Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Warhammer/Mass Effect crossover.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback that I received in the last chapter. I greatly appreciate it.
Here comes the last part of the first Omega story arc for this crossover. All I have to say is that there's a lot of action that's going to go down in this chapter.
As always, leave a review and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Warhammer or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, Games Worshop, etc. Any material not 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.
Omega
Archangel's Hideout
053.185.M3
Shepard couldn't believe his eyes, not at first anyways. Archangel, the very man that he'd come to recruit, was his longtime friend, Garrus Vakarian. "Garrus!" Shepard beamed as he embraced the Turian in a tight hug. Stepping back, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
Garrus smiled, though it was clear from the air of weariness around him that he'd been through a lot. "Just keeping my skills sharp. A little target practice."
"You OK?"
"Been better, but it's sure good to see a friendly face. Killing mercs is hard work, especially on my own." Looking up, he spotted Tyrellus and merely nodded, piquing Tyrellus' interest.
"You are familiar with this xeno, Shepard?" he asked.
"Yes," Shepard replied. "Tyrellus, this is Garrus Vakarian. He was one of the first people to join us when we went to stop Saren from bringing the Reapers back. He was more than eager to come along."
"Who wouldn't if they were in my position?" Garrus nodded. "Saren was a traitor to the Council, and a disgrace to my people." Looking at Tyrellus, he said, "Also, your boss was helping me out."
That got Tyrellus' attention. "You saw the Emperor of Manind? The very Emperor I pledged my life and service to?"
"I think so," Garrus nodded. "I was getting some sleep when this big human in gold armor appeared in a dream that I had. He said that betrayal would come from within my group, and that one of his son's children would be coming with Shepard to rescue me. He also had me deliver a message to you and Shepard; I don't know how, but he said it would come when you arrived."
Just as he said this, Garrus' eyes began to glow a gold-white color before he looked directly at the Space Marine. Moments later, when he spoke, he sounded as though two voices were speaking at once, with his voice being mixed with that of an imperious and powerful leader. "Marcus Tyrellus. I have heard your worries and concerns through the Warp. Fear not; as I have said before, you will not be alone in your quest to help Shepard and his allies. Others will come to help you as well."
Turning to Shepard, Garrus, still delivering the message the Emperor had imprinted into his mind, said, "Shepard, you need not doubt the truth of Tyrellus' origins. He is a servant of mine, sent to you in order to help you defeat the Darkness that seeks to destroy your galaxy. Heed his council, for he has been through far more than you will experience in your lifetime. Remain true to your nature, and you will be victorious." With that, Garrus's eyes returned to their normal color, while he fell back onto the crate he'd been sitting on.
"You OK?" Shepard asked. The sight of his friend's eyes glowing that color had been unnerving. Part of him wondered if the Emperor had actually been controlling Garrus for those brief few moments.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Garrus replied, his breath coming in short, shallow, gasps. "Spirits, that... that was nothing like what I was expecting."
"What the hell was that?" Miranda asked, clearly shocked.
"I'd like an explanation as well," Zaeed agreed. "That was some really creepy shit right there."
"A message from the Emperor Himself," Tyrellus explained. "I will not pretend to know how He does it. All that I know is that, when He wishes to, He sends messages and visions to those important to his plans so that they may complete them to the fullest." Turning to Shepard, he asked, "Do you doubt my origins anymore, Shepard?"
"Not anymore," Shepard agreed. "That was way too surreal to be anything else. I'm sorry if I doubted you earlier."
"You need not cry for my pardon. I would have been just as skeptical were I in your position." Looking at Garrus, he asked, "So, how did you come here to this criminal infested Hive Station? To purge the criminals of this place in the Emperor's name?"
Garrus, who'd now fully recovered, said, "I got fed up with all the bureaucratic shit on the Citadel. Figured I could do more good here. At least I don't have to look far to find criminals. All I have to do is point my gun and shoot."
Shepard, curious as well, asked, "How'd you manage to piss off every major merc organization in the Terminus Systems?"
"It wasn't easy," Garrus admitted. "I really had to work at it. I'm just amazed that they all teamed up to fight me. They must really hate me."
"Since when did you start calling yourself 'Archangel?'"
"It's a name the locals gave me for… all my good deeds. I don't mind it, but please… it's just Garrus to you."
