Chapter 79
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I pushed through the doors and received a message from the ship. Indigo was adorned in Primarch Armor. It was Horus' old Armor before it became warped by Chaos' power. No gun's on the bulking armor of his. His body did not fit the armor. He was wearing it to make himself look bigger. Look important. Reckoning was really good at dissecting this guy psyche. I wished I had a higher charisma to work on him what I knew.
"We are on our way," Hotshot said. Her voice sounded bad but she was talking so that was good. "We can either take out Sovereign or blow up the Citadel really."
"Heh, take out Sovereign. With him taken down, it will give me a hell of a lot more help." I saw Indigo just floating there like a false god. "Just bring it down and come here. If any Arwing can get here, that would be nice.
"Ah, Azul. You made it here. I am surprised you did not die." He flexed his power. It did not work. "You have counter my power somehow. How interesting." His smile actually made my stomach hurt. "My Operator has trained you well." His biotic strands washed into me. He was such a .. wimp. He wanted Galtea to hide behind. My fight with him earlier even scared him a little.
"So you just couldnt let her go!? The hell. Your just a super beta male bitch. I cant believe this." I was actually disappointed in the creep. "You could have just cloned her and got over it."
"Beta.. male. Your an idiot." Indigo shook his head at me. "Galtea has so much power. You could have ruled everything with her. I even took 95% of her power back then." He tapped his chest on top of a jewel. A prison for Galtea. "I am draining the rest of her as we speak. Soon she and I will be one. I will create a new Administration, a new platform for the new regime. My regime under my control."
"What about the Operators you killed. They had nothing to do with this. Neither the new Users. Heck, even some of the old Users weren't in your way. So why them?" I looked around the battlefield for anything as I moved around.
"Because they could rise up and stop me. Each new User had the potential to unlock a special ability to deal with me. Or a useless one like yourself." Indigo tried to taunt me. It wouldn't work since I was already angry. Just added fuel to the fire. "I think we could have been friends.. I have taken in your personal memories from Galtea. So many to go through however."
"Right.. so your just a loser.. not even really a villain. Just a kid wanting to redo the sandbox he played in. What's wrong daddy didnt love you as a little.." I had to dodge as a blast of psychic energy shot out. It went straight through a down shuttle. "Oh, damn did you get done like that kid from Magicians? Sorry dude didnt know."
"Dont you dare pity me!" Indigo became angry and space warped a little.
System: Strength Check 31 Pass
"What? Totally not pity." I jumped away from the next blast and fell against a turned over shuttle. Wrapping it in my biotics I threw it at him. "Jeez bad beta. Here is a shuttle to make it all better!"
"Boom," The shuttle exploded. A dust cloud blocked my view for a moment. "Bwoom," A barrier was in the way. He was shielded himself.
"Well damn. Guess I couldnt luck out in you sucking. I mean you still suck, but you have the gear to make up for your shortcomings." I wanted him off his game if even a little. Or enough to screw up somewhere. "Man so many issues with you. Why are you like this? Did your mama touch you to?"
"You will die!" He gritted his teeth as he created warp fire in the air. He turned it into a spear and chucked it at me. "Warp Bolt!"
When it came over I wrapped it in biotic energy and dispersed it. My guess was right. He was not a fighter. The information from earlier was not false at all. He had power but no experience really.
"Man so mean. Here I was trying to have a conversation with you. I mean, its the last thing you could do after killing so many of my people." I tried to rouse Galtea Inside him. "You killed women I was to marry. Killed my friends, my family I build, and destroyed my buildings. Not very nice I might add. The damage to fix everything will put me in debt."
His eyes flickered for a moment before returning to normal.
System: Charm Check Fail
"I mean the things are not important. I tell you what, revive my people and give me back Galtea and we call this even." I watched as he struggled for a bit. "Ugh, I tried being nice. I am going to sue you. You little pendja."
"I know what you are trying to do," Indigo said as he floated.
"Oh and that is?" I felt something inside tear. My connection with everyone was gone. I do not know if that was from the System still acting up or not. The Trickster said he would stop any outside interference but he did become busy. I felt hollow. My powers all kicked up in response to my sense of loss.
"You are stalling for the others to come and help you."
"Pft, not even." I sat atop a bunch of dead people nearby. "My people are all dead." I flipped my screen over and showed it to him. "Take a look, my status says so, my soul bonds feel that way as well. I am actually just hoping a few ships ram into this place and we all get blown to kingdom come. I think you will die from that."
Indigo's eyes shot open for a bit. "I can Rift out if that happens." He was smug but it didn't seem like he thought of that. "Your fear tactic won't work."
"Fear tactic. I am being truthful here beta boy. My people are gone. The Systrm is not gonna help me in this situation because of your influence. I mean you corrupted some admins and even infected an Avatar's wife. You know how much the System is impressed with you boy? A crap ton. And that sucks royally. When this is over, the number of points you will have. They will be scary. It makes things pointless. Even if I win. I still lose." I waited for a while as my spells connected. I kept casting on my self. I hope I distracted him enough.
"You could join me?" Indigo asked me expectantly. He was scared for some reason.
"Cant. You killed my people," I answer immediately I should have waited some. "It would be rude of me to. I mean you can bring them all back and that will help convince me a little." I raised my hand up an pinched my fingers.
"No."
"Well damn. Buff." My magic pushed my body up as I stoped. "Well I am prepared as best I can. Ostia." I Telported to his front and swung as I pulled out my axe. 'Power Break!'
My axe was wrapped in magic already. Hopefully he couldnt discern the spell infusion. It caught against his shield and went through a second later. I caught his neck and cut the fibers a little off the the armor.
"How cute." Indigo raised his hand and punched me in the gut. Felt as if a bowling bowl went through me. "You got heart User."
Health -73
"Pft, kid? I am a few 1000 years old. Unlike you brat." I wobbled only a little before I swung up with my Axe. I caught him under the armpit. "You are only a few centuries. What happened? Became to much of a punjabi .."
He cut me off as he flexed his left hand and sent me flying. "Booom'" I went through a building completely destroying my armor. All I had left was my Cerebus armor underneath. At least it repairs a little.
"Kooh, this is crap." I took a breath when I stood up. I was not feeling optimistic about this. "You cheating beta." Climbing out of the building I noticed my magic buffs were gone already. "You.. dispelled me. That's just flipping great." I teleported over to him and swung with Ostia again. "You suck!"
System: Perception Check 38 Pass
"Insolent old-timer." Indigo had the cheek to call me an old-timer. I would have laughed if this was a different situation. "Begone!" I noticed it in his eyes. He was scared. The instant he said it, I felt my self sent halfway around the Citadel falling in the air. I allowed myself to fall as I turned Ostia downward. I tried to build some momentum. Before I hit the ground I Teleported.
'Teleport Strike!' When I arrived, I activated my Laguz half shift transformation for more umpf. 'Mind Break!' My axe cut through his new barrier with ease and the cut dug into his flesh. "No way is it this easy." I was right. He backhanded me.
As rolled on the floor I looked up to see my Aeons appear one by one. They went into Anima who appeared in her true form. A giant chain went out wrapping around Indigo. Power of Death and Darkness engulfing him. Something his fragile mind couldnt deal with.
'Hurry and recover. I cant hold him much longer.' Anima said to me. Her Dark power circled around him. I watched Indigo panic a little. 'Here some help.' She sent the power from the aeon I created with Riku.
