Captain Mal frowned, and looked over at the various technicians of the Normandy.
The Battlecruiser was a unique ship to say the least, not the least because the whole idea behind her was that she was armed enough to kill anything that could catch her; and fast enough to outrun anything that could kill her. Mal had taken up the temporary command of the ship with gusto while Captain 'Zorah was behind enemy lines.
All it had really done was make his command official, since both he and 'Zorah knew that he was the one really running the ship.
Walking over to his technicians, Mal couldn't shake the sense that something was wrong; like something bad was going to happen. Closing his eyes, he began to wind his arms up to try and get a glance of something from his Felz'zel abilities; as he did whenever he got bad feelings.
Two frigates and a cruiser, all Turian, lurked in the shadow of an asteroid. A Red Giant star lit a nearby blue gas giant in a purple halo.
He shook his head to clear it, then pulled up the starcharts of their projected route back to the Flotilla. One jump past the Widow Beta Relay was a system normally used to discharge before continuing on any inbound or outbound trip from the Citadel. It was notorious for raider activity, and the Turians heavily patrolled the area.
"Apparently they're taking a holiday today," he mumbled out loud. He keyed his command com unit. "Con engineering. Adams, you there?" It was largely a rhetorical question; Greg Adams lived in the Normandy's engineering compartment.
"Wacha need, Cap'n?"
"Just double checking what our discharge endurance is; I have a hunch we'll not be stopping in the Reah 313 system."
There was a moment of hesitation. "We can run indefinitely on the Dark Fusion Reactor, but we'd be plodding along at 50 Cee."
Mal smirked. "That's fine; we just need to cross the system and lead some Turians on a merry chase. The slower speed might actually work to our advantage. Get ready to bring the DFR up to 110% once we're on final approach to the Widow Relay."
Once Adams confirmed, he began mapping out the circuitous route back to Terminous space. This would be just like the old days of leading Pirates around in circles. Wouldn't that just tweak the Hierarchy's mandibles?
Shala glanced over her shoulder and frowned.
Something was wrong… she could tell that much; and the unease being leaked to her from Ayita and from the other apprentices and the Marines created a pall of dread that weighed on the formerly middle aged woman. "Corporal Fennaba." She started, glancing at the Batarian.
The female jogged up to her and tilted her head, "Yes Admiral?" She asked.
"Something feels off here. Can you feel it?" She asked.
The Batarian may not have had a connection to the Vortessence, at least not in the conventional sense, but Ayita had told her that the 'Sixth sense' all beings seemed to have was actually their mind touching the Vortessence; giving them special insight when it was needed. And apparently the Vortessence was feeling generous today, as the Corporal nodded, "Aye ma'am. I feel like we're walking into a trap here; but I don't see anything."
Benezia, who was keeping pace with them, whispered; "I can sense a few Asari and Turians enthralled nearby; they're waiting for us to spring some kind of ambush."
Palla flinched while Benezia and Shala kept walking as they felt Ayita touch their minds, "The Benezia T'Soni is correct; the Palla Fennaba will prepare her soldiers for combat, discreetly of course." She ordered sternly.
The Batarian Corporal nodded and promptly switched off the safety of her CM-1 Garand before she slowed her pace to the rest of the honor guard; quietly talking with them. Shala took a deep breath and prepared herself; allowing herself to feel some of the emotions of the people around her.
She could feel the nerves and the unease from the Marines, the anticipation from the apprentices, and fury leaking from Ayita, and the resignation coming from Benezia. Shala opened her eyes, and closed her fist to hide it sparking; even as she picked up on the fear from the crowd.
But they weren't scared of her and the rest of the delegation, they were scared of something else.
Boom!
Everyone jumped and spun around to hear the distinctive booming noise of a Mass Effected Sniper Rifle; lacking the distinctive Crack that the Combine Augmented Chemical weapons made when they fired.
KABOOM!
A second boom rocked their feet, and this one was more like an explosion as opposed to a gunshot. Shala felt the alarm trickle through the group, as everyone realized that the explosion was from their two ships; along with all their gear and belongings not on their person.
Benezia's eyes widened, and Shala picked up the realization and alarm from the Asari; what that realization was, she wasn't sure. But when the group of armed C-SEC Officers and Asari PMAS agents began shoving their way through the crowd to get to the Delegation; Shala realized what Tevos' plan was.
"ARREST THEM!" An Asari screamed, one wearing an ornate dress and headpiece that denoted her as a follower of Tevos. She was also leaking power as she clumsily influenced those around her.
Benezia took a deep breath as she thought for a moment. Her own biotics gently flared as time bent to her will, allowing her to assess the situation. It was a taxing ability; but then, she wasn't alone and needn't husband her energies. The Matron leading the aggressors was as wild eyed as any Maiden in the throws of Battle Ecstasy. Even her Biotics were affected, their normal blue hue tainted into a purple corona. Several of the Officers following her seemed almost uncertain about the orders, but just as many shared in her crimson-eyed mania.
She reached out as delicately as she could. "Mistress." She could feel the now familiar sting of the Vortessence connecting to her mind. "These that I imagine are the true threat." She firmly affixed the Matron and the fanatics in her mind's eye. "All others will retreat once they are dealt with, but if we retaliate, it shall justify their assault on us. Please, do what we cannot." She then released her hold on time as her perception snapped back into the 'now'.
