Raa listened to Solares. She was still fiddling with the helmet he had passed her earlier as she tore out the ear piece, then inserted it into her inner ear. This allowed her to still hear the others without requiring the now useless and suffocating bulk, the air mask bit unrepairable. Her eyes tightened in her studying of his visor, her mind trying to determine if her gut was screaming liar. Sadly she failed, her vision unable to look past the darkened face piece and see his expression accurately. His body language was also hidden since she was currently being carried in his arms. His pace was slow and casual, keeping within the civilian group they were assigned to, while still tracking the Turian cabalists up ahead. His pace seemed off in the back of Raa’s mind but it could’ve been her stress from recent events. After all, according to Solares she was on the brink of temporary exhaustion period and that would likely affect her mind as well. At mention of a party, Raa smiled, a giggle starting up. “You need to ask your wife, Aviza, before you go partying all night. Else she’ll show you the meaning of pain if I recall the last time you had a wild party without informing her. “
Raa recalled Aviza’s last reaction to both Voira and Solares, the only one she wasn’t mad at was the younger Quarian. Thinking of Voira, Raa’s eyes shifted to view the Asari’s back. Naturally Voira had drawn her assault rifle and pulled to the group rear to lead the diplomats and civilians. Her eyes darted from end of the path to the other, seeking out potential threats, all the while keeping a steady pace between them. Something seemed to have upset her but Raa said nothing. She didn’t want to risk making the Asari’s mood worse, despite how much she wanted to ease over the hurt feelings. Of course Raa hadn’t heard the conversation RK and Voira had while she looked questioningly at the Asari’s relaxing posture shining through.
They continued down the lengthy hallway, drawing closer to their destination: the ship bay. A Turian, an officer under Sura’s command, had edged out of his hiding place and was immediately embraced by his commander. She naturally scolded him much in a way Raa knew Voira scolded her when she did something stupid. Tenderly and firmly. While the two exchanged information, Raa leaned into Solares’s shoulder to let her own emotions settle knowing they were likely to be out of this nightmare shortly. Sura had just moved to the open doorway, when a human voice popped up when Raa listened to Solares’ reply. The Qaurian blinked in confusion, until she realized the source and who it might’ve been. Gently she pushed her earpiece and listened to the information. She was relieved someone else was alive, her mind still rattled from the hostages being executed though she never saw or heard any of it, while she absorbed it.
"My group will provide covering fire and barriers as needed. We need to clear a safe path to the shuttle and eliminate any threat near it. Killing the hostiles in the areas is not our objective: Do it as we must, but we're not here to save the station. If any of you are injured, come see our medic immediately. We have plenty of Medigel and other supplies to ensure that you get out of here alive."
When the voice paused, a 3D map popped up on her Omnitool. Raa stared at wonder over the model, knowing it pretty well, as she couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement. Though she knew she shouldn’t because of the danger and hostile threat baring down the smaller group. At any moment they could die and Raa still got excited over a ship. If she wasn’t distracted, then Quarian might’ve considered slapping herself for the silliness. Her mind returned to the mention of medical supplies and she couldn’t wondering outloud. “I wonder if they have immunoboosters I could use to keep my sickness at bay a little longer. It might help me later and prolong my collapse.”
The voice continued. "If there are any of you with stealth capabilities we'd like to you sneak in and get into position to attack the enemy from behind. Preferably any of those who are near the shuttle. Those with defensive capabilities I would suggest you stay with the VIP's to ensure their protection. Everyone else we need to shut down the enemy and prevent them from destroying the shuttle. I don't care how you do it. Any questions?"
Raa looked to Solares, and smiled sheepishly .She had shut off her ear piece then added what she knew. “Voira had me download a tactical cloak to hide. I can try to get into the-”
Anything else was lost when Sura’s reply caught Raa’s attention.
"No offense lady but you and your crew bailed on us earlier trying to save your own skin. You tell your people to get out here with your diplomat and to join the rest of the group. We are a cabal with the Turian military and per the treaty BOTH of our governments signed after the reaper war I outrank you. The plan is solid but me and my people train for these types of breaching scenarios. Give me Donny and we'll clear a path for you all. If you attempt to leave without us again you will be considered enemies of the Turian state and her clients. If we have an understanding let's go." Sura replied to the offered up plan, leaving the Quarian uneased at the tone and tension thickening among the group.
Even her squad seemed a little shocked she had pointedly threatened the humans and demanding Donny’s assistance. She knew conflict and stress wasn’t going to help anyone. The one Turian that had nearly caused Raa to be shot gave one of his companions a look and received a mouthed phrased in exchange, showing Raa how uncharacteristic this was of their leader. Seemingly not through, Sura turned on her heel then barked more orders. "We're doing a standard room clear here. Numso and Cactus, drop anyone with ranged weapons first. Everyone else, provide support and stay grouped and use your biotics to reach out and touch the bastards with the wrath of the spirit. Diplomats and Raa stay behind the spear and you'll make it out. If you panic and run away I cannot guarantee your safety. Are we clear?"
The other Turians bellowed out a ‘Yessir” as they scrambled to obey. Raa nodded, though she wasn’t sure how well she would do. Guns firing was one thing but watching people dying was another. She turned to Solares and smiled, adding her confidence into her next words. “I think I can walk now. The Turian diplomat will need help running and she falls behind, she’ll drag others with her.”
Plans seemed to change when Avatar spoke up. "Alert: a standard attack is not advisable. The probability that enemy forces are creating an ambush is approximately 96%. The Human pilots of the shuttle are still alive, and the shuttle has not been breached, but enemy forces are likely capable of doing so at any time, either with a security override, or explosives. Since they have not, it is probable they intended to use the shuttle as a lure for those who survived the initial ambush. Therefore, they will expect us to attempt to return to it. I recommend executing a non-standard plan of attack to confuse the defenders."
Still insisting on his plan, he pulled up a map of the room based off camera recordings, to show of his suggestion in a visual manner. Raa’s eyes were fixed on the image though she knew she wouldn’t be needed. "The station VI has erased most of the virus I uploaded into the station's systems, but there is one file of consequence remaining which I concealed in the systems. When activated, it will divert all power in the airlocks towards emergency lighting, which will deactivate the primary lights, and overload the emergency lights. Are any combat personnel incapable of low-light vision?"
“I think Solares has low-light vision.” Raa spoke out loud, recalling some of the trouble they were in and his keen eyes.
