Therum: Dr. Liara T'Soni.
Commander Shepard's POV.
After my chat with Captain Anderson, Sid, Garrus, Tali'Zorah and I entered the Normandy. I made my way to the bridge, with Joker, while the others made themselves comfortable.
"I heard what happened to Captain Anderson." Joker spoke up, "Survives a hundred battles, and then gets taken down by backroom politics." Then he warned me, "Just watch your back, Commander. Things go bad on this mission, you're next on their chopping block."
I shook my head, "Captain Anderson should be the one in charge. It's like I'm stealing the ship from him."
"Yeah, the captain got screwed. But it's not like you could've stopped it. Nobody's blaming you." Joke answered, "Everyone on this ship is behind you, Commander. One hundred percent."
I gave a light chuckle, "Sid said the exact same thing only moments ago."
Joker looked at me, "She did?" But recollected himself and told me, "Intercom's open. If you've got anything you want to say to the crew, now's the time."
I nodded and leaned over to speak into the intercoms, "This is Commander Shepard speaking. We have our orders: find Saren before he finds the Conduit. I won't lie to you, crew. This mission isn't going to be easy. For too long our species has stood apart from the others. Now it's time for us to step up and do our part for the rest of the galaxy! Time to show them what Humans are made of! Our enemy knows we're coming. When we go into the Traverse, Saren's followers will be ready for us. But we'll be ready for them too. Humanity needs to do this. Not just for our own sake, but for the sake of every other species in Citadel Space. Saren must be stopped, and I promise you all... We will stop him!"
"Well said, Commander. Captain would be proud." Joker smiled.
"The captain gave up everything so I could have this chance. We can't fail." I told him, making my way to the Command Center.
"Yes ma'am." Joker answered.
With that, I walked toward the map console and charted a course for the Artemis Tau cluster, to a system called the Knossos System, where Sid informed that Therum was located. The Normandy departed the docking bay and used the Mass Relays to arrive to the system.
I instructed a landing course. I chose the landing party to be myself, Wrex and Alenko.
Unfortunately, there was nowhere to land the Normandy, so we took our all-terrain tank, the Mako.
Once the Mako landed, Joker alarmed through the comms, "Commander, I'm picking up some strange readings. Really strange. Like, off the damn charts. It looks like it's coming from an underground complex a few clicks away from the drop zone."
With that, our first mission began.
Alenko, Wrex and I drove through the canyons, to locate the Prothean dig site. Along the way, a Geth dropship deployed two Geth Shock Troopers. With two well-placed shots from the cannon, the Geth Troopers were taken care of.
The Mako continued down the path and we came across a camp, heavily guarded by Geth and turrets.
"Only a fool punches a nathack in the mouth." Wrex spoke up, "We should sneak around and pull its tail."
I nodded in agreement. To put it simply, Wrex meant the best way to take out a heavily guarded fort is go behind. There's always a weakness at the back.
Once we took out the turrets, the Mako drove around and made its way to the back. Behind, the fort was wide open and Geth started shooting at us. The Mako made quickly work of the Geth troops.
Once the area was clear, Alenko, Wrex and I exit the Mako and made our way to the gate controls. A Geth Shock Trooper got in the way, but I made quick work of it.
I switched on the gate controls of the exit and the gate opened. With that, Alenko, Wrex and I made our way back to the Mako and continued down the path, to the archaeological dig.
We must've been getting close, because Geth troops were getting heavier and bigger the further we drove.
Eventually, we hit a road-block that couldn't be taken down, so we had to continue on foot. Not to our surprise, Saren's Geth troops were already here and ready to shoot up down.
Alenko, Wrex and I made quick work of them and found the dig site. Once we arrived, we had a big surprise waiting for us.
Geth that moved like geckos, spying like stalkers or ghosts. Another Geth dropship flew by and dropped a few troopers and a large, four-legged Geth soldier, which was called an Armature.
Once all the Geth was taken care of, and the area was secured, Alenko, Wrex and I entered a tunnel, that leads to the ruins of an underground complex. Just like Joker described.
