As the Verminus patrols the area near by the Sirius in the Sentry Omega. A new message appears as Genesis receives it as it was a distress signal.
"Commander Carter, a new message in your hub. Shall I open it?" Genesis asks
"Incoming message from Citadel Council; Valern."
"Patch it through."
Council Valren appears on screen.
"Good evening commander"
"Good evening Council Valern"
"It seems we have received this message from our down outposts on a planet Drichi in the Longua system. Our Section operations was attacked by an unidentified enemies and we received this message and sound. (Error's playing weird sounds) No one was able to report back since for two whole weeks. That outpost is too important for us. The systems are automatic so it can run itself. I need to see if you can return it online."
"Consider it done."
As Valern fades of screen Genesis opens the message as there was nothing but old messages from Cerberus. Carter and the crew were confused as the message closes.
"Scan for sources on that message."
"The message came from the Outpost on planet Dricihi just as Council Valern provided. Would you like me to provide the coordinates?" Genesis asks
"Yes, do it."
(Over on Loudspeaker) "I got it commander setting coordinates now. We should be there in ETA 15 minutes."
"Alright Genesis prep yourself because you'll join me."
"Affirmative."
"And Ladia too. We might need expertise on this."
"Yes commander."
As the team gets prepped for the mission the Verminus takes flight to the nearest mass relay as they shot off to the next star. They reached the Longua system and approached the planet Drichi. Carter loads his weapons as Ladia puts her helmet and Genesis preps herself with a standard a Geth Pulse Rifle V and a N7 Eagle as they left to the drop shuttle and lift off. They fly into atmosphere and down further pass the sky into forest terrain as Carter begins to give his debrief.
"Listen up, Viper squad. We're looking at down outpost 50 clicks from where we are and Ladia and Genesis is gonna get it back online."
"Just get me under the hood, Commander."
"Sir, why would anyone want to cut off and outpost from the Salarians?" Don asks curiously
"When you get a chance. Maybe you can ask them Don."
As they approach closer to their location they've lost the signal back to the ship as Genesis just got it.
"Commander, I've lost connection with the Verminus crew."
"Backup channels?"
"Scanning… Negative. Cannot detect the issue."
"You heard her. Dead Zone confirmed. She will not keeping us a company on this trip."
"I feel lonely already."
As they continue flying they fly over an open area where they can land.
"Anything could happen, Jackson. So keep your distance."
"Roger that."
"Let's stay focus. Watch your sector."
"There's the outpost…" Don places the marker where the outpost is
"… And there's the beacon." As Ladia does the same."
"Could be the missing Salarians. Let's check it out."
"Take us down there, Jackson."
"Yes sir."
They hover around it till they landed in open space as the doors open.
"Ladia. Jackson. Keep your eyes open. Let's go team."
Everyone expect Ladia jumps out as the ship takes off into the air.
"Alright team spread out. Watch your approach."
The team begins to move down to the marker as they search for the beacon as Genesis scans for it.
"The beacon is located to the south nearby you. We are near the beacon."
(Jackson on Com) "Give you heads up. Everything is clear from this angle."
"Roger that. Eyes peeled."
As they reached where the beacon was dropped Don begins digging through the pile of rubble and finds the device.
"Found it."
Hands it to Genesis as she scans it.
"Anything?" Carter asks
"Negative but its military grade."
"So where are the Salarian troopers? You think by now they would've dealt with this." Don asks curiously
"And why are we not seeing any explosive residue? Ladia also asks
"Jackson, can you detect the residue in the area?"
"Hm, nothing sir."
"Circle west and check it out. Vipers: you have permission to engage, but be selective. We don't need to telegraph a presence."
Don went ahead of Carter as he was behind as they moved into a house probably a native home to family.
"Don, move into the house. Go in quiet. I'm right behind you."
"Carter, I'm seeing heat-sigs in the structure ahead!"
Don goes up a short flight of stairs and emerges on the other side of the house. The dropship lands in the courtyard long enough to drop Ladia off, then takes off. A door opens, and a native male steps out. Other natives can be seen remaining inside. Don aims his rifle at the man as he and Ladia question him, but he appears to speak in another language.
"Move! On your knees, now!"
"They're not Pirates. They're Natives. Look at them."
"Ask him what they're doing here."
