Alex and his squad of Salarian STG members press onward, towards Saren's base.
He notices that Mannovai is still being shot at, but the enemy fire has slowed down and become more erratic.
"Something's scrambled their targeting. We've got a shot. Lieutenant, can you take the heat off Mannovai?" Kirrahe asks.
How?! Are you stupid? These are Geth. NO way! I won't risk my life for that idiot walking straight ahead on flat unguarded terrain. Maybe I could…
"I'll do my best," Alex replies and rushes forward. His squad reaches a small stretch that's unguarded.
Alex raises his hand and says, "You heard the Captain. Once our cover is gone during that small unprotected stretch ahead of you, fire everything you've got at the Geth. However, rush forward until you reach the next rocks so you can take cover. I don't want to exchange your lives for a few worthless Geth! Just try to get their attention so Team Mannovai is a little less pressured! GO!"
Alex and his squad rush forward. Without any real long-range weapon, he just draws his [Brawler-Pistol] and his [Enchanted Runeblade], firing wildly at the base. His shots scatter in every direction.
As Alex fires for about 30 seconds, one of the Salarians behind him comments, "Excuse me… Lieutenant. You will never hit anyone like that. Though the ammunition is almost endless, eventually you will run out of shots."
However, through sheer luck, one of his shots manages to hit a nearby turret, which not only stops firing but explodes—taking down another turret beside it and multiple Geth.
You have dealt 37 x 9 = 333 damage to Geth Turret
You have destroyed Geth Turret
What the… a 9 times multiplier? What was that? A super critical?
"Nice one!"
"Great job!"
Alex hears his soldiers celebrating, but he quickly shuts it down. "Careful! I see a bunch of Geth Rocket drones. They're firing from a distance, stay safe!"
He spots a few drones approaching Team Mannovai and quickly casts Thundara, taking out two of them and causing the rest to retreat.
You have dealt 67 x 2 = 134 damage to Geth Drone
You have destroyed Geth Drone
You have dealt 66 x 2 = 132 damage to Geth Rocket Drone
You have destroyed Geth Rocket Drone
I hope they run out of rockets and fuel soon!
Kirrahe announces through the comms, "They're calling sat-strikes! Team Jaeto, watch for comm stations! Kerber, can you see anything?"
"I am not seeing a fucking satellite uplink anywhere, no way would they be dumb enough to place it on the front entrance! Maybe Shadow can take care of it? We just have to press on ahead," Alex replies.
By now, they've made it halfway through the facility.
A squad of Geth charges at them.
Alex waits for his squad to get into position before shouting, "Fire at will!"
He fires his pistol along with the others.
You have dealt 44 damage to Geth Trooper
You have dealt 41 damage to Geth Trooper
You have received 41 damage (blocked by shields)
You have dealt 45 damage to Geth Trooper
With the help of his team, the Geth fall quickly, and Alex's squad pushes forward. They dodge more fire from Geth and drones alike. Alex lets out a sigh of relief as the drones finally retreat.
"Aircraft is heading back! They are probably resupplying. Let's fucking do this before they return!" Alex says.
"Careful, Kerber! I'm seeing a squad of Krogan approaching you! They're trying to surprise you once you make it through the rocks and reach the base!" Rentola warns.
"Thank you, I got it!" Alex responds.
Garrus speaks through the comms, "We've dealt with most of the drones and destroyed their supply station! You won't have to worry about them anymore!"
"Confirmed, Shadow! Press on, everyone!" Kirrahe commands.
Alex and his team obey, now just meters from the enemy facility. A quick headcount confirms that thanks to cover and coordination, none of his team members have died—unlike the other squads, especially Rentola's, who suffered multiple losses.
With the last stretch of rocks before them, Alex raises his hand.
En.
Activating En, Alex senses five Krogan lying in ambush, waiting just beyond the rocks.
He signals the number to his team and gestures toward their positions.
"Do you have explosives or grenades or something?" he asks. One of the Salarians pulls out a few charges and plants them near the rock at the very front.
Perfect!
Alex casually walks forward behind the cover, steps just into view, and flips the five Krogan off before turning and slowly walking back.
As soon as he's out of sight, he breaks into a full run toward his team.
As the five enraged Krogan charge into Alex's team's crossfire, the Salarian who planted the explosives triggers the detonator. The blast tears through the formation, instantly blowing up four of them.
The last Krogan, his body mangled and missing an arm, still manages to stumble forward, rage burning in his eyes—only for Alex to calmly raise his pistol and fire a few shots into his chest.
You have dealt 44 damage to Krogan
You have dealt 41 damage to Krogan
You have killed Krogan
Alex quickly searches the Krogan corpses. He finally finds a security keycard on the third one.
Jackpot! Maybe that guy was their leader?
