A/N:
As usual, I don´t own anything. Mass Effect belongs to EA and Bioware.
All of my stories are written for fun. No money made here.
Huge thanks to phnxgrl for being my voice of error. It´s not an easy job. ;-)
Leave a review, tell me what you think and most importantly, enjoy the story. :-)
...
I hate you, so much…
This is my first coherent thought when the hangar fills itself with soldiers carrying guns. This is not a recon team anymore. This is one angry bunch arm to the teeth. They look quite threatening with all the combat gear. Their threat level to me immediately increases once they support the escape of their transport by gunfire. You probably already guess it is usually at this point. The ones with guns win the argument.
This good old transport is not the most maneuverable vehicle either you know. Me maneuver along with this crazy manner AI against that? Not most favorable odds let me tell you.
"Please, tell me that this CAN have an acceptable stick?" I blurted out.
I have some experience with the concept but usually it involves the safety of my flat, bottle of something good and an option to hit the restart button once I am blown to bits. This is the first time I know what it is like for TIE pilots. They have at least some weapon of choice to fire back. I promise myself that if I survive this that Lara and I will have a big talk about offensive capabilities of a transport ship.
Considering that it is not exactly built for this kind of workout, it performs admirably. The thing that helps us the most is the fact that the shooting cavalry have to be careful not to hit their own ship. I hope that thanks to this little issue we would have a chance to survive. It turns out that they did not give a damn about it. It is either that or they have a huge faith in their pilot.
With Goblin's help we are able to play the game of pinball for free. This tactic would not exactly serve us for long. In the meantime our target has landed in the hangar bay. The doors are closing rapidly. Our engines cries out in agony as the gearbox clearly passes the save limit. Meanwhile, our good old transport's control panel is giving me warning notifications all over the screen. With everything being so shaky looking I rather focus on one thing I could control at least a little bit – piloting.
Somehow with all this craziness, I remember my most beloved movie from my kid's years, Apollo 13. Which is weird, considering the circumstances, I guess Star Wars or Star Trek references would be more fitting but I digress. At this point I found out exactly why I did not want to be an astronaut anymore. Again, is anyone able to see the irony here besides me? Admiring the beauty of space is fine. Pushing the limits of gravity just for kicks is not exactly what could be called a healthy habit for safe space exploring.
"Prepare yourself for the Skywalker trick." Goblin announces in a very annoyingly cheerful manner.
That is not good sign at all. I only manage to gulp. Giving controls to crazy AI in this type of a scenario? You can do the math.
"Don't worry, the ship structure should handle it." Goblin pronounces.
I half expected Han Solo to appear to say, "Hold together" under his breath.
Before I could think about it some more we are literally squealing our way into the hangar. The landing is not pretty. I only register Goblin screaming at me. An unknown force rips me out of the cockpit then everything goes dark.
When I come to I find myself sitting in my cockpit chair, somehow hanging on what I guess is some part of a cable from the wall thanks to a diploid parachute. I have a first person eagle view on the goriest sight I have ever seen. I nearly puke into my mask. Though, I manage to keep it down for the moment. The destruction is enormous. I have the sober thought this have taken lives. This thought is at the surface not wanting to be buried deep inside like I certainly want. I need not to dwell on this fact at all. This time I toss my mask away. I let it all out. It was not exactly pretty sight. The helmet makes a ding noise on the floor. I feel numb. There are blood and human parts everywhere. I guess there are a large number of people that are spaced out, thanks to the impact. The hangar door remains expressionlessly close like some Veil of Death. I feel horrible, asking myself, why exactly I agreed to do this? That is when I remember Mike's sardonic words:
"Sometimes it's better to just write about it…"
At this moment I curse my moronic younger self for being so eagerly dumb. The moment of understanding flashes through my mind at light speed. There is a reason why soldier's life is not for everybody. It is a life of self-sacrifice and no matter how flashy it might look on TV. The reality is much grimmer. I do not know how long I stay letting myself wallow in self-pity. It could have been seconds, minutes, or even hours. Only the sound of opening doors seems to arouse me.
A lonely man with his assault rifle coming out of the hall checks the perimeter. From his posture and eagerness I would say a lucky rookie is a safe assumption. Disposing of the safety belt quickly as I could, the slight click sound to me was like a loud gunshot. Thankfully, the guy remains oblivious. Waiting for him to come closer and pass under me I jump cautiously to the ground in the crouching position. (I freely admit it was not exactly 10 out of 10 performance but hey, newbie gymnast here!) Being right behind him I attempt a surprise attack. I have waited too long. I do not know how long we stare at each other. I have seen it all. Surprise, fear and determination all these emotions find a spot on his face. Pulling myself up on my arms allows me one swift kick to the knee. This manages to just put him on my level. The next one to the face puts him down permanently.
