A/N:
Remind me to never write when I got people IMing and texting me xD.. Sorry my last chapter was written while I was extremely distracted/tired and I should have waited to post it so I could fix it up a bit. Anywho this chapter will be better I promise =o
Also, to Octo8.1: Thanks for the tidbit. I haven't gotten my hands on the Mass Effect comics yet, so I didn't know Miranda was apart of it. I only knew of Feron (Of course lol). If I had known that sooner that scene would've played out differently. xD
Anywho on to the next =x
Chapter 15
Shepard stood behind Joker along with Miranda and even Liara. Kate was in her hard suit, weapons ready, her helmet in hand, in a pouch on her utility belt their viral package ready to go. They all stared in silence at the monitor before them. It told them of their course, where they were, sensor readings. They were getting closer to their destination.
"Can you pick up the Alliance fleet yet?" Shepard asked of Joker. He began to type in commands as he brought up a sensor reading. He shook his head as Kate took to looking out the window. She could only hope Ashley wouldn't get to Invictus in time. Who knew how many Reapers were out there.
"Open the com, Joker." Shepard said as she stood up straight glimpsing once to Miranda and Liara at her sides. Liara gave her a assuring look, one that said she could do this. No matter what happened, Shepard would do this.
Shepard took in a deep breath as she turned around to face the CIC. "Grunt, Jack, and Tali meet me at the air lock, ten minutes till we get to Invictus." She said as she took the few steps to the air lock. She stopped at the entrance to the door way as she turned to face Miranda and Liara who followed her.
"Miranda, you have the ship. If it looks like we aren't coming back, or that the Normandy is going to blow, get the hell out." Shepard said firmly. Miranda glimpsed to Liara once who didn't take her eyes off of Kate. She then turned back to face her Commander. She saluted her once. "Aye-aye, Commander." She said before she turned to head back towards Joker.
Liara stepped up closer to Kate as the human took her hands in her own. "You had better come back to me, Katelyn Shepard." Liara said firmly, a look of agitation on her face. Kate smirked once as she ran her gloved hands once over the Asari's cheek. She stayed silent how ever. She wasn't sure what to say.
Liara then reached up and began to pull the chain that held Kate's old dog tags off her neck. Kate watched her mildly puzzled as Liara held them out for Kate to take. "Liara, I told you to keep them." Katelyn said as she gently pushed the offered tags back towards Liara. Liara grabbed Kate's hand however as she placed it in her palm. "For luck. It's brought me some in the past, might still have enough left for you." Liara stated in a poor attempt at humor.
Kate frowned as she could hear the worried tone in her voice. She couldn't refuse to take them with that kind of a statement. She put her old tags back around her neck before tucking them into her hard suit. Just another reason, on a pile of reasons, to come back to her fiancee and bondmate.
"ETA, five minutes." Joker called over his shoulder. By this point Kate looked over her own shoulder as she saw the party of three she called for approaching them. She then faced Liara again as she got onto one knee. "Be good to your mom, kiddo." Kate said as she placed a light kiss on Liara's slightly swollen belly.
Liara gave her a flustered look as Kate stood back up, grabbing hold of her and pulling her in close. It may be the last time she'd do this, Kate was filling herself with "this is my last chance" moments. She was confident she'd get the job done, but not so much on getting home. She leaned in and captured Liara's lips with her own, kissing her fiercely.
Liara quickly threw her arms around Kate as they held each other tightly. Normally Kate's friends would make a quip at her expense but they knew the reality of the dangers they now faced. They were the first and last line of defense. If they were to not make it back home, they'd give the human her last moment at peace.
Kate slowly broke off the kiss. "I'm always coming back." She said firmly. Liara couldn't help but smile at the old words once spoken to her. "If you don't you're sleeping on the couch." Liara said firmly, but Kate got the joke. She watched Liara step away from the small group as Kate turned to face her friends and comrades. "Alright people, lets lock and load." Kate said as she put her helmet on.
