A/N: Thank you to everyone that is continuing to follow along with this story. I really love the feedback that you all have given, please keep it coming! Hope you enjoy…
Chapter 8: Zenith Station
Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams stood front and center on the deck of the CIC overlooking the galaxy map. It was her first time leading a mission on the Normandy and she felt eager to prove herself, both to the crew and Commander Shepard.
So far, things had gone smoothly. The Normandy had successfully delivered Shepard and the away team to the moon base. They were now on course for the Omega-4 Relay and were charged with looking for any signs of Cerberus activity. The Omega-4 Relay was a huge unknown, but Cerberus had been using it to try and give themselves some sort of upper hand against everyone in the galaxy. It was to be a recon operation and her orders were to evade direct conflict, if possible. If needed, the merc groups had ships standing by that would assist them; Ashley hoped that they would not be needed.
"LC, we are en route to the Omega-4 Relay, stealth system is engaged and we should be there in about two hours," Joker informed her.
"Thanks," Ashley replied. She looked over at Sam."Are we getting any kind of comms chatter from around the relay?"
"No, Lt. Commander, it is completely silent… there's nothing at all coming from the area," Sam reported. "That isn't normal… there's usually someone or something out there. We are getting faint energy signatures though."
"Any idea on what's going on?" Ashley asked Sam.
"Sorry, but no," Traynor answered. "It's almost like there are no ships out there or that something is causing a very large dampening field around the relay. Either option is concerning," Sam said, concentrating on all the data going across her screen.
"Keep me informed," she said to Traynor and Sam nodded her reply.
"LC, we are picking up all kinds of debris around the relay," Joker reported excitedly. "There's also something very large on the scanners… it almost looks like some type of space station. It's no way near the size of Omega, but I can tell you it wasn't there the last time we 'visited' the Omega-4 Relay."
Sam looked up, suddenly interested in the conversation with Joker, "A space station would explain a lot, although there should be some sort of communication between Omega and the station."
Ashley was a bit more concerned about the implications of a possible Cerberus station, or worse, around the relay. She wanted to make sure that Shepard got the Normandy back in one piece. "Joker, they can't detect us, right?"
"It is highly unlikely that anyone would be able to detect the Normandy," EDI replied. "We are not emitting a thermal signature and we are not close enough for them to 'see' us coming."
"What about the Collector's ability to detect the Normandy through the stealth field?" Ashley asked. "Does Cerberus have that kind of technology?"
"No, Lt. Commander, Cerberus is not capable of detecting the Normandy while stealth is active," EDI reassured her. "As for the Collector's, after our last encounter with them, I have been able to study their technology and compensate for it… Do not fear Lt. Commander, the stealth system is working at maximum capacity," EDI said confidently.
"Well either way, I want everyone ready in case there are problems," Ashley replied.
EDI continued, "Noted, Lt. Commander… the crew is on alert and are at full combat readiness."
From his pilot's seat on the bridge, Joker could see the Omega-4 Relay coming into view. He also noticed all kinds of debris scattered around the area. Something was bothering him about the debris field, the debris was moving but not in any logical way. It was then he noticed the debris was actually shuttles that seemed to just be drifting. Joker had to act quickly to avoid hitting one of the ships. "Shit, shit, shit… what the hell is going on here?"
The source of the unknown object was also easy to make out on the view screen; it was a space station orbiting the relay. The station reminded Joker of the symbol for a hurricane on a weather map. It was comprised of some sort of dark metal and had a circular center. Shooting up from the left side of the center was a spire and an identical one extended down from the right side. Then from the top of the spires was a ring that encircled the circumference of the structure.
As they approached, Joker realized that the ring was actually a very large docking platform that could hold dozens of ships. The station appeared to be in some sort of crisis mode, as the lights radiating along it were all intermittently flashing, indicating some sort of power surge. Some of the docking platforms also had all sorts of smoke and flames emitting from it and it was apparent that multiple ships had crashed into the structure.
"LC, you need to get up here and see this," Joker called out over the comm. "EDI, is there any sign of combat or any approaching ships?"
"No, Jeff. All the ships in the area seem to be disabled or destroyed. The station also appears to be in an equal state of disarray; however, there are intermittent life signs," EDI replied.
"What's going on, Joker?" Ashley said as she walked onto the bridge.
"Take a look… nothing here is making any sense," Joker replied.
"That is one ugly space station," Ashley noted. "What happened here?" She pointed to the drifting ships and damage to the station. "Are there any detectable threats to the Normandy?"
EDI answered, "Unknown for now, Lt. Commander. There does appear to be life signs on the station and the docking rings on the lower level seem to be intact. We could send over a shuttle to board the station and investigate. I would advise against docking the Normandy until we have established what happened."
