~Paige~
"Commander, I'm reading a signal. Must be our salarian infiltration team," Joker said as we made our way closer to Virmire.
"Check out those defense towers," Kaidan pointed out.
"Drop the Mako. We'll go in hot and take them out," John said as the three of us got ready.
"I'll get you in underneath their radar, Commander," Joker said as he dropped the Mako off. "We've got a clean drop, Commander," Joker said as we got off the Normandy.
"Stay out of range and continue evasive maneuvers until I bring those AA towers down," John ordered.
"I know the drill. Meet you at the camp once those towers are off-line. Joker out," Joker said as we got in the Mako. John started driving as we made our way to one of the towers, taking down geth along the way. I couldn't help but admire the scenery, it was beautiful here. We made it to the first tower, taking down more geth before I made this tower go offline. We went back to the Mako and made our way to the second tower. There we had to do the same thing; kill the geth and make the tower go offline. We left the tower and got back in the Mako, making our way to the base. Along the way, Joker contacted us. "Commander. Normandy's touched down at the base, but it looks like we're grounded. The salarian captain can explain when you get here," Joker told him. It's then we made it over to the base. Ashely was talking with a salarian as we walked up.
"So what are we supposed to do now?" Ashley asked.
"Stay put until we can come up with a plan," the salarian answered.
"Are you in charge here? What's the situation?" John asked.
"I'm Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment STG. You and your crew have landed in the middle of a hotzone. Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted of your presence," Kirrahe told us.
"What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" John asked.
"We stay put until the Council sends the reinforcement we requested," Kirrahe answered. I sighed.
"That would happen to be us, Captain," I told him.
"What? You're all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet," Kirrahe said frustrated.
"We couldn't understand your transmission. They sent me to investigate," John told him.
"That is a repetition of our task. I lost half my men investigating this place," Kirrahe retorted.
"So what have you found?" Kaidan asked.
"Saren's base of operations. He's set up a research facility here, but it's crawling with geth and very well fortified," Kirrahe answered.
"Is he here? Have you seen him?" John asked referring to Saren.
"No. But his geth are everywhere, and we've intercepted some comms referring to Saren. This is his facility, there's no doubt about that," Kirrahe said.
"What is Saren researching?" I asked him.
"He's using the facility to breed an army of krogan," Kirrahe answered. Wrex walked up.
"How is that possible?" Wrex asked.
"Apparently, Saren has discovered a cure for the genophage," Kirrahe said to him.
"What's so important about curing this genophage?" John asked.
"It was the solution to the krogan problem," Wrex answered.
"We introduce the genophage to the krogan population after the uprising. To quell their numbers. Without it, the krogan will quickly overrun the galaxy. And these krogan follow Saren," Kirrahe added.
"The geth are bad enough. But a krogan army…he'd be almost unstoppable," John mused.
"Exactly my thoughts. We must ensure that this facility and its secrets are destroyed," Kirrahe told him.
"Destroyed? I don't think so. Our people are dying. This cure can save them," Wrex argued. I frowned and placed a hand on Wrex's arm.
"If that cure leaves this planet, the krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again," Kirrahe said to him. Wrex walked up to him.
"We're not a mistake!" Wrex growled before walking off.
"Is he going to be a problem? We already have enough angry krogan to deal with," Kirrahe said.
"I'll take to him," I glared at Kirrahe. I looked at John who nodded to me. I walked up to Wrex.
"This isn't right, Paige. If there's a cure for the genophage, we can't destroy it," Wrex told me.
"I understand you're upset. But we both know Saren's the enemy here. He's the one you should be angry with," I said softly. Wrex walked up to me.
"Really? Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it. Help me out here, Paige. The lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand," Wrex said to me. I frowned at him.
"Wrex, this isn't a cure, it's a weapon. And if Saren is allowed to use it, you won't be around to reap the benefits. None of us will," I told him.
