John fell back with a curse as his pistol overheated for the umpteenth time. Dumping the red-hot thermal clip, he slotted a fresh one in. One left. Damn, that was a lot of bad guys. He peeked out from behind cover and fired a burst. The shots took a Collector Guardian right in the stomach, toppling it. His Essence reserves nearly exhausted, he was forced to limit himself to mundane firearms and biotics. Too many guns still up for the typical Vanguard SOP.<br/><br/>'Damn, did Harbinger throw<span style="font-style: italic">everyone</span>at us?' he yelled above the din.<br/><br/>Indeed, it seemed like the entire ship was making its way towards the three. Just wonderful. Well, at least they had extra firepower. The Geth's weapon systems were a blessing in these tight quarters, ripping the insectoid warriors to shreds with firepower most commonly found on light assault vehicles. The deep, throaty buzz of the rotary cannon reverberated throughout the corridor, keeping the horde at bay for the time being. John noticed, however, that the weapon's barrels began to glow. Neither he, Donovan, or the Geth could keep up the fight forever.<br/><br/>'One, Four,' he said on the comm.<br/><br/>'Four, One. Send it.'<br/><br/>'Interrogative. What's the progress on your end, Shepard?'<br/><br/>'Smooth sailing. Nil resistance for the most part. We're nearing the facility's central chamber. Sounds like you guys are getting some, though.'<br/><br/>John cursed again as a round glanced off his ruined helmet. 'You could say that, boss. Our Geth friend was followed by just about every Collector on the ship. Low on heatsinks and I tally maybe fifty, sixty hostiles on my motion sensors. More on the way, too. We might be able to hit the power plant, but it'll take time.'<br/><br/>Shepard paused briefly, likely considering her options. 'Four, your mission is scrubbed. EDI's detecting something massive in the center chambers. Energy readings are even higher than the reactor core's. I need you guys up here soonest. Map says you're about halfway to the reactor room. Fall back about thirty meters and take the side door. Once you're through there, you can link up with One and Two. Three's returning from civvie escort duties, so they're on their way up as well.'<br/><br/>'Will do, One.'<br/><br/>John shut off the commlink and rose, firing an Essence-charged Shockwave. Drones scattered, thrown this way and that as biotic energies detonated in their midst. The horde was stymied, at least temporarily, blocked by the prone and dazed forms clogging the narrow corridor. With his tongue, del Pilar flicked the external broadcast switch in his helmet.<br/><br/>'Fall back, gents. I say again, fall back. New objective is to link up with the other teams. Back thirty, then through the side door. Fighting retreat. You too, Geth.'<br/><br/>He fired again at the Collectors attempting to advance over their fallen comrades. Explosive rounds cored their oversized heads and blew limbs from torsos, painting the ship a sickly shade of yellow.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">DIRECT INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY,</span>boomed a disembodied voice.<span style="font-weight: bold">WE SHALL HAVE YOU, EXALTS, WHETHER WE SPEND A THOUSAND OR A MILLION. YOU SHALL NOT ESCAPE ALIVE.</span><br/><br/>John groaned. Worst. Boss monster. Ever. 'Move<span style="font-style: italic">now</span>, if you please, gents!' His pistol clicked dry again. Backtracking carefully, the Solar reloaded with his last heatsink and fired into the oncoming tide. Seventeen shots. Sixteen. Fifteen. Fourteen...