Chapter 5: Interlopers
Shepard and his squad disembarked from the Kodiak shuttle back aboard the Normandy. He had just arrived from a raid on a Blue Suns base on the planet Sanctum. The mercenaries were using false distress signals to lure merchant ships into traps to be attacked and captured. Shepard had made sure that the base would be cleared out efficiently by bringing Grunt once again along with Garrus and Zaeed. The raid was quick, brutal, and by the numbers. Spirits were high as the four of them proceeded from the Normandy hangar to a corridor that led to the engineering deck where they began to go their separate ways.
"Hah hah! Another victory Shepard!" exclaimed Grunt as he enthusiastically bashed his fists together, "I want more, hopefully you'll take us to the homeworld soon right?"
"I haven't forgotten what we talked about earlier Grunt don't worry." replied the commander.
"Good, battle helps me focus but sitting here I can take for only so long. I will be waiting for the next fight Shepard." said Grunt as left the group and proceeded to his quarters.
"Well, hopefully we can get that resolved soon." Garrus stated as he looked to Shepard.
"Me too, I think we'll put that next on our to do list." Shepard replied.
The commander then noticed that Zaeed had stopped at the entrance to the upper hall ahead of the two of them and was waiting. Based on his body language and the glances he was giving off, Zaeed was wanting to talk about something. Shepard looked to Garrus saying, "Go on ahead Garrus I'll catch up with you later."
Garrus looked and saw Zaeed, quickly picking up on the same vibes. He nodded to Shepard saying, "Ah, alright I'll be in the gun battery if you need me."
While Garrus moved on passed Zaeed to the elevator, Shepard walked over to the old merc as the mercenary pulled out a cigar from one of his packs and then lit it with an old fashioned lighter. As he put the lighter away the old war hound looked to the commander with the cigar in his mouth.
"Shepard." Zaeed said.
"Did you want to talk to me about something Zaeed?" asked Shepard.
Zaeed was quiet for a moment, looking like he was in thought thinking of words to say. He inhaled deeply on the cigar, its burning end glowing brightly before fading as he released a puff of smoke. He took the cigar in his right hand and looked Shepard square in the eye.
"...Something yeah. I've been doing some thinking the past few days. About what happened on Zorya."
"I remember...I nearly had to knock you out for that stunt you pulled at the gate." commented the commander frowning at the memory.
"Bah.. yeah...I'll admit, it was unprofessional. When I saw Vido again...I wanted nothing more than to rip that smug look off his damn face." Zaeed took another drag on his cigar, blowing out smoke. "I'm not apologising for what happened back there, but I will admit that when I thought about it...in the end you were right. A job done well means more work and money. If I let killing Vido blind me from doing the job I'm paid to do, I'll start to be seen as unreliable."
Shepard crossed his arms replying, "So this sudden clarity is more about your reputation than the fact you put innocent people in danger?"
"Just part of the business Shepard, you've been out here long enough to know that. Sometimes you gotta get dirty to finish the mission and do business with people that you wouldn't even bother with on any other day. Still, what I'm trying to say is that if we ever encounter Vido again, I won't let the bastard get in my head."
Shepard nodded approvingly, "Good, next time we ever find him I'm sure you'll make good on that."
"If we ever find him before the end of all this. Vido will no doubt go into hiding and I'll have to spend even more years tracking him down."
"Maybe, but who knows. Considering I have Cerberus resources for now and I know some people that I could put on Vido's trail you may not have to wait too long."
"...Well..that would be generous Shepard. But I wouldn't want you to put so much effort toward my business when you have a whole galaxy to save. Vido's my problem and I can sort it out myself, not that I don't appreciate the offer though." Zaeed took his cigar and tapped the end of it on the back plate of his left hand. He flicked the ash off as he began to leave the commander and head up the hall. He looked back saying, "I'm going to head back to my room, catch up on some vids. I'm sure Jessie's gotten lonely without me. Let me know when you need some more killing done Shepard."
Shepard decided it was time for the ship to get under way too as he proceeded to the elevator. After arriving at the CIC he checked his terminal for any messages before moving up to the galaxy map.
"So where to now commander?" asked Joker.
"I think it's time we get back on task with building our team. Set a course out of this system and back to Skepsis Joker, we're hitting the relay and moving on." Shepard ordered.
"Commander, I have just intercepted a distress signal coming from the edge of the system." alerted EDI.
"Wait what?" Joker asked surprised.
The commander looked at the signal's position on the galaxy map concerned, "Can you identify the ship?"
"Based upon preliminary sensor readings, the ship is an automated cargo transport. Whatever it is currently carrying is unknown due to an ablative hull absorbing my sensor sweeps. The ship's registry has also been scrubbed of any identification." stated EDI.
"Oh a mystery vessel! Sounds tempting but we don't REALLY have to get involved with this one right?" Joker asked tentatively.
"It's on the way out of the system Joker it shouldn't take long to check it out." Shepard reassured. Joker, however was clearly not convinced grimacing as he replied back.
"Yeaaah...I just have some real bad vibes with this one. Reminds me of those derelict ships we used to board in the old days. Full of husks and other messed up freaks just waiting for some poor sap to have a look. I mean it's a modern horror movie cliche at this point!"
"Still people could be in trouble or it might be something that would earn us some pay for assisting. If there's any kind of serious problem we can handle it, like you said it's not the first time." Shepard said adamantly.
Joker sighed, "Fine, just don't blame me when you find some eggs in there filled with parasites wanting to latch onto your face."
"You really need to cut back on some of those old horror movies." quipped the commander.
"Well there isn't much to do in the cockpit when you guys are having all the fun! It's either check out my vid list or talk to the floating orb that keeps mothering me."
Said floating orb replied, "I do not 'mother' you Mr. Moreau."
"Surrre you don't. That's why you also don't keep reminding me whenever I push the ship a little bit or don't constantly tell me things that I am well aware about." Joker shot back.
"I am merely offering advice and informing you of potential issues due to to your current actions." EDI flatly stated.
"See! You're just like my mother." Joker exclaimed.
Shepard saw this was getting nowhere and spoke up, "Focus people, we have a ship in distress, let's go check it out."
"All right, whatever you say commander. Don't say I didn't warn you." Joker began inputting the commands on his console as he shifted in his seat uncomfortable with the whole thing.
The Normandy quickly maneuvered into a docking position next to the derelict transport. A docking arm extended out from its port side and once connected began to initiate the airlock cycle. Shepard got on the comm to inform Garrus and Mordin that they would be coming with him on a possible search and rescue. After getting equipped with weapons, suits, and helmets from the armory the squad assembled at the door to the docking cradle.
"Airlock cycling complete. I have made connection with the transport's onboard systems. The distress signal is coming from the bridge and internal life support systems are off-line." EDI stated over the comm channels.
"Alright, helmets on people and check your suit seals." ordered Shepard, putting his helmet on as he begin to double check the seals on his N7 suit.
As the team prepared themselves for vacuum, Garrus couldn't help but be nostalgic. Checking the seals of his right arm the turian said, "Well this takes me back."
"Oh? How often have you and the commander done these operations?" Mordin inquired.
"Back in the old days quite a bit. Though to be honest I was never a fan of firefights in such close quarters." replied Garrus, checking on his armor's leg seals.
"Yeah, normally I would bring in Wrex for a mission like this. But this time it's not about killing bad guys, we're just here to figure out what went wrong." Shepard said, rolling his armored shoulders as he finished. Garrus glanced at the commander with a cocked carapace brow behind his helmet.
"Shepard... that's what you said the last time we did this."
EDI chimed in once more as the team completed their suit checks, "I do not detect any crew ID tags however I recommend caution for potential non-organic threats."
Shepard turned to the team and acknowledged her, "Will do EDI. Alright, this should be quick although to be sure I want Mordin to check the cargo for any kind of contamination or sabotage."
Mordin nodded in response, "Of course Shepard, ready when you are."
"Alright I'll move in first, I've got my cloak so I'll clear the front and motion you in." the commander said.
As an Infiltrator it only made sense for Shepard to recon ahead or play back to snipe as he often did with Garrus as his partner. They stepped in with the commander into the docking arm and when they reached the door to the transport it cycled open. Shepard activated his cloak and went in first grabbing his M-8 Avenger assault rifle and sweeping the entrance. When it was clear he reappeared on the far side and signaled the rest of his team forward. Garrus drew his Vindicator and moved to some cover in the room while Mordin did the same on the opposite side with his Tempest sub-machine gun drawn. They repeated the process several times and yet they found no trace of any threats. They advanced into the ship until they got into the cargo hold where they began to use their omni-tools to scan the cargo containers inside.
"Looks like the containers are shielded with the same ablative coating to absorb sensor readings." said Shepard as he turned his omni-tool off.
Garrus turned off his omni-tool as well and looked to Shepard, "Hmmm, doesn't make sense for a ship that's built for smuggling goods to suddenly want attention with a distress signal. Wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of trap waiting for us on that bridge...like a self-destruct sequence."
Shepard winced at the memory, "Don't remind me, the last time we barely got out. Though in this instance we don't exactly have omni-gel to force locks anymore."
"A shame about that but to be fair it was getting exploited way too much by criminal elements. I was honestly surprised it took IT security firms that long to deal with that work around." Garrus replied.
Mordin carefully opened one of the containers and found within extremely well cut chunks of raw platinum ore. He began his scans of the material and he soon noticed something slightly off about it.
"Curious..." said the salarian as he looked at the piece of ore in his gloved hand.
"What's up Mordin?" Shepard asked.
"A hunch...could be nothing. Could be significant will need more time and calibration of omni-tool to be certain." the salarian began said calibration of his holographic tool while it continued scanning. "Should go on ahead, finish the sweep."
Shepard turned to the salarian scientist and asked, "Are you sure you'll be fine here by yourself?"
"Of course, have handled such tasks countless times in STG. Continue on ahead Shepard, if I find something will let you know." said Mordin, focused on his task.
Shepard nodded and motioned Garrus to come with him to the bridge. Though things had been calm so far, experience and training had taught them otherwise. Once again Shepard scouted ahead using his cloak and cleared the hallways and nearby rooms. Still nothing, and after ten minutes of this they were now on either side of the door to the bridge ready to breach.
"Well, so far so good. I'm still calling a self-destruct sequence by the way." Garrus said jokingly as he took up the right side of the door.
"Sure, just don't say I told you so..." Shepard said slightly perturbed at the thought of another self destruct.
"I'll try not to but I can't make any promises." Garrus said smiling behind his helmet.
Shepard let out a slight sigh before he counted down with his free hand from five. When he made a fist they both breached the bridge at once. Only to find a normal bridge with two empty seats. The pair relaxed and Garrus moved to examine the bridge console and shut down the distress signal while Shepard called the Normandy.
"Shepard to Normandy, ship is cleared no contact."
"Acknowledged Commander Shepard." said EDI
Joker also chimed in over the comm channel saying, "Well...that's kinda disappointing. I was half hoping it would be a little more interesting than that."
"Real life tends to be that way Joker." replied Shepard.
Joker sighed disappointed at the lack of action, "I know, it sucks. Would have been at least a little fun if they were transporting some kind of alien contraband or experimental monsters or something."
Garrus was accessing the navigational computer of the ship when he responded, "Don't count out the mystery just yet."
"What is it Garrus?" asked Shepard.
"Look at this." Garrus showed the commander readings on his omni-tool while he worked on the console. Shepard only cocked an eyebrow, uncertain of what he was seeing.
"What exactly am I looking at?" he inquired.
"This is the code for the on-board navigation system. Once I identified the brand of the navigation suite I was able to cross-reference the normal coding of its brand with this one. Back in C-Sec one of the guys from IT showed me an omni-tool algorithim to sweep for junk data. Figured if it was sabotage I might find something here and lo and behold." Garrus' omni-tool scrolled through a bunch of coding before it finally highlighted certain segments in red. "Someone inserted junk code into the navigation suite that caused a system crash, putting the ship into standby mode which then activated its distress signal."
"Why would a stealth transport want to have a distress signal at all?" Shepard asked.
"The smugglers would obviously want some kind of insurance to make sure they can recover their cargo if they have to dump it or some kind of accident occurs. Normally the distress signal would be tuned to a frequency that only the smugglers would know about. But this one has been set to use a general frequency. Any ship passing close enough would have noticed it eventually." Garrus explained.
Shepard crossed his arms as he looked questioningly at the console before looking back to Garrus saying, "And it just happened to be us...hmph, coincidence?"
"Could be, otherwise that would mean someone has been watching us the entire time to be able to put this ship in the exact spot where they'd know we'd find it. Other than Cerberus I can't think of anyone being able to know our exact movements this precisely. Again, could just be a coincedence, but I don't know." said Garrus now slightly worried at the idea.
"Any logs or anything like that?" the commander asked.
"Let's see here." Garrus focused on his omni-tool for a quick moment before finding something.
"Ah hah...looks like an OSD was left in the drive... Looks encrypted but it's not too complicated. Even my omni-tool could crack it, though it will take a few minutes."
Suddenly Mordin reported over the comm, "Shepard, have found something. Need to see this."