"That's a chance we should be willing to take. This is the fate of my entire people we're talking about. If you can't give me a better reason that this to destroy the hopes of my people, then I'm done with you and Shepard," Wrex told me as he aimed a gun at me. I aimed mine back.
"I can't let you jeopardize the mission," I stated.
"So that's it. All this time, and that's all I get from you? How can you not see what this means to the krogan? This base can't be destroyed. I won't allow it!" Wrex told me. I stood straight and let my gun equipped hand fall to my side.
"These krogan are slaves of Saren. Puppets, tools to be used and discarded. Is that what you want for your people?" I asked him. Wrex looked at me for a moment, thinking.
"No. We were tools for the Council once. To thank us for wiping out the rachni, they neutered us all. I doubt Saren will be as generous," Wrex said before putting his gun away. "All right, Paige. You've made your point. I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow yours and Shepard's leads. Just one thing. When we find Saren, I want his head," he told me. I smiled at him.
"Just allow me to help you and we've got a deal," I told him. He laughed.
"You have yourself a deal, Paige. You are definitely a part of my clan," he told me. I smiled at him and lightly punched his shoulder.
"Good to know. I have to go talk with John. Talk to you later, mate," I told him.
"'Mate'?" He asked confused. I chuckled.
"The British and Australian humans use the word 'mate' as a way of saying friend," I told him. He nodded in understanding.
"Alright, 'mate'," he said making me chuckle again. He maybe a stubborn krogan, but he can by goofy and nice. I walked up to John and smiled at him.
"All good, Commander," I told him. He smiled back.
"I'm starting to think you're a krogan whisperer," he joked.
"I am many things, you'll just have to find out what," I flirted with a wink before walking up to Ashley and Kaidan. John had the three of us follow him as he went to talk with Kirrahe.
"Thank you for speaking with the krogan. The assault on Saren's base will be difficult enough as it is," Kirrahe said to me. I narrowed my eyes.
"The krogan's name is Wrex. Learn it," I told him in a cold tone. John placed a hand on my shoulder telling me to calm down. Kirrahe sent me a look that held shock and…admiration?
I assume that means you've come up with a plan," John said to him.
"Of sorts. We can convert our ship's drive system into a twenty-kiloton ordnance. Crude, but effective," Kirrahe said.
"Nice. Drop that nuke from orbit and Saren can kiss his turian ass goodbye," Ashley said sounding a little excited.
"Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. We'll need to place the bomb at a precise location," Kirrahe said.
"Where do we take the nuke? And how do we get there?" John asked.
"The bomb must be taken to the far said of the facility. Your ship can drop it off, but we'll need to infiltrate the base, disable the AA guns, and pacify any ground forces first," Kirrahe told us.
"You want us to go in on foot? We don't have enough men," Kaidan told him.
"It does sound a bit risky. Is there no other way?" John asked.
"No, but I think we can work around that. I'm going to divide my men into three teams and hit the front of the facility. While we've got their attention, you can sneak in your 'shadow' team in the back," Kirrahe said.
"It's a good idea, but your people are going to get slaughtered," John told him.
"We're tougher than we look, Commander. But it's true. I don't expect many of us will make it out alive. And that makes what I'm going to ask even more difficult. I need one of your men to accompany me. To help coordinate the teams," Kirrahe said to him.
"We'll need someone who knows Alliance communication protocols," John said.
"I volunteer, Commander," Kaidan said to him.
"Not so fast, LT. Commander Shepard will need you to arm the nuke. LC, it would also be good if you stayed, too. I'll go with the salarians," Ashley said to us.
"With all due respect, Gunnery Chief, it's not your place to decide," Kaidan told her.
"Why is it that whenever someone says 'with all due respect' they really mean 'kiss my ass?'" Ashley asked.
"I feel your pain, Ash. I'm willing to go with the salarians as well, Commander," I told John.
"Williams, you'll accompany the captain. No heroics, understood?" John asked Ashely.
"Aye, aye, Commander!" Ashley agreed.
