“I don’t think any of us are likely to forget.”
Bailey cocked his head in acknowledgment.
“That battle was the first and only opportunity that most of us had had to see the Citadel transform from open spread to arms folded. While you were up there saving all of our asses, we were down in C-Sec running scans and diagnostics on each and every single circuit board, mass effect field and hydraulic system we could think of and find.”
Open mouths stared at the projection as he continued, pointing over and over to areas and systems on board the Citadel that not one of them recognized.
“With the arms closed, the Citadel is a different beast, Shepard – Admiral Hackett.”
Bailey made to continue but Hackett, having been re-introduced to the discussion, cut him off.
“Why the hell didn’t any of us have this information, commander?”
Bailey licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry.
“We informed the Council of our findings and scans after the threat from Saren and Sovereign had passed. They made the ‘executive decision’ that the data was too volatile and exploitable to have out there for just anyone to see. So we were instructed to keep it under lock and key at all times…..as is C-Sec’s job and obligation.”
Turning gratefully back to the display, Shepard re-focused the drive of the group.
“So, what is this line you’ve highlighted?”
Bailey smiled slowly and nodded at her, bringing the holographic blueprints of the thin red line he had highlighted into sharp focus.
“At best guess – a service tunnel.”
Murmurs and hurried whispers escaped the crowd, Shepard glanced at Garrus from under her visor, sharing thoughts without speaking. But James was more than happy to speak now,
“What the fu…I’m sorry…what? The Reapers need ‘service tunnels’??”
Bailey shrugged, letting the data speak for itself as both Shepard and Hackett tamed James with looks.
“Well – just because they’re the Reapers – doesn’t mean to say they’re not bound by the physics of the universe. I guess even the Reapers have to build contingencies into their structures. It stands to reason that they’d want a fail-safe access to the Citadel with the arms closed.”
Shepard almost broke Bailey’s last sentence, the same muddy plan forming in her head as was in all of their heads.
“How big is it??”
Bailey’s voice was lower as he answered.
“Not huge, Shepard. Probably only big enough for large shuttle carriers. Certainly not a cruiser…or the Normandy.”
Nodding, Shepard licked her chapped, dry lips, a strange rhythm coming from somewhere inside her. Something sacred that she had almost lost. When she spoke, it was as if it came from a different part of her – a part that had been constructed for this one moment. Her lips moved without her willing them.
“Two teams will need to get on board. One to locate the Defiance virus, and one to open the arms and allow the Crucible to dock. We will need the two fastest personnel carriers in the Alliance. More than that, there’s going to also have to be a decoy force that draws the Reapers attention for a few minutes until we get inside the service tunnel. Otherwise, we’re vaporized.”
Hackett was already working, Anderson just sat looking at Shepard, a wistful look gracing his worn face. Not one person in the camp was left seated – standing they felt together, involved. Troops were dispersing, commanded by their adrenaline and not their superior officers.
~
Breath coming from her shuddering lungs, Shepard embraced the reality of their plan as she was left with a core of individuals around her. Samara’s peaceful temperament belied the feeling of the moment, Miranda waited patiently, knowing through experience what she was entering into. Each and every individual from her past lent her strength to talk, to plan.
“Both objectives are as important as one another. If we fail at either, then we forfeit the entire galaxy’s future. You all understand that.”
It wasn’t a question, but many nodded regardless. They had the calm of dignified sacrifice in their eyes, and not for the first time. They would follow this woman to whatever end. Shepard spoke again.
“I will go with the first team to locate the memory shard. Javik will be with us – without him, we don’t stand a chance in locating it. Liara – you’ll need to be with us, too. Your biotics and background in Prothean archeology will be indispensable.”
The young asari stepped forward from her position at the rear of the ground, nodding quietly.
“Of course, Shepard.”
Shepard looked into Liara’s eyes, and saw weariness, and pride. Love and pride and gratitude for her asari comrade overwhelmed her.
