6315 réponses à ce sujet

[Kel Riever]

“Well, hello again, good paying customer,” Calvin Brisbane greeted as Vayne charged past on his mecha-steed.  He watched as the krogan pulled out his gun and ride for the fuel tanks at the depot next door.  Calvin got a worried look and warned, “I know you’re from off-world but I don’t think I need to remind you that within those containers are some volatiles.”

Vayne blasted a tank, causing a flame of jet to immediately shoot forth.

“Holy mother of earth,” Calving exclaimed.  His dumbfounded assistant was standing next to him.  Cal grabbed his hat with one hand and his assistant with the other, before running towards his shop.  “Get inside now!”

It was maybe three seconds after Brisbane and his assistant got indoors when the tanks detonated in a deafening roar.  The environmentally protected windows wobbled from the shock, and underneath the ground shook. 

When Calvin looked out the window, he saw a third of his mecha-steeds and all his bikes keeled over.  The black plume of smoke and fire had people coming out into the streets from all directions.  One of the citizens was running towards Cal’s shop from the direction of the town gate.

Stepping outside with his respirator on and his face reddened, Calvin wanted to know what insanity had just come over Duellos.  His answer was immediate as the citizen approaching waved his arms to get his attention.  The citizen yelled, “There’s a whole horde of insect-people things and they’re coming for the town!  You gotta let people have your steeds and vehicles to get outta here!”

Calvin was not above a familiar level of odd behavior from Duellos citizens, but the situation was beyond even his normally tolerant level of acceptance for things outside the norm.  Panicked citizens, krogan shooting fuel tanks, and a warning klaxon throughout the town had Calvin actually believing. 

And of course, everyone acquiring a vehicle would have to pay a rental charge at least.

Gunfire could be heard from the gates at that point.  One thing Calvin knew is that the people of Duellos were well armed and weren’t a bunch of pushovers.  He went over to one of his nearby, high-end model mecha-steeds, turned it on, and used its built in rangefinder to display on its control panel whatever was in the distance.  At first, the steed’s vision was blocked by a number of outlying buildings, but then Calvin had the steed move and adjust its view.

What he saw was all he needed for conviction.

“Get me my gun, boy,” he said gravely to his assistant.

Not one to be quick on his feet, the assistant hesitated.  “What?”

Calvin turned, his eyes full of fire.  “You heard me boy.  This is the coming of the Apocalypse.  You get in that shop, you get me my gun, and you get the hell outta here and warn your family.  Now if you don’t move it, I’m gonna switch the sides of your head your ears are on!”

It was a minute before the assistant came huffing out with a silver and black case.  With effort, he put it on the ground in front of Cal.  Brisbane squatted down, opened the case, pulled out a tremendous rifle, and mechanically extended it for use.

“What is that?”  The assistant stared at the rifle with his jaw open.

“This is an esperimental weapon,” Calvin answered.  He hoisted the gun to his shoulder and popped out a sight.  “It’s called a Sabre and I mean to make me some half-human stew to cover some people’s escape.  Now git yer self to yer family!”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The Audron was firing up its engines prepping for take off. VERA was on an approach vector for the shuttle bay.

 

"Who the hell is flying this thing?" Gullet finally noticed the pilot seat empty.

 

VERA popped up on the holo panel in front of everyone. She was 12" tall and dressed in a 1950s suit and heels. "My name is VERA. I have the capacity to not only pilot this ship, but defend it as well. We are just 30 seconds away from landing in the shuttle bay of the Audron. I suggest you keep your seats in their full upright position and your seat belts fastened."

 

"That's a lot for a VI," Irina said.

 

"You've only seen the old models, dear," VERA said, "I made a scan of the area as we were leaving. We left in the nick of time. A terrible ordeal those people went through."

 

"Why are you dressed that way?" Zenon asked.

 

"Naleena has a fascination with Earth history and chose this outfit for me. Do you wish to see me in something else?" VERA asked.

 

"No, i think it's cool." Zenon said, "but it doesn't look very practical."

 

"Practical is for us, Zenon. It doesn't have to worry about practical," Irina said.

 

VERA slowed and touched down in the shuttle bay. The door opened, and the five of them exited into the shuttle bay. They were met by Naleena and Dahlia.

[Kel Riever]

“This is Red Jack.  I’m picking up from the east side.  Can pack as many can fit, but not everybody’s going to get here.”

“Roger that Red Jack.  This is Sally. I can pack 80 on the Lucky Seven.  Then I’m off.”

“What about spillover, Sally,” Aelias asked on the com channel.

“Casey’s got it on his freighter.  He can carry another forty but there aren’t too many people here up north, so we should be dandy.”

Both the Audron’s XO and Deidrus had been in discussion standing next to Aelias in the CIC.  The XO abruptly became aware of the com officer’s unusual chatter.  “What are you doing, Lieutenant Aelias?”

“I’m coordinating the evacuation,” Aelias replied. “There’s no time to reroute the communication to the actual Port Authority and they are having a hell of a time figuring out why they aren’t getting any signal.  Meanwhile, we can’t let the evacuation go without organization.  It could cost lives.”

Androkan asked, “Who set up the intercept?  Have them switch it back.”

