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∯ Oh Loredy...
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0
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gervaise21
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Post by gervaise21 on Mar 24, 2021 11:01:11 GMT
Surely you mean RIP Dragon, bad Cati?  Or are you one of the bad guys? |
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,715 Likes: 14,205
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All the things.
5,715
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seven
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Post by seven on Mar 24, 2021 11:21:24 GMT
Surely you mean RIP Dragon, bad Cati? Or are you one of the bad guys?  Yes that. What an idiot 
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,715 Likes: 14,205
inherit
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seven
All the things.
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seven
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by seven on Mar 24, 2021 11:22:22 GMT
Correction - RIP Dragon  Bad Cati! BAD!  |
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Now Available As A Combo Meal!
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Add a cookie for just $1.99 (plus tax)!
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by dragontartare on Mar 24, 2021 11:38:38 GMT
Oh, spies. I so hoped you would interpret my clue as being the other reporter, and get rid of me overnight.  Surely you mean RIP Dragon, bad Cati? Or are you one of the bad guys? Yes that. What an idiot Riiiight. Do we have a third spy here?  |
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A Crazy Treehugger
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vella
My weapons of choice? Humor, sarcasm and ironing.
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noitakka
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Post by vella on Mar 24, 2021 12:16:38 GMT
I suggest we vote off OG, since we don't know their role yet. What do you others think?
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∯ Oh Loredy...
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Post by gervaise21 on Mar 24, 2021 12:30:03 GMT
I suggest we vote off OG, I think you are right. Cati/Tali cannot harm us now but OG is an unknown quantity and could be Conrad. For this reason I suggest that everyone be very careful about speculating who might be which hero roles and just focus on the spies. If thre are the only two spies then even if OG has copied someone else's role we should still be okay because we have 5 heroes to 2 spies, so we would go into the night time with 5 to 1 or at worse 4 to 1 if OG is Wrex or has copied him. If there are in fact 3 spies then it is going to be a bit tighter but I think the heroes are still going to be okay. So I'm going to go ahead and vote for OG
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A Crazy Treehugger
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vella
My weapons of choice? Humor, sarcasm and ironing.
1,574
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noitakka
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by vella on Mar 24, 2021 13:00:59 GMT
I will also vote forOG.
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ღ Grumpy Old Man
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They call me a Space Cowboy
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spacecowboy
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Post by Space Cowboy on Mar 24, 2021 13:10:15 GMT
Bad Cati! Sorry Dragon, but great job unmasking another one I'll vote for OG as well. |
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fylimar
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fylimar
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Post by fylimar on Mar 24, 2021 15:44:48 GMT
Sorry dragon
I vote OG too
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gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on Mar 24, 2021 17:54:35 GMT
I'll vote for OG as well. Space you didn't bold your vote. |
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,715 Likes: 14,205
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Post by seven on Mar 24, 2021 19:37:26 GMT
OGSorry guys, not the 3rd spy, just a bit dumb sometimes
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A Crazy Treehugger
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vella
My weapons of choice? Humor, sarcasm and ironing.
1,574
February 2019
noitakka
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by vella on Mar 24, 2021 20:17:03 GMT
OGSorry guys, not the 3rd spy, just a bit dumb sometimes So says you. We'll find out, says I. |
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I refuse to believe that the cake is a lie
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Post by ArcadiaGrey on Mar 24, 2021 21:15:19 GMT
OGSorry guys, not the 3rd spy, just a bit dumb sometimes So says you. We'll find out, says I.  Oh I can totally believe that Seven is dumb 
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They call me a Space Cowboy
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spacecowboy
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire
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Post by Space Cowboy on Mar 24, 2021 21:40:44 GMT
I'll vote for OG as well. Space you didn't bold your vote. Oops, thanks
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,715 Likes: 14,205
inherit
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All the things.
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March 2019
seven
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by seven on Mar 24, 2021 22:52:29 GMT
So says you. We'll find out, says I. Oh I can totally believe that Seven is dumb 
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I refuse to believe that the cake is a lie
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by ArcadiaGrey on Mar 25, 2021 1:03:49 GMT
Oh I can totally believe that Seven is dumb  Aw, I'm just teasing. All of us are here to join in a game of international super galactic espionage and hijinks, shocking the forum with our incredible talents. And you know why? 
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Post by pelassarias on Mar 28, 2021 0:59:24 GMT
Voting TallyOG - 5 - votes from gervaise,vella,Space,fylimar, and sevenStill to Vote
OG
Catilina
--
Since the voting situation seems pretty final, the voting will be closed by tomorrow.
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Post by pelassarias on Mar 29, 2021 0:21:29 GMT
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Post by pelassarias on Apr 1, 2021 17:05:35 GMT
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that the narrative is a bit lengthy considering it's pretty much the entirety of the Noveria plot line. However, I will be trimming it here and there to prevent it from being too long. Plus I've been a little busy IRL on top of this, so expect the results to pop up either later on today or tomorrow.  |
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Post by pelassarias on Apr 2, 2021 15:01:22 GMT
Noveria
--
Upon the niveous and rigid planet of Noveria was Shepard's next lead. There have been reports of geth within the corporate colony of Hanshan, and it was now up to Shepard to figure out why. On top of this, Shepard has recently received information regarding a traitor within the Normandy and has recently decided how she will tackle the situation. She would need to handle the situation effectively and with care, or else the main mission could possibly go awry. With this in mind, Shepard decided to detain Tali until she finished her current mission. After the mission concludes, she would then transfer her former squad mate to the proper authorities.
"Approach Control, this is the SSV Normandy. Requesting a vector and a berth," Joker relayed as he steadily approached Noveria.
"Normandy, your arrival was not scheduled. Our defense grid is armed and tracking you. State your business," a voice relayed back.
"Citadel business. We got a Council Spectre aboard,"
"Landing access granted, Normandy. Be advised: we will be confirming identification on arrival. If confirmation cannot be established, your vessel will be impounded,"
"What a fun bunch. I think I'll take my next leave here," Joker said smirking at Shepard as the Commander prepared for the blistering snow storm outside. If Noverian hospitality wasn't going to leave Shepard frigid, then it was going to be the blizzard raging within the colony.
As expected, the pleasantries coming from the trio that met Shepard around the hangar did not disappoint. The leader of the trio was a human woman, and her icy glare left Shepard amused.
"That's far enough," The leader said, not taking her eyes off Shepard, Liara, and Garrus.
"I'm on important business," Shepard said, meeting the leader's stare.
