Normandy SR2, cockpit
"Shepard mopping again" Joker started with.
"Yep" Kasumi said.
"Hey he was told by his now ex to let her grieve and move on. after all He did die" Ben finished.
"ship, ship" ship nodded in agreement with Ben. He been hanging around Prometheus a lot more because Ben busy schedule.
"Yes ship. It seems, these primitives, have a some form of attachment with these emotions of theirs" Prometheus said in a condescending tone, though it came across amusing.
" Prometheus, we really need to get you out more" Kasumi nodded to Ben Idea till Joker…
" Yeah, then you can explain to everyone why we have a collector, who by all accounts are abducting human colonies, is on board my ship, while getting gunned down at the same time. Hell the crew barley stands him" Joker sarcastically stated.
Kasumi pouted "Your no fun"
"Ship" Ship giggles
"I am confused to why we having this conversation behind Shepard back" EDI Ask with curious intent.
"It mainly because we care for him EDI and are worried he might do something he might regret or…."
"Stupid"
"Thanks Joker"
"your welcome prankster twin" Kasumi grins. Joker grins back in return.
"Tennyson" Everyone turn to the noise. It was Miranda and Jacob.
"Can I Help you princess,?"
We found something, we don't recognise it on the codex entry on the species page" Ben raised An eyebrow at Jacob explanation while thinking that Jacob can be quite boring sometimes.
"Okay but what does that have to do with me" A confused Ben ask.
Jacob opens up a holo vid. Showing….
"is that a Varren fuck a Thresher maw attacking Cerberus troops. How?" Joker ask confused on what he is seeing
A Varren mix with a… "Fuck. I got all the mad scientist villains"
"you seem to know who this creature is Benjamin" EDI pointed out. Though Ben outlook she was not far of.
"well you know at some point we meeting Dr psychobos." Everyone nodded. Knowing he with Eon at Omega "Well he not the first scientist villain I faced. Another called Dr Animo and from your look princess it tells me, you already know what he capable off. " Everyone turns to Miranda Sower look.
"This was a Cerberus operation mixing the genetic code of animals bypassing there genetics and biology ." Kasumi looked confused.
"okay ew But how can we tell if it this Dr Animal"
"Animo and it him. I Check the level of Genetic mutation science in this timeframe and year. It know where on par with his science and he the only one I have known to combine animals that are not compatible with each other" Ben finishes .
Joker made a disgusted face "Well he sounds like a nut job"
Ben snorted louder than he meant "Yep"
Jacob in a all serous face "What his weakness. How can we face him? I don't trust the illusive man but there no way he trust people who are crazy to do this mad science,"
"look for a device. The man likes it so he in control of his creatures, oh and he likes the sound of his own voice.. a lot. What this about anyway?"
Jacob nodded but side eye Miranda "So external source got it and to answer that question we don't know. We have reason to believe he working on a Cerberus project but don't know what the project is"
Miranda then started going on about another mission "Anyway, Shepard is dealing with some problems right now. Garrus and Tali are with him right now. So to occupy our time, I have been order by Shepard to do the illusive man favour. The mission is called overlord. We been experimenting with the idea to control the Geth through human Vi interface. Apparently they found someone who quite a genius with this type of work "
Joker snorted towards the group "Bet, Tali would love that" Ben on the other hand.
"Can I take charge of this one. I need to get back in my grove and well, I have a gut feeling and hate those" Miranda smiled and thought that it was not a bad idea. Plus she always wanting to see more of his skills in action and she gets the chance to see his leadership skills.
"Sure. Plus we can take Prometheus with us since it located on an Isolated planet."
"oH oh can I come" Kasumi was giddy with the idea but Ben thought about it and had a gut feeling that something bad about to happen on this mission.
"yeah you can come. EDI, joker keep Ship here would you" Joker was about to argue but EDI started saying what she wanted to say before he had a chance.
"I do not mind plus, I would like to converse with Ship more"
"Princess can you and Jacob get, Thane, Morden, grunt and Zaeed. Then meet in the hangar bay"
Jacob raised an eyebrow "thinking we need all hands on deck for this?" Ben just nods and heads down to hangar bay with Prometheus and Kasumi following behind.
Normandy SR2, Hangar bay.
Prometheus and Kasumi were standing next to the shuttle waiting for the rest of the team, while Ben talking to Kennith about the rust bucket.