"I will have the ordnance loaded onto the Normandy and brief your crew on its detonation sequencing. Do you have any questions before we go, Commander?" Kirrahe asked.
"I'm ready when you are, Captain," John told him.
"Excellent. Then if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare my men," Kirrahe said to us before leaving.
"Well, this is it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, you two. You too, Commander," Ashley said to us.
"We'll be fine. You'll see," Kaidan told her.
"We're stronger than we look, Ash," I said to her.
"Yeah, I just…good luck," she said.
"Is there something you want to say, Chief?" John asked noticing her hesitation.
"I don't know. It's just weird. Going under someone else's commanded. I've got used to working you…all of you," Ashely told us.
"Don't worry, We'll see you on the other side," Kaidan told her.
"If you don't meet us, then I'll kick your ass," I joked. She chuckled.
"I know. I, ah…it's been an honor serving with you, Commander," Ashley said to John.
"It doesn't matter if we're not in the same unit, we're still a team. Watch each other's backs, keep your eyes open and fight like I know you can. We'll all come out of this in one piece," John said to all of us.
"You bet, Commander," Ashely agreed. We then stood behind Kirrahe as he talked to his men.
"You all know the mission and what is at stake. I have come to trust each of you with my life, but I have also heard murmurs of discontent. I share your concerns. We are trained for espionage. We would be legends, but the records are sealed. Glory in battle is not our way. Think of our heroes, the Silent Step, who defeated the nation with a single shot. Or the Ever Alert, who kept armies at bay with hidden facts. These giants do not seem to give us solace here, but they are not all that we are. Before the network, there was the fleet. Before diplomacy, there were soldiers. Our influence stopped the rachni, but before that, we held the line. Our influence stopped the krogan, but before that, we held the line! Our influence will stop Saren! In the battle today, we will hold the line!" Kirrahe told his men. He turned to us. "Good luck, Commander. I hope we will meet again." Its then we got going. Kaidan and I stayed with John and made it to the other side of the wall. "Comm check. Do you rea me, Commander?"
"It's fine. Let's move," John confirmed.
"Good. We'll start our push. We'll try to make it to the AA guns, but it might be up to you to finish the job. And Commander? If you see any way to undermine their defenses, we could definitely use the help," Kirrahe said. We first went to the Triangulation Tower where we took down some geth and I turned the geth communication off. We made it to another tower and shot down the Satellite Uplink. We snuck into the back of the facility, taking down krogan and geth along the way. After we made it in, I went to the panel.
"We've got access to base security. Should be able to cut the alarms from here. Might even be able to trigger alarms on the far said of the base. It'll clear the guards out for us, but they might be too much for Williams and the salarians to handle," I told John.
"Just disable the alarms. We can handle any guards inside," John assured me.
"Aye, aye, Commander," I said disabling the alarms. "Done." We then made our way up the stairs where we were attacked by some salarians that worked for Saren. We then found some salarians in cages.
"What do you want? I told you everything! I-Who are you? Alliance, right? I knew someone would come. It tried to break me, but it couldn't! I shut it out!" A salarian commando told us.
"Slow down, I need to know where you came from," John told him.
"Private Menos Avot of the Third Infiltration Regiment STG, sir! Captured while on reconnaissance six days ago. Glad to answer, sir! Never any questions from these bastards. Just whispers and poking and cutting. I'd have said anything to get out and get some payback. That's not much to ask, is it? A little payback?" The salarian commando asked.
"What did they do to you, soldier?" John asked.
"Experiments, but I don't know what for. The effect of incessant whispering on my shortening temper? Who knows? I just need out," he answered.
"Something's not right here, John," I said. I was getting a bad feeling from this.
"If we don't let him out, he's as good as dead. We have to do something," John said to me.
"Yes, leaving me here would be bad. Very bad. It's too small and the noise just won't go away. Whispering is loud, you know? I need to get out. Let me out," the commando said.
"Set him free. He could help us," John said to me.
