Mass Effect: Surviving Earth Snippet III

INT. MAKO - NIGHT

After getting a little bit of rest as Shepard talked with Anderson, a MAKO truck pulls up to Leonard’s unit of four. The driver opens the door. There are only two drivers inside.

DRIVER 3

We’re headed towards the beam. All of the Reaper ships seem to be gathering there. Some are even coming from space. We’ll go on ahead to secure a route. You should come with us. Commander Shepard and Admiral Anderson won’t be far behind. Come on.

Leonard’s unit rises to their feet and enters the truck. Leonard turns and looks at Commander Shepard and Admiral Anderson one last time. He nods and closes the door. The truck takes off.

LEONARD MITCHELL

Aren’t we less likely to be attacked on foot?

DRIVER 3

There’s a swarm of Reapers between here and that beam. Trust me, with the turret still able to mow them down, this’ll be far better for you than on foot. This guy here has saved quite a bit of people on our way up here.

LEONARD MITCHELL

Alright. Sounds good.

DRIVER 4

You guys sound winded. Was it bad?

LEONARD MITCHELL

Worse.

DRIVER 4

Well I guess I should be glad you’re alive. The original crew with us didn’t make it. They went on foot to clear the road. We got ambushed, and they were killed.

LEONARD MITCHELL

That’s unfortunate.

DRIVER 3

It’s expected.

DRIVER 4

Yeah... We didn’t think we’d make it this far. We’re usually the main targets. You saw what they did to the tanks.

LEONARD MITCHELL

They nearly leveled the entire block we were on to take out the tanks.

DRIVER 4

Exactly. This guy managed to dodge a lot of close calls. I’m just taking out as many as I can before our luck runs out.

LEONARD MITCHELL

Well now that we’re here, hopefully it won’t run out for a good while.

DRIVER 3

Here’s to hoping.

The drivers take them closer to the beam.

EXT. HILL - NIGHT

The MAKO pulls up to the hill just above the beam.

MONTAGE

INT. MAKO -

LEONARD MITCHELL

(Pointing)

Look out!

EXT. - A beam from Harbinger skids just in front of the truck. The driver swerves out of the way and crashes into rubble.

INT. -

DRIVER 3

(Flustered)

Oh my goodness that was close!

DRIVER 4

(Lifts hands, relieved)

Hoooo, luck strikes again.

LEONARD MITCHELL

(Tapping driver)

Back up before it recharges!

DRIVER 3

I’m on it!

The driver backs the truck up. The other driver controls the turret and begins firing on every Reaper he sees.

EXT. - Behind them, everyone charges towards the beam. Harbinger blasts everything in the area away with multiple beams.

INT. - Leonard watches other vehicles getting targeted. The driver pulls back up to the top of the hill. Leonard sees Shepard and Anderson making a push for the beam.

LEONARD MITCHELL

(Tapping driver; pointing)

Let’s go!

DRIVER 3

Alright! Here we go!

EXT. - The driver pushes the truck down the hill. More and more vehicles are getting blown up all around them.

INT. -

LEONARD MITCHELL

Don’t drive in a straight line! Zig-zag!

DRIVER 3

I don’t want to hit anyone trying to make a run for it!

LEONARD MITCHELL

We’ll get shot if you don’t!

EXT. - Beams fire from all directions as Harbinger attacks.

INT. -

DRIVER 3

(Looking)

There’s Commander Shepard!

LEONARD MITCHELL

(Pointing ahead)

Look!

END OF MONTAGE

Red Reaper beam strikes the tires of the MAKO and flips it over just before the beam to portal to the Citadel. Harbinger continues to fire on all those approaching as the wheels on the truck come to stop.

EXT. HILL - NIGHT

Leonard wakes up to find everyone else unconscious or struggling to move. He shoots his way out of the MAKO. He crawls out and helps Desiree get out as well. She seems fine.

LEONARD MITCHELL

Babe, you alright?

DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL

Yeah. (Grunts) I’m fine. Just bruised.

Leonard looks up to the white beam heading up to the Citadel in space.

LEONARD MITCHELL

Come on. We’re almost there.

DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL

Alright.

They dart out in front of everyone only to find a beam shooting just above their heads. The explosion sends them flying in two separate directions.

EXT. CITADEL PORTAL -- NIGHT

Leonard wakes with his back propped up against some box, unsure of how he got there. He looks up and sees Shepard limping his way towards the beam. He tries to help but falls unconscious.

Desiree rises up in the distance and sees husks coming for Leonard and Shepard. She covers them as Shepard goes past Leonard. Shepard takes out a Marauder just before going into the beam. She sees Leonard passed out against the box. She rushes towards him without any concern for the Reapers. She covers him until help arrives. Reaper ships begin to head towards space.