The next few chapters are already written so expect a bit more regular updates from now (weekly). My thanks go to you all but especially Planetar, my ever patient beta reader, thank you so much, words are not enough.
I've had a rough few weeks due to personal reason's but hopefully I'm back on track now. Feedback via review or personal contact is always most welcome and I take everything on board, hopefully you're all still enjoying this and at least still following it.
The last few chapters have been a really hard mixture of hard core action / development / romance and plot, so it's been tough to write. Still, that said, I hope you all enjoy it and take heart in the fact that Shepard will be a hero to the end. Thanks' for sticking with me :D
The shuttle bumped and churned as Cortez muttered to himself. Shepard stood just behind him, one hand resting on the back of his chair, the other fisted in the overhead straps, as she fought to stay upright in the shuddering shuttle. Just off to the left a blast of enemy shuttle fire fingered down past them, striking the ground below and causing an explosion of showers and sparks.
"Shit!" Cortez spat, as he reached over the console and adjusted their course. "That was close," he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and turned to look back into the shuttle. "EDI, I could use some help up here." almost instantly EDI slid into the seat next to him.
"Of course Lieutenant, how can I assist?"
"We've taken damage to the power system, see if you can reroute."
"Yes Lieutenant." EDI's fingers moved with effortless speed across the controls and Shepard couldn't help but notice that somehow EDI's silvery skin seemed less reflective than usual, as if she'd toned down for the impending battle. Shepard flicked the faceplate down on her helmet and glanced back into the shuttle. Garrus and Tali were harnessed in next to each other, fingers linked lightly. Vega had his massive arms crossed over his chest, but his face was hidden by his helmet and Liara sat harnessed in next to him, her head tilted back against the shuttle wall, eyes closed. Shepard thought she looked tense.
Suddenly, the shuttle swerved left and cut speed drastically, swerving and skimming alongside another Cerberus shuttle.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" Cortez whooped.
"Watch it!" Garrus shouted from the back of the shuttle.
Shepard let go of the overhead straps and opened her omni-tool, her fingers tapping into the holo display 'Are you all-right?' she typed in and sent the message. A few seconds later she received an answer 'I am not enjoying this shuttle ride.' Shepard smiled at that and made her way back through the shuttle. She paused when she reached her crew, looking at each of them individually.
"Oi!" Shepard jerked her head in the direction of Vega, who was now sat slumped, head lolling to one side. "Vega!" The big marine jerked awake, flicking up his face plate and staring straight ahead.
"What did I miss?" he murmured sleepily.
"Vega, were you sleeping?" Garrus laughed. "I thought you passed out from fear."
"Yeah, yeah." Vega slammed his face plate down and slumped back down in his chair.
Shepard glanced out of the shuttle window, opened her mouth to say something, then frowned and looked away. There was an urgent warbling noise as an alarm rang out through the space and internal lights started flashing. The floor beneath her feet trembled and a bassy, sub-sonic rumble seemed to fill the air around her.
"We've been hit!" Cortez breathed, fear lacing his tone. "We're gonna land hard Commander, just curving into the shuttle bay now!"
"Shepard," EDI sounded via the comm. "There is intense resistance inside the shuttle bay."
"I wasn't expecting anything less EDI," Shepard replied. "Do the best you can Cortez."
Shepard stumbled as the shuttle lurched and she threw herself down into the seat, next to Liara "Hey," Shepard leaned her head and looked at the asari, waiting until worried blue eyes focused on her, "Nice hard suit."
Liara smiled, the barest twitch of her lips, "Thank you, it was a gift."
"Really?" Shepard whistled. "That's some gift."
"Hang on!" Cortez shouted, interrupting her conversation and sending her reaching for her harness. There was a brief moment of absolute silence, as the shuttle dropped its speed suddenly and then a high pitched whine made her squint. The shuttle thudded down once as though a giant beast had taken a run up and kicked the vessel as hard as possible and then the doors opened and all hell broke loose.
"Close the door, close the door!" Shepard shouted into her comm. Desperate to get the door to the shuttle locked down to give Cortez some protection.
"Already done." Garrus, calm as ever, replied from behind her.
"Three-sixty, remember, three-sixty, maintain your arcs and look out!" Shepard shouted above the din of enemy fire. When EDI had told her the resistance was intense, she might have been underestimating. With a grunt she crawled forward, taking Tali by the elbow and yanking her behind cover. Rounds of enemy fire screamed past them, exploding into the wall next to them, dancing across it and sending mushrooms of debris into the air.
"What's that noise?" Garrus shouted across, as he let loose a burst of rifle fire.
