Chapter 25: Reinforcements

"Where the hell is our air support?" Captain Dunstan yelled, leaning on his rifle. He was tired, sore and stiff. But he wouldn't give up, not while he was breathing.

"The Madrid has taken heavy fire and the carrier is nearly destroyed, they are pulling out. Our air support is gone." Davies yelled, Dunstan looked at his squad, they were tired and now they looked defeated, all their alliance armors were covered in something, his was covered in blood from using a knife to hold off the Husks that had managed to get close. They had been fighting for two weeks on Elysium, and the Reaper forces were heavily reinforced by Cerberus troops. It had rained for almost two weeks straight and the mud made it harder for them to try and advance, they had managed to take down the artillery that was causing air support trouble but they wouldn't be able to hold it without air support, the Reapers just kept coming and they would soon run out of ammo without reinforcements, he needed help and his squad looked like hell. none of them had a decent meal or a shower in weeks and their relief squad never made it down to the surface so they were stuck until another squad could make it down. the fighting was tearing a part the planet slowly and the supply of food was short, their rations were only enough to last two more days and then they would have to be forced to find more or pull out to survive.

"Get the Madrid on the line and tell them that we need air support to clear a path for us, even if they have to get a frigate down here to do it. We need something!" Dunstan ordered, Davies getting on the radio. Relaying his orders but quickly pulled away when the radio fried, Milque looked at the shadow that covered their area before looking up, the Carrier that was giving them air support was crash landing.

"There goes our carrier." Milque said, watching it crash in the southern district of Illyria, it sent off a massive explosion and loud boom, the wind picking up as the rain continued to belt down.

"Radio's are out, we're on our own sir." Davies said, silence fell over the group, all of them looking defeated and wanting to give up, Milque remembered this feeling all too well, it was something he didn't want to see again.

"Davies, Carter, Milque and Harwell. You four will go to the crash sight and check for survivors, we're the closest, Carter, you'll be taking lead." Dunstan ordered.

"Yes sir." Carter replied, everyone was eager to leave but knew it would be a while yet before any help arrived.

"The rest of us will hold this position, no matter the cost. It's our job and we will make sure the next squadron who come down have got the foothold they are expecting us to have, because it is up to us to get that foothold." Dunstan looked at his men, "If you run out of ammo, ask the soldier next to you for his last supply. I don't care if we have to throw rocks to get that foothold, we will do our jobs." Dunstan reloaded his rifle, "Good luck soldiers, I'll be us a round of drinks if we make it off this hellhole."

"You'll owe me much than that sir by the time we leave." Milque smirked, saluting Dunstan before following Carter, Harwell and Davies away from the front line. They sprinted down the hill, Carter slipped and started sliding when Milque grabbed his hand. helping him up, "Watch your feet, the mud is worse down here than up there."

"I'm sick of this place, the mud, the rain. I just want some sunlight, anything that doesn't look or smell like shit. I want a hot coffee and a steak for this crappy place the Alliance stuck us in." Harwell complained as he made his way to the bottom behind Davies who rolled his eyes at his fellow soldier.

"Shut up Harwell, you don't think we aren't feeling the same." Davies raised his voice, he didn't want to travel with someone whining like a baby and he was just as miserable as Harwell but he would never complain about it.

"I deserve to be somewhere better than this, I'm sick of this shit hole. Our rotation didn't arrive and I was looking forward to leaving this planet behind." Harwell replied, "I deserve much more than this, I didn't spend ten years and becoming a lieutenant to fight in this place."

"Shut up!" Milque punched him square in the jaw, "I'm sick of hearing your complaining, you don't think all of us have had it tough, I've lost more friends than you can count and I would rather be in this shit hole than go through what I have again."

"You always use Fehl Prime as an excuse, you should move on. Like that Vega did, I don't see him here, he's on the Normandy, cushy bed. Hot coffee, probably a steak." Harwell replied, wiping the blood from his mouth. He saw the mean look Milque gave him as he grabbed his pistol and threw it at him.

"Shoot me then, come on. If you think I'm using it as an excuse, you are wrong. I'm happy to be fighting Reapers over Collectors, at least they die. Unlike the Collectors, I shot at them more times than I could count and still they kept coming." Milque yelled, Harwell getting up and holding the pistol that Milque threw at him.

Harwell turned the pistol around so Milque could grab it, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you." Milque took his pistol back, "Collectors sound worse than Reapers."

"They are, I'll be content with life if I don't see another again. I'm sure Vega feels the same." Milque said, putting his pistol away.

"We need to get moving." Carter ordered, knowing the brood between them was over for now and they could focus on the task at hand. he climbed over the wall the Alliance built to help get civilians out while the Reapers were attacking, he barely got his head over when he saw dead civilians, soldiers on the ground. blood sprayed on the walls, his hands on top were covered in blood. They didn't make it out when the Reapers arrived, they were obviously the last civilians, none of them children but elderly and men who were trying to fight from the looks of their wounds, some were impaled as he jumped down, approaching a dead alliance N7 soldier. he saw that they still had ammo, "Grab their ammo, we need it." Carter stripped the soldier of his ammo, he didn't like doing it but they needed ammo.

"Sir, we should respect the dead." Davies said, approaching Carter who stood, holding an ammo clip, he tossed it to Davies who caught it.

"It's ammo and we need it, Dunstan would do the same and I expect all of you to grab as much as your suit can carry." Carter ordered, Milque kneeling by a soldier. He turned it over and looked at the wound, it was impaled. It reminded him of Nicky being impaled in the fight on Fehl Prime, but knew what he signed up for.

Shepard poured himself a coffee, he stirred it as looking at the way the ripples his spoon created. He smiled, a first on his own in a while. While forces were struggling against the Reaper, he had gained valuable allies and no doubt they gained valuable territory for them. He took a sip, before moving over to put his plate in the sink. It was early morning and he was always the first in the kitchen, he was waiting for Traynor and Liara to pop in next, they always rocked up at the same time and Liara was out of the hospital and back to work in her room. Light duties the doctor ordered. He smirked, he didn't think anyone in the crew knew what light duties meant, because not once has he seen anyone, including himself follow them.

"Commander." Hartlett said, walking over and pouring himself a brewed cup of coffee. "Thanks for the coffee sir, you make the best."

"I make it like everyone else don't I?" Shepard asked, he just followed the directions on the packet.

"Oh, Don't ever get a coffee out of here if Williams has made it. Enough coffee to make you bounce off the walls." Hartlett smiled, Shepard was happy with the progress Hartlett made with the crew, Miranda didn't trust him and they didn't have enough evidence to support their case against Admiral Jones. She insisted on taking the fight to Cerberus more. Maybe they should start accusing every admiral if they are going to push themselves as hard as Admiral Jones did.

"Commander." Traynor said, right on time he thought as washing his plate and putting it up to dry.

"Morning Traynor." Shepard smiled, walking around to sit down on the table. Traynor looked at the coffee Hartlett was drinking, Hartlett nodding to her.

"It's Shepard's." Hartlett whispered, walking off with coffee in hand and heading for the war room to start his shift. Traynor smiled as pouring two coffees, she looked over her shoulder at Shepard who sat silently drinking his coffee. He did it every morning, she wondered what he was thinking sometimes.

"Samantha." Liara said, glancing at Traynor who blushed slightly.

She handed over the coffee, "How did you sleep?" They tried to act professional around the crew, but from the look Liara gave Traynor before, it couldn't have been more obvious what they were doing.

"Slept well. Ah, a Shepard brew, and your sugar. Couldn't be better." Liara smiled, she looked around as sipping her coffee. Inching closer to Traynor who blushed a little, "perhaps this evening you could stay for the night." She whispered, Traynor darted her eyes towards Liara.

"You sure, I figured you didn't sleep much." Traynor kept her voice down, trying not to draw the attention of others. She moved across the kitchen when James walked over, pouring himself a coffee. "Morning James."

"Morning ladies, enjoy your evenings. I'm sure Traynor makes for good company." James said, he remembered Traynor and Liara eating dinner in the mess hall last night.

"She certainly does, knows how to make good food. She should cook more often." Liara smiled, speaking quite highly of Traynor's cooking. She handed Traynor her cup for her to wash up, who shot her a quick glance of her figure before turning her attention back to the sink.

"Ah, I make a mean scramble eggs. My grandma taught me the recipe." James cheerfully laughed, "I'll have to cook some for the crew when we have some shore leave."

"I'm sure it will be soon enough, no doubt we've set a course for the Citadel." Liara stated, placing her hands on her hips. She went to start when they heard Joker on the intercom, "Shepard, I'll get Traynor to wash your cup."

