Standing in front of the lone survivor, she quickly speaks to Alex, "Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 212. You're the one in charge, right, sir? I recognize that sword… and that left arm of yours… that's your unique Omni-tool, isn't it? Incredible! You must be Lieutenant Kerber. You really are a legend!"
Alex lifts his hand. "No… I mean yes, I am Lieutenant Kerber, but the one in charge is Commander Shepard here," he says, pointing to her.
"Sorry, Commander," she says, addressing Shepard.
"Are you wounded? I need more info—now. What's going on here? These strange enemies… they're Geth, right? What the hell are they doing on Eden Prime?!" Shepard demands.
"I'm fine… but the others—my whole unit is dead! Most of the civilians nearby too. They must be here for the Beacon," Ashley says.
"Someone must have leaked sensitive information, or someone with a unique way of acquiring it is involved. This is concerning. I don't want to rush, but we should hurry," Alex comments.
"I want to know more about the Geth. They've never left the Perseus Veil, from what I've heard," Shepard says.
"Quarians created them a few centuries ago," Williams says.
"They're non-organic lifeforms with limited AI programming. The Quarians created them, but they fucked up, to put it lightly. Maybe one of the biggest fuck ups I have ever heard of. The Geth gained sentience and drove their creators off their own homeworld, forcing them to live in a Migrant Fleet of starships. Most quarians have never even seen their own planet," Alex recalls, repeating the lore ingrained in his mind.
Alex continues, "What's even more worrying are those weird platforms with the spikes. The humans impaled on them... they're dead, but I can see energy pulsing through their bodies. Commander, I suggest putting a few bullets into them, just to be safe. I've never seen this kind of tech."
"I agree with Alex," Kaidan says. "These platforms look active… they impaled humans on them, they must have a purpose."
"We need to get to the Beacon, but I agree. I don't want any surprises. Any corpse stuck on those platforms gets a bullet to the head. We'll give them proper burials after this situation has been resolved," Shepard commands, looking at Ashley. "Where's the dig site?"
"Right over here, Commander. But there could be more Geth nearby. Let me come with you."
Shepard eyes her with skepticism.
"She knows the area, Commander," Kaidan adds.
"Fine. If you know how to follow orders, tag along, Williams," Shepard says, moving forward and casually firing at the impaled corpses, each shot landing cleanly on the head.
"Yes, Commander. The dig site is just ahead," Ashley says, jogging forward.
They descend a slope and reach the dig site. Floodlights illuminate the area, clearly set up to help the workers excavate the site.
As they approach, two Geth Troopers appear.
Alex immediately activates Ren, charging forward with Thunder Sword, slicing through one of them in a single powerful attack. The thunder damage is highly effective, strong enough to break its shield and destroy its body instantly.
You have dealt 125 + 55 x 2 = 235 damage to Geth Trooper
You have destroyed Geth Trooper
The second Geth fires at Alex. He rolls to the side but still takes one hit—his shield absorbing the impact.
You have received 51 damage (blocked by shields)
Under the combined firepower of Shepard, Ashley, and Kaidan, the remaining Geth Trooper is quickly overwhelmed and explodes.
Alex spots a White Chest, which he grabs with a smile.
"The Beacon is gone! It was right here—on this platform! It must've been moved."
"By who? Our side? Or the Geth?" Kaidan asks.
"Hard to say. Maybe we'll find out at the research camp, it's on the nearby hill," Ashley replies.
"I recommend we hurry! The attack only started recently—we might still be able to make a difference if we move now!" Alex urges.
I'd love to stop this early. Who knows if we can do it? Definitely worth trying!
"We're wasting time. If the camp's nearby, we'll check it on the way. Move out," Shepard commands.
Ashley nods. "It's right up that ridge. Let's go!"
Suddenly, a voice comes through the groups comms:
"This is Nihlus. Change of plans, Shepard, I'm heading to the nearby spaceport. Back me up if you can, I'll wait for you there."
Shepard moves up ahead.
As they reach the camp on a small hill, they spot even more of the spiked platforms—more than a dozen of them, with human bodies suspended in the air.
Oh no… there were supposed to be only a couple. I count at least twenty! This is going to be rough.
"More of those spikes," Kaidan says, eyeing them warily.
"Careful. These people don't even look human anymore… they look almost mechanical," Alex warns, seeing their weird, warped bodies with obvious tubes and other mechanical parts inserted into them.
Suddenly, as they approach, the spikes slowly retract, lowering the bodies to the ground, directly onto the now flat platforms. Once the corpses drop onto them, they rise, now transformed into Husks. As soon as they get up they immediately begin to move toward the group.
"What did the Geth do to them?!" Ashley asks, horrified.
"Shoot first, ask questions later," Shepard says, opening fire. The Husks are tougher than expected—protected by energy shields.
"They've got shields!" Alex shouts. "Back up—I'll deal with them!"
Alex raises his sword and unleashes his strongest thunder-based ability: Thundara Sword, combined with Ko and his Flying Sword Slash, a move granted by his Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship. The ability costs 10 extra MP and drains a large chunk of both Aura and 40 base MP. In return for that high cost, Alex slashes in a wide arc, sending a massive, thunder-enhanced wave that hits all the advancing Husks, stripping away their shields and knocking several to the ground.
Due to the spread and distance, the damage is reduced. His attack severely injures them, but doesn't finish any of them off, leading to a free for all.
You have dealt 21 + 34 x 2 = 68 damage to Husk
…
You have dealt 23 + 33 x 2 = 69 damage to Husk
Feeling the strain of the attack, Alex huffs, leaning briefly on his sword for support, clearly drained.
