Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Gears of War/Mass Effect crossover.
I'm happy to see that you enjoyed the previous chapter. Some of you also noted the chainsaw bayonet execution that Baird pulled on the Krogan Battlemaster Sarent sent to abduct Liara. There'll be more executions as time goes on. Gears of War is memorable to me for that, and a few other reasons.
As always, leave a review, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Gears of War or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, Microsoft Studios, The Coalition, Epic Games, etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
Artemis Tau Cluster
Normandy
January 25th, 2183
The next day, Shepard and the others were inside of the comm/briefing room. The previous day's mission had been physically draining enough that the others had to get some rest. Marcus, having often fought for days without adequate rest, had felt fine, though he complied with Shepard's request to get some rest.
Now, they were inside of the comm room, while Joker was giving them something of a lecture. "Commander, I know the mission was successful, but that was way too close," he told them. "Ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulfur. The Normandy isn't built for landing in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull, just for future reference."
"We almost died down there and your pilot is making jokes?" Liara, who was looking better than she had been yesterday, asked with an incredulous look on her face.
"Joker pulled our asses out of the fire," Shepard explained. "I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes."
Baird, who wasn't going to be outdone by someone else in terms of sarcasm, spoke up. "Hey, screw you, asshole," he growled, though there was no malice in his voice. "Why don't you come down down when we're on a mission? It's a fucking party with us around."
"Hoho!" Joker beamed. "Sounds like our resident combat engineer has a few barbs of his own! Yeah, no thanks."
"Really? How about I come up there with a screwdriver and sort things out?" The intercom remained silent. At that, Shepard and the others chuckled slightly.
"Wow," Kaidan nodded, impressed. "Someone knows how to outdo Joker's barbs."
"It's all a part of my unique charisma," Baird smiled.
"I see," Liara noted. "It must be a human thing. I have little experience with your species socially. Still, Commander, I'm grateful for saving me, and not just from that volcano. Those Geth would've killed me, or dragged me off to Saren."
"What did Saren want with you?" Marcus asked. "Do you know something about the Conduit?"
"Only that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I've spent the last fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."
That had Shepard a little confused. "I don't mean to pry, but how old are you?" he asked.
"I hate to admit it, but I'm only a hundred and six," Liara admitted.
Everyone whistled at that. "Damn!" Baird noted, genuinely surprised. "That's longer than most humans live. Hope I look good at that age." Under his breath, he said, "Fat chance of that happening."
"I agree," Ashley nodded. "Hope I look good too when I'm that old."
"A century might seem like a long time for a short lived species like yours, but among the Asari, I'm barely considered more than a child. That is why my research has not received the attention that it deserves. Because of my youth, other Asari scholars tend to dismiss my theories on what happened to the Protheans."
While the others listened, Marcus was watching Liara closely. Already, he could see a slight hint of frustration in her tone of voice, especially when discussing why her theories weren't being accepted. Those people are being a bunch of dumbasses, he frowned internally. If they're not going to listen to her, despite her relatively young age, then they're being fucking morons. I guess stupidity is in abundance here too.
Shepard and the others, unaware of Marcus' internal observations, continued to speak. "I've got my own theory on why the Protheans went extinct."
"With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind. It's as if someone didn't want the mystery solved. It's like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues.
"But here's the incredible part. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to vanish mysteriously. This cycle began long before them."
"Where'd you come up with this theory? I thought you said there wasn't any evidence."
"I have been working on this for fifty years," Liara explained, her eyes gaining the spark of someone that knew what they were talking about. "I have tracked down every scrap and shred of evidence. Eventually, subtle patterns begin to emerge, patterns that hint at the truth. It is difficult to explain to someone else. I cannot point to one specific thing to prove my case. It is more of a feeling derived from half a century of work."
"I know what you mean," Baird added. "That's called intuition, or a gut feeling. I've had a few of those myself. So far, they haven't led me wrong."
"That is one way to put it," Liara agreed. "But I know I'm right, and eventually, I will be able to prove it. There were other civilizations before the Protheans. This cycle has repeated itself many times over."
