Twin Fates
By Belle and Tobias
Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Mass Effect or any other referenced copy righted material. This is a work that asks the question what if?
Chapter 2: Finding Dr. T'Soni
Earth Date: June 2nd, 2183 CE
Location: SSV Normandy, Entering the Artemis Tau Cluster
Jane Shepard looked over the CIC at the holographic map. Which system would Protheans most likely have a hidden ruin?
"Credit for your thoughts." John said as he approached with a data pad in hand and Jane looked at him over her shoulder.
"The four major systems are Athens, Knossos, Macedon, and Sparta." Jane stated. "There are no unusual readings to help us narrow down where Dr. T'Soni could be."
"So we're pretty much just guessing at this point?" John asked and Jane sighed.
"Pretty much." she confessed and John shrugged.
"I like Athens." John pointed out and Jane smirked.
"That's because you love Greek mythology." she said. "I suppose we could go Athens, Macedon, Sparta, and Knossos."
"Why that order?" John asked.
"Well it's a circle that way, and we save the ancient city that was actually on an island and not Greece for last." she pointed out.
"I guess that works." John said.
"Joker, let's aim for Athens first." Jane ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am." Joker called and Jane looked at the holograph, tapping at the console to make the selected system bigger.
"Five planets, let's hope they are easy to evaluate." Jane muttered.
"Come on, I'll buy you a beer while we head for the system." John said.
"I'm on duty." Jane shot back.
"We're in transit, come on, have lunch with your big brother." he said and Jane rolled her eyes.
"I'll have lunch, but I'm not drinking. We really need to work on our shifts anyway, might as well get that done over lunch." she sighed as they headed down to the mess. John stopped to get a couple of pads with the Normandy's personnel roster. "And you are only fourteen minutes older."
"Doesn't matter, I'm still buying my little sister lunch. Besides I was joking about the beer, I don't condone drinking during duty either." he said as they each grabbed a meal tray and waited to heat them up in the microwave. "I'm thinking we overlap an hour at each end of the shift. That allows us to share the bed."
"Thirteen hour shifts would do that. I can start at 000 and go till 1300 and you go from 1200 till 100." Jane nodded as her food finished cooking and she moved to the table.
"Aren't you going to wait for me?" John teased.
"I'm a biotic, I need to eat or else I get all migraine-y." Jane stated as she opened the container and looked at what the Alliance called lunch. "I'd kill for some of Mom's roast chicken."
"You do know that wasn't really chicken." John teased.
"And those hamburgers you loved so much weren't really cow...or ham." Jane shot back as she bit into the burrito-like object. It was beef flavored.
"What is so different about those biotic lunches?" John asked as he sat down. "We both got the same version of the meal." Jane gave him a look for asking a question while her mouth was full. Kaidan came to rescue as he entered the mess area as well.
"Biotic meals have fat injected in. Most meals make sure to keep the fat levels at healthy reserves for humans on ships, biotics burn more calories, so to keep us healthy our food has more fat." Kaidan stated as he popped his meal tray into the microwave.
"I know that." John stated. "I should reword the question, does it taste different?"
"I don't know." Jane stated, grabbing John's wrist and taking the first bite of his burrito before sitting back. "Yes, they taste the same."
"I should have seen that coming." he sighed.
"Commander...ma'am." Kaidan clarified when both Shepards looked at him. "Were you sent to BAaT for your training?" Jane shook her head.
"I missed BAaT by a few years, I was part of the trial group for the program that is now being used on Grissom." she replied and Kaidan nodded before collecting his tray and sitting next to John.
"Is this going to be a biotic shop talk?" John asked and Jane rolled her eyes.
"Alenko, we've decided to do a thirteen hour shift between the two of us. We will overlap for an hour coming on and going off." Jane stated. "I want to do a similar schedule with you and Williams. You served as John's LT and Ash has been under me for about a month. However, I want you two split between us."
"I see how you're doing this." John nodded. "If our shifts are 000 to 1300 and 1200 to 100, then their schedules would be 600 to 1900 and 1800 to 700."
"Exactly, that way we have an overlap of all personnel and fresh eyes constantly rotating in and out." Jane stated and John nodded. He typed away on a pad and handed it to Jane who looked it over, chewing on a bite for minute.
"Would it be possible for me to get the 600 to 1900 shift, it fits my usual schedule." Kaidan asked and the Shepards looked at each other.
"You have rank." Jane stated.
"Your call, you proved yourself on Eden Prime." John replied as the rest of the crew also arrived for lunch.
~*TF~TF*~
"Commanders." Garrus said. He and Tali headed for the supply cabinet John had marked for dextro supplies. They prepped their meals with the others and Jane noted with amusement that Wrex helped himself to two levo meals and two dextro meals. As they all sat down at the table John finished off his meal in a couple of quick bites. He picked up his datapad again as he munched on the last bit before speaking.
"Since everyone is here, I want to let you know that we're everyone set up with staggered shifts. We're going to use standard Alliance Military time. I'll get all of you who don't have it, basic access to the ship and its general database. It'll be entry level clearance but it should help us all read up on briefs and reports during down time. Any questions so far?" John asked. He waited a few minutes but no one spoke up.
"Okay, this is libel to change later but these are the areas you'll be working on when you're on ship and on duty." John continued typing away for a moment. "Garrus from what I've read of your dossier that C-SEC forwarded to me you have basic skills on ground vehicle maintenance. I'm assigning you to the Mako upkeep. You'll be in charge of repairs with Wrex and Ashely helping you as needed."
"Will do Commander." Garrus replied, raising his wrap into the air in a mock salute before taking a big bite out of it.
"Ash, Wrex besides helping Garrus out when he needs the hands, you two will be maintaining the armory and all supplies therein. Check with Ensign Chris Postle, he's our requisition officer. I'm not saying buy everything under the sun, but make sure to keep the stock of basic mods and other field supplies topped off. Anything high end and that we could use, run by me or Jane first." John said.
"Also our PT equipment is also stored in the armory." Jane added after finishing a bite of her lunch. "That needs to be maintained and set up as needed. Since we're staggering the shifts people maybe using it odd times. I'm not saying you have to wipe it down after someone uses it, but try to make sure it stays in working order. Garrus if you have some down time, help them out when you can."
"Got it Shepards." Wrex said, shoving an entire meal wrap into his mouth.
"Yes sirs, ummm, ma'am and sir." Ashely said. John grinned while Jane chuckled.
"Sirs is fine when addressing both of us, Ash." Jane assured the Chief.
"Tali when I spoke with you earlier you mentioned you had a lot of experience working on the engines when you were on the Flotilla. I'd like you to work with Chief Engineer Adams. I've already spoken with him and he's excited to talk with you. Feel free to ask what you like. As long as it's not classified, Adams will fill you in on anything about the Normandy and if you like, you can take it back to the Flotilla as part of you Pilgrimage gift." John said.
"Thank you Shepard, that will be a big help." Tali responded, happily. John grinned at her and gave her a wink.
"It's John." He said, and the little light on Tali's mouth port lit up a few times as if she was trying to speak. In the end she said nothing.
"Kaidan, you help Joker pilot the Normandy but I noticed he's always at the helm. In fact, per the old roster he should have been off duty two hours ago. Do you take the helm solo at all?" Jane asked, curious.
"Not too often Commander." Kaidan admitted. "Joker prefers to being at the helm. He can't do PT everyday to stay in shape. He also does his paperwork and even has others bring him his meals at the helm. I've only seen him hand it over to someone else for rack time and bathroom breaks."
"Why can't he do PT?" Jane asked and Kaidan squirmed in his chair.
"It'd be better to ask him, ma'am."
"I will." Jane said and sighed.