"Kindness Drops!" I said as the spell washed over me, healing me. I used Misty Fist as I teleported back in his face. and punched him. My spell had power that actually let me go past his shield this time.
"Pow," my fist hit him dead cented in the face and sent his head reeling. I felt his anger finally come out. Then another so come forth. The one he took from that User maybe? "Pow," I gave him another punch when his jaw moved up. His armor fell to decay a little.
"Sching," Anima's chain wrapped around him as I started beating his face in. It's not gonna be enough to cave his skull in. I had to do something big. Pulling all the moisture in the air and surroundings as well as the water in various creatures' blood and molded everything together.
"Poseidon Destroyer!" Launching the ball of energy into Indigo, I watched as he stopped it with his hands. "RAGGHH!" I fired a Concussive shot next at Max power. It merged with the move.
"Pathetic. Is this all you have left? They all died for nothing then." Indigo gripped my move and tried to dissipate it. He struggled as he used power he didnt fully understand.
"Adrenaline rush!" I teleported to his other side. "Ha..do..ken!" Firing at his back, I watched as he flinched a little. He was stopping it with his mind. I felt the mental energy wash off him. I didnt let up. With a thought, I sent Slannesh around. 'Go! Take all the psychic residue. Even what's in the Citadel and use it. The Trickster should have gotten what it wanted earlier.'
"That sword cant..do.." Indigo eyes flashed at me. "What is that sword?!" I saw the panic in his eyes. "Where did you get it from!?"
The trillions of echoes of psychic energy from over the centuries poured into Slannesh and me. I couldnt handle it as I was. Slannesh gorged on it. He healed me and went back to eating right after. Then I felt it. The will of the world. A small whisper. A pillar was nearby. I just couldnt tell who it was.
"You will die! You are not strong enough to beat me." Indigo yelled.
"You are right. I am no where near strong enough. But I am comfortable with that." I didnt give a shit about that. "Overlord's Fury." Gripping Slannsh with my hands I felt my body come apart from the power. I swung down and impaled him on it.
"Heh! Trash." Indigo said smugly. "So weak that's why I took her back from you."
Slannesh stopped his movements long enough for Posiden Destroyer to detonate.
"Kaboom!" The blast made his knees buckle as it sent me flying into a wall. I was forced to let my sword go. The hado was out of my control as it started to dissipate.
Health -342
System: Willpower Check 31 Pass
"Told you, you were not strong enough." Indigo looked at me with a grin. His hand lifted as he stabbed me in the chest with a Chaos spear. "You are a Primarch yes? Die by a Primarch's weapon." He twisted the spear and I felt my chest start to burn.
Health -74
I stood on shaking legs beaten and body broken. I felt I had a little left in me somewhere. "No shit fool. But she is." I pointed at his chest. The sword had broken the spell he used to capture and hinder Galtea. "Ugh, Slaneesh we got to finish this punk." I felt the sword come to my hand as I stumbled forward. I barely took two steps before falling down a mess.
"Rip," a rift gate opened and she came out. Pissed as can be.
"Ha, so she is free. Big whoop. She doesn't have it in her to hurt me." Indigo taunted me. He turned to me and fired a weird blast of energy at me. I felt disoriented.
"I learned a lot from My User. My real User." Galtea said loud enough for me to hear. "Some times… you have to hurt the ones you love to do the right thing." She looked back at me and smiled. I couldnt hear what she said next.
"Boom," the world went bright as she released power I could never fathom before. All across the Citadel rift gates opened sucking in those who did not belong here. Whatever that couldnt blend in disappeared.
I woke up later in the hospital. I was out only for a week. Shepard was just looking at me. A sad smile on his face. Couldnt tell what he was sad about.
"Hey we have work to do." He threw a pair of clothes at me. "Get dressed for we can get you some points to fix things." Shepard had a ball in his that he broke. I felt my head burn for a bit. I couldnt remember anything again. I was dealing with amnesia. I didnt even remember leaving Final Fantasy 10. That's how bad it was. Something was wrong but it would be fixed after this mission I knew that much. I heard his voice as I faded back out. "Do not worry, I think the plan will work."
-Coming to I was dressed in some Alliance clothing-
"This is crap," I grumbled while on the command deck of the Alliance Vessel. A copy of the Normandy that Shepard set up for the Collectors to attack. 'I feel so groggy. I swear I had something else I was supposed to be doing.' Pulling on my memories I digested the information again to help.
The plan Galtea and Shepard cooked up was stupid. I just received some extra points for myself and to allow Shepard to do some clandestine operations, I was to take control of the false Normandy and act in his stead for the attack.
The only people onboard were me, Ashley, and Dr.Chakwas. A few Alliance officers fresh out the Academy. They oversaw the operations of the ship as I acted as Commander. Ashley checked to make sure the bots could do what was needed in the place of a living crew. Dr.Chakwas made sure the robots moved effectively in case we had an emergency situation. For the last 5 hours, they kept running medical drills throughout the ship.
Standing at the deck I observed the proceedings. This still didnt sit well with me in the slightest. I cant believe they convince the brass to do this. Seeing me still grumpy Williams came up.
"Hey Commander, you ok." Her tone was neutral but I could feel her frustration. "How are you doing with the operations? Bored yet?"
"No, not at all Lt. The operations are fine. Its purpose is nice and all. But I dont like being bait. Definitely not bored."
Ashley thought for a moment. Then snapped to. "I freaking knew there was something wrong here! What do you mean bait?"
"What do you mean, what do I mean?" I stared at her like she had a screw loose. "We are bait for the strange thing out there. There is no way you didn't know?"
"I did not!" Williams yelled angrily. Her composure was broken. "So are we just going to stay here to get slaughtered?!"
"No. Evacuee procedures are ready. This is a real test using an extremely dangerous real threat. This will be the first attack of the new enemy. Casualties will be low. That is the reason for the extra bots." I did my best to placate her. Then I explained the intel received on the "Collectors" as well as my personal information on them. "Also Alliance ships as well Citadel ships are in wait ok?"
"So the Collectors are reaped Protheans. This is ridiculous." Ashley stood rubbing her head in pain. "This is ridiculous. We beat back the Reapers didnt we? I understand their would be remanats but this is ridiculous."
"You beat back a scout ship. More will come in the future five or eight years estimated. John is doing what he can to build up an army right now. A few others are building up a resistance as well. The problem is the Council. They won't allow mass armaments of organizations so easily."
"That is stupid."
"The evidence is not enough to keep mass hesteria from breaking out. The council is doing what it can to keep the peace as is." Seeing her frowning face I decided to let her know a little more information. "Deals are going on to get some of the key races to help. We wont get caught with our pants down Lieutenant."
"What about the lives lost in the meantime?"
"That is what this exercise is for. To see if we can operate ships with less lives lost. With the Geth still being a problem, their is no way any of the races will allow any of the bots to be allowed with A.I. command systems."
"God help us. This is dangerous." Ashley said trembling a little. Couldnt tell if it was fear or anger.
"Aye." I could only nod my head in agreement.
"Please tell me you are a believer." Ashley looked at me like I was a lifeline.
'Crap I forgot she is religous. I cannot just tell her their are gods you can literally meet face to face. That will be way to out there.' Shaking my head no I could only respond vaguely. "A believer no. It is more suffice it to say I lack faith in the almighty. But that is my own personal belief. I failed God a long time ago. Just as I was failed." I couldnt help but recall my time back on my homeworld. "Nevermind that. We need to make sure we survive this. As well as the data getting to the Alliance to help against the Collector threat."
