Shepard had waited a few hours to give Samara time to adjust to the events they have witnessed on Omega.
When he entered into her quarters Samara must have sensed his presence and broke her meditation. She then walked up to the window and looked out into the void.
"Morinth haunted my dreams and waking hours equally," she said. "For the first time in 400 years, I am free. I am a ruined vessel of sorrow and regret, but I am free." She then looked at Shepard. "It is not a feeling I can describe."
"Was it worth it?" Shepard asked.
"It was never a question of worth, but of need. I had to take the action I did. As did she. This was never a story that would have a happy outcome."
Shepard nodded and looked at her. "You did your duty. What about your feelings?"
"One of my daughters is dead. My hopes, my dreams were all bound up in my children. Still, my feelings have always come after my duty. The same is true of you."
Shepard couldn't argue with that, but still didn't feel right. "You said that Morinth was a monster. But she was still your daughter."
Samara nodded. "She was the strongest and smartest. She would not accept the injustice thrust upon her. She fought to the end. I am so proud her, Shepard."
Shepard found it surprising that Samara was proud of her serial killer daughter. "You killed a being what she was."
"And I would again. But I also know what it means to leave everything behind and fight." She then turned and looked out of the window. "Do you realise that she went on the run at the age of 40? I do not know human years well, but it's very young for asari."
"What will you do now that Morinth is gone?" Shepard asked.
"Assuming I survived your mission?" Samara turned and looked at him. "I am a justicar. Injustice still exists… and perhaps even other Ardat-Yakshi."
Shepard frowned. "I thought Ardat-Yaskshi were extremely rare?"
"Asari have spread to many worlds. There are remote regions with no government oversight. If I travel to those welds and they do exist, I will find them."
"There's no way to correct the condition Morinth had?" Shepard asked.
"We are and advanced species, but we don't have magic. When the trade manifests as maturity, it is too late for mitigation. It only occurs in pure bloods like myself. Perhaps that is the root of the stigma regarding asari-exclusive pairings." She shrugged. "I do not know."
"You don't want to settle down?" Shepard smiled.
"I did," Samara reminded. "I return to my homeworld and try to start a family." She then sat back down into a meditation position. "I will fight and struggle all my life. That is my fate. When I die, it will not be in bed. I am at peace with that."
Shepard looked at her. "You still control the direction of your life."
"I have chosen this path. I am truly am at peace." She then looked up at Shepard. "Due in no small part to you.
Shepard went to talk to Grunt and suddenly wished that he hadn't, because now he had the image of a krogan ripping the horns from a salarian. Even though he didn't get what Grunt saw in these images, the krogan still appreciate him checking up on him.
After that Shepard went to his quarters to lie down and then discovered that he got a message from Admiral Hackett. It appeared that he found the location of the Normandy's crash site and wished Shepard to retrieve the dog tags of all those who died aboard her.
No one on the ship needed convincing and soon they were over the planet Alchera. According to Hackett's email there were about 20 unaccountable crewmembers that in make it to the escape pods.
Shepard found what remained of the Normandy, remarkably some of it was still intact even despite the re-entry but it was frozen over with ice now. As he walked through the wreckage it brought back some memories and sometimes he felt the ghost of many others.
He found some remains of the crew and their dog tags were still intact. Shepard even found his old N7 helmet, how that got there was beyond his understanding. He also found the data pad that belonged to Pressley the data was mostly corrupted that he could make out a few words.
Once he was finished he made his way back to the shuttle and return to the Normandy. When he exited the shuttle he found Garrus and Tali waiting for him.
"Did you find it?" Tali asked.
"What's left of it," said Shepard. "At a surprise that the ship maintains so many pieces."
"Well, it was designed by the two most powerful warlike species are in the galaxy," said Garrus.
"You know I've always wondered which species was the strongest… turian or human?" said Tali.
"Has to be turian," said Garrus. "I mean our entire culture is military."
