John, Weyrloc Base

"How dare you?!" Clan Chief Weyrloc Guld snarled as he threw a right cross. His fist cracked into Shepard's helmet, spinning him around, almost in a full circle. "You come into my home!" A left hand swung out, catching John's gut, lifting him off the ground a good three feet and slamming him back into a wall, with a sickening crack. "You freed my salarian!" Guld grabbed the back of John's head, jerking in down into the krogan battlemaster's rising knee. "You destroy my cure!" Guld threw John back into a pillar and smashed his right fist into the center of John's chest so hard that the pillar, made of solid stone, cracked and spiderwebbed behind him. "And now you think you can just walk out?!"

This...was bad. Like...bad, bad, Really bad. When John hit the wall the first time he felt something inside tear. Then it became hard to breath. Not hard like the wind was knocked out of him, more like his lungs were suddenly wet and sticky. It felt a bit like he was drowning. And that was bad. Hell, he almost didn't register the other impacts until he hit another wall and took the shot to the chest. Which, oddly, kinda helped as ther impact forced blood up, and out. Granted, it was into his helmet, but at least it wasn't in his lungs.

"Shepard!" John faintly heard Samara's voice. It sounded hollow, like it was far away, and echoing through a tunnel. Speaking of tunnel….his vision was darkening around the edges. Again. That was bad.

There was a flash of bright blue power. It arced in a wave that slammed into Guld, throwing the battlemaster away, leaving a surprised grunt in his wake.

"Yay…" John wheezed as he began to pitch forward, only to be caught by strong hands.

"Goddess, Shepard!" Samara half shouted in his ear. "Speak to me! Are you alright?"

"'Em...peach...y…." John managed to squeeze out. His lungs were filling again. Still bad.

"Mordin! Shepard needs help!" Samara yelled over his head. Wait...they were being shot. Sort of. Rounds were bouncing off the shield Samara had thrown over them, but she simply ignored them, as if were a light rain in spring.

"Love to help!" the salarian called back. "Lots of krogan. Most of them have large guns. They seem unhappy."

"Heh," laughed once before coughing wetly. More blood came up. Not as much this time, at least. "Be...okay. Not...as...bad…."

Oddly, that was true. That last cough seemed to have cleared something. His breathing was still wet and ragged, but it didn't feel so much like he was drowning, but more like he had just run a five minute mile in full gear.

"Shepard, try not to move," Samara looked down at him. She was concerned. Her face was twisted in an expression of worry that seemed out of place on her beautiful, normally serene, face.

Then a giant armored boot, clad in its own biotic aura, slammed into Samara. The impact lifted her up, her eyes snapping wide in surprise as she shot away from John like she was a kickball.

"Justicar bitch!" Guld almost screamed he took the place she had just occupied. He snarled as he turned to John. He gave the human a contemptuous snort as he backhanded John, slamming him back into the wall, before running the direction he had kicked Samara.

Thane

He stood behind a pillar. Mass rounds rounds spat and cracked into it. He could here it chipping away, but he wasn't particularly worried. The stone was hard and thick. It was made to house injured krogan after all.

He took a deep breath. It was was filling. Warm and dry and dusty. He felt his blood oxygenate more fully than it had in a good while. He felt...empowered.

He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. "Kalihera, hear me…" He stepped around the pillar.

He fired two shots, his eyes still closed. He did not need to see the vorcha fall to the ground, dead, holes in the middle of their misshapen heads. "...guide my hands….

He opened his eyes as he twisted his upper body to the left, rounds passing close enough that he could feel the air disturbances left by their passing. "...let your judgment cleanse this place…"

He raised his right hand. Two shots, and a krogan warrior fell. "...Hunter, guide my aim true…"

He raised his left hand. Three shots. The first round slammed into a vorcha staggering him back into another. The second round hit the stagged enemy, half spinning him. The third round struck the large fuel tank the hapless vorcha carried for its flamer. The explosion vaporized the two enemies and threw four more about like ragdolls. "...Darkness be pushed back…"

