A/N: If you think my formatting is off, blame Fanfiction,net. The damn thing messes it up when I upload a new document.

The "Porthos" shuddered slightly as it exited FTL.

- Relay jump successful, approaching nearest comm buoy in a few moments. Preliminary scans show no sign of damage. - Tali'Zorah's voice came over the intercom.

One of the quarian marines I was in the cabin with sighed with relief:

- If the communications network is still intact, it's most likely not pirates or slavers - that's what they would hit first.

"Oh, you have no idea what you're getting into." - I thought. "Once we land, the colony's security mechs will be all over us. I should warn Tali."

I got up from my seat and entered the cockpit. It was a rather cramped compartment, only enough space for the seated pilot and copilot. Gonna have to find a way to talk to Tali in private, not sure I can trust the pilot.

- Tali, could you help me with the thermal clips from the crate? I think one of them is stuck under the lid, it won't close.

Tali waved her hand in a dismissive manner, not turning away from the control display:

- Get one of Prazza's men to help you, I need to watch for incoming transmissions from the colony. We've sent a request for permission to land, waiting for a response.

I tried again, phrasing the request differently:

- They're busy performing a weapons check. It'll only take a moment, just come with me to the cargo hold.

She pressed a few buttons on her omni-tool, causing the ship's control display to light up momentarily.

- I've routed any incoming signals to my omni-tool, - she addressed the pilot - Dez, radio me if anything comes up. I'll be back in a moment.

I started toward the back of the ship, hearing the copilot's chair squeak as Tali got up. Once in the storage room, I waited for her to come in and closed the door.

- What is it, Alex? this better be important enough to force me away from my duties.

- Trust me, it is. This colony we're approaching, Freedom's Progress? We're going to find it completely empty.

Tali's eyes narrowed in what i guessed was a suspicious frown. She crossed her arms and inquired:

- This is from that video game that you told me about, isn't it? What was it, - she made single-finger air quotes, - "Mass Effect", right? What happens there?

I took a deep breath and shut my eyes.

- The colonists were abducted. Veetor is the only one left, - I made myself open my eyes again. It seems the migraine from earlier is back. - And he's delirious 'cause of suit damage and infection. He reprogrammed the mechs there to attack on sight.

The quarian's eyes widened with surprise.

- Abducted? by who? Is Veetor hurt? Where were the taken?

I had to brace against a bulkhead to steady myself from a wave of dizziness. I licked my lips and felt the salty taste of blood - hello, nosebleed.

- Coll… ugh.. Collectors. They're behind the abductions. I think I better sit down… - I said, slumping against the wall.

Tali frowned again, and after a moment of thought, asked again:

- Why would the Collectors abduct an entire human colony en masse? That's not their style. And even if so, why is Veetor the only one left? Are you alright?

- Veetor was left because… because they were only after humans. The Collectors are… - The ocular implants flared up in waves of static rising and dropping to the muffled heartbeat that pulsed through me ears - ...They're working… on behalf...

I heard a muffled thud as something hit the floor. Or was it someone? Oh wait, I'M the one on the floor. Well, that escalated qui-

When I woke up, the first thing I realised was that someone had moved me to a cot in the cramped crew quarters. the second thing was that the ship was silent. No voices could be heard, no engines humming. After a few days aboard the noisy Migrant Fleet, the silence was both pleasant and slightly unnerving. I take it, we must have already landed.

I exited the cabin and checked the ship's interior. Yup, empty. looking out of the portholes, I saw the familiar landscape of Freedom's Progress - blocky, barren stone ridges outside the compound, shipping containers and short metal buildings within. The concrete streets were illuminated by the bright white street lamps in sharp contrast with the night sky above. I should check outside, they probably left someone to guard the ship.

Stepping out of the airlock onto the first alien world I've ever been to, I was surprised when I didn't feel the cool night breeze on my face or the smell of fresh air. Ah, the damn suit!

- Alex! You're getting into a habit of being unconscious when I'm around. - Zear'Thaal's voice came from behind me.

Spinning around I saw him and another quarian, the ship's pilot, standing by the hull of the "Porthos", guns in hand.