"On my way Mordin." Shepard said as turned to head back to the cargo hold.
"Go on ahead Shepard, I'll catch up." Garrus said now working on the bridge's console to decrypt the OSD.
Shepard gave a nod to his friend and proceeded back to the cargo hold where he found Mordin examining a piece of ore from the container. It was a perfect cube of raw platinum about the size of a man's fist in the scientist's left hand. Scanning beams from the salarian's omni-tool were criss-crossing over it multiple times before it finally stopped and Mordin looked at his findings.
"As suspected...it was..too perfect."
"What do you mean Mordin?" Shepard asked as he came over to take a look at the raw ore.
"Most smuggling operations usually cut ore and gems with speed and expedience. This piece however... cut with incredible precision down to the molecular level, unusual for Terminus operation. When looked at more closely found this."
Mordin showed the commander a display on his omni-tool showing faint traces of what appeared to be some kind of unknown element. When it zoomed in it showed that some kind of microscopic robots were inside the piece of ore.
"What are they?" asked the commander.
"Nanomachines of some kind, possibly alien in origin unsure. Will need to bring sample back to Normandy for further analysis." Mordin said as he went over more images of the microscopic machines.
Shepard put his hands on his hips and asked with a worried tone, "Will they be dangerous? Last thing we need is some kind of microscopic robot infesting the ship."
"Will follow decontamination procedures, though not certain if they will be sufficient. But for now they are simply nestling in whatever crevice of the ore seems to suit them." Mordin replied still going over the data.
"No offense but I'm not taking any chances Mordin, finish with what you have and put it back. Make sure you don't bring any of those nanobots with you."
Mordin simply nodded in compliance though a part of him was disappointed. While Mordin was finishing his scan of the ore sample Garrus arrived in the cargo hold.
"Shepard! Got it decrypted, there was an audio message on the OSD take a listen." Garrus said as he activated his omni-tool and played said message.
"Okay...if you're hearing this then it means my plan worked and you're wondering what the hell is going on. My name is Vern Conner, engineering technician assigned to the Veridine colony. Coordinates to the colony will be on this disk as the colony itself is technically not registered with colonial affairs or any other similar agency. I don't have much time so...I'll sum it up as quickly as I can. A week ago...we were attacked and are currently being occupied by a race of alien machines. We don't know what they want or even what their plan for us is. Many of us have been either taken to what was once our processing facility and never returned, died in the colony's defense, or currently being forced to put on airs all is well. Whoever finds this, please help us, get in contact with the Alliance, the Council whoever will listen. These aliens won't just stop at Veridine, just get help as quickly as possible and stop them!"
"Just like the message said I've got the coordinates to the colony right here. We can leave as soon as possible, that is if you think we should pursue this. Though given that there are only two races of machines that we know of and the fact the engineer didn't mention Geth certainly rules them out. Leaving only one other option..." Garrus said soberly, Shepard knew exactly what his turian friend was implying.
He gave a thought for a moment as he took in what he just heard. The commander finally said, "We can certainly take a look, if the Reapers are involved in this in some way it definitely deserves our attention. Could still be a trap of course but it wouldn't be the first Reaper ambush I've gotten out of."
"You do know about the idea of tempting fate though right Shepard? We may run into a trap at some point we can't just shoot our way out of if we keep setting them off." Garrus replied, concerned at the prospect.
"Tempting fate and defying it has been our team's motto since the beginning. Besides we'll simply do recon first before we commit to anything serious. That and I want to be sure if I need to call in some favors on this one. In any case we're going to prepare this ship for demolition, I'm not going to allow any more spreading of these Reaper nanomachines around." Shepard figured if worse came to worse he may be able to get some discreet help from Admiral Hackett if it came down to it. Though it was a long shot he couldn't just let the Reapers have a potential foothold in the Terminus, not if he could help it.
"Curious..."
Veronakh sat in his throne within the chamber aboard the Teqyt taking in all the data his fellow lords had provided. Xamutet of course had only given the bare minimum, mainly troop numbers and general population figures with suggestions on attack plans. Of course all of them were more along the lines of head on assault. While he could appreciate Xamutet's consistency as well as his penchant for well coordinated attacks Veronakh simply wanted data to create a plan not suggestions. Solvatas however, had provided more data than he could have hoped, especially about the relay but he was greatly intrigued by the sleek vessel she spotted at the Franklin moon. He was now browsing the extranet once more, cross-referencing the data to what these lesser races foolishly reveal in their public domain of information. Solvatas communicated to Veronakh once more via their internal comm link from the Shuvat.
