"Things are very seldom what they seem. In my experience, they're usually a damn sight worse." -InquisitorTitus Drake
One of the mortals stepped forward, her helmeted gaze meeting Durandal's with apparent steely resolve. "You the one in charge?" she asked. "I'm Commander Shepard of the Systems Alliance Navy."
She removed her helmet revealing a young face, bright green eyes and red hair, it wasn't overly long, and her skin appeared slick with sweat and heat, Durandal's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you a part of the Alliance?" she asked,
Her mind began to race with possibilities. 'Are they Alliance, some kind of black ops group? Maybe their Citadel spectres or experimental robots of some kind, wait-they might be an unknown race those symbols could just be some kind of coincidence, but then how'd they know to speak English?'
Durandal looked to his brothers before placing his crozius back on his hip, he walked and stood directly in front of Shepard. "Not now, not here, these Geth sought to deny you a beacon, we wish to know why after we find it then we may begin." The voice was gentle like a grandfather or teacher lightly scolding a child, well as gentle as it could be coming from a death mask wearing giant. Looking up at the giant trying to find words to counter him she heard a soft beep as he turned to look at 'the robot' then up some stairs.
"Brothers, standard kill team pattern manoeuvre Praxius-3." Durandal voxxed, Shepard and Ashely jumped slightly as Kaidan raised his gun looking about as the giants went from standing perfectly still to moving immediately the leader moving up the stairs with the robot, the knight following behind them, dragon and shark turning to Shepard and her team as if waiting on them finally the dragon gestured with his flamethrower as if telling them to go ahead.
Cautiously they entered immediately eyeing the beacon, Shepard was up front swinging her gun in an arc about and on the other side of the room she caught sight of the knight with its back to them, she noticed the short sword was actually a comically large combat knife, comically large for her maybe perfectly suited to whatever the hell it was. The robot was standing away from the beacon there was sound like garbled static coming from it further reinforcing the robot theory 'the leader called it Gorgon-Son' she reminded herself, the leader itself appeared to have a book open and was reading from it while in the other hand had, and she really couldn't believe what she was seeing she almost said something, was a metal chain with a small eagle on it as he appeared to read from the book and point the eagle towards the beacon.
Kaidan moved to Shepards side completely perplexed, the two of them looking at each other, "Kaidan go watch our knight in shining armour." He nodded, absent minded, as he moved over to the large warrior, Williams moved past the Shepard to try and get a closer look at what the two giants were doing, the beacon was humming but as Williams got closer the humming began to increase, growing louder. Ashely stepped past them looking at the beacon, Shepard noticed her and noticed the build-up "Williams!" Ashely mid turn was grabbed by 'the robot' as it suddenly tried to shield her from the exploding beacon, Shepard wasn't so lucky as she was slowly dragged forward, while being hit with horrible visions she began to cry out when she felt something wrap around her.
She tried to look up, all she could see was a skull, then she began to hear them, voices, a whisper at first they were alien they started to scream she saw flesh being melted and torn, cities burned and fell, she heard other voices these different from the alien screaming, it was chanting, prayer, there in her mind's eye amidst the dying of a species was a light
It was, unwavering burning away the darkness,
She saw a lineage, a black knight facing down a horde of darkness, he fought alone at first against shapes and figures that snarled and bit, others joined the knight, first in yellow then in black, other colours red, white, green more and more all yelled back against the dying day in unison.
She saw a son, his armour was a work of art, his face a stoic mask as he looked out across a city she could see him moulding it into a fortress, then she sees his face turn to sorrow, she followed his gaze to see an angel, a brother beloved laying on the floor slain, a warrior gold and kingly his splendour one of mythic proportions, a father crippled, his anger boiled over he roared.
The light grew brighter she was staring at it she couldn't look away she saw him, atop a throne of gold was a corpse, it raised a hand pointing behind her at the darkness, at the alien screams and blurs she noticed then it was screaming too.
"Tell me what I need to know, or I'll rip your balls off and sell them to a Krogan!" – Commander Shepard
Shepard was not ok, Kaidan could see that it was obvious the Giant in the skull helm was carrying her in his arms, cradling her like a child. The instant he saw them Kaidans heart sank, first that kid Jenkins, and now his CO he looked to Ashely who was blabbering at him trying to say she was sorry or something he wasn't paying attention, "Normandy this is Alenko, Shepard's down I repeat, Shepards down, the beacon has been destroyed we need an extraction." He looked to the group of giants they seemed to be conversing amongst themselves.
"Guardsman send your vessel to this location," his head snapped from Shepard to 'the robot' "when the hell did you get access to our comms!" Ashely yelled pointing her weapon at it, a weapon that was crumpled instantly by 'the knight' who looked down at her. "You dare point your gun at one of his chosen." it growled at her.
"Hold brother, she was defending her commander, an admirable trait if misguided," that one came from the 'Dragon' who moved to their leader, Shepard hanging lamely in his arms, "Give her here Brother-Chaplain, I will bear her burdens." The 'Chaplain' nodded groggily. "Hurry both of you, we must move to meet with your vessel lest we lose her." The metallic rasp had come from behind them the 'shark' was standing directly behind Kaidan, his left hand resting on his large knife.
Ember and Shepard's team moved cautiously through the wreckage-strewn streets, their eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. Kaidan and Ashley remained close at 'Dragons' side, Kaidan readying his avenger, Ashely scrounging up a stiletto pistol.
But as they rounded a corner, they heard a noise overhead the large Geth structure began to move to take off, buildings fell around it as it lifted into the air an electronic groan resounded throughout the area. Durandal voxxed to everyone. "Faster Guardsman, lest my brothers be forced to move you." As the Geth structure took off an alert came up on Kaidans HUD, "the Normandy's inbound ETA 2 minutes."
Ashely's heart pounded in her chest as she took in the sight of these armoured giants, she had been struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of their presence. Who were these warriors, and what were they doing on Eden Prime, one carried a bible, she was sure it was a bible. She was too focused on the warriors and her situation she didn't notice a loose piece of concrete that she stepped on giving way, "uwegh!" she yelped before being scooped up by the 'knight' he set her down just after and carried on un-phased by lifting a woman in full combat gear with a single arm.