“That’s Captain Silver,” Aelias explained.  “She might be able to do it in an instand, but I can’t raise her.  She must be busy.  Even if I did contact her, how can the Duellos Port Authority figure out what’s going on and take over coordination with the minutes we have left?”

“We’ve got bigger concerns,” Deidrus emphasized sternly.  “Cut the line.”

An incoming message alert blinked and Aelias picked up, delaying the Spectre’s instruction.  It was Eteon and she wanted Deidrus.  “Eteon for you,” a frustrated Aelias told Androkan.

“Put her on speaker.”

Eteon’s voice came through clearly for the CIC to hear.  “Most everybody’s aboard.  We have all the civilians we can carry, plus some equipment.  Naleena’s Scythe is in the bay including the majority of your team.  There are a few missing.”

It was Deidrus’ turn to feel thwarted.  “Who hasn’t shown?”

“Captain Stone for one,” Eteon responded.  “Morgan, …”

“Whoever is still out there can take care of themselves,” Androkan interrupted.  “Time to leave.”

Eteon made an impassioned retort, “Androkan, the town is getting swarmed!  You can’t abandon them.  I’ll get them.”

“Don’t disobey orders,” the XO jumped in. “This is about the good of the group.  You strap your thin *ss into a seat and stay put.”

There was a second of hesitation, and then Eteon came back, “Spirits rot you from the inside out!  I’m going you coward!”

Aelias snapped her head around at the XO victoriously.  The turian commander was furious, and looked like he was going to grab her headset, but Androkan held his arm back.  Deidrus said to the XO, “I didn’t give Eteon an order.  She can go.  If she’s not back in time, that’s on her.”

The XO looked like he could barely restrain himself, but did and nodded.

Androkan then glared straight at Aelias.  “As for the coordination of the evacuation, end it now.  That is an order.”
 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Gullet and Irina pulled the bike out of the shuttle.

 

Naleena got into the shuttle and got on its com. "T'sarius to Stone, do you copy? T'sarius to Severn? Do you copy?" She kept repeating the message over and over until she got a response. She knew Androkan was ready to leave, and then got on the communicator to Androkan. "Androkan, you can wait ten damned minutes. What's so f***ing important that you'll just abandon team members? No one gets left behind. (Paragon +9) Give me the coordinates where you are going, and I'll meet you there. I'll take VERA in and make the pick up. Goddess, I can't abandon them. Prepare for shuttle launch." 

[Redbelle]

As the group dispersed to aid the evacuation effort, Jess wheeled Baldy around and galloped to the port authority building. It wasn't far and she made it inside a minute. Aware that time was not on her side she pounded up the steps and burst through the Mass Effect field holding a pressurised atmosphere in the building. Her ears popped and looking around she saw people milling around while a cluster gathered around a Turian who wore a headset similar to the one Aelias wore behind her comm equipment.

 

One of the Asari in that gathering, a stern woman wearing spectacles, rose from the huddle. "What do you think you doing? Get that thing out of here before I call the Sheriff"!

 

Jess actually chuckled. "You want him? You'll need a spirit medium. But that's not why I'm here". Drawing Bernard she pointed him in the air and fired a blast that impacted and blew out a section of ceiling. Dust and plaster rained down. Exposed metal teeth reaching outwards, formed from the blast felt the caress of  the buildings held atmosphere. Flowing past as pressure's equalised. People started gasping and reached for respirators. Some had them around their necks while other's quickly ran towards lockers. The panic at it's peak Jess slapped a fresh clip ito Bernard. "This is your first and only warning! We're evacuating the town off planet! Get to the port! Get onboard any frieghter you can and I mean now"! Swinging Bernard around she targetted a mousy looking human wearing plain dress clothes with lace around her cuffs and coller. She looked up, blank of expression and held her hands up.

 

"Where's the judge"?

 

The woman jerked her head a few times to the door behind her.

 

Jumping off Baldy she walked to the door, firing Bernard one more time to get the people inside motivated to exit the building, and reached out to open the door.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

VERA left the shuttle bay. The dust storm was arriving at the edge of the town.

 

"VERA, Jess mentioned that she was going to get the judge to issue an evacuation order. Pull up a map on the town and find the judge. Also make an attempt to lock in on hers and Morgan's communicators." Naleena said.

 

"I will do my best, Naleena." VERA replied.

 

Naleena piloted the shuttle over town, and VERA had highlighted the courthouse which was at the port authority building and also the judge's residence. There were many buildings, warehouses. She was looking for mecha-steeds.

 

"I have located the one who calls herself Jess Stone. She is in the Port Authority Building. Just don't tell her I know, okay?" VERA said.

 

Naleena smirked. "Thank you, VERA." She turned the craft toward the building and saw a crowd running out of it. Then she landed the craft in front of the building and waited.

[Kel Riever]

Eteon was off the Audron.  What a tight fisted drillhead!  Even for a turian.  She was thinking of the XO, and a bit of Deidrus, but she knew that Androkan could have stopped her if he wanted to.  She exited the port side of the turian frigate and headed out of the station.

