[Geth Pulse Shotgun]
World: Mass Effect
Quality: Light-Purple
Type: Shotgun (Pulse-Shotgun Mass Effect)
Requires Stats: STR - 16, PHY - 12, SNS - 10
Required Skills: Shotgun Proficiency lvl 3
Durability: 120/120
Damage: 20-200 (Depending on Range)
Effect: Unlimited Ammo (4 shots in quick succession before Overheating)
Effect: 20% Increased Damage against Shields and Barriers (Including similar abilities)
Effect: Pulse-Weapon: Vastly increased Accuracy
Note: Manufactured by Geth Armory
Note: A rare Pulse Weapon, preferred by the Geth.
Incredible! A Green Chest gave me this beast? That's insane. Two hundred damage up close, bonus damage against shields, barriers and similar skills! It can fire four times in a row? This thing could one-shot players, and with four shots, it can take down nearly anything. Also, it's a Pulse Weapon—so the accuracy is outstanding too.
But when he opens the Blue Chest, his excitement dips just slightly.
You received 1 Soul Crystal (Medium)
You received 8,000 FC
You received 16,000 Credits
Okay… considering the value of a Medium Soul Crystal, that's still a great haul. That's over 108,000 FC worth, plus the Credits. I should be thrilled—but I was hoping for another Purple item. Still, I can't complain too much.
Alex scans the area for anything else but doesn't find much—until he spots a First Aid Kit beside a door leading underground. He quickly opens it, grabbing three units of [Medigel] and, surprisingly, even one unit of [Omnigel].
He then walks toward the Beacon and sees Kaidan and Shepard jogging over, all charges successfully dealt with.
Ashley looks out toward the area where Sovereign had landed. "My god. It's like looks like someone dropped a bomb," she says, her voice low.
I agree… it looks like hell itself opened up. The ground's scorched—no signs of life left.
Should I interact with the Beacon? …No. I can't risk getting infected by that broken, defective Beacon. Shepard has to be the one to activate it. If she doesn't believe in the Reapers later, I'm screwed. I'll hold back this time.
Shepard radios the Normandy. "Normandy, the Beacon is secure. Requesting immediate evacuation. Hurry it up!"
Alex, Kaidan, and Ashley stand before the alien artifact, watching as strange energy flickers and swirls around it.
"Actual working Prothean technology… unbelievable," Kaidan murmurs.
Ashley steps a little closer. "It wasn't doing anything like this when they dug it up… Someone must have activated it."
Suddenly, the Beacon pulses with blinding energy, and Ashley is pulled toward it.
Shepard rushes forward, shoving Ashley out of harm's way—only to get caught herself. She's yanked into the light, her body going rigid as the Beacon seemingly transfers data directly into her mind.
The artifact explodes moments later, and Shepard collapses.
"Commander!" Ashley screams, rushing to her alongside Kaidan.
Alex sighs.
I'm ready to collapse too….
The Normandy manages to land close to the spaceport, and a group of crew members carries Shepard away on a stretcher. Alex stumbles toward the ship as well, supported by Kaidan and Ashley.
"You really saved us there, that was incredible, Alex!" Kaidan comments, visibly impressed.
"You're even crazier than the rumours say. Without you, we'd be dead and this whole spaceport would have been blown up," Ashley adds, still visibly shaken. "I just hope the Commander is okay. This was my fault! I got caught up. That strange beacon… we also failed. The beacon self-destructed."
Once aboard the Normandy, Alex is quickly escorted to the med bay. Shepard is already there, being examined by Dr. Chakwas, the ship's medical officer.
Alex removes his damaged [Heavy Onyx Armor], and even unequips some of his equipment, mostly his armor, acting like he is depositing it under his bed, but in reality just makes it disappear, while still keeping it in his inventory. Just with Casual Alliance clothes, he looks extremely injured. He has swellings, damaged bones, and looks like he was violently beaten up.
"I'll fix that armor of yours," Ashley says, her tone apologetic.
"There's no empty bed!" Kaidan points out, noticing that the second medbay bed is already occupied by another man.
Dr. Chakwas turns and hurries over. She roughly shakes the man awake.
"Jenkins! Get up. You are fine! You can laze around in your own bed!"
"Ouch, I'm in pain…" he whines, but as soon as he notices the injured Alex, his expression changes. He silently gets up and walks away, clearly ashamed.
Chakwas quickly cleans the hospital bed and gently guides Alex down onto it.
"You look bad. I'm giving you the usual cocktail. Lieutenant Kerber, right? Don't worry—you'll be fine. You'll feel drowsy soon. Sleep, and when you wake up, things won't be as bad."
