A/N
Awrriiiiight! Back in the game folks with a massive update! First, I have made Spyke possibly want to commit justifiable homicide on my ass for giving him 18,000 words of broken grammar hell at once.
Needless to say, this is the newest chapter in Homeward, but because I have been so busy I finished a present for everybody. A new Story! A Prequel called 'Opportunity'!
So when you are done with this, you have another story to read! Wooot!
Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Valley of the Shadow of Death
Tali's POV
Her heart rate had to be faster than FTL at this point. She was dizzy as Kyson walked onto the Kodiak still beaming at her with pride. Despite those dying around her something about his smile still caught something deep within, distracting her.
"Awright, Admiral Koris's ship went down at the planetary gun, but that means escape pods. I won't lie it might be grim down there" said Shepard as he took a seat next to Ashley.
"When is it not?" asked Garrus as if all systems were running green in life. Tali looked next to her to see Kerris looking at Kyson. His eye seemed to twitch as if he was debating something awful in his mind.
"John, let's look on the bright side for ten seconds" said Kyson who took to checking over his shotgun. A pause followed for exactly ten seconds.
"Done, back to reality" lamented Shepard. Tali looked at the Commander with a question she had been meaning to ask.
"Shepard, why does almost everybody call you by your first name now?" asked Tali trying to distract herself from possibly losing more people in the war.
"I've been wondering that myself" Ashley added. The commander chuckled slightly before he looked Tali in the eyes.
"That is an incredibly long story Tali" he smiled.
"John, would ya kindly pass me that thermal clip?" asked Kyson.
"John, I need you to be ready for anything at all times for every single second of your life" said Garrus. Both men had straight faces as Shepard began to laugh.
"What am I missing?" asked Tali obviously out of the loop on the joke.
"They must have an endearing relationship with Shepard-Commander to use the casual name" commented Legion. Tali heard the awkward suggestion of the three possibly being in a love triangle. Or was that her mind being dirty? It was the latter.
"Ha! HAHAHAHahahaha!" she laughed as all three men's faces screwed up in a mix of horror and disgust. Ashley laughed along with Kerris who was quiet, but still enjoyed the antics.
"Legion, no. Just stop" said Kyson while shivering in disgust.
"Commander, we have a transmission coming in from Admiral Xen" announced Cortez. Tali bristled at the mention of that creatures name but stayed silent.
"Commander, you are getting close to the escape pods from the Qwib-Qwib. I would suggest caution due to the AA guns in the area" said Xen who was displayed in the shuttles small vid display.
"Copy that. Any other news from the survivors?" asked Shepard who slipped instantly into what Tali called 'battle mode' for he could always do that. Upon closer inspection, she saw how over the past year she could as well.
"No, there is a jamming tower. You should see how the Civilian Fleet is panicking over their lost admiral. They are threatening to abandon this war Commander. We are too dedicated for that to happen now" said Xen.
"Well, that should make things interesting" quipped Garrus causing Kerris to glare in response. Garrus didn't notice or cared.
"We need Korris back, we need the entire fleet along with the Geth to win against the Reapers, Xen. How many times do I have to say this?" asked Shepard who was already losing his patience.
"Commander, just find the sap before he gets himself killed…just make sure to…" static began to distort what Xen was saying. Shepard was about to respond, but Kyson had jumped in front of him.
"Chkshhhhhh chkchkhckhck can't….Fizzzzzz schuuuurk…go fuck yourself" finished Kyson after faking along the growing static. The last image of Xen was one of fury before the Jamming tower cut them completely off.
"Well my job is done here, beer anyone?" asked Kyson with a snarky attitude.
"Justice well served" commented Garrus.
"I'm not amused, get ready everyone" said Shepard.
"You can say that again! Brace for impact! We are under fire from the AA guns" shouted Steve. Tali latched her hands to her seat, but felt the heavy hand from Kerris holding her in place. A few wild turns later they had slipped in under the radar.
"Okay everyone, this is as close as you get" said Cortez. Tali got up with her Wraith at the ready. The hatch opened on both sides as the winds of Rannoch filled the small space. She gazed down ready for a safe drop height.
"He's doing it again" she heard Garrus grumble. She looked behind to see Legion free fall backwards once again to the ground.
"Does he always have to do that?" asked Shepard to Kerris. The Quarian just shrugged before copying Legion from well over sixty feet.
"Cyborgs…" Garrus grumbled onward. Tali saw the two land with heavy blows, but both seemed oblivious to the normally fatal drop. It was only another few seconds and she was back on the home world, another mission, another fight. She felt it in her bones that his had to happen. She swore as she watched Shepard land firmly on his feet that no matter what, she would not lose this place ever again even if it meant wiping out the Geth. The Quarians were here first, and they were angry.