- Uh huh. Where's Prazza's squad? Where's Tali?

- They went to retrieve Veetor. We've run into some… complications, though.

The pilot cut in, interrupting Zear:

- Yeah, If you call an entire colony being devoid of ANY humans but chock-full of armed mechs a "complication". What the hell happened here?

I shrugged. He doesn't need to know anything.

- Did they say where they went? I need to find them.

Zear nodded, but then said:

- No, you don't. I'm still not sure why you blacked out yet, but you bled profusely and your blood pressure was going from high to low and back faster than i've ever seen before. Whatever it was, we can't afford it to happen in the middle of a fight. I was ordered to make sure you don't go anywhere. You should go back into the ship and lie down.

I was about to object when his omni-tool signaled an incoming transmission. Zear brought it up and was met with a projection of Tali:

- Doctor Thaal, do you read? We've run into much heavier resistance than anticipated, taking fire! Lori is wounded and so is Vael! Prazza and the rest are still holding our position, but those Advanced Rocket Drones soak up a lot of bullets. Get over here and grab your SMG, we could use an extra gun and some more clips here. Sending you our location now. Tali'Zorah out.

The projection ended with a soft chirp.

Zear'Thaal rushed into the ship. I followed him in and grabbed an M-3 Predator off the rack as he loaded his Tempest. Looking over at me he paused and asked:

- What do you need a gun for? Our pilot's got you covered.

I grabbed a medium-sized box of thermal clips and stuffed it into a bag.

- I'm going with you. You heard her yourself - they need more guns and more clips, and I plan on bringing both.

- Keelah, you are stubborn. Fine, let's go.

I took another box of clips and jammed the pistol into the bag's belt. It's no harness, but should do for now.

We exited the ship, stepping back out into the chill night. Gunshots could be heard resonating between the buildings. The pilot cocked his head sideways and asked:

- Aren't you staying here, human? I thought Zear'Thaal said.. - He trailed off, confused.

I walked past him, stopping at the edge of the landing pad.

- Change of plans. Zear, lead the way, you have the coordinates.

The doctor opened a projection of the colony on his omni-tool and and pointed to a house a few blocks away.

The position Tali'Zorah sent me was here.

- Lead the way. - I said.

He turned to me and pointed a finger to me:

- Now listen closely: stay close, don't wander too far. If - or, rather, when - we get into a fight, get into cover, don't stick your head out and only use the gun if absolutely necessary. - He lectured.

- Yes, sir. let's go, Lori and Vael need your help.

We set off through the colony's wide streets and narrow passageways, checking corners and slowly advancing towards the sounds of gunfire, orders being shouted and immediately drowned out in the occasional explosion. It sounds like quite the firefight…

Until it all went silent.

- Zear, - I whispered, - You think they're alright?

- I'm sure they are. They would let us know if things, as you humans say, "went west".

I stifled a giggle and corrected him:

- I'm pretty sure it's "went South", but nice try anyway. You should teach me some quarian expressions some time, ya know?

No answer.

After a few more minutes of walking through empty halls and between short buildings, Zear spoke up:

- We're almost there.

He pressed the "open" button on a door, and inside was the quarian squad, along with Tali'Zorah. A couple of them were sitting on the floor, their backs propped up against the wall. Their suits, and the floor around them, were stained with dark-red blood.

- Doctor! over here! - called Prazza.

While Zear'Thaal made his way to his new patients, I walked up to Tali.

- Alex! What are you doing here, last time I saw you, you weren't able to stand straight, let alone walk all the way here. - She stated in surprise.

- I'm fine, though I'm starting to see a pattern emerge here.. I'll tell you later. How are they? - I motioned towards the injured marines.

- They aren't hurt too badly; their main concern right now is to disinfect the wounds and take a lot of antibiotics. They are marines, and have both been through worse.

Tali stepped a little closer and excitement seeped from her voice as she spoke:

- You will not believe who just came through here.

A/N: sorry this chapter is so short, just wanted to get it out there ASAP.

XOXO,

agardner99