Author's Note;
Hello there. A big thank you to all who have followed and favorited the story.
I appreciate any feedback received and will respond as quickly as I can.
Anyway...on with the show.
People watched him, studying every heavy breath he drew. The rainwater filled the pit beneath his feet, thick mud splashed in the puddles, falling from the walls.
Kill him. Kill him.
The crowd grew angrier around him. Their feral shouts awakened something from the depths of his very soul.
Now. Kill him. NOW.
The anger awakened. The chains came loose, his spirit unshackled.
You can do it my boy...become what you truly are. One of us.
That voice resonated throughout his small frame. Deep and murderous, crimson red eyes staring directly into his amidst the deafening cries of the angry spectators.
Do it baby...then you can have all you ever dreamed. Everything you ever wanted.
Another voice, smooth like silk, spoke from above him. He drew his eyes to see the purple haired beauty above him. Her hazel eyes promised untold desire...unfulfilled lust.
What did he want?
The crowd's angry chants grew louder. He gulped as he looked at the beaten boy on his knees beneath him. Only a year older than him.
Kill him child...for all of us. Join us.
He looked at his hands...knuckles broken...bloody. His once pale flesh now covered in a familiar viscous red fluid.
The spiked club lay at his naked feet. Picking it up it felt heavy. His right arm weakened, the club produced little noise as it hit the floor again, slipping from weak fingers.
Are you weak...like her...like the rest of them who doubted you.
The chants grew louder again. He picked it up again, grasping it with two hands he raised it above his head.
Hmm...yes baby. There you go.
Those green eyes looked up at him again. Only they held no sorrow or pain...only pity.
His eyes became dark and steeled. Their gazes locking dark eyes stared into green. A serene moment of clarity passed through his mind before vanishing back into the recesses of his mental prison.
He roared in anger...slamming the club down on his foe's head. Warm blood splashed against his face at impact.
A callous hand snaked around his dirty neck. Smooth lips brushed against his ear, that silky voice...unmistakable.
You belong to us now sweet thing. You're ou-
Shepard bolted upright. Gasping his eyes darted around the pitch black room for intruders. Reality slowly kicked back in as he became aware of his surroundings. His tight grip on the sheets loosened.
Thick strands of jet black hair clung to his sweaty forehead. He brushed them away and ran a hand through his hair unsteadily.
Sighing with relief he relaxed slightly.
"Just a nightmare Chase...just a nightmare," he said to himself as he subconsciously rubbed a deep scar right below his collarbone.
Knowing full well that he wouldn't be getting back to sleep tonight. He climbed out of bed and walked to the shower. Pulling off his alliance sweatpants, he walked under the head and swiped his hand over a small panel on the wall.
He sighed as cold water hit him, clearing his mind and washing the sweat away. He picked the sleep from his eyes before leaning his head against the wall.
He switched the water off and dried himself off. Tying his long hair back into a ponytail, he pulled on his alliance regulars and headed out of his quarters.
Still silence greeted him as he entered the mess. The only people on duty stationed themselves above him in the CIC. Grabbing a mug of coffee from the machine he sat down at one of the tables.
He took a large gulp of the strong drink, its bitter taste lingering afterwards, before setting it on the table. Sitting in silence he ran his finger along the rim of the mug absent-mindedly. A memory floated into his mind as he sat there, a happy one.
Careful baby boy...careful now.
Her words didn't stop him falling into the puddle.
He found her light chuckle infectious and joined in. They laughed together as tears streamed down her face. Tears of pure joy and laughter.
What did I tell you?
She pulled him up and giggled at his soaked clothes.
Chuckling quietly to himself, he took another swig. The nightmares were irregular now...still when they happened, they shook him to the core. The fear always came back when he wasn't in control.
"Commander, the ship is nearing the last known location of Dr. T'Soni." The ship VI stirred him from his desk work.
"Got it," he said as he grabbed his gear.
The Normandy entered the harsh atmosphere of Therum. It's outer shell glistened in the intense heat, fire and molten lava flowed beneath in the volcanic caverns. The planet would not be the first choice to go searching for archaeological dig sites. Giant grey sulphuric clouds loomed above them, devoid of colour or beauty, creating an almost apocalyptic feel.
