Crash [Chapter XI]

[Garrus Vakarian]

Garrus Vakarian
Then we'll use it improperly.

Came Garrus' retort, him and Shepard being no strangers of defying the odds and now was no time to start questioning their own abilities when the worlds were at state. Seeing Kragen was already ready to finish the girl off, the archangel motioned him to stop.

Garrus Vakarian
No. She told us what we needed to know and there's no sense killing her. It may be hard to believe but Shepard and I are no strangers to facing foes who were being used against their will.

Garrus knelt down beside the child and took a good look at her wounds. They did a number on her all right. It was amazing they were able to hit her at all with how fast she was going. Just goes to show a well place grenade here or there can do the trick. Pulling out a radio, Garrus spoke back to the Isafaro's resistance HQ.

Garrus Vakarian
Garrus to base, we need a pick-up; around the entrance of the Crystal Expanse. Vampire. Don't worry she's on our side.

Garrus stood up to his feet and turned back to Kragen.

Garrus Vakarian
Stay with her and make sure the resistance gets her back safely. Shepard and I can take care of things from here.

Garrus then turned to face his old friend and companion.

Garrus Vakarian
Looks like it's you and me. Just like old times.

[Sparda]

Listening to Garrus, Shepard could only smile knowingly. Truly, the two of them had faced doomsday scenarios before and foiled them. They'd charged headlong into what would've been suicide missions for any lesser soldier, and survived. Even without another member of the old Normandy crew to back them up, the Spectre and the Archangel would be a match for anything that colossal tower had to throw at them.

"Just like old times," Shepard concurred with a nod, his voice lined with a sudden authority. He had to admit, it felt good to be in command once more. He turned and nodded in the direction of the Downward Spiral, pistol at the ready - and noticed that in the moments since his last glance, the pillar of light emerging from the pinnacle had disappeared. The whole tower itself seemed darker, as if some internal illumination had been extinguished. If there was anything still going on up there, he couldn't see it from this distance.

Feeling a sudden urgency despite not knowing exactly what was going on, Shepard turned fully towards his destination. His face hardened.

"Move out."