A/N: 6000 words. Gee I wonder why this chapter took so long!
I want to thank everyone for their support and patience. I really appreciate it. If you can, please leave a review as I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this story!
Anyway, with that out of the way, let's continue with the story!
Kaidan simply sat there, unable to say anything. The small bit of info that was told to him within Kacey's tale was, to put it simply, nauseating. Cerberus had found her and revived her, all while the Alliance just declared her dead on the spot. They weren't wrong necessarily, she did die, but they never found her body. And now they know why.
"That was my first encounter with the Illusive Man." Kacey continued staring at the window in front of them, "He seemed determined to prove that the Reapers were behind the disappearances, which they were in all retrospect, almost like he knew it was them but had no proof."
"A lack of proof has never stopped you before, Commander." Kaidan replied, "At least in my experience anyway."
Kacey couldn't help but laugh, "I suppose you're right. Even now, some people are-"
"Hey, Commander?" Joker's voice interrupted through the intercom, "We've arrived at Lessuss. The distress signal is coming from down there."
"Alright, Joker. Tell Garrus to get ready to meet me at the shuttle bay." Kacey said.
"Got it, Commander."
"Well, I guess we can continue with the story later," Kacey said standing up, "Come on, let's go."
"Go?" Kaidan questioned, "Am I going too?"
"Of course!" Kacey replied as Kaidan stood up, "Why wouldn't you? Come on, get ready and meet me at the shuttle bay in five."
Kacey swiftly left the room, leaving Kaidan alone with his thoughts. Despite everything that had happened, she was the same old Kacey. Or at least that's what he thought.
...
Lieutenant Cortez drove the shuttle as fast as he could, or at least that's what Kaidan believed. He sat next to Garrus and opposite Liara and Kacey, the former of which came along to simply brief the group on what was going on. For the most part, the trip was silent, that was until Kacey decided to speak up.
"So, did you dig up any information on the mission, Liara?" Kacey asked.
"I did," Liara replied calmly, "and I now understand why High Command wanted to hide it. We're headed to an Ardat-Yakshi monastery."
"Ardat-Yakshi?" Garrus mused, "Like that Asari Morinth?"
"Oh don't remind me." Kacey sighed.
"Who's Morinth?" Kaidan asked.
"She's an Ardat-Yakshi that Shepard had to lure into a trap for an Asari Justicar named Samara." Garrus explained, "And from I heard, it wasn't exactly easy."
"It was difficult and embarrassing." Kacey said adding, "I'll explain later Kaidan."
"Returning to the topic at hand," Liara intervened, "the difference is that Morinth chose to be a killer. The Ardat-Yakshi at this monastery chose to isolate themselves to avoid that. But that doesn't mean they're harmless. Their urge to feed can be powerful. That's why High Command sent in commandos to investigate the monastery's distress signal."
"So something must of happened if we're being sent to investigate." Kaidan mused.
"Yes I would imagine so." Liara replied, "if there was a chance that the Ardat-Yakshi could break lose, the commandos were to purge the monastery."
"Purge?" Kacey said, "You mean destroy?"
The shuttle fell silent as Liara pondered what to say next.
"They would've brought heavy explosives with them, yes."
"Is it necessary though?" Kacey asked, "I mean Morinth was dangerous but are the Ardat-Yakshi that big of a threat?"
Kaidan knew his own answer. And he had no doubt Garrus and Kacey shared the same opinion. But Liara knew better. She knew what they were capable of.
"Morinth was just hitting her stride. Ardat-Yakshi who kill leave behind astronomical body counts. It is why they can never be free. And why they are such a great source of shame to the asari. That's why High Command won't rest until this place is destroyed. They'd never risk a single Ardat-Yakshi getting loose."
"Don't assume anything yet." replied Kacey standing up, "Maybe the Ardat-Yakshi sent out the distress signal. If the asari want us to destroy this place, I need to know what happened."
"Agreed, once we give a report to High Command, they'll stop wasting lives here."
"I hope you're right," Kacey replied.
