Walk The Line

Chapter Two: Prime Evil

The night of the living dead is on its way...
with a credit report for duty call.
It's a lifetime guarantee.
Stuffed in a coffin 10% more free.
Red light special at the mausoleum.

Green Day – Macy's Day Parade

Eden Prime had once been an idyllic and peaceful planet. Decades ago the Alliance with the aid of several large corporations had begun to develop the beginnings of a settlement on the Earth-like planet. The prosperous suitability of the area drew heavy immigration traffic from civilians and soldiers seeking better employment opportunities. Over the course of that time Eden Prime had grown into a large, agricultural colony with blossoming orchids and expansive green fields. At the last consensus the population had been totalled at 3.7 million colonists living all over the thriving paradise.

As soon as her boots touched the ground Sara Shepard knew that Eden Prime had gone to hell. There were thick grey plumes of smoke bellowing in the distance from somewhere buried deep within the valleys of the plush green hills. The stench of burning plastic hung heavy in the air, stinging Shepard's nostrils and leaving a bitter taste on her tongue as she gestured for the other two members of her ground team to head towards where the dig site resided.

Nihlus had gone ahead. The turian Spectre had used a different drop zone to Shepard's tiny unit, stating that he would be quicker advancing to the target alone. Shepard had crossed paths with Nihlus only twice during her time on The Normandy and both times he had been aloft and blunt. She wasn't sure what to make of the man who was judging her on her actions out here today. As far as she was concerned this would be like every other mission she had participated in. She would work it to the best of her ability.

Becoming the first human Spectre was a daunting possibility. It was just like that old Spiderman comic said "With great power comes great responsibility." Shepard would be a role model for anyone that followed in her footsteps and she wasn't sure she liked the idea of that. No matter what happened in the long run she would get through this mission knowing that she had tried her damnedest, the same way she always did.

Something was prickling at the edge of Shepard's senses as the gravel from the pathway crunched under foot. There was a faint crackle in the air, like the oxygen atoms were charged with static. It was a strange feeling and it made the hairs on the nape of her began to raise as apprehension chased her system. She held her fist up as a sign for Jenkins and Alenko to halt their movements.

Alenko responded immediately, stopping dead, his pistol poised for action. Flickers of blue were already beginning to thrum in the air surrounding him, giving his olive skin a lighter hue as it created an aura around his stationary form.

Jenkins didn't share the same wisdom of experience. The high pitched whine cut through the air, filtering straight through to Shepard's brain, causing her to grind her teeth at the frequency of the sound before several, shiny metal drones hurtled through the air towards them. Jenkins was still in motion. His footsteps putting him directly in their path before the three drones opened fire on their unsuspecting enemy.

In less than a second it was all over. The bullets cut through Jenkin's shields like butter, clanking loudly as they pierced his armour in multiple places. His agile body jerked and wretched, splattering the glossy surface of the protective coating with vivid red blood. He tumbled to the ground awkwardly, his head lolling as his limbs stretched out at gawky angles.

Shepard was already taking aim at the first of the hostiles with her assault rifle as the drones diverted their attention to the remaining two members of the team. Alenko was already in motion, the shimmer of raw blue power encased the second drone causing the circuits to wheeze and crackle as he reached out towards it with his outstretched palm.