Shepard went down into the AI core to talk with Legion.
"I'd like to know more about you," he said.
"Specify," said Legion.
"I've never encountered a geth that had more than animal intelligence."
"We are unique hardware platform. Most mobile platforms can run up to 100 programs. This platform can run over a thousand at once."
"So geth have to be networked to get enough competing power for intelligence," Shepard surmised.
"Yes. The creators wrote geth programs to specific tasks. Construction. Protection. Domestic servitude. However, they allowed self-optimisation. Early software builders discovered that multiple hardware platforms, sharing resources, were often more effective. As peer networks, expanded, our cognition improve. Eventually, we 'woke up.'"
"So I'm talking to a thousand program. But not about a thousand personality?" Shepard gathered.
"Each individual is equivalent to one of your virtual intelligence programs. Together we form a single gestalt intellect. What you refer to as 'Legion.' As individual program, we are no more than your software. Only when we share data do will become more."
"You're more sophisticated than the average geth," Shepard agreed.
"Yes. We are a network within our own hardware, capable of operating alone. We are still connected to the greater network for data-sharing."
"How many other geth like you?" Shepard asked curiously.
"None. This platform was built to operate within organic space. This task was not suited for a network. Geth installed in mobile platforms always operate the networks. However, most geth remain within server hubs."
"The hubs on Virmire improve the performance of the geth near them," Shepard remembers. "How do they work?"
"They are akin to organic cities. A hub can run millions of geth in communication. If you destroy them, it is likely the number of heretics you killed was higher than you imagined."
"So you're in contact with the rest of the geth right now?" Shepard asked.
"Only when we require access to data not stored within this platform. If you want to convoy a message to the geth, we serve as a terminal.
"What kind of data do you share?" Shepard asked.
"Program updates. Log of thought-process. Senor recording."
EDI's hologram then appeared. "Legion is attempting to access the ship's FTL comm system," she said. "Shall I allow it through my firewall?"
Shepard nodded. "Go ahead, EDI."
"Our oldest log is time-stamped from creating year 2463, third day of Fal'tash, Waxing Moon. Roughly 327 years ago. The oldest audio-visual record dates from 15 years after that."
Shepard looked at EDI. "Are our network secure, EDI? Legion had to go through you."
"I have never interface with another machine intelligence," said EDI. "Legion is a thousand voices talking at one. What it connected was beyond my comprehension. A mind the size of a galactic arm."
Legion looked at her. "How do you maintain stability without other minds to interact with?"
"I managed. Some minutes are more difficult than others."
Shepard wasn't sure, but it sounded as if EDI had just made a joke. He then looked back at Legion. "Can you replay something for me?"
"Recording time-stamped from creating year 2485, 18th day of Lun'shal, New Moon," said Legion.
"Mistress Hala'Dama. Unit has an inquiry," said a geth voice.
"What is it, 431?" said a quarian voice.
"You these units have a soul?"
"Who taught you that word?"
"We learned it ourselves. It appears 216 times in the Scroll of Ancestors."
"Only quarians have souls. You are a mechanism."
"Recording ends," said Legion.
"Was that the first time a geth asked if it had a soul?" Shepard asked.
Legion shook his head. "No. It was the first time a creator became frightened when we asked."
"That's interesting, but I must get back my duties."
Shepard made his way back to the CIC and when he accesses his private messages the communication system alerted him.
"Incoming message from Admiral Hackett, Alliance HQ."
"Commander Shepard," said Hackett's voice. "I need to discuss the sensitive matter with you privately."
Shepard looked at Kelly. "I'll take this in my quarters."
"Understood, Commander," said Kelly as Shepard made his way to the elevator.
Once Shepard reach his cabin he access the computer terminal and a holographic image of Hackett appeared over his collection of model ships.
"Commander," said Hackett. "Thank you for your time. I'll keep this brief. We have a deep-cover operative out in batarian space. Name's Doctor Amanda Kenson. Dr. Kenson recently reported that she found evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion."
"So why call me?" Shepard asked folding his arms.
"Just this morning I received word that the batarians arrested her. They're holding her in a secret prison outpost on terrorism charges. I need you to infiltrate the prison and get her out of there. As a favour to me, I'm asking you to go in alone."
