A/N
No preamble, here it is!
Enjoy.
Chapter 3: Hanging by a Thread
Kyson's POV
"I don't see any Geth?" said Tali with slight disappointment in her voice. Garrus just kept silent as he climbed down one of the ladders in the service chamber. Kyson understood why Garrus was edgy. He was worried sick about Teagann.
"Commander Shepard, the heavy fleet is falling apart out there" said the voice of Admiral Raan over the comm.
"We will have the Reaper signal down soon Admiral" said Shepard.
"Well hurry the fuck up boys!" said Luke sternly who was also over the comm. Kyson slid down another ladder following the rest.
"Luke? Is that you?" asked Tali slightly astounded. Laughter ensued over the Comm.
"I heard my daughter-in-law was still alive! How ya doin hun?" asked Luke in a chipper tone.
"I'm doing…better. I'm glad you aren't on Earth" said Tali as Garrus worked on hacking another door.
"Yeah, that place is all fucked up right now, we'll talk more once you get back. I'm counting on you and Liara to keep those stupid boys of mine in place" laughed Luke.
"He never stops" grunted Kyson.
"No shit" said John. Garrus had finished with the door when an odd buzzing sound could be heard. Then a deep whump would follow.
"This is it…the main battery" said Kyson as he got his Widow out. Kyson nodded to Garrus. The Turian opened the door right as the buzzing started again. Then a static discharge followed the massive cannon round being released in the chamber below them. Kyson swore a few choice words.
"Fuck! Stay in cover and time your movements!" he said as he ran out to the catwalk. The team followed as he slid into cover. He aimed down the length of the service shaft only to see Geth advancing from the far end. Kyson popped off a Hunter with the help of his tactical scan.
"Who wants to bet they are on to us?" shouted Tali over the loud cannon firing.
"I'd lose!" shouted Liara. The team had a hard time making any progress due to the cannon firing. The electrical discharge was havoc on their shields causing them to be very exposed.
"I see the maintenance controls!" shouted John as he sprinted to a terminal. John shut down the cannon opening the main shaft. Kyson peered inside the cannon as a massive metal round was half cycled into the firing position. A small walkway led to the parallel service shaft.
"I ain't doin that" said Kyson as he ran forward. The team ran head first through the cannon. Kyson had to jump half way through over a break in the path.
"I thought you said you weren't doing this?" called out Tali who was dashing right behind him. Kyson just kept running cause right as she had responded, the cannon got overridden and the kinetic coils began to warm up again. He glimpsed the round being loaded into the giant mass accelerator.
"Go!" shouted Shepard in the rear. Kyson made the sharp left turn to safety as Tali, Liara and Garrus flew past him. The cannon was glowing a bright white when the now deafening buzz of the giant mass accelerator was about to light off. Out of that bright light John jumped out of the cannon in time for the safety bulkheads to drop. John landed sprawled out on the catwalk.
"Damn…that was close" said John as he was helped up by Liara.
"Glad to see nothing has changed…much" said Tali. Kyson stayed silent as he did a scan. They weren't far from the core.
"Let's move people!" snapped Kyson as he caught up with Garrus.
"Hold on a sec!" shouted John. Kyson stopped mid sprint. He saw John pick something up off of the deck.
"Liara, who do we know that has material like this?" asked John. Liara frowned at the black scrap of synthetic looking cloth. Kyson recognized it immediately as a piece of Kerris's cloak.
"Only one person..." said Liara. Kyson muttered under his breath as he ran up to his angry Turian friend. He didn't want another reminder of that murderous bastard.
"It's clear" said Garrus without preamble. Kyson kept silent once again. He knew that it was normally him who was all pissed off acting erratic. Then a thought hit him. I haven't hallucinated yet this mission? Kyson slowed down to see Tali cautiously catching up with him along with the others. No, it can't be that simple…
"Clear!" shouted Garrus who had entered another service chamber. Kyson ran onto an elevator that was conveniently on their level. (Horizontal Rain: By AES DANA)
The Team piled on to the elevator ready to hit the core. Kyson took a deep breath to steady himself. The Reapers were not likely to let them shut down their control of the Geth easily. The elevator began to move as he walked towards the edge nearest the exit points along the cat walks. But as they passed the second floor the door opened with two Geth running in. Kyson didn't have time to sight down his Widow when one let loose with a rocket. It hit the underside gears of the elevator racking everyone. Kyson didn't think twice. He ran to the closest floor and jumped down. The Team followed but as John was running from the opposite side, the elevator dropped a few feet below them.
"Shepard! Hurry!" shouted Tali who was on the catwalk with the others. John ran and jumped as the elevator crashed down seven decks. Tali had already been ready as she caught Shepard's out stretched hand.
"We got you" said Liara s she leaned over to help. Shepard grunted as he was hauled up.
"Thanks" said the Commander as he got to his feet.
"Keelah Shepard, what were you doing by the edge anyway? After all of these elevator problems over the years, you would think you would have known" said Tali.
"You sound worried Tali" chuckled John as he led the way up a service ladder.
"In the words of Kyson, duh! I have a reputation you know. If you had died after the Geth hacked one of my codes, what would people think?" asked Tali as she climbed. Tali looked down at Kyson with what he would guess was a shit grin.
"Glad to have you back Tali" said Garrus who was last in line. Tali hesitated waiting for a response from Kyson. He simply nodded to her. She went up the ladder only to be waiting for him at the top.
"Thank you for the shot gun by the way…" she said quietly as they waited for Garrus.
"Any time" he said. Kyson brought out his remaining Wraith.
"We ready for this?" asked John. The whole team got ready outside the drive core's door.
"On you John" said Kyson. John opened the door as the team staggered their entrance. Kyson was second in and right away he saw weird Reaper tech below the drive core.
"Well, that makes it obvious" said Liara who ran up to the main terminal in the room.
"So, this thing…" John paused not sure what to call it.
"Reaper tech, who cares what it is let's get it down now before any more of my people die!" said Tali who started to work alongside Liara. Not a minute later the odd looking metal ball opened up. Kyson was busy looking for incoming Geth but what he saw made his jaw drop.