"Yes, sir! You'll find that I am very good at following orders. I should be. I hear them over and over. Why are they repeated when they are so simple?" The commando asked as I opened the door. "So damn simple!" He shouted. The commando and his two followers attacked us. We killed them then. I gave John a look.
"Next time I get a bad feeling, listen to me. It hasn't failed me before," I told him. He nodded and we got going. Once we made it to a catwalk, another salarian talked from a cage. We made our way down to them.
"Well, you're not a geth. And you're not wearing a lab coat. I guess I'm glad to see you. Lieutenant Ganto Imness of the Third Infiltration Regiment, captured during recon. I assume the fleet was called in to destroy the base?" The salarian asked.
"The transmission wasn't clear. The fleet is not coming," John answered.
"I see. Then you must be the infiltration team. I know the captain. He will want this facility destroyed. My team was altered, indoctrinated. He knew about the breeding grounds. But the indoctrination is a greater threat, and far more horrifying. I watched good people reduce to mindless husks. There wasn't anything left. Others died during experiments. I envy them," the salarian commando said.
"Do you know anything about the experiments they were conducting?" John asked.
"They were studying indoctrination. Symptoms, progress. Saren uses it to control his people, but I don't think he fully understands it. I don't know much else. I just saw what they did to the others. Turned them into empty husks. I can't end up like that. Please-let me out!" The salarian pleaded. John looked at me and I nodded. He sounded sincere enough for me.
"I'm opening your cell, but then you're on your own," John said.
"Don't look back and hope to outrun the blast, hmm? A better chance than I had before you showed up. Thank you, human. And good luck. You'll need it," the commando said as John opened the cell. He then left. We went to another cage.
"These guys look docile. Their minds are gone," I frowned looking at the salarians.
"Why did Saren do this? To steal a man's mind like that is disgusting," Kaidan hissed.
"Open the doors. Give them a chance to outrun the blast," John said to us. I nodded and opened the doors.
"I just hope the poor guys will soon have their suffering ended," I murmured. After letting them out, we left and made it to a lab where there were some creatures, husks. We killed them and kept going until we reached a room.
"Don't shoot! Please, I just want to get out of here before it's too late," an asari said standing up with her hands up in surrender.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Who are you?" John asked.
"Rana Thanoptis, neurospecialist. But this job isn't worth dying over. Or worse. You think the indoctrination only effect prisoners? Sooner or later, Saren will want to dissect my brain, too!" Rana told us.
"I thought this was a breeding facility," John said.
"Not this level. We're studying Sovereign's effect on organic minds. At least, that's what I assumed. Saren kept us in the dark as much as possible," Rana said.
"You help him and you didn't even know why?" Kaidan said incredulously.
"I didn't have the option of negotiating. This position is a little more…permanent than I'd expect. But I can help you. This elevator behind me goes to Saren's private lab. I can get you in," Rana said going to the door. She put in the code key and it was unlocked. "See? Full access. All of Saren's private files. Are we good? Can I go?"
"What were you studying here?" John asked.
"It's that ship, Sovereign. It emits some kind of…signal. Undetectable, but its there. I've seen the effects. Saren uses it to influence his followers, to control them. It's called Indoctrination. Direct exposure to the signal turns you into a mindless slave, like the salarian test subjects. But there's collateral damage, too," Rana informed.
"What do you mean by 'collateral damage'?" I asked her.
"Sovereign's signal is too strong. Spend too much time near the ship and you feel it. Like a tingle at the back of the skull. It's like a whisper you can't quite here. You're compelled to do things but you don't know why. You just obey. Eventually, you just stop thinking for yourself. It happens to everyone at the facility. My first test subject was the man I replaced. Now I just want to get out of here before it happens to me," Rana told us.
"Why is Saren researching this? Isn't he the one controlling it?" John asked.
"The signal comes from the ship. It makes us obey Saren, but I don't think he controls its. Not exactly. I think…he's scared it might be affecting him. Indoctrination is subtle. By the time the effects become noticeable, it's usually too late," Rana explained.
"Tell me more about this signal," John said.
