Chapter 3 Till the Last

The next few minutes were a slaughter. Every tom dick and harry gain a new vent in their heads. There were a couple dozen of them being shot down the moment they landed from the barricade. Meanwhile the squad at the lower level was waiting for heavier units to place themselves.

Soon the Blood Pack came over and we began to lay down fire on the Krogan and Vorcha. The vorcha were being mowed down faster than they could adapt. While the Krogan went into full charge every heavy weapon was pulled out and we began to bombard them with grenades and rockets. While the Ghost squad targets weak points.

Zaeed was using Incendiary rounds to burn them. While Garrus was using Armor-Piercing rounds to break their head plates. I'm using Warp rounds with my Assault Rifle. They punch through them with little effort. Soon Garm came down from the Barricade and charged. "All units target the Krogan." With that, literal hellfire came down on the Krogan. He barely made it halfway across the Bridge.

After that there was a lull in the fight. Garrus sighs, "It's almost laughable how easy this was. If you hadn't come with your little army, Me and Javian would've been dead by now." I nodded, "Who do you think is next?" He looks through his scope, I do the same. We start to see mechs being placed over the wall.

"Looks like they're sending mechs." I smirked, "EDI can you hack the mechs to join us? Or at least target each other?" "I would need a direct line of sight of each mech. The more there is, the more I can hack. Though it'll take longer." I open the Coms to the entire Squad. "All units switched to Snipers and let EDI use your Optics to hack the Mechs heading our way."

I hear the switching of weapons. Soon every Mech on the bridge starts heading our way but with a different hue in their Optics. Soon the Heavy came and started to fire onto the Eclipses. While every sniper is firing on every Organic Unit. All the while the YMIR mech was slowly making its way to our side of the bridge.

Zaeed grunts in disappointment, "This is too easy, it almost takes the fun out of it." I hear an agreement from Jacob. "Don't worry, we'll find better battles in the future." I turned to Garrus, "You think we can get through now?" He nods, "All that remains is the Blue Suns though they have a gunship. Last time they used it I managed to bring it down."

"It's most likely fixed by now. EDI can you hack the Gunship?" "Not in the Timeframe of the next encounter or if you manage to keep one of the Mechs optics on it. The only way forward is to destroy it. Or disable it." I nodded and switched to disruptor ammo, Everyone else did the same. The hounds began to spread out amongst us and create a Tech Armor and Fortifications on us.

Suddenly the Gunship appeared and began to fire one us. I manage to push Garrus out of the way. Everyone fired at the ship while the Blue Suns came across the bridge. I got up and shot at the Merc Gang. Jacob, Zaeed and Garrus, fire at the group with me while the mechs focus on the gunship. Soon the Gunship stutters and crashes into the bridge.

The Batarian leader got out and gained a new Vent in his head. We waited for new enemies till we figured it was all cleared. "All Mechs gather the Armor, weapons and Wrist Omni-Tools on the bridge. EDI, have the shuttles make their way here." "Of course Shepard."

I turned to see Javian leaning onto Miranda. "Did we win?" Garrus nods, and takes his other arm. "Let's get you out of here." I turned on the Com again. "EDI Contact various scavenger groups and ask for help here." "Acknowledged."

About an hour later we now have several million credits. Plus new mechs I contact Ken and Gab to begin doing the same thing that I did to the Original Group of mech. Not to mention to go into markets and buy up the armor/weapons and tech that they can get their hands on.

We sold half of the Armors of each of the Gangs. But we keep the other half to be spray painted and redesigned as ours. Though a few of them will be broken down to make more of our own armors and weapons. The Omni-Tools were sold off after we cleaned them out of data. Now we are heading to the Quarantine District to help them.

After a bit of Negotiation we were allowed to enter. Unfortunately I had to have just Miranda, Jacob, Zaeed and Garrus. Still a better position than before but would've been if I had the full army. "May I ask why I'm walking into a plague infested complex?" I shrugged at Garrus. "Cause you're one of my best friends and you'll follow me to hell and back?"

He shakes his head. "You need better friends." I chuckled, we came across burning bodies. Zaeed grunts, "Plague Control 101, Burn the virus out." I see the batarian, "Of course, *cough cough* Humans send a virus and then come to pick the dead clean." I gave him a dose of medigel, "W-what?" I shake my head.

"I'm looking for Mordin Solus, I'll need you to stay here for a bit while I go ahead and clear the way." He stares after me, while we move forward. I got out the Avenger and put on the Armor-Piercing. Everyone did the same to various elements. Within a matter of minutes got into a number of fights. With the remainder of Blue Suns and Blood Pack.

