ME3 Andromeda Series: Chap 2

MASS EFFECT 3: ANDROMEDA SERIES
CHAPTER 2


The Illusive Man tapped his cigarette against the ash tray with impatient strokes.  An exhaustive sigh slid out through his gritted teeth; he was not pleased.  Word came in several minutes ago that Shepard and his team made it back out of the Omega 4 Relay with no casualties; however, instead of keeping the Reaper technology, Shepard decided to destroy it.  This angered the Illusive Man to no end, humanity finally had the means to secure its dominant position of the galaxy and instead Shepard made the choice of siding with the aliens, the enemy.  No one crossed the Illusive Man. No one.

A female servant in her late twenty's ushered over to refill his glass with more brandy but he turned her away.  Right now, all he wanted was to confront Shepard and see where his alliance truly was. Throughout the entire campaign, the Commander made a lot of choices that he wouldn't agree with, nevertheless this was taking things too far.  Finally, his monitor chimed indicating he had an incoming call.  Without even looking to see who it was, he pushed the receiving button and watched as the holographic form of Shepard appeared fifteen feet in front of him. The reinstated Spectre still sported his battle armor which had several dings from enemy fire that had managed to penetrate his kinetic shields.

For several minutes, the two hashed it out about the decision that was made on the Collector Base, but Shepard held fast to his beliefs which seemed to anger the Illusive Man even more.  "Strength for Cerberus is strength for every human. Cerberus is humanity. I should have known you'd choke on the hard decisions. Too idealistic from the start." The Illusive Man threw up his hands in disgust and frustration as he finally rose from his chair.

However, Shepard wasn't going to back down either. With a pointed finger, he argued, "I know what you are and the price of dealing with you. We do things my way from now on. Harbinger is coming and he won't be alone.  I'm going to make sure we're ready when they get here.  You can fall in line or step aside, but don't get in my way."

"You sure that's what you want?" The Illusive Man stormed over to the image. "You're taking a hell of a risk, Shepard."

"I don't think so. I'm gonna stop the Reapers, but I won't sacrifice the soul of our species to do it." The Commander turned his back to walk away and the holographic form cut off leaving the Illusive Man standing in the dim room once again alone.  He calmly walked back over, retaking his normal position in his chair. Lifting up the cigarette from the tray, he took a few puffs as his mind mused over what just transpired.  Leaning over with his free hand, he pressed the intercom key, "Get me to Leng."

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Celebrations were ongoing aboard the Normandy for not just stopping the Collectors, but returning with everyone safe.  "Commander, I cannot thank you enough for coming to our aid. I thought…I thought that was it." Kelly exclaimed as tears filled her eyes.  She stepped forward to lean over and embrace her commanding officer in gratitude but then caught herself, and blushed in embarrassment.

Grunt slapped Shepard on the back in a comrade gesture, chuckling, "I thought the Thresher Maw was big, Shepard. And when you told the Illusive Man to stick it…HA!"

Shepard nearly stumbled forward by the impact from the Krogan.  "Thanks, Grunt. I'm glad to have you on our side."

"Well what do we do now?" Tali inquired as she looked around at the others. There was a sense of peace and tranquility aboard the vessel, unlike the tension that boiled for the many days she was with them.  

"I suggest we should all get some rest." Mordin, the Salarian scientist, spoke up.  "Then tomorrow I want to study some of the tissue samples I was able to collect from this mission."

"Rest? Man, you are old." Jack scoffed. "We are near Omega. Hell, let's stop and get a few round of drinks."

"I don't think I want to see Omega any time soon. I've had enough of that station for awhile." Garrus laughed, shaking his head.

Kelly's console beeped indicating an incoming message. "Commander, you've received a message at your private terminal."

"Excuse me," Shepard side stepped around his squad mates to his monitor.  He could hear them departing ways.

"Message from Admiral Steven Hackett from Alliance HQ." A young officer said over the console hushing the Commander's mood. Now there was one person he hadn't heard from in awhile…not since he joined Cerberus.  A pit formed in his stomach and he could see that his crewmates stopped in their tracks to look upon him. "I'm going to take this up in my room."  He kept his eyes down as he walked into the elevator.

