"Through the destruction of our enemies do we earn our salvation!" - Librarian Isador Akios of the Blood Ravens
As the tempest of energy subsided, the Kill Team found themselves deposited unceremoniously onto the surface of an unfamiliar world. Eden Prime, its verdant plains stretching out before them in all directions, seemed untouched by the ravages of war that had plagued their own universe. The brothers quickly removing their helms to gasp at air Durandal however kneeled some short distance away. There was little time for contemplation as Brother Durandal quickly assessed their surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the landscape with practiced efficiency.
"We've emerged from the portal intact," he announced, his voice steady despite the uncertainty of their situation. "But our immediate concern is securing a means of communication with our ship and determining our location."
Brother Shevrim nodded in agreement, his oily black eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. "A wise course of action, Brother-Chaplain. But we must remain vigilant. We know not what dangers lurk in this place." He croaked the scarred, corpse-grey flesh around his mouth revealing the fangs underneath.
Sa'kan, his cybernetic hand flexing and adjusting, spoke up next. "Agreed. And we must also consider the possibility that we are not alone on this world. There may be indigenous life forms that view us as a threat." Durandal acknowledged Sa'kan's point with a nod of his head before turning to Grullor, the tech-specialist already hard at work on his auspex. "Brother Grullor, what is the status of our communications array?"
Grullor glanced up from his work, his expression grim. "The interference from the portal's energy has rendered our long-range vox transmissions ineffective. However, I believe I can establish a short-range link to our ship if given enough time."
Durandal nodded in approval, "can you tell if the ship is in orbit or in the system?" there was a brief pause "brother Grullor?" all turned to the Gorgon-Son. "There is something in the Auspex, brother but there is interference from the direction of the city." Causing the team to all turn their gazes to a smoking ruin of a city.
There was a grunt from Shevrim before Durandal turned his attention to Brother Maxus, the young warrior standing tall and resolute at his side, the heraldry of Castellans of the Rift emblazoned on his shoulder. "Brother Maxus, I need you to scout ahead and assess our immediate surroundings. We cannot afford to be caught off guard by any potential threats."
Maxus saluted crisply his left fist banging on his chest plate, before setting off into the wilderness, his keen senses attuned to the slightest hint of danger. As the rest of the Kill Team watched him disappear into the distance, they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over them.
"What do you make of our new brother, Chaplain?" Sa'kan questioned, his blazing red eyes glinting in the day light. Durandal inclined his head to the salamander, Durandal had to admit the obvious signs of mutation he and Shevrim had made him initially uneasy. Now though, he could not truly imagine any except those of his chapter being considered real brothers. Durandal considered the question for a moment, his mind sorting through and determining a safe choice. "He is young, perhaps fresh from the scout company, his performance so far is codex compliant." he replied, his voice measured. "His secondment is some form of punishment?"
"More than likely self-imposed if his gene-lineage is any indicator," Grullor added, his voice tinged with the mechanical rasp of his augmetic implants. "The sons of the Guilliman are known to strive to be the best at all endeavours, perhaps a failure of some descript caused him to seek penance in the Watch?" A red Augmetic focusing on a mass in the distance.
"That is causing the interference." Grullor stated pointing to a shape rising out of the smog, Sa'kan looked at him as he put his helmet back on, "you can tell that quickly kinsman?" Grullor looked at him, "I would hope so, it's the only throne damned thing big enough." Came the electronic tinged bark. "It is good the Lads not here, to see an infamous Gorgon-son show humour it may break him." Shevrim retorted, he was busy re-adjusting a skull from a gene-stealer he'd claimed after losing the Ork one, there was a sharp cracking noise as it fell to pieces not having survived the travel as well as he did. "Come, we move out, stay together, and if we are still in his realm let us find out where." Durandal refocused the group. Under his helm he was smiling, 'the Emperor favours us this day, that we should all make it, even the Lad, if he survives this hell make a fine warrior.' he thought
The brothers turned and stared at the ominous shape of some black monstrosity in the distance, knowing that their journey was far from over, and that the challenges that lay ahead would test their strength, their courage, and their faith like never before. 'We are warriors of the Adeptus Astartes, forged in the fires of battle and tempered by the crucible of war.' Durandal recited to himself.
And no matter what awaited them on this world, they would face it head on, with the Emperor's divine light guiding their way.
