As the group runs back through the chaotic, almost totally destroyed bar, they get ambushed by more thugs firing at them.
"There is no time for this! Where do these damn cockroaches come from?" Shepard curses, quickly ducking and dispatching a thug with one shot of her pistol.
Alex jumps next to her, diving behind a nearby table.
"Should I run ahead? My omni-tool indicates the location is nearby… I can make it there in a few minutes," Alex asks.
"Go for it! However, don't you dare die—that's an order!" she yells.
Alex gathers his Aura on his feet to leap high into the air, landing on top of the metallic bar shelf, knocking down countless bottles.
He activates Sealion's Icewing Embrace and then dives downward toward the exit, gliding over the thugs desperately firing at the squad.
The thugs, kept busy by the rest, don't notice Alex until he's already past them.
"That guy can fly! Ignore him!" someone yells.
Alex ignores the shout and presses on, quickly leaving the bar.
Activating Thunder Sword—without drawing his blade—he gains another speed boost through his [Nimbus Cloak], his sword glowing in thunderous magic, that slowly dissipates.
Alex runs as fast as he can, his omni-tool displaying the shortest route through the Wards to the meeting point.
From time to time, Alex invests the 10 MP necessary to activate Thunder Sword, refreshing the effect of his [Nimbus Cloak], which lasts only 10 seconds.
I don't think this item—and especially my skill—was ever intended to be used this way, but what choice do I have?!
In just minutes, Alex arrives at an abandoned corner of the nearby Wards, with no stores or anything major in the vicinity.
As his omni-tool indicates, he's reached the correct location—a back alley, seemingly only used for maintenance of the nearby sectors. Alex uses In to hide his Aura and his still-active Sealion's Icewing Embrace.
At the meeting point, Alex notices a Turian already threatening Tali, the Quarian they've been looking for, with a gun—while inappropriately touching her. He also spots one more Turian and two Salarians in armor, cutting off any escape route.
Fucking bitch don't touch her…. Four enemies… we would've been too late if we dispatched the thugs first. Thankfully, I rushed over! This is insane… she almost died. I need to quickly kill them!
Alex, with a sinister expression, activates Thundara Sword and uses Ko, slashing at both Salarians in a single strike. Like a true executioner, he violently decapitates them in a fluid motion, killing both instantly.
To Alex's satisfaction, his attack is strong enough to kill them despite their decent-looking armor.
You have dealt 175 + 101 = 276 damage to Salarian Assassin
You have killed Salarian Assassin
You have dealt 161 + 97 = 258 damage to Salarian Assassin
You have killed Salarian Assassin
Surprised by Alex's sudden, bloody entry, the two remaining Turian assassins stare at him in shock and immediately open fire—one using the pistol he had pointed at Tali, the other using overload on him, breaking his shield instantly before firing his rifle.
I need to protect Tali!
Your shield has received 115 damage
Your shield has been destroyed
Ignoring their gunfire, Alex casts Blizzara onto the assassin near Tali. It deals only minor damage—thanks to his armor, which is capable of resisting even the coldest temperatures—but more importantly, it slows and distracts the enemy.
You have received 11 damage
Icewing Embrance durability -1
You have received 26 damage
Icewing Embrance durability -2
You have received 31 damage
Icewing Embrance durability -2
You have received 14 damage
Icewing Embrance durability -1
You have received 16 damage
Icewing Embrance durability -1
You have dealt 17 damage to Turian Assassin
You have slowed Turian Assassin
With one of the assassins slowed, Alex rushes forward, reactivating Thundara Sword, gaining more speed while taking additional hits—tanking them to the best of his ability. Reaching the second assassin, he slashes forward, dispatching him in a single stroke.
You have dealt 141 + 99 = 240 damage to Turian Assassin
You have killed Turian Assassin
As Alex turns to the last assassin, he sees Tali draw a shotgun and fire point-blank at the slowed enemy—instantly killing him.
"Nice shot," Alex comments, mounting his sword back onto his back.
Tali wordlessly stares at him, unable to speak.
"Sorry about the confusion. Let me deactivate my… tech-armor. I'm Alex Kerber, from the Alliance," he says, stopping his Conjuration ability.
"Keelah Se'lai… thank you for helping me. I am… Tali'Zorah nar Rayya," she says, still looking confused, adrenaline pumping through her system.
"No problem, my beautiful lady. I'd like to kindly request a little bit of your time… It's a complicated story, please don't be confused by my sudden appearance," Alex says, not quite sure how to explain everything.
"Beautiful lady… kindly request? Human, are you alright? I'm not sure you realize this, but I'm a Quarian. Are you drunk? I need to calibrate for a moment," she says, eyeing Alex skeptically.