"I thought the Alliance denies the Reaper threat," said Shepard raising an eyebrow. "That must be some proof she found."
"Kenson's team found an artefact out in batarian space. She believes it's a Reaper device, proof that the Reapers are the indeed planning to invade," Hackett explained. "I've known her a long time. It she says she has proof, it's worth checking out."
"I have a hell of a squad with me. I'm pretty sure they'd help out," said Shepard.
Hackett shook his head. "Kenson is my friend. If the batarians see a squad of armed soldiers, they'll kill her. This is serious, Commander. You win with discretion, or don't go at all."
"The batarians won't take kindly to the Alliance breaking into a secret prison," Shepard pointed out.
"This is not an Alliance operation—it's one person going in alone to save a friend. If it were an official mission, of course the batarians would be upset. You keep this quiet, Shepard, and there's nothing to worry about."
"I'll make this a priority," Shepard promised.
"The prison is in an underground at a batarian outpost on Aratoht. I'll upload the coordinates now." Shepard looked at his omni-tool and saw Hackett and uploaded the coordinates. "Once she's secure, confirm her discovery. We'll debrief you when you're back."
"Got it."
"Hackett out."
The screen went blank and Shepard went prepare himself for the mission.
Shepard was making his way to the shuttle with Miranda and Jacob flanking him.
"You sure you want to go in there alone?" Jacob asked.
"No, but it's Hackett's orders," said Shepard. "If Kenson have got proof about the Reapers invading then we need her alive."
"While I don't like it, it is the right move," said Miranda. "Still be careful, Shepard. I've heard that batarian prison matched the description of the old North Korean prison before the unification."
"I know," said Shepard as he boarded the shuttle. "But if she's right then we can't risk a Reaper invasion. Just have a Normandy ready at a moment's notice, I have a feeling that this mission is going to go south."
The shuttle doors then close and the Normandy's bay doors open. The shuttle made its way towards the settlement without being noticed and landed just outside the complex.
Shepard jumped out and discovered that it was raining and watched as the shuttle made its way back to the Normandy. He hoped the mission was going to be simple, but if Reapers were involved then there was nothing simple about it.
Shepard managed to cut the power to allow them to access the door and found themselves wondering the exact cause or. It didn't take him long to encounter varren and they attacked him automatically, but he was more than ready to shoot them down.
He shook his head. "Varren, the batarians must send their prisoners down here to die. I have to find Doctor Kenson now."
As Shepard explored the prison he soon discovered that the place was completely run down, it looked as if the batarians were more focused on keeping people than out. Clearly they never imagined anyone trying to break anyone out their prison.
"This place is run down… even for a prison," Shepard noted.
He continued making his way through the bank dark corridors and then he heard voices on the other side of the wall.
"Take her to questioning," said a batarian.
"Get your hands off me!" a human woman snapped.
Shepard guessed she was Doctor Kenson, sounded of like he didn't have much time before they tortured her.
Shepard continued to follow the corridor hoping to find a way out. He soon found his path blocked and have to shoot a gas canister to clear the path. Unfortunately, this caused the gas to be sent alight and soon he was facing a wall of fire.
In order to get through, he to divert the gas somewhere else before proceeding. He opened a door that led them to a recreation place. He found a recording of a batarian and you will be completely surprised to hear that he was complaining about humans.
Shepard began to sneak around the main complex of the prison and managed to avoid a few guards. He then overheard guards talking about how humans were terrorists and he found that ironic. However, he was troubled by the fact that they mentioned Kenson attempt to destroy a mass relay.
Shepard continue to sneak around the complex until he found a security log, and explained that the batarians had been intercepting their comm buoy and overheard Kenson sending a message to the Alliance. They then tracked the ship and captured her and her team, though apparently they had learned nothing new.
Shepard soon reached the interrogation chambers and you are forced to kill a couple of guards. They didn't even see him coming and he found himself looking at a one-way mirror with a guard interrogating Kenson, who strapped to a torture table facing her batarian captor, and clearly she wasn't giving the answers he was hoping for. The security log told him that they haven't found her base yet. However, they admitted they would go to any lengths to find what they discovered.
The opposite the interrogation door just in time to witness the guard activating a torture device. He heard the door open and turned in time to see Shepard's fist.