"This is an unscheduled arrival. I need your credentials,"
"All you need to know is that I have more credentials than you,"
"They plan to be trouble ma'am," the other human woman said to the leader. Her eyes just as chilling as the leader's.
"I can't let you into the port area without confirmation of your identity," The leader told Shepard. Then moments later she turned to the other human woman, "Sergeant Stirling secure their weapons,"
Without missing a beat, Shepard and her squad mate's pulled out said weapons, causing the trio to whip out theirs. Liara most notably also glowed in a biotic blue.
"Nobody takes my weapon," Shepard said, her pistol still pointing at the leader.
"We're authorized to use lethal force. You have to the count of three to surrender your weapons," The leader replied, her arms now secured in the back. Shepard remained unflinching and statuesque. "One, two, thr-"
"Captain Matsuo, stand down!," a voice boomed within the intercoms, "We confirmed their identity. Spectres are authorized to carry weapons here, Captain,"
With the voice ending the conflict, weapons were finally down on both sides.
"You may precede, Spectre," Matsuo said, her eyes still glaring at Shepard, "I hope the rest of your visit will be less confrontational. Parasini-san will meet you upstairs,"
--
As soon as Shepard made it to the second landing of the port, weapon detecting alarms were soon blaring. A woman entered Shepard's vision however, with reassurances and an apologetic smile.
"I am Gianna Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. We apologize for the incident in the docking bay," Gianna said, her introductions much warmer than her predecessors'.
"I appreciate you help, at least," Shepard said, being already more receptive to the assistant rather than the security.
"You're welcome. You understand our security chief was only doing her job," Gianna said, "One of my duties is orientation for new arrivals. Do you have any questions?"
Shepard wasted no time in asking the assistant about any strange sightings around the corporate colony. Gianna shrugged her shoulders but told Shepard that she saw an asari Matriarch, Matriarch Benezia, just a few days ago.
"Benezia? She is here?" Liara's posture slightly froze at the very mention of her mother's name.
"Can I speak with her?" Shepard asked.
"Benezia left for the Peak 15 research complex days ago. To the best of my knowledge, she's still there," Gianna said, " And if you want to go to Peak 15, you'll need to ask Administrator Anoleis for clearance to leave this port,"
As Gianna gave directions to Anoleis's office, Shepard noticed Liara slightly fidgeting. And by the look on her face, Shepard knew she wanted to speak on the rather delicate situation at hand.
"She's here. I can't believe it. I imagine you want to talk to me, Shepard, about my mother?"
"No I don't," Shepard shook her head, "I know you're trustworthy, Liara, which I can't say about everyone right now,"
"Right, and thank you Shepard," Liara said, "That means a great deal to me,"
---
With Gianna's brief guidance, Shepard was soon in the office of the salarian bureaucrat, Anoleis. The administrator was still at his desk, with his head held high as he saw Shepard entering his office.
"You'll excuse me if I don't stand up. I don't have time to entertain refugees from that urban blight called Earth," Anoleis sneered.
"Funny thing about humans, we're pretty loyal to our homeworld," Shepard shot back.
"My homeworld is clean, poverty nonexistent. If you take some perverse pride in that overheated slum then that is your business," Anoleis said, "This greeting is a courtesy. I will only cooperate as required by the Executive Board,"
While Anoleis made it clear that he was wary of Shepard's presence while in Noveria, Shepard continued to ask him whether he knew anything about Saren or Benezia. Anoleis responded by noting that Saren is an investor in a major corporation that is one of Noveria's backers. The corporation was Binary Helix. As for Benezia, Anoleis also noted that the asari arrived a few days ago in Noveria with cargo , asari commandos, and is currently at Peak 15.
"I need to see Benezia immediately," Shepard said.
"I'm afraid that you cannot. Peak 15 is a private facility in the Skadi Mountains," the bureaucrat responded by shaking his head, "Regardless, there is a blizzard in the area. Shuttles are grounded, and surface access has been cut off,"
"Surface access, you say?"
"Cut off, I said. The roads are not suitable for travel. Don't make an issue of this, Shepard,"
---
As Shepard left Anoleis's office, Gianna motioned the Commander for her attention.
"Mr. Anoleis isn't the only one with a pass to leave Hanshan," Gianna murmured to Shepard, getting her attention. Shepard raised her eyebrow at the assistant while Gianna shook her head at Shepard, "You've never worked in the corporate world, have you Commander? You can't bludgeon through bureaucracy,"
"I can bludgeon pretty hard," Shepard said with a half smile.
"Talk to Lorik Qui'in. You should be able to find him at the hotel bar," Gianna whispered. "Can't say more. Not within earshot of Mr. Anoleis,"
--
With further guidance from the assistant, Shepard briskly walked to the hotel bar to speak with Lorik Qui'in. And as expected, the turian businessman had a special favor to ask for Shepard for the coveted garage pass.
Just as Shepard was about to grumble about doing additional favors, the turian mentioned that he has evidence regarding Anoleis's corruption as Administrator. Lorik thus wants Shepard help in recovering the evidence in his office before Anoleis's paid security finds it. At this point, Shepard would love to see the haughty salarian possibly arrested so she accepted Lorik Qui'in's favor without a second thought.
"Freeze! Hanshan Security, this office is sealed!" Two armed securities guards greeted Shepard as she got out of the elevator to head to Lorik Qui'in's office.
"What would you do if I don't?" Shepard said with a cocked eyebrow.
"You're the Spectre, right? Lorik Qui'in is under investigation,"
"And Anoleis is paying you to shake this place down," Shepard replied, her eyes alone making the security guard shudder. Shepard noticed this and picked up her pistol in front of the shaking guard, "That alone makes you a criminal. I can kill criminals,"
"You're bluffing," one of the guards shot back, but Shepard just glared right back, with her pistol still in hand. After a few moments, the guards finally cracked and let Shepard through.
As Shepard and her squad mates continued on they were met with hostile guards. They were quickly dispatched until Shepard was greeted by an old friend, Sergeant Stirling.
"I don't think you're suppose to be in here, Shepard," The Sergeant greeted Shepard as she she finished off one of the hostile guards.
"Do you plan on making me leave?" Shepard said, already gripping her pistol. The corrupt Sergeant shook her head, indicating that she wanted a fight. Seconds later, the Sergeant quickly fell to ground along with her lackeys.
With the data and evidence quickly recovered, Shepard was greeted by Gianna once again as she exited the elevator. The "assistant" informed Shepard to meet her before she met with Lorik. And as she walked away, Shepard had a gut instinct that Gianna isn't what she appeared to be.
