Ilos
Nothing moved across the sky, only wisps of clouds. Insubstantial and flimsy, they offered no shelter from the burning touch of the sun. Once a vibrant breathing world, nothing but soil and ruins now covered the arid surface where the only visible living thing was a stubborn green moss like growth that spread itself under every centimetre of shade. The great Prothean cities that had once stood tall and proud across the planet were long gone, crumbled to dust.
Peering through the window from her seat, Liara wondered for the umpteenth time on the reason behind the devastation. It had been the general view that the Reapers did not as a rule, ravaged the ecosystems of the homeworlds they invaded to the point of extinction. Their primary motive had always been the elimination of technologically advanced races of each cycle. Exacting and precise, all traces of those races were totally removed before they departed for dark space. In the thousands of years that followed, life sprang forth again on battered worlds. However, according to Vigil, the Reapers had in fact, devastated entire worlds. The reason for such annihilation was unknown.
The destruction of Ilos, however, was not caused by the Reapers. That much had been ascertained by the previous expedition. Whether it had been the Protheans themselves or some other force remained to be determined. There wasn't any time for her to search and conduct any study in her last visit. Nor had she been able to return in the years after the Battle of the Citadel. The Council had declared Ilos off limits except for sanctioned expeditions. Moreover archaeology had been the last thing on her mind when her entire focus had been to hunt the Shadow Broker down while gathering what information there was on other Prothean expeditions. Now that she had an opportunity to carry out her initial desire, she could hardly wait.
The ground flashed by as the shuttles dropped to surface level. When the terrain turned to hilly ridges, Shepard's comlink beeped. She listened for a moment before unstrapping herself from her seat to make her way to the cockpit. They must be approaching their destination. Liara looked expectantly at the dark screens in the cargo compartment which flickered to life seconds later. As the shuttle banked on a turn, she studied the images of visible ruins. They flew towards the crumbling remains of a wall built into a hill. Set against a portion of the wall was an incongruous contemporary prefab dwelling. This was the western entrance designated LAEC (Lower Archive Entry C). They had chosen this particular entry as it was the nearest access to the trench elevator that had had led them to Vigil.
Returning to the cargo compartment as the shuttles descended, Shepard gestured to the squad. They unbuckled themselves from their seats. Weapons and hardsuits were checked. Liara did the same thing. Shepard made sure her bondmate's helmet and visor breather were sealed properly and resisted from going over the fastenings of her hardsuit one more time. Liara wouldn't too pleased with her for making such a fuss. The problem was, she was justified. Her bondmade was with child and she should not be going with them on the initial reconnaissance. Liara had a different opinion of course so she kept her peace rather than rucked up an argument.
"Eyes peel," Shepard said to them, flashing a look to Liara who had unclipped her Hurrican SMG from her waist.
She opened the hatch once the shuttle set down. Her helmet visor adjusted instantly to the intense sunlight that shone into the compartment. A quick glance around before she stepped out onto dry ground. A cloud of fine rust colour dust raised by the descent of the shuttle drifted in the air. Though her bodysuit maintained a balanced thermal insulation, she could peripherally feel the heat streaming off the ground. It was perhaps an illusion cast by the harsh sunlight but she doubted anyone would want to walk about in casual clothing in an environment that measured a whopping forty-eight degree celsius with no sign of a waterhole.
She looked up briefly to check the other shuttles that would remain aloft until she gave the all clear. Flicking her fingers and murmuring instructions, she split up the squad into twos and sent them to scout around the area in four directions. She went to take a look at the generators standing outside the prefab with Liara. Someone had neglected to secure it properly so there was a thick layer of dust that had to be swept off. The control panel lit up readily when Liara touched the activation key. The generators kicked into drive smoothly.
"Remaining fuel cells read at three-quarters, reserves at maximum," she murmured as she checked the readouts, fingers flying over the keyboard. "Solar panels inoperative."
"We're good for six months then," Shepard said without taking her eyes from her visual survey of their surroundings. Her arm bumped against Liara's as she turned around.
Have you keyed in the new code?
Yes.
"There should be reserved fuel cells in storage so the generators could stay up for a year if needed," Liara said. She made a final check of the readings before closing the protective cover over the console.