"If they weren't the first," Shepard mused, "then who was?"
"I don't know," Liara admitted, frowning. "There is barely any evidence of the Protheans, and as such, even less on those that came before. I cannot prove my theory, but I know that I'm right! The Protheans rose from a single world until they ruled the galaxy. Yet, even they climbed to the top on the remains of those that came before.
"Their greatest achievements – the mass relays and the Citadel – are based on the technology of those that came before them. And then, like all of the other forgotten civilizations throughout galactic history, the Protheans vanished. I have dedicated my life to finding out why."
"Well, I think I know what happened to them," Shepard replied. "They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines: the Reapers."
The moment he said this, Liara was deeply confused. "The – the Reapers? But I have never heard of -" Moments later, the scientist and archaeologist inside of her woke up fully, with a barrage of questions coming out of her mouth. "How do you know this? What evidence do you have?"
"There was a damaged beacon on Eden Prime," Shepard explained. "It burned a vision into my brain. I'm still trying to figure out what it means."
"A beacon?" Liara asked, surprised. "Yes… that does make sense, but the beacons were not programmed to interact with Human physiology. I'm surprised that you were able to make sense of it at all."
"Humans are tougher than you think," Wrex added. "Especially these two here." He motioned to Marcus and Baird when he said this.
"It's just a bunch of random images," Shepard remarked.
"I see," Liara mused. After a moment, she stood up and said, "Commander, with your permission, I would like to try something. You were touched by the beacon; the visions are locked away inside of your mind. Using the mind meld, I can join my consciousness to yours. Maybe my knowledge of the Protheans will help clarify your vision."
"Sounds a bit creepy," Baird frowned. "You sure you want to do this, Shepard? I'm not exactly comfortable with the idea."
There was a moment of silence as Shepard thought the matter through, then he said, "Yes. This might be our only chance to find out what the beacon burned into my brain. I know, not the first choice, but we really don't have any other choice. If Liara can make sense of it, then she can go ahead and do so."
"Thank you, Commander," Liara nodded. "Just stand still and close your eyes." Complying, Shepard did so. Once he did, Liara came closer and suddenly declared, "EMBRACE ETERNITY!"
A moment later, Marcus watched as Liara stiffened, while her pupils went as wide as they could possibly go. While he'd read up on an Asari's ability to perform a 'meld' with another partner, this was the first time he'd seen it, and he didn't like what he saw. I can see why Cole was tense around them, he thought. If that's how they reproduce, or share information, I really don't want any part of it. Too fucking creepy.
Baird, who was nearby, was also having some thoughts on the process. So that's how they reproduce and share information, he thought. Ugh, now that's intriguing and more than a little creepy. I'm certainly staying away from that. He shivered unconsciously, an instinctive reaction to seeing something unusual or disturbing.
Fortunately, it didn't take long for the process to complete, as moments later, Liara stumbled backwards, eyes returning to normal as she steadied herself. "That was incredible!" she breathed. "All this time, all my research, yet I – I never dreamed!"
Seeing Shepard's confused expression, she said, "Oh… I am sorry. The images were so vivid. I never thought the experience would be so… intense. You must be remarkably strong-willed, Shepard. What you have seen, what you have experienced, would've destroyed a lesser mind."
"Come on. Get to the point," Ashley grumbled impatiently. "What did you see?"
"The beacon on Eden Prime must've been badly damaged," Liara replied. "Large parts of the vision are missing. The data transferred into the Commander's mind is incomplete."
"You sure you didn't come across any kind of clue or hint?" Shepard asked. "Something we might've missed?"
"Everything I saw, you already know," Liara replied. "You were right about the Reapers. The Protheans were destroyed by a race of sentient machines. I think it's obvious that there's a connection between the Reapers, the Prothean extinction and the Conduit. But I didn't find anything that would help us find it."
"What now?" Garrus asked.
"Good question," Shepard agreed. "Any ideas?"
"Saren knew you were touched by the beacon on Eden Prime," Liara nodded. "He probably came after me because he feared I could help you understand it. I was able to interpret the data relayed through your vision, or what was there at least. Find the missing pieces, and I'm confident that I can put the pieces together then."
