As Alex carries Liara toward the Normandy, he checks his current World Particles.
[World Particles: 30]
I see… I finally realize what this mission is all about. It's a game of chicken. Every mission is a deathtrap. Without my intervention, whatever we're trying to achieve is doomed to fail. Only by doing my absolute best and using all my knowledge can I help turn it around and let the team complete the mission. The investigation on the Citadel was relatively straightforward, but this mission was borderline suicidal. That damned collapsing mine would have killed me if I'd played the battles safer.
"Are you alright?" Liara asks, still carried by Alex. "You seem quite hurt… and worried."
"I'm fine, sorry for this… I am just a little… shaken. I'm not someone crazy like Wrex or the Commander who can enjoy these life-or-death situations. This one in particular was a little too risky for me," Alex says.
"I share your sentiment. This was indeed a nightmare to experience. By the Goddess, I am so grateful for your help—without your help, this would have been the end of me," she replies sincerely.
The team boards the Normandy, and Shepard announces before the group splits up, "One hour, CIC—don't be late! T'Soni, you need treatment. Kerber, you look extremely beat up as well—either go now and skip the meeting or get yourself treated afterwards."
I am constantly treated like a toddler. I hate being a front-line fighter since I always take the brunt of the injuries….
"Yes, Commander," Alex replies, carrying Liara toward the Med-Bay run by Dr. Chakwas.
"Hello, Dr. Chakwas, I have a patient for you," Alex says as he gently places Liara onto an empty bed.
"Welcome. Dr. T'Soni, I presume?" Chakwas asks.
"Yes, indeed I am," Liara responds.
"See you later," Alex says, turning to leave. However, Dr. Chakwas firmly grabs his shoulder.
"As the doctor on board, I have access to medical information. You are wounded as well, Lieutenant. You'd better stay," she says, fixing Alex with an angry glare that barely conceals her concern.
"I'm fine… I'll visit you for a check-up after the meeting," Alex says softly, gently removing Dr. Chakwas's hand from his shoulder.
"Fine! But if you don't, I'll have you forcefully escorted down here!" she snaps back, clearly annoyed.
Alex leaves the medical room and stands in front of his locker, pretending to stash away his items. In reality, he just transfers them into his inventory. He then uses several units of [Omnigel] to restore the durability of his [Colossus Armor S] to maximum, mindful of the unlimited quantity available, along with the almost endless supply of [Medigel] before each mission.
Despite his HP gradually returning to full, Alex feels extremely drained. Stamina isn't visually tracked, but he's certain his reserves are still severely depleted—more importantly, he's mentally exhausted.
Risking your life, always just one step away from actually dying, is so draining… I feel like throwing up. I could sleep for a week and still feel exhausted afterward.
Alex takes a quick shower, puts on a fresh set of Alliance fatigues, enters the crew cabin, and lies down on his bed. He contacts Menchi, updating her about the mission and sharing his growing suspicion.
Almost immediately, he receives an answer.
[Menchi: The Princess is worried… I am slightly worried as well. You love to complain, but it sounds like every single mission is about life and death… Call us when you have some time, okay?]
[Alex: We have a fun and helpful team-building exercise in a couple of minutes. I'll call you later. Hug the Princess for me.]
With his body aching and his head pounding, Alex realizes the meeting is supposed to begin in 15 minutes.
Let's see if it was worth it. I can still open the blue chest.
You received 10,000 FC
You received Skillbook: Shotgun Proficiency
[Skillbook: Shotgun Proficiency]
Quality: Blue
Effect: Teaches the skill "Shotgun Proficiency"
Note: High Impact, High Damage, You better make sure not to misfire.
Not bad! Shotguns aren't that common, but I suppose it might be useful… I would have preferred something involving rifles, though. Anyway, I have plenty of melee weapons, so I'll sell this.
Alex then walks up the stairs toward the CIC.
To his surprise, the room is completely empty. No one else has arrived yet.
Suddenly, Alex remembers a crucial detail.
Wait… I think I need to pick up Liara. She can't walk yet, right? Or is medicine so advanced that a bullet wound can be instantly healed? Since there are no actual projectiles, it should be simple… right? Medigel fixes almost everything, but she took a shot without any armor protecting her.
Heading back to the Med-Bay, Alex is surprised when he doesn't see Liara there.
Maybe she already left?
"Oh, you came to pick up our guest? You are such a gentleman, aren't you, Lieutenant? Jenkins also told me how you saved him on Eden Prime, you are a real hero," Dr. Chakwas says with a smile, now more relaxed, as both he and Liara are not in crucial condition.
"How long until she can walk?" Alex asks.
"She can already walk; she's resting in the back room. It's usually used for storage, but the Commander allowed her to stay there," the Doctor explains.
"I want my own private room too," Alex complains jokingly.
She giggles, teasing him, "Maybe you should ask her if you can move in with her? I think that was the last private room we had available."
"... Good idea. I hope you don't mind the noise, because I'll be sure to—" Alex begins confidently, suddenly stopping as he realizes whom he's speaking with.
"Sorry about this, my jokes are bad. I'll see you later, Doctor," he says quickly, noticing how Chakwas tries hard to suppress her laughter.
Entering the back room of the Med Bay, Alex finds Liara resting quietly on her makeshift bed.
"Hello, sorry, I was intending to knock, but hey… automatic doors," Alex jokes awkwardly.
"I do not understand. Why would you knock on a door?" Liara asks, genuinely puzzled.
"...Sorry… it's a human thing. Anyway, are you ready for the meeting, or will you sit this one out? You got hit in the leg, didn't you?"
"It is fine. I can walk again; it might hurt for a day or two, but I am fine," she assures him, standing up.
"I am grateful for your concern. You are a very kind person, are you not? This surprises me greatly," she adds thoughtfully.