"Well, at least the scenery is nice" commented Ashley as she panned around the area with her M-8 Avenger. Tali remembered using the Human standard issue assault rifle on several occasions. It wasn't the most powerful thing but it had a low recoil. She cringed as she remembered the Sabre rifle used mostly by Krogans and Batarians. That bitch did leave a mark.
"Hey Tali, we could solve this whole problem by towing in a few asteroids. The dust would settle eventually and you already have the suits so…" Garrus quipped as he moved up to take point.
"I have missed your out of the box thinking Garrus" she grumbled as the team followed Garrus. She found Kyson scanning the area with his goggles while lighting a cigg.
"Hey Garrus, why don't you shut up and watch your step" said Ashley who had run up ahead. John was busy talking with Legion and Kerris about possible assistance for Earth if this war panned out in everybody's favor. Tali just barged ahead hoping to get this over with.
"Come on Ash, you know I only suggest ideas that help out for the greater good. Since when have I ever done otherwise?" asked Garrus.
"Let's see, when we got tipsy at Chora's den all those years ago, you totally tried to get a Batarian to hook up with me. Then we have you spying on that poor Private first class Carrera a week after that, research of course. Something about how her pantie lines didn't seem right. Finally we have you placing a grenade under Wrex's pillow…" Ashley was smiling as she counted off the instances of Garrus's antics.
"Hey! Carrera's panties fit just right, but you can tell a girls mentality by their shape and color! Secondly that Batarian was lonely…Wrex on the other hand, that was a gift not a gag" Snapped Garrus as the team began to climb through a tight crevasse.
"I remember the moment Wrex found it, he looked pissed to me, especially since it had a hand written note sayin 'fuck you, from Garrus' on it" said Shepard as he climbed up a few rocks.
"I did say there was a prize for beating me in kills after we faced down Saren" scoffed the Turian. But Tali found something else to pick on Garrus about.
"So tell me Garrus, What panties do I wear? You seem so knowledgeable on this topic" asked Tali for they still had at least another thousand yards to walk before hitting the first AA Gun.
"Tali you don't…" Kyson began in a whisper only for Tali to hold up a hand for him to stop.
"You? Well you have to wear granny panties. You know, the big ones that come up to your waist with a bland color, I can't see you doing anything really exciting so it fits" said Garrus who had reached a high point. The Turian was scouting with his Viper sniper rifle before giving the clear. Tali was fuming a bit. She actually prided herself in her ability to pleasure Kyson.
"Oh really, so how about Ashley then?" she asked slightly irritated.
"Thong, black currently" snickered Ashley causing Garrus to smile.
"I figured you were more of a G-String girl Ash…" snickered the very smarmy looking Turian.
"Ash! TMI…" quipped Shepard. Garrus laughed with Ashley as he waved the Group forward leaving Kyson at point. He had his M-98 Widow out now that had gotten a custom paint job. But as Tali passed Garrus she paused.
"Who ever said I wore any at all?" she asked quietly causing the Turian to have a shocked expression. Tali smirked as she sashayed along.
"John, I have an escape pod up ahead" said Kyson. The whole team double timed it up to the next outcrop of rock. Sure enough she saw the pod that was still on fire along with multiple bodies of the Qwib-Qwib's crew. Blood had soaked into large pools on the rocks while ten Geth units stood guard.
"Damn, awright everyone, spread out and wait for my first shot then unload" said Shepard who activated his tactical cloak. Tali got her attack drone ready While Kyson was joined by Garrus and Legion. All of them were sniping as well. Then Kerris pulled out a strange looking rifle before settling down himself.
"What the hell is that?" asked Tali in a whisper.
"The back is a Geth Javelin rifle while the front is a Batarian designed Kishock Harpoon Gun. Made it myself" said Kerris with pride. Tali knew both guns well but had never heard of anyone combining two very different technologies like that before.
"Just watch" winked Kerris. Tali crouched behind a boulder waiting for Shepard to let loose. A minute went by before a loud shot rang out along with an incineration blast from Shepard's Omni-tool lit up the cliff below them. Ashley began to unload with her assult rifle while the others tore through the Geth ranks with such efficiency that her attack drone never had a chance to aquire a target.
Kerris was the real show in the end. He shot only once, for the Harpoon that shot out glowed bright red as it ripped a hole through a Geth Trooper blowing it's chest open before the round hit a Rocket Trooper in the optics sending it through the air before pinning it into the rock wall behind it.