"You nailed me and Tyrellus a few times back there."
"Concussive rounds only, no harm done. Didn't want the mercs to get suspicious."
"Uh huh."
"If I really wanted to do more than take your shields down, I'd have done it. Besides, you were taking your sweet time. I needed to get you moving."
"Well, we got here," Shepard nodded. "I don't think getting out will be that easy, though."
"No, it won't," Garrus nodded. "That bridge has saved my life… funneling all of those witless idiots into scope. However, it works both ways. They'll slaughter us if we try to get out that way."
"So, we just sit here and wait for them to come at us?" Miranda asked.
"It is our only course of action," Tyrellus countered. "We hold a strong position here, and we can destroy any of those fools that dare challenge us."
"Tyrellus is right," Garrus nodded. "It's not all that bad. This place has held them off so far, and, with the three of you. I say we hold this location, wait for a crack in their defenses, then take our chances. It's not a perfect plan, but it is a plan."
"How'd you let yourself get into this position?" Shepard asked.
"As I said earlier, Tyrellus' Emperor warned me of betrayal from within my team. I managed to get most of them away. Still, I let my feelings get in the way of my better judgment. It's a long story, so tell you what: you get me out of here, and I'll tell you the whole damned thing."
"If we fight as a team, we'll hold them off."
"Your right. Their numbers won't help them in here anyways. Let's see what they're up to." Aiming his rifle out towards the barricades, Garrus frowned. "Hhmm. Looks like they know their infiltration team failed." Tossing the rifle to Shepard, he said, "Take a look. Scout mechs. Eclipse equipment."
Looking for a moment, Shepard said, "That's a lot more than just scouts."
"Indeed. We'd better get ready. I'll stay up here; I can do a lot of damage from this vantage point. You… you can do what you do best. Just like old times, Shepard." Turning to Tyrellus, Garrus said, "Thanks to your Emperor, I know how you Space Marines operate. You'll take the lowermost window and hammer any that get past me and Shepard. Do what you do best."
"I will send them all to the Emperor to be judged in the fires of His wrath," Tyrellus agreed. "Not one of them shall survive!" As he turned to leave, he said, "Also, Garrus, those fools are using explosives to dig tunnels to the base."
"S'kak," Garrus snarled. "Well, they had to use their brains eventually. If they do, there's a door beneath the stairwell. Once they break through, you'll have to shut the shutters to keep them out. Now, time to focus on the Eclipse. Let's give these bastards everything we've got!"
With that, Shepard got into position with Garrus, equipping his Viper SR as he did so. Motioning to Zaeed, he said, "You stick with me. Miranda, go with Tyrellus. Your biotic capabilities will help him more than you and I."
"On it," Miranda nodded. With that, she and Tyrellus proceeded downstairs, while Shepard and Zaeed remained with Garrus. Reaching the lower level, which had a window looking towards the bridge. Tyrellus knelt onto a knee and raised his Bolter Rifle to his shoulder, targeting systems in his helmet activating.
As he did so, the LOKI mechs advanced. Miranda could hear the loud, howling roar of Tyrellus' Bolter Rifle as he began to mercilessly tear into the mechs with single, precise shots. Shells wider than her thumb landed on the ground next to her, while she used her biotics to damage the mechs armor, not that he needed it anyways. None of the mechs made it to their position.
Then the mercs themselves came along to have a go at the team. The first one to advance has his barriers taken down by Garrus, while Shepard blasted apart that merc's head. Zaeed also killed another merc with Shepard's help, though it was clear the mercs were in enough numbers to make it to Tyrellus and Miranda.
None of them got past the two, however. The Bolter Rifle roared as Tyrellus blasted apart any mercenary that was foolish enough to come within line of sight. A Salarian screamed as a bolt tore into his chest before exploding, while a human merc screamed as he looked at the stump that used to be his right arm, before his misery was ended by another bolt to the head.
Miranda had to admit, the sight of Tyrellus blasting apart the mercs with such cold precision was enough to turn her stomach. I won't give him the satisfaction of turning away from my job, she thought. Besides, I don't think his 'Emperor' would appreciate that, even though I'm still skeptical of him.
