Chapter 29: Fatalism

Cae'Enarc, Hrios' space port brig, an hour before the battle of the Collector Base.

Tylon sat in his cell, arms around his knees in the port authority's brig in the attire of a prisoner, grey silks and dark pants. The white wraithbone in the lightless room had turned to a dull grey. To his Aeldari brain it screamed monotony and utter boredom. He ignored his feelings, strong as they were, and thought about what was said with his father and brother. Then he grew angry again, his face scowling in the gloom. This is what he gets for trying to do right by his family. For giving in to his fellow's desires to see their families again for once. That if there was a threat to the homeworld, they could do something to help stop it. Now his fellow outcasts who had traveled with him for so many years were dead...all because of sentimentality. His father, still attached to his visions of the future, had left him to sit and stew here. His brother, still being his father's patsy, doing everything his father told him...all to follow 'the plan' no doubt. The resentment ate at his soul.

He sighed and tightened his grip on his legs, attempting to bury the burning hatred in his heart. Then a sound outside his door caught his ear. Faint, but soft and delicate...much like he and his kin stalking prey. A sound like a breath whispered on the wind and then the guards outside his cell suddenly gasped, before their armored bodies hit the floor along with their weapons. Tylon stood up, one hand turning to a fist, the other however remained open. He had a suspicion who this was, based upon the sounds and the sweet smell of Cae'Enarc's groves in his nose. The sound of a key entering the door's lock subtly sounded before said lock began melding into the door. It caused the Aeldari outcast to step back a few paces and ready himself for a fight that was not needed.

Stepping through the door was Idrith Ylean, Shadowseer of the Harlequins. Her outfit was colorful. Her robed light armor bearing the black and white colors of Istafar along with reds and blues in the form of a vivid diamond pattern on her right pant leg and left arm. She wore a helmet that showed no face, only a flate white armored face plate that contrasted to the rest of her regalia. She bore a white staff with a small sorrowful mask atop it.

Tylon looked upon the sleeping bodies of the guards as they snored. The Aeldari Outcast smirked and shook his head, "What kind of mischief are you up to Idrith? You'll be getting yourself and your peers in quite a conundrum with this stunt."

"Time is short Tylon. Fate is moving quickly and our people's fortunes hang in the balance."

"Awfully serious...no jokes or whimsical musings?" Tylon said raising a brow in concerned curiosity.

"Your father's dance is soon and it will be glorious... and tragic. A tale worthy of remembrance and theatre. But your father has mistepped in his vision, tumbling us into potential oblivion."

Tylon smirked again and gave a curt laugh, "Of course he has...but I see no reason to aid anymore in this."

The Aeldari attempted to move past the Shadowseer only to find her holding him from passing with a firm hand, the other gripping the staff of her office, "My troupe aided your rescue for this very purpose, son of Grenthor. Your role is now upon you, the role that shall grant you what your heart desires...and that desire shall be what saves our people."

The Aeldari outcast looked to the Shadowseer with surprise on his face, "What?"

Idrith did not reply, only returning Tylon's look before looking down at her own hand. The outcast looked down and saw up against his abdomen and her hand was a mask. Tylon took it and examined it while the Shadowseer turned to him and said, "This role suits you quite well Tylon. The Laughing God anticipates quite a performance from you in this finale."

Tylon smirked as he looked at the mask. The enraged mask took the visage of their people's war god, Kaela Mensha Khaine, "He would allow me my vengeance where my own kin would not?"

"Indeed. The stage is set, all you need do is play your part... and you will have the vengeance you desire." She said with a hint of seduction in her voice.

The outcast was quiet for a moment, before looking to her more seriously, "Will I truly have it?"

The Shadowseer's whimsical and evasive attitude reasserted in her body language as she turned away, "Perhaps...maybe not as envisioned. But it will be, if you accept."

Tylon smiled and huffed, "How exactly would we even reach the battle in time?"

"There is a way, and we will make sure you reach the stage... out of your father's sight."

The outcast looked to the mask again before finding himself putting it on. He felt a power flow from the mask onto his face, feeling something akin to ethereal threads burying themselves into his flesh. At first he grimaced in reaction to the strange feeling but there was no pain. Was the mask cursed? He thought. No...even Idrith wouldn't be that foolish and even then he didn't believe the old tales of demons and possession. Then he felt an incredible focus in his mind...all of his hatred, all of his being, sharpened and excited. An image appeared in his mind...a target. Then all of his thoughts and questions vanished- his answer obvious before him.

"Shepard...blood must be repaid, with blood."

Behind her helm, Idrith smiled.

Collector Base, Aeldari forces at Collector Base's central nexus.

The Aeldari were waiting, many squads of Guardians in black and white with blue-eye lensed helmets surveying the open cavernous locale they had chosen to defend. It was the central nexus of the base and the most likely target for their approaching foes. If it were to fall, the base would soon likely follow. The Collector General itself was kept in a brown cylindrical portion of this location, likely the main communications hub. It reached to the ceiling and melded into the floor, a combination of rock and brown metal sheen.

Amidst the large power cables leading up to the hub, the Aeldari had done their part to set up defenses around it in layers of soldiers and defense systems. Shurikan weapon platforms and Lance batteries were arrayed at several choke points to cut down heavy units. Banshees and Striking Scorpions laid in wait to ambush and cut down attackers that broke through the suppression. Several units of Rangers would provide fire discipline from the maneuvering platforms that the Collectors could rearrange at will. The Collectors themselves along with the Guardians would provide the bulk of the defensive line. The Guardians weren't comfortable with their "allies" giving them a wide berth and sticking to their own.