Durandal, the imposing figure at the head of the Kill Team, looked to the Grullor, "is it there?" his voice was hoarse. The beacon event had taken a toll they could all tell. "Aye Brother-Chaplain." He looked to Shevrim who was directly behind the Chaplain, ready. They continued onward coming to a stop near a ship of non-Imperial design. The hangers opened as a squad of marines hurried out to surround the Giants, a man in a uniform following behind them. "Alenko what the hell is this?" Anderson looked past the Giants to Kaidan, "I really wish I had an answer sir." He responded the whole situation had drained him, he looked as a team took Shepard carefully and cautiously took Shepard from 'Dragon' and set her on a gurney to move her into the Normandy.
"These Geth brought death and ruin, this cannot go unanswered by the dictates of the Ordo Xenos of the God-Emperors holy inquisition I, Lord-Chaplain Durandal, Warrior of the Black Templars chapter, Heir of Sigismund, Son of Dorn and leader of the Deathwatch Kill Team Embers demand the use of your vessel to reconvene with our own." He looked down at the man, who in turn glared up at his mask unmoving. "You own the floating church up there?" the captain asked unflinching
Shevrim voxxed Grullor, "Is the Vaunted responding?" Grullor continued to eye the marines unnervingly making no indication as to their discussion as Durandal spoke to the Captain. "Flickers, it is damaged the remaining crew and servitors are attempting to repair what they can."
"The Chaplain is injured." Maxus stated flatly, "mentally, aye whatever that beacon did drained him." Shevrim responded, "It was a data transfer." Grullor answered. "Eyes forward brothers." Sa'kan said. "The Vaunted is our vessel, we were on a mission to an outer colony in the Urcan system of the Segmentum Obscurus, A group of Orkoids from Waaagh Spine-Rippa were interfering with an unknown device." Anderson raised a brow, "I have no idea what the hell any of that means, but your Church is damaged, got something hanging on the side of it, scared the Geth though they gave it a wide birth just sent in a few drop ships." He stood aside to allow the team to move Shepard looking down at her. "Thank you, for saving Shepard, she sent us a report about you saving civilians and troops too."
"Defending the sons and daughters of terra is our duty, but captain you must take us to the Vaunted." Durandal hadn't missed what the mortal had said, something besides the Geth was on the Vaunted, and the crew could likely handle the Geth but…
"tyranids, orks or traitors?" Maxus asked the group, helmet moving slightly to the others.
"We are Astartes, likely all three and these Geth." Sa'kan deadpanned he had chosen to be at the back of the group, in case the mortals decided to open fire, not risking his flamer being hit by a random stray shot.
"Why should I? As far as I'm concerned, an unknown group wearing equipment that while dangerous has obvious designs related to humanity has shown up out of nowhere and they have a strange church ship in orbit big enough to give the Geth and their new toy some concern?" Anderson wasn't going to budge so easily.
Durandal stood unwavering, "Your commander demanded answers as well, she may pay for it with her life, you captain do not have the rank nor authority to question me or my brothers, now you will take us to the Vaunted otherwise I will commandeer the vessel." Instantly the tension shot up, marines were getting nervous.
Ashely hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking between the armoured figures before her. "I-I think we can trust them captain," she explained, her tone weary she walked towards Durandal, stopping right in front of him she pointed to his privatised version of the Lectitio Divinitatus, "you believe in God?" she asked it surprisingly innocently.
Durandal eyed her, looking at her, "what are we, brother if not his example to them?" he could hear the smile in Sa'kans voice as he said it to him. He looked to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me." He looked right at her moving his hand from her shoulder to her helmeted face, cupping it like a father his daughters.
"Like clay I shall mould them, and in the furnace of war forge them." He continued now, looking at the captain, Anderson in turn looked to the gunnery chief and his men. Unbeknownst to those on the field Grullor had patched into the Normandys systems, it was surprisingly easy not even requiring direct link only access to this extra net via his augur systems. He smirked under his helm, as did Sa'kan, Maxus remained neutral. Shevrim was still eyeing the marines around them.
"They will be of iron will and steely muscle," Durandal removed the book, lifting his sigil of the aquillia with it, he did not need to read these words, he'd memorised them, he had lived them. "In great armour shall I clad them and with the mightiest guns will they be armed."
That phrase caused the marines to better look at the armour and weapons of the warriors noticing that despite heavy engagement with Geth forces they looked no worse for wear. That caused some nervous sweating. "They will be untouched by plague or disease, no sickness will blight them."
The Normandy crew inside were trying to find out what the hell was happening, that last line caught the attention of one Dr. Chakwas who was currently beside an unconscious Shepard. Karen looked over as crewmen were frantically searching for where they could have hacked in. "they will have tactics, strategies and machines so that no foe can best them in battle."
"y'right." Scoffed 'Joker' in his seat he looked over his shoulder at the crew running around. "Shepard's gonna be pissed she missed this." Outside Durandal was looking to each marine in turn finally stopping infront of Anderson.
"They are my bulwark against the terror."
"They are my Defenders of Humanity."
"They are myAstartes,my space marines, and they shall know no fear."
Durandal had finished his form looming over Anderson, the speech somehow making him more intimidating. "A quote from the God-Emperor of mankind, taken 10,000 years ago during the great crusade, his reunification of the human species after the horrors of Old Night."
"Now take us to the Vaunted, only there do the answers you seek lie in wait." Durandal did not wait, he moved past the bemused Anderson, the confused marines and enraptured Williams, Kill team Ember moving to follow their leader.
The first thing Jane noticed was a splitting headache, a phrase on repeat being whispered on repeat 'know no fear' and images she couldn't quite understand kept swirling around her head, she wasn't sure why. She groaned slightly and opened her eyes, she tried moving, and not having much success she lay there until Dr Chakwas came over, "glad to see your awake Commander, you had us worried." Jane looked up at the older woman a ghost of a smirk forming, "s-sorry" she rolled over on the bed and almost jumped out of her skin. "SHIT!" she yelped.
Maxus browed furrowed slightly under his helm, the commander had nearly injured herself again upon noticing him. He was aware of the phenomena known as 'trans-human dread', something usually experienced by common citizenry, planetary defence forces and a smattering of others within and without humanity, that many felt an overwhelming primal fear or apprehension when seeing and interacting with Astartes. He had hoped perhaps wrongly after viewing her conduct that the commander would prove to be more like a member of the Imperial Guard, the soldiers if they had any such feelings hid them well.
