Sorry this chapter took so long to post. I have been pretty busy with my cosplay, which I am happy to announce to all finished!
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I made it nice and long for you.
Please leave a review.
Ashley Williams stared at the holographic image that floated in front of her, an array of brilliant reds and dark blues hovering over the circular war terminal as she tried to etch every detail of the map to memory.
With the help of Alex and Miranda, Liara had finally managed to narrow down the Commanders location, piecing together a map from the information obtained from both the salve ship and Daral's Omni-tool and scans of the planet. She barely listened to the droning sound of Miranda's voice, staring through hologram as the Ex Cerberus officer explained what kind of resistance they would meet upon entering the base.
"This place is built like a fortress. Automated torrent systems both inside and outside the compound, anti-aircraft guns, a ton of mechs and army of troopers, not to mention, Cerberus's new shiny super soldiers." As Miranda continued, Ashley fought the urge the shoot her right between her perfectly engineered brows.
"If we do somehow manage to land on the planet undetected and fight our way into the base. We would still have the task of finding Shepard and getting her out of there."
"What, you don't think we will find her?" Garrus spoke up from beside James, his mandibles twitching in annoyance as he crossed his arms over her chest. Miranda shrugged absent-mindedly, placing her hands on her hips.
"All I am saying is the facility is one of the biggest Cerberus has ever built, It stretches for miles underground and is purposely built like a maze to confuse intruders. Put that with the army of soldiers that are going to be trying to stop us and we practically have a suicide mission."
"Just like old times!" Garrus said happily, an expression of what Miranda could only assume was a smile appearing on his face. James pumped his fists beside the Turian, the hulking marine cheering loudly and he too, smiled widely.
"That's what we specialise in baby!" Vega chuckled, punching the air one more time.
"That's is true. But we had Shepard to lead us back then. No offence Miss Williams, but I highly doubt you have what it takes."
Ashley swallowed her anger once more. Crossing her arms tightly across her chest. "You don't think I can lead this team. I am perfectly qualified to lead this mission and make it a success. We will save Shepard?"
"Your records state otherwise Miss Williams. I don't think you have half of what it takes to lead this mission and as for Shepard…I don't think she is going to just come quietly."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ashley said, biting the inside of her lip. Her fingers were twitching the wrap around her pistol. For once, there was a flicker of emotion on Miranda's face. Her shoulders sagged slightly and her lips thinned.
"Think about it. Shepard had been gone for a little over three days. She is in a Cerberus cells hands. The same Cerberus cell that has been turning people in to super soldiers. What's a better way to get their revenge for destroying them during the reaper war?" Miranda paused, waiting for someone to answer.
"Killing her…or turning her against everything she fought for."
The room was silent once more, the hum of the Normandy's engines and the low whine of the hologram, the only sounds to interrupt the otherwise deafening silence. It was a while before anyone spoke. The realisation of their own Commander being turned against them both a heart-breaking and terrifying thought. Ashley was the first to break the silence, straightening her back as her face took on a stoic expression.
"I don't care how hard this mission is going to be. Our Commander needs us. It's time for us to pull her ass out the fire for a change. A talented hacker can hake in to the systems momentary triggering an alarm on the upper levels of the base. When security are concentrated on the fake invasion, a small group consisting of Liara, Garrus, James and myself will enter through the lower levels using these tunnels." Ashley pointed to the long tunnel system below the base. "While the hacker is setting off the Alarms at random points on the upper level, our team will go in, find Shepard and get her out of there."
Miranda shook her head in disagreement.
"Once the security systems realise there is someone in the system, they will shut the hacker out. You will only have ten minutes before they realise what you are doing and send an army to the lower levels."
Ashley straightened up again, the holographic image suddenly disappearing.
"Good thing ten minutes is all we need." Ashley said, straightening her jacket.
Miranda sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Fine, but I am coming with you." Miranda stated, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Like hell you are." Ashley retorted. "Shepard may have trusted you, but I don't."
"Well then good luck navigating that faculty without me." Miranda replied, glancing at the solider with a smug expression. Ashley sighed, her lips tinning.
