Chapter 32 – Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Hackett surveyed the scene.
The yahg ships appeared as little more than shadows, only they were far from phantasms. Hackett had noted that the yahg ships all appeared to be exactly the same in size and shape. Slightly larger than their frigates, he suspected that if they were going to invest in one type of vessel, a well-armed frigate would be the one to go for, especially if you couldn't be seen: they'd be fast, and when off-radar and as black as the space around them they would be extremely difficult to track with the eye at speed.
But that wasn't all he had to worry about. To maintain control over the yahg all the way up here, the Leviathans would have to use the artifacts. How many were there? Bau had seen several being loaded into ships, so there was more than one. One for each ship? A mere handful? Either way, the pulses they could emit were lethal out here.
His fleets and their allies were potentially hugely vulnerable, and the lack of radar detection had them on the back-foot, and it wasn't a place he liked being.
It was difficult not to feel disturbed at the sight of what the yahg had accomplished, but that wasn't a state of being he dwelled in. He was Admiral Hackett, and this was what he excelled at. He had taken his knowledge and experience on the ground and transferred them to commanding his fleets.
"Admiral, the forces are ready."
Hackett had already assessed the situation, relayed his solution to his counterparts, and the fleets had spread out in response.
"Lima: advance," he ordered.
Almost immediately the geth cruisers under Lima designation began to move, a selection of the races frigates falling in behind them. Hackett imperceptibly held his breath. The next few moments would determine whether this battle would fail before it had begun.
Dr Cole and her team had accomplished adapting the geths program, created in response to the quarians viral attack which they'd replicated from the Crucible itself, but this would be the first test of the Pulse Protection Program's effectiveness against the Leviathans.
It was designed like a lightning conductor, drawing any pulse towards it in its entirety, then dispersing it around the hull of the ship towards a single ineffectual point. Only it was a double-edged sword. The program had a major drawback, one that, given more time, they might well have been able to fix: the PPP interfered with their ships shielding. It was one or the other. They could be protected from the pulses, but not heavy fire. Though installed in every ship, it had been decided it would only be implemented when absolutely necessary.
As Lima force approached firing range, those around Hackett also stood still and silent. The geth cruisers had the PPP online, while the frigates had their shields.
Instantly, a rushing ripple of energy emanated from the fore-most group of still-stationary yahg ships. As it got to the geth cruisers, positioned at intervals, the energy suddenly funnelled into them. The cruisers looked like they were electrified as the pulse sparked over their hulls, but they were still functioning. It had worked. The pulse had never had a chance to get near the frigates the cruisers were there to protect.
There was a second to enjoy the relief Hackett could hear amongst his crew. Now they had a real chance.
The frigates edged out from the cruisers to launch their attacks, the yahg ships now also moving into action and consequently appearing to vanish into the darkness.
"Dreadnoughts: light them up," ordered Hackett.
Without defined targets, Hackett had ordered them into positions that, when they fired straight ahead, would create a crisscross of firepower, like a net. Just a few hits would be enough to frame the 'invisible' ships.
"Frigates: fire at will, but watch those pulses. Delta and Echo forces: prepare to engage."
They watched as the battle truly began, flashes of lethal energy streaking to and fro. The yahg's firepower seemed on par with theirs, their shields no stronger, and as soon as the dreadnoughts fire struck home and the resulting sparks and fire highlighted a yahg ship's position, the frigates were there to concentrate fire. More pulses swarmed through the darkness, but the frigates were ready to swing back behind their cruiser's protection. Those cruisers were taking hits from the yahgs gunfire, their life-span limited without shields, but other geth cruisers were waiting in the wings to replace them. Those manning the doomed cruisers were only basic geth constructions with no 'mind' other than their low-level programming. No organic life, or important geth minds would be at risk.
"The Normandy's clear, Sir."
Hackett merely nodded in acknowledgement, his face impassive, long used to dealing with that worm of concern which squirmed in his guts at the thought of his daughter entering another dangerous situation. Suppressing thoughts that would threaten to distract him, there was only the battlefield in front of him.
oOo
"Approaching atmosphere," announced Joker, following protocol despite the fact that Shepard could see that for herself as she stood behind him.
