Chapter 42 – Attack on Virmire

Deep beneath the seas of Virmire, the infested pustules ruptured and birthed a deluge of lifeforms.

Hunters with aquatic adaptations swam beneath the waves, as agile as on land and as swift as ever. They leapt and kicked with ease through the water thanks to a hydrodynamic design to their exoskeletal structure. They however were slower than the now fish-like Flyers.

These Flyers traded wings for flexible pectoral fins that allowed them to glide and skip across the water's surface like a smooth stone, only occasionally diving underneath the surface for a moment to jerk upwards at full speed to launch themselves out of the water again in a motion not unlike a dolphin.

Slow moving Behemoths simply walked along the ocean floor, withstanding crushing pressures as long pillar like legs propelled them forward toward the lab, a giant crustacean-like shell protecting its features.

Great swarms of Indra floated upwards to the clouds where they replicated again and again, tinting the clouds green as sparks and bolts of lightning flashed above.

The spider like Anansi walked on strong pillar-like legs through the seas, a trio of long scorpion-like tails with whistle guns and sheer hairs tore through the waters as they made their way through the oceans.

An army of Blacklight, larger and more numerous than ever, made a beeline towards the labs. They moved with purpose in a perfect straight line directly for their target.

It would not survive the coming battle.

Droyas did not waste any time setting up his sonic sensors. The moment they activated he found it. A silent cacophony of infrasound that was being broadcast all across the labs.

He didn't know if this was what was causing the changes, he couldn't know that, but why chance it.

He wasted no time downloading everything onto his omnitool, his assistant Rana just as frantically gathering everything they could.

He would not lose months or years of research because of this. If there was a cure to the genophage, he would not start from scratch.

Samples would have to be destroyed or left behind, but it was the observations that were important.

Everything on the Krogan Titans was also taken, after all, you never know when information like that could come in handy.

Once Droyas collected everything, he looked to Rana, the Asari's eyes glued to her omnitool as her fingers danced across the holographic device. She looked to her boss and nodded.

"I have everything Dr. Droyas."

"Are you sure? I will not have months of data lost because you wished to rush out the door. So I'll ask again, are you sure you have everything?"

"Yes sir, I am sure."

"Good. I hope you are right, for your sake."

Rana said nothing as she followed the old Krogan out of the lab and into the halls. They made their way past the Geth and scarce few Collectors to find Desolas speaking with a soldier of his. The Turian General turned from his soldier to Droyas, who nodded.

Desolas' mandibles flared only a moment, and there was a look of dread in his eyes as he motioned for the Krogan to follow.

They made their way to one of the few places in this lab where none could eavesdrop on this particular conversation. A simple room with no equipment, only stored materials. They hid behind crates of ammo and weaponry as Desolas checked his surroundings. Once he felt the area was secure he looked to the Krogan.

"So, there is something, isn't there?"

"I detected infrasound, multiple signals. If anything could affect behavior like this, that would be it. I'll admit it may be nothing, but if it is something, and we choose to stay, I can't say it won't affect us somehow. Better safe than controlled."

"Are you sure, is there really something there. Why aren't we affected?"

"Maybe we have stronger wills, maybe it's a genetic quirk, maybe it's not even there, or maybe it is."

"What do you mean maybe it is?"

"We have been subjected to it for weeks, if not months. Maybe it has already changed us, but we can't see it. We might never know for sure, but if we do stay, and it IS here, then we become like them."

Desolas nodded gravely. He was silent for a moment before he shook his head in what looked like depression and looked to Dr. Droyas.

"Then we leave, as soon as possible. I have a ship ready, and I provided a reason for our departure. We shouldn't be stopped or shot down so long as we behave inconspicuously."

"How many are coming?" asked the Krogan.

Desolas made a face as he answered.

"Only a few, those who do not show any symptoms of change. The rest will be left behind."

Rana's eyes widened as she looked to the Turian.

"You're just going to leave them here?" she asked shocked.

She immediately regretted it as the air grew denser and Desolas glared at her with palpable hate.

"I will not risk what few I can trust by letting a possible traitor onto my ship to warn them of what is going on. I cannot risk my crew. If I must leave behind the lost, then so be it. If there was any other way, ANY at all, they would come with us, but we do not have the time."

Rana took a tentative step back.

"I will not repeat myself, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Be ready when I call, or you will be left behind."

