This was a difficult chapter to right. If it gets confusing, I apologize. I was attempting to show things from both angles, while maintaining the idea of where they actually were. All the questions regarding this particular situation will be answered in the next chapter, though they are not directly related to Leviathan itself. This was kind of my way of tieing it all together. The history of the old crew with the new. Even though their moments are short, it was supposed to be kind of a mental step back for everyone. It's also Shepard's moment where she is facing her past in a way. They're still quite a ways from actually finding Leviathan. This was what Cortez would call a "hiccup" in their investigation.
Blast from the Past
"EDI, any ideas on these quarian husk… things?" The teams had been talking over their radios, discussing this new information. EDI had been quiet, not offering any intel.
"No. I have been attempting to research what we found, but there is no information. It is possible these are quarians from the past who have been indoctrinated by Leviathan. However, that seems unlikely given Leviathan is, most likely, not an actual Reaper."
"Any ideas on Leviathan?" Shepard questioned her again.
"My theory suggests Leviathan may not be an actual created being, but an essence."
"Essence? Of what?" Kaidan asked.
"I do not know. The information I retrieved was not clear."
"Alright. We need a plan. Does anyone see any end to their tunnel."
"Negative, Commander," Kaidan answered.
"Not yet, Lola."
"I hear something," Garrus spoke up. "It sounds like…" Garrus paused as he strained to listen. "Water maybe."
"I hear it too, Garrus," Tali stated.
"Yeah, it's faint but definitely there." James agreed.
"That could be a good sign. Keep going," Shepard told them.
As James, Tali, and Garrus got closer, the sound of dripping water got louder. "I see light straight ahead." Tali said. They picked up the pace, hoping this was finally a way out.
"Lola, we may have found something. There's light directly ahead of us."
"Yeah, same here," Kaidan said.
"We see it too. Let's hurry guys." The three teams were now dashing towards the faint glow of a white blue light ahead of them. "Shepard, it's an opening," Tali gasped, slightly winded.
The teams made their way through their openings and found themselves, once again, all together. But… they weren't alone. In front of them was a massive blue orb, suspended in the air, not moving.
"Shepard, that's just like the one we found earlier, only… it's much bigger," Liara gasped in awe.
"Yeah. A lot bigger. And, I have a feeling it's a lot more dangerous, too."
At her words, a deep, loud voice rang out from all around them. "You should not be here. Go back to where you came from."
No one spoke. They were all mesmerized and a bit frightened. "You can go no further." the disembodied voice boomed again.
Shepard had finally been pulled out of her trance. She wasn't leaving, not yet. "I need some answers." She glanced up at the ceiling.
"I have nothing for you," It said.
"Oh I think you do," Shepard challenged.
"Turn back. This doesn't concern you, human."
"Oh but you see, it does concern me. You killed a Reaper. Why?"
"You bring only death."
Shepard sighed. She wasn't getting anywhere and she needed the information. She couldn't leave without it. "Tell me what I need to know."
The giant orb started to turn, slowly, then picking up pace little by little. Suddenly a massIve white light shot out, blinding the crew as they were knocked backwards by an Invisible force. When Shepard came to, she slowly got to her feet and looked around. "What the…?" She breathed, realizing where she was. She was back in the Collector base.
Garrus shook his head, violently as he gathered himself. "Just what I needed," he muttered as he picked himself up and got to his feet. Taking in his surroundings, he said, "Ilos? How the?" a groan escaping from him as he said it. He looked to his left and saw Liara, still on the ground not moving. He ran towards her. "Liara, you alright?" He leaned down to see if she was conscious.
"Yes, I believe so. Where are we, Garrus?" she said.
"Ilos," he answered. She gave him a quizzical stare.
"Goddess, how did that happen?"
"I assume it had to do with that giant ball of… well, whatever." He helped her up and they immediately started hunting for a way back to everyone else.
Kaidan had woken up back on Virmire with Tali, while EDI was back on Earth's moon, where she had once been a rogue V.I.
James was back on Earth. He was alone and surrounded by husks. "Great," he thought to himself. At least he knew where he was, but how did he get here and how was he supposed to get out.
Javik rubbed his head as he sat up. He hadn't notice where he was and bumped his head when he tried to sit up. It was dark and he was on his back. It took a moment before he realized his surroundings were similar to the stasis pod he had lay in for 50,000 years.
Koris slowly go to his feet. He looked around to see the others still on the ground, unconscious. He ran to Shepard's side. She was still alive, but her breathing was hurried and heavy, as if she was having a nightmare. He made his way to the others, finding similar responses. The orb had disappeared after it knocked them back. He was alone, or so he thought. He jumped around when he heard a laugh from behind him. There was a sudden "AAAAIEEEE" and he readied his weapon as the husk ran towards him.
He took this one down with ease, being able to see, due to the light from the opening that lay just beyond them. He started to run towards it, hoping to find a landing zone for Cortez and get out of this wretched place. He was stopped, when he heard another laugh… no the same laugh from just before he shot the husk.
