Chapter 20
The Storming of the Citadel
On the furthest edge of one of the Citadel's arms, a lone Cyberman stood, its unblinking eyes watching the endless whiteness that stretched out all around the space station. In the depths of its half-organic, half-machine mind, it wondered why it had been posted here at all. It was highly unlikely that any substantial force could ever break through to this strange pocket universe that the Great Intelligence had carved out for itself.
Turning its whole body, the Cyberman looked around at the vast metal arms of the station. There was no movement from the innumerable streets or buildings, nor would there be. The inhabitants had long fled, or been reshaped when the Intelligence had seized the Citadel. Now the only ones onboard were those necessary for the project.
A great flash of blue caused the Cyberman to turn around. The white space beyond the station was suddenly different. Some distance from the station a portal was opening, tearing a hole in reality that crackled with electricity.
"Command," the Cyberman stated at once in a flat voice, "A portal has opened 60 degrees East of the Citadel."
"What are its dimensions?" replied the equally flat voice of the Commanding Cyberman.
"55.4 metres in width, 30.3 in height and enlarging."
"Have any enemy forces come through?"
The question was answered by an object flying out of the portal. The Cyberman's information banks told it at once that the object was a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter bomber of the early to mid-20th century.
"A single primitive human aircraft has just exited the portal," the machine stated, "Poses minimal threat."
"Prepare defensive cannons," the commanding Cyberman replied, "Destroy the aircraft once it comes into range."
The Cyberman guard began inputting commands through his inbuild computer when more objects flew through the portal. These were slightly smaller than the aircraft, and were strange shapes that even its information banks had no record of. Zooming in with its electric eyes, the Cyberman saw that they were creatures with barrel-like bodies, tentacles and large wings keeping them aloft. Each of them also carried a staff that glowed with energy.
"New enemies have exited the portal," the Cyberman replied, its tone still flat, "Appear to be organic, but using advanced technology."
"Identify new threat," stated the Commanding Cyberman.
"Entities are unknown, but certainly hostile."
"How many have exited the portal?"
The Cyberman began to count the creatures, but more and more poured through the portal with each passing second.
"Force is over 10 thousand and growing," it stated.
"I am ordering a general alert," the commanding Cyberman replied, "Keep track of invading forces and report back to me."
"Yes Commander."
•
From the cockpit of his Warhawk, Captain Sullivan looked on at the vast space station, a great tension growing in his chest.
The Citadel seemed to be twice as large as he remembered it, and that was doubly true for the grey metal shadow below it. So far the Reaper fleet had not moved, but he knew it would only be a matter of time.
"Sullivan to Normandy," he said, keying his radio, "We have breached the Intelligence's universe."
As he spoke, the formation below the Citadel began to move.
"Looks like the Reapers are preparing to attack," he said, gripping his radio speaker firmly.
"Right," Shepard replied, "We're taking off."
"See you soon."
"If I survive that long," Sullivan thought to himself.
The Reaper fleet was forming up into long interlocking lines as it approached.
"Old Ones," Sullivan ordered, "Spread out and move fast. Those Reapers aren't as manoeuvrable as us, but their lasers will cut through us without effort. Remember, don't fly straight and level for more than 30 seconds."
"Understood," stated an Old One.
The Reapers were closing the distance fast now. The formation of Old Ones began to spread out wide, leaving large spaces between each other. Sullivan kept his Warhawk in the vanguard, both hands clamped around his control stick. Deep red glows began to emanate from the Reaper ships.
"They're charging weapons!" Sullivan warned, "How long before we're in range?"
"20 seconds," replied an Old One.
A beam of red light streaked out from one of the Reapers, soon followed by a great twanging sound. The laser shot through the formation of Old Ones, striking a number and causing them to disappear in a flash of flames.
"BREAK FORMATION!" Sullivan yelled, sending the Warhawk into a steep dive, "ALL FORCES SPREAD OUT AND HIT THOSE REAPERS!"
More laser beams shot out from the Reapers, cutting into the formation, but fortunately hitting no more than one or two at a time. By now Sullivan could make out the individual armoured plates of the Reaper ships hulls, imposing curved walls of silver-grey metal.