The main entrance is forcefully locked, so this card won't open that gate, but it should get me into most of the sections inside at least.
He activates his comms. "Mannovai, Jaeto, this is Aegohr. We dealt with a Krogan ambush and made it to the main entrance of the facility. Geth are still posted along the upper platforms. We'll need to hack the doors to proceed. Should we move in and leave our cover?"
"Good work, Aegohr. Hold for a moment—we're nearly in position as well," Kirrahe replies.
"This is Shepard. Shadow just disabled the alarms. This is your window—move fast!" Her voice comes through, calm and focused.
Alex turns to his team. "As soon as the others are in position, we move. Who's got the best tech skills for the door?"
One of the Salarians immediately steps forward. The others nod in quiet agreement.
Soon, the confirmation comes:
"Mannovai in position!"
"Jaeto, ready for the assault!"
Perfect!
"Let's go!" Alex commands.
Leaving their rocky cover, the squad charges the base entrance. Gunfire erupts immediately from elevated Geth positions—at least a dozen of them still manning the battlements.
Alex darts ahead of the group, activating Nen to enhance his jump. He leaps high into the air, sailing toward two Geth Snipers stationed at the top wall.
With Shu enhancing his blade, Alex slashes low, targeting their legs, slicing them off.
You have dealt 41 damage to Geth Sniper
You have crippled Geth Sniper (Left leg)
You have dealt 39 damage to Geth Sniper
You have crippled Geth Sniper (Left leg)
As they collapse, unable to stabilize themselves, Alex quickly fires his gun until both Snipers are disposed of.
You have dealt 57 damage to Geth Sniper
…
You have destroyed Geth Sniper
You have destroyed Geth Sniper
Spinning around, Alex rushes to the nearby turret, locates the power conduit, and slices it with a single swipe. The turret powers down instantly.
Looking down at the battlefield below, he sees chaos. Geth explode under suppressive fire. A few Salarians fall—but most are still alive, returning fire with precise shots.
From above, Alex begins casting Thunder spells and fires off shots from his pistol, picking off Geth trying to flank his allies.
Eventually, the final Geth falls, and the sealed door slides open with a hiss.
Everyone regroups near the now-cleared entrance.
"Losses?" Alex asks.
"Out of twenty-four, we've got fourteen left. More than acceptable considering what we were up against, almost impossible," Kirrahe replies. "We'll hold this point and draw as much heat as we can for Shepard. If we can distract Saren long enough, it'll help."
Alex nods, then steps forward, his voice calm and confident. "With thirteen left—excluding me—there's no point in keeping three squads. I'll move ahead solo and do as much damage as possible. I operate better alone."
"If you run into trouble, no one's coming for you. You understand that, right?" Kirrahe warns him.
"I'll be fine," Alex replies, saluting briefly before turning away.
He sprints inside.
I got a Krogan ID card, which should be good enough to grant me access to the main Krogan facility. I know Shepard's route. They never find the true facility, which is 99% a clone factory. They will only find one small part of the facility, where they analyze and experiment with husks! Since Saren has so many Krogan under his command, there must be more! Probably underground. I need to hurry!
He puts away his pistol and sword, dashing through the maze-like interior corridors. The distant echoes of gunfire and alarms reverberate through the steel halls.
Damn, they are still fighting!
To his shock, Alex walks around a corner and nearly slams into someone—an Asari scientist, wide-eyed and dressed in research gear.
She gasps, turns around, and tries to flee.
Alex, much faster, thanks to his AGI, catches her in three seconds, sweeping her leg out from under her and pinning her down.
He grabs her by the collar, tightening his grip as he unleashes his Aura.
"You get one chance," he growls. "Tell me what I want to know, or die right here."
"P-please! I—I'm a prisoner! I didn't know what they were doing! I swear!" she yells, trembling all over.
Alex slaps her—softly, but enough to shut her up.
"Where are the Krogan being bred?" he demands, eyes cold.
"L-Lower level… basement," she stammers.
Alex smiles. "Thank you for deciding to escort me."
"What? No! I—I need to get out of here!" she pleads.
Alex raises his pistol and fires a warning shot next to her foot. The Asari screams and flinches.
"Okay! Okay! I'll show you. Just let me leave after!"
Without giving her another chance to stall, Alex forces her forward. The terrified Asari navigates him through a side route—avoiding patrols and corridors filled with Geth.
Eventually, they reach an elevator. The moment they descend, Alex feels slightly uncomfortable as the lights are not as bright outside the elevator.
The elevator doors open. What he sees surprises even Alex, who was expecting something special.
Hundreds of tanks, most filled with Krogan, some of them still young.
I found it!
------------------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
65+ Early chapters available - I will still release on WN daily!! Thank you!
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones!