Sorry for the wait
Ben had been accepted by the crew, making friends quickly with his good nature. He had gotten some extra tools and items and placed them in his room. He was in the airlock, the ship had just docked with a prison ship. They had docked to pick up a package, their new team mate. All they knew was that their name was Jack.
Ben was behind the two, Miranda and Shepard standing side by side in the airlock. The door opened, allowing them access to the ship beyond. They stepped out, making they're way towards a group of those men in blue, the blue suns if he remembered right. A Turian was standing in front of a set of stairs, waiting for them. Two guards, one on each side, were armed and pointing at them. The Turian took a step forward.
"Commander Shepard, you're package is being prepped and readied for transport. If you'll relinquish your weapons, I'll escort you to out processing where you can receive your package." The guard stood resolute, waiting for the three of them to lay down their weapons. Ben didn't know about Shepard and Miranda, but there wasn't any way he was giving up his gun to walk into some trap.
"Not gonna happen. " Shepard said, his voice rough. The look in his eye was firm, he wasn't going to let them have their guns.
"You must understand, this is a secure facility. To control the population, no weapons are aloud in the facility." The guard was looking hesitant, not really sure what to do. Carmine was getting a little annoyed at the guards persistence. He decided to voice his opinion.
"We're not going anywhere without our weapons." Carmine spoke, his voice deep and solid. He made the guard flinch, not something he was used to doing. The guard was about to retort, when another Turian walked in, his helmet not on. He walked with purpose and an air of arrogance, no doubt in Ben's mind that this was probably the warden.
"Stand down men, they can keep their weapons. I think our security can handle two armed humans and an...oddly big one who enjoys antiques. " the men lowered their weapons, standing at ease now. The warden came up to Shepard, looking him over. "My name is warden Kuril. Your package is almost ready Shepard, Jack will be ready and waiting in out processing. I'll escort you and give you a small tour of our facilities here on Purgatory. If you'll follow me..." He turned and started walking. Shepard gave us each a look, and started to follow.
Carmine looked around the ship as they entered the hall. It was clear glass walls that viewed a room filled with pods. A giant mechanical arm worked its way around them, exchanging them for an empty slot and taking them to locks on the walls of the hall. Carmine didn't like this place.
"This ship is home to some of the most dangerous criminals on the galaxy, it's based on principle. I was once a C-sec officer on Palaven, I was tired of seeing criminals go free because of red tape and time. So, I asked myself, how do you keep criminals controlled and away from others? In space of course." The Turian was smiling, looking out over the Facility. He was proud, that much was certain. Shepard didn't like the look of him
"So, this place is based on principle? It must cost a lot to fund a place like this." John wondered why the Warden would run a place like this, surely not for the sake of doing good.
"Of course Commander, and since we don't operate under a governing body, we can cut corners that others can't. Also, each government pays well to keep these prisoners here. we have twenty cell blocks just like this one, along with a supermax wing." The Warden got a look in his eye, Shepard didn't like it, neither did Carmine.
Ben was a little worried about this place.
"What happens when a government can't pay for the prisoner anymore? " Ben asked, his rough voice setting the warden on edge. A smug look came over his plated face.
"When a government can no longer give funds to pay for a prisoner, they are returned. We send a notice that we apologize and that we are simply not able to keep their prisoner housed. That prisoner will be returned to his home planet at an unspecified location, time and date. They tend to come around" Ben was angry, they were blackmailing people for money. This place had no honor, John knew this as well. An angry look came about him.
"So, it's a racketeering ring?" The Warden looked offended, but obviously didn't care.
"Call it what you want, we simply contain criminals. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a prison to run. Out processing is ahead, just passed the supermax wing, I hope you enjoy your purchase." The Turian walked off, Carmine didn't like Kuril. Something about him screamed asshole. The squad moved down the hall to out processing. Ben in the back, Shepard and Miranda ahead.
The room they entered was sparse, one technician and a few dried blood splatters was hardly inviting.
"Out processing is through the door at the back of the room." The technician left the room, leaving the squad alone. They walked to the door, Shepard opening the door, it was a cell, just like the ones outside. A voice came over the loudspeaker, filling the room. It was Kuril.
"I'm sorry Shepard, but you're much more valuable as a prisoner than a customer. If you and your team will lower your weapons and proceed into the cell, no one will be hurt." His voice was still arrogant, it made Ben mad. He turned around, away from the cell and started walking.
" We need to find Jack, I'm not gonna be a prisoner in this place. " Carmine pulled out his rifle, the old rifle was crude, but effective. A group of Blue suns walked in, fully expecting to easily put down this group of 'new' prisoners. What they weren't expecting was an eight foot tall man, shooting fifty caliber rounds at them from an assault rifle that had a chainsaw.
Carmine frowned, Shepard yelling to get to cover, Ben just pulled the trigger, the rounds shredding and ripping the Merck apart. Blood splattered on his chest and face, some red, some blue. The screams of the dying slowly fading, soon, silence was left. Blood covered the front of Ben's armor, the metal floor flooded in multi-colored blood, shredded limbs and bone shards laying among the destroyed bodies and blood. A siren sounded, Kuril's voice coming over the loudspeaker and shouting for guards.