"Shepard-Commander! Please help us!" said Legion in desperation. The Geth unit which Kyson knew as Legion was hard wired into the ship in the Reaper signal booster.
"Legion! But how?" asked John in shock.
"Legion! It's good to see you again!" laughed Garrus causing everyone to jump.
"Please you have to help us, The Geth have set up a hardware block on a nearby terminal" said Legion quickly.
"Shepard, wait. It has the Reaper code inside of it" said Tali with a hard edge in her voice.
"It's Legion, Tali. He is on our side remember?" asked John as he ran off. Kyson stayed on the lower floor as the others ran off.
"How'd you get into this mess bud?" asked Kyson as he kept his guard up. Legion turned his optics on him.
"We had no choice, the Creators attacked. The old machines offered assistance. If the Creators had never attacked, we would not have resorted to this" said Legion. Kyson sighed. The Geth had willingly sought out the Reapers for help it sounded like. He heard some shouts from a landing where the team had gone to release Legion. Something buzzed before the cables holding Legion detached. The Geth platform jumped down next to Kyson.
"We understand your caution Creator Zorah. To prove cooperation, we have shut down the ships drive core and disabled the shields to this vessel. Kyson watched as the drive core shut down with an eerie pulse of energy. It was like watching a life being snuffed out.
"Thank you…Legion" said Tali from the deck above. Kyson looked to Legion again.
"What now?" asked the engineer. But before the Geth could respond, lights from the far side of the engine room began to brighten as incoming Geth surrounded them. Just fucking peachy. Kyson looked at Legion to see if the Geth was getting ready to fight, but Legion didn't have any weapon.
"Legion, I think you know this gun" said Kyson as he handed his Widow to the machine.
"Thank you Kyson Sorley for the assistance" said Legion. Kyson ran off to a ladder to take him up with his team. Gunfire began to erupt with bright flashes of a few tracer rounds. Kyson grunted as he hauled himself up next to Garrus. He wasted no time in dropping a hunter with his remaining Wraith.
"Isn't this just great?" shouted Kyson as he reloaded another clip. Garrus sighted down his Viper sniper rifle taking two troopers down.
"Oh yeah, exactly where I want to be right now" grunted the Turian.
"Han! We have to pull back now! The civilian fleet has no cover!" shouted Admiral Raan over the comms.
"No, check your scanners Raan, the Geth Dreadnaught's shields are down. This is our chance to take out their flag ship!" retorted Han'Gerral in excitement. Kyson took down a rocket trooper with another two shots.
"What are they doing? They are supposed to withdraw!" shouted Tali who had advanced with Liara up the catwalk. Kyson tapped Garrus on the shoulder as he hopped over his cover. He ran up next to Tali.
"I'm not backing off now, this is our only chance, heavy fleet, advance on the Geth Dreadnaught. Raan, cover us with your patrol fleet" said Han. Kyson shook his head. Han was going on a suicide run.
"No! We must retreat" said Raan with furry.
"Heavy fleet fire! Raan! Get over here or the heavy fleet is lost!" shouted Han. Kyson was about to move up again when a massive explosion rocked him from his feet. He crashed to the deck right as a Geth Hunter dropped its cloak in front of him. Kyson saw the barrel of the shotgun inches from his face. He couldn't tell time anymore. A loud thump went off simultaneously with the Hunter's head exploding. It was Legion with his Widow.
"Damn you Han! Patrol fleet, cover the heavy fleets retreat!" ordered Admiral Raan. Kyson swore as he got up.
"Fuckers!" he heard John shout as he help haul Kyson up. The team kept moving forward until they had reached the opposite side of the room.
"They do realize that we are still on the ship?" asked Liara.
"Apparently not or they don't care" growled Tali. Kyson took point once again. He was rounding a bulk head when he stopped. A glowing battle drone was floating in front of him. Kyson knew it wasn't Tali's for the color was wrong. He shot the thing making in power down but right behind it was…
"Prime!" he shouted as he back pedaled into cover once more.
"I got it!" shouted Shepard as he ran up next to Kyson. John tapped Kyson on the shoulder. He had an M-77 missile launcher taken from one of the rocket troopers. John turned from behind the bulkhead cussing something as he launched three missiles into the giant Geth platforms body. Another boom from Kyson's Widow told Kyson Legion was still doing his best as the giant Geth Prime crumpled into a heap.
"Clear!" shouted John as he walked to the edge of the catwalk. Kyson looked at the crumpled Geth Prime. He had a flash of the hallucinated fight on the Neema. He shook his head to clear his mind as he joined Shepard.
"Fastest I've ever seen a Prime go down" said Garrus who had jumped down to Legion. Another large explosion rocked everyone.
"Shepard-Commander, the Quarians are going to destroy this vessel. We suggest leaving.
"No shit, let's move team!" shouted John as he jumped down. Kyson made sure everyone followed legion out of the drive core before running himself. He was right behind Liara as they booked it. Legion was leading the group through the ship as equipment was torn to shreds around them. Kyson swore as a wall of fire from a passing hall way threatened to engulf him but kept running.
"Don't stop!" shouted John as they made it to a bay full of Geth fighters. Kyson saw his team running down the service ramp when a round from the Quarian fleet punched through at an angle. It knocked out the path right out from under Shepard.
"John!" shouted Liara as the Commander dropped. Kyson ran up to the edge only to see Shepard on a ramp below already on his feet.
"He'll be fine keep going!" shouted Kyson as he checked on the rest. He nodded before jumping the gap to continue. Legion had already made his way forward waiting for them.
"We have secured a fighter for transport" said Legion. Kyson helped everyone with the jump, but when Tali finally came across she latched on to him.
"Keep running" was all he said as he began to drag her. John had made it to the fighter. He was waving them on with urgency, time had run out. Kyson gripped Tali harder as he pumped his legs with all of his strength the T5 Battle suit was a heavy SOB. A loud 'chunk' followed by a deep hum growing quite sounded.