"Well it's against regs but as long as he doesn't drive himself to the brink I'm okay with it." John said and shot Jane a look. Jane rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Alright, as long as he gets six hours of sleep a day I can let it slide. Let us know if he starts to burn out, alright Kaidan?" Jane allowed. Kaidan smiled and nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"One last thing." John said as Ash made to get up. She frowned but sat back down. John gestured to the datapad he brought to share with Jane earlier. "I received orders and status regarding the Normandy. Officially the ship and all personnel on board are attached to the Citadel as part of the defense forces as they see fit. It's their polite way of reminding us that even thought Jane and I are Spectres, the Alliance considers us, the Normandy and its crew as Allaince. They have also extended security clearance to all non-Alliance personnel." John gestured to Tali, Garrus and Wrex. "You three are considered mission advisors."
"And unofficially?" Garrus asked. John grinned and Jane smiled when she saw the look on his face. She took the datapad from him as he began to speak.
"Unofficially you're crew." John stated. "Everyone currently at this table is considered the ground team. When one of us calls for the ground team to report for brief, that means you."
"They left out the first name and service number of the Commanding Officer for the Normandy." Jane said, looking at the datapad in surprise. John shot her a smirk.
"Noticed that did you?"
"What does that mean?" Garrus asked and Kaidan sighed.
"It means that the Commanders both have the same level of control of the ship. I've heard of them leaving rank off of the senior officers during black ops to protect the CO but this is crazy." Kaidan grumbled.
"So who leads us then? The female or the male?" Wrex grumbled. Jane sighed as everyone turned to stare at them.
"We'll do it just like before." Jane said, and John nodded.
"Before?" Ash asked and John grinned at her.
"Jane and I went through N-school together." He explained. "We got paired up on the same squad and we had the same rank then too. We decided we'd switch off as needs demanded."
"Still there had to have been issues with who led. Two battlemasters hardly ever agree on the same plan of battle." Wrex stated.
"Which brings us to how this squad will work. John and I will decide during pre-mission brief who will lead and who will go. I expect all of you to accompany us on most missions." Jane stated.
"During operations on the Normandy whoever is on duty will have the first say." John said.
"Also, if we argue about a decision, feel free to offer opinions but do not side with either of us." Jane continued.
"It fractures the squad and causes problems during the mission." John explained.
"Any questions?" The Shepards asked in unison. The other ground team members all shivered.
"Keelah that was scary." Tali whimpered.
"Alright then. We'll have after mission meetings like this from now on. I liked it." John said.
"Dismissed everyone." Jane stated.
~*TF~TF*~
Earth Date: June 4th, 2183 CE
Location: SSV Normandy, Athens System
"Well that wasted a day." John chuckled and Jane sighed as she looked at the various materials they had found.
"Well, those two gas giants could be used for hydrogen fuel collection, so we can sent this report to Alliance Command. Your shift didn't find Doctor T'soni either, but we did get something out of it." Jane stated.
"Garrus says that the insignia we found belongs to the Magna Colony. They might call rights on a hydrogen fueling station." Ash stated as she entered the bridge and Jane nodded.
"That's useful, we can send out two reports then, one to Alliance and one to the Council." Jane stated.
"You're really going to tell the Council?" Ash asked and Jane gave her a look.
"Ash, both of your Commanders are acting Spectres right now. We are going to keep the Council in the loop." Jane said before giving her brother a look.
"Yeah, of course." he said with a grin.
"By the book, John." Jane warned and he grinned as he headed off the bridge.
"Where to next, Commander?" Joker asked and Jane sighed.
"Macedon system. One system down, three possibly to go." she stated before looking at Joker.
"Can I help you, ma'am?" Joker asked.
"I like to know my crew. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Jane asked and Joker scoffed.
"I can see where this is going. You did a background check on me, didn't you? Well, I'll tell you the same thing I told the captain. You want me as your pilot. I'm not good, I'm not even great. I'm the best damn helmsman in the Alliance fleet! Top of my class in flight school? I earned that. All those commendations in my file? I earned every single one. Those weren't given to me as a charity for my disease." Joker snapped with righteous indignation. Jane stared for a moment.
"What are you talking about? Are you sick?" she asked with sincere concern and Joker's face dropped.
"You mean...you mean you didn't know? Ah, crap." Joker groaned before shaking his head and turning to look Jane in the eyes. "Okay...I've got Vrolik's Syndrome. Brittle bone disease. The bones in my legs never developed properly. They're basically hollow. Too much force and they'll shatter. Even with crutches and my leg brace it's hard to get around. One wrong step and crack! It's very dramatic! But I've learned to manage my condition, Commander. Put the Normandy in my hands and I'll make her dance for you. Just don't ask me to get up and dance, unless, you know, you like the sound of snapping shin bones." Joker turned back to look at the controls. Jane looked at him for a moment before looking out at space.
"I generally don't go poking around files unless I suspect something, Joker. If I want to know something about a person, I usually just ask them." Jane stated. "You and the Normandy's crew helped to rescue Eden Prime, all of you were on my good side for that alone. I'm sorry to have made you paranoid."
"It was nothing." Joker sighed and Jane smirked.
"However, after that display, I have to ask. Why does everyone call you Joker?" she asked with a grin and Joker rolled his eyes.
"It's a lot shorter than saying Alliance Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau. Plus, I love to make little children laugh." Joker said in a snide tone and Jane smirked.
"I was just thinking how much you remind me of Santa Claus." she teased and Joker gave her a look.
"Look, I didn't pick the name. One of the instructors in flight school used to bug me about never smiling. She started calling me Joker, and it stuck." he stated in a clipped manner and Jane looked at him. He was doing his best to keep from facing her.
"Why didn't you ever smile?" she asked.
"Hey, I worked my ass off in flight school, Commander. The world's not going to hand you anything if you go around grinning like an idiot. By the end of the year, I was the best pilot in the Academy. Even better than the instructors. And everybody knew it. They'd all gotten their asses kicked by the sickly kid with the creaky little legs. One guess who was smiling at graduation." he smirked before looking at Jane and she nodded.
"You'll do, Joker, you have that je ne sais quoi I like in my soldiers. You'll do, just watch the lip with the higher ups. I hate having to do the paperwork to apologize for smart ass helmsmen." Jane order as she turned. "Get us to Macedon in one piece."
~*TF~TF*~
Earth Date: June 5th, 2183 CE
Location: SSV Normandy, On Sharjila in the Macedon System
"Jane."
Jane turned in surprise to find John standing behind her holding out a mug of coffee to her.
"It's 1207 hours. Let me take over so you can get some dinner." John said. Jane smiled and took the mug from her brother gratefully.
"Thanks, John." Jane said and took a long drink from her mug as she headed off.
"Pressley, mark the time as 1208 hours, Commander John Shepard assuming command on his watch." John said, sipping his own coffee.
"Aye sir." Pressley said. The Normandy's VI chimed out on the deck of the change and John nodded.
"Very good. Call me if you need anything." John said and stepped away from the map console. He made his way up front by Joker. Joker looked up as John approached.
"Hey Commander, had a nice talk with your sister. She's like you but you know, hot." Joker said.
"Joker…" John warned.
"Got it, don't say anything about the N7's sister." Joker said.
"You learn well young apprentice." John shot back. Joker laughed.
"Still she's creepy when she's on deck. She stood at the map and she seemed to stare at everyone. At least you wander the ship checking on everyone."
"Comes from being a sniper." John explained. "Jane always liked to watch things from a distance."
"Still can you ask her to um, not drill holes in the back of my head?"
"No promises." John said, turning around from his helmsmen. "I'm going to check on everyone. Call me if you need anything."
"Aye aye sir."
~*TF~TF*~
"I still don't see why we're dropping onto this planet." Wrex grumbled as the Mako came to skidding halt on the ground of the planet Sharjila. John was busy double checking the Mako's readout to make sure everything was operational so Jane turned around in her seat right behind him. It was the gunner's seat and control the Mako's turrets.
To her right was Garrus and right next to him was Wrex. Ashely, Kaidan and Tali sat on seats opposite of them with an empty seat in the back for another three human sized people.