"Remember, these ships are shielded," Sullivan stated as he levelled out his aircraft, "So make sure you keep hitting them until they're burned out."
"We remember," stated an Old One.
There was a series of tremendous flashes and Sullivan watched as the Old Ones fired their energy weapons. Bolts shot through the air and crashed against the Reaper's shields, which crackled and sparked. Still, none of them were brought down.
"The shields are too strong!" Sullivan yelled, "Focus your fire!"
A jet of red light streaked over his starboard wing, forcing him to make a barrel roll. By now the Reapers and Old Ones were only a few hundred metres apart, filling the air with red lasers and energy bolts. Wheeling the Warhawk around, Sullivan lined up his gun sights on the closest Reaper.
"Follow me!" he shouted, "Target the Reaper ahead of me!"
Depressing the trigger, Sullivan let off a burst of machine gun fire. The bullets crashed against the shields, creating a strange ripple effect. The Reaper began to turn, its laser charging up, when bolts of energy began striking it as Old Ones swarmed the machine. The laser fired again and again, but the Old Ones easily dodged it and continued to attack.
The shields suddenly crackled and disappeared.
"FIRE! EVERYONE FIRE!" Sullivan yelled.
He let off another burst from his machine guns, smashing the Reaper's laser. Energy bolts cut into the metal, causing fires to erupt from its interior.
"KEEP FIRING!" Sullivan cried out.
A series of energy bolts buried themselves around the Reaper's legs and there was a tremendous roar as the ship split apart, sending plates of burning metal hurtling across the void.
"Nice one! Sullivan cried out.
There was a cacophony of noise and dozens of red lasers cut through the air. Old Ones disappeared in puffs of smoke as they were struck, while others had to scatter.
Quickly turning the Warhawk, Sullivan saw the Reapers begin firing indiscriminately, trying to hit the Old Ones.
"Swarm them!" Sullivan ordered, "Get as close as you can! They'll have a harder time hitting you!"
Heeding his words, the Old Ones flew hard and fast, firing bolt after bolt at the Reapers.
Dodging through the chaos, Sullivan fought to stay in control of the Warhawk with one hand as he keyed his radio.
"Sullivan to Normandy, we've got them away from the Citadel."
"Roger that," Shepard replied, "We're on our way."
•
On the far side of the Citadel there was a flash of blue as another portal opened. For the first few seconds the Cybermen guards failed to notice it, their attention fixed on the battle raging above them. It was only as fighter biplanes flew through the break in reality that another report was sent to the tower, which the Intelligence heard with a sting of anger. Still, it did not worry, for it knew there was nothing Shepard's pathetic band could do now to stop its master plan.
•
As the formation of fighters left the portal the bombers followed, lumbering through the air. The forward machine gunners looked around in astonishment, but kept their hands fixed to their weapons.
The Miskatonic University aircraft came next. In the lead plane, Professor Dyer peered through his goggles at the massive space station floating above them. For a few moments, his scientific curiosity got the better of him, and he wondered how such a structure could be built, or what powerful engines could hold it in place.
An object shooting past his port wing broke through his train of thought and he quickly swerved to avoid two more.
"Careful!" he hastily said into his radio, "They've got anti-aircraft guns! Spread out!"
The formations of fighters and bombers began to break apart as more rounds came streaking toward them, bursting into ragged fireballs.
With a rumble of mass effect engines, the Normandy flew out of the portal, following in the air fleet's wake.
"Everyone hold on!" Shepard ordered, "This is gonna be rough!"
The words had barely left his mouth before heavy mass effect rounds began crashing against the Normandy's kinetic barriers, causing the whole ship to shake violently. Elizabeth and Booker grappled with their chairs while Tali and Garrus clung onto the nearest bulkhead. Beside the multiverse radio, Amanda held onto the edge of the holographic display table, her fingers turning white. Joker rolled the ship to avoid more incoming fire, causing Sarah to fall against Benton and send them crashing to the floor. The Doctor, who was holding onto a chair close by, threw out a hand and managed to grab Benton's jacket, pulling the pair over to the wall.
"Joker!" Shepard yelled as he held onto a bulkhead, "Take out those guns!"