"Commander, I read that you lost gravity. You alright down their?" asked Joker over the comm. Kyson frowned. They hadn't lost gravity but, as always he was about to jump onto the Geth fighter when he felt himself fly into the air from the momentum of his running.
"God damn it!" he shouted as he floated away with no control of his movements.
"I got you" said Tali as he felt a slight jerk in his left arm. He looked back to see Tali latched onto Shepard who had his grave boots on the Geth fighter. Tali had not let go of him once again. The team scrambled on board of the little Geth fighter. It was cramped as hell, Kyson was damn near sitting in Garrus's lap.
"Is there adequate space for you?" asked Legion in a polite tone as the machine powered up the ship.
"Yes, now go!" said John as more rounds tore into the bay. Kyson felt a lurch as they were released from the docking clamps. He couldn't really see anything as the fighter shot out of the dreadnaught.
"Joker, we are coming in a Geth fighter. Be ready" said Shepard from up front.
"Uhhhhhh okaayyy. Waggle the wings or something so I know which one is you…" replied Joker. Kyson from his limited view could see the stars. He let out a deep sigh of relief, they were clear.
"I can't believe they fired on us while we were still aboard" said Tali angrily. Kyson looked to his right to see her cramped next to Liara.
"It was their only chance Tali" said Shepard. Kyson frowned; he remembered how much Han had sacrificed for taking out the Geth flag ship. The rest of the ride was silent. The Geth fighter came alongside the Normandy. The team jumped the short distance to the open air lock. This time Kyson didn't hesitate. He wanted off ASAP. Once on board in the CIC, Kyson took off his helmet and instinctively went to run a hand through his hair. It was gone.
"Lookin' good Sorley" said Private Ashe who was at one of the work stations. The private had a grin on his face. Kyson grunted as he lit a cigg.
"Legion, I want you to wait in my cabin until the Admirals arrive. I wish to speak with them first about what has happened" said John.
"We will wait as asked. The fleets have retreated from each other for now" said Legion as it walked away.
"Can we trust it?" asked Tali with an edge in her voice. Kyson watched as Shepard took off his helmet. He had a scowl directed towards Tali.
"I thought we had solved this issue" said John as he stormed away into the war room. Liara was silent as she followed him. Garrus even shook his head a bit before excusing himself to go make some tweaks on his new armor.
"What the hell is wrong with them?" asked Tali. Kyson sighed deeply as he thought of a response. He had thought Tali had gotten past her hate of the Geth.
"Being shot at on a crippled Geth dreadnaught pissed me off too" he said. Tali nodded.
"They are idiots all of them" she said. He had her follow him to his room before he said anything else. He wanted to check on Garrus, but decided against it. He had his own troubles.
"Tali, how bad is it really?" asked Kyson as he sat down behind his work bench. Tali shut the door which activated the decontamination sequence.
"Bad. We have lost too many lives already all for Han to prove he is righteous in this campaign against the Geth. We didn't stop the Reaper control completely though…" said Tali. Kyson nodded as he reached into his mini fridge for another bottle of booze. His hands landed on the small bottle of Amoretto. The sweet tasting Disaronno slid down his throat as he enjoyed its calming effects.
"Damn bastards. What's new though? Well, what do we do from here?" asked Kyson. Tali set next to him as the soft chime in the room told then the decon was done. Tali took off her visor. Kyson could see her staring at the bottle in his hands.
"We wait until the Admirals come back. Shepard looks like he wants a full run down on what has happened" she said. Kyson took another sip of the amber liquid before responding.
"Figured, so what is your plan for all of this?" he asked. Tali shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm playing my cards as I go. The plan we had fell apart. Like I said, Zaal and I tried to speak for peace, but nothing worked" said Tali.
"Now my final question; what would happen if I said fuck it and Killed Xen?" asked Kyson with a smile. Tali frowned.
"I don't know, I want to right now but…she is needed" said Tali with doubt. Kyson laughed causing her to jump in her seat.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked, but Kyson just kept laughing. He didn't know why, but he was.
"Damn it Kyson!" yelled Tali as she ripped the bottle of Amaretto out of his hand.
"How much have you been drinking? Is this what you have been doing all this time? I see no less then fifteen empty bottles of liquor in this room!" shouted Tali. Kyson stopped laughing as he saw the anger in her glowing eyes. But as he was about to ask for his bottle back and explain a dark form with red eyes formed behind Tali.
"What is this?" growled Kevin from behind Tali who was waiting for him to respond. Kyson swallowed hard as he tried to focus on Tali.
"It's been rough" he managed to say as he stared at his brother who was stalking around the room eyeing Kyson like prey. Tali slammed the bottle on the workbench causing some of the liquid to slosh out. She looked away from him with rage splayed on her face.
"You were supposed to be punished! She isn't supposed to be alive! No matter, I will just have to sink in deeper into your mind Kyson" growled Kevin. And with that, his brother disappeared. Kyson felt his right eye twitching as he felt cold again. What was his brother going to do to him now?"
"I thought you would be stronger than this" said Tali. Kyson snapped back his focus on her.
"Than what? Drowning in my grief?" snapped Kyson unintentionally. He felt like a cornered animal. Tali nodded slowly as she kept her focus elsewhere. Kyson began to feel sick again.
"I don't know what to tell you. I felt myself die twice in the void…I'm sorry I'm not what I once was" said Kyson as he stood up. He wanted to run but he found it hard to take a step. Tali stood up and reached for his face. She ran a finger down the scar running over his left eye.
"You have never stopped fighting have you?" she asked sadly. He shook his head. He hadn't. He had spent every single moment of every day in preparation for this war.
"I don't know how to tell you what I've been through" said Kyson. He wanted to tell her everything but he just couldn't. He couldn't do that to her.
"Then just start at the beginning" said Tali softly. Kyson shook his head.
"It doesn't matter now, I've hurt for so long but you are back now!" said Kyson with a broad smile.
"I have you back. That's all I have wanted since I got spaced" he continued as he brought her in close.
