CHAPTER 25
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Doctor Derek Jordan stood in front of the Illusive man, trying not to shift nervously from foot to foot. Ever since they had rebuilt Shepard he had been trying to duplicate her biotic abilities. The cloned tissue samples he had taken without Miranda Lawson's knowledge had so far provided only more questions and very few answers. He wished had had access to the clones but Mr Illusive had plans for those if their biotics could be stabilised. Their single attempt had ended very messily with a number of dead.
"Doctor."
"Sir as you know I had no direct access to Shepard's unique genetic code even before she came into the Prothean nanites on Eden Prime.," said Jordan. "It has come to my attention that she has a brother who could perhaps have the same as yet undetermined genetic quirk as his sister." He swallowed as The Illusive man studied him with those blue cybernetic eyes.
"If Albert were to disappear. Shepard would tear this Galaxy apart looking for him."
"Yes, sir but if he were to go off on his own."
"And how do you propose that?"
"I can answer that question," replied a new female voice. Dark skinned, black haired Maya Brooks stepped forward.
"Miss Brooks?"
"Sir, if if I were Shepard the last thing in the world I would tell me little brother is that I killed his mother and other sister. I have records of the therapy sessions he attended. He does not know. That information combined with some of our conditioning techniques would make him hate her. Should such time arise as she outlives her usefulness or turns on us, he may be able to get close enough to her to eliminate the threat...And if Dr Jordan is correct in his thinking that Albert could potentially be as powerful as his sister..."
"We have had success with our adult Eezo exposures," added Dr Jordan, "We are managing the side effects and are projecting a ten to fifteen year life span. That would be plenty of time."
The Illusive man nodded, there was no doubt in his mind Shepard would become a problem sooner or later. "Find him. Make sure his family suspects nothing."
"Yes,sir."
MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME
NORMANDY SR-2
Jack was, with nearly everyone's help making Eezo a playpen in the mess. Rupert had insisted that he could baby sit when Jack was off the ship, it was better than leaving the pup down in the hidey hole by himself howling.
Cassidy had some metal plates and welded them together forming a square she also made a large litter box. Tali had rigged a gate. Karen had provided a blanket. Alex grinned as the pup was put in and had a good sniff around. Cassidy had explained the principles of house training to the convict as she had had a dogs growing up.
Jack was determined to be a good parent and was already scouring the Extranet for vids and advice.
The Spectre went to fill in her mission report which got her thinking about Mindoir again. Alex pulled up the info on the raid and the casualty list. She was still sat at the desk staring blankly at the screen when her wife entered two hours later.
Ash glanced at the info as she wrapped her arms around the spectre and kissed the top of her head, "Alex don't do this to yourself. You said you weren't ready."
"I will never be ready," admitted Alex leaning back and taking comfort in the warmth of her wife's body.
"Just know that if you ever are, you won't be going by yourself. I am going with you." said Ash nuzzling the side of the spectre's neck, "You are never going anywhere without me ever again!"
Alex switched the terminal off as Ash's lips gently kissed a line up to her ear. She was perfectly happy to let Ash distract her for a while.
MEMEMEMEMEMEME
EDI was sifting through more data from Liara and her data bases when she found a a signal from a turian vessel requesting immediate help as they had sustained heavy damage while disabling a Collector vessel in the Caleston Rift.
Alex was in the shower when EDI's urgent message alert sounded from her omni tool. The spectre wrapped herself in a towel as Ash answered it.
"I have found the location of a heavily damaged Collector vessel," EDI informed them. "I ran the signal through some of my sub programs I believe the message to be false. Turians use a second layer of communication the vessel itself is however drifting. The technical ship scans taken with it were genuine."
Ash groaned, "Trap?"
"Trap, " agreed Alex, "But we need to know how they traverse the Omega 4 Relay." Knowing that meant a small team that could move quickly and quietly. "Go get Cassidy and Kasumi. EDI tell Joker to set course."
Ash nodded, quickly dressed and left.
The spectre checked her Email while she waited, there was one from Ruth asking when she was going to come and visit and one from Albert.
"Hey, Sis. One of my friends got a gig for some private security for a few months. The money's great and the experience would help. But it means I gotta drop off the grid for awhile. I can take care of myself and the jobs a doddle. See you in a few months. Take care of yourself. What am I saying you're a big bad ass spectre you'll be fine. Later Alligator. Hug Ash and Abby from me. Bye."
Alex chuckled as she found her clothes from where they had been scattered. She hadn't had them on long enough to need clean ones.
Ash was waiting in the Briefing room with Cassidy and the thief. EDI brought up a holo of the ship.
"I though you and Abby were joined at the hip," commented Kasumi to Cassidy as they studied the three dimensional image.
"We have to move fast," replied Cassidy, "Anyone gets hurt bad enough to need a medic will have to be left." It was a fact that she had learned to live with in the Rapid Response teams during lightning strikes on slaving bases where they were badly outnumbered. Surprise was the only thing going in their favour. They always used unmarked armour with no ID.
