"That's the last one. We should be able to reach them from here."
The Commander calmly gazed over the balcony of the gate as the lieutenant gave her their sitrep. Gazing out at the ocean's horizon, her vision occasionally blinded by the shine coming off the bright blue waters of the coastal channel below, she admitted...she felt a sense of tranquility she hadn't felt in a long while. Not since this months' long mission first began.
"Nothing between us and that camp now," her Krogan added, rolling his shoulders as he passed by.
Thunder suddenly cracked overhead, drawing her attention to the dark clouds looming over the once sunny coast in the distance. They wouldn't have much time before the storm arrived.
She smirked.
"Then let's go pay those Salarians a visit."
She came down the structure's stairwell last after Kaidan and Wrex, finding Ashley and Garrus still stationed outside the Mako, still staring down their scopes, currently scanning a few peculiar rock formations up ahead.
But they no longer needed words to communicate now. The two quickly stopped what they were doing as they approached, and folded their guns as the Mako's doors opened back up. She pulled herself in first, immediately sliding into the Mako's control seat, with Ashley following soon after, taking back the main gun from Hector. The other three followed their lead, reclaiming their seats next to the several squad members who had remained inside.
Flicking on the overhead lights, shifting the clutch, the Mako made a jerk as she gunned the vehicle's engines forward.
"Commander, the Normandy's touched down at the base, but it looks like we're grounded. The Salarian Captain can explain when you get here." Joker's voice brought her back to reality. There would be time to stop and finally rest once Saren was dead. Until then, she needed to focus. "There's also something else but, uh...I'll let you see for yourself."
"Copy that."
The Commander floored it as the Mako took the next turn, spinning its wheels in the sand as it banked along the shallows.
"There is the Salarian camp!"
And Liara's observation, though unnecessary, was correct. Up ahead was a large beachhead, with intermittent tents set up along its shoreline in front of a massive white wall. The Normandy was currently touched down, hovering over the ocean further to the right of the camp, with two other beached vessels nearby on the sand. Both of them looked like they had come into contact with the Geth's anti-air defenses upon landing. Shepard wasted no time as she drifted into the lagoon, bringing the tank to a sudden stop. Quickly unbuckling herself, she nodded to her team before opening the vehicle's hatch.
It was time.
The Salarian she took as the head of the operation was already nearby the water, currently speaking with one of her crewmen, in the middle of discussing why the Normandy was apparently beached. It wasn't until they turned around and opened their mouth did Shepard realize her mistake.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to pop on by! It's about time. We were starting to think you wouldn't show!"
"Wha...Shield?"
She had to blink twice as Ashley said the name, because despite everything, despite having made sure of it herself, despite ridding herself of him more than a week ago...here that bastard was. Here the traitorous son of a bitch stood, face rife with cuts and lacerations, covered in dirt and sweat, a knife and gun tucked haphazardly into their hip, acting like he had never even left their side at all. She already had her pistol unholstered as she growled in response.
"What the hell are you doing here."
Was he intercepting the Normandy's transmissions? He couldn't have gotten the information from a crewman, and she had had Fantum and Adams' crew sweep for bugs after his dismissal. How in the hell-
"Why we're here? Well, I'm sure the Captain can get you up to speed on that. Kirrahe?"
The treacherous bastard ignored her question entirely, opting to instead turn to the Salairan beside him. And the bright green alien took that as their cue to open their mouth next. "Thank you Shield. I've heard much about you from him Commander. I'm Captain Kirrahe. Third Infiltration Unit. STG. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hot zone. Every AA gun within 10 miles that has been preventing our incursion has now been alerted to your presence. But when the rest of your reinforcements from the Council arrive, we'll be able to finally start phase one-"
"Oh. I guess I forget to mention...these are the reinforcements."
And that was when Shepard truly realized Shield had already wormed his way into their operation. How long had he been here before them, sticking his nose where it didn't belong-
"What?!" The Salarian turned his disbelief in Shepard's direction. "You're all that was sent? I told the Council we needed a fleet!" Then the alien turned back to the traitor. "You mentioned Alliance warships Shield!"
"Oh. Warship. Singular. Sorry."
"We couldn't understand your transmission," Shepard barked, determined to first settle their current miscommunication issue before addressing Shield's unwelcome presence. "They sent me to investigate."
"That is a repetition of our task. I lost half my men 'investigating' this place."
Shepard's temper grew as the Salarian snapped at her.
"So what have you found?" Kaidan quickly asked.
"I'll take it from here Captain. Ahem." Shield suddenly dropped his annoying smile as he met her harsh stare head-on. "Now I'm sure you have some questions Shepard-"
"You don't even know how much shit you're in Shield."
"Shepard look-"
"Is there a problem here?" The Salarian was quick to inquire now that he caught wind that the man currently beside him might not be what he claimed. Which she was now learning was classic for the man. No matter the situation. So she answered in Shield's stead.
"Captain this man is a known liar and seditionist-"
"Seditionist?"
"Anything he's told you is most likely a lie. He is most certainly not affiliated with me or my crew in any fashion despite what he may have already told you."
"...is this true Shield? I thought you said you were an advance scout under this vessel's command."
"Welllll...that's technically true. I am a scout. Just of my own volition. And I WAS under command of the Normandy. Until recently."
"If you aren't with the Council, then how did you possibly come to learn about this operation?"
"Well now that's a funny story. One that I can tell at a later time when-"
"Answer the question Shield."
