[table][row][cell][right][img]https://i.imgur.com/Vis9F3x.png[/img] [/right][/cell] [cell][h3] [u]LOYALTY: [color=0054a6]Shadow[/color][color=red]◢[/color][/u] [sub][b][code]Daring Rescue: Part 3[/code][/b] [/sub][/h3] [/cell][/row][/table] The teams moved into their respective positions. Zenn crawled through the tunnels under the ship, while the quarians along with Kysar and Sol crept through the door on the overlook but kept a low profile to not disturb the countless husks that stumbled in the depths. It looked exactly as Leena had described, but there was still one key feature that hadn’t been discussed; the radiating light from the reaper device made this the only room illuminated without any flashlights. It would make things much easier for both teams, but it did mean Zenn would have to be more aware of where he was when his cloak wore off. Well, no time like the present. [color=0054a6]”This is Shadow. I’m heading in."[/color] Zenn announced on comms. He proceeded to slice the lock on the hatch to the room, then activated his cloak and crawled out. He paused for a moment, analyzing the best route he could run without bumping into any husks. His best bet would be to stick to the walls. He pressed up against the wall and carefully slid along. His cloak wouldn’t last long enough to go this way, so he would have to make a run for it the second he found an opening. His cloak was nearly half gone when he finally spotted a section where the husks had parted. Without hesitation he made a break for it and bolted towards the device. He was fast, maybe too fast. He got through the crowd of husks, but didn’t see one of the long bundles of cables on the ground. The cables caught his foot and tripped him to the ground. It was a good thing he was invisible, so nobody saw. At least he really really hoped they hadn’t. Pulling himself up, he finished his run to the device, just in time for his cloak to wear off. The moment it dropped, a number of husks turned their heads looking directly at him. [color=0054a6]“I’m spotted! Open fire!"[/color] Zenn alerted over comms. The Quarian's weren't kidding, the number of husks crammed into the engineering room was almost unbelievable. It was almost as if half the ships population was in one room. A swarm of rotting, twisted corpses stood with their attention focused on the device. Whatever it was, it shone bright like a star, mesmerizing in its own way. Strange. Kysar thought, I think.. I think I can feel its energy. It was a feeling reminiscent of earlier, when he had tapped into the dark energy of the pilot, only scaled up. Zenn's frantic call over the comm link shook the Turian from his trance. [color=800000]"Now! Fire!"[/color] Focusing on those closest to the bottom of the staircase, he let loose, mowing down all in the path of his rifle with others nearby starting to turn their attention. Solveig stood up on the balcony with some of the other Quarians, assault rifle in hand and her cryo ammo loaded. On Kysar's word she began shooting, the husks she shot became hardened with the bright blue bullets, before shattering like crystal, and bursting into billowing clouds of dust. As she glanced to the side, she saw the Quarians wavering, even those with Kysar below. Solveig reloaded and took aim again, her stare focused and menacing. She hoped the Quarians would get their confidence. Zenn needed them. [color=d64d82]“Keelah… There’s so many of them…"[/color] One of the quarians said, and even began to slowly back up towards the door. The sight of so many husks piled in made him second guess this plan, even if it was their best if not only chance to stop them. Leena did not hesitate to grab the quarian by the collar and pull him back. [color=red]”You’re not going anywhere! We need everyone firing if we want to get out of this. These people gave us another shot at taking this thing down, we are not about to abandon them now!"[/color] She practically tossed him to the edge of the railing where he was supposed to be positioned. [color=red]”That goes for all of you! Anyone else tries to leave, and I’ll make you wish the husks caught you!"[/color] Their bravery renewed, or their fear of their commander outweighing that of the husks, the quarians snapped out of it and resumed their positions. Meanwhile, Zenn kneeled by the device and began pulling out the charges. One by one, he carefully attached them to the device while occasionally looking over his shoulder to be sure none of the husks were coming his way. It wasn’t enough. Even with their commander kicking the Quarians into gear, the whole team combined still weren’t turning enough of the husks heads. Worse still, it looked as if some were noticing Zenn. [color=800000]“Wraith,"[/color] Kysar cried out over the comms. [color=800000]"How’s our boy doing out there?"