Part 7:
The Yahg soldiers manage to keep Shepard and Garrus pinned down with near-constant suppressing fire. They accomplish this by alternating between two pairs while the fifth guards the doorway. While one pair of soldiers is reloading, the second pair open fire. This process reverses itself as needed.
Garrus: How are they doing that?!
Shepard: No idea!
Shepard cloaks and ducks low to the ground so he can get a look at the soldiers and their surroundings. This is when he notices that the Yahg soldiers brought explosives with them. He ducks behind cover and de-cloaks.
Shepard: They have explosives! Maybe, we can set them off!
Garrus: I'll try!
Garrus tries to use Overload on the explosives, but he is forced to duck behind cover before he can.
Garrus: You're going to have to do it Shepard!
Shepard: Alright!
Shepard cloaks and gets low to the ground. He uses Overload on the explosives and ducks behind cover just before the explosives go off. The explosion kills all five Yahg soldier, but it causes the ceiling to start collapsing.
Shepard: Move!
Shepard and Garrus sprint out of the room as the ceiling collapses behind them.
Garrus: That was too close.
Garrus looks down and sees one of the assault rifles the Yahg were carrying.
He picks it up and examines it.
Garrus: We should take this with us. Could be useful in case we run into more of those soldiers.
Shepard: Alright. You carry it.
Garrus: Sure.
Shepard and Garrus rush back to the entrance they came in. They start to attract attention from several Yahg soldiers as they rush down the halls.
Shepard: Cortez! We need to bug out! Get the shuttle ready!
Cortez: (over the comlink) On it, Commander!
Shepard and Garrus exit the facility and head to the shuttle with more than a dozen Yahg soldiers in pursuit.
Shepard: We're almost there, but we have Yahg soldiers in pursuit!
Cortez: (over the comlink) Copy that!
Shepard and Garrus get to the LZ and don't see the shuttle. The Yahg soldiers start pouring out from the forest and start firing at Shepard and Garrus. Suddenly, Cortez bring the shuttle and opens fire on the Yahg with the shuttle's cannons. A few soldiers are killed and the rest take cover in the forest. Cortez brings the shuttle to Shepard and Garrus and they jump in.
Shepard: Get us out of here!
The remaining Yahg soldiers, and the few remaining anti-air turrets from the Yahg facility, open fire on the shuttle until it reaches orbit.
Shepard: That was close… Head to the Citadel.
Cortez: Yes sir.
On the way to the Citadel, Shepard and Garrus examine the Yahg assault rifle they picked up.
Garrus: Look at the size of those rounds.
Shepard: They're huge… One round could take down an unshielded Krogan.
Garrus: Good thing we have shields.
Shepard and Garrus start to take the gun apart.
Shepard: Gas-operated ejection? That's relatively low tech.
Garrus: Judging by this and the fact that they were limited to armor… I'd guess they haven't figured out how to miniaturize mass effect engines.
Shepard: Yeah, but it's only a matter of time.
Garrus: We should piece this thing back together before we get to the Citadel.
Shepard: Good idea.
Shepard and Garrus manage to put the assault rifle back together. A couple hours later, they reach the Citadel.
The Citadel has been completely repaired and has returned to being the political center of the galaxy.
The Quarians have been granted a new embassy on the Citadel and have gotten a few of their own into the Spectres.
The Krogan have an embassy and are in talks about being granted a seat on the Council. They have also gotten several of their own into the Spectres.
The Batarians slowly recovered and, with the Hegemony destroyed in the Reaper war, have been allowed to recover their old embassy. Some still hold a grudge against the Alliance for the destruction of the Alpha Relay, but they respect the Alliance for what they did to help the Batarians recover (providing food, water, resources, etc.) after the Reapers were defeated. They haven't gotten any of their own into the Spectres, but the Council is considering several candidates.
The Rachni were offered an embassy, but they declined. They have returned to Suen (the Rachni homeworld) and started to grow again, promising not to follow in their ancestors' footsteps.
The new Human Councilor was part of Hammer during the Battle for Earth and is skeptical about studying Reaper technology after seeing many friends die at their hands.
Councilor Valern passed away due to natural causes and was replaced by a young, and headstrong, Salarian politician. The new Salarian Councilor is worried about the Krogan, but understands that without them, the Reapers would have conquered Palaven much sooner. He is grateful for what the Krogan have done, but he doesn't believe that the Krogan are ready to join the council.
Cortez docks the shuttle at the Citadel and Shepard goes to meet the Council in person, sending his mission report on his way there.
When he arrives at the Citadel Tower, the Council is waiting for him.
