Chapter 2: Eden Prime Arrival

6 May 2183 EST - Inner Council Space, Arcturus Stream, Arcturus System, Aboard SSV Normandy SR1

They were only a few hours away from their destination. Shepherd decided to begin suiting up for the mission.

She flipped the clips of her metal black case and inside were some weapons and a black set of armour neatly organised.

First was the undersuit. This single piece suit was skin-tight, but flexible and helped regulate sweat and temperature. Woven into the fabric was also a computer microframe, containing an onboard communications, navigation and sensing suite. As well as a medical interface to track her vitals and administer medi-gel where needed using medi-gel conduits throughout the suit.

The first layer of the armour was black, lightweight kinetic padding. The second layer was made of high density, light weight ablative ceramic plates. The exterior of these plates contain the Kinetic-barrier emmitters.

The plates were all black except for the right arm plates, which had a thick red stripe running down the arm with a thin white stripe running down each side.

The armour used electromagnetic boots for zero gravity situations. The upper leg plates were divided into two segments. The hip and thigh plates. The hip plates featured a magnetic holster on each side as well as several built-in storage compartments. This is also the location where the armour's power cell is plugged in.

The abdomen has multiple segmented plates to allow for as much movement as possible. On the lower back is also another magnetic holster.

The chest and upper back are all single plates. The chest has an N7 logo on the right side and the upper back contains the armour's Mass Effect core as well as three more magnetic holsters in a row. On the collar of the chest plate was also Shepherd's rank. Two thick gold bars and one thin.

The shoulders each have two plates overlapped to allow full movement and each bicep has another plate.

The forearms and hands are covered by gauntlets. The palm of each gauntlet has a hardpoint that links to the internal computer of the weapon that Shepherd is holding. The tips of each finger also have accelerometers that link to the haptic interface chip on the top of the had. Allowing Shepherd to interact with holographic interfaces. Though this isn't as necessary as she already has that implanted directly into her hands.

The left gauntlet also has a holographic Omnitool, containing a computer microframe, sensors analysis pack and minifacturing fabricator.

Shepherd picked up a small rectangular box and slotted it into a slit on her hip and with a satisfying humm, the armour turned on. Blue lights on her back turned on as the Mass Effect core came online and a blue shimmer crossed the armour and faded as the shields came online.

The helmet was black with a red stripe over the top of the head. It completely covered the wearer's head with a polarised visor over the eyes. Shepherd clipped it onto her waist.

She then reached into the case to grab her weapons.

She pulled out a silver M-7 Lancer Assault Rifle. The weapon was curved with two barrels. Next to the weapon was the ammo block. A smaller rectangular block of titanium alloy. Shepherd slot it into the weapon and it folded up into a compact form as Shepherd holstered it to the magnetic holster over her left shoulder.

She then picked up an M-91 Averager Sniper rifle and holstered it over her right shoulder. She also holstered an M-21 Storm shotgun to her lower back and an M-2 Kessler to the right side of her hip.

The Normandy had just dropped out of FTL and was preparing for a Mass Relay jump. Shepherd came up the staircase from her quarters. As she entered the CIC, she heard the Flight Lieutenant Moreau.

"The Arcturus Prime Relay is in range. Initiating transmission sequence... We are connected. Calculating transit mass and destination... The relay is hot. Acquiring approach vector... All stations. Secure for transit."

Shepherd arrived on the bridge. Nihlus was also there. She saw through the external cameras as the Relay came into view. It resembled a massive 15km long tuning fork with two 5 kilometer ringing rotating around a massive Mass Effect core.

Moreau spoke again. "Board is green. Approach run has begun... Hitting the Relay in 3... 2... 1..."

Abot a kilometer out, a bot of lightning from the Relay struck the Normandy. There was a binging flash of light, then the space outside the viewports faded to black again and the rear cameras showed the ship moving away from a Relay.

Moreau went over a checklist. "Thrusters... check. Navigation... check. Internal Emission Sink engaged. All systems online. Drift..." he glanced at another monitor. "Just under 1500 K."

"1500 is good. Your Captain will be pleased." said Nihlus, turning around and heading towards the CIC.

"I hate that guy."

Staff Lieutenant Alenko in the copilot seat responded. "Nihlus gave you a compliment... so you hate him?"

