Reunited

 

Author’s notes: Hello dear readers, welcome to chapter 40 of Reunited! That’s right, we’ve hit the big four-oh! Jack finally makes her return here and Mordin gets the cure ready! If any of you have suggestions on what I could write in future chapters please don’t hesitate to PM me. As usual, here’s the link to my adult-fanfiction.org account: http: //members. Adultfanfiction. Net/profile. Php? No=1296890817&view=story (just remove the spaces between the periods and you’ll get there).

 

“Thanks again for getting us outta that bloody Alliance brig Captain. All those scunners in there were treating me and Gabby like Lucifer himself just because we joined Cerberus to do something.”Machinist’s Mate 2^nd Class Kenneth Donnelly thanked Megan as he, the Captain, and Chief Engineer Greg Adams were seated in the mess having a simple yet satisfying salarian stew that Mess Sergeant Gardner has whipped up. The last time Megan was on the Citadel, she used her Spectre authority to get the engineers, Gardner and Zoe Patel out of jail. The rest of the Cerberus crew that had been arrested when Megan turned herself in to the Alliance was back on Earth, and it was completely unclear whether they were alive or dead.

 

“It’s only right that I pull you guys out of prison especially after what we went through together with the Collectors. You’re the ones that saved the entire crew, especially with all the work you did to keep us flying, especially after the crash landing.”The redhead replied between mouthfuls of stew. “Still Captain, we owe you. You pulled us out of those pods, and now you pulled us out of the brig.” The Scot said as he continued chewing on his stew. “Damn right Captain. Whatever happens, we’re behind you a hundred percent!”Gardner pledged from his kitchen as he ladled some stew for Westmoreland, who joined them at the table. “Cerberus may be helping out, but I still don’t trust them, what with all the Cat-6 discharged personnel they keep hiring.”The black private commented.

 

“They hired Cat-6 people? Well, I never heard of that one.”Donnelly replied. “My buddy got discharged as a Cat-6 after Eden Prime, and Cerberus had a job offer waiting for him.”Bethany shook her head. “Well anyone would’ve lost their shit after Eden Prime. I still wonder how Ashley managed to keep it together.”Megan commented as they nodded. Suddenly, there were loud stomps that got closer and closer, and everyone turned to see a very pissed off Wrex stomping into the mess. Gardner visibly paled, as did Westmoreland and Donnelly. “Oh crap, he’s pissed.”Adams commented, slowly beginning to fear for his life. Megan, however, just kept on eating like nothing was happening.  Even though Gardner was used to dealing with Grunt at his hungriest, dealing with a pissed off, biotic krogan battlemaster was an entirely different affair.

 

“Give me the biggest bowl you have. Oh forget it; just give me the whole pot.”Wrex growled as Gardner just nervously complied, handing the entire pot over to the krogan leader. “Wrex…that stew is for other people too.”The Spectre chided him as he just grunted. “Guess your cook will have to make another. Goddamn that turian Primarch. If it weren’t for you needing him alive-” “Alright Wrex, what is it now?”Megan sighed. “He actually had the quads to ask me if he could have that bomb back! He wants it back so he can replant it another time? Fuck off!”The krogan bellowed at the end, pausing to calm himself down before jamming his soup ladle back into the stew and chomping noisily. “He actually asked you that? What?”The redhead asked in disbelief.

 

“Yeah he did. Lucky I remembered how pissed you could get before I ripped him in half. And not to mention Eve. If I killed him, she’d torment me into the afterlife and beyond.”Wrex shuddered as he slurped down the stew. “Well, at least you have a good memory and some self-restraint.”Megan snorted, glancing at the crew members seated with her. Donnelly quickly gulped down the stew, choking a bit as Adams did likewise as they both quickly got up to leave, waving goodbye to Megan and not looking back. Bethany, on the other hand, wasn’t as fortunate. Her bowl of stew was still steaming hot, and when she tried to gulp it down, she choked and dropped her bowl, spilling stew over the table and herself as she squealed in agony.

 

“Geez West, you alright? You look like you’re trying not to die over here.”Megan asked her concernedly as she offered the private a glass of water, which was gratefully accepted and gulped down. “I’ll be fine, ma’am.”Bethany croaked as she all but ran for the safety of the kitchen with the glass in hand. “Bah, what a bunch of cowards.”Wrex grumbled as he continued eating. "You're forgetting that you're a senior member of a race that's infamous for destroying everything in sight when they get pissed. Plus, you have biotics."Megan pointed out as she finished her stew. "Yeah. In that case, how'd you stand up to me back on Virmire?"

 

"You were standing in the way of finally ending the whole Saren bullshit, which lasted months. And not to mention how annoying that asshat was. Of course I was going to get pissed at you." "Huh. That makes sense."Wrex nodded at Megan's explanation before continuing. "So...this Academy you're going to...what's so special about it?" "The Grissom Academy is a school for all human biotics and geniuses. Basically put, all Alliance biotic soldiers and many scientific geniuses graduate from there. Plus, Jack is there as a teacher."The Vanguard explained. "Jack? Who is he?" "She, actually. She's Ashley's girlfriend and a crewmember of mine during the Collector mission."