"Here it comes!" Joker called out as he cut the FTL drives. The scene before the Normandy was like something out of a movie. Turian military vessels mixed with large Reaper ships exchanging fire. The Turians were getting their asses handed to them, several of their ships already destroyed as debris flew about the planet.
The planet itself was riddled with fires, explosions being seen from orbit. Reapers was more of a fitting name then Joker had given credit. They literally represented death and the end of all things. It didn't take long either before the Normandy came under fire.
The ship lurched as Joker took to evasive maneuvers. Some of the blasts directed at them had hit though. Hopefully their newest upgrades would hold out long enough. "Joker, find a way to dock with one of their ships!" Shepard called out as she caught herself on the bulk head. "You certainly know how to throw a party, Shepard." Jack said with an excitement Kate hadnt heard in years.
Shepard quickly threw her helm on as Miranda sounded for stations over the intercom. This was it, Kate could finally rid the universe of these genocidal bastards once and for all. Who knew what other galaxy they might have been reeking havoc on aside from their own.
"Commander, I found a damaged Reaper, still functional, but gimping." Joker called out as Shepard came up behind him. She glimpsed out the window as she spotted said Reaper as she patted him on the shoulder. "Head for it, best chance we got with docking one without being blown up." She said confidently.
Joker nodded as Kate afforded herself one last look at the three on the bridge. Miranda was busying herself with a consol to Joker's left while Liara seated herself at the sensor and communication com on the right. "Edi, make sure the ship stays in one piece." Shepard then said.
"Understood, Shepard." The AI said. She had every confidence in her crew, except when it came to retreating when the time came for it. She knew they were a stubborn bunch, ready to go down for the good of the galaxy, for Shepard. But in this case running to fight another day was more tactical then staying and being killed.
The ship lurched again as Joker cursed as he wove the ship around to avoid more hits. "Once we're inside the Reaper, undock, help the Turians. We'll call when we're ready for pickup." Shepard said to Joker as she turned to head back for the air lock. "You got it, Shepard." He replied.
The ship pulled up along side the Reaper. Edi began to hack into it's systems as the Normandy came up side by side with their own air lock. Shepard quickly drew out her assault rifle, as the others pulled out their shot guns. "Stay close together." Shepard said. "We hit then fast and hard, keep moving. I want to be back by dinner." Shepard said.
"That's the spirit!" Grunt growled. "Hell ya, Commander!" Jack joined in. Tali smiled under her face plate. It was amazing how Shepard was able to tame such wild creatures like Grunt and Jack. They were just as loyal to her as anyone else, and ready to die for her. As was she. "Ready to go, Shepard!" Tali finally said.
Shepard smiled under her helmet as Edi came over their ear pieces, "Air lock doors opening now Shepard. Good luck." Just then the doors slowly pried themselves open. Kate took point as the three behind her covered. Shepard glimpsed inside to check the situation.
It was darker inside the vessel. Little lighting, but enough to see the way. It was clear though. Kate knew she left them with little left as allies in their galaxy but who knew what remained unseen by them. Husks could be present for all she knew.
Kate then made her way into the Reaper vessel as did the other three. "Tali, where would the com systems be in here?" Shepard asked as the doors behind them slid shut. Tali brought up her omni tool as she scanned through her data of the old derelict Reaper they found those five years ago.
"Close to the Reaper Core and IFF." She replied before looking over the schematics. Most of the reapers seemed to look the same, so she figured the interior would be relatively the same as well. "Miranda, make sure the friendlies know we're in here." Kate then said over her com device. "Already on it, Shepard." Came the other woman's voice.
Kate nodded as she looked back to Tali. "Where do we turn?" Tali looked up and pointed down one corridor. Shepard nodded as she singled Jack and Grunt to take point and scout ahead a little. She then signaled Tali to stay close to herself. Being too spread apart could be disastrous.
VWVWVW
Alright, next chapter is going to start concluding this series. I want to thank all of you again. For the reviewers, the subscribers, and those of you favored my story. I seriously appreciate all of you, and I'm writing this for you guys.
I still havent figured out a name for the side story I want to start once this is over, but I'll be sure to let you all know soon.
Until next time!
xoxoxo
Kachie