Without a word Joker punched in the commands and the Normandy's guns fired bursts of mass effect rounds. Explosions blossomed on the station's closest arm, but still the storm of heavy gunfire kept coming at the air fleet. One of the bombers was struck, causing its port wing to sheer off and begin spiralling down into the void below.
"Don't bunch up!" Shepard yelled into his radio, "Keep moving!"
The planes spread out even more, but still the heavy rounds from the station rushed all around them, coming ever closer.
"Joker! Are you trying to hit them!" Shepard snapped.
"You try flying through an exploding sky and shooting at the same time!" the pilot shouted back.
A blast erupted under the Normandy, causing a fresh round of shaking through the hull.
"How much longer are we gonna have to deal with this?" Bishop's voice sounded through the radio, "We're being tossed around in here like beans in a tin can!"
"Just hold on!" Shepard replied, "We're almost there!"
He peered through the haze of smoke and flames. By now he could see the Citadel in detail. Heavy gun positions lined the outer edge of the arm, though many of them had been taken out by the Normandy. The fighter planes, being the furthest ahead, were already flying over the great station and carrying out strafing runs.
"All bombers listen up," Shepard ordered, "Once you're over the station take out what's left of those heavy guns."
"We read you!" voices crackled in reply.
"Dyer," Shepard went on, "Can you see the large tower on the Citadel's central ring?"
"I see it!" Dyer yelled, trying to make himself heard over the roar of his engine, "But we need to take out more of those anti-aircraft guns!"
As if answering his words, a round blew apart one of the Miskatonic University aircraft, leaving nothing but a few pieces of twisted aluminium behind.
"Damnit!" Dyer cried. "Everyone keep moving! Don't let those blasted guns get you!"
The fighter planes buzzed over the artillery positions again and again, but their machine guns and small bombs caused little damage. What they did do however, was distract the Cybermen crews from the approaching bombers.
One by one they passed over the gun emplacements, dropping their heavy cargo of bombs. Flashes burst along the edge of the Citadel and Shepard watched as several guns were blown to pieces almost instantly. A few of the Cybermen turned their personal weapons upward, firing blindly through the rolling smoke.
"Keep hitting them!" Shepard ordered, his armoured gloves gouging holes in the back of Joker's chair.
More explosions erupted across the Citadel's arm, and the storm of fire lessened, then stopped.
"Now!" Shepard shouted, "Their defences are broken! Everyone forward."
The Miskatonic University aircraft roared as their pilots pushed their engines to their maximum output, and they flew into the haze of smoke now rising above the ruined Citadel. The Normandy followed close behind and for a few seconds, their view was blocked by the burning clouds. When it cleared, they saw that they were flying above the skyscrapers of the ward.
"Stay alert," Shepard warned everyone, "They're bound to have more than one line of defences."
But if such defences existed, they remained silent as the aircraft and spaceship flew over the arm.
"Shepard," said EDI, "I have carried out scans of the Citadel ward below and noticed something."
What is it?" Shepard asked.
"My scans have picked up heavy cables that have been woven through the ward, linking it back to the presidium. From the look of them, I would say they were added in the last week."
"Do you have any idea what they're for?"
"Not at this time, I will need more data. Perhaps you will find the answers in the Citadel Tower."
"I guess we'll find out."
Turning back to the cockpit window, Shepard looked toward the great silver ring of the Presidium.
Normally this was where different spacefaring species had their embassies, and members of the galaxy's ruling classes had their mansions. In the centre was the Citadel tower, rising high above the edge of the ring, narrow and thin, devoid of any architectural flair. For the first time, Shepard saw for himself the modifications that the Intelligence had made. Large sections of the walls had been removed to allow five cables to be threaded through like monstrous snakes, linking back to the space station's arms. Around the top floor, large machines had been fixed to the outside walls, sparking with electrical power.
"EDI," said Shepard, "Can you get a close-up image of the top of the tower?"
"Of course Commander."
A screen popped up in front of him, showing an image of the machines. Each one was a mess of pipes and heavy-duty electrical cables that seemed to have been wired almost randomly into the tower. There was also something familiar about them.
"EDI," asked Shepard, "Do you recognise those machines?"
"They appear to be parts of the power plant from Sevastopol Station," she replied.
