Chapter Five: The Horizon of the Dawn
Shepard walked into the human councilor's chambers to hear a heated argument. The voices were easy to recognize. On one hand was the whole of the Council and then there was Anderson.
"Can they be blamed? We hid the possibility that an ancient race of sentient machines that have destroyed life before is now on our doorstep!" Anderson said frustrated.
"They are undermining our authority it cannot continue. So far, we have been able to give them some victories but so long as…" The argument ended as Shepard walked into the room. He expected everyone to look at him but instead they looked at a video screen. On it was a very familiar dark, damp, green, and rusted room. He saw himself and Liara. It looked like a recording of some sort. It didn't take long before Shepard realized it was a recording of their talk with Vigil on Ilos.
"I am Vigil, the intelligence behind this facility. With the voice imprints of Ksad Ishan. Previously Head Researcher of this facility." It said and a flood of memories came to Shepard like a tidal wave. And with those memories came the feelings. The feeling of hopelessness, the urge to leave Ilos immediately. The mere memory of those feelings left a lingering effect on him. It was supernatural.
"What happened here?" Shepard asked the VI. The camera turned and more faces were shown. Wrex and Garrus stood beside the recorder.
"We were the last of the Prothean people. The Reapers came fast and attacked our capital, the Citadel, first. Long before the rest of the empire was even aware it was at war. Our leaders were killed in less than a day and our empire was shattered and scattered. We were no longer a united people. Only small sections of tribes fighting a colossal force." The Councilors were quiet and the air was so tense and foreboding that it could be cut with an omni-blade.
"So, the Reapers attacked the Citadel first? And you didn't see them coming?" Garrus questioned the intelligence.
Shepard looked and saw Garrus' mandible turn slack for a moment. As he too watched the recording.
"We were a lot like your people. You use the mass relays yes? And the Citadel correct?" The team nodded. "Then you have already begun your own destruction. The mass relays and the Citadel were not built by my people, or by the people that came before us. But they were built by our killers, the Reapers. It is a clever trap by leaving behind great works of travel and living space. They can accurately predict what weapons, armor, means of travel, and even where you will congregate. In a way, we do their job for them." The recording then ended in a fade to black.
Shepard saw the Councilors learn the gravity of their situation. The shock and surprise. But then the screen went black again but with the Organization's symbol on it. A voice came from it. The voice was altered to hide its identity. But when it spoke it wasn't in a malice, evil, or even urgent way. It simply spoke truth -a hard truth- but a truth nonetheless. The voice changed that truth however. That even though a great evil was at their doorstep a defeat was not inevitable. How the voice managed to use their words and speech in such a way astonished Shepard.
"That is the reality. The reality the Council refuses to tell you! I know you are scared. You feel betrayed and hopeless. Like no matter what you do now will be for nothing. But it doesn't have to be that way. The Organization is always looking for help and you will help immeasurably by telling the Council your concerns. You can help by holding out hope that there will be a tomorrow. Live your life freely and openly and you will give us our courage to fight stronger. To fight harder. To fight better. Have hope that there will be a tomorrow and my men and women will fight for you. To fight for your neighbor, your friends, your loved ones. Believe in us believe in tomorrow. And most of all… walk in defiance of the Reapers." The screen faded to black and remained that way. The message was over now.
"See! They are trying to undermine us!" The Turian accused and in a way, he was right.
"They want hope! They want us to do our jobs and help our people. We swore to our people – each of them- we would help them, protect them, and most of all…be honest to them. And now they demand answers and we have given them nothing." Anderson said with such a conviction that it could never be repeated by anyone else. And still, retain the feeling of optimism.
Shepard entered the room further and finally, the Councilors realized he was there.
"You! What have you to say about this?" The Turian said pointing at Shepard then the blank-black screen.
"You think I had something to do with that?" Shepard said raising a brow.
"We saw you there what have you to say about it?"
"That someone got the footage from a squadmate's helmet?" Shepard said with a smirk. It seemed pretty evident that was what had happened.
"You haven't agreed with us since we made you a Spectre. Keep trying this crap and we will not reinstate your status." The Turian threatened and Shepard wasn't aware his status as a Spectre was even in question. He didn't know one had to "reinstate" it.
"Now that is enough! I am on this council and I will not allow this to continue. Shepard had no idea we have refused the Reapers. He has been KIA for two years. Hard for him to manage all of this in less than a month!" Anderson stated and the Turian's jaw tensed.
"And what about your collaboration with the terrorist organization Cerberus? Anything to say on that?" The Asari asked gently. The tense air around Shepard relaxed immediately. But faintly remained like a small tingle on his spine.
"I was dead and they rebuilt me. In return, I am to help and find out what happened to our colonies. We have evidence that the Collectors are behind the attack and worse yet. They work with or for the Reapers."
"If your colonists didn't realize the risks of settling on the verge of the Terminus Systems that is on them, not us." The Turian Councilor said.
"Oh, for crying out loud Sparatus you are missing the important part. The Reapers may have something to do with it." Anderson spoke up.
"Oh, don't tell me you believe that dung heap? No matter what the Organization shows or wants. And no matter what 'evidence' is brought forth I refuse to believe that there is an ancient machine race meant to destroy every living being in the galaxy."
