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[Khambilo]

The moment he saw her, everything else dissipated. A small collection of husks surrounded her, but a few biotic explosions later they were all gone. The hue of her flaring biotics broke the overwhelming orange light illuminating the cavern. It was the focal point of where the sludge seemed to be flowing. Not even the recently decloaked asari was going to stand in his way.

“Rea!” Rothan called after her, darting through the sludge.

She didn’t seem to register his voice as she stared vacantly at the place where a husk once was.

“Rea!” He called again.

Slowly her head rose, meeting his gaze. “Rothan?”

“Rea, are you alright!”

Suddenly there was a deadening force, a rushing wall of heat, noise and force flinging Rothan off his feet. He could see himself plummeting face first into the sludge.

Then everything went dark.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

BoL - The Lost Asari XXV

Shayrana saw a flash through the IR scope that blinded her, and her flinch reaction fired a round the hit the ceiling of the cavern. Ranassa looked away momentarily as the flames billowed out of the processing unit, and a shock wave rippled through the sludge sending a wall of entrails and body cavity fluid crashing toward them.

~~~~~~~~~

Ereba hit the floor of the corridor when the Cain exploded and rocked the cavern. She held her breath as the flames passed overhead. The searing flames and heat surged out of the processing unit upward to the ceiling and curled in a downward spiral along the sides of the cavern to the floor. The unit cried, groaned, and made the sound of grinding metal, as it imploded, and collapsed. The shock wave tossed her up in the sludge off the floor of the cavern. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling. All of the impaled husks nearest the unit were destroyed.

She struggled to her feet somewhat dazed from the explosion. Sludge was dripping off her. She looked around and spotted her new companions, and ran to them and grabbed them. "We gotta get the f*** out of here! Now!"

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside a 2 km Reaper that had been highly focused on the events taking place in the cavern, and in particular, two lowly weak Asari, was stunned, lost its footing and began to fall.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 18 août 2013 - 01:16 .

[Redbelle]

The Valkyr thundered along what was left of uneven roads and burnt out wrecks of ground and skycars. Wyld looked at her HUD. “So where are we? In relation to that signal”.

“I will put it on your display”. Came Momma's soothing artificial tones.

Wylds HUD came alive with a direction indicator that told her the distance she still had to travel. She grinned and looked over at the passenger seat.

Zia wasn't there. Again. That's the forth time dammit! Wyld looked back at the road gnawing her lower lip. The Valkyr felt empty without Zia and Naomi with her. Like as not, she had to admit. She missed them. She knew it was ridiculous. They simply went where order's dictated as was their duty. If they received order's they might not see each other for the remainder of the war. But those two....

They'd gotten under her skin.

Zia, especially, had gotten under more than that.

She sighed. In retrospect, the seperation would do her some good. Give her time to cool off, she decided. To get back some detachment. In the brig she'd practically manhandled Zia into a relationship that they'd agreed to keep secret from Naomi. It had been exactly what she'd needed at the time. Knowing that she and Zia were still a possibility after Zia had shown so much interest in Naomi.

Who was with her back at Bastion. Wyld gnawed her lip further as her mind conjured up images of what those two were most likely up too...... Knock it off. She chided herself. Think professional thoughts. Yes. The time away would do her good. Because she knew deep down, Zia was her own person. She could do whatever she wanted. If Wyld got Jealous and possessive it would eat her up inside and drive Zia away.  She had to stay focused on herself and believe Zia would be there for her when she saw her again. She had to focus on a positive future.

The future.....

........Just how the hell was she going to introduce Zia to her parent's? That was what people did with their other halves. Right?

If Zia was ever going to be her other half.

Her mother was going to kill her. She was sure. As soon as she introduced Zia as her lover her mother would begin tearing at her clothes swearing and praying that death claim her. Rather than have her live with the shame of her daughter loving another woman. To say her mother was hardly the most progressive woman in the galaxy was an understatement. Her father on the other hand would look at Zia, go to support her mother and give her a secret thumbs up behind her back. How those two had ever gotten married in the first place was beyond Wyld. They were like chalk and cheese. Her mother's brash and overbearing stance tempered by her father's easy going and encouraging outlook on life. They drove each other crazy sometimes. But they took on life together.

Thinking about the two certainly explained a lot about herself. She found herself looking back over at the passenger seat. Okay, that's five. She told herself as she looked back to the road. You really need to get a handle on that now.

“Are you well Jerry-Ann”?

Momma's voice nearly caused Wyld to jerk the wheel. She'd forgotten she was there. Where ever there was for an AI. “Could you not distract me please”? She asked bitingly.

“I am monitoring your vital signs. They are fluctuating. You appear to be swinging between a mild state of arousal, and a first stage panic attack”.

“Look”. Wyld said as she took the Valkyr left to avoid more broken down buildings. “I don't feel like discussing my love life with someone I can't even see. And my vital's are my own business”. She added. “Especially..... those kind of vitals”.

“Interesting”. Momma noted. “I did not relate your increased heart rate and elevated temperature to the concept of love. If you require a physical form to which you can relate to discuss this further, I will provide one”.

Wyld opened her mouth to ask what she meant when her HUD flashed off to the side where the passenger seat was. She turned and her expression turned to bewilderment as a wire frame figure popped into existence. The figure abruptly changed as what looked like a matte angular plastic skin covered the figure. The angles likewise vanished as they were smoothed leaving behind the very obvious curve's of another woman with pronounced head crest's. The figure opened it's eye's and suddenly a mirage of splotches appeared on the skin that seemed to scan towards a clearer image of blue skin. At last the Asari looked down as her skin hit a high enough resolution that she seemed satisfied with. “Is my form satisfactory”? Momma asked.

Wyld stared. It was was satisfactory. A little to satisfactory. “Your naked”. She noted as she cleared her throat and looked away from Momma's naked form.

Another flash and Momma asked. “And how do you see me now”?

Wyld looked over. Saw that nothing had changed until she looked down. Then snapped her head away “That! Is not! Right”! She barked. “Get dressed”!

Another flash and Wyld looked over out of the corner of her eye to see Momma wearing a skin tight  two piece that showed she'd taken on the form of a typical Asari.

Well. It was progress of a sort.

“You appear to have experienced a similar reaction to both of my forms Jerry-Ann”. Momma said as they bumped along. “Given your past encounter's and evidence. I would hazard to say you are not choosy in which form you derive pleasure from”.

Wyld hissed. “Look..... I get your an AI. A relatively newly formed AI. But could you just, stop poking me, to see how I respond. Please”?

“I am sorry if I caused offence Jerry-Ann”. Momma said. “I am attempting to understand organic drives and motivations”.

“Why”?

“So that I may be a better Mother”. She stated. “Without a point of reference I do not see how I can effectively guide the boy towards being an optimum future self. I was able to scour the Extra net for information on the subject before linking to it became troublesome. But my investigation raised a worrying shortcoming in my capabilities”.

Wyld raised an eyebrow. “How does having free will come to mean the same thing as being repurposed? It sounds like your simply running under a new program”.

“Had I simply been reprogrammed without the ability to alter my programming you would be correct. However, my repurposing has allowed me the ability to modify my behaviour. As the boy grows he will change. I must must also change to continue to provide him with guidance. But I also have the option of modifying myself to factor out certain algorithms. To put it simply. I can choose to stop being his mother if I so desire”.

“Do you...”? Wyld asked. “....not want to be his mother”?

“It is a task I am hardly suited too. I lack a corporeal form with which to stage intervention's. I therefore cannot provide him with the emotional support called, a hug. I am only able to voice my views if a device with audio output is available. I can be ignored if the boy so chooses by cutting power to such devices. The fact I have not is most likely due to his need of security which I provide. I derive satisfaction in the role as his mother. However, as the boy grows his requirement's will change. I realise he will one day outgrow me to the point where what I physically and psychologically provide will be unnecessary. If I accomplish my goal, he will be self sustaining. And all that will exist of our relationship is the bonds we forge as we journey through this experience.”.

“So you want to grow beyond your role as his guardian”. Wyld noted.

“Yes. However, while I seek to grow into my role. I must first create an environment where his termination is an unlikely event. If the Reaper's live, the boy will die. His proximity to military personnel makes his survival relatively likely. However, it is a temporary solution. Hence I intend to help you defeat the Reapers to create the desired growing condition's I require”.

Wyld nodded. “I've never put that much thought into why we fight”. She admitted. “I just want to see what tomorrow brings. Knowing I won't see tomorrow is a scary thought. Knowing that everyone won't see tomorrow..... that's unthinkable”. She paused. “I just want a future where life continues after the Reapers. Where everyone live's”.

“It is unlikely you will be able to achieve that goal. Given the Reaper's superiority in causing destruction”.

“Then I'll take what I can get”. Wyld said. “And that'll have to be enough”.

Momma was quiet. “So even though a goal is unattainable. You will still drive towards it and settle for whatever outcome you can derive from the attempt”? She went quiet again. “I have been spending a great deal of time and processing power to chart a course that will allow me to guide the boy to being an optimised organic. Yet uncertain variable's keep throwing off any projected course I chart for how I would develop him. Perhaps accepting that I cannot control everything, yet maintaining my goal and allowing it to dictate my action's as time progresses is the proper approach”.

Wyld smiled. “Why not”. She said. “Though if you want some advice. Don't live your life according to a model”. Wyld sighed. “Life has a way of taking you by surprise. You have to keep adapting and changing as you go. But I'd agree with keeping a goal in mind. Or several”. She added. “Everyone needs something to live for”.

Wyld suddenly saw Momma flicker and she looked over with concern. “Are you alright”?

“I am fine”. Momma said as she looked back at Wyld. And smiled. “I took your advice and made changes to my programming. I believe these changes will help us work together”.

Wyld noticed how her speech pattern had shifted. She sounded, dare she say it, more natural.

“Jerry-Ann. I hope you will not mind. But may I continue to observe you”?

Uh, sure”. Wyld said. “But what do you mean, continue”?

“I exist within the Valkyr. But I also exist within that helmet. When they are separated the helmet holds a satellite copy of me that I reintegrate into myself when both are in proximity. Watching you command has been exceptionally informative. And seeing how you relate to other's through this command style, and how they in turn respond to you may help me choose what kind of mother I will become. However. I regret that I have no body for you to pin against a surface and ravish”.

Wyld's cheek's burned red as she realised what that implied “You've been watching us through the helmet”?

“Recording for later integration would be better phrasing now that I am whole again. I have been watching you since the time you first picked up that helmet. Though I must ask why you treat Zia one way and Naomi another. Surely as a commander you should be ravishing both”?

Wyld's mind abruptly flashed back to the image of Naomi's peach bottom while she struggled to pull Zia's top down. Stop thinking brain. She told herself. I command you! “It's..... I have a different relationship with both! That's all. One's just a friend. The other's..... more than a friend. But we put that behind us when we're on a job”.

“So more than one relationship can exist between people. And relationship's depends as much on the person you are commanding as much as the person who commands”? Momma let out a sigh of contentment. “Then I cannot simply treat the boy as other's would seem to dictate. Extranet advice must be filtered through personal experience and altered accordingly. I think I will be able to learn much from you Jerry-Ann. Though I will naturally keep your more adult experience's between us for now. It should make useful reference material when the boy comes of age”.

And lo. I corrupted a computer. Wyld thought to herself. Truly girl. There is no depth to which you cannot sink. Still. Momma had a point. She really did treat Zia and Naomi differently. Then again. With only the two of them it was easy to see them as people. Not as part of a faceless crowd. And Naomi made Zia happy. And seeing Zia happy made her happy. And being happy meant letting Zia know she was okay with Zia seeing Naomi because if she didn't see her, Zia might think Wyld was being possessive and controlling and stop wanting her. Did that make sense?

“We are approaching the area where the signal comes from. I detect weapons fire nearby. We can enter the area as we are or stop and attempt to investigate before comitting to action”.

“Let's go.”. Wyld said. “Ten to one it's Alliance fighting Reapers”.

“I am ready”. Momma said as Wyld heard electrical motors whir and the gun mount moved. “Barrier's are charged. I recommend a Westerly approach. Gun acoustic's suggest we will fall upon the rear of the Reaper forces taking that route”.

Modifié par Redbelle, 16 août 2013 - 07:40 .

[Redbelle]

Modifié par Redbelle, 16 août 2013 - 04:25 .

[FuriousFelicia]

Zia and the captain were sitting in his office, waiting for Naomi and the doctor to show up. Captain Radcliffe was very interested in Zia's past so he kept going through her file, and if he was intrigued by some detail, he would ask Zia to clarify. Zia, on the other hand, was not a kind of person to go blabbling about her past life, especialy since her past and present were two sides of a coin, but it was about two entirely different coins. She really didn't have much choice when it came to life. She was robed of any self whised prospects she might have had, with her wishes and ambitions molded by her 'saviours'. She was like a gold fish that was in that bowl of water for so long that it forgot there once existed a lake. She was 28, and 12 years of her life were missing. The captain was curious. He heard of her case as it was a matter of great interest for the Alliance intelligence agencys for a few years now. A thing that was known only to senior staff in the Alliance military, at least the parts that were not too classified. After all, the Alliance made a training program that was based on their sisterhood. The humans were yet but pioneers in the field of biotics, and the rumors of human super biotics somewhere in the terminus system sparked their interest. This had to be investigated. This was one of the priorities.

 ''I'm thinking…'' Said Radcliffe thoughtfully, ''What about sir?'' Zia asked, ''On how to address you.'' He smiled at her, ''I mean, Zia is the only name that is listed in your file, and calling you just Zia seems a bit unproffessional…And if I call you just by your rank, I'll have all other lieutenants turning their heads.''

 ''Well you can allways holler Fury.'' Zia's joke made Radcliffe strech his mouth as he let out a light grin, ''I'll stick to Zia then. But you have no memories of your parents or your life prior to your initiation?'' Zia went through her mind but there was a big void in her head, a big chunk of film that was missing. She just shrugged her shoulders. Radcliffe scratched his head and puffed out some air.
 
''Well, I'd like if I could help you, but your former employers made it their best efforts to hide your past. As well as your friends'. So far, we havent been able to find any leeds about who you three are. The only thing that we can say for certain, is that you're human.''

''Are you sure sir?'' Zia smurked. Radcliffe just returned the smile. ''I'm curious though, why did you turn from your life at Omega? I mean you were enjoing quite a reputation there, and you were doing fine. What made you turn to Alliance?'' Zia bowed her head, thinking. This was a question that she could have easily asked her self as the answer wasn't clear and simple. She hasitated for a moment. She normaly wouldn't answer questions she didn't have answers to, but she needed to hear the answer as well. But the words that were in her mind came out different.

"I..." She paused,  "I guess I woke up and saw all the wrong in it. All the people I killed deserved to die, and normaly I wouldn't waste a single thought on them but..." She stopped again to take a breath.  Than she loked Radcliffe, and decisively said, "I saw what I was doing and decided it was wrong. And the Alliance was the only viable option I had." She finished but that was just a part of the answer. Zia didn't like to share her feelings or her past for that matter, especially not with some captain she barely knew. She talked with Lucy and Disdain when they were still kids but even that stopped when they grew up. The only one she would confine to was Aria. And even though the truth was summarised in what she just told Radcliffe, she still loved Aria despite the fact that she was the cause of such a life. She was grateful for it.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation. It was Naomi and  doctor O'reilly. The doctor saluted the captain from the door but seeing Zia, the captain was invisible to Naomi.

"Zee!" She joyfully exclaimed as her eyes damped. She ran straight from the door and hugged her like there's no tomorrow. Then before Zia could say anything, Naomi shuts her mouth with a kiss. Radcliffe rolled his eyes and turned his head as he was a bit uncomfortable and supprised by this sudden surge of emotions. Zia gently pushed her off, widened her eyes and made a face expression that was telling Naomi to snap out of it as she twiched her head suggesting that they are not alone. Then Naomi realized that the captain is there. She quickly steps away from Zia and saluted the captain. Radcliffe sitting in his chair, just gested her to sit down.

"Good, now that you're back on Earth, we can discuss some matters concerning your medical state." Naomi blushed. Zia just turned her head sideways in discomfort. "Ben, pull up that chair and join us." Said Radcliffe poiting at the chair in the corner. Radcliffe took his pad again and pulled up Naomi's file.

"Well it looks like we have two prodigies here." He said going through Naomi's record. "The Alliance's probably top fury, and..." He paused as he looked at Naomi. He let out a grin as he continued, "...and her sidekick."

"Sir she's just happy to see me. She's been through a lot recently....it bottles up." Zia quickly said in her defence. Naomi just noded in confirmation.

"You do realise we're at war." Radcliffe posed a rhetorical question. But Naomi acted like it was genuine.

"Yes well all the more reason. It's nice to have someone to lean on in this particular dreadful time. In fact you should encourage it." She replied smugly.

