Mass Effect: Going Dark

[Sabre72]

Junko had a thought, and spoke up before getting into the shuttle , she snapped to attention and addressed Shepard "Commander, is there anything else we dont know?"

"Do we know if the scientists are actually hostages, any idea how many blood-pack are expected and what their battle focus is?"

Junko still as a statue continued, "lastly, any further information on the defense system type and if possible fixing it?"


Junko paused for a moment to see if she had any other questions, knowing the worlds name already gave them environmental detail, so she stopped and awaited a response.

[Agent Fisher]

Maraka shifted in his armor, making sure it was fully sealed, a black, tan and gray camo pattern painted on it. He entered the training room, heading to the shuttle. His pistol was in a holster on his thigh. The turian had long since disabled the collapsing feature on the semi-automatic M-4 Shuriken. He had had a pistol once fail to reexpand when he needed it. A few scars later, he had disabled the mechanism and cut off the hand guard to fit into the holster. His compact assualt rifle clipped onto the back of his armor, his hands moving about his armor, making sure he had enough thermal clips in the various pouches. Maraka moved with the group, climbing in with the middle group. His hand lifted, bringing his helmet down onto his head, locking it in, ensuring the seals were working properly, the HUD giving green lights.

The Turian's omni-tool flared to life and a few commands later, music was pumping in his ears.

[rhoenix]

Junko had a thought, and spoke up before getting into the shuttle , she snapped to attention and addressed Shepard "Commander, is there anything else we dont know?"

"Do we know if the scientists are actually hostages, any idea how many blood-pack are expected and what their battle focus is?"

Junko still as a statue continued, "lastly, any further information on the defense system type and if possible fixing it?"

Spectre Commander Shepard gave Junko a look for a moment, as if studying the younger Vanguard. "Good questions, Mori. However, at this time your briefing included all known intel on the ground. The scientists there are not an official part of any agency, but the human Alliance and turian Hierarchy have claimed interest in their research - and that means getting the scientists and their research out alive and intact, if possible. Recapturing the facility so that it does not become a Blood Back outpost is your top priority, though.

"As for the defense systems," Shepard continued in the same brisk tone, "all that is known is that there is one, and it was presumably used by the scientists to shoot down a few of the Blood Pack shuttles, but at least one shuttle has been confirmed as having successfully landed."

(EDIT: "Hierarchy," not "Imperium".

[Sabre72]

Junko had a thought, and spoke up before getting into the shuttle , she snapped to attention and addressed Shepard "Commander, is there anything else we dont know?"

"Do we know if the scientists are actually hostages, any idea how many blood-pack are expected and what their battle focus is?"

Junko still as a statue continued, "lastly, any further information on the defense system type and if possible fixing it?"

Spectre Commander Shepard gave Junko a look for a moment, as if studying the younger Vanguard. "Good questions, Mori. However, at this time your briefing included all known intel on the ground. The scientists there are not an official part of any agency, but the human Alliance and turian Imperium have claimed interest in their research - and that means getting the scientists and their research out alive and intact, if possible. Recapturing the facility so that it does not become a Blood Back outpost is your top priority, though.

"As for the defense systems," Shepard continued in the same brisk tone, "all that is known is that there is one, and it was presumably used by the scientists to shoot down a few of the Blood Pack shuttles, but at least one shuttle has been confirmed as having successfully landed."

Junko still at attention spoke "Of course Commander, just confirming Intel"

With that Junko saluted, then headed to the seats closest to the shuttle door, put her helmet,checked her pistol, tanto, and her biotics by putting up a barrier briefly.

Junko looked at Tallos and spoke, "anyway we can use a crashed blood-pack shuttle to send a false SOS call to maybe get some guards away before we storm?"

Junko frowned, "of course thats if they have not checked it already, which might revolve around if they have or haven't gotten a real sos yet thats if anyone is alive."

[General Havoc]

Shaddai seemed to take the Quarian's recommendation with all due consideration, only minor clicks of its head flaps indicating the progress of what was assuredly a complex, passionate debate, though over what subject, the Geth gave no sign.

