Sunday 2 March 2014

Marriage - Part 3

"We can't just destroy the Presidium," said Thomson, with a raised eyebrow, "The Council wouldn't be very happy, and I'm pretty sure we'd be a little bit illegal."
"We do not have to make the Presidium non-functional," said Revenge, "But if we disable the system that is converting it into a relay for their signals, it will limit their functionality in this area. Then you can go and investigate Junthor."
"Can you do it remotely?" Thomson asked.
Revenge shook his metallic head, "Unfortunately not."
"Emi," Thomson said, "I think you should come with us. If they can instantly indoctrinate someone, it's better for you to be here rather than on the ship. They could try and attack you again."

Thomson covered Emi as Revenge led them to the area of the Presidium that he said the system was on.
It was a grey, dark tunnel, which was more close to a ventilation shaft than a passageway. Revenge was on the Geth's hands and knees;" Thomson was shuffling along on his knees to be able to incorporate the bulk of his weapon, whilst Emi crawled behind. If it had been on Earth, there would be no doubt in the fact that it would be covered in spider webs. However, for a passage which looked as if it hadn't been used for the past thousand years, it was relatively clean. There was a fine layer of dust which coated the floors and walls, but nothing major.
He had collected his M-8 Avenger from the Falcon for extra protection. There was no doubt that they would attempt to stop them deactivating the signal relay.
A small crab-like creature with what appeared to be a bloated orange abdomen scuttled across in front of Revenge. Emi shrieked, but Thomson stood on it after Revenge had moved over it, and before it came close to her.
"How close are we?" Thomson asked.
"Approximately 15.2 metres away."
"I was expecting some resistance by now," said Thomson, "They seemed desperate to get their hands on Emi."
"Perhaps they have forgotten about this passage," said Revenge.
"Maybe they did," replied Thomson with a shrug of his shoulders, "Something just seems a little odd."
Emi nodded, "... I think I know what you mean..."
"They're not something you'd expect from a race from the Prothean times," Thomson pointed out, glancing around the tunnels.
"The Keepers maintain the Citadel," Revenge said, simply, "It is their doing."
The passageway opened up into a small room, barely tall enough for Revenge to stand at full height. Thomson, Emi and Revenge had to press close together for them all to fit in at the same time.
In front of them, there was a single terminal. The hologram glowed orange, and it displayed some sort of controls concerning the controls for the signal relay.
Revenge turned around, looking back down into the passageway.
"What is it?" Thomson asked.
Revenge grabbed his weapon, "They are trying to stop us. Deactivate the terminal whilst I hold them off."
Thomson nodded, and began swiping the holographic terminal until he reached the deactivation option. Gunfire was audible from behind as Revenge began firing down the tunnel.
The terminal started displaying a screen with two circular objects, almost like dials. Thomson turned one, but it reset a second later and beeped, and the word "Error" flashed several times.
"Emi," he shouted above the gunfire, "I need your help. We need to turn the dials at the same time."
She nodded, and moved so she was stood next to him. She placed her gloved finger on the terminal.
"On the count of three. One... two..."
"Thomson..." an echoing, alien voice whispered from back down the tunnel, "Don't do this..."
It was silenced by Revenge's gunshots.
"... Three."
They twisted the dials, and the terminal blinked into darkness and folded up. All the aliens vanished.
"They must have been using the relay not only for indoctrination," Revenge explained, "But to cast projections of themselves. They weren't actually here."
The Reaper handed Thomson back his rifle.
"So we're going to Junthor, now?" Thomson questioned.
"Yes. We should go," came the reply from the large Geth unit.
"... I'm not so sure..." said Emi, "... I don't know whether we should..."
Thomson turned to her, and held her arms gently, "I'm not entirely convinced, either. But if it's the only way to make you safe..." he looked at Revenge, "... It is, right?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Yes it is."

2 comments:

  1. I wish they could just take their kids, leave Revenge, and hide on a pretty, little, tropical planet and live happily for the rest of their lives.

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  2. *nods* Good . . . sort of battle?
    Yeah.

    In response to Aquila's comment . . . I don't think they'd be happy with peace for the rest of their lives. :P Thompson wouldn't, anyway.

    Also, I like how there's . . . something not quite right. It makes your suspicious.
    (I still don't really trust Revenge. :P)

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