A/N
Here we go folks. More stuff.
Enjoy!
Chapter 13: The Realization That Everything is Fluid
Kyson's POV
"Take 'em down!" he ordered as the Geth unit began to rain heavy fire on his team. He heard several shouts from those who hadn't gotten out of the way fast enough.
"Damn it who's hit?" he shouted as the siege gun pounded into the beam he was hiding behind causing his breath to be knocked out of his lungs. Things had gone FUBAR in seconds.
"My thigh took a hit. Nothing major" said Liara. Kyson couldn't see her unless he wanted to become tenderized meat.
"I have another scar" grunted Garrus notifying that he was the other casualty. Still trying to catch his breath, Kyson could see his team trying to fire back, but the massive amount of fire power the Prime unit was putting down immobilized them.
"Where is Kerris?" asked Kyson who was struggling to even look more than ninety degrees.
"Behind the Geth" replied Tali who was using the beam opposite him for cover. She seemed to be taking next to no fire. To show this, she got off the first retaliatory shots. The response was a whole wall of hell. But she had kept the machine from moving forward. All the team was accomplishing were mere pot shots at best. The situation was getting way too hot for them to handle.
"Hear us Kyson! This end was inevitable! Just know that Tali's death is on your hands. If you had died, she would have been spared" said the possessed Kerris. Kyson grunted for this tactic he knew. Not that he faulted the Quarian at all for trying to exploit his anger. There was plenty of it to work with. Letting out a tired laugh, for it felt almost ironic that he would be realizing just how crazy blind he had been for so long now.
"Yet here I am! From what I see, I screwed just about every little plan you had in motion. All those meticulous hours of research, collecting, hoarding, all for nuthin!" he laughed as he found a possible plan of attack. His knuckle had brushed against his war hammer. If he couldn't kill Kerris out right, maybe he could make a distraction. Open up the playing field so to speak.
"Damn you!" screamed the cyborg just as another deep tremor rocked the dam.
"Kyson, I don't like the readings I'm getting. Each tremor is stronger than the last" said Cortez over the comm. Shit, that ain't good. But maybe I don't have to be the one to kill Kerris? Let the water do it.
"Stay put, that's an order" said Kyson as he brought out his hover board. With his limited room to move. He made the board face straight up towards the sky, its thruster made it stay in place inches above the cat walk. Killing Kerris was a challenge. Getting your left leg above your waist in full armor, a T5 battle suit none the less was a workout. He had to time this just right. For if he went slightly off, he couldn't use the beam as cover. Then he would be flying tender vittles. The thought of his blood covering the base in a fine spray made him twitch a bit.
"Damn me? I've been damned, buddy. For a long while. But you know something about that dontcha?" he asked letting the while draw out with a heavy stress of his southern accent. He also made sure to maintain the flippant tone as if Kerris didn't really matter.
"Yes we know you and your soul are done for Human. But ours? We are reaching true perfection. Come out and meet us so we can show you?" goaded Kerris.
Better not disappoint. With all of the speed he could muster, which, with all of the weight he was carrying wasn't much of anything. Kyson lurched back while jabbing out with his right foot for the hover boards control plate. Having not don this since his days in the Tenth Street Reds, he remembered how tricky this was. You had to do several things. A: get your foot on the control plate for activating the thruster. The board only had a limited weight compensation adjustment for vertical idling (no thrust being added). B: not put your weight too much to one side skewing you from your path, hence getting chewed up by bullets. And C: the idea was to get right along the beam, grab the top edge as an anchor.
This would cause the thrusters to use his arm like a compass on a drafting table. The speed he need and the turn he needed to make didn't work with board alone. If he hit the thruster too hard he could just make a circle and splatter himself on the opposite side of the beam he was on. Or, he would go shallow making himself an open target. Just like trap shooting back home. Kyson had to do all of this upside down, with his left arm, for the other had the hammer. He knew he couldn't make a shot like this even for fun much less under fire.
His foot came down on the plane dead on. He raced fifteen feet to the edge of the beam with a waiting hand. The view he had was like being on the back side of a roller coaster loop. This was the deciding moment. Either he saw Kerris or didn't. He did, right where his voice had come from. In the matter of a few tenths of a second Kyson was barreling towards Kerris mere inches above MP's robotic head. The cyborgs eyes went wide with shock right before Kyson felt the head of his hammer connect with the robotic arm. Instantly he knew it was a glancing blow for the face skipped off the metal appendage.
The glancing was obviously a bad thing. Kyson was planning the blow as a crutch to slow himself down enough to change his flight. Instead of righting himself completely the edge of his board dug into the metal grates like the old snow boards used on Earth with an ungodly wail of metal on metal. Kyson fought for control as he awkwardly sped down the nearest ramp he could to find cover. Gunfire erupted again, but from what sounded like new positions. His plan had worked. Kind of.
"Get back here" growled Kerris from what sounded like mere feet away. Kyson looked back with a knot forming in his stomach. Behind him was Kerris, with his leg thrusters activated, but a black swirling cloud was trailing him. In the Quarian's eyes, Kyson saw no rage, not even hate. He was looking at death. It was oddly very personal.
"Piss off!" he shouted as he smashed on his thruster plate. He aimed to go out over the water so nothing could get in his way. But Kerris held on to his tail. How bout fire then? That's how Mowgli did it in Jungle Book right? Kyson activated his shoulder missile. It took a few seconds he almost didn't have to activate. With an abrupt change of pitch he angled closer to the water while cutting to his right. One thing he could do was turn tighter. He let loose the missile along with an incinerate from his Omni-tool. Both hit their target. Kyson let out a good ole rebel yell as Kerris who had been mere inches from the surface of the water skipped no less than six or seven times before disappearing beneath.
