Alex watches Shepard smirk at the ExoGeni executives. They quickly huddle together, and then one of them—a younger man, seemingly in his mid-thirties—begins to speak.
“We are… making an offer. Full disclosure… however! The Butcher leaves now. Not only this room, but this building! If you want to intimidate us with violence, you will not succeed!”
“Why do I need violence when I have proof of your cris? Do you think the Alliance will forgive what you’ve done? This is your only chance to survive this sohow. I need information… NOW!” Shepard responds aggressively.
“Fine! However, we still demand you remove that butcher!” the man replies.
Alex sighs and gets up, standing next to Shepard, whispering, “I guess I should leave. That way they might think they’ve won at least on one level.”
“Whatever. Take a break outside. Once they’ve spilled everything, we’re leaving this shithole anyway.” Shepard states bluntly.
Alex then waves at Tali and Liara and leaves the room, quickly riding the elevator back to the lobby and walking outside the building, standing next to the shuttles they arrived in.
That should have earned a couple of World Fragnts, right? Let’s see where I’m at!
[World Fragnts: 85]
[Warning: Player has gained a large amount of fa and a title.
Title: Butcher
Effect: People in this world who recognize you will instantly fear you.]
[Warning: Your Allignnt changed from True Neutral to Chaotic Neutral.]
…Shit. I wanted to play the Paragon to Shepard’s whole Renegade attitude… that worked out brilliantly. Good job, Alex…. This title may seem terrible at first, but perhaps it’s also sothing useful. How did I receive this much reputation this fast? Also, I’ve never heard of Alignnt. I need to find out more once I’m back in the Realm.
He then notices a ssage from nchi.
[nchi: Alex, there is a wild video on the Extranet. It’s blowing up in popularity. It’s a collection of you killing various people on the Citadel and then what looks to be 10 security officers. People are getting crazy, your sword and your supposed tech skills are too eye-catching. It just appeared 10 minutes ago, but the most popular clip is already at close to 100 million views! Many people on the Citadel are talking about it.]
Fucking ExoGeni! They’re behind this… Maybe a few comrades of the security officers leaked it. I hope nothing bad will happen because of that.
Alex decides to open a prominent news site on the Extranet and notices that the Alliance has also issued a statent regarding an official investigation. They choose to carefully word their answers, essentially blaming ExoGeni for the incident without providing any details.
Alex continues to read for a few hours, the topic going wild on the Net.
Finally, he notices another statent saying the entire ‘incident’ was an unfortunate accident, and nobody is to bla. It will be the subject of an internal investigation.
At the sa ti, there’s a picture of a high-ranking Alliance diplomat shaking hands with the CEO of ExoGeni, with Shepard visible in the background—arms crossed, wearing a look of pure disgust.
What the fuck?! What is this bullshit?!
As soon as Alex finishes the article, the rest of the squad, including Shepard, appear in front of him.
“I got what we needed. They can sort out the details. We leave imdiately,” Shepard says with a smile.
“I’ve got to ask you, human. Are you interested in helping take control over Tuchanka? I could use a guy like you, and it looks like you’d fit in brilliantly,” Wrex says with a look of amusent but also respect.
“Fuck you Wrex! I had no choice. It’s enough that all these fake articles call a butcher—I don’t need to hear these jokes from you,” Alex responds with an annoyed expression.
“What articles?!” Shepard asks.
“The footage of killing a bunch of Fist’s thugs, those hired assassins by Saren, and now those security officers—it got leaked to the Extranet! Even the Alliance gave statents. They called it an unfortunate incident.”
Shepard stare at Alex, her face distorting, “damn weasels. Well, it should be fine. Let’s get off this damn planet and hurry towards Feros. Kerber… you did an excellent job—maybe too excellent. I’m afraid your rep will take a serious hit. However, it might also open so doors for you. I’m not too sure about it. You certainly got everyone’s attention.”
Fuck it, I’m leaving soon anyway. Who cares what people think of ?
As they fly back to the Normandy, Liara sits close to Alex, grabbing his arm.
“Are you alright?” she asks with a concerned face.
“Yeah… maybe you’re right, this went down terribly. However, I just thought our mission and our personal survival take precedence. Maybe I should have tried another way… but with the comms blocked, I didn’t want to take that risk,” Alex responds, beginning to doubt his earlier decision.
“Don’t think too deeply about it,” Tali chis in. “I think we fulfilled our mission. Sure, ten security officers… paid the price. However, I really don’t think that was avoidable. You’re right—the mission takes precedence. It’s unfair you had to pay the price, but I don’t think you did anything wrong. Also, stop touching him, kiyet!”
“Tali… I don’t think using Quarian words to defa is a logical and reasonable way to solve problems. Have I done anything to offend you?” Liara asks, confused, showing a hint of anger and frustration.
“Forget it,” Tali responds, looking out of the shuttle.
Alex does the sa, staring at the bland yet impressive buildings, with the red sand of Mars in the distance.
As Alex arrives on the Normandy, the first thing he does is find a private space in the living quarters and open his three chests.
They dropped a little too easily, I don’t expect anything too grand.
You received 5,000 Credits
You received Security Gun
You received 5,000 Credits
You received 5,000 FC
You received 5,000 Credits
You received Security Vest
Alex glances at the [Security Gun] and [Security Vest], but imdiately ignores them as they are both Green-Quality items, thus of no use to him.