Shepard couldn't take her eyes off Parnack. Not that she could see past the thick cloud, but she was waiting for that moment when they pushed through it and exited to the view below. She had some idea of what to expect from Bau's report but the first sight of a new planet was something that excited her as much as it unsettled her.
A presence behind her, accompanied by the wonderfully familiar masculine scent, told her it was Kaidan. His armour clinked against hers as he stood close, but they remained silent as they broke through the grey.
There it was. Parnack. The base was a ways from here. They'd cover that in the shuttle, while Joker and Altair kept watch overhead to provide a birds-eye view to assist the ground forces. She saw the lush but autumn-coloured jungles, the barren wastes, and terrain of stone shards, and it amazed her how the landscape could change within such a small radius. Everything was bleak though, like the colour had been drained from it. A world in sepia and greys. Even the skies reflected the surface, as the rain-filled clouds threatened to send a deluge.
"Closing on our rendezvous site in ten."
That was where the ground forces were, ready to cross the harsh land and close in on the yahg base.
"We'd best get on that shuttle," prompted Kaidan.
Shepard gave a single nod. "Take care, you two," she ordered.
"Hey, don't worry about us," flung back Joker, "you're heading into the home of Leviathan-fuelled, angry freaking giants."
"Yeah, uh, could have done without the reality check, Joker," Kaidan huffed.
"You really need to work on the uplifting speeches," joked Shepard.
"Actually, I've been told I do a great job at that," disputed Joker. "Right, Altair?"
She gave him a semi-salute, her eyes constantly checking the screens in front of her like she was afraid to look away else something would happen. "Commander Moreau is truly inspirational, Ma'am. I'm a better pilot because of him."
Shepard couldn't help the smile, her hand squeezing Joker's shoulder. "I'm pleased to hear that, Altair. Alright, we'll be back before you know it."
"You'd better be," warned Joker, seriously.
"Oh, and I like the cap," Shepard called back as she walked with Kaidan down the aisle towards the CIC.
"Altair gave it to me. For being totally me," Joker answered over the comm, with deliberate smugness.
With raised brows at Kaidan, Shepard joined him in the elevator.
"Looks like they're finally hitting it off," observed Kaidan. Then the doors closed and he turned to look directly at her. "Have you checked your LDF's functional?"
Shepard looked down at the omnitool at her wrist in confusion. "No..."
"Then let me." He'd already started up his omnitool and was running it over her tool, studying the screen intently as he looked for anything to indicate it could fail.
It made Terra's heart stammer in her chest. He was afraid for her. She placed her hand on his cheek so he'd look at her, and when he did she kissed him gently. "The field is fine, Kaidan."
He exhaled in response, the worry creasing his forehead as he rested it against hers. "Please be careful down there."
"That works both ways," she whispered back. "You need to focus on you and your team down there. You can't be distracted by me."
"Could you say the same?" he challenged.
She didn't need to answer; it was in her eyes and she knew he'd seen it. They separated as the doors slid aside, and together they stepped into the shuttle bay. Shepard pushed every doubt down deep. Her face would show no trace of the fear that swam beneath her skin, and when she looked at Kaidan it was like he reflected her – there was only the soldier.
...
Grabbing up his helmet, his armour on and comfortable like an old friend, James could feel a certain pair of eyes on him. A surge of heat and pride went through him, and for a moment he forgot what they were heading into as he sauntered over to Jack with the thought that he hadn't even kissed her yet.
They'd spent the whole of his downtime on the Citadel talking. She'd slowly opened up to him bit by horrific bit about Pragia and after, and he understood precisely why she was so defensive. He was awed by her inner strength, and thankful for it. It may have made her angry, volatile even, but it had also protected the heart of her that was there if you just persevered. It was how she'd survived, and it had sheltered the girl who simply wanted to feel love and acceptance. In return he'd shared his own childhood – his father who liked to use his fists, and his uncle who had saved him from succumbing to that poisonous influence – and on to Fehl and that mind-messing decision that had nearly destroyed him. That's when their histories had brightened and their stories had one thing in common: Shepard. After that they'd partied it up in the clubs and casinos, just letting loose on the dance-floor now they'd shared the worst of it. Whether winning drinking contests or losing credits on the varren races, it didn't matter, because they'd had a blast.