Ladia begins speaking in another language as she asks him about what was happening recently and what could've done this.
"He said hiding ma'am. Others were attacked last night. He heard screams, gunfire. It stopped around sunrise."
"Well that sounds like pleasant good news," Don chuckled sarcastically.
"Shut it Don, we don't need to improve the chances of things getting bad. And you know how things always seem to get bad when at least one person mentions it."
(Ladia Translating) "He says something in the fields...killed his son."
"Something?"
(Over Com) "Carter, be advised. I'm detecting red thermal structures north from where you are."
"Alright, tell them to stay out of sight."
Ladia tells them to stay out of sight as they ran off and then moved on.
"Alright so this is what we've got, we've got something that killed a local's son and maybe caused screams and gunfire until sunrise. Anyone want to guess what the hell might be going on?" Don asked.
"Genesis what do you think it could be?" Carter asked.
"Uncertain commander."
"Alright move out. Double time."
The team continued moving out as they a find a building nearby but it wasn't the outpost. As they walked in they find dead Salarian troopers and a few blood trails.
"Well that's never a good sign. What the hell happened to these poor guys?"
"We've got military casualties, two of the missing troopers. Looks like they were interrogated... It's messy."
"Messy is one word put it in the nicest way possible." Don shrugged as he checked the bodies.
As they checked they hear rumbling running from the top. Ladia spotted something running towards the outpost. As they see it on their trackers.
"Movement. Watch your motion trackers."
"What the hell was that?"
"Jackson, you see anything?"
"Negative. Thermals clean."
Jackson detects the enemies on his scanners "Boss, I see movement, outside your structure at the outpost!"
"Don, move up to the west. We're about to be flanked."
"Contact, contact! Vipers, assist!"
"Here we go!"
The team moved out of the structure as related Cerberus armor from the Project Phoenix as the team began attacking the enemy as the Vipers took cover and fired back.
"I recognize that armor. That's the Dragoons from the Project Phoenix."
"I thought that project died ten years ago?"
"Well it must have been something to bring them back."
"Multiple enemies inbound." As Genesis yelled out with more running till something was giving head shots. Shot after shot as Ladia spots a Salarian on the roof providing cover fire.
"Sir, look! A survivor!"
"He's giving cover fire. Move!"
As the team ran in his direction they were blocked by a few as Genesis used her Fortification armoring herself and the flamer as she shoots them down burning them one after another. As they all went down they continue running till an Atlas drops from the air till the mysterious Salarian appears. He quickly activated Energy Drain to drain the Atlas of all its shields. The Atlas was stunned only momentary but gave the the Salarian enough time to use Tactical Cloak and disappear from sight. The Atlas scanned the area and suddenly saw the Salarian reaper from nowhere close by. It immediately did a stomp towards the Salarian. Upon doing so, the Atlas soon discovered that it was a Decoy as it explodes with a large electrical pulse stunning it once again. The real salarian decloaks from his tactical cloak and places a proximity mine on its cockpit glass. The Salarian taps on its omni-tool to show the Cerberus operative an image on a human flicking the middle bird at him before jump flipping off the Atlas.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Yelled the Cerberus operative before the Atlas explodes from the mine. After which the Salarian turns to Viper Squad, his expression was unreadable thanks to the helmet and hood. He wore a Black and White Light Salarian STG Armor with a hooded cowl.
"I guess I should be thanking you."
The Salarian takes his hood off and tapped his helmet to retract to show his face. He was a Blue/Grey skin Salarian with one of his horns slightly chipped. He bore two prominent facial scars: one through his right eyebrow and another on his left cheek.
"No need to be thanking me Commander Carter, it's always a special pleasure to kick Cerberus ass while rubbing it in their smug prick faces. Astok Yamal ,Special Task Group Beta Team Scientist, at your services." The Salarian revealed as Astok said as he made a small bow to the team.
"How did you know my name? I didn't even tell you who I am yet."
"When I sent the distress signal I was told you and your Viper Team where on the way. And since I had nothing better to but wait, I did a little background reading on you, and what I read I must say is kickass commander."
"Oh right. The Elysium thing."
Astok turned and looked at the rest of Viper team. He particular eyed the female members and smiled.
"Well hello beautifuls." Astok licked his hand a bit and swayed his head a little trying to look sexy.