Now, where to find one eccentric pirate captain?  Eteon saw people moving through the streets either to freighters for evacuation, or a few hard core fighters moving to hold off the attack.  She had to hand it to those making the sacrifice; Duellos was filled with grit.  Most of the vehicles were already occupied, but Eteon could be fast when she wanted to be.  That’s when she noticed the asari Scythe shuttle lifting off from the Audron and heading to town.

Now she was really angry.

~ ~ ~ ~

Morgan had found Baldurjack idling outside what was presumably an administrative building.  He dismounted and was heading through the door when he saw several evacuees insitantly moving out of the building.

This is the place...

Behind Morgan, the sound of an eezo engine coming closer caught his attention.  He spun to see Naleena’s shuttle heading towards the building.  Throwing the door open, Morgan saw the interior was empty and there were several abandoned control stations.  A hole had been blown through the roof of the one story construction.  It was the kind of hole an executioner pistol might make.  Of the two sets of interior doors in the room, one was left swinging open.

Morgan headed towards it while calling out, “Jess, the taxi’s waiting!”

 

[Redbelle]

Before Morgan and the other's had arrived Jess had pushed open the door to an inner office. A soft breeze blew past her indicating that this room had been seperately sealed. Looking inside she saw an old, wrinkled Salarian leant back in his chair with his feet up on his desk. He didn't seem to notice the fall in pressure. Though his snoring did seem in increase in volume in a way that defied Jess's understanding of atmospheric physics.

 

Stepping inside the office she heard his snore disturbed and made out him saying. "Ssssssnnnnkkkkk, and the.... liability.... falls not on the deputsssssnnnnkkkk".

 

Jess shook her head and walked upto the desk.Picking up a foot and slamming it into the faux wooden panneling that it budged backwards half a metre, knocking into the Salarian's chair and sending him head over heels as the jostling woke him with a "Snnnkkkkaa aa aaaawhaaaaaa...."! He landed on the floor and immediately started gasping as he reached for his respirator. Jess waited till he got his respirator on and switched it to work. Then he crawled to his desk, placing both hands on the surface and managed to get his head above when he spotted Jess standing there.

 

"Who bloody spawning pits are you"?

 

"Jess. I need you to signal a planet wide evacuation. Everywhere there are people. We need them to collect themselves and get off this rock in anything they can".

 

The Salarian snorted and spat off to the side. Which was unforunate because it hit the inside of the mask and started dripping down the interior. "Get out! Get out or will call Sheriff"!

 

"I'm wearing him".

 

The Salarain blinked and looked up at the hat Jess now wore. The Sheriff badge gleamed where she had rubbed the Hanar's drying gut's off the shiny metal. "Oh HOO! Excellent! Excellent! You'll be taking over now. Yes"?

 

"What"?

 

"Last Sheriff. One who put his heart and soul into terrifying the town.....".

 

And most of his intestines too, Jess thought but remained quiet.

 

".... He killed last Sheriff. Took over and ran the town. Never had complaint's so just let him run things his way. Good arrangement! Makes years to retirment much easier! So you'll be taking over? Yes, yes. Assume you'll want cut of mining proceeds? We have an account.....".

 

"MOUSE"!!! Jess roared. From outside the door the woman in lace poked her head around. "You want to be a hero"?

 

"That depends". She retorted in a brooklyn accent. "What's in it for me"?

 

"Trigger that planet wide evac signal and I'll see some of those credit's he mentioned goes your way".

 

"Why should I believe you...."? She began when Jess swung Bernard around and pointed it at her making her face go white.

 

"Because I'm the gun totting weather girl who, if you do as I say.... will try to save your sorry ass that's not running from the cloud of death heading this way". Putting the gun back down the woman nodded vigourously and headed backwards out of sight. Jess then turned to the Salarian. "Listen Creep....".

 

"Not Creep! Biggin's"! the Salarian tugged his waistcoat down. "The honourable judge Himm's Biggins".

 

"I don't much care for who you say you are right now". Jess growled. "Your coming with me". With that she grabbed him and thrust him out towards the door.

 

"Now see here"! He began when he heard the unmistakely sound of a gun unfolding and press against the back of his head. "I think that's a brilliant idea! We'll go outside! We'll see what it is your so concerned about..... The Deputy can shoot you."

 

"What was that"?

 

"Nothing"!

 

Jess snorted and began marching him outside when Morgan appeared at the door.

 

“Jess"! He called out. "The taxi’s waiting!”

[Kel Riever]

Calvin Brisbane had mounted his old mecha-steed, meant for emergencies.  It was wide and short, full of compartments that held camping gear, food, water, a primitive two-way communicator, ammunition, explosives, and a half pound of tobacco (for trading – Cal hated smoking); in other words, the kind of mecha-steed meant exactly for something like the invasion that was happening.  He began to ride around as the tide of monstrosities was coming over and through the town walls, pouring into the streets.  Mayhem was everywhere, with some townsfolk running away, but others standing and fighting, even if it was to be their last stand.

It practically brought a tear to Calvin Brisbane’s eye.

Calvin directed others to steeds so that they might escape or fight better.  The enemy was getting into his lot, so most had to fight to get a mount.  Several of the people from the town he loved so were doing their best to hold off the horde so others could get on mecha-steeds.  Brisbane began to ride about, firing occasionally, trying his best to meet up with other fighters.

