Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay for this chapter but I have been busy as of late. Apologies to my lovely readers.
One major reason for the delay is that I'm not as confident with the action as I would like to be but I gave it my best shot in terms of putting actions into words.
There will be some jumping in between several POVs as well as some sci-fi movie reference(s) and my lame attempt to make inappropriate jokes :p
See you on the other side.
Saving the Galaxy
Part II
April 20,2183
The Citadel - Citadel Tower Elevator - Commander Alonso - 1400 hours
As we rode up, towards the Citadel Council Chambers, I began to tumble as our elevator came to a screeching halt.
"Damn it!" Shepard shouted, "Looks like we are going outside. Helmets everyone!" Garrus, Shepard and I put on our respective helmets while Liara brought out a new gadget. A sort of breather mask made out of some sort of see-through plastic.
"Liara, remind me to get me one of those." I blurted out as I inspected her mask.
"It's a prototype commander and quiet expensive to get a hold of. I received this as a gift from the councilor."
"Hmm well being a spectre, I'm sure I can work some sort of deal." I saw from the corner of my eye that Jane, Garrus and Tali were already climbing out of the elevator. I shook my head and gestured Liara to go first. "Getting off track, sorry. After you doctor." As I glided into space, I typed into my onmi-tool to initiate my magnetic feature on my boots and with a loud clank, I stood next to the squad. The initial steps I took were awkward to say the least. The best I could describe is walking underwater; heavy. Though the more steps I took, I felt myself get my bearings and soon was walking like normal.
I didn't have time to celebrate my feat as geth began pouring themselves out of an elevator. Jane ordered to take defensive positions. I took cover behind a small panel on the right flank. I crouched behind the panel and took a quick peak around the corner. The elevator seemed to create endless geth as more and more streamed out of it. This is a problem. I said to myself as I took another peak. I saw a group of troopers advancing and I instinctively flared my biotics and threw a heavy field at the approaching platforms, sending them through space. An eyebrow arched upward as I wasn't expecting that to happen. An instant kill! I smiled. I turned back towards the squad as I saw a geth destroyer crawling out of the elevator. "We need to take out it's shields!" I cried out.
Tali and Garrus overloaded it's shields and I flared my biotics once more. I lifted the now charging geth and just like the group of troopers, it floated passed me and into deep space.
"Nice work!" Jane smiled as she holstered her assault rifle behind her back and drew her pistol. "Let's keep going." Everyone followed Shepard up a ramp towards the next section, where there were more geth ahead. I charged them, punching them and throwing them into space, picturing Saren being pummeled to a bloody pulp. I heard a Krogan roar behind me before a Krogan charged me. I turned and flared my biotics to prepare to launch the lizard-like creature into space but I wasn't fast enough. I felt my ribs crack as his shoulder connected to my abdomen. I cursed; the pain was unbearable as the Krogan drove me to the wall, causing me to drop my shotgun. I head butted and elbowed my way free and threw him with my biotics towards the opposite wall and the rest of the squad took him down.
"You okay?" Jane crouched beside me as I clutched my ribs. I shook my head 'no' but stood up nonetheless. This wasn't anything that medigel could fix. I had to power through the pain and hope that I don't get more injured. Where is Chakwas when you need her!
As we cleared one more hallway, we came across an open space filled with turrets and even more annoying geth. Tali and I teamed up to take down half of the platforms while Jane, Liara and Garrus handled the rest.
"I love this rifle!" Garrus proclaimed as he shot at a geth rocket trooper, sending it's flashing head into a million pieces. We regrouped to take a break. Each of us checked our weapons for jams and signs of overheating.
"Sooo...Garrus," I began, checking my shotgun as I spoke, "how many kills do you have?"
I lifted my head and looked up at the turian, who confidently replied, "twenty."
"Twenty?" I repeated in a fake shocked voice. "Twenty?" I snorted this time and shook my head. "My my Garrus, you have some catching up to do." A smirk appeared on my lips as I saw the Vakarian's mandibles twitch in disbelief.
