Hello and welcome back to Radioactive Dawn. I apologize for delay of the recent chapters, but with college and other obligations, I did not have the time to truly devote to this story. Fortunately, I should be able to update regularly now, at minimum one or two updates per month, as my schedule is still quite busy. But I promise to update more faithfully from now on.

I know this is relatively a small chapter, but I WILL have a satisfying and larger update before Christmas Day and am working on it right now. Unfortunately it will take a few more days so I figured I would post this as something to ease into it (and it makes things a bit easier on my part). Anyways, please enjoy.

Shank Not Needed

Light fled from Red Valley as George Allimer walked along the busy, rundown streets of the city's Southern District. Continuously interrupted beams of fading light pierced through the heavy air traffic and onto the people George walked among. Regardless of who they were, their status or any other difference, they all shared the same look in their eyes, a look that chilled George to the bone.

It was the look of a wild animal that had been caged for too long. Humanity had once know freedom and now they only had the memories. Those memories gave humanity hope, but as the years passed on that hope had morphed into a cancer, slowly killing the fire and ambition that once burnt so brightly in the species. When he had joined the Coalition after the Fall, he hoped to undo what had been done. In recent times he had begun to doubt that it would ever be achieved in his lifetime, but if humanity as a whole was going to set things right, it had to start at the individual level, and he was ready for it. He kept firmly in mind the concept that he had to be ready for what the consequences were for his actions. He hoped the price was worth the deed.

He turned a corner as the sun finally set and before him stood one of the largest enterprises in Red Valley: Follower's Memorial Hospital. During the invasion of Red Valley by Citadel forces during the war, most hospitals in the city, as well as much of the medical technology on Mars, was destroyed or rendered inoperable. Those with the knowhow, and plagued with the suffering of the city, went about to establish somewhere where all could be attended to after the Citadel's victory. In that quest rose the hospital born out of unused office towers. Ugly as all could be, it was the largest hospital in Red Valley with thousands of available beds within. Furthermore the hospital was not supported by charges to the patients, or by handouts by the Citadel government in Red Valley, but by the charity of citizens of the city, pulling together to help one another. It gave George pride to see the building as he walked towards its doors.

He entered an proceeded throughout the interior as a man that had been here many times before. He reached an elevator, punched in a access code and rode up to one of the top floors before letting himself off. He quickly walked along the hallway of one of the residential areas. In these areas the staff of the hospital lived, always close at hand. The apartments were small and modest and the people that lived within were a close community with many of the doors open and tenets talking loudly to one another as their children played blissfully. He stopped as he reached his destination, a closed, dark brown door to an apartment. As he reached to knock, the door swung free and a tall yet thin bundle of blonde hair crashed into him, knocking him back in surprise.

"Oh sorry..." said the blonde haired woman, Doctor Sarah Hammond. "George, is that you?"

"Hey Sarah," he said. An awkward silence hung in between them.

"Listen, George, I have to start my shift. If you want to talk it will have to be later."

"Actually, I need to see your brother. Is he home?" He could feel the disappointment from her at his words. He was sorry to say them, for many reasons.

"Yeah, he's inside. Help yourself." She turned away quickly before he could say anything else and went quickly down the hall. He watched her all the way. As she entered the elevator she turned to him, gave a wink and waved as the doors closed together. He gave a deep sigh and went ahead inside.

"Uh, Doc?" he said as he entered the apartment. Hammond, roused by his call, came out into the living room from his bedroom, opposite of Sarah's.

"Sergeant, good to see you," greeted Hammond. "I didn't expect to see you again till the debriefing in morning." It had only been a few hours since he and Hammond stood and watched Baker lead Walker and Liara away, but it had been a busy few hours. He had completely forgotten about the debriefing, although it did not really matter now.

"Of course," continued Hammond sitting down on a sofa, "I believe that for myself, it will be my last."

"Does that mean you're resigning, Doc?" asked George taking a seat across from him.

"It does. I'm afraid that my days of serving the Coalition are at an end. It has taken away too much of my time away from the hospital, and the Captain isn't the same woman she once was when I served under her on the ship. No, it's probably best to move on, eh sergeant?"

"I've decided to resign as well," said George. "But I've come here to ask you a favor, Doc" He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Hammond. Hammond opened and read its contents.

"I need you to contact all of them and have them meet up at the location on the bottom in four hours. I need their help and they will give it if you tell them I'm asking for it. They won't give you any trouble." He knew Hammond knew all the names on the list, they probably owed the Doc more than anyone else as much as he had patched them up in all the years.

"George," said Hammond looking at him. "It looks here like you trying to get a crew for a ship." He paused for a moment. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I am." He met Hammond's look, eye for eye.

"Then I will do as you have asked," said Hammond with a small sigh.

