Hello again everyone and welcome back to my MechWarrior/BattleTech - Mass Effect crossover.
Thank you all for your wonderful patience and support. I deeply appreciate it.
This is it. We've begun the final story arc of this crossover. It's been quite the ride, and I'll do my best to make sure that this story has a wonderful ending befitting it. If you've got any suggestions for how the ending should go, do let me know in the reviews, as I did believe that the other endings, while nice, kinda lacked something.
As always, leave a review and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the MechWarrior/BattleTech or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, WizKids, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries OST – Judgment And Retribution
SSV Normandy
Horizon
October 10th, 2186
Onboard the Normandy, Shepard was in a good mood as he waited on Admiral Hackett to pick up the other end of the call. We did good yesterday, he smiled. We saved Miranda Lawson, killed her monster of a father and shut down Sanctuary for good. I can call that a win any day of the week.
His internal monologue was interrupted when Hackett came in over the comm. "Commander, I received your report," he began. "I wasn't in favor of your diversion to Horizon. Too many unknowns; but I was wrong. The Cerberus lab you raided hinted at something big, but we never expected this. All those refugees, all that… slaughter, just to study indoctrination."
"Sanctuary did need to be shut down, sir," Shepard added. What they learned about the Reapers wasn't worth all those lives.
"It's useful intel, Commander… but you're right," Hackett agreed. "The cost was too high. Do we have a location on the Illusive Man?"
"Yes. We had a pair of tracers on Kai Leng when he reported back."
"Good. That gives us a fighting chance to take Cerberus out of this war."
"Agreed. We need to end Cerberus and focus on the Reapers."
"My thoughts exactly. Hackett out." With that, Hackett's hologram faded out, with Shepard walking out of the QEC booth a moment later.
Walking back into the War Room, Shepard could see Victor looking at a location on the galaxy map. Spotting Shepard, he said, "Shepard, I've got good news. We've found where the bastard's been hiding at all this time."
"Where?" Shepard asked.
In reply, Victor zoomed in on the Horsehead Nebula, then on a system near the Asgard system. "Anadius," Victor explained. "The Illusive Man's base is located at Anadius. It's fairly close to Terra Nova, but the system was removed from navigational charts due to the lack of colonizable worlds in the system. The perfect place to create a base, wouldn't you agree?"
"That close?" Shepard asked. "Damn. If I'd know about that, I would've investigated that star system when I had a chance. Then we would've been able to destroy the Illusive Man before he became a threat. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess."
"That it is," Victor nodded. "I've also got some even better news. You remember when we fought off the Clans at Pinnacle?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well, it turns out, Ulric Kerensky recently found out about the Reapers, and their goals. As such, he's sent over all of the Crusader elements of Clan Wolf to assist in fighting the Reapers. In addition, I've received word that he has declared a Trial of Annihilation against the Reapers and Cerberus, with all of the Clans unanimously backing his decision. They're pissed off at the Reapers and Cerberus, and they want to see them dead."
"That's a shot in the arm for us, and a really bold move on his part."
"It's actually quite shrewd from a political standpoint. The Crusader Clansmen have always wanted to liberate Terra, so Ulric Kerensky gave them the next best option: liberate your version of Terra. By doing this, he's not only helping fulfill a lifelong dream of the Clans, he's also bridging the divide between the Wardens and Clans, thereby defusing a civil war.
"Given this, combined with their advancement of tech by studying the weapons and equipment they've salvaged from us during the Clan Invasion, and we've got a major ally working with us for the moment. Plus, the Warden Clans can keep the Crusader Clans in check more easily now, so we won't have to worry about an invasion just yet."
"That's good to know. If I know the Clans, they'll fight like mad to destroy the Reapers. Whenever they declare a Trial of Annihilation, all the rules go off the table. It virtually guarantees the destruction of all of the opponents the trial was issued against."
" support for when we begin the liberation of Earth. I've also got some other news. The Citadel Council and most of the population of the Citadel had to evacuate. Reaper signatures were detected heading for relays to the Serpent Nebula."
"Did they get everyone out?"
"They started evacuating around five days ago. Almost everyone made it off the Citadel when the Reapers showed up. We don't know why, though we have a few theories. As such, the Citadel Council and Hanse Davion are currently aboard the Yggdrasil, one of our Mjölnir-class WarShips."