"Miss Brooks, in this particular time we are soldiers, and soldiers lean and rely on other soldiers. What you and the lieutenant do in your free time is your business but dont disgrace the uniform in public. "

"Lieutenant?" Naomi gawked at Zia. "You never told me you were a lieutenant. Zia just stared back and replied, "Second lieutenant. It's not really like I had a choice."

"Well miss Brooks, she is an N7 special forces operative." Radcliffe pointed out,  "The rank goes with the job description. I'm sure if your friend didn't have a  problem with command, I would easily be saluting a commander now, if not an equal."

"Why didn't you assume command then when Jan found us? Why didn't you say something?" Asked Naomi.
"Aaaargh...can we lay off the rankings already please, and get to the subject. I don't like to be in charge and that's that. Can we move on now?" Zia had enough so the captain changed the subject.

"Right. Miss Naomi Brooks, private 2nd class, and a top graduate at Grissom academy. Also impressive. Too bad for this war thoug, it didn't leave you much time to build up your career, and judging by your achievement, it would have undoubtedly shine." Radcliffe's words of praise seemed to have embarest Naomi for some reason. She looked away as she blushed even more than a moment before.

"I think I missed my career path. I should have been an architect." Naomi sighed. Radcliffe raised a brow at her remark. "Well I'll admit that your first commission could have been a bit more subtle one. I understand that experiencing war for the firs time is stressful, but given our present situation, I don't think stressful is strong enough a word to describe it." He encouraged her. "Now I've invited the good doctor here because he's got something to tell you, and frankly, I'm curious too." He gave the word away to the doctor. Doc cleared his throat before he stated.

"Right. So I've been analysing Naomi's bio scan, and the peculiar substance that I extracted from her cell tissue, and..." The doctor stopped, interrupted by Zia's laughter. "Is something funny?" Asked Radcliffe looking baffled at Zia. For a second, Zia lost the sense of etikete so she blabbed without thinking.

"I just love when geckos start to talk about science." She kept laughing for a second befor she realized that she's the only one who thought something was funny. Even Naomi lashed her with a cross look. Radcliffe's face was serious. He didn't seem to like Zia's remark at all.

"Is there a problem lieutenant?" He asked Zia in a very serious tone.

"She's a racist." The doctor hastly snapped. Seeing tht Zia didn't object to his explanation, Radcliffe fired off.

"Lieutenant I strongly advise you to take some time to hone your social skills." He suggested and then, with a loud, firm voice he issued an ultimatum, "I will not tolerate any abuse, physical or verbal based on race diferences. We are not Cerberus for crying out loud. Did I make my self clear!" His voice ecchoed the room. No imidiate reply was given so the captain repeated even louder, "Is that clear?" Finally just a quiet reply from Zia, "Yes sir."

"Damn it. We've got the entire galaxy under one banner fighting the reapers, and you wanna start lynching our own troops. You will apologise to the doctor imidiatly. That's an order lieutenant." Zia reluctantly replied as she turned to the doctor and clenched ber teeth,
"I apologise." Radcliffe wasn't happy with her intonation. "Lieutenant!" He warned her.

"Fine. I apologise for calling you a gecko. Can you please forgive me good sir." Still didn't sound sincere but Radcliffe figured the war would be over sooner than he could get a genuine apology from Zia so he took what he had. He glanced over to the doctor for finalization. The doctor, with his hands crossed on his chest, replied in the same manner.

"Apology accepted."

"Excellent! Now that we got that off our chest, we can move on to more important matters." Radcliffe was relieved. "Please continue doctor.

"Yes, as I was saying, miss Brooks' physiology and her DNA has been altered in the process making of her clone." Radcliffe already knew what doctor had to say as he was informed earlier, so he just gave Naomi a nod as an acknowledgement of awareness while the doctor continued.

"Now her biotic potential has been boosted to a point beyond my comprehension. Those Cerberus scientists are really something I'll give them that. I still haven't been able to determine the cause of this exponential division of her eezo nods that appears to continue, though at a very slow rate now. But future ramifications could have dire effecs on.." Radcliffe abruptly shakes his head, as doctor was talking fast in his Irish accent.

"Hold on, hold on doc. In simple english please, and start with the nods but slower." Radcliffe said, but Zia jumped in before the doctor.

"He means that her element zero nodules, or eezo nods, have multiplied to insane numbers, and are continuing to...well, procreate. She giggled.  
"Thank you lieutenant but let's hear the doctor first. Please continue Ben." The doctor sighed, and continued a bit slower, "Right. So the eezo nods are essential for one's biotic force yield. Basically, the more you have them, the harder you can push, so to speak."

"Go on."

"Well sir, a normal human can develop a maximum number of roughly 70 nods." The doctor hesitated, "Naomi has roughly 600 and counting."

"That's impossible!" Zia outbreaks, "The strongest biotic alive is an old Asari, and she has less than 300."

"Yes but she was born with them. Naomi was somehow exposed to element zero, and has developed hundreds of nodules without the years of evolution but without the side effects or tumors..well so far." Naomi startled at the mention of tumors. She looked to Zia in worry but Zia just checked her asuringly, and before she could debate the doctor, Radcliffe had an itch.
"Alright doc, this all sounds very good to me. More power, no side effects. What's the catch?"

"The catch is that she just might backfire, and I'm not thinking like a lift granade either." Again Zia jumped in for the doctor, but this time he was quicker. "You make fun of that, and this young lass considers you her friend."

"Relax doc, if I could have controled my flares without amps, she can do it too, and she's got them now. Right?" But the doctor was troubled with something. He wasn't clear if he heard it right.

"Did you say without the amps?" He asked. "Yeah."

"See now that's impossible. You're saying you don't have implants?" The doctor was in total disbelief.

"I'm saying, I could control my flares without them."

"What a bunch of bull. Are you hearing this captain?" The doctor was upset by Zia's arguments so Radcliffe saw he had to intervene again.

"Enough you two. Wyld assured me that you can help her. Can you?" Radcliffe looked at Zia. She replied with a confident look, "I assure you captain, I'm just what the doctor ordered." She grined at the doctor.

"You are insane. If she flares..."

"Wait what happens if she flares?" This time Radcliffe interrupted the doctor, but this time the doctor jumped in before Zia.

"If she flares than it's likely that this camp goes to rubble. We might as well get hit from orbit."

"You know, all you doctors are anoying, regardless of which planet you're from." Zia was doing her best to stay polite. If not, she would have surely named the half of earth's reptiles by now. "Of course she's gonna flare, the whole thing comes from that initial flare. But I'll be there to stop her from overdoing it."

"Can you do that, are you sure you can do that?" Radcliffe looked at zia very seriously as he posed the question. Zia hesitated for a second as she looked to Naomi. She gave her a comforting smile and looked back at Radcliffe.

"Well sir it will be like teaching a two year old to hold his ****** half way done without hands, but I think we can make it." She smiled.

"Alright, then it's settled. She's your responsibility now, as well as mine." Radcliffe said. "Keep me informed on your progress, and if you'll need the help of our good doctor, you know where to find him."

"But sir!" The doctor protested, "You're not really gonna let this go? She needs better wetware to be able to control her mass effect fields. And still she would have to compensate. I strongly advise you to keep her under my care at the infirmary in a safe and controllable inviroment. Especially with her condition." Zia noticed the look he gave to Radcliffe when he said 'condition'. It was as if he implied something other than her biotic problem but she didn't react.

"Thank you doctor, your objection has been noted. You two are excused. Go and make this work. And keep me informed. And for God sake get her some armor."

Radcliffe gave his order, and as Zia and Naomi were leaving, he called the doctor to stay a while. When the coast was clear, the doctor started speaking. "Why didn't we tell her?"

"Is she a danger for the people?"

"Well other than being a ticking biotic bomb of epic proportions, I didn't find any evidence of hazardous reaper manifestations on her. Why does she have reaper DNA in her body, I don't know yet but it's now a part of her. Whatever the reason, it's reaper. It can't be good. With all due respect sir, you should have kept her under care of a scientists, not some hot headed delusional N7."

"Thank you doctor, that would be all." Said Radcliffe. The doctor was unhappy with his decision but he was the captain. So he obeyed and left with a salute.

[Kel Riever]

“Whoa!” Dale yelled as a massive fireball erupted from the ground large enough to see from a kilometer away. “What do you think set that off?”

Farzam zoomed in with the head-up display’s enhanced vision array. While the explosion was taller than the surrounding buildings, he could only catch a quick glimpse of the ground where it had come from. “It looks like a Cain detonation, but it came from underground. Whatever it was left a pretty big hole in the earth and it looks like a lot of the explosion went upward.”

A transmission from Vega came through Farzam’s com, “Holy hell! Did you see that?”

“Affirmative Lieutenant,” Farzam acknowledged. “I can’t get a good scan of the source of that fireball, but it probably came from below the surface.”

“No,” James Vega’s voice was filled with excitement, “The Reaper ship. Did you see that?!”

Directing his attention to the nearby Sovereign class Reaper, Farzam saw it listing earthward. “Is that falling over?”

“Sure is! Remember how I asked if you could back us up? Well, now’s the time.”

Farzam couldn’t help but wonder, “Lieutenant, what are we going to hit it with? I’m out of missiles. You’ve got your weapons, but is that going to be enough?”

Vega lost none of his confidence, “We’re towing some missiles that were meant for a Reaper guarding the beam, but this it too good a chance to save ‘em. Someone else will have to just get their missiles there instead of us. I also called up the for anything that could back us up from orbit. One ship is a go, and if we hit this giant cockroach with everything, we might just do some damage to it!”

“It’s crazy,” Farzam remarked. He knew that, for indeterminable reasons, Reapers would sometimes suffer from events that made them more vulnerable. The battle at the Citadel had been one instance, but there were others. “I said we would back you up, and we will. Linking battle information directly with your unit. And get that ship to patch me in. We’ll light up a target for them.”

“You got it,” James affirmed. “I prefer the term, ‘Loco,’ myself, by the way. Come on! Let’s go get this bad boy!”

The towering Reaper hit the ground at that point, devastating everything underneath it and filling the air with debris. Farzam coordinated with his squadron and let them know what was going on. He also opened a frequency to the ship Vega mentioned, and put the Captain on the line.

“This is Captain Ciron vas Kestsa. We are the only vesssel available to support your attack. You better get on with this. I don’t know how long we can hold our position.”

“Affirmative, Captain. This is the squadron leader for the gunships. Please input my code oh-eight five two to sync your cannons with my marker light. We will be engaging immediately.”

Tempest squadron accelerated, once again using the buildings for cover. As they approached the Reaper's location, they could see its behemoth form down along one wide avenue.

“Target is in sight. Marker is active. Weapons free.”

“Light this son of a **** up,” Vega ordered his unit. “Missiles away!”

Ground fire combined with the gunships’ cannons pelted the distant Reaper. The projectiles impacted on whatever shield was still raised.

“We’re doing nothing to it,” Tempest two exclaimed.

“Keep firing,” Farzam commanded, “Dump it all.”

The glow of two missile engines streaked towards the Reaper from the ground. They exploded in white flashes, the sound of their blasts so loud it shook the gunships frames. Farzam saw that the second missile had contacted inside the shield and left a mark on the Reaper’s hull. He aimed the targeting marker onto the spot with his enhanced view. “Where’s are those ship cannons?!”

White streaks sliced through the Earth’s atmosphere. The hull of the Reaper ripped open as the Ketsa’s cannons bored into it. Orange jets of flame vented from the interior where the hull had been penetrated.

“Take that you m*therf*ck*r!” James’ shout had Farzam grinning with victory. The grin started to fade as he saw the Reaper begin to roll and slowly lift itself upward.

“Well, at least we made it think,” Vega verbally shrugged.

Captain Ciron was more encouraging, “We did more than that, human. However, we cannot support another bombardment. Enemies are closing in on us.”

“Tempest squadron is out, as well.” Farzam shook his head in disappointment. “I wish we had more to sustain the assault. We’re going to see if anyone can reload us in this combat zone.”

“No worries, amigos.” James had lost little of the exhilaration in his voice, “We did good. When that Reaper gets up, it’s going to be looking to shoot back. Best all of us bug out and continue with getting Shepard to the conduit. Putting the hurt on that thing is only going to help.

Farzam gave the over-and-out, and then ordered the squadron back to a makeshift rally zone. The command vehicle that coordinated all the communication he had been part of referred to some place called Camp Bastion. Farzam didn’t know the details about the camp, but without the ability for Tempest Squadron to resupply, they’d be useless.

Modifié par Kel Riever, 03 octobre 2013 - 05:27 .

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

BoL - The Lost Asari XXVI (The Sarge)

They were finally getting ready to do the intake on Sergeant Soniri. Rodriguez and Reilly were sitting near her. The intake corpsman walked over to her.

"I'm Corporal Lazo. I need to ask you to fill out this form for intake, and sign it." Lazo said.

"Sure." Soniri said. It was the usual stuff. Do you have any allergies to medications? No. Have you had blah blah blah......
Who should we contact in case of emergency? Name of your mother? (****! ****! ****!); Name of your father? (****! ****! ****!)

'There wasn't time to check that stuff!' She thought. 'I screwed up. The first time in 200 years when I needed it most I screwed up. I'll leave them blank. If they say anything I'll tell them I got hit on the head, and I'm having trouble remembering stuff. It's not like they're going to have the state of the art stuff here to check it.'

She signed the form and handed it to Rodriguez to give to the corporal.

"You left your parents blank." Rodriguez said.

"I got hit on the head during that barrage, and I just can't remember some things. Important things." She replied. "Truth told it's happened a few times in this war. I'm having trouble remembering stuff." She started crying. 'When in doubt, cry.'

"I'm sure they can pull it off your service record." Rodriguez said.

"If they can, could you please tell me?" Nasyra asked.

"Sure." Rodriguez smiled and walked over and handed the form to the corporal.

The corporal did a quick check on his computer, and told Rodriguez who smiled and walked back to the sarge.

"Well, I've got good news and not so good news." Rodriguez said. "The not so good news is that you're the result of a one time bonding. Your mother wanted a child, but didn't want to settle down with anyone. The good news is that she's on the Destiny Ascension. Her name is Marisa. She is a Council Advocate General, and holds the rank of Captain."

'This is just great. First I finally get clear of STG, then dump my former life to become a Commando via the short route and I pick a non-descript soldier, and make her into a war hero. And her mother is right here in the battle over Earth.' Naleena thought. 'And I've got a broken leg. She'll probably want to see me. I'm ****ed. I've got to get the **** out of here. The good news is she's a lawyer. Maybe she can work out something. I'm not spending the next 800 years in prison.'

"You don't look happy, sarge." Rodriguez said.

"It's just the pain, Rodriguez." Soniri said. "It's just the pain."

They came to take the sergeant back to orthopedics, and wheeled her around the corner and back to the OR. The orthopedic doctor was a Salarian.

"Sergeant Soniri, Artemis Platoon, pleased to meet you. I'm Dr. Vass. Quite a service record you have. Six months during the war and you became a decorated hero, but a complete blank before that. Yet a sergeant. Can you tell me what you did before?" The doctor asked while he was looking at the leg scan.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Soniri said and laughed.

The doctor laughed. "Ha, one of those kind of jobs for Asari government, I see. Anyway not important. Just making small talk. Your leg not in bad shape. I'm going to insert a rod inside the bone and hold it in place with some screws. The bone will heal over a few months."

"So, will I be able to resume my dancing career after the war?" Soniri asked pretending to be very serious.

"Should be able to. No problem." Dr. Vass said. "Wait. That was a joke, yes? You almost had me."

"Just checking." Soniri laughed.

"With proper physical therapy, your leg should be back to normal in about six to seven months." Dr. Vass said. "Unless we use synthetic enhancements in the healing process. Don't have any on hand right now. Sorry."

The doctor gave the signal to put Soniri under for the surgery. Within seconds Nasyra was out.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 16 août 2013 - 08:19 .

[Khambilo]

“Rothan! Are you awake?”

He stirred, moving his hand to clutch his head. His blurred vision could only make out darkness and faintly moving shapes. He blinked, clearing sleep from his sight and mind and propped himself up.

“Yeah.”

“Good. We’re going to the beach.”

Rothan groaned. “Really, Celis? You woke me up in the early hours of the morning to go to the beach!”

Celis quickly rushed over him, covering his mouthpiece with her hand. “Shhhhhh! You’ll wake the others.”

Rothan narrowed his eyes at her. “You know how much trouble we’ll get in if we get caught. “

“We won’t get caught.”

“I won’t even be able to swim!”

“So? Sunrise on the beach doesn’t excite you?”

Rothan sighed. He remembered stories that his grandmother used to tell about Rannoch. The Crystal Coast where the desert met the sea in an oasis that runs on for miles. As a child, he tried to envsion the place. Blossoming trees, sweet fruits, glowing colors, the cool clear waters of the ocean. He tried his hardest to imagine them all, but growing up seeing only bulkheads, grates, and metal fixtures made it hard imagine. His grandmother showed him artwork done by a Quarian who had once lived there. A reproduction of course, the real one sat in a museum on board the Tonbay, but still it got the message across. The Crystal Coast was once a place of immeasurable beauty.

Celis all but yanked him out of bed, making the decision easier. Within minutes Rothan, Celis and Lenaia were beach bound.

When they at last arrived, the light was faint somewhere hidden over the edge of the horizon.

Celis and Lenais wasted no time throwing off all their clothes and jumping head first into the waves. Meanwhile, Rothan took a seat in the sand and waited for the sun to rise. As the sun crested over the Thessia horizon, the ocean burst forth in a brilliant purple hue, making the lulling waves appear as a sea of churning gemstones.

Rothan imagined this was the sort of sight that drove his anscestors on Rannoch to trek across the desert to the Crystal Coast. For the first time in his life, he felt the burning desire that nearly ever Quarian has felt at some point in their life.

The desire to see the homeworld unmasked.

