Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

At the Edge of Heaven	By : Kabraxal Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 33511 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do now own the copyright for Mass Effect or its associated characters. This story is simply for fun and I do not make any money from this work.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
She was getting lost. The mere possibility sparked a flustered annoyance deep within her that threatened to force its way out in a low growl. He was talking way too fast and on too many topics at once and it was all starting to jumble in her mind. She didn’t like feeling lost. Especially when the mission depended greatly on the success of this small project.
“Still don’t see if the base is a natural compound or a synthetically produced toxin” Mordin’s fingers blurred over the terminal and the image rotated as his eyes flitted rapidly. “If synthetic maybe the same process can be used to induce heightened physical abilities or possibly biotic intensity. Possible surveillance applications might arise as well.”
Miranda did her best to keep up with his hyper speech, but found herself squinting and clenching her teeth in increasing concentration just to understand what he was saying, let alone follow his scientific suppositions. It was maddening.
“Could create a synthetic counter agent… nonono, too much trial and error. Urgent. Speed not certainty” he nodded to himself “And in swarms a biochemical compound would likely fail. Unacceptable. Maybe specialized armour? Or artificially thickening the subject’s dermal layer…” he shook his head “Too risky. Could cause degenerative tissue failure.”
Mordin flicked one button and several diagnostics appeared. Rapidly talking through every motion.
“Would possibly work on Turian physiology but would cause unacceptable instability within the human nervous system. Maybe strengthen it? No, too flexible. Too adaptable. Would take years. Interesting… human anatomy so much more adaptable than other species. Must research this” he made a quick note before tapping his cheek in thought “maybe generate a small mass effect field.” he typed out several equations as he thought out loud “would have to be stable, but portable. Possible energy source would need to last indefinitely. Size would not be able to guarantee safety with large swarms still.”
“Slow down.” Miranda closed her eyes as she rubbed her temples before taking a deep breath and looking back at him. She re-asked the question that started his hyper rambling “Do you think you can counteract the seeker swarms?”
Mordin blinked at the interruption before looking back to the mass of equations already noted. And started to type into the terminal again.
“Must determine most reliable method within the established time frame. Given the nature of the paralytic compound there are several interesting pos…”
“Mordin.” she held up a hand and he stopped working. “Just a quick answer.”
He looks back down at the research and data for a few moments then looks back up and nods. “Yes.”
“That’s all I needed to know. I’ll inform Shepard and The Illusive Man. Keep me informed of your progress.” she turned on her heel as he nodded and returned back to work, talking rapidly to himself still.
“Maybe a plasma burst? No, more likely to liquefy our exposed organs than disable a swarm…”
Miranda shook her head as the door opened then quickly hissed shut behind her, silencing his rapid fire meanderings. She was used to far more control in these situations and this was turning out to be way too much guesswork for her liking. She flicked the terminal for the lift and inhaled deeply. Everything about the mission was one wild shot in the dark. There was nothing concrete to rely on other than the abilities of a few specialised individuals... some who weren’t the most dependable of people. The doors opened on that sobering thought. She blinked then walked in.
“Shepard.” she nodded to him as he leaned against the far side of the lift. He nodded back before asking.
“Our good doctor have any ideas?”
“Plenty.” she sighed as the doors closed on the lift continued down to the lower decks. “Though some seem safer for the swarms than us. And some had nothing to do with them at all.”
“Once he gets going he’s hard to stop.” Shepard chuckled lightly with a small smile curling his lips. She was surprised by smile. It wasn’t taut and anguished. It was tinged with mirth and amusement. It was surprisingly pleasant. She bit the inside of her cheek at the foolish and frivolous thought as Shepard continued. “Kelly is right... he’s like a hamster on coffee.”
She just nodded at the description, still biting her cheek as the tiniest of smiles curled the corners of her lips. Shepard sighed and shook his head at her with a small chuckle as well before continuing.
“It’s shaping up to be an interesting crew so far. Though I am not too thrilled with a few of the recruits the Illusive Man has chosen.” his face darkened slightly. “A criminal and a mercenary are not the type of people I really want on my crew.”
Miranda turned to gaze at him. “Sometimes situations call for strange bedfellows, Shepard. You didn’t exactly have a normal crew when you took down Saren either.”
“Touché.” he smiled then sighed ruefully. “I seem to be a magnet for these kind of situations”
She studied his face and posture carefully at the sigh, worry creeping into her thoughts briefly before the lift doors opened and he shook his head.
“Best of a bad situation then.” he gave one curt nod as Miranda exited the lift. She nodded back with slight surprise at his quick recovery. “And I guess I could have done worse. I could have stayed dead.” his jaw set in determination at the chance to keep his last promise. He looked at Miranda and tilted his head. “Thank you.”
The doors shut as she only blinked in response, her breath hitching at the odd feelings swarming inside her before she bit her lip and closed her eyes, breathing deeply to regain control. That damnable little girl buried deep... why wouldn’t she just stay buried?! With a near growl she spun and marched to her quarters, jumbled thoughts swirling in her head. Risks, strange bedfellows, and too much uncertainty... she hated all of it. She needed more control.
The doors opened to her quarters and she quickly walked over and sank into the chair near the viewport. The door close and she pressed the heels of her palms tightly into her eyes before slowly dragging her hands down her cheeks with an exhausted exhale as leaned back into the chair. The chair curved around her back snugly and she gently rested her hands on her lap as she took several deep breaths. She was used to impossible. She loved proving everyone wrong. But she always held all the chips before. She always had control. Not anymore. She didn’t like it at all. But it was urgent, as Mordin said. The risks had to be taken. But why did her own emotions have to be so damn flighty?
She just had to trust they would manage the impossible. They had to. She sighed. Hopefully, nothing melted on the way.
- 16
- 17
- 18
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

At the Edge of Heaven