"Thanks Liara, and James. Don't push the ladies too hard, I don't need you in hospital." Shepard smirked, he knew what those three were like for talking. He could rarely get James to shut up when he was talking about Abby, and Liara with Traynor. He still didn't know how that one happened, but they knew how to look after themselves.

He walked into the elevator, clicking for the second floor. He watched as it closed, clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth. "Ah, wonder what Hackett has planned now?" He pondered, he was still investigating the Leviathan mystery and was on course to the Citadel to comb through the labs again in hopes of finding his daughter. Doctor Ann Bryson, he looked up as the elevator opened and walked out, Miranda waiting by the war room entrance.

"Morning Miranda." Shepard smiled sweetly as making his way through the scanner. He stopped by the briefing room, turning to face Miranda. "Do you need anything?"

"I need more Alliance resources to find my sister." Miranda asked.

"Done, you can take what you need to find her." Shepard replied, family was important. Especially in times like these, "I know how important she is to you and what you've sacrificed to keep her safe."

"Thank you Shepard." Miranda smiled, he had only seen her smile once and she was telling him how surprised she was by him. No doubt she was expecting him to say no, which he wasn't quite sure why, he had never given her a reason to think like that.

"Miranda, why don't you trust Hartlett?" Shepard asked, bluntly.

"Accusing an admiral is serious business, specially with no proof. I just know if you were going to accuse someone, you would have evidence but he has nothing. Not one shred of evidence, makes you wonder why he told you it all but has nothing to back his claims. I know my stuff, something isn't right." She replied, she was right about it. If you were going to accuse an admiral, you would have evidence.

"Miranda, when you have a chance. Keep it between us, look into it. I agree with you, evidence is everything, find out what was going on Eden prime, most of the files were wiped from the hard drive Ashley transferred it to. Hackett tore my head off for it." Shepard scratched the back of his head, Miranda nodded before turning back. Shepard looked at her before turning for the war room, he saw Hartlett when he walked in. Busy working underneath the main console, "Hartlett." Shepard said, Hartlett moving out and standing.

"Commander." Hartlett saluted.

"At ease, I have news for you. Admiral Jones has been found innocent." Shepard lied.

"Ah, why are you telling me sir?" Hartlett asked, Shepard found that odd. Hartlett bit his lower lip as looking around before Shepard stepped within whispering distance.

"Just passing it along, thought you might have wanted to know the verdict." Shepard whispered, rubbing the back of his neck as Hartlett nodded.

"Thank you commander, but I've moved on. I just want to help how I can, I know what I said, but I just want to help you." Hartlett smiled, Shepard nodded. but thought it was strange the way Hartlett reacted.

"I want you when you have the chance to get the evidence to convict her, if she is working with Cerberus. She is a risk to the Alliance and should be stopped." Shepard said, Hartlett looked surprised as he wiped his hands.

"You sure sir you want to go down this path, where you start accusing everyone of working for Cerberus?" Hartlett asked.

"Just admiral Jones, I know she will have contacts but I know it will all come back to her." He lied, he was interested to see what Hartlett did. "Good luck." He walked off, Hartlett looking at him as he moved back underneath the console. Installing a metal box, he drilled it in place before switching it on. Making sure the signal was strong before moving out and closing it all up, he got up and moved to make sure it didn't show up in the system. He looked up and saw Shepard chatting with Hackett, he clicked his earpiece on and heard them chatting. He grinned before switching it off and walking out, picking up his coffee to hide his true motives for leaving.

"Shepard, I've got a critical situation on Elysium. We are losing the planet, I need you on the ground. The planets factories produce a quarter of our ammo supply for the alliance and no doubt other military outfits." Hackett explained, "I haven't been able to get anymore soldiers on the ground, but I'm hoping you can help. The Normandy will be accompanied by the fifth fleet and parts of the Geth fleet. This is a major operation and I need it to go right. You will be the first to arrive on the planet, the Geth reinforcing along with Krogan forces."

"What do you want me to do?" Shepard asked.

"Lead the charge, the Reapers have several footholds on the planet. I need you to remove the one in the northern district of the capital. It's the toughest terrain, you'll have Krogan reinforcement if need be." Hackett replied.