--
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Parasini, Noveria Internal Affairs," Gianna nodded slightly to Shepard as she entered the hotel bar.
Curious about the reveal, Shepard asked the agent questions and Gianna was generous in providing. In reality, Gianna is an undercover agent investigating Anoleis and his corruption. Gianna continued on to say that she has been deep undercover for six months and now wants Shepard to convince Lorik Qu'in to testify before the Board. In receiving all of this information, Shepard couldn't help but grin. Shepard could not stand the corrupt bastard as soon as she met him. So helping Gianna out in nailing the bureaucrat would essentially knock two birds in one stone for her.
Lorik Qui'in was resistant to Shepard's request at first. But with a the right nudging, Lorik soon agreed, Anoleis was quickly in handcuffs, and Shepard finally acquired the coveted garage pass. All in a day's work.
"See you around the galaxy, Commander. I owe you a beer," Gianna said as she escorted the cursing bureaucrat in cuffs. Shepard smirked as the agent hauled Anoleis away. She might just take her up on that offer in the future.
--
The wind howled with flurries of ice as the Mako trekked along the white tundra. Shiny geth and rockets stood in Shepard's way in the process, but they could hardly stop the bulky vehicle as it made its' way to Peak 15. This time Shepard made sure to take it easy with the driving this time, much to her squad's relief.
As Shepard made it to Peak 15's garage entrance, a crashed vehicle greeted the trio as they entered the building. When Shepard tentatively entered the garage, she soon realized the source of the crash.
Armed geth and a few krogan welcomed the team with hostility. And soon bullets and biotics start to fly. As Liara and Wrex took down the last krogan, a VI's voice boomed within the room, alarming Shepard.
"User alert, all Peak 15 facilities have suffered a great deal of damage. Biohazard material is present throughout the facility," The VI voice continuously declared as Shepard made her way out of the garage.
The atmosphere was thick and eerie as Shepard entered the Peak 15 cafeteria. Wrex and Liara huddled together as Shepard laid tech powers over the remaining geth in the room. But Liara's attention was especially elsewhere
as Shepard finished the last of the geth.
Hisses and movements were soon heard from above, alarming the trio as they huddled together.
"Did you hear that? " Wrex said with his shotgun in hand.
"Don't you worry, Wrex. We'll protect you," Shepard said to the formerly stoic krogan.
The hissing grew even more near, until the source was revealed. A deadly, insect-like alien was right above the group and was not looking to make friends. Soon, even more of these deadly alien creatures appeared and
headed for Shepard's direction.
Liara and Wrex hurriedly used their biotics to slam the creatures away, instantly crushing them.
"What the hell were those?" Shepard huffed as the last of the creatures made their last hiss.
"Damned if I know," Wrex said, "But someone on this mountain sure does,"
--
Shepard did not waste any more time in reaching the core station of Peak 15. When she arrived, it appeared to be significantly damaged due to the recent breach of creatures within the station. Unfortunately, Shepard soon became acquainted with the recent unwanted guests as they blasted her with their poison.
As her crewmates took care of the creatures, Shepard discovered that they would need to make repairs within the station as well as restoring its' power. So Shepard went to work, with the poisonous creatures attacking her each time she made significant process within the station.
"Lady Benezia departed on the passenger tramway to the Rift Station subsidiary labs," The core station's VI said to Shepard. With this in mind, Shepard made sure to make haste before Benezia
moves again.
Before long, the repairs within the station were finished. Along the way, Shepard realized just how truly infested the station was with the ominous creatures. It can't be a coincidence that these things showed up the same time as Benezia, Shepard tentatively thought as she finally entered the tram. The next stop was to the labs, and hopefully to the Matriarch herself.
The atmosphere thickened as Shepard exited out of the tram and entered Rift Station. The air itself that Shepard breathed was heavy and dark as she made her way to the station, and was soon met with shaken soldiers.
"Stand down," The human leader ordered his group as Shepard introduced herself.
"I take it you encountered those things?" Shepard said as she was met with startled and wide eyes.
"Encountered, fought, seen men get ripped apart by, we're all working on stims," the weary Captain said.
"Have you seen a Matriarch? I was sent to track her down,"
"Benezia? Yeah, she came through here," The Captain replied, "The aliens overran the hotlabs last week. Only Han Olar got out, and he ain't all there anymore,"
The Captain continued to explain the dire situation within the labs. Mid way through their conversation, more of the creatures made another appearance. After they were dispatched, Shepard glanced over at the Captain and it appeared that he aged a decade.
--
"You came to find out about them," A volus said to Shepard as she made introductions, "Didn't you?"
"Are you being cryptic or are you just completely gone?" Shepard asked, looking down.
"I wish I were crazy," breathed Han Olar, "It would be easier,"
"Well,I need to know more about those things out there,"
"About the rachni?"
"Rachni!?" Liara interjected, "That's completely preposterous,"
"The krogan wiped them out a thousand years ago," Shepard said, looking directly at a slightly stunned Wrex.
"They found them in a derelict ship," Han Olar explained, "An egg. Waiting since the last battles. They brought it here,"
"Shut up!" shouted a nearby human doctor, "Do you want to get us killed?"
"I don't have any control over who lives or dies here. Do you?" Han Olar shook his head.
"If you're going to be crazy, be the quiet kind," hissed a nearby turian guard.
"Crazy? I'm sane. God, am I sane," Han Olar mumbled, "Well, I told you all I can about the rachni. We brought them back from the dead. In retrospect, a bad decision,"
As Shepard awkwardly told the worn volus that she needed to go, she could not shake off her recent encounter with Han Olar. She couldn't shake off the encounters of any of the survivors in Rift Station either, and wondered just how many rachni would she have to burn in order to find the elusive Matriarch.
--
First, Shepard decided to head over down to the hotlabs in hopes that that was where the Matriarch was residing. Much to her disappointment, the only being that were in the hot labs was a worn human scientist. The shaking scientist sat alone, and appeared as if he had not slept in a century.
"Are you here to secure the situation?" the scientist said, as Shepard noticed that his hands were trembling.
"If by secure you mean shoot every monster I see, then sure,"
"I am certain you are having strong feelings," The scientist replied, "But what has happened here, it is our fault, you understand?"
"I understand that we'll be dead soon," Shepard said, her patience thinning, "So talk fast,"
The scientist preceded to explain that the Binary Helix corporation founded the rachni egg in a derelict ship. Instead of destroying the eggs in the ship, Binary Helix planned on cloning the rachni in order to create an army. The egg they discovered however, was that of a Queen rachni. Thus, after the Queen had her children, the corporation separated the children from the Queen in hopes that they could raise them without the Queen's influence.