"Alright, let's move on to base." Shepard switched to squad comm. "How does it look lieutenant?"
"Clear, sir," Ulros reported. "Not picking up anything."
"Take the rest of the squad to base entrance B and clear level two and three. We'll take the rest."
They made their way to the closest side entrance of the prefab. The door opened easily to admit them into a small decontamination chamber. A quick cycle and they were through to the next room. From the rows of lockers and skinsuits hung on the walls, a changing room. With the generators brought online, the room was lit. A layer of dust blanketed everything. They went through the door on the far side and stopped at the corridor.
Pointing to one of the decals on the wall before them, Shepard said, "This way."
The operations room was just as dusty. Getting the place running was not a problem, getting it clean was going to take some time. Shepard hoped the cleaning bots were up to it. While she hunted those down, Liara set to work on the nearest console after knocking and brushing off the inevitable dust. The bots were in their storage niche, as rust coloured as the floor, but came to life readily when Shepard enabled their functions through the console set into the wall. As they scurried off, she looked around the room. The previous survey team had left in an orderly manner. Except for a few scattered datapads and empty cups they had neglected to dispose of, the workstations were bare. The large overhead screens blinked a status ready message.
"Structure integrity is at a hundred percent. Air filtration at seventy percent. There could be some clogging with the intakes, it will take some time for the air in here to cycle," Liara said, scrutinising the data carefully. "Water pumps, purifiers and recyclers are online."
There were no files of course. All sensitive material were removed except for regular logs.
"So far so good. Let's take a look at the rest of the place."
Leaving the console, Liara joined Shepard at the entrance. They went down the right corridor to find a flight of stairs leading to the upper floors, a kitchen, a mess room and the medbay, all ten dusty beds bare and ready for patients. The cabinets and shelves were fully stocked. Retracing their steps, they went down the left side of the corridor, passing the main entrance to the prefab and found the storage room. Tanks of fuel cells stood in a corner, pristine in their hard storage covers. Solar panels stood wrapped, unused. Whatever food the researchers had left behind were a few small crates of energy bars, tubes of paste and medical supplies, along with a small rack of pistols and shotguns. Enabling squad comm, Shepard queried the status of the teams.
"Everything checks out, sir," Ulros reported. "Just need some cleaning up."
"There should be cleaning bots, get them moving. I need an inventory of weapons at material storage on the ground floor, west of operations."
"Copy that, sir. Foster's on his way."
"The expedition will be landing, expedite with offloading."
"Yes, sir, on our way."
Returning to operations, Shepard used the base communications to notify the shuttles to land and to call the Glasgow to update Dorrin that base Delphi was secured.
"Air density optimum," Liara announced, after checking the readouts on the overhead screens. Before Shepard could stop her, she unsealed and removed her helmet before taking a deep breath.
"I'd rather you let me be the guinea pig."
"Guinea pig?" What kind of an animal was that? Liara searched memories gleaned from her bondmate for some idea of this pig.
"Something like a lab rat." Unsealing her own helmet, Shepard tucked a stray strand of hair over her ear as she took a breath. Slightly musty but clear.
"First a pig, then a rat, would you not rather be human?" Liara said teasingly, reaching out to brush aside a few long strands falling into her bondmate's eyes.
"I can be anything." Shepard grasped her bondmate's hand, rubbing a thumb along the palm. "As long as you are safe."
Shepard, I know what I am doing. [a mixture of pleased approval and mild pique]
Alright, alright, I'll stop mother henning.
Oh now you are a hen. You are certainly a fount of talents.
The muffled thump of many feet jogging down the stairs, followed by the sound of shuttles outside the prefab broke them apart. Shepard managed to land a peck on Liara's cheek before Ulros appeared at the doors with the marines. Getting down to business, she sent a technician and a couple of marines to clear the clogged air filters. The rest filed out to the shuttles to help unload equipment and supplies.