[/color] Amongst the crowd of husks, Solveig could see Zenn, [color=662d91]”his best,"[/color] she answered, before evaluating the situation - the big picture. [color=662d91]”But it's not enough. Coming down to you!"[/color] She launched over the railings quickly, and found herself back to back with her Turian team-mate. [color=662d91]"Thinking this might do something,"[/color] she said - holding out the arc projector, pressing her finger against the trigger - bringing the strange new weapon to life. [color=662d91]”Need help though. Make them look at me."[/color] Kysar nodded, holstering his rifle and stepping out from the line. An aura of blue biotics began to emanate from his core as the Turian arms spread wide. His slam technique had been honed to take one heavy object and drive it down into the earth rather than a group of lighter objects. Husks, however, were relatively light so he had to make this one a spectacle. Snapping his hands together, Kysar caught a husk in his biotic blue web, hoisting the creature into the sky above. Holding in the air for just a moment longer, the Turian hoped he could outshine the device and gather the attention of as many of the husks as possible. Swiftly, Kysar roared as he brought the creature down, rocketing it into the floor as quickly as he could. Guts and chunks of flesh rained down upon everyone in the surrounding area as the husk exploded on impact. The Turian looked back over his shoulder at Sol, hoping he not only gave her the display needed but the time to charge the weapon to fire. Kysar got the attention she had wanted him to and Solveig watched his biotic manoeuvre, impressed by his display. Just like that, a row of them began surround both Solveig and Kysar in a circle, lunging forwards. [color=662d91]“Nice!"[/color] She called out, pointing the gun forwards. A second light burst forth to illuminate the room from the barrel of the arc projector. The lightning hit the husk closest to Sol first, and the bolt continued its trajectory in a spectacular fashion from husk to husk in a line. Solveig had made a web of her own, crackling and snapping through bodies quickly. But what to do now? The weapon felt hot in her hand, and it kept going until it curled and sparked near Kysar. The best she could do was drop the damn thing. It had overheated in her hand, and the husks were still moving in. They were off Zenn, but moving in a second wave. [color=800000]“Gah, fuck!"[/color] As the bolts from the arc projector rippled through the crowd, one had snapped back at Kysar, zapping his wrist. The Turian hadn’t had the time to grab a gun from his back and now he was flicking his hand to try and shoo the pain away. Unfortunately this gave time for the enemy to close the gap. One husk had somehow dodged the round of lightning and had set its sights on the Turian. Kysar, as cocky as ever smiled as the creature leapt towards him, flicking his wrist to ignite his Omni-blade. [color=800000]“What the fuck?"[/color] Was all he managed to get out before the husk was on him. His Omni tool had failed, sparking and fluttering, the orange hue of the device refused to properly start up. No doubt it was due to the arc projector but that was the least of the Turians troubles. Gnashing and clawing, the creature attacked Kysar with mindless ferocity. All he could was try and hold it back from biting anything vital. [color=662d91][i]Skita![/i][/color] she cursed, watching as Kysar was suddenly swarmed, the fucking projector. [color=662d91][i]Damn guns,[/i][/color] she thought before pushing forward to his left, pulling back her arm to slam a solid punch on the husk - it ended up going right through its centre, and whatever was inside of it became a grotesque bracelet of sorts as she pulled her arm back. Solveig wondered why she had been using guns at all in these close quarters. Knowing that Kysar would be fine, she swung forwards, launching more melee attacks in front of her - fast and graceful, her tactical cloak shimmered and flickered as she danced around until she became as her callsign suggested. The quarians too, were invigorated, and a final push began. All the charges were in place. Now all that was left was setting the detonators. Each one had to be properly connected to the explosive and then wired to the timer. It was a delicate process. One wrong move and the whole thing could go up in flames. On top of that, the husks were starting to get wise to the real threat. Even with Kysar, Sol, and the quarians giving them hell, a handful of husks were still pushing their way to Zenn. He kept a close eye on the ones who weren’t getting distracted, and when they got past his comfort zone, he pulled out his pistol and began dropping them. He could feel himself sweating in his suit as he fired with one hand, and punched in the code to prime the timer with the other. They were cutting this close. He just needed a few more- Beeeep [color=0054a6]“Timer is set and the charges are active! Everyone out now!"