Stardust A/N: Got a lot of heat concerning Shepard's crew in the first arc the last few days, I've responded in turn to assure readers that that dynamic was required, why? Simple. Carver.
Fun Fact #1: At least 75% of this story is written by OffMyLeash and Phoenixian Stardust texting segments back and forth.
"Cortez. Slow her down." Shepard said as she keyed in a few things into the terminal of the Kodiak. Before leaning out to face the Hawkes. "Look out the window." she smiled at them. "You'll be the only ones of your planet to see this view."
"Maker..." Bethany breathed out, as she turned her gaze to the window.
Sabrina was just left silent. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came from her; all she could do was gape like a fish out of water. Trying desperately to convey her emotions but her efforts fruitless.
Their home, the planet that they lived on, was huge-making even the biggest of High Dragons seem like particles of dust in comparison. Clouds swirling about, vast expanses of oceans, land masses that she hoped to travel to one day, some familiar that she'd seen on maps and others she had never seen before.
"It..it makes me feel...so tiny," she finally managed to say after a long bout of silence, as the three crowded in the window.
"It does." Liara spoke as she stood beside the silent, stunned, Leandra. "This is just a small fraction of what you will experience in our world."
Sabrina grinned. Her eyes-now back to their natural colour - shining. "Varric will be so jealous when we tell him about this," she stated, she shifting her gaze back out if the window.
There were subtle expressions from both Garrus and Liara.
"Varric told me that you need the Fade to survive." Shepard leaned in her seat to look at Bethany. "We're just outside your home planet, do you feel any change? It would be better to check now before leaving the system."
Bethany was silent for a few moments, pondering the question. "I do not...feel any differently," she confessed. "I still feel...well, everything," came the attempted explanation. "And..." trailing as she summoned magic to her fingertips." I still have my magic," a smile coming onto her lips.
"We'll check in again after we leave the system." Shepard said. "Then to be safe, after we hit the Relay. My theory is that we do still have the Fade, but it lacks the demons yours has."
"I am still curious, about your Fade," Liara voiced. "I've heard things but I am still attempting to figure out why it hold such an important place in your society."
"It's the realm of the dreams, the dead, and the demons," Sabrina spoke up, tearing her eyes away from the window. "A realm that everyone enters when they dream, minus the dwarves of course," giving a light chuckle there. "However, mages are connected to it even when they are awake."
The youngest Hawke gave a nod of agreement. "I am connected to it," she added. "It's as apart of me as your skin is blue. You did not ask to have blue skin, to be born an..." she trailed, unable to remember what Liara had described herself as upon her arrival.
"Asari," the scientist supplied for her.
A grateful smile coming onto the mage's lips. "Yes, an asari. Those things, among others, make you who you are.
But, what do you think would happen if those things were taken away from you?" she posed the question to the alien.
Liara thought about it for a moment. "Then I would have never been born asari." she answered. "My race is something that cannot be taken away from me."
"And what about your...bio-ticks was it?" Bethany countered. "Can that be taken away from you?"
"Biotics." Liara corrected. "No, they cannot be taken away from us, unless you're paralyzed from the neck down I guess." she looked at Garrus who shrugged.
"But by that point, you're usually dead." the Turian responded.
"Biotics require the electrical impulses from one's nervous system and the element zero nodes in a biotics' body. It's not like your magic." Liara explained quickly.
Bethany let out a chuckle. "Wish I could say the same," she responded, looking at the flame that she had summoned in her hand. "For mages...our magic can be taken away from us at any moment. If we are deemed too dangerous or cannot undergo the Harrowing then by default we are made Tranquil. Our connection to the Fade is broken," came the explanation. "And we lose everything that makes us who we are. All our energy...all our life...is drained from us. It's like we're turned into nothing more than empty vessels...like we're nothing more than..."
"Husks."
Garrus had supplied the word as Liara turned her hand slightly, creating her own biotic fire, her energy flowing down the length of her entire forearm, it was easy to see the differences between their energies, Liara's was brighter but Bethany's was much more fire-like and contained to her palm.
Leandra reached out to touch her youngest. "That won't happen to you Bethany," she stated. "You're a strong girl, and know how to use your magic properly. The templars should have nothing to fear from you."
"But they do mother," the mage of the family countered. "They watch us like we're prey, not all but enough for us to realize that we're always under their gaze. As if at any moment someone can turn into an Abomination," shifting the flame between her hands, tossing it back and forth like a toy.
"I can understand that some mages are dangerous...they're abusing their powers and do things to hurt people, but even for them I think being made Tranquil is too much of a punishment," she voiced.
Sabrina leaned over, resting her head on the younger girl's shoulder. Her own hand coming out to tease the flame-no harm coming to her from her action. "Their way of thinking is stupid," she stated, earning a chuckle from Bethany that had the mage's body shake. "A mage is no more dangerous than a person with a sword, or dagger, or Goldie Locks there," snickering as she pointed at the Commander. "To say that a person is less dangerous simply because they aren't a mage is so...arrogant.