"We're here Commander." Cortez's voice rang out as he lowered the shuttle into position.
"If there is anymore information that comes through from High Command, radio me immediately." Kacey said to Liara before departing.
"Don't worry, I will Shepard." Liara simply replied as both Garrus and Kaidan prepared to leave the shuttle.
Kacey, Kaidan and Garrus jumped from the shuttle and landed on the platform to the main entrance. Cortez flew the shuttle away from the monastery as Kacey turned to address both Kaidan and Garrus.
"Okay, the plan is we go in and we find out what's going on." Kacey said, "Once we have the relevant information, we'll figure out what to do from there."
"Got it Commander," Kaidan replied. Garrus nodded.
Guns raised, the trio opened the door, only to see an elevator shaft with no elevator.
"Someone must of disabled the elevator." Garrus mused.
"Probably to prevent the Ardat-Yakshi from escaping." Kacey replied, "Come on, we'll jump over to that service platform."
Kacey was the first to jump over to the service platform, followed closely by Kaidan then Garrus. Kaidan then followed Kacey's lead down the ladder into the pitch black service platform below. The trio were quick to turn their flashlights on, where they saw scorch marks plastered on the wall, as well as dried bloodstains.
"That's...reassuring," Kaidan said, flashlight pointed directly at the markings.
"Just means we need to keep our guard up." Kacey mused, "Keep an eye out for any Ardat-Yakshi."
They continued down the elevator shaft, the haunting ambience keeping all three soldiers on edge. Kaidan couldn't necessarily tell in the near pitch black darkness, but he could tell that something was worrying Kacey. The story from before couldn't help but crawl back into his head, leaving him with even more questions, but only a small handful of answers. However he was quickly broken out of his thoughts by a high-pitched, bloodcurdling scream that chilled all three veteran soldiers to the core.
"What was that?" Garrus whispered as the screaming continued, this time much louder and higher pitched.
"It's sounds like banshee," Kaidan said.
"What is a banshee?" Garrus asked.
"Kaidan how do you know what a banshee sounds like?" Kacey teased.
All three chuckled as they finally landed on the floor below. They then jumped off the service platform and landed on the other side, entering a large room.
"For the record, Garrus." Kacey said, "A banshee is a female spirit from Irish folklore on Earth, who heralds the death of a family member usually by wailing, shrieking or keening."
"That scream pretty much fits the definition of a banshee scream," Kaidan elaborated.
The room they had entered was just as dark as the elevator shaft, with only their flashlights allowing them to see the surrounding area. Kaidan assumed they were in some sort of Main Entrance hall, mainly by the metallic benches and potted greenery in the room. Several broken devices littered the floor, alongside some white fluid that Kaidan didn't recognise. As the trio cautiously pressed forward, they heard someone smash some glass.
"What was that?!" Kaidan whispered.
"Stay sharp." Kacey simply whispered back.
They wandered past some tables and chairs before going into the next room. Once Kacey made sure it was clear, Kaidan and Garrus followed on through, and they once again heard a glass object smash onto the ground.
"I heard something." Kacey said.
"I...uh, tripped...sorry." Kaidan replied, embarrassed.
"It's fine."
"What did you trip on?" Garrus asked.
"I don't know," Kaidan replied, "I think it was another broken laptop."
The next room they entered appeared to be some sort of dormitory, given the bunk beds present in the room. However, several of the beds were knocked over, papers littered the floor and chairs were turned over, yet there was still no sign of anyone. Once they checked the room, the trio doubled back and went down another hall, with yet another ear-piercing scream ringing out across the building. Eventually, the silence was broken by Garrus.
"Shepard! I've found one of the Commandos."
Kaidan was quick to head over to Garrus, with Kacey close behind. The commando was clearly dead, but lying close to her was a small PDA device. Kaidan picked up the device and began to scroll through its contents.
"This must be one of the commandos Liara mentioned." Kacey mused.
"Looks like it." Garrus replied, "It seems like they died trying to fight off the Reapers."
