Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle	By : Veyron722skyhook Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 6104 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's characters. They belong to Bioware and EA. No money/profit is made by me from this.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Another successful chapter written in time. I'm getting good at this weekly thing.

This is mostly Grissom Academy, but I added a few extra bits to it. Also, the title refers to a later point in the chapter. Think you'll understand it from there...

Chapter 5

A Legend is Born

"Major, are you alright? I can only imagine what it was like down on Palaven." Samantha asked.

"I thought you'd be more concerned about Sarah than me." Austin joked.

"You're her brother. I'm allowed to be concerned about you too, aren't I?" Traynor replied.

"I know, Samantha. I was just joking." Austin smiled.

"Must say, EDI getting a body was a huge surprise. I'd have swooned if I wasn't already in love with Sarah. Still, if she'd told me about her plan to obtain a body, I'd have volunteered to help." Said Traynor.

"I do not wish to force a conflict of interests between our friendship and your duty." Said EDI over the comm.

"I'd have preferred a conflict of interest to a hard restart of half our systems… but thanks, regardless." Said Traynor.

Just as Austin was about to leave though, Traynor quickly stopped him.

"While you here, though, I found something while scanning channels. Grissom Academy is requesting help. The Reaper invasion front will hit them soon." She said.

"What can we do to help them? I believe I have some old friends who work there." Austin asked.

"A Turian evac transport responded to their distress call, so normally I'd say we don't need to do anything. But something sounded off in the Turian signal. I had EDI perform an analysis. It's fake." Said Samantha.

"Cerberus…" Austin growled.

"Yes. EDI said that too. She said it was similar to the one that lured you to a Collector Ship…?" Samantha inquired.

"Bit of a long story, but she's right." Austin nodded.

"In any event, whoever faked the signal wants us to think Grissom Academy's being evacuated. But I believe they're still in danger!" said Traynor.

"Good work, Samantha. Very good work." Said Austin.

"Thank you… Major." Said Traynor, just barely able to speak.

Words were hard to describe how flattered the comm specialist was. The brother of her dear lover had once again just complimented her on her work. She'd always thought it would be much harder than that to really get the approval and friendship of her lover's brother.

The Grissom Academy was within view through the Normandy's cockpit. Another ship was alongside it.

"And there's the folks who answered the distress call. Cerberus cruiser. At least a dozen fighters on blockade duty. Too many for us in a straight-up fight. They must want this place bad." Said Joker.

"Receiving incoming transmission." Said EDI.

"Normandy SR3, this is Kahlee Sanders, director of Grissom Academy. We need immediate assistance. Cerberus is attacking the facility. They're after the students." Said a female voice through the comm.

"This is Major Shepard. We're blocked on a direct approach." Said Austin.

"I know. They've taken control of our docking bays." Said Kahlee.

"Any alternatives?" Austin asked.

"There's an auxiliary cargo port I could probably open." Kahlee asked.

"All right. We'll come in by shuttle and get the students out of there." Said Austin. "Joker, can you give us a diversion?"

"Boy, can I!" Joker smiled.

Austin felt it best this time to bring along Dash and Jet for this one. The final member was EDI. Austin knew she wanted to test out her new body in combat and he saw no problem with it.

"Keep the shuttle in position! We'll be back!" said Austin.

"Major. I'm locked in a server room around the corner. Cerberus troops are trying to get in." said Kahlee through the comm.

"We can take 'em." Said Austin, reaching for his M-76.

Just before the Major could touch it however, a hand suddenly stopped him.

"Why waste the ammunition?" Jet asked. "I got this."

Since Austin still had yet to see fully what Alpha's newest member could do and what talents she had, so he decided to give Jet a chance. He nodded and allowed the Helldiver to simply walk towards the Cerberus troops standing outside the room and trying to hack in.

Jet gave a loud whistle that attracted their attention.

"Helldiver!"

To Jet's surprise, one of the troops threw a flash bang grenade at her, something she hadn't counted on.

The flash from the grenade blinded her, enabling the Cerberus troops to bind her from behind.

"How many more of you are there?!" one of the troopers demanded.