"Aye. She be good to travel on planet level but still need that mass effect core part for it to have space travel capabilities" Ben nodded.
Kennith continued "Pretty sure my friend delivering the parts we need now so I should be done soon. Roughly after your next mission and after I get the parts here. Hell with Gabby help it should be smooth sailing"
"Nice" Ben retorted. Then there elevator open up and everyone Ben ask for came out and started heading towards the shuttle.,
"see you Kenneth" Ben waved bye as now was heading towards the shuttle. Kennith waved back. Ben hoped in the shuttle with everyone else. The shuttle take off for planet Aite.
The shuttle
Everyone filed in the shuttle like a tight hug, as they are flying down, Ben starts to wonder his own self-worth of change. After talking more with Chalkwas he has been more alive than before but still feels this empty soul of his.
Zaeed made a coughing sound that attracted everyone attention "right so, I know what we doing but why do we need this god dammed many people"
Miranda/Kasumi/Jacob and Ben answered "Shepard life caught up to him"
Zaeed nodded understanding giving him space " Ah, yes wondering when the Trauma of being dead kicked in." Ben snorted.
"Your subtle, though what do you expect from a revenge hungry madman" Zaeed smirked back.
"What about you kid. You feeling better"
"no, every time I sleep I remember my friends my family. Haunting me of my failures to save them. FYI we not friends. Your revenge plot could of got people killed unnecessary." Ben said with laced anger in his tone.
"kid," Zaeed can see the pain in the kid eyes. The pain that got him here in the first place. A pain he recognise himself from experience.
"It fine. Really, I'm getting there, just" Ben started rubbing his eyes with a depressed monotone.
"I just need to get to Eon and Ghostfreak. Then I have my payback" Zaeed nodded in understanding. they may not be friends but he understand the need to get back at someone. Miranda speaking to Morden and Jacob overheard the conversation and is sadden.
ETA to Aite. 2 minutes. EDI said over the shuttle coms.
"well that was fast" Ben Muttered
2 minutes later.
Aite Hermes Station
"Sniff, sniff, I don't like it… haunted" Grunt said as he examined the outlook of the facility while getting of the shuttle. The facility looked destroyed and burnt like a inferno punch through it walls
"yes I do feel a faint presence in the air" Thane agreed with grunt on the matter.
Miranda nodded and looked to Jacob and Ben. "We need to cover are Flanks".
Ben looked towards Kasumi and Thane "You two, and princess can you scout ahead, check for survivors and any information on the project here" Thane nods. Kasumi giggles. "oh that a stupid question Benjamin of course I can" Those three went ahead with Miranda in the lead.
Jacob raised an eyebrow "Expecting trouble"
"You in Shepard crew. You're not expecting it?" Ben retorted in mild humour
"point"
"Alright, Then you and Grunt cover the front. Morden you with me and Prometheus scan anything that might help us. Zaeed cover the rear" Everyone nodded at the rolls given. Jacob opened up with his newly formed barrier and Grunt slammed his fist together allowing fortification to power up. They walked forward into the facility passing damage walls and corpse that spread across the floor.
"Ah you here" That made everyone jump. Looking around Grunt points to a monitor where a face appeared. A man with a high hairline and a deep voice that remind Ben of Loghain from the Dragon Age game he played back home. Also to Ben it oddly reminds him of that Quarian Admiral.
"Sorry about the scare, my name Doctor Gavin archer. Head researcher of project Overlord. we're facing a catastrophic VI breakout. You need to get to the satellite dish controls, to stop the Vi. It trying to leave an access the outer network. I tried to save as many as I can but with The VI in the network. Well you understand. Good Luck" Gavin said with some hope filled in his voice. Then he cut the call.
Ben opens up his omni-tool, while talking to Miranda "Princess, just found a survivor, don't know where he is but he in this facility. Do you mind looking for him. He Dr Gavin Archer"
Over the coms Miranda said "Yes, me and my squad will search around for him. Be warned though, Geth are here and are very different"
"How different"
"They glowing green and we hearing screens from the Vi station here"
"pl ]#, M #~ ..." a sudden scream eco across the room deafen a few squad mates. A few numbers jump on screen. It looks to be a simulating a face.
"Yeah, we just got a taste of it" Ben retorted
Morden chimed in the discussion "VI reacts with emotion. Tone indicate human emotion. Simulated experience, possible AI involvement" Ben hummed.
"Well Anyway, We going to head to the satellite Dish controls, apparently the VI trying to access the outer network, probably the Normandy from my guess" Ben finished.
