Snippet #1839129

Tia had just finished stripping and cleaning her replacement HMW shotgun when the call came to gear up and meet in the shuttle bay as part of a fire team. She donned her own light armor supplementing it with some heavier chest and back pieces before adding her M-3 Predator, the M-8 Avenger rifle and her favorite, the shotgun. Taking up her helmet, Tia was on her way out of her room in less than 15 minutes, checking the settings on her specialized Omni tool and the enhanced shield settings on her armor. She'd learned a long time ago that you had to be as prepared as possible for those inevitable nasty surprises.

She still felt feverish and wan, but shunted that aside. There was no time to feel sick. Joining the others in the shuttle bay, Tia found herself assigned to Daniel, one of Horn's Demons. One of the last ones, Tia realized. Even Horn was out of the picture for the time being. She'd only spoken to the man once before, so she didn't know him well. She'd just have to hope he knew what he was doing. Hoping and praying seemed to be all she was doing lately. It felt bad. Really bad. She couldn't keep dodging the proverbial bullet forever.

She and the others listened to the briefing from Invaru and then from Daniel. The very idea of trying to grab a husk started a low murmur of disbelief from the 2 fire teams. Lt. O'Ryan squashed those immediately. Listening to Kelly, Tia tried to remember what she could about Husks. She'd never been in a combat with them. But, in her year of surgery and rehab, she'd been briefed and read up on everything known that Cerebrus might possibly run across. Husks were no more than shells where organic material is replaced with cybernetic devices. These shells are controlled in some way, but Tia couldn't locate by who. She knew they always came in packs and staying out of range is usually the best strategy. Taking out their legs, she remembered also worked remarkably well, her grip tightened on her shotgun.

Tia glanced at the display Kelly pulled up of Lucr'n next and the details there made Tia very uncomfortable. The electro-magnetic fields would play havoc with their shields, so they would be useless in no time. Her own arm might well be affected, though it did have some substantial internal shielding that was supposed to be more than adequate to most such fields. It had never been tested, that she knew of, anyway. The earthquakes could be another issue. Their footing would be sketchy at best and if they were in the midst of being attacked, then it could seriously hamper their movements. She'd have to keep that at the back of her mind.

The overall plan was laid out, including the search area and news that the Vindicator would also be backing them up. That made Tia's brow's raise in surprise. Just what was so important about grabbing a single husk that warranted risking 2 of Cerebrus' precious few resources. She sighed in frustration because she knew that she'd never know the answer to these questions. She had to admit a small sense of relief having some back up on this one.

Soon after, the two teams were seated in the drop ship when Daniel, who was seated across from her got her attention. He laid out his idea of using her synthetic arm to her advantage in order to grab a husk. Tia's brow raised at the very idea. "You understand I'm an Engineer, right, Lieutenant?" She suddenly grinned at him, "Can't get your own dates?" He returned her grin and before they could shake on the deal, she was already working out how to pull this whole thing off. The door opened onto a ruined landscape that had been ravaged by radiation, earthquakes and war, even so, Tia was still considering her little snatch and grab. The claws were supposed to be dangerous....cuff them. Was a husk stronger than a human? Maybe...definitely err on the side of crushing it, if it came down to it. She stepped out behind Daniel, HMW in her hands immediately upon her feet hitting the ground.

Tia's brain was still working. Grab the thing from behind, break it's arms or immobilize them, then, left arm under the left armpit and across the chest. Needed to be a short one...something she could lift completely off the ground if needs be. She wouldn't be able to use her jump pack until she had the thing. She had the feeling it would prove to be a crucial point in getting her bundle of joy back to the ship.

Tia was so engrossed in working out her strategy, that she had nearly walked right into Nerita who was moving out front with Daniel. "Oh! I'm sorry, Nerita." She whispered. Nerita glanced down at her then stepped aside, "I will watch your back, Saint." The Asari said quietly. It surprised Tia, but she nodded her thanks and moved up beside Daniel. "Ready when you are, Lieutenant."