Blue on Black Story Arc: 4.4

Looking into the old mirror in the locker, Shepard took a good look at the armor Hebert gave him. It was bulky, easily the heaviest thing he'd ever used or owned. Hard planes along both his chest and back met with reinforced plates that left very little unprotected by only ballistic cloth. As he moved feeling no resistance, Shepard realized that the suit must have had miniature motorized joints on top of everything else. Somehow, and Shepard had no idea how she did it, but somehow Hebert made this thing impervious to scanning via omni tool. It linked into his implant easily enough, which was fortunate, but it was heavily shielded from anything external.

Alliance R&D would sell their souls to the batarians for information on just half of the systems Shepard knew were in this thing. It was leagues ahead of even theoretical tech back before he was spaced.

Closing the locker door and turning away from the stenciled name on it, Shepard moved to join the others. Once he was close enough to see the terminal screen, Hebert looked up at him from where she was kneeling. A small smile on her face as her eyes looked over the armor. Shepard wasn't sure what exactly that expression was on her face, Hebert was difficult to read half the time, but if he had to guess he would have said some sort of pride mixed with remembrance. It lasted long enough that the others gathered around took notice and started looking him over as well. Except for Baker, who was obvious in how he was avoiding looking even in Shepard's general direction. Instead, he was watched Hebert as if he was trying to gauge her reaction.

"Yeah, I think Sebastian would have approved of this," Hebert mumbled approvingly.

"Thanks." Shepard muttered uncomfortably at the attention that was being directed at him.

Still smiling to herself, Hebert nodded. "You're welcome. I think you'll notice the difference in what you're used to and this suit right away. You'll need to charge the biotic interface planet side since that system wasn't designed to be used in conjunction with someone who already has an amplifier. Sebastian's notes mentioned he expected some bleed out the first time and I'd rather that happened somewhere other than orbit. Just in case. I'm more than confident the system can take it but better safe than sorry."

"Understandable." Shepard agreed. "What's the situation?"

Returning to business, Hebert looked back to the screen they were all huddled around. Shepard did as well, ignoring the raised fringe from his friend. The screen showed the colony's layout, as well as the huge ship that was currently parked within it.

"The Collectors are here, and by what we're seeing, have been for a while. No activity anywhere on the surface except for here at the hub. That tells me they've already harvested most of the population, or are close to it. Most of the activity is here, near the ship."

"Slavers typically fortify the processing center they establish around the loading dock to their ships," Shepard stated knowingly. "It looks like these Collectors are doing the same thing, except there's no fortifications. Just processing and loading."

"Yeah, I noticed that too. It confirms Veetor's data. They're not expecting any resistance. Whatever resistance there might have been was dealt with long before and they're not expecting anything new to show."

"More than likely because of those bug things they use," Baker mumbled. "I wish we knew more about them, but Veetor's omni tool couldn't figure it out. Just confusing currents of Dark Energy. Video showed them looking like really big hornets or something though."

"Yeah, but I'm not getting my hopes up that I can control them." Hebert stated, shooting down the idea before it was even aired. "Our hardsuits seal, so we should be alright. It worked for Veetor and I had Atlas update the harmonics for all our kinetic barriers to match. Just in case that had something to do with how he escaped notice."

"If not, we're not going to be able to do much. Except add ourselves to the colonists." Garrus pointed out.

"Well, you got ten minutes to figure out another idea before we leave, Garrus." Hebert stated blandly as she pointed at the screen. "Assuming we do head out. As best as we can tell, things are not completely screwed, but they're screwed enough. According to what we're seeing here, they're still a ways off from finishing loading so that gives us an opportunity to do something."

"What did you have in mind?" Liara asked.

"That's the question." Hebert mumbled before she raised her voice. "Options are in short supply as to what we can do. According to EDI, the Normandy doesn't have the firepower to breach the Collector ship's hull even if its barriers were down. Not unless we were willing to utilize the handful disruptor torpedoes we have, which is Option One."

"That's going to make any attempt at rescuing anyone not already in the ship a moot point." Shepard stated with a frown. "Those warheads create random and unstable mass effect fields when triggered. Those fields warp space-time in a localized area creating a rapid asymmetrical mass that causes the target to rip itself apart. Looking at these readings they have some kind of tech that's interfering with our sensors so that means pitting the Normandy against that ship at knife fight range so that each hit exactly where we target. The colony around the ship won't survive. Even if we didn't miss, the inevitable distortion eddies would make sure of that."

"Yeah, that was what EDI said." Hebert agreed with a grimace. "Not to mention, that ship is way too big for us to take down with what armaments we do have. The sad fact is the best we could do is drive it off. Even if we used every torpedo we have. Worse, there wouldn't be any payout. Aside from denying them any more people. Option Two isn't much better, carries a lot more risk, but is more satisfying. Unfortunately, the end result isn't much better."

