A/N: Time-skip, again.
I guess I was thinking "what would make a thresher maw scarier" when I wrote this. Also, I tried putting in more insight on Knight's past back then, so there's that.
Well…
Enjoy!
-Eddy
Chapter 10
The next morning when I wake up, I notice that Liara isn't sleeping next to me and the blankets are on top of me. "Liara?" I ask as I sit up to look around the room. Liara isn't in the room.
As I stand up, the door opens. "Good. You're up." Liara says as she walks into the room. "Admiral Coen just sent the Normandy coordinates for the next mission."
"Did he say where we're going?" I ask, pretending not to know, as she walks to me.
"A lab." She says and stops when she reaches me. "He said…you would know about it."
"He did?" I ask and she crosses her arms.
"That's what I was working on last night." She says and I sigh. "Knight…I don't know why you would want to hide this from me…"
"Liara…" I say and sigh. "I know you want to know more about me, but I don't even know much about myself." I explain and she relaxes her arms. "First, I need to know how much you know about the lab. Then, I can…try to explain as much as I can about what I do know."
"The lab we're going to specializes in biotic implants. The same one you have, specifically." She says as I sense her worry. "Knight, you can tell me. What do you know about this?"
"My biotic implant was damaged during a mission ten years ago." I start with something she's familiar with. "The Alliance tried to help me with it, but the implant I have is still considered rare technology…none of the Alliance biotic experts could repair it." I explain and sigh. "The Admiral has been helping me track down the location of where the implant was made so that…I might be able to get it fixed." I say and give her a small smile. "So, he found it."
"Why didn't anyone tell me about this?" She asks and I look away.
"The damage hasn't been much of an issue for me. Even though there are times when I'm vulnerable, I still have near full control of my biotics." I say and look back at her. "Liara, when we get to the lab, I can explain more…I promise."
"Finding this lab must have been important to the Admiral as well, if he was willing to search for it this whole time." She says as I see that she's deep in thought. "My data led me to the lab, but it seemed to have very little information on residences within the building."
"There might be data left on the computers inside." I say as I think about when we get there. "I could try to hack into the system and retrieve some data."
"Don't decide anything yet." She says. "We don't know anything about the building's security protocols."
"You're right." I say and sigh. "So, when are we arriving at the lab?"
"In a couple of hours." She says. Whatever it takes, I need to get that data. Even if I get hurt in the process. That data is far more valuable than my own life. If we can get that data, it could potentially save a lot of lives. "The Admiral made this sound like it is really important to him, and it's obvious that it is for you as well. There has to be more to this than your damaged biotic implant."
"I'm sorry, Liara." I say and start walking away. "Like I said, we can talk more when we get to the lab."
"Why are you keeping this from me?" She asks as she stops me. Sharply, she asks, "Don't you trust me?"
"I do. This mission will require us all to stay calm. Everyone needs to stay focused." I say and turn my head to look at her.
"What makes you think that I shouldn't know?" She asks. "This mission…Admiral Coen said it was dangerous—even for us." She continues. "Does it have something with that, Knight?"
"Yes, it does. I should know. I've been there before." I say and she lets go of my hand. "I promise you, Liara. I'll tell you everything I know once we get there." I say and leave the room.
As we reach closer to where we will board the shuttle to get down into the lab, I get my armor and gun ready. The reason Liara couldn't find anything on the security protocols is because the lab is guarded by a single beast: a thresher maw. The last time I was here, the Alliance sent me to investigate the missing scientists—and the data regarding my biotic implant. The Alliance wanted to start using this implant in their new recruits. But, it was deemed too dangerous to use on human biotics—except me, of course. The Admiral doesn't want me to retrieve this data, he wants me to destroy it. I won't be doing that. This has been a personal goal of mine since my implant was damaged. I need that data.
"So, I hear you will be guiding us during this mission." Danial says as he walks into the room.
"Yes." I say as I try to not look at him.