The first of the researchers into the prefab was Kedar. Shepard fancied his horns were emitting little electric streaks of excitement. He removed his breather mask as his eyes blinked rapidly to adjust to the lights. Without further ado, he set himself down at the nearest workstation and industriously swept the console. Once the screen was clear, he began to upload data from his datastick and went to work on his current project. That his suit would be covered with dust from the chair didn't seem to worry him. Like magnets drawn to metal, the rest of the salarians followed suit except for a few who galloped like hamsters up and down the stairs, busily dumping the team's personal items into their chosen quarters before coming down to join their fellows.
Following at a sedate pace, the asari researchers ignored the industry of the salarians to sail upstairs with their gear. Exchanging a glance with Shepard, Liara wondered if they would choose to work apart from the salarians. Not once on the journey from Thessia to Ilos did her colleagues attempt to mix with them. Some of them had not visibly displayed such a strong rejection before. It was as if Jieull's outburst at that last conference had decided them on which viewpoint they should take and permanently thrust a wall between themselves and the salarians.
It was regrettable as both asari and salarians had centuries of harmonious concord between them but disagreement over the TI would now sever that tie. Her colleagues' obvious enmity made their compliance to come along on a mission that ran counter to their position on the TI question, suspect. Yet they could not be left out of the expedition without convincing evidence that they had impeded medical research. The change of their stance could be an individual decision but she suspected it was more of peer pressure, political motivations and clan directives. There were clans that outright refused to condone killing the TI and some of her colleagues belonged to them.
A flash of something huge passing the doors distracted her for a moment before she realised it was Module, helping to carry in the biggest cargo to storage. No doubt the marines would be appreciative at not having to wrestle large loads with a geth prime providing lift. It had been a pleasant surprise to find the crew of the Glasgow willing to interact with it. Part of it probably had to do with the geth helping to clear homeworlds of Reaper wreckage. The other was that Module was easy to fraternize with its air of earnestness and engaging interest to learn and converse. The salarians were pleased to hold long discourses with it though her colleagues were more wary.
The low murmur of conversation between Shepard and Ulros reminded her that time was wasting so she set herself to her task of getting their own gear and going upstairs to find their own room. She found her asari colleagues had taken up half of the second floor, the other half was taken up by marines so she went up to the third floor. She chose a room away from the salarians. There was a double deck bed, a row of cabinets over a desk, a small coffee table, armchairs and a small bathroom. The cleaning bots had already cleaned the floor, she was pleased to note. She quickly stripped the lower bed of its dusty coverings and searched the cabinets for fresh ones. After a look at the chronometer, she grabbed a washcloth off the bathroom rail, wet it and cleaned up the furniture. Better to do it now then later when they would be too tired. She didn't fancy sleeping on dusty sheets or sitting on dusty chairs.
A message popped up on her omni-tool as she finished up. Tossing the dirty washcloth into the washer, she went down to the ground floor to find it bustling as marines worked to bring the rest of the rooms to operational condition. A few were sorting through the supplies in storage and medbay. She made her way to join the selected group to descend to the lower archives. The airlock was set flush against one of several emergency egress along the walls of the archives. Casting a last critical eye at the group, especially at Kedar and the asari researcher, Peliar, Shepard palmed the door panel to reveal the dim bowels of the prothean bunker.
Sparkles of dust drifted lazily in the glow of dull yellow light filtering through cracks created by centuries of burrowing moss in the ceiling. As time went by, the moisture and shelter offered by the bunker encouraged roots to thicken and grow into heavy limbs that reached down into the groundwater. Several wall panels had fallen, exposing bare rock and hard soil in their place. Looking about them, Shepard realised they stood on a small ledge running parallel along the trench. She peered cautiously over the edge. At least a fifty metre drop or more. Fortunately, they need not have to climb down for the previous expedition had installed a lift platform. Nor did they have to walk for there were trucks parked at the bottom. Meant to transport personnel, construction and research materials, the trucks had flatbeds attached.
Two trucks would do. Shepard mentally tried to size Module up into the cabin but failed. It was just too large, even if it folded itself and the others were willing to squeeze. As if reading her thoughts, Module stated it would ride on the flatbed. Problem solved. True to form, Peliar opted to ride in the second truck as Kedar settled into the first. Shepard had the impression that as long as the quest for a definitive solution to the TI succeeded, the salarian did not care if the asari researchers refused to cooperate. It was out of tolerance than reliance on their abilities that he made no objections or response to the stone wall they erected. The marines split themselves up equally between the two trucks.