“Hoss McGillicuddy,” Calvin called out when he saw a familiar face, “That you?”

“Is indeed, Cal,” the bearded man who just got on a mecha-steed answered through his respirator, “How’s your day going?”

“Fine, fine.  You got your kids?”

“They’re around here somewhere.  Jimmy?!”

A blonde teen boy riding a tall steed replied, “Yes paw!”

“Rufus?”

There was a gunshot, and another sandy-haired boy jumped on a mecha-steed. “Right here, paw!”

“Cindy Lou?”

Pigtails adorned the strawberry head of a post-teen young woman atop a blue steed.  She was packing an Avenger rifle modified for hunting, and shot down a flying half-Collector nearby.  “Hi paw.  Hi Mister Brisbane!”

Hoss yelled back to Cal, “Pete is in the tower yonder.” He pointed over to one of the watchtowers inside the wall, meant to spy over and beyond.  It was teaming with the hybrids that either were climbing their way up, or making swooping attacks from above.  One of the fighters in the tower waved quickly, before going back to his gun.  Suddenly, two of the hybrids made it inside, whereupon there was a bout of screaming and a profuse spray of blood.

“Pete,” Hoss called out.  “Pete!  Well, I guess he didn’t make it.”

Calvin took off his hat and placed it against his chest.  Then he had to put it back on to blast an approaching hybrid with his Sabre.

Hoss shrugged his shoulders.  “Well, Pete wasn’t never that smart, holin’ himself up in a tower like that.  Gotta think of the rest of the kids.  And the town.”  He pulled out a heavy pistol and shot at the same target Calvin did.

“Yep.  The town,”  Calvin agreed.  “Let’s ride.  We can hold off some of these spawns of the Devil until some folks get away.”  There was a scream to his left as one of the townsfolk was lifted away by one of the monsters.  Calvin fired again. “I swear on my grave you bug men is gonna pay!”

The McGillicuddies gathered next to Cal and the bunch of them rode off, whooping and hollering, with guns blazing as they did.

[Redbelle]

"Look's like we got a ride Judge". Jess threw him out of the door past Morgan and whistled for Baldy whose VI obediently honed in on her postion with the shuttle coming in Jess looked around. "Where's the......".

 

"AAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII"!!! Jess saw an open top ground car whizz past containing the secretary. She was heading for the port and Jess mounted Baldy. ".....Secretary.... Okay she's good. C'mon Judge. I figure if someone's got to be the scape goat in all this it's better you than us".

 

"Scape goat"? Biggin's protested. "But I didn't do anything"!

 

"Exactly".

 

"Wait! Stop! you can't do this! I know things"!

 

Jess grabbed Biggin's and pulled him up and over Baldy's back. "Like you know anything! Morgan! Let's ride"! Jess revved the steed and began making for the shuttle with Morgan close behind her.

 

Biggin's however was not done. "I know everything! I was council appointed! We were making a fleet! A secret fleet"!

 

"Shaddup already" Jess shouted as she rode towards the shuttle.

 

The Numans.... or the Re-Possessed. Or whatever the flayed and mutilated bodies clad in armour now were, they were appearing everywhere. They weren't far in but now there was nothing to stop them. They seemed to be going to building to building. Smashing through the metal walls or simply pulling the outer skins off with their bare hands having punched their taloned finger's through the hard walls. They would be on them soon.

 

Or sooner.

 

One spotted Jess and Morgan and began making a chittering noise that attracted another two and they picked up their feet and ran at them. Bernard appeared in her hand and roared striking one in the throat. It went down and thrashed but Jess could see the round hadn't penetrated as she slapped a fresh clip home. "If we're getting a ride now would be good now would be REALLY GOOD"!!!

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena punch in some commands on the console in the shuttle. The turret on the top elevated. "VERA, target the hybrids with the lasers and provide covering fire."

 

"Pulse fire commencing," VERA said. 

 

The approaching Numans hit by the UV laser pulses were cut in half, or cut wherever the laser hit... a leg would go missing, arm, head, whatever the pulse struck was severed. A Numan was about to claw Jess, and its arm fell off. It was then Jess noticed the direction of the origin of the beam and saw Naleena's shuttle.

[Kel Riever]

“Naleena, shuttle door open please,” Morgan said through his communicator.  As the two mecha-steeds charged for the Scythe, one of its angular, large side doors opened up.  While the turret kept the hybrid repossessed on the ground busy, one of the creatures leapt from a rooftop.  Morgan saw it latch onto the turret’s top and start hacking at the gun.

Morgan shouted ahead, “We’ll need to jump the steeds onto the shuttle!”

Jess was already on it.  She punched Baldurjack to full speed, making the salarian judge holler in surprise.  When her steed leapt, she angled it sideways so it wouldn’t crash headlong into the opposite wall of the shuttle.  Morgan followed, knowing his steed was going to crash into hers.  There wasn’t much room to spare.

