. She had not spoken a word, or raised her dark eyes to the waiting green.
"So, miss Snipes" Kelly started. The tapping stopped for a moment, then started again. Tap. Tap. Tap. Pause. Tap. Finally Shell raised her eyes, looking up into Kelly's face. The woman was pretty enough, ginger haired with fine features, delicious lips and kind green eyes. She was full of life, bubbly and loving. Not what Shell wanted, although she would go a round to confirm. She wasn't horny by nature but she had a healthy view on her sexual life. Every now and again she needed some release, and she refused to find a committed relationship. So one night stands commenced.
"Wanna go? You're pretty enough, and it's been a few months since I got a good piece"
"A… a good piece?"
"I've had a few bad ones. So I quit the, what shall we call it? ... "whoring" around" Shell grinned as the pieces fell into place with the doctor.
"Tell me, are you usually so sexually driven?" Kelly asked her face a little uncomfortable.
"No. Nor am I into women, or humans. It's grieving and distraction because tomorrow is a very bad day for me" Shell didn't beat around the bush. She leaned forwards, arms crossed on the metal table as Kelly sat before her, giving up the height advantage to stare into Shell's eyes. Shell smiled, unzipping her uniform to the waist and sitting in her tank. Her toned arms drew Kelly's eyes for a moment, particularly the scars. Luckily her scars became skin coloured as such they were almost invisible. She let the top half pool at her waist, which was a good look for her.
"Shay Snipes. Ex-military, suspended for… using a rocket launcher on a reporter, several cases of assault, grievous bodily harm to others and a blown up bar. Violence is something of a pass time for you isn't it?" Kelly noticed the rough glare Shell offered her. Before Shell could think she launched her arm across the table and gripped Kelly's shirt. For a moment Kelly gulped in fear, watching the rage flood Shell's features before she let Kelly go gently.
"Shell now. I haven't been Shay for most of my life, Shaun is far more adaptive" Shell informed, she then looked to the table and shut her eyes. Every movement was begging to be stopped. The urge to harm was indescribable and all powerful within Shell's eye. She held her gaze down, brow twitching as images of Kelly's mutilated body flashed in her mind, then intense rushes of pleasure teased her imagination. She shook her head before speaking.
"Cuff me to this table, and have a stun gun on your person. Do not ask or argue, just do it… Please" Shell started off in a commanding tone. Kelly was going to refuse her but something about the way Shell had whispered please, begged to be restrained. Kelly saw the muscles tensing and flexing beneath her skin, they crawled unnaturally. She put two and two together, considering Jack's profile and Shaun's file she had read she didn't want to gamble. She requested the necessary tools over the comm then waited in silence. There was no point in having this woman angry at her if it could be avoided.
….
Shepard growled as a bullet hit his shield. Without thinking he aimed his gun and shot, however he was beaten to the kill by Shaun who stood with a pistol in hand. The sniper spun the pistol in hand like an ancient day cowboy, right down to the dangerous pursed lips and narrowed eyes. Shaun was a good soldier, Shepard had to admit. He trusted the man, despite the obvious flaws. Shaun was almost like Shade, naturally charismatic and friendly. However while Shade flaunted that Shaun hid away, preferring to shoot from shadows than show off, it was an endearing quality in Shepard's mind.
"We've got drones incoming!" Shaun called the situation followed by several curse words from Jack that even led Shepard to cringe.
"They have cloaking devises, stay frosty" Kasumi's voice came over the comm. Shepard stood up in the middle of the field and lowered his gun as his spare hand touched his helmet.
"Kasumi, have you been on channel line the whole time?" he demanded. He knew the thief had from the giggling on the line; still he rolled his eyes and waited for an answer. He was so intent on getting an answer through his silent willpower that he didn't notice the Geth Prime stalking towards him with its gun at the ready.