"I only read about you commander but may I have the pleasure of being introduced to Viper Team here?"
"Commander, you can't be serious?" As Ladia was not amused
"Damn, we're rescuing a Salarian and already he's hitting on her."
"Actually we just rescued each other. You're here to rescue me as well, what's left of my team which you see before you. And I just rescued you guys from an Atlas and Cerberus smart asses using my special skills of badassery to kick their asses in Salarian Style. So in a way, we make a good team don't you think commander?"
"I guess we do."
"Commander Carter, I've detected a wave of enemies inbound from the south with two Atlas"
Astok notice genesis.
"Is that a Geth with a...female structured body? From the immortal words of you famous humans. "What the fuck?"
"We thought the same exactly but the Geth were interested by how females were with their feminism ways. So they built one to contribute."
Astok stood staring at Genesis in disbelief for a moment before sighing.
"Well as much I would love to ask the countless questions and request to study this closely here and now. According to ms. genesis here we've got more Cerberus sons of bitches on their way. So Viper Team, Ready to kick more Cerberus ass and rub in their smug faces?" Astok asked as his helmet extended back into position and he places his hood back over his head.
"Alright team. Let's hold them till backup arrives. It's show time."
(through helmet) "Oh yes gonna have some fun tonight."
Everybody checked there ammo and ran outside seeing a wave of enemies coming down as the team began attacking. Carter usings his Cryo-ammo and began shooting them as they freeze and uses dash with his omni-sword and cut down a few into pieces. Ladia throws her sticky grenades as it sticks on the visor of the Atlas as it blew destroying the first Atlas. Don uses his shotgun as we went close quarters with them shooting from to right and using his omni-sword slice from up and down and Genesis uses her Fortification shielding her for a moment knocking down a few of them dealing a lot of damage to them finally she used hunter mode increasing her offensive systems as she moves faster. Astok threw a few sticky grenades at a few Cerberus troopers to causes a chain reactions to blow up several more enemies. As they were blowing up, he used is Venom Shotgun to continue shooting at cerberus enemies not caught in the explosion to continue the explosive chain reaction causing more explosions to blow up even more enemies. When his shotgun ran out of ammon he uses decoy to rush up to a few more to causes an electrical pulse explosion to distract them. Activating his tactical cloak he disappears leaving a proximity mine in his wake to blow up even more enemies that continued the chain reaction of explosions on even more enemies.
"This guy is blowing stuff up like a Krogan." Dom replies as he watches all the explosions go off from where he was at.
"And he's a Salarian?" Ladia questioned.
Astok reappeared in front of the two.
(through helmet) "A Salarian Scientist from STG who was number 1 top of his class if I may add."
He takes position with the two and continues firing with his Scorpion Pistol to destroy a Cerberus Engineer's turret before he could set it up. Causing it to explode and send the the Cerberus Engineer flying in the air as his lifeless body fades away in ashes.
(through helmet) "So what's your stories fellow colleges of death and destruction of Cerberus bastards?" Astok asked Don and Ladia.
"Um can it wait, back up hasn't showed up yet." Don answered as he continued firing back at the enemies.
(through helmet) "Very well. Anyone got a cigarette or a drink or something. I can seriously use one at this moment."
"You're asking us for one of those at a time like this?" Ladia yelled.
(through helmet) "Nothing is more satisfying then either a good smoke or drink after blowing Cerberus bitches up sky high."
(Carter mumbling) "Ugh, I wonder if this was a mistake." Continues firing until it begins to dye down a bit.
"The numbers getting short. They're on the run."
(through helmet) "That's right run you little Cerberus Piss Antes I say run! I am serious guys does anyone have a smoke or a drink? I'll drink Krogan whisky if any of you guys have any."
"No, this is too damn easy. Cerberus would never run to… (Through com) Jackson, is there another Salarian base nearby?"
"Yes, we just got the message of a distress signal. We've been had."
(through helmet) "What?"
The Salarian reinforcements arrived as they cover the outpost as one approached him.
"We'll handle this commander. You need to get to the Research facility."
"What is it holding? Astok do you know?" Carter asks Astok
(through helmet) "Old reaper Tech, experiment files, other things, that kind of stuff. The kind of stuff you need to just leave alone the kind of stuff Cerberus just wants to mess around with non stop."
