Hi guys, ok so I got back from Japan, loved the trip. Sorry for the lack of updates. But the problem I have is still there. So I'm taking my laptop back to the shop. The estimate I have for not being able to update is 3 weeks due to the manufacturer. So I apologise, but I will not be able to update for at least 3 weeks.
The Normandy arrived at the Citadel in no time. As soon as they docked several paramedics came and got Ashely on to a gurney and moved her off the ship fast. As they did, they attached several medical dives to the marine as they pulled her off the ship, out the airlock and into customs.
"Got a strong pulse here," one of them said as he ran alongside the marine checking her pulse.
"Move em out." a Trurian said as two medics dispersed the crowd.
"Where are you taking her?" Zenna asked as she caught up.
"Huareta memorial best care on the Citadel," the Turian answered as the gurney left her sight.
"Shepard. Got word that you'd be arriving," Bailey said making Shepard turn to old friend walk up to her.
Smiling Shepard walked up and shook hands with the captain.
"Captain Bailey good to see you again," she smiled.
He looked away slight before tapping his rank pin. "You too. But it's Commander now,"
"Congratulations," she said awkwardly.
"Thanks. Now it's my job dealing with political bullshit and escorting dignitary's around. No offence," he smiled slightly at that
Zenna shrugged and didn't take it as a jab. She didn't like politic as much as the next guy. "Non taken. So, your here to bring us to the Council?"
Bailey turned and walked toward a checkpoint with Zenna, James and Liara following. "I'm here to tell you that the Council is expecting you but they have their own... problems. With the war and everything. They apologize for the inconvenience and blah blah blah." he said stopping outside the checkpoint and turned to Shepard. "Meet them at Udina's office and they'll be ready soon enough,"
Inwardly, the minotaur groaned as she hated to deal with that particular asshat. Outwardly she nodded. "Ok, I can do that,"
That's when the officer made a suggestion that Zenna didn't want to hear. "You may have time to go to the medical centre to check on the progress," he said.
Zenna took a deep sigh and let a tear fall from her eye. Of course, she wanted to see Ashley before she went to see the politicians, but but…"I would like too but I can't too much is at stake,"
Bailey nodded. "I'll head up to Udina's office Commander there isn't enough room for all of us in the lift," Liara said as she walked past them.
Bailey then turned to James. "You?"
"Just a tourist today. I'll try and not get into any trouble," James said as he turned and walked away."Err commander we have a situation in the embassy quarters," Bailey's headset then said.
"I'm on my way," he said before looking at Shepard. "The other half of my job," he then walked through the checkpoint to his new assignment. "See you around Shepard,"
"Yeah," she muttered before taking a deep sigh and heading towards the lift.
The people around them didn't notice as they were too busy to notice them. The smell of fear, anger and failure was palpable, but Zenna ignored it as she made her way to Undia's office. But as she arrived, an asari was waiting for her.
"Ah commander if you'll follow me the council is in session," she said.
OOOOO
Inside the council chambers were a mess as diplomats, business men, general and more moved around trying to sort out the mess they found themselves in. As Zenna approached, she could hear all four of were discussing the war.
"We have our own problems too councillor," Tevos said. "Earth is not alone,"
"But Earth was the first council world attacked. By our reports it faced the brunt of the attack." Udina defended.
"By your reports." Velarn said accusingly.
Liara just stood there shaking her head as footsteps came from behind. She glanced behind her to see the minotaur walk up. Her large figure commanding a precense that few could match.
"The reports are accurate. Earth was attacked by the Reapers." Zenna said with a deep as she stood next to Liara.
The council visibly shifted nervously as Zenna continued, her natural deep voice echoing across the chamber.
"And it's just the beginning. We need your help everything you can spare," Zenna said.
"Each of us faces a similar situation. Even now the Reapers are pressing on our borders. If we give you our strength to help Earth our own worlds will fall," Tavos said shaking her head.
"We must fight this enemy together," Declared trying to get them to rally
"And so we should just follow you to Earth?" Velarn asked
Sparatus raised his hand stopping the conversation from getting any more violent.