"What?" Shepard shouted back, her own voice barely audible in the echoing expanse of the docking bay.
"That noise!" This time, Garrus used the comm.
Shepard paused for a moment, slotting in another thermal clip as she strained her hearing. A deep, warbling sound seemed to be coming from various directions. "Alarm?" Shepard indicated the ceiling above. "We have to push forward!"
They'd got halfway across the deck of the bay, when the alarm seemed to increase in volume. A squad of Centurions met them at the midway point, guns flashing, spewing fire and smoke. The dock was almost completely obscured by their wreathing smoke clouds, as Shepard lost the sight of most of her squad. "Tali?" Shepard whispered in the suddenly eerie silence. The quarian turned to her. "We have to get out of the open!" Shepard continued, as she nudged Tali forwards. "This way!"
Tali allowed herself to be manoeuvred forward, with EDI close on their heels. They were almost level with one of the security doors, when the sound of shouting started to fill the dock. The rest of the squad were being held back by a stream of Cerberus troops entering on the other side of the dock.
"Security breach in hangar 16. Initiating Achilles protocol." A sudden, shrill female voice echoed through the dock.
"Shepard." EDI sounded alarmed, as she grabbed Shepard shoulder and turned the Commander to face her, "Cerberus intends to vent the hangar bay."
"What?!" Shepard spat, shocked, "Can you disable it?"
"I need access to a console Shepard," liquid, silver eyes stared at her, "Quickly."
"Allright." Shepard turned to Tali. "Regroup with the others, maintain the weight of fire!"
"Where are you going?" Tali asked through a ragged breath.
"I need to get EDI to a console!"
"Shepard..."
"Its fine, go!" Shepard pushed Tali forward and turned to EDI, "How long do we have?"
There was a moment of silence as EDI tilted her head and looked almost thoughtful. "185 seconds."
"That long, eh?" Shepard sighed as EDI moved forward, crouched in the smoke, faint tube lighting glinting off her odd skin. Watching her surroundings, Shepard followed, reaching out with her free hand to touch EDI's shoulder. "Let me lead." She stepped in front of her and they started forward again, as the sounds of her squad battling with Cerberus echoed in the space around them.
"Stop!" EDI whispered sharply, lifting her pistol, "Ahead, two Centurions at the base of that ladder."
Shepard paused, tensed, pistol ready. She tilted her head, straining to hear or see anything through the smoke and cacophony of noise.
There was a series of sudden, sharp explosions next to her right ear, coupled with the flash of EDI's pistol muzzle and then silence. "We can continue." EDI murmured, and then she pushed past her, running ahead, shouting back to her as she reached the ladder, "Shepard, we do not have much time!"
Shepard took off after her, sprinting through the smoke and stumbling over the still smoking, gently rocking Cerberus corpses. By the time she scaled the ladder, EDI was already at a console, fingers flying frantically over the panel.
"Shepard, the vent procedure is disabled." she sounded almost relieved.
"Good job." Shepard replied on a sucked in breath "Can you open the hangar?"
"No," EDI paused and gave Shepard a sideways glance. "I can, however, access the fighter's launch controls." she returned her attention back to the console, "Cerberus is sending reinforcements to the hangar, Commander."
Shepard looked at the avatar for a minute and then peered over the railings to the hangar floor below. "You want to fire the fighter?" she smirked.
"The central lab is located directly behind this hangar."
"Do it!" Shepard put her finger to her comm system, "EDI is about to launch the central fighter, get into cover!" she waited until each of her team had responded and then signalled to EDI with a nod of her head.
The fighter below jerked and shuddered, its turrets swivelling, gun barrels elevating as a dark puff of vapour, like a bruise, crested along its outer shell and rose from its back. As the engines powered, a shockwave passed through the hangar, making the whole deck tremble. Suddenly, the fighter seemed to pulse and then it curved upwards in a vicious launch, before dropping, swinging outwards and piercing the hangar wall in a growl of twisting metal, leaving a haze of smoke trailing behind it.
"Holy shit!" Vega shouted in her ear.
The two torn sections of fighter had impacted several meters into the corridors beyond, its ragged remains emitting elongated trails of smoke. Distant, concussive thumps and roars sounded throughout the hangar, as secondary explosions detonated and the remaining shells of the fighter lit up along its length, speckled with fire.
Shepard sucked in a breath and turned back to EDI, "Nicely done!"
"Thank you Shepard."
Shepard was about to say something else, when the shrill voice of Liara through the comm stopped her .
"Atlas!"
Tali watched as the Atlas unfolded itself from its resting position and drew itself up to its full three meter height. An exaggerated humanoid shape of glittering angles and weapon pods. It was intimidating and even from a few meters away it gave the impression of towering over her. She peered out from behind the crates she was using for cover and shook her head, suddenly aware of just how un-military her suit was.
