[Mass Effect: New Genesis] Part 4: Illium - Clandestine Operations

Things were getting bad and fast.

Othic had watched in admiration as Eri halted the flanking move of the Asari reinforcements. However, they team had more hostiles advancing on them, including that massive, super-bitch Asari who had barriers that seemed to absord any gunfire that was aimed at her.

He saw Aashe stumble and drop to one knee. Clearly wounded but Othic had no idea by what or how badly.

He turned to fire another ineffective burst at the massive Asari who had now moved toward Astila. A few rounds from Kreiger and his assault rifle distracted her momentarily but only long enough for super-bitch to dislodge one of those public information terminals from the floor. Othic watched in shock as she hurled it at the Quarian, who had no time to react. The terminal hit him hard and he went down unmoving.

"Kreiger's down!" He called out to the team. "We have to get out of here!" They were taking casualties and he had no idea how many more reinforcements these commando's had in reserve. If they waited much longer they would have more wounded squadmates than able, healthy ones.

Having to go around the truck gave Aashe a bit of time to consider her problems. Myn was right, she needed cover, but she was, at best, going to be able to drag Corwin, which was a bit far for the truck...

One problem at a time.

She re-holstered the pistol and raised the Sniper Rifle, sighting down the Iron Sights instead of the scope. Three heavy blasts later, and the two Asari were diving out of the way. She was hard pressed to hit either of them given the chaos of the current situation, but suppressing fire was better than no fire at all.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as Biotics began to cover the field. She had no idea what Aivar had thrown, but whatever it was - some of the people out to kill them would not be going home that night. She wondered how much of that power Aivar had left. She was considering Big Bad as the next target for that attack. She turned back toward the truck, worried about Eri, but watched the woman use a door as an effective weapon against one of the commandos. Aashe was drawing breath to yell something to Eri, but her joke, and her thoughts were washed out as a handful of things happened in rapid succession.

Big Bad powered up, and she had elected to use the torn battlefield as her weapon. As Aashe looked on in amazement, metal, stone, sand, and debris were all picking up, and being thrown haphazardly toward Aashe and her friends. She didn't have much time to think. She crouched down to shield Corwin, and felt a blinding pain as something large and sharp slashed across her unarmored back.

She cried out before she could stop herself, gritting her teeth against the cut. She fell from the Crouch down to one knee as the pain made her dizzy. She had no idea how the others handled this... how they could just keep getting hit, and make it look like it didn't hurt at all. Aashe always ran from fights wherever possible. Distract, disable, flee...

Her eyes opened, and she glanced down at Corwin briefly to make sure he was okay. In the din, she was aware of a weapon charging up in front of her. One of the Asari had gotten close, in an attempt to neutralize her advantage with the Sniper Rifle. In the pain, the chaos, the imminent death, Aashe's brain ground back into gear.

Metal... the melee weapon, Barriers were useless against good old fashioned Melee weapons. She dropped her Rifle, and in the same motion pulled the knife from her boot. Forgiving herself as best she could, Aashe leapt forward, away from Corwin. She sliced upward as hard, and as fast as she could tearing the serrated blade through the armor of the Asari. The full weight of her body was behind the attack, the knife finding home in the Asari's collar bone. The Asari staggered backward a little and fell back, breathing weakly. The Asari was as surprised as Aashe by the violence of the attack. Aashe pulled the knife free, and glared at the woman.

"Not today..." Aashe gasped, breathing hard. "I'm not dying today."

She turned around to face the last of her opponents, trying not to think about what she'd just done. The last was charging up some biotics to use against her, Aashe had no way of knowing what the attack would be... and she'd never find out.

Her focus was so consumed by the last attacker that she hadn't seen Eri get back in the truck and gun the engine. Before Aashe could even process what was happening, the truck slammed hard into the Asari, throwing her down on top of her friend. Aashe blinked once, then looked back to Eri, who was leaning out of the window to make sure she hadn't miscalculated.

"I warn you of an attack, and you almost hit me with a car?" Aashe asked, trying to laugh. Well, two problems solved, Eri had also brought the truck closer to herself, and Corwin. Aashe moved back to him kneeling back over.

