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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 15, 2015 13:47:38 GMT -6
Eric's brow raised within his bulldog helmet. The only way Maelstrom could have secured such a powerful device - if he did not build it himself - was either through the black market or from the spoils of a previous conquest. Cobbling together the housing and mechanics for a thermonuclear was not much trouble at all. Securing fissionable material for the core was the real trick. Heavily monitored and with radiation detectors everywhere, only high clearance military could house and transport the material officially. Unofficially by those with the reach and the means to keep everyone involved silent.
"... fuckin' A... nothun' but th' best for our friends..."
He advised the others. "We better prep for a fast exit, have Morgan and Meldom ready to load up when Vengeance arrives. B... in the unlikely event we can't outrun the explosion can you have data logs transmitted to Mal's ship and the Valiant? One way or another, people hafta know what happened here. About who stood by and let it happen..."
[Insert response by Esteban, if any]
The N7 walked up to the man in Collector armor. "... are we settin' it for short fuse or do you wanna have the honor of sendin' this place back to hell by remote?"
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 15, 2015 15:30:11 GMT -6
"Are we settin' it for short fuse or do you wanna have the honor of sendin' this place back to hell by remote?" Lysander asked, after approving Maelstrom's plan.
"I've rigged it up with multiple detonators that just need to be activated. Short timer, remote, kinetic, and anti-tampering. I'd suggest having it bolt down to the decking and activating everything. Blow it at minimum safe distance with the remote if none of the others have gone off yet. I can have it rigged up with some hex-shield generators that should keep them off the thing long enough for us to get away before they start trying to disarm it and end up blowing us all to Hell."
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Feb 15, 2015 19:11:39 GMT -6
"....who stood by and let it happen."
Esteban closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself. It felt like ages ago when he went through the intelligence reports of this sector....
"The Collectors destroyed the comms bueys and satellites in this sector," Esteban said grimly, heaving a deep breath. "The closest listening station is 20 light years out. Let's just get the hell out of here."
He opened his eyes, his gaze drifting over towards the dead Elcor....while listening to Maelstrom's idea for destroying the base. His lips pursed.
"Good," he muttered to himself, heading over to the remains of that hulking beast. He was going to scan it, to confirm his suspicions about the creature. If he was right, the layout of the technology would mirror Iskra's device. He hoped he wasn't though. "I will be ready to go shortly. What's the ETA on the shuttle?"
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 15, 2015 19:39:38 GMT -6
"What's the ETA on the shuttle?" Bridges asked.
Maelstrom went over the message again to be certain he had not missed anything. "Not showing a precise ETA. Everything's pretty broken up. I'm guessing systems are too compromised for that. Based on the most recent message, though, I'd say they aren't far. No more than a few minutes, at most."
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Post by Game Master on Feb 15, 2015 20:49:03 GMT -6
[Quick GM Post]
1. The Vengeance flies into the docking back at unbelievable speeds, half-landing... half-skidding to a halt. 2. The outer hull, engines, and equipment of the shuttle has taken a beating.
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 15, 2015 21:22:26 GMT -6
A loud sound, like an explosion, decimated the silence in the wake of the battle. Maelstrom looked up to see the Vengeance firing its reverse thrusters at full power as it burst into the docking bay at dozens of meters per second. It rotated as it tried to bring all four main thrusters to bear on the rear wall, at times making contact with the structure, sending streams of sparks skittering through the room and leaving behind significant gashes in the flooring and ceiling. It passed so close to him that Maelstrom had to duck to avoid being decapitated by a passing thruster pod. The shuttle slowed as it reached the far end of the bay, though the engines sputtered. The craft only came to a complete stop with three meters to spare.
It took several seconds more for it to right itself and make a proper landing, and Maelstrom wasted no time storming towards his craft. The hull was battered, the matte black hull armor that added to its stealth abilities having been seared off in several places. The main hatch opened, and smoke billowed out of the craft. Enaya- he could tell by the purple tinge to her armor- came stumbling out of the craft with her helmet on. She nearly collapsed to the deck-plating before pulling herself up to full stature.
"What the hell happened to my damned ship!" he shouted.