Eventually, they had burned through enough mercs for Jaroth to get irritated. "If you want something done properly…" he growled. Keying the remote for the YMIR, he said, "Alright, let's see how you handle this, Archangel!" With a command, a mobile crate drone dropped off the YMIR, with the mech powering up moments later.
"Damnit!" Garrus snarled. "They're bringing out the heavy mechs."
"That problem should take care of itself," Shepard reassured his friend. Sure enough, instead of firing on the team, the YMIR began to assault the mercenaries, blasting some apart, while shredding others to bloody ribbons.
"Hah!" Tyrellus roared as he saw the sight, his laughter deep and loud as it echoed in the house. "The Machine Spirit inside of that machine has turned on the real foe!" Even Miranda had to admit, the sight of the YMIR turning on it's Eclipse owners was funny, in a dark and ironic way.
"Damn you, Archangel!" Jaroth roared, his mouth foaming with rage. "I'll kill you myself!" With that, he jumped over the barricade, weapon in hand as he advanced. Blowing up the YMIR, which had already taken damage, he advanced forwards, only to hear a loud, howling roar.
The next thing he knew, he was lying on his back, with his lower torso twelve feet away from him, while his upper body had, somehow, landed closer to Archangel's base. Looking up, he watched as the massive armored human he'd seen earlier came forwards, and lifted it's foot. Moments later, Jaroth knew pain like never before, then everything went black.
Tyrellus barely even noticed the blood splattering his armor's sabaton as he crushed the Salarian's head like a rotten watermelon. "I consign thee to the Warp, and to the Emperor," he intoned. "May He judge you for your crimes in the fires of His wrath." Looking up to see the rest of the Eclipse mercs running away, he said, "Look! The fools flee in terror upon seeing the fate of their leader!"
"Looks like that's all of them," Garrus reported. "Everyone, regroup." Hearing that, everyone quickly moved to regroup with Garrus.
"You were kicking ass, Shepard, as well as you, Tyrellus. They barely even touched me, and we got Jaroth in the process. I've been hunting that little bastard for months."
"Why were you after him?" Shepard asked.
"He's been shipping tainted ezzo all across Citadel space. Half the goods I seized back at the Citadel when I worked for C-SEC came from his team here on Omega. I took a big shipment out a little while back and killed his top lieutenant in the process. I'm not surprised he decided to work with the other mercs after that."
"We've still got Blue Suns and the Blood Pack left," Shepard noted. "Think we can make a break for it?"
"Unlikely," Tyrellus frowned. "There is still far too many for a safe retreat. If we move now, we will be slaughtered like a regiment of Guardsmen sent to hunt Tyranids."
"I agree," Garrus nodded. "Let's see what they're up to." Looking out over the bridge, he said, "They've reinforced the other side… heavily. But they're not coming over the bridge yet. I wonder if they're doing what Tyrellus said they would." Just as he said this, there was a rumble as something exploded, and an alarm began to blare.
"What the hell was that?!" Miranda asked.
"It would appear as though their digging teams are done," Tyrellus remarked. "Garm even said as much. His team would go after the Eclipse had their chance. I believe they were the ones digging."
"Sounds about right," Garrus nodded. "I'll keep the bridge clear, Shepard. You and the others better get down there."
"Let's split up. Keep one of my team here with you."
"You sure? Who knows what you'll find down there?"
With that in mind, Shepard made his choice. "Tyrellus. Stay here and keep Garrus company."
"I shall guard him as though he was a fellow battle-brother," Tyrellus nodded. "Let the enemies of Man come! We will be the wall upon which they shall shatter themselves!"
"Thanks, Shepard. You'd better get going. You remember what I told Tyrellus?"
"Yes. Behind the stairwell is a door that leads into the basement. Once I'm down there, there'll be shutters I have to close."
"Correct. Get going, now!" With that, Shepard and the others left, while Tyrellus remained with Garrus. "Can you hit something at a distance with that?"
"Never doubt the war fighting capabilities of an Adeptus Astartes, Garrus," Tyrellus replied. "I can hit targets easily at the distance they are. I would not be a good Astartes if I could not."
"Just making sure." With that, they hunkered down and got to work firing away.
True enough, the Blood Pack came over the bridge. Vorcha, Krogan and Varren advanced, all of them thirsty for blood, just like the name of their company. Not one of them, however, would walk away from the battle alive.
