APPROACHING THE OMEGA FOUR RELAY. ETA 1 MINUTE.
Joker's voice died out over the loudspeaker. This was it. Brandon stood with his cleaned armor strapped to his chest. His aged coat draped over and settled around his ankles. Gun leather polished. If he died, he would be well dressed. He left his room and sat in the captain's chair of his ship. This was much different than the rush to Illos. It was touch and go. Stealing the 'Normandy' and flying straight into the unknown. Granted, he knew he wouldn't be on the ground team against Saren and geth. Still, Alliance training prepped a soldier for an attack. Both for battle readiness and mental stability. But after he discharged and rearmed his pistols' thermal clip for the thirtieth time, checked to make sure the bipod on the Revenant was secured, and counted nine spare thermal clips again...
I never thought I'd be itching for something to happen.
Someone must have heard him as he felt the 'Normandy' vibrate when it entered FTL. It never vibrated from FTL. His heart seemed to mirror the ship as it picked up in pace. They were on their way. His lungs filled with a breath and then followed long exhale. Nothing left to do now.
BRACE FOR DECELERATION. 8…7…6…5…
He gripped the console of his ship and shut his eyes.
4…3…2…1…
As soon as EDI finished a sudden jolt forced him into the back of his chair. Soon everything seemed to calm after the sharp change of direction. Not having a visual of their surroundings always unnerved him. With the blast doors over the observation decks, only the pilot and whoever was in the cockpit knew what was approaching. Trust that Joker knew what he was doing.
The ship shuddered much more violently. A loud snap seemed to creak across the ship. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up at the dauntingly familiar noise. It was a particle beam scraping across the hull. Never could he forget that sound. He was in the hangar bay on the SSV when that blast erupted. Would have been on security duty in the CIC, but switched shifts with Hector Emerson. Brandon was cleaning the rifles when it cut through the ship with that same audible crack. Joker ordered an evacuation and he ran to the elevator. Most from engineering had piled in and they waited for the last few still running. When the second blast sliced open the hangar bay, the doors automatically sealed shut and took them to the crew deck escape pods. That's how they lost Carlton, Harvey, Helen, Raymond...
His hand trembled despite his death grip on the console.
DIRECT HIT ON THE STARBOARD SIDE. WE GOT A FIRE IN THE MED-BAY. AUTOMATED SYSTEMS OFFLINE. I NEED PEOPLE THERE NOW!
His feet felt bolted to the floor.
This isn't the SSV. Stand up.
His mind gave the command, but his body didn't respond.
I said get up. GET UP!
Brandon didn't even bother with the elevator and climbed up the emergency shaft. At the crew deck he met with Thane and Samara. The med-bay was festooned with flames as he grabbed the nearest extinguisher and tried to put out the blaze. Thane was behind him with his own canister.
"Keep back, Thane. Your lungs can't take much of this."
"I refuse in my last fight to be defeated by smoke inhalation."
Quickly, the fires were subdued and Brandon jumped on the comm.
"Fire's contained. Seal off the med-bay."
The ship rocked again.
DAMN IT. EVERYONE HANG ON. WE'RE GONNA LOSE THEM IN THE DEBRIS FIELD.
JEFF, I CALCULATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING THE DEBRIS FIELD IS APPROXIMATELY 3,720 TO ONE.
NEVER TELL ME THE ODDS, EDI!
A loud boom sheared off the mess hall table from the deck floor. It flipped towards them but was forced back by Samara with a biotic push. The ship seemed to settle back to normal even though they were far from it. The lights on the crew deck dimmed for a brief moment as a hum emitted from the main battery. They were firing the Thanix cannon. Another round charged and fired, but afterwards the 'Normandy' quaked from whatever exploded. There was a noticeable difference now. The artificial gravity was offline. Moreso they felt the tug of the space station dragging them down. Samara pulled them close and formed a biotic bubble.
SYSTEMS OFFLINE! EVERYONE BRACE FOR IMPACT!
The 'Normandy' smashed into something causing a change in momentum and direction. The force sent the three into the opposite wall. Samara biotics dissipated on impact but absorbed the bulk of the collision. They dropped to the ground and skidded across the deck until they plowed wherever they landed.