"And yet it was the turians who suffered the most casualties during the First Contact War," said Shepard.
"That was because that fleet underestimated your forces. He believed that was guarding Shanxi was the bulk of your forces. Now today we wouldn't underestimate you."
"True, but you turians aren't much out-of-the-box thinkers. I mean you can't deny that we have pulled some unorthodox strategies to defeat our opponents."
"How about we try not to relive the war between your species aboard a ship that both your species designed," Tali advised.
"You are the one that asked the question," Shepard reminded.
"Yeah, and I'm regretting ever to suggest such a thing."
Shepard then got a message from Dr Chakwas telling him that she had acquired some new medical equipment. Apparently the equipment will be able to get rid of his remaining scars and he had once jumped at the chance.
"How was that, Commander?" Dr Chakwas asked when the surgery was done.
Shepard looked at the mirror and saw that his stars were completely gone now. "Grateful to have my good looked back."
"I'm still amazed that Cerberus was able to repair all the damage you sustained from the Collectors," said Dr Chakwas. "From the reports that I receive and from the description for Miranda and Jacob your body with vastly beyond repair."
Shepard removed himself from the medical bed "I just wish it in take two years to fix me up."
"I expected it to take even longer than that," said Dr Chakwas. "I also expected you to have some sort of lingering pains or anything that would make you reliability."
"Miranda certainly knew what she was doing," said Shepard.
Shepard decided that it was best time to sort out Zaeed's problem so they made their way towards Zorya in the shuttle.
When they landed they saw facility on the far side of the jungle and saw smoke exiting out of it.
Zaeed then fiddled with his radio. "Tapping into the Blue Suns communications. Stay tight, and look up ambushes."
Shepard wondered how Zaeed could access Blue Suns communications. However before he could ask Zaeed was already making his way into deeper into the jungle.
Shepard looked at the others. "We better follow him."
They don't get too far when they heard a man's voice on the radio. "Squad Bravo, a shuttle landing near your location. Check it out."
Zaeed smiled. "Here we go. Keep close."
They carried on and eventually found some dead bodies.
"Shot in the back and left to rot," Zaeed grumbled. "That's definitely Vido's style. Let's push ahead."
They soon reached a bridge of some sort and were attacked by Blue Suns mercenaries. However, Shepard and the others lay down covering fire he noticed that Zaeed was given instructions that recounted the Blue Suns tactics.
Either he coordinated fights against them for a long time or he had been one of them and knew this Vido's tactics and strategies. Though at the moment it was very hard to tell which it was especially when they were under fire.
Samara used her biotics to push the mercenary back and Kasumi used herself tacked to sneak behind their ranks and the from behind. Garrus and Shepard use their sniper rifles to pick up the leaders while Tali distracted them with the drone.
They then made their way towards the bridge and Shepard access the controls.
"This is Commander Santiag," said Vido's voice. "If any of you retreat while the intruders are still alive, I'll kill you myself. Now, get the hell back out there!"
"Vido. Sounds like he hasn't changed," said Zaeed angrily.
Shepard looked at Zaeed. "I get the feeling that you have a past with this Vido."
"I knew he was a sadistic bastard back when we started the Blue Suns," said Zaeed clenching his fist. "The Suns only got meaner after he staged his little coup twenty years ago. So, yeah. We have a past."
Shepard and the others stared at him. "Why didn't anyone tell me you founded the Blue Suns?" Shepard stared.
"Because it's not common knowledge. Vido wiped me out of the records. He ran the books, I led the men. Working real well for a while. Then Vido decided to start hiring batarians. Cheaper labour, he said. Goddamn terrorists, I said."
Shepard folded his arms. "Twenty years is a long time to hold a grudge."
Zaeed marched up to him and glared at him. "A grudge? Vido turned my men against me. He paid six of them to restrain me while he put a gun to my head and pulled the trigger. For twenty years, I've seen that bastard every time I close my eyes. Every time I sighted down on a target. Every time I heard a gunshot. Don't you call that a goddamned 'grudge."
