Chapter 15
Escape to Nowhere
With a high wind rushing all around, the pilot of the cargo barge struggled to stay on course for Comstock House. On the forward deck, Benton and Xena clung on for dear life, praying they would not be swept off into the open sky.
"Sergeant Benton," EDI's voice sounded through the radio, "Do you read me?"
"I read you," he replied, eager for a distraction.
"I have attempted to carry out several scans of Comstock House, but they have all failed. I have concluded that the building is somehow shielded."
"Do you have any idea where Shepard's team is?"
"I do not, but previous scans showed that their target was on the 20th floor. I recommend searching there first."
"Thanks EDI, we'll keep you posted."
"I do not believe that will be possible Sergeant. The shielding on Comstock House has blocked my attempts to contact Shepard's team. I suspect your radios will be similarly affected."
"Walking into a building full of enemies and with no possibility of backup," Xena grumbled sarcastically, "Now that sounds like fun."
"I'm sure we'll handle it," Benton replied, "I mean, we already faced down those robots."
"Yeah, but what's to say this place doesn't have something much nastier waiting for us?"
The cargo barge made a sharp turn around a cluster of apartment buildings and they saw the three massive towers of Comstock House.
"There's our target," said Benton before addressing the pilot. "Fly toward the bottom of the structure, then go straight up. That way we'll avoid being seen."
"Got it," the pilot replied.
There was a clatter of controls and the cargo barge descended until it was skimming over a layer of cloud. Leaving behind the main platforms of Columbia, the barge flew into a patch of open sky, Comstock house looming over them, even more imposing than before.
"Maybe we should have brought Sarah and Gabrielle with us," said Benton as he looked up at the mass of steel and brick floating above him.
"No," Xena replied flatly, "It was the right call. If Shepard has been caught in a trap, then we're better off as a smaller team. Besides, they need all the help they can get in Shantytown."
Benton had to agree with her on that point. When they had flown back to the Vox Populi's stronghold the air had been thick with gunfire and explosions. Daisy Fitzroy had only just been able to tell them that her forces were being driven back on all fronts before hurrying away to help with the evacuation.
"Just make sure you get your friends back," she had shouted before disappearing into the crowd, "We'll hold out as long as we can!"
"But will that be long enough?" Benton thought grimly.
The barge reached the edge of Comstock House and began to rise. Before long they were passing large windows. At first, Benton feared that they would be seen, but soon noticed that the rooms and halls beyond were empty.
"Well at least we can be grateful for that," he sighed.
"Don't be so sure Sergeant," Xena replied, "It could mean that they've got their forces waiting in ambush, or have them concentrated around Shepard's team."
"Let's hope there's not too many to deal with," Benton replied.
They reached the 20th floor and the barge came to a halt, floating gently before a large bay window in front of a long hallway.
"What do you think is the best way to open-" Benton began, before Xena drove the hilt of her sword through the glass and reached inside to unlock the handle.
"You stay here," she said to the pilot, "With luck, we'll be back soon with Shepard's team."
"Got ya'" the pilot replied, "But what should I do if Comstock's men show up?"
"Use that gun of yours Xena replied, pointing to the pistol stuffed into the man's belt."
"Oh right, of course."
With the window unlocked, Xena opened it up and climbed through, Benton following close behind. Inside they found that the long corridor was richly decorated with carved wooden panels and electrical lights, covered by frosted glass. It was also completely deserted, with no sign that any life had passed through it in some time.
"EDI?" Benton said, keying his radio, "EDI can you hear us?"
"I… Sergeant… signal… weak… caution…"
"That shielding must be very effective," said Xena with a look of concern.
"EDI," Benton continued, hoping that enough of his message would get through to the Normandy, "We're in Comstock House. We'll contact you when we have Shepard."
"Under… Do… I… luck." EDI's broken voice echoed in reply.
"Okay," said Benton, looking to Xena, "Which way should we go?"
The warrior princess glanced up and down the hallway before pointing to the left.
"Let's check this way first, and stay alert, I don't like this place."
Benton could not help but agree. Though the day outside was bright and sunny, the interior of Comstock House felt cold and inhospitable.