We didn't stop for anything. In the game there was no time limit, so you could explore a bit. But here and now people need our help. We picked up several things though. One of them being a flame-thrower and the other being Krogan Grave-hammer. I gave the Thrower to Zaeed and the Hammer to Jacob. Mostly due to the fact that he is wearing an exo-suit.

Finally we made it to Mordin's Clinic, I turned to the guy at the door. "Is Mordin in?" He nods, "Yeah, though keep your weapons holstered. We don't want any trouble." I nodded and headed inside of the Clinic. I looked around and went to the back.

He immediately turned and came towards us. "Turian, Mercenary, slight infection from pathogen. Simple immune-booster should clear that up. Now who are you? Here to clear out the District? No, need more troops, Not part of any known mercenary groups, sent to clear out the Vorcha? Vorcha is a symptom not the problem. Could you be working Cerberus?" I nod, He continues before I could speak.

"If Cerberus is here to help the humans, why have a Turian? Branching out? Seems unlikely, unless looking for recruits, Only possibility.. Are you here to recruit me?" I nod again, "Yes but let's fix this place up first. You have a cure I presume." He smiles, "Yes of course, right here." He hands me several vials.

"You need to take them to the Filter System at the District System life support." Just as he said that the air goes off. "Best hurry, also my assistant, Daniels, is out there hoping to help people." I nodded and we moved out. Like entering the district we didn't stop till we heard some commotion in a room.

"You were trying to infect us with the virus. I can see those vials!" He struggled with his grip. "No, they hold the cure. I came here to help you." The batarian snarls, "Maybe we start by cutting a finger or two. That'll get you talking." We walked up on them. They turn towards us and the 'leader' points his pistol at the Assistant.

"Who the hell are you?" I raised my hands, "I'm here to stop the Virus. But I'm also not gonna let you torture someone. You can walk away, Head to Mordin's Clinic to help them." He looks at his companions, "You'd just let us leave?" I nodded, "As long as you don't hurt him or the People of the Clinic."

They lower their weapons, "Okay, we'll go. We didn't want this." I stepped aside and let them pass. I then turned to Daniels. "You're gonna give me those vials and head back to Mordin." We looked shocked, "Are you really trying to stop this?" I nod, "Here then, Please hurry I don't know how long the District can handle this Infection."

We let him go as we forced our way to the Life support system. There were a lot of Vorcha. They turned to you. "Rargh! You no be here! Air chokes you! Need kill you!" I shrugged and opened fire on him. With one of my shots hitting the Fuel tank on his back. He exploded seconds later.

We got into cover, "Zaeed, Jacob go down the left corridor, Miranda and Garrus go to the right." I popped off a few more rounds into a brave Vorchy. "I'm going to transfer the cure into the main vent drive. Move it!" burst from the cover and Ran hard to the end of the Hall. I see a number of filters. I removed them so I can put in the cure.

I then put them back, because I guaranteed that they won't start till they are back in place. I then get tagged by shoot. I turn to see a small pack of Vorcha heading my way. I get behind some cover, and start popping heads left and right. One managed to get close enough to swipe at me.

I grabbed his hand and stabbed into his brain, with the Omni-Blade. I broke the piece off and shot another one getting close. I dropped the body and suddenly the air started to flow again. The Vorcha pack left in a hurry. I see the rest of the Squad coming up on me.

"Let's get back to Mordin. I think we're done on Omega for now." Miranda scoffs at that. We went back the way we came and since there weren't any wandering combatants we made it to the clinic in record time. Once there we heard Mordin departing with some last minute advice to Daniels.

"How can you say that?! You're a Doctor, you believe in helping people." Mordin continues to pack his things. "Lots of ways to help people. Sometimes you need to suture an artery, other times it is to cut the Cancer out." He turns to Daniels, "Go on, Think on what I said."

"You ready to join a Suicide Mission?" He blinks for a moment, "Of course, I've contacted your ship. They said that you're going after the Collector. Good enough reason I think." I nodded and raised my hand to shake his. He takes it, with a smile. "Let's get you out of here Professor."

15 minutes later

I now back down in the hangar bay. Working on more of my Mech troops. Ken and Gab were back up in the Engine Deck. And EDI got to use one of the bodies to help me. "Maybe we should get you a dedicated body EDI. You can come out with us." She spoke through my Tool.

"I'm not sure that would be possible. Though there is nothing stopping me from doing so, I fear what would happen if The Illusive Man found out." I shrugged, the armors that we've picked up have been painted and are now out on the new Mech. I based them on the N7 Armor. "Hm, EDI Have we made a designation yet?"

"No Shepard, we are near Omega at the moment." I think for a moment, "Let's head for our next recruit, Okeer." "Of course Shepard. Joker has been notified. Estimated time: 7 hours." I nodded and started working again.

