N7
May 1, 2174 – 8 months after Akuze
"So, when's your last day?" I asked, getting Alec's attention.
"Three months, then onto new adventures" he said
"New adventures?" I asked, playing dumb
"There's a rather wealthy woman, Jien Garson, she wants to go to Andromeda. She hasn't gone public yet, but I heard through back channels that she's starting a, initiative, of sorts. With serious backing." he claimed
"Wow, andromeda, that's an undertaking. How's your research into A.I.'s going?" I asked, getting his attention
-Bold move-
I know what I'm doing
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, and demanded at the same time.
"We've been working together everyday for the past six months, you didn't think I'd notice?" I asked, just getting a concerned face. "Your secret's safe with me, I've known for about 4 months now. Here, I got you this as a retirement present, it's an OSD that's biometrically and DNA locked to you. I have a feeling I'm not going to see you off."
He grabbed it, suspiciously. "What's on it?" he asked.
"Information on A.I.s, how they're coded, how to make a blue box, and other random information" I said, getting a jaw drop.
"How?"
"The Shadow Broker owed me a favor, so I checked it in. The Alliance, along with other factions and governments, have researched A.I.'s, and now you have it" I claimed, grinning, I'm going to miss this guy.
"I don't know what to say, you knew about my research and said nothing, and you're helping me with invaluable data" he said, just staring at the OSD, "Thank you, I owe you".
"I got an idea, when you're over in Andromeda playing adventurer, carry a spare helmet, you never know what you'll run into over there" I said.
"Consider it done" he said, putting out his hand. "You'll make a hell of an N7, just one more level kid."
"Thanks" I said, grasping his hand, "old man".
"So, andromeda? Bringing the twins along?" I asked.
"Yeah, I know they'll come, but right now I got a lead on a human biotic that was actually in the Asari Commandos." He claimed, Cora.
"Damn" I said, and he just nodded.
"I got a flight to catch, take care Chase" he said, snapped me a salute, and walked out.
April 15, 2176 – 30 months after Akuze
"So, when's your next leave?" Shepard asked over the vid chat, explosions going off a few kilometers from behind me.
"I got two weeks lined up in a few days, though I really don't want to spend it here, locals are in a bit of a scuffle right now." I deadpanned at her, "how was your N5 training?"
"It went well, you're looking at a newly minted N6" she said ginning, "What, Anhur's little civil war doesn't make it good for vacation?"
"Nope"
"Good, I have a week of Shore leave coming up in three days, I'll send a shuttle to come and get you, I want it to be a surprise" she said,
"What? So, just to be clear, you aren't going to tell me where I'm going? I don't know about that." I said shaking my head.
"Look, after Akuze the most time we've seen each other is one day every few months, if we're lucky, and that was two and a half years ago, I'm not asking" she ordered at me.
"Is that an order, second lieutenant?" I asked.
"Perhaps, but I should be receiving first lieutenant rank soon." She claimed, "so I'll send the shuttle to you, and it'll bring you here, okay? By the way, you don't have a say in this, and promise me you won't try and find out."
"Fine, I got to go, I'll see you in a few days." I said, closing the vid call.
-Interesting, would you like me to find out where she's bringing us?-
No, I'll keep my word, there better be a bar, I'm tired of dealing with these slavers
-What? Dealing with Batarian slavers isn't fun? But you're so good at it-
No, it's not, let's go, we have to go sabotage some convoy, they're transporting another Higher up
-Sounds like fun, another Batarian to assassinate, they don't learn. It's nothing we've done a bunch of times already-
Well, how'd plan 'Alteration' go?
-I sent your transfer request, again, we'll have to wait for a response, we might be here for a while-
Alright, let's go.
"Excuse me, are you Chase Jarrett?" a voice came from behind me, I turn around and see a Turian.
"And you are?" I asked.
"I was hired by one" he paused, looking at a data pad, "Ms. Shepard to take you to an undisclosed location" he claimed.
"Right, give me a minute to grab my bag" I say, going into my tent and changing into my jeans and Hoodie, load up my armor and weapons, and board the ship. It takes about 12 hours to get to where we were going, and we land at a spaceport on the outside of a small city. It's really nice here, and I see Shepard waiting in skinny jeans and a tank top.
"Hey Cass" I said, giving her my Han Solo salute. "Can't remember the last time I saw you in civies"
"You know, do that little salute to the wrong person, and you might be in trouble" she said, with a small grin on her face. "And we don't exactly see each other a lot"
"Meh, what are they going to do?" I said with a shrug. "You got a ride? I don't want carry this all the way to that city"
"Yeah, it's this way" she said, walking us to an older model car, not surprising considering it's a relatively small colony.
"Umm" I said, "that thing doesn't have autopilot, right?"
"Yeah" she responded, "I'll drive" and that stopped me dead in my tracks. "What?"
"I don't want to die" I deadpanned. "And I've seen you drive the mako"
"You know what they say about a woman scorned, right?" she asked, getting a grin from me.