Shepard stared at him. "You survived a gunshot to the head?"
"Yeah." Zaeed nodded. "And you survive your ship getting disintegrated. A stubborn enough person can survive just about anything. Rage is a hell of an anaesthetic."
"We'd better get moving."
They then made their way across the bridge and then heard Vido's voice over the radio. "They're at the southern access. All squads mass at the gatehouse! Now!"
"They know we're here," said Zaeed.
"But they don't know who they're up against," said Shepard.
They made their way closer towards the facility and they met no resistance clearly all of Vido's men had followed their lead is ordered to the letter. They soon entered into the complex and Vido looked down at them from a balcony. Then several Blue Sun mercenaries aimed their rifles at them.
"Zaeed Massani," said Vido with a small smile on his face. "You finally tracked me down."
Zaeed's hand went to his rifle. "Vido."
"Don't be stupid, Zaeed," said Vido. "I have a whole company of bloodthirsty bastards behind me, ready to kill or be killed on my command."
Zaeed then saw the corner of his eye a gas vent. He then looked back at Vido still glaring at him.
"Actually, take your shot," Vido smirked. "Give my men a reason to put you down like the mad dog you are. Again."
Zaeed then pulled out his rifle and fired while making a break for cover and Shepard and the others did the same. His shots missed the mercenaries, but struck the gas vent causing gas to be leaked out.
"What was that?" Vido sneered. "Gone nearsighted, old friend?"
"Burn, you son of a bitch," Zaeed snarled and fired his rifle.
The bullet struck the gas and suddenly there was an explosion. Vido and his mercenaries were caught in the explosion as flames shot up in all different directions.
Vido had managed to avoid the flames by ducking down in time. He leaned over the balcony and glared down at Zaeed. "You just signed your death warrant, Massani!"
He then limped away while his men provided cover fire from the balcony. Shepard then saw Zaeed slamming his rifle against the gas vent.
"What the hell are you doing?" Shepard yelled.
Gas began to leak out as the bullets from the mercenaries fired then ignite of the gases. It then cause an explosion that knocked them off the balcony.
"Opening the gate," said Zaeed.
"We're here to free these people," Shepard glared marching up to him. "Why the hell would you blow the refinery?"
Zaeed glared back. "I came here to kill Vido Santiago. You want my help on your mission, you better make damn sure that man dies today."
Explosions were heard all crossed the refinery. "This isn't the time. We'll discuss this later."
"Once Vido's dead, we can discuss anything you want."
They made their way through the refinery, but Shepard was absolutely furious as they cut their way through the remaining mercenaries. Zaeed was letting revenge take control and it would endanger the mission if he didn't do something.
As they made their way through the finally more explosions appeared every turn and the facility looked as if it was going to fall to pieces. They soon reached the door and were about to enter inside when they heard voices crying out above them.
"Help! We're trapped!" a worker yelled the walkway above them. "We can't get to the gas valves to shut them off! The whole place is going to blow!"
"No time," said Zaeed. "Vido's probably halfway to the shuttle docks by now."
Shepard narrowed his eyes at him. "You're willing to watch these people die?"
Zaeed narrowed his eyes at him. "Damn right I am. We start to help these people, and Vido gets away. And if he gets away, I'm blaming you."
Shepard grabbed the helm of his arm and pulled him towards him. "We're here to free these people. We're going in."
"I knew this was a mistake," Zaeed grumbled. "If we're gonna do this, we'd better get to it."
They soon jumped over the walkway made their way to the maintenance walkway towards the facility.
They entered the facility and found the place for radically inflames. The workers were trapped in a chamber that was filling with smoke. Shepard had to shut up some gas valves to get the extinguishers and fortunately he was able to get there in time to douse the flames.
"Now we can go after Vido," said Shepard.
"You better hope that he's still there," said Zaeed and marched off.