Korporal Snagbrat Of The Dreadblade Kommandos- "Us Blood axes have learnt a lot from da humies. How best ta kill 'em, fer example."
As Brother Maxus ventured deeper into the wilderness of Eden Prime, his keen senses alert for any signs of danger, the rest of the Deathwatch Kill Team remained on high alert, their weapons at the ready and their senses attuned to the slightest hint of trouble they followed in his wake "remember, brother conserve your ammunition where possible" Durandal voxxed to the young Castellan. "I am aware brother" replied Maxus, 'they must think me a scout still, these first-born' he grumbled internally.
Brother Shevrim, his gaze fixed on the horizon, spoke up first. "Brother-Chaplain, my sensory augurs detect movement to the north. It could be indigenous wildlife or something far more sinister." Durandal nodded in acknowledgement, his grip tightening around the haft of his crozius. "Stay vigilant, brothers. We know not what awaits us in this place." 'By the Throne, I will bring his wrath.'
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the human settlement of Eden Prime, Commander Shepard and her team were locked in a fierce battle with a group of Geth troopers. Shepard's biotic powers crackled to life, her voice commanding as she directed her team with precision. "Take cover!" she shouted, her eyes darting between her companions. "Kaidan, Ashley, focus fire on the big Geth. We need to take it out fast!" as they fired Ashely's shields popped as shove dove into cover, "Dammit Williams stay down!" she yelled to the Gunny "yes mam" came the hurried response, 'ill damned if I lose another one' Jenkins was just too young and to green but damn if that shit didn't sting.
As the skirmish cleared Shepard yelled out "clear let's move up." Kaidan and Ashley nodded in agreement, their weapons blazing as they followed Shepard's lead, their movements coordinated and efficient. But even as they battled valiantly, Shepard couldn't shake the feeling that they were merely scratching the surface of a much larger threat. And as the battle raged on, she couldn't help but wonder who - or what - was behind the sudden influx of Geth forces on Eden Prime. 'Where the hell is that spectre.'
After finishing of the last of the Geth, Shepard and her team regrouped and attempted to comms others "Shepard to Normandy, come in Normandy…" she paused as Kaiden and Ashley looked at one another. "Shepard good to hear from you" she grinned locking eyes with Kaiden who smiled back. "Good to hear from you captain, it's been eventful wanted an update on our lightshow from earlier, we're enroute to a location where comms chatter was picked up."
"Damn fireworks display is what it is Shepard, it nearly fried all our sensor equipment, we haven't got any confirmations, but we cleaned up that comms chatter its civvies and more the local forces they're holed up and need a hand, they'll be on your way to Nilus." Confirmed Anderson.
"Copy that we'll see what we can do to give them a hand," she looked between the other 2 "let's move out." Ashley seemed hesitant "I don't like this one-bit commander first the Geth now lightshows just what the hell's going on?" "That and the Geths new ship" Kaiden gestured with his gun to construct in the distance, it simply stood unmoving lights pulsing up and down its sides. Shepard considered it for but a moment "we move to Nilus, there's something about this beacon that has them riled up" her face was set, and jaw clenched, the smell and smoke bringing back memories of Torfan.
Back in the wilderness, Brother Maxus had encountered a group of human settlers, their faces etched with fear as they stared up helplessly at the massive armoured behemoth wading into their midst. They blabbed and yelled only one standing up, an elderly man who pointed to a symbol on the young warriors war-gear "that an eagle? You one of ours?" he questioned gruffly, this made the Astartes pause he recognised the language as some form of low gothic but it was off by a few words and gestures. He spoke, his voice coming out as an electronic snarl through his vox caster "I am one of the Emperors own, come to you in your plight mortal." It caused many to recoil, some to scramble away in fear, few stood still but the old man squinted "what the hell, is-is that Italian?" stepping forward and looming over the old man, Maxus spoke again "what is assailing your people?" the man's eyes widening slightly "well I'll be sounds like Latin." Came the surprised response, he turned to the others "anyone brave enough totake our big friend to the geth?" he asked the others "L-l-latin?" said a young girl "aye it's been dead for a while most people learn to speak and read it for historical purposes." Eyeing the giant and turning to the crowd "well if no one else will 'pose I'll just have to do it" came the grumpy response "wait we'll go to" said a young man as he and 2 others, a teenage boy and a young woman, stepped forward.
