A/N: I can't be stopped! Heres part 3 of the Virmire Mission!
I don't own Mass Effect
Saren's lab was like all the others in the facility. But there were bound to be several ship loads of data here. The team stepped off of the elevator and made their way down a ramp. "Shepard look! Its another beacon." said Kaidan. Indeed there was. Tucked away in a small corner of the platform they were on, was a fully functional Prothean beacon.
Shepard stepped toward the beacon and activated it. A stream of light shot out of it and hit the Commander. He convulsed and levitated slightly off the ground as the visions hit him. Eric made to move forward, but Liara grabbed his arm and shook her head.
Shepard fell to the floor after the vision was over. The team moved forward, "You okay Commander?" asked Eric as he and Kaidan helped him to his feet. Shepard rubbed his head a moment, "Yeah...just a headache. Lets keep moving."
They walked up another ramp and stood before a glowing red panel. It suddently came alive and a holographic display of a large insect-like being hung before them. "Oh...shit." said Eric wide eyed. He knew that the being before them was Sovereign, but that didn't take away the cold feeling of dread in his gut knowing that a Reaper was right infront of them.
"You are not Saren." the being said in a deep, gratting voice. "What is that? Some kind of VI interface?" asked Tali. "Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding." said the hologram. "This...isn't a VI." said Liara. "There is a realm of existance so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign."
"Shepard...this thing is a Reaper!" shouted Eric, forgetting his cover for just a moment. The others looked at him in shock and horror before Sovereign spoke again. "Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they chose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are." "The Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago. You couldn't have been there it's impossable!" said Liara.
"Organic life is nothing but genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existance. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything." said Sovereign.
"We won't go down without a fight, fucker." Eric said through clentched teeth. "There is an entire galaxy of races united and ready to face you." said Shepard. "Confidance born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken." said Sovereign. "Cycle? What cycle?" asked Kaidan. "The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. The Protheans were not the first. They did not create the Citadel. They did not forge the mass relays. They merely found them, the legacy of my kind."
"Why would you construct the mass relays, then leave them for someone else to find?" asked Shepard. "Your civilization is based on technology of the mass relays, our technology. By using it, your society develops strong along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it." answered the Reaper.
"They're harvesting us! Letting us advance to the level they need, then wiping us out!" said Tali horrified. Eric was shaking with rage, "You bastard! Innocent lives are not to be treated as a slate you can whip clean at your conveinience!" "Your ignorance it infinate. Your existance is what we make it."
"Where are the rest of the Reapers? Are you the last of your kind?" asked Shepard, trying to get as much information as he could. "We are legion. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom."
"What do you want from us? Slaves? Resources?" "My kind transends your very understanding. We are each a nation. Independant, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp."
Shepard clentched his fists, "You're not even alive. Not really. You're just a machine. And machines can be broken." "Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over." Several windows in the room shattered and the hologram of Sovereign vanished.
'Commander? We got trouble!' said Joker over the comms. "Hit me Joker." said Shepard. 'That ship, Sovereign? It's moving. I don't know what you did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would shear any of our ships in half. It's coming your way and it's coming hard! You need to wrap things up in there...fast!' said the pilot.
"This console is shot. Orders commander?" asked Kaidan. "Let's head to the breeding facility. Joker can pick us up after we set the nuke." said the Commander. They got out of the lab and into a neaby elevator that took them downward. Eric looked at Liara who was shaking a little.
"Liara? You okay?" he asked. She looked at him, "That thing...its kind wiped out the Protheans. Leaving almost nothing behind. How can we stop them?" Eric held both her shoulders and looked into her eyes, "We will. We won't just surrender. We'll fight until either we fall, or we succeed. We just have to make sure everyone in the Terminus Systems are united against them when the time comes."
"Agreed. They may have killed the Protheans, but we have something they didn't. Knowledge that they exist." said Shepard. The elevator stopped and they stepped out, ready to strike the breeding facility.
X
The team made their way to the facility's enterance. But along the way they encountered several Krogan who were standing guard. Taking them down, they went on only to encounter Geth resistance. "This is bullshit!" shouted Eric getting into cover.
They took out several attack drones, and started on the troopers when something caught Eric's attention. Something was moving along the wall to Shepard and Tali's position. Aiming his rifle, he fired at the movement and revealed a Geth Ghost trying to get in behind them. The synthetic fell over dead and they resumed their attack.
Finishing off the Geth, they stepped into a station that turned out to be one of the AA guns. Shepard hit the switch on a terminal deactivating the weapon. 'Nice work on that gun Commander. We've go thte other one in our sights.' said Ashley over the comm.