Taking the lead, Xena headed down the hallway, sword drawn. At each door she would pause and press an ear against its surface, listening intently before moving on. Things carried on like this for another ten minutes, with Xena checking each door before moving on without comment. Benton was about to suggest they check another floor, when Xena held up a hand, and leaned more firmly against a set of double doors.
"Do you hear anything?" he asked.
"Voices," she whispered.
"What are they saying?"
"I can't tell, but I think one of them is Sherlock."
"Check the lock, you might be able to see what's going on."
Xena knelt down and put her eye to the keyhole. At first she could see nothing but a series of uneven grey and red surfaces. After a few moments she realised it was a line of the collector creatures Daisy had told them about. Sherlock's voice sounded out again, but she still could not make out his words.
"Yeah, Shepard's team is in there," she said, "And they're being guarded by those collector things."
"Let me see," Benton said.
Xena moved aside and he took her place at the keyhole.
"This is gonna be tough," he said, "There's got to be a hundred of those things in there."
"But they have their backs to us, and we have surprise on our side," said Xena. "How many grenades do you have?"
Benton checked his webbing. He had taken a number of grenades from the Normandy's armoury before they had set off for Monument Island, but had not used one, until now.
"About six," he replied.
"Enough for a shock attack. I'll open the door slightly and you throw in two. When they go off, we'll rush in and grab Shepard's team.
"This is a big risk. If it doesn't work, we'll be running into a heap of miseries."
"Then let's hope we've got luck on our side."
Xena gripped the door handle and slowly turned it. At the same time, Benton took two grenades from his webbing and prepared to prime them.
"On three," Xena whispered, "One. Two. Three!"
She opened the door. For a brief second Benton was able to see the backs of the collectors before he activated both of the grenades and tossed them into the room. Xena hastily slammed the door and for a few tense seconds they waited.
Each second seemed to stretch on forever. Benton began to wonder if he had properly primed the grenades, when two low bangs sounded out and the door shook.
"NOW!" Xena shouted.
She pulled the door open and Benton rushed in. The grenades had torn into the line of collectors, killing dozens, while others were badly wounded or confused. Beyond the mess of bodies was Shepard and his team, kneeling on the floor, looking rather confused.
"SHEPARD! DOCTOR!" Benton yelled, "GET UP! RUN!"
Taking another grenade from his webbing, he threw it to the far end of the hall where it exploded amidst the collectors who had almost recovered from the initial blasts. Others opened fire, but Benton tore into them with his Sterling.
With bullet and mass effect rounds flying about, the Doctor and Garrus grabbed Shepard while Watson used his powerful robotic fists to knock aside any collectors that came close. The surviving collectors were beginning to rally, when there was a ringing of metal and a razor-sharp disk spun through the air, slashing at them.
"MOVE!" Xena screamed, catching her chakram as it sailed back around to her.
Using his body as a shield, Watson covered the rest of the team as they sprinted for the door. Emptying the Sterling's magazine, Benton covered the others as they escaped the room. Xena was the last to leave, striking a collector who had tried to sneak up on them with her sword, almost slicing it clean in two.
"Nice one!" Benton shouted.
With the team out of the hall, he pulled out two grenades, one after the other, tossing them into the confused mass of collectors before slamming the door.
"Thank the spirits you came," Garrus coughed.
There was a sharp bang as the two grenades detonated, rocking the corridor.
"Come on!" Xena yelled, "The barge is this way!"
They took off down the hallway, Garrus and the Doctor still carrying Shepard.
"What's wrong with him?" Benton asked breathlessly.
"He's in shock," Garrus replied, "We have to get him outta here!"
There was a crack of splintering wood as the hall doors were smashed open, causing collectors to spill out into the corridor.
"KEEP GOING!" Benton yelled.
With mass effect rounds buzzing past, he fired the Sterling back down the hall, killing several of the insect like creatures.
"THERE!" shouted Xena, pointing to the open window where she had entered, the barge waiting for them just outside, "EVERYONE GET ON BOARD!"
