Disclaimer: I don't own anything bioware has done and make no profit in this. I also do not own the things I took form Starship troopers.
Took a while to update this I know, but Between work, school, my other fics. and cough...cough, maybe Dead space 3 and Crysis 3. I haven't had much time. So I'll try to update at least every other week at the most, and not every month. Also if anyone wants to help beta read at all send me a PM, and Will work something out.
( /watch?v=Z7y36GfDOeQ ) This youtube vid, just add this after youtube helped give me the moral I need to at least finish this chapter. :)
The start of a new day use to be something Shepard dreaded. It used to be another day to go on without the one he cared for most. Now the one he truly cared for was back, but was not. Every time he talked to ash he could see his ash in her eyes, yet there was something off about her. Two days had passed since he found her, and she was here, lying down next to him. It was like a dream come true for him. Ashley, his Ash was always a strong believer in the Federation and its cause. However, what she was telling him about her universe, told Shepard she was a very different person.
She was telling him about the System Alliance, about how they were allies with the rest of the council species. This was something that disgusted Shepard to the core. He could not see how humanity could want such a thing in any universe.
"Ash, you have to promise me something," Shepard said in a near whisper, after she had explained everything different about where she was from.
"What?" She replied. Ash was still sitting on the bed in John's quarters after explaining everything, While Shepard stood with his back towards her, staring out the window, looking into deep space.
John sighed, as he tilted his head back towards her. "Not only can you not talk about where you're from to anyone…." John paused, looking for the right explanation. "You can't speak of such a thing, an alliance with non-humans, or the type of government you just explained to me"
"Why?" Ashley sat up from the bed asking, coming next to John. "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone where I'm from, but why can't I even mention my own damn beliefs?"
"Because, speaking of such things is High treason in the Federation. Which is punishable…..by death" John explained, seeing that Ashley was a little shock with this revelation.
Ashley looked out into space with John, wondering what she was getting into. Not being able to speak of her own beliefs troubled her.
"So…." John spoke up, breaking up the silence between them. "Is there anything you like to ask me about the Federation?" He asked, trying to change to subject in a way.
Ashley nodded in reply. "Yeah, I have nothing against it, but why is your…our son stationed on the ship with us. With a government like this, aren't families suppose to be somewhere…well…else?"
"Things work different here. For example, unlike your alliance fraternization isn't frowned upon, as long as the chain of command isn't disrupted."
"Why's that" Ashley asked quickly, before John could give an explanation.
"You see, with the discovery of the relay, and so many worlds to colonize. The only real option to see the galaxy was to become a citizen"
"What do you mean become a citizen, aren't you a citizen at birth?" Ashley asked quickly again, making John a little frustrated, but he was being patient with her.
"No, you have to earn your citizenship. There are some political ways to gain it, but the most common one is earning it by serving the Federation military"
"Okay….." Ashley said, trying to understand as she sat back down on the bed, wrapping her head around this. "But what does that have to do with fraternization?"
John smiled, as he sat next to her. "Since the only real way to colonize, or see the galaxy is to serve. The only way to spread our population is to look away at such a thing. When the War on the council began, the Federal Council realized our population needed an increase drastically."
"So what John, does that mean your children born in the military are forced to serve later?" Ashley asked, wondering how serious this population increase was meant for.
'No. however there is still a lot of pressure on civilians to Join up." John looked ash, giving her a teasing smile. "Everyone's got to do their part" John said in a mocking tone, hitting himself mentally in the realization that Ashley wouldn't get the reference, but she didn't seem to take notice of it. "So" John continued. "Officers that gain families can have their Children live on ship, or base. While with enlisted personal, one of the two involved can choose to take a safer posting to raise the child, or send the said child to any family back home"
Ashley felt like she was learning more and more every day. Although, Johns well this Johns tone was a lot different from the one she knew. It was as if he liked the way this galaxy worked, and that scared her. The John she grew to love was the complete opposite in his views.
Without saying anything John stood, heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Ashley asked, in truth wanting to get out of these damn quarters before she went crazy.