"What is curious Great One?" Solvatas inquired.
"Solvatas, are you aware of the ship you caught on your scans? The one designated...the Normandy?" asked Veronakh.
"No, should I be? I suspect it may have been a scouting vessel of another faction."
"Clearly sister you don't explore what the lesser races of this galaxy call the 'extranet'. It is the vessel of a very famous individual in this galaxy, the first human Spectre. They call him Commander Shepard, former Alliance marine of the N7 program. He apparently was not only the survivor of an alien attack which annihilated the entire force that he was a part of, but he also saved the entire galactic council from enemy forces."
"Why would that human be here brother?" she asked.
Veronakh ignored the question as he continued to browse the extranet wirelessly, "Strange... it seems their media reported he was killed a year after his victory over the Geth at the Citadel. Though reports now say that Shepard has resurfaced amidst a group called Cerberus and is looking into incidents of human colonies in the Terminus disappearing..."
"Would he really be onto our activities that quickly Great One? Not that I fear us being exposed but according to my projections it is still too early given our current ongoing deception." questioned Solvatas.
Veronakh cross referenced the data provided along with Shepard's biography answering, "As far as I can tell from your information along with his history, Shepard apparently fancies himself a hero. According to what I can find on the Spectres they are similar to those Imperial Inquisitors we encountered on occasion. Though it is possible he has caught onto our activities, it could be he is simply looking for enemies to destroy or... some other unknown objective." mused the Phaeron.
"Should I find his ship again and destroy it? The last thing we need is more exposure before we are ready." said Solvatas.
"No...I already have a plan for that eventuality should it come to it. In the meantime, the Teqyt's repairs will soon be complete and then the next stage will begin." replied Veronakh.
Solvatas slightly annoyed commented respectfully, "It would be nice to know what this next stage is Great One so that I and Xamutet can carry it out efficiently."
"I agree, though certain elements must come into focus first befor-" Veronakh detected the cessation of a signal from one of said elements in his plans before responding, "Well, well."
"Great One?" asked Solvatas.
"It would seem someone has taken my bait. Solvatas, engage silent running and stay close to the orbit of Veridine. Should our incoming guests attempt to flee, destroy them." ordered the Phaeron.
"Understood Great One." acknowledged Solvatas.
The Normandy arrived in the Altanar system moving at full speed. Shepard observed on the galaxy map the layout of the star system itself as the ship proceeded to its destination. Two gas giants known as Verok and Dogan made up the outer planets. They were about the size of Sol's Jupiter with gas clouds coloring the worlds in shades of purple and reddish yellow respectively. The third planet was Venus-like with a green house atmosphere called Turfor with dark grey clouds covering its surface. Past Turfor was their target Veridine, still a ways off but close enough to get a visual. The world's plant life had a brownish green hue that could be seen on its four continents as if it were fall on Earth. The south eastern continent was their target and they would get a good overview of the colony's site once the Normandy got into orbit. EDI announced over the comm to Shepard the ETA to their target.
"We will arrive at Veridine in fifteen minutes Commander."
"Understood EDI." Shepard then got on the comm sending a ship-wide message, "Miranda, Zaeed, and Mordin. Ready weapons and gear and meet me in the hangar in fifteen. We're going to be doing some reconnaissance."
Shepard than began typing into his omni-tool the various weapons and gear they would bring along for the mission and sent it to the team's omni-tools. When he was finished Garrus arrived from the elevator and approached the commander asking him, "So how does it look?"
The commander looked to his friend, "We're still a ways out but looks similar to what Earth would be in the fall. If you mean the colony it's on the other side of the planet facing away from us, so we'll have to wait a few minutes."
Garrus nodded, "Ah, you're sure you don't need me on this one?"
"I've got this Garrus, figured you could use a break to catch up on your calibrations. I don't want to overuse your talents." said Shepard smiling.
Garrus shook his head, "I think you're giving me too much credit Shepard."
"No I'm not, I keep telling you to stop putting yourself down, you're one of the best squad leaders we've got. For now, while Miranda and I are down there, you'll be in command of the Normandy."
Garrus was taken a little aback at the decision and began to protest, "Command? Me? I...Shepard that's a quite a bit of responsibility to drop on me all of a sudden."
"Relax, its only temporary and even then I mostly just need you to keep an eye on things from up here." Shepard reassured.