"This is exactly why the Organization exists Sparatus! It is because we have done nothing when we have more than enough evidence to do something. It is because we refuse to see what is clearly there!"
"And what do you propose we do Anderson? Send the fleet to protect only human colonies? Or send the fleet to look for boogiemen in the dark space? Or how about we just get Citadel Space prepared for a war that may or may not happen. Which one of those would you prefer?"
"Enough the both of you." The Asari councilor ordered. The Salarian finally began to speak.
"Shepard…how would you feel to be reinstated as Spectre?"
"Honored Councilor." The Salarian nodded and typed something into a console.
"Then so it is. Good luck Commander Shepard. This is just a show of good faith Commander. Mind the company you keep. This meeting is over." The Asari said sternly and the holograms faded away.
"Is it usually like that Sir?" Shepard asked Anderson he gave a tired laugh as he went to his balcony.
"I knew that me being a very action-oriented person would have its issues. But with this Organization putting the pressure on them it is both a curse and a blessing."
"How so?"
"Well for one it means my words actually carry some weight. I have a backing with them constantly asking for action. On the other hand, the Council hates being told what to do. They see it as an undermining of authority. Worse yet, with the Organization passing the Council completely by spreading vids like what you saw. Well, it is an insult to them."
"Can they do that? Why not arrest them?"
"Because it is technically legal. None of their members have committed an open crime worthy of taking away such privileges. We know they are in the middle of a 'war' but they fight in the shadows. And in terms of their propaganda, they have a business license they can use the vid screens any way they want. So long as they don't actively call for riots or the like."
"So they use the law against you." Shepard said mainly to himself.
"That is how the Council sees it." Shepard looked at his old friend who had a smile on his face. "I see it as them using the law to help us. To prepare us. It is more than most can say. Anyways enough about them. Anything else?" So Shepard asked a series of questions about his old friend. Asking how diplomatic life was despite current circumstances.
And then Shepard a nagging question he wanted to ask, that he needed to ask.
"I need to ask…Heard anything on Zane?"
"He…works with us now. I can't say more than that I'm sorry." Shepard was disappointed and even slightly surpised but he didn't press the issue.
"I won't keep you any longer Anderson." Shepard said and left the chambers.
…
Tali walked quickly to her father's office again. She had been requested an hour ago. He even sent a shuttle for her to use.
"Come on Rael don't make this difficult. Just have my people watch over her." The same voice from a few weeks ago told her father. Instead of entering the room she remained in the waiting room. She sat down and waited patiently but couldn't help but listen in.
"I let you order me to take my daughter to Freedom's Progress. I will not let you decide who I let protect her on this mission!" Her father stated and the voice chuckled. It was a calm chuckle one that was a mockery of her father.
"If you think Freedom's Progress was a hellhole then Haestrom is the Devil's Lair. Think Rael I am giving you the chance to extend an olive branch to my people. I have given you many branches. Time, you give one up of your own." She heard her father slam his fists on his desk. She tried to keep her mind off the conversation by fiddling with the ring around her neck. Studying it for it the thousandth time since she has had it.
"Fine but I am sending Kal'Reegar as the squad leader."
"Understood I would have it no other way. You deserve someone you trust to watch your own flesh and blood. Good day, Mister Zorah always fun to talk to you and you too Tali'Zorah keep up the good work!" Tali smiled to herself somehow she thought the voice would know she had entered.
"Tali…come in I have a mission for you." Tali placed the ring under the cloth and entered the office space.
…
Shepard began to walk towards the Normandy when he saw Achilles once again.
"Are you free now?" He asked the Turian who looked up from his terminal.
"Never, but I can spare a moment. I am sorry for being short earlier. There are more things to being Captain then I thought." He said with a Turian smile.
"Last I checked you were just a part-time cop why the change?" Garrus asked.
"When you spend the better part of the last few years as a dispatcher and a part-time cop. It gets easy and boring. I liked it like that. But then Saren showed up. Only then did I realize how useless I actually was. When there are people like you, the Commander, and Zane taking the fight to the enemy I knew I had to help. I went full time a few months after the attack and just recently rose to the rank of Captain."
"Speaking of which where is Zane?" Shepard asked and the Turian shrugged in response before revealing more.
"No idea, I haven't spoken to him at length in over a year. I know he put being the Reaper on hiatus. And the last I heard from him he said he was helping the Alliance somehow. He tells me very little in his day-to-day." Achilles said and Shepard nodded. A girl appeared beside them and handed a datapad to Achilles which Shepard guess had a report. She had blue eyes, long black hair, and wore a tight-fitting C-Sec uniform. She had a thin and fit form to her. But something about her also looked very familiar.
"Here you go Captain." She said her voice like silk if silk had a sound.
"Thank you, Sophia." He said and the girl smiled at Achilles and the group before leaving.
"Who was that? She looked familiar." Shepard asked.
"That? Oh, that is Sophia Rees. Used to be Sophia Grodd." The Captian said and Shepard knew the name Grodd.