"Right!" Williams said cheerfully. Her biotic strands poured into me. She was happy. Glad that I had a crisis of faith. Better that then none at all. "When this mission is over.. drinks on me, Commander." She gave me a strong look. "Call me Commander some times. We did fight on Vermine and on the Citadel."
"You got it, Lieutenant," I responded automatically. But the information felt off somehow. 'I fought on the Citadel and Vermine? Why don't I remember?'
"I should finish my rounds. Nice talk Commander." Ashley then started to walk away.
"Oh before I forget. Always keep fighting Williams. No matter what."
"Aye aye, Skipper." With that, she left in the lift.
Looking at the map in front if me I couldn't help but feel my hearts beat sporadically. This feeling was worse than looking at that Hive Tyrant. Danger was here but what could it be.
-A few hours later-
"I am not doing that," I yelled over comms to her. "Galtea open a rift and get me out of here." Running through the decks of the ship, I helped everyone I could get to the lifeboats.
"You will not die. Think of all the goodies you will get." Galtea said trying to convince me to do this. "It will be painful but worth it."
"The answer is no!" I yelled in my helmet. Securing the last members I checked the map for anybody else. A few still held up in medical still. "Damn it.!" Rushing over I head that way. The ship took another hit sending me bouncing about.
System: Dexterity Check Successful 20
Opening the door manually the tools and supplies flew out.
Grabbing the side I activate my Misty Fist and Biotic shield for the debris.
"Anybody in here?!" I yelled to no avail. Moving in I felt the gravity shift before returning to normal.
"Over here a voice yelled out."
I ran up to find Dr. Chakwas kneeling in pain. To the side, Ashley was out cold. A piece of metal stabbed in her shoulder.
"What in the heck happened?" I asked as I helped lift them both up. Ashley held cradled in my arm. I allowed a little biotic energy in case with my runic magic to help stabilise her. Dr.Chakwas gave her quick once over. She then looked at me weirdly before getting back to it. Running to grab a medigel she applied it. We then left to go to the nearest escape pod.
"Boom," another explosion happened behind us. Dr.Chakwas hit the seal hatch as we passed it. Reaching the first escape pod we pried it open. Dr.Chakwas got in first and checked it over. The few pieces of wreckage inside was moved over as I set Ashley inside to the side and strapped her in. She groggily woke up.
"Easy Lieutenant. Stay still, for now, you took a nad injury." I said feeling her first panic. She settled in quickly afterward. All those years of training taking effect swiftly. I look to Dr.Chakwas who had bad news considering jer expression.
"Commander the air supply has been damaged. It won't accommodate more than two people. It barely has enough for two." Dr.Chakwas started to try an get to the exit. I pushed her back inside. "What are you doing?!"
Cerebus Node: Guarantee the survival of Dr.Chakwas and Lt.Williams.
"Making sure you two make it." I stepped out and close the door and hit the jetson on the pod. Running around I searched for another pod. "Galtea I know you hear me! Get me out of here!"
Galtea: It is too late. The Collectors are getting ready to fire again.
As soon as she said that I felt the ship take heavy fire. Before I could rebuke back again. The ship strained and broke apart. I watched as it vented the atmosphere. I slid across the opening. I held on for dear life. "Damn it! Anyone? Help?!"
I heard a voice on the other line, then a few others.
"You will be ok. We are on our way!" Chari yelled.
"Hurry!" With that another explosion hit. The part of the ship I was located at broke completely apart. I went tumbling through space. Activating my biotic shield I kicked it to max. I smashed against multiple pieces of Debris. Then I saw it, the Collector ship. It fired again on the fake Normady. When a pod drifted to close I thought they would see it when the ship turned.
'No!' I screamed in my head. Gathering everybit of my energy and everything from my shield and fired a Concussive Shot at the side of the ship. I watched as the brow turned to them. At that time an Alliance ship dropped in. Followed by an Asari ship. They opened fire on the collectorship causing it to flee. The momentum from my shot and a firing explosion blasted me towards out of everyones range. In a few seconds, I was no longer visible.
" Huff.. huff.." I couldnt breathe. My breathing attachment in my helmet started to malfunction. Biotics were spent. My magic drained and gone. I could feel nothing. All my power left me as I drifted in space. I finally felt something. I wished I didnt. I felt the coldness of space. My suit started to part open. "So cold!" In a split second, the air was taken out of me. I felt both of my lungs collapsed. My two hearts seized next.
As I fell building up speed I thought I would lose consciousness. I was not lucky enough. My power gathered and returned. But to slow and to late. Breaking through the atmosphere everything burned up for the most part. My hair was gone layers of my flesh. The parts of my armor that didnt break apart, fused into my skin.
"Boom!" I hit the ground underneath me. I couldnt move or breath. But my power kept me alive.
The System Message gave me a little peace of mind.
System: User has completed scenario for World. Having taken the place of Commander John \u0026 Jane Shepard. Bonus awarded .... calculating. Proceeding to Administration space..
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
I pushed through the doors and received a message from the ship. Indigo was adorned in Primarch Armor. It was Horus' old Armor before it became warped by Chaos' power. No gun's on the bulking armor of his. His body did not fit the armor. He was wearing it to make himself look bigger. Look important. Reckoning was really good at dissecting this guy psyche. I wished I had a higher charisma to work on him what I knew.
"We are on our way," Hotshot said. Her voice sounded bad but she was talking so that was good. "We can either take out Sovereign or blow up the Citadel really."
"Heh, take out Sovereign. With him taken down, it will give me a hell of a lot more help." I saw Indigo just floating there like a false god. "Just bring it down and come here. If any Arwing can get here, that would be nice.
"Ah, Azul. You made it here. I am surprised you did not die." He flexed his power. It did not work. "You have counter my power somehow. How interesting." His smile actually made my stomach hurt. "My Operator has trained you well." His biotic strands washed into me. He was such a .. wimp. He wanted Galtea to hide behind. My fight with him earlier even scared him a little.
"So you just couldnt let her go!? The hell. Your just a super beta male bitch. I cant believe this." I was actually disappointed in the creep. "You could have just cloned her and got over it."
"Beta.. male. Your an idiot." Indigo shook his head at me. "Galtea has so much power. You could have ruled everything with her. I even took 95% of her power back then." He tapped his chest on top of a jewel. A prison for Galtea. "I am draining the rest of her as we speak. Soon she and I will be one. I will create a new Administration, a new platform for the new regime. My regime under my control."
"What about the Operators you killed. They had nothing to do with this. Neither the new Users. Heck, even some of the old Users weren't in your way. So why them?" I looked around the battlefield for anything as I moved around.
"Because they could rise up and stop me. Each new User had the potential to unlock a special ability to deal with me. Or a useless one like yourself." Indigo tried to taunt me. It wouldn't work since I was already angry. Just added fuel to the fire. "I think we could have been friends.. I have taken in your personal memories from Galtea. So many to go through however."
"Right.. so your just a loser.. not even really a villain. Just a kid wanting to redo the sandbox he played in. What's wrong daddy didnt love you as a little.." I had to dodge as a blast of psychic energy shot out. It went straight through a down shuttle. "Oh, damn did you get done like that kid from Magicians? Sorry dude didnt know."
"Dont you dare pity me!" Indigo became angry and space warped a little.