We are all capable of bad deeds. You don't to be a mage to commit them."
"Saren." Garrus grumbled. "The fine example of a madman who isn't a mage. I think the Illusive Man sits up there too."
"Don't remind me." Shepard grumbled before tapping a few things at the console before her Co-Pilot Seat. "Take a look out the window now." she told all of them. "The SSV Normandy SR-2 in her natural element."
They did as she suggested and all their jaws practically hit the floor. Shepard's Normandy seeming hanging in the void of space as if it were a star itself. It was the most beautiful sight any of them had ever seen.
Sabrina began speaking in the elven language before her sister started to do the same thing. Shepard and her crew had no idea what they were saying, but they sounded excited at least. The rogue turning her attention to the Commander before firing off a question at the redhead.
Unfortunately, the tattooed female did not realize that she had asked her question in the elven tongue.
Shepard leaned over the side of her seat, looking confused as both Garrus and Liara tapped the side of their heads, something they picked up from the humans when they didn't understand something.
The gesture was lost on the Ferelden.
"English." Shepard said as she turned back their console.
It took a few moments for it to dawn on the rogue. "Oh!" she said in the common tongue, looking rather sheepish. "Sorry. I was asking how...do does the Normandy, and this smaller star metal ship fly? It's just hanging in the sky like a star."
"There is a lot of tech talk that goes with this." Cortez answered for them. "I can spend all day explaining different engines, drive cores and whatnot, things you'll probably never understand in this instance. Mass Effect, is probably the easiest answer."
Sabrina imitated the gesture the others had used on her, pointing at her ear. Earning a chuckle from the others. "Also, you asked me to speak English," sea green eyes shifting toward the Commander. "What is that?"
There was a collective sigh from Shepard's crew.
"Just toss him in there." Shepard muttered as Garrus and James hauled Carver off the Kodiak. "Strip him of his armour and weapons while you're at it."
"Understood." James answered as they disappeared towards the back of the ship. Slowly she turned around to face the Hawkes who were slowly getting off the Kodiak.
"And...this entire thing is made of star metal?" Sabrina asked as she glanced around the hanger. "Isabela will be so jealous. If she had this ship she'd be the most infamous captain in all the world!" She breathed out.
"Those stories your friend has been telling." Leandra said slowly. "Her companions I can understand but everything else..." she slowly turned in a circle. "I am finding this hard to believe."
Cortez smiled as Shepard shook her head slightly, this was to be expected.
"It can be overwhelming," Cortez informed her. "I felt the same way when I was a kid. Seeing a ship for the first time, and then actually setting foot inside one," he added. It had been a long time since he thought about that.
Things hardly had the same mystical value they once did. But seeing how the Hawkes were looking about curiously, like children, brought a smile to his face; moments like this were rare with the Reapers knocking on their door.
"Oh! Shepard that reminds me," Sabrina said, suddenly remembering as she dug into her pocket. "Sandal gave this to me before we left," presenting the ring and dog tags to the marine.
"He upgraded it. Added more enchantments and a rune or two I think," She told the older woman.
"Okay. I nearly forgot." Shepard said as she caught her tags. "I need to tend to a few things." she pointed over her shoulder. "Cortez, Garrus, find them a place to stay."
"I need to check on Glyph." Liara sighed as she took off her knee length jacket and hung it up in her locker before pulling out her normal jacket. "Hopefully my network didn't crash and burn while I was away."
"If the Hawkes would follow us please," Garrus signaled to them leading them to the elevator. "Hopefully your new living quarters will be up to your standards after living in a manor," a smirk on his face. A clear sign of him teasing.
A chuckle came from the tattooed rogue. "Before the manor Garrus, we lived in a two bedroom house with my uncle Gamlen. Three of us to a room.
And before that our home in Lothering," she informed him, as they stepped onto the elevator. Eyes inspecting the inside of it as she spoke. "I have yet to be spoiled by living the high life," giving a chuckle.
He laughed as well before pressing the button for Crew Deck. Chuckling in amusement as the family of three yelped when the elevator began moving.
"Commander." Traynor called out when Shepard crossed the deck. "I found something while scanning Alliance Channels; Grissom Academy is requesting help, the Reaper front will hit them soon."
That information made Shepard pause for a moment, it would be another thing added to their list, and an active school would take priority over Alex Garneau, but she just couldn't keep pushing him back, eventually it will just be too late.
But to sacrifice one life to save many at a time like this, she would do it in a heartbeat.
"What can we do?" she asked
"A Turian Evac Transport responded to their distress call." Samantha answered. "So normally I'd say we don't need to do anything."
"But..." Shepard crossed her arms as Traynor turned back to her terminal
"Something sounded off in the Turian Signal, so I had EDI perform an analysis. It's fake." she look at the Commander standing beside her. "EDI thinks it's Cerberus, she said that the fake Turian Signal was similar to one that lured you to...a... Collector Ship?"
