Chapter 10 – Taking the Arcadia
Inside the Arcadia
Tia'Killo wasn't happy. He was livid. Aria hadn't took him seriously, and so meant trading on Omega was dangerous. How was he supposed to know that the 'bitch of Omega' didn't like his family? The Killos were one of the bigger slave houses from Khar'shan, importing and exporting huge quantities of slaves. Plus they were rich. Mercenaries and slavers came to them, just to get a take.
"Set course for Khar'shan, might as well find another buyer for this batch." Tia spoke with a growl.
His XO simply nodded and jogged away, leaving Tia in his personal cabin.
Fucking Asari. Fucking Humans. Both of the races had their heads far enough down their own backsides to eat their own shit. Tia growled.
"It only gets worse Killo."
The voice was not expected. The Batarian jumped, letting out a gasp. Turning around, What?
A Vorcha. But he was different to the filth Tia normally dealt with. He had an … an Aura about him. He commanded authority.
"Who are you Vorcha?" Tia growled, reaching for his pistol. When his hand felt nothing but air, he realised the Vorcha was swinging it around his forefinger, well talon-claw-thing. "W-what do you want…" Tia felt his arrogance leave him, while this Vorcha would not last a minute if he was in the same position.
"Names have no meaning, I will be leaving momentarily." The Vorcha …Tia wasn't even sure it was an actual Vorcha. When he spoke, the usual glottal sounds were almost muted, they were there though.
"What do you want then?" Tia snapped. It was all an act. This Vorcha was … he had to be some sort of bastard experiment of the Blood Pack. Pah, all they are good for is using brute force.
"By tomorrow, you will have been attacked by a group of dangerous men. I would fortify your ship until these …intruders are dead." What?
"Who are they? I will not hide. My men are strong-"
"Your men are but varren on a dead Krogan." The Vorcha shouted. The shear venom in his voice forced Tia into a sullen silence. "They are special forces, one human, two salarians." Tia waited for the list to continue, but was met with a stare.
"That's it?" Tia laughed. The Vorcha glared at him.
"You have but twenty men, if you cannot kill them, you are to delay them for as long as possible." Tia stopped laughing, but the weight had not sunk in deep enough.
"I will have their heads mounted on my wall." He said, giving the Vorcha a, what he thought was, a murderous killer. It was more like a hopeful lunatic.
An explosion caught the pair off guard.
"What was that?" Tia shouted.
"I guess I was wrong. Kill them Killo." The Vorcha said, walking out of the quarters.
"W-wait!" Tia gasped, walking into the corridor.
Nothing.
No one was there. The Vorcha had …vanished.
Somewhere else…
Cyrus smiled. Killo will do. The human and Salarians will at least be slowed. Saren will open the gate, and Harbinger will make his arrival. At least five years earlier than when it happened before.
I like it when a plan goes well.
Outside the Arcadia
The Arcadia was a human made ship. Like most slave ships, hijacked by degenerates and sold to slavers. It was much smaller than the Normandy, but could easily hold, perhaps a fifty people. Shape wise, it was a standard Alliance looking ship. Long pointed bow with a curved roof section. It looked similar to the Normandy in fact, but smaller, and without the colours. The colours, wow, used in what looks like a shoddy paint job.
A black over coat, sure, I understand that, black is an intimidating colour, but then it has red streaks. Sounds awesome? No. It looks like someone got a paint roller and instead of using it properly, oh no, it was as if someone ate the roller and puked in lines.
Oh! And the menacing looking hand on the rear. Reminded me of the one owning to the Dark Brotherhood.
I also learnt some other shit about Turian military and Asari religion. VAI was just as bored as me. VI my arse.
"Hydrogen." She said.
"Explosive." I quipped, after a moment. We were playing the association game.
We had been waiting for almost two hours now. At the top of this tower, I had my Black Widow aiming at one of the sentries around the scout ship. When Arraya gave the word, I was to take him out so Farrun could get in. There had been … complications.
Arraya had been, well, long story short a group of thugs thought they could mug her. But she had to find a new gun after, 'it got lost'.
I sighed.
"Mass Effect core." VAI said.
