A/N: Aww man...two double shifts at work in a row with over 25 hours logged within two days. I should get a pay raise for this shit, lol.
It took me a while but I finally managed to get the Therum mission put together for you readers. So without anymore interruptions, here we GO! (I own nothing).
Alexander 'Maverick' Drake
SSV Normandy - Comm/Briefing Room
July 22, 2183 - 14:11 hours
Alex stood in at the head of the briefing room cloaked as the ground team slowly filed in. The Normandy was now over the planet Therum as Joker used the ship's navigations to find the dig site Liara was located at.
Once everyone was inside and had taken a seat, Jane stood up and began the meeting. "Uh, ma'am? Shouldn't we wait for Maverick?" asked Kaidan.
"I'm already here Lieutenant." said the vigilante decloaking and startling almost everyone.
"Can you please stop doing that." said Garrus shaking his head, "Spirits, you scare enough people when your visible. Doing that will kill someone some day."
"Sounds like fun to me." said Wrex chuckling.
Jane cleared her throat to get everyone's attention before bringing up a map of the dig site and the surrounding area on vid-screen. "From what we can tell the planet is mostly volcanic in nature. High temperatures, lava streams, so some of the areas may be unstable. Add in the fact of all the digging done in and around the Prothean ruins there are chances of a cave in."
"What are our objectives Skipper?" asked Ashley.
"Locate Dr. T'Soni and extract her. We haven't confirmed Geth presence in the vicinity but be ready when we touch down." she said before turning to the vid screen.
"Given that the land around the dig site could be weaker than the rest of the terrain we'll be dropping in the Mako a few clicks back from the target location and rolling through." she highlighted a path from the target drop site leading to the entrance to the ruins. "We are to eliminate any and all hostiles along the way to make sure we have a stable EZ. Questions?"
"When can we get started?" asked Wrex cracking his large knuckles.
"Commander we've reached the target drop point. Just waiting on you." said Joker over the intercom.
Jane nodded before turning to her fellow Spectre. "Preferences?" Alex looked at the squad, "We don't know what we're up against when we hit dirt, and once we're in the ruins it'll be close quarters. I'd say Kaidan for his biotics and tech skills for when we need them, and Wrex for backup support."
"Agreed, everyone suit up. If something happens down there I want the rest of you on standby just incase. Dismissed." said the Commander. The team filed out leaving the two Spectres alone. "You ready for this?" she asked as they left the room and headed to the elevator.
"I'm always ready Commander. And it gives us a good chance to see how well we fare together as a team." replied the vigilante as they stepped into the cargo hold and headed to their equipment lockers.
Alex gathered all of his weapons and slid them into the right spots, being sure to stock up extra on spare clips, grenades and explosive arrows.
Jane finished getting into her armor and looked over at her partner, "Old gunpowder guns? Where'd you get those?"
The Post-Human jammed a fresh clip into his Jackel before slipping it onto his back next to the Grendel. "Around. Have to keep them maintained well since there aren't many spare parts floating around. But they'll kill anything pretty easily."
When they were armed and ready, the group of four headed over to the Mako and climbed inside. Jane in the driver's seat, Kaidan in navigation, Alex in the turret and Wrex in the troop compartment. "Were one minute from the drop zone Commander, get ready." said Joker.
Jane powered up the rover's engine as she waited for the green light. The cargo bay doors opened to the orange/red sky of Therum and she got the go ahead. The Mako roared as it flew from the ship's underbelly and plummeted toward the ground below.
Alex felt the small case of zero gravity from the drop but didn't flinch. After free-falling several stories and being inside crashing troop transports this was a cake walk. Kaidan however, looked like he was about to lose his lunch...and his stomach all at once.
The Commander was enjoying the drop openly while Wrex sat casually in the back as though nothing were going on at all.
When they were close to the ground, Jane activated the Mako's thrusters to slow their decent before they landed with a heavy thud on the planet's surface. "We've touched down, everyone's okay." said the Commander.
"Commander. I'm picking up some strange readings. Really strange. Like, off the damn charts. It looks like it's coming from an underground complex a few clicks away from the drop zone." said Joker.