Baldurjack landed perfectly, and slid near the opposing bulkhead.  Without a moment to spare, Jess threw herself and the salarian off.  Morgan’s steed was mid-air when she did, and when it came down on the Scythe’s deck, it slid sideways as well.  Barely with enough time to throw his leg up so it wouldn’t be crushed, Morgan’s grey smashed into Baldurjack and the two steeds collided into the facing interior wall.  Both steeds fell and Morgan tumbled clear, landing next to Jess.

VERA's holographic form peered up as rending sounds came from above.  “That’s not good,” she exclaimed. “Express to downtown, destination Audron.  All passengers on the outside of the craft please be hurled afar upon rapid acceleration.”  The Scythe’s fired its engines with a shriek.

Not being fastened down or belted in, the two steeds slid to the rear bulkhead.  The salarian judge ended up tossed over them and hard enough into a cabinet that his eyes rolled in a daze.  Jess hit Morgan and Morgan hit Baldy; they were shoved up against each other from the blast off.  Eventually, Vera eased out when it was evident the unwanted repossessed had been flung away from the shuttle.

Morgan, finding himself face to face with Jess, teased, “Really, sometimes you come off as pushy.”
 

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Eteon was back aboard the Audron after seeing her rescue services were no longer needed.

 

"Closing shuttle bay doors. We're dusting off." Androkan said closing the doors from the console in the CIC. "Anyone left out there can fend for themselves. This mission is too important to wait for stragglers."

 

The Audron severed its moorings and gained elevation readying to make its next maneuver.

 

VERA sounded alarm. "I would advise everyone strap in tight. It appears that the Audron is leaving without us. I shall accelerate to pursuit velocity. This maneuver requires that inertial dampers be turned off. Air sickness bags are in the compartment under your seats."

 

"I've got this VERA," Naleena said.

 

"You are too slow. I am overriding helm controls. I am sorry, Naleena," VERA said, "If you really want to help, you should contact the Audron and request that they open a docking bay. We should be within range in 60 seconds."

 

Naleena sighed. "T'sarius to Audron. We are on approach vector 10.478. Estimated time of arrival 45 seconds. Requesting that you open dock bay 2."

 

"We are preparing to depart for our next mission." Deidrus said.

 

"Continue departure sequence," Aelias said.

 

"Bastard! I knew not to trust you!" Naleena shouted into her communicator.

 

"Belay that order," Eteon said, "Open docking bay 2."
 

"You dare?" Aelias said, "That is worthy of a court martial."

 

"Take it up with the Captain." Eteon said.

 

The helmsman opened docking bay 2, and the Scythe Shuttle was aboard.

 

Naleena unfastened her belts and popped open the doors. She stormed out of the shuttle toward the elevator. She hit the call button. The doors opened and she went inside and hit the button for the CIC. Seconds later the door opened. The Spectre was in a heated discussion with Eteon, he was facing left. Naleena stormed out of the elevator toward him, grabbed his left shoulder with her left hand and spun him around and slammed her fist into his jaw focusing biotic energy with the punch sending Deidrus flying across the CIC into the bulkhead. Four Turian crew members drew their weapons and trained them on Naleena who immediately put up a barrier.

 

"How dare you just leave your team behind! I don't care if you are a Spectre!" Naleena shouted. "You have a lot to learn about loyalty, Spectre. I trusted you, and so did these people. Simply leaving them behind like that? You betrayed that trust. I'm going to my quarters. Keep away from me, and keep your people off of me. It's better that way." She turned and pushed aside the weapons of two of the crewmen, and headed into the elevator.

 

Deidrus was stunned, bleeding from the mouth. He shook his head as he came out of it. Eteon went over to check on Deidrus. Deidrus looked up at her. "I want her off my ship as soon as possible."

 

"I'll talk to her, and explain the situation, Sir. Maybe it is still salvagable." Eteon said.

[Cknarf]

Frank watched, as the shuttle from earlier touched down in the bay.  A small group disembarked.

 

Volus?  Two humans... no, three humans.  Another krogan.

 

The last human unloaded a jet bike with the help of the krogan, as two asari who had recently arrived made their way to the shuttle.   By now, people had began to arrive on foot in large numbers.

 

Who are all of these people?  Unarmed,  likely civilians.  What the hell is going on here?

 

People of various races had quickly filled the shuttle bay.  Frank stood atop his Kodiak, for a better view.  He saw one of the asari board the shuttle, and it took off once more.  

 

----

 

The Audron lifted off the ground.

 

We're leaving without them?

 

The doors opened a minute later.  The shuttle entered at great speed, startling the crowd.  Screaming civilians dove out of the way as it landed.  Immediately after touch down, the shuttle's door opened up, and the asari disembarked, a faint biotic aura surrounded her.  The crowd, now silent, parted as she made her way towards the elevator.

 

Nope! Not dealing with that!  Looks like I'm staying in the Kodiak tonight.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena used the elevator to the crew deck and headed to her quarters as soon as the door opened. Eteon left Deidrus and used the chute to the crew deck.

 

"Naleena! Wait!" She shouted, and walked briskly toward Naleena.

 

Naleena's aura glowed a slight blue. She turned. "I thought I told that Spectre to keep his people off of me!"

 

"There's been a misunderstanding," Eteon explained.

 

"My quarters, and this better be good." Naleena turned, opened the door and entered. Eteon followed.