"Good enough, Kerber! Impressive—now finish them off!" Shepard yells, drawing her assault rifle and dispatching Husk after Husk.
Kaidan uses his biotics combined with precise pistol shots, and Ashley, also using an assault rifle, fires a few aimed shots to take them down quickly.
Alex stays on the defensive, focusing on protecting the group rather than charging ahead and risking getting surrounded.
Two of the Husks manage to avoid the incoming barrage and rush forward, lunging at Kaidan.
Alex steps forward and slashes at them, killing one.
You have dealt 75 damage to Husk
You have killed Husk
The other Husk switches targets, flinging itself toward Alex.
Fuck! Mustrano, kill it!
Alex swings with his claw-hand, hitting the Husk but only dealing minor damage, as their mechanized bodies are very sturdy.
You have dealt 16 damage to Husk
You have dealt 11 damage to Husk
The Husk crashes into him, biting and clawing. His shield flickers and breaks.
You have received 41 damage (blocked by shields)
You have received 52 damage (blocked by shields)
You have received 41 damage (partially blocked by shields, 24 damage received)
"Fucking bitch!" Alex yells, surging with Aura and using Ryu to channel 80% of it into Mustrano, driving his claw into the Husk's throat, piercing through it.
You have dealt 62 x 3 = 186 damage to Husk
You have killed Husk
Meanwhile, the rest of the group continues to fight desperately. Shepard and Kaidan push their biotics to the limit, using Warp and Throw while Ashley tosses aside her overheated rifle and draws her sidearm, continuing to fire at the endless horde of Husks.
I can't waste all my Aura and MP. The real fight hasn't started yet. I need to risk getting injured, I can recover HP, but I can't quickly recover MP or Aura.
Another Husk charges Alex.
CALM DOWN! You don't need abilities. It's a mindless zombie. Wait for its telegraphed movement—concentrate and counter!
Alex briefly closes his eyes, calming his Aura. As he opens them again, he waits until the Husk is mid-lunge—then brings his sword down in a clean vertical slash, splitting it in two.
You have dealt 185 x 3 = 555 damage to Husk
You have killed Husk
Two more Husks approach. Alex steps back, positions himself between them, then executes a precise diagonal strike, cleaving through both at once.
You have dealt 130 x 3 = 390 damage to Husk
You have killed Husk
You have dealt 110 x 3 = 330 damage to Husk
You have killed Husk
With the last of the Husks destroyed, the group exhales in relief.
"These Geth… they transformed the colonists into monsters. This is horrible!" Kaidan exclaims. "And Alex… thank you. I thought I was finished—those things are unbelievably fast!"
"No problem," Alex says, breathing heavily. He can feel his [Heavy Onyx Armor] working. Its First Aid Interface, combined with his high PHY and the effects of [Drakul's Vitality R2], begin restoring his HP at an impressive rate.
I took 24 damage, but I can see my HP recovering fast. One HP every two seconds or so—this is almost broken. For long missions, I'm practically unkillable. The First Aid Interface restores 2 HP every 10 seconds, and with the 24% boost from my necklace, this single module alone almost covers all incoming chip damage. Add the rest of my gear, and my HP regen goes through the roof. I barely need potions or food anymore. Menchi won't like that, hehe.
Alex spots several large containers, probably used as a base by the scientists, in the distance—one of them locked. Shepard notices them too.
With the area secure, Shepard orders, "Quickly search for survivors—we're running out of time. Kerber, you and Alenko take the first container. Look for any intel. Williams, come with me. I'll handle the second one—it's locked," she says, activating her omni-tool, ready to unlock it forcefully as she approaches it.
Alex and Kaidan head to the first container. Inside, they find a number of crates.
Opening one, Alex pulls out a [Storm Shotgun].
It's a Light-Blue weapon, also manufactured by Hahne-Kedar—same as his [Lancer Assault Rifle] and [Kessler Pistol], which he bought previously.
He also finds several datapads, which the system automatically converts—netting him a solid 2000 Credits.
You have received 2000 Credits
Kaidan opens another crate and pulls out a few grenades.
"The Commander has a special launcher. I'll hand them over to her," he says.
"Sure, Kaidan. Let's check on the othe—"
A scream cuts through the air.
"You can't just go around whacking people in the head!" a woman yells.
Alex and Kaidan rush to the second container and find a man unconscious on the ground, with Shepard standing above him, slightly smirking.
"It was only a matter of time before he hurt himself—or someone else. You should be grateful," she says coolly.
Damn… Renegade Shepard knocked him out. Why does that make me feel weird…
Dr. Warren, the woman in charge of the excavation, sighs. "I suppose you're right... but I still wish there'd been a more peaceful solution."
"Peaceful solution?" Alex mutters. "Look around. We don't have time for that."
"He's right. Williams, let's go. You people stay inside the container—I'll relay your position to the Alliance. Someone will come get you," Shepard tells Warren, who looks visibly relieved.
The group moves out again. Shepard says, "The scientists mentioned a Turian—but it can't be Nihlus, since he was just with us. There's another one involved. That guy was rambling and I don't believe a thing he told us, but I've got a bad feeling. And more importantly—the Beacon was moved to the spaceport. That's where Nihlus is headed. We're almost there. Let's go."
They leave the containers and dig site behind, moving up the hill. It doesn't take long before the spaceport comes into view below them on the opposite side.
Alex immediately spots more Geth waiting—and opening fire.
"Take them down quickly!" Shepard orders.
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