The Collectors were waiting to attack from both above and below via wings and their own latest weaponry alongside their more monstrous variants. The large muscular four armed monsters of the insectoid race growled and grumbled in anticipation of being unleashed into the enemy ranks, ichor dripping from their insect mandibles.

Aeldari leadership was near the Nexus itself, Warlocks and Farseer Grenthor were in discussion. Suddenly, a Guardian emerged from one of the chokepoint entrances running towards him.

"Farseer!" The Istafar Guardian shouted, bringing with him the news Grenthor was expecting, "Enemy forces are spreading throughout the structure as you anticipated."

The aged Aeldari nodded, arrayed in his panoply of war, an ornately robed Aeldari armor in Istafar colors. Singing Spear in hand he replied, "Good, Harbinger demands we hold this position to turn the coming blade of the Necron's away. We shall oblige."

"Many souls will be lost in this manner Farseer..." One of the Warlocks commented, his voice behind his unfeeling mask showing lament.

The Farseer turned to the Warlock, "I know, but it must be so. The tyrant will not commit to battle unless we too show our resolve. Return to our kin and make ready. The Black Death approaches and he must be denied."

The Aeldari warrior witch nodded, drawing forth his sword and motioning his fellow Warlocks to follow. One however, remained behind, speaking to Grenthor openly as the Guardian returned to the ranks of his fellows, "Father...I am ready."

Grenthor nodded, "This is but the first step to draw in the tyrant my son. Remember well your purpose. Stay out of the fighting unless it is dire need. I will need you when I finally face him at last."

Allil nodded at his father's command.

"Grenthor!" a loud shout resounded through the nexus. Autarch Kriel, his black and white ornate winged armor blackened by scorch marks approached from the opposite direction. His long black hair was frazzled and his face wore a scowl, bearing several cuts. His purple eyes were intense with frustration. Flanked by several Dire Avengers, in their ornate armor black and white in reverse coloration to the standard Guardians. Their blue-eyed helms were more ornate with black and white plumes atop them, signifying them further as elite troops.

The Farseer by contrast remained composed and calm behind his own ornate helm, "Autarch Kriel." he replied to the approaching Aeldari commander, "I see the battle in the void went poorly."

"Oh no doubt to your...expectations Farseer." Kriel sneered, his disdain at Grenthor abundantly evident, "I and several others were the only ones able to escape via gateway from my ship...the rest on my vessel were lost to the void. Along with the thousands of others upon all the other ships! You and the Seer Council assured me that our force was adequate for the task!"

"Fate is difficult to ascertain at the best of times Autarch. You know this."

"Yet even I find it difficult to believe that the sight of our seers is that diminutive. Did you intentionally keep the truth from me? All for some other plan I am not aware of?" Kriel said in cold fury, glaring at Grenthor.

"There is no deceit Autarch. The forces deployed here were sufficient for our purposes and the council foresaw and agreed to my plan. You were there." Grenthor replied calmly waving his hand.

"And I was a fool to not protest more strongly!" Kriel shouted before shaking his head, doubt now creeping into his mind, "So many of our kindred lost. I knew this was calculated into the plan but...I clearly underestimated the foe. Perhaps the outcast was right...our full might should have been brought here."

"Then the tyrant would never have bothered to show himself! He is no fool Autarch, he will not throw his forces at a battle he can not win. Sacrifices needed to be made to lure him into a false sense of security! The only way to end the rise of his dynasty is a blade to the head. So long as Kotorin exists, he will continue to try and rebuild his empire, using whatever bodies he can."

"I know! Its the only reason I don't just order all these warriors to return to Cae'Ernac and leave you and anyone else foolish enough to stay here! Your ilk have traditionally been our eyes and ears to the winds of fate but now...I wonder aloud if even the council's sight has dimmed. There could have been a better way to have achieved this without so many dead!"

Grenthor sighed, "I understand your anger Autarch. But now is not the time for this. Regardless I accept full responsibility for what happened and for what will happen very shortly. The blood will be on my hands...not yours. You were just performing your duty best you could."

That seemed to placate Kriel somewhat, who calmed himself with a breath, standing taller before responding, "Well...at the very least I accept your admission."

After saying those words Kriel winced in pain and gritted his teeth, "I...am in no condition to aid any further directly on the frontline. I will return to the gateway above and command our forces from there. I leave the rest to you Farseer." The Autarch said, giving a slight bow.

Grenthor returned the gesture, "Thank you Autarch."

Kriel grimaced and held his side, finally allowing pain to be felt as his anger subsided. His bodyguards helped escort him to the back of the battle line while Grenthor looked once more to his Warlock son, "Take your place now Allil, wait for my call. I trust you to handle any threats to our rear that threaten our retreat."

"Of course father." Allil nodded. Swiftly rushing off as he drew his own blade, a sheath of psychic power enveloping it.

A call was quickly shouted from the frontline from one of the Guardians via the comms in their helms, "Light in the darkness ahead! They are coming!"