 

Eteon shook her head and followed Naleena. "Captain Androkan did give the order to lift off for our next mission, but he allowed some time for pick up of the team. His orders were 'Prepare for immediate dust off.'"

 

"You're not convincing me," Naleena pulled out a cigarette.

 

"The key word there is 'prepare.' Our XO, Lt Cmdr Kasdros, is very by the book, and simply started the sequence." Eteon said.

 

"I asked Androkan for a rendezvous point, too. I received no reply. What in the name of the Goddess is going on?" Naleena asked.

 

"That also was Kasdros. It's the command structure on Turian ships. Your communication would have been routed through Kasdros," Eteon explained, "He didn't consider your request important enough to pass on to the captain."

 

"Your captain has been very stingy with mission details. He has dragged his feet when it has come to matters concerning my compensation for this mission. We have been at this for well over two months, and I have only received a 'buy yourself something nice' from him." Naleena scoffed. "This is no way to handle a team. The man has an entire platoon of armigiers at his command. For what does he need us? Then your XO treats us like cannon fodder. It sounds like your captain needs to get a better handle on things."

 

"Between you and me, we have not always seen eye to eye." Eteon said, "But it is my duty as a Turian to follow his orders."

 

"I... understand," Naleena said, "Convey my apologies to your captain, for now. My wrath should have been directed at your XO. However, your captain bears the responsibility for the actions of the men and women under his command."

 

"So, are we good?" Eteon asked.

 

"I have no quarrel with you, Eteon." Naleena replied.

 

Eteon nodded, turned and left Naleena. Naleena left her quarters and sought out Jess, Morgan and Anika.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 23 juillet 2014 - 05:54 .

[Kel Riever]

Undisclosed Asari Salaris Armor Facility, Duellos

“Hey, Textbrain! If you didn’t have your nose buried in your literature, do you think you’d be as bored as the rest of us?”

Mira T’Riel looked up at the asari sitting across from her inside the guard post at the base. Jenus was tall, brash, and always liked to refer to Mira as a ‘textbrain’ for her constant love of reading. The pad on Mira’s lap, in fact, displayed writings on the contributions the now deceased Matriarch Benezia made to society, with the various debates about her demise. Mira closed the display with a quick motion of her finger, “Just because you use your Disciple more than your biotics doesn’t mean you can’t stand to learn a thing or two. And yes, watching trains or guarding top secret bases isn’t that exciting, but it’s as necessary as anything else we do.”

Jenus paid more attention to Mira’s accusation than her defense of their mission. She chuckled, “You hear that, Tallis? Textbrain reminds me I can learn a thing or two!”

A young asari with bright blue facial markings chirped, “Yes, I did. Yes, I did.”

“You warp them, Textbrain, and I’ll charge them. Read up on that!”

Mira rolled her eyes at the standard dig from Jenus. Then she jabbed back for once, “Maybe you should give your local call girl a ring and ask her over when you’re off duty.”

A fourth asari, performing maintenance on a Hellbringer¹, looked up with her golden eyes in shock, and then cackled. “Jenus, Mira’s telling you that you’ve got Artemis level discipline!”

“Shut up, Iole,” Jenus blurted. “A little R&R with the local talent never hurt anyone. You’re just jealous because your love machine is that gun.”

“It’s more loyal and lasts longer in my hands,” Iole shot back.

The four asari burst out laughing.

Mira was the first to speak after the commandos calmed down. “Artemis platoon is a good unit. They’re missing a good leader. Hopefully they’ll get one on their next assignment wherever they’re headed. Besides, I admit, after seeing Shiana with Jenus last week, I’m a little jealous.”

“Me too! Me too,” Tallis added.

The guard post’s video interface came to life. An asari with a white, diamond shaped facial marking in the center of her forehead appeared. The four commandos dropped whatever was in their hands and came to attention.

“Team Five,” the asari on the vidscreen addressed in a hard tone, “You are to take the next shuttle and join the other commando teams escorting the grav train back to base. There’s a problem in town and I want that train guarded from the receiving station until it returns here. We’re locking down after that until the problem is over.”

“Yes Spectre,” Mira responded for the team.

“Read the briefing on the way. There isn’t much we know other than what satellite images are giving us, but the priority is to get that fabricated armor here as soon as possible. The train will be ready to go almost as soon as you get there so be on that shuttle in two minutes. The Scythe is all fired up.”

“Affirmative.”

The vidscreen cut out.

“S**t,” Jenus exclaimed.

“S**t! S**t,” Tallis followed.

The commandos grabbed their gear and ran out the door.

¹ Hellbringer: A heavy support weapon manufactured by Nos Astra Armory, the Hellbringer is the modern asari equivalent of the light machine guns of Earth's past. It even has the appearance of a slender gatling gun, and is light for the typical weapon of its kind, weighing approximately 14 kilograms. Straps around the shoulder assist the firer with aiming and maneuvering the weapon. Quick release clips also adorn the straps, making for ease of thermal clip replacement. A liquid eezo dichloride module supplements the thermal clip system for cooling, providing a longer sustained fire period. The Hellbringer is well balanced and uses mass effect fields to minimize recoil. It is capable of firing 2000 high velocity rounds per minute. NAA took the further step of building in a motion tracker as standard equipment, a device a number of users find indispensible. Although many asari commandos still consider the Hellbringer too heavy to use in conjunction with biotics, those that do swear by it.