System: Strength Check 31 Pass
"What? Totally not pity." I jumped away from the next blast and fell against a turned over shuttle. Wrapping it in my biotics I threw it at him. "Jeez bad beta. Here is a shuttle to make it all better!"
"Boom," The shuttle exploded. A dust cloud blocked my view for a moment. "Bwoom," A barrier was in the way. He was shielded himself.
"Well damn. Guess I couldnt luck out in you sucking. I mean you still suck, but you have the gear to make up for your shortcomings." I wanted him off his game if even a little. Or enough to screw up somewhere. "Man so many issues with you. Why are you like this? Did your mama touch you to?"
"You will die!" He gritted his teeth as he created warp fire in the air. He turned it into a spear and chucked it at me. "Warp Bolt!"
When it came over I wrapped it in biotic energy and dispersed it. My guess was right. He was not a fighter. The information from earlier was not false at all. He had power but no experience really.
"Man so mean. Here I was trying to have a conversation with you. I mean, its the last thing you could do after killing so many of my people." I tried to rouse Galtea Inside him. "You killed women I was to marry. Killed my friends, my family I build, and destroyed my buildings. Not very nice I might add. The damage to fix everything will put me in debt."
His eyes flickered for a moment before returning to normal.
System: Charm Check Fail
"I mean the things are not important. I tell you what, revive my people and give me back Galtea and we call this even." I watched as he struggled for a bit. "Ugh, I tried being nice. I am going to sue you. You little pendja."
"I know what you are trying to do," Indigo said as he floated.
"Oh and that is?" I felt something inside tear. My connection with everyone was gone. I do not know if that was from the System still acting up or not. The Trickster said he would stop any outside interference but he did become busy. I felt hollow. My powers all kicked up in response to my sense of loss.
"You are stalling for the others to come and help you."
"Pft, not even." I sat atop a bunch of dead people nearby. "My people are all dead." I flipped my screen over and showed it to him. "Take a look, my status says so, my soul bonds feel that way as well. I am actually just hoping a few ships ram into this place and we all get blown to kingdom come. I think you will die from that."
Indigo's eyes shot open for a bit. "I can Rift out if that happens." He was smug but it didn't seem like he thought of that. "Your fear tactic won't work."
"Fear tactic. I am being truthful here beta boy. My people are gone. The Systrm is not gonna help me in this situation because of your influence. I mean you corrupted some admins and even infected an Avatar's wife. You know how much the System is impressed with you boy? A crap ton. And that sucks royally. When this is over, the number of points you will have. They will be scary. It makes things pointless. Even if I win. I still lose." I waited for a while as my spells connected. I kept casting on my self. I hope I distracted him enough.
"You could join me?" Indigo asked me expectantly. He was scared for some reason.
"Cant. You killed my people," I answer immediately I should have waited some. "It would be rude of me to. I mean you can bring them all back and that will help convince me a little." I raised my hand up an pinched my fingers.
"No."
"Well damn. Buff." My magic pushed my body up as I stoped. "Well I am prepared as best I can. Ostia." I Telported to his front and swung as I pulled out my axe. 'Power Break!'
My axe was wrapped in magic already. Hopefully he couldnt discern the spell infusion. It caught against his shield and went through a second later. I caught his neck and cut the fibers a little off the the armor.
"How cute." Indigo raised his hand and punched me in the gut. Felt as if a bowling bowl went through me. "You got heart User."
Health -73
"Pft, kid? I am a few 1000 years old. Unlike you brat." I wobbled only a little before I swung up with my Axe. I caught him under the armpit. "You are only a few centuries. What happened? Became to much of a punjabi .."
He cut me off as he flexed his left hand and sent me flying. "Booom'" I went through a building completely destroying my armor. All I had left was my Cerebus armor underneath. At least it repairs a little.
"Kooh, this is crap." I took a breath when I stood up. I was not feeling optimistic about this. "You cheating beta." Climbing out of the building I noticed my magic buffs were gone already. "You.. dispelled me. That's just flipping great." I teleported over to him and swung with Ostia again. "You suck!"
System: Perception Check 38 Pass
"Insolent old-timer." Indigo had the cheek to call me an old-timer. I would have laughed if this was a different situation. "Begone!" I noticed it in his eyes. He was scared. The instant he said it, I felt my self sent halfway around the Citadel falling in the air. I allowed myself to fall as I turned Ostia downward. I tried to build some momentum. Before I hit the ground I Teleported.
'Teleport Strike!' When I arrived, I activated my Laguz half shift transformation for more umpf. 'Mind Break!' My axe cut through his new barrier with ease and the cut dug into his flesh. "No way is it this easy." I was right. He backhanded me.
As rolled on the floor I looked up to see my Aeons appear one by one. They went into Anima who appeared in her true form. A giant chain went out wrapping around Indigo. Power of Death and Darkness engulfing him. Something his fragile mind couldnt deal with.
'Hurry and recover. I cant hold him much longer.' Anima said to me. Her Dark power circled around him. I watched Indigo panic a little. 'Here some help.' She sent the power from the aeon I created with Riku.
"Kindness Drops!" I said as the spell washed over me, healing me. I used Misty Fist as I teleported back in his face. and punched him. My spell had power that actually let me go past his shield this time.
"Pow," my fist hit him dead cented in the face and sent his head reeling. I felt his anger finally come out. Then another so come forth. The one he took from that User maybe? "Pow," I gave him another punch when his jaw moved up. His armor fell to decay a little.
"Sching," Anima's chain wrapped around him as I started beating his face in. It's not gonna be enough to cave his skull in. I had to do something big. Pulling all the moisture in the air and surroundings as well as the water in various creatures' blood and molded everything together.
"Poseidon Destroyer!" Launching the ball of energy into Indigo, I watched as he stopped it with his hands. "RAGGHH!" I fired a Concussive shot next at Max power. It merged with the move.
"Pathetic. Is this all you have left? They all died for nothing then." Indigo gripped my move and tried to dissipate it. He struggled as he used power he didnt fully understand.
"Adrenaline rush!" I teleported to his other side. "Ha..do..ken!" Firing at his back, I watched as he flinched a little. He was stopping it with his mind. I felt the mental energy wash off him. I didnt let up. With a thought, I sent Slannesh around. 'Go! Take all the psychic residue. Even what's in the Citadel and use it. The Trickster should have gotten what it wanted earlier.'
"That sword cant..do.." Indigo eyes flashed at me. "What is that sword?!" I saw the panic in his eyes. "Where did you get it from!?"
The trillions of echoes of psychic energy from over the centuries poured into Slannesh and me. I couldnt handle it as I was. Slannesh gorged on it. He healed me and went back to eating right after. Then I felt it. The will of the world. A small whisper. A pillar was nearby. I just couldnt tell who it was.
"You will die! You are not strong enough to beat me." Indigo yelled.
"You are right. I am no where near strong enough. But I am comfortable with that." I didnt give a shit about that. "Overlord's Fury." Gripping Slannsh with my hands I felt my body come apart from the power. I swung down and impaled him on it.
"Heh! Trash." Indigo said smugly. "So weak that's why I took her back from you."
Slannesh stopped his movements long enough for Posiden Destroyer to detonate.
"Kaboom!" The blast made his knees buckle as it sent me flying into a wall. I was forced to let my sword go. The hado was out of my control as it started to dissipate.