Tyrellus easily picked off a Varren that was charging for the entrance, the animal being blasted in half by the powerful bolt. Garrus, in return, shot a Vorcha in the head, splattering it's brains all over the ground. One Krogan charged, only to be bisected by another bolt from Tyrellus Bolter Rifle. It wasn't long before shells the width of one of Garrus' fingers were lying on the ground.
"Reloading!" Tyrellus shouted as he dumped an empty mag for a fully loaded one. Loading it quickly, he racked the bolt before taking aim and firing again. Firing, he nailed a few more Vorcha and Krogan.
Hearing a growl behind him, he whirled around to see a Varren charging at him, mouth open as it leaped directly at him. Getting up just as quickly, Tyrellus charged forwards, arm braced for the impact. Within seconds, fifty five kilograms of angry Varren smacked into hundreds of kilograms of Plasteel, Ceramite, Adamantine and determined Space Marine.
The Varren bit down on his armored arm, only for it's teeth to shatter against the ultra-hard materials that composed the armor. In reply, Tyrellus seized the Varren by it's tusks and, with unparalleled brutality, tore it's head cleanly off it's shoulders. Spotting another Varren, he hurled the head of the one he killed at it, knocking it to the ground. Whipping out his Heavy Bolt Pistol, he fired a single shot, killing the Varren instantly.
Turning around, he looked to see Garrus looking at the remains with widened eyes. "Spirits!" he gasped. "I knew from the images the Emperor showed me that you Space Marines were walking tanks, but know I know for certain. You don't mess around at all!"
"Why should we?" Tyrellus asked. "We are His Angels of Death, after all."
Just as he said this, Garrus heard a loud electrical sound, the sound of cutting tools. Running towards the interior window, he spotted sparks flying from the door downstairs. Keying his comm, he said, "Get back here, Shepard! They're coming in through the doors!"
Just as he said this, the doors were forced open. Moments later, Garm, several Vorcha and a few Krogan walked out. "RAAARRRGGHH! Rip them to shreds!" Garm roared.
Just then, one Vorcha was blasted in half. Looking up, Garm spotted Tyrellus, the muzzle of his Bolter Rifle smoking. "I'll kill you first, then I'll kill Archangel," he roared. "Face me, puny human!"
"You will regret ever facing a son of Guilliman!" Tyrellus replied in turn. Putting his Bolt weapons away, he drew out of the scabbard his Chainsword. The motor inside roared to life as he revved it up, the teeth on the sword smoothly moving.
"You have a chainsaw that's a sword?!" Garrus asked. "How come I don't have one of those?!"
"You may get your chance," Tyrellus replied. With that, he charged forwards, moving at speeds only a superhuman being could achieve. Within seconds, he was directly upon Garm.
Garm, seeing the challenge, roared as he swung his shotgun, only for it to be sawn in half by the Chainsword. A Krogan rushing in front of him aimed, only for the Chainsword to bite down into it's flesh. The Krogan screamed as it's organs and flesh were promptly ripped apart by the Chainsword's monomolecular teeth.
More Vorcha and Varren charged, only to be ripped apart by the savage implement of war. Despite his bulk, Tyrellus moved with the grace of a dancer, using only enough energy to cut down each of the offending xenos. Soon, only he and Garm were left.
Rather than admit defeat, Garm charged forwards, a mistake that would cost him his life. Dodging the attack, Tyrellus swung the chainsword, cutting Garm's legs off in the process. Before the Krogan could process what had happened, Tyrellus brought the weapon down. The motor roared as the sword bisected Garm, from the top of his hump, down to the bottom of his crotch. Blood and other bodily fluids splattered the area as the chainsword ended the life of the Krogan.
Moments later, both halves of Garm fell to the floor, steaming as Tyrellus withdrew the blade. Looking up at the balcony, he spotted Garrus staring at him with both eyes as wide as they could go. Hearing another sound, he turned to see Shepard, Zaeed and Miranda coming out.
Shepard's eyes went wide at the carnage, while Miranda, unable to hold her lunch, vomited behind one of the chairs. "Fuck me running," Shepard whistled as Zaeed looked at the carnage with a similarly surprised expression. "Did you do what I think you just did?"