Her biotics flared reflexively as she tightened her grip around the handgun hanging by her side.
The man ignored her completely however, wearing a mask of annoyance as he chose to address the Salarian instead. "I've been genuine about everything we talked about Kirrahe. The layout of the base, its nature and purpose, the rest of the plans we made...I didn't deceive you about any of it. Believe me. I mean you're part of the Special Tasks Group. I like to think you'd be good enough to see through a thinly veiled lie."
"I don't possess a lie detector on me Shield."
She had had enough.
"Ashley, Hector, take him back to the Normandy's bridge. I want to know how he's been listening to our comms-"
The liar didn't flinch however, as he now met her stare head-on, holding out his hand in response. His eyes were harsher than she remembered. "You can do whatever you want with me after we're done here. But the task at hand is infinitely more important than this bickering Shepard. I'll tell you all about my misadventures since we split ways after this, but until then, why don't you just listen to me? Hear what I have to say? I thought you actually cared about stopping Saren-"
She felt her blood boil as the words left his mouth, enraged with how he had just spoken to her. How the arrogant bastard had the gall to even utter the phrase...after everything she's done, everything that she's been through over the past few months to stop that madman...and yet he had the fucking-
"Shepard, for what it's worth...I think we should at least hear him out."
She turned to Garrus behind her in disbelief. And then Kaidan as he raised a brow and gave a reluctant nod, as if to say what's the harm?
She had always known they still trusted him in some small fashion. They never had been as wary of him as herself. But...dammit. Dammit because she knew they were right at the end of the day. Because Shield was just an annoyance compared to their true objective. A fly in their ointment compared to the rogue Spectre Saren. So reluctantly...a gruff "I do," grudgingly escaped her lips before she curtly followed it with her real question.
"What's going on here."
Shield only gave a small smile in response. "...thanks Commander." Then he gave a sidelong glance to Kirrahe before addressing the fire team behind her. "Alright, so, first of all...nice to see you all again. Hope you've all been well. Wish the circumstances could have been better but I suppose I'll take what I can get-"
"Just tell us the situation Shield, stop wasting our time."
"Haha, I missed you too Ash wait now. Are you...is that my armor?"
"Oh, this old thing?" Ashley coyly glanced down at the Janissary line armor that had once been worn by that man. "I just happened to find it inside our spare locker. And since no one else seemed to be using it-"
"Well I appreciate you keeping it warm for me. I want it back."
"Finders keepers Shield."
"Uh huh huh I think not. Did you receive it as a gift for saving the lives of eight Hahne-Kedar scientists-"
"Uh, can you guys get a room later? I thought we were in the middle of mission brief here."
PFC Clark ended up cutting in before she had done so herself.
Shield's face quickly reddened before coughing into his hand. "Ahem. Right." He then annoyingly glared at Williams before continuing what he had started ages ago. "Anyhoo, like I was saying, you all have the pleasure of currently finding yourselves right smack dab in the middle of Saren's most important hideout in the Traverse. A research facility of his, currently maintained by an army of Geth, and a very large handful of Krogan super soldiers. Lucky us."
And the words instantly changed her mood.
"Saren's here? Have you seen him?!"
"No, but-"
"He's here Shepard," the traitor said, speaking over Kirrahe. "I can confirm it."
"Shield has been adamant about this intel, though we haven't been able to prove its veracity ourselves."
"...he's here."
"...you mentioned this is a research facility?" Liara now spoke up behind her.
"Yes," Shield affirmed.
"...what exactly is he researching?" Kaidan asked next, aware of what Liara had really been asking.
"Uh-"
Kirrahe decided to share the information himself once Shield appeared reluctant to.
"Shield already mentioned the answer. Saren's using the facility to breed an army of Krogan."
Shepard didn't fail to follow Shield's awkward glance at Wrex in particular.
"...how is that possible?" her Krogan slowly murmured himself, as if waking from a stupor, closing the gap between him and the Salarian rather quickly. Shepard had already connected the dots as to why Shield had avoided sharing that information with the company currently present.
"I thought the Krogan couldn't breed in large numbers?" Tali chirped in turn.
"Apparently, Saren has discovered a cure to the Genophage."
Shepard could only close her eyes in response. "The Geth are bad enough. With a Krogan army...he'd be almost unstoppable." That couldn't happen.
"Exactly my thoughts. We must ensure that this facility and its secrets are destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Shepard opened her eyes again as Wrex snarled beside her. "I don't think so. My people are dying. This cure can save them."
Kirrahe ignored him, continuing to address her.
"If that cure leaves this planet, the Krogan would be unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again."
The Krogan closed the distance between him and the Salarian in the blink of an eye, demanding Kirrahe's attention this time around. "We are NOT a mistake." Staring him down, Wrex suddenly snorted and veered off as quickly as he had come, marching away toward the beach on their right. A STG member several feet away lowered their rifle in conjunction, and the eyes of her entire team seemed to cautiously follow the alien's war path. And one of Shepard's worst fears was now coming to light. That after all this time, at the end...she couldn't trust the Krogan to control himself.
"...is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry Krogan to-"
"I'll talk to him."
And the voice responsible surprised her.
"And why do you think you're suited to that role in any way, shape, or form Shield?"
In response to the barb, the man just smiled. "Trust me Shepard. I can do it." Then with an even cockier grin, he turned back to the Salarian beside him. "Alright Captain, why don't you wrap up the brief and tell 'em your plan to finish Saren off? I got a date with a Krogan."