"Suck on that!" he yelled as he hauled back to the base.
"Did you get him?" asked Garrus over the comm. Kyson knew the chance of that was jack shit.
"Doubt it, but bought us some time. Heading back now" he said. The closer he got, the more gunfire he heard, but the constant rattle of the Geth's shoulder guns were silent. That was a major relief to be sure. Now a fair fight could be had. All that was needed was another five hundred feet to the edge of the base...but that train of thought was stopped when something dark caught his eye below. A massive black shadow formed underneath him as he was slowing down to dismount.
Kerris exploded out of the water with a snarl. The Quarian tackled Kyson out of the air causing them both to land, then roll on the dirt just below the Conspiracy Room. At that point, a literal Mack truck had just met Kyson.
"My...*cough cough* ...fucking knee. Ungh..." groaned Kyson in pain. By the time he was able to look back up from clutching his battered joint he saw Kerris. With those same cold, focused eyes. Where Tali's iridescent eyes reminded him of warmth, burning stars of love and passion. Kerris, imagine the way light hits a clear, pure iceberg. Beautiful in its own right, but brutally uncaring of its victims. Kerris was the berg. Kyson was the Titanic. To prove this. Kerris picked up Kyson's battered Hover board. The long mono filament blade that Kerris had hidden in his metallic arm slid out silently. With a single stroke. Kyson's board was cut in two. The pieces were dropped unceremoniously on either side of him rustling some dust. Another tremor in the ground to add effect.
Then silence.
No gunfire. No shouts or yells. Just an unreal calm.
Kyson was wondering why he wasn't getting skewered, but he noticed that Kerris was looking past him. He wanted to look, but figured it was a set up. He would turn his head, then that thin blade would give him a red smile on the neck. A violent tremor bucked the ground beneath him. Then a loud crack echoed out to sea. Forgetting Kerris, he whipped around despite his protesting knee. His eyes went wide with fear for right above the base was a huge black fracture in the dam.
"We need to get the hell out of here!" said Ashley over the comm. A few shots rang out back at the lab followed by the siege gun seeking the source.
"This, is on you" said Kerris in a wheezy voice.
"Like hell it is" snapped Kyson as he turned around. And sure enough the blade tip was pointing an inch from his throat. All Kyson could do in return was glare.
"We owe you many deaths" snarled the cyborg. But was it really who he was talking to? Kerris had him dead to rights so why not ask? At least he would know before he was skewered...again.
"Shadow who is in Kerris, am I talking to you?" he asked. A black shroud began to roil off of the cyborg. There was no real way to define where the lines began to blur. But he did see two glowing areas the he assumed were eyes. Vertigo began to overtake the young N7 as he stared at the living shadow.
"Partially. We are on the path of becoming one. You are interfering with this, Human. We grow impatient. Kerris was betrayed by Tali, by this entire galaxy. It is only just, that you end here by our hands" said the shadow in that same shattering voice.
A shot ringed through the air. A round slammed right between the eyes of the shadow causing Kerris to clutch at his head in wide eyed pain. The Shadow began to scream as if its voice was distorted by the static of white noise in a broken vid feed. The very air around them warped and lost the saturation of color. Kerris just howled as Kyson wasted no more time. He found his hammer and booked it back to where the shot had come from.
"Right between the damn eyes. That's how ya do it" said Garrus as he motioned for Kyson to regroup with the team. But the engineer hunkered down next to the Turian instead.
"Did you see that shit?" he asked Garrus. Kyson was still partially frozen with fear. It was like it infected him or something.
"I did. It's the same thing I saw on the Neema. But it can be hurt if lured out" said Garrus calmly. Kyson looked back over the guard wall and saw Kerris kneeling on the ground twitching. Garrus pulled the trigger again, but the shadow blocked the shot again with a howling roar of rage.
"Or just piss it off" mumbled the Turian. Kyson shook his head, but heard the machine guns start up again on the Geth. The bullets stitched a path towards Kyson. He would have caught a round himself if it wasn't for Tali barreling into him. She had been trying to make it over to his position and succeeded even if barely.
"That damn Prime is a pain in my ass" grunted Tali as she rolled off Kyson into cover. Kyson tried to get a gauge on her reactions. Best to ask.
"Hey babe, I know this is a bad time, but do you believe me now?" he asked as he pulled out his Widow.
"Forget the timing. I see what you are saying now. Let's just get this done before that dam comes down on us!" she snapped angrily. That was all Kyson needed.
"Garrus, keep Kerris busy. Tali, keep that toaster busy. James, you and Ash help Garrus. Liara, I need a singularity on that Prime" ordered Kyson. As his team went to work, Kyson could hear a storm of munitions going off as he activated his armor piercing rounds.
"Tali! This is treachery! You are betraying everything good in this galaxy!" howled Kerris. It was going to say more, but it was cut off by the grenade launcher Ashley had brought. That'll shut him up. Kyson smirked a bit before looking at Tali. She was staring at the ground.
"Don't listen to him Tali. He has done nothing, but manipulate people" said Kyson. Liara let out a yell followed by a flash of bright blue. Tali lurched out of cover slinging two shots from her Wraith shotgun into the Prime. Kyson followed suit. With a massive boom. He landed a shot on the left mounted machine gun blowing it to bits.
"No!" screamed Kerris. Kyson got back into cover before the siege gun found him.
"Keep that cyborg pinned!" shouted Kyson.
"Too late, he...he just disappeared!" said James in frustration. Kyson gave a loud 'shit' for it being under his breath.