"Fine." She tapped her ear. "Joker. Set a course for Sylar. We are going to go get our Commander back! "
Soft static could be heard before Joker replied.
"About time!"
"We will have a full run through of the plan in the shuttle bay in half an hour. All of you suit up, we have a Commander to save. Dismissed."
Miranda watched quietly as Ashley walked out of the room, an authoritative hop in her step. She smiled faintly, her eyes watching as the young spectre disappeared from sight
Maybe Williams did have it in her. This plan of hers was crazy, but then again, Shepard's plans were never exactly 'by the book.'
Miranda took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
Suddenly, she felt like an idiot. An egotistical, selfish idiot. Shepard had helped her immensely in the past, she had helped save her sister twice, forgiven her when she confessed about the control chip and the woman had saved her life more times than she could count, but suddenly, when it came to helping Shepard, Miranda didn't think twice about letting her die.
She sighed heavily. She was lying to herself again. It was not that she didn't want to risk her life to save the Commander. She had never been afraid of death. She was, however, terrified of what they would find. Would they find the woman she had come to greatly respect and admire, the woman she would even go as far as call her friend. Or would they find the mindless shell that Cerberus had reduced her to. Commander Selena Shepard, the woman who had overcome so much in her life, the woman who had saved the galaxy three times over, nothing but a drone. An attack dog for an enemy she fought so hard to destroy. An enemy that Miranda once called her family.
She watched as the others slowly filtered out of the room, leaving without a backwards glance in her direction. She sighed, moving her gaze towards the last few occupants in the room. She frowned as the tech crew quickly looked away from her and again, she felt a pang of guilt surge through her chest.
She steeled her expression, before following the rest of the crew to the shuttle bay.
It was getting cold, very cold. James shivered in his armour as the shuttle descended on the planet, a few miles away from the facility. They had at least three more hours of sunlight, but as the sun was dipping behind the rocky red mountains of the planet, the temperature had dropped considerably.
He hated the cold with a passion. He grew up near the beach, sun, sand and about three hundred days of perfect sunny weather. He tried to stop his teeth from chattering as he listened to his acting commander speak. He had to admit, Ashley reminded him of Shepard…a lot.
"From what we can tell, the medical labs are located in the basement of the faculty, since they are holding Shepard, expect heavy resistance." She said, her voice distorted through the radio in her helmet.
"Initial scans of the planet have shown thermal energy readings exactly a mile away from the base, we can safely assume that they are utility tunnels that lead into the faculty. We will be entering through these tunnels to infiltrate the base without detection."
"You mean we're infiltrating the base through steam tunnels?" James asked, the temperature in the shuttle become more and more apparent with each passing movement. Ashley nodded.
"Exactly."
James shrugged.
"Well, at least we'll be warm."
"LZ, coming up in two minutes Ma'am!" Cortez shouted over the hum of the engines. Ashley nodded in confirmation then moved her hand to the radio in her helmet.
"Are you almost ready Tali?" She asked, the crackled response of the Quarian met her ears seconds later.
"Ready to hack in to the system on your orders."
"Good. Thanks again for helping us out. I know you've been busy with the fleet and Rannoch?" Ashley answered.
"If it were not for Shepard, Rannoch would still be in Geth hands. The fleet can survive one day without me."
"Good to hear."
Ashley felt the familiar jolt of the shuttle landing
"I can't keep this stationary for long Ma'am. The engines already beginning to freeze!" James declared. Ashley punched the door controls, her weapon held protectively in front of her.
"Confirmed. I will send you the NAV point for pick up." Ashley said, James nodded.
"I will be there Ma'am."
"Let's go!" Ashley ordered.
Liara and Garrus were the first to exit the shuttle, then Miranda, following Ashley as she marched towards the entrance of the tunnels.
"Wish us luck Esteban!" James shouted before following his three comrades. The thermal upgrades to his suit did nothing to fight off the bitter cold as he stepped off the shuttle, his skin already feeling as if it was freezing.
"Is everyone ready?" Ashley asked, everyone nodded. She moved to the door, blowing the lock.
"Let's move."