"I need that gun" commented Garrus after taking out three troopers. Kyson had gotten only one shot off but it ended up being critical. He had spotted the only Geth Hunter that was cloaked thank to his goggles. The Geth had never stood a chance against the Widow. Kyson shot it in the waist blowing it in half. It had tried to crawl away only for Shepard to kick it over stomping the processing core to bits.
"Clear! Good work everyone!" shouted Shepard as he waved the team down. Tali just sighed as Kyson lit another cigg before stoically moving out.
Kyson's POV
"Nice shot Kyson, taking after both Garrus and Wrex" smiled Ashley as she walked along next to him.
"How so?" he asked as he watched the cliffs above.
"Garrus had a habit of shooting them in half while Wrex would normally be down below to finish the Toasters off" laughed Ashley. Kyson smirked a bit.
"So I'm not the only one who calls them that huh?" he asked.
"Ash has been calling them Toasters since day one, or Flash Lights" said Shepard as the team made it to the pod. Kyson chuckled, but stopped as he saw Tali kneel over one of the Quarian corpses. Kyson nodded to the others before checking on her.
"Keelah, they came so far. At least they got to die back here on the home world" she said somberly. Kyson laid a hand on her shoulder.
"We need to keep going Tali" he said softly. Tali nodded before getting up and following him. The next hundred meters were spent in silence before John held a fist up. The team took cover as John looked through the scope on his Mantis sniper rifle. Kyson knew it was the AA gun when the loud pulses of energy began to erupt lighting the night sky. He could even see the walk ways below to service it.
"Kerris, you and Legion stay up top and cover us. Kyson, you and Tali make a dash for the AA Gun and get that damn thing off line. Ash, Garrus you two are with me as we cover the techies. I want on hundred and ten percent soldiering down there" said John as he brought out his Mattock. Everyone nodded before Shepard began to count down with his fingers. Then John waved forward. Kyson ran out of cover dashing down the rocky hill to the right flank staying low. Kerris had already fired while Legion began to hack his former brethren from a distance.
Fire erupted from John's group drawing attention away from himself and Tali. He let out a sigh of relief as he made it to the loud rotating AA Gun.
"Tell me you have done this before" quipped Kyson as he began to pull up the control terminal. Tali was already on the schematics and control sequences as he finished his sentence.
"Hell no, I'm doing this on the fly!" she snapped as they worked on rewriting the things commands. Tali cussed as a missile flew past them making their butts pucker a bit.
"There! I have the thing under my control but I can't see how to take it down for good" Kyson looked at the schematics before smiling.
"Cover me" he shouted over the gunfire. He knelt down to remove a very large access cover. He crouched inside and smiled when he found what he wanted. It was the exposed gears of the AA Gun that allowed it to swivel in all directions.
"Tali, get me a big rock!" he shouted out of the hole.
"What? Why?" she shouted as the sound of her Wraith crashed into the small space. Kyson grunted from the loud noise but waited patiently. Sure enough a rock twice the size of his fist tumbled in. he jammed it into the gears before powering down the main breaker. He sealed the door back up. Now there were two things to slow down the Geth from a simple automated override.
"Done, let's go!" he shouted as he ran down one of the cat walks. Both of them began to fire at a Geth Prime that had dropped in on the party.
"Hey Garrus! Watch this!" shouted Ashley. Kyson stayed low as he watched three grenades land at the Prime's feet. The giant, cumbersome robot processed the information, warning others around it, right as it was blown to smithereens. The other Geth platforms were shredded from its companion turned frag grenade. All that was left was a three foot wide by three foot deep crater that was still smoking as they approached.
"Nice touch Ash" said Tali who sounded impressed.
"Thanks, you and I both know one just never quite cuts it" said Ashley.
"Oh I remember Feros just fine, Keelah those Creeper things freaked me out" said Tali.
"So the giant fifty thousand year old psychic cloning plant didn't do it for ya?" asked Shepard.
"It still haunt's my dreams…" commented Garrus. Kyson listened as he made his way on point once again. Legion and Kerris were both very quiet, but so was he. Three close friends who had been around since Shepard had started his journey were back together again. He figured that if Liara or Wrex were here they would all be laughing everything to death for they had all survived too much to be afraid of anything anymore. Kyson smiled with joy; yes, joy for despite his own story, he was a part of this. And it was the inside jokes, the camaraderie that pulled him out of his dark hole on Omega. And here he was part of something bigger. It helped a little with the sight that came up before him.
It was another escape pod. Only this time there was at least four in a cluster. Kyson crouched down while holding up a fist. John crept up to his position before shaking his head. There was three obvious groups of corpses. Each one looked like a line of defense. The first tier was those closest to the pod. But a second line had tried to hold a choke point in a nearby crevasse. Kyson jumped down the seven or so feet into the kill zone.