And like that, the atmosphere returned and Desolas merely walked away.

Droyas looked to the Turian before turning to Rana. He said nothing as he simply walked away.

Rana said nothing; she knew she had struck a nerve. She could see the guilt in the Turian and the anger of her accusation. He did not want to think about what he was doing. Didn't want to be reminded that he was doing something he hated. He knew what he was doing was terrible, but what choice did he have? Logically he had to do it, but emotions and logic rarely mix well.

She would not pry.

She couldn't really, at least not in her current state.

The whispering was getting even worse by the day. They were telling her things she did not want to hear, things that cut deep into her very soul.

Horrible things.

Hateful things.

Painful things.

Things that made her willing to do anything to just make them stop.

It wouldn't be long though. All she had to do was endure it for just a little bit more, and then they could stop. The voices would stop talking. Stop speaking those things, things that were best not to dwell too long on. Things that had been planted inside of her and were now festering like an unclean wound.

But it was just sounds, nothing more. She could fight it. She had to fight it. There was no other alternative. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she couldn't let them know the truth, not if she wanted to get off this damnable, forsaken planet.

A planet that never relented.

Never stopped taking.

Never stopped chattering.

Never stopped berating.

Never stopped whispering.

NO! No, she had to be strong. She couldn't think about it.

The whispering would not get to her. She would shake them off, try to banish them away like all the time before, but before she could, something unexpected happened.

The alarms blared.

They were under attack.

The sound of a hundred sharp whistles tore through the quiet air right before capsules of flesh and bone shattered across the walls of the lab, an explosion of pressurized air tearing through concrete and bending metal. Green clouds sparking with lightning moved against the wind, firing bolts of electricity at any sensitive infrastructure that could be found.

Machinery died as Hunters and Flyers flung themselves from the water into the openings torn into the building.

Turians were the first to fall, mauled and torn apart and swiftly consumed as their bullets harmlessly bounced off the thick hide of the giant beasts that were Blacklight. Behemoths tore through buildings as the massive Anansi exited the waters, walking towards the docks to snatch Turians and Collectors, wrapping them up in webbing created by sophisticated spinnerets, to be left bound and taken out of the fight as the Indra went to the Geth.

Swarms of infected larger than any that all but the Turians had ever seen tore through the buildings and soldiers with swift and overwhelming force.

Desolas watched the carnage as familiar beasts tore through everything. Why did this have to happen now?

How did Blacklight find them?

It didn't matter now, all that mattered was getting off this planet.

He saw one of his soldiers firing at a trio of hunters, and without hesitation, Desolas drew his weapon, and fired. Bloodtox rounds did something to the beasts, something more than traditional rounds would have, but it wasn't enough.

"Get to the ship!" screamed Desolas as he tossed a Bloodtox gas grenade and dived behind cover.

The familiar orange gas filled the area as the Hunters screamed in pain, only for Desolas to hear a large thump. One of the Hunters had leapt out of the cloud, landing right in front of him.

Its body leaking unfamiliar fluids, it looked sickly, but not as much as it should be.

The things body shifted, as its hide cracked and was shed apart, revealing a new pristine exoskeleton beneath. It turned to look to Desolas, a tiger like head covered in a chitinous carapace with long sabre-like fangs.

A long reptilian tongue slithered across the long teeth as it stalked forward.

Desolas looked into the creature's face as it came face to face with him. Desolas only stared back, slowly rising his rifle to the ready. Before the Hunter could slam its claws into Desolas, something slid across the floor, and released Bloodtox Gas.

Desolas wasted no time getting to his feet and getting to his group who had thrown the grenade. He fired at anything that moved on more than two legs.

Desolas looked out toward the battle as great titans smashed everything within reach. Behemoths snatched Geth with a long prehensile tongue before crushing the Geth in their jaws.

Desolas looked to the docks, where giant Anansi were smacking around one of their few means of escape.

Desolas knew he had to work fast, and despite the chaos going on around him, he took charge.

"Everyone to the ship no…"

Before Desolas could finish, the ground shook, and the roof caved in as a truly massive insect like leg stepped through the building. Covered in razor sharp hairs covered in blood and gore, the leg ended in what looked like a frighteningly sharp blade.