"Then focus those heavy weapons on the Prime" he ordered. Now what was that Quarian doing? Hell, he had to keep moving. A loud boom followed by a buzz told Kyson the grenade launch along with the Arch Projector were now in play. The Prime began to shout in its Toaster tongue while retreating back. Kyson took the chance and booked it to the lab. He found Liara adding to the suppressive fire. A quick nod gave him recognition. He looked back at the lab, but another tremor made him stumble to a knee. Bits of concrete began to rain down followed by a fine misting of water.
The dam was on borrowed time as Kyson saw the high pressure leaks spewing jets of water. Kerris chose this time to show himself. With a billow of fast moving wind, the cyborg almost seemed to materialize out of thin air. The smile on the Quarians face put Kyson on edge. The filed teeth didn't help one bit. He looked like a rabid jackal. Kerris snatched a metal bar of a workbench. With a raspy laugh of glee holding a lifetime of malevolence he held the bar at arm's length. The bar extended to roughly six feet.
"Oh good for you, a retractable walking stick" scoffed Kyson trying to keep his nerve up. He knew there were those who could make a staff a weapon of mass destruction. Like Thane, if he was still alive. More water began to rain down on them soaking Kyson. Kerris took a step toward Kyson. The metal staff grew metal spikes on either end like a mace. (Treachery: by Soulfly)
{This! Is! Treachery!}
"Fuck" grunted Kyson as Kerris charged at him. The cyborg became almost like the very shadow that possessed him. In a blink of an eye the Quarian was three steps away. Kyson rolled to the side in shock. He had nowhere else to go. How can he do a biotic charge without biotics? But that was the least of his issues. Kerris had impaled the spot he had once stood with the barbed staff. The end detached as Kerris kept running. Then Kyson was thrown several feet away at the barb exploded like a frag. Shrapnel tore into his armor but the tough T5 held. But a white hot piece tore a chunk out of the top of his right ear. Blood began to pour down his neck.
{Sabotage the system; to confront this treachery}
Breathing heavily Kyson swapped out his rifle for the shotgun. It was going to be up close for this bastard or not at all. Kerris must have agreed with the sentiment for he charged at Kyson. Both shots missed the cyborg who had jumped into the air. The staff came down at him with deadly speed. Kyson managed to block with his gun. As the two metal objects groaned in protest, Kyson could feel the anguish in his elbows.
{Eliminate the threat; and build their minds on savage deeds}
"You made this happen Kyson" said Kerris without the strange hollowness in his voice the shadow tended to add.
"You are fighting for control. What deal did you make with this thing to earn your half acre in hell?" asked Kyson as he pushed away. Kerris twitched a bit before more darkness enshrouded him.
"You are losing Kerris. It's over" he stated to the Quarian.
"No!" shrieked Kerris in abject agony. Kyson reloaded his gun. More tremors, more water and debris rained down.
{Broken communication; It's a hazardous violation}
"This is your folly Kerris. You can't hide anymore. You made your deal with the devil" said Kyson as he pumped two rounds into the cyborg. The first hit stuck in the only good limb left on the Quarian. The other got blocked again. A deep growl escaped from Kerris.
"We are stronger this way. We know the end result of this deal"said what Kyson assumed was both intelligences at once. It would explain the odd speech.
{Don't fall into temptation; don't fall... Abomination}
"Kyson, we have the Prime almost taken care off. All it has is its siege rifle" said Garrus loudly so all could hear. Kyson smiled at Kerris who seemed to change demeanor. Worry flashed across the Quarian's features.
"MP, my friend get out of here! Get to the ship and leave this place!" said Kerris with a voice full of remorse. A loud explosion followed by a smoky trail to the top of the fracturing dam showed the Prime fleeing with thrusters in its legs much like Kerris's. Kyson put two more rounds into the cyborg, both in the chest.
{Sacrifice the innocent; Shed their blood until the end}
Pain was what Kyson saw for the first time ever in the scared face of his most hated enemy. It was long overdue. If Kyson was a better man he would have finished him off then and there, but he walked up to the floundering Quarian who was writhing in what looked to be death throws. Revenge was delectable. But, there was no blood.
{Victimize the enemy; Like a blind man's first see}
"What the..." Kyson never finished his personal question of astonishment for Kerris reached out with his clawed hand.
"Nice try" snapped the Quarian. Kerris threw Kyson past his team and into the now muddy common area in front of the CP Room. Kyson having his adrenaline up was able to unsteadily save himself and land on his feet, but he had to roll to absorb the impact. He looked up to see Kerris coming after him.
"Cortez! Get down here and pick up the team! Everybody, protect those crates. If shit goes downhill, use those two Geth fighters to get out" he ordered as Kerris landed in front of him. He had that damn staff again. Kyson was in for more pain no matter how you looked at it.
{This conspiracy cuts deep; it feels like treachery}
"I don't think so" said Kerris. The staff had a piece of metal come out of the end with the missing barb. It grew spikes just like it used to have.
"Really?" groaned Kyson felling overwhelmed. Kerris laughed as he jumped into the air, then onto one of the two Geth fighters. He stabbed the engines with the barb then jumped over to the next doing the same. Kyson's heart sank as the Quarian landed back in front of him as two explosions highlighted the Quarian throwing his glowing eyes into stark contrast. Death was here for Kyson.
{Nothing to see, nothing to hear, nothing to feel, the end is near}
"Kyson, we have your back" yelled James as the ground team formed a line behind Kyson with weapons at the ready. Kyson gave the order to fire by leading by example. The team unloaded on Kerris. Nothing touched him as he tried to fly into the air. But the Arch Projector did. James scored a direct hit causing Kerris to wail in pain as he fell on top of the CT Room's roof. More tremors made an entire chunk the size of a house fall from the top of the dam. The concrete fell into the ocean off to the right left side of the base.
