A/N: Slowly getting back into the groove of writing. I've been getting new ideas that I want to write but can't because I don't want to overburden myself so I've been writing them down in my notebook for later.
Anyway, any mistakes are mine and mine alone. I try to catch them all but some do slip through.
"Barf bags are under the seat." Odin informed those not experienced with a MAKO drop from high altitude.
"What are you doing?" Wrex asked Preacher who is whispering something with his head down.
"Saying a prayer." Preacher said finishing his prayer. "It's a tradition we have, knowing that every mission we take could be our last."
"Really think your god will protect you from a bullet?" Wrex asked while they waited for the Normandy to reach the drop point.
"No, but it does calm the nerves and gives us peace." Said Preacher and the rest of his team nodded in agreement. "I thank God for every moment with my team and ask for forgiveness for the lives I'm about to take. And for protection and guidance from his angels."
"Approaching the drop point." The pilot said over the radio. "We thank you for flying Air Normandy."
Shepard drove the MAKO out of the hanger when the green light went off and instantly the heavy APC fell as gravity pulled it to the ground. Shepard activated the thrusters slowing their decent and making everyone lurch in their seats.
"Whoooo!" Ashley cheered as the MAKO approached the ground fast.
"Everyone hang on!" Shepard yelled with glee making Wolf look at the redhead with concern. The MAKO impacted the ground hard once again making everyone jolt in their seats. "Another happy landing."
Garrus and Tali both threw up at the same time.
"It got on me!" Wrex exclaimed moving his foot away from the puddle on the floor. "I didn't know turians could vomit."
"Neither did I." Nihlus said from his spot looking at Garrus.
"Tali?" Odin asked with concern seeing how the young quarian just vomited in her mask. She didn't say anything making everyone worry until she reached under her seat to grab the vomit bag and opened a port in her mask and pulled out a small tube. A grayish liquid came out from the mask and emptied into the bag, bits of chunks had trouble leaving the tube but thankfully it did.
"Keelah!" Tali yelled closing the port on her mask. "I never want to do that again."
"You get used to it." Ashley said comforting the young quarian.
"Commander, I'm picking some strange readings. Like off the damn charts." The pilot said over the radio. "It looks like it's coming from the dig site."
"Copy." Shepard said before flooring the gas pedal and driving for the dig site. "Don't worry Tali, I did the same the first time I did a MAKO drop."
"Geth drop ship ahead." Nihlus said already aiming the cannon at the Geth troopers being dropped. "We can't waste time. Maneuver around them Shepard." He said pulling the trigger and firing the cannons destroying any Geth he could.
"I know." Shepard said already swerving around a Geth Armature. "Shoot those that get in our way."
Everyone in the back held onto their harness for dear life as they felt the MAKO do a hard turn to avoid incoming fire from the Geth and any road hazards they encountered.
"Who gave you your license?!" Sis yelled when Shepard used the jump jets to jump over a small gap in the road.
"The Navy." Shepard responded with humor evident in her voice. She did a hard turn once again to avoid a Geth Armature that suddenly dropped in their path. "They aren't making this easy."
"Got a visual on the first roadblock." Nihlus said from the gunner's chair. "They've set up turrets."
"A head on fight will get us killed. Find a side path." Wolf advised seeing the turrets on the screen. "There to the right."
Shepard drove into the side path to go around the front turrets. "Shit!" Shepard cried hitting the brakes and everyone heard the explosion impact against the shield. Nihlus acted quickly and destroyed the turret. With the turret gone the MAKO drove forward past the other turrets and into the small base where they are immediately fired upon by the Geth.
The MAKO's main gun made quick work of the Geth, once they are dealt with Shepard parks the MAKO in front on the closed gate. "We need the gate open."
"We'll go." Wrex said already out of his seat along with Tali and Garrus, they left the MAKO and headed for the door controls. The gate lowered and Wrex's team came back and reluctantly entered the MAKO and took their seats.
Shepard drove the MAKO through the gate and towards the dig site fighting and dodging Geth in their path. Meanwhile the occupants in the back of the MAKO are holding onto their harness for dear life as Shepard swerved and used the jump jets a little too much. "Colossus!" She shouted seeing the large Geth blocking their path and swerving to avoid the siege pulse cannon that locked onto them.
Nihlus fired the main gun watching the bullets impact with the shield outlining the barrier. He pulled the second trigger firing an armor piercing shell from the main cannon, the shell exploded against the shield weakening it further.
