I was so excited by all the reviews last chapter! Thank you so much for letting me know your thoughts :)
Sorry for the long delay in releasing this one. I wanted to make sure I did some research before writing. Hopefully I didn't muck up any technicalities! Enjoy!
She poured the packet of coffee into the searing cup of water, watching as it dissolved quickly into a familiar dark liquid. The nutty scent of it filled her senses when it finally caught in the rising steam. As she brought the cup to her lips, she could already tell that it was still too hot to drink, but at the moment she didn't really care. Taking a sip, she held back a wince as the strong fluid stung her lips and tongue. Sensing a presence behind her, she was about to take her cup and move out of the way when two sets of claws lightly trailed up her arms, careful to avoid catching on the fabric of her shirt. Rough plates and warm breath caressed the right side of her face and it set her core alight.
"I was wondering where you disappeared to," Saren rasped in her ear.
Setting her cup back down on the counter, she leaned back against him, taking comfort in the feeling of their physical contact. "What are you going to do now that you found me?" she teased.
"I'll be more than happy to show you." Darting out his tongue, he lightly caressed it over her cheek, leaving a warm, wet trail. His hand snaked around to cup one of her breasts; grinning when he heard her sigh of anticipation and felt her body tremble slightly. The way she succumbed to him was immensely pleasing.
Pressing her rear against him, she could easily feel his arousal poking at the fabric of her pants. It excited her knowing that she could get a reaction from him with such simple intimate acts. It made her want more, and if she wasn't in her right mind she would have him take her right here and now. Though, being somewhat out of her right mind, she decided to let him continue…
"Commander! We've got a problem!" The sound of Joker's voice echoed in the mess and was filled with alarm.
"Joker, what's wrong?" she questioned, anxiety quickly chasing away the feelings of arousal and comfort.
"There's a Cerberus frigate on our tail. I can't shake 'em and they won't respond to communication." He paused briefly. "Shit. Looks like they're initiating an attack!"
The floor rumbled beneath their feet and the muffled sound of an explosion reverberated throughout the ship. The kinetic barriers were doing their job, but they wouldn't hold up forever. "EDI, get the Thanix Cannon online!"
"Right away, Commander," the AI responded.
Shepard glanced up at Saren, distress written all over her face. "Let's go," she urged.
They made it to the bridge to find Joker was not alone. Miranda and Jacob hovered over him, watching closely over the sensors. "They're still on us?" Shepard asked, moving in behind Joker.
Miranda stared hard at the consol, her features set in stone. "Yes. And I doubt we'll be able to outrun it either."
She could tell from Miranda's choice of words that there was more to this. The ship pursuing them had the advantage, and she was going to find out why. "Tell me everything you know," she demanded.
"That frigate was built specifically to combat ships like the Normandy. It has some of the most advanced stealth detection systems and jamming technology. We also suspect it is loaded with a sophisticated AI, like EDI."
"The Illusive Man had it built after you left Cerberus," Jacob put in. "I suspect your success in taking over the Normandy and crew made him piss his pants. And rightfully so," he added with a grin.
"How did you find out about the ship?" Shepard asked curiously, trying hard not to sound accusatory.
"Truthfully, we weren't supposed to know about it. But… we had our ways," Miranda said with a small smile. Another rumble shook the floor beneath their feet. "It's good you upgraded the kinetic barriers. It may buy us some time."
"Do you have a plan?" Shepard asked.
"Break through its barriers before it gets through ours," the brunette suggested in a simple tone.
"That's it?" Saren snarled from the doorway as his blue eyes flashed with sparked irritation.
Miranda shrugged her shoulders. "That's why I was glad for the extra time."
"Great…" Shepard grumbled. "EDI? You get the main gun online?"
"I have."
"Joker, can you get us turned around enough to fire?" Shepard asked, turning her attention to the pilot.
"Sure can." Joker clenched his jaw in intense concentration as he poked at the control panel. As more power was temporarily directed to the Normandy's thrusters, Joker was able to maneuver the ship until the enemy frigate's broadside finally rolled into view.
"Fire the main guns, EDI!" Shepard ordered. When the reassuring stream of blue light didn't come, she began to feel her anxiety heighten. "EDI?"
"Commander, we have a problem. It seems the enemy AI has somehow hacked into the main controls for the cannon. I am unable to bypass them at this time." EDI's voice emulated a sort of panic, almost too genuine that, for a moment, Shepard forgot she wasn't an organic.
"Shit!" Shepard hissed through her teeth. With their most powerful gun down, they'd have no choice but to resort to smaller attacks. Though, it seemed that EDI had already read her mind and began firing the Javelins. It wasn't much, but it would eat away at the enemy barrier. Better than nothing, at least. "But it's not going to be enough…" she muttered out loud.
"What about the interceptor we brought in?" Jacob suggested, turning to Miranda.
"No," the brunette snapped, curling her upper lip. "That's not even an option."
"Why not? The guns on that thing are made to take down barriers and it can interfere with the AI's connection enough to get the main gun back in action."
"The interceptor has no defense against that frigate's ordnance." Her voice was stern, but it was easy to tell it was near the shaking point. "No, Jacob, it's too heavy a risk."
Jacob shook his head, still unconvinced. But he knew better than to argue with her once she had her mind set. Suddenly the bow of the enemy frigate maneuvered to face them again and he could feel another rumble as they were hit with its firepower. Something had to be done, and soon.
"Kinetic barrier down to 50%," EDI informed them.
"Damnit!" Shepard rubbed her forehead in frustration. "If anyone has any other ideas, now is the time."
"Shepard," Saren said calmly. "I think that interceptor is currently our only option."
"If you think so, then be my guest," Miranda snarled.
"Nobody is taking the interceptor! That's an order!" the commander interrupted, her annoyance beginning to show. Her irritated tone shocked everyone into an uncomfortable silence. And that's when Miranda, realized someone was missing.
"Where's Jacob?" she asked, trying to hold back the franticness in her voice.
Shepard's silvery eyes grew wide with dread. If Jacob had gone to do what she had just ordered everyone not to do, he would practically be throwing himself right into the line of fire. If that was his intention, she would have to stop him. However, she'd barely stepped off the bridge before running face-first into a wall of muscle. James
"Commander! Jacob took the Cerberus ship!" the Lieutenant informed her.
"Damnit!" Shepard spat, spinning right back around and storming back into the room, James in toe. She was too late. "What's he think he's doing?"
"He said something about using the interceptor to take down the frigate's barrier until we can get the cannon back up."
"That's idiotic. It's too dangerous."
"It could be our only chance," Saren pointed out.
Shepard slammed her hands down on the navigation platform. "Joker, patch me through to Mr. Taylor."
"You got it."
"Jacob, this is the Normandy. Do you copy?"
"I read you loud and clear, Commander."
"Good. Then you have your orders to get your ass back here."
"No can do, Shepard."
Miranda squeezed in beside the commander. "Why are you doing this, Jacob?"
"Miranda," Jacob said, seemingly surprised to hear the concern in her voice. "Just making sure our child has a chance to see the galaxy. This is my chance to be the good father I'd hoped to be."
"Bullshit, Jacob! You're not your father. You don't need to prove otherwise."
"You're right, I'm not. He never had the guts to protect those he loved." There was a moment of silence before he continued. "I have the enemy in my sights. I'm going in."
"Jacob!" Miranda objected. But there was no reply.
The Cerberus frigate hadn't yet acknowledged his presence as he aligned with its broadside. The interceptor's guns were armed and ready. So far, he was in the clear. The first set of torpedoes launched hit precisely on target, disintegrating as they hit the ship's kinetic barrier. Jacob smiled to himself, as he launched the next set, watching as they too disappeared post-collision. Thought it wasn't innately obvious, they were doing their job. With these torpedoes and those from the Normandy, the Cerberus frigate wouldn't be able to keep up its barrier much longer. From there, it was smooth sailing. Now he just needed to jam the enemy's connection to the Normandy's systems…
Looking out the bridge window, they could see Jacob's interceptor which had successfully remained unhindered for ten minutes and counting. The frigate hadn't bothered with the smaller ship, maintaining its attacks on the main target.