"We'll take care of her later," Shepard said.
"No! Listen, the rachni are an intelligent species," the scientist said, "They achieved star travel. They are not animals, and I am thinking without a Queen, the rachni do not develop properly and are uncontrollable,"
The scientist continued on, pleading Shepard to take down the rachni since they are beyond saving. Thoroughly unsettled by the rachni, Shepard had no qualms in taking down the rest of them. The sooner it is done, the better. The scientist told Shepard that she is unable to leave the hotlabs unless she activates the neutron purge to kill the rachni.
"How do I set off the purge?"
"The controls are nearby. All you do is insert the key. Then I will give the VI instru-" A shriek interrupted the scientist as a rachni suddenly pieced him in the heart. With another shriek, the rachni tossed the dying scientist aside to attack Shepard. With Liara right beside Shepard, powerful biotics slammed the rachni to pieces.
Moments later, Shepard activated the neutron purge, with nearby shrieks and hisses growing awfully close. Shepard would need to leave the labs before the purge was activated. And with the amount of shrieks growing within the next room, Shepard knew leaving the labs was not going to be easy.
With the countdown on, Shepard ordered Liara and Wrex to the front, as they blasted the rachni away with their biotics. Wrex roared and tackled several rachni in his path, creating a path to the elevator. So Shepard and Liara ran right behind, hoping that the swarming rachni would not get to them before they reached the elevator.
Through biotics, shotgun blasts, and fury, Wrex was the first to make it to the elevator. Liara was quickly right behind. At this point they were gasping for air as they were covered in rachni guts. Shepard was several feet away, but it felt like miles. As soon as it felt like she reached salvation, a rachni quickly tackled Shepard.
Thirty seconds were left within the countdown, and a rachni screeching on top of Shepard. The rachni was ready to finally pierce Shepard with their tail, but Shepard wasn't out yet. With a scream, Shepard blasted the rachni with her pistol. And before another could get her, she leaped right into the elevator, tackling her squadmates in the process.
"Close the door! Now!" shouted Shepard. In a hurry, Wrex slammed his fist on the elevator button, instantly closing the door before a rachni could enter. The countdown finally ended, and the purge activated as the trio ascended. Shepard closed her eyes, seeking for a quick reprieve before she finally faced Benezia.
-- An hour would transpire before Shepard finally faced the Matriarch. Within that hour, treachery within the Captain, his soldiers, and security was revealed. They were all paid by Benezia, and had orders to take down Shepard. So more blood was spilled on the station, as Shepard wished to never come back to Hanshan again.
As the hour closed, there finally stood Matriarch Benezia. She stood alone in black, as if she was expecting Shepard. Her eyes were dark as she stared into Shepard, and her voice was steady.
"You do not know the privilege of being a mother. There is power in creation," Benezia was now facing the contained Queen rachni as she spoke, "To shape a life. Guide it towards happiness or despair. Her children were to be ours. Raise to hunt and slay Saren's enemies,"
Benezia inched closer to Shepard and instantly noticed the familiar figure beside the Commander, "I won't be moved by sympathy. No matter who you bring to this confrontation,"
"I don't know what you're talking about and I don't care," Shepard said, crossing her arms.
"Indeed? What have you told her about me, Liara?"
"What could I say mother? That you're insane? Evil? Should I explain how to kill you? What could I say?" Liara trembled before her mother, racked with emotion.
"Have you faced an asari commando before, Shepard? Few humans have," Benezia walked even closer to Shepard, with a grin on her face.
"I can't believe you would kill your own daughter," Shepard shook her head, "And they call me ruthless,"
"I now realize I should have been stricter with her," Benezia said as she glowed an ominous blue. Before Shepard could respond, Benezia paralyzed Shepard with her biotic powers. Leaving her vulnerable.
Asari commandos soon marched into the room, beginning the firefight. Shepard ordered her squad mates to take cover as they took down each asari commandos steadily. By the time the last commando fell, Benezia order geth into the room for the second wave. Shepard had no issue in eliminating the geth, as she took away their shields and overloaded their systems. Wrex and Liara quickly took down the asari commandos within the second wave. When more geth was ordered into the room, Shepard noticed that Benezia's was fatigued.
It would not be long now.
Wrex tackled the geth snipers as Liara biotic lifted some into the air. Shepard shot the last of the airborne geth as they crashed back into the ground. One asari commando, however, remained and blasted Shepard in the abdomen. Wrex biotic slammed the asari in response and the hard fought battle had concluded.
"This is not over," A weakened Benezia said, gathering her bearings, "Saren is unstoppable. My mind is filled with his light. Everything is clear,"
"I expected better from asari commandos," Shepard shook her head in disappointment as she took a medigel.
"I will not betray him. You will," Benezia struggled to say, in obvious conflict from within. Her eyes soon opened however, and it was as if she awakened from a nightmare, "You must listen. Saren still whispers in my mind. I can fight his compulsions briefly, but the indoctrination is strong,"
"You chose to ally yourself with Saren. You just got more than you bargained for,"
"It is a terror to be trapped in your mind. To be upon the glass as your hands torture and murder. I was powerless, nothing but a tool for Saren. He sent me here to find the location of the Mu Relay. Its' position was lost thousands of years ago,"
"Can I assume you found the coordinates?"
"Yes, I took the location from the rachni queen's mind," Benezia admitted, "I was not gentle,"
Benezia continued to explain that the rachni found the Mu Relay by searching for it. Most importantly, Benezia explained to Shepard that Saren has been searching for the Mu Relay because he believes it will lead him to the Conduit.
"You can still make this right," Shepard said, "Give me this information,"
"I was not myself, but, I should have been stronger," Benezia head lowered as she gave Shepard the coordinates, "I transcribed the data to an OSD. Take it, please,"
"Knowing the relay's coordinates is not enough," Liara finally spoke, "Do you know where he planned to go from there?"
"Saren wouldn't tell me his destination," Benezia said, looking at Liara, "But you must find out quickly, I transmitted the coordinates to him before you arrived,"
Shepard was about to ask Benezia another question, but the Matriarch started to tremble and shake.
"You have to stop - me. I- I can't. His teeth are at my ear," Benezia began, losing herself again, "Fingers on my spine. You should, uh, you should-"
Liara ran forward toward her mother, begging her to fight her indoctrination. What remained of the Matriarch told Liara that she was proud of her, until she slipped back into the darkness.
Before Liara could react, Shepard and Wrex made sure to quickly take down the weakened Matriarch. As Shepard unloaded another round, Benezia soon crumbled into the ground for good.