"That's where we need to go. Is there anywhere up there we can land the Normandy?"
"Negative Commander. My scans indicate that the only point of access to the Presidium is the cargo docks near Zakera Ward. All other access points are locked down."
"Is there space for aircraft to land?"
"Yes."
"Send us the coordinates," Shepard said before keying his radio, "Dyer, we've got a landing zone, have your men follow the Normandy. All other aircraft continue to patrol the sky around the Presidium and keep your eyes peeled. I wouldn't be surprised if the Intelligence has some nasty surprises waiting for us."
"Understood Commander," Dyer replied.
"Understood," chorused the other pilots.
Reducing its speed, the Normandy followed EDI's directions to the Presidium cargo docks. A few fighters stayed just ahead of it, while the Miskatonic University aircraft followed behind. The docks were set into the side of the Presidium ring, spread over three levels, with large flat areas that were normally used to land interstellar freighters carrying luxury goods. Like the rest of the station, it appeared to be deserted, but Shepard knew better than to take looks at face value.
"Bishop, Coupee," he radioed, we'll be landing in two minutes, get your men ready."
"Roger that Commander," the Australian replied.
"We'd best get down to the cargo bay as well," said Shepard, looking around at his team, "Joker, can you put us down on the middle level?"
"I can put us down on a dime," Joker replied, half-joking, half-serious.
"Good man, see you on the other side."
With that, Shepard headed back down to the CIC and boarded the lift, along with Tali, Garrus, Benton, Sarah and the Doctor, and departed for the cargo bay. On arriving they found the soldiers, looking dishevelled from the flight, busy loading their weapons. In the centre of the room was the tank, Black Bess, held in place with a number of straps. Coupee was standing beside it, listening to a few choice words from Townsend, who was leaning out through a side door.
"Stone the crows Shepard!" said Bishop as he walked over to the commander, a Lee-Enfield rifle held against his chest. "Did your pilot have to toss us about so much? Black Bess nearly tore free of her moorings more than once!"
"It was that or get shot down," Shepard countered, "Besides, he got us here in one piece."
"Got a landing spot then?"
"The cargo docks. Once we disembark, we'll have to fight our way through to the Citadel Tower."
"Any idea what we'll be facing?" asked Coupee, who had just hurried over from the tank to join them.
"No," Shepard replied, "But it's bound to be a difficult fight."
"Not to worry. Once we call in our reinforcements we'll be alright."
Giving Shepard a pat on the shoulder, Bishop turned to address the soldiers.
"Alright you lot! Listen up! We're landing in a minute so make sure you're ready. Black Bess will go first, so stick close and keep the enemy off her. We don't know how many men the enemy has, but you can bet your left arse cheek that they won't make it easy."
There was a swaying sensation as the ship began to slow.
"We're at the docks," Joker said over the ship's announcement system, "Landing in 30 seconds."
Despite everything, Shepard felt a prickle of excitement run up his spine.
"You heard him!" Coupee shouted, "Get ready!"
He hammered a fist against the side of the tank.
"Townsend! Get that engine runnin'!"
There was a muffled shout from the inside of the tank, followed by a metallic clattering. Shepard was about to ask if they needed any help, when a cloud of black smoke was ejected out of the tank's roof-mounted exhaust with a loud bang. For a moment he feared something had gone wrong, but quickly realised that the tank was still in one piece and its engine was ticking over loudly.
"Oh spirits!" coughed Garrus, "Does it have to make all that smoke?"
"That's what a petrol engine does," Benton answered.
The last sensations of motion left the cargo bay and there was a hum of hydraulics as the ramp at the front began to lower.
"Release Bessie!" shouted Bishop.
A few soldiers quickly undid the straps holding the tank to the deck before hurrying back. As the ramp finished lowering the armoured beast lunged forward, its metal tracks screeching against the deck plates.
"Keelah!" Tali exclaimed.
"Ah, don't worry!" Bishop shouted over the noise, "She'll be much worse on the enemy, you can be sure of that!"