"That's gotta be the dig site. Whatever reading's Joker is picking up must be coming from the ruins." said Kaidan.
"Then we better get there fast as see what's going on." said Jane hitting the gas causing the rover to surge forward across the rough ground. They bounced and jostled around hitting every bump in the road as the Mako drove across the planet's surface.
Alex tapped a few controls inside the turret's control pod. "Prophet, connect with the turret's targeting system." he he said placing his hand over the console. His HUD flickered a moment before a targeting cross hair appeared along with a temperature gauge for the main cannon and the machine gun. "Connection Established." said the AI.
"What's going on up there Maverick? The onboard VI said there was a slight surge." asked Shepard.
"Getting a feel for the controls ma'am." said Alex swinging the gun around searching for hostiles as they continued to travel across the nearly barren land.
They crested over a small hill when the loud hum of engines was heard. A large shadow passed over them as a long insect looking ship stopped, hovering over the ridge ahead of them. "Geth dropship!" shouted Kaidan as the vessel dropped three pods on the ground before flying off.
The three pods quickly unfolded revealing Geth Armatures that began firing large plasma bolts in their direction.
Jane spun the wheel, avoiding the large blasts of energy as they drew closer to the ridge. Alex zoomed in on the targets and fired the main cannon, the heavy shell taking out one of the Armatures' shields and causing significant damage. A second shot blew the large machine to scrap but had caused the cannon to start overheating.
Switching to the machine gun, Alex opened up on the second Armature standing close to the first. The rounds quickly dropping it's shields and giving the cannon enough time to cool down before the Post-Human blew it's head off with a heavy shell.
The last Armature continued to fire on the Mako not caring in the slightest for it's comrades' demise. Using the same tactic as the last one, Alex dropped it shields with the machine gun before blowing it to pieces with the cannon.
"Good shooting Maverick." said Jane as they drove past the piles of scrap metal.
"How did you do that? The rover was bouncing and swerving all over the place." said Kaidan in slight shock.
"Think about who you're talking to Lieutenant. A few bumps won't throw my sight off that easily." said the vigilante. 'Well, that and my suit's AI assisting with the targeting. But they don't need to know that.' the thought mentally chuckling.
They drove up another hill and down a dirt path that lead to a large metal wall with a doorway built-in. It was then that two rocket turrets suddenly came online and fired on them. Jane slammed the Mako's thrusters causing it to leap into the air and over the explosive projectiles at the last moment. "Only a fool would consider a full frontal assault when the enemy has the high ground." commented Wrex.
Alex brought up the map the Commander had shown them earlier on his HUD. The main path was still highlighted, but he saw a smaller path branching off from the route they were taking. "Commander, there's a smaller route leading around the front entrance. It should take us right inside the encampment ahead." he said firing on the turrets.
"He's right, take a right up here!" shouted Kaidan as a rocket managed to strike the hull of the rover and causing it's kinetic barriers to drop to 76%
Jane hit the gas, swerving around several more rockets before getting the Mako into the off-shoot the others had told her about. "Maverick, keep your eyes peeled for hostiles." she said maneuvering through the slightly cramped path.
They turned the first corner and Alex opened fire on a Geth heavy turret before it had a chance to come online, destroying it in moments.
The following corner revealed the inside of the guarded encampment where several Geth mobile platforms came online and began shooting at them. Alex quickly tagged them on his HUD. "Geth Forces detected. Two Juggernaut class units. Three Rocket class units. Four Shock Trooper class units." said Prophet.
Alex focused on the Juggernauts first as Shepard moved the Mako around the oncoming heavy fire. Running down a couple of units in the process.
A heavy shell blew one of the Juggernauts apart before the two Rocket units that were standing with it were taken apart by machine gun fire. The vigilante swiveled the turret around and blew two more Rocket Geth that appeared along the wall of the encampment before going back to cleaning up the remaining units on the ground.
When the last Geth fell, Jane rolled the Mako up on the door that would lead them closer to the dig site. "Alright, we need to get this door open. Everyone out!" she ordered popping the hatch.