There was no headache so Brandon knew he hadn't hit his head against anything. He opened his eyes to see part of the deck ceiling exposed. Wires dangled and sparked against each other. Samara and Thane slowly got on their feet unhurt. Brandon's body felt in pretty much the same shape.
THIS IS SHEPARD. ALL CREW CHECK IN. WHAT'S THE DAMAGE REPORT?
A cascade of sparks erupted from the ceiling until dying out.
"Uh, we're alive?" Brandon sheepishly responded.
Everyone met in the debriefing room. Not even a scratch despite the belly landing. They discussed the layout of the Collector base and the plan of attack. Brandon surveyed the team more than the strategy. Jack eagerly cracked her knuckles. Thane and Samara silently prayed to their gods for guidance. Mordin intently stared at the layout. No doubt analyzing everything in his head. Kasumi calmly stroked her lips. She was thinking about the approach like she would a heist. He could always tell how she contemplated her next move.
This can't be the last time I see her…
"Those are our orders ladies and gentlemen. Anyone else have anything to say?"
Shepard folded her arms and assessed her combatants.
"Escape plan."
Brandon spoke up from the silence.
"If the 'Normandy' can't take off we still have a shuttle and the 'Razgriz'. They have FTL and can make it back through the relay."
"He's got a point Shepard," said Miranda, "The IFF was to get us here. We won't need it to get out."
"When we find the crew or any other survivors, they take priority. They can pile in the shuttle and get out. As for us, I can send you back to pilot the Raz-"
"Joker can fly her if it comes to that," cut in Brandon.
It wasn't going to be an excuse for him to leave his friends in battle. Shepard acknowledged his resolve with a respectful nod.
"You hear that, Joker," called Brandon, "Worst case the 'Razgriz' is all yours."
DON'T GIVE ME THAT. MY OLD GIRL AIN'T DOWN AND OUT YET. BE CAREFUL DOWN THERE.
"EDI, keep him from doing anything stupid."
I WILL DO MY BEST BRANDON.
That's the first time she said my first name.
Brandon slung the MAC on his back. Grunt eagerly grabbed the M-100 grenade launcher and spun the rotating cylinders; each loaded with explosives. Mordin was quite enthusiastic to wield the ML-77 missile launcher. Zaeed lit his cigar with the flame of the M-451 Firestorm and proceeded with the squad. Of course, the Cain was taken by the only one qualified, or crazy enough, to use it.
"If we are lucky, I'll get to shove this thing right where the sun don't shine."
Shepard kept the morale up; then again hoisting a portable nuclear launcher was a bonus to her confidence. All weapons were distributed. Every thermal clip was taken. And when the Normandy's hatch opened the hiss of the door was the only sound that could be heard.
Everyone piled off the ship into the deceivingly warm glow of the core. It was a partial comfort the Collectors needed air to survive so they didn't need helmets. Brandon was as bewildered as the rest as they looked at the massive space station, the rays from exploded suns, and the debris of ships littered across the orange radiance of space. Some looked ancient from a time before the Citadel Council. Extinct races not even known in the history tracks.
"Oh my God…"
Nearly everyone jolted and turned to Brandon pointing at all the floating ships.
"…I could find parts for the 'Razgriz' in there!"
The glares from his friends felt more like death staring at him.
"Just…trying to stay positive."
Though, caught in the corner of his eye, Kasumi desperately tried to hide her laugh.
Totally worth it.
Shepard led Grunt, Tali, Mordin, and Legion toward the vents. Brandon watched them head into the opposite passage. His fingers balled and relaxed as he popped the safety off his Revenant. The distraction team started down their path. Garrus took point with poise only a great leader could have. He had learned from the best.
"This is it. Remember short controlled bursts. Don't waste your shots, but make them loud. We need to take the heat off Shepard best we can, so give them something to think about. Keep the form tight. No lone wolf stuff."
His group all agreed. Almost deja vu for the turian as he looked back at his band of misfits. Ready to combat the scum of the universe on their own territory.
"Alright. Now let's show them what the galaxy's mightiest heroes are made of."
The first few steps into the Collector base were strangely silent. More resistance was expected. An awaiting army. Booby-traps. Instead, it looked deserted. Most doubted that notion. Unless every Collector happened to be on the ship when it exploded, they'd be meeting the welcome party soon enough.
"Garrus to Shepard, have you encountered any resistance?"