"Prime Motherfucker!" Jack yelled, which was enough to send Shepard diving for cover. As his back connected with the ground he looked between his bent up knees to where he had been standing. The ground was charred black; with the obvious cracks throughout the concrete that Shepard was positive wasn't there before he had dived out the way he knew he would have been dead. He counted his blessings that he had managed to avoid that attack, then cursed the pain in his left arm. He glanced down and cursed at the dent in his armor. He knew by looks the pain was his armor digging into his flesh, and the slowly spreading sticky feeling was blood.
"Shepard, gun!" Shaun called, running towards his commander. Shepard thoughtlessly tossed his M-15 Vindicator Battle Rifle to Shaun, wincing as his arm touched the ground.
Shaun caught the weapon with a grunt, he never missed a step as he put his pistol back in its holster and gripped the battle riffle with both his hands. He faced down the huge Geth Prime and ran full steam ahead, firing bullets straight at the larger enemy. He rolled to the left, landing on his knees before rolling forwards and getting to his feet to avoid a blast from the Prime. He fired again, holding the gun in his left hand as his right gripped the grenade he had stored for special occasions. He flipped over the incoming stream of bullets, bringing his knees to his chest before kicking out and spinning his body. He landed and ducked behind a pillar as he reloaded. Then he turned and ran again, firing straight into the Geth's head as he leapt. His hands closed around its shoulder before he used his legs to hold onto the Prime and emptied a clip into the Geth's shoulder. The Prime didn't fall, but the large fist sized hole was enough to slam the Grenade into.
"Eat this!" Jack's voice broke his silent self-praise. Shaun flipped backwards as Jack's biotic throw hit the Prime and sent it flying backwards. During its flight the grenade detonated and blew the Geth prime to pieces, which somehow managed to crush some drones.
"Prime incoming!" Shepard yelled, Jack looked at him as Shaun rolled his eyes. They looked up and saw something flying rapidly to their position.
"Oh come on!"
"Motherfucker!"
….
"That's it. I'm going down there" Don stated finally, throwing his hands up in exasperation. The crew was unsure what to do with their commanding officer as he walked to the armory, Miranda hot on his heels trying to convince him to stay. The words of wisdom fell on deaf ears as Don stormed through the still opening doors.
He ignored Miranda's protests as he pulled his armor on, pausing halfway when he realised he had missed some straps and locks. Miranda's hands were already there, dreadfully close to his sides as she fixed his armor. Her hands brushed down the inside of his thighs as she buckled up his legs. It was then Don couldn't resist a little jest.
"You seem to be enjoying that" He chuckled. Miranda looked up at him and bit her lip, eyes flashing with controlled rage briefly before they darkened.
"And what if I said I did?" she licked her lips as Don's face paled several shades further than his usual lily coloured skin. Then his cheeks were set aflame as he blushed a deep crimson colour, only darkened by his pale skin. His hair added to the appearance he was on fire as the blush crept to his hairline.
"Uh… um, ah… I mean… ugh, hackah… you know…"
"What's the matter Don? Can't you handle a woman?"
"Fella, this a bogging embarrassment"
Miranda laughed as Don stuttered and put his foot in it, everything he said sounded worse and more amusing. Eventually he caved.
"I may tease a little, but I never mean any disrespect"
"Could have fooled me" Miranda said with a raised brow. Don stopped smiling as he finished fastening his shoulder pads then began to walk away, suddenly intent on his previous task of getting to the surface and his brother.
"And just how are you going to get down there? Jacob has the shuttle down there" Miranda pointed out. Don paused for a moment, eyes narrowed in thought before he gave her a charming, mischievous grin.
"Just how much do the escape shuttles cost?"
…
The object landed with a crash on the final Geth Prime. Both bounced across the battlefield into the door, which was knocked down as the ground team charged through and shot the drones that kept appearing, none knowing what was going on.
"What the hell was that?" Jack demanded.
"You're asking me?" Shepard retorted, jogging towards the pod. He held his arm against his side as he jogged, watching Shaun sprint ahead with a pistol in his off hand. His right hand pushed some of the rubble aside only to give a disapproving glare down into the midst of the metallic mayhem.