Health -342
System: Willpower Check 31 Pass
"Told you, you were not strong enough." Indigo looked at me with a grin. His hand lifted as he stabbed me in the chest with a Chaos spear. "You are a Primarch yes? Die by a Primarch's weapon." He twisted the spear and I felt my chest start to burn.
Health -74
I stood on shaking legs beaten and body broken. I felt I had a little left in me somewhere. "No shit fool. But she is." I pointed at his chest. The sword had broken the spell he used to capture and hinder Galtea. "Ugh, Slaneesh we got to finish this punk." I felt the sword come to my hand as I stumbled forward. I barely took two steps before falling down a mess.
"Rip," a rift gate opened and she came out. Pissed as can be.
"Ha, so she is free. Big whoop. She doesn't have it in her to hurt me." Indigo taunted me. He turned to me and fired a weird blast of energy at me. I felt disoriented.
"I learned a lot from My User. My real User." Galtea said loud enough for me to hear. "Some times… you have to hurt the ones you love to do the right thing." She looked back at me and smiled. I couldnt hear what she said next.
"Boom," the world went bright as she released power I could never fathom before. All across the Citadel rift gates opened sucking in those who did not belong here. Whatever that couldnt blend in disappeared.
I woke up later in the hospital. I was out only for a week. Shepard was just looking at me. A sad smile on his face. Couldnt tell what he was sad about.
"Hey we have work to do." He threw a pair of clothes at me. "Get dressed for we can get you some points to fix things." Shepard had a ball in his that he broke. I felt my head burn for a bit. I couldnt remember anything again. I was dealing with amnesia. I didnt even remember leaving Final Fantasy 10. That's how bad it was. Something was wrong but it would be fixed after this mission I knew that much. I heard his voice as I faded back out. "Do not worry, I think the plan will work."
-Coming to I was dressed in some Alliance clothing-
"This is crap," I grumbled while on the command deck of the Alliance Vessel. A copy of the Normandy that Shepard set up for the Collectors to attack. 'I feel so groggy. I swear I had something else I was supposed to be doing.' Pulling on my memories I digested the information again to help.
The plan Galtea and Shepard cooked up was stupid. I just received some extra points for myself and to allow Shepard to do some clandestine operations, I was to take control of the false Normandy and act in his stead for the attack.
The only people onboard were me, Ashley, and Dr.Chakwas. A few Alliance officers fresh out the Academy. They oversaw the operations of the ship as I acted as Commander. Ashley checked to make sure the bots could do what was needed in the place of a living crew. Dr.Chakwas made sure the robots moved effectively in case we had an emergency situation. For the last 5 hours, they kept running medical drills throughout the ship.
Standing at the deck I observed the proceedings. This still didnt sit well with me in the slightest. I cant believe they convince the brass to do this. Seeing me still grumpy Williams came up.
"Hey Commander, you ok." Her tone was neutral but I could feel her frustration. "How are you doing with the operations? Bored yet?"
"No, not at all Lt. The operations are fine. Its purpose is nice and all. But I dont like being bait. Definitely not bored."
Ashley thought for a moment. Then snapped to. "I freaking knew there was something wrong here! What do you mean bait?"
"What do you mean, what do I mean?" I stared at her like she had a screw loose. "We are bait for the strange thing out there. There is no way you didn't know?"
"I did not!" Williams yelled angrily. Her composure was broken. "So are we just going to stay here to get slaughtered?!"
"No. Evacuee procedures are ready. This is a real test using an extremely dangerous real threat. This will be the first attack of the new enemy. Casualties will be low. That is the reason for the extra bots." I did my best to placate her. Then I explained the intel received on the "Collectors" as well as my personal information on them. "Also Alliance ships as well Citadel ships are in wait ok?"
"So the Collectors are reaped Protheans. This is ridiculous." Ashley stood rubbing her head in pain. "This is ridiculous. We beat back the Reapers didnt we? I understand their would be remanats but this is ridiculous."
"You beat back a scout ship. More will come in the future five or eight years estimated. John is doing what he can to build up an army right now. A few others are building up a resistance as well. The problem is the Council. They won't allow mass armaments of organizations so easily."
"That is stupid."
"The evidence is not enough to keep mass hesteria from breaking out. The council is doing what it can to keep the peace as is." Seeing her frowning face I decided to let her know a little more information. "Deals are going on to get some of the key races to help. We wont get caught with our pants down Lieutenant."
"What about the lives lost in the meantime?"
"That is what this exercise is for. To see if we can operate ships with less lives lost. With the Geth still being a problem, their is no way any of the races will allow any of the bots to be allowed with A.I. command systems."
"God help us. This is dangerous." Ashley said trembling a little. Couldnt tell if it was fear or anger.
"Aye." I could only nod my head in agreement.
"Please tell me you are a believer." Ashley looked at me like I was a lifeline.
'Crap I forgot she is religous. I cannot just tell her their are gods you can literally meet face to face. That will be way to out there.' Shaking my head no I could only respond vaguely. "A believer no. It is more suffice it to say I lack faith in the almighty. But that is my own personal belief. I failed God a long time ago. Just as I was failed." I couldnt help but recall my time back on my homeworld. "Nevermind that. We need to make sure we survive this. As well as the data getting to the Alliance to help against the Collector threat."
"Right!" Williams said cheerfully. Her biotic strands poured into me. She was happy. Glad that I had a crisis of faith. Better that then none at all. "When this mission is over.. drinks on me, Commander." She gave me a strong look. "Call me Commander some times. We did fight on Vermine and on the Citadel."
"You got it, Lieutenant," I responded automatically. But the information felt off somehow. 'I fought on the Citadel and Vermine? Why don't I remember?'
"I should finish my rounds. Nice talk Commander." Ashley then started to walk away.
"Oh before I forget. Always keep fighting Williams. No matter what."
"Aye aye, Skipper." With that, she left in the lift.
Looking at the map in front if me I couldn't help but feel my hearts beat sporadically. This feeling was worse than looking at that Hive Tyrant. Danger was here but what could it be.
-A few hours later-
"I am not doing that," I yelled over comms to her. "Galtea open a rift and get me out of here." Running through the decks of the ship, I helped everyone I could get to the lifeboats.
"You will not die. Think of all the goodies you will get." Galtea said trying to convince me to do this. "It will be painful but worth it."
"The answer is no!" I yelled in my helmet. Securing the last members I checked the map for anybody else. A few still held up in medical still. "Damn it.!" Rushing over I head that way. The ship took another hit sending me bouncing about.
System: Dexterity Check Successful 20
Opening the door manually the tools and supplies flew out.
Grabbing the side I activate my Misty Fist and Biotic shield for the debris.
"Anybody in here?!" I yelled to no avail. Moving in I felt the gravity shift before returning to normal.
"Over here a voice yelled out."
I ran up to find Dr. Chakwas kneeling in pain. To the side, Ashley was out cold. A piece of metal stabbed in her shoulder.
"What in the heck happened?" I asked as I helped lift them both up. Ashley held cradled in my arm. I allowed a little biotic energy in case with my runic magic to help stabilise her. Dr.Chakwas gave her quick once over. She then looked at me weirdly before getting back to it. Running to grab a medigel she applied it. We then left to go to the nearest escape pod.
"Boom," another explosion happened behind us. Dr.Chakwas hit the seal hatch as we passed it. Reaching the first escape pod we pried it open. Dr.Chakwas got in first and checked it over. The few pieces of wreckage inside was moved over as I set Ashley inside to the side and strapped her in. She groggily woke up.
