The Normandy
It was eerie walking through the decks and corridors of the Normandy and seeing absolutely no one, hearing nothing but silence. Every ship I had served on was always packed to the rafters with servicemen and women, people with whom you served many long months. People whom you saw more often than your friends and family.
Serving on a ship brings people closer in ways you can't describe or imagine. Your crew becomes your family. You knew if Hawthorne was feeling under the weather or if Goldstein needed a coffee break. As the commanding officer, the effect was magnified. The crew knew their duties, but in times of crisis, they looked to me. I was the one they depended on to make the big decisions and see them through the fire unscathed. I hoped their faith in me would not turn out to be misplaced.
Visiting Engineering and seeing Tali work alone, without the back and forth banter from Ken and Gabby. Going up to the Crew deck and seeing it completely deserted. No Gardner cooking lunch, no Dr Chakwas working in her office, no one using the gym or playing cards in their quarters.
And then up to the Bridge, where it really hit home. At any given time there would be people manning their stations, all doing their part to keep the Normandy alive and flying. Kelly would be at her station beside the Galaxy Map, sifting through all the reports and 'paperwork'. Now EDI had taken over all their duties, and as Joker mentioned, there were a lot of empty chairs around.
"Please confirm destination, Commander," said EDI, when I had assumed my position. "The Reaper IFF is online, but there is a chance the Normandy might not survive passage through the Omega 4 Relay. Once we are en route, we are committed."
"The Collectors took my crew. My people. They trusted me, and they're suffering for it. I'm going to get them back or die trying," I said.
"You got it, Commander. ETA to the Omega 4 Relay's about two hours. I'll let you know when we arrive," said Joker from the cockpit.
The elevator opened, and Miranda came up to me. She had changed from her skintight white Cerberus suit into a skintight black suit that left little to the imagination, but also reminded me of those action spy vids I watched from time to time.
"I'll admit it, John, I'm impressed," she said. "You got us here. Are you ready?"
"We've got the best team this verse has ever seen. We've packed so many upgrades into the ship she's capable of taking down a dreadnought," I said. "The Collectors don't know we're coming, they think they're invincible after taking my crew. I intend to correct that."
"I hope you're right. We'll know soon enough. Good luck, John. See you on the other side," she said, with determination.
She gave me a salute, the first time she had done so. Surprised, I returned it. Miranda might not have been my ideal girlfriend, but she was a hell of an XO. I was grateful for her trust and support.
"The Illusive Man wishes to speak to you," Miranda said. "When you're ready?"
I stepped down from the Galaxy Map and headed to the Armoury. "Give me a moment to put on my armour and gear up."
When I was ready, I went to the Briefing Room and waited on the holographic projector. The Normandy faded away and was replaced by a vast, immense viewing gallery of sorts which contained only a single chair, and looked out into the heart of a star.
Unusually, the Illusive Man wasn't sitting down, but staring off into space. He turned around as soon as my hologram was up.
"Shepard. I wish I had more information for you. I don't like you heading through that relay blind. But we don't have much choice."
I eyed the old bastard, wondering again how much of his words I could trust. He'd put me and my team in danger before, yanked my chain and withheld information. But this was the crucial moment. Besides, it didn't really matter any more whether he was on the level or not. There were other, far more important things at stake.
"I've got some of the best going through the relay with me. I'm not worried," I said.
The Illusive Man took a long drag on his cigarette before replying.
"I knew we brought you back for a reason. I've never seen a better leader. Despite the dangers, it's a great opportunity. The first human to take a ship through...and survive."
"I've got a seat open if you'd care to join us," I joked.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll be sitting this one out," said the Illusive Man. "I just wanted you to know that I appreciate the risks you've taken. Regardless of your opinion of Cerberus, of me. You are an invaluable asset to all of humanity. Be careful, Shepard."
"Yeah, I will. See you later, Tim."
As the connection broke I could have sworn I heard the Illusive Man ask himself who this Tim was.
Omega Nebula
Sahrabarik System
Omega 4 Relay
The Omega 4 Relay hung in space, grim, foreboding like the gates to hell. I almost expected to see a sign hovering above that read 'Abandon hope all ye who enter here.' It was decidedly larger than other mass effect relays and the light emanating from it was an ominous dark orange, instead of the sedate blue that was more common in other relays.
I stared at the relay, recalling all the horror stories and rumours that had been bandied about this mysterious gateway. No ship had ever passed through it and lived to tell the tale. According to our data, we knew that the relay led to a point near the very centre of the galaxy, where black holes and other hazards lay in wait.
