Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 81

Milky Way/Omega-4 Relay/Galactic Core/SSV Normandy SR-2

Earth year: 2186 CE --- January

Callie was still fuming when she joined Joker on the bridge as they passed through the Omega-4 relay. Her heart leapt to her throat as they dropped out of FTL and almost crashed right into a large piece of ship debris.

"Shit!" Joker swore, banking hard left to avoid collision. His palms sweating, he continued to curse as he fough to keep from hitting anything. The space before them was littered with thousands of pieces of ship debris in varying sizes. "Guess we know why no one's come back from here." He muttered, finding a clear path.

"Take us in slow Joker." Callie said. "I see the base."

"Aye, aye Commander."

Their slow progress didn't last long when several Collector attack drones fell in behind the Normandy and began firing at them. After a harrowing cat and mouse chase weaving in and out of drifting ship parts, Joker brought them out the other side, relatively unscathed.

He and Shepard breathed a sigh of relief until Callie saw the Collector ship move out of the base and head out to greet them.

"Show them our new teeth Joker." She growled.

"You got it Commander. Fire the main guns!"

As the Thanix cannon impacted the Collector ship, Joker laughed. "How do you like that you sonsofbitches!"

"Get in close and finish them off." Callie ordered.

Without a word, Joker fired again and cried with unrestrained glee as the Collector ship blew apart.

"Look out!" Miranda cried, having joined them on the bridge.

"Dammit!" Joker cursed as the Normandy's course brought them in  too close to the now disintegrating ship. As the shock wave rocked the Normandy, Callie and Miranda were thrown to the floor and Joker's terminal lit up.

"Kinetic barriers are down! Main engine offline! EDI! Give me something!" He cried.

"Secondary controls unresponsive. Shields at 40%." EDI replied as the Normandy headed straight for the Collector base's exterior docking tube.

"Reroute all non-crittical power to barriers!" Joker barked. "Eveyone brace for impact! This is gonna hurt."

Screeching, protesting metallic sounds punctuated Joker's words as the Normandy skidded over the metal platform before sliding to a stop several yards later.

"Everyone all right?" Callie asked, getting back to her feet.

"I think I broke a rib." Joker groaned. "Or all of them."

"We all knew this was likely a one-way trip." Miranda reminded them.

"I came here to stop the Collectors." Callie said, catching her eye. "But I intend to live to tell about it."

"I'm glad you're in charge." Joker muttered, monitoring his terminal and checking systems.

"Is the ship safe here?' Callie asked.

"No sensors appear to have been tripped." EDI answered.

"Their sensors may have been damaged like ours. They may not know we're here." Joker added.

"The ship should be safe here Shepard." EDI continued. "I will need some time to make the necessary repairs."

"Do what you can EDI." Callie replied. "Have everyone meet us in the briefing room."