"I'm not telling you anything." Jet replied back.

"Then I guess we'll have to do this the hard way." Said the trooper, taking out his stun stick while the one that was binding her, held her off the ground. Quite impressive considering how heavy Helldiver's were.

"I vote for the stay of execution." Said Jet.

Oil started squirting from out of a small tube on Jet, blinding the trooper standing in front of her, and making the other one slip wildly.

"My eyes!" one of them yelled.

Managing to break free, Jet instantly activated her flight thrusters. She hovered a mere few centimetres above the ground, just enough for the flames from her feet to touch the oil, causing it to ignite.

The Cerberus troops that were caught in the flames screamed in pain as the fire burnt through their armour and into their flesh. They were even more helpless when the oil caused them both to slip completely and fall into fire. Chances of surviving that were almost impossible.

"Natasha's tactic was rather intelligent." Said EDI observantly.

As the Cerberus troops were burnt to a crisp, only one was left. With his ammo clip empty, he resorted to pulling out the only weapon he had left, his stun stick.

Jet however seemed completely unfazed by this. She even chuckled.

"That is not going to help you at all, young man." She said, shaking her head.

"Yeah? And why the hell is that?!" the trooper replied back.

Reaching behind her back, Jet pulled out a massive weapon. What had at first looked like a small backpack, unfolded into what looked like a massive hi tech club of some sorts.

"Because mine's bigger than yours." Said Jet, as end of her weapon hit the ground with a loud clang.

"Is that a war hammer?!" Dash asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, and a bloody big one at that." Said Austin, just as equally surprised that a Helldiver like Jet would wield a weapon like that.

"You don't scare me, Helldiver. Put that hammer down!" the Cerberus trooper demanded.

Before the trooper could react in time however, Jet suddenly swung the war hammer upwards. The swing caught the trooper, sending him flying to the floor.

"You want me to put me the hammer down? Wish granted!" said Jet.

Sure enough, Jet swung the hammer down, smashing right down on the troopers.

With all the troopers dead, the others joined Jet as she holstered her hammer, the weapon folding itself back up and settling neatly into the gap between her large metal wings.

"Bit extreme, Jet." Said Austin. "But because it's Cerberus, I'll make an exception. They deserve it."

"Thanks, sir. And don't worry; I'm not a loose cannon with these things. Only when it's people like Cerberus do I show no restraint." Said Jet.

"Good to hear." Said Austin. "Sanders, we're clear. It's me."

The door opened. A woman in Alliance uniform with blonde air was waiting for them/ She had a shotgun in her hand. This of course was First Lieutenant Kahlee Sanders.

"Major, thank you. Anderson always said you were best. And with Cerberus coming for the students, I need the best." She said.

"How many of you are there?" Austin asked.

"Fewer than twenty. Most were sent home when word of the Reaper invasion spread." Said another voice.

With Kahlee, was another woman. This one however was a redhead, and not just any redhead. This was none other than former Yeoman of the Normandy, Kelly Chambers.

"Kelly?" said Austin in surprise.

"Hello, Shepard. It's been a long time." Kelly smiled. "I could just hug you."

To the Yeoman's surprise however, Austin walked up to her and gave her a hug, which she eventually returned.

"It's good to see you, too, Kelly." He said.

"I'd been so worried about you, all of you in fact." Said Kelly as the two eventually separated. "With a lot of comms down, I had no way of knowing if anyone had survived the invasion."

"If you're here, then that must mean Jack's here as well." Austin inquired.

"Yes. I believe she's with the students that volunteered to stay. She's helping them fight Cerberus off." Said Kahlee.

"Bet she's enjoying that." Dash chuckled.

"You mentioned Anderson…" Austin asked.

"Yes. We met—God, what's it been?—20 years ago, when he was a Spectre candidate. I was there when Saren betrayed him. David saved my life that day. He's a good man." Said Kahlee.

"He was on Earth when the Reapers hit. He stayed behind when we left."

"I hadn't heard… We've been cut off from most news. He's alive?"

"Alive and fighting. He's currently leading the resistance movement."

"Good. If we get out of here… Well, just tell him to stay alive."