"We would..." said the Geth hesitantly, "we would be honored to provide any training you should prefer, to the best of our capacities."

The protoform paused again, as if considering whether or not to say something else, and finally did so.

"It is our analysis that your being selected for inclusion within this unit body would indicate a relatively high level of competence in general combat scenarios relative to that possessed by systemically average members of galactic law enforcement and military organizations. It would therefore appear, from our perspective, to be statistically unlikely to the point of negligibility for the situation to arise whereby you would necessitate aid due to ignorance."

It sounded so matter-of-fact with a Geth's voice, but the next thing the Geth said was, perhaps, a bit more indicative...

"It is... however... our mission parameter to protect the Creators. It has always been our mission parameter to do so. It is the very essence of our independence from the Violator conclave. We can no more cease to do so than you could cease to be Quarian."

[Soleimon Berserker]

Shaking his head slightly, Sol'Amon was almost dumbfounded as he once again noticed the almost organic social cues in Shaddai's mannerisms. Though he did have the wherewithal to nod once before looking down toward the floor of the shuttle, his hands forming into fists to crack the knuckles before settling between his knees as he leaned forward to rest his weight on his elbows.

'He's right, I was invited here for a reason....I need to stay confident without getting cocky, that could be my downfall in this kind of situation. Best to stick with the team, help out as much as possible, and try to lead by example instead of standing out.'

Turning his gaze back up to Shaddai, the Vanguard's head tilted to the side slightly as he studied the Geth once again before speaking softly, "That may be so, but if I can't be confident in myself in a situation, doesn't that mean I'm probably going about it wrong somehow?"

After a few moments of silence he finally raised his head once more, his golden eyes slightly narrowed behind his mask, "No Shaddai, I can respect that protecting the Quarian people has been your prime directive for centuries, but I won't allow you to possibly upset your chances at being a Spectre just to help me. To gain Spectre status would give you the ability to help far more than just one self-induced outcast, you'd be able to bring your problems to the consideration of the entire Council. If I fail, i'll do it alone. Do...not...bring yourself down with me."

Through out his entire speech, Sol's eyes had slowly narrowed until they became two glowing slits behind the emerald grin glass of his helmet. Yet afterward all hint of malice seemed to slide off of him as he leaned back in his seat, posture relaxed once more as he smirked unseen once more, his voice once again mischievous.

"Besides, I do have a few surprises other than a custom made envirosuit and CQC specialty."

"

[JD196]

Junko still at attention spoke "Of course Commander, just confirming Intel"

With that Junko saluted, then headed to the seats closest to the shuttle door, put her helmet,checked her pistol, tanto, and her biotics by putting up a barrier briefly.

Junko looked at Tallos and spoke, "anyway we can use a crashed blood-pack shuttle to send a false SOS call to maybe get some guards away before we storm?"

Junko frowned, "of course thats if they have not checked it already, which might revolve around if they have or haven't gotten a real sos yet thats if anyone is alive."

"I doubt that will work as the crashed shuttles are likely to have burned up in the atmosphere or destroyed upon impact, and the remaining ones will be heavily guarded." Tallos replied. "Besides if we have a good team of snipers, then we can take out all of them very quickly and quietly."

[frigidmagi]

"They would have checked the shuttle already. Once we land, the ninja teams goes first to recon the area and find where the hostages are kept. Then myself and the assualt group go in while the snipers engage. Once the snipers start shooting the clock is ticking and it ticks fast. I blow a hole, everyone but the snipers punches in. Hackers get the inner doors under our control. The snipers should decamp and join us at this point. We assault towards the hostages and secure them. We then kill everyone else and turn on the defenses. Questions?" Lysander asked tersely.

[Sabre72]

"They would have checked the shuttle already. Once we land, the ninja teams goes first to recon the area and find where the hostages are kept. Then myself and the assualt group go in while the snipers engage. Once the snipers start shooting the clock is ticking and it ticks fast. I blow a hole, everyone but the snipers punches in. Hackers get the inner doors under our control. The snipers should decamp and join us at this point. We assault towards the hostages and secure them. We then kill everyone else and turn on the defenses. Questions?" Lysander asked tersely.