"That sounds like a good idea," Shepard agreed. "We find the missing pieces, and see what they tell us."
"Thank you, Commander," Liara beamed. "I am very gratef-" Suddenly, Liara swayed, with Garrus nearly leaping out of his seat, catching her just before she could fall over. "Woah!" she gasped. "I'm felling fairly lightheaded."
"You OK?" Shepard asked.
"It is probably just exhaustion, as well as the after-effects of the mind meld," Liara reassured him.
"I don't think so," Baird frowned. "You look a little pale. The doctor ought to take a look at you. We don't want a minor problem to escalate into something worse."
"That… is reasonable," Liara conceded. With that, he walked out of the room, with Garrus gently, but firmly, ensuring that she wouldn't fall over onto the ground.
"We'll talk more once Liara's seen the doctor," Shepard nodded. "The rest of you, dismissed!" They were about to leave when Shepard said, "Marcus, I want to learn a little more about the rest of you and your team. Care to do so?"
Marcus frowned, though not as much as he used to when he heard words like those. Shepard's going to need to know anyways, he decided. Looking up at him, he said, "Yeah, but after we handle whatever the fuck is going on at Feros."
"Sounds like a plan." With that, everyone dispersed.
. . .
As they left the comm/briefing room, Wrex's mind was filled with thoughts and questions, particularly on what he'd seen down at the surface of Therum, the planet where Liara had been conducting her archaeological dig at. The specific questions were centered around how Marcus and Baird took down the hostile Krogan Battlemaster that had accosted them.
Few images stuck in his mind as strong as the sight of Baird using his Lancer's chainsaw bayonet to literally tear the Battlemaster in half. What the hell kind of war would demand a weapon of such brutality, the scholarly part of his mind wondered. At that question, he recalled some of the combat footage that Cole had shown him.
Either way, I need to chat with Baird, he decided. Perhaps he can enlighten me on that bit, or Marcus for that matter. With that solidly in his mind, he proceeded towards the cargo hold. Entering the elevator, he pressed the button for the cargo hold, stepping out only after the elevator came to a stop.
True enough, Marcus and Baird were down there too, with Marcus doing some work on his helmet, while Baird was tinkering with the blue box that he'd gotten at the Citadel. Walking over to Marcus, Wrex stood there and stared hard at Marcus. A moment later, he cleared his throat, prompting the Gear to look up at him. "Wrex," Marcus acknowledged. "You need something?"
"Why did you Gears use a chainsaw bayonet?"
Hearing that, Marcus' brow furrowed, before he realized why Wrex was asking. "The way we killed that Krogan is why you're asking?"
"Yes."
"Hhmmm… alright. I suppose you deserve to know." Clearing his throat, Marcus continued. "We developed it because our bayonets were doing jack shit to the Grubs."
"Grubs?"
"Locust."
"I remember seeing them in some combat footage Cole showed me. Why, though?"
"Our bayonets were good; coated with osmium if I recall correctly. The Locust's scaly hides, though, were tough enough that our bayonets couldn't cut through it. It was only thank to Tai Kaliso, a friend of mine, using a chainsaw to kill one that we got the idea for the chainsaw bayonet. My father and I decided to design the Mark 2 Lancer as a result. Had to rearrange the internal design, but it worked."
When he heard that, Wrex understood the reasoning behind such a weapon. That would make sense, he realized. The older bayonets weren't cutting through the Locust's skin, so they switched to chainsaws, which could cut through their hide. A moment later, he said, "I can understand that. Now that you've explained it, I'm fairly impressed."
"We did what we had to do. Nothing more, nothing less."
"I can agree to that." After a moment, Wrex asked, "You know about the Genophage?"
Baird, who overheard the conversation, said, "Yeah, we do. It's fucking bullshit."
That got Wrex's attention. He hadn't heard of a human being that described the Genophage as such. "Explain," he asked.