[/color] Zenn called over comms as he jumped away from the device and activated his cloak. Once more he ran through the crowd of husks, only this time he wasn’t trying to be discreet as he simply shoved any of them out of his way and practically dove into the maintenance tunnel. He slammed the hatch behind him and took off, hoping he would meet his team on the other side. Kysar wiped the muck from his armour. It was the second time in the last minute he'd been showered in the guts of husks and the smell was starting to get to him. Rising to his feet, the Turian's muscles cried out in pain, an acidic burn of pure exhaustion. It was clear that his adrenaline levels were wasting away. Around him, the situation was no better. Both Kysar and Sol had been encircled while the Quarian's position was close to being overrun. Enough husks had died beneath the railings that others were using their bodies as boosts to climb up and over. The creatures had also swarmed the stairs en-masse, cutting off everyone's exit. Sol might make it. The Turian's grim thought echoed throughout his mind. She's cloaked, I could tell her to find Zenn's vent and get out of here. Kysar looked up and towards the Quarians, the survivors of a disgusting plot that they had fought so hard to find. No, she wouldn't leave them and maybe not me either. Ammo was low and with his arm injured, he'd resorted to his sidearm. The Turian dropped one husk after the other but they just kept coming, getting closer and closer with each shot. This can't be it, we can't have come all this way for nothing. This fucking device won't... wait... That was it! Of course, he'd felt it earlier. The husks weren't fully machines, they were synthetic, a hybrid of both organic and machine. Which meant... So is the device. [color=800000]"Wraith cover me, I've got an idea."[/color] [color=662d91][i]At this last minute?[/i][/color] Sol thought to herself, furrowing her brow. Still, they'd made it this far on each other's ideas, hadn't they? [color=662d91]"Then make it fast!"[/color] She answered, pulling out her assault rifle and bringing herself as close to the Turian as she could. Zenn was already back in the tunnel - this was about buying time. Closing his eyes, Kysar walled off the noise around him, focusing on the pulse of the device. This time around breaking off from reality happened frighteningly quick. His mind plunged into what felt like a fathomless pool of freezing water, being dragged deeper and deeper into a dark abyss by an unknown force. Flashes of Quarian's crying out in pain and terror flooded in and all around. Emotion so raw he could feel everything that made them an individual, sentient being be ripped to shreds. They wailed, crying out in inaudible words as their souls were torn from their bodies and replaced with cold hard logic. One by one their life was snuffed out, the device leaving nothing but lobotomised husks in its wake. This is what the reapers had done to so many, gutted everything that made them what they were, leaving nothing but empty shells. The device itself appeared as if it was a great eye, commanding it's troops to march forward and spread. It demanded more victims and more power. Kysar could feel it, the eye cast itself towards him, threatening to gut him too. Dark blue blood began to stream from the Turian nose as his spirit fought on. I... must... do... this... Thoughts of this twisted fate befalling his comrades came into view. He could not fail. He would not fail. Approaching the great eye the Turian shouted with all his might, commanding, [color=800000]”SLEEP!"[/color] All husks dropped to the floor as did Kysar. The device dimmed leaving the room in a dull moonlight. [color=662d91][i]What kind of dark puppetry...?[/i][/color] Sol asked herself as she witnessed the dimming of the lights in the room, and everything else. Something was seeping from Kysar, that same aura that had glimmered forth earlier - the energy all consuming and suffocating. Something switched in her mind, a fear took over. Not one of being hurt by the husks, not one of dying on the ship - but a fear for Kysar, for his very spirit. That kind of dark magic was dangerous, like a drug that would draw you in and she had already seen him skirt on the fringes of his anger at the meat plant. [color=662d91][i]No.