 

"She's Williams' mate. I see. No wonder Williams keeps bouncing off the walls after you announced that we were heading to Grissom Academy."Wrex rumbled in realization. "Also, she's basically a more psychotic version of Grunt. With biotics. This is why they’re best buddies." Megan chuckled fondly as she recalled the psychotic biotic. "A human female biotic that's crazier than Grunt. Now this I have to see."The krogan battle master chuckled as they felt the Normandy gently jolt out of FTL. "We're in the Petra Nebula now. ETA to Grissom: 2 hours."Joker announced over the ship's comm system. "Well, Ashley should calm down a bit now that we're almost there."Megan remarked as she stood up to leave, leaving Wrex alone to happily chomp away at his stew.

 

2 Hours Later

 

"Jesus Ashley, you're practically bouncing off the walls at this point. Calm down, you're going to see her again."Michael commented as Ashley kept fidgeting in the shuttle. "I know, but what if she's hurt? Or worse, dead? I mean-" "Relax Ash. Jack can handle herself. She was the one who held up the biotic barrier that let us pass through the Collector base. I'm sure she's fine."Megan said soothingly to her ex-lover."Jack's a puny human, but she fights like a krogan. A few Reapers can't kill her."Grunt remarked as he scratched his newly-forming crest, a sign that he was well on his way to adulthood. "You're right. She's probably tougher than me."Ashley tried to console herself as she nervously wrung her hands.

 

"Okay Captain we're at the supply docks now. Coming up on the drop zone-okay, everyone out!"Steve waved as Megan, Ashley, Grunt, Jacob, Danner, Reznov, Michael, Nicole, Javik, Nyla, Erin and Jentha jumped out of the shuttle and onto the docks, securing the area as Steve landed the shuttle. "Okay guys, move in and watch for survivors. There may be pockets of them along the way, so stay sharp."Megan ordered as a distress call was heard on their radios. "This is Lieutenant Kahlee Sanders of the Alliance! I'm inside the supply docks' control room with a few others! Is anyone out there?" "Lieutenant Sanders, this is Captain Megan Shepard of the SSV Normandy. We're here to assist in the evac of this facility."The Spectre acknowledged as they moved in.

 

"Thank God. The Reapers hit this facility 5 days ago and we've been stranded here since. The Reapers don't know that I'm here with a few students and guards thanks to the soldiers pinning them down in Orion Hall. Cerberus is also here supporting them. I heard them reporting that they're low on ammo." Kahlee reported. "Copy that. We're heading to your position now Sanders. Sit tight."Megan spoke as the team cleared out the hallway and the few empty rooms there quickly before they came to the control room. "Sanders? It's Shepard. It's clear out here." "Okay Captain, let me get the door."Sanders said as the door panel tuned green and the team entered. Sanders was toting a S27 shotgun as she greeted them.

 

“Captain, thanks for coming. Admiral Anderson always said that you were the best. And with the Reapers gunning for us, I need the best.”The Lieutenant reported as the team checked on the students and security guards, who were all staring at Javik as Ashley and Jacob tended to the wounds a couple of them had. “Why are all these primitives staring at me like that?”The prothean groused as Kahlee turned to him. “Well…we’ve never seen any race that looks like you before.” “Yeah, it’s a long story. Where’s Orion Hall?”Megan asked, quickly diverting the topic before anyone could discover that Javik was prothean and freak out over that. “Where’s Jack? How come she’s not here?”Ashley asked, and Megan could see that the brunette was barely keeping herself together due to her worry of Jack.

 

“Jack’s with the biotic students in Orion Hall along with the soldiers. Orion Hall is down this hallway and past the classrooms. I’ll unlock the hallway doors for you.”Kahlee replied, going over to a console and typing away as Jacob and Ashley got up, finished with patching up the guards and students who needed attention.  “How many more are there?”Michael asked. “Fewer than 20. Most were sent home when news of the Reapers invading Earth reached us. They volunteered to stay. These people with me are prototyping tech while Jack’s leading the biotic students. Also, please be on the lookout for a trio of students. Their names are Octavia Barnes, Marcus Liang and David Archer.”Kahlee replied. “Wait, David Archer? The one I rescued from Project Overlord?”Megan asked.

 

“I don’t know what Project Overlord is, but all I know is that he was sent here after a Cerberus experiment gone wrong.”Kahlee responded. “Yep, that’s him. Okay, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for them.”  “The biotic students with Jack are training their biotics for military operations. Working together as biotic artillery.”The blonde headmistress of the Academy explained as she kept typing. “Biotic artillery would work wonders on the front lines right now. By the way, you mentioned something about Admiral Anderson?”Megan asked. “Yes.  We met…God, 20 years ago already? We met when he was a Spectre candidate. I was there when Saren betrayed him. David saved my life that day. He’s a good man. Is he alright?”Kahlee recounted.