At this Maxus raised a fist to air and with some rustling Shevrim in all his brutal glory stepped out of the undergrowth, a necklace of Fangs from various Xenos hanging from his neck, the bolts securing extra layers of armour to his mishmashed war gear, personalised due to the constant battle and lack of contact with normal imperial resources, some staring at the massive white shark on his right pauldron. Following him came Grullor the servo arms twitching one with a metal plated skull on the end his chapter symbol a black skull in black and white star on a green background catching the eye of the teenage boy, many gasped or hurried out of his way ogling the servos and augmetics on his frame, next came Sa'kan flamer panning until he was in the centre of the group, he turned looking at them all flashes of his time in the nexus playing on his mind. 'These people have suffered needlessly' "Brothers these people need to know we will not harm them" he spoke over the vox, lowering the weapon he carefully removed his helmet. Many of mortals recoiled in fear Maxus noted, understandable the level of mutation the Salamanders suffered from was renowned. "I understand our visages may suggest ill intent, but we are here to aid you". He spoke slowly with as much warmth in his tone as he could muster, gesturing with his hands…. "Holy shit." Everyone stared up at the giant with coal skin and flaming red eyes all except the girl who shyly stepped up towards the Salamander despite the protest of her parents, she looked up jaw slack in awe, the action bringing back painful memories to Sa'kan but he did what any good son of Vulkan would, he knelt as softly as he could in his armour, with a soft smile in an attempt to bring himself to her level. "What is the drake doing?" Maxus voxxed to the others, "he is fulfilling his duty as one of the emperor's angels." Came the response as yet another soft gasp was heard the girl turned to look up at Death.
Chaplain Durandal stood the black cross of the Templar brotherhood and his skull helmet marking him out to the civilians of some obvious import, as best as he could muster in low gothic he spoke slowly "we are Kill Team Ember, we are attempting to re-unite with imperial forces, and I am chaplain Durandal leader of these brothers, these unknown xenos must be reported to Watch-Fort Deimos and the wider imperium" unfortunately there were a few inconsistencies his accent coming across as Germanic or Slavic with only few words making it across to the people they heard a metallic growl and a heavily accented voice say something about an Ember, other forces and "Durandal" then gesture at the Geth structure in the distance. The old man spoke up again. "The 4 of us will lead you to the geth hopefully your buddies can help us kick their metal asses of the planet" he gestured at himself and the others then to the structure, the Kill Team looked to one another a few short beeps of the vox and a nod from Durandal as Sa'kan put his helmet back on.
As the Deathwatch Kill Team and their newfound allies converged on the outskirts of the settlement, they were met with a scene of chaos and devastation. The Geth forces had overrun the defences, their relentless assault leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Silently unsheathing their combat knives Maxus, Sa'kan and Shevrim began to systematically dismantle Geth patrols exploding form cover quickly and brutally to hack apart the xenos filth as Durandal used his crozius to pin a prime to floor so that Grullor could extract information, his experience hacking and splicing Tau and Necron Technology giving an edge over the Geth systems. He delved into the creatures machine spirits, a swarm attempted to block him he simply cast them aside ripping information from them as he went slowly he realised the true horror of these 'Geth'… "THEY ARE ABOMINABLE INTELLIGENCES" roared the marine as he ripped the pinned geth to pieces with his servo arms before placing a well-placed bolt round in another. He looked to the structure in the distance then to another place some kind of tram system "These Geth are converging there, something to do with a beacon sought after by-by something they are calling the old machine." The franticness of his voice and the sudden violence unleashed by the marines had frozen the human group, even the seemingly cantankerous old man was perturbed. They heard combat in the distance human voices calling out, "We shall find out what the filth wants and stop it, but now there are innocents in need of our fury, come Gorgon-son come and let loose your wrath upon them." The Chaplains voice steeled, it brooked no quarter he turned to loom over the young woman "stay low, stay behind us for we are the Emperors sword, we shall slay these Geth to the last" speaking the name of the Xenos with venom in his tone, they still could not fully understand their new protectors by the intent was clear. Approaching the gunfire Ember found Geth attempting to overrun what was potentially the last bastion on the planet and so they leapt into action.
Durandal taking off in a sprint meeting A Geth prime head on, the Kill Team clashed with this group of the robotic foes, their combat systematic and practiced, managing to unnerve even the Geth with its precision. The Astartes spoke to each other in their own language, a mix of High Gothic, Low Gothic and their own native tongues, their words filled with grim determination.
