Jenkins
The firefight wasn’t as intense as others, mostly because our enemies weren’t armed. They ran at us in basically straight lines, and we grouped up in a tight circle and just shot them as they stepped into sight. None even managed to get close. It was a nice change of pace, not having to panic during the firefight. We fought our way across the space and through a doorway. This section of the open hall had one of the Nodes growing into it. It was large, nearly 5 meters in every direction, and gave off a faint glow as it pulsed against the walls.
“Jenkins, plant explosives, and once we are clear past detonate it. We need to move quickly.” Ashley gave the order and I nodded in response, running up to the node and reaching to pull some grenades from my pack. I personally loved the remote detonator ones, so I had an abundance as I placed three of them on the node.
As I placed the third, however, the mess of slimy biomass that attached the node quivered, and a hand burst out, grabbing me by the wrist.
“Shit!” I drew my pistol with my free hand firing several shots into the mess of matter the hand spewed out of, causing the hand to go limp. As I backed away, weapon raised another wave of the creatures burst forth, crawling, and in some cases running, out of the matter right at us. The space we were in was narrow enough that we didn’t get a whole lot of distance to fill them with ammunition before they reached us, and we were forced to get more creative. Electrical pulses from Tali and I slowed their approach and even dropped a few of them, but their numbers were high enough that it became more of a struggle.
Ashley switched weapons to a shotgun and shrugged off a few of the charging enemies with help from a shield boost from Garrus. Who covered her back with repeated rifle fire. She simply gave a nod, and after another moment the wave of enemies was dealt with.
“Hell, so they can crawl out of that mess of plant shit too huh? Okay everyone, keep your guard up at every other node, we need to be prepared for a wave like this at each one, minimum.” A series of copies and acknowledgments of understanding was enough to continue.
I placed the third explosive I had been so rudely interrupted in placing the first time and we moved on. Continuing down the circular hall to the next Node that could be seen on this level. We would have to climb to a second floor, and then a third as we made our way around, but we at least had the benefit of being able to see our destinations. The large tendrils that formed the nodes were visible from anywhere in the room.
As we marched to the next destination, I detonated the explosives behind us destroying the first of the five nodes with a loud bang and a wave of heat. We didn’t let the detonation slow us down in the slightest, as we carried our march forward without hesitation.
“You know, times like these make me wonder if following all of you was the smartest decision.” Tali was using her omni-tool to cause overloads at any large groups of these creatures that approached, repeated uses occurring every time the cooldown had finished.
“Come on, you can’t say this isn’t an exciting experience. Where else would you get the chance to kill an evil sentient plant.” Garrus seemed like he was having the time of his life, and was completely in his element. Round after round his rifle killed one enemy with every shot.
Without ambushing us the enemy couldn’t even get close.
“Listen why don’t you try having said evil plant dig around in your head before you go telling me about exciting experiences.” I was prepping my next set of explosives as we reached another node but waited before placing them.
“Let’s see who comes out to play.” Ashley toggled a switch on the side of her rifle and fired a stream of rounds into the mass of plant matter that the Node attached to.
Every shot landed with a burst of flame that quickly caught and spread across the surface. There was another rumble through the building and a screeching sound as suddenly more of those creatures burst out from the node. The flames they ran through caught them alight as fast as it had spread across the Node and they were already crumbling apart only a few steps toward us. The fact we were ready for them didn’t make it any easier, and they were dead before we even felt the heat.
We waited a moment, hoping with all hope that the speed with which the Node caught fire meant we could just set them ablaze and let the fire take care of things for us. Our hope was crushed rather quickly as the fire began to die as fast as it had spread initially. It stopped making any progress and as I stepped closer and inspected I could see that the plant matter around where the fire had started was secreting some sort of mucus.
“Looks like after millennia of existence it has a way to deal with actual fire. We can light it up but it won’t spread far, at least not on the actual nodes. The creepers, however, burn well. Feel free to set them alight.” I took a knee in front of the node, pulling out more explosives to prep this node as well.