Ashley considered EDI's recommendation, "Okay, sounds reasonable. EDI, I will want you with me when we board the station. Please notify Lt. Cortez to get the shuttle ready."
"Lt. Commander, I would also recommend having Specialist Samantha Traynor join us. She could be very helpful in deciphering any comms traffic and she is very adept at interpreting any data we might find," EDI added.
"Noted EDI, I will let her know… I better get ready too. See you in the shuttle bay in 15 minutes." Ashley said as she turned and headed back to the galaxy map and Traynor.
When Ashley approached her, Sam was busy at her station reviewing something on her screen. "Sam, you are with me on this one."
"Excuse me Lt. Commander, but do you actually want me to go with you to the space station?" Sam asked, excitement oozing from her voice.
Ashley smiled coyly at her, "Anyone that can go toe-to-toe with Aria T'Loak can handle a little recon mission on a space station. Besides, EDI thinks having you there would be helpful… who am I to argue. We are meeting in the shuttle bay in 15 minutes."
"Yes, Lt. Commander… I will be ready. I hate to ask, but I don't have any proper weapons," Sam said sheepishly. "This is my first time on an actual mission off the Normandy. I won't need to disarm a bomb or anything, will I?"
Ashley smiled at Sam, "Don't worry… I have the perfect thing for you Traynor! See you in 15," and she headed for the lift.
Sam rushed down to the shuttle bay in an attempt to find some standard issue armor that would fit her. Luckily, Cortez already had the shuttle prepped and he was able to help get her setup.
"What about a weapon?" Cortez asked.
Ashley strutted onto the deck, "Don't worry, I've got her covered!" She had a teasing tone to her voice and a large grin on her face, as she presented Traynor with her weapon, an N7 Eagle heavy pistol. "Congratulations Traynor, you're one of us now."
Sam took the pistol and looked it over; she was wearing a huge smile. "Thank you, Lt. Commander. Guess I'm all ready now."
Ashley slapped her on the back and turned toward the shuttle. "Let's get this mission started! Is everything ready Cortez?"
Cortez didn't hesitate, "Yes, ma'am!"
They all boarded and Lt. Steve Cortez skillfully piloted the Kodiak shuttle over to the space station. At EDI's request, they circled it once to check for any indication that it had been fired on. There was noticeable damage and the power inside seemed to be fluctuating, but there were no obvious signs of combat. The damage came from the various shuttles that had crashed into the docking ring.
"Get ready everyone and be on the lookout for Cerberus or Reaper tech," Ashley said to her team.
Cortez announced, "We are docked… and you all are clear to depart… happy hunting, Lt. Commander."
Ashley was eager to get on with the mission, "Alright everyone, move out."
The docking bay that Cortez had selected appeared to be intact and undamaged. However, the power to the space station was flashing off and on and they could smell the scent of an electrical fire burning somewhere. EDI directed the team toward a lift that would hopefully take them to the Control Room. They arrived in a large room that was bare and looked like a quarantine area. A computer voice was repeating 'Welcome to Zenith Station… Do not be afraid… Our greeters will help you acclimate… Please stay calm and keep moving… Thank you.' They continued following a centralized hallway until it came to an elevator. EDI quickly hacked the access pad.
"This is very strange," EDI noted. "It appears that the floors are separated by species. According to the computer, asari, turian, salarian and volus occupy the upper levels, while vorcha, krogan and batarian are on the lower levels. I do not see that there is a floor designated for human."
Ashley looked at Traynor and frowned. "That doesn't sound inviting. Let's hope we find some answers soon."
The team boarded the elevator and EDI programmed it for the Control Room. They all drew their weapons and were ready to meet resistance when the doors opened. To their surprise, there were no signs of life. Instead, they found scattered corpses of what appeared to be Cerberus personnel. All-in-all, the station looked abandoned.
Ashley bent over one the bodies to examine it closer, "This looks fresh… and there aren't any signs of trauma. I don't like this… we should keep moving."
As the group continued to the interior of the station, they noticed that there were many security doors and precautions to pass through. After much hacking, they finally made it to the Control Room. When they entered, they were shocked to find a lot more dead Cerberus personnel throughout. Again, there were no indications of any trauma or fighting, just corpses.
Ashley looked over at Sam, she had seen many corpses in her time in the Alliance, but she was pretty sure that Sam hadn't. "How are you holding up?"
"I am okay," Sam's voice sounded a bit shaky. "I would rather be analyzing some sort of data right now," she added with a nervous laugh.
"Over here," EDI was busy at a computer terminal. "I think that I found some data for you Samantha."
Sam was quick to change her focus to the familiar glare of a computer screen and she began typing frantically on it.
Meanwhile, EDI moved on to another computer and started looking over the readouts.
"Did you find anything?" Ashley asked her companions.