"Lightspeed." I reply. She kept saying some really random shit I didn't know about. Like really obscure planets.
"Vilaggo Racing." I sigh.
"Can you change your voice?" I asked. Her voice wasn't bad persay, but I wanted something to remind me of home. Currently it was a, what I assume, the American standard. It wasn't bad at all. But I wanted something british, something I could relate too.
"Amused Statement: Of course, but if this is because you lost, you are a sore loser." She stated, "What do you have in mind?"
"How about a Geordie accent?" I say, conscious of smile.
"Query: Like this?" She asked, it almost felt… sheepish. The accent she chose was a softened version of the
"What do you prefer?" I asked, I don't care if she's an AI, but I would like her to admit it. You can't play games like the Association game with a VI. Plus she kept sighing.
"Statement: I like this one, it sounds much more fun." She said, if she were human, I can imagine her bouncing on her toes.
"Mack? Now." Arraya.
I wasn't stupid. I had kept one eye on the sentry for the entirety of the last two hours. While talking to VAI, I hadn't stop watching him. He was smoking a, I suppose, a cigar.
My shot rang out, I forgot to silence it. Oh well, it didn't matter. I hit my target… and, well, most the space around the target. His head was gone, not in a dissimilar fashion to the ME3 style. The spurting blood was there, and that made me a little queasy – but I can't let feeling sick stop me from helping Shep.
Through my scope, I saw Farrun. He ran to the airlock of the ship and planted the explosive. If the plan was going well, Arraya should be planting flashbangs through the various vents of the ship. Hopefully, the crew should have been deafened enough to be easy enough to kill.
The door explosives go, sending the corpse of sentry on a little trip. A split second after, the flashbangs activate, and I can hear them from my spot, which is a fair trek away. I wouldn't like to be in that ship right now. The only experience I have with flashbangs was when I went paintballing, absolutely terrible little fuckers.
Now for the fun shit. I'm normally apprehensive of heights, it runs in the family, but my prior has no such misgivings. Well, my prior seems to dislike clowns, something related to a Krogan. Off topic!
I pulled out my grappling gun. I aimed at, fired at and consequently hit, the docking arm holding the Arcadia. It was mission impossible shit right there, I felt awesome zip lining down towards my prey.
"Query: Do we get to kill them now?" VAI asked, I laughed while sliding.
"We do." I reply simply.
I hit the ground harder than I expected, but, remembering my training I turned a potentially dangerous landing into a roll that would impress a gymnast. My training. It feels odd referring it to that.
I had landed on the top of the Arcadia. I found the emergency hatch I was going to enter it by, to my surprise it looked just like one you'd find on a submarine. A circle shape with a turning circle on top.
Less than a minute later I had landed inside the ships engine room. Five Batarians, only one of them was armed. I drew my pistol, a double tap and he was down. I had no choice with the others. One after the other, a single bullet to each of them was all it took. If it wasn't for VAI's cheering throughout the battle, no. Massacre. The four batarians went down like dominos.
"Wow nice one!"
"Shit your good!"
"Eat bullets!"
While VAI outbursts may have been amusing, I had no wish to kill unarmed people. Yes, they were slavers and probably made a decent wage off of forcing people into slavery, but they were still holding their heads from the flashbangs. Shit. I need a bath after this.
I stepped into the corridor, favouring my assault rifle over my pistol. From what I know, there are three floors, Captain's quarters, the general area and then the holding area. The Engines were at the back of the general area.
"Farrun, Arraya how are we?" I ask.
Farrun was the first to reply, "Good, there are about a dozen slaves, but they're … taking caring of the guards."
"Good, I think I'd need the same thing if I were them." I reply.
"Yeah, they still have enough energy to kick pretty hard." Farrun laughed, and I joined him.
"Get to the CIC, I count thirteen guys here, flashbangs didn't make it here. They've managed to dig in!" Arraya shouted frantically.
I jumped into action. As Farrun tried to get a better reading of the situation, I was running blindly towards Arraya.
"Advice: Mack. Turn this valve." VAI said, her voice cold. Void of any emotion that was there before.
I did as she was told.
Three seconds later, all I could here were screams. "Arraya, did that help?" I asked.
