Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Gears of War/Mass Effect crossover.
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Disclaimer: I do not own the Mass Effect or Gears of War franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, Microsoft Studios, The Coaltion, Epic Games, etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
Deep Space
Unknown Location
February 28th, 2183
Inside of Sovereign, Saren had a frown on his face, and it wasn't hard to see why. It had just been a day, but one of the agents on Noveria that had survived had reported in what had happened: Benezia was no longer serving Sovereign. Somehow, through some series of events, she had broken free of the Indoctrination and had become her own person again.
Looking at part of the wall in the pressurized chamber he was in, he gazed a large, shiny globe inside of the room. Moments later, a voice in his head rumbled, So, Benezia has wrestled free of the fate we have planned, and the ones responsible are the Humans calling themselves the 'Gears.'
"You're right," Saren nodded. "I just don't understand, though. How could she have resisted your power? It doesn't make sense!"
The anomalies had something to do with it,came the reply.No matter. The Cycle will continue, regardless of what they do. They will be Harvested, like all the rest.
"Yeah," Saren agreed, though the tone of his voice indicated that he wasn't too pleased by how things had gone. "I still don't understand how those four Humans can do it. How can they withstand odds that would make even the toughest soldiers crumble?" For the first time since he had begun to serve Sovereign, a nagging doubt began to form inside of him. Putting it aside for now, he went to his quarters, even more determined to find out what was going on.
. . .
SSV Normandy
Noveria
February 28th, 2183
Meanwhile, onboard the Normandy, a different situation was in progress. Walking towards the medical bay, Shepard's mind was abuzz with the events that had happened the previous day. Brushing past a few people, he had a slight frown on his face, though that was more from concentration than anything going wrong.
There is one thing I'm happy for, though, he said to himself. I'm glad we didn't have to damn a species to extinction. Wrex might be upset about it, but I've made my choice, and I will stand by it to the end of my days. I don't care what anyone says: letting the Rachni go was the right choice.
What surprises me is that Marcus and the others agreed. I thought they would've refused, since they had to deal with a species that was as tenacious as the Rachni. It shows, though, that I really don't know them all that well, and that they're constantly surprising me with new depths and aspects of their personalities. I'm really lucky to be getting to know them.
His internal musings were interrupted when he entered the medical bay. It was far from empty today, as he could see Cole and Garrus, along with Marcus, Baird, Carmine and Liara. Cole was currently being checked out by Dr. Chakwas, while Garrus was lying on a coy, a blindfold over his eyes and a pair of noise-canceling earplugs in his earholes.
Marcus and Carmine were standing near Liara, with the former doing what he could to ease tension in the room. Right now, Carmine was telling Liara about the time that one of his brothers, Derek Carmine, was assigned to watching some pigs. "The funny thing is," he noted, "is that the moment he got assigned to them, he just sat down near them and said 'bacon.'"
"Really?" Ashley, who was also inside of the medical bay, smirked. "Damn, that's funny, but true too. Bacon does come from pigs."
"Yeah," Carmine nodded, his expression hidden by his ever-present helmet. "Reminds me of the good ol' days, when Mom would cook us bacon for breakfast every day. No matter what happened, come thick and thin, she always managed to get bacon for us. I guess she must've been really determined."
"I guess so," Ashley smirked. Looking at Baird, she asked, "What about you? Any happy stories from your childhood?"
At that, Baird's expression soured slightly. "Nah," he frowned.
"Well, surely there must be something?"
"You can tell that to my parents," Baird snarked back. "All they were concerned about was how they looked in 'high society.' Damn father wouldn't let me get my inheritance without going into the military. Fucking blackmailed me, asshole!"
"What did you want to be?"
"A mechanic. That's all I ever wanted to be, but no, I had to be put into the military as part of 'tradition.'" He spat on the floor. "Fuck tradition! I just want to do what I enjoy doing. I didn't ask to be shoehorned into something that I didn't want to do. Either way, they got their just desserts during E-Day. I'm not sorry they're gone."
Shepard winced upon hearing that. Sounds like Baird didn't have a happy childhood growing up. I can relate to that. I grew up on the streets of Earth's megalopolises, learned to take care of myself. Clearing his throat, he asked, "You really think that?"
