Hey guys! Sorry about the long delay, I have been super busy with University and writing some of my original stuff. I am happy to announce that I am half way though my first original novel!
Anyway, this is a pretty short chapter, so I hope you enjoy. The next chapter will be up soon!
Chapter 6: The great escape
Commander Selena Shepard had only really panicked twice in her life time. The first was when her father had caught her smoking, the room to her bedroom opening before she could react, her father's eyes falling to his sheepish daughters hand as she froze mid drag. The second, was when she was spaced, forced to watch the Normandy's destruction around her, the air being pulled from her lungs as she fell towards her icy grave, her skin burning as she entered the atmosphere. But as she watched the hulking mass of metal fast approach her position, this would make the third.
She searched her surroundings franticly, scanning the area for anything that resembled an escape. The murky metal of the launch tube seeming to close in on her as her heart stared to beat faster in her chest. A flash of green caught her eye, a barely noticeable glow a few feet away from her causing her eyes to flicker to her left, she hesitated for only a second, her eyes moving to the glowing orange ball of fire that grew bigger with each passing breath. The heat was intense, burning her skin through her armour. She took a deep breath before starting towards it, coming to a sliding halt right in-front of the door, pressing the glowing green light that flicked in the middle. The light flashed, then promptly turned orange.
"Shit!" She shouted, she was getting sick of that happening. Activating her Omni-tool she extended her arms towards the door, the hiss and beeping of her device drowned out by the ever increasing roaring in the tunnel. She ignored the crackling in her radio, her heart beating faster as the wall of fire approached her. The door finally hissed open and Shepard fell through, hitting the floor with a painful thud. Before the heavy blast door could close properly, a wave of scorching orange and red rushed in through the gaps, Shepard barely had time to raise her barrier before the fire curled round the blue glowing dome like water. A few seconds passed, and the inferno was sucked out back through the door. Leaving only silence. Selena let her barrier down, the amp in the back of neck itching and burning her skin.
Her raised arm fell limply to the floor, her head soon following. She took three deep breaths, exhaling through her mouth. Her chest heaving as she tried to control the rapid beating of her heart.
"Fuck."
Liara stared up at the sky, her eyes wide with terror as she watched a large metallic missile shoot from the ground and into the sky. The explosion of fire it left in its wake knocking her and the rest of the team off their feet. She watched as the missile flew towards the greying clouds above them, disappearing from view within seconds.
"Oh my god." She heard the soft broken whisper of Alex beside her, the young human doctor staring into the large black hole Shepard had fallen down only movements before, the edges of the rock singed and burned from fire.
The Asari rushed to her feet, half crawling towards the deep hole that still billowed grey smoke, she squinted through the darkness, her hand moving to her ear.
"Shepard!" She yelled, as if saying her name loud enough would warrant a response. There was static on the other end. The Asari licked her lips fearfully, a cold feeling radiating from the base of her chest.
"Shepard, can you hear me? Are you ok?" a hand on her shoulder made her jump, three taloned fingers gently placed on her armour. "Selena!" Her voice broke slightly as she shouted through her radio a third time. Liara took a painful shuddering breath, looking up at Garrus with tearful eyes.
"I am sure she's fine Doc." Ashley said, doubt evident in her voice.
Garrus squeezed her shoulder tighter, a reassuring gesture that did nothing to calm Liara.
"Come on Liara, you and I both know Shepard would not let herself get taken out by a rocket. She is too stubborn to die." The Turians attempt at humour fell flat. Getting to her feet, the Asari turned to Ashley.
"We need to find a way into the facility. That is where Shepard would be heading. We should be able to follow the heat signatures left behind by the missile. That should lead us right to the facility." Liara looked down towards her omni-tool, then back at Ashley. "This way."
Ashley's frowned slightly at the Asari's frantic explanation, her gaze following the direction of Liara's extended arm. She nodded her head in agreement, her eyes flicking to the dark launch tunnel that had began to close.
"Ok, let's go."
To say that Alex Cater hated the heat, would have been an understatement. She absolutely despised the heat. She despised the way it made her clothes stick to her skin, she despised the way it made her itch in awkward places, but most of all, she despised the way it reminded her of home.
Mindoir had, had beautiful summers, the days had been pleasantly hot, and the nights had been cool. She could still remember the smell of the grass after a thunderstorm, or the sweet scent of the purple flowers that grew in the meadows. She could remember with painstaking detail the way she and Shepard would relax by the river, simply, content in each other's company.
She smiled sadly at the memories. Mindoir may have been rebuilt, but there was a certain malevolent atmosphere to it now, a sinister feeling that seemed to have seeped into the very soil along with the blood of the victims that perished in the attack.
She shifted uncomfortably in the heavy armour that weighed her down, the bulky shell that seemed to too big, making it hard for her to move quietly through the forest.
She sighed as a twig snapped under her heavy boot, a long thin branch seeming to appear from nowhere, slapping across the glass of her helmet and leaving murky red trails along her visor.
She was never one for adventure. She much preferred the safety of the labs, days spent sitting comfortably at a desk, coffee whenever she needed, food whenever she wanted and definitely, no chance of getting shot. She preferred reading about other people's adventures rather than having them herself, she had always held a deep respect for the fearless characters in her books, a trait that attracted her to Selena. The woman had been relentlessly adventurous, even all those years ago, she had always been more interested in trekking through the unexplored forests of Mindoir then learning about plants and medicine. Much to her patents dismay. Despite her situation, Alex found herself smiling, a warm feeling resting in her chest.
"Doc this isn't a midday stroll, step on it!"
Ashley's forceful voice made her jump. Alex sighed, quickening her pace and falling into to an awkward jog beside Garrus. She watched Liara look at her over her shoulder, rolling her eyes slightly before turning back to examine her omni-tool. Alex frowned at the aliens coldness towards her. Weren't Asari's supposed be nice?
"Is she always like that?" She asked Garrus, not really expecting him to answer, she was momentarily surprised when his deep voice met her ears.
"Liara?" He asked, his resonating tones holding a hint of humour. "She is…normally nice."
Alex scoffed. ""So it is just me then?"
Garrus chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that was unexpectedly soothing.
"Thing about Liara is, she is pretty protective when it comes to Shepard. It's only gotten worse since the commander almost died a second time. If she dies again Liara is going to be pissed."
"Wait. Again?"
"Long story."
Alex thought for a moment, a million questions bouncing around in her head.
"So…" she asked, biting her lip. "Are they...close?"
Garrus laughed again, a sound that would have been infectious had it not been directed at her.
"You could say that Yeah."
A silence fell between them once more, nothing but her clumsy footstep's interrupting the quiet of the forest. She frowned at his words, contemplating the hidden meaning behind them.
I know that what happen is a little far fetched, I do not even know if launch tunnels have doors, but lets just say in 2185 they do. :) Next chapter will be up soon. If I have made any errors regarding spelling, grammar or codex / Mass Effect story Line please do point them out to me .
Please leave a review.
:)