A/N: This chapters got more twists and turns in it than the New Jersey turnpike. For those who have read this fic before probably know what's coming but that doesn't change the impact any.
I own nothing
Everything was peaceful. I starred at the large open field of grass and trees as I scanned the horizon.
Suddently it all changed. Now I was standing on a hill in my MJOLNIR, the once beautiful field was not burning. Covenant ships flew over head glassing everything under them. Something was coming up behind me, I spun, but a Zelot Elite grabbed me by the neck and held me off the ground, energy sword poised to strike.
"You failed them." it said in a booming voice. The Zelot changed into a heavy Ceph, "No matter what you try to accomplish, you will always fail." It threw me to the ground before morphing into General Shepard. "It is inevitable. Your petty attempts to change history are as hollow as your future." he said aiming his revolver at my head.
The General changed into Saren, "The cycle will never be stopped." Saren started to morph, but it wasn't like the others. The Turian's skin turned a sickly green, his head snapped to the side and green tentacles and spikes burst from his body.
Saren's lopsided head laughed in a booming voice that was different from the first one. "WE EXIST TOGETHER NOW. TWO CORPSES, IN ONE GRAVE." The gun went off.
X
I bolted right up, drawing my pistol and shooting the Rachni warrior that was poised to tear us apart. Tali sat up from the gun shot after the body fell to the floor. "What happened!" she shouted. "We have to get out of here." I said standing up.
A sharp jab of pain lanced through my chest. My arm, leg and head healed but my ribs were still in the progress of healing. Tali helped me stand, "Your still hurt." she said supporting me up. "That doesn't matter, if one of the little bastards got down here more are probably on the way."
I stood up ignoring the pain in my chest. "Prophet, max armor around my ribs no place else." "Maximum Armor."after the armor hardened I motioned for Tali to follow me out of the only door in the room.
"How did you know the Rachni was going to attack us?" asked Tali. I peered around a bend in the corridor, "Developed a sixth sense for enemies trying to kill me in my sleep. Comes in handy after a while." Not seeing any hostiles we continued onward.
"Proximity Alert. Hostiles detected." The duct behind us collapsed and three Rachni warriors landed on the floor. "Go, Go, Go!" I shouted blasting the large bugs. We ran down the hall as more of them started to fall from the duct. I pulled out a grenade and tossed it over my shoulder as we kept running.
The explosion and the loud shreaks behind us confirmed that some of the Rachni were killed. We reached the end of the corridor but the door wouldn't open. "Dammit! Tali cover me." I forced my hands into the door and forced it open, the metal grinding loudly as it was pulled to the side.
"Xero!" Tali shouted. The Rachni had come around the corner and were coming at us in force. "Get inside!" I grabbed the door again and started to force it closed while Tali fired her pistol through the shrinking gap to keep the creatures back.
There was only a few inches left when a few claws from one of the Rachni came through and was trying to force the door back open. Tali activated her omni-tool and a glowing orange blade sprang from it. She thrusted forward and stabbed the Rachni in the chest splashing green blood on the front of her suit, the creature fell back giving me time to seal the door.
"That door won't hold long." I said looking around the room. There was another door on the other side and I jogged over to it. It was locked. I tried to force it open like the other one but it wouldn't budge. "Shit." I grabbed a metal desk and slammed it as hard as I could against the dense metal. "Not even a scratch." I dropped the now bent piece of office furniture.
"Up there." I looked at Tali and saw she was pointing to an open duct above us. "Looks like our best shot." I cupped my hands and gave her a boost up, she grabbed the edge and pulled herself in, "It's all clear!" she called down.
The door we came in was smoking, the Rachni on the other side were trying to burn their way through with acid. I grabbed all the grenades I had left and stuck them to the door with omni-gel, "Trick or treat you fuckers." I ran back to the duct and jumped up into it following after Tali.
We didn't get a few feet before the whole duct shook from a large explosion. "What in Keelah's name was that?" asked Tali. "That would be the little gift I left the Rachni back there." I said as we kept going.
X
The grate fell from the ceiling and I dropped to the floor, scanning the corridor with my shotgun. "All clear." I caught Tali as she lept down and set her on her feet. "Where to know?" she asked.
"Xero? Tali? Are you guys out there?" I activated my comm, "Ash? Yeah we're here." "Thank god. Me and Wrex are looking for you guys. Shepard and the other's are continuing the mission. Where are you?" I looked around the corridor and saw the words 'Sub-3' on the wall. "We're in a corridor on Sub-Level 3."
"We're on the level above you, hang tight." said Ashley as the line ended. We headed toward the end of the corridor hoping to link up with them. "How are you feeling?" asked Tali. "Better, it's more of an annoyance than actual pain. It's a good thing I didn't land on my head." I replied.
I could see her smile under her visor, "That would have probably been less painful." I put my hand to my chest in mock-pain, "Ouch Tali, that stung." she laughed and I couldn't help but love that sound.