He turned to his right, ducking under a krogan's heavy fist. His pistols spun in his grip, sliding so that he clutched the barrels, a flick of his thumb and spike snap-extended from the bottom of the grips. "...Shadows be uncovered…"

His first swing caught the krogan in the knee. The second, the hip. The third hit in the krogan's armpit. The forth swung to the side, into the joint where the neck met the shoulder. The fifth struck the opposite side of the neck. The sixth came under the krogan's chin, snapping his head back. The seventh, eighth and ninth smashed his throat into a bloody, pulpy mess. "...Light shine forth…"

He spun his guns back to his hands as his arms crossed in front of his chest. Each gun fired once, shattering head plates and throwing krogan brains against the walls. "...Kalihera, I ask forgiveness."

Kasumi

"Oh, shit...oh, shit... …." Kasumi panted as she ran straight at a wall. The three varren chasing her snapped their massive fangs scant inches behind her legs. She was invisible. All light spectrums were warped by her cloak, from visible, to ultraviolet to far infrared. However, that didn't seem to help against varren noses. How they could smell anything beyond the stench of those vorcha was beyond her.

At the last minute, right as she reached the wall, she jumped. Kasumi's legs pumped as she seemingly ran four paces up the wall itself, then pushed off. Her back bent as she flipped in a long slow arc.

The varren, barreling at full speed, attempted to stop, their clawed feet skidding along the rough stone floor. Unfortunately, the momentum carried them along to slam into the wall, momentarily stunning them.

Which, of course, meant they didn't see the flashbang grenade drop in their midst. Until it went off.

Kasumi landed gracefully with slightly bent legs as her grenade popped. She spun around as the light died, her SMG coming up and raining a full thermal clip into the beasts. And even as they died, Kasumi faded from view, her sweet laugh echoing faintly.

Mordin

A flash of white mist stifled a scream as Mordin's cryo blast struck the krogan. A shot from his pistol scattered the orange innards that should have been contained in the krogan's skull all over the floor.

A flash of red and a vorcha with a flamer exploded, ripping apart and burning several other vorcha and setting one of the krogan aflame. It reared up, crying out as its armor melted, and ran like wax. A bullet put it out of its misery.

A lull.

Mordin sprang to his feet, leaping over the small stone bench he had been using as cover. Most enemies were down. Thane was gliding through Blood Pack, seeming to kill at will. More than a little frightening. Keeping him as an ally, important.

Kasumi was nowhere to be seen, but that was expected. Her cloak was the best Mordin had ever seen. And he had seen a lot of them.

Her handiwork, however? All over the place. Notable by the surprised expressions on dead faces. For a thief, she was a talented killer.

Shepard. He was down. Almost. The human almost never was actually down. When he was, he popped right back up. Mordin was pretty sure the Commander would die on his feet. Probably literally. They would have to bury him vertically, if only to stop him from standing up and trying to do something noble.

"Shepard, where is it?" Mordin grabbed the man by his shoulder and holding him against the wall. The moronic human was trying to stagger back into battle. And it was better to ask where, instead of how bad. 'How bad' would just get an 'I'm fine.' Not useful.

"Inside," the human wheezed. "Blood in lungs. Coughed a lot out. Inside of my helmet isn't pretty. Breathing easier, though. I'm fine."

"Hardly," Mordin frowned as he scanned Shepard. "Multiple contusions. Cracked and broken bones...everywhere that isn't reinforced. Organ damage and bruising. Your liver...broke in half? No, not possible. Wait...no...broken. How are you still alive?"

Shepard let out a small wheezing laugh that was followed by a short, wet cough. "I dunno. Just am. How's Samara?"

"Samara is a Justicar," Mordin sniffed. "That should be enough for you."

"No...but," Shepard began in a worried voice before….

"RAAAHHH!"

A krogan screamed as his body went hurtling across the room, followed by a red and blue blur.

"See," Mordin almost smirked. "Told you.

Samara

That hurt.

Guld had a hell of a kick. Samara hadn't felt a shot like that in a good while. It didn't help that she had been preoccupied by Shepard' injuries. Goddess forbid anything should happen to him. Hestalia would be….displeased.