“Creepers? You named those plant things while we were fighting them?” Tali was both teasing and curious in the tone of her voice. I cursed myself silently for letting the name slip when it hadn’t been brought up in reality. I had a moment though as I realized something. I had a pretty good excuse for handing out information I shouldn’t know now.
“Well. It’s what the Thorian called them. I’m still processing it but whatever it did in giving me a Prothean marker left a bunch of extra information behind. Stuff about the Protheans, the cycle, and how it lived.” There was a pause of silence from everyone as I said that. And as I finished planting the last explosive I turned to see everyone watching me, a look of concern on the faces I could see.
“What. Guys we don’t have time to stop here, we have to destroy this thing.” There was a glance between Ashely and Garrus before Ashley spoke.
“Jenkins, you had that thing in your head. Now I’m certain that if it could control you, you wouldn’t be helping us destroy it, but are you sure you’re okay?” The look of actual concern on her face was surprising, but it made sense to be worried about it.
“I’m fine I swear. It’s just like someone inserted a bunch of information packets into my head. It’s separate from my actual thoughts, but when I go looking for information there it is. Like the fact those plant things are Thorian Creepers, and that they are designed after the Protheans.” I gave a look that I hoped was reassuring as I tried to explain things in a way that I hoped made sense.
Another look between the group before Ashley gave a nod and turned to move forward again. She turned back at a glance and gave her orders.
“Fine, but we’re having Chakwas give you a proper look over once we get back to the Normandy. Let’s carry on, we got more of those damn nodes to pop.”
“Yes ma’am.” I responded as I fell into step behind once more, a look of concern from both Garrus and Tali resting on me a moment longer before they moved on as well.
Once we were clear I detonated the explosives once more, the rumble shaking the entire chamber.
That was how we carried on, moving from Node to Node, killing dozens upon dozens of Creepers as they rushed us, trying to kill or stop us as we went. Not once did they even get close enough to be a concern, and before long there was only one Node left. It attached to the ceiling of the Chamber, directly above where the Thorian's center mass hung two floors below. We had circled the entire chamber, climbing higher as we did so before we were here.
It didn’t take long to clear the room, the creepers went down with as little fight as they did before, and before long we were secure.
“Alright Jenkins, plant the last explosives, and let’s be done with this,” Ashley ordered as she set up a defensive perimeter with our squad.
“With pleasure.” It was as easy as the others, and with three explosive charges placed, I was confident this would finish things off without trouble.
I only had a single moment of doubt. There was a nagging thought in the back of my mind, a memory faded by having only a vague recollection of my least favorite mission from the first Mass Effect game. Wasn’t this boss fight supposed to be harder?
I barely had the time to think the thought before I heard Tali shout from her position.
“Contact! The Asari is-” There was a warping sound as I felt space ripple through the room and Tali was launched through the air.
The hall she had been watching had a familiar green Asari standing in the opening. I watched as Tali hit the ground a dozen feet back from that entrance and continued to slide, right towards the destroyed balcony that kept the rest of the room visible. We had seen the center of this chamber throughout our whole battle hear, and I knew that it went at least a dozen stories down, possibly more.
I ran forward as I heard gunfire open up from Garrus and Ashley as they engaged the Asari clone. Tali was scrambling as she slid, trying to catch a grip and stop her movement as she realized where she was heading. She was slowing but not fast enough, as she looked up and cried out.
“Jenkins!” The panic was evident in her voice as I dove for her, trying to close the last of the distance.
I clasped a hand around her forearm just as she went over the edge and the momentum from my own dive pulled me forward with her. I stuck out an arm and grabbed out for something, anything to stop us both from going all the way over the edge.
I caught a piece of metal reinforcement that was sticking up out of the crumbled floor of the balcony with my left shoulder and felt as all the force of sudden stopping pulled something out of place in my right arm, which was supporting Tali’s full weight.
