Mass Effect
Back In Time
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Disclaimer; I do not own Mass Effect... Sad, isn't it?
Author's Note; Okay, guys, this weekend will be another 2 chapter update. I believe I will be back up to speed next weekend.
P.S. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.
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Back In Time
Chapter Twenty-Five
"Garrus? Garrus, listen, I need your help. Kaidan, Melanie, and Tali have gone missing. I've tracked their last call to one of the Wards. I'm sending the coordinates. Bring Ash, Wrex, and Liara with you."
"Yes, Commander. I'll be right there."
"Thank you Garrus. I know I can count on you."
He stepped away from the security terminal, walking over to the taxi panel.
After he pressed the button, he stood, waiting.
He didn't let himself think of all the possibilities.
He couldn't.
The taxi flew in, hovering over the safe-zone, waiting for him to enter.
After he did, he looked at the driver.
"Take me to the Bachjret Ward, Industrial Sector."
The driver nodded, the lurch of the taxi signaling them flying away.
Not even the light thrum of the taxi could quell his nervousness.
.~*~.
How did they get so far?
John paid the driver before jumping out of the taxi.
There was nothing, no one, in sight.
The buildings towered over him, made him feel so small.
So hopeless.
"MELANIE?!"
His voice echoed.
"KAIDAN?!"
He looked around at the dull buildings, shining under the artificial light of the Citadel.
"TALI?!"
There was nothing.
No signs of a scuffle.
Nothing out of place…
A figure slammed into him, knocking him into the ground.
His stomach was on fire.
"Shepard? I didn't mean to run you over."
A hand extended, the three fingers clasping over his five before pulling him to his feet.
His view of the Turian blurred before clearing.
The red tattoos on his mandibles and carapace were vaguely familiar.
"ShockWave... right? What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing, Commander. But I don't have time for chit-chat. Part of my Cabal was taken."
The Turian started to walk past him.
John grabbed his shoulder.
"Maybe we could help one another. You see, part of my crew was taken, as well, and I followed their omni-tool transmission to this point."
The Turian looked down. "But there's nothing here."
"We can't give up."
ShockWave turned.
"The intangible is unstoppable."
Shepard felt an eyebrow rise. "Excuse me?"
"The intangible is unstoppable. It's the phrase of the Cabals. I thought you'd like it, Commander. We're all biotics."
He nodded. "Let's show them what we're made of."
The Commander's omni-tool lit up.
"Excuse me." He turned, taking a few steps. "Garrus, is that you?"
"Affirmative. We're held up."
"Garrus- what's going on?"
"There are explosions. They're heading your way. Get out of there, Shepard!"
He shook his head.
"There's no way that I'm leaving them here to die."
"What if they aren't there? What if this was all just a ploy to kill you? Get out of there, Shepard. Now!"
"Garrus, I don't know if you know, but part of the Cabals were taken, too. We need to stay."
"Shepard- No- Driver- Evasive maneuvers!"
The link cut out.
"Damn it!"
He turned back to the Turian, finding that he was pressing buttons on his omni-tool, as well.
"Nahvah, are you there? Adjusting to all coms. Is anyone out there? This is ShockWave. I don't know what's happening, but I need you guys to answer. Please."
There was a pause.
John walked over, resting his hand on the Turian's shoulder.
"ShockWave. I don't know if you heard, but there are explosions coming to us. We either need to stay and look for them, or leave."
He nodded, stretching his mandibles in thought.
His eyes narrowed.
"We need to stay."
He nodded.
"I don't care if we have to search every single building. All that matters is that we find them."
"Let's go."
The two walked, the task ahead of them daunting.
If the explosions in the distance were any indication, there was going to be trouble.
But as ShockWave said, the intangible is unstoppable.
.~*~.
"All clear," the Turian called from the room he stood in. "The explosions are getting closer."
John nodded. "I know."
"We have to get to the next building."
"Let's go."
As they walked to the ground floor, the two tried their coms again.
There was still nothing.
"Should we call C-Sec?"
"No. They have enough on their plates with these explosions. We can handle this."
Their steps on the stairs were the only sounds in the building.
It almost frightened him.
"ShockWave?"
"Yes, Commander?"
He looked at the Turian before he spoke. "You know. Since we're working together, I think I want to know more about you."
The Turian shrugged, deep blue eyes focused on the ground through the sights of his Locust submachine gun. A very... advanced gun.
"I'm a Vanguard, just like you. Nothing special."
They reached the bottom of the staircase, continuing through the building.
"Tell me about your squad."
The Turian paused in his steps, hesitating before he kept walking.
"We're a tight-knit group. I'm assuming that's a lot like in your military. You tend to get close to the people who are at your side when you fight through Hell."
"Yeah."
The ground began to shake, the feeling almost imperceptible.
"My crew, we were just assigned together, not even a week ago. Those bonds are easy to form, and hard to break."
"Exactly."
"So who's all in your squad?"
The Turian shrugged. "I'm sure you've never heard their names. It's not important."
They walked out of the building, heading towards the next one.
"I like to know who I'm saving."
ShockWave sighed. "Well, to be specific… There's Tar, Chev, Nahvah, Ny," he paused, feline-like eyes darting to the top of a nearby tower. "Shepard- that's not good."
"What is it?"
The Turian's eyes were locked on the building.
"The explosions. They've stopped."
His steps halted.
It was true; the ground wasn't shaking, the air was silent.
"We need to get out of here," ShockWave stated. "I have a very bad feeling-"
The building the Turian was looking at exploded into a ball of flames.
The red raced towards them, the blinding rage of the flames almost captivating.
He turned, and began to run.
His stomach was on fire, but in a moment, the rest of the world would join it.