W.i.t.G
Well, here it is!
The Therum mission... Fighting Geth, and banter in the Mako!
Thank you once again to those of you leaving reviews, favouriting and following the story. I do seriously appreciate it; it's nice to see that people enjoy what I write. So, keep it up guys! :D
Right! We all know I don't own the characters, so I can't get into any trouble for not mentioning that little disclaimer ;D
Onto the story...
It had been a couple of days since the Normandy had embarked from the Citadel, journeying to the Artemis Tau cluster.
Once in the cluster Shepard was informed by Navigator Pressly, the newly appointed XO of the Normandy, that there were four different systems to choose from; one of them was housing the planet that Dr Liara T'Soni resided upon. They were: Athens, Macedon, Sparta and Knossos. Given this crucial information, the commander was tasked with the decision of choosing a system. He did what any good commander would do in the situation:
He simply guessed.
Choosing the Knossos system, the commander had left the rest of the work, such as scanning the system and its individual planets, to the experts; namely Joker and Pressly.
Half an hour later, the commander had been informed that the scan was successful, and that the planet had been chosen.
They were to land on Therum, and extract the good Doctor.
'Not bad for a guess really is it?' Shepard smirked, as he journeyed towards the cargo bay, from the Captain's cabin; his armour now adorned, with his respective attachments in place.
The weight of the armour on Shepard's body was a familiar and welcome feeling. It was a reminder of who he was: He was a soldier. Plain and simple.
This thought had occurred to him once the prospect of being the CO of the ship, and its responsibilities, had begun to settle on the commander shoulders... That, and he had finally been able to procure some standard clothing whilst on the Citadel, and was unused to the feeling of walking around the Normandy without his armour on.
The crew had been quite receptive of the commander's change in apparel; some had even gone to the lengths of complementing the man on how he looked; genuine respectful comments.
It still felt... Weird, however.
'I'll get over it. Just have to get used to the lack of weight on my body is all...'
As the commander continued on his journey, he activated his omni-tool, before sending out a priority message to all of the ground-team members; the message indicated that the commander wished for a meeting in the cargo bay, by the lockers.
Shepard couldn't help the elated feeling he felt as he stood in the elevator, a joyful whistle emanating from his lips as he crossed his arms, waiting for the elevator to complete its action.
Once done, he stepped through the boundary, before scanning his surroundings, looking for the squad members already organised and waiting.
The large marine quietly chuckled at the sight before him:
Stood, in the middle of the cargo bay, was Tali. She was on her own, and was still unarmed... But she had still made it.
Ashley was still over by the weapons bay, not moving over to stand near the Quarian.
'We'll soon correct that situation...' Shepard viciously grinned, as a wicked thought of teasing sped through his mind.
It appeared to Shepard, that Tali had not noticed the man enter the cargo bay; she was simply facing the other way.
Without a moment's hesitation, the commander began to move closer to the lone Quarian. Once near enough, Shepard stood to his full height, his authoritative tone in place, whilst his hands became clasped behind his back.
'This, should be fun.'
When suddenly, the Gunnery Chief decided to turn around at that particular moment, noticing the commander stood behind the oblivious Quarian. Instincts took over for the female marine, as she bellowed whilst coming into a crisp salute:
"COMMANDER ON DECK!"
At this, every crew member presently in the cargo hold, whether they were simply checking the supplies, or were trying to relax, shot up in their own respective salutes, stiff as boards.
'Oh for fucks sake... There goes that plan.' Shepard silently fumed as his plan to try and tease the Quarian woman was now thrown out of the respective airlock.
Tali, at the sound of this order, and noticing the other members of the cargo bay stand straighter, tried to imitate the others, her back became straighter, as her hands tried to mimic the hands of the closest crew member, hands to the sides, with thumbs pointing downwards.
Shepard couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips at the sight of the young woman straighten as she tried to imitate the others. His silent anger at the Gunny's interruption had been replaced with a sense of joy and revelry.
Tali could hear a beautiful sound echo behind her, as she tried desperately to copy what everybody else was doing, unsure as to what was going on.
'Keelah... What's going on?!'
Turning around, Tali was met by another wonderful sight. Chris was stood in front of her, beaming down at her as laughter spilled from his lips. Tali couldn't help the smile that split her lips at the sight, and she began to softly chuckle as well. Chris winked at her before he bellowed out his own reply. She didn't move from her awkward position however:
"AT EASE!"
At this, the other humans in the cargo bay visibly relaxed; they all adopted another pose: their hands clasped behind their backs, and their feet were spread shoulder-width apart.
Tali, was simply baffled.
'What in the name of the Ancestors is going on?'
Tali also tried to mimic this action, spreading her legs a little too far, as she smiled at the man in front of her. Shepard simply chuckled at Tali's antics, before he finished:
"As you were."
Understanding, flood through Tali's mind now.
'They were standing at attention for Chris...'
The humans now relaxed completely from their stances, and were continuing with what they were doing.
'These humans are so strange...' Tali quietly chuckled as she thought back to a memory from her childhood:
The memory was of a formal ceremony back on the Rayya, a rare occurrence, where the Migrant Fleet Marines were in attendance. They had stood in the traditional Quarian military form of attention, their left arms crossed over their chests, as their right arms were bent at a ninety degree angle. The humans had many different military stances, whereas the Migrant Fleet Marines, simply had their own form of attention.
Chris' voice dragged her out of her inner reverie, filling her heart with warmth at the sound and the meaning of his words:
"I'll have to admit Tali... You put most of them to shame there."
'Bosh'tet...' Tali smiled gently at the man, as the Gunnery Chief approached. Once near, Ashley came into a formal stance again, saluting before she spoke up, her voice crisp and clear:
"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams reporting for duty, sir."
Shepard smirked at the Gunny, "Fall in Ashley. We'll wait for the others here."
