The unstable VI speaks directly to Shepard, “It appears you’re attempting to restore this facility. Would you like assistance?”
“You’re the virtual intelligence running this place?” Shepard asks, slightly intrigued.
“This system is programmed to respond to the designation 'Mira.' May I ask your name?” the VI replies emotionlessly.
“Why do you need to know?” Shepard retorts, clearly annoyed.
“To determine the data access available to you,” the VI responds. “Basic Access permits only non-secure queries. Secure Access allows most system functions. Privileged Access is restricted solely to Binary Helix executives.”
“I’m Commander Shepard. I’m with the Citadel’s Special Tactics and Reconnaissance. I demand full access,” Shepard states firmly.
“One moment, please,” Mira responds mechanically. “Council authority confirmed. You have been granted Secure Access to all systems.”
“I said full access. Give me Privileged Access immediately!” Shepard demands angrily.
“I’m sorry, Commander. I’m unable to grant your request,” Mira calmly replies.
Alex points towards Liara with a faint smile. “This is Liara T’soni, daughter of Matriarch Benezia. Benezia has transferred a significant amount of Binary Helix shares to her. Due to exceptional circumstances, Liara urgently requires Privileged Access to secure her stake in the corporation.”
“I’m unable to verify your statements. Documented proof of the share transfer, including Lady Benezia’s authorization, is required,” Mira responds without hesitation.
Well, it was worth a try.
“Fine, we’ll make do with Secure Access,” Shepard concedes. “I need to locate Matriarch Benezia.”
“Lady Benezia departed for Rift Station’s subsidiary labs via the passenger tramway,” Mira informs before adding, “User alert! The tramway system is currently inoperable.”
“What’s the situation?” Shepard quickly asks.
“One moment, please. Running diagnostics,” Mira responds briefly before continuing:
“Critical Failure: Main reactor shut down per emergency containment procedures. Manual restart required.
Critical Failure: Landline connections disabled. Passenger tram systems are offline.”
Shepard immediately turns toward Tali. “Tali, you’re up!”
“Vot! Why am I always chosen for these tasks?” Tali mutters irritably.
“That’s your job, stop bickering and get to work!” Garrus says with a hint of amusement.
Tali begins questioning Mira, activating her omni-tool. Several minutes later, she sighs and explains, “We need to reconnect the Landlines. Mira’s mainframes here at Central Station must communicate with the various sub-facilities scattered throughout Peak 15. It seems the emergency protocols automatically ejected the cabling. We have to fix them manually—they should be on the roof. Luckily, these systems were built simple enough that even a Krogan could operate them. We just activate the controls, and the hardware reconnects and reboots itself.”
“Little Quarian, you’re not trying to anger this old Krogan, are you?” Wrex growls, causing Tali to twitch briefly.
“What about the main reactor? Why was it shut down?” Shepard asks seriously.
“We’ll need to manually open valves along the helium-3 fuel lines. It looks like a breach triggered an automatic shutdown,” Tali responds.
Shepard sighs heavily, clearly frustrated. “This is too much wasted time! They know we’re coming, and we’re sitting here repairing broken systems. Splitting up increases risk, but taking our time is even more risky. Kerber, choose two squadmates and repair those landlines on the roof. Tali, you remain here and keep us updated. I’ll take the rest to restore the main reactor.”
“Liara, Garrus, you’re with me. I’ll need biotic and tech support,” Alex quickly orders.
“Understood,” Liara responds solemnly.
“Let’s get to work then,” Garrus adds with a confident grin.
“Good luck, Commander,” Alex says to Shepard as he swiftly heads toward the nearby elevator leading to the roof.
I really hope there aren’t more Rachni here… come on, system, what would Rachni be doing in the middle of a snowstorm?! Please don’t follow the game’s insane logic…!
Just as he finishes that thought, numerous Rachni Soldiers screech loudly and rush toward them through the storm.
“Liara!” Alex urgently yells.
“I’ve got it! Trust me!” she answers confidently.
Alex quickly draws his [Executioner’s Blade R2], preparing himself for combat. As the Rachni Soldiers rapidly approach, Liara skillfully launches a perfectly aimed Singularity, arcing through the air and smashing into the ground. The gravitational field pulls four Soldiers helplessly into the air.
However, two other Soldiers evade the Singularity and approach from opposite directions, closing in on the team.
Alex swiftly activates Fire Sword, his massive blade engulfed in brilliant azure and crimson flames. He slams the burning weapon violently downward onto the closest Soldier, which fails to react in time.
You have dealt 143 + 122 = 265 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have killed Rachni Soldier
The second Rachni Soldier lunges at Alex, but before it reaches him, Garrus skillfully snipes it in the head, stunning it mid-leap. Liara quickly follows up with several precise pistol shots, finishing it off.
Alex instantly shifts his focus to the remaining Soldiers trapped by the fading Singularity.
It’s going to collapse soon—I need to hurry before they can move again! Fine, let’s do it!
Alex unleashes his strongest technique, Flying Fira Sword, sending out a blazing wave of azure flames. Enhanced by his [Cataclysmic Frost-Fire Ring] and the Rachni’s natural weakness to fire, the attack’s potency is massively increased.
You have dealt 175 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have killed Rachni Soldier
You have dealt 168 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have killed Rachni Soldier
You have dealt 144 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have caused a burn to Rachni Soldier
You have dealt 123 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have caused a burn to Rachni Soldier
Alex rushes forward, quickly cutting down the two survivors with swift precision, only requiring two more slashes.
You have dealt 89 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have killed Rachni Soldier
You have dealt 91 damage to Rachni Soldier
You have killed Rachni Soldier
With the Rachni eliminated, Alex sheathes his sword onto his back, noticing a Green Chest appearing nearby, which he immediately picks up.
“Garrus, can you give repairing these damned Landlines a shot?” Alex asks, turning around.
Liara and Garrus are staring at him in awe.
“Ah… Of course,” Garrus says, snapping out of it. “I’ll get right to it.”
“Alex, your abilities are completely unnatural. I still can’t get used to seeing them,” Liara says in disbelief.
“What, you don’t like blue? I happen to like blue a lot,” Alex teases with a smirk, stepping closer.
Looking mildly annoyed, Liara crosses her arms. “I’ll get my answers when this mission is over!” She quickly walks to Garrus, seemingly eager to assist.
Alex uses this moment to open his Purple Chest and the freshly acquired Green Chest, starting with the Green Chest.
You received Soul Crystal (Medium)
You received 6,000 FC
Wait—did I open the Purple one by mistake? No, I didn’t! My LUK is getting scarier by the day! This Soul Crystal is worth 100,000 FC! How is this even possible?!
Alex, barely suppressing his greed, quickly opens the Purple Chest.
You have obtained Krogan Life-Essence
You have obtained Soul Crystal (Medium)
[Krogan Life-Essence]
World: Mass Effect
Type: Special Essence
Quality: Light Purple
Effect: Increases STR and PHY by 10 for 5 minutes but inflicts the user with a temporary Rage Debuff. The debuff enhances strength but severely reduces rational thinking. Duration depends on the SPR stat.
Note: This Life-Essence might be purified to enhance its beneficial effects.
Note: The raw might of the Krogans.
This is it? The Soul Crystal is incredible, sure, but this item is pretty mediocre. Why was the chest flickering like that? Maybe I’ll just pass it to Menchi for experiments.
Suddenly, Shepard’s voice comes through the comms, “This is Shepard. The main reactor is back online!”
“Good job,” Tali replies promptly. “Shepard, the Landlines are partially restored—enough for Mira to identify another problem. There seem to be Rachni in the decontamination chambers.. We need to clear them out! We can’t risk leaving them there. There is a failsafe system that can purge them without any risk. I’m sending you the location.”
Shepard sighs deeply, audible even through comms. “I’m on it. Kerber, how much longer do you need?”
“We’re almost done, Alex!” Liara calls out.
“Great, hurry it up please,” Alex says, before responding to Shepard, “We’ve been finished for a while, but the Landlines are still self-repairing. Anyway, Liara says we’re basically done. Let’s regroup in front of Mira!”
About ten minutes later, Alex, Liara, and Garrus return to Mira, arriving simultaneously with Shepard’s team—Wrex, Ashley, and Kaidan.
“Let’s move out!” Shepard says decisively, pressing onward.
Tali quickly rejoins the crew, and they make their way toward the now-clear and operational tramway.
Upon reaching the tram, the eerie silence of the massive, empty station feels oppressive. The crew quietly boards the tram, taking a brief moment to relax.
Shepard activates the tram controls, and it accelerates smoothly, carrying them deeper into the facility.
“Everyone alright?” Shepard asks, scanning her team’s faces.
“We’re fine, I think,” Alex replies casually, briefly noticing Liara’s distracted expression as she stares out the window.
“What about you, Commander?” Alex asks gently.
“Me?” Shepard responds with a grin, almost laughing. “You’re cute, Kerber. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Look, this mission is stressful for me, and I mostly just swing my sword around to crush things… and stuff… and people. I think giving actual orders would stress me out even more,” Alex admits honestly.
“You get used to it. From what I’ve seen, you’re doing an excellent job so far. You’ve proven yourself on Mars, Feros, and right here!” Shepard reassures him warmly, making Alex blush slightly as he leans back against the tram wall, gripping the handrail tightly.
Shepard smiles and moves directly in front of him, her face directly in front of his own, pressing him lightly against the wall. “Just stay focused, and we’ll be another step closer to ending this. Once we’re done, we’ll celebrate and take a nice, long vacation!”
“Sure…” Alex says, feeling uncomfortable, which Shepard seems to enjoy.
“Sounds good,” Ashley agrees with a smile.
“Yeah, I seriously need a break,” Kaidan chimes in wearily.
Finally, the tram gently stops at the Rift Station.
They cautiously exit the tram, seeing exactly two doors ahead at the tram station’s end.
Alex stands before the left door, quickly assessing it. “This one’s blocked… it leads directly to the Hot Labs.”
“Over here, Kerber!” Shepard calls out. “This one’s unlocked and leads into the Science Station.”
Alex quickly joins the group, stepping into another elevator that swiftly ascends several floors.
When the doors open, the crew is immediately greeted by the sight of numerous armed guards, weapons aimed directly at them.