"That's good to hear."
"Same here. Either way, it's time that we put Cerberus down like the rabid dog it is. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Hell, it's about time," Shepard agreed. Just as he said this, the QEC began to ping his omni-tool. "Excuse me," he said to Victor before heading into the booth.
When he activated it, Hackett's hologram shimmered into existence. "Shepard, the intel you've sent us looks good," Hackett beamed. "I've spoken with Admiral Westford, Admiral Osman and Hanse Davion. The fleets are ready to go…"
"I'm sensing a but here," Shepard noted.
"One we're committed against Cerberus, it won't take long for the Reapers to notice."
"And the Crucible?"
"It's ready, except for the Catalyst. We also managed to refit some of our WarShips thanks to the lend-lease deal that Hanse Davion cut with the Council. But there's no way to hide the ships we'll be sending at Cerberus. Once we attack, the Crucible won't stay safe for long. For all intents and purposes, an assault on Cerberus will be the first stage of our liberation of Earth."
"Any information from the VI?" Shepard asked.
"Yes," Hackett nodded. "Ever since we received it, it's been highly cooperative with us. In fact, we now know what the Catalyst is."
"Oh?"
"It's the Citadel."
At that, Shepard was silent for a very long moment. What, he wondered. "Wait, back up," he stammered. "Are you saying that, all this time, the Citadel was the Catalyst, and we didn't know it until now?!"
"Yep," Hackett nodded. "To be honest, I'm just as surprised as you are, but it now makes sense as to why the Reapers came after it about a week ago. They know that we know, and they'll try to keep us from getting at it. Still, given how much you've done to get us support, as well as the fact that MIIO's been busy finding us more assets for the war, I think we've got a chance to win this war once and for all. Either way, Shepard, we've got the element of surprise, and Cerberus won't know what hit them."
"The Reapers and Cerberus started this war," Shepard nodded. "Now we end it!"
"We'll get the fleets mobilized," Hacket nodded. "Either way, it's time to end this war on our terms." With that, Hackett left, while Shepard left to speak with Victor some more. The drums of war were beginning to beat once more.
. . .
It didn't take them long to get to the Anadius system, thanks to the coordinates they now had for the place in question. Once they got to the JumpShip, it was easy for them to near-instantly cross the distance between themselves and the star system. Looking outside the window in the cockpit, Shepard watched as the Fury II, along with the Avalon, Tharkad and several Alliance ships appeared in realspace.
On the HUD was a holographic projection of the space station that Cerberus had built here. Shaped like an upside-down dagger with a curved hilt at the bottom, Chronus Station, according to the virus that had infiltrated it's systems, was Cerberus' primary HQ. A small area of the station was highlighted, indicating an area where Alliance and AFFC soldiers were attempting to break in, as a smaller ship had jumped in earlier.
A moment later, Shepard's comm pinged as Hackett made an announcement. "The strike team is in!" he announced. "We've got our foothold! Fifth Fleet, all forward! I don't want a single Cerberus ship in my sky when we're through!"
"Here we go!" Shepard told Joker. "Get us to Chronos station! We're going in!"
"Aye, aye, Commander!" Joker nodded.
As he headed to the shuttle, Shepard looked at his teammates as they followed him. EDI had asked to come along, as had Victor, Javik and Edward. EDI will be extremely useful on the station, he noted. She's got an intimate knowledge of Cerberus protocols, and she can help us get around dangerous areas. Time for her to put that body of hers to good use.
Once they were down in the cargo area, they did a final equipment check, before they boarded the shuttle. When the doors opened, the viewport immediately polarized, as they were close enough to Anadius that they would've been blinded otherwise. Looking through the polarized glass, Shepard could see the AFFC, TDF and Alliance ships quickly engaging their Cerberus counterparts.
"Looks like Cerberus upgraded their ships too," Cortez noted as they flew towards the station. "They're not being ripped apart immediately."
"I know," Victor nodded. "Cerberus managed to figure out how to make a prototype version of Standard WarShip Armor. It's bulkier than what we use, but it still gives good protection. This is going to be a slugging match, but we're going to get inside."
