Day two: 19:56 local time ( 29-hour clock )

"Cameron, any signs of that magic space rock here?"

Cameron shakes his head. "Not a one, boss"
We've been looking for this element zero for a little over three hours now. About a quarter hour after we got the call from Melissa, we get a description of what a deposit looks like: electric blue in what appears to be granite. Burke and Lyon have taken to calling it "eezo". Kind of catchy, actually. Better than "element zero" or "magic space rock", in any case
I'm getting distracted again.
"Burke, signs?"

Burke shakes his head. "I think we'll have more luck in the next sector. There's just nothing in this area that screams 'eezo is here', boss"

I nod. "You're probably right. Lyon, finish up your scans, then pack it up. We're heading the next area"

Lyon nods. "Yessir"
I take one last scan of my surroundings, then head over to the exit. Cameron is the first to join me, followed by Lyon, and then Burke.
"Ready to move out sir"

I nod. "Move out, Bravo Squad"

[-]

Day two: 20:32 local time ( 29-hour clock )

"CV, any odd energy signatures?"

"Pilot Cooper, besides the obvious, there is nothing new to find here. I recommend we move to the next sector"

I nod. "Any squads in the next sector?"

"Bravo Squad, led by Rifleman Grade 3 David Anderson, is in the next sector"

"Well, let's get moving then"

I start moving to the next sector. "Why is everything grey?"

"What do you mean, Pilot Cooper?"

"The walls. The floors. The bits of ceiling in the sectors we've searched. Everything is grey"

"You forgot that bit of navy blue three sectors back"

"My point remains. Almost everything is grey"

"And you're complaining about appearances"

She's right. We're not here to redecorate the ruins, we're here to activate the mass relay and find out what's beyond the Frontier
We're in the next sector. I see David and walk over. He sees me, and nods. "Melissa"

I nod back. "David. Any luck here?"

David nods. "We've seen some rubble that looks like it came from an eezo deposit, but not much else. You?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. Wait – eezo?"

David shrugs. "Beats 'element zero' and 'magic space rock', so that's what we're calling it"

I nod. It does make a weird kind of sense. "Eezo. I like the sound of it"

"Heh. That'll make Burke's and Lyon's day"

I turn to CV. "Anything out of the ordinary? Something we can track?"

"I am detecting a subtle energy signature deeper in this sector. It is comparable to the 'proximity signal' Charlie Squad discovered that led us to the spire, but only as a baseline"

I nod. "So, they share base qualities, but not much else. Sounds like a solid lead to me. How far from our current position is that signature?"

"Less than a half-klick, Pilot Cooper"

I grin. "Bravo Squad, on me! We have a signal to trace!"

[-]

Day two: 21:39 local time ( 29-hour clock )

It's a quick jog to the source of the energy signature CV detected. We arrive at…
"David, what do you make of this?"

"Looks like a refinery of some sort, ma'am"

"Okay, so I'm not going crazy. Good to know"

"To be fair, a little instability is required for Pilot training"

I turn to look at CV. "She really is getting some snark" I say to David.

"Really? What a surprise"

I cock an eyebrow and stare daggers at David. "Don't you start too"

David chuckles. "Bravo Squad, let's get this place up and running"

I activate my comm.
"Grayson, it's Cooper"

"I hear you Pilot. Find an element zero deposit?"

"Better than that. We found an eezo deposit and a refinery adjacent to it. We should be able to activate the relay soon"

"That's goo- wait. Eezo?"

"Long story. Ask me when we get back. I'm working with Bravo Squad right now"

"Alright. Keep me posted. Grayson out"

I shake my head. "CV?"

"Looks like the refinery automatically mines the eezo deposit when it's activated"

"So all we have to do is power it up then. David, how're we coming?"

David turns to face me. "It's coming along well, ma'am. By our estimates, we should have this up inside ten minutes"

"CV, how idea how long the refinery will take to produce some refined eezo?"