"Having a training session with Marauder recruits" John paused realizing she probably didn't know what the Marauder branch was "marines to be more precise."
"Can I watch?" Ashley asked meet him at the door. "I at least know how Marines work" She stated.
John smiled towards her. "At least they aren't MI" John teased, but Ashley still didn't understand how the Federation military worked.
"MI?" She questioned
"Mobile Infantry our main Grunts in the Federation. Kind of like how the Army worked. Marines are a separate Branch within the Fleet, and Marauders are a top Special Forces unit. Recruits for Marauders are taken from all the branches."
John stopped as he realized he was rambling on, and Ashley was pouting to him to win him over.
"Okay, you can come. But don't act out in anything. Everyone knows of your condition and won't talk to you, but I don't want you having to step out in anything, Understood" John said, while pointing his finger at her, knowing Ash very well would try something.
'Crystal…Marshal" Ashley teased, and John sighed at this. He never liked his Ash calling him by his title, and he very well didn't want this ash to do it.
Mess hall
"Auntie Jane Look" Tyler jumped showing her what he was drawling on his drawling pad.
"That's very nice, what's it supposed to be?" Jane asked, kneeling down next to her nephew.
She had taken him off her brothers hand a lot the past two days she's been around, but she didn't mind. After all, she hardly ever saw her family.
"Its space sshhiiippp" Tyler replied, throwing his hands in the air in jester.
"Very good"
Jane didn't even know Kaidan was standing behind her at that moment. "Little shepp staying out of trouble" He said starling her.
Jane turned around to meet Kaidan's gaze on her. "Kaidan…" She spoke just under a whisper.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you" He apologized nervously looking around at nothing in particular. "I was heading towards the CIC, we've been getting a transmission from one of our supply colonies, want to join me" He asked and noticed Jane was eyeing Tyler. "Bring him with you, the kid's always around there with his father"
Outer supply outpost
"You know this was something I expected from captain Dax, but you too Massani" Colonel Stevens sighed looking at the two men in front of him., The two men who were being charged with murder of their superiors.
"Massani was just along for the ride, I take full responsibility for killing the Major" Dax spoke up in Zaeed's defense.
"I still can't believe you would got to such methods Dax, was being stripped of your Marauder status nearly thirty years ago enough"
"I assure Sir, I killed the Major, and I'm proud of it. That bastard got ten of my troopers killed" Dax said with pride, ready to face the music.
"Massani, since you were just an associate to the murder, you will be stripped of your citizenship, and thrown back in Sol. Dax you will be placed under arrest as of…." An explosion came from behind the Colonel, knocking him out cold on impact.
Dax and Massani looked out the new hole in the Colonels office, seeing what looked liked mercenary ships flying overhead. The outpost was under attack.
"Sir's" a trooper from behind called out, catching both the arrested officers' attention. The trooper ran inside, un-cuffing the Federation officers. "Base perimeter has been breached, the troops need an officer, I don't see a reason to let you two do your jobs" The trooper explained.
"How did they break the god damn orbital defenses?" Massani asked, while Dax looked over the unconscious colonel, luckily he was still alive.
"Unknown, they just came out of nowhere. What are your orders Captain" The trooper quickly asked looking for guidance in this whole shitstorm of a mess.
"Have first company fortify back here, captain Dax will take the second and have them reinforce third on the base perimeter" Massani ordered, and the trooper followed his orders to the T, running out just like he was instructed to. Massani now looked towards his friend Dax.
"Looks like I'm going to become a hero and a murderer all on the same day, IF we survive that is" Dax sighed, and then he and Massani ran towards the armory to gear up.
They knew there should be no reason an outpost this far in Federation should be attacked by something simple as Mercs.
Back in Marshal Shepards battlegroup
"Alright Marines, you want to be Marauders. Then you'll have to do better than this" Marshal shepard explained, walking back and forth in front of the twenty Marines being trained to be Marauders.