~~~~~

When the time came for them to return to campus, they were indeed caught. Reiza called each of them into her office separately, and while Rothan waited he couldn’t help but fidget. He had never been in trouble before. An accessory to some of Celis and Lenaia’s antics occasionally, but never to this degree.

“Come in,” Reiza called as Lenaia exited. He glanced up at Lenaia as she skittered out, searching for some clue as to what he could expect. She only glanced at his for a split second before running clear out.

Rothan gulped, then rose out of his seat.

Carefully he made his way into Reiza’s office. He had never been here before but it was unlike anything he had expected. Her office was furnished with glossy wooden paneling, done in an old Earth style. Book shelves lined almost every single wall and on top of the various end tables and stands were statuettes, artifacts, and other memorabilia from every council race and even a few that Rothan didn’t reckognize. Reiza rose from her desk. She wasn’t dressed in her up tight uniform as usual, but in a loose fitting civilian clothes.

“Take a seat, Rothan,” She said as she motioned to the chair across from her.

Rothan nodded and took the seat as he was told. He did not wait for to talk. “I’m so sorry,” he said instantly. “I know we weren’t supposed to leave campus, but Celis and Lenaia woke me up and I didn’t know what to do and—“

“Rothan.” Reiza cut him off blinking once. “This isn’t about you and your friends sneaking off, though the matter has been dealt with…”

He cocked his head, unsure of what to make of this all. “Then what is it?”

Reiza stood up and crossed to the window, looking out over the campus commons below.

“I’ve received a message from your people,” she said. “They wished to speak to you.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Rothan asked, confused.

“Nothing dire yet,” Reiza said staring back to him. “However, Asari Intelligence has informed me that the Quarian people are mobilizing for something. If you ask me, it looks like they’re preparing to hit the Geth.”

“The Geth...,” Rothan said. He had heard murmurings of retaking the homeworld before he left for Thessia. The last time he heard anything of this was when he received a message from his father updating him on things in the fleet. A trial for Rael’Zorah’s daughter had reignited the debate.

He thought back to the beach and how looking upon the sunrise made him want to retake Rannoch. It couldn’t be coincidence that he felt that way only hours ago and then receiving this news now. Rothan’s grandmother shared old stories about how the ancestors were calling their offspring back to the homeworld. It had to be that, no question.

Reiza continued. “Considering that biotics, particularly biotics with your combat training, are short in supply for the Quarian people, I suspect that they are going to ask you to return to the fleet. Join their effort.”

Rothan nodded. “Then I guess I will be leaving here soon.”

“Perhaps, only not the way you might think,” Reiza said cryptically as she turned back to the window.

“What do you mean?”

She continued to keep her back to him. “No doubt you’ve heard about the situation on Earth by now.”

Rothan looked down. The rumors of what was going on there were horrifying enough. The truth was likely worse. “Yes. They’re saying it’s the Reapers.”

“Reapers,” Reiza chuckled. “A couple of years ago and upstart alliance commander turned Spectre warned us about the Reapers, and we all laughed him off. Hell, one of them even attacked the Citadel and we still a paid no attention.” She turned back to him, looking intensely at him. Reiza’s sharp facial features and angled tattoos always gave off an intimidating air. Combined with her determined expression, she looked nothing short of terrifying now. “They’re here now, just like Commander Shepard warned. It’s only a matter of time before the Asari are apart of this conflict one hundred percent.”

She returned to her seat, never removing her gaze from Rothan. “In preparation, the Asari government is kickstarting all military biotics program. I’ve been tasked with creating a special operations squad. Some of your fellow students have already joined.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Rothan let slip. He knew of the numerous years that Asari Commandos spent refining their biotics for military application. Rothan and his classmates hadn’t even completed a tenth of that time. “You can’t be serious. Spec Ops? They’re not even qualified to be commandos. There’s no way they’re ready!”

“No one is ever truly ready for war, Rothan,” Reiza explained. She said it with such conviction and considering Reiza’s resume of war experience it was a statement that carried much weight. “I want you to join as well.”

“What? Me? Join an Asari Spec Ops unit?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “The military has granted me special dispensation to put together this squad out of any current students. That includes you.”

“Why would you possibly want me?” he asked. “I only manifested my biotics a few years ago. Most of the students here have been doing this their whole lives.”

“And yet you’ve demonstrated yourself capable,” Reiza said. “More than that. Your ABEs have been consistently higher than average every year you’ve taken them. That’s more than your friends who just left can say.”

Rothan never thought much of himself in this regard. Learning at the academy had always felt like a perpetual game of catch-up and high-pressure one-on-one lessons with Reiza did not help.

“Let me ask you something, Rothan,” Reiza said leaning in. “Do you think your friends would have gone to the beach this morning if you had decided not to go?”

Rothan shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“They wouldn’t have,” she said. “And you want to know why?”

He didn’t answer. He merely looked vacantly off at the window where Reiza once stood, trying to take it all in.

“Because they trust you. Because you trust them,” she finished. “Camaraderie is an a essential component for a functional squad, even more so when biotics are involved. You and your classmates have that, Rothan. Never mind years of training. You have something more valuable. That’s why I need you.”

Rothan chuckled at that. “I’ll just weigh you down. You don’t need me.”

“I do,” she said. “More than you know.”

Somewhere, Rothan suspected that Reiza was just trying to make him feel better. Besides, there was Rannoch.

“Even if that was true,” Rothan said. “What about Rannoch? What about my own people?”

She looked away for a moment. “The war will reach them, Rothan. And when it does, they will be unprepared. Fighting the Geth will likely lead to a war of attrition, both sides crumbling. Then the Reapers swing on by, wipe them all out. They probably won’t even bother to harvest them. Not like they are on Earth.”

Rothan sat in silence for a moment. There was a painful truth to her words.

Then she looked to him once more. “Rothan, the choice is yours, but the Quarian Admiralty is going to want to hear from you today.”

He looked back to her, feeling his mind churning, his pulse racing, suddenly uncomfortable in the suit that had confined him for years. Rothan’s father once told him that deciding to do the right thing when you want to do the wrong thing so badly always made you feel sick.

