Azul and Hotshot booked it down the way. They had travelled the pathways for days. Getting passed several mercenary parties. With just the two it was easy. Both had switched to the Lin Kuei training to get through quick and easy.
"Hah," Hotshot sighed tiredly. "That was fun but exhausting." She looked over to Azul. He was fine, a little light breathing as he was looking at his map. Working away and checking over things. A notification on his omni-tool drew her over to him. She read over him. Placing her hand on his shoulder a link formed with his approval. 'Thanks for that.'
Zelda: Maldova, Bishop, and Torbin have finished their objective hours ago. Time has been spent gathering Geth parts up top. Kasumi/Alita, Shun and Rayna are in the chamber up ahead. They are in place to do the part of the previous encounter. Additional missions have been generated and are given to Jane's crew and Chari's group.
'Alright, this will be a trip and a half.' Azul looked at Hotshot. She had been extremely quiet the last few days for some reason. She had been communicating with someone on her Omni-tool. He figured it to be her sisters. She was happy with what the biotic strands conveyed. But also frustrated by something. 'You ready for the last hurdle?' She nodded. 'Good we go in 10 minutes.'
System: Willpower Check 30 Pass
Azul calmed himself. He wanted to rush in and get this over. The last few days he had been on pins and needles. They came across a few Vorcha but not the ones he was looking for. They knocked out a few and Azul took the information from some of their minds. Shalla was here somewhere. As well as the Vorcha that joined last time. The memories were hard to decipher. He had brushed up on his Vorcha understanding with each he knocked out. They would wake up tired and hurt. Best he was willing to do.
"Azul," Hotshot called getting his attention. "When this is done with.. we have a lot to go do right?" He gave her a nod. "Great. Time needs to be set aside for everyone else. Just try to remember that. When the thing with the other Users happens, we are taking a break. I will hold you here if you do not agree."
"Agreed." Azul smiled at her before he placed his helmet back on. "You said the others. What about you? CHange of mind on how we proceed?"
"Nope, in it for the long haul. Just waiting till after you snap at someone. I am swooping in when you are vulnerable." Hotshot gave him a grin planted a kiss on his helmet. "Besides I am getting time with you now." She placed her helmet on next and got ready to his side. Looking him over, she felt his Pather power hit her. 'Good he is happy, worried but happy. Hope he does not get to mad at what happens next.' Her eyes flashed black before returning to normal. Her blood was boiling. 'I have to have him! He can survive it. He did before only almost killing me.'
Zelda: Everything points to the process going better this time. However, I caution to use it after more treatment to bolster yourself. Just in case. Also help has arrived.
'No, I want to do it before it gets to far medically. If he can survive it now.. that means we have a lifeline to do it without the medical assistance. So far I was just given an immune booster for my body that contained what he had inside him already. Nothing to prevent the blowback really. Just to get ready for it.' Hotshot grabbed her shotgun and was ready.
Zelda: Very well. I hope for your success.
'Me to.' Hotshot saw Azul give the signal and moved to the other side. 'Just need to get Shalla and get this over with.'
"Bwoom," A rift opened to reveal Tiffany. She was dressed in standard Alliance armor. Her helmet was fully closed and her eyes caught Azul instantly. Her power called to his. She gave a nod and pulled out a Warhammer. It was then cloaked in a thin layer of kinetic energy. A slight glow like a Omni-Sword.
"Kaw!" A sniper round went through the air.
AzuI flipped over the boulder they were using for cover. And saw who fired. Rayna was loading up her sniper rifle with a fresh thermal clip. The gun had a white glow on the side. Piercing shield rounds. His observe kicking in causing him to blink in wonder. They had become stronger. A lot stronger.
System Check: Perception 33 Medical Check 29 Intelligence Check 27
Observe: Kasumi Goto (???) Lv: 19
Sub-Title: Master Thief Age: 22 Total Age: 87
Specialty: Escape Artist Second Class: Martial Adept Lvl: ???
Observe: Shun ????? Lv: 13
Sub-Title: Mercenary Age: 25 Total Age: ????
