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[Cknarf]

"Overwatch is fine with me." Frank reached back for his rifle and expanded it. "Ready whenever you guys are."

 

Finally! Something simple. No explosives, heights, or crashing ships. This'll be cake.

[TheMajonese]

Mira's plan sounded good to Arian. Of course he didn't know the rest of the crew or their strengths and weaknesses. But if the first line's task was to show strength it made sense to put Arian or Vayne in it whose outer appearance should be enough to intimidate many trouble makers.

 

The only thing that worried him was his own condition. Since he left the Janiri he hadn't spoken with anyone. The crew didn't know anything about his problems and he wanted to keep it that way. But if he somehow lost control during this mission, if he was forced to use violence against someone...Arian knew how fast these situations escalated around him.

 

All he hoped for was that none of the inhabitants would try anything and that the mercs were able to maintain order.

[Kel Riever]

...on the Medusa

Amy had exited the elevator and was wandering around.  For some reason she felt as if she should be sneaky.  So she tiptoed, and hid when the occasional person passed.  The Medusa was large, and there weren’t many people aboard comparative for its size.  Plus it was a cargo ship hull being renovated.

It wasn’t hard.

Hayashi had to be cautious of the occasional sharp edge of a loose panel, or small, open floor grating.  She fully undid her bun, since she couldn’t figure out how to get it back together neatly with the, uh…drunk in her and stuff.  About then, she felt the need to compliment her socks.

“Good job socks, for keeping me quiet.”

The doctor whispered, of course, but a dockhand down the hall heard Amy anyway, and looked her direction.  She was caught, somewhat in the open.  Surprised crossed the worker’s face, but Hayashi said nothing, instead slipping back down the passageway from which she came.  Maybe he would forget he saw her.

To be safe, Amy got to a reinforced door and figured to hide in a room for a bit.  The door wasn’t locked, but it was substantial, and took at least two full seconds to open.  There was a blast of cold air from inside, but the doctor didn’t pay much attention to it, getting inside as quickly as she could and shutting the door.  After it had shut behind her, she realized the room she was in was dimly lit with fluorescents and there was some frost on the walls. She had entered the ship’s refrigerated storage, meant for keeping the perishables.  There were two large herd animals on tables near the center of the room, under blankets, waiting to be butchered for meal preparation.  Wonder what they’re eating?  Hayashi went over to one and pulled back the blanket.

Amy shrieked.

Lying on the table was a salarian in a…Santa Clause outfit?  What the?...Amy threw the blanket back over it, and didn’t even want to know what was on the other table.  She ran for the door, pushing the open control panel over and over again until the portal parted wide enough for her to slip through.  She was about to turn around, when her tidy habits couldn’t be resisted.

The doctor turned around and made sure the door was closed.

Then Amy ran, still trying to be sneaky but huffing a lot from being frightened.  She found herself at the elevator again, and got in.  Fortunately nobody was around.  Amy hit the button, fully intending to know where she was going next, but failing miserably.  Three seconds after she pushed a button she couldn’t remember which one she pressed.

[Redbelle]

Anika considered the plan. Then nodded.

 

"I'll see if we can get some Stoom Gas. I can probably handle what ever comes that way, but if worse comes to worse a peace keeping agent would be handy..... If possible I'd like the air pressure from where we're defending turn up and the area hostiles could come from turned down. That should create an air current to carry the Stoom away from our position. Failing that I'm sure I can get my hands on a grenade launcher somewhere around here in case a pack of Krogan charge us.....". She quirked her head, causing her helm to tilt slightly. ".... Just in case".

 

She nodded to Irina. "Some extra firepower would be good for you to. Since you'll be hanging on the corner you'll be in the best position to direct fire in any which way that's needed. Which means you run the risk of running of of ammo faster..... not that we're looking to shoot people but.... we need to have our plans in place in case it comes to the worst. Stoom Gas, or any knockout agent would be preferable".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina turned to Anika, and nodded. "Good idea. Gas. Gavorn should know if they have any in their armory. I don't really want to shoot any of these people. There are families out there. Kids. But you're right. We gotta be ready for anything."