At that, everyone stood to attention, with Baird jumping slightly. "Uh… I… uh…"
"At ease," Shepard replied. "Just coming in to check on Garrus, Cole and Benezia." He motioned to the Matriarch, who was lying unconscious on a nearby cot. Her expression was solemn, but peaceful, as though she was separated from the worries of the world. Walking over to Dr. Chakwas, Shepard asked, "How's Cole?"
"Quite well, for having gone up against an Asari Commando," Chakwas admitted. "It appears as though the armor plating you wore absorbed the brunt of the impact. You've only got minor bruises."
"Yeah, but it tore up my armor," Cole frowned. "Gotta replace the entire chest armor. Good thing the Cole Train comes with spares in case something breaks."
"That you do," Chakwas smiled. Just one second in, and Cole's natural charm was already having an effect. "Aside from some rest, you're fit for duty."
"What about Garrus?" Shepard asked. "He mentioned that his vision had gone double, and that he might have a concussion."
"His self-diagnosis was correct," Chakwas confirmed. "Garrus has a mild to moderate concussion, which he confirmed with the double vision, sensitivity to sound, as well as difficulty with coordination. Tomorrow's the last day of rest for him, and I'll have him gradually return to normal activity over the course of a couple weeks. In addition to that, he has bone bruises on his skull, as well as his chest and upper arms. Again, the two weeks of lowered activity will help with the recovery process."
"That's good to hear." Looking at Benezia, he asked, "What about here?"
"She's much more complicated, to be honest," Chakwas admitted. "When I did a neural scan of her, I found out that her brain waves showed signs of alteration. If her account is correct, then that is a good sign of this 'Indoctrination' that she speaks of. A terrible means of torture, if you ask me; no person deserves to be forced to think a certain way."
"I agree," Shepard frowned, remembering Benezia's words on what happened to someone that was too close to Sovereign. "To be slowly driven into insanity by a machine… It's a horrible way to go. Is she…?"
"Whatever the Rachni Queen did, it reversed the alterations," Chakwas answered. "My guess is that she's able to create a quantum field that causes alterations to a person's brain over time. In her case, it's usually limited to other Rachni, but if she increases the intensity of this field, she can exert control over other organisms, but only if they're injured or unconscious. This is probably the closest one can come to true telepathy."
"Sounded like it to me," Shepard nodded. "So, prognosis?"
"Physically, she's fine. Mentally speaking, we'll have to find out once she wakes up." Just as she said this, Liara noticed something.
"Mother!" she shouted. "She's waking up." It was true, as Benezia's facial expression began to change, while her eyes began to flutter open. Stepping back, Shepard and the others watched as she looked around with a confused expression.
"Where am I?" Benezia asked.
"You're aboard the SSV Normandy," Shepard replied. "When the Rachni Queen purged your mind of the Indoctrination, we brought you aboard the ship."
Hearing that, Benezia nodded, remembering the events of the previous day. "I.. I no longer hear Saren's voice in my head! I'm free! And the Rachni Queen?"
"I allowed her to live. I couldn't damn her kind to extinction once more."
"Thank the Goddess that you spared her," Benezia smiled. "I – I couldn't live with myself if you'd destroyed her." Looking around, a worried expression came onto her face, before it was replaced with horror. "LIARA?!" she gasped. "Is she -?!"
"Mother!" Liara shouted. "I'm here!" With that, she ran to her mother and embraced her, while tears came from her mother's eyes.
"I'm so sorry, my little wing!" Benezia sobbed. "I shouldn't have listened to Saren and his words! If I hadn't done so, I would still be with you to this day! Can you ever forgive me?"
Liara was silent for a few moments, then she said, "How could I not forgive you? You're my mother, and you always will be. Nothing changes that."
Benezia sighed upon hearing that, relieved that her daughter, even after all this time, had forgiven her. Looking up towards Shepard, she said, "I thank you, Shepard, for helping to save me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have made it off of Noveria alive."
"It's not just me you should thank," Shepard shrugged. "Marcus here knocked your lights out, allowing the Rachni Queen to take control and remove the Indoctrination from your mind."
Looking at Marcus, Benezia said, "Then I thank you as well, Marcus."
"Just doin' my job," Marcus replied, not one for pretty 'thank you's' and the like.