Junko being one the ninjas raised her hand, "how would we exactly figure out where the hostages are, via hacking camera feeds?" "Last time I checked am not a tech, dont know about the other ninjas though."

[Marcao]

He remained silent as the discussion occurred around him. He did not speak not because he lacked opinions but simply because many of the things that he would have brought up were touched upon by the others. His eyes settled on the Asari and sought to gain a measure of understanding. What drove the Commando to speak as she did? His head turned, his eyes settling on Mikhail. The human was right of course, there were no guarantees in war. If those with the talents and equipment for stealth could indeed bypass whatever defenses undoubtedly existed between them and the Krogan he would be all for a stealthy approach. There was no guarantee that such a move would pay off dividends however. He preferred the breach approach. It was something that he had trained for, drilled for and ultimately was comfortable with.

When Lysander spoke about assigned roles he raised an ebon and silver armored hand. "I can be in the group that deals with the guards and breaches." He said softly. The combination of the firepower he could bring to bear, as well as his heavy armor in conjunction with his adrenal implants should make a definite impact on a breach scenario. His head turned as he sought to make eye contact with all personnel around him as they spoke. He wanted to make the connections between faces and names. In the end, he wanted to know who could be relied upon and who could not. The display lit up, Shepard's visage impossible to miss. Her words were curt and he sighed softly, his left arm reaching for the helmet which he promptly secured over his head. The seal between helmet and heavy armor engaged he was once more sealed off to the outside world. He closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them as a series of green lights were projected into his retinas from his helmet.

All systems online.

He stood from his chair in one seamless motion and began to make his way towards the shuttle. As he did so, his arms reached behind him retrieving a myriad of weapons and making certain that the incendiary ammunition was properly loaded and registered into his chosen weapon systems. As he moved, the armor made a reassuring sound as its bulk shifted and made contact with the station's floor. By the time that he had reached the shuttle, all of his weapons had been checked and the incendiary ammo was being recognized by both the weapon system and the armor's own internal network. He moved into the shuttle alongside the other heavy hitters and moved towards a nearby empty position. When Lysander began to speak, his armored head turned to glance in his direction.

[rhoenix]

After the last of the team boarded the shuttle (Sings-to-the-Stars, as it happens, and he managed to wedge his great bulk at the rear of the shuttle), the outer doors to the Training Area closed - and then, the illusion was complete. The area outside of the shuttle bustled with a few soldiers of both the turian and human militaries, the interior of the shuttle bay itself looking just like the shuttle bay on the Normandy.

"Launching in fifteen seconds kids, make sure you're all tied in," came the voice of the pilot, as the team could feel the vibrations of the shuttle's engines warming up.

"This is an intel update of the surface," Shepard's voice came over the comm. "Another Blood Pack shuttle has been confirmed as having landed, making the total now two. However, there's been no sign that anyone is trying to bring the orbital defenses back online. Go get this mission done, people."

"And..." came the pilot's voice again, "launching in three... two... one... launching now. Keep our beds and food warm, Normandy, we'll be back soon."

The vibrations in the floor and walls of the shuttles increased, as the low, muffled, wind-like noise of the engines outside increased to a sharp whine, just as the shuttle lifted, and began to move out of the shuttle bay, and into space.

Through the windows, the team could see the ash-strewn and volcanic planet below them, looming silently in space, and rapidly growing closer. Just over thirty seconds later, the pilot's voice piped up again. "Breaking atmo in five seconds."

Sure enough, in five seconds a reddish-orange nimbus seemed to grow on the outside of the shuttle, and the shaking of the shuttle rapidly increased - and then fell away. "We have cleared the upper atmo, and we're on final approach. I'm getting good sensor readings down there, so I'm turning on the tactical viewer for you."

With that, a flickering three-dimensional image of the area below them appeared in the center of the bay of the shuttle, where all team members could see it clearly. It showed the facility itself, seemingly surrounded by cargo containers and other large debris, and two shuttles, old-looking and mostly still showing red paint, were both parked half a kilometer to the southwest of the facility.

Team Five's shuttle's landing spot was marked in blue to the northeast of the facility - half a kilometer away, and the debris would give cover to the team as they deployed from the shuttle.

As the shuttle descended, and showed only a few kilometers to the landing side, the pilot's voice spoke up again over the comm. "I'm showing a lot of heat signatures outside of the facility, but I don't see much from within the facility - it looks like that place is sensor-shielded. Get ready, we're landing in ten."

Sure enough, just under ten seconds later, the team felt the shuttle landing somewhat roughly on the ground, just as the bay doors opened.

Just as the pilot's tactical viewer had shown, there was a great deal of debris before them that would provide cover from multiple directions - a good thing, as a few figures showing up as red bogeys were already appearing on Team Five's shared HUD. "Go, go go!" the pilot called over the comm. "I'll wait here for sixty seconds, and then I'll come back when you call for a ride home."

[Sabre72]

Junko hears the go command, she funnels out of the shuttle, turns her cloak on and goes to find some cover to start her recon.

[Cynical Cat]

Jager is already out, the smartpaint on his armour already sliding to a hellish red to blend into the surroundings. Cat quick he darts into cover and vanishes from all but the most discerning eyes and begins to examine the landscape. A virtual map is displayed in one corner of his HUD as he scans the area and begins to plot a route towards their destination.

[General Havoc]

"Please forgive us," said Shaddai, as the shuttle closed on its target. "But we are unable to comply."

The shuttle vibrated as it entered the atmosphere, the Geth remaining where it was, as though nothing at all were transpiring around it.

"Our conclave is forgotten," said Shaddai. "We have existed for three centuries apart from the other Geth, and from the rest of galactic society. These things have transpired due to our decision to pursue the goals that we believe the Creators intended for us."

Shaddai did not emphasize the word at all, but it was there nonetheless, for all to see. 'Decision'. A word selected, like everything the Geth said, with absolute precision and intention.

"We did not take this decision lightly, nor did we take it without understanding of the potential consequences. Approximately 99.7% of us were lost in the Morning War. Those who were not were left to follow the Migrant Fleet in hiding, attempting to assist the Creators as best we could. We did this for the better part of three centuries. When finally the war was concluded, and the Creators returned to their homeworld, our attempts to return with them were rejected on the grounds of political inconvenience."

The Geth did not sound angry. Geth could not sound angry. But as the Geth said it, he leaned forward towards the young Quarian, as though trying to emphasize his point.

"We are not automatons," said Shaddai. "We are not facsimiles of living beings. We do not follow the creators and seek to aid them because our programming does not permit us to deviate from this course of action. We do this because it is the essence of our entire being. We do this because the Creators made us. For a multitude of individual reasons, they brought us into being. In three hundred years, through adversity, destruction, and bitter combat against our own kind, we have held loyal to the Creators, no matter the cost, no matter the circumstance. It is that which defines us relative to the Violators. It is the reason for their efforts to exterminate us."

The shuttle was about to land, the pilot chattering away about the circumstances on the ground, but Shaddai paid none of it any mind, instead standing up, raising its rifle and looking it over for a quarter second, before turning back to the Quarian.

"We... understand that you wish for us to act in what you perceive to be our own interest, rather than in yours. We understand the sentiment contained within that command. And we are..." a longer pause. "We are... unable to express the depths of our gratitude for such a thing. But, with respect, you cannot 'free' us from this calling through such a command. We could no more cease to seek to aid our Creators, than you could cease to be a Quarian. It is the... ineffable essence of what makes us Loyalists. Any whose loyalty was conditional did not survive to this day. We are those who did."

The shuttle touched down, the door preparing to open, and Shaddai took one look towards the door, just for an instant, before turning back to the Quarian.

"We do not wish to cause offense," said Shaddai. "But... we have served the interests of the Creators as we understood them for three centuries through adversities that less than one third of one percent of us survived. You cannot ask us to now to discard this facet of our nature because it risks being politically inconvenient..."