“Gah!” The pain shot down my arm and across my whole body begging my hands to open, but I refused to let go. Tali was fully hanging over the edge, only held in place by my arm that had likely been sprained, if not worse.
I had half my chest and my full arm dangling over the edge as well, just managing to support Tali as she swung there for a moment. I could see down below and saw the drop was much much farther than a few dozen stories. It looked like this center chamber went down a vast majority of the tower. The bottom wasn’t even visible from where we were.
“Ah! Keelah*!” Full terror was visible in her expression as she clung to my arm with both hands, her pistol long gone from sight as it tumbled into the dark.
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“Don’t worry. I got you. Agh.” I felt another flash of pain in my arm as I tried pulling her weight up, and felt my arm nearly give out from the motion. I definitely wasn’t going to be able to pull her up on my own. Not with whatever injury my arm suffered.
“Don’t drop me!” She called out from where she was, desperation evident in her tone.
“Trust me that’s not the plan. I can’t pull you up though, something gave out in my arm. Ashley! Garrus!” I called out, glancing back to where I could hear the gunfire continuing.
The Asari was simply holding a hand up, with a large biotic barrier keeping her protected from the continuous fire as she walked calmly into the room. She spoke as she scanned the room, looking at us.
“Hm, yet again the flesh surprises. These Asari possess potent biotics. Their kind will make mighty protectors in the future. I must thank you for allowing the Old Growth the chance to test them in combat. Your betrayal is a shame, but not unexpected. Preparations must be made to hide or fight the Arbiters coming, but you must be dealt with first.” With a wave of another hand, Garrus was lifted from the ground and slammed into the ceiling, interrupting his fire. The moment caused her barrier to drop, however, and a series of shots went through her torso and up into the shoulder, all from Ashley’s rifle.
A barrier was resurrected quickly, and Garrus was dropped from the ceiling and back to the floor. Thankfully he managed to roll with his landing and raised his rifle to fire just as quickly, although they were unable to pierce the impressive shield of the Asari clone.
“What the hell are those barriers made of?” Ashley called out, her rage coming through. The panicked glances she kept sending my way made it clear she wanted to deal with this as fast as possible so she could come help us.
“Hm, multitasking biotic effects is difficult. Perhaps combining utility then.” The asari raised both arms and the barrier she had erected flew forward toward Ashley and Garrus.
Garrus managed to roll away, dodging the barrier and raising his rifle to fire again. Ashley wasn’t so lucky as the barrier collided with her like a brick wall, throwing her off her feet and knocking her weapon down. The barrier had to be dropped and replaced with a personal shield to protect from Garrus’s fire, but it was clear the current stalemate wasn’t going in our favor. Something had to change.
“What’s happening up there?! They’re coming to help right?!” Tali called up at me earning a glance from the Asari, before her attention was refocused on Ashley launching a grenade at the base of her shield.
“Yeah, I think they are a little preoccupied. We might have to hang in here.” I let out a groan as I shifted, trying to pull Tali’s up once more but feeling the burn I knew my arm would give out long before that happened.
“Oh, you can not be making jokes right now!” Tali shouted up at me, the panic fading slightly as it was replaced by anger. Anything to distract from the current situation was good. The more she moved in a panic the harder it was to keep my grip.
“Sorry, I make jokes when in moments of severe peril. Panic response.” I looked around, trying to find anything that might help me get out of this situation, but there was only the node attached to the Thorian and the firefight happening behind me.
“Jenkins! Do you have anything about that thing left behind in your head to help deal with this? Why is it so powerful in the first place!” Ashley called out hoping for information or anything, she was feeling the same panic about the situation we were in. I racked my brain, recalling everything I could about the Thorian, how it behaved what its lore was.
Why could the Asari clone use biotics but not the Creepers that were based on Protheans? Protheans had biotics too but they couldn’t give so much of a whisper. It had to be because the Thorian had an actual Asari contained to base the clones on. Without those, the Thorian replicas would fall short of the original's abilities.