"Shepard. TIM isn't going to be happy" Shaun finally let a grin show as he pulled Don to his feet, shaking his head in bewilderment as he did so. The white fist clutched to Shaun's hand for a while, the red head Irish man was clearly shaken from his fall, if his rolling eyes and groaning didn't give that away nothing would. Eventually he found his steady feet and paced to the controls, still a little dazed as he touched the button. Jack was busy hacking some wall safe she had found, grumbling as she used biotics to rip the door off and claim the 6,000 credits within. Shaun was now covering the door in case more drones came through, with his visor down cloaking devices gave off heat, which he could see and fire at efficiently. He wasn't considered a galaxy class alliance sniper for his pretty eyes alone.
The huge window opened to reveal a field. Shepard took stock quickly. Up the middle had cover from either side but was an open channel. The left had cover from the middle but left you open for an attack. The right was a snipers paradise except it had no cover from the sun.
He was so busy taking stock of the field that he almost didn't notice the Colossus in time. The huge tank shaped like a four-legged Geth fired a ball of blue at them, leaving Shepard three seconds to cry out and tackle his brother to the ground.
"Colossus!" he cried, knocking his brother down. He groaned at the pain in his left arm and side but otherwise he took little notice of his own injuries, instead hunting his brother's unprotected head for any wounds, pulling rubble out of the fiery hair in the process.
"Son of a…" Jack never finished as she put up a biotic field.
"Get down" Shaun cut her off from finishing her sentence, rolling so he was in her shield. The biotic gave him a death glare but said nothing nor did she take any violent action against his violation of her powers, and personal space. Instead, she held the shield long enough to shelter them both from the explosion in the centre of the room.
"We're going to need a rocket launcher" Shaun sighed, rising to his feet as Jack released the field and stood up herself.
"Fella, We're going to need a goddamn Mako" Don corrected with a tight grin. He hid his panic behind his smile and wide, excited eyes. He missed the Mako, even though his brother couldn't drive for shit. He missed going to Med Bay with broken bones because his brother had driven off a cliff. Hell, he even missed Wrex's constant complaining about Shepard crashing at speeds he could walk faster. Shepard had vowed he would fight one on foot, now he was keeping his promise it seemed.
"I said I would fight one on foot to protect someone I care about" Shepard reminded, ducking so the Colossus couldn't see him.
"Never thought it would be THE one though, did you?" Don winced as soon as the words left his mouth.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
…
"So, what do you want to know?" Shell asked politely, flexing her fingers by gathering them into a fist one stretched finger at a time. Even chained she ruled the room. With one gesture of her head she had Kelly cautious. The woman wasn't oblivious to Shell's intimidation but she was powerless against the brutal honesty that Shell displayed.
"Why tomorrow is such a bad day for you, to start" Kelly paused, hoping Shell would let her in to see the emotions but the pink haired woman simply blinked, made a hmm sound in the back of her throat and leaned back in the chair. It was an open gesture, despite her hostility to the doctor. It was instinct, not intentional dislike. It still did not make Kelly feel any better or any safer.
"It was the day my boyfriend proposed to me, it was also to be my wedding day the next year. Instead he died in action almost three years ago" Shell didn't answer further, instead holding the uneasy silence before Kelly continued. Usually she would edge into this subject but something about Shell made Kelly want to avoid the topic of marriage all together. She had to admit, the woman was quite attractive in the practical way. That said she was wild, holding onto a little bit of darkness that could never be tamed. The woman's blunt attitude added to the rugged style she portrayed.
"I'm sorry" She said simply, unable to focus as her eyes drifted down to the womans chest. It started out watching her breathing, trying to see if it quickened with certain tones but soon Kelly found herself distracted.
"That was one of the only times I was Shay" Shell informed. Kelly looked at her confused.
"Who were you when you were six?"
"174" Shell said without pause. Kelly blinked.
"A number? What happened to you?"
"Me and my brother were sold into slavery and medical experimentation. Father had left us and mother couldn't afford us, she got a good offer and took it. I don't blame her, Shaun would kill her if he could"
"Ok. How about when you were eleven?"