Turian Councilor: It appears I was… wrong, to suggest for you to go in alone.
Salarian Councilor: What did you learn about their small arms?
Shepard: They still use gunpowder and use high caliber rounds.
Human Councilor: How high is the caliber?
Shepard: They seem to be similar to the .50 caliber rounds we used before we caught on to mass effect fields.
Asari Councilor: Meaning?
Shepard: They are very powerful rounds that seem to have armor-piercing capability.
Turian Councilor: How much capability?
Shepard: The .50 caliber rounds we used to use were designed to disable vehicles and thus, were able to punch through around a meter of solid steel.
Turian Councilor: Impressive. What about the Yahg equivalent?
Shepard: They seem to be of a lesser extent. However, they still seem to be able to punch through a fully armored Yahg with one shot.
Human Councilor: I don't want to imagine what a round like that could do to a Krogan, let alone a human.
Salarian Councilor: Since the Yahg wear body armor, ammunition with those qualities seems appropriate. Would you mind if we studied this weapon?
Shepard: Go ahead.
Asari Councilor: Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Shepard: No.
Asari Councilor: Very well. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Shepard: Of course.
Shepard leaves and heads to where the shuttle is docked. Cortez and Garrus are waiting.
Cortez: You ready to head back to Rannoch, Shepard?
Shepard: Yeah. I promised to send a message Tali, Kal, and David when I was heading back home.
Garrus. You'd better not break that promise then. You know how Tali gets when she's angry.
Shepard: (chuckles) Yeah. Least time she got mad, she shot the TV. Scared the hell out of David.
Garrus laughs and they all climb into the shuttle. Shepard sends a message to Tali before Cortez jumps to FTL.
It takes several hours before they reach Rannoch.
The shuttle lands at Shepard's house. When the hatch opens, Tali is waiting for them. Shepard and Garrus step out of the shuttle.
Tali: (smiling) What took you so long?
Shepard: (smiling as well) Got held up in traffic. Where are the kids?
Tali: They're sleeping. I was too until you sent your message.
Shepard: Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you.
Tali: It's alright. You going to stay over Garrus? The kids would love to see you.
Garrus: Sure, why not?
Shepard: What about you Cortez?
Cortez: Wish I could, but I have to get back to Earth.
Shepard: Alright. See you Cortez.
Cortez: Goodbye Shepard.
Cortez closes the side hatch and takes off in the shuttle.
Tali, Garrus, and Shepard walk into the house.
Shepard: (yawning) I could really use some sleep.
Garrus: Me too.
Tali: Come on. Let's get some rest.
Tali and Shepard go into their room while Garrus heads into the guest room. They are all careful not to wake Kal and David.
Part 8:
The next day, after a night's rest, everyone wakes up and has breakfast. Afterwards, Garrus starts to tell Kal and David stories about what he did in C-Sec and the Turian military. Kal and David listen intently, obviously enjoying the stories. Shepard is in the living room when his comlink beeps.
Shepard: Hello?
Feron: (over the comlink) Shepard? It's Feron.
Shepard: Been a while Feron. How's Liara?
Feron: Actually, that's why I called you.
A worried frown grows on Shepard's face.
Shepard: What's wrong?
Feron: She's in trouble. She sent me a message saying there were mercs after her.
Shepard: Mercs? You mean Blue Suns or Eclipse?
Feron: I don't think so. She would have told me if it was them.
Shepard: Do you know where she is?
Feron: No.
Shepard: Hmm… Any leads?
Feron: Just one. Apparently the mercs have a base in the Shrike Abyssal. I'll send you the coordinates.
Shepard: Thanks.
Shepard shuts off the comlink and notices Garrus looking at him.
Garrus: What's wrong?
Shepard: Liara's in trouble.
Garrus: What do you mean?
Shepard: She's being chased by mercs. And from the sound of it, there's a lot of them.
Garrus: Any leads?
Shepard: Feron gave me coordinates for a base they have in the Shrike Abyssal. Our best bet is to start there.
Garrus: Right.
Shepard: I'll contact Joker and see if he can pick us up in the Normandy.
Garrus: Good idea. The Normandy's stealth systems should get us in undetected.
Tali enters from the other room.
Tali: I'm coming with you.
Shepard: Tali…
Tali: Liara is my friend too. Besides, you'll need me to help you hack their security.
Shepard: Hmm… Alright. We'll have to leave Kal and David with Admiral Raan.