"It's bullshit that you have to watch your own kids die at childbirth," Baird continued. "I understand why the Salarians developed it, but I still think it's bullshit. There's always another way to resolve a conflict, other than neutering the species responsible for causing it. I think the Krogan have every reason to be justified in their anger at seeing their kids die. It's a fucking war crime, but I don't think that another Krogan Rebellion would solve matters. It would only justify the Salarian's decision to make the Genophage in the first place."
For the first time in a while, Wrex was silent, but it was not because he was surprised. It was because Baird, without knowing it, had captured the reason why many Krogan were deeply angry at the Genophage: it was a crime against civilization. As such, a newfound respect began to form inside of the hardened Krogan for the Gear that had said that.
What he didn't know was that Marcus felt the same way as well. The Genophage is worst than what Prescott did when he used the Hammer of Dawn to destroy every city on Sera outside of Ephyra and a few others. If I hear a Salarian claim that it was 'for the good of the galaxy', I'll break their fucking face. No mother should have to have a stillborn child. A frown developed on his face as the thought passed through his mind.
There were a few seconds of silence, then Wrex said, "Thank you for the answers." As he walked off, a smile began to grow on his face. They're right, some part of him said to him a moment later. No Krogan mother should have to bear the sorrow of having to give birth to a child that died in the womb. Something even tells me that Baird, one day, might find a solution to the Genophage.
As Wrex walked to his usual spot in the cargo bay, Baird and Marcus went back to what they were doing. Sitting down next to the blue box he'd acquired at the Citadel, Baird continued to do some work on JACK. His current project was to upgrade the AI inside of the blue box using some ideas he'd gotten from JACK. I'd do more for JACK, but the fact is that his current platform is obsolete, he frowned. If I had access to someone that could make customized electronics, then I'd design a new generation of JACK units in a heartbeat.
He was about to continue his work when he hear Garrus walking over. Looking up, he nodded as the former C-SEC Investigator sat down next to him. "Boring day?" Garrus asked.
"No," Baird replied. "Just tinkering with this AI here. I'd love to upgrade JACK, but he's just too old now. I look around and I realize that, with all this tech, I'd be able to create a new generation of JACK units, each one capable of numerous technical feats."
"Tell me about it," Garrus agreed, looking at the deactivated JACK unit. "Something tells me that, someday, you're going to really impress the galaxy, Baird. I mean, just look at how fast you learned how to work with our electronics. In just a little over a week, you've learned what took Tali and I years of training to do."
"Comes with being a polymath."
"Agreed," Garrus nodded. A moment later, he asked, "Why'd you become a Gear in the first place, if I may ask? You look more at home in a laboratory than on the battlefield, no offense intended."
"None taken," Baird, who had finished tinkering with part of the blue box, replied. "As for why I became a Gear, it wasn't a willing one. My parents in their, oh so infinite wisdom, forced me to become one. My dad fucking blackmailed me when he said I had to go into the military, or lose my inheritance."
Garrus hissed slightly at that. "Your father doesn't sound like a very nice guy."
"He wasn't," Baird nodded. "He died, along with my mother, during E-Day."
"When the Locust emerged from underground, if the name is correct?"
"Yep. Haven't you seen the combat footage?"
"I did when Chellick had me help him with his investigation. It… the conflict was just as intense, if not more so, than the Krogan Rebellions. Most Turian units would've crumbled in the situations that you Gears fought in. What's more impressive is that your faction of Humanity actually survived the war, and the pandemic that followed." Garrus shivered as he recalled the intense, gory images of the Locust War, and the disturbing footage of the Lambent Pandemic.
"I know," Baird nodded. "I don't have nightmares of the conflict, though. I can thank my lucky stars for that one."
"Agreed," Garrus added.
Baird, now that he was fully engaged in the conversation, asked, "So, why'd you become an Investigator?"
"Me?" Garrus asked, slightly surprised by the question, though he regained his composure quickly. A moment later, he said, "Probably the same as most officers. I wanted to fight injustice, help other people. I guess my father had something to do with it too. He was C-SEC, one of the best. I grew up hearing about his accomplishments or seeing his picture on the vids after a big arrest. He's taking my resignation hard."