"Kyson, the Admirals will be here in twenty minutes" said Joker over the comm. Kyson grunted.
"Thanks Joker" said Kyson as he silently thanked Jeff for distracting him. Kyson let go of Tali so he could climb into his casuals. The armor was pissing him off with its bulk. He had stripped down to his boxer briefs before he lit another cigg. But as he lit up he paused. Oh fuck! Tali is in the room! Kyson hastily put out the cigg only for Tali to pull out two more from his pack on his bench. Kyson watched with horror as she lit two at the same time handing one to him.
"I smoked the two cartons you left on the fleet…sorry" she said with a guilty smile. Kyson took the cigg and took a deep drag.
"So you are immune to it I would guess" he stated more than asked. Tali was busy exhaling a drag of her own.
"Yeah, oh this is much better than that water vapor thing. E-Cigarettes suck" she said as she felt the harsh nicotine bite from the Marlboro Red entered her veins. Kyson shook his head smiling.
"I'll be damned. I am a bad influence" he chuckled. Tali laughed as she decided to lie in the hammock.
"To others maybe, I'm quite fine with it thank you" she said with a wide grin.
"Good to hear" said Kyson as he sat quietly once again. He felt awkward despite himself still. So he figured to just stay silent.
"Did…did Liara ever get a package from me?" asked Tali cryptically. Kyson remembered the box of his old stuff from the fleet.
"She did. She waited for me to open it" said Kyson. Tali stared at him.
"I got the message as well" he said sadly. Tali nodded slowly as she took another drag.
"Man, have we been through some shitty situations huh?" asked Kyson casually.
"You can say that again…but don't" said Tali with a nod.
"Are you going to be okay?" asked Kyson. He wanted to know how she would react around the Admirals this time around.
"No. I'm not okay, but I'll figure it out" she said. A Chirp sounded on his Omni-tool. It was a call from his dad. Kyson answered.
"Hey, you two mind if Beni and I came down?" asked Luke Sorley.
"Naw, come on down" said Kyson. As always his father simply cut the line dead. Kyson sighed as he got dressed into a pair of Levi's along with his black beater. He put on his black boots along with his black hat. He flexed his muscles as he felt somewhat human again. He glanced at Tali who was blatantly ogling him.
"Wut?" he asked with a crooked grin.
"You…look great" she said in a hypnotized voice. Kyson laughed as he sat back down with his legs spread wide for comfort. Well, more than just comfort.
"There have been some benefits from constant fighting" said Kyson as he chuckled a bit. He looked at his now toned body along with his more sinewy arms. They were taught and tough like gator skin. For the first time in years he looked at his hands to see the deep calluses they had become. He messaged his right hand feeling the leather like consistency. Tools had been his life whether it be a hammer or a gun. A knock on the door signaled that Beni and his father had arrived. Kyson tossed Tali her visor. She clicked it into place as he unlocked the door.
"Come in" he said loudly. Tali had stood up to greet her adopted family. Beni came in first. She nodded to Kyson but as soon as she saw Tali she nearly ran forward. She buried the smaller Quarian in a strong hug.
"By the Goddess, I thought I would never see you again" said Beni. Tali hugged her back but the Asari Matron pushed her back some.
"How have you been dear? Don't answer that Han has always been a shit head. So you had no idea what Xen had done? Don't worry I'm going to flay the cunt alive donchu worry bout that. And Oh! The new suit looks absolutely stunning on you dear, it reminds me of how your people dressed four hundred years ago, very flattering. You always were a very beautiful young woman" fussed Beni as she checked Tali over.
"Um…thank…you?" stammered Tali not sure of what to make of the scene. Kyson began to snicker a bit at how much of a fuss Beni was being. It was like being back in the country all over again.
"Ma, leave her alone already hahahaha!" he laughed as Beni glared at him.
"Where is she?" came the voice of Luke who was coming down the stairs. Luke Sorley barged into the room with an angry look on his face.
"I'll be fucked nine times to next week!" he shouted as he nearly mowed over Tali. The poor young woman was being crushed to death. Kyson got up when he heard Tali struggling to draw breath. But Beni was already on it. She slapped him lightly over the head.
"Luke!" she yelled causing the older man to drop his Quarian prey.
"Damn it girl, you put us through the wringer you know that?" asked Luke with sadness in his eyes. Tali glanced at Kyson who started to feel tight in the chest.
"I'm sorry…" said Tali with weariness in her voice. Luke nodded to her as he let go.
"I…I'm sorry bout that ahem yeah, now the family is back together mostly. Good" said Luke trying to regain composure. The eldest Sorley looked at his son.
"Have you given it to her yet?" asked Luke. Kyson cocked an eyebrow in confusion. But he remembered the Pal'tec vis Surden in his suit. He began to panic a bit.
"Given me what?" asked Tali who was glancing between the two.
"A new shotgun…yeah dad I did" said Kyson glaring at his father. Luke just grunted in disappointment.
"Yes, he did give me a new shotgun, it's hard to get used too though, only two shots. I'm guessing that's why he carried two of them" said Tali.
"Yeah, it works but I'll manage until I get that one back" said Kyson.
"Well, tell me darling, how hard has it been keeping Han in check?" asked Luke. Tali groaned.
"Impossible" she said. Luke laughed while Beni muttered 'ain't that the damn truth' under her breath.
"How did you two make it off of Earth?" asked Tali wanting to know more herself.
"We got lucky. That's how. Beni and I started a militia in Front Royal seeing as it was a prime target with all of the shipping supply hubs in town. We managed to get three hundred container ships full of people safely off world before the main assault on Washington D.C spread out way. We were on the last shuttle that was prepped to leave" said Luke.
"That's…that's amazing that you got so many off. How did you convince so many to be ready for an unknown date of the Reapers arrival?" asked Tali Luke simply pointed at Kyson.
"He did it. We just put the plan motion" said Luke with a smirk. Kyson rolled his eyes as Tali looked at him for an explanation.