"I... I couldn't..." she said, hands on her knees. "They swarmed us. They flew in perfect formation. I've never even seen automated drones fly that close or that perfectly. There were no gaps for us to slip through. I thought we were dead."
He wanted to rail more, but he could tell the asari was broken up enough about what had happened. For a moment, he wondered if it was because of how close she had come to death or because she knew how devastated he was at the sight of the ship he called his home. "How's your sister?"
"She's just bringing it out now," she replied.
As Maelstrom neared the hatch, he could see small fires burning in interior hull panels that were blown out. Sparks shot off intermittently from the light fixtures and several of Emily's internal security systems. A blue hologram of an eye-like orb flickered in the entryway. "Severe... system damage. I'm sorry, J... Jo... Maelstrom. Transmitters have been... have... have... have been compromised. Processors opporating a... a... at.. at... forty... forty... thr... three per... cent."
"Emily, utilize suit systems to augment processing power," Maelstrom commanded. He knew it the help it would provide would be minimal, but in such situations, minimal improvements in system performance could be the difference between life and death.
A moment later, he spotted Anelya pushing the small anti-grav sled they loaded his one completed nuclear device on from the armory. Normally, he would have hated to use the device and use any of the nuclear material he normally kept reserved for wiping Cerberus from the galaxy, but after seeing what the Collectors had done to his home, he intended to return the favor. He hopped into the main compartment of the shuttle and took the lift from her. "Anelya, restore systems as best you can before takeoff."
Calling out to his fellow team-mates, he said, "Bridges, come give Anelya a hand! Lysander, I could use your help setting this up!"
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Post by Joe Fischer on Feb 15, 2015 21:42:27 GMT -6
Joe pressed himself against the wall as the shuttle came tearing through the bay. He had seen plenty of dicey landings by an extraction vehicle before, but never to the point of taking out the very people it was supposed to extract.
Yeah, that would definitely suck, he thought as he peeled himself from the wall.
He saw Maelstrom tear across the bay as one of the asari came out. He yelled at her, demanding an explanation, and she said something he couldn’t hear.
He could tell the biotic wanted to yell some more, but he pulled himself together and went inside, and then called for help from the boss and Lysander.
He wondered what that was about, but pushed it aside and activated his comms. “Maelstrom, it’s Fischer, are we clear to start loading the wounded?” he asked.
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 15, 2015 22:07:13 GMT -6
“Maelstrom, it’s Fischer, are we clear to start loading the wounded?” a voice came piping in his helmet, nearly causing him to trip on a segment of deck plating that had buckled. The floor was littered with metallic debris from blown out bulkheads and wall-panels.
He resisted the urge to shout at the other man until he went deaf, reminding him that Lysander and Bridges were the team leads. Taking a couple steadying breaths, he reminded himself that not only was he the first of them back in the shuttle, but he had just told those very team leaders what to do. "Get them over here, but hold off on loading them up until Bridges gives the all clear. And make sure their suits' life support systems are functioning. I wouldn't want to take a single breath of the air in here, much less be breathing it all the way back to Valiant."
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Post by Joe Fischer on Feb 16, 2015 1:29:49 GMT -6
"Good copy, Fischer out," he replied, then turned to Karn and the scarred turian.
"Karn, New Guy, take the wounded and put them on the back side of the shuttle so they have some cover," he ordered. "Once you're done, New Guy, stay with them, Karn you come back up here with me."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 16, 2015 10:22:45 GMT -6
"I can have it rigged up with some hex-shield generators that should keep them off the thing long enough for us to get away before they start trying to disarm it and end up blowing us all to Hell," said Maelstrom of the safeguards he could place around his nuke.
"I will be ready to go shortly. What's the ETA on the shuttle?" inquired Esteban.
Eric mulled over detonation options as Maelstrom gave his estimation of his ship's arrival time. This estimate would turn out to be way off as an explosive sound caught the attention of everyone in the docking bay.
"Wha-wasn't me- what the hell?!!"
Eric fell backwards on his rump as Maelstrom's shuttle Vengeance screamed into the bay narrowing missing him, decelerating and laboring to right itself. The steaming mess of a spacecraft finally set down and the hatch opened releasing a thick plume of smoke. One of the asari twins stumbled out.
"What the hell happened to my damned ship?!!" Maelstrom shouted at her.
The stained silver-armored mercenary could not tell which of the twins it was as she gave her report and he stood up again. A blue orb resembling Morgan's combat drone flickered in the hatch entrance. Even Maelstrom's precious VI partner was not spared the carnage of battle. Eric had mixed feelings; his heart did not exactly go out to it but Emily was responsible for keeping the Vengeance's systems operational and their only hope of getting back to the Valiant and civilization. Manual, organic efforts were not nearly as precise.
Don't tell me we're gonna hafta swim for it, now...
Maelstrom brought Eric back into the moment. "Lysander, I could use your help setting this up!"
The former Cerberus inmate brought out an anti-grav sled much smaller than the lift Eric had piloted earlier. Sitting atop its flat bed was a structure resembling a grayish metal cylindrical bolt accented with red grooves and trim, suspended between four spidery legs. On one side of the bolt was a rectangular protrusion, a control panel with a removable remote device.
Maelstrom's nuke.
Eric jogged up and crouched down in front of the ordnance, scanning it with his omni-tool . His findings had him forget himself and the present for a moment, excited as a child at Christmas. The last time he was near a device this powerful in combat was to disable it
"This ain't no do-it-yourselfer; I'm reading a high-grade berynium core here... impeller charge plates, complemented with eezo field generators for optimum compression, maximizing chain reaction potential... this isn't a bomb, it's a Picasso! A fuckin' Matisse! You'd have the entire Systems Alliance military wantin' your ass dead and half the pirate clans in the Terminus lined up selling out their own families for it..!
The N7 assisted Maelstrom with carefully lifting the nuke from the flat bed and setting it down iin place. "No wonder you live outta yer shuttle!"
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 16, 2015 11:25:28 GMT -6
"No wonder you live outta yer shuttle!" Lysander exclaimed, after helping to carefully offload the device. Maelstrom knew the weapon was impressive, but he never knew any of the mercs he worked with to be quite so impressed.
"Check the detonators and the weapon itself," Maelstrom said. "I'll handle its active defenses and securing mechanisms."
Maelstrom went about securing the nuclear device to the deck plating of the enemy base, activating the magnetic clamps and self-sealing stem bolts. It would have done no good for one of their Praetorians to pick the damned thing up and fly outside the base's shield perimeter. Even the best bombs only worked i they detonated in proximity to their target.
"I've got most of the parts for a few more of these. I have to be very careful how I stow them so they don't show up on weapons detectors," Maelstrom added, as he ran a quick diagnostic on the fastening mechanisms. "I stumbled across them at a Cerberus base I was raiding. Thankfully, they were all in pieces at the time."
He moved on to the hex-shield generators which would surround the ordinance until the moment of detonation. A quick diagnostic showed that the power cells, powered by the buildup in the nuclear reaction itself, were still intact. As the most sensitive element of the bomb besides the detonators, he had been concerned when he saw the state of his shuttle. While the shielding did not provide complete coverage of the device, it was sufficient to prevent any enemy unit from coming near enough to manually deactivate the explosives. It could, of course, be shot at or attacked in other ways, but only at the cost of detonating it.
Content with his part of the setup, he added, "Normally I save these for taking out Cerberus bases. Today, I'm making an exception."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 16, 2015 21:57:23 GMT -6
"Check the detonators and the weapon itself," Maelstrom said. "I'll handle its active defenses and securing mechanisms."
"On it." Eric used his omni-tool to interface with the weapon's console.
All arming and timing circuits read green and functional. Radiation levels were well within safety parameters which meant the berynium core housing was not damaged during Vengeance's landing. Meanwhile Maelstrom extended the nuke's legs and bolted each one into the plating of the docking bay floor.
"I've got most of the parts for a few more of these. I have to be very careful how I stow them so they don't show up on weapons detectors," Maelstrom added, as he ran a quick diagnostic on the fastening mechanisms. "I stumbled across them at a Cerberus base I was raiding. Thankfully, they were all in pieces at the time."