[Redbelle]

Jess felt Morgans arms still around her having broken her fall and looked back at him. "Pushy"? She repeated? Then after a drawn out silence she started a low laugh. "Pushy's kept alot of people alive in my line of work luv. C'mon".

 

Jess rose and offered her hand to Morgan which he clasped. As Morgan stood, Biggins was also trying to recover his footing along with his dignity.

 

“That isn’t the way a judge should be treated. There are laws against that…”

 

Morgan knocked the salarian judge across the jaw with his fist, knocking him out with one punch.

 

VERA observed, “Excellent application of hand to hand combat, Morgan.  There’s a noir detective novel begging to be written about you.”

 

Jess looked sidelong along where the unconcious judge now lay. "Nice shot".

 

The punch caused the wound in Morgan’s shoulder to flare up.  He rolled his shoulder and ignored the pain.  Sliding the interface that closed the shuttle door, Morgan said to VERA, “Is there a way you can turn off, or go into standby mode or something like that.”

 

“If you don’t want to be bothered,” VERA replied, “I can make myself invisible.”

 

“For now.  It would be appreciated.”

 

Jess got herself up and brushed her clothes with her hands.  “Still got that Sheriff on me.  There’s got to be a way to clean this. I'm heading to the showers. Gonna get thi…”

 

Morgan grabbed Jess by the waist, pushed her against the bulkhead, and pressed his lips into hers.  The move caught her off guard, and she felt herself lifted by his strong hands. Jess found herself surprised at his boldness. But found her arms going around his waist  to clench his armoured buttocks while she wrapped a leg around the back of his own.  When Morgan pulled away, he stared at her and said, “I hate when you run off like that.”

 

Jess, slightly out of breath, smirked. "Keep treating me like this and I'll do it more often. You've only yourself to blame now luv. Now you want to give VERA a show or follow me to the showers"?

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

And so it began..... Well I suppose I could write the novel.... VERA went to work....

 

Morgan entered his office and hung up his trench coat on the coat rack. He still had his Fedora on his head, but it was pushed slightly back exposing his forehead. He was worn out after a tough day. He poured himself drink: two fingers of whiskey, and then lit a cigarette. His secretary, Vera, entered the room. She was sexy looking dame, about five foot six in heels with blonde hair.

 

"Four-hundred credits?" Morgan said raising his eyebrows as he fumbled with the bill she handed him. He sat on the edge of his oak desk and took a drink.

 

"It's a big window," she said gesturing at the window, and sidling up to him with her hands on her hips.

 

He put the bill in his lap. "Why didn't we just paint it. It doesn't look that bad."

 

There was a knock at the door. It was a woman wearing a pink suit. One of those kind of women you can't refuse. Her brown hair was tucked behind her ears. She smiled and acted like she was interrupting something important. "Can I come in?"

 

.....

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 23 juillet 2014 - 07:04 .

[Redbelle]

Just then Aelias came on over everyone's comms.

 

"Attention Collector Investigation Team. Briefing in ten minutes by comm. Your going into action again. ETA to intercept point to be determined due to radar avoidance".

 

The comm clicked and Jess looked down. She saw it still broadcasting to the group, but was now set in something called 'ghost mode'.

 

"Guy's.... I'm sorry. I know things got tense. Deidrus is going to brief you on his trip to the Asari Industrial complex.... It didn't go well.... I think.... I think he's going to do something that the rest of us are going to bawk at. You people are the only one's he can count on not to care so he's got you all on point for the train job he's...... Just wait for the briefing. It'll all become clear.....".

 

Aelias sighed. "The town's a loss. Number's of those things.... They just keep coming and we got a reading that some of the D.A, craft took off. We're assuming those things took them..... Your going back out soon. I can't say anymore.... Aelias out".

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne was not happy about the situation, not at all. He'd gone ahead to try and make sure that the audron would be safe and clear of obstructions when the group arrived. Only problem, he'd been stuck in the cargo hold when the ship decided to take off, and he'd been too busy trying to open the bay doors and tending to the people who'd made it to the ship to have done anything.

 

Vayne didn't like feeling powerless, and he didn't like a commander who would up and leave his men with not so much as an explanation. So when the comm signal got out, vayne didn't hesitate to respond, "10 minutes or what? He's going to fire us out the airlock for the good fo the mission?" Vayne all but yelled inside his personal shuttle serving as his quarters, practically fuming, "You know what? 10 minutes is just fine. I think its a good idea to meet by comm because otherwise, I'd give him a token of appreciation." He said as he got a krogan dagger and strapped it to his tomkah armors waist, "Don't know if you know this, but turians can survive and talk well without their mandibles. Vayne out." the krogan said as he disconnected from the ghost mod comm, even before aelias could say anything.

 

He stomped out of the shuttle and towards the elevators, pass the group of survivors without even looking to them as he got to the elevator, pressing the button as he got in, still packing all of his gear. He set it to the level with the kitchen, walking to it as he stormed through the corridors and shoved one of the turians coming towards him hard into the wall, enough to dent it as he went to the empty mess hall and grabbed himself a ration pack.