"My crew and I will do the job admiral, who's waiting for me?" Shepard asked.

"Captain Dunstan if he's still alive, but if not. Lieutenant Milque or Lieutenant Carter." Hackett replied, "we lost contact with the ground when one of our carriers crash landed on the planet. Reports say it landed in the city, but we are uncertain if there is survivors." Hackett replied, "meet up with my fleet at 0700, I've sent your pilot the coordinates already."

"I will get the job done." Shepard said, Hackett saluting Shepard. "We'll be in for a tough fight sir."

"It's been raining for two weeks straight nearly, so expect it to be muddy." Hackett replied, the communication switching off. Shepard nodded before moving to click the button on the console.

"Joker, call the squad to meet me in the debrief room in ten." Shepard ordered, walking off. Hearing the intercom and Joker putting out the message, he walked across the war room and into the debrief room. Traynor waiting, "guess Hackett sent you data?"

"Yes commander." She responded, typing at the end of the table. Shepard put his hands on his head, taking a deep breath.

"Commander." Miranda said, she was always quick to get here compared to the rest. He put his hands down, putting them on the table and leaning on them as biting his lower lip, looking at his feet, waiting for everyone to enter, he felt Ashley touch his back as she walked around to stand beside Miranda who nodded to her. He looked up to see Garrus and Tali walking in, he looked around and realised Garrus was last with Tali just behind him.

"What's the meeting for?" James asked, his arms crossed. Leaning against the bulkhead, he rubbed the back of his neck as looking at the squad.

"Elysium." Shepard replied, "we've already changed course, shore leave cancelled. But we have a critical situation, some of you may not know but Elysium produces a quarter of the Alliance Ammo supply, and no doubt they supply other military's."

"What are we suppose to do, babysit the factory?" Miranda asked, "it's not our job."

"No, it's our job to take back the planet." Shepard replied, everyone looked a little startled. He darted his eyes at Ashley who nodded to him before turning to look at the rest of the crew.

"What makes Hackett think we can?" Miranda asked, straight to the point as usual Shepard thought as he looked around. He stopped leaning on the table, standing up straight.

"Because it's our job, and we will have reinforcements." Shepard said, trying to gauge his squads reactions. "Krogan and Geth on the ground with other Alliance ground forces, I will be leading the charge in the Capitol."

"What of the Normandy?" Garrus asked.

"She will be fighting with the fifth fleet, and Geth fleet. The Madrid and one of our few carriers we still have are believed to be destroyed. They were tasked with the protection of Elysium." Shepard scratched his stubble, he looked at Traynor and nodded. She dimmed the lights and brought up the planet surface.

"They obviously should have had a fleet protecting it if it's that important." Miranda whispered to Ashley.

"What Reaper forces can we expect?" James asked.

"Reaper forces, full scale invasion." Shepard replied, walking around the table. Ashley moved to lean on the table, Miranda moving to stand closer. "With Cerberus reinforcements."

"Shit, they brought the Cavalry." James remarked, Shepard grinned.

"Just means when we get to take out more of Cerberus, I know it looks difficult but all of us will be on the ground. Reports are bad, we've lost contact on the ground. When we land, we will be getting a report from Captain Dunstan. And if he's dead, then Hackett believes we will be seeing a lieutenant Milque." Shepard said, James smiled.

"He's still alive. Milque is a tough bastard, he'll be alive." James added, Shepard nodded.

"Let's hope so, I'll be having Garrus and Liara with me. Ashley, you have Miranda and James. And Javik, you have EDI and Tali." Shepard said, stopping beside Javik. He was waiting for Javik to disapprove about working with EDI but they worked well together despite the problems. "Conditions are bad, reports are rain and mud. And it's worse as you get towards the Capitol with reports of mudslides no doubt."

"Commander, did the Madrid or the Carrier crash land on the planet?" Ashley asked, she tried to be professional as possible in front of the crew.

"If they did, no doubt alliance soldiers have headed for those crash sights but if not. Ashley, you will take your squad to go find them." Shepard replied, Ashley nodding. "Joker will let us know when we're an hour out, until then. Everyone get some rest or relax, we've got a tough fight ahead. Dismissed."

He watched as everyone except Miranda and Ashley left, she looked at Shepard. She wasn't bothered working with EDI but Javik and EDI had butted heads several times whilst on the ship and Shepard had to break them up, "Shepard, beware of Javik with EDI. He dislikes her because of who she is."

"You work with EDI, so it won't kill him." Shepard said, he was frustrated at Javik. He could see his disapproval when he left, but didn't want to say anything. He just wanted the mission to go to plan, "Miranda, I suggest getting some armor. Your going to need it in that mud hole."

"Damn, never going to stop are you? If I need a suit, I'll go buy one." Miranda muttered, she knew Shepard hated her not wearing armor. He just felt safer when his squad was in armor, "I'm ready for what's to come Shepard, had worse. Believe me, the Collector base still gives me the creeps." She smirked, leaving Shepard and Ashley alone. She closed the door for them, giving them some privacy.

"Ah, the Collector Base. One day, you will have to tell me what happened other than your reports." Ashley smiled, moving to sit on the end of the table. Shepard sported the usual teasing grin he had. Ashley rolled her eyes, "Never going to happen?"

"Nope, not unless we're suddenly fighting them which shouldn't happen since I wiped out their base of operations." Shepard replied, smirking.

"Wish The Reapers had one sometimes, make it easier." Ashley smiled.

"Where would be the fun in that, I thought you preferred the harder fights." His voice low and husky, she looked at him pull away, still grinning as he moved to hit the dim button. Bringing up Illyria, the capital of Elysium, Ashley shifted to look at the image. "Any plan of attack, it is where we will be landing. Hackett believes the Reapers would have taken the city since lost of contact."

"Reaper don't take cities, they tear it down to nothing. She'll be abandoned by us, here. This is where I would put our foothold." Ashley pointed to north of the capital, to a flatland with two hills either side, she pointed to the higher one.

"Reapers could be on one of them, best we land in the capital and work our way up. Work out where we are going." Shepard said, pointing to the capital.

"I'll land in the capital, Javik lands well north of this hill. Here, on this ridge." Ashley pointed to the ridge well North, "And you pick where you'd land?"

"Alright, this could work. Three teams, coming from different directions." Shepard crossed his arms, examining the map. "I'd have to land on what hill we hold, let's hope they can hold."

"I better go clean my rifle, no doubt it's going to get a good work out." Ashley pushed herself off the table.

"Decided yet?" He changed the subject.

"No, I'll let you know the minute I've decided." She replied, walking off and leaving him alone.

Shepard looked at the map, while Ashley's plan was sound, it was basic Alliance tactics, it was what any alliance soldier would suggest. He knew both sides were dug in, and no doubt the reapers were charging, relentless to take the planet. Now the alliance wanted it back, he didn't understand why they left so little protecting something so important. He looked at the capital, he knew he would need a rescue squad if this captain Dunstan hadn't sent one.

"Shit." Shepard whispered, he knew that it would be difficult to plan anything decent. He tapped the table before hitting the comm button on the console, "Joker, eta to Elysium?" He asked, holding his breath a little.

"Ten hours commander." Joker replied, Shepard nodded as relaxing slightly. But still felt tense, a big showdown was coming and knew if Cerberus was there, then Kai Leng may be deployed to the planet. He briefly touched where he had been stabbed by Kai Leng, it was not a mistake Shepard wanted to make again. He took a deep breath before leaning over the hologram, looking at the two hills. He knew it would be a hard fight and the mud only made it difficult to move quickly, he just hoped it wasn't built up badly, that it was only in the trenches.

Shepard opened his locker, they were ten minutes out of Elysium and he was gearing up. He placed his armor on and locked it in place, making sure it was secure before grabbing his helmet and heading for the armory in the Cargo bay. He clicked for it in the elevator as he turned and watched it close, it opened on the second floor. EDI getting in and standing beside Shepard, "Shepard." She said.

"EDI." Shepard smiled, "you ready?"

"I'm always ready." She replied, Shepard nodded as the third floor opened. Everyone loading in, Ashley chatting with Liara as they stepped in.

"Liara, you have any forces on Elysium?" Ashley asked, holding helmet in hand as she stepped in, moving to lean against the elevator as Liara faced her.

"No, they are all deployed. Whether they are fighting or gathering information, they are aiding me in our fight against the Reapers." Liara explained, she was a busy woman and everyone knew that having a good cause turned the shadow broker into a good force.

"Good to have the shadow broker on our side." Ashley smiled, "So, who was in charge before?"