The demo expert ran a couple of test subroutines on the timer. "Thankfully... I don't hafta disarm this puppy. Not that I couldn't, mind ya... just needs a little more... finesse and patience than usual; there are ways." He moved on to the remote detonator. It too was fully operational and undamaged yet a unique detail caught his attention. "... Cerberus sure loves tweaking shit. Animal, vegetable or mineral."
Done with his part of the setup, Maelstrom said. "Normally I save these for taking out Cerberus bases. Today, I'm making an exception."
Eric held up the modified remote trigger. "An exceptional enemy deserves an exceptional weapon, one guaranteed ta work. Heard about these 'quantum entanglement' detonators. Never thought I'd be holdin' one in my hand."
Eric angled it about, staring at it as if it were a mystical relic, fully understanding Maelstrom's preferred method of destruction.
"... you can be light years away and trigger it... no way ta trace or jam the signal... a true terror weapon..."
The senior N7 then gripped it in his hand, extending a finger to enter final commands to the device. He motioned for the man in Collector armor to step back with him. Safely out of range Eric pressed a key button on his tool. A faint blue sheen enveloped the thermonuclear device as the hex shields engaged. A few whirrs were audible as the core safeties were disengaged and the control panel indicators lit red. Maelstrom's terror weapon was armed.
"With QE detonator and hex shields in play, I think settin' a timer's pretty pointless n' pessimistic." He held up the remote once again. " So, Mr. Maelstrom... will you be doin' the honors today...?" An odd twinkle came to his eye. "Or can you make an exception there, too?"
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 16, 2015 22:14:01 GMT -6
"Or can you make an exception there, too?" Lysander asked.
Trying to rein in his emotions, Maelstrom started back toward the shuttle. "I've used them before. You can blow the base." Calling over his shoulder, he added, "I'm in a pessimistic mood. Set the timer anyway. Even if we're blown out of the sky and we're not alive to see it, this place needs to burn."
"Bridges! Nuke's ready. Are we good to go?"
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Feb 16, 2015 23:21:48 GMT -6
The Engineer finished his scans of the dead Elcor's technology. Every reading told him the same thing. The tech this dead alien was wearing was nearly identical to the tech Iskra found on the Drell home world. Even more frightening, it was identical to some of the designs he downloaded on Barce's moon. He was not sure what to make of it. There was something significant to it He knew that... but what?
"Bridges! Nuke's ready. Are we good to go?" Maelstrom's voice echoed through the docking bay. Esteban turned away from the macabre scene and headed for the shuttle with a nod.
"I have what I need from it," he replied to the mercenary. "Let's get off this rock. It feels like we've been on it for half a year now...."
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 16, 2015 23:45:56 GMT -6
"Let's get off this rock. It feels like we've been on it for half a year now...." Bridges called. It seemed to Maelstrom that he had not gotten to the ship yet, but they could not afford to linger either.
"You heard him, everyone!" Maelstrom called, scooping Iskra up and taking her into the shuttle. He fastened her into one of the seats, then took to the cockpit. Taking the empty pilot's seat, he poured over every bit of information he could find about his shuttle's systems. It was dismal. Hardly even bare-bones functionality was available to him. Minimal sensors, weakened shields, failing propulsion with intermittent control on some thrusters, and even compromised armor and stealth systems. Only the weapons seemed to retain full functionality.
Enaya came back in and took a seat beside him. "I'm sorry. I did my best."
He did not have it in him to reply. All he could manage was a nod.
"Thank you," she added.
"Systems are as ready to go as they're going to get, people," he called, "but I can't promise how long they'll last."
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Post by Joe Fischer on Feb 17, 2015 20:15:47 GMT -6
Joe heard the cross-chatter and knew it was time to go. He was about to tell the scarred turian to load up the wounded but then realized he didn’t have a radio.
“Karn, tell the new guy to get the wounded on the shuttle,” he said. “And help him while you’re at it, I’ll keep an eye out for any last-minute surprise guests.”
The krogan nodded and lumbered off. Moments later, he reappeared, carrying Meldom and Morgan while the turian carried the other member of his race, and they disappeared into the shuttle.