Garrus and the Doctor arrived at the window and pushed Shepard through. Seeing that the team were escaping, the collectors drove forward their attack.
"Xena! You go next!" Benton shouted as he reloaded the Sterling.
"Not without you!" she shouted back.
She threw her chakram down the hallway, the circular blade ricocheting off the walls before cutting across the front ranks of collectors. Benton pulled out his last grenade and threw it at the assembled horde.
"GO!"
Xena just had time to grab her chakram as it bounced back before Benton shoved her through the open window, where they both landed on the barges' unforgiving deck.
"GO! GO!" he shouted to the pilot.
The pilot did not need to be told twice and swung away from the building as the grenade exploded, shattering the windows into countless fragments.
"GET US BACK TO SHANTYTOWN!" Benton ordered.
The engines whirled into life and the barge shot across the sky. A few surviving collectors fired on them from the ruined corridor, but already they were out of range for any accurate shooting.
"Well, that's not something you do every day," Xena remarked, raising her head a little.
"No… no it isn't Watson replied, sounding rather distant.
"EDI," Benton said, keying his radio, "EDI, we have Shepard and his team and are heading back to Shantytown now."
"Excellent work Sergeant," the AI replied, "I look forward to seeing you all soon."
Turning back to the team, Benton gave them a huge grin.
"Bet you didn't think I'd be saving your bacon on this mission Doctor?"
The Doctor looked at him, but his expression was flat, as if all the humour had been drained out of him.
"Doctor?" said Benton, starting to become worried, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"No Sergeant, no I'm fine. It's just… just…"
"We learned something shocking," Sherlock said, sounding almost as distant as his friend.
"What is it? What happened in there?" asked Benton.
Just then there was a tremendous flash of blue. The team looked up to see a vast split forming in the sky above.
"What on earth?" said Watson, suddenly focused.
"It's a portal," said Xena, "Like the one that Elizabeth opens."
"I don't think that's one of Elizabeth's," said Benton.
As they watched, the portal became even larger, and something began flying through. It was composed of semi-circular sheets of metal, with what looked like pieces of a massive beehive growing over it.
"What is that?" said Xena, looking up in awe.
"It's a collector ship," said Garrus, "Moriarty must have summoned it."
"You mean, it's used by those bug creatures?" said Benton.
"Yeah, they use them to raid colonies and kidnap humans."
"You think they're gonna do the same here?"
"I don't wanna stick around to find out."
Benton agreed and ordered the pilot to get all the speed he could out of the barge.
They sped on through the floating city. The collector ship continued to move out of the portal, it's size dwarfing even the largest of Columbia's platforms.
"What sort of weapons does that ship have?" Watson asked.
"It's particle beam guns cut through most armour like butter," Garrus replied. "One of them destroyed the Normandy like it was nothing."
"Destroyed the Normandy?"
"As much as it shames me to admit, yes. The Normandy we've been on is the second version."
"Well I hope it was up-gunned in that time," replied Benton, "Because it looks like we'll have to fight our way off this city."
The barge dropped down and they began flying through a cloud of thick smog, just as the full length of the collector ship left the portal. Benton looked around at the team. Xena was crouched at the front of the barge, while Watson and Sherlock lent against the loading crane, both looking extremely tired. Garrus and the Doctor looked equally haggard, but Shepard seemed the worst off. He lay on the wooden deck, unmoving, eyes staring blankly ahead.
"Is he wounded?" Benton asked.
"No," the Doctor replied, "But he's in shock. We need to get him to the infirmary."
A rumble went through the air, deep and low.
"What was that?" said Xena.
"Sounded like an explosion," Benton replied.
He peered into the smog and saw a yellowish flash somewhere above.
"Something just blew up, but I can't see what."
"Well let's not hang about to see what it was," said the pilot.
The barge sped on through the winding maze of warehouses and factories. As they got closer to Shantytown, the team heard the echoes of gunfire and shouts. Clearly Comstock's forces were pushing hard against the Vox Populi's defences. Meanwhile, through the haze of smoke, the vast shape of the collector ship could be seen moving itself over Finkton. Benton gulped. He hoped the Normandy would be able to out-manoeuvre the enemy vessel, or there was no way they would escape this situation.
