Disclaimer: I do not own the Mass Effect games. This story is written with no profit in mind. I make no money from it. It isn't for sale or rent.
Chapter 7
=DC=
Part 7
=DC=
28.04.2183 GS
The Hub
Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works Facility
Noveria
Pax System
Horse Head Nebula
"This is a disaster! Fucking Rachni, man! There will be Council forces clawing up all over our buts! I came here to get away from that shit!" One of the human engineers wailed.
"Put everyone on high alert! I want any seismic sensors we have available deployed! Those damn bugs love to dig themselves tunnels!" Rhobb, the Krogan mercenary in charge of security, barked happily, and his people raced to obey. Rhobb turned around and looked at the Board's representative inspecting the facility. He grinned happily at her. "It might be for the best if we get you out of here, just in case. I might not get paid if you get eaten on my watch."
"I have no intention of becoming insect food, thank you very much." Lydia Steiner's cold blue eyes fixed the Krogan for a moment before she looked around in the less and less controlled chaos engulfing the facility. Lydia whistled loudly and put her hands on her hips. She glared at the people running around like headless chickens. "This is an opportunity. We have state-of-the-art prototypes ready for field testing, and the Citadel forces containing the Rachni can use all the help they can get."
"You've got quad, girlie!" Rhobb nodded in approval. His scarred head plate gleamed like a sapphire in the artificial light.
"Get a team outfitted with our best experimental equipment and load one of the cargo shuttles with the heavy mech prototypes. See what supplies we have they can use, I'm sure that the Council will pay a premium rate for any aid we offer when the dust settles. Either that, or we can write it off as a donation and get a tax break…"
"The YMIRs still have that critical flaw!" One of the engineers protested.
"That's why they're still in the prototype stage." Steiner dismissed the concern. Besides, it remained to be seen if the defect occurred often enough to justify delaying production until it was fixed. If not, the engineers had just enough time to work on it, until all other kinks were smoothed over. "The VI and its IFF recognition work like a charm. The things are heavily armed and armored, that's all that matters. And we are going to warn our potential future clients that as a prototype, the units we're shipping them do have a critical fault to watch for! Now get moving!" Lydia snapped.
=DC=
29.04.2183 GS
Peak 15
Noveria
Pax System
Horse Head Nebula
Sergeant Pius glanced at the blinking light at the upper right part of his HUD. The energy drain needed to keep him comfortably warm in his armor, instead of quickly freezing solid, was busy draining the batteries powering up his hardsuit. Pius was on the second set since deploying ground side. The strengthening storm and even lower temperatures drained his power even quicker than before.
"Praetorian Lead, to all Praetorian elements. Check your power levels. Odd numbers are free to swap batteries and gather the spent ones for recharge. Even elements keep your eyes open." Pius ordered.
That was easier said than done. The storm hit their position with a full force nearly an hour ago, and it was now busy trying to bury the forward base in snow. If it wasn't for a tweaked portable shield generator keeping the snow at bay, combined with the short distance to the main entrance, the storm would have made the FOB defunct.
As things stood, there were more troopers stationed within the large hangar, stocking up supplies, and turning it into a killing ground for Rachni than at the outpost outside.
Lieutenant Eris quickly exited the small prefabricated building holding communications, and other assorted more sensitive gear. Within moments, his black armor frosted over, while its heaters struggled to keep the officer warm. Eris looked around and came straight at the Sergeant.
"You're swapping the batteries regularly, good man." The LT nodded once in approval. "We've got incoming, likely friendly. Two of the local corporate offices are flying in weapons, supplies, and experimental mechs that might help. Before the fleet let them get anywhere close to us, they checked, and it doesn't appear they're associated with that bare-faced bastard Saren. Either way, we're going to be ready just in case. Get the heavy weapons ready, and double-check the minefield outside the perimeter."
"Yes, sir!" Pius nodded back, not daring to salute while in hostile territory, even if any Rachni seeing it would likely not know what the gesture meant.
"Praetorian Lead to all Praetorian Elements. Look alive people. We're about to have guests. Even numbers switch batteries. Five and ten, double-check on the minefield integrity and command links. And make sure the turrets haven't frozen." Pius ordered.
"Let's just hope the Rachni don't have heat vision or something." The Lieutenant muttered quietly.
Pius winced at that and switched his helmet's visor on thermal. Despite all the ice-cold blue messing up everything, the camp, and everything important in it was lit up like a Spirit's damned offering on Remembrance day! Yet, it has been either that or everyone freezing.
The Lt turned his head to the side, obviously listening to his comm.
"Two shuttles from Hahne-Keldar subsidiary are en route. ETA five minutes. Make sure everyone is ready just in case. I'll inform the Captain." Eris informed the Sergeant and lit up his omni-tool.
Meanwhile, Pius made sure everyone had fresh batteries and made a quick check-up on their equipment. So far there were no environmental casualties, though the longer they were out there in the storm, the odds of something going wrong increased exponentially. Then, he got his people into the best defensive positions available to both cover the landing pad in the middle of the FOB, as well as the defensive perimeter outside.