{This is treachery}
"Guys, where is Cortez?" Asked Kyson as a massive wave was created by the impact. The swell of water began to grow as it neared their position.
"On my way!" shouted Steve over the comm, but it wasn't going to be in time.
"Grab a hold of something!" Yelled Kyson as he ran into the CT Room he got behind the entry way and jammed himself under a concrete desk. Team members poured into the room trying to do the same. Tali was last in, but Kyson pulled her down with him. Then the water hit.
Fortune, if it was to be seen as much by the team was with them. When the dam halved the chunk into the ocean, it only caused a swell large enough for a five foot wave to wash over the base. It didn't stop it from trying to smash and down Kyson and the others. The crates filled with papers careened into the room striking Garrus in the head. The Turian was instantly unconscious. The water carried him out the other side of the room.
Seconds passed as the water receded. Kyson was almost out of breath when he finally felt the surge stop tugging at him and Tali. Now a foot deep in water with the lower section of the base flooded no one noticed Garrus face down in the water right away. But Liara did when she surfaced.
"Garrus is down!" she shouted. Kyson ran in the shallow water to see his friend.
"Oh fuck no..." he breathed with lament as he grabbed the sinking Turian by the arm. As he was joined by Ashley, they pulled him onto the platform they were on.
"He's got a pulse, but he has water in his lungs. We haveto leave now, Kyson" said Ashley. As if to press the notion more tremors rocked them making them lose grip on Garrus who fell into the still foot deep water.
"Cortez!" shouted Kyson. There was no more time.
"I'm here!" said Steve as Kyson saw the Kodiak hover over where the crates once were.
"Grab whatever crates you can and haul ass!" he said with as much urgency he could muster. The team became a soaking cacophony of shouts, motion, and grunting. All of the crates had been recovered plus Garrus had been stowed onto one of the benches on his side to help the water leave his lungs. James even found his chunks of hover board floating nearby. Kyson began to leave the CT Room with Tali waving for him to hurry up when something latched onto his right shoulder. The missile turret was crushed instantly. Three metal talons punctured through his armor going deep into his flesh. Kyson screamed as he was hauled up to the roof of the room. He was brought inches away from Kerris face that was sullied by a wicked sneer.
{This is treachery. Hypocrisy, the enemy, down on your knees. This is treachery}
Tali could be heard screaming to Cortez to fly over to him over the sound of the crumbling dam, for all Kyson knew it was finally coming down. But any senses he had were overloaded by the searing pain in his shoulder. A snort of pleasure came from the nose of Kerris along with a wicked little smile. Taking a few steps back Kyson was thrown roughly to the concrete roof. Kerris made sure he landed on the bad shoulder making Kyson hiss with pain.
"Get up" said Kerris who had both his mono filament blade and Omni-blade at the ready. Kyson groaned as he got to his feet. He felt faint, weak in the knees. It could very well be the blood loss for he could feel blood making its way down the inside of his suit.
{Bureaucracy, democracy, theocracy; This is treachery}
This was it. Both adversaries who hated each other more than anything else known in the galaxy stared each other down. Both bloodied and battered. Both ready to die to take the other out. The whole universe was now a fifteen by twenty cement square. Kyson wished not for the first time that he had just stayed in college. He wished he had just stayed home.
{Breeding a new soul - Breeding... Breeding; Immortals of doom - Face it}
Kerris nodded once allowing Kyson to get his war hammer out. Both knew guns weren't going to work here. The hammer was too heavy for his almost defunct right arm so he had to switch things up. But Kerris was equally handicapped so now there was three options. Kerris. Kyson. Or the giant flood that was about to sweep them away.
{Keepers of the throne - Bleeding... Bleeding; The emperor's return – Hatred}
The Kodiak pulled up beside the CT Room with Tali shouting over the sounds of destruction.
"Saera!" yelled Kyson's bond mate trying to reach him.
{Treachery...}
Kyson stepped first. With eyes wide and dilated pupils in his hazel irises, he howled as he charged the cyborg. Kerris laughed as he stepped quickly out of the way allowing a quick nick with the Omni-blade on Kyson's chest armor. Not to be out done, Kyson pivoted in time to jab Kerris with his in the flesh of his left side just below the ribs.
{Treachery...}
Pushing Kyson away with both arms crossed, Kerris ignored the shallow stab wound by doubling his efforts.
Left, right, left, right, low sweep followed by a double high to low slash with both blades kept Kyson back pedaling to the edge on the roof against the sea. He could hear people trying to reach out to him, but he had to win this. There were no more chances.
Kyson dug in deep and blocked the predicted high to low. Then he head butted Kerris right in the face. Now distracted, Kyson kicked the Quarian in the gut causing a stagger. Kyson put both hands on his hammer. He charged with what little adrenaline was in his system. He swung away like he was Babe Ruth with a Louisville slugger. He swung over and over always aiming for the head.
{Treachery...}
Kerris hissed as a glancing blow caught the cyborg in the chest snagging on one of the scatter gun holes. With a quick instep Kyson pushed the Quarian to the ground with a fast shoulder to the neck. Following his victim down to the roof. Kyson ignored the pain in his shoulder as he raised the now bloodied hammer high above his head. Down came the hammer, its metal fist slamming on the flat of the monofilament blade causing it to shatter to smithereens.
{Treachery...}
Kerris bucked with rage, but up the hammer went. With a flick of the wrist the raven's beak pick on the back of the hammer came down on the synthetic ankle joint on Kerris's left leg. The pick lodged in between the metal joint pooping the welds and rivets apart.
More thrashing.
The final rise of the hammer. This one was for the kill as Kerris screamed in rage at Kyson. The words were lost upon the N7 as he stared into the eyes of madness that was Kyson. As if knowing the time had come Kerris went silent with a very startling calm stoic stare. A voice whispered in his ear.