 

“He’s on the Citadel, making sure Udina doesn’t fuck up. He’s stressed out but otherwise okay.”The redhead reported. “We’ve been cut off from all news here since the Reaper troops attacked. That’s great news to hear.”She inhaled deeply.  “And about that biotic artillery…knocking over practice dummies is one thing, but actually killing Reaper troops is another. Are the students actually ready for war?” “I personally don’t think so, but the Alliance needs every resource that they can get right now. Our students are unique…resources.”Kahlee choked out the last word before continuing. “They wanted to help. How can we say no when the galaxy’s falling apart?”

 

“Alright Sanders, stay in here and bunker down until we tell you that it’s safe to come out, okay? We’re going to get everyone back here and then we’ll move out. We’ve got shuttles back at the loading bay.”The Captain spoke to the lieutenant. “Wait Captain. I was thinking that everyone could quickly make a break for the shuttle bay together. There’s more than enough shuttles for everyone to evac in at once.” “That’s too risky for you to lead your guys there Lieutenant. There are Reaper troops everywhere.”Megan countermanded. “Actually, I managed to lockdown all the floors starting from the 2^nd floor of the entire station before the Reaper troops could even board. The motion sensors are indicating that any floor 2^nd or higher is completely clear.”Kahlee informed them.

 

“Alright then, but go when we give the signal okay? And take care of yourself. Team, we’re moving out to Orion Hall.”Megan ordered crisply as she gave a quick salute to Sanders. “Got it Captain. Good luck out there.”Sanders returned the salute as the doors slid shut and locked tightly as soon as every member of the Normandy team was out of the room. “Alright Shepard, Orion Hall’s kinda far from here, so we might have to hustle.”Michael reported, referring to the plans on his omnitool while cradling his X60 Harrier. As it was a mostly close-quarters fight, Michael ditched his usual loadout of a Widow rifle and a SMG in favor of the Harrier and a S22 Eviscerator shotgun, in addition to his usual S3 Predator pistol.

 

"Alright, move fast and stay sharp. Fan out and Grunt, you take point. Nicole, you scout out the area ahead of us."Megan commanded as they moved out, filling the corridor in a spear formation with Grunt front and centre while Nicole cloaked and moved ahead stealthily. It was hostile free, save for a dead cannibal here and a headless husk there thanks to Nicole's katana, until the classroom block. "Uh guys...there are a lot of Reaper troops in the classrooms. I'm gonna need backup."The blonde Cerberus operative whispered. "Got it, we'll be there in 30 seconds. Flashbang on my flashbang."Megan responded as the entire squad began swiftly but silently moved to Nicole's position.

 

"Flash out."Megan said softly, tossing a flashbang into the clustered Reaper troops in the classroom, the flash grenade joined by Nicole's a second later. Both went off with a bright flash and a thunderous clap, disorienting the Reaper troops as everyone stormed the classroom with guns blazing and biotics flaring for the biotics. The Reaper troops were cut down in short order, and the troops in the adjacent classrooms were also cut down quickly and precisely by the Normandy team. “Shepard, I do not detect any more hostiles in the classroom block. There are at least 2 platoons of hostiles in Orion Hall though.”Erin replied in the guise of EDI. Megan, Miranda and Erin had agreed beforehand that Erin should maintain her ruse and use her original robotic self as another entity.

 

“Copy that EDI. Okay guys, this one’s going to be wild especially since we’ve got friendlies slinging lead as well. So careful not to get yourselves caught in the crossfire, and don’t hit anything other than the Reapers. Got it?”Megan instructed her team as they moved forward, clearing their sectors in record time. “C’mon Shepard, this isn’t our first rodeo. We got this.”Jacob assured her. “Alrighty then. Okay we’re here…Erin, get on the door.” “On it, Cap.”Erin complied with her CO’s orders, hacking the door lock swiftly. When the doors opened, the Normandy team was treated to a scene of utter carnage. The Reaper troops were climbing over the corpses of their own dead as the defenders kept raining down gunfire and occasionally a tech attack or biotic blast from the 2^nd floor.

 

“Friendlies coming out! Watch your fire!”Megan and Ashley screamed to be heard above the gunfire as they fanned out, taking cover and eliminating Reaper troops. It wasn’t long before the last enemy, a scion dropped to the ground thanks to a biotic blast from upstairs and Erin setting it on fire. “Alright team, ammo check.”The Vanguard requested as her team checked off their ammo. All of them had less than 75 percent of their thermal clips remaining, and they were still good on their ammo. The Alliance and Cerberus troops defending the facility, however, were a completely different story.

 

They had been killing Reapers for 5 days straight, and considering that they were without reinforcements and supplies since the Reapers cut them off 5 days ago, it was amazing that they were still fighting. The Normandy squad vaulted over the chest high energy barriers that Cerberus had hastily erected at the top of the huge stairs. Behind the barriers were 2 sentry turrets, and there was an Alliance trooper and a Cerberus engineer tending to both. “How’re those turrets looking?” Michael asked, staring at the bullet holes in the armor plating. “It’s a miracle that they’re even standing as it is, let alone firing at targets.”The engineer, who was a female by the sound of her voice, declared with a shake of her head.

 

Behind the sentry guns was a wounded Cerberus engineer, who was propped up against the wall diligently attending to a shield pylon. “Damn, you’re one tough son of a bitch.”Jacob commented in approval as he knelt down, administering medigel to the 2 bullet wounds in the engineer’s abdomen that managed to penetrate his light body armor. “Yeah, thanks. Ah, that’s better.”The man hissed as the rest of the team moved into the security command centre. “Jack! You’re safe!”Ashley cried out in joy as she sprinted up to Jack, who jumped on her and kissed the brunette deeply as the students and some of the soldier made whoops and catcalls. “Ash! You came! And you’re still alive.”The ex-convict panted happily as their lips parted.

 

“I promised you I’d stay safe for you Jackie. And I promised that I’d be there whenever you needed help.”Ashley said to her girlfriend lovingly as they held each other. “Nice haircut Jack. Still kinda punk, but not as shocking as your bald head.”Megan piped up, commenting on the tattooed woman’s Mohawk-ponytail hybrid as Jack finally tore her gaze away from Ashley. “Hey Shepard. Looks like your hair is still in that fuck-handle ponytail. By the way, where’s the cheerleader bi-um, biatch?”Jack quipped as the rest of the Normandy team, who were now dispersed in the room checking on the students and soldiers, chuckled, save for Javik. “She’s back on the Normandy. She says she misses you dearly.”The redhead replied as Miranda keyed her mike.

 

“Please tell Jack she can kiss my ass. And you too, Cassie.”The Normandy’s XO snarked as the Normandy team began chuckling even louder.  “Hey Meatslab, hey Overdeveloped Abs, hey Joker’s Personal Fuc-Sex Toy.”Jack greeted Grunt, Jacob, and Erin respectively as the newer members who hadn’t met Jack before broke out in full on laughter while Javik just stared at everyone like they’d all lost the plot before muttering something, which was probably “primitives”. “Puny human. How much killing have you done since I left?”Grunt chuckled as he fist bumped with his first best friend in his life. “Too little. I’ve been teaching these little bas-tages how to better use their biotics. Doesn’t leave me much time to kill shi-stuff.”

 

“What the fuck is up with all this fucking lame-shit half-swears of yours, Jack? Someone fucked up your already royally fucked up vocabulary?”Megan snorted, purposely swearing more to try and get a raise out of Jack. “When I took up the job, I made a promise to watch my language, especially around my students.”The biotic teacher grumbled as Jacob guffawed. “Well then maybe you can actually start coming up with insults that actually insult people.”The black quartermaster sniped at Jack. “And no, I’m not Joker’s personal fuck toy. I’m his lover. There’s a whole world of difference there.”Erin cut in, somewhat offended by Jack’s nickname for her.

 

“Well fu-screw you both. Hey Jacob, too bad your abs doesn’t influence your brain. Otherwise, you would’ve passed high school. And Erin, if your personality corresponded to the size of your tits, you might just have slightly more personality than a blow up doll.”Jack insulted as a collective “Ooh snap!” was uttered in the room. “Not bad psycho, that was mildly offensive.”Jacob replied, mock clapping as Erin placed her hands on her hips, getting increasingly annoyed with the psychotic biotic. “And who’s flathead over there? Ain’t never seen his kind before.”Jack asked about Javik as all 4 of his eyes narrowed into slits. “Alright guys, this isn’t a stand-up insult show. Back to the task at hand. How’re your students doing Jack?”Megan quickly diverted the topic once again.

 

“They’re fine, but exhausted. Can’t really blame them since this is the 1^st time they’ve ever had to kill something with their biotics.”Jack replied before turning to her students, all in red uniforms. “Alright amp check! Prangley, those fields were weak. The Reapers aren’t gonna lie down outta pity like that girl you took to prom!”Jack barked at one young man, who was elbowed teasingly by a girl as his classmates started snickering. “Drink your juice and eat your energy bars! We’re moving out soon.”Jack instructed her students, who nodded and began to do as instructed. “Right now, we got to get my guys out of here. The Cerberus and Alliance meatheads have been doing a good job so far, but they’re not gonna last much longer.”Jack told Megan.

 

“I agree. Your guys?”The redhead parroted as Jack shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so.” “Honestly, I can’t think about anyone who would care about them more than you, Jack.” “Well, ever since you were imprisoned with your cheerleader, I had some free time. Alliance brass knew about my abilities and about me helping you, and offered me this job. Apparently, the students responded well to my teaching style.”The teacher chuckled at that. “The psychotic biotic!”Prangley spoke up from his seat on the floor as the girl who elbowed him looked at Jack. “I will destroy you!”She mimicked Jack, clenching a fist as her biotics started to come alive.