"Joker picked up some encrypted chatter across the communications band. From what we could decrypt it appears to be slavers. John and I make it a special point to shut down those kinds of operations if we can." Jane explained. Wrex grunted and crossed his arms.
"Very well Shepard, as long as there's a good fight." Wrex grumbled. Jane laughed and turned back around as the Mako's VI began to chirp.
"Warning, safety locks have been turned off for current driver. Please note that this could create hazardous situations as the M35 Mako will not automatically engage thrusters to maintain contact with ground during vertical ascents. To re-engage th-" The VI was cut off as John switched off the warning notices.
"Uh Commander don't we need that?" Garrus asked.
"Nah I'm good." John said as Jane buckled her seat belt. "Buckle up everyone!"
Tali leaned over to whisper to Ashely, "What does he mean by buckling up? Buckle what?"
Tali's answer was a terrified scream from the Gunnery Chief as John Shepard stomped his foot on the accelerator.
~*TF~TF*~
"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name!"
"Ash."
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!"
"Ashley!"
"Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us-!"
"WILLIAMS!"
Ashley stopped praying to look up. Jane was looking at her in exasperation while John was looking at her in amusement. Everyone else was frozen stiff.
"He stopped." Jane said and Ashely took a deep breath.
"Sorry ma'am."
"It's okay, my instructor did the same thing during basic." John replied. Kaidan made a choking sound.
"Everyone suit up. There are a couple of minerals around here I want to mark and Jane noticed something odd. Since it was on our way to the slaver's camp I thought we'd stop by." John explained. Everyone put their helmets on and John popped the hatch. Most of the others followed him out but Jane waited behind. Ashley was the last out and stood with her. Indicating with hand signals to switch to a private comm channel, she did.
"Are you okay Ash?" Jane asked, concerned.
"I was until he jumped from one mountain top to another using the jump jets." Ashley replied. She heard Jane sigh.
"He does that."
~*TF~TF*~
The Mako came to skidding halt as it cleared the ridge. John gave a low whistle as Jane scanned the area around the pre-fab building.
"I count three sniper towers and at least a dozen guards on the outside." Jane reported. John was thoughtful for a moment.
"Can I count on you to focus fire power on the towers until the snipers are down?" John asked.
"You got it! What's the plan?" she asked. The Mako shifted and roared down the hill in high gear as John gunned the engine.
"Don't get killed." John said as they hit a bump and went airborne. He fired all the jump jets at once, sending the Mako higher. The Mako soared for a moment before landing in a cluster of the troops. There seemed to be a momentary pause before the slavers opened fire, trying to take down the Mako's shields.
"Hold on!" John said to the others as he put the Mako in gear again. It lurched forward and Tali made a choking sound as she saw over John's shoulder two human mercs go flying over the hood as John barreled right through them.
"You crazy boshtet!" Tali cried out, just as Jane fired the canon. The top of one of the towers exploded.
"That sound like a Quarian insult!" John alled back to them as Jane fired with the guns. The Mako jerked as John swerved around, aiming for more Mercs with the hood of the Mako
"It was!" Garrus cried, clinging to a rail over his seat. "It human terms it basically means bastard!"
"Ha! Gotta remember that one!"
"Shepard that one can still crawl!" Wrex point out. John saw the Merc crawling towards the building. The canon roared again and then John changed course. He hit a bump which made Wrex laugh. "Now he can't."
"Do all humans drive like this?" Garrus asked as John brought the Mako to a stop not too far from the doors to the building. The canon roared one final time and Jane cheered.
"Commander John Shepard is the only one I've ever seen drive like this." Kaidan said.
"Thank the Spirits for small favors."
"Everyone suit up, we're going inside." John ordered.
~*TF~TF*~
"Seems kind of quiet." Ashely said as the main door closed behind them. Jane paused from opening the second door and shot Ashley a look. "What?"
"Never, ever say that during a mission." Jane snapped. Ashley shrugged.
"Why not?" she asked. Her answer came as Jane hit the pad to open the door. She dove to the side as hundreds of round filled the doorway.
"That answer your question?" Jane snarked. The gunfire eventually died down, leaving an uncomfortable silence.
"Well now what?" Wrex rumbled after a few minutes.
"Aw fuck it." John mumbled. He pulled out all of his grenades and moved to the side of the door.
"John you are not seriously considering-" Jane was cut off as John pulled the pins on all of his grenades and threw them all thru the doorway just before jamming his hand on the door pad to close the door. Men began to scream and then explosions began to ring out. When the noise died down Garrus went for the door.
"Wait." John said. Everyone was staring at him before one last bang went off.
"I saw a fuel tank inside." John explained as he opened the door. Everyone moved in, sweeping the area.
"There, upper floor balcony!" Garrus cried out.
"Cover, cover!" John screamed as the remaining slavers opened fire.
"Well this is cute." Jane mumbled.
"I got this Commanders." Tali said. She quickly detached a device from her Omni-tool arm and tossed it over. "Shut your eyes!"
There was a loud crackle followed by a bang. The mercs began to curse and cry out.
"Good job Tali now open fire!" John ordered and everyone stood as one and began to fire...
~*TF~TF*~
Jane stood over the dead Asari and kicked her, making sure the leader was dead.
"Well, that's one less slaver, right, Commander?" Ash asked and Jane nodded as she knelt down and took the dead Asari's omnitool.
"Anything good over there?" John asked.
"Raid schedules that won't be completed and a list of auctions. Sending that to Alliance command and the Council. It's going down in Council space and there are humans for sale, looks like they're going to be working together to stop some of those." Jane stated before blinking. "Now this is interesting. Apparently our slaver here is Dahlia Dantius, sister to a Nassana Dantius, a diplomat on the Citadel."
"We have more slaver information up here." Garrus called down from the second floor.
"Send it to the right sources." John responded. "So what do we know about Dahlia?"
"Apparently, she's been making some spending money blackmailing her older sister by threatening to reveal her own existence and ruining her sister's career." Jane stated, copying the information onto her omnitool. "I don't like politicians who allow slavers to function, even if they were their own family."
"I was thinking about selling Garrus back to C-Sec." John chuckled.
"I heard that." Garrus called and John laughed.
"I'd put two into you before you ever got the chance to get into the slave trade." Jane stated.
"Good to know it would be quick." John said.
"I didn't say where I put the two John." Jane replied as she headed out.
~*TF~TF*~
"That's two strikes." John sighed as they got back onto the Normandy and began to store their gear.
"I know." Jane sighed. "Watch, it's going to be Knossos now."
"Want to skip straight for it then?" John asked and Jane shook her head.
"No for two reasons, one, it's very, very far away right now and two, if we go there then it will be Sparta." Jane sighed.
"Come on, let big brother buy you dinner." John teased.
"You are only older than me by fourteen minutes." Jane stated.
"I'll always be your older brother." John retorted and Jane sighed.
"Check your gear, idiot, then shower, I don't want to eat near you when you smell like that. Even Wrex smells less offensive than you." Jane scolded.
"I'm feeling insulted." Wrex stated.
"You should, shower more often." Jane stated and Wrex chuckled.
"Bold female." he replied as he took a seat to go over his weapons. Jane sat next to him, going over her sniper rifle when Garrus sat across from her.
"Good job with those barriers." Kaidan stated as he put his armor away.
"Thanks, you too." Jane said with a nod.
"What eyepiece are you using?" Garrus asked and Jane snorted.
"I'm not telling you." she stated and he blinked. "You're competition. Can't give you a shot to have a better kill count."
"Those are fighting words, Commander." Garrus growled.
"Damn straight, let's see what you've got, Turian." she shot back.
"Jane, when are you going to be done?" John asked near the elevator and she gave him a look.
"When I'm done." she stated.
~*TF~TF*~
Earth Date: June 7th, 2183 CE
Location: SSV Normandy, Sparta System
"How are things looking up here, Joker?" Jane asked as she entered the bridge.