 

She got on her communicator. "Capt. Gavorn, Have you thought about passing out Stoom Gas? It's non-lethal and could buy us some time, especially if we can get the blowers over our area turned up a bit, and the exhaust fans over the general population turned up."

 

Gavorn paused for a moment. "Yeah, there's some in the armory. Lower door opposite the bar on the main level of Afterlife. Aria has the pass code. It's old so I don't know how effective it is. And there's a couple grenade launchers in there for the canisters. Help yourself. I'll see what I can do about the fans. If there's a power outage after you've used it, retreat back to Afterlife. Aria put it on its own system."

 

Irina told Anika what Gavorn told her and Aria gave them the passcard. They opened the door and entered. The grenade launchers and Stoom Gas were exactly where Gavorn said they'd be.

 

"There may be some other weapons and thermals in here, too, Anika," Irina said, "We should take them."

 

Irina found a couple of weapons lockers, took out her pistol, and shot the padlocks off them. "Let's see what's in here. Holy sh*t! A Firestorm? Not for crowd control, but you never know. M-490 Blackstorm? I haven't seen one of these since Elysium. Finders keepers. Which one you want, Anika?"

[Cknarf]

"Don't we already have a knockout agent?" Frank asked the others, while Irina and Anika left to gather additional weapons. "I think it's called uh... Vayne. Yeah, that's it." 

 

"Man, I wish you guys coulda seen it. I was like, HEADBUTT! And then blood went everywhere." Frank gestured to his head. "And outta nowhere, Vayne came in and was like, HEADBUTT! Twice." He held up two fingers. "And then..." Balling his hand into a fist, he made an uppercut motion. "POW! Right on his ass!"

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Frank...that was your blood, that went everywhere." Vayne said simply with a grim chuckle, remembering it well, "And I didn't headbutt him twice. I headbutted him once, and punched him on his ass." He said as he crossed his arms and smirked, "Don't smudge the details if your gonna tell praises about me." he said as he pointed a thumb at his chest and a wink of his eye, showing he was joking.

 

"If the gas is ineffective, and people do try and get past us, than disarming them without weapons might be needed..." He said as he glanced over towards Irina and Arian, "I trust you'll be capable of dispatching people without the use of your guns, should it come to that?" He asked. Vayne was accounted for on that front, and he himself was more than capable of such acts.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Don't worry about us, Vayne. We're taking care of that now!" Irina shouted from the arms locker.

 

Anika and Irina did rock-paper-scissors for the heavy weapons in the armory (SGJ flips beer bottle cap.... Irina calls heads.... It's heads.)

 

"Paper beats rock, Anika." Irina said. "I'll take the flame thrower. Anyway the Blackstorm is you, it's a bit bulky for me. It's bad ass, too. Ever see one in action? Creates a tech singularity."

 

"I know what it does, Irina." Anika said.

 

"I don't mean anything by it. This stuff just gets me a bit excited, that's all. Just make sure you don't fire it too close to friendlies." Irina said, and she was grabbing boxes of thermals and grenades. "There's a box of power cells for it on the top shelf. I can't reach it."

 

Anika cracked a smile watching the crazy red head load up.

 

The two left the armory and passed out the ammo to the team.

[Cknarf]

Was it only once? Hell, I don't remember. I was sorta f***ed.

 

Frank shrugged.

 

He wasn't too fond of the idea of hand to hand combat, especially while wearing his set of light armor. It's much harder to kick someone's ass without motorized joints.

 

At least I look good.

 

Frank dusted off his shoulders.

 

Damn good.

[Redbelle]

Anika looked over the weapons, then picked out the firestorm. "I doubt I'll use it.... But if people get in my arc I can knock them back. Being on the edge of the formation you'd be better off with something with reach. This Blackstorm? I've never used one and I don't like walking into combat with an unfamiliar weapon. This thing would be good working in tandem with either fire teams as a suppressor so you take it and ease the pressure any large charges creates for us".