"A few months knocking over practice dummies can't prepare your students for war."

"Agreed, but the Alliance needs every resource it can get, and our students are unique… resources. They wanted to help. How could we say no with the entire galaxy falling apart?" said Kahlee. "Hang on. I've been trying to get communications working."

"This is Froeberg! There are students trapped in Orion Hall! Cerberus has us boxed in. They're closing fast!"

"Damn it!" Kahlee cursed.

"Orion Hall?" Austin asked.

"Back out the door and down the hallway. I can get the door open." Said Kahlee.

"We'll bring them back here, and we'll make a run for the shuttle." Said Austin.

"Thank you, Major. Kelly and I will stay put. With luck, I can regain control of some of our systems." Said Kahlee.

"Good luck, Shepard. Seeing you makes everything right again." Kelly smiled.

The group dealt with a few small groups of Cerberus along the way as they focused on rescuing a few stranded students.

Eventually, they found the rest of the students. With them fo course was a very face.

"Jack!"

"Shepard?"

Jack had really changed from the last time Austin had seen her.

The former convicts outfit had changed greatly. She now had bandages that covered up more of her skin from last time, a black jacket, and most noticeable of all, Jack had grown her hair out to the point that she now had a small pony tail.

This however was interrupted when something large started to force its way through the doorway that it was clearly too big for. It was an exosuit being piloted by a Cerberus trooper.

"I've just about had it with you bastards stealing our tech!" said Austin as he and the others went into cover.

"Everyone, get down! This thing's outta your league! Shepard, keep it off us!" said Jack, heading up to the balcony with the other students and throwing up a biotic shield to protect them.

The Atlas mech turned it's attention to them and started firing it's gun. Due to the heavy firepower this mech had, it was hard to get an opening without being exposed to the main gun, which was strong enough to rip through a Helldiver's armour.

"Jet, see if you can create a distraction. There's room enough for you to hover at least." Said Austin.

Jet nodded and activated her flight thrusters. As she gently hovered in the air, she unholstered her main weapon, a small rail gun. It only fired singularly, but each round was strong enough to pierce armour.

Sure enough, Jet hovering around the place, gained the Atlas Mech's attention and it tried to lock on. Noticing this, Jet applied more boost so that she moved faster, causing the mech to keep turning in an effort to try and keep up with her.

Austin meanwhile snuck up and gently climbed up the mech until he reached the cockpit. Only too late did the pilot notice before Austin punched through the glass. Austin grabbed the trooper and threw him out for EDI to then stamp on his neck, breaking it.

"Dash, it's all yours." Said Austin as he hopped down.

"Cool!" Dash smiled as he climbed up and sat in the mech's pilot seat.

Just in time too, as more troopers entered the area, only for everyone to practically empty their guns right into them.

"Kahlee said she was putting out an SOS. I had now ide the King of the Boy Scouts would show up." Jack smiled, finally letting down her barrier now that the coast was clear.

"Always the element of surprise." Austin smiled.

"All right, amp check! Prangley, those fields were weak. Cerberus isn't gonna lie down out of pity like that girl you took to prom." Jack said to her students. "Grab juice and an energy bar. We move in five."

The convict then jumped back down from the balcony and walked up to Austin.

"You picked a fine time to arrive, Shepard." She said.

"Nice to see you too, Jack." Said Austin, shaking Jack's hand.

"Shepard… I haven't heard anything from Kelly…" said Jack with worry.

"Kelly's safe, Jack. She's with Kahlee." Austin quickly said, much to Kelly's relief.

"Good. Couldn't bear it if Cerberus took her." Jack sighed with relief.

"Nor could I. She was part of the crew as well." Austin agreed.

"Jack's personality seems to be partly changed." Said EDI.

"Hey EDI. Nice body. Now you look like a sex bot instead of a sex toy." Said Jack.

"That sounds more like her." Dash nodded.

"Dash. See your mouth still hasn't got you killed yet." Said Jack.

"Still as charming as ever."

"Okay. Right now, all I care about is getting my guys out of here."

"Your guys?" Austin asked.

"Yeah. I guess so."