"You are awake finally." He stated bluntly, the loud snarl of his vox grill causing her to flinch at the noise. He looked to Dr Chakwas. "When will she be fully coherent Hospitalier?" Chakwas looked at him, "another few days ideally, but I know the commander now that she's awake she'll be hard to keep cooped up here." She was deflated at the prospect. Maxus looked to the commander, "make yourself ready, we are approaching our vessel, you will be joining us aboard the Vaunted, we shall secure it and then give you all a debrief."
The 'Knight' remained standing there as if expecting her to get ready then and there. "If you could please step outside while the commander gets ready." Chakwas said dismissively, Maxus looked between both of the woman, "No." The 2 women froze then looked at each other, "that was not request sir." Chakwas said pointedly swivelling in her chair to face him, Shepard looked on nervously between the 2 Maxus in turn looked over to Chakwas the red lenses of his helm glaring through her, "I care little for your demands or your requests, now get ready." He said to Shepard, and she begrudgingly got up to comply waving off the doctor, "it's not worth it doc." She said getting up and changing.
Once ready Maxus nodded to the door and she walked through leaving a seething Dr to report to her CO, as they moved through the Normandy Jane noticed they weren't heading to the normal situation room or the command area a deck up. Finally coming to the elevator she noticed the 'knight' input the hanger as their destination 'makes sense not a lot of places for the big guys to hang out, although why the hell are they here?' she looked up at him finally asking, "What are you doing on board?" there was an uneasy silence for a few seconds she notice his helmet make more of the soft beeps, "That will be answered in the brief." Was the terse reply, "so are you like an actual knight orrr…?" 'Throne guide me, these mortals test me so'
Arriving in the bay Shepard noticed Alenko, Williams and Anderson standing near a makeshift table with information and data projections strewn about, Technicians were running about the place standing at the opposite side of the table was the Chaplain Durandal, his oath papers marking out his service in the 3rd crusading host-and wait, where'd that come from? "Oath papers." She murmured to herself unaware Maxus could still hear her, he noted that and immediately voxxed his team.
Durandal's brow furrowed in thought as he considered what Maxus had just informed him. "So, we know about the Geth? But you wouldn't tell us about the other potential hostiles." He considered Anderson and his question before responding. "There are 4 potential threats overall aside from the Geth, 3 individual threats but the 4th is a combination of all threats including the geth." Durandal stated, he and the kill team were going over their plan privately via vox link this was more a formality for the mortals.
"What are these threats?" Shepard asked, instantly all the marines looked to her causing her to freeze like a deer in headlights. "For that I will hand over to Brother Grullor." Durandal turned to the 'Robot' it took the centre and began. "The 3 threats we face are different in their capabilities, I will break them down as much I as am able as per imperial sanctions and decrees per inquisition dictates, you as mortal soldiery are not allowed to access certain 'truths'." He clarified. It looked at the commander and her team, Alenkos hand raised up slowly, "I will not take questions lieutenant." It responded.
"The first are the enemy we initially dispatched to engage being Orkoids from waaagh Spine-Rippa, these creatures had some of their 'freebootas' in orbit of the facility we were sent prior to Eden prime." Shepard looked asit played a recoding on a screen of the team's engagement with an Ork patrol the massive meganobs slobbering jaw bellowing incoherently at Sa'kan as he burned it. Shepard blinked and looked at 'Dragon' "Sa'kan?" she asked him pointing to him, a grin on her face, the Salamander looked to her then to his brothers before letting out a bark "indeed lady commander." He responded; his voice was full of warmth.
Grullor looked to Sa'kan his mind processing it, he then looked to the Chaplain, his augmetic mind formulating ideas and processes that could explain the phenomena happening. "The next are the Tyranids, specifically a splinter tendril of hive fleet Kronos, the world was infected with a gene-stealer cult, a type of insurrectionist and forward scouting form for the tyranids." The next piece of footage Shepard noted that it showed Shevrim slitting the throat of a 5th generation Purii bio form as Sa'kan burned Maelignaci and Hybrids. Shepard wasn't as surprised just disgusted, which was confusing along with apparently being able to identify the creatures. As Williams and the others watched on in growing sick apprehension this time Shepard turned to the 'Shark' lurking in the shadows it was forcing the Geth head onto its belt pack, "Shevrim?" Shepard called out, once again grabbing the room's attention, it looked away from its work for a brief second and nodded.
"Finally, the herectics." Next was a video with imagery auto blurred, the infernal symmbology and blasphemous curse being bellowed filtered via the augur and vox systems as to deter any memetic hazards, as the video continued Andersons jaw clinched he watched as a woman raving blurs on parts of her skin, hooks piercing her flesh in others, a spiked gag in her mouth forcing it open as she attempted to rave and slash at the chest of Durandal who simply pulped her head and threw her aside Maxus came to his side bringing his bolter to bear on a group of shambling disease ridden workers. Shepard could only feel fire and hate but looking to the others she saw their faces aghast.
After a moment of silence Shepard looked to the 'knight' "Maxus, bit rude big guy your mom ever tell you it's impolite to peep on girls." She teased, the others broken from their stupor looked to her then the knight. "The Codex Astartes dictates my actions, not the mortal concept of parenthood." Again, there was silence, Grullor broke it. "The herectics actions speak for themselves, they need little discussion they are filth, scum that has not just betrayed their ideals but our own species." He went onto discuss how the local government had degenerated and sought to usurp control from imperial forces. "They seek to sell themselves to patrons beyond their comprehension." Was all Durandal would offer.
"We will enter here after issuing a call to the Vaunted and tell the crew to begin standard isolation and containment procedures, we cannot afford any of these groups to get a hold of the ship." Durandal stated looking at an image of the exposed hull, the Kill Team was preparing themselves. "You will need to clear out, tell your pilot to get us a close as he dares the rest is on us." He joined Sa'kan at the front of the group near the hanger doors, there was aloud thunk as Shepards group came up to them armed and armoured.
Jane rolled her shoulders looking up at Durandal, "So Chaplain any advice?" Durandal regarded her, "move fast, stay alert, stay with us if there are tyranids or herectics they may attempt to take you and the Gunnery Chief as breeding stock." Ashely stopped fiddling with her avenger a look of horror etched onto her face, "oh fuck no." the doors opened, depressurising the hanger the space marines barely moved as the commander's team had to activate magnetic locks. As it opened, they could see inside the Vaunted, this 'Joker' was surprisingly skilled, Durandal leapt clearing the gap and into the damaged and exposed decks. Kill Team Ember followed Sa'kan taking Alenko, Maxus taking Shepard and Grullor lifting Williams across, once aboard a ping lit up the HUD's of Shepards team they accepted and were introduced to a 'vox link'.