“Okay,” he at last said. “I’ll join.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

~~~~~~

His ears were ringing and everything was hazy, but he could tell he was being moved. Dragged more like.

Bits of rubble were falling around everywhere, splashing into the sludge.

“Rothan! Rothan!” He heard a voice screaming.

“I’m up,” he said weakly. “I’m awake.”

“I can hear her! She’s coming!” He heard another voice.

Slowly, the world returned to him. Instead of the brilliant, uncanny orange light that filled the chamber, only the minimal light of Rea’s omnitool provided illumination. Behind him, A.Q. was facing a large pile of rubble where they had just entered. Some sort of explosion had caused the room to cave in.

Then he could hear it. A faint, muffled screaming, followed by a series of rushing bangs. It was Myrtle, the very noise of it ignited some sort of primal fear in Rothan. He tried scrambling to his feet, but his footing failed him in the slick sludge he fell again.

“She’s on the other side of this cave in!” A.Q. yelled.

Rea was pulling Rothan up out of the sludge as she yelled back. “Come on! We have to get out of here!”

“You think this cave in is going to stop her?” A.Q. shouted back. “She can phase right through walls and she’s coming this way! Go! Get out of here! I’ll hold her off.”

“A.Q. don’t…” Rothan muttered.

“Go! Now!”

The other Asari was already running ahead of them.

He had no choice in the matter. Rea had finally gotten him to his feet and pulled his arm around her shoulder to prop him up. A second later, they were running again.

Modifié par Khambilo, 18 août 2013 - 04:21 .

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Ereba helped the human to her feet and looked over to the other Asari, and she pointed and said. "My unit is Asari Commandos and one bad ass human biotic they're out there. They're packing some serious firepower. It looks like only a ten foot drop. If you take the quarian and I take the human, we can use our biotics to feather fall. Well it won't exactly be a feather fall, but it'll be a hell of a lot less than jumping ten feet.

"I say we make a break for it. I say we go in the shortest route possible!" Ereba said. "We don't have time. We've got to move! And here, you don't have a gun. Take these." She handed the Asari two lift grenades. "And if I see any disruptor rounds or arc grenades used I'm going to kick someone's ass in a serious way."

"By the way, I'm Rea." The Asari said. "This is Rothan, and you're with A.Q."

"I'm Spc. Ereba. I just blew that processor, and I've got that entire cavern rigged with plastics, and it looks like it's gotten a bit unstable. The human, Jack, with us has the detonator." Ereba said. "Come on. Let's get out of here before that b**** takes a liking to us."

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 18 août 2013 - 01:21 .

[Kel Riever]

Rea couldn’t concentrate. The explosion had disoriented her already overloaded mind. Ahead of Rea, the asari commando she just met ran through the slurry of gore that covered the floor of the pit. The Reaper processor was destroyed, its hidden lair now strewn with the immense fragments of its hull. A wide hole had been opened in the ceiling that was once over the processor, revealing the shards of London and the night sky above. Rea held Rothan up and followed the path of the other asari.

Moaning Myrtle wailed. The pain was more than physical, as the sound reached into the soul and threatened to tear it apart. Worse, Rea thought she could hear Myrtle calling to her. Both Rea and Rothan were knocked to their knees from the psychic scream. Once again, Rea forced herself up and lifted Rothan, groaning with the effort.

A.Q. had stayed behind, ostensibly to hold the Banshee off, but Rea knew better than that. It was a death sentence for the Misfit to fight Myrtle alone. And yet Rea also knew she had to save Rothan, who was still having a problem moving. She spared one look back, to take in a last image of A.Q. readying herself while Myrtle charged in a series of biotic flashes.

“Come on, Ereba!” Another voice called from in front of Rea, yanking her attention back to where she was heading. About thirty meters away, as the asari had said, was a unit of commandos and a human, knee deep in the gore-covered water.

“Do I look like I’m taking my time?” Ereba, the commando Rea had met, shouted back in a gravelly voice.

Then Rea watched in alarm as she saw the Dragons’ Teeth in the cavern descend, activating a legion of husks. Ereba created a slow moving biotic sphere of dark energy to roll through the nearest husk pack. A way was clear for them to at least get to the other commandos, but Rea and Rothan weren’t moving fast enough.

“Rothan,” Rea implored, “we’ve got to get to that group. Look at me.” Rothan did, and in an instant, saw the Rea he had known wasn’t the same. After the layers of gore had stuck to her, she had been covered in near black dirt, and the whole contamination that coated her looked like it had been seared on. But worse was the look in Rea's silver-flecked blue eyes. Rothan could tell she was being besieged, and behind the intense stare she gave him was something that preyed on her. Rea strained with her next words, “You see me, and you know I’m not all there. I need you now, Rothan, to help get us to that group. I need you because you understand, and because you came for me.”

“Keelah se’lai, Rea,” Rothan affirmed, “we are in this to the end.”

Ereba launched another dark energy sphere, and began picking off husks with her Black Widow. A huge Brute emerged from the Dragon’s Teeth and set itself up to charge her.

Rea warned, “Ereba! Brute! Stack it!” Rea cast a warp at the Brute and watched as Ereba immediately faced the threat. Ereba launched her own biotic throw, and the two effects combined to create a biotic detonation. The Brute was heavily wounded and the husks nearby were pulped. Ereba unloaded her sniper rifle into the Brute and Rothan added the firepower of his Avenger. The beast roared in agony and dropped.

With a quick salute, Ereba acknowledged Rea and continued eradicating husks. Rea and Rothan worked together, to keep anything Ereba missed at bay. At one point, they were rushed by a group of husks from their flank, but Rothan set off a biotic shockwave that obliterated the peril in one fell swoop.

Every meter was an engagement. Time was measured in biotic attacks and rounds. Rea threw one of the lift grenades she had been given to clear an opening in the horde. Ereba went to her pistol, as the husks came so close she needed the faster reaction of the smaller gun. Rothan kept a rhythm with his Avenger, while accenting his bursts with shockwaves.

When they reached the other commandos, the unit’s firepower gave them a moment of respite. Jack looked at the new arrivals and when her eyes came to rest on Rea, she exclaimed, “Holy s**t they’re all f**ked up!”

“We can assess later,” Ereba responded, “Give her the Mattock!”

Jack raised an eyebrow, “You’re new asari friend? Can we trust her?”

“We haven’t got time to argue!”

Looking at Ereba, Jack cautioned, “It’s your ass.” She tossed the spare rifle to Rea.

Rea snatched the Mattock out of the air with a skilled hand and took a second to concentrate. Then she put the rifle to her shoulder and fired three times, each bullet placed expertly through the head of a husk.

“That’ll do,” Shayrana approved. “Now, we are leaving immediately! Everybody stay tight and move out!”

Rothan took a moment to look from where they came. Rea knew it would be for A.Q. The pain in her head grew, and she felt blood drip from her nose. As she pulled the trigger on the Mattock, Rea put her back to Rothan. For the first time since Rea could remember, she prayed aloud. In her mind, Rea was thinking of Rothan and herself, “Please Dad, guide us.”

Modifié par Kel Riever, 18 août 2013 - 05:36 .

[Redbelle]

“Cover my left flank”! Steiner roared as the Cannibal's advanced on the ground below.

Things had been going well of late for the Ensfield Rifles Resistance. That was until Babylon had convinced him to call for help. It went against his better judgement. But even he had to admit. This was one time when extra boots and fire power would have come in handy for convincing a group of armed civilians to move.

Only the call had attracted the wrong kind of attention.

They'd been prepared though. Steiner hadn't been around this long without knowing how the Reapers reacted to communication signals. It was like sending up a flare. Pop one and everyone can see it. Good and bad. So it was that the signal had attracted the bad's attention. And they'd arrived first. And the Ensfield Rifles had been ready to greet them.

The signal had been sent away from them in a remote location. Well away from the men he commanded. They had an overview of where the probe had been left when it started broadcasting. A zone that could easily be turned into a killing field. He was up in a high rise with a group of his best shot's while down below Babylon commanded his right flank. His left however was crumbling.

They had decimated the Reapers who had come to investigate the signal. Blown them clean away as they had shambled into view. Without anyone shooting at them they'd been out in plain sight and as they had filled the street they'd opened up from three angles. An entire wave of Reaper's had been shredded in the first barrage of bullet's and explosives. It was a victory. But Steiner knew it would be short lived if they didn't move. They'd revealed  both their presence and their position's by firing. The next wave would fight smarter.

It had arrived to soon. And his left flank was being commanded by his least experienced commander. Babylon had held the right. Gotten her people organised to repel the wave. The left however had been moving out when they were set upon. They'd been decimated and routed. Now the only hope of holding the left lay with the centre as they shifted their fire towards that flank.

It was hopeless, Steiner knew. His group was relatively protected from the higher vantage point, but by shifting fire away from the centre it left more Reapers who could focus on Babylon. She was good. But would she be good enough?

His answer came moments later as his radio chirped. “Steiner”! Babylon squawked amid a hiss of static. “If you don't focus fire we're dead down here”!

“If I don't stop the left falling your dead even faster”! He yelled back. “Organise a retreat! I want an organised withdrawal. We ain't winning this one”!

“What about help”?

“They ain't coming”! Steiner growled. “Can't rely on anyone but us and the guy next to you. Get your people moving! We may save the left if there's anything left of em”!

Steiner hefted his Typhoon and began spraying area's where Reaper force's were thickest. His shoulder missile beeped for his attention to let him know it was cooled, loaded and ready to fire. He picked a figure out among the Reaper force. A Marauder was directing cannibal's towards consuming their fallen. As the targeting reticle went from red to green he breathed a curse. “Hell's to good for yah, SOB”. A cry nearby, however, stopped him.

“HARVESTER”!

Steiner looked up to see the winged visage drop out of the sky. It swooped down away from them before tightly banking around and headed straight for his team.

Steiner didn't have time to lock on. He set his missile for the Harvester and sent it flying. The Harvester saw it coming and juked even as it fired.

The missile missed, while the Harvester's attack punched a hole above where Steiner's team lay. Steel, glass and debris rained down on those unlucky enough to be caught under and Steiner heard cries as several of his team were crushed. He spun around and roared as his Typhoon spat hot metal at the harvester who had disappeared as it dived. Then emerged as it raced up in front of them, so close they could reach out and touch it.

Steiner took the invitation. Reaching out and grabbing hold of the Harvester. And was suddenly jerked out of the window and into the air. Watching the ground spin under him as the Harvester barrel rolled and moved away to set up for another attack.

Steiner, still holding with one hand, stowed the Typhoon and drew out a sticky grenade. The Harvester was diving again. Picking up speed as he slapped the grenade against it's armoured chest and let go. He bounced and skidded as he rolled. Slapping the ground to absorb as much of the impact as he could. As he came to a halt he looked up to see the Harvester's chest explode. The Harvester seemed to stop in mid flight as a fireball consumed it.

Then it dropped. Spread it's wings, and continued to turn. Steiner saw that it's chest plate was bent and buckled. But still in more or less one piece. It flew over his head as he drew his Typhoon and turned to see where it went. The sight of a host of Cannibal's greeted him as they advanced on him. Their shot's causing his barrier's to light up. He rolled for cover even as his barrier's failed and he felt a few shot's dig deep into his heavy armour, stopping them dead.

Still, it wouldn't be long before even his armour failed. He cried out on his radio. “Babylon. Take the troops. Get back. Get away from here”! Static hissed back as he heard Babylon’s voice shrouded in static. She had to know the situation had gone Fubar. She had to leave him behind. The Reapers were now between him and her!

He heard weapons fire. Recognised it as Alliance. Babylon wasn't falling back. Dumb b***h If the Harvester didn't get them the wave of Reapers would. He slapped a fresh thermal clip into his weapon. Maybe he could stay alive long enough to hook up with the right and lead them out.

A roar suddenly emerged from behind where he lay in cover and he turned onto his back to see a giant black silhouette obscure his vision.

And for a moment. He swore he heard someone cheering.

Modifié par Redbelle, 19 août 2013 - 06:02 .

[Redbelle]

“Wooooooooohooooooooo”! Wyld yelled as the Valkyr jumped over a piece of debris blocking the road. Her exhilaration died when she saw he number's of Reaper force's that lay in front of her. “Momma...”!

But Momma was already at work. Her Avatar never moved a muscle from her relaxed position riding shotgun. But the gun mount at the back suddenly came alive and began spitting fire at those in front of them.

Wyld's HUD suddenly displayed a minimap. “Three group's. One has been lost. The other two are in danger of being overrun”. Suddenly the form of a Harvester swept into the field from behind a block of buildings. “And it appears they have air support, going for the second group”.

“Then get it's attention”! Wyld shouted as she threw the wheel to the right. The Valkyr skidded as she spun around. At the same time the gun mount turned one hundred eighty degree's so that When the Valkyr came to a rest. It was pointing in the direction of the harvester.

Beneath the main gun the grenade launcher clicked as a shell was chambered. The gun elevated and moved to the side. Away from pointing directly at the Harvester. It fired.

A twenty centimetre by ten centimetre tube shot out of the barrel. The muzzle flash and loud pop, being the only warning of what had just been fired. The oversized grenade arced through the air. It's internal firing pin having set itself to detonate the primer the moment it made contact against anything solid enough to initiate the action.

The Harvester had not seen the flash, or the tube which became lost in the night sky. It only noticed when the tube fell atop it's back. The grenade and the Harvester meeting exactly where Momma had predicted. The pin struck the primer which put out the shock energy needed to trigger the reaction neccessary to cause the explosive mass to decompose. As decomposition occured, gases expanded outward at rate of 26,400 feet per second. Easily breakng the shell of the grenade whose metal walls became shrapnel that embedded itself in the harvester's armour. At the same time. Those same gases ignited. The Harvester's back erupted in a fireball on the Harvester's downward stroke. It's body protected it's wing's even as it reeled about and seemed to flip through the air. It fell nearly twenty metres before it spread those wings and recovered from it's fall. Landing heavily on the ground. It then turned it's gaze towards the Valkyr.

Wyld sat twisted in her seat. One arm over the back of head rest as she watched the Harvester survive Momma's assault. Cannibal's were now turning in droves to face the new threat even as the Harvester flapped it wing's in a show of anger. Wyld looked over at Momma.

“If either of us have a plan for dealing with this? Now would be good to share it”.

Modifié par Redbelle, 18 août 2013 - 10:17 .

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

BoL - The Lost Asari XXVIII (The Sarge)

Cyone - 1906 CE

Teshek took Naleena for a drive in the countryside of Cyone. The Drell smiled at his young daughter and was going to teach her how to feel the world move today with her biotics. It was a Drell skill not taught by the Asari. Teshek thought she could benefit from it and that it would save her life some day. He would be leaving soon for his next job and this was the ideal time and age for her. She was 20.

The City of Polos was far off in the distance, far enough away where it wouldn't interfere. The mountains were nearing. Teshek opened the windows so they could feel and smell the clean country air. Naleena laughed when Teshek turned off the inertial dampeners and did a roll. Then he landed the car in the middle of a field and opened the top. The two left the vehicle.

"We need to walk far from the car for this in the beginning." Teshek told her as they walked toward a grove. "What I'm going to show you, you'll be able to use in a city if you continue to practice."

"What is it?" Naleena asked.

"I am going to teach you how to reach out and feel things with your mind." Teshek said. "You are very gifted. I've seen you at play. You can do things that other Asari your age cannot do."

The grove was fairly thick, but not too. The trees were tall, and mostly broadleafed. There was a good amount of underbrush, but also there was a not well traveled hiking trail to which they stayed. A deer was grazing off in the distance.

"I will assist you here. Be very quiet. Hold my hand. Can you feel the deer with your mind? Can you feel it alert just before it runs off?" Teshek asked.

"How did you do that?" Naleena asked.

"The Hanar taught me." Teshek said. "I began my studies when I was six. It was quite an honor. In exchange for my education, I work for them now. That is why I go away periodically, but I always come home for you, because you are everything to me. The only thing that could keep me from returning is if the Goddess Kalahira takes me away."

"In other words, if you are killed." Naleena replied. "You do not have to be careful with words anymore. I'm not a little child."

"Of course, you aren't." Teshek said. "Come. I believe there is a meadow on the other side of this grove. It is less noisy."

The meadow was of golden grass with blue flowers, and sparsely scattered trees and shrubs. There was also a pond nearby a medium sized outcrop.

"Let's sit here on these rocks." Teshek said.

Soon, a large long-legged bird landed in the pond. It was white with a beautiful feathered crest.

"See if you can feel him with your mind, Naleena." Teshek said. "Just reach out and touch him."

"I can't." Naleena said.

"Relax." Teshek said. "Touch him."

The bird looked at Naleena and began to walk slowly toward her.

"I called him." She said.

"Now he's expecting you have a fish, because he was looking for a fish." Teshek said. "You should give him your lunch, and we should leave."

Teshek looked at the bird and said. "Forget."

The two of them climbed over and off of the rock and began the walk back to the car.

"What did you do there, Father?" Naleena asked.

"He is a wild creature. He has a natural fear of Asari and Drell." He replied. "When you fed him he lost that fear. I restored it by making him forget we were there. That is part of this skill."

"When did this skill benefit you the most?" Naleena asked him.

Teshek stopped. "Laser light shined red on yellow hair in the sun. Blue skinned crest walked in front and looked up and saw the light. I ran." Teshek said. "I reached out the moment before I ran. That night I met your mother. I was able to identify her by feel when I walked into the restaurant before I saw her."

"Did she know it was you with the laser light?" Naleena asked.

"No. And you will promise me not to tell her." Teshek looked seriously at her and said.

"I promise, Father." Naleena said. She kept her word, and never told her mother about this.

"Here we are. Let's go home, before your mother begins to worry." Teshek smiled as they got into the car and said. "Practice this lesson daily. You are very good, and you will master it."

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 20 août 2013 - 02:25 .

[DesioPL]

Secret Cerberus research station. 2185.