"Agreed." Was the terse reply, and the rapidly scattering crowd gasped as Ayita formed herself in front of the delegation. "Find yourselves new transportation. We shall catch up." She stated, already winding her arms, before lashing her arms outward and struck the lead Asari with twin bolts of lightning.
Shala didn't bother to watch, as the other Asari all screamed in fury, while the Turians and Salarians all seemed to come back to themselves; lingering for only a moment, before they turned and ran.
"Come! All of you, the Mistress will hold them off!" She barked, while Benezia sagged slightly, finally released from her burden of holding off the influence.
Two of the four Apprentices rushed forward and took her in their arms; while the designated leader, Lan'Vigar, and the other apprentice took up the rearguard. Corporal Fennaba took the lead with three of the Marines, while the rest formed a perimeter around the center; protecting their Admiral and the Matriarch.
"Corporal! Head to the docks, we'll steal a ship." Shala snapped, allowing her Vortal abilities to finally come to the forefront; winding her arms, allowing energy to build up.
"Of Course Ma'am! Lets go boys!"
The bridge was a riot of noise as reports and alarms sounded. A holo-monitor showed the smoldering wreckage of the two diplomatic shuttles. He felt that old tingle that let him know someone was targeting him.
"Helm, port roll 15 degrees. All hands brace for impact. Comm, open an unsecure channel to the Presidium in exactly five seconds."
His calm and poise cut through the tension as everyone executed their orders. The ship began rolling and deflected a mass cannon round that would have pierced their hanger deck. Instead, it glanced spectacularly off of their frontal armor. The comm channel lit up a second later.
Mal's eyes flashed from inside his mask. "Councilors, our Diplomatic envoy shuttles were just blown up, and now one of your Associates is firing on us. You have exactly ten seconds to convince me not to empty my entire Nuclear arsenal into this Ancestor's Damned station."
He turned to his command pit while the Councilors sputtered. "Tactical, barriers at full, spin up accelerators One and Two." He refocused on the image in front of him. "Full Strategic Strike is authorized."
"You can't!" Sparatus all but shrieked while Valern scurried for an exit. "The Citadel Accords forbid-"
"They forbid using Nukes on a garden world. The Citadel is a Space Station, and one we aren't welcome on if your ham-fisted assassination of our diplomats is any indication; so why should I care what happens to it?" He glanced to his left. "Weaps, stand by firing solution."
The various monitors showed a chaotic flurry of activity as civilian traffic swarmed away from the station, and conveniently into the fire tracks of the Citadel Defense Fleet and the Batarian ship which had fired on them.
Tevos finally seemed to shake off the feuge that had gripped her. "Please be reasonable. You cannot possibly think we did this?" She swept her arms to encompass the Presidium which was nearly as chaotic as the space around them. "This has to have been the work of dissident elements." If Mal had been more trusting, he might have believed her sincerity.
"It doesn't matter; an attack happened on a ship and crew summoned here by you, supposedly under a banner of diplomatic protection. Someone violated that protection, and you have yet to rectify it. Do it, or I will."
It didn't take special abilities to see the pure, unvarnished hatred that flashed across her features before she schooled them. She pressed a manicured nail against her podium. "Captain Vintus, do you have the Batarian warship locked in?"
Mal saw Ambassador Sotok Balak freeze and spin around at her words. The speaker on her podium couldn't be heard, but then Mal didn't need to.
"Then you may fire when ready."
The Batarian Ambassador lunged at the railings. "No! We had a deal!"
In the churn around the Citadel, a pair of disruptor torpedoes streaked towards a lone Batarian Frigate. The unexpected attack stripped the ship of her barriers and armor just before a relativistic shard of metal cut the ship in half.
Mal glanced over again. "Weaps, stop the count and clear the breaches; but keep our barriers up. No telling how many more dissident elements are out there."
Tevos gave him a poisonous glare while Sparatus sagged in relief. "I imagine you will want to depart and inform your Admiralty of this regrettable incident."
Mal spat a raspberry. "After we've collected what's left of the effects of our envoy. Unless of course, you chose to expedite the matter by gathering them up and sending them over? My own Marine detail is understandably distressed. We wouldn't want another incident."
"Done!" Tevos stabbed her podium and the feed went dark.
Mal unclipped his facemask and sagged onto the rail. "Wheeoo! That was fun." He looked over at the Commander-Aerospace-Group. "We've got about an hour before they scrape something together. Route whatever they send us to the engineering loading dock, and be ready to dump it the moment we're moving."
The CAG looked at him in shock. "But sir! The Admiral-"
"Wasn't there, Lieutenant." He pushed off the rail and began heading to the hatch. "We'll just be jettisoning whatever Salarian trick they'll be trying to slip on board."
The Lieutenant followed after him. "If they're safe, then what are we still doing here, Sir?"
"Buying them time." The hatch shut behind Mal as he made his way to the Galley.
Shala ducked under the violent swing from the enthralled Asari, allowing Fennaba to bayonet her in the back; firing a .30-06 round into the Asari's spine to make sure she went down and stayed down.
