CHAPTER 13
The mining laser was a large circular tube pointing towards the site's floor. It was aimed below where Liara's position was. The idea of firing off the laser was a high risk of killing the troubled doctor. It had to be that the frequency of the laser must be precise; strong enough to burrow under the ground, but the shockwaves must be weak enough not to harm her or the prothean structure.
Right now all Shepard could think about was getting Liara out. When the group approached the flat area, being used as base camp for the excavation, they saw the controls for the laser. The task would have been easier if geth soldiers haven't shown up. Shepard ordered Tali to work the controls as he, Neo, and Garrus held off the geth advances.
Tali put in the correct frequency, but she didn't know that it was going to do more harm than good given to the fact that only Liara knew the details of this structure and she was too busy being a prisoner of some unknown energy field. Tali could only put in her best guess to prescribe the right frequency.
The laser was activated and the loud beam bored through a cavity underneath the location from where Liara was being suspended. So far nothing appeared to be damaged or ready to collapse in on itself. When the group saw what was polished away and it appeared to be another room, only this room didn't have a type of protehean, barrier curtain blocking their path.
The group enters the room and when they glanced inside, they found themselves on the bottom of a large alien shaft. It was shaped like a large piston of an old combustible engine. There were controls in front of them, looked rather similar to the holographic controls and keyboards they were used to. It looked like it had been studied and Shepard read the word 'elevator' written on the screen. Shepard activated the control and they moved up one level, where Liara was being held.
The group approached Liara and she rambled on about getting in here and not thinking it was possible. Shepard only told her that getting out was more important and decided not to diverge too much information. She told him to hit the button to turn off the containment field and when he hit the right buttons, she fell to the ancient floor and the fall slightly knocked the wind out of her.
When Liara got back up, Tali asked her. "Any idea how we get out of this place?"
Liara answered. "There is an elevator back in the center of the tower. At least, I think it's an elevator. It should take us out of here. Come on."
What? Shepard thought. She's telling us about an elevator we obviously knew about? Then he figured that, Liara T'Soni was simply not accustomed to basic communication. Then he shrugged off the thought.
Shepard, Neo, Tali, Garrus, and now Liara walked over to the platform and Neo activated the controls of the elevator to take them back to the surface. Liara asked Shepard. "I still can't believe all this. Why would the geth come after me? Do you think Benezia's involved?"
Neo answered. "Saren's looking for the Conduit. You're the prothean expert. He probably wants you to help him find it."
"The Conduit? But I don't know…" Liara's words were cut short when the shaft began to rumble.
"What the hell was that?" Garrus exclaimed his questioned.
"These ruins aren't stable." Liara said as she looked around with concerned look through her bright blue doe-eyes. "That mining laser must have triggered a seismic event. We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in."
Shepard called in the Normandy as the prothean elevator was taking them back to the surface. Strangely, the prothean elevator was moving just as slow as an elevator on the Citadel. Perhaps a slow moving elevator was universal, no matter the species or the level of advancement.
When the elevator reached the top, the group was met with squad of geth led by a krogan. The krogan marched forward while the geth units circled around their krogan battlemaster. Battlemaster is a term the krogan used to acknowledge a superior that will guide them during a battle. For some reason, these geth were willing to follow the order of a krogan since geth were not known for communicating with any form of organic species.
"Surrender. Or don't. That would be more fun." The krogan battlemaster said.
Shepard countered the remark by saying. "In case you didn't notice, this place is falling apart."
"Exhilarating. Isn't it?" The krogan said. "Thanks for getting rid of those energy fields for us. Hand over the doctor."
"Whatever you want, you're not getting it from me." Liara protested.
Before Shepard could defend her, he stared at the krogan's armor. He noticed the armor was not typical with krogan design, based on the lining and guessing krogan would call flare. Suddenly Shepard was inspired to say. "Nice armor. It looks expensive. Where did you get it?"
"My armor is none of your concern." The krogan said. "But since you asked, I earned it after my time served at the moon of Torfan."
"Funny, it looks great." Shepard said. "I should know about the battle. I was there myself. I know, because the Migrant Fleet paid you with that armor you're wearing now."
"Really?" The krogan said. "Who are you?"
"I'm Commander Shepard." He stood tall saying it to the krogan.