"Funeral. Me and my brother were promoted into the finer experiments for alliance soldiers. It involved breaking us of our fear and putting us through extreme mental and physical pain"
"What sorts of things did they do to you?" Kelly asked, no longer in doctor mode but instead trying to be a friend to the chained woman.
"Stabbing, electrocuting, drowning, nightmare forming. Giving us illnesses then curing them. Beatings. Old school torture. When I was thirteen rape was introduced. When I was fourteen they let Turian Guards rape me, since humans didn't seem to be effective enough. That was also the year my brother broke us out. Unfortunately some of my… abilities were not fully tested, side effects included constant nightmares, and when In combat I must shoot anything I see move. It also affects every day life, ergo the wrist accessories I am wearing right now. You may also notice the yellow flecks in my eyes, indicating anger and loss of control. It's quite easy to achieve if you rub me the wrong way… and I'm not just talking metaphorically" she paused with a scoff. This woman had no reason to care. To her Shell was lacking personality, just another unnecessary edition to a steadily growing crew. She was just another nut job, a faceless shadow to half listen too. That's all she ever was. Her brothers shadow.
"I'm sorry" Kelly whispered again.
"Not sorry enough to stop staring at my tits. I turn you on; I turn a lot of women on as well as men. By the time I became Bombshell I had a rule, I follow to this day and I suggest you remember it. I can turn you on, or I can turn on you. A little bit of evil goes a long way, Doc"
….
"We don't have enough people on our side for you to take one for the team. Stand down!" Shepard commanded, yelling in the Quarian's face. Kal… something. He couldn't remember. The Quarian seemed to understand Shepard's words but he stayed straight up, glancing to the door. His body language betrayed him, which left Shepard barely able to restrain from snapping the Quarian's neck then and there, if Tali hadn't asked personally that Shepard keep Kal alive… her tensed his jaw before he whispered.
"I would do anything for her too. Don't doubt that" Shepard's words were honest, his tone more so. The Quarian finally understood and squatted down, speaking about his squad.
"If you want to honour them cover our arse. You're injured soldier and I need our backs covered if we plan to get Tali out alive. If we fail, I'll let you throw your life away like trash. Don't let it get to that, soldier. Understand?"
"Sir, yes sir. I may take a bullet from the Geth but like hell will I die from infection, that's just insulting" Kal informed. Shepard grinned, he liked the soldier.
"Damn right it is. Now, cover our arse. Shaun, take the snipers route. Jack and I will take the left, blast through the Geth. Don, go straight up the middle. Move out" Shepard ordered, already jogging out despite his injury.
Jack sent shockwaves down the laneway as Shepard used his pistol to fire into Geth heads. He was taking damage to his shields, he couldn't hide the effect of his injury as he winced. The Geth seemed to aim for his arm and side, forcing him to take extra cover and his shots to go wide when he used one hand. He still somehow managed to fight through the pain and keep pace with the furiously grinning Jack.
"Fly Bitch!" Jack called, sending a Geth Destroyed flying through the air. A well-placed bullet from Shaun caused the tank to explode over the Geth swarming towards Don.
"Bastard Jack, they look male to me"
"Bitch! They fight like pussies so they must be chicks"
"Come on, look at their groin. Females don't have that form of crotch even in tight pants.
"They are chicks wearing a strap on or something" Jack defended her political view by throwing another Geth aside.
"Can we have this discussion when we are not under attack!?" Shepard demanded, taking a bullet to the side. It pierced his shield which made him scream a curse word he didn't even know, he was pretty sure it was Krogan. Jack was quite impressed but she didn't deviate from her battle, firing the first shotgun round she had for a while into the oncoming Geth before trapping them with Biotics and firing again. Then once more for good measure. She couldn't leave her gun with one more shot left in it.
"Don. Shepard's down!" Shaun called.
"Fuck, he's n…" Jack's voice fell silent as she saw Shepard fall, holding his side as blood oozed out.
…
Shaun crept up, cloak activated as he found a high ledge. His pistol cleared the Geth there before he started picking the enemies off from Don's back. It was so easy to just sit, the systematic beeping as his shields drained to zero. As he lined up a shot his neck bristled. Without thinking he used his right hand to draw his pistol and fire, while his left pulled the trigger on his sniper rifle, pet named Widow. The beeping of Geth's surrounded him as he continued clearing them with pistol and sniper rifle.