"Of course," Tyrellus nodded, wiping some blood off of the chainsword as he sheathed it. "I used my chainsword to cut him in half. Is there a problem with that?"
"Uh…" Shepard stammered. After a moment he asked, "What would justify that kind of weapon?"
"A Tyranid," Tyrellus replied.
"A what?"
"I will explain more later. Right now, we have work to do." With that, they regrouped with Garrus.
"Spirits, Tyrellus. You Space Marines are the real deal, and you did a nice job killing Garm; this day just keeps getting better and better. He was one tough son of a bitch."
"He said he encountered you before, Garrus. Is that true?"
"Yeah, we tangled once. Caught him alone without his gang to help him. I still couldn't take him out. I've never seen a Krogan regenerate that fast. He's a freak of nature. He just kept at it until his Vorcha showed up. It was close, but I had to let him go. Not this time, thanks to you."
"We've only got the Blue Suns left," Shepard pointed out. "You think we can make a run for it?"
"I think you're right," Garrus nodded. "Tarak's got the biggest group, but nothing we haven't encountered before. Besides, he won't be expecting us to meet him head -" Just as he said this, he spotted the gunship coming in. "Damnit!" he shouted. "I thought I took that thing out already!"
"Do not worry," Tyrellus shouted. "I sabotaged the gunship. It will not be in the air for much longer!"
"They're offloading troops! Watch your back, Shepard!" With that, they quickly got into cover, with the team firing at the Blue Suns troops that were coming directly at them.
"Oh, no!" one of the mercs shouted. "It's that mech! We're dead!"
"Just shut up and shoot!" another shouted. "It can't kill us all!" Just as that merc said that, his head exploded from a bolt.
More mercs came in after them, only to be blasted apart by Shepard and his team. Tyrellus was, by far, the most dangerous combatant. All of the mercs seemed to fix their attention on him rather than the others. Even then, their weapons might as well have been firing spitballs, as their bullets bounced uselessly off his armor.
Spotting movement down below, Tyrellus shifted his aim out the interior window and opened fire. A missile was fired, only to miss when he dodged it with inhuman speed. Firing his Bolt Rifle again, he nailed the offending mercs.
That was when Tarak entered the fight. "Archangel!" he shouted as he fired at Garrus, tearing at the Turian's armor and shields as the Turian quickly got behind cover. "You think you can mess with the Blue Suns?! This ends now!" With that, just as Garrus leaned out of cover to fire, he fired a missile.
Just before it would've hit, Garrus felt someone roughly pull him out of the way, with the missile exploding harmlessly off the wall. Looking at the gunship, Tyrellus shouted, "This ends now, but not for Archangel! You will die, and you will face your judgment in the Warp, foul xeno!"
Just as he said this, it happened. Nestled inside of the gunship, the Melta Bomb's timer reached zero. In an instant, it detonated, sending a small shockwave outward, while the intense heat began to melt vital components inside of the gunship. Metal alloys designed to withstand the stresses of flight melted near-instantly from the intense heat, while electronic components sparked and fried as the heat cooked them. Within another few milliseconds, the intense heat and melted metal breached the fuel compartment for the gunship.
At that moment, the gunship, and it's ordinance, exploded almost simultaneously, sending the gunship into a downward spiral. Tarak only had a few seconds to scream in pure, unadulterated agony, before the gunship exploded again, tearing the enemy vehicle apart. Moments later, the wreckage hit the ground, shattering into a mess of melted and shattered metal.
Shepard, spotting this squinted to shield his eyes. When the light faded, he looked out the window to see the wreckage, which was still burning from the intense heat. "What just happened?" he asked.
"My plan," Tyrellus replied. "I planted a Melta Bomb inside of the gunship itself. The moment it detonated, the intense heat destroyed it's interior and breached it's fuel tanks."
"A Melta Bomb?"
"Think of it as a small, but extremely powerful, incendiary charge that melts through any material it comes into contact with."
"Damn. That's pretty powerful."
"Indeed. A fitting end for a corrupt Xenos like Tarak."
"I agree," Garrus nodded. "I think we ought to get out of here now."
"I'll call the shuttle in," Shepard added. "Tyrellus, remind me not to get on your bad side."
"You will have to try very hard, Shepard."