"People where I am from are nosy by nature. Word spread that I was on the Normandy when the Alpha relay was destroyed by John. Even though I was down on Earth at that time they didn't listen to that. They wanted to know why John had done it. So, I took every chance I could to warn about the Reapers" said Kyson as if it was just a small feat.
"Or you scared the business owners shitless when you threatened to sabotage their freighters if they didn't comply" snickered Beni.
"Details…" said Kyson rolling his eyes.
"Kyson!" shouted Tali in disbelief that he would be so underhanded in his tactics.
"What? How many lives were saved dad?" asked Kyson for support.
"Twelve thousand plus" said Luke. Tali seemed to relax a bit.
"It was worth it" she said making up her mind. Kyson nodded.
"I'm glad that the family is almost whole again but…the Admirals are here you guys" said Joker.
"Thanks" said Kyson as he stood up. Beni sighed as she led the way out with Luke.
"Are we going to remind our old friend Han who taught him his shit again?" asked Beni. Luke laughed.
"This won't be the first time, he always did look up to me" said Luke. Kyson was following them when he felt Tali brush up against his right arm.
"Looks like the bond is still just as strong" commented Kyson. Tali stayed in step with him.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again. You get into more fucking shit than a Salarian hopped up on coffee" said Tali with all seriousness. Kyson raised an eyebrow again.
"That's a bit harsh don't you think?" he asked trying to point out how ruff she had become. Tali snorted.
"That's life, wear a helmet" she said causing Beni and Luke to laugh nonstop.
"I lost mine…" grumbled Kyson as they got into the elevator. As they made it to the war room, Kyson could see Shepard walking out of the QEC. He looked pissed as hell still. Kyson made it a point to cut him off.
"Yo John, you good?" he asked. He shook his head as he looked at the war terminal. Kyson saw a chart showing data on the galactic wide resistance. The numbers he was seeing looked good around Palaven but…they were losing system after system in the terminus region.
"We need this taken care of Kyson" said John quietly.
"I know, but Tali sounds grim about it" said Kyson as he glanced across the room to see Tali talking with Luke.
"I know. How is she doing…how are both of you doing?" asked Shepard.
"Settling down a bit I guess. Still shocked shitless, but once we have true time together we will be fine" said Kyson with a shred of optimism.
"Good…" John looked up stopping what he was saying. The Admirals walked into the war room once again fighting as always.
"Han! You nearly got all of us killed back there!" shouted Shala'Raan as they made their way towards John and Kyson.
"I've heard enough. I did what I had too" said Han calmly as if the debate was finished.
"Zaal'Korris had to sacrifice his ship to save the civilian fleet! He is most likely dead along with the entire crew down on Rannoch! And to make it worse, you almost killed yourself with your recklessness. And what of Tali'Zorah? Of Shepard and Kyson here? You nearly killed them on the dreadnaught!" yelled Raan not relenting. Kyson had never seen Raan blast someone so vehemently, even when she tried to kill him.
"What Zaal did was courageous and he will be honored along with their crew for their sacrifice! As For Tali, Shepard, and Kyson…they are fine! Shepard, you are military, you know that I had to do it!" shouted Han losing his cool. Kyson glanced at John for his take on it. Kyson had the notion the Commander would disagree. John was resting his chin in thought on his fist when he glanced between the two arguing admirals.
"Han, I hate to say it but you did the right thing. It was your only shot. Seeing as the Reapers still somehow have sway over part of the Geth it was the only option" said John. Kyson's jaw dropped.
"What?" shrieked Tali not believing Shepard's backing of Han. Kyson started to reach for his hammer when a blur of salt-and pepper hair blocked his view. Luke growled as he punched Han as hard as he could in the gut. The Quarian Admiral coughed as he doubled over to one knee.
"How dare you put my son in danger like that! Not to mention my daughter-in-law!" shouted Luke. Han coughed as he stood up. Kyson took a step back. Fuck…go dad…
"Good to see you *cough* to old friend" said Han with a wheeze.
"You always were reckless. Obviously you and Rael didn't learn a damn thing on those missions" said Beni as she stood next to Luke.
"Benalia? Hell of a reunion huh?" Han chuckled nervously.
"Quiet" snapped Beni. Kyson edged his way towards Tali but he saw a final person he had missed. He heard Han being dressed down by his father when he crept up to Kal'Reegar.
"Psst…how long have you been waiting for this?" asked Kyson catching Kal's attention. The Quarian Marine looked like his suit had been through a meat grinder, but from the light stance Kal was in he was in a fine mood.
"I should try you for treason for what you did!" shouted Shala in the background causing Kal to chuckle.
"For far too long..." said Kal. The two marines stood back as they watched Han get torn apart. Kal cleared his throat.
"Kyson…are we good or…you still angry?" asked Kal. Kyson sighed. Kal was the one to restrain him when Han told Kyson he could never come back. Kal had to go to the infirmary after Kyson flipped his gourd.
"Yeah, we're good. You did what you had too" said Kyson holding out a hand. He had always felt bad for ripping Kal's suit open causing him to get sick as a dog. Kal shook his hand firmly.
"Good" said Kal who sighed with relief in his voice.
"Fine! Fuck you too asshole!" shouted Han as he stormed out of the war room. Tali was in Han's way so he butted his shoulder into her making her move.
"Bosh'tet!" she growled as Han stomped out of the war room. Kyson laughed a bit causing the attention to focus on him.
"What's so damn funny?" asked Shala who was still geared up for a fight.
"Oh, just that Han had that coming for years it looked like" said Kyson. Shala nodded.
"We can agree on that" she said.
"Reegar? Is that you back there?" asked John walked towards the Marine.
"Damn straight it is!" said Kal as he shook John's hand firmly.
"Damn it's good to see you again bud" said John causing Kal to laugh.
"Now that you are hear, I should put you on Colossus duty again" said Kal. Kyson stepped out of the way lighting another cigg.
"I've upgraded. Reapers my friend, bigger the fish, bigger the prize" said John with a mischievous smirk.
"Count me in" said Kal.