Specialty: Sentinel Second Class: Adept Lvl: 10
Observe: Rayna Maldova Lv: 18 Cerebus Infiltrator/Engineer
Sub-Title: Mercenary Age: 25 Total Age: 5
Specialty: Combat Engineer Second Class: Saboteur Lvl: 9
'Shit they have shot up more levels than me thats for sure. Oh well.' Azul was moving fast after the once over. Hotshot right behind as she fired erratically.
Kasumi leg looked like crap. The armor was broken all the way to the hip. Pieces of metal embedded in the flesh up to the bone. Azul's hand went out to help heal the damage with his biotics as well as Omni-gel.
"Damn, thought I had problems," He said to her as the applied gel was working at the damage. More extensive then what the others received. "Are you able to move your toes? I don't think it is good for you to put any weight on it even with the Omni Gel? But then again you barely weigh much so easy day for me." AzuI starts to cast Lvl 4 Rune Magic to help along with the healing. 'I really am glad this has improved the way it has. I still need to start improving my medical and healing abilities even more.'
Checking again.
Observe: Status: Angry, Excited, Stable Condition, Agitated
With a small smirk, Kasumi gave him a smile. "It's bad I know. I am not going anywhere like this. Who the heck is the hammer wielder? Why are her biotics so... raw? And why do I feel like she is the same as you?" Riku asked. Before waiting for an answer she used her biotics to prop herself back up and started to return fire again.
The fact she was using two heavy pistols did not bother him. Then he saw the weird clip extension with a symbol. It triggered a memory but would not rise to the surface fully.
"She is help. That we acquired when helping Lettie and the others. I didn't have a chance to introduce you all. Well, brief you all really. Her biotics are a side effect the same as mine and yours. She is relatively from the same place as them ok?" AzuI answered while pulling the rest of the shards out of the bone. "Rayna, Shun are you both good?"
"Tch, you sure that isn't my replacement," Kasumi said in a huff. The agitation of her flowed right into Azul. It was Alita projecting it though. There working togethor always was funny. It also explained why she stopped talking to Azul and Zelda took over. "You better not replace me as your number one thief and the number #1 friend slot is mine." The biotic strand only showed she was partly joking.
"Hehe, you cannot be replaced." Azul chuckled as he works a little bit harder on the bone.
"Running out of clips! But could be better. I wasn't the one to get bit by a Krogan." Rayna said with a smirk as she reached for another clip. "Die you stupid Boshtet!" She screamed as she opened fire again.
"I almost have this door opened. Who the hell are those people that came with you? Are those the colonists?" Shun asked as he went back to work on the door. He took over usuing a shield to cover them in place of Hotshot.
Bass digitized and took off to Shun. Keeping his biotics fully on her while keeping up with her increase healing was a problem. Azul received the notification from his observing of the wound more.
Observe: Genetic material is going through an evolutionary stage. Healing hindered in cellular growth. Under Operator control currently. Operator Alita/Galtea.
The good news, his biotics moved faster than the omni-gel. 'The new DNA had some boosted results will have to study in-depth later. What did she get herself?'
"Boom." The chasm shook. Pieces started to fall down.
An explosion went off to the side of them next. Some voices could be heard from the new tunnel formed. They weren't allies from the sound of the voices. The same instance as last time started happening just worse. More bodies. Kasumi later confirmed it.
"This got worse. You need to get out of here now!" Kasumi said with a grim look on her face. There was no life in her eyes. She was resolved to die here. She continued to load her guns and fire. Her moments seemed like she was just going through the motions. The biotics flowed off her in a massive drove. The others had fed the information of Riku's encounter into her.
Images of her and others fighting against Sin creatures played in front of him. He shook it off quickly and easy. It took that strand to remind he fucked up. Riku was a ticking time bomb waiting to end, one final ho-rah. Riku was used to these situations. He should have not put her in a predicament like that considering her past. 'But she got through it last time. Why used that on Kasumi? Is it because of the method they shared? Or something else?'
