Ilos
Prothean Settlement
Images of the past flashed before April's eyes. Mound after mound of corpses along the hive corridors of the Collector ship. Carpet after carpet of bodies in the ruins of London, the Citadel. They had lain like broken shattered dolls flung onto garbage dumps. The overwhelming stench of burnt and putrid bodies on the Citadel floated in her nostrils before the present asserted itself. The darkness seemed to press in, as if waiting to swallow up the small group. It was not the cause of their hesitation however. What held them fast was the sight of corpses, laid out in rows on either side of the hall beyond, as far as they could see in the field of light cast by their flashlights.
"Why are they here?" one of the marines muttered in puzzlement at the back of the group.
April wondered the same thing too. The Protheans who had once lived and worked on Ilos were supposed to be tucked away in their cryo pods, not laid out in the open.
"Let's find out," she said, looking at the bodies nearest to the lift as she stepped out cautiously.
The bodies were skeletal with dried skin stretched over sharply defined bones. Eyes sunk deep in skulls. Dusty petrified clothing clung to them like shrouds. From the shape of the head, the remains were undeniably Prothean or at least belonging to the master race. Why weren't they in cyrogenic pods? Were there not enough pods? If so, did these Protheans choose to die and lay themselves out here?
"Air is dry. These bodies have not disintegrated," April observed.
She checked the atmosphere reading displayed on her helmet visor. Minus two degree celsius. Sharp incisors of bared teeth gleamed in the light. Javik's teeth were as sharp, she remembered. It gave him a somewhat vampirish look. With such sharp dentition below four slightly slanted forward compound eyes, he was the epitome of the elite predator. Perhaps that was why the Protheans were able to build an empire fifty thousand years ago.
"Possibilities many," Kedar said as he examined the bodies at the other side.
He knelt down to take a close scan with his omni-tool. Peliar moved slowly ahead of April, taking her own scans. The marines paid no attention to the researchers. They stood away from the bodies, their focus on the surroundings. The tech marine detached the portable cell and stepped out of the lift. The doors remained open though the lights within dimmed slowly before dying away. Module slowly tread down the path between the bodies, its head swinging side to side, taking in the scene. April wondered what it was thinking.
Liara looked all around as she walked slowly down the hall. There was a feeling of immense space to the place. Perhaps it was an assembly hall. Other than the corpses, there was nothing else she could discern except a large round hatch at the far end. She looked up, the visor of her helmet automatically switching visual modes to compensate for the lack of illumination. The ceiling was vaulted high, with murals running down the length of the hall. She was certain there were stories to be found in those murals but they would have to be examined later. She looked down at the corpses.
April could feel the tinge of distress beneath her bondmate's professional veneer. There was something else too she couldn't put a finger on. A remote emotional burn of sorrow, infused with anger. It was fuzzy, as if it was dampened by something. She wasn't sure if it belonged to Liara or something else. If the feelings didn't belong to her bondmate then something else was at work. She hoped it didn't have anything to do with the Cypher. It had helped her to understand Prothean and operate terminals. All the encounters were unemotional events. It should not be acting abnormally. Shaking her head to get rid of her misgivings, she firmly focused on the matter at hand.
"What do you make of this?" she asked Liara.
"I think this could be an assembly hall." Without taking her eyes from the bodies, Liara paused to look more closely at the specimen before her. "There are easily hundreds in here."
"And they turned it into a mausoleum?" A shiver passed through April as images of countless piles of bodies in various cities flashed before her again. "That's not making any sense."
"Look." Liara pointed to the corpse in front of them and the next. "There is order and ceremonial purpose in the way they are laid out. The position of the hands. This one has hands crossed over the chest, the other has only one hand placed in the same position, the other is held by its side. The rows at the back all have the same arrangements."
"If they had the time to lay them out like this, why didn't they bury them? It couldn't possibly be-," the shuffle of quick footsteps interrupted April. She turned. "What is it, Kedar?"
"Determine time of death, more readings needed," the Salarian said as he marched by, stooping quickly to take readings before jogging farther down the hall. Peliar glided by like a ghost.
Turning back to Liara, April picked up where she left off. "So the hand placements meant something?"
"It could be rank, or perhaps gender." Liara moved down the row.
Body after body, it was the same. Who were they? Why were they here? How did they die? If they could get Vigil online, perhaps it could provide some answers to the mystery.
"They're dressed differently from Javik," April noted. "Civilians?"
"It is possible, Javik was-."