"We must drive them back!" Durandal bellowed, his crozius crashing down on the primes leg with bone-crushing force leaving it to fall to one side he grabbed the head and proceeded to use the body as mobile cover. He pointed him to the bunker "get our flock inside brother Maxus!" he roared, the Castellan looking back and laying down as much suppressive fire as he dared for the humans while gesturing for them to move. The chaplain moved to block fire with the prime's body as it writhed and died taking aim with his melta pistol, he let loose a single terrible shot which made contact with a squad of geth the first exploding into pieces and debris which damaged the other 5.
Shevrim's bolt carbine roared, each shot finding its mark amidst the sea of metal and wires the hellfire explosive rounds doing the emperors work as they destroyed the geth and whatever they were using as cover. No warcry came just silence as he butchered 3 Geth Troopers in close quarters with his knife.
Sa'kan's flamer gun bathed the battlefield in cleansing flame, purging the xenos filth with righteous fire. "Into the fires, unto the anvil brothers!" 2 small squads of Geth let out metallic howls as they melted he turned grabbing a trooper attempting to sneak up on him in his left hand crushing its eye stalk.
Grullor's servo arms whirred as he hacked into the Geth's systems, his mechanical enhancements proving invaluable in disrupting their electronic defences. "Purge the Weak!" the skull head on his upper left servo arm belching out small amount of flame making his way to the bunker he called out over the din "move mortals, by the Gorgon ill have your commissars head!" he stomped towards the bunker door and then inside turning he looked to find the controls "what in his name is this?" the soldiers and civilians staring up at the giant, the young man looked and grabbed one of the soldiers "are there any defence turrets!? Anything?" he said frantically "yeah over here but the Geths cyber-attacks have taken them out" called one, the man and woman with them seeing what he was doing yelled at Grullor "over here hey, hey shit hey!" noticing the man's attempts Grullor turned to follow him "make way!" he entered the control bay and began to interface with its systems, 'none of this is imperial standard, its similar to the Geths' he eyed the mortals around him, 'they are using unsanctioned xeno tech.' his face hardened under his helm.
Maxus moved to support his new brothers letting loose some more shots from his bolt gun when he heard whirring looking around, he spotted the turrets start to spring to life, "Chaplain Durandal, it would appear brother Grullor has got the defences working." Looking to where the Chaplain and the Salamander were pushing the Geth to retreat on their left. "It would appear so, Castellan, fetch the Gorgon-Son, we have them retreating towards a transport system." Turning without a wordMaxus followed by Shevrim entered the bunker, they walked unhindered into the command centre were the Son of Medusa worked, ripping data from the controls whilst mortal soldiery rushed about, with the Geth being thinned and their defences online they began to organise a push and a small search party being aided by the teenage boy and old man. The sight of the 2 large warriors caused some to stop and work to slow as they were noticed primarily Shevrim with his massive flaying knife, Xeno fang necklace and clearly battle worn armour, it did not help that he was completely silent leaving many to wonder how something so large could move so quietly.
"We are moving out Grullor" rasped Shevrim through his helm the sound causing a young technician to drop a tool in fear, "understood I am retrieving useful data…it has been enlightening," he responded slowly, Maxus tensed, from the tone of it the Son of Medusa had found something, something that would or could not be shared around the mortals this made Maxus tighten his grip around his bolter. Shevrim however acted unperturbed, "The old priest will appreciate that brother." Came the low growl in response.
The exchange had left everything silent as the soldiers and civilians watched on with bated breath as the giants spoke, what they had assumed was a combat robot rose from its kneeling position then from all 3 came a short beep sound before they turned to leave. As they did so the breath being held was released, to soon, as the old man spoke up "come to say goodbye then?" causing everyone to turn, "what the fuck?" called out a soldier as everyone stared in disbelief, The Shark as the civilians had affectionately called him was standing over the old man, "you'd have made a good guardsman." It said as it dropped something before him, looking down he could see it was a piece of a geth trooper. The voice was horrible it sounded dry, cracked like its owner had screamed itself raw. Of course, no one truly understood what Shevrim had said but all the same he gave the standard imperial salute, the sign of the Aquila before leaving.