"...Don't think all humans hate Quarians. I think you're beautiful… as far as I can tell from your body shape and what I can see through your mask. Sorry, this is awkward. Anyway, let me quickly pick up the trash, and let's leave this shady alley," Alex responds, picking up a couple of omni-tools as his Credits shoot up by another huge amount.
You received 8,000 Credits
As Alex collects his loot, he contacts Shepard. "Shepard, this is Kerber. I've saved the Quarian we were looking for. No need to take risks, you can play it safe. No need to risk your lives."
"We're on our way… nobody left to act safe for. Meet us next to the Terminal. We need to get to Udina and the Captain quickly!" Shepard says, ending the call.
Walking back all the way to the Rapid Trans Terminal near Chora's Den, Alex explains a few things to Tali.
"So, Tali… this all started because of an attack on Eden Prime involving the Geth…"
"I see… well, I have some information you might want," she replies, spotting Shepard and the others. "I assume these are your friends? You keep a colorful group of comrades, Alex. Even a Krogan…."
Alex and Tali quickly approach them, and Alex lifts his hand. "It all worked out. I think our friend Tali here can help us. Let's quickly get to Udina—she'll explain everything."
"Nice job, Kerber," Shepard says, smiling awkwardly as she looks at her team, which acts suspiciously.
"Human, how can you fly without specialized equipment?" Wrex asks, confused.
"Just a modified tech armor, don't worry about it," Alex comments, acting nonchalantly.
Garrus chimes in, "I know all about weapons, tech, and tech powers. There isn't a single tech armor capable of granting you flight. It's impossible. I can also guarantee you that I—"
"You two can drop it," Kaidan says, cutting Garrus off. "The last one who forcefully wanted to obtain Alex's secrets got his hands cut off… and then had to watch how he burned them until only charred bones remained."
"Don't mention the Aldrin Labs disaster, Kaidan. Also, you are exaggerating. Didn't they even manage to reattach them?! I'm trying to fucking forget that ever happened," Alex comments, still dissatisfied with how he started his mission in a jail cell.
"Hey, at least that's how you ended up joining us!" Kaidan responds with a smile.
"Let's get going. You can chit-chat later. We have a damn traitor to expose!" Shepard commands.
As they fly in a couple of shuttles directly toward the Presidium, heading for Udina's office, Alex checks his system screen.
I received three World Particles when I saved Jenkins… I didn't pay too much attention after that. Things were so chaotic...
[World Particles: 15]
I remember receiving seven after Eden Prime. Looks like this part gave me another five. I wonder what they represent? Are they just for rewards after my mission is over? I guess there's only one way to find out.
Later, the group enters Udina's office. The ambassador immediately rushes toward Shepard, who, along with Tali, walks forward to meet him. Anderson is also present, looking a bit embarrassed and helpless.
"Shepard, what the hell is going on?! I'm getting calls from everyone telling me you and the Lieutenant have been engaged in a damn street war against various gangs—destroying Chora's Den, killing dozens of thugs and corrupt workers in the Wards. What is going on?!"
He then spots Alex, glaring at him. "Kerber, have you gone insane? People stumbled across mutilated—or straight-up beheaded—corpses! I know it was you!!"
Calm down, you fucking idiot…
He finally notices Tali standing next to Shepard. "Who is that Quarian, Shepard?"
"This Quarian can help us bring down Saren. I would have told you that if you hadn't jumped down my throat," Shepard replies with a smug grin.
"I apologize… this whole situation has me on edge… and your recent 'investigations' are not making it better," Udina responds, rubbing his head. "Please start at the beginning, Miss…" he says, looking at Tali.
"My name is Tali. Tali'Zorah nar Rayya," she says.
"We don't see many Quarians here on the Citadel. Why did you leave the Flotilla?" Udina asks.
Tali explains, "I was on my pilgrimage. It's a tradition among my people. When we reach maturity, we leave the ships of our parents and our people behind. We then go on a pilgrimage in search of something that can benefit our race—something of value. In this way, we prove ourselves worthy of adulthood."
"Well, I don't want to bore you. I began hearing about Geth… and as you know, ever since they drove my people into exile, they've never ventured beyond the Veil again. So I was curious. As your Lieutenant knows, I'm not totally helpless," she says, turning to Alex before abruptly turning away, seemingly surprising herself.
"In any case, I tracked a patrol of Geth to an uncharted world and then ambushed one of them. I disabled it and removed its memory core."
"Don't the Geth automatically delete their memories if they're destroyed?" Anderson asks.
"You humans shouldn't forget—my people created the Geth. If you're quick, careful, and know