An excited shout interrupted her. They both looked up to see Kedar waving at them at the midpoint of the hall. Module and Peliar stood nearby, seeming to be discussing whatever it was they were looking at with great interest. What got him so worked up? As they jogged towards him, April noted the hatch at the end of the hall and wondered what other surprises lay beyond. More bodies? Sure, why not? This place was practically a tomb to the fallen.
"Different, these are." Kedar waved at the bodies beneath his feet when they reached him. Looking at them, April realized they did not have that distinctive oval flare around the head. Rather, they were round, humanoid like.
Liara was astonished. "Their hands, there are five fingers. They are clasped on the midriff and their clothing are less elaborate, much more simple."
"These could be the other races Javik spoke of," April said. "The ones the Protheans subjugated and absorbed into their empire."
"Never seen before, new species, yes." Kedar nodded eagerly, omni-tool flaring as he worked rapidly. Here was something he could hardly wait to investigate, an opportunity of a window into the past. There was much he could uncover, perhaps new medical discoveries. "Also, approximate calculation from rate of decomposition-," he took a deep breath, blinking for a moment as the others waited. "All died, at once."
"What?" one of the marines blurted before another quietly kicked him in the shin for speaking out of turn once too often.
"All of them died at the same time?"
Knitting her brows, April tried to work out a plausible scenario. While Vigil admitted to shutting down cryo pods section by section as power dwindled, it did not say anything about any incident where Protheans were killed en masse anywhere else in the archives. Did this happen after the place was shut down? The reason why it didn't know? But it didn't make any sense. Vigil was the custodian, it was impossible it would not know. Unless someone took it off line during the event and caused it to ignore the incident.
"Within the same period." Peliar nodded in agreement. "The manner of their deaths requires more in-depth investigation."
"Which isn't the priority at the moment," April said firmly, shaking her head when Peliar made to protest. "Let's move on."
She strode to the round hatch, hearing Module's tread behind her. The Geth Prime was silent all the while, absorbing everything it saw and heard. What conclusion would it have reached? She hunted for the control panel but could see none. Placing a hand on the door, Module's head swivelled to scan the hatch as the rest gathered behind it.
"Hermetically sealed," it said.
April cogitated silently on that piece of information.
"If control beyond door, cannot forward move," Kedar said without looking up from his omni-tool.
"There has to be an access panel somewhere." Looking at the wall next to her, April began to search. "Liara, you check the other side."
The rows of bodies ran right up to the wall so April stepped carefully into the small spaces between each corpse. She kept a gauntleted hand on the wall as she searched visually. Something pricked at the back of her mind when she was halfway to the end as her hand detected the slight depression. She pressed down.
"I found it," she called as a section of wall slide aside to reveal a control panel. "Get that portable cell over here," she called to the tech marine who jumped to immediately. "Careful," she said sharply when he stumbled, nearly falling headlong onto the bodies.
Stay there. Frowning in concentration, she thought at Liara who was about to follow and was gratified when she halted. I guess it really work the way she said it does.
Neither noticed the interest in Peliar as she glanced from her to Liara.
"Sorry, sir," the tech said when he reached her and went to work.
The console lit up. Scripts April recognised as Prothean appeared on the screen. Resisting the urge to clap a hand to her head, she stared at the script on the haptic display and keyboard and felt somewhat foolish when nothing happened for a few minutes. Ignoring the gaze of the tech and the others, she wondered if the Cypher was failing somehow.
Don't quit on me now. I need to get past that door.
As if in response to her annoyance, her vision blurred before clearing. Her head felt slightly heavy.
Containment protocols complete. Emergency vent complete.
Her blood went cold at the implications of that message.
Clearly feeling her distrait, Liara took a step forward, intending to join her. "April, what is it?"
"Stay there," April rasped, lifting hands that felt heavy and reached for the keys. No longer knowing what she was doing, she let whatever it was that had guided her before direct her fingers on the keyboard. New messages appeared.
Containment protocols cancelled. Unable to reestablish optimum environmental levels. Disconnection at central. Input required.
The requirement for a code to open the hatch didn't faze her, her hands moved smoothly without hesitation.
Identity confirmed. Irzik Pythan, First Arzentiene Order.
Who? Movement from the round hatch distracted her. A series of metallic clanking resounded as unseen bolts withdrew. The hatch hissed, lifting slightly before rolling aside. There was not a sound from the group standing at the doorway. With the tech behind her, she made her way back to them and saw at once why.