And before she had time to object, the man was already going after Urdnot Wrex.
"Alright then." The Salarian cleared his throat to gain everyone else's attention. "As Shield has already mentioned, we have devised a plan to siege Saren's base of operations and eliminate it. We won't need to change much even without the expected reinforcements, but I will be honest, that will significantly decrease the odds of our success."
"So what exactly is your plan?"
"Shield's plan actually. Don't let his modesty fool you. His suggestions and general advisement were critical in its creation."
"Shield."
"Yes, it's actually quite hard for me to fathom why you'd let such a talented operative go despite his record. He has a mind rivaling that of a Salarian. I have half a mind to recruit him into my team myself."
"Shield. This being the guy who once asked me for advice on how to delete his extranet history. The guy so immature he once blinded Felawa with Elcor porn because he thought it a riot?" Hector's skepticism entirely encapsulated her own.
A shotgun blast caused several heads to turn, but Shepard ignored it as Kirrahe continued on, similarly indifferent to the noise.
"Yes. Poor humor aside, he was the one suggested the proposal that we convert our beached ship's drive system into twenty-kiloton ordinance. While crude, extremely effective. The weapon's drive system is highly impervious to damage from external sources. Once it has been armed, very little can stop it."
"Nice going Shield. Drop that nuke and Saren can kiss his Turian ass goodbye."
"I still can't take this guy seriously. Shield. Really?"
"Regardless, sounds like a plan to me. What's the hold-up Salarian?"
The Salarian shook his head at Ashley, Hector and Clark's words. "Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. Without a fleet to screen the ship carrying it, we'll need to place the bomb at a precise location."
That was extremely unfortunate, and caused Shepard to curse under her breath.
"So where do we take the nuke? And how do we get it there?"
"After brainstorming, we reasoned the bomb must be taken to the far side of the facility. Shield suggested the breeding grounds in particular, which our reconnaissance supported, as it was revealed the location had geothermal taps connected to the deeper depths of the facility. Your ship can drop the bomb off, but we'll need to infiltrate the base on foot, disable the AA guns barring entry, and pacify any ground forces first."
"You want us to go in on foot?" Kaidan objected.
"We saw the pictures from orbit. We don't have enough men," Garrus was quick to point out.
"Hmph. Good." Shepard cracked her neck. The facility had been read to be quite large from the scan. And well-defended. But if Saren was in it...then nothing short of a Reaper would stop her. And even one of them showing their face would only serve to slow her down. "Like that's ever stopped us. I prefer a straight fight anyway."
Captain Kirrahe only shook his head again. "I admire your tenacity but it won't be that simple. We just don't have the numbers to meet them head on. Since I have more men, I'm dividing them into three teams and hitting the main entrance of the facility. While we've got their attention, you can sneak your 'shadow' team into the back."
These Salarians were trained in espionage, not warfare. She highly doubted how long they last if they were the ones making the direct assault. "Then I just hope you survive long enough to be useful."
"We're tougher than we look Commander," the Salarian replied solemnly. "But it's true. I don't expect many of us will make it out alive...and that makes what I'm going to ask even more difficult. I need three of your men to accompany me. To help coordinate each team."
Lightning suddenly cracked in the distance, rolling thunder accompanying it naught seconds later. The storm once hanging over the sea was now over their heads.
"Forget it," the Commander immediately burst out. "I don't make a habit of placing my people under someone else's command."
"I understand, but this mission is too important for personal preferences to get in the way. We need soldiers familiar with Alliance communication protocols to coordinate our teams."
"He's right Commander. We can't do this without both teams at their best. I volunteer."
"Not so fast LT. Shepard will need you to arm the nuke. I'll go with the Salarians."
"Then I'll follow the Chief's lead Commander. You can count on me."
"Shut it Hector. As Private FIRST Class, I-"
"With all due respect soldiers, it's not your places to decide," Kaidan uttered in the middle of Clark's words, clearly frustrated.
"Why is it whenever someone says 'with all due respect' they really mean 'kiss my ass'?"
"All of you quiet! This is my decision. Not yours!"
"Any of these marines will do Commander. All seem willing to sacrifice their lives if necessary, though if we are lucky, such sacrifices won't be required."
Shepard gritted her teeth as the Salarian spoke again. If any of they went with the Salarian teams, she wouldn't be able to keep an eye on them herself. But-
"Williams. Emerson. Fredericks. You'll accompany the captain's teams." She turned around to face the team behind her. "No heroics, understood?"
"Aye, aye Commander!"
The three gave various forms of salutes in turn, while she noticed Kaidan shoot a concerned glance out of the corner of her eye.
"Kaidan, I'll need you on the Normandy with the bomb. You're the only other one with extensive EOD training. No one else would be familiar with how to arm the weapon."
The man only gave her a curt nod in affirmation.
"Then I will have the ordnance loaded onto the Normandy and brief your crew on its detonation sequencing. Do you have any questions before we go Commander?"
She trained her eyes back on the Salarian.
"Shadow seems clear enough. What will the other teams be called?"
"Aegohr, Mannovai, and Jaeto. They were the initial settlements on our first three colony worlds. They are at the heart of Salarian territory to this day. These names will remind my men what they are fighting for. They must have a personal stake in the fight if we are to have any chance of success."
"What about evac? The Normandy's picking us up. How will your teams escape the blast without your ship operational?"