Not even waiting, she fired a bolt of energy right over the Batarian Expiditionary's shoulder; taking the head off a cloaked Salarian she had detected. Fennaba, and the lone Turian Marine Sapius were the only two besides Shala herself, Ayita, and Lan'Vigar still outside. The rest were all inside, trying to catch their breaths; or in the case of the other Marines, lying there while their PCV's healed their injuries.
The Injuries were minor, all of them having been hit in their unarmored limbs; and the other three Vortals were busy trying to accelerate the healing process or help Benezia start the ship.
As much as she disliked violence, Shala was finding that there was a strange allure to combat; the rush of battle, the smell of sweat and blood, the rush of adrenaline. Ayita was hovering above them, occasionally dropping plasma balls or firing a bolt of energy; striking the PMAS agents and their enthralled puppets whenever they got too close or were starting to overwhelm the perimeter defense they had set up.
Shala could feel the anger leaking from the human above, both at how Tevos would essentially be getting away with this scott free; and how she couldn't do anything drastic for fear of tipping their hand at what she knew and what she was capable of.
She felt the deck rumble, and turned to see a Krogan charging their lines; roaring as his eyes flared a brilliant sapphire blue. Shala stepped forward and held her hands outward, stopping the Krogan in his tracks. She grunted and slowly lifted him up, and Fennaba and Sapius quickly emptied their CM-1's into the Krogan; two rounds tearing through his headplate with relative ease.
Rather than drop the body, Shala shoved it out into a pair of Turians that were trying to aim their weapons at the group; the body bowling over them and leaving them on the ground in a tangled heap.
SMASH!
Shala found herself spinning head over heels, slamming into the side of the ship that they had stolen; wincing at the ringing in her ears and the fact that her head felt like it was going to explode, along with the fact that her visor was shattered into a million pieces.
"SHALA! MOVE!" The warning from Ayita jostled her into action, forcing her to roll away as a Biotically enhanced fist punched into the metal deck of the launch pad; denting the metal heavily.
Staggering to her feet, she slipped into a guarded stance, and quickly caught another punch intended for her; and she shifted her stance to quickly flip the Asari assassin over her shoulder. But the Assassin was fast and smart, and quickly broke Shala's grip; drawing a knife and kicking the Admiral into a nearby crate.
She stabbed downward, and Shala caught the blow; using her abilities to augment her strength, when the Asari used her Biotics and shot the blade out of her hands into Shala's shoulder.
She bit down a scream and quickly headbutted the Asari, planting a kick in the chest for good measure. The Asari staggered backwards, before her head vanished; and Corporal Fennaba rushed up to Shala's side. "Admiral! Are you okay?!" She bellowed behind her helmet visor, clearly trying not to stare at Shala's face; clearly taking note of the fact that she most certainly did not look like a fifty something Quarian.
"I'm fine! Focus on the perimeter!" Shala barked in reply, quickly channeling the Vortessence through her shoulder to try and knit the bones and veins back together to get her arm in a semi-combat ready state.
"Admiral! The ship's ready, we need to go now! The Council is standing down, everyone thinks that we were on those shuttles; only the PMAS unit that tried to arrest you knows." Benezia's voice jolted her out of her attempts to heal her arm, and instead she sprinted towards the ramp.
"Let's go! Everyone onboard!" She bellowed, waiting at the entrance as Fennaba, Sapius, 'Vigar, and finally Ayita boarded the ship; scrambling up the ramp. Shala swept her eyes across the loading bay, and saw only dead PMAS agents and enthralled mercs.
Nodding to herself, she quickly shut the ramp behind her, "Matriarch! Set a course for that facility we discussed earlier." She shouted up a ladder to the cockpit.
"Already programmed in." Benezia shouted back down the ladder, and Shala allowed herself to relax.
She promptly sat down beside the ladder with a loud grunt, lowering her hood and removing the seal of her visor; the little fragments of plexiglass remaining being nothing more than a hazard for her. It wasn't like she needed it anyway, and at this point she didn't care if the Marines saw her face.
She was too tired and too drained to care at this point.
She glanced around the rest of the bay, noting that it seemed to be a luxury ship of some kind. Shala quickly looked over the rest of the diplomatic team; the Marines were all lying around on the various couches or chairs, with the exception of Corporal Fennaba who was checking over their gear and taking inventory of their ammunition.
Ayita had already drifted up to the cockpit with Benezia and shut the door behind her, likely to get some rest and recharge her energy.
Lan'Vigar was sitting next to another Vortal, a medically inclined girl by the name of Juli'Saezu; and the other two Vortals were both in the engine room, making sure everything was running smoothly.
Satisfied that everyone was alright, Shala allowed her eyes to close and get some rest. She would explain to them where they were going and what they had planned later. For now, everyone just needed a rest.
Palla was jostled out of her sleep as someone kicked her in the side, and she grabbed her Garand before stopping herself upon seeing the kindly face of Admiral 'Raan staring down at her. "Sorry to wake you Corporal, but could you please wake the rest of your Marines? Sir 'Vigar is doing the same with the Vortals; we have something very important to discuss." The Admiral said, her voice sounding… younger and yet paradoxically retaining the world weary age that tinted it.
"Yes ma'am!" Palla exclaimed, hopping to her feet and glancing at the corner of her HUD.
Her Vest power was at 62%, and her Vital signs were at 89%; which was pretty good all things considered. Especially if one thought of how poorly the Asari's armor had fared against the Garands compared to the PCV.