As she was about to climb into the first truck, a lone vehicle standing in the shadow of a truck against a corner caught Shepard's eye. The shape of it roused a forgotten memory. Was it really what she thought it was? She got down and rounded the corner of the truck to have a good look. Her suspicions were confirmed. One of the members of the previous research teams must have been a human. No way a salarian or an asari would think of riding such a mechanism.
"Captain, what is it?" Sergeant Foster leaned out of the driver's seat to ask inquiringly. Unable to see the object of her interest from where he was, he wondered what was holding her up. Liara climbed down from the cabin, puzzled by her bondmate's captivation.
"Just a second," Shepard said, reaching to hit a key. Would it activate? The vehicle thrummed into life. "You can move off, Foster, I'll catch up," she said, pleased with the readout on the fuel gauges.
"Uh, yes, sir." Puzzlement was rich in Foster's voice but he obeyed, closing the door of the cabin and drove down the wide trench with the second truck following closely behind.
"What is it?" asked Liara when she reached Shepard who was straddling the strange vehicle and sliding her hands up and down the handlebars.
"It's a hovercycle."
"A what?"
The excitement in Shepard's voice was perplexing. She blinked as her bondmate grasped her hand, imparting an image of a two-wheeled vehicle running at speed along a road. A helmeted rider was weaving in and out of ancient looking wheel vehicles on what appeared to be a busy road on Earth, chased by more vehicles with lights flashing. The machine before her looked like the vehicle Shepard had shown her except that it had no wheels.
I think one of the previous researchers brought this along and didn't bring it back. [delight] I saw this once before at an Alliance depot when I was a kid. Such vehicles are only seen on Earth.
Shepard, you are not going to..ride this, are you? [nervous] You have not driven one, have you?
I did. Once. [cheerful anticipation. Image of an oddly small pair of bare hands, holding onto handlebars. Flying landscape populated by figures diving to the sides, all sporting expressions of shock, horror and amazement before the scene wobbled wildly, impacting into a large metal container. Flashes of light]
You crashed it. [dismay] Surely you are not... A gasp escaped Liara when Shepard pulled her to stand next to the hovercycle saddle.
Get on.
This is not a good idea. We should take one of the trucks.
Don't you trust me?
Shepard, this is a high speed vehicle. Is it wise to ...
Come on, love. Please? [pleading entreaty] It's really no different from a skycar.
Promise me you will let me get off when I say so? [reluctance]
Don't worry, you'll love it. Shepard pulled Liara's arms around her torso once she had seated herself behind her. Put your feet on those little protruding struts. Now hold on tight.
Why is there no ... aaaahhhhhhh!
A scream of fright escaped Liara when the hovercycle launched off at speed down the trench. Feeling she was about to fall off, she hugged on tightly to Shepard for dear life. It was a bad idea, it was a really really bad idea. Regret babbled and bounced around in her mind as she looked over Shepard's shoulder. They were going so fast! Illusion and inexperience foisted that impression upon her. In reality, they were cruising along at 60 km/h. Faster than the trucks which they overtook a minute later. Risking a look behind, Liara fancied she could see the amazement on Peliar's face behind her breather mask. After a moment of astonishment, the marines whooped and whistled shrilly before Foster reined them in. Hidden under his helmet though, he was grinning hugely. Damn, wouldn't he want a ride on that machine too.
It hovered on Liara's lips to ask that Shepard stopped and let her off to take one of the trucks but she could feel her bondmate's exhilarating joy. She held her silence and tried to understand why traveling at speed was so much fun.
They easily outstrip the trucks and left them behind. Down the trench they went, rounding corners and slipping down slopes with ease. The hovercycle was a joy to handle, responding easily to every turn Shepard made as she negotiated around large roots that had claimed their share of the trench. Not too light, not too heavy. Whoever it was that had brought it to Ilos must have spent some time playing the daredevil along the trench, she was certain. It was the ideal place to go full throttle. The temptation hovered but she pushed it away. Not with Liara at her back.
