Finding a Way: Mass Effect 1

Chapter 2

Several hours later, he found himself armed and armored in the cargo hold with Shepard and Corporal Jenkins. What was supposed to have been a routine cargo run (if a working Prothean beacon could be considered routine cargo) had turned into a retrieve and rescue mission courtesy of the distress call they had picked up from the colony as they entered the system.

He watched and couldn't help but admire Shepard's efficiency as she checked and loaded her gear before securing her helmet.

"Gentlemen," she said to him and Jenkins as the cargo hold ramp lowered, "shall we?"

The Normandy came in low and decelerated over the drop point. She turned and took three running steps to swan-dive from the ramp, executing a forward flip before engaging her jump jets, landing and drawing her assault rifle in one fluid motion; scanning the area. Kaidan was right behind, albeit with a more reserved jump, but fired his jets a little too late thanks to being distracted by her, and had to use his biotics to cushion his landing as he brought his heavy pistol up and scanned the area to Shepard's right. Jenkins came in too hot and pitched into a forward roll before coming to a stop flat on his face to the Commander's left.

"Shit! Sorry, ma'am," he said, coming to his feet and readying his rifle.

Kaidan shook his head and tried not to laugh at the Corporal. "Perimeter is clear, Commander," he reported.

"Clear," she nodded. "You all right, Jenkins?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Good. Nihlus, you copy?" she said into her comm. They had dropped Nihlus at a different location to scout ahead and were to rendezvous with him at the dig site to secure the beacon.

Kaidan heard the response in his ear on the general frequency they were using, "Yeah, Shephard, loud and clear. I've got a lot of civilian bodies up here."

"Fuck," he heard her say under her breath. "Copy that," she replied to Nihlus.

"Alright, remember our primary objective is the beacon, but if we get a chance to help anyone, we take it."

"Uh, Commander, doesn't that go against what Captain Anderson said on the ship?" Jenkins asked.

He was rather impressed the kid had the balls to call out his commanding officer, but replied, "Technically, Jenkins, on the ground Commander Shepard's orders over-rule anything said on the ship. On a ground mission you get information you didn't have shipside, so the CO of the mission has to have leeway to change the plan if needed."

She turned and smirked, "What he means Corporal, is that he likes my orders better than Anderson's at the moment."

He grinned back, "Yeah, that about sums it up, ma'am."

Shepard took point and he brought up the rear as they moved out toward the dig site. She brought up a hand to halt them behind cover to clear the area ahead before moving up an exposed slope. Kaidan strained his ears but didn't hear anything. He saw Shepard flip up her thermal scope and make a quick pass over the area before she motioned Jenkins to move up.

He got about three steps before two aerial drones came into view and immediately opened fire on him. Shepard dove in front of him and extended her hand to bring a biotic barrier up as he fell. She formed a mass effect field to warp the drone on the right while his pistol took out the other one.

"Jenkins!" Shepard turned pulling up her omni-tool to apply medi-gel, but it was already too late. "Dammit."

He watched her squeeze her eyes shut and was fairly certain he could hear the litany of self-recrimination she was giving herself in her head. He'd be doing the same. "They tore right through his shields. You didn't have time, Commander."