She moved to the bay where the Marines were temporarily bivouced. She looked around for something to rouse them, and smirked when saw a metal chalice for holding ice and wine bottles, as well as a metal office trash can.
She snatched up the items, threw the chalice into the trash can and tossed them into the middle of the room. The cacophony sounded like an aircar accident and jolted the entire squad.
"Marines, up-and-attem! Briefing by the Admiral in five minutes in the Galley."
She then headed for the service deck's bathroom, passing the Vortal Team-Lead Lan on her way in. He looked as exhausted as she felt, and from what little she knew, was probably twice as hungry after that fight.
Once she was feeling more civilized, she stepped out and almost bumped into Lan.
The young Quarian smiled awkwardly at the towering Marine. "I, uh, -ahem- shall we?"
Palla was brought up short by the interest in Lan's eyes. She had been pursued by a number of males and Asari in her short life, running the gamut from laughable bar-pickup-lines, to outright threats and attempted rapes. In all of that, she had never encountered anyone shy. There was a small part of her that wanted to toss the kid aside and just avoid the entire mess, but there was another part of her that was touched by the simple gesture of him waiting for her.
I suppose there's no harm in humoring him. If he tries something, I'll snap him like a twig. If not, she eyed him up and down, he'll still snap, but I doubt he'll be complaining about it.
She saw a shiver run up his spine. Right; green space magic. She gestured down the hall. "Lead the way."
Palla and Lan exchanged nods and entered the mess hall, or what passed for one on the luxury yacht; both noting that they were the last to enter.
Palla fought down a shudder upon seeing the Mistress floating in a corner, her glowing 'eyes' seemingly half closed; likely deep in thought or communing with the 'whatever' while she floated there.
Admiral 'Raan sat at the head of the table, looking deep in thought. She looked incredibly stressed, and she looked older despite the fact that she looked physically younger; something that Palla was still hung up on. Matriarch Benezia looked incredibly tired, but otherwise she looked alert in spite of everything.
The three Vortals all looked somewhat invigorated thanks to the rest that they had gotten; as did her own Marines. Palla could barely keep the smile off her face at seeing that her first command had gotten off the Citadel with nothing more than some nicks and burns.
"Ah, there they are." Lance Corporal Sapius, the lone Turian in the squad buzzed absently.
The Vortal medic, Juli'Saezu snorted and rubbed her face; her light blue skin wrinkling as she narrowed her eyes. "Nice of you to finally join us." she grumbled, leaning forward in her chair and plucking what looked like a pastry out of the center.
Shala waved a hand, gesturing for the two to take their seats; which Palla did so eagerly, her knees still feeling sore. She highly suspected that it was only thanks to her training and the PCV that she was able to tolerate walking at all. "Ma'am… If I may ask, why are we not back on the Normandy and with the fleet?" Palla asked, reaching forward and grabbing a pastry of her own.
Admiral 'Raan gave a slow blink, before finally sighing, "Something has come up." She started, "It was brought to our attention shortly after this Diplomatic Mission had started; but we had decided to wait until after to look into it. Unfortunately, circumstances have forced our hand."
One of the Privates snorted, "That's not cryptic at all." He grumbled.
Shala ignored him, "You all have been told the story of how our sponsors came to us correct?" She asked.
They all nodded uncertainly, they had all heard the stories; about the inter-dimensional empire that had conquered the humans homeworld. Beyond that, details were scarce beyond a place called Xen, Black Mesa, and a human called Freeman who was regarded with almost Messainic reverence.
"Well… we received rumours that there may be another Portal to the border world Xen; here, in the galaxy." Admiral 'Raan stated simply.
Everyone blinked, "And that means something because?" Lan asked.
"Because any tear between worlds can result in an opening the Combine can exploit." The Mistress' echoing voice drew everyone's attention back to her corner, the cloudlike alien having closed her eyes, "Whether its existence is real or not, it must be investigated. We cannot allow the Combine a way to expand outward." Here she paused for a moment, then added, "If nothing else, it will allow us to test the teleportation equations that we managed to take with us from earth. And we may also use Xen to try and Communicate with our mentor to try and see if he has any wisdom he may impart on us."
Palla saw all the Vortals flinch, "Wait, your master is still alive?" Lan asked, sounding stunned,
If the feminine shaped mass of clouds had a face beyond eyes, Palla would swear up and down that the Kelek'miin was smiling. "But of course he is; he is likely on Earth, waiting for our inevitable return."
Lan exchanged a glance with the other Vortals before leaning forward in his chair; "Perchance… just how powerful is he? And how old is he?" He asked, sounding curious.
"He is easily a millennia old; although he's likely much older than what he told us. He tends to use exact words and the like. And as for his power… it would put our own to shame." The Mistress admitted.
Palla glanced around. "So are we planning to bring him here then?"
"No… He would not dare travel to Xen, too many bad memories; not the least because he would fire off every alarm in the Combines interdimensional sensors. We are weak enough to slip by them should we attempt to go through."
"We are getting off topic." Admiral 'Raan stated, rubbing her eyes. "Our goal is simple, head to this research facility and infiltrate it. From there, we will see if these rumours regarding possible Antlions are true; and if so, we will try to procure AGE so we can restock our supplies. Perhaps even secure enough to cure the rest of our race."