"Signal's not exactly the right word. There's some kind of energy field emanating from the ship. It changes thought patterns. Over time-days, maybe a week-it weakens your will. You become easier to manipulate and control. But it's a degenerative condition. There's a balance between control and usefulness. The less freedom the subject maintains, the less capable it becomes," she replied. Well, now we know even more than we did before.
"I'm going to blow this place to hell and gone. If you want to make it out alive, you'd better start running," John told her.
"What? You can't….but I'll never…ahh!" Rana ran out. I smirked.
"You enjoyed that," Kaidan said to us both.
"I know I did," I answered while chuckling. John chuckled a little and we went to the door Rana unlocked. Once inside, I saw something down the ramp. "John, look over here. There's another beacon like the one on Eden Prime," I told him as I remembered the beacon he once mentions. John walked up to it and touches it, making it glow green. He's suddenly lifted up struggling a little. "John!" I shouted about to run over until Kaidan held me back.
"Stop, Paige! This happened to him before. The worse that happened before was a headache and a vision," Kaidan assured me. John then fell down on his hands and knees. I made Kaidan let go and I ran over to John, kneeling next to him.
"John, are you alright?" I asked as I helped him up. He gave a small smile and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm okay," he told me. I inwardly sighed of relief. We walked up the ramps and saw something glowing red.
"Why am I getting the feeling something bad is about to happen?" I asked. It's then something bigger appeared. "…and that would be why," I muttered.
"You are not Saren," the red hologram said.
"Is this some kind of VI interface?" I asked.
"Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding," the hologram said.
"I don't think this is a VI…" Kaidan said.
"There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign!" Sovereign told us.
"Sovereign isn't just some Reaper ship Saren found. It's an actual Reaper!" John realized.
"Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they choose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are," Sovereign told us.
"The Protheans vanished 50,000 years ago. You couldn't have been there. It's impossible!" I exclaimed.
"Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything," Sovereign said.
"There is an entire galaxy of races untired and ready to face you," John stated.
"Confidence born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken," Sovereign said.
"Cycle? What cycle?" Kaidan asked.
"The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. The Protheans were not the first. They did not create the Citadel. They did not forge the mass relays. They merely found them, the legacy of my kind," Sovereign told us.
"Why would you construct the mass relays, then leave them for someone else to find?" John asked.
"Your civilization is based on the technology of the mass relays, or technology. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it," Sovereign answered.
"They're harvesting us! Letting us advance to the level they need, then wiping us out!" I said angered.
"What do you want from us? Slaves? Resources?" John asked angered as well.
"My kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nations. Independent, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp the nature of our existence," Sovereign said.
"Where did you come from? Who built you?" John asked.
"We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions of years after your civilization has been eradicated and forgotten, we will endure," Sovereign answered.
"Where are the rest of the Reapers? Are you the last of your kind?" I asked it.
"We are legion. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom," Sovereign said.
"You're not even alive. Not really. You're just a machine. And machines can be broken!" John stated.
"Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over," Sovereign said before disappearing. The windows blew out and John covered me.
"Commander? We got trouble!" Joker told us.
"Hit me, Joker," John said touching his comm.
"That ship, Sovereign? It's moving. I don't know what you did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would shear any of our ships in half. It's coming your way, and it's coming hard! You need to wrap things up in there-fast!" Joker said to us.
"This console is shot. Orders, Commander?" Kaidan asked.
"Let's head to the breeding facility. Joker can pick us up after we set the nuke," John answered. With that, we made our way to the breeding facility, shooting down enemies along the way. Once there Kaidan and another soldier unloaded the nuke and set it down way from the ship.
"Bomb is in position, we're all set he-!" Kaidan was interrupted.
"Commander, can you read me?" Ashley comm'ed.
"The nuke is almost ready. Get to the rendezvous point, Williams!" John ordered.
"Negative, Commander. The geth have us pinned down on the AA tower. We've taken heavy casualties. We'll never make the rendezvous point in time!" Ashley stated.