"That doesn't sound good," Garrus grumbled.

"Option Two is we take a shuttle, land, and kill them until they decide they've had enough, and leave. With EDI and Atlas's help, Joker could then hit them with what we have. I will note that consensus right now between EDI and Atlas says at best we'd hurt them, but it's very unlikely we would manage to weaken them enough for a chance to destroy, much less board her. Even if we threw everything we have at her and everything hit. From the scans we have so far, we're just too out classed."

"So it's a choice of saving a few, or saving none." Shepard stated grimly.

"Yeah," Hebert sighed as she placed her hand on Hadley's shoulder.

Tactically, Shepard knew the best thing to do was Option One. Over the years he spent fighting pirates and slavers, and later seeing what typically happens to those poor people whom he couldn't save, he found it just more humane to end them now before they could end up living such a horrible existence. More than that however, was the fact the second plan was practically suicide. A ship that size would have to have a crew of at least eighty, though it could easily be double that. By size alone, the Collector ship was almost a Dreadnought. Easily Carrier class.

Taking into account the kind of cargo space they had to have in that thing, that slavers typically operated with a heavy ground team, how quickly they have taken a colony's population, and the sizes of said populations, there could be anywhere from two hundred to four hundred enemy combatants waiting for them down there. If not double that, which was highly likely all things considered.

They would have to kill enough of them to force them to abandon those they had yet to load. To do that the ground team would need to cut through hundreds of enemy with just seven operatives. Driving the enemy back until they couldn't hold ground or risk the ground assault becoming a boarding action. All the while doing that while somehow keeping the enemy from just swamping them in numbers and forcing them to turtle up or be overwhelmed.

They'd have better odds trying to get Wrex to civilly share a meal with Sparatus without trying to make the surly turian the main course than their chances here.

Shepard looked at Garrus and easily noted he'd come to the same conclusion. As had Liara when he turned to her. All three of them wore grim expressions that spoke of how much they didn't like the facts before them, but understood the realities of the current situation. However, before Shepard could voice his conclusion, Hebert started talking again.

"The Collectors haven't figured out we're here yet, so we have that going for us. A fact that will change the second we try something. While the second option looks impossible, Hadley's come up with an idea that I think might work."

The so far quiet man next to Hebert cleared his throat and pointed out a building on the outskirts of the colony hub's administration district. "The last few times I've talked to Andrew, he's told me about this one problem that's been plaguing the colony's defense grid. That problem being how they couldn't close circuit the grid so that only Administration could turn it on or off. Some kind of ghost glitch, he called it. They almost lost a supply shuttle a few weeks ago because of a crossed communique between a sensor subsystem and the main array that made the shuttle appear as a Batarian Raider."

"Was that subsystem in the security annex?" At Hadley's surprised nod, Shepard nodded as well while he played through the likely reasons for the issue. "Sounds like someone didn't calibrate the Mech VI Control Nexus right. They use a similar comm frequency and while they use different IFF codes for ground targeting vs space, the code for a human vandalizing colonial property is pretty close to a Batarian Raider. If the com frequencies for both systems were piggybacked like they were on Mindoir that would happen every time a mech reported vandalism if there happened to be a ship in orbit."

Hadley shrugged, obviously only following the gist. "I don't know about that, but Andrew was positive the last time I talked to him that the issue was originating from the security annex. The problem he had was the issue only popped up a few times and wasn't traceable. Admin decided it was just a glitch and sent him to do other stuff. Andrew was really upset they wouldn't let him keep working on it. Knowing my brother the way I do, he wouldn't have let it go. If he managed to fix it, he would have flatlined me to brag about it. Since he didn't I think it's something we can use."

"How so? I can understand activating the colonies mech defenses but I'm not following how else this would help us."

"Ferris Fields doesn't have Guardian Turrets like some of the richer colonies have," Hadley informed them while pointing out various locations on the displayed map. "What they do have are the older Phoenix Cannons that were popular about twenty years ago."

"Burst Guns?" Shepard asked looking more intrigued as he leaned closer. "Those were good defense guns back in the day. I doubt they'd have the penetration power to do much against the Collector ship at range, which was always the problem with them, but with it just sitting there like that? It would be like shooting a watermelon with a shotgun. Even with their barriers up, they wouldn't be able to take that kind of pounding for long."

"Exactly. The Collector ship is right on top of Administration, but if you reactivated the defense guns at the security annex and the mechs, they'd have to leave."

"Assuming we could make use of the glitch your brother found." Garrus pointed out, which instantly quieted everyone. "Which is a really big 'if'. Especially since according to these scans, the security annex is on the outside of their processing center, but it is still well inside their lines."