"Al right, let's go, I need a drink." I said relenting, and we got in the car, fully electric, and made our way to the city.
-You're an alcoholic-
I am not, I just like a drink when I'm on leave
-And after work-
Shut up
"Only one way into a city that's surrounded by mountains? Good to know there's at least one smart colony planner in the universe" I said aloud, getting a confirming nod from Shepard.
-FYI, it's currently 7pm on this planet, it happens to have a 24-hour cycle-
Thank you
"I have a hotel room, we can share, we'll stop by and drop your bags, and get that drink you wanted." She said, and I nodded.
"How's the bar scene?" I asked.
"Good, and full of marines and sailors getting drunk off their ass" she stated.
"Well, we don't want to leave them alone now, do we?" I asked, and we dropped off my bags, and went bar hopping around the couple of bars in the area. We spent the night talking about my missions, her training, and becoming an N6, and we eventually stumble back to the hotel room, around midnight.
"Oh man, I can't wait" she said, I turn around and see her rubbing the N7 on my armor, a little giddy from excitement, and being drunk.
"You're not far from it, you'll be there soon" I said, sitting at the foot of the bed.
"Can we talk?" She asked
"Of course, what's up?"
-Chase, we may have a potential problem. I'm getting reports that communications are being disrupted and periodically get dropped, at the current rate this system will be dark within seven hours-
Understood, keep an eye on all incoming and outgoing traffic from the relay, and let me know when they go dark
-Understood-
"I've been patient" she said, sitting down next to me, grabbing my hand.
"I'm sorry, I know I haven't made it easy on you. And in my defense, I warned you that we'd almost never see each other." I claimed, "you still have those feelings?"
"yeah, and we see each other now" she said, pointing at me.
"You're drunk, I'm drunk, maybe we should wait till we're not drunk" I suggested.
"I know, but I don't want to wait" she said, grabbing me for a kiss, and I didn't resist, I've wanted this for a while, and I'm too plastered to stop myself, I've always hated guys that prey on drunk women. We dragged ourselves across the bed, tearing off our clothes, getting into our own groove. Black lace, wasn't expecting that.
"We're sure about this, right? This will just make our time apart even harder" I interrupted
"Yes, and I don't care" she said, resuming our little wrestling match.
Cortana, time to mind your own business
-Chase, wake up-
What?
-Wake up-
I open my eyes, and I'm in bed, and I can't feel my arm. I look over, and see Shepard is asleep on my right side, making it numb.
-Congratulations, but we have more pressing matters-
What?
-Communications are down, and we have contacts pooling on the other side of the relay-
You'll have to explain that to me
-I hacked the communication relay on our side of the relay, and I can communicate with the one on the other side, pirates are on there way, and a lot-
Cortana, where am I?
-Elysium-
Shit, what's the time table?
-They just started to come through the relay, it'll take them 5 minutes to get into formation. The Alliance forces in system are already aware of them, but they have no way of sending out a message-
How long till they reach here? And how long till an Alliance fleet can be here?
-30 minutes, and two hours-
Okay, spoof a distress signal from Achilles, make it seem like it's coming from here, get a fleet here
-Understood-
I get up slowly, and slip out from under Shep, and put on my armor, taking my time from my hangover. I walk over to the bed and sit down next to Shepard, and slowly start rocking her awake.
"Morning" I said, getting a smile and stretch from her.
"Good morning" she replied, pulling me down for a kiss.
"I'd love to continue this, but we got other important things to deal with" I claimed.
"What's more important than this?" she asked, just noticing I'm in my armor.
"We got about twenty minutes until a bunch of pirates get here, and there's a city of about 10,000 people with nearly no defenders, and one entrance" I said, and there came out Commander Shepard.
"What's the situation?" she asked in a serious tone
"Pirates, most likely slavers, coming in force, and Alliance is two hours out, at the earliest" I said, "Colonial defense is about 50 minutemen, and what ever marines the Agincourt can get into contact with that's on the ground, I'm heading to the front line and see what's the situation, I'll see you there" I said, and left the hotel for the frontline.
What's the situation?
-50 minutemen, 50 marines, and 25 sailors, and you and Shepard-
Enemy numbers?
-Based on enemy shuttles incoming, roughly 500 pirates, normally I would advise evacuating, but with the single choke point for an entrance, it might work-
And our defenses?
-The colony has Aegis defense batteries, and I've already painted the pirates as targets, so they won't land anywhere within 1 km of the city. Colonial defense has several heavy arms, allowing you to deal with the small number of heavy vehicles they brought. I've detached some marines to gather the rockets, they should be on their way-
Alright, this might work, have them all gather at the front lines
-Done-
I make my way to the city entrance, and see the small crowd of defenders, this is not going to be easy.
Where's Shep?
-Behind you-
I turn around and see Shep, "Shep, I got a plan. You'll be in the front, you ready?" I stated.