 

“Keep drinking your juice Rodriguez. You couldn’t destroy wet tissue paper.”Jack snorted as Cortez spoke up. “Uh Captain, I think the Reapers are onto us. You have about 3 minutes, tops.”The shuttle pilot reported. “Get back to the Normandy then. We have another way out of here.”Megan ordered as Cortez replied in the affirmative. “Roger that. Good luck, ma’am.”  “So, how’re the students handling the whole Reaper war?”Megan asked, turning back to Jack. “How do you think? They’re a bunch of teenagers. Until a few months ago, their biggest concern was getting laid.”The ex-convict sighed. “Well, I don’t think they’re ready for war either, but the goddamn Reapers aren’t leaving us with a lot of choices.”Megan agreed as Jack nodded. “Took the words right outta my mouth.”

 

“So all the talk about biotic artillery strikes…it’s just a pipe dream then?”Nicole asked, joining in the conversation as Jack stiffened up upon seeing her armor, colored in the Cerberus white and gold. “Your buddies may have saved my ass, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna fully trust your ass.”Jack snapped as Nicole just spread her arms in a gesture of confusion and a hint of hurt. “Hey, what the hell? We’re on the same side here!”Nicole sputtered as Ashley laid a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Hey baby…it’s alright. She’s trustworthy, and that’s coming from your Ash, who also hates Cerberus.”Ashley said soothingly to her girlfriend, who calmed down slightly. “Alright, fine. It’s great in theory. Maybe they’ll get it together once they’ve seen some action.”Jack answered.

 

“But…there’s something else, right?”Ashley asked, reading her lover like an open book. “They’d be better off as support. Put them in the back ranks, helping with barriers and shit. I don’t know.”  “I’m guessing you haven’t told them that yet so that they are still enthusiastic about whole thing, right?”Megan guessed as Jack nodded. “Jesus Shepard, are you reading my mind or something today? Stop it, because it’s getting goddamn creepy. But you’re right. I did pick up a few things listening to your damn speeches. Who woulda guessed, Captain Shepard’s boring-ass windbag speech actually inspired the badass biotic criminal.”Jack sniped as Megan faked a hurt puppy dog look.

 

“I love your new look Jack. You look amazing.”Ashley said, almost reverently as Jack laughed. “Yeah, you and Shepard rubbed off on me. Well, I was mostly the one rubbing you off, but yeah. I never had a family. And these guys…anyone screws with my students, and I will tear them apart.”Jack growled in that distantly familiar growl she used to do when Megan first recruited her while her brunette lover blushed deeply at her teasing. “Yep, you’re still the same old Jack inside. Just a more refined and slightly more approachable version.”Megan laughed as Jack just snorted and gave her the middle finger. “Alright Michael, how’re the soldiers? Ready to move out?”The redhead turned to the Cerberus sniper.

"Yep. They're ready to move out. Meet the 2 guys in charge."Michael confirmed as a Cerberus Phoenix operative and an Alliance Operations Chief stepped forward. "Captain. Pleasure to meet you again. William James at your service."The Cerberus operative saluted as Megan returned the salute. "James. Good to see you again." "Operations Chief David Wheeler reporting in, ma'am."The Alliance NCO saluted. "At ease Chief. Both of your guys ready to move out?"Megan returned the salute. "Yeah my people are just waiting on your go." "We're ready to go, but we're low on clips. Most of us only have a couple of clips left. May I make a suggestion, ma'am?"Wheeler asked. "Sure thing Chief. Shoot."

 

"Well, I was thinking that my squad and the Cerberus guys could take the second floor with Instructor Jack and her students and provide support while your team goes on the ground floor and hits the Reaper troops."The Chief suggested as Megan nodded. "Good thinking Chief. Conserve whatever little ammo you guys have left and keep your heads down. Sanders, regroup on us at Orion Hall's security hub-"Megan was interrupted by the gunfire of a horde of Reaper troops that were too late to reinforce the initial group. "Copy that Captain. Unlocking Orion sector now so you can proceed to the shuttle bay."Sanders radioed back. "Got it!"Megan replied, gunning down a commissar that Erin had overloaded the shields of.

 

The Reaper reinforcements were quickly dispatched by the time Sanders and her students got there. "Okay Sanders, follow Jack and Chief Wheeler. Keep your head down. We're moving out!"Megan ordered as the Normandy squad headed back down to the 1st floor along with her, and the Grissom Academy personnel and Cerberus troops took the big door outside the security hub. The Normandy team quickly maneuvered through several corridors until they reached the central atrium, which was a massive garden. The garden was very vibrant and a visual treat, but there were a lot of Reaper troops spoiling the whole tranquil atmosphere. And worse yet, there were a handful of brutes among the crowd.

 

"Well shit."Jentha cursed eloquently as she dove for cover, calling up her drone behind a brute to hit it with plasma blasts. She then popped out of cover to fire at approaching husks with her X55 battle rifle. Nicole looked decidedly uncomfortable as due to the sheer numbers of enemies preventing her from getting up close and personal, she was forced to stay back and hit them from long range with her X25 Hornet, occasionally pulling a cannibal up into the air with her biotics for the rest of the team to kill. Next to her, Danner and Javik were in their element as the Latino sniped away at Reapers with his X99, occasionally pausing to drain the shields of a commissar before cleanly sniping it, while Javik reduced Reaper thrall after thrall into ashes with his particle rifle. Nyla had completely put away her SMG, using her powerful biotics to eliminate the Reaper troops instead.

