As the crew chats in the mess hall, Joker announces through the comms, "Commander, we've arrived in the Sentry Omega Cluster. Taking a direct course to Virmire; estimated time of arrival, five hours."
"Okay, you heard the man. You've got a couple of hours to rest. Get ready—we need to be prepared for anything!" Shepard says.
"Yes, Commander," most of the crew responds.
Almost five hours later, Alex, now equipped with his completely repaired gear, sits in the cockpit in his usual seat, just behind Kaidan.
As the Normandy draws closer to Virmire, the planet now more than visible, Joker announces, "Commander, I'm reading a signal. Must be our Salarian infiltration team. Looks like they set up a camp."
"Drop us off exactly at their signal," Shepard orders.
Joker does as he is told, however, as the Normandy moves closer, Kaidan yells, sounding slightly panicked, "Careful, Joker! Look, there are defense towers down there. It would be risky to land exactly at the spot. It looks like the Salarians are caged in—we can't land at their camp!"
"Defense towers? So there must be something worth protecting! This seems like a jackpot," Shepard says, sounding excited.
"This is insane. Sensors are picking up a large base, and the path towards it is heavily secured. I can't drop you anywhere close! What should I do?" Joker says, desperation clear in his voice.
"Calm down, Joker. Drop the Mako outside the tower range. We'll go in hot and take them out!" Shepard says.
"Understood, Commander. I'll get you in underneath their radar," Joker replies. "Once those towers are gone, I can support you with the Normandy."
"Let's move!" Shepard says.
The crew quickly hurries and enters the Mako, preparing for drop-off.
As the Normandy descends, Alex checks the situation on their onboard computer.
"Damn, it's quite far from the signal. This won't be a short drive," he notes.
"It'll be fine! Give me one hour," Shepard says confidently.
Finally, the Normandy hovers just a few hundred meters above the planet's surface, and the Mako descends toward it.
Using its thrusters, it lands safely on the ground without any issues.
Alex watches through the cameras and takes in the view. It's a tropical paradise. He sees endless white beaches, tropical lagoons, cliffs surrounding it with thick forests on top of them, and clueless-looking wildlife all around.
"It's beautiful!" Liara comments loudly.
"Not now, Liara!" Shepard yells.
"We've got a clean drop, Commander!" Joker says through the comms.
Shepard immediately responds, "Stay out of range and continue evasive maneuvers until I bring those AA towers down."
Sounding slightly offended, Joker replies, "I know the drill. I'll meet you at the camp once those towers are offline. Joker out."
Shepard expertly maneuvers the Mako along the beach, driving between the cliffs. Countless four-legged animals resembling crabs—but with flat heads—are scattered around.
"Look at these weird crabs! They seem harmless, but curiously, they aren't scared. They're not even dodging or even reacting to the Mako," Alex observes.
"Better not risk it by driving over them. We can't afford to damage our tires," Garrus warns.
"Got it!" Shepard responds.
"Shepard, there's something ahead!" Garrus shouts, sounding worried, before firing the machine gun mounted on the Mako.
"Those are Geth drones—take them down, Garrus!" Shepard orders.
Shepard attempts to dodge the gunfire and rockets launched by the drones as she steers the Mako across the idyllic beaches.
"Those storms look dangerous," Tali notes, noticing a lightning storm visible in the distance.
"Barriers and more Geth ahead!" Garrus announces.
"Goddammit…" Alex curses.
Not this again!
Fighting their way through the Geth, Shepard skillfully maneuvers the Mako around the barriers, while Garrus obliterates the isolated Geth units.
"There's some kind of structure ahead! It looks like a gatehouse, but the path is clear!" Garrus notes.
"We don't have time to inspect it. We're driving through—this isn't related to the AA towers!" Shepard says decisively.
The Mako speeds through the open gatehouse, shooting down every Geth encountered.
"Are these Geth stupid? Why would they leave the gate open?" Alex wonders aloud.
"Geth are essentially like any other beings at this point. Saren has forcibly taken control over them. Without a doubt, that leads to inefficiencies and dulls their senses; without orders, they are nothing more than mindless machines." Tali explains.
Driving onward, they encounter a gigantic Geth blocking the path. It resembles a Geth Armature but is much larger, roughly the size of the Mako.
"That's a Geth Colossus! Shepard, don't let it hit us! Its pulse beams can rip the Mako apart. Luckily, the projectiles it fires aren't very fast. If you keep your distance, you can dodge them or even use the thrusters to evade," Tali advises.
"Good call, Tali! Garrus, take it down!"
I guess… without Tali, this would have gone down way differently. It almost looks like the Realm is rewarding me for risking my life to save everyone!
As Garrus begins firing the Mako's cannon along with the machine gun, the Colossus charges its pulse blasts, powerful enough to pierce through the Mako's defenses.
Shepard maneuvers skillfully, circling the Mako around the Colossus, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding every blast.
However, due to the chaotic weather, the water level begins rising, forcing Shepard to steer the Mako dangerously deep into the water.
"Shit!" she curses. With no more room to circle, she changes direction and drives straight toward the Colossus. As it fires another pulse blast, Shepard activates the thrusters, narrowly evading the projectile, and charges directly into the massive Geth.