Kasumi's mouth dropped open in shock, "You're joking, right?"
Alex shook her head, "You're job is to scout. We'll be the ones taking any fire. The minute they spring their trap you high tail it back to the shuttle EDI has it on a remote control flight program. If things get hairy you leave."
"Not without you!" retorted the thief.
"Kasumi," said Ash putting her hand on the tiny woman's shoulder, "That info is more valuable than we are. Garrus and Miranda will continue if we can't...but they need to know how to take the Normandy through that Relay."
Kasumi nodded as she swallowed another protest. Being around so many military types she was learning that sacrifice for the whole was accepted, she sighed as EDI lit up the area they would be landing the shuttle.
"Cassidy make sure we have some turrets to protect the shuttle while we are sight seeing," said Alex. "We'll be there in six and a half hours. Tell Karin Abby's off duty till we go."
"Thanks," said the engineer with a nod as she left. The thief left as well to check her cloaking device and her back up.
"Four of us on a ship that size?" asked Ash staring wide eyed at it.
"We only need a terminal for EDI to link into find out what we need then we are outta there."," replied Alex, deactivating the display. "I'm going to see how our newest crew member is doing." She added with a grin.
"Eezo's more like a mascot," corrected Ash. They stepped out of the elevator to an argument.
"If you get the munchies...YOU ARE NOT EATING HIM!" yelled Jack, glowing blue.
"Grunt." said the Spectre and Lt together.
"OFFICER ON DECK!" roared Ash. Everyone either snapped to attention or stopped what they were doing.
Alex hid her grin before striding up to the young krogan and Jack who were stood toe to toe glaring at each other.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Neither said a word. "Grunt?"
"I only said IF the ship ever ran out of food...he would make a nice snack." Alex sighed.
"It won't happen. " said Alex stepping between the two and physically pushing Grunt back. "And Eezo is under my protection."
"Besides," chuckled Garrus, "If it did we'd eat the biggest one first."
"That was a joke," said EDI over the inter comm, sounding pleased with herself.
Grunt stomped off muttering something about sleeping with his shotgun from now on.
"I couldn't resist," grinned Garrus as Jack picked up Eezo to cuddle him.
Alex chuckled shaking her head, someone was going to have to explain the concept of humour to the young krogan. She had the perfect person in mind and headed to the bridge, "Joker I have a job for you..."
MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME
Cassidy kissed Abby before putting on her helmet and stepping into the shuttle. The medic blew her a kiss as the door closed.
Alex was flying allowing EDI to fully focus on scanning the vessel. The huge cigar shaped almost rock covered looking vessel was gigantic.
"Alex, I believe this is the same ship you encountered on Horizon," said EDI.
"Damn," said Ash, from the pilots seat, she glanced at the Spectre who's lower jaw clenched at the information. It was then that Ash realised she no longer noticed the faint red scarring that was still visible just below her right ear. During their lovemaking she never saw it.
In the cabin Cassidy was telling the small thief about how many times they'd faced certain death and come out with just a few scratches on the other side.
"Do you wish Abby were here?" asked Kasumi, she had witnessed their goodbye and was wondering why it had been that quick.
"Yes and no," replied Cassidy, "Yes because there's no one I trust more to watch my back and no because I know she's safe. She knows I love her as much now as I did when I first knew I did." She added.
Kasumi nodded thinking of Keiji. Her eyes flicked towards the cockpit the three woman were family. If they had to leave...NO she shook her head ridding herself of that thought. Alex had nine lives and it seemed her nearest and dearest shared that same trait. This mission would be a success.
The ship genuinely seemed to be deserted even though Alex knew better, it didn't help that the closest area EDI had identified where she could be plugged in was nearly a kilometre inside the ship. The spectre nodded to Kasumi who cloaked and headed off. EDI had given her a program to use that would scramble any internal sensors, at least in theory.
Cassidy took point with her combat drone Rainbow.
"This place looks like an insect hive," muttered Ash. Which kind of made sense as the Collectors looked like big bugs.
"You think any of the colonists from Horizon are on board?" asked Cassidy.
Alex didn't reply, they all knew they wouldn't have time to rescue anybody with the trap ready to spring shut on them at any second. Alex did the only thing she could do, she swore to them silently that their sacrifice would save many more and that the Collectors were going to pay for what they had done.
The passage looked organic the did see discarded open and empty pods against the walls, there were more hanging from the high ceiling.
"How many do think have people in them?" Ash didn't really want to know.
"Too many," replied Alex softly as EDI chipped in that there was no power in any of the pods, likely any occupants had died when the ship powered down to look like it had been damaged.
Ash caught a flash of red as her wife looked up at the pods. Alex wasn't the only one who was angry.
Cassidy scanned any tech she found and sent the info back to the Normandy. At the next junction they found a pod with a dead Collector in it.
"Were they experimenting on one of their own?" asked Ash.
Alex shrugged and scanned it. "EDI?" while Cassidy accessed the pods diagnostic system.