Meanwhile amidst the chaos, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Commander Shepard and her team, their weapons blazing as they rushed into the now slowly clearing bunker zone to see civilians being ushered inside as turrets and marines fired on, they fought side by side with the beleaguered defenders to clear out the last Geth Squad a remnant of the forces Kill Team Ember had engaged.
As Shepard's team fought the Geth, the Kill Team bounded across the ruins towards the transport, towards, and hopefully answers.
As the battle raged on, Shepard and her team emerged victorious, the last of the Geth falling before their combined might. But their victory was short-lived as they surveyed the aftermath of the battle, the settlement in ruins and its inhabitants scattered and afraid.
Approaching a group of survivors the very same that had guided the kill team, Shepard knelt down beside them, her voice soft but firm. "Is everyone Ok, I'm Commander Shepard with the alliance do any of you need anything?"
The survivors glanced nervously at each other before one of them spoke up, the old man guffawed at Shepard, and "Makes sense you lot show up now when all the hard works been done." That caused Williams to go off. "What the hell we just fought off the Geth for you!" Kaiden tried to calm her down with Shepard holding up a hand, "what do mean all the hard work?" she left it to hang, looking around she saw a young technician look around nervously before stating, "the Giants saved us all." Was blurted out causing the old man to scowl.
The teenage boy piped up "The Shark told the Robot that Death wanted him then they left after the Geth." 'oh kay then, wasn't expecting that statement' Shepard turned to look at the her team then the old man, who was giving everyone stink eye, "we were saved by something we aren't sure what the fuck they were but all the same they stood when no one else would, no fear, fought like nothing I've ever heard or seen before…they'd give a krogan a run for their damn money." He smiled slightly, "the dragon had red eyes and he was really nice." Said a little girl currently bundled up in her father's arms. Shepard turned to what appeared to be the commanding officer who could only sigh, "look the old guy, the kid and those two," he said gesturing to the old man, the teenage boy and man wrapping a bandage around a woman's leg, "came to get help but they led something here, now I don't know what the hell they were, I initially assumed some kind of alliance black ops group but now I just don't know." He said shaking his head "there 5 of them had these symbols on their right arms, one was guiding them inside…looked like some kind of knight." The commanding officer started looking at the group and the commander.
"His symbol was yellowy with a red chains and skull and his armour was the cleanest, so they've been calling him the Knight, then there's the Dragon he had a white dragon head on his right arm, biggest of all of them by about a head had some type of flamethrower…cooked those Geth like they were meat, The Robots the one that fixed our defences he had black skull in a star… just barged in and plugged itself musta scraped some data as well." Shepard's brow furrowed in concern as she listened to the account, her mind racing with questions. She noticed the soldier hesitate, "The last 2 looked really off, first had a white shark on its arm, it had a tooth necklace and a Geth head on its hip, it was so fucking quiet I just don't get it… being able to move that quick wasn't bad enough but they can be so quiet to." He was starting freak out a little now. "The last one we-we think it's the leader, shit it looked like Death." That piqued her interest the most. "He was a Templar." The old man was standing straight, fixed onto the young soldier. "How do you know that?" Kaidan looked at him, the old man raised a hand to his right arm. "Had a Cross right here, looked like it was straight out of the history vids on the crusades." The Young soldier nodded, "Makes sense it seemed to be giving orders, it fucking crumpled one of the big Geth and used it as mobile cover, but its helmet I'll never forget that helmet, it a had fucking skull helmet, like a human one and some kinda laser pistol, blew a hole in a group of Geth." Who were these armoured giants, and what were they doing on Eden Prime?
Meanwhile, the Kill Team regrouped, their mission clear: to find the source of the Geth invasion and put an end to it once and for all. With Shepard and her team heading in the same direction, their paths were destined to cross once more as they pursued a common goal, to find out just what was happening on Eden prime?
As they made their way through the wilderness, the Kill Team encountered more pockets of resistance, engaging the Geth in short, brutal fights, well brutal for the Geth, as they pressed forward. With each skirmish, they honed their combat skills and learned more about their robotic adversaries.
During a lull in the fighting, Durandal voxxed his brothers around him, his voice stern. "Brother Grullor what have you learned about these Geth. Their technology is unlike anything we've encountered before, and we cannot afford to underestimate them."