"That's a very long story." Shepard answered.
"In any event, whoever faked this signal wants us to think that Grissom Academy is being evacuated, but I believe they are still in danger." she said, Shepard smiled softly.
"Good catch, no wonder EDI speaks so fondly of you." she praised, Samantha flushed slightly. "We'll re-route the Normandy to Grissom Academy, we won't sit on this."
"Thank you Commander."
"Actually, can you do me a favour?" she asked Traynor. "Can you just tell the Hawkes there is a slight change in the itinerary? I need to contact Hackett."
"Of course Commander." they moved to go in their opposite directions, Shepard stopping and looking behind her while Samantha waited for the elevator.
"One more thing, Traynor. I need you to check up on Bethany, make sure she's still okay since we've left their system. Then invite them up to the bridge, I think they'll want to see the Mass Relay." she added before walking away. By the time Traynor realized the oddity of the request, the Commander was already gone.
"By the Maker," Leandra breathed out as she took a seat in the bed. "This is...this is all so much.
I thought only magic would be enough to take my breath away," came the statement. "And yet, here we are sailing, no flying like birds and dragons, among the stars." Golden eyes looking out the window.
"I knew Shepard was different. Hell, I saw her Normandy fly in the sky." Sabrina began as she sat atop a desk. "And even though she has weapons and armour and things that are so different from our own...it's really just hitting me full force how truly different her way of living is from our own. It's awe inspiring really."
"So, do you think that they are right?" Bethany asked having taken a seat on a chair by the desk. "When they claimed that our magic doesn't exist for them; it's because their style of life is so unlike our own?"
"Maybe," Sabrina said, as she played with a lock of her hair. "I mean...she did come back because they needed a Mage. It proves they don't have them at least. But Shepard also mentioned something about feeling a presence similar to being in the Deep Roads," she pointed out. "So it's hard to really say."
"She and Liara kept mentioning cycles when they talked." Leandra pointed out. "What you suppose that meant?"
"Day and night? Seasons? Their culture?" The sea green eyes female listed off. "No idea really. I'm just glad she came back," moving over to her sister. "We got you out of the Circle...even if its only temporary."
Bethany nodded in agreement as she leaned against her sisters leg. The content silence broken by a knock and the door sliding open, a tanned dark haired woman there.
"Sorry to interrupt." she started in an accent familiar to Hawke. "I am Communications Specialist Samantha Traynor." Traynor introduced herself. "Commander Shepard wanted me to let you know that there has been a slight change of plans."
Bethany gasped quietly; too silent for the Specialist to hear. Her mother and sister did, but chose to remain silent.
"Will we be returning Carver so soon?" Sabrina said with her usual charm, giving a laugh. "Don't keep us in suspense."
"No. According to EDI he's still unconscious." Traynor shook her head. "There has been a distress call from Grissom Academy. We're detouring to aid them before arriving at the Citadel."
"That's fine by us," Sabrina assured her. "This is her ship after all...until I tell Isabela about this and she attempts to steal it.
I wonder what she'll rename it," the rogue mused, rubbing at her sister's head in thought.
Samantha bit her lower lip slightly, she knew these people were different, Shepard had warned the entire crew, but it was like the Commander had just gone and pulled them out of a historical film. "Also, the Commander requested that I checked in on Bethany on her behalf, something about leaving your home system. She wasn't clear."
The mage let out a squeak, hiding her face in her sister's thigh. Earning an amused laugh from the older girl."You'll have to excuse Bethany. She can be a bit...shy at times," Sabrina explained to the dark skinned woman. "And she was probably referring to the Fade."
The Comm Specialist looked confused. "Fade?" she echoed.
Sabrina shifted her leg, earning her sister's gaze. Golden eyes met green as she communicated to the younger through her look; the mage let out a huff before turning to look at Samantha.
"It...it's what makes me a mage," Bethany explained. "You all have never spoken of having one. It...It's like a dreamscape," struggling to explain the details. "Simply put, if I'm not connected to the Fade then I become what Garrus refers to as a 'husk'."
"That's... unusual." Traynor admitted. "But it is not my place to question, there is one last thing the Commander asked me to tell you." she placed her arms behind her in a military rest. "We will be hitting the Mass Relay in about an hour, she figured you'd want to be up on the bridge to see it."
The family of three nodded to show that they would keep that in mind. Samantha began to walk away before stopping; as if suddenly remembering.
"Also...joining Shepard's ground team is optional. She just wanted to let you know that offer was there." she bowed her head slightly and shuffled back out of the room. The door closing behind her and a squeak from the Specialist as she banged into the opposite wall.
Leandra, EDI's hologram appeared in the corner of the room. I would wish to inform you that Doctor Karin Chakwas and Chief Engineer Gregory Adams are of a similar age group. They can be found in the Medical Bay and Engineering Deck respectively.