"Shit, yeah." Her breath was heavy, paused between words. "It opened a pipe; hot air was blasted right into the group. Hit everyone…" Shit. "Most of them are … shit. Most are still alive …"
I felt sick. Hot air …I assume she meant really hot air.
I had to lean against the wall. Shit. I have no idea why this got to me so much. I've killed since been in this world, but its generally been quick – bullet to the brain – but hot fucking air…
I felt myself retch, but I had to hold any sick in. It'd only be worse if I did it in my helmet.
Before I could really do anything, a sharp pain entered my side, and I found myself being thrown across the corridor. I landed on my other side, and kept rolling.
"This? This is what I have to be scared of?" A loud boisterous laugh followed it. I could recognise the batarian voice, and my sickness was replaced anger. I assume it was my prior's, as it was a raging anger.
"You should be." It wasn't voice that came from me as I stood. I could feel the menace radiating off of me. "You won't have to be scared for much longer."
My had gone before I had realised I was even holding it. But the bastard had a shield. And he laughed at my – no – my prior's menace. He raised his gun at me, something that looked like the bastard child of a shotgun and a grenade launcher.
"You can't hit me before I hit human." He snarled.
"Let me…" VAI whispered.
My omnitool, which I had forgotten about, flickered, and the batarians shields exploded. Overload.
I shot again, double tap, the first bullet hitting his shoulder, making him start to scream, his gun slipping from his hand. My second bullet his lower left eye. He still wasn't dead.
"W-what t-the he…hell?" He screamed. He fell to his knees.
I strolled over to him. I still felt sick, about the hot air, but now I had a prisoner. But not for long.
"Kill him. He'll just be a burden." VAI seemed hell bent on not leaving anyone alive. Mental note – ask her about that later.
"But he can't do anything now… he's out of the fight." I argued. The one-less-eye batarian was now crying, and then yelping as his tears fell into his gaping eye wound.
"He's a slaver isn't he? Then why should he live when he cares not when his charges lose their lives."
I thought about this. She had a point. If I were in his position, he'd kill me in a heartbeat. But that isn't the case. His life is in my hands, and whether or not I kill him depends on the kind person I want, no, need to be.
"Thank whatever gods you worship." I said, before continuing on my way towards the Captains quarters.
The dragging sound, metal on metal made me pause. I glanced back.
Gurgling laughter and a snarl were my greeting. Oh, and a shotgun. "I am going to gut y-"
I pulled the trigger before he could finish. I don't know how he didn't see my hands, or at least consider why I wouldn't be faster a second time. I sighed. I gave him his life, that's a damn sight more lenient than anyone else would have been. Shepard I assume would have killed him; she seems more of a neutral Shepard. Garrus, without a shadow of a doubt would have killed him. Tali and Liara might have gave him the same option as me, but then he would have killed them … shit.
"Mack, Arraya, the prisoners are the remainders of the original crew and want to help us get back to the Citadel." Farrun said down my earpiece.
"Rodger that, how many slavers we got left?" I responded.
"One of the prisoners said a few have gone for shore leave, so we might be able to leave before they get back." He replied.
"Get the crew to get the ship ready and we'll go then, get a group to do a sweep too." Arraya. I doubt she was happy about the slavers that were burnt. Hot air. I shivered again, now was not the time. Shepard needed our help.
Prior to the Attack on Eden Prime
The Gunnery Chief wasn't happy. Neither were most of the soldiers. Neither was I. Thrust into a position of power, I didn't want nor was I ready for. I hated to lead. Men are the tools of war, but I was better with my own hands.
Time and time again I went on solo mission, proved to everyone that I was the best. All it took was artistic interpretations of my orders and then BLAM - Desk job.
Eden Prime has pretty much the same axis spin as Earth, but there are 26 hours in a day with a leap year every five years. And, like Earth, the entire colony is separated by nation like states, it was much like the original colonies on the Americas in the 16th Century. There is a United Nations style system though. The 'Eden Prime Defence Force' was the name of the collective group, but each city had its own militia. My city, New Birmingham, was defacto capital, it was where things involving the entire planet happened as well as where most of the quaternary sector jobs were.