"This monastery is out the way, what would the Reapers want with Ardat-Yakshi?"
Kaidan couldn't help but wonder the same thing. He hoped the PDA would have answers but didn't. What he did find was a NavPoint location for a bomb.
'So Liara was right. They were gonna blow this place sky high.' He thought.
"Anything useful on the PDA, Kaidan?" Kacey asked.
"A full proof plan with a NavPoint location of a bomb." Kaidan replied, "It's inside the Great Hall."
"So it's seems they started the purge after all." Garrus mused.
"Looks that way." Kacey sighed, "It's still a bit drastic but I understand why they would want to blow this place up. Come on, let's go to Great Hall."
Kaidan followed Kacey through the door and vaulted over the potted greenery to the nearby functioning door. Once through, the entered a large hallway with massive windows that overlooked the nearby courtyard. Kaidan was silently grateful to be out of the dark, not that he afraid of it. He just didn't like not being able to see the surrounding environment clearly.
They made their way down the hall in silence for the most part until the reached a locked door at the end. As Kacey used her omni-tool to hack the door open, another bloodcurdling scream rippled throughout the area.
"Okay, so either that thing is very close," Kaidan said, gun pointed at the door on the opposite side, "or there's more than one."
"I don't which one is worse," Kacey replied, "the fact that there's possibly loads of those things all over this place, or one is gonna burst through that door any moment."
"You two are really trying to jinx it, aren't you?" Garrus questioned.
"Wouldn't be the first time, would it?" Kaidan laughed.
"Agreed." laughed Kacey.
The door then opened, allowing the trio to pass through. Guns in hand, the trio searched the balcony they were on for any hostiles, only to find nothing. Kaidan watched as Kacey walked over towards the banister, only to hear a gunshot and a Cannibal grunt as it dropped to the floor, just as an asari in a red and gold jumpsuit approached.
"Very good. I almost didn't hear you." Her calming voice echoed around the room.
"Samara?" Kacey said in shock.
'That's Samara?' Kaidan thought to himself, 'What the heck did you get up to Kacey?'
"It's been quite some time, Shepard," Samara replied, "you are a most welcome sight. As are you, Garrus."
"Likewise." Garrus replied in acknowledgement.
"The corruption here runs deep." Samara mused to herself, looking around the room.
"Is there any particular reason you are here?" Kacey asked.
"Two of my own daughters live here, and I have come for them." she answered, "Unfortunately, the Reapers have already infested this place by the time I had arrived."
"You met me while hunting down your other Ardat-Yakshi daughter." Kacey replied, "Are these ones just as dangerous?"
"Falre and Reila have followed this monastery's rules ever since they've arrived. They've shown no inclination towards violence."
"And you're here to save them?"
"They are my responsibility," Samara continued, "and it's one that cannot be abandoned, even as our galaxy crumbles."
"Then let's go together." Kacey said, Maybe your daughters can tell us why the Reapers hit this place."
"I suspect they'll have much to tell us." Samara replied, looking out the big window, "It has been centuries since I last saw them."
Just as she finished, another one of those high-pitched screams pierced through the monastery, catching everyone's attention.
"We're out of time." Samara called up to Kacey, "We'll meet again. I will draw these creatures off."
"Wait!" Kacey called but it was too late. Samara had already left.
"Let's go," she said to both Kaidan and Garrus, the former of whom was just a bit confused.
"That was Samara, huh?" Kaidan said.
"Yep." Kacey replied, "She can be a bit...intimidating but she's really not that bad."
"She is also pretty strong too." Garrus added, "Not the type of asari you'd want to face head on in a fight."
"I could tell." Kaidan replied, "asari Justicars aren't exactly the type I want to face in battle either."
They exited the hall through the left-hand side of the the hall, taking the directly outside into the large courtyard they saw before. This had made Kaidan slightly disoriented, but only a little. He did, however, prefer to be outside rather than inside. After all, in the inside of that monastery reminded him of every horror movie he had ever watched.
"This place is enormous, there must of been thousands of people living here." Kaidan mused as the trio walked downstairs into the main courtyard.