Grenthor nodded at the warning, his Singing Spear resonating as he too began to prepare his own abilities. Electricity flowed from his hand to the weapon and it began to subtly glow. Behind his helm however, Grenthor grimaced, his old bones feeling the stress of his crystalizing condition along with his aged flesh drawing on his powers.

"Oh Isha, Goddess of healing and protection...let me endure one last time." He silently prayed within his mind. Even knowing the Gods were long gone, it didn't dissuade him from comforting himself in such a sentimental manner.

The sounds of metal feet marching reached the Guardian's sensitive ears. Looking into the furthest tunnel entrance were row upon row of glowing green orbs of light in the darkness. The Necron's weapons activated, lighting up the first rank of the Aeldari's old enemy in a sickly green light revealing their skeletal forms. Green beams from Gauss Flayers lashed out from the entrance into the Guardian's ranks and the battle began at last.

Collector Base, forty minutes after initial landing-

Shepard/Solvatas task force approaching northern base sector.

They had been marching for some time now and strangely enough there was hardly any resistance. A patrol or a few individual Collectors were quickly swept aside by the combined force of Necrons, Omega forces, and Commander Shepard's team. Collector corpses were sizzling from Gauss Flayer weaponry and plasma fire from the Commander's X-1 Partizan, now featuring an armored sheath to protect the plasma coil. The Normandy team was following behind the main column of Necron units and Omega forces. The task force was an interesting amalgamation of units. The Omega forces were comprised of a mix of differing mercenary bands and security, ranging from Blood Pack Krogan in their blood red armor, Eclipse Sisters in dull yellow and black, to finally the drab browns and greys of Omega security. The Necrons gray metal bodies with their green glowing highlights, also had a unit of Immortals within their ranks providing heavy support. They stood out from the standard fair, some hefting Gauss Blasters and Tesla Carbines, bands of yellow coloration along their silver heads marking them as more elite troops.

Shepard's team was more to the rear of the Necron column. The Commander himself was wearing his old Spectre N-1 armor set to a black with red highlights, blending in with the dark interior of the base that they were moving through. Jacob was alongside him with his own X-1 at the ready while wearing a lighter set of Alliance armor in Cerberus colors of black and gray with a Cerberus symbol on the arm. Miranda bore a similar set to Jacob, though in black with golden-yellow highlights. Kasumi had a purple tinted rebreather helmet under her hood along with her usual sneaking suit in drab gray colors.

Solvatas regally bore her Staff of Light at the head of the column, protected by her Necron Immortals and warriors. The subtle green glow gleamed off her metallic skeletal body, her blue metallic cape flowing behind her. Nev'El was beside her, fists clenched ready to unleash her biotics. Captain Gavorn was behind them at the head of the Omega forces, his Phaeston at the low ready position. The environment they were in was dark and dimly lit. Metallic brown interiors and flooring, soon transitioned into rocky bridges and outcroppings, more akin to that of a hive. They were traveling along one such outcropping that was leading to a larger bridge up towards an entrance to the base's upper level.

The Vymark knew they were likely being monitored to some degree. The buzz of seeker swarms nearby told her as much. Her oculars looked out into the open and saw their glowing swarms in the dark. They were like predators waiting for an opportunity. However, her own swarms of Canoptek Scarabs flurried every now and again around the column, seemingly warding off those seeker swarms from attempting to dive into them. But Solvatas knew the threat would likely not prevent conflict forever. The only reason they weren't being mobbed at the moment was likely because of Xamutet's offensive. Clearly Harbinger was content to monitor their progress, while no doubt preparing some kind of larger ambush up ahead.

However, Solvatas had watchers of her own. According to her internal map and unit transponders, Legion was close by with some of her other infiltrators. She had wirelessly ordered them to scout ahead of the column and so far everything was going according to what the Geth's sensors had detected. Eventually the outcropping of the rock face extended out toward a bridge that split out into several directions over a chasm. But one path stood out that led upwards to another cliff face across the dark abyss below.

The bridge was pretty large, indicating it was likely used to transport large quantities of personnel and cargo. Solvatas silently motioned her forces to spread out and take up various positions to keep watch. She nodded at Nev'El who understood the maneuver, holding position at the point where the outcropping extended outwards. The Vymark proceeded back and motioned for both Commanders to meet with her, stating as they got close, "We're close to our objective. However it is likely the enemy has prepared an ambush up ahead."

"Where from?" asked Gavorn.

Solvatas merely pointed with a finger at the rocky bridge moving upwards to the cliff face across the chasm. There, the top of a glowing archway could be seen. Gavorn shrugged at what should have been obvious, "Well I guess the front door was always going to be a bad idea."

"Is there another path we can take?" Shepard asked.

Solvatas looked to her side. An uncloaking Legion appeared in his Necron platform, kneeling before the Vymark. His cyclopean eye blinking within a silvered skull head, Legion reported, "We have located an alternative route. However, it's width is insufficient for the units currently present."

"Elaborate." Solvatas stated to Legion.

"The entrance and following path is seven point zero nine four meters across. Given the amount of units within collective column, the time to traverse through alternative route with all units at current speed is approximately fifteen minutes before column can properly disperse."

"But until then that's a lot of time being awfully boxed in and exposed." Shepard interjected.

Solvatas nodded, "Indeed, and if forced to battle its what your kind would call, a "kill box". We will have to divide our forces. Legion has showed me that the alternative route has a path that can lead to a flanking position on the potential ambush site."