Unlike the bodies in the hall, the ones beyond lay haphazardly. As if caught by surprise when death overtook them. Several were piled at the doorway, mouths opened in frozen rictus, their faces full of fear. Arms and hands were outstretched, clawing in vain at the hatch to get it to open? Or imploring for help? Several were curled up, others lay prone with hands to their necks, a few looked like they were caught in the midst of fighting. One in particular, caught her eye. It was crouched down, leaning against the far wall, hands on its bent head, as if in despair. Beyond any doubt, they had not gone peacefully.
"I think ... we should call it," she said, allowing weariness to swamp her.
Thessia
Kelice Military Academy
"Do you know the mess we are in?"
"I'm sorry, I went over the vids, there is nothing that clearly defined what had happened at the site," Nyrine said woodenly, staring at a spot between a glaring Zelenia and the desk.
Behind her, Sanar held her tongue. How long was Nyrine going to keep up with her obdurate responses? Couldn't she see Zelenia was on the verge of an explosion? For the umpteenth time, she wondered at the motivations behind Nyrine's behaviour.
"It is most convenient that the vidcorder for that zone went off line, don't you think?"
"I do not know it is a convenience."
"Captain Rylaer!"
For a moment, Sanar though Zelenia was going to throw Nyrine up against the wall when her biotics flared, turning her sky blue eyes silvery. It was rare to see a matriarch of Zelenia's rank lose her cool. She was not sure she ought not to get herself out of that room. With years of experience at their fingertips, most matriarchs were at the pinnacle of their chosen avocation. Those who served in the military were said to be the most formidable and most dangerous. Adepts. Though she had never heard of anyone getting flattened for crossing a Izharia, Nyrine was bidding fair to be the first one.
As quickly as the biotics was triggered, it died down as fast.
"You are dismissed, captain. From now on, Lt T'Enaire will assume responsibility for the recruits."
Without a word, Nyrine turned. Sanar saw the brewing fury in her eyes as she walked past. For once, she wished she knew Nyrine better but they were both from different republics and did not cross each other's paths until after the Reaper War when they were assigned to aid Zelenia in overseeing the newly setup academy. From the beginning, Nyrine was somewhat approachable though she offered little information about herself but she was at least affable to training suggestions. Right up until Shepard arrived on the scene which coincidentally, was when the news broke about the proposed campaign. So which of the two did Nyrine most object to? Or was it both? Her musings vanished when Zelenia spoke to her.
"The Systems Alliance is sending a team to investigate the incident. I want you to aid them in every way you can."
"It will be difficult," she offered tentatively. "With no footage to see the chain of events, the commander's hardsuit monitors destroyed, the only line of investigation is the company that participated in the exercise. Since their attention was on their assigned duties, they may not have much information to offer to shed any light on what had happened."
"I've yet to see a criminal commit the perfect crime. To create mischief of this magnitude, there is a trail." Ice dripped in Zelenia's tone. "Wring them dry. With every means you have."
"I understand." Sanar dipped her head in acknowledgement, inwardly shaken by that directive. Did Zelenia really want her to go that far? "We should be glad it was not Shepard," she dared to venture.
"Goddess." Closing her eyes, Zelenia rubbed at her brow. "I dare not imagine the backlash if it were her. It is an unbearable burden that will bury us all. The perpetrators know this which is why they chose to strike at her replacement."
Sanar nodded in agreement. "Would the projected dateline for the campaign remain the same?"
At that reminder, a stubborn glint lit Zelenia's eyes. "Yes, there is no change. I will not allow the blind foolishness of a few remove the future we have been striving for."
Sanar couldn't agree more. "Yes, Izharia. If there is nothing else?"
"Sanar, be extremely careful," Zelenia added before she could withdraw. "Goddess watch over you."
"Goddess watch over us all, Izharia Vantios."
Ilos
Expedition HQ
The trek back was moody, bleak and silent. No one was in any mood to talk. Peliar looked visibly off shade and ill. Kedar ceased all his incessant scanning, his footsteps slow and plodding. Though Liara made no objections to riding the hovercycle, too distracted with what they had discovered below in the lower archives, the ride back to the lift platform failed to lift April's spirits. Observing the pall over everyone, Module kept its peace.
The lights within the decontamination chamber seemed too bright. Closing her eyes, Liara tried to push the images away. Coming across dead bodies were run of the mill in her line of work. Despite the countless numbers she saw in her missions with the squad from since Saren to the Reaper War, she was not immune to the stark despair and desperation in those dead faces. She was not sure she wanted to go back down there.
I am tired. A long rest would be good. She hoped. Her mood picked up when the V.I. announced the decontamination cycle complete.