"Well, we haven't seen any survivors." Kacey replied in a cynical tone.
'You don't think they could've evacuated, do you?" Kaidan asked.
"Without asari High Command noticing?" Garrus questioned, "Unlikely. They probably wouldn't of sent us out here if that were the case."
"Still. A hopeful thought."
Once the trio made it downstairs they walked around the courtyard, the cool air and eerie silence settling in as they cautiously moved forward. Kaidan tried his best to settle his nerves, but his own mind had other ideas. He couldn't help but mull over that story, or at least the beginning of it. Cerberus had rebuilt Kacey, a fact that haunted Kaidan the more he thought about it. He had also wondered why that Cerberus agent had attacked the facility he was working in. It didn't add up! And it frustrated him beyond belief. He was happy that Kacey was alive, but the cost, the risk of it was something he couldn't ignore. Kacey appeared, and acted the same as she always was. But Kaidan couldn't help but think there was more to it than that.
He was quickly broken out of his thoughts by the high pitched scream, only this time the creature making the scream was here.
"What is that thing?!" Kaidan said ducking into cover next to Kacey and across from Garrus.
"I don't know." Kacey replied, "But whatever it is, it's going down."
The creature, lumbering like its in constant pain, definitely looked Reaper-made. It's skeletal figure unnerved Kaidan as the creature showed its long, sharp claws. Black tubes curled round the creature's thighs and arms, embedding itself into the decaying grey flesh that remained. More tubes embedded themselves around the neck and collarbone, the latter of which was on display for all to see, with not a single trace of flesh coating it. The flesh covering the mouth was pulled back, allowing all to see the decayed teeth and gums of the creature. Finally, the head had several long black spikes protruding from its head, alongside more fleshy ones that were much shorter. All in all, this creature was as far removed from any race Kaidan was aware of as possible.
The creature looked like it was teleporting as it made its way towards the trio before letting out one more disturbing scream. Once it stopped, Kacey gestured for all of them to fire on it, only for it have little effect.
"It's definitely got some tough shields." Kaidan shouted as the trio were forced to separate, "What do we do now?"
"Keep your distance and keep firing at it!" Kacey yelled back, "I'll try using grenades. If you can Kaidan, try using your biotics!"
Kaidan quickly ducked behind cover as the creature launched a small, black orb his way. He wasn't hurt by it, but it did throw him away from cover. Kaidan quickly used Warp, which managed to shattered the barrier, just as Kacey threw a frag grenade at it. Kacey dived behind the same cover as Kaidan as the grenade blew up, and Garrus attempted to shoot it with his sniper rifle from much further away.
"Seriously Kacey," Kaidan said, "why can't you take us anywhere fun?"
"What? Is exploring a creepy monastery and fighting a literal demonic creature not fun to you?" Kacey teased, "I thought you enjoyed that type of stuff, Kaidan."
"Not my idea of fun, but it is up there." Kaidan laughed.
The creature screamed again as it once again teleported closer to Kacey and Kaidan, both of whom darted across to the other side of the courtyard, giving Garrus a clear shot to fire on the creature. The next thing they knew, Garrus had fired on the creature, dealing the last blow the the creature. The horrific being kneeled over, screaming in extreme pain one last time before dissipating entirely.
"What the hell were those things?" Kaidan said.
"I don't know." Garrus replied adding, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think those things used to be asari."
His heart had skipped a beat when he heard that. Kaidan was briefed on all the enemy combatants prior to this mission, but he didn't know that the creatures were actually people who were turned into those things. He looked over to Kacey, who was still looking at the spot where the creature once was, crestfallen. Kacey had briefly met his concerned gaze before wheeling round and began walking towards the towering building.
"Come on, we have to hurry and detonate that bomb. There could be more of those Banshees crawling about."
Her voice was almost monotone when she said that. But Kaidan knew better. He could hear the sadness and regret in her voice, the guilt and anger too. Whether or not Garrus had picked up on it, it didn't matter. Kaidan knew the pair had gotten a little closer during the Collector business, so he did wonder if Garrus knew Kacey like he did.