"What!" Miranda screamed across the coms.
"looked we need to get going, so once you found Gavin meet us at the Dish controls" Ben finally finished. Then he cut the call.
"Was it wise to cut the call" Jacob ask Ben.
"Yes. She going to give me a lecture on stopping this. Now let's get going" Jacob snorted and followed with the rest of the group and walked forward inward towards the Satellite controls.
The group make to the cafeteria of the facility which was overrun with Geth.
"Geth! Different, controlled maybe." Morden stated
"Whatever it is it killing time" Grunt Grunted.
"Agreed. Grunt, Jacob and Zaeed take the ground floor, hit them where it hurts" Ben stated out a plan. Ben followed up with "Prometheus cover them with air support. Morden you and me are heading straight through the Geth and toward the satellite control room" Everyone nodded and went on with the plan with Grunt slamming down Geth, Zaeed firing behind cover in the kitchen and Jacob cover the stairs on the other side of the room. Prometheus flying high is shooting his targets with precision making sure his cover of his crew mates are secure. Ben slams his Omnitrix and a green flash appeared.
"BullFrag!" BullFrag shouts. BullFrag then pulls out his Prototool, nods to Morden and both head to the First floor of the cafeteria. Well Bullfrag jumps towards the railings, while grabbing some Geth with his tongue, slamming the down to the ground afterwards and followed up by shooting the Geth on the First floor. Morden also took down some Geth with cryo then followed up with shooting with his SMG as his incinerate does not work on Geth.
They both push forward when they make to the Satellite dish control room.
"Doc, why don't you work your magic here and get this satellite to go offline" Bullfrag said with a Brooklyn tone accent.
Morden nods "doing it now. Standby"
2 minutes later.
SLAMM.
"You good, doc" Bullfrag ask Morden
"No the VI counter my commands, we need to manually destroy the struts support beams in order to stop the VI transfer. No over choice"
Then the facility speaker came online with a dull female voice. " Upload to satellite uplink. Target SSV Normandy SR2!"
"pl ]#, M #~ s#" "
"Scrap, that VI really creepy. Doc contact The Bot and Joker. Let them know of the upload" Bullfrag swore.
"Agreed. What about you" Morden said as he open his omni-tool to call Joker and EDI.
Ben hits his Omnitrix again. A quick green flash appears.
"Astrodactyl Squawk!" Astrodactyl the rocketed off smashing the glass in front of him. Wasting no time to go and destroy the support beams. Then Morden Omni-tool beeps.
"Morden, I can't get a call into Ben and Jacob said he with you, what happening?" Miranda ask from the omni-tool
"He busy manually shutting down the uplink. No choice, the Vi block remote access" Morden answered.
"Understood we heading your way. We found Gavin Archer"
"Understood"
With Ben flying to the Satellite Dish
"squawk, Time to bring down the house" Ben deep dives in. rocketing himself towards the first support beam." He opens his mouth and fires a green energy beam destroying it. Geth from below fire upon him. Astrodactyl opens up his wrist and grabs a Geth Pyro with an energy whip and slamming that Geth to the second support beam destroying it in the process. With one final push Astrodactyl fires of another beam towards the Geth prime which pushes it back to the third and final support pillar destroying the satellite. Said satellite collapses on itself causing structural damages to the facility.
"Now, Let see what Dr Gavin has to explain this shit show Squawk"
5 minutes later
"Geth are gone and the Facility secured" Jacob said with a authoritative voice, talking to Miranda.
"Good, How are Morden and thane dealing with the bodies"
"Gave them the standard Cerberus practice, when it came to burying the dead and informing families. They following through with it now and I join them in a minute. Grunt, Prometheus and Zaeed are doing a final sweep" Miranda nodded. Happy this mission was successful until..
With Ben and Gavin Archer.
"Please explain to me what project overlord is" Ben asks hoping answers will calm his gut.
Gavin siiting at his desk explained "this is Project Overlord an attempt to gain influence over the Geth by interfacing a human mind with a VI…." He takes a breather "He like a Virus now, infecting the networks and seizing control of are technology"
Ben crossed armed "What the worst case scenario because I for one don't want to get an earful from the council"
Gavin rubs his forehead looking tired "a Technology apocalypse. Every machine, weapon, every computer could be turned against us. Dav… The Vi has fortified himself at the main laboratory in Atlas station. It in lockdown now. To enter you need to manually override security from are facilities in Prometheus and Vulcan stations". Gavin said with a strain in his tone.
