Buried Beneath ch12: Ash To Ashes

Horizon, 2185, September 15th, 10:12AM

"Vex! Where are you?"

Who is that? Riley?

I open my eyes to the sound of distant gunfire, disoriented and in pain. My head is throbbing, and every movement sends sharp jolts of pain through my shoulder. Why am I on the ground? What happened?

My fingers brush against something cold. What? I struggle to grab the item, but when I do it gives me a sense of familiarity. My carnifex? I pull the pistol into view as the moaning sound of a husk reaches my ears.

Adrenaline surges through me. I shoot up into a sitting position, aiming my pistol at the approaching husk. With a few quick shots, I take it down, but the effort leaves me gasping for breath.

Laying on my back, I take a deep breath, trying to push through the pain. I open the medi-gel regulator on my omni-tool. And with a shaky hand, I activate it, hoping it'll dull the pain enough for me to move.

I stare up at the sky, the edge of the building in view. My mantis better not be up there still. There's no way I can make it back up now.

Bang.

The sound of gunshots through my comm makes me flinch. Riley's voice comes next, loud and concerned. "Vex! Are you there?"

"I see you took care of the interference," I reply, my voice feeling strained.

"Where are you? We need your help!" It's hard to hear her over the gunfire.

"I ran into some trouble." I force myself into a sitting position again. "I'll be there soon."

"Make sure you hurry." And then the comm goes silent.

I take another deep breath, steeling myself against the pain. I glance toward the dead husk and spot my sniper a few feet away. Slowly, I push myself up, leaning heavily on my left side. Every step fucking hurts, I just going to have to bare it.

Once the medi-gel kicks in, I should be fine, but until then I just have to move. I pick up my sniper, ignoring the discomfort, and place it on the back of my armour. With my pistol at the ready, I head off toward the wall. Each step is a struggle, but I have to make it there.

Horizon, 2185, September 15th 10:33AM

Approaching the door on the wall, I notice Delan hiding behind some crates off to the side. Is he following us? Riley told him to stay in the garage. It doesn't matter, he's not my concern right now.

Ignoring him, I enter the area. It's clearly a spaceport with a transmitter tower at its centre, surrounded by crates. The buildings on each side of it create the walls around the port.

Among the crates, I spot three collectors, one of them glowing. I can see that one of them also has a sniper. Meanwhile, the squad is on the balcony of the left building, fending off some husks.

Moving swiftly, I grit my teeth against the pain and take cover behind a crate. I switch to my mantis, taking out the other sniper would help relieve some of the pressure on them. It should be fine as long as the glowing collector doesn't become an issue.

Focusing through my scope, I take a shot at the sniper's head. As it collapses, I look towards the squad. Riley gives me a nod before targeting the glowing collector. She's got the right idea. The glowing is random and it seems dangerous. It's better to just take them out as soon as possible.

I quickly reload and rejoin the firefight, helping to clear the area. With the battle quieting down, it seems like the best time to make my way over to them. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for a mildly painful run.

"Hey, guys," I greet as I climb the balcony stairs, trying to hide any signs of pain.

"Vex, get on the roof above us," Riley orders. Hello to you too, I guess.

Looking up, I realise there's no way I'm getting up there. "I can't. I ran into some technical difficulties."

"What?" Riley gives me a confused look.

Before I can explain, EDI's voice interrupts through my comm. "Sequential power-up initiated. GARDIAN anti-ship batteries at 40%."

"We need to hold the area." Riley gestures towards the tower. "Vex, you and Miranda stay here. The rest of us will fan out and cover more ground."

I nod in agreement as I watch the others sprint off. Gripping my mantis, I try not to focus on the pain. It's not even that bad anymore, so I just have to hold it together. The last thing I need is Riley noticing, or worse, Miranda. I would never hear the end of it.

As I settle into position, I glance at Miranda, who appears focused as she scans the area. I do the same, keeping an eye out for any signs of movement. At least the medi-gel is doing its job, it's becoming more manageable, like a dull ache.

"Are you injured?" Miranda's question catches me off guard. Fuck, how did she know?

"No," I reply quickly, straightening up a bit. "I'm fine."

"You're struggling to hold up that sniper." There's a small hint of concern in her voice.

"I said I'm fine." I turn to face her. I catch a glimpse of hurt on her face before she masks it, regaining her composure. But still, I feel bad about snapping at her. "Sorry, but I can handle it."

She nods silently, returning her focus to the surroundings. "Make sure you do."

I roll my eyes and turn back towards the tower as four more collectors glide down. We all instinctively open fire, but my attention is drawn to something floating down between me and the tower. What the fuck is that?