By the time the barge reached Shantytown's dock, almost all the airships had gone, and the last civilians were climbing onboard the two still at their berth. There were also several barges that seemed to have just returned, loaded down with Vox fighters. One of them spotted Benton and began waving to him. The sergeant quickly realised it was Booker.
"Glad to see you got back!" he shouted.
"Likewise!" Booker shouted back, "But we've gotta get outta here! Did you see that ship!"
"We did! Garrus said it was a collector vessel!"
"That's all we need!"
The barge came to a halt beside the other three and Benton disembarked. Through the smoky air, the sounds of battle were even louder. Columbia security forces could not be more than a few streets away.
"What's the situation?" Booker asked as he hurried over. "EDI said she lost contact with Shepard's team."
"She did," Benton replied, "It looks like Comstock House was a trap. Miss Xena and I were able to rescue Shepard's team, but I think he's in shock."
Booker looked over the sergeant's shoulder and saw the commander being carried off the barge.
"You think it's serious?" he asked.
"I don't know," Benton replied, "We'll just have to get him to the medical bay and hope they can patch him up."
A screech suddenly cut through the air.
"LOOK OUT!" yelled a Vox fighter.
Benton and Booker dropped to their knees just as an explosion roared through one of the factories floating above the harbour. In moments the whole building began to break apart and fell from the sky, throwing out pieces of burning debris.
"What the hell was that?" Xena coughed.
There was a whooshing sound, like a jet fighter flying low. Benton saw a fine beam of golden light streak across the sky and slam into a cluster of buildings, reducing them to burning slag. A boom followed that shook the dock itself. Craning his head, Benton followed the beam's path and saw it went back to the collector ship, which was now turning its great bulk to face Shantytown.
"It's the collectors!" he said.
He knew at once there was no time to waste. The ship would soon blast the whole of Shantytown out of the sky.
"Where's Fitzroy?" Benton asked a nearby Vox fighter.
"Just down the street to the left," he replied.
"Right, get to the Normandy," Benton ordered the other team members, "I'll be there as soon as I can."
He took off down the dock and climbed a flight of steps to the street.
"But where are you going?" called Booker.
"To warn Fitzroy!" Benton shouted back.
Turning left, he ran down a street of mismatched buildings until he reached a wall of sandbags. Here at least a dozen Vox fighters were firing non-stop through loopholes, while a storm of laser beams rushed overhead, leaving burn marks across the surrounding buildings. There were many wounded sprawled out on the pavement, their bodies wrapped in bloodied bandages.
"Fitzroy!" Benton called out, trying to make himself heard over the storm of gunfire, "Fitzroy are you here?"
A dark-skinned figure climbed down from the barricade and ran to him. It was Daisy, a pistol in one hand and a bandage around her head.
"You're one of Shepard's crew ain't you?" she said, sounding out of breath.
"Yes Miss," Benton replied, "I came to warn you. The collectors have brought a spaceship over this city and are using it to bomb Shantytown. You and your people have to get out of here at once. There's a few barges at the dock you can use."
"Thanks for the warning, but we're staying here," Daisy replied. "The civilian airships are still trying to escape. The longer we stay here, the further they can get away."
"Miss Fitzroy, I…" Benton tried to reply, hoping he could dissuade her.
"It'll also give you guys time to escape. If that Moriarty guy's half as dangerous as you say he is, then you need to survive this."
"But Miss Fitzroy…"
"I'm sorry friend, but my mind is made up, as is that of everyone here. Now get back to the Normandy."
"But…"
The rest of Benton's words were lost as a heavy boom echoed through the street and rubble fell from overhead.
"Go!" Daisy shouted, "Get outta here before it's too late!"
Reluctantly Benton turned and headed back down the street at a run. The barricade was soon lost among the smog, but the sound of gunfire and laser blasts followed him all the way to the docks.
"EDI!" he said, activating his radio, "Have the rest of the team made it to the Normandy?"
"Yes Sergeant," the cool feminine voice replied, "All team members are on board, except for yourself."
"Good, I'll be there in two minutes."
Putting on a burst of speed, Benton sprinted down the street, his lungs burning. There was a series of blasts as the collector ship fired into Shantytown. Lumps of brickwork were smashed from the walls and Benton had to move quickly to avoid them. Finally, the rounded hull of the Normandy appeared out of the fog, and he just made it to the airlock before a heavy steel beam came crashing down behind him.
"I am glad to see that you are unhurt Sergeant," EDI said as the airlock sealed and began to pressurise.
"Thanks EDI," Benton coughed, "What about the others?"
"The rest of the team are on the command deck. Doctor Chakwas is treating the commander."
"How is he?"
"Unknown at this time."
The airlock cycle ended and the door opened to the cockpit.
"Good of you to finally join us," said Joker who was busy with the ship's controls.
"Save the sarcasm," Benton snapped, not in the mood for the pilots' wisecracks, "We have to get out of here and fast."
"You don't have to tell me twice."
Joker adjusted a few more controls and a low grumble filled the air as the ship's engines powered up. Guessing the pilot would not need him for the moment, Benton hurried to the CIC where the rest of the team was waiting. They were a pitiful sight. Booker and Elizabeth's clothing and skin were covered in dirt and soot. Sarah was sitting against a control panel with Gabrielle, their faces red and sweaty. Shepard had been laid out on the floor near the lift, his face still a mask of blank shock. Doctor Chakwas was leaning over him, scanning his body with what Benton guessed was a medical device.
Tali was standing beside her with Garrus, hands clutched together. Though the helmet obscured her face, it was obvious that she was deeply worried. The Doctor meanwhile was sitting on a pile of radios, his face still pale. Amanda was resting on the floor nearby, looking fearful.
"How is he?" Benton said, walking over to Chakwas's side.
"The commander seems to be in shock," she replied, "I can stabilise him, but it's impossible to say when he'll recover his senses."
"Then who's in charge?"
The team members looked around for a few seconds before they all turned to Benton.
"I guess you are Sergeant," said Garrus.
Benton fought to suppress a gulp. He had no idea how to command a spaceship. Nonetheless, he had to if they were going to get out of this alive.
"Right," he said, keeping a stern tone in his voice. "Elizabeth, you come to the cockpit with me. The rest of you stay here and patch yourselves up."
He turned and hurried back to the front of the command deck, Elizabeth and Booker in tow. By now the Normandy was well underway through the narrow gaps between Finkton's factories and warehouses.
"How's the commander?" Joker asked, his voice devoid of any humour.
"Chakwas said he's stable," Benton replied, "How are we doing?"
We're making good progress, but that collector ship will be waiting for us when we clear the buildings."
"Do we have weapons that can take that thing out?"
"We should do. The Normandy's main gun was upgraded before we attacked the collector's base. Last time we used it we cut one of their ships in half."
"Let's hope you can do it again."
For a few tense minutes they flew on through the maze of floating buildings until the smog began to clear and a brilliant blue sky appeared before them.
"Elizabeth, can you generate a portal to the Flying Legion's base?" Benton asked.
"Yes, just give me a minute," she replied.
"Wait!"
Benton looked around, surprised to see that it was Amanda who had called out.
"We can't go to the Flying Legion!" she said, "Their base was overrun by Moriarty's forces!"
"What?" said Benton, shocked, "That can't be!"
"We heard it over the radio," Tali said, her voice thick, "Dex said they began attacking about an hour after we left. I think the whole base was destroyed."
A strange coldness gripped Benton. Their situation had just become a lot worse. Conran Base being overrun meant that hundreds of the Flying Legion's troops and engineers were dead, or had been taken prisoner. It also meant they had nowhere safe to land.
"EDI," he said, "We need to find somewhere else to escape to, somewhere Moriarty's forces can't follow."
"I am examining the multiverse map now Sergeant," the AI replied, for the first time a note of worry entering her normally cool tone.
Benton turned back to the cockpit just in time to see a beam of light streak across their front.
"Collectors!"
"Taking evasive action!" Joker yelled.
The ship rolled to one side, barely dodging another particle beam. It then pulled into a steep climb as more lasers shot past.
Benton clung to the wall, hoping the artificial gravity would hold.
BAM!
The ship jerked violently, followed by a roar that left a ringing in everyone's ears.
"What was that?" said Elizabeth.
"One of the collector's particle beams struck our hull," EDI replied, "I am working to plug breaches on the crew and engineering decks.
"How serious are they?" asked Benton, still clinging to a support beam.
"The breaches can be patched temporarily, but we will need a dry dock for full repairs."
More beams shot across the cockpit window, forcing the ship to roll again.
"We can't keep this up forever," Joker snapped, "EDI, do you have those coordinates for a safe zone?"
"I do, but we will need to fly straight and level for Miss Elizabeth to open a portal, an inadvisable course of action at this time."
"You got that right."
Benton went to the window and looked around for the collector's ship. The vessel was floating some distance above them, turning to keep track of the Normandy's movements. There was no way they could out manoeuvre it forever, unless.
"Joker," he said, "Bring us around and take that ship out!"
"You got it!"
The engines rumbled as Joker made a sharp turn to avoid another particle beam. He then dived sharply, speeding through a bank of clouds before pulling up again, bringing the Normandy into a position directly below the collector ship.
"Let's see how you handle this!" he roared.
He punched a large button on the control panel and a blinding beam of light shot out from the Normandy's underside. For a fraction of a second Benton watched the beam streak through the air, brighter than the sun, until it struck the collector's ship. The beam buried itself in the hull and a vast fireball erupted, ripping apart metal plates and pieces of its hives. A roaring sound filled the cockpit as the shock wave hit them, and Joker fought with the controls to keep the Normandy flying level. More sections of the collector ship's hull were torn away by jets of flame and it began to split apart.
"We did it!" Booker exclaimed, thumping the back of the pilot's chair.
The ship began to fall from the sky, spewing smoke and fire. Joker adjusted the controls, turning away from the city and putting the Normandy into a level flight.
"Sergeant," EDI said, "I have calculated coordinates to a safe universe. Shall I forward them to Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yes, please do," Benton replied, unable to suppress a smile.
A computer screen glowed into life beside Joker's controls, showing a string of numbers.
"Okay," Elizabeth breathed.
She studied the numbers carefully, then placed her hands together. She was still focusing, when a deep boom sounded out and the Normandy rocked like a pendulum.
"What was that?" Benton said, "I thought we took out that collector ship."
"We did Sergeant," EDI replied, "We are under attack from Columbia security forces."
Another screen flickered into life, showing a video picture from behind the ship. Three cargo barges were following them, each with a rocket battery on its front deck.
"It seems Moriarty does not wish us to leave," EDI remarked drily.
"Really, I would have thought this was a nice goodbye present," Joker quipped.
Benton was about to say this was no time for jokes when the three barges fired simultaneously. Rockets sped through the air and struck the Normandy. Each of them was deflected by the ship's kinetic barriers but it still felt as if they were being struck with a vast hammer.
"Surely those things can't damage us?" said Booker.
"Not at the moment," Joker replied, "But they are playing havoc with our shields, and if we lose them while our hull is damaged it could take out the whole ship."
"Elizabeth," Benton said, "You need to get that portal open!"
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" she cried.
Elizabeth put her hands together, trying to focus on the coordinates, but each rocket blast derailed her train of thought.
"Come on damnit!" she hissed.
A gentle hand fell on her shoulder. It was Booker.
"Just relax," he said, "You can do it."
A sense of calm came over Elizabeth. Suddenly the rocket blasts didn't matter. Once again she put her hands together, picturing the coordinates in her mind's eye. This time there was a great flash of blue just beyond the cockpit and the sky split in two, sparking with electrical power.
"The Columbia security craft have increased their speed," EDI announced, "I believe they still wish to stop us escaping."
"Not if I can help it," Joker replied.
He adjusted the controls and the Normandy shot into the portal which snapped shut instantly, leaving nothing but the dissipating roar of engines in its wake.