"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. So that's incredible! Besides. Spectres are trouble. I don't like having them on board. Call me paranoid."

"You're paranoid. The Council helped fund this project, they have a right to keep an eye on their investment."

"Yeah. That is the official story, but only an idiot believes the official story."

"You always expect the worst?" asked Shepherd.

"Well, bad feelings are an occupational hazard."

Captain Anderson came over the comm. "Joker. Status report."

"Just cleared the Mass Relay, Captain. Stealth systems engaged. Everything looks solid."

"Good. Find a comm buoy and link us into the network. I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."

"Aye, aye, Captain. Better brace yourself, sir. I think Nihlus is headed your way."

"He's already here, Lieutenant. Tell Commander Shepherd to meet me in the comm room for a debriefing."

Joker turned to Shepherd. "You get that, Commander?"

"Great. You pissed the Captain off and now I'm gonna pay for it."

"Pff. Don't blame me. The Captain's always in a bad mood."

"Only when he's talking to you, Joker." said Alenko.

In the CIC, Shepherd heard Navigator Pressly talking to someone over the comm.

"I'm telling you. I just saw him. He passed by like he was on a mission."

"He's a Spectre. Their always on a mission."

"And we're getting dragged right along with him."

"Relax Pressly. You're gonna give yourself an ulcers."

Pressly turned to see Shepherd walking upto him. "Congratulations, Commander." he saluted. "Looks like we had a smooth run. You heading down to see the Captain."

"Sounds like you don't trust our turian guest."

"Sorry, Commander. Just having a chat with Adams down in Engineering. I didn't mean to cause any trouble, but you have yo admit. Something's odd about this mission. The whole crew feels it."

"You think the Alliance brass is holding out on us?"

"If all we're supposed to do is test out the stealth system, why is Captain Anderson in charge. And then there's Nihlus. Spectres are elite operatives. Top covert agents. Why send a Spectre -- a turian Spectre -- on a shakedown run? It doesn't add up."

"Do you have a problem with the Captain?"

"No, ma'am. But I can't figure out what he's doing here. Captain Anderson is one of the most decorated Special Forces Officers in the service. If he melted down all his medals, he could make a life-size statue of himself. You don't send a soldier like that on a do-nothing-mission. He's treating this shakedown run too seriously. Something big is going on."

"What do you know about the stealth systems?"

"I just know it masks our location from scans and sensors. Cutting edge technology. The Normandy's the only ship with this prototype drive. But why are we fully staffed. A skeleton crew would be cheaper. Less chance of security leaks too. Plus there's Nihlus. It's pretty obvious this shakedown run is just a cover."

"You don't trust Nihlus?"

"I don't like turians in general. Runs in my family. My grandfather fought in the First Contact War. Lost a lot of friends when the turians hit us."

"That was 30 years ago. You can't blame Nihlus for that."

"No. I guess not. But it still makes me nervous to have a Spectre on board. Especially a turian. We're an Alliance vessel. Human military. But Nihlus doesn't answer to the Captain like the rest of us. Spectres operate outside the normal chain of command and they don't come along just to observe shakedown runs. Nihlus looks like he's expecting some heavy action. I don't like it."

"I'll see if I can get some answers when I see him."

"Good luck, Commander."

By the door to the comm room at the back of the CIC was Corporal Jenkins and Dr Chakwas. The Normandy didn't have a ground team for this mission, so Jenkins served as Executive Officer of the Normandy's small security force, lead by Lieutenant Alenko. And Dr Chakwas was the Normandy's Chief Medic, usually working in the Medbay one deck below.

"I grew up on Eden Prime, Doc. It's not the kind of place Spectres visit." said the Corporal. "There's something Nihlus isn't telling us about this mission."

"That's crazy. The Captain's in charge here. He wouldn't take orders from a Spectre." said the elderly woman in a strong British accent.

"Not his choice, Doc. Spectres don't answer to anyone. They can do what ever they want. Kill anyone who gets in their way."

"Ha! You watch too many spy vids, Jenkins." the doctor chuckled.

Jenkins turned to Shepherd, who was approaching the door and saluted. "What do you think, Commander? We won't be staying on Eden Prime too long. Will we? I'm itching for some real action!"