Alex got out last, taking out his Grendel and surveying the area for any Geth they may have missed. "Kaidan and I will handle the door." said Jane. Alex nodded, "Wrex and I will cover the rover. Stay frosty, I have a feeling there are more of them here." he said still searching for hostiles.
When the Commander and Lieutenant entered the gate control room, the sound of mechanics and rapid clicking caught the attention of the nano soldier and Krogan warlord.
Looking back at the Mako, they saw a Geth Shock Trooper crawling out from under the front bumper. Leaving a trail of white fluid behind from where it's legs were torn off.
"Heh, too easy." said Wrex racking his large shotgun.
Alex quickly snapped a hand out and stopped him, "Wait...I might have an idea." he said walking over to the damaged Geth. The synthetic's lone optic looked up at the black and silver armored being. Shuttering a few times giving the thought that it could have blinked.
The Post-Human grabbed the Geth by its neck and had Prophet start ripping data from it. The synthetic gave out a loud screech, clicking wildly as it's data banks were ripped into by the advanced AI. It took only a few seconds before Prophet responded. "Data Mine Complete. Geth Programming Codes Obtained." Alex looked at the data that scrolled across his HUD before crushing the head of the now catatonic Geth in his hand.
He had Prophet begin re-writing the pilfered codes as the door leading out of the encampment slowly opened, Jane and Kaidan quickly joining them soon after. "We miss anything?" she asked as they got back into the Mako.
"I just watch Maverick here torture a Geth before killing it." said Wrex as though he were talking about the weather.
Kaidan and Jane shared a glance before looking toward the turret canopy. "Uhh, he's kidding right?" asked Kaidan.
"It's a machine, a living computer. I injected it with a hacking program and obtained a few vital strands of code that could be useful when it's finished being re-written and re-purposed." said the other Spectre as they got moving again.
"What'll happen when it's done?" asked Jane as she drove them over a few small hills.
"We'll have a useful weapon against the Geth." said Alex grinning under his helmet.
X
The drove for roughly 20 minutes. Encountering multiple Geth Armatures that were placed throughout the area to attack anyone that got close. Though with Jane's driving and Alex's shooting they didn't even scratch the Mako's paint.
They had just finished the last of the current group of heavy Geth when they met a real challenge.
Turning a corner and seeing the opening to a small tunnel system that would take them to an area a click away from the dig site. Standing in front of the tunnel's opening was a Geth that was roughly twice the size of the Armatures and was bone white.
"COLOSSUS!" shouted Kaidan as the large Geth fired a blast of plasma at them.
Jane cranked the wheel to the right, barely missing the ball of condensed energy as his sizzled past. However the kinetic barriers dropped a little from the near miss alone. "We better not take a direct hit, our shields won't be able to take it." said Kaidan as the Commander went evasive.
Alex locked the cannon on the Colossus and fired. The shell struck it dead on, but it remained standing. Shields flickering from the round as it fired another plasma bolt at them. A second shell did the same, though it's shields flared with only half the strength from before.
With the cannon overheated, the vigilante pressed down on the machine gun's trigger and kept it down until the temperature gauge of the gun began approaching the red.
The large Geth's shields shattered under the assault, Alex quickly fired a cannon round and blasted a large dent into the white armor of the synthetic. The Colossus sputtered but fired another plasma bolt and trying to take them out.
Re-aiming, the Post-Human fired another shell that connected with the Colossus' optic dead on. The round blowing the oblong shaped head to pieces in an instant.
The synthetic remained standing for a second or two before sputtering and collapsing on the ground dead. "Yes! Great shooting!" shouted Jane from the driver's seat.
"That wasn't bad tin head." said Wrex. "Though I'd be more impressed if you pulled that off on foot." he said grinning.
"Give it time old man. Give it time." said Alex as they entered the tunnel. Running down a few Geth that were stationed there that couldn't get out of the way in time.
They exited the tunnel a minute later, taking the time to blow a few Geth standing guard apart before going across the open terrain, entering a second tunnel that took them to the base of a hill that had suffered a small rock slide. The only opening was big enough to fit them through on foot.