Jacob and Miranda exchanged silent glances as they watched him leave and everyone had a similar thought in their head. "What was going on now?"

Garrus moved over to Kelly and kept his voice down low. "May you patch a message for me to the Citadel?"

"Of course." Kelly smiled warmly.
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Leng was about to suit up in his gear to head to another Cerberus outpost far from the cluster he was at, when he was notified that the Illusive Man wanted to talk to him immediately.  He didn't take any time in going into the communications room and setting himself up with the holo comm link.  "Shepard has betrayed us." The Illusive Man spoke up as his soon as his image clearly came through. If he was angry, he was not showing it very well.

"Want me to deal with him?" Leng asked, trying to read his boss' thoughts.

"Not yet. We have important things to deal with. Word just came through that Aria's men found Grayson. It was faster than I expected."

"Then there's no need for the girl?" Leng prodded.

"She still has her uses. I may be able to stilll salvage any of the technology that was not destroyed on the other side of the Omega 4 Relay.  Aria may not approve of our ships using that relay in her space."

"Can she really be trusted?"  Kai Leng finally questioned. He didn't like the fact that they had to pretend to play nice with the aliens for their goals. To him, that was just as bad as the alien sympathizers.

"No, but I'm sure she feels the same way about me. Aria T'Loak is all about business and as long as we make this strictly business then I have nothing to worry about."

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A technician punched in the access code and quickly stepped into the lab room that Andromeda was being held in.  She was strapped down on an examining table, naked.  Kai Leng insisted on her physical appearance to humiliate her for her sin against humanity.  She was slowly coming to from the sedatives when the Cerberus medical staff walked in.  The room was lit brightly with artificial lighting which caused Andromeda to barely open her eyes. Her head throbbed from the medicine and lack of food.  She managed to force herself to move her head to the other side so she could watch her guest.  The technician was standing next to a console, punching in some buttons on her omni tool. Next to her was a syringe. Probably filled with more sedatives, Andromeda thought.  Looking at the woman, then back to her own restraints, she started to wiggle one of her arms, desperately trying to free herself.  She fearfully glanced back at the technician to make sure they were not watching her.  Biting through the pain, she started to squeeze her hand through and then looked back to see the technician getting the sedative ready. It was now or never. If she continued to lay there and allow them to inject her, she was done for. Andromeda had no idea what Cerberus' true plans were for her and what they may be doing to her when she's unconscious.

Her hand slipped through and when she saw the technician turning around, she quickly held her arm against her side, hoping they wouldn't take notice.  The woman  walked over without saying a word, remaining cold in personality as she started to swab the injection point on Andromeda's freed arm.  Andromeda looked on, waiting for the right time. Just as the woman was about to inject her, she reached up and grabbed her arm tightly. However, she did not anticipate just how strong this woman really was and what kind of predicament she was in.  With only one freed arm, she didn't have an advantage at all even with the element of surprise.  The technician struggled against her grip as she leaned over Andromeda with her other hand and held her fast. Andromeda's struggles were almost futile as the woman was gaining distance with the needle. The fear of death crept all over her. She looked around for anything to grab as a weapon but nothing was close as all. She gripped the woman's arm tighter and suddenly she felt something come over her. Something she never felt before….it wasn't just adrenaline.   Seeing the needle just barely about to penetrate her flesh, Andromeda pressed her free hand against the woman's chest and screamed, "No!" Just as she did, a strange purplish glow surrounded the technician and she flew back against the wall.  

Struggling to get to her feet, the technician looked on at Andromeda with a frightened look and she hit the alarm button that was next to her on the wall.

Kai Leng was still in mid conversation with the Illusive Man when he heard the outpost's inner perimeter alarm. "What's going on over there?" The Illusive Man froze up.

"I'll look into it." Kai grabbed his pistol and hurried towards the lab.  When he went inside, he saw Andromeda there on the table, barely free with the woman standing up against the wall with a look of horror on her face. "What happened?"

