My omni-tool blinked, summoning me to the comm room. I tore my gaze away from the window. I didn't think I'd ever get over the view from space-everything was just so... beautiful, surrounded by darkness and silence. Here, no one could hear your madness.

I followed Captain Anderson, commander of the Normandy SR1, through the door. I wasn't about to make the rookie mistake of walking through it while invisible by myself. That wouldn't be very stealthy, now would it?

"Shepard." Nihlus nodded in my general direction.

Anderson turned to face me. "It's about time we told you what's really going on."

Curious, I lowered the shielding. Nihlus had never given me away before. This ought to be good.

"By order of the Council, we're making a covert pick-up." He'd also never made a show of telling me what we were going to do.

"A research team on Eden Prime unearthed some kind of beacon during an excavation. We're making a covert pick-up. That's why we needed the Normandy's stealth."

"And this beacon?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Prothean."

Interesting. The crew was right to assume there was something more to this mission. It wasn't every day you had a Spectre on board your ship.

"This is big. The last time humanity made a discovery like this, it jumped our technology forward two hundred years." Something was off. Why were they going in to detail about this? "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."

The turian started pacing. "Obviously, this goes beyond mere human interests, Shepard. This discovery could affect every species in Council space."

"We should be getting close to Eden-" Anderson was cut off.

"Captain! We've got a problem." The pilot came over the speaker, words urgent. "Transmission from Eden Prime, sir. You better see this!"

The captain moved to the terminal, "Bring it up on the screen."

The explosions were heard before the video feed started, giving a hint about what to expect. Alliance soldiers were pinned down, bracing against the gunfire.

"We are under attack! Taking heavy casualties." The camera spun around, facing the speaker. The woman in front of him popped out of cover to fire off a few shots. "I repeat: heavy casualties! We can't-" the sound broke up, interference coming across as loud static. "They came out of nowhere. We need-"

He stopped abruptly. The camera swung around again, and we could see... It looked like a giant... cephalopod?... descending through the clouds. The feed cut out after that.

"Everything cuts out after that. No comm traffic at all. Just goes dead. There's nothing."

"Reverse and hold at 38.5."

For the first time, I saw unease clear as day on Nihlus' face.

The two men exchanged glances.

"Status report."

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

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

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

I nodded, merely awaiting the order.

"Shepard."

The unspoken command given, I cloaked again. Followed behind him and the captain as they walked through the ship to the cargo bay.

Two soldiers I recognized, but couldn't name, stood ready. Waiting. A squad of two? I narrowed my eyes. It wasn't the first time I would be separated from the Spectre during a run, but that didn't mean I had to like it.

The captain addressed the soldiers. "Your team's the muscle in this operation. Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site."

"What about survivors, Captain?" the one I'd seen in the copilot's seat spoke up.

"Helping survivors is a secondary objective." His eyes roamed over me. He couldn't have known where I was, but the intent was clear. "The beacon's your top priority."

Nihlus had always praised how the scales tipped in favor of paragon, when it came to me. He said it made us good partners. He was the bad cop, and I was the good cop. I wasn't about to ignore the possibility of survivors. They didn't have to know that, though.

"Approaching drop point one."

A message symbol appeared on the omni-tool bracelet.

Shepard. A lot is riding on this mission.

I blinked. Looked across the room toward him. I had gotten that, from the earlier conversation.

Another message came in.

So don't mess this up. Catch you on the other side.

I watched him jump from the ship out of the corner of my eye.

"I guess Nihlus won't be joining us."

"Nihlus will scout ahead. He'll feed you status reports throughout the mission; otherwise, I want radio silence."

A look of disapproval prompted Anderson to continue.

The two soldiers jumped out then, and I landed effortlessly beside them.

"Oh god. What happened here?" The second one sounded younger, even if by only a couple of years.

"Smells like smoke and death." Number one commented, both of them looking around uneasily. "Eden Prime will never be the same again..."

We hadn't gotten far, when drones flew in, firing at us. The younger soldier wasn't close enough to dive for cover. He didn't stand a chance, his shields unable to protect him.

Shield-piercing ammo.

As he went down, I dove for the other man. Knocked him out of the way. Shot each drone down in quick succession. Pop pop pop.

"What the-" he got to his feet, glancing around wildly. Then his eyes landed on the fallen man. "Dammit. Ripped right through his shields. Never had a chance." Muttered under his breath.

He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. I watched, within reach, falling in next to him when he continued along the path.

"I've got some burned out buildings here, Alenko. A lot of bodies." The Spectre's voice came over the comm. Ah. This was Kaidan Alenko. "I'm going to check it out. I'll try to catch up with you at the dig site."

I continued shooting down the drones as we came upon them. To his credit, he seemed determined to ignore it. Ignore me. Which was for the better. It wouldn't do well to have to put the mission on pause, while I explained my presence, should anyone press the issue.

A female soldier ran toward us, being chased in our direction. She tripped over her own feet and fell, a couple dozen feet away, more drones following her. Without missing a beat, she rolled over and open fired.

A whimpering drew my attention. A man, robots surrounding him, was cowering in fear. I raised my gun, about to cause a distraction for him to get away, when a spike rose up from under him. Impaled him.

She took the chance to get up, fleeing again. The bots turned, spotting her. A bigger one stepped out from behind a rock wall. Their intent was clear. Kill.

I shot the drones down as I ran at the bots, uncloaking so I had their attention. When my weapon overheated, I launched myself at the last trooper standing, which happened to be the tallest one. Calling up the blade on the omni-tool and jumping on to the back of the trooper, I slammed my arm down. The blade sank easily through the armor. Waiting until just the right time, I threw myself forward, letting the explosion propel me. I landed gracefully on my feet in the rogue pose.

"Thanks for your help. I didn't think I was going to make it." She saluted me. "Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 212. You the one in charge here, ma'am?"

"Yes." I waited, but there was no denial. "Are you alright?"

"A few scrapes and burns. Nothing serious. The others weren't so lucky." She stared off in to the distance. "Oh, man… We were patrolling 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?" Chances were they were already dead, but I had to ask.

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

I tilted my head, "This isn't your fault. You couldn't have done anything to save them."

Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained composure. "Yes, ma'am. We held our position as long as we could. Until the geth overwhelmed us."

I tapped in to Nihlus' line, allowing him to hear the conversation. We had just found out the "something interesting."

"The geth haven't been seen outside the Veil in nearly 200 years. Why are they here now?" Alenko frowned, confused.

"They must have come for the beacon. The dig site is close. Just over that rise. It might still be there."

I continued along the road, the two of them falling in behind me. "Come on." Murmuring quietly, I added, "Nihlus?"

"I heard. Geth. I encountered a few of them. Nothing too serious." He responded. "Keep your guard up."

My vision blurred for a second. The same vision from a couple weeks ago.

More metal spikes, they had to be at least ten feet high, towered over us. A dozen people pierced on them. The spikes suddenly started sinking in to themselves, lowering the bodies to the ground. They rose to their feet, shambling forward. Toward us.

After the battle, we came across the Spectre's dead body.

I made a motion like I was turning a dial, rewinding the scene. Another turian, one we'd run a few gigs with before. Almost point blank, bullet to the back of the head.

I snapped out of it, still moving forward, my tone severe. "Nihlus." I tried reaching him again, but he didn't answer. Raising my voice, I cloaked. "I need to go ahead."

A race against the clock.

"Saren?" I could hear the surprise. We both knew he wasn't supposed to be here.

He looked... different. Mechanical upgrades. "Nihlus."

"This isn't your mission, Saren. What are you doing here?" Rookie mistake. He lowered his weapon, and his guard, when faced with familiarity. And he was always telling me not to do exactly that.

"The Council thought you could use some help on this one." Saren's eyes scanned the area, no doubt looking for me. He seemed to relax when there was no visible sign. Nihlus had kept most of me a secret. My very existence was barely known.

"I wasn't expecting to find the geth here." My partner turned his back on his future murderer. "The situation's bad."

"Don't worry. I've got this under,"

"Nihlus." I whispered, eyeing Saren through my scope.

"Control." The second Spectre finished, raising his gun.

Quick as a flash, I shifted my sights to my partner, pulling my trigger first, the cryo ammo in my sniper piercing before his. Nihlus went in to stasis, collapsing. I hoped it would be enough to save him.

Another look around, and Saren left, satisfied. Quickly and quietly, I made my way to the fallen turian's side. I watched his eyes follow my finger as I did that simple test doctors do.

"Good." I nodded to myself, bringing up my omni-tool. Scanned his vitals.

"Back away from the Spectre!" Damn. I'd figured it would take them longer.

"Stand down." I didn't spare Alenko a glance as I pulled a vial from my hip pouch. Tipped Nihlus' head back and poured the liquid down his throat. It would stem the bleeding, help coagulate so he wouldn't die before we could get picked up. This wasn't my first time doing this. "We'll call for evac after we've secured the beacon."

I wanted to see if he'd make it, but Alenko wouldn't back down and get out of my face.

"He needs-"

"And not before." I leveled cold eyes on him. I'd done all I could, since he was still alive and breathing, and we needed to get this show on the road.

I may be paragon, but I knew when to go full renegade. Plus, it's what the turian would do, if the roles were reversed.

Something shifted behind me.

"Something's moving! Over behind those crates!" Williams pulled her gun, aiming with a shaky arm. She was probably exhausted. She'd been fighting for her life for who knew how long.

"Wait! Don't- Don't shoot! I'm one of you!" a man jumped out of hiding. "I'm human."

I rolled my wrist, showing off my weapon. "Sneaking up on someone like that could get you killed."