Shevrim nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "So far we've been lucky, their small weapons are causing little to no damage." He flicked his knife causing Geth oil to splay on Sa'kans armour who grimaced. "I am still sorting through information, so far I have come across multiple references to Mass Effect Fields it is part of the reason the local forces believe the Geth are here, the colonists dug up a beacon, they called it a Prothean beacon, it had information that can further their technology at least that's their belief." Grullor was seething all could see, Maxus was not impressed either, these people must be some outer colony or lost tribe of humanity. "It functions like an STC?" he questioned. "Is that what it is Grullor?" the Gorgon-son turned to Maxus. "No, of that I am sure, this is something different, something Xenos."
As they continued their advance, the Kill Team came across a strange scene of 2 xenos as yet unknown to them, holding up his fist Durandal made a silent vox call, "Shevrim get closer, Grullor look to the one at the back, Sa'kan, Maxus with me to these positons."
"What devilry is that?" Grullor voxxed, they watched as the 2 argued from their hidden vantages. "Brother Chaplain the one in the back, it has been altered? It looks-the technology looks similar to the Geth? Or rather the spikes." The spikes they'd seen earlier, bodies on them, the desecration of the innocent had enraged the Chaplain and the Salamander, and Maxus knelt bolter aimed at the first creature. "They appear not unlike the Kroot." The Chaplain calmly analysed. "Brother!" too late a short bang rang out, "What happened, Shevrim?" Sa'kan asked him, "The Altered one killed the unaltered one?" that was confusing thought Maxus as he looked to the Chaplain for some form of clarification when they heard a commotion.
Shepard saw Nilus fall, "Shit let's move." Kaidan and Ashely clamoured after her, they reached where Nilus remained Kaidan leaned down to check him. "There's nothing commander." There was a short bang. "Whose there?" all 3 raised their guns at the noise, "D-d-don't shoot, I'm coming out alright?" a dock worker meekly walked out.
Watching the mortals interact Durandal was puzzled, "They were not at the bunker?" he said more to himself than any of the others, he made sure to memorise all the faces he could, it was the least he could do for the emperor's flock. "They seem concerned with the dead xenos." Shevrim offered, "That serf their interrogating is saying something about it he thinks the 2 xenos knew each other, the commander is interested." Grullor was trying to follow using the data he'd acquired to better understand the language. Looking over Durandal saw the middle figure with a red strip down her arm, "the one in the middle? Red strip on her arm?" he wanted clarification before action. "Aye Chaplain." They appeared done with the Labourer and sent him away. "Shevrim, stay on them, Grullor pull what you can from the xenos, Maxus move to support Shevrim should he need it. Sa'kan you and I will stand vigil over Gurllor before moving to join them." As the now identified Commander and her group moved off Shevrim stepped from the shadows in between crates and followed as Maxus was close behind appearing from behind the mound he and the others were hidden. Grullor galloped up the steps with Durandal close behind melta holstered and corzius ready, Sa'kan bringing up the rear as he panned his flamer to and fro.
Grullor had been working for a few moments busy disabling security programmes he was annoyed as due to his unfamiliarity with Mass effect tech he'd lost 28% of the data stored on the device called the omni tool, he knew Durandal would not be unnecessarily angered at this but still his performance was clouded, first the botched mission then abominable intelligences and now rampant unsanctioned xenos tech. "Brother Durandal, this is Shevrim, permission for myself and Maxus to engage the commander is outnumbered." Grullor turned to the kill team leader, "I am finished, and I have recovered all that I can." Durandal nodded, "hold fast Brother we shall unleash ourselves upon them." They began to move as swiftly as they could.
Shevrim looked at the young warrior he spoke softly to him through the vox, "engage at a distance until the others arrives." The Castellan looked as he raised his bolter and taking a shot, dispatching a Geth creature crawling along the wall towards the commander's back, "what the hell was that?!" The 2 melted back into shadow and moved to get closer when they heard a vox call "I am the mail about his fist, I am the shield about his arm, I am the blade cutting through the darkness…" a rhythmic thumping from behind alerted them to Durandals coming as he barrelled past them, straight past the commander and her team into a group of Geth they were engaging. "Hunt the hellspawn!" roared Maxus exploding from the side bolter spitting shells at another group. A Geth unit attempted to crawl and jump at Ashely catching her unawares, mid-flight it was impaled by a knife from Shevrim who looked down at the now scared shitless marine, without a word he threw the body at another and pushed forward to Durandal.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Ashely screamed looking at the commander, Jane was just as confused her red hair was sticking to her head under the helmet, she did a one 180 to look at the bomb, "No time Kaidan on me the bomb!" they hurried over. "Williams covering fire." Shepard looked down at the bomb then behind her "Holy Shit." Looking over her shoulder the commander looked up into the face of what she assumed was 'The Robot' the survivors had mentioned, two mechanical spider arms unfurled and it knelt down beside them instantly working to disarm the device. Then there was a roaring followed by a wave of heat as an even larger armoured giant got in front of the group with a weapon spewing fire out at the Geth. Shepard picked up her avenger and threw out a biotic push at the Geth, her group beginning to lay down suppressive fire from behind the Giant.