--
What was now left within the derelict station now was the Queen. Shepard carefully stepped towards the tank to face the powerful alien. Before Shepard could further inspect the tank, a dead asari rose to its' feet to face Shepard. The Rachni Queen hissed as Shepard turned away to face the dead asari.
"This one serves as our voice," the twitching asari began, "We cannot sing. Not in these low spaces. Your musics are colorless,"
"Musics?" Shepard knitted her eyebrows.
"Your way of communicating is strange. Flat. It does not color the air. When we speak, one moves all. We are the mother. We sing for those left behind. The children you thought were silenced. We are rachni,"
"Well, I didn't come here to talk to bugs," Shepard frowned.
"You are not in harmony with those who hoped to control us," The asari said, "What will you sing? Will you release us, or are we to fade away once more?"
"There are acid tanks rigged up on that thing, set them off," Wrex said, pointing to the tanks mentioned, "Millions of my ancestors died to put these things down. Don't let them come back,"
"Only you have the power to free us," the asari said to Shepard, "Or return us to silence,"
Moments passed before Shepard weighed her options. But as she saw the vulnerable yet powerful Queen, her decision was clear to her.
"Well, since you all can prove to be powerful allies in the future," Shepard said to the Queen, "I won't actually destroy your entire race,"
Wrex simply shook his head in disapproval, and grumbled about cleaning up this decision in the future.
With the fortunate and unexpected news, the Rachni Queen was as elated as she possibly could be with her twitching vessel. She vowed then and there that she will sing of Shepard's decision, forgivness, compassion. As the Queen continued on with her praises, Shepard simply grunted in response with a mocking Wrex beside her.
Shepard then preceded to carefully release the Queen from the tank. And without another word, the twitching asari fell and the Queen left to find refuge.
--
As Shepard came back from Rift Station and back into the Hanshan garage, she was met with one more foe. It was the same foe that she met back in Feros. And this time, she knew there would be no quarian shield to protect him.
The human male that now faced Shepard inside the garage was a human Shepard met back in the Citadel. At first, Conrad Verner seemed like a simple harmless fan. But Shepard soon grew tired of his fanatic antics. Every time Shepard visited the Citadel he would be right outside the Normandy, pestering Shepard with questions and lingering looks. Shepard eventually reached her limit and pointed a gun to his face to demonstrate how serious her job actually was.
Shepard hoped that he would get it together after their last encounter, but it seemed he went the other direction. Or perhaps he allied with Saren from the beginning. Regardless, she would have to finally take the former fanatic down once and for all.
With the help of her squad mates, Shepard finally took down the former fan. He was not as formidable as Shepard expected without the shield. Wrex tackled him a couple of times while Liara suspended him into the air. Conrad howled and cried as he became airborne. When he finally crashed back down, Shepard kicked Conrad right in the crotch. Having no fight left in him, Conrad finally crumbled in pain and surrendered.
"You won't see the last of me, Shepard," Conrad sniffled as Hanshan security took him away for arrest, "I promise,"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Shepard replied with rolled eyes.
With Conrad taken care of, it was now time for Shepard to check in with the detained traitor. However, as soon as she entered the Normandy, Joker approached the Commander with what appeared to be bad news.
"Commander, finally you're here!" Joker said as Shepard gave him a once over, "Alright, so you're going to want to sit down for this,"
"Spit it out, Joker. What happened?"
"Well, Tali has escaped from detainment," Joker said, "And she escaped the Normandy altogether,"
"What the hell, That detainment room was impenetrable! How did this happen?" Shepard said with her hands now on her hips. As Joker explained how Tali could have escaped out of the Normandy, Shepard simply sighed. There was no chance in hell she was going to sleep after this.
---
Player Eliminated : OG - Evil Conrad Verner.
---
It Is Now Night
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Post by fylimar on Apr 2, 2021 15:03:01 GMT
Yay, we've got one.
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Post by gervaise21 on Apr 2, 2021 17:36:08 GMT
Well that's a relief. At least we don't have to worry about Conrad anymore. Now I suppose we will just have to wait and see what they do overnight.
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Post by Catilina on Apr 5, 2021 16:15:01 GMT
Happy Easter!
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Post by pelassarias on Apr 8, 2021 20:55:10 GMT
Update: Alright everyone, my apologies but I've finally finished the narrative of Virmire and now I only have to edit it. So with editing and revisions still needing to be worked on, expect the results to happen within an hour or two.
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Post by pelassarias on Apr 9, 2021 0:05:47 GMT
Virmire
-
With three of the main missions completed, Shepard knew that she was on the very heels of catching Saren. Yet with all of these efforts came exhaustion. Shepard could faintly feel the effects of fatigue taking a toll, but she would have to push it aside for now. There was no rest for her line of work. And with the planet of Virmire coming into view as the Normandy made it's arrival, it seems she would have to push rest aside indefinitely.
The juxtaposition between the cold corporate planet of Noveria, and the current planet that the Normandy soon arrived on was vivid. Virmire was a lush and tropical planet, the sun rays reflecting against the rippling water as The Mako traversed through it. The local wildlife that skittered about as Shepard neutralized the geth occupying their territory. The way the leaves sway as the gentle breeze brushed against one of many of them on top of the billowing trees. If Shepard did make it to shore leave or a vacation, she would want to visit a planet such as Virmire.
Current matters however, were far from the likes of soaking in the what the vast planet had to offer. And when Shepard finally made her way to the salarian camp, she was brought back into reality.
"So what are we suppose to do now?" Ashley however, was already in the salarian camp, talking to a notable STG salarian officer.
"Stay put until we come up with a plan," The salarian officer told Ashley. As Shepard gave the salarian officer a once over she realized that he looked incredibly familiar. It was the same salarian officer from Therum.
"Are you in charge here? What's the situation?" Shepard said as she finally greeted the officer. Kaidan and Ashley stood right next to the Commander.
"I believe we have met before in Therum under slightly different circumstances. I'm Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment STG," Kirrahe said.
"Right, sorry abo-"
"No harm done, Commander, " Kirrahe said, stopping Shepard mid sentence, "But back to more pressing matters at hand. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hotzone. Every AA gun within ten miles have just been alerted to your presence,"
"What are we suppose to do in the meantime?"
"We stay put until the Council sends the reinforcements we requested,"
"We are the reinforcements," as Kaidan told Kirrahe this, the salarian officer widened his eyes in disbelief.
"What? You're all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet!"