"She-She's biotic!" The woman cried out, shaking still from the surprised singularity attack.

"What?! No way…." Kai's words went dim as he walked over to her, bringing up his omni tool.

Andromeda was looking at her hand in disbelief. "What did I do?" She asked out loud.

Leng narrowed his eyes from the results of the scan. "You do have a small amount of dark energy still built up around you…." Then a twisted smile slid across his face. "You are full of surprises."

Glaring at him, Andromeda started to undo her other hand restraint. "Let me go or I'll do the same to you."

Leng laughed.  "I would love to see what powers you have."

"Fine." Andromeda clenched her jaw as she tried to recreate what happened against the lab tech, but for some reason, it wasn't coming back.  Seeing her feign, Leng stepped forward challengingly.  

"I've seen enough," Leng spat coldly as he struck quickly like a cobra before she had a chance to raise up her hands in defense. The strike was precise and against the side of her head with such a blow that it struck her cold instantly. Walking past the still startled technician, he ordered, "Make sure it doesn't happen again."
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"Is everything alright? What happened?" The Illusive Man was the first to speak when Kai returned to the still remained link session.

"We had an incident, but don't worry, it's taken care of. Our files were not a hundred percent accurate."

"What do you mean?"

"The girl's biotic. She used a singularity against a technician."

The Illusive Man remained quiet for several moments before he answered, "This may be very fortuitous. The overlook may be an advantage to Cerberus and humanity."

"I didn't see any implants, so how the hell did she get like this?"

"She was a colonist on Eden Prime before remember? Element Zero contaminated the colonies over a decade ago and a lot of the children started to exhibit biotic capabilities."

"I thought we took all the potential candidates like Subject Zero from Eden Prime."

"So we missed one....it's in the past, Leng and now it will help us.  Grayson has been declared a project failure, but that doesn't mean that we don't attempt it again.  We used sand to give him minor biotic ability to adapt to the technology better.  What if someone was already a biotic and we just boosted their ability?" For once that day, the Illusive Man smiled. "I'll immediately send a vessel to the Omega 4 Relay to begin the salvage. Order the technicians to begin injecting the drug into her every six hours,  I want you to go take care of Grayson."

"Understood." Leng nodded, though deep down inside, he almost wished he could stay a bit longer to see the woman he despised to become a duster. It didn't thrill him as much to see Grayson give in to his desires since he always had Crimson lips and eyes. "What if Shepard's team starts to look for her? You know she was with that Turian."

"Let me deal with that. Soon enough we will be at war with the Reapers. Shepard will want all the alien races to come together.  If they discover that I hold her, the Turian will be reluctant to go up against me or side with Shepard. The Commander will soon discover that humanity does not need any allies to be strong."

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An hour later, an older Cerberus official walked into the room that Kai Leng was in and saluted. "Your shuttle is ready, sir."

"Good." He walked past the lab to where the technician was working at a console outside. He paused to look through the door's window to see Andromeda lying almost peacefully on the table with her new restraints. "Shoot her up."

The technician nodded and walked inside carrying a syringe filled with the liquefied crimson substance.

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When Andromeda came to, it felt like all hours of the day seemed to merge together. She found herself alone in the lab room, unrestrained and on the floor. How she got there, she didn't know.  Her eyes stung and her lips and mouth felt dry.  Every inch of her body tingled with a sensation she never felt before.   Lifting her head groggily, she looked around to see two Cerberus officials peering through the door's window at her.  "What's the count now, Arlene?" One of the technicians asked outside.

The other peered down at her data pad. "Three injections, and was out cold for twenty hours. She's definitely showing signs…see the pink hue in her eyes?"

"I don't think she's biotic…but I guess it's up to the Illusive Man to make that judgment."

"You want some food?" Arlene said through the room's intercom system. The word made Andromeda's stomach growl and she nodded her head eagerly. "Just move the metal container on the table without touching it and we'll give you some food."

"How am I suppose to do that?" Andromeda called out to them in confusion.

"With your abilities.  The drug should help with that until you can learn more."