NEGATIVE. THEY EITHER DON'T KNOW WE'RE HERE OR ARE WAITING FOR US TO SPRING A TRAP.
"Hold back a minute. We want them to come to us first. We'll flush them out. Meet you on the other side of those doors."
He motioned to Brandon.
"Switch to your heavy and send one round down the corridor. Everyone else fire two rounds at anything you think looks suspicious."
Brandon charged the MAC and sent an electrical orb down the passageway while the rest shot from their rifles. They could see the faint glow from the impact in the distance. Something noticeably changed. Like a low hum emitting from below ground. The team treaded carefully. The hum grew and from the craters in the floor Collector soldiers burst into the air surrounding them. However, unlike all their previous tactics, it wasn't a surprise attack. Garrus and the rest knew they would come and cut them down effortlessly.
"Well that was easy," said Jack.
Most wished she hadn't said a word. Like cockroaches, Collectors poured out from all directions and forced the team to rush towards the meeting point while shooting. They dove further into the passageway until they reached the location. The door was still locked.
"Hold here and set up a perimeter," ordered Garrus.
Brandon and Jacob took positions at the edge of the formation as rearguards. There was barely any cover leaving them mostly exposed. The tunnel was not ideal as three different routes lead to them. Thane and Garrus took positions for sniper support. The rest stayed scattered within the defense setup.
A few stragglers were dispatched easily. It was the identifiable squads that things started to get tough. Kasumi sprayed her bursts from her Vindicator until she saw a large assortment of Collectors pushing on their position.
"Grenade!"
Kasumi tossed her flashbang. The attackers were blinded in all four eyes and defenseless, temporarily giving the team upper hand. Unfortunately, the bulk taken down was only a dent of the ever growing population of drones and troopers.
"These fuckers don't know when to give up," as Jack sent a shockwave crashing into a swarm of Collectors.
As more massed from all three corridors, Brandon became less frugal with his machine gun. Both former Alliance soldiers maintained constant rates of fire until the thermal clip popped from Jacob's Avenger.
"Loading. Davis, I'm on my last mag-"
The gunshot cut through his shoulder; no barriers. The Avenger fell from his grasp as he grimaced in pain. In a controlled rage, Jacob drew his pistol and riddled dead the trooper that tried to flank him.
"Jacob, get down!"
He didn't hear Miranda. He threw the empty pistol to the ground and reached for his Tempest with his good arm. Wounded, bleeding, and a tight clench in his jaw he sprayed down three charging drones before a second shot grazed the other arm. It wasn't until a third round struck his gut did he collapse to the ground. Miranda sprinted to him. Brandon looked back to Kasumi.
"Cover me."
The thief took a small breath before her bursts and struck down each target. Brandon bolted across and strafed the enemies to get to Jacob. Miranda flipped him over to apply medi-gel. The soldier still clutched his Tempest ready to fight to his last breath.
"Just…get me...on my feet."
"Shut up damn you," choked Miranda.
Miranda pressed the gel through the blood gushing from Jacob's abdomen. Brandon took out any enemies who tried to advance on their holdout until the gun emptied. Short on time, he grabbed Jacob's fallen Avenger and sprayed a violent flash of fire.
"How is he?"
"I don't know."
"We gotta get him outta here."
He picked off the closest targets until the clip popped from the rifle. Before Brandon could reload, a wall of blue biotics covered the entrance absorbing the fire. Samara stood strong though they could see her strain.
"Get him to safety."
Miranda and Brandon hoisted Jacob and dragged him away from the front line. As strong as a Justicar could be, she could not brace the weight of whole army's armament for long as her barrier shattered. Kasumi and Jack sprayed at another swarm, but their defense was faltering. Suddenly, a stream napalm engulfed everything before them.
"You kids get the bloody hell back!"
Zaeed walked in front of them and stood directly in the middle of the hallway. Despite exposure to the enemy, his Firestorm unleashed waves of fire igniting all it touched. No matter how advanced the Collectors or Reapers might be, nothing was invincible to incineration as the enemy burned in a sea of flames. They bought a few more minutes, but Garrus knew they wouldn't last much longer at this rate.
"Come on Legion! We need the door open now! We have a man down!"
ACKNOWLEDGED. OPEN.
The doors finally slid wide as the group piled in. They tapped Zaeed on the shoulder to cue him to fall back. He steadily strolled rearward sending out the last bits of the blaze until the door shut completely.