We entered another wide atrium with a flight of stairs that lead up to the next level. At the top balcony Ashley and Wrex were seen. " 'bout time what kept you guys?" I called up to them. "Kinda hard to find two lovebirds around this place." Ashley said back with a grin. "I don't think a lab ontop of a frozen mountain counts as a romantic getaway." commented Tali.
Before any more witty banter could be exchanged the whole room shook. "What the hell?" I said outloud. "Something's coming." said Wrex readying his shotguns. The room shook again as we readied our weapons.
The center of the atrium exploded in a shower of metal and a Rachni warrior, easily four times bigger than the ones they encountered before appeared out of the hole in the floor. It let out a loud shreak and we wasted no time in opening fire on it.
Each round seemed to bounce off of it's skin and having little effect. "It's got an exoskeleton! We need a new plan!" shouted Ashley. Wrex lept down from the balcony and landed on it's back, pumping round after round into the hard shell and causing it to crack in some places.
The creature screamed in agony and started thrashing forcing the Krogan to leap off. One of the creature's tentacles lashed out catching me in the chest and sent me into a wall. My healing ribs flared up, even with the hardened armor around them It couldn't stop all of the pain.
Ignoring the ache, I got up and resumed firing on the large Rachni trying to find a weakspot. The creature reared it's head up and let loose a stream of acid that coated the balcony where Ashley had taken cover. The corrosive substance melted through the steel as though it were paper.
Ashley bolted from where she was and vaulted the wall landing on our level. The Rachni fired another stream, I grabbed Tali and ducked as the substance coated the door we came through and perminently melting it shut. Wrex charged forward and forced the barrel of his shotgun into the side of the creature and fired. The heavy round penetrating the outer shell and spilling green blood everywhere.
The Rachni fired acid at the Krogan who created a barrier around himself that made the fluid fly around him. I looked from Wrex to Ashley. "Ash! Throw me a grenade!" The gunnery chief tossed me the explosive device. "What are you going to do? asked Tali. "Something stupid."
I looked back at the warlord, "Wrex! Shoot this damn thing again, I have an idea!" Wrex nodded before firing a powerful blast into the Rachni's exposed side that caused the creature to screech in pain.
Using the distraction, I lept into the air and latched onto it's head. "Eat this!" I crammed the grenade in it's mouth.
But before I could pull my arm out it slammed it's mouth shut, it's teeth slicing into the arm of the nano suit and into my skin. " Warning. Suit Breached." "No shit!" I shouted trying to force the Rachni's mouth open.
The grenade in my trapped hand started beeping. "Ah this is gonna hurt." I tossed the device down the thing's throat. Moments later the Rachni exploded and I was thrown violently into the wall on the far side of the room.
When I hit the floor my vision blurred and I felt several things crack and break within my body. The arm that was once trapped was burnt. The suit slowly repaired itself as everything around me darkened. I didn't even hear the cries from everyone around me.
I saw Tali's silver eyes as everything disappeared.
X
...Scanning...Complete
Status: Critical
Causes: Blood loss, concussion, multiple breaks and fractures, punctured lung, heart failing due to aftershock from explosion and blood loss.
Unknown force interveining...
Tissue and bone resturation increased.
Red blood cell production increased.
...
...
Tissue damage repaired.
Bone damage repaired.
Restarting Heart function...Defibrillator online...
X No One's POV X
Ashley had finished contacting Shepard and told her the situation. Xero laid motionless on the floor, Tali holding his hand while Wrex stood guard incase more Rachni came. "Shepard and the rest of the team are in another part of the facility." Ashley said coming over to them. "Anything?"
Tali ran her three fingers over Xero's scalp, hoping beyond all hope that his eyes opened again. "More of the same." she mumbled.
Xero's body suddently jerked making everyone jump back. "What the?" wondered Ashley. Xero's body jerked again. "It looks like he's being shocked." said Wrex. Xero jerked again. "Prophet's trying to restart his heart!" Tali shouted kneeling by Xero's head.
There was one more shock and Xero's eyes snapped open and he inhaled deeply. After taking a few deep breaths he started looking at everyone, "What happened?" Tali bent down and rested her visor on his forehead. "You bosht'et." she said with a slight whimper.
Xero reached up and caressed her vail, "It'll take more than that to kill me. I'm not going anywhere Tali." She leaned back and looked into his eyes.
"If you two are done coddling we gotta go. This place is still crawling with Rachni, and I'd rather not run into another one of those bigass ones." said Ashley.
Wrex helped Xero to his feet and helped him walk while Tali and Ashley lead the way. "Ballsy move kid. You would have made a decent Krogan." said the warlord. Xero chuckled, "Whatever you say there old man." Wrex let out a booming laugh as they headed back to where the Mako was stationed.
X Shepard's POV X
I looked at all the faces around me in the briefing room. After the mission was over there was a lot of emotions flying around.
Xero was still weak from the damage he sustained, he may have recovered thanks to Prophet, but the healing had left him drained. That being said Tali hadn't left his side since he entered the medbay.