Continuing along a hallway, oil dripping and chains once holding parts in place rattled as the group made their way towards the bridge.
"I don't need luck. I have ammo." – Grunt, Mass Effect 2
Shepard looked around fascinated by the hallways there was iconography and propaganda images that she clearly recognised as human, but it was different, it was more exaggerated was the right word the symbols of skulls emblazoned on wings or 2 headed eagles everywhere. As they got closer Grullor stopped pointing something out, Shepard stopped 2 feet away from a floating skull. It was mindlessly carrying out an action but stopped after a burst of binaric from Grullor the device came zooming over to him, he downloaded data from it before adding in new commands for it to follow, and Shepard and her team just stared as the large man played with the skull.
The tension between the two groups hung thick before, "find anything interesting?" Jane asked, Grullor looked at her and shook his head. "Nothing, I am repurposing the servo skull, it will act as forward recon device."
"We are near the bridge, Sa'kan try and contact the captain or techpriest Ra-t4x," Durandal ordered, he didn't want Grullor over worked, his brother's technical expertise were proving instrumental in their predicament. They continued onward, eventually coming to a section that caused the marines to halt, "up ahead movement, prepare." Was all that Shepards team heard from Shevrim as the marines seemingly melted into the shadows of the corridor, leaving them to scramble into cover. As they did so the patter of footfalls was heard as a group of humans rounded a corner into the corridor.
Shepard gave the new group a once doing a slightly double take when she noticed one had a gun arm. "Chaplain one of these guys have really big gun arm." Kaidan patted her arm and pointed to another figure in the group, she followed his finger and saw a figure clad in red robes that seemed to be looking around it carried some kind of staff but what got her was the ominous green glow coming from under its hood. The figure stopped and looked directly at the container she and Kaidan were behind. "Unidentified Humans, reveal yourselves or by the will of Omnissiah you will suffer."
Tech-Priest Ra-T4x continued to stare at the containment unit which the intruders were hiding behind, his augmetics picking up their gears electronic noise. He contemplated simply having servitor unit B-909 opening fire with its Las-Gatling but that would waste potential resources, especially if there were more interlopers aboard they'd need stamped out. "No need Tech Priest." From the Shadows on Ra-T4x's left out stepped Durandal, "the mortals are local to this system, you may reveal yourself Commander Shepard." Shepard and her team stepped out into view moving up to Durandal and the Tech Priest. Stopping just short as the rest of the Kill team also moved up to form around their leader. "Tech Priest Ra-T4x report on current situation. Forward me any data as needed." Grullor spoke marching up to the 'Priest.'
"Remaining crew at 23.45% operational capacity, many died in the translation, however charts from astropathic Choir indicate we are on the outskirts of the of the Scarus Sector. Close to the Halo Stars." Ra-T4x recited off, its electronic voice unnerving to Jane. "What of the boarders? We have seen no sign of them." Durandal asked it, looking down at it as they now moved to the bridge, he would pray for the lost souls later now those that remained would need him. "Tyranic Bio-Forms and unidentified Xenos constructs are locked in combat on level 2 subsection 6, Arms men have been positioned defences to ensure any attempt to leave is stopped."
They arrived on the bridge a crew man jumping up and saluting "M'lords, thank the throne, Captain Olena is gone Tech-Priest Ra-T4x is acting captain." The young man spewed out; he clearly didn't expect to be here. "At ease, private, have what's left of the arms men ready themselves, Commander Shepard and her people will aid us in clearing out the Xenos, a fleet is coming, a human fleet also belonging to the commander's people." All heads turned to look at her most were shaken, "uh, yeah ill contact captain Anderson now to make sure everything's finalised." Shepard jerked her head towards the situation table signalling to Alenko and Williams to go overas she stepped off to the side.
"Captain, this ships not doing too well apparently 80% of the crew is dead and those bug things they showed us are inside along with the Geth" she commed quietly, her voice steady despite the uncertainty of their situation.
"Damn, 3rd fleet is on the way Shepard, did the 'Chaplain' say anything?" there was annoyance in his voice at the mention of the kill team leader.
"Just that we're going to help him clear the bugs and bots out, and that the fleet may help when it arrives." She looked over to Durandal and his warriors as they directed crew men were necessary. "They got another robot guy called Ra-T4x he seems to be in charge of the ship, all the command staff bit it on the ride here from what I heard…they called this place the 'scarus sector' near something called the halo stars?"
Durandal looked to the Tech priest as it spoke rapidly babbling on and on about the current predicament, Grullor however stopped the binaric jabbering with a question, "what do you mean the charts you used are outdated?" the priest tilted its head sideways in a questioning manner, "Astropathic Choir charts and Vaunted algorithms accounted for stellar drift, I re-ran these several times and cross referenced to confirm results, it would appear they are close to existing fragments of data available on pre dark age charts."
That caught the entire team's attention, Durandal looking over at Shepard, the team was tapped into her comms thanks to Grullor and could hear her reporting back to her superior. He looked to his brothers before sighing, "Commander come here, you and your team need to confirm something for us." Shepard paused excusing herself before joining them he saw the Gunnery Chief and Lieutenant wandered over after eyeing the crew and looking at things. "What is the current year, date and so forth by your reckoning it is needed to help recalibrate certain systems to better localise." Grullor expertly bombarded them with just enough info that made the other members doubt it would hold Shepards curiosity at bay for long, but it would suffice.
Jane answered their questions but had so many more, she could tell Williams and Alenko could to they seemed unnerved by the everything, looking out the side of her eye, Jane saw a man with milky white eyes plugged into a console operating it, she knew it was a servitor, she knew it was probably a criminal she also knew that some of the mortal crew were serfs 'slaves' who would likely never see the light of day going onto, live, fight and die aboard this ship. She looked back to Durandal just as Kaidan finally snapped, "What the hell's going on here!" he demanded, he pointed to a servitor in a bay operating console, "is that a person? Is it even alive and is that thing in the robes an AI? Who the hell are you people- "
"Alenko that's enough stow it." Jane snapped, "We're outnumbered, out gunned and after seeing them fight…" they had every advantage here, she couldn't do something stupid and have to fight her way out they wouldn't make it. A large hand rested on Alenkos shoulder it was Sa'kan Kaidan noticed it was a prosthetic of some kind. "Brother, I think they are owed at least some direct answers they are not like most mortals." He said calmly looking directly at Durandal. "If they are from before the Age of Strife, they're understanding of things would be similar to our own, they could comprehend certain truths better." Grullor spoke over the vox.