Zelda: I.. do not think this is on purpose. It might be your Pather power acting up. I suspect this a little but.. not to this extent. Your power is mutating. I think due to the Triforce piece.
'Wait you knew?! Why didn't you say anything!? Anything!?' AzuI asked Zelda pissed. He channeled the new built up power onto his hand. Azul pointed it at the new tunnel of troops coming. 'Lvl2 Concussive Shot full power!' He let it fly off hopefully it will slow there advance. The rest of the magic energy gathered and he used it to will Kasumi's leg shut.
Zelda: I was not allowed. I can only speak on what you ask or what happens to be a mission parameter. The rules of an Operator are crazy. I am still studying them to the best of my ability. I am sorry. This is not a companion mission. It is a regular mission in which death is highly likely for you and your companions. If this were a companion mission I could tell you a lot more. But this is one in your Home World.
"Have the door open it's time to move," Hotshot said as she removed the rifle from her back and started to open fire. Her Shotgun was done and burnt out to the side. Running into their would lead them to the next location and buy them some time.
'Fucking hell. Sorry Zelda, forgot about that.' Looking down, he saw Kasumi breathing harder. "Dammit, Kasumi I am sorry about this. But this will hurt." AzuI released all the biotics and magic he had in place currently. He watched as her bones moved back in place. The nerves reattached to correct locations. He caught sight of some dead cells he would take care of later, but then they came alive again.
"Aah! You son of a bitch!" Kasumi screamed as she smacked the rock they were using for cover smashing it. Her arms stood straight up as the biotic/magic gathered in front of her. She crushed both of her guns. She looked at Azul in the eyes. They were blazing red. If looks could kill he would be dead, or at least throttled a little. She turned to face the oncoming group. "Move you idiot or get hit!" Kasumi threw her hands out and a giant shockwave went towards the new tunnel and the mercenary group. "You owe me a full course breakfast! You are cooking!" She yelled at Azul.
Tiffany jumped in the air when the shockwave approached. Missing it completely. She threw some grenades down as she activated some thrusters on her back. As she hovered she fired a wrist-mounted heavy pistol at them. The good news, it was smoke grenades. No one thought this room could handle any more explosions.
"Sorry, Kasumi had to be done. Tiffany to me now! Everyone, time to go in." Azul barked out orders as he got up, lifting Kasumi over his shoulder after she dropped. "Kasumi this will be a bumpy ride. Lay down cover fire as I look you over internally." They took off in a run to the door. "Tiffany cover the colonist with Shun. Hotshot cover the colonist if you can while firing."
"No problem. I am gonna borrow this pistol of yours." Kasumi said. And a split second later. He could hear the pistol go off.
The colonist members fired the guns they had hazardly. Mostly to ward them off, there were a lot of Mercenaries. Some of them used the biotic ability lift to help with disorienting the mercenaries. So far they have taken no casualties one can see.
"Bass, the captain's team has got be fairing better than us, need an update."
"Head left 80ft then right 310 ft," Bass said as the drone went further ahead scanning. "Recommend picking up the pace. There are several shifts in the chasm. Possible cave in suspected.
"You people are gonna have to keep up. We can not slow down." Azul said as he booked that left. Focusing he used Cycle Up on each of them. The colonists felt the added energy and were suprised.
They traveled down the door for a while. About 6 minutes or so. AzuI still heard the occasional gunshot. In a strong bright biotics behind them, Tiffany appeared with the two people that helped with the biotic lift move. Both men were knocked out from what he could see. A few cuts and bruises but they looked alive.
Some yelling came down the tunnel. "Kill that biotic monster! Where is she!?"
They stopped at the secured door. Shun, Rayna and the Bass drone went to work as soon as they reached it. Hotshot was on the ground taking large gasps of air. She looked beat. He laid Kasumi down against the wall and went back to work on her leg's final check. Whatever was happening was beyond his current understanding. He walked over to Hotshot and checked her out next.