After a couple of hours I went up to my Cabin to shower and sleep. My dreams were… Different from what I'm used to. Nor was it the Dark Forest of ME3. It was the hospital room that I was dying in, Or died in to be more accurate. Then I looked out to see a Purple Sun.

I woke up after only 4 hours? "Hey EDI, Is there a doctor on the ship? Besides Mordin?" "Yes, Doctor Chakwas is in her medical lab right now. I will alert her of your coming." I nodded and put on light clothes. "Thanks EDI. Oh, do you get paid?" "No I do not. As I am an Object and not a real Person."

I grimace at that, "I'm going to give you a paycheck. You need to be able to get things you like." "If that is your wish. I'll file a request with Operative Lawson." Okay I make my way to the Crew Quarters. It was a bit empty. Guess it's night on the ship. The Med Bay was on and Chakwas turned to me. "I was wondering when you would come to see me."

I smiled at her and went to hug her. "Oh Shepard, I'm glad you're back." I let her go and we sat down. "How've you been Doc?" She arches an eyebrow, "How've you been? Shepard… John, you were dead? Not only that, you've been in a near constant battle. Are you doing alright?"

I stared at her for a good minute, "I don't know, How do you survive a Death Experience? How do you deal with it? I don't know. But I'm not going to waste it." She looked at me with sad eyes. "You didn't waste your first life. And I doubt you'll waste this one."

"I have a few regrets, Karin. My life has been nothing but a fight. First when I was a kid on earth. Then at Elysium, and finally Saren. There was a chance then to fall in love with Liara. But I thought of the Mission first. Kept her and everyone else on a Professional level." I sighed and leaned back.

She leans back too, "Would you do things over if you could?" I gave a humorless chuckle, "Probably not. That's the thing about regrets, It's things that you could've done better. But you can't." I stood up and prepared to leave before she pulled me into a hug. "You're not alone John, If you need someone to talk to I'm here."

I gave her a squeeze, "Thank you." I went back down to the Hangar Bay. I was surprised that the rest of the Mechs have been upgraded and are now standing at attention. "EDI did you continue after I left?" "Yes Shepard, I felt it prudent to finish the project that you started." I also notice that there are now more Dog-Bots.

"How many do we have now?" "Now have 34 Upgraded LOKI Mechs and 17 Upgraded FENRIS mechs." I looked at them. "Split them up in teams of 4, Give them each a 'Rank' in the squad as well as a unit as a whole. Make 15 of them patrol the ship at least station on each deck. Same with the Fenris Mechs."

They start to move, "Oh give them Submachine guns and Shotguns. Make sure that they are light and have plenty of Ammo." "Right away Shepard." I think for a moment and find that the Originals are still standing there, as well as few others. They were wearing regular armor of the Gangs. Though they were painted in the Colors of the N7. Though the N7 Strip was replaced with the Cerberus symbol. I looked at the stationed YMIR mechs. "EDI How does the Heavy Gun and Launcher on the YMIRs work?"

"They work similarly as the old style weapon only instead of shooting Small pieces of the Metal Block, It shoots larger 'Chunks.'" I stared at them for a minute or two. "How long till we make it Korlus?" "2 hours and 30 minutes. If you wish to upgrade the YMIR you'll need more time." "We'll do that after this mission. But for now, I'll need help taking apart the gun on one of them. Try to shrink it down a bit and make it foldable."

For the rest of the time EDI and I made a new Heavy weapon. The Portable Heavy Machine Gun. Also I found out that Jacob took some initiative and researched his own weapons. Such as the Avalanche, the Arc projector, and the Blackstorm. As well as various other weapons. Not only that he's been making doubles of special weapons.

Though he is still working out how to make the Cain. Soon we we're nearing Korlus, I had Zaeed put on the Newly made Terminus Armor. Said he doesn't need The 'Boost.' I said I wanted him to carry the M-490. He took one look at it and gave me a savage grin.

Meanwhile Garrus manages to get his own armor up and ready, along with Javian. Whose taking a liking to the fact now that he has a new goal. He was wearing his own armor, And checking his Tool for bugs. "Hey Captain, We're entering Korlus space. Best get into the Shuttle.. Er shuttles." I nod, "Thanks Joker. Be sure not to fracture your finger trying mute my new friend." "Oh it's your 'NEW' friend now? I see how it is."

Everyone was using the best equipment that they believed they needed. However I made sure that everyone was carrying a heavy weapon. I was rocking the Mattock, the Phalanx, the Scimitar, the Incisor and the Tempest. I'll be taking out the HMG-420. Yes I dubbed it the 420, cause it'll light you up.

We got on the shuttles and they took off to the planet below.