EDI replied immediately, "Yes, this is Zenith Station, a Cerberus science base. It looks like they were manufacturing and testing some new strain of a synthetic virus based on the technology used to create the Adjutants. Cerberus was then attempting to control the indoctrinated 'people' and make them some sort of agents by using control collars."
Ashley was visibly upset with the information and angrily asked, "Have they actually used this new technology yet?"
"Yes… It appears that they have been testing both out on the inhabitants of Omega. Some of the species did not respond well. The asari were perhaps the worst… the virus mutated in the presence of their biotics, causing their brains to hemorrhage, they died almost immediately. While others, like the vorcha mutated faster than Cerberus could control them," EDI continued. "The turians, batarians and salarians were highly susceptible and were therefore targeted. The krogan and volus appeared to be immune to this strain.
"Those sick bastards!" Ashley exclaimed. "How the hell could they begin to justify this?"
Sam chimed in with her own disturbing news, "I have found a reference to something called Project Citadel. This came straight from the Illusive Man to a General Oleg Petrovsky, who is currently overseeing Omega and this station. I also found a transmission instructing Petrovsky to start mutating the virus with the hope of creating something that will work on the krogan and asari."
Ashley was flushed with anger and working hard to keep her emotions in check. That twisted, evil bastard… How could he possibly think that experimenting with a Reaper virus was a good idea? "Do you have any more information on this Project?" Ashley asked, completely disgusted by their findings. "God, I really hope that they weren't able to mutate this… this virus any further."
"Let me see what I can find out. The transmission was highly encrypted, but that is what you brought me along for," Sam answered. "Give me a few minutes."
"EDI, can you find a layout of this station?" Ashley asked. "Also, are there any people left that haven't been experimented on… and any idea on why all the scientists are dead? Are we in any danger of being exposed?"
EDI continued looking at data while she answered Ashley. "It looks like the life-form readings are coming from mutated vorcha that are loose in the station... no other life is indicated. I do not detect any indication that the virus is airborne."
EDI pulled up schematics of the station and pointed out where the vorcha could likely be located. She also found two floors that had their own power and life support systems and appeared isolated and intact. They were on the lowest level of the spire and the temperature was set to -196oC, the perfect environment to store the virus.
"Lt. Commander," Sam said to get Ashley's attention. "The indoctrinated agents were transferred off this station just before we arrived in the sector. There are no records left indicating the exact location of where they were sent, but it looks like they were going to some isolated facility to train for Project Citadel. There is no information on Project Citadel, everything has been expertly erased."
Ashley didn't like the sound of Project Citadel. "Sam, copy all the information that you can and send it to the Normandy. Do we know how many people were taken from Omega and tested on?"
Sam was quiet for a minute and her response was almost hushed, "All humans were evacuated and transferred to Sanctuary… that is roughly 185,000 people. Oh my, more than half of the remaining residence of Omega was tested on… Lt. Commander that's almost 4 million people."
Ashley looked like she was going to be sick. "I really hope that Aria finds him. I can't think of anyone who deserves her fully wrath like that bastard does."
"I believe that I know what happened to the remaining researchers here," EDI said. "Once the agents had been identified and transferred, the top scientists escorted them off the station. The station and all other ships in the area were then set to purge all remaining life and a poisonous gas was released. It killed quickly and then dissipated."
"I think that I have heard enough about Zenith Station. Secure the data and let's get out of here… I need to report this to Admiral Hackett," Ashley said with urgency. "I also need to warn Shepard about this virus… I can only imagine what's left of Omega."
The team finished quickly and headed back to the shuttle; Ashley could not get off the station fast enough.
Admiral Hackett appeared before Ashley and she offered her full report. It took every amount of control that she had learned through her course in the Alliance to maintain any sort of professionalism, but she did it. "This is very disturbing news, Lt. Commander," Hackett said after listening intently. "What are your recommendations?"
Ashley had thought about her response to the station and the virus. It was too twisted and deadly to remain and it made her sick to think of all those that had been tested on. It confirmed everything that she hated about Cerberus and the Illusive Man. "Sir, I think that we should destroy the station. We can't afford to have this technology or virus fall into the wrong hands… it's too destructive."
"I don't know who the right hands would be," Hackett said to himself. "I agree Williams… it is just too dangerous. Destroy Zenith Station. I will inform the council about this mess. Find Shepard once it's done, she will need to know about this too."
"We'll take care of it immediately, sir!" Ashley said as she saluted her goodbye to the Admiral.
"Joker," Ashley said with full confidence and authority in her voice. "Prepare to fire on Zenith Station. I want it completely leveled. Don't leave anything standing. Then I want you to set course for Omega… any questions?"
"No ma'am," Joker replied, entirely serious for a change. "Normandy is ready to fire at your command, ma'am."
"Fire!"