 

Ashley had taken cover right next to Michael and Grunt right at the very front, and they were racking up and impressive body count together as the explosive rounds from Grunt’s Striker rifle were blowing the Reaper husks apart and flushing out the survivors from behind cover, allowing Ashley and Michael to kill them easily. Meanwhile, Megan, Erin, Reznov and Jacob were moving fast on the right flank, running and gunning right below the walkway on the second floor where the Cerberus troops along with the Alliance troops and the biotics students were providing support. “Nice one, Prangley!”Everyone heard Jack yell as a cannibal was killed by a warp bolt, supposedly from Prangley.

 

 “Brute! Be careful with this mudak!”Reznov warned as he set up his MG on a planter box, laying down a steady stream of fire at the Reaperised krogan and firing a couple of grenades off from his grenade launcher, giving it pause. However, another 2 brutes came up behind it. “Oh, motherfucker!”Megan yelled in frustration, hitting the first brute with a reave before biotically charging into it, stumbling it and sending it back a bit so that Erin’s drone would have some time to distract the other brutes. Jacob’s X60 was efficiently cutting down the other smaller husks accompanying the brutes, but if those brutes didn’t go down quickly, the entire team would be eyeballs deep in trouble.

 

“Jack! I need you and your students to hit those fucking brutes in front of us, now!”Megan yelled as Erin’s combat drone winked out dead as a brute took a vicious swipe at it. “No sweat Shepard, we got your back!”Jack yelled back as suddenly, all 3 brutes were hit by a mix of biotic warps, pulls and pushes, severely disorienting them and allowing Megan’s fireteam to gain the upper hand.  "One down! Pour it on, pour it on!"Megan screamed, switching targets as the lead brute was viciously mangled thanks to her reave field detonating the pull field that was still lingering on the krogan husk. Soon enough, with the support of Jack and her students, and the troops above, the Reaper forces were eliminated and Megan's fire team was free to flank the Reapers.

 

The rest of the Normandy team had it somewhat easier as they were engaging the Reaper troops at range in the park, which was relatively cover-free for the Reaper troops, and they were simply cut down in the open. With Megan's fire team hitting the Reapers on the flanks, the firefight was over in under a minute. "Report in guys."The redheaded Vanguard radioed her team replied positively. "We're all good. Reznov's like a bullet sponge man...he's been soaking up most of the fire from the hostiles and he's fine."Danner reported. "It's the T5V armor. Experimental armor for N7 operators."Reznov replied, knocking the chest plate of his battlesuit proudly. "I gotta get me one of those."Jacob commented.

 

"Yeah, me too. Problem is, it looks really bulky...anyways, move out."The Spectre ordered as Miranda radioed in. "EDI's scans are showing that there are Reaper forces moving in onto your position from the administrative wing. The lead elements are already in the other garden wing." "Alright, no rest for the wicked I guess."Megan replied, opening the door with her squad behind her only to find herself facing down the lead element of husks barely 5 meters away from her. She used her biotics to charge right into them, knocking the front line down as she pulled out her shotgun. Nicole had also charged into the fray with her biotics, and started slashing husks apart with her katana while Megan unloaded her S7 Piranha shotgun on full auto into the husks.

 

Megan kicked down a commissar with the aid of her biotics, knocking the turian husk onto the floor before pumping 5 shots into it on full auto at point blank, splattering gore all over the place before swiveling on her heels and blasting away 2 more human husks before reloading. Between Megan and Nicole, the rest of the squad barely got a shot off at the husks. When it was over, Megan and Nicole stood in the midst of Reaper carcasses and both were panting heavily. "Damn. I only got one shot off."Michael commented, slightly annoyed but mostly impressed as he holstered his S22 shotgun. "Yeah man, that shit cray. I only killed one husk."Jacob agreed, putting away his S11 Wraith.

 

"Well, try to keep up guys. By the way, this shotgun is a beast."Megan breathed harshly from the exertion as she moved forward, switching out her shotgun for her X7 rifle as her squad hurried after her. They moved into the smaller garden wing, quickly eliminating the advancing Reaper troops with the help of Jack, her students and the troops upstairs. "Well, that was easier than the last one."Ashley remarked as the last hostile, a commissar, fell thanks to a precise 3-round burst from her Argus rifle once Jacob had overloaded its shields. "Yeah, but stay sharp. The Reapers might finally decide to assume direct control of this battle."Megan made a joking reference to Harbinger during the Collector mission as Jack, Erin, Jacob, and Grunt began snickering. Even Miranda could be heard chuckling over the radio.