"That many in two years? You and Kelly have been busy." Dash joked.

Jack and Jet however didn't seem to share the Scout's sense of humour though.

"Screw you, Dash. You know what I meant." Said Dash.

"It's a joke. I do that." Said Dash defensively.

"I can't think of anybody who could care about them more." Said Austin.

"Rather surprised myself. The Students responded well to my teaching style." Said Jack.

"The psychotic biotic!" Prangley laughed.

"I will destroy you!" Rodriguez joined in.

"Drink your juice, Rodriguez. You couldn't destroy wet tissue paper." Said Jack.

At this however, Dash and Jet now found it very hard to contain heir laughter.

"Now that one is funny." Jet chuckled.

"For god's sake!" Jack moaned, rolling her eyes.

"Sorry, Jack. Jet's still a bit new to all this. She'll have to get used to Dash's odd sense of humour." Austin apologised.

"She'd better." Said Jack.

"Cortez to extraction team. The Cerberus cruiser is coming back." Said Cortez through the comm.

"How long have we got?" Austin asked.

"Two minutes, tops, Major. After that, there's no way we'll get past them." Cortez replied.

"Get out of here and back to the Normandy. We'll find another way off the station."

"Roger that. Good luck, sir."

"Shepard to Sanders. The students are safe, but the shuttle's a no go." Austin said into his communicator.

"Understood. I might know another way off the station, but I need station wide camera access. Can you disable the Cerberus security override? It's routed through Orion hall, so it should be nearby." Kahlee replied.

Finding the override was easy since they had EDI with them. It was a small computer just a few feet away from where they were.

"Sanders, you should have access now." Said Austin.

"Got it. The fastest way is through the Atrium, but Cerberus has sealed the doors. You'll need to disable the magnetic locks. The overrides should be directly above the door." Kahlee replied.

"Everyone be ready. We'll go in first and draw their fire." Said Austin as he and the others readied to move out.

"We'll shadow you from the second level and hit those fu… those guys from above." Said Jack.

"Did she just try not to swear?" Jet whispered to Dash.

"Yes, I think she did." Dash whispered back.

"Time your shots and stay safe."

"All right. I didn't bust my ass training you so you could die now. Keep low, pick your targets." Said Jack.

Despite the circumstances, the Atrium looked quite nice. It also worked especially well for Jet since she now had even more space to fly around in.

On the ground, EDI was also putting her new body to good use. As expected, she had tech skills. This came in handy for taking down the shields of the Cerberus Centurions.

Dash even seemed to be able to use the Atrium to his advantage. His recent new speed boost was definitely giving them an edge.

All the while, Jack and her students were keeping them covered from the high ground, which gave them even more of an advantage.

"Combat efficiency is good I assume?" Austin asked, firing a plasma blast as he went into cover next to EDI.

"I might consider having Dell give this body some upgrades. Some of its technology is outdated compared to Helldiver tech." EDI replied.

"Now you tell us…" Austin muttered.

As the last trooper was shot down, Austin heard Kahlee's voice through the comm.

"Major, I've reached the Cerberus shuttles without being detected. They know what they're doing though. You need to hurry."

Heading out of the Atrium, the group could see three more students encased in some kind of shield. Two Cerberus soldiers were trying to persuade them to deactivate it, with little success.

"That's an impressive barrier, Octavia. Our file says you've been working on shield technology." Said one of the troopers.

"Jet, I assume you know what to do?" Austin offered.

"With pleasure." Jet nodded.

The Helldiver activated her cloak and slowly snuck up on the two troops. Quietly unsheathing her war hammer, she waited until she was close enough before she then swung. The war hammer hit the first soldier right in the hand, sending him flying into the other and causing them both to topple to the floor. Jet then once again brought the weapon right down, smashing both the troopers, as her cloak deactivated.

"I don't know who you are, but stay back." Octavia warned, rather surprised at seeing another person just appear out of nowhere.

"I'm Major Shepard with the Helldivers. We're here to help." Said Austin, joining Jet.

"I didn't buy it from the last guy, and I've got no reason to buy it now." Said Octavia.