The Collectors must have had unthinkable advanced technology to build and maintain a base in that area, and I was guessing they had help. Specifically, giant squid-like millennia-old space monster help.
What kind of defences were we about to encounter? I felt like the captain of an ancient Earth sailing ship, steering his vessel into a maelstrom. It was going to be a bumpy ride.
"Approaching the Omega 4 Relay," announced Joker into the PA system. I was standing beside him in the cockpit, one hand on his pilot's chair. "Everyone stand by."
"Make it so!" I ordered. Joker raised an eyebrow and I gave him a sheepish grin.
Joker punched in a few buttons, and EDI responded.
"Reaper IFF activated. Signal acknowledged."
"Commander!" chimed in Jacob from his position in the Armoury. "Drive Core just lit up like a Christmas tree!"
"Drive Core electrical charge at critical levels," warned EDI.
"Rerouting!" yelled Joker, fingers flying over his console.
The Normandy swooped into the mass relay, and her hull rattled as we prepared to make the jump.
"Brace for deceleration," intoned EDI. I held on with both hands to Joker's chair, trying not to fall down. There was a flash of light, and a feeling like every particle of your body being sucked through a tiny tunnel, and then...
"Oh shit!" yelled Joker. He frantically went to work, and the Normandy lurched, its nose tilted upwards.
We had made it through the relay and out the other side, but the view was less than encouraging. We were in the middle of what appeared to be an asteroid field, although on closer inspection it became apparent the 'asteroids' were the derelict hulls of all the ships that had tried to find out what was on the other side of the relay, and paid the ultimate price for their curiosity.
"Dear god," I whispered. "There's so many."
Joker coaxed the Normandy upwards, ever upwards, and the rattling of the entire ship grew more violent. He weaved his way between the dead ships and suddenly we burst into a patch of empty space, free of the debris for one priceless moment.
The pilot let out a sigh of relief. "Too close."
We flew straight for the immense Collector base in the distance, looming over the debris field, looking for all the world like a giant log being planted upright in a pool of water, with the ripples radiating out towards us.
"These must be all the ships that made it through the Omega 4 Relay," said Joker, seeing the same thing I had. "Some of them look...ancient."
"I am detecting an energy signature near the edge of the accretion disk," reported EDI.
"Has to be from that Collector base," I said. "Take us in for a closer look, nice and easy if you please."
"Be careful Jeff," chimed in EDI suddenly. "We have company."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Security drones. They are attacking the ship."
We were rocked as the drones blasted away at us, scorching the hull. I tried to catch a glimpse, but all I could see was a fleeting glance of a squat, blocky drone with a glowing red 'eye' that was firing lasers at the Normandy every other second.
"Taking evasive manoeuvres," said Joker, making the Normandy dip and roll. Every chance he got, he fired the Normandy's own weapons and I thought I saw a drone catch fire and fall away from our trail.
"Now they're just pissing me off. EDI, take these bastards out!" yelled Joker.
"As long as the new plating holds, we should be fine," said Miranda, who had come up beside me, trying to keep her cool.
We struggled to stay on our feet as Joker's manoeuvres sorely strained the Normandy's artificial gravity. Suddenly EDI cut in with a warning.
"Alert! Hull breach detected!" She displayed a hologram of the ship's layout, with the breach outlined in red.
"They're in the cargo hold!" I said. "I'll take a team and deal with them. Joker, you try to get the rest of them off our tail!"
"Aye aye sir!"
I charged down the Bridge and into the elevator. Jack was down in the cargo hold. I had to get there, and fast.
Cargo Hold
The Normandy
Logically it made sense for the drones to attack the cargo hold. It was the area least shielded and armoured, and it was full of sensitive equipment. What they couldn't have known however, was the fact that the cargo hold was home to about a battalion's worth of firepower.
Tali was perhaps the least intimidating of my specialists, but you sure as hell couldn't say she was the least dangerous. Even as I watched she did something with her omni tool and a drone exploded in mid-air. Grunt wasn't even bothering to hide behind cover, wading out into the centre of the hold to blast at the drones with his shotguns. Zaeed was yelling a string of profanities as he did the same.
And Jack...
Well, Jack was proving why she was the most powerful biotic around. I was about to shoot a drone when she grabbed it with her biotics and crushed it in mid-air until it was about the size of a hamster. It dropped to the floor, sparking feebly.