Jack was propped against the workstation that had once been his, lazily attaching her pistol and shotgun to her... James looked Jack over with a frown.
"Do me a favour, Bella, and wear some armour. I'm sure Esteban has something that'll fit you."
"Don't need it. Some of us have the brains to get out of the way of incoming gunfire."
"Bullshit," interrupted Shepard as she passed by. "You just like to sweep them off their feet before they can fire."
"Same thing," shrugged Jack.
Then they were alone again and James stepped a little closer. "Bella, please. This isn't the Arena, and the enemy aren't mercs. It isn't just bullets you have to watch out for."
"I don't like to feel restricted," she admitted, some haunting memory flitting over her face before she buried it again. "Besides, I saw the same vid you did, remember? If it comes to a hand fight with those things, armour isn't going to make a fucking bit of difference."
James winced at the thought of it – of her in yahg hands.
"Hey, Big Lug." She tossed a casual punch to his shoulder. "You know what they say, right? The bigger they are, the harder they fall." She let her biotics ripple over her with a self-assured smirk. "And I know how to make them fall."
"You certainly do," he murmured, mostly to himself, but Jack was stood staring back at him as she caught the true meaning behind his words.
"On the shuttle when you're ready," Shepard called out from where she stood at the shuttle's opening, as Cortez started the engine.
The rest of the group were strolling across the bay, all watching James and Jack with huge grins.
"Don't stop there," rumbled Wrex. "I'm interested to see if the human who's built like a krogan can also ru-."
"Please don't say it," interrupted Garrus, jumping up into the shuttle. "Images. I always get images. It's not what I need in my head before a battle."
"What, turians don't rut?" Wrex sat down opposite him.
"And he said it," sighed Garrus. "No, Wrex, we don't. Because we're not animals. Turians…" he searched for the right word while the others all settled inside.
"Spar," Shepard helpfully provided, with a small grin.
Garrus sighed again with an added shake of his head. "Knew I said too much about that."
"Sounds… interesting," commented Kaidan.
"Oh, it is," continued Shepard. "Reach and flexibility are key, apparently."
"Okay, okay." Garrus surrendered to his laughing comrades, then shrugged. "You know what, that's as good a description as any."
"Wow... Romantic," joked James.
"Sounds like my kind of fun," Jack smirked, making James flush.
"We're approaching drop-off," informed Joker, breaking the light mood.
Shepard closed the shuttle door, nodding at Cortez, and he deftly turned the shuttle, positioning them at the bay's closed ramp. It slowly lowered and then they were moving forward, leaving the ship behind them.
"All clear, Normandy," announced Cortez.
"Good luck. Normandy out."
"Attention," demanded Shepard, all professional now as she addressed them, leaving no room for question that she was expecting the same from them. "Our mission is to locate any artifacts and to destroy them in order to sever the Leviathans hold on the yahg. Spectre Bau reported that the only artifacts he'd seen in that underground hangar, aside from the one that had been placed in front of Tagarin, were all in the process of being loaded into ships. We also know that all of those ships have left the surface." They were fairly sure the Leviathans preferred to dwell in large oceans. This area of Parnack was void of any large water masses. That meant they couldn't be physically close enough to maintain their control. "It's likely that they need only one artifact to maintain control of that base, but that's a minimum number, and we have to locate it, or them."
"Still think it's a waste of time," Wrex stated. "Even if we succeed, the yahg won't thank you for it. Sooner or later we'll be facing them again."
"Later is fine with me, Wrex. At least then it'll be fair. They'll be of their own minds, and it'll be their own decision. I have no problem taking down someone who chooses to wage war."
"And I'll be with you, little sister."
"Holding you to that," she pointed out. "So," she continued, "that leaves the three buildings the infiltration team isolated. It seems the most likely place to find what we're looking for."