"Everything's green, ma'am." Joker replied before looking over his shoulder at her. "What are you looking at?"
"Some Asari writings we found when we dealt with that slaver." Jane replied as Kaidan moved onto the bridge.
"The Commander has been trying to translate them." Kaidan chuckled.
"I didn't know you read Asari." Joker stated.
"I don't, I was just trying to figure out what they were. I recognized one of the symbols from an Asari tapestry I used as a curtain in my dorm room." Jane stated.
"And you are trying to translate ancient Asari?" Joker asked and Jane smirked.
"Come on, Joker, we all have our tricks when on ship and out of paperwork. Between me and John our reports are done in no time." Jane said.
"Because you make sure of it." Kaidan added with a small grin. Jane blushed slightly as she looked out the window.
"You have to find something productive to do, I play with things like this. It's a pet project." she said with a shrug.
"I hate to see what you do on shore leave." Joker muttered and Jane laughed.
"I cook." she replied.
"I was worried." Joker said.
"Whatever I kill during field training." Jane joked and Joker gave her a look. "I'm kidding but I did take cooking classes for a while."
"When?" Kaidan asked and Jane thought.
"Guess it was seven or eight years ago. I was still a grunt, a lot of my squad was biotic hesitant, you'd think we were turians with how nervous they were around me." Jane said. "I ended up wanting to eat alone, first shore leave I found a learning center. Decided to take cooking classes."
"Oooh, so can I ask you to make me a sandwich?" Joker asked and Jane gave him a look.
"Of course, you'll never know what I might put in there though. Dextro and levo meat products look so similar sometimes." she teased and Joker gave her a look.
"Not funny." he said and Jane grinned.
"Depends on who you ask." Jane stated before noticing something on the radar. "Ground team assemble, we have something planetside on Edolus. Distress call, not T'Soni. I repeat, ground team, we have a distress call, not T'Soni."
"Jane, you sure?" John's voice came through her omnitool.
"Yeah, this is an Alliance frequency, I think the doctor would use the Council distress frequency." Jane said.
"Unless she's one of the bad guys." Joker muttered.
"I hear that." Jane muttered. "Come on Alenko, time for us to suit up."
"Yes, ma'am." he said.
~*TF~TF*~
"What do you see?" John asked from the controls as Jane looked out of the hatch through her scope.
"Don't move yet." she warned. Her scope saw the remains of a battle, there was a beacon, pulsing under the piss-yellow sky. The men on the ground weren't moving and there were a lot of them. "There is at least one unit of marines there."
"What's their status?" John asked and Jane rolled her eyes.
"What do you think? They're dead. John...this looks dangerous." Jane stated as she slipped into the tank and took the turret.
"I'll go slow on the approach." John nodded and Jane watched carefully. They approached slowly and then there was a tremble.
"Thresher maw!" Jane cried and John stopped.
"What?" he hissed.
"You never forget that tremble, he's moving, go!" Jane roared as she spun the gun watching. The tremor increased and she turned in time to see it rise out of the ground like a party favor. It roared and Jane aimed carefully. The blast took it in the side of the head, putting out an eye. The Maw screamed and she shot into the mouth.
"It's going under, go where it was!" Jane ordered.
"What?" John cried.
"Trust me!" Jane snapped and John drove.
"Are we going to die?" Tali cried as she clung to her seat.
"Not with the Commanders." Ash stated as the Maw reared back to spit.
"Turn left, hard!" Jane cried and the Maw missed, taking several more shots. Jane's aiming was flawless and she knew the weak spots now. The Thresher Maw roared before sinking into the ground.
"This is hardly the way to kill a Thresher Maw." Wrex muttered.
"Now is not the time, Wrex!" John snapped as the top hatch popped open. "Jane, what the hell are you doing?" Jane stood up through the hatch and waited. The Maw surfaced and this time she threw a warp right at its face. It roared and began to thrash. She dropped back in, slamming the hatch closed. She lunged for the turret controls and fired again. The Maw roared before it collapsed.
"That's right you sorry son of a bitch." Jane hissed. The ground team was silent for a moment.
"Now that...is a woman." Wrex grinned, elbowing Garrus.
"Jane..." John questioned and she looked at him.
"Pull up to the site." she stated and they shared a look before he did. She quickly exited and approached the beacon. The others got out as well and spread out over the area. "The beacon was set up in the middle of a Maw feeding ground...this wasn't an accident."
"Someone set them up?" John asked and Jane looked at the beacon. "Jane."
"I can handle a Thresher Maw, John. They are horrible and monstrous, but they're just big animals."
"Don't make me say it, Jane." John said and Jane gave him a look.
"Right now I'm Commander Shepard and I am fine. This was a kill zone. These marines were brought here for a reason." Jane said.
"Commanders, I found something." Garrus cried and Jane walked over. He pointed to something on the marine's armor. "The insignia on this one wasn't destroyed by the acid."
"That's recon division." Kaidan stated.
"Isn't that Admiral Kohoku's division?" Jane asked, looking at John and he nodded.
"After the Blitz, they were some of the first to come in, besides you." John said.
"Kohoku will want to know about this." Jane said.
"What a waste." Tali muttered as she shut off the device. "I managed to get some specs from the beacon."
"No Dr. T'Soni." Jane sighed.
"Thank God for small favors." John muttered.
"We still have the Knossos system." Jane sighed. "Joker, we're ready for pick up. T'Soni is not on this planet and we have dead marines who need to be recovered."
"On my way now, Commanders." Joker replied.
Jane moved over by Wrex to begin checking her weapons as they waited.
"How are you handling it?" John asked and Jane looked up at him.
"John...we've talked about this...more than I want to. I am fine. I know they are just big, nasty animals. I don't blame all of them for Akuze...I just don't really want one for a pet." Jane stated.
"I mean with those marines." John said and Jane looked at him.
"We can't know who did that to them, but we can hope they will be caught and brought to justice." Jane replied.
"Do you ever wonder if..." John started.
"John...revenge is a short lived therapy. Even if I kill every Thresher Maw I meet, if I 'avenge' my team. It doesn't bring them back. It doesn't make up for their loss." Jane said as Wrex moved past them. "I'm managing, you don't have to worry about me."
"Wrex." John said, noticing the krogan heading by them.
"Shepard." Wrex said, nodding at John before turning to Jane. "Shepard." He nodded at Jane before jogging over to check the Maw's corpse. Jane returned her attention to her brother, reaching out and taking his hand.
"John, I know how to ask for help. I'm fine." she said.
"You opened the top of the mako and threw a warp at it." he said in a deadpan tone.
"Yeah, to keep it above ground, the warp caused it to thrash, while it thrashed it couldn't go underground. There is a method to my madness." Jane stated.
"We krogan use that technique." Wrex stated and the two Shepards looked at him as he jogged back over. He'd expanded a supply duffle from his belt and had something inside of it. "We don't use tanks, but, not bad for a human."
"See Wrex doesn't have a problem with my Thresher killing methods." Jane teased and John rolled his eyes.
~*TF~TF*~
Back on the Normandy John sighed. Jane was doing her best to avoid him which he understood to mean he'd pushed a little too hard. Sometimes she needed her space until she felt comfortable again. John had to admit ever since Akuze he'd been over protective to a fault. He'd even put in twenty-two requests for her to be transferred to his command. It took a personal call from Admiral Hackett to get him to stop harassing the paper pushers.
"A credit chit for your thoughts, Commander?" Garrus asked, coming up to John. John was sitting on a crate in the cargo bay, datapad in his hands as he pretended to observe Ashley teach Tali some basic Alliance hand to hand. It was going well, despite Ashley having to pull her punches a bit to avoid damaging Tali's suit.
"Just thinking deep thoughts." John said. Garrus chuckled and sat on a crate next to John's.
"Little sisters tend to make their older brothers worry." Garrus said. John smiled at that.
"You sound like someone who has experience with that." John said and Garrus chuckled again.
