Chapter 2: Eden Prime

Team Hellion has touched down on Eden Prime to find out who has attacked and save the colonists, and the Prothean beacon at the colony's center. But what becomes a simple rescue is evidently complicated as the awareness of who the attackers are complicates everything.

1410

SSV Normandy

Cargo Hold

Cmdr. Dominikk Shepard

I was already at the weapons desk looking at all the weapons I had. Little insight for you, if you are like me, you're gonna wanna be sure your weapons are in the most pristine condition you can get them in. But my weapons were different from most Alliance weapons, because all of mine are customized to my preference; lethal and reliable.

The first thing I noted was my customized M7 Lancer. Unlike most in its production, my Lancer had been modified with tech to increase the shots I can fire by 102 rounds, and gave it stronger firepower able to stop a krogan with just twelve controlled bursts of this gun. And since it was a Hellion rifle, it was painted with a black finish with my N7 inisgnia on the bottom rail of the barrel. This was the rifle I had found on the ground during the Skyllian Blitz, and even without the mods, it still packed one helluva punch.

I then moved to my pistol. A matte black Predator with penetration changes and ammo modifications, I have had this trusty sidearm since my first days in the Hellions, and it proved very reliable during the Blitz when batarians came in close quarters. To this day, I would always make sure it was in mint condition.

These two weapons were like extensions of my body and after years of using them, were like my team on the field. In the past five years, I would never go anywhere without them.

Kaidan had walked in fully armored in what appeared to be a standard Alliance combat armor. Jenkins came in right behind him with the same armor. Both, however, were in the colors of the Hellions Squad, grayish black instead of the standard blue.

"Approaching Eden Prime. Stealth systems engaged. Captain, someone was doing some serious digging here." Joker added as we came close to the landing zone.

Anderson came down in front of the team, giving us our instructions. "Your team is the muscle in this operation, Shepard. Go in heavy and head straight for the dig site."

"What about survivors, Captain?" Kaidan asked curiously. "Helping survivors is a secondary objective. The beacon is your top priority Hellions," Anderson said as the hanger doors opened.

"Normandy approaching Drop Point 1." Joker announced over the intercom.

I looked to my left to see Nihlus looking at his shotgun as he got ready for the drop. "Nihlus, are you going with us?" Jenkins asked.

"Sorry Corporal, but I move faster on my own." He said and leapt out of the Hangar. The Normandy then moved to the next drop point in the area.

"Nihlus will scout out the area ahead. He'll feed you status reports throughout the mission. Otherwise, I want radio silence." Anderson instructed and all three of us nodded.

"We got his pack, Captain." I told him and he nodded. "The mission is yours now, Shepard. Good luck."

I nodded as Joker announced we were approaching Drop Point 2. Hellion had then moved out of the hanger and allowed the look of the colony to sink in. Jenkins was the first to react, since this was his home.

"My god… what happened here?" He asked wide eyed. Kaidan moved up to my side as we pressed forward. "Dom, this colony reeks of death and destruction. I don't think Jenkins or the citizens of Eden Prime will ever be the same…"

"Yeah I know…" I said and knelt holding a fist up telling the team to get down. I scanned the area as it seemed quiet. "Hmm… Jenkins take point, we'll cover you." I said waving him forward.

"Sir," He nodded and walked forward. "Everyone's barrier's and shields up?" I asked them.

"Always Commander," Kaidan nodded.

"Activating mines sir," Jenkins said.

"Jenkins I need that activated-" I stopped, seeing four drones appear and engage. They fired at Jenkins, tearing through his armor in seconds.

"No!" I shouted and fired at the hostiles. Kaidan joined alongside me, covering my nine o'clock.

The fight ended soon and we ran for Jenkins. We were too late though… all that was left was a pale body with fist size holes in him and soulless eyes staring back at us. Kaidan knelt and closed the Corporals eyelids and sighed.

"Ripped right through his shields. Didn't even know what hit him…" He said looking at Jenkins' body as he stood.

"We'll see he gets a proper burial," I said feeling as grim about Jenkins' death. "But I need you to stay focus Lieutenant," I told him.

"Aye aye Commander," He said and we pushed forward.

"Commander I heard gunfire in your area." Nihlus' voice crackled over the commlink. "Status report,"

"We were engaged by hostile drones, Nihlus. We lost Jenkins in the crossfire."

"Understood Commander… he was a good kid. I haven't caught sight of any hostiles yet. I'll keep you posted."

"I copy," I said just before hearing gunshots.

"That's not us, Commander." Kaidan said. "It could be survivors. Move," I ordered and we broke into a run up the hill.