"Shield's own craft will take that role. It was hit by flak upon first touching down as well, but is still operational."
"If that's the case, why didn't you just use his ship's drive core for the bomb instead?"
What if-
"We were not familiar with the vessel's technology. And the equipment aboard it is quite valuable. As well as its...cargo. Shield was generous enough to offer the contents of the ship to us upon succeeding. But we will engage the geth as long as possible. Once the bomb is in place, then we will fall back. If we all move quickly, we should be able to escape with acceptable casualties. If not, then our memories will live on as martyrs to a greater cause."
"You talk like this is a suicide mission."
"I won't lie to you Commander. There is a chance none of us will survive this assault. Even your team. But we do what is necessary."
"I can promise you that my team will be making it out of this Captain. You best make sure the same goes for my marines."
"I will do my best Commander."
"...then let's do this."
"Excellent. Then if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare my men."
The STG agent gave a curt nod before leaving the conversation. And the Commander's attention now returned to the team behind her.
"Well, this is it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone you guys," Ashley took the opportunity to say first to the privates. "The same goes for you Commander."
"We'll be fine, you'll see," Kaidan assured her, crossing his arms.
"And so will we," Hector laughed, hitting Ashley's shoulder.
"Be sure to get the medals ready for when we get back," Clark chimed in, speaking to no one in particular.
"Yeah, you're all right, I just...good luck."
The woman's eyes looked unsure. Of everything. And they reflected Shepard's own feelings at the moment.
"Is there something you want to say Chief?"
"I don't know. It's just...weird. Going under someone else's command. I've got used to working with you...all of you." The woman glanced at the bizarre assortment of Alliance marines and alien rogues beside her.
"Jeez, stop with that shit. You're making this sound like a sentencing." Hector immediately cuffed Clark as the words left his mouth.
"I feel the same Williams. It's been a pleasure fighting by your side. All your sides." The Chief simply gave a thankful nod to Vakarian in turn.
"It truly has been an... enlightening experience," Liara shared next.
"Don't you worry, we'll see you all on the other side," Shepard commented next, before everyone decided to suddenly start gushing their feelings and last regrets right here and now.
"I know. I, a-...it's been an honor serving with you Commander."
"Alright, everyone back to the ship! I want you all to make any last-minute changes you need for the operation, and your equipment in peak condition when we get back. There's no turning back after this! Move out!"
"YES SIR!"
MEANWHILE.
The sound of a shotgun blast ringing through the air told me the guy was probably a bit on edge. So on edge, the behemoth before me might even be willing to kill Shepard. Probably could do so to half the people currently here since he was two tons of pure muscle and could toss around twice that weight with his biotic talent. I would have to be pretty tactful in my approach-
"Tyrannosaurus Wrex! Hey! How's it going!"
The Krogan paid me no mind, continuing his absent-minded shooting at the water. "I'm not interested in whatever you have to say Shield. I've had enough of your annoying voice. Leave."
"Well that's harsh." Against better judgement, I did the opposite of what he suggested, ending up beside him, giving him a tender pat on the hump. "Look, it's gonna be alright man-"
My arm was immediately knocked aside as his gun was thrust into my chest. "If you don't walk away right now, you might not at all."
"Woah. Woah now. Chex yourself before you Wrex yourself."
"What."
"We're all friends here aren't we Wrex? I just wanted to talk."
He scoffed and leaned in as close as his snout would allow, nostrils flinging moisture onto my face, bloody red eyes fixed inches from my own, gravelly voice so rough it almost came out as a snarl. "We're past talk Shield. If you hadn't noticed, my 'friends' want to destroy the one chance that my people have of surviving. That they don't care what it even means for the Krogan people. Saren on the other hand was the one who made it and is freely offering it to those who'd join him. That's what that idiot Tanok had meant that day on Therum. And why those others were following his orders on Feros. Because he can actually save our people. So you tell me Shield. Who's really on my side here? The lines between 'friend' and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand."
"...do you not consider me a friend?"
"Why would I?"
"Oh...then I guess you're right." Sniff. I'll have to address that later. "...sure. Your friends want to destroy the cure Saren made, true. But that doesn't mean you should side with that douchebag either."
"Then what do you suggest I do Shield? Because I'm dangerously close to just walking into that facility and telling Saren what you all are doing out here at his front door step."
I looked around real cautiously before giving him what he wanted to hear. Because oh was the reaction I was going to get from it be sweet.
"Well unlike your friends Wrex...I say otherwise."
The Krogan stared at me for a good long while. Then he let out a snort. "Varrenshit."
"Saren would just turn your people into his personal servants like the Council did during the Rachni War Wrex. You'd just be tools he'd use until he no longer had a need for you. Thrown away like you all were after the Rebellions-"
"So you'd just have me stand by while you all destroy the salvation of my people?!"
"They're only doing it because they're scared of said Rebellions happening again Wrex! But if the cure was in the hands of a sensible Krogan leader...one who could reform the Krogan people instead...maybe the galaxy wouldn't need to fear Krogan warmongering after all?"
"What exactly are you saying Shield."
"I'm saying you should take the cure for yourself Wrex. Save your people. And I'm even generous enough to offer my help."
The Krogan looked at me quizzically before backing off.
"...and what do you have to gain from this?"
"Nothing at all."
Probably not the best answer as he stared me down.
"And, because, brogans before hoegans. Duh?"
