Reaper Threat v2
Chapter 16:
Omega Nebula – Sahabarik System – Normandy SR-2 – Bridge.
The shuttle carrying the non-combat crew members had just left the cargo hold, and Shepard was now standing behind Joker on the bridge of the ship.
The previous 12 hours went by way too quickly, as she had spent them with Naruto. Their times together had helped to keep her focused, yet calm, and collected. She didn't remember a time since Kaidan had died on Virmire that she had felt like she did around the blonde shinobi. Now, this same man was standing with her as Joker prepared the ship to make the jump at the Omega-4 mass relay. They both listened as Tali and Jacob made reports of the ships drive systems, which Joker quickly responded to, with help from EDI.
In order for her to be able to oversee the installation of the Reaper IFF, EDI had to have her software shackles removed, which also had the effect of boosting the ships ability to respond to new situations by over 80%. The helmsman and the AI worked as a seamless pair, guiding the frigate through the debris field on the other side of the relay.
It's at this time that an alarm klaxon sounds. "Shepard, we have an intruder in the cargo hold," EDI reports, "It seems that the Collectors have some sort of AI driven systems that work as patrol fighters. One of them just infiltrated the ship."
"I'll take a team and..." Shepard began, but was cut off by Naruto.
"You're needed on the bridge, Alexa," he tells her, "Let me take Garrus and Grunt, and we'll deal with it."
"No heavy AOE attacks, Naruto," she reponds, "We don't want to blow up from the inside when you take that thing out."
"Ok, no Biiju power. I get it," he says and runs off to the lift.
"Garrus and Grunt will meet you at the lift, Naruto," EDI told the shinobi as he ran.
"I'll say this about him," Joker mused, "He's not lacking for confidence."
"He'll do fine," Shepard noted, "Just get us to that base."
"You got it, Commander."
Cargo Hold
"What the hell is that thing?" Garrus Vakarian asks as he, Naruto and Grunt stepped out of the lift into the hold.
"Target Practice," Grunt retorted as he lifted up his M-300 Claymore shotgun up to his shoulder and fired off a few rounds.
"You would say that, Grunt," Garrus laughed as he shouldered his assault rifle, selected disruptor ammo, and let loose a burst.
"Just break it's shields," Naruto tells his teammates, "I have an idea."
"Would this idea involve that K-bar you have in your hand?" Grunt asked as he watched Naruto let loose a volley from his M-6 Carnifex one handed.
"That it would. Just get through the damn thing's shields." He then checks his storage compartment on his armor and found the stock of explosive notes inside. He attached them, one over the other, to the knife's handle.
"Shields are down," Garrus reported, "Do what you have to, Naruto. We'll back you up!"
That said, Naruto created two shadow clones and then used a substitution jutsu to change positions with a storage crate in the hold. His clones jumped into action, firing off shot after shot to distract the Oculus fighter, while Naruto himself snuck up and cut a triangle shaped hole in the armor, by enhancing the K-bar with wind chakra. He then drives the blade deep into the machine's insides, and put enough chakra into the explosive tags to set them all off.
"Take Cover!" Naruto ordered as his team took shelter behind a few crates, and the Oculus's frame seemed to expand, and then drop harmlessly to the floor. "Alexa," he reports over the radio, "Intruder dealt with. We're on our way up."
"Got it, Naruto. Good work."
Bridge. 5 minutes later
"There it is," Miranda noted, "The Collector Base."
"And who knows how many of our colonists in there," Shepard reminded her.
"Looks like they're sending out an old friend to meet us," Joker comments as they watch the same ship they boarded not long ago coming right at them."
"Let's show these bastards our new teeth," Shepard orders, "Fire the main gun."
"With pleasure," the helmsman replied as the Thanix cannon dropped down from the underbelly of the ship, and fired, sending a molten projectile of Titanium/Tungsten alloy right at the enemy vessel, scoring a direct hit, and disabling the collector ship's own weapons. "How do you like THAT, you sons of bitches?" Joker yelled out.
"Hit 'em again, Joker. Finish them off."
"Gladly. Hang on, this is gonna be a wild ride." Joker took the ship into a steep climb, and then made a sharp 180 degree turn, and fired once again at the collector ship, shearing it in half, and causing the enemy vessel to explode. The explosion rocked the Normandy as it passed by the expanding debris field.
"Mass effect field generators offline," EDI reported, "Prepare for crash landing."
