MASS EFFECT 3: ANDROMEDA SERIES
CHAPTER 25
A chill went up Andromeda's spine as she walked with her group towards the entrance of the facility. She kept her blue eyes focused directly on the back of the woman that was leading them along; every now and then glancing towards her two well-armed escorts. Behind her, Charles and Beth were murmuring excitedly about their upcoming exploration of Sanctuary and what refuge it promised to provide. "Where are all the people?" Andromeda finally noted out loud. "I thought with Sanctuary offering aid to those fleeing from the Reapers that you would be overwhelmed."
Without missing the beat, the woman replied, "That's because we have outstanding staff that processes everyone quickly. Everyone is inside now, enjoying what we can provide them. "
Noticing one of the armed men eyeing her carefully, Andromeda acted like something nearby caught her attention. "And your armed escort?" Sh'sk pointed out next, he did notice the look that one of them gave Andromeda. He made sure his tone made them aware that he was very skeptical.
Stopping just outside the entrance, the woman turned around with a large smile on her face. "Well, we want to make sure that our guests here are safe...we have to have order."
"So the Reapers are not aware of this location? It's that well-hidden?" It was Jenna's turn to ask the next question.
"Yes, we have top of the line security to give us days' notice to safely evacuate everyone to another location if the Reapers should come in this direction."
"And Cerberus?" Sh'sk grunted. He wasn't through with his inquiries.
Stifling laughter, the woman politely paused before answering, "Why would Cerberus attack this place? We have no quarrels with them."
"Does Cerberus know about this?" Andromeda chimed in.
"Andromeda, please," Beth scolded. "We shouldn't be so rude and question our guests."
"It's perfectly okay…I know fear is plaguing everyone. Please go down the corridor to where they can check you in."
Leading the group, Beth grabbed Charles' hand and walked down the corridor with Jenna and Conrad following close behind. Andromeda and Sh'sk lingered back before they both exchanged silent looks and went in the same direction.
The processing center was located at the entrance inside the facility. Soft elevator music played overhead on loud speakers and the workers at their terminals were in upbeat conversations and laughing among one another. The woman sitting behind the desk at check in screening appeared to be in early forties with red wavy hair, slimly built and very attractive for human tastes. "Greetings, everyone, my name is Chloe…I will be checking you in. Welcome to Sanctuary," Her voice soft and sincere like a mother to a child. "I know that you all have some fear, but rest assured that as you stay here, you will adapt."
Andromeda recognized that sentence from a similar situation; the time she arrived at Zhu's Hope on Feros. The colonists were acting so strangely and she began to exhibit headaches and neurological shooting pain. When she expressed her concerns to Fai Dan, he guaranteed that she would adapt to it. It was only then when she was in over her head that Feros turned out not what it seemed to be.
"Oh wow… a Batarian," Chloe exclaimed excitedly, snapping Andromeda out of her thoughts. The red head glanced over to her male coworker beside her. "It's been months since we have had one of those. Scans show that you have biotic implants. That's rare."
"There's been others here?" Sh'sk asked after the scan finished.
"We did…receive several awhile back," Chloe examined the information that popped up on her console about their new four-eyed guest. "From…Camala I believe. Are you from there? I don't have you registered with any world."
"I make it a habit to stay off the grid. Where are they?" Sh'sk's voice rose eagerly.
"Anyone you know?" Andromeda softly nudged him playfully with a warm smile.
"Once you get settled in, I will make sure that you see them." Chloe soothingly replied.
Andromeda was the last one to go through the security retinal scan. An unknown chime came from the console once the scan was complete. She noted that no one else had the same sound burst as she did. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh my…." Chloe gasped as the details popped up on the console.
"Is she okay? She can get in here right?" Jenna asked again for her friend, glancing at Andromeda worriedly.
"Oh yes…" Chloe giggled. "Sorry…it just alerted me that you were with Citadel Security and a biotic. She cleared her throat. Not a problem at all. I will clear the alert."
