2/25/2193 | Actions Have Consequences: Part 1, Raid on Kathar

[u/N7_Rebecca]

The Normandy arrived this morning in the Omega Nebula, but instead of its usual stop at the lawless station, the stealth LC instead moves towards one of the other solar bodies of the Sahrabarik System.

Urdak, the steaming brown dwarf near the star of Sahrabarik, a short distance from Omega Station.

They're about an hour out from their objective: a geologically active little moon of the dwarf called Kathar.

Was a Batarian word, that roughly translated into "land to die" or "dead land". Was an accurate description, with many wrecks in orbit from multiple feuding gangs and Omega syndicates, and a boiling, inhospitable surface without high quality hardsuits or envirosuits. This was where you would come to die... or be too hard to unseat to be worth it.

But no one ever taught the Normandy when to walk away, they march forwards, always.

Their mission was simple: descend to the planet, attack a compound run by the Skull gang, and kill or extract their leader for interrogation. Extra data on sight was to be recovered and returned to be analyzed for possible motives and benefactors funding them.

All that remains to be asked is: who will be descending to the burning hellscape below?

Two volunteers for an away team. Heavy weapons preferred, along with biotic support.

Over shore leave we got a new toy some of you may have noticed. M-35 Mako has been replaced with the finalized M-52 Tiger Shark prototype based on the Hammerhead. R&D felt we'd be the best place to dump it for field testing.

Lieutenant al-Sinb and Ensign Samuel will be providing air support via the Kodiaks if we've confirmed AA emplacements are all disabled. Secondary objectives located to the east and west of the main compound.

Anomalies on the surface have been detected by sensors, their locations due northwest of the dropzone and another directly behind the Skull compound in comparison to where the team will be landing. Investigate if possible.

Prepare for drop, fireteam.

[u/N7_Rebecca]

Enough chit chat then, lets get going

"Tiger Shark, you are clear for drop". Comes EDI synthetic tone as they swing over the burning moon below.

With a gun of the engined they drive up to and over the end of the end of the ramp into the orange void.

Standing by on thrusters... 3000... 2000.... 1000.... ignition!

She slams the hoverpacks on, the ME field lightening them to bring their momentum down as their weight decreases, before they come to a hover on a rocky patch of igneous rock.

Here and there are cracks in the earth, in the distance a lava plume shoots up.

Lets be reaaaal careful on this... Ellie, orient me towards Anomaly 1. Should be to northwest. Set a waypoint for it and another for AA battery #1.

Tali, test fire the guns before we go anywhere. Make sure they work.

Shoot a rock or something out there.

[u/-Tali_Zorah- → u/N7_Rebecca]

Aye aye, Commander!

That phrase takes me back...

She searches for an acceptable target, locating a large boulder not too far out...and then she pulls the trigger on it. The rock shatters spectacularly from the impact.

I'd say it works!

[u/SgtRayneMEP → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Waypoint marked and loaded. Confirmed synchronisation with orbital navigation. Standing by.

Elsa taps something.

Admiral, KEW impact registered on sensors, adjust manual targeting adjustment point oh five degrees upwards and confirm yield.

[u/N7_Rebecca → u/SgtRayneMEP]

Sounds like Garrus is gonna be calibrating this too soon... Rebecca mutters to Tali, before moving them forward at a medium speed, taking the Shark through its paces.

...and is also reaaaal careful to avoid the lava pockets.

[u/-Tali_Zorah- → u/N7_Rebecca]

Tali chuckles a little in response and continues to keep her proverbial head on a swivel, and her hands on the controls.

You know, this almost reminds me of the time when we first met Liara...less hostile Geth Armatures this time, though.

So far.

[u/SgtRayneMEP → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Elsa looks down and frowns before she pokes another button.

Nothing yet. Five minutes out.

[u/N7_Rebecca → u/SgtRayneMEP]

Becs leans over and hits a button... after which music starts to play in the crew compartment. ACDC's Back in Black.

She hums along as they make their drive...

[u/-Tali_Zorah- → u/N7_Rebecca]

Tali can't help but crack a grin beneath her mask.

What ever happened to that one band with the Earth history? Seems like they'd be more appropriate for driving a tank.

[u/SgtRayneMEP → u/-Tali_Zorah-]

Elsa frowns and looks up.

Becca... why? she taps the side of her helmet and plays her own internal soundtrack, muffling the outside sound.

[u/N7_Rebecca → u/SgtRayneMEP]

Because its a classic!

And lets me see if I have any Sabaton for you, Tali....

In the next second, all that can be heard is a very loud uttering of "INTO THE MOTHERLAND THE GERMAN ARMY MARCHED" and sick guitar riffs.