GARRUS WE'RE IN POSITION. GET THAT DOOR OPEN!
"Legion. Open the door for Shepard."
"Door is malfunctioning," replied Legion.
Finally, it slid open as Shepard's team entered shooting back at enemy resistance. Those that could help gave her cover fire. The door shuddered then slowly closed just before the Collectors could get off their explosives. Shepard and her squad were relatively unscathed.
"Hell of a good start."
She spoke to soon when she saw Jacob on the ground with Miranda crouched over him.
"Shit."
Mordin rushed over and quickly attended to Jacob.
"Be still."
"Patch me up, doc. It's nothing."
Miranda could see her friend fading in and out. When she touched his face it slowed him down.
"That's enough Jacob. I'll promise to keep you alive."
With his life dwindling he could still smile back. It was a smile that existed only when they were once lovers, though…that had never really stopped.
"I could never remember…which promises you keep."
She leaned close and kissed him on his forehead. It relaxed him more than the medi-gel ever could.
"Mordin?"
"Medi-gel holding…"
Mordin made sure to pull Miranda aside to Shepard before he continued.
"…but he won't last much longer. Needs proper care."
"Shepard!"
All three looked over to Brandon.
"You need to see this."
The mercenary tossed his flamethrower to the ground now that it had run out of power. Thane and Samara lugged Jacob to his feet and carried him. The team followed the commander into the chamber, though it resembled more of a lab. A factory floor for something.
"This must be under the central hub," said Shepard.
"Have you ever seen anything like this?"
She couldn't respond to the detective as she looked over the area. Pipes seemed to crawl like tentacles all over the ceilings. At the base of the floor…
"What the hell?"
Humans were inside chambers connected to every tube. It was their crew. All except one.
"That's one of the colonists from Horizon."
Shepard approached the woman. Her eyes opened. It was a shock that she could still be alive for all these months. She saw the team and immediately started screaming.
"Don't worry. We're going to get you out."
The pod hissed. Though, her cries were muffled they could clearly hear her.
"Pl-Please. Kill me. Kill me!"
She screamed in agony; pounded on the glass, but her hands dissolved. Her skin peeled off her face as her body disintegrated into a mess of bloody pulp silenced forever. Shepard eyes stayed wide as she watched the woman crumbled into paste.
"No…NO! Goddamn it! Get them out! Get them out NOW!"
She slammed the butt of her rifle into the nearby tube ejecting Mess Sergeant Gardner. The others pulled on the pods before the Collectors claimed a single crewmember a horrendous death. Finally, Grunt smashed against the glass which shattered and expelled Doctor Chakwas.
"You…you came back for us."
Shepard offered her hand and brought her to her feet.
"No one gets left behind."
"They…they were processed. They got pumped through these tubes. The chambers kept us in stasis…like in the pods."
The hard fact that hovered over the situation was that the genetic human paste was being pumped into whatever experiment or abomination that lay ahead.
"Joker can you scan and tell me where or what these tubes lead?"
ALL THOSE TUBES LEAD TO THE CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM RIGHT ABOVE YOU. THE ROUTE IS BLOCKED BY A SECURITY DOOR, BUT THERES ANOTHER CHAMBER THAT RUNS PARALLEL TO THE ONE YOU'RE IN.
EDI immediately cut in.
I CANNOT RECOMEND THAT. THERMAL EMMISSIONS SUGGEST THE CHAMBER IS OVERRUN WITH SEEKER SWARMS. MORDIN'S COUNTERMEASURE CANNOT DEFEND AGAINST SO MANY AT ONCE.
"What about biotics? Could we create a biotic field to keep them from getting near us?"
"Yes. I think that may be possible," said the Justicar, "I wouldn't be able to protect everyone, but we might be able to get a small team through if they stayed close."
"Agreed. Samara and I will take a small team through the seeker swarms. Garrus will continue to lead the diversion team through the main passage. We'll open the security doors from the other side and meet you there."
Garrus tossed a new clip in his Mantis.
"We'll keep the defenders busy. You slip around the back."
"What about us," said Chakwas, "We're in no shape to fight."
"Is the 'Normandy' spaceworthy?"
EDI AND I ARE STILL SORTING THROUGH THE SYSTEMS. GIVE US THERE POSITION. I CAN HAVE THE SHUTTLE WAITING FOR THEM.