"I've got a visual on our ground forces," informed Cortez. It was followed by an impressed whistle. "Now that's something to see." The sides of the shuttle opened to give them an unobscured view.
Below them were hordes of krogan interspersed with makeshift pens that contained the kakliosaurs. In a separate encampment were the rachni, creating a very different picture from the rowdy, animated krogan. It amazed her that there wasn't any trouble from the krogan with the rachni so near. At the outskirts were the forces belonging to the Council races (the salarians placed as far from the krogan as was possible) - all markedly outnumbered by the krogan, who in turn were outnumbered by the rachni ten times over.
The shuttle lowered, Cortez searching somewhere to set down, and a krogan waved for their attention. Grunt. He yelled at those around him and they moved aside, creating a landing zone.
The engine still running, Wrex exited the shuttle, followed by Shepard and Kaidan, who both involuntarily lifted their hands to their noses as the smell from the nearby kakliosaur pen hit them.
"Battle-master," greeted Grunt.
"Looks like things are all set down here."
"There were a few who wanted to fight with the rachni over there, and the salarians, but I knocked them senseless and stuck them at the rear as an example."
Shepard guessed being ordered to the back of the force and out of the worst of the fighting was a krogan's worst nightmare - enough to make the rest fall in line - and from what she'd seen from above, it was working.
Wrex looked about him, impressed. "Hm. Good job. Better watch myself. You'll be contending for clan chief next."
Grunt shrugged it off. "I'll wait until you're too old to defend yourself from another contender. Out of respect for Shepard. She likes you."
Growling, his face wrinkling in scorn, Wrex opened his mouth to respond, only for Coats to interrupt.
"Shepard," called out Coats, pushing through the bodies. "Alenko. We're ready to implement things, just as we planned."
Shepard hated that plan. Much like on her first visit to Virmire, it involved sending people right at the yahg as a distraction for her and her team to enter the base relatively unhindered. Those on the frontlines would be krogan platoons, with rachni support. "They'll be annihilated."
"The krogan and rachni are our best bet to hold out longer with less numbers on the ground," reasoned Coats.
She'd heard that argument the first time, but it sat no better inside her. Yes, it was preferable to place the bare minimum of personnel at risk on that battlefield, but it felt like they were just using the krogan and rachni as nothing but fodder.
"This is what the krogan do, little sister," said Wrex, raising his arms into the air to gesture around him.
"Fight themselves into extinction?" she parried.
"Someone has to be on those frontlines," Kaidan said, gently.
Wrex nodded. "And the krogan want their place there." He turned to the pen behind him, sighing contentedly at the sight. "Can you imagine it, Shepard? Riding into battle on the backs of these beasts, just like our ancestors."
"We also have tomkahs," added Grunt, eyeing the animals in distaste, clearly not as enamoured with them as Wrex.
The krogan chief grunted in response. "Youngsters. They have no respect for the old ways."
"The old ways have me storming through piles of animal shit before I get to the enemy," grumbled Grunt.
They all looked over at the kakliosaurs. It couldn't be argued: what the animals left behind was impressive.
"We'll let you go first," retorted Wrex, then turned to the others. "It'll be a hard fight, but one worthy of the krogan. Not sure what I feel about fighting alongside the rachni, but I'll adapt."
"Think you can keep the krogan focused on the yahg with their old enemy on the field?" worried Kaidan.
"The rachni are a foe we've beaten. The yahg aren't. Every krogan wants to prove themselves capable of bringing them down, too. They'll be focused," stated Wrex.
"They have to be," added Coats. "We need the rachni. Their ability to tunnel beneath the yahg and come up behind their backs will be pivotal in keeping the fight going for as long as you need without heavy casualties."
Inhaling deeply, then wishing she hadn't, Shepard readied herself to return to the shuttle. She looked in the direction of the yahg base. Once the ground forces had cleared that slope which currently provided them with cover, the yahg would know they were there and the battle would begin. "Please keep yourselves safe." As soon as she said it, she knew how stupid it was.
"No fun in safe," Wrex replied.
Grunt thumped his fist into his other hand. "Let's go already."