Palla nodded. "Alright. So what do these antlions look like, so we know what to grab and what not to?"
The three leaders, the Mistress, Admiral 'Raan and Benezia all glanced uncomfortably between one another before the Matriarch drew a breath and closed her eyes.
"They look like Rachni."
He opened his eyes and glanced around the room.
The Two-Leg Frog-Faces were again wandering around the no-scented room; holding the sharp-sticks that had killed so many of his brothers and sisters. He puffed out his feathers and glared around at the monsters that walked with impunity; feeling the decade long hate well up inside him. They had forced the rest of his flock to mate, to create more fledgelings for them to poke, prode, and torture.
But not him, no matter what they did they never were able coerce or force him to do what they desired.
Many times, he had endured pain and suffering; but it was just something that he had learned to deal with ever since they had left their home behind during the strange-storm, and found themselves in the star-rock-world. He had been the first to drink the glowing-water, and that was when he first became aware; if not at that moment, then certainly when they crossed through the strange-storm.
He had been leader of his flock before awareness, and he had remained so even after the rest of his brethren had become aware as well.
"It is awake again." One of the Two-Legs Frog-Faces murmured.
It seemed to believe that he could not hear, could not understand; but he had much greater hearing than these Frog-Faces seemed to realize. And while he did not understand their croaking, he could guess their intent or their meaning.
They were talking about him again.
He gave his own version of a smile and let out a small caw of amusement at the fear he could smell and sense from the Two-Legs. The lack of understanding between their languages went both ways, they didn't know he was laughing at them.
The Frog-Face that seemed to be the flock leader made a sound of disgust, "It is a mere Avian from whatever place the Queen tries to escape to, what do you have to fear from it?" The Frog-Face flock leader croaked, sounding disdainful.
He narrowed his eyes, only the brown-feathered white-ringed ones spoke of him with that kind of disdain; he did not like being derided as such. But where his younger self would have made such displeasure known to all; he was older, wiser, and aware of what that would bring him. He could withstand pain, but his flock could not; and one by one, the ground reclaimed them thanks to the Frog-Faces.
So he had learned to keep his silence, bide his time and wait.
For the time being that was all he could do. He had defeated the four-legs furred-ones multiple times on his own, he could kill these Frog-Faces; but first he needed to break free and find a way to spread his wings fully.
They kept him in a locked cage with locking mechanisms so simple that it was almost insulting.
They thought him just another animal, when in reality he was more than that; he was like them, intelligent, inquisitive, able to learn. The Two-Legs Round-Ears were far smarter than these ones, they saw his flock's intelligence; and they treated them with the respect they deserved.
These ones were arrogant, like the Big-Winged Red-Tailed ones.
As much as his flock, and the flocks of the Brown-Feathered White-Ringed had clashed with each other; they both knew that arrogance was something that brought one closer to death than any hunting expedition or starvation ever could. Until the opportunity presented itself to him, he would do what he had always done, watch quietly and wait for an opportunity to strike.
He paused in his contemplation as he felt something familiar; a faint chorus like from the star-rock-world. He and his flock had heard it before; the chorus was from the brown-hard-many-legs. But where the chorus had always been a song of longing for home, this chorus was one of anticipation. Something was coming, and he and his flock needed to be ready.
-Caw-Caw-Caw-
The frog-faced-two-legs glanced at him before nearly jumping as the rest of the flock responded as one.
-Caw-Caw-Caw-
"What the Cloche was that about?!"
He couldn't even take the time to appreciate the distress of his captors, as he made sure his flock was truly ready. Their chance at freedom was soon upon them.
-Caw-Caw-Caw-
-Caw-Caw-Caw-
Shala sat in the seat, glaring at the snow covered planet below them.
"How many Salarians and Asari are at this facility?" She asked, glancing over at Benezia.
The Matriarch frowned slightly. "I am unsure. My knowledge of the facility is based on the supplies that are diverted under the skirt as it were. Based on imported foodstuffs, I would estimate between 50 and 100. Most would be research and technical staff, but I am certain there is at least one full Huntress Team on site."
Corporal Fennaba huffed behind them, "Well that's great, we got six Vortals and Eight Marines and a Matriarch up against at least fifty Hostiles. Granted, most are likely unarmed but we can't take that chance." She grumbled, grabbing a clip out of her vest before loading her Garand.
Lan'Vigar just smirked behind them, "So little faith in us Corporal?" He asked.
"I'm a realist." Palla replied, "I didn't survive as long as I did on Khar'shan with my chastity and my life by assuming everything would be fine." She grumbled angrily. "Do we have any idea of the layout: where everything will be, and where everyone is likely to congregate or fall back to?"
Surprisingly, Benezia smiled. "As a matter of fact, we do." She placed a data chip into a holo-projector and brought up a building schematic. "One of the Noveria Development Corporation's primary revenue streams is in facilities construction. They have a standard layout they use at all of their facilities and colonial holdings. Aside from some specialized excavation gear and hazardous environment equipment, my sources say they brought in one of their Type Three facilities."
Everyone looked at the multi-layered colony structure as the Matriarch pointed out various points of interest.
Shala found herself memorizing all the entrances and exits she could find; and took note of one large holding room near the center, along with what seemed to be a few minor holding centers in the path towards the central holding facility.