The Normandy swept away as fast it entered, returning to the haven above the ominous clouds. The M35 Mako plummeted towards the scorched landscape, its personal micro-thrusters bursting alive with a blue-tinted energy to settle it safely.
Landing anything but smoothly as the impact sent the crew into the air on impact before being swiftly slammed back into their seats. Shepard shook his head to alert himself before checking the others. The subtle but uncomfortable nods they gave him caused him to flash a smile, hidden behind his helmet.
"This isn't exactly where I'd expect to find Prothean technology," Tali said evenly.
"Well...this is what we've got. You ready?" Shepard asked.
"Are you sure this thing is safe Commander?" Garrus asked with a slight grimace as the Mako slowly began moving over the rocky terrain. Words couldn't do justice to the pain in his back from the rather terrifying landing.
"Well...we just got dropped a couple thousand feet and survived. So my guess is yes," Shepard said as he put his foot down on the throttle.
"Yeah...got it," Garrus said as he started scanning the area.
The inside shaking like as if an earthquake hit it wasn't helping him in his task.
"Tali...the gun ready?" They both lunged forward as Shepard pulled to a sudden stop.
"Yes Shepard...anti-weapon shields at full operation. Main cannon armed and ready . Secondary weapon cooled and ready," Tali answered as she pressed various buttons at an inhuman speed.
"Good...because we're clearly not the only ones looking for Dr. T'Soni."
A large geth ship passed over head, low enough to cause the inside of the Mako to shake uncontrollably.
"She needs our help," Garrus said.
"Well let's get this show on the road." Shepard smiled to himself and smashed his foot down on the throttle eliciting a surprised whelp from Tali.
The Mako sped quickly over the rough terrain, Shepard not stepping off the gas as they travelled further into the volcanic caverns.
Through the green light of the scanner, Garrus could see the bright white sheet of heat to the side of them. Boiling molten lava travelling along the caverns and valleys. He hoped Shepard's uncontrollable driving didn't end with them becoming one with mother nature.
They passed through a slight canyon before the Mako came to a steady crawl.
Garrus spotted a base at the edge of the small canyon. "Shepard...contact dead ahead."
"Got it...there's a pass to the right. We could sneak in and gain a slight element of surprise."
"I don't think the shields on this thing are strong enough to hold off rocket turrets Shepard," Tali added.
"The flank it is...helmets on then," Shepard said before cringing slightly. "No offence Tali," he said as he exited the back of the Mako.
"None taken Commander," she said as she followed suit.
Even in his suit the heat caused him to sweat. Too long out here and dehydration could become a real problem for anyone not called geth. In a way, the fact a young asari archaeologist survived out here on her own impressed him. Luckily this useless pile of skin-melting rock possessed a generous supply of minerals which enticed humanity to claim it.
Yeah...lucky.
They swept up the pass and moved toward the base. Shepard started to realise that the geth really didn't read terrain very well. As they moved forward, he spotted dozens of ambush points that could be utilised to slaughter oncoming hostiles in a crossfire. Unique...everyone called his mind unique in the alliance for spotting advantages. He never understood it, terrains always had patterns and no matter where the terrain lied, the patterns were always there.
Shepard halted the group as they reached the edge of the pass. A short steep slope led to the base beneath them. He pulled his sniper from his back and scouted the area. Geth stood littered around the base, although not as many as he would expect. They were clearly on full alert.
He did a quick headcount before returning his sniper to its place upon his back. "There's not many...not enough to give us any real trouble anyway." Grabbing the assault rifle from his back he inched down the slope.
Tali and Garrus followed closely behind, stopping and starting as he did. Tali's hands shook unsteadily as she followed the two, her lack of experience in these situations frightened her. She forced herself to stomach the fear and kept her pace. She wouldn't appear frail in front of anyone.
Shepard stopped again. Pointing toward a group of geth he took aim. Garrus did the same.
"Three, two...one." Their weapons barked, the flash from the muzzle hidden from view, as the geth fell to the floor instantly.