"Do it Kyson. Take control" said the voice of Kevin. Kyson shook his head as his vision blurred a bit, but he could stop looking at Kerris who seemed very calm. What was he waiting for? Why wasn't he making the hammer fall and doling out his personal revenge?
"Kyson! Kill him and let's go!" shouted the voice of Ashley. Kerris rolled his head to the side. Kyson figured he was looking at Ash for a small amused smiled crossed the Quarians lips that seemed to say 'I'll see you later'.
"Kyson, my Saera! Please let us leave before we all die!" added Tali. Kerris then looked at her with a face full of pain, regret, but also a brief final passing of acceptance. Kyson felt himself take his knee of the cyborg. Kerris stared at him with an intense gaze full of what was a final betrayal.
Not wanting to understand what he was doing, Kyson turned tail and ran as fast as he could. The waiting arms of his friends helped catch him as he mostly fell into the shuttle.
"Go go go!" shouted James as Kyson was helped up. Kerris who was now missing a foot stood up in a doubled over crouch. Kyson looked at the dam. A deep rumbling began as the center gave way. Millions of tons of reinforced concrete was shoved aside as if it didn't even exist. A wall of crystal blue water several hundred feet high leaped over the small base. The last sight of Kerris was a nod. Kyson knew it was for him. Turning to the wall of water death, Kerris stretched out his arms as if to embrace his fate. Then he was gone along with the base as the two smoldering Geth fighters were tossed about as if toys handled by the invisible hands of a god.
"Good bye, brother" said Tali quietly as the shuttle gained altitude. But the show wasn't over. A bright flash under the massive wave began to glow under the surface. The singularity bomb had activated. Purples along with a deep blue hue almost half a mile wide began to draw the wave back. It was like watching a waterfall in reverse as the black hole began to suck up the base. A whirlpool almost a mile apart began to drag down the last few bits of dam that had been left standing. Vast amounts of water were being pulled into the black hole. Kyson was about to shut the door when a deep whump could be felt in the air although they were several thousand feet up. A geyser of water reminiscent of the old hydrogen bomb testings' on earth sent vaporized water into the atmosphere in a giant white ball.
"Faster Steve!" snapped Kyson as he slammed the door shut. The shock wave bucked the shuttle as if they were on a rocky dirt road. Garrus was tossed to the floor causing Kyson curse loudly. The end of Kerris, had finally come. Kyson finally got a good look at his unconscious friend. One of his face plates. The one over the right eye was almost completely torn off. The box that stuck must have dug in under the crease. Blue blood was trickling out from the exposed muscle. Kyson hoped that since the plate had stayed intact it could be fixed. But the amount of time Garrus had been out was a bad sign.
"Kyson, look" said Liara as they began to exit the planet's orbit. Looking out of the window projector, Kyson saw a big plume of smoke rise from the now active volcano. The bombs had triggered the fault line. Kyson watched as water boiled off from the ocean floor as lava began to push up from under the ocean's surface. A massive tidal wave began to sweep across the planet as if it had been struck by a meteor. An old story of a volcano back on Earth also came to mind. Krakatoa was the name. From the amount of destruction sweeping across Arvuna, it seemed like a footnote in the galactic scheme of things. This eruption...seemed much bigger.
"Makes you wonder why we ever sought to harness the powers of God" said Ashley in awe as the volcanic ash billowed into the upper atmosphere with traces of magma. All the static electricity, the tons of rock and dust thrown into the air made brilliant displays of lighting trace up to plume. Kyson allowed himself to wonder if Ashley was right. Kyson tore his gaze away to look at his team.
"Kyson, are you..." began Liara, but Kyson shook his head answering the obvious. He was not okay. He went back over to Garrus.
"Get up Garrus. Come on...get up!" he shouted at the end. He even added a punch to the gut of the Turian for anger was still writhing its tentacles in his mind.
"Enough, Kyson. Garrus can't hear you" snapped Ashley, but she was proven wrong by a ragged intake of air by Garrus. The Turians eyes opened slowly followed by several cross eyed blinks.
"My head...by the spirits..." Garrus couldn't manage anymore, but stayed awake. Kyson helped his friend slowly sit up straight. Garrus reached for his forehead, but Kyson stopped him.
"You have a plate hanging on by a threat. Most of the muscle is exposed. Just sit back and stay awake" ordered Kyson. The arm went back down just as slowly, but Garrus was able to cough out a 'sure'. Sighing with relief Kyson sat next to Garrus. They still had a thirty minute ride back to the fleet. Most of it was spent in silence as he made sure Garrus stayed awake by talking about their favorite music choices. It was small trivial stuff, but Kyson knew enough that if his friend fell back asleep, it could be a coma this time.
The others helped a bit, but most were to beat up or busy with their own thoughts. Especially Tali. She just hugged the giant book as she stared at its cover.
"Approaching the Normandy now" said Cortez over his shoulder. Kyson nodded to himself. He felt twenty years older than he really was. The past week or so had taken a massive toll on him.
"Scratch that, the bay door is still not working because of the damage done by the EMP. You have to dock at the Neema directly across from us" said the voice of Joker. Cortez recognized the order. Within a few minutes they were ready to cross to the Normandy.
"Everyone to the med bay. No exceptions. James, give me a hand with Garrus" ordered Kyson.
"Kyson, let me. I'm not as bad off as you" said Ashley. Kyson stood up getting ready to say otherwise, but his vision blurred. Shaky knees were telling him it was time to take a step back. Hell, I still haven't figured out what to do next with myself. I just...
