To Survive: Terminus Coalition

Chapter 35 : Vengeance, Derision and Sacrifice

"Did we localize the problem?" Valern asked Tevos. The Council now together for an emergency assembly to discuss the information leak.

"I would hardly call containing the leak to the entire planet of Earth 'localizing', but yes. All Extranet sites that attempted to upload the information were crashed. Earth has also been barred from uploading information to the Extranet. A drastic measure, and one that can only hold out for so long. We can't stop this from eventually spreading."

"Nor should we." Anderson controversially interjected. "The longer we sit on this, the less the people will trust us when everything is fully revealed. We should officially acknowledge the information, and do our best to meet the needs of our people."

"That might be easy for you to say, Councillor, but our people have not already taken the blow. If this information comes to light, the stocks will crash, and our economy will be in shambles." Valern supposed. "Just as Earths economy tumbles as we speak."

Tevos counter-argued, "All the races of the galaxy will become suspect when it comes to public attention that the entire planet of Earth has been quarantined. We cannot deny that the information is out, and that something this big will inevitably spread. Councillor Anderson makes a strong point. We need to acknowledge the information and proceed from there. We need to discuss what our plan of action is as if the information has already spread."

Sparatus derided, "All because of humans. All because they do not understand the structures of social order, and think they must be the centre of the galaxy."

Anderson rebutted, "They have every right to know; the Reapers affect us all. It may not be the safest thing to do, but it's the right thing to do. We were withholding information that could decide the fate of the entire galaxy, depending on what we did with it. Now, some of our options have been taken, yes. But at least we're no longer sitting on our asses, scared to make a move."

"What right did Shepard have to take those options away from us?" Sparatus asked harshly.

"What right? What right did we have to be given the information in the first place? Did you download it from the Collector base?" Anderson defended.

"Shepard will be held responsible for releasing this confidential information when he appears for his summon, if he does not appear in good time we will have to think about taking more drastic action. Hopefully he will return soon enough, but until then we have a galaxy to settle." Tevos noted.

Anderson added, "Aye, I think it's important that I meet with the leaders of Earth, and brief them on everything they need to know to handle the rising hysteria. We'll discuss how to handle the situation on Earth, and we'll begin executing those plans. I'll inform you of any decisions we make, and if you have any objections we can discuss them then."

"I too believe that it is good that you should treat this as an internal matter, and we should each inform our own governments, as well as the ambassadors of other Council nations, of the Reaper threat in its entirety." Valern agreed. "We can come together in a certain time with how we can work out a united fleet to help in defending the Citadel itself. We must each urge our governments to remain rational, and trust that we are strongest when united."

"And Sparatus, with news this big it is foreseeable that any race might break off to defend itself. Please see to it that the Hierarchy doesn't forget its duties to this Council." Tevos added.

Anderson mentioned, "I think that is our best course. Each planet will have to settle its own civil distress. We have to be flexible for our governments to do what is needed in handling this sudden shift. Please consider the idea of relaxing the restrictions on who can apply to the Council fleet, as I imagine many distressed citizens may desire training and the option of contributing to help settle their concerns."

"Certainly something we'll have to keep in mind." Tevos acknowledged.

"Sir, you wanted to see me after Khalisah had delivered her special announcement?" Jackson asked from the entryway to the Illusive Man's office. The atmosphere well ventilated, but for a cloud of smoke hanging about the chair and desk in its centre.

"Five minutes, would you Jackson? I'll call you in when I'm ready for you." The influential man answered, tapping his cigarette on its ashtray, before taking another smoky inhalation.

"Of course." Jackson replied. Ducking out of the room, leaving the Illusive Man to his work for another five minutes. He coughed on the way out, the scent of the Illusive Man's cigar robust and unpleasant.

Meanwhile, the Illusive Man finished watching his recording of the announcement for the nth time. A few details of the speech sparked his interest and coaxed his curiosity. Shepard was portrayed as a hero, where he was almost certain beforehand that the opposite would have come to be.

