"Where are we?" Matt asked Eve.
"Unknown system, Captain. Ked's coordinates were off all known galaxy charts." Eve answered.
"Any sign of the Normandy?" Neri asked.
"Not yet," Eve replied. "And there was no chance to transmit the location to them before we jumped."
"Normandy might not be able to reach us," Jack added via the AI link. "They need to use fuel at FTL speeds. They don't have the range."
"Well, it's a good spot for a hideout then," Matt said. "We can be sure we won't get any surprise visitors at least."
"Matt, there are some unusual readings on the second planet from the sun," Jack said. "And more on the outer rim of the system."
"Let's visit the outer rim first then," Matt said.
As they approached the first anomaly, it became clear what it was. The object was smashed to pieces. It was broken in half, and skewed at odd angles, but there was no mistaking it. A Mass Relay.
"Fascinating," Ked spoke up. "Can we get a closer look?"
The ship approached the ancient structure slowly. Deep fissures and scars pitted the surface, evidence of multiple weapon shots, although the marks left no clues as to how or when it happened. As they approached the core of the relay, it attempted to sputter to life but soon faded.
"It's still somewhat active," Ked observed. "Maybe there will be more clues to what happened deeper into the system."
Matt agreed and ordered the ship to head toward the second planet.
As they approached the planet, they were surprised to find space debris circling the world. The debris appeared to be chunks of destroyed ships of various sizes, all floating in standard orbit of the planet. Ked studied scans of some of the larger pieces, but none could be identified as something from the wider galaxy.
"Perhaps a war was fought over this planet long ago." Ked surmised. "That would explain the damaged relay,"
"It would also explain the dead Reaper," Eve added helpfully.
"What?" Matt rushed to the viewport. "Where?" Neri piloted the ship to the remains of a Reaper, its unmistakable shape still visible despite being badly damaged.
"Eve, commence scans of the planet. Is there anything down there that could have done this?" Matt ordered. "Is there anyone alive down there?"
The ship continued its exploration as the planet was scanned. No further dead Reapers were found, but there were several hulls of significant size. Capital ships by the look of it, all of unknown design.
"Captain, I believe the war predated the Gift," Ked added. "There are no signs of the Reaper having the synthesis effect. These could have been here for millions of years. Forgotten by the reapers as time went on."
"I just hope the weapon that destroyed that thing is defunct," Jack observed.
"That is most likely the case, Jack" Eve said. "I found something on the planet."
The holo display lit up. It showed a 3D model of what was unmistakably a city. It was just as obviously in ruins. A light flashed in the center of the city, in a large building that was likely a temple. "This is the likely location of our artifact. The only energy signature in the whole building." Eve explained. "There are life forms down there, many gathered around this building."
"So, there is intelligent life down there?" Matt asked.
"We don't know their state, Captain. Only that they appear attracted to the artifact." Ked reminded him. "I think we may be looking at a world that can be described as 'post-apocalyptic'."
"This is likely a first-contact scenario. If we break atmosphere, we'll be seen immediately, and the natives, if any, will be frightened. They likely have no idea this starship graveyard is up here." Matt observed.
"Matt!" Neri exclaimed, "We have movement!"
The screen switched to view an orbiting structure. Two large spheres had detached themselves from the structure and were heading straight for the Prodigal Son.
Assuming they were hostile, Matt ordered evasive maneuvers. The ship swerved, with Eve's help, narrowly avoiding a hail of missiles from the spheres. Dahlie rushed to her terminal and brought their defenses online, shooting back with their somewhat weaker weaponry. She managed to score a direct hit on one sphere, The shots glanced off. They did some damage but not enough to slow the thing down.
"We need better guns!" Dahlie exclaimed as she lined up another shot.
The next missile was too close, shaking the ship, and weakening their shields before Eve could dodge away.
Matt was about to order a retreat, to get out of range of the mysterious spheres when a bolt of blue light from somewhere above them blew one of the spheres to smithereens.
"What was that?" Matt exclaimed.
"Whatever it was, I'll take it!" Dahlie shouted back.
"Captain, it is the Normandy. They found us." Eve replied as a second bold of blue energy obliterated the second sphere. The entire crew sighed with relief.
Soon the holo lit up as the Normandy hailed them. A familiar Turian appeared, "Captain! You do seem to have a way with the locals. First Noveria, and now this." He shook his head, clearly amused.
"Targus!" Neri exclaimed.
"The same. Sorry that I was late. I got busy with other tasks." Targus replied. "Did you miss me?"
Matt chuckled. Neri did, mostly, but he kept quiet about that. "Thanks for the timely rescue. How did you get here? You don't have the range."
"Indeed, our tanks are nearly dry," Targus confirmed. "But if we hadn't found you, we have ways of synthesizing our own fuel. The core has needed to be self-sufficient since the rest of the galaxy isn't exactly hospitable to us."
