Elysium: Eden Part 3

Elysium National Park: 10 mins after the Attack

"I wish seeing all of you again was under better circumstances but it seems the galaxy has poor sense of timing."

Shepard's normally relaxed demeanor was gone, in its place was a battlescar'd vet ready to get down into the trenches once more to defend a colony and home she loved, along with the knowledge that Lugnut probably KO'd many Cerberus mooks at the EDF facility. Wrex and Bakura safely escorted the cubs and dogs to the Mako. The look in his eyes was frightening enough but mamma Krogan was even worse....and the resolute command of "Stay put!" in her gaze rivited them to the spot. A subdued and somewhat slient Jack took up parameter watch while General Shepard laid out a battleplan.

Shepards' POV:

"Alright as of this moment there are 4 bombs to disarm and dispose of. Each team will have a technical expert..."

My mother's voice sounded somewhat strained over the channel: "EDF facility secure, Lug, Thomas and I are inbound, eta 3 minutes. Thomas will coordinate with docs on the gruond."

I glanced around: "Jack, Kaidan, you will take the west. Garrus, Tali, East. Lug and Admiral, will take northern path. While Liara, Wrex and I will enter the main complex and disarm the final trigger. Clear?"

Everyone nodded and Hannah spoke up, "Understood, rerouting now," It looked like Thomas would be along for the ride afterall.

I turned to Bakura, "Ma'am Ill need you and the rest of EDF to stage yourselves along the park at checkpoints. Kill any Cerberus operatives you encounter. Specter Authority granted. The Broker has already updated your Omi-tools on all current mooks." She nodded and grinned savagely, "Queenie needs some target practice." A grim smile blooms on my face. "Indeed, I think we all will get ample time for that." I look once more to all my old comrades, "Alright people, lets move out and end this mess once and for all." The look in Liara's eyes was determined and she smiled sending a wave of reassurance along the Bond. I glance at Wrex and we both have a similar look on our faces, a look born from shared battles and sorrows, but like a duck to water we both dive back into the fray.

"Hey Shepard? Whos gonna count this time?"

I laugh at the smirk in his tone. "Well Wrex, If I remember correctly, we were counting Maws last time and how much the Mako could jump. Lets see how we do this time."

Main Complex:

I hold up my hand, signaling for a stop, the main building looked deserted but the signs of battle were clear. Broken glass and stains littlered the ground and the surrounding area. Advancing with caution we enter the main foyer and stare. Strange symbols were etched into the walls all around the complex. Suddenly my Cypher kicked in and blasted my senses with data and memory. "Eyeless Horde....the walking dead.....Indroctrinated slaves....We are mere puppets for thier pleasure..." Liara laid a hand upon my shoulder, "What did you see?" I shake my head. "I think there might be some Collectors here but how would they remember any language? Didnt Mordin mention that all that knowledge was dead to them? At the vary least its Prothean but what the hell is an Eyeless Horde. Javik never mentioned anything like that."

Wrex just grunted and continued to scan the area. Meanwhile Liara went over and used her Omi-tool to hack the feeds. I gingerly step over the broken seats and various framework. I wouldnt put it past Cerby to place IEDs in the wreakage. "Shepard..." The tone of her voice stops me dead in my tracks. I make my way over to the monitor. All the missing civilans were gathered in the main hall. They had similar markings all over thier bodies. Many were only in thier undergarments, with blank lifeless gazes, they were chanting something over and over. At the apex of thier singing they all pulled out sharpened objects, turned to the others next to them and as one grotesque unit, slit thier throats. Even though Liara wasnt a stranger to violent actions she still turned away. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Come on Doc, we have a job to do." She looked at me, gathered her wits, then nodded.

Even Wrex looked disturbed by the footage, "Damn...and here I thought Reapers were the worst of it." He rolled his massive shoulders made a low rumbling growl at his surroundings. "Lets find out where this bomb is and blow this place back to hell."

We ventured further into the complex. Some animal part of me was screaming in the back of my head. Everything here was unreal and had even more outragious elements then our battle with the Reapers. Wasnt that it to the galatic threat? What kind of weapon did TIM aquire to turn people into those sad souls on the monitor. The oppressive atmoshpere was getting to all of us. Once we got to the elevator there was only one option. Down.

"You know Shepard," his deep baritone held an edge of amusement, "I'm really beginning to hate these damned things. They always lead to awkward conversations or death."

"All aboard for more fun and adventure. Next stop: Zombies."

I used whatever levity I had left to attempt to shake this horrid sensation I had but it didnt have too much of an effect. As we decended Liara threw any social reservations to the wind and embraced me. She was content enough to stay wrapped up in my arms. If I was going to die...again.... or get blasted..... again or whatever the hell else the universe decided would be hilarious to throw at me at least I would die happy. Well relatively, with a certain future uncle krogan looking on it kinda killed the mood to live out one last moment of Eternity Bliss but the look in his eyes promised more ribbing in the future. Well if we had one. With him here that was getting more likely. Whatever.....like any lovesick dumbass in my family I decided Id rather get my fair share of kisses in before we had to step into the thick of it. For once Wrex didnt even make a peep. That was either a blessing or a curse. Either way getting the Shadow Brokers' eyes to turn black again cheered me up emmensely. Even if it would lead to a week or 10 on the couch.