"...need to rest a bit. Thanks Ash" said Kyson with a motion with his hand that she could help James with Garrus. Cortez was the one who opened the side door. Kyson was ready to get patched up this time so he could get some dearly need sleep. A wave of noise battered him and his team as dozens of Quarians crammed up against the Kodiak asking question.
"Make way! We have injured!" shouted Steve but it was loud, not agitated. People were always curious, and ever so with Quarians. Grudgingly the crew made way in the large hall for Garrus to be gingerly walked to the Normandy. The Turian looked around briefly, but he was still dazed. Liara was limping badly, but Kyson could see a field dressing. She was very capable and would be alright provided she got medi-gel on quick enough. All that was left was Kyson and Tali.
"Shall we go home?" asked Kyson as he realized he was holding onto the side of the shuttles opening.
"Yes, I miss it" she said heavily. Kyson couldn't blame her. In effect, he just killed the last tie to her childhood. He didn't know how she would ever forgive him. He wouldn't in her shoes. Tali stepped down into the hall causing the Quarians to flock again.
"Admiral? Admiral! Is it dead? Are we finally safe?" asked a young sounding girl in the crowd.
"Yeah? Is the bosh'tet put down finally?" asked an older sounding male. Tali held up a hand, but people were still squabbling away. Kyson having grown beyond done with the situation tried to step down. He stumbled to his knees startling a few bystanders.
"Mr. Sorley...did you get him...Keelah!" said a Marine who started to help him up. Kyson caught a reflection of himself on the man's visor. Blood was ever so slowly trickling out of his armor. That was the big wound, but the grisly mask her wore for a face was because of his ear. Blood covered his neck and the right half of his face. Add a gash on the left cheek and he looked like he had been through a grinder.
Kyson got up ignoring the startled onlookers for each sloppy exhausted step he took more people fell silent. Tali looked back to see what was going on. In an instant she helped steady him.
"Kyson, please tell us what happened" asked Shala'Raan who had finally gotten through the crowd. So had the other two remaining Admirals. Kyson moved his gaze to Han. The old Marine looked like he was about to gut someone with anticipation. Then there was Zaal. Kyson new the peace loving admiral was once close to the cyborg. His gaze was one full of guilt ready to be thrown at the young engineer.
"It is done. Enjoy your new home" said Kyson before he started to limp away. No one could say a word. For Kyson had done his job. He also reminded them of the price so there would be no confusion for why Kerris was disposed of. Two guards approached him in their navy blue armor.
"Lieutenant Commander" both said as the saluted while snapping to attention.
"At ease. Get those crates on the Kodiak to the ship and in my private quarters" said Kyson.
"Sir, let us help you to the med bay" said one that Kyson recognized as Private Ashe.
"Denied. I have help enough already. Now see to it. Those are orders" said Kyson in a labored, but even tone. A salute and a healthy 'yes sir' later Kyson made it to the airlock with Tali.
"Well done Kyson" said EDI as they made it past decontamination.
"I don't agree with that yet" he grumbled. The inner hull door to the Normandy opened revealing EDI standing with her new body.
"I can tell" she said. Kyson made a brief attempt to make a smile before he looked at Joker who was in his trusty chair.
"So what does it feel like to be tenderized like steak?" asked Joker. Kyson shook his head.
"Shitty, at least I escaped being marinated by a couple billion gallons of water" he added. Joker rubbed his chin nodding.
"True, but I think whatever fish down there would have preferred you on the tender side anyway" said Joker with a grin.
"Med-bay, Kyson" said Tali with irritation in her voice.
"Must listen to the ole ball n' chain, Kyson" laughed Joker causing Kyson to glare at him a bit. Now was not the time for the jab at his relationship no matter how innocent. Or it could be any humor he had left was long ago stifled by this business with Kerris.
"Whoa...I'm done. Don't need to give me the death glare of doom" said the pilot as he spun his chair back into position.
Kyson shook his head as he was forced to start moving toward the CIC. He was having a hard time keeping his head up. Everything felt heavier with each metallic thud of his feet. Then he stopped. Oh god, steps. My worst nightmare right now. With a deep breath he readied himself for the descent by looking up. If he just pretended they weren't there...
"Welcome back LC" said Shepard who was standing even with his gaze. The stairs helped with that. Kyson who was propped up by Tali on his left his damaged arm free. With a trembling arm he formed a rough salute.
"Lieutenant Commander Kyson Sorley reporting sir. The mission was a success" he had to grunt the last part for the pain was getting to him. Instead of saying 'at ease' John got under Kyson's right arm causing a groan.
"Well done soldier. You stand relieved. Now you need to get some rest" said John as they made it to the elevator.
John helped with making that go by much faster. Kyson thought he had stayed awake the entire time but when he blinked he opened his eyes to see that he was being put on a medical bed.
"You did good Kyson. Look at me" ordered John as he leaned over the bed to stare Kyson in the eyes.
"You did well, you hear me?" he asked with the barest hint of a smile.
"I hear you" he responded but no smile came. He didn't have it in him anymore. Shepard grasped his hand in a firm shake before slapping the side of the bed.
"Good job all of you. As of now, all of you that were on the ground are on leave till further notice" said John before he left the bay. Kyson stared out of the med-bay's windows wondering, what was next? Things felt very open ended for him all of the sudden.
"Who only has a few bumps or bruises? Vega, Tali? Good, you two are going to help me get tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb's armor off. Tali, you have Garrus for his armor is intact. James, get the bone saw...we have to cut the armor off of Kyson" said Dr. Chakwas.
Six hours later
He had only been able to sleep for about an hour. Even the sedatives couldn't stop his restless mind. The image of Kerris accepting his death haunted him. Sure the brushes with death, the darkness thing in Kerris all terrified him, but that last nod of knowing racked his mind. If it hadn't been for Garrus coming out of his concussion he would have lost himself in his brooding. Or to the pain. The pain in his shoulder was worse than when he had been run through by Samantha all that time ago.