There was a grumble of metal behind them and Shepard saw the rest of his team exit the lift. Sherlock, Watson and Lestrade were armed with their electric pistols, while Xena and Gabrielle had their sword and fighting staff ready. Booker had his shotgun flung over his shoulder, while Elizabeth had a revolver stuffed into her belt and flexed each of her fingers in turn. Amanda was the last out of the lift, the flame thrower slung behind her back, while she held a shotgun in her hands.
Each of them looked determined, though Shepard knew all too well how fearful they were of what was about to follow.
As the tank reached the bottom of the ramp the noise in the cargo bay lessened and the soldiers began to follow it, led by Coupee and Bishop.
"Everyone stick together," Shepard ordered, "We've got a fair way to go before we reach the tower."
"Yes Commander," they replied almost in unison.
Unslinging the M-76 Revenant from his back, Shepard headed down the ramp, the team following close behind.
As they had seen from the air, the middle dock was a large flat area, with a set of wide doors taking up the wall at the far end. The ceiling was high above, with a few walkways crossing it. Lights flickered above, but there were no other signs of life.
A roar cut through the air, signalling the arrival of the powerful Miskatonic University aircraft, which swept past the Normandy before skidding to a halt in front of the doors. Soldiers began leaping out at once, weapons ready, but quickly slowed when they saw the dock was empty.
As Black Bess rumbled ahead, Townsend popped out of his hatch and peered around.
"No welcoming committee eh?" he remarked.
"Not yet Bishop replied as he edged along, aiming the barrel of his rifle at the walkways above.
They reached the large doors without incident and Tali linked its locking mechanism to her omni tool.
"Standard systems," she remarked while tapping away, "I should have it open in a minute."
"A minute?" joked Garrus, "Are you losing your touch Miss Vas Normandy?"
Tali shot him a look of mock annoyance.
"Hang the chatter!" Corporal Coupee hissed, glancing around, "I don't like this place."
Tali refocused on her omni tool and within a few seconds there was a grumbling of gears as the dock's great doors began to open.
"Black Bess stay on point," Bishop ordered before addressing the men from the Miskatonic aircraft, "Right you lot, open the portals, let's get the rest of our men here!"
A few of the soldiers headed over to an empty part of the dock and took out portal devices from their tunics. Soon after a series of portals opened which tanks and armoured cars rumbled through, quickly followed by more soldiers.
"Team, stay with Black Bess," Shepard ordered.
He started heading for the doors when Professor Dyer hurried over.
"Umm, excuse me Commander, sorry to bother you, but what should my people do?" he asked.
Shepard looked around and saw the pilots of the Miskatonic expedition waiting with apprehension beside their aircraft.
"Stay here and set up defences," Shepard ordered, "If something happens we'll need this dock to evacuate from. You think you can do that?"
Dyer gave his best salute.
"Yes Sir!"
"Good."
Dyer hurried back to his aircraft and Shepard keyed his radio.
"Shepard to Sullivan," he said, "We've landed on the Citadel. No resistance so far."
"Lucky you," Sullivan replied as explosions sounded out in the background.
"How are you holding up?" Shepard asked.
"We're taking a beating, but so are the Reapers."
Another explosion sounded through the radio. Shepard realised he could not leave the captain and the Old Ones alone, they needed help.
"Joker," he said, "Take off and support Sullivan's forces."
"You want me to fight Reapers?!"
"We don't have a choice. Besides, with that upgraded gun you can dish out a lot of punishment."
"Don't worry Shepard, I'm on it. Me and EDI will try and keep you posted."
There was a deep rumble of engines and the commander watched as the Normandy rose off the docking area and began to turn around.
"Shepard!" Coupee called out from the large doors, "Are you coming?"
"I'm coming," he replied, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from the ship and running to catch up with his team.
Heading through the dock doors, Shepard's forces formed a column and followed a wide inclined roadway before coming out into the bright artificial sunlight of the presidium. The structure was a vast enclosed space, with buildings on each side and a river running between them, crossed by a number of bridges. On the ceiling was a digital image of a blue sky, dotted with clouds.
Like the docks, it was deserted, indeed there was not even a sign that it had ever been inhabited. There was no rubbish, and no sounds, save for the clatter of tank tracks, and even the shop signs were dark. Black Bess stayed in the vanguard, along with the other tanks that had come through the portal, the soldiers close behind, looking around in amazement and fear. Spread along the column were the armoured cars, carrying heavy machine guns and small artillery pieces. Shepard and his team stayed as close as they could to Black Bess, each of them taking turns to sweep the empty buildings with their weapons.