"Banshees?" Garrus said, "Is that what we're calling them?"
"Seems appropriate." Kacey sighed.
Her matter-of-fact tone indicated to Kaidan that something was wrong with Kacey. She always did this when she was upset during missions specifically. As the Commander, Kacey was required to remain calm and level-headed during missions, especially as a Spectre too. He knew that the same was expected of him as Major. Yet even with the best of the best, how one feels about certain situations starts to fall through the cracks, and how they deal with it was another thing. Kacey's thing was putting all of her focus onto one particular task or one objective, pretending not to dwell on it and bottle it up entirely. He noticed this several times before while they were chasing Saren around the galaxy, it was extremely subtle to most but to those closest to Kacey, it was a sign she was upset about something. He figured, just like last time, he'd have to pry it out of her at some point, before she ends up hurting herself even more.
"Something bothering you, Kaidan?" Garrus' voice cut through like a blade through hot butter.
"It's nothing important." he replied. He noticed that Garrus had only spoke up once Kacey was out of earshot.
"There's no point in trying to hide it." Garrus replied, "I can tell you're worried about Kacey. I am too."
"Wait you call her by her first name too?" Kaidan said in shock, "Since when?"
"Since Horizon." Garrus simply answered, "You two really need to talk with each other after this, all the awkwardness between you two is unnerving the rest of the crew."
Kaidan hadn't noticed it before, but Garrus was right; they did need to talk with each other more. They needed to open up and be a lot more honest with each other. But awkward? Not the word he'd use to describe it.
"Awkwardness? What do you mean?" Kaidan asked in denial.
"Heh, it's not exactly hidden Kaidan." replied Garrus, "Everyone can tell something happened between you two, even those who weren't there the first two times. You really have to give Kacey the chance to explain, and be willing to open up as well."
"I suppose-"
"Come on, you two!" Kacey called over as she hacked the door open.
Both Kaidan and Garrus were quick to run over to Kacey as she held up her gun and began to head inside. No sooner than they entered, they saw an asari run past the bottom of the stairs, being pursued by a Cannibal. The creature staggered towards the Ardat-Yakshi who was quick to throw a blast at it with her biotics, before running into a dead end. The trio had just reached the bottom of the stairs just as Samara appeared, and quickly disposed of the creature.
"Mother!" the Asari said just as Samara turned around, "You came!"
"As soon as I was able." Samara replied calmly just as Kacey, Kaidan and Garrus approached, "Shepard, this is Falre, my youngest. She and her sister Reila are Ardat-Yakshi. They have-"
"Mother! They have Reila!" Falre quickly interrupted.
Samara's usually calm demeanour turned grim as she turned to face her daughter, "What?"
"I saw some of those creatures take her into the Great Hall." Falre continued, "I've been trying to get there."
'How convenient.' Kaidan thought to himself.
"What are the Reapers doing here?" Kacey asked Falre.
Falre hesitantly walked to towards the corpse of a Banshee that was lying on the ground.
"Harvesting us." Falre said, her voice breaking, "They're turning us into... into those. Monsters."
'So Garrus was right; they were asari,' Kaidan thought.
"Please, you can't let that happen to Reila!" Falre pleaded to Kacey.
Kaidan could see that Kacey was somewhat startled by the revelation. But she nevertheless kept her calm and stoic composure.
"The asari thought the Ardat-Yakshi were to blame for the attack." Kacey simply replied.
"This is our home!" Falre said in a somewhat distressed manner, "Most of us are grateful to be here. The monastery is a place that Ardat-Yakshi can achieve peace!"
"Falre speaks truthfully Shepard." Samara spoke up, "I vouch for her words, with pride."
"Then we have to find Reila fast." Kacey said adding, "The Great Hall has a bomb in it."
Just as Kacey finished speaking, Kaidan could see Falre's face fall as the realisation just hit her.
"A...a bomb?!" Falre stuttered in shock, "W-what? Didn't you come to rescue people?"