"Mordin. You escort them back. Take Jacob with you. Remember if she is grounded you take the shuttle through the relay."
Mordin tossed Miranda the ML-77 missile launcher.
"Five shots left. Make them count."
The crew trudged with Mordin towards the exit. Some braced their more wounded comrades on their sides. Gardner hooked an arm around Jacob. As for the ground team, they had to keep going.
The further the team ventured into the base the more alien it became. The Collector ship was more of a bee hive for colonist transportation. The actual base was more of a processing plant. The tech had a resemblance to the architecture of the ancient Protheans. Only it was morphed in a way that destroyed any cultural influence. Purely machinery. Foreign from any technology both past and present. Ironic that the creators of this dark maniacal hell are the same who constructed the elegant brilliance of the mass relays. And much like the Keepers, recycled an proud race into mindless slaves.
The group stayed alert. Grunt sniffed the air and snarled.
"This whole place smells…wrong."
They crept deeper into the center until they came across a gorge in the middle of the superstructure. Garrus gave the signal to fan out. As they peered over the edge down the chasm…the sight stunned them all.
Almost like a long runway of an airstip, it glowed in a long thick line of warm red light. Although, every light was atop a stasis pod; stasis pods all filled with Collectors. Drones, troopers, captains. They stretched along the edge of the abyss and spanned far into the distance. The genetic mutation of what was left of the proud Prothean race reduced to slave labor. But the last of a species was dormant beside the firsts of one. At the center, organized into neat rows, spikes impaled lifeless bodies which were once humans. Now, turned into the dreadful fate of husks. It was frightening to approach one or two spikes, but this many of this magnitude was inconceivable. It expanded across the base like enlarged porcupine spines. It was nightmarish and dreadful; and they would swear they could hear the screams of the colonists that must have echoed in these halls. Everyone was speechless until Garrus choked out a reaction.
"Spirits, there must be hundreds of them…thousands…why are they here?"
"Looks like they're preparing an invasion," Brandon replied bluntly.
"Keelah."
Up until now it the Collectors' tactics were hit and run. What lay before them would completely decimate any colony or large city…or worse…a planet.
"I don't get it. Why are there husks? Wouldn't that be a waste of genetic harvesting?"
This might have been the first time Kasumi sounded worried.
"Not every human sample was a good one," said Thane, "Whoever wasn't needed must have been turned."
"Or whoever didn't survived the trip," said Grunt darkly.
Brandon noticed Zaeed had let his cigar wastefully burn.
"Does this remind you of anything, Zaeed?"
"Nope…never seen anything like this before."
Jack was incredibly silent at the view.
"Jack," asked the mercenary, "you alright?"
The lifeless human forms probed by the sharp spikes resonated dark memories of her childhood with Cerberus.
"Me? I'm so scared I'm thinking about God."
A lone Collector appeared amongst the vast armada of mindless soldiers. It eyes glowed that bright yellow; surrounded by a ghostly aura of light. It was Harbinger. Its deep voice thundered at them.
FOOLS. YOU ARE IGNORANT AND WE ARE KNOWING. YOU FOLLOW SHEPARD AS SHE LEADS YOU TO DIE. YOUR WORLDS WILL BECOME OUR LABORATORIES. YOUR PUNY WEAPONS AND PATHETIC ARMIES CANNOT STOP THE INEVITABLE. NONE OF YOU CAN COMPREHEND WHAT YOU FACE. WE ARE THE HARBINGER OF YOUR DESTINY. WE ARE-
Harbinger couldn't finish after being pummeled by a countless barrage of gunfire. Barriers and armor were obliterated in seconds as the possessed Collector fell to its knees feeling the sting of bullets ripped through its frail body. On the ridge above, all members of Garrus' squad held their weapons with barrels red hot and smoking.
RE…LEAS…ING CONTR-
Its head snapped back as a hole carved through the skull and collapsed face first to the ground. Garrus cocked back another clip from his sniper rifle.
"Hostile engaged."
The red glow from the foul valley stopped. It switched to green. The normal hiss of a pod opening was enhanced thousands of times as the once Prothean army, now Collectors, emerged.
"There's no way our luck is this bad," Brandon said hopelessly.
