Shepard and Garrus stepped into a large, square room, Tali and Wrex at their backs.
"Holy shit."
A gigantic Rachni, the mother, was being held in a glass crate in the center of the room. An Asari, clad in black robes, stood before her.
"You do not know the privilege of being a mother. There is power in creation. To shape a life. Turn it toward happiness, or despair. Her children were to be ours. Raised to hunt and slay Saren's enemies."
The Asari, Benezia, turned to Shepard and his crew.
"Have you faced an Asari commando unit before? Few humans have."
"Look, just tell us where Saren is and we'll leave you to your grandiose monologuing."
"Large words, from a slaver? Consider me impressed."
Benezia blasted at the four with biotics, tossing them back. She ran towards the Queen, as Asari commandos poured into the room.
"Wrex and I will go north. Tali, Vakarian, go west."
"Already done."
Tali and Garrus scrambled to their feet, pulling out their assault rifle and pistol, respectively. Wrex and Shepard pulled themselves up, bringing out their own trademark weapons.
Shepard found cover as Wrex blasted an Asari off the walkway with biotics, and ducked into cover. Shepard popped out of cover every five seconds, spraying cover fire onto the battlefield.
Tali managed to down an Asari with one shot, before ducking into cover, crouching alongside Garrus.
"Ready to kick some Asari ass?"
"Always."
Garrus and Tali exited their cover, taking down three Asari. A stray bullet grazed Tali, cutting through some cloth on her arm.
"Did they get you?"
"No, just the cloth. You?"
"It'd take a missile to stop me."
"Didn't answer the question."
Garrus really wished he could grin.
Benezia lowered her biotic barrier, needing to recharge her power. Shepard took his chance.
"Everyone, to Benezia! She's vulnerable!"
The squad made their way to Benezia, taking down any and all commandos along the way. The four allies started blasting at Benezia, who still had a small barrier around her.
"Don't take any headshots! We still need her to talk!"
Wrex turned around, downing two more commandos. Benezia strengthened her barrier, causing bullets to evaporate as soon as they touched it. The rest of the team turned around, taking out more commandos before they could raise their weapons. The more commandos died, the weaker Benezia's barrier became, before in dropped entirely. Tali turned, and shot Benezia in the waist, finally stopping her. Clutching her side, Benezia began to speak.
"This is not over. Saren is unstoppable. My mind is filled with his light. Everything is clear."
"Enough with the speeches! Just tell me Where Saren is!"
"I will not betray him. You will- you… You must listen. Saren still whispers in my mind. I can fight his compulsions, briefly, but the indoctrination is strong. It is terror to be trapped in your mind. To beat upon the glass as your hands torture and murder. I was powerless. Nothing but Saren's tool. He sent me here to find the new relay. It's location was lost…"
"Hold up, what are you talking about? Indoctrination? New relay?"
"Saren wishes to find the new relay… to find the Conduit."
"Where is Saren now?"
"I… I do not know. I… I can't."
"You said you couldn't fight the control long."
"Yes.. Yes you must kill me. But … go to… Therum. Find my daughter. She may be… may be in danger."
Shepard took out his pistol, putting it to Benezia's chest. He pulled the trigger.
"Little… Wing…"
Shepard looked at the body, and moved to the Rachni crate's terminal.
"It looks like we can kill it."
"Do it," said Wrex. "Don't want another Rachni War."
"On it, Wrex. And… purge."
Gas filled the Rachni Queen's glass prison, suffocating her.
"Alright, let's get out of here."
"Hold up Shepard."
"Tali?"
"Shepard, you just killed a species."
"One that would have killed the galaxy."
"My point stands."
"If you had the chance to remove the Geth from the galaxy, would you?"
Tali'Zorah was, for the first time, unable to find an answer.