"Is that a bad thing? I mean I am not armed…" Andromeda tried to peer around to see what data was being flashed about her.
"Of course not," Chloe waved her through. "We like to know potential candidates for security if needed that's all. Please see Juan to your right and he will lead you to where you will be staying."
"Well, I helped Shepard before…I could assist you!," Conrad beamed proudly.
"I will make note of it, sir. Thank you for your honesty."
"Wait...may I be able to send a message? It's important that I let someone know where I am." Andromeda stopped her group.
"We do not allow access to public terminals due to risks, nonetheless, I will be more than happy to send the message for you. What would you like it to say?"
"Please send a message to Commander Bailey at Citadel Security. Advise him to tell Garrus that I'm safe on Sanctuary."
After a few seconds, Chloe finished typing along her keyboard. "Done. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
"No, thank you." Feeling more at ease knowing that Garrus would soon be aware of her whereabouts and perhaps find a way to get her and Sh'sk back to the Citadel, she walked over with the rest of her friends.
Once they were out of sight, Chloe smirked as she stared at the unsent message on her console. Giving a head nod to Juan who was looking in her direction, Chloe deleted the message.
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"It's a brilliant tactic when you think about it," Garrus leaned back against the couch in the lounge. The Normandy was making its way towards Thessia, the next homeworld to be under attack by the Reapers. He did plan on going to the lounge to clear his mind but that idea was thrown out when an Alliance officer was already occupying the room that had the same idea. Instead of being rude, Garrus thought it would be polite to sit down and engage in idle chatter. However, Javik later joined and the conversation changed into old war stories.
"But it's evil," The young officer protested as he looked at the Turian in utmost disgust.
"When has that ever matter in war?" Garrus countered lightly. Javik remained quiet as he watched the two express their strong emotions about the subject matter: Reapers converting alien races into husks.
"Yeah…but converting other life forms into Reapers?" The officer's voice wavered. "I can't wrap my head around that."
Leaning forward, Garrus rested one of his arms on his knee. "Makes sense to me. It insures that you never run out of cannon fodder. Eliminates any local resistance and for every soldier you add, your enemy loses two: The one you converted and his buddy on the other side who can't pull the trigger on a friend."
Javik nodded his head silently as he listened in. The officer shook his sadly, appalled. "You sound like you admire them…."
"Same way I admire a virus or a Thresher Maw. They've adapted perfectly to their situation."
"But the Reapers want to destroy us!"
"And I have no intention of letting them. But, if you don't respect your enemy's capabilities, you're in for one nasty surprise after another."
Shaking his head, the male stood from the chair he was sitting in across from Garrus. "I need to get back to my duties." Garrus could tell that their talk really stressed him out, however, he was a realist and this war couldn't be sugar coated.
Once he and Javik were alone, the Prothean turned to look at him. "So could you, Turian?"
"What is that?" Garrus leaned back against the couch once more.
"Pull the trigger on a friend who was turned into those husks?"
"Without hesitation. If I don't, then the Reapers will win."
"Good. Remember that. " Javik turned to also leave the room.
"Did you have to?" Garrus called to him.
Stopping at the door, the Prothean seemed trouble as he closed his eyes. "More than once."
"You have orders for me, sir?" Kai Leng addressed the Illusive Man as he walked up to where he was sitting in his chair.
"I need you to get to Thessia and recover the data that will help us find the catalyst. My sources say it is located in the Temple of Athame." The Illusive Man took a sip from his glass and then held out his right hand knowingly accepting a data pad from one of his assistants.
"It will be done." Leng bowed before leaving his boss alone once more.
The Illusive Man set down his glass and scanned the information on the data pad. It was the latest report from his project on Horizon. A grin slowly spread across his lips as one particular name caught his attention. Handing the pad back to his assistant who was standing next to him patiently, he picked up his glass once more. "Contact Lawson and his team. Tell them I need to recover something that belongs to me."