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Post by Tismri on Jul 8, 2012 21:42:47 GMT -5
"Mordin, Thane!" Eron desperately called to her comrades. "Grab Tali and get out of here! We need to retreat and regroup!" She looked around, attempting to locate her other squad members. Miranda was down, an arrow clean through her skull. Jack was fighting off a dozen painless soldiers in her usual aggressive manner, nearly ripping them to shreds with her bare hands. Garrus...
"Garrus!" she called out, spotting the dwarf. She ran to him, and with adrenaline pumping through her body, threw him in the direction of the Urgal they had taken to calling Grunt. Suddenly, she felt heat encompassing her body and she was lifted off the ground, sent crashing through a wall. After that, she remembered nothing.
TWO YEARS LATER:
"Why am I still alive?" she asked, staring the Black Hand woman down. Jeshelle's response was cool and calculated.
"Because, we need you, Commander," she said. "We need someone with your fire, your prowess, and your way with words. You are irreplaceable, Shepard, and we've devoted a lot of time and energy into keeping you alive."
"Whatever you're doing, I want no part of it," Eron said. She attempted to stand from the cot, but the world just wasn't working right. She nearly fell to the floor, and the elf to the side helped her back up. "I've seen what the Black Hand does. You've infiltrated the Varden bases, attempted assassinations of our leaders. I've heard accounts of you kidnapping and torturing children."
"I will admit, we have done some unsavory things in the past," Jeshelle told her. "But please be assured that they were done with the best interests at heart of all people. You've not seen the big picture."
"And what is the big picture?" Eron asked, not believing anything being told to her.
"The betterment of our people, of course. We are working to make the world a safer place to live. Isn't that what your Varden is doing with this whole war?"
"We don't torture kids," Eron said coldly.
"Our methods may be different, but we are both after the same thing, Commander. And I promise that what we want from you will not infringe upon your morals or honor in any way. If you are uncomfortable with something we request, feel free to turn it down." Eron hesitated. These people risked an awful lot to bring her back from the dead. She had to admit she owed them a debt.
"What do you want from me?" she asked.
"A number of villages and farms in the Empire are being overrun by the Varden's advances. The Empire soldiers as well have been exploiting them. We wish to protect these people. That is all." Eron stared in disbelief, but the woman seemed sincere.
"Well, I can't do something like that on my own. I'm going to need a squad."
"We can provide to members of the Black Hand to remain under your direct orders," Jeshelle explained. "If you want more than that, you may be able to find some by searching."
"Fine. Where do you want me?"
"You'll meet up with your new subordinates outside this building. After that, you can head to the town of Melian."
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Post by Max452 on Jul 8, 2012 22:03:32 GMT -5
"Get these people to safety, Malen!" Captain Samuel Riker yelled at one of his soldiers. Malen gave the Captain a short nod as he ushered the civilians away from the battle that had broken out between the Empire.
"Flint! Hold the line! I want you to hold the line! Don't let them in this town! You hear me!" Sam yelled over the cannons that he had managed to commandeer from the watch towers of Melian. The battle had been going on for a good hour and the men were growing tired and worn. They had secured Melian last night and the rest of the Varden army had moved on toward the next city; Riker was left to ensure some supplies from Melian as well as to stop renegade Empire soldiers that were stealing from the city. Now, the Empire grew persistant once the Varden had left, leaving only Riker and his small platoon to protect the city.
"Captain! They've breached the south gate!" A herald yelled up to the Sam. The Captain grunted out a curse word before hurry out to the south side. "Philis! Get your men over there! Glak--Glakahlaha!! Whatever his name! Go help them!" He yelled down to another soldier to go and aid Glakajahad, a Kull that was stationed in the south side of Melian. The Captain continued on his run to the south gate and soon found himself leaping from the city walls and atop the ensuing battle that had broken out in the south gate.
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Post by Tismri on Jul 8, 2012 22:22:05 GMT -5
Eron and her two squadmates enter Melian through the north gate, away from the fighting. They glanced around, asessing the situation.