"I'm sorry for what happened between us." He says as I notice him looking at my arms, just as I'm putting my gloves on. "I didn't know that it would hurt you like that."
"As long as you don't touch me again, we should have no issues." I say, remembering that I need them to be ready for the thresher maw. "And…don't you ever talk back to the doctor like that again."
"Are you sure about her though?" He asks as he crosses his arms. "I mean, wouldn't you feel safer with a…I don't know…another human?"
"You obviously don't know me well enough yet, Danial." I say as I finish putting my armor on. "I grew up with many different aliens. Drell, batarian, turian, asari, salarian, even vorcha. Just because Dr. T'Soni is an asari doesn't mean I can't feel anything for her." I say and cross my arms as I give him a sly smile. "Wait. Don't tell me. You're jealous?"
"I really like you, Knight. Why can't it be me?" He asks and I uncross my arms.
"Because…I guess…you're more like a brother to me?" I say as I try to compare my feelings. I feel my heart beat faster around Liara, but I don't feel anything around Danial. And, he likes to poke fun at me all the time. That's what makes him more of a brother to me. "So...can we just be friends, Danial?"
"Of course. I just hope you're happy." He says with a friendly smile and I nod. "Thank you for talking with me." He says and walks away. Hopefully this is the end of that.
"Soldiers to airlock, we're ready to head down to the mission objective." The pilot says into the com system.
As I reach the airlock, I see Liara, Kiera, and Danial with other soldiers. "Doctor, I didn't think you would be coming." I say and she looks worried.
"I'm going with you." She says and I shake my head. "Knight?"
"I need you to stay on the Normandy, Dr. T'Soni." I say and sigh. "I guess it's time to brief all of you." I say and the soldiers salute me. "When we board the shuttle, I'll go more in detail on what's down there. This mission is very important, so I need everyone paying attention."
"Yes, ma'am." Danial says as he and Kiera stand at attention.
"The data we're retrieving is important to the Alliance. It has the potential to save the galaxy—if we have it." I start as Liara stands next to me. "Admiral Coen and I have been attempting to get to this facility since we were there ten years ago. Dr. T'Soni will stay here to monitor the squad's progress and com systems…and, if anything goes wrong, she will need to contact the Admiral." I say and look at her. "We'll need to stay in contact once we get to the lab. I'm going to need your guidance once we're there."
"I…understand." Liara says and I nod, just before I look at the soldiers.
"Soldiers, I'll need you to think for yourselves, if necessary." I say and notice Kiera and Danial looking nervous. "Whenever, if I ever have to lose contact with you, I need you to stay focused on our objective: getting that data."
"Yes, ma'am!" They say and I motion for them to get into the shuttle.
"Knight…" Liara says and I look at her. "…what did you mean by losing contact?"
"If I have to lose contact, that will mean I'm going into the lab alone." I say and she hugs me.
"I don't like this, Knight." She says as I feel her shaking, slightly. "Come back safe, okay?"
"I will." I say and she pulls away from me. "Wait for my signal. I need you to try to keep the com channels open to the crew." I say and turn around to walk into the shuttle.
When the shuttle leaves the Normandy, I face the soldiers as I'm ready to give them the real briefing. "Pilot, we'll need to go in slower than usual."
"Understood, ma'am." The pilot says as I feel the shuttle slow.
"So, are you going to tell us what's so bad that you had to wait to tell us?" Kiera asks and I nod.
"Listen, I need you to pay attention." I say and the soldiers stand at attention. "There wasn't any leads on any security protocols in place at the lab. What I'm about to tell you may scare you, but I need everyone to have a clear head going in." I continue. "When the Admiral and I were here last, we experienced the same thing. No security protocols, no scientists in sight, and a thresher maw guarding the building. And, it sounds like it's still there."
"A thresher maw?" Kiera asks. "Are you crazy? We can't just fight through that thing!"