"Scans can't produce a running time, Pilot Cooper"

"So we'll have to wait and see, basically"

[-]

Day two: 22:43 local time ( 29-hour clock )

Burke finally managed to activate the refinery. So now we're waiting while the machinery produces some refined eezo. Melissa is giving Admiral Graves an update while we watch the refinery. It's about as exciting as watching paint dry on a wall. I see Melissa hop down and walk over
"Admiral have anything to say?"

Melissa nods. "Yah. Good job, all the usual praises about completing an objective"

I nod. "Not surprising. Well, what's next?"

I hear a clunk, and turn to face the end of the refinery. "Well, looks like we're back in business. Lyon, Cameron, get that packed up and ready. Burke, on me"
Melissa is on the horn with Grayson.
"Yah, the refinery just finished. Bravo Squad's getting it packed and ready to move. You figure out the activation subsystems?"

"Yah, we're just waiting on delivery now. Per your recommendation, Pilot, we've recalled Charlie, Delta, and Echo squads"

"Okay. We'll see you guys soon"

I shake my head. "Eggheads sound eager"

Melissa nods. "Of course. I'm excited too. We're about to find out what's past the Frontier!"

[-]

Day two: 23:15 local time ( 29-hour clock )

It's funny how quick time flies when things are coming together. We're back at the science camp, while Grayson's team inserts the refined Eezo into a repository at the base of the spire. The giant spire whirs into life as the eezo is inserted.
"Pilot Cooper, the spire is generating a signal"

I nod. "That makes sense"
The rest of the machinery whirs to life, lights appearing all over the walls. I, along with Grayson's team, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo squads, turn to face the giant spire. It shoots a giant beam! Electric blue, like the eezo deposit.

I call Admiral Graves. "Sir, the Relay is about to be activated. Does the Valor's Edge see a bright, electric blue beam coming from the planet?"

"Pilot Cooper, we see it. Prepare your teams for pickup. We'll see you soon"

[-]

On board the MCS Valor's Edge, 24:00 ship time ( tuned to Shanxi's 29-hour clock )

I nod to the admiral as we board. Mom and Dad are here too, smiling. I smirk. "The gang's all here, Admiral"

Admiral Graves nods. "Good. Let's find out where this Mass Relay takes us. Captain, full power to engines"
The captain nods. We feel the dampeners kick in as the ship flies towards the Relay. It doesn't look lifeless now – the core at the end of the relay is pulsing the same electric blue as the beam we activated on Shanxi. What appears to be bolts of lightning arc toward us as we approach the relay, latching onto the ship… and slinging us into the unknown.
In an instant, we're flung across the stars, and greeted by what appears to be a large space station, with a ring at the center, surrounded by five large arms attached to the ring. Several ships, all much larger than our small cruiser, move towards us.
"Admiral, we're being hailed"

Admiral Graves nods. "Open a channel"

The admiral sighs. "This is Admiral Marcus Graves of the Frontier Militia Fleet. Who am I addressing?"

Silence. For several minutes. Makes sense they can't understand us, whoever "they" are. "Admiral, we're receiving a datapacket. Should I open it up?"

The admiral nods. "Let's find out what they have to say"

"Opening up the packet… it has a first contact package, as well as translation codes so we can understand them. There are several races mentioned here… Turian, Asari, Salarian, Volus, Elcor, among others. They claim to be part of the "Citadel Council"

Admiral Graves nods. "Prepare a first contact package, then hail them"

The crewman nods. "Package prepared… and sent. Hailing them"

"This is Captain Abradas of the CPV "Honor's Word", a Turian vessel stationed in defense of the Citadel. Your vessel is to dock at Zakera Ward. Our councilors wish to speak with you"

[-]

Well, that's chapter 6 done! One more chapter to go, then the second arc begins!
WE ACTUALLY MADE IT THIS FAR
Shout-outs!
The Big Tank! Thanks for being a fan!