A wife beater and the first real-time Shepard saw just how violent the Reaper -and by extension Zane- was. By the end of it, all Grodd barely looked human let alone alive. Zane had cut off most of his fingers, made it where Grodd had two black eyes and couldn't see. And plus, he had a hard time talking with his throat constantly in Zane's hand being squeezed.
Zane, on the other hand, had a look of pure fire in his eyes. He wanted Grodd to die and that was a look, Shepard, never quite forgot.
"After the attack from Sovereign Zane convinced her to join us. And she has been a blessing ever since. She uses her charms and smarts to make even the smartest criminals give over evidence to us. Unknowingly of course." Achilles said with another smirk. Shepard's omni-tool came to life.
"Shepard the Illusive Man is contacting you on the Normandy." Kelly Chambers told him through the established link.
"Understood on our way." Shepard said and nodded a goodbye to Achilles before leaving.
He was just about to make it to the shuttle when he heard an ad call his name. but it was different.
"Ah, there you are, Commander Shepard, I hear you have been looking for me." He turned to the ad and saw a hooded figure. It matched the small description of Kasumi Goto. His day, his mission, his ship, just keeps getting more and more interesting.
…
Shepard stood tall and straight. Ready to meet with the Illusive Man. He didn't like him any more than a normal Alliance soldier did. But at least the Illusive Man was doing something to help the colonies and that was more than many of the Alliance could say. Anderson was trying but diplomats had tied him down.
"Shepard we've caught a break." He heard the smoke-filled voice say before taking a sip of whiskey or brandy. Shepard wasn't sure which.
"What?" Shepard asked no longer straight or tall but just tense. A hologram of a planet appeared beside him.
"Horizon, a small colony in the Lera System has just gone dark. We believe the Collectors are making their next move. It is time for you to get moving Commander. Has Mordin prepared the counter to the swarms?"
"Almost done."
"I hope he works fast because if not then you are in trouble." Shepard was about to leave but was halted by the same voice. "There is something else Commander." Shepard turned. "An anonymous tip just came to us. Your friend Zane is on Horizon." Shepard listened intently and his jaw tensed.
"Why is he there?" Shepard thought aloud but the Illusive Man was quick to answer it.
"Apparently, he joined the Alliance in an unofficial capacity. He helps smooths relations with the colonies and the Alliance. But can go over most Alliance personnel. Furthermore, he has the training to back up his authority." Shepard raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"
"He has gone through N7 training." Shepard was speechless.
N7 was almost exclusive to Alliance personal and only the greatest of the greatest even made it to N1 never mind N7!
"That is…surprising."
"Maybe you can question him once you land on Horizon." Shepard nodded and then the link was cut.
"Well, this will be something." Shepard said to himself as he went to Mordin.
…
Zane punched the wall as hard as he could he was growing frustrated with how quiet things have been.
"Where are the Collectors damn it!" He yelled, rubbing his knuckles before slipping the black glove back on and opened the door to the outside. He took a deep breath and calmed down. His frustration leaving him with the breath out of his lungs. He took only three steps before Linith came to him.
"Zane, we have a problem."
"He was dead when I got there." He said with a laugh and Linith smiled. A serious look in her eyes told him he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
"Those guns you gave us still don't work." A loud sigh could be heard from his lips as they walked.
"I told the Alliance to bring in more. It isn't my fault you people don't trust them. And wished to inspect the living shit out of the generators." The frustrated man said as they walked. Dodging the crowds of people. He looked and saw a team of heavily armed people wearing white and blue armor leaning against a prefab just doing nothing. He thought little of it now.
"I know and just understand please, people just don't trust the Alliance here even those that work in an unofficial capacity. And wearing that attire doesn't help your case." Zane looked down at his jacket and laughed.
"Great so now it is an issue with what I wear how fucking fantastic. Look you will need those guns here soon." The air grew tense and he looked up and saw clouds swirling around a longship as it landed. "Get everyone moving now!" He shouted and pushed Linith to get her moving.
"No time to waste. Get to the safehouse!" He ordered and saw the swarms get closer and closer. The fear rose with each second they came at him. But he swallowed it and knew he had to wait until the enemy came onto the ground. "Where the fuck is Shepard when I need him?"
…
Shepard landed hard on the muddy ground with Garrus, Grunt, and Miranda behind him. In the distance, they could see the large ship so high it pierced the clouds. Its organic hide giving it an insect-like look. In a strange way, this ship seemed familiar.
"That's it…that is the same damn ship." Garrus was heard saying.
"Huh?"
"That was the ship that destroyed the Normandy two years ago." Shepard nodded and figured that was why he got the familiar feeling when looking at the ship. In the distance gunfire, could be heard followed by an explosion.
"Come on, Zane is in trouble we don't have all day." Shepard ordered and quickly made his way deeper into the colony as he did so a seeker swarm passed over his head. And then even went passed his team's head. The familiar feeling of fear went over his body but like normal he shook it off.
"Wait you hear that?" Garrus asked and then the sound of flapping wings could be heard. Above them, several Collectors passed them. One managed to see them and opened fire.