"Not really tired…" Alex mutters, but the medication kicks in almost instantly, and his eyes close.
He falls into a deep, heavy sleep.
It feels like an eternity passes before Alex stirs. As his senses return, he hears voices—Captain Anderson speaking with Shepard nearby.
Shepard's voice is strained and frustrated.
"Intel dropped the ball sir, We had no idea what we were walking into down there. That's why things went to hell! It's a miracle that Jenkins, Kerber, and I made it out alive. I feel each of us should have died after what we've been through."
"The Geth haven't been outside the Veil in two centuries, Commander. Nobody could have predicted this," Anderson replies.
"Anyway, Captain, you wanted to speak in private?" Shepard asks.
Anderson sighs. "I won't lie to you, Shepard. Things look bad. Nihlus is dead. The beacon was destroyed, and Geth are invading. The council's going to want answers."
"We did nothing wrong, Captain, the council should be able to see that!" Shepard responds.
"I'll stand behind you and your report, Shepard. You're a damned hero in my books. That's not why I'm here. It's Saren, that other Turian you mentioned!" Anderson says.
Anderson then continues, explaining more about Saren, his status as a Spectre, and the danger he represents.
"Saren's dangerous, worst of all, he hates humans. He, like many others, thinks humans are growing too fast, even thinking we're taking over the galaxy."
Alex listens carefully. He remembers the backstory between Anderson and Saren—how the two are bitter rivals. He knows that Saren is the reason Anderson was ultimately rejected as a Spectre candidate.
Shepard speaks again, voice lower now. "I saw synthetics, Geth, maybe. Slaughtering people. Butchering them! These visions messed with my head."
Anderson's response is calm but serious.
"We have to report all of this, including Saren, to the Council Shepard. We don't know what information was stored in that beacon. Lost Prothean technology? Blueprints for some ancient weapon of mass destruction? Whatever it was, Saren took it!"
Finally, Alex feels he's heard enough. Letting out a groan, he shifts and slowly pushes himself upright on the bed.
Anderson turns around. "Finally awake, Lieutenant? Good job out there. Looks like all that paperwork to get you out of jail paid off."
"Don't think I'm done yet, Captain. Down with Aldrin Labs," Alex jokes, rubbing his head.
"I assume you were listening in, Kerber?" Shepard asks, her gaze sharp, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"...No," Alex replies.
"..."
"..."
"It's fine, Commander. The Lieutenant deserves to know—he'll be supporting you on this mission," Anderson says, flashing Alex a faint smile. "Unless you object?"
"No, Captain. He makes a fine meat shield, and I intend to make good use of him," Shepard replies, grinning.
"Spare me…" Alex mutters silently.
He then stands up, stretches, and walks away, "Sorry for intruding."
Anderson nods. "We're finished here anyway, Shepard. I'll contact Ambassador Udina and arrange your audience with the Council. We need to present evidence of Saren's crimes and push to revoke his Spectre status immediately. Let Joker know it's time to get us to the Citadel."
"Understood, Captain," Shepard says, falling in step behind Alex.
"You look tired, Lieutenant. Not used to this pace?" she asks, amused. "You need more training."
"I need a goddamn break. Unfortunately, it looks like we're not getting one in the near future," Alex grumbles. "Let's take this asshole down, receive a huge bonus—maybe a promotion or two—and then enjoy a long vacation."
With a laugh, Shepard throws her arm around Alex's shoulders. "You complain too much, Kerber. But honestly, I'm impressed. You performed better than expected. I'm counting on you."
Alex can't help but notice her distinct smell, as her face is directly next to his.
Caught off guard, Alex looks away, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. He hadn't expected praise from this version of Shepard.
The two make their way toward the bridge, where Joker is already prepping the Normandy for their next jump.
"Permission to hit the relay, Commander?" Joker calls out. "Glad to see you two are back on your feet, by the way."
"Hurry up, Joker! We have to take down a damn rogue Spectre!" Shepard commands.
"Roger that. I'm flying us to the Serpent Nebula cluster," he continues. "Pretty barren, aside from the Widow system, of which the only point of interest is the Citadel itself."
Joker guides the Normandy smoothly through the Mass Relay, and they begin their approach.
Finally, after all the waiting, Alex sees it—the colossal space station looming in the distance.
"Incredible…" he mutters.
"Haven't been there before, Lieutenant?" Joker asks.
"Nah. Too busy wiping out Beasts and Pirates plaguing the colonies," Alex replies. "Heard plenty about the place, though. I've done my homework."
Damn… those five massive arms are no joke. Over 40 kilometers long, and at least 300 meters thick each. I can't wait to land.
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