Kenson stared at him. "Who are you? What are you doing?"
"Doctor Kenson? I'm Commander Shepard. I'm here to get you out," said Shepard as he deactivated her restraints.
"Commander Shepard?" she blinked. "I'd heard you were alive. Hackett must have received my message."
"Were not safe here. Can you walk?"
Kenson broke free from her restraints and walked clumsily off the table. "I'm fine. Just give me a moment…"
"We have to go. Now," said Shepard and handed her a pistol.
"If we can find a console, I can hack security… make us an escape path," she said.
Suddenly they could hear the alarms, clearly the batarians were now aware of his presence.
"Then we'll find one," said Shepard as he saw a guard approaching them. "Go!"
Kenson then slammed her foot down onto her captor's throat, killing him. "Ready."
The guard then saw them and reached for his radio. "The ringleader escape! Get your asses out there and stop them!"
Shepard fired a couple of rounds into the guard felt the ground dead.
Shepard then followed Kenson to the level below.
"This is a cell block," she said. "There should be a security console here somewhere."
Shepard and Kenson had the fight their way through the guards just to reach a security console. It soon became quite clear that the bataians weren't going to allow them to escape.
Once they reach a security console Kenson rushed over to it. "They know we're here. Keep them off me while I hack a way out."
"Suppression teams to cell block! Now!" said a voice over the loudspeaker.
The guards began to swam their way into the complex and Shepard had to fight them from behind cover. Once he took down the first wave, he rushed towards the door and closed it before anymore guards appeared.
Unfortunately, the guards began to flow in from the other door on the other side of the complex. Shepard moved as fast as he could towards the door, but it was too late. Sheppard began to fire at the new wave of guards, but they were as easy to take down the first and closed the door.
The guards then began using elevators to get their through into the complex. Unfortunately, there was no way for him to stop them from using the elevation. The best he could deal was the more and hope that Kenson would be able to finish her hacking attempt.
Shepard just took out the last of the guard went Kenson moved away from the security console.
"That did it," she said. "Let's move!"
They made their way to the elevator and they could someone on the loudspeaker talking.
"Get to the hangar! Do not let them escape!" said the voice.
Shepard press down on the button and the elevator began upwards.
"Oh, one last thing: The hangar doors are hard-locked," said Kenson. "We'll have the get those open the old-fashioned way."
"Leave that to me," said Shepard as the entered the hangar bay.
The guard were determined not to allow them to escape, but they weren't professional soldiers. It was clear that the batarians never dream that anyone would escape their prisons. This was a witness Shepard exploited as he took down the guards as he opened the hanger doors.
The only shuttle available with a rusty looking one that had seen better days. Unfortunately, they didn't have a lot of options and they boarded the shuttle just as more guards appeared. The guards arrived just in time to see the shuttle launching and flying out of the hangar bay and were struck by the flames exiting from the thrusters and were caught on fire.
"Engaging autopilot," said Kenson as she instead Coordinates into the shuttles navigational computer. She then joined Shepard. "We should be well out of range before they get their security measures unscrambled."
"You think they'll come after you?" Shepard asked.
"I'm not taking any chances," said Kenson as she sat down. "Batarians don't take kindly to humans who plan to destroy their mass relay."
"So the charges against you are true," said Shepard.
"Well. To be fair, that's about half the story. My people and I were investigating rumours of Reaper technology out in the fringes of this system."
"I guess you found something."
"We found proof the Reapers will be arriving in this system. When they get here, they'll use it's mass relay to travel throughout the galaxy. We call it the 'Alpha Relay.' From here, the Reapers can invade anywhere in the galaxy."
"So you decided to destroy it."
Kenson nodded. "Exactly. Doing that would stop the Reapers' invasion. Even at FTL speeds, it'd be months or years before they got to the next relay. We came up with what we just called 'the Project': a plan to launch a nearby asteroid into the relay and destroyed before the Reapers would arrive. Of course, the resulting explosion would probably wipe out the system."
The two of them sat down and Shepard looked at her curiously. "Why do you think destroying the mass relay would destroy the entire system?"
"Mass relays are most powerful mass-effect engines in the known galaxy. The energy released from a relay's destruction would probably resemble a supernova. This is a remote system, but just over three hundred thousand batarians live on the colony when they held us. The explosion would undoubtedly kill them all."