Sabrina tried to stifle a laugh; earning a look from her mother as well as a thump to her ear.
"Oh hush you. I may be on in years but I can still take you over my knee," the mother warned, no weight behind her words at all. Her attention then turned her attention to the glowing blue flame. "Thank you EDI. Can you direct me to them?" Came the request as she stood.
"Of course." EDI answered. "Allow me a moment to send my platform to you." the hologram winked out.
"Now that. Was weird." Bethany said. Pointing to where the hologram once was "A golem and a ship at the same time."
"Will the wonders never cease," Sabrina inquired while rubbing at her ear. Her attention then turned to her sister. "So...what was that earlier Sister?" She asked with a smirk, nuzzling the younger woman.
"What was what?" Bethany asked slyly as the doors opened again. EDI's golem, platform, standing there. Accepting the affection that her sibling was bestowing upon her, finding herself catching a purr in her throat.
"The Commander wishes to let you know that if you wish to join her, to see Lieutenant Vega down in the armoury. You will need to be properly outfitted." EDI said before looking at Leandra. "Doctor Chakwas is on this floor."
Leandra nodded and followed EDI. "Don't tease your sister too much dear," she called over her shoulder as she left. She didn't even have to add names-the sisters knew who was being addressed; Sabrina only grinned like an imp.
The two sisters rose and headed for the elevator; EDI taking control of it and sending them where they needed to be.
"You know what I mean sister," Sabrina smirked, taking hold of the younger woman's wrist, leading Bethany to a corner in the Shuttle Bay and turning the mage around, and leading her backwards towards a crate.
A slight rumble coming from the older sibling. "I know that sound," she teased, nuzzling against the younger girl, having infinitely missed moments like this. "If I recall correctly I made the same sound around the time we met Shepard and her companions.
Though I was at least able to look at Miranda," she added teasingly. "Which reminds me...I haven't seen nearly the same number of familiar faces. I'll have to ask Goldie Locks why that is," came the sudden muse.
Her gaze then went back to her sister, who was trapped between her body and a crate. "Later of course," a smirk coming onto her lips as her eyes shined playfully.
"Can we not." Bethany muttered softly, a light flush colouring her cheeks. "Discuss this, least of all here where it seems someone is always watching us?"
This time a purr from the older girl. "They watched in the Circle too," Sabrina pointed out, bringing her head down to lean against the shorter woman's. "At least here we are among friends and they aren't looking at you like you're some sort of dangerous animal.
Though given our lineage..." She trailed giving a light laugh. "I've missed you," came the confession as she placed a kiss to the mage's forehead. "Visiting you in the Circle...it's not the same as this." Hands coming to wrap around the younger girl's waist.
"Am I interrupting?" Cortez cleared his throat suddenly before pointing at the crate they were leaning against. "You're sitting on my tools."
"No," she answered. Sabrina smirked turning back to face her sister. "We will finish this later," placing a quick kiss on the mages lips, before releasing Bethany.
Though they still both remained close. Cortez didn't say anything before he started to shoo them laughed and moved further into the area, searching for Vega.
"Lola said you'd be coming." James called out from is little homemade office. Doing a round of pull ups. "Figured you'd want to join her when we go and kick Cerberus out of school."
The sisters watched him for a few moments. "You're coming too?" The rogue inquired.
He shook his head. "Nah. Garrus and EDI will be with the Commander on this one," he informed them. "Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice to take down some Cerberus dogs but that's who she wants with her this time. Luckily Cerberus operatives are in no short supply," he said in between pull ups. " We usually go in three man teams."
"So...if we go with her, that will make five," the rogue pointed out.
"She's not expecting you two to fight front lines." James jumped off the bar, shaking out his muscles, and turned to them. "More or less to shadow 'em as they move, get an idea on how things work."
Sabrina nodded to show she understood. "We're supposed to be getting armour from you," she said, though it was really more of a question.
"Kinetic barriers, basic weapons." James answered as he looked at the two. "Our armour is probably too heavy for you." Flexing his muscles in the process. Sabrina gave him a shove; more playful than anything, he didn't move.
"I'm a rogue, we focus more so on speed than strength," she told him. "Though I'm working on building mine up. Never know when I'll run into someone of your stature," giving a chuckle as she spoke.
Vega smirked, before inspecting them...clearly taking in their dress of course. "But wearing what you're not used to will make you a hindrance on the battlefield." Bethany pointed out. "We can't babysit you."
Cortez started laughing from the other side of the hangar. "That also means the dress has to go Bethany. There is a lot of running with the Commander."
"It's not a dress," the mage hissed in offence. "They're robes," patting at her outfit. "And I've done my fair share of running in my life."
The older Hawke chuckled. Patting as her sister's shoulder. "There there Bethany," she said, an amused smile on her lips. "What do you suggest then Vega?"