Ashley nodded, before she visibly relaxed, her stance becoming less rigid, "Aye aye, Skipper."
Shepard smiled at the nickname, speaking up once more, "Skipper? Huh. I kinda like the sound of that. Has a nice ring to it."
Ashley beamed at the man, before she spoke up as well, joy in her voice, "It does, doesn't it Skipper?
Shepard nodded his head in acknowledgement at the woman, before Tali spoke up, her voice quiet:
"I'm sorry, but... What's a 'skipper'?"
Ashley turned around to stare at Tali incredulously, staying silent, whilst Shepard answered her question:
"A 'skipper' is another term for a captain of a vessel. It's an old navy term used by humans."
Tali visibly brightened at this, her tone projecting her new found understanding, "I get it now... That does work. You are the captain after all."
Shepard softly chuckled at this, before he shook his head, "No Tali... I'm just a commander. Not a captain."
Tali stared defiantly back at the man, leaning back on one foot, whilst she crossed her arms, "Are you not the captain of the Normandy?"
"Well... Technically speaking, I guess I am," Shepard meekly replied.
Tali nodded her head, before she spoke, "So therefore, by Quarian standards, you are a captain. You're word on this ship, holds the greatest importance."
"Whatever you say Tali... I'm not arguing with you."
"That's what I thought, Captain." Tali couldn't help the smirk that split her lips as the man went slightly red in the face at the use of the term.
At that moment, the other members of the ground crew appeared, clad in their respective armours.
Wrex, Garrus and Kaidan stopped just before the commander, ready and waiting. Shepard smiled at the lieutenant, to which he was given one in turn. Shepard motioned them to stand in a semicircle in front of him, whilst a holographic display of information became visible from the commanders omni-tool.
Shepard began his explanation, his voice not betraying the enthusiasm he held within him, at the thought of the gifts he had to give them all:
"Now that we're all here, let's begin; the Normandy's approaching Therum as we speak. According to our intel, it's believed that Dr T'Soni is somewhere on this rock. We're here to extract the Doctor, and protect her from enemy forces, if any are located. The first step in the plan is..."
After twenty minutes of talking, Shepard finished his explanation. "Are there any questions as to what we're doing?"
Five shaking heads met Shepard's, to which he responded with a small smile, his voice full of childish glee as he spoke up:
"Well then. I suggest you go and check your lockers for your respective equipment and weapons. Do a final weapons check, and then meet me back here. Dismissed."
Kaidan and Ashley saluted the commander before they walked off to their lockers, the practice instilled into them already. Wrex simply lumbered over at his own pace; Garrus moved swiftly towards his locker, leaving Tali to stand next to Shepard; her fingers engaged in a furious nervous frenzy, as she regarded the captain hesitantly.
"C-Chris, I don't have any weapons." Her eyes fell to the floor, as her shoulders drooped in shame, "I'm really sorry... I should've thought about this." Tali finished meekly.
Chris grinned at the woman, his excitement peaking, "Tali." The Quarian looked up at this address, her body still holding her nervousness and shame. Chris smiled softly now, whilst placing a hand on her shoulder. Squeezing lightly, Shepard began, "It wasn't your fault Tali. You don't have anything to be sorry for. Besides, you should go check out your locker. You know, just in case."
Tali had relaxed immensely at the feeling of Chris' hand on her shoulder, whilst his softly spoken words soothed her nerves, and eased away her feeling of shame. She simply looked up at the man, tears in the corner of her eyes, as she quietly whispered, "Thank you, Chris."
Chris just gave her another warm, comforting smile at this, before he motioned her towards her locker with his hand. Tali hesitantly walked towards her locker, before she stopped and turned around, looking at Chris. He simply chuckled and smiled softly at the woman.
Once Tali had gotten to her locker, the door to the locker opened automatically, to which an automated message came through on her omni-tool. Forgetting to look into her locker, she checked what the message said. It simply read:
"Surprise!"
'What?' Confusion was apparent on Tali's face as she turned around once more to inspect the contents of her locker.
Her jaw dropped behind her mask at the sight.
'Oh, Keelah...'
A huge grin crept onto her lips, as a few little tears began trickling down her cheeks.
'I can't believe what I'm seeing... Did he really get these, for me? He must have done. That bosh'tet...'
Within the locker was: an assault rifle, a Banshee IV; a pistol, a Raikou IV; a sniper rifle, a Striker IV; and a shotgun, a Firestorm V. In addition, a new omni-tool was located within the locker.
Everything was brand new. Everything was better than what she had ever had. And it was all hers...
Tali turned around to try and find Chris, her eyes twinkling with the emotions flooding through her; her heart was simply soaring.
He met her gaze, and simply gave her a wink, before moving over towards the other crew members, who had unveiled their new weapons. Tali could only stare at the weapons presented to her; the weapons in her locker; the weapons she now owned. As cries of joy and thanks were passed around, the different squad members thanking the commander for his gifts, Tali could only hear the thud of her heart beating, as her body was flushed with emotion.
As Tali reached forward to attach her weapons, she switched off her vocaliser, silencing herself from the others.
She silently wept behind her visor.
Tears of joy, once more streaming down her face at the generous and kind actions displayed to her by her saviour.
He had given her more... Something she could only hope to try and repay.
But, by the Ancestors was she determined to do it. She would prove her worth with the new gifts bestowed upon her. She would do her utmost.
Even if that meant her own death, for that of her saviours life.
Of that, she was certain.
Shepard sat in the drivers seat of the Mako, as the other squad members filed in.
Ashley and Kaidan were first, moving towards the back of the armoured carrier. Wrex came next, sitting in front of the Alliance marines, on a bench of his own. Garrus came thereafter, situating himself at the gunner's position, just behind the drivers seat. Tali was the last to get in.