"Damn it, they promised me they had moved the kids to the Live Ships!" snarled Kyson as he nudged the body of a Quarian kid no older than fourteen by his estimate.
"They all look to be teenagers, they did a damn good job" commented Garrus. The Turian was right for every fallen Quarian, there was at least five dead Geth units. Several Primes had even been taken down but as Kyson made his way to the next crevasses he saw this hold outs down fall. The second line of Teenagers had been overwhelmed by a Hunters. The kids had most likely never seen the things before so had no idea to look out for them. It had cost all ten kids their lives.
"It was a damn massacre" grunted Ashley with a sour look. Kyson nodded slowly before climbing further into the gruesome scene. At the top on the small enclosed hill were the last who had tried to stand against the Geth. Three adults were her facing the opposite direction, they had been hit on both sides. Kyson was about to leave the gruesome scene behind when a hand latched onto his right ankle. A trembling voice rasped heavily.
"K…Kyson?" came the weak voice. He looked down to see one of the adults leaning against a rock still clinging onto life. Multiple gun shots in the Quarian man's chest were leaking blood. He probably would die from blood loss long before any infection took him out. But how did this guy know his name? Kyson knelt down only to recognize the suit pattern in the dim night light.
"Dorn…no…" he choked out. His friend stared at him intently before nodding slowly.
"Hey, take it slow my friend, you will be fine. Let me get some medi-gel on you and patch this suit. You were some tough bastards to hold out this…" Kyson stopped as Dorn removed his visor causing Kyson to twitch. The only reason Dorn would do such a thing was that he was already on his death bed.
"Keelah! Dorn what are you doing?" gasped Tali. Dorn waved her off as the Quarian tried to build up the strength to talk. John knelt down to the Quarian.
"We got your message" said John getting to the point. Kyson just held his fellow engineer's gaze. The man looked not a day over twenty seven. He had always thought Dorn to be at least be forty. Like Tali, he had some synthetics running over his skin to integrate with the suit he wore along with those same lines in his skin allowing for the body to cool more rapidly. Dorn coughed due to the blood in his lungs.
"Dorn'Hazt, heard great things about you from Tali, Commander. And Kyson…you…you are alive my friend. This…makes me happier than I could ever *cough* imagine…" said Dorn. Kyson began to grind his teeth as he watched a good friend wasting away.
"What happened here?" asked John trying to get information before Dorn passed out again.
"Admiral Koris sacrificed the ship to take out the planetary gun. Most of us escaped except for a few volunteers. We were holding this flank while the Admiral rounded up the others. We were overwhelmed three hours ago…" said Dorn.
"Dorn, we are going to get you out of here" said Tali. Dorn let out a weak laugh before coughing up some blood.
"It's funny, we held out for two days…and I worked in maintenance. Never even held a gun until now…" coughed Dorn. Kyson saw the pistol next to Dorn's body. It was a cheap Predator model, just like the one he had on Omega.
"Let me get some Medi-Gel…" began John.
"No, I have lost too much blood already…Commander, we civilians didn't want this war. Please help them any way you can…and Kyson, Tali. Listen to me closely. No matter what never lose sight of each other, for you two will change the stars. I can feel it" said Dorn before grunting in pain.
"We will Dorn…" mumbled Tali quietly. Kyson felt a hand grab his with a strength of a Krogan. Dorn gazed at him with a fire in his already glowing eyes.
"Kyson, please promise me something. You will find my son, Jonah and tell him…tell him his father made it to the home world…" said Dorn. Kyson clasped both of his hands around his friends.
"I promise my friend" said Kyson. Dorn smiled as he looked at the stars, he chest deflated as his last breath escaped his lungs leaving a man smiling up at the great universe beyond. Kyson reached out and slowly closed Dorn's eyes.
"Rest with the Ancestors, Dorn'Hazt vas Rannoch" said Tali somberly. Kyson sighed as he felt a tear forming. He stood abruptly before he cracked. The first pair of eyes he met were those of Kerris. The Quarian nodded to him before taking point.
"Let's move" said John softly. Kyson lingered behind the others not wanting to leave his friend but a hand caught his.
"He was a good man Kyson, we should take his advice and move on" said Tali.
"I know, but there is yet another orphan in the galaxy Tali. What will happen to Jonah?" asked Kyson worried.
"He will be taken in by the fleet as a protectorate and brought up with other children like him. He will never be without a family so long as he is with the fleet" said Tali. Kyson nodded before he walked off to join the others. Kyson left the scene more determined to find the Admiral. This had to stop. The other admirals were throwing the lives away of people who never wanted to be there in the first place. It wasn't right.
