Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 62

Milky Way/Caleston Rift/Qiaterra System/Fehl Prime

Earth year: 2185 CE –- October

The damage done to the colony of Fehl Prime was beyond imagination. Nothing but a burnt, blackened crater remained where the centre of the colony used to be. The surrounding area was nothing more than scorched earth. Bits of twisted metal, debris and other unidentifiable structural remains dotted the landscape.

Two pre-fab units were set up on the outskirts of the colony, presumably erected for the use of the two survivors. Tanner set the Nomad down close to them and within minutes they were ground-side and  approaching the buildings.

An asari appeared in a doorway of the nearest unit, looking less than pleased by their arrival. She was petite and attractive while her body language was hostile. "Hello." She said as Kaidan approached. "Are you Commander Alenko?"

"Yes ma'am. Did Councillor Anderson explain why we were coming?"

"No. He was pretty vague about it actually. But since this is, or should I say, was a human colony I suppose he didn't have to."

Kaidan said nothing. It was clear she didn't want them there. He was debating how to proceed when a thin, bespectacled young man with tousled brown hair appeared behind her.

"Treeya? Are these the soldiers Anderson said were coming?"

"They are."

Stepping passed her, he extended his hand in greeting. "Hi! I'm Milque, a sniper of the late Delta Squad unit. Nice to meet you."

"Commander Kaidan Alenko, Alliance Military."

"Come on in." Milque suggested. "Let's not stand around out here."

The room they entered was sparsely furnished but clean and functional. A small couch and two chairs were arranged in the area before them, facing a terminal mounted on the wall. The sound was off, but it was currently tuned to the Alliance News Network. A small kitchen area lay beyond on the right, with a short hallway leading off to the left of the central living area.

Milque set about getting them refreshments while they all found a place to sit in the front room. 

"You'll have to forgive Treeya." Milque remarked, joining them. "She's having a bad day."

"Understandable. I probably wouldn't be too happy about a military squad invading my research space." Kaidan sympathized, trying to break the ice.

"So what can we do for you Commander?" Milque asked. "Anderson didn't give us much detail."

"He asked if I would bring you both back to the Citadel. He wants to offer you both new positions within the Alliance. Let me be clear that this is not a military sanctioned mission. We're here on Councillor Anderson's orders."

"Why?" Treeya demanded.

"I don't know. Anderson didn't say."

"But you're here on his orders." She argued.

"True, but I'm not in the habit of questioning my superiors. It might come up on occasion, but I trust Anderson has a good reason."

"Whatever he's offering is better than what we're doing now." Milque stated. "I for one am sick of this god-forsaken planet."

"So you'll come with us back to the Citadel?"

"Oh hell ya. Just give me time to pack and I'll be ready to go."

"Milque!" Treeya exclaimed. "What about my research?"

Milque rolled his eyes from the doorway, anxious to pack. "What research? In all the months we've been back here you haven't found a scrap of anything to analyze. There's nothing here Treeya. I want to get out of here, move on. I can't stay here any longer."