"I have a younger sister. I think half the time we were growing up we were playing pranks on the other. I woke up one day to find she had painted my mandibles bright pink." Garrus explained. "It didn't go to well with my markings."
John laughed at that. "Did you get her back?"
"Indeed I did. I hacked the datapad her diary was on to respond to everything she wrote with an Eclor's love call." Garrus said and both men laughed. They sat in silence for a few minutes, watching Tali dance around happily after successfully tossing Ashley over her shoulder with a hip throw.
"Sometimes, when I get letters from the Clarks, I wonder what Jane would be like if slavers hadn't attacked Mindoir." John said finally.
"The Clarks?" Garrus inquired. John smiled and handed the datapad in his hand to Garrus.
"We grew up on a farm." John explained. "When we left home to join the Alliance, we put up the farm for rent. A family moved in not too long after. They get 90% on the profits from the farm as long as they maintain the property. Our parents left it to both of us, so all the credits were earn get put into an account both of us can access. Neither of us can draw more than five thousand credits a month from that account or sell the farm without the other's approval. We set it up that way to make sure neither of us forgets where we grew up."
"And how does that make you wonder what your sister would be like?" Garrus asked, handing the datapad back.
"It was my idea to join the Alliance." John explained. "Sure Jane would have to gone anyways since the raid made her biotics manifest but I was the one who said we could save others if we went into the military. She wanted to be a doctor but instead followed her brother into the grinder. I'm reason she has scars, I'm the reason she watched her squad die on Akuze, I'm the reason she woke up screaming for almost a month straight with nightmares, and I'm the reason the Council noticed how good she was. So they made her a Spectre where she could be sent into hell and might not come back at all if it means the greater good of the galaxy."
"She could have turned it down if she wanted to, Commander." Garrus said. "No one held a gun to her head."
"No, but she also wasn't asked either. They just told her to 'step forward'." John grumbled. "And she followed her brother, again."
"You should have faith in her abilities, John." Garrus said after a moment. John chuckled.
"Oh I know she'll pull through, Garrus. I just don't want her to have to go through all of this just because of me. She's been through enough." John said and stood up. "Excuse me, I need to write a response to this letter."
~*TF~TF*~
Earth Date: June 8th, 2183 CE
Location: SSV Normandy, Knossos System
"Commanders, I found her!"
John came stomping up the walkway to the bridge and stood behind joker. "Report."
"There's a mining colony on Therum, Nova Yekaterinburg. I'm picking up unencrypted chatter from the colony. Apparently they discovered a Prothean ruin and some experts were called in recently."
"That's it, that it!" Jane exclaimed happily as she came up behind them.
"You're on duty this time Jane, want this one?" John asked. Jane nodded.
"Alright then. I'll gather the ground team."
~*TF~TF*~
"You're driving, baby sister." John said as the group headed toward the Mako.
"Only by fourteen minutes." Jane replied.
"This will be the first time we see how, Commander Jane Shepard drives." Tali giggled as they all got inside and Jane smirked.
"Let's just say, some things are genetic." Jane stated. The ground team all shared a look as Jane strapped into the driver's seat and John took over the gunner's seat behind her. Everyone else took their usual spots as they strapped in. It didn't bode well when Jane Shepard snapped off the Mako's VI as it chirped safety warnings at her.
"Not again." Kaidan muttered his barrier flaring to life after he strapped in.
"Our father who art..." Ash began to pray.
"Spirits give me strength to survive this mission and…." Garrus began, adding his prayers to Ash's. Tali gave a little whimper and strapped herself in with the five point harness before activating her kinetic shields.
"I'm not that bad." John muttered.
"Don't worry, I'm better than him." Jane grinned.
"That doesn't comfort me." Wrex muttered but he was smiling happily at the prospect of seeing more enemies bounce off the hood of the mako.
"It shouldn't." John grinned.
~*TF~TF*~
"Commanders, I'm picking up some strange readings." Joker stated as the Mako skidded to halt after drop. Jane looked at John and he nodded.
"Define strange." John ordered.
"Really strange, like off the damn charts. It looks like it's coming from an under complex a few clicks from the drop zone." Joker replied.
"Thanks Joker, we'll start there." John replied and turned off the comm.
"Is anyone else worried that we're in a Mako on a planet covered with lava?" Garrus asked. "Just me?"
"Don't worry, it's a dry heat." Kaidan said as the Mako began moving forward.
"Hold on, we've got company." Jane growled as a massive ship flew in overhead. Two large Armatures landed in front of the Mako. "John."
"The guns are off safety and loaded." he replied.
"I'm going to drive right into the one on the right." Jane stated.
"What?" Kaidan cried.
"Their legs look like a weakness and Garrus just pointed out, there is a lot of lava around." Jane stated.
"Holy Mother of God!" Ash cried.
"Keelah!" Tali whimpered. Jane revved the engine and aimed at the nearest Armature.
"Got the second one." John called and Jane hit the first Armature, making it tumble onto its side. The Mako's canon roared and the second Armature rocked back. The guns opened up shortly after as the canon cycled.
"Backing up to make a second strike." Jane stated.
"If only you were a krogan, woman." Wrex purred.
"I want to switch seats next mission." Garrus stated from his seat behind the driver and the left of the gunner as he gave Wrex an uncomfortable glare.
"Going forward." Jane called.
"I'm ready." John replied and Jane floored it, knocking her Armature into a lava flow. The second one exploded under John's heavy weapons fire. "Mine is down."
"They melt surprisingly fast." Jane replied as she began to drive the Mako.
"Not bad." John nodded.
~*TF~TF*~
"Oh what fresh hell is this?" Jane muttered, the Mako skidding to a halt as they came upon a base with two Geth turrets in front of it.
"There on the right!" John pointed, where a little path was carved into the rock.
"On it." Jane said, giving the Mako gas, making it rush into the path of another Geth turret. "Oh son of bitch!"
"I got it, there's only one this time." John replied. The canon fired and the turret's shield visibly weakened. After a few minutes of gun fire the turret was shredded. They made their way into the complex and Jane growled when she noticed that the gate on the other side was closed too.
"Give me a minute and I'll get it open." John said opening the hatch to climb out.
~*TF~TF*~
"That is too narrow for the Mako to get through." Ash sighed. "I guess we're hoofing it."
"I can get it to fit." Jane stated as she carefully pressed the nose of the Mako to the stone barrier.
"Ten credits you flip it." John teased.
"Three rounds at the bar says I don't." Jane shot back as she reversed almost to the lava. "Buckle up everyone...just in case I lose." There was a quick shuffle as additional straps were locked into place. Jane revved the engine and rammed the stone barrier. She turned the steering and the Mako rocked onto its side.
"You lose, baby sister." John chuckled until the engine revved again.
"I do my best work, when in a tight spot." Jane replied and the Mako slid on its side through the rock barrier, hitting another rock and bouncing back onto its wheels. "And it is only fourteen minutes."
"I can't believe that worked." Tali muttered.
"Impressive." Garrus rumbled and Wrex laughed.
"Who was buying that round at the bar and was it for everyone?" Ash asked and Jane smirked.
"Everyone that didn't doubt me gets one." Jane grinned.
"Yeah, yeah put it on my tab." John muttered.
~*TF~TF*~
Jane got out of the Mako and looked at the others checking geth units.
"Well, that seemed unfair." Garrus muttered as he looked at the digits on the sniper model and Jane noticed the ridges, like some amphibians and lizards could have to help them climb.
"Whoever said we had to play fair?" John asked, checking the surrounding area. "Saren sent geth, we brought a tank."
"Tank always wins." Wrex rumbled.
"You up for some recon?" John asked his sister and Jane smirked.
"When am I not up for some scoping out the situation?" she asked and he nodded. "Garrus, Ash. You two are with me. Sniper rifles, we go in quiet, stay low."
"Commander." Ash said and Garrus gave a nod as the three pulled their sniper rifles up and to the ready.