"This hatch should lead into the facility's engine room." Miranda's voice echoed through the dark enclosed space of the tunnel. The dim white light illuminating a long metal ladder in front of her. They had been walking for at least thirty minutes, Miranda in front, Ashley behind her, and the rest of the crew walking in single file behind.
The tunnel was excruciatingly narrow, scorching hot pipes trailing along either side of the dark grey concrete of the tunnel. There would be the occasional burst of steam that exploding from the pipes above, a loud hissing sound as the white mist filled the tunnel, only to dissipate seconds later. One had shattered James's shields as he walked past, suddenly making him wish he were outside again. Thank god for heavy armour.
They ascended the ladder without a word, pushing open the hatch to reveal a deserted engine room. Liara glanced round, the Asari taking in the many towering servers and advanced mechanical consoles.
"What is all this stuff?" James asked from behind her, Liara turned as Miranda answered.
"It takes a lot to power a facility as big as this. All this equipment was…borrowed from advanced races."
"You mean stolen?" Liara interjected. Miranda shrugged.
"However you want to put it." The Ex Cerberus officer looked down at her Omni-tool, the bright orange glow of the device illuminated the scowl on her face.
"The medical labs should not be too far from here. The corridors are going to be swarming with troopers, if Tali is going to hack into the system, now would be a good time."
Ashley nodded, activating her radio.
"Tali, you're up."
Suddenly, an alarm sounded, loud and shrill. Liara cringed at the sound.
"I am setting off the alarms at random places on the higher floors. You have ten minutes to find the Commander." Tali's voice sounded through the radio. Ashley peeked through the window next to the door, ducking as a few troopers rushed towards the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Ok let's go."
James dodged a hail of gunfire as he slid towards cover, his rifle smoking In his hands as he reloaded. Ashley and Garrus pushed themselves against the wall opposite him, both waiting for a break on the gunfire so they could attack and advance. Miranda had been able to push forward, only to get pinned down behind another wall.
They had barely left the engine room before they had run onto a passing patrol, at least seven troopers guarding a corridor with a locked room at the end. Miranda had managed to jam the radio signals before they could call for backup, but it was only a matter of time before there would be an army of troopers descending on the lower floors.
"We don't have much time!" Liara shouted beside James, the young Asari's eyes wide with anger. "Shepard must be in there. Those soldiers are guiding something!"
"We're doing the best we can blue!" James shouted after the thundering sound of gunfire. He peered round the corner, jumping back as more gunfire crackled against the wall.
"Shit!"
Liara stood, her eyes growing dark.
"We don't have time for this!"
Liara stood, rounding the corner, narrowly avoiding a hail of bullets that his the wall beside her head, she rolled to the floor, her body glowing blue as she threw a powerful warp towards a turret. It exploded in a brilliant ball of fire, sending two troopers beside it flying through the air.
Throwing a singularity, she took pleasure in the way the troopers lifted in to the air, smiling before she threw another warp. Another bright explosion sent the rest of the soldiers flying into the walls. Lifeless.
Miranda finished off those who were left.
"Remind me never to piss you off." James said, a hint of humour in his voice. Garrus chuckled.
"You've definitely come a long way from that sweet, innocent scientist we met on Therum" Ashley said. Liara said nothing, turning to the door at the end of the corridor.
"There, that room. They were protecting something, the Commander has to be in there!"
Miranda, can you open it? Ashley asked, her eyes scanning the area for more attackers. The ex-Cerberus officer nodded silently.
Within seconds, the door hissed opened.
Liara's eyes went wide at the sight before her, her lips trembling as the pale, unmoving body of her bond mate lay strapped to the crude medical chair in the centre of the room. James, Ashley, Garrus and Miranda stopped dead behind her, their own eyes resting on the lifeless form of their Commander.
"Selena?" Liara whispered, willing her legs to move to the human's side. Reaching out her hand, she brushed Selena's face, the human's normally warm, tanned skin now a cold sickly grey. Her eyes moved down to the restraints that were still clasped around her wrists.
"Liara…" Miranda's voice said behind her, seeming on the edge of breaking.
"Release the restraints."
Miranda did as she was told, moving to the console and punching in the commands. The restraints opened with a loud clack. Liara's fingers brushed the collar that was still attached to Selena's neck.