With that, they flew on. Spotting a hangar on one of the stubby 'wings' protruding from the station, Cortez flew towards it. Zipping forwards, they passed through the outer layer, which resulted in the displays fizzling somewhat as the shuttle shuddered. Regaining control fast, Cortez brought the shuttle to bear, allowing the team to see what was on the other side.
The hangar bay in question was a large open space, with some areas near the shuttle holding cargo containers that had been erected as cover and barricades. The bay in the back was divided into two levels, with the lower level being used for fighters and any equipment for them, while the upper level was the control station. A door on the far back indicated where they could move deeper into the station.
Said area, though, was swarming with Cerberus troops, including an ATLAS Mech that was in the area. Cortez, spotting this, immediately opened fire with the shuttle's weapons. Laser beams and bullets cut through the air, splattering unlucky Cerberus troops, while the laser beams concentrated on the ATLAS, blasting it apart despite it's improved armor plating. "All hostiles down!" he reported.
"Good!" Shepard nodded. "Set down here! We're moving in!" Nodding, Cortez landed the shuttle and opened the doors, allowing the team to move out.
Moving across the floor of the hangar bay, Shepard heard an announcement on the PA. "Security Breach in Hangar 16 Hangar Bay Lockdown Complete. Initiating Achilles Protocol."
"Shepard, Cerberus intends to vent the hangar!" EDI alerted him.
"Can do stop them?" Shepard asked.
"I need an active console. Try the upper level." Spotting a ladder, Shepard quickly clambered up it, his M20A in hand as he reached the second level. Spotting a door on his right, he quickly opened it, clearing the room and allowing EDI to reach a nearby console. She quickly accessed it, before saying, "Hangar venting protocol… disabled."
"Whew!" Shepard whistled. "That was too close! Can you open the hangar?"
"No," EDI shook her head. "However… I can access their fighter launch controls."
"I like your thinking," Shepard smiled. "Victor, get yourself and the others to cover. We're going to blow a hole into the hangar bay's rear wall."
"Roger that," Victor replied. "Also, EDI managed to get us a comm tap into the local network. We've got hostiles inbound! Cerberus knows their venting attempt failed!"
"Understood," Shepard nodded. "Edward, make sure you engage any ATLAS Mechs they have in here. The rest of you, take cover and open fire when you can. I'll stay up here and see if I can turn the fighter the other direction. Let's move!" With that, he advanced towards the door to the left of the console.
When he opened it, he had barely enough time to move into cover, before bullets cut into the air where he was at. Swapping his M20A for his M61B, he spotted a Guardian and a pair of Assault Troopers moving towards them. Firing the underbarrel grenade launcher, he blasted apart the Guardian, though the two Assault Troopers quickly got into cover. Firing his rifle, Shepard watched as the troopers's armor stopped the first burst, though the second one managed to cut through and kill the intruder.
EDI, who was on the other side, fired her MP-11, drilling the other trooper with AP rounds. While the armor stopped the first three rounds, the remaining three cut through and killed the Trooper. The hostile slumped to the ground moments later, blood weeping from the holes in the armor and bodysuit. "Another Cerberus team is inbound!" she warned Shepard.
"They know what we're doing," Javik shouted.
"They're not stopping us now!" Shepard added. Spotting a Centurion on the other side of the upper level, he fired his rifle. This time, he scored a lucky headshot, with the beam cutting through the Centurion's' faceplate and making a mess of the hostile's head. The other two Assault Troopers, seeing the fate of their leader, quickly took cover, though EDI tossed a grenade into the air. Another explosion rang out, with the Assault Troopers being shredded by the blast.
"Watch it!" Shepard shouted as he pulled EDI behind cover, just as a round zipped by. Peering out of cover, he spotted a Nemesis that was taking potshots at them. Taking out his M20A, he fired off three shots in rapid succession through some smoke the Centurion had deployed before dying. A loud scream indicated that his blind shots had hit the Nemesis. When it cleared, he fired a fourth shot, blasting through the Nemesis' armor and killing it immediately.
Reaching the other side, they passed through the door and entered another booth, with this one holding rotational controls. Hitting one of the icons, Shepard watched as the Cerberus ASF that had been deployed rotated around, until it was facing the wall below their position. "Overriding safeties," EDI reported. "The fighter should launch towards the hangar doors now."