"We asked you for the current date to confirm if ours matched." Durandal said looking back at out the tactical layout and surveillance footage of the Geth and Tyranids engaging one another in the Ships bowels. Jane was confused, what the hell did that mean its 999.m4- she blinked no its 2183 she blinked and looked at Durandal what he just said sinking in slightly, "it's not 999.m41." she stated, Williams and Alenko looked at her bemused. Durandal nodded, "it is not, it would appear the warp has not been kind to us, we are far from the light of the astronomicon." Shepard raised a hand waving It around the team in general, "your human, no you were human?" she looked at them all that caught her teams' attention. "Mam?" Williams asked her uneasily looking between them. "Indeed, Maxus remove your helm brother." The young castellan looked to his kill team leader before cautiously complying.
Once the helmet was removed Williams let out a soft gasp, the face was human and startling young, it had age and stress lines but it looked no older than early 20s's or 30's but she saw it, the same echoes of something she had saw in herself and others from Torfan but then she looked closer and longer, it had small faded scars here and there, one on the bottom lip looking it had been split at some point, the hair was cropped short with little on the sides of the head, an almost un-natural shade of blue eyes boring into her but she noticed the inhuman features the longer she looked, it appeared to be barely breathing, the head along with its features were slightly exaggerated than a normal humans and the eyes conveyed so much, it's said the eye is the window to the soul, that a spark of sentiency can be seen in them, here its eyes were both unreadable and yet conveying a solid and critical analysing glare that made he seem like something out of a goddamn movie. Williams and Alenko stared, their brains not comprehending it 'this is some sick joke, right' was all Kaidan could think.
"h-how old are you big guy?" Jane asked him, she noticed a look dance across his face briefly, it was so, so very brief but it was so vivid… it was annoyance. "I am 60 terran standard years old." 60, ok that wasn't insane maybe some black-market tech and gene therapies the alliance or other human groups are working on she didn't know about could do it, it really couldn't be what Durandal was getting at, it couldn't be but then… "What about the rest of you?"
Sa'kan spoke up first, "94 standard years of service." He said nodding at them that caused Williams to stutter. "211 years, 293 days, 15 hours…" Grullor began to spout off his service time before remembering most mortals didn't care for such detail, "211 years." He said before going back to working on damage reports with the Tech priest. From behind Shepards team Shevrim rasped out, "302 standard years." The one called Williams flinched back he noted before her, and the male started babbling on about how that shouldn't be possible. "301 standard years." Durandal finished.
"90 years of service to the mechanicum." All eyes were on the tech priest. It shrugged, "I am also trans-human mi'lords, and with this session I believe we have confirmed we are indeed back in time before the Dark Age of Technology, before the men of iron rose and somehow Terra is near the Ghoul stars according to the data Lord Grullor has given me. But I believe there is a solution, I will need time to confirm it." it looked at Jane tilting its head, "such events are not entirely unheard when utilising warp travel, access to the past/future, alternate realities or timelines have been noted by survivors and as such their methods of survival, I will commune with your captain, the technology aboard this ship is dangerous." It threw in the last part as it gave her a pointed look. At least she assumed it was doing that.
"Look, say I believe what your saying that you are from the future or an alternate timeline or something, if you're expecting help you have to give us something, that Geth ship gave you guys a wide meaning it knows your packing some serious firepower…" she looked between them all, hoping they'd throw her a bone. "we've got the Geth on the loose, a rogue Turian spectre along with whatever I'm having visions about—"
"Visions? What visions?" Maxus looked at her, his hand unconsciously moving to the combat knife at his hip, the action went unnoticed by the mortals, his brothers however tensed, "be at peace, son of Guilliman, give them time to explain." Sa'kan looked at him wearily, Durandal however was staring at Shepard, his eye lenses boring into her causing the commander and her squad to shift uncomfortably. "you've seen my memories and the visions from that throne damned beacon." The kill team looked to one another unsure of what to say, "you've been touched by xenos warp craft brother chaplain?" Maxus was demanding and answer, this caused Sa'kan and Shevrim to glare at the younger marine, "she saw Him." Durandal said before rounding on the younger warrior, "I remind you Brother I am a Black templar, my lineage that of the first of his Champions, do you not think I know his touch on my mind I have felt it before when I have taken up the black blade." Maxus face was hard, the only light being projected by the holo display beside him. "She must be vetted properly Brother." He gritted out.
"She will be," Durandal turned back to look Shepard and her team, "come we must arm you; your weapons will do little to affect tyranid combat forms." He moved followed by Grullor, Shevrim looked to Maxus and beckoned him over. Sa'kan stood with Shepards group before nodding his head slightly. "Come mortals, the Devourer calls." He said ominously disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.
Shevrim watched as they disappeared hurrying after the Salamander, "Your distrust of your brothers is worrying Maxus." Instantly the young marines face contorted in rage, "Brothers now are we, all you first born have done is pass remark at my conduct, I may not have fought in the Indomitus crusade, but I am an Astartes and now my leader may be tainted by Xenos witchery." His face was but an inch from Shevrims helmet, "so tell me veteran brother, why should I not move to apprehend him, to relieve him of command." Under his helm Shevrim smiled, "Because Maxus you will die, I would kill you here and now…however I do share your concern we all do even Durandal…but he is right about one thing." Maxus waned in his fury rage turning to confusion. "You do not know the Touch of the Emperor like a Templar does, you do not even know your own Primarch like you think you do, you know the codex, the codex that while useful is not infallible…even Guiliman knows this otherwise he would enforce its usage on all chapters no matter their heritage. It is a guide; you are in the watch to learn how to operate outside of that guide." He reached up putting a hand on Maxus' shoulder, "during your service you will encounter many strange things that even the Codex cannot truly prepare you for, in these you can only rely on yourself, your judgement and experiences you must learn to adapt yourself and the codex to suit or perish…none of us wish to see you perish Maxus." Shevrim walked off leaving the young marine in a swirl, he eventually huffed and followed.