"A smaller force at a quickened speed can reach said position faster within an estimated five point three minutes. However, enemy units may cause delays." The Geth explained.

Shepard nodded, "Sounds like a job made for me and my team. We'll take the route."

"You won't go alone. I'll send a squad of my Immortals to accompany you." Solvatas said looking to her skeletal warriors, her eyes pulsing a green light as she issued wireless commands.

Five of the silver headed metal warriors eyes pulsed in response to the command, breaking from the main formation and approaching the gathering. A hint of unease and anxiety went up Shepard's spine as he recalled the battle that saw him defeated and brought before Veronakh. Taking these Immortals on took everything he had back then. The irony was not lost on him that now these very same monsters were going to be watching his back.

Shepard shook himself out of it as Solvatas audibly commanded the lead Immortal, "Your unit shall be attached to this one's commands." She said pointing at the Commander, "Protect him and his unit at all costs."

"Order confirmed, switching to audio wave form communication." said the Immortal in a robotic monotone, almost reminiscent of Legion's form of speech but with even less...liveliness to it. At least that's the impression Shepard got.

"Will these guys be able to keep up? That gear and gait don't exactly scream mobile to me." The Commander asked the Vymark.

"The Immortals are quicker than they appear Shepard. When pressed they will do whatever it takes to accomplish the objective. Even if it means hurtling themselves at the opposition with naught but their bare hands."

The former Spectre looked them over and sighed, calming himself and just accepting what has been given. He tests his new authority with a command to the lead Immortal, "Follow behind me and my team, maintain five meter distance until we get some room to maneuver. Don't engage unless I call for it and only if you have a clear shot. Understood?"

The eyes of the Immortal pulsed in acknowledgement, "Order confirmed."

"We can also provide support and take point ahead of your advance Shepard Commander." Legion chimed in looking to Solvatas for approval.

The Vymark nodded, "Of course. I give you my leave Legion. The rest of us will hold here."

Miranda approached, obviously tired of being kept out of the loop, Shepard imagined. The Normandy XO asked her Commander, "So whats the plan?"

Shepard waved her over and explained, "There's an alternate route but its too small for the whole column. Our team is going through and we'll have a Necron squad to back us up while Legion goes up front. We get through and we'll have overwatch past the entrance up that bridge."

Miranda crossed her arms, "I can't imagine the Collectors and Aeldari will just leave Solvatas here while we move in. Could be just a trap to divide us up."

"Then perhaps springing the trap early might be what is needed." Solvatas pointed out.

Miranda cocked a brow, "Deliberately? By throwing your soldiers away at it?"

"By blinding our foe." The Vymark corrected, "At the present, Harbinger is content on watching us and reacting accordingly. I may be able to force a response by blinding his eyes."

"The Seeker swarms..." Shepard surmised.

Solvatas nodded, "Precisely. At the moment my own Scarabs and warriors will be more than enough to burn them down, but I expect casualties from my other units in the initial foray."

"Especially since we don't exactly have Mordin's countermeasures against the swarms this time." Miranda grimaced.

"What about biotics? Could biotic barriers provide some protection?" Shepard queried.

Miranda brought a hand to her chin contemplating the idea, "Perhaps...we do have quite a few from the Omega units who could fill that role in the column."

Solvatas made a metallic hum over her audio emitters before replying, "Very well then. We shall draw the enemy to us and hold them while you proceed toward your objective."

"Not exactly the best defensive position." Shepard said.

"It will suffice. Ready your team Commander. Gavorn, prepare all who have biotics to create a barrier around our forces." She switched to internal comms as the gathering dispersed, "Nev'El to me, I will need your talents for our strategy."

"Understood mistress." Nev'El bowed, moving over to the column.

Shepard signaled his team of Jacob, Miranda, and Kasumi to follow him, allowing Legion to take the lead to the path ahead. Solvatas moved to the head of the column once more, standing at the edge of the bridge. Her oculars detected movement near the corners of her vision and her eyes pulsed with a command to her scarabs. Seeker swarms suddenly attempted to assault her, only to crash into the metal swarm of scarabs. With but a wave of her hand, her silent Necron Warriors and Immortals took up new positions along the edge of the pathway. Their Gauss Flayers, Blasters, and Tesla Carbines aimed into the dark at the pulsing glowing gatherings of light.

Gavorn rallied all his biotics within his forces, "Alright all of you, we need barriers up now!" Asari, some Batarians, and even a heavily armored Krogan joined in, lifting their hands in unison. Biotic power engulfed their bodies starting from their hands and expanded outwards from themselves. Bubbles of biotic power enveloped Solvatas' forces and Nev'El too created a barrier around her mistress and supporting troops.

Then the skeletal Necron forces opened fire, emerald beams began lancing into the darkness. Seeker swarms went into a frenzy as many of their fellows burned and died by the thousands, attempting to strike back only to be denied either by the Scarabs or the biotic barriers. The biotics strained against the swarming bodies, but eventually enough were burned thanks to the Tesla Carbines and Gauss Flayers that the swarms quickly dissipated. Then bolts of violet plasma started falling upon the barriers and the Collectors at last revealed themselves. Wielding their new plasma weaponry and their beam armaments, the insectoids took up positions on the higher ground or were in flight, unleashing a torrent of fire. The first wave of flying Collectors were quickly dispatched by the Immortal's Tesla Carbines and Gauss Blasters, their remains falling into the darkness below. Gauss Flayers picked at the Collectors, while Gavorn had techs set up make shift hard light barriers with devices to provide cover should the biotic bubbles burst.