"We are the fleet, Captain," Shepard said as Kirrahe shook his head in shock, "We couldn't understand your transmission, so they sent me to investigate,"
"That is a repetition of our task. I lost half of my men investigating this place," Kirrahe said with a slight distant expression on his face. As Kaidan asked what he found however, he snapped back to the present and explained how he discovered Saren's base of operations in Virmire. Kirrahe discovered that Saren set up a research facility that is solidly guarded by geth. As Shepard continued to listen to Kirrahe her eyes widened upon the news of Saren's involvement.
"He's here? Have you seen him?"
"No, but his geth are everywhere, and we've intercepted some comms referring to Saren," Kirrahe continued, "But this is his facility, there's no doubt about that,"
Kirrahe continued to explain that the reason why Saren has set up a research facility was in order to breed an army of krogan.
"How is that possible?" Wrex entered the conversation has he overheard Kirrahe's words nearby the camp.
"Apparently, Saren has discovered the cure for the genophage,"
"The geth are formidable enough, but a krogan army?" Shepard shook her head at the very thought, "He would be almost unstoppable,"
Kirrahe nodded his head in agreement, and declared that the research facility must be destroyed. Considering what Wrex experienced from the genophage however, Wrex vehemently shook his head in disagreement.
"Destroyed? I don't think so," Wrex began, "Our people are dying. This cure could save them,"
A sudden conflict between Kirrahe and Wrex suddenly arose regarding a possible cure for the genophage, and Shepard suddenly felt that she was caught in the middle. So when Wrex eventually stormed off after his heated conversation with Kirrahe, Shepard knew she would need to handle this situation before it got out of control.
"Looks like things are a bit of a mess," Kaidan noted as Kirrahe left to tend to other matters.
"Yeah, I wouldn't be so worried if wasn't for Wrex," Ashley said as she saw Wrex sulking alone a few feet away, "It looks like he's going to blow a gasket,"
"You think I should go talk to him?" Shepard asked.
"It wouldn't hurt. Well, it might, actually. Just do it carefully," Ashley advised.
--
Moments later, Shepard met up with a tense Wrex as he stared off into the Virmire skyline, shooting his shotgun. Shepard could feel the tension and passion radiating off of her companion and knew she would need to be delicate but direct in order to ease the situation at hand.
"This isn't right, Shepard," Wrex began, "If there's a cure for the genophage we can't destroy it,"
"I understand you're upset, but we both know Saren's the enemy here. He's the one you should be angry with,"
"Really? Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it," Wrex said as he closed the broad distance between himself and Shepard, "Help me out here, Shepard. The lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand,"
"Damn it, Wrex, this isn't a cure, it's a weapon!" Shepard said, meeting her friend's heated eyes with hers, "And if Saren is allowed to use it, you won't be around to reap the benefits. None of us will,"
"That's a chance we should be able to take," Wrex countered as his face became closer to Shepard's, the tension between the two increasing as the seconds go by, "This is the fate of my entire people we're talking about,"
As Shepard was about to say something, Wrex immediately cut her off to pull out his shotgun. Shepard responded in kind, pulling out her pistol. During this standoff, The memories of past surfaced for Shepard, like the gentle waves beating against the shoreline from where they stood. Memories of camaraderie between Shepard and the battled worn mercenary arose. The conversations they had as the Normandy coasted throughout the galaxy. The scene where Wrex nearly saved her life during Feros, and how she saved his in kind. Shepard grew fond of the old krogan throughout her mission against Saren. And this was far from what she pictured of where they would end up today.
"I've been loyal to you so far. Hell, you did more for me than my family ever did. But if you can't give me a better reason than this to destroy the hopes of my people," Wrex said to Shepard, his voice slightly shaken from the situation, "Then I'm done with you,"
"Wrex, Saren doesn't care about these krogan. They're tools. Puppets. He will destroy them as soon as they're no longer useful to him," Shepard said, bringing her pistol down, "Is that what you want for your people?"
There was silence from Wrex, and as the silence remained, Shepard's heart pounded violently against her chest to hear Wrex's answer. After a long pause, Wrex finally responded. "No, we've been tools for the Council once. To thank us for wiping out the rachni, they neutered us all. I doubt Saren will be as generous,"
With that, Wrex also put away his shotgun, much to Shepard's relief. She didn't particularly want to see one of her companions die today. It seem Wrex felt a similar emotion as he let out a hefty exhale himself.
"Alright Shepard, you made your point," Wrex said, "I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow your lead,"
Shepard nodded and gave Wrex a pat on his shoulder. Wrex responded in kind.
"Just one thing: When we find Saren, I want his head"
---
After things have simmered down within the camp, Shepard met back with Kirrahe to go over the plan to attack and infiltrate the research facility and to place a nuke to destroy it. In order for the Normandy to place the nuke however, Kirrahe's men will need to infiltrate the base to disable the AA guns and eliminate any other defenses first. Kirrahe's plan involves three groups of his team to attack the front of the research facility. Meanwhile, Shepard and her squad mates will sneak into the research facility in the back.
"Well, I just hope you stay on your feet this time to complete your job," Shepard said with a slight smile.
"I'm tougher than I 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, " Kirrahe continued, "I need one of your men to accompany me. To help coordinate the teams,"
"Good idea, you'll need someone who knows Alliance communication protocols," Shepard said. The decision was between Kaidan and Ashley, with both volunteering immediately and bickering amongst themselves.
"With all due respect, Gunnery Chief, it's not your place to decide," Kaidan told Ashley.
"Why is it that whenever someone says 'with all due respect' they really mean 'kiss my ass?'
"Williams, you'll accompany the Captain," Shepard ordered after a short time to think it over, "No heroics, understood?"
"Aye, Aye, Commander,"
As the decision was made, and the plans briefed, it was now time to proceed. After some time pass by, Shepard looked back on two of her crew members, Kaidan and Ashley, before facing into the unknown.
"Well, this is it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone LT," Ashley said in a rather wistful voice. Then she slightly turned her body facing Shepard. Her eyes speaking for themselves, "You too, Commander,"
"We'll be fine. You'll see," Kaidan said, taking note of Ashley's demeanor.
"Yeah, I just," Ashley's eyes were downcast, "Good Luck,"
"Is there something you want to say, Chief?" Shepard asked.
"I don't know, it's just weird. Going under someone else's command, I've got used to working with you. All of you," Ashley responded, her voice shaken with sudden emotion.
"Don't worry, we'll see you on the other side," Kaidan reassured Ashley.
