WebNovels

Chapter 395 - World Quest

As Alex scans his surroundings, taking in the massive tanks that fill the vast laboratory, he's surprised to find… nothing.

No guards. No patrols. No turrets. No resistance.

This is my lucky day! 

"See? I led you here! I'm leaving now," the Asari says with a nervous grin, already backing away.

She's going to sell me out the second she gets the chance… Sorry, but—

Without hesitation, Alex draws his [Executioner's Blade R2] and bursts forward.

The Asari senses something wrong and turns around, but too late—his massive blade cleaves clean through her neck in one swift motion.

You have dealt 141 x 3 = 423 damage to Asari Scientist

You have killed Asari Scientist

Alex crouches beside the body and drags her bloody corpse across the edge of his blade, carefully restoring its Durability.

Sorry… but this is war.

He quickly searches her pockets. No valuables—but he takes her ID just in case. With his weapon repaired and his path clear, Alex sprints deeper into the lab.

Everywhere he looks: tanks. Dozens upon dozens of tanks filled with growing Krogan. Scattered around are medical tables, test equipment, glowing terminals, and even a few corpses—dead Krogan strapped to operating tables, cut open their organs harvested.

Then, he notices a smaller room to the side—partially concealed. His curiosity takes over, and he jogs toward it.

As he walks past the tanks, he examines them more closely. The Krogans inside—stripped of armor and gear—are eerily identical.

So it's true… full-on cloning. There is no cure for the Genophage! Every single one is the same. Should I leave? Well let's check that room first.

At the small room's entrance, the door slides open automatically. Blade in hand, Alex steps in cautiously—and freezes.

Inside he sees cells. Five of them, more resembling cages, as they are just made out of thick metal bars. Inside each one is a Krogan… but these aren't clones.

They're female Krogans!

Alex stares, just as surprised as they are.

"…Looks like this isn't Saren's office. Sorry for bothering you. Have a nice day," Alex says casually, already turning away.

"Human… please do not joke during such a critical time," one of the Krogan women replies. Her voice is calm, low, but different from the other Krogans, seemingly an elder. Her face is more wrinkled than the males Krogans Alex had fought, and she wears something closer to a lab coat than armor. The others—clearly younger—wear ragged clothes, lifeless and quiet.

"Look, I'm in a hurry. You've got thirty seconds to make your case," Alex says, impatient. "Start talking or I'm out."

"I'm Khorga. A scientist. I've spent my entire life trying to cure the Genophage. These here are females—abducted by Saren's forces and imprisoned. We've heard about you… Butcher. So you're here… does that mean the facility is under attack?"

"Yes. And it's getting blown up any minute now. So I'll make this quick." Alex narrows his eyes. "I have one question. Lie, and I'll know instantly, trust me. If you do that, I'll kill every last one of you and destroy everything in this room. Were you ever involved with the Sovereign, Saren's ship? Did you work with tech from that thing—like the husks?"

Khorga answers immediately. "No. These women have been locked up since the day they were taken. I was imprisoned because I protested the use of these clones. They're not Krogan… they're engineered abominations. Fast-grown, obedient like animals. Most can't even speak. Saren promised a cure for the Genophage—but he lied. His science couldn't fix it. We made some progress… but he lost patience. He chose cloning instead, the quick and easy path."

She looks away, bitter. "The Genophage wasn't cured. Even those newborn clones? They are still infected. Nothing changed. This facility deserves to be destroyed. I'm… glad you're here."

Alex looks at her. He's not sure he fully believes her—but these ones don't look like a threat.

Taking a gamble, he swipes the Asari's ID through the panel and unlocks the cell doors.

"If you want to live, come with me. Don't run off, don't try anything. Khorga—start salvaging your data. You said you made progress? Is it worth saving?"

Khorga steps out, nodding. "Yes, human! As you know, only one out of every thousand Krogan pregnancies results in a live birth. The rest fail… in gruesome ways. Our therapy—if we had time—was showing signs of doubling that number. Our simulations show two out of a thousand. Maybe more. That's still tragic… but it's a start. Something we can build on."

She looks hopeful now, eyes sharp with purpose. "Give me a decade, and I can raise that number to ten in a thousand. A full century… maybe fifty."

Alex nods.

That would double Krogan birth rates instantly. And with time…

He turns and tosses her one of the datasticks Tali gave him.

"A friend made this. It'll copy all the data automatically. You've worked here—use it."

Khorga grabs it gratefully, already sprinting to the nearest console.

"You got more?" she asks.

"I've got one more left," Alex answers.

"That computer there, it has the Tank Data! I'll salvage the remaining data." Khorga says.

Alex quickly does as he is told and inserts the data stick into the computer next to the tanks.

A moment later the elevator doors open, two Krogan mercenaries step out, and immediately spot Alex.

Shit! Why can't anything go smoothly?!

These aren't clones—they're real Krogan Mercenaries. This could get ugly. It's two-on-one, and if even one of them gets close, I'm done. A shotgun blast to the chest, a grab to the leg—any of it could end me. I need to keep moving, and wear them down. They are easy to predict.