"Guess we're hoofin it. We'll have Joker come pick up the Mako later, let's move." said Jane drawing her assault rifle.
Walking up the small path, the squad kept low as they approached a wide opening. "Perfect place for an ambush. Stay alert." said Alex adjusting the sight on his Grendel. The sound of synthetic clicking was heard just as a hail of pulse weapon fire was shot in their direction.
The team split off and went into cover to return fire. Alex leaned out and quickly tagged the Geth on his HUD. "Tactical Options Available." "Cover me, I'm going to flank." he said putting a three round burst through a Shock Troopers optic.
Jane nodded as she gave him covering fire. "Cloak Engaged." The Post-Human got out of cover and strafed along the wall of the canyon they were in, keeping a close eye on his energy meter that depleted a little more with each step he took while cloaked.
The rest of the team had managed to put down two more Geth and forcing the rest into cover by the time the other Spectre made it behind their ranks. He drew his Jackel and deactivated his cloak before blowing the machines apart with the auto-shotgun at close range.
A Rocket Trooper attempted to get a shot off, but the nano soldier ran forward, sliding across the ground under the explosive before coming back up with the shotgun's barrel in the red colored Geth's face. "Good night." the gun registered and the Geth's head exploded in a shower of sparks and metal fragments.
"All clear, move up." he said into his comm as the team got out of cover.
"Any more surprises?" asked Shepard.
"A wider canyon ahead with high walls and tall structures. They'll most likely have snipers and heavies set up." said Alex as his omni-tool flared. "Geth Programming Code Re-Written."
"What was that about?" asked Kaidan as they began to make their way into the next canyon, Jane leading the way with her sniper rifle ready.
"My hacking program just finished rewriting the Geth code fragments I picked up. Now things get interesting." said the vigilante.
Shepard held up her fist making them all stop and press into the wall next to them. She looked back at her fellow Spectre, "You sure that program will work?"
Alex shrugged, "Never been tested yet. But I can't think of a better time than now."
The Commander motioned with her head for him to move up. Alex moved from the wall to a fallen boulder a little ways away, poking his head out and tagging the Geth that was waiting for them. "There are four Shock Troopers and two Rocket Troopers on the ground." he said before looking up along the ridge. "Three snipers along the ridge overlooking the canyon."
Setting his Grendel against the boulder, Alex brought up his omni-tool. Zooming his visor in on one of the snipers above as the device linked with the nano suit's helmet. "Initializing." he highlighting the selected sniper he pressed a button on the device.
X
Two of the Geth snipers turned their heads when they saw their companion suddenly start sputtering. It's optic flashing repeatedly as though it were malfunctioning.
The two platforms approached their comrade just as the sputtering stopped and it's head bowed.
A second later the platform brought out it's pistol and shot the first sniper through the optic. Before the second one could process the situation it received the same fate and fell dead next to the first.
Holstering the pistol, the Geth brought out it's sniper rifle again and looked down its sights at the other Geth down below. It's once blue/white optic now a dull red.
X
The team heard the gunfire, one of the Rocket Trooper's on the ground fell dead with a hole in the back of its head. The rest of the Geth did an about-face and attempted to take out the other threat giving the squad time to gun them down from behind.
When everything fell silent the team got out of cover in time to see a lone Geth coming down from the ridge. Their weapons came up, but Alex walked past them and approached the synthetic. "Drop your weapons." he said sternly.
The Geth tossed its sniper rifle on the ground, removing it's pistol and doing the same. The Post-Human brought out his omni-tool again and held it over the Geth's chest as it stood motionless in front of him.
A few seconds later the Geth's optic went out and it crumpled to the ground. "Vital Mission Data Retrieved." Alex turned to the others, "The Geth are here after Dr. T'Soni, sent by Saren to take her in alive for her knowledge of the Protheans. There are several squads of Geth up ahead and stationed in the ruins ahead of us, all being lead by a Krogan Battlemaster under Saren's command."
"How did you figure all that out?" asked Wrex.