"The Square root of 906.01 equals…"

Austin recognized that instantly. Cerberus' Project Overlord himself…

"30.1." Austin finished.

"Hello, Major Shepard." Said David.

"David, you know him?" the other student asked.

"Yes. He rescued me from Nazara and Cerberus. Sent me here. He made it quiet." David replied.

This seemed to be all the proof Octavia needed and she deactivated the shield.

"You did a great job keeping yourselves safe. The biotic students are up here. Stay close. They'll get you out of here." Said Austin.

"Okay. Uh, thanks." Said Octavia.

She and the student left, leaving just David.

"He looks much healthier." Said EDI.

"I remember you. The Normandy's computer." Said David. "Sorry."

"No apology is necessary." Said EDI.

"Has Grissom academy been all right?" Austin asked.

"Yes. I've been counting." David replied.

"Anything in particular?"

"The number of days you lengthened my life."

The final part had the last of Cerberus. Fortunately, a welcome hope had been left right at the entrance.

"They just left it empty. Really, you think they would've learned by now." Said Dash, climbing into the Atlas mech.

"Jet keep us covered from the high ground, and feel free to show no restraint." Said Austin.

"With pleasure sir." SAID Jet, gently hovering up into the air while Dash walked up the steps in the mech followed by him and EDI.

"There's the shuttle. Head over two by two. Prangley, Rodriguez, stay close." SAID Jack, providing cover with biotics and a biotic barrier while the o0ther students made for the shuttle.

The whole place erupted into gunfire, Jet covering them form the air, Dash laying waste to them with the Atlas, and Austin and EDI picking up any stragglers.

"Hostiles up top!" Austin yelled, noticing several more troopers on the upper levels.

"I'm on 'em!" said Jet, increasing her altitude slightly. The troopers hadn't counted on a Helldiver that could fly, and so where rather surprised to see her.

"Oh crap."

"How 'bout a little fire, scarecrow?" Jet asked, instantly letting both her flamethrowers loose.

Judging by the screams of agony, Austin guessed Jet did indeed have the high ground taken care of. As he went into cover again however, he saw another Atlas Mech heading their way.

"Dash, watch your six!" he yelled.

Dash instantly turned and swung his Atlas' main arm, punching the other hard enough to topple it over.

Austin quickly jumped on top of the Atlas before it could get up, smashed the glass open with his foot and threw a grenade in.

"Okay we're clear. Move your assess before backup arrives!" Jack shouted as the Atlas exploded from the inside.

"You heard Jack! Move out!"

"Kahlee, how's it coming?" Austin asked.

"Shuttles are unlocked." Kahlee replied.

All the students quickly got into the shuttle as it opened up.

"Take the controls and get the students aboard." Said Austin.

"Wait, where the hell's Rodriguez?!" Jack asked.

Through the large sheet of glass, they could see Rodriguez fleeing from more Cerberus troopers. She was only just able to slide back into cover behind some nearby chairs.

"Ruddy, bloody hell!" Austin groaned, trying to smash the glass. "She needs covering fire!"

"She needs more than that!" said Jack.

The convict pushed Austin out of the way and threw a massive shockwave that not only shattered the glass, but also knocked down every trooper.

Wasting now time, Austin hurried over and helped Rodriguez up and into the shuttle followed closely by Jack.

"Joker, we flew out on a Cerberus shuttle. Watch your fire. We'll destroy it when we're finished." He said.

"Right, I've got you on sensors. Should just be a minute." Joker replied.

"Thank you, Major. We'd have never gotten off that station if you hadn't come." Said Kahlee, gratefully.

"F—forget that. We kicked some ass. Next place we dock, you're all getting inked. My treat. What do you guys want? Ascensions Project Logo? Glowing fist? Maybe a Unicorn for Rodriguez?" said Jack.

"Screw you, ma'am!" Rodriguez laughed.

"Ma'am, how many tattoos do you have, anyway?" Prangley asked.

"Hell if I know, Prangley." Jack replied.

"Well she was gonna burn off the Yeoman she got on her ass…" said Kelly, slyly. "…but I think she wants to hang on to it for a while."

"Shut up and kiss me, Kelly!"

