Ilos 2191 CE

The mood of the group became sombre as the lift descended. Despite having seen the cryogenic pods lining the corridors above, the marines and researchers were not prepared for the sight that came into view. Hundreds of pods along the walls. Mesmerised, they stood close to the window panels of the lift, trying to see how many and how deep the chamber was.

April exchanged a glance with Liara, recalling how they had felt in their initial journey below. How apprehensive they were at the strange turn of events. That fear had turned to awe when they saw the lower archives for the first time. Horror and sympathy when they learned what had happened to the Protheans. How daunting the task they faced when they realised the implacable nature of the enemy they had to fight. It seemed victory was impossible before Vigil offered a ray of hope.

The lift stopped and the doors open. The terminal at the end of the passage was a familiar sight. Like an assuring beacon that they would find what they were looking for once more. Feeling as if she was transported back through time, April exited the lift with Liara following closely behind. The researchers and marines stepped out, looking all around them. Unfolding itself, Module strode after April and Liara. After casting a critical eye at the pods, Kedar followed, leaving Peliar to dawdle, unable to take her eyes off the surroundings until one of the marines covering her, touched her gently on the arm when she failed to respond to his query. A disturbed look crossed her face for a moment before she joined the others at the silent terminal.

April didn't try to activate it. Various attempts to bring the terminal online had been tried by the previous expeditions and failed. Without main power, nothing in the facility could function. When they themselves had passed through eight years ago, Vigil had shut down after using the last of the power to pass on vital information. They didn't have time to explore, chasing Saren down was the priority. They had assumed there was nothing else beyond the protective rail that separate the passage from the wall. Not so for the teams that came after. They created access ways and maps when they surveyed the depths of the archives. There was more to that short passage than what April and Liara had seen previously.

Moving past the terminal, April led the others to the edge of the passage where part of the rail had sunk down, following a flight of stairs that spiralled downward. They descended, moving past the lower edge of the wall to an impressive and frightening view of the extent of the archive chamber below. Wall to wall pods that stretched across as wide as they could see and farther down. It seemed to vanish deep down into the bowels of the planet. A planet full of dead Protheans.

Never before in her life did Liara imagine she would see this. How excited she was at the discovery of Ilos. Her hopes that the Protheans had survived. Much of that anticipation had turned to sorrow at Vigil's revelation that all were dead. Through necessity, the VI was forced to systematically turned off power to sections of the cryogenic pods to ensure the most important personnel survived. As the years went by, more and more were shut down. When the Reapers finally departed, only twelve Prothean researchers were left.

Though she did not see everything in her first visit, Liara had thought the foundation of the archives was deep. Reaching far below the scorching arid reach of the sun. There had to be a lot more of the archives. She put her hypothesis in the report to the Council after the Battle of the Citadel. Now, faced with the sight before her, she could hardly find the words to describe how she felt.

Goddess, I should be pleased part of my hypothesis is correct.

April stepped down to another stairway hidden by a thick grove of roots that swirled from the roof to the lower depths. The stairs and rails looked solid. She stamped hard on the first step to be sure. Not a wobble. It felt as sturdy as the day it was built. The flight of stairs wound along the rock surface before cutting into it, bringing them down to a dim landing with four dark doorways.

The ancient script over the doorways had long since faded but there was fresh bold decal over the doorway heading east. Left behind by the previous expeditions as a marker of their exploration. That door led to a lengthy passage with numerous smaller rooms with mechanisms to load and retrieve the cryogenic pods along the upper corridor. That left three doors for them to explore. It would take months but luckily they had a shortcut. If it worked.

"Module?" April nodded to the Geth Prime whose optic perceptor flickered as everyone gathered loosely in a circle. A hologram appeared, almost a facsimile to Javik except that it was muted in green. It scrutinised its immediate environs before focusing on April, seeming to recognise her.

"Online. Current location unknown," it said.

"Vendetta, do you have any records pertaining to Ilos?" April queried.

"I do not have any data to the appellation Ilos."

The answer was not unexpected. Prior to transferring it over to Module, Hackett had run it through a gauntlet of queries in the hopes that it could provide some answers to the current crisis but apparently, Vendetta was created solely to warn and prepare races of future cycles against the Reapers. Geth were excellent hackers but Hackett was not about to take chances that the Illusive Man might have damaged the V.I. despite his successful attempt at breaking into it to get the information he wanted during the war. He hoped familiar surroundings might trigger a lead.