"I don't like this," said Garrus, making his way to Shepard, "It's too damn quiet."
"I know what you mean," Shepard replied, "But at least we can get closer to the tower with more ammo."
"And just how far is the tower?"
Shepard opened his mouth to reply when a sound cut him off.
It was a guttered horrible noise, like rubber being drawn across a sheet of glass, and it was one he knew. Shouldering his Revenant he looked around, only to see shapes moving in the surrounding buildings. They shambled forward, glowing a sickly blue, making those same hollow guttered sounds as they breathed. Their eyes were wide and vacant blue circles, pipes covered their bodies, forced down through their mouths, or attached to their chest.
They were Husks, the bodies of dead species reanimated by Reaper technology into mindless and deadly foot soldiers.
Leaving the buildings, the creatures began to run at the column, clawed hands raised. The soldiers looked at them, dumbfounded.
"What the hell are those things?" Coupee exclaimed, hastily shouldering his semi-automatic Winchester rifle.
"The enemy!" Shepard replied, "Put 'em down!"
He pulled the trigger of his Revenant, sending a stream of mass effect rounds into the approaching horde. In seconds the rest of the column had followed his example and the air rang with the crack and stutter of small arms. These were joined by the steady hammering of large bore maxim guns mounted on the armoured cars and the heavy boom of the tank's artillery pieces.
"Shepard?" came Dyer's voice over the radio, "What's going on? We can hear gunfire."
"We're under attack," Shepard replied, still firing.
"Do you need our help?"
"No, just close the doors and make sure you hold the dock."
"Understood Commander. We won't let you down."
The radio went quiet, and Shepard quickly checked their situation. The storm of bullets was cutting deep into the horde, blowing apart bodies and splattering thick black gunk across the walls and floors. Still the Husks drove themselves forward with single-minded determination.
"KEEP MOVING!" Shepard ordered, "DON'T LET THEM GET CLOSE!"
Black Bess kept rolling down the street while the other tanks flanked her. With their guns working in tandem they blasted a path through the horde, the explosions shaking the whole structure. The armoured cars in turn kept back the Husks attacking from the flanks and rear of the column, while the soldiers finished off what got through. Shepard's team laid down all the firepower they could. Sherlock, Watson and Lestrade used their electric pistols to great effect, blowing apart Husk after Husk.
The Doctor and Sarah stayed close to Black Bess, helping to coordinate its guns, while Benton gave them covering fire. Close by, Booker and Amanda blasted the horde with their shotguns, while Elizabeth kept them supplied with ammunition that was pulled from small portals she made. Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle more than proved their worth, using their sword and staff to bring down any Husks that managed to break through the storm of bullets.
Still there were casualties as a few of the creatures broke through, slashing at anything close by with their sharp claws. A group managed to clamber on top of one of the tanks, beating fists against the armoured hull, but were quickly dispatched by Tali's shotgun.
"They just keep coming!" Bishop said as he forced two fresh clips into his Lee-Enfield.
"That just gives us more to shoot!" stated Garrus, gunning down three Husks with his assault rifle.
"How far is that goddamn tower?" Coupee demanded, "We can't keep this up forever!"
"It's not far!" Shepard answered, pointing to an office building on their right, "That's the embassies! The tower's entrance is just beyond that!"
Despite his hopeful words, the commander knew their situation was serious. Countless thousands of Husks were pouring over every surface as they assaulted the column, and they showed no signs of stopping.
A shockwave struck him, followed by a flash and roar of noise as a tank on the edge of the column was blown apart, sending pieces of burning metal flying everywhere. Shepard ducked away as chunks bounced off his kinetic barriers, but was still knocked to the ground. Shaking his head to clear it, he saw an enormous creature clambering over a nearby walkway. It was about the size of a car, with an armoured body of grey metal covered in blue lights, and moved on four needle-like legs.
At its front were four large glowing eyes, under which was a space where the heads of Husks had been stuffed together. It was a Praetorian, another Reaper ground weapon, created by fusing the bodies of multiple Husks together.