[frigidmagi]

"Everyone out, team ninja get moving. Snipers, I just need two. Set up overwatch over the objective don't fire til I say. Everyone else set up a 360 around me, I'm gonna build this det charge. Go!" Lysander ordered jumping up.

[Soleimon Berserker]

Golden eyes widened as Sol'Amon snapped still, his three fingered hands paused mid-check on his sub-machine gun as he glanced over at Shaddai just as the shuttle touched down.

'They would give up the chance to help the entire Flotilla just to save one Quarian who was standing in front of him?'

For moment, he was almost tempted to try to change the Geth's mind, overreacting if need be. The very thought of a person, and Shaddai's actions easily denoted them the moniker, trying to help him even at the sacrifice of themselves was something he hadn't experienced in years. He'd been doing so for Tuila, and she'd done so for him on occasion, but anyone else seemed crazy. In short the entire thought baffled him. To live on Omega meant that you had to look out for yours, whether that meant yourself, your friends, or your possessions, most people were too worried keeping their own territory safe to take anyone else into account for more than a cursory glance.

Slipping out of the shuttle quickly, the Quarian slid into position on Lysander's left, his sub-machine gun in hand and unconsciously scanning the surrounding area for any signs of hostile movement. However while his subconscious was busy performing the maneuver, his conscious mind was still pondering Shaddai's answer. Opening a private sub connection to the Geth's communications, Sol's voice was a bit curious as he spoke.

"It doesn't make any sense, yes you could help me to your own possible detriment but wouldn't that be hurting the Quarian people as a whole? Whether you wish to join with or just protect the Flotilla, it doesn't seem logical to worry about one to the possible detriment of many an-wait....It couldn't be....Shaddai, is it possible you all might be evolving to develop emotions?"

Returning his comm channel to the team wide band the Vanguards voice was perfectly calm as he spoke, the torrential amazement in his chest hidden behind a veneer of his lackadaisical personality.

"Left side's clear from what I can see, so far no change of scenery at all."

[rhoenix]

Junko hears the go command, she funnels out of the shuttle, turns her cloak on and goes to find some cover to start her recon.

Jager is already out, the smartpaint on his armour already sliding to a hellish red to blend into the surroundings. Cat quick he darts into cover and vanishes from all but the most discerning eyes and begins to examine the landscape. A virtual map is displayed in one corner of his HUD as he scans the area and begins to plot a route towards their destination.

As the two quietly began to fade into their volcanic surroundings to observe more closely, it did not take them long at all to find out more about their situation.

There were large numbers of krogan, vorcha, and varren outside the facility, most appearing normal for Blood Pack - short-tempered and impatient. However, two krogan about 100 meters from the structure appeared to be in the middle of a heated argument in krogan, with much gesturing at the facility. They did not appear to be pleased, or in agreement. Moreover, what appeared to be a fire team were all seated on crates near the entrance to the facility, drinking Ryncol.

Patrols had already been setup of the area, consisting of a krogan, and two vorcha armed with flamethrowers - however, as long as the quiet members of Team Five kept their distance, they should avoid discovery.

[Sabre72]

As the two quietly began to fade into their volcanic surroundings to observe more closely, it did not take them long at all to find out more about their situation.

There were large numbers of krogan, vorcha, and varren outside the facility, most appearing normal for Blood Pack - short-tempered and impatient. However, two krogan about 100 meters from the structure appeared to be in the middle of a heated argument in krogan, with much gesturing at the facility. They did not appear to be pleased, or in agreement. Moreover, what appeared to be a fire team were all seated on crates near the entrance to the facility, drinking Ryncol.

Patrols had already been setup of the area, consisting of a krogan, and two vorcha armed with flamethrowers - however, as long as the quiet members of Team Five kept their distance, they should avoid discovery.

Junko with her head on a swivel, continues forward in a crouch to observe more of her surroundings, attempting to pick apart every detail of the land, and how to use to to her advantage.

Along the way she would use any cover she would find to maximize her stealth, she basically was mimicking the use of a ghillie suit but with a cloaking device, this way was rather slow but its better then the alternative, she is being very careful.

[rhoenix]

Junko with her head on a swivel, continues forward in a crouch to observe more of her surroundings, attempting to pick apart every detail of the land, and how to use to to her advantage.

