Mass Effect - A Hero Rises Ch. 48

We headed towards the armoury, picking up any last minute supplies before the team headed out. Kelly waited near the airlock for me, the team filing out first before I stopped and kissed her a final time. She didn't say anything as I hugged her tightly towards me, until she finally whispered, "I love you."

"I'll be back before you know it."

Our teams split up after sharing some last words with Garrus. I was surprised the Collectors hadn't come looking for us. EDI suggested the Collector base didn't have any internal security, simply because they would not have expected anyone to get through the relay itself, let alone make it all the way to where we were now. Sensible suggestion, and she would continue to monitor both our progress and anything going on within the base itself.

Legion reported its progress in the ventilation shaft at the same time. And the Collectors soon realised we'd arrived, sending plenty of their own soldiers to meet us. Gunfire erupted as I got to work, zipping all over the place, gunshot blasting away, while I could hear the thump of biotics as I knew Miranda and Jack, despite the enmity between them, could cause havoc when working together.

Thane took the position Garrus usually did, watching our six, armed with a sniper rifle. I knew the two had often compared the quality of the rifle they used. Thane preferred to get close to a target, but was equally as talented as Garrus with a ranged weapon. I heard the crack of his rifle every so often, generally targeting the Collectors we'd seen before that seemed to fly. Watching them blasted out of the air was rather amusing.

The progress was slow as, although we'd drawn attention, we didn't want all the Collectors heading to us straight away. Garrus reported in his progress at the same time, facing the same level of resistance. That left our enemy needing to split their forces as well, just like I wanted. And I knew everyone on the ship respected Garrus as a leader, so they'd follow his command just like they did myself.

Legion was trapped every so often by a blockage in the shaft, needing to open a series of doors as we moved on. That was annoying while having to deal with the Collectors, never a flood, more than a trickle, but a serious pain in the arse after a while. But we managed to get Legion to the end of the shaft, the doors opening that would allow us through, Garrus and his team covering us as the Collectors now threw everything at us.

Legion had done the job through the shaft, but it was also the first casualty. We covered it as the geth took fire as we tried to close the doors to cover ourselves. But it took too many bullets, eventually collapsing a few metres away from us. Tali, working to shut the door, looked back at me. "Close it," I ordered.

I'll be honest, I wasn't all that worried about losing the geth. It had barely been on the ship more than a couple of weeks and I'd never willingly trust a geth unit. It had done the job required of it. Tali certainly didn't shed any tears. I'd chatted to it once or twice while Tali refused to be in the same room. Not many others had much to do with it. Garrus certainly didn't think highly of the geth.

So no great loss in the end. Doubt many tears were going to be shed over the loss.

My attention was then taken by Miranda, who stated my name in such a manner that I couldn't help but approach her, looking up to where her eyes were obviously focused. The number of pods we could see was simply staggering. The pipes that spread above us sent a shiver down my spine. No point trying to count the pods. Billions of them, I reckoned. Enough for every single human in the galaxy. The intention was clear.

Thankfully, they didn't all appear to be full, but there were immediate cries to help those we could see. Approaching a nearby bank of pods, every single one appeared to contain a human, no doubt one of the colonists taken from any number of those hit by the Collectors over the previous few months.

I think it must have been Mordin who found a working console, and while I was busy trying to pry the lid off one of the pods, suddenly all the lids nearby just popped open, the colonist inside falling forward, gasping for breath. We helped them all up as Mordin somehow got the pods moving, and as each empty pod was moved away, a different pod was lowered and the lid opened. But the Collectors replied, and we soon heard screams...

"They're killing them!" Miranda cried.

We worked as quickly as possible, but the screams increased, and one of the last colonists I saw... The lid didn't release in time and I saw her turn into nothing but... I'm not sure what word to use. Goop? But she dissolved before my eyes, and I wasn't the only one to see the horror. And I knew I'd hear her final scream in my ears for the rest of my life.

"How many?" I asked.

Miranda did a quick head count. "Maybe fifty at most, Shepard."