"You know what they say when you're about to hit a deer?" Shepard yelled flooring the gas pedal and hitting the booster.
"That's a myth!" Sis shouted too late since the MAKO impacted with the Colossus knocking it over. Nihlus saw that the shield is destroyed thanks to Shepard using the MAKO as a battering ram and fired at the vulnerable Geth. The large caliber bullets easily tore through the armor of the Geth destroying the electronics inside, he aimed the turret at the "head' and fired the cannon. The armor piercing shell impacted with the head destroying it and killing the large Geth.
With the Geth Colossus dealt with the team advanced to the main dig site while dealing with the smaller Geth and Armatures, thankfully they didn't run into any more Colossus. Finally they made it to the outskirts of the dig site and Shepard parked the MAKO.
"We're on foot from here." Shepard said leaving the driver's seat and the MAKO with Nihlus following. Everyone left the MAKO happy to be back on solid ground.
"I've fought Thresher Maw's, pirates, other mercs. But I've never been more afraid than just now." Wrex said looking at Shepard. "Never again."
"Agreed." Tali said using the side of the MAKO to support herself from falling over.
"Now, you know why I hate these things." Odin said shaking his head.
"Whatever." Shepard said bringing up a map of the dig site. "It's a short distance to the entrance from here." She closed the map and flicked the safety off her weapon and took point with the rest following. They didn't more than five steps before they cam under fire from the Geth. "Wrex, hit the big one with a Warp."
Wrex threw a biotic Warp at the Geth rocket trooper, the biotic orb impacted again the Geth knocking it down and making it an easy target for Garrus who shot it through the optics just as it was getting up. The rest of the team took care of the Geth before moving on making sure to check their surroundings as they moved on.
They entered a clearing with prefabricated shelters and watchtowers set up along the ridge above the clearing.
"Perfect spot for an ambush." Garrus said looking at the watchtowers through his rifle scope.
"Garrus, Sis, go high." Wolf said gesturing to the ridge overlooking the area.
"Got it, let's go Garrus." Sis said tapping Garrus on the shoulder and the two sharpshooters left the group and doubled back to find a place to climb up while the rest of the moved into the camp.
"We're in position." Sis said over the radio. "No movement."
Shepard and the others moved into the camp making sure to check their surroundings as they moved carefully until Odin held out his hand stopping Nihlus.
"What?" Nihlus asked.
"Laser tripwire." Odin pointed out the faint blue beam on the ground. He followed the beam to a mine stuck to the side of the prefab building." Directional mine, krogan make."
"Nasty stuff." Shepard said looking at the mine. "lot of shrapnel."
"Type 4, huh? Been awhile since I've ran across them." Wrex said after seeing the mine. "You know what your doing?"
"Yeah." Odin said already removing the side panel and exposing the wires. He took out his kit and cut the appropriate wires disabling the mine." Ok, keep an eye out for more." The moment he said that a shot passed through his shield and hit the armor on his shoulder.
"Sniper!" Tali said getting into cover as did everyone, the ambush that Garrus predicted happened. Geth rocket troops took position on top of the building and started firing pinning down the squad. Standard Geth troopers slowly advanced on them.
"Odin?" Wolf said leaning back further into cover when a sniper shot flew by her.
"I'm fine. Armor took the hit." Odin said looking at the armor plate on his shoulder sporting a new crack in the middle and a dent. "Hey Sis, want to do something abo-"
A shot rang out and the sniper fire ceased allowing them to return fire. "We got you covered."
"Deal with the rocket troops." Shepard ordered and new shots rang out silencing the rocket troops. "Push forward and watch for mines."
The team slowly pushed forward making sure to cover each other, the Geth didn't retreat and instead stood their ground sometimes out in the open.
"They're throwing their lives away." Nihlus observed shooting a Geth through its chest.
"They're machines." Tali said throwing out an incendiary program from her omni-tool. The program hit the closet Geth melting the armor and the electronics inside. "They can always build more bodies for them to upload into."
"Cheating bastards." Ashley yelled tossing a grenade towards a group of Geth killing them when it detonated.
"Juggernaut!" Tali shouted out seeing the large Geth unit that towered above the other units. It charged the group and everyone focused fire on the charging Geth unit with no effect on slowing it down.