Before she had gotten fully into the Mako, unsure of where she could sit, Shepard spoke:
"Tali, I need you on the diagnostics station up front."
'Where's the diagnostics station?' Tali swivelled her body to face the front, scanning for any available seats. She only noticed the seat at the front, opposite to the drivers seat, but yet fairly close. She smiled softly as the usual bubbly feelings she felt around the large marine began to reappear.
'He even trusts me on the diagnostics! Not to mention I'm sat fairly close to him as well.'
She moved towards the seat, getting herself strapped in; her weapons were comfortably placed on the magnetic strips on her back. The added weight was unfamiliar, but she smiled at the thought of getting used to it.
She turned her gaze towards her captain; her thoughts continued to warm her heart, a soft smile on her lips.
'Oblivious bosh'tet...'
A pang of guilt however, gripped her stomach in an icy-cold grip, as she thought of the money spent on her and the suffering of her people:
'I don't deserve this treatment...'
"Tali, you ready to go? I need you concentrating on the displays."
The young Quarian woman realised she had been staring at the man, and regained her senses back in reality. Chris was looking back at her, twisted in his seat, a smirk planted on his lips.
Tali smoothly replied however, "Yes Captain. I'm ready to go when you are."
A chuckle could be heard from the larger man as he turned his body to face his controls, flipping a switch at the same time.
All that could be heard in the back of the Mako was the confused voice of Alenko as he spoke up:
"Did she just call the Commander, Captain?"
It was Garrus that replied to the lieutenant, "She did. And I have no idea why..."
Wrex just grumbled as he tried to get himself comfortable, "Probably a Quarian thing."
The comm buzzed within the Mako as Joker's voice filtered through, putting an end to any conversation within the APC.
"Joker here, Commander."
Shepard was quick to respond, "Joker, are we near the drop zone?"
The reply was immediate, "Yes sir. Shall I open the bay doors?"
"Do it."
At this, the massive cargo bay doors lowered, and the red skies of Therum were visible.
Tali began to look at the external sensors on her monitors, confusion and panic beginning to grip her body.
'What's going to happen? We are landing, right? Right?!'
"Drop-zone right below Commander! Have fun!"
"Copy that Joker. Shepard out."
Shepard switched the comm off before turning to face the others. When he spoke, a tone of childish enthusiasm laced his words while his countenance displayed a slight madness:
"Is everybody ready for this?!"
Wrex grunted his approval; Garrus' eyes went wide with fear, unsure of what was happening; whilst Kaidan and Ashley gave a loud "OORAH!"
Tali looked at Shepard, her eyes wide with panic as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly, "S-Shepard... What's going on?"
Shepard smiled widely at the woman, before he replied, "You'll see!"
With that, the Mako screamed forward out of the cargo bay, and was sent hurtling out of the Normandy, plummeting towards the planet below.
Tali held onto her seat for dear life; her eyes went wide with fear, as she shrieked in terror. Garrus was doing something similar, except his eyes were squeezed shut, and instead of shrieking, he was swearing in what could only be his native tongue.
Ashley was hollering with joy, whilst Kaidan was heartily laughing; Wrex remained silent as he simply looked forward; not fazed in the slightest by the drop he was experiencing within the Mako.
Tali launched a hand out as the Mako began to speed up, hoping to clasp onto something.
Her hand intertwined with another, five fingers melding with three, as she involuntarily clasped her hand with Chris'.
Her body surged with heat, as her fear abated in his presence. Looking across, she couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the man simply leaning back against his chair, almost as if he was dozing off. It was as if Chris hadn't even realised she had done it. He made no movement, simply lying still.
Because of the seats being so close together, the others couldn't see this action. Tali let go of Shepard's hand eventually, and the Quarian relaxed within the APC.
On the way down, Tali's hand tingled with the contact she had felt with the man, whilst the smile on her lips spread.
Tali's fear had been taken care of, due to the actions of her saviour once more. He seemingly hadn't been aware of it, but he had still helped her; once again.
'Shame Garrus doesn't have the same...' Tali smirked behind her visor at the thought.
The Mako got closer to the ground before Shepard leaned forward, and with the simple touch of a few buttons, decelerated the velocity of the Mako, as well as adjusting its angle of trajectory.
The thrusters on the Mako kicked in before it touched the ground, stabilising the impact to some extent. The crew were still jostled, but were no worse for wear.
Shepard stopped the Mako, before swivelling round in his chair once more:
"Everybody good?"
Grunts of approval by some of the passengers met Shepard's ears, whilst others voiced their opinions:
"That was awesome! Let's do that again!" Ashley couldn't contain her excitement.
"I'm alright Captain. Thank you for asking."
The funniest response however, one that made Shepard chuckle, was Garrus':
"Spirits curse you, Commander... I think I'm going to be sick..."
Shepard barked out a laugh, before starting the Mako up once more.
"Good! That's what I like to hear!"
The Mako moved off, across the red, dusty plains of Therum; the landscape barren, akin to the landscape of Mars, with the squad all seemingly ready for any dangers ahead.
When Navigator Pressly had given the information on Therum to Shepard, the commander had seriously underestimated the advice.
'It's a "hot" environment my arse... I'm roasting in this armour!' Shepard silently grumbled as the Mako rolled across the rocky ground, narrowly avoiding yet another pool of molten hot lava.
They had been journeying for only five minutes, with nobody saying anything within the Mako.
That is, until Joker buzzed on the intercom:
"Commander, I'm picking up some strange readings..."
Shepard sighed in irritation. Not because of Joker, but simply because he was sick of Therum already.
Speaking up, Shepard tried to keep his voice neutral, "How strange, Joker?"
"Like, off the damn charts strange! That strange!" Joker exclaimed, before his voice turned more serious, "It looks like it's coming from an underground complex; a few klicks away."