"Fuck," I muttered. Turning back towards the survivors, they stuck close together. There was little any of us could really do to help them right now. God only knew what they'd been through. "We can't leave you here. You need to get back to the ship, and for that, you're going to need an escort. We've killed a lot of Collectors, but they won't want survivors. Tali, you're escort number one. Once you're back at the ship, you can help the engineers get the ship up and running. Mordin, you're escort number two. Help Chakwas with the survivors. They're going to need food, water, and medical attention. Do what you can."

"At once, Shepard," Tali stated.

"Who are you?" one of the colonists asked.

"Shepard. And this is my team. Follow Tali and Mordin. They'll get you somewhere safe. Once we've achieved our objective, we'll get you home."

"Shepard?" one colonist asked.

"Hang on, Commander Shepard? But you died!" another colonist exclaimed.

"It's a long story. Please, we can talk about this later. But you really need to get somewhere safe right now. The Collectors will come searching soon."

The colonists didn't need asking again, coming together as a group, Mordin and Tali leading them away, weapons in hand. I figured they'd reach the ship without any real problem as we'd wiped out nearly all Collectors. Once they were out of sight, I gathered my team together.

"At least we rescued a few," Jacob muttered, "But damn, how many..."

"Put that out of your mind, Jacob. And that goes for all of you," I stated, "Minds on the mission for now. Once we're done, then we'll talk about what we've just witnessed. I'm sure there was a reason for it all. Mordin would probably have had an answer, but to be honest, I don't care what they wanted. All that matters is that a lot of humans are now dead because of these fuckwits and I was blood as recompense for their lives. Anyone disagree with that?" I looked around, everyone met my eyes. "EDI, you have a schematic of the base. What's the next logical step?"

"There are two routes available. The one ahead is shorter. More direct. The main passage is longer but would be safer. Both lead to the main control room ahead. We will find the answer to your question there. There is one issue, though."

"What is it?"

"The more direct route ahead is overrun by seeker swarms, Shepard. The countermeasure Mordin produced cannot protect against those numbers. The main passage running parallel to that would be the safer option."

"Okay, so we split out teams again. I'll talk a small team through the swarms, the rest of you can loop around and meet us at the other end. And if the countermeasure won't work..." I gave it a few seconds thought, my eyes looking at my biotic colleagues. "Then what about a biotic barrier?"

"That could work, Shepard," Miranda replied, "But I would suggest more than one of us to keep you protected. In fact, I would suggest Samara and Jack first, then myself as back-up."

"Done. Garrus, take the rest of the squad and circle around. The Collectors probably won't anticipate us heading through the swarms, so hopefully once we gain their attention, we'll draw fire away from your team."

As our small teams prepared themselves, Garrus and I shared a final private word. "Always doing things the hard way, Shepard?"

"It's the direct route to where we need to go. And I think it's a solid plan. Crazy, but solid. But if we don't make it..." He gave me a look I recognised. "Just hear me out, but if we don't make it through, just make sure you destroy this base, no matter the cost, Garrus."

He nodded once. "No matter the cost, Shepard."

We shook his hands a final time before he strode towards his own team, issuing some final instructions before they headed for the nearby door. Samara, Miranda and Jack approached me as we headed to the door we needed. "Orders, Shepard?" Miranda asked.

"Samara, you hold the barrier first. Once you feel yourself tiring, Jack, that's when you'll step in. If you need to, Samara, take a few minutes to recover. Miranda, you're back up, but you're mostly support for myself when the Collectors arrive. Agreed?"

"Sensible plan, Shepard," Samara replied, "I will assist where I can too."

"Let me at the fuckers," Jack added.

"Good. Just what I wanted to hear." I checked over my assault rifle. "I can't do my usual thing so I'll hopefully be able to cover whoever is holding the barrier."

The next hour or so was an absolute pain the arse. I'm still not sure how the four of us made it through. Samara was a goddess, her biotic power simply unreal. She kept the barrier up for as long as she could until it started to flicker, Jack immediately stepping up and helping out, giving Samara time to cool down. Miranda worked alongside myself as the Collectors started to press forward, halting our progress more than once, which put more pressure on Samara and Jack. Halfway through the chamber, EDI providing constant updates on our progress, Miranda had to assist Jack, Samara assisting me, then swapping with Jack, who took her position at my side.