"Even if we unite our fleets do you really believe we can defeat the Reapers?" he asked.
"I don't expect you to follow me without a plan," Zenna said stepping to one side as Liara
"Councillors we have that plan. A blueprint created by the Prothens during their war with the reapers," Liara said.
"A blueprint for what?" Velarn asked.
"We're still piecing it together," Liara said as she brought up a hologram of a large device. "But it appears to be a weapon of some sort,"
"Capable of destroying the Reapers?" Sparatus asked.
"So it would seem," Liara said before stepping in.
"The scale is... it would be a colossal undertaking," Zenna said. "I've looked over the plans myself. The technology exists and it will take time bit we can do it. I've forwarded the plans to Admiral Hackett. The remnants of the human fleet are already gathering the resources to begin construction,"
"If we work together," Liara added.
"Have you considered the Reapers destroyed the Prothians? What good will this weapon do?" Tevos asked.
"It was incomplete, there was a missing component here," Liara said looking through the text. "Something referred to as the Catalyst and the Array's. But they ran out of time before they could finish building it,"
The council fell silent before Verlarn spoke up. "Do you really believe this can stop the Reapers?" he asked.
"Liara believes it can work and so do I." Zenna said. "And while I haven't always agreed with Udina he right about one thing. We need to do this together. The Reapers won't stop at Earth. They'll harvest every groaning being in the galaxy if we don't stop them,"
The council fell silent as the Turrian and Asari looked to Verlarn who shook his head.
"The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers are focused on Earth, we have time to prepare and regroup." Tevos said.
"We are convening a summit of own species. If we can hold our own borders, we may consider helping you,"" Dalo said.
Zenna growled softly before walking away in annoyance.
OOOOO
Udina's office walked into his office with the commander behind him.
"Their fool's commander every one of them," he said angularly. "Humanity will always be second rate in their eyes,"
"They're just trying to protect their interests." the commander said making the councillor look at her with venom in his eyes. She felt the same, but could see the problem that the councillors faced.
Uinda just shook his head. "If they cared they could care about Earth as well," he spat.
"We're all scared," Sparatus said as he walked in. "Our people are scared and we are looking out for them the only way we know how,"
"Really?" Zenna said, her every word dripping with sarcasm. "It didn't seem like it when I was in the chambers,"
"I now," the councillor said some regret entering his voice. "Look I cannot provide help, but I can point you in the direction,"
Zenna took in a deep breath, resisting the urge to strangle the turrian in front of her. "Ok, I'm listening,"
"Primarch Fedorian called a war summit, but we lost contact with him when the Reapers hit Palaven. Those meeting won't proceed without him," Sparatus explained.
"I'm still waiting to hear how this can help me," Zenna said.
"The leaders of the summit will be the ones who decide our future. The fates of the fleets, and were they fight and with whom. A grateful Primarch would be a tremendous ally in your bid to unite us," as he spoke Zenna felt a headace come on but nodded.
"Ok, where do we start?" she asked.
OOOOO
A short time later, the Normandy exited jump, arriving close to Palavan but headed for the moon instead. As they got close, the Kodiak set off to the moon with Shepard, Liara and James in they approached the screen of Palavan burning. It was horrible to the point it made the minotaur shiver.
"No Palavan," Liara said looking down.
"We have a friend there," Zenna said with a low growl.
"The largest military in the galaxy getting decimated," James said looking at the screen.
"Commander Reaper forces have covered the landing sight," Cortez said.
Zenna needed no other explanation as the door opened and she drew her rifle. The ship flew slowly past a large group of husks. Shepard unleashed rifle fire in bursts reducing the numbers. The Husks where more tough than last time with the rounds bouncing off their hides. The Kodiak landed and the three jumped off. In the distance they watched as a couple of turrian ships engaged the Reapers. Many of them were being destroyed by the squids.
The Kodiak took off as the three moved to the Turrian outpost. The gate lowered and the soldier pointed to the man in charge.
"You in charge?" the commander asked the Turrian looking over a holo table.
"This camp yes," the Turrian responded curtly.