The Atlas creaked and moaned as it took a lurching step past her and unleashed a terrifying amount of fire onto the squad's position. It hadn't seen her. She had a chance. With a trembling hand she opened her Omni tool and started entering commands. Someone was shouting. It might have been Garrus.
"Kee'lah!" She cursed as she made a mistake and had to re-input the string of commands. A few seconds later the Atlas came to a shuddering halt, twisting and turning its head to one side, as if it was considering something. "Got you!" Tali cheered, as she peaked from behind her cover.
Whatever excitement she was feeling, drained away with a wash of fear, as the Atlas whirled around to her position and raised its cannon. She hadn't been fast enough; the smallest mistake had cost her massively.
"Tali!" Garrus screamed in her ear.
There was a single, thudding, titanic impact and then a wave of heat rolled over her, knocking her backwards and sending her tumbling over crates. When her vision returned, the hangar floor was full of dust and smoke. The newly made tunnel entrance, where the Atlas had been standing, was now an even bigger, shattered hole and most of the ragged edges were glowing. Clumps of machinery lay smoking, flaming or stuttering on the floor, some of them were parts of the machine; some of them were parts of the pilot.
She felt awful, sore-headed, sore-backed, aching all over and her ears were ringing. She looked idly, groggily up into the familiar face of Garrus as he pawed at her, rifle slung over one shoulder. He was shouting at her, calling her an idiot but that wasn't what bothered her.
Shepard stood in the centre of the debris, her pistol held tightly, the barrel facing the ceiling. She'd pushed the face plate up on her helmet and was looking at Tali with a terrifyingly blank expression, her green eyes almost glowing with radiating anger.
"I'm allright Garrus." Tali said, as she allowed herself to be yanked to her feet, her eyes never leaving the Commanders.
"What did you do?" He asked, voice still trembling.
"Emergency self destruct," Tali shrugged, wincing at the motion. She could taste her own blood in her mouth and her suit was radiating several alarms, "I actually didn't think it would work from such a range." she brushed herself off and risked another, cautious glance at Shepard.
"I'd say it worked, Sparks!" Vega said, shaking his head with a smirk. There was blood on his chin and neck.
"You all-right?" Shepard asked eventually, her voice as flat as her expression.
"Yes Shepard." Tali was about to say more, when Shepard cut her off.
"Good," The Commander paused, "And good job." She nodded one and slammed her face plate back down. "Let's push on."
Tali was at a loss to explain Shepard's sudden cool façade. With a sigh she glanced at Liara, but the asari merely shrugged, a puzzled expression on her face.
"You're sure you're allright?" Garrus asked again, his hand still resting on her shoulder.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," She gave his hand a squeeze, "Honest."
"Good," His mandibles flared, as he glanced up at the retreating form of Shepard, "Come on, stay close."
Shepard kicked the corpse as hard as she could, once, twice, venting her anger. They weren't moving fast enough, there was too much enemy contact and Tali was struggling.
"Stop!" Shepard knelt down and signalled for Garrus.
"What is it Shepard?" He took the opportunity to slot in another thermal clip.
"I need you to hold here," Shepard held her hand up to halt his protest. "Tali is in no shape to continue, and we need a clear route back to the shuttle," she shifted her pistol into her left hand and traced a pattern on the ground with her finger, "The lab isn't too much further, I'll take EDI and Liara but I need you and Vega to be the muscle back here."
"Shepard, are you sure?" He glanced out at the hangar expanse and then back down the corridor.
"Yes," She looked down at her finger, "The route across the hangar is completely exposed, we're going to have to move through it quickly. I need you here, putting the weight of fire down, or we'll get caught in an L-shaped ambush and we won't recover from it."
"Allright." He nodded, the grip on his rifle tightening. "Vega and Tali won't like it."
"I know that, but that's because they don't realise I'm leaving them in the more dangerous position." she swallowed, as she met the turian dark eyes. "They'll push onto this position, you know that."
Garrus sighed and nodded slowly, "I know."
"You need to hold this position," Shepard said, "Until we get back. If we don't make it back, you have to get the Prothean VI."
"I will." He stared at her for a moment, then jerked his head, jutting out his chin. "Your helmet's misting, how the hell are you are going to make it across that hangar if you can't see?"
Shepard smirked, as she lifted her face plate and wiped the inside. Garrus was practical to the end.
"Commander?" Garrus spoke quietly; he hardly ever called her Commander. "We'll get this done."
