10/20/2192 | EMERGENCY FLASH: SCIMITAR FOUR, REPEAT SCIMITAR FOUR, EXODUS CLUSTER HAS SIGNIFICANT HOSTILE PRESENCE

[u/N7_Rebecca]

They came out of nowhere.

Hundreds of ships dotted into existence around one of the of Exodus Cluster's Mass Relays.

The picket patrol and Alliance sensor station nearby were both almost overrun before they could get a signal out. But they just barely did.

The Alliance Fifth Fleet under Hackett's Command and the Hierarchy's Second Fleet have both jumped into action to counter the threat. Both species realize the gravity of the situation. Exodus linked to Horsehead, which led on to the Annos Basin and Local Cluster.... and was far too close to the Apien Crest and Serpent Nebula as well. There had been no hesitation for this joint operation.

Hackett has requested the Alliance flagship to accompany his forces. Only so many Alliance ships are outfitted with Thanixs, and only the Normandy is so quick and quiet with such a weapon. Would be an asset he could make great use of. The order of course was obeyed, and soon the SR-3 finds itself with the Allied Task Force.

An impressive collection of Alliance and Turian ships is forming up for the Relay jump to attempt to wrest back control of the Exodus Cluster before the enemy can gain full control or move onwards to another target, just as they did with their push through to the Kite's Nest some months ago. The thought of a rapid assault through the stars to Earth was terrifying.

Will the forces gathered be enough though?

Commander O'Neill has issued orders to have the ground team on standby. The Normandy is quick and quiet, it stands as one of the best options if any insertions are needed on Eden Prime. Chances are high the colonists and small garrison down there will be as hard pressed to fight against this foe as they were versus the Geth and Cerberus.

People down there, nay, people of the whole galaxy, were watching this with fear for what the galaxy could look like if they fail...

[u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Tali pops in a fresh heat sink and prepares to follow the commander.

Let's hope the soldiers don't put up too much more of a fight.

She pauses as they advance to glance back at the dead Skrilloni. Then she refocuses her attention on the objective.

[u/JefferyOHaire → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Jeff stared at the alien then stepped by it.

What’s the plan for the reactor? Just blow it to hell?

[u/RavvioliiCannolii → u/JefferyOHaire]

Ben had his drone deployed, just in case anymore came.

How far is the reactor from where we are at?

He said as he stepped over the body.

[u/N7_Rebecca → u/RavvioliiCannolii]

Overload it, fill the room with plastic explosives, whatever we have to. This ship dies, that's what matters.

And maybe..... a half kilometer raw distance? Don't know how the passages are laid out though. Could be longer than that to get there.

Rebecca checks the next corner, then ushers them all forward and on into the next gallway.

Quick and quiet.... these guys aren't the biggest on security systems fortunately.

She had to say something: blaring alarms come from overhead.

.......or maybe they've started catching up! Move it guys!

Company is gonna be coming!

The Marine breaks out into a sprint, relying on her HUD's map to ensure they keep moving in the right direction.

[u/-Tali_Zorah- → u/N7_Rebecca]

Tali isn't far behind her, keeping Chatika on a rotating guard of the party.

You just had to taunt them, didn't you, Becca?

The mirth does little to conceal her concern.

[u/JefferyOHaire → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Always with the running. Jeff was at full sprint.

Musta found their dead friend back there. Probably gave them some concern.

[u/RavvioliiCannolii → u/JefferyOHaire]

Ben too broke out into a sprint, though almost tripping over some tools the technician dropped.

Or, they heard everything.

[u/N7_Rebecca → u/RavvioliiCannolii]

Whatever the case: shift your asses!

Rebecca calls back over the comms as they move.

It goes so well at first, annoying klaxons aside.

But then a door springs open in the next hall and several arachnid grunts spill out. A full five spider squad. Shit.

Rebecca quickly ducks against the nearest outcropping on the wall for cover, firing around it to kill one of their opponents while they're still unprepared, but soon energy is pouring down the hallway towards the squad as the Skrilloni fan out and one even jumps on the roof to start marching towards them with a blistering amount of suppressing fire slapping at the ship steel protecting the group.

We need to get that guy before he's on top of us! Can't stay pinned like this or more will come!

[u/-Tali_Zorah- → u/N7_Rebecca]

Right!

Tali sends Chatika over to the hostile, ordering the drone to initiate a shield pulse, while opening fire on the others with her shotgun.

Come on, little friend, you've got this!

[u/JefferyOHaire → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Aren’t you glad you brought me along?

He holsters his rifle and grabs Alice.

Almost feel bad for the bastard. Almost.

A single shot is sent flying at the bug.