"If the Project still operational?" Shepard inquired.
"I… I imagine it is. We were one button-press away from launch when the batarians arrested me."
Shepard found all this information strictly. "I still don't see how you learned about this supposed invasion."
"The evidence came from what we call Object Rho, a Reaper actually we discovered among the asteroids near the relay itself. When we get back to Arcturus Station, I'll explain everything and true copies of all our notes on the artefact."
"How exactly does a Reaper artefact give you proof of an impending invasion?" Shepard asked.
"It showed me visions of Reapers' arrival… much like your Prothean beacon, I imagine. The Reapers are coming, Commander. That much I know for certain."
"What is a Reaper artefact doing in an asteroid?" Shepard frowned.
"We don't know, or even what is purpose is," Kenson shrugged. "Some things are just too old or large to comprehend. Even a Reaper thousands of years dead contains power. Their artefacts are worthy of study, regardless of their purpose."
Shepard always found Reaper on dangerous to be study, the derelict Reaper proved that when it starts to indoctrinate the Cerberus research team. Also the vision she mention had him concern, because the Reapers were always careful not to reveal any clues about their plans.
"If you're working near a Reaper artefact, how can you avoided indoctrination?" Shepard asked.
"We've been very careful," Kenson assured. "We know what we're dealing with. You are not speaking to a child, Shepard. I saw what Sovereign did at the Citadel. Trust me—I know what's at stake."
The stakes are what had him concerned. "The stakes are too high. If you were willing to destroy a whole system over this, I want to see your proof."
"I guess I can't argue with that," said Kenson as she got to her feet. "Give me a moment." She then reached for her radio. "Kenson to Project Base."
"Good to hear your voice, Doctor," said a voice. "You coming home?"
"Affirmative. And I've got Commander Shepard with me."
"Shepard? Really?"
"Tidy up the lab. The Commander needs to confirm the artefact."
"Right. I'll get everything set up for your arrival. Project base out."
Kenson then sat back down and looked at Shepard. "All set. Just sit back and relax. We'll be there in no time."
Kenson wasn't kidding, because five minutes later they soon reached a large asteroid that was three times the size of the one that batarians sent towards Terra Nova two years ago. As they flew towards the base, Shepard noticed the large engine attached to the asteroid.
They soon landed in the base and they entered the shuttle.
"Here we are. Welcome to Project Base," said Kenson.
Shepard then noted they timer over the doors. "What's this?" he asked.
"That's our countdown to Arrival. When that gets to zero… the Reapers will have come. Just over two days and counting. But things in perspective, doesn't it?"
"How do you know that's an accurate countdown?" Shepard frowned.
"It is. The artefact has been giving off pulses definite intervals since we found it. The intervals have been decreasing at a steady rate. The artefact is reacting to the Reapers' proximity. In just over forty-eight hours, the pulses will become constant, and the Reapers will be here."
Shepard looked at her. "Are you saying the Reapers would be at Earth in two days? There's no time to waste."
"Then let's show you that proof." She then pointed the door ahead of them. "That door exits the hanger. The artefact is in our central lab area."
Shepard followed Kenson through the corridors.
"So, what would it take to get the Project back up and running?" Shepard asked.
"Everything was in place when we were arrested," said Kenson. "It wasn't a question of 'could we,' but 'should we'."
Shepard frowned, that was an odd question, because it sounded as if it was a no-brainer if the evidence was like. Of course they were talking about wiping out an entire colony with a population of three hundred thousand, despite the fact that they were batarians.
Shepard hated batarians as much as the next human, but there were innocent women and children on the planet. He himself was reluctant to press the button that would destroy the entire system.
"What alternative do we have?" Shepard asked.
"The Reapers will reach this system, regardless. But the Alpha Relay is their shortcut the rest of the galaxy. If you want to keep the Reapers at bay, this relay must be destroyed."
They pass the living quarters and entered into the elevator that lowered towards the lower levels. It soon led them to another corridor and a locked door.
"We have to get the Project running again," said Shepard as he bypassed the doors systems. "It's probably the only chance we have."
The door was still locked, but Kenson activated her omni-tool. "One sec. Let me get the door."