*****
Even though he knew what the result would be, he did a quick sweep of the bay, making sure that there was no one else in it except for him—and Lysander. The other N7 was hunched over what he could only assume was a good-bye present to the Collectors.
He strode over and got in front of it, making sure that any Collectors who tried to interfere with his battle buddy would have to get through him first.
He resisted the urge to make a snappy remark; he imagined the process was very complex, and Lysander could ill afford any distractions--but he did allow himself a grin as he scanned for threats.
N7s, he thought. First in, last out.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 18, 2015 10:54:53 GMT -6
"I've used them before. You can blow the base." Maelstrom started for his damaged shuttle and home, adding over his shoulder, "I'm in a pessimistic mood. Set the timer anyway. Even if we're blown out of the sky and we're not alive to see it, this place needs to burn."
“Good point,” agreed Eric, attending to the console on the device again.
As he disengaged the hex shield safeguards to set the timer Esteban, Karn and the others brought the unconscious team members and abductee on board with the help of the silent turian prisoner. Joe stood watch out in front of the nuke as the senior N7 completed programming, stood and brought the shields back up.
“Package ready – let’s go!” he said to Joe as he jogged towards the shuttle entrance.
“Systems are as ready to go as they're going to get, people," Maelstrom called from the cockpit, "but I can't promise how long they'll last."
Eric entered the shuttle, found an available seat, strapped himself in and brought up his omni-tool, finger hovering over a flashing button. “They’d better hold out at least seven minutes… ‘cause that’s how long we’ll have ta make minimum safe distance from my mark. I hit this button, you hit th’ gas.”
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Post by Joe Fischer on Feb 18, 2015 12:37:13 GMT -6
“Package ready, let’s go!” Lysander said.
Joe didn’t turn and run back to the shuttle. He got up and slowly backed towards, keeping his eyes open for any last-second threats.
Only when he reached the shuttle did he turn around and board it.
*****
Once inside, he did a quick visual head count for his team, and they were all there.
He looked over at Lysander and said, “Got all my people Pops, how about you?”
[Insert Lysander’s response]
*****
He stepped in to the cockpit, where Maelstrom and one of the asari sat, prepping the shuttle for take off.
“Everybody is on board, let’s put this place in our rear view!” he said. “Oh, let’s not forget Murchadh.”
He saw the asari flinch at the mention of the mech pilot, and he knew right away the Scot was gone. He almost began pressing her for details, but knew it wasn’t the time. If they didn’t leave now, they all might end up joining him.
*****
He went back into the cabin and strapped himself in across from Lysander.
Damn, almost a perfect win…
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 18, 2015 16:53:32 GMT -6
“They’d better hold out at least seven minutes… ‘cause that’s how long we’ll have ta make minimum safe distance from my mark. I hit this button, you hit th’ gas,” Lysander called up from the main compartment.
“Everybody is on board, let’s put this place in our rear view!” Fischer added, stealing into the cockpit. “Oh, let’s not forget Murchadh.”
Maelstrom knew from one of the earlier reports that there was nothing that could be done for the mech driver. He double-checked all of Emily's readings, but there was no hope, if the at-the-time undamaged sensors were to be believed. Too overcome by everything that had already happened, Maelstrom went through a manual take-off, struggling to keep the vessel steady with its sluggish controls and often-changing thruster power levels. It took only a few moments more to clear the docking bay, and the task of piloting became far simpler when only the rear two engine pods were in play.
"We're away," he called, as he laid in the most direct trajectory possible for the Valiant, his vessel's stealth technology having suffered extreme damage.
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Post by Game Master on Feb 19, 2015 0:05:56 GMT -6
The docking bay was quiet. Nearly empty, all things considered. The only thing there was the remains of a Reaperized Elcor. Faint sparks leapt off of the exposed wiring and circuitry. Other than that, it showed no signs of life.
And yet....
This form did not suit our purpose.
Sound resonated from the corpse's throat....
Our coming is soon. You will fight us next in our true form. Next time.
The nuclear device began its final countdown.....
Next time we will not be limited by this weak form. You will experience our perfection and know our place in the galaxy.
We have Arrived
A bright flash of light consumed the docking bay, followed by the deafening roar of atoms tearing themselves apart....
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