The krogan stood frozen for a moment. Then the krogan slightly slumped over for a moment. Then the battlemaster stood back up and looked at Shepard to say. "I do what Saren tells me to do. But right now you make me think that something is not right." The krogan slightly stumbled back, clutching his head. Then the krogan let out a huge roar and slumped to his knees. The geth units turned their elongated heads towards their battlemaster and awaited the next orders.
The krogan pulled out his shotgun and unleashed a couple of rounds into the geth units on his right. Shepard's group took the opportunity to remove the other geth oppositions. When the only one left was the krogan battlemaster, he was shaking his head almost violently. Then the krogan gave out what was like a battle yell.
"What's wrong?" Shepard asked.
"I was doing what Saren told me to do." The krogan said. "Saren was telling me what to do. I was blindly following the orders of a turian…a turian!"
"Are you alright?" Shepard asked as he tried to comfort the conflicted krogan.
"Get away from me!" The krogan shoved his shotgun at Shepard. "I don't want to kill my former battlemaster!" The krogan took in a big breath. "Saren says thing that make me want to follow. I tried to learn why, but then I surrendered to his will before I could."
"Then come with us." Shepard said.
"No." The krogan said as he lowered his shotgun. "I cannot. It's too strong to fight. However, what I can tell you this. Saren has a way to persuade people into doing things by his will. I don't know how he does it…but he does it. You must stop him. He has plans. He took blood from me. I don't know why. All he said was that he wanted to use me to take over the Citadel." Then the krogan screamed in what would look like agonizing pain. "Go! Now!"
Shepard, Neo, Tali, Garrus, and Liara walked out of the elevator while the krogan stayed behind. The krogan turned on the controls and took himself to the lower levels. Before they could protest the krogan's decision, the site began to shake more violently. That was there cue to leave the site and get out with their lives intact.
When the five members escaped the shaft, Shepard found the Normandy awaiting them. Shepard hunched over and tried to catch his breath as did Neo, Tali, Garrus and their newest compainion Liara were doing the same. When they gathered their strength, they realized that the dig site wasn't an old mine shaft, but the site rested on top of a dormant volcano. The mining laser triggered the seismic event and the hole from where they came from was filling up with molten sulfur.
The Normandy landed with the docking bay doors open. Shepard, Tali, Garrus, and Liara ran inside. Neo quickly got into his APU and dashed as fast as the unit could take him into the cargo hold. The Normady closed the cargo door and bolted off when the entire area crumbled.
The squad gathered in the comm room and while they took their seats, Joker voice cracked over the intercom. "Too close, Commander. Ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulfur. The Normandy isn't equipped to land in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull. Just for future reference."
Liara scoffed at Joker's remark. "We almost died out there and your pilot is making jokes?"
"Joker pulled our asses out of there." Shepard said. "I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes."
Liara responds by saying. "I see. It must be a human thing. 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."
Neo was recounted that moment with the geth and the krogan leading them. Then the krogan broke down and made that startling confession. I will have to address this issue not just to headquarters, maybe I could find out about something. Neo rubbed his chin.
"What did Saren want with you?" Kaiden asked. "Do you know something about the Conduit?"
"Only that it was somehow connected to the prothean extinction." Liara explained to Kaiden. "That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the past fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."
"How old are you?" Shepard asked.
"I hate to admit it, but I am only a hundred and six." Liara said.
Ashley rebutted. "Damn! I hope I look that good when I'm age."
Neo didn't like Ashley's comment. He knew she was a well educated military type, but once so often she would pick up some hint of ignorance. It was most likely from her family history of dealing with alien species.
"A century might seem like a long time to a short-lived species like yours." Liara said. "But among the asari, I am barely considered more than a child. That is why my research has not received the attention it deserves, 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 prothean disappeared." Shepard said.
"With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there." Liara said. "The problem is finding evidence to support them. The protheans left remarkably little behind. 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. But here is the incredible part. According to my findings, the protheans were not the first galactic civilization to mysteriously vanish. This cycle began long before them."
"Wait." Neo added. "How did you come to that conclusion if there was little or no evidence to be found?"
"I have been working for this for fifty years." Liara explained. "I have trcked down every scrap and shred of evidence. Eventually, subtle patterns start to emerge. Patterns that hint at the truth. It is difficult to explain to someone else. I cannot point to one specific thing to prove my case. It is more a feeling derived from a half-century of dedicated research. But I know I'm right and eventually, I will be able to prove it. There were other civilizations before the protheans. This cycle has been repeated itself many times over."