"I got this!" Wrex shouted before running headfirst to meet the Juggernaut Geth. The two hit each other and began throwing punches at each other to try and overpower the other, Wrex didn't give an inch and used his biotics to power his punches shattering the armor plates on the Geth. "I am Urdnot Wrex!" He shouted as he picked up the Juggernaut and tossed the machine against the side of a building and tossed a grenade blowing up the Geth when it tried to get up.
"Nice." Shepard yelled over the gun fire as the group continued to move through the small camp. Wolf destroyed another rocket Geth that took up position on the roof of a building, the destroyed machine fell off the roof in front of Wrex making the krogan huff in annoyance.
A rifle shot rang out and another Geth unit fell over destroyed. "You're clear." Garrus reported.
"Meet us ahead." Shepard said while waiting for her new rifle to cool down. Wolf took the brief moment of respite to change mags as did the rest of her team. "Everyone good?" Shepard asked looking to her team and everyone nodded and she once again took point.
The group advanced past the research camp and met up with Sis and Garrus on the path to the dig site entrance. "We got a group ahead." Garrus informed Shepard and the others when they arrived.
"How many?" Shepard asked and before Garrus could answer Sis spoke up.
"At least ten from what the drones are picking up."
"Any heavies?" Oden asked.
"No, just the standard units and a couple of strange ones."
"Strange how?" Shepard asked when her omni-tool dinged and she opened it to a video feed. The feed showed a Geth unit that is different from what they've encountered, its form is lanky and smaller than the other units with long arms and it clung to the side of a structure. She also noted that its camouflage with black on white patterns. "Tali?"
Tali looked at the screen. "I've never seen a Geth like that before."
"Great, something new." Ashley said from the back of the group.
"Any guesses?" Shepard asked Tali.
"Based on the form, I would guess that it's lightly armored and probably fast." Tali guessed.
"So, fast and light. Got it." Shepard said closing the omni-tool.
"We'll handle them, focus on the others." Wolf said and Shepard agreed ordering the group forward to the entrance. When they reached the edge of the entrance they came under fire from the Geth units defending the entrance. The group took cover and returned fire.
Wolf aimed at one of the new Geth and fired only for it to quickly leap off the wall onto another one. She aimed at it again and fired only to have a repeat of it jumping out of the way.
"Goddamn hoppers!" Oden yelled missing his shots as the surprisingly agile and quick Geth dodged another shot. The new Geth latched onto a wall and emitted a red glow from its optics and a red laser shot out hitting Ashley's shield making it spark and disappear.
"Crap, shields out!" She yelled going back into cover.
"They must have a disabler. Watch out for those lasers." Preacher said managing to hit one in the legs forcing it to the ground where Wolf took it out. One of the new Geth jumped and a shot rang out and hit it mid jump through the chest.
"Watch their jump path, they can't dodge in midair." Wolf told her team as she shot one of the new Geth out of the air. Soon they started destroying the new Geth units easier but they still missed some shots.
"Geth drop ship inbound!" Sis warned and Wolf looked behind her to see the Geth drop ship heading for them. The roar of the engines drowned out the gunfire as it passed over them and dropped more Geth units along with a large object that started to spring legs and a head and towered over the other Geth units.
"Geth Armature!" Tali shouted as it fired at the group destroying their cover.
"Any ideas?" Shepard yelled switching to her sidearm while her rifle cooled down from overheating.
"Standard tactics involving Armature class units is to disable the shield and take it down with small arms fire." Tali said summoning her drone. "Kill it with bug bites."
"We don't have time for that." Nihlus said just as the Armature charged up another attack and fired destroying more of their cover. "Can we call in an air strike?"
"Not unless you want to set off the volcano!" Ashley yelled throwing a frag and taking out some Geth.
"Shepard, if we can take out the shied. My team can deal with the Armature." Wolf told Shepard over the radio.
"How?"
"Leave that to us." Wolf said gesturing to a small pack on her pack behind her right shoulder.
Shepard nodded and got back into cover. "Alright Nihlus, Ashley, and Tali flank the Armature and start focusing on that shield. Everyone else start taking out the smaller ones before focusing on the shield."
Nihlus nodded and patted Ashley on the shoulder as he passed her, the same with Tali so they know to follow.
"Here." Oden said tossing a grenade to Tali who caught it and looked it over. "EMP." He told her before going back to shooting.