Once inside, we were welcomed by a small group of Geth Troopers. We took them out quick and easy.
We arrived to a fully operational elevator and used it to travel to the lower levels. The elevator reached its lowest level, and it was time to reach the next elevator.
Halfway across and we met up with a small group of Geth drones. Alenko, Wrex and I made quick work of them.
Once defeated, Wrex looked around, "Sterile white. Protheans sure build things homey."
We entered the next the elevator to the lower levels. Halfway down the elevator started slowing down and creating sparks. Like the railing was damaged. The elevator came to a stop and it looked like we had to climb our way down.
I exit the elevator and climbed down the lower floor. Then I heard a voice echo from behind, "Uh... Hello? Could somebody help me? Please?"
I turned and saw a beautiful Asari in a biotic force field, behind an energy curtain. She wore a white, green and black uniform. I took she was Dr. Liara T'Soni.
I walked over and looked at her. She saw me and shouted, "Can you hear me out there? I am trapped. I need help!"
"Are you okay? What happened to you?" I asked.
"Listen. This thing I am in is a Prothean security device. I cannot move, so I need you to get me out of it. All right?" Liara told me.
I narrowed my eyes, "Your mother is working with Saren. Whose side are you on?"
Liara's eyes widen in shock, "What? I am not on anybody's side!" Then she explained, "I may be Benezia's daughter, but I'm nothing like her! I have not spoken to her in years." Then she pleaded, "Please. Just get me out of here."
I nodded, "We just need to figure some way past this energy field."
"It's a Prothean barrier curtain." She explained, "I knew it would keep me safe from the Geth. When I turned it on, I must have hit something I wasn't supposed to. I was trapped in here." Then she pleaded, "You must get me out. Please."
"We'll find some way to help you." I assured her.
"There is a control in here that should deactivate this thing. You'll have to find some way past the barrier curtain." Liara told me, "That's the tricky part. The defenses cannot be shut off from the outside. I don't know how you'll get in here." Then she warned, "Be careful. There is a Krogan with the Geth. They have been trying different ways to get past the barrier."
I nodded in understanding and started looking around. On the ground floor was a mining laser. That could help.
Alenko, Wrex and I made our way to the ground floor, only to be welcomed by more Geth troops. We made quick work of the troops and cleared the area.
Once the area was secured, I walked over to the mining laser controls and override the systems. The laser fired into the ground and borrowed a hole under Liara, revealing another part of the tower, that wasn't protected by a barrier.
Alenko, Wrex and I journeyed through the hallway and found a control console. I activated it and the platform raised to right behind Liara.
She looked behind and saw me, "How... How did you get in here?" She asked, "I didn't think there was any way past the barrier."
"We blasted through with the mining laser." I explained.
Liara nodded, "Of course. Yes, that makes sense." She pleaded me, "Please... Get me out of here, before more Geth arrive." Then she gestured to her left, "That button should shut down my containment field."
I walked over to the console on my left and pressed a few buttons. The barrier around Liara disappeared and she fell to the ground. She picked herself up and dusted herself off.
She turned to us and Alenko asked, "Any idea how we get out of this place?"
"There is an elevator back in the center of the tower." She answered, "At least, I think it's an elevator. It should take us out of here. Come on!"
She walked toward the center of the tower, where the big console was located. Wrex, Garrus and I followed after her.
Once in the center, Liara turned to me, "I- I still cannot believe all this. Why would the Geth come after me? Do you think Benezia's involved?"
"Saren's looking for the Conduit. You're a Prothean expert. He probably wants you to help him find it." Alenko answered.
Liara tilted her head, "The Conduit? But I don't know-"
She was cut off by a sudden sound of something collapsing around us.
"What the hell was that?" Wrex asked.
Liara and I looked around. The sound was coming from above us and getting louder.
"These ruins are not stable. That mining laser must have triggered a seismic event." Liara informed us. She walked over to the console, "We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in."
I switched on my comms and shouted to Joker, "Joker! Get the Normandy airborne and lock it on my signal. On the double, mister!"
"Aye, aye, Commander. Secure and aweigh. ETA eight minutes." Joker replied.