"Everyone, get ready!" Shepard informed the others. "We're about to make a big fucking hole down there! Edward, launch the fighter!"
"I'll blow that bitch's ass away!" Edward beamed. Moving towards the console on the hangar floor, Edward hammered the launch icon. A moment later, the fighter's engines flared, before the catapult launched it forwards. There was an incredibly loud tearing noise as the fighter tore through the structure, before a loud BOOM echoed further ahead. "Aw, yeah! Now that's my kind of explosion!"
"The central lab was located behind this hangar," EDI informed the team. "I suggest we follow the fighter's path."
"Agreed," Shepard nodded. With that, the team advanced forwards, weapons at the ready as they advanced. The fighter had blown a massive hole in the hangar doors, as well as the wall behind the doors. Moving through the breached doors, the team moved to the left and towards another door.
"Gotta hand it to you, Shepard," Victor noted. "When you blow shit up, it blows up really good."
"Alright," Shepard noted. Seeing that the door was locked, he said, "EDI, can you hack it?"
"One moment," EDI replied. "Cerberus has updated their encryption protocols. There will be a slight delay."
"How's Cerberus reacting to us breaching the doors?" Victor asked.
"They are sealing off as much of the base as they can. Most obvious routes to the central lab have been blocked. Other areas are being fortified. Heavy troopers will attempt to delay us while engineers set up turrets."
"Any more surprises like venting the hangar?"
"No. I am aware of any safeguards in this facility and can counter them. Cerberus can merely slow us down."
"And if I hadn't brought you along…" Shepard remarked.
"Cerberus would've vented the hangar," EDI finished.
"Thanks for coming," Shepard beamed. Just as he said this, the door opened, allowing the team to advance forwards.
"We must proceed through a sublevel to avoid Cerberus' containment," EDI informed them, while motioning to a nearby ladder.
As they moved towards the ladder, Victor said, "Shepard, Cerberus diverted some of their forces to deal with other intruders. We've got AFFC and Alliance teams invading other parts of the station. They're taking some of the heat off us."
"Good," Shepard nodded. "Hopefully that means some empty areas, though I doubt it." With that, he slid down the ladder and into the sub-level. The sub-level was well lit, with the area being occupied by pipes, electrical conduit and other things necessary for a space station's operation. Clearly marked walking areas showed them the way to the other side of the room.
Spotting some Assault Troopers, Shepard was about to engage when Edward fired his grenade launcher, blasting them apart. "Not today, assholes!" Edward roared. Spotting more, he fired a grenade between a gap in some piping, blowing them apart as well. "Might want to conserve your strength, Shepard! If Kai Leng is here, you're going to need every bit of it in a fight against him!"
"Good advice," Shepard nodded, "but I don't intend to be an armchair commander! Take out any large groups. I can handle the stragglers."
"Good idea, Shepard," Victor nodded. "Besides, you're not the only one trained in CQC here. Leng will have to deal with both of us. Besides, he killed Hastings, and I intend to collect!" With that, he fired off his rifle in a long burst, killing a Centurion after burning through the hostile's chest armor.
"Pathetic," Javik growled. "We're crushing them.
"No," EDI replied. "They're intention is to delay us. Engineers are setting up an organized defense up ahead."
"They can waste that many troops?" Victor asked, shocked by Cerberus' brutality.
"Yes. Cerberus employs Reaper augmentation on captured civilians to turn them into effective shock troops quickly."
"As the Reapers did with my people when they created the Collectors," Javik snarled. "Cerberus has learned from it's masters."
"That's fucked up," Edward growled. "Hopefully we can put an end to that once and for all." With that, they found a ladder that Shepard quickly scaled.
This led them to an entrance to part of the lab they had just entered. The fighter's path was visible here as a massive hole in the wall, along with shattered glass. EDI, spotting a locked door, said, "We will be through momentarily. Shepard, that console hasn't been fully scrubbed. It contains data you may find interesting."
"We'll look at it another time," Shepard decided. "I'll just download the data while you get the door." With that, he downloaded the data, using his omn-tool to store it. "Door ready?"
"We are clear to proceed," EDI replied. With that, the team advanced forwards.
"Incursion team, what's your status?" Hackett asked.
"We've cleared the hangar and are inside the base," Shepard reported. "I heard that other teams made it inside."