Ladia joins in. "Sir there's no telling what they can do with that stuff."
"Team move out."
The dropship comes back and lands as everyone jumps in and the ship takes off to the base located. As they fly over to the next location Astok couldn't resist looking at Genesis.
(through helmet) "So...Genesis right?"
"Correct."
(through helmet) "Interesting...well...how long have you been around? How old are you by chance?"
"I was created five years ago by Quarian and Geth scientists on Rannoch used for many purposes."
(through helmet) "Damn, they were making female Geth's five years ago under everyone's' noses and no one learns of until now. Well I will be sure to get back to you on that. In the meantime how far until we get there?"
"We should be arriving soon. There it is." As they approach the base.
"Is anyone there? Come in. This is Commander Carter of Vipers Spec ops to assist."
"Yes, we are holding off the Cerberus but too many to handle. We have to retreat. Fall back."
They approach the base as they hover on the ground and jumped off as enemy fire was coming through. The ship took off as everyone was taking cover.
"Genesis, get that door open. Everybody give her coverfire."
"Yes, Commander."
Genesis gets to work on the door as everyone gives coverfire for her.
"Commander, we got Nemesis Snipers in the area." Don said as he spotted a small group of them from a far off distance.
"Ladia take them out quick!" Carter called back. "Genesis how's that door."
"Twenty five percent commander. Requesting more time!"
(through helmet) "Actually I got a way to speed things up."
"Whatever it is. Do it now!"
Astok quickly rushes over to Genesis, stops her, and places a proximity mine, sticks it with a few sticky grenades and takes cover.
(through helmet) "FIRE IN THE HOLE!"
The mine blows up and the combined explosion with the many sticky grenades blows the door up.
"No! Now we can't close the door!"
Genesis noticed something from the inside on the panel.
"Commander, this facility contains a second door as a blast shield. We'll be able to block them out."
(through helmet) "Told you I knew a faster way."
"How come you didn't tell us there was a second door for a blast shield.
(through helmet) "You never asked Commander."
"I have no time for your bullshit. Everyone get in!"
(through helmet) "Yes but you do have to admit my bullshit is pretty damn funny right?"
Everyone rushed inside through the second door and closed it as fast as they could. Genesis got to work again working on closing the door as they continued giving cover fire for her.
"Requiring more time. fifty percent."
The door begins to close slightly.
"Sometime today, Genesis!" Ladia yelled.
"Eighty eight percent
(through helmet) "You know I could blow this door but there isn't a third blast shield door."
"Yeah and we don't want that now do we?" Said Don angrily
(through helmet) "I do agree."
"One hundred percent, commander. Closing doors now."
The doors begin to close to a complete shut locking in as everyone relaxed with a few injuries from the troopers.
"(through helmet) "So about that smoke or drink? Anyone have one of those?"
"Not now, Astok."
Astok took his hood off and retract his helmet.
"Alright all the reaper shit should be down to the lower levels. I say we get everyone out of here and blow this place sky high to keep Cerberus away.
"Can we at least see what they were after before we blow up something."
"Alright I guess taking some photos before explosion won't hurt anyone except Cerberus' pride. Hey I like that, sure why not."
The leader came by to thank the team.
"Thank you, Commander. We wouldn't stand a chance if you hadn't shown up."
"Your welcome. Astok lead."
"Yes sir just follow me."
Astok lead them lower to the lower levels to the facility it was getting darker as they go.
"Can't see a thing. Everyone use your night vision."
Everyone turned on night vision until eventually showing them the location of all the old reaper tech and everything else the facility had within it and even a dead body.
"Well here you go and behold Viper Squad."
"You mean including that dead body?"
"Where the hell did that come from?" Astok asked as he just noticed the body as the soldier injured next to him tells him.
"It's one of the… (coughs) dead scientists from the… (coughs) the outpost you came back from."
"Search the body, Don. Where's the rest of your squad?"
"Probably dead. I'm not sure. We were ambushed there. We weren't prepared."
"Don't worry about that. Let's get you some help."
Don searches the body as something falls out of his pockets was a chip as he picks it up while Ladia was checking the panels.
"The panel has been damaged. Unrepairable."
"Found something."
"Give it too Genesis."
He hands it to Genesis as she scans the chip
"Hey Commander I'm going to prepare a special surprise for our Cerberus friends here, think you can get everyone ready to leave soon?"