"I sincerely hope you're kidding, Corporal." said Chakwas sternly. "Your real action usually ends with me patching up crew members in the infirmary." Though she was just a medic, Chakwas was still a 1st Lieutenant and out-ranked Jenkins both in authority and experience.

"You need to calm down, Corporal." said Shepherd. "A good soldier stays cool. Even under fire."

"Sorry, Commander. But this waiting's killing me. I've never been on a mission like this before. Not one with a Spectre on board.

Shepherd turned to Chakwas. "What can you tell me about Nihlus?"

"Turians are generally well respected by the other species. Their fleet has more patrols protecting Citadel Space than any other. They don't always get along well with us, though. Some people find them too rigid. Others still blame them for the First Contact War. As for Nihlus. I haven't said more than two words to him. He usually only speaks to the Captain."

"I heard Nihlus once took down an entire enemy platoon all by himself." said Jenkins. "Man. I can't believe I'm on a mission with an actual Spectre!"

"You're from Eden Prime. Aren't you, Jenkins?" asked Shepherd. "What's it like?"

"It's very peaceful, Commander. They've been real careful with development so you don't have any city noise or pollution. My parents lived on the outskirts Constant. The capital city. At night I used to climb this big hill and stare across the fields back at the lights from the city. It was gorgeous, but when I got older, I realised it was a little too calm and quiet for me. That's why I joined the Alliance. Even paradise gets boring after a while."

"Any Idea why Eden Prime was chosen as our destination?"

"Not really sure, Commander. Eden Prime is one of our most stable colonies. Good place to take the Normandy for a shakedown run. I guess. No real danger there. There's gotta be something else going on. We've got a Spectre on board. That's why I'm so wound up. I can't wait for the real mission to start!"

"Just treat this like every other assignment you've had and everything will work out."

"Easy for you to say. You proved yourself on Akuze. Everybody knows what you can do. This is my big chance I need to show the brass what I can do."

"This mission isn't about personal glory, Corporal. We have a job to do."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm not gonna screw this up."

"The Captain's waiting for me."

"Goodbye, Commander." said Chakwas.

Nihlus was waiting in the comm room. "Commander Shepherd. I was hoping you'd get here first. It will give us a chance to talk."

"What about?"

"I'm interested in this world we're going to. Eden Prime. I've heard it's quite beautiful."

"I've never been there."

"But you know of it. It's become something of a symbol for your people. Hasn't it? Proof that humanity can not only establish colonies across the galaxy, but also protect them. But how safe is it really?"

Shepherd stepped forward. "Do you know something?"

"Your people are still newcomers, Shepherd. The galaxy can be a very dangerous place. Is the Alliance truly ready for this?"

There was a hiss as the comm room door opened and Captain Anderson stepped through. "I think it's about time we told the commander what's really going on." he said to Nihlus.

Nihlus turned from his previously calm and relaxed demeanour to one that was a lot more serious. "This mission is far more than a simple shakedown run."

"I figured there was something you weren't telling us." Shepherd said to Anderson.

"We're making a covert pickup on Eden Prime." said Anderson. "That's why we needed the stealth systems operational."

"There must be a reason you didn't tell me about this, sir."

"This comes down from the top, Commander. Information strictly on a need to know basis. A research team on Eden Prime unearth some kind of beacon during an excavation. It was Prothian."

"I thought the Prothians vanished 50 000 years ago." said Shepherd in surprise.

"Their legacy still remains." stated Nihlus. "The Mass Relays, the Citadel, our ship drives. It's all based on Prothian technology."

"This is big, Shepherd. The last time humanity made a descovery like this, it jumped our technology forward 200 years. But Eden Prime doesn't have the facilities to handle something like this. We need to bring the beacon back to the Citadel for proper study."

"Obviously this goes beyond meer human interests, Commander." said Nihlus. "This descovered could affect every species in Council Space."

"Why didn't we keep the beacon for ourselves?" asked Shepherd.

"You humans don't have the best reputation. Some species see you as selfish. Too unpredictable. Too independent. Even dangerous."

"Sharing that beacon will improve relations with the Council." said Anderson. "Plus we need their scientific expertise. They know more about the Prothians than we do."

