Rona

The hidden treasure of @_FifthCircle. Always grounded, but destined to soar. #WevelVerse2 #MERP #PostME3

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@DirectPromenade @GumshoeMan @LambOfShepard @HackAndDash @_FifthCircle @Junacall @AFeltzer @ClemNee @Kephunter @N7Phantom *The Paladins split off inside. In time, they each found their "spot" and the associated jobs to contribute. Rona took the time to explore every inch of the ship, finding several nooks and crannies that wouldn't be immediately visible to the others...*

[Director Kobin @DirectPromenade]

In the time after the Blacklist War, Promenade had thrived. With the advent of Yang, Kepler, Beatrice, and so many more, the rebirth of the Paladin program had ensured those many victories, helping lead to a great change in the galaxy.

[Liara T'Soni @Liarard]

Four long months passed since the Paladins intervened at the Citadel. In that time, Liara observed and participated in change, and transition toward a brighter future for Citadel Space and beyond.

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@_FifthCircle @Liarard @ClemNee @LambOfShepard Things will be different....

I am home.

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@Liarard @_FifthCircle @ClemNee @LambOfShepard Bea looks just like you...all of you do!

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@GumshoeMan @AFeltzer @LambOfShepard @HackAndDash @_FifthCircle @Junacall @ClemNee *Rona tugged near the bottom of Bea's coat and whispered*

Power.

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@_FifthCircle @LambOfShepard *A whirlwind of mass effect fields surrounded Rona as she approached Bea. Her fingers were sparkling with energy, and the floor boomed with every step. The power channeling through the Force edge gravitated toward her.*

If you can't dismantle it, then I will do it myself!

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash Back at C-SEC HQ, the children were attended to, along with the wounded. Rona looked for a quiet spot, and found Cassie sitting alone at a certain desk in a certain office. Glances exchanged as Rona stepped in, and in silence, Cassie took the asari into her arms...

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona's lips trembled as she nodded.*

I understand...I'll be waiting at HQ for you t-to come back when you're f-finished. Thank you, Mr. Stark.

*Rona handed him a folded up drawing: head portraits of them both smiling. The children pulled Rona away, and she left Stark behind.*

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash N-No, not without you! You come with me.

*She grabbed his coat and pulled.*

You come with me!

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona's lips trembled. She peered down at her hands, stained with blood from Stark's jacket.*

...I have to fight, don't I?

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *The commandos screamed as they were gunned down. Explosions shattered decorative glass around them, and furniture was sent flying overhead.*

I don't care to kill them, I want to go! We released the children! We can go, Mr. Stark!

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash Mr. Stark, you're bleeding...

*The children reached the exit, along with one commando who escorted them away from the site. Rona pulled at Stark's coat to drag him into cover behind a desk.*

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona skittered away as some of the children chose to fight, getting gunned down in the process. Rona's fingertips shined blue, but she held back, opting to move the remaining ones to safety instead.*

Stark, we have to leave!

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *The commandos had set traps at the doors, which triggered as the enemies burst through. Many of them toppled over each other, but, it wasn't enough. A deadly force came through and opened fire with unrelenting aggression.*

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona searched the sides of the test tubes until she found the latch to open them. With help from Stark, they opened all of the tanks. Most of the children were slow to respond, and even slower to move; some attacked, but were too weak to hurt anyone.*

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona didn't want to look, but she forced herself to, and flashes of old memories came back to her. She turned away from the feed as Stark continued watching.*

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *Rona placed a hand on the glass of one captive. She studied the blank expression on the child's sleeping face, then checked the tubes pumping substances into the body*

This is horrid.

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash *One of the commando weapons clattered toward Rona. She reached for it, then stopped herself and continued forward.*

We've lost half of our squad...

[Rona @TemperedOath]

@HackAndDash Oh, no...no, no, no!! No! Mr. Stark, it is happening again! We have to stop this, no matter what!