Here is the next chapter. This chapter is the first part of Virmire. I am hoping that y'all like what I'm going to do with this. I am going to be changing a few things. Please let me know what you think, r&r. Enjoy!
000
The Mako rocked as the colossus' shot exploded on the rocks next to them. The AA guns' central control module was less than two klicks ahead but no matter what direction Claire tried to go, a colossus blocked their path. The modifications that Luke and Garrus had made to the main cannon were making it much easier to punch through the enemy defenses but it was still difficult to fight through the mixture of geth infantry and armor.
Mallory sat with Kaidan and Ashley cramped in the back ready to unload and secure the area around the vehicle while Tali manned the machine gun and controlled the shields. Wrex was having a literal blast with the main gun.
Claire maneuvered the Mako trying to get behind the colossus but the gun turret simply pivoted and fired another shot. If she had not hit the thrusters, it would have been a direct his rather and a narrow miss under them.
"Watch that line of fire, Claire!" Mallory shouted from the back.
"Thank you lieutenant Obvious," Claire shouted back. She knew how to fight, but it seemed her sister simply had to get her two cents in wherever she could. Claire was starting to understand why Mallory had not been nominated for the Spectres. She micro managed everything.
"Ha ha, got you!" Wrex shouted as the Mako's main gun ripped though the colssus' firing chamber; the metallic walker ruptured releasing plums of bluish flame and smoke into the air as it crumbled to the ground.
"Nice shot," Tali said as Wrex laughed. Claire smiled and continued forward until they could see the gate that housed the main AA gun controls.
I really wish I had brought Garrus. He and I could have taken out the defenders with our rifles before they even knew what hit them. Claire was having serious regrets about leaving Garrus behind with Luke. She had essentially put Luke in command of the marines that were still onboard while Pressley took command of the ship. Luke, Garrus, and the marines were supposed to make first contract with the Salarians at their camp when the Normandy touched down…she sincerely hoped that it was not a mistake leaving Luke as their first impression. At least she knew that no matter what Luke did, Garrus would have his back.
Claire turned the Mako sliding to a stop crushing two geth troopers that fell under the massive tires. She quickly popped the hatch allowing Mallory, Kaidan, and Ashley to pile out. She watched on the view screen as Wrex and Tali gave the marines cover. The trio secured the entry ramp for the AA gun as Claire climbed out to join them.
"Tali, close it up and keep an eye out. Let us know if the geth bring up any reinforcements. Wrex, if they do, blast the hell out of them. Mal, remember where parked." Ashley giggled as Mallory scowled. Kaidan simply shook his head. Wow, for a second there I sounded just like Luke. Claire waved everyone forward and made their way up the ramp checking their corners and clearing the gate section by section.
Suddenly, out of a corridor, a rocket whizzed over their heads and detonated against the cliff face behind them. Claire slid into cover and peaked around the corner of the wall. "Juggernaut!" she shouted opening fire on the massive geth trooper.
The rest of the squad followed suit pelting the metallic enemy with all the firepower they had peppering it with bullet holes until it toppled backward in a smoking heap. Claire was nearly ready to wave the team forward when she saw something down the tunnel. She signaled for Mallory and Ashley to hold position while Kaidan moved up with her.
With her shoulder pressed against the wall next to the tunnel, Claire peaked around the corner just enough to get a view of what was waiting for them. Geth stealth troopers vaulted from wall to wall and scrambled across the floor firing at the entrance forcing Claire and the rest of the team to stay in cover.
"Kaidan, barrier! Now!" Kaidan reacted immediately and put up a massive barrier. Claire charged forward hurling a disruptor grenade through the barrier and into the main area. The grenade erupted sending jolts of electricity all through the chamber. Only a second later, Claire charged through the barrier firing well aimed bursts into each of the geth troops. The rest of the team moved up to meet her when she signaled the all clear.
"Claire, you are starting to remind me more of Luke by the second." Mallory said looking around the room. Claire could not help but smile.
"In this case, I'll take that as a complement. Kaidan, Deactivate the AA defenses." Claire said waving Ashley on. Mallory shook her head and watched Kaidan overload the control box. Claire looked back at the pair and shook her head before placing her fingers on her radio up link in her ear. "Joker, AA towers are down. You are clear to decend. We'll meet you at the salarian camp. Have Luke make first contact with their commander."
"Roger that commander. We are inbound." Joker responded.
000
"You get all that?" Joker shouted back. Luke leaned again the bulkhead of the bridge dressed in his armor and armed for the mission.
"Got it." Luke responded. Joker smirked and started the landing sequence. Garrus came up next to Luke adjusting his gloves and locking them into place. "You ready partner?"
"Of course." Garrus said nodding. Luke smiled and headed to the door.
"Um…Shepard…you know that the cargo bay is the exit that is actually on the ground right?" Joker said trying to hold in his laughter. Liara came walking up in her armor right as he spoke and looked over at Luke rather confused.