"TAKE THAT THING OUT!" Bishop yelled.
The others did not need to be told twice. Immediately bullets, shells and mass effect rounds began tearing into the creature, blowing out pieces of its armoured skin and spilling more black gunk. Still it lumbered toward the column, firing a beam of electric blue light that destroyed another tank and damaged two more.
"Get the crews outta there!" Coupee ordered, pointing to the wrecked tanks.
He emptied his rifle's magazine at the Praetorian, destroying one of its eyes before diving for cover as its laser beam cut through the air above him. Shepard took aim at the Praetorian, when a hand grabbed him and a grey rotting face appeared inches from his own, a metallic rotting smell invading his nose. While focusing on taking down the Praetorian, Husks had broken through to the column and were now attacking.
Cursing his stupidity, Shepard drove his armoured fist into the creature's face, breaking its skin and exposing a tangle of glowing wires. The Husk however was so twisted by the Reapers, that it took no notice of the damage and continued to slash at him with pointed fingers.
Suddenly the creature's head disappeared, replaced by the stump of its neck's spurting thick black blood. Shepard shoved the now slack body off himself and saw Xena standing before him, her face, leather armour and sword drenched in black gunk. All around were the bodies of Husks, missing arms, legs and heads.
"Thanks!" he said, stunned.
"Let's get through this first!" Xena replied before driving her sword into another Husk that got too close.
More came charging across the street, only to be engulfed by a jet of burning liquid from Amanda's flamethrower.
Almost deafened by the shouts and gunfire all around, Shepard refocused on the Praetorian. The monstrous form had taken a pounding, with much of its armour torn away and a leg dragging uselessly behind its lumbering bulk. Still it attacked, firing a beam that destroyed an armoured car and took out several soldiers as well.
"TAKE IT DOWN!" Shepard cried.
Pressing the Revenant into his shoulder, he squeezed the trigger and emptied a whole magazine into the creature. Its front was reduced to a mass of wet torn greyness, but it would not stop. He forced another thermal clip into the gun and kept firing. At the same time an explosion from a tank shell caved in the front of the Praetorian, causing it to collapse.
"KEEP SHOOTING!" Shepard cried.
The creature tried to rise, but Coupee hurled a grenade underneath it, the blast taking off its front legs. Its front began to crackle with electrical power as it prepared to fire a beam when a burst of shotgun pellets struck it, once, twice, three times. It was Tali, advancing with each shot until she was less than a metre from the creature.
Finally the Praetorian's body slumped lifelessly to the floor, oozing black blood, the blue lights flickering before fading out forever.
"Damn that thing was tough!" coughed Bishop.
"Yeah, but not tough enough," grinned Sherlock.
"Keep pushing forward!" yelled Coupee from beside Black Bess, who had come to a halt during the fight with the Praetorian. "We can't stay here!"
He was right. Though the creature was dead, thousands more Husks were still streaming toward them, scrambling over the bodies of their dead.
Hammering a fist against the side of Black Bess, Coupee got it moving again. By now they had lost four tanks, and three armoured cars. There was no way to know how many men had been killed, but it had to be well over a hundred. On top of that, many more had been wounded and had to be carried by medics to stop them falling into the murderous hands of the Husks.
"Put 'em in the armoured cars!" Bishop ordered when he saw two medics carrying a man who was covered in blood, "They'll be safe there!"
As they passed the embassies, Shepard finally saw their goal.
The entrance to the Citadel Tower was a curved metal door, set into the right-hand wall, located beside a bridge that linked to the far side of the Presidium. Currently it was sealed, but there was little doubt that Tali would be able to hack it.
"Coupee!" Shepard called out.
"Yeah?" the corporal replied, leaving his position behind Black Bess to join him.
"That's the entrance to the tower," Shepard said, pointing to the curved doors, "That's what you'll need to defend."
"Let's not waste any more time then."
Coupee hurried back to Black Bess and signalled to the crew.
"Townsend! Set up your tank on that bridge up ahead.
There was a muffled reply and Black Bess rolled up to the bridge, its guns still blazing to drive back the horde.