"Kyson, hold up" said John as he approached the stopped team.
"Garrus is up top" thumbed Shepard. The Turian was on a large rock mound on the left side entrance into the jamming tower facility.
"We have a thousand Geth in their forming up to depart so we have no choice but to lie low. Cortez can't get close to take us around and half of us have no way to climb the terrain. We are gonna lay low for a bit and see what happens" said John. Kyson rubbed his brow while nodding.
"I'm sorry about Dorn, he seemed like he really knew you" said Shepard. Kyson smiled weakly in response.
"Yeah, he did" said Kyson. He found himself needing some air so he saw the rock mound to his right and got on his board. He used it as an elevator to the top before bringing out his Widow along with activating his goggles once again. He looked to his left at Garrus who was fifty feet away on the other mound.
"Shit you weren't kidding, that is a lot of Geth" said Kyson.
"No kidding, but tell me this. Why the hell do you get to cheat and use that board to get up here? Getting soft Sorley" said Garrus back over the comm. The young engineer smiled in response. Garrus always knew how to make him focus. He didn't even flinch when he heard the scrape against rock as someone joined him in the prone position. It was Kerris.
"They are staging quickly. We have about a thirty minute wait" said the cyborg who had rolled on his back. Kyson looked away from his rifle to look at the Quarian that was his sworn enemy. He had been mulling some things over in his mind. It was time for him to speak up.
"Kerris, how exactly did you come into Tali's life? I can see you two were once more than close" said Kyson. About a minute passed causing Kyson to look back down his rifle. The Geth were still in formation. He figured Kerris wasn't going to answer but Kerris sighed heavily gaining his attention.
"I'll tell you my story if you fill me in on yours" said Kerris.
"You know my story, you spied on us" Kyson grumbled.
"Yes but there is two years missing from your profile I built" replied Kerris. The engineer wondered what Kerris might do with such information but, those two years were nothing of note.
"Fine, so have at it" Kyson agreed.
"I first met Tali as a ward to Shala'Raan. I was left alone on the fleet after my parents got exiled together from the fleet" said Kerris.
"Both? Damn that had to of pulled something big" said the young N7.
"Negligence really, my parents were supposed to be watching over a mining operation. They were too busy planning their plans to leave the fleet to notice the incoming band of Blood Pack. Needless to say over sixty people got wiped out while they drank to their now inevitable departure" said Kerris as if it was a normal everyday occurrence. Kyson checked down his scope to see the Geth still in position.
"So as serving under Shala, I learned the hard way what it means to be a stigma in the galaxy. Everyone mistrusted me even though I was a child. Rael truly hated me when I was around the Zorah Family. But one day, Tali's mother, Abon met me. She saw something in me that to this day I have no idea what it was. She was kind and gentle, the first person who ever was to me…" Kerris couldn't finish the thought for he seemed to overcome with emotion. Kyson glanced over at the Quarian.
"Abon seems like someone we should still have around" he said.
"Yes but the galaxy isn't so kind. Anyways, Abon became pregnant with Tali and I went right up to her at the age of nine. I asked if I could be there to help in any way. Rael thought I was the most dangerous thing in existence that day, but I just had to be there. I don't know why Kyson…so in the end, I was there when Abon went into labor and gave birth to Tali. I looked after her ever since" said Kerris going quiet.
"So you simply were her 'big brother' in a way?" asked Kyson to double check.
"Yes" replied the cyborg. Kyson brewed around in his thoughts. So he wasn't always a bastard. It all began after his pilgrimage to Rannoch, he learned the truth first about the cruelty of the Quarians. Then naturally hate breeds and festers, then…I got it figured now.
"Do you ever wonder how things might be different if you never attacked Han'Gerral that day in the Neema's commons?" asked Kyson.
"I stopped doing that years ago. It's done, now your story" said Kerris trying to shift subjects.
"What's the last thing you know about me before your profile cuts?" he asked.
"You left Illium in 2183, went dark for two years or so until showing up on The Normandy" said Kerris. Kyson nodded slowly as he glanced at Garrus who was staring at him. Kyson mouthed 'are you listening in?' to Garrus who nodded in turn. Great…
"Yup, after my fiancée was murdered, I gave up. I went to Omega… haHA! Zaeed was right after all damn it! They all go to Omega, the armpit of the Galaxy, the blasted shit hole of a mining station. Anyways, I spent the next two years working for two groups. First, a small gang known as the Talons, then Chance Repairs" said Kyson.
"The Talons? I thought you said you never worked for a gang?" asked Kerris.