"Not much margin for error." Alenko noted.
"If I die in here, I'll kill him." Wrex spoke up about Joker.
The platform started moving up to the top level of the tower. Once at the top, we were welcomed by group of Geth troopers, lead by a Krogan in black and light grey armor. Must be the Krogan Liara spoke about. I motioned Alenko and Wrex to not draw their weapons.
He walked toward the platform, smirked and told us, "Surrender. Or don't. That would be more fun."
"In case you didn't notice, this place is falling apart." I told the Krogan.
The Krogan just smiled, "Exhilarating, isn't it?" He walked closer to the platform and told me, "Thanks for getting rid of those energy fields for us. Hand the doctor over."
"Whatever it is you want, you're not getting it from me." Liara protested.
"She'll stay with us, thanks." I told the Krogan. Liara looked at me.
He shook his head, "Not an option. Saren wants her. And he always gets what he wants." Then he ordered the Geth, "Kill them. Spare the Asari if you can. If not, doesn't matter."
The Geth and the Krogan drew their weapons and started shooting at us. Alenko, Wrex, Liara and I quickly ran for cover. Wrex, Alenko and I drew our weapons and fired back.
We made quick work of the Geth, but the Krogan was a bit of a challenge. Once the Geth and Krogan were taken care of, it was time to go.
The Prothean barrier shut down and the ruins were starting to crumble and collapse on top of us.
We ran out as fast as we could, but Liara was falling behind a bit. I turned and saw we were out of time.
I ran back for her and shouted, "Move! Move! Move!"
Liara picked up speed and we dashed out of the ruins. Fortunately, we were all able to escape the ruins through the tunnel. The Normandy picked us up and we left the planet. Liara was safe and sound.
*A Little Later, in the Comm Room...*
The crew and myself gathered in the Comm Room, for a meeting over the mission of Therum.
"Too close, Commander. Ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulfur." Joker spoke up from the comms, "The Normandy isn't equipped to land in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull. Just for future reference."
"We almost die out there and your pilot is making jokes?" Liara asked.
I folded my arms and shrugged, "Joker pulled our asses out of there. I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes."
"It's his way to ease tension after a mission leading to possible suicide." Sid explained.
Liara thought for a second and nodded, "I see. It must be a human thing." Then she explained, "I don't have a lot of experience dealing with your species, Commander. But I am grateful to you. You saved my life back there. And not just from the volcano. Those Geth would have killed me. Or dragged me off to Saren."
"What did Saren want with you?" Alenko asked Liara, "Do you know something about the Conduit?"
"Only that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction." She answered, "That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the last fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."
Fifty years? But, she's just a child. "How old are you exactly?" I asked her.
"I hate to admit it, but I am only a hundred and six." She answered.
Williams smiled, "Damn! I hope I look that good when I'm your age."
"A century may seem like a long time to a short-lived species, like yours." Liara told her, "But among the Asari, I am barely considered more than a child." Then she explained, "That is why my research has not received the attention it deserved. Because of my youth, other Asari scholars tend to dismiss my theories on what happened to the Protheans."
"I've got my own theory about why the Protheans disappeared." I spoke up.
Liara looked at me, "With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind." She looked down in thought, "It is almost as if someone did not want the mystery solved. It's like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues."
"Somewhat like a criminal covering their tracks." Sid simplified.
Liara nodded, "Something like that, yes. But here is the incredible part. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to mysteriously vanish. The cycle began long before them."
"If the Protheans weren't the first, then who was?" I asked.
Liara shook her head, "I don't know. There is barely any evidence on the Protheans. Even less on those who came before them. I cannot prove my theory. But I know I am right!" Then she informed, "The galaxy is built on a cyle of extinction. Each time a great civilization rises up, it is suddenly and violently cast down. Only ruins survive."
"Ouch." Sid spoke up, "Don't wanna know who's gonna be next."
"The Protheans rose up from a single world until their empire spanned the entier galaxy." Liara continued, "Yet even they climbed to the top on the remains of those who came before. Their greatest achievements - the Mass Relays and the Citadel - are based on the technology of those who came before them. And then, like all the other forgotten civilizations throughout galactic history, the Protheans disappeared. I have dedicated my life to figuring out why."