He knew only about four of the twenty of them would make it to Marauders. Ashley was sitting on a chair, not too far away watching. Shepard looked over his recruits "Now" He spook up at the same time he stopped his pacing. "Before I dismiss you all, does anybody think they have the guts to take me down?" The marshal smirked as he asked out loud.
"Sir" a recruit barked out, taking a step out of formation. "I do, Sir"
The marshal motioned with his hand for the recruit to come forward. The recruit got into a battle stance, and the Marshal shook his head at that. "What's your name, Private?"
"Jenkins Sir"
"Carry on Jenkins" The Marshal instructed.
With that the Private made a wrong move in attacking head on first. He gave his best mean right hook, but the Marshal easily dodged his attack, then using his left leg. The Marshal tripped the Private down onto the ground. The private fell onto the ground like a hard rock, and the Marshal quickly restrained him. Shepard now looked towards the rest of the platoon.
"Never be in a blind rush to take on your opponent" With that the marshal twisted the Privates leg, breaking it with a loud cracking sound that disturbed the platoon a little.
The private screamed in pain, and the Marshal looked towards the other side of the hanger. "Medic" He called out, shrugging it off like nothing happened at all. Unknown to him, this caught Ashley's attention, and before he could dismiss his men, she suddenly pulled him back, forcing him to face her.
"What the hell was that about John" she nearly screamed in rage. This had caught the whole hanger's attention. "You didn't need to break his leg to make a point, what's wrong with you" She continued.
This had caught the whole platoons attention, and they just all looked towards her like she was crazy or something.
Without even acknowledging her, John looked towards the Platoon. "Dismissed" he barked loudly.
With the Platoon falling out, Shepard grabbed a hold of Ashley's arm, yet trying to do so calmly, as she was pregnant. He took her to an empty corner of the hanger.
"John why would you…" Before she could even finish Shepard was quick to verbally assault her.
"Don't you ever talk to me like that in front of my men" He hissed in a cold voice.
"John…why are…." She stuttered, trying to question again. "How could you be so ruthless?"
The Marshal gave out a slight laugh to that. "Please, I was gentle compared to what even Marine drill Instructors do. These recruits know they have it easy with me" He could see Ashley was still speechless in what to say, so he continued. "This is how the Federation works, it's not your Alliance, so just get use to it" He realized he was probably being more hostile in his words then he meant for.
"I don't know if I can" She sobbed with a quiet whisper.
"Look" The Marshal sighed, holding her chin up. "I know this is hard for you, but you have to get use to it. Another outburst like that and people will start to question things" He could see she was definitely still upset, so he tried to lighten the mood. "You know, you use to be harsher then me. You were always urging me to be more ruthless like you"
She looked like she was going to say something now, but before she could even reply, a general alarm sounded throughout the whole ship.
Shepard opened his comm. unit. "Report"
"Marshal, a nearby Colony outpost is under siege, we're moving in to assist" His third in command Bridge officer explained over the comm.
"Copy, have Commander Shepard and my XO ready to lead the ground forces" With that he grabbed Ashley gently, taking her towards the exit corridor where his Aide was standing. "Vega, take my wife back to our quarters, have my family protected" This order quickly got the attention of Ashley.
"Shepard" She tried to complain.
Shepard held out his hand in defense "Don't even try to argue ash" The Marshal put his foot down on the subject.
He now sprinted towards the CIC, leaving them both behind. Running towards the CIC he had to move out of his way for a platoon of marines to run by, fully geared. His sister was in the back, following them. She just gave a quick nod running past him, he returned one as well.
Shepard made it to the CIC, finding his XO waiting to relive him.
"Where's Tyler?" he asked knowing Jane was watching his son for him.
"Jane took her back to your quarters before gearing up" He explained. "Was going to prep the men as soon as you got here Marshal"
"Take your personal squad, and the third Marines, I'll have my squad of Marauders ready to repel any boarders" With his orders given the XO made his way out of the CIC, but Shepard spook up again stopping him. "Alenko" His XO took a glance back to Shepard. "Keep an eye on Jane"
His Xo smiled in response. "Always" He just said, running out of the CIC.