"Kyson, I think we are going to have time to go through all of those papers now. Did we save any of them?" asked Garrus from the medical table next to him. Kyson snorted not wanting to think about what he had just done.
"What? You don't see it as divine intervention that a box full of Asari letters was telling me to learn a new language?" laughed Garrus who almost instantly screamed 'ow'.
"That's what you get you dumb bird" said Kyson who started to smile. Kind of.
"I would tell you two to shut the hell up and rest but having been here to many times to count, what's the point?" asked Chakwas as she spun around in her chair to look at them. Expecting a glare of disapproval Kyson was shocked to see a broad smile on her face.
"You seem happy" said Garrus noticing the same. The Dr. nodded.
"How could I not be? You two have been to hell and back again for who knows what time? Yet you two still come around and pass the time like it was nothing but a passing rain storm" said Chakwas. Kyson looked at Garrus with a chuff of pain. The Turian looked at him in just as much trauma. Garrus had a massive bandage wrapped around his head keeping the damaged face plate from shifting. He looked ridiculous with it.
"Do you enjoy getting me here Vakarian?" asked Kyson faking 'and badly at that' anger. Garrus nodded once.
"See you knocked down a peg is always worth it" replied Garrus.
"Asshole" muttered Kyson.
"Pfft, Human" Garrus snapped back causing Chakwas to shake heard head while laughing.
"Just stay still at least" she said as she returned to her work.
"Won't argue with that one" they both said almost in unison. Kyson took to staring at the ceiling again trying to actually rest. The door to the med bay interrupted the failing process. It was John.
"Hey, how are you guys doing?" he asked.
"It's like a hotel on Illium" said Garrus.
"Oh yeah, five star quality" added Kyson. John shook his head before sitting down.
"Dr., give we their status please" asked John politely. Chakwas sighed as she swung around to look at her most time consuming patients. Liara had only needed half an hour for she had a clean wound straight through her thigh muscle. Not the case for the two friends.
"Kyson here has a bruised knee, a flesh wound to his right calf. Had to pull out two slivers of armor down there. Then, there is the missing part of his ear. He refuses to get it grafted. Garrus has not helped with that by any means" scolded the Dr.
"Nor will he" said John as if it was already understood ages ago.
"Naturally. Now the big thing with Kyson is the three deep puncture wounds on his right shoulder. None of them will prevent a full recovery and how his boned weren't crack is beyond me but he will be fine. Just needs a crutch on his right side for a few days. By then the swelling will be gone and the sutures will have dissolved. Can't speak for soreness though" she said. Kyson nodded showing that he truly did appreciate her help. She moved right on to Garrus.
"Mr. Head trauma here almost lost the face pale above his right eye. A few sinews were holding it on. Man you have to respect tough Turian skin. The concussion is what I'm really worried about. He will have to stay aboard the Normandy for a few weeks at least" she said making sure Garrus knew what she was saying.
"No way is that going to happen. I was fine after the missile I took to the damn face why is this any..." he stopped when the Dr. held up a hand.
"Because that missile didn't actually hit you. It exploded, you shields took most of the damage. You could still experience seizures, black outs, vertigo. This is the same for Humans as much as it is for Turians" said Chakwas with finality. Kyson could see by the look on his friend that his pride was what was taking the real damage.
"Cheer up Garrus. We are going to get some time to relax for a bit. We are leaving for the Citadel in a few hours." said John. Garrus lit up like a Christmas tree. But he held back say anything about his worry for Teagann.
"I know bud. But Kyson, do you think you can walk at all? Shit, I'll wheel you outta here on that bed if I have to" said John who began that serious scowl thing he did when getting down to business.
"Long as I have drugs in me and the doctor says so. I don't think it's a good idea to go against her word this time" admitted Kyson causing Chakwas to put a hand to her chest in half feigned astonishment.
"You know your limits, get out of here, take these pain killers with you" said Chakwas as Kyson slow placed his bare feet on the metal floor. He put weight down on his left foot. The shoulder was in agony. But he found that he could tolerate the right leg. Following Shepard, the two walked into the game parlor. He was met by several people. Tali was sitting on the sofa next to the window while his father was nursing a beer at the bar with Beni. The three admirals Gerral, Koris, and Raan were standing around in the middle of the room as well. Gerral saw him first.
"Kyson, good to see you back on your feet. I always knew that any son of Luke here was going to be a tough one" said Han as he held out a hand for Kyson to shake. Kyson nodded as he took the three fingered hand.
"Thank you, sir" said Kyson keeping things brief. He still just wanted to be back with Garrus taking it easy.
"The crew of the Normandy has gone through so much for the Quarian and Geth people" said Admiral Zaal. Kyson nodded in thanks, but Koris continued.
"But you know this, Shepard has been standing here with us talking about future plans for our people. But what you have done Kyson is amazing. I never thought anyone would go to such great lengths for us. Please accept a gift though it is not of great wealth just yet. When you are ready, and we have won the war with the Reapers, you can have first pick on any land you want once we have settled" said Admiral Koris. Kyson despite his gloomy mood couldn't quite keep his jaw from hanging open.
"Me? Own land on Rannoch? Thank you so much, sir!" said Kyson in surprise. Koris shook his hand while laughing. Something Kyson had never heard before.
"We have much to discuss after you are done on the battlefield, Kyson" said Koris who stepped back for Raan. She just looked him in the eyes for a moment before she surprised him by hugging him. She even was thoughtful to avoid the bad arm.