"They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines. The Reapers." I told her.
"The- The Reapers?" She repeated, "But I have never heard of-" Then she asked me in curiosity and eagerness, "How do you know this? What evidence do you have?"
"There was a damaged Prothean beacon on Eden Prime. It burned a vision into my brain." I answered, then shrugged my shoulders, "I'm still trying to sort out what it all means."
"Visions?" Liara repeated in thought, then smiled, "Yes... That makes sense. The beacons were designed to transmit information directly into the mind of the user. Finding one that still works is extremely rare. No wonder the Geth attacked Eden Prime. The chance to acquire a working beacon - even a badly damaged one - is worth almost any risk."
Sid folded her arms and sulked, "Explains why Saren killed my father. He was just an obstacle that needed to be overtaken."
"Nihlus was your father?" Liara asked. Sid nodded and Liara apologized, "I am so sorry."
Sid shook her head, "You have nothing to be sorry about."
Liara returned to her explanation of the Protheans and their technology, "But the beacons were only programmed to interact with Prothean physiology. Whatever information you received would have been confused. Unclear."
She smiled at me, "I am amazed you were able to make sense of it at all. A lesser mind would have been utterly destroyed by the process. You must be remarkably strong-willed, Commander."
Alenko finally spoke up, "This isn't helping us find Saren. Or the Conduit."
Liara's smile faded as she apologized, "Of course. You are right. I am sorry. My scientific curiosity got the better of me. Unfortunately, I do not have any information that could help you find the Conduit. Or Saren."
"I don't know why Saren wanted you out of the picture. But I think we'll be a lot better off if we bring you along." I assured her.
Liara regained her smile and stood up, "Thank you, Commander. Saren might come after me again. I cannot think of anywhere safer than here on your ship. And my knowledge of the Protheans might be useful later on."
"And her biotics will come in handy when the fighting starts." Wrex added in agreement.
I smiled, "Good to have you on the team, Liara."
Liara nodded, "Thank you, Commander. I am very gratef-" Then she stepped back and started to look dizzy, "Whoa. I am afraid I am feeling a bit light-headed."
"When was the last time you ate? Or slept?" Kaidan asked in concern, "Sid and Dr. Chakwas should take a look at you."
"It is probably just mental exhaustion, coupled with the shock of discovering the Protheans' true fate." Liara proposed, "I need some time to process all this." Then she nodded, "Still, it could not hurt to be examined by a medical professional. It will give me the chance to think things over." And she asked, "Are we finished here, Commander?"
I nodded, "We can talk later after you've seen the doctor." Then I turned to the rest of the crew, "The rest of you... Dismissed."
Everyone nodded and left the Comms Room.
"Mission reports are filed, Commander." Joker reported through the comms, "You want me to patch you through to the Council."
"Patch them through, Joker." I answered.
"Setting up the link now, Commander." He replied.
Three holographic simulations of the Council appeared in front of me.
"We've received your report, Commander." The Asari Councilor spoke up, "I understand Dr. T'Soni is on the Normandy."
"I assume you're taking the necessary security precautions?" The Turian Councilor asked me.
"Liara's on our side. The Geth were trying to kill her." I explained.
The Asari Councilor shook her head, "Benezia would never allow Saren to kill her daughter."
"Maybe she doesn't know." The Salarian Councilor suggested.
"Or maybe we don't know her." The Turian Councilor pointed out, "We never expected she could become a traitor."
"At least the mission was a success." The Salarian Councilor nodded.
"Apart from the utter destruction of a major Prothean ruin." The Turian Councilor interjected, then asked me, "Was that really necessary, Shepard?"
"The Geth were crawling all over those ruins." I explained, "We were lucky to make it out alive."
The Salarian Councilor nodded, "Of course, Commander. The mission must always takes priority."
"Good luck, Commander. Remember, we're all counting on you." The Asari Councilor farewelled.
The holograms shut off and it was time for the next mission.