With his XO running out of the CIC, the Battlegroup came out of FTL. The Marshal saw what looked like about twenty or so Mercenary ships orbiting the planet, engaging the battle battered orbital defenses. Some of the Merc ships were already making their way to intercept the Battlegroup.
"Have our cruisers push a line through their defenses, so our landing parties can touch down. We should be able to hold them off until then" he now looked towards his bridge officer. "You have the con; I'm going to join my Marauders in preparation to repel any boarders"
Back on the planet's surface
Massani was coordinating the outpost defense, while Dax held the front lines, just the way he liked it. He and about twenty other troopers were on a high wall on the perimeter of the base. They could all see what looked like Krogans, batarians, and all other kinds of mercenaries, charging towards their line.
Explosions were going off all behind them; luckily the mercs couldn't hit the wall at all.
"Open fire" Dax yelled out to his troopers.
The troopers did so, firing together in a blaze of death. They were cutting the mercs down to pieces, but it didn't seem to break their liens in the slightest.
"Shit they just keep coming" One trooper panicked, trying to jump off the wall back towards the base, but Dax grabbed a hold of him.
"Hold the line Trooper, or I'll kill you myself" Dax threatened, and the trooper without questioning did so. They all knew he killed the Major, even if it was for a good reason. They weren't simply going to test his patience.
One good thing was going for them all, the basses anti air was holding back the merc ships. The AA was all that was keeping them from dropping any troops within the base. Dax fired his rifle towards an oncoming Vorcha pack that was trying to scale the wall. The Mercs didn't really seem prepared for the siege at all. Their weapons couldn't break down the walls, and they didn't seem to bring anything to climb them, so they had to improvise. Killing another Vorcha Dax now looked onto the field, surprised to see the numbers of the Mercs growing, he knew they couldn't keep this up, it all seemed hopeless.
"Captain" A trooper from below the wall on their side called out. The captain looked towards the Trooper, wondering what he wanted. "Boat coming down sir" He called out, which brought Joy to the troopers moral. Reinforcements were on the way.
"Hooah, hold the line troopers." He wondered who was coming, it seemed their call for help answered faster then he thought. All he could do now was hold the line. He hoped it was Marines; MI troopers only wore the bare minimum for combat, nothing but Hardened body armor, pads, and a helmet, with their Federation Grey BDU under it all. Marines however, they worse full Combat Armor.
Federation troop transport
"Jane…before we go down there, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about…." Kaidan tried to speak, but Jane wasn't having any of this right now.
"Save it Kaidan, we have more important things to worry about right now" She argued, walking into the back full of battle hardened Marines.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Listen up Marines; we're going down there to relive those MI rookies who can never hold their own" That caught a bunch of snickers and laughs from all the Marines. "So, move in hold the line, try not to insult the MI's too much, and kill anything that isn't human, you get me?"
"We get you Ma'am" The entire platoon of Marines Chanted in unison.
It was only about a minute later the transport made touchdown. The entire platoon rushed out of the open hatch, like out of a scene of a beach invasion.
Jane could see the bases wall in the distance, the Transport all landed in the center of the outpost. The AA turrets marked them as friendly, letting them get through the defenses. Jane looked at Kaidan, who was standing next to her with his personal squad.
"Kaidan, take your squad and reinforce the bases command, I'm going to join the rest of the Company on the perimeter" Kaidan looked like he wanted to argue, but she caught sight of that. "That's an order!"
Kaidan sighed. "Aye-aye"
With Kaidan gone Jane quickly went to regroup with the rest of the company. She could see bodies lying everywhere from the initial surprise attack. The base was badly damaged, but at least artillery fire had silenced some.
Climbing the wall to join the Company she was surprised to see someone there waiting for her.
"Dax?" She barely spook towards the MI captain, who had the biggest Smirk on his face.