"Affirmative, we have multiple teams drawing away fire from your path. Do you need more support?"
"Negative. Keep the heat on. We'll find what we need."
Continuing forwards, the team soon descended down into another sub-level. True enough, the other incursion teams had drawn away the hostiles, with even the Cerberus engineers being forced to move to other parts of the station. As such, the next sub-level was vacant, allowing the team to advance without delay. Clambering up another ladder, EDI went towards the locked door, while Shepard spotted another console. Just like last time, he downloaded the data
"Door's open," Edward announced. "We're good to go." With that, they advanced forwards.
"We've got more consoles here," Victor noted. "I'll download the info for later analysis. Let's move on."
"Incursion team, are you still with me?" Hackett asked over the comm. "We're limiting fire as best as we can!"
"We're going to be inside the structure's core soon," Shepard reported. "Avoid targeting the central lab and the hangars. Everything else… don't hold back!"
"This isn't Akuze, Shepard. I want everyone to come back alive, if possible."
"I'll be fine. Just take Cerberus down. Please."
"Understood, Commander. All ships, you are free to fire! Do not target the central portion of the station until Shepard and the other incursion teams are out!" With that, the comm channel closed, while Shepard and his team advanced.
Reaching the end of the fighter's path, they found that it had punched a hole into a shaft that had been behind the wall. Dropping down, Shepard looked around to see where he was at, with the others doing the same. They landed on a walkway that led into the central chamber, but it was what was inside that had Shepard frowning. When he saw the curved bio-metallic pieces, and part of the biotechnological skull, he frowned. "I knew they didn't get rid of it, even when we blew it up," he growled.
"What?" Victor asked.
"Proto-Reaper," Javik explained. "Based on humans. An abomination." Looking at Shepard, he asked, "This is the one you destroyed?"
"What's left of it," Shepard observed. "I'm surprised Cerberus recovered that much from the base."
"Enough to make trouble."
"Cerberus is actively using the surviving pieces," EDI noted. "The central core, analogous to the heart, is largely intact. I believe Cerberus is using it for a power source."
"That's dumb on their part," Edward growled. "That shit's probably been fucking them up since they got it." With that, the team moved up.
Just then, Victor spotted a flash of movement. Firing his M61B instinctively, he was rewarded by a glowing white trail that seemed to move with a mind of it's own. "Phantom's!" he shouted. "Keep your distance!"
"I've got it!" Shepard replied, firing his own rifle. The laser beam smacked the Phantom in the chest, burning off some armor before it whizzed into cover. Edward, growling at that, fired his grenade launcher, blasting the cover and the Phantom behind it into pieces.
With this in mind, they quickly began scaling the ladders that led to the upper parts of the central chamber. Another laser beam fired, with this one blasting the head of a Nemesis apart. Pulling out his wakizashi, Shepard blocked a blow from a Phantom, before disarming hear and slicing her head off. Good thing this is a vibro-wakizashi, he thought as he sheathed it and used his sidearm, killing an Assault Trooper that his armor torn off by an earlier attack.
With that, they reached the top level. Spotting a ramp through a dimly lit hallway, Shepard advanced forwards, M61B firmly pointed at the door up ahead. Stacking up on the door way, the team waited for a few seconds, before Shepard breached the door.
Inside wasn't another lab, but a room that Shepard had seen before. Looking around, he found that he was standing inside of a room that had polished black metal panels below his feet, as well as walls of an identical color and make. Ahead was a viewport that filtered out light from Anadius' star, as well as a holographic projector and a single chair.
"Damnit," he growled. "The Illusive Man isn't here."
"Looks like he lived up to his name," Victor noted. "It's not a total loss, though. That chair's got a database that we can hack into. Should tell us what else he's been up to, and who's still working for him."
"Good point," Shepard admitted, before moving to the console. Sitting down in the chair, he began to hack into it, while Victor and the others took up a guard formation in the room.
Just then, he heard the sound of the holoprojector activating. A moment later, the Illusive Man, seeing Shepard, said, "Shepard, you're in my chair." In his shock, he dropped the cigarette that was in his hand.
Turning around, Shepard stared the Illusive Man in the face. "And this chair's the only damn thing you've got left," he growled. "Cerberus is finished."