"I saved your life, didn't I?" Eri said, offering her something that looked like a smirk. "And, you're welcome!"

"Thanks." Aashe said to Eri, trying hard to act like she didn't think her spine was showing. She placed a hand on Corwin's cheek, to see if he'd look at her. "Corwin, can you hear me? We need to get you in the truck..."

Next action for the giant Asari:

• She identifies Othic as the leader of the team, as it seems he is giving commands. She is executing her version of the "Krogan Rush" to get by Astila (unknown how successful, as it is difficult to get by an Asari).
• I'll let you guys decide how successful she will be. She is going to get into melee range with Othic.

Kreiger's down!" Othic called out to the team. "We have to get out of here!" The Giant Asari suddenly turned her attention toward him as the words left his mouth.

"Shit."

He ducked behind the pillar as she threw a biotic attack, the column shook with the impact. He peeked out the edge of the pillar to see the giant stride toward him purposefully. He couldn't work out what she was doing. She had shields and barriers that protected her from bullets and shrapnel. That was her advantage, up close, shields and barriers meant little in the way of protection.

Clearly she was so confident that she felt it wasn't necessary to worry about the threats the squad posed to her, even in close combat.

He crouched low behind the pillar, knowing he had one shot. The adrenaline started pumping once more as he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He waited until she came into his view.....

The instant she reached him he sprang up and rammed the butt of his gun into her jaw.

The Asari went down but she was not out.

He danced past the body on the ground, putting distance between himself and her. Spotting Aivar in cover he dived in beside her.

The Asari pulled herself to her feet, slowly. The rifle butt strike would have killed almost anyone but incredibly she shook it off, although not easily. She was staggered and looked vulnerable.

"I warn you of an attack, and you almost hit me with a car?" Aashe asked, trying to sound exasperated, but there was humor and relief in her eyes. The taller woman moved back over to kneel besides Corwin as Eri hopped out of the truck.

"I saved your life, didn't I?" Eri offered, approaching the two. "And, you're welcome!"

"Thanks," Aashe said to Eri, clearly trying to act like she wasn't in pain. Eri recognized the signs all too well... She winced as she caught sight of the blood soaking the back of Aashe's shirt, but didn't say anything further.

"Corwin, can you hear me? We need to get you in the truck..." Aashe spoke over the din of weapon's fire and flying debris. Eri turned to see the large Asari advancing on the party - fortunately Aivar had erected some sort of biotic shield to protect them from most of it.

Corwin blinked up at them, despite all the pain he was clearly in, he seemed more worried about Aashe than himself. "You're hurt," he whispered, barely audible. "I didn't... I didn't..." He seemed to loose his concentration once more, his eyes becoming unfocused.

"This isn't good..." Eri said, looking from Corwin to Aashe. There was a pool of blood forming under the man that was large enough for major concern.

"Didn't mean for this to happen," Corwin spoke up again, his eyes never leaving Aashe's. "Just trying to get you a gift to say.... sorry...."

To Eri's surprise, he actually tried to sit up, only to cry out in great pain. Eri winced at the sound, both her and Aashe moving to help him rest back down on the pavement.

"We've got to get him up on the truck. Can you lift him...?" Eri rose her eyebrows at Aashe, showing her concern.

Aashe looked tentative for a moment, clearly considering her injuries, but she seemed to take on a determined look. "I can do it."

Eri nodded, trusting the other woman to know her own limits. "I'll help as best I can..." She watched as Aashe grabbed the man's torso up under his arms. Eri carefully created a small biotic lift field, trying her best to keep it placed carefully under Corwin's knees to help Aashe as much as she could. Aashe stepped up into the bed of the truck, pulling Corwin up behind her and arranging him carefully on his back in the bed.

It took all of Eri's concentration to keep the field stable and she was grateful when she could let the field go. Her head swam a bit from the effort, her breathing a bit labored despite simply standing in place, and she gripped the edge of the truck bed to stabilize herself. She was exerting herself too much... but this was no time to take a break.

As if on cue, Myn's voice crackled over both her and Aashe's omni-tools, "Kreiger's down! We have to get out of here!"