A loud boom echoes through the Mako. The hull, specifically built for such impacts, remains undamaged. Meanwhile, the Colossus, with its unstable legs, is knocked backward and collapses.
"Now, Garrus!" Shepard yells.
Garrus, seizing the opportunity, fires everything he's got, and after two shots, the Colossus explodes.
"G—good job!" A half-conscious Kaidan says, looking somewhat relieved.
"Kaidan… get a grip, man!" Alex says.
He should be used to it at this point!
"He's hopeless," Ashley says with a smirk on her face.
Driving through more dangerous terrain, Shepard successfully dodges or evades most Geth, and soon the crew sees another gatehouse in the distance, this one locked. There is also a heavy artillery piece mounted on top, capable of hitting ships.
"We need to open the gates and disable those damn AA cannons! Kerber, can you do it?!" Shepard asks.
"Yes, Commander," Alex replies, trying hard not to sigh or curse.
"Garrus and I will stay inside the Mako! Anything that moves, we'll take down! The rest, support Kerber and get the job done!"
The Mako approaches the gate, and Garrus uses the machine gun and cannon to kill a few Geth positioned atop the gate.
Finally, Alex exits the Mako, followed by Wrex, Tali, Liara, Kaidan, and Ashley.
They run up the stairs until they reach the bridge on top of the gate.
Alex stops before the entrance to the left and holds up his hand.
En!
"Careful! Five Geth are inside the corridor, and there are more in the room at the end. Wrex, you and I will charge ahead! Kaidan, Tali, disable their shields. Liara, once the shields are gone, use your biotics to prevent them from fighting back! Wrex, you and I will draw their attention! Ashley, take down any opponent you encounter!"
"Understood!" Liara says.
"Okay, let's do this!" Alex says, activating Sealion's Icewing Embrace.
Alex charges into the corridor, guarded by numerous Geth.
He rushes forward, activating Ken, allowing him to avoid any serious damage.
As Alex approaches, he gets shot at not only by Geth Troopers but also by Geth Destroyers firing dangerous missiles at him.
Though he manages to avoid direct impacts, the explosions still hurt him.
Fuck! I need to push through!
Alex ignores the notifications but sees his shields are breaking down. Finally, he arrives in front of the Geth and activates a wide Flying Thundara Sword, sending it flying toward the Geth, damaging their shields and stunning some of them.
You have dealt 98 + 78 = 176 damage to Geth Shock Trooper
You have dealt 111 + 81 = 192 damage to Geth Trooper
You have dealt 81 + 69 = 150 damage to Geth Destroyer
You have dealt 89 + 71 = 160 damage to Geth Stalker
…
"Kaidan, Tali! Now!" Alex yells.
Alex sees Kaidan and Tali using Overload and a few other tech skills, disabling the Geth for a moment, their weapons malfunctioning as well.
"Liara!"
Liara throws a curved Singularity, landing it perfectly in the corner of the room and pulling four Geth into it. She then uses her biotics to slam another Geth against the wall.
"Ashley!"
As if responding directly to Alex, Ashley fires her Assault Rifle, and the Geth caught in the Singularity explode.
Finally, Wrex and Alex double-team the last remaining Geth capable of fighting back—Wrex blasts it with his shotgun, and Alex lunges forward, destroying it.
You have dealt 85 damage to Geth Destroyer
You have destroyed Geth Destroyer
Tali, Ashley, Kaidan, and Liara fire their weapons at the remaining Geth, killing them.
"Good job!" Alex says with a smile.
This worked out better than I thought!
Alex looks around the now-empty control room.
"I think these two consoles are for the weapons! The one on the left should be the gate controls. Tali, please take care of the weapons. Kaidan, see if you can open the gate! Everyone else, cover us and make sure no Geth ambush us! There's a room on the adjacent side, so there could still be enemies around!" Alex commands.
No chests… dammit! Let's return to the Mako as soon as the gate is open and the weapon system is deactivated.
"Done!" Tali says, pride evident in her voice.
"The gate is open as well," Kaidan announces.
"What about the other gates?" Tali asks.
"What do I know?" Kaidan replies. "Are there more?"
"Let me do it, Bosh'tet!!" Tali curses. She quickly hacks into the gate control system and smiles. "There's one more ahead! But I can open it remotely! We have to hurry, though!"
"Good job, Tali!" Alex says, very satisfied.
This wasn't possible in the game! Tali is really useful!
"Let's go, then!" The group rushes back down the corridor, and multiple Geth appear on the bridge.
However, they get torn apart by the Mako's weapons system within seconds.
Nice!
The crew reenters the Mako, and Alex reports, "Weapons down and gate open! There should be one more gate, but Tali did open it remotely. We need to hurry, though and pass through it before they can close it again!"
"Good job, Kerber—let me do the rest!" Shepard says.
A second later, Joker relays, "I'm reading that the grid is down, Commander. On approach to the Salarian camp now. Out."
Driving ahead and bypassing most of the remaining Geth, they spot the third gate, which is indeed already open.
As they approach it, Garrus destroys any visible Geth, and Shepard drives the Mako smoothly through the open gate.
"We've made it through the last gate! We're approaching the source of the signal—the camp should be nearby," Tali notes.
Finally done. Now the real fun starts!
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