"Wow, I didn't think they send you of all people Jane" He laughed, but ducked quickly with the hissing sound of gunfire going past them. "We'll catch up, after the attack. Right now we have to finish pushing these Alien bastards back"
Jane smiles, ducking next to the Captain; she quickly tossed a grenade over the wall killing a pair of Batarians that had fired on them below. "Sure thing, lets finish these guys off…dad"
Carrier Atlantic
The Battlegroup was slowly holding the line. With the ground forces planet side, the cruisers were doubling back to assist the Carrier. They just had to hold off until then. The Marshal heard reports of boarders coming from the port side. He and his squad of highly trained and equipped Marauders were ready to meet them.
They were all standing in a wide open hallway, they only way in from the portside hanger. The ship was designed as such, just in case for situations like this. The Marshal looked over to his men.
"I want two lines, move now" He ordered professionally, there was no need to yell to the marauders, they would do anything he ordered without question.
The first line of six marauders took a knee holding heat resistant shields, with a side arm on their other hand. The other Six Marauders stood behind them, holding their rifles out steady. The Marshal stood next to the back six.
They could see the Hanger door being cut through. "Hold, don't fire until I give the order"
A few restless seconds late the door was blown open. They could see what looked like Krogan and Vorcha rushing towards them. Nobody broke formation; they all held their fire, while the Mercenaries opened up on them. The shields were blocking their fire, as they continued to advance.
"Fire" The Marshal ordered, and all hell was broken lose towards the Mercenaries. Bodies were starting to pile, but that didn't stop their advance. "Grenades" With that order the Back Six Marauders shot out their under slung grenade launchers, something only humans seemed to develop. The Mercenaries were slowly pulling back now, with the massive grenade explosions killing about five or so mercs. "Forward" The marshal barked, now pulling out his Rifle. The shield Marauders were slowly pacing forward, while the Six, plus the Marshal continued to fire in advance.
Everything seemed to be going fine, until a final charge of about six or so krogan pushed through their line, knocking four of the Marauders on the ground. Only one of the Krogan managed the get through, running inside the Ship freely now. The Marshal now looked towards his men, who were reforming the lines.
"Hold the line, I'll get that bastard"
The Marshal trailed the Krogan, expecting him to run to the CIC, but he was surprised to figure out he was going in the opposite direction, straight towards his family quarters. "Shit" He cursed to himself, pulling out his Comm. "Vega you got company, keep my family safe until I get there" There was no reply, which made the Marshal panic.
The marshal sprinted faster the he ever did before. He saw his quarter's was blown open, with Vega unconscious on in the living area inside. HE ran inside, looking for both the Krogan and his family. The Krogan was expecting that, and was waiting for him by the side of the door. HE quickly knocked the Marshal next to Vega, but the Marshal was still conscious, unlike vega.
Hearing the Bastard laugh the Marshal turned to meet his attacker.
"I'm going to enjoy this" The Krogan chuckled, taking his Shotgun out.
The Marshal looked around to find his weapon, but the Krogan had kicked it away. He did the only thing he could do now to protect his family, he rushed the Krogan, not caring if the bastard was about to blow a hole into him. That's when a gunshot went off, but it didn't come from the Krogan.
The Marshal saw the Krogan fall on the ground form the shot, but seeing it was still alive Shepard grabbed his shotgun, pointing it at him. Shepard barely turned his head to see Ashley holding out a weapon from the other side of the room.
"Thanks ash, is Tyler okay?" He asked, kicking Vega awake with his foot. Ashley didn't respond, looking like she just shot a friend or something, Shepard noticed this. "Ash" He yelled now, which caught her attention as she looked at him. "Is Tyler okay?"
Ashley nodded. "Yeah…I…I locked him in his room.." She stuttered in answer looking at the Krogan. "That's…that's Wrex"
Back on the planet
The Merc forces were now in retreat; Jane looked towards her Marines, who were still pressing the attack.
"Forward Marines, don't let up. Make them regret ever attacking a federation bass." She yelled over the sound of gunfire.
The Marines started Jumping over the wall, forcing all the Mercs to fully retreat. This caught the captain's attention.