She pointed, "There and there are the places we need to search, it's the only two places able to hold Antlions; and the big room is the only one big enough to hold an Antlion King or Queen.
Palla frowned and pointed at a nest of chambers in the middle of the facility. "I'm more worried about the Salarians and Asari falling back to the housing area. As an ex-pirate," the Quarians all winced, "there's nothing uglier than room-by-room clearing. We need to cut them off here," she pointed to one of the upper level briefing rooms, then to a lower level common area next to major access-ways, "and here or we're going to spend the entire time taking hits from our flanks."
Lance Corporal Sapius pointed at a particular shaft. "Well, they have a central air shaft near the main service elevator. We can kill the lift, then send one fireteam and a talon of Vortals to the bottom with our ascending gear. Then we can catch the defenders in a pincer from above and below. If they do retreat to the billets," he pointed to the nest Palla had indicated, "we can seal these hatches and trap them there while we regroup on the level below and make our way to holding."
Palla nodded in approval. "That looks good. Sapius, you and your fire team will take the plunge with the Matriarch." She glanced at the centuries old politician. "I'm ultimately responsible for the Admiral's safety, and I'll be raped by the Pillars themselves before I'll risk her on a 50 meter drop." She looked over to the shrouded form of the Mistress. "I couldn't order you even if I wanted to, so I'll trust you to decide which route to take."
The former mercenary looked back at the holo-map. "Once we've corralled the survivors into the billets, we seal them in and move on to the objective. Any objections?" She looked at the gathered teams, but saw nothing except determined faces. "Alright. On your command Admiral."
When the fake-suns went dark, the flock leader knew it was time for him to strike.
A dim red glow replaced the light left behind; and immediately, the Frog-Faces began scrambling around and one even ran into the cave wall. He allowed a musical laugh to escape his beak, feeling and smelling and tasting the fear of the ones that had tormented his flock for so long was something that he would remember for a long time.
Turning his attention to the basic lock keeping his cage locked, the Flock Leader quickly began working on unlocking it; having much practice with the Two-Legs Round-Ears much more complicated and secure locks.
He kept one eye on his current task, and he swept his other eye back and forth between his flock and the Frog-Faces. To his surprise, all had left except for their Flock Leader; and he had to suppress a croak of disdain at the cowardice. His Flock was under attack by another, and he could not be bothered to assist his siblings in battle.
It was a wonder another had not challenged him already; but it was time that he pay for all the torment he had wrought upon him and his own flock.
Ping!creeeeak.
The sound of the cage door opening was lost as He spread his wings to their full length, and he jumped forward with a loud war cry; shrieking in fury as his clawed feet slammed into the Frog-Faces eyes. The enemy flock leader screamed and thrashed, but he dug his claws in deep; pecking the Frog-Face in the throat just to make sure as the enemy flock leader finally went still.
Satisfied, he took flight and perched himself on the door of another of his flock, and started to try and work the lock.
-caw-
He paused, and looked down at the juvenile female below him; in both disbelief and worry.
-caw-
He shook his head and opened his beak to protest, when a croak stopped him dead; he looked across to the other side, where the Old One weakly jerked its head to the entrance to the cave. The Flock Leader looked at the rest of his flock in dismay as he realized what they wanted him to do. He wanted to free them all, but he couldn't do it alone and he knew it. As much as it pained him to admit, he had barely been able to get his own prison open; and he was their best fighter.
They wanted him to get help from the ones that had attacked the enemy flock; and if they proved to be enemies like the Frog-Faced, then he was the only one in good enough shape to fight or run away.
He gave a low caw of acknowledgement and took off, leaving his flock behind… for now.
Shala flattened herself against a wall as the Noveria security detail fired another overcharged shotgun blast at her. Of all the ancestor's damned luck! Of course all the armed personnel would head straight for the shuttle pads!
Benezia and Sapius' team had broken off for the air-shaft after they had breached the initial security, and also after they had disabled the internal comms so the teams couldn't coordinate.
Guess that isn't a problem when "Every single piece of stinking Fre'ag is in the same place!"
Now she, Palla and her team were battling their way through the administrative cube-farm on the third level.
She stepped out to re-engage when one of the Commandos blinked on top of her and stabbed her just below her right ribcage. She zapped the Asari Huntress while holding her side as the blade stuck there; she felt a shadow hanging over her, and Shala turned to see another Commando just in time for said Asari to punch her right in the eye with a pair of spiked knuckles.
Shala screamed and held her right eye, which had gone dark; and she could feel the purplish-red blood streaming down her face. She barely noticed the fact that the Asari had left the spiked knuckle jammed in her eye hole.
She could still see out of her left eye, and through the haze of pain and purple-red tinge mixed with the tears that clouded her vision in her good eye; she could see Ayita struggling to get to her, but she was being held back by three of the surviving Commandos, their Biotic field only just barely containing the swirling mass of shadows.
Lan was fighting a huntress, and was locked in fierce knife to knife combat; the two using their abilities to keep pace with each other.
Palla was going hand to hand with a Krogan of all species; and Shala knew that there was no way for any of them to break off their engagements to help her. Looking back up at the Asari Commando, the woman got a sadistic grin on her face, and she reached forward and yanked the knife out from under Shala's ribcage; the huntress making sure she copped a good feel, a lustful expression in her face.