"Get them out of there, Joker. Now!" John ordered.
"Negative. It's too hot! Can't risk it. We'll hold them off as long as we-!" The comm went to static.
"It's okay, Commander. I need a couple of minutes to finish arming the bomb. Go get them and meet me back here," Kaidan said to him. John nodded and had me and Wrex go with him. We then started making our way to help Ashely and the others. We then saw a geth ship.
"Damn. Geth are sending in reinforcements," Wrex stated.
"Heads up, L-T. We just spotted a troop ship headed to your location," Ashley warned.
"It's alright ready. There's geth pouring out all over the bomb sight," Kaidan said.
"Can you hold them off?" John asked.
"There's too many. I don't think we can survive until you get here. I'm activating the bomb," Kaidan told us. What? No!
"Alenko, what are you doing?" John demanded.
"I'm just making sure this bomb goes off. No matter what," Kaidan replied. "It's done, Commander. Go get Williams and get the hell out of here."
"Screw that! We can handle ourselves. Go back and get Alenko," Ashley argued. John thought hard about it. I knew one of them wouldn't make it and it hurt.
"Alenko, radio Joker and tell him to meet us at the bomb site," John ordered. His voice was strong, but his eyes showed pain.
"Yes, Commander. I…" Kaidan trailed off.
"You know it's the right choice, LT," Ashley told him.
"I'm sorry, Ash. I had to make a choice," John said.
"I understand, Commander. I don't regret a thing," Ashley said before we had to go. We made it back to the bomb sight and started fighting the geth there. "Commander, set that nuke and get out! We can't hold them…Damn it! Suppressing fire! Cover your flank! Cover you-!" Ashley said over the comm. A biotic blast landed by John. We looked up and saw Saren. We made sure to take cover so we couldn't get hit. Saren landed on the ground and John started shooting at Saren, no bullets got through the biotic shield.
"I applaud you, Shepard. My geth were utterly convinced the salarians were the real threat. An impressive diversion. Of course, it was all for nothing. I can't let you disrupt what I have accomplished here. You can't possibly understand what's really at stake," Saren said.
"Why are you doing this?" John asked him.
"You've seen the vision from the beacons, Shepard. You, of all people, should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. Do not mire yourself in pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the sake of petty freedoms. The Protheans tried to fight, and they were utterly destroyed. Trillions dead. But what if they had bowed before the invaders? Would the Protheans still exist? Is submission not preferable to extinction?" Saren asked. I'd rather die than be a slave!
"Do you really believe the Reapers will let us live?" John asked.
"Now you see why I never came forward with this to the Council. We organics are driven by emotion instead of logic. We will fight even when we know we cannot win. But if we work with the Reapers-if we make ourselves useful-think how many lives could be spared! Once I understood this, I joined Sovereign, thought I was aware of the…dangers. I had hoped this facility would protect me," Saren told him.
"You're afraid Sovereign is influencing you. You're afraid he's controlling your thoughts," John stated.
"I've studied the effects of indoctrination. The more control Sovereign exerts, the less capable the subject becomes. That is my saving grace. Sovereign needs me to find the Conduit. My mind is still my own…for now. But the transformation from ally to servant can be subtle. I will not let it happen to me," Saren said.
"Why are the geth following Sovereign?" I asked from my hiding place.
"They believe Sovereign to be some kind of god. The pinnacle of their own evolution. But the reaction of their deity is most telling: it is insulted. Sovereign does not desire the pitiful devotions the geth hurl at it. They are just tools and no amount of belief on their part will change that. But as tools, they are useful. They will survive the coming invasion. If organic life is to survive, we must also prove we are useful. We must work with the Reapers," Saren answered.
"Tell me why Sovereign needs the Conduit. Tell me what it is. Maybe we can find a way to stop them," John told him.
"The Conduit is the key to your destruction and my salvation. Sovereign needs my help to find it. That is the only reason I have not been indoctrinated," Saren told him.