[/i][/color] She thought, as she moved into action - in her mind, a monologue rattled off the reasons why this was dangerous and she realised how eloquent she was in thought, her mother tongue. She wished it wouldn't betray her so much each time she opened her mouth. She ducked to run her arm under his, gripping him at the waist. [color=662d91][i]Why are you so wide?[/i][/color] she thought as she took a good grip and rose to her full height with as much of his weight on her as she could manage. Deadlifting a Turian hadn't been on her list of things to do today, but nor had giving a piggyback to a Quarian. If the situation wasn't so dire, she'd have laughed. [color=662d91]"Walk it off, Venator,"[/color] she muttered, [color=662d91]"we have to get to the barrier yet."[/color] What were you thinking? She thought too, as she moved as fast as she could toward it, dragging him if she had to until he found his own strength again. [color=662d91]"Sh-Shadow, keep going - we're right behind you,"[/color] she said over their comms. Solveig wasn't about to turn back and view the scene again, and she wasn't going to leave him behind. Onward only. Stumbling along haphazardly with Sol, Kysar left the engineering room behind. Unslinging himself from his team mate, the Turian found the closest wall and leant back first into it. Slumping to the floor, he waved away the concerned Quarians. [color=800000]“Just… need… a sec."[/color] Kysar said as he wiped some of the blood from his nose to stop it from leaking into his mouth. Looking up at Sol he croaked. [color=800000]"I’ll.. I’ll be ok. Hit the barrier."[/color] [color=662d91]"You better be,"[/color] Solveig said softly as she let Kysar sit so she could get to work releasing the crates. [color=662d91]I'm not carrying you all the way back."[/color] She punched and crushed a few of them in together, compacting them for a tighter barrier that wouldn't just slide away or be moved, and it began to dawn on her just how much they'd come up against since leaving SRN earlier. It was time for their last run. As Sol collapsed the makeshift barricade around the door and smashed it firmly into place, the faint sound of husks resumed as they returned to life and started smashing against the barricade. It did not budge. They were sealed inside. One of the quarians walked over to Kysar ready with an application of medi-gel, but he was waved away. The turian’s injury wasn’t one that could be ‘healed’, he just needed a stiff drink and soft bed. [color=d64d82]“We did it… I can’t believe we actually-”[/color] One of the quarians started to say between heavy breaths, but was quickly interrupted by Leena. [color=red]“Not yet we haven’t."[/color] Leena corrected him. [color=red]“Once we’re on their shuttle flying as far away from this hell as we can, then we’ll have done it. Now where the hell is your other teammate?"[/color] She asked, glancing at Sol and Kysar. [color=0054a6]“Present!"[/color] Zenn’s voice echoed out of the hatch before he slowly pulled himself out. [color=0054a6]”We should have plenty of time but we should still start- Keelah, Kysar!"[/color] Zenn immediately ran over to his bleeding teammate. [color=0054a6]”What happened to you? Are you alright?"[/color] [color=800000]“I’m fine."[/color] Kysar coughed, holding up a hand so no one got closer. [color=800000]”I’m fine, we should get moving."[/color] The Turian stood slowly, spitting a large gob of phlegm and dried blood as he did so. Turning to Sol, he smiled weakly. [color=800000]”Don’t worry, I’ll carry myself."[/color] Solveig nodded at Kysar, with the slightest of smiles appearing too. She was glad he was back on his feet, but mostly she wanted to get back to the shuttle. She felt sore all over, and her shoulders especially were tingling from all of the effort of the mission. [color=662d91]”R-ready to go,"[/color] she said. [color=0054a6]“Alright. If you're sure you’re fine. Let’s get out of here!"[/color] Zenn stated and motioned for everyone to follow. The group retraced their steps through the ship, only this time they rushed past each room instead of proceeding with caution. They had time, but they still didn’t want to risk getting delayed. It was due to their haste, however, that they didn’t notice the lights coming from the observation deck until they stepped inside. Outside the window, a salarian patrol craft had its lights shining in to illuminate the room and connected to it was the CAT6 shuttle. Inside standing in front of the exit was a face most hadn’t seen before, but was very familiar to Zenn: Captain Pirdoc Nemin. [color=0054a6]“Captain Nemin…"[/color] Zenn said glaring at the salarian. Nemin stepped forward toward the group and spoke in a rather pleasant voice. [color=ffab59]”Ah Mr. Valin! We were just preparing to come in to assist you, but I see you and your team were successful without us. I am impressed."