Holding her side and trying to hold the bleeding hole that used to be her right eye, but being obstructed by the knuckle still stuck in the remains of her eye; Shala looked down and accepted death as the Asari just said, "Too bad… your genes would have made a good child, and you don't look too bad in the face for your old age admiral; I would have mistaken you for a maiden if I didn't know better. Oh Well, maybe one of the Marines would be a good substitute."
She could hear the knife blade whistling, and Shala couldn't even muster the energy to try and stop it; she was in too much pain to concentrate.
Then she heard a furious flapping sound and a musical sounding Caw; and the Asari screamed.
Shala opened her remaining eye to see some kind of black Avian perched on top of the Asari's head, furiously pecking at the Commando's eyes. Shala couldn't find much sympathy as the Avian quickly pecked out the Commando's right eye before she batted the Avian away. The bird gave an indignant squawk, before glancing at Shala as it flapped its wings to stay in place.
She blinked even as tears of pain streamed out of her remaining eye, she could sense the keen intelligence in the Avian, and the cold fury lurking in its gaze; but Shala was also able to sense something that shocked her to the core.
Sympathy.
Forcing down the pain, Shala gathered up what little energy she had left and slashed har arm forward; sending a beam of energy into the psychotic Asari's chest, the green electricity arcing all over her body.
The Asari fell dead, and Shala fell to her hands and knees; taking every bit of her self control to not burst into tears and start sobbing in pain and dismay as she realized that she had lost her eye. And the tool used to put it out was still jammed in her head.
"Oh Ancestors! Ancestors! Ancestors!" Lan came sprinting over, and quickly rolled Shala onto her back.
Shala closed her remaining eye, and she felt more tears escape from both it; and the ragged remains of her right eye, the salty water mixing heavily with the blood streaming down her face. She was only dimly aware that the sounds of battle had stopped, and the rest of the Marines and apprentices had gathered around her, whispering in horror and sympathy.
"Let us through!" The sound of Ayita's voice prompted them to move, and Shala could hear the girl bend over to take a look.
"Corporal…" Shala ground out. "Send... the others… in… Complete… the plan."
She heard a small debate break out, but soon the sound of footsteps informed her that her order had been carried out. She could only sense Ayita, Palla, and Lan along with the Avian that had saved her from certain death.
She opened her remaining eye to see Ayita floating over her, staring at her.
"We must remove the instrument from the Shala'Raans eye, or what is left of it; or else the wound will be infected. We cannot restore your eye, not now… but perhaps in the future through technology." Ayita informed her, and Shala could see the girl's emerald green eyes had dimmed to almost nothing; the Vortal Mistress clearly fighting down tears.
Shala was fighting down the urge to whimper, but was only slightly successful as Ayita gestured for Lan to hold her shoulders and for Palla to hold her legs. "...We're sorry… By God we're sorry, but… this is going to hurt; a lot..."
She floated down to her knees, and Ayita grabbed the spiked knuckle, setting a hand on Shala's forehead even as the Admiral squeezed her remaining eye shut in preparation. "3… 2… 1… NOW!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Shala's mental and physical scream was piercing and echoed throughout the halls; to the point that she was certain that the whole facility had heard her. The Avian that had saved her gave a soft cooing noise, while Palla and Lan both winced but held onto her. Ayita looked like she wanted to stop, but was pulling the spike out as fast as she dared.
Shala was crying now, she knew it and she didn't care, she thrashed to try and stop the pain; but the Marine and the Apprentice held firm, and in only a few seconds Ayita had withdrawn the spike. Grey bits of flesh from her eye still clung to it as Ayita tossed it aside and she quickly removed Shala's Sehni; pausing for only a moment, before she tore it.
A quarter she used to make an eye patch for Shala, wrapping it around her head and making sure the majority was over her still bleeding eye hole.
The rest of her now ruined Sehni was used to help bind the now medi gel filled stab wound just below her ribcage. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Shala's tears weren't just from the pain; but from the loss of her clan hood; the hood that she had worn since she had gotten her suit.
She would need a new one when she got back; She felt exposed, naked without it.
Isolated. Alone among strangers. My people are depending on me to come back with aid.
Shala frowned. While the sentiment was true, there was something, off, in how the thoughts felt.
My people are trapped. Please!
The Flock Leader stared down at the Female Two-Legs Glowing-Eyes, the Flock Leader of this rival Flock. Her screams of pain and suffering made him want to stuff his ear canals with his own feathers to block it out.
It reminded him of the screaming of hatchlings as the Frog-Faces and Blue-Ones tortured and poked and prodded them. The Glowing-Eyes flock leader was dragged by the Two-Legs Round-Ears disguised as a Black-Cloud over to one of the fake logs, and he decided that he could trust at least the Flock Leader of the Glowing-Eyes.
She at least would understand his pain and suffering.
Flapping his wings, he flew down and landed in front of her; prepared to plead for her help. At this point, dignity no longer mattered to the once proud Flock-Leader; all that mattered was saving his kin.
Shala sniffed and wiped her eye as Ayita placed her hands on the stab wound below her ribcage. She had already sent Palla and Lan's teams ahead to secure the facility while Ayita tended to the Admiral.