Okay, but why were the biotics so strong? Biotics were caused by an organ in the brain that generated mass effect fields to be controlled how the user wanted. The brain itself needed to command these fields, and it was a mutual process. The asari brain is more efficient at organizing these thoughts for greater control, hence their natural talents. The Thorian can use these to an even greater extent but how, it didn’t even have a brain.
It had no brain.
“Ashley! The Thorian is like a fungus! It’s whole body, and every instance of it serves as the brain. It’s all focusing on controlling the biotics. Its control is greater than any asari or human brain could be capable of!” I shouted out as I realized, a plan coming together in my head as I did so.
“Great so we know how it’s managing to kill us so well. Any advice on how to return the favor.” Garrus called out, rolling to the side as another barrier wave just missed him on the attack.
“All of its body is the brain, so any part of its body being attacked will be distracting! Attack the Node!” I called it out as I realized and Garrus wasted no time, shifting his fire from the Asari to the Node on the edge of this balcony.
The impact caused a shudder through the tendril, as I could see it move from the node and down towards the Thorian that hung below 2 stories down. Looking at the Asari I could see as she flinched and Ashley’s next set of rounds punched through her suddenly much more fragile barrier. The Asari stumbled back before trying to erect a stronger barrier. But Garrus fired again causing another shiver through the Thorian.
The Asari realized its old plan wasn’t going to work and instead dropped all ideas of defense. There was a cry as a wave of biotic energy pulsed out from it, crossing the room. I saw the wave moving in a pulse, and despite Ashley and Garrus’s best efforts to brace they were knocked off their feet and away to the edge of the room. They were both on the ground by the doorway we entered, but the wave didn’t stop there. As it continued forward towards me I noticed a smirk on the face of the Asari clone.
The wave hit me where I was lying, barely managing to maintain the status quo of holding up Tali, and sent me tumbling over the edge.
My arm snapped out, and I barely found purchase on a piece of rebar sticking out from the broken floor that this balcony edge stuck out. Tali and I fell maybe three feet as our positions fell before we stopped suddenly once more. That wave of pain shot up down my arm and through my body again, but I held on, crying out at the agony I was starting to feel.
There was too much weight hanging, and I could feel my grip wouldn’t last much longer. We didn’t have any more options, we had to detonate the explosives and kill this thing. I had wanted to avoid it since Tali and I were hanging too close to set it off without being in the crossfire.
“Jenkins! Please, don’t let go!” Tali called out panic at a new high in her voice as she realized we were one more shake or slip from falling to our deaths. She was afraid I’d drop her to try and save myself.
I wasn’t going to do that, but we couldn’t stay here, setting off the explosives now would just kill us both. I glanced around, looking for something, anything that could save us. But there was only one feature that filled this space. The tendril that connected the Node to the Thorian. Fifteen feet to our left and going straight down to the Thorian itself. It wasn’t close enough to be easy, but a possible idea came to mind.
“Tali, I’m not going to drop you! But I need you to trust me.” I looked down at her as she stared up at me. Her grip on my arm slipped a little further as the time we were hanging began to stretch on. I could see her eyes, glowing slightly through the tinted purple glass staring up at me.
“I trust you.” It was all she said, but I took it as approval to take the risk.
I swung my arm with her attached. Slowly at first, I picked up more speed and more swing as I did so. I could feel my hand holding onto the rebar aching through the gauntlets of my suit, but I ignored it. Picking up more and more swing as we did so. Tali looked around, following my gaze to where I was looking and where I was swinging her.
“What!? Jenkins no, I can’t!” Her grip tightened and she realized what I was planning. I understood the fear, but we had no choice.
“Sorry, we don’t have the option.” I turned upwards as I spoke. Ashley and Garrus were out of sight but I could hear gunfire that implied they had re-engaged the fight. “Ashley, Garrus! Back off, I’m detonating the explosive.