"What about bunker schematics?" April suggested as she mentally formed up the next question in the list. If Vendetta couldn't give them a starting point, they would have to randomly pick one of the passages and hope to get a break.

"Baseline diagrammatic is available."

She stared hard at it. That affirmation certainly did not conform with Admiral Hackett's report. That was one of the questions that was asked. Why did it answer as it did now? Did the surroundings trigger a memory key?

"What?"

"Bunkers are divided into..." Vendetta began, its form reforming into a holographic map.

"Wait," Liara interrupted, equally mystified by the breakthrough. "Why did you fail to provide this information to the previous user?"

"Previous users did not meet prerequisite protocols to access classified materials of designated sanctuaries."

Running on a hunch, April probed further. "Do I comply with those protocols?"

"You do. Alpha-hiero cadre recognised."

Alpha-hiero cadre what? Was she suddenly cast into some upper echelons in the social stratification of a long dead civilization? Why? How? She didn't remember doing anything to subsume into Prothean culture and she was sure Javik didn't put something on her in their initial contact.

"How do you recognise her?" The softly spoken question drew everyone's attention to Peliar who gazed intently at Vendetta.

"Avatar imprint verified on beacon activation in 2187 CE on planet Thessia."

"Avatar imprint?" Kedar echoed, eyelids drawn up as he looked curiously at April who remained silent.

2187 CE on Thessia. That would be during the Reaper War. It dawned on April Vendetta was referring to her activating the beacon at the temple of Athame. That brief disorientation must have been the moment when her mind was scanned. It found something. She had a good idea what it found.

"Transference of Avatar faculty is circumscribed with the Zardiene."

"Interesting as it is, that is not the purpose of our operation here," cut in April, not willing to find out exactly what were Zardiene or openly talked about the Cypher. The fewer people knew about that thing in her head, the better. She could feel Liara's desire to engage in further queries along that line but this wasn't the time. From the looks on Kedar and Peliar's faces, they were avidly curious but she wasn't going to enlighten them.

"Display basic structure of bunker and location of power core," she said, ignoring the stares from the researchers and the marines' curiosity.

"Bunkers are established in directional patterns conforming to the Riet and divided into two strata. The lower layer comprised of the command center in the north, storage to the east, habitat to the south and medical facilities to the west. Weapons and defensive facilities formed the upper layer. The power core is located beneath central operations."

"That's a funny place to put it," one of the marines muttered. "If something goes wrong, wouldn't a power core failure take out everything?"

"Maybe that's the idea," another mumbled.

"Within those specifications, no cryogenic facility," Kedar put in as he bent to peer closely at the displayed structural map of a bunker.

"Probably because this isn't a typical Prothean bunker." Crossing her arms, April frowned at the map. "Are there any other bunker models with cryogenic facilities."

"There are no currently no specifics for a cryogenic inclusive bunker." The hologram changed to a different map. "Second paradigm, research bunker. No change to upper strata. Laboratories in the next strata with centre operations below."

"What are those passages?" Liara pointed to the lines running beneath the facility, almost akin to the ones they were facing now.

"They connect to archives, freightage and testing grounds."

"Which passage leads to archives?" asked April. If there was a master plan for Prothean facilities, she was all for trying out the most viable choice. One of the passages lit up in response to her question.

"Direction?"

"Western passage." The map morphed back into Vendetta.

"Alright, we're heading that way," said April, pleased that they were getting somewhere. She plucked the rifle from her back and checked all was in order. The rest of the squad did the same.

"Program offline." Vendetta shut itself off once it determined it was not needed.

With no light sources, the passages were yawning mouths that invited the most prolific imaginations to do its worst. Switching on the small flashlight mounted on the rifle, April led the group through the western passage. With another five lights, including Module's eye, there was plenty of illumination to chase any shadows away. Measuring six by five metres, the passage was a uniform stretch of smooth walls as far as she could see. Given how long it had taken for the Mako to traverse down the bunker, she suspected they were in for a long hike.

Nothing's ever easy.

Hawking Eta

Although Verr was a small system and largely not populated, there was much potential in the natural sources of ore that could be mined from its paltry neighbourhood of three planets. Acquired by companies in 2183, industrial expansion in the system came to a halt when the Reapers arrived. Since then mining facilities had lain dormant, traffic nonexistent and the automated fueling stations at Allusah shut down. Undisturbed, the planets continued on their eternal circumvolution around the burning star until something appeared suddenly.