This information in particular was of interest to him, if only because it assigned Shepard more value, in his mind. Shepard was an expensive asset lost, and his value seemed only to increase. The people of Earth were breaking into a state of disarray. A public icon like Shepard could very well organize and lead the people, and in that fragile state he could probably even lead them against their established institutions.

Of course, this was all simple speculation. It wasn't likely that Shepard would ever do such a thing, despite his capability to do so. There were two practicalities for the situation that formed in his mind. Firstly, he now had a clear and immediate objective for his study into Object Saren and indoctrination therefrom. Secondly, he could use the Earth's riots as a means to direct Shepard. A difficult task, but if he could show Shepard the difference he would make by leading and calming the people of Earth, he'd have to take time away from his idiotic venture into gathering other species for willful aid.

In the Illusive Man's mind, none of these interspecies alliances would hold when the real fighting began. Only through more persuasive means would they, which was why his research into indoctrination was so important in the longer term. The other races had strengths, but they were inferior. Fodder to be tossed at the Reapers while humanity won the day. Trusted to their own devices, the aliens would be a resource wasted. Shepard's goal was admirable, but naïve. It would help them for a time, but Shepard would be sorely disappointed when abandoned by those who swore to follow him.

Of course, Object Saren had only just arrived, so there was no guarantee on being able to use those tactics on Shepard, or even on the non-humans. It was far too early to assume the project would yield any fruit whatsoever. Still, Shepard could be a much stronger asset to humanity if he were helping prepare Earth for battle. Shepard helping with the Rachni was clearly a lost cause, so the Illusive Man didn't even entertain the thought.

Khalisah also proved to be an option, by becoming a voice of the people, and one that they trusted. She would likely take a generous bribe from Cerberus, and there would be another strong asset in his pocket.

"Alright Jackson, I'm ready for you." He stated to a camera that opened upon on his desk, broadcasting the video and audio to Jackson who stood just outside the door. Jackson acknowledged with his presence; walking into the centre of the room, where they spoke in their typical positions.

"Well sir, was the speech to your expectations?" Jackson asked, making sure he knew the Illusive Man's thoughts before saying something truly stupid.

"No… it wasn't. But perhaps it's exactly what we needed." he replied cryptically.

"Would you care to elaborate, sir? I just want to make sure we're on the same page." Jackson asked forwardly.

His superior sighed, and then answered, "The reporter extolled Shepard where I expected her to ruin him. As much as I think it'll be difficult to use Shepard, given our past relationships, he has become a much more powerful asset, and one I can scarcely ignore."

"I see. You've always said that Shepard was an asset not because of his strengths or abilities, but because of what he represents. The people of Earth view him just like they had right after he saved the Citadel. Perhaps even more, since he is without the taint that the media put on him, calling him a 'madman who believed in synthetic gods.'"

"I'm glad you understand, Jackson. I'll work on a more elaborate plan to sway Shepard, but for now we should discuss our other projects of importance."

"You don't want me getting one of our teams to formulate a plan?" Jackson asked confusedly.

"Why Jackson? Do you intend to insult me?"

"No, I-"

"Believe me to be an ineffectual oaf." He finished for him. "But I've been responsible for most of Cerberus' success through my own schemes and well-planned actions. I direct, because I have intention; because I plan."

"Of course sir, sorry sir." Jackson responded, trying to get out of his pit without defending himself: a foolish idea. The Illusive Man truly was vastly intelligent, and as cunning as anyone Jackson had ever met. He felt foolish, and a little frightened, that he questioned that.

The Illusive Man decided he'd let it slide. He was too focused and tired of it all to be riled by something so insignificant, as unruly and foolish as Jackson was. "Have we found a viable third party candidate to send after the Rachni?"

"Indeed. A remnant of the Eclipse has emerged as an independent faction, and is interested in gaining prestige as a new outfit. Offering them a longer-term contract, and an incentive like future business dealings would probably be enough to sway them. Whether or not they'll take payment after the job is completed has yet to be discussed, but they do seem interested. We have told them only that they are to map out any peculiar or threatening species, and capture a few for examination, in the unexplored systems that could possibly be reached behind the short-range relay of the Ninmah System."