I quickly cleared my throat as it became obvious that the words didn't quite have the effect I intended either.
"...because what happened to your people was wrong Wrex. I want to change that. The Krogan deserve a second chance. Society shouldn't be punished for the actions of an individual(s). Individuals who passed centuries ago. You don't have to believe me but...I can honestly say I want you to get that cure." I extended my hand out toward the eight-foot-tall monster currently towering over me. "What do you say?"
After eyeing it for a good amount of time...
He firmly grasped it in his claw.
"If you're lying Shield, I'll kill you where you stand."
"Fair enough."
A streak of lightning shot across the darkening sky behind him, with a roar of thunder sounding across the beach soon after. The storm that had approaching throughout the entire day seemed to have finally arrived. But not even that would stop me now. And though I tried not to, I couldn't help but grin now that the moves were finally being made.
"Let's do this."
The Krogan grinned. "I'm ready to tear this place a new one."
Some Sensible Amount of Time Later.
"So how exactly did you find out where we were headed Shield?"
"A gentleman never comes across state secrets and tells Garrus haha. Ha."
Though my appearance had surely been a shock on the beach...everyone seemed to be at least somewhat accepting of my presence in the garage as I had followed them onto the Normandy. To get something I had forgotten when I had left of course. Now, some people might try to convince you I was kicked off, but you know, the break was entirely mutual. The visit was surely not to take one last walk around the garage and absorb in all the sights the Normandy had to offer before Shepard got rid of me again or anything-
"Mhm."
"There's a good reason for why I did it, okay?"
"...despite what happened in the end on Noveria, Shield...I believed you had good intentions in why you did what you did. I admit...sometimes I look back and wonder if what happened on that planet in the end was the right decision to make."
I looked at the Turian talking into his locker beside me.
"...thanks, Garrus. I really do appreciate it."
"Consigning an entire race to death...I mean that reason, genocide, was one of the reasons we fought the Krogan-"
"You want to learn about genocide Vakarian?" Wrex suddenly muttered behind me. "I'll take you to a Krogan obstetrician's office." And then...the Krogan chuckled. "But why don't you give it a couple years. Who knows. Soon, you might not even find anything out of the ordinary." After turning just in time to see him grin at me, the Krogan finished the installation of the mod in his gun before trotting off.
Could you be ANY less subtle Wrex? At all? Have some tact. My God.
I turned back toward Garrus who was currently watching him walk off.
"...I still can't believe you were actually able to calm Wrex down."
"Oh yeah. Yeah! He's a smart guy. He saw what the right choice was to take in the end."
"Still, I think we should all keep an eye on him. No telling what he'll do when we reach the breeding grounds."
"Don't worry. I got it Garrus. You need to trust in him. Didn't you say once that's what it takes to be a team? Trust? He's had your back this long hasn't he?"
"Hmph...no, you're right Shield. I suppose that's just my Turian bias getting in the way. Wrex has been with us. Every step of the way."
I opened the locker once Vakarian reached his epiphany, taking my first look inside for a long while. While the experimental Janissary armor set from Hahne-Kedar's Shadow Works was currently adorning Ashley, I decided in my magnanimity to let her keep it. God knows she and Kaidan would need all the help they could get. Though with what I had set in place, neither should need it. Because both were making it out alive. I could promise you that.
Anyway, that had been the only thing removed. Apparently, my locker was now being used as a spare storage space, having about a dozen things added to it instead. Still, at the bottom of it, below all the racked weapons, was the scuffed lancer Ashley had handed me before Noveria, as well as that trusty hardsuit I had stored inside all that time ago after Luna.
I knew keeping it had been the right decision. I quickly removed both from the locker before beginning to suit up.
"So, what you've all been up to since Noveria?" I asked to break the silence and get myself caught up, stepping into the armor's greaves and lifting them up to my torso, nestling my boots into the armor's own snugly.
"Since Noveria? Ooh, quite a bit." The Turian cocked his sniper rifle and peered down the new scope attached to it. He then frowned, and began removing it immediately. "I'm sure Shepard wouldn't like me sharing but...if you're willing to share what's happened to yourself since then..."
I pulled the rest of the suit's chest piece over my head next, being sure to slide my arms into the bracers as I did. "Alright, fine, deal." Like I was even intending to keep all that a secret. His probing comments were about as discrete as Wrex's.
"Though then again, I'm sure you'll learn it all regardless-"
"And who says I haven't already?" My smarm lost its impact the moment I had to begin wiggling, as my armor had gotten caught halfway down my shirt. "...why don't you just give me your best stories anyway, and I'll try to act impressed."
"Give and take Shield. You first."
"Okay. No skin off my back. Ladies first, I gotcha. Let's see...after I left...I had been taking a walk when I came across some punks messing with a kid in the Lower Wards. Ended up teaching them a lesson they wouldn't soon forget."
"Hm, nice work. Someone has to clean those streets now that I'm off them. And on our side...there was this one time we found a hive of Rachni on Nepmos and Altahe that had all but destroyed the Alliance outposts stationed there. They weren't from Noveria however. Apparently came on supply ships from a depot operated by this little group named Cerberus. We ended up plummeting the whole thing into the sun."
"Damn." I forgot about that mission. "...so what about Feros? Did you-"
"I believe it's your turn Shield." The Turian had already reinstalled his previous scope and was now switching out guns.