"See if you can bring them back online, EDI," Joker asked.
"I cannot bring them back online in time to prevent a hard landing, Jeff," EDI replied, "All hands, prepare for crash landing on the surface of the collector base." The new Silaris plating held, and the crew survived the landing.
"Well, we knew this was likely a one way trip," Miranda commented as she got up.
"I'm not going to give up yet," Naruto told her, "And neither should you."
"Joker, do the collectors know where we landed?" Shepard asked.
"I cannot detect any exterior sensors," EDI advised, "It is likely that the collectors did not anticipate anyone being able to follow them here."
"I can get us back up and running," Joker adds, "We'll be safe here. You guys go do what you do best."
Briefing/Comm room
The tension in the room could be cut with a sword when Shepard walked in the room with Naruto and Miranda. Everyone was preparing their weapons, and making themselves ready for the mission in ways that only they knew how.
"This isn't how we planned this, but this is where we're at," Shepard said, "EDI, bring up your scans." The AI complied and a 3d schematic of the entire base was made visible.
"You should be able to overload their systems if you get to the main control center, here," EDI reported, showing the point on the map.
"That means going through this large area here, right past this massive energy signature," Jacob added.
"That's the central chamber. If any of our colonists are still alive, they'll be there."
"There are two different paths you can take to get there, Shepard," EDI finished.
"Then we split our forces," Sakura commented, "That way, the Collectors have to do so, as well, making the way easier for both teams to get through."
"Won't work," Miranda noted, "The door to both chambers are sealed from the other side."
"It's not a fortress, there has to be a way," Sasuke stated, "There, that path." He pointed out an ventilation shaft that lead between both, and emptied into the chamber where both paths converged.
"That could work, but you'd need to send a tech specialist," Miranda added, "Shepard, who do we send?"
"Legion. He can hack through anything," Shepard said, after a moment's thought.
"Acknowledged," Legion replied, readying his sniper rifle.
"Who'll lead the second fire team?" inquired Gaara.
"It would have to be someone who commands respect through experience," Shepard noted, "So Garrus will lead the second team."
"Gladly, Commander." Vakarian said with the Turian equivalent of a smirk.
"I don't know what we'll find in there," Shepard began, "But it sure as hell won't be easy. We've lost good people, we may lose more. What's really important is this. NOT ONE MORE. That's what we're fighting for. The collectors want to know what we're made of? I say we show 'em. On our terms. Let's get in there, and bring our people home. I'll only take two people on my team. Naruto, you're with me. So is Samara. Everyone be careful."
Collector Base
Both teams filed out of the Normandy, looks of stern resolve on their faces. Legion entered the exhaust port, and the operation was underway.
Naruto used his omni-tool to monitor transmissions from the other team, to get a good idea for their progress. Shepard had set everyone's ammo to incendiary. Not far into the base, they came across their first opposition. All three team members shouldered assault rifles and started firing.
"Blaze Style: Kagutsuchi!" came Sasuke's voice over the radio.
"He's really letting them have it," the blonde said, "If he's using blaze style, that means he's using the mangekyo sharingan."
"Path is blocked, Shepard," came Legion's voice, "Need to find a release valve to let us through."
"Shit," she thought aloud, "We're on our way, Legion." She found the release valve and hit it with her omni tool.
"Sand Burial," came the calm voice of Gaara over the radio.
"Perfect," that voice belonged to Garrus.
"They're progressing just fine," Naruto told Shepard as they continued to fight their way through the base, releasing valves along the way to let Legion through.
"Shepard, Praetorian!" Samara shouted, unloading another thermal clip at the monstrous collector creation that blocked their way to the final release valve.
"Not for long," Naruto tells the Asari, "Cover me." He is then surrounded in the golden aura that signaled his Biiju form. "Let's do this, Kurama," he thinks.
"With you 100% Kit," the fox thinks back, "What do you say, a Biijudama?"
"Not yet, we may need that later. How about a Biiju-powered Rasenshuriken?"
"Just as good," Kurama thought as Naruto raised up one hand and the spiraling shuriken of pure wind power appeared in his hand.
"Goddess, boy," Samara said with a shock, "What is that?"
"A surprise for the collectors," Naruto said, "Wind Style: RASENSHURIKEN!" He hurled the jutsu at the Praetorian, and it struck dead center, before expanding to engulf the rest of the Collectors in the blast wave. When the winds had died down, the team ran up, and released the last valve.
Legion entered the chamber to be met by two collectors, which he promptly shot in the head and went about his business of letting the two teams in. Once the doors were sealed behind the team, Shepard checked on everyone, and surprisingly, hardly anyone had a scratch. Only thing strange was the diamond shaped mark on Sakura's head.
"You released the seal?" Naruto asked.
"Seal?" from Shepard.
"That diamond mark on her head," Sasuke explained, "It's a seal that's been gathering chakra since the end of the 4th great Ninja war. Sakura released the seal during the battle, and summoned Katsuyu to keep us all healthy while we fought through there."
"These shinobi never cease to amaze me," Samara commented.
"Shepard," Miranda cut in, "You need to see this. I think we just found the missing colonists. Well, about 50 of them, at least. I think they're from Horizon."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto calmly stated as 100 clones appeared, and started pulling the colonists from their pods.
"Thank God you got here in time," one of them said, "I was afraid we'd all wind up like the others."
"What happened here?" Jacob asked of the colonist.
"Those swarms of robots melted the others' bodies into some sort of gray liquid and then pumped it through those tubes," she explained, "I was afraid we'd be next."
"Not on our watch," Sasuke said, "You're safe Miss..."
"Traynor," she said, "Samantha Traynor. I'm a student at the Thames University in London. I was at home on Horizon for Holiday. I'm studying Communications Technology."
"The Normandy's repaired and ready, Commander," Joker reported on the radio, "We've got enough systems online to do a pickup, but we need to land a ways back from your position."
"None of us are in any shape to fight," Traynor noted.
"Speak for your self, Poquita," a beefy guy with a heavy latino accent said, "Just give me a gun, and I'm ready for a little payback."
"And you are?" Shepard inquired.
"Gunnery Chief James Vega, Alliance Marine," Ashley told her commander, "He was stationed with me on Horizon, before the Collectors came. Good thing he's still wearing his armor."
"Good to see you too, OC," Vega replied to Ash.
"Here ya go," Naruto tells Vega, handing him his assault rifle, "Have at it."
"Mordin, you and Sakura take the colonists back to the Normandy, and see to any wounds, ok?" Shepard ordered, "EDI, what's next?"
"The path ahead to the main control room is blocked again," EDI commented, "You'll need to find a way around it. There is another path, but I cannot advise it. It's full of seeker swarms, and even Mordin's countermeasure cannot defend against so many."
"How about biotics?" Thane asked, "It should be possible to generate a biotic field to protect a small team."
"If you do that, though," Tali noted, "I would suggest one of our more powerful biotics: Samara or Jack. No offense, Miranda, but those two have both you and Jacob beat in the biotic power department."
"None taken," Miranda replied, "I was going to suggest that myself."
"I'll take a small team through the swarms," Shepard said, "Samara, you generate the field. Grunt, Jacob, you're with me. I would take you, Naruto, but in the confines of a biotic field, I'll need people who can stay close."
"Hang on, Kit," Kurama told the shinobi, "My power can protect you, and one other, from the swarms. Also, the Uchiha's Susano'o can protect him."
"Hang on, Alexa," Naruto told her, "Let me and Sasuke take a tech expert through the swarms. I can put a field of Kurama's chakra around myself and the tech, and Sasuke's Susano'o could protect him. You lead the team through the other way, and we'll let you in. Also, it won't take us near as long to cut a swathe of destruction through the collectors at our full power."
"You sure about this,Dobe?" Sasuke inquired.
"You willing to argue with the Nine-tailed fox?"
"I see your point. My full-power susano'o could get me through. Just like the battle with the Jyuubi."
"Except this time, we have the fate of a whole galaxy resting on our shoulders."
"Ok, Naruto," Shepard relented, "Take Legion with you, protect him with Kurama's power, and you and Sasuke get through to the doors, to let us into the next chamber. Everyone else is with me."
"Joker, need location of landing zone," Mordin said into his omni-tool, and then lead the colonists,with Sakura, to the Normandy.
Seeker Swarm Chamber
Surrounded by the golden aura of Kurama's power, Naruto and Legion entered the seeker chamber with Sasuke, who was channeling his full-powered Susano'o using his Mangekyo Sharingan. It looked like a Purple spirit warrior and a huge nine-tailed fox were rushing through the chamber, cutting down anything that came at them.
"You were right, Naruto," Sasuke stated, "Our powers are protecting us just fine."
"Wasn't me, Teme," Naruto said, "It was Kurama." He said that as one of the fox's tails swatted two scions out of the way, and decimated another bunch of husks."
"Naruto-Shinobi, Sasuke-Shinobi, We are approaching the doors. We will close them behind us, before letting the others in to protect them from swarms."
"Good idea, Legion."
Shepard's Team
Shepard's team was advancing through their chamber with few problems, and little need for medi-gel. Between the members of this massive team, kill counts were through the roof, and only getting higher.
"Shepard," EDI reported, "I'm picking up abnormally large energy readings in the seeker swarm chamber."
"Naruto and Sasuke are in there with Legion," Shepard responded, "How are they doing?"
"Judging by their video feeds," Joker commented, "They're kicking some serious ass. The collectors don't stand a chance against those two at full power."
"Good," Shepard said, "That will give us some idea of their full power, which they've not shown since being on this mission. Now, EDI, get a full spectrum of scans on them, in the process. Naruto said that Kurama is the most powerful of the Biiju. I want you to monitor them throughout the rest of the mission. I want to know just how powerful a Biiju is."
"We'll save all video feeds to the Normandy's data storage drives, and to OSD's for Councilor Anderson and Admiral Hackett," EDI said.
"I knew the shinobi were powerful, but this is just baffling," Garrus added, "I even saw Naruto summon the fox on Tuchanka to kill a Thresher Maw."
"The Shinobi are powerful, Garrus," Gaara reminded the Turian, "But these two are special. Remember, Naruto does have Kurama, and Sasuke has his Sharingan. That's what gives them so much power, that and their unheard of training regiment over the years."
"Shinobi," Vega asked, "You mean like Ninjas?"
"Not from Earth, Vega," Ashley informed the marine, still blasting away at collectors, "These guys come from another world all together, and are capable of so much more than a normal human."
"Best we can assume," Tali continued, "is that a species of humans evolved on their world, and for some odd reason, a Prothean helped them develop this 'Chakra' system, and what they call 'Ninjutsu'. He was probably the last remaining Prothean after their civilization was destroyed by the Reapers."
"Alexa," Naruto said over the radio, "The doors will be open when you get here. Sasuke and I will cover your entrance."
"Good work, Naruto," Shepard replied, "Come on, guys. We're one step closer now."
They arrived at the doors, as Naruto and Sasuke released a Rasenshuriken and a Susano'o Kagutsuchi to cut through the Collectors coming up behind the team. Legion shut the doors behind them, and sealed them.
"One more chamber to go, Commander," Joker told them, "Mordin and Sakura's group just made it here. Everyone's safe and sound in the cargo hold."
"I can hack the platforms and get you through to the next chamber, Shepard," EDI continued, "But note that hostiles are massing behind the door and will break through in moments."
"A rear guard can defend this position, allowing us to get through and destroy the base," Shepard stated, "Naruto, Miranda, you're with me. "
"I'm ready, Shepard," Miranda said, climbing up with Shepard.
"You don't even have to ask," Naruto added, jumping up to his position, "Have anything to say to the rest of the team?"
"The collectors, the Reapers. They're not just a threat to humanity," Shepard began, "They're a threat to everything. To everyone. Those are the lives we're fighting for. It's been a long journey, and no one's coming out without scars. But it all comes down to the next few moments. We win or lose it all in that small span of time. Make me proud. Make yourselves proud."
"Kick some ass, and be careful," Naruto added, "Teme, Gaara, give them all the hell you've got."
"Of course, Dobe."
"You know it, my friend."
Having said all they needed to, Shepard, Miranda and Naruto stepped onto the platform, and it started forward.
Rear Guard
"EDI," Garrus said into his omni-tool, "What's the satus of that door?"
"The Collectors seem to be having some trouble breaking Legion's encryption on the door's lock," the AI reported, "But still, it won't be long until they're through."
"Ok, Sasuke, I suggest you use whatever it was that got you and Naruto through that seeker room. Gaara, can your sand form any sort of defense for us?"
"Not against these heat based weapons. It would turn my sand into glass," Gaara replied, "But I can crush them with it, though, and create more from what looks like the ground in here. It's oddly a mix of organic and inorganic matter, which I can turn into more sand if needed."
"Garrus, if you guys can hold out for a while, I can make a pickup," Joker told the Turian, "Just give Shepard enough time to destroy the base."
"Got it, Joker," Garrus answered, "Guys, get ready, they're coming through."
The door started opening, and Collectors started to pour through, but it strangely stopped when there was only space for 3 or 4 collectors at a time.
"They can't break my code," EDI stated, "This battle will be their own personal Thermopylae. You will be able to defend that position better this way."
"A narrow pass," Jacob thought, "I like it."
"OPEN FIRE!" Garrus ordered and the team let loose with everything they had.
Shepard's Team
The battle to the central control chamber was heated as they had to fight past several pads full of collectors and husks to get there. Miranda had taken a couple of hits, but it was nothing a small dose of medi-gel couldn't fix. Their own platform reached a certain point and the Collectors stopped attacking.
"EDI, what do you know about all this?" Shepard asked the AI.
"The tubes all feed into a sort of super-structure," EDI explained, "It's emitting both organic and inorganic energy signatures. At that massive of a scale, I can only assume that the superstructure is a reaper."
What the team saw next shocked them all. "Not just a reaper, EDI," Miranda said, "A Human reaper."
"How do we destroy it?" Naruto inquired.
"Those glass tubes are feeding the genetic material into the reaper, and seems to be a weak point. Destroying them would destroy the reaper. Also, that place on it's chest seems to be a structural weak point. Enough damage could destroy the reaper itself, but you would still need to overload all systems to destroy the base."
"Kurama?"
"A full powered Biijudama would destroy the reaper, if we hit the weak point."
"I have an idea," Naruto tells Shepard, "Get ready to overload the base, as soon as I hit it with a full-powered Biijudama. Kurama assured me it would destroy the Reaper."
"Commander," Joker interfered, "I've got a call coming in from the Illusive Man. Want me to put it through?"
"No, just send a message back saying this, 'Consider this our resignation'." Miranda replied, and handed Shepard a grenade. Naruto went into full Biiju form and started to charge up a Biijudama as Shepard put the grenade into the exhaust port to overload the base. Kurama's attack struck the reaper square in the chest, knocking it off the supports and feeding tubes, before exploding and destroying the reaper itself.
"Commander," Joker reported, "I've just picked up the rest of the team. No casualties. We're ready to pick you up."
"No time to wait," Naruto replies, "Alexa, Miranda, hold on to me. I've still got that seal in the cargo hold. Joker, hold for 2 minutes." Shepard and Miranda grab onto Naruto's arms and the team disappears from their position and reappear in the cargo hold of the Normandy. They all run at full speed to the lift to take them to the Command deck. The lift trip was excruciating as they awaited the opening door. Once the lift opened, they sprinted to the bridge.
"Get us out of here, Joker, Now!" Alexa ordered.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Joker replied as the ship jetted off from the base, in just enough time for it to safely escape the explosion. One quick FTL jump later, and the ship was back at Omega.
"I can't believe we made it back," Miranda said, dropping to her knees in exhaustion.
"Commander, incoming call from Admiral Hackett," Joker stated, "We've already sent the video footage from the Collector base to Alliance command."
"Put the admiral on," Alexa responded, as Hackett appeared on the comm screen, "Admiral."
"Good work on the Collector base, Shepard," Hackett began, praising the team's work, "I hate to tell you this, but we've just received information from one of our intelligence units investigating Cerberus about a base designated 'Project: Overlord'. This could be a good way to disrupt their operations before we go after the Illusive Man himself."
"As soon as we make repairs to the Normandy, we'll be headed that way," Shepard replied, "Thanks, Admiral."
"Shuttle has landed in the cargo hold," EDI informed them, "We can make repairs at Illium's drydock facility."
"How long will repairs take?" Miranda inquired.
"4 days," EDI answered, "The Normandy has taken extensive damage from the crash on the Collector Base. We need time to fully repair."
"Then we get a small break, and we can drop the colonists off there," Alexa noted, then took Naruto by the arm, "I think we could use a few days off, after this last mission."
End Chapter 16
Next time: "Overlord"
A/N: I got inspired to go ahead and write the suicide mission. Anyway, now that that's done, expect a deviation from ME canon from here on out. Don't get me wrong, I loved ME3, except for the ending, but I'm doing ME3 differently in this fic, as you can tell by the plans I've set forth in previous chapters.
Anyway, enjoy, and I'll upload again when I get Overlord done.