The mechanical, yet organic crease of the spikes echoed as each row lowered in a perfect sequential pattern. Across the abyss, the blue glow of husks sped in their direction at an alarming size. Garrus eyes widened only for a moment before they sharpened into a predatory glare.
"Fall back…fall back!"
All except one followed Garrus' order. Grunt stood tall as the others retreated.
"Go!"
Grunt slung his shotgun and pulled the M-100 off his back.
"Heh heh heh."
Grunt launched grenades directly into the hordes of husks. Every time a new round cycled it left the barrel to continue his relentless sortie of explosions. His blue eyes sharpened as he not only fulfilled his krogan genetic destiny, but created his own memory the tank could never give him; with enemies few would ever face. The spectacle of dozens of husks scattered into the air and torn to shreds spurred the young krogan. And when the grenade launcher ran out, he smashed it across a Collector's skull that tried to jump him. He rejoined with the rest and fought towards the rendezvous point.
The pipes leading to the central room had grown vaster where the smaller ones intertwined. They had to lead to somewhere...or something big requiring the enormity. Up ahead was the secondary point. They were blessed with enough cover, but the amount of enemies was astronomical. They were in the heart of the base and not a random corridor. They were exposed with their backs against the wall. Above, below, and 180 degree line of sight.
"Mount up," ordered Garrus.
Brandon deployed the weapon's bipod and mowed down any Collector in range. Husks scurried up the sides and charged right into the muzzle flash of the machine gun. They constantly fell dead until the fire stopped with a popped thermal clip...
"Shit!"
No time to reload and the nearest husk let out a screech as it jumped over the debris. Only it never landed back down. It rocketed back from Tali toting Vera. Slug after slug, the quarian pummeled back the husks as she never broke her stance. She pumped a new clip and patted Brandon on the back for him to reload. The Revenant was rearmed, but up ahead was a scion. He took MAC from his back, readied a charge, and took aim-
A particle beam tore through the barrel just missing his head. A few scratches didn't stop him, but the weapon was now beyond use. Up ahead, more husks and three Praetorians herded for an attack. With his weapon now defunct it seemed too futile of a fight. But he thought about the batarian corvette.
"Kasumi, I need you to override the safeties and overload the charging mechanism."
She didn't ask why. Immediately, the circuit box was open and she linked her omni-tool to the program. Her little fingers danced over the holo-map and soon the weapon started to charge and rise in pitch. Only this time it started to spasm much more violently.
"Grunt, how's you're throwing arm?"
Grunt looked at him, then the portable bomb, and understood the plan. He clutched the weapon and threw it with all his might across the approaching army. Garrus made sure his one shot hit right at the pressure tank and exploded the weapon sending a massive EMP orb shorting out all three Praetorians and three fourths of the husks; completely decimated. Brandon almost jumped into the air with excitement, but his heart sank a moment after. Seven more Praetorians crept into the far view. More Collectors, uncountable amounts of husks, and a dozen scions came out from the center of the base. The force they were up against was merely a fraction of the Collector army. The EMP bomb bought them only minutes as the Reaper's spawns advanced on their position.
"Son. of. A. BITCH!"
The Revenant bellowed toward everything in sight. Everyone with a working weapon shot at the crowds. Rounds ripped through Collectors center mass. Tracers popped the legs of the incoming husks in the hope they would get trampled by the rest of the horde. Despite their best efforts, they were hammered at the enemy's response. Tali switched to her pistol after her rifle ran out. Jack cursed when a scion's blast ripped her assault rifle away. She responded with a colossal shockwave sending a near two dozen husks and Collectors scattered across the base. Garrus was partially happy his visor kept the kill count; he had forgotten how many he'd sniped long ago. It wouldn't matter for too long with only ten shots left for his Mantis. Thane kept his Viper rapid and steady until a round pierced his thigh which crippled him to the ground.
"Thane!"
Garrus jumped on his comm.
"Shepard, do you copy? Come on, damn it, where are you?"
I COPY WHATS YOUR POSITION
"We're at the doors. They've got us pinned down! Taking heavy fire!"
Suddenly, the doors opened with Shepard and her reinforcements. She caught a glimpse of the incoming force.
"Suppressing fire! Don't let one close!"
Tracers flew through the empty space as the squad took shelter. Garrus was the last one in as the doors finally sealed. Shepard exhaled a long breath that she didn't even know she had, but she thought her heart stopped seeing the turian slumped back against the wall clutching his side.