Neri brought the ship alongside the Normandy and docked the two ships together. The crew was soon on the Normandy, sitting in the central meeting room they had seen earlier.
"So, what are we dealing with here?" Targus asked. Grunt, Layla and he had joined Matt, Ked, and the rest of the crew in the crowded room. Matt explained their findings so far. He was able to get Eve patched into the Normandy systems to display the holographic image of the city on the large projector.
"Those spheres were likely ancient, automated defenses." Grunt observed. "Easily destroyed."
Dahlie scoffed. "Our guns barely scratched them."
"You need better guns," Grunt replied, to Dahlie's enthusiastic agreement.
Bringing the conversation back on topic, Matt pointed at the display. "This flashing light is our target. We think it's the artifact we're after. We don't know what dangers are down there, or if there is intelligent life." Matt explained. "And if we try to land with our ship, who, or whatever is down there would surely notice."
"Why not use our shuttle?" Targus offered. "It is smaller, more discreet, and is easily hidden from the locals."
"I like the idea," Matt nodded. "Thanks for the offer. When can we leave then?"
"Any time you're ready," Grunt said. "You might want to wait for your target area to be under the cover of night."
Matt agreed. Several hours later they were filing into the shuttle. Matt decided to take Ked, Dahlie, and Thraak. The others would attempt to work out how to fix the two ships together so that they could use the wormhole generator for the Normandy.
The shuttle, Neri driving, descended towards the planet. After breaking atmosphere, Eve went to work analyzing the atmosphere and surroundings. "Captain, the atmosphere is breathable, but it should be noted, there is an unusually high concentration of oxygen," Eve said. "Typically, this leads to animals that are of unusual size."
They landed in a clearing, huge trees helping to hide their presence from the nearby city. Neri stayed with the shuttle, as the others filed out. The area was dark, daylight wouldn't be for several hours yet. Despite this, the heat was oppressive.
Ked used his omnitool to scan the area and get their bearings. The artifact was soon located to the northwest. They headed through the jungle towards their target. On the way, they passed what looked like ruined buildings, covered by vegetation.
Thraak stopped and took a sample of a huge leaf. "Hold on, " he said. The others stopped and looked back at him. "This leaf appears to be normal, like in Andromeda," he observed.
"It seems likely the 'Gift' never reached this world, thanks to the destroyed mass Effect Relay." Ked surmised. "This system, and the cluster, has been isolated for who knows how long."
"And what's left is the wildlife that survived the Reaper attack," Dahlie suggested.
"Yes, quite possibly. And now the bones of the old civilization play nest to the varied wildlife this planet now has." Ked concluded.
"If there is no living civilization here, why would Liara leave an artifact here?" Matt asked.
Before Ked could answer, a huge creature fastened itself to his back, knocking him down. Thraak kicked the creature off, and Dahlie shot it.
"Insects grow big here," Thraak observed, as he helped Ked to his feet.
Ked dusted himself off. "I suspect there are more large creatures here. Be on guard."
They proceeded further into the city Along the way, they passed what were now large bodies of water. Matt peered into one such pool but could see nothing in the black water.
Thraak pointed at another of the flying insect-like creatures flying out over the water. As it passed one spot, a huge appendage reached out and snagged it, dragging it down into the water.
"Ok then," Matt backed away from the pool. "Lets stay away from the water!"
As they walked towards the center of the ruined city, the world's sun rose, shedding light on the previously dimly lit ruins. Sounds erupted all around them. Clicks of mandibles, whirring of wings, as the jungle came to life. A massive creature similar to a huge millipede crept out of its hole, perhaps searching for rotted vegetation. A huge insect-like creature, easily the size of a small building, stomped by them but shied away as it noticed them. It was nervous despite its huge size.
"What has that thing spooked?" Dahlie wondered. "It doesn't seem aggressive at least."
"Prey animal most likely." Ked suggested, "I'm not sure I want to meet the predator."
"Anyone else notice that high-pitched whining?" Matt asked. The noise came from east of them, and appeared to be getting louder.
Just then, the huge prey bug they saw earlier, stomped by, in the opposite direction of the whine, as did a host of other creatures.
"That's not a good sign." Thraak said.
"Quick, into a building!" Matt ordered.
They sought shelter and a place to hide in an ancient collapsed metal structure. Rushing to the upper level, Matt peered out. As he did so, he saw another large pill-bug-shaped creature fleeing their way. Suddenly, what looked like an undulating silver liquid surrounded it. As the huge creature flailed about, the silver mass slowly coated it. After a few minutes, the silver mass retreated, leaving a husk of the creature's shell.
Bits of the silver material broke off, chasing other smaller creatures, with similar results. Eventually, it moved on leaving husks and bones in its wake.
"Captain, I've analyzed that creature," Eve commented, from the AI link. "Locusts is an apt comparison. A mass of relatively small insects that work together to strip their victims of flesh. I suggest avoiding it."
"No kidding." Thraak said, "There is no way we could survive that if it came at us."
Matt sat, looking out over the street for a few minutes. Creatures began emerging from hiding spots. The danger had passed.
They exited the building and resumed their journey into the city proper. Broken spires towered over them, ancient claws reaching towards the sky. As they continued, Matt heard a commotion up ahead. They approached stealthily, attempting to see what was going on. It appeared to be two different groups of creatures, fighting. One, a smaller beetle-like creature, was lunging like a trapped animal at the other creatures. The other two appeared to be six-legged, similar to ants. There were three of them, and to Matt's surprise, their front sections would rear up, poking the other creatures with what looked like spears.
"Tool use. Fascinating." Ked whispered. "We may have found intelligent life."
"Not that intelligent," Thraak observed, as more of the beetle creatures appeared, a couple dropping on the back of one of the ants. The remaining two attempted to rescue their friend, to no avail, Both of them turned to run, scurrying away as the beetles pinned the victim on the ground.
"It's still alive!" Dahlie said. "Save it?"
Matt nodded and stood. Perhaps the creature could help them if they help it. Raising his blaster, he shot one of the beetles. Dahlie did the same, dropping several of them. The rest fled, leaving what looked like a flattened ball. Slowly the ball opened, revealing the ant creature. It had curled up for protection it seemed. Still, one of its appendages was obviously injured. Green liquid oozed from a gash in its chitin.
The creature understandably appeared frightened by the appearance of Matt and the others. It's three eye stalks snapped about, examining each of them in turn, likely attempting to determine what exactly its rescuers were.
Dahlie attempted to sooth the creature, allowing her helmets face plate to open, revealing her face. She motioned what she thought it might understand. The effect was startling. The creature went from silent contemplation to what could only be a position of submission and worship. It began speaking, or what she assumed was speech. Clicks and whistles erupted from its mandibles as it bowed.
"That's an interesting reaction," Ked remarked. "It seems to like you, Dahlie. You apparently resemble it's deity."
Dahlie chuckled, "I'm not sure what I did to deserve that." She touched what she estimated to be its shoulder. As she did so, it looked at her with all three eyes and sat up. It continued talking, quieter now.
Matt brought up a holo image of the city on his omnitool. He pointed to the map, signing that the images were where they currently were. Then he pointed to the large building at the center of town
The creature looked at him curiously, then looked at the map. Looking again at Dahlie, it pointed towards the east.
"Impressive. It's primitive but appears to understand it's looking at a map." Ked said.
"Captain," Eve interrupted. "I believe I can imitate its speech, perhaps even translate if you enable your suit speakers."
"Do it," Matt replied. Clicks and whistles emitted from his suit. That held the attention of their friend immediately. It began speaking to Matt and gesturing.
"What are you? I want to go home." Eve translated.
"I'm called Matt." Matt thumped his chest.
The alien imitated Matt, "Crick." Crick looked at Dahlie. "Goddess." It said.
Dahlie imitated Matt, thumping her chest. "No. Dahlie."
"Want to go home." Crick repeated. "No Dahlie Goddess."
"Crick, first we want to go there. Can you take us there?"
"Nononononono! Danger. Goddess Dahlie not go!" Crick insisted.
"We want to have a look." Matt insisted. "We'll protect you. Please?"
"Nono Matt Goddess. Not go!"
"Captain, Crick is insistent that he not go." Eve had apparently settled on a gender, although Matt wasn't sure what applied to the alien.
"Crick what is the danger?" Dahlie asked.
"Elder said not go." Crick said, then made a series of noises Eve could not translate.
"Can we go a little closer, to see the danger for ourselves?" Dahlie asked.
Crick did not answer for a moment. "Know a spot. Short, then home."
Mat agreed, and they set out, following the large alien. Crick limped slightly. On a hunch, Thraak tried medi-gel on his damaged leg. It seemed to help. Crick chirped a thank you.
They made progress into the inner city. Dahlie and Thraak shot several more of the beetle creatures. The word Crick used for them Eve translated to wolf. Eventually, they made it to a tall spire with intact stairs. Crick led them up several stories until they reached a platform near the top. It gave an impressive view of the city. Crick pointed at the large building which was their ultimate goal.
As they studied the area around the building, Thraak muttered, "Well, damn."
The entire building and several surrounding blocks were covered by the silver creatures they had spotted earlier. Occasionally, what could only be considered hunting parties broke away from the mass and went out in search of prey.
"Captain." Eve said, "I have an approximate translation. Horde."