I began snapping the latches underneath the breastplate to my suit now. "Okay, okay. I think next...I next decided to infiltrate an alien commune in Manash. Place called the Altakiril Abode. Some real sketchy stuff going on there. I could tell as soon as I walked in. The place stunk to high heaven." Only literally of course.
"I think I've heard that name from some of the guys on the beat down there. Real tough place for Humans supposedly."
"Your turn again."
"Fair enough. Like you mentioned...we visited Feros next. After Shepard dealt with a former CO of hers that had created a commune of biotic extremists. Extremists that killed two Alliance officers that had come to negotiate in piece. That was messy."
I knew this one. "Major Kyle right?"
"...lucky guess."
After waiting a moment, I realized I wasn't getting anything else. "Alright, I got the drill." I splayed my hand while pulling back on my wrist now, making the armor's gauntlet as snug as it could be. "Shortly after I arrived at the commune, I got pissed off by a local crime syndicate and decided to pay them back by kicking all their asses. A group called the 10th Street Reds. Maybe you've heard of them."
"I think may have actually...wait. You said this was in Manash? I came across a report in the news recently about race riots happening there. That-"
"Nope." I attached my omni-tool back over my right hand.
"...I'll take your word for it. As I was saying, we did eventually head to Feros. Nasty business. The corporation funding the colony there purposefully allowed its people to become infected by the spores of a fifty thousand year old sentient plant, making them all its thralls. Oh, and the Geth were also there. So that was fun."
"Mmm, yeah. So...did you guys end up saving any of the colonists from the Thorian in the end? What about Shiala? Did-"
"Am I just wasting my breath here?"
I sighed. "No, no, I like your narration of events better. Sorry. Continue."
"...they're all fine. We were given special equipment to render the enthralled colonists unconscious. Shepard made sure. Not a single casualty. Aside from the Thorian and the Asari you mentioned."
Oh. I always liked her. Damn.
My omni-tool lit up now that it registered my pieces of armor were connected, displaying a message on my arm.
This hardsuit's VI 'AL's Protocol Suite 4.1C' has detected an operating system. It wishes to-
I entered 'approve' before taking my turn again. "Well I ended up kidnapping an Alliance general."
Garrus paused his fiddling, looking at me with a grave expression.
"-and I let him go without incident when my investigation turned up he wasn't a terrorist. Chill." My outstretched arm automatically stiffened once I had approved the message, as my suit became hermetically sealed by its own microcomputers.
The Turian shook his head as he resumed what he was doing. "We landed on a planet in the Vostok system due to some intel we found on Feros afterwards. They had shipped some of the Thorian's, what we called, 'creepers', to it...Cerberus actually had some 'creepers' on Binthu now that I think about it but...sorry. A mystery for another day I suppose. Once the science team there learned we already knew about the Thorian, they tried to bribe Shepard to let them go."
"Ooh. Bad call."
"As was training all their guns on us after Shepard declined. They were dead before they hit the ground."
"Classic Shepard... let's see. After my meeting with the general...I was kidnapped by the Shadow Broker. Cool stuff. Learned a lot."
That caused him to stop what he was doing again.
"What?"
"Sent a hit squad for me. Ended up waking up tied down to a chair. Brutally interrogated. Lost a finger. A mechanical one mind you but...still. Not a pleasant experience."
"Tall tales are one thing Shield. Lying entirely is another-"
"I don't lie Garrus. Heh. Not anymore. At least not to you. You can ask Agent 'Gellix' and his pilot Rok yourself if you don't believe me. They're still in the ship I'm gifting to the Salarians. I don't think it's left yet actually. Maybe you can still catch it."
"...you're serious?"
"Yuuuup. Busted free when I got finally bored of it all and then beat that Turian like he owed me money. Then zip, bang, boom, here I was on Virmire. Which I learned of from information they already had on their ship's computers. For you see Garrus, let me hit you with another little truth bomb...there's a traitor aboard this ship feeding the Broker news about your whereabouts since it first left dock. It's how they found out about me, and how the Broker contacted Shepard immediately after Nepheron."
"...Are you sure about that Shield? That's a serious accusation. Who is it? How do you know?"
"Garrus, I'm as sure of that fact as I am sure that I'm most certainly not living out a fantasy as a robot with 21st century memories within a deceased human's body currently being creatively imagined up by a kid in a coma."
"What-"
"HEAVE!"
We both turned toward the large contraption currently being 'heaved' into the Normandy's garage by Felawa and Tanaka, and escorted by Kaidan, Captain Kirrahe, and several other Salarian ordinance experts.
"Remember, it all comes down to you lieutenant. Be sure you're ready to arm it when the time comes."
The two members of security plunked the make-shift nuke onto the ground a rather little too harshly.
"Don't worry Kirrahe. I have it under control. You can count on me."
The Salarian gave Kaidan a curt nod, and the same to me upon looking in my direction, before leaving with his entourage in-tow.
Everything was finally in place. This was it.
I quickly picked up the rest of my stuff, slinging the lancer onto my back, attaching my pistol to my magnetic holster, and sliding the knife Gellix let me borrow into a ceramic sheath I had fabricated with my tool, looking up the process online, and which was now currently attached to my belt. Garrus finished his calibrations beside me.
"Garrus, I'm going to tell Shepard all this after the mission. Alright? But until then, think you can keep it quiet? I don't want to let the guy know that we know...you know?"
"...I understand." He cocked the rifle and slung it across his back too. "Think I can be there when you finally do however?"