"Kiera. Stay focused." I say as I look at her. "The thresher maw is not my only concern. Remember that we need to get that data…at any cost."
"What do you mean by 'at any cost'?" Danial asks as I sense his worry.
"If, for any reason, you need to leave me behind—" I say and Kiera interrupts me.
"We won't do that!" Kiera says and I give her a small smile.
"Thank you, but that's on the Admiral's orders." I say and see them looking worried. "When we get there, I need you all to be ready to run to the building." I say and the soldiers salute me. "Pilot, after we touch down, I need you to stay air-born until I use the flare gun." I say as I walk to the pilot. "I need you at the landing zone as soon as you see that flare."
"Yes, ma'am." The pilot says as I look at the radar. It's being jammed. That must mean we're getting close.
"Knight." I hear Liara say into my com. "Are you sure about this? A thresher maw?"
"Don't worry, doctor. I need you to keep those coms working." I say and feel the shuttle shake. We must be getting closer.
"What was that?" Kiera asks and I turn to face the soldiers.
"This lab we're going to…why does it have to be protected by a thresher maw, of all things?" Danial asks and I slowly walk to the doors.
"This facility was abandoned over 30 years ago by the council." I say as I remember when I first came here. "It's…possible that the krogan have something to do with it."
"You really think the krogan are involved?" Danial asks.
"I have proof that they are. So, yes." I say and put on my breather helmet as I feel the shuttle touching down. "Ask the Admiral, he'll tell you what happened. For now, we just need to get to the lab."
"Tactician." The pilot calls for me.
"What is it?" I ask and turn to face him.
"There's something strange." The pilot says. "There are no signs of life anywhere."
"What about the thresher maw?" I ask and the pilot starts stuttering his words.
"There…isn't any signs of thresher maw activity." He stutters. This seems familiar. Something happened to our last pilot. He acted exactly like this. "It's completely safe now."
"Great. No thresher maw." Kiera says, nearly happy as I study the pilot.
"Doctor. I need you to keep in contact with the pilot." I say into my com.
"Knight? What's wrong?" Liara asks. If the pilot is acting like this, it must be the thresher maw.
"It's the thresher maw…" I say and sigh. "…the pilot is showing signs of indoctrination of some kind."
"Indoctrination? I thought only the Reapers could do that." Kiera says and I look at her.
"This thresher maw…a krogan created it." I say and everyone looks shocked. "Stay calm, it can't control you to do anything. It just…distracts you." I say as I think of a way to counter the indoctrination.
"Did this happen the last time you were here?" Danial asks.
"Yes…our pilot was killed because of it…and most of our squad didn't make it." I say and notice the room become tense. "Listen to me. The thresher maw might cause you to think about other things that are unrelated to the mission. I want all of you to keep the objective in your thoughts. Only think of that. Too many thoughts can cause the thresher maw to make you confused. If you need me, or you think it's happening, let me know by holding up a hand. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." The group says and I nod.
"Good." I say and continue talking into my com. "Did you hear all of that, Dr. T'Soni?"
"Yes." Liara says. "I'll be here as well, Knight."
"Thanks." I say and motion the group to get off the shuttle. After they leave, I check on the pilot one last time. He's almost lost it completely. "Try to keep the pilot talking. He's suicidal. I'll see you soon, doctor."
As we start walking to the building, it feels very ominous. As if something were ready to jump out at us at any moment. "Something doesn't feel right." Kiera says as I focus on her and Danial. Suddenly, the ground shakes. Then, a giant armored worm—the thresher maw—flies out from under the ground. It doesn't look like a normal thresher maw. This one is grey, not brown, and its eyes are glowing red. "Thresher maw!" Kiera shouts as I start running up to her. The soldiers ahead of us look panicked, but it's as if they're also being controlled somehow.
"Soldiers! Focus!" I shout as I notice the soldiers becoming confused.
"Janok Knight…" I hear an ominous voice say. This is how the thresher maw attacks its victims. "…you are going to die."
"Get out of my head!" I say as I put a hand to my head.
"It's helpless to resist." The voice continues. "You possess no real strength. You are tank-bread."
"Knight? What's going on?" I hear Liara ask.
"How is…the pilot?" I ask as I try to break free of the indoctrination.
"Knight…he killed himself." Liara says as I make my way to Danial and Kiera's side.
"I'm…sorry to hear that." I say as I feel a sharp pain in my head.
"You will die here." The ominous voice says. I feel my legs slow down and a chill goes down my spine.
"Knight? You're acting strange." Danial says and I look at him.
"Get to the door!" I shout as the voice continues to tell me that I'm going to die. They don't seem to be suffering from the indoctrination as much as the other soldiers and I are.
"What's wrong?" Kiera asks and I ignore her as I focus on the door—just a few kilometers away.
"Janok Knight." The voice says.
"Stop calling me that!" I say out loud.
"Who are you talking to?" Danial asks as I notice his worry.
"Don't tell me-?" Kiera asks and I feel my body start to shake as the temptation to grab my gun consumes me.
"Knight. Don't do it!" Danial says as I feel my hand hovering over my gun.
"The krogan will come for you." The ominous voice says. "You're putting everyone you trust in danger."
"I don't want that…I never wanted that…" I say as I feel my hand wrap around my gun. Then, I remember Liara. The indoctrination is strong. But, I have something to live for. I have Liara. Maybe she can talk me out of this. As I think of this, I raise a hand to my com. "Doctor?"
"Knight, you don't sound like yourself. What's going on?" Liara asks, worriedly.
"I just wanted…to hear…your voice." I say as I feel Danial force my hand away from my gun. He holds my hand as we reach closer to the door. Now, it's only feet ahead.
"Remember what you told the squad, Knight." She says as I hear her shaking voice. "Get the data and come back safely."
"But…the krogan…are coming for me." I hear myself say. I'm feeling as if I'm losing to the thresher maw. "They…gave me a name…now, they will destroy me. They're going to kill everyone…again."
"No, they're not." Liara says strongly as I try to focus on her voice. "You're stronger than this."
"They've…already taken everything." I say as the ominous voice starts leaving me. "The krogan…took Goliath. They—" I say as we enter the lab. Quickly, Kiera and Danial close the large metal doors. Then, I gasp for air as I become fully aware of myself. The indoctrination has been broken. "Doctor? Are you there?" I ask and I hear a relieved sigh.
"Thank the goddess! You're back to normal…" She says and see Danial still holding my hand. Awkwardly, Danial looks into my eyes then quickly lets go of my hand with a shy smile. "Let's just focus on getting that data so you can come back."
"Agreed." I say and walk forward.
"Janok Knight. I did not think you would show up." An asari dressed in white says as she makes her appearance known. "Despite the unfortunate circumstances, it's good to finally meet you. Janok Knight."
"Don't call me that!" I say, angrily. "Who are you?"
"My name is Shyrah. And you? Oh, what is it that you go by now?" The asari asks as my body lights up. "Jordan Knight?" She asks and laughs. "It's been a while since we've seen each other."
"Knight? What did she call you?" Kiera asks as I hear her and Danial raise their guns to the asari.
"Janok Knight is her true name. Tank-bred." A krogan says as he steps out from behind the asari. "An experiment gone wrong. We krogan of clan Janok gave her the name she should wear with servitude: Janok Knight."
"That's not my name!" I shout as I feel my anger rising.
"You humans don't know who this thing really is!" The krogan shouts as I see his body light up.
"She's just an artificial life-form." The asari says. "We should know, we helped create her!"
"What?" Kiera asks and I look at her.
"Don't listen to her!" I say and the krogan laughs.
"Even if you possess our DNA, you are not our child." The krogan says and the asari smiles.
"Knight…is an alien?" Danial asks and I look at him.