"As much as I enjoy the enthusiasm, we have a problem" said Shala. Kyson went to the admiral to listen. All eyes were on Raan.
"Zaal'Korris sacrificed his ship to take out the Geth's planetary guns…we do not know where the Qwib Qwib or her survivors are" said Shala angrily. Kyson had missed that the first time around. His gut sank as another friend came to mind.
"Admiral, I have a friend on that ship, please tell me you had enough sense to keep the children on the live ships" said Kyson urgently. He had to know if Jonah had made it. He remembered his time spent with Dorn'Hazt and Jonah aboard the Qwib Qwib.
"For the most part yes…" said Shala who was caught off guard by his question. Kyson took a deep drag on his cigg. There was at least some hope for the toddler.
"Yes, well we have Geth fighter squadrons maneuvering to his the live ships it appears. We need to find a way to stop them.
"Seeing as the Geth are no longer being controlled by the Reapers for the time being, we could use the data washes again" said Xen who had spoken up for the first time.
"Well, shit. Didn't even realize you were here" said Kyson with an evil smile. He could tell Daro had to muster a lot of courage to speak up in the first place.
"Yes well, seeing as you are still alive you might want to make yourself of some use" snapped Daro. Kyson squared off his shoulders as he bore down on Xen. Fire was rising in his eyes but what shook the diminutive Quarian Admiral was a low feral growling from across the room. Tali was slipping back into that instinctual defense of her Lifemate.
"You hear that Xen. I think you should watch your step" said Kyson. Xen seemed to glance towards Tali briefly when the door to the war room opened.
"God my timing is off today…" mumbled John as he stepped between Kyson and Xen. Kyson lunged at Xen causing her to jump. Kyson smirked as he faked her out. He turned to see the new arrival. It was Legion.
"What the hell is this!" yelled Shala who reached for her side arm. John ran next to legion.
"Wait! Legion is with me! It was Legion who helped deactivate the Reaper signal. He also helped me take out the Collector base. He is on our side" said John as he stared down Shala. Kyson saw Xen move past her shocked counterpart.
"Well! This truly is a fine specimen isn't it?" asked Daro'Xen as she circled Legion. The synthetic studied her in turn. Kyson didn't like the way Daro seemed to stalk Legion as if he was prey.
"Back off Xen" warned Shepard.
"I could take it back to my lab, make sure it's not corrupted or anything…" began Xen only for John to rip her away.
"I don't think you want to continue that sentence" growled Shepard. Xen paused before nodding and shrinking away. Legion just kept quite as he studied the situation.
"To prove coercion, I have the location of the Geth servers that control the fighters targeting the live ships" said Legion getting to the point.
"Why would you do this?" asked Shala who had a hand still on her pistol. Kyson listened as Legion explained what was going on. Shala didn't like having the fact that it was the Quarians that drove them to the Reapers. Kyson stayed quiet. While Shepard dealt with galactic problems, he would handle the domestic. Tali and Xen had been staring each other down the entire time. Once Legion was done with what he had to say, Xen left without a word leaving Kyson an opportunity to get next to Tali.
"Talk about being the biggest Bosh'tet in the galaxy huh?" asked Kyson with a slight smirk. He may not be able to kill Xen, but watching her act like a beaten dog had its high points.
"I'll hold her down while you get your payback when this is over" snarled Tali.
"In due time, but it looks like we are about to head out again" said Kyson still smirking. Kal shifted nervously near bye.
"Something wrong Kal?" asked Kyson knowing that the Marine was bound by his position not to take Tali's words lightly.
"No…but all this stuff with Legion, I wish you two had gone through with that plan before you got spaced" said Kal. Kyson frowned.
"What plan?" asked Kyson.
"The one where you and Tali were going to stage getting caught, didn't Shepard tell you?" asked Kal confused. Kyson sighed heavily. He remembered now, the plan Legion made with Shepard and Tali.
"I was…I remember yeah" said Kyson. He wanted to say how he was left out of the loop, but he didn't need to remind Tali she had screwed that pooch.
"Anyways, Tali had me bring something back from the Neema" said Kal as he walked closer. Kyson looked at Tali who nodded to him. He squinted trying to read her features behind the mask. It most likely was his imagination but he swore he saw a slight smile. Kyson turned back to Kal who had a black object in his hands. Kyson felt his heart skip a beat.
"My…y…you kept it? But how?" asked Kyson as he took his hover board from Kal. It was the RadFlight Blazer.
"Xen gave this to us." She said you tried to reach for it when you accidently got caught in a venting cycle on a vid she reviewed after the jump" said Kal. Kyson stared into the Marines eyes with a glare. Pieces of the cover up puzzle fell into place. Kal had never told Tali the truth due to orders from Han'Gerral. Kal easily picked up on his body posture and backed up a step.
"Thanks…bud" said Kyson rigidly. He wasn't so much angry with Kal than he was with Han. But like many things it would have to wait.
"Aw hell, you got your board back. Well I might as well sit back and let you do all the fancy stuff" said John as he joined them. Kyson just gripped the board tightly in his hands. He wasn't sure what if he had it in him since his new fears of the void. He was actually amazed that he had made it this far. Now that he thought about it. All his rage, all of his anger had blocked fear. But now, it was back. He no longer felt immune. He suddenly felt very vulnerable.
"I can fly that thing now" said Tali with a slight giggle making Kyson twitch as he was brought back from his thoughts. John's scrutinizing gaze met his. Shrug it off Kyson, you got this.
"Oh, yeah? Bet it was a hell of a sight" said Kyson managing a smile for her sake. She nodded vigorously.
"First try. Not a problem" she said mockingly. John laughed a bit as Tali tried to bait him.
"She threw herself off a damn cliff! She nearly gave me a heart attack" said Kal. Tali shrugged her shoulders as Kyson smiled at the thought.
"She's had a bad influence" said John with a broad smile. Kal just waved them off as he took his leave.
"Kal! Bee safe out there awright?" called Kyson from across the room.
"I will. Ya'll promise the same? I know it's pointless to ask with you guys" chuckled Kal.
