Out of the Twilight | Mass Effect

17

As they rode the tram out to the Rift Station research center, Tali chattered happily to Wrex about the shotgun he had given her. Saren smiled, "Sounds like someone has a new favorite weapon."

Tali laughed, "I do! I can't believe I didn't think to get one sooner!"

Once they reached Rift Station, they carefully disembarked. Saren and Wrex ensured the area was secure, then led the way to the main hall. They found two elevators, leading to the Hot Labs and the main level.

Saren asked Tali, "There was a locked door back there. Think you can override it?"

Tali seemed to think about it, "I can try. Looks like we can get there by going around, too."

She stepped up to the lock and examined it. "Should be simple enough." She activated her omni-tool and got to work. A few moments later, the indicator switched to green.

"Very well done, Tali'Zora." Saren drew his pistol, and they opened the door.

Wrex covered Saren as the Spectre slid into the room. He eased around a crate of supplies to get a better view of the room. On a central platform, there were a number of armed humans surrounding a lone asari. They were all clustered around what appeared to be a holding tank of some variety. Slowly, Saren signaled that the other two should stay well back. He inched closer until he could hear the debate on the platform.

"It's very simple, Lady Benezia. Get the location of the Mu Relay from that thing, and we won't be forced to hurt your daughter." The speaker sounded almost bored as he issued the threat.

"I will never do anything to help Cerberus." the asari snarled in reply. Saren considered his odds, and rose slightly from behind the crates. Once he was sure Benezia had seen him, he gestured at her to drop. The Matriarch's eyes widened slightly, and she gave an infinitesimal nod.

Saren rose fully from behind the crates, delivering clean headshots to two of the humans before they noticed him. Wrex came charging in once the shooting started, acting as a shield for Tali, who was enjoying her new shotgun far too much. Once Saren's backup arrived, however, Lady Benezia joined in the fight.

"It is truly awe-inspiring to watch two gifted biotics lay waste to a firefight. Especially when they are on my side." Saren said idly a short time later. "Lady Benezia, I am Spectre Saren Arterius. My companions, Urdnot Wrex and Tali'Zora nar Rayya. I'm assuming you activated the distress beacon?"

The asari smiled. "Indeed. Cerberus managed to capture me and were threatening my daughter's safety if I did not aid them."

"Two questions, before you leave. Why did they wish the location of the Mu relay, and what is that?"

Lady Benezia walked closer. "That is a rachni queen. They pass down memories from one generation to another. Fascinating, really. I do not know why they wished to know of the Mu relay, however." As she moved to leave, however, a string of ethereal music filled the air and she froze. She turned to the rachni and stepped closer. "Are you certain?" She paused, listening. "Very well. I thank you for this."

Benezia turned back to Saren. "Apparently, the queen managed to gain that information from one of the agents. The Mu relay access the planet Ilos, which holds something called a Conduit. She knows not why Cerberus is seeking this Conduit, but she claims that it will lead to a great blackness that will destroy all that stands before it. This blackness is what led to the past madness of the rachni."

Saren mounted the stairs to the central platform and looked at the rachni queen. "Does this blackness cause corpses to rise?"

The music changed, and Benezia replied, "Yes. It has started gaining power, and will soon strike."