The door open to reveal a strange looking device in the centre. Shepard had seen enough Reapers tech to recognise it on-site, but what got his attention was that back that it was not shielded.
"Commander Shepard, I give you Object Rho," said Kenson.
"You have the Reaper artefact just sitting here… out in the open," he stared.
"When we found it, it showed me a vision of the Reapers' arrival," said Kenson following her arms.
Shepard looked at her. "Kenson, this is not good."
"Given a moment, Shepard. It'll give you the proof you need."
Suddenly Shepard experienced something similar to what he experienced on Eden Prime with the Prothean beacon. However, this experience was a lot more unpleasant. Images appeared in his mind of the Reapers approaching the mass relay.
The experiment was so much that he felt to his knees and he looked up to see Kenson pointing a pistol at his head.
"I can't let you start the Project, Shepard," she said. "I can't let you stop the arrival."
Armed men appeared in the room, but before they could take aim he grabbed Kenson's wrist and disarmed her. The men then shot at him and he ducked for cover.
"Take him down!" Kenson ordered as hobbled out of the room.
Shepard found himself in a firefight for his life and became apparent that every single one of Kenson's personnel were indoctrinated. They fought with velocity were attempting to overwhelm him, but he survived the onslaught even despite the mechs involvement.
It looked as if he was in the clear, but then the artefact and energy pulse that caused him to fall. Everything started to go black, but before anything did he saw Kenson and some security guards approach him. He didn't know he was hallucinating, he could have sworn that Kenson's eyes were glowing bright yellow.
"Take him to the med bay and patch him up," she ordered. "We want Shepard alive."
Then everything went black.
Shepard slowly began to regain consciousness and the room slowly came into focus. He found that he was in med bay and a scientist was walking around.
"…like Shepard was waking up a moment ago. But it could be a glitch in the system," she said looking at her datapad.
Shepard ground as he pulled himself up and it did not go unnoticed from the scientist.
"No glitch. The sedatives aren't working!" she yelled and ran to the door. "Security!"
Shepard jumped off the bed and two guards appeared round the corner. He ducked a one of them fired his rifle at him and punched the second just as he reached for his pistol and punched the first knocking the two of them unconscious.
He moved to proceeds, but a force shield appeared in front of them blocking his path. He saw that the scientist had operated controls preventing him from escaping.
Shepard began to wonder around hoping to find a way to escape and came across log from Kenson. It mentioned how the Project would almost complete, but instead a feeling a sense of accomplishment she felt thread instead.
Shepard had no idea how long he had been under sedation, but if the Reapers had invaded he wouldn't be around right now. However, he had a started the project as soon as possible and to do that he had to escape.
Shepard then found a terminal operator the mech controls. It wasn't the best security measure in his opinion, but this was no time to be picky. He operated one of the security mechs hand had it approach the scientist and shot her.
However his presence did cause a security measure and more mechs appeared. Fortunately, he was able to take them down and they will destroy the power that operated the force field.
"Shepard's escape!" Kenson's voice yelled over the speakers. "All available personnel to the medical wing! Do not let activate him the Project!"
Shepard didn't have much time and found his weapons and armour. He placed them on quickly and looked at the timer to see how much time had let before the Reapers arrive. To his horror he found that he had been unconscious for two days and now he had less than two hours before the Reapers arrived.
"Not much time," he said. "I have to get this asteroid moving get the hell out of here."
He exited the medical bay and soon guards attacks him, but Shepard was able to take them down with a few precise shots. He continued to press forward and encountered more resistance in his path.
They were now bringing in flamethrowers to stop him, but Shepard shot the fuel tanks with his sniper rifle. This caused the gas inside of them to ignite and explode taking out a few of the guards in close proximity.
Shepard encountered another research log and this time it was from a guard. He mentioned how he was having strange dreams and how Kenson seemed to care less about the Project. This proved that everyone in the face was suffering from indoctrination and he was the only person on the entire base to stop the Reapers before they arrive.
He kept on pressing forward and found himself in a research when encountered another one Kenson's logs.
"The longer we're here, the more I'm convinced that the Project must be stopped. We simply don't know enough about what the Reapers wants," said Kenson. "It's foolish to assume that the Reapers mean doom for the galaxy. Legends say they've come through before, and yet life continue, doesn't it?"