"How many do you have?" He asked cautiously.
I stood up and began massaging my aching ribs. "Well I don't want to brag." I began, pausing before delivering the blow. "Twenty-five." Jane began to laugh as soon as I finished speaking. Shit! I've heard that laugh countless of times before as Jane and I competed in the same game Garrus and I were currently playing.
"Amateurs." Jane said lamely with a shake of her head. "Thirty-three." Garrus and I soon frowned at Jane's impressive kill count. "Wait, the citadel arms are closing!" She pointed up towards a squid-like ship entering the citadel just in time before the station's arms closed. There was a thunderous horn-like sound as it attached itself to the citadel tower.
Sovereign! I snarled and advanced into a sprint. "Come on! We have to hurry!"
Meanwhile...
Citadel - Council Chambers - Rouge Spectre Saren
As I arrived at the council chambers, I stood in awe at the destruction that I caused. Fires had burned away at the trees that had been planted throughout the chambers. Politician and C-Sec guards laid across the floor, their meaningless lives being put out of their misery.
I looked back at my geth protectors as we entered. "Nobody enters this room! Kill everyone that comes through that door!" I moved upward towards the stairs and I began to snarl as I saw keepers on the right sight of the chamber. They are a nuisance! I drew out my HMWP X pistol and shot a round at a keeper, hearing its last squeal was satisfying. They were useless to me and my master Sovereign.
Stop wasting time and open giving me control of the station! A voice followed by a tingle in my brain came into focus and I did as I was told. I moved towards the center ledge and began typing controls in order to give Sovereign all control.
Don't you see what you're doing? Another voice, not Sovereign's, began whispering in my head. You will doom us all! I shook my head furiously to rid the whisper and finished typing the final commands.
"No! I'm saying the galaxy! This is the only way." I snarled at the small voice inside my head.
Shepard will be here soon! We must join her. The machines can't be trusted.
"Stop it!" I began clenching my head, begging the voice to stop talking. The voices have become unbearable. I began fighting for my mind as I heard gunfire behind me. Shepard is here.
She's here! Defend these controls and defeat her. You will be rewarded.
"Hands up Saren, it's over!"
Citadel - Citadel Chambers - Commander Shepard -1600 hours
"I said hands up!" I cautiously moved forward as my squad surrounded him. He turned slowly and his face was filled with fear.
"Help me!" His voice was small and frankly, scared the shit out of me. "The implants...Sovereign replaced flesh with cybernetics to make me more obedient but I am still fighting for my will!" My mind blinked in realization of what the reaper did to him. He's indoctrinated. "He is too strong, I don't know what to do. In a few moments, he will have full control of the station." his talons began to grasp his head, as if fighting for control. "Soon, the reapers will come and wipe out everything. I am sorry but I'm afraid I've doomed us all! I feel his power surge through my body. You must finish me, I beg you."
Charlie lowered his shotgun and stepped forward as he withdrew his pistol. "My pleasure!" Charlie placed the gun under Saren's chin and pulled the trigger. Saren's once glowing eyes turned black as blood escaped at the top of his head. His lifeless body began to tumble and with the help of Charlie's kick, Saren fell off the ledge, crashing into the greenhouse below.
"Hmph, good riddance." Charlie huffed as I slid the OSD into the control unit. "I'll open a comms channel." Charlie continued as he began typing into his omni tool.
A green light illuminated off of the control panel. Yes! "Vigil's file worked! I have full control of the station.
"Quick!" Liara sprang out, "Open the arms and see if we can take Sovereign down." Good idea my love! A smile spread across my face and began typing away.
"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Destiny Ascension!" A female voice echoed from Charlie's omni tool, "Main drives are offline. Barriers are down forty percent! The council is onboard I repeat, the council is onboard!"
"Shit!" Charlie and I said in unison.
"Normandy to the Citadel, Normandy to the Citadel! Damn it, please tell me you can hear me Commander."
"I can hear you Joker." I said to our pilot.
"We are sitting here with the Arcturus fleet as you said. We are ready to strike whenever you are. We can save the Ascension. Just open up the Widow Relay and we will give them hell!"
"We have to save them!" Liara proclaimed.
"No we don't. Shepard," Garrus stepped forward. "They are a pain in the ass, they didn't listen to you. If humans, save the council, a lot of your people will die."
"If the council dies, there would be no order. As much as I hate to say it, Liara is right." Tali made her opinion.
"Tali and Liara are right. We need them on our side." Charlie placed a hand on my shoulder. "You know it's the right thing to do."
"Shepard, what are your orders?" Joker asked. "Do we save the Ascension or do we hold back."
Damn it! I bit my lower lip in frustration. Why do I have to make these decisions? The council didn't listen to me! Why should I help them now? No, I can't kill them. If that happens, the council races won't accept us. I'm a better person than that. The council must live!
"Joker!" God I hope I don't regret this. "I'm opening the relays now. Save the council at all costs!"
"I hope you know what you're doing Shepard." Garrus voice snarled in disgust but he will understand sooner or later. I moved towards the edge to see Saren's carcass. I looked over at Charlie and ordered. "Make sure he's dead."
"Yes ma'am." He replied and took Tali with him. Liara came closer and wrapped an arm on my waist. I turned over and saw her smile.
"Hi." I couldn't help but smile back.
"We did it." Her arms wrapped around me tightly in an embrace. "We did it." She whispered once more.
"Yes we did." I heard a gunshot down below and the two of us looked down.
"He's dead." Charlie announced as he began walking back up. There was another loud horn sound that blinded my ears and the ground beneath us began to shake.
"Assuming control!"
What the hell was that? I yelled internally as the ledge began to collapse. Liara, Garrus and I fell down towards the greenhouse bellow and dodged out of the way as the ledge above us almost killed me. "Everyone okay?" I asked around. The squad coughed but nodded in their own unique way.
"Uhh Jane?" Charlie walked towards me. I turned to look at me, his face began to glow red as he pointed in front of him. "What the fuck is that?" I turned my head to where he was pointed and stared in horror as Saren's lifeless body began convulsing, spreading a red glow as his body began to stand up. A shockwave sent us towards the ground, sending electricity over my body. Charlie cursed as he grabbed his injured ribs. Chakwas is going to kill him if Saren doesn't. I crawled over to him as the chaos insued.
"Don't worry about me, go kill the fucker!" Charlie cursed once more as I looked at Charlie with concern. "I'll be fine Jane. I promise." I nodded and drew out my assault rifle and turned to point at Saren's body. I felt my body turn cold and pale as Saren's tissue began to explode from his body. His cybernetic glowed in a red hue and I watched as his glowing red eyes glared through my soul.
"I am Sovereign, and this station is MINE!" Saren's controlled body jumped up towards the ceiling and shot a projectile towards me, causing me to dive to my right to safety.
That's it! You just made a big mistake! "EVERYONE ATTACK!"
Meanwhile...
Outside the Citadel - SSV Normandy - Joker
"We've got geth fighters on our tail!" Ensign Morrison replied as she scanned the ship's sensors.
"Amanda," I patched down to engineering, "A little help with the drives would be nice!"
"On it Joker, hold your horses!" she replied. I sighed in frustration, Where is Tali when you need her! Come on baby hold together. "Engines increased by ten percent!" Amanda reported.
"Alright you flashlight bitches, let's see you handle this!" I increased the throttle enough to distance myself from the fighters chasing me. After a few seconds, I slammed on the brakes and as expected, the fighters zoomed past me. I have you now! I fired the Normandy's guns and one by one, the geth fighters tore into pieces.
I looked out the window and saw the carnage the reaper was causing to our ships. Just one hit of its laser and our guys were decimated.
"We have to fall back!" Someone said over the comms.
"No!" Admiral Hackett replied in an instant. "This is our only chance, hit Sovereign with everything we got! Shepard is doing everything she can on the ground. We must do our part."
Hah! Let's kill this son of a bitch.
"Normandy this is Red Leader, do you copy?"