Desolas fell in sync with the beasts stomp as debris fell on him and his team. Grunting from pain as he felt his leg shatter he looked up at the giant spider that peeked in on him, almost as if it knew he was there, and then he remembered it did.

It could see through the eyes of the Hunter. It knew exactly from before.

He stared into its many iridescent eyes as it spat webbing directly at Desolas, then everything went dark.

Droyas screamed as he punted the Flyer across the room. His skin burned from the flames the flying monster spewed forth. Rana hid in the corner, clutching her head seemingly in pain. The Old Krogan glared at her before turning back to the Flyer, who looked like it was thrashing to right itself. Then, it started to shed parts of itself that became small skittering insects that soon became a swarm that took to the air and furiously flew around Droyas.

Teeth like chainsaws shredded against his flesh as they circled him. Dr. Droyas could only scream as they tore deeper and deeper into him. Millions of thin razor like hairs dragged across his burnt skin, into his muscle, slicing through bone like it wasn't even there. Droyas screamed as he began to fall apart into pieces, the insects digging into him, piercing and parting his skin before crawling into him to release multiple strains of Blacklight into him.

He thrashed around for the few moments his limbs were still attached to his body. Then, after but a few more seconds, all that remained was a pile of gristle that was slowly but surely being consumed.

Rana never stopped screaming when she finally opened her eyes. She took off, unconsciously creating a biotic barrier around her, moving with speed unlike any other.

The insects were still cutting into Droyas when she took off. She had no destination in mind.

When the ground shook, and dozens of Hydra emerged from the earth, she did not stop.

She ran.

Okeer watched as broken Geth, many in pieces, would drag themselves across the ground to continue the fight. He knew this was a losing battle, but if he was going to die, he would do so fighting. But first, he had to do one small thing.

Even as the alarms blared and the battle became more and more hopeless, he smiled. Smiled as he activated the Titans growing in their tanks.

He watched as they fell out, and got to their feet, clutching their heads in pain. The Dragons Teeth that skewered the others lowered, releasing the Husk beasts as they roared and activated. The whine and screeching of machinery came from the titanic Husks as they charged into battle.

Okeer looked to his personal project. It looked like his work would be for nothing, as it still had so long to go before it could be ready. Still, he could stand by his principles.

Grabbing a modified M-300 Claymore, Okeer joined the fight.

The cybernetic Krogan monstrosity lumbered out of the facility, swiping blindly at everything within arm's reach. It roared, exhaling a stream of Bloodtox gasses as it grabbed a nearby Collector. It flung the Collector with great strength into a pack of Hunters with such force that the one hit broke in half.

Then more came, attacking everything in sight.

One was skewered by the tongue of a Hydra, but it planted its feet on the ground, and with strength far beyond what even the massive beast should have it tore the Hydra from the earth as the Bloodtox biochemistry in its blood caused the Hydra's tongue to undergo necrosis.

The now squirming Hydra slithered like a snake, retracting its now ruined tongue as its head shifted and changed into a pair of powerful jaws. Hundreds of long legs sprouted from its sides as it grew thick armor. The Hydra, removed from the earth, now looked not unlike a heavily armored millipede as it skittered towards the pack.

Normal Hydra emerged from the ground into a great forest of Biomass, many exhaling gouts of flames and nerve agents. The lumbering titans then showed a level of agility they should not have as they leapt into the fray.

The Giant Millipede construct of Biomass created many spiked tendrils not unlike that of a vinegaroon, slashing at random into the cybernetic beasts that attempted to lunge upon it. A steady stream of acidic chemicals spraying out in an arc towards the things.

Many were covered in severe burns, or made sluggish by the nerve gasses released by the Hydra.

As the battle continued, Geth ships flew from over the horizon, coming in fast as they unleashed a massive airstrike over the laboratories.

Flames rained down from the skies as the Geth all but nuked the land. Firebombing the area using what many in the galactic community would consider somewhat primitive incendiaries, but it was brutally effective.

Until the earth started to break and crack.

The ground bulged and rose as a massive fleshy thing grew forth from the earth. It rose from the ground slowly, a mountain of flesh slowly emerging from the ground like some ancient deity. It rose, and rose, and still it rose.

So great in size that it blotted out the sun with over 100,000 metric tons of biomass. Seemingly soft flesh was weaved with a honeycomb of carbon, and laced with heavy metals that could only be detected by a fain glimmer across its surface.

It still rose.