"The beacon's not the only reason I'm here, Shepherd." said Nihlus.

"Nihlus wants to see you in action, Commander." said Anderson. "He's here to evaluate you."

"What's going on, Captain?" asked Shepherd.

"The Alliance has been pushing this for a long time. Humanity wants a larger role in shaping interstellar policy." explained Anderson. "We want more say with the Citadel Council. The Spectres represent the Council's power and authority. If they accept a human into their ranks, it shows how far the Alliance has come."

"Not many could have survived what you went through on Akuze. You showed a remarkable will to live. A particularly useful talent. That's why I put your name forward as a candidate for the Spectres."

"Why would a turian want a human in the Spectres?" asked Shepherd.

"Not all turians resent humanity. Some of us see the potential of your species. We see what you have to offer to the rest of the galaxy and to the Spectres. We are an elite group. It's rare to find an individual with the skills we seek. I don't care that you're human, Shepherd. I only care that you can do the job."

"Just tell me what I have to do."

"I need to see your skills for myself, Commander. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together." said Nihlus.

"You will be going groundside. Secure the beacon and get it onto the ship ASAP." said Anderson. "Nihlus will accompany you to observe the mission."

"I'd like to know more about Eden Prime before we touch down." said Shepherd.

"It's a peaceful farming world, but it represents something much bigger. Eden Prime is one of our oldest and most successful colonies. It proved we were ready to face the challenges of settling new worlds. To forge a place for humanity beyond Earth. It symbolises humanities growth and evolution as a space-faring species. And after this, it will be known as the place where humans made a descovery of galactic importance."

"Why's this beacon so important?"

"All advanced galactic civilization is based on Prothian technology." said Nihlus. "Even yours."

"If we hadn't descovered those Prothian ruins buried on Mars, we'd still be stuck on Earth." explained Anderson. "That was just a small data cache. Who knows what we could learn from this beacon? What if its a weapons archive. We can't let it fall into the wrong hands. With all the raiders and criminal groups active in the Traverse, they might figure a Prothian beacon is worth the risk of attacking an Alliance ship. Plus Eden Prime is right on the boarder of the Terminus Systems."

"The Attican Traverse is under Citadel protection. If the Terminus Systems attack, it's an act of war." said Shepherd.

"Technically, yes." said Nihlus. "But, some of the species in the Terminus may be willing to start a war over this."

"The last thing the Council wants is to be dragged into a major conflict with the Terminus Systems. We have to keep this low key." said Anderson.

"Just give the word, Captain."

"We should be getting close to Eden--"

Joker came over the intercom. "Captain. We've got a problem."

Attican Traverse, Exodus Cluster, Utopia System, Alliance colony of Eden Prime.

"Those look like mechs." said Donkey as he was watching two humanoid metal figures with flashlight heads dragging a body.

"Or geth." said Williams.

"Geth? This far outside the Perseus Veil?" questioned Donkey sceptically.

"Their actions are too sophisticated for mechs. They've got to be real AI. And they look like Geth. I think."

One of the grey synthetics picked up the body and placed it on a metallic pedestal. A moment later a 15 meter tall mechanical spike burst out of the pedestal, bursting through the man's chest and raising him into the air.

"Down! They've spotted us!" shouted Williams as she shoved Donkey behind the rock. A moment later a Geth Recon Drone came over the ridge and began peppering their cover with plasma fire. Williams took her Lancer and shot it down. She then ordered over the comm. "In positions, people! Like we planned it!" she slid down the cliff. "Rasputin. Circle back up the hill. Wait for my order. Donk. You know what to do."

"Give 'em hell, SC." said Bates from behind a bush.

Service Chief Donkey along with half of Alpha Team opened fire on the squad of enemy synthetics, while Gunnery Chief Williams got into flanking positions behind the squad.

"Hurry it up, GC! We're taking a beating down here!" said Donkey.

"Just a few more seconds..." replied Williams as she pulled out her lancer. "Now!"

The other half of the squad popped up and began firing at the synthetics' backs. Alpha squad were unaware that they had just taken the bait. Dosens of synthetics appeared from behind rocks and in bushes. They were so still and quiet that none of the squad had picked them up on sensors. The squad was completely surrounded and taking fire. Falling one by one.

Penny called to one of the Privates. "Get on the radio, Jenner. We need to warn somebody. Anybody." she said before being shot in the back by a Plasma rifle.

The young Private pulled out his omnitool and sent out a message on all frequencies.

Williams shoved Jenner to the floor. "Get down!" she shouted as she stood over him, proving cover.

"We are under attack, taking heavy casualties!" continued the Private into his omnitool. "I repeat! Heavy casualties! We can't -- Ugh -- Need evac. They came out of nowhere. We need--"

The omnitool was still active and it caught the moment where the gunfire ceased and something descended from the sky. The tool couldn't see what, but it was massive, metal, dark purple and had five appendages. Each longer than a Cruiser.

Attican Traverse, Exodus Cluster, Utopia System, Aboard SSV Normandy SR1

"Everything cuts out after that." said Joker. "No comm traffic at all. It just goes dead."

"Reverse and hold at 38.5."said Anderson.

The image of the object appeared on the screen.

"Status report."

"17 minutes out, Captain. No other Alliance ships in the area."

"Take us in, Joker. Fast and quiet. This mission just got a lot more complicated."

"A small strike team can move quickly. Without drawing attention." said Nihlus. "It's our best chance to secure the beacon."

"Grab your gear and meet us in the cargo hold." Anderson said to Nihlus. He then turned to Shepherd. "Tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up, Commander. You're going in."

The Normandy extended her thrusters outward to increase her wingspan as she broke through the atmosphere.

"Engaging stealth systems." announced Joker. They flew over a construction site. "Somebody was doing some serious digging here, Captain."

Anderson, Nihlus, Shepherd, Alenko and Jenkins were all in the cargo hold.

Alenko and Jenkins wore similar armour to Shepherd, with slight deviation.

Alenko wore blue TacStrat (Tactics and Strategy) armour with two thin, white stripes running down each shoulder and two more down his chest. He had the initials "S2" written in white on the right side of his chest and two gold bars on his collar. He carried an M-7 Lancer assault rifle over his left shoulder and an M-2 Kessler pistol on his hip.

Jenkins wore a standard blue cameo-patterned armour. There were no distinguishing markings aside from the three gold chevrons on each shoulder plate. He carried an M-7 Lancer assault rifle over his left shoulder and an M-21 Storm shotgun on his lower back.

"Your team's the muscle in this operation, Commander." said Anderson. "Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site."

"What about survivors, Captain?" asked Alenko.

The cargo door opened. The captain had to raise his voice to be heard over the roar of the wind blowing through the compartment. "Helping survivors is a secondary objective! The beacon's your top priority!"

"Aproaching Drop Point 1."

Jenkins saw Nihlus preparing his gear. "Nihlus. You're coming with us?"

"I move faster on my own!" replied Nihlus as he stepped off the ramp.

"Nihlus will scout out ahead." explained Anderson. "He'll feel you status reports throughout the mission. Otherwise, I want radio silence."

Shepherd slipped on her helmet. The environmental clamps clicked into place and the helmet linked to the suit's microframe. The HUD (Heads-up Display) powered up. Showing sensory data and the vitals and shield strength of her as well as Alenko and Jenkins. The helmet's targeting systems automatically tagged Anderson as an ally and desplayed his name and rank on screen.

She readied her weapon. Reaching behind her, the sensors in her left arm immediately identified the gesture and wirelessly activated her Lancer. The weapon began unfolding before she even grabbed it. When her hand made contact with the weapon's grip, her HUD updated. A reticle appeared as well as the ammo capacity (4012 rounds) and temperature of the gun. The weapon finished unfolding in her hands.

"He can count on us, Captain." said Shepherd through the external speakers of her helmet.

"The mission's yours now, Shepherd! Good luck!"

"We are approaching Drop Point 2"

The Normandy landed and Shepherd's small, 3-man strike team stepped off.

"Ship perimeter secure, Commander." said Alenko.

They were dropped a few kicks away from the dig site.

"Move up. Keep your head on a swivel." said Shepherd.

"Oh, god. What happened here?" asked Jenkins.

The smoke of the surrounding buildings were blotting out the sun. Making the sky glow red in the setting sun.

As they proceeded, Shepherd's radar jammed. She held up her hand "Wait." she surveyed the surroundings and made another gesture. "Move up. Take it easy."