Shepard radios Joker and tells him about Liara. A couple hours later, the Normandy arrives and Joker positions it so that Shepard, Garrus, and Tali can board. Shepard and Tali say goodbye to Kal and David and thank Raan for watching them. Shepard, Garrus, and Tali board the Normandy and it takes off.
Joker: Hey guys.
Shepard: Hey Joker. Have you pinpointed the coordinates for the base?
Joker: Yeah but, it's on an uncharted world.
Shepard: You sure?
Joker: Yeah.
Shepard: Alright. Let us know when we get there.
Joker: Right.
Several hours later, they reach the coordinates where the merc base is located.
Joker: Got the merc base on sensors. I should be able to slip you in without them noticing.
Shepard: Ok. Take us in low and we'll deploy in the Barracuda.
Joker: On it.
Shepard, Garrus, and Tali head to the shuttle bay and climb into the M-52 Barracuda.
The M-52 Barracuda is a fast and maneuverable "tank" that combines the best of the M-35 Mako and the M-44 Hammerhead mixed with some Reaper based technology to produce stronger shields and armor and increase maneuverability to previously unheard-of levels. It uses thrusters like the Hammerhead to allow it to strafe more effectively. It is often referred to as, "The Blitz" for it's high speed and firepower.
Joker brings the Normandy close to the surface of the planet and Shepard pilots the Barracuda out of the shuttle bay and on to the planet's surface. Joker takes the Normandy back into orbit.
Shepard: How far away is the base Joker?
Joker: (over the comlink) About three klicks north of your position.
Shepard: Ok. Be ready to pick us up in case we need to make a quick exit.
Joker: Roger that.
Shepard pilots the Barracuda towards the merc base.
Garrus: This reminds me of when we were chasing Saren.
Shepard: Same here. Ah… Those were the good old days.
Tali Yeah…
Several minutes later, they reach the outskirts of the merc base.
Shepard, Garrus, and Tali climb out of the Barracuda. Shepard and Garrus pull out their sniper rifles and use the scopes to examine the base.
Shepard: They have some heavy duty defense turrets.
Tali: Maybe I can hack them.
Garrus: Not at this range.
Shepard: I could get in close while cloaked and hack one of the turrets. You two stay here and cover me.
Tali: Got it.
Shepard cloaks and moves towards the closest turret. He takes cover behind a nearby boulder and starts to hack the turret.
A few moments later, the turret turns around and fires at the mercs, forcing them to scatter.
Shepard: (de-cloaking) Tali, get over here. Garrus, stay there and snipe those mercs.
Tali: On my way.
Garrus: Got it.
Tali rushes to Shepard and pulls out her shotgun.
Shepard: Let's try to hack a few more turrets.
Tali: Good idea.
Shepard and Tali hack four more turrets. After a few more minutes, all the mercs are either dead, or inside the base. Shepard and Tali destroy the remaining turrets and examine the armor of the dead mercs.
Shepard: Garrus. Bring the Barracuda over here.
Garrus: On it.
Garrus gets in the Barracuda and pilots it over to Shepard and Tali.
Garrus stops the Barracuda near Shepard and Tali and climbs out.
Shepard: Look at their emblem. You recognize it Garrus?
Garrus: No. Must be a new merc group.
Tali: They could have something inside that could help us. They are here for a reason.
Shepard: Right. Let's go.
Shepard, Garrus, and Tali walk up to the base and see that it is locked.
Garrus: Shoot the locks and pry it open?
Shepard: Good idea.
Shepard and Garrus get ready to shoot the locks on the door.
Tali: Wait.
Tali starts to bypass the door. A few moments later, the door opens.
Garrus: Well, I could've done that.
Tali: (in a playful tone) Sure you could've Garrus.
Shepard, Garrus, and Tali enter the base. Shepard whips out his pistol while Garrus switches to his assault rifle.
Shepard: Keep an eye out for any surprises these mercs have for us. I doubt they'll play nice.
Shepard, Garrus, and Tali walk down the corridor and come to a door labeled "Control."
Shepard: (confused) This was way too easy… Be alert.
Shepard opens the door and moves in cautiously. He stops and notices a tripwire on the floor. His eyes follow the wire and it leads to a bomb on the ceiling of the room.
Shepard: Hmm… They booby-trapped the room.
Garrus: Makes sense. Can you disable it?
Shepard: I should be able to. Hang on…
Shepard disables the bomb and cuts the tripwire.
Shepard: Got it. I doubt that's the only trap they set up though. Be careful.
Garrus and Tali move into the room. They move towards a console at the opposite side of the room along with Shepard.
Shepard: Hopefully, there's something here that can help.