Finally there was only one left, a big floaty silver ball with a glowing red eye. EDI unhelpfully informed me that the drone was known as an 'Oculus'.
"I don't care if it's God's left bollock, just tell me how to kill it!" I yelled.
"We'll need heavy weapons to bring that thing down," grunted Grunt.
"If it's heavy weapons you want, I could gas up the old Cain -"
"NO!" yelled the other four.
"Are you fucking insane? In this small space? You'll kill us all!" yelled Zaeed.
"You try and bring it down then, smart guy," snapped back Jack.
"No, he's right," I said. I appreciated her support though. "I'll use the missile launcher instead. The rest of you, keep it occupied!"
"Easier said than done," muttered Tali, moving into position.
They began a dangerous game of chicken as the rest of them tried to distract the Oculus, firing intermittently while I broke out the missile launcher. I waited until Grunt blasted it three times with his shotgun at point-blank range, and the Oculus wheeled away from him rather jerkily. I let loose, firing every missile I had until the launcher clicked empty.
The missiles slammed into the Oculus one after the other, giving it no time to react. It smoked and crashed to the floor.
I barely had time to heave a sigh of relief before Joker's voice came in over my headset communicator.
"We're sitting ducks out here sir, I have to try and lose them in the debris field!"
I looked around glumly. The cargo hold was full of heavy, bulky items that could be sent flying at a moment's notice and splatter me to paste if Joker handled the Normandy too roughly.
"Our kinetic barriers are not designed to survive impact of a degree that high, Jeff," chided EDI.
"Well then it's a good thing we upgraded!"
Down in the cargo hold I nodded fervently. I had spared no expense to upgrade the Normandy's new shields. We were juggled about like peas in a cup as Joker steered the ship through the debris field. There was a terrible screech of metal on metal as the hull scraped a large chunk of dead starship.
"Come on, find some room!" said Joker tightly.
"Kinetic barriers at forty per cent," warned EDI.
"Rerouting non critical power. This is going to hurt!"
I struggled over to where Jack was sitting, hugging her knees to her chest and staring upwards, listening to the bangs and crashes outside. I sat down beside her and put my arms around her shoulders, intending to weather the storm by her side. She leaned her head against my chest, not saying anything. She didn't need to. We didn't need to speak to know what the other was thinking.
"Damage report!" I heard Joker demand of EDI.
"Kinetic barriers stable at thirty five per cent. No significant damage."
"Take the helm EDI, and keep it slow. See if we can avoid any more attention. Commander? You'd better get back up here."
"We're about to clear the debris field," added Miranda.
"Come on," I said to Jack. "Let's get up to the Bridge."
"There it is," said Miranda softly. "The Collector base."
The thing that had been haunting my thoughts for months...finally within reach.
"See if you can find a spot for us to land without drawing attention," I said to Joker.
"Too late," he replied, looking at a screen. "Looks like they're sending out an old friend to greet us!"
We watched as the familiar silhouette of the Collector ship disengaged from the massive station, and drift out to meet us. The same ship that had been dogging us for months, the ship that had attacked Horizon. That ship that had taken my crew and killed the crew of the first Normandy. I wanted to see it fall out of the sky. I wanted to see it burn.
"Engage!" I roared.
"Commander, you really have to lay off the dramatics -"
"Shut up, Helmsman! Garrus, do you copy?"
"Loud and clear Commander," replied the turian from his position at the main gun batteries. "Calibrations are perfect."
"Time to show them our new teeth. Fire the main gun!"
The beam of light that streamed away from the Normandy and struck the Collector ship dead on was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. It was quickly replaced by the sight of the Collector ship's hull glowing red and then catching fire. Significant chunks of the ship broke apart and began to float away.
"How do you like THAT, you sons of bitches!" Joker and I exclaimed in unison, word-for-word. Miranda and Jack were giving us bemused glances.
"Get in close and finish them off!" I ordered. The Normandy leapt forward, avoiding the Collector ship's retaliatory shot. Joker's hand hovered a millimetre above the firing pad.
"Give them hell, girl!" he exulted, punching it a second later.
The Thanix fired again, this time at a much closer range. It ripped right through the heart of the Collector ship, causing a massive explosion. As we watched, more explosions were set off, all around the ship. The goddamn thing was breaking apart.
"Look out!" screamed Miranda. The Normandy was being buffeted by the shockwave of the explosion.
"The mass effect field generator is offline!" yelled Joker in horror. "EDI, give me something!"