The ground trembles as it lands, its height almost rivalling the tower. Its metal body shines in the dim sunlight as multiple limbs twitch, each ending in sharp talons. Its eyes glow a deep blue as it looks over us, eventually turning towards Riley.

It charges up some kind of attack just as the GARDIAN lasers activate and start pelting the collector ship. The creature unleashes a blue beam at Riley, who dives to the ground, narrowly evading it.

"You okay, Riles?" I ask over the comm, reloading my rifle with my last armour-piercing round.

"I'm fine." She scrambles to her feet. "I'm going to distract it. The rest of you focus on destroying it."

"You got it." I shrug and fire the round into the creature.

The squad joins in and we unload our weapons as it targets Riley again. She dives for cover behind a crate, then quickly sprints to the next.

This thing is burning through our ammo, but after a lot of bullets and biotic powers, it starts to spark. A moment later, it crashes to the ground, still moving. It seems to be gathering energy.

It begins pulsing, a shimmering barrier forms around it. Miranda acts fast, launching a biotic attack that shatters it. Well, that came in handy.

"Keep firing at it!" Jacob's voice calls out from across the port. He doesn't have to tell me twice.

We continue raining gunfire on the creature until it freezes, its eyes dimming. It begins writhing before slowly turning to dust, just like the glowing collectors. Hopefully that means they're as good as dead.

The collector ship powers up as the GARDIAN lasers continue their barrage. It can't leave yet, there's so many colonists on board. All those people, this can't be how this ends. Us failing them. Me, failing them.

Everyone's eyes are fixated on the ship as it gets further and further away. Even Delan, who comes running up to us, much to everyone's surprise. Except mine.

"No! Don't let them get away!" His plea echoes, desperation in his voice as he rushes past us.

"I'm sorry," Riley says, holstering her weapon. "But we can't do anything about it right now, they're gone."

"Half the colony's in there! They took Egan and Sam and- and Lilith. Do Something!" Delan takes a step towards Riley. I understand his frustration, but Riley's right. I hate that she is.

"We did everything we could." Riley keeps her tone calm.

As much as I wish we could have done more, we did all we could. "Yeah," I agree, moving closer to the group. "It sucks, but what more can we do?"

"It was a good fight, Shepard," Grunt reassures her, joining the rest of the squad.

"Shepard?" Delan's expression shifts, his brow furrowing. "Wait, I know that name?"

I shrug nonchalantly. "Doesn't everyone?"

"Vex," Riley quickly warns.

"Sure, I remember you." Delan takes another step closer. "You're some type of big Alliance hero."

I'm pretty sure everyone has tuned Delan out as a brunette woman comes up behind him. She's wearing pink and white armour, her hair styled in a very military-like way.

"Commander Shepard," the woman declares. "Captain of the Normandy. The first human Spectre. Saviour of the Citadel." She stops beside Delan, giving him a sidelong glance. "You're in the presence of a god, Delan. Back from the dead."

Delan's expression twists into disgust as he faces her. "All the good people we lost, and you get left behind. Figures." He turns back to Riley. "Screw this, I'm done with all you Alliance types." With a dismissive wave, he storms off.

The woman steps forward, extending a hand to Riley. "I thought you were dead, Commander. We all did."

Riley ignores her outstretched hand and pulls her in for a hug. "It's been a long time, Ash. How have you been?"

'Ash' pushes Riley away, anger all over her face. "That's it?" she demands. "You show up after two years and act like nothing's happened?"

A flicker of hurt crosses Riley's face. "Ash-"

"I would've followed you anywhere, Commander." She takes a step forward. "I thought you were gone- I- you were more than our Commander." She pauses, composing herself. "Why didn't you try to contact me? Why didn't you let me know you were alive?"

Riley takes a moment to find the words. "I couldn't, I've been in a coma for two years."

"What do you mean, a coma?" The woman's tone sharpens as she looks at me and the rest of the squad. "Who are they?"

Riley glances at us and sighs. "I'm working with Cer-"

"Cerberus?" A furious look appears on her face. "I can't believe the reports were right."

"Reports?" Miranda chimes in, seeming surprised. "So much for security."

"If you knew, why are you acting so surprised?" Riley questions.

The woman shakes her head. "Alliance intel said Cerberus could be behind our missing colonies. We got a tip that this one could be the next to get hit. I went to Anderson, but he wouldn't talk. But there were rumours that you weren't dead. Worse, that you were working for the enemy."

"I'm not working for Cerberus." Riley crosses her arms.

"Then what?" She takes a step closer again. "You're working with them?"

I raise my hand and add. "She tried to say tha-"

"Not now, Vex," Riley cuts me off. "Did they send you here to investigate me?"