Solvatas ordered over the comms, "Now! Go Shepard! We will hold them!"

The Commander nodded and looked to Legion ahead of him on the path, "Double time it people!"

Then they ran. Shepard's team sprinted as quickly as they could into the alcove, leaving the sounds of the battle behind them. Going through the tunnel and following hallway, their suit lights switched on automatically. So far so good, the only thing they could see was a mix of the Collector's usual aesthetic of rock and shiny brown metal flooring. And all they could hear now were their own footsteps and the Immortal's metallic thudding footfalls echoing throughout.

Legion then reported, "Alert! Movement detected ahead."

Miranda grimaced, "Of course they wouldn't leave this unguarded for long."

"Well yeah, we're only invading their home to kill them and take their stuff." Kasumi cheekily quipped.

"Then we'll just have to cut through them. Does the next room have cover Legion?" Shepard asked.

"Yes, though we will still be at a disadvantage. Defensive units can utilize high ground covering our right flank." The machine replied

"Got it. Miranda, you and Jacob hit the upper right with biotics to disrupt them, then take up positions. Legion and I will handle the front." Shepard ordered.

"On it!" The XO acknowledged.

"You got it Shepard!" Jacob responded.

They saw an increase in ambient light up ahead as the entryway to the greater hall approached. When Shepard's team rushed into the room, they found Collectors quickly attempting to assemble into positions. Several were at the other side of the hall by two sets of staircases going up left and right. They quickly opened fire, their plasma bolts far more devastating to shields, as one round quickly took Shepard's shields to half.

Shepard rolled to the side taking up position behind a rock to his left while Legion cloaked. Jacob led off the biotics with a wide pull attack, the biotic sphere of energy curving up and over the overlooking path above them and pulling the Collectors out of cover. Miranda followed up with a warp attack, resulting in a biotic explosion in the center of the floating Collectors, sending ichor and viscera flying. Kasumi took up the rear, firing her submachine gun from the entryway and using it for cover from the incoming fire.

The two biotics quickly took cover themselves as the plasma fire flew past them. Shepard cloaked and took up his sniper rifle taking aim as the fire shifted onto his biotic teammates. He quickly snapped off a shot, killing one of the Collectors firing ahead, blowing its head off. A green beam suddenly hit another in the chest by the Commander's own target. The Collector fell over, its eyes turning green and the point of impact from the shot spreading more of a strange green coloration to the rest of its body. Legion took cover at a metal corner ahead commenting, "Synaptic Disruptor, highly effective against organic targets."

"I can see that!" Shepard replied as he fired another shot into a Collector's head.

A flurry of fluttering wings could be heard and suddenly over the upper right a squad of flying Collectors swept overhead firing plasma down at Shepard's team. The Commander was about to order his team to fall back when green beams and lightning fired into the Collector ranks. Many of them retreated back into cover on the upper right overlook, while the ones that were hit were turned to ash or fell as charred bodies. The Immortals had arrived and were now providing heavy fire support, walking into the room opening up at any target they could see.

"Advance!" Shepard ordered the Immortals.

"Order confirmed."

The Immortals continued moving forward through the hall, tanking the incoming fire as Kasumi followed them in as well before hiding behind some rocky cover. Though the plasma was starting to corrode their necrodermis, in true machine fashion they merely kept moving. They returned every incoming bit of damage they received with beams of Gauss Flayers or Tesla Carbines, flaying the atoms of the Collectors in their way or turning them into burnt out husks. With the enemy numbers thinning, Shepard motioned for his team to follow the Necron units in. More Collectors continued to fly in from above but Shepard wouldn't let the Immortals have all the kills. He picked out one attempting to harass him from above with plasma fire via a well timed shot through his sniper scope, nailing it right between the eyes. Miranda and Jacob pulled or slammed the others utilizing their biotics before returning to cover while following the Necrons.

Legion cloaked and moved up to the stairs at the end of the hall, seemingly intending to secure some high ground. Shepard's team moved from cover to cover while the Immortals continued advancing to the stairs. Despite the slower pace, the Immortals had neutralized most of the enemies within the room. But the Commander looked up behind them and noticed an windowed alcove overlooking their whole position. He suddenly got a bad feeling, even though he didn't see anything there and it seems neither did the Immortals.

"Legion do you detect anything in that alcove overlooking the hall?" Shepard asked.

Legion snapped off another shot on a hiding Collector before returning to cover at the top of the steps and looked to the position for a few seconds, processing the data, "Analysis detects no enemy units present at targeted position. We are clear to proceed."

"Alright, lets pick up the pace! Head up to the right, we need to get to that overlook position ASAP!" Shepard said as he holstered his sniper rifle and withdrew his X-1 Partizan, its barrel extending out as it unfolded.

He got up and began running ahead of the Immortals who continued their walking pace as the Commander and his team ran past to the stairs. However just as the team were about to head up the stairs on the right, time seemed to suddenly slow. Shepard grimaced as a familiar tinnitus began ringing and he tried to bring up his hand toward his head. However, his hand was barely moving. The ringing started to abate after a moment.