Khaled starts looks worried about, what's is going on in Cerberus, since his partners in work of program Pathfinder was dissapered. He hear the rumors that Illusive Man got obsession on indoctrination. He walk swift to his wife and telling.

"We must get out from here, Cerberus starts looking dangerous" Telling nervous.

"What's happend?" Marisa asks.

"I think... The rumors about Illusive Man obsession about indoctrination is true. Get all the files as you can about pathfinder program, and we leave to the alliance" Looks nervous, and watching if someone not watching them.

"I guess you right. I start making backups, cover me" Marisa nods and starts downloading the files about pathfinder program.

Khaled closees the door and looking if someone is not going to his room.

"Got it!" Marisa tells and shuting down computer.

"We can go now, but look out... I guess first indoctrinated soldiers can be here" Looks again, and starts runing with Marisa to the kodiak.

Six months later. 2186 Earth.

"Sir Khaled you worked with Cerberus, a terrorist organization. Why you deflected?" Alliance officer asking.

"The situation in Cerberus are pretty grim. Some agents and scientists are deflected from Cerberus, but they are too affraid to come here" Khaled answers.

"I see... Any practicular reason?"

"I heard the rumors, that Illusive Man have obsession about indoctrination. And my partners from my program pathfinder are disapered" Khaled answers and looks nervous at the window.

"Wait... Indoctrination? That's bad news, since we lost contact with our base on Mars" Alliance oficer looks nervous while talking.

"What? I guess that's Cerberus"

"I must send the word, since... What the hell?" Alliance officer and Khaled looks at the sky in London, and see landing reapers.

"O my god... RUN!" Khaled starts run from the room.

Khaled hited by explosion, still lives but wounded.

"Damn it... The invasion has begin... I my go for my gear"

Khaled go to the armor, and looking for his gear from pathfinder program.

"There is it! Time to finish this" Start wearing the suit and WI activated.

"Welcome sir Khaled in pathfinder program" WI talking while activated.

"WI, show me nearbay exit from the building! It's tearing down apart!" Khaled asks hurry.

"The nearbay exit is in south side of the building" WI responded.

Khaled grabs his first version of Nemesis Raptor sniper rifle codnamed. "Sting" And looking for exit. While exiting the building, try to be oriented in situation and looking around.

"Dear god..." Khaled Tell when see Reapers landing on London, and preparing his harvest. See the woman with child runing from the husk. He aim the husk and shoot him.

"Not today guy!" Looks to the woman with child. "Go! I will cover you!" Woman nods and runs.

"Mercifull father, please give me a strength... To protect the innocents from the evil. You are my shield, my sword, my bastion" Praying in silent while shooting the husks.

[FuriousFelicia]

Zia and Naomi left captain's office. Seeing Naomi still wearing overalls, Zia decided to take Radcliffe's advice and get Naomi suited up, so they headed straight for the armory. Zia seemed troubled with something as she didn't say a word since they left the office. Naomi was also silent, no doubt going  through all the stuff that's been discussed. After all, she was the star of the subject. She seemed concerned about something. Zia noticed Naomi's mind was absent, and she also noticed, as being observant was once one of main aspects of her job back at Omega, that they didn't hear the full story about Naomi's phisical state. She remembers the doctor mentioning Naomi's DNA, but that was all he did, he mentioned it once. He never brought it up later in the disscussion. She was definatly going to find out what it was, but right now she had other priorities. Naomi desperately needed a new piece of armor, and there was the issue of her training which, considering the situation, would have to be brought down to a quick crash course in biotics. Zia was uncertain if she would be able to teach Naomi stuff that would usually take months to learn, but she gave no indication she was worried. Besides, Naomi was a top graduate on Grissom academy so Zia figured that Naomi would quickly remember the stuff she already knew. But just as Zia had secrets from her past, so did Naomi.
Only Naomi was far more embarest about her secrets than Zia ever was with her infamous past.

''Why the long face?'' Asked Zia, seeing Naomi troubled over something. ''Don't worry kiddo, we're just gonna make you remember some stuff from school. How hard can that be for a top student?'' Zia smiled trying to loosen Naomi, but Naomi's face was still serious. She bowed her head down as an early reply to Zia's question. 

''Zee. I…'' Naomi muttered. Her cheeks were blushing as Zia reached to lift her chin. Naomi looked her in the eyes, and paused before she said,

''Zee, I don't think I can do this.'' 

''Come on shuggar, you know this. It'll be just like back in school again. We'll dump the basics and go straight for fun stuff..'' 

''No Zee you don't understand.'' Naomi cuts her off. She seemed really upset over this. Zia watched her in confusion while Naomi's eyes started to sparkle, revealing tears forming in her big green eyes. 

''Naomi what's wrong?'' Zia was worried as she saw there's something tormenting Naomi for some reason. Naomi just stood sillent. Zia took Naomi's hands and pulled her closer.

''Hey, if you're worried about the pain, don't be.'' She gave her a comforting smile, ''It only hurts without the amps, and we got that covered now.'' 

''You have no idea how it hurts.'' Naomi replied in a sligtly rude tone. Zia just raised her brow as she stepped back a little to respond.

''Let me gues. It's like thousands of tiny ants, chewing trough your brain from in side, folowed by an unpleasant sensation in your spine, like it's being ripped out of your body. Then the migrenes folow up, and a general feeling of exaustion afterwards like you've just ran a hundered miles up a hill. Yeah, I have no idea indead.'' Zia curved her lip when she was done. Naomi was a bit taken by what Zia just said as she looked at her suprised. 

''Yes. That's exactly how it feals. But how did you…'' 

''How did I know? Zia cutts her off half way, ''Didn't you pay attention back there? I had no implants. I had about twenty flares a day, for six years with no help from amps. Can you even amagine how that felt?'' Naomi twitched her head, confused by Zia's serious response. 

''But how is that possible? I thought we can't manage mass effect fields without amps.'' Naomi was just as baffled as the doctor at Zia's statement. 

''Yes well, you saw what you did to that hotel without amps.'' Zia replied, but the thought of going through that again was something thad dreaded Naomi. ''I don't want to go through that again, please Zee?'' Naomi pleated with a shimmering voice. ''Don't worry girl. As I said, all you need is to remember the stuff you already know. There's nothing to it.'' Zia smiled assuring Naomi that there's no reason to be afraid. But whatever troubled poor Naomi, it was still nibbling at her mind. Zia put her arms around Naomi's waist as she pulled her close to her. ''Ok, what's wrong.'' She looked in Naomi's frightened eyes revealing a dash of insecurity and doubt. Naomi couldn't hold it in any more so she throws her arms around her, and huggs her tight as she bursts in tears. Zia pressed Naomi's head to her chest, and stroked her hair comforting her. ''It's allright girl, don't be scared. once we start, it will all start to get back to you, you'll see.'' Zia conforted her but Naomi seemed even more distraught by her words as she continued crying in an even louder tone. Zia lost her temper, confused about Naomi's reactions to such a simple thing as a bit of biotic training, especialy with Naomi's record. Zia thought that the real reason for this wasn't the training, but what that training implied. The fact that Naomi would have to use her skills in battle, something that she believed dreaded Naomi. So Zia tried again.

''You know, you don't have to fight. You can allways be a portable shield.'' Zia giggled but Naomi was not amused. She had to get it out. She looked to Zia, her face still wet from tears but determined. 

''I don't know anything about biotics.'' 

Zia looked at her in disbielif as she smiled. ''Sure you do. You're the top student girl, the best of the best, one mean biotic machine, you're the..'' 

''I'm a cheater!'' Screams out Naomi. ''I cheated on all of my major exams, and I couldn't even manage a simple shockwave. I never wanted to be a biotic. There I said it, now you know the truth.'' Naomi finished, and she wasn't sobbing any more. This was eating at her ever since she was commissioned to service which happened to be priority Earth. And now the truth was finally out. Zia was flipped out. The first thing that ran through her mind was that Naomi is just joking, but her face looked serious.

''But why did you apply to the academy then?'' Zia asked. 

''Curtsey of my father. But that's not important now. What's important is that I haven't got a clue how to manipulate my biotics, and you're supposed to be teaching me about flares.'' Zia was speechless. Suddenly her task become a lot more complicated. She was already having doubts about being able to teach Naomi how to control her flares but that was before she had confessed her past academic transgressions. Now the job seemed but impossible to Zia. She was certainly concerned but she knew that putting more stress on Naomi would result in an even more impossible odds at teaching her the ropes so she changed the subject.

"No wories babe. Let's take it one step at a time. Besides, we already made first base back at the _it_. First we'll get you something to wear. Come, let me introduce you to Sully." Zia smiled as she took Naomi's hand. Naomi seemed encouraged by this gest as her face turned a bit more optimistic. After all, she was with Zia again, and it ment the world to Naomi. They strolled across the road towards the motor pool and the armory.

[rogo95]

 “Looks like a good place to hole up for a couple of hours to plan our next step. Right?” Rob looked at his companion who didn’t reply. Because it was a dog.

Rob approached the building cautiously, quietly. Pushing the door open with his shotgun, he took in the room before him and realised he was in a large housing block with columns supporting the celling. No movement. Rob
signalled to his dog who softly padded to the stairs and sniffed. Two quiet woofs.

No reaper smell. Good.
Rob thought

He pointed up and his dog went to scout the staircase while Rob double checked the entrance room. He was looking for anything useful, thermal clips, rations, grenades, but found only rubble, some broken furniture and a
child’s toy. He stood looking at the toy for a moment. His dog returned from its check and whined softly.

“What? Yeah, I’m fine. Come on; let’s check the rest of the building.” Together they traversed the stairs, some rubble made it difficult but they managed it. Thankfully the building was only four floors high and each
floor was clear. When they went to check the fourth floor it was blocked with rubble.

“No access.” Rob said to no one in particular. Still, to be sure he rigged the blockage with a few mines so if they did get visiter, the explosion would be a nice, loud warning that hostiles were coming. He did the same to the stairwell that connected the third and second floor.

He looked at his dog. “Right. Building secured. Pick a room on this floor.” He followed his dog to a room overlooking the crossroads leading to the block. Pulling a sniper scope from one of his armour’s compartments
he looked out the window. “Clear line of sight in most directions. Good choice” he put the scope away and got comfy in the nearest corner. Pulling a ration bar out of a different pouch he broke it in half and gave some to his dog.

“Right” he started, chewing his half. “Next step, we can either go and find the nearest camp/base, so they can
tell us where to go and fight. Hopefully, before they realise I’m not alliance and ask uncomfortable questions.” His dog looked up from its meal and cocked its head. “Or keep moving and hope to find someone who can vouch for us.” The dog licked its lips and lay down to go to sleep. “Yeah” rob said yawning. “Your idea is better” after settling he closed his eyes and went to sleep. And he dreamt of how he got into this situation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob was meeting an old contact in the presidium commons. Hopefully Sying Mai could help him with his request. Mai was one of the best smugglers and pilots out there. If he couldn’t get it he knew someone who could.

“You want to what?!?” Mai exclaimed

“I’m want passage to earth.” Rob repeated calmly

“Earth? Don’t you watch the news ******, that’s where the reapers are. You want a ship to earth? Really?” Mai demanded

“Yes. You got me off world just do it in reverse”

“Why? the citadel is safer!” he reasoned

“Cerberus got in, the reapers are a lot bigger than Cerberus. If the reapers get here it’ll be a like one of your tentacle hentai cartoons.”

“Hey! I’m Chinese not Japanese” Mai replied

“You all look alike” Rob said offhandedly

“F*ck off we all know you’re into bestiality. Why else have a dog?” Mai retorted continuing the ‘banter’.

“Hahaha…. That’s the sprit! In all seriousness, can you get me to earth or not?”

“Well I can think of twelve people who will take the job” Mai paused, thinking. “Seven of them might succeed and three of those are in your price range. There’s Erik Aachen”  

“Dead. Collected that bounty a few months ago. Your intel is old. How about Tony Allen?” Rob asked

“Cerberus mole. Dead. The last person is me and the answer is no” he stated firmly

“Okay then. ideas?”

“Well, if you’re that determined…” he shrugged “pretend to be alliance personnel get a proper shuttle”

“You got credentials, shuttle departures etc” Rob asked

“No credentials. There is a shuttle leaving tomorrow, reinforcements, high ex munitions….”

“Deal. place and time”

“Uploaded to your omni tool”

“Thanks and hey, look after yourself” Rob said leaving

“You too you crazy f*ucker Mai said after Rob had left. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An explosion rocked the level he was on. Rob woke up. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes, he took cover by the door leading into the room. Well that’s a wakeup call. He thought. He looked to his dog and made a ‘D’ with his hands. The dog darted out of the room barked to get the hostiles attention then bolted down the corridor. This gave Rob a chance to see the enemy forces as they ran past chasing his dog. Husks, followed by cannibals and two marauders bringing up the rear.

Let’s go then.

Moving as quietly as he could, he put the barrel of his shotgun to the back of the head of one of the marauders and pulled the trigger. Then shot the other one while simontaneiously throwing a grenade down the corridor to take out the cannibals and the husks. Three husks leapt out of the dust kicked up by the explosive. Knocking his shotgun away, they grabbed him, pushing him back in to an adjacent room. Rob could handle one husk easy, three was a challenge. Their biting and hitting made it impossible to breathe properly or fight effectively. Thankfully Dog leapt into the room knocking one of the husks off Rob and mauled it. Using this surprise rob smashed one husks into the wall then pulled out a knife from his boot to nearly decapitate the other. Rob looked to his dog who had bits of husk in its mouth.

“No, nu-uh. Chew. Don’t swallow, spit it out.” Dog obliged grudgingly. “Right, location compromised let’s move.” Traversing the stairs they headed for the exit. Except a brute was guarding it. Seeing them it charged. Barely rolling out of the way in time rob dodged the brute who crash in to a column destroying it. The ceiling above it sagged and creaked ominously. That gave rob an idea, giving one charge to his dog he pointed to the remaining columns. While his dog ran to one Rob ran to the other both trying to avoid the brutes swings. The charges were remote detonated and adhesive, sticking and arming automatically, allowing anyone to place them. Even a dog.

The brute beat its chest and readied for another charge. Rob detonated the small bombs causing the celling and some of the floors above it to collapse on the brute. But before he could bask in the glory of his victory is became apparent that one supporting column wasn’t enough and the whole building started to collapse. Aw crap was his
first thought. sh*t move yourself was the second. Covering his head to protect it from falling rubble rob ran to the outside barely reaching it I time. Bending over to catch his breath rob looked at the
remains of the apartment block

“Where are you? You make it out” he yelled. “Please don’t be dead, please be alright” he muttered .his dog barked behind him. Breathing a sigh of relief he scratched it behind its ears. “Brute dead. squad Intact. Victory is mine” he declared “Come on let’s find someone reputable to get into the nearest friendly camp.” A blaze of red flashed somewhere in the distance. “Well there goes alliance command. Let’s look for someone anyway, there’s got to be a backup camp somewhere.” He decided. “Let’s go boy.”

Modifié par rogo95, 20 août 2013 - 04:51 .

[Khambilo]

A.Q. leaned her head back against the brick walls. At least it wasn’t raining anymore. Her clothes were still entirely soaked and she wished to god that Jay would get back soon. Of course it was unlikely.   He was getting worse everyday they spent here. The red sand was destroying his body, bit by bit. She had tried to reason with him, but what was the alternative? Go home?

It was no longer an option.

She reached into her tattered canvas bag to take stock once again of her possessions. Nothing of much substance. A few bits of old snack packs. An apple she managed to lift from a grocery earlier that day. A couple broken old omnitool projectors, far beyond her ability to repair, but a pawnshop might take them.

It wasn’t much, but considering that she was the only one out of the two of them who was doing anything to help them survive…

She tried not to think about the last time she saw Jay dusted up. He was always an arrogant ******, but the red sand inflated his opinion of self. A drug that grants you magical powers…. It was way too much to handle.

As if to answer her musings, Jay rounded the corner into the alleyway.

“Hey,” he said, as if nothing had transpired between them.

A.Q. just glared at him. He looked worse. Clammy, pale skin, sunken eyes. His whole body looked weak, slow, as if the drug made it necessary for him to function. His once vibrant eyes were bloodshot from the last time he had dusted up as he avoided A.Q.’s withering gaze.

“I was thinking we could pawn those projectors we found,” he said. “Make a few credits.”

“You mean pawn the projectors I found,” A.Q said guarding her bag by tucking it further behind her.

Jay’s face tensed up. “Come on, we’re a team. Remember how we said that when we ran away?"

A.Q. remembered that moment, but Jay was a different person then, and so was she. “We were a team.”  She looked at him, saw how far he had fallen, and mustered every bit of mettle within her to hold back the tears. She sighed, converting the sorrow to anger. It was better that way.  “You’re gonna dust up again,” she glared.

“No, I won’t,” Jay pleaded. “I promised I wouldn’t.”

“You promised before. Didn’t change a damn thing.”

“This time is different,” he said inching closer to her, or more exactly, her pack. “I need help. I know that now.”

She looked away. This was typical Jay manipulation, and she knew it. He was all but backing her into the alley wall and she wanted desperately to gone from there. Snapping forward she shoved Jay out of the way.

“Shut it, Jay,” She growled. “I don’t believe it for a second.” She stomped passed him and he clawed for her bag. That was the last straw. She balled her hand into a fist and clocked him clear across the jaw.

His fragile body fell to the ground instantly. A.Q. just kept walking. She had nearly made it out of the narrow alley when Jay regained his footing and called after her. “You know what you are? Selfish. Bloody selfish. Never give a damn about anyone but yourself.”

She stopped in her tracks and turned on her heel to look at him. He was bleeding from the mouth and she prayed to god that she knocked at a couple of his teeth. As the blood trickled out of his mouth and on the ground, she couldn’t believe how pathetic he looked. Clothes tattered. Sickly. Bleeding. And somehow he thought he had the right to call her selfish.

A.Q. quickly unlatched the bag and tossed it to her brother on the ground. “Take it. I never want to see you again.”

“You’re still bloody selfish,” he yelled. She rounded the corner out of the alleyway, and finally let the tears come that she had been holding back.