"Talk to EDI or Doctor Chakwas, we might have some spare uniforms lying around somewhere. Sadly all our armour is custom made. Shepard might have spare pieces lying around but you'll have to ask her, those N7 pieces aren't cheap." James shrugged his shoulders. "But as long as you stick to cover, don't get shot at, the barriers should be enough if you're with Garrus and Shepard."
"Aww...so we really won't be getting the big strong soldier tagging along with us?" Sabrina pouted, while touching his chest. It was very solid. "That's a disappointing thought, I bet you'd be a very handy companion in a fight," purring as she spoke.
"You've been spending time with Isabela haven't you?" Bethany asked, though it was more of a statement.
"I'm just going to do my job. It's up to you two not to get your heads blown off by a sniper." James chuckled before moving away from his desk. "We're going to be at the Academy in about an hour and a half, so it gives me time to show you how it all works, but not enough to make you an expert."
"Better get to work then soldier," the rogue teased with a salute.
"Ah...and there's our favourite red lyrium hating Shepard," Sabrina commented, when she spotted the Commander come onto the bridge.
"If any element tried to kill you without trying, you'd hate it too." Shepard crossed her arms, that's when they noticed Shepard was already suited up for combat.
"Ninety seconds out from the relay." Joker said as he worked at his console, Leandra watching him curiously, unable to comprehend what he was doing to make this ship move, it was very different than to their ships back home. "Port side, the board is green." he stated as Shepard waved her hand once, for the Hawkes to look out their left side window.
They did and once again they were left speechless. The relay, as Joker had called it, was massive-making the Normandy look small in comparison. Just like when they first saw the Normandy, it just simply hovered in space.
The only difference was that it had an intense blue light pouring from the centre of it, with devices rotating around it.
Bethany found herself losing her footing, but her sister was there to steady her. Concerned sea green eyes focusing upon her, with silent inquiry. "I am fine just...it's so much energy," she remarked, as her hands began to glow not of her own vocation.
Further testament to her words.
"It reminds me of the Fade," Leandra said, as she felt that familiar energy was over her. Not only having dreamed but having married a mage, and having a daughter who was one, she had grown quite accustomed to the energy that seemed to fill the relay.
"That entire core is made of Element Zero." Shepard pointed out. "The Relays allow us to travel thousands of light years in just mere seconds, it's what networks our society together."
"Hitting the relay in three... two... one." Joker said as they moved closer, the eezo jumping from the Mass Relay to contact the Normandy, then the world flashed around them and instantly, the relay, maybe another relay, was on the left side of the ship. "Twenty Five minutes out from Grissom."
"Whoa...okay..." Sabrina said, shaking her head trying to get how the whole, well not world, but ship, lit up like the world in a lightning storm just for a brief moment. She took a seat right in the centre of the floor, rubbing at her eyes. "So...um, Red...these companions you travel with. I only remember less than a handful of them.
What happened to the others we met?" came the question.
"The others?" Shepard looked down at Hawke, confused.
The seated woman looked up at her. "Like...I don't know...Miranda?" she asked, while inspecting her name as if she had merely thrown out a random name. "Haven't ran into her on this ship. Or that old guy in the, I think it was yellow armour. Or your rogue, Kasumi. You know, those people," came the clarification.
"Hawke, much has changed for me as it has for you in the last year." Shepard said. "That team was disbanded seven months ago when I handed the Normandy back over to the Alliance and was incarcerated."
"Arrested." EDI clarified.
"I spent six months detained and the Normandy was, transformed, if you will, from a Cerberus Vessel to an Alliance one. Everyone has moved on."
Bethany looked confused. "But...I thought you helped to try and stop your blight?" she asked. "Why would they put you in jail for that?"
"I went rogue to stop the Collectors." Shepard admitted. "I killed over three hundred thousand people to delay the Reapers. If I was anyone else but me, I would have been court-martialed and left to rot in the brig."
"Commander Shepard still did the right thing." Joker said. "The Alpha Relay needed to be destroyed, we needed that extra time."
"Ah the joys of being on display for all to see," the rogue commented sarcastically, giving a shake of her head. "This just reminds me why I never really care much about the execution. I really just care about it getting done," she stated, before leaning back to rest on her elbows. "If that many people had to be sacrificed to stop the blight, the rulers of the land would do so without hesitation."
Leandra gave a nod. "Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing," she stated. "Sometimes the prize is not worth the cost. The means by which we achieve victory are as important as the victory itself."
"That is why we are going to win this war, stop those damned Reapers once and for all." she looked at the two younger Hawkes. "We'll be at Grissom Academy shortly, if you're coming with me, better head down to the shuttle bay, James and Garrus can get you set up proper." she turned to stand behind Joker's chair. "I know James has already showed you the basics, but Garrus will need to calibrate the barriers for you."
The sisters both nodded, while Sabrina pulled herself up from the floor. They started for the elevator, but Hawke paused. "So...does that mean you haven't heard from Miranda?" she asked curiously over her shoulder.