Zenna nodded and could tell he wasn't interested in small talk, and ither was she. "We're looking for Primach Fedorian,"
The Turrian looked up for a moment before looking back down. "He's dead his ship was shot down trying to leave system,"
"Shit! Sorry for your loss I heard he was a good man." Zenna said with an apologetic but angry tone.
The turrian just nodded. "And a friend he would have been an outstanding diplomat,"
"So, what do we do now?" James asked
"The Hierarchy has very clear lines of succession." Liara said.
"That's true but the Hierarchy is in chaos I can't connect to command. Get to the comm tower. It needs to be repaired before we can help you," the turrian said.
"Thanks, lets go," Zenna said jerking her head to the side.
The three ran in the direction of the tower encountering no resistance. They stopped at the tower and Liara climbed up as Husk pods came coming down. The two marines raised their weapons and began firing. Once again some of the bullets bounced off the husks hides. James then came in close contact with a Husk who knocked his rifle out of his hand. James dived at the husk and slammed his fist down on the Husk's head crushing it.
The creature died as he got back up and drew his rifle and fired at more on coming husks. Liara was close to fixing it when a harvester came in low and landed in front of the commander and James. The two marines still fired their weapons at the beast but it did little effect to slow it down.
Zenna jumped over the wall and fired her rifle at the beast. As she landed James jumped up and fired his rifle on its head stunning it. But it shook him off and roared at him allowing Zenna to fire her grenade launcher into its mouth. The beast exploded. Cybernetics and flesh fall all over the place as James stood. Liara came off the tower.
"You two, ok?" she asked.
"I'm good James?" Zenna said.
"I'm fine," James said.
"Commander, Corinthus here, the network's back up." the general said over the comm.
"On our way," the commander said and jerked her head back to the base.
The three then ran back to camp where the Turrians scrambled to get in position for another attack. The General still stood over the holo table.
"General you ok?" the minotaur asked.
"I'm fine," he said shaking his head trying to get his bearings. "But the Hierarchy is in chaos most are dead or MIA," he explained.
As he spoke another turrian walked up. "Don't worry commander we'll find you the Primach," a voice then said.
All four looked to a face they never expected to see.
"Garrus," Zenna said in surprise with a smile.
"Vakarian sir. I didn't see you there," Corinthus apologised.
The minotaur's brow raised "Sir?" Zenna questioned.
"I'll tell you later." Garrus said dismissively.
"Ok," Zenna nodded. "But what about the Primach?"
"As your friend said succession is relatively simple. But command is in chaos, however they said that the next in line is Adrian Victus. He's known for playing louse within accepted strategy," Corinthus said.
"His name passed my desk a few times," Liara added. "He's a brilliant commander who during the rebellions found a Slarian group. He even gave up valuable positions that the rebels took and let the rebels and Slarians fight. When it was finished, he took out both the rebels and Slarians. Didn't even lose a man. He's also a major supporter of Advent ideals and believe that an alliance with them will make the Turrians stronger,"
"A clever strategy but clever strategy's don't get you high on the Meritocracy," Corinthus added.
"Sounds like the man we need." Shepard said. "Where is he?"
"I was fighting with him no too long ago. I know where he is, I can take you to him," Garrus offered.
"INCOMEING HARVESTER!" a Turrian watch said.
The harvester flew overhead to the airfield causing the defenders to fire at it with ineffective results. But it did drop several pods outside of the compound. Someone called out was it was doing, but as the team was about to move, Joker spoke up.
"Err commander it's Joker EDI's acting weird we need help up here," Joker then chimed in over the comm.
"I can help with that," Liara offered.
"Go." Zenna ordered.
Liara ran off as the others ran to the airfield. The Turrian soldiers also ran in the same direction. The as they entered the airfield the Turrian soldiers fell like flies. Shepard, James and Garrus took cover as reaper forces came fast pining them down with weapons fire. James was just getting annoyed as he stood and opened fire with his rifle. It took a bit of doing but the reaper forces fell one by one.
As soon as the last reaper soldier fell, the ground was covered in bodies and thermal clips. Just then another harvester flew overhead Shepard, James and Garrus ran over to a part of the wall where husks were coming from. Shepard just charged though them destoying them one by one. In no time, they made it to the wall and they climbed up the ladder. Zenna then grabbed onto the turret, James and Garrus stood beside her. Husks then started to come over the rocks fast. As soon as they came into sight the commander opened fired at them. Garrus took out the ones that were out of rage of the turret. James took out the ones that Zenna missed.
Zenna reloaded the turret once again but as she did a thunders roar sounded and something hit into the wall. She fell off and came face to face with a brute. Her eyes widened in fear as the beast punched her. She flew into the wall and made it blow up. As she got up she coughed up blood. James and Garrus started to fire on the best but it did little damage as the beast charged at Kira who dived in another direction. She then turned and jumped on the beats back with a grenade in hand. She shoved it in the gap where the head came out of and jumped off.
The grenade exploded but did little damage to the beast making her curse as she got hit again. This time she landed next to a rocket launcher. The beast came charging in once again. She grabbed the weapon and fired a barrage of rounds at the beast. This time the armour cracked as the rockets kept coming. The beast made one final roar as it fell and turned to ashes. James and Garrus jumped down and ran to the commander as she applied some omni-gel to her wounds.
They followed a path that lead to the next out post. As they moved James started to feel a little ill.
"Is it just me or is the air here a little thin?" he asked.
"The air sheath was made for Turrians," Garrus explained.
They moved up further and came on a team who was under attack. They charged in with James handing out covering fire while Zenna and Garrus drew their assault rifles and ripped into the husks path. Despite her injuries Zenna still moved and fired at the Husks. Garrus snap shot between three husks that came at him. Their heads exploded just short of him. James fired his weapon at a hoard of husks. Every time one fell two more appeared. Until the last one fell. The three then handed out medical supplies to the team before moving off.
The next outpost came just in sight. But it was under attack. The three charged in, James stood back as he used his weapon as cover fire. Garrus and Zenna ran to where the reaper forces were coming from to plug the hole. Garrus used his sniper skills to take out the marauders while she got in close. But it turned into a bad move as the turrian husk slammed its fist into her side sending her back.
She groaned in pain before she grabbed it, broke its arm and unload several rounds into its head, destroying it. The fire was put on the Husks so much that they stood no chance of getting through and stopped for the moment. The Turrian helped Shepard over to some crates and helped her sit on them.
"I thought you were invincible." the Turrian said.
"I maybe human we have my limits," Zenna said.
"Vakarian where did you go?" the Turrian then said to Garrus.
"There was a Reaper unit getting too close. I believe that your exact words where 'get that unit of our back.'" Garrus replied.
"And so, you did," The turrian smiled. "Thank you."
"You must be Adrian Victus then," Zenna said as she took a quick swing from her canteen.
"Yeah. Why?" he asked.
Zenna stood and looked Victus in the eye. "We need you to come with us Primach Victus."
There was a pregnant silence before Victus seemed to register what Zenna had said. "Primach?" he asked surprised.
"Primach Fedorian's ship was taken out," the minotaur said. "You're the new Primach,"
Victus turned and looked at Palven. "I'm the Primach of Palven? Negotiating for the Turrian Hierarchy?"
"Yes we need you for a war summit," Garrus then said.
"It's not that I'm not honoured…" he began to stutter, wondering what to do. "But why me I'm a soldier,"
"We need soldiers not politicians to fight this war," Zenna said before waving her hand at the war before them all. "This devastation, double that for Earth,"
He nodded and took a breath. "I need to talk to my men."
"Take as long as you need," Zenna said as she took anther drink.
As Victus walked off to a group of Turrians, Garrus stood next to the minotaur.
"Without him here we'll lose this moon." Garrus said.
Zenna sighed. "With out him up there we'll lose everything,"
Garrus could only agree to that as he looked at a Reaper in the distance.
"Look at that," he pointed. "And they want my opinion on how to take it down?"
"'One who fights an unknown first knows most," Zenna quoted, but she couldn't remember from where.
"True," he nodded. "I've got your back like always."
Victus then came back. "Ok I've told my men, but before I commit any forces to Earth I need the heat taken off Palven. We need the Krogan,"