"Avoid soldiers if possible," she told the other two. "Defend yourselves if attacked, but this isn't our fight. We're here to evacuate the civilians until the present danger has passed." They nodded, though seemingly hesitant. Eron grimaced. Though she had conversed with them on the way, she still didn't know them as well as she would have liked. They lacked the cohesive trust of her old squad. Perhaps someday, though.
They spotted a building where a number of the civilians seemed to be taking shelter.
"What do you want from us?" a man cried as they entered. "You've already taken our city, our food, everything we have. Just leave us alone!" Eron gently approached the group, speaking calmly.
"I'm here to get you all to safety," she told them. "Until the fighting calms down, this city is a war zone."
"Our homes are already destroyed. What does it matter where we go now?"
"Houses can be rebuilt," she said. She glanced around, seeing a number of small children clinging to their mothers. "But a life lost is lost forever. Do you want that for your families? Your children?" The man still looked hesitant.
"No...I guess you're right," he said. Eron smiled and nodded.
"Good. One of these associates of mine will get you safely out of the city. Do you know where any other civilians might be?"
"There were some in the houses by the square," he said. Eron flinched. That was likely were a lot of the fighting was concentrated. Still, she hoped to find some survivors.
"All right. Get out of here, to one of the nearby farmhouses." She moved to leave the building and started making her way to the square.
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Post by Max452 on Jul 8, 2012 22:40:57 GMT -5
Sam grunted out when he felt a blade cut his abdomen. He retaliated with his own swipe of his sword as he continued to press the enemy soldiers back.
"Captain! Malen is taking heavy damage! Some of the soldiers have managed to wound him and his men! The civilians won't last long!" A soldier had yelled to him as they fought off soldiers that managed to escape the line that was holding them off.
"Go Captain! We'll take care of these cowards!" Philis assured as their squad had managed to push back the main attackers.
"Do me proud, Philis."
"Aye, Captain." His trusted soldier replied before hammering an opponent down with his mace.
Samuel ran across the city, swiping attackers down as he went as he ran to help Melan evacuate the natives here. He grimaced, feeling the blood ooze from his wound. He glanced down. It wasn't a deep one, but it was still annoying. He would get one of his medics to look after him once the others were safe and well.
Soon, Riker managed to engage himself into the fight located in the square. "Come on you cowards! See if you can push me over!" He snarled as his blade embedded itself into flesh. His men continued to fight and escort civilians out of the battle, but the even Riker knew that they were wearing down; it appeared that there were more Empire soldiers then his spies had indicated. Riker ground his teeth. Before his dying breath this day, Riker would ensure that Melian would not be overrun any longer!
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Post by Tismri on Jul 8, 2012 22:54:40 GMT -5
Eron arrived at the square in time to seen the middle of what appeared to be a bloodfest. Her battle-hardened eyes grazed over the area until she spotted the civilians. It appeared the Varden soldiers were trying to protect them, but they were being overrun. In the chaos, she and her teammate just melted in and took the lead, hardly noticed by the soldiers but having the full attention of the citizens. She directed them out of the center of the town and toward the north gate when a familiar voice caused her to stop and turn around. She spotted him, bloody and fighting. It seemed like it was just yesterday that she'd last seen him. To her, it practically was.
"Sam?" she called out. Then she couldn't help herself; she rushed to his defense, drawing her sword and thrusting it through his attackers. "Thrysta!" she called out in one of her rare uses of magic. The surrouding Empire soldiers went flying in all directions, crashing with sickening crunches against the ground and buildings.
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Post by Max452 on Jul 8, 2012 23:28:51 GMT -5
Captain Riker was thus engaged with an opponent when a familiar voice called out to him. No, no, not now! He tried to concentrate on his opponent. It wasn't unusual for him to hear her call his name, even though it usually occurred during the middle of the night and he usually was three bottles into his drunken state. He continued to ignore the grief that began to slip out of his guarded heart. Eron...please, not now...I need to concentrate. He begged the Phantom in his mind, not realizing that his beloved was actually behind him. Due to his momentary distraction, his opponent managed to slice him across the chest. "AH!" He yelled out in pain and anger as he plunged his short sword into the man's neck, while his longsword blocked another attack. The next thing he knew, he saw a woman come to his aid. He blinked, wondering if the lost of blood was making him see things. The woman created a blast that diverted his foes into buildings and the cemented ground. He blinked again. Was he dying? He wondered. That would be the only reason why she would be here, wouldn't it? "Eron?" His eyes were quizzical, and a bit disbelieving, at first, as he thought the Phantom in his mind emerged into some physical form. She looked exactly as he remembered her. A hopeful smile appeared on his lips as he felled to his knees. By the Gods, he would thank them for sending her to take him into the next life. Then, blackness crossed his vision as he collasped from the quick loss of blood from his newly formed wound. He could remember his men yelling and the continued fighting. He knew he couldn't leave them...but he missed her...he missed her too much.