"Enemy kinetic barrier reading at 10%," EDI informed them. "The Normandy sustains at 35%."
"Fuck me," James mumbled. "I think Jacob just saved our asses."
"Shepard, the enemy's connection to the Thanix cannon has been interrupted enough for me to override its mission operations. Weapon is now ready to begin enemy fire," EDI stated.
"Thanks EDI. Let's get Jacob out of there," the commander said, initiating the comm link with the interceptor.
"Jacob, you read me?"
"Hey Commander. How's that for shooting?" Jacob said proudly.
"You did great," Shepard said, a relieved smile showing through her tone. "Time for you to come home."
"EDI get that cannon online?"
"Yep. Just waiting for you to get your ass out of blast radius."
"Roger that. How's Miranda?
"She's pissed. But she'll get over it."
Jacob chuckled, picturing the look of rage on the pretty brunette's face. She'd be angry for a while, but he looked forward to the making up part that would come later. Smiling to himself, he hit the controls to begin acceleration.
"What the…" he muttered. When the ship didn't budge from its drift, he studied the control panel thoroughly. Fuel levels were fine, but the thrusters wouldn't kick on. The illumination on the control panel suddenly began to flicker ominously.
"Shepard, I think I've got a problem here," Jacob said, keeping his voice cool.
Jacob's voice came through the comm link choppy and overloaded with static. Something was wrong. "Jacob, what's going on?" Shepard demanded.
"I do-tchh know. Thrusters won't tchh-line. I think it's their AI. Tchhhhhhhh a sitting duck out here."
"Damnit, Jacob! You're cutting out!" Miranda shouted at the mic.
"Tchhhhhhhh…" Static was the only sound being transferred through the link now and it set everyone on edge, especially Miranda. She fidgeted, wringing her hands in furious frustration as she stared out the window at the small ship that drifted out in the open, too close to enemy firing range.
"We should fire the cannon," Saren said, his voice cutting through the silence.
Miranda spun around, her eyes glossed with moisture. "We can't! He's too close! When that ship explodes he'll be caught in the blast."
Saren shot upright from his leaning position against the wall. "And what good will it do him if the Cerberus shoots through our barrier?" he shot back. "What good will it do you, and your spawn?"
Miranda snapped her mouth shut, moving her hands over the slight swell of her stomach. Of course she wanted her unborn child to be safe. But she also wanted it to be raised by two good parents; which was something she, nor Jacob, ever had. She wanted this to finally be their chance and she wanted them to do it together.
"Commander, the enemy frigate is rotating the bow towards Jacob's ship. It appears they're preparing to attack. I recommend firing the Thanix immediately," suggested EDI.
"Do it!" Shepard ordered.
"Tchhhh Normandy? Tchhhh read me?"
"Not clear, but you're coming through," Shepard said.
"Tchhhh-berus spotted me. Looks like th-tchhhh launching an attack."
"We're firing the cannon, Jacob. Brace yourself for fallout."
"Sure thing tchhhh-mmander. Just tchhhh Miranda… tchhhhhhh I love her."
Miranda hunched over the mic, hoping he could still hear her. "I love you Jacob. You'll make it through this." She wasn't certain if the connection was still active, but it felt good to finally say those words, nonetheless.
"EDI, fire the Thanix Cannon," Shepard ordered
"Yes, Commander."
Jacob held his breath, anxiety intensifying with every second that ticked by. When suddenly, he could see a streak of blue laser light shoot out from the Normandy's guns. The beam hit the Cerberus ship, plowing through the last of its barrier and striking a sizable explosion into its hull. The beam continued to burrow into the exposed vessel, causing a myriad of eruptions throughout its outer plating and inner hull. So far, the fallout radius appeared minimal. Jacob's small ship may just be able to survive this. But, live or die, he was glad for this chance; the chance to be a better man, for her and his unborn child. A smile captured his lips when her image flashed into his mind. He could almost feel the soft dark hair that had flowed through his fingers and the peachy skin that he always found reason to touch. Soft blue eyes, so often hidden behind an icy glare, entrapped him all too often. She loved him. The words that had erupted through the comm warmed and contented him.