Kasumi looked at Shepard. "He really hates the guy."
"Our mission is too important for petty revenge," said Shepard.
"Are you going to tell him that?" Garrus asked.
They made their way through the facility following the route that Vido had took to the hangar docks.
"First person to bring me Massni's head get something special in their paycheck!" said Vido over the radio.
They were soon engaged by Blue Suns mercenaries. Shepard had to admire their loyalty, but yet a pity this stupidity.
"You brought Shepard with you, and you still don't have a chance!" said Vido. "I took your Blue Suns. I took your life. And now I'm taking it again. Take a knee now, Zaeed, and maybe I'll forget this ever happened!"
Zaeed looked up and saw fuelling tanks been moved above them and he noticed that they were loose. "That fuel tank's coming loose. Shoot it! Bring it down on top of 'em!"
Shepard shot at the fuelling tank and it fell on a squad of Blue Suns. Clearly they were desperate, because they sent heavy mechs towards them. Shepard waited until they were in position and then shot the final fuel tank on top of them.
It didn't destroy them, but it did take out their shields and did massive damage to their armour. Shepard and the others then poured on their barrage of bullets and eventually the mechs went down.
They soon reached the hangar docks and saw Vido boarding a gunship. Seconds later the gunship began to take off.
"Not this time, Zaeed, you son of a bitch!" Vido sneered. "See you on another twenty years!"
In rage Zaeed fired his rifle pounding the gunship, but he ran out of ammo. They watched as the gunship went over the ridge vanished. Zaeed shook his rifle in the thermal clip exited, still white hot, and landed next to some fuel.
Zaeed then turned and pointed his rifle at Shepard, who in turn pointed his pistol at him. "You just cost me twenty years of my life!"
Suddenly the thermal clip ignited the fuel and it created a trail of fire towards the fuel tank. Seconds later there was an explosion, Shepard managed to jump out of the way, but Zaeed got pinned down by a beam.
"Son of a bitch! Argh!" he yelled.
"Zaeed! You all right?" Shepard asked.
"'The hell do you care? I'm fine," he grunted. He then tried to move the beam, but it proved too heavy for him. "Now come on. Get me out of this shithole."
"I'm not sure I need a man like you on my ship," said Shepard kneeling down towards him.
"If you didn't need me, Cerberus wouldn't have paid my fee," Zaeed glared. "I'll do what I was paid to do. Nothing more, nothing less. Now stop screwing around! Let's go!"
"You put your own goals ahead of the mission," Shepard pointed out. "That's not the way this works."
"I've survived long enough watching my own back. No time to worry about anyone else."
Shepard then pulled out his pistol and aimed it at Zaeed's head. "You're part of a team now, Zaeed." He then lowered his pistol. "There's no way we can do this unless we're all working together."
"You… you have a point," Zaeed said reluctantly. Shepard then removed the beam and help Zaeed up. "I'm not done with Vido, but I can put that behind me long enough to get your mission done. Let's get the hell out of here."
Rick was in his quarters looking at the picture itself, his uncle and his two cousins. He knew that the three of them would be leaving in a few months' time and he would never see them again.
Ashley then entered into his quarters with a datapad in our hands. "Sir, have just finished my report on our last mission."
Rick sighed. "You don't have to go all formal me, Ash."
"I have to show you the proper respect that you deserve, sir," said Ashley. She then noticed the picture on his desk. "Family?"
"Yes my uncle Alec and my two cousins Scott and Sara," Rick smiled. "You know it was my uncle that inspired me to join the Alliance."
"What happened to your parents?" Ashley frowned.
Rick closes eyes. "Shanxi."
"You mean the First Contact War," said Ashley slowly.
Rick nodded. "I barely remember them, but I never let it control me. If I did I might have ended up just like Saren."
Ashley nodded and handed him her report. "I'm glad you say with the Alliance, Rick."
Rick smiled. "I'm glad to Ash."