Fifty-Two: Machine

From the beginning, Joker knew it was a bad idea. How a single turian ship managed to disable a Collector vessel was already questionable, but when Mara stepped inside and found it silent, it became even dodgier.

"What, did they all decide to jump out into space before we came?" Joker quipped.

Mara didn't seem amused. Judging by the movement of her helmet's built-in camera, she was shaking her head.

EDI revealed that Mara was gallivanting through the same ship she'd fired at on Horizon. That didn't help Joker's tension any; he was beginning to regret dismissing Mara when she asked if he wanted some of her anti-anxiety medication.

Joker switched on another screen, connecting this one with the feed from the camera on Garrus's helmet. Something about the connection between Horizon and this ship was bothering him, but he attempted to bury it. Mara didn't need any interruptions.

EDI was analyzing data Mara had found beside a dead Collector on a gurney, but Joker wasn't paying attention. The artificial voice trailed off in a dull, mechanical hum. He glanced out the window at the exterior of the Collector vessel and its bark-like appearance triggered a sharp memory.

"It's not the geth…"

"Shit," Joker whispered. He reached for his console and pulled up EDI's scans of the ship's EM signature. After staring at it for a moment, he turned to the AI and said, "Time to be useful. You got any data from my old girl?"

"Any salvageable information from the Normandy SR-1 has been logged into my databanks. What would you like to access, Mr. Moreau?"

"Run this EM signature against it."

EDI's display blinked as the data was processed, and a mere second later, the results were displayed on a new screen.

"Those sons of bitches." He switched his comm back on. "Mara, you gotta hear this."

"Go ahead."

"On a hunch, I asked EDI to run another analysis on this thing. The EM profile matches data they got off the old Normandy. It's the same ship."

Mara was bitterly silent for far too long. Eventually, she managed, "I'm standing in the ship that killed me."

"Yeah," he replied in barely more than a whisper. "I don't like this, Mars. Watch your back."

"Holy… fuck." Jack hissed. When Joker drew his attention back to the camera, he found himself seconding the sentiment.

There was no way to tell how big the room was, but one thing was sure: far too many people could fit inside the pods that lined the walls.

"They're going to target Earth," Garrus deduced.

"Not if we stop them."

Joker was about to point out how unconvinced Mara sounded, but she found the databank terminal before he could open his mouth. Mere seconds after EDI had begun the data-mine, an alert sounded in the bridge.

EDI's holographic display went dark. It flickered back on, a violent red, with the ugly visage of a very angry Collector.

Joker swallowed hard. "Oh, that can't be good."


A.N.: This chapter is dedicated to my best friend for no particular reason... other than the fact that it's her BIRTHDAY! We go together like Joker and the Normandy. :)

This is going to be a two-parter! The next chapter is a direct continuation of this one. I hope you're all excited to see how it turns out! This mission was covered in-game and it does progress pretty much the same way, but I hope the POV switch (we're following Joker in these two chapters) will keep it from being too bland.

As always, please point out any mistakes you see so I can fix them, and reviews are greatly appreciated! I love you guys!