"Thanks, Doc," said George as they both stood up and shook each other's hand. "It's the right thing to do, Doc." He gave Hammond a nod and then left the apartment, the door closing softly leaving the doctor alone.

"The right thing, huh?" asked Hammond as he looked at the list again. Then he activated his pipboy and got to work.

-)(-

George's exit of the Hospital was met with the glowing lights of the city's coming to life in the darkening night. People came and went from the hospital, busy at all times day or night. He scanned the crowd before finding his mark. On the other side of the street waited Corporal Jenkins rubbing his hands together in an attempt to stave off the cold night. George approached Jenkins, guiding his way through the busy crowds.

"Sergeant," greeted Jenkins giving him a nod. "Everything according to plan?"

George nodded. "Now let's go see my nephew." He and Jenkins moved out, away from the hospital and into the darker parts of the city.

-)(-

As the night grew in length, George and Jenkins found themselves in Red Valley's former business district. Like humanity itself, the business district was nothing more than a shell of its former glory. Of the numerous skyscrapers that had once proudly supported industry and commerce, most were dark and empty with only a few bleeding light into the dark Martian night, and those that lived here were simply squatters, seeking shelter in the bones of the long dead. The people of this area were the poorest of the poor with no place in what the Citadel considered proper for human redevelopment. It was here that humanity most yearned for freedom, where discussion and discourse raged strongly with the hot fervor of how to reclaim what was lost.

It was here where Coalition Command called home, in the midst of those that dreamed of change, and of those that would be willing to fight for it. In the sewers long forgotten by anyone now in command of the city, men and women worked at all time organizing others around the Sol system against the Citadel. After two hours of hiking underground, George and Jenkins finally passed the last checkpoint and came into the base proper.

His clearance allowed him into nearly any place the Coalition had forces, even in the well protected headquarters few knew of. Here, the largest assembly of coalition forces were gathered, a few hundred men and women. Very few ever left to see the outside world due to the necessity for secrecy. Only special teams, such as George's, and high ranking personnel were free to move to and fro the base. Because of the constraints placed upon those that dwelled here, hundreds of families were also lived here. As such the huge underground location housed not only enough rooms for all, but schools and recreational areas to give the residents as good of a life as possible.

The base had been carved out from rock years after the war after guerrilla fighting had made apparent the realization that humanity's resistance needed a stable command quarters. Using what was left of the nano technology the resistance still held, it was rare even before the war, it managed to create this base under the noses of those that ruled humanity and here the Coalition was officially founded. Everything from operational planning to Research and Development took place down here.

Inside, people were busily going about their day. Everyone here knew George personally or from his exploits over the past couple of decades. He had worked with these people for years and knew them all well. Returning their waves and greetings as they walked by was the hardest part, as he knew they would eventually feel he had betrayed them. But he had made his mind up on what had to be done, and it was the right thing to do, it had to be.

Allimer, with Jenkins in tow, stopped as they reached an office door. The glass had been blacked out like many of the other offices so as to allow privacy for those inside. The office belonged to the Deputy of Network Intelligence within the Intelligence Department of the Coalition, Lieutenant John Kernell, Jr. He was also Allimer's nephew.

Allimer gave a quick tap on the door. The door control glowed green and the door parted open.

"Uncle," said Kernell standing up from his desk, bathed in the soft blue light of numerous holographic displays hovering around the room. "I was just informed you arrived at base." Kernell walked around and shook both men's hands and beckoned them to sit down at the corner of his office where he had a couch and chair centered around a brown coffee table covered with paper reports.

"Congratulations on the promotion, sir," said Allimer with Jenkins echoing.

"Thanks, it's been two interesting months so far for sure," said Kernell with a wry grin. "Oh, and Uncle. If you call me sir again when we are in private, I'll order you to the brig." Jenkins snickered at the comment and Allimer gave him a quick look causing him to activate his pipboy and go to work.

"Well I certainly don't want that," responded Allimer. "Sorry for the delay of congratulations, this is the first chance I have been able to give it. We only got back this morning."

"I know, and don't worry about it. Word around the office is that was one dicey mission. I'm sorry you lost some of your men, Uncle. I really am. But at least some good came out of it. At least you caught those terrorist."

"At least." Allimer knew he was obviously referencing Walker and Liara and figured it was their cover for who they really were put in place by Baker. But there was a look about his nephew that indicated he did not fully believe what the official word on them was. His nephew sensed more than what was told, and he was right.

"So, Uncle, you two have to be here for more than some belated congratulations, especially since your official debriefing isn't until tomorrow morning."

"We just have to take care of a few things before then. The never ending duties of a soldier in the Coalition," said Allimer as he saw Jenkins close down his pipboy, finished with his work. "But speaking of which, I'm afraid that we have to get going."

The men stood up and said their farewells and left Kernell to get back to his work. They proceeded to make their way on to one of the base's main lifts. "Boss," said Jenkins. "We could have done that anywhere in the base. Why in your nephew's office?"

"This might be the last chance I see him, Corporal," said Allimer solemnly."He's the only family I have left. But what about the two? The program worked alright?"

"Yeah, Aria's program did the trick. It should let us get them and get them out without question. They're listed as terrorist linked with the November group. Not a group to be associated around here especially after last winter."

"Then let's hurry," said Allimer as they reached the lift and ordered it to the appropriate floor.

They reached the holding area only a few minutes later. At the entrance of the area was a closed gate guarded by two men at a console seated behind a thick piece of glass. Allimer stepped up to the glass to speak with the waiting soldiers. "Sergeant Allimer and Corporal Jenkins. Here for a prisoner transfer."

"There aren't any transfers listed for today, Sergeant," answered one of the soldiers.

"Check again," ordered Allimer."

The soldier brought up a display and flicked through to the appropriate section as a scanner went over both Allimer and Jenkins. "Alright, it's here. These two are in and out quick aren't they? You are to take them via route B. Anything happens in the cells, you signal us, Sergeant." The soldier used his display again and the holding area's gate opened up for Allimer and Jenkins to pass through.

"Will do," responded Allimer as the they entered the holding area. After the gate had closed, he turned to Jenkins. "Let's get this over with."

-)(-

With a jerk, John Walker came into consciousness. He stared at the light above him blindly, for a moment lost in confusion as to where he was. Slowly at first, then with the ferocity of a waterfall memories came flooding back to him. From the time he woke up to last moment he could remember when Baker personally stunned him in his chest knocking him cold after she had separated him and Liara from the rest. He heard a soft cry to his left and glanced over seeing Liara passed out only a few feet away. Her hands were bound behind her and a chain connected her bindings to the wall. He tried to move towards her only to find he was similarly bound.

She cried again and he looked at her, seeing her face and tears slowly rolling down. She was asleep, and she was crying. The sadness and helplessness of the situation made John burn with anger. He called her name, again and again, trying to get her wake her up, but to no avail. He moved positions, and tried to stretch out his legs to shake her. Stretching as far as he could was not good enough, still a few inches short. Failing to reach her, he looked around the room. Four white walls of a relatively small room surrounded them. A gray door was the only exit, it's holographic door control in the center growing red. There was nothing he could think to use.

He was still in his light armor, and Liara in hers, but they lacked any weapons. He hoped that Liara might be able to use her biotics, but he noticed a steel gray collar on her neck, a light blue light flashing on it and figured that it was probably a suppressant for her powers. But it would not hurt to try.

He called her name out once more. As it left his lips, the door control flashed from red to green and a nanosecond later the door split open from the middle. Two men walked inside, wearing the grey uniforms of the Coalition. He tensed up as he saw them looking them straight in the eyes.
"Grab the bitch," said one of the soldiers pointing towards Liara. He was bald with grey cruel eyes and as his compatriot moved towards Liara, he have Walker a smile. "Don't worry, you'll be next."

Before Walker could respond ,the other soldier reached Liara and detached her bindings from the chain so he could move her. In the blink of an eye she went from still to lunging into the man's stomach with her shoulder knocking him out and onto the ground. The other soldier was caught by surprise and hesitated for one moment too long. Before he could get out of the room or signal for help, Liara charged past the small distance between them, jumping into the air and grabbing his neck with her legs. With a thump they both fell to the floor, the soldier trying to make alarm, but unable as Liara squeezed his throat as he kicked and punched. She jerked her legs and Walker heard the sick snap of the man's neck breaking. He struggled no more.

"Liara," said Walker, a bit stunned by the sudden attack. "Are you alright." Her tears were still fresh on her face from when she was crying.

"No," was all she said in a hollowed tone. She went back to the other soldier who started to get twitch. She stood over him, anger seething from her and fell on his neck with her knee. Another sick sound of a man dying followed. She kneeled down beside the now dead man and fiddled with his hand picking up the small want like tool he had used to detach her chain. She held it to her bindings and they fell off to the floor, the straps retreating into a small x shaped device. She then did the same to her collar, cracking her neck as it clanked hitting the floor. She quickly walked over to Walker and undid his binding. His wrist breathed with relief.

"We need to get out of here," she said to him coolly. "I don't see any weapons on these men so we will have to look elsewhere."

"Right then. Let's go." They moved for the still opened door. As they exited they found themselves in front of two more soldiers. Liara's right hand went up and glowed biotic blue. "Wait," Walker said quickly as he place his hand on her shoulder. "Not yet." He turned to the two soldiers. "Sergeant. Corporal. What are you doing here?"

"We're here to get you two out," said Sergeant Allimer. "But we need to move."

"How can... How can we be sure?" asked Walker. "Your fellows haven't been very nice."