Shepard half smiled as she stood up, "I know." she sealed her helmet and glanced back at her squad. "EDI, Liara on me!" The two of them gathered around her, as Garrus retreated to explain the rest of team the plan. She looked from the asari to EDI and took a deep breath, "We're going to move through the hangar quick time, no stopping to shoot, no heroics. We'll wait for the rate of fire to pick up and then sprint, understand?" EDI and Liara nodded. "It's going to be hairy."
"The others?" Liara asked, tilting to indicate the rest of the squad taking up position behind them.
"They are staying to cover our retreat, we need a path back to the shuttle," Shepard paused and met ice cool blue eyes, "Tali is wounded, not seriously, but she's slowing us down."
"I understand." Liara nodded and looked out at the expanse of hangar in front of them. In the distance she could hear Cerberus troops shouting. "I'm ready."
"Garrus," Shepard spun to look back at the turian, "Now!"
"Good luck!" He shouted back, as he, Vega and Tali moved out into the entrance of the hangar and unleashed a hail of bullets on the predictably waiting Cerberus troops.
After a few moments there seemed to be no incoming fire, only outgoing. "Go!" Shepard roared, as she shoved Liara forward. They raced for the other side of the hangar and an ominously sealed door. There was no cover, they were completely exposed and the only thing protecting them was the rate of fire hammering down on their enemy.
"Space out! Keep moving!" Shepard pulled level with Liara, just as they approached the recess of the door. She was breathing hard and all but threw herself against the wall when they stopped.
"EDI!" Shepard pointed at the door, her breath coming in ragged gasps, "Get the door!"
"Yes Shepard." She raised her hand to the door lock and accessed her omni tool. "Done."
Shepard stood directly in front of the doorway and two fisted her pistol. The second the door opened she swung her arms in a delicate arc and levelled the gun calmly at the lone, surprised looking trooper, who was currently in the process of reloading his weapon, his helmet discarded on the floor. He hesitated momentarily, but Shepard didn't, she shot him once through the forehead and he dropped without a sound.
"Clear." Shepard said, as she stepped over the corpse, his inert form was twisted at an odd angle, as blood pooled beneath his head. His sickly blue modified eyes were wide with shock.
"What are they doing to themselves?" Liara muttered, as she looked down at the body, disgusted.
"The door is sealed behind us Shepard." EDI spoke calmly, as she accessed one of the control panels. "Shepard, not all of the information on this console has been scrubbed, there is information contained here that you might find useful," The avatar looked at her, "About the Lazarus program and the recovery of your body."
"What?" Shepard felt her stomach turn.
"The recordings appear to be quite in depth," EDI continued, "Would you like to access them?"
"No." Shepard glanced at Liara. The asari's eyes were hard, a darker shade of blue that Shepard had ever seen them. She held her gaze for one fierce moment and then turned back to EDI. "Download the files, I'll access them on the Normandy." She heard Liara sigh behind her.
"As you wish Shepard." delicate fingers flew across the controls. "I have released all door locks between here and the central lab."
Shepard was about to reply, when a beep in her ear indicated an incoming transmission.
"Incursion team, are you still with us?" Admiral Hackett's tone faded in and out of static. "We're limiting fire as best we can."
"Admiral?" Shepard was surprised that he would contact her directly. "We're deep into the facility, the Prothean VI is located at the central point, don't hold back Admiral!"
Static and silence, before he replied, "Careful Shepard, I don't need a hero."
"Funny," Shepard replied caustically, "I thought was exactly what you needed. Don't worry about me or my team, just take Cerberus down!"
"Understood Commander." The line went dead.
"Come on!" Shepard barked, "I've had enough of this place already."
Shepard stepped across the threshold with her pistol raised but didn't quite walk into the reception she was expecting. The room was enormous and entirely splendid, coloured in a wash of burning red, the mirrored floor reflected a seeming infinitude of scarlet clouds.
"Unexpected," Liara muttered as she nodded over at the central control panel, backlit against the dying sun. "I do not know why I am surprised though, the Illusive man always was pretentious."
"I smell a trap." Shepard glanced around nervously at the empty space, her eyes eventually falling on Liara. "Liara, come here."
"What?" Liara looked puzzled.
"Come here." Shepard put away her pistol as the asari approached and instead put her fingers beneath Liara's chin, turning her head towards her. Her stomach tightened at the sight of blood running down the side of her face, but the blue eyes focused on her were sharp and clear. "You're bleeding."
"I am?" Liara lifted her fingers to the side of her head, frowning when they came away bloodied. "I am not sure how that happened."
Shepard sighed and let her hand fall away, "EDI, find the Prothean VI." she glanced at Liara again, before making her way over to the only chair, "Get some medi gel on that cut."
