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The Stand

A Mass Effect Fan Fiction

(Alternate subtitle: Thorlen's Threshers Are Born)

Thorlen sniffed the acrid air as he stepped from the Kodiak combat shuttle, his keen nose detecting the sharp scent of ozone from the many rifles fired in the earlier battle. Among other scents, such as the light, almost clinical smell of Salarian blood to the much stronger coppery scent of humans. His ears twitched as the sounds of battle assaulted him. The screams of dying men and inhuman howls of Husks could be heard even over the sound of small arms and the firing of the heavy cannons on the IFVs, he heard it all even though it was far away from him.

Thorlen hefted his M-990 Guardian auto-rifle and trotted over to the field HQ, being headed up by a human commander. The HUD of the eyepiece over his left eye told him the identity of the man to be a Colonel Varric Stueben. The commander looked up as Thorlen walked into the prefab hut. "And who might you be? Can't say as I've seen your species before."

Thorlen grinned, a frightening sight with his wolfish features, "Names' Thorlen Fleet-Runner, Col. Stueben; Hunter First Class of the Lycanis Uplift Division." Seeing that the title had no meaning to Stueben, Thorlen added, "I'm attached to the 10th Salarian STG Division operating in this theater, sir."

"Hmm, Lycanis huh? First I've seen your species, though I was briefed about your uplift by the Salarians", said Stueben, as he accepted a datapad from an aide, made a few notations and handed it back. Stueben turned back to regard Thorlen, "I'm going to be blunt, HFC Thorlen, we're losing this battle. The damn Reaper's seem to have an unlimited supply of these Husks, and new types keep popping up all the time. Do you have any word from the Salarian Fleet? A dreadnought would come in real handy about now."

"I'm afraid not, Colonel. As far as I know the Salarian Fleet is still refitting after the fight with a Reaper above the colony world of Mannovai. I'm all you've got for now."

"Well then, you'll have to do. Special Ops usually get the job done as well as a Navy vessel does anyway", Stueben said, gesturing for Thorlen to follow him out of the HQ. He pointed down the main thoroughfare that the IFVs were protecting, "Down that street lies the power plant for this sector's anti-ship defenses. The defenses are still operable, it's just the plants were deactivated by an indoctrinated civilian and now they're overrun with Husks. I need you to take a team to clear out the husks and reactivate the power plant so we can get some breathing room from the Reapers."

Staring down the avenue, Thorlen asked, "what kind of support can you provide, who can I take with me?"

"I have a few specialists and...well, mercenaries that I can spare. And when you do get the plant cleared I can send a few IFVs and armed hover cars to support you in its defense."

"What about resistance?"

"I'm sorry but that we don't have that information, son. Last recon team I sent in there didn't make it back out, you'll have to recon as you go."

Col. Stueben directed Thorlen towards the special forces barracks and then went back to his duties. Thorlen walked into the prefab structure and appraised the individuals within. A Salarian, Asari, three Humans, a Turian and a female of a felinoid species he was unfamiliar with. The Asari and Turian looked up as he entered and appraised the new arrival. Thorlen knew he was an imposing figure in his dark amber colored armor, standing almost eight feet tall on his digi-grade feet. He grinned at the wary looks sent his way, looking like the wolf of Humanity's home world had its advantages. The Asari stood up from her bunk first to greet him. "Alara Tentri, nice to meet you...?", she said leadingly.

"Thorlen, Hunter First Class. I've been sent here for a purpose, you are to accompany me on a mission, grab your gear and follow me."

The Asari's eyes widened at his brisk manner but complied with his order. The other's grabbed their gear as well, with one of the Human's, a female in the armor scheme of the Blue Suns mercenary group gruffly complaining "I don't get paid enough to deal with boy scouts."

To which another human, a male in an Onyx-class Alliance Hardsuit said, "Heh, you get paid whether you fight or not 'Kestrel', at least this way you won't be bored."

Kestrel glared at the Alliance Marine "up yours, Ferris!"

Thorlen noticed the remaining Human male and the felinoid conversing closely before sharing a quick kiss. He walked over to them and stopped nearby. The male noticed him first and turned slowly to give him a less than crisp salute and then offer his hand, "Nikolas Resner, mercenary extraordinaire, at your service Hunter." Thorlen chuckled at the Humans' affable nature and shook. "And this is my betrothed, Li'en Sithal", he said indicating the female felinoid.