"We'll try. But we can't leave this place standing, Falre."
Now Kaidan was aware that Kacey wouldn't say something like that unless there was no other alternative. He was another thing he admired her for. She always, always, tries to find a way to save as many as possible, but even then, the reality was that Kacey, no matter how good of a Commander she is, cannot save everyone. Falre's sadness turned to anger quickly once she heard what Kacey said.
"Hmph. You sound like the Commandos." she spat, "They didn't stop to help anyone!"
"Falre." Samara said sharply.
"I'm sorry," Falre sighed.
Falre quickly turned around and jumped over the banister, using her biotics to levitate down.
"Falre!" Samara called as she watched Falre storm off, "The Great Hall...she's looking for Reila!"
Samara was quick to follow Falre down, using her own biotics to land safely.
"We'll meet you there!" Kacey called as she gestured for Kaidan and Garrus to follow her.
"Please be swift." Samara replied.
"And by the looks of things, the elevator is completely busted." Garrus said, pointing at the broken elevator on the left hand side of the walkway.
"And I take it you're not able to levitate down like Samara?" Kacey smirked at Kaidan, walking towards the other door.
"Probably, I've never tried it though."
"How long would it take?" Garrus asked smirking.
"Longer than the next five minutes, although even I was able to, you two would still have to take the long way round."
"What? We wouldn't be able to ride with you Kaidan?" Kacey teased.
"You tell me, Commander."
"He's got a point," Garrus pointed out, "You have ridden the Kaidan-Express before right?"
Both Kaidan and Kacey turned red as they tried to laugh off their shared embarrassment. The fact that Kacey had turned red was a reassuring sign in Kaidan's eyes. Maybe their relationship could be salvaged after all.
Kacey opened the door, and leaded them down a dark hallway, several Cannibals lurked at the end of the hall alongside a single Marauder. It didn't take long for the trio to shoot their way through the Reaper troops. Once they were all dead, Kacey continued to lead them through into a large hall Kaidan believed was a foyer. Several Cannibals littered the area as the trio continued to shoot their way through, with Kaidan using his biotics to handle enemies also. The three soldiers worked their way down the stairs, using the railing as cover, picking off the last of the Cannibals. Once they did, however, a loud bloodcurdling scream pierced their ears as another Banshee descended in front of them.
"Yay~" Kacey said with sarcasm.
Kaidan quickly used Warp as he dived behind a potted bush while Garrus worked his way back upstairs to shoot it with his sniper rifle. Kacey threw another frag grenade at the walking corpse in front of her. Kaidan had his back up against the ceramic pot, keeping his eyes on both Kacey and the Banshee, the latter of which had turned its attention to the former. Kaidan turned the corner and opened fire on the Banshee recklessly, and began to lead it away from Kacey. Keeping his eyes on Garrus also, Kaidan lead the Banshee into Garrus' line of sight, the latter of which shot the Banshee twice in the head just as Kaidan used Warp again, effectively killing it. Just as its body dissipated, Kacey approached Kaidan, just as Garrus began to make his way downstairs.
"Kaidan are you okay?" Kacey asked concerned, "That was a seriously reckless thing to do."
"But it worked. Right?" Kaidan replied.
"That it did." Garrus added, "You can't be that mad Kacey."
"I'm not, its just..." Kacey sighed, "Oh nevermind. Let's just go to the Great Hall, okay?"
Kacey walked off, flustered but still kept her professional face on, much to Kaidan's amusement. He chuckled lightly as both Garrus and himself followed Kacey as she opened the door at the far side of the room, just as the poignant smell of rotting flesh began to fill the air. The door lead to an elevator and once all three soldiers were in, Kacey pressed the button to take them down. The trip was pretty much silent as the trio eventually turned around as the door behind them opened to reveal the Great Hall. The hall in question was lit up with the sombre light from outside. Several pews decorated the hall as Kaidan looked over towards Samara and Falre, the latter of whom was kneeling next to another asari Kaidan believed was Reila. In the middle of the hall itself was the bomb the Commandos brought with them.