Nihlus' group took a path behind the lava rocks that offered good cover and flanked the Armature. Once in position Tali armed the EMP grenade and tossed it, the grenade bounced off the shield and landed next to the Armature where it detonated in a bluish light. The shield flickered but held, the Armature turned to face them and started shooting with its smaller cannon forcing them back into cover.
"Focus fire!" Shepard ordered when the last of the smaller Geth fell. "Bring that shield down."
Everyone focused on the Armature, shooting, throwing tech and biotic powers at it to bring the shield down. Finally the shield gave out and everyone started to target the gaps in the armor plates while Wolf marked the Armature on her HUD.
"Target marked." Wolf said as the small pack raised itself over her shoulder the same happened with Oden.
"Let's let 'em up." Oden said as three small missiles launched from the pack, they flew into the sky in an arc before diving down. The Armature looked at them and started shooting at them but the small turret was destroyed by Sis. The missiles punctured the armor plates and detonated destroying the Armature.
"I got to get me one of those." Wrex said impressed.
"Clear!" Nihlus said after checking to make sure the Armature is really destroyed.
Shepard raised her finger and rotated it in a circle. "Rally up." Everyone gathered at the front of the entrance to the dig site, they reloaded their weapons or waited for them to cool down.
"Alright, Dr. T'Soni is somewhere down there and we're going to get her out." Shepard said and everyone nodded clear on their objective. "Ashley, Garrus, and Tali." Shepard looked at the three in question. "Remain here and keep our exit clear, we may need to bug out fast."
Ashley nodded. "Got it."
Shepard nodded turning to the entrance. "Everyone else on me." Shepard led the group up the ramp and to the entrance to the dig site. They passed through the large doors and down the ramp until they reached a catwalk where they came under fire again by Geth forces. Shepard was pushed out of the way by Odin who now held a large shield in front of him tanking the shots, everyone returned fire and quickly destroyed the Geth blocking their path.
"Thanks." Shepard said to Odin who pressed a button and the shield folded itself allowing him to place it on his back.
"Anytime." Odin replied and Wolf took point this time and led the group down the ramps to the bottom level.
"Evidence of gunfire." Sis said pointing out the scorch marks and bullet holes on the cavern walls. "Small arms."
"Probably from Dr. T'Soni staff." Nihlus said.
"Where are they?" Shepard asked from behind Wolf who turned a corner and found a dead salarian.
"Got a body." Wolf said approaching the body and kneeling beside it. She found an ID tag, "Dr. Kileck."
"Poor bastard, tried to buy them time." Wrex said kicking a pistol aside. "How do we know that this asari is still alive?"
"Until we found evidence otherwise, Dr. T'Soni is still alive." Shepard said looking at Wrex. "Got it?"
"Yeah…got it." Wrex grumbled making Wolf look at the large krogan in concern.
"Let's move, she can't be far." Wolf said taking point once again and leading the group down the path to an elevator. On the far wall of the cavern are Prothean structures. Ignoring them Wolf pressed the call button and everyone waited for the elevator to come. Thankfully it came rather quickly and everyone got on, Wolf pressed the down button and the elevator moved.
The elevator descended and everyone saw more Prothean structures set into the wall of the cave.
"What are these?" Preacher asked looking at the plain white rooms. "Rooms?"
"Looks like prison cells to me." Wrex said looking at the rooms. "Boring white, Protheans sure know how to make them cozy."
"Movement." Wolf said when a red blip on her radar and she looked up to see Geth hover turrets coming for them. "Contact."
Everyone fired on the turrets before they could open fire on them or target the elevator supports. Wolf destroyed one but it crashed into the side of the elevator causing the emergency brakes to kick in and stop the elevator.
"Looks like we're on foot from here." Shepard said prying open the elevator doors with the help of Wolf, lucky for them there is a catwalk directly below them so they can continue their trek down. Everyone got off the disabled elevator and resumed their walk down making sure to keep an eye on the ceiling for any other dark corners that could hide a Geth.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
"That must be Dr. T'Soni." Wolf said holding up the signal to stop.
"Look for a path down." Shepard ordered and everyone started searching for a way down to the next level.
Wolf and her team went further down the catwalk and found a destroyed section a part of the catwalk leading down to the level below them and to the source of the voice. "Over here!"
"Yes, I can hear you!"
Shepard and the others joined Wolf and her squad and one by one they took the makeshift ramp down. They saw a force field blocking one of the cells and trapped in a bubble of energy is an Asari wearing a doctors uniform.