[Kel Riever]

Previously...( http://forum.bioware...res/?p=18535004 )

 

Somewhere in the Terminus Systems

“Where is my hawk?” Iyana asked, annoyance bleeding through her speaking despite her affectionate term for her second in command.

“She awaits for you in the entranceway, my superior,” the low voiced mercenary answered.

“And the fugitives that you said she was pursuing?”

“I did not see any with her upon her return, although…”

“Not a one?”  Iyana’s anger silenced the merc.  “Bring me to her immediately!”

As commanded, the merc walked ahead of Iyana towards the entranceway to the Prothean ruin.  There, just inside the door, was Xhuan, waiting calmly with her hands at her sides.

“My superior,” Xhuan greeted Iyana as she preferred, with downward cast visage.

Her eyes flickering like blue fire, Iyana demanded, “You better have a good explanation for letting the trail go cold, if that is what you have done.”

“All fugitives have been accounted for, so our biomedical scans have revealed.  They await outside.”

Iyana whirled towards the merc, but said nothing, restraining her punishment for when she could understand exactly what had happened.  “Take me to them, Xhuan.”

The asari with the hawk-like facial markings gestured towards the door and opened it, then led the way outside.  Three walked without speaking, their heels the only sound on the cavern floor until they came to the cave mouth.  Xhuan stepped to the side for her master.

Iyana, breaking the invisible plane of the cave mouth, peered out and down into the valley below.  There, in cages meant to fit creatures of their size, were several of the carnivores Xhuan had discovered in her pursuit.  A few roared in defiance of their captivity.

“Our hosts declined to mention some of the dangerous wildlife native to this world.  The cages were discovered stored in their supply warehouse, apparently ready in the event that they might need to deal with these beasts.”

“They are magnificent,”  Iyana admitted with a scrutinizing glare, “I suppose our colonists were dedicated to their compassionate ways. Still, where are the?...”

Xhuan’s knowing look told Iyana everything she needed and stopped her mid-sentence. 

“Really!”  Iyana cackled.  “Every single one accounted for?  And all taken care of for you?”

“Some of the fugitives needed to be driven in the proper direction, once I found them.  It was a satisfying endeavor.  And why make more work more carrying the bodies back when I was obtaining the beasts for you?  The biomedical scans were compared to colonial medical records for confirmation that all those who fled now reside within these predators.”

Iyana admired Xhuan.  “You never cease to please me.  I will make use of them.”

“There is another matter.  I had asked for the names of the colonists to be prepared for me, upon return.  Having examined them, it seems one of the maidens is related to our colonial president.  But I also recognize their family name from when I was with the Republics navy, and I wish to discuss it with you, in private.”

Grinning at both the sounds of the carnivores and her second in command, Iyana said, “You really have outdone yourself Xhuan.  Come, let us retreat together.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina really didn't mind and made the swap. She just liked frying enemies. "Alright, fair enough. Have it your way. But if you see anything big coming, you shout," she said, "Wait 'till Jenus sees this."

[Kel Riever]

...on the Medusa

Doctor Hayashi had to remember that she was out of the elevator.  She was, at least currently, aware she was drunk and should probably find somewhere to let it pass.  But even in her sobering moments, she was far too interested to stay put.  Of course, then there were the times the intoxication returned, which is why she forgot she had just left the elevator another time.  And why she still was thinking about the refrigerated storage on the Medusa.

A light attracted Amy’s attention towards her right, brighter than most above the ship, cool white in its illumination.  The doctor sock sneaked up to a corner in the passageway and peered around to spy on the source.  About four meters away was a windowed doorway with a sign above, with the word “Medical” in large letters.

Through the window, Amy could see an old man examining someone on a gurney who seemed to be asleep or unconscious.  Hayashi watched curiously as the old man did his work, checked the monitors, and then moved off.  Taking the chance to find out more, Amy snuck up next to the window, peering through with one eye.

