Shepard called everyone to the conference room. She explained: "This is Terra Nova, one of our colonies. Recently, they were moving an asteroid closer for mining. But now everyone on that asteroid has gone silent and it is on a collision course with Terra Nova. We are going to find out what is going on in there."
Ten minutes later Shepard, Liara and Vrik entered the MAKO and dropped off onto the asteroid.
There were three fusion torches propelling the asteroid. Surrounding the control building for the first torch, was a number of turrets that had been re-programmed to fire at them. WIth the MAKO they were able to destroy them and entered the building.
As they opened a door, they were met with four-eyed aliens and some varren.
"Batarians...", Shepard said.
The batarians readied their weapons and the leader yelled: "Release the varren!"
The batarians ran to cover while the three varren began to charge at Shepard and the others.
One of the varren charged right at Vrik. He fired his Grandhorn twice, literally nailing the varren to the floor. Shepard sniped the second varren and Liara threw the third back with a powerful biotic throw.
The batarians opened fire on the trio. Their shields took the hits. Vrik cloaked and moved behind them, while Liara lifted two up which Shepard had an easy time sniping. Once behind the batarians, Vrik ignited his sabers and began to cut them down. After dealing with the batarians, they entered the control room and shut down the fusion torch.
"I'm reading one of the torches shut down", a voice quietly said on their comms "Was that you? an you hear me?"
"I hear you. What's going on? Who are you?", Shepard asked.
"My name's Kate Bowman. I was part of the team assigned to bring this asteroid to Terra Nova. We were attacked by batarian extremists. I've been hiding ever since. I think they know the torch went out."
"What do they want?"
"I don't know, but if this asteroid isn't slowed, millions on Terra Nova are going to die. If I find anything I'll- I got to go. Good luck."
.
As Shepard and the others were ready to exit the building, they ran into a man.
"Hey.", Shepard called.
The man turned around and shot Shepard. Her shields took the hit.
The man was slightly panicking and said: "I didn't mean to... Are you hurt?"
"Don't worry about me", Shepard said.
"Sorry. I didn't realize you were human until... well. Guess I'm not much of a soldier."
"Just be more careful next time. I'm here to help. Commander Shepard, with the Alliance."
"Simon Atwell. I'm the chief engineer on this rock. We don't have much time. The batarians fired up the fusion torches. You've got to shut down them before we hit Terra Nova! There are four million people down there!"
"I understand the situation", Shepard said.
"Before you go, you should know; one of the torches is surrounded by live blasting caps. We were set to excavate when we arrived. That tank of yours will set them off, so you'll have to go on foot. Even then they will explode if you get too close. Go slow and easy and you should be fine.
"Time's running short. we better get moving.", Shepard noted.
"I better make myself scarce in case more batarians show up", Simon said and left.
.
They exited the building and entered the MAKO. They reached the second torch and noticed the blasting caps surrounding the control building. They have to proceed on foot. Three batarians appeared from behind some boxes. Shepard and the others quickly dispatched them.
In the second building they encountered more batarians and some drones. Shepard and Liara dealt with the batarians while Vrik focused on the drones with his Thunderbolt.
They shut down the second fusion torch.
Kate Bowman called over the comms: "You've really pissed them off now; Their leader is planting charges everywhere. I think he wants to blow up this facility."
"Get away from there!", a new voice called. Shepard recognised it belonging to a batarian.
"Damn. They're busted.", Shepard said to Liara and Vrik.
"Then we better disable the third torch and find them", Vrik said.
"Let's go."
.
They entered the MAKO and made their way to the third torch, which was once again protected by re-programmed turrets. Once inside, they encountered more batarians and some varren. The varren charged at Vrik, who raised his hand; red fire-like energy surrounded his hand. The varren were stopped and lifted into the air. Vrik made a pushing motion with this hand; the varren were literally launched at a wall. He then fired his Grandhorn, pinning them into the wall. Meanwhile Shepard and Liara shot the batarians.
After shutting down the third torch, they ran into some more batarians downstairs; these batarians didn't attack, however. Instead their leader said: "Hold it right there. This doesn't have to end in bloodshed."
Shepard walked closer, prompting the leader to say: "Don't come any closer. We can do this peacefully. Or not."
"I didn't know you batarians knew the meaning of the word.", Shepard responded.
"Hijacking this rock wasn't my idea. I signed on to make some credits, a quick slave grab."
"This isn't just a 'slave grab' anymore. Millions are going to die."
"Don't you think I know that. If it were up to me we would have already left."
"well, it IS up to you."
"Balak wants you dead. And anything Balak wants, he gets."
"Let me at him and I'll deal with him"
The leader pondered this for a while then said:
"Don't underestimate him; he's a mean bastard. He's holed up in the command center. You need this to get in.", he handed Shepard a keycard.
"Let's hope you're as good as your word."
"Better.", Shepard said.
.
They exited the building and made their way to the command centre. It was also protected by re-programmed turrets. After disabling them, they entered.
After climbing some stairs, Vrik noticed people seemingly locked in a small room.
"Hostages, probably", Vrik said to Shepard.
"See if you can get them out, meanwhile we're going to find Balak.", Shepard responded.
Vrik cloaked and made his way to the door of the small room. He noticed what looked like a bomb on the floor. He decloaked and asked: "Are you unharmed?"
"Yes", Kate Bowman said quietly. "But the door is locked and there's a bomb here."
"Stand back.", Vrik warned and ignited one of his sabers. He cut a hole in the door, letting them out. "Stay hidden, there is still danger out here", he said after they were out. He then cloaked again and went to look for Shepard and Liara.
Meanwhile Shepard and Liara continued onwards to the other side where they finally met Balak.
"You humans", Balak started. "You're almost more trouble than you're worth."
"A lot more", Shepard responded. "Stand down and maybe you'll get to explain yourself to the Council"
"I don't answer to the Council! Or to you." After a moment Balak continued:
"I'm leaving this rock. Try to stop me and I'll kill your little helper and her friends."
At this point Vrik decloaked, standing next to Shepard.
Upon seeing him, Balak exclaimed: "You! Human! What have you done?"
"I freed the hostages. Is this.. a problem to you?", Vrik asked.
"Damn you! I'll kill you all, I- ", At this point Vrik raised his hand and curled his fingers, like he was gripping onto something. Red energy surrounded his hand. Balak was lifted off the floor, choking, with his hands around his throat; the same red energy surrounded his throat.
"I do doubt you will be doing anything without our permission", Vrik said to Balak
"Y-, I-, W-, A-, Y-", Balak tried to speak but he wasn't able to.
Shepard noticed the air began to grow colder around Vrik.
With a look of utter contempt, with his free hand, Vrik aimed his spinfusor at Balak.
"Don't", Shepard said.
"Are you certain?", Vrik asked.
"Killing him would be the easy way out for him, we'll turn him in. He gets to spend some quality time locked away."
After a moment, Vrik lowered his spinfusor and slightly tightened his grip on Balak, causing him to fall unconscious. He then released his grip on Balak; Balak fell to the floor.
Shepard looked at Vrik, who explained: "He is alive, but unconscious."
"Good, makes it easy to turn him in."
They dragged Balak downstairs to the entrance, where they ran into Kate and Simon.
Simon said: "You.. You got him. And you managed to save Kate"
"It was no problem.", Vrik said.
"Just doing our job", Shepard said. "We'll turn him in, he won't get away with this."
"Thank you, Shepard", Simon said.
"And thank you too for saving us", Kate said to Vrik, who gave her a small nod.
"I ran the numbers; X57 would have landed right on the capital city; you didn't just save us, you saved the whole planet, Shepard."
"We were glad to help.", Shepard said.
.
They returned to the Normandy and turned Balak over to the Alliance.
After setting their course to Feros, Shepard went to see Dr. Chakwas who had asked to see her.
"Is everything all right", Shepard asked.
"Should be", Chakwas said. "The team is fine, but I'm worried about one of them. Vrik."
"What about him?"
"He hasn't checked in once, even for a standard check-up like the others have."
"Maybe he thinks it's a waste of time. He's been with us on a couple of missions now, he's fine."
"That may be so. But in addition to that, he seems to be spending all his time in his cabin, except when he's with you on a mission. He doesn't socialize; even Wrex has, if just a bit."
"He seems to prefer his solitude.", Shepard nearly told Chakwas about how it was always cold in Vrik's cabin but decided against it.
"Finally, I've spoken with Lieutenant Alenko and few of the other crew members. Not one of them has ever seen him eat or drink anything, ever."
"That's strange. He doesn't show any signs of dehydration or anything of the kind, though. He seems perfectly okay."
"At any rate, those are my concerns. He may be able to handle himself just fine, but I'm the doctor of the Normandy. The wellbeing of everyone is my job, him included."
"I'll keep an eye on him and let you know if things change", Shepard promised.
She exited the med bay and went to her own cabin. She pondered what Chakwas had said. She would have to ask Vrik about this. But not now. Now they were focusing on Feros and the geth presence there.