The control panel lights flickered back on, jolting him from his thoughts. The destruction within the enemy ship must have caused the AI to lose its signal. He immediately hit the control for the thrusters, eagerly anticipating the result. When they successfully powered up he smiled to himself, suddenly filled with renewed hope. That's when he caught sight of the ominous glow of the frigate's main gun, radiating with the intensity of two stars as they faced him head-on in the enemy's last act of desperation. As Jacob made the move to initiate evasive maneuvers, his hand stopped, hovering over the controls idly. It was too late... The light had already surrounded him.
As they watched Jacob's ship become enveloped in flames, the atmosphere on the bridge became dauntingly silent, grief hovering like a thick cloud.
"No!" Miranda shouted, smashing her fist against the clear solid surface that overlooked the scene.
The small interceptor never stood a chance as the laser found its mark. The loss of their friend and ship was proof that Cerberus never admitted complete failure. In their final attack, they were able to cripple the Normandy's crew both emotionally and tactically. In that they had succeeded.
Shepard bit her lower lip until she could taste the metallic bitterness of blood fill her mouth. She'd never seen Miranda cry before; never even seen her shed a tear. Now she was reacting in a way that tore Shepard's heart to pieces. Jacob, Miranda's long-time partner and lover, and Shepard's honored friend, was gone. If only she could have made the decision to fire, even a moment earlier. Perhaps that moment would have made all the difference. Swallowing her own distress, she moved toward her grieving friend and took her in her arms, doing her best to calm her. They'd lost a good man today, and a miraculous father.
Saren sat on the edge of Shepard's bed in quiet contemplation of the day's events. Though she had lost a good friend and comrade, she had seemingly managed it quite well. She never lost face when the attack happened, nor when attempting to soothe the typically callus ex-Cerberus operative. Her reserve was commendable, but he wondered how long she could actually keep it up. Even for him, despite all of his training and desensitization to death, the rage would catch up with him eventually. She was no different.
His head snapped towards the private bathroom when he heard the muffled "bang" erupt from within. Several others shortly followed. He wasn't going to intrude until the scent of her blood invaded his senses. He rushed towards the bathroom, fear and rage challenging his self-control. As the door slid open to reveal her naked, wet form, he immediately took notice of the fist-sized dent in the metal wall, adjacent to where she leaned her head. Blood trickled down the metallic surface, washing away with the steady spray of water that ran over her glossy skin.
"Shepard…" he said, stepping towards her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, paying no heed to the water that soaked through the thin fabric of his casual clothing. "Are you alright?"
She turned towards him only halfway, but not before wiping her palms over her eyes. In the movement, he quickly noticed her bloodied and bruising knuckles. "I'm fine," she muttered.
"There's nothing you could have done. It was his choice to make."
He could see her jaw clench as her face muscles flexed noticeably. "I'm their commander. There's always something I can do."
"Stop blaming yourself. No good will come of it."
"What do you know of guilt?" she spat, her frustration flaring up.
Though he knew her words were spoken in anger, they bit down hard. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to him. As her body relaxed, flush against his, he could feel her dampness begin to soak through. She felt soft, warm and it contented him. Breathing in her scent, he took comfort in her presence. And though it was selfish, he silently thanked the spirits that it wasn't her piloting that ship.
"I know plenty of guilt, Shepard," he admitted. "But it has always been fairly simple to look past it. It took me over fifty years to find something I couldn't look past - something worth fighting for… worth dying for."
Shepard sighed, her hot breath permeating the sodden cloth of his shirt. "If you pull a stunt like that, I'll kill you myself," she snarled, her voice made less threatening as it muffled against his chest.
He failed to restrain an amused grin at her attempt to sound intimidating. Pressing her body ever more firmly against him, he murmured against her damp hair, "I won't make promises that you, yourself can't make."
Writing this chapter definitely made me teary. I had been going back and forth whether or not to go through with it, but decided to take the plunge. Unfortunately the results of war can't always be rainbows and unicorns.