OOC: Poor Sam. *Sniffle*
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Post by Tismri on Jul 9, 2012 0:01:24 GMT -5
Eron worked to battle off the remaining Empire soldiers, her body moving by pure instinct. Her mind was screaming for Sam to be okay. Once the immediate area was clear of enemies, she turned and knelt next to the man she swore to love.
"Sam, Sam, stay with me," she told him, grasping his hand tightly. "Mordin!" The name came from her lips before she remembered that her old squad wasn't here. If only they were. Mordin was a gifted a healer as had ever been, and he had saved all their lives on multiple occasions. "Dammit, I need a medic here!" she yelled. For what seemed an eternity, nothing happened. She stared at Sam, trying to keep him awake as she tried to keep pressure on the most serious wound. "Sam, you've got to stay awake. Don't leave me."
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Post by Max452 on Jul 9, 2012 1:09:28 GMT -5
A pleading voice called out to him in the darkness. He was vaguely aware of the pain shooting across his chest and stomach. His mind was focused more on the voice. He flickered his eyes opened, the sun was positioned high, near midday. They had been fighting for over two hours now. He felt pressure on his wounds, which caused curiosity to come. Why wouldn't his men let him die in peace? No...let me go. He thought selfishly. He blinked into focus the figure that was hovering over him, his mind registering her words. A thin smile was one his lips. "I missed you...by Gods, I didn't know death would be so bright, or that I would be blessed to have you meet me..." He muttered to her.
"Captain!" Philis voice echoed as he entered into the square. His men had managed to push back the renegades, and now, the young Commander was here to aid his Captain and Malen. "Get Reaver here, NOW! The Captain is wounded." Philis commanded as some of his men continued to fight off the attackers. The Commander stared at the woman that was by his Captain's side. He had never seen her before, but didn't think she was a civilian, as she wasn't dressed as one. Philis knelt down on the other side of her. "Captain, help is on the way..." He received a very confused look from his Captain. Philis glanced over at the woman, still curious as he watched her press down the wound.
"Philis? What are you doing here? You're not dying too, are you?" Sam glanced at Philis when his face came into view. He then glanced at Eron. Death was indeed an odd experience.
"No, Cap'n, I'm not dying, and neither are you. Just stay awake okay?" He then gave Eron a simple nod as he stood up, his sword at the ready as he had spotted an Empire soldier coming their way. He went to dispatch him quickly when the medic finally arrived.
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Post by Tismri on Jul 9, 2012 1:21:36 GMT -5
If he wasn't in such a critical state at the moment, Eron would have shaken him for being such an idiot.
"You're not dying, you stupid Captain," she told him, although she was afraid he actually was. "I'm not dead and neither are you." She glanced up as the medic made his way over. She backed off, but hung around close until one of ther Black Hand squadmates appeared.
"Commander, they've all been evacuated to safety. We need to stick around to make sure they're not attacked by scavengers."
"Go do it," she said, her eyes fixated on Sam.
"We need you there, too, Ma'am. Two of us won't be enough to protect them all." As much as she hated to admit it, the squad member was right. She gazed at Sam for another moment before turning to return to her duty of protecting the civilians.
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Post by Max452 on Jul 9, 2012 1:54:00 GMT -5
Samuel furrowed his brow. I'm not dying...and you're not dead? One of those statements, he knew for a fact was false. The other, was well...undetermined as he felt the medic come to him. "Wait wait...don't leave me again..." Sam whispered out in fear as he felt Eron leave his side.
"It's okay Captain Riker. You're wound isn't too bad...I can fix it." The medic Reaver assured his Captain as he went to work, muttering the spell to heal his commanding officer. Reaver was exhausted from that spell, as he normally didn't use magic, but they could not let their Captain die. Jack would kill him for sure.
After a moment, Sam regained his surroundings. He stared up at Reaver, who looked pale and exhausted. "Thank you, Reaver."
"Anytime, Captain."
"Captain! Glad to see you not mumbling about death!" Philis came back, his arm was wounded and he looked extremely tired too.
"Report." Sam asked, trying to forget the dream he had encountered in his delirum. That had to been a dream. Eron was dead. He had seen the site of the explosion himself. His mind was playing tricks on him...how else could you explain it.
"The men have managed to push back the assailants. We're currently rounding them up. Jack is still having her rampage in the eastern side; her herald reports that she'll have control in a few minutes."
"The civilians?"
"Safe. They're being led by a trio that came and helped us. It was luck that they arrived when they did. If that woman didn't come and help, Captain, I think you would have been dead."
"Woman?" Sam blinked. That was a dream...wasn't it.
"Yes, sir. She and her men went to the north gate; they're protecting the civilians from any other soldiers.
That was all Sam needed to hear, for now, he needed to see if his hopes were not thwarted by some sick trick being played by the Gods. He just had to make sure. He had to make sure. Getting up, Captain Riker, with the help of Reaver and Philis, made their way to the north gate.
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Post by Tismri on Jul 9, 2012 18:28:15 GMT -5
Eron set up defensive points around the farm where they had sent the civilians. She assigned a few men who looked like they could handle themselves to keep watch in case more soldiers appeared to attack them. She set her own men to point around. One was a skilled magician who was particularly good at launching fireballs. The other was a most deadly shot with a bow. Eron herself stood at the forefront, her eyes scanning for enemies. She looked back at the city gate, where she saw a trio of men walking in their direction. She recognized them all from inside the city and smiled at the sight of Sam.
You never did like to sit still, did you? she thought. Then she felt the magician's mind touch hers.
Should we warn them off? she was asked. She quickly shook her head.
They're not here to attack, she said. I think they just want to talk.
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Post by Max452 on Jul 9, 2012 21:40:10 GMT -5
Captain Riker made his way to the north gate rather slowly; the wound may have been healed, but the exhaustion and pain had left its mark.
"Captain, perhaps you shouldn't move too much." Philis advised, but received a death glare from the said Captain.
"Our men are still engaged with the enemy and we have potential allies; I'm not going to idly stand by, is that clear?"
"Yes sir." Philis replied quickly.
As the three men exited the city, they quickly spotted the three magicians. Sam's heart hammered with anticipation as they drew closer. His eyes went bright for a moment as they stopped in front of Shepard and her squad mates, but then they dimmed a bit as he tried to compose himself. It wasn't an illusion; she was here, and alive. He approached her hesitantly, unsure how to act around her now, especially in front of his commanders and her men. "Is...is it really you?" He asked, his eyes searching her's for confirmation.
As he awaited, one of his platoon members came running up to them with great haste. "My apologies, Captain, but Jack told me to get you quickly. She managed to round up the renegades and the city is ours once again; she wants to know what you want to do with them; they've surrendered but are uncooperative." The soldier explained, glancing at Commander Shepard and the Black Hand members with curiosity and a twinge of distrust.
"The men need their Captain, sir." Philis added, not liking how they were seemingly exposed to three magicians.
Sam tightened his jaw - conflict in his eyes. He then sighed and nodded at the soldier and Philis. "Tell Jack we'll be there shortly."
"Yes, sir!" The man saluted and ran off.
Sam turned to face Eron quickly. "Stay for the night? I want to properly thank you three for saving my platoon, and myself...and...I wish to speak with you...please?" He asked her, his eyes pleading for her to say yes. There was so much he wanted to ask her; there was so much he needed to know, for example, where was she for the past two years?
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Post by Tismri on Jul 9, 2012 22:57:16 GMT -5
Eron studied Sam's expression carefully. Something had changed in him; there was a pained expression that seemed to go beyond his surface wounds. She could see distrust and hurt in his eyes. She could tell just by these subtle changed that Jeshelle had not been lying about the past two years. He also looked older. She would say he passed her in age by now, which was a strange thought.