“The second team will need to make their way to Citadel Tower, to get the arms open. Jack – I want you there. Miranda – you too. Whatever waits for them up the tower, you can bet it’s not going to be pleasant. If those arms don’t get opened…it’s all over. The second team…”
She turned to Garrus who stood next to her, as ever, her racing mind causing her to overlook an odd flash that passed across the turian’s face.
“Garrus…I need someone with them. Someone I can trust – again. They need you.”
He regarded her with an odd expression, his voice was stone.
“No.”
Her blood ran cold as she looked at him.
“What…”
He turned away from her for a moment, his breath quick and shallow, clenching and unclenching his fists rapidly. Whirling on his heel to look at her, his normally cool voice was broken.
“No, Shepard. Don’t ask me to do this. I won’t. I can’t. Too long have I lived for the many and not for the one. I’ve passed through too many second-and-third chances with you. If we go to our deaths, I go with you.”
As far as she was concerned, as the tears collected in the corner of her eyes, the camp was deserted but for her and the turian she loved. She swallowed without effect, and nodded shallowly. Laying a hand on his arm, she conceded quietly.
“Okay. It’s okay…”
A few moments elapsed where only the swirling wind could be heard ruffling the assembled tents in the camp. Miranda was the first to break the silence.
“With respect, Shepard – you don’t need a ‘leader’ for the second team. We’re hardly likely to get lazy over this.”
Then, an English accent came from behind her as more voices lent themselves to the plan.
“I’ll go with them, Shepard. After five days in Big Ben, it’ll be a vacation.”
Major Coats offered his hand to the last hope of the allied species. His noble gesture was accepted, even as Shepard heard the faltering unease he failed to conceal.
Lifting her hand from Garrus’ arm, Shepard looked over at Hackett silently. The same black, troubled look had veiled his face as had hers.
“Who do we ask to be the decoy fleet? How…how do we ask that of anyone, sir?”
Hackett met her gaze with the wisdom of his decades as Fifth Fleet’s Admiral.
“I uh…I can put the word out, Shepard. We – we have many good commanders and many valiant captains. There will not be any shortage of those wanting to help in any way possible, I can promise tha…”
But he was cut off prematurely by another voice – a synthetic one. Shepard screwed her eyes tight shut as she listened to the next sacrifice of the geth.
>> Prime11a2298-634 wishes to communicate that the geth can man a moderate sized fleet of ships remotely, with minimal loss of sentient hardware.>The Geth have one dreadnought and several fleets of cruisers stationed in orbit on the opposite side of this planet. They can be mobilized with a small crew of our technicians within 1.362 hours. Shepard-Commander – please instruct.>Affirmative.>Affirmative. Please initiate assembly of remote fleet when required.>Affirmative.>Legion’s sacrifice exists within us all. I…am sorry for his loss. The Geth’s contributi
ons in the war with the Old Machines would not have been possible without his actions.>Affirmative. We will comply.>Affirmative. Geth dreadnoughts and fighters forming the decoy force are positioned along the termination line of this planet. Their fuel cores and batteries are at maximum capacity and armed.>We are ready, Shepard-Commander.>Egyptian mythology, symbolizing life after death. We acknowledge – this is an appropriate metaphor for this individual unit.>Shepard-Commander – remorse is unnecessary. The units lost were aware of the mission parameters and had agreed that the loss of their hardware was necessary to further our objective.>Target acquired.>The Old Machines have been experimenting on this subject.>Shepard-Commander. The organic members of this team appear to be experiencing a neurological malfunction.>The Citadel’s arms remain closed, virus still requiring delivery. What are your orders?>Shepard-Commander. Secondary allied force has been successful in initiating ward arm separation.>However, without accompanying organic allies returning to functionality, the likelihood of completing ultimate mission objective remains below twelve percent. Please advise.>We will comply.>Cannot establish consensus……..no data available. Please return this unit to within Collective proximity for reconfiguration.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends