The Mako continues to drive forward. Finally, the path is clear, and no more Geth are visible.
As they proceed, the crew sees the Normandy flying overhead, landing just ahead in a slightly secluded bay.
“I see the camp, not very big. This doesn’t look good!” Garrus says.
“We weren’t expecting an army in the first place. Let’s get there and finally find out what’s happening here! These Geth, the cannons, the gates—this is all very suspicious,” Shepard states, clearly deep in thought.
The Mako finally stops next to the Normandy, and the crew exits the vehicle.
Alex jumps out of the Mako, and his heavy boots sink slightly into the sand and water, making him sink a bit into the ground.
I wish I could just relax a little here. Maybe go for a swim…
At that mont, a lightning strike crashes into the ocean in the distance.
Maybe without a thunderstorm going on.
Briefly distracted, Alex watches Shepard and the others walking up ahead toward the nearby tents. He quickly follows and spots a small team of Salarians nearby.
In the ga, there were only five or six of them around, but I see at least… twenty.
The Salarians, looking confused, stare at Shepard.
“I’m Commander Shepard, a Spectre. The Council sent here! What’s the status?” Shepard says in a commanding tone, approaching them.
The Salarian in charge, wearing noticeably heavier armor, responds, “I’m Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regint STG. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hotzone. Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted to your presence. You better don’t try to lift off.”
“I need more information, Captain. What is going on? What exactly are you even doing here?” Shepard questions him.
“We just stay put until the Council sends the reinforcents we requested!” Kirrahe responds.
Alex sighs, even though he already knows the situation.
This is just too stupid.
Everyone looks visibly disappointed—except Kaidan, who remains serious and explains, “We are the reinforcents.”
Kirrahe, now visibly frustrated, asks, “What? You’re all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet!”
“We couldn’t understand your transmission,” Shepard explains. “They sent to investigate.”
Kirrahe, angry now, replies in a frustrated tone, “That is a repetition of my task. I lost half my n investigating this place.”
“So what did you guys find?” Alex asks.
Kirrahe doesn’t hesitate to answer, his eyes lighting up for a second. “We have found Saren’s base of operations. He’s set up a research facility here, but it’s crawling with Geth and very well fortified.”
“Is he here? Have you seen him?” Shepard asks.
As Alex glances at her, he rubs his eyes, having just seen her lick her lips in anticipation.
This crazy woman… she really wants to kill him. She is out for blood.
Kirrahe shakes his head. “No. But his Geth are everywhere, and we’ve intercepted so comms referring to Saren.”
“What is he researching?” Liara asks, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“He’s using the facility to breed an army of Krogan,” Kirrahe replies.
Wrex, who had seed bored before, now walks up to Kirrahe. “How is that possible?”
“Apparently, Saren has discovered a cure for the Genophage,” Kirrahe states.
“With a Krogan army, he would be almost unstoppable, especially if he commands them and the Geth,” Tali notes.
“Exactly, my thoughts. We must ensure that this facility and its secrets are destroyed,” Kirrahe concludes, nodding toward Tali.
“Destroyed?!” Wrex asks, visibly annoyed. “I don’t think so. Our people are dying. This cure can save them.”
Kirrahe confidently denies Wrex’s wish. “If that cure leaves this planet, the Krogan will beco unstoppable. We can’t make the sa mistake again.”
“We are not a mistake!” Wrex says, now face-to-face with Kirrahe.
“It’s kinda funny how you decide to play god,” Alex comnts.
Angry but still in control, Wrex turns around and walks away.
“Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry Krogan to deal with!” Kirrahe says, clearly flustered.
Alex ignores the captain and follows after Wrex, while the others continue their discussion.
Wrex is off in the distance, shooting his pistol at nearby rocks.
Alex walks up beside him. “Not entirely unexpected, right? We expected Saren to have sothing tempting to offer the Krogans. However, we all know who really supplied that cure, don’t we?”
Wrex stops firing for a second and turns toward Alex. “You an… the Reaper?”
“Only a Reaper could easily co up with a cure. It’s impossible even for Salarians to develop one. The Genophage must have mutated. Curing it would be impossible! You should know that there are Salarians—and other races—who disagree with the Genophage. Many have tried, and nobody has succeeded. How could Saren, on this damn backwater planet, manage to develop a cure out of nothing?”
“I agree! However… this does not change things. If Saren just cos up with empty promises, fine! But he has what I… what my entire race needs! The lines are beginning to blur!”
Alex stares into Wrex’s eyes and tries to convince him. “So let’s get it! Steal it from Saren! Fuck that Captain and fuck those Salarians. The solution is simple: we just steal whatever they have. Also, you don’t know if Saren really has a cure! Look, he can promise as much as he wants, but he can’t be trusted. Let’s try to find whatever they’ve got. If it’s promising, we just swipe it. I promise to help you out, okay? You must realize… bowing down to Saren will never lead to a promising future for you, Krogans.”