"If the protheans weren't the first, then who was?" Shepard asked.
"I don't know." Liara said. "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." She finished with a slight tone of pride in her voice. Then she continued. "The galaxy is built on a cycle of extiction. Each time a great civilization rises up; it is suddenly and violently cast down. Only ruins survive. The protheans rose up from a single world until their empire spanned the entire galaxy. 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 from 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."
Shepard just calmly told Liara. "They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines. The Reapers."
"The Reapers?" Liara couldn't figure it out. "But I have never heard of…how do you know this? What evidence do you have?"
Neo decided to speak up. "There was a damaged prothean beacon back on Eden Prime. The beacon burned an image into the Commander's mind."
"Yeah." Shepard said. "I still can't make out what it means, but we did manage to make a recording of the visions."
"Visions?" Liara said. "Yes, that makes sense. The beacons were designed to transmit information directly into the user. Finding one that still works is…wait a minute? Did you say you recorded the image? How is that possible?"
Shepard explains to the confused asari. "When the image burned into my mind, I was unconscious for a while. Agent Neo decided to tune into my dreams while I was out."
"Tune in?" Liara looked at Shepard, but then it occurred to her. "Wait. I know humans have two superficial types. Podborns and freeborns. Commander, are you a podborn?"
"Yes." Shepard said. "So is Neo."
Liara looks at Ashley and Kaiden. "Then you two are."
Kaiden answered. "We're freeborn."
"So when you say 'tune' does that mean you looked into Shepard's mind?" Liara wanted to continue, but she was interrupted by Ashley.
"This is isn't helping us find, Saren or the Conduit." She blurted.
"Of course." Liara said. "You are right. I am sorry. My scientific curiosity and curiosity of your species got the better of me. Unfortunately, I do not have the information that could help you find the Conduit or Saren."
"I don't know why Saren wanted you out of the picture." Shepard said. "But I think we'll be a lot better off if we bring you along."
"Thank you, Commander." Liara said. "Saren might come after me again. I cannot think of anywhere safer than here on your ship and my knowledge of the protheans might come useful later on."
How does 'now' sound? Neo thought to himself as Shepard welcomed Liara on board as the newest crewmember. Then she claimed mental exhaustion and was recommended to visit Dr. Chakwas. Then that's when Neo thought of it as an opportunity.
"The rest of you…dismissed." Shepard ordered and then Joker told Shepard about the Council calling in.
Neo waited outside the medical bay for fifteen minutes, looking over some data on his omni-pad. Putting in the report about the krogan and the blood samples he mentioned about. Neo realized that bit of information was left out of the meeting they had just a while ago, but decided to send the report back to headquarters to see if they pick up on anything similar to the report through Citadel channels.
After Neo sent the report, he figured that Dr. Chakwas was done looking over Liara, so he put his pad away and entered the medical bay.
Neo asked Dr. Chakwas on her condition. The doctor told him where Liara was located and pointed to the room behind the medical bay. Neo entered and saw Liara sitting in front of a desk, looking over her work on a vid screen.
Liara sensed someone was behind her and she turned to see that it was Neo. "Hello agent Neo. How can I help you?"
"Well, remember in the comm room when I told you about tuning into Shepard's dreams?" Neo asked.
"Yes." Liara said plainly. "I heard it was part of a podborn human's ability."
"Well, I want to show you what we saw." Neo activated his Omni-tool and the screen image on her vid screen changed. "Now, what I need for you to do is point out what you see. If you see anything related to your research or some location that you might recognize, please tell me."
"Wait." Liara said. "Is this what Shepard saw in his visions from the beacon?"
"Yes." Neo said as he played the recorded image.
She stared at the screen as the images of the sepia-toned memories unfolded before her. She couldn't make out what the message was saying or implying, but it made her heart skip a beat.
When the images ended, Liara stared into the screen for a moment. Then she turned to Neo. "I don't know what to make of it. Shepard having that image inside his head? He is remarkably strong willed." She suddenly felt a bit of respect for the Commander.
"Well, what about locations?" Neo pressed on. "Did some of those places look familiar?"