"We will. Keelah Se'lai!" shouted Kyson as he gave the Quarian Marine a strong salute.
"Keelah Se'lai!" snapped Kal as he gave a salute in turn as the door to the war room closed.
"Damn good man that Reegar" said Shepard as he leaned against the war terminal.
"He is" said Tali in good nature. Kyson placed the board on his back where a standard shotgun would normally be kept. John started to laugh.
"Something I've always wondered Tali, why didn't you ever try and bond with Kal?" asked John with an evil grin. Kyson glanced at Tali interested in her response.
"He failed basic math when we were young. That was when we were about ten. All dreams stopped there" snickered Tali. Kyson rolled his eyes.
"I can see that. Now, you two up for helping me out with Legion?" asked John. Tali glanced at Kyson.
"Well…Kyson, you okay after what happened in the docking tube?" asked Tali hesitantly. Kyson looked at John who had that damn gaze again. He lit a cigg.
"I don't know. Yeah John I can tell you want to know. I freaked out when I had to make a small jump across a gap in the docking tube. It was my first time in the void since I got spaced" said Kyson. John nodded.
"It was hard for me too Kyson. After I died…" John stopped as Kyson nodded.
"You and I are pretty much on the same page then. I'm almost willing to let Tali keep my board" said Kyson seriously. Almost.
"Really? I uh…no you don't have to do that…it is fun though" said Tali longingly. Kyson brought her in for a hug.
"I said almost. John, did Legion give you coordinates?" asked Kyson. John raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I was planning on leaving in thirty, why?" asked Shepard.
"I'm going to do something very stupid, but very helpful" said Kyson with a sad smile.
"Why am I not surprised?" said Tali as she spun him around trying to get a read on him. He replaced the fear of what he was about to do with a shit eating grin.
"You'll see" was all he said.
"Right, don't be too stupid. We move in thirty" said John as he walked away. Kyson led Tali by the hand out of the war room.
"What is that crazy mind up to this time?" asked Tali as she let herself be dragged to the elevator. Kyson grimaced. If only you knew how crazy.
"I want to check in with Garrus. He's not doing so well" said Kyson.
"What's wrong with him? Is he sick or something? He seemed on edge, even for a Turian back on the dreadnaught" said Tali. The elevator doors opened to the crew deck. Kyson tightened his grip on her right hand.
"It's about Teagann" said Kyson with a sick feeling creeping into his gut. He had tried to contact the citadel but ever since they had jumped into the Tikkun system, the Reaper signal was blocking all outside communication. Tali stopped him.
"Something happened to Teagann?" she asked worried. Kyson was about to respond, but a voice distracted him. Ashley Williams spotted him from around the bulkhead at one of the mess tables.
"Lieutenant Commander" said Williams with a nod.
"Commander Williams" he replied curtly. He had forgotten she was aboard. Ashley got up to walk over to him.
"I want to apologize for how I treated you. I was wrong" said Ashley as she came around the bulkhead. She froze when she saw Tali.
"Holy shi…Tali! You are alive!" said Ashley in shock. Tali glanced at Kyson.
"So everyone truly thought I was dead? Wow…it's good to see you again Ashley" said Tali recovering. Kyson kept quiet so the old shipmates could catch up.
"Shepard told me that you…never mind. I'm just glad you are alright" said Ashley. The commander swung her gaze back to Kyson.
"Like I was saying before, I'm sorry for being a bitch, for a lack of a better term" said Ashley.
"It's fine, I was a wild card you weren't expecting. A lot angrier too" said Kyson. He had no reason to hide that fact. Ashley nodded.
"Right, good to have that off my chest and um…Tali…why are you holding his hand?" asked Ashley as she observed her death grip on Kyson. Tali glanced down at her hand, but didn't let go.
"Oh that? We are bonded" said Tali as if it was common knowledge. Kyson couldn't help but smile a bit. He felt a little of the cold in his life seep away with her words.
"Ah! I…I had no idea. Shepard never said anything about…you two being together, are you married?" Ashley stumbled. Kyson shrugged.
"Not 'married' per say, but yeah, I'm taken indefinitely" he said with his smile growing. Ashley nodded slowly.
"Well, congratulations? How long have you two been together?" asked Williams.
"Almost a year" said Tali.
"Damn, not bad. Better treat her right Kyson" said Ashley with a warning glare.
"He's not the one to worry about" said Tali with a giggle. Kyson rolled his eyes, but jumped a bit when he felt a not so subtle pinch on his left ass cheek. His eyes went wide along with Ashley's at the brazen move. Kyson felt heat rising in his clothes, but to make matters worse. Ashley began to laugh her ass off!
"Hahahahaha HA hahahaha! I had no idea you had a wild side Tali! Never in a thousand years! Excuse me while I process that hahahaha!" laughed Ashley as she walked away. Kyson just stood there not knowing what to do.
"It was good seeing you again Tali!" hollered Ashley as she went back to the table laughing.
"Too much?" asked Tali sheepishly. Kyson looked at her fiery eyes behind her visor.
"No…just, been a while since I've had any attention…let's get moving" he said awkwardly. They walked the short distance to the main battery. Kyson knocked on the heavy blast doors.
"Come in!" shouted an angry sounding voice. Kyson sighed as he hit the holo letting them in. What Kyson found was depressing. An empty bottle or two was broken on the floor by the main battery's terminal. Armor pieces were strewn about in a haphazard way along with several bullet holes denting the far wall.
"Fucking piece of shit! I will fucking end you!" shouted the voice of Garrus from the left side of the massive Thanix Cannon.
"Kyson, he seems really upset about something…maybe this should wait?" whispered Tali with concern. Kyson let go of her hand. His friend was hurting more than he realized. The always cool Turian had finally reached his breaking point. The stench of alcohol reminded him of his life for the past eight months. He would not let his friend go down his route. Kyson found Garrus on the left cat walk next to the cannon. He was in nothing but the custom Levi's Teagann had ordered for him. The bare chested Turian was busy untangling a mess of wired in the firing sequencer panel. Garrus glanced at Kyson before grunting and continuing to work. (Teardrop: by Massive Attack)
"I know what you are going to fucking say so shut it Kyson. I'm just trying to keep my mind off things" snapped Garrus. Kyson glanced at Tali who was standing at the terminal for the cannons out of Garrus's sight.