"That hacking program doesn't just control synthetics. It also allows me full access to their data banks. And since the Geth only wipe their memory cores when they die I got a lot of useful intel." replied the Spectre.
"Guess that's one way to test field equipment." said Jane. "Did it have anything on Saren? Where he might be or what his plans are?"
Alex shook his head, "Sorry Commander. I guess when the evidence brought against him with the Council came from a disabled Geth he made sure that all his best kept secrets were only given out to a select few."
Jane nodded as the squad started moving up the hill leading up to the ridge where the snipers set up. The path from there took them to a small cluster of buildings outside of the dig site's entrance.
As they approached the buildings, Alex's motion tracker started to waver. "Remote Jamming Detected." said Prophet. "Incoming Hostiles."
The Post-Human saw a small red beam cut through the air and center itself on the Commander's chest. Moving quick, Alex grabbed her around the waist and leapt aside as a focused pulse round zinged through the air where she had stood. "Sniper!" shouted Wrex as they got into cover.
Jane sat up with her back to the crate Alex and threw them behind. "Thanks for that." she said in his direction. "No problem ma'am." came the reply as he leaned out of cover and fired a three round burst from his rifle.
A small form fell off of the scaffolding between two structures and hit the ground dead. "Geth Stalkers. They're what's jamming out motion trackers." said Alex. Jane leaned out of cover and took down a second one as it tried to scale the side of one of the buildings.
Kaidan summoned his biotics and lifted the remaining Stalker giving Wrex the chance to blow it to pieces with his Claymore. "All clear." barked the warlord.
"Not yet, Geth ship inbound!" shouted Kaidan as the large vessel flew overhead and hovered just over the entrance leading to the ruins. Three small pods and one bigger one shot out of the underbelly and hit the ground before it flew away.
The pods all unfolded into three Geth soldiers, the larger one rose higher revealing the form of an Armature as they all opened fire on the squad.
Jane took out one of the soldiers with her assault rifle before being forced into cover. A large bolt of plasma flying over her's and Alex's cover. "We need to take that thing out or we're toast!" she said over the gunfire.
The whole team focused on the Armature as it began to slowly make its way through the small encampment toward them. Bullet casings scattered, weapons overheated, but the shields just stayed up strong as the Geth drew closer to them.
Alex fired up his omni-tool. "Kaidan! Double overload!" he shouted. The Lieutenant nodded bringing up his omni-tool as well. "On three. One. Two. THREE!" The two jumped up and launched the programs, both hitting the Armature dead on causing it's shields to spark a moment before dying completely.
"Nice plan, now hit it with everything!" ordered the Commander as they opened fire.
The Armature's armor started taking damage. The synthetic took a step back, firing its main weapon as it tried to get its shields back up.
Seeing the large Geth attempting to fall back. Alex switched to his bow and drew an explosive arrow. Standing, he aimed for a potential weak point in the Armature's form before drawing the string back and letting it fly.
The bolt went through a small gap between the Geth's neck and body and stuck inside its armor. "Everyone duck!" Alex shouted pressing the detonator.
An explosion of red, blue and purple filled the air. The Armature's head and part of its neck crashed to the ground several feet away while the mangled body collapsed on the ground where it stood. Flames and sparks shooting out of the openings made from the blast.
The team looked at the destroyed synthetic before turning to the nano soldier as he took a regular arrow out and knocked it. "...what?" he asked seeing their looks.
"You sure you don't wanna join the Alliance?" asked Jane grinning.
Alex chuckled, "I think being a Spectre's more fun at this point." he said as they approached the entrance to the Prothean ruins.
X
Stepping out of the small tunnel through a circular door, the squad looked around the large cavern they now found themselves in.
Alex bumped Shepard's shoulder getting her attention. He held a finger up to where his lips would have been on his helmet and pointed to the right. A Geth Shock Trooper was patrolling the lower walkway.
Crouching low, the nano soldier creeped along the walkway they were on. Drawing the string back on his bow as he got into place.
When the Geth stopped he let go. The arrow piercing through the side of it's head sending out sparks before it crumpled to the ground.
Alex drew a second arrow and watched a second Geth that had been nearby approach the disturbance before firing again. The bolt going through the other Geth's optic and putting it down quickly.
"All clear." he said folding up the bow and taking out his Jackel.
"This is really impressive." said Kaidan looking around as they went down the stairs and walkways. "To know that you could be standing on top of ruins like these at anytime. Kind of makes you wonder what else the Protheans could tell us than what we already know."
"Their dead. That alone should tell you something." grunted Wrex.
They entered an elevator and rode it down to the next level. "What's the plan after we find the doctor?" asked Alex as they stepped out on to the walkway.
"Clear an EZ outside for Joker to pick us up." replied Jane. "If we're lucky the Geth won't notice we've been here."
"Contact!" shouted Kaidan as a small group of attack drones appeared and opened fire on them. "Spoke too soon." muttered the Commander as they returned fire.
Alex raised his shotgun and started blasting away before the drones focused fire on him. "Maximum Armor." the pulse rounds caused a little more damage than regular rounds, causing his energy meter to drop a little more with each shot landed.
That in mind, the Post-Human helped the team put the drones down fast before the meter ran out completely.
Jane's assault rifle chattered as two drones were shot down before they could get a bead on them. Wrex using his pistol to aid while Kaidan fired a singularity that finished them off.
When the last drone fell, Shepard put her assault rifle away and approached her fellow Spectre. "Where are you injured?" she asked taking out her omni-tool.
"I'm fine." Alex replied moving away from the device.
"Bullshit, those rounds hit you dead on and your shields weren't up. Where are you injured?" she asked again, a sense of urgency in her eyes.
Alex gently grabbed her wrist, "I'm fine Commander. I don't need shields, my suit's made of a much harder weave than a regular hard suit making it more durable in combat." he said letting her hand go a moment later.
Jane looked over his form and saw that he was right. The suit didn't have a scratch on it despite taking a few direct hits. Letting out a breath she nodded, "Alright, just be more careful next time." she said heading to the next elevator.
"We lost someone on Eden Prime." Alex turned to Kaidan. "His shields and armor were torn through by a Geth Assault Drone like they were nothing. The Commander blames herself for his death because she was the one leading." he explained.
"Soldiers die in battle everyday. It sounds harsh but it's the truth. It wasn't any more her fault than it was his." said Alex as they got moving again.
Kaidan shook his head, "The Commander has a bleeding heart. She can be precise and ruthless on the battlefield, but when it comes to those under her command dying or being injured she takes it personally. It may not affect her performance in a firefight but it wears on her emotionally."
Alex could understand that. His hand unconsciously touching the bracelet wrapped around his wrist as he thought about it. Maybe he and the Commander did have something in common.
They got into the next elevator and began to ride it down to the bottom level. They reached about halfway when the lift started sparking. A loud grinding filled the large cavern as it came to a complete stop.
"Prothean architecture, built to last." muttered Wrex as they leapt down the last few feet to the walkway under them.
Weapons at the ready, they started to spread out when they heard someone call out. "Um...hello? Is someone out there?" said the clearly female voice.
The team dropped down to the next level and approached a glowing blue field, inside was an Asari in a scientist's uniform suspended above the ground inside a bubble of energy much like the field in front of them. "Can you hear me out there? I'm trapped! I need help!" shouted the Asari.
"Liara T'Soni?" asked Jane looking up at her.
"Y-Yes, I am Liara. Can you please get me out of here? I was investigating these ruins when the Geth arrived. I ran in here and activated the defenses. The barrier curtains could protect me. When I turned it on, I must have hit something I wasn't suppose to. I was trapped in here. You must get me out. Please." said Liara.
"We'll find a way. Just stay calm." said the Commander before turning to the rest of the team. "Spread out and see if you can find a way past the barrier."
The squad kept their weapons ready as they walked away from the barrier and down to the ground floor to start their search.
"Hay Commander, what about this mining laser?" asked Kaidan standing in front of the large piece of excavation equipment.
"It could be strong enough to punch through the wall and into the structure behind it." said Jane looking it over. "See if you can get it working Lieutenant, we'll cover you." Kaidan nodded as he started working on the terminal station next to the laser.
They took up defense positions just as a small squad of Geth came out from behind boulders and lab equipment all around them and began shooting.
The team returned fire, Alex's Jackel registering with rapid succession as the synthetics began dropping one by one. Jane took out a grenade and tossed it across the room behind a few rocks where two snipers had taken up position . The explosion that followed sent parts of the Geth flying every which way.
Wrex smashed the butt of his shotgun against a Shock Trooper's head knocking it to the ground before stomping down on to it. Crushing the metal frame like an aluminum can under his large foot.
When the Geth were down, the mining laser started powering up. "Everyone get clear!" Kaidan shouted as they moved to a safe distance. The laser powered up to full before blasting a concentrated beam into the ground that burned through the rock effortlessly.
This continued for roughly 20 seconds before the laser shut down. The newly made hole went straight into the ground and made an opening in the Prothean structure beyond. "That's our opening, let's go get the doctor." said the Commander as they made their way inside.
Alex looked around the Prothean structure and couldn't help but wonder what this place could have been used for. Though the longer he observed he had a pretty good idea.
Stepping on to the large platform in the center of the tower. Jane activated a holo-panel and caused the thing to begin rising up like an elevator. They reached the floor where Liara was still suspended and approached her.
"You...You got inside? How?" she asked shocked.
"The mining laser on the ground floor helped us punch through." said Jane as she looked for a way to get the Asari out.
"The mining laser...yes that would have done the trick. Please, get me out of here before more Geth arrive. There should be a panel there next to you that can deactivate the field." said Liara.
Approaching the panel, Jane fired it up and tapped a few keys. The bubble vanished and the young Asari dropped to the floor. "Any idea on how we can get out of here?" asked Kaidan.
"There is an elevator in the center of the tower. At least, I think it's an elevator. It should take us out of here. Come on." said the doctor leading them back to the large lift. "I...I still can't believe all of this. Why would the Geth come after me? Do you think Benezia's involved?" she asked.
"The Geth are after you on Saren's behalf. He want's your knowledge on the Protheans to find something called the Conduit." said Alex startling her. "Your mother is also working for him."
Liara looked confused, "The Conduit? But I don't know-" she was interrupted when the shaft started shaking.
"What the hell was that?" said Wrex looking around.
"These ruins aren't stable. That mining laser must have triggered a seismic event." said Liara as she brought up the panel for the lift. "We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in."
Jane tapped her comm, "Joker! Get the Normandy airborne and lock in on our signal. Double time!"
"Aye, aye, Commander. Secure and aweigh. ETA eight minutes." replied the helmsmen.
"If we die in here I'll kill him." said Wrex as the platform started to ascend through the floors above. The whole shaft shook as the caverns around them began to crumble. Seconds ticked by feeling like hours as the lift finally came to a stop in a large circular room on the floor they started from.
The field leading out deactivated and a Krogan stomped inside with a squad of four Geth. "Surrender. Or don't, that would be more fun." grunted the Battlemaster.
"Incase you didn't notice, this place is falling apart." said Jane getting ready to draw her weapon.
"Exhilarating, isn't it?" asked the Krogan grinning. "Thanks for getting rid of those energy fields for us. Now hand over the doctor."
"Whatever it is you want, you're not getting it from me." Liara said defiantly.
"She stays with us." said the Commander taking out her assault rifle. In her peripheral vision she saw Alex taking out his bow and an arrow that had glowing blue lines running through the shaft.
"Not an option. Saren want's her. And he always get's what he wants." growled the Krogan.
"Not today." Alex fired the arrow at the Geths' feet. The bolt exploded in a flash of black and blue light before reforming into what resembled an unstable singularity that trapped the synthetics in a field before it exploded sending them crashing across the room.
The squad opened fire, taking down the Geth quickly. Wrex roared, charging forward with his biotics flaring as the enemy Krogan did the same. The two slamming together like two freight trains as more Geth began to enter the room.
"Kaidan! Cover the doctor!" Jane shouted, gunning down another Geth that tried to target them.
Alex had switched to his Grendel was picking off the Geth one by one as they tried to get into the room. He ejected the spent clip and slammed a fresh one home as the number of synthetic hostiles began to dwindle.
Off to the side, the two Krogan were engaged in hand to hand combat. Striking each other with fists and head plates with enough force to flip a car. "Give it up whelp! This fight is over!" roared Wrex slamming his head into the Battlemaster and making him stagger.
"Not yet it's not." said the Battlemaster taking out his shotgun and charging it with his biotics.
Wrex leapt and rolled to the side to avoid the warp infused rounds before drawing his own shotgun and returning fire. The Battlemaster brought up a barrier that deflected the rounds as he gathered dark energy around his form.
In the next instant the enemy Krogan roared before launching across the room with a biotic charge. Slamming into Wrex hard and sending the Warlord crashing hard into the far wall. "Time to lay down with the rest of the bones Urdnot." growled the Battlemaster.
"You first!" a black and silver fist connected with the side of the Krogan's head making him stumble back a few steps. Alex spun on his heel and kicked the shotgun out of the stunned Battlemaster's hand, drawing one of his Hammers mid-spin and emptying the clip into his barrier and bringing it down.
The Krogan righted himself and charged the nano soldier with a powerful roar. "Maximum Power." Alex braced himself as the Battlemaster slammed into him. The Spectre only sliding back a few inches thanks to the nano suit's enhanced strength.
The two stood trying to overpower one another, hands clasped as they pushed against each other. "Give it up Human, this battle is over." growled the Krogan.
"I don't think so." Alex said rearing his head back before smashing it hard against the Battlemaster's head plate with a loud crack. The Krogan stumbled back giving the vigilante time to draw his knife.
Before the large alien could register what was happening, Alex drove the sharp blade into the side of the head plate connecting it with the Krogan's head. Twisting the knife, the head plate came off with a sickening pop and clattered to the floor.
The Battlemaster screamed in agony, collapsing on to the floor like a whipped dog. Alex drew his Jackel, forcing the barrel into the Krogan's mouth and pulled the trigger; the back of the alien's head exploded in a shower of blood and bone as his screams were instantly silenced.
Alex put his weapon away and looked over his shoulder to see the rest of the team and Liara all staring at him with wide eyes and open mouths. Wrex's eyes slowly went to the removed head plate before looking back at the nano soldier with a slight sliver of fear in his eyes.
The whole chamber rumbled hard jostling everyone out of their thoughts. "Place is coming down, lets GO!" Jane shouted as they all started running as fast as they could.
Large chunks of rock rained down from the ceiling above as the team ran along the shuddering walkways. One boulder managed to smash through the walkway forcing Kaidan and Alex to jump over the gap with the others following shortly after.
Liara stumbled as the caverns continued to shake around them. Losing her footing and almost falling over the nearby railing when a large pair of arms wrapped around her waist, throwing her over a powerful shoulder as she was carried the rest of the way.
Jane stopped at the entrance to the dig site and motioned for the others to keep running. "Go! Move! MOVE!" she shouted as Kaidan and Wrex ran by followed shortly by Alex with Liara slung over his shoulder before following after them.
The squad ran out of the opening at the end as the caverns completely collapsed behind them sending a cloud of dust and debris shooting out of the small tunnel. They all stood on solid ground, armor covered in dirt as they began to catch their breath.
Alex set Liara on her feet, steadying her as she felt a big of vertigo after being carried so fast and so far. "You good doctor?" he asked. The Asari nodded, "Yes, thank you."
The loud hum of the Normandy's engines sounded overhead as Joker brought her in to extract them. The two Spectres shared a glance and nodded.
Mission Accomplished.
A/N: Therum is done, and the team gets a good look at just how creative, destructive, and deadly Alex can be in a combat situation. And for those who weren't able to catch, Shepard is a Soldier class. I made her that way because most fics have either M or F Shepards as a biotic, engineer or a vanguard. I wanted to go back to the soldier class and show that it's just as awesome as the others.
This was my longest chapter up to date. But with what's coming that may change rather quickly. Update coming soon so don't get too anxious on me!