"How do you do?", she said, her tail swishing back and forth. Though she was slight in build, she shouldered an absolutely huge rocket launcher that belied her true strength.

"Hmm, I was wondering what species you come from m'lady, if it's not too intrusive to ask?", Thorlen asked.

"I get that a lot", she stated evenly, "my kind like yours are new to the galactic scene. I am of the Marlannian species; we are a race of hunter's much like your own, Hunter Thorlen."

"And much stronger than you appear as well", said Thorlen, leaving the couple to their mission prepping.

The Turian spoke up from his seat in the corner of the hut as Thorlen walked past, "Hey! Don't you want to hear my story, Mister Hunter?"

Without turning Thorlen said, "I figured you'd speak up sooner or later, so...continue."

"Kazzic", the Turian said, "just Kazzic, I'm a sniper and hacking specialist on loan from the Turian Army. Don't know why I got assigned to this shithole world, would have preferred a nice Turian colony to defend, rather than this gods forsaken human colony."

"Maybe your attitude had something to do with it Kazzic", Thorlen said in a neutral tone.

"Like I asked you! I'll follow your orders seeing as that Human commander has assigned you to us, but I don't have to like it. And as soon as my transfer request goes through I'm off this rock."

Leaving the steaming Turian, the Lycanis Hunter turned to regard the last of the team, a Salarian that his HUD identified as Jerrlion. In a speech pattern that could rival his Guardian in rpm; Jerrlion said to him, "hellotherehowareyou? i'mjerrliontheteam'smedicandengineer. haven'tmetanyofyourspeciesyet, thoughmyunclewaspartoftheupliftprogram. it'snicetomeetyou."

Nikolas yelled back, "Hey Jerr, slow it down a little I don't think Thorlen speaks in FTL!"

The Salarian stopped, fidgeting for a moment, before continuing, "Very sorry, Hunter Thorlen. I sometimes forget that other species don't converse at the same speed as my own."

"It's alright Jerrlion, I managed to understand you, but try to slow it down next time."

"Of course, I will endeavor to comply"

Moving back to Alara, Thorlen said, "I apologize for my gruff manner earlier, I thought it prudent to establish my authority and get the team moving. I was not meaning to put you off."

"I understand Hunter Thorlen, the burden of command is not an easy one. Goddess knows I would not wish to be the one in charge. I am at your command however, my biotics and tech skills are at your disposal."

"Good, I'll be requisitioning transport, assemble outside when you're ready."

Thorlen walked out to allow the team to prepare, he flagged down an armed hover car which he promptly commandeered. The pilot was only too happy to allow the imposing Lycanis to use his vehicle.

The team filed out to the vehicle, Corporal Ferris hopped up to the turret to take over the heavy accelerator repeater, an M-1337 Multi Aperture Gun, or as it was more affectionately known , the Mag-E. Thorlen took the passenger seat and Kestrel assumed the driver's seat. The others piled into the squad bay with Kazzic sliding in last while cradling his M-97 Viper; he banged hard on the side of the transport to signal they could move out.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The team's hover-car winded its way down the avenue, skirting the larger IFVs and the craters made by detonating Abomination type Husks. Kestrel spoke up along the way, asking Thorlen, "so what brings you to this colony, Thorlen? Doesn't seem the type of mission for the STG, though I can't say as i know much about your kind."

Impressed by her knowledge of his rank and unit, he replied, "The Lycanis Uplift Division is to the STG what the N7 is to the Alliance Military. We're commandos with a PhD in breaking stuff and killing things. After the disaster with the Krogan uplift, they found us and uplifted us to give them a more martial edge in special ops. My kind were tribal, still are really, and our hunting traditions make us uniquely suited to commando work."

"Hmm, sounds like you guys are pretty good. Bet my outfit, the Blue Suns, could use a few of ya", Kestrel mused.

"You probably would at that, but my people are honor-bound, we don't hire out as mercenaries."

Kestrel grunted, in disgust most likely and fell silent. Nikolas called out from the troop bay, 'so where we goin, boss?"

"Power plant, Resner, need to reclaim it from the Husks and reactivate it. Then the Colonel can push back the Reaper's enough to gain a better foothold, with the anti-air defenses."

"Oh, is that all? I thought we were gonna do something difficult", Nikolas said laughing.

"I think what my husband-to-be means to say, is that the power plant and surrounding area has been a stronghold of the Reaper's forces since the invasion", Li'en interjected, "Our people haven't been in that area for weeks, we have no idea what is in that sector of the city."

"Regardless, we have been tasked with taking the plant, and we're going to do it if I have a say in the matter."

The others went quiet until they started to see signs of Husk habitation. Dragon's teeth populated the area and more than a few were occupied by Husks. Ferris kept his head on a swivel, calling out concentrations of Husks so that Kestrel could avoid them. "There's the plant!", Ferris called down.

Thorlen stood up in the passenger seat, looking ahead to the plant, a rather squat sprawling structure, with a single tall tower in its center. He started to sit back down, before he realized a Husk Scion had wandered in front of the vehicle. "Scion!! Bring it down!", he yelled as he brought his Guardian to bear firing off a stream of phasic rounds. Ferris added the Mag-E's heavy slugs to the hail of fire, bringing the Scion down, but not before it could fire its Shockwave Cannon. "Hold on!!", Thorlen yelled, as the Shockwave hit, bucking the hover car onto its end. The mass effect drive went out and Thorlen was thrown from the vehicle, he heard the hover car hit the ground with a crash just before he hit himself and everything went dark.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Thorlen came to a bit groggy, but quickly took stock as the din of battle registered in his ears. He found nothing broken, just a little woozy from the hit; probably just a minor concussion, easily treatable. He still had his auto-rifle; it hadn't been damaged in the crash. He looked around to see the rest of the team taking cover amid the crashed hover cars wreckage. Ferris was down and being attended to by Jerrlion while the rest of the team held off the encroaching Husks. Thorlen rushed over to them, firing a few bursts at Husks that ventured too close. Ejecting a spent thermal clip, he reached the makeshift command point. "Thorlen! Thank the Goddess you're alive!", exclaimed Alara, directing Kazzic to train his weapon on a pair of advancing Scions, "we thought you had not made it when you were thrown from the vehicle."

"It's harder to kill me than that, you're not going to be rid of me that easily", Thorlen countered good naturedly watching the Asari direct the squad, "I thought you said you didn't wish for command."

Turning she smirked at him, "Not wishing for it and not being good at it are two completely different things, Hunter."

"Well then, you are relieved, Huntress Tetri", Thorlen said, using the honorific of the Asari Commandos, "I have resumed command."

She nodded and assumed a position reinforcing the left flank with Kazzic and Kestrel. Nikolas and Li'en held the right, with Jerrlion tending to the wounded Ferris. Thorlen took a knee next to Ferris, "How you holding up trooper?"

"Not bad considering, sir. Got thrown clear of the gun turret or I'd be crushed right now. As it was I got a piece of rebar through my side, missed my vitals though according to the Doc here."

Thorlen looked to Jerrlion, the young Salarian saying, "Should be ready to fight momentarily. Application of medi-gel and a stim solution of my own making should have him fighting fit soon, commander."

"Good to hear," Thorlen said, turning away. He surveyed the battlefield, seeing way too many Husks than he liked. Thankfully most were the basic Human type that only attacked in melee, though there were a disconcerting number of Scions as well.

"All right squad! Listen up!", he called above the gunfire. No one stopped their task at hand, but their comms all cycled open on his HUD. "We need to push back this group of Husks any way we can, and clear a path for us to get to the plant. Kazzic, target the Abominations in the press." The Turian nodded curtly and proceeded on his task. "Alara, I need a Stasis on that group of Scions, less hostiles we have to deal with the better." Alara affirmed his order and began charging here biotics.

Ferris was back on his feet if only gingerly, "Ready for duty, commander!"

"Good, hold on a sec. Li'en I need you over here as well!", Thorlen called. Jerrlion moved to take up the Marlannian's position as she moved back to Thorlen. "Yes?", she asked.

"Alright, to make it through this we're going to need the MAG-E, so I need you two to help me flip the hover car back up so we can disengage the gun."

"You sure it's still operable, commander? It did take the brunt of the crash", said Ferris.

"You should know Ferris, it's an Alliance weapon. The things are damn near indestructible", Thorlen replied, "Now, help me with this!"

With that he grabbed the 'underside' of the upturned hover car and with Li'en and Ferris' help, they strained until the vehicle was more or less on its side. Ferris got to work quickly, disengaging the gun and moving it and its power supply away from the wreckage. Li'en hefted the heavy weight of the gun that Ferris had struggled with easily, mounting the weapon on her hip. "I am ready commander, point me in the right direction", she said.

