Hello everyone. Please forgive me for the lack of updates. I am currently writing an actual book that is soon to be published and I haven't had time to write this up. It has been in my draft journal for weeks now. Once again, I am sorry.

The Red cab came to a stop at the bottom of some stairs and the vehicle hissed as the roof rose to allow its passengers to exit. The ride here had been very quiet, however as soon as the group exited, a different Batarian in the same Blue Suns uniform walked down the stairs and towards the group, "It's about time they sent someone who looks like they can actually fight. They tell you what we're up against?" He asked, tilting his head to one side.

Sheppard shifted on his feet, "The recruiter was a little vague."

"We wouldn't get many hires if everyone knew the truth." His head moved again and he shifted slightly to Shika's right, "Archangel's holed up in a building at the end of the boulevard over there." He quickly glanced behind himself and then returned his attention to the small group and continued to sway, although subtly. "He's got superior position, and the only way in is over a very exposed bridge. It's a killing ground." He made a few slicing motions in the air in front of him, "But he's getting tired, making mistakes, we'll have him soon enough."

Sheppard gestured with his head toward the Batarian, "You guys have a plan?"

The Batarian's hands were now back at his sides, Shika wondered why he was moving around so much, "A small team is willing to infiltrate his hideout, but we need to draw Archangel's fire so they can move in."

Shepard arched an eyebrow. "And that's where we come in?"

The Batarian nodded. "Exactly." He gestured to the rest of Sheppard's team, "You'll be on a distraction team. Head straight over the bridge and keep Archangel busy so the infiltration team can sneak in behind him."

Jack crossed her arms and glared at the Batarian, "That's goddamn suicide."

The Batarian shrugged, which pissed off Shika. Her eyes glinted red for a moment and her Cybertronian skin began to form slowly on her arm beneath her sleeve. The Batarian's expression remained calm, "Pretty much, but you look like you can handle it." Shika was still pissed, but began to calm down when Jack tapped her arm and sent her a warning glance. The Batarian paced to the left, "Head up to the boulevard and get to the third barricade. Talk to Sergeant Cathka. He'll tell you when to go in."

Shepard raised his arm to point past the man in front of them, "I better get going then."

The Batarian nodded in agreement, "That's a good idea. Watch yourself on the boulevard. Archangel's killed dozens out there already." He walks off.

Once out of hearing range, Jack said, "In's gonna be easy, Out's gonna be a bitch." Shika nodded in agreement.

Shepard glanced back at the two girls. "Let's find him first. Then we'll figure out how to get back."

As they went up the stairs, EDi sent a transmission, "Shepard, I've scanned the area, but I am unable to plot any other paths to Archangel."

Shepard sighed, "I guess we're going with the Mercs." Jack wooed happily.

She was ignored as EDi continued, "
The heavy Mercs and gunship possess considerable firepower. Weakening them before leaving will improve your chances."

Shepard walked into a room and to a table with an abandoned data pad, Shika didn't have a chance to scan it completely before Shepard put it back down, but it had something to do Garm's troops. The message was sent from Tarak to Jaroth. He turned around and they followed him into a fairly small room containing a battle mech, data pads, and a few other things littered around. Shepard hacked into the mech after picking up an object that turned out to be some element zero. "That should slow them down." He said, turning to exit the room.

Shika smirked, "Nice, now anyone who activates that thing will get blown the pit up, friend or foe."

They went back out the door that led to the mech's room and walked up to the boulevard. The group walked up to another freelancer in the back with black and white armor. "We're looking for Sergeant Cathka."

He looked at the groop and stifles a chuckle. "You and me both, pal." He gestured to the area in front of him. "He's over there, working on the gunship." He looked back at Shepard, "We go over the bridge when he gives the word. Go talk to him if you want, I'm in no hurry." He shakes his head.

Shepard nodded, then led them towards the ship.

The freelancer sighed, calling after them. "Good luck." A few humans were guarding the stairs leading to the gunship. "Cathka." Was all Shepard had to say for one of the two humans to stab a thumb behind himself and for both to step to one side.

They walked up the steps towards the Batarian who stepped away from the gunship and faced the team, "Sergeant Cathka." He said, introductorily before he tapped on something on his helmet, making his eyes visible. "Ah, you must be the group Salkie mentioned. You're just in time."

Shepard rose his shoulders in a quick shrug, "You were waiting for us?"

Cathka shook his head, "The infiltration team is about to give us the signal." The two men turned to face the battle grounds, "Archangel won't know what hit him. Got any questions? This may be your last chance."

They turned to face each other and Shepard gestured to the craft behind Cathka, "You going to cover us with the gunship?"

Cathka laughed immediately in response, "Ha! Tarak is the only one who flies her." He glances at the ship, then back to Shepard, "Besides, she's not quite ready. That bastard Archangel gave her a beating the last time she was out there." He looks at his data pad, "A few more tweaks and she'll be as good as new."

"So our plan is to jump the wall and attack Archangel's building?"

"Yeah." Cathka nodded, "and try not to get killed too fast. You're only a distraction as long as you're alive." Cathka shook his head, "You don't have to make it all the way across," He says, nodding to the bridge, "just keep Archangel watching you. The infiltration team will do the rest." Cathka lit a cigarette and inhaled, blowing second hand smoke into the air.

Shepard waved the smoke out of his face, "Are you leading the assult?"

Cathka laughed again, this time actually throwing his head back and spoke as he brought it back down, "Ha! Tarak doesn't pay me enough to fight. I just plan the attacks and fix the damn gunship." He nodded to the group, "You freelancers get the freedom of-"

A beep from the data pad interrupted him, followed by a transmission, both men looked towards it, "Target is in sight. We're a go." Was all it said.

Cathka leaned over it, "Check. Bravo team—go, go, go!" he called quickly and loudly. A group of human men walked to the bridge past Jack and Shika. Cathka pushed himself up from his leaning position over the data pad. "Archangel's got quite a surprise waiting for him." He said, looking back to Shepard then tapping his helmet to shield his eyes again. "But that means no more waiting for me." He went back to working on the gunship, drawing his attention away from Shepard and leaving himself wide open. "Got to get her back to a hundred percent before Tarak decides he needs her again." Shepard noticed a small, electrical spark emitting from an exposed wire.

He gripped it and walked towards the Batarian. "You really should take a day off." He said, before jamming the wire into the back of the male's suit, who was now dying as his body spazzed uncontrollably, before he fell to the ground. Shepard walked to Shika and Jack. "Let's go. " He said, pushing between them. The girls looked at each other, then followed behind him.

They soon caught up with the rest of the freelancers. Some were loading their weapons with thermal clips, and then ran out from cover. Shika assessed the situation. "There's not much time, Archangel's in trouble."

Jack activated her Biotics and the blue light swarmed greedily around her body, "Then what the hell are we waiting for?"

Gunshots could be heard as the freelancers continued to push forward. One shot a grenade into Archangel's window and the Turian countered with a gunshot through the head. The body fell as Shepard, Jack, and Shika jumped over the barricade, ready for battle. Shepard cracked his knuckles, "Come on. We'll give these guys a surprise of our own."

/

I do hope you enjoyed this. Please leave your comments so I know if you enjoyed my story. I would like to know though. Should Shika show that she can be a vehicle in the next chapter? Or wait until a later one? The reviews are open to anonymous, so leave your opinion on what you want me to do there if you wish.