Only thanks to the sensor suite, which was standard for even small FOBs like this one, allowed the Turians to notice the approaching shuttles. Without the thermal vision mode that came standard for Turian soldiers' helmets, the three approaching shuttles would have been virtually invisible until they were right above the base. The storm's howl did a great job at hiding the sound of their engines as well. As it was, they had come perilously close before anyone noticed them.
The first thing Pius noticed was that the transports were a bit larger than standard models. The shuttles were heavily modified to handle the weather as well. Despite that, they all had frosted over on the journey here. The first slowly descended and passed through the barrier keeping the snow at bay. It landed with a slight wobble, and its side doors opened, revealing a well-outfitted infantry squad led by a huge Krogan. The mercenaries themselves were a mixed bag – mostly Turians and Humans, with a token Batarian and Salarian rounding them up.
"I'm Commander Rhobb, Hahne-Keldar Security Division. We come bringing gifts!" The Krogan rumbled in a deep, happy voice.
Behind him, the mercenaries quickly pulled out a few crates with supplies and waved the shuttle off.
"The second shuttle contains six prototype heavy mechs with various weapon loads. All have a heavy machine gun, and either a flame thrower or custom flack cannon to deal with drones and infantry at short range." The armored lizard nodded at the second shuttle that landed a bit rougher than the first. Its doors soon opened, revealing six big square shapes, and as many supply crates as could fit beside them.
The mercenaries wasted no time. Acting in pairs, they dragged the large cubes out of the shuttle. They landed on the landing pad with a loud metallic clang that the storm almost completely swallowed up.
"We'll need your IFFs to ensure there are no friendly fire incidents, sir." A combat engineer ran up to Pius and the big Krogan.
"I need to clear it up with a command. What else are you bringing?"
"Experimental small arms, inferno ammunition, fabricator feed-stock, chemicals needed to neutralize Rachni acid, medi-gel, and other assorted medical supplies. Those are divided between the two shuttles just in case." The Krogan rattled out and raised his armored head at the storm.
"I'm Lieutenant Eris, in charge of this outpost." The LT finally arrived. "You're cleared for access to our IFFs and limited access to the comm-net. Is there anything we need to know about the prototype mechs and other experimental equipment?"
"The guns are decent enough if on the puny side. The mechs tend to critically overload and blow up if they suffer critical damage to the sensor clusters stuck in their heads." The Krogan shrugged. "Put them in front and watch the fireworks when the Rachni overrun them."
"We'll probably do that. Pius, get the supplies sorted out, and the critical materials fed into the fabricators. The rest of you, get those mechs and follow us."
"There are Rachni under this rock, right?" The Krogan eagerly inquired. "Fighting them can get me into the history books, and in a good way too!"
"Either that or it would get us all killed," Eris muttered back.
"Spoilsport!" Rhobb grumbled.
=DC=
Part 8
=DC=
29.04.2183 GS
Peak 15
Noveria
Pax System
Horse Head Nebula
Six heavy, ponderous mechs took positions, reinforcing the known and expected Rachni approach vectors. With them came a few squads of reinforcements – mercenary types loaned by local corporations to contain the outbreak.
More importantly, now there was a low, but constant flow of critical supplies. They made treating the wounded easier and allowed the CDF forces on the ground to re-equip themselves with weapons and armor tailor-made to deal with Rachni.
Within hours, everyone wore heavy armor, covered with ablative and acid-resistant layers. That was the best compromise considering the unknown number of still-active Geth within the facility. The troops broke out and distributed crates with experimental Inferno ammunition, and even technically illegal polonium rounds. They also exchanged standard weaponry for the heavies variants any single trooper could practically wield – setting aside assault rifles and pistols for light machine guns and assault shotguns. The odd deployed sniper took position behind freshly fabricated anti-material rifles with explosive rounds, which could tear open light vehicles.
Another new tool no one could get enough of was spay-cans with base substances. They were supposed to neutralize Rachni acid while causing minimal damage to exposed flesh or armor.
"We're as ready as we're going to get before heavy reinforcements arrive," Shepard concluded aloud.
"We've rigged the part of the complex we control for controlled demolition. If it comes to that, we can make a fighting retreat and bury the Spirit's damned bugs until we're reinforced. When the storm is over, we can insert from above and clear the facility that way." The Turian Commander noted.
"That's why I'm going to ask for volunteers to form up a strike team. Benezia has had too much of a free rein. If we wait for reinforcements, the odds of recovering any actionable intelligence decrease greatly, and they aren't particularly good right now."
"And there are the tough bastards who're still holding out." Wrex rumbled from the nearby table where he was still regenerating from the acid bath he took during the fighting. "It would be a pity if they get eaten. Unless they're Geth." The acid burns made Wrex's smile terrible to behold.
"That's the spirit!" The other Krogan mercenary rumbled happily. "I'm in!"
"That's why we came here in the first place. I'm in as well, Goddess damn it." Vasir grumbled. She kept shifting within what was likely the heaviest suit of armor she had ever worn before. In the close quarters of the facility, the much-valued mobility of Asari Commandos was of little use at the best of t times. Against swarms of murderous Rachni? Wearing typical Commando leathers would be a suicide.