"Hand signals always, one, two, three advancing pattern." Jane said before looking at John. "Stay in the doorway, if you hear gunfire wait for our signal."
"What if you don't signal?" Tali asked.
"Retreat to the tank." Ash stated and the quarian gave them a look as they opened the door.
"Be careful." Kaidan said and Jane smirked at him before she dropped into a crouch and began to move silently down the tunnel, the door closed behind the other two.
She held up a fist and pulled up her scope. She looked through the tunnel, something was moving. She slipped forward and took aim, she didn't have a kill shot but held her position. She indicated that she saw an enemy and that she wanted Garrus to move up. He did perfectly. He signaled that he had two enemies. Jane gave Ash a look. Ash flanked Garrus and Jane moved slowly forward. They were geth. She saw two for sure. She pressed on Garrus' shoulder and nodded, they would take on the white one while she took the other one. Three shots hissed and the geth dropped. Jane quickly moved forward as a third unit appeared in the entrance of the tunnel. She hit it with a warp and it dropped. She pressed her rifle against it and began to fire. Ash and Garrus were quick to make sure the coast was clear.
Jane knocked into the tube's wall three times. The door at the end opened up and the rest of the team moved into the tunnel and headed down.
"Easy clean up?" John asked and Jane nodded as she switched her sniper rifle for a pistol as the group began to move down the catwalks.
"Impressive ruin." Jane muttered.
"It's massive." Tali said.
"Lots of hiding spots." Wrex added.
"Keep your eyes peeled. Tali, you have the advantage against geth so I'll take point, you stay right on my six." John said and Tali nodded as they moved toward the end of the platform. Two geth drones popped up and Tali quickly waved her omnitool at them, just in time for John and Jane to each shoot one. The drones dropped.
"We should take the elevator." Jane said, looking over the railing.
"This is going to be packed." Wrex said in irritably and Ash gave him a look.
"Back up is always a good thing." Jane said as she punched the down button. "This looks like it could be bigger than the Mars ruins after the excavation is completed."
"Priorities." John teased and Jane rolled her eyes before the elevator screeched to a halt far from the ground.
"Looks like we get out early." Jane sighed as she opened the door and looked around. She jumped and caught a metal support, swinging up onto it.
"Show off." John chuckled.
"You're just jealous I move like a gymnast and you have the flexibility of a krogan." Jane shot back as she pulled her rifle and stood to cover the group. "I can see the bottom of the elevator and the surrounding area. Looks like five geth walking around...apparently they didn't notice that."
"They recognize the sounds of the machinery here." Tali stated as she followed John out of the elevator. Jane swung down and walked with them until they found the asari floating behind the force field. Jane and John looked at each other.
"You're the girl, you comfort her." John teased and Jane rolled her eyes as she approached the force field.
"Can you hear me out there? I am trapped. I need help!" the asari cried and Jane noticed she was in some sort of field, floating above the ground.
"Are you okay, Dr. T'Soni? What happened to you?" she asked making sure this was Liara, pressing her hand to the force field. More solid than her best barrier.
"Listen. This thing I am in is a Prothean security device. I cannot move, so I need you to get me out of it. All right?" Liara said and Jane nodded.
"We just need to figure some way past this energy field." Jane said.
"It's a Prothean barrier curtain, I knew it would keep me safe from the geth. When I turned it on, I must have hit something I wasn't supposed to. I was trapped in here. You must get me out. Please." Liara stated.
"We'll find some way to help you." Jane said as she looked at the others and made the 'head out' hand sign.
"There is a control in here that should deactivate this thing. You'll have to find some way past the barrier curtain. That's the tricky part. The defenses cannot be shut off from the outside. I don't know how you'll get in here. Be careful. There is a krogan with the geth. They have been trying different ways to get past the barrier." Liara warned and Jane nodded.
"Don't worry, we'll be there soon." Jane said before she followed the others.
"I got a lock, one sniper model." Garrus stated from where he was crouched on the stairs.
"Ash, find another target, once I'm in position and give the sign, we strike, then the rest of the team rushes the remaining geth." Jane said.
"Couldn't we be in danger?" Tali asked.
"We are always in danger." Wrex said. "Snipers gain attention fast, even for machines. They shoot, the geth look at the snipers, we run out, they move to us. The snipers will be moving onto another target, the geth won't know what hit them." Wrex laughed.
~*TF~TF*~
"Spread out, look for some way to get that shield down or to get around it." John said. The others began to move off when Jane saw them.
"Those Geth are back!"
John ducked behind a rock as the Geth Jane mentioned from before began to open fire.
"Screw this." John mumbled. He saw Wrex nearby. "Wrex, yank those tin cans forward, everyone else, open fire!"
Wrex made a sweeping gesture and got three of the Geth sending the hurtling forward. One came flying at John who just raised his shotgun and blasted the helpless machine in the head. Jane dropped the Sniper in the far back as Tali and Garrus overloaded the shields of the others as Ashley opened fire. And John was surprised to see Kaidan use a throw on the last floating Geth's feet. Caught between Wrex's pull and Kaidan's throw, the geth was literally torn in half.
"Nice." Jane said as they all regrouped.
"Alright keep looking. Ash, Garrus keep an eye out for more Geth." John said. They all nodded and moved about. Jane was examining the front of a drilling laser.
"Hmmm, from the way this is oriented, we could cut right threw the rock below the doctor if we could unlock it's panel." she mused, John shrugged and began to randomly hit buttons on the control panel.
"It's a four digit combination, can't be too hard to fi-" he was cut off as the drill blared to life. Jane let out a blood curdling scream of fear, narrowly jumping out of the way.
"You almost killed me!" she exclaimed in shock.
"I didn't mean to!"
"Your own flesh and blood!"
"Oh come one you shouldn't have been standing right in front of it!"
"Uh Commanders?"
"WHAT?" The Shepards snapped in unison, turning angry glares to poor Tali.
"T-t-that worked." she stammered, point. Both Shepards huffed but headed for the newly carved tunnel.
"They can be so scary." Tali whimpered to Garrus. Garrus sighed and patted the Quarrian on the shoulder.
~*TF~TF*~
"I am not forgiving you for nearly hitting me." Jane hissed as the elevator moved up.
"It was an honest mistake." John mumbled.
"Not funny." Jane hissed as they reached the floor with Liara.
"How...how did you get in here? I didn't think there was any way past the barrier!" she cried.
"Creative use of a mining laser got us in." John stated ignoring a glare from Jane.
"We have to get you out of here before more geth arrive." Jane stated as she moved towards the control panel next to the asari.
"Yes, you're right. I've seen enough of them to last a lifetime. That button should shut down my containment field." Lieara cried.
"Hold on, Commander. Her mother's working with Saren. Can we trust her?" Ash asked and Jane paused for a moment.
"I am not my mother! I don't even...I don't know why Benezia joined Saren. I don't want anything to do with that turian bastard!" Liara cried and Jane shook her head at Ash.
"If she was with Saren, the geth wouldn't be trying to kill her." Jane said as she brought up the control panel and shut it off.
"Oof!" Liara huffed as she landed.
"Any idea how we get out of this place?" Wrex asked and Liara nodded.
"There is an elevator back in the center of the tower. At least, I think it's an elevator. It should take us out of here. Come on!" Liara said. The group moved to the center of the tower and Liara moved next to Jane. "I...I still cannot believe all this. Why would the geth come after me? Do you think Benezia's involved?"
"Saren's looking for the Conduit. Think fast, Ms. Prothean Expert." Ash stated in a snide tone and Jane gave her a look.
"The Conduit? But I don't know..." Liara started to say as loud noises began around the tower.
"That doesn't sound good." Garrus stated and Jane winced.
"These ruins aren't stable. That mining laser must have triggered a seismic event." Liara theorized. "We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in!" She worked at a console and Jane looked at John before hitting her comm.
"Joker! Get the Normandy airborne and lock in on my signal. One the double, mister!" she barked.