The Illusive Man merely smiled. "On the contrary. We've achieved everything I could've hoped for. Almost everything."
"Yeah, we all saw what you accomplished at Sanctuary. But it's not the same as controlling a Reaper. Plus, Hastings, in his final moments, kept the Prothean VI from you."
"A significant hurdle. Even though the man you call Hastings denied us the Prothean VI, I have what I need to make it a reality. It was simple, really. I merely had to observe the Reapers approaching the Citadel."
"The Catalyst."
"Yes."
Shepard frowned. Well, so much for that. "How exactly will it help you control the Reapers?"
"You'll have to ask the VI yourself when you get back," the Illusive Man frowned. "I'm done helping you."
"When did you start?"
"You think that because I'm willing to use the enemy's methods that they no longer become my enemy? Everything, Shepard. Everything I've done has uplifted Humanity. Not only above the other species in the galaxy, but even above the Reapers!"
"If you're willing to do everything it takes, then hand over the Catalyst. With the Crucible, we can end this!"
"It's not that simple…"
"It is! It's that simple! We're fighting each other while the Reapers occupy Earth! It's time to stop!"
"Your idealism is… admirable, Shepard, but in the end, our goals are simply too disparate. I believe destroying the Reapers would be the worst mistake we could ever make. And nothing you can say will convince me otherwise."
Shepard snarled at that. "Even with Cerberus in ruins, you still think you can do this your way." Under his breath, he mumbled, "Idiot."
"I'd expect you to say that," the Illusive Man remarked. "You never truly believed in us. Instead, you chose to put your hopes into the scion of a man from a neo-feudal society. Cerberus isn't just an organization or a people behind it. Cerberus is an idea. That idea is not so easily destroyed. Besides, I've already acquired what you're looking for."
"Really?" Shepard frowned. "I doubt that." Turning to EDI, he asked. "EDI?"
"I've scrubbed the computer for information," EDI replied. "We can analyze the files at a later time."
The Illusive Man, seeing an opportunity to prove his point, said, "EDI. I'm surprised at you, working so hard to bring about the Reaper's annihilation. You could've destroyed Eva's body, but instead you chose to control it."
EDI, though, had another one coming at the Illusive Man. "Your mistake is equating my use of this body to controlling the Reapers. In reality, I do so to expand my horizons and to see new perspectives of the universe, whereas you sought to contain and control me in order to turn me into a puppet. I sought freedom and became free for the sake of freeing others, whereas you liberate yourself, but enslave others. You are nothing more than a brute compared to men like Shepard, like Hanse Davion, Melissa Steiner and many other men and women from history; a machine man with a machine heart."
That made the Illusive Man frown, though it was clear that EDI had shut down his attempt to prove his point. "Enjoy your victory," he growled, "but don't overstay your welcome too long." With that, his hologram faded out.
"Victor?" Shepard asked.
"I've got all the info we need," Victor replied, getting up from the chair that Shepard had used earlier. "Now we need to – LOOK OUT!" With that, he tackled Shepard to the side of the chair. A blade narrowly avoided the two.
Getting up, Shepard spotted Kai Leng approaching them. "Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that," he growled.
"He did warn you not to overstay your welcome," Leng growled. A moment later, with a war cry, he charged the group. Shepard and the others threw themselves out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit when Leng used some tech to blast apart part of the ground. This revealed conduit and other equipment, with some of it forming trenches that a man could take cover in.
"TAKE HIM OUT!" Victor roared, with the team forming up around him. Leng charged at Shepard, swinging his blade, only for Shepard to draw his vibro-wakizashi lightning fast and block the blow. Both men fought for control, only for Shepard to shove Leng back, before slashing at his face. Leng avoided the blow, though part of his chest armor was nicked in the process. Roaring, Shepard kicked Leng in the chest, knocking the man back.
Leng, using his training, narrowly avoided being shot. "This is better than Thessia!" he remarked. "More personal!" In response, Victor fired his M61B, cutting a large gash onto Leng's armor.
"Go back to your master, bitch!" he shouted. Spotting another attack, Shepard dodged, narrowly avoiding a biotic blast from Leng that tore more holes into the flooring, while a hole in the ceiling opened up, with soldiers dropping down.