[/color] [color=0054a6]“Save it!"[/color] Zenn blurted out. [color=0054a6]"We know the STG played a part in the fate of this ship! Then they tried to cover it up by tricking the survivors into reactivating the device! Now I know why you wouldn’t send any help. You probably thought we’d die out here too."[/color] Nemin froze in place, stunned by Zenn’s words. At least that’s what he appeared to be, before he suddenly broke into laughter. [color=ffab59]”Bravo, Mr. Valin! You and your group really are more capable than I thought. We probably could have done a lot of business with you and the SRN. A pity you had to go sticking your nose where it didn’t belong."[/color] Nemin snapped his fingers, and a squad of salarian commandos surrounding the group uncloaked. They easily outnumbered the group and slowly moved in with weapons drawn. [color=ffab59]”I’m afraid none of you will be leaving this ship. But since you came all this way, I will humor any questions you may have. And yes, I am aware of your plan to blow up the device, but I assure you we have plenty of time to deal with that."[/color] Kysar spat on the floor, had he not just flayed his own mind on the husks he would have come up with some creative ways to go down swinging. The offer of information had sparked a question though, the final piece of the puzzle that the Turian just couldn’t work out. [color=800000]“Why leak the story? You couldn’t have known the SRN would respond but you knew someone would. The STG would’ve covered a mess like this up a lot easier if you hadn’t done that. What is it you’re after?"[/color] As Kysar asked his questions, Solveig moved slowly and carefully backwards, and to the side until she was standing in front of the other quarians. She stretched out her arm at her side like a shield, keeping them behind her as the commandos moved in toward them all. [color=ffab59]"Why indeed?"[/color] Nemin said, shooting a nasty glare at his men. Each one seemed to shift uncomfortably, as if they were hiding something. [color=ffab59]”In truth, turian, even I don't know. Even with the quarian miners discovering the signal we could have easily handled things quietly, but once the media got involved it became... Complicated. Our plan was to wait it out. Simply lock off the sector until the public attention turned elsewhere. But then your annoying quarian friend got involved. He just would not let it go."[/color] [color=0054a6]"Let me guess,"[/color] Zenn jumped in. [color=0054a6]"You realized the only way to shut me up would be to let me in. Then when the husks or CAT6 killed us you could double down on the area being 'hazardous'. Thus silencing me and ensuring no one tried to disturb your work after that?"[/color] [color=ffab59]"...I take it I'm not the first person to try this on you?"[/color] Nemin asked with a raised eyebrow. [color=0054a6]"I have a habit of volunteering for things that should kill me."[/color] Zenn shrugged. Kysar began to laugh. A hand dropped to his stomach as the other slapped Zenn on the shoulder. The Turian's whole body shuddered into a howling roar. [color=800000]”Aha Spirits! I get it now."[/color] Kysar threw his hands up, inching forward slowly towards Nemin, careful to not make any sudden movements but still giggling away. [color=800000]”You know, I knew a guy like you once. So deeply entrenched in the power play of the espionage world that he would do anything to be top dog."[/color] The Turian looked around at the STG soldiers. [color=800000]”]Shit, not even the members of his own team were sacred to him. He'd have thrown each and every single one of them to the varrens just to get a shot at power. Isn't that right Nemin?"[/color] Stopping a few steps away from the Salarian, Kysar continued before he could even answer. [color=800000]”But what he didn't realise was that moves like this isolated him. Made him weak when he thought he was in a position of strength. That if the group worked together, they could, oh I don't know, pin a move he made that went way too far on him and him alone. What do you think guys?"