Cassidy pulled up the readings, the little holo was of a double helix.
"This strand shows something amazing, Alex," said EDI, "This strand is identical to genetic material found in the ruins of a Prothean structure in the Styx Theta cluster."
"What!" spluttered Cassidy, "You mean this is a prothean!"
"I mean it use to be one. There is evidence of significant genetic re-write."
"The reapers didn't wipe out the protheans they enslaved them and turned them into monsters." said Alex in disgust. "Any chance of saving them EDI?"
"None, Alex," replied EDI. "I have sent the data to Mordin. He can explain further."
"Okay," sighed Alex, "Cass, move out."
The engineer led the way down a slope then up a ramp into the ships core. Cassidy stopped in horror at the sheer size and number of pods. This ship could easily hold every human in the Terminus systems.
"They have to be planning on hitting Earth." stated Ash turning in a circle to stare at all the pods.
"Not if we stop them." Alex's voice was determined. "EDI plug in point is just down here." Knowing full well that their destination could indeed be the trap. She really hated it when she was right. AS soon as EDI linked with the ship everything started to shake. The platform they were stood on detached and spun down to a lower level before EDI gained enough control to stop it momentarily.
"Jump," yelled Alex, leaping to solid ground. As soon as they were clear EDI released control of the platform and it spun away crashing into something below them if the explosion was anything to go by.
EDI sent a new nav point to lead them back to the level where the shuttle was. The AI could also close and lock some doors between them and their destination.
The first Collectors and husks hit them within minutes, luckily they were more or less throwing themselves at the three humans. Alex sent Kasumi the signal to retreat.
The Spectre really let rip with her biotics, they were deep enough in the ship to avoid any structural damage, Alex decimated wave after wave of enemies with shock waves alone.
Ash had switched to her sniper picking off the few who were hanging back and the odd glowing one that appeared. Cassidy's incinerate worked well too. She threw a turret out to help Rainbow, then as they moved forward left the turret to cover their retreat. They had to move fast, if they got pinned down they were finished.
The Collectors threw some of the big biotic creatures at them, the Alliance had called them scions. Alex's barrier the only thing stopping their biotics from hitting them.
It was Ash who realised Alex's nose was bleeding badly from her almost constant biotic use, no matter how powerful she was she had a limit and she was almost at it. Much more and Alex would pass out.
"Alex you have to stop," said Ash, dropping into cover next to her wife, "You know we can't carry your ass out of here." Alex nodded and pulled out her assault rifle as Ash ran to the next bit of cover.
They reached the upper level after a hard fight. None of them were uninjured by that point. The Spectre was in front when something huge barrelled into her from a side passage. She rolled with the blow winded, her chest armour dented.
"Hey!" yelled Cassidy, waving her arms to get its attention, it was new, it looked like a giant ape with a turians head plopped on top. As it charged Cassidy ran into an adjoining passage way and saw it full of enemies coming to join the fray. Far too many for them to fight off or outrun. She had no idea how bad Alex was hurt. There was only one thing to do. Cassidy used her incinerate to turn the area behind her into an inferno.
Ash skidded to a stop as she ran towards Alex who was still down, when fire flashed from the side passage.
"Cassidy!" Her omni-tool beeped.
"Get Alex and get out of here. I'll hold them as long as I can. They won't take me alive."
"NO!"
"It's the only way. You know it."
"Cass?"
"Look after Abby. Tell her I love her." Cassidy turned her attention to the oncoming horde.
Ash ran to Alex and yanked off her chest plate allowing the Spectre to cough weakly. The Lt, pulled her wife up and hauled her along their only resistance a dozen husks that her concussive shot and a burst from her rifle dealt with easily. The turrets had been busy, there were piles of corpses surrounding the shuttle. Ash dragged Alex in with Kasumi's help.
"Where's Cassidy?" One look at Ash's bowed head told her what she didn't want to know.
"Go."
Kasumi hit the auto pilot start button and the shuttle took off. Kasumi came back with a first aid kit. The Lt seemed completely unaware that she had a hole in her back, she was solely focused on patching up her wife.
Kasumi called ahead to Karin to expect wounded.
MEMEMEMEME
The husks were highly susceptible to fire and Rainbow's rockets were keeping the larger Collectors at bay. Cassidy was on one knee alternately firing bursts from her weapon and incinerating as one of her turrets spun round she something had got behind her. That the glowing collectors were able to walk through her fire wall had never occurred to her Cassidy dropped her rifle and grabbed her pistol she raised it to her head as something knocked it out of her hand.
MEMEMEMEMEMEME
"The Collectors ship is firing up it's weapons," yelled Joker as he jinked the Normandy away from the first shot. "EDI get us out of here!"
"Do you have a destination?" The AI sounded subdued.
He didn't have time to wonder why. "Anywhere that's not here."
EDI instantly initiated a jump leaving the Collector vessel behind.
TBC...
A/N. Thanks for reading guys :-) And for the favs and follows. Keep happy and keep reading. Have fun T-Rex. :)