"I'm fine. It...it didn't go through. I wear my armor for something, right?"
Shepard smirked, trying to hide the dread of what she almost thought happened to her best friend, and patted him on the shoulder.
"EDI, what's our status?"
MORDIN'S GROUP ARRIVED. NO CASUALTIES. JACOB IS IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION. THERE SHOULD BE SOME NEARBY PLATFORMS THAT SHOULD TAKE YOU TO THE MAIN CONTROL CONSOLE. FROM THERE YOU CAN OVERLOAD AND DESTROY THE BASE.
This time it was Joker that cut off EDI.
COMMANDER YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. HOSTILES MASSING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR. WON'T BE LONG UNTIL THEY BUST THROUGH.
"Copy that Joker."
Shepard looked back at their team. Tali patched up Thane's wound with the little medi-gel they had left. Brandon distributed a few spare thermal clips. Jack and Samara were restless from the amount of biotics they'd used. They were short of both manpower and firepower. And she still needed more from them.
"I need a rearguard team to keep them from overwhelming us."
Brandon knew what that meant. He remembered the salarian commander Kirrahe. 'Hold the line'…at all costs it seemed.
"We'll bunker down here and cover your back Shepard."
The sentiment was shared by everyone. There was not a hint of trepidation from her people. They were with her until the end.
"I still have a few shots saved for Harby."
She looked at Garrus.
"No. I need you here to lead the rest out if we can't get back. If this all goes to hell you're the acting commander Vakarian."
The turian almost expected to feel hurt that he wasn't going with her, but felt prouder than he could ever be for the responsibility she entrusted him.
"I won't disappoint you, Shepard."
"You've never disappointed me, Garrus."
Time was short. Shepard chose her crew.
"Miranda?"
Miranda walked with a fierce determination none had seen before and pulled the missile launcher from her back.
"Zaeed?"
His cigar had worn down to the nub. He spit it from his mouth pulled his Vindicator.
"Hey!"
Jack stopped Zaeed just before he boarded the platform.
"I'd say come back without a scratch, but it's a bit late for that."
She practically dragged him to her lips before pushing him away.
"So just come back."
He grinned as he boarded the platform. Shepard surveyed the men and women who've fought beside her. Old and new faces. All looking up to her. Brave souls willing to die. True warriors.
"You want a speech? You'll get it when we get back home. We have a battle to win."
She had the most confident, and deadly, smile on her face as the platform rose out of the chamber. They watched until they were out of sight and Garrus resumed command.
"Setup defense positions. We make a stand here. No one is gonna die because of us."
Everyone planted themselves behind whatever cover there was. There was no silence. They could hear the mumbles and sounds of the Collectors on the other side of the door. Tali and Brandon carried Thane to the right flank facing the entrance. They propped him beside some cover and gave him his Viper.
"You're locked and loaded. Stay here and watch our backs. Sure you're okay?"
"The pain of getting shot is an old memory. Not one I enjoy however," with a smirk.
The Garrus stayed in the middle with his Mantis aimed right down the center. Legion took position on the left with his Widowmaker. Jack and Samara stayed on the infields of the flanks toting a shotgun and assault rifle respectively. Brandon deployed his machine gun beside Grunt. He shifted so the iron sights were lined almost perfectly to the crease of the door. His fingers gripped the handle as he waited for the enemy. Still, his eyes glanced to the thief on the far side. Tali stood beside her with her Sokolov. Kasumi had her Vindicator planted to her shoulder, but her eyes were locked on him. More worryingly was there was no smile...not even a smirk. She was worried. Maybe even afraid. It was the first time he felt that sinking feeling in his gut. The thought of laying her lifeless body inside one of those coffins…it just fueled his resolve as he glared back at the door and with a narrowed brow.
Nothing was going to hurt her.
They could hear the Collectors hacking the door's circuitry.
"Grunt."
"Hmm?"
"Do krogans believe in hell?"
"The void has dark levels. Why?"
"Because I intend to give em a lot of business today."
He racked the action on his machine gun. A wide toothy grin formed on the young krogan.
"Sounds like my kinda job."
He slammed the thermal clip into his Claymore.
They waited as the doors finally slid open. The first Collectors were dead before they even hit the floor.