"Cover!" Shepard ordered and ran for a low railing. Garrus aimed and pulled the trigger of his sniper rifle. The Collector's head exploding afterward. Miranda used warp and shattered another Collector with the powerful biotic blast. Shepard aimed and shot the leg of another Collector. Grunt took the moment and charged the down assailant he crashed into the bug-looking being and the Collector landed on his back. Without thinking Grunt stomped his foot through its head.
"That's all of them, Commander." Garrus said.
"Understood, let's keep moving." Shepard said and raised his weapon. Ready for another ambush should it happen. In the distance, they could see another few squads flying towards the gunfire. They got closer and closer until most of them died from concentrated gunfire.
"Damn, colonists are really fighting back." Garrus said impressed.
"Agreed but I am wondering how they got so well prepared." Miranda said and somehow Shepard thought Zane was behind it. He seemed to have the uncanny ability to know what would happen and when. Either that or he had the uncanny ability to have trouble find him no matter where he was.
Shepard ran into cover staying quiet as a small team of Collectors searched the prefabs.
"Must be looking for humans." Miranda whispered. Shepard did a hand movement to signal to fire on his mark. He looked through the sights on his Vindicator and saw a Collector shimmering with a barrier. His finger hovered over the trigger ready to fire. He took a deep breath and then pulled the trigger. The rounds hit the body of the Collector. With each fired shot, the gun rose higher and higher to the head. The barrier closer to going away. When the last round made it to the head the barrier gave way killing it immediately.
"Light them up!" Garrus yelled in excitement. And as one the team killed the Collectors. But then they heard an undead-like moan. Or a painful groan. It was so familiar.
"Husks!" Shepard said and took the head off one with his rifle. He then went to shoot another one but it dodged the rounds. And moved quickly zig-zagging as it got closer. Grunt showed up and grabbed the Husk by the head. He laughed as he slammed the Husk's head into the ground pummeling it into the ground. The other Husks didn't last long either afterward.
"These seem different." Garrus pointed out. Shepard kicked one lightly and noticed the upgrades to them. More cybernetics, tubes, and thus they moved much faster.
"They seemed to have been upgraded. Guess the Collectors do work with the Reapers." He said.
"With that being said. You guys notice anything? Or better yet the lack of something?" Garrus said and the team looked around.
"No dragon's teeth. The Husks were brought here. Not made here." Shepard said.
"Makes you wonder what purpose do the colonists serve?" With Garrus' statement, the foreboding thought crept into the team's minds and it wasn't pleasant.
"Enough, we got to get moving." Shepard said and began to move closer to the gunfire. They soon saw a small prefab being assaulted by a large squad of Collectors. Inside was a helmeted human wearing white and blue armor holding off the Collectors.
"Take that you bugs!" He shouted and sounded like a kid no older than twenty.
"Covering fire!" Shepard ordered and the Collectors were flanked immediately. And many of the enemy down dead. Miranda used a warp to take care of a barrier allowing Garrus to snipe the Collector's head.
"Good shot!" She congratulated. Grunt sprinted forward and used his shotgun to kill three Collector soldiers in quick succession before backhanding a forth. The large Krogan walked to the down Drone and placed a boot on its back and placed the muzzle of his shotgun to the back of its head. He laughed as pulled the trigger and looked for another target. Only for there to not be anymore.
From the prefab, a young human male walked out carrying an Avenger rifle in one hand and his helmet in the other. He looked dirty and tired but still prepared.
"Thanks for the help." He said as a family of four walked out behind him. A mother and father in their forties a young boy no older than fifteen. And a young woman around the same age as the young soldier. "I need to get these people to the Safehouse can we walk and talk?" He asked and kept walking. He quickly put the helmet back on his head.
"Well, you're welcome. My name is Shepard of the Normandy this is Grunt, Garrus, and Miranda. Who are you?"
"Sorry if I don't look it, but it is an honor to meet you and your team Commander. I am Wallace Rex a Pawn in the Organization. A part of Spartan squad." Wallace said as he walked over the bodies. The family staying close to the team. They looked scared and tired and who could blame them?
"How did you manage to evade the Seeker Swarms?" Shepard asked.
"Factory came up with a way to shield us from the swarms. Furthermore, once you put enough bullets into the swarm they dissipate."
"You the only member left?" Garrus asked and Wallace laughed.
"Oh no, I got cut off trying to keep these guys safe. Been fighting ever since. They are at the Safehouse." It was then Shepard realized they were getting closer to gunfire. "Seems Rook Leon is holding off the bugs." The young man said and then jogged towards the battle. He found a safe spot and saw the situation. A very large team of Collectors were trying to get into a blocked off area. Stopping them was about three people each holding a machine gun. They wore the iconic white and blue armor and had yet to take any casualties from what could be seen. Yet, the Collectors had lost dozens just based on the pile of bodies littering the area.
"Your people are doing well." Shepard commented and Wallace grunted.
"They must be surrounded, there are more than just those guys." He turned to the family. "Get in that prefab and stay quiet." He ordered and the family slowly backed up towards the pointed prefab.
"I'll have one of my people watch over them. Miranda keep on them."
"On it." She replied and followed the family.