She sat down and accessed the console, whistling under her breath. "So much data." The sudden sound of the Illusive man behind her didn't surprise her at all.
"Shepard," he said slowly. "You're sitting in my chair."
Shepard smirked as she glanced over her shoulder and squinted at the hologram. "This chair's about all you have left, Cerberus is finished."
The Illusive man looked at her, a light smile playing on his craggy, severe face. He took a long drag on his cigarette. "On the contrary Shepard, we have more than I ever could have imagined."
Shepard ignored him and glanced across at EDI. "Any success?"
"Almost, Shepard."
"I already have what you're looking for," The voice rumbled behind her, "The Catalyst." he put his head back and fixed Shepard with a measured, questioning look. "You've already lost."
Only now did Shepard stand up and turn to face him. "So will you tell me what the Catalyst is?"
The Illusive man laughed and crossed his arms. "I think I've helped you enough Shepard, don't you?"
"Really?" Shepard blew out a breath. "I'm still waiting for you to start."
"I have it Shepard." EDI interrupted, her voice holding a twinge of triumph, as the Prothean VI materialised between them.
"I'm sure the VI will answer all your questions," The Illusive man laughed, as his image started to fade. "You always were short sighted Shepard. Ask whatever you want, but don't overstay your welcome." his laughter continued, until the hologram had completely vanished.
"I hate that man." Liara said, as the blue light was replaced by the green of the VI.
"You are attempting to recover me from indoctrinated forces?" The hollow, oddly accented voice echoed in the space.
"Yes." Shepard approached the sphere, green stars surrounded by spherical grids of thin green lines. "I need to know what the Catalyst is."
"Security protocols have been over ridden, I will comply." The sphere rotated twice. "The Catalyst enhances dark energy transmissions and coordinates the mass relay network. In your cycle, it is known as the Citadel."
"What?" Shepard choked out the question.
"The Catalyst is the Citadel."
Shepard couldn't find her words and she licked suddenly dry lips. It was a shock too great to recognise, so great that it faded into something she couldn't process.
"So the Crucible and the Catalyst combined can stop the Reapers?" Liara cut in, her eyes wide.
"The Citadel was created by the Reapers," EDI stepped forward, her hands gesturing in towards the sphere. "So in using the Crucible combined with the Citadel, we will be using the Reapers own technology against them."
"Precisely." The VI replied.
"Why didn't you tell us this sooner?" Shepard rubbed the bridge of her nose, letting her eyes close as the information sunk in.
"It was feared that if the Reapers were aware of the intended use of the Catalyst, they would try to retake control of it." There was a pause, as the sphere pulsed. "I am programmed to withhold that information until the Crucible is complete."
"Well, that's fucking wonderful." Shepard sighed and shook her head. "Well, it's as ready as it's ever going to be," she looked across at Liara. "We have to get to the Citadel."
"That may no longer be possible." The VI interrupted.
"Why?"
"The one who overrode my security protocols, the one you call the Illusive man, has already fled to the Citadel and informed the Reapers of our purposes." The sphere seemed to dim intensity.
Shepard stood silently, her hands clenching at her sides as she tried hard not to let her thoughts appear on her face. A horrible churning sensation in her gut made her want to retch.
"I should have killed him," Shepard muttered quietly, "I should have killed him a long time ago."
"The Citadel is in danger, the Reapers will take control of it." EDI said.
"They already have." Again the sphere seemed to dim. "They have moved it to Reaper controlled space, a system that you call Sol."
"Earth." Shepard said miserably. "Shit, I've done this all wrong, haven't I?" She glanced at Liara and then turned to face the console next to her, flattening her hands against the cold metal, keeping her balance. "I should have taken Cerberus out before this."
"Reaper forces will now consolidate power around the Catalyst and protect it at all costs. The chances of you accessing it now are remote." The VI almost sounded regretful.
"Well," Shepard looked out at the roaring sun and let out an explosive breath. "We were going to have to face the Reapers head on eventually." Unconsciously her hand had become a fist that pressed against her solar plexus. She felt utterly lost and savagely angry. "Earth it is!" she looked across, through the VI. "EDI, get me Admiral Hackett, he needs to know that..."
Her words were interrupted, as the console next to her detonated, erupting under a hail of gunfire and sending a cloud of sparks cascading over her.
Shepard looked towards the door, as a group of heavily armed Cerberus Dragoons entered.
"You were told not to overstay your welcome!" The lead soldier snarled, his yellow tinted, mirror armoured face plate reflecting the sun.
Shepard swallowed, as her fingers found the pistol at her side. She really hated Dragoons.