"Move," Shepard said. Sweeping on they took cover at the side of a gate base at the side of the checkpoint.
Tali and Garrus headed toward the other at Shepard's signal. "Move on my signal."
"Copy," Garrus replied.
"Go." The three disappeared inside the buildings. A quick exchange of gunfire sounded throughout the smouldering valley before silence.
"Clear here Shepard." Shepard emptied his last few shots into the geth beneath his feet. White puss oozed onto the floor, slipping through the metal grates.
"All clear here. Rendezvous at the Mako." Shepard slapped the side of his gun, the sound of it overheating annoying him.
"One down..." Shepard said to himself. "There's always fucking more." He headed out.
Liara panicked as the sound of gunfire echoed from the mine shaft. The sweat on her brow evaporated quickly from the heat in the dig site.
How she had gotten into this situation both surprised and annoyed her. Her own silly interest and curiosity. Now she found herself floating behind a biotic curtain, her arms and legs stretched to her sides. She felt tired, in pain and uncomfortable and knew she looked weak and pathetic in her current predicament.
She thought her life would be over swiftly when the krogan entered the mine with a group of geth. At first her mind filled with confusion, then anger when she learned her mother sent them to retrieve her. What had happened to her?
The krogan taunted her but never found a way in...obviously not accustomed to the poor technology here. The only way of course lay behind them...the mining laser. Activating it would more than likely collapse the entire structure on her head. She didn't want to die...not here.
The room fell silent suddenly, Liara's panic increased tenfold. A loud creak echoed before a deafening crash.
Someone must be using the old mining elevator, she thought before cringing as a large crash rang through the mine.
"FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT." She heard a deep masculine voice shout as the sound of the elevator falling faded.
The sound of footsteps on the metal floor echoed in her ears. She begged the goddess they were here to help her. What could she do...cry for help. She needed to at least try something.
"Excuse me...excuse me. Can someone here me?" she called as the footsteps grew closer.
A blue colour shone out across the lower mine. Shepard heard a sweet innocent voice call out from inside. He cautiously approached the blue sheen of light, a biotic barrier stonewalled them from the inside.
"Hello...can you help me? Please help me." Shepard finally put a face to the voice.
From her position, obviously Dr. T'Soni didn't anticipate the protheans having traps to keep intruders out. Her lips were dry and cut, her eyes heavy with fatigue and distress. Clearly hungry and dehydrated, she looked in far worse condition than her innocent voice let on.
Shepard took off his helmet, thick strands of his hair stuck themselves to his sweat drenched forehead. He brushed it away and wiped it in his sleeve.
"I'm assuming you are Dr. Liara T'Soni."
"Yes." At least the man appeared friendlier than the krogan. "Please help me."
Shepard nodded. "Wait Shepard...shouldn't we be more careful. Her mother is with Saren, she co-"
"I am not my mother." Liara interrupted Garrus with an angry tone. It still sounded innocent to Shepard's ears.
"I understand your caution Garrus but we have no other choice."
"It's your call Commander," Garrus said before stepping back.
"Any ideas on how to get you out of there Dr. T'Soni?" Shepard asked. The barrier reacted to his touch, recoiling against his finger before pushing it back.
"I don't know...it's prothean. The controls are located behind me," Liara said. The desperation in her voice started to become more evident, even to her own ears.
"Don't worry...we'll get you out Dr. T'Soni." Liara felt a knot of panic in her stomach as the group left her alone in her self-made prison.
Shepard roamed his eyes across the lower mining cavern. He couldn't see anything of immediate use.
"Shepard." Tali pointed toward the mining laser. "We could use the mining laser to blast the wall away."
Smiling at her he put his helmet back on. "Good thinking Tali. Let's get to it."
Liara remained helpless in her self-made tomb. Death by self imprisonment, how embarrassing. An uproar of gunfire from the lower cavern startled her again before more eerie silence.
Her eyes opened in shock as the ground rumbled beneath her feet. They used the mining laser to destroy the wall. Liara's throat felt sore as she swallowed. The creaking elevator behind her sprang into life, slowly coming up to her level. She silently prayed to the goddess that her saviours were as friendly as they first appeared.