"Thank you, Commander." Wallace checked his gun and chuckled to himself. "Yea I got the ammo. Alright, I'll draw their fire then you guys flank them. Bam is the word." He said and ran low to the ground behind the Collectors. Wallace nodded to Shepard who nodded back. "Bam, bam!" He yelled and opened fire. Shepard rose and sent a concussion shot at a collection of Collectors that soon fell allowing the defenders to pick them off. Shepard then ran for another piece of cover and used the butt of his rifle to knock another Drone down. He quickly dispatched him before killing two more.
Wallace kicked a Drone down before stabbing it with a knife. In quick thinking, he threw the knife at another Collector. The knife embedded itself into one of the Collector's eyes. The boy was quick to get behind a high wall. A Collector guardian didn't see him and Wallace used it to his advantage. He put his gun down then jumped up, his omni-blade showing. He stuck the blade into the creature's neck then pulled back. The guardian flipped over the railing and landed hard on the ground. It tried to struggle but Wallace was quick to take the blade and stuck it through the creature's head. He then grabbed his rifle and began killing more Drones and other Collectors.
As they began to whittle down the enemy something happened to a guardian. It began to shriek and was lifted into the air by an invisible force. The Collector shook violently and cracks of yellow light formed and from the cracks came fire. The eyes sparked yellow for a moment before being replaced by the same fire.
"I am the Harbinger of your destruction! The Harbinger of your salvation! The Harbinger of your ascension!" It said in a deep menacing voice.
"There is only one Harbinger of Salvation you freak!" Wallace taunted the possessed Collector. The Collector ditched the weapon it held and cast a dark sphere of energy at Wallace. "Oh shit." He said and ran as the sphere closed in. It exploded and threw him hard against a wall.
"Shepard…you will feel this." It said and a much faster ball of light came at him. Shepard was behind cover but even then, he could feel the punch the small ball held.
"Focus fire on that thing!" Shepard ordered. Garrus quickly opened fire causing the being to use its wings to get to cover.
"It makes no difference, no matter how much damage is sustained to this form. You will ascend voluntarily or you will be volunteered!" It said and used its wings to get closer. Grunt, Garrus, and Shepard all used their concussive shots and the being was sent flying several feet. The barriers were gone. Then a large warp hit it from the garage. Shepard looked and saw a team of three moving out while opening fire.
"Spartans…show that thing your profession!" A man bellowed.
"Ah-roo!" His team chanted.
"Your insolence will cost you dearly!" The being shouted as it turned to ash and died.
"Come on get into the Safehouse!" The man shouted and Shepard and his team quickly ran to safety.
"Miranda, we cleared them. Get over here with the family." He said and saw Wallace get up and began limping to the team. Grabbing back his knife from earlier. Soon as everyone was in the haven a breath of relief was heard all around. Three members of the squad still stayed on the lookout.
"Hey T-Rex, you get your girlfriend?" A squadmate asked Wallace.
"Now that is telling. But I will say I paid your girl a visit before I left. You should ask her about it later." He said with a cheeky smile. The squadmate laughed and flipped him off.
"Enough Spartans." A loud man said and Shepard looked around and saw the room was a generator room. It was very large, however. Larger then it should've been. And it didn't take long to figure out why. Most of the colonists were here huddled in small groups.
"Commander Shepard I presume?" The loud human asked. Shepard nodded. The man before him was about the same size as Shepard and had a similar build.
"Rook Leon I assume?" The man nodded.
"Rook Alexander Leon of Spartan squad. It is an honor Commander."
"Are you the Bishop as well?" Leon smiled as he shook his head.
"I guess you met with the Greeter? No, I am not. Spartan squad is the most elite squad in the Militia. We don't have the privilege of staying in one spot. We go where we are needed most. My rank of Rook is more of a formality than anything." Alexander walked to one of his troops who was treating a wound. The boy's face couldn't be seen hidden behind the helmet. His left arm had no armor nor the undersuit revealing his black skin wrapped with a white bandage. His left arm had taken a round that went through the muscle it seemed. Thus, the arm was having several muscle spasms a minute. The soldier was doing everything he could to keep his arm from striking out of accord. And ignoring the bandages meant to keep the blood from spilling. He had bandages wrapped like a rubber band keeping his arm tucked close to him. The soldier also had his other hand clasp the forearm tightly.
"Sir I can still help. Just don't take me off. Please, Sir." He begged the disappointment he had for himself was unparalleled. It was something Shepard had seen several times in his life. Whether it was the gangs on Earth. Or on Elysium soldiers didn't like leaving their brothers and sisters in arms behind. It was something only training, eating, and fighting together gave.
"Buddy, don't worry about it. Once we are done here you will see the medics and then you can come back."
"I need to do something Sir please I need to help." The young man named Buddy said. Alexander put a hand on his shoulder.
"Buddy, listen to me right now I need you to stay alive alright. We need you here and now. Keep an eye on the colonists. See how scared they are? We need to be strong for them okay? That is why we are here alright? For them, you stay strong and they will imitate it. Do you understand?"
Buddy nodded his head sternly. "Yes, Sir will do. Give them hell."
"Always do." Alexander got up and looked back at Shepard. "As you can see we have had a little bit of a rough day but we will come back. Now comes the part you won't like. I cannot help you. The most we can do is hold this position until evac gets here. And that won't be until you take out the ship locking this place down."