"I'll be keeping an eye on the battle, Ter," assured Coats. "The moment it looks like it's turning bad, I'll send in the full force. We're in this together."
"With any luck, we'll find any artifacts and end this quickly," Kaidan said, hopefully.
"That would be good," sighed Shepard.
"Sounds boring," complained Grunt.
"Sounds unlikely," pointed out Wrex.
"I think I'm really over reality checks," muttered Kaidan as they headed back to the shuttle without Wrex.
Before Shepard could follow Kaidan inside, they heard shouts.
"Admiral!"
"Shepard!"
She paused to catch two familiar salarians making their way very bravely through the krogan, much of the jostling from the krogan clearly on purpose, but they seemed oblivious.
"Gardew and Cael," re-introduced Cael.
"We helped you on Sur'Kesh," reminded Gardew.
"And got to arrest Linron."
"That was a good day," Gardew chimed.
Shepard could only smile at the duo, her fondness for them winning over the situation. "As if I could ever forget. I would say it's nice to see you again, but considering where we are, it doesn't seem appropriate."
"Indeed," nodded Cael, seriously. "The yahg…." He shook his head in bewilderment.
"Is it true that standard cloaks don't work?" asked Gardew.
"Of course it's true!" exclaimed Cael, before Shepard could speak, and he nudged his friend. "I'm positive the Admiral isn't prone to fibbing about our enemies!"
"Except the yahg aren't our enemies in the true sense of the word. Leviathans…" Gardew sighed.
"Truly a pain in the galaxy's rear," agreed Cael.
"A pain in the galaxy's mind would be more accurate."
"Well, I have to go, so, good luck out here," wished Shepard, trying to end the conversation.
Cael waved it off. "We're reserve only. Apparently, the krogan don't require us until it's desperate."
"Isn't it already desperate if we've gotten to this stage?" countered Gardew.
"Apparently, there are degrees of desperate."
"Stop talking, salarians!" snapped Javik from within the shuttle. "The Admiral needs to perform a task before the battle ends." He then slammed the shuttle door shut to make his point.
Though it was very true, Shepard winced on behalf of her prothean associate, and hushed, "I apologise. He's not people-trained."
"I am not idiot-trained," barked back Javik through the hull.
"But he does have very good hearing," she added, biting her lip to stop herself laughing. "Whatever you end up doing, I wish you well."
"It seems it's you that needs the luck, Admiral," said Gardew.
"Yes. Good luck," bid Cael.
Then Shepard quickly turned in time for Kaidan to pull open the hatch enough to let her on, amusement all over his face, while James was quietly chuckling.
Cortez expertly glided them up and over the heads of their allies, then skimmed the ground as they made their way across the changing landscape, only rising when it was absolutely necessary. He navigated through the strangely severe rock formations that protruded through the ground which signalled they were closing on their destination.
Shepard's hand fell beside her to grip Kaidan's, and he turned his in order to lace his fingers with hers. Despite that they weren't alone, he then lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing the back of her hand. It made her smile, and her eyes met his. She sent him her love and he returned it. Then the shuttle was slowing. They'd arrived. Their fingers released each other, sliding across skin to maintain contact until there was no choice to let go.
Guns were already primed by the time they stepped from the shuttle. Cortez had placed them in a shallow dip so he could stay out of sight until they needed him. Moving out and picking their way carefully through the rocky terrain until the base was in sight, they hunkered down and surveyed the area.
"We're in position," radioed Shepard.
"Copy that," returned Coats. "Good luck."
Then they waited. It didn't take more than five minutes for the alarm to be raised. The number of yahg that suddenly gathered was frightening.
"See the difference in behaviour amongst them?" murmured Kaidan.
Shepard studied the yahg. It was like the krogan and rachni back at the encampment, only they were all one species. Many were obviously pumped, eager for the confrontation, but others stood stationary, faces blank. "They're not all under Leviathan control yet."
Kaidan nodded. "Must be new additions to the army. And I'd estimate they make up more than two thirds of the yahgs numbers."
"86%," provided Edi.
"The majority here are simply following their leader's orders."