With the sounds of everything around him seemingly dissipating until all he could hear was his own slow breathing. His eyes looked to his team slowly running in place before looking up to notice a figure from that same alcove position he asked Legion to check earlier. A shadowy figure was now looking down into the hall. Glowing yellow eyes stared at Shepard with dark intent and then the Commander heard the sound of a click...like that a of a trigger pull.

In an instant, time sped back to normal and the sounds of real time came rushing in, hitting Shepard all at once, disorienting him. A white beam of light shot out from the windows above. It hit Jacob through the back, taking down his shields and piercing him through the chest and out through his heart within a split second. Jacob slammed face first into the smooth metallic flooring, a surprised look on his face as his last breath left him. Shepard's training kicked in and he began suppressing the upper overlook with plasma fire. The Immortals surprisingly followed the Commander's lead without an order, sending beams and lightning toward the alcove. Quickly standing up, he clenched his teeth in anger as he ordered the Necrons, "Suppress that area!" Miranda and Kasumi were caught in shock before they quickly grabbed the fallen Jacob and moved him to some cover, blood smearing the floor. Legion also swayed his weapon back and forth looking for targets but found nothing. Miranda was able to prop Jacob up by some cover, but when she saw the damage...she knew he was gone. Her hand covered her helmeted mouth and Kasumi beside her merely uttered, "No...Jacob."

When Shepard realized they were just wasting rounds he ordered the Necrons, "Cease fire!". After reloading his thermal clip he shouted at Legion, "What happened Legion! You said it was clear!"

"We did not detect enemy presence utilizing nominal scanning techniques. No biometrics were detected, nor any movement. We apologize Shepard Commander, perhaps a diagnostic is-"

"Enough! Just cover us!" Shepard angrily ordered.

"Acknowledged." The cyclopean machine replied continuing to sweep for targets from his position.

Shepard rushed over to his team who were by Jacob's propped up body, resting on a metallic corner of the stairs. Miranda grimly reported, her voice slightly trembling, "Shot through the heart...killed instantly."

"Don't blame yourself Miranda it was my call-"

"No, you did everything right. You felt that too didn't you?"

"Wait, a strange moment where everything seemed to slow down then hit you all at once?"

Miranda nodded, "Yes. Kasumi?"

Kasumi couldn't find the words. She was still saddened over her crush's death. She instead only nodded in response.

"It has to be psionics then. Aeldari psionics..." Shepard surmised grimly.

"If they have that kind of power why don't they just overwhelm us with it and take us out. Hell they could do it right now!" Miranda angrily replied.

"I don't know!" Shepard shouted before he suddenly heard the shuffling of feet. They didn't have the time to argue they needed to move, now.

"Miranda we have to go. Take Jacob's weapon, we don't have many of those Partizans and we need every one we can get at the moment."

The Normandy XO sighed, "Understood Commander."

"We're just going to leave him like this?!" Kasumi shouted, finally finding her voice.

"We don't have a choice! Reinforcements are coming! There's no time!" Miranda retorted, grabbing Jacob's fallen plasma weapon off the floor and attaching it to her back.

"Let's move, we'll get them back for Jacob...count on it." Shepard promised.

The Commander looked to the Immortals, "Follow us!"

"Confirmed." The lead Immortal replied.

The team finally stood up and ran up the right stairs. Just as they were about to reach the top, once again for Shepard time slowed and his surroundings began to darken. He was alone slowly moving in place, his conscious mind slowly growing aware of the loss of his senses before a voice whispered in the darkness, "This is only the beginning of your suffering Shepard."

While the voice was distorted, Shepard could recognize some aspects of it, "Tylon?" His thoughts echoed out of his wordless mouth.

"Your hearing is sharp...for a human."

"Using psychic talents to make up for your lack of skill?"

"Scathing, but even you Mon'Keigh wouldn't hesitate to use a weapon when it allows you to acquire what you desire. Even without such an ability, I still would have scored the kill. Your association with the deathless has made you too reliant on them."

"Perhaps, but after this I'm not going to hold back when I find you Tylon. I owe Jacob that much."

"Good, all the quicker to ameliorate your debt to me for my brothers. The further you go, the more I will take from you." The voice warned.

"I haven't come this far to back down now Tylon. Next time it's not going to be that easy."

"Really? I'm curious to see your attempt to overcome my advantage Shepard. I look forward to when you fail and writhe on the ground, covered in your friend's blood. Its the least of what you deserve."

Shepard was quiet before angrily thinking aloud, "Fuck you."

A laugh was all that replied as the world returned back to focus and time once more normalized. Shepard nearly tripped over himself. Miranda quickly became worried at her Commander nearly falling over as she ran over to him and helped him back up, "Shepard! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine! I'm just a little shaken up from earlier. It'll pass, let's focus on getting to the overlook."

Back at Solvatas' frontline, neither side seemed to have made any significant gains. The Vymark was still waiting for Shepard to begin his flank and it had already been seven minutes. Biotic barriers were now beginning to fail among her forces, the volleys of plasma fire overwhelming them at last. Thankfully the seeker swarms had mostly been dealt with, but now lances of light were beginning to strike at her forces, taking out several of her Omega soldiers and even disabling several of her Necron warriors. So they had sharpshooters here as well, what else did they have? Solvatas wondered internally. Her forces began using the previously placed cover to return fire against the Collectors and Aeldari sharpshooters but if they were going to push forward they needed to do so before casualties started to truly mount. Irritated at the delay in communication behind the green biotic barrier of her Besakt, Solvatas called Shepard over interal comms, "Shepard, what is the delay? We are waiting on your team to begin disrupting their positions before we advance."