Shepard perked up at this, as his objective was made clearer, "Copy that Joker. Send the coordinates. We've found our destination."
"Aye aye, Commander. Joker out." With that final statement the comms cut out, leaving the Mako in silence once more.
The coordinates were sent to the Mako's on board computer, which were then sent to Tali's screen. Shepard piped up, as Tali inspected the information, "Tali, could you put that into the navigation system for me please?"
Tali cheerfully replied, happy that Chris had a task for her, "Of course, Captain."
Shepard simply chuckled, as he softly muttered to himself, "I don't know if I'm going to get used to that..."
Tali smirked behind her visor, already knowing the answer:
'You haven't got much of a choice, Captain.'
Once the coordinates were inputted, a synthetic voice rang out within the Mako:
The on-board VI.
"Destination within four point two miles. Continue straight ahead, and at the second rocky out-cropping, take a left; then, continue straight for four hundred yards."
Shepard simply stopped the Mako, and looked towards Tali's screen. Everybody watched their commander, as the large marine spoke to the VI:
"Well that's not going to fucking happen any time soon. There's a pool of lava right in front of us."
True to Shepard's word, on the external cameras, fifty yards ahead was a giant lake of molten lava.
Kaidan could only whisper his surprise to Ashley, as he tried to keep the humour out of his voice. "Is the Commander getting angry at the navigation VI?"
Ashley was struggling in maintaining her serious composure, so she simply nodded her head.
Wrex was still as serious as ever, but was checking his 'shotgun' to make sure the attachments that Shepard had given him were fully functioning.
Garrus tried to stifle a snigger, whilst Tali, as serious as Shepard, spoke up next to him:
"What shall we do, Captain?"
Shepard exhaled heavily, releasing the tension in his body, before in a slightly more cheerful tone, he replied, "Don't worry Tali... I'll improvise."
"Yes, Captain..." Tali quietly said as the commander started up the Mako once more.
The Mako remained momentarily quiet whilst Shepard began to drive.
The commander had driven over towards the side of the lava lake, before the VI had spoke up once more, its monotone voice piercing the silence in the Mako:
"Make a U-Turn when possible."
Shepard simply growled in frustration as he started to drive around the lava.
Garrus was snickering quietly now, whilst the two Alliance marines were chuckling amongst themselves. Tali was just keeping herself under control, squeezing her fingers together in an effort to not laugh at her saviour being mocked by a navigation VI.
It was what came next, that truly set her giggling off.
Shepard was approaching a curve, with lava on both sides, when the VI spoke once more. "Incorrect path taken. Make a U-Turn when possible. Current route is not viable. A U-Turn is required."
Shepard sped up in the Mako, making it around the curve, whilst trying to ignore the repeated blaring of the VI. After five monotonous cycles of the same sentence, the human spectre's patience had left him.
Just as the VI was about to speak again, Shepard roared in anger at the Mako's internal computer screens.
"Oh will you just fuck off, for the love of God!"
Everybody was silent.
Then, as silence ensued for a few moments, the VI spoke up once more:
"Bare left."
Everybody in the Mako, excluding Shepard, began laughing. Even Wrex found the situation comical, giving a short chuckle. Laughter rang out in the small space of the APC, as Shepard quietly muttered:
"This is going to be a long mission..."
The Mako continued for a few minutes afterwards, the laughter of the squad dying down to a low murmuring chuckle at their commander's frustration.
It was Tali however that spoke up, her voice holding a panicked tone, "Shepard! I've lost my display. It's only showing static!"
Garrus spoke up at this as well, his voice not as panicky as Tali's; it still held a wariness however, "Same here, Commander. The screens are dead."
'Just great. The VI decides to play up, and now the tech isn't working properly. Does anything else want to break down?' Shepard mentally face-palmed as his own navigation displays cut out as well.
The commander was now driving without any additional assistance.
Suddenly, a loud droning noise could be heard above the Mako.
There were quiet murmurs from the squad members, worrying about what the noise was.
Shepard however, continued to drive forward, the blast shields on the windows now open, to allow for a better view.
The droning noise grew closer, until it suddenly cut off.
Silence reigned in the area for a moment, with the only sound coming from the crunch of the Mako's wheels against the rocky ground of Therum.
A screeching sound pierced the silence, and a large purple object was sent hurtling towards the road in front of the Mako.
Shepard shouted out a warning whilst he applied the brakes on the Mako, "Hold on!"
The Mako slid to a stop, just before the large purple object. Everybody held their breaths, not speaking in the slightest.
The large purple object began to unfold in front of the Mako, revealing what appeared to be a gigantic violet metallic machine that was supported by four large legs. The head of the machine leaned down towards the Mako, a light glowing from within its head-piece.
The sound of a charging mass effect generator could be heard from the machine, and Shepard's instincts kicked in.
Shepard slammed the Mako into reverse, as he bellowed out his orders, "Garrus, fire at will! Tali, I need a shield boost now! The rest of you, hold on!"
As the Mako rolled backwards at great speed, a glowing projectile impacted the ground the Mako had previously been parked on; chunks of ground were sent flying up into the air, and a haze of red dust surrounded the area.
Tali spoke up now, her voice laced with worry, "It can't see us Shepard. We could retreat to safety!"
Shepard viciously smiled as he slammed the Mako forward, "Fuck that! Hold on!"
Everybody held their breaths as the Mako rocketed towards their unknown enemy.
All that could be seen in the area was the scanning head of the purple machine, seemingly confused as to where its enemy had gone. Suddenly, through a cloud of red dust, the Mako launched towards the side of the machine.
It had no time to react.
The APC impacted the machine at full force, hitting its legs on its right hand side. The sound of metal crashing into metal could be heard, as the Mako came to a stop, the force being expelled into the machine. As the machine toppled over, the Mako reversed to a safe distance, to which, the door of the Mako swung open.