"Why? Do you expect humans to be assholes? I think compared to others, we are fairly average."
"No, of course, I was not implying that. I am just not very knowledgeable about your race. No, this is incorrect as well—I know more than enough about your race, but I lack personal experience," she explains carefully.
"I see… well, let's go then. We don't want to be late," Alex says.
Seeing Liara walk awkwardly behind him, he cringes slightly, then turns around. He gently takes her arm and wraps it around his neck, respectfully supporting her waist to help her walk.
"...Thank you," she says softly, blushing slightly.
Damn, she is so fucking cute. I can't act creepy… don't ruin this Alex!
"We're military here, and Saren wants to destroy the galaxy, so don't think too deeply about this. We're just helping each other as best as we can," Alex replies, attempting to ease the awkwardness of the moment.
Dr. Chakwas can't help but comment, "Careful where those hands go Lieutenant!"
Shut up!!
"I do not understand, what does she mea—" Liara says.
"She is joking, ignore it!" Alex says, embarrassed.
Still supporting Liara, Alex enters the CIC, which is now full. He gently guides her to an empty seat, allowing her to sit comfortably, then sits down in the chair next to her.
"What a gentleman. Isn't that cute? Lieutenant, you continue to impress me," Shepard comments with a smirk.
"I… didn't think about that," Ashley admits sheepishly. "Sorry, Alex, looks like only you paid attention."
"Me neither," Tali says, staring at Alex curiously.
"Let's get started then," Shepard announces.
Suddenly, Alex hears a voice over the comms. "Before you do, next time please do not force me to land the Normandy on this type of terrain! You know volcanoes tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull, just for future reference."
Liara's expression shifts into one of confusion. "We almost died out there. Is that really the right time to make jokes?"
"Ignore him. Joker's a real ass sometimes, especially when it involves his ship. Remind me to have that cockpit deep-cleaned every once in a while," Shepard says.
"I see—another human thing, similar to knocking on doors. I really lack experience dealing with your species, Commander. In any case, I am deeply grateful to you all. You saved my life back there. Those Geth would have either killed me or dragged me off to Saren."
"You must know something about the Conduit; why else would Saren be after you?" Kaidan asks.
"I only know that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the past fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them!"
"50 years?! How old are you?!" Shepard asks, slightly confused.
"I am only 106 years old. That may seem like a long time to a human, but among the Asari, I am barely considered more than a child. That is the reason why my research has not received the attention it deserves. Older scholars tend to dismiss my theories on what happened to the Protheans—not because they can disprove them, but simply because of my age. This annoys me greatly."
"I got my own theory," Shepard smirks.
"Finding proof is the hard part—there are so many theories around, Commander. According to my investigation, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to mysteriously vanish. This cycle began long before them. I've worked fifty years on it and have tracked down every hint and shred of evidence. Eventually, I noticed some patterns that hint at the truth: There were other civilizations before the Protheans. This cycle has repeated itself many times over."
"If Saren is interested in Liara, then he must obviously give credit to her theories," Alex says.
"Go on," Shepard says, clearly interested to hear more.
"The galaxy is built on a cycle of extinction. Each time a great civilization rises up, it is suddenly and violently cast down. Only ruins survive. Even the Protheans, whose empire spanned the entire galaxy, climbed to the top on the remains of those who came before them. The Mass Relays and the Citadel were not invented by them."
Shepard finally interrupts her, "50 years for that? I don't understand Saren—and you as well, T'Soni. The answer is obvious. Reapers! The Protheans and every race before them were wiped out by a race of ancient machines… the Reapers."
"...you know that because of the Beacon, right Commander?" Kaidan asks.
"Beacon? A Prothean Beacon?!" Liara asks excitedly.
"We stumbled across a damaged Prothean Beacon on Eden Prime, Saren's first target. The Commander made… contact with it. Do you still get those visions, Commander?" Ashley asks, concern on her face.
"No new visions. I am still struggling to sort out what it all means, but I know Reapers exist!" Shepard says firmly.
"You must be remarkably strong-willed, Commander. A broken Beacon, absolutely unsuitable for a human, yet you still managed to obtain some information? I am amazed," Liara says sincerely.
"This is not helping us at all," Wrex intervenes, having clearly had enough of the conversation.
"I have to agree. We are in need of information about the Conduit," Garrus adds.
"I am sorry, I do not have information that could help you find the Conduit or Saren," Liara admits.
"We have wasted our time! Damn this. We will drop you off at the next port we visit," Shepard curses, obviously disappointed.
"Commander, wait! Saren might attempt another attack on my life. I would feel safer if you let me stay on your ship. Also, my knowledge of the Protheans will be useful, I am sure!"
"She is pretty skilled at Biotics," Garrus chimes in.
"Powerful… but frail," Wrex comments bluntly.
Shepard sighs, "Fine. We've already got so many non-human species on board, might as well add an Asari to the team. Besides, I know Alenko and Kerber might be happy. You can stay, but you will respect my command—is that understood?"
"Of course, Commander!" Liara replies, relieved and visibly happy, though clearly tired.
"You all look tired. I'll report to the Council—you get some rest. Dismissed!" Shepard concludes.
What should I do now? … I'll give Menchi a call.
Alex sees every team member leave the CIC to give Shepard privacy, but then he notices Liara, who still struggles to walk properly. She gives him an apologetic look.
"Ashley, Tali, maybe you—" Alex begins, but both women have already left.
He sighs, "Sorry, guess you'll have to make do with me again."
"It is fine. Thank you so much. Lieutenant Kerber, right?" Liara asks curiously.
"Call me Alex…" he responds gently, slightly embarrassed, as he wraps her arm around him again as he lifts her up.
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