Against the backdrop of ebony sprinkled with bright tiny lights, the Systems Alliance frigate launched probes cautiously from the heliopause before entering the system hours later to make a systematic scan of every inch of space. The crew patiently and carefully sift through every bit of data, well aware of the significance of the mission they were on. Hence, the underground radiation emanating from Corang was noted and scrupulously investigated. It was then the inert shuttle in orbit of the planet was picked out. No transponder beacon was detected. An alarm was sounded.

Matching the orbit of the shuttle, the frigate edged as close as possible. The hangar bay door open. Towing cables attached to their belts, a small team of engineers and marines propelled themselves towards the shuttle. Stretching out their hands as they approached, the magnetic pads on their gauntlets and boots fastened to the hull of the shuttle and held them fast like leeches to skin. They slowly made their way to the cockpit, making sure they did not knock against the surface. Sensors had detected a life sign, they wanted to make sure there would be no hostile action.

After a cautious survey through the cockpit windows, the squad leader signalled to his men who quickly went to work. The cockpit was sealed off from the cargo compartment before it was detached, the tow cables were affixed and the cockpit was hauled into the hangar bay.

Thessia

Sanar watched the screens avidly. It was turning into an interesting simulation. The recruit company was making a credible offensive stance against the commandos. Employing strategically placed probes and rocket drones that provided substantial fire support, the recruits were forging forward and holding a strong attacking position in the ruins of a complex. What a difference it was, compared to the initial trial run. Part of it had to be the dressing down poured on Nyrine by Zelenia. Sanar herself was not present in that meeting but she knew from the dark angry heavy clouds that hung over Nyrine in the aftermath that it must be so.

Immediate on that dismal performance, Zelenia ordered that Shepard's recommendations be carried out to the letter. The Systems Alliance major who replaced Shepard was surprised at the meticulous pursuit of infantry tactics. He obviously thought he would have a difficult time convincing them to adapt the doctrine. With the groundwork laid, he only had to oversee the transition, that the recruits and officers adjusted and functioned smoothly. The result now highlighted Nyrine's deficiency and her deplorable behaviour towards Shepard spectacularly.

Shepard was patient and tolerant. First in being overruled numerous times on deployment procedures, weaponry and additional support to having to tolerate Nyrine's barely concealed acrimony. If Zelenia had been made cognizant of the problems, the matriarch would have put her foot down. Sanar knew that was not Shepard's way after observing her interactions with the recruits and officers. Since the matriarch had designated that Shepard was to work with Nyrine, the Systems Alliance captain would do it until it was no longer tolerable. Sanar doubted Nyrine was laboring under the misconception that Shepard was easy to push around. No, she was trying to see how far she could go. Why Nyrine was doing so, she had yet to discern the reason though there was but only one explanation. She was reluctant to hoist it on her superior.

Watching the progress over the shoulder of a soldier manning the live feed from probes stationed at the exercise zone, she thought it a pity Shepard was not there to see the improvements. The SA major who took over was good but he did not bother to try to build rapport with the trainees. Shepard had spoken to every member of the company, made an effort to know them. There were mutual exchanges such that the trainees understood what the SA captain was aiming for.

What the SA major did do when he arrived was to get Nyrine's hackles up by laying out exactly what he wanted done in a brusque manner. There was nothing like watching two forceful personalities clashed. The amount of fire in the room would have incinerated everything to ashes were it corporeal. He succeeded in gaining complete control of the company by going to Zelenia, marking the difference between him and Shepard. It was this reason that Nyrine was off colour and why she was sitting at the observation post with her instead of commanding that same company in the latest exercise.

Nyrine's blank face gave her no clue what was she thinking of at the moment. There was no rage in her eyes, only curiosity as she watched the performance. The SA major was doing a credible job, the recruits were doing better than they had before. Still, they were no match for the experienced commandos. Troopers who stepped that little bit out of that cover zone, straggled too far behind in the push into the complex or inattentive to their surroundings were picked off. The numbers were dropping but not by much. The major called a halt and appeared to be issuing orders.

Taking advantage of the lull, Sanar ventured to say, "It's going well."

She received a frosty look from Nyrine and an equally chilly reply. "Perhaps."

"You don't think so?"

"They're not at the victory point yet."

"You don't think they could?"

"There is little improvement."

Sanar wondered if Nyrine knew what she was saying. "How could that-," she flicked a finger over her shoulder at the screens behind her, "be a little improvement? They overran two positions."