I clasped my hand with the Turian's own in response.
"Deal."
And as he firmly grasped it in turn-
"This is your Commander speaking." The ears of everyone still present in the garage immediately perked as Shepard's voice cascaded over us. "Allow me to give you all one final rundown of the plan again. The Normandy's ground team will be team 'Shadow'. The three STG teams, along with Private Emerson, Private Fredericks-"
"PRIVATE FIRST CLASS!"
"-and Gunnery Chief Williams will create a distraction while our Shadow Team infiltrates the base. You can be sure. We will make our way to the breeding grounds at the heart of the facility. We will disable the AA guns so that we can land the Normandy to deliver the nuke. And once done, we will get the hell out of dodge before it detonates and blows Saren and his Geth straight to hell. Whatever happens, I want everyone to just keep shooting. We go in hard, we hit 'em harder, and we'll be the only damn thing that comes out the other side at the end of this fucking day!"
"OOH RAH!"
"Commander Shepard out."
The marines and crewmen around us whooped and hollered fanatically as Shepard's speech came to its climax, masking the sound of the raindrops now beginning to fall outside the open garage. Another thunderbolt let everyone present know for sure the storm was finally here. But all that really mattered was that they were ready. We were ready. This was it. The final countdown-
(Continue Playtrack 17...Music by Europe. The Final Countdown. (C) 1986 Epic Records.)
FINAL-
Song off.
-was here.
I'd finish what I started.
And I would also be sure to learn how to finally stop my 'tool from doing that. God did I hate that.
Codex Entry:
MSV Erros' Virmire Splashdown
Third Infiltration Unit STG patrols their camp. Commander Rentola reports a vessel coming in hot on the horizon. Captain Kirrahe orders Sergeants Molan and Beerj to immediately line up their shoulder-launched artillery upon aircraft. Rentola clarifies Geth AA are firing upon it. Kirrahe tells unit to scatter as ship banks wide over the beachhead and comes back around, skidding across the water until coming to a halt along the beach.
Leonov aliased as 'Marauder Shield' emerges from the vessel sometime after, greeting STG unit, identifying himself as an undercover advance scout of the Alliance fleet inbound on their position. Members express relief their message was received. Shield then briefs STG members about his hired ship crew's attempted 'mutiny', and that the Shadow Broker attempted to sabotage his mission. Upon showing Kirrahe and Lieutenant Marlus the imprisoned Agent Gellix and Rok, Shield debunks their claims of insanity and being a rogue agent upon display of the ship's server room, containing encrypted data on the Shadow Broker's network. Kirrahe inquires how he came across this ship. Shield replies that he charters different ships for missions that could not be connected back to the Alliance ala the Corsair Program.
Shield is then briefed by Kirrahe on their current status. Shield asserts that waiting for the Alliance is a waste of time, and suggests they be proactive and come up with a contingency plan for destroying the base in case reinforcements do not arrive. The argument is won once they consider the Alliance Fleet may be simply prevented from coming due to the appearance of an opposing Geth Fleet. STG team exchanges ideas when Shield asks about the state of the Salarian vessel. Upon hearing its condition, he suggests that its drive core could be repurposed as a bomb to take out the facility. Kirrahe responds that the idea was 'impossible', 'improbable', 'out of the box', and was 'insanely brilliant'. Rentola displays rough approximation of Saren's fortifications in conjunction. Shield asks if Breeding Grounds would be adequate place for bomb to be placed. Marlus agrees that would be a deft decision with existence of the geothermal taps there.
Rentola asks how the bomb would be planted on foot. Shield responds the Alliance has a frigate that can bypass Geth AA without detection, and can shuttle in the bomb if other AA guns inside were disabled. STG voices surprise and admiration of Alliance ingenuity. Rentola asks the feasibility of the ship actually touching down and if that could be a given. Shield asks if there is a passage less guarded than the others in response. Rentola identifies a gulch eight clicks west of the drone fueling depot they had recently come across. Kirrahe acknowledges a small team can slip in the back way with the bomb if the ship is unable to land. Marlus says a team would need to use it regardless to disable the AA guns if the ship does land.
Marlus additionally suggests a diversionary team would be needed to draw fire away from the vulnerable team. Shield suggests the STG unit be divided into three strike teams that can hit several gates of the facility from the side opposite. Kirrahe opines it better to have them launch a complete frontal assault, followed with the three previously suggested teams diverging from there. Others conclude that is 'the best we can do with the information available'. Kirrahe then wages that the mission has a low chance of success, but agrees with Shield that some is better than none. Shield then begins to brief the STG unit further on the SSV Normandy's capabilities when Operative 'Everalert' ended recording.
Operative Hoc waiting on stand by. At your word Broker.
Author's Notes:
Yes. Four chapters in one week. I am a god. You may gape in awe at my innate talent.
Though let's be real here, this was mostly just due the advent of the 51st SUPERBOWL of '17 BABY and getting this out so I can make you sit down and read my projections for the game tomorrow suckers. Prediction. Pats win the toss by using double-sided coin. They get ball first. Prediction. They start off with a wild offensive drive that utterly stuns Richard Smith, the idiot, causing them to lead 7-0. In outrage at how the game is going half-way thru, Ryan will lose his cool and throw the first interception of the Falcon's post-season leading to a 10-14 deficit come half-time. Lady Gaga is amazing. Period. The new Doritos commercial roxxors boxxors. Never mind that they announced they won't have one. We come back from the bathroom in time for the start of the 3rd quarter. Dan Quinn's locker room speech spurs Freeman to finally run straight up the middle for a 17 yard gain putting the Falcons into the Red Zone. Hulio Jones finally stops messing around and catches the first touchdown of the quarter as McCourty weeps at his own ineptitude, helplessly watching on as Hulio continues to ask out his mother on live television. She says yes. Fourth quarter arrives. Falcons march down the field again and score. Big woop. Tom Brady uses his gifts from god to just go right back down. Out of options, Hulio Jones just takes the ball from Matt Ryan and saunters down the field 54 yards for a touchdown. Everyone stands still, allowing him to do so, knowing it would be pointless to try anything else. Patriots get the ball, but their fighting spirit has been drained due to the heat. Falcons' turn. But wait, halfway thru, Jamie Collins shuts down the drive with a sack causing a loss of 15 yards. With three seconds left on the clock, Quinn goes for the outrageous decision of having the Falcons kick a 54'er thru the field goal for the miraculous win of the game, final score 24-21. Bill Belichick stuffs his arms into his hoodie as the Falcons run onto the field. Tom Brady cries. Matt Ryan is voted MVP and does a mighty Falcon screech. Scene.
Guess y'all see how prescient I am after tomorrow. Don't be afraid however, as I promise to only use my powers for good. OH and INB4 'WHAT?! Shield back wtih g0 Shephard?! I haTe Shep3rd! Raggle Fraggle!1' Now, everyone's heard the story a thousand times. It gets stale. And Shield is almost as obsessed with Shepard as Liara, true. But why? Who knows. Oh wait. I do. It's to trick you all into reading a complete novelization of the first game transcribed on Fanfiction word for word all over again. And you've already read it 3/4 through. Hahah you FOOLS! Thought you were reading an original story?! Think again!
Okay time for Reviews!
TUA - You know it. High School Musical changed my life. And I just wanted to share it with the world so it could hopefully do for someone what it's already done for me. GO WILDCATS!1!
ReviledPembrake - Buzz buzz player.
Ma Esde - Mahatma Gandhi once said 'There is sufficiency in the world for a man's need, but not for man's greed'. But what the heck does he know?! E'er one who wants a new chapter say EYYYYY!
Mekutan - And interdimensionally downloaded personality man?! You couldn't be more wrong! He's a real boy! He's real I tell you! And you would kill your poor, defenseless, innocent meal tickets? How could you! How else would you be able to brutally interrogate them or give them as gifts to build ties with the STG!
PW - And haha, no. You're supposed to give the masses what they want! More Bladewolf! But since that's not out, I guess they'll just have to settle for Shield instead. And you'd rate this F for Family? No bro, it's supposed to be F for Frivolous plot points. Get it straight.
My little brony - To be honest, I thought it blatantly clear by this point that NO, Shield is a GOD-awful liar. And big ego? That's kinda iffy. He has been kind of depressing lately in the last few chapters, what with all the EVERYONE's dead because of ME shtick. But I'll give you that he never takes anything really serious and that's a problem. It's one of his very few (VERY FEW) personality flaws though so if he can ever overcome it...I guess we'll see. I hope this will all be perfectly clear by the end of the story though. I'm sorry if I failed to impart sufficient insight into how I see Shield's character. But oh boy, will this chapter definitely upset you. I can only say...if he did kidnap Ashley or Kaidan...wouldn't someone still have to take their places resulting in a similar scenario? And if you think Shield can overpower a Spectre-worthy marine or a Biotic of any kind, you got another thing coming bub.
TheFonz - Thanks for the kinds words man, I really do like seeing them every chapter as their always refreshing to come across. I give you a gold star in positivity bro.
TiB - ...and that would have been friggin hilarious. I should have actually had that happen haha. Oh my god. Thankfully, Shield felt up their unconscious bodies when they were asleep so he's good. Though in danger of a harassment suit. The cage they're in is old-fashioned however, opened with a physical key to prevent exactly what you just described. Impervious to hacking. Poor Gellix just never thought he'd end up inside one himself. Irony I suppose. Also, you know Shield's memes are the dankest in 2183. It's just that they're a little sad since no one else recognizes but him. He's that weird guy who always says inside jokes no one gets. But I like to think that's how he keeps his sanity however.
WD(199) 40 - No. No, you know what? Yeah. Yeah this story is pretty awesome isn't it?! I am the best aren't I? The best around. And I'll be sure to never ever let you down. Enough with the shallow deprecating humor. Who needs it. Not when I got this guy. I'll give you a gold star in good taste.
Rafi - Wait a sec. WOAH. WHAT?! ONE NIGHT!? Chill! CHILL dawg. Chill! Take a deep breath. Breath in and out. I'll get you a chair. No man, woman, or child should read that many words in one sitting. Dear Lord. How does your face feel? How many fingers am I holding up!? What did you just say to your screen? NO! That's wrong! I have twelve up, god dangit. We're losing them! Oh shit, they read 250k+ words and STILL wrote a coherent and poignant review?! Someone call a doctor! THEIR DYIN HERE-
Ah I'm sure you'll be fine. Whoo, alright, haven't responded to a review this long in awhile then. Phew, alright. Alright. Here it goes.
I think-
In the the next chapter: It's Raining! It's Pouring! Saren's gonna be sent Soaring! Attack on Saren Begins!
Tune in next time to Mass Effective: A Hero Made!