Alex doesn't hesitate. He draws his [Brawler-Pistol] in one hand and the [Enchanted Runeblade] in the other. The Krogans, already raging, bellow at him like beasts.

"THIEF! You want to destroy our race! Kill him, brother!"

"DIE, HUMAN SCUM!"

Before they can make a move, Alex casts Thundara, lightning crashing onto two of them and damaging their shields.

You have dealt 81 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 77 damage to Krogan

They charge. Alex backs up quickly and fires his pistol, the shots destroy their shields and pierce into their armor, blood splattering out of their bodies and mouths.

You have dealt 41 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 47 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 46 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 43 damage to Krogan

The Krogans fire their shotguns at him, but Alex reacts by running backwards.

You have received 7 damage (blocked by shields)

You have received 5 damage (blocked by shields)

His shield barely flares as he leaps back onto one of the tanks behind him. Using Shu, he drives his sword straight into the side of the tank and pierces it cleanly.

Water gushes out, flooding across the floor. The Krogan floating inside the tank slumps over, dead.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" one of the mercenaries screams in fury.

Another cast of Thundara slams into them while they stand in the water. The effect is visibly enhanced.

You have dealt 111 damage to Krogan

You have stunned Krogan

You have dealt 116 damage to Krogan

You have paralyzed Krogan

This is it! I need to use this chance!

Alex switches weapons, drawing his [Executioner's Blade R2] and charging straight in. With a single swing, he decapitates the stunned Krogan.

You have dealt 121 x 3 = 363 damage to Krogan

You have killed Krogan

He immediately turns to the second, paralyzed merc. The Krogan's eyes follow him, burning with rage, but his body refuses to respond. He tries to speak, to snarl something in defiance—

"Nnn—no Hon…nor Hum—"

You have dealt 81 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 91 damage to Krogan

You have dealt 89 damage to Krogan

You have killed Krogan

With the threat eliminated, Alex lets out a breath. On the ground near the bodies, he spots two glowing blue chests. He grabs them without hesitation.

Shit! The bomb! I need to get the fuck out of here!

Rushing to the terminal, he rips the data stick from the port and spins around just as Khorga and the other female Krogans arrive.

"Give me the stick!" Alex says quickly.

"Human… I need it. This data means everything to me. I have to finish my work!" Khorga protests.

"No. I promised it to a friend," Alex says firmly, staring into her eyes. "But that doesn't mean he won't work with you. Once this is over, I'll see that you two talk, maybe you can help each other?"

Khorga hesitates but then nods, slowly extending her hand. "Fine… I trust you, human."

[World Quest Discovered

Mission: Hand over the Genophage Data to an interested party.

Warning: Depending on your choices, there are far-reaching consequences!

Reward: ??? (depending on whom you hand it to)

Time Limit: —

Failure: —]

A world quest? I have no time for this right now. I need to leave!

"Grab the guns!" Alex barks. "They've got shotguns and pistols. Four of you should be able to fight!"

"Thank you, human!"

"I thank you!"

The females quickly arm themselves and fall in behind him. They reach the elevator and cram inside, and Alex, finally with a second to breathe, opens his comms, which he had previously neglected.

"This is Kerber speaking! I need an update! What's going on?"

"Shepard speaking! AA towers are down—we're heading toward the geothermal taps now. Normandy is preparing to land! If you're still inside, get the fuck out now! Kirrahe, same for you and your squad—if you stay, it will be too late!"

FUCK! We need to move! Do I run back out of the entrance… or do I make it to the taps?

"Khorga, you know the layout! Get us to the geothermal taps!"

"I understand," she says calmly. "Follow me. We'll take the fastest route."

Another female Krogan snarls as she checks the loaded weapon in her hand. "Any Geth we find will be blown apart."

Khorga points down a hallway. "That way!"

They charge ahead. As they turn a corner, a lone Geth steps into their path. Without slowing, Alex lunges, flipping over its head, and slices down in a perfect arc.

You have dealt 111 x 3 = 333 damage to Geth Trooper

You have destroyed Geth Trooper

The Krogans stare at Alex in surprise.

"I like this Human!" One of them says, even Khorga smiles at him.

What the…? No time for this!

Alex just points at the Geth's Rifle and moves on.

Khorga quickly scoops it up and follows Alex.

They push through the corridors, passing scattered rubble and abandoned terminals, until they finally arrive at taps.

The geothermal taps are in full chaos, with a large battle going on.

Shepard, her squad, a few Normandy staff, and even the mechs are locked in an intense firefight. Dozens of Geth occupy the area, unleashing a hail of gunfire and suppressive fire. on them.

And at the center of it all… Saren himself. Firing and moving around on his hovercraft.

Alex sees Shepard's hateful expression as she fires at him.

What is wrong?

Alex looks around until his eyes land on a crumpled figure lying in the waters of the taps, not moving at all.

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