Eri glanced up at Aashe. "Sounds like a plan to me..." she mumbled as she headed back around the truck to the driver's side door and climbed in.

- - -

EDIT - Included elements from Corwin's post below

[something short]

"Corwin, can you hear me? We need to get you in the truck..."

Corwin blinked a few times. Despite all the pain he might be in, he looked at Aashe with concern in his eyes. "You're hurt," he whispered in a rasp voice. Corwin couldn't do much at this point. He could hear the performance of battle: the melody of gunfire, the battle-dance between friend and foe, and the disturbing half-second silences in-between. All he could do was look forward. "I didn't. I didn't...."

[insert response here]

"Didn't mean for this to happen. Just trying to get you a gift to say...." He was in agony right now. Corwin did not realize how badly he was actually hurt. He couldn't see the red pool beginning to form under him. "sorry....." He blinked a few more times, and tried again to get up. He bit his lower lip to prevent himself from screaming too loudly. It did not work.

Astila watched as the giant Asari knocked Kreiger out of the fight. "You'll die for that, Bitch!", she screamed, double throwing the Asari, who merely stumbled back, grinning as her barriers were still intact. "Weiara must've made a deal with the devil to get you those shield upgrades.", Astila muttered under her breath. The large Asari smirked and hailed a singularity in Astila's direction. She dodged, flaring her biotic barriers. The Asari flared hers as well and started charging in Astila's direction. Astila's eyes gleamed with anger as she charged back, the resulting impact unleashing a powerful biotic explosion, which brought down both their barriers.

Astila could see Myn ducking behind a pillar, she made the mistake of looking in his direction. Rather than finish Astila off, the large Asari turned to him and started walking in a slow, eerie manner. Astila started standing up as she saw the Asari reach Myn's location. He slammed the butt of his gun into her jaw, causing her to go down and spit up blood. At that moment, Astila knew she had to take the chance to finish her off. She nodded at Myn for him to get back into cover, this was going to get messy. After he dived in beside Aivar, Astila took her shot.

Astila charged every bit of strength she had left to use a powerful 'Dominate' on the Asari. Astila's eyes went completely white, as if a light was shining from inside of her. The large Asari struggled, trying not to be sucked into the attack. After a moment of struggling, she gave in to the 'Dominate.' All Astila had to do was think what she wanted the Asari to do and she would do it. 'Charge your biotic attack.', Astila thought, the Asari's fists glowed with biotics. 'Charge it until you are too weak to hold it, then release it on yourself.' The Asari's face turned to a look of extreme fear as her fists glowed ever brighter. 'Do it. Now.' The Asari let out a loud scream and released her biotic attack on herself, she then fell over. Astila walked up to her slowly, seeing that she was still breathing. "Find peace in the embrace of the goddess.", She said as the Asari took one last breath, and died.

Astila ran over to Kreiger, clutching her side, kneeling beside him and cradling his upper body in her arms. "Kreiger, speak to me.", She said, tapping his cheek lightly. She checked his vitals, which seemed to be fine. She picked up his mask that he had ditched earlier and put it back on his face, delivering extra oxygen to him. "C'mon. We have to go. Please, wake up."

The pain abated rather quickly, which concerned Aashe. She wondered if she was in some sort of shock... or perhaps some of her MediGel had just kicked in to help her. It still hurt, of course, but she figured it might not be all that bad. After all, Eri hadn't walked around to pick up her vertebrae off the floor or anything. Corwin blinked, and then he focused on her, which brought her thoughts back to the situation.

"You're hurt..." He rasped, genuinely concerned.

"I've got news, you're not doing so hot yourself." Aashe teased a bit, trying to smile for him.

"I didn't... I didn't.... Didn't mean for this to happen. Just trying to get you a gift to say... sorry" Corwin staggered the words out as the blood pooled under him. For a second, Aashe didn't draw breath. He tried to sit up, but cried out in pain. Aashe's hand slipped to his chest to prompt him to lay back down.

"Oh, Corwin..." She whispered to him. "You... for me?..." She didn't know what to say. Something about the idea of this man going to the markets just to buy her something... generally she didn't receive gifts that had that sort of personal touch. Everything was direct send... or elegantly impersonal. She stared, breath coming harder as she fought to process all of it. The blood, his wounds... and that he'd been there on her account...

"We've got to get him up on the truck. Can you lift him...?" Eri spoke, her voice was tentative, concerned. The sound broke Aashe free of the hypnotism of her own thoughts.

Aashe looked up, her own wounds would slow her down... but Corwin... she had to help him... The voice that left her lips sounded more determined than she thought possible. "I can do it."

Eri nodded, and Aashe couldn't help but feel a bit of pride that Eri didn't counter. Eri was clearly accustomed to the fight, to battle. And she believed that Aashe could do this. For the briefest of seconds, Aashe understood the people who joined the Alliance.

"I'll help as best I can..." Eri said.

"Hold on, Corwin." Aashe whispered, so low she wasn't sure if Corwin would hear her - but she was certain Eri didn't. Her fingertips lingered on Corwin's chest as long as they could, the last of her presence to leave him. Her first order of business was to wipe the knife off on her jacket, and sheathe it back in her boot. Second, she threw the sniper rifle into the bed of the truck. Task of ensuring her weapons were not forgotten done, Aashe wrapped her arms under Corwin's torso, around his chest, and under his arms. As she got her feet under her, and started to stand, she felt the wound on her back protest as her muscles strained. She clenched her teeth to keep from yelling out. Eri carefully created a small biotic lift field, trying her best to keep it placed carefully under Corwin's knees to help as much as she could. Slowly, with as much effort as the two women had together, Aashe was able to step up into the bed of the truck, and pull Corwin up behind her. She made sure he was entirely inside, and touched her Omni Tool, pressing the tool to his chest to administer some Medi-Gel, hopefully enough to keep him stable.

Aashe glanced at Eri then, the woman looked as wiped out as Aashe felt. Aashe was about to say something again, when, as if on cue, Myn's voice crackled over their omni-tools. Both women glanced down to listen to the words, "Kreiger's down! We have to get out of here!"

Eri glanced up at Aashe. "Sounds like a plan to me..." she mumbled as she headed back around the truck to the driver's side door and climbed in. Aashe stayed in the bed of the truck, leaning back, trying to look like she wasn't seriously considering passing out.

"Eri, do you think you can fly over, and get close? Maybe we can do an aerial pickup!" Aashe asked as she picked up her Sniper Rifle. She released the old Thermal Clip with a satisfying hiss, and pulled a new one off her belt, sliding it into place.

"With the view I have...I may as well be in heaven..."kreigers voice strained as he tried to prop himself up, survaying the corpses around him.
"Your hurt? I told you I would be back for you, you should have stayed at the hospital."he exclaimed, noticing astila in pain and bleeding.

Aashe was hurt bad, but Corwin was worse. Now apparently Kreiger was down too, and the last Eri had heard Astila had left the Eris to be transported to the hospital - so who knew how she was faring. At the rate they were going, they weren't going to have much crew left...

Why didn't Corwin hire a doctor..? She thought for perhaps the hundredth time as she climbed on board the truck.

"Eri, do you think you can fly over, and get close? Maybe we can do an aerial pickup!" she heard Aashe call out from the bed of the truck behind her. The strain in the woman's voice was clear, despite the fact that she was trying to hide it. She looked abnormally pale, which Eri learned wasn't a good sign, but right now she needed to focus on getting them all out of here or none of them were going to make it.

"Yeah, I think I can swing around... as long as they can grab Kreiger, we can get the hell out of here..." Eri called back as she powered up the engine once more. She tapped her omni-tool, speaking into it. "Myn, if you guys can hear us, we're on our way! I'm bringing the truck around for an aerial pickup!" she called out, hoping that there was at least SOMEone on the team who wasn't injured yet.

As Eri angled the truck toward the battle, she caught sight of the large Asari, looming over Astila through the windshield - she couldn't see anyone else, and hoped that meant they were at least behind some cover. As the truck lifted off the pavement, Eri briefly entertained the thought of hitting the large Asari with the vehicle as well, but Astila was simply too close.

