Chapter Thirty-Six
Roxanne
Serenity and I rush into the cockpit as the Normandy rocks hard. I slam into Serenity as we're both thrown into the wall closest to us.
"Show those bastards our new teeth." I say as I push to my feet and move towards Joker. "Fire the main gun."
I smirk as I watch the blast from our gun hit the Collector's ship.
"How do you like that, you sons-of-bitches?" Joker asks, lifting his arms in triumph.
"Get in close and finish them off." I say.
"Everybody hold on- gonna be a wild ride!" Joker shouts.
I cross my arms as I glance at Raphael and Serenity. Both of them have death grips on the chairs in front of them, watching the battle outside the cockpit's window.
Joker does more maneuvering, avoiding the Collector ship's beam. "Give 'em Hell, girl." Joker says as he slams his fist on the Normandy's main gun.
I watch as the Normandy fires on the Collector ship again, causing the ship to explode.
"Look out!" Miranda shouts.
The blast from the ship hits the Normandy, causing us to rock. Miranda slams into the wall beside her.
Serenity quickly sits in the chair in front of her while Raphael keeps his grip on his chair.
"Mass effect field generators are offline!" Joker shouts. "EDI- give me something!"
"Generators unresponsive. All hands brace for impact." EDI says.
My grip on Joker's chair gets thrown as the Normandy crash lands on the Collector base. Raphael and I smack into each other as we're thrown to the ground.
"Joker?" I push to my feet to see him leaning out of his chair. "You okay?"
I think I broke a rib…" Joker says. "Or all of them."
"Multiple core systems overloaded during the crash. Restoring operation will take time." EDI says.
"We all knew this was likely a one-way trip." Miranda sighs.
I roll my eyes. "We'll do whatever it takes to stop the Collectors, but I plan on us living to tell about it."
Joker glances at me, a smirk on his face. "Glad you're in charge. What's next?"
"How long until the Collectors find this landing zone?" Raphael asks.
"I do not detect an internal security network. It is possible the Collectors did not expect anyone to reach the base." EDI says.
"If we're lucky, which isn't usually the case but I'll be optimistic here," Joker glances towards the controls on the Normandy, "their external sensors were hit like we were. They might not know we're alive."
"EDI, alert everyone to meet us in the conference room." I say.
"Right away, Commander." EDI says.
"Move it." I motion at Miranda.
Serenity, Raphael, Miranda, and I make our way to the conference room.
After waiting a few minutes, the rest of the squad shows up, decked out in their armor.
Garrus moves towards my side as Tali moves towards Raphael's.
Miranda and Jacob group up, putting their heads together as they speak to each other in low tones.
Mordin, Grunt, Zaeed, and Kasumi speak amongst themselves, making sure their weapons and omni-tools are ready to go. Jack stands in the corner, her arms crossed as she observes the room. Legion steers clear of the rest of us as well, careful not to be in the way. Samara and Thane stay quiet.
"This isn't how we planned this mission, but this is where we're at." Raphael says, pulling everyone's eyes to him as their voices die down. "We can't worry about whether the Normandy can get us home. We came to stop the Collectors, and that means coming up with a plan to take out this station."
"EDI, bring up your scans." I say, crossing my arms.
An interface of the base pulls up in the middle of the conference table. "You should be able to overload their critical systems if you get to the main control center here." EDI says as she highlights the area.
"That means going through the heart of the station." Jacob says as he pulls his omni-tool up. "Right past this massive energy signature."
Another area on the map lights up on the base.
"That's the central chamber." I mutter.
"If our crew or any of the colonists are still alive, the Collectors are probably holding them in there." Raphael says.
"Looks like there are two main routes. Might be a good idea to split up to keep the Collectors off balance, then regroup in the central chamber." Jacob says, his omni-tool highlighting the base in the center as he goes.
"No good. Both routes are blocked." Miranda says before pointing at the interface. "See these doors? The only way past is to get someone to open them from the other side."
"It's not a fortress." Raphael says.
"There's got to be something." Serenity muses as she stares at the interface. "Here! Maybe someone can go in through this ventilation shaft."
"Good eye." Raphael says.
"Practically a suicide mission." Jacob says. "I volunteer."
I roll my eyes. "All that would do is hinder the mission. You're not tech trained."
"She's right. We need someone with technical expertise." Miranda says.
"Tali," I turn to her, ignoring the look from Raphael, "you got this?"
"I won't let you down, Roxanne." Tali says, nodding.
"The rest of us will break into two teams and fight down each passage. That should draw the Collectors' attention away from what you're doing." I say.
"I'll lead the second fire team, Shepard." Miranda says. "We'll meet-"
"Not so fast, Cheerleader." Jack says, cutting her off. "Nobody wants to take orders from you."
Garrus shakes his head in agreement with Jack.
"This isn't a popularity contest!" Miranda shouts. "Lives-"
"I'm leading that team, Miranda." Raphael says. "Roxanne is going to lead the other team."
"Once we're in, they're going to throw everything they have at us." I say. "If we're weak, if we're slow, if we hesitate, we'll die."
"The Collectors attacked our ship." Raphael grumbles. "They took our crew, our friends."
"They think we're helpless. They're wrong!" I say, crossing my arms. "They started a war, but we're not here to finish it. We're here to make them regret- to show them and everyone else what happens when you go too far. No more running, and no more waiting. Let's hit them where they live."