"Good timing, Commander. We've got a transmission coming in from the Citadel. Top priority clearance."
"I'll take it in the comm room."
He made hid way to the comm room and soon he was face to face with the Councillors.
The Asari Councillor nodded at him. "Commander Shepard. We've received information that may be critical to your mission against Saren."
"I'll take all the help I can get," said Shepard.
"We've received an urgent message from one of our infiltration regiments in the Traverse." The Salarian Councillor waved a hand.
"You mean spies," said Shepard.
"Spectres tend to attract attention, Commander," said the Asari Councillor. "But they are only one arm of the Council. Special Task Groups are often a better option monitoring developing situations."
"We currently have several infiltration units scattered across the border regions of Citadel space. This particular unit was gathering intel on Saren," said the Salarian Councillor.
"What did they find?" Shepard asked.
"Unfortunately, the message we received was little more than static. The infiltration team must be in a situation where they can't set up proper interstellar communications. But the message was sent on a channel reserved for mission-critical communications. Whatever they were trying to tell us, we know it was important." The Salarian Councillor nodded. "Considering your interest in Saren, we thought you might want to investigate this. Fine out what happened to our team. The signal originated from the planet Virmire."
"I'll look into it." The lead wasn't much, but it was better than he'd had ten minutes ago.
"The Council prefers not to become involved in the specifics of Spectre activities." The Asari Councillor shifted her weight slightly. "We only want you to be aware of all your options, including Virmire. Good luck, Commander Shepard. We will keep you advised if we learn anything else."
Shepard hit his communicator. "Joker, set a course for Virmire."
They soon dropped out of lightspeed and were flying straight towards the planet Virmire.
"Commander, I'm reading a signal. Must be our salarian infiltration team." Joker gestured at the console readout.
Kaidan let out a low whistle. "Check out those defence towers."
"Why can't it ever be simple?" Shepard sighed. "Drop the mako. We'll go in hot and take them out."
"I'll get you underneath the radar, Commander," said Joker.
He started for the bay, Kaidan a pace behind. He leaned into the mess room. "Tali. Ash. Feel like going for a nice drive along the beach and then blowing up some geth?"
Ashley put a hand over her heart. "You do know how to show a girl a good time, Shepard."
The Mako soon touchdown on the planet and they began driving towards the nearest defence tower.
"We've got a clear drop, Commander," said Joker over the comm.
"Stay out of range and continue evasive manoeuvres until I bring those AA towers down," said Shepard.
"I know the drill," said Joker. "Meet you at the camp once those towers are off-line. Joker out."
They began driving through the area and counting geth troops, colossals, heavy tanks and drones. It was a clear sign that Saren was indeed on the planet, they might have just found his base of operations.
It was a hard fight, but the eventually reached the controls to the AA gun.
"Joker, the guns are down," said Shepard over the comm.
"Aye, aye Commander," said Joker. "Heading to the salarian base camp."
Shepard then looked at the others. "Let's move it people."
They continued on driving towards the base camp wiping out a few more geth patrols on the way.
"Commander. Normandy's touched down at the base, but it looks like we're grounded." Joker's voice came over the comm. "The salarian captain can explain when you get here."
"That doesn't sound good," said Ashley.
"One step at a time," said Shepard.
They soon reached the base camp and Shepard approached the salarian captain, who was already in the midst of conversation between Ashley and Kaidan.
"So what are we supposed to do now?" Ashley asked.
"Stay put until we can come up with a plan." The salarian gestured.
"Are you in charge here?" Shepard joined Ashley and Kaidan. "What's the situation?"
"I'm Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment STG. You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hotzone. Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted to your presence."
"What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Shepard asked.
"We stay put until the Council sends the reinforcements we requested."
They all looked at one another until Kaidan finally said, "We are the reinforcements."
"What? You're all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet."
"We couldn't understand your transmission. They sent me to investigate," Shepard explained.
Kirrahe took a deep breath. "That is a repetition of our task. I lost half my men investigating this place."
"So what have you found?" Kaidan looked around the camp.
"Saren's base of operations. He's set up a research facility here, but it's crawling with geth and very well fortified."
"Is he here? Have you seen him?"
"No. But his geth are everywhere, and we've intercepted some comms referring to Saren." Kirrahe glanced over his shoulder. "This is his facility, there's no doubt about that."
Shepard nodded. "What's Saren researching?"
"He's using the facility to breed an army of krogan."
Wrex immediately turned his attention away from where he'd been talking to Tali. "How is that possible?"
"Apparently, Saren has discovered a cure for the genophage."
It certainly explained why they had encountered so many krogan during the chase for Saren. Shepard originally thought they were mercenaries that Saren had hired, but after Wrex had told him how he killed every single merc last time, which meant there was another reason.
"Without it, the krogan will quickly overrun the galaxy. And these krogan follow Saren."
"The geth are bad enough. But with a krogan army…" He'd seen Wrex in action. The man really was a tank. "He'd be almost unstoppable."
"Exactly my thoughts. We must ensure that this facility and its secrets are destroyed."
Saying that in front of the krogan? Not the best idea. Wrex immediately drew himself up to his full and not inconsiderable height. "Destroyed? I don't think so. Our people are dying. This cure can save them."
"If that cure leaves this planet, the krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again." Kirrahe shook his head.
Wrex advanced. "We are not a mistake!" Wrex shook his head, and walked away.
"Is he going to be a problem?" Kirrahe watched him go. "We already have enough angry krogan to deal with."
"He'll be fine." At least we hope so. "I'll talk to him."