"They should do fine, but I certainly would prefer them to be paid after completion, if the payment is to be substantial. We're not exactly sure where the Rachni retreated to, but there has certainly been some travel made by them between their former world of Suen and the short-range relay. Hopefully the search won't be too difficult. I also want to make sure they gather appropriate recon on the Rachni, in an attempt to find out why they have been scene so close and in the Ninmah cluster. You did stipulate that any spacefaring species are of the highest priority? That we still want a few taken alive?"

"Indeed." Jackson answered.

"Very good, Jackson. Once we find them, we can deal with them accordingly."

His arm was on fire, but the adrenaline in his body wouldn't let him realize the full extent of his pain. Instead, the arm quit of its own accord, dropping to the ground with his assault rifle still in its fixed grip.

With perseverance he ripped his hand from under the weight of the rifle, and stood up, grabbing his sidearm in one complete motion. Quasi-pain tore through his entire side like a forked bolt of numbing pricks, carrying the message of pain without the full effect. Nonetheless, it affirmed that his right arm was no longer dependable as he had noticed when he started to lose control of his weapon's recoil, moments before dropping the weapon to the ground.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold them back, Captain." Kal called, popping another thermal clip from his pulse rifle. "One clip left," he stated, injecting the clip into the gun.

It was all too much for him to handle with mere skill stretched to its limit. Relenting to the whims of his psychotic compatriot, Shepard opened his internal comm to Ashley, while only slowing down the encroaching enemy with his sidearm.

To his fortune, the Blue Suns had retreated into a more orderly advance a minute ago. After Zaeed cleared a good deal of men, and the enemy tried and failed to take advantage of the lull, they realized their adversary was still alive and fighting. Shepard would not so easily be brought to defeat. So, while it bought him time, it put his demise on that timer.

"Ash," He gulped hard through the burning sensations that filled his lungs. Kal was yelling to him about some sort of a flanking maneuver.

"Yes Shepard? We're almost there, but can you hold out?" Ashley responded with the voice of one in a much stronger position than him. She had clearly made it that far without much hindrance.

"No, Ash. I'm going to need you to retreat to my position, and double time. Zaeed abandoned me and is going to take Vido down his own way." He said, incrementally shooting off rounds to suppress the enemy, now dangerously close.

"Damn it! All right Shepard, we're coming to you. Hold out!" Ashley answered with worry in her voice. Ashley knew Shepard, and from what Shepard could tell, she knew he was in a precarious spot. She would be right to assume that he wasn't one to save himself in spite of the mission.

The enemy surprised him on his left, flanking his position. Unable to watch both sides with detail, he was forced to react and forget his other flank. Bringing his pistol to bear. He knew that his shield would inevitably drop from the Blue Suns' assault rifle before he could save himself. Taking the only way out, he charged at the offender, and tackled him to the ground with all of the extra weight and power that his cybernetics afforded him.

On the ground he wrestled, and with his pistol under the shield of his opponent, he took the batarian's life. Immediately after the blood splattered, he felt bullets pinging off of his shield. But they stopped just as fast as they started.

Rolling off of the dead mercenary, he saw Legion beat the human mercenary that had shot him with his solid metal fist. The man was instantly incapacitated by the brutal blunt damage inflicted, blood pooling around his head on the grey rock.

Shepard felt the pit in his stomach subside with a newfound hope. Grabbing his sidearm, dropped beside him, he scooted into appropriate cover behind a separate pillar of the tower. Legion claimed his former spot, and effectively using his assault rifle to slaughter several men that were moving to join the flanking maneuver.

"Creator-Lynka will complete in approximately two point two three minutes. Notification sent to Gunnery Chief Williams alerted me of your need for assistance. Quarian slow, but intelligent." Legion said aloud, while shooting with controlled bursts.

Shepard was thankful for the aid, forgetting that the captive quarian engineer was there and could still disable the machinery without Legion's assistance. Given it would be longer before the air support could come to finish the confrontation, he felt it was a worthy trade.