An almighty roar rose up from the uncontrolled yahg, then they were moving forward towards the oncoming krogan who could now be heard off in the distance, roaring back. The yahgs land vehicles added to the bellows with their gruff rumbling engines. Shepard was reminded of a Mako, the way they seemed to be able to traverse the uneven ground with ease, but there were no signs of mass effect fields. These were a people who had been left untouched by the Reapers tech until just recently. Machinery was exactly that, devoid of the computer systems that the Council races' own vehicles wouldn't be able to function without.
It wasn't long before the base was virtually deserted. Only a few lingered as guards, but Shepard had already assessed a way to get to those buildings without leaving cover too much. She led the way, flitting from one rock spear to the next until they were parallel to their targets. There was one problem though: a yahg on guard duty, patrolling this stretch they needed to cross.
"Shit. If he sees us he'll alert his pals; if we fire on him, we'll alert his pals," moaned James.
"I'll have to take him out quietly."
"There's no cover between him and us, Lola. There's no way you can get to him without him spotting you."
"Biotics," Jack said simply.
"No," disputed Kaidan. "It's got to be quick and clean. A strike has to be guaranteed to kill instantly or he'll have time to raise the alarm."
Huffing in frustration, Jack sat unceremoniously on the ground. "What the fuck sort of fight is this? I don't do creeping about. This sucks."
"Patience, Jack," soothed Shepard, her gaze still on the yahg. "We have to take a risk. Time to find out if my new cloak frequency works on the yahg." She looked over at Javik, who gave her a silent nod. "Be ready. This could go bad." Then she activated her cloak. It wasn't so good at fooling standard eyes: she looked like a shimmering haze to the others – all except Javik.
"You are invisible to me," he confirmed.
Kaidan watched his wife stand up and walk silently forward, tension gathering across his shoulders, his hands tightening on his weapon, and the ripple of his biotics prickling beneath his skin, ready to burst through in an instant. The yahg, who was currently pacing away from her, would soon turn to retrace his steps, but Terra kept walking forward, not a hint of hesitation in her soundless stride as she chose to place her feet on the larger stones that littered the ground in order to avoid the crunching gravel. Kaidan held his breath as the yahg stopped, then spun. Terra stopped dead… Then the yahg was walking forward, looking around him, just as he'd done before, searching for intruders and not seeing the one right in front of him.
The whole group exhaled. The cloak was working.
"I take it back. That's fucking ballsy," breathed out Jack. "I'm getting one."
"A yahg?" teased James.
"A cloak, dumbass," she played along.
Shepard had only gone a few steps closer before staying in place, just waiting for the yahg to come to her. One more step…
In one swift flash of motion, Shepard leapt up, grabbed the yahg's chest-piece to yank him down, released her omniblade, and drove it hard into the gaping mouth and up into his brain. He crumpled to the ground like his bones had disintegrated. Her cloak fell away and she pulled the blade free.
"Yes!" hissed Jack, vibrant with excitement, then punching James' shoulder in order to release it.
"Ow! Do you mind if we leave it to the yahg to do the pummelling?" protested James. "At least then I can hit back."
He and Kaidan then went to drag the dead yahg to cover, while Shepard kicked the gravel about in order to conceal the trail of blood.
"As much as it pains me to say it," muttered Kaidan, "it would be a lot safer to finish this without the other guards on patrol."
"I agree," said Javik. "We do not know what we will find inside. Gunfire could well be necessary. We should continue around the perimeter and remove all threat of detection."
Shepard couldn't deny the sense in that.
"We're about to engage the enemy," advised Coats.
The atmosphere suddenly felt tenser, like the damp air had become charged with electricity, threatening them all with a lightning strike. The real battle was about to begin.
oOo
Once Wrex had given his command to attack, there was no stopping his brethren. They thundered up the hill to cross the wasteland, fuelled by the sight of their enemies doing the same.
Sat atop his kakliosaur, Wrex felt a surge of pride as the beast stampeded forward with the rest. It trampled one of his people, but Wrex couldn't care less about a krogan too stupid to move out of the way. He was only interested in what was coming towards him, getting larger with very second.