"I can help with that."

Seven pairs of eyes turned slowly to the detention cell behind them, and the new voices owner. Miranda Lawson was standing right at the field's edge where she could easily see the screen and hear them plan.

"Yeah Princess?" Baker drawled. "Man, you got my attention, and not just because of that uniform you poured yourself into."

From the corner of his eye, Shepard watched Hebert subtly elbow Baker in the leg; the wryly smiling woman wiggled eyebrows at his comment. Baker rolled his eyes before folding his arms and focusing on Lawson. Shepard noted the exchange wasn't missed by the imprisoned woman.

Frowning, Lawson explained evenly, which surprised Shepard as the twitch in her eye gave away her thoughts on Hebert's antics. "Eight months ago the Illusive Man sent agents to every colony in the Terminus. Each sleeper agent was tasked with finding a way to tap into monitoring stations, communication, and the defense grid as a fallback in case of attack. Our agent here would have done the same."

"In case you haven't noticed Cupcake, he failed." Steve pointed out unnecessarily. "You know, since none of that shit is turned on."

Lawson narrowed her dark eyes. "He might have failed, but I still have override access that can enable those programs. Even better, I'm fully aware of our agent's procedures so I know where he would have installed his access node to tap into those systems."

The field in front of Lawson winked out of existence. Without missing a beat, Hebert's men pulled pistols and trained them on Lawson while Herbert herself, being the only one not surprised, tilted her head at the terminal. "Show me."

Being careful to keep her hands were the three armed men pointing pistols at her could see, Lawson walked toward them until she was close enough to take a knee next to Hebert.

"There."

Hebert nodded almost in tandem with Shepard. Hebert remained quiet while he voiced his thought on the placement. "He utilized the water treatment power lines, backpacking his signal over the existing network."

"Correct, Shepard."

"Of course he did. Those lines would have run through the whole colony as well as distorting his own signal. There wouldn't have been anything he couldn't have tapped into if he was careful." Herbert agreed. "You think you can activate the mechs and the guns using his access node?"

"The mechs for sure," Lawson answered without a trace of hesitation. "The defense guns however, are another matter. Early reports from our operatives showed a lack of success getting access. However, we would still be in a prime location for an assault going forward. We would still have to fight our way to the security annex, or Administration if that does not work."

Garrus's deep resonating grumble spoke next. "We could easily put the shuttle down there, but it puts us a fair distance from security. Not sure how long we can depend on the mechs to keep them distracted, but we might make it to the security annex before things became uncomfortable. But if we can't get the defense guns to fire from there, it's going to be a hard, bloody walk to Administration."

"True," Lawson agreed. "However, this is a better location for insertion since it would also cut down on any chance of Collector small arms fire shooting the shuttle out of the air."

"ETA, two minutes. Times up boys and girls." Jokers voice broke through the overhead speakers. "And we have issues."

"What's going on, Joker?" Shepard asked.

"Targeting scanners are lighting up our screens. So far they haven't managed to get a lock, but it's not for the lack of trying. Pretty sure they know something's here, just not where yet. You won't be able to have that shuttle in the air long with them searching like this."

"Well, there is still the first option," Lawson stated dryly.

While he agreed with that grim point, Shepard's eyes were on Hebert as she looked at Baker.

Baker smirked. "Shit, you know me; I throw dice for no fucking reason."

The dark haired woman's smile was just as mischievous as she turned to each of her people receiving nods before bringing her eyes to Shepard's own. "Think you can keep Lawson in line?"

Someone else spoke before Shepard could do more than raise his eyebrow. "Hey, if you guys are going to go out there to shoot bad guys, would you mind letting me in on the fun?"

Again, all eyes turned to cell that stood next to Lawson's. Jacob Taylor stood at the front, hands across his chest. "Unlike Miranda, I don't mind military rations, but I'd rather be out there shooting things than sitting here wondering what you're going to do with me."

Shepard turned back to Hebert questioningly. While he wasn't sold on how useful in the field Hebert and her people would be, he couldn't deny how well informed she was. "He's good. Alliance trained. Served a few years with the Corsairs before joining Cerberus. Think Garrus with a shotgun but with more biotics and less attitude."

"High praise." The turian muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Hebert's chuckle was joined by a few others as Shepard nodded, "And Lawson?"

Ignoring the frowning woman next to her, Hebert answered. "Has the attitude Jacob lacks. Also a biotic, though she's more of a tactician than a grunt. She was the lead on the station that fixed you, so she's already invested. Same with Jacob. Also, this is her chance to get close to you and show what Cerberus has to offer. Neither of them, especially Lawson, is going to jeopardize the opportunity to sell Cerberus as a viable employer for this venture. Much less let anything happen to you though I'll be surprised if she doesn't throw in a few digs about how if we hadn't of interfered, this whole situation would have turned out differently."