Thorlen nodded, motioning for her to hold on, before he moved over to Nikolas and Jerrlion, "How goes the fight here?"

"Just fine commander, having a grand old time in this target rich environment!", Nikolas replied joyfully. He holstered the heavy pistol he had been using and charged a biotic attack, though before releasing it a peculiar green hue and polygonal structures suffused the biotic field, before a force like the nastiest winter storm ever flew out into a crowd of Husks, sending them flying and snap freezing them in mid-air where they crashed to earth in tiny shards.

Impressed. Thorlen asked, "never seen that technique before, is that a new biotic attack?"

"No it's actually a fusion of biotic and tech, a system I call Biotech", Nikolas replied readying another attack, "far as I know, I'm the only one in the galaxy that uses it. Has a bit more versatility than the average biotic or tech ability." His next attack caused a swirling fiery conflagration in the middle of a group of Scions, burning through their armor and rendering them helpless as they were caught in the Singularity-like eddies.

"Hmm, got anything that could clear us a path to the plant?", Thorlen asked.

"Just so happens, I do. Though I'll need cover long enough to charge it."

"You'll get it", confirmed Thorlen

Thorlen moved back behind the hover car, yelling out, "Alright make ready, we're gonna be moving out soon! I need suppressive fire to cover Nikolas! In Three! Two! One! SUPPRESSIVE FIRE!"

He hopped up on the side of the wreck and added his own Guardian to the chatter of rifles that the team were using, the roar of fire from the MAG-E signaled Li'en adding here own fire in defense of her fiancé. He saw in his peripheral vision Nikolas had taken up a position in front of the wreck and began charging his attack. The green glow now covered his entire body as he assumed a martial arts style stance and began flowing through a series of katas. He stopped suddenly and squared himself to the plant, pulling his fists back to his sides at mid-chest, he thrust them out violently. Then a huge beam of energy flowed out from him enveloping the Husks in front of him four ranks wide and in a long stretch, almost to the plant itself. Everything inside that beam seemed to disintegrate and Husks on the periphery of the blast shriveled into skeletal corpses, and Thorlen's hardsuit registered a sharp spike in gamma radiation even behind the blast.

Nikolas slumped, but did not fall down, as the energy left him. "Alright, people, let's move!", called Thorlen.

The others moved up with Thorlen in the lead. He took Nikolas under the arm, as he was still weak from his expenditure. Ferris took the other arm, wielding his M-8 Avenger with his free hand firing it in short but controlled bursts into nearby Husks. Alara and Kestrel moved ahead to clear a path, Kestrel firing a Concussive Shot into a knot of hostiles and Alara using a Throw Field to toss another group away. Jerrlion moved up and took Nikolas' arm from Thorlen who moved to the back of the group with Li'en and the MAG-E. They moved swiftly up the lane cleared by Nikolas, removing Husks that encroached upon them. They had reached the entrance to the plant when a new threat appeared.

A huge Praetorian drifted over the battlefield toward them. It's 'eyes' lit up just before it unleashed its energy beam weapon, seeking out the team members with its lethal gaze. "Get everyone inside! I'll handle this!", Thorlen stated.

"Are you nuts!? That's a friggin Praetorian! You need a heavy weapon and a whole platoon to take one out!", exclaimed Kestrel.

Thorlen grinned back at her. "Worried about me? You do care."

She growled at him and said, "Fine! Get yourself killed Boy Scout, no skin off my back!"

The others moved through the doors to the power plant as Thorlen turned to face the Praetorian. It had recharged its beam attack and was readying another go. Thorlen activated his Shield Boost module and relished the feeling of the attack sloughing off his shields. His blood began to sing as he enacted his races ancient biotic talent, the Blood Moon Ritual. Time itself seemed to slow around him as he took two long steps before bounding into the air. He latched onto the face of the Praetorian and activated his Omni-blade attachment, his personal weapon configuration resembling a claw bracer. Rearing back he plunged it into the things 'eye', causing it to scream horrendously. It slammed itself into the ground trying to dislodge the creature assaulting it, but Thorlen wouldn't be dissuaded so easily.

Reaching to his hip he palmed three old Alliance Mark 14 disc grenades, and thrust his arm into the Praetorian's 'mouth' where the many heads of the Husks that made up its body resided. Putting his arm in as far as he could into the disgusting synthetic creatures' flesh he pulled free and flipped off of the Praetorian, landing in a crouch. Turning away he activated the grenades remotely with his hardsuit and felt the overpressure from the explosion as it tore the Praetorian apart.

Walking away from the devastation with his tail wagging jauntily, he rejoined his team within the plants lobby. Most were astonished at his abilities, no one had ever heard of a Praetorian being taken out single handedly, except for one instance. "Damn, commander, maybe you could show me that move sometime, eh?", Nikolas said, looking much better than he had when they started their march.

"Maybe when the mission's over", Thorlen said, chuckling, "Alright lets clear this place, and get it reactivated."

The others fanned out as Jerrlion consulted the schematic on his omni-tool. "Hmm, power control is two levels up in the security wing. However, it shows that there is a breach in the main coolant systems, that will need to be repaired first before the plant can come online", he said.

"Control first, then repairs. I want to reactivate the plant as soon as repairs are finished", Thorlen said.

The team moved up the stairwell of the facility to the security wing. Upon arrival they found the signs of battle, weeks old. The fetid smell of rotting corpses mingled with the metallic stink of dead Husks. Strewn about haphazardly were a few security personnel, Elkoss Combine by their uniforms, and the corpses of more than a dozen husks. "Goddess, at least they gave a good accounting of themselves", Alara intoned.

"Hmm, seems like they were protecting something," Thorlen mused, looking around, "this conference room perhaps?"

Ferris tried the auto open door, but it didn't budge, "Locked! The Husks must have never made it in."

Thorlen moved to the door and used his omni-tool to disengage the lock, allowing the door to open. Just on the other side a frightened female human stood with a standard issue M3 Predator heavy pistol, saying, "Get back! Get back! I'll shoot! I don't want to become one of those things!"

The woman trembled and the weapon went off discharging into Thorlen's shields and startling the woman enough to drop it. Thorlen scooped up the weapon and reached out to the woman in a gesture of friendship, "you're alright, I'm Hunter First Class Thorlen and this is my team, we're here on behalf of the Alliance and the Citadel. Come on we'll take you somewhere safe. Are there any others with you?"

"Y-yes, three others", she said timidly, taking his paw, "I'm Jess and the others are Rand, Bobby, and Dahlia."

She said this as three other people moved out of the shadows of the back of the conference room, a tall strongly built man with a weedier looking cohort, and a dark skinned woman with model looks. All seemed somewhat gaunt and very frightened, but still relieved that rescue had come. Thorlen led them out into the security area that the team had already tactfully removed the bodies from. Then leaving them for a moment, moved away to call command. "Command come in, this is Hunter First Class Thorlen."

"We read you Thorlen", a comms tech replied, "what's your situation?"

"We've arrived at the plant, after encountering significant resistance. Transport was lost en route, no casualties."

Col. Stueben himself came over the line, "Good to hear, Hunter. Is the plant ready to be activated?"

"Not yet sir, we need to effect repairs first", Thorlen reported, "Also, we have found four survivors sir. Civilians. We need extract for them."

"Hot Damn! Didn't think anyone survived in that area. Of course, I'll send an extra hover car with the detachment I'm sending you to extract the civilians. Their ETA is approximately 40 mikes. I'm countin' on you son, Command out!"

Thorlen walked back to the group of civilians and told them the news, to which he received happy cheers and pats on the shoulder. Even an unexpected hug from Jess. "You'll need to wait here while me and my team clear the rest of the plant and fix the coolant systems."

"You're not just gonna leave us here alone are you?", asked the tall muscled man called Rand.

"No, two of my team will stay and guard you and the control room", Thorlen stated matter-of-factly, "Ferris, Kazzic, you two stay here. If anything happens call me on the comms."

"Aye-Aye, commander", said Ferris.

"Yeah, whatever, make me have to babysit a bunch of humans", grumbled Kazzic.

Thorlen frowned at Kazzics' attitude, but let it go. He followed Jerrlion back through the stairwell with Alara, Kestrel, Nikolas, and Li'en in tow. They arrived in the central turbine room and walked briskly towards their goal at the back of the plant. Kestrel looked more unhappy than usual before Thorlen decided to ask her what was wrong. "I can't reckon why it's so quiet in here. After outside it just seems too quiet, I guess I'm just jumpy waiting for the other plasteel boot to drop."