"Faith is our shield, wrath is our sword!" – Brother Haldrin 6th crusader host black templars chapter
In the armoury Grullor selected 3 standard Hotshot Lasguns for the mortals, the weapons were part of a stock kept by the late inquisitor for her retinue. Willimas lifted one looking at it as Alenko whistled thumbing the aquila, "bit bulky for a laser gun." Shepard commented hefting it up. "Inquisitorial stormtroopers are armed with them, they are standard Hotshot Lasguns, often called Hellguns by the users." He informed dully. "The weapons draw on external energy sources for a more penetrative shot, but are also more complex, requiring reinforced barrels, thermal-cooling cells and gyro-stabilized power packs." He began breaking down for them as Alenko questioned, "why are the power packs stabilised like that, how'd you make Gyros small enough?" Grullor paused, "the weapons are made enmasse in a manufactorum their exact construction I am unaware of, however the weapons will not jam, and penetrate most armours, they should not be impeded by these kinetic barriers your people make use of." Williams was looking down the sights of a Lucius-pattern hellpistol, "Why don't you guys use them, if they're so good?" 'Good question williams' Shepard said internally she was fiddling with her own 'hellgun' it was surprisingly simple design, it kind of looked like an old gun powder rifle.
Grullor without missing a beat responded, "using flashlights is considered a last resort for Astartes." Shepard and her team looked to one another "flashlight?" Alenko asked before they were interrupted by a heavy thumping Maxus appeared with 2 of the massive automatic weapons, they used in the fighting on Eden prime. "The Hesh-pattern boltgun, it has been in use since M36—" Grullor began, "-the bolters are smaller in size, making them well-suited for fighting in confined spaces such as the confines of the Vaunted. The bolters incorporate an integral folding stock, motion predictor, and prey-sense sight." Maxus handed one to Grullor, "Kraken rounds loaded brother."
Sa'kan sauntered out his flamer gun swapped for a rather unique weapon. "I was unaware the inquisitor had an Immolation rifle?" Grullor looked at him, "I assumed Watch-fort Erioch would be more choosing of who such weapons were handed to." Sa'kan grinned under his helm, "as would I brother, seems He is favouring us more and more this day." There was a soft clicking as Shevrim appeared looking over a bolt pistol. "The Artifex Pattern bolt pistol, multi-spectral augur lenses, silacharibdis shot selector and gene-grip bio-veritor that seems to be unselected? I could input your signature brother?" Grullor looked at him as loaded and communed with the machine spirit of the bolter, which seemed pleased to be in the hands of an Astartes again. "Maybe after this Kinsmen." What had everyone more interested was the chain blade he in his left hand. "That is an old pattern, it's a relic." Grullor sounded as concerned as a space marine could about such a thing, the concern coming from this apparent abundance of Astartes War-gear aboard the vessel of an inquisitor. "The Thunder Edge Pattern chainsword, it was used during the Great Crusade." He said looking at it with reverence, Shepard just looked at the fuck-off sized chainsaw a bit wide-eyed. "Whys that important?" Alenko asked as Williams was looking at it like a hungry wolf, "You had chainsaw swords on here? Chain saw swords and you're giving me a laser gun?" she walked over to hesitantly look at it until Shevrim revved it, the promethium fuel kicking up sparks and flames. "This blade was wielded by a warrior of the Legions during the Heresy, this Chain saw sword, is 10,000 years old." He rasped out, looking it over. "It was not meant for the likes of an inquisitor."
Durandal finished his prayer his hand resting on his Crozius Arcanum as he knelt, rising and walking to an altar, an ornate pistol lay on it, his Melta pistol was undergoing service-rites. He picked up the pistol and headed out to his brothers, Sa'kan noticed him and his new side arm, "An Infernus Pistol? Maybe the Promethean Creed is finally getting to you brother." He knew Sa'kan was smiling, the Salamander had initially been dour of temperament upon arrival at the watch-fort.
Such was not what Salamanders were known for, but since his assignment to Durandals team he'd finally had others not of his Chapter to philosophise with, to share and discuss experiences. Sa'kan had the potential to be a legend in his Chapter such that even Durandal could see it. "Perhaps Brother, perhaps I will make a Chaplain of you as well." A good-natured response that provoked short barks of laughter from Shevrim and Grullor. Durandal turned to Shepard and her team, "come, you must steel yourselves, kneel and pray with us." They looked to each other incredulously, "uhhh, sure?" Shepard walked out of the room with her team as they followed behind her, they had been led to an alcove of some sorts with a shrine in the middle, a massive golden statue of some warrior holding a sword to his breast with a stern face once there Durandal turned one hand palm down and lowered it, "kneel, sons and daughters of terra." He had taken out his book in the offhand. The Space marine kill team did as they were ordered.
"What is it to be a warrior of the emperor?" he looked across the brothers of his kill team as they bowed their heads. He'd lit lumens and fanned holy incenses around the room, he began to dip his Aquilia in blessed oils. Swinging it slowly in an almost hypnotic motion its chains wrapped tightly around his gauntlet.
"It is to be death." they responded solemnly. Shepard and her team looked around them cautiously kneeling. A waft of some strong metallic smelling oils and a hazy smoke from a stinging crisp incense burned her nostrils and eyes slightly. Her vision distorted and blurred slightly everything in the room taking on an exaggerated darker, Grimmer, tone. The artificial fire in the lanterns on the wall crackles and pops intensified, and she almost couldn't bring herself to look up at Durandal.
"What is it to be death?" Durandal paced in front of the warriors slowly he stopped in front of Shepards team to flick them with oils before continuing. Kaidan flinched and had started muttering a prayer from the bible he half-remembered. Ashely was currently inhaling all the vapour from the incense trying not to stare around her, the feeling of her own smallness in comparison to the room and marines making her feel off until she focused in on the Chaplains words. Shepard felt the oil soak into her skin and heard the drumbeat of her heart as it seemed to match the thumping of Durandals boots
"It is our duty." The marines intoned in a fashion that was eerily monotone and robotic the volume of the response had increased as well. Ashely mumbled the same thing a moment after, while Kaidans brow furrowed as a sweat drop rolled off and Shepard was squinting there, she felt a buzzing in the back of her skull.
"And what is YOUR DUTY!" the rising tone that Durandal started in slowly growing more and more to this final shout that had jolted Jane and her team, she shook her head, it was like she was being told off some part of her brain itched to repeat the marines actions she looked to Ashely who seemed to be joining in and Kaidan who had his eyes closed muttering something to himself.
"Our duty is death" came the response the marine's heads were still bowed, Shepard hadn't noticed that the hard orange lights reflecting of the black of their helms, there seemed to be a condensation build up on their armour and hers, she saw Williams become more and more 'devout' would be the accurate word and Kaidan actually 'steel' himself she looked up into the eyes (or rather lenses) of the Chaplain who was staring down at her.