"And lost how many?"

"Acceptable losses."

"There is no such thing as acceptable losses."

"To you, perhaps."

"Are you even one of us?"

Stumped, Sanar stared at Nyrine, feeling somehow they were not conversing on the same wavelength. There was a strange look to Nyrine's eyes, as if she was mentally elsewhere.

"Goddess!"

The shocked exclamation from the soldier interrupted whatever Sanar was going to say. Turning around, she saw nothing but the soldier's head was blocking out the viewscreen.

"What?" she demanded.

"The Alliance major..," the soldier moved, a stunned look on her face.

"What about the...," the words trailed off as Sanar stared at the screen. The human was down on the ground, parts of his hardsuit in shreds. The recruits were milling in confusion and she could see someone, a medic, bending over the human. "Oh no..," she said numbly.

What had happened?

Ilos

The energy bar brought back feelings of home. Strange but true. Dry and tasteless to many, it was ambrosia to April. From Peliar's expression, it probably tasted like sawdust. Kedar downed his share in a businesslike manner and was busy working away on his omni-tool. Taking a sip from her water bottle, she handed it to Liara who took a mouthful to wash down the last bite. Energy bars were no stranger to her bondmate, having had them for quick meals in her archaeological expeditions. Like her, she also savored the food.

Tipping her head back against the wall, April took a deep breath of the sweet air circling through the sealed tent, glad to be free of the recycled air of her hardsuit. Liara leaned against her, grateful for the rest. From the chronometer, they were walking for almost two hours through the passage. There were no doors no access vents. Nothing but smooth walls. Module had picked up a network of pipelines beneath and nothing else.

What do you think? {weariness}

Another half hour. If we don't come across anything new, we go back and come back tomorrow with some sort of transport.

The eastern passage has to be as long as this one. I do not believe for one moment the previous expedition made their exploration on foot.

Me either. I think we missed something up top.

April, what do you think Vendetta meant when it talked about memory imprint?

I really have no idea unless it's referring to the Cypher.

It has to be. It gives the impression that transference of memories from Prothean to Prothean was a common ritual among an elite group.

Did it? I don't have any recollection of anything. Don't ask me how I know to decipher Prothean messages because I don't understand it myself. It could be mistaking the Cypher for something else.

Yes it could. {pause} There is another point to consider.

What?

I do not think you can make a transfer of the Cypher to me, can you? You have no control over whatever it is.

No, I don't think so. Shiala can share the memory of it with you if you want.

That is not my point. We should try to understand more about this Cypher.

We have all the time to do it. {amusement} I think we should get moving. It's getting late.

Reading Liara's assent, April stood up. There was no argument when she announced they would continue on for another half hour. Everyone was tired but willing to try to see if they could reach the end of the passage. The portable air generator was shut down, the tent collapsed and packed up. They set off at a determined pace. Just when April was about to call it after half an hour, Module halted.

"Shaft," it announced. The tired air about the group suddenly electrified.

"Where?" asked April.

"Here." The Geth Prime knocked the wall beside it with its fist. Centuries of dust and grit fell off. It knocked more forcefully. That was when everyone heard the the hollow thud.

April stepped closer, examining the wall. "I see something."

She traced the barely seen gap. The doors to a lift? A control panel should be nearby. Module scraped at the wall, flicking away flakes of grit to expose the panel. The marine technician went to work. After an examination and testing of the circuitry, he jacked in the portable power cell he was carrying. Nothing happened for several minutes before they heard a faint hum. The doors open, the lights within spilling out brightly. They piled in, more than eager to see the end of that long stretch of empty passage.

The markings on the panel in the lift gave April pause. Instead of a single marking as there was in the lift that brought them down to Vigil's terminal, there were several. Her fingers hovered uncertainly before something clicked in her head and she touched an icon before she realised what she was doing. The lift descended swiftly

I hope we're going where we want to go.

Frowning, she tried to make sense of that recognition that flashed to her head. Did it read archives? Or something else? Silently, she berated herself, she should have thought about it rather than hit instinctively. The lift descended for what seemed like the longest time. Feeling her anxiety, Liara touched her arm.

It will be all right. There is nothing alive in the facility.

I know. I'm starting to feel less sure about the Cypher.

I am sorry I brought it up.

I would have thought about it sooner or later. But you're right. {sigh} I hope we're heading in the right direction.

A slight vertigo passed through them when the lift slowed. When the doors parted, nobody moved.

I think I made the wrong choice.