"Yah know Commander, this was not what I had in mind when I wanted to get close to you later. But a girl will take what she can get. I am gonna hold onto your pistol through ok." She smiled painfully and pulled it away from his side. His backup, backup was gone. Kasumi had one, she had the other now. Hotshot smile went away as she controlled her breathing. She closed her eyes and started to meditate. Her exhaustion fading away fast. "Ohh so fun." She mumbled.
Azul tried to stand up but couldn't. Hotshot had her arm gripped on him. Azul gave it a stroke, her arm let go. He went over to check Rayna next. He had his hand above her head with his Omni-tool scanning as well. Omni-tool checked suit integrity, all green.
Observe: Rayna Maldova Lv: 18 Cerebus Infiltrator/Engineer
Sub-Title: Mercenary Age: 25 Total Age: 5
Specialty: Combat Engineer Second Class: Saboteur Lvl: 6
Status: Internal Bleeding
"What happened to you? Where did the internal bleeding come from? Why didn't you say anything." Azul asked her. He brought his biotics and magic to her core. Entering a semi-meditative state he drew on the surroundings to help heal her. Filtering out the unhelpful energy and storing it in himself. The psychic echoes were destroyed and turned into raw energy. Knowledge was not needed right now. "I have given you upgrades to prevent this. Better immune system, and better cellular integrity. What could have happened?"
"Better I stay quiet and not endanger the mission. If I die so what. If you all live, I have served my purpose." Rayna said flatly. There was no emotion in her voice just cold acceptance. She worked the same as Mia did in that regard. "Quarian's are maybe just this weak."
System Check: Intelligence 31 Medical Check 26 Wisdom Check 24
"Sigh, I am sorry to hear that. But glad you are willing to die for us though. But I can't have you dying just yet. You haven't lived enough understand?" Azul said while trying to think of a better way to this pick me up. He started to mix more of his own happy memories into the healing to see if that would help at all. As well as the relationship he shared with Mia. He was able to feel and see memories from biotic strands, passing it on was easy if he focused. Especially with the amount times, he has done it before.
System: Triforce of Wisdom Activated. Target Rayna Maldova.
"That's.." Rayna started to say as her eyes went glassy. It was hard to tell in the helmet. But it was happening when he focused. "You treated her like family. That is good.. despite being a lab experiment. A clone, she was treated normally. I want that. I have decided on that." Gathering her strength she grabbed Azul's arm.
"Huh?" Azul was startled at the strength. "You are way stronger than other Quarian."
"I will move forward with more treatment. No doctor but you Commander. Maybe the Fusionist. I like her. She is goofy." Rayna let go seeing him give her a nod. She looked at her fingers. 'These hands need work... almost useless..'
Shun turned to look at him. " Two minutes till the door opens."
Bass: Two minutes before the walls collapse.
"I am sorry what?! Repeat that." Kasumi said from her spot. "Please let that be a joke."
"Two minutes before the walls collapse," Hotshot said it this time. She was up and trying to help. "We are going as fast as we can. But the technology is old. The integrity of the cavern has decayed way too much. I am sorry."
"Listen up everyone. Gather around the entrance of the door. As soon as it opens get in there. No buts or complaining. If you have any biotic abilities you are in the back with me. Got it? Good." Azul said as stern as possible. He was ready for what happened next.
The colonists moved to the front. AzuI placed Kasumi with Rayna. They both were groggy and exhausted but they would be able to sprint in there. Tiffany stood next to him at the ready. The look on her face spoke volumes. She figured out what he had planned.
Tiffany started to chant a Litany. Her biotics started to rise as she increased her chant. The black light gathered around her more and more. The colonists started to pray. A few biotic strands of black left from them and went to Azul then Tiffany. He felt more confident about the plan. Tiffany glowed brighter.
"Tshh," The door started to open slowly. The colonist grabbed and pushed and pulled with all there might. Shun braced at the opening pulling with all his might.
"Rumble Rumble, the ceiling started to come down.
System Check: Intelligence 25 Wisdom 27 Perception 23
AzuI activated Lv3 Adrenaline Rush, Lv5 Biotic Shielding, Lvl4 Rune Magic in one go.
Adrenaline rush allowed him to pinpoint which area's was giving out first. His biotic shielding was placed against the roof to keep any part from falling just yet. The rune magic was used to weaken the big pieces. By grinding them into powder and pushing to the front of himself. The dust providing cover.
Behind Azul, Several grunts and groans could be heard. Everyone moving into the room. If this keeps up I would be able to duck inside before anything happens. But like an idiot, I thought too soon.
Up ahead a group of Krogan were coming with what Iook to be an actual battering ram this time. He was wrong. It opened up to reveal some type of steel array. Looking at it, Azul activated observe to be sure.
Observe: Blasthold Drill + Ship Mining Laser
"Oh, what the fuck!" Azul said right before it fired. He was ready for it. But the drill would be a problem for later.
"Beeeoom!" The laser went out. Straight at Azul who was in the center.
Azul gathered all the biotic energy he could muster to boost his shields. Rayna and Hotshot started firing at the laser team. A few Krogan stepped forward erecting a barrier. Their shots couldn't get past the barrier they threw up. Tiffany continued to pour energy into a barrier she placed protecting the colonist. As the one Azul had started to fade.
A throb in the base of his neck caused him to weaken. All he could do was condense shield, as the laser fire pushed him back. Stepping forward he grabbed hold of the energy and held it steady. Giving the colonists more time to evacuate.
System: Intelligence Check 23 Willpower Check Neutral
'Her barrier will not last. She is not designed for barriers. Sisters of Battle are fighters and vanguards, not shield generators. But she is not that either. She is something different. She is not Agria.' Azul thoughts were clouding from something inside the place. Something deep below. Whatever Alita sensed was calling ot him. 'This won't work. I can see her straining with this.' Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath. 'Time for the next part.'
Hotshot threw a grenade out blinding the enemy. The laser pivoted a little. This eased the pressure off Azul a little.
"Tiffany get them in that door now! They can't breach those shields especially in their condition!" AzuI yelled over his shoulder.
System: Perception Check 27 Pass
"Kachak" a bright light travelled towards Azul. He was able to see the light just in time to boost his shield with a quick burst.
The sniper fire tore a hole through his shield. But was stopped enough that his suit absorbed it. It tagged him in the shoulder. A slight shimmer but no real damage.
"Kachak," another round came out. This one a lot more powerful. It was the one who tagged Tifa the previous time.
System: Willpower Check 26 Pass Constitution Check 29 Pass
Shields depleted. The energy from the collapsed shields wen towards the others boosting their bodies.
"Gasp," AzuI took a strong breath. From the second shot, he almost lost footing. He braced himself to get ready for the next hit. It was gonna hurt even more so if the same location was punctured.
"We can't leave you here against that! They have a damn laser! A ship laser at that! You are outnumbered." Rayna screamed. She looked at the others. They were upset from what she could tell. But were gonna follow the plan. "You people are idiots. Ugh to tired to think on it." Rayna felt more power hit her from Azul. She leaned up and started firing with everyone else while falling back. 'This Shalla better be worth it!'
"Tiffany get them through that door now!" AzuI bellowed.
"Time to go. It is his orders." Tiffany said as she knocked Kasumi out lifting Rayna with her other arm. They dashed into the door. "To much hassle and she is to relcutant to leave."
"Kachak" The sound of another sniper fire tore a hole through Azul's shield much easier without any aid to help bolster it. It was to easy. He now had a dent where his shoulder used to be heavily plated. The dent was about the size of a golfball.
Health -3
System: Constitution Check 26 Pass Willpower Check 26 Pass
"Ugh," AzuI groaned out. "Alright, everyone else inside. No need to worry about the barrier."
"As you say, Commander," Hotshot said relectantly. But she started to move back giving the others more cover. "It will not be long until this is over." The grim look on her face did not bode well. Her biotic strands were erratic.
"Yeah, we are gonna make it." Azul said smiling before focusing back. He did not what happened behind him at all. Bigger problems as a Krogan made his way forward a little. It was the Warleader that lead the group and put this into this situation last time. 'Tch. Wish I could have kicked your ass before I did that other one.'
"You can defend for long. We will get that door open and kill your comrades." The Warleader grumbled. His hand was raised, the only reason fire was stopped. "Do you honestly think you can win?"
"I take it this would be a fine hooyah." Azul felt another pang in his head. Ignoring it he told the Krogan once more, before he released the hold on the ceiling. 'Who are these other voices. I could have sworn I took care those problems.'
Zelda: We are working on them right now.
Alits: Nothing you can not suppress.
'Fight! Drown them in your biotic power. Kill them! Slaughter them!' Azul ignored the voices. But he took note of what they were saying however. 'Release the bioagents you have been working on in secret. Nothing like a nerve agent to kill them all fast. We can even isolate it to make it harmless to the Vorcha. Get out there and krump em good!'
"Tsh" The door close behind him finally.
"Haa, time to get this over with." Azul started to pull back his biotics.
"You think you two can stop us?" The Warleader questioned as his hand lowered slowly. He was enjoying this.
"We two?!" Azul turned back to find Hotshot standing nearby. A shimmer on her armor shields and he could feel her presence again. "What the hell are you doing here?! She shrugged at him and pointed up. "Ugh," he groaned as he dropped the ceiling down. His barrier was ready to form but, Hotshot beat him to it.
"Thooom!!" The rocks came down hard and fast. Hotshot tackled him onto his back. Azul noticed the smile on her face as she did so. "Swish," wrapping her quickly he flipped over and had his back up. While she was underneath.
System: Endurance Check 34
As the rocks landed against his back, Hotshot grinned even harder. "I knew you would do that. Glad you did."
"Bwoom," her barrier extended out passed the two giving them a little room to move as the rocks fell.
"You are crazy!" Azul looked down at Hotshot. "Why risk yourself? Why do this?"
"Because you are hurting. Dumb ass. Our bond may not be strong yet, but I can feel it."Hotshot stared back at him. "Now you cannot get away so we can talk. Remove your helmet. The rocks are already secured above your head. I want to see your face perfectly. No helmet to hide your expression or your eyes."
"Better ways than this. You could have just asked to talk." Azul moved his neck around, triggering the mechanisms as his helmet opened in the front and slid back. "Ha, need more upgrades. That was to slow and inaccurate." His eyes darting around to make sure they had air coming in a large amount. He looked to the left and the right. Everything was good. "Woo," controlling his breathing he slowed his intake down. If she wanted to talk, he rather not make it more difficult or risk any problems.
Hotshot watched as he moved about. Her breathing picking up as he did so. She licked her lips hungrily. The power she had as an Ardat-Yakshi coming to the forefront. "Best way. No abrupt interruptions. You won't get pulled in the middle of a mission and the others cannot interfere with us." Once he finished she stared at him holding the call back. "I needed it to be you. Not a lesser you this time."
"So go ahead. You first." Azul was a little stunned but understood somewhat. Not all of them were ok with the different parts of him. The lesser parts of his soul that were broken off to start in Worlds. But from what he remembered she didnt care. 'What changed?'
"Put me on the spot why don't cha." Hotshot grinned. Moving her neck around the same as he did, her helmet parted and went back. She reached her hands up and grabbed his face. "Look directly into my eyes and do not break eye contact." Her grip tightening on him. "I will deliver you all the Asari you need to fight for you. All of the ones who want freedom. Just under us. My sister will listen. Matriarch Benezia will listen. Morinth will follow in tow. Or they will die by the council's hand. Better sure our aims than risk getting killed."
"Alright but.." Azul watched her pupils change a bit. "..wait I have not finished the treatment for you yet. The backlash will kill you." Azul's eyes went pink and red as they connected. All the voices inside were forced quiet in fear of getting devoured.
"Willing to risk it." Hotshot eyes went black as the biotic energy between the two mixes. "Now embrace eternity!"