[/color] The Turian gestured to both friend and foe, hoping that either he was able to convince the STG or that he was serving as a good enough distraction for his allies to try something. [color=662d91]"Think of this situation,"[/color] Solveig added, glancing to Kysar. She knew what he was doing. [color=662d91]"Imagine the Alliance coming into this area,"[/color] she paused, still in a protective stance ahead of the quarians. [color=662d91]"To find a missing N7."[/color] [color=662d91]“And the missing daughter of a Vice Admiral."[/color] She scowled over towards Nemin through her nerves. It was the truth, to an extent. [color=662d91]”That would make you all look very not great now... Don't think he'll admit to it."[/color] Kysar eyes widened for a split second as he wondered how true Sol’s story was. Shaking the thought loose, the Turian smiled, partly proud of his team mate for stepping out of her comfort zone and partly proud of the fact she had just created some more icing for the cake. [color=800000]“Just how much can you cover up? A prominent missing alliance figure, three of the top SRN agents,"[/color] A small bead of sweat dripped down the back of the Turians head as his words spilled out. [color=800000]"Spirits, even the Hierarchy will ask questions about me."[/color] The room fell silent. All the salarians looked at one another, but remained at the ready. After a moment, the silence was finally broken by a chuckle from Nemin. [color=ffab59]”Really? That's the best you had? You think my men would turn on me just because of a few 'heroic' speeches and idle threats? I guess after all this I was expecting more from you all. No matter. If you're finished we have things to attend to. Soldiers. Open fire."[/color] As Nemin gave the command, the silence of the room returned. None of them pulled the trigger. After a second or two, one of them lowered their weapon. Another followed, and another, until soon not one gun was pointing at the SRN team or the quarians. [color=ffab59]"What? What do you think you're doing? I said fire!"[/color] Nemin practically screamed at his men. [color=009d98]"They're right, Captain."[/color] One of them spoke up. [color=009d98]”This has gone too far. Hell, we passed too far on the way to get where we are now. Your obsession with this reaper device has cost too many lives, and we all went along with it. But no more. We're taking these people home. After that we'll be contacting Colonel Vaykom and telling him all about what you've been up to. I'm sure he'll find a nice cell for you to spend the rest of your days in. And if we end up there with you, then so be it."[/color] Nemin's face twisted. Everything was falling apart around him. Just when he thought he had control, the situation completely turned on him. [color=ffab59]”Fine! Turn me in! But you're mistaken if you think I'll go down for this! I have connections all over the citadel! I won't spend a day in jail while the rest of you will spend the remainder of your lives locked away for insubordination and treason! Mark my words, you will regret-"[/color] Nemin was unable to finish his monologue due to the bottom of Zenn's pistol connecting with the side of his head. Nemin fell to the ground, his helmet absorbed most of the impact, but the shock was still enough to leave him stunned. Up until now, the quarian had remained quiet to let his friends speak and watch the salarians at last stand up against this madman. However, what Nemin was saying made sense. If he was STG, he'd have all kinds of strings he could pull. He might even be able to disappear and live the rest of his days in some secluded part of the system while everyone else takes the fall. The very idea that Nemin even had a chance of getting away with this. The slaughter. The betrayal. He couldn't take that risk. Zenn placed his foot on Nemin's chest and leaned close. [color=0054a6]”You think after everything you've done you get to walk away?"[/color] Zenn's voice was different from normal. It was cold. Emotionless. As he spoke, he reached down and grabbed Nemin by his collar, pulling him closer. The salarian's face turned pale as his eyes met the quarian's callus gaze. [color=0054a6]”All the lies you told? All the people you killed? No. No you won't be going to jail. You're not even going to the citadel."[/color] Zenn pressed his arc pistol against Nemin's head. It began to hum softly as the gun started to charge. [color=0054a6]”You're going to die here, with all the others you condemned on this ship."