Releasing a heavy weapon from his back, Wrex aimed at one of the tank-like vehicles and fired. The rocket zoomed across the rapidly diminishing expanse between them and hit its target. The vehicle was tossed backwards as the rocket pierced the metal and exploded at the same time. It tumbled at speed into the foot-soldiers behind, taking them out in the process and setting others ablaze, who dropped and rolled.
A cheer radiated through the charging krogan. It was the first strike, and it was a good one. Others followed his example, creating as much chaos from a distance as they could. Then the space was gone, and the two opposing groups clashed into each other with bone-crunching force. Kakliosaurs walked over the tanks with ease, crushing the roofs and those inside. Wrex saw a couple go down as the yahg returned the heavy fire, but the others kept going - not because they were ferocious but because they were scared and doing what they did naturally: run. Only the odd tug on the reins was required to alter the beasts' direction.
A yahg was standing in front of him firing, the shots pinging off Wrex's shields or stinging his animal's thick hide. In response his beast lowered its head, the horns leading its path, skewering the yahg while it continued its run. When its huge head lifted again, Wrex grinned at the yahg still there. One shotgun round to the face and another yahg was down.
To his left, Wrex saw several of his people being yanked apart by groups of yahg, and he steered towards them, stomping both yahg and those krogan who were beyond help. Elsewhere, he could see it was taking an inordinate amount of shots to bring down even a single yahg, and he realised that many of the krogan who had headed the fight were either dead or so wounded they were most certainly on their secondary systems, entering into a blood rage as a result.
He fired his shotgun at every opportunity. The casualties didn't matter. Only the fight. They would always keep going. Victory or death.
Screeching filled his ears, and he had to suppress his instinct to aim at the rachni that swarmed up from the ground behind the yahg. The acid sprays had the yahg roaring in pain, and suddenly they were less organised as they found themselves boxed in.
Wrex grinned. Maybe fighting with bugs wasn't so bad after all.
oOo
The grounds of the base clear, the group moved towards their target buildings.
"This is where we split," announced Shepard. "I'd prefer to keep together, but we don't have the time, so stay sharp. We have no idea what we're walking into."
At the sound of footsteps they raised weapons and spun as one.
"Bau!" exclaimed Kaidan. The salarian looked absolutely exhausted but whole, asides from a few scratches. "You made it!"
"I doubled back and hid back in the vents. I can confirm there are no ships or artifacts in the underground bunker, by the way." He heaved the breath of a man relieved beyond measure. "Good to see you all. Quite a greeting the krogan are giving the yahg. Clever to use the rachni. I was tempted to head straight to our allies camp, but I need to find out what's in those buildings; what my comrades died for. Also noticed you using an adapted cloaking device, Shepard. At least now I understand why the others failed."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" queried Kaidan, running a quick medical scan over him. No injuries. "You look about ready to collapse." He offered some rations to Bau, which were gratefully received.
"I won't get in your way. I simply have to see this through." He was already chewing into the ration bar, devouring it in the time it took for Shepard to divide them into teams, then readying his gun.
Shepard indicated a building to each team, and Bau fell in beside her and Jack as she made her way to the central construction, pulling her helmet into place. The others followed suit, with masks for those who didn't use helmets. "You too, Bau," she insisted, and he immediately compiled without question. She looked up at the stark, not overly large, windowless structure built in stone slabs that trickled with moisture as though the building wept. What would they find in here? Labs, were her best guess. They had yet to find the salarian scientists and guards. But what else?
They were about to find out.
oOo
The Leviathans 'eyes' were beginning to reduce in number, some of whom they controlled, others who would have soon been theirs.
"We must end this before we lose too many of our tools," the Second advised. "Our ships should have had a greater advantage over the races, but their new resistance to our overloads is hampering us."
"It is troubling. As is the attack on the planet, though it has also been interesting to behold," admitted the Third. "Rachni and krogan together after so many years as enemies."
The First, angered, once more asserted his mind over the others until their thoughts turned to whimpers. "You forget who we are. We are the apex race. None can triumph over us." He released his brethren. "It is time for their first lesson."
oOo