"Koris, did you really think you could escape me?"
Koris hissed at the voice. He knew that voice all too well. "Gerrel." He spun to face the Admiral, gasping when he caught sight of him. Gerrel had no envirosuit. No helmet. "Gerrel, how…?"
"Is this possible?" Gerrel finished and Koris just nodded. "Let's just say the Reapers made quite the offer. One I couldn't pass up."
"No. No. You didn't?" Koris asked in shock.
"Oh I did. It was… difficult to do, but worth it nonetheless."
Koris watched as Gerrel paced around the room. When he stopped at Shepard's unconscious body, he growled. "Don't touch her."
"Relax, Koris. I'm just… looking," he grinned up at him. "Besides, you really believe she loves you, don't you?"
Koris fired a warning shot just pass Gerrel's head. "Leave her out of this, all of them."
"You see, Koris… none of them really care about you. Shepard was just using you, manipulating you to get what she wanted."
Koris didn't believe him. He wouldn't. Gerrel was lying. He had to be. "No, Gerrel. You are the one... " he fired another shot, this time aiming straight for Gerrel's head.
"Ow. Son of a.." He heard Gerrel hiss in pain as he reached a hand up to check the damage. Without warning, Gerrel pulled out his gun, aiming it straight at Shepard.
"No, Gerrel. No. Please." He begged.
Gerrel met Koris eyes and grinned.
Garrus and Liara had been wondering around Ilos for what seemed to be an eternity. "Garrus, we have to find a way out. There has to be something."
Garrus was frantically searching his brain, trying to remember the route they had taken to open the door that led them to Saren and the conduit. He looked around and noticed a small alcove hidden behind a wall. "Wait. This way. He told her. They ran into the alcove and came out into a small room. "This is it." He ran to the back of the room, finding a pathway that led them up to another smaller room containing a console.
"Yes. I remember now." Liara activated the console and they hurried to the elevator they knew lay hidden under them. Once back at the main opening, they saw the doors now opened and rushed out. As they ran, Garrus and Liara looked up to see a white beam of light ahead of them. "The conduit," Liara breathed. And they ran like hell, hoping this was the answer they needed. As they entered the beam, a force shot them upwards and they were gone.
Garrus opened his eyes. He was back in the cavern, he started to get up when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see Liara still lying down, motioning him to be quiet. He could hear voices. He knew one was Koris. The other he couldn't place, but it was familiar. When he saw the figure aiming at Shepard's unconscious body, he growled and dashed for Gerrel, tackling him to the ground.
Kaidan and Tali had followed the paths laid out in front of them. They were back on Saren's facility, trying to find an exit. "Do you think we're stuck here?" Tali asked.
"No. We just have to find a way out. We'll get back to the others." Kaidan reassured her. They continued to make their way around the facility. As they stepped through a large door, Tali gasped. "This is where…" she didn't finish her sentence.
Kaidan had stepped in and slowly knelt down.
"Ash," was all he said before they were gone. Tali opened her eyes just in time to see Garrus tackle something. She pulled out her shotgun, but wasn't able to get a clear shot without hitting Garrus. Kaidan shot up and saw the same thing Tali had, looking around, he saw Koris trying to aim at the figure, but not quite able to line up a shot in time to fire before the figure would move again.
Javik, still in his stasis pod, tried desperately to remember the code he needed to open it. His previous encounter with the quarian husk and the medi gel still had his brain a little fuzzy. "The Commander," he gasped. That was all he needed for everything to come flooding back. He activated the tiny console within his pod and typed in the code. A bright light washed over him and he opened his eyes. There was a sound of fighting. No gunfire, not yet. He looked around and saw Tali and Kaidan standing up. Following their line of sight, he saw the Turian on the ground struggling with something. He stood up and aimed his gun, much like the others. Just like the others, he couldn't get a clear shot, so he joined the turian in the scuffle.
James was taking out husks as he ran… well… he didn't know where he was running. Just trying to find a way back to his crew and his Lola. He found himself amidst the destruction from the day the Reapers first invaded Earth. He got an idea and suddenly, his mind mapped out his route perfectly. He kept firing at husks as he went, hoping he didn't run out of ammo. "Some biotics would definitely come in handy right now." He groaned at his words, the full effect of the truth hitting him like a ton of bricks. Biotics really were better than physical conditioning. He snapped out of his thoughts when he spotted the Normandy. As soon as he got close enough to board, he was thrown up into the air. He shot up from the ground, noticing someone running past him, almost knocking him back onto his back. He glanced to his right to see Javik running towards Garrus, who was attempting to get a grip on something. James stood up and readied his shotgun, slowly sneaking up behind the trio of bodies.
"Shepard," she heard Ashley whisper. As she looked up, she saw Ashley in one of those pods the Collectors had used. "All your fault, Shepard," Ashley whispered, the anger apparent in her voice. "You could've saved me."