"Thank you Kyson, for all that you have done for us. I know this war, both ours and the Reapers has been taking a heavy toll. You and Tali have paid heavy prices that should never be brought upon good souls" she said. Kyson looked at Tali who had gotten up to stand next to him. Shala'Raan was right. They had paid their share of blood and sweat.
"Is this what it feel like to be an adult? Because I'm not the biggest fan" replied Kyson making a few laugh. Shala nodded with a soft chuckle herself.
"Yes it is Kyson. Though I would never expect any sane person to think what you have been through as a normal coming of age" said Raan.
"You got that right" said Kyson who let a side of his mouth curl up in a grimace.
"Damn it Kyson, how bout' you stay with us? We have a great deal of things to work on besides, I feel like you need to have your own ship. By the ancestors! Captain Sorley of the Migrant Fleet? How's that title for ya?" asked Han who, now that Kyson could hear the slurring, was very drunk. Kyson held up a hand.
"Thank you, but I must refuse. I need to stay here on the Normandy. I want to be on the ground when it comes time to take back Earth. I have to be there, sir" said Kyson while puffing out his chest, which made his should want to weep tears' with pride. Han just laughed before going to the bar.
"Han you debouching bastard! Your tolerance is low, for same. You used to be the most controlled drunk back in the day. Now look at you. A sloppy old man. And you offering my son a used up jalopy of a ship? Bwah!" said Luke Sorley as he slapped Han on the back. The two old friends began to bicker for fun when Shepard shook his head and rubbed his eyes as if trying to regain focus.
"It just hit me, after all of this time Kyson" said Shepard with an odd look of amusement.
"Huh?" asked Kyson not sure what was going on.
"Really? Shit, I can't say anything I missed it too" said John who was beginning to laugh.
"John, just say it" said Kyson.
"Luke...Han...old partners? Please tell me you can follow that line of..." Shepard didn't finish his words for Kyson's eyes went wide with the realization. It was so geeky Kyson couldn't forgive the alignment of the stars in the galaxy for a million years for it.
"Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. For fuck sakes this can't be real" groaned Kyson as he heard laughter back at the bar.
"Did you two dipshits take this long to figure that out?" laughed Han. John looked at Kyson. They had both turned red in the face. It was so obvious it was downright shameful.
After a few minutes a heckling, things quieted down long enough for people to say their goodbyes. But Tali spoke up as the Admirals were leaving.
"Aunt Raan. Admirals, I am not staying on Rannoch. I resign from my position as Admiral" said Tali. Kyson already knew this but the fact that she was full on abdicating right here in front of him was huge.
"We figured that was going to happen, Tali. We understand" said Han with a nod.
"Yes, one should not be separated from their bond mate for too long. Especially in these trying times. I wish you both the up most luck" said Koris. Kyson was very thankful for the ease of transitioning. It was hard enough on Tali as it was for a bunch of guilt tripping to be added. But, as Kyson was about to add his thanks he felt very tired. He tried to hide his fatigue but failed as he tried to half dash or more like half controlled fall onto the sofa by the window.
"Kyson?" asked Tali making sure he was okay.
"I'm fine! I'm good. Just overwhelmed is all. It has been a tough ride, no hiding that. And thank you for the praises. But, I was just doing what needed..." Kyson was going to say 'to be done' at the end. Han finished for him.
"You did it for the girl, Kyson. That was obvious since you tried to get that so called 'book' back from a friend" laughed Han. Kyson could feel himself turn red a bit but it was a good memory in a way none the less. Kyson waited till the Admirals re assured John that they were going to be there when the time came to hit Earth. Thanking Shepard no less than fifty times for saving their asses to boot. Once that was over, it was just Tali and his parents.
"Good work you two" said Luke causing Kyson to stare at the floor. He just wanted to pass out at this point. Tali helped by leaning against his good arm keeping him propped up.
"Thanks, it took a lot out of us" said Tali who sounded just as done with the whole ordeal has her lifemate. Benalia nodded.
"I was a bit worried that I was going to punch Kyson's lights out the way he was treating you there for a bit. What the hell got into you this past week boy?" asked Luke. Many things came to mind of how to say 'I was under a lot of stress'. More images made sure he kept his mouth shut. Mostly the figure of Kevin who was helping himself to some drink. He wasn't saying anything to Kyson just hanging out reminding him as always that he wasn't out of the woods yet. He was in the middle of the fucking forest.
"I...I'm not quite sure" he said shakily for he knew Tali was going to have more than a few words for him. Everyone on the Normandy had a right to be pissed at him right now it felt like.
"Not now Luke. Kyson, Tali. If you need us for any reason you know where to find us" said Beni kindly seeing that her 'step-son' was struggling. Now Kyson was alone with Tali. He wanted to say so many things. Sorry being the first and biggest of them. He tried to look at her in the eyes as he always could but he just couldn't bring himself to. He knew he had been a worthless piece of degenerate garbage to her. Even people on the street of Omega would be lifting their noses at him. Or at least he thought.
A gentle hand was placed under his chin.
"Look at me" said Tali with a soft voice. He could hear so much more behind it though. So he did as she asked. The burning orbs of her eyes burned with fire as they always did. They just seemed a bit more tempered.
"We are finally home" she said.
A/N
This was a big chapter for me to write. This is a big one in general plot wise as well. We are moving. Time has shifted for the hero's to have a bit of respite...yeah fuckin right!
Much more to come everyone! But I will leave you with two things.
One: Kyson is a dick.
Two: I have not forgotten about the punchline contest. There is some people are I am considering for a winner. Before I announce them, in a few chapters I will let leak the prize. They are going to be written into the story. Using their Profile name.
And hell, three: Not in the next chapter but a few from now, I plan on pretty much having a smut chapter. This is the warning so there are no issues.
Review as you will as always, and thank you for reading Spyke and I's story.
~RJ