Joker looked back from his seat and added his own two cents, "You'll be fine Garrus, besides at least you're not stuck in the cargo hold like last time and hey, you'll get a nice bird's eye view of all the crazy shit going down!"
"Heh, well..." Garrus sighed, "I appreciate your confidence in me Shepard but I feel its a bit too soon."
"I know you do and I'm not asking you to do ship maneuvers or anything like that. I know what happened on Omega is still fresh for you. But I know with enough time and small steps you'll be able to... "get back on the horse again" to quote an old American saying."
Garrus let out another resigned sigh before replying, "...Okay, I can do that at least."
"That's all I ask, anyway I am going to gear up and meet with the others."
Shepard stepped off the command platform overlooking the galaxy map and started heading towards the armory with Garrus following along. They found Jacob Taylor waiting for them preparing all the gear that was requested for the operation.
"Alright Commander, take your pick." said Jacob with a smile.
Shepard took up his Viper sniper rifle and an M-8 Avenger with a backup Carnifex pistol. He laid them off to the side on another table before grabbing his N7 suit pieces and putting them on. As the commander put on his boots and leggings Garrus began asking questions.
"So why this team setup if I may ask?"
"It's simple, Miranda is biotics support, Zaeed will act as backup sharpshooter as well as demolitions, Mordin will be medical and I'm recon of course." Shepard said as he was working on his armored leggings.
"Demolitions for a recon op?" Garrus asked, his plated brow raised.
"You never know when you need to blast through a wall to get out of a trap, not to mention if there's a target of opportunity. Mordin can provide medical aid for any civilians we run across if its as bad as the message says." explained Shepard as he was getting his armored chest piece on.
Shepard finished putting on his armor though he still held onto his recon hood in his left hand after he attached the firarms to the back. He moved back to the CIC with Garrus as the ship arrived in orbit over their target. The planet took up the galaxy map's screen and then zoomed on the south eastern portion of the continent. It zoomed in once more to show the sleek white residentual structures of a typical colony in it's beginning stages.
"We are now in orbit over the colony's current position. Insurance information I could acquire about the site mentions a meteoroid strike which caused multiple fatalities and damage to facilities, forcing the owners to move to this location." EDI reported.
"Do a sweep over the colony's previous location EDI." ordered the commander.
EDI launched a probe to do a quick flyby over the colony's previous position. What the two saw on the galaxy map began to alarm them. The site had obsidian pyramid structures dotting across what used to be the residential sector. Unknown weapon systems were installed throughout the area aiming skyward. What was once the processing facility was now remade into a larger pyramid and to the east of the site appeared to be a docking arm connected to a ship of incredible size. The dark bug like vessel was calculated to be at least twenty eight hundred meters long.
"Spirits..." Garrus said, his mouth agape at what he was seeing. Shepard voiced the same sentiment.
"You're telling me..."
The elevator then opened up and Miranda in her light combat gear with eye piece stepped into the CIC a bit incensed apparently at her commander's tardiness, "Shepard what is taking you so...long?"
Miranda stood there just as mesmerized at the ship on the galaxy map's screen as the others. The sheer size of the vessel, intimidating all three of them. Shepard finally spoke up after taking it all in.
"Is that a Reaper EDI?"
EDI took only a few seconds to respond, "Unknown, it's hull and weapon systems are unlike anything we have seen with previous encounters against Sovereign. However, the possibilities of differing Reaper configurations cannot be ruled out."
"You're sure about going down there Shepard?" Garrus asked, now seriously concerned.
The commander's face turned serious upon hearing the question, but there was no doubt in his mind. "Someone has to, if there's any way we can save people down there we have to at least try. Like I said, we'll see what we can find out about this Reaper operation and what they're up to. If it gets to be too much we pull out and call for reinforcements if possible."
Miranda crossed her arms and voiced her own concerns, "Will reinforcements even be enough Shepard? It took an entire Alliance fleet just to take down Sovereign and according to your theory that was only due to Sovereign's consciousness being defeated while within Saren."
"Yeah and I'm not sure they can all be beaten that way...would be nice if it was the case. Still, we have to try...if we don't then the whole galaxy will pay the price." Shepard put on his recon hood and turned to the elevator resolute in his choice to go into the belly of the beast.
"Let's go Miranda." Shepard said as he passed by her to the elevator.
Miranda looked back to the view of the alien ship one more time with a slight grimace at the sight before she closed her eyes and turned back to the elevator to go with Shepard. The decision had been made and there was no going back now.