"There's the bomb!" Kaidan said.
"And Falre." Kacey remarked.
As the trio approached, Kaidan could hear Falre's crying as she looked at the asari lying lifeless next her.
"Reila! Reila wake up!" Falre begged, shaking her sister lightly.
"Falre," Samara's cool voice rang out, "Reila cannot hear us."
"Look! She's still alive!"
Kaidan knew Falre was right; he could see that she was breathing clearly.
"I know," Samara continued, "but I'm afraid that Reila is not well."
This chilled Kaidan to the bone. The Justicar's words haunted him. He knew what Samara meant by that. Reila is indoctrinated. Just like Saren.
"Reila's not one of them yet! She can't be!" Falre insisted, "She just needs to wake up! Reila! Reila can you hear me!"
Reila's head moved slightly, before rising and her eyes snapped open. Her blank expression worried Kaidan as he tightened the grip on his rifle, just as Reila turned to face Falre.
'Something's not right about this,' Kaidan thought.
Falre stood up and took a step back as Reila also stood, rubbing her forehead. Kaidan positioned himself behind Reila, just in case what he suspected was true. Reila clutched her head before both hands dropped down to her sides, her eyes now pitch black, reflecting the very emptiness of space itself. Her expression turned from blank to anger as Falre gasped with shock. Reila grabbed Falre by throat and attempted to strangle her. Kaidan raised his gun at the exact same time as Kacey, prepared to fire before Falre pushed Reila away, with the latter landing on the ground like a corpse.
"Why did she do that?!" Falre cried.
"Because they've began to turn her into one of the Reaper's creatures." Samara replied bluntly.
"I'm sorry Falre." Kacey said solemnly.
Kacey turned away from the two asari and walked towards Kaidan and Garrus.
"Can we set off that bomb?" Kacey asked Kaidan.
"Not without a detonator." Kaidan replied.
Kacey nodded before walking towards a pile of machinery behind them.
"Commandos must've had one." Kacey replied, "Find it."
Before Kaidan could even start looking for it, a Banshee arrived and announced its presence with its trademark scream, much to the annoyance of everyone present.
"You've got to be kidding." Garrus said, as they began to open fire on the Banshee.
The trio decided to split up to tackle the Banshee just as Samara put up her barrier to protect Reila and Falre. Another scream rang out as a second Banshee arrived on the left hand side behind Kaidan.
"Kaidan! Behind you!" Kacey shouted.
Kaidan was quick to duck and roll away from the Banshee's reach, using Warp to weaken it.
"Thanks Commander!" Kaidan called back as he used Warp again on the other Banshee
Kaidan decided to shoot the Banshee with Disruptor Ammo and found it be rather effective as it killed one of the Banshees immediately. Garrus then shot right through the head of the last Banshee, killing it. The trio then turned around to face Samara who dropped her barrier just as Reila began to stand up again. Reila walked towards Falre, frantic wither her arms shaking.
"Falre! Go!" Reila said, panting, "Take the elevator!"
Falre held her sister's hands in her own, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"Reila! What are you doing?!"
"It's too late for me." Reila replied sadly, moving away from Falre, "There are hundreds coming! Go!"
Reila reached behind her and revealed the detonator, which made Falre's eyes widen in shock. Samara nodded in acknowledgment as the group prepared to leave, only for Falre to run towards Reila. Falre was stopped by Kacey, who grabbed her her and shouted "Move!"
Falre struggled against Kacey's grip, and had be dragged by Kacey. Kaidan's heart sank at the thought of this really happening, and he felt sorry for both Falre and Samara.
"No!" Falre cried as she tried to reach out for Reila, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "Reila!"
"I love you." Reila replied calmly.
"REILA!" Falre cried. Reila simply turned away.