"Aye, aye, Commander. Secure and aweigh. ETA eight minutes." Joker's voice called over the comm.
"If I die here, I'll kill him." Wrex grunted and Jane smirked.
"You'll have to beat me to him." she shot back and Wrex chuckled.
"It's going to be close." Kaidan muttered and John nodded.
Just then the elevator came to a stop and the krogran Liara had mentioned came storming toward them with several geth.
"Surrender. Or don't. That would be more fun." The krogan snarled.
"In case you didn't notice, this place is falling apart." John snapped. "We don't have time for this!"
"Exhilarating, isn't it?" The krogan said, laughing. "Thanks for getting rid of those energy fields for us. Hand the doctor over."
"Whatever it is you want, you're not getting it from me." Liara snarked from behind the siblings.
"She'll stay with us, thanks." John snapped.
"Not an option. Saren wants her. And he always gets what he wants." The krogan growled. "Kill them. Spare the asari if you can. If not, doesn't matter."
The geth and the battlemaster opened fire. Everyone dove for cover and John grabbed Dr. T'Soni and yanked her behind some equipment with him.
"Stay down Doctor!" John advised. He peaked over the equipment and saw the geth moving towards them.
"Focus on the geth first!" Jane roared. In response to her order Ashley put a round into one, sending it flying into another which Kaidan then hit with a throw, slamming both geth intot he cave wall where they collapsed. Garrus's assult rifle roared taking out another. Wrex blasted another with glee but the krogan battle master was a problem. Alone now that just seemed to fule his rage and John barely grabbed Tali and yanked her behind cover as a Carnage blast hit where she had been moments before.
"This guy is really starting to piss me off!" John shouted over the gun fire. Ashley went skidding as she got clipped by the battlemaster's charge. "Anyone got any ideas?"
"If I get that son of a bitch air born, can we kill him?" Jane asked, turning to Wrex who chuckled.
"Get him belly down and we all hit him with what we've got...yeah." Wrex smiled.
"Moving!" Jane called.
"Jane! That's a full grown krogan!" John cried as Jane quickly sprinted across the platform from the krogan.
"Hey! You asari loving poet!" Jane cried and the krogan battlemaster stared at her.
"What did you call me?" he growled.
"You heard me. You think you're a bad ass, I've seen better shooting from Salarians!" Jane called, ready to put up a barrier.
"Commander!" Kaidan cried and the battlemaster roared.
"I will rip you limb from limb!" he snarled as he rushed her. Jane focused hard and pulled him up into the air. She held him up, forcing her biotics around him.
"Now!" John roared as he rushed out of cover. The group quickly began shooting into the gaps in the armor, exposed with the krogan midair.
"Stupid pyjak, you should have known the woman was baiting you." Wrex chuckled before sending several rounds into the battlemaster's skull. Jane dropped him.
"Is he dead?" Kaidan asked.
"I'm not checking for a pulse." Garrus snorted as there was another tremor.
"Time to go!" Jane roared. "Move! Move!" She and John locked eyes, before they began to run. The barrier dropped and they quickly ran through the tunnel as rocks began to fall. "Kaidan, Wrex, push as much of the debris out of the way as you run!" Jane ordered. Biotics lit up, throwing massive boulders to the side as the group ran.
"Jane, watch yourself!" John called.
"Move! Move! Move!" Jane shot back. They reached the tunnel and began to sprint out of the ruin. Smoke blew out of the entrance as they escaped and Jane and John shared a look as the Normandy approached.
~*TF~TF*~
"Jane, Garrus and Wrex, you guys retrieve the Mako. Everyone else, surround and protect Dr. T'Soni until we get her onboard." John ordered.
"Sounds good to me." Jane muttered. She rubbed at her eyes as she led Garrus and Wrex to the Mako. John knew why she was doing that, he knew the signs well after having atleast one human biotic on his squad since basic. Jane was starting to feel the stress of her biotics. He glanced at Kaidan and noticed the other Alliance Biotic was rubbing his forehead. As the Normandy's loading ramp began to lower John and the others formed a defensive ring around Dr. T'Soni. John made sure he was near Ashley.
"When we get inside ask Dr. Chakwas for two pain killers for biotics, one for Jane and one for Kaidan." He said to the Gunnery Chief softly. Ashley shot him a puzzled look. "Both of them over did it with the biotics. I know I saw both of them move some of rocks that were falling around us."
"Will they be okay, Skipper?" Ashley asked. John nodded.
"They'll be fine, humans just don't have the high biotic tolerance like Krogan and Asari." John explained. "Jane's been through this before but if I try to give it to her she'll just blow me off. Better if a concerned squad mate did instead of a big brother." Ashley shot him a grin.
"Aye aye, sir." Ashley said, giving him a mock salute. John rolled his eyes but returned it with a smile. They headed up the ramp and stopped by their lockers to stow their gear. John moved closer to Dr. T'Soni.
"Dr. T'Soni if you let us know where your camp site was in relation to the dig site, we can stop by the get your things." John offered. Liara blinked and seemed to fidget for a bit.
"Ah…thank you but I usually camp in the dig site itself." Liara explained timidly. John stood there and blinked as what she said sank it.
"Which means your personal effects are now buried under several tons of rock and debris." John muttered. "Wonderful."
"I'm sorry b-" Liara began but John just waved her off.
"No need for apologies, ma'am. I didn't expect the ruins to come down like that. Do you have any medical needs or medications we need to get?"
"Oh no, no, no. I'll be fine." Liara assured him. "Asari can use anything made for humans. We have similar builds to the females of your species."
"Very well then, Dr. T'Soni. How about I show you around, get you assigned to a sleeper pod and check to see which crew members have similar builds so we can get you some clean clothes." John said, gesturing to the elevator in the back.
"That would be great, thank you Commander." Liara said as they began to walk to the back. "And you can call me Liara. I never really liked the title of doctor that came with my PhD. I've always thought that title should apply to those in the medical field."
"I can understand the sentiment and you can call me John. My sister also holds the rank of Commander and it might get confusing between the two of us." John said as the elevator came down. Liara laughed as they got onboard, and John hit the button to take them up.
"After we have the after mission debriefing, I think we'll be setting course back to the Citadel. I'm going to want to have the Normandy looked over since she had to land so close the dig site as it collapsed." John explained after a moment of silence. "When we go ashore I'd like to transfer some funds to a credit chit for you to purchase your own supplies."
"Oh no Commander, you don't need to do that." Liara exclaimed. John was surprised to note that a darkish tint came to Liara's cheeks.
'It looks like Asari blush just like humans do. She's cute when she does that.' John thought.
"I don't have to but I want to. It was during the course of our mission that your things were destroyed." John explained. The elevator finally came to stop and the door slid down.
"This is the mess hall here, and just past it are the sleeper pods." John pointed out. "On the right is the medbay run by Dr. Chakwas. On the left are the quarters I share with my sister."
"Thank you Commander but could we cut the tour short a bit. I'd like to get into some clean clothes. Would it be possible to get a hot shower too?
"Let's check with Dr. Chakwas, you look about her size. I'll have her show you where the showers are after that. We can finish the tour after the mission debrief."
~*TF~TF*~
"Too close, Commander, ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulfur. The Normandy isn't equipped to land in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull. Just for future reference." Joker stated snidely through the comm as Jane stood near the front of the room as the group took their seats. John showed Liara where she could sit before leaning against the holo projectors by his sister.
"We almost died out there and your pilot is making jokes?" Liara huffed.
"Joker pulled our asses out of there. I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes." John chuckled and Jane smirked.
"Really, really bad jokes." Jane added and Joker's comm shut off with a loud squelch. She smirked.
"I see. It must be a human thing. I don't have a lot of experience dealing with your species, Commander." Liara said to John before looking at Jane. "But I am grateful to you. You saved my life back there. And not just from the volcano. Those geth would have killed me. Or dragged me off to Saren."