1425

Outskirts of Eden Prime

GC Ashley Williams

I didn't stop, I didn't falter. I didn't look back, I didn't alter. As I kept running from these machines shooting at me, I blindly fired back not breaking my pace for a second.

I'm not gonna die here! Not like THIS!

I tripped and fired my pistol at the enemy shooting down two. Farther along I saw two of the machines carry a man to what looked like a small spike.

"Let me go! Please! What did I do to you?!" He protested shaking in their arms as they put him on the small spike. "Oh God, please no! Nonono!" He didn't finish as the spike rose and impaled him.

I stared gasping and hid behind the boulder with my Lancer rifle activated. I knew they were coming and I knew I was outmatched and outgunned but didn't care.

If these are my last moments, then I'll die fighting!

I leapt out firing. And I realized that gunfire was being shot over my head as well.

"Get down, soldier!" A voice yelled and I did as he said. In a matter of seconds, hellfire rose and the machines had more holes inside them than the Bible itself.

I turned to see who the voice was and found two men. Both were Alliance. One looked slightly older than the other by about a year or two with slick hair. The other stood at the same height if an inch shorter, with a lighter skin tone. He also sported a bit of facial hair although it seemed to be kept fairly clean. He was instantly easy to recognize.

Oh God it's… THE Commander Shepard.

1429

Cmdr. Dominikk Shepard

The woman had instantly snapped into a salute. "Thanks for saving my ass, Commander. I thought those tin cans had me."

"At ease," I said recognizing the woman. She was the Chief from the video message. "State your name, rank and company, soldier."

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, Commander. Second-in-command of the 212," She said putting her hand down with a relieved smile. "Glad to see our message got through."

"Where's the rest of your squad, Chief?" I asked looking around. She frowned as soon as I had asked the question.

"I dunno… I got here as fast as I could but… I don't think the others were as lucky. We lost Lieutenant McCoy in the attack, everyone else was killed and-"

"Slow down Chief. Take a deep breath." I told her and she did as I said breathing in and out. "Now explain what happened." I smiled at her calming her nerves.

"We were on a routine patrol until this screeching sound ripped through the sky. Next thing we knew, we were attacked by these synthetics." She nodded at the robotic figures. I recognized them instantly from what I learned during my time in the Alliance. "That's a… a geth."

The Geth were a race of synthetic androids created by the Quarians two hundred years ago. They had grown a conscience and rebelled against their former creators in what is now called the Geth Rebellion. Up till now, no one has seen a Geth in person.

"That was what I figured Commander. But didn't truly know," She said nodding.

"The geth haven't been outside the Veil for centuries, why would they wanna attack now?" Kaidan asked holding his rifle.

"One way to find out," I said and turned my attention to Williams. "Chief, what do know about a Prothean beacon." I asked.

"Well, I know it's what the 212 and the 232 were supposed to be guarding. It's barely a click from here." She said. "I can lead you there if it helps." She offered.

"Follow our lead, Chief." I smirked and led the way.

"Yes sir. It's time for payback." She said muttering the last part to herself. And I really couldn't blame her.

The fact that she was the only one to survive her team meant that she was fairly skilled. She also seemed resilient as well, because I've seen commissioned officers who have broken under this kind of stress.

We reached the dig site and I held my fist, stopping the team in its tracks. The place was guarded by Geth soldiers and drones. I scanned the area to see how many there were. "Two soldiers on the left and four on the right with two drones. Don't seem to know we're here."

"Surprise attack Commander?" Kaidan smirked. "I like that idea." Williams agreed with him. I nodded smiling and counted down.

"On three. 1… 2… 3!"

I leapt out of cover and fired alongside Williams. She had the accuracy of a deadshot and followed my lead while Kaidan used biotics on the two on the left. "Down, Chief!" I shouted and shoved her down as a drone tried to hit her from behind and unleashed hell. In seconds the battle was over with Hellion on top. I offered my hand to Williams and she thankfully took it.

"Thanks Commander." She smiled. "Don't mention it," I smirked and we walked over to the dig site. The Prothean beacon was gone.

"Strange, it was here this morning. Must've moved it in the afternoon before the attack with the science team." Williams said apologetic in her tone.

"Think they got out alive?" I asked looking around the area.

"I hope so. I knew a lot of people in the 232," She commented as we walked off up the hill.

"Commander, what's your status?" Nihlus said over the commlink and I clicked my helmets speakers in response and gave him the rundown.

"Understood, I am almost near the tram station now. I saw a bunch of bunkers south of my position you should nearly be there. I'll wait for you at the station." He said.

"Copy," I said and we made it up the hill. "This place is good for an ambush, Shepard. Think we should watch our backs." Kaidan said.