Falre continued to struggle against Kacey's grip, even as more Banshee screams pierced through the air. Kaidan simply made haste towards the elevator, trying his best to put his feelings aside for the time being. He could see Reila struggling against the Reaper's control, and it forced him to look away as the Banshee screams continued, announcing their arrival. The last thing he saw was Reila being corned by three Banshees, before Kacey slammed the elevator's door shut. And the elevator rose up. A few moments later, the elevator shook violently, indicating that Reila had done the deed. Falre's head fell as she punched the door, Kacey simply placed her hand on her shoulder in comfort.
...
Once they made their way outside the monastery, Kaidan felt some semblance of relief that he'd never have to go back in there. Falre walked away from the group, and Samara watched her daughter carefully, before walking towards her.
"Reila..." Falre sobbed, "There wasn't even time to say goodbye."
"Few can break the Reaper's hold." Samara replied coolly, "Reila's will was extraordinary. As was her love for you."
"We left her to die!" Falre growled at Samara, her sadness turning to anger.
That statement hung in the silence for several minutes before Samara spoke up.
"Reila made her choice." Samara explained, "And it has reminded me of what is truly important. Why I swore I would lay down my life."
"What is that?" Falre asked.
Samara turned to her youngest daughter with a grim expression.
"Falre," Samara said, pulling out her pistol, "the Code demands an Ardat-Yakshi cannot live outside a monastery that no longer exists."
Kaidan watched with concern as Kacey began to approach Samara, worried about what might happen. Was Samara really suggesting that she'd kill Falre?
"What are you doing?" Kacey asked with concern.
"I am sorry, Shepard." Samara continued, "But by the Justicar's Code, there is only one way to save Falre."
"Mother, no!" Falre begged.
Samara pointed the gun at her own head, causing Kaidan's eyes to widen with shock.
"My daughters, you were all so much stronger than I believed." Samara said.
Before Samara could pull the trigger, Kacey grabbed Samara's arms and put them behind her back, keeping them there even as Samara struggled against her grip.
"Let go!" Samara said.
"What are you doing?" Kacey repeated her earlier question.
"Fulfilling the Code." Samara answered.
"By throwing your life away?!"Kacey retorted.
"I won't kill my last daughter!" Samara replied.
"You won't have to." Falre interrupted.
"Falre?"
Kacey let Samara go as Falre approached her mother.
"I'll stay here, home." Falre explained, "No matter what's become of it."
"Without a proper monastery..."
"I could've left anytime. I don't need need any building to honour my own code. And if the Reapers return, they won't take me alive. I promise."
Samara took a few minutes to consider Falre's words before replying.
"Then the Code permits you to stay, as you are."
Falre hugged her mother, with Samara returning the gesture.
"Once this war is over, and if I am able, I will visit. As a Justicar should."
"I understand if you want to stay and help Falre rebuild her home." Kacey said.
"It must wait now that I can oppose the Reapers." Samara answered, "I'll speak with Falre, then join your forces, if you'll have me of course."
"I'd be honoured."
"The honour is mine, my friend."
...
Kaidan quietly sipped his coffee as he gazed out into the deep reaches of space from the Observation Deck. What he witnessed on that mission was almost akin to a horror movie of sorts, the difference being that what happened at the monastery was real, not a simple work of fiction. At least they managed to save one asari, after all it was better than no one at all.
Still, the very fact that the Reapers were harvesting Ardat-Yakshi to begin with was already unsettling, but those Banshees...they were truly something else. And Kaidan hoped that they wouldn't encounter more of them but, knowing their luck, it was more likely that they'd be everywhere by now.
"Still daydreaming Kaidan?"
Kaidan turned to see Kacey standing next to him, with a big smirk on her face. She walked over to sit next to him, still grinning.
"A bit." Kaidan replied, "Can't get that mission out of my head."
"Gee I wonder why?" Kacey said with sarcasm, "I think I've got just the thing for it."
"Gonna tell me the next part of the story?" Kaidan teased.
"Yeah, last time I checked, we were at the part where the Illusive Man wanted me to go to Freedom's Progress right?"
"That's the one." Kaidan replied, sipping his coffee.
"Okay, so I made my way back upstairs to confront Jacob and Miranda..."