"I was sent here to investigate Cerberus, not you," the woman clarifies. "I wanted to believe you were alive- I just never expected anything like this. You've turned your back on everything we stood for."

"You know that's not true. I have my reasons for working with Cerberus." Riley's trying really hard for this woman. "They're not behind the abductions, the collectors are and we're trying to stop them. They're working for the reapers, Ash."

A hint of understanding crosses her eyes before it vanishes. "I'd like to believe you, Shepard. But I don't trust Cerberus. And it worries me that you do. What did they do to you? What if they're behind it? What if they're the ones working with the collectors."

"Typical Alliance attitude," Miranda remarks, surprising even me. "You're so focused on Cerberus that you're blind to the real threat."

Riley turns to us, her expression tense. "Miranda."

"Wait," I interject. "Being told off isn't a me-exclusive thing?"

Riley's anger shifts towards me, and she points back the way we came. "Take a walk. All of you."

Jacob swiftly turns on his heels and heads away, with Grunt following close behind. Miranda hesitates, as if she wants to defy the order, but she eventually complies. She strides off towards the balcony we were on earlier, and I follow after her.

Miranda leans against the balcony, her gaze on Riley and the woman. With the look on her face- she's pissed. I know it well by now.

"You never speak out of line," I remark, watching her carefully.

She sighs. "The Alliance frustrates me on occasion."

I need to lighten the mood. "Damn, I thought I was the only one to do that."

"Not as often now." She gazes over her shoulder at me, her eyes looking me over. "You should see Doctor Chakwas once we're back."

I shrug, waving off her concern. "It's not that bad."

"We all need to be in top condition, Vex." She straightens up, placing a hand on her hip.

Well, she's got me there. "I guess you're right."

"No," she corrects firmly. "I am right."

A grin tugs at my lips. "Fine, you win."

She gestures to my torso. "What happened anyway?" She actually sounds curious.

I meet her gaze. I'm not sure if she really wants to know or if she's just collecting data for a report. She seems genuine, but you never know with her. "I was attacked by husks and fell off the building."

Miranda's expression remains neutral. "Don't you have a thruster?"

"Had one," I explain. "I did say I had technical difficulties. I think a husk broke it."

Miranda nods. "Turn around." I comply, allowing her to examine my armour. "It's damaged. Fortunately, it should be easy to repair."

"I'll look at it later." I turn back towards her. I'll just get Jacob to do it. "How did you guys do while I was gone?"

She turns away, focusing on the tower. "There was some difficulty with hacking the transmitter without you." Oh, I bet.

I notice the Alliance woman storming off, leaving Riley behind. Riley turns towards the group and waves us all over. We all oblige without hesitation.

"Everything okay, Riles?" I ask as we gather around her.

"No." She opens her omni-tool. "I've had enough of this colony." She brings her hand up to the side of her helmet, "Joker, send the shuttle."

Normandy, 2185, September 15th 1:52PM

The mess hall is unusually quiet as I stand outside the medbay, peering through the large windows. I know she knows I'm out here. Why hasn't she opened the door or called me inside? If I wasn't in pain, I might have just walked away by now.

Fuck it. She wins.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and step into the medbay. "Hey, doc," I greet, attempting a smile, but it feels more like a grimace.

Chakwas glances up from her desk, a knowing look in her eyes. "I was wondering when you were going to come in."

I roll my eyes. "Well, I just couldn't stay away."

She stands up and gestures for me to come closer. "And what brings you here, Miss Ward?" There's a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Just some minor injuries from today's mission." This is making me feel a bit anxious all of a sudden.

She's thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Okay, let's have a look then."

"Sure." I step further into the room. "Just let me take off my jumper."

She glares at me, quickly breaking into a smile. "Don't get snarky with me."

"Me? Never." I take my hoodie off. Each movement causes pain to run through my shoulder. I barely even manage to pull myself onto one of the beds.

"So, how did this happen?" Chakwas inquires, approaching me with a datapad in hand.

"I fell off a building." I watch as she types something onto the datapad. "I landed on my shoulder and probably my head, since I think I blacked out." It sounds worse than it is, in my opinion.

Chakwas picks up a scanner from her desk and turns. "Well, take your top off and let me have a look."

"My top?" I furrow my brow.

She sighs. "Not this again. Your shirt."

"I know." I smile mischievously at her.

She puts her face in her palm as I take my shirt off, feeling the pain in my shoulder erupt at the movement. I instinctively bring my hand up to it, lightly rubbing it in an attempt to soothe it.

She scans me thoroughly before focusing on my shoulder. Her touch is firm as she examines the area, causing me to flinch away from her. She then checks for any other injuries, finding a tender spot near my hip.