"Is she-" Ashley couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, her voice breaking slightly as she bit the inside of her cheek. Liara sniffed, trying desperately to hold back the tears that blurred her vision.
A hiss behind them caused Garrus, Miranda and Ashley in turn.
"What the hell?"
Ashley said to herself, watching as the door slid closed, glowing red.
"That's not good." Miranda said, moving towards the door to inspect it. She glanced at her Omni-tool, her eyes widening. "That's really not good."
"What?" Ashley questioned.
"They know we're here. They have locked us in!"
Liara tore her gaze away from Selena's motionless body.
"Why would they do that?"
A dull beeping caused Liara to turn back to Selena, the collar around her neck blinking as the colour suddenly returned to her face. Her fingers twitched her eyes opening as the human inhaled deeply. She turned to the Asari that hovered above her, pale green eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Shepard?" Liara whispered, grunting as she was knocked back seconds later, an explosion of blue energy sending her flying towards Garrus and Ashley. Shepard swung her legs over the chair and planted her feet firmly on the floor. Rolling her neck slowly from side to side, she finally lifted her gaze to glare at the four intruders before her, her body glowing blue.
"I told you she wasn't going to come quietly." Miranda said to Ashley, the young spectre half turned to her, an angry scowl on her face.
"Just get that fucking door open Lawson!"
Miranda and Ashley barely missed the warp Shepard threw their way, the devastating blast of energy slamming into the wall behind them. Ashley lifted her rifle, her finger twitching on the trigger.
"Don't move another muscle Commander."
Shepard said nothing as she took a threatening step forward. Ashley moved one step back.
"I'm warning you. Stay back!"
Shepard took another step forward. Ashley moved her rifle down, pulling the trigger, she gasped as the bullet connected with it's target, ripping through Selena's leg. Shepard looked down, seemingly un-fazed at the at the deep gash that decorated her left leg. She moved her gaze up slowly, staring through narrowed eyebrows.
Suddenly, Ashley's rifle was on the floor and she had been knocked backwards, Shepard's charge causing her to slam into the wall with bone crushing force. Her vision swam, pain exploding in her head as it connected with the metallic surface of the floor.
She could see through blurry vision as her Commander approached her, stalking towards her like a predator might stalk its prey. Ashley kicked out her leg, her booted foot connecting hard with Shepard's quickly healing leg. Selena staggered backwards, leaving Ashley time to roll to her feet and swing her fist into Shepard's side.
Her Commander recovered quickly, catching Ashley's fist with her own and moving closer. Ashley dodged a punch breaking free from Selena's grasp and moving up for a left hook. She was stopped mid swing, a sharp, burning pain erupting through her torso. Her legs became weak as she moved her gaze towards the source of the pain, her eyes blurring as she spied the long orange blade that pierced her stomach.
She moved her eyes back towards her Commanders pale green. A stoic expression on the woman's face as she pulled the blade out slowly, watching as the young black haired spectre fell to the floor.
Ashley tasted blood.
"Goddess!"
Liara watched as Shepard turned slowly towards her, the same expressionless mask painted on her face as once again, her body glowed blue.
"I got it!" Miranda shouted from the door, causing Selena to momentarily turn. The distraction was all Liara needed. Throwing a warp, she felt the energy leave her as the bullet of blue energy knocked Shepard off her feet, sending the Commander flying towards a mass of consoles. The equipment exploded in a burst of sparks and fire.
"We have to go!" Miranda shouted, lifting Ashley's arm over one shoulder. "Garrus help me with her!" Garrus lifted Ashley other arm over his shoulder.
""Liara, come on, we gotta go!"
"But-" Liara whispered, her eyes wide as she stared towards the smoking debris in front of her.
"She is going to get up from that and she's going to be pissed." Miranda shouted. "We will find another way to get her out. Right now, we have to get William's medical attention. "
Liara could see the smoke shift, watching as a black figure got to its feet.
"Liara come on!" Miranda shouted once more, already half way out the open door. Liara closed her eyes sadly, a pang of guilt and fear surging though her chest.
"I'm sorry Selena." She whispered, then followed her comrades though the door.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, next one will be up soon! :)