Hearing footsteps behind her she inclined her head towards them. The same group at least and not the krogan.
Shepard stared at the panel of buttons before him. Confused momentarily, they suddenly began to make sense to his eyes.
"Um...there should be a co-"
Liara's mouth fell agape in shock as Shepard punched in a series of commands. She shrieked as the barrier dropped her to the floor, rather unkindly.
"Oh...thank you so much," she said as she began to pull herself up.
Shepard offered his hand for assistance. As she took it she finally got her glimpse of her saviour. Dark eyes locked with her hers for a moment before he hauled her to her feet.
"Who are you? If you don't mind me asking."
"I'm Commander Shepard of the SSV Normandy. This is my squad, Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah." Shepard noticed the shake in her shoulders.
"We're here to help Dr. T'Soni," Tali said.
"Liara...please call me Liara." Liara steadied herself. She didn't realise how weak she'd become. Her legs felt like jelly, her body begged for water.
"We can exchange pleasantries later...right now we need to get out of here," Shepard stated firmly.
Liara grimaced as she placed one foot in front of the other. She breathed a sigh of slight relief as they stood on the elevator. She tried to steady her painfully weak legs to no avail.
"Commander...a krogan battle master tried to get me before you arrived. He may still be-"
A violent rumble, shaking the elevator and it's foundations interrupted Liara.
"The hell was that?" Shepard asked and readied his weapon.
"The mining laser must have caused seismic activity. The whole mine is coming down," Liara stated in panic.
"Well that is just...fucking brilliant." Shepard radioed the Normandy. "JOKER...get a shuttle down here pronto," he barked into the comm.
He received a mumbled response in return.
The rumbling and erratic shaking didn't quit as the elevator reached the top of the mine. A bright ray of white light pierced their eyes as the doors before them slid open.
"Well well...hand over the sweet doctor and we'll let you live." The krogan battle master stood in front of a small group of geth, all heavily armed.
"Please...don't." Liara pleadingly looked at Shepard.
Shepard's eyes remained locked on the krogan's. "This is taking too long...get the fuck out of our way."
"I like the way you think human," the krogan bellowed.
"Liara...cover now," Shepard shouted.
Liara ran back as far as she could, crying out in panic as gunfire exploded around her. Putting her hands over her ears she desperately tried to block out the unsettling sound of metal hitting the floor and blood splattering on the walls. Finally after a silent respite, she peeked around the corner.
Tali and Garrus immediately started for the catwalk, both hoping to leave this place as fast as possible. Shepard turned back to get Liara, seeing her cowering behind the panel made him angry for a moment.
Another loud rumble washed through the mine. The ceiling above them began to fall, large bits of debris fell and smashed all around them. A feeling of dread passed over her. She couldn't move, her legs wouldn't budge.
"Get to the exit now," Shepard shouted.
Shepard's angry shout brought her back to reality.
He saw Liara timidly shuffle toward him, distressed and in agony as she held her leg. In no mood for pity, he grabbed her roughly by the arm and locked his eyes on hers.
"Liara...we have no time for pain now. Deal with the pain later...now start running." Liara nodded swallowed at his words before releasing the grip on her leg.
She had no other choice but to try...even if the pain became unbearable. She had to at least try.
Shepard ran ahead of her. She couldn't hope to keep up with his pace, not with the pain in her leg, and she had an idea that he most certainly could run faster. Only slowing down to make sure she didn't slip too far behind. She again felt weak and pathetic.
She set off into a jog before a piece of debris landed next to her on the catwalk, startling her momentarily. Natural instinct took over as she broke off into an agonizing sprint, running as fast and as hard as she could but struggling to keep up with the group.
Shepard heard Liara scream as he neared the exit. Turning he saw her drop to one knee, holding her leg in agony as tears streamed down her face.
Tali and Garrus stopped near the door looking back at Shepard.
"Get out and radio Joker," Shepard shouted as he headed back.
Barely dodging a large piece of debris he reached her side. Her wrenching sobs were loud to his ears, heard even under the angry rumbling of the soon to become ruin.
"Come on Liara...I'm not leaving you here." He wrapped her arm around his shoulder and hoisted her up to her feet.