Immediately at his request that they stay, her squad members immediately protested.
"Commander, our job here is done. We should report back as soon as possible."
"I'm not leaving until we've confirmed that the civilians are safe," she replied. "Aside from that, we are going to need to take a rest anyway. Might as well stick around here."
"But Commander--"
"We can give an update via scrying if need be," she said firmly. "We're not leaving until I say so. Understood?" There was a hesitation.
"Yes, ma'am," came the response. She turned back to Sam.
"Thanks for the offer, Captain," she told him. The tension between them felt so awkward. Just a couple of days ago they were perfectly relaxed, making wedding plans for as soon as someone killed that bastard king. Or at least to her it was a couple of days ago. "We would be more than happy for a place to rest tonight." She glanced aside at the retreating soldier, recalling what he had said. Was that the same Jack? She smiled at the thought. At least she could still locate a few of her old friends. Her attention back on Sam, she looked at him carefully, her voice lowering.
"Yes...I suppose we do have much to discuss," she told him.
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Post by Max452 on Jul 9, 2012 23:29:55 GMT -5
Sam's eyes relaxed as Eron announced that they would stay. He gave her a polite bow of the head. "You are welcomed to stay in our main encampment on the outskirts of the city; that is where I and the majority of the men are staying. I'll ensure that you will have reasonable tents for your stay." He motioned to leave, but paused. He turned back slightly, the right side of his face exposed to Eron and the two other magicians. "It is very good to see you, Commander." He gave her a small thin smile and then glanced over at Reaver with a nod, before leaving with Philis.
Reaver stayed behind and glanced at the Shepard and her team. "If you wish, I would be happy to escort you to our encampment. Based on the Captain's speech, he seems happy; the men will celebrate your help today." He smiled at them, but wondered if the Captain was sure about allowing three unknown magicians into the middle of their army, after all, they never really said that they were allies. But orders were orders, and Reaver was inclined to obey his Captain.
The next few hours flew by as Sam and his men began to clean up the town and imprison the rogue Imperial soldiers in the jailhouse of Melian. Half of his men wanted to execute the men, but Riker thought of a better punishment: he would put the men to work to rebuilding the city they had plundered.
Night came quickly and the moment it crept forward, Sam's stomach twisted into knots as he thought about his conversation with Eron. He had told Jack that he had seen her, and he was impressed that the woman seemed to restrain herself from running across town to greet her friend. She merely waved him off and said, "She would reprimand me for leaving my Captain when he needed me." And then continued about her work, if a bit faster than before.
Word spread through the platoon that they had guests amongst them and that a party was to be had, but not before cleansing the town of the dead and giving each fallen soldier a proper burial. It was a long, tiring day. The men had worn themselves in not only battle but in the clean up afterwards. Sam wanted the area cleared off in case more fights broke out, as well as a show in good faith to the citizens that he was not meant to be a tyrant among them, but an ambassador to the Varden.
Soon, Sam found himself in the middle of camp with Jack, awaiting for Eron and their other guests.
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Post by Tismri on Jul 9, 2012 23:46:37 GMT -5
Eron and her team worked to make the villagers comfortable. It was in most of their best interests to remain at this farm until the town was cleared of debris and most of the soldiers had left. They made sure the food supplies were well stocked, tended to the wounded, and even went back to town to retrieve some personal items. By the end of the day, they were all tired, but everyone was safe and Eron felt that their mission had been accomplished. They made their way to the Varden encampment. Her squadmates were visibly uneasy at the prospect of spending any amount of time with them.
"Just don't flaunt that you're members of the Black Hand," she told them. "You can tell them the purpose of our mission, and that you follow me. I'll take care of the other details." They reluctantly agreed. She only hoped that they weren't stupid enough to get themselves caught...or to try attacking the encampment.
As they made their way to the center of the camp, Eron felt her heart race again. She felt excited to see her friends again, but everything she felt told her that hardly any time had past since they had been together. Her mind knew that there was two years of seperation between them, though.
She spotted Jack, and a smile came to her face. She waved as she approached.
"Jack, how have you been?" she asked. She hoped the woman wasn't planning on tearing her apart for making them think she was dead all this time.
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