Ben looked at the lockdown console then back to Gavin. "I assume I have to pull that tube out to override the lockdown on both stations allowing us the team to access the main Laboratory"
"Yes, it work its magic once you hit the two stations, after that happens this will allow you access to the main lab" Ben nods to Gavin then turns to go out to meet his team but stops and thinks to certain words Gavin played out 'Dav…..'.
With Ben and the gang.
"Alright so we got two stations and one main laboratory. Pretty sure we got the exact numbers to head to each place but we only have one shuttle" Miranda said calculating the odds. Ben thoughts came to him with an idea. So he shouted.
"Dr Archer!" Dr Gavin archer came out of the lab. "Yes what is it?"
"Do you have any spare vehicles?"
"oh" he looked around to see how many are there . "I see, yes I do. If you give me a moment" Gavin opens up his omni-tool then press some buttons. Next the garages doors opening to see one Mako and Hammerhead tank.
"Whistles! Thanks" Ben said to Gavin who nods in return and head back inside.
Ben turns to the group "Right, so. Zaeed you Grunt and Prometheus head to Vulcan station in the Mako" Zaeed groan.
"I hate you so much kid" Ben grinned in return. Miranda nodded at the group with the mako. It makes sense to her as that station is lava territory as she research and the mako can survive under the most highest of heats.
"Thane, you, Kasumi and Jacob head to Prometheus station, with the Hammerhead" Thane nodded. Jacob groan also. His lack of trust towards the assassin is well documented.
Miranda again nodded with this group to but also added "be warned you have to deal with a heavy cannon that was bult to protect the station. It also a Geth ship to boot, so take extra ammo just in case" Thane hummed in acknowledgement.
Both teams head to they respect vehicles and head off. Ben finished off by saying to Morden and Miranda.
"We head of in the shuttle when they override the lockdown. Then have them meet us at Atlas station with Zaeed team picking up Dr Gavin along the way." Both nod at the plan
Back on the Normandy Sr2 Shepard quarters
"Shepard" Tali softly spoke.
"I know Tali. It just not easy" Tears welling up while looking at a picture of him a liara on they first date on the citadel.
Garrus spoke but with a tough tone "look we knew you going to have a hard time adjusting. Especially when every single one of us had move on or rule a planet for Wrex sake. We all grieved for you and some of us still do. When we first saw you it felt like a gut punch. Like how do you deal with your friend who been dead for 2 years. We changed Shepard and honesty it hard to be friends with you now. Please gives us time. We can still talk, we can still hang out but we both have to earn both our friendship back because it been two years where I lost my best friend" Shepard felt like he been punch in the gut hurt but nodded in understating. Garrus left after that not wanting to bring back .
"Garrus" Tali quietly said.
"you feel that way to Tali?" Shepard asked
"Yeah. I still coming to terms with you being alive and I… think you are as well. We got so used to you well dying and grieving that… well you know" Shepard was just silent.
"well I just go" Tali left after that. Shepard crawled up into a ball.
"Shit" Shepard muttered to himself. He opened up his omni-tool and watch some old vids of his old crew.
"I never really did come to terms with being alive after death. I just went back into it. Like an any N7 operative would do" he said to himself realising that the scars that affected him also effect his frie… companions.
Aite Vulcan station.
"Wow that a lot of lava" Zaeed muttered. Seeing all the lava that surrounding the facility.
Grunt growled "either way Mush" Zaeed gave grunt a deadpanned expression that says 'are you serious ' But drove the mako forward anyway. Driving on rocky terrain and lava puddles. Once they close enough.
Prometheus stated "How are we going to get on top the cliff side" Zaeed smirked.
"Bug boy let me tell you, the Mako knows how to climb."
A few moments later. After very bump Mako driving.
Grunts got out of the Mako with hands touching the floor. "who you taught you how to drive old man" he said in a anger like tone.
Zaeed snorted "Not my fault the Mako could be jumpy" Prometheus ever the emotionless one after getting out the mako, puke.
"I did not know you can do that bug boy"
"Neither did I" Prometheus later muttered something about primitives and technology.
Grunt got up and started to stretch "well, we here. Let go" They enter Vulcan station. With guns high. Walking in the facility they see vent with pump values and a bridge.