"Generators unresponsive. All hands brace for impact," said EDI blandly.
Joker wrestled with the controls, trying to maintain some semblance of stability. The Normandy slammed into a jutting spar at top speed and the impact knocked us off our feet.
"I'm a leaf on the wind...watch how I soar," muttered Joker to himself.
We rattled around, trying not to crash into each other. Jack flipped around in mid-air using her biotics and stood up as if she was on solid ground. She reached out her hand as I went rushing past and caught me, her augmented strength enough to haul me to my feet.
"Thanks," I gasped.
"No problem," she grunted, struggling to keep her balance. "But don't ask me to help the cheerleader."
"I'm a leaf on the wind!" Joker said again.
"What the fuck does that even mean?!" yelled Jack.
"Hey, you want to fly this thing? Fucking fly! I'll be in my bunk!" screamed Joker. There was a terrific CRUNCH as the Normandyhit the surface of the Collector station and went careening on for what seemed like ages. Then finally, mercifully, everything was still.
I gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek and looked towards the pilot's seat. Joker was groaning, trying to pull himself up into a sitting position.
"Joker! Are you okay?"
"I think I broke a rib," he moaned. "All of them."
"Multiple core systems were overloaded during the crash," said EDI. "Restoring operations will take time."
"We all knew this was likely a one way trip," said Miranda, arms folded.
"Stop that line of thought, we're not going to die," I said. "We'll rescue the crew and blow this place to kingdom come."
"Well we're off to a good start," said Joker snidely, inspecting a damage report. "What's next?"
"How long can we stay here before the Collectors notice us?"
"I do not detect an internal security network," confirmed EDI after a moment's pause. "It is possible the Collectors did not expect anyone to reach the base."
"Well, if we're lucky their external sensors were hit like we were. They might not even know that we're alive," said Joker.
"I'm counting on it. Everyone! Report to the Briefing Room," I announced over the PA system.
I walked in, thoughts running through my head. The lights had dimmed because of the crash, and my team looked far more impressive in the shadows.
Every single one of them had opted in favour of wearing a new uniform or outfit that was of a similar colour to declare our shared purpose. We were no longer a bunch of deadly but disparate individuals. We had been forged by fire and blood into the most lethal team in the entire galaxy.
Garrus, one of my oldest friends. Sniper without peer, worthy of Spectrehood had fate taken a different path. He had been scarred by this conflict, both physically and mentally, but there was no one else I'd rather have watching my back.
Tali, my little sis. I had to stop thinking of her in that way now, she was worthy of becoming an admiral in the Migrant Fleet. She had grown so much from the scared quarian on her Pilgrimage two years ago. She believed in me and would follow me anywhere, even to the heart of this abyss.
Grunt, the krogan who represented a new hope for his entire species. The warrior who brought down a thresher maw. The young tankspawn who hung on to my every word, who watched my every action as I fought my way through a tidal wave of enemies. He had declared me his Battlemaster, claiming that I had no equal, and I'd be damned if I wasn't just a little proud to hear that.
Thane, the repentant assassin. Cold, methodical, unflinching, yet there was the soul of a thinker beneath all that awesome skill. We had formed a bond of sorts, after reconciling with his son. According to him I was the first friend he'd made in decades, and I was glad to be there for him.
Legion. A geth. A freaking geth, for crying out loud. I'd long learned not to pigeonhole or label any human or alien. I was slowly beginning to accept that this applied to synthetics as well. Legion had revealed amazing insights into the culture and thinking of the people I had tried so hard to eradicate the last time I was breathing. I had come to think of the geth not as enemies, but as a people in their own right. And if I played my cards right, vital allies in the war against the Reapers.
Mordin, the mad scientist. So brilliant, so affable, so inventive. All his knowledge and intelligence couldn't help him come to terms with one of the most heart-wrenching moral conundrums any sentient being would ever have to face. I had listened to him as he struggled to come to terms with the ramifications of his actions, and I would help him in whatever he chose to do in the future.
Jacob, in whom I was quickly beginning to trust. He was always straight with me, always honest and above board, and never questioned an order or talked back. He seemed glad just for the chance to serve with me, and I found myself thinking that the Alliance had suffered a major loss when Jacob became fed up with their red tape.
Samara, the millennia old justicar. She had interrupted her endless quest to serve and fight by my side, to lend all her power, wisdom and experience to my cause. I was grateful for her help and advice and strength. Even though her daughter's screams were still locked within my head, the fact that Samara was with us gave me renewed confidence.
