Mass Effect: After the Smoke Falls

Tratiors and Reopened Wounds

The Normandy’s interior looked like a bomb went off. Which in fact one did. The engine room was on fire and Gabby and Donnelly fought hard to keep the flames down.

“Damn that witch!”  Donnelly cursed as he sprayed the flame retardant all over the controls.

“No one knew she was going to be part of Cerberus, let alone be Shepard’s-“ Gabby was cut off as an explosion knocked her off her feet. Donnelly helped her off and sprayed the last of the retardant on the new flames, but it did no justice.

“We have to abandon this place! EDI can you cut off these halls?” Donnelly asked as he helped Gabby out of the engine room.

“I can do what I can.” EDI said, her artificial voice filled with anger and worry. The green control lights on the door turned red and the room was completley sealed. Donnelly applied medi-gel on his comrade’s injuries and helped her on her feet.

“You alright lass?” he asked.

Gabby nodded. “Just a few scratches love, nothing new.” She gave him a quick embrace then let him go as she saw Shepard’s shuttle park in. “Come on lets tell Shepard what happened.”

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Shepard’s already growing temper rose higher as he saw the destruction on his ship. The cargo bay was decimated and smoke flowed from broken windows. “Who the hell could’ve done this?”

“It was that new chica, Elena.” Said James, coming away from the control panels. “She and a couple of the crew members tried to take over the ship, but we drove them off.”

 “What?” Kaidan asked, angry. “It can’t be her, she wouldn’t do something like this.”

“There’s no time to worry about that now,” Robert said as he ran towards the elevator. “We need to get this ship operational before we go after Cerberus.”

“We don’t even know where they are.” Liara said.

“Roberts right we need to take them out once and for all.” Shepard growled as he walked to the elevator with Robert. He walked past a piece of glass and noticed his face. His scars were back, and they were more prominent than ever. But the surgery shouldn’t have let them re-appear. He cursed and hopped into the elevator and was surprised to see Gabby and Donnelly. “You two ok?”

Gabby nodded. “A few scratches and sour feelings. Commander, Elena she-“

“We know we were told.” Robert said. “What happened to the good three fourths of the crew that came back from John’s place.”

“The majority of them are alright, but-“ Gabby clenched her fists then looked up at Shepard.

“Jack sacrificed herself to save Joker and EDI, the explosions were too much for her biotics. She’s hurt bad.” Donnelly finished.

Shepard closed his eyes then pressed the button for the Crew Deck. “EDI, how bad is the damage?”

“Engine room was hit badly but I was able to repair most of the operations and extinguish the fire. The CIC was damaged but repairing shouldn’t take long.” EDI replied. “Other than the fact I have the urge to disembowel the traitors, I’m more worried about the crew.”

Shepard gave a small and very temporary smirk. “Your turning more human every day EDI.”

“Shepard, I can’t read Tali’s signature on the ship, is she alright?” asked Joker’s voice.

“She was taken by those Cerberus bastards.” Robert replied. “Admiral Xen was working for them and attacked the Embassy. Tali was take but we don’t know about the rest of the Admirals.”

“Dammit! Well now Cerberus has to answer for a lot of shit.” Joker said. “First the ship, then crew, then Tali, then the whole damn Quarian Embassy!”

“That’s not the worst part.” Shepard followed. ”Someone that looked like Kai Leng was there.”

“And things just got a whole lot worse.” Joker said grimly and the connection was cut off.

They arrived at the Crew deck and Shepard ran to the Medical Bay. Doctor Chakwas stood next to Jack, who was burnt badly. When she turned her face was tracked with tear stains.

“Shepard!” She exclaimed. “Your scars, they-“

Shepard nodded. “Must of happened because of Harbinger’s beam. How is she?”

“I’ve done all I could but It’s hard to treat someone with this injury.” Chakwas wiped her eyes. “She might not make it, Shepard.”

He looked over her injuries. She was missing an arm and her bare torso was burnt badly. The tattoo’s that were visible were melted to the point of unrecognition. The only thing assuring she was still alive was the heart monitor next to her.

“Treat her the best that you can.” Shepard patted the Doctor on the shoulder and walked out to see Garrus.

“Shepard the Primarch is on the Com center.” He said with urgency.

“What now?” Shepard said with clear annoyance.

“Palaven, it’s been attacked. Menae’s been destroyed.” Garrus explained.

“I swear if this day got any worse the Illusive Man would be alive still.”