"I know, I," Before Ashley continued, she exhaled. "It's been an honor serving with you, Commander,"
"Hey, it doesn't matter if we're not in the same unit. We're still a team," Shepard said, "Watch each other's backs, keep your eyes open, and fight like I know you can,"
"We'll all come out of this in one piece," Shepard promised.
As the two crew members left, a sinking feeling suddenly hit Shepard, but she tried to brush it aside. Ashley will come back, Shepard thought, trying not to remember the people under her command that she's already lost before. She will.
--
As Shepard and her chosen squad mates, Kaidan and Garrus, prepare for the upcoming assault, Captain Kirrahe faced his men. His arms back and voice steady as he began his speech:
"You all know the mission and what is at stake. I've come to trust each of you with my life, but I also heard murmurs of discontent. I share your concerns."
Kirrahe walked closer to his line of men, his head held high, "We are trained for espionage. We would be legends, but the records are sealed. Glory in battle is not our way,"
"Think of our heroes: the Silent Step, who defeated a nation with a single shot. Or the Ever Alert, who kept armies at bay with hidden facts. These giants do not seem to give us solace here, but they are not all what we are,"
Kirrahe slowly paced back and forth in front of his men, "Before the network, there was the fleet. Before diplomacy, there were soldiers. Our influence stopped the rachni, but before that, we held the line. Our influence stopped the krogan, but before that, we held the line! Our influence will stop Saren! In the battle today, we will hold the line!"
As Kirrahe speech concluded, he turned to face Shepard, his eyes afire, "Good luck, Commander. I hope we will meet again,"
--
With Garrus and Kaidan by her side, Shepard infiltrated her way into Saren's facility. It was not easy however, as geth were indeed fortified within and around the base itself. But the trio was well prepared for the geth with the tech abilities they were capable of. While inside the base, Shepard discovered captured STG agents, but soon discovered they were beyond saving as they were all indoctrinated.
As Shepard headed her way further into Saren's base she encountered an asari scientist, Rana Thanoptis. Soon the startled neuro-specialist revealed more about the effects of indoctrination to Shepard. Most importantly, she divulged information regarding Saren's warship, Sovereign. Rana admitted that she was hired to study Sovereign's effects on organic minds. However, Rana did not realize just how permanent the job she accepted from Saren would be. Out of self preservation or possible guilt, Rana then gave Shepard access to Saren's private lab and his files.
"Are we good then? Can I go?" Rana asked Shepard.
"I'm going to blow this place up to hell, so if I were you, I would start running," Shepard said with a simply shrug.
Without another second wasted, The terrified scientist then ran frantically away from Shepard and to possible safety.
"You enjoyed that, Commander," Garrus said, facing Shepard as she smirked in response.
--
Saren's private lab was dark, cold, and devoid of any organic life. Shepard felt an ominous atmosphere as she investigated the lab from within. There was a familiar feeling she experienced as well, and that was when she noticed a beacon in front of her that was similar to the beacon in Eden Prime. Just as before in what felt like ages ago, Shepard slowly stepped forward in front of the beacon to activate the communications panel in front of it. Seconds later, Shepard levitated once more, the beacon sending a much thorough vision into her brain. This time however, Shepard was still here, and her eyes began to open, taking in the full picture. The full invasion.
As the vision appeared fully to Shepard, she was suddenly met with the ground once more. By the time she gathered herself and stood back up and ascended upstairs, an ominous red hologram of a warship appeared.
"This is not good," Garrus murmured as the hulking holographic figure appeared before the trio.
"You are not Saren," the deep, booming voice said to Shepard. It's very voice rattled it's surroundings, but not the stoic leader facing them.
"What is that? Some kind of VI interface?" Garrus asked incredulously.
"Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding,"
"I don't think this is a VI..." Kaidan responded.
"There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign,"
"Sovereign isn't just some derelict ship that Saren found. It's an actual Reaper," Shepard said in disbelief.
"Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they choose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are,"
"Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measure in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything, We-"
"Whatever your plan is, it's going to fail. I'll make sure of that," Shepard said, interrupting Sovereign's speech.
"Confidence born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken," Sovereign continued, "The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished,"
Sovereign continued to reveal that the Protheans were not the first civilization, nor did they create the Citadel or the mass relays. It was actually the Reapers who built the technology so that civilizations will advance in the way that the Reapers desired.
"We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it,"
"They're harvesting us, they're here to wipe us out," Garrus said, his voice filled with shock.
"Where are the rest of the Reapers? Are you the last of your kind?" Shepard asked.
"We are legion. The time of our Return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom,"
"You are not even alive, not really," Shepard scoffed, "You're just a machine, and machines can be broken,"
"Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over," As Sovereign concluded his conversation, the glass surrounding the lab shattered, and Joker's voice suddenly entered the comms.
"Commander we got trouble!" Joker immediately relayed to Shepard from the Normandy.
"Hit me, Joker,"
"That ship, Sovereign? It's moving. I don't know what you did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would shear any of our ships in half,"
"Okay, let's head to the breeding facility. Joker can pick us up after we set the nuke," Shepard ordered as they hurriedly left Saren's private lab.
--
As Shepard made her way to the facility, she could hear Captain Kirrahe still within her comms, desperately fighting for his life. By the time she made it her destination, the Normandy arrived and Kirrahe's comms abruptly ended. Soon Kaidan and other crew men carried the nuke into it's finally resting place.
"Bomb is in position. We're all set here," Kaidan chirped into the comms. Suddenly, Ashley's voice chirped back.
"Commander, can you read me?"
"The nuke is almost ready, get to the rendezvous point, Williams," Shepard ordered.
"Negative Commander, the geth has us pinned down in the AA towers," Ashley said, "We've taken heavy casualties. Captain Kirrahe is dead. We'll never make the rendezvous point in time!"
"Get them out of there, Joker! Now!"
"Negative! It's too hot! Can't risk it, we'll hold them off as long as w-" Ashley's voice was instantly cut off from within the comms.
"It okay Commander," Kaidan said, "I just need a few more minutes to arm the bomb. Go get them in the AA tower and meet me back here!"
"Keep that nuke safe," Shepard replied, parting with Kaidan to save a battered Ashley before there would be none of her left to save.
--
With Liara and Garrus in tow, Shepard shredded krogan and geth in order to rush towards the AA Tower. Meanwhile, Shepard could hear Ashley doing her best to survive her situation. A hurricane couldn't have stopped Shepard in the moment to reach the Gunnery Chief. As soon as she witnessed a geth ship headed towards the bomb site, however, she met something that could. Shepard was only mid way towards the AA Tower,and both of her crew mates were currently in peril. For the first in a long time, Shepard was paralyzed.