Shepard turned his head to look at Ashley as Liara giggled, Garrus and Miranda smirked. "A yahg."

"What the hell is a Yahg?" Ashley looked at them as they laughed, "That bad then?"

"Oh trust me when I say it, if you run into one. You hope to god you can run fast." Shepard smirked, Ashley glared at him.

"Your lying." Ashley put her hands on her hips to make a point, Shepard just grinned as she rolled her eyes. "Why do I bother."

"You can't talk." Shepard smirked, tapping her arm. "Besides, didn't you read the reports I handed you. One did mention how the Reapers haven't attacked their home planet. Maybe too much effort."

"Effort, even the Reapers aren't stupid enough to mess with them. Why don't we convince them to fight with us." Ashley asked, Miranda shrugged.

"They killed the shuttle the Council sent to greet them, enough said." Shepard replied, stepping out to the cargo bay and walking over to the armory bench. He started arming himself when Ashley walked over, "I changed the plan, yours was too predictable to the enemy."

"What do you me to do?" Ashley asked, ready for what was to come. Shepard knew it would be a tough fight, no matter what plan they had.

"We liberate the planet, you're landing in the capital and you will take your team to look for survivors. Grab any able body and give them a pistol, they're going to need it." Shepard explained, checking his shotgun before attaching it to his armor. Ashley followed Shepard around to the bench the rest of the squad was waiting around.

"How are we going to take the fight to the Reapers?" Javik asked, his accent burning on the ears. Shepard placed down his helmet, he looked at each of his team. They were all looking at him, "Commander?"

"The plan is simple, we will liberate the planet. Williams, you will land in the capital and check for survivors. Rally anyone who is willing to pick up a pistol, use them and charge on the nearest Reaper front line. I will be charging at the artillery with my squad, and Javik. You will land well north and flank the enemy with Krogan reinforcements, I want this plan to work. It will be muddy, the terrian will be unforgiving." Shepard explained in the best detail he could, "Be ready for what is to come, don't expect an easy ride. And make sure you keep your head down." Shepard said, he saw them all nod before departing for their shuttles.

"Williams, take care." Shepard nodder to Ashley before heading for his shuttle. She turned and walked for hers, Miranda pulled her up.

"Clearance for shuttle two?" Hartlett asked, Ashley stood over his shoulder.

"Clearance granted, follow shuttle one into atmosphere and then break off." Joker replied, Hartlett powering up the system. He looked at the radar as Ashley headed into the back, sitting beside Miranda. She looked across at James who was nervous, he seemed tense but knew it might have been Milque, she knew they both survived Fehl Prime.

"James, relax. It will be fine, we have the ice queen helping us." Ashley laughed as Miranda raised an eyebrow at her, "What, Joker came up with it."

"I know, Shepard told me." Miranda said, "the capital will be under heavy siege if the last report is correct, I don't know if they got the civilians out, what if we have them to deal with on top of the downed carrier survivors."

"We will be fine, we know our jobs. Get to the carrier and check for survivors, arm anyone who is willing and then charge on the front line in the capital." Ashley explained, she knew what needed to be done.

"Entering atmosphere Commander." Hartlett said, interrupting their conversation. Ashley nodded as getting up and approaching his seat, looking over his shoulder at the radar. "light rain, its eased for the moment but expect it to increase."

"Thanks, radar is clear for the capital which means the fighting must have moved on." Ashley examined the radar, zooming in on the capital but their was no enemy signals or friendly but it was completely clear which concerned her. "Radar has been knocked out."

"But its clear." Hartlett replied, he steered the shuttle towards the landing zone when the shuttle was hit by artillery, Ashley was knocked to the ground. "Shit." he tried to maintain steering, "Shuttle's been hit, I'm losing power. Strap yourself in." He yelled, Ashley quickly got to her feet and strapped herself in the copilot seat.

"Hit the throttle, try to level her out. We can land to the right, its a football field." Ashley ordered, Hartlett nodding as he hit the throttle control, using it to level the shuttle as Ashley steered it to the right. "You two strapped in!" She turned her head to look at them, James giving her the thumbs up. She turned her attention back to the shuttle, "Decrease throttle." She ordered, Hartlett doing exactly as she told him.