"Oh, so just us against the Collectors that sound fun." Garrus said. Alexander shrugged sheepishly.
"I don't like it much either but we have our orders. And they come from the top of the top. We are here to make sure the colonists are safe. We got a grand majority of them but…some didn't make it." Shepard immediately thought of Zane being frozen or worse…on the ship.
"I'm sure you did your best." Shepard said and the Rook nodded then perked up a little bit.
"But there is someone out there still. He has been dropping off more colonists from time to time."
"Probably that Alliance crony." A man said from a dark corner. Several groups of colonists groaned when he spoke. The small man came from the shadows a look of distrust lined his features.
"Who is that?" Shepard asked the skittish individual.
"Some Alliance rep named Zane. Says he isn't in the Alliance but I know he is one. He has their colors on his jacket. And he is just like the rest of them. Doesn't care about us only what we can provide."
"Oh, for fuck's sake Delan shut the fuck up! I swear every time you open up your mouth I want to stick a gun in it and pull the god damned trigger!" A large man said glaring at the mechanic.
"Lars, I don't need your shit right now. And you know I'm right."
"Yea he is Alliance but he has done more to help us then you have." Lars got up and pointed harshly at Delan.
"Is it normally like this?" Shepard asked Alexander.
"Delan is the local mechanic if you can't tell. He is also the local conspiracy theorist. The man he speaks of is an unofficial Alliance rep named Zane -we call him Rocker- as he said. But from what I have seen Rocker cares about these people. He knew the guns the Alliance provided would need more juice. So, he got ahold of my team knowing we were in the Organization. And contracted us to get more generators. Delan didn't trust them because they were from him so he halted them for inspection. The inspection took a long time and now we are here."
"When the Alliance rules over us like the tyrannical government they are only then will I…" Lars had enough of Delan and punched him in the face and the mechanic fell and stayed down. He looked like he was seeing stars and Lars sat back down quietly.
"Hey T-Rex you owe me twenty credits!" A soldier yelled at Wallace.
"Fuck Lars clocked him? Damn it, I hoped it would be Linith." An explosion sounded not far from their safehouse.
"Sir Collectors are moving towards the spaceport. They are getting their shit pushed in but I see at least a platoon coming at him."
"Any idea if Rocker is safe?" Alexander asked.
"Yea but he won't be for much longer. And we got contacts coming at us from north and south. Scratch that, only coming from the south end. Damn Rocker is good."
"Understood, Rex, get on the south end. Shepard take the northern exit and get to the spaceport if you don't hurry Zane is fucked royally. We will hold them here. Oh, and take this we have several so don't feel like you're taking our arsenal." Alexander said giving him a Collector beam rifle.
Shepard nodded and his squad quickly moved out. The first thing he saw was the sheer number of Collectors attacking a single area from the sky. For each one that made it through, five died in the air. Unsurprisingly the faint sound of music could be heard in the distance.
"Yea fuck 'em up Rocker! Good luck Shepard." Wallace said as he went to the south exit.
"Let's go get Zane and then help out Spartan squad." Shepard said and pulled out his assault rifle. His team ran as fast as they could and many Collectors dropped from the sky with bullet wounds from Zane's weapon. Shepard and his team saw another squad of flying Collectors and opened fire. The squad soon fell from the focused fire and never made it anywhere close to landing safely.
"Is that you, old friend?" A familiar voice asked over the radio.
"The one and only." Shepard replied.
"Ha! Oh, how I have longed for this moment just like old times. Not to be a dick, however, but this time get to me before I get shot four times in the back. Tali would have my head if it happened again." The sarcastic voice said causing Shepard and Garrus to smirk.
"Will do. Just don't lose this time."
"For the record, I never lose I always get my man…one way or another." The link was then cut.
"Well, he certainly is…something else." Miranda mentioned.
"Don't even get me started." Shepard replied as they made it to a locked door. On the other side, fighting could be heard. The rumbling of gunfire could be heard and the shattering of what sounded like ice. And then the sound and smell of burning flesh infiltrated Shepard's nose. And then as they were about to open the door the sound of battle was faint but still there.
"Alright Shepard, I am leaving the spaceport to you. Just keep one thing in mind. Sac and head. I will be with you in a moment." Then the link was cut again. The fighting on the other side of the large doors ceased shortly afterward.
"Sac and head? Hopefully, it will become obvious." Garrus hoped as the door opened.
Bodies littered the entire area. At least a platoon's worth of corpses dotted the port. Collectors had missing limbs, heads, eyes, fingers. Some missed their chest in an explosion. Others were charred to the bone and many were frozen in ice.
"Well, he certainly has upgraded." Garrus nonchalantly stated. The music here was loud and prevalent.
I stand alone and gaze upon the battlefield
Wasteland is all that's left after the fight
And now I'm searching a new way to defeat my enemy
Bloodshed I've seen enough of death and pain
The groaning and stomping of flesh could be heard close by and the team raised their rifles. From behind a wall at the center of the spaceport two giant beings walked groggily to them. Nearly a whole arm of the beings was replaced with a giant cannon. The moaning of a Husk reverberated from their crooked, decrepit, mangled head.