Shepard moves closer to the console and reaches out to use the controls. As soon as he touches the console, he starts being electrocuted.
Tali: Shepard!
Garrus: Get him away from there!
Tali quickly pulls Shepard away from the console and he falls limp in her arms.
Garrus: Lay him down.
Tali gently lays Shepard down on the floor and checks his pulse.
Tali lets out a sigh of relief.
Tali: He's alive.
Suddenly, faint footsteps start sounding outside the room.
Garrus: We've got company. Put him behind something.
Tali moves Shepard behind a nearby crate and takes cover next to him.
Garrus takes cover behind a pillar as the footsteps become louder.
Garrus: Get ready.
Garrus and Tali aim at the doorway.
The first merc through the doorway is a massive, 7-foot-tall Krogan with a war hammer strapped to his back. He charges toward Tali while two Batarians and a Turian enter. Tali opens fire on the Krogan with her shotgun. The Krogan's shields deflect the first few shots, but fail when he reaches her. Tali shoots the Krogan at point-blank range which takes him down.
The two Batarians focus on Garrus while the Turian shifts his focus to Tali. Garrus uses Overload on one of the Batarians and expertly shoots him in the head, taking him down. The second Batarian quickly takes cover before Garrus can do the same to him. Garrus sets a Proximity Mine just around the corner from the Batarian. The Batarian rounds the corner and sets off the Proximity Mine. The Batarian's shields absorbs most of the blast, but he is visibly injured. Garrus takes the opportunity and shoots the Batarian. He looks over to Tali and sees the Turian on the floor 3 feet away from her.
Footsteps can still be heard heading towards them, but they seem fairly distant.
Garrus: That was probably the closest group. We need to go.
Tali: Right. Help me with Shepard.
Tali places her shotgun on her lower back. Garrus and Tali pick up Shepard and move towards the doorway.
Garrus: Has he gained weight?
Tali: Not now Garrus.
Garrus and Tali carry Shepard towards the exit. They manage not to encounter any more mercs.
They exit the base and head to the Barracuda.
Garrus: (pointing to one of the dead mercs) Grab his shoulder plate. Maybe someone can figure out who these guys are.
Tali: You sure you got Shepard?
Garrus: I got him.
Tali lets go of Shepard, forcing Garrus to carry him on his own. Tali walks over to the dead merc and removes his shoulder plate. Garrus struggles to get Shepard into the Barracuda. Suddenly, mercs start pouring out of the base and open fire on Garrus and Tali.
Garrus: Go! I'll cover you!
Tali runs back to the Barracuda and climbs in. Garrus manages to kill a few mercs before he climbs in as well.
Garrus: Joker! Get us out of here!
Joker: (over the comlink) On it.
Garrus fires a few rounds from the Barracuda's main gun which kills a dozen mercs and causes the rest to duck for cover. This allows Garrus to turn the Barracuda around and put enough distance between them and the mercs to allow for the Normandy to pick them up.
Tali: Have you done this before?
Garrus: No.
Tali: Oh, Keelah…
Garrus: Can't be that hard.
The Normandy swoops in low and Garrus kicks the thruster on the Barracuda to maximum power.
Garrus: Hang on!
Garrus just barely gets the Barracuda into the Normandy's cargo bay.
Garrus: See? Easy.
Tali: Easy? We barely made it on to the Normandy.
The Normandy heads into orbit and leaves the system. Garrus and Tali pull Shepard out of the Barracuda and carry him to the Med-bay.
Tali: I hope he's alright…
In the Normandy's Med-bay.
Dr. Chakwas: He should be fine. As far as I can tell, there hasn't been any significant damage.
Tali: Good.
Shepard slowly wakes up. When he completely awakens, he tries to sit up. He quickly holds his side and grunts in pain.
Shepard: Ugh… What happened?
Garrus: The console was rigged to electrocute whoever touched it. Tali pulled you away from it, but you were out cold.
Shepard: Thanks Tali.
Chakwas: How are you feeling, Shepard?
Shepard: I've been better. Did you two get anything from that console Garrus?
Garrus: We didn't get a chance. As soon as Tali pulled you away from that console mercs started heading toward us. We had to get out of there.
Shepard: So we didn't get anything?
Tali: I grabbed the shoulder plate off one of the mercs.
Shepard: Let me see it.
Tali leaves and, a few moments later, returns with the shoulder plate.
Shepard takes the shoulder plate and examines it.
Shepard: Hmm… Joker. Get us to Omega.
Joker: (over the intercom) Roger that.
Tali: Omega? You think Aria's behind this?
Shepard: No. But I think she might know who is.