I looked over at Wrex and I could feel the nearly uncontrolled fury in his gaze. I wouldn't kill the Rachni. I refuse to committ genocide on a race that was trying to redeem themselves. Whether Wrex liked it or not it was my call, not his.
Liara was sitting sadly in her seat. I couldn't blame her. We had killed her mother who had been turned by Saren's influence. Dispite all of that, Benezia was still Liara's mother, and this couldn't be easy for her.
Ezio sat next to her, holding her blue hand in his and whispering kind and peaceful things to her. He felt that he needed to. Conisidering he dealt the killing blow.
X Flashback X
Benezia sent singularity after singularity at us. Me and Liara were doing all that we could to keep the Asari commandos and the Geth off our backs. "Where the hell is Ezio!" I shouted as I kept firing on the Matriach.
The last of Benezia's backup fell and we all faced her. "You will not succeed." she sneared. "Mother! Stop this please!" Liara pleaded. "I am sorry child. But this must be done." she charged her biotics and we all prepared to end it.
A form dropped down behind her. "What-" She spun only for Ezio to jam his hidden wrist blade into her stomach. She gasped and her biotic field dropped. "Mother!" Liara shouted as she ran up to them.
Ezio gently laid Benezia down, proping her head up on his knee. "Little wing." she whispered. "Mother?" asked Liara kneeling next to her. "I am...so sorry...Liara. I didn't want this to...happen. But Saren...and that ship...their whispers are in my mind. Even now." Liara held her mothers hand and started to cry.
Benezia reached up and wiped the tears away. "Do not cry child. You have helped set me free." she looked down at me. "Commander Shepard. The Conduit...is beyond the Mu relay...in the Terminus systems. The exact location...I do not know." I gave a slow nod, "Thank you."
She looked up at Ezio who kept his face neutral, "Thank you, for setting me free. And allowing me to...say goodbye to my daughter. Please...take care of her." The assassin nodded. Benezia gazed at her daughter, "I will always love you...my little...wing..."
The elder Asari fell silent. Ezio laid her down and gently closed her eyes. "May you find peace in the next life, noble Matriach." he said silently. Liara sobbed at the death of her mother. Ezio knelt next to her and held her as she cried on his shoulder.
"I know what it is like to lose family. I promised your mother I would be there for you. I will honor that." he said gently.
X Flashback End X
I couldn't help but smile. For an assassin that was now misplaced in history, he was a kind and gentle soul.
"I think we're gonna need more chairs." Garrus said outloud earning a few chuckles. "Maybe a couch and a couple'o easy chairs and we'll be good." said Price. I cleared my throat, "In all seriousness, our mission on Noveria proved successful. We now know that the Conduit is beyond the Mu relay."
"Then lets go get it." said Emile. "I'm with him, we should go now that we have a heading." said Ashley.
"The Terminus systems are huge. It would take us forever to find it before Saren does. That and the Alliance, and even Council Spectres aren't permitted there." said Kaidan. "Than we find more data. We still have another stop afterall." said Yuri.
I nodded, "Both Kaidan and Yuri are right. We'll focus on getting all of the facts before going after the Conduit. Joker, plot a course for Feros." "Aye aye." replied the pilot. "Everyone get some rest, you've earned it."
Everyone filed out of the room, some heading for the mess hall while others went to the barracks or the sleeper pods. I let out a sigh before heading out of the room myself, deciding to go visit the couple who weren't at the briefing.
X
I walked into the medbay and saw Xero laying on one of the beds. His nano suit on one of the desks out of the way. I couldn't help but smile when I saw that Tali was laying down next to him, her head on his shoulder, arm drapped over his chest, and her legs crossed with his.
They looked peaceful, so I decided to leave them alone for now. To be honest, those two looked really cute together.
X Xero's POV X
It's been a week since the Noveria mission. And I couldn't help but feel happier than I ever have been. Being with Tali just made my life better just by her presence. And I felt at peace with everything around me.
And I wasn't the only one getting close to someone either. More often then naught I saw Soap and Ashley hanging out a lot more than just in the cargo hold. Garrus and Kat were talking more civily to each other instead of arguing about something. And I always seemed to find Ezio with Liara.
I wouldn't make assumptions, so I just filed it all in the very back of my mind for the time being.
At the moment I was working with Ashley trying to add modifications to my assault rifle. "Xero your needed on the bridge ASAP." said Joker over the intercom.
Without missing a beat I bolted to the elevator and hit the panel for the CIC. After the slow ascent I ran for the bridge and saw Kat and Emile standing with Shepard. Joker piloted us forward while Juno sat in the co-pilots spot next to him.
"I don't believe it." said Emile. I looked through the viewport and felt my heart freeze.
In the distance, was the oblong form of a Covenant Corvette.
A/N: For those who have played Reach they know exactly how formidable a Corvette Class Covenant ship can be. But the real question is whether or not the Normandy crew can handle what might be on board? Reviews still valued.