The room suddenly felt very small as she looked at the skull faced helmet. He seemed to convey a variety of emotions, disgust, hate, rage, worry, defiance or confidence all at once in that moment. Durandal cupped her chin rising her up onto her feet, "Ave Imperator, the Emperor Protects Jane Shepard and we are his Angels of Death."
The haze in the room cleared, "Arise brothers." Durandals voice seemed to come out in a calm even tone the belied the previous ceremony or rather ritual without saying a word they filed out, secure in themselves and their task leaving the 3 stunned and stupefied mortals to flounder after them.
Standing at the entrance Durandal noticed Shepard and her team seemed a lot more confident, they were taking this whole situation rather well if his prior experience with mortals was anything to by. She'd have made a worryingly effective member of the inquisition. Despite his musings he was still with in his thoughts enough to enter the hallway to subsection 6 as the door unlocked and slid open. Behind them was 2 kill boxes of servitors and arms men stationed diagonally on both sides of the hallway so as to aim and overlap fire. Looking down the hall only revealed an infuriating sight for Durandal and his brothers, Imperial soldiery strewn about the hall, a limb here or organ there. Some Hormogaunts were mixed in with surprisingly a few Geth parts he stopped at one of the 'Geth Primes' currently pinned to a wall by the decapitated claw of a warrior form. Clearly even the Geth were struggling lacking the advanced teleportation and living metal bodies of Necrons. One thing he noticed was a mixture of 3 main types of Geth. "Shepard the Geth forms here are similar to the ones from Eden Prime?" he and the rest of Embers had a rough idea of what to expect due to the recent encounter on Eden Prime, hit was more to knock some sense into Shepard and her team, the one known as Willams seemed to retch and heavy, she didn't however empty her stomach. Most mortal soldiery he'd encountered would have instantly been disheartened except for the more elite guard regiments.
"Yeah," she looked around her stomach churning at the sights, her mind rolling back to Torfan. "there's Hoppers, they are ambush and cyberware focused, Shevrim killed one to save Williams, there's Hunters probably what we need to worry about the most they're equipped with a tactical cloak and then these ones-" she kicked the twisted hunk of metal in the shape of a melted Geth torso. "we've been calling them pyros, reports from Eden Prime said they'd be used to clear out small spaces."
Sa'kan looked to the remnant of the Abominants, he had easily picked up on what Shepard had meant by clearing out small spaces. The small nooks and crevices of an urban battlefield that allowed for children and other innocents to crawl into and hide away. The fire in his chest had begun to swell.
Kaiden wasn't as bothered as he probably should be, the sheer carnage upon their arrival would have made him not just nervous but afraid. Whatever these Experiments had done in that ritual made him less afraid he felt more sure, more confident in himself. Looking at the mission clock on his HUD they'd been walking to a storage area in the hallway that was the only place big enough for the larger Aliens, the Tyranids. The fact they got bigger was not fun, but that's why the Chaplain and his guys were here. He looked at the big one 'Sa'kan' he noticed it? Him? Him tighten the grip on his flamethrower when Shepard talked about the Pyro Geth he was about to start talking to him when they halted. Durandal up ahead had his fisted raised, he turned his head slightly and nodded. At the nod Sa'kan moved forward followed by Shevrim, Durandals voice came over their comms, "Follow us closely do not get separated." As they entered the storage area Kaiden noticed that it was less a storage area and more a bunker seriously everything about these guys was just unnecessary. He could hear the sounds of mass accelerator fire and snarling? The snarling turned into growling which then became roars. Looking into the back of the room he could maybe 9 Geth fighting against a larger number of these Tyranids, it wasn't pretty. The Geth were pretty much resorting to using their pyros to keep them at bay as a hopper was near a console. Durandal looked over to where Shevim and Sa'kan were positioned "manoeuvre Ulox-theta 4, divide and conquer." Shevrim slipped into the shadows seemingly disappearing as Sa'kan kicked some large crates over, his Immolator spewing concentrated promethium fuelled flame at the rear of the Tyranids 4 of the creatures screeching as they were cooked alive. At the same time Grullor had begun advancing to Geth position taking potshots Maxus followed making sure to lay down suppressive fire for his brother to advance.
"Shepard follow Maxus and Grullor they are your cover." Durandal pointed his pistol at a snarling Warrior-form and firing the creature dove out of the way the shot taking one of its arms with it instead hitting Hormagaunt causing its back plate to explode into debris. "Chaplian I see the leader form it's a prime." Voxxed Maxus "where is it, can you kill it?" the quickest way to handle tyranids is to kill any of the leadership caste and the lower organisms fall into disarray, standard doctrine when dealing with the filth. "The Geth have captured it and others, the hole in the wall must lead to a docked vessel." Durandal without missing a beat swung his crozius in an arc smashing in the skull of a charging Hormagaunt, following through to block a strike form the lone warrior form. "Stop them and prepare to vent this storage area." Maxus didn't need to respond he simply complied, throwing in a krak grenade as Grullor had reached the console. "Alenko here with me you will aid me in counter acting the Geths actions." Shepard and Williams laid down cover fire when she noticed the Hopper crawling along the roof of the bay. "Williams bring that thing down I'll cover you." Willaims started taking shots finally hitting the Hopper in the arm severing it and causing it to fall into the Tyranids. Suffice to say there wasn't much left as the crowd of gaunts began to tear into it. "The tyranids are still too focused and coordinated are there other leader forms?" Sa'kans voice came over the comms, "Shepard ba—" Maxus managed to barely grab the commander when 2 warrior forms cut their way through the remaining geth one grabbing Williams and immediately turning around. "I have her Maxus kill the other one." Sa'kan on pure instinct began to fight his way through the Tyranids. Maxus shouldered his bolter and emptied the magazine into the creature as it fell upon him the lower half being torn away. It snapped and swiped even as it apparently died. Using his bolter, he swung his arm out throwing the creature away as Shepard groaned and cried in his arm, she threw up her arm a biotic push sending more of advancing the creatures back as Maxus reloaded.