"Fire!" Shepard ordered.
I will run, they will hunt me in vain
I will hide, they'll be searching
I'll regroup, feign retreat they'll pursue
Coup de grâce I will win but never fight
That's the Art of War
That's the Art of War
Breaking the will to fight among the enemy
Force them to hunt me they will play my game
And play by my rules I will be close but still untouchable
No more will I see suffering and pain
…
Even as the team concentrated fire at one of them the beings refused to go down.
"This isn't working Shepard!"
"Thank you Garrus!" Shepard sarcastically said and cursed. A being shot its shockwave gun and luckily Shepard was in cover so the effects were minimal. He peaked from his cover and saw two things that stood out. A big blue sac on its hunched shoulder and a small Husk head.
"The sac and head fire!" The team immediately concentrated their fire at the two areas. The sac began to leak blue liquid and deflated. The being began to move slower as its center of gravity shifted and soon a bullet found itself in its head, killing it. The second one was much easier to take down using the same tactic.
"Good work everyone." Shepard got on the comm. "Zane you still there? We took out the Collectors. Beginning to start up the GUARDIAN lasers." Shepard could hear the sounds of battle in the distance and then he heard it on the radio.
"Not done yet…ah! Shit that almost got me. Anyways, you will have to defend the tower. Collectors ain't just gonna let you destroy their toys. Damn, I gotta go, be with you soon."
"Alright, we'll hold this area. EDI get to work." Shepard ordered and the team spread out covering every angle.
"Contacts incoming!" Miranda said and soon Collectors landed and began opening fire.
The team held off the squads upon squads of Collectors.
"You will feel pain, Shepard." The deep voice of a possessed Collector could be heard behind the Commander. Shepard turned and held down the trigger of his rifle. The Collector recoiled from the torrent of bullets hitting it. The Collector grabbed the rifle and threw it aside. Its hand turning into a chitin blade and was about to swipe down at Shepard. "Time to feel pain, Shepard." It said then a bullet hit its head and the being turned to ash. Shepard turned and saw Garrus holding a smoking sniper rifle.
"We are not done yet, Shepard." Miranda said pointing at a floating crab-thing coming at them from the ship. It had several legs and had bone-looking plating for armor. Its maw filled with the heads of Husks. Its eyes glowed the same sharp, crystal, and peering blue as the Husks it held.
"Oh, come on!" Garrus yelled getting to cover.
"Finally, a worthy opponent!" Grunt said as he charged the being and was smacked with one of the limbs. He flew through a wall and landed behind several crates and boxes.
"Focus fire!" Shepard yelled and those still up rose and unleashed all their thermal clips at the beast.
"I'm out!" Miranda yelled switching to her sub-machine gun only for that to hiss empty.
Garrus had his sniper rifle out since his assault rifle had run dry some time ago. He fired at the beast's eyes. The thing did a backflip in pain but soon recovered. Its eye bleeding dark brown blood. Garrus aimed at the other eye only for his sniper to hiss it had no ammo.
"Shepard I'm out of ammo as well."
Grunt was still on the ground. Going through a wall and landed hard on metal crates does that. Even to a Krogan. The remaining squadmates were using their various programs and abilities to whittle down the beast. However, the thing just ignored them.
Shepard didn't want to waste what little ammo he did have on it. In case more Collector squads came at them. He reached behind and felt the rifle Spartan squad gave him. He pulled it back and the weapon unfolded itself. The weapon lacked a trigger from what Shepard could see but the handle was…squishy. He squeezed as hard as he could. The weapon warmed up in his hands and soon as the heat grew to the point it felt like he was holding a metal pan on a stove. A trigger appeared and Shepard wasted no time in pulling it immediately. The yellow beam unleased its heated fury and the recoil was incredible for a beam weapon. He had a hard time keeping the weapon steady as the beam burned through the enemy's face, mouth, and eyes. It squealed with pain and rage but could not get away. Soon enough the beam burned a giant hole through the beast's head. Within a few moments the being turned to ash.
"Shepard, I have full control of the lasers I just need authorization to fire at the console." EDI said and Shepard ran for the console and slammed on the corresponding button. And within no time the giant weapons opened fire. To Shepard's left in a burning prefab, the sound of gunfire could be heard. A window was destroyed by gunfire and then the firing ceased. Shepard got the beam ready he squeezed it tightly and the rifle began to heat up.
The doors opened to a burning Collector trying to douse the flames upon its body. Behind it, two Collectors were being backed up. In front of them, a male in a black and red jacket with a black hood and mask over his face. This male had two omni-blades in two Drone's necks. One for each Collector. He pushed the Drones off his blades and they fell to the ground. The burning Collector turned and was headbutted for his trouble, also falling to the ground. The male laughed as he put both blades into the Collector's chest. With a flick of his wrists, the dual blades became laced with lightning and the Collector shook violently for several seconds before lying still. The male looked at Shepard and nodded before turning on his heel and brought a Carnefix to bear on a wounded Collector assassin and shot it in the head. The headless body then falling to the ground with a *thud*.
The human jumped over the railing and put away his pistol and cracked his neck and fingers.