"And risk us getting blown up? No."
"Why would I want to blow myself up? It's gonna take some time and while I'm doing that you can get everyone ready and evacuated. Just trust me commander I have a plan. A very, very special and funny plan." Astok smirked as he walked over to the reaper tech and started placing special bombs close by."
"Alright warn everyone else before you start blowing things up."
Astok continued to place special bombs around the area close to where all the tech was at. When he placed all the bombs he needed, he pressed a button on his omnitool to cloak all the bombs.
"Alright commander all set, everyone ready?" Astok asked.
"Yeah we're all set. Where are all the bombs you just placed?"
"You guys and Cerberus are going to find out once we get to a far distance and while they're trying to steal all this stuff." Astok smirked.
"Ah Commander, why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Ladia asked.'
"Yeah, I have the same feeling as Pig does. Something doesn't feel right." Ladia looked angry as she punched Don in the arm hurting him as he rubs it.
"Ow."
"Enough you guys, is there another way out of here?" Carter asked.
The trooper barely speaking as he had one thing to say was under his breath. "They were already here."
"What?"
A Dragoon jumps down with his whips as Don ducks as the team opened fire on it as it knocks down Astok. It was on top of him as he tries to get it off of him but Carter kicked him off and shotgunned it as it retreated. Carter kicked the gun over to Astok as the Dragoon was holding the trooper hostage.
"Easy now let's not do anything we might regret now." Carter said slowly to the dragoon. The Dragoon only tighten his grip on the trooper as it carried him out.
"Permission to pursue?" Astok asks.
"Negative, Astok. Ladia and Genesis, stay here. Astok and Don you're with me."
The team goes out as they close the door behind them. As they continue going down the hall Cerberus troops were coming in as the team opened fire on them. Don throws a flare to the other side of the room, in an attempt to draw out hiding Cerberus . One of the Dragoons emerges from behind a crate, firing his SMG at Don and Carter, while Troops and Engineers fire their weapons at Astok. They all cleared the room, but the Dragoon retreats down a nearby corridor. The team follow suit.
"Commander we don't have much time, we need to get a far away distance from this place as possible. In just a few minutes the cerberus forces from the blast door will break through and once they get down and find the reaper tech the bombs I cloaked will set off and blow this place to kingdom come taking everyone and thing with it." Astok warned.
"Grab everything you can and let's go. Be quick about it." As the Salarians grabbed everything they can but Don was still worried about the hostage
"Sir what about the hostage?" Don asked.
"That's still our priority. Move out."
The team continues to move forward as they find the injured trooper as Astok pulls out sniper rifle.
"Flush them out. I got you covered."
Carter and Don went to go get the injured trooper as Astok gives coverfire. A Dragoon sneaks up on Carter as he turns around and holds him down.
"Go Don, now."
Don continues to carry him out to the escort as Carter was still fight until Astok gave a headshot straight into the brain.
"Did you have him Commander or did you need me to put a bullet in the head for you?" Astok asked as he puts the sniper rifle away.
"I'll answer that later. Genesis, Ladia, grab as much as you can and meet us outside the facility. Jackson, get the shuttle ready at this location and be ready to speed the living hell out of that shuttle as soon as everyone loads up."
"On it commander." Jackson answered through the mic.
"Yes sir." Genesis and Ladia answered as well through the Mic.
"Alright let's go."
They move as the Salarian ships began taking off while the dropship was hovering outside as they ran to it and hopped in. As they hopped in and took off while the Cerberus were still going in Astok pulls the trigger on his Omni-tool. Within a few short moments, the facility blew up in a large explosion taking all the reaper tech and Cerberus forces inside with it. As everyone watches the explosion from the distance of their ships, Astok noticed a cigarette and grabs it. He lights it, and takes a good smoke before blowing it in enjoyment.
"So Commander I was wondering. From what you seen do you believe my skills of Salarian Badassery qualify to join Viper Squad?"
"I don't know. We'll see when we get back to the ship."
The crew returns to the ship as it was a mission success. Carter reports to Admiral Hackett to give a report on the mission.
"Hackett here."
"Admiral, we've just came back from the Salarian outpost and something was strange about the enemies we've encountered."
"How strange can it be?"