The old man was working at a desk on the far side of the room now, with his back to the door.  On the first gurney was an asari.  She had a number of visible bruises, and was wearing some sort of festive outfit.  It was…a Christmas elf outfit?  Amy put her hand to her mouth and gasped.  Her gaze turned to the next gurney, where a salarian lay, not nearly as in bad shape but just as thoroughly unconscious. 

It took Amy in her state a few seconds before she recognized the salarian was Doctor P’neb Nu.

Oh no!  They got the doctor too!  This must be where they prepare them!

Amy ran away in a panic to the elevator and pushed a button when she entered it.  Fortunately, nobody was around or had seen her.  Unfortunately, she had no idea which button she hit, again.

[Kel Riever]

When Anika and Irina came back with the heavy weapons, the Commandos immediately noticed.

Iole was the first.  "Where did you find those?!  I want one!"

Jenus snickered.  "I bet Red thought I'd be impressed." She looked down at her own arms, "Sorry, Red, I've already got the best guns in the house.  And I won't accidentally be lighting some kids on fire with mine."

Iole and Tallis rolled their eyes, though Tallis laughed.

The only one who didn't look pleased was Mira.  She wasn't thrilled about area effect weapons, particularly on the people who would be close to the press, but she refused to say anything about it, other than, "Please make sure those are locked and secure on your person."

"Come on, Mira," Jenus said haughtily, "I've got both their backs.  When they get in over their heads, I'll be sure to take care of their troubles."

[Cknarf]

Frank looked between everyone's heavy weapons.

 

Blackstorm. Firestorm. Hellbringer and... 

 

He looked down at his ratty old rifle.

 

A Hammer II...

 

"Sh*t, guys. I might as well just stay inside chill at the bar. Unless someone wants to trade..."

 

"What do you think, commando? This for that?" He gestured at the Hellbringer. "It's more than fair if you ask me."

[Kel Riever]

"Are you telling me you have size envy?" Iole teased.

[Cknarf]

At first, Iole's remark went right over Frank's head.

 

"The size of your weapon is irrelevant. It's all about how you use it." Frank wagged his finger.  "My rifle is more than sufficient for the task at hand, but... uh... the overall firepower..."

 

Frank bit his tongue.

 

"Huh."

 

He cleared his throat, and leaned forward a little bit. "I was wet, and it was cold in there."

 

Frank checked over his rifle. "Well, I guess we'd better get goin' then, yeah?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul stared at frank blankly, apparently not getting the joke Iole and Frank had somewhat exchanged as he looked to his back at his own rifle. Essul reached behind him and drew it, the Kishock Harpoon Gun unfolding into its proper shape as he looked to frank.

 

"Have you ever fired a Kishock before?" He asked, wanting to make sure frank could handle the weapon if he gave it to him. Frank would be covering long range defense, and if he needed a better weapon to feel like he could preform the job well, Essul did not mind.

 

In the position he was going to defend in fact, Essul would most likely need his biotics and omnitool combat programs more than either of his firearms. And he could sacrifice the Kishock if need be. There was always the ceremonial raider if he needed it.

 

"Don't be such a baby. You guns already pretty good at blasting people through the face." Vayne commented with a laugh as he looked to the others, fingers tapping on the bandoliers he wore, "I'm just about ready to get started myself.

[Kel Riever]

Mira caught a glance from Aria at the jocularity, and it was hard.

“All right, we’re on the clock, get serious.  I’m designating Vayne as second in command.  As default, Anika is third, then Eteon, then seniority by time of service with Naleena, including before she was a Spectre.  As I said before, make sure you’re weapons are tightly secured from prying hands and keep sharp.  We’ll celebrate when it’s over.  Now get to your positions.”

As the group headed for the exit to Afterlife, Jenus whispered to Iole, “Textbrain’s got a frigid streak.  All business in the field, no business in the bedroom.”

Iole wasn’t humored.  “Come on.  Let’s get this done and out.”

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Second in command huh? I like that..." Vayne said with a smirk as Essul simply nodded, having enough discipline to not question command designation from an asari who was likely his senior in age and rank. Was she however? He'd need to ask her later.