"Heads up LT: We just spotted a troop ship headed your way," Ashley relayed.
"They're already here!," Kaidan chirped back, "There's geth pouring out all over the bomb site!"
"Can you hold them off?" Shepard asked, already pacing back and forth.
"There's too many, I don't think we can survive until you get here," As Kaidan uttered those words, Shepard's stomach dropped.
"I'm activating the bomb,"
"Alenko! What are you doing?"
"I'm just making sure the bomb goes off," Kaidan replied. Deafening silence the filled the comms, until Kaidan spoke up again, "No matter what,"
"It's done Commander. Go get Williams and get the hell out of here,"
"Screw that! We can handle ourselves, go back and get Alenko,"
For the next few moments, Virmire and the very fabrics of time itself seemed to have paused indefinitely. The very gentle breeze that Shepard felt throughout her time in Virmire, she could no longer feel against her skin. Every sound she heard before of combat and death, fell silent. What she was asked to decide was impossible. But as she looked down upon her hands, she knew she would have to carry this burden anyway. The burden to lead, and the burden of the fallen, pressing against Shepard's shoulder blades and rough hands. With one more ghost to join Shepard's dreams for years to come. Shepard's head bowed and she gripped tight onto the railings she was leaning against as she finally made her decision.
"Alenko, radio Joker and tell him to meet us at the bomb site. I," Shepard finally said, breaking the silence.
"Yes Commander, I,"
"You know it's the right choice LT,"
"Ashley, I'm sorry, I," Shepard tried to find the right words, but her rattled mind failed her. These moments of leaving a friend in arms were never easy for Shepard.
"I understand Commander," Ashley said, giving out a small exhale, "And you know what? I don't regret a thing,"
The last moments Shepard heard from the Gunnery Chief will stay with her until she is no more. Shepard could hear Ashley ordering the rest of her team to hold on, and to stay with her. And they did, until the geth overcame them. As each of Kirrahe's men ultimately perished, Ashley remained. Firing away until her weapons overheated to exhaustion. Pummeling the geth with everything she had until her hands were bruised and bloodied. Shots from the geth filled the comms as Ashley grunted in response to each agonizing blow. Shepard heard Ashley fight and scream until the comms ultimately went off. Until there was static, and then silence.
---
As Shepard made it back to the bombing area, the place was surrounded with geth. But with additional assistance, the geth were quickly taken care of. It also helped that Shepard was rattled with anger and new found grief.
As the last Geth Prime hit the ground, Shepard found a barely breathing Kaidan still guarding the bomb. But as soon as Shepard made her way towards the space marine, a biotic blast struck her into the ground. Shepard looked up and found the source, hovering above her in a platform. It was the source she has been looking for throughout the entire galaxy. It was the one that ravaged Eden Prime from the beginning . It was the one that occupied her thoughts the most. It was Saren himself, floating on a platform and finally meeting Shepard face to face.
Saren flew another biotic blast towards Shepard, but it missed. Shepard immediately got up and started firing from her pistol. Saren responded once more with a heavy biotic blast that threw Shepard nearly back into the ground. As Saren got off from his hovering platform, Shepard immediately found cover nearby. Saren then made his way into the ground to walk towards Shepard. But Shepard got out of cover to start firing to no avail.
"I applaud you, Shepard. My geth were utterly convinced the salarians were the real threat. An impressive diversion,"
"Of course, it was all for nothing," Saren continued, "I can't let you disrupt what I have accomplished here. You can't possibly understand what's at stake,"
"This isn't complicated," Shepard shook her head as she headed back into cover, "You'll do anything for power, even joining with the Reapers,"
"You seen the vision from the beacon Shepard," Saren said, "You of all people should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. Do not mire yourself in pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the sake of petty freedoms. The Protheans tried to fight, and they were utterly destroyed,"
"Trillions dead, but what if they had bowed before the invaders? Would the Protheans still exist?," Saren asked rhetorically as he paced back and forth, "Is submission not preferable to extinction?"
"I rather die then live under those machines," Shepard shot back.
"Now you see why I never came forward with this to the Council. We organics are driven by emotion instead of logic. We will fight even when we know we cannot win,"
"But if we work with the Reapers," Saren continued, "If we make ourselves useful, think how many lives could be spared. Once I understood this, I joined Sovereign. Though I was aware of the dangers,I had hoped this facility would protect me,"
"You're like every other poor bastard in this place," Shepard noted, "A tool Sovereign can use, then cast aside,"
"Sovereign needs me to find the Conduit. My mind is still my own, for now. But the transformation from ally to servant can be subtle. I will not let it happen to me,"
"Sovereign's manipulating you and you don't even know it," Shepard said, "You're already under its' power!"
"Together we can stop Sovereign," Shepard continued, trying to snap Saren back from his state, "We don't have to submit to the Reapers. We can beat them!"
But Shepard's plea to Saren however, fell on deaf and indoctrinated ears. Saren restated that he believed that the best option for survival was submitting to the Reapers. Shepard snapped back at Saren and told him that she would rather die than to submit. The conversation inevitably went nowhere, and Saren concluded that Shepard had to die in order to save the galaxy.
Saren hovered in his platform to hurl biotic blasts towards Shepard's way, but she ducked for cover to dodge them. Soon Liara and Garrus joined Shepard in the fight as the rogue spectre hurled rockets at them. Eventually, Shepard's fire power wore down Saren, and he inevitably hurled a major rocket towards the trio. The rocket blasted Liara and Garrus away, while knocking Shepard to the ground. Saren then preceded to walk towards a stupefied Shepard to drag her then hurl her up by her neck, choking her in the air. Shepard struggled to break free, but Saren's grip was of iron.
A noise however, temporarily distracted Saren, and thus gave Shepard an opening she was looking for. With all her might, Shepard punched Saren right in the face, causing him to let her go.Shepard fell to the ground, and by the time she got back up, Saren fled back to his hover-platform, and away from the facility.
As Saren fled away, Shepard hurriedly ran to an ailing Kaidan's side to pick him up by her shoulders. As Shepard carried Kaidan to safety the Normandy finally arrived and landed right on time.
Shepard gazed back into the now distant planet of Virmire by the time she was back into the Normandy. A sigh escaped the weary Commander as the explosion from the bomb billowed within the distance. But Shepard was not focused on the bomb, for her hands were gripping a book by Tennyson; her mind far away into the near past.
---
Player Eliminated : Space Cowboy - Good Ashley Williams
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It Is Now Day. You May Now Ask Questions and Vote!
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