Shepard felt her heart wrench with guilt. "I'm sorry, Ash." As soon as the words were out, she saw Ashley's body disappear, her blood in its place. "NOOO!" Shepard cried as she banged the side of her fist on the pod.
"Shepard," another voice came through and she saw Thane now where Ashley had been just moments before.
"Thane," she breathed. She desperately tried to open the pod before he could be swallowed down. "Shepard, do not blame yourself," was all he said before he was, too was gone.
Shepard watched as his form was sucked down, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.
"Shepard, good to see you again. Wish circumstances were better."
"Mordin?" She gaped.
"Yes. Time is short, Shepard. Must say this. Not your fault. My decision. Had to do it. Had to be me."
"Someone else might very gotten it wrong," she whispered, finishing the sentence for him as she smiled sadly. The words were no sooner said and he was gone.
"Shepard-Commander, help us." Shepard slumped to the floor in defeat as she glanced at Legion. Her heart was breaking. She wasn't sure she could take any more. She loved all of her crew, but Legion had held a special place in her heart. All those people, all that loss she had suffered and buried away was now coming to a head. "Shepard-Commander, help us" Legion repeated.
"I'm so sorry, Legion," she whispered between her tears. Shepard wrapped her arms around her knees, burying her face as she sobbed. She could feel her heart shattering slowly. She didn't look up when she felt someone pull her into their arms and hold her. She didn't need to. She'd know those arms anywhere. "Koris, I love you." She cried into his chest through the tears.
Koris had been trying to get closer to the scuffle when he had heard her speak. It was soft and she had sounded sad, but she had said she loved him. He rushed to her, hoping that meant she was awake. "Lanae," he coaxed. "Lanae, I'm here, love."
In that moment, Gerrel, who had been tackled by Garrus and had been fighting him and the Prothean for only a moment, charged himself up and knocked them off of them with a force. His eyes scanned the room while they were distracted and spotted his target. Koris.
James, Kaidan, Liara, and Tali all had their opportunity. They opened fire as Gerrel ran. He wasn't phased by their bullets. He kept going. Liara threw out a stasis field but it did nothing "Damn it." She hissed.
Koris looked up from his position to see Gerrel heading straight for him. Gerrel fired at Koris, knocking him out cold as blood started to pour out of him. Turning back to the others, he grinned. He grabbed Koris and fled out the lighted opening. They saw him stop long enough to fire at something. They started to fire at him again but their bullets were cut off when a large pile of boulders fell down from above, blocking their path to Gerrel. "Shit," James said.
"We have to find a way out. Koris isn't going to last very long." Liara said as she rushed to Shepard's still unconscious form.
"Guys," Garrus looked around the room. "Where's EDI?"
James circled around the room, his eyes scanning for the robot. "Ah, shit. We lost EDI too?" He grumbled.
"Shepard," Liara tried to wake the Commander.
"Shepard." She knew that voice. She managed to look up. There was no one around. Koris had disappeared just moments before leaving her alone once again. "Shepard, wake up."
"Liara," Shepard breathed to herself. She couldn't see her anywhere, but her voice was all around, echoing through the Collector base.
"Shepard, come on. We need you. Koris needs you."
"Koris? Why? What happened?" Shepard felt her body tremble, afraid something bad had happened.
"Come on, Lola. We gotta get out of here."
Shepard smiled at his voice. She pictured James standing there, his back to her as they joked and teased each other in the shuttle bay.
Javik came and stood by Liara. He knelt down and pulled Shepard towards him. Placing his hands on her body, he began to transfer information into her, hoping it would be enough to wake her.
Shepard looked around her. It was like a 3d movie. She could see Garrus fighting with someone. She saw her crew trying to aim their weapons without hitting him. She could see the figure toss Garrus and Javik aside like rag dolls as he ran towards Koris. She saw Koris slump over as the figure threw him over his shoulder. She saw him leave just before trapping her crew in the cavern. She clenched her fists. Her muscles went rigid as she let out a growl. A bright light consumed her.
The crew jumped back as they heard a dark, furious growl from their Commander as she sat up, opening her eyes. "Let's go," she said, her eyes only focused on one thing, the pile of boulders that blocked their path.
"Shepard, we have to find EDI." Liara informed her.
"I am right here, Dr. T'soni." EDI stepped from the shadows as she spoke.
"What happened to you?" James asked.
"I was… disabled."
"Disabled? As in shut off?" Liara questioned.
"No. My programming was… altered somehow. I was… somewhere else in my programming while my body remained here."
"Good to see you're back with us, EDI," Garrus said.
"I am not entirely sure I am. At least, not one hundred percent."
"What do you mean, EDI?" Shepard was anxious. She needed to get to Koris, but she knew EDI was onto something.
"While, I can still hear you, I am not able to see you. Shepard, I think I may be of some assistance. This program has given me access to certain… networks."
"What kind of networks?"
"Unknown. I must experiment with it to fully understand its capabilities."
Shepard picked herself up off the ground."Just be careful, EDI. Now, let's find a way outta here."