"Easy Lieutenant. Stay still, for now, you took a nad injury." I said feeling her first panic. She settled in quickly afterward. All those years of training taking effect swiftly. I look to Dr.Chakwas who had bad news considering jer expression.
"Commander the air supply has been damaged. It won't accommodate more than two people. It barely has enough for two." Dr.Chakwas started to try an get to the exit. I pushed her back inside. "What are you doing?!"
Cerebus Node: Guarantee the survival of Dr.Chakwas and Lt.Williams.
"Making sure you two make it." I stepped out and close the door and hit the jetson on the pod. Running around I searched for another pod. "Galtea I know you hear me! Get me out of here!"
Galtea: It is too late. The Collectors are getting ready to fire again.
As soon as she said that I felt the ship take heavy fire. Before I could rebuke back again. The ship strained and broke apart. I watched as it vented the atmosphere. I slid across the opening. I held on for dear life. "Damn it! Anyone? Help?!"
I heard a voice on the other line, then a few others.
"You will be ok. We are on our way!" Chari yelled.
"Hurry!" With that another explosion hit. The part of the ship I was located at broke completely apart. I went tumbling through space. Activating my biotic shield I kicked it to max. I smashed against multiple pieces of Debris. Then I saw it, the Collector ship. It fired again on the fake Normady. When a pod drifted to close I thought they would see it when the ship turned.
'No!' I screamed in my head. Gathering everybit of my energy and everything from my shield and fired a Concussive Shot at the side of the ship. I watched as the brow turned to them. At that time an Alliance ship dropped in. Followed by an Asari ship. They opened fire on the collectorship causing it to flee. The momentum from my shot and a firing explosion blasted me towards out of everyones range. In a few seconds, I was no longer visible.
" Huff.. huff.." I couldnt breathe. My breathing attachment in my helmet started to malfunction. Biotics were spent. My magic drained and gone. I could feel nothing. All my power left me as I drifted in space. I finally felt something. I wished I didnt. I felt the coldness of space. My suit started to part open. "So cold!" In a split second, the air was taken out of me. I felt both of my lungs collapsed. My two hearts seized next.
As I fell building up speed I thought I would lose consciousness. I was not lucky enough. My power gathered and returned. But to slow and to late. Breaking through the atmosphere everything burned up for the most part. My hair was gone layers of my flesh. The parts of my armor that didnt break apart, fused into my skin.
"Boom!" I hit the ground underneath me. I couldnt move or breath. But my power kept me alive.
The System Message gave me a little peace of mind.
System: User has completed scenario for World. Having taken the place of Commander John \u0026 Jane Shepard. Bonus awarded .... calculating. Proceeding to Administration space..
I pushed through the doors and received a message from the ship. Indigo was adorned in Primarch Armor. It was Horus' old Armor before it became warped by Chaos' power. No gun's on the bulking armor of his. His body did not fit the armor. He was wearing it to make himself look bigger. Look important. Reckoning was really good at dissecting this guy psyche. I wished I had a higher charisma to work on him what I knew."We are on our way," Hotshot said. Her voice sounded bad but she was talking so that was good. "We can either take out Sovereign or blow up the Citadel really.""Heh, take out Sovereign. With him taken down, it will give me a hell of a lot more help." I saw Indigo just floating there like a false god. "Just bring it down and come here. If any Arwing can get here, that would be nice."Ah, Azul. You made it here. I am surprised you did not die." He flexed his power. It did not work. "You have counter my power somehow. How interesting." His smile actually made my stomach hurt. "My Operator has trained you well." His biotic strands washed into me. He was such a .. wimp. He wanted Galtea to hide behind. My fight with him earlier even scared him a little."So you just couldnt let her go!? The hell. Your just a super beta male bitch. I cant believe this." I was actually disappointed in the creep. "You could have just cloned her and got over it.""Beta.. male. Your an idiot." Indigo shook his head at me. "Galtea has so much power. You could have ruled everything with her. I even took 95% of her power back then." He tapped his chest on top of a jewel. A prison for Galtea. "I am draining the rest of her as we speak. Soon she and I will be one. I will create a new Administration, a new platform for the new regime. My regime under my control.""What about the Operators you killed. They had nothing to do with this. Neither the new Users. Heck, even some of the old Users weren't in your way. So why them?" I looked around the battlefield for anything as I moved around."Because they could rise up and stop me. Each new User had the potential to unlock a special ability to deal with me. Or a useless one like yourself." Indigo tried to taunt me. It wouldn't work since I was already angry. Just added fuel to the fire. "I think we could have been friends.. I have taken in your personal memories from Galtea. So many to go through however.""Right.. so your just a loser.. not even really a villain. Just a kid wanting to redo the sandbox he played in. What's wrong daddy didnt love you as a little.." I had to dodge as a blast of psychic energy shot out. It went straight through a down shuttle. "Oh, damn did you get done like that kid from Magicians? Sorry dude didnt know.""Dont you dare pity me!" Indigo became angry and space warped a little.System: Strength Check 31 Pass"What? Totally not pity." I jumped away from the next blast and fell against a turned over shuttle. Wrapping it in my biotics I threw it at him. "Jeez bad beta. Here is a shuttle to make it all better!""Boom," The shuttle exploded. A dust cloud blocked my view for a moment. "Bwoom," A barrier was in the way. He was shielded himself."Well damn. Guess I couldnt luck out in you sucking. I mean you still suck, but you have the gear to make up for your shortcomings." I wanted him off his game if even a little. Or enough to screw up somewhere. "Man so many issues with you. Why are you like this? Did your mama touch you to?""You will die!" He gritted his teeth as he created warp fire in the air. He turned it into a spear and chucked it at me. "Warp Bolt!"When it came over I wrapped it in biotic energy and dispersed it. My guess was right. He was not a fighter. The information from earlier was not false at all. He had power but no experience really."Man so mean. Here I was trying to have a conversation with you. I mean, its the last thing you could do after killing so many of my people." I tried to rouse Galtea Inside him. "You killed women I was to marry. Killed my friends, my family I build, and destroyed my buildings. Not very nice I might add. The damage to fix everything will put me in debt."His eyes flickered for a moment before returning to normal.System: Charm Check Fail"I mean the things are not important. I tell you what, revive my people and give me back Galtea and we call this even." I watched as he struggled for a bit. "Ugh, I tried being nice. I am going to sue you. You little pendja.""I know what you are trying to do," Indigo said as he floated."Oh and that is?" I felt something inside tear. My connection with everyone was gone. I do not know if that was from the System still acting up or not. The Trickster said he would stop any outside interference but he did become busy. I felt hollow. My powers all kicked up in response to my sense of loss."You are stalling for the others to come and help you.""Pft, not even." I sat atop a bunch of dead people nearby. "My people are all dead." I flipped my screen over and showed it to him. "Take a look, my status says so, my soul bonds feel that way as well. I am actually just hoping a few ships ram into this place and we all get blown to kingdom come. I think you will die from that."Indigo's eyes shot open for a bit. "I can Rift out if that happens." He was smug but it didn't seem like he thought of that. "Your fear tactic won't work.""Fear tactic. I am being truthful here beta boy. My people are gone. The Systrm is not gonna help me in this situation because of your influence. I mean you corrupted some admins and even infected an Avatar's wife. You know how much the System is impressed with you boy? A crap ton. And that sucks royally. When this is over, the number of points you will have. They will be scary. It makes things pointless. Even if I win. I still lose." I waited for a while as my spells connected. I kept casting on my self. I hope I distracted him enough. "You could join me?" Indigo asked me expectantly. He was scared for some reason."Cant. You killed my people," I answer immediately I should have waited some. "It would be rude of me to. I mean you can bring them all back and that will help convince me a little." I raised my hand up an pinched my fingers."No.""Well damn. Buff." My magic pushed my body up as I stoped. "Well I am prepared as best I can. Ostia." I Telported to his front and swung as I pulled out my axe. 