 

The groups moved into their positions as Vayne walked over towards his spot, standing on one hand side of the large walkway area, facing the docking bay corridor as he stood with his arms crossed, waiting in silence for the **** to hit the fan.

 

Essul arrived where he was suppose to, at the far side of the group, opposite end of Irina and Anika, where he faced the Transport Depot. He stood at the ready with his Cazador Smg drawn and cradled in his grasp, an AT-12 Raider on the back of his waist in arms reach, one he hoped not to have to reach behind to use.

 

The air seemed tense, despite many people they could see apparently not feeling so, and glancing around to see some of the others around them, both essul and vayne could see the same tense apprehension in them as well. Now what was left to do was to wait, and than get ready for the most dangerous staring contest any of them had probably ever played.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The spaceway disconnected from the airlock of the Janiri and pilot Joril guided the ship away from the station. Naleena stood in silence in the CIC as Commander Selani gave orders.

 

“All hands, battle stations,” Selani ordered, “This is not a drill. Lt. Abrasimova, plot our course on the vectors in the order given.”

 

“Aye-aye, Ma’am.”

 

“Helm, all ahead thrusters only. Maneuver us into position,” Selani ordered.

 

The Zorya had already moved into its position, and its targeting vector had been resolved. The ship was cruiser size, but half of the ship was power plant. Its powerful mining laser was designed to cut into asteroids and planets to get to depths of mineral deposits so that EAE crews would be able to strip mine them. Of course this was only done on non-inhabitable planets. The Council restricted this practice if life signs were detected.

 

It was decided that the Janiri would supplement this with its UV GARDIAN lasers beginning from the outside, and these would actually cut. Triangulating and focusing their beams on one point would be sufficient to cut into the station. Continual use of its main thanix weapon would impact the station with too much force and could cause too much shock along the station axis. However, one shot would be needed to level civilian structures built around the core. The cutting with the lasers with both ships caused enough vibrations as it was.

 

VERA made an announcement. “Call coming in from the Zorya for you, Boss. It is Ashland.”

 

“Put him through.” Naleena replied.

 

“Are you ready, Spectre?” Ashland asked.

 

“We’re ready. I assume you have your VI receiving the telemetry stream from my ship?”

 

“My VI is perfectly capable of handling this. The operation isn’t that complicated.” Ashland said.

 

“I would really be more comfortable if you used the telemetry stream from my ship. This isn’t a simple asteroid. There are lives at stake here,” Naleena replied. “I’m making a request at the moment.”

 

“You think your ship’s computer is more sophisticated than my state-of-the-art VI?”

 

“I know it is.” Naleena said. “Mr. Ashland, we have a job to do. Let’s cooperate and exchange information. Maybe you’ll see something we don’t. Maybe we’ll see something you don’t. Deal?”

 

“Fine. We’re ready. Let’s get this done.” Ashland replied.

 

“Weapons lock. On my mark. 3 – 2 – 1 – Fire.” Naleena said, and the first blast hit the station.

 

The Janiri fired its main gun. The liquid metal from the thanix canon leveled the outer structures like a nuclear strike and exposed the core around which the station was built. VERA had calculated the proper angle in order to minimize the impact force and not weaken the support structure. Ashland’s mining began to melt a hole through station’s axis at the point cleared by the Janiri’s thanix canon.

 

Shockwaves from the initial hit radiated up and down the central shaft of the station causing power to fluctuate in all districts of the station.  The floor shook and lights swayed in the area around Afterlife. Loose objects fell to the floor and broke. People screamed and instinctively huddled in corners or as close to walls as they could get.

 

Inside Afterlife, bottles fell of the shelves in the bars and broke on the floor. Some hanging light fixtures fell to the floor.  Aria stood in the interior entrance.

 

On the nearside  of the dark zone, the shockwave ripped through the evacuated district causing massive damage. Buildings collapsed, and people ran into the streets. The shaking lasted about 15 seconds.