"Of course, and why am I in the front?" She asked, leaning back with her arms crossed.
"Because you're a close combat expert, and your biotics will help demoralize the enemy, hopefully" I said.
"Okay then," she sighed, "What's the plan?" I waved her over to the crowd of our small little battalion we have gathered around.
"Okay, who's got sniper or sharp shooter training, or even hunting experience?" I asked, getting 30 militiamen and 20 marines, "who has C.Q.C. experience?", getting 25 marines, and 15 militiamen, leaving 5 marines and 5 militiamen, and the sailors, perfect.
"Alright, the plans very simple, all C.Q.C. will be in the front with Lt. Shepard, all sharpshooters with me, we'll be 50 meters behind them giving them cover. The remaining marines and minutemen will be taking those heavy weapons and form two squads, dealing with any heavy's. Sailors, you're the last line of defense, you'll be setting up barricades and choke points throughout the city in case we need to fall back, or they take us. We got ten minutes till they get here, they've already started landing outside the city, move!" I ordered, Shepard gave me an elbow in the side with a wink, and made her way to the front with her new friends.
-I'm getting omnitool readings 250 meters from Shepard-
Cortana
-Engaging CEM-
I can see the incoming horde now, "Shepard, prepare yourself, you have incoming", and all hell broke loose. We were able to hold them, without giving an inch for a good 45 minutes, but our soldiers in the front are getting stupid and arrogant, and we're nearing half our numbers up there. I've been fortunate to only getting shot in the arm, and it was only a flesh wound from a sniper. "Shepard, you're getting over run, fall back!" I ordered, and I could see her ordering people towards us.
Shit, at this rate Shepard won't have enough cover, any ideas?
-You could enter SAM mode, but you're not wearing your Mjolnir armor, there's a good chance you'll die, we don't know the effects of it-
Uuuhhh, what?
-Superhuman Augmented Mode, it overclocks all of your implants, including my implant, 1000%, enhancing you beyond your current capabilities. It was designed to be used with your other armor, you could literally rip yourself apart without Mjolnir-
What can it do?
-In layman's terms, you'll be stronger than a Krogan, think faster and have quicker reactions than a Salarian, and move more acrobatically than an Asari. You'll move 2-3x faster as well-
WHY THE HELL AM I JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS?
-Mordin asked me to only inform you in dire circumstances where your life is in danger, and I know you'll do something stupid to save her, putting your life in danger. Also, it was being designed for your other armor, your implants would run off its power, whereas now they'll run off your body's power, we don't know what'll happen, it's never been tested, and I haven't done any simulations-
Can you do one now?
-No, that shot to the arm destroyed our QEC, I don't have the processing power. Also, during this conversation, Shepard's been cornered, and appears to be exhausted for overusing her biotics, I think they might be trying to capture her-
WHAT? Why?
-She'd fetch a good price probably?-
Activate SAM, damn the risks
-Understood, activating SAM mode, you have 90 seconds max, good luck-
I got hot suddenly, and everything got slow. I just started running for Shepard, dropping my sniper and grabbing a shotgun off a Marine's back that was running towards me. It's all weird, it's like everyone's moving at half speed, but I'm running and able to move at full speed. I get to Shepard faster than I anticipated, and she's surrounded by Batarians and Humans. I lunge at them, launching farther than I anticipated, took out one with my shotgun, feeling almost feeling no recoil, even though it was one handed.I took out another one, punch him dead in the chest, and he just went flying back 10 meters, and the last one took a shot to the face with a look of surprise from my entrance just registering. I look over to Shepard, the look of surprise and confusion slowly coming to her face, I grab her shotgun, making it mine. I holster them both, grab her, and with all my strength, threw her back to the direction I came from, launching her 30 meters, making her land near some retreating marines. I turn around, pull out both shotguns, and go on the closest thing that a human can to a blood rage, I just ran around the enemy line, shooting and literally knocking them away. I couldn't help but notice a slight stinging sensation coming from my arms and legs after a while, I can't tell how long I've been in this mode, my perception of time is out of whack, and I'm getting exhausted.
-Chase, you need to fall back, you've reached your limit-
Damn, okay. What's the damage?
-All your limbs are broken, multiple tears in your muscles, your implants are on the verge of being completely destroyed from overheating, and your heart may explode if you keep this up, along with multiple gunshot wounds. Run back to your post, I took the liberty of having a medic ready-
How bad?
Cortana, how bad?
-I don't know-
I made for a mad dash to where I was, and when I got there everyone was looking at me like I just did something heinous, and Shepard was just looking at me with surprise and confusion. I sit down, and notice that my armor is covered with blood, most of it not mine.
-I'm deactivating SAM mode, you'll pass out almost immediately, I'll talk to you later, I need to focus the nanites on keeping you stable-
"Chase, what the-" was all I heard from Shepard before everything went black and I couldn't hear anything.