"The rest of you!" Coupee bellowed, trying to make himself heard over the din of battle, "Set up a perimeter! We need to defend this position!"
The order filtered through the ranks and the soldiers began forming defensive points close to the entrance. Black Bess stopped at the centre of the bridge while the other tanks and armoured cars parked along the road, blocking any choke points they could find. All the while their guns did not let up, keeping back the flood of grey-blue monsters.
Shepard rallied his team and they ran to the entrance doors.
"Tali, you're up," he said, jabbing a thumb at the door's controls.
Without a word, the Quarian activated her omni tool and set to work.
Able to catch his breath for a second, Shepard looked around. The rest of the team was exhausted. Sherlock and Watson's cloaks were torn in several places, and Inspector Lestrade's light armour had been badly dented. Sarah Jane's jacket and trousers were smeared with black blood, as was Benton's uniform.
The Doctor was surprisingly clean, but was breathing hard all the same. Elizabeth likewise appeared unscathed, if shaken, while Booker's face was red and splattered with gunk from a dead Husk. There was also a look in his eyes, one that told Shepard that the man had seen combat many times before. Amanda was bent double, trying to get her breath back, no doubt a result of having to carry both the shotgun and flamethrower. Garrus and Tali were covered in soot, but too focused on the task at hand to notice. Xena and Gabrielle meanwhile seemed in much better condition. True they were covered in Husk blood, but both stood tall, their weapons still ready.
"Shepard!" Bishop's voice echoed through the radio, "We've managed to set up a defensive line, but those creatures are pushing hard, and we're running low on ammunition!"
"Use the portal devices to transport some from the Old One's city," Shepard ordered.
"Hang on, I can help as well!" said Elizabeth.
Before the commander could ask what she meant, the young woman hurried to the closest group of soldiers and clapped her hands together. There was a brilliant flash of white and a pile of wooden boxes appeared on the floor.
"Ammo!" Elizabeth shouted, answering the soldiers baffled expressions.
She rushed back to the doors, just as Tali entered a final command and they rolled open.
"In! Shepard ordered," Everyone in!"
The team quickly hurried through, just as an explosion sent one of the tanks barrelling over.
"GO SHEPARD!" Bishop yelled when he saw the commander still at the doors, "WE'VE GOT THIS!"
"GOOD LUCK!" Shepard shouted back before hurrying through the doors as they closed behind him.
•
High above the Citadel, Joker flew the Normandy straight up before plunging back down and firing the main gun, blowing a hole through a Reaper.
"How'd you like that!" he yelled triumphantly as the machine began to break apart in a mass of flames.
The fight had been brutal. Tens of thousands of Old Ones had been killed, while hundreds of Reapers had been destroyed. A few had tried to return to the Citadel, but each time the Old Ones blasted them with their energy weapons until they cut through their armour.
"Joker!" Sullivan's voice crackled through the radio suddenly.
"What?" Joker replied sharply as he swerved the Normandy to avoid the angry red laser beams of a Reaper ship.
"There's something happening to the Citadel."
"What?"
"The arms, whatever you call them, they're moving, spreading out."
An explosion cut him off.
"Sullivan, you alright?" Joker asked quickly.
"Yeah, fine," the captain coughed in reply, "Just a little cooked."
"EDI, can you see what's happening with the Citadel?"
"Captain Sullivan is correct Jeff," the AI replied, "The wards of the Citadel are being moved."
Risking a look, Joker turned the Normandy so he had a view of the space station. Though it was slow, the arms were opening out, like a vast flower.
"Whatever's going on can't be good," he said, "Let's just hope Shepard gets to the Intelligence in time."
•
In the Presidium's cargo docks, Dyer and the other members of the Miskatonic University Expedition waited by their aircraft with bated breath. They had sealed the main doors as instructed, but listening to the sounds of battle had put them all on edge. A few of them had seen combat in the Great War, but they knew the horde was like nothing they had ever faced before.
A loud bang echoed through the docks as something crashed against the doors. This was followed by a screech as they were forced open.
A ripple of fear went through the expedition members, but Dyers merely unslung his self-loading rifle.
"Steady men!" he said loudly, "Whatever comes through those doors we must hold this dock!"