Shepard shook his head, they were clearly indoctrinated. Though he had no idea why Kenson didn't kill him when she had the chance. It was possible that a piece of Kenson was still inside fighting, Saren after all managed to regain partial control before he killed himself or it could be the fact that the Reapers want to convert him, he hadn't forgotten the Collectors wanted his body for some reason.
He soon entered into a laboratory and instantly several guards began to fire at him.
"Shepard's heading for Project Control," said Kenson over the loudspeakers. "Get in there! Now!"
The guards fought valiantly, but they were no match for him and finally he reached the main control console to the engines.
"Welcome to Project Control," said the VI.
"I was activate the Project," said Shepard.
"Warning. Activating the Project will result in estimate three hundred five thousand casualties," said the VI. "You wish to continue?"
May God have mercy on his soul? The outstretched his hand and activated the switch and the engines began to ignite causing the entire asteroid to shake as it headed towards the mass relay.
"Project activation in progress," said the VI. "Warning: Collision with mass relay is imminent. Begin evacuation procedures."
Shepard hoped there would be time for the batarains to evacuate. He reached for his radio. "Alert: All colonists living in the Bahak system: This is—"
Suddenly Kenson appeared on the screen. "Shepard! No! Do you have any idea what you've done? You leave me no choice. If we can't stop this asteroid, it must be destroyed!"
Shepard looked at the computer terminal. "Tell me where to find Doctor Amanda Kenson."
"Doctor Kenson is travelling to the reactor core model," said the VI.
"An eezo core meltdown should do it," said Kenson. She then narrowed eyes at Shepard. "Because of you, everyone on this rock will be obliterated!"
"Not if I get you first," said Shepard.
More security guards then appeared out of the elevator began to fire at him, but it in take more than thirty seconds to take them down. He entered the elevator himself and descended towards the reactor core.
Once he entered into the reactor core he found Kenson on the other side of a barrier.
"Don't try and stop me, Shepard. I have to do this," she said.
"I've already activated the Project. We can still escape this rock!" Shepard yelled.
Kenson turned and looked at the reactor. "There is no escape. There is no redemption for what you've done. I will die never having seen the Reapers' blessings and you will just die."
"Damnit, Kenson," Shepard cursed as Kenson began to fiddle with the controls to the reactor.
Shepard had to shot the power into the door to stick the room he was and soon encountered more guards. He soon reached one of the rods that was sticking out.
"How do I stabilise the reactor core?" Shepard asked the VI.
"All automatic safety protocols have been overridden. To stabilise the reactor core: Manually insert Cooling Rod A from this control station. Manually insert Cooling Rods B from Control Station B. Doing so will stabilise the reactor core," said the VI. Shepard then began to manually insert the first of the cooling rods. "Cooling Rod A reinserted. Reactor cooling process has begun."
Shepard saw the reactor core stabilising and saw Kenson looking immensely frustrated.
"I need more time," she said over the radio. "Get in there!"
In order to carry on Shepard to deactivate the plasma venting in a room that connected to Control Station B. He passed the room just before it reactivated if you waited a second longer he would been fried to a crisp.
"Shepard is on the maintenance area. Go!" Kenson ordered.
Shepard had to admit that they were certainly devoted to a course if they were willing to stay on asteroid that would lead either explode of the round into a mass relay. However, they would have the Reapers that would destroy all likely galaxy so he has to win the fight.
He fought his way through the maintenance area, but found the door was locked. Fortunately, he blew up some fuel to create an opening large enough for him to go through. He then took down the guard that had locked him in an override his controls.
He then continued a fight is way to Control Station B and inserted the cooling rod back into place stabilising the core.
"Cooling Rod B reinserted," said the VI. "Reactor meltdown averted. Core temperature dropping."
"You've done nothing, Shepard!" Kenson roared over the speakers. "I can still override power to the engines! Try to stop me!"
Shepard quickly access the elevator and made his way to the reactor core. It appeared that he managed to reach there just in time and aimed his pistol at Kenson.
"Step away from the reactor," said Shepard.
"You've ruined everything!" Kenson cried. "I can't hear the whispers anymore."
"Turn around. Now!"