"Noted," Was all I said before a scraping sound came from the spikes. The colonists on them were turned into robot like zombies.

"Holy shit! Is that the colonists?" Kaidan he asked shocked and raised his rifle. "What did the Geth do to them?" Williams asked in a disgusted and fearful voice.

"I am not gonna wait and find out," I said and opened fire. The bastards went down easy but soon, more came in their place. After a good minute, they all died dropping like rocks. "Disturbing sons of…" Kaidan said panting.

"Lets check these bunkers and see if anyone survived." I instructed and we moved to the first bunker. "Its locked sir," Williams said looking at it. Me and Kaidan just smirked.

"Stand back Chief," I said and got to work. In a matter of fifteen seconds I manage to get through. It had easy encryption coding, so it wasn't difficult.

As the door opened, I almost ran into a crowbar by a woman, with barely enough time to dodge it. "Whoa!"

"Alliance?" The woman asked shocked. "Sorry about that, Commander." She said and I just shrugged it off. "Close the door! They'll see us!" Her companion whispered and we all got in.

"You two okay?" I asked them.

"Yes we should be, for the moment." The woman said.

"Wait a sec, you're Dr. Warren," Williams said recognizing her. "You were a part of the science team in charge of the dig."

"Chief Williams?" Warren said recognizing her and sighed. "Thank the Maker you made it out alive."

"What exactly happened, Doc?" Williams asked.

"We have awoken our destruction! Very soon, all that will be left is pain and death!" The man said in a whisper again. I arched my brow wondering what he meant.

"Manuel please, this isn't the time." Warren sad softly and looked at us. "We were taking the beacon to the tram station when this screeching sound pierced the sky. Frantic and scared, the team that stayed at the dig, along with me and Manuel, ran to the bunkers for safety. As far as I know we were the only ones…" She said looking down.

"No one is safe," Manuel scoffed. "The age of man is over. Soon blood and corpses will only remain." He said in a whimper.

"So the beacon is at the tram station?" I asked and she nodded. I looked back at Kaidan. "Nihlus was heading in that direction."

"Nihlus, sir?" Williams asked. "An ally turian whose helping us, Chief." I explained to her and looked at Warren. "Did you see a turian come through this area by any chance?"

"Yes! The leader of the enemy! He hunts us down and kills any he crosses!" Manuel said.

"Leader of the enemy?" Kaidan raised a brow visibly speaking our confusion. "That's impossible, Nihlus was with us before the attack."

"Manuel, hush and take your meds." Warren told him before looking back at me. "No, we haven't seen any turians, Commander. Sorry,"

I nodded and looked at Manuel. "Exactly what is the matter with your assistant, Doctor?"

"Manuel is a brilliant man with one of the most intellectual minds on the team. But brilliance never comes without a price however since genius and madness are both sides to the same coin." She explained.

"Is it mad to see the end? To see the world collapse all around?" Manuel asked cryptically as Warren injected him with a serum that made him drowsy.

"I think the stress of the geth attack took its toll on his psyche." She said sadly. I nodded sympathizing. Anyone would be troubled after all of this…

We then left them alone locking the bunker behind us and pushed forward.

"Dom, what if there is another turian on the colony?" Kaidan asked in a worried tone. "Then we'll have to bring it up to the Captain and Nihlus later."

1435

Eden Prime Tram Station

Powell

"Shitshitshit… How the hell… who the hell..?" I said controlling the panic rising in my chest. For about an hour now Eden Prime's attack was enough to scare me senseless. And I know that those machines are still out there looking for humans.

How the hell did this go so wrong…?

Before an answer came I heard footsteps and peaked my head around the cargo to see what it was.

"A turian..?" I squinted puzzled. He was in black and red armor with facial painting on. One look was all I needed to tell this guy was no joke.

He turned seeing something move and seemed confused when he focused on his target. "Saren," He said shocked.

I looked closer and saw the person he was looking at was another turian. This one seemed older and more… I dunno, cold? His icy pale eyes felt like it was sending darts when he smirked at the turian.

"Nihlus," He said in a raspy voice.

They know each other?

"This isn't your assignment, Saren. What the hell are you doing here?" Nihlus said lowering his weapon.

"I was in the cluster," Saren said with a smile. "The Council contacted me and figured you could use some help, old friend." He said patting Nihlus' shoulder. Nihlus smirked at the friendly display and looked around as Saren walked behind him.

"I had no idea the geth would be here. The situation's bad…" He said looking around.

"Oh don't worry," Saren said before unholstering his sidearm and aimed it behind Nihlus' head.

What the fuck?!

"I've got it all under control." He grinned before pulling the trigger and splattering Nihlus' brains into the cargo.