"Copy Red Leader, Normandy here, whats up?"
"I have a squadron ready to take the bastard down, we are coming up on your flanks awaiting your orders sir."
I looked out the window once more and there was a full squad of fighters on my aft and starboard sideA squadron all to myself? Sweet! I cleared my throat and responded, "Uhh copy that Red Leader, keep your distance away from Sovereign, you will be destroyed."
"Copy that sir."
God I hope Shepard is close to handling her business down there.
Meanwhile...
Citadel Tower - Commander Shepard
"It's health is down fifty percent!" Tali shouted as she ducked behind cover between shots. I took it as I sign to keep blasting Sovereign with my assault rifle.
"Liara, Charlie, keep blasting him with warp!" I ordered. Charlie's face turned paler and paler as the fight went on and soon began panting and clutching his ribs as he took heavy breaths. I was in a struggle to order him to keep pushing and or order him to retreat to safety. After all he was my best friend and surely Ashley will kill me if something happened to him.
"Twenty-five percent!" Tali's voice brought me back to reality.
This is it. I better end this quickly. "Liara, stasis!" I ordered and my lover nodded and placed Sovereign in a stasis bubble.
"I got this." Charlie grunted as he disappeared behind cover, leaving a blue trail as he biotically charged towards Sovereign, causing a gigantic biotic explosion. Once the mass effect field disappeared, Charlie's unconscious body appeared on the ground. "Charlie!" I ran towards him, kneeling down and held him close. As I looked five feet away ahead of me, I finally saw Saren's cybernetic body disintegrate, bringing an end to the fight. I breathed a sigh of relief as this journey is finally over.
"Charlie?" I drew my attention to the cold, pale body in my arms. "Please wake up."
No response.
"Charlie please wake up." I pleaded as tears flowed down my face. I felt a hand on my shoulder to provide comfort. I knew it was Liara; I knew the warmth her touch provided.
"Shepard..." Liara's voice shattered without hope. I shrugged her hand away and glared at her. She didn't deserve it but how dare she say that.
"He's not dead Liara. I won't allow it!" I placed my fingers and found a feint pulse. "Stop bulshitting and wake up!" I voice croaked as I fought the rage within me. "Charlie..."
"Is it over?" Charlie's soft and feint voice warmed my heart as he slowly opened his eyes. I nodded a response as tears began flowing down my cheeks. I embraced him tightly, which he weakly returned. "I'm here."
"Yes you are." I beamed a smile at my closest friend. I turned back at Liara as if to say 'I told you so' and she simple nodded and stood.
Charlie's hand caressed my cheek and spoke once more. "Can we go home now?"
"Can you walk?" I asked worryingly.
"I think so, just help me up." Charlie replied. I nodded and gingerly wrapped my arm around his waist and helped him up.
"Let's get out of here before something happens."
Outside the Citadel - SSV Normandy - Joker
Beams of light suddenly surrounded the reaper like a biotic barrier and within seconds, Sovereign detached itself from the Citadel Tower and began drifting. What the hell? Alright, I guess this is it. "Morrison, patch me to Red Leader! Now!"
"R-right!" she furiously typed into her station and patched my to the fighter pilot.
"Red Leader, this is Joker. Let's move in and finish it off. Get right in on my flank! We are going in!" As I increased the throttle, I maneuvered the ship and made it do an incline, to get on top of the defeated reaper. As I made the Normandy to a one-hundred and eighty degree turn, I noticed that the fighters were right next to me, barreling down on Sovereign.
"Open fire!" I yelled as a barrage of missiles landed on Sovereign's chest, causing an explosion that blasted him into pieces. A roar of cheers came through the ship and the comms channel as we watched the colorful explosion.
"Great job everyone! You made humanity proud this day." Hackett spoke with victory.
"It was all Shepard and Alonso that made today possible sir." I chimed in.
"We are sending search and rescue groups for the ground team on the Citadel Tower. Hopefully everyone is still alive."