"She's a psyker?" Sa'kan let it out on the Kill teams Vox, which grabbed Durandals attention, 'first xenos machines, then unsanctioned technologies and now unsanctioned witches'. "We shall hold the mortals to account later brothers, now…" Shepard looked to where the one that had barrelled into the Geth and saw it swing its weapon into a trooper trying to get in close to it, it grabbed a hopper that had tried to tackle it to the ground by the head and began squeezing. "SLAY THEM ALL, LET NONE SURVIVE, IN HIS NAME!" there was a thick Germanic or European accent to it but Shepard actually understood it, Williams had stopped firing and Kaidan just couldn't believe what he was seeing, it got even more unbelievable when 'The Knight' pulled what they assumed was some kind of short sword out of his belt and behead a nearby sniper unit in a single sweep. Shepard regained some kind of sense first and began moving up slowly trying to support them with biotics, Kaidan followed next laying down suppressive fire at a rocket trooper that had emerged.
Another rocket trooper fired at the biggest target in the back with the flame weapon however a biotic push threw it off balance slightly enough the rocket went wide. "The psyker saved me brother, the filth have finally brought arms to bare against us." Sa'kan called out on the vox, Durandal turned the cold rage in his chest continuing to rise these creatures dared to not face them in the open, and the witch had finally gathered her senses he looked to Shevrim then voxxed Grullor, "status kinsman." The marine twitched and looked over his shoulder.
"Complete, the scum sought to deny the commander her prize brother I know your feelings towards witchery but it would be best to aid her in completing her goals." It was cold, logical, as expected of a Gorgon-Son. "Aye brother they may yet be of use, He may have wanted this." He knew Shevrim was essentially goading him, placing emphasise on the HE made sure Durandal would hesitate slightly he knew this. "May he guard us against this impropriety, may he shield us from the dark and may he forgive us should we be proven false." Durandal prayed.
"Behind me Mortals." Grullor rose and stepped infront of Shepards, the sudden metallic growl in what sounded distantly like an Irish or Scottish accent made the team jump, "we are to be your cover." Came a much softer more jovial tone from the larger 'Dragon' this was harder to place it was blank there was a trace of American but it also somehow sounded English, somehow generally Asian and African.
This was entirely new and that disturbed Shepard, that and the richness, their voices made her emotions swirl, the 'robots' order made her almost comply immediately without even thinking. 'What the hell, what?' Ashely and Kaidan had moved already, Ashely quicker than Kaidan. "What the fuck are you?" Shepard ground out shaking her head slightly, as if coming to his senses Kaidan looked up at the giants then raised his avenger slightly, Ashely looked around her confused. "Th-they're helping us?" she seemed to ask looking between the groups, "Lower your weapon Guardsman." Kaidan looked to his right and found a large muzzle pointed at his head, a barbaric looking warrior clad in worn armour with bones decorating it staring at him. The voice was horrible it sounded like he'd lost his voice and was being forced to speak, what unnerved Shepards group was how none of them heard him position himself. "The Geth are dead." Confirmed the now approaching 'Knight'. The giants all turned to their leader who was standing with one foot atop a dying Geth unit, a prime.
"You desecrated this world filth, why, what is this beacon to you,"
"…"
"Do not deny that is why you are here xenos, my kinsman stripped this from your fallen,"
"….."
"I demand your answer."
"…."
The unit didn't answer, if it could it simply refused.
"Gorgon-Son, relieve this cur of the information we need, show it no mercy for it has shown none to the innocents here." Durandal removed his foot and turned to the group his Skull Mask casting an ominous sight to Shepards group. Grullor moved past the Chaplain and set to work on the dying xeno.