"I have not." Shepard answered, never looking away from the consoles. The answer was accepted and the rogue continued on her way.
"And there's the folks who answered the distress call. Cerberus cruiser. At least a dozen fighters on blockade duty." Joker spoke as Shepard stood behind Joker's seat with crossed arms. The two Hawke's back behind her listening in. "Too many for a straight up fight. They must want this place bad." he added as Shepard made a gesture for the two Hawkes to look out the window.
"Maker..." Bethany breathed out as she saw the numerous star metal ships. "Just how many are there?" She wondered aloud.
"And these aren't your Reapers?" Sabrina asked, getting a nod from the Commander. "Heh, apparently people feel a blight is the perfect time to start fighting each other and not the more threatening enemy."
"Cerberus are a human activist group. Terrorists really." Shepard said. "They are seeking means to control the Reapers. I want to destroy them."
"Receiving Incoming Transmission." EDI spoke.
"Open the line." Shepard said as Joker typed in a few things. Opening another screen.
SSV Normandy, this is Kahlee Sanders, director of Grissom Academy. We need immediate assistance. Cerberus is attacking the facility. They're after the students!
"This is Commander Shepard." she leaned in to lean on Joker's chair. "We're blocked on a direct approach."
I know. They've taken control of our docking bays.
"Alternatives?"
There is an auxiliary cargo port I can probably open.
"Alright. We'll come in by shuttle and get your students out of there." Shepard said. "Joker, can you give me a diversion?"
"Of course I can commander," he stated before turning to the Hawkes. "You get to see me put this baby through her paces."
"To the Kodiak." Shepard said quickly. "We're going to have a small window to get through after Joker chases them off."
"That's right you Cerberus dogs," Joker's voice could be heard in the Kodiak. "See if you can keep up with me!"
"Joker seems to be having fun," Cortez stated as he shot them towards the cargo port, rapidly typing in the console.
"You don't work a day of your life if you enjoy what you do." Shepard commented as she looked at the others, pointing at the Hawkes. "I want you behind us at all times. The armour and weapons used here are not what you are used to."
They nodded to show that they understood.
"Bringing us in," Cortez announced, as he carefully maneuvered the shuttle to the cargo bag. Once inside, carefully lowering it onto the ground. "Thanks for flying Air Kodiak," he quipped as the group unstrapped themselves.
"Not exactly what I had in mind," Garrus commented while they stood up. Shepard grabbed her weapons.
"Slow and quiet. I still want the element of surprise on our end." she said as she opened the doors.
Sabrina groaned as she got out of her harness; helping her sister out as well. "I think my breakfast is trying to come back up after that," she commented as she stepped off the shuttle.
"You'll get used to it," the Turian said, placing a three taloned hand on her shoulder. "Stick with us long enough and you won't even notice it."
"So how far behind you should we be?" Bethany inquired if the Commander.
"Still in range." Shepard pointed out. "If you're good enough to sneak around and slit throats and not get caught. Then I'm fine with it. Just don't get shot." She said before nodding at EDI and Garrus. The two of them slowly moving down the hallway and checking empty rooms one at a time. "Things are different here, adapting to my way is going to be a lot harder than what I did on your planet."
"Hey, challenges seem to come with the last name 'Hawke'," Sabrina pointed out with a grin. "I think we'll be able to manage though. If not, well I do know how to run away," she added with a chuckle as she and her sister followed behind the group at a distance.
Up ahead EDI and Garrus were standing on either sides of a door as Shepard worked the lock. There wasn't much of a warning as the doors opened and all three of them started firing their weapons, the entire ordeal only lasted a couple seconds. Shepard looked behind her.
"What are you two doing?!" she snapped. The two were just standing in the middle of the hallway. "Stick to cover!" she snapped. "You're just targets!"
That seemed to jump start their brains. "R-right!" The agreed in unison, moving out of the line of fire.
"Shepard." EDI called out nodding at a door that was partly open. Shepard moved over to it. Looking around slightly. "Sanders!" Shepard shouted. "We're clear! It's me!"
The doors opened to let the group in. Inside was a sandy blonde woman holding a shotgun. Slowly she lowered it. "Commander, thank you. Admiral Anderson said you were the best; and with Cerberus coming after my students. I need the best."
"How many of you are there?" Shepard asked as Sanders moved to her terminal.
"Fewer than twenty, most were sent home when word of the Reaper Invasion spread." she answered as Shepard signalled Garrus and EDI to cover the hallway. "But a few volunteered to stay. Some are prototyping tech for the Alliance. Others are biotics, they've been training for military operations, working together as a biotic artillery."
This is Froeberg! There are students trapped in Orion Hall! Cerberus has us boxed in. They're closing fast!
"Damn it!" Sanders smacked her desk. Shepard checked her Mattock quickly.
"Orion Hall?"
