Finding a Way: Mass Effect 1

Chapter 12

Once they had gotten past the Geth ships in orbit, Joker had tried to raise the colony on the comms, but got no response. Shepard's face where she stood behind the helmsman was decidedly worried.

"Take us in, Joker. Hopefully, no one will mind that we didn't knock."

"Yes, ma'am."

She turned to where he was sitting next to Joker. "Kaidan, grab Tali and Wrex and suit up. I'll meet you at the airlock."

They exited the ship with their weapons at the ready, but found only a human colonist awaiting them.

"Our leader, Fai Dan, wants to speak with you immediately," he said without preamble. "The Geth are getting ready for another push and we need your help."

"Lead the way," she said.

As they turned to follow, though, a group of Geth came around the corner toward them and mowed down their guide. They dove for cover behind crates that were stacked in the docking area.

Wrex let out a full-throated laugh. "Haha! You sure know how to make a Krogan feel special, Shepard!"

She grinned as she poked around the corner of the crate and took out a Geth with a concentrated burst of fire to the head, "Careful, Wrex. I might think you're starting to like me."

The Geth were out of range for his pistol, so he called for Tali to cover him while he moved up. He brought up a biotic barrier as he broke cover. Shepard dropped a singularity over the cluster of Geth dragging them out from behind cover. Tali's sniper rifle and his pistol picked them off with efficiency.

He was about to switch aim to the last large Geth, when Wrex barreled past him with a roar, letting his shields soak the Geth's gunfire. He watched, mouth slightly agape, as the Krogan rammed the butt of his shotgun into the Geth's face to knock it to the ground and then planted a foot on its chest to hold it there while he blew the head off with the shotty.

"Damn, Wrex," Shepard said, impressed.

They moved around the corner and fought through another half dozen Geth before coming to a stairwell.

"Wrex take close, Kaidain mid, I got high, and Tali, watch the rear," she ordered.

He moved up and took position just behind and off Wrex's left shoulder with Shepard staggered off his right shoulder. Tali faced the rear with her back to them. As they approached the first landing a red laser pointed out of the darkness above them.

"Down!" Shepard yelled.

They ducked behind the solid wall lining the stairs as the laser blasted a hole in them where he had been standing. Barriers were brought up and he and Shepard stood to return fire. The pale Geth that had shot at them was attached to the wall and jumped to one of the support struts, clinging to that as they fired. They moved fast, but the Geth was faster and stayed a jump ahead of their shots, bouncing from wall to wall before they could catch up. They had to duck back down as it started returning fire from what seemed like all directions with how quickly it was moving.

"We need to get the high ground," she said, looking for options. Her eyes stopped on him. "Throw me!" she ordered.

"Ma'am?"

"Biotics, Kaidan. Throw me to the landing above the Geth and I can shoot down on it."

"I don't have that kind of control, Commander. I'm more likely to throw you straight into the wall and knock you out."

"You do and you won't."

"Shepard, I...."

"Kaidan!" she interrupted him, grabbing his shoulder. "You can do this. I trust you."