"Hmm, I see what you mean; Husks don't normally abandon places they inhabit, be on your guard", he said, readying his Guardian and activating a squad version of Inferno Ammo just for good measure. The holograms popping up on weapons were met with approving nods and grunts.

Jerrlion said from the front, "we're almost there commander. Another 100 meters and we'll be at the breach in the system, it shouldn't take long after that to fix the problem."

"Good", Thorlen said as they came around a steam conduit and face to face with a pair of Cannibals. The disgusting misshapen creatures were staying true to their name by feeding off a dead body, but noticed the team and turned to scream and fire their arm mounted mass effect guns. Alara, with quick thinking reacted first by throwing up a Barrier between the team and the hostiles. While the rest of the team quickly recovered and pumped rounds into the creatures until they collapsed.

Kestrel walked over and poked one with her boot, "what the hell were these things? They got four eyes like a batarian, but there weren't any batarians on this colony."

"Probably brought along by the Reapers and just unleashed along with the others", Thorlen said.

"It makes me wonder what else the Reapers have in store for us", Alara said, shivering slightly.

Then a skittering in the pipes above and around them, signaled that their gunfire had attracted more attention.

"Dammit, you had to say it, didn't you Alara!? Wake up the Fates so they can take another shit on us!", Kestrel yelled, as a squat, bulbous, bluish-grey form dropped from the ceiling to attack. It swiped at her but missed and Kestrel made it pay with a tri-burst from her Vindicator. "Dammit! Adjutants, watch you're backs!

Almost a dozen Adjutants dropped from the ceiling among the party, with others crawling among the pipes. Nikolas used another of his attacks, to send Adjutants flying down the hallway, with Alara doing the same in the opposite direction. Thorlen activated his omni-claw and slashed through an Adjutant that got too close. More were approaching from the route the team had used, until Li'en used her omni-tool to construct a small auto-turret that consisted of a rapid-fire phasic repeater and micro missile pack. The little device hovered in place and cut down any Adjutant in front of it, even catching ones on the ceiling pipes with its missiles.

Nikolas turned to Thorlen, "me and Li'en'll hold em here, you continue on and fix the plant."

"Don't you go and die heroically on me Nikolas", Thorlen mockingly warned.

"I ain't no hero, and I'm not about to die yet, it's only been 200 years", he said, turning away.

Wondering at that strange remark, Thorlen moved on with the remainder of his team. They reached the breach without further incident, and Jerrlion promptly started repairs while Alara, Thorlen, and Kestrel kept watch. Thorlen checked in with Ferris and Kazzic while they waited, "How is everything up there, Corporal?"

"Just fine commander, though I thought for a sec that Kazzic was gonna shoot one of the civilians when they tried to shake his hand."

"Don't let him do that, it'd be a shame to have to write his family that he accidentally shot himself with his own rifle."

Knowing Kazzic could hear he cut the link, before the bitter Turian could voice a reply. Then he checked on Nikolas and Li'en, hoping the adjutants hadn't gotten to them. Before he could say anything, he heard Nikolas say over the comm, "Damn, Li'en, I think it's dead, you can stop kicking it."

"It grabbed my tail! How dare these horrible little creatures touch me!"

"Hey, babe, I grab you by the tail all the time, you should have said something earlier about not liking it."

"That's different, you aren't trying to stick something in me when you're doing it"

"Uh, yes I am, babe", Nikolas said chuckling, "It's called foreplay! Oww! Heh, heh."

Thorlen laughed audibly over the comm at Nikolas and Li'en play fighting, "It seems you two survived, all right. Any word on the Husks?"

Nikolas, breathing hard answered, "We took care of the ones that were here, haven't seen any others yet. Oww, quit that!"

"I thought you normally like when I nip at you?", asked Li'en, who also could be heard over the comm.

"Well, yeah, but we're kinda on the job, that...behavior, isn't exactly tolerated in frontline units", Nikolas admonished.

"Hmm, well then perhaps you can make it up to me later", Thorlen heard Li'en say, "Oh and lover? That behavior you mentioned? It's called foreplay!" Thorlen signed off to Li'en's laughter, chuckling himself.

Thorlen turned to Jerrlion, "How much longer, Jerrlion?"

"Not much Commander, 5-10 minutes at the most. Have it fixed better than new."

"Good to hear, the evac and support should be arriving by the time we get out of here, so when you're done be ready to hustle."

"Yes, commander."