"I was never a number in their ranks. I just fixed things for them, I traded my old position at the Reds for the Talons. But with The Talons, I made sure they had no hold over me so I could pick and choose my dealings. It worked until things got too hot for me, so I joined Chance Repairs about five months before Shepard showed up" he said.
"I always liked the name of that company" Kerris snickered.
"So did I, funny thing is the outfit was run by an old Turian who was a stickler for perfection. The old bastard had a thing for irony" laughed Kyson.
"So, was there anyone after Cynthia?" asked Kerris causing Kyson to go quiet.
"As a relationship? Hell no. I just kept to myself despite two instances. An Asari who was a dancer at Afterlife, and a Turian girl who worked in one of the shelters for orphans" said Kyson. He heard a choking sound from Kerris who was now wide eyed.
"I thought Tali was the first outside species…a Turian? I'm having a hard time understanding why! You have never displayed any inclination that…does Tali know?" asked Kerris with a worried look. Kyson laughed as he gave up. He rolled on his back to look up at the stars.
"No, she doesn't, and it was only twice with the Turian girl. She was killed a week after I met her. Look Kerris, I don't know what it is that is inside of you, but so far you have been chill as shit" said Kyson. An idea had struck him.
"I don't know how long I will maintain this…" said the Quarian nervously.
"Well, how 'bout this. You keep your distance after all of this Rannoch stuff…I'll keep mine. Agreed?" asked Kyson. If by chance Kerris 'the real Kerris' was in control, maybe he could implant a truce until this war was over.
"Agreed…" replied the cyborg. Kyson went quiet as he looked up at the stars behind the Perseus Veil.
"Besides, I think it's time people can come back and see this site, never in my wildest dreams have I seen something so beautiful …" said Kyson. Kerris stayed quiet as the minutes passed.
"The Geth are gone, get ready to move out" said Shepard over the comm. Kyson sighed as he got up. He smiled as he looked down at the people below.
"Ah! My loyal subjects! How fares the weather down there?" asked Kyson with a shit grin.
"Get down here" said John with a smirk. Kyson slid down the rock face, but almost face planted into the ground when a strong arm caught him. It was Shepard.
"Thanks…" breathed Kyson.
"How'd it go up there?" asked Shepard. Kyson shrugged his shoulder for only time would tell.
"I think it went well" he said with a smile. He could only hope he had planted something in Kerris's mind.
As the team made its way into the facility with the remaining two AA guns and jamming tower. Kyson saw a distinct lack of Geth. This was used by Garrus to side up to him.
"You never told me about the Turian girl" said Garrus in a hushed tone.
"You never asked" replied Kyson with a smug smile.
"Shit, get down everyone" said Commander Williams. Everyone dropped instantly as Shepard spotted a squad of Geth on patrol. One even jumped into a turret.
"Tali, operation dextro fury" said Garrus quietly. Kyson heard groans from both Shepard and Ashley. He stole at glance at Kerris to see if he understood. The Quarian was smiling.
"Something I'm missing?" hissed Kyson.
"Just watch" said Tali as she slinked off to flank the Geth on the left. Garrus headed right leaving the other four team mates alone. Kyson glanced at Shepard who had a broad smile, so he scanned with his goggles. Tali along with Garrus were on the opposite side of the AA gun fifty yards apart behind the turret. Tali's attack drone popped up behind the turret gunner as she jumped out of cover.
"Hey! Flashlights!" hollered Tali while jumping up and down waving her arms frantically. The Geth all swung around guns raised as the turret gunner got fried by the attack drones. Kyson saw Garrus laughing as he chucked four frag grenades into the middle of the squad while Tali placed two amazing shots into the core processors of two Geth platforms. Then, after the explosions all Kyson could hear was laughter from everyone.
"Damn just like old times! Tali, well done as always" said Garrus. Kyson chuckled a bit himself as he made his way to the AA gun.
"So I'm guessing that this was a common thing for you guys?" asked Kyson.
"They started doing that ever since Virmire, you would have had fun on that mission Kyson. Sandy beaches, cool ocean breeze, Krogan clone army and all" said Ashley with a smirk.
"Yeah, I think you would have gotten along with Alenko as well, you two would be fussing over everything" mused John. Kyson looked around as the team got quite with glum looks. Kyson had heard of Kaiden many times.
"Well, I'll just get this AA gun down…" he said as he got the ball rolling.
"Admiral Korris! Admiral, can you hear me?" asked John over the comm. The commander swore when there was no response. Kyson was joined by Legion who helped him sabotage the AA gun so it would require massive amounts of physical work to repair. Burning all of the control wiring normally did the trick along with another rock in the gears.
"Did you just use a rock?" asked Kerris with a quizzical look.
"Yup, simple but damn effective" he replied.