"Those are lies!" I say and the asari laughs.
"No, child." The asari says and I look at her. "You were built in a lab on Tuchanka. We were in charge of the more…physical aspects of you."
"That's not true!" I shout. "I was born on Omega."
"No. You were never born." The krogan says as I feel, for the first time, legitimate fear. "You're tank-bred to be a warrior. You were made to defend clan Janok against the galaxy. You failed that purpose when you fled the lab over 20 years ago."
"You were created for one purpose, and you never lived up to it." The asari says and I feel myself drop to my knees. "Now, you've brought your human friends into this. They will feel this as well."
"Leave them out of this…" I say, nearly pleading.
"Knight!" Kiera says as I feel tears run down my face.
"You were never finished. So, we decided to come and end you. Then, we can start fresh." The krogan says and I remember the data. "We already have the data. Now, you'll die here." He says and charges at me. I close my eyes as I prepare for the impact. But, instead, I hear a loud thump in front of me. As I open my eyes, I see Kiera and Danial on the ground, bleeding. The krogan smiles at me and I stand up. My body lights up as I feel my anger rise.
"How dare you!" I say as I feel my body burn slightly. The asari looks scared as the krogan laughs. "Those are my friends! Even if I'm tank-bred, I will end you for this. No one hurts my friends and gets away with it!"
"You think you can take me down?" He asks and I use my biotics to throw him away from me. He hits a wall feet away from behind the asari. Then, I use my biotics to grab onto the asari. She screams as I tighten my grip on her.
"Are you scared?" I ask as I hear the asari crying—in pain. "Good. You should be."
"You're…just the monster Janok Cain…wanted!" The krogan shouts as he gathers himself. "His…pet…Janok Knight."
"Don't you dare call me that!" I shout and throw the asari at the krogan. "I've never gone by that name. No matter what brand you put on my skin." I say as I slowly walk towards them. "No matter what you call me." I continue. "I'm not weak, and I don't belong to clan Janok. I have a purpose that surpasses the ideals of the krogan. Too bad you won't be able to tell your leader. I'm not his pet!" I say and use my biotics to slam down on the krogan. He coughs up blood as I hit him.
"Good. Maybe…you weren't a mistake…you fight just like a krogan." The krogan says and laughs.
"And…asari…although, you aren't-" The asari says and coughs up blood. "You aren't…now…be careful, Knight…you're biotics…aren't stable…not like how I intended them to be. You could end up hurting the ones you've grown close to." She says and coughs again. "You are a…very strong girl…I'm truly proud of you."
"Don't talk as if you know me." I say and bend down to them.
"Then, I wish…we could have…gotten the chance to…get to know each other…" The asari says with a smile as tears run down her face and she coughs again. Then, she raises a hand to my face. "In another life…maybe you could be my…real daughter…" She says and her hand slowly drops from my face. She's dead.
"And…maybe you'll be a real krogan next time." The krogan says and coughs up blood. "Goodbye…Janok Knight." He says and slumps over—dead.
"I finally meet you…and you die before I can get any answers." I say and sigh. "How…cruel." I finish and stand up. Then, I see a data disk across the room. It's covered in the asari's blood. When I pick it up, I wipe the blood off it and stick it in my pocket. Then, I walk to Danial and Kiera. They're still alive. "Dr. T'Soni?" I say and open the metal doors slightly. There is no sign of the thresher maw. The soldiers that were outside are dead. The ominous feeling I had is gone now, but in a new sense. I failed my team again.
"Knight…" She says as I sense her anxiousness. "…I'm sorry."
"Yeah…me too." I say and bend down to Kiera and Danial. "Send a shuttle down here. There's no sign of the thresher maw."
"I will." She says and I sigh. "What is it?"
"Kiera and Danial are wounded." I say and stand up. "I failed…again."
"It wasn't your fault." She says.
"I just want to get away from this place." I say as I stare at the dead krogan and the dead asari.