Screaming even louder Liara dropped back to the floor. "Please help me...don't leave me...please." Liara's tear filled eyes locked with his.
"I'm not leaving you here." He went to grab her arm only for her to push him away weakly.
"I can't...it hurts too much." Liara wiped her eyes but it didn't stop the tears of pain and fear from re-emerging.
The loud sound of clattering metal rang out in their ears. A piece of debris shattered part of the catwalk in front of the exit. The noise grew quieter and quieter as the metal plummeted further before shattering on the rock floor below. Another angry bellow from the mine followed.
Liara cried out in despair as their only hope of escape vanished.
Shepard grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look at him. "Now listen to me...I don't plan on dying in this fucking cave. If you can't walk then I'm going to just have to fucking carry you."
"But the way out is-" Liara shrieked as Shepard pulled her over his shoulder.
Her weight didn't hold much of a problem for his strength but a huge obstacle stood in their way. The catwalk began collapsing behind them, travelling towards them as if possessed by the devil himself.
Shepard realised he couldn't jump the gap with her on his shoulder, the distance stretched on too far. Knowing the fall would definitely end in their demise he dropped her into his arms as if cradling her.
"I'm sorry about this Liara." Shepard stepped back before running at full speed toward the gap.
"Wha-" Liara cried out as Shepard launched her to the other side. She screamed in pain as she landed hard on the metal surface.
She heard the loud thud of heavy boots next to her before being hoisted back onto his shoulder.
The walls caving around them, Shepard growled with frustration. He took off as fast as he could, his speed and stamina further increased by the course of adrenaline flowing through his veins. Liara felt like a feather on his shoulder, his legs felt light as he began charging up toward the exit.
The green light on the door screamed safety but it seemed to get further and further away as he swept forward.
The dust, debris and smoke grew closer and closer as Shepard sprinted up the large cylindrical chute. He could hear Liara's choked cries as she saw the carnage approaching behind them. Reaching the door he opened it just as the debris clawed at them.
Opening quickly he near jumped out of the mine, not letting Liara go. The door closing shut out the feral cry of the debris and dust.
Outside didn't feel much better, his fatigue hit him straight away. Liara suddenly felt heavier on his shoulder as the adrenaline began to fade. He took a much-needed breath of air before heading down the ramp.
"Liara...we're okay." Only silence. Bringing her back into his arms he realised she had passed out.
The Normandy awaited them at the end of the ramp, the hangar door wide open. If there were geth still around, Shepard would be extremely annoyed with Joker. He felt thankful to see the Normandy waiting however and not a shuttle like he expected.
He swept forward and ran up the ramp of the Normandy. Dr. Chakwas met him in the cargo bay, a concerned look adorned her face when she spotted the poor asari unconscious in his arms.
She checked her pulse and made him place her on the gurney. "Get her to the med-clinic now," she instructed as they carried her to the elevator.
"Will she be okay Doc?" Shepard asked.
Chakwas nodded before taking off after the gurney. The group disappeared up the elevator as Shepard leant on the weapons bench in front of him. Taking a well needed breather, he removed his helmet.
Sweat dripped down his face, the cool air of the cargo bay felt amazing on his skin. His hair clung to him, unkempt and ruffled. He hadn't realised how much water he'd lost during the mission. Wiping his brow he saw Tali and Garrus kneeling on the floor near one another.
Walking over he looked down at them. "You two okay?" he asked.
"Yeah...just catching our breath," Garrus gasped.
"Keelah...that was close Shepard." Tali looked by far the worst out of the three. Her legs and hands shook as she knelt, her face looking downwards.
Looking at Garrus Shepard placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Take her to the mess...get some food and water in you."
Garrus nodded and took Tali by the arm. "What ab...about Liara...She..Shepard?" Tali stuttered.
"She's being taken care of. There's nothing more we can do for her right now." Tali nodded glumly.
Garrus took her weight, almost carrying her toward the elevator.
Turning back to sit on the weapon's bench Shepard wiped his brow again. Having a moment to recollect, he removed his combat gloves.
He sat there for a while, staring at his hands.