Still want to get off?
I still do not see your fascination with it.
Slightly more at ease, Liara raised her head to look around her. Rows upon rows of cryo units could now be seen. They must be getting near to the lift they took.
For the thrills. There's nothing like being one with the machine under your control, running at speed. You go where you will.
It is an interesting concept.
An unusual bright shaft of light breaking through the rows of cryo units that they were swiftly approaching caught Liara's eye.
I think we are near that lift we took down to talk to Vigil.
I see it.
The doorway looked familiar to Shepard as she halted the hovercyle before it. Though there was no shield shimmering across the passage in front of them, she knew they were at the right place for there was a huge decal left behind by the previous expedition. With legs that trembled slightly, Liara slide off the saddle, glad to be on firm ground. She was not certain she would want to ride it again when they returned to the surface. Thumbing off the engine, Shepard pushed the hovercycle to one side before entering the doorway with Liara. The lift doors were opened but the control panel was dark. There was no power. They had to wait for the rest to arrive with the power cells to operate the lift.
"You are not thinking of bringing it back with us, are you?" Crossing her arms, Liara watched as Shepard returned to the entrance to examine the hovercycle.
"Seems like a waste to leave it here," Shepard muttered, opening up the access hatch to the engine.
"Where could you take it to?"
"The mountain trails?" came the distracted reply.
"So you could get your head smash at some point?"
"It's not going to happen," Shepard scoffed laughingly before she realised Liara was upset. "Why'd you think it would happen?" She was puzzled. Where did Liara get that idea from?
"You may think you are in control when you ride this hovercycle but in reality, you are dictated to by your whims."
"Come on Liara, that's not true." Shepard shook her head skeptically before turning back to peruse the engines. A touch on her shoulder created an immediate link.
You want to indulge yourself but you did not. Do you know why?
[Silence]
Because I am with you. Is it worth it to suffer pain, yours and mine, for some thrill of the moment?
Damn it, when you put it like that. A sigh escaped Shepard. Let me think it over.
All right. [pause] The others are here.
The whine of engines became louder before dying away as the trucks pulled up. Eye flaps moving up and down, Module got off the flatbed and planted itself before the hovercycle, seeming fascinated with the machine. Equally intrigued, Kedar joined it as Peliar hovered behind. Liara could see she wanted to ask what it was but chose to remain silent. Mindful of their tasks, the marines offloaded the power cells and went to work on the lift.
"It is a fine construct," said Module, after running scans of the vehicle.
"Impressive. Mobile and efficient in every way," Kedar nodded, busily taking readings with his omni-tool. "What is it?"
"It is a hovercyle," Module said. "I have seen a few travelling on the streets on Earth. They have wheels however. It is rare?" it directed the question to Shepard.
"Those are motorcycles, fuel guzzlers." She clapped the access hatch closed. "Expensive to manufacture and maintain. That's why most people back home use skycars. The H-cycles, like this one, are cheaper."
"Hmmm... class indulgence." Kedar cocked his head. "Of no purpose than to transit at speed? Only to whet desires? Display of prowess? Ego endorsement?"
"Well, I suppose," Shepard winced uncomfortably, trying not to feel the amusement Liara was attempting to hide. None of the descriptives fit her, damn it. She only wanted to experience the joy of a high speed ride and the challenge of surmounting obstacles that presented themselves along a trail.
"Interesting it should be here," Kedar continued.
"I guess someone from the previous expedition had the money to spend. It's essentially build for speed and this place is ideal to let it rip."
"Let it rip?" Kedar repeated in puzzlement. Strange to use such a phrase on a vehicle.
"I believe that meant riding the hovercycle at maximum speed," offered Module helpfully. Clearly, it had learned much during its tenure on Earth.
Interest on the hovercycle died away when Foster reported the lift was in operation. Kedar headed eagerly through the entrance. Face inscrutable as ever, Peliar followed. Once in the lift, Module elected to fold itself as the space was constraint, inviting the marines to sit on it if they could find no space to stand. None took up on its offer as the marines felt it was disrespectful. Detailing three marines to stay with the trucks, Shepard descended with the rest to the lower archives.