As if on que, green beams of light seared the Collector position around the archway along with what sounded like explosions. The plasma fire began to slow down in its intensity and the beams of light stopped. The time was now and the Vymark seized it, "Reassemble and advance!" she wirelessly ordered to her minions.

Her Necron forces moved in unison back into a checker board column onto the bridge, allowing each warrior in the first and second ranks a firing lane as they advanced up the bridge. Solvatas ordered her Omega units, "Gavorn, order your people to fall in behind my warriors and use them for cover. Biotics shall continue to provide protection if able."

Gavorn wearily nodded, "You got it. Alright its time to move in! Use the metal guys as cover, if you can still provide barriers do so, if not take up the rear!"

One of the wounded Batarians shook his head, "Commander, that's a shit storm up there...I dunno if we can-"

"We either do it or stay here where the bugs will come back and eat your faces! Dig deep and push through! Its do or die guys and we haven't come this far to die here!"

"Yeah!" roared one of the Krogan soldiers.

"Follow me! Let's go!" Gavorn shouted as he waved his soldiers to him.

The Krogan were the first to follow, while the rest slowly began to fall in behind the Turian commander. Solvatas huffed at the Omega unit's tardiness but in the end overlooked it. She took up position within the third rank of the column, Nev'El beside her still maintaining a barrier over her forces. When they were all assembled the Vymark gave the order, "Forward!"

As one, the column advanced, their combined footfalls making loud resonating clacks of metal upon the rocky bridge. The Omega troops fell in behind them albeit haphazardly, but followed their orders as a few biotic barriers went up alongside the green one emitted by Nev'El. More explosions and green beams were lancing the enemy position before the stream of plasma shifted entirely off of Solvatas and onto the overlook where Shepard was attacking from.

Before the column reached the top however, a cluster of bluish white lights appeared and was now falling towards them. Gavorn called out, "Incoming!"

But it seems Nev'El was already on it, her biotic barrier pulsed and dissipated outwards, scattering the cluster of Aeldari grenades that had been flung in their direction off the bridge. Seconds later they detonated below them, creating brilliant flashes of light in the darkness. When the column finally reached the enemy's side of the chasm, they saw chaos. The area was littered with cargo, confirming this had been a supply storage area. Explosions from the containers had ripped apart the Collectors line, with the insectoid aliens now switching to engage Solvatas' forces. As one, the front and second rank of Necron warriors and Immortals unleashed Gauss Flayers and Tesla Carbines, rending the Collector survivors in front of them to dust or charred meat within the first volley. Beyond them, Aeldari forces were falling back to another defensive line, where lances of light and sporadic plasma and particle beams returned fire upon the Necrons. Several warriors and Immortals surprisingly fell from headshots and the Vymark ordered, "Break formation! Find cover and continue to advance, no mercy!"

The Necron forces then broke rank and began to move as individuals once more. Firing on the move while finding cover, Solvatas' forces were now pouring into the ruined Collector line and exchanging fire with the enemy. However, more Necron warriors were being disabled with well placed headshots from the Aeldari and it grated on Solvatas with every lost warrior. It meant that the battle for the gate would be even harder. Even though they could simply recover from the damage with her tools and their necrodermis, the lost time would give the Aeldari and Collectors more of an advantage. They needed to break through this line and get to the gate before the enemy could bring up more reinforcements to overwhelm them.

She switched to her internal comms as she strode to a destroyed container to find cover from the Aeldari sharpshooters, "Shepard I need you to provide fire discipline-"

"Problem with that, I've lost a member of my team due to an Aeldari sniper. Its our old friend, Tylon."

"Oh? The assassin who tried to kill me before?"

"Yes, hes also getting psionic help. It would have been nice if you had something prepared for that or informed us of what kind of psionic tricks they would have tried before hand."

"Warp abilities are not particularly easy to detect for me at the moment Commander and even then there would be very little we could do until the Aeldari used their abilities. I suppose I could seek out recent spacial disturbances, as they tend to destabilize areas of space with their powers in differing ways. I may be able to neutralize his support but the Aeldari may make it...difficult."

"I've already lost one man to this crap, we need a plan of attack!" The Commander shouted adamantly.

"We have no time Shepard! We need to break through this next line to reach the gate!" The Vymark then huffed realizing the Commander would just continue the argument, "Fine if losing more of your team is that detrimental I will need a moment to analyze the area."

"We'll be standing by!" Shepard finished, terminating the communication.

Solvatas turned to Nev'El who still remained at her side, "Nev'El, I will need a barrier for a moment while I anaylze the field."

Nev'El nodded but a hint of exertion escaped her audio emitters, "Of course mistress."

The Asari Pariah's forearms opened and exposed the cylindrical encased coils that enhanced her biotic abilities. She poured all her power into a barrier around her master and channeled it with clawed hands in Solvatas' direction. The Vymark was wrapped in a tightly energized barrier of green energy and she stepped forth from her cover to begin analyzing. Immediately the Vymark was shot in the head, though thanks to the barrier the lance of light from the Aeldari found no purchase. Solvatas continued to look around the enemy line, her eye lenses switching to differing filters, from thermals, electromagnetic, and others to find any kind of trail. Plasma fire was now hitting her barrier and Nev'El gave a grunt, but remained resolute not to let the barrier fail.