"Back out the door and down the hallway. I can get the door open." she said as Shepard turned and started to push the Hawke's out. "I'll bring them back here and we can make a run for the shuttle." she said Sanders nodded.
"Thank you Commander. I'll stay here. With luck I can regain control of our systems."
"Alright." Shepard said as she left the room. "You guys ready?" she looked at the two Hawkes. "We might get this one easy, but I wouldn't get your hopes up."
The two siblings were busy prodding a fallen body. Very intrigued by the amour the formerly living Cerberus agent had on, and the weapon not far off from the body.
"I suppose so," the mage answered, turning to look at the Commander. "Not that we really have much of a choice. I honestly don't see how anyone could move around in such heavy armour. I would expect it to slow you down," she voiced, which her sister still remained, inspecting the bullet ridden armour. Sabrina was more interested in the weaved sections between the plates; that allowed the wearer flexibility as well as the armour to breath so the body wouldn't overheat.
"A lot of training, and... well, our armour isn't made of steel, if that's what you're wondering." Shepard answered. "Come on." she nodded at the door, it opened to let the Commander through, EDI and Garrus slowly following behind her with their weapons raised as the Hawkes followed after them. At the base of the stairs Shepard had stopped and raised her hand, balled in a fist, the entire team didn't move.
"What's going on?" Garrus asked softly as they looked through the window ahead, two troopers dragging off a struggling student followed by an engineer. Once they had left through the doors, Shepard spoke.
"We already know they're after the students." she said. "We better hurry up if we want to save them all." she moved right towards the next door, still slow in their pace, as the door opened.
"Shepard." EDI pointed ahead a student was protecting himself with a barrier as two troopers stood behind him, antagonizing him. Shepard switched out her Mattock for her Valiant as Garrus raised his Mantis.
"Ready." Garrus said in a low tone, so not to be heard by the troopers, Shepard looked down her own scope.
"Mark." she responded, both of them fired and the soldiers fell, with that Shepard gave them the signal to move ahead to the boy.
"What's your name kid?" Garrus asked as he stood before the barrier. Shepard and EDI checking a little around them to make sure no soldiers were lurking nearby; the Hawke sisters standing behind the Turian, trying to get accustomed to what they were seeing.
It wasn't that they were unfamiliar with Shepard and her companions using their weapons-they had witnessed them in use on an occasion or two. But, using a rifle on an Ogre, was infinitely different on using it on someone who also had a rifle; things got messy quickly from what they observed.
"Bellarmine. Reiley Bellarmine," he told the former C-Sec officer.
He received a nod from the sniper. "You can drop the barrier now Reiley," Garrus said, the first one to approach the student. "We aren't Cerberus and we aren't here to hurt you," he informed the human.
Reiley seemed to weigh his options before deciding to drop his barrier.
"There may be more enemies nearby," EDI said from her position off to the side. "Might I suggest him playing dead? He has a higher probability of doing so until it is safe, and then he could make his way to Director Sanders in security," the AI offered up.
"That's exactly what I want you to do." Shepard said as she stepped forward placing her hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to be tearing a path through Cerberus, but once you feel it's clear, I want to you to go to Kahlee Sanders in Security."
"Okay, but my sister Seanna is out there somewhere too." Reiley said as he went down on his knees.
"I'll find her." Shepard assured him. "I'm going to get you all out of here." he nodded as Shepard took as step back before gripping her weapon again. She took lead, jumping through a window into a classroom, checking the datapads as she went, lingering at one at the teacher's desk a little longer than she shook before moving onwards to the next room, at the front the two sets of doors were open and there was a shield pylon set up along with a movable barrier.
"I detect hostiles ahead." EDI said to Shepard as the Commander crouched behind a desk, leaning against it as she activated her Tech Armour. "Bethany, Sabrina, take cover behind the two desks in the back of the room. We don't know how many there are, quickly now." she ordered as Garrus took cover as well. Just as a smoke grenade was thrown into the room.
The sound of gunfire rang out not long after it. Before the clanking of cans could be heard hitting the floor.
"Grenade!" Garrus shouted as he moved to get away from the explosive. Shepard moved, kicking the explosive back towards Cerberus but it detonated before it could get into range, exploding in midair before she started to lay down the fire, her Mattock singing it's tune while EDI peppered them with her N7 Hurricane. Smoke was blocking their view as Shepard broke cover and started to skirt around the room raising her left arm out with her Omni-Tool as two Centurions exploded with electricity.
"Shepard I can't make the shot." Garrus shouted over the gunfire as EDI fired up her decoy to try to draw out a few more troopers. Shepard made her way into the smoke firing her weapon until her shields collapsed, she reacted by detonating her Tech Armour, the explosion clearing the smoke and taking out the rest.
"Well, that could have gone better." Shepard quipped.