{Love, love is a verb. Love is a doing word. Fearless on my breath, gentle impulsion. Shakes me, makes me lighter, fearless on my breath}
"I can't find out a damn thing about Teagann with that damn Reaper signal blocking us! I don't know how you did it. Not knowing about Tali after all of that time" said Garrus as he plugged a few more wires in but snarled as he got shocked. Garrus punched the cannon with his bare fist causing a streak of blue blood to smear the panel.
{Teardrop on the fire, fearless on my breath}
Kyson pulled out his flask to take a swig before lighting a cigg. Garrus had given up as he sat against the side wall on the cat walk with his head hanging between his arms as he tried to hide from his thoughts. Kyson walked down to sit on the catwalk next to his friend. The smell of alcohol was enough to give him a contact buzz.
"Teagann is tough as nails when it comes down to it. She'll pull through" said Kyson trying to reassure his friend.
"We left her there Kyson. I should have stayed behind, so someone could at least be there for her. You saw how she was splayed open by that sword. The amount of blood she lost was…you and your sister…have a rare blood type. A+ if I'm correct. I know you donated some to help but…I lied, when I left the hospital with John…things turned south again… " Garrus stopped as he fell into his mind.
{Night, night after day. Black flowers blossom, fearless on my breath. Black flowers blossom, fearless on my breath}
Kyson sucked in his breath as he let the nicotine seep into his brain. All of the time he had spent dwelling on Tali made this moment oddly surreal for him. He should have all the answers for his friend, but he was drawing a blank.
{Teardrop on fire, fearless on my…}
"When I first found out Tali was dead, I thought I would never get you back Kyson. I couldn't understand why you would let yourself deteriorate. How you could live in such pain. But I have been there, I do know what it means to lose yourself. Damn it when Sidonis betrayed me I had a tangible target! But all I have now is hope in a bottle. I'm sorry none of us were there to help you two" said Garrus sadly as he glanced up at Kyson. The two green eyes were not ablaze with fury but the dull glaze of defeat that comes with uncertainty. For the first time ever since meeting the calm and collected Turian, Kyson saw a tear in his friend's eye.
{Water is my eye, most faithful mirror. Fearless on my breath, Teardrop on the fire of a confession. Fearless on my breath. Most faithful mirror, fearless on my breath}
"Don't give into it Garrus. You know not to dwell on these things. Teagann will be fine, you hear me?" asked Kyson. Garrus nodded slowly.
{Teardrop on the fire, fearless on my breath}
Kyson sat that wondering how he had made it. All the days lost and drifting. Tali was back now yet the pain still bit into him. He looked at Garrus who was staring out into nothing lost in himself. To lose the one you love is to lose the will to live. Kyson decided. But not just that, the will to fight. For it is the ones we love that we live and fight for. Kyson clenched his hand on Garrus's naturally plated shoulder.
"Look at me" said Kyson. Garrus just stared out into space still.
"Look at me!" yelled Kyson trying to get through. Garrus swiveled his avian like neck slowly to face him. His eyes were so full of sorrow Kyson almost couldn't hold his gaze.
"Don't give up. You are my brother, the Normandy my family. You all have been there for me all this time. We are here for you now. Don't you forget that, just like you didn't let me" said Kyson. Garrus stared at him for a few seconds before a clawed hand clasped his shoulder in turn.
"I won't, my brother" said Garrus.
Kyson nodded as he got up. He felt time slow down as he walked up the catwalk.
{You stumble in the dark…you stumble in the dark…}
Kyson saw Tali waiting for him. She had heard everything. He couldn't shake how scary it was to suddenly be on the opposite side of the looking glass. Now Tali was back yet Teagann was…no one knew how she was doing. Kyson walked out of the main battery with Tali on his heels. As soon as the door closed Tali grabbed one of his hands stopping him.
"Kyson, now I'm scared. What has happen to Teagann? I have never seen him like this…ever!" she said rapidly.
"We rescued the citadel council from a Cerberus assassin before we met up with you. The assassin uses a sword, so does Teagann. There was a face off over the Salarian councilor. Thane tried to stop him, but he was getting overwhelmed. Teagann tried to help but…Thane got ran through" he said bitterly. Kyson remembered the shock of seeing Thane lifted into the air. A pang of an old hurt clenched his chest as he remembered…
"Ran through…just like you did?" asked Tali with bated breath. Kyson nodded.
"Thane is dead. He saved the Councilor, but as the assassin fled, he slashed my sister's leg open from the knee to the pelvis. He went to the bone…she was in critical when we left" said Kyson as he tried to keep his cool about the situation.
"Thane…is dead? Keelah, I'm so sorry. And what of Kolyat? I should have never gone back to the fleet! Ad you all left Teagann there alone? Despite how guilty Garrus feels, I know Teagann, she would have made him come with you" said Tali strongly at the end. Kyson nodded.
"Sorley's are tough, we have no choice" said Kyson as he repeated basically his family's motto.
"But, when will you Sorley's let someone be there for you?" asked Tali quietly.
"What do you mean?" asked Kyson not understanding.
"What good is standing strong when it leaves you hanging onto life by a thread?" asked Tali.
A/N
So this is why it took so long...
I grind my teeth, horribly. I n my sleep I chewed through one of my back wisdom teeth causing it to crack, and become infected. I had to wait a week and a half for surgery for two weeks ago this day I was up at two A.M pacing up and down the street in my boxers chain smoking not knowing where I was due to the pain.
Brush your teeth kids...and don't chew them either...
SO!
I will have the next chapter up in a few days to resume my schedule provided no other bank account draining surgeries happen. For almost getting struck by lightning this past week wasn't enough.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and review as you will as always!
~RJ