 

In the far end of Omega, the shockwave did the most damage. Shanties collapsed, signs fell, and the shockwave from the shot rolled through the district on both ground and in the air blowing out windows and knocking down buildings, and the heat engulfed part of the district in and inferno. Those organizing The Mission rallied as many of their trained followers as they could and loaded them into shuttles in an attempt to escape before the kinetic barriers failed. It was all or nothing now, but Aria’s fighters and station defenses were ready.

 

“Come about,” Selani ordered, “Prepare to fire lasers.”

 

The ship made its maneuver turning its stern to face the station, and Selani gave the next command. “Fire in ten second bursts. Fire!”

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne activated the maglocks of his armor, feet now planted firmly to the shaking ground as he worked to keep his balance in the shaking station. At times, it even felt as if the whole station were swaying, moving back and forth like some sort of ocean bound ship. He fought off the urge to vomit as he looked around to the others, spotting a few unlucky greenhorns who'd fallen with the shaking of the station, trying to stand or huddling on the ground.

 

Their fellows did not move to help them it seemed, and vayne felt a twinge of pity for those new kids. This was probably the first time they'd been in situation where their feet didn't have solid purchase. Some might have never even ridden in a skycar with the kinetic dampners shut off, let alone been on a shaking station. His head turned round as the screams of panic rose below, feeling even more sorry for those below.

 

Off to the side however, Essul stood with his weapon in hand, grasp of it tight as a vice as he stared out into the world unmoving, his face was fixed with the frown and his eyes were hard as cold iron as he looked ahead, mind thinking of every step, every process, the ships conducting the attack on the station were going. And with each shudder or rumble, he calculated in his head how many might have died from it, versus the panic screams of those he knew were alive because of their actions.

 

One lad nearby him almost tipped over when the blast started, essul bending over and picking him up by the collar, shoving him hard back on his feet as he activated his maglocks. Essul didn't say a word, and barely looked at the kid, back in the mindset he'd had on many of his missions.

 

This was a game of numbers now. And he wanted to make sure the numbers came out in their favor once all this was said and done.

[Cknarf]

Frank was prone above the entrance to Afterlife, as the tremors began. He clutched his rifle tight, and placed his free hand on the expanded Kishock beside him, to keep it from going over the edge. He kept his head lowered for the duration.  

 

After the shaking stopped, his head snapped back up, and he leveled his rifle

 

He glanced briefly at Iole on his right, and nodded, before turning his attention back to the people below.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The shockwaves ended, and people began to mill about wondering what was next. Because of the shaking, some still had trouble walking. Then long vibrations began to be felt in the floor, and they made a sound at approximately 60 Hz. They weren’t severe like the shockwave but they were a vibration nonetheless. These came in waves and were due to the laser cuts on the station. The civilians became unnerved by this. They were more frightened than aggressive. It became difficult walking.

 

Aboard the Janiri, VERA monitored the structural integrity of the station. “Boss, the station is maintaining structural integrity throughout. At its present rate of progress, I estimate that the Zorya’s mining laser will breach the core structure in 15 minutes, at which time the kinetic barriers on the tip will fail. Our GARDIAN lasers, however, while contributing, are not having a significant impact on the operation. I suggest we save the energy. I have forwarded the telemetry to the Zorya.”

 

“I expect Ashland to gloat about that, but then they weren’t designed for that kind of work,” Naleena replied, “Cease fire.”  

 

“Boss, I have detected hostile craft.” VERA said.

 

“Commander, use our GARDIAN lasers to take out the craft and provide cover for the Zorya,” Naleena ordered.

 

“Aye-aye.” Selani replied and gave the orders to the gunners. VERA provided targeting solutions.

[Kel Riever]

Iole was pale, and looked back at Frank when he glanced over.  She had gotten to her knees, still ready with her weapon if she needed to be, but she had never been through any kind of event quite like what was going on, despite being trained in zero-G operations and various disaster relief operations.

The other Commandos were a bit better off, but none were exactly thrilled about their situation.  Mira and Jenus flared blue as they used their biotics to steadily shift their mass in their own favor to provide some sort of stability.  Tallis felt best putting a hand back on the door behind her to help stay steady on her feet.