Each city has its own Governor and Militia Commander, which is what I have to do, and all of the Commanders report to a Commander in chief, who was usually an Admiral. We have to submit tons of fucking reports. Oh, and to top it off, I was in charge of over a hundred troops, luckily, Hannover had cut down this list to about fifty where Lieutenant and it was quite an efficient model. I planned to keep it. I was a squad leader when teammates where involved, not a general.
"With all due respect, sir, what if they're spies?" William's bitching was really fucking helping.
"Maybe you're right? Maybe, just maybe, our allies want to get spies into a colony on the edge of space that, get this, no one wants!" I say, my voice oozing with sarcasm. I don't understand her aversion to, for a lack of a better term, 'Aliens'. Sure, we fought the Turians, and then proved we could handle ourselves; the Turians even had to get the Asari to save their hinds.
"Sir. The Hierarchy is known to be inherently racist to humans, why are we letting them join our military!" She shouted. She was adamant that these xenophobic policies are law.
I shrugged before speaking, "We aren't as bad as them are we? We're better." She smiled.
"We are yeah… but I still think that –"
"They are going to help us, no, you lose this decadence that this small militia has fallen into." I state, holding my hand to silence her.
"We don't need the –"
"We do." I state, a little too forcibly, she flinched as if my words physically hurt, "I mean, Turians have to join the Army, so they learn advanced techniques. One of them is in Spectre training for gods sake, we can use the help." She frowned at my words.
"So you want humans to use Turian techniques?"
I thought about this. The techniques Turians learn is extremely offensive. It uses the Turian physique primarily, so only well built humans can use the most advanced ones effectively. The ones I learnt took me a few years, even if it was part time along with my N7 training. The more basic, and by basic I mean by a Turian standard, were SAS equivalent standard. Maybe it was excessive for a small militia, but it would look great for me. I mean, seriously. A lazy militia becomes Turian foot soldier standard? Fuck yeah.
"I suppose, I'd be happy with STG tactics, but Turian suits my goals." I say with a small smile. "Dismissed Chief."
She pulled a tight salute, making her breasts bulge. She noticed my noticing, and ended with a pursing of her lips. I couldn't stop my chuckle causing Williams to mutter something, presumably, very mean about me.
A few hours later, I had got through not even half of the paper work my predecessor left for me. Training reports, potential damage reports in case of a Batarian raid, defence effectiveness, new recruits, of which we had five. Three of the Turians had signed on, as well two new humans. To my dismay the Spectre, Alirrah? Whatever her name, she wasn't going to be joining us, simply Jorrun Lyons, Yulta Nalado, Masil Biltook, and the humans, Francis and Henri Henderson, both who just turned 18.
Messaging them all with the email –
'Jorrun, Yulta, Masil, Kyle and Henry.
Congratulations! You are now part of the Eden Prime Defense Force.
Tomorrow morning, you will be in the barracks at 0730 sharp.
Lieutenant Commander Mack'
I was happy with that, gives praise and it official enough that they will take it seriously. I decided against messaging the Chief as well, it'll be a nice surprise.
A bit of stumbling through the colony, I found the bar. Small place, perhaps fit the entire fifty members of the militia if they stood side by side. Other than the small size, it was a small warehouse looking thing. Very bland. And a neon sign. "Eden Prime Time". Classy.
I could hear the music from outside, heavy. Just the way I like it.
Before I could even open the door, one the troopers who gave me the amazing welcome committee fell out, emptying the contents of his stomach all over the floor.
"Thompson was it?" I asked politely.
He looked even worse when he looked up. Of course, I was right, and whatever was left in his digestive system ended up on my boots.
I laughed, the situation amusing me. "Yes Thompson, I'll see you tomorrow." I said, laugher in my voice. I stepped passed the intoxicated trooper and into the bar.
This was my style. It was a retro style, an old Earth style. A rock bar I suppose, the kind of thing you'd find back home in Scotland, Glasgow was fucking full of them. Of course, they were fuller with more angry Scots threatening to 'mehrk a woman oota yor sister'. I smiled at the happy memories. As much as I liked being a soldier, nothing beats home.