It was Shepard who got out first; he jumped to the ground, a temporary helmet on his head. Tali came towards the door, intent on jumping out as well, until Shepard waved her back inside, "Tali, stay inside with the others. It's too dangerous!"
At this, a bolt of energy surged past Shepard's form, narrowly missing him. Plasma rounds began to pepper the area, as well as his shield. Shepard spun around to face the being now, and with no hesitation he ran over towards its head, his shotgun now in his hands.
Tali had to make a choice:
Stay where you are, as you have been ordered by your superior.
Or...
Disobey those orders to protect your idiotic bosh'tet of a superior.
Without hesitation, or concern for her own well being, Tali jumped out of the Mako and ran after her saviour, intent on being close to protect him.
Orders be damned.
Her saviour needed her.
Shepard was on top of the machine in no time, with his shotgun being jammed into the rubber-like neck of the creature.
All that could be heard was the silent hiss that emanated from the commander's lips.
"Adiós, you pile of scrap!"
The booming sound of Shepard's shotgun filled the area, along with the electronic warbles; a final death cry from the large machine.
Shot after shot was sent into the creature's neck; pearly white fluid gushed out of its wounds.
Shepard gave the machine a coup de grâce by placing his shotgun barrel against the glass of the machine's optics.
One more round was fired; the optics exploded in a shower of broken glass and electronic sparks. The creature now lay dead at the hands of the spectre.
As Shepard stood atop his prey, his shotgun and chest piece coated in white hydraulic fluid, he noticed a sight he didn't expect.
Tali was stood, only a few metres away from him, her omni-tool aglow.
It was only then that he felt his shields coming back to life. Turning his head in confusion, Tali spoke up; her voice slightly quiet:
"I gave your shields a boost... I thought you might have needed it."
Shepard barked out a hearty laugh before he placed his shotgun onto the magnetic strip in the small of his back.
Moving off of the now lifeless machine, he got closer to Tali before placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into his helmeted visor, finding his eyes behind the toughened glass. Shepard smiled at her, as he gave her shoulder a brief squeeze:
"Thank you, Tali. You saved my life."
Tali was speechless.
And yet... No words were needed to express her happiness and relief.
Her eyes did that, as she gazed towards Chris. Her feelings appearing once more.
Chris moved away from her, and faced the creature. He kicked the metal being in the optics before quizzically inquiring, "So... What the hell is this thing?"
Tali activated her omni-tool and showed her human companion, "It's Geth. Armature class. I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was true, so I didn't say anything. Geth Armatures are some of the best conventional weapons at their disposal."
The large marine nodded his head before he winked at the young Quarian woman, causing Tali's stomach to flutter and her face to erupt in a furious blush.
Chris spoke up, and Tali couldn't help the feelings she got when she heard Chris speak, his voice warm, comforting and... Attractive...
"Well, I don't think the Geth were planning on a crazy human driving an armored personnel carrier into one at full force. It was a miracle we managed to catch it off guard once the dust has been kicked up." The spectre smirked at her, before he gave the Armature one last kick.
He turned around, and began walking back to the Mako:
"Come on Tali. Let's keep moving."
Tali simply followed her saviour at a relatively close pace; her heart and soul soared with the feelings that emerged when she was next to the man.
He may be oblivious, but nobody could stop her from dreaming.
They may just be hopes, but they were her hopes.
The squad had moved towards their objective once more, with no more distractions getting in the way of the Mako's journey.
Luckily for Shepard, the VI had been too badly scrambled from the Armature's cyber-warfare attack against the APC'S systems for it to annoy him any further. The screens were up and working, with other functions coming online as well after the Geth war machine's destruction.
The commander had warned the others that there were Geth on the planet, and that they would eventually encounter enemy resistance. It was simply inevitable.
It didn't faze the squad at all, however.
Rather, it spirited them further into achieving their goals.
Everything was going smoothly... Until a massive enemy outpost blocked off the route in the canyon. The Geth that Shepard had warned them about, had come in force. And they were defending their objective; an opening to the underground complex where Dr T'Soni may be residing.
The Mako sat away from the entrance to the canyon, with just Shepard stepping out to view the surroundings. Shepard had to give Tali a comforting look before he got out; a look that told her he would be fine.
She still wasn't happy about it.
She sat nervously in her seat, her fingers in a frenzy as she watched the external cameras with rapt attention. The cameras however, were solely focused on just Shepard. He was more important in her mind. The other squad members talked amongst themselves whilst Tali simply ignored them, waiting for Chris to get back in the Mako; back to where she could try and keep him safe.
After a period of time, Shepard stepped back into the APC, and sat down in the drivers seat. Nobody said anything to begin with, but it was Kaidan that spoke up for the squad, his tone holding concern and a hint of nervousness:
"Everything alright, Commander?"
Shepard was silent and unmoving for a few moments, before he turned around in his chair, to face the others:
"Yeah. Everything's fine Lieutenant... I just needed to make sure my plan would work."
"What's the plan, Commander?" Garrus spoke up now, his voice expressing his curiosity.
Shepard viciously grinned at the Turian, as he relayed his thoughts and his plan to his squad mates.
Once Shepard had finished explaining his detailed and complex plan, the squad simply sat in silence.
It was Wrex that broke the silence with a short laugh, as he regarded the large human. Wrex smiled a toothy grin as he spoke up, humour and enthusiasm lacing his words:
"Damn, Shepard. I like it. Let's do it!"
Everyone apart from Tali and Kaidan, seemingly agreed with the large Krogan; Shepard regarded each and everyone of them with a nod of his head, and a smile.
Tali just kept looking at Chris, as anger surged through her veins.
Kaidan just didn't like the plan, but accepted it nonetheless.