Jack instantly pulled Kelly into a long passionate kiss, much to the delight to the students and even Austin. He was happy for the both of them.

"I can't believe we got them out alive." Said Kelly, once Jack had finally stopped kissing her.

"I was going to suggest that they stick to support roles. But perhaps they're ready, after all." Said Kahlee.

Jack cast Austin a look at this. Austin knew Jack enough to know what that look meant.

"They're definitely ready… but we need them in a support role." Said Austin.

"What?! We trained for artillery strikes!" Prangley argued.

"We don't need another artillery unit. We need stronger barriers for our front-line squads." Said Austin.

"This is bullshit!" Rodriguez shouted.

"Hey, if that's where they need us, that's where we go! Besides, I'm sure we'll get some shots in." said Jack.

"Major, we've got a visual on you now. Preparing to dock." Said Joker. "Hey, Jack, now that you're military, you gonna wear a uniform? Or are you just getting the officer's bars tattooed on?"

"Screw you, f… flight lieutenant." Said Jack, once again apparently stopping herself from swearing.

"Uh… what the hell was that?"

"Jack promised to watch her language to maintain the necessary professionalism from our teachers." Kelly chuckled.

"What, does she have a swear jar or something? Cause I bet if we emptied that thing, we could afford another cruiser." Joker laughed.

"Cover your ears, kids." Said Jack. "Hey, Joker, f-

This time, it wasn't Admiral Hackett addressing Austin in the comm room, it was none other than Anderson himself.

"Shepard. Dammed, if you aren't a sight for sore eyes." The Admiral smiled.

"Good to see you too, Admiral." Said Austin.

"There's no need to be so formal one me." Said Anderson.

"Force of habit I'm afraid." Said Austin.

"Have it your way. Looks like you didn't waste any time getting to work. I can only imagine what would've happened to those kids if they'd fallen into Cerberus hands." Said Anderson.

"They're definitely eager to help." Said Austin.

"These students are some of the best humanity has to offer… and we're throwing them into battle. Goddamn it. I hate this war. Hackett didn't mention in his report…"

"Kahlee Sanders is safe by the way. She's with the recruits."

"Thanks, Shepard. When I heard about the attack… Well, I've already lost a lot of friends."

"She asked me to tell you to stay alive."

"Did she now? Well."

"Thanks, Shepard. That might be the first good news I've heard this week. Anderson out."

Traynor was still at work station, having been monitoring the comms throughout the mission. She then felt a presence behind her.

"I just got word, Major. Everyone for Grissom Academy has arrived safely." She said.

"He wouldn't have known about them you hadn't caught the distress signal, darling." Said an unexpected voice.

Before Samantha could turn around, she felt a female figure brush against her back and a pair of arms wrap around her.

"Oh. Sorry, I thought you were your brother." Said Traynor embarisingly.

"You did great. You allowed Austin to save many lives. I'd say that's earned you a kiss." Said Sarah.

"Sarah, not in front of everyone else…" Traynor whispered.

"Let them look."

Before Samantha could even object, Sarah pulled her into a long and very amazing kiss, one that almost sucked all the breath out of her.

Traynor quickly made a mental note in her head to thank Sarah greatly for this later.

An email had reached Austin that Ashley was recovering and that she had just recently regained her consciousness at long last. Her email also said that she'd been offered the chance to be a Spectre. Hardly unexpected though given the many things Ashley had done.

Just as Austin had walked up to the galaxy map, Traynor had even told him that he had recovered a message from Miranda, so he had decided to see her first before visiting Ashley.

He found her near the docking on the Citadel.

"Shepard. It's been too long." Said Miranda. "We live in interesting times."

"A little too interesting." Said Austin, shaking hands with Miranda.

"It's not been the same since I got reassigned from the Normandy. I'm hoping though the Arkanes might decide to let me come back aboard. That is if you want me back." Said Miranda, slightly hesitant.

"Why wouldn't I? Thought I made it clear you'd earned my trust. You made it clear that you'd let go of Cerberus completely, case closed." Said Austin.

"I just wasn't sure if you still felt that way, especially since Cerberus have done all these terrible things recently." Said Miranda.