"Your head seems fine, fortunately." She meets my gaze. "If it wasn't for your armour, you would have had some fractures. You're lucky it wasn't worse." She hands me a small tube of medi-gel. "Apply this if there's pain. You'll have some soreness and bruising, but nothing too serious."

I stare at the medi-gel in my hand. "So, I'm fine?"

She nods with a smile. "Yes, you'll be fine. Just take it easy for a few days."

I get off the bed and carefully put my shirt back on, keeping mindful of my shoulder. "Thanks, doc."

"You're welcome." She opens the door for me to leave.

I give her a grateful smile before stepping out of the medbay, the next few days are going to suck. At least it's not as bad as it could have been. I got off pretty easy.

Glancing at Miranda's door, I wonder if she would even want me bothering her so soon after the mission. I shrug, there's probably no harm in it.

I walk over and knock on it with my hoodie still clasped in my hand. After a brief pause, the door slides open. To my surprise, Miranda isn't at her desk for once. I stick my head in, noticing her sitting by the window.

"You're not at your desk?" I comment, entering the room.

"No." She tears her gaze away from the window to look at me. "I was taking a moment before writing my report."

She seems preoccupied, maybe even a bit stressed. Her tired eyes and furrowed brow don't go unnoticed as I make my way toward her.

Taking a seat beside her, I offer a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't have to write one again, do I?"

Miranda chuckles softly. "Yes, you do. Don't forget to include your incident."

"Yeah, it damaged my pride." I place the hoodie and medi-gel on the table. "Chakwas said it was some bruising, it's not a big deal."

"You were lucky today, Vex," she states, a hint of seriousness in her tone.

Leaning back in the chair, I wince slightly. "Were you worried about me?"

"Initially, perhaps." I'm surprised she admitted that. "But you handled yourself well."

"Aww." I playfulling kick her chair. "You like me."

Miranda folds her hands in her lap. "I respect you."

I raise an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Yes." She gives me a small smile. "You're good at your job, Vex. You could use more discipline, but you're making an effort. It's respectable."

Did she just compliment me again? "I don't know what to say, thank you."

She looks down at her hands. "With a mission like this, I don't think we can afford to keep arguing with each other." Her eyes find my gaze. "Today has proven just how serious this is."

She's right. The threat is more real now than it ever was, and we need to work together. However- "I'm not on team Cerberus, Miranda. I'll work with you, but I'm here to help Riley."

She pauses before nodding. "I understand."

"Just so we're clear, this doesn't mean I completely trust you," I add firmly, noticing her expression falter slightly. "It's not personal, I just don't trust Cerberus."

She quickly regains her composure. "I understand that too."

"Good, as long as we're on the same page." I stand up, trying to ignore the pain. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find Jacob to repair my thruster. I'm too injured."

I wince and rub my shoulder dramatically as Miranda shakes her head.

Normandy, 2185, September 15th 7:09PM

Entering the bedroom, I can't wait to get an early night. I'm so fucking tired that I've been daydreaming about this for hours. Medi-gel and sleep, my current version of heaven.

I approach the top of the stairs, noticing Riley on the edge of her bed, a datapad in her hand. She looks worried, upset, maybe even stressed, all of the above. There goes my plan to immediately fall into bed.

"You okay?" I ask, walking down the stairs. I can tell something's wrong, so I can put our fight aside for now.

She glances up at me, her expression softening. "Yeah, I was just thinking."

I stand in front of her and point at the datapad. "About this?"

She hesitates for a moment. "Yes, it's a dossier for someone from my old crew. After what happened today- I don't know."

Is she worried they'll reject her like that woman did today? "Riley." I take a seat next to her. "Archangel worked out for you, sadly. So, just because that Alliance chick didn't, doesn't mean another won't."

"It's not just about that." Her gaze drops to the datapad in her lap. "Are we doing the right thing?"

Fuck. "You must be desperate if you're asking me."

She narrows her eyes. "This is serious."

I let out a sigh, I understand what she means. "Riley, you're Commander Shepard, captain of the Normandy, human Spectre, all that stuff Chief Serious said. Don't let it get to you." I reassuring pat her knee. "Cerberus is shady as fuck, we can all agree on that, but they're the only ones that believe you about the Reapers and collectors and everything else that wants to make our lives hell. That has to count for something, and trust me that hurts to admit."

She manages a small smile at that. "You're right, and that hurts me to admit."

"Hey." I grin, giving her a playful nudge despite the ache in my shoulder. "Bitch."

"That's no way to speak to your Commander." She gives me a genuine smile. "Really though, thank you."

"Don't mention it." I ignore the pain and bring her in for a hug.

Thank you for reading.