"But I thank you anyways," Benezia smiled. Looking at Dr. Chakwas, she asked, "May I speak with my daughter in private? We have been away from each other for far too long, and I need to make restitution for some of my previous… errors."
"Go right ahead," Chakwas nodded. "The back room where I keep my supplies should suffice. If you need anything, I will be here."
"Thank you." With that, Benezia and Liara walked into the storage room, before closing the door. While that was going on, Marcus and the others walked down into the cargo bay.
Even from this distance, it was clear that Wrex was deeply disgruntled, as he had an irritated expression on his face, and was tinkering with his shotgun, something he only did when he was angry. Marcus, however, knew that, sooner or later, Wrex would cool his heels and interact with everyone else again. He's just being an asshole is all, he frowned. One good way to get someone to calm down is to let them vent.
Wrex wasn't the only one working on a project. Once Cole had take his armor off, Baird had pulled the short straw, resulting in him working on the armor plate that as damaged. Wow, he frowned when he saw the crumpled osmium alloy plate. Those Asari Commandos hit hard; it takes a considerable amount of force to smash in armor plating as thick as what we've got. I wouldn't like the odds if we went up against biotics of similar strength.
As he worked, he looked up to see Carmine and Ashley speaking with each other. What caught his attention was the fact that they seemed oddly relaxed around each other. Something's going on there, he noted. I saw it when Marcus and Anya were with each other. Maybe they're going to get together? Who knows?
As he worked, Marcus sat in silence against a crate. Reaching into his armor, he pulled out a small photograph, similar to the one that his friend, Dom, use to have. On it was the time worn image of him and Anya when their son, JD, was born. Even JD was in the image, with the infant Fenix nestled safely in his mother's arms.
Anya, he thought to himself. I miss you. I wonder when I'll be able to get back to you. He traced a few fingers idly down on the photograph.
It was at this moment that he heard someone coming over to him. Looking up, he saw Wrex coming over, and he didn't appear to be as angry as before, which was a good thing. After sitting down, there were a few minutes of silence before he asked, "Who's that there, and the little kid too?"
"Anya," Marcus replied. "And my boy, JD."
"She your -?"
"Yes, and I wouldn't want it any other way."
Wrex nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I see. I wish I had as good of a relationship as I did with my father."
"Oh?"
"I was betrayed."
That got Marcus' attention. Looking at Wrex, he asked, "So, what happened?"
"I was head of a small tribe. We were trying to restore order after the war, but the other tribes were against us. They followed Jarrod, one of the few warlords who survived the war with the Turians, but he was old, and so were his ideas."
"Let me guess," Baird, who was close at hand butted in. "He wanted to keep fighting and causing all kinds of trouble, which you saw was a bad thing?"
Impressed, Wrex asked, "How'd you know?"
"Wild guess," Baird explained. Seeing Wrex's look of calm disbelief, he added, "Looks, Wrex. Some days, I blow smoke out of my ass, only to find out that I guessed correctly. I'm not omniscient, I'm just an ordinary human being that's been through extraordinary times."
"Fair point," Wrex conceded. "To put it bluntly, that's correct. "He wanted to continue the war. He wanted us to fight; Turians, Salarians, each other. It didn't matter who, only as long as we were fighting."
"What did you think?" Marcus asked.
"I just wanted Jarrod to shut up, to stop his ranting. I wanted him to stop leading the tribes astray, but he couldn't understand how much things had changed. We didn't have the numbers to go to war. Even if we did, the Genophage ensured that we couldn't replenish our numbers fast enough. I told them all to forget about war. We needed to focus on breeding, at least for one generation. For a while, we were getting through; some of the tribes started to come around."
"That makes sense," Marcus nodded. "You didn't have the numbers to go to war, and even if you did, you'd be wiped out before anything meaningful got done. Sounds like you actually had a head on your shoulders."
"I agree," Baird added. "That Jarrod was a moron and an asshole. In addition, y'all probably didn't have the infrastructure needed to support such a war. That guy's attempts would've been a flash in the pan."
"Same here," Marcus nodded. "Still, I take it your father didn't take it very well."
"You have no idea," Wrex agreed. "He didn't agree at all. He arranged a Crush with the tribes, a meeting on neutral ground. He wanted to talk. We met at the Hollows, near the graves of our ancestors. The skulls of our dead laid bare to remind us where we came from, and where we all go. It's as sacred as any Krogan place can be. Violence is forbidden."
