Alex relaxes and walks around the colony, eager to explore, despite the circumstances.
To his surprise, Liara and Tali are following him—both completely silent.
…this is awkward.
"Any ideas?" Alex asks, turning around with an awkward smile.
"Not really," Tali replies, looking a bit confused.
Liara begins to speak, her expression contemplative. "The only place where… it could be, would be…" She then stares toward the ground.
"I agree. I thought the same thing. I'm planning to take a look around… see if there's a bunker or an entrance underground," Alex says.
The group walks toward the back of the colony, which looks more like a battlefield than an actual settlement. A few containers, alongside rubble and debris, are scattered across the area.
They walk around, exchanging a few words with the colonists, who appear just like normal civilians.
"Thank you so much for saving us! You saved our colony!" one says gratefully.
"Gotta hand it to the Alliance—you're a force to be reckoned with," a rugged man working as a security officer states, nodding at Alex.
Looks like Zhu's Hope hasn't heard about my reputation… I'd better enjoy it while it lasts!
Alex then notices a set of stairs near the back of the colony.
This is it…
As they approach, two colonists quickly intercept them.
"Sorry, but you can't go down there. The tunnels are in danger of collapsing—strict orders from Fai'Dan," one of them, an elderly man, says.
Alex nods at Tali and Liara. "Sure, we were just taking a look around. What's down there, anyway?"
"Just old ruins. It's really not worth your time, and definitely not worth the risk," the woman—also elderly—adds.
"Are you two married? You make a nice pair," Alex jokes.
"Hehe, indeed we are—though I resent that statement. This old fool gives me headaches every day!" the woman replies with a grin.
"Women…" the man mutters, rolling his eyes.
"Well, we won't bother you any longer. Thanks for the warning!" Alex says, walking away, closely followed by Liara and Tali.
"Found it," Liara confirms.
"Without a doubt!" Tali agrees. "Let's tell Shepard. Though I think she wanted to focus on the ExoGeni HQ in the ruins first, before dealing with this 'issue'."
Alex notes, "I find it odd that these colonists can still act normal. They can probably still be saved, like ExoGeni mentioned. We should relay that to the Commander, too."
"Now that you mention it, we only know they're acting suspicious because of our intel. Without any hint, I probably wouldn't have noticed anything strange about their behaviour. They may be mind-controlled, but their personalities are still intact. I also think they can be saved!" Liara says, her face showing a glimmer of hope. "We need to save them!"
"That's the goal, Liara," Alex says.
"Bosh'tet…" Tali murmurs.
The three rejoin Shepard and the others.
Gathering in a quiet corner of the colony where they can speak undisturbed, they quickly share their observations. Shepard starts, "They may act like innocent colonists, but every single one of them is heavily armed—even the civilians. They claim it's because of the Geth, but that doesn't change anything. They're all potential enemies."
Alex chimes in, "We found the entrance to the ruins where the Thorian is located," and shares the exact location via his omni-tool.
"However… the colonists. While they are without a doubt mind-controlled, their personalities are completely intact. They're still themselves, just under compulsion to obey the Thorian."
"Commander, we need to save them," Liara insists. "I believe if the Thorian is… disposed of, they can regain most of their freedom. It pains me to kill such an ancient being, but we have to save them."
"Well, we've got special sleeping grenades and weapons to knock them out… Also, Kerber—the rest of the crew successfully planted the bombs within the rubble. When we return, we'll unleash the sleeping gas on them. We'll put on the masks stored in the Mako and try to save them. But if a few of them die, then that's too bad. I'm putting my own crew's survival over their lives if it comes to that."
"So what's the plan?" Ashley asks.
"The Mako should be prepped. Joker just contacted me. Let's try to save whoever's left from ExoGeni… orders from the Admiral. Also, we need to dispose of the remaining Geth and find out more. The ruins probably serve a purpose as well. It's just us for this job. Jenkins and the other crew members will protect the Normandy—we can't risk getting stuck there. We'll take care of the Geth ourselves; there shouldn't be too many more left anyway, as Saren only left a single dropship here," Shepard says.
"More questions?" she asks.
Everyone remains silent, so Shepard continues, "We'll get moving then. We'll enter the tower. If we climb it, we'll reach the Prothean Skyway, where Joker dropped off the Mako."
"I hate this part…" Alex mumbles.
"Why, Kerber? I'm a brilliant driver! Do you disagree?" Shepard says, patting his back—her face now just millimetres from his own.
Alex sighs, backing away a little. "I guess not… I just hate the feeling of losing control."
Shepard takes another step forward, closing the distance again, "Do you now?"
"Just enjoy the ride, human! You certainly look like you enjoy the Commander's attention," Wrex says with a grin.