"I can see why," Baird nodded. "His son, instead of continuing the family tradition, chose to do something else. You'd think, though, that he'd be impressed that you're going after Saren, with Shepard alongside you."
"My father's a C-SEC man to the bone. 'Do things right, or don't do them at all,' he says. He thinks I'm being too impatient, too rash. He's worried I'll end up becoming like Saren. He actually talked me out of becoming a Spectre when I was younger, for the same reasons."
"Really. You were selected to be a Spectre?"
"Well, I was targeted as a potential Spectre candidate, me and about a thousand other Turian military recruits. I would've received special training, but my father didn't like it. He despises the Spectres. He hates the idea of someone having unlimited power with no accountability. He probably wouldn't like Shepard."
"Then he sure as shit wouldn't like me. Marcus and the others tell me that I'm abrasive and sarcastic at times, and I agree. The only thing he'd like about me is that I'm a Gear, not a mercenary."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. I can also understand why he'd be so worried."
"You can? But Saren's not going to play by our rules, by C-SEC's rules. If you want to nail Saren, you need to send someone that's not restricted by policies and procedures."
"Well, let me tell you something, Garrus. Chairman Prescott, our oh-so illustrious leader during the Locust Wars, thought the same thing. It was that kind of thinking that led to much of Sera being scorched, it was that thinking that led to the use of birthing creches, which were fucking disgusting in my opinion, and it's the thinking behind the shit that happened at the New Hope Research Facility. Just because you break the rules doesn't mean you should, Garrus. We're going to stop Saren, but we won't turn into the fucking bastard while we're at it."
Those words had an effect on Garrus, as the Turian was about to speak up, only to stop. There were a few seconds of silence as he considered Baird's words. I can see where he's coming from, the logical part of his mind told him. If we begin breaking the rules just to get at a suspect, then we're no better than the suspect we're pursuing. "That's… reasonable," he admitted, his logical side warring with the emotions he was feeling. "I'll think about it."
"Please do," Baird nodded. "Too many people acting on impulses instead of reason is why we're having to chase that fucking bastard. We need people that actually consider what might happen if they do something, instead of just doing it without regard to who gets hurt." Garrus nodded, even as he walked back towards the Mako, his mind processing what Baird had just told him.
Nearby, Marcus had a very slight smile on his face as he watched Baird. Never knew Baird could get philosophical, he noted. People surprise me ever day. Remembering what he was doing, he turned towards the armor that he had worn on the mission.
Using some tools, he removed the metallic components of the armor plating. COG Armor, from what he recalled, used an osmium alloy, in conjunction with UHMWPE to provide superior protection against small arms fire. The armor was thick enough that rifle rounds only caused minor bruises, though repeated impacts over long periods of time could cause a person's ribs to crack, and then fracture.
The new armor was built around a similar philosophy, but with different materials. For one thing, the original osmium-steel armor plates were replaced with an alloy that included osmium, tungsten, titanium and other metals. This prevented the osmium in the alloy from oxidizing and forming the deadly toxin known as Osmium Tetraoxide. In addition, the metal alloys increased the heat resistance of the armor, while improving upon another weakness of osmiun: it's brittleness.
Looking at the armor plate he'd removed, he examined it for any damage that necessitated replacing the armor plate. Huh, he noted as he scanned it with an omni-tool. There's only minor damage. The sand-grain sized projectiles simply ricocheted off, or made small craters that can easily be repaired with the proper equipment, even though they were traveling fast enough to cause major damage to other kinds of armor. Don't know why that's the case, though. Maybe Baird can explain that when he's not busy. Satisfied, he replaced the armor plate with a new one, and moved on to the next one.
He was focused enough on his work that he almost didn't hear Tali walking over. His gut instincts flared, prompting him to turn and look directly at Tali, who stepped back, surprised by how fast the Gear had moved. Relaxing upon seeing her, he said, "Sorry about that."
"No, it should be me that's sorry," Tali explained. "I didn't announce that I was coming over." Looking at the armor, she asked, "What's that?"
