The Crew spends the next hours helping the Normandy staff take care of the villagers.
Alex has volunteered for guard duty and is sitting next to the entrance of the ruins, leading to the location of the Thorian's lair.
To his surprise, Shiala approaches him.
"I need to thank you. I've been told you were the one who slew the Thorian, and only thanks to your intervention am I now alive."
"No problem," Alex says with a smile.
You know… if she weren't infected with the Thorian's spores, I'd gladly have her thank me in private….
Shiala steps closer, standing directly in front of Alex.
What is going on?
"Is there a way I can thank you?" she says with a grin.
Suddenly, Liara storms forward. "Excuse me! Shiala, you are supposed to stay close to the guards! Also, Alex does not need your thanks! Please go away!"
No way…! Damn you, Liara!
Shiala sighs, nods at Alex, and then walks back to the center of the small colony.
Alex crosses his arms, clearly disappointed.
Liara then sits next to Alex and explains, "You have to reject people like that more forcefully, Alex. It might not seem like it, but some Asari are very promiscuous. If you don't take a hard stance, you might send the wrong signals."
"Liara… I might not seem like it, but when I have a problem with something or someone, I'll make my opinion heard. I think you've seen how I deal with things when it gets serious," Alex replies.
"Now that I think about it... you are right, Alex. So why did you hold back? Could it be… Oh… I… I'm sorry." She blushes a little.
"It's fine. I wouldn't go that far with someone I just met—especially not with someone who's been mind-controlled twice. But a hint of flirting would've calmed me down a little," Alex says.
"How about you compensate me, Liara? How about you find me another Asari to replace her?" he adds, his lips slightly twitching.
Why am I getting this nervous?
"Of course! I'm sorry. Should I ask Shiala to return? I don't think there are any other Asari on this planet," she responds quickly, looking apologetic.
Alex shakes his head. "Hopeless… it's fine, Liara. Forget it."
"What do you mean? Maybe I can ask around... I know some Asari from back home... aside from Shiala, there isn't anyone here, aside from me… me?!"
"I… this, I don't believe this is… no, I want to, however, this is great, but right now, indeed, I do not really—I need to go. I'll see you later!" she stammers, quickly disappearing.
Alex sighs even louder. It takes him three more hours of 'guard duty' until he receives a message from Shepard through the comms:
"Kerber, we're done here. My head HURTS. It's time to leave. I need some damn sleep! Someone will take over for you in a minute. Hurry up, I want to go back already."
Guess receiving the Cipher isn't very pleasurable.
A few minutes later, an armed colonist arrives at the ruins entrance and nods at Alex, causing him to stand up, his duty done.
Alex then walks towards the entrance of the colony, rejoining the others. Liara, however, still stares at him awkwardly and hides behind Wrex, avoiding eye contact.
What kind of silly juvenile behaviour is this? It's almost cute.
He also sees Shepard briefly talking with the newly rescued ExoGeni staff, who managed to get to the colony as well.
The group moves back to the Normandy, walking through the ruins, arriving there in just a few minutes.
On the way to the spaceport, they see that numerous large Alliance ships have docked—including a small Cruiser-class vessel. The port is now completely filled with ships.
As they approach it, Shepard briefly speaks with an Alliance officer, salutes, and exchanges a few words before returning to the group.
"Good, we're done! They'll take care of the remaining Geth. Get cleaned up, we're meeting in the CIC in an hour! I caution you, do not reveal anything we just learned. That includes the Council," Shepard orders.
Back on the Normandy, Alex enjoys a shower and sends a short message to Menchi, explaining the situation.
He also checks his World Fragments with a satisfied grin:
[World Fragments: 205]
Not sure how, but I'm guessing with this amount, even if I abandon the mission, I should get at least an A rank!
Then, exactly an hour later, he walks into the CIC. Shepard is already sitting there, rubbing her head.
"Are you alright, Commander? Maybe you should get some rest," Alex suggests, genuinely worried.
She looks genuinely like she's in pain. First time noticing anything like that.
"That damn liar! I shouldn't have trusted her. My brain feels like it's going to explode." Shepard complains.
Liara then speaks up, "I am an expert on the Protheans. Unlike Shiala, who has that knowledge but can't do anything with it, I might be able to help you. If I join my consciousness to yours, maybe we can make some sense of it."
"Do it," Shepard says, standing up and walking towards Liara.
"Is the whole eyes turning pitch black and Embrace Eternity thing happening again?" Alex asks.
"Seems like it," Ashley comments.
"I'm glad I don't have to go through this," Tali jokes.
"Shut up!" Shepard yells, "Do it already."
"Relax, Commander, Embrace Eternity!" Liara says, her eyes turning pitch black as she establishes a connection with Shepard.
A few minutes later, she gushes, "That was incredible. All this time! All my research. Yet I never dreamed…I'm sorry. The images were so vivid. I never imagined the experience would be so… intense. You are remarkably strong-willed, Commander. What you've been through, what you've seen, would have destroyed a lesser mind."
Alex, meanwhile, whispers to Kaidan, "wanna try that? Next trip on the Citadel, my treat!"
Kaidan just sighs, pretending like he hasn't heard Alex. He then asks, "Did you see anything of use?"
"The beacon on Eden Prime must have been badly damaged. Large parts of the vision are missing. The data transferred into the Commander's mind is incomplete. However, anything I saw you already know. You were right about the Reapers. The Protheans were destroyed by a race of sentient machines. I think it's obvious there's a connection between the Reapers, the Prothean extinction, and the Conduit. I didn't see anything that would help us find it, however."
"Back to where we started," Shepard says in a dissatisfied tone.
"Quite the opposite, Commander. I think my knowledge of the Prothenas will prove useful before this is over. Saren must have the information that was missing, Commander. Perhaps there is another beacon. If we can find the missing data from your vision, I can—" She says, before almost collapsing.
"I'm sorry the joining is exhausting. I should go to the medical bay and lie down for a moment." Liara says, looking exhausted.
"My head hurts, we're getting nowhere. I'll report to the Council, I've come up with a cover story and adjusted my reports. We're done for now! Dismissed. I'll tell you about our next steps soon. We're on course for Noveria!"
Alex then joins Liara, escorting her to the medbay, seeing how she almost collapses on one of the beds. "Good Rest," he says, turning around.
"Wait… thank you!" Liara responds with a weak smile before falling asleep.
Alex then enters the Crew Quarters and throws himself onto his bed. The quarters are filled with crew members, everyone tired from the mission on Feros.
Everyone helped! This was a real team effort. I guess the Normandy is more than just Shepard and her main team. These people are all tough.
"Alex, wanna play some cards? We need one more. Kaidan already fell asleep!" Ashley asks, standing beside Alex's bed.
Why not?
Alex, with slight hesitation, gets up and walks toward Ashley's bed, sitting down. Next to Ashley, who sits right next to him, are two more female crew members, who laugh a little.
"Now, bets start at 5 credits…"
What?! Gambling?
Alex is then forced into a silly card game he's never heard of before. It's mostly about bluffing and calling each other's bluffs. It reminds him of Liar's Bar.
Thankfully, this game doesn't involve guns.
An hour later, with 100 credits more in his possession, he graciously returns to his bed, leaving the sad-looking losers behind. He finally closes his eyes.
The next day, he wakes up and walks toward the cockpit, taking his usual seat and pretending to work while trash-talking with Kaidan and Joker.
A few hours after Alex sits down, Shepard arrives.
"Joker, status!"
"Everything's fine, Commander. We're on our way to the Horse Head Nebula, aiming for the Pax System. I expect we'll arrive at Noveria in exactly 11 hours."
"Good. I might as well get some more sleep later. I sure as hell need it! My head hurts, and this mission won't be easy."
Alex questions her, "Why exactly, Commander? Is it because of the Corporation's treaty?"
Shepard nods. "Yes… they'll only let us land because of my Spectre status. They won't let anyone else interfere in their business. They're a huge conglomerate of different corporations—mostly Asari, by the way."
"You know, I kinda had my fill with Asari," Alex jokes. "Just watching twice hurt and somehow made me feel uncomfortable. Not too keen on doing that myself, with the black eyes and stuff."
"Hehe, I've had my fill for a lifetime. My head still hurts. Trust me, this didn't feel pleasurable at all. I feel almost like I was violated."
Kaidan chimes in, "Commander, this is because of the Beacon and the Cipher. What Shiala and Liara did only helped you sort the information that was forcefully inserted into your brain."
Alex can't help but smile. "Ah, Commander, Kaidan did his research. Looks like he still wants to go ahead with it after all."
"Yeah, he's truly desperate. Alenko, before this is over, you're getting your shot. If we weren't so pressed for time, I'd allow you to relax a little on Noveria. You'll have to do without for now, though," Shepard says.
"I… I…" Kaidan stutters before muttering, "I hate you…"
"Don't turn to the dark side, Kaidan! Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. You're already at the hate stage. Turn back now before it's too late."
"What are you even saying?!" Kaidan asks, bewildered.
"Well, boys, inform me if something comes up. We're landing soon. Prepare yourselves as well."
Guess it's time for action again! This will be difficult… I wonder how Jewel would interact with the Rachni? I guess that's something I won't ever know.
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