 

The rest of the squad, however, was just staring blankly at Megan as she sighed. "Long story, I'll explain when we get back to the Normandy." They continued advancing down the corridors until they came across a commissar and a couple of cannibals standing around in front of a door that was protected by a gently flickering blue energy shield. Megan and Nicole nodded at each other before biotically charging into the little group and letting fly. In less than 10 seconds, the commissar was missing its head thanks to Nicole's katana, and the cannibals had their faces smashed in due to Megan's biotic punches.  "Come on you two, leave some for the rest of us."Jentha complained as the duo looked at each other and just shrugged.

 

"Hey, is there anyone in there? Lieutenant Ashley Williams here. It's clear outside."Ashley yelled, hoping she could be heard from the other side of the doors. The door slid open, but the shield remained operational as the Normandy team was greeted by an Asian man who couldn't be any older than 20 aiming a X96 Mattock at them, a trembling young black woman aiming a pistol at them, and a bald man tending to what they assumed was a shield generator. "Hey it's ok. I'm Captain Shepard of the SSV Normandy."Megan said reassuringly. "Oh thank you! We heard the Reaper creatures consistently trying to get through our shields and we thought that we'd be trapped in here forever! I'm Octavia Barnes."The black woman exclaimed in relief.

 

"And you must be Marcus Liang. David, do you remember me?"Megan asked kindly as David turned to her while powering down the shield. "Yes, Commander Shepard. You've saved my life again." "She's a Captain now David."Marcus informed the autistic savant as he blinked at Megan for awhile. "Ah, congratulations." "You were rescued by Captain Shepard?"Octavia asked with some disbelief in her voice. "Yes. It was...so noisy. I just wanted it to be quiet."David replied quietly. "I remember. What are you guys doing here?"The Spectre asked. 

 

"We're prototyping tech for the Alliance. This is our beta prototype shield generator, which is portable enough to be carried around and used by a single soldier to provide shields for a squad."Marcus replied, looking at the generator with pride. "That thing is mad strong. Make these generators general issue at squad level and we could damn well win the ground war with fewer casualties."Michael theorized. "Its power draw is probably too damn high for field use, which is why it's still in beta stage."Erin assessed as David nodded. "Yes. Even the strongest batteries wouldn't last longer than 15 minutes."David complained. "With that kind of shielding, I'm not surprised. So it needs to be plugged in to work now, right?"Jentha asked.

 

"Yeah. If only we could figure out how to optimize the power consumption but not sacrifice shielding power."Octavia complained. "We're moving out, so pack that up and come with us. We're meeting Sanders at the shuttle bay."Megan instructed them before turning to her team. "Okay, who here has VIP escort training and has experience with it?" "I do."Reznov answered as Michael raised his hand. "Megan, didn't you undergo escort training during the N7 course?"Ashley asked as the redhead nodded. "Yeah I did. I need guys with me to escort them though, especially with that huge ass generator they're packing."She explained.

 

"Alright then. So you, Michael and Viktor will be escorting the students. How do you want to organize the rest of us?"The brunette soldier asked. "Nicole scouts ahead while you and Grunt take point. You're in charge on the main team. Danner lingers back a little with his DMR to provide some heavier firepower, and my escort team will be tagging along behind him. Once they're done dismantling the generator, we're moving out."Megan instructed. "Okay guys you heard the skipper! We're moving out, so grab whatever ammo you need before moving out!"Ashley barked as the rest of the team just nodded. “Captain, we’re ready to move out.”Octavia spoke up as they finished disassembling the generator.

 

“Okay good. Stay with me, and keep your heads down. When I say jump, you jump. When I say duck, you hit the ground as fast as possible. Got it?”Megan briefed the students as they all nodded, somewhat terrified. “Okay, move out!”She ordered as her team moved out, Nicole cloaking as she moved ahead of the squad to scout the area, followed by Ashley’s team with Danner hanging back slightly, and then finally followed by Megan’s team and the students.  They moved through the corridors down to the shuttle bay quickly and efficiently, and quickly set up a defensive perimeter around the thick glass wall that separated the massive waiting terminal and the shuttle bay proper.

 

“I think the Reapers are really starting to catch on to what we’re doing here!”Erin warned as she incinerated a cannibal, following it up with a quick burst from her X9 Tempest that downed a commissar which had its shields overloaded by Danner beforehand. “Da, now this is starting to get interesting!”Reznov grunted, hosing down a scion before firing the grenade launcher mounted on his suit into a cluster of husks taking cover, killing most of them and flushing the rest out for the team to kill. “Come on Sanders…get your guys to hurry it up! The Reapers seem hell bent on making sure there are no survivors now!”Megan urged through gritted teeth as her reave field detonated Nyla’s singularity, killing an already weakened scion and 2 cannibals while Nyla warped another wounded scion.

 

“Okay Jack, get the biotic students in here now! Chief Wheeler, get your troops in too!”Kahlee ordered over the radio as the biotic students, the Alliance guards and the Cerberus troops made an orderly exfil for the shuttles while Megan’s team continued to rack up the kills as the Reaper troops kept pouring in. “Okay Shepard, we’re all in! Get your ass here, now!”Jack yelled over the radio. “Okay! Michael, Danner, Nicole, Jentha, Erin, Ashley, you guys go first!”Megan ordered as Javik finished off a scion she was firing at with a green biotic field that Javik had called a ‘dark channel’. “Copy! We’ll give you the go when we’re in the shuttles!”Ashley acknowledged as she motioned to the squadmates mentioned to move out.

