A/N: Dedicating this chapter to my classmate, HuiXuan! Happy sweet sixteen, chiobu! (Singaporean lingo for pretty girl). This is for you! :D

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Chapter 25: Trust, lost and gained, part 3.

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Colburn

If tearing two mechs apart with nothing but pure biotic energy was difficult, then consecutively charging at enemies scattered across a large area would definitely be a miracle only God could do. Good thing was, Colburn felt like God.

It was not unlike teleporting himself throughout different corners of the battlefield, knocking Batarians over, narrowly missing bullets, and generally causing mayhem. The vanguard would never admit it, but he was thankful for the presence of Lenin. The adept was lashing out countless singularities and throwing Batarians off their feet with shots of biotic energy, all the while erecting and maintaining a seemingly indestructible biotic barrier around himself.

Occasionally, Colburn would dare himself to look in the direction of Michelle. Instead of thinking of themselves, their VIPs were focused only on the evacuating of the civilians. Maybe they're really worth saving. But as heartening the sight was, the intense usage of biotics was starting to take its toll on him. He was finding it increasingly harder by the second to concentrate. Snap out of it, Miles. You didn't go through all that Red Sand for nothing.

Oh great, since when did I start addressing myself with my first name?

Must be the hunger, he answered to himself. Gotta get some chow when I get back.

Stop it, Colburn! You're getting delirious!

"Heads up!". A loud yell pulled him from his internal conversation with himself. Almost instantly, he found himself on the ground, temporarily blinded, able to see nothing but white, with that annoying buzzing in his ears.

A long string of gunfire only served to amplify the painful ringing, threatening to burst his ear drums. What the fuck are they doing? My ears are gonna bleed.

After what could be five minutes, five hours, or maybe even five days, he felt the surroundings turn silent. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting at the slight pain. Well, at least I can still see. A pair of legs clad black metal greeted his eyes. He looked up to find Napier extending a gauntleted hand.

"You gonna stay there all century long, mate?"

The vanguard grabbed it and hoisted himself up. "Next time you're going to throw a fucking flashbang, kindly give me a warning.", he growled.

"Well, you don't see our kungfu master getting affected.", the soldier replied. The both of them turned their heads towards the Russian Chinese, who looked, well, unscathed. Not even a single scratch, he noted. "Can you believe it? He was supposed to stay back, watching Olsen's and Campbell's backs, but he just ran off, gung-ho and all that shit. He very nearly got the both of them killed."

"He what? "

"Easy there, Lieutenant.", the Brit placated. "Chief's got it covered.". He cocked his head towards Desmont, who was approaching the adept, eyes clearly glinting with anger. "You, on the other hand, should probably check in on Hanson.". Napier pointed a thumb towards the infiltrator, who was holstering her weapons.

Damn it, I forgot about them. "Thanks pal.". Colburn gave the soldier a pat on the shoulder before lightly jogging towards Michelle. "So, how was it? Any casualties?"

"Nope. We've gotten everyone out safe and sound.". She was smiling brightly, as if she had just came back from a fruitful vacation.

"You know, you're quite the sunshine.", he commented.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should.". His eyes searched around. "Where's-"

"Oh, they're on the first shuttle back to the Capetown, along with some of the civilians and our VIPs. The ship's sending all of their shuttles to take turns picking up all of us. It's a large cruiser. I'm sure we'll be able to find space for all of them until we get back to the Citadel."

Better check on Cath when I get back. "What about you? Are you okay?", he asked.

"I'm good, thanks for asking. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that date. You'll get your drinks.", she joked.

"Do I look that hard up for alcohol?"

"Well, when you're friends with an alcoholic...". Michelle slightly tilted her head towards the direction of Napier. "You can't really expect to be alcohol-free, can you?"

"Hey, I heard that! That's so not true, Hanson!"

They all laughed out loud at the red head's reaction.

"Yeah.", Colburn admitted to Michelle. "Maybe you're right."