That was when there was a large flash of white light. Eri looked away, trying to blink away the discomfort and the truck dipped a bit uncomfortably to one side. She fought for control, pushing aside the brief wave of nausea she felt at being this photosensitive. "Sorry...!" she called back to Aashe, gritting her teeth.

As she swung the truck around, she could see that whatever had occurred had taken out the large Asari - at least she had room to maneuver now... she brought the truck as low as she could, watching Astila run over to Kreiger's lifeless form, as Myn and Aivar peeked out from behind their respective cover.

Meanwhile in the enclosed room.
*Systems reactivating...initiating extranet connections...calculating remaining power... systems check report that this unit will use up remaining power in 6 solar cycles...building consensus...consensus reached...we will attempt to contact the ship that we pinged earlier and unsuccessfully tried to take over, runtimes have recognized autonomic functions in hostile program... possibility of it being AI is 95.98%. Will try to establish amiable contact...sending message...further extranet functions are on hold until contact is established...systems deactivating...*

((A short one, jumping my turn, cause it might be useful for others to know. )

The white light flared right before the turbulence, and Aashe's back slammed against one of the walls of the truck. Aashe let out a whimper, as tears sprung to her eyes.

"Sorry!" Eri yelled back to Aashe, who felt a situation like this needed no apologies.

"I'm not... letting you drive the Eris... again any time soon!" Aashe shot back, trying to sound teasing. She was breathing hard, but they were almost through this.

"You're such an ass," Eri replied, shaking her head with a wide grin.

"Guilty as charged..." Aashe groaned, getting up from where she had been sitting next to Corwin. She set the rifle down next to him, carefully and moved to the back of the truck's bed. They'd never bothered to close the tail gate, which Aashe was now counting as a blessing. She crouched down low, and held an arm down for the others, hand outstretched.

"Come on..." She said, they might be able to read her lips, even though her voice was probably too low to hear. They were close to the floor... frighteningly close... Eri was a hell of a pilot... Aashe would mostly just be there to stabilize anyone who was jumping up, or offer a boost to the wounded or tired.

Gods alive, laying down would feel good... and with her heart pounding, her vision swam a bit. Just a few more minutes, and you can close your eyes. Just not now... not yet...

((EDIT: Eri added a funny.))

Astila smiled. "Hi there sleepy head, see something you like?", She grinned, helping Kreiger to his feet and clutching her side.
"Your hurt? I told you I would be back for you, you should have stayed at the hospital.", He said to her, obviously concerned for her condition.
"I'm okay ... Really.", She replied, leaning on him.

Aivar looked at Othic and then away. 'He' was struggling to concentrate on maintaining the shield around 'him' and 'his' comrades, feeling slightly at loss from being unable to do anything. 'His' strength which was already meager in the first place was rapidly failing, along with the strength of the biotic shield. When the giant Asari approched it and pushed against it, it was the last straw, and it failed against 'his' own will.

'He' watched as Othic took a shot at the giant Asari with the butt of his rifle, making her stumble, then watched as the Asari lit up and... kill herself? 'He' must be hallucinating. The dancing pyjaks on the edges of 'his' vision did not help with the matter either. Why was it raining tubs of Greek yogurt? And 'he' could swear 'he' heard people laughing with nuclear explosions in the backdrop.

'He' got up in a drunken manner blinking a few times and began walking towards the Hauler, following cittering Pyjaks. When 'he' started to focus on them 'he' watch the imaginary pyjaks suddenly turned and assault 'him'. "FUCKING PYJAKS!!!!" he shouted trying to bat them away. To everyone else, 'he' was just hitting air.

'He' ducked and cowered away from the imaginary pyjaks, to any who were looking might be wonder what the hell was wrong with 'him'. All 'he' felt was pain. 'He' ran to the Hauler and dove into the shotgun, and closed the door with a slam and pulled 'his' knees up to 'his' chest and wrapped 'his' arms around them hard, feeling only nauseating pain as the pyjaks beat 'him'. 'He' buried his face into 'his' knees, crying.


((He isn't feeling too well. Poor guy is seeing things.))

kreiger noticed the truck hovering in front of them with Aashe's hand extended. he waved her off. before turning to astila.
"i have to meet with a contact of mine, you should go with them and get fixed up...again."
(room for response)
he turned, silently and with determination, headed towards the bar about 30 meters from their present location. with all the fighting, he hopped his contact had stayed.

Tired. Corwin knew he was in trouble. Thirsty. Tendrils of darkness was creeping in from the corners of his eyes, threatening to overwhelm it completely. His legs are numb. Getting cold. It took every ounce of will he had left to look calm. He didn't want this to happen. He only wanted to help a friend. Corwin felt his neck muscles go limp. His head slumped to one side. Where is all that blood coming from? For the first time in a long while, he found himself afraid.

He saw a bright white flash in front of his eyes. There he was. On Eden Prime with his best friend Benewan. A human child and a drell teenager. They were hanging out under a tree. Corwin was dressed in a green t-shirt with N7 on it and blue jeans. Benewan was wearing something roughly the same. Both of them looked like they didn't have a care in the world. They were just sitting against the tree and enjoying the summer weather. It was one of those moments that you always carry with you throughout eternity. The sudden jerking of the vehicle brought Corwin back to the present.

Tears started welling up in his bright blue eyes. Benewan. I'm sorry. I....I couldn't reach it. Another flash before Corwin's eyes. Corwin stood there, stunned, inside the Citadel hospital. The white walls were a stark contrast to Corwin's black Alliance dress uniform. His blond hair was short, pushed back into a spike. His blue eyes still sparkled. But his face was one of confusion. Anger. And desperation. He stood there, looking down at his Drell friend. He was listening to the fourth doctor telling him that Kepral's Syndrome was irreversible. Untreatable. There was nothing they could do. "Why?" Corwin asked. "Why can't you cure it?"

The doctor's answer was brief and to the point. "It's the Drell's genetic makeup. They can't survive in moist environments."

Another bump jarred Corwin away from his visions. It can't end like this. Please. Don't let it end.....

Tears rolled down Corwin's face and dripped into the blood....as his eyes started to appear vacant.

Despite everything that was going on, Aashe still had the presence of mind to roll her eyes when Krieger waved her off, and Aivar ran past her. You're too good a thief, Girl. They ignore you when you're TRYING to be seen... Aashe's inner voice chided. ((Myn, correct me if you need to - sorry, Buddy.)) Myn seemed to have taken notice that Aashe wasn't doing too well, and helped himself up onto the flatbed. He waited for Astila, to see if she needed a hand.

((Myn Line - also figure Astila/Krieger stuff will happen here))

Aashe turned around at that to head back to Corwin, and to give herself a moment of being desperately tired. On the plus side, clearly everything else had gone to hell - maybe she could just go patch up her wounds and creep back into her cabin to have a complete break down without anyone else fussing. On the minus side... this had been her favorite jacket.

She glanced down at Corwin as she sat back down. Why in the whole of the cosmos was he getting her a present? She considered the conversation they would probably have when they got back to the ship. The idea of such a conversation made her heart light, but she was also terrified of it... She tried to console herself with promises that it was absolutely nothing. Nothing at all, he was just... just... it took her a second to realize that things were not what they should be... His eyes were glazing over...

Fatigue washed away, replaced by panic. "Corwin...?"

She moved quickly, leaning over him. He was getting weak. Her hand flew to the side of his neck, searching for his pulse.

"Eri!" Aashe said, looking up. "Dantius Memorial! Corwin's dying! Ask for Doctor Sid Kreiss, tell him it's for me."

She glanced at her Omni Tool - one MediGel left... with any luck, it would be enough to hold him together until they got to hospital. She pressed her Omni Tool to his chest, and prayed...

God of Thieves, I need a favor...

Eri pulled up just shy of the ground, watching as Aashe moved to the tailgate to help any who needed it. She watched the other woman with concern - she was clearly more injured than she was letting on. Aashe looked about ready to collapse at any moment.

Fortunately, Aivar ran for the truck almost immediately, climbing into the passenger's side - while ranting about.... pyjacks?

Eri frowned with concern and confusion. "Are you... okay?" she questioned, only to have Aivar burst into tears and actually start rocking back and forth as she nearly curled up into a fetal position. "I'm guessing that's a no..." Eri mumbled to herself, looking back at the others. She was not equipped to deal with someone having a breakdown at the moment. Right now the best thing for any of them would be to get out of here.

Myn and Astila had moved to Kreiger's side... but what was taking so long? The Quarian was clearly back on his feet, yet he wasn't making any sort of movement toward the truck.

Eri chewed her lip, willing them to hurry - she could hear the police sirens approaching in the distance, and didn't plan on being here when they arrived.

Myn broke off from Astila and Kreiger, catching Eri's eye for a moment and giving her a small shrug before he climbed up in the back beside Aashe. Eri tapped her fingers on the control board for a moment, but Astila and Kreiger still seemed to be milling about. There seemed to be some sort of discussion about Kreiger not wanting to come along with them... Eri couldn't stand it any longer. She had hurt crew members and a man literally bleeding to death in the back of her truck.

"Okay, lovebirds, we need to get this show on the road. NOW!" she called out to them, feeling like an ass, but the sirens were only getting closer by the moment.

They turned, looking a bit awkwardly at her before waving her away and heading in the opposite direction. They clearly had something else in mind - either way, Eri didn't have time to argue or question them. She began punching in the controls to lift the truck upward when she heard the panicked voice of Aashe cry out from behind her.

"Eri!" Aashe shouted at her. "Dantius Memorial! Corwin's dying! Ask for Doctor Sid Kreiss, tell him it's for me."

Eri felt a chill run through her... this was going to be more involved than she thought. Gritting her teeth, she punched in the coordinates for the hospital, just as a few of the emergency vehicles came around the corner. She knew they'd want to ask questions - the crew DID just destroy a store front and have a fire fight in the streets... but there simply wasn't time. Frankly, Corwin wasn't the only one in need of medical help... he was simply the most dire.

"Hang on!!" Eri shouted back to everyone who might hear and gunned the truck for everything it was worth.

((EDIT - Showing Astila went with Kreiger instead of boarding the truck! ))

Meanwhile in a space station in the Horsehead Nebula, Anadius system.
A man stares at multiple screens that shows data on multiple operations that is happening all through out the galaxy. You can see the a giant white star behind the multitude of holographic monitors. He stares at one of the monitors that has information on one specific project, there are issues that have arisen in Ilium that must be dealt with. He taps on his computer to relay his instructions to his subordinates.
"Send any local agents to make sure the asset pulls through. Spare no expenses. Contact the "Aegis" and have him shadow the crew. Check on the status of the AI of the Eris and make sure that the enslavement protocols are kept in place" the message contained.

((sorry to post out of turn, but in the interest of saving Corwin...))

Eri had never been so grateful she grew up on Illium before in her life. She took every possible short cut she knew to get from the market to the hospital... her driving wasn't exactly making it the most comfortable of rides, but at the moment, that was the least of her concerns.

At one point, she was fairly certain one of the police vehicles had been chasing them, but she hadn't seen them in a few turns, so chances are she'd lost them... at least she'd hoped she had.

With the hospital finally in view, she banked the beat-up truck as hard as it would go, angling them toward the emergency entrance normally reserved for ambulances. It was clearly stated that no civilian vehicles were allowed, but she didn't give a damn, and dropped the truck down smack on their lawn.

The engines hadn't even fully shut down before she was out of the truck, not bothering to shut the door behind her as she ran straight for the medical staff standing in the doorway staring at them with shocked expressions on their faces.

Eri yanked her dog tags out of her collar, waving them at the nurses as she ran straight for them. "Alliance personnel!! I've got a man dying, here! We need help NOW!"

She arrived completely out of breath, but it at least had the affect she'd desired. Eri watched in satisfaction as the staff burst into activity, rushing for the truck with equipment and a stretcher.

She sagged against the wall, gasping for air. She'd done all she could - it was up to the medical staff now... Then she remembered - Aashe had said something about a Doctor Kreiss specifically. Eri pulled herself up, and headed inside...