"Shit," Anderson muttered, regarding the hologram of live-feed footage from the scouting parties' handler.
"It's Harbinger," Shepard said simply, unsurprised, as if she'd expected that particular Reaper to show up at some point.
"You don't know that," Alenko said defensively.
Shepard gave him a grim look. "Yes, I do. Which means we already need a change of plan." She ran her hand though her hair, then heaved a heavy sigh. She thought she saw a way to modify the plan…but no one was going to like it. "Anderson, if I may?"
"Go ahead," the old marine said, looking older than ever, waving his hat, which he'd taken off to twist in nervous hands.
"I think we can salvage the plan, but it's going to take an adjustment. Liara, Garrus, get in touch with whoever's running your faction's ground forces. Javik, do the same for Wrex. Tali, assets from Rannoch."
The appointed handlers all nodded, but no one left the room.
"EDI, make sure they know who their points of contact are. Has Joker unloaded the additional forces from the Normandy?"
"Yes, Shepard."
"Can you manage one encrypted transmission, so we can tell our forces what the plan is without telling the Reapers in the exact same moment?"
EDI considered. "I would need access to communication equipment, but I believe I can rig something through this platform."
"Good." Shepard covered her mouth as she thought. "Collier, Jack, we still need the diversionary teams, more than ever. Go get ready. Alenko, I think you should go with Collier."
Alenko glared at her. "I'm going with you."
Shepard looked up, frowning. "You belong with your unit, Major."
"I belong with my team, Spectre."
After several moments of glaring at one another, Shepard sighed. "Fine. That's one."
"One for what?" Vega asked suspiciously.
Shepard turned to the holographic map, which had updated to show Harbinger. "Harbinger showed up because it found out I'd landed. It picked the most logical target for a crazy-ass plan to assail and parked itself in front," she said briskly. "So when you're being watched, when you can't move without being seen, you have two choices. Either you stay put and waste someone's time, or you make use of the surveillance."
"Oh, Lola, I am not liking this idea," Vega said, tone low with horror as he guessed her amended plan.
"Then stay here," she answered coldly.
Vega bristled, but said nothing more. Clearly he meant to go, crazy or not, liking the plan or not.
"If Harbinger wants me, the best thing we can do is prepare a run on the beam to keep it occupied, while the other four teams sneak in from its blind spots. Hopefully, it'll be so busy trying to turn that team into paste, it won't be paying attention to anything else." Shepard's mouth felt dry as she spoke.
"Shepard, that's suicide!" Alenko protested, flaring with anxiety. He didn't try to stifle the crawl of dark energy, either.
"I'm aware, but hear me out," Shepard continued. "It doesn't do anyone any good for us to all get killed…although there will probably be a lot of casualties. We need to keep Harbinger's attention focused. That means that at some point in the run-up, we'll need a second distraction—this one being an assault from space. While the space assault draws its attention, the Normandy can pick up…Hammer One…at which point Harbinger will either break off to chase our asses, or it won't. If it does…"
"That is such a big if," Garrus pointed out.
"I know. But I think it's worth a shot. We'll have to time things very close if we don't want it to turn into an actual suicide run. Let the other teams get into position—or try to—before Hammer One starts its run." Shepard took another steadying breath, feeling certain that this was the only way to ensure someone got through the beam. "Anderson, any suggestions for the other Hammer teams, now that we need an extra?"
"Stiletto teams. Sheffler's outfit, they're here," Anderson answered, regarding Shepard as if he could see something the others couldn't written on her face. "I'll go with you on Hammer One, so Coats can take my squad."
Coats nodded.
"Anderson, you're the voice everyone listens to. I think, for the sake of ground force cohesion, you need to be here talking," Shepard repeated.
"And what do you think happens to your little scheme if Harbinger sees you surrounded by the walking wounded or something? You've already tasked half your ground team out of Hammer One; that's a dead giveaway," Anderson argued back.
Shepard chewed on her lip, recognizing the truth therein.
"I'll go," Vega said staunchly.
"Find someone else to handle the krogan," Javik declared. "I will go."
"It's coordinating the withdrawal halfway through that's going to be dicey," Anderson noted.
"If it doesn't work, we can still filter into the city," Alenko pointed out. "That means we need an unobstructed run-up, like this road here. See? Bystreets all over. Dodge to the side if we can't make an extraction and either Harbinger has to stand there twiddling its tentacles or it has to walk through London looking for bugs."
"It's not as dramatic as an airlift, but it's a good Plan B," Anderson nodded. "We'll need a Plan B for a maneuver like this."
Shepard nodded too. "So Alenko, Vega, Javik and me…"
"That's too small a squad," Anderson interrupted. "I wouldn't believe that was the main thrust of an attack if it came at my fortified location. No offense."
"Then we'll start taking volunteers. EDI, can you map this plan out in short, precise language for immediate dispersal?" Shepard asked.
"I am already doing so. May I advise taking a few more moments to add benchmarks so other assets will be able to chart the plan's progress? It is delicate. Also, Jeff wishes to convey that you are crazy, and it is not a compliment," EDI declared, sounding as if she agreed.