" Keep them away from Jack!" His voice was panicked. Ben looked back at Shepard, waiting for his next orders. Shepard looked towards him, a look on his face that was hard to place. Carmine was worried he had overstepped his boundaries.
" Carmine, you any good with that rifle of yours? " he nodded to the Longshot on Bens back. It was sleek and thin, but it was tough. It had a hell of a kick too, shot a large caliber shell that pierced armor. Carmine holstered his rifle, pulling the Longshot out, holding it in his rough gloved hands.
" Best in my class Commander." Shepard smiled, nodding. He walked ahead of Ben, we started in a group, me in the back.
" Ben, I want you to provide sniper support since me and Miranda are close range." Ben nodded, readying his rifle as they moved down a corridor that lead to the supermax wing. A group of mechanical dogs and Mercs rounded the corner, charging them. Shepard and Miranda mowed the mechs down, Carmine aiming at the Merc with shields.
Ben brought his rifle to bear, shoulder meeting the butt of the rifle. He peered into the scope, lining his sights up within the four eyes if the Batarian. He let his heart settle, his breath measured and held. He pulled on the featherlight trigger, a loud crack echoing off the walls. The round hit true, the skull of the Alien bursting like a melon, blood and brain matter spreading over the wall and on his allies.
Ben let his breath return, focusing next on a fleeing Turian. The man was terrified of the carnage dealt from the rifle, his face contorted in fear. He lined the sights up with the creatures chest, letting out his breath, pulling the trigger again. This time, the back of the Turian is shredded and blown against the wall behind him, he falls to the ground dead. The rest of the Mercenaries soon followed in the same manner. As the bodies lay, shredded and torn like the others, the group made their way down the hall.
The door opened, a technician opening fire on them with a pistol. He screamed, gunned down by the trio. The three fighters walked up to the far window, console set up that controlled the cryogenic cell below. Four mechs surrounded a ramp, leading up to a circular disc of some kind. That must be where they were keeping Jack, at least, Ben thought so. Shepard was focusing on the console, about to hit a release button before Miranda stepped in.
"Commander, are you sure it's wise to release them? You've got no idea what Jack could be capable of. For all you know, they could kill us!" Her tone was serious, but Carmine and John both hated how it sounded. She had no say in this, but Shepard though about it, but was unfazed.
"Relax Miss Lawson, we came here to recruit them, nothing is gonna change that." John's voice was stern, like scolding a child. He moved over to the console again, pressing holographic keys and buttons. A siren sounded, warning lights flashing and bathing the room in a yellow light. The Mechs activated, the lumbering metal giants turning, training their weapons to the top of the ramp.
The cylinder rose, frost covered and fog rolling out onto the room. Carmine was mystified, the whole event seeming otherworldly to him, but that wasn't what intrigued him. His focus was instead on the figure that was inside. Arms clamped and ankles restrained, was one of the most beautiful things he had seen. She was beautiful, he didn't know why though. He was certain most people would have thought she was crazy, bald and covered in tattoos. To Ben though, she was amazing. Her eyes fluttered open, and she yelled at the top of her lungs in anger.
Her arm glows, a dark, water-like substance covering her hands. She ripped her left arm free, the metal restraint breaking apart like it was made of clay. She grabbed her other restraints, shredding them in the same manner. The mechs started to target her, she ran, screaming and thrashing. Several explosions filled the room, bright light filling the room.
"Come on! We need to go help!" They ran through a side door that led to the detainment floor. They ran down the ramp and out in to the room, expecting mechs to take on. What they found was nothing more than burning scrap and a giant hole in the wall.
"That's one strong woman, she ripped a hole in the wall!" Ben stared at the gaping hole, it was huge. Shepard motioned for them to follow. Sirens were going off, the ship was shaking and rattling from explosions. Ben really hoped they could make it off of the station before it went up in flames.
Warning, cell blocks one, seven, nine and thirteen depreasurized, no survivors. A computer announced, they didn't have much time left.
Ben sped up, running down the destroyed path, until the team came out into one of the cell blocks. Blue suns and prisoners were fighting, riots all over the ship.
"Mercs at twelve o'clock! Open fire!" Shepard yelled, immediately they all opened fire. The mercenaries hid behind cover, collapsing walls and fallen metal panels. They fired heavily, forcing the team to take over. Ben was in the back, rifle at the ready and looking for shots. He located a target, aiming at his heart. The shot was loud and went wide, taking the arm of an unsuspecting Turian right off, blood spraying in the air. The Turian screamed and stood up, allowing Shepard to nail him with a head shot.
More troops filed in, more explosions. Ben wasn't sure if they would make it in time. He put his rifle away, pulling out his pistol, holding the .500 magnum weapon in his right hand, unsheathing his combat knife with the left. He opened his com to the commander, hoping he'd like the plan.
"Commander, I can catch up to Jack if you let me go on ahead. I don't think we'll make it out otherwise. Please sir, I wanna prove I can do this." Shepard looked to him, then back to the battle.
"Ben, you already have my trust, but if you think you can do it, the alright. Permission granted Private, good luck." He finished the sentence, a smile on his face. Ben nodded, and hopped over his cover, running into the mass of mercs.
Thank you for waiting, sorry. I hope you like it, read and review as always for ideas and suggestions. I have a poll on my page for pairings