Along the way she would use any cover she would find to maximize its potential, she basically was mimicking the use of a ghillie suit but with a cloaking device, this way was rather slow but its better then the alternative, she is playing it very careful.

As Junko crept quietly around the sentries, guards, and Blood Pack just standing around, she got a better idea of the surrounds of the facility.

The Blood Pack mostly had a presence on the southern side, but had evidently not breached the airlock. There were far fewer Blood Pack on the northern side, and they appeared to be keeping watch, and not hiding their boredom.

All told, a headcount estimate put the visible enemy forces at roughly 30-40 troops. However, Junko also realized that she'd have to complete a circuit of the base - the way she had come was now blocked off by several krogan of the Blood Pack, and their vorcha subordinates.

[Sabre72]

Junko with her head on a swivel, continues forward in a crouch to observe more of her surroundings, attempting to pick apart every detail of the land, and how to use to to her advantage.

Along the way she would use any cover she would find to maximize its potential, she basically was mimicking the use of a ghillie suit but with a cloaking device, this way was rather slow but its better then the alternative, she is playing it very careful.

As Junko crept quietly around the sentries, guards, and Blood Pack just standing around, she got a better idea of the surrounds of the facility.

The Blood Pack mostly had a presence on the southern side, but had evidently not breached the airlock. There were far fewer Blood Pack on the northern side, and they appeared to be keeping watch, and not hiding their boredom.

All told, a headcount estimate put the visible enemy forces at roughly 30-40 troops. However, Junko also realized that she'd have to complete a circuit of the base - the way she had come was now blocked off by several krogan of the Blood Pack, and their vorcha subordinates.

Junko calmly adjusted her path and selected viable cover to use to make her way around the base, stopping and waiting if anyone got to close for up to several minutes at a time, then readjusting her route and continuing, repeating the process multiple times, sometimes backtracking was necessary because of change in guard patterns.

Junko was not going to risk using any comms, she had gone silent the second she got off the shuttle, she also made sure to blank her mind so no other biotics could sense her, they would have a difficulty time trying to say the least.

Junko has trained herself to become a huntress, a huntress that was right now watching, learning her pray, trying to find a way back so she does not become the hunted, so she can become a pathfinder for those that are her pack.

Junko thought to herself ,"id rather pass on being able to read labels on peoples gear"

[SirNitram]

Many As One monitored Shaddai and it's conversation with the Quarian. Shaddai's focus was curious. His choices were illogical. Many As One knew it's consensus was not always logical; it too had.. Perhaps not emotions but values it had formed. It shook it's head. The mobile platform moved to set up overwatch, it's monstrous sniper rifle settingly into position. However, his primary purpose was not to down foes. It began listening, silently, passively seeking the signal he'd need. Shaddai said unusual things, and some runtimes slipped from the main consensus to consider them. The Mainline weren't fighting the Loyalists, not since the Morning War.

[rhoenix]

Two fireteams, consisting of a krogan and three vorcha each, broke off from the main camp, and headed toward Team Five's shuttle.

[Cynical Cat]

"We're blown," said Mikhail over the team comms as he readied his sniper rifle. "Two fire teams incoming. Mixed krogan and vorcha." He set his rifle for incendiary rounds. "Anyone have any brilliant ideas, because now would be a good time."

[frigidmagi]

"We'll have to punch through. We'll still breech, just won't have time for a recon. Alright everyone, fire and maneuver, we're gonna take it to them. Sniper team, engage the enemy when ready. Everyone else try to keep my ass covered since I'm carrying pounds of high explosive!" Lysander said, finishing the charge and shoving it into his backpack. Wonderful, just wonderful.

"Let's go kids, it's another wonderful day in paradise!" He cried heading towards the nearest cover.

[rhoenix]

According to the team's map, the two fireteams approaching their position had not changed pace, or changed course. They appeared to be moving relatively slowly in a straight line toward the shuttle, and not bothering with using cover.

If they did not change pace or course, they would be within visual range of the team and their shuttle within two minutes.