The Collectors stopped, and looked to this thing that was so large that a fair sized Bioship would look small in comparison. The Heretic Geth ships wasted no time in raining fire and ash and death upon it. It barely scratched the skin of carbon nano-fibers and metals.

It continued to rise.

Beneath the thing, many a long tendril not unlike the Hydra lashed out in wild chaotic thrashing that destroyed buildings and tore the earth apart like it was made of glass.

Then the giant tumor like growth fully emerged from the ground, held up by three sets of spinal vertebra, a bulbous thing with a strange misshapen maw with hundreds, if not thousands of Hydra for limbs.

Then it screamed.

It screamed a scream so terrible that the color was seemingly sucked from the world, a cacophonous bellow that shook the very earth, sending powerful shockwaves across the lands, and bringing the Geth ships to the ground.

Elizabeth Greene had joined the fight, and she had come bearing the form of MOTHER.

The hulking mass of flesh squirmed upon many hydra limbs, and biomass spread everywhere she tread, across everything she touched.

The massive amount of biomass she accumulated to attain this form showed as she towered over the Behemoths and even the Anansi by many orders of magnitude. Only the absolute largest of Bioships could compare to MOTHER.

It pulled apart carbonized steel and dense ceramics of the laboratories like they were nothing, letting everyone know that this was no war, this was a demonstration of complete overwhelming force. Numbers too large to count and monsters too large to be anything natural.

The battle didn't last long.

Deep within the citadel, cables of cyber neural filaments wrapped around a quantum Blue Box pulsed with energy as it began to analyze something other than that which was within its software. A mind built on fixed, stable and ceaseless logic, the Catalyst, changed for a brief moment, experiencing fear for the very first time.

It watched the footage from Virmire as Blacklight used the Reapers' own tactics against them. This was a great loss, but one the Reapers could recover from. Virmire was but a single factory for Husks, Husks that could be produced anywhere, but to see what Blacklight was truly capable of, it made the AI pause for just a moment.

That was not the only thing on its mind.

Its creations, its solution, its Reapers, were changing on an unprecedented level. This greatly confused and confounded the Catalyst. Were the Reapers not the pinnacle of creation? Were they not the Perfect solution? How could one improve upon perfection?

The Catalyst thought and wondered how it was that Blacklight could cause such a shift in them, something that should be impossible.

Stagnant…

What was this? An error in the code perhaps?

No, the code, the raw data, if not the very soul of the Reapers was carefully programmed and designed. It could not degrade. It was forever being watched and appraised, and if necessary edited by the Catalyst.

No, it could not be an error.

What was that word Blacklight used again?

Stagnation?

That was what Blacklight called the Reapers. Did that word cut deeper than originally believed? Was that simple word the key to all the change from the norm?

Perhaps this was beyond what the Catalyst could understand with its current data.

Of course, it didn't matter, it was still in control as it always would be, and it accepted that. It could learn. It was built to learn, to gain knowledge, and through that knowledge perhaps it could adapt.

It would accept these changes, but The Catalyst did not know why it did.

Perhaps it was not just the Reapers who were changing; perhaps it was the Catalyst itself that was changing with them.

It had assumed that the cycles would always be the same, they had to be until synthesis arrived, but this changed something, and the Catalyst was fairly sure it wasn't synthesis.

One thing was certain, it now knew why its Reapers were wary of Blacklight.

The Reapers, those eldritch machines, drifted within the great black void. Their cold mechanical bodies had been static and stationary for millennia, in a state of near complete motionlessness, yet even in this state, their minds were not idle. They communed with one another, engaging in a sort of cooperative introspection.

They analyzed the battle, where their enemy destroyed their husk production facility. The loss of that lab was small, for they could rebuild it, but it showed something. How Blacklight worked, how it fought at its fullest.

It overwhelmed, and outnumbered.

The Reapers were aware of this tactic, for they themselves used it with the Husks.

This method of engagement would be analyzed, and counteracted. With each battle, the Reapers would learn. With each new weapon, the Reapers would build a counter.

They could afford to do so again and again, until it was time to awaken. Then they could attack a weakened Blacklight, one that could be eradicated from existence.

No longer allowed to spread their vile infection.

No longer allowed to grow and germinate like a twisted cancer.

No longer allowed to consume and feed.

No longer allowed to breathe or think.

No longer allowed to exist.