"I smell an ambush," Baird frowned.
"So did I, but when your father invites you to a Crush… well… there are some laws even we hold sacred. It was that day that he became something other than my father. We talked, but we didn't get anywhere. When it was clear that I wouldn't join him, he gave the signal.
"His men leaped from the graves of our ancestors like Krogan undead! The few that were loyal to me died quickly. I escaped with my life, but not before I sank my dagger deep into my father's chest. That… that is why I left."
Hearing that, Marcus could see why Wrex wanted the kind of relationship that he had with his own son, JD. After a moment, he said, "Wrex… I'm not one for sensitivity, but I don't mean any offense. Your father was a fucking idiot. What kind of asshole kills his own son for being right on an issue that he was fucking stupid on?"
"I agree too," Baird nodded. "Your father, Wrex, was an asshole, a moron and a motherfucker. If he thought that war was going to solve all of the Krogan's problems, then he has no idea of what war truly is. War is hell, it is a horrible and awful means to an end, and I can tell you this because Marcus and I? We lived it. I honestly approve of what you did: he wasn't going to change, and he was going to kill, rape and murder in order to get his way." For a few seconds, the two braced themselves for a potential tirade.
Surprisingly, said tirade didn't come, as Wrex looked at them for a long while. After a few minutes, he said, "You know what, that's honestly what I thought of him too: he was a fool to the very end. But that's what the Genophage turned us into: animals with no means of telling right from wrong. That's why I left."
"Understandable," Marcus nodded. "Do you have any other family, aside from your father?"
"You trying to make me cry, Marcus?"
"No. Just wonderin'."
"Hhhmmm… Yeah, I do. I've got a dumb brother named Wreav, as well as our mother, but that's about it. Aside from my family's ancient armor, that's all the business I really have with them." Looking at Marcus, he asked, "What about you?"
Normally, it would've been a sore topic for Marcus to talk about; in some ways, it still was. Still, Marcus had five years to adjust to the pain, and as Anya had once said, talking about what happened would help ease the pain. It was how he had overcome the trauma of war, by talking with people that had gone through it with him, people that could understand how he felt, and why he did the things that he had to do.
As such, instead of becoming quiet or sullen, he said, "Fair enough. I was an only child. My father was Adam Johnathan Fenix, and my mother Elain Fenix. My father, though, was so busy that he didn't really have much time for me."
"On what?"
"He was developing a weapon designed to end the Pendulum Wars, a deterrent that would force politicians not to wage war in fear of suffering the same fate as any soldiers they sent to fight war for them."
"The Pendulum Wars?"
"A 90 year long conflict the COG fought with the UIR, the Union of Independent Republics," Baird explained. "Happened as a result of Imulsion over-speculation, as well as an economic collapse. The UIR found that the COG had the most Imulsion reserves on the planet. Instead of deciding to be reasonable and create trade agreements for Imulsion shipments they, naturally, decided to wage war to get those reserves."
"What Baird said," Marcus finished. "As for my father, he was developing a weapon that was designed to destroy targets from orbit. He called it the 'Hammer of Dawn.' During that time, though, my mother disappeared for some strange reason. I later learned she was killed by the Locust, but at the time, I didn't know what was going on, and my father had to take care of me. He did his best, but he really didn't show his love. Anya thinks he didn't know how to express it properly, which makes sense given how he tried, but kept on stumbling."
"I see," Wrex nodded. "You still loved him, though, as your footage showed me. He might've stumbled, but he ensured you became a good soldier, and a good son."
"Yeah," Marcus nodded. "I just hope… that he found peace in the end. I guess I'll never be able to fully get over it."
"Nor should you. Never forget the ones you love, otherwise you just turn into an animal."
"Funny, the Rachni Queen said something about that, when she talked to me."
"Really? Then I guess there's hope yet. I just hope Shepard hasn't shot us in the ass. So, with all that entails, you think you can come with me on the mission?"
"Sure," Marcus nodded. "I'll even bring Baird along for the commentary." They all shared a laugh at that. It was true that Baird could have some good sarcastic moments. They were laughing with him at such times, rather than against him. With that, Wrex walked back to his corner of the cargo hold, while Marcus and Baird returned to their usual duties.