'Power Break!'My axe was wrapped in magic already. Hopefully he couldnt discern the spell infusion. It caught against his shield and went through a second later. I caught his neck and cut the fibers a little off the the armor."How cute." Indigo raised his hand and punched me in the gut. Felt as if a bowling bowl went through me. "You got heart User."Health -73"Pft, kid? I am a few 1000 years old. Unlike you brat." I wobbled only a little before I swung up with my Axe. I caught him under the armpit. "You are only a few centuries. What happened? Became to much of a punjabi .."He cut me off as he flexed his left hand and sent me flying. "Booom'" I went through a building completely destroying my armor. All I had left was my Cerebus armor underneath. At least it repairs a little."Kooh, this is crap." I took a breath when I stood up. I was not feeling optimistic about this. "You cheating beta." Climbing out of the building I noticed my magic buffs were gone already. "You.. dispelled me. That's just flipping great." I teleported over to him and swung with Ostia again. "You suck!"System: Perception Check 38 Pass"Insolent old-timer." Indigo had the cheek to call me an old-timer. I would have laughed if this was a different situation. "Begone!" I noticed it in his eyes. He was scared. The instant he said it, I felt my self sent halfway around the Citadel falling in the air. I allowed myself to fall as I turned Ostia downward. I tried to build some momentum. Before I hit the ground I Teleported.'Teleport Strike!' When I arrived, I activated my Laguz half shift transformation for more umpf. 'Mind Break!' My axe cut through his new barrier with ease and the cut dug into his flesh. "No way is it this easy." I was right. He backhanded me. As rolled on the floor I looked up to see my Aeons appear one by one. They went into Anima who appeared in her true form. A giant chain went out wrapping around Indigo. Power of Death and Darkness engulfing him. Something his fragile mind couldnt deal with.'Hurry and recover. I cant hold him much longer.' Anima said to me. Her Dark power circled around him. I watched Indigo panic a little. 'Here some help.' She sent the power from the aeon I created with Riku."Kindness Drops!" I said as the spell washed over me, healing me. I used Misty Fist as I teleported back in his face. and punched him. My spell had power that actually let me go past his shield this time. "Pow," my fist hit him dead cented in the face and sent his head reeling. I felt his anger finally come out. Then another so come forth. The one he took from that User maybe? "Pow," I gave him another punch when his jaw moved up. His armor fell to decay a little. "Sching," Anima's chain wrapped around him as I started beating his face in. It's not gonna be enough to cave his skull in. I had to do something big. Pulling all the moisture in the air and surroundings as well as the water in various creatures' blood and molded everything together."Poseidon Destroyer!" Launching the ball of energy into Indigo, I watched as he stopped it with his hands. "RAGGHH!" I fired a Concussive shot next at Max power. It merged with the move."Pathetic. Is this all you have left? They all died for nothing then." Indigo gripped my move and tried to dissipate it. He struggled as he used power he didnt fully understand."Adrenaline rush!" I teleported to his other side. "Ha..do..ken!" Firing at his back, I watched as he flinched a little. He was stopping it with his mind. I felt the mental energy wash off him. I didnt let up. With a thought, I sent Slannesh around. 'Go! Take all the psychic residue. Even what's in the Citadel and use it. The Trickster should have gotten what it wanted earlier.'"That sword cant..do.." Indigo eyes flashed at me. "What is that sword?!" I saw the panic in his eyes. "Where did you get it from!?"The trillions of echoes of psychic energy from over the centuries poured into Slannesh and me. I couldnt handle it as I was. Slannesh gorged on it. He healed me and went back to eating right after. Then I felt it. The will of the world. A small whisper. A pillar was nearby. I just couldnt tell who it was."You will die! You are not strong enough to beat me." Indigo yelled."You are right. I am no where near strong enough. But I am comfortable with that." I didnt give a shit about that. "Overlord's Fury." Gripping Slannsh with my hands I felt my body come apart from the power. I swung down and impaled him on it."Heh! Trash." Indigo said smugly. "So weak that's why I took her back from you."Slannesh stopped his movements long enough for Posiden Destroyer to detonate."Kaboom!" The blast made his knees buckle as it sent me flying into a wall. I was forced to let my sword go. The hado was out of my control as it started to dissipate. Health -342System: Willpower Check 31 Pass"Told you, you were not strong enough." Indigo looked at me with a grin. His hand lifted as he stabbed me in the chest with a Chaos spear. "You are a Primarch yes? Die by a Primarch's weapon." He twisted the spear and I felt my chest start to burn. Health -74I stood on shaking legs beaten and body broken. I felt I had a little left in me somewhere. "No shit fool. But she is." I pointed at his chest. The sword had broken the spell he used to capture and hinder Galtea. "Ugh, Slaneesh we got to finish this punk." I felt the sword come to my hand as I stumbled forward. I barely took two steps before falling down a mess."Rip," a rift gate opened and she came out. Pissed as can be."Ha, so she is free. Big whoop. She doesn't have it in her to hurt me." Indigo taunted me. He turned to me and fired a weird blast of energy at me. I felt disoriented."I learned a lot from My User. My real User." Galtea said loud enough for me to hear. "Some times you have to hurt the ones you love to do the right thing." She looked back at me and smiled. I couldnt hear what she said next."Boom," the world went bright as she released power I could never fathom before. All across the Citadel rift gates opened sucking in those who did not belong here. Whatever that couldnt blend in disappeared. I woke up later in the hospital. I was out only for a week. Shepard was just looking at me. A sad smile on his face. Couldnt tell what he was sad about."Hey we have work to do." He threw a pair of clothes at me. "Get dressed for we can get you some points to fix things." Shepard had a ball in his that he broke. I felt my head burn for a bit. I couldnt remember anything again. I was dealing with amnesia. I didnt even remember leaving Final Fantasy 10. That's how bad it was. Something was wrong but it would be fixed after this mission I knew that much. I heard his voice as I faded back out. "Do not worry, I think the plan will work."-Coming to I was dressed in some Alliance clothing-"This is crap," I grumbled while on the command deck of the Alliance Vessel. A copy of the Normandy that Shepard set up for the Collectors to attack. 