"Prepare for impact." He said, he applied the brakes just before the shuttle hit the ground to try and ease the impact. Everyone was hurled back into their seats except James who was forced against his straps but was grateful he was wearing them as they slowed to a stop. Ashley quickly removed her straps, moving over to Hartlett to check him when he pushed her hand away. "Check on James, he was facing the other way."

She nodded and moved on to check James, seeing Miranda already helping him. "You two okay?" She asked, opening the shuttle maintenance box, pulling out a pistol and handing it to Hartlett as he walked over. Ashley made sure everyone was good to go before approaching the emergency hatch on the Shuttle door, she tried to push it open but it didn't budge.

"Do you want me to Williams?" James asked, Ashley smirked as she grabbed the rail above her, she had the strength in her legs to kick the door open, but didn't want to make too much noise to attract attention.

"I've got this." Ashley replied, lifting herself up and using all her strength to kick the hatch open. she smiled when it opened, letting herself stand back up. James passed her and was the first to get out, holding his rifle up as checking their surroundings. Ashley was the last to get out, making sure Miranda and Hartlett were out, she made her way to the front, looking around at the stadium. It was in ruins, it was obvious it was once a evacuation point. Some Tents still stood but it was abandoned long before that, "We're behind schedule, means we will have to move quicker. Hartlett, stick to me like glue." Ashley ordered, leading the way. Everyone following her as they made there way out of the stadium and into the capital and towards the crash beacon, she didn't know why the shuttle didn't pick up the signal.

"Williams, you near the carrier yet?" Shepard asked.

"No, the shuttle got hit by artillery. Everyone's ok, we landed in a stadium." Ashley knelt when she saw movement ahead, signalling to James. "Contact ahead, radio silent." She whispered, using the cover ahead to move up. Miranda stopped Hartlett from following, keeping him behind her as Ashley moved in close.

"Milque, the crash beacon is not on our radar. We need to get on high ground to get a better look." Carter said, looking for a good vantage point. "The stadium seems intact."

Ashley went to speak when she head gunfire, "Enemy soldiers, shit. we're out of ammo." Carter yelled, all of them scrambling for cover when Ashley signaled to James. He moved up to join her as she opened fire, Milque looking in her direction.

"Friendlies." Davies yelled as he pointed to Ashley who stepped out, reloading as James opened fire, both taking down Cerberus troops when Miranda took down the last of them. "Thanks for saving our asses, did easy company send you?"

"No." Ashley approached them, "Commanding officer?"

"Oh, that's me. Lieutenant Carter, and my second is Milque." Carter saluted, Ashley grabbed his arm, pushing it down.

"Don't salute, don't need you telling the enemy I'm in command." Ashley replied, Milque smirked.

"Don't need Commander Williams killed." Milque recognized her, he moved to look at her squad. Smiling when he saw James standing among them, "James?"

"Milque, good to see you." James hugged him, he wasn't one to hug but seeing Milque alive made him happy. Someone from delta squad had to make it through this war. "How did you end up here?"

"Asked to be put on the front line, what about you. You an N7? I know you got offered the program." Milque asked.

"Training for it, but I declined it back then. Long story, one for another time." James smiled, Milque nodding as they turned their attention back to the group.

"You heading for the carrier?" Ashley asked, she knew they were happy to see some friendlies.

"Yes, but our radar got knocked out a few hours ago. We've been fighting ever since, Cerberus reinforcements." Carter replied, "And we are out of ammo."

"We have some, won't be much but enough." Ashley said, handing over some ammo to Carter who took it. Miranda and James sharing their ammo, Hartlett didn't have any to share and wasn't much help, she wasn't going to volunteer him to fly the shuttle again. "We're heading for the carrier, you can join us and help look for survivor. I've got orders to arm anyone willing to fight and then charge the front line, Shepard, Geth and Krogan reinforcements are ahead of us but none the less, we have a job to do." She explained.

"Shepard's here?" Harwell couldn't believe what he heard.

"Yes, he is. He has a job to do, like everyone else." Ashley grinned, "We better get moving, before anymore reinforcements rock up." She led the way to the crash beacon, climbing up a stone slab to the top. Stopping in disbelief at the sight she saw before her, it was a large crash site and it went on for miles. Fires still burned, smoke rising, she couldn't see any survivors from her spot but it was larger than she expected. "We have work to do, everyone span out and look for any signs of survivors. We need help."

Has been edited and will continue to be checked for any mistakes.