"Geez, Joker. Suck the fun out of everything. Maybe I wanted to drop forty feet onto sand and possibly break my legs." Luke shouted turning and heading down the hall toward the elevator. Liara lowered her gaze smiling.
"You want broken bones? I would be glad to switch bones with you!" Joker shouted.
"Put it on the schedule." Luke shouted back. Garrus chuckled as he followed Luke. The human turned his head to look back at his friend. "I like that guy."
"I can tell." Garrus responded. Liara simply giggled.
Luke, Garrus, and Liara stepped off the cargo bay ramp and looked around. The camp was large and well defended. There were only two ways in but three ways out. One entrance was guarded by drones and multiple gun emplacements along with a few snipers. The other was lightly patrolled by a six man unit. The exit seemed to be unnoticed if it had not been for the single guard that was keeping an eye on it making sure that no one slipped out. The guard was definitely more concerned with people leaving considering that he did not turn around to check behind him in the three minutes that it took for the human and turian to cross to the command tent.
"Who's in command here?" Luke asked. A salarian turned to look at him and advanced on him. He wore white armor and his skin was lighter than most of the others.
"I'm Captain Kirrahe and I am afraid you just landed in a hot zone. Where is the rest of the fleet?" Luke raised an eyebrow looking back at Garrus and Liara.
"Our briefing and mission was to investigate your signal. Nothing but static made it to the Citadel." Luke explained turning back to the captain. The salarian sighed and studied his feet.
"We asked the council to send a fleet. There is no way one ship and what is left of my men can get the job done," Kirrahe said. Luke could see the concern in the captain's face. He heard the roar of a motor enter the camp and smirked. He heard the hatches open and boot hit the water.
"You'll have to explain further to my commander." Luke said turning to look at the Mako as Claire approached them.
"And who is your commander?"
"Commander Claire Shepard of the Normandy." Claire said stepping to her brother's side. Luke stepped back and bumped fists with Wrex as they walked up.
"As I told your subordinate, I told the council to send a fleet. I lost half my men investigating this place. And according to our scans, every AA gun within a mile radius has locked on to your ship." Luke sighed and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. Damn, so even if we tried to get back into orbit to broadcast a clear signal, we would get shot down before we made it.
"That's perfect. Well, what you found here better be worth our lives." Luke looked over at Claire. Always mission oriented that was his sister.
"About a klick north of here is Saren's base of operations. The facility is massive and heavily defended. But we need to make sure that this base and its secrets are destroyed." Cliare raised an eyebrow. Luke knew what her question was going to be so he jumped in instead.
"What secrets?"
"He has been using this facility to bread an army of krogan." Luke's gaze immediately jerked to Wrex. The krogan stepped forward slowly in near shock.
"How is that possible?" Wrex asked. Luke had never heard that tone. There was hope and even possibly glee behind the gruff voice.
"Apparently Saren has found a cure for the genophage." Kirrahe looked over at the krogan with a slightly concerned expression.
"Geth are bad enough, but a krogan army, he would be unstoppable." Claire said softly.
"Which is why this facility must be destroyed." Wrex immediately took a few more steps forward.
"Destroyed? I don't think so. My people are dying. This could save them." Wrex said looking back toward Claire. Luke swallowed hard. He could not even imagine what Wrex was going through.
"If that cure leaves this planet, the krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make that mistake again." Kirrahe spoke sternly as if disciplining a child. Luke didn't like it. Salarians may have been known for their scientific abilities and tactical knowledge, but they could only think tactically on a battlefield or in a business deal, never in a conversation.
"We are not a mistake." Wrex snarled pointing a finger in the salarian's face. He immediately stomped off.
"Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry krogan to deal with." Luke had had enough of this captain's inconsiderate ramblings.
"Wrex has every right to be upset! He is right. His people are dying and that cure could save them. True, in the past, the krogan were a problem, but they could be the key to saving us all." Claire set a hand on Luke's shoulder and gave him a gentle pull back.
"I'll talk to him. This cure is in the wrong hands and you did a horrible job explaining that. Wrex is concerned for his people and honestly I would be too. So, for now, leave him to me. Just starting thinking of ways that we can take this facility out." Claire spoke with her diplomat voice. Luke sighed. He let his anger get the best of him and he might have made a bad situation worse with his outburst. He needed to think more strategically and diplomatically like Claire did.
"Claire, let me talk to him. If it starts getting rough, step in but I think he'll listen to me." Luke said stepping in front of his sister. He could see the concern in her eyes but they softened and she nodded giving him leave to try.
I hope I can do this. For my sake and Wrex's. Luke shook his head as he watched Wrex fire a shot into the sandbar sending water and sand into the air. Oh fantastic, he's armed and pissed. Great combination for a krogan.