Thorlen waited the last few minutes reviewing the mission data his eyepiece recorded, he didn't like what he saw. Though the Husks were indeed mindless at times, attacking as an animal would; there were times when they showed a keen intelligence behind their actions. Thorlen wondered if perhaps the Reapers were somehow controlling their thralls rather than just dropping them where they could do harm. It would be info the techs and Intel spooks would be interested in.

Jerrlion stood up awhile later rubbing his palms together in a job well done gesture. "Alright commander, it's all ready, we can start up the plant at any time."

"About time", said Kestrel, "I was getting the creeps staying in this damn place. Glad to be rid of it."

"Ferris, I need you to bring up the plants power matrix, get it started once again; can you do that?", Thorlen called over the comm.

"Yeah hold on a sec; okay, got it! Power should be coming back up all across the sector!"

"Good! We're bugging out, get the civilians to the front entrance, we'll be joining you as soon as possible!", Thorlen commanded, "Alright team, move out!"

Thorlen, Alara, Kestrel, and Jerrlion all double timed it back to where they left Nikolas and Li'en. Only to find the two lovers passionately kissing one another in each other's arms, leaning against the conduits on the wall. Kestrel rolled her eyes, "get a room you two!" They parted, reluctantly, and picked up their gear as Thorlen led them back to the entrance of the plant. When they arrived they already found the battle in full swing, the anti-air defenses were having an effect upon the Reaper above the city, causing it to shudder and emit bursts of static across comm channels, their form of screaming Thorlen suspected. He could see tracers from heavy phasic batteries chattering into the sky, along with heavier GARDIAN laser emplacements firing retina searing bolts at the giant sentient machine.

The battle on the ground was not done however; it seemed every Husk in the area had converged upon the power plant. They all seemed intent on its destruction now, and not just its deactivation. Scions jostled with Cannibals and lesser Husks all mingled together coming towards them from down the crossroads in three different directions. The team took cover in front of the plant, using benches as makeshift cover. The IFVs had arrived and were adding their firepower to their own, and thankfully the civilians had been evacuated. Thorlen knew however, that in a game of attrition the Reaper would win hands down. They needed something to turn the tide. He radioed command, "Colonel we can't hold the plant without more help, the Husks will overrun us soon!"

"Help is on its way, Hunter Thorlen! Just got a burst message from an Alliance ship; they know of your predicament and are on an intercept for a bombing run and away team drop. They are inbound on vector 316, in 5 mikes!"

Thorlen fought on hope suffusing him with the will to put more rounds into ever more hostiles. His Guardian overheated, and with no thermal clips he was forced to resort to the lighter Predator pistol he had confiscated earlier. The rest of the team was running low on clips as well, their weapons creating too much heat from all the rapid fire they needed. First one IFV and then another and finally the third were put out of commission, the hover cars and their crews brought down by the teeming horde of Husks. Thorlen was on his last thermal clip; but just as it all seemed lost, however, a sleek Alliance vessel, a frigate by the lines and configuration, came swooping in low over the avenue. Thorlen yelled over the din and the scream of the frigate's engines, "Take Cover!!"

Then the Frigate swept the street with its GARDIAN emplacements. Every beam that touched a husk flash carbonized it in a split second. Then missiles streaked out of the frigates underbelly, cratering any Husk unlucky enough to have survived the first bombardment. When the dust cleared, all that remained were a few weakly crawling Husks and the wreckage of the Alliance vehicles. Thorlen turned his eyes skyward to see the ship that had saved them, another Kodiak shuttle, much like the one that dropped him off, descending from its docking bay. He looked to the side of the vessel as it flew on to engage the weakened Reaper and read its designation. It read SSV NORMANDY SR-2; the Salarians had told stories of its legendary captain and crew, though Thorlen knew not how much was true and what was fanciful.

The shuttle descended and three humanoids disembarked. A turian, a quarian, and a what seemed to be human though his face was obscured by a full combat helmet. Thorlen checked on his people before he met with this person, even though he could tell he was important by the way the other two deferred to him. And how the quarian, a female by Thorlen's reckoning though he only knew of them through holos; seemed to actively feel affection for the human. It was plain in her body language. Once he was assured of his team's fitness only then did he turn to face the human, who had been waiting patiently for an audience, marking him as a humble as well as important person. The man activated the retraction mechanism on his helmet, revealing a rugged yet handsome face as humans went. "I'm Commander Shepard, captain of the Alliance Frigate Normandy and a Citadel authorized Spectre. These are members of my crew, Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. We heard this colony was in danger and came to help."

"Hunter First Class Thorlen, Commander. And thank you for the help, any later and we'd have been on our way to the forests of our ancestors."

"Ha! Well I can't take all the credit, it was Joker and EDIs fast flying that got us here in time."

Shepard's comm crackled and a young man's voice came through, "Why don't I get this kind of praise more often? I deserve a pat on the back once in a while right?"

A synthetic sounding voice followed, "You are a valued member of the crew Jeff, they do not need to show appreciation at all times for you to know that you are valued."

"Quiet you! A little bowing and scraping would be nice once in a while, all I'm saying, Joker out!"

Thorlen rather liked the witty helmsman, and was impressed by the accuracy of the stories told by his Salarian handlers. He offered his paw to the commander who while shorter in stature, was not shorter in spirit. The two shook and Shepard said, "You know I could use a capable individual like you on my crew. I'll warn you that we go into extremely dangerous situations, and there isn't a guarantee that we'll always survive, but you will be serving with the best and doing good work for the galaxy."

"Thank you Commander, but I think I'm going to have to pass", Thorlen stated, as he looked to the weary, but jubilant faces of his team, "I already have a team of my own I think."

"I second that", Alara said, stepping to his side.

"Hear, hear!", called Nikolas from his seat with Li'en, who also nodded in the affirmative.

"If the Alliance can spare me, I'll stand with you Thorlen", spoke up Ferris.

Kestrel snorted, "First one Boy Scout, and then the granddaddy of all Boy Scouts; boy, is my life fucked up! But as long as I'm paid I wouldn't mind serving with ya."

Jerrlion stepped up and in his rapid-fire manner said, "IamwithyoualsoThorlen. IwasjustassignedasamedicalofficertoyourteambytheSTG. SoIamwithyoufortheduration, sir."

Then it was Kazzics' turn, the turian walked over to the small gathering, eyeing Garrus before turning to Thorlen, "you know, when I first met you I treated you just like every Human I've met. I realize I was wrong for that, especially after seeing how you treated us all like equals. And seeing how these men died here to protect you and me, and all the people left on this colony, I think I was wrong in how I felt towards Humans in general as well. I'm going to cancel my transfer request and stay on with you if you'll have me."

"That is fine by me Kazzic, it takes a strong will to admit to yourself that you were wrong, and an even stronger one to admit it to others, I admire that resolve."

Thorlen turned back to Commander Shepard, who held up his hand. "I can tell when I'm outgunned; you obviously earned these soldiers respect and admiration. Even though you don't want to join my crew there is something we can do for one another."

"Such as?", asked Thorlen.

"Just that I would like to ask you, if you are able, to come to Earth when I call so that we can reclaim it from the control of the Reapers", stated Shepard, standing in an at ease position.

"And in return?"

"That I can give to you right now. As a Spectre for the Citadel, I have the power to designate a person as a probationary Spectre, giving them all the power, immunities, and resources of a Spectre; pending Council approval of course. Would this be something you would want, Hunter Thorlen?"

"I'm not sure, it sounds like too much power", Thorlen said, his tail twitching back and forth uncertainly.

"That uncertainty is what makes you a perfect candidate, someone too willing to abuse that power is how we got Saren Arterius. We need more people that can make the hard choices, but without the willingness to make those choices lightly."

"Then yes, I accept your offer, I will endeavor to become a full-fledged Spectre."

"Garrus, Tali, record this please", Shepard asked, before he launched into his speech.

Thorlen Fleet-Runner, Hunter First Class of the Lycanis Uplift Division, 10th Salarian STG Division. By my authority as a Council appointed Spectre, I do hereby grant you the title of Probationary Spectre. Giving you all the power and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel, upon confirmation by the Citadel Council."

Shepard continued, "You have proven yourself to be an exceptional individual, not only trained, but forged in the fires of service and battle. You are one whose actions have elevated you above the rank and file and into the company of the elite of the elite."

"A Spectre is the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, an ideal, a symbol of the Citadel and it races."

"Spectres bear a heavy burden, being the first and last line of defense. They are the protectors of the galaxy, it's safety theirs to uphold, and now it will also be yours."

Shepard stepped forward, offering his hand to Thorlen, "Welcome to the Spectres, my friend!"