Solvatas huffed in irritation. The Aeldari Psyker was clever, leaving several traces that her analysis detected going seemingly in random directions. However, having hunted Farseers in the past there was always a serious disruption in the electromagnetic spectrum and temperature around a psyker that one could never wholly hide, no matter how subtly they use their powers. She was confident even in this heated battlefield she could see it and target it with her Staff...if the user used their power. She did have a rather obvious bait to call upon for that.

"Commander." Solvatas communiqued to Shepard, "I believe I have a lead on where the target is, but it is amidst the enemy line and no doubt concealed. I will need you to draw them out of hiding since you and your team are the targets."

"You're sure you can take it out before we get our heads blown off? Not that you couldn't I'm sure, its more or less the fact that this psionic can seemingly slow time or something."

"Likely a form of time dilation on your part, I doubt the Aeldari truly had that sort of ability. However, I in a limited fashion, do. All I need is but a mere second."

Shepard sighed, "Alright...but I'll risk myself first above my crew for this. This better be worth it."

"It will...provided you do your part."

"Yeah yeah." The Commander said, cutting off the communication while Solvatas prepared herself, her necrodermis cape melding and receding into her body and forming beautiful yellow patterns along her skeletal frame. Her hand now griped the Chronometron on her hip. Sniper fire suddenly rang out from Shepard's position above them, hitting Aeldari targets within the enemy line. Solvatas' oculars had widened her view as much as possible, looking for any hint of a distortion. Then it happened, a burst of particles and atmosphere, behind the Aeldari line past the ranks of Guardians firing their Shuriken rifles and weapon platforms. The burst of particles occurred around where she had seen the lances of light that had struck her head. It was within that instant she activated the Chronometron. Time slowed to a crawl, seconds extending into moments. The beautiful patterns along her necrodermis body activated, glowing brilliantly yellow and hot. She brought her Staff of Light down at her target and fired, her body moving incredibly swift against the slowness created by her wargear. The hot light of her staff took a second to fire out and vaporize what was there, an Aeldari body in the shadows, became ensconced in light recoiling at the impact. Then the next second there was nothing. Solvatas internally smiled in satisfaction at the kill before a proximity warning alerted her.

The Vymark's Chronometron was now exhausted and overheating, needing time to cooldown and recharge. The sudden shift into real time thankfully had not slowed her and she evaded just in time to prevent herself from meeting the business end of a strange white staff. It broke her biotic barrier from the near miss and Solvatas got a look at her attacker as she recovered. It was a female Aeldari, bearing a strange attire she had rarely seen in the past. The weapon the enemy bore was a staff with a crying face on its top and the Vymark found the woman's outfit just as ridiculous. A robed light armor bearing Istafar colors of black and white with a blank white face plate. The leg armor bore strange red diamonds and checkered patterns.

Solvatas grunted in annoyance and prepared herself, recovering from the blow when Nev'El struck back against the Aeldari woman. The Pariah attempted to hit the woman with a warp attack only for the Aeldari to suddenly disappear into a shimmer of light before suddenly being before the Pariah, striking her in the head with the Aeldari staff. The former Asari cried out in confusion. Her senses were dazzled and shaken from the strength of the blow along with its anomalous effect. Solvatas lashed out at normal running speed, her metal body still recovering from her previous exertion, attempting to strike the alien with the blunt end of her own staff. Once again the attack met only shimmering particles, but left a glowing light upon Nev'El. Realizing it was a plasma explosive, Solvatas jumped back before the Pariah detonated in a brilliant explosion.

Nev'El's upper torso landed a meter away from the initial blast, her body blown apart by the alien device in several directions. The lights of her body flickered and she groaned. Nev'El communiqued a distorted message to Solvatas, "Fo..forgive me...mis..mistress..." The Vymark could only watch as a shimmering light appeared beside her Besakt. The Aeldari woman appeared again beside Nev'El's body and crushed the Pariah's head with the top of her white staff. The sheer force of the blow cracking the floor and spraying black fluids and gore with its impact. Solvatas fired her Staff of Light in retaliation only to once again hit shimmering lights. A woman's laughter filled the air.

"Aw do the dead mourn the dead? Such pittance from one that has no soul or heart."

Solvatas gripped her Staff tighter, then relaxed her grip and sighed audibly, "I will make all of you pay for this slight." she vowed.

"Truly? It is of pride then? Such strange monsters you are. You court the Shepard and his flock, using him to your ends...but what is coming cannot be stopped."

Solvatas communiqued to Shepard internally, "Commander pursue your target, I have the enemy psionic engaged. Seize the moment."

"Understood!"

Solvatas spun her staff in front of her for one rotation before entering a defensive stance, one hand out towards her opponent, the glyphs and patterns upon her necrodermis glowing slightly, "That one you dispatched I was rather fond of Aeldari...your death will be excruciating."

The Aeldari Shadowseer smiled behind her mask, the head of her weeping staff resonating in a strange field of energy, "What terrors can Rilli'Toill perform? Let us see what the dead can evoke!"