"Sovereign's manipulating you and you don't even know it! You're already under its power!" John stated.
"No! Sovereign needs me. If I find the Conduit, I've been promised a reprieve from the inevitable. This is my only hope," Saren said.
"Together we can stop Sovereign. We don't have to submit to the Reapers. We can beat them!" John said to him.
"I no longer believe that, Shepard. The visions cannot be denied. The Reapers are too powerful. The only hope of survival is to join with them. Sovereign is a machine. It thinks like a machine. If I can prove my value, I become a resource of worth maintaining. There is no other logical conclusion!" Saren told him.
"You were a Spectre. You were sworn to defend the galaxy. Then you broke that vow to save yourself!" John stated.
"I'm not doing this for myself! Don't you see? Sovereign will succeed. It is inevitable. My way is the only way any of us will survive! I'm forging an alliance between us and the Reapers. Between organics and machines. And in doing so, I will save more lives that have ever existed. But you would undo my work. You would doom our entire civilization to complete annihilation. And for that, you must die," Saren told him. We all started shoot at him and I ran over to Kaidan to keep him covered. John was on the ground when Saren grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up.
"Let him go!" I ordered pointing my gun. He was distracted and John punched him making Saren drop him. We were about to shoot, but he was too far out of range. John ran over and grabbed Kaidan. We all then got in the Normandy.
"Everybody hang on!" Joker said as he flew the Normandy. John and I looked back at the planet and saw the explosion. I rested my head on his shoulder as he grabbed my hand. We got our armor off and went to the comm room.
"I…I can't believe Ash didn't make it. How could we just leave her down there?" Kaidan asked. I grabbed his hand and he squeezed it.
"Williams knew the risks going in. She gave her life to save the rest of us," John said to him.
"But why me? Why not her?" Kaidan asked him.
"It wasn't your call, Alenko. I had to choose. I chose you," John answered.
"But if I'd done my job, you wouldn't have had to make that call," Kaidan said feeling guilty.
"It wasn't your fault. It wasn't my fault. The only one to blame here is Saren," John told him.
"Yes, sir. I'm-we'll get it done," Kaidan promised.
"Commander? Excuse me for interrupting. But I have an idea. I think the beacon you found in Saren's base was similar to the one you found on Eden Prime. It may have filled in the missing pieces of your vision. I might be able to help you put all those pieces together," Liara told him.
"You want to join our minds again, don't you? Okay. Go ahead," John said getting up. Liara walked up to him.
"Relax, Commander. Embrace eternity!" She called before her eyes turned black. Soon they finished. "Incredible. I…I never thought the images would so…intense. I need a moment to collect myself," Liara said.
"Did the vision make any sense to you?" John asked her.
"It's a distress call, a message sent out across the Prothean Empire. A warning against the Reapers, but the warning came too late," Liara answered.
"What about the Conduit?" John asked.
"There were other images. Locations. Places I recognize from my research…Ilos! The Conduit is on Ilos!" Liara told him.
"I've never heard that name before," Garrus mused.
"I'm not surprised. Ilos is in a region of space accessible only through the Mu Relay. But the Mu Relay was lost thousands of years ago. Nobody knows where it is," Liara stated.
"If nobody's ever been there, how did you recognize Ilos from my visions?" John asked her.
"I recognize some of the landmarks from photos and vids I'd seen during my research. I know of Ilos. I just do not know where it is," Liara told him.
"How do you lose a mass relay?" John asked.
"Its original coordinates would place it deep inside the Terminus Systems. Unfortunately, a star in one of the nearby systems went nova roughly four thousand years ago," I stated making everyone look at me. "I do my own fair share of research. Finding any object in space is difficult. Find the Mu Relay inside a nebula cloud is virtually impossible. It would take decades," I stated.
"Are you saying it's hopeless?" John asked me.
"I am afraid so. Unless you somehow find the coordinates for the Mu Relay. Then it would be possible to," I told him. He nodded and dismissed everyone. I sighed and went to my room.