The elevator to their right opened revealing two Geth Shock Troopers and a Geth Rocket Trooper. "Fire in the hole!" Eric shouted as he threw a grenade into the elevator. The team dove into cover just as the explosive went off destroying the Geth before they could leave the lift.
Boarding the now empty lift, the team ascended to the upper level and got off into a large corridor that was lined with breeding tanks. They tredded down the path keeping their eyes open. "Wait." said Tali as she headed over to a terminal.
"I think I found something." she said after a little while. "Anything good?" asked Eric. "I...I think it might be the cure for the Krogan genophage that Saren created." replied the young Quarian. Eric stood behind her with Shepard as she went through the data. "Are you sure Tali?" asked Shepard. "Its encrypted...but yes. It is the cure."
"Then we'll take it. I made a promise to Wrex, and I'll keep it." said Eric downloading the data to his omni-tool. When the download was complete, they left the corridor and into a water leveled courtyard just as a large explosion was heard. "That must be the other AA gun going down." said Kaidan.
'All right! Nice work. Thats one less thing to worry about.' said Joker. 'Commander I'm bringing us in. I'll get us as close to the site as I can.'
Several minutes passed before the team heard the Normandy fly over head and stop just at the end of the courtyard. The ramp lowered and several marines unloaded a large device that was the nuke. They carried the large device to the far end of the courtyard and set it down. "Bomb is in position, we're all set here." said Kaidan.
'Commander, can you read me?' said Ashley. "The nuke is almost ready. Get to the rendezvous point Williams!" he replied. 'Negative Commander. The Geth have us pinned down on the AA tower. We've taken heavy casualties. Captain Kirrahe's heavily wounded. We won't make the rendezvous point in time.'
"Get them out of there Joker now!" shouted Shepard. 'Negative! Its too hot! Can't risk it, we'll hold them off as long as we-' the line went dead. "It's okay Commander. I need a couple of minutes to finish arming the bomb. Go get them and meet me back here." said Kaidan.
"Alright, lets get up to the AA tower! Move!" ordered Shepard. As the team made their way in the direction of the others, Eric stopped by Kaidan, "Good luck Leutenant. We'll be back for ya." Kaidan smirked, "See you guys soon. And Eric...I'm sorry about before. Your a damn good soldier, and a great friend."
The Corporal shook the man's hand, "Thanks Kaidan. Good luck." Eric left the leutenant to his work, with a heavy heart that this might be the last time that he'd speak to him.
X
Stepping into the next room. The team was attacked by a group of Krogan. They took cover just as the bullets started flying. Eric pulled out his sniper rifle and tried to make headshots while the others wore down their shields.
The rifle kicked against his shoulder, numbness started to settle in with each shot fired. But the Krogans were starting to thin out.
Eric swapped to his pulse rifle just as a Krogan Warlord ran at them, the team focused fire on the lone Krogan until he fell dead just barely withing their defense line. Another Krogan got to them and knocked Liara aside. Eric got pissed and smashed the butt of his rifle against the Krogan's face hard enough to make it stumble back. The Corporal shot his rifle into the Krogan's face at point blank until it crumpled to the ground.
"That should be all of them." said Tali. Eric helped Liara back up, "You okay?" he asked concerned. "I'm tougher than I look. But thank you." she said smiling.
They entered the elevator at the end of the room and rode it to the top floor. When they stepped outside they saw a Geth dropship fly by. "Reinforcements." said Eric as they moved across the roof. 'Heads up L.T. We just spotted a troop ship headed to your location.' said Ashley over the line. 'Its already here. There's Geth pouring out all over the bomb site.' Kaidan said back.
"Can you hold them off?" asked Shepard. 'Theres too many. I don't think we can survive until you get here.' replied Kaidan. 'I'm activating the bomb.' "What the hell are you doing Alenko?" asked Shepard. 'I'm just making sure this bomb goes off. No matter what.' replied the Leutenant. 'It's done Commander. Go get Williams and get the hell out of here.'
'Screw that! We can handle ourselves. Go back and get Alenko.' said Ashley. Shepard looked off the rooftop in thought, he had a hard decision to make. He looked over at Eric who was looking down with his fists clenched.
He looked up to meet the Commander's gaze, the look in his eyes spoke of anguish. Him and Shepard knew that no matter what choice was made...someone was going to die. Eric was kicking himself mentally, he thought by having Shepard send Garrus and Wrex to help the strike team things would turn out okay...but in the end, nothing would change.
Shepard pushed his earpiece with his answer, "Williams, radio Joker and tell him to meet us on the AA tower." Ashley sighed, 'Yes Commander I-' 'Its the right choice and you know it Ash.' Kaidan cut in. "I'm sorry Kaidan. I had to make a choice." said Shepard. 'I understand Commander. I don't regret anything.' said Kaidan.