The Hawke sisters approached once the fighting was done. "You're fighting differently there Goldie Locks," Sabrina pointed out, as she kicked a fallen soldier with her foot. This one looked bigger than the others. "Less glowing blue and more charging in like an Ogre," smirking a bit at her quip.
"Different battle styles with different crew members." Garrus said as he approached them. "That versatility is what Sentinels are known for."
"Biotics are useful, but I really only like them for detonations." Shepard explained. "So when I'm with people like EDI and Garrus, it's more stun and snipe or bulldoze right through." she reloaded her weapon. "We need to keep moving." she picked up a Talon and a Mattock off the dead troopers and tossed them at the siblings. "These are more powerful than what you got, if you want to help us, feel more than welcome, but be careful."
The pair caught the weapons mid-air. Bethany ended up with the Mattock, and Sabrina with the Talon; they looked at each other before swapping out without a word.
"Now things are about to get fun!" Sabrina commented with a grin as she inspected the weapon. It wasn't the one James had trained her on, but the basics were still the same, and she remembered the quick lesson. Bethany shook her head. "What? You know I like participating more than watching from the sidelines," she defended her enthusiasm.
"Should we search around for Bellarmine's sister?" EDI inquired, holstering her weapon and looking at the Commander.
Shepard did the same, putting her weapon away as well. "Yeah, spread out and see if we can find her," she ordered.
"Shepard!" Hawke called for the redhead. "I found her!" she called from the next room, gaining the rest of the party's attention.
"Spirits, she's bleeding!" Garrus proclaimed as Shepard knelt down before the student, she skirted away from the Commander and Hawke as the redhead shook her head. "Seanne, it's okay."
"How... how do you know my name?" Seannas asked, Shepard smiled.
"I saved your brother, he asked me to find you." she tilted her head slightly to look at the gunshot wound she was trying to cover with her hand. "Here, let me see." Shepard's voice was soft, softer than Hawke had ever heard before as she watched the soldier reach out to gently grip Seanne's wrist. The hand was pulled back to show the wound, Shepard frowned softly, she didn't have enough Medi-Gel to spare.
"Bethany." she looked at the younger Hawke, "Can you patch her up for me?" she asked.
The mage nodded as she lowered herself down. She inspected the injury, which wasn't that bad; holding her hand out over the wound, she summoned her creative magicks, and began to heal the injury.
"Wh-what are you doing?!" Seanne screeched, as she felt the skin knitting together, quickly jerking away from the golden eyed female. "What? How?!" she struggled to settle on a question to ask.
Bethany knew when to stand back, the fear in the girl's eyes telling her what she needed to know. "It's alright," she attempted to assure the younger woman. "I just healed your injury is all."
"Bethany here is with me." Shepard said. "She's prototyping some new equipment for me." she lied, but Seanne bought it, amazingly, as poor as the lie was. "Your brother has gone to Kahlee Sanders in security. I want you to go there when you can." Seanne nodded.
"I will, once I've calmed my nerves a little." she said, Shepard nodded before standing back up.
"We need to keep moving." Garrus said. "We can't risk Cerberus taking any more students."
"Yeah." Shepard sighed as she looked down the hallway.
"Commander Shepard." Kahlee's voice came in over the comms. "I just got an emergency message from my students down in Orion Hall. One of our instructors is there with them, but they can't hold out much longer."
"Understood. We're almost there." Shepard answered back before lowering her hand. Turning to the Hawkes. "Judging by Seanne's reaction, a guess you can tell, magic is not natural here."
"Noted. Though even in our world it's not considered natural either," Bethany responded as she and the others followed after them.
"Well, at least we can count our blessings that she wasn't attempting to kill you," Sabrina said with her usual charm.
"I think it's pretty damned natural." Shepard laughed. "You were born with the ability, that's as natural as you can get, unlike me. Who had Miranda Fucking Lawson artificially give me my biotics."
A mirthless chuckle came from the youngest Hawke. "I'd give my powers away just for a chance to be normal," she remarked.
"I have detected a drop in your vitals Serah Hawke," EDI said speaking to the Mage if the group.
"I did not ask for my powers," Bethany said. "And yet they seem to be a burden not only to me but to those who know me."
There was a pause among the group, Garrus was slowly moving backwards, trying to get them to move, but Shepard just moved to stand in front of Bethany. "When you dream, do the demons constantly pester you?"
"Yes. They never stop," she confessed. "They're always trying to reign me in for my power...the chance to have a body... what most people look forward to I dread, because my experience is not the same," came the statement. "Sleep is no peaceful endeavor for me."
Shepard smiled softly. "If you sleep peacefully tonight, let me know. We can talk to the Shadow Broker, I can get you a normal life."
"I will do that," Bethany assured her.
"All clear," Garrus informed them when he checked the next room. "We should keep moving."
Stardust: By the way... we... totally have 19,000+ words of content already written, but not organized at all, we still haven't gotten to Alex Garneau in our archives. So... guesses on how long this madness is gonna run?