Suddenly she felt a bit threatened. Liara wasn't used to this sort of questioning. "Are you, interrogating me?"
"I only need to know what you know." Neo explained. "However, Dr. T'Soni we are short on time."
Liara felt flustered and nervous. She took a breath and she said. "I think I recognize one of those locations. It is…is…"
"Tell me." Neo's eyes widened.
"Ilos." Liara leaned back. "It's Ilos." She turned her eyes away from Neo.
The door to Liara's room hissed open and a familiar voice stormed over the room. "Enough!" Shepard demanded from the intelligence agent. "Stand down, Anderson!"
Neo turned around to see a fuming Shepard staring at him. "Commander."
"What do you think you're doing?" Shepard demanded.
"Showing Dr' T'Soni the prothean image." Neo calmly replied. "We got a break. There's a chance the conduit is on Ilos. How did you know I was in here?"
"Dr. Chakwas told me." Shepard said. "Now what do you mean, Ilos?
"The images I showed her, she identified one planet." Neo typed up the planet on his Omni-tool. "To access the planet, one must enter the Mu mass relay."
"That's the problem." Liara added. "The Mu relay is located in the Terminus system and the exact location of Ilos has been lost. Going through the relay creates a higher chance of getting lost yourself and even if we find Ilos, is the Conduit there?"
"Then we have to find that information, because if Saren finds the location before we do…" Neo just shook his head and didn't want to finish his sentence.
"Now you got your information." Shepard folded his arms. "Now leave the doctor alone." Neo just nods and leave. Shepard looked at Liara. "Are you alright?"
"Yes." Liara said. "Agent Neo didn't hurt me. He just seemed very determined to find the information. It was that…I was not used to being forced to answer a question under pressure."
"Well, he went too far." Shepard said. "He shouldn't force those questions on you after your ordeal. Speaking of that, how are you feeling?"
"I am well, Shepard." Liara said. "I am surprised of your doctor's knowledge of asari." Then she felt safer talking to Shepard while he asked Liara more questions, but on friendlier nature.
After Shepard chat with Liara, he decides to visit his pilot, Joker. Shepard learned about how he got his name, his flight training, and accidentally revealing that he suffered from a brittle bone disease called Vrolik's Syndrome.
After finding out about his pilot's disease, Shepard said to Joker. "Is that why you don't like podborns that much?"
"Where did you hear that?" Joker thought of a way to deny his accusation while scratching his short beard, realizing Lieutenant Alenko must've told the Commander about their conversation.
"Look, Joker." Shepard folded his arms. "I could see why you have problems with podborns, because if you were raised in the Matrix you wouldn't have your condition. However, I can't have prejudice tearing a rift through my ship, especially now that we have some non-human personnel on board. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Commander." Joker shakes his head. "But some podborns don't make it easy. Like that Neo guy walking around."
"What about him?" Shepard suddenly showed a spark of interest.
"He's nosy." Joker said. "When he talks to you, he can't help but bring up something personal about you or someone you know."
Shepard stood silent for moment. Then he gave Joker an order. "Joker. In fifteen minutes, I want you to tell Neo to come find me. Tell him that I just want to have a 'chat'." Then Shepard walked away.
"What are you going to do, Commander?" Joker asked.
Shepard stopped and turned his head back at Joker. "Going to show you that not all us podborns are bad guys. If you want to see a show, tune in on one of the simulator programs."
Agent Neo just got the message from Joker. When he found the Commander, he was strapped in his seat. His mind was hooked on to a simulator program, but which one? Shepard definitely wanted to talk to Neo, but away from prying ears.
When Neo couldn't find the simulation program Shepard was located, he thought to let it be a surprise. He sat down on one of the empty chairs and activated the slithering cable. "This ought to be interesting." Neo said right before he felt the pinch on the back of his head.
Neo's eyes opened and saw that he was not where he expected to be. He recognized this simulation program. He was inside a Kung-Fu dojo and when he looked down, he was barefoot and wearing a white karate gi attached with a black belt.
"Glad you could make it." Shepard voice came from behind Neo. Neo quickly turned around and saw Commander Shepard. He was wearing a black karate gi while sporting a black belt.
"Joker said you wanted to see me." Neo said narrowing his eyes.
"How about a friendly spar while we, talk?" Shepard smirked.