…These exercises are really good for something…
Swallowing even more than my pride I pick up my helmet then look to find my weapons. I find them at the other end of the hangar area in weapon stash cold and collected.
Alright, the ship structure huh?
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty, move your sweaty ass!" Goblin orders.
So the crazy one is still kicking? Well that was a positive thing in the circle of negativity.
"How many and please, tell me that you are jamming the cameras?" I asked while gearing up.
"Six buddies, seven in total with our lady. It takes time for Will and Skill to outsmart the systems." Goblin replies to my query.
I did my best not to roll my eyes and remain focus on the task at hand.
"Does this ship have a medical unit?" I ask.
"Yes" is the AI's quick reply.
In a maze of halls I finally manage to find an elevator. On the other hand, using it directly would be heroic but suicidal attempt. But on the other hand, in this particular instance I did not have exactly many options. If the truth has to be told here, at this moment I want to be elsewhere. I feel like I am doing my Finals again. In some form of twisted sense it is true. Only difference is the interpretation of the word failure. When you fail the exam your ego probably suffers a huge letdown. However, you mostly stay alive. My punishment for failure here is raised to a much higher stake. With two calming breaths, I wait for the car to arrive.
The sound of moving machinery is heard. I have my final choice to pick sides then take a stand. I have to believe I'm making the right decision to come with Lara. Otherwise, there is a strong possibility I become a headless pawn in someone else's tiff. That is something I simply could not allow. You may call that my first step to self-awareness or even maturity.
I let my training take over. Using it as a tool I regain my bearings then remember who I am. In a way this is my unofficial graduation ceremony. The real test is to simply remind me that the consequences of my actions will be totally on me. True, Lara is my advisor, mentor and a friend trough this otherwise unknown environment. Though, knowing that means there will be a large amount of instances when I have to be on my own and take responsibility for my actions. Knowing this now somehow makes it more manageable and less fantastical than it has been earlier. I am now placed into this metaphorical Rubik's Cube. I will either solve my puzzle or die. I choose the harder path. Not only it seems like the more rewording option, but despite all of it that happened to me so far I enjoy life. Sure, there were some ups and downs but who does not live through them from time to time. With all these thoughts running through my head the doors open.
I became more than happy to find that walls of the cabin are mirror-less. True, my helmet covers the head and the visor most of my face. These facts quite frankly removes even most of my fears. It makes them hidden and practically unreachable. This time Lara does not need help from a trainee. (Who at this moment was scared shitless). She needs the calculating and calm individual that gets the job done. I step into the car.
The doors of the elevator close with a provocative ding sound and with it also my last pieces of hesitation. From this point on I could not afford to doubt. It sounds crazy to me even right now. Few more calming breaths before my hand calmly reached to my holster. With yet another sort of symbolic sound ending of the imaginary loading screen.
It was a pretty warm welcome. Three guys in black suits with black ties looking like an expensive version of Bond – type henchmen. Only thing missing were stylish black sunglasses. These guys were bodybuilders. Good in their line of work, highly trained according to their body-posture. This only means that the guys I met so far are only the lightweights.
It is pointless to fight against with no positive outcome in sight. If I did that, or anything of a similar I would risk Lara's life. I could probably take these guys out. It would not be riskless or painless either. Though, it is just a too rash for my liking. She is obviously valuable to someone. I definitely did not want to play the poker game yet, without at least getting know the other players of the game sitting around this metaphorical table. Yes, my MAN´S ego probably would suffer a heavy striking blow when it comes to the subject of damsels in distress. Hey, these are not my books to write or anyone else's. In this instance the reality of the situation seems to have an awful sense of urgency.
I suspect that thanks to my current mood and the situation I am not exactly the chattiest person to be around. So, we have this awkward standoff. The air is so thin you could probably hear a pin drop. Everyone expects the other one to make a move. I like to think that my suit intimidate them at least a little bit. Fortunately for either of us nothing happened of that sort. In these kinds of situations the higher power isalways going to play a significant part in the final outcome. I am already starting to notice an unwelcome pattern since the beginning of my adventure. I could not tell if I like it that way though, I did not have much of a time to object.