"What did Saren want with you? Do you know something about the Conduit?" Kaidan asked and Liara shook her head.
"Only that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the past fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them." Liara said.
"I've got my own theory about why the Protheans disappeared." Jane muttered.
"You mean the vision?" John asked and she nodded.
"With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind." Liara stated. "It is almost as if someone did not want the mystery solved. It's like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues. But here is the incredible part. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to mysteriously vanish. This cycle began long before them."
"If the Protheans weren't the first, then who was?" Jane asked.
"I don't know. There is barely any evidence on the Protheans. Even less on those who came before them. I cannot prove my theory. But I know I am right!" Liara said. "The galaxy is built on a cycle of extinction. Each time a great civilization rises up, it is suddenly and vioently cast down. Only ruins survive."
"You should tell her about your vision." John whispered as Liara made eye contact with each of the team members.
"No." Jane hissed.
"The Protheans rose up from a single world until their empire spanned the entire galaxy. Yet even they climbed to the top on the remains of those who came before. Their greatest achievements, the mass relays and the Citadel, are based on the technology of those who came before them." Liara continued. "And then, like all the other forgotten civilizations throughout galactic history, the Protheans disappeared. I have dedicated my life to figuring out why."
"They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines. The Reapers." John said and Jane elbowed him.
"Stop." she hissed.
"The...the Reapers? But I have never heard of...How do you know this? What evidence do you have?" Liara asked as John shoved Jane in front of him.
"There was a damaged Prothean beacon on Eden Prime. It burned a vision into my little sister's brain." John said and Jane blushed as she pulled away.
"By fourteen minutes!" she hissed at John before looking at Liara. "I'm still trying to sort out what it all means."
"Visions? Yes...that makes sense. The beacons were designed to transmit information directly into the mind of the user. Finding one that still works is extremely rare. No wonder the geth attacked Eden Prime. The chance to acquire a working beacon...even a badly damaged one is worth almost any risk." Liara said excitedly. "But the beacons were only programmed to interact with Prothean physiology. Whatever information you received would have been confused, unclear."
"See, she knows." John grinned at Jane who gave him a look.
"I am amazed you were able to make sense of it at all. A lesser mind would have been utterly destroyed by the process. You must be remarkably strong-willed, Commander." Liara stated and Jane nodded.
"This isn't helping us find Saren. Or the Conduit." Ash growled.
"Of course. You are right. I am sorry. My scientific curiosity got the better of me. Unfortunately, I do not have any information that could help you find the Conduit. Or Saren." Liara explained.
"I don't know why Saren wanted you out of the picture. But I think we'll be a lot better off if we bring you along." John said and Jane nodded.
"Thank you, Commander. Saren might come after me again. I cannot think of anywhere safer than here on your ship. And my knowledge of the Protheans might be useful later on." Liara stated.
"And her biotics will come in handy when the fighting starts." Wrex chuckled and Jane gave him a look. "After yours of course, Commander."
"Watch your tone, Krogan, I helped kill one of you today." Jane warned and Wrex chuckled.
"Good to have you on the team, Liara." John said with a smile.
"Thank you, Commander. I am very gratef- whoa." Liara gasped, swaying a bit. She raised a hand to her forehead. " I am afraid I am feeling a bit light-headed."
"When was the last time you ate? Or slept? Dr. Chakwas should take a look at you." Kaidan said and Liara shook her head.
"It is probably just mental exhaustion, coupled with the shock of discovering the Protheans' true fate. I need some time to process all this." Liara sighed and Jane smirked.
"Tell me about it." she muttered.
"Still, it could not hurt to be examined by a medical professional. It will give me the chance to think things over. Are we finished here, Commanders?" Liara asked.
"We can talk again after you've seen the doctor." John said smiling softly at Liara and Jane hid a smirk.
"The rest of you...dismissed." Jane ordered. The group began to leave and she stared at her brother.
"What?" John asked after the door closed.
"I saw that." Jane stated as she began to key in the code to speak to the Council. "Joker, status."
"Saw what?" John asked and Jane smirked more.
"Mission reports are filed, Commander. You want me to patch you through to the Council?" Joker asked.
"Patch them through, Joker. You were giving her the Shepard Baby Blues Look." Jane teased and John snorted.
"I was not." he stated.
"Were too." Jane shot back.
"Don't make me pull rank." John threatened.
"Equal Spectres and equal ranks." Jane shot back.
"I'm older." he huffed.
"Setting up the link now." Joker interrupted.
"By fourteen minutes. Now act like a man, the Council is waiting to hear from us." Jane stated as they stood up and John tousled her hair before the hologram activated.
"We've received your report, Commanders. I understand Dr. T'Soni is on the Normandy." Councilor Tevos said.
"I assume you're taking the necessary security precautions?" Councilor Sparatus demanded.
"Liara's on our side. The geth were trying to kill her." Jane retorted, frowning.
"Benezia would never allow Saren to kill her daughter." Councilor Tevos said.
"Maybe she doesn't know." Councilor Valern chimed in.
"Or maybe we don't know her. We never expected she would become a traitor." Councilor Sparatus grumbled.
"I spoke with her a bit as we were getting underway." John spoke up. "I asked her if she had any supplies she wanted to retrieve and she indicated that they were all destroyed during the ruin's collapse. If this was all staged for our benefit she would have some supplies stashed somewhere if for no other reason than to smuggle tracking and listening devices onboard. She literally came on board carrying nothing but the clothes on her back."
"Hmmmm well at least the mission was a success." Councilor Valern said.
"Apart from the utter destruction of a major Prothean ruin. Was that really necessary, Shepard?" Councilor Sparatus demanded.
"The geth were crawling all over those ruins. We were lucky to make it out alive." Jane replied.
"Of course, Commander. The mission must always take priority." Councilor Valern said.
"Good luck, Commanders. Remember, we're all counting on you." Councilor Tevos said. The transmission cut off shortly thereafter and Jane sighed.
"No pressure then." Jane snarked and John laughed.
"I'm going to check on Liara. Why don't you check in with Joker and see if the Normandy has sustained any damage at all? I'd still like to get back to the Citadel and have our engineers give her a once over just to be safe." John said. Jane nodded and watched her brother go. She smiled and shook her head as he left the comm room.
"Since when have you been into Asari, John?" Jane murmured to herself.
~*TF~TF*~
Jane moved to the bridge at an easy pace, coming up behind Joker who grinned at her.
"I prefer gold to silver. You know, for my medal. I figured you'd recommend me for one since I pulled your, uh, boots out of the fire." Joker stated as he looked up at Jane's chest and then quickly back down at his console.
"If we present you with a medal, you'll end up sitting on stage listening to politicians make speeches for a couple hours." Jane teased.
"That's a good point. They'd probably make me shave, too. I spent the last seven weeks working on this baby. No medal's worth that." Joker sighed, stroking his facial hair and Jane chuckled.
"Let's just start heading back, we did good today, but we didn't do much to stop Saren." Jane sighed.
"Tomorrow will be better." Joker stated and Jane smiled.
"Surprisingly optimistic of you, Joker." Jane teased and Joker snorted.
"I just saved some ass, I get to be in a good mood." Joker stated.
~*TF~TF*~
End of Chapter
Belle's AN: Just a reminder to people who might want to call us on the missions and tricks, especially the trick with the Mako. It is a fairly well known cheat to ram the Mako on its side through the rock path. Also this mission is fairly difficult in game as the first mission because your XP is low. However, remember that if you do side quests first (I highly recommend clearing out the Citadel quests right after you make Spectre) and hitting a few of the planets before hitting Therum.
Toby's A/N: Not to mention with two Shepards and us taking the whole crew that the missions may play out differently. Now that we're into the guts of the game the divergence from the canon story line is going to start. Please review by the way. We're more than willing to correct any mistakes we make, typos and Mass Effect wise. We use the Mass Effect wiki but we can't catch everything. Plus feedback helps us improve the story and our skills as writers.