"I share your fears, Alex. This is indeed a bad situation… Frankly, I've been having some nightmares about Therum," Kaidan adds, looking visibly uneasy, ignoring Shepards actions.
"Stop your whining. We're not wasting any more time! Let's get going," Shepard barks at Kaidan.
"Why only me…?" he mutters.
The crew makes their way toward the tower, climbing the stairs until they reach the entrance to the Prothean Skyway.
They walk outside and spot the Mako parked right in the middle of the Skyway.
Entering the Mako, Alex calms down a little. There are no Geth in sight, and Shepard makes steady progress toward the ruins.
Suddenly, her voice echoes through the comms. "We've got a problem! The Dropship is back! Careful! Garrus, try to shoot anything it sends our way. I'm speeding through!"
Alex hears the powerful boom of the Mako's cannon as Garrus begins firing.
I hate this so much! LUK, I beg you, don't fail me now.
With no way to contribute, Alex closes his eyes and meditates, using Zetsu to remain calm.
He vaguely hears the sound of battle as Garrus dispatches a few Geth Armatures, supported by more infantry, which he quickly destroys as well.
"Path clear. Dropship's retreating—it looks like their Geth supply is running low, indeed," Garrus reports.
"Too easy!" Shepard boasts.
Suddenly, the comms pick up a transmission. "Our sensors are detecting a vehicle. It doesn't match Geth tech!"
The Dropship flies off toward the ExoGeni HQ, and the Mako continues its course along the Skyway.
Eventually, they come across a segment that leads to a higher level of the Skyway. Shepard brings the Mako to a halt. "That's where the signals are coming from. Looks like a few ExoGeni employees are still alive. Let's stop here for a moment."
Exiting the Mako, the crew is met by several security guards who quickly lower their weapons once they see there's no Geth in pursuit.
"That's close enough!" a man yells, waving a pistol around nervously.
"Relax, Jeong. They're obviously not Geth—everyone else is already cheering, while you're acting nervous for no reason!" a woman replies sharply.
"Put down that pistol, or I'll show you mine! Commander Shepard, from the Alliance. ExoGeni sent us. We know everything—including the 'special plant' at Zhu's Hope! We just secured the colony. Who are you, and who's in charge?"
"Ethan Jeong. I'm in charge! Please do not mention that… thing. Most people do not know! This is classified. You say the company sent you? Do you have proof?" Ethan asks, clearly skeptical.
The woman interrupts. "Shut up, Ethan. No, you're not in charge. Juliana Baynham. I technically share rank with Ethan, so let's just say we're both in charge. Why are you here?"
Shepard activates her omni-tool and shares the transmission. Ethan's attitude shifts instantly.
"We're not only here to save you and Zhu's Hope, but also to deal with the Geth and find out what they're really doing. You'd better read that message carefully, Ethan. I'm not just a Commander—I'm a Spectre. If you disrespect me…"
"I—I'm sorry, Commander! I'm so glad you're here! I'm uploading some data we need rescued. I just received a message—the company will reward you," he says quickly.
"Please! Before you go—my daughter Lizbeth is still at the HQ. She's probably hiding! Please rescue her!" Juliana pleads.
"Yeah, plenty of places to hide… for a few seconds," Ethan mutters with a smug grin.
"Are you retarded? Her daughter is missing, and you're cracking jokes about her dying?" Alex asks, stepping forward coldly.
"I… I… I'm sorry?!" Ethan stammers, intimidated by Alex's outburst.
"You better be," Alex says, stepping back.
Wish I could shoot this annoying…
"Alex is right, how could you? This is cruel!" Liara says in a fierce tone.
"That's enough," Shepard cuts in. "You people stay put. Once we deal with the Geth and the... colony, you'll get backup from ExoGeni and the Alliance."
Quickly making their way back to the Mako, the team proceeds to the upper level of the Skyway, the ExoGeni facility now in sight.
Garrus, operating both the cannon and the machine gun, quickly and efficiently eliminates every enemy Geth in their path. The Mako's superior firepower leaves them hopelessly outmatched.
Within minutes, they reach the HQ. Shepard drives the Mako into the facility, clearing out a few more Geth, until they reach a door that's too narrow for the vehicle.
"Okay, time for action! Get ready!" Shepard orders.
Alex, not planning to risk his life unnecessarily, draws his [Enchanted Runeblade] and [Brawler-Pistol].
"I've seen it earlier, but that sword is new, Kerber? Isn't it a little small? From one extreme to another," Shepard jokes, smirking widely.
"It's a useful conduit for my tech abilities," Alex replies, actually telling the truth about his abilities for once.
"Fine. Let's go!" Shepard commands, leading the squad into the ExoGeni HQ on Feros—nothing more than a cluster of equipment awkwardly set up within ancient Prothean ruins.
Let's do this!
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