Sa'kan was wading through the burnt corpses of the tyranids nearing the warrior form holding Williams, she was resisting her hardest as the creature begun peeling her armour off. This he would not allow; never again would innocents suffer while he stood ready. His immolator cutting a fine arc through what little remained of the Geth and the last of the jabbering Tyranids, its flame so concentrated and pure it appeared like the beam of a Particle or Las-weapon. The exposed flesh joints and musculature of the tyranids sizzling and charring upon contact with heir carapaces the beam so hot it not only cut through them but cooked what meat was left. The Geth fared little better the heat of the beam overwhelming their shields, overloading internal components and optics.
The fire in Sa'kans chest had been reaching a blistering bonfire as he approached, the warrior-form had removed some of Williams leg plates unaware of the approaching bulwark. She kicked, screamed and raged when her lasgun was ripped from her hands she begun to beat against the thing kicking and screaming now she had her hands on its face trying to gouge its eyes, only problem was it had more than 2, the fuckers hot breath fogging up her helmet, she'd felt it peel off her armour around her legs. She just thought it was these Space Marines fucking with her but no, this thing was about to use her as some kind of brooding mother, not on her watch. She fumbled for something anything and feeling some sharp jagged debris behind she desperately tried to grab for it, "you'll not be taking me alive you son of a bitch." She spat at it, noticing her attempt it pinned her arms choosing to forgo using its weapons. She turned away, tears welling in her eyes until she felt the weights on her arms being torn away, she blinked and looked up to see the creature being hoisted into the air by its neck, behind it stood Sa'kan "While I still draw breath…While there is a fire lit in my hearts…I swear by my Primarch…In the name of Vulkan, you xenos will not have her." Grabbing its lower back, he held the creature to his chest and pulled, to Williams the scene lasted for hours, in reality Sa'kans gene-enhanced and power-armour reinforced strength allowed him to simply tear the beast in 2 with little effort the flaming rage in his chest fuelling his hate looking down at the mortal woman she regarded with fear and awe in equal measure. "On your feet, Ashely Williams the emperor has not relieved you of your duty yet..." he turned his back to her standing proud and defiant, she had stopped her heavy breathing and stood up armed with the jagged shard of metal she'd planned to kill herself with if seconds ago, "Y-yessir…come get some you xenomorph rip-off fucks!" Williams all but screamed Sa'kan looked at the stragglers he could see the Geth had apparently escaped with their prize of bio-forms the hole that should have sucked the creatures into the void was immediately sealed, a concern for later, now there was xenos that needed to by purged and without a second thought he kicked a part of the warrior forms remnants at an incoming Hormagaunt throwing the creature back into the baying crowd as he roared "VULKAN LIVES!" charging at the crowd immolator raised the searing hot beam cutting through several other gaunts. From the other side of the crowd Durandal fell upon them catching the disorganised creatures off guard "By the blood of Dorn!" the cry rang out,his crozius crashing down onto a Termagaunts spine as a Hormagaunt leaping onto his arm as he tried to fire the infernus pistol, seeing his Team leaders movements stifled Shevrim revved his chain blade and took over the assault of the chaplain silently cutting vicious swathes through the remaining creatures as Sa'kan also distracted the creatures from the front his immolator firing out a continual beam he looked at immolator ensuring it wouldn't overheat with such reckless usage, there was little he could except silently thank its machine spirits muttering a litany of gratitude under his breath to them, Williams heard nothing his voice barely audible.
Throwing off his attacker Durandal looked at his right arm, his shoulder gouged and wrought it would need repaired he refocused as he brought the Infernus pistol to bare on the last termagaunt, giving the creature a hateful glare behind his eye lenses and firing. The group reconvened at Maxus who was standing over Shepard, "-ext time big guy give a lady some warning before you decide to break her arm." Durandal overheard the end of the witch apparently telling off the young warrior as she cradled her limp arm. Alenko was stooped over her waving the device on his arm over her, "looks like her arms been severely dislocated it'll need popped back in." he looked at her wincing, Sa'kan stood beside Durandal observing the scene, "I can assist her." He spoke softly, kneeling down taking her shoulder gently he tore a strip of Durandal's loincloth as the Chaplain stood silently behind him. He folded it and handed it to Shepard, "remove your helm commander and bite down." He spoke making her lie back against the ground and holding her arm out, he gently pushed with his other hand as Shepard grunted, "Fffuu….ckkkk" as the large marine reset her shoulder. Grullor was standing observing the scene before speaking to Durandal, "The Vaunteds machine sprits resisted the Geth, I found many of them still in the systems and purged them." Durandal considered this, "good, very good…" he looked at the hole, "Mi'lord the Alliance has arrived." Came the voice of the tech-priest the vox. "Send word to Anderson and others of rank they will need to be debriefed, I'm sure he will want to see his wayward commander." He began walking away as Shevrim and Maxus followed.
Shepard was hoisted to her feet by Alenko and Williams as Sa'kan stood nearby giving her a nod seemingly waiting on them as Grullor was surveying the area, "I will bring up the rear brother, Adept Ra-T4x send down clearance teams and prepare a docking bay for the arrival of the Alliance commanders." The priest then directly voxxed the Gorgon-son, "Your kill-teams' weapons have been properly maintained Mi'lord, have the Abominable intelligences been cleared from the Vaunted?" the tech priest sounded highly concerned, "you are to be commended adept the Vaunted's machine spirits attacked the Geth subroutines like hounds to a hunt. I will make a record of this, along with the rest of your conduct…well done." There was a long pause before the adept responded stuttering and mumbling a response which caused Grullors brow to furrow in confusion. "T-t-hank you v-very much Mi'lord that is very high praise coming from a scion of the Iron Hands." He didn't respond instead following behind Shepards group he could hear them chattering away over the vox they were seemingly unaware of this fact despite being so against it on Eden Prime.
"How's the arm Skipper?" Williams asked her, "stings like a bitch medi-gel is putting in work…" she trails off, "…wait Skipper?" Alenko was fiddling with his lasgun as they walked, "think they'll let us keep the laser guns?" he asked, "you may indeed keep the Hellguns however the usage is limited to yourselves, I will add a gene-grip meaning they will self-destruct if used by others." Grullor cut in catching them off guard. "I keep forgetting he's on our comm line." Muttered Alenko, Shepard just grinned, "Thanks Mr. Robot at least two of you know how to treat a lady." Grullor was perplexed for a brief second, "my name is Grullor." He responded bluntly, "I am not a machine, I merely aspire to the blessed purity of steel." Shepard just looked at her team-mates, another heavy thing to unpack with their super-mega soldiers' friends. "Ooookay…so we're meeting up with Anderson, right?"