Soon, they had a platoon worth of volunteers ready to go, mostly Turian marines.
"What's the plan, sir?" One of the Turian NCOs asked.
"We clear the Rachni corpses blocking the easiest way deeper into the facility, and set up one of the heavy mechs on point. We use drones to scout and soften up any Rachni attack, and line up the corridors with explosives in case we need to rapidly pull back. We move fast, carrying all the firepower we can. If feasible, we'll punch through the Rachni, and try to contact whoever is still fighting inside. If it's the Geth, we take them out. If it's Benezia, we do our best to take her alive for questioning, while eliminating any hostile forces in the area. And if it's survivors from the facility, we take them into custody and ask them some very pointed questions." Shepard suggested.
"I like it! It's simple, straightforward, and has just a few things that can go wrong, which are all out of our control!" Wrex chortled. "Shepard, are you sure you aren't a part Krogan?"
"I think that's obvious. Get the mechs to clear us a way, and double-check your gear. When we start going we're not stopping unless we face overwhelming numbers."
=DC=
Half an hour later, the main corridor leading deeper into the facility was more or less free. Its floor was ravaged by acid, making it unsafe for use, and covered with torn apart chunks of Rachni flesh. Liberal application of base agents and using the tables in the cafeteria as makeshift plating, finally allowed the strike team to advance, following a ponderous mech.
Surprisingly enough, only a few small swarms of the exploding tiny bugs tried to stop them. The flack cannon and heavy machine gun of the lead mech did wonders in thinning them up. That, combined with Vasir's Biotics, and various tech attacks were more than enough to put paid to said nonsense.
Eventually, the strike team reached a large, shot-up room. The signs of heavy combat were everywhere – from the virtually annihilated furniture to the pieces of Geth platforms, and dried off pools of liquid covering the acid-ravaged floor. There were also pieces of Rachni, but no whole bodies.
"Set up explosives and put drones to all exits," Shepard ordered.
The door to the left led to a tram, which likely would lead them straight into the heart of Peak 15. The right door had signs indicating that it was the path to a reactor and a communications tower. More immediately useful was the administrative center straight ahead.
"Rhobb, you're on point. Try not to shoot up all the computers. I want squads covering the side doors, and someone keeps an eye on all the vents." Shepard ordered.
Vasir silently stalked to the door in front of them, surrounded by a rippling purple cloak. She put aside her shotgun, and more Biotic power formed in her open palms.
Two squads of Turian marines stacked up near the door, and Shepard nodded to the new Krogan mercenary. Rhobb's large hand pressed the control panel, then immediately returned to brace his shotgun better. The door raised with a hiss, revealing a mostly intact office space with a small dark elevator in the middle.
"Secure any vents, and get combat engineers on those computers," Shepard said after relaxing a bit.
Soon, two Turians descended into the VI core and had it operational within minutes.
"Hello, I am Mira, the VI responsible for running this station." A holographic image of a human female came to live next to the elevator. "How can I be of service?"
"I am Spectre Tela Vasir, and this is Spectre Shepard." The Asari operative introduced herself. She wasted no time and used her omni-tool to transmit her credentials.
Shepard did the same a moment later.
"Credentials Verified. Good morning, Spectres. You have Secure Access to all available systems. How can I help you?"
"Status of the facility. The number of hostiles. How do we get deeper into the facility safely?" Vasir demanded.
"This facility has been compromised by hostile lifeforms. The main power is down. Hard lines to the Hot Labs are down. The Monorail is not operational. Please turn the main reactor on, and fix the landline access to the rest of the facility."
"We need the location of Matriarch Benezia," Shepard asked next.
"This information is restricted to users with Privileged Access. Only Binary-Helix Executives have Privileged status, Spectre Shepard."
"Are there any survivors from the staff of Peak 15?" Vasir inquired.
"Before the hardliners were cut, my sensors had indicated multiple survivors barricaded in the security office above the Hot Labs." Mira promptly answered.
"What about the Geth?"
"There are unknown synthetic units within the reactor core. There were several unknown synthetic units within the Hot Labs before I lost connection with the main facility." Mira helpfully answered.
"And the Rachni? Are they the hostile organisms you're babbling about?" Wrex eagerly demanded.
"Discussing the hostile organisms at length requires Privileged Access."
"That's an answer enough, I think," Shepard noted aloud.
"It is. What do we need to do to restore the hardliners and restart the reactor?" Vasir asked.
"For the landlines. First, neutralize hostile lifeforms on the roof, and then run maintenance routines. To restart the reactor, neutralize hostile synthetics in the core, restore fuel flow, run diagnostics, and initiate ignition unless repairs are required first."
"One squad holds this position alongside the mechs. A second squad holds the path to the reactor. The rest of us will secure the roof and restore the hardliners, then we will deal with the reactor." Vasir decided. "I want the combat engineers to get us schematics of the reactor core, so we know what we're dealing with, and more importantly, what not to shoot."