"I've killed twelve people with rocks by hand. Simple but effective" said Kerris. Kyson shook his head as a nasty image of a guy having his brains bashed out by the Cyborg.
"More Geth!" shouted Garrus who began to take down targets via his Viper.
"Ashley! Turret!" shouted John as his mattock began to wield death. Kyson began to overload some of the Geth's shields but it didn't matter. Ashley whooped with glee as she tore through the ranks of Geth. The whole thing was over in less than a minute.
"Damn! That felt good. I miss this Garrus, we need to get beers after we get back to the Citadel" huffed Commander Williams.
"Will do, alright we're clear" said the Turian as he took point further into the facility. Kyson smiled for a few seconds before glancing back down the path they came from. He had been trying to keep Dorn's death from his mind but the thought that he would have to tell little Jonah still left him a bit distant. He stepped up his pace with a grunt trying to get his head back in the game only to run head long into Legion.
"Sorry Legion. I wasn't paying attention" said Kyson trying to find the rest of the team.
"We had stayed behind to check on your status. Your vital signs show distress for the third time this mission" replied Legion. Kyson narrowed his eyes suspiciously but laughed instead. I'm worried about a machines opinion of me? Am I?
"I'm just tired of seeing my friends die" said Kyson who lit a cig.
"Death is an inevitable end for all organic life forms" replied Legion stoically. Kyson nodded.
"Yes, but I want my friends to live long healthy lives, not cut short by war" said Kyson. Legion stayed silent.
"Legion, please tell me you didn't want this war" said Kyson trying to read the Geth.
"We wanted peace! We wanted the plan, Shepard-Commander's plan had the highest numerical chance of succeeding. We had to save ourselves!" shouted Legion causing Kyson to recoil a bit.
"Damn Legion, are you displaying emotions or what?" asked Kyson who was thoroughly caught off guard.
"We…do not know. We should regroup with the squad" said Legion quickly as the Geth hurried away through a service tunnel to the next AA gun. Kyson took another drag on his cig while lifting his goggles off of his eyes.
"I have a bad feeling again" he grumbled before stomping out the cig and running off. He found the team busy fussing over the last AA gun so he joined Ashley who was standing guard.
"All quiet?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm wondering where the rest went but there is probably something big besides us that demands their attention. They might have found the admiral" said the council SPECTER.
"Cortez! Light her up!" commanded John. Kyson watched patiently as Steven brought the Kodiak around to fire on the Jamming tower.
"Time to go!" said Ashley as she high tailed it a safe distance away. Kyson turned and simply walked. He wasn't really worried for the shots Cortez was firing were at the supports. The tower tumbled into the sea followed by frantic cries over the comm.
"This is Admiral Zaal' Korris! Can anyone read me?" shouted the Admiral as gun fire could be heard in the background. Kyson saw the Kodiak coming around so he booked it. Things were going to be cut close.
"Admiral, this is Commander Shepard! We're coming by shuttle, what's your position?" asked Shepard as the team clambered aboard the Kodiak.
"I have a lock on his signal!" shouted Tali who was busy sending the info to Cortez.
"Geth have cut me off from my crew, leave me! They are non-combatants Shepard!" pleaded Zaal. Kyson shook his head. There was no room for anyone else on the small shuttle as it was. He silently watched the scenery of Rannoch go by.
"I need an Admiral who wants peace! The civilian fleet is in almost full revolt over your disappearance. We will be there to pick you up. So what is it Admiral?" asked Shepard with a stern voice. Kyson saw the pained look that came with the sacrifice of lives. He prayed he would never have to make the calls Shepard had over the years.
"Ancestors forgive me. I'll be ready" said Zaal who sounded defeated.
"Just hold on!" said John. Kyson got his Widow back out.
"The Admiral is under heavy fire, be ready" said John as he pulled a latch in the center of the Kodiak's deck. Out of the floor the turret Kyson had once used came out of the floor.
"Garrus you're up" said John as he pulled out his Mantis sniper rifle.
"Right, you haven't used that thing in almost a year…you still got it? Asked Garrus who climbed on the turret.
"I grow weary of this war" was all Shepard said as he got prone on the deck. Kyson did the same along with Kerris while Legion remained standing. Five accomplished snipers were about to go hunting.
"Coming up on the LZ Commander, it's hotter than hell's half acre down there!" quipped Cortez. Kyson sighted down his scope as the shuttle slowed. He spotted Zaal with a horde of Geth closing in on him.
"Damn he's only got a pist…" Kyson was cut off as a giant boom causing him to flinch sounded next to him.