Andromeda shook her head and then held out her hand towards the container but nothing was happening.  After several seconds, she dropped her arm heavily and sighed. "I feel silly."

"Implant her." Arlene's compatriot said to her.

"No, she probably needs a few more doses. Go get her some food."Arlene replied.

"I can't believe that she is going to be a Reaper." The male technician skeptically said as he walked off to fetch her meal and Arlene went the other direction to get some supplies.

Overhearing the last few words, Andromeda's stomach tightened as if a stone had sunk deep within.  The sickening truth finally was revealed and she caught herself running over to the lab's sink, vomiting. Tossing some water into her mouth to get the bile taste out, she sunk down and cradled her knees to her chest.

Minutes later, Arlene's coworker, William, stepped into the room carrying a metal tray with food on it.  He was around Andromeda's age with blondish brown hair and a small mustache forming on his upper lip.  "Got your food."  Seeing him, and remembering his words, Andromeda hurriedly stood up and remained guarded. Her new demeanor bewildered William as he set the tray down cautiously on the counter. "Easy, I'm just here to bring you food and give you more meds to help boost your abilities ok?" He held up the half filled syringe to let her look at it as he kept his left hand out in a friendly gesture.
"I don't want any more meds," Andromeda remained firm against the wall.

"Oh, sure you do." William walked towards her. "By now, I know you have to start to feel some sort of addiction to this stuff. Besides, the Illusive Man has big plans for you. You want to help out humanity right?"

Turmoil stirred inside Andromeda as part of her ached for more of the Red Sand, but she fought hard to suppress any urges.  She lifted up her hand and with a pulse of dark energy she threw the food tray at William, knocking the syringe out  of his hand. The glass cylinder shattered on the floor and the red liquid oozed out like blood.  William's face was white as if he shit his britches. "Holy…."

Andromeda stared down at her hand then the food tray realizing that they were right. The drug was making the ability to come on easier. For once in her life, she didn't feel powerless and this new feeling she longed for even more. Pushing William out of the way, she ran towards the liquid and scooped it out into her hands. The addict behavior starting to show as she looked up at him with her pinkish eyes. "Get me more, now!"

"Y-Yes, mam!" William hurried out of the room to oblige.

Suddenly a huge explosion caused the entire facility to shake. Seconds later, screams were heard far away at the other side of the compound and people began to shout in a panic.  Andromeda stood up and listened quietly in her room even though the door was still open. However, the terrifying noises of gun shots and screams held her at bay.  "We're under attack!!!" A technician ran to William and Arlene and the two took off. Frightened, Andromeda quickly shut and locked the door, although the access panel was on the other side so anybody could just come in.  Grabbing the sheet off the bed, she wrapped herself up,  and pressed herself into a corner, praying that whoever it was, wouldn't see her.

The frightful noises of gunfire and people dying seemed to linger on and the horrific memory of the attack on the Citadel played on her mind. Silence crept inward which made her hold the sheet closer to her body.  Sound of multiple footsteps approached and then there were  voices outside her door.  "Scans show that we have one inside the room." One voice said.

"Hack the door lock.  They told us no survivors."

Andromeda gasped and held her breath as she heard them hacking the door. The next few seconds felt like eternity as everything seemed to go in slow motion as the door whisked open. Two figures walked in, Turian built, completely armored with their heads covered by helmets. Each one carried a Turian military standard issued assault rifle.  "Got one!"  The first said as he took aim at her. Andromeda screamed as she knew what would transpire next. However, the shot never came. "Sir! She's not like the others."

Another Turian stepped around him, wearing a blackened armor.  He tilted his head some as he looked her over and then lowered his rifle. "Are you hurt?" Andromeda shook her head, but didn't lax her composure.  "We are with the Turian Military, were you a prisoner here?" The soldier took off his helmet as he spoke.

When her eyes laid upon him, Andromeda was taken back. This Turian had the same facial tattoos as Nihlus and his skin texture was a little lighter. She could also tell by the sound of his voice, that he wasn't as old as her deceased Turian father-like friend.  "You're safe now and we'll take you with us. I'm sure we can notify your embassy of your whereabouts."