Kasumi, the young thief who had become one of the people I frequently relied on to get the job done. She was always upbeat, always optimistic, a ray of sunshine in a dark verse. She signed on for the promise of riches and plunder and a favour repaid, but I'm pretty sure she stayed on because of me. And Jacob.
Miranda, my right hand and XO. Sure things didn't work out between us, but she was the best thing about Cerberus. She could be prickly and relentless and knew little about tact and diplomacy, but the fact was she was perfect and strove hard every day to achieve perfection in whatever she did. Hang ups be damned, she was the best damn lieutenant any officer could ever have.
Jack, the woman I loved. The girl who was broken, and slowly but surely beginning to become whole again. All that biotic fury contained in one slim form that made my heart beat faster whenever I looked at her.
And Zaeed...well, Zaeed was only in it for the money. But hell, at least he was open about it.
"This isn't how we planned it," I said, addressing them. "But this is where we're at. We can't worry whether the Normandy can get us home. We came to stop the Collectors, and that means coming up with a plan to take out this station. EDI, bring up your scans."
A glowing holographic projection popped into the air above the table. It was an incredibly detailed schematic of the Collector base layout based on what EDI could scan at this range.
"You should be able to overload their critical systems if you can get to the main control centre here." A blue arrow pointed out the area she was referring to.
"That means going through the heart of the station. Right past this massive energy signature," noted Jacob.
"That's the central chamber," I said. "If our crew, or any of the colonists are still alive, they would probably be holding them in there."
"Looks like there are two main routes," said Jacob. "It might be a good idea to split up, keep the Collectors off-balance, then regroup in the central chamber."
"No good," objected Miranda. "Both routes are blocked. See these doors? The only way past is to get someone to open them from the other side."
"If we send a team down each path, they can keep the Collectors busy while someone else slips in through this ventilation shaft here," I said, pointing to the map.
"Practically a suicide mission," mused Jacob. "I volunteer."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Jacob, but you wouldn't be able to shut down the security systems in time," said Miranda. She turned to me. "We need to send in a tech expert."
"It's your call Commander," said Jacob. "Who do you want to send into the shaft?"
I considered, thinking of the possibilities. But Jacob had said tech expert, and there was only one person I was going to turn to for a job as delicate and as vital as this.
"We need someone with tech skills to hack that security system. Tali? You're up."
Tali stood a little straighter. "I won't let you down," she said firmly, and I knew she meant every word.
"I know you won't. The rest of us will break into two teams and fight down each passage. That should draw the Collectors' attention away from what you're doing."
"I'll lead the second fire team," volunteered Miranda. "We'll meet up with you on the other side of those doors."
"Not so fast, cheerleader," drawled Jack by my side. "Nobody wants to take orders from you."
"This isn't a popularity contest!" said Miranda irritably. "Lives are at stake. John, you need someone who can command loyalty through experience."
Once again I considered the possibilities. Who could I send to lead the second team? Miranda was calm under fire, but Jack was right. She rubbed people the wrong way and I wasn't sure she could lead people who weren't inclined to follow.
I next thought of Samara. The justicar had immense power, but I realised her experience consisted mainly of working alone. She would have no idea how to lead a team through battle.
Zaeed seemed like an obvious choice, but then I remembered something about every single war story he'd ever told me. In all of them, he'd been the sole survivor. He had a propensity to get his team slaughtered, and I wasn't willing to risk that. In the end, there was only one choice to be made.
"Archangel?" I said, smiling at my old friend. "You're in charge of the second team."
Garrus nodded solemnly. He had held off all of Omega's bloodthirsty merc gangs with a handful of vigilantes, and damn near won. He would do just fine.
"Well, at least he knows what he's doing," conceded Miranda.
"Everyone, be careful out there. We have a pretty good idea of what we're going to be up against, but we won't know for sure. Keep calm and just do what you were trained to do. What you were born to do," I said.
"You people are the absolute goddamn best this galaxy has to offer, and all that power is going to be aimed at a bunch of pitiful bugs. The Collectors are going to bleed. Let's go in and get our people back. Then we blow this fucking thing out of the sky."
I looked around, and saw in everyone's eyes a single, unified sense of purpose. We had come so far, done so much, survived the worst. We were going to win. No matter what it took.
Jack looked at me and smiled her feral grin. "Let's go, Jack. Let's go kill something."
She took my hand and led me out of the Briefing Room. I would follow her anywhere.