"Doesn't matter now."

"Shepard, about all of this…"

"I'm all right, trust me. We'll out some way to destroy the Reapers."

"Everybody has a weakness. Even the Reapers."

"What about you? What brings you here if you're still meant to be on duty?" Austin asked.

"I am…" Miranda said hesitantly. "Shepard, promise you won't' tell anyone. Technically, I'm not meant to be here at all."

"What's going on?" Austin asked.

"I haven't heard from Oriana for a while. I'm getting worried." Miranda explained. "I've consulted the Arkanes many times, but they're still not able to tell me anything and they promise they're not withholding anything. I don't want to overreact but… well, there's a lot going on. I just know my father's involved."

"Do you need my help at all?" Austin asked.

"I appreciate the offer, Shepard—but you have your hands full." Said Miranda gratefully. "If I need a door or two kicked down, I know just who to call. But for now, I'll be fine."

"Okay. I understand." Said Austin. "Stay in contact."

"I'll try."

The hospital was busy as usual, but some of the patients did look as though they'd been able to recover well thanks to the supplies he'd bought for them.

As the Helldiver walked into Ashley's room, he found a somewhat unwelcome person with her.

"I'd like an answer, Lieutenant Commander. The galaxy has need of exceptional soldiers like you, now more than ever." Said Udina.

"I still need time. You'll have my answer soon, I promise." Said Ashley.

"I'll look forward to it." Said Udina as he left.

Griffin had also been notified that Ashley was conscious now and he'd arrived shortly after.

"Hey, Ash." He smiled.

"Hey, Griff. Still as handsome as ever." Ashley smiled back as she and Griffin kissed.

"You don't look so bad yourself." Said Griffin.

"See you brought Austin as well." Ashley.

"I got you email. Made your decision yet?" Austin asked.

"About becoming a Spectre? Not yet. It's an honour and all… but… I don't know. I need to think about it some more." Ashley.

"At least you get a choice. They forced the position on me." Said Austin, sitting down on a nearby chair.

"Yeah. I heard that you outright refused to be reinstated again recently. That's twice now. I can't imagine that Council is happy about losing a good operative." Said Ashley.

"I didn't need it and it was just holding me back. Was an easy decision for me."

"Here, I picked this up for you. Figured you had some down-time." Said Griffin, giving Ashley some flowers and chocolate.

"Thanks, that's sweet. I've been climbing the walls." Ashely smiled.

"How are you doing?" Austin asked.

"Good, considering." Ashley replied. "The nurse said you and Griffin checked in on me earlier. Still out cold, I guess."

"We didn't have time to talk. I thought maybe if you were up for it…"

"You're always such a good friend." Ashley smiled happily. She made sure to acknowledge Griffin as well. "Don't worry, Griff. I'm not forgetting about you. The nurse told me you spent nearly a whole day by my side, most of it in prayer."

"Looks like those prayers got answered too." Griffin smiled, lovingly stroking Ashley's ahir.

"I should probably give you two some space. Let me know if you need anything at all, Ash." Said Austin, gently getting up.

"Wait. There's one more thing. I wasn't sure if I should mention it." Ashley quickly said.

"What is it?"

"I have family back on Earth. I haven't heard from them. It's making me crazy. But I know you're busy, old friend. We can talk about it later if you like."

"I've got time, Ash. Speak and I'll listen." Said Austin. "Who's back on Earth?"

"Mom, plus my three sisters. Sarah was away on her honeymoon. You remember Thomas obviously?"

"I couldn't forget. You almost begged me to attend the wedding."

"Yeah. Anyway, he got called in and she was stuck alone. She called me. It's been pretty tough."

"I imagine."

"I was always there to protect them growing up. Even when I was off on tour, they knew they could talk to me." Said Ashley. "I told her to come to the Citadel. We could wait for news together."

"If it helps, I can a squad to investigate."

"You can do that?"

"Course I can. I'm a Major, and one of the best at that."

"I appreciate that, Austin. Thank you.

"I should get back to work." Said Austin. "Griffin, same as usual."