Instead of an army of angry Scots, it sheltered about a dozen soldiers, a few of them I didn't recognise. I hadn't gone out of my way to meet them; that was planned for tomorrow. But a few of them appeared to recognise me, at least by the way my original greeting party where here saluting me.
I waved my hand and wandered over to them. "We're off duty, call me Mack." I say with a smile.
The group sort of looked between each other, disputing whether or not to let me join them. Of course, the unwritten rules of 'off duty' dictate that you DO NOT say no to your superior.
"Sir, I mean Mack, how come your … here?" One of the Service officers I think, the guy who was the fastest when I arrived. His name escape me.
"I am human" I laugh, earning a few nervous chuckles. "I want to know the people I'm going to be spending time with." I say, extremely conscious of the awkwardness. Everyone is either looking at the floor or their drinks. The music had stopped and the only noise me. That had to change.
I cleared my throat and jumped upon the table. "Drinks are on me!" I shout. A round of cheers and laughter are my response. It wasn't as loud or as cheerful as I wanted but it'll do. A round of beers always helps. I hopped off the table and headed over to the omni-jukebox.
It was a hard choice, between the Turian band 'Palaven Sable Yaourt' which blended Turian war chants with techno, or the recent Shanxi band, 'A slice of Freedom Pie', which was the bastard child of the revival of 'the Sex Pistols' and Mozart. I chose the Turian band, playing the song 'Primarch Style'.
The room erupted with cheers at the recent craze that had taken over the council races. While I personally hated it, it was a party song that suited drunks. Might as well as make the most of tonight.
The night was pretty good, I seemed to mingle well. While I didn't remember the majority of the names of the dozen of or so troopers, there happened to be a hen party that joined us about eleven. As one can imagine, it was fucking hilarious. One of the Sergeants managed (somehow) to get the bride to be to swap clothes with him and he wore a slutty bunny costume for the rest of the night.
I ended up escaping outside for fresh air when I was joined by a rather sexy girl, who it turned out, was the daughter of the Governor. We snuck away, and I woke up with a sore neck and a throbbing headache lying next to a half naked girl who looked even worse for wear.
Licking my lips, I could taste dry blood. Last night must have been good I think, chuckling at my musings.
The young girl moaned, shit I must have woke her. I leaned over to her, stroking her ear. "Sh lass, I have to go, but you know where to find me" I say with a smile.
She opened her eyes, bright blue, and gave me a coy smile. "Yeah, so dad can make you lose your job?" She murmured biting my thumb.
I laughed, "Yeah, if you really want, but then I wouldn't have a uniform." I say with a wink. A soft laugh makes me lean and kiss her to quieten her. "I really have to go, new recruits, asses to whup."
I left her in the small clearing. I have no idea where I was and it was almost quarter past seven. How the hell did we get here?
I got to the barracks at about eight. The sun was bright, and my eyes burned. My headache was felt as if Lucifer himself was fucking shit up in my head.
I swung open the door to the barracks hard enough to make them bang loudly. While it hurt like fuck, the faces of the people I woke made it all worth it. The troops who shared the tidings last night all held their heads in pain. A few f the other soldiers watched them with amused faces. The ones who didn't care about the misfortune of the others, they simply stared angrily at me.
They weren't used to wake up calls.
"Rise and fucking shine" I shouted. "Last night was fun, that's why I'm late."
Amused looks from the Turians, who were leaning against one of the back walls, showed me how much they were used to even earlier wake up calls.
"We have five new recruits, and in ten minutes, you will all be in line, alphabetical order in front of the barracks." I continued.
It was more half an hour. And it did nothing for my hangover. Sure, I could live the pain, I've had worse, but this mess was the worst headache possible. They were like zombies, shuffling for flesh. It was a shambles. If this were Soviet Russia, they would have been shot. I had half a mind to do that myself. Just one of them. Perhaps the one moron at the back who was standing with eyes closed.
"Okay." I started after they were in a sort of uniform line. "A-TEN-HUT" I screamed.
It was like a firework. 57 hands raised, and 57 soldiers saluted as one. It was beautiful. While some of the salutes were slower than others, it was better than I had expected.