“What!” There was an audible cry from Tali who was below me as she realized the extent of my plan. I didn’t wait for a response from Ashley or Garrus, I just had to trust they would get out of the way.
“On three I’m going to toss you, Tali.” I let her know, bringing my full focus towards getting as much swing as possible before this.
“What! Jenkins seriously don’t.”
“One.”
“Please there has to be a different way to do this!”
“Two.”
“Oh you ax’kah**.” It was all Tali had to say before it happened.
“Three!” I swung her forward one last time, lifting my arm as much as I could and giving her a toss towards the tendril.
I watched with anxiety as the weight was released and her path was made through the air. I watched as she collided with the Tendril of the Thorian with room to spare and slid down. She rolled off of its center mass before landing on the ground with a thud. She lay there for a moment before she let out an audible series of swears.
I chuckle at the reaction, just happy she’s okay. I began swinging myself, the gunfire up top had come to a stop so I was confident that they were clear enough for me to finish this. I picked up just enough speed and finally let go of the rebar. I sailed through the air, keeping my eye on my target. I feel a deep sense of dread though as I notice it fails to get closer, and I fail to fall. In fact, my entire body locks up as I am lifted through the air.
“Jenkins!” I can hear Tali call out but I’m unable to even look over at where she is. I am brought back up to the platform I had fallen from, and held to face the Asari Clone. Her face is damaged, and several bullet holes are visible throughout her body. There are burn marks from incendiary rounds, and there was a rage held in the eyes, but also a look of triumph.
“The Flesh that fought. You were smarter than the old growth predicted, I will grant you that compliment. Unfortunately, you have failed. Flesh will not risk itself, and you are too close to risk destroying my node the way you did the others.” She was speaking but I was only paying half attention. I needed a way out of this, one that got me clear enough to set off an explosion without dying.
“The Thorian initially desired the female warrior to serve as a basis for more fighters. You brought such a variety of racial strengths and skills with you, and we want them all. However, your betrayal cannot go unpunished. As such you will be given the pleasure of serving first, both in body and mind.” Her hand raised towards my face, clasping the front of my helmet. I felt it against my head as she dove in, both mentally and in reality as she used biotics to begin to physically tear off the face of my helmet.
I was out of time. There was only one option now.
“Beta. Maximize shields, as high as you can go. Then detonate.”
I saw on text flash through the front screen of my helmet.
At this range even with maximized shields only provide a 4-
That was all I could see before the face-plate of my helmet was ripped off, and I was exposed to the air. The Asari clone gave that same look of satisfaction as it got what it wanted and placed a hand on my face. The sounds around me became muted as I felt her begin digging through my mind. There were calls, a familiar voice reaching my ears but falling short at the void as my mind was picked through.
I tried to call out, to shout to Beta to detonate anyway, odds be damned, but my throat was clogged as I felt plant matter begin to worm its way into my body. Through my nose, forcing its way into my mouth from the open palm. It felt both like choking and drowning at the same time. I couldn’t move and couldn’t speak. I needed to create separation and hesitation. I had to try something, anything.
I knew one thing that might work.
I brought an idea to the forefront of my mind. Memories, clear as day of a video game called Mass Effect. Memories of playing the franchise dozens of times, of killing the Thorian twice that number of times. Of it being nothing more than a game. I felt a snapping as the hand separated from my face, the plant matter leaving my lungs in sudden motion.
“What. What are you? What is that!” The Asari seemed stunned, overloaded by a memory that was undeniably real and yet couldn’t be true. It didn’t drop the biotic field holding me in place, so I did the only thing I could. I hoped that It would be enough.
“Do it Beta, now!” I half shouted and half gurgled the order, my throat feeling shredded from the invasive procedure I had endured. It was clear it went acknowledged though, as I felt the hum from my armor’s shield generator going into overdrive. It was followed by a flash of light, blinding white, and a wave of heat.
Then everything went black.