Jenkins rushed on ahead and straight into the like of fire. Two Recon Drones filled Jenkins' chest with conducting plasma rounds. Shepherd saw her hud as Jenkins' shields were instantly torn apart and his vitals flatlined. Shepherd switched her Lancer to Disruptor ammo and fired at each drone in quick succession with pin-point accuracy and not a single miss. The electrified, sand-grain sized, titanium slugs hit the drones like mini EMPs (Electro Magnetic Pulse), short circuiting them and dropping them to the ground with minimal effort.

Alenko rushed over to Jenkins. "Ripped right through his shields. Never had a chance." he said to the Commander.

"We'll see to it that he receives a proper service when the mission is over. But I need you to stay focused."

"Aye, aye, ma'am."

Nihlus came over the comm. "I've got some burned out buildings here, Shepherd. Lots of bodies. I'm going to check it out. I'll try to catch up with you at the dig site."

Williams narrowly missed being spotted by a patrol as she ducked behind a rock. Standard invasion procedures. Stay undetected and run reconnaissance on the enemy until re-enforcements arrive.

At least she thought she had missed the patrol. Her rock began being pelted by enemy fire. She was forced to flee. Blind firing behind her as she ran along the trench. She managed to take out the humanoid synthetics, but two drones were hot on her tail. Her shields flared blue as they were hit by enemy fire. She dropped to the ground on her back and with one smooth action, she dropped her assault rifle and grabbed her pistol, shooting the drones down with Disruptor ammo. She then saw two more of the humanoid ones impale another colonist through the chest with one of those giant spikes, before turning to her. She picked up her rifle and took cover behind the nearest rock. Panting hard. She was too exhausted to fight.

Then - her preyers were answered - gunfire erupted from the tree line. Two marines came out of the forest. Officers, by the look of their armour. A woman in black and a man in blue. The woman fired her assault rifle, the man pulled out his omnitool and pointed it at one of the synthetics. With a sizzle, it collapsed.

Williams identified the woman's rank by the three gold bars on her collar.

"Thanks for the help, Commander. I didn't think I was going to make it."

Shepherd glanced up and down the soldier's armour for damage or punctures. She saw the three gold chevrons with two gold arches that the soldier had on each shoulder and identified her rank before she spoke.

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 212. Are you the one in charge here, ma'am?"

"Are you wounded, Williams?" asked Shepherd.

"A few scrapes and burns. Nothing serious. The others weren't so lucky. Oh, man. We were scouting the perimeter when the attack hit. We tried to get off a distress call, but they cut off our communications. I've been fighting for my life ever since."

"Where's the rest of your squad?"

"We tried to double back to the beacon, but we walked into an ambush." Williams hung her head. "I don't think any of the others... I think I'm the only one left."

"This isn't your fault, Williams. You couldn't have done anything to save them."

"Yes, ma'am. We held our position as long as we could. Until the geth overwhelmed us."

"The geth haven't been seen outside the Veil in nearly 300 years." said Alenko. "Why are they here, now?"

"They must have come for the beacon." said Williams. "The dig site is close. Just over that rise." she pointed to a nearby hill. "It might still be there."

"You're coming with us, Williams." said Shepherd. "We need that beacon."

"Aye, aye, ma'am. It's time for payback."

"Tell me everything you know about the beacon."

"They were doing some digging out here to extend the monorail and expand the colony. A few weeks ago, they unearth some Prothian ruins... and the beacon. Suddenly every scientific expert in the colony was interested. That's when they brought us in to secure the site. I don't know much about the beacon itself, but I heard one of the researchers say this could be the biggest scientific descovery of the Century."

"Do you know what happened to the researchers at the dig site?"

"I don't know. They set up camp near the dig site. A squad from our platoon was with them. Maybe they faired better than us."

"Have you seen a turian Spectre around here?"

"There aren't any turians on Eden Prime. None that I've ever met. Not sure if I would be able to tell if one was a Spectre anyway."

"If you saw this guy, you'd know." said Alenko. "Carries enough firepower to wipe out a whole platoon. Luckily, he's on our side."

"Sorry, like I said. No turians."

"Okay. Let's move out." said Shepherd.