Citadel Tower - Council Chambers - Commander Shepard
"Come on Charlie help me out here buddy!" Charlie was practically dead weight as we crawled out of the greenhouse. His heavy breathing and groaning was a sign of fatigue. "Why didn't you bring a protein bar? I told you to take a bunch while on the Normandy."
"Sorry to disappoint, commander." Even though his health was failing, he still made jokes and plastered a grin on his face. I rolled my eyes in response as I laid him down in front of a tree. Charlie look out the large window in front of us, with just enough time to watch Sovereign explode. "It's finally over." He said as I sat alongside of him.
"You and I both know that Sovereign was just the beginning." I responded with a hint of gloom. Who knows when the next 'bad guy' will come and pick up the pieces? It could be tomorrow, next month or next year; the reapers won't stop until they either kill us all, or we find a way to stop them. I know I'm sure as hell not going to let them kill me.
"I know. So much has happened within the last month: Graduating N7, promoted to spectres... getting my heart broken."
"Hey at least you have Ashley...and me." I quickly cut in before he began before he turned into a drama queen. He placed his head on my shoulder and exhaled a weak sigh.
"That's true. I don't think I could've done this without you Jane. I'm glad you're here with me in all this mess. You've led all of us through this hell, being our light in a dark abyss. You'll make a great admiral one day."
"So," Garrus interrupted our moment. "My final count was fifty-seven." I chuckled as he still couldn't beat my score.
"Sixty-six" I announced proudly. Haha, I'm still the winner.
"Wait what?" Charlie's face showed confusion and I repeated my final count. "Holy shit!" he smiled.
"What?" I asked nervously.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen Shepard." Charlie's smile beamed in delight. "Sixty-eight...plus Saren; my my, it looks like my kill count is sixty-nine." His smiled turned into a perverted grin.
I slapped in on the arm and made a disgusted face. "You're disgusting!"
"What's so disgusting about the number sixty-nine?" Garrus asked.
Charlie was about to explain but I beat him to the punch. "Garrus, you don't want to know."
"Just know that I'll be asking Ashley about it later." Charlie chipped in.
"Charlie!" I glared, gaining a cautious laugh from my spectre colleague.
"We're over here!" I heard Liara and Tali in the distance call to a group of medics. They quickly rushed over to us and made a quick scan. Charlie was placed in a stretcher, much to his protest saying that he could walk, and was taken to Huerta Memorial to access and repair his injuries.
The rest of my squad and I returned to the Normandy. The squad sustained minor injuries but it wasn't anything Chakwas couldn't handle from the comfort of our ship.
"I'm surprised you only have a few cuts and bruises Commander." Chakwas scanned me with her omni-tool. "I suppose Charlie had it rougher?" she asked and I nodded curtly.
"He didn't take my advice to take more snack bars. His fault...but I'm glad he'll be okay. The doctors are helping him right now. I'm sure he will be up by tomorrow."
"Glad to hear it. I'm afraid the Gunnery Chief would blame you if something happened to him."
I nervously grabbed the back of my neck as I saw Ashley in the mess hall outside the window. "Yeah I was wondering about that too." I turned my attention to the ship's doctor. "So I'm free to go?"The doctor nodded and I hopped off the observation table and made my way to the mess hall.
"Hey Ash, got a minute?"
"Of course skipper, what's up?" Ash posted a genuine smile.
"I just want to let you know that Charlie's at Huerta Memorial right now and being attended by the doctors." Ashley's smile turned upside down in a form of concern. I showed my hands as if to say 'let me finish' and I continued. "He's fine, just got his ribs broken. He should be fine by tomorrow. I... I just wanted you to know. I'd let him catch some rest chief. You can see him first thing tomorrow morning, I promise."
"I was afraid for him when we lost contact with the Mako. I didn't know if you guys made it over." I nodded and grabbed her hands to comfort her as she spoke. "I'm just glad everyone made it out okay. I was happy to see that bastard Sovereign blow up into a million pieces. For what its worth, this has been a gratifying experience."