"Fly Bitch!" Jack's voice came. Shaun focused, spotting the Geth destroyer flying. The red armor stood out, right where he needed to put the shot almost glowed with a giant X. he fired quickly, chuckling as the Geth beneath the explosion were disposed of by the actual explosion.
"Bastard Jack, they look male to me" Shaun countered without much thought. He grinned, lining up the next shot before firing. Don put a round in its chest as well, disgusting Shaun's masterful shot with a trashy chestplate.
"Bitch! They fight like pussies so they must be chicks" Jack countered right back. Shaun laughed softly to himself, putting his scope on Don to inspect for weaknesses before flicking back to jack, protecting her since she was distracted arguing with him. He pulled the trigger when a Geth crotch entered his cross hairs. The groin area looked like a cock with padding to protect from a kick or something. The thought made Shaun shudder in disgust.
"Come on, look at their groin. Females don't have that form of crotch even in tight pants" Shaun again shuddered at the mental image, breezing his scope over Shepard before sniping a Geth rising for Shepard in the chest.
"They are chicks wearing a strap on or something" Jack's words made Shaun gasp a laugh out. Trust Jack to say something involving sex toys in battle. Yep, she was unique alright.
"Can we have this discussion when we are not under attack!?" Shepard's demand was followed by cursing. Shaun instantly put his scope back to Shepard, seeing the Geth he shot collapse. He suddenly cursed, seeing where his bullet had hit. It had let the Geth with enough time to pop his boss in the side. This wouldn't look good on a report. He swallowed his fear to keep a steady voice.
"Don. Shepard's down!"
"Fuck, he's n…" Jack fell silent, much to Shaun's relief. Shaun kept his head and put himself into overdrive, popping heads off Geth as Jack dragged Shepard into cover. Once there she continued firing biotics at the incoming Geth as Shaun covered her and Don, which was getting harder as the sun burnt down on him.
…
Don went blank for a moment before he charged up the side, shotgun in one hand and SMG in the other. His Tech armor glowed as he charged, using his biotic and tech to boost him forwards into one of the Colossus' legs. He drove his fist into the Colossus' leg, then his side. He continued beating on the leg, ignoring all the Geth around that fired at him. He felt his arm break as he slammed into the Colossus' leg once more.
"Ah, Fu… Fella!" Don cried out, stopping himself from swearing as he placed a Grenade on the Geth's leg.
"fuck you, Fella" Don shouted then let his charge free, sending him straight through the Geth's leg and into a far wall. It was enough to clear the explosion. Kal fired his final rocket with a triumphant shout, which let the team know the battle was won. However, it wouldn't be a victory if Shepard died on the plant side.
"Joker. Send the shuttle to our location, Shepard's shot and injured"
"Holy shit. ETA six minutes. How bad is he?"
"My brother's pig headed. He's walking to see Tali now, bleeding all over the place"
"Don't let him traumatise the poor girl"
"I think its too late…"
…
He stumbled, his vision blurring from the pain as he willed his feet to move. The only thing going through his head was Tali. He knew his wound wasn't life threatening, and he knew he needed to see Tali safe. The doors opened to reveal her back. He smiled, stepping forwards towards Tali as she turned. Her entire body language lightened up, that alone made Shepard happy as he wavered.
"Shepard!" She exclaimed happily, like a teenage girl receiving her first pony. Shepard smiled, unable to make his body act. The next thing he knew was his knees were against the stone cold ground, his side was warm and sticky with his blood and Tali was safe.
"Shepard?" Tali's voice wavered in concern.
"Tali" he groaned, falling forwards clinging to his side.
"Shepard!" her cry of anguish alone guided him from the light into the darkness of sleep. A realm where time held no meaning. She was safe. Tali was safe and the battle was won, with no thanks to him. Lone thoughts bound him, leaving him sweetly oblivious to the world of chaos around him.