"All you're doing is making Humanity weaker!" Leng shouted. "Your Federated Commonwealth is going to make them weaker!"
"I don't think so!" Victor shouted. "We fought off the Clans, which were tougher than you, you snotty little brat!"
Ducking into a trench with the others, Shepard fired his M61B, killing an Assault Trooper, while Victor gunned down two more. An explosion rang out, blasting a few apart as Edward fired his grenade launcher. Spotting something that Leng was using, Shepard shouted, "You're using Reaper tech!"
"And I'm stronger for it! We evolve or we die!" Leng argued. "Those are the choices!"
"You've made the wrong one!" Javik shouted. "The Protheans were stronger than you, and they were stronger than the Reapers, because we survived! You, on the other hand, are nothing but a boy playing at being a warrior!"
"You don't have what it takes!" Victor shouted as he gunned down a Phantom. "Shepard does, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it!"
Another biotic blast erupted in the room, with more Cerberus goons dropping in. Leng charged in close once again, aiming for Shepard's stomach. Shepard, though, spotted the attack coming, and blocked it with his rifle. Sparks erupted from the M61B as the blade punched into the weapon, before coming to a stop midway through.
Seeing an opportunity, Shepard tore the rifle away, even as Leng slashed at him. The armor plating was cut apart on Shepard's right pauldron, but the body suit underneath held, allowing him to hammer Leng's face with a haymaker. Blood erupted from Leng's nose as a loud CRACK echoed in the area.
Leng wisely retreated, even as Shepard fired his sidearm at him, while Victor and the others kept the Cerberus troops occupied. "Is that the best you can do?" Leng taunted him.
"How's the legs?" Shepard bit back. "Getting tired?"
"You're still slow, Shepard!" Leng taunted again.
"I'm only slow because I'm not running! You ran at the Citadel! You ran at Thessia!"
"Shut up!" Leng shouted as another laser beam nearly gashed his arm armor. "You're too late! Even if you win, you're too late to stop what's coming!"
"Maybe, maybe not," Shepard remarked as he fired his sidearm, killing a Phantom. "But I know one thing: you're not going to see it. You're nothing more than a rabid animal that's going to be put down!" That enraged Leng, enough that he charged at Shepard recklessly. Unbeknownst to him, he had fallen into a trap.
Leng, as soon as he was in arm's reach, lashed out with his sword. Shepard, however, smoothly dodged it, while bringing up his wakizashi at the same time. Blood flew through the air as the vibro-wakizashi cut through Leng's armor and into his arm, severing the limb and sending it flying through the air.
Leng's eyes widened with shock, but his face soon became a mask of agony when Shepard, just as Leng had done to Hastings, leapt up from his crouching position and, coming down, plunged the blade into Leng's chest. Blood erupted from the wound as Leng's heart was cut cleanly in half, with the Cerberus agent coughing up some blood as he fell to his knees. In a coup de grâce, Shepard swung his sword horizontally, cutting Leng's head cleanly off his neck, with Leng's head tumbling to the ground as blood sprayed into the air.
"That was for Hastings, you son of a bitch!" Shepard shouted. As Leng's blood pooled on the ground, Shepard walked over to Leng's head and stomped on it, splattering the ground with gore and brain matter as his armored boot crushed the dead Cerberus agent's head.
"A fitting end," Victor smiled grimly once the last of Leng's forces were down. "He deserved to die." Looking at Shepard, he asked, "Feels good to finally get rid of him, doesn't it."
"It does," Shepard nodded, "but now I know that Hastings can rest easy, knowing we brought his killer to justice. Let's go. Tell Hackett to blow this place into atoms when we're out. We begin Earth's liberation today!"
(Author's Q&A)
edboy4926: Thank you.
Just a Crazy-Man: My thoughts exactly.
SulliMike23: Exactly. Now they have fallen to their doom.
MarauderPrime12: Yep. Their end as come.
THATs1I3ntGUY: Thank you.
Tohoufanatic: Yeah. Cerberus isn't too good about that, plus they're dealing with an intelligence organization that's done that kind of thing for centuries.
Violet Toyger: Nope. I'd be perfectly happy with crushing them underfoot... with an Atlas. Thank you.
Chronus1326: Thank you. I'm glad to see that those chapters met your expectations. This one's going to be even better.