"Stand at-" I pause, leaving a short pause. I saw one pair of shoulders relax – Williams. "Ease."
Turns out the majority were holding their breath. I laughed at the sight of soldiers breathing as one, but I made a mental note of talking to Williams later.
"Today is, the start" I paused between words, I have no idea why, perhaps for emphasis, "of something new. The state you are in, is abysmal. I arrived here, and a small group of you tried to take my lunch money." I glared at each of the group, all of them, other than fucking Williams, looked ashamed, "That is not acceptable. You are not better than everyone else. You are soldiers. You help protect the innocents and civvies here." I found myself pacing.
"I have found xenophobic soldiers. The Turians are NOT our enemy. They are friends and allies and are to be treated as such." I stand in front of Williams, deliberately. "Chief, step forward."
She does.
"Jorrun. Come forward." I shout.
He looks shocked, as does Williams, but he jogged over.
"Now Williams, you had training right?"
"Yessir!" She said, with a smart salute.
"Good. Wrestle. First three, you lose if you are not standing." She looked terrified. And good thing too, she needed to be taught a lesson. Best way to do it was a fun way, for me and everyone else.
"But h-he's a t-turian, I w-won't last a minute!" She said, all semblance of integrity gone. She was simply pleading now.
I turned to Jorrun. "Drawn a line in the dirt."
He saluted, mandibles clicking in amusement.
"Mack ple-"
"Its sir while we're on duty Williams." I state, my voice cold, "Now get in the ring."
"Mack!" The shouting stirred me from my sleep. More memory things. Shit my prior … eccentric? I can't describe it. He was like me yeah, but way more arrogant. "Mack!"
I sat up from my uncomfortable bed, Arraya was standing in my doorway. I had the Captains Quarters, chosen by the winner of the ever popular 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' which was me.
"You need to see this." She said.
She lead to me CIC. Blood still staining the floor. Hot air? I still can't get over it. I caused the horrific deaths of a around a dozen men …
She took me to the window.
Fuck.
An Amada was gathered.
"Geth." Farrun leant on the window next to me. "One jump away from the Citadel."
From what I understand, we had used the Relay closed to Omega, I even got to see the Omega Relay in all its ominous glory, and we got to the Serpent Nebula I believe. Unfortunately, the relays have their own orbit so we had to fly towards the Citadel. This fleet was slowly moving towards the citadel slowly, but surely. We had to pass them, but Farrun assured me we were they had no weapons activated.
"Can't they just charge them?" I asked.
"Yes, but the Arcadia is decently equipped ship. We've been scanned by two frigates and they don't class us as a threat." He described.
"How come you could drive the Geth ship by the way…" I asked, my voice more accusing than I had intended.
He shrugged, "It's kind of a secret but you deserve to know." He nudged me over to the floating map, away from prying ears. "Every few years STG scout out the Veil, four years ago we captured a fighter. Our advanced pilots were ordered to practise in it in case of, well an invasion." He waved his hand towards the window, "It's pretty good eh?"
I nodded my agreement. "How come you never saw this coming?" I asked. I assume he saw the good Geth, the one who simply want their collective built.
"They didn't show signs of build up, only defensive meseaures. They did appear to building something, but we always get chased out." He replied. I nodding in understanding.
Shit.
It hit me.
The battle of the citadel is about to begin.
Fuck.
#####/
Hey folks, sorry about the delay, but I hope everyone had a great holiday :£
I have no excuse, but I did get the new Assassins Creed – fucking awesome.
Other than that, I'd like to thank my reviewers; a few mistakes have been changed in past chapters. A big thank you to 'Macman6453' and 'Gavoon' who helped a ton!
Oh! I'd like to say, I'm not a fan of the first game, after playing the second, I simply lost interest in it. Come ME2 shiz, I will go into much more detail on quests :3 for those of you who don't know, this story will encompass all three games, so no 'Mass Illuminations 2: Return of the Reapers' and 'Mass Illuminations 3: The Reapers strike back' :£
As always, and mistakes that are pointed out I will change them :3 I can't proof read for shit.
Have a great year everyone :3
Mack