'I feel so groggy. I swear I had something else I was supposed to be doing.' Pulling on my memories I digested the information again to help.The plan Galtea and Shepard cooked up was stupid. I just received some extra points for myself and to allow Shepard to do some clandestine operations, I was to take control of the false Normandy and act in his stead for the attack.The only people onboard were me, Ashley, and Dr.Chakwas. A few Alliance officers fresh out the Academy. They oversaw the operations of the ship as I acted as Commander. Ashley checked to make sure the bots could do what was needed in the place of a living crew. Dr.Chakwas made sure the robots moved effectively in case we had an emergency situation. For the last 5 hours, they kept running medical drills throughout the ship.Standing at the deck I observed the proceedings. This still didnt sit well with me in the slightest. I cant believe they convince the brass to do this. Seeing me still grumpy Williams came up."Hey Commander, you ok." Her tone was neutral but I could feel her frustration. "How are you doing with the operations? Bored yet?""No, not at all Lt. The operations are fine. Its purpose is nice and all. But I dont like being bait. Definitely not bored."Ashley thought for a moment. Then snapped to. "I freaking knew there was something wrong here! What do you mean bait?""What do you mean, what do I mean?" I stared at her like she had a screw loose. "We are bait for the strange thing out there. There is no way you didn't know?""I did not!" Williams yelled angrily. Her composure was broken. "So are we just going to stay here to get slaughtered?!""No. Evacuee procedures are ready. This is a real test using an extremely dangerous real threat. This will be the first attack of the new enemy. Casualties will be low. That is the reason for the extra bots." I did my best to placate her. Then I explained the intel received on the "Collectors" as well as my personal information on them. "Also Alliance ships as well Citadel ships are in wait ok?""So the Collectors are reaped Protheans. This is ridiculous." Ashley stood rubbing her head in pain. "This is ridiculous. We beat back the Reapers didnt we? I understand their would be remanats but this is ridiculous.""You beat back a scout ship. More will come in the future five or eight years estimated. John is doing what he can to build up an army right now. A few others are building up a resistance as well. The problem is the Council. They won't allow mass armaments of organizations so easily.""That is stupid.""The evidence is not enough to keep mass hesteria from breaking out. The council is doing what it can to keep the peace as is." Seeing her frowning face I decided to let her know a little more information. "Deals are going on to get some of the key races to help. We wont get caught with our pants down Lieutenant.""What about the lives lost in the meantime?""That is what this exercise is for. To see if we can operate ships with less lives lost. With the Geth still being a problem, their is no way any of the races will allow any of the bots to be allowed with A.I. command systems.""God help us. This is dangerous." Ashley said trembling a little. Couldnt tell if it was fear or anger."Aye." I could only nod my head in agreement."Please tell me you are a believer." Ashley looked at me like I was a lifeline.'Crap I forgot she is religous. I cannot just tell her their are gods you can literally meet face to face. That will be way to out there.' Shaking my head no I could only respond vaguely. "A believer no. It is more suffice it to say I lack faith in the almighty. But that is my own personal belief. I failed God a long time ago. Just as I was failed." I couldnt help but recall my time back on my homeworld. "Nevermind that. We need to make sure we survive this. As well as the data getting to the Alliance to help against the Collector threat.""Right!" Williams said cheerfully. Her biotic strands poured into me. She was happy. Glad that I had a crisis of faith. Better that then none at all. "When this mission is over.. drinks on me, Commander." She gave me a strong look. "Call me Commander some times. We did fight on Vermine and on the Citadel.""You got it, Lieutenant," I responded automatically. But the information felt off somehow. 'I fought on the Citadel and Vermine? Why don't I remember?'"I should finish my rounds. Nice talk Commander." Ashley then started to walk away."Oh before I forget. Always keep fighting Williams. No matter what.""Aye aye, Skipper." With that, she left in the lift.Looking at the map in front if me I couldn't help but feel my hearts beat sporadically. This feeling was worse than looking at that Hive Tyrant. Danger was here but what could it be.-A few hours later-"I am not doing that," I yelled over comms to her. "Galtea open a rift and get me out of here." Running through the decks of the ship, I helped everyone I could get to the lifeboats."You will not die. Think of all the goodies you will get." Galtea said trying to convince me to do this. "It will be painful but worth it.""The answer is no!" I yelled in my helmet. Securing the last members I checked the map for anybody else. A few still held up in medical still. "Damn it.!" Rushing over I head that way. The ship took another hit sending me bouncing about.System: Dexterity Check Successful 20Opening the door manually the tools and supplies flew out.Grabbing the side I activate my Misty Fist and Biotic shield for the debris. "Anybody in here?!" I yelled to no avail. Moving in I felt the gravity shift before returning to normal."Over here a voice yelled out." I ran up to find Dr. Chakwas kneeling in pain. To the side, Ashley was out cold. A piece of metal stabbed in her shoulder."What in the heck happened?" I asked as I helped lift them both up. Ashley held cradled in my arm. I allowed a little biotic energy in case with my runic magic to help stabilise her. Dr.Chakwas gave her quick once over. She then looked at me weirdly before getting back to it. Running to grab a medigel she applied it. We then left to go to the nearest escape pod."Boom," another explosion happened behind us. Dr.Chakwas hit the seal hatch as we passed it. Reaching the first escape pod we pried it open. Dr.Chakwas got in first and checked it over. The few pieces of wreckage inside was moved over as I set Ashley inside to the side and strapped her in. She groggily woke up."Easy Lieutenant. Stay still, for now, you took a nad injury." I said feeling her first panic. She settled in quickly afterward. All those years of training taking effect swiftly. I look to Dr.Chakwas who had bad news considering jer expression."Commander the air supply has been damaged. It won't accommodate more than two people. It barely has enough for two." Dr.Chakwas started to try an get to the exit. I pushed her back inside. "What are you doing?!"Cerebus Node: Guarantee the survival of Dr.Chakwas and Lt.Williams."Making sure you two make it." I stepped out and close the door and hit the jetson on the pod. Running around I searched for another pod. "Galtea I know you hear me! Get me out of here!"Galtea: It is too late. The Collectors are getting ready to fire again.As soon as she said that I felt the ship take heavy fire. Before I could rebuke back again. The ship strained and broke apart. I watched as it vented the atmosphere. I slid across the opening. I held on for dear life. "Damn it! Anyone? Help?!" I heard a voice on the other line, then a few others. "You will be ok. We are on our way!" Chari yelled."Hurry!" With that another explosion hit. The part of the ship I was located at broke completely apart. I went tumbling through space. Activating my biotic shield I kicked it to max. I smashed against multiple pieces of Debris. Then I saw it, the Collector ship. It fired again on the fake Normady. When a pod drifted to close I thought they would see it when the ship turned.'No!' I screamed in my head. Gathering everybit of my energy and everything from my shield and fired a Concussive Shot at the side of the ship. I watched as the brow turned to them. At that time an Alliance ship dropped in. Followed by an Asari ship. They opened fire on the collectorship causing it to flee. The momentum from my shot and a firing explosion blasted me towards out of everyones range. In a few seconds, I was no longer visible." Huff.. huff.." I couldnt breathe. My breathing attachment in my helmet started to malfunction. Biotics were spent. My magic drained and gone. I could feel nothing. All my power left me as I drifted in space. I finally felt something. I wished I didnt. I felt the coldness of space. My suit started to part open. "So cold!" In a split second, the air was taken out of me. I felt both of my lungs collapsed. My two hearts seized next.As I fell building up speed I thought I would lose consciousness. I was not lucky enough. My power gathered and returned. But to slow and to late. Breaking through the atmosphere everything burned up for the most part. My hair was gone layers of my flesh. The parts of my armor that didnt break apart, fused into my skin."Boom!" I hit the ground underneath me. I couldnt move or breath. But my power kept me alive. The System Message gave me a little peace of mind.System: User has completed scenario for World. Having taken the place of Commander John \u0026 Jane Shepard. Bonus awarded .... calculating. Proceeding to Administration space..