Shepard just had to ask one more question, and then the operation could commence:
"So, does anybody have any objections to their roles in the plan?"
"No, Commander." Kaidan hesitantly said.
"Negative, Skipper." Ashley said.
"Let's get on with it already, Shepard!" Wrex said as he continued to grin at the man.
"I'm fine with the plan, Commander. No complaints on my end." Garrus said.
"I have an objection." Tali said, as she stared at Chris.
Everyone turned to regard the Quarian, as she continued to look at her captain.
Shepard turned around to face Tali before he spoke, "What's your objection, Tali?"
Tali exploded at this, the anger that swelled within her, pouring forth like water escaping from a dam, "MY OBJECTION?! Who's going to watch over you?! You can't just go out into the open, where you're surrounded by Geth, Geth for Ancestors sake, and not expect to get away unharmed!"
Everybody looked towards the pair, not knowing what to make of the situation.
Chris just stared at the woman, before he replied carefully, "Tali, it's not safe for anybody else to come with me. Wrex will be busy; Ashley and Garrus will be on the hill opposite us and Kaidan will be here in the Mako, with you. I don't need anybody to look after me. I can take care of myself."
Ashley looked as if she was about to object to the Quarian's rant, but Tali rounded on the lieutenant first. "Lieutenant," Kaidan looked directly at Tali now, allowing Tali to continue, "Do you know how to operate the shield controls of the Mako on your own?"
Kaidan stared at the Quarian, understanding what she was trying to do.
The lieutenant spoke up, his voice displaying his confidence and his support for his Quarian squad member:
"Yes, Miss Zorah. I can operate the systems on my own."
Tali nodded her head in satisfaction, before rounding on Shepard.
"That leaves one extra squad member free then. I volunteer to assist you, Shepard."
Shepard looked at Tali dumbfounded.
Ashley now spoke up, "Hang on a minute. If anybody is going with the Commander, into the thick of the fighting, it should be me! I'm a better shot than you are for starters. I'm also a marine!".
Tali didn't back down, however, "Shepard saved my life. It's only right that I assist him in this fight! If I die, and he lives, then so be it! This bosh'tet," Tali jammed a finger in Shepard's direction before speaking again, "Is not going out there on his own. I am going with him. There is no argument."
Tali spoke with such passion in her words, that the commander couldn't help the shivers that were sent down his spine.
'She sounds just like... Just like Lucy used to...'
Ashley was about to angrily retort, before Tali growled at the woman. A growl of female dominance.
Everybody was silent at this.
Then Kaidan spoke up, "You can't go on your own, Commander. It'd be suicide."
Wrex piped up as well, "Take the Quarian with you Shepard. She'll be useful."
Garrus simply remained silent.
Ashley quietly seethed and glared daggers in the direction of the Quarian.
Tali still didn't back down.
Chris quietly spoke now, as he turned and addressed the fiery young woman next to him, "That's not going to happen Tali."
Tali rounded on Chris, and she looked like she was about to unload another verbal shotgun shell into Chris' chest, but with a raised hand from the man, Tali held her tongue:
"What I mean to say is: you are not going to die out there for me. That's not going to happen. Not while I'm breathing." Tali experienced her own shivers, as she felt the passion in his words.
Chris continued as he leaned closer to her, blocking out the others, oblivious to Tali's brewing passion, "You have to promise me. Promise me that you will stay behind me... Promise me, you won't put yourself in harms way."
Tali simply whispered back passionately, "I promise."
'I promise to keep you alive Shepard... No matter what.'
"Good." Shepard genuinely smiled at the woman, before he spoke up once more, addressing the squad as a whole:
"That's settled then. Tali goes with me. You sure you can manage, LT?"
"I'm sure, Shepard. I'll manage."
"Alright then. Let's move." With that, Shepard put on his helmet, and opened the Mako's door; stepping out onto the cracked dusty plains of Therum once more.
Tali followed after, staying close to the commander. Wrex came out next, with Garrus afterwards. As Ashley stepped out, Kaidan spoke, "Chief," Ashley spun around at this, before Kaidan spoke up again, "Keep an eye on the Commander for me. Make sure he doesn't get overwhelmed."
Ashley viciously grinned, "I intend on keeping both eyes on him LT."
Kaidan smirked at the woman, before the Mako's hatch closed. The APC began to drive towards a side entrance to the base, one that Shepard had previously spotted on his reconnaissance; a side entrance that outflanked the Geth positions.
'Don't you worry about that LT. I'll be watching him very closely.'
Ashley detached her new sniper rifle, a Striker V; a gift from the commander, as she began to walk up the hill alongside Garrus.
Shepard looked over at Tali, smiling as he spoke, "You ready for this, Tali?"
"I'm ready when you are, Chris." Tali said, as she got closer to the man whilst detaching her new shotgun.
She hefted the weight in her hands, getting a feel for the weapon.
She was definitely ready.
Three hundred years ready in the making.
Shepard did a final check on 'Lucy' before he turned around to see Tali's acknowledgement. When both were ready, Shepard quietly spoke into his comm. Although his voice lacked volume, it did contain his unbridled passion:
"Light the fuckers up!"
At this, a roaring sound pierced the air, as a heavy cannon shot impacted the ground in front of Tali and Chris. The Geth troops that were positioned there, were nothing but smouldering piles of metal and sizzling pearlescent puddles of goo.
A wonderful sound.
Across the battlefield two Geth troopers dropped down dead, as their heads were removed by mass accelerator rounds; sparks and bits of Geth debris began to fly in all directions.
A glorious sound.
Suddenly, Wrex came charging into the battlefield, his shotgun booming as a Geth trooper's torso was removed from its legs. Wrex didn't stop, as he kept firing into the crowds of disorientated Geth.
A beautiful sound.