"Dr. Liara T'Soni?" Shepard asked stepping forward while the others kept a lookout for any more Geth.
"Yes, who are you?" T'Soni asked.
"I'm Commander Shepard of the Alliance and Spectre of the Council." Shepard said introducing herself before gesturing to Nihlus. "This is Spectre Nihlus, we've been tasked with hunting down the rogue Spectre Saren."
Liara looked at Shepard in amazement. "I heard that a human was made a Spectre before the Geth arrived."
"Do you have any information about Saren?" Nihlus asked stepping forward and standing next to Shepard. "Or your mother?"
"No, I don't know why my mother joined that turian bastard." T'Soni told them. "Please get me out of here and I'll cooperate."
"How do we do that?" Wolf pitched in getting Liara to focus on her.
"This is a Prothean security barrier, the controls can only be accessed on this side." Liara explained.
"Alright, we'll look for a way in." Shepard said turning to the group.
"Be careful there is a Krogan battlemaster with the Geth." Liara warned them. "When I locked myself in here he captured my staff and –" She didn't finish her sentence and instead looked to the side directing everyone's gaze to three bodies.
"I'm sorry." Shepard said knowing the pain of being unable to help and forced to watch friends die. "We'll get you out and let the families know."
"Thank you."
Shepard turned to the group. "Alright let's look for a way in."
Wolf and her team lead the way down until they reached the bottom of the cavern and turned around to find more of the prison cells.
"Ideas? Anyone?" Shepard asked frustrated when they found no way in.
"We could blast our way in." Wrex offered.
"Great idea, setting off explosives next to an active volcano." Sis said shaking her head slowly at the Krogan.
"You got a better idea?" Wrex asked looking at the smaller member of the Ghosts.
"Yeah, that." Sis said pointing with her thumb behind her to a large device aimed at the wall. "A mining laser is better suited for this than a breaching charge."
"She's right." Preacher pitched in. "You can control how much energy and power with that than an explosive."
"Alright, move to the giant laser and pray that it doesn't turn on." Shepard said taking the lead.
"Now I'm worried." Wrex said following Shepard.
"Compared to fighting next to a volcano where a stray explosion could break the walls and flood this cavern with lava?" Wolf asked the large Krogan who just chuckled at her.
"Nah, that's the fun part."
"Heads up!" Shepard yelled seeing more Geth around the mining laser who started firing on them forcing them into cover. "We need to get rid of them before they turn that thing on."
"Odin, on me!" Wolf ordered and Odin moved to her. "Shield."
Odin nodded and deployed the shield in front of him and Wolf moved behind him. The two moved up to the Geth are positioned with the shield taking the brunt of the assault and Wolf firing over the shield and Odin using his sidearm. Together they advanced on the Geth taking them out as they got closer, Wolf reloaded her weapon just as the last Geth emerged from cover giving Odin a good shot on it on its chest destroying it.
Wolf stepped out from behind Odin and walked around the laser checking for anymore Geth when she didn't see anymore she looked at Shepard still in cover. "Clear!"
Shepard and the rest of the group joined them at the laser. "Preacher, do your thing." Wolf told the resident tech expert who began looking at the console.
"Keep me covered." Preacher said prying open one of the side panels and attaching the wires to his gauntlet and started his hack to turn on the machine. After a few seconds the console turned on and the machine whirred to life making those standing in front of it jump out of the way and stand to the side.
Preacher fiddled with the settings making sure to start off with half power before pressing the start button. A bright red laser shot out of the device and hit the wall, Preacher watched the depth gauge on the console and turned off the laser when it punched through the wall.
Everyone looked at the perfect hole in the wall to the other side which showed more Prothean structures. Shepard led the way this time and passed through the freshly made hole, the sides of the hole are still glowing red and giving off heat. She led the group to a central platform where a control panel activated showing holographic controls.
Wolf was about to ask Preacher to take a look at the controls when Shepard pressed a few buttons and the platform moved slowly up to the next level. Wolf looked at Shepard wondering how she knew what buttons to press since the controls were written in a language she didn't know, she would have to ask at a later date since the platform stopped and she saw Dr. T'Soni trapped in her bubble.
"How did you get in?" T'Soni asked turning her head to better see them. "I thought there was no way past the barrier."
"Mining laser." Shepard said with a slight shrug and went over to the console next to T'Soni.
"I… see." T'Soni said looking at Shepard. "Press that button and the security field will come down."