"They are telling the truth," said Aria, her voice echoing from Allimer's wrist. "But we do not have a lot of time, Courier. The allowances put into place will only remain viable for so long."

"Then let's go," said Liara softly lowering her hand, the biotic glow fading away.

"Lead the way, Sergeant," said Walker. "I don't even know where the hell we are."

"You'll need to put on these first," said Allimer taking from his pocket two of the small x shaped devices that had just recently bound them. "Don't worry, with a tug they will snap off." He handed one to Liara and Walker. With some hesitation, Walker put his on, testing it. It snapped off as promised. He gave a nod to Liara and she put hers on too.

"Corporal, take point," Allimer ordered Jenkins. He led and Allimer stepped behind them so Walker and Liara were in the middle. With haste they made their way down various corridors passing numerous gray cell doors along the way. The only sound Walker could hear was the sound of their feet hitting the ground. Ahead, Jenkins came to a stop in front of a closed door at the end of their corridor.

"Alright, started Allimer. "Past here is a security station followed by our exit route. It's heavily guarded but so long as no one acts funny, we should be able to get through it all without any problems. Just keep your head down and your eyes to the floor and stay silent. Any questions?

Walker look to Liara and she gave him a short nod. "Well, none that I can think of," said Walker turning back towards Allimer.

"Good. Corporal, open the door." Jenkins waved his hand over the door control and the door split open. Quickly they stepped through the door entering a small hall where the was a security station for the holding area. Allimer went up to them and gave his name, rank and assignment. Security cleared the group and unlocked the gate on the other side. It rolled heavily into the wall allowing the group to pass through.

As they did so they came into a huge enclosed area that reminded Walker of nothing less than a warehouse. Stacks of crates were stored neatly around the room as small forklifts transferred cargo to and fro. Towards the left there was a large lift that some men in grey jumpsuits were loading up with various items. Other doorways led out of the area to other parts of the base, but Jenkins led them towards the other side of the warehouse. Doors large enough to drive a truck through stood closed on the other side, heavily armored and heavily guarded. Each was labeled Route A through G. They made their way to the one labeled Route B. This was their exit.

"Business?" asked one of the guards for the route as their group stopped at the checkpoint.

"Prisoner transfer," responded Allimer calmly."

"I don't think so, Sergeant," said a loud female voice from behind them. Walker turned around, as did the rest of them, to see what new trouble was brought. Walking towards them was a short, thin woman wearing a Coalition uniform of dark grey. Her hair was short and black as a raven, her eyes a piercing blue. She held a serious demeanor, furthered helped by two powered armored soldiers to each side, all four armed to the teeth. She stopped twenty feet from them. Walker heard rattling from above and turned to look seeing more than twenty powered armored soldiers making their way on two catwalks above them. They stopped in their positions and aimed their rifles at his group.

Allimer looked from the raven haired woman to the soldiers above and back to the woman. "And why not, Director Nelson," he said referring to the woman. "I don't think we will fare any worse otherwise."

She gave him a smile, cold as could be. "Colonel David. If you would be so kind." Three men stepped from behind a stack of crates. One man was in the middle, bound and gagged and held by an armored soldier while the other, obviously the colonel, held an old revolver to the prisoner's head.

"You all will come with me now," began Director Nelson. "Or I will kill Lieutenant Kernell, your nephew, Sergeant Allimer, unless I am mistaken."

Allimer's hands balled into fist as he looked from his nephew to the Director. Around them all of the guards held them in full attention, rifles ready. Other people stood on the outskirts of the center, wondering what was about to happen.

"Fine," said Walker stepping out in front of the group, conceding. "You win."

"Perfect," responded the Director. "Now if you will please lay down your arms and follow me. General Wright wants to see you all"

Allimer and Jenkins laid what weapons they had on the ground and they were all quickly frisked by some soldiers. They were not bound by the soldiers, simply disarmed. Director Nelson started to walk towards one of the doors leading back into the complex, flanked by her men, and Walker and the rest followed with more soldiers following them. Lieutenant Kernell had his gag and bindings removed and put along with them as they walked.

They were escorted through multiple security checkpoints until finally coming to a large room. On the opposite side sat six people on a curved table elevated slightly above the rest in the room. One seat next to a man in the center was empty. Soldiers were to their sides and stationed around the room. There was no one else in the room as Walker and his group made their way to the center in front of the people sitting. Director Nelson moved around the table and took the empty seat next to the man in the center.

From above, all those sitting looked down upon Walker and his group. "Gentlemen, and Asari," said the man in the center with a hint of disgust at the use of the word "asari". Welcome to the Chamber of Seven. I am General Dan Wright, Head Chair of the Committee, Leader of the Coalition, and I need your help."

And so concludes this update. Please post any question or comments or PM me directly if need be. Favorite and Subscribe if you fell it is a good enough story to warrant it. Till next time, which is a week or less!