With sighs of relief, the group removed helmets and breather masks once they were allowed through to the corridor of the base. The marines trudged off to a well deserved rest with Peliar not far behind. Hesitating for a moment, Kedar shook his head and chose to follow. Module elected to get itself to operations. Checking the chronometer on her omni-tool, April realized they were away for over twelve hours. She caught hold of Liara as she leaned against her.
Come on love, let's get you to bed.
"Captain?" came an unwanted intrusion behind them.
Biting off an expletive, April took a moment to rein in her fury and tiredness before she snapped at Ulros. She looked over her shoulder. "Yes, lieutenant?"
"Priority message from Captain Dorrin, " he said apologetically, wishing he could hold off the missive for he could see they were exhausted. "Your presence is requested onboard the Glasgow. A shuttle is already prepped."
Great. Just great. {exasperation}
I am coming with you.
Bad idea, you're exhausted.
So are you. Let us just go, we can rest on the shuttle.
Alright. {reluctance} I don't have the energy to argue anyway.
"Inform captain Dorrin we're on our way," said April.
She waved aside whatever else Ulros was about to say and sealed her helmet. She made sure Liara had her helmet on before stomping for the exit that would lead them to the surface. Impatience built as they cycled through the airlock and then out to the shuttle. Ulros must have warned the pilot to be on the mark because hardly had they buckled in that the hatch was shut and the shuttle airborne.
Blanking her mind, April leaned back. Thinking was too much work. At the moment, she did not want to think. She only wanted to feel Liara's comforting presence beside her. Knowing Liara was in empathy, she chose to share images of a planet she visited in one of many groundpounding missions in the early years though she could not recall the name. Fields of flowers, golden ripen crops spread across farmlands, waiting to be harvested. White sands along blue waters, blue sky, with small creatures flitting about in the wind, bright frills scintillating in the sunlight.
That is beautiful. {peaceful sigh}
Sure would love to go to the beach someday with you. {image of a naked Liara lolling on the sand, her only attire a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose}
Benezia would sometimes bring me to the shores of Drisa but she did not give me sunglasses. {amusement}
Damn, not the reaction I was looking for. {disappointment}
What? {puzzlement} Oh {laughter} April, you are forgetting Asari have no inhibition against nudity. At least, on Thessia.
I guess I have to chuck out a lot of jokes where the Asari are concerned.
Do share.
I'd better not. They're mostly oriented on earthy women actually.
I am not earthy? {pout}
You're not earthy. {agreement} You're a goddess. {reverently}
Ouch!
Forgetting they had helmets on, April knocked into her bondmate instead of kissing her as she intended. Both dissolved into laughter that turned slightly hysterical. They felt the better for it. It relieved them of the dark moods. They were in a lighter frame of mind when they reached the Glasgow. The XO directed them to Dorrin's cabin instead of CIC. Glad to free their faces to breathable air, they took their time to get to the upper decks. The marine sentry outside Dorrin's day cabin notified the captain of their presence when he saw them.
"So how did it go?" was Dorrin's question once the they were admitted into the cabin. Bigger than the usual officer's billet but less luxuriously outfitted than the loft on the Normandy.
Exchanging a glance with Liara, April decided revelations could be put off at a later date. They had not, after all, discovered their objective.
"We found what might be the entrance to the operational centre. The trek was long so we decided to put off further exploration until tomorrow," she said. "What's the big news you have to share?"
"Six hours ago, one of the frigates from the 71st picked up an anomalous reading from Corang in the Verr System. An unpowered shuttle was recovered from orbit around the planet. There was one lone human on board."
"And?" April said impatiently when Dorrin hesitated. "Is he Cerberus?"
"He's wearing Cerberus armor but-," he hesitated.
"Come on, Dorrin, spit it out," April sighed. "I've had a long day."
"I guess this will cap it." He hit a key on the console on his desk and turned it around so they could look at the screen.
The image was that of a man lying on a medbed, the sheets drawn up over his chest. His face was pale and waxy, rivulets of sweat running down from a close cropped head. His eyes were staring at something they could not see, his teeth clenched. He opened his mouth to roar something as he strained against the restraining straps. Since the sound was disabled, they couldn't hear what he was shouting.
"He looks sick," Liara observed.
"He is." Dorrin never took his eyes off April. "Do you recognise him?"
"Should I?" April was not sure what Dorrin was trying to tell her although admittedly, the man did look somewhat familiar. A memory nudged at her.
"Try," he said without humour and watched as April bent, concentrating intensely.
A vague memory floated to the fore. A young fellow, sweating, seated before a console. The man blinked and his lips trembled in a manner she remembered.
"Shit!"