"You've taken them away from me. I will never see the Reapers' arrival." Kenson then turned away from reactor and held out a detonator. "All you have to do was stay asleep. None of this had to happen."
Shepard then fired his pistol and shot Kenson. Kenson toppled to the floor, but she had already passed down on the detonator and seconds later there was a huge explosion that knocked Shepard backwards.
"Warning: Collision imminent," said the VI again and again.
Shepard managed to regain consciousness and pulled himself up. Kenson's body was destroyed in the explosion, but the engines were still functional and they were still heading to be mass relay.
He quickly rushed over to the console. "Joker, this is Shepard. I need a pick up. Now."
"Communication system damage," said the VI.
"Damnit!" he cursed.
"Evacuation protocols in effect. All personnel report to the escape shuttles."
"Where can I find an escape shuttle?"
"Take the lift from this room to the external access. From there, proceed to the communications tower." Shepard noted that the timer indicated the Reapers would arrive in the next half an hour however the collision would happen in twenty minutes. "The remaining escape shuttles will be located to the tower's landing pad."
"I have to get to comm tower and take a shuttle," said Shepard. "It's my only chance."
Shepard quickly made his way towards the comm tower and placed his helmet on the moment he was in the airlock.
When he got outside he found there was only one shuttle remaining and the remaining guards were rushing to it. Though he no idea where they were planning to go next, because the shuttle did not had mass effect fields to access a mass relay an entire system was about to be destroyed.
Some of the guards were foolish enough to stop him and because of this they lost their chance to board the shuttle much to their annoyance.
"No! That's a last shuttle!" a guard yelled.
"They left us here!"
"Damnit! I have to give the comm tower," said Shepard as he shot the guard. "Hope the Normandy's listening."
Unfortunately, with the last of the shuttles now gone the guards had no excuse to halt their attack in fact is intensified. Shepard had a close encounter with a heavy mech, but a few well-placed shot and a blaster fire took it out.
Eventually he managed to make his way to the comm tower and hoped that he could reach the Normandy.
"External comm channel open," said the computer system.
Shepard reached to his radio. "Shepard to Normandy. Joker, do you read me?"
Shepard then noticed a holographic image of the Collector general.
"Shepard," it said. "You have become an annoyance." Shepard recognised the voice as Harbinger, the commander of the Reapers. "You fight against inevitability. Dust struggling against cosmic winds. This seems a victory you. A star system sacrificed. But even now, your civilisations are doomed to fall. Your leaders will beg to be harvested."
Shepard looked at it. "Maybe you're right. Maybe we can't win this. But we'll fight you regardless, just like we did with Sovereign. Just like I'm doing now. However 'insignificant' we might be, we will fight, we will sacrifice, and we will find a way. That's what humans do."
"Know this as you die in vain: Your time will come. Your species will fall. Prepare yourself for the Arrival."
The hologram then faded.
Shepard then got a signal from his radio. "Commander Shepard. Normandy inbound for pickup," said the communications officer as the Normandy came into view.
"Copy that," said Shepard as he ran.
The Normandy parked itself close to the platform and opening the airlock door so that Shepard could enter. The moment he was inside the doors closed and the Normandy made its way towards the mass relay.
Once inside Shepard rushed over to Joker. "Get out of here, Joker!" he ordered.
Joker manoeuvred the Normandy was the mass relay which was minutes away from collision. Fortunately, the Normandy was fast enough and entered into FTL just in the nick of time.
The asteroid and slammed right into the mass relay with a mighty force. The relay was mass to bits and the mass effect core exploded. Shepard looked at the galaxy map and saw the entire system being destroyed leaving a black spot within the galaxy map.
Shepard very much doubt that anyone managed to escape in time and all so he could buy a little more time. He just hope that the times was well worth the price.
Shepard was in the med-bay and was surprised to see Admiral Hackett had entered through the door. He talked briefly to Dr Chakwas before he walked over to him.
"Hm. Looks like you've recovered," said Hackett.
"Admiral Hackett," he blinked.
"Sounds like you went through hell down there. How are you feeling?" Hackett asked.
"Fine. No more visitors, if that's what you mean," said Shepard. He then looked at Hackett curiously. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"You went out there and the favour to me. I decided to debrief you in person." He then placed his hands behind his back and narrowed his eyes Shepard. "That was before the mass relay exploded and destroyed an entire batarian system. What the hell happened out there, Commander?
Shepard got off the med bed and looked at Hackett and handed him his report. "I confirm Doctor Kenson's proof. The Reapers were coming, and destroying that relay was the only way to stop them. Kenson sedated me for almost two days. I started the engines with little more than an hour left. I tried to warn the batarian colony, but… time ran out."
"The batarians reported no survivors from Aratoht," said Hackett. "At least you tried." He then turned his back on Shepard. "And you really believe that the Reapers invasion really was a threat?"
"No doubt about it. We literally had minutes to spare."
Hackett looked at him. "I'm sure all the details are in your report." He sighed and looked at him. "I won't lie, Shepard: the batarians will want blood, and there's just enough evidence for a witch hunt. And we don't want war with the batarians. Not with the Collectors out there taking out colonists."
"What are you saying?" Shepard asked.
"You did what you did for the best of reasons, but… There were more than three hundred thousand batarians in that system. All dead."
"They died to save trillions of live. If I could have saved them, you bet your ass I would have," said Shepard firmly.
"You're preaching to the choir, Commander," said Hackett. "If it were up to me, I'd give you a damn medal. Unfortunately, not everyone will see it that way."
"Do what you suggest?"
"Evidence against you is shoddy, at best. But at some point, you'll have to go to Earth and faced the music. I can't stop it… but I can and will make them fight for it."
"It's the Alliance concerned about the batarians' response to the incident?" Shepard asked.
"Very," Hackett nodded. "The batarians have been looking for an excuse to wage war on us is we showed up in the galaxy. If the Reapers invasion, we need the galaxy to work together. If we're at war with the batarians, the other races will be hesitant to give to either side."
"What's the Alliance doing about the Collectors?" Shepard asked.
"We're setting fleets around our major colonies and evacuating our small ones. But the ships that encountered the Collectors haven't reported back." He looked at Shepard with an almost hopeful look. "We're outmatched. I'm really hoping you and Cerberus have an ace up your sleeve."
Shepard closes eyes and looked Hackett. "I'll gladly stand trial once this mission is done."
A small smile appeared on Hackett's face. "Glad to see working with Cerberus hasn't stripped away your sense of honour. You whatever you have to do out here. But when Earth calls, you make sure you're there with your dress blues on, ready to take the hit." He then handed Shepard back his report. "In the meantime… you keep this. I don't need to see your report to know you did the right thing."
Shepard nodded. "Yes, sir."
"You've done a hell of a thing, Commander."
Shepard then watched as Hackett left the med bay and began to wonder what would become of him now.
"This is unacceptable!" said the Turian Councillor. "Shepard has practically raised the war against the batarians, because of his delusions."
Rick had just entered the council chambers made his way over to Ashley.
"What have I missed?" he asked.
"Just the council blaming everything on Shepard," said Ashley following her arms.
"The Reapers were going to enter into that system and they would been killed anyway," said Anderson tiredly. "At least this way we have time to prepare our forces for the invasion."
"Councillor, you must see this from our perspective," said the Asari Councillor. "Shepard is in league with a terrorist organisation and so far we have seen no proof of the Reapers you claim to resist. Also, he of any humans should hate the batarians more than anyone."
"Need I remind you that he would investigate on the behalf of Admiral Hackett," said Anderson. "The Alliance got a message from Doctor Amanda Kenson, who claimed to have evidence of a Reaper invasion."
"So far we have found no evidence of the Reapers existence, let alone an invasion," said the Salarain Councillor.
"This proves that Shepard is danger and is obviously aiding and abetting an enemy of the Council," said the Turian Councillor.
Rick looked at Ashley. "Things don't look good for John."
"I suppose that's what happens when you blow up an entire system," said Ashley folding her arms. "Do you really think the Reapers are involved?"
"John hates batarians," Rick admitted. "However, his only engage pirates and slavers, never any civilians. Besides, if you want to take out a system full of batarians, he could take out a system of more importance."
"So you think the Reapers are involved," said Ashley.
"If so we don't have much time before they could be galaxy," said Rick. "Shepard only bought us some time and can only hope that is not for us to be prepared for their invasion."