Wrex closes his eyes and slaps his own face. “You are right… human. I am sorry. Saren can’t be trusted. It’s just… if a cure exists.”
“We will look for it!” Alex says, trying to encourage him.
“I don’t have high hopes, but I appreciate the offer, human… no, Alex,” Wrex says in a softer voice before regaining his rage from earlier. “Let’s kill this bastard. Afterwards, I’ll focus on a cure.”
Alex and Wrex return to the others, who all look visibly relieved that Wrex is seemingly okay and has cald down.
“Tali,” Alex says, walking up to her and gently placing his arm around her. “What do I need to extract data from research terminals? It has nothing to do with this mission, but I’d appreciate it if you could hand sothing that works.”
“Sure… nothing to do with this mission. Bosh’tet,” Tali replies, before sighing and handing Alex a couple of data sticks. Read complete version only at NoveIＦire
“They automatically extract any data. Programd them myself. They should be able to extract almost anything if it isn’t heavily secured,” Tali explains.
“Good, thank you, Tali, please marry !” Alex jokes.
Tali, now angry, tries to kick Alex, only for him to dodge. “Ax’kah! I swear you…”
Why is she so angry?
They return to the others, only for Shepard to cross her arms. “Finished scheming, Kerber? I know that look on your face, and I’m not sure I like it. However, thank you for helping Wrex see the truth. Being slaves to Saren would only lead to more doom for the Krogans.”
Kirrahe then approaches the squad again. “Looks like things have cald down. Thank you for understanding. The Genophage must not be cured,” he says, glancing at Wrex. “The assault on Saren’s base will be difficult enough as it is.”
“I assu that ans you’ve co up with a plan?” Shepard asks.
“Of sorts,” Kirrahe responds. “We can convert our ship’s drive system into a twenty-kiloton ordnance. Crude, but effective.”
“Nice. Drop that nuke from orbit and Saren can kiss his turian ass goodbye!” Ashley says with a smirk.
Kirrahe shakes his head. “Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. We’ll need to place the bomb at a precise location.”
“Where do we take the nuke then? And how do we even get there?” Shepard asks, obviously quite skeptical.
Kirrahe explains, “The bomb must be taken to the far side of the facility. Your ship can drop it off, but we’ll need to infiltrate the base, disable the AA guns, and pacify any ground forces first.”
“You want us to go in on foot? We don’t have enough n,” Kaidan chis in, sounding quite unsure.
“I agree with him,” Garrus states. “This is not possible.”
“I like it,” Shepard says. “I prefer a straight fight anyway!”
Kirrahe disagrees. “It won’t be that simple. We just don’t have the numbers to et them head-on. I’m going to divide my n into three teams and hit the front of the facility. While we’ve got their attention, you can sneak your ‘shadow’ team in the back.”
“I just hope you survive long enough to be useful,” Shepard says.
“We’re tougher than we look, Commander. But it’s true—I don’t expect many of us will make it out alive… and that makes what I’m going to ask even more difficult. I need one of your n to accompany . To help coordinate the teams. I lack officials capable of leading one of my teams. Too many died.”
Shepard shakes her head. “I don’t make a habit of placing my people under soone else’s command.”
“I understand, but this mission is too important for personal preferences to get in the way,” Kirrahe replies solemnly.
“He is right, Commander. We can’t do this without both teams at their best. I volunteer,” Kaidan says, in a solemn tone.
“Not so fast, LT. Commander Shepard will need you to arm the nuke. I’ll go with the Salarians,” Ashley chis in.
So it’s co to this…
[Side Quest Offered
Mission: Convince Commander Shepard to select you to join the STG’s assault on Saren’s facility. Aid Captain Kirrahe and his Squad on their assault on Saren’s base. Keep as many Salarians alive as possible.
Reward: ???
Ti Limit: —
Failure: —]
A side quest? … my fingers are itching. I have to try! Even if I fail, I am confident in escaping. With my Nen abilities, I can easily climb onto the facility and escape. I know the layout a little. This isn’t as suicidal as it sounds. Also, there is no penalty.
“Any idiot can arm the nuke. You could even remotely activate it with the chs my sister gifted us,” Alex suggests.
“With all due respect, Alex, Ashley, relying on chs is not smart, also it’s not your place to decide!” Kaidan says.
“Why is it that whenever soone says ‘with all due respect,’ they really an ‘kiss my ass?’” Ashley responds, seemingly angry.
“Neither of you is qualified. I’ll go, I can take down an army by myself,” Alex announces in a stern voice.
I will risk it! I know I can do it.
Shepard, looking unsure, asks Kirrahe, “Who would be better suited to the mission?”
“All three will do, Commander. They all seem willing to sacrifice their lives if necessary—though if we are lucky, such sacrifices won’t be required. I have to question your soldier with that… thing on his back, though. How will that help in a fight?”
“Heh, if you only knew,” Shepard says.
“I’ve made my decision!” she finally says.
“...”
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