The Admiral's one good eye fell on the large black avian as it shuffled nervously next to Ayita.
"Admiral please! You need to remain still." Lan tried to restrain her as she reached for the avian.
Once her fingers were close enough, the animal butted it's head against her hand.
Soaring over green and brown as round-ears bustled below.
The heavens turning inside out as the purple sky swallowed the flock.
The relentless march of three-legged machines and bulbous forms filled with alien malice.
The strange Star-Stone-Planet with it's strange animals and the pale-blue water.
Two round-ear fledglings crying in the song cave while the Carrion-walkers swarm outside.
A new hole in the sky appears, accompanied by a lonely song.
The round-ears, no longer fledglings watch and listen through the flock as they drive off the Carrion-walkers.
The frog-eyed torturers lock the flock away from the sky and the song.
A new group arrives; some round ears, and some something completely different.
The song. The childishly simple lock. The chance at freedom and the taste of vengeance!
The two round-ears snap up their eyes and stare into the flock's.
Help us!
Shala let out a choked sob as she realized what she was looking at; it wasn't some random Avian native to this planet or some other planet in Council space. This was a sentient being, likely from some hunter gatherer society. It was difficult to interpret its song and poetic form of speech and imagery; and the pain was not making it easier on her, but she understood enough.
"Oh Ancestors…" she rasped, staring down at the Alien with her eye, "The Salarians… The Salarians were torturing another sentient species…" She ran a hand through the plume of feathers, and the Avian Alien seemed to lean into it.
"Admiral, what are you-" Palla started while Ayita remained strangely silent, staring at the Avian with narrowed eyes.
But Lan, Lan's Vortal abilities allowed him to see what Palla could not; and he gasped in surprise, "Oh my… Palla, that's a sentient Alien right there." He said, pointing at the Avian.
"He is…" Shala coughed, and barked a pained shout and held the eyepatch as pain ran through her head. "He is a… chieftain of sorts; the rest of his people... are trapped below. We have… we have to help him… He saved my life." She rasped.
"And? I can name a dozen sapient species right now, most of which have been tortured by the Salarians at one point or another."
"This one," Ayita's thought drew everyone's attention including the avian's, "it's from Earth. It's called a Raven."
She tentatively extended a hand, and the Raven allowed her to touch-
Colonial brick facade and ruined automobiles.
A crumbling black road leading to a white and red church.
A bell tolling as crows, ravens, mockingbirds, and magpies swarm overhead.
A man and a woman step outside and stare directly through her.
We are waiting. Help us!
Ayita reeled away from the raven as the shadow of the Cumberland Gap faded from her senses. "It… It cannot be, We had always known them to be Sapient… Perhaps with a few millennia they were expected to have grown sentient; as were Wolves. But to have one become sentient in only a decade…" She trailed off.
After a long moment, Shala groaned and gathered herself up, ignoring the warnings and protests from Palla and Lan. "I'm helping him… you'll have to… stop me if you… want me to stay." Shala forced herself to her feet and started walking towards the entrance; able to channel some of her energy to force the stab wound below her ribs to heal somewhat.
The Raven cawed softly, and flew up to her right shoulder; and Shala looked at him with her remaining eye. The Raven nuzzled her ear, and sent another message.
I am always watching.
I shall be your eyes, and your ears.
I saved you, and you will save my flock.
I will help you, you will help me.
I will always be with you.
Less poetic and still difficult to grasp in her state, but nonetheless Shala felt another set of tears work their way down her face from both her eye's, the tear ducts of her right eye remaining intact. "Thank you." She rasped, before pausing for a moment, "You need… a name…"
The Raven tilted his head for a moment, before bobbing his head in acknowledgement.
"You will show me all that you see, and tell me all that you hear. Hau'eal: the giver of knowledge."
The Raven spread its wings and began flapping.
-Hua-Hau-Hau'eal-
Pilot A/N: Whoo, a lot to unpack here.
Shala losing her eye for one thing; I'm pretty sure that none of you guys saw that coming huh? Frankly, we wanted something that involved sacrifice for our intrepid heroes; but we didn't want to kill anyone off (yet). So a crippling injury like getting an eye put out was something that fit; and the presence of the Sentient Raven's was something that pushed us towards that particular thing. We kind of wanted a bit of an Odin theme with Shala once we realized that, so it was pretty easy to work with that.
Also, this is not something that Shala walks off; this is something that's going to haunt her.
Also, Raven's are freaking huge; they stand at about 26 inches from their feet to their head, and their wingspan is an average of 4 feet. That's really big for a bird, just get a tape measure and stand it next to you.
Anything to say about this chapter Ian?
Ian A/N: For me, one of the parts that was the most fun was the short but brutal exchange between Captain Mal and the Council. Doing so helps set the tone for future confrontations, but also points out a basic flaw in the Council's psychology: the assumption that the Citadel is somehow inviolate. It underpins their Domestic and Foreign policy in the Games, and we try to play with that here.
The other standout for me is Fennaba. She has quickly evolved from just being the surly "Knife Witch" into a capable leader, and we will get to see her shine in future chapters.
Stay tuned dear readers.
Pilot: Right then, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter; leave a review and let us know what you guys think.
A TV Tropes page would be loved and appreciated.
And we will see ya when we see ya.