Nothing special, but I guess also not terrible. I’ll take it.
Alex slowly calms down and ditates a little, trying to get his thoughts in order.
Hmmm, despite getting such a reaction, I don’t even feel too bad about it. Even if they are more than NPCs… I didn’t feel a thing when I cut them up. I don’t know if this is sothing good or bad, but I guess for now, I don’t need to question it.
Alex then starts surfing the Extranet, shaking his head.
I can’t believe sothing this stupid is going viral. Well, it’s already dying down, because both the Alliance and ExoGeni want to suppress it. Still, this is annoying.
Suddenly, Alex perks up as he sees soone standing right in front of him.
Alex looks up and sees Shepard, staring at him.
“Do you need sothing, Commander?” Alex asks, surprised.
“Join in my office,” she says and walks off toward the Captain’s quarters.
Alex sighs and follows after her.
What does she want now?
“Kerber, I’m getting a bit worried. You had to do the hard—and in this case very dirty—work by yourself again. How are you holding up?” she asks, her expression genuinely concerned.
“I guess… I’m sowhat fine. You know by now I’m kinda used to this, and honestly, the galaxy is on the line. I’m certainly willing to get rid of a couple of Security Officers if it ans taking down Saren,” Alex says.
“You’re more than correct, and you did the right thing—which kinda surprises . They call you a butcher, but anyone who really knows you would probably laugh about it,” she says in an amused voice. “I’d describe you as rather shy and cute. Not like a butcher at all, more like prey….”
“I guess… so, I am no prey, but I don’t go around butchering people for fun,” Alex replies, rubbing his head.
That’s not really very motivating, Shepard…. What is she doing?
“Look, thanks for trying to cheer up, but I think I’m fine,” Alex says, nodding at her.
She then walks up to him, standing directly in front of him, staring into his eyes.
Alex avoids her gaze and turns to the side—only for her to grab his face with both hands and forcefully kiss him.
“Umhh—” Alex tries to speak, but he can’t breathe.
A few seconds later, she finally releases him and smiles, “After we’re done with Saren, there might be more. Now get out and prepare for the next mission on Feros.”
Alex stands there, slightly dazed, until he hears her laughing.
“Didn’t know I was that stunning, Kerber. I’ll take your reaction as a complint. Now get out, or I might eat you up right here and now!” she teases.
“Okay?!” Alex responds, quickly leaving the office.
What the hell is wrong with her?
Alex then spends the remaining ti preparing himself for the upcoming mission. Finally, Shepard calls the team into the CIC. Once everyone is seated, Shepard begins to speak:
“Our mission this ti is very complicated. It turns out the colony of Zhu’s Hope got taken over by an ancient being called the Thorian. Despite its age and apparent intelligence, it’s a plant-based lifeform.”
“A being like that is remarkable. According to the data we got from ExoGeni, it could even be older than the Protheans!” Liara chis in.
“How about we just burn it down?” Wrex suggests with a smile.
Agreed!
“Shut up, both of you! First of all, the Alliance made a deal with ExoGeni. We have two missions on Feros. The first mission is to find out why the Geth are still on Feros. It’s reasonable to assu it’s because of the Thorian, but maybe they have other motives as well. It could be related to the Prothean ruins on Feros. ExoGeni has lost contact with the colony on the ground and their research HQ in the ruins. We only know that they have suppressed the Geth for now. Anyway, I want to first find out what the current situation on the ground is and what the Geth are doing. For that, we need to reach the Prothean ruins where ExoGeni is conducting their research. There might also be survivors left, who we need to save… along with any research data. Until I give you the command, we will ignore the colonists and their ‘situation’… only after we have more information will we begin our second mission.”
“Which is?” Tali asks curiously.
“Save the villagers and then ‘deal’ with the Thorian. The research by ExoGeni shows that even without direct contact, it can influence the victims’ minds. Its spores alone are powerful enough to control a human being. However, if we only stay for a short while, we’ll be fine—so don’t worry about being controlled yourselves. We’ve been supplied with stun guns and sleep grenades, so we’ll try to take out the villagers without killing them, should it co to that. However, before that, we need to see what’s left of their headquarters inside the ruins.”
“Is that part of the deal the Alliance made? This sounds like we’re cleaning up their ss—saving their people, looking after their HQ on the ground,” Kaidan asks, slightly angry.
“Yes… This ti, the order cos from multiple admirals. Apparently, ExoGeni paid a lot for this type of treatnt. The Alliance was explicit, and while I want to focus on Saren, even I don’t want to go against orders if they co from multiple Admirals. Anyway, the colonists won’t run away. Don’t let them know that we are aware of their condition, or the Thorian might take drastic action. Is that understood?” Shepard asks.
“Understood, Commander,” Alex, Kaidan, and Ashley respond simultaneously.
The others nod as well.
“We expect to arrive on Feros in a few hours. Get ready! Dismissed!” Shepard orders, and the team gets up and heads toward the lockers.
Why did we even bother to go to Mars? Nothing really changed. Damn Alliance leaders! We should have gone straight for the damn Thorian and be done with it! Well, if things go south… I’ll have to think of an escape route!
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