She bounced once, twice, then skidded to a stop on her back. She let herself have a half second before kicking her legs around in a spinning kick that brought her back to her feet, crouched low.

The krogan battlemaster gave Shepard a backhand, slamming him back into the pillar before lowering his head and charging at her. His thick powerful legs pumped as he built up speed. His arm pulled back, blue power rolling over his fist. He slammed down, all his power, all his weight, all his momentum, crashing into Samara's crossed forearms.

She didn't even flex.

"I think I've seen enough of you, Guld," Samara spoke almost softly, but with a sharp blade hidden in her voice. "I have seen the evils you have done to your own people."

"Evils? Bah!" Guld spat, reaching back with his other fist before bringing it down on her. She shoulders flexed this time. "They were all volunteers. Maybe that says something about the galaxy."

"I know your record," Samara frowned as her boots began to slide back. "You commit atrocities after atrocity during the rebellions. You killed the infirm, children, wounded, elderly."

"Raped them too," Guld licked hi lips. There was an insane darkness blazing in his eyes. "Also ate 'em. Asari isn't bad. Bit stringy, but I know a good marinade."

The krogan began to glow as he shifted his weight. He loomed over Samara, pressing down on her. His power forced her lower. His leer widened. "We will be taking back what was ours," he laughed. "The galaxy will run red. Planets will burn. Think I might take Thessia ad my own. Maybe I'll spend the rest of my days finding out the many ways to break asari wills. Think you can bark for me?"

Samara ground her teeth. "RAAAHHH!" she heaved throwing her biotics into Guld's. The krogan's eyes went wide as the aura's smashed together, throwing him away. He flew in a tall arc, slamming into the ground nearly twenty feet away.

The world blurred then, and Samara was there, before Guld. Her fist slammed down on his head plate, cracking it wide. Orange blood spilled out of the wound, but still, he struggled, trying to regain his feet.

She did not allow that.

Samra raised her rifle, pointing it's barrel at Guld's head. "Seek peace," was all she said before her finger pulled the trigger.

Liara, Her Offices, Illium

"So...Emma, was it?" she blinked slowly. To say that she was surprised would have been a grave understatement, but it wouldn't do to show it. Especially not to this human child. The asari that brought her here had a pass that Shepard had given her. It was enough for Liara, Shepard wouldn't have given something like that to some random woman at a stand in the market.

"Yeah," the girl nodded. She was dirty. Liara could smell her from across the desk. Emma's hair seemed to be a rough cut rats nest that didn't do much to cover the scars on her head. Probably from Batarian slavers. "I got a ship. It's salvaged, you could say. I need it in my name. Need its name changed. I was trying to find someplace to get it fixed up for me and the other kid….erm...my crew."

"I see," Lira blinked again. "And you have the credits to pay for this?"

"Oh! Yeah!" Emma grinned. She was missing some teeth. Then, as if remembering herself, her expression went guarded. "I mean...I have some."

"Heh," Liara smirked. Turning to her computer, she hit a few keys, made a few inquiries, a couple deals. "Alright miss….Emma. Registry and name change. Fairly straight forward. I can get the data cut within the day. Because you came in with a tie to Shepard, I'll cut it at five thousand."

"Uh…" Emma frowned slightly, as if she were trying to decide if that was a lot, or not.

"Normally that would be fifteen," Liara laughed softly. "I'm charging you for the cost. No profit for me. Do you want a legit repair? Or do you want something a little more….under the table?"

"What's the difference?" Emma relaxed some. She seemed to be a smart girl. She knew she was in over her head and decided to just ride out the wave.

"Legit is competent, above board. You'll have a papertrail and nothing too exciting, Liara leaned back in her chair and clasped her fingers over her stomach. "However, I have some people. It will cost more, but no questions. The people are good. You will be able to get things done that may be of a more questionable nature."

"Well, the second, I guess," Emma shrugged. Don't particularly want people knowing where I am and shit."

Liara simply looked at the girl for a moment before nodding. "You are transparent." The girl's grin dropped. "I'm giving you a warning. You are inexperienced. I would suggest allowing me to haggle for you. The people will eat you alive otherwise."