"I'm glad. You're a good soldier Williams and a great woman. I hope you know that." I released my hands away her hers and stood up from my seat. "I'm heading to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." As I entered, I saw Liara changing her clothes, there was a large dark blue spot right on her back. I went over and wrapped myself around her from behind.
"What happened? Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" I asked.
"It's just a bruise Shepard." She turned her body to face me and placed a kiss on my cheek. "It will heal."
Who am I kidding? Liara is perfectly capable of defending herself. "Sorry" I said lamely.
My lover held me in her arms. "Don't be, I think it's rather cute when you care." I couldn't help but laugh with her.
"I always care Liara. You mean everything to me. I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you."
"Flatterer." I was rewarded with a quick kiss on the lips.
"I try." I smiled and ultimately yawned as tiredness crept in. "Let's go to bed, we've had a long day." I walked towards my drawer and picked out my pajamas for tonight. The fabric was extremely soft and it was exactly what I needed after a troubling day. I crawled into bed and hid myself within Liara's arms, nuzzling my head underneath her chin. An unmistakable warmth sunk in as we held each other. I felt Liara's steady heartbeat, fully synced with mine and I couldn't help but smile.
"I love you Liara." I sneaked in a goodnight kiss from my lover, which she kindly returned. I wanted to celebrate our victory alone with her, to meld my mind with hers but I was so exhausted so I fought my desires.
"I love you too Shepard. Good night my love."
April 21, 2183
Citadel - Huerta Memorial Hospital - Room 32 - Commander Alonso - 0800 hours
"Please Commander, you must rest to recover your strength." An asari nurse came over to me and gently held me down on the hospital bed. I growled inwardly as I felt perfectly fine. My skin color returned to its natural color; my ribs, even though there is slight discomfort, had been healed during my sleep. I just want to get out of here and be with Ashley. I want to hold her and tell her that I missed her.
"Nurse, I'm fine. Can I please be excused? I need to be somewhere." I pouted, trying to get the nurse to sympathize.
I heard the door behind me swing open. At first I assumed it was another nurse or doctor but I heard a familiar voice speak. "I hope you're talking about me commander. I'd hate to reinjure you if I found there was someone else." Ashley's fingers traveled down my arm as she glided into view. She was in her civilian clothes. Dark blue jeans and a light brown v-neck draped top. Her hair loosely flowed down on her shoulders. She looked great and my lips arched upward.
"I'll give you some privacy." The asari nurse frowned and left the room.
"Ashley I-" I was immediately cut off by a long and passionate kiss from Ashley. This was the medicine I needed: the warmth of her lips, the loss of breath I felt as the kiss lingered on, the lingering tongue in my mouth; seeking and wanting. I frowned as Ash broke the kiss and punched me on the arm.
"Don't do that again! What if I lost you?" Ashley paced beside me, frightened if something happened to me. I saw the anguish in her face and reached for her arm.
"I'm alive Ash and that's all that matters." I pulled her closer and caressed her cheek. "We are alive." I fingers lingered on her face as she closed her eyes and leaned into my touch. The pad of my thumb made its way towards Ashley's soft lips. "God, how I've missed you."
"I'm sure you have." Ashley leaned down and began kissing right below my ear. "You'll receive a 'Hero's gift' when we get back to the Normandy." She whispered and I shivered in delight. I can't wait for that gift. "I have to get going. Skipper wants me to help with something; don't ask, I have no idea. I'll see you later." And with that mystery, Ashley quickly exited the room.
I turned my body over and looked outside my window. All but the smoke and destroyed taxis remained outside. Sovereign's remains have disappeared, if there was anything useful that we could learn. My thoughts trailed to Alenko as he couldn't see the end of Sovereign. He died a hero and he will always be remembered. I turned away from the smoke outside and began to close my eyes and drifted to sleep.
So our two Spectres have saved the galaxy from evil but this story is far from over :O
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I have a few more chapters left to write and the the sequel will follow shortly after. My have our saviors do some errands because I KNOW the just enjoy helping others.
Anyways please leave a review and favorite and subscribe if you enjoy this story.
Until next time!