"Wait." Nihlus said stepping forward. "How do we know that she isn't working for Saren and this whole thing could a ploy."
"I'm not my mother." T'Soni said looking at Nihlus. "I don't know why she joined that traitor and I'm not with him."
"It just seems convenient that you survived while your staff didn't." Nihlus said looking at the asari doctor. "Why didn't they join behind the barrier?"
Before T'Soni could answer a loud rumbling could be heard throughout the cavern. "What was that?" Sis asked looking up.
"These ruins are unstable, the mining laser must have triggered the volcano." T'Soni explained with worry in her voice.
"We can question her back on the Normandy." Shepard said pressing the deactivation button turning off the barrier. T'Soni dropped to the ground making an "Oof" sound when she hit the floor. "We need to get out here before this cavern gets filled with lava."
"The central platform should take us back to the topside." T'Soni said pointing the elevator and already everyone is on it. "At least I think it's an elevator."
"It'll have to do." Shepard said running over to the console and pressing the button making the elevator ascend slowly. "Normandy, do you copy?" Static was the only thing that answered.
"We're too deep underground." Preacher said before fiddling with his gauntlet. "Try again."
"Normandy, do you copy?" Shepard once again repeated and again only static answered. "Ash, do you copy?"
"Bar- signal is patchy."
"Contact the Normandy for a pickup. We're heading back and need a fast extraction." Shepard told Ashley over the radio.
"Cop-"
Static overtook what Ashley saying. "Damn it. Let's hope she heard that." Shepard said.
"If I die in here I'm going to kill someone." Wrex mumbled to himself and Wolf was about to point out how he was going to accomplish that when he's dead but the platform reached the top level. A large open space with a few boxes scattered about and the only way out is blocked by a large krogan and a squad of Geth, behind them a barrier activated locking them in.
"Surrender, or don't. That's more fun." The krogan said with a shrug.
"In case you haven't noticed the volcano is about to go off." Shepard said.
"That's the fun part, now hand over the asari."
T'Soni shuffled behind Shepard and Nihlus. "She isn't going with you."
The krogan shook his head. "Not an option. What Saren wants, he gets. Kill them but spare the asari." The geth beside the krogan opened fire and everyone took cover being the crates and returned fire. The krogan launched a biotic throw at Odin who didn't get into cover fast enough and was launched off his feet and hit the ground hard with a grunt.
Wolf looked at where Odin landed. "Focus fire on the krogan."
"Leave the whelp to me!" Wrex yelled and with a roar he charged the krogan.
"Go, we'll cover you." Wolf told Preacher before shifting fire from the krogan to the Geth. Preacher ran over to where Odin is and started checking him over.
"Ugh…" Odin groaned and shook his head.
"You're fine, let's go." Preacher said helping Odin up and the two rushed back to Wolf.
"Sorry, boss." Odin apologized.
"Don't worry about it." Wolf said changing mags. "You good to fight?"
"Good to go."
Wolf nodded and grabbed a grenade arming it and tossing it over the crate. The Geth put up shield barriers and used them as makeshift cover, one of the Geth leaned out of cover and lost its head courtesy of Sis' DMR. One by one the Geth units fell while Wrex and the other krogan traded blows with one another.
"Why are following the human?" The krogan asked blocking a hit. "Saren is the future of the krogan!"
"He'll be the death of the krogan." Wrex replied landing a serious of blows on the body and knocking the krogan back allowing him to grab his shotgun and place it under the chin. Wrex pulled the trigger blowing apart a good chunk of the krogan's head. "Whelp."
With the krogan dealt with the rest of the Geth followed just in time since the platform they are standing on began to wobble.
"Everyone move!" Shepard yelled and everyone ran off the platform and through the barrier which shut down. All around them rocks fell and Wolf turned in time to see that one of the walls gave out and lava flowed into the cavern.
"Move it!" Wolf yelled picking up the pace as did everyone when they saw the lava. All around them the cave shook and even parts of the ceiling gave out forcing them to bob and weave to avoid being crushed. Luckily the scaffold leading to the mine entrance is still intact somewhat allowing them to escape the mine.
Outside the mine the Normandy is waiting for them with the hanger doors already open. Everyone jumped onboard and the Normandy left the dig site giving those in hanger a good view of the volcano going off and destroying the dig site.
Wolf took a deep breathe to calm her nerves she saw the hanger doors close and turned to Shepard who is talking with Nihlus about something. "Everyone good?"
"I never want to do that again." Odin said removing his helmet and running a hand through his damp hair.
"Same." Sis said removing her mask.
"Alright, everyone." Shepard said getting their attention. "Get out of your gear and get some water. Meet in the comm room in ten." Everyone headed for the armory to turn in their weapons before heading to their lockers to get out of their gear. Once everyone is back in their fatigues they headed for the comm room and took their seats around the large table.
"Cutting it close, Commander. A few more seconds and we would've been swimming in lava." The pilot's voice came over the intercom. "The Normandy isn't really designed to fly in lava. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull."
"We nearly died and your pilot is making jokes!" T'Soni said looking to Shepard who just shrugged.
"It helps ease the tension, besides he saved us. So, I think he's earned the right to a few bad jokes." Shepard said and T'Soni nodded.
"I… see. There is still much I need to learn about human social interactions."
"Half of it doesn't make sense." Garrus said and Tali agreed.
"Why does Saren want you?" Karen asked looking at T'Soni who looked at her.
"I don't know. I don't have any political connections or anything of note to offer him."
"You have Prothean knowledge and Saren is looking for something called the Conduit." Ashley said leaning on the table getting T'Soni's attention.
"The Conduit?"
"What do you know of it?" Shepard asked.
"Only that it was related to the Prothean's disappearance 50,000 years ago." T'Soni said bringing up her omni-tool and uploading a file. The projector came on showing carvings and other such archeological findings. "The Conduit is only referenced four times. At first I thought it was a one off but as I got further into my research I learned that the Protheans were afraid of something."
One of the images showed a planet or what looked like a planet covered in flames.
"This Conduit, I believe was something that was meant to save them but it didn't work." T'Soni explained her findings. "I've tried to present these findings but no one is interested."
"I do." Shepard said and T'Soni looked at Shepard surprised and smiled at her.
"Does this match up with your vision?" Karen asked and T'Soni looked at her then to Shepard.
"There was a working Beacon on Eden Prime that I came into contact with." Shepard explained.
"Incredible, it must have shown you something amazing." T'Soni said sounding giddy.
"All it showed me was death and something else." Shepard responded looking at T'Soni. "I believe that the Protheans were wiped out by something called the Reapers."
"The Reapers?" T'Soni said to herself. "It does line up with my research. If I may, can I see the vision?"
"How?" Shepard asked.
"By melding with you, I can see the visions and interpret it as best I can." T'Soni explained.
"Is it safe?" Kaidan asked.
"Unless she is an Ardat-Yakshi, She's in no danger." Nihlus said making T'Soni wince at the name.
"I can assure you that I'm not of them." T'Soni said standing up as did Shepard. Karen watched the two touch their foreheads together and close their eyes. After a few seconds the two broke apart and T'Soni stumbled slightly and grabbing the table to balance herself.
"By the goddess." T'Soni said rubbing her forehead. "The message is incomplete, there are gaps missing. The beacon on Eden Prime must have been damaged."
"So, we have nothing." Shepard said with a sigh.
"We denied Saren a victory by denying him Dr. T'Soni." Nihlus said. "Which brings us to what we are going to do with her?"
"If I may offer a suggestion." T'Soni said no longer holding the table for support and looking at Shepard.
"I could remain on your ship, this is the safest place I can be. Plus, my knowledge of the Protheans may come in handy when it comes to your vision."
"And her biotics will come in handy, when the fighting starts." Wrex added.
"Does she even have combat training?" Ashley asked looking at T'Soni who nodded.
"My mother saw to it that I received some basic combat training when I came of age. Unfortunately, I choose the path of science instead of the military."
"I have no problems, Nihlus?" Shepard asked her fellow spectre.
"I see no issues, plus we can keep her better protected here than on the Citadel." Nihlus said.
"Any objections?" Shepard asked looking to those gathered and no one had any. "Alright, welcome to the Normandy."
"Thank you." T'Soni said before stumbling slightly.
"Are you alright?" Kaidan asked concerned. "When was the last time you slept?"
"I'm fine, it's just the stress of everything that's happened." "T'Soni said while rubbing her forehead.
"Go check in with Dr. Chakwas. Kaidan will show you." Shepard told her and Kaidan nodded and stood up, the two left the left. "The rest of you dismissed."
Karen and the others got up and left the room leaving Shepard and Nihlus behind to file their report to the Council.