"I don't remember your rifle sounding like that" said Garrus. John didn't reply as the team unloaded into the advancing ranks of Geth. Garrus started to unload the turret making the small compartment echo with deafening sound. But what was most impressive was John. Kyson had never seen the supposed infiltrator in full form but that changed.
Garrus was picking a few Geth off here and there with the turret. But John jut blasted target after target into Machine Oblivion. The commander didn't flinch when rounds shot past his head, or when a rocket got to close for comfort. The famous N7 just destroyed all in his path not missing a single target he aimed for with a quick efficiency that only Kyson could dream of.
"Only three left!" shouted Tali over the din of gunfire. Then, silence.
"Cortez bring her down!" shouted John who hadn't torn his gaze from down range. Admiral Korris came around a large boulder in a balls out sprint. Kyson was already up on a knee with his arm out.
"Admiral! Get a move on!" he shouted. Korris made it five strides later but Kyson dragged the Admiral down as an incoming Geth missile flew at the shuttle. It happened so fast everyone was speechless. The missile flew right threw one side of the Kodiak and out the other. Garrus tore the Geth rocket trooper to shreds as Cortez booked it to orbit. Kyson felt himself breath once again as the doors shut.
"Garrus?" inquired Tali who was staring at the Turian who was still frozen in place on the turret.
"I…I just had a flash back" stammered Garrus. If the missile had struck, it would have gotten Garrus's good side.
"One missile not enough for ya?" asked Kyson who was helping the Admiral up.
"Kyson, do you have any idea of the consequences if I had been hit?" asked Garrus as he deactivated the turret.
"No, enlighten me" he asked.
"I would have been twice as attractive as I am now!" growled Garrus who played being pissed remarkably well.
"Not now!" snapped John causing the two friends to shut their traps. Admiral Korris ran up to the shuttles communication terminal.
"My crew! Can anyone hear me down there? Hello!" the room was full of tension as only silence came back over the comm.
"I'm sorry Admiral…" said Shepard quietly.
"I hope they found comfort in the home world's skies" said Zaal as he sat down slowly next to Kyson who had rejoined Tali.
"I know they did sir. They are with the ancestors now" said Kyson with reverence for those who had fallen trying to get home.
"Thank you Kyson. This whole damn war, it has made me question many things. Yet seeing you here after what happened…" Zaal looked Kyson in the eyes but the Admiral shifted his focus.
"And you, Kerris'Vateevah, You are most surprising of all. Thank you for helping Commander Shepard and Tali'Zorah stop this insanity."
"This world belongs to the Geth just as much as us" replied Kerris.
"We should have listened to you Kerris, and later, Kyson and Tali" finished the Admiral who looked away with a thousand yard stare as he pondered on his loss. The rest of the shuttle ride was very quiet for no one knew how much worse things would get. The worst part that everyone knew though, was the much larger more devastating war with the Reapers.
The Normandy was approaching half a week without any word from the rest of the galaxy thanks to the Reaper code blocking all outside communication. Once back on board the Normandy, he got pulled aside by John and Ashley.
"That was a tough one down there" said John glancing at Kyson. Ashley seemed worried about something as she kept glancing at Kyson.
"Yeah, I'm going to see if I can find Dorn's two year old son amongst the Neema when this is over. They were close friends" said Kyson with a deep sigh.
"Good, but there is more, Ash?" inquired John.
"It's about Kerris. I saw something that I can't quite believe" said Ashley as if she couldn't bring herself to say something terrible. Kyson rolled his eyes.
"You have seen eight times the crazy shit I have Commander Williams, and it is Kerris. Lay it on me" quipped Kyson.
"His Shadow, it was wrong. It was as if there was something controlling his shadow, not just light" said Ashley who looked disturbed. Kyson felt his gut clench as he remembered the video Legion had shown him.
"You aren't seeing things" said Kyson. Ashley sighed with relief before her face screwed up with worry.
"That makes it so much worse…" she said while glancing at a pensive looking Shepard who was busy stroking his chin.
"Let's get to my room, I have something you need to see" said Kyson. As they walked he heard Ashley mumble under her breath.
"I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…" said Williams. Kyson scowled. It was very apt.
A/N
I always wished they would show a random tid bit of Jonah being okay in the end but oh well. Shit happen, now for a final bit of fun. This involves direct participation.
I'm gonna run a little contest that puts you all completely at my whim! This is the first of three. I'm going to ask a question, and you can P.M me or drop a review with your answer. After the winner is chosen, their user name on FanFiction is going to be incorporated into the story. Why? How? Well, play and find out! So here is the question.
"What is your favorite come back line?"
There it is. So review as you will as always and have a good time over the holidays folks. I should be well ahead on things by the end of December.
P.S. The new story "Opportunity" is waiting for you! Go read it!