"It would have," Lawson immediately stated. "The Illusive Man already had a plan in place and if you hadn't of interfered the mission would have started weeks ago."

"See?" Hebert snorted as she deactivated the field keeping Jacob prisoner. "I intended to deal with them a while back, but events sort of got ahead of us. We can settle where they stand with us, after we figure out where we stand with each other. After we deal with the Collectors."

"What's the plan?" Shepard asked knowing that Hebert was obviously sold on Option Two.

Still smirking, Hebert replied, "Hachidan Kiritsu."

Shepard blinked as without another word, Hebert rose and walked to the shuttle. The others in her group following suit; all but one chuckling at her enigmatic comment. She only stopped to say something to Hadley before moving on. Whatever it was had the man looking both hopeful, and resigned.

"This should be interesting," Shepard mumbled to himself as he turned to Lawson and Taylor. "If you're coming, I'd grab a weapon; looks like we're leaving. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure her people are going to put you back in those cells until we get back."

Not needing to be told twice, both Cerberus Operatives did as instructed returning armed in record time. Hebert had the shuttle prepped and ready by the time they entered. Surprisingly she waved Taylorover and immediately switched with him.

Picking up her helmet, she paused when she noticed Shepard's raised eyebrow. "It's better if I don't drive. Sebastian taught me and I've been banned by the guys from driving anything smaller than the Exiled when others are with me. I, apparently, have way too much fun doing it."

Shepard blinked, purposefully ignoring the shared look between Garrus and Liara while Hebert put on her helmet. Shepard was pretty sure he should be insulted by that, but wasn't completely sure so didn't comment.

In no time at all, the shuttle shuddered, jostling everyone as it hit atmosphere. Even with the internal dampeners running, it was a rough ride as Joker wasn't sitting still when they separated. Taylor's sure, but inexpert maneuvers didn't help matters but they had a limited window to work with. Everyone seemed to take it in stride though. Shepard took in those assembled and shook his head. For a hodgepodge mission, he'd seen worse. Though that wasn't any kind of ringing endorsement. Those missions didn't end up 'good' missions.

"Where am I setting down, Ma'am?" Taylor asked from the pilot seat with a professional detachment that belied the fact he was a prisoner only a few minutes ago.

Hebert instantly answered without looking up from her omni tool. From the look of it, she was monitoring their approach. "Where Lawson said she could access your spy's network."

"Aye aye."

"It's the best of all available plans." Liara reluctantly agreed. "We should avoid even trying to work our way to the Security Annex, and go straight for Administration once Lawson activates the mechs. Hopefully, with the confusion of their reactivation, we will have enough time to breach the building."

Shepard nodded as that made the most sense to him as well. He turned back to Hebert to ask what she thought, when she surprised him by opening the shuttles door.

"You do that." She stated with her back to them before leaping from the shuttle.

Shocked beyond his senses, Shepard moved to the door seeing her body falling rapidly away.

"Out of the way, Scrub."

Baker used his armored shoulder to move Shepard and take his place at the door. Without any preamble, he also jumped. He was quickly followed by Marino before Richardson stood at the opening.

"Man, I fucking hate it when she does this…" The man uttered before he too jumped.

"Ah, is anyone else going to jump out of a perfectly good shuttle?" Taylor asked in a slightly frazzled tone. "If not, can someone close that door before one of us takes a lucky hit from the bad guys looking to kill us? I can have us down in a moment where we'll have firm ground under us for when the shooting starts."

As no one else looked ready to follow suit, Shepard closed the door. She wouldn't have done that if she didn't have a tech that would keep her from getting killed, would she? Even as ludicrous as that thought was, Shepard had to wonder if there was even tech that could do that. He didn't see anything on their armors that suited the situation.

Shepard found he couldn't answer that question with what he knew of Hebert so far, but he felt pretty confident the other three wouldn't have followed if that wouldn't have survived. Not to mention Richardson's comment made it sound like this wasn't the first time Hebert did something like this. All Shepard could think was he'd seen soldiers do some pretty unbelievable things to put the odds in their favor, but this was an honest first.

"Matriarch has relayed the following message." EDI's voice stated, breaking stunned silence in the shuttle. "Shepard's team is to continue with the plan as previously outlined. Her team will infiltrate the Security Annex and rejoin the squad at Administration."

"You know, I never thought I would say this and actually be taken seriously, much less mean it." Garrus stated, sounding just as stunned as Shepard felt. "But, I think Hebert is crazier than you are, Shepard."