"They were Dragoons from the Project Phoenix."
"That is quite strange but what do you know about what they were after?"
"Not sure, sir. It looked like they were after old reaper tech. We had to destroy the facility with the Cerberus soldiers along with them."
(Sighs) "Any casualties?"
"Only soldier casualties from the fight. Not the explosion."
"Alright then. She's not going to be happy when I tell her about this."
"She's never happy. So what's the difference?"
"Hm, point taken. But we need to keep an close eye on the Dragoons and others. Keep me posted. Hackett out."
As the call ended and Carter leaves the com room to go find Astok as he was at the pilot seat with Jade trying to smooth talk with her.
"So, how long have you been a pilot my dear?"
"I've only been a pilot for five years now."
"Five years you say. Any exciting voyages or joining Viper Team your first set of fun?"
"Nothing yet so far."
"Give it time my dear it's going to happen. Now with me on board I guarantee you'll see some serious excitement. Onboard and offboard."
"Astok?"
Astok turns to Carter.
"Ah Cater there you are. I was just uh getting to know the crew a little bit. So what do you say, am I allowed to join Viper team?"
"Well we'll need your expertise on the Reaper tech and to see what Cerberus wanted."
"Ah splendid, I hope you don't mind if I make the science lab my personal quarters aboard the ship. I kind of need a lab to do work, other work, and personal work, and to R and R if need be."
"Sure I guess."
"Alright I'll have my stuff transported here shortly, pleasure to meet you and honor to serve Commander." Astok shook Carter's hand before leaving.
(over mic) "Commander you have a request at the Com room." Genesis alerted through the mic.
"Oh my way."
Carter walks back into the com room as a hologram of an old Turian Veteran who strangely bore some similarities to Ladia's.
"Commander Carter?" he asked.
"Commander Sivus."
"Thank you for accepting my private request for a meeting I need to speak to you about something...well I don't usually make these kind of requests Commander. I have a...mission for you that may or may not be personal."
"Of course. What is it?"
Sivus sighs and looks around. "Is Ladia by chance close by?"
"No sir she's down in the lower deck working at her desk."
"Good, because I don't want her to hear any of this. This stays between you and me and does not leave this com room. Understand commander?"
"Of course."
"Alright, some of my men reported a distress signal at Pragia. A Cerberus Distress signal. Requesting Immediate rescue. it was sent about eight weeks ago. Carter the place that the distress signal came from was abandoned by Cerberus years ago, back when they were experimenting on Jack."
"I'm well aware of that place. Anything you want me to do there?"
"From what we know Jack destroyed that place when she went with Shepard ten years ago. However we have reason to believe if the distress signal was sent at the same location then there is a high chance that Cerberus had more than one facility down there commencing the same project they were doing on Jack. I want you to go down, find out what was going on and rescue anyone down there."
"I understand by why the secrecy and personal hiding from ladia, your own daughter."
"Because Carter, the system this planet is located is the same one that...I cannot say no more, please I just need you go down there and see what you find."
"I'll do my best."
"You're going to need more than that. I don't know what Cerberus has been up Spirits forbid. Which is why I need to do one thing before you go down there. And that is I need you to go to Omega and recruit Desyrus Kerim for your Viper team to help you on this mission."
"Alright. I'll see what I can do but what about Ladia?"
"She's allowed to go on the mission with you just keep an extra eye on her. I don't know what this mission could do to her. As Kerim, well you need to know something about him first before you go on Omega. There are many dangerous mercs who have made their names known the Galaxy, but Kerim is who different type of beast than any of them. I'm sending the file on him now. Be careful with him Carter, all it takes is the slightest of one wrong move for him kill you that easily. Sivus out."
Sivus hologram disappears as Carter gives coordinates to Omega.
"Jade, set a course to Omega. I have some business to attend to."
"Understood commander. All systems checked out ready for the relay."
As the Verminus ship approaches the relay as it charges and the ship warped speed to Omega. In the meantime, Carter takes a look at the file that Sivus sent him on Kerim. It was a usual military file of any soldier with old photos of accomplishments. However the one that made Carter jumped from his seat was a photo of Kerim with Saren, the two celebrating over a major victory over a small Batarian raid.
"How the hell does he know Saren? This is very strange."
He continues to look over the file while they warp speeding to Omega.