"Come on troopers, don't let the Marines show you up" He shouted, and the MI Troopers joined the Marines over the wall. Some had trouble, as the drop was pretty far, easy for fully suited Marines, but not so much for the Troopers.
The full force of the Federation was raining hell onto the retreating mercs. With the combined force of the Marines and the troopers filling in the gapes, it was like the fist of hell harming them. With the full combat suits the Marines were able to move faster, even meeting some Batarian's and Krogan's in hand to hand combat. The Mercs couldn't save their comrades with the Troopers keeping fire on them.
What little Mercs managed to get into their transports, but most didn't. The battle on the Ground was over, but Jane wondered how her brother was doing. Before she could do anything else Dax came to her.
"Takes for the help Jane, although I'm sure we could of handled it" Dax said, which just made Jane roll her eyes in reply.
"It's just good to see you dad I…."
"Captain Dax" AN MI officer came up to the pair, who were both standing on the outskirts of the Outpost.
"Time to face the music, huh LT" He said to his second in command.
"I'm sorry Dax, for what its worth you should be given a damn medal for killing the bastard" The LT explained, pulling out a set of hand cuffs.
"What about Massani, is he still being charged?" Dax asked, as the LT worked on cuffing him. Jane was just speechless in what was happening in front of her eyes.
"He's just going to be demoted to Lieutenant now, you however…well you get it…"
Jane now pulled her weapon at the LT. "What the hell is going on, release that man" She screamed
"Jane, I'm sorry, but you have to put your gun down" Dax explained calmly
"What's going on da…dax" She pressed for an answer.
Dax was silent, looking somewhat disgusted in what he had to say, so the LT spoke up. "The Captain is being charged with Murder"
Carrier Atlantic
The battle was over, when the ground attack failed, the Merc fleet tried to escape, but were blocked by Shepards Battlegroup. He didn't leave a single merc ship left; they were all destroyed, even though a few were surrendering.
The Marshal was now in the integration room, were he had four of his Marauders restraining the Krogan, they had to use Biotic restraints since Ashley told him he was a biotic. It was a good thing she did tell him, or they would have been in for another surprise later.
Ashley pleaded for him not to kill her, but Shepard wanted the Krogan dead. After all, he purposely targeted his family for some reason. The Marshal was going to find out why.
"I think he's waking sir" One of his Marauders called out from behind the Krogan.
Although he was restrained to a bench, the Four Marauders were there to help restrain him. With a Krogan Shepard didn't want to take the chance that he would break free.
The Krogan groaned as he awakened. "Well, well, well…It looks like the dinosaur is waking" The Marshal chucked leaning in front of the Krogan.
In reply The Krogan did a hard Headbutt on him. The attack was so hard it fractured one of his teeth, which forced the Marshal onto the ground. One of his Marauders Hit the Krogan with the Butt of his weapon In reply. The Marshal stood, spitting out a chunk of blood.
"You know us humans have a saying, an eye for an eye, or in this case….a tooth for a tooth" The Marshal chuckled, pulling out a Combat Knife from his belt. He gave a quick nod to his Marauders, and they quickly restrained him with all their might.
The Marshal moved towards the Krogan named Wrex, Using his Knife to cut out one of his teeth. The Krogan tried to hold the pain in, he was good, Shepard had to give him credit for that, but he made it as painful and lengthy as possible.
The Krogan now shouted in pain at the end. "You know…" The Krogan chocked out. "I kind of liked you"
The Marshal threw the Krogan Tooth on the ground, stomping it with his boot, as he looked towards Wrex. "You will tell me what I want to know"
AN: Dax is a Character from Starship troopers 2, I know everyone hates that movie, Hell I hated it too, but I did love the character. Also Marauders, just like they're explained, are a special forces unit here, and are in no way related to Reaper Marauders. Marauder in Starship troopers were mechs, but if you ever played the Starship troopers shooter game, you played as a marauder that was some kind of special forces soldiers, that's kinda what I'm doing here.
{ /watch?v=2wk8EIczvg0 } For those of you all who are unfamiliar with Starship troopers 2 and want to get an image of the character Captain V.J. Dax