[/color] [img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xuvfYwzKp7g/TFkV2jrDfNI/AAAAAAAAAoI/y6AU2OJwDdM/s320/MassEffect2+paragon+interrupt.jpg[/img] Everything had escalated so quickly, and yet it all played out so slowly - every movement, every word that built up the moment to its crescendo. Solveig felt the air turn cold, Zenn, gun in hand held against Nemin - was about to pull the trigger. She couldn't let it happen. Not him, not like this. The Salarian was deserving of it, wasn't he? A monster that was about to kill them all for the gift of getting away with everything monstrous on this ship. Hell, she didn't know Zenn well but she knew enough to find it hard to recognise him right now. She knew too well the price of pulling that trigger. [color=662d91][i]He can't do this.[/i][/color] Was anyone going to stop him? Was it going to have to be her? She twitched, clenched and flexed her hand, opening and closing her palm. She felt numb from her elbow to her fingertips, a migraine starting behind her eyes. What could she even say? [color=662d91]"Zenn!"[/color] Solveig yelled out before her mind had even put the words together. Fuck. She croaked as everyone's heads turned to her - at least, it felt like they did. Snapping in unison to her direction to watch her fumble, stutter, or say the wrong thing. Make it worse. Then it came to her - her father, the feeling of him holding her hand - his touch had always been so warm and grounding. She recalled words he'd told her once too, a message she had once needed, and she repeated it to Zenn. Slowly. Enunciating everything. [color=662d91]"You can not... Honour anyone,"[/color] she paused, softening her words - she felt the heat of the moments spotlight burning at her face, drying out her throat but she didn't want the words to die in there, no matter how heavy they felt. [color=662d91]"If you dishonour your values…"[/color] The shot had startled Kysar. So much so, that he had instinctually drawn his own side arm, thinking one of the Salarians had had a change of heart. Instead Zenn rushed into view, rage spewing from the Quarian like hot lava as he closed in for the kill. On the outside, Kysar froze. His mind had severed communication with his body to focus every bit of power it had on its synapses. The Turian's life flashed before his eyes. The betrayal of his Cabal commander Scipio, the betrayal of his team in letting him take the fall, the sentencing to Purgatory prison, the change he had to make from a creature of unbridled rage to a cold calculating monster. The thing he had to become just to survive that place, something as soulless as the husks they fought. A moment like this was the catalyst. The world around Kysar had been shut out, as if a spotlight had fallen on Zenn and Nemin alone. Though their adventure between the three of them had been brief, the Turian had felt something blossom over this journey. Friendship, something that had been so alien to him for so long. What was happening right now was a mistake, one that would affect the soul of his new found friend forever. He couldn't let Zenn do this. He couldn't let the Quarian become a monster but Kysar, ah yes, he was already there. A soul already hopelessly lost, what was one more murder? One more act of evil from someone who deserved no redemption. He could do it, the Turian could be what maybe he always was. Lowering his pistol, Kysar took aim at Nemin's head and fired. Zenn kept eye contact with Nemin as Sol called out to him. His finger didn't move, keeping the gun charged, but not pulling the trigger just yet. There wasn't much Sol could say to stop him, but he would still listen, he owed her that much. What she said, however, did give him pause. His values? She was trying to argue this was against his values? Nemin was a threat to the system. Maybe Sol had forgotten, but Zenn was a soldier. And if there was one thing he specialized in; it was eliminating threats. [color=0054a6]"Sol…"[/color] Zenn said softly, trying to find the words to explain what he was about to do. [color=0054a6]”I-"[/color] [b][i]BANG[/i][/b] Zenn was cut off by the sound of a gunshot. His helmet was covered in a splatter of green blood as Nemin's head burst in front of him. Zenn blinked a few times, taking a moment to process what had just happened. His head slowly turned to look in the direction the shot came from to see Kysar holding a gun pointed at Nemin. Oh. So that's what this was. A distraction. Sol didn't really care, she just wanted to stall him so Kysar could claim the kill and take the fall for this instead. What? Did they not think he could handle this? That he wasn't prepared for what he was about to do? Zenn kept a firm gaze with the turian as he released his grip and let Nemin's body fall to the ground. [color=0054a6]"Really?"