"Tyran, all Cerberus threats have been eliminated." One of the soldiers saluted to his superior as he walked in.

"Excellent job, let's get out of here before there are any reinforcements." Tyran motioned Andromeda to follow him.

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On board the shuttle, Andromeda instantly located Tyran and sat next to him. "Once we get within range of a comm buoy I'll notify the human embassy on the Citadel."

"T-thank you…" Andromeda managed to finally say as her mouth seemed to be very dry as she was coming off of the red sand.

"You don't look to be a duster…but the medical scans showed you had a lot of pure sand in your system."

"Cerberus was injecting me with Red Sand to boost biotic abilities for an experiment." She left the Reaper part off…the word just sent a chill down her spine.

"I apologize for not having any food or clothing for you. We were not expecting to come back with any…prisoners." The medical officer stopped in front of Tyran as he spoke and handed him two capsules. "Here, this will help take the edge off of the drugs."

"Thank you.." Andromeda reached over to take the medicine and as she did, that's when Tyran first noticed the lacerations on her back.

Recognizing them to be the same shape and size to come from talons, he cleared his throat and looked at a data pad that an officer brought to him.  "Interesting name…"

"Thank you, I took on the last name to honor someone who helped me when I was a child-"

"Nihlus." Tyran finished the sentence for her. Seeing that grabbed her attention even more so he continued, "Nihlus…was my older brother.  He left Palaven after we lost our parents and trained to become a Spectre while I remained here. I was still in military training when he died…I was hoping that I would be selected to become a Spectre next and travel with him."

Taking his hand into hers, she smiled at him. "Your brother was an honorable Turian…and he took care of me like a father when my parents were killed by mercs."

"I know.." Tyran's expression grew a little dark.  "He used to send me vids talking about a human child he came to love from Eden Prime.  I guess all my time on Palaven made it hard for me to accept being fond of humans, but I never questioned it." He took out his omni tool and punched in a code. "I still have his last message saved."

An image of Nihlus appeared on his tool,  a face that Andromeda still remembered vividly. Just seeing him made her eyes water.  "Tyran, I'm about to go to Eden Prime to investigate an attack. I pray that the Spirits have spared Andromeda.  Something is just not right…peace be with you, brother."

Andromeda wiped a single tear that escaped her eyelid. Although it had been years since his death, the vid of him almost made it seem like he was still alive…out there fighting against the Geth.  A Turian officer squeezed around the others to where Andromeda and Tyran were seated and saluted accordingly. "Sir, we are one hundred meters away from the comm buoy. Shall I open a channel to the human embassy on the Citadel before we head to Palaven?" Tyran looked back at Andromeda, waiting to see what her decision would be.

Although she knew if she didn't go back, that would send worry to all her friends and with Garrus, however, the Illusive Man probably knew about the attack by the Turian military and would have vessels out looking for them.  Plus Kai Leng penetrated the Citadel without any trouble to and from.  What's to stop them now and if the Turians lingered in Council space that would make them vulnerable to any attacks. "Take me with you." She blurted out.

"Where?" Tyran asked in confusion, standing up with her.

"Palaven. That may the only place safe for us all right now. Cerberus would still be looking for me and now you."

Tyran remained quiet, debating the request and his lieutenant spoke up. "Sir, Palaven doesn't really take to humans being present especially without clearance from the Prime."

Seeing the desperation in her eyes, Tyran turned his head back to address the officer. "Cancel any communications with the Citadel. Set a direct course to Palaven."

"Sir, what about clearance with our guest?"

"I'll deal with that once we are ground side."

Knowing better than to debate the issue any further, the officer saluted once more and marched off to reiterate the order to the shuttle's captain. The others remained quiet as they sat, looking on. This silence left Tyran in an awkward position. He knew what kind of tribulation he would be dealing with, which may lead to a forfeit of his position, but he didn't advise this to Andromeda.  To honor his brother, he would do what it takes to keep her safe.