 

He plopped down and ate it ferociously, feeling hungry and angry and wanting to sate it with something not turian flavored for the moment.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan sighed. “I would have said the showers.” He thought for a moment, “You need to get to the showers anyway. Let’s talk on the way.” He spoke to the piloting seat on the Scythe. “VERA?”

“All done?”

“Yes. Do you mind keeping an eye on the judge while we head out? He needs to stay put.”

“Not a problem, Marlowe.”

“What?”

“Never mind. The door’s open.”

The shuttle’s side door lifted again. Morgan exited with Jess and they headed towards her cabin.

As Morgan and Stone moved through the now crowded Audron, he began to talk, “Stealing a shipment from the train was something I had been meaning to talk about before time ran out on us. It might have now, too, but maybe Androkan is open to the idea.

“I was going to recommend to the Spectre that with the Audron we might be able to lift one of those train cars right off the track. We’d still need a team to get on the train, make sure we had the right car, deal with the Commandos, and unhitch the car. But if we were quick enough, we could avoid dealing with the entire group of guards onboard and avoid taking the time to pull the cargo off the car itself. The car couplings might have security, or if the commandos were confident, they might not. Still, someone who knows systems would have to interface with the train’s computer to have it unlatch the couplings. People from our team would likely have to attach anchors and cables. It isn’t overly complex but it would take coordination.

 

“And if it works out,” Morgan said as they got to Jess’ cabin, “The Audron could lift the weight after we got back on board and fly away. I hope it doesn’t sound excessive.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena exited the elevator on the shuttle deck and saw Vayne, Irina, Dahlia, and Anika. She threw her cigarette on the floor and crushed it. A Turian guard raised a brow plate. Naleena didn't care. Her aura still glowed slightly, although it was beginning to fade. Her coat trailed her as she walked briskly toward the team. 

 

"Well, I think our 'Spectre' is going to throw me off the ship after we're out of this sector," she said.

 

Vayne raised his head. "What did you do?"

 

"I sent him crashing into the bulkhead in the CIC. No one gets left behind." Naleena said.

[Redbelle]

As Jess opened her cabin door she nodded. "Sounds good but I see a problem. Two problems....".

 

"The first....". She went on, "Is that we'd need to weld four suspension points to the bottom of the hull.... I'm assuming that since we don't know if the ship has any lines we can use. Dangling some out of a cargo hold is risky business. A fellow captain tried it once.... Broke his cargo door and had to land to repair it..... Plus we'd need a specialist welder. I can weld.... But I'm talking a welding legend of old to do it in the time we have while sitting outside the ship held on by an extended mass effect field to keep him on the hull while the world flies on by over his head.".

 

"The second? Deidrus.... He's going to brief us. Not face to face but over the comm. Maybe he has a plan but he's trained. He think's military and I'll bet that whoever's on that train thinks military. What they need isn't military. It's banana's. You don't see banana's till you slip on one. And by then it's to late..... I don't know. I like picking a car off the tracks.... I'll sit on.....".

 

The door's opened and Anika stood there. Jess's armour on it's mount looking shiny and pristine.

 

"We are going to rob that train. You know it. I know it". Her tone dropped the temperature in the cabin a few degree's. "You will...... wear your armour".

 

Jess gulped. "Time for a shower first"?

 

Anika grabbed a bag by her side and shooed Morgan and Jess out of the quarters. "I've got your stuff. Go! Showers! It's not just you Captain we all reek! We don't have long so I guess it's team showers time".

 

"Team shower's"?

 

"It was a thing. Back in the complex.... You don't have that thing"?

 

"Nope. you know that thing Morgan"?

 

"Can't say I do".

 

Anika looked between them both as she marched them to the shower room doors and thrust them ahead as she pulled the fastener on her white jumpsuit.

 

"I'll teach you".

[Cainhurst Crow]

"Should have thrown him harder." Vayne said to naleena as he noticed her aura, taking another bite of the bland rations. "And if he tries, I'll make sure he goes first. No one gets left behind, and bad captians don't get to stay captains very long in my experience." he said as he took another bite of the food.

 

"...still, we need him for now. His connections helped us so far. I'm going to give him one more chance myself..." vayne said simply as he looked to naleena, "Assuming he doesn't do or say anything more stupid to change my mind."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"I'm on the fence. Here's something to think about, Vayne," Naleena looked at him just as she was turning to leave. "Who organized the defense of those colonists on Omega? Who made sure that everyone on our team remained alive this last time? Who is getting the run around from our captain regarding her compensation for the mission and gets tossed a 'buy yourself something nice?' You're right. I should have hit him harder. Unfortunately that would have killed him, and I'd be rotting in a cell, something I'm trying to avoid."

 

She was looking for Anika. She didn't see her in the shuttle bay. That meant she was probably in Jess' cabin, and so that's where she headed next. She buzzed the door and entered. They weren't there. Her Collector Particle Beam was leaning against the wall, so she picked it up.

Modifié par sH0tgUn jUliA, 24 juillet 2014 - 09:15 .