'Let's make some of our own.' Shepard viciously grinned as his assault rifle joined the cacophony of erupting gunfire, spitting death at any unfortunate soul in his vicinity.
'Disruptor rounds are expensive, but they're effective.'
Tali joined in as well, keeping close to her human saviour; her shotgun's deep boom coinciding with the high pitched whining of Shepard's assault rifle.
It was a perfect melody, as chaos broke out.
The Geth were completely taken by surprise. The Mako's cannon was tearing large groups of them to shreds; the coaxial heavy machine gun suppressed those who weren't affected by the cannon shots. The sniping duo, Ashley and Garrus, were taking out lone isolated groups of troops with extreme efficiency' one firing while the other reloaded. True professionals.
The larger Geth, what Tali had called 'Primes' and 'Destroyers', were trying to rally the remaining troopers into some form of coherent counter-attack.
That plan sank like a lead-balloon.
Wrex was keeping a number of the Geth busy, whilst Chris and Tali were moving through the back ranks of the once thirty strong Geth force. The turrets the Geth had erected were of no use against infantry.
They were anti-air turrets. They couldn't lock onto the organics currently fighting their Geth counterparts.
As Tali's shotgun blast tore into another Geth trooper, one that was getting too close to Chris, she spun around as her scanner picked up a hostile behind her.
There was nothing there. She turned around once more to locate Chris. He had already moved ahead.
That was when the pressure against the back of her helmet came in full force.
A Geth Hunter had deactivated its tactical cloak and had jammed a shotgun at Tali's helmet.
There was nothing she could do to defend herself.
Tali didn't back down, however.
She didn't cry.
She didn't feel fear.
The Geth were emotionless machines, and a Quarian was not going to feel any more fear at the hands of one. Of that, Tali was certain.
Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, a Quarian Pilgrim, was prepared to die. The Geth had killed billions of Quarians during the Morning War... What was one more?
As Tali had prepared herself for her inevitable death, she whispered a prayer for her end to be quick.
She whispered a prayer for her father's safety.
She whispered a prayer for her mother to receive her.
She whispered a prayer for Chris.
She prayed that he would stay safe; that he would be happy; that she could have been there to be with him. She prayed for him. She prayed that she could tell him her growing feelings.
Only then did she feel fear.
Fear that she would leave Shepard, alone.
A single tear trickled down Tali's cheek as she closed her eyes, waiting for the end.
'Ancestors... I'm ready.'
And yet...
The Ancestors proved once more, how they looked over Tali.
Out of nowhere, Chris came barrelling into Tali, twisting his form as he rolled with her, so his shoulder would take the shot from the Geth Hunter. Chris released Tali from his hold, so she could roll to the ground.
The split second that Tali's mind had used to prepare for the end, was all for nothing.
The plasma shot impacted Shepard's left shoulder, leaving a scorch mark across his armour. Blood seeped from his new wound; the pain became excruciating...
Anger, however, surged in his veins.
Rage was one hell of an anaesthetic:
"SON OF A BITCH!" Chris roared, as he swung his right gauntleted fist towards the machines optics. A shower of sparks erupted from the Geth's 'eye' as it staggered backwards at the power of the blow. The Geth tried to feebly defend itself with the shotgun in its grasp.
That was just another weapon for the human titan to use. Moving with the motion, Shepard spun with the blow, and brought his left leg round to crash into the Geth's right 'knee' joint. The sound of metal rending drew a vicious smile from the enraged human, as he picked the recently dropped Geth shotgun up, and brought it crashing down, stock first into the optics of the Geth.
Tali sat and simply watched as the human marine completely obliterated her enemy.
Over and over again, Chris pummelled the Geth Hunter that had come so close to killing Tali. By the time he had let his rage abate, the shotgun was nothing but broken scrap, and the Geth was a pile of fluid covered junk.
Once he had finished, the spectre rushed over towards Tali, ignoring his own pain, as he began to speak hurriedly: "Damn it Tali! Are you hurt?! Please tell me you're okay."
Tali smiled softly at the care and concern Chris was displaying for her well being. The hand that he'd placed on the side of Tali's helmet to support himself, was now encased in Tali's hand, as she placed it over his. She simply whispered to the man:
"I'm okay, Shepard... Thanks to you. I-I thought I was going to die. A-And I-I didn't get t-to.." Her voice became choked up at the end, as the surge of emotions she had been trying to contain, rushed forth. Her eyes welled up with tears as she continued to softly smile at her saviour.
Chris was overcome with relief, and without thinking, he simply grabbed Tali, and tightly hugged her. His voice became cracked with raw emotion as he spoke, "Don't ever do that to me again Tali..."
"I-I Promise, Chris." Tali, clutched onto the human man in front of her, as if her life depended on it.
'I... I nearly lost him...'
Both looked into the others helmets and both softly smiled at the other. They were both safe. That was all that mattered at that moment.
It was then, that Chris began to feel a connection towards the young Quarian. Not strong enough.
Not yet.
Chris let go of Tali and stood up, before offering a hand down to help her up. As three fingers interlaced with five, Tali was hoisted to her feet.
The two began to walk towards the entrance, when Chris stopped, and reached down to pick up his assault rifle, as well as Tali's shotgun. Once both had their respective weapons, Shepard activated his medi-gel dispensers within his armor, to soothe the burning pain in his shoulder.
Once done, the human marine simply continued onto the entrance, with Tali staying close to his side.
The rest of the squad were already waiting for the pair, and said nothing as their commander simply walked past them, and through the entrance. He couldn't help but smile when Tali moved next to him.
Tali looked towards the man, her brain formulating a thought for her emotions:
'I remember hearing stories when I was younger about the paths... Is it love? Could I have started the Path with him?'
'Maybe...'
Tali simply smiled.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me? Hello?" An Asari voice called out, into the corridor.