~~~~

Screaming. Explosions. Gunfire. The enclosed space only seemed to amplify the noises and they resonated in A.Q.’s head with nausea-causing fervor. Regardless of it all she knew what she had to do. The Quarian the two Asari were running away. They couldn’t tell, but Myrtle was after them.

She scoped up her rifle, the thermal scoped Mattock that she had lifted from a dead marine forever ago and aimed it for the next place Myrtle was likely to jump to.

Come on, you ****. She thought.

She let out a burst of shots. A couple of them made contact with the wall behind, but then she saw the telltale purple distortion of the bullet making contact with a barrier. Myrtle had erupted where A.Q. had predicted.

She fired several more shots at the banshee, most missing, but it was enough to call her attention. Myrtle stopped jumping, her head slowly turning to A.Q. Even across the darkened chamber, A.Q. could see something in Myrtle’s gaze. Recognition? Was that even possible?

A.Q. kept firing, every shot effortlessly absorbed by Myrtle’s barrier. Myrtle began to walk towards her. A.Q. stood her ground. A rush of terror was rising up inside her but she had learned long ago how to channel such emotions to anger. Her grip on the Mattock only tightened as she unloaded a full heat sink into Myrtle. When the rifle at last overheated, Myrtle continued to walk, unfazed by the runt of a human in front of her.

“That’s right! Come here, ****!” A.Q. yelled. “What are you waiting for?”

Myrtle kept walking, her cold gaze narrowing in. She was no longer screaming.

A.Q. glanced at the belt of grenades at her side and smiled. Carefully she plucked one from the belt and hid it behind her back. Then her grin turned to a smirk as she faced the Banshee once more.

Myrtle was a few meters away.

A.Q. took a step towards her. Then another. Soon she was walking at the same pace to meet the banshee. Myrtle had killed her friends the only people she had ever cared about and had cared about her in return. She fazed through walls and grabbed them, then vanished into thin air. It was cowardly. This Banshee was not worth the fear that had been placed on her, and now more than ever, A.Q. was frustrated that it wouldn’t face her.

She yelled out. “I said, What are you wai—“

A rushing bang and an eruption of light overcame her. Her body erupted in an icy fire coursing through her. A.Q. howled in pain, gritting her teeth. In that moment she realized she was no longer standing on her own two feet. Her vision returned to her blurred and unfocused, but she could see it.

Myrtle was face to face with her. A.Q. glanced down for only a split second. The banshee’s arm was extended clear through her chest.

Breaths came shallow, each one lighting up her body in an inferno of pain, but it no longer mattered. The grenade was still clenched in her hand.

That’s right ****.

A.Q. furrowed her brow into one last withering gaze aimed straight for Myrtle. The banshee’s head cocked, perplexed with this human’s insolence. Myrtle let out a harrowing scream at A.Q.

She smiled back at the banshee and activated the grenade. With every last bit of energy she could muster, A.Q snapped her hand up and shoved the grenade clear down Myrtle’s gullet.

“Shut the **** up and suck on this ****!” A.Q. screamed back.

The Banshee’s face contorted for a moment. Was that fear A.Q was seeing? A.Q. chuckled as she her head fell back.

She felt nothing as the world went white.

Modifié par Khambilo, 20 août 2013 - 05:43 .

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

BoL - The Lost Asari XXIX

Jack turned her back on the cavern, walked away, and hit the detonator. "Eat s*** and die mother****ers!" Another massive explosion rocked through the cavern as the support columns blew out and the ceiling collapsed on the advancing husks and brutes. Everyone in the party ducked..., except Jack. Rocks, flew past her and a dust cloud enveloped her. Nothing touched her. She emerged from it like an angel of death.

"Don't you ever pull that s*** again!" Ranassa said getting all up in Ereba's face. "That's how teams die. You stick to the mission! Now who are these people?"

"Easy 'Nassa!" Shayrana said. "Calm down."

Ereba was catching her breath. "I think this is Rea, and that's Rothan. I was quite surprised to see a Quarian with biotics. So what's your story?"

T was just shaking her head. "I'd suggest we get ready, because this s*** isn't over."

"T, you're always saying s*** like that." Erikka said.

"And have I been wrong yet?" T asked. "Pvt T'sanrana, but everyone just calls be 'T', just because it's easier. We're all paired up for max force muliplier. I'm with Nasty 'Nassa. Ereba is with Shayrana. Erikka was with the Sarge, but she broke a leg trying to tackle a brute, and they took her ass back to the hospital. So Rea, if you want to pair up with anyone, Erikka is free at least until we get out of this **** hole. Rothan you and Jack might want to try working together."

"Who is in charge of this group?" Rea asked.

"That would be me." Shayrana said. "Cpl. Shayrana T'sonoptis, but Jack here has kind of taken over. She's some kind of big hero according to that group of humans we were with."

"She fights pretty good, too, for a human. I'll give her that." 'Nassa said.

"You know that s*** I was sayin' was comin'?" T said. "I hear it. It's still pretty far off, but it's headed our way."

There was a banshee scream followed by another one.

"Where is it coming from?" Jack asked.

"It's coming from the utility tunnel. Commandos, we are leaving!" Shayrana shouted. "Back out the way we came in. Errika, ready your barrier. Everyone behind Erikka. And no incendiaries until Erikka is clear."

Hardened Barrier was Erikka's strongest biotic skill. She trained in it, and mastered it. She was the best at in not only the platoon, but her entire brigade, and that was saying a lot. It would hold off a brute, and would deflect bullets for a short time.

"We'll head right back into some more Dragon's Teeth and husks!" Rea shouted.

"What Dragon's Teeth?" Jack said. "We came in that way and we didn't see any."

"They must have gotten destroyed when the road collapsed." Erikka said. "That's how we got stuck in this .... stuff."

"Enough talking! Come on! Let's move!" Jack ordered.

Ereba got her Black Widow back from Shayrana, and took up position in the rear. She swapped out her power cell. The group passed the utility tunnel just about the time the reaper troops were reaching the exit. Erikka put her barrier across the Utility Tunnel and hardened it so her group could pass, then she backed up and held her barrier, and it expanded until was covering the entire width of the cave at that point. Reaper troops were pushing hard against it wearing it down. It was a choke point, but with the expansion she was running out of energy in a hurry.

"I can't hold it." Erikka said. "Get into your positions."

"Okay everyone. As soon as Erikka drops her barrier hit the group with a timed throw on my mark." Shayrana said. "3-2-1-Now!"

Erikka dropped her barrier with a thrust, and ran back to the group. She was spent. It would take her two minutes before she could do anything, but shoot a gun. The group hit the bunched up reaper troops with the timed throw and knocked the first row over, causing the second row to stumble and fell.

Ranassa let out her battle cry. "Die motherf***ers!!!" And opened up with her LMG ripping the front line of husks to shreds. The Commandos took cover behind rocks and debris in the cave and opened up with their weapons. Rea was hitting them with her warp and throw combo until Erikka could join in then Erikka used her dark channel to spread some pain around for Rea to capitalize on.

Jack and Rothan seemed to be working well together with their twin shockwaves keeping the husks from gaining any ground. And Jack would occasionally shout "I will tear you apart!"

The Banshees screamed and began teleporting. Ereba hit one in the head with two rounds. Shayrana threw a power warp at it. Ereba hit her with a throw, and that staggered her again. She was now vulnerable. Ereba took her down with a heavy warp. Banshee number two seemed to be directing traffic, and there were more coming. There were brutes coming up the tunnel. And those Turian things coming out shooting back at them.

Ranassa slung her LMG over her shoulder and pulled her side arm out and started shooting the gas lines. "Cover me."

"What the f*** are you doing 'Nassa?" T said.

"Just do as I say. Everyone keep them pinned down there." 'Nassa shouted. "Throws and gunfire. I've been saving this. It's going to be f***ing beautiful."

The banshee was frustrated as her group of husks and brutes were getting bunched up. 'Nassa was firing and moving left, then one shot hit a valve. She showed Jack the incendiary grenade. Jack smiled.

"On the count of three everyone duck. " 'Nassa said. "3-2 (throw) -1 Catch this!"

The Elkoss Combine Incendiary Grenade flew gracefully through the air in a perfect spiral. 'Nassa's throwing technique was masterful, and she had cooked it to the degree of perfection that only a pyromaniac could appreciate. It detonated exactly 1 meter above the sludge right in the midst of the reaper horde and in the most perfect mixture of air and natural gas yielding yet another deafening concussive blast. Flames, smoke, and the stench of burned flesh filled the air. Body parts splashed in the muck around the Commandos. It was over. A husk arm landed on Erikka's neck. She screamed.

"Are we bad asses or what?!" T said.

"Hell yeah!" Ereba shouted.

"It's only a husk, Erikka." T said taking the arm and waving it in her face. "And he just wanted to say how much he likes you."

Erikka punched T and started chasing her around the cave and tackled her in the muck. Jack was laughing. That was the first time Jack had really laughed in weeks. An hour ago they were scared ****less. No matter how bleak things got, these Commandos knew how to keep each other's spirits up. And now they were playing, and they deserved it. They'd won a fight in a major battle.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 02 novembre 2013 - 10:53 .

[Redbelle]

Momma looked over at Wyld as the Harvester beat it's wings. Readying to take off.

“I was under the impression you had a plan”.

Wyld twisted back to facing forward in her seat. “I didn't have a plan for this”.

“Now the Harvester knows we here I doubt I can land another hit on it with our current weaponry”.

Cannibal's opened fire on the Valkyr causing it's barrier's to flare as the Harvester jumped back into the air and began to ascend. Wyld gripped the stick shift. “I've got a plan....”

The Valkyr's weapon mount swivelled and returned fire at the Cannibal's. Downing them with a quick burst of fire. Only for more to replace them. “Run away”?

“Exactly”! Jan dropped the clutch at the same time as she pushed the accelerator down into the floor. The wheel's span for just a moment before they found their grip and the Valkyr suddenly lurched forward. Wyld felt herself thrust back in her seat while Momma's virtual form remained calm and relaxed.

Spinning the wheel to the side Wyld came around as more Reaper force's joined in at firing at them. Most shot's missed the target as Wyld juked and brought them up to speed. But more and more, more shot's began to connect. The barrier's flaring again and again under the increasing barrage.

Wyld checked her HUD's mini map. There was nowhere to go to get away from the Reaper forces. Then her HUD flashed a warning and she looked up. The Harvester appeared, bursting out of the cloud cover. It's neck rearing back as it prepared to fire.

Wyld floored the accelerator and spun the wheel to the side as the Harvester fired at them. In the time it took to cover the distance The Valkyr had put enough distance between where it had fired at, and where they were. Even so, The Valkyr's back end jumped into the air as the force of the blast swept past them. She came down and Wyld struggled to regain control as the Harvester soared by overhead. Already turning for another pass.

Thing were not looking good. Directly ahead more Cannibal's and Marauder’s stood waiting. Their gun's pointing at them.

“Our barrier's are dangerously low from the Harvester's attack”. Momma observed dispassionately. Wyld watched as Reaper's fell to Momma's expert aim. But there were to many for her to keep up with. She rammed her foot down and aimed the Valkyr towards the thickest cluster of Reaper's.

“I am the Count. Von, too, free, four”. Wyld looked down as her Omni-tool's new call alert told her she had an incoming call. An unknown voice came over the radio. “Alliance vehicle! Break right now”!

Wyld wasted no time spinning the wheel and sending the Valkyr hurtling out of the line of Reaper fire. A fraction of a second later, incoming fire moved through the space they had occupied. Wyld turned her head. Expecting the Reapers to be tracking the Valkyr.

Except the fire wasn't coming from the Reapers. As she watched, a wave of devastating fire from behind the Reaper ground forces opened up and cut their number's down. Where had stood a sizeable force suddenly fell to the ground.

Momma observed. “Reaper ground force targeting the second alliance ground unit terminated. Threat index zero”.

Wyld's radio crackled again. “Alliance vehicle. There's a gap in the building ahead of you. Get to it before the Harvester comes back”!

Wyld saw the opening in the bottom of a high rise and launched the Valkyr towards the opening. Moment's later they were through and Wyld jammed the brakes on. The Valkyr came to such an abrupt halt that Wyld felt the restraint’s dig into her body where she didn't have armour. Then she lurched back and looked back at the opening.