"Why should I trust you?" Emma almost growled, her body growing tense, almost like she might pounce.

"You shouldn't," Liara chuckled with a small shake of her head. "However, at the moment, it is in my best interest to assist you. You seem to have access to credits. And I feel like, in the future, you could be a very useful ally. Assuming you live up to the potential I see in you. And...I have something I want you to do. As a...favor."

Emma's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"I have some quardenants. I want you to go there. I want some planets scanned," Liara leaned over her desk and steppled her fingers. "I'll give you some sensors that are special."

"That's it?" Emma looked even more suspicious.

"It's important to me," Liara grinned darkly. "Don't ask questions."

"I see…" Emma frowned down at her tattered shoes. Then, slowly, she looked up to meet Liara's eyes. "Did you really work with Commander Shepard?"

Liara's grin slowly morphed into a warm smile. "I did, yes."

"Did...you kiss him?" Emma's eyes seemed to sparkle. The hero worship radiated off the girl in waves.

"I did, yes," Liara chuckled, sitting back again. "His heart was taken by another, however."

"Alright, I'll do what you want," Emma nodded, with a little giggle.

"Good. Now...I also know a good doctor that just so happened to have arrived on Illium a couple of days ago…."

Garrus, Main Cargo Bay, SR-2 Normandy

"John….seriously...how did you even manage his?" Tali stood back, away from Shepard. Her arms were crossed over her chest, with one hand drumming against the other. It was odd habit she had probably picked up from...well...probably Shepard.

"... I don't know," Shepard sighed deeply as he turned his entire upper body sideways. He had to. Seeing as how the helmet of his armor was currently twisted to the right, as if he were looking over his shoulder. And it was stuck that way. "I got hit by a very large krogan who seemed to have been in possession of rather significant biotics."

*snrk*

"Didn't that hurt?" Jack asked as she leaned in close from behind. She had the look of a small child being shown something shiny.

"Yes, yes it did," Shepard said simply. "I can't actually see very well. The helmet actually got twisted around farther than my neck actually did."

*snrk*

"How did you survive that?" Jacob asked, wide eyed.

"Uncomfortably," Shepard shot back, clearly irritated.

*snrk*

"Dammit, Garrus!" Shepard turned his entire body around, searching. "I can fucking hear you!"

"Bah! Ha ha ha ha!" Garrus finally lost his battle as he pounded his fist on a cargo crate. He laughed hard, and long. He was even having an issue breathing. Eventually, after nearly a solid minute of laughing, Garrus slowly slid to the floor where he lay, giggling in a puddle.

"Fucking turian….."

Tali

She was...not mad.

"John…." Tali rubbed her hand over her visor. She stood near Chakwas's desk, watching as the doctor injected a dose of medigel into John's chest. Her eyes widened in horror as the foot long needle slid under his skin, between his ribs.

"Yes?" the man grunted. He was pale. Whether or not it was blood loss, pain, or fear of her, Tali wasn't sure. Though she could feel the fear. It made a bit...warm.

With a shake of her head, Tali looked away from the needle, to John's face. "Part of me wants to tell you, 'I told you so', but I won't. I'm just glad you are back, alive."

"Yeah well," John grimaced. "You pretty much just said it anyway. Holy shit Karin! That fucking hurts!"

"Good," the doctor said absently, not looking away from her work. "I'd say that maybe this would teach you a lesson, but I know your track record."

"I'd really rather you would stop coming back to me damaged," Tali walked forward slowly. The anger that she definitely hadn't felt rolled through her once more before she pushed it out of her mind. Instead of slapping him, like she wanted, she took his hand in hers, squeezing gently.

"I'll be fine," John gave her a weak smile, squeezing her hand back. "I'll keep everything in working order. I have something important to look forward to."

"Oh?" Tali raised a brow as a mischievous, childlike grin spread across John's face. Tali...felt...what he meant. "John!"

"Heh," John started to chuckled. Then his face went chalk white, his eyes snapping open wide, as, with a flourish, Chakwas withdrew the long needle.

"Children, I'll have none of that in my medical bay," Chakwas sniffed and picked up a tissue scanner. "Now….this might sting a bit…."