"Dr T'Soni? Liara T'Soni?" Shepard said, his voice perking up at the thought of finally finding the Doctor.
"Yes! Yes! I knew someone would come!" Dr T'Soni said, as Shepard and the squad rounded the corner.
The sight before them, was slightly baffling. Inside the chamber was a hole in the side of the wall, barricaded by a force field of some kind; behind that, was Liara. Trapped and suspended in a bubble of some sort. Shepard tilted his head in confusion, as he regarded the Asari.
Liara must have seen the look of confusion on the man's face, as she spoke, "It's a Prothean security device. I tried to protect myself from the Geth, but I must have activated something I shouldn't have by accident. You have to help me. Please!"
"Calm down. We're going to get you out of there. Just... Stay where you are." Shepard said, as he noticed a walkway to the lower levels.
The squad moved down the walkway that the commander had discovered, and onto the lower walkways; whilst Liara simply sat in her bubble.
Once down on the floor, Shepard spotted a group of Geth soldiers; he immediately opened fire on them without any warning. 'Lucy' knocked the first two troopers out, before the rest of the squad joined in, putting the rest of them down as well. Once the threat was eliminated, Shepard turned around, to take account of his surroundings.
There was nothing of use.
There were some cluttered work stations, some discarded excavation tools, an old mining laser...
'A mining laser!'
"Jackpot!" Shepard said, as he ran over towards the large piece of machinery. Tali was close behind, confusion in her tone, "Jack-what?"
"It means we've found a way past the barrier!" Shepard exclaimed.
The squad situated themselves to the side of the laser, as Shepard began to check its systems. After an excruciating amount of time, Shepard turned around, defeated.
"The thing's a pile of junk... Fit for scrap." Shepard said, his voice dejected.
Tali chirped up at this, her tone enthusiastic as she checked over the laser, "No it's not! This laser is similar to the ones we use on the Flotilla!"
"Do you mean you know how to fix it?" Shepard became hopeful once more:
"Yes! I can get this working again! Just give me a few minutes..."
Shepard grinned at the technological skill Tali had, and turned around to face the other squad members:
"Well then. While the tech genius gets that thing fixed, us grunts will have to defend this position. Sound good?"
Shouts of acknowledgement met Shepard's ears as he took up a defensive position, close to the Quarian engineer.
Tali simply smirked at Chris, as she fused the fuel line connectors into a bypass, to allow the system to jump-start itself.
True to her word, the laser came back online and beeped with life.
Shepard simply winked at the woman, another blush-inducing wink, as he spoke, "I knew I brought you along for a reason, Tali."
Tali quietly whispered, her body surging with heat, "Thank you, Chris."
Chris nodded his head, as he spoke up once more, "Let's get to Dr T'Soni, and then get the hell out of here."
With the simple touch of a button, a bright beam of light emanated from the laser, instantly carving a path through the solid rock wall. Once it had finished, all that could be seen was Shepard running through the hole, ahead of the others.
'Bosh'tet!' Tali smiled, as she ran after her captain with the rest of the squad.
"He wasn't worthy enough to be associated with the Krogan name. He was a Pyjak. Plain and simple." Wrex growled as he kicked the corpse of the bullet-ridden Krogan warrior.
There were Geth parts lying all around; orange blood mingling with white hydraulic fluid.
There had been a brief firefight once Shepard had knocked the Doctor out of the way, for her own safety. The Geth had fallen prey to the combined and skilled rifle fire of the squad, whilst the Krogan warrior, the one Shepard had thought as 'retarded' had fallen to Wrex's shotgun in the end.
Suddenly, there was a quaking tremor, with debris falling down from the ceiling.
Liara could be heard screaming, "The mining laser must have destabilised the structure of the ruins!"
A rock rebounded off of Shepard's helmet, to which he motioned forward with his hand towards the exit, whilst bellowing, "Unless you want to be swimming in lava, double time it!"
At this, Wrex moved forward, and began charging for the exit. Ashley and Kaidan followed next, as Garrus grabbed Liara; escorting the Doctor out of the hostile environment.
Tali and Chris both ran as fast as they could manage, dodging falling chunks of debris.
They had just gotten near the exit, able to see the light of Therum at the end of the corridor, when a chunk of debris hit Tali, causing her to stagger and fall over.
She was dazed as she tried to get up; she tried to escape, but it was no use.
She couldn't move.
Tali turned her head, to regard Chris, before she simply whispered, "Go... Just go."
Chris came running towards her, and in one smooth motion, hooked his arms under her legs, and picked her up.
The human titan pumped his legs as fast as he could, straining with the pain that shot through every nerve in his body as he carried Tali to safety.
The young woman could feel the beating of the man's heart, as she was pressed against his armoured chest.
Another beautiful sound...
It was soothing to listen to, as she craned her head upwards, to regard the man in question, her eyes brimming with tears.
He was in pain. That much was obvious.
And yet he still carried her.
He was her saviour.
Tali simply lost consciousness, listening to the soothing beating of Chris' heart, not caring if she died right now.
At least she died in his arms.
Chris exerted himself, using up all of his energy, as he jumped through the collapsing exit, carrying Tali.
The last thing Chris could remember, before he succumbed to fatigue, was the sight of the Normandy hovering overhead, a glistening angel at the brink of death and destruction.
'We made it... We're safe...'
So there we have it.
Therum is done, and dusted.
Dr T'Soni has been saved!
Now I just want to add, the different plot points, or the changing of relationships within the story, is due to the fact that Tali and Shepard shall have an early romance. They will be in a relationship sometime during the course of ME1.
No, they're not going to get it 'on' soon; it will happen after a couple of main missions. I just think it's worthwhile to see how that relationship can blossom, mainly on Tali's side, but Shepard's getting there.
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Cheers!