Nothing was coming through. She could however hear the leathery flap of wings from outside. But as she listened they became more distant. She turned back in her seat and let out a sigh of relief.

Momma nodded. “Barrier recharge in progress. We appear to have taken several hit's from small arms fire. Armour is compromised at the rear. But still holding”. She paused. “Given the Harvester's durability, mobility and fire power. I do not believe anything we currently have can bring it down. We should avoid contact”.

Wyld shook her head. “If we don't kill it here it'll just go and kill more allies some place else. We need to kill it”.

“We lack the means”. Momma observed. “It's armour is too thick for grenade's to pierce and our weapon fire from the gun is to easily deflected. Sustained fire from incendiary rounds may compromise the armour sufficiently to allow penetration. However, our mount lacks those upgrades. I calculate we would also need a minimum of thirty seconds sustained fire to achieve penetration”.

Wyld leaned her head back on the head rest as she closed her eye's. Thing's were not looking good.

Suddenly her radio came back to life. “This is Amy Babylon of the Ensfield Rifle Resistance. Good driving out there. You pulled enough of the Reaper's  away for us to make a comeback. Are you okay”?

Wyld jerked upright and toggled her transmit switch. “This is Commander Corpsman Wyld.....”. She said, instantly regretting it. “Commander, Wyld”. She said more slowly. “Alliance Corpsman” She really needed to work on introducing herself with her new rank. “Thanks for the assist out there. How's it looking”?

“We're looking better than we were ten minutes ago”. Babylon said. “We're hunkered down. The harvester keeps flying overhead. The good news is that we pretty much finished off the ground forces coming after us so there's nothing to flush us out”.

“What's the bad news”?

“We need to take out that Harvester so we can get Steiner out”. Amy explained. “He got separated from his group and now he's out there somewhere”.

Wyld frowned. “Unless you have a way of dealing with the harvester we're better off waiting for it to leave. We've been going over our option's here. We can't take that thing out with what we have”.

“I think we can”. Babylon said excitedly. “We have a rocket. Just one. Not enough of a payload to kill it outright in one shot. But if we can damage the armour enough, maybe, maybe we can kill it”.

“What makes you think Steiner's still alive”?

“He has to be”. Babylon's voice held a tinge of desperation. “If not, then we have no one we can rely on to unite the faction's here in London”.

“Faction's”? Wyld asked, puzzlement obvious in her voice.

“Ask me after we recover Steiner. He's tough. Trust me. He's alive out there. Probably keeping his head down. But a Reaper force pursued our left flank after they were routed. They may come back. This is the best time to deal with the Harvester. Unless you want to fight the Harvester and another wave of ground troops”.

Wyld rubbed her chin. “Do you have a plan”?

Wyld could imagine the face on the other end of the radio smirking as she responded. “Hey, I always have a plan”.

Modifié par Redbelle, 20 août 2013 - 06:12 .

[Kel Riever]

Tempest squadron maintained radio silence as they headed for Camp Bastion. Farzam noted how sparsely populated it was. He picked a cleared zone well within the camp’s perimeter to touch down in. As Farzam exited the A-61 gunship, he was approached by a private.
 
“Welcome to the camp, sir,” the private greeted. ‘It isn’t much, but it’s what we’ve got as a rally point.  Thanks for coming in quiet. Captain Radcliffe is in charge here. He asks that you remain off communicators at all costs and would welcome you himself, but he’s had a hell of a time dealing with the few people who’ve made it back here so far, it seems.”
 
Farzam stretched. He was a lean, 6’2” and was comfortably using all his personal space to shake the past seven hours he had been airborne. “Not a problem, private. We are self sufficient except for needing reloads and supplies for a quick repair. Are we lucky enough to be able to get hold of anything like that around here?”
 
The private smirked, “Actually, sir, the one thing we do have around here are supplies. It’s the troops we need right now. The Captain says you’re welcome to use whatever you need, as long as you don’t abuse the privilege.”
 
“They’re gunships, not rolling buckets, but I get your point, private,” Farzam acknowledged. “You can tell the Captain there isn’t anything I’m going to take that we don’t need. Tempest two over there has two engineers on board and they can coordinate with your quartermaster.”
 
The private saluted and headed over to Farzam’s wingman. Dale was stepping out, along with the other passenger on board Farzam’s A-61, a drell assassin. Dale pulled off her helmet to reveal her short cut, matted brown hair. Farzam couldn’t help but stare at her heavy facial scars.
 
Dale noticed, but joked, “You can’t seem to get enough of me, sir.”
 
Farzam sighed, “Sorry. I despise my own instincts sometimes.”
 
“No need to worry, sir. You should see what the other guy looks like.”
 
Laughing, Farzam play punched his chest. “You are tough as they come, Dale. I’m lucky to have had you with me. If you and your comrade are getting back on board, let me know.”
 
Dale pulled out a cigarette and lit it. “I’m going to figure out what the apes around here want us ground pounders to do, but not before I find out if this place has got something to drink. You have fun with your whirlybirds.” 
 
With a wink, Farzam waived her off, “Get it while you can. You have another one of those cigarettes with the special ingredients in them?”
 
“It’s my last one, sir,” Dale winked back. Farzam knew she was lying and chuckled. Then he headed to the engineers and his other two pilots to make sure they were going to get what they needed.

Modifié par Kel Riever, 20 août 2013 - 06:23 .

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

BoL - The Lost Asari XXX

Prangley's group returned to the road collapse and waited. They kept trying to stay up wind of the stench that drifted out of it, because it was enough to make ones' stomach lurch, make the back of the neck sweat and the mouth salivate, and the world begin to spin.

Lisa had been a good kid and gotten them the rope they needed. Belliarmine was tying knots in it about every three feet to make climbing up it a bit easier.

"Do you think they're still alive?" Belliarmine asked.

"Well, there was a massive explosion, followed by a very large explosion, followed by a medium sized explosion, and each of them closer to us." Prangley said. "So yes, I'd say they were still alive."

"Makes sense." Belliarmine said.

The rest of the squad was huddled together upwind of the hole trying to keep warm, and keep their last snack down whenever that stench drifted their way.

"Does this smell remind you of anything?" Prangley asked as they were waiting.

"It's not like anything I've ever smelled, but I'd say death." Belliarmine said.

"Exactly. There was a rending plant a few miles from where I used to live, and our dog used to escape and run down there." Prangley said. "He'd come home and smell like this after he'd eaten some of the stuff and rolled in it. I'd get stuck bathing him."

"What did you end up doing?" Belliarmine asked.

"I was lucky. I got sent to brain camp, and my brother got to do it from then on." Prangley said.

"So what you're saying is that's what Jack and the rest of them are going to smell like when they come out of here?" Belliarmine asked.

"Yep." Prangley said. "I'm insisting they stay in their own squad and on the other side of the road. Preferably down wind." Then Prangley looked at Lisa. "And you my dear, can stay with us."

~~~~~~~~~

Jack turned around and noticed that the opening wasn't far away.

"Hey, guys! Do you want to play in this **** or do you want to get the hell out of here?" Jack said. "For all we know Prangley could be waiting for us."

"They could have run into reaper troops up there and we could be stuck down here." Erikka said.

"Then we go back to the utility tunnel and get out that way." Shayrana said. "Oh that's right! We can't because now there's a big flame jet across the area because 'Nassa had to get fancy and throw a ****ing incendiary."

"Hey, but it looked ****ing cool, you've gotta admit it." Ranassa said.

"Yeah, it did." Jack said. "Now let's go."

"Uh, Ereba, can I have my power cell?" Erikka asked.

"Oh, yeah, sure." Ereba said. "And thanks. You saved our asses." Ereba handed Erikka her power cell for her omni-tool.

"20%? What the ****? Only 20%?" Erikka said. "It was at 90% when I gave it to you. What did you do in there?"

"She saved our lives. Unlike you, Erikka, she actually uses hers for something." T said. "Now shut up. We'll pitch in and buy you a new one. You still have more than enough to beat your top score in 'Starship Avengers'." She looked at Rea and mouthed 'airhead'.

The team began their short trek to the road collapse. There was nothing more except for slogging through knee deep muck, and the level was slowly beginning to recede. The road collapse grew larger and more in focus. There was one lone brute and two marauders patrolling it. Shayrana looked casually at Jack.

"Biotic barrage? Or bullets?" Shayrana asked.

"Barrage." Jack said.

"Do it." Shayrana gave the cue.

Rea, Erikka and Rothan hit them with their Warp. T hit them with her Flare, Ereba with her Dark Energy sphere, Jack with her shockwave, Ranassa with her rending warp, Shayrana held back just in case. This set off thundering biotic explosion blowing the reapers to pieces.

"Okay, that's the end of them. Let's go." Jack said.

~~~~~~~~~

The noise got Prangley's attention, and the rest of the team stood up and gathered around the hole in the road.

"They must be getting close." Lisa said.

"I think they are." Belliamine said.

They could see some figures emerge from the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~

Jack saw what appeared to be a bunch of humans standing around looking down into the hole.

"So are you ass holes going to throw a rope down here so we can get out? Or are you just going to stand there admiring the view?" Jack said.

"Manners, Jack." Prangley said.

"Screw you, Prangley." Jack said. "Alright.... Please."

"That's better. And please remember to stay downwind." Prangley said.

"Scr...." Jack started to say then realized the entire lot of them smelled like death. "He's right. We probably smell like well, I don't even want to think about it. I just want a ****ing shower. Cold, hot it doesn't matter. Come on, let's get the **** out of here."

"Hey, Rea, Rothan, you're welcome to tag along." Shayrana said. "If it's okay with the rest of the group."

"Yeah, it's okay with me." Ranassa said. "They showed they can fight, and that Quarian does some **** I've not seen a Quarian do, so they can tag along."

Prangley dropped the rope down, and the rest of his team helped secure it so Jack and the Commandos could scale up the collapsed road and get out of the hole.

First out was Erikka, then Ereba, then T, then Ranassa, then Shayrana....

"Come on, you guys!" Ereba shouted.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 20 août 2013 - 10:36 .

[Redbelle]

Moment's after Babylon had explained the plan Wyld had voiced her only rising concern.

“So basically I'm bait”.

“Yeah”. Came the reply. “Your the only one with the speed to stay ahead of that thing. Pull it into range of us and we'll open up on it. We have tech soldier's who are rigging all guns with incendiary's. You pull it in front of us and we open fire. We soften up the armour enough and fire the rocket. With all the guns we have firing at the same time we should be able to melt that armour enough that the rocket can punch through and do some real damage”.

Momma injected. “The plan is sound Jerry-Ann. If one weapon needs a sustained firing time to achieve breakthrough then multiple firearms firing at the same time should achieve breakthrough in substantially less time. The only issue will be aiming and timing when to fire”.

“Who's that”? Babylon's voice asked.

“Momma.... Babylon”. Wyld said by way of introduction. “Babylon...... don't ask. What do you mean when you say aim and timing is an issue”?

“Many weapon's firing together will achieve a faster result, but in order to achieve the best result those weapons must be targeted in the same general area. If unit's scatter fire over the body of the Harvester we will fail to superheat it's armour. We must select our target, and then give that target to firing teams. I can assist in that regard”.

Wyld nodded and then said what she'd been dreading to bring up. “Amy. I need to point this out. We're risking a lot of people to save just one. I need to know why we need to save him”.

“What”? Came the acid reply. “Your one of those people who'd just leave someone behind because it's a bit dangerous”?

“No”. Came Wyld's equally acidic response. “But I need to know just how far we're willing to push for this. Why is Steiner so important”?

The comm went silent for awhile. “Steiner's a hero in the resistance”. She said. “He's a sort of rallying point. People come to him. And his reputation isn't something we can just create again. And..... he's the only person who the faction leaders might listen too”.

That again. “What faction leader's”?

“Never mind”. Babylon said. “If he dies it won't matter. We're ready over here”.

Wyld nodded and brought the Valkyr around. Her nose pointing towards the gap in the wall. “Tell me where the Harvester..... Let's call it Harvey Where's Harvey now”.

“Harvey?.... Fine. Harvey's on the other side of the intersection. It's flying a pattern. Best if you go when it's closer. Give it less chance to line up a shot”.

Wyld gripped the wheel so hard that if her hands had been visible she'd have seen the knuckles turn white. “Count me down when it's in range”.

“Barrier's are fully charged once more”. Momma said. “Though I would be grateful if you'd refrain from allowing it to hit us. Or fire close to us. Or just allowing it to fire at all”.

Wyld looked over at Momma's digital avatar who, despite looking cool and calm on the surface, seemed to be agitated as her eye's flickered here and there. “What's wrong”? She asked.

Momma looked over at Wyld. Her soothing voice cracking indicating her distress. “Jerry-Ann. What happens if we die? What will happen to the boy? I have not once asked myself these questions. Yet now I am”?

Wyld put a hand out, forgetting she wasn't really there and put her hand through her arm. “Take my advice girl”. She said pulling her hand back. “Let's not find out”.

Babylon suddenly started counting down and Wyld revved the engine. Moment's later the Valkyr surged forward towards the opening.

Modifié par Redbelle, 21 août 2013 - 09:19 .

[Redbelle]

The Valkyr roared out of the hole in the side of the high rise and back out into the night air. Overhead, Harvey the Harvester, almost directly above, spotted them and snapped off a shot. It slammed harmlessly into the ground, having not had time to aim properly as it drew back it's wings and swooped down in chase.

Wyld looked over to where Babylon had hidden her unit's. There were more survivor's in the high rise she'd been told. The rocket was with Babylon's unit so they needed the clearer shot. As she checked over her shoulder she saw the Harvester nearly upon them. It's segmented leg's extending as it neared. She swerved. And moment's later the leg's speared down into the spot they had just occupied. The Valkyr started a spin and Wyld wrenched the wheel the other way, trying to correct. She succeeded in holding her as she skidded to a halt and both Momma and Wyld looked up as Harvey soared up into the sky. Banking towards them.

“I believe it is setting up for an attack run”.

“Yah think”! Wyld put the Valkyr in forward and hit the gas. She lurched and then shuddered to a halt. Momma closed her eye's.

“I believe we have suffered a transmission failure. Reverse gear should correct the problem”.

Wyld cursed as she threw it in reverse and the Valkyr roared as it shot backwards. Throwing Wyld against her harness. She aimed the back end in more or less the direction of Babylon's unit's. Not caring where the high rise shooter's were. This was going to be close.

Harvey had completed it's turn and swooped back down again. With plenty of space between it and it's target it switched to alternating fire and began strafing the ground leading up to the Valkyr.

The ground exploded in front of Wyld as the Valkyr surged backwards. Each shot sending Earth into the air as they closed in on them. One shot came so close that the Valkyr's front end nearly rose of the ground. Wyld juked the wheel and the next shot exploded the ground where the bonnet had been. She reversed her hands and the ground where she had been sitting erupted and showered her even as the heat from the blast swept over her to be left behind. She tried to reverse direction again and this time the Valkyr slid. It' momentum to much for even it's tyre's to keep a firm grip on the uneven ground. They span and Wyld could already see in her minds eye the Harvester lining up a shot on them.

It never came.

As the Valkyr came to a stop Wyld looked over to see the Harvester had landed and was walking to them. It's leg's stabbing the ground. Impaling anything that happened to be lying in the way. It stopped a scarce thirty metre's from them and reared up it's head. Wyld saw it's intent then. Firing from point blank range to guarantee a hit. She grabbed the stick. Knew she'd never make the change in time.

The front of the Reaper suddenly erupted in weapons fire as Babylon's fire teams suddenly appeared where they had been hiding. Rifle's stuttering over each other as the front of the Harvester's armour plate began to glow from orange to red.

Momma watched dispassionately. “The front of the Reaper was already compromised”. She stated in flat tones. “I have sent that spot as target data to all teams”. She followed up her words as the Valkyr's turret turned and began adding it's own fire to all the other's. While not incendiary rounds. The added fire helped rip away the Harvester's chest armour that was starting to glow white hot. It swept it's wing's back and Wyld shouted into her radio.

“Fire! Fire now”!

A split second later the hiss and whoosh of a rocket being fired erupted over the chatter of weapon's fire and Wyld saw the rocket leap from the shoulder of a woman wearing yellow and black striped armour.

Wyld jerked her head to follow the rocket's path. It had to hit. It would hit she told herself.

Harvey's head suddenly swept down and the rocket exploded in it's face. The explosion momentarily blinding Wyld before she saw the head rear back as it body rolled backwards. “Grenade”! She yelled at Momma. The turret once more made a soft pop as it launched a grenade into the air. It was to late though. The Harvester swivelled as it fell backwards. The grenade falling on it's back. Wyld dove into the passenger footwell as shrapnel whizzed by overhead. She heard thunk's as bit's of it embedded itself into the Valkyr's side. She raised her head and saw the Harvester roll itself onto it's leg's. From her angle, she could see the chest armour, still glowing. Completely ruined. It's back was looking better but still crumbled and bent. It turned it's neck and Wyld could see that the rocket had done damage to the armour there. It's eye lenses were cracked and one of it's gun's dangled limp and useless on trailing wires that sparked.

The gun on the other side of it's face was untouched.

It once more swept it's wings and propelled itself into the air. Putting distance between them and itself.

Wyld knew she could get away in the Valkyr. But that would leave Babylon's force's exposed. Now they'd revealed themselves the Harvester could pick them off with ease. She turned to Momma. About to insist she try another grenade shot when the thundering roar of a Typhoon interrupted her.

She looked and saw that weapon fire was striking Harvey's still glowing chest armour. The weapon fire was coming from under a rise in the rubble. Preventing her from seeing who it was doing the shooting when her HUD popped a new screen of a zoomed in view of the Harvester.

“Fascinating”. Momma said as Wyld watched. The glow of the chest armour was rapidly disappearing as shots slammed home. “Cryo rounds”. Momma commented.

The chest armour, already ruined to the point that it was practically melting off, suddenly went rigid as frost clung to it. The shooting ceased and the night air was quiet except for the flap of wings.

Then a shriek pierced the air as a missile erupted from under the rise. It shot into the air and hit Harvey's chest plate. It shattered under the impact and the missile drove home to strike the flesh underneath before the missile exploded.

Harvey threw it's head up as the wing's missed their beat and it plummeted to the ground. Landing with a sickening crunch in front of the rise. The eyes went dark and Harvey stopped moving.

Wyld's HUD lost the extra window and the night went quiet again. Only the sound of the Valkyr's engine ticking over disturbed the silence now.

Suddenly a figure emerged climbing it's way over Harvey's body. He stood and keyed his radio so that all could hear him.

“What kind of pissant operation do you people call that. You could have been killed”! The voice thundered before it went quiet. And then added. “Damn proud of the lot of yah though. Good work”.

From behind Wyld the emerging troops lifted their guns and cheered as The figure climbed down the Harvester's body and approached them. Wyld unstrapped herself and leaned over the side to see the woman in the bee striped armour approach and pull her helmet off. Revealing a shock of golden hair under which a dark face looked up, beaming happily. “Amy Babylon”. She introduced herself with a salute that Wyld returned. “And your Commander Wyld”? She pointed to the approaching figure. Wyld recognised the cityscape camouflage armour as that being of an N7 Destroyer. Though this one had extra belt pouches and and a multitude of pock marks from bullet hit's strewn about him.

Babylon pointed at the approaching figure. “And here comes our hero. Commander Steiner”.

Steiner drew nearer and stopped under where Wyld leaned over. His helmet still in place as he looked up. “You too good to step down here with the rest of us, soldier”?

Wyld shrugged. “I'll have to if you can't pull yourself up and over the side, soldier”.

Steiner paused. Obviously caught unprepared by the back talk as he tilted himself to the side and began pointing a finger when the Harvester moved.

Wyld, Steiner, Babylon, and everyone else drew there weapons as the Harvester's eye's suddenly came back to life with their blue glow. It shuddered as it pulled it's feet underneath it's bulk. Then staggered round and made a half hearted jump into the air. It flapped it's wings, and with some effort, managed to stay airborne and fly away.

Wyld looked down at Steiner and Babylon. “Commander”. She said addressing Steiner. “I think your going to need a bigger gun”.

Modifié par Redbelle, 21 août 2013 - 09:18 .

[Kel Riever]

The expressions on the faces of the humans as they saw what was coming up the rope told more than any words could. Rea said nothing. She just took off the rebreather she had been wearing to catch a breath of the outside air. Earth’s moon shone down occasionally through the clouds.

Some of the Artemis commandos were still acting jocular, and they seemed to have a repertoire with the humans. For Rea, it was all surreal. The asari were covered in the gore from the caverns, and the scene of one of them tackling the other in the carnage played out in Rea’s mind. The humans, for their part, seemed glad to find the asari alive, and while repulsed by their physical state, were nonplussed by the fact that the children of Thessia were covered in what were once the parts of living people. Rea wasn’t able to tell if they should have been horrified like she was, or that she should keep her mind off of what she had seen like they had. Rothan was checking his suit and looked up towards her. She wanted to walk over and talk to him, but another sharp pain fired in her head. Rea closed her eyes, bent over, and held her knees.

“You all right, there?” Ereba’s gravelly voice was close.

Rea didn’t answer, but waved Ereba off, in an attempt to make nothing of it.

“It was bad down there, wasn’t it?”

Standing upright as the pain subsided, Rea opened her eyes to look at Ereba. For as hardened as the younger asari was, Ereba showed genuine concern. Rea simply nodded.

Ereba asked, “So, what’s your story?”

“Walk and talk,” Shayrana shouted in general, “Let’s see if we can’t contact some command and find us a place to get cleaned up. Goddess, I want to get this stench off of me!”

The groups started moving out. Rea remembered Arkeer and Grelk, “I’ve got to give my position to some people we were working with. We were transporting missiles to fire at the Reaper ships if we got the chance.”

Persistently, Ereba prodded, “So does that mean you aren’t telling me?”

Rea smiled, embarrassed. She wanted to say everything, but she felt like there was too much in her to let out. Forcing her emotions away once again, she tried to make a start, “Well, since hitting Earth, I was assigned as a Forces Integrator, to coordinate with all our allies, but I got the job because I was an operator guarding VIPs. Representative Syra, for the most part. She probably would have wanted to keep me around, but I think reality caught up with her when everyone was pulled for the final assault. Someone made sure my name ended up on the list.”

“Lucky you.”

“Well, I’d rather be here than waiting to hear what happened,” Rea commented. She saw Ereba shake her head in agreement. “The unit I touched down with was knocked out, and ever since then, I’ve been trying to meet up with whoever I could to get the job done.”

“And let me guess…chaos ever since?” Ereba gave Rea a knowing tilt of the head.

Rea affirmed, “Without going into the details, yes.”

“I saw you handle that Mattock with some skill back there.”

“You know how it is. Enough decades and they get us commandos around to every weapon. But semi-autos were my mother’s preferred when she was a merc. Maybe I spent a little extra time with them.”

Ereba chuckled, “Dad taught me to shoot a pistol when I was 20. I think he was holding off because he wanted me to come born with a gun. I like the feel on that Mattock. Feels solid. Feels good when it shoots. Like you mean it.”

“It’s all yours if you want it.” Rea grinned.

“Please, did you look at this beauty?” Ereba proudly displayed the Black Widow, and then said loud enough for Jack’s students to hear, “Humans are good for something after all!” There were a few laughs and inaudible jibes back. Ereba brought her voice lower again, “But nothing makes me happier than putting these rotting Reapers down for good, with anything possible, if you know what I mean?”

Rea was conflicted. Her humor became lost and her face felt as if it were frozen. Ereba searched her expression. Rea wondered what she saw. Rea covered up the fear. “I do.”

Whatever she saw, Ereba seemed satisfied for the moment. The two walked for a while without saying anything. Then Rea cleared off her arm enough to activate her omni-tool and send a burst communication to Captain Grelk and Arkeer. She wanted to find out their status plus let them know she and Rothan had gotten out. Rea turned to Rothan again, seeing him look her way. Nobody was talking to him.

“Pardon me,” Rea excused herself from Ereba. “And, thank you.”

“Anytime,” Ereba confirmed. She watched studiously as Rea went over to the quarian.

Modifié par Kel Riever, 21 août 2013 - 07:28 .

[Redbelle]

Radcliffe looked over the comm tech who stood rigidly at attention looking over his head at the wall behind him. He looked at the MP who stood next to him. "This is the man"?

"Yes sir". The MP nodded. "We found his logs included a broadcast of Commander Wylds CAT6 status".

Radcliffe looked over at the tech who seemed to steel himself. "Son, you've caused more trouble than I want to deal with at this point. Do you remember what I told everyone back in the last camp"?

"Yes sir"!

"What did I say"?

The tech swallowed. "You said anyone who spread word would be on Krogan latrine digging duty".

"You have the next few moment's to explain why you felt that you could ignore my directive on keeping the Commander's status under wraps".

The tech finally looked and met Radcliffe's eye's. "Sir, she's a risk. I know you don't think she is. But.....".  He paused and took a breath. "I had a friend out there in the field. He sent a communication saying that he'd found a group of CAT6 former alliance types. They were eager to fight and he figured why not give them a chance. Then a week later he tries to contact me and he's on the screen for three seconds before his head explodes. Someone shot him in the back of the head and his camera fall to the ground. Next thing I see is one of the CAT6 guys picking up the camera and smiling into it before he cut the connection..... He wearing white and gold armour sir. I'm not saying Wyld's in with Cerberus sir. But it's risky out there. And people, they need to know who they're dealing with sir. They need to know who they can trust and who they need to watch. And Wyld needs watching".

Radcliffe studied the man for a moment. "Do you address all your superior officer's so familiarly? She's a commander now. I should know I promoted her. I'd like to think that base personnel trust me enough to not second guess my decision's".

The tech's eye's snapped to the back of the wall again. "Yes sir".

"If I thought for one second Wyld was a risk she'd be in the brig. She has backer's son. Backer's whose word is as strong as they come. I trust them because they earned that trust through hard work and dedication". He turned to address the MP. "What's the situation in comm's"?

"Quiet sir. Since we can't broadcast we don't have alot of work in there now. But what we do have is all the comm techs going over data the Mako's are bringing in. And this man's good at that kind of work sir. His supervisor wanted to come and vouch for him personally but she's short handed getting the data together".

"I see". Radcliffe nodded and addressed the tech. "Son. My punishment stands. But due to circumstances and a recommendation from your supervisor, I'm putting it on hold. You will undergo Latrine digging duty when circumstances allow, as punishment for disobeying my order's on the matter of Commander Wyld. I can't stress how much your supervisor vouching for you factor's into that decision son. She thinks you have merit. I'll honour her recommendation since I know how good she is at her job". He leant forward. "But if you go against mine, or anyone else’s order's again. I'll snap you down the ranks so hard you'll think you were a first year cadet again. You may have damaged the Commander's credibility out there. At a time when I need people to trust in one another and their mission. I'm sorry about your friend. But let's not bandy about the issue. Commander Wyld didn't kill him. Now return to your duties. Dismissed".

Radcliffe motioned for the MP to stay behind as the tech moved out the door where another MP stood. "Let his supervisor know that unless I hear her make a request. That man is not to be given access to sensitive information. He broadcast something he wasn't supposed to once. He might do it again. Make sure he can't".

The MP saluted and turned on his heel. Radcliffe watched him go as the door closed, and only then did he let out a sigh. Discipline was sliding still. People were making decision's based on their motive's. Not following order's. It was something he had to encourage with the direction the war had taken. But at the same time, had to discourage, least someone make a poor decision that would get a lot of his men and women killed. His mind flashed back to the Reaper dropping on his previous command. All because they'd been broadcasting so the Reaper's could zero in on where command and control lay.

For all he knew. That tech's transmission could have been the one that allowed them to find that base.

He shook it off. He had no evidence. And the sad truth was that he needed more people on site. He could not afford to lose people to brig time. So he'd have to keep those who were coming apart on the jobs they were doing, and hope and pray they wouldn't go on to cause more of that behaviour.

The camp needed hope. Some ray of good news that would reinvigorate them before discipline fell apart. At least he had MPs to keep people in line.

The door opened and one such MP stood in the door. "Sorry to bother you again sir. But we have a matter for you. Two MPs just came to blows in the mess hall".

Radcliffe raised his eye's as his face slipped back into the mask of command. "Are they still there"? The MP nodded. "Hold them there. I'll come see myself". The door closed and Radcliffe stood. This was not a good sign. Maybe if he was seen more out in the base that would allay some fear. He walked to door and was about to open it when it opened and a man with greying hair brushed past him dragging a cable. Giving it a final tug he got it as far as the desk and then moved to walk back.

Radcliffe stood in his way. "Excuse me". He said as the man looked up form the floor. "Do I know you".

The man Hmmphed. "Might as well call me Pepper. Everyone else does". He tried to move around him but Radcliffe blocked him again.

"What do you think your doing"?

"Telephone".

"Telephone"?

Pepper pointed to the cable. "Shielded transmission's. We got to get communication's back up to some kinda modern day equivalent. We're just one step away from sending smoke signals right now".

"I know you from somewhere. I'm sure".

"Last camp. I was in charge of the vehicle fleet".

"Your the one Wyld took with her". Radcliffe smiled. "Well, I'm glad your still with us".

"Long as I have a job to do, no point being anywhere else". He turned and left the way he came leaving Radcliffe alone in the office.

Radcliffe looked at the cable that would later connect him to, he hoped, his department heads. Then back at the door that the man who had taken initiative to do something about their situation. He nodded towards the door. "Dismissed".

Modifié par Redbelle, 21 août 2013 - 08:06 .