Whenever we came to a halt, I made sure whoever was holding up the barrier was in cover, and basically made myself a target for the Collectors. My shields failed constantly, and after doing that for around the third time, Miranda had to slap some medi-gel on a wound. She met my eyes but knew what I was doing. I wasn't going to die but I'd walked into the chamber knowing I was going to take wounds to protect them. If I didn't, we'd all die.

We made it through the chamber just in time, as all three biotics were exhausted by the end, the barrier only just remaining, Samara using the last of her strength to send an enormous shockwave that took out the last Collectors while making sure the swarms didn't follow us through the door. As they collapsed, Garrus was immediately on the radio, stating he was in urgent need of assistance, stuck at a locked door. I managed to get it open in time to allow his team through, the two of us providing covering fire, taking out even more Collectors before the doors slammed shut.

"Fucking hell," the turian muttered, "I know you didn't have it easy, but they threw everything at us plus the kitchen sink."

We gathered with the others, Samara and Jack munching on a couple of energy bars, Miranda simply leaning against a wall, hands on her knees. "We should be near the end," she stated, no lifting her head up.

"Agreed. EDI, you've been full of good advice so far. What have you got?"

"Two avenues, Shepard. One. There is a main control room nearby. I believe that may be the centre of Collector operations."

I shared a glance with those around me. "You mean some sort of Collector leader?"

"That would be my assumption, Shepard."

"Okay, and what would be option two?"

"Nearby platforms should transport you to the main control console. No doubt it will be located near the core of the station. From there you can overload the system and destroy the base."

"Easy enough."

"That is not all, Shepard. No doubt the Collectors will be aware of your options as well. Sensors indicate there are Collectors currently building on the other side of the door through which Garrus and his team just passed."

"Okay. We'll deal with it. Thanks, EDI." I looked around my team. "Okay people, you've done brilliantly so far but we need just one final push. We blow this fucking base sky high and then we go home. I don't plan on dying here, do you?"

"Fuck no," Jack replied.

"Having someone to live for gives me hope I will survive, Shepard," Thane added.

"I'm going to take a small team onwards. That means the rest of your will need to watch our backs. It won't be easy. No doubt the Collectors will throw everything at you. But there is a chance those coming with me... It's going to be a one-way ticket. I won't give an order. I'm asking for volunteers for this final bit." I should have known each of them stepped forward. I couldn't help grin, meeting all their eyes. "Garrus, you've been marvellous so far. Can you lead the team staying behind?"

"Of course, Shepard. I've got your back."

"I don't know what to expect back there. I'm going to want biotics, so Samara, think you can handle some more?"

"I already feel ready to fight the rest of the Collectors, Shepard."

"Good. And Miranda, you willing to give everything for the cause?"

"At your side, Shepard."

"We have no idea why lies ahead for the three of us. All that matters is making sure the Collectors are wiped out and this station no longer exists once we're done. That means if I give the order for you to leave, you follow it. Understand?" Garrus nodded immediately, not willing to argue as I used the right tone to get it through. "I don't plan on dying in this godforsaken shithole, but there was always the possibility of this being a one-way trip. So if Garrus gives the command to leave, you follow it."

"But you don't plan on dying, Shepard," Kasumi half-joked.

I jerked a thumb at my back. "Let's just say I've come prepared for any eventuality."

This was not the time for any fancy speeches. Miranda, Samara and I climbed onto the platform we needed, the rest offering a salute as it started to ascend and move in the direction we needed. The Collectors were ready for us, and they met us in force. I have no idea how many the three of us killed over the next hour or so. They sent all sorts of monsters in our direction but we handled them all, Samara pretty much turning into biotic artillery at times, Miranda a real mix of biotics and tech, leaving me to do my usual thing, blasting away anything stupid enough to come in range. One or two close calls, as always, but there was a reason why medi-gel was invented.

Garrus reported in every so often. The Collectors were attacking, that much was obvious, but they'd set a good defensive wall, everyone coming together, using their talents, barely taking a scratch. I told him to keep me in the loop, and if things got really intense, we'd do what we could to hurry up.