Prometheus said "let's go across the bridge, we should be able to gain access to the main terminal that way" Grunt and Zaeed nodded. So they walked towards the bridge only for it to collapse but falling debris.
"Shit" Zaeed shouted. Grunt growled but Prometheus looked towards the valves and fires with his collector rifle.
"Boom"
"WHAT THE HELL BUG BOY"
"I created a pathway. I can see that the pipes lead directly towards to upper levels. We take them so now we have got a clear path" Grunt grunted but walked towards the new pathway. Followed by Zaeed and Prometheus. Once they reach the top floor….
"Mechs" Zaeed shouted. Seeing mechs activating with a green glow.
"And Drones" Grunt followed up on.
Prometheus finished "I fly around and hit the drones. Give you breathing space" He does so using his collector rifle he fires upon them with great speed.
Zaeed pulled out his Maddock assault rifle and fires on the mechs using disruptor ammo. Grunts charges at the mechs with his mighty Krogan DMZ shotgun. Slamming them down to the ground.
A few minutes later.
Zaeed muttered up a storm and his lips twitch a smile "That was fun and therapeutic"
"Heh, Heh, Heh" Grunt agreed.
Prometheus flew down "Drowns destroyed. We must proceed forward" Both nodded in agreement and moved toward the corridor on the far end of the building, where they a big square room full of.
"More mechs, Kill them" Zaeed shouted. Using the same method as before. Slamming shooting a drone destruction. Then a Heavy mech came out of the side door.
"S~"£ pleas]#, M #~ s#" " Zaeed mentally screamed at how that Vi is annoying.
"Ha, Heavy mech. This is going to be fun" Grunt stated exactly and stared to charge at the giant mech while shouting "I am KROGAN!"
"Dammit" Zaeed cursed. "Bug boy cover him by shooting the arms" Prometheus nodded and did shooting the left arm. Grunt charge at the heavy mech made it stumble at bit till it got back on it feet. Then Prometheus fired off a warp at the left arm and Zaeed firing a concussive round at the right arm. Grunt then push the heavy mech near the edge of the room, then in repeated fashion punching the mech head before it was blown of by Grunt shotgun blast. A clicking sound started appearing in everyone ears.
"Oh shit it going to nuke. Get COVER!" Zaeed screamed and everyone went into cover behind some pillars.
"CrackleBooom!"
The free got out from cover and silently agreed to just walk to the Side room. As they walk in they see a mech hitting, stomping the override command with they metal feat. The mech turn around and saw Zaeed, grunt and Prometheus standing they guns up. The green glow mech pulled they gun sonly to be shot by all three of the crew destroying the arms. Now the green glow vanishes but once that happen the mech. Ran.
Zaeed moved forward "Alright, pulling the Override. Be on your guard" He pull up the cylinder to started the Vulcan station override. Then and green numbered faced appeared.
"S~"£ pleas]#, M #~ sto " Zaeed ignored the Vi and called Tennyson through the omni-tool.
"Kid. The override at Vulcan station done moving to secondary adjective" he then turn to look at the armless mech. Shot it And moved on.
Hermes Station with Ben, Miranda and Morden. In Dr Archer lab
"Thanks old man" Ben cut the call with Zaeed turn to Dr Archer. "just to confirm Has Vulcan station been overridden"
The Dr nodded "Yes, now all that left is Prometheus station" Ben nods then turning back to his team.
"Okay lets…"
"Ben!" Miranda shouted.
"What!" Ben turns and eyes widen when he sees.
"Why is they a Geth with a hole in it chest. Here and does not have the green glow surrounding it eye"
The said Geth spoke in a monotone voice "We are looking for Shepard commander. Will you help us".
Morden, Miranda, Ben and Dr Archer were gobsmack. Jaws wide as the eye can see. "Did the Geth just speak in English"
"Fascinating"
"Not the time Morden"
Notes
Notes= Hey guys a few things I want to say. First I am going to add the slow burn tag because at the moment they have been developments in my life that take precedence's and Originally this was meant to be made and posted on Christmas as a gift to you guys. Even my grammar critique viewers. But many things got in the way of that.
One of those is that my nan (grandma) Has sadly passed away over Christmas time and I was focusing on supporting my dad and uncle. As well as the rest of the family.
Secondly I could be potentially moving house so that has been a focus on that as well but that has not been the most important thing.
So the next chapters for this story and Boku no hero Alien force may take longer than need be.
Thank you and have a happy New year.