[/color] Zenn asked. His voice had returned to the cold tone he had used before. [color=0054a6]”I'm more than capable of following through with my own threats, Kysar. Next time you get an itchy trigger finger, find your own target."[/color] The Turian's mouth opened. There was so much he wanted to say, so many things he wanted to explain. That this wasn't about capability at all. That for the first time in a long time, he didn't act out of anger or hate, he did what he did to save someone he cared about. That he himself had been down this path and he had seen everything that came with it. Kysar's stomach sank deeper then it had ever done before. He felt as if his heart was stuck in his throat. Croaking, there were no words to be found. [color=800000][i]Let him be angry at you. He needs this and I can take being hated.[/i][/color] Holstering his pistol the Turian looked away from both of his team members and headed for the shuttle. Solveig's jaw clenched and her eyes closed tight when the shot was fired. She flinched at the impact. Thankfully, the gasp was drowned out by the sound of blood, and of Zenn's voice. She took a breath or two. Her legs felt like they were going to collapse under her, but since Kysar had left the scene, there were things to be done. She avoided Zenn's gaze too, and made way with her head lowered to the commando she assumed was next best in line. To talk about this, to try and come to a resolution. She felt so much damned disappointment in them both. But why? They're just teammates, this is just another mission, it'll be over soon. Her fingers danced nervously over a small compartment of the armour on her leg. She thought back to earlier, when they both had guns pointed at each other - [color=662d91][i]it's just a fucking mission Sol, stop it. You're done with this when Katya wakes up.[/i][/color] Zenn continued to watch as Kysar turned away from him as he headed to the shuttle without saying a word. He then shifted to look at Sol, who was also avoiding his gaze and not saying anything. Were they really just going to avoid him now? Not even address what happened? His hands clenched into fists. Things were going so well. Why did they have to mess them up? And now they didn't even have the guts to look at him. Fine. Be that way. Zenn thought as he turned away from Sol. The salarian Sol walked up to was the one who stood up to Nemin. Seemed he was now the spokesman for the commandos as he was the first to speak up again. [color=009d98]”What do we do now? The salarian union will not look kindly on SRN operatives killing a member of the STG, even if he was a monster. Not to mention we all stood by while it happened. When they find out, all sorts of hell will rain down on all of us."[/color] [color=0054a6]"Then they won't find out."[/color] Zenn replied, almost eerily calm. He casually holstered his weapon and began wiping the blood from his suit. [color=0054a6]”When you report to Vaykom, tell him that Nemin decided to investigate the signal afterall and brought you all along. You found the ship, the reaper device, and the survivors. You helped destroy it, but Nemin was killed in action. You'll look like heroes for stopping a possible reaper resurgence and rescuing the quarians, while the STG will believe their tracks are covered and won't look further into this."[/color] [color=009d98]"But what about you?"[/color] The salarian asked. [color=009d98]"What will you tell your employer?"[/color] [color=0054a6]"We ran into some technical troubles and never made it to the coordinates. You found us on the way back and towed our shuttle to the citadel. A quick check of our flight logs will confirm those events."[/color] Zenn stated. The salarian looked at him in complete disbelief. [color=009d98]”So you're really just going to give us all the credit? Let the system think we saved the quarians and paint Nemin's death as some noble sacrifice?"[/color] [color=0054a6]"So long as everyone makes it out of this, I'll tell whatever story the higher-ups want to hear."[/color] Zenn shrugged. [color=0054a6]”I... We don't do this for the glory."[/color] He finished before heading to the shuttle himself. As alone as she was with the Salarians, Solveig took the time to see them back into their ship. Not saying much at all as she went. In the quiet, she felt familiar pains in her body. Migraine, trembling, patches of her skin that felt like they were on fire. She also felt... embarrassed. Those last few moments gnawing at her. The voice in her head that sounded just like her mother began to chastise and mock her. She knew the ride was about to be especially uncomfortable. Solveig took another deep breath, tensing her arm, and headed over to the shuttle too.