"New armor based off the old design," Marcus explained. "Why?"
"N-nothing," Tali stammered. "I-I just like looking at interesting technology. Never imagined seeing something like this. It looks like it came off of a Mako or Grizzly."
"It's supposed to look like that. The COG developed this style of armor as technology became more advanced. They wanted something that would protect their infantry from small arms fire, and this style of armor is what came about as a result."
"Well, they certainly succeeded there," Tali nodded. "Would you mind if I… um… took a scan of the armor?"
"Your Pilgrimage I take it?"
"Y-yes. Anything that would help the Migrant Fleet would be welcomed. Having this kind of armor would certainly reduce casualties from damaged environmental suits."
"That would be useful," Marcus admitted. "Alright. Go ahead."
"Thanks," Tali nodded as some of her underlying nervousness faded. Using her omni-tool, she scanned the armor from boot to helmet. "Keelah," she noted. "This is some of the toughest armor I've ever scanned. Armor plates that have traces of osmium and other elements, and a polymer matrix nanocomposite underneath? This armor looks like it could withstand a direct hit from a grenade."
"It can withstand worse than that," Marcus nodded.
"I see…"
It was then that Marcus noticed something about Tali's behavior. For the first five days, she was ecstatic over the technology inside the Normandy, as well as the ship itself. However, he now noticed that she seemed tired, as though she was worn out. "You OK?" he asked. "You don't look too good."
"I don't know," Tali frowned, shrugging her shoulders. "The ship is amazing, and the crew is really nice, especially Chief Engineer Adams, but I just sorta feel… out of place. The Normandy runs so smooth that it feels as though we're not moving, and the engines are so… quiet. How do they even manage to sleep?"
"The silence keeps you awake at night?"
"Back on the flotilla, the last thing you want to hear is silence. It means an engine's died, or an air filter's shut down. I guess you don't have to worry about that here, but old habits die hard. What about you?"
"I've learned to see wherever I can," Marcus nodded. "It's hard to get sleep when you have nightmares, though."
"You get nightmares? Why?"
For a moment, Marcus was hesitant to explain why, then he realized it. She doesn't know what it's like to face horrors that can keep you awake at nights. Better to tell her so that she can handle it, than to leave her in the dark. Sighing, he said, "The Locust War. I saw shit that you wouldn't believe."
"Like what?"
"Bat-like creatures that swarm in enough numbers to strip the skin and muscles right off of your bones in an instant."
At that, Tali's eyes widened. "Keelah! What kind of a world did you live on?"
"A harsh one. However, when we won the war, we didn't have to deal with that anymore. We've earned our peace or happy ending or whatever. Now we have to ensure you earn yours as well."
Getting up, Marcus looked at Tali and said, "Mark my words, Tali, things are going to get much fucking worse than they are right now. My advice when that time comes, is to look to your friends and your family to get you through those times. Trust your guts, and don't second guess yourself. You do that, and you'll survive."
Hearing that, Tali noticed that Marcus sounded a lot like her father, but at the same time, he didn't. Instead, he sounded like a man that had seen horrors that would leave a Turian crying and screaming for their parents, yet had faced those horrors, and had won against all odds. Oddly enough, despite not knowing him that well, Tali felt that, with Marcus around, nothing would be able to harm her. In addition, she realized that his words had hit a chord inside her heart. Nodding a moment later, she said, "T-thank you, Marcus."
"It's the least I could do," Marcus nodded, having meant every word.
"I'd… I'd best get back to it now. Take care, Marcus."
"Sure thing, kid."
Guest: Thank you.
Hellion117: Yep. Nothing like sawing through a Krogan with a chainsaw bayonet. As for Liara, she'll be fine. I've got something special in store for her.
MarauderPrime12: Yikes indeed.
Guest: Pretty much. Lots of action to go around.
OmegaDelta: Liara is probably going to. As an archaeologist, she's definitely going to wonder how the Serans evolved into the society they were before the Locust Wars started.
edboy4926: After Feros, the team is going to get the full, unabridged story. There might be a chance where that happens. We'll have to wait and see.