CHAPTER 08

Ambush on Korlus

MARAK

Superintendent Nakmor Kesh summoned us for a briefing on the Nexus. The atmosphere was tense, and her expression was filled with stress. Standing next to her was Nakmor Drack, who had his typical stern manner much more noticeable.

"Alright, listen up," Kesh started, her voice firm was serious. "We've acquired extensive information regarding genetic studies with the genophage. Provide information, data, and samples for gene mutation therapies that might potentially reverse its effects."

I glanced at Megi, who raised her eyebrow. "And where did this intel come from?" she asked, skeptically.

Kesh took a deep breath. "From Dr. Okeer."

The room fell silent. Dr. Okeer had a strong reputation among the krogan, albeit not necessarily in a positive one. His extreme experiments and harsh techniques were notorious.

Cigas's visage hardened as he crossed his arms. "Okeer? That old warlord? He's a likely to blow us up as he is to help."

Drack growled in agreement. "I have no affection for Okeer. He is insane. But if he has something that can help our people, we cannot ignore it."

Kesh nodded. "I understand your concerns. I don't trust Okeer any more than you do, and his reputation comes before him. But my grandfather is right, we must look into it."

Regardless of my concerns, I leaned forward. "So, where do we find him?"

Kesh activated a holographic map, which highlighted a planet in the Terminus Systems. "Korlus. It's a tough industrial world. Okeer has been working there, doing his experiments. You'll need to go there, collect the information, data, and samples, and return here."

Megi frowned. "But wat about the locals? Korlus isn't known for its hospitality."

Drack gave a grim chuckle. "That's an understatement. The area is overrun by mercenaries and scavengers. Keep your guard up."

Cigas nodded decisively. "We'll handle it. For we are krogan!"

Kesh glanced at every one of us individually. "I know this is not an easy assignment. However, it's vital for the future of our people. I trust you all to get it done."

I felt a surge of determination. This was more than simply a mission; it was an opportunity to ensure the krogan's future.

Over the next few weeks, we prepped for the mission to Korlus. Megi and I spent hours gathering information on the planet, including its topography, inhabitants, and possible threats. During one of these sessions, we met Kol'Girol nar Saeron—now Kol'Girol vas Keelah Si'yah, according to quarrian tradition.

"Kol!" I called out and waved him over. "Long time no see."

Kol's visor illuminated as he approached. "Marak, Megi! It's been a while. What brings you two here?"

"We're preparing for a mission to Korlus," Megi stated. "We could use some help with your gear."

Kol nodded attentively. "I can help with that. I have been working on some automatic weapon modifications. Might come in handy."

"We appreciate it Kol," I responded, slapping his back. "We could use all the help we could get. And if you're up for it, we could use an extra pair of hands on the ground."

Kol's eyes shone with resolve. "Count me in. I've proven myself in the Initiative's battle simulations. I am capable of handling myself in risky situations."

Meanwhile, Cigas had been in talks with Iram Lo'Solatar, the renowned batarian cage fighter. Iram had heard about our mission and volunteered to help us.

"I've had extensive experience in hand-to-hand combat and weapons training," Iram stated confidently. "And while I don't use my biotic powers often, I can make exceptions when needed."

Cigas accepted the offer and bowed in appreciation. "Your expertise would be really beneficial. We're heading into hostile territory, and we need all the firepower we can get."

Megi nudged me with her elbow. "Looks like we've got quite the team shaping up, huh?'

I smiled. "Yeah, with Kol upgrading our gear and Iram's combat skills, we'll be ready for anything Korlus throws at us."

The time for action had arrived. Kol, Iram, Cigas, Megi, and I arranged for a shuttle transportation to a ship requested by the Initiative. As we boarded, I felt a mix of eagerness and determination. This mission was critical not just to us, but also for the future of the krogan.

"Alright, everyone," I murmured, gazing at each of them. "Let's get this done!"

Our mission to Korlus began.

After reaching the harsh, industrial world of Korlus, we made the decision to divide up in order to cover more ground and make sure we wouldn't be jeopardized in the event that we came across any mercenaries. Cigas and Iram headed one way, while Megi and I went the opposite. Kol remained in the shuttle to defend it and serve as our monitor, keeping radio contact to help us coordinate our operations.

Megi and I found ourselves wandering among scrap heaps of vehicles, ships, and structures. The site was a metal and rust graveyard, with guarded corridors and broad lengths that shouted ambush.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Megi," I whispered, examining the surroundings. "This place is a merc's playground."

Megi nodded and tightened her grip on her shotgun. "You think Okeer's experiments are worth all this trouble?"

I shrugged and kept my voice quiet. "Giving our people a fighting chance is worthwhile. But I don't trust Okeer. He's too unpredictable."

"Yeah, well, desperate times call for desperate measures," Megi advised. "Let's just hope we don't end up as one of his 'experiments.'"

We proceeded carefully, keeping our senses on high alert. Suddenly, a gang of mercenaries sprang from the shadows, their rifles blazing.

"Ambush!"I shouted and ducked for refuge behind a heap of rubble. Megi was close alongside me, already shooting her shotgun.

The struggle was heated. As we battled the mercenaries, bullets and biotics flew through the air. A bullet grazed my shoulder, but the agony increased my wrath. We used our brute strength and Megi's biotics to overwhelm the enemy.

After the mercenaries were dealt with, I radioed Cigas and Iram to notify them of our predicament. "We've run into some mercs," I said over the radio, keeping my voice calm despite the adrenaline rush. "Nothing we can't handle, but stay sharp."

Cigas' voice cracked again. "Same here. We have a problem: a squishy human named Anthony claims that a large number of humans are also looking for Dr. Okeer. And they don't look like they are here for a friendly chat." Iram mentions seeing an insignia, a hexagon with a broken corner and a pair of crooked lines like ears or horns on both sides.

Kol overheard our conversation, "I know that insignia, they are Cerberus, a human black ops that despises all aliens, council-related and Terminus."

Megi reloaded her shotgun, sighing, "Great, exactly what we needed. Cerberus, no doubt."

"Let's go," I replied, pushing ahead. "We need to reach Okeer before they do."

As we ascended the stairs, we encountered other human mercenaries with heavy artillery and drones. I sustained another blow to my shoulder during the intense conflict, but I persisted. Pain was only another challenge to conquer.

"Marak, you alright?" Megi yelled above the combat as she brought down a drone with her biotics.

"Just a scratch," I mumbled before crushing a mercenary with my shotgun. "Let's finish this!"

We cleared the area and proceeded toward our goal with a last push. The urgency of our goal propelled us ahead, each step bringing us closer to Dr. Okeer and the prospect of a better future for the krogan.

Through the pandemonium, Megi and I discovered Cigas and Iram in a control room, working on extending the bridge. I spoke to Kol over the radio. "Kol, you good?"

"Everything is fine here, Marak. No mercs in sight," Kol replied.

After the bridge was extended, we got back together with Cigas and Iram continued on our way to see Dr. Okeer. The lab was a tangle technology and tanks brimming with krogan at various stages of growth. The air was dense with the odor of chemicals and the hum of machinery.

Dr. Okeer stood in front of us, surveying our group with narrowed eyes. "Unexpected visitors," he grumbled. "What brings fellow krogan… and a batarian to my facility?"

"We're here for the Andromeda Initiative," I said, my voice steely. "And for the krogan. We need your help."

Okeer's curiosity was peaked. "The Andromeda Initiative, you say?Intriguing.You are welcome to look at my work."

I observed a particular krogan in one of the tanks. I mumbled"Grunt,"giving him a moniker. "He looks like he could take on a thresher maw single-handed."

Okeer smirked. "This is my latest work. Perfect specimen, if I may say so."

Our conversation was inadvertent cut short by the sight of two familiar faces—Justin Cruise and Dwayne Argile, Cerberus operatives we had previously encountered on Omega.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Urdnot siblings," Cruise rasped coming out from behind a heavy mech. "And you've brought friends."

"Cruise, Argile," I hissed. "Didn't expect to see your ugly mugs here."

"Surprise," Argile replied, his tone sarcastic. "We're also here for Okeer. But I doubt he'll need your assistance."

The tension broke, resulting in a fight between the two sides. The combat was severe. Iram's biotic abilities caused Argile to fly and fall into a wall with a devastating thud.

I spat upon Argiles's crushed body. "That's for Omega," I muttered, barely holding back my wrath.

Cruise escaped his mech suit before it self-destructed, sprinting towards a shuttle. He yelled, "This isn't over!" As the shuttle doors closed behind him.

After dealing with the immediate threat, we returned to Okeer. "Now, where were we?" I replied, attempting to catch my breath.

Unfazed by chaos, Okeer carried on. "As I was saying, you may examine my work."

In appreciation for saving his life and his work, Dr. Okeer gave us important information on how to strengthen Krogan's natural defenses against the genophage. While not a cure, gene therapy has the potential to boost the survivability of krogan children, without so many stillbirths.

With our task completed, we returned to the initiative, hoping for a better future for the krogan in the Nexus.

I DO NOT own the Mass Effect franchise or its content. I DO NOT make any money from the writing of this story. All rights belong to their rightful owners (EA Games and BioWare).