"I... I'm sorry. I was hiding. From those creatures." He relaxed as I holstered the pistol. "My name's Powell. I saw what happened to that turian. The other one shot him. He got here first. Your friend called him Saren. I think they knew each other." Scratched his head, glancing around with shifty eyes. I was mostly letting him tell his story for the other two. "Your friend seemed to relax. He let his guard down... and Saren killed him. Shot him right in the back. I'm just lucky he didn't see me behind the crates."

"Which way to the beacon?" I demanded before he could ramble much longer.

"It's over on the other platform." He pointed to our left. "Probably where that guy Saren was headed. I saw him hop on the cargo train."

I was already walking back to Nihlus, when the man continued, this time bitching. "I knew that beacon was trouble. Everything's gone to hell since we found it. First that damn mother ship showed up. Then the attack. They killed everyone. Everyone! If I hadn't been behind the crates, I'd be dead, too!"

"You the one that guy mentioned, his contact on the docks? For the smuggling ring?" Williams asked, stepping up in to the guy's face.

"What? No! I mean... what does it matter now? So I'm a smuggler? Who cares?" I looked over my shoulder in time to see him shrug. "My supervisor's dead. The entire crew's dead. It doesn't matter now, does it?"

Williams took a deep breath, opening her mouth, but I spoke before she could. "Anything hidden nearby that we could use against the geth?"

Alenko walked a few paces away.

"A shipment of grenades came through last week. Nobody notices if a few small pieces go missing from the military orders."

"You greedy son of a bitch! We're out here trying to protect your sorry ass and all you can think about is how you can rip us off?!"

"I never thought you'd actually need those grenades!" hands held up in defense. "Who'd want to attack Eden Prime? We're just a bunch of farmers! How was I supposed to know?"

"Hand over those grenades." My voice low, threatening.

"They're yours. Take them. My smuggling days are over. I swear." Cheap words, after the fact.

"A lot of marines died here, Powell." Good cop routine, now. I softened my tone. "Those grenades could have come in handy. If I were you, I'd think of some way to make it up to them."

He stared at the ground, unable to meet my eyes. "Yeah. Okay. There is something else I was saving." Of course. "Could be worth a fortune. Experimental technology. Top of the line. Take it. I don't need it. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Really." He handed me a wrapped bundle. "I'm sorry."

"I have to ask." I raised a dubious eyebrow, stowing what he'd given me in one of my pouches. "How come you're the only one who survived? Why didn't anyone else try to hide behind the crates?"

"They never had a chance. I... I was already behind the crates when the attack started."

"Wait a minute." Alenko frowned, coming back over to us. "You were hiding before the attack?"

"I... sometimes I need a nap to get through my shift. I sneak off behind the crates to grab forty winks where the supervisor can't find me."

"You survived because you're lazy?" The marines both looked so indignant.

"If you hadn't snuck off for that nap, you'd probably be dead, just like all the others." I shook my head. "Get out of here."

"What about Nihlus?" Kaidan asked as we watched the smuggler run the way we'd come.

"You could carry him." A moment of hesitation. "I wouldn't expect you to. We leave him here, among the crates, and come back after the beacon is secured."

"Yes, ma'am." They both responded.

While he and Williams hid the Spectre, I cloaked and took care of the geth standing between us and the cargo train. They never knew what hit them.

"How good is your aim?" I asked them while the train took us across the way, checking my omni-tool.

"I'm a good shot."

"Same goes for me, ma'am."

"Good. Deal with them." With that, I cloaked and jumped off the shuttle, sprinting toward the first of the bombs they'd set up. I had five minutes. In my opinion, that was four too many, but I wasn't about to complain that the bad guys weren't being "bad guy" enough.

The last robot fell as I disabled the final bomb.

"Good work." I appeared between them.

More husks rushed us, but other than that, we were home free.

"Normandy, the beacon is secure. Request immediate evac. Nihlus is down." I radioed, eyeing the surrounding area.

"This is amazing. Actual working Prothean technology. Unbelievable!"

"It wasn't doing anything like that when they dug it up." Williams came over to me.

"Something must have activated it."

"ETA five minutes." Joker responded.

"Roger, Normandy. Standing by."

I turned my attention to the others. Alenko was walking slowly toward the artifact. A flash of light, and it looked he was being pulled in to its gravity. Pushing the Gunnery Chief out of the way, I sprinted for him. I could already feel my body being drawn in. Grabbing him around the waist, I threw him free with everything I had in me.

I was unexpectedly lifted off my feet when I was within reach of the beacon, and I could hear a struggle behind me.

"No! Don't touch her! It's too dangerous!" From the sound of it, Williams was holding Alenko back.

Images flooded my mind, a message of some kind. An attack. The details were missing, but I understood the gist of the bigger picture being painted. The Protheans had had the foresight, and technology, to instill this beacon with memories. It was a warning, recorded during the time they were wiped from the galaxy, if I had to guess.

There was a pulse, the beacon pulling me in a little closer, before it exploded, sending me flying several feet.

I lost consciousness as the Lieutenant reached my side.