"Got it. I'll be ready to go when you need me." Griffin nodded, sitting down in the same chair that Austin had been in originally, still holding Ashley's hand.

"Take care of yourself, Ash." Said Austin.

"You too, old friend." Said Ashley.

Even though it was still far from sleeping hours, Austin was feeling a little tired and felt it best to simply take a nap. Before he could however, he noticed his private terminal had received a new message from Xun saying that she and Liar has something to show him when he had time.

Since now was as good a time as any, Austin decided to call them up now.

"Xun, Liara tells me you and she have been working on something you wanted to show me?" he said.

"Yes. I'll be right up. I'll bring Liara as well." Xun replied.

A few seconds later, Xun arrived with a small device in her arms.

"Come on in."

"Thank you. May we sit?" Xun asked as she and Liara entered.

Liara gave her husband a kiss as they both sat down. Xun put the device on the table and started accessing it.

"Xun and I have been thinking about the knowledge we've gathered on the Reapers, and how easily it could be lost again." said Liara.

"So, we put a plan in motion to preserve things for the future." Said Xun.

"We're not gonna lose this war. I won't let that happen." Said Austin, supportingly.

"I know you won't. But still, it couldn't hurt to at least prepare for the worst." Said Liara, holding Austin's hand.

"It's as you have so often said, my friend. "Better safe than sorry." Said Xun.

"When you put it that way, I agree." Said Austin. "Hmm, what's this?"

A small beam of some kind started projecting out of the device.

"A record of the galaxy. Information on the Reapers, Relays, different cultures, and blueprints of the crucible." Said Xun as various different images where projected out of the device.

"But there's one entry we wanted your opinion on." Said Liara.

"Which one?" Austin asked.

"Your own." Said Liara, as a hologram of Austin himself was projected out of the device. "Xun and I would be honoured to have your input."

"How would you like history to remember you?" Xun asked.

"50,000 years is a long time for a computer to sit around." Said Austin.

"Please. I'm still an archaeologist. Xun and I know what we're doing." Liara chuckled.

"We're encasing these records in time capsules and seeding copies on multiple planets. And while it's not fool proof, the VI I'm installing has every translation and linguistics program we know of." Xun explained.

"So it's like Vigil in a way." Said Austin.

"Yes. We've been preparing it for some time." Said Xun.

"And it will be a privilege to guide the future discoverers of these records." Said Glyph, suddenly flying out the device and hovering around a bit. "Have you decided what you would like Professor T'soni and Mistress Xun to write in your entry, Major?"

"You know me better than anyone to fill in the blanks, darling." Said Austin, giving Liara a gentle pat on the back.

"Are you sure?" Liar asked.

"Of course I am." Austin replied. "I'd like it to be your call, my love."

"Alright. Let's begin with the fact that the Helldiver's most famous officer was born and raised in space. My husband could handle any weapon in the galaxy. The Arkanes never saw a finer soldier." Liara narrated. "He was a warrior and a leader, one who made peace where he could. And I love him with all my heart."

"Careful this doesn't sound like a diary." Austin smiled.

"I can't help myself." Liara chuckled, snuggling into her bond mate's shoulder as he put his arm around her.

"It always warms my heart to see a couple like you two." Xun smiled. "You're both good friends."

"You've been there for us too, Xun." Said Austin.

"No I haven't. I wish now that I could've joined you back on Ilium." Xun sighed, sitting down on the opposite side of Austin.

"You made up for it." Said Austin.

"Well, I suppose you wife and I did just write your name in the stars." Said Xun.

"Not to mention that we've also made sure that years from now, you'll be known as a legend. Hopefully even the slayer of the Reapers." Said Liara.

"Wouldn't mind that title myself. Just another reason to win this war." Austin smiled.

"I love you, Austin."

"Love you, Liara."

The two were about to kiss, but they remembered that Xun was sitting right next to them. The Chinese Helldiver however just smiled.

"Bù jièyì wǒ." She said, which translated into English as "Don't mind me."

From Ashes is next up...

Got a few interesting changes planned for that one. As I've probably said before, Javik will have quite a few changes.

Until next time...
- 4
- 5
- 6
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

Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle