Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 26

Milky Way/Sigurds Cradle/Metrilon/Freedom's Progress

Earth year: 2185 CE --- April

"What do you think we'll find on this colony?" Callie asked as they settled on board the shuttle that would take them to Freedom's Progress.

"Not much. Just a lot of empty buildings and more questions." Miranda answered, her tone cool.

"If there are survivors, they might need our help."

"That's unlikely Commander. There hasn't been anything to find on any colony we've investigated before."

"It'd be nice to find more than a ghost town." Jacob said, ending the conversation.

When they landed, Callie was overcome with a feeling of dread. A cold wind stung their cheeks as they headed to the nearest building. They could hear nothing but the sound of their own breathing as they passed through the colony's empty buildings.

"Looks like they were in the middle of dinner and just got up and left." Jacob said. "No sign of struggle, no weapons fire, nothing."

"Let's keep moving." Callie said over her shoulder, ignoring him.

"Head's up!" Jacob shouted. "Hostile mechs inbound!"

"Take cover!" Miranda yelled, ducking behind a crate as several mechs converged on their location, emerging from a building at the top of a flight of stairs into an open area of the complex.

Moments later, Callie, her heart pounding from the sudden burst of adrenaline, straightened and worked to slow her breathing. She was still adjusting to being vertical when Miranda voiced her suspicions.

"Someone reprogrammed those mechs to attack on sight." Miranda said. "We're not alone here."

"Let's keep moving." Callie told her. "Keep your guard up and watch your targets."

After taking down a handful of rocket drones, they entered another structure and stopped in surprise to find several armed quarians blocking the way.

"What the hell is this?" Miranda demanded.

"Shepard? Is that you?" Came a female voice, catching Callie off guard.

"Remember when I gave you that geth data Tali? Did it help you complete your pilgrimage?"

"Yes. It did." She said, turning back to her companion. "Prada. Put that weapon down. This is definitely Commander Shepard."

"Why would your old Commander be working for Cerberus?" Prada asked, suspicious.

"I... don't know." Tali said, turning back to Shepard.

"Entire human colonies are disappearing Tali. Cerberus brought me back to stop them."

"Why would anyone spend that many credits bringing back one soldier?" Prada scoffed.

"You haven't seen Shepard in action Prada. Definitely worth it." Tali cursed under her breath. For the dozenth time that day, she wondered again why she'd agreed to lead a mission with a crew who knew nothing about her. The Admirals had insisted this crew was ideal for going to Freedom's Progress, and that she was crucial to the success of the mission. Against her better judgment she'd agreed, but regretted it as soon as their ship landed.

"What are you doing here Tali?" Callie asked, trying not to beam with happiness at the sight of a friendly face.

"We're looking for a quarian named Veetor, he was here studying the colony when we lost contact with him. He's a little unstable and he ran when he saw us landing."