The Collectors continued to come towards us until, bizarrely, it all went quiet. We found another platform that would take us forward, and that's when EDI decided to give us some information.

"The tubes you have been following appear to be feeding into some sort of super-structure. It is emitting both organic and non-organic signatures. Given these readings, the structure must be enormous."

I felt a knot form in my stomach as I knew bad news was coming. "What are you saying, EDI?"

Before she could reply, I could see what she was going to say. I heard Miranda mutter 'What the fuck?' under her breath, Samara simply whispering 'Goddess'. "Shepard, if my calculations are correct, the super-structure is a Reaper."

"Not just a Reaper, EDI. It's a human Reaper," I murmured. "Okay, EDI, what else?"

"Based on abduction statistics, the Collectors have likely processed tens of thousands of humans. Significantly more would be required to complete the Reaper."

"How the hell are the Collectors able to build this thing?" Miranda asked.

"The technology is not their own, Miranda. The human Reaper is a clear indication that the Collectors are merely another pawn of the Reapers. It is possible the same thing is done during each cycle, each harvested species builds the Reaper of another cycle."

"Why us?" I asked, "What's the point? Aren't Reapers just machines?"

"Reapers are sapient creatures, Shepard. A fusion of organic and inorganic materials. I cannot be one hundred percent sure, but it appears the Reapers absorb the 'essence' of a species. As stated in your mission logs, the glowing Collector continually stated species of this cycle would ascend."

"Fuck it, this thing is the first thing destroyed." I took the heavy weapon from my back. I'd never used it before but I figured I would have find a reason to use it during this final mission. Miranda and Samara took a couple of steps back as I wasted no time aiming and firing. The human-Reaper hybrid construct collapsed off whatever was holding it in place and disappeared from view. Rather anticlimactic, to be honest, but I didn't want a long firefight. Job done, far as I was concerned. Now it was a case of blowing it all up. "Garrus, how are things your way? Holding on?"

"We're holding well, Shepard. The Collectors have sent considerable forces our way, but we've got the numbers to hold the line for a while longer. We can't keep it up forever though. We will have to fall back eventually."

"Call the Normandy. Ask Joker to meet you nearby. We're done here and should be out in a minute."

"You sure, Shepard? We can cover you a while longer."

"Yep. Don't foresee any major issues. Fall back slowly, try and take out as many as you can to cover our escape."

"Okay, see you back on the ship, Shepard."

"Of course. Don't plan on dying here."

"Good to know. Squad, fall back!"

Before we could get to work in regards to ensuring the base was blown to smithereens, Joker then got in contact. I was hoping for an update about the state of my ship. Instead, he informed me that the Illusive Man was trying to get in contact. I shared a glance with Miranda. The blank look return told me everything I needed to know. It was like we both already knew what he wanted.

Miranda keyed her omni-tool, a hologram of the Illusive Man appearing nearby. "Shepard. You've done the impossible."

"Apparently I'm the man who does that. But we're not done here just yet."

"Don't be so hasty, Shepard. I'm looking at the schematics of the base. A timed radiation pulse would kill the remaining Collectors but leave the machinery and technology intact."

I shared another glance with Miranda. I almost felt sympathy for her. No-one in their right mind would consider keeping this place in one piece, not after the atrocity that had taken place here. If the Collectors hadn't been stopped, it would have been genocide. "You're joking, right?"

"This is our chance, Shepard. The Collectors were building a Reaper. Just think about that for a second! That knowledge could eventually save us."

"And you have no problem with the fact the Collectors have just spent many months liquefying tens to hundreds of thousands of human colonists to build said Reaper?"

"Their sacrifice will not be in vain and will be remembered once we are victorious against the Reapers."

I couldn't help myself. I started to laugh, earning curious glances from my two colleagues. "If you think I'm going to hand you, of all people, the keys to this place, then you have sorely underestimated the influence you think you have over me. This place is abomination. What the Collectors have done here won't be forgotten, but I will not let this place remain. I'm blowing it and there is no argument you could possibly use to change my mind. Miranda, lose this channel, I'm tired of his voice."