"I'd appreciate that, Commander." Kirrahe then looked to his men. "My men and I need some time to come up with a new plan of attack."
"Go ahead, Captain. I'll be back soon."
"We won't be long, Commander. In the meantime, if you need any supplies you can talk to Commander Rentola. He's in one of the tents nearby." Kirrahe walked away.
He turned to face Kaidan and Ashley. Kaidan nodded. "Looks like things are a bit of a mess."
"Yeah." Ashley sighed. "I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for Wrex. He looks like he's going to blow a gasket."
"You think I should go talk to him," said Shepard.
"It wouldn't hurt," Ashley shrugged. She then realised who they were talking about. "Well, it might actually. Just do it carefully."
"I'll be careful," Shepard assured. He then looked at the two of them. "But be ready… just in case."
Wrex was shooting at the water when Shepard walked over to him. "This isn't right, Shepard. If there's a cure for the genophage, we can't destroy it."
"I understand you're upset. But we both know Saren's the enemy here. He's the one you should be angry with," Shepard sighed.
"Really? Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it. Help me out here, Shepard. The lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand."
"I don't want to destroy it. And if there is any possible way take out Saren without destroying the cure, then that's what I'll do." Shepard stared up at Wrex. "But 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."
"That's a chance we should be willing to take. This is the fate of my entire people we're talking about." Wrex advanced until he was only inches away. "I've been loyal to you so far. Hell, you did more for me than my family ever did. But if I'm going to keep following you, I need to know we're doing it for the right reasons."
Next thing he knew, Wrex's shotgun was pointed at him. He realised he'd drawn his own rifle almost out of reflex. "Wrex, these Krogan are not your people. They're slaves of Saren. Tools. Is this what you want for them?"
Silence. A shotgun, aimed at him. Wrex's red eyes blinked. "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." It took a few more seconds, but Wrex put the shotgun away. "All right, Shepard. You've made your point. I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow your lead." He straightened. "Just one thing. When we find Saren, I want his head."
Ashley watched Shepard walk back over, leaving Wrex standing at the water. She nodded when Shepard came in range. "Nice work with Wrex. I didn't think anything would calm him down."
"I wouldn't say he's calm." Shepard glanced back over his shoulder. "But his rage is pointed in the right direction again."
Ashley sighed. "For moment there I for the two of you were going to kill one another." She met Shepard's eyes. "You lowered your gun."
"Can't really talk to someone with reason if you point a gun in their face," said Shepard.
"So you…" Ashley shifted her weight slightly. "Bet your life you could talk him down?"
"Sometimes you have to put everything on the line, especially when it comes to calming down a friend," said Shepard.
Shepard patted her on the shoulder before heading back to talk to the salarians.
"Thank you for speaking with the krogan. The assault on Saren's base will be difficult enough as it is."
"I assume that means you've come up with a plan?" Shepard raised an eyebrow at Kirrahe.
"Of sorts. We can convert our ship's drive system into a twenty-kiloton ordnance. Crude, but effective."
"Nice." Ashley nodded. "Drop that nuke from orbit and Saren can kiss his turian ass goodbye."
"Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. We'll need to place the bomb at a precise location."
"Whether we take the nuke? And how do we get it there?" Shepard asked
Kirrahe indicated a map. "The bomb must be taken to the far side 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."
Next to him, Kaidan shook his head. "You want us to go in on foot? We don't have enough men."
Shepard looked over the map, and frowned. These odds reminded him of the Blitz and he barely survived that as did his men. "It does sound a bit risky. Is there no other way?"
"No, but I think we can work around that." Kirrahe leaned on the other side of the makeshift table. "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 your 'shadow' team in the back."
Shepard nodded. "It's a good idea, but your people going to get slaughtered."
"We're tougher than we look, Commander. But it's true. I don't expect many of us will make it out alive." Kirrahe looked up at him. "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."
Shepard didn't like it, but he knew was the only way. "We'll need someone who knows Alliance communication protocols."
"I volunteer, Commander," said Kaidan.
"Not so fast, LT." Ashley shook her head. "Commander Shepard will need you to arm the nuke. I'll go with the salarians."
"With all due respect, Gunnery Chief, it's not your place to decide." Kaidan folded his arms.
"Why is it that whenever someone says 'with all due respect' they really mean 'kiss my ass?'" Ashley raised an eyebrow.
Shepard held out his hand to silence them. "Williams, you'll accompany the captain. No heroics, understood?"
"Aye, aye, Commander." She saluted.
Kirrahe nodded. "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?"
They went over the exit strategy. Shepard just hoped some of the salarians were alive to use it. He mentally mapped the potential routes to his target before shoving the map at Garrus to let him do the same thing. It wasn't a great plan. It was just the only plan they had.
"I'm ready when you are, Captain," said Shepard.
"Excellent. Then if you excuse me, I need to prepare my men."
"Well, this is it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, LT. You too, Commander." Ashley nodded.
"We'll be fine." Kaidan nodded to her. "You'll see."
"Yeah, I just…" Ashley sighed. "Good luck."
"Is there something you want to say, Chief?" Shepard raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know. It's just weird. Going under someone else's command. I've got used to working with you…" She shrugged. "All of you."
"It doesn't matter if we're not in the same unit, we're still a team. What 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."
"You bet, Commander." Ashley saluted.
"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 a 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!"
Shepard nodded. He had to give Kirrahe credit. The man could make a speech.
Kirrahe saluted. "Good luck, Commander. I hope we will meet again."