With dozens of mercenaries now littering the battlefield, and no less than ten of those bodies at a surprisingly close range of the tower, whoever was leading the assault was likely very desperate. This mission simply wasn't worth the lives of any of Shepard's crew, and Shepard knew that.

"Two hostiles remain, but are handicapped by remaining behind full cover. It is our hypothesis that the enemy are regrouping." Legion postulated. "Using simple suppression techniques."

Shepard nodded to Legion, "Kal! what's your status?" he then shouted.

Kal jogged over, coming into view after passing some crates. "Sorry Captain..." he breathed heavily. "There were four of them trying a wider flank, I had to stop them. How'd you fare?"

"Not well, Kal. I messed up my, arm, but luckily Legion came up to help out. Looks like they're regrouping now. The next wave will only be harder, so hopefully we can hold out until Ash arrives at their flank."

"I'm sorry if this is flagrant sir, but if Massani is going to pull a stunt like that, your crew would do better without him. He could have cost you your life, and who knows how many others he's put at risk by disregarding your solid plan." Kal said in disapproval.

"Why don't we get out of this in one piece, then we can discuss this." Shepard replied, trying not to be caught of guard in the lull, but to focus.

"Yes sir. I'll take position here." Kal said, moving to Shepard's right, and behind a wall of crates that was a little closer to the enemy line.

The break in the organized assault lasted for about a minute. It seemed like a dreadfully long time, though it was ultimately good, as it would give more time for Ashley to return. Moreover, Shepard used the time to examine and come to terms with his internal wound. The initial adrenaline drop was extremely painful, but he powered through it.

Now in a more defensive position behind a pile of a heavy construction material further away from the tower and to the left of his former position, he was in a better place to fend off an assault from the ground. Legion kept the same position as the bait, and being just behind Shepard's more forward position meant that any mercenary that got close enough to take Legion out would be outflanked already. The three of them formed a defensive bowl to catch the enemy in crossfire, with Kal opposite Shepard, and Legion the deepest back and due centre.

The minute did pass, and its passing was initiated by two contact grenades that arced through the air and directly into the base of the anti-air tower. The explosion encompassed Legion and the pillar he hid behind. Shepard's eyes narrowed in a greater determination and fury. No return fire came from Legion's position as the enemy party advanced, and Legion could not be seen.

Shala began the assembly officially, "May the ancestors watch over all of our ventures into territories unknown."

"Keelah Se'lai" Came the unanimous affirmation from the group.

"Now that we have had time to take into consideration all that has been shared, do we have any more questions or concerns that should be discussed?"

The introduction wasn't exactly what Tali expected, instead she hoped for Shala to ask if any decisions had been made. Apparently, the admirals delayed coming to a formal decision just as much as the Conclave so often did.

Meru made the first remark after an awkward silence beset the group, "The arguments that Tali'Shepard made, I have come to believe, were a little rash and naïve. On that note, I too do not believe she should have a part in this decision, especially since she has proven to have no factual information to add to this circle as the 'geth expert'."

Tali's eyebrows crossed, but her heart fluttered. Meru was a bit of an unknown, and she might have just felt threatened as the new admiral, but Tali didn't feel that she could assume that fairly. Tali didn't feel quite as comfortable confronting Meru as she did the others, and she decided to hold off on rebutting until she calmed and saw where the other admirals stood after having a time to reflect.

Surprised to how the day's events had unfolded thus far, it was Han who came to Tali's defense, "She has contributed much to this conversation already, Meru, and I can only see it being beneficial for her to stay."

"Should we let any intelligent quarian into this chamber to have his or her say as well? I don't see how being the daughter of the late Admiral Zorah, or the bondmate of some human who has no say in our government, gives her any right to have her a say in this place."

"She is not only an expert on facts about the geth, but of their behaviours through a large amount of experience living and fighting alongside them. Her expertise is something that should be held in high regard, especially in the context of our current dilemma. Something I thought long and hard about over the recess we endured."

"Han, does that mean you have come to a decision?" Shala asked, directing the meeting towards a more beneficial subject. His decision being one of the swinging votes, and very influential given his position as leader of the Heavy Fleet.

"I have concluded that Tali's word is something I can trust, but there is more at work here than just the issues we have spoken over. Several quarians died to have their voices heard in this present conflict, and we need to consider how our decision would affect the rest of the public."

Zaal stated his mind, "I would not expect you to suggest handing this decision over to the Conclave, Han."

"I do not wish for them to make the final decision, but for the swing of their votes to be taken into consideration when we finally commit."

Tali finally found a good place to jump in. "That would not be beneficial to our treaty with the geth. You acknowledge that many quarians have died, but I argue that they have died because of our indecision." Tali said, owning the decision because she didn't want to sound like she was shifting the blame solely on the other admirals. "The people want to be assured that their government is in control. So long as there is strife in the camps of Aeia, the geth will remain uncomfortable. They will leave before we come to agreement."

Zaal answered, but sounded more riled than he once was. While he seemed to be on Tali's side of the argument for some time, apparently he had some approval of Han's suggestion of handing the ultimatum to the Conclave for discussion. "You try and spur us on like Captain Shepard, but you aren't him. We are quarian, we are not so rash and bold as the humans, and it has always worked for us before. We bicker to refine our ideas to determine what is right and what is not, but you try and make us come to resolution when our own minds are not at rest. You try to be like him, but it makes you foolish because of your inexperience. This doesn't suit you, Tali. If you are here to discuss this maturely, then do so for our peoples' sake, and not Shepard's."

"You think Shepard and I care what you decide, for our own agenda?" Tali questioned boldly, trying to live up to her resolution. "If this weren't for our peoples' sake, Shepard and I couldn't care less what you decide on today. We just need your ships, and the geth's ships, and we are pleased. Staying on Aeia has nothing to do with our effort; getting Rannoch back has nothing to do with our effort! If you want to keep all of the civilians aboard while you fight the Reapers, that's your decision, because all we need is your firepower. I am here, and Shepard sent me here, because we care about the quarian people, and their future. Our people, and our future. You say I am not like him, yet my bond tells me we are one."

The group stood speechless. Tali surprised Han and Shala yet again, and it was hard to tell what effect she had on the other two. She certainly had put Zaal in his place, and he retreated into himself when she finished.

What Tali said was now frighteningly apparent in the room. Shepard ought to have seemed much more benevolent in that light, freely giving to their people for no personal agenda but to see quarians prosper as a race. But the way that the truth was revealed haunted everyone listening. To imagine Shepard abandoning them, and only using them for their military strength sent chills up the spine of more than one admiral present.

"Yes, well…" Han broke the silence, "I do believe you have made your point rather clear, Tali'Shepard. Perhaps you are stronger willed than I thought, and that is something I'm sure Zaal will keep in mind from this point forward…. I do believe that you care about our people and are truly convicted that deciding quickly is what is best, but I'm not convinced that you are correct."

Tali frowned in a sort of anger. Her heart still beat wildly in her chest from her exuberant display of conviction. She was very disappointed that she could not argue her case well enough to sway Han. She was almost assured that he would have been.

Han continued, "I will certainly keep what you have said in mind. Everything you have added to this discourse has been of great value, and I am glad you came. If unrest continues to threaten the safety of our citizens, or the geth make efforts to leave, we will meet before the Conclave concludes. That is, if everyone else agrees that we should hand the discussion over to the Conclave?"

Zaal and Meru agreed, and Shala remained silent in support of Tali.

Shala finished, "I should hope that all of us here heed Tali'Shepard's words. And as we close our discourse, may we know the paths our ancestor's walked, and take heed of their footing for our own betterment."

A unanimous voice answered, "Keelah Se'lai"

The building was a grave. Young men and women, whom showed great potential within their profession, lay about in the gore that seeped from their hard shells of armour. Fresh and revolting, the corridor a mark of vengeance, taken against a people who stood in the way: the way between one man and his target.

Determination was the overbearing temper of his spirit, and the stubbornness there manifested. No life was more sacred than the vow he had made before himself. No challenge too daunting, and no foe too terrible. Everyone fell before his experienced arm, the wielder of but mortal firepower.

And there the door stood, the last barricade before a lifetime's goal could be accomplished. Stepping forward, the grizzled and worn warrior inched the door forward, the barrel of his gun introducing him.

"So you have found me again, Zaeed." The marked man said insouciantly. "You have certainly earned your way here, haven't you? Was the blood you spilled to get here worth it?" he coaxed in cold agenda.

But the gritty soldier paid no heed, his vision red with lust for blood. Quick and heavy strides closed the distance between them. The victim held his hands in pitiful defiance to the approach, a fruitless toil.

With eyes as saucers, he scrambled to take hold of a sidearm beneath the desk to his left. Holding it with as much threatening status as he could compose. Empty once again, before the utter assuredness of the soldier's eyes.

His right arm, weighty and vicious, swiped the sidearm from his nemesis. His left, viperous and lethal, raised the offender from the ground with a strong grip around a feeble neck. Each finger delighted in the feelings of every twitch in its grasp.

"Strp," the man gurgled with difficulty, his hands trying to tear away the firm vice he was suspended in. "L girv you wa you wan," he struggled without the means to speak with the aid of air.

The seeker of vengeance brought the lame man down to his feet again, his powerful sidearm held in his right hand, and pointed towards the victim's skull. With the loosened grip the man spoke again, "Come on Zaeed, it was all business, I'll give you what-"

Violently, his eye was forcefully introduced to the barrel of the pistol. Tears streamed down his face, as he submissively listened to, "I think I'll take what I guddam want, sound fair?" The muted noise of gunfire that had permeated the setting died off then.

The man in control of the situation callously dug the barrel into the eye further, his finger pressed to the trigger, but in full control. The mercenary baron kneeled, his arms wrapping around the arm of his apparent killer. He sobbed indignantly, and Zaeed only smiled at his sorry state.

"I'm gonna shoot you in the bloody head... right where you fuckin' shot me. You won't die at first, nah, but I'm not expecting you to last long." He threatened, with weight behind every word.

The face mangled from the mere prospect of torment was not enough to invoke the pity of a man who had come to his life's climax. The weapon between them moved and stroked its target venomously. Zaeed savoured the terror in Vido's eyes, with savage pleasure. He supported his victim's head by pulling sadistically on his hair.

"I'm gonna enjoy this. Good luck, you son-of-a-bitch." The bullet released with a pop, and blood splattered the scene. Every orifice of Vido's face driveled gore, and his eyes remained open and expressive of pain unimaginable to all but Zaeed.

The still living corpse sputtered and choked in the flood of blood overwhelming its mouth. The body jerked and convulsed, eyes closing and form keeling over to seize on the floor. Zaeed's palm came away filled with hairs that tore off with the initial shot.

The body still squirmed as bile and vomit intermingled with the liquids spewing forth. Zaeed looked on, trying to attain satiation. An explosion outside seemed to have initiated the fighting once again, but he wanted to take in the moment. It all seemed anticlimactic in his mind, but he knew it would make for a hell of a story. Perhaps accomplishments are never as satisfying as they are in memorial.

Nonetheless, he continued to watch until the body ceased its painful display. Not near as foolish as Vido, but fancying himself to be of a much higher grade of soldier, he took his weapon and aimed to kill. The body went limp, and Vido's consciousness was without a doubt lost in shock.

He took the life of Vido Santiago, and he couldn't have been happier of the context.

Ashley made her way back at a fast pace. Coming up behind the turrets that once held her down, Grunt used a technique that they formerly discovered to be effective. He shoved the barrel of his shotgun into the joint at the head of the installation, slamming it down like a lever, and then using the opportunity of a revealed soft spot to press the trigger of his shotgun. The turret's cap popped off in a shower of sparks and ozone as it slowly stuttered and died.

Continuing to do the same to the second and closer of the defensive installations, Ashley heard an explosion announce itself from the direction of the anti-air tower. More than slightly concerned, she urged the others on. The pain in Shepard's voice when he hailed her was scary enough. Partnered with the explosion, her stomach cringed in fear that she was too late.

Coming into view of the battlefield, she did have the advantage because of her flanking position, directly behind the enemy line. The enemy cover was completely useless, and so the three of them ran in closer, two of which were more effective at the closer range anyways.

She drew close, and ducked behind cover. Grunt was a little further behind, his speed being affected by his wound, but Jack kept pace. At a fair distance, she began to open fire, and all three of them weakened the enemy horde of around two-dozen. The new source of fire had the enemy scrambling to find a better place to root themselves.

"Hold on Captain!" Came the shout of Kal, who's voice carried through the battlefield.

The people cleared a path in their flight for Ashley to see Shepard who's face was severely charred and bore the mark of utter perseverance, and he was in a dire circumstance. As if in some unceremonious and cruel joke, Shepard's shield flashed its breaking point. With instinct, Ashley reacted by launching herself over cover, and dashing with her sidearm drawn to save her captain. Kal appeared to be greatly overwhelmed, being forced to retreat to deeper cover, and make every bullet count from an avenger rifle that he must have picked up from one of the downed mercs.

Jack knocked over many of the closest threats, and Grunt hopped over cover as well to threaten a group of mercenaries that would have posed an immediate threat to Ashley.

It looked as if Shepard was shot, and he tumbled to his knees. Her pistol fired, and hit its mark in the skull one of her captain's assaulters. she dove and rolled into a very close piece of cover consisting of large metal beams stacked for construction.

Her position was far from ideal, as many of the mercenaries were behind her, but would hopefully be occupied by Grunt and Jack, while she went to the rescue of Shepard. She peered over cover, noticing that she had scrambled those closest to Shepard, who laid motionless on the stone.

"Joker…" Came Shepard's voice over the comm. A reassuring name if she ever heard one. Shepard was alive, and the tower must have been disabled successfully. Sometimes it was hard to speak when the fight was so up close and personal. Perhaps he could not get the message out earlier for that very reason. Reinforcements would hopefully be on their way.

In the case that Joker couldn't hear the agony in Shepard's simple request, Ashley reiterated to Joker over the comm, "Joker, the AA tower is down. We need immediate assistance."

"Aye, aye" came Joker's voice, with a casual anticlimax. "And do we have a surprise for you."

Shepard stirred, and the enemy noticed. Ashley couldn't quite shoot the enemy, where they had taken cover in the constructs of the disabled tower. Ashley did what she thought was the only way to save Shepard from death by a dishonourable man who would be willing to shoot down a wounded enemy.

Ashley risked her life once again by forcing herself out of cover, her shields still strong. Firing at the men as she ran, she tried to get around and into the tower's lower construct as well. The roar of not just the Normandy, but of many ships rumbled from the skies overhead, as they came into the facility's atmosphere.

Ashley slid into place behind a pillar of the tower; the bodies of many mercenaries lay about. She looked up and towards the three enemies that were stationed there. Catching with the corner of her eye the arm of a geth, unable to reason out the conclusions in the midst of her instinctual rescue attempt.

Shooting a stream of slugs, her shields went down when the first mercenary went fell.

The voice of a batarian shouted from a loudspeaker all the while, "Blue Suns Mercenaries-"

She slammed the second man with the butt of her rifle, now coming into close combat.

"-Stand down!"

Ashley raised her glance to the third, which was a male human. His rifle was pointed at her head, "You heard the man. Drop it!" Ashley said.

A sharp pain suddenly penetrated her abdomen. The pain followed soon after by the crack of a high-powered sniper. Ashley's vision blurred, and her hearing internalized. The face of the mercenary she faced was as surprised as she was. The sound of weapon's fire began again as she fell to the ground, and lost consciousness.

Author's Note

For those of you that might care, I have posted another entry on my profile page detailing some of my decisions regarding the structure of the TS series. I've put up many of these as some of you know, but I do have a recent addition, so check that out if you wish. Don't forget to review, it really helps me out and keeps me going at times. Thanks!