Even then, Wrex could clearly tell that Marcus' relationship was better than the one he had with his father. My father barely even recognized me as his own son, he thought, then he tried to kill me when I wouldn't follow him blindly to war. Marcus' father… he loved him, but couldn't show it properly. Sounded like a hell of a soldier, though.
As time passed, Baird decided to go talk to Tali once again. I really like interacting with her, he said to himself. She won't replace Sam, though. If Sam found out that I was with someone else, she'd tear my ass a new one, and feed me to a meat gringer. Once he'd finished mending Cole's armor, he got up and walked into the engineering bay.
Spotting Tali, he snickered, before attempting to sneak up on her. As such, he was surprised when she said, "Don't think about it, Baird?"
"Aw," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Just wanted a little fun. Sounds like you're doing better, though. Marcus said that, last time, you seemed downcast."
"I'm sleeping much better now. I guess I'm getting used to the silence onboard the ship," Tali admitted. "I still think a lot about my Pilgrimage, though. I know Saren's our top priority, but with all the worlds we go to, I was hoping that I'd be able to find something bring back to the flotilla."
"Don't worry," Baird said reassuringly, something that was rare with him. "We'll find something eventually."
"Yes, but it cannot be some derelict ship my people can use for salvage. It has to be more than that. There's a lot expected of me."
"Why is that? Your father a big-shot or something like that?"
"Good guess. He's the senior member of the Admiralty Board. He's one of only five people that can overrule the decisions of the Conclave for the good of the fleet. My father is responsible for the lives of seventeen million people – our entire race is in his hands. And I'm his only child."
"So you're royalty?"
"No, it doesn't work that way. My father's position isn't hereditary. I'll probably never serve on the Admiralty Board myself. Officially, I'm just the same as any other civilian, but it doesn't work that way in practice. People have always treated me differently because of who my father is."
"So? It doesn't sound like you had any privileges, though you can correct me if I'm wrong there."
"I probably had it easier than most when growing up, but it's not all good. People like my father have enemies, and they're not above using me to get at him."
"Ain't that the truth. It's hard dealing with that pressure," Baird shrugged.
"My people place a high value on ancestry and family. There's an unspoken expectation that I'll live up to my father's example. Everyone's waiting for me to do something great on my Pilgrimage. Something that'll change the lives of our people for the better. If I don't, it's like I failed, and that'll reflect badly on me and my father."
"Oh, that's bullshit," Baird grumbled, though he didn't direct this at Tali. "Those people have their heads up their fucking asses, let me tell you. Defeating Saren, in my opinion, is more than enough to satisfy that requirement, and you joined up willingly because you wanted to save your people. If they decide to shit on you for that, then they'll find out that I'm going to shove my Lancer, bayonet and all, up their asses for being fucking ungrateful."
Apparently, that surprised Tali, as her eyes widened behind her visor. Still, she could tell that Baird was trying to be supportive of her, and didn't intend to cause any harm. "I… thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome," Baird nodded, smiling. "Besides, my unique charisma can solve that problem."
"You might want to borrow some of Shepard's."
Hearing that, Baird snickered. "Yeah, you're right. Be seein' you 'round, Tali. Also, before I go." Pulling out a small OSD, he said, "Here. Just some things that should help make life easier."
Seeing that, Tali's eyes went wider still. "What's this?" she asked.
"Information for various things that'll make life easier on the Flotilla," Baird explained. "Air filter schematics, armor, that sort of thing."
"I… thank you."
"Don't sweat it. Your people have been through what we've been through. It'd be fucking stupid of me to say otherwise." With that, the two parted ways, though Tali's body language indicated that she was quite happy. She would later remark, however, that she would miss those happy days.
(Author's Q&A)
Dark Lord Xenhanort: Interesting. I'll definitely consider it. Might not get to it immediately, but I might give it a go.
GodzillaMaster: People can surprise you. Good ideas all round there, and I might consider another one that I thought up. Thank you.
THATs1I3ntGUY: Alright. Thank you.
Beowolf 43: Definitely. There'll be more people showing up later.
edboy4926: Thank you. Lambent creatures will be coming along in future chapters.
Guest: Thank you.