"Shepard, it has been far too long old friend." He said and slid down the mask and hood. Shepard saw the N7 logo on the chest of the leather jacket. Then he saw the man himself. Zane "the Reaper" had changed very little in the past two years. Only small things seemed to be noticeable. His hair had more of a military style to it and the shadow of a beard was growing on his face. Despite the battle he hardly looked tired nor did he look like he got hit.
"Zane, it has been far too long how you been?" Shepard said with a smile and shook his old friend's hand.
"Oh, you know this and that. Nothing big." He said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Nothing big? I heard you…" He was cut off by Delan who came running as the ship flew away. The bruise on his face was going to remain for some time.
"No! They took John and Walter. And…and Tucker do something!"
"Do something? Shepard just helped save this colony. Realize who you are talking to!" Zane demanded at the mechanic.
"Shepard? Yea I thought that was your name. So, what you're some big hotshot in the Alliance. Figures you would save your buddy then leave."
"Delan if you don't shut up I swear…" Zane began his teeth grinding.
"You'll what? I would love to…" Zane grabbed Delan by his neck and pushed him against a wall. Delan's hat falling to the dirt.
"Once upon a time I would've disfigured you to the point of no recognition but now I'll just do this." And swung at the other side of Delan's face punching him hard and the mechanic fell again. Spartan squad came to them and two were laughing.
"Ha! You owe me thirty credits, Denis. Rocker just hit Delan!" Buddy said and another man groaned.
"Commander Shepard, Zane, I fear this is goodbye for now. We will take this waste-of-time and the other colonists and head out of here. Stay safe out there and walk in defiance." The Rook said before a Spartan grabbed Delan and dragged him off. The Rook and his team then left.
"So, where were we?" Zane asked
"I was going to ask about this rumor of N7 training." Shepard crossed his arms and the younger man smiled.
"Yea heard about that, did you? Guess I can't hide much from the Illusive Man. Anyways, yes and no. I did receive minimal training. As in I was put under the wing of an N7 soldier for several months. She honed my skills and talents to a deadly edge. I was asked to receive the full training but turned it down."
"Wait you were offered the training?"
"Yes, I guess going one on one with a Spectre makes people raise a few brows. I turned it down because I had things to attend to. Friends to see and to comfort not to mention deals to make. The Alliance wanted my skills I said I would work in an unofficial capacity and so they strapped me beside an N7 soldier and said, 'do as she says, do what she does, and learn what she tells you to' and so I did. As a thank you for my services that I now offer them. They gave me this badass jacket." The young man said both hands behind his back and he stood at attention.
"I see, and what do you do?"
"I use my contacts to give the Alliance whatever advantages it needs. I am not free, however, and am compensated very well for what I do. I need to be unofficial, however, works out better for everyone that way. People don't like dealing with a government no matter where you go." He stated.
"So, what now?"
"Now I join you. Simple as that."
"Wait you'll join me? Just like that? No argument?"
"Of course. Look we both see that the Collectors are the problem here and according to those boys in the Organization the Collectors work for the Reapers. And that is unacceptable. Plus, someone needs to watch over you in Cerberus."
"You knew I take it?" Zane laughed at the question.
"Really man? This is me we are talking about here. And yes, I knew who do you think told the Illusive Man I was on Horizon?" Zane saw Shepard's eyes turned to a deathly, angry glare.
"You risked the lives of these colonists? For what? To get my attention?" Zane shook his head still smiling.
"No, well not really. I did it to get the Collector's attention which would get the Illusive man's attention and thus your attention. It is a simple domino effect. If I didn't do it, they would've taken an entire colony I know what I did sacrifice some people but it is better than an entire colony. This is many things, Shepard. Don't make it into a defeat." He said and walked passed Garrus. "Hey, Garrus, nice to see you're okay…for some reason I expected you to get fucked up on Omega."
"In some ways, I did." Garrus said his fists clenched.
"Yea I heard what happened I'll help in any way you need me to. You need only ask." Zane said nodding to the Turian
Garrus returned the nod and notice something about Zane he had never realized. Garrus was surprised he hadn't noticed it sooner. Maybe it was because Zane was usually clean shaven. But when it was to the point of a shadow -like it was now. Garrus noticed that Zane almost looked like Shepard. At least barely. If it wasn't for the eye color difference, and Zane's hair being a few shades lighter then the two could pass for cousins. Or at least, very distant cousins.
"What is it?' Zane asked Garrus.
"Nothing just…thinking." He replied and Zane gave a short and curt nod before continuing and walking to Grunt.
"You look small." Grunt said.
"You look young and undisciplined. Want to test which is better?" Zane replied
"Anytime." The Krogan said.
"Anywhere." The human said with a smirk.
"Alright, that is enough the both of you." Shepard said and the two gave a grunt.
"Don't worry Shepard just mutual respect right Krogan?" Zane said hand out.
"For now." He said and shook the small hand.
"This is going to be so much fun. Oh! I forgot to mention I do have stuff to bring with me just so you know." Zane told the Commander who nodded with a small smirk on his face.
"Joker send the shuttle for pick up we are bringing an old friend."
A/n Song: Sabaton: The Art of War