The team was silent as they made their way to where the others were fighting. Eric looked back to where Kaidan was a moment before following after.
X
They stepped off the lift onto the top of the AA gun tower. The team opened fire on the synthetics on the rooftop with vigor. Eric lept into cover when his shields went down so they could recharge. He spun out and sprayed bullets every where, hitting anything that had a lamp for a head.
Geth dropped all over the place, they never stood a chance. Shepard blew a Geth Trooper in half with his shotgun and threw a grenade at a Destroyer blowing it in half. Liara was using her biotics to throw the synthetics off the tower while Tali used her overload in combination with her assault rifle to take them down.
Eric drew his K-Bar and a pistol and started to move forward. He stabbed a trooper through the optic and used its body as a shield as he shot another that was behind it. The firefight ended soon after that and all seemed quiet.
Suddently, a singularity blast struck the ground infront of them. Then another hit close to Shepard sending him sumbling across the roof, the Commander got to his feet and took cover behind a crate. On a platform above them, Saren stood surrounded by mass energy as bombarded them with the attacks. He lept down and fired another singularity, this one forced Liara and Tali into cover.
Shepard leaned out of cover and fired his pistol at the ex-Spectre. The bullets bounced harmlessly off of the barrier that was around him. Saren smirked, "This has been an impressive diversion Shepard. My Geth were utterly convinced the Salarians were the real threat." he shrugged, "Of course. It was all for nothing. I can't let you disrupt what I have accomplished here. You can't possably understand whats really at stake."
Shepard looked out at Saren, and saw Eric creeping around cover to the Turian's back. "Why are you doing this?" he asked keeping him distracted. "You've seen the vision from the beacon Shepard. You, of all people, should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. Don't mire yourself in pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the sake of petty freedoms. The Protheans tried to fight, and they were utterly destroyed." said Saren.
Eric saw go closer to Saren, pistol in his right hand, knife in his left. Shepard kept him talking long enough for him to get this close. He had only one chance. Springing from his cover, he fired his pistol and went to stab the ex-Spectre in the back.
Saren spun around and connected his fist with Eric's forehead. The Corporal's head snapped back and he saw stars before the Turian grabbed his throat and slammed him into the ground. When he tried to move, Saren planted his foot in the center of his chest keeping him pinned down. "Foolish. Is this the best you could find Shepard?" taunted Saren.
"Let him go Saren!" shouted Shepard keeping his weapon level. Saren ground his foot into Eric's ribs making him grunt in pain. "This is why the Reapers wipe out all life. Arrogance, ignorance. I know Sovereign speaks the truth." Eric gritted his teeth through the pain, "Your nothing but a tool to the Reapers. They'll kill you too when your of no use to them." he said while trying to reach for his knife.
"Don't you understand? If we work with the Reapers, make ourselves useful think of how many lives could be sparred. Once I understood this, I joined Sovereign, though I was aware of the...dangers. I had hoped this facility could protect me."
"Your afraid Sovereigns controlling yout thoughts." said Shepard. "Sovereign needs me to find the Conduit. My mind is my own...for now. But the transformation from ally to servant can be subtle. I will not let it happen to me."
Saren looked down hearing Eric chuckle, "Its already happening. Sovereign already has you under it's power. Your just too fucking stupid to know it." Saren sneered and ground his foot a little harder making the Corporal cry out in pain as he felt his ribs on the verge of breaking. "No! Sovereign needs me. If I find the Conduit. I've been promised a reprieve from the inevitable. This is my only hope."
Shepard was worried about Eric's condition, he needed to get the Marine out of there. "You were a Spectre. You were sworn to defend the galaxy. Then you broke that vow to save yourself!" "I'm not doing this for myself! Don't you see? Sovereign will succeed. It is inevitable. My way is the only way any of us will survive!" argued Saren. "I'm forming an alliance between us and the Reapers. Between organics and machines. And in doing so, I will save more lives than have ever existed."
Eric managed to grab his K-Bar, and stabbed it as hard as he could into Saren's leg. The ex-Spectre roared in pain giving him time to roll out of the way and grab his pistol. His ribs still ached when he got to cover, but nothing was broken. Saren pulled the knife out of his leg, "Is this how you will stop me?" he snapped the blade in two with his bare hands and tossed away the pieces.
A hovering platform came down and the Turian lept onto it, "You all will die here."
A/N: Cliffhanger! I know I said that the Virmire mission would be a three part thing, but I had to stop because I wanted the Saren fight to be its own chapter. Stay tuned folks, cuz theres gonna be a beatdown in the next chapter! Review!