 

After a few more seconds of intense fighting, Ashley radioed in to let Megan’s team know that it was time to bail. “Okay team, time to get the fuck outta dodge! Double time!”The redhead barked, gunning down a cannibal with her X7 Valkyrie. There was no simple hauling ass for exfil, they moved and covered each other like a well rehearsed symphony until they reached the shuttles. “Okay we’re in! Go-go-go!”Megan yelled as the shuttle door shut and clicked into the locked configuration as her shuttle lifted off alongside the others out into space, where they witnessed the Normandy, now backed up by several elements of the 5^th Fleet including the SSV Orizaba, engaged in battle with the Reaper ships.

 

“Holy shit, just look at that.”Jentha whistled in awe as they watched the battle unfold. A Reaper destroyer was hit by a salvo from the Orizaba, and the Normandy swooped in to finish it off with a blast from the Thanix cannon. “Yipeekayee motherfucker! How you like me now, bitches?”Joker taunted as the Normandy flew away from the destroyer, which was engulfed in explosions as it blew apart into pieces. Another salvo from the Orizaba and the Aconcagua, along with other vessels, brought down a Reaper dreadnought in a wreath of explosions, which was revenge for the Alliance cruiser that the now exploding Reaper had destroyed earlier on. “Fucking A! Give it to those bastards!”Jacob cheered.

 

“Da! Tear those mudaks apart! Make them pay!”Reznov hooted as Admiral Hannah Shepard paged Megan. “Admiral, Captain Shepard reporting in.”She addressed her mother. “Captain, divert the Grissom Academy personnel to other Alliance ships while you head back to your own ship. I’ll handle the Grissom personnel. Also, great job getting them out of there. Shepard out.”Hannah signed off before paging Megan on a private channel.  “Hey mom. That was kinda snappy earlier on.”Megan chuckled as her mother let out a tired laugh. “Sorry Megpie, I just haven’t had any shut eye in the past 70 hours. These Reapers just don’t quit.”The elder Shepard sighed. “Christ mom, go sleep now. Don’t make me issue it as an order. But seriously though, get some sleep ASAP.”Megan said concernedly.

 

“Fine, since my precious daughter says so. I hope you haven’t gotten yourself injured, otherwise…” “Don’t worry mom, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t dare get injured around Miri…especially since I already know what she’s like when I get injured.”Megan assured with a shudder. “So you’re afraid of your wife already? That’s good. It took me a bit longer to get 4James scared of me, so I’m impressed with you.”Hannah joked as both mother and daughter shared a moment of silence for their husband and father. “Dad would be beyond proud of you, Megan. I am too. I love you, and take care while you’re busy saving the galaxy, alright?”Hannah sounded like she was on the verge of tears even over the comm.

 

“Thanks mom. I love you too, and you gotta take care of yourself too. I wanna end this war with my mom still alive, ok?”Megan laughed, fighting back tears as she heard her mother blow out a long, harsh breath. “Alright Megan, I gotta go. I think you do too. Bye.”Hannah bade goodbye. “Bye mom. See you soon.”Megan returned the goodbye as they cut the connection. “Okay, we’re docking in 20 seconds.”Nyla, who was piloting the shuttle, announced. “Copy that. Joker, you got that?”Megan radioed. “Way to crap all over the party Shepard. I got it.”Joker mock groused as Megan just smiled and shook her head at her smart-ass pilot. As soon as the team stepped off the shuttle in the Normandy, they found Mordin and Wrex impatiently waiting for them in the shuttle bay.

 

“Ah Shepard, you’re back. Have just finished synthesizing the cure for the genophage. We are ready to deploy. Can we have a conference in the war room?”Mordin chattered at his familiar speed as Wrex nodded. “We’re ready to deploy the cure, but we don’t know how to do it yet. Plus, I just received word that the Reapers have finally landed on Tuchanka in force, and they’ve taken an ancient ground to space cannon facility. This is probably gonna be an issue.”Wrex interjected. “Got it. Alright, meet in the war room in 5 minutes. Wrex, I want every detail on that cannon facility at that briefing. Got it?”Megan ordered as she strode to the elevator. “Got it Shepard.”Wrex nodded, sounding excited. The doors closed and Megan sighed, alone in the elevator. The krogans now have some hope. And so do the turians…and us. We may win this after all.

 

Final notes: Heh, Wrex can’t wait for the cure, and I think we all know why! By the way, I chose to call the turian husks (which are called marauders ingame, I know) ‘commissars’ is because as a sort of leader for Reaper ground troops, the soldiers in the field would pick a more appropriate designation for it. As usual, thanks for reading, and do drop a review on the way out! This is t3HPrO, signing out!