"Mr. Andrews, do you agree that it would be benefiting for you to just kindly follow my associates?" the voice asks.
I continue to stare down the group as the voice continues.
"The alternative does not seem to have any kind of positive income for you. So if you please…" it states.
The mystic voice on the other side covered in cyber word behind the voice modulator has it under control. Whatever the circumstances seems to have been, the ball is now on my part of the court. They just wait patiently for my answer. I look for the proper angle to make this exchange worthwhile. So to move the conversation forward in false pretense I decide to make dialog.
"Yes, I do agree it is a most sensible proposition. Please lead the way." I say holstering my weapon.
Of course I did not expect to pull the rabbit out of the hat in this hairy situation. Rather I wish to get the hat in reasonable price range then take care of this metaphorical rabbit. Of course, every magician has at least some piece or form of the equipment. I am a fan of misty action. That is probably why I like watching Copperfield so much.
Following my newfound marching band I nearly smile despite my situation, mainly because of what came next. The cynic part of me which contains a large portion of my personality is mostly fairly hidden. When the large room arises with a giant dais holograph in the centre and Lara leaning or rather laying on that dais right in the middle it is impressive. This calls out for any kind of a fan to shout the first thing that obviously comes to mind which is the B movie Villain. Again, I give props to my self control. The consequences would not do us any favors. Not only would it make my elevator psyching less then pointless. It would probably jeopardize any chance for rescue attempt.
So, with my band shadowing me I found myself in front of mister Scarecrow. His face is mostly covered with scars. The only thing that stands out is his eyes. Covered in black robe he almost gives me Sidious vibe.
"I'm glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence Mister Andrews." The voice says.
It is a strange combination of Palpatine and Agent Smith. That is really scary combination for my ears. Until I realized it was all thanks to some kind of voice modulator.
"I'm happy to oblige, so what you want from me?" I ask being direct.
This guy did not look like someone who would take bullshit for long.
"Why do you assume that this have to something to do with you at all?" The man asks with a tone that sounds amused.
I rather cooked up a quite simple response.
"Then you wouldn't want me to be here?" I asks being a bit self satisfied with my question. "If that is the case I would gladly leave you to your business."
"That is quite self-centered of you don't you think?" he responds.
I smiled at that quip.
"I suppose it is, but yet it's true." I reply.
"True I suppose. Are you ready to pay the bill?" He asks as the hand points at unconscious Lara.
"What do you mean paying a bill?" I asked even though I was certain that I know the answer.
"Do you remember the feeling you get when you have hanging in that hangar? This feeling does not go away. It will hunt you then grow on you. The path will consume you then turn into you a creature that you will not recognize. In the end you will not get anything in return. Choose wisely." He sagely says with a look from his eyes that tells the story.
"You live like this once didn't you?" I ask.
"True, once I became a pawn in somebody's big game and didn't come out on top." He replies with a smirk was barely visible.
"Then why did you basically hand your soldiers to their death? You obviously care about life, why would you do such thing in the first place?" I ask being very perplexed about the outcome.
"It is to give you a mirror. When we meet again I'm certain your idealistic views would not be so strong anymore." The hologram says as it fades.
I stare at the empty space then notice I am alone in the room too. The marching band has somehow managed to beam up with him.
"Is it just me or this entire conversation was kind of pointless?" Goblin asks announcing his presence.
"Why would you think that?" I ask the crazy AI.
Both questions had their own level of relevance.
"He basically schools you then gives you this ship for free." The AI responds.
I ignore the AI then move to Lara slump on the dais. I attempt to find Lara's pulse. I pick her up then move her with Goblin's directions to the medbay. During this time I decide to give a little more thought to what Goblin is inferring. True, I would not call slaughter of the crew exactly a gimme. Even I have to admit that something is looking quite fishy about this whole thing.
Then there is the whole clean up part. Apparently, the mystery man beams up everything and everyone out of this ship. Goblin makes it his mission to get the total ownership over this ship. While his trusted bodies Will and Skill are trying to figure out how exactly everything that did happen could happen. Personally, I suspect him of trying to find some sort of copout that he would later proclaim as theory.
With his help I have been able to stabilized Lara. Granted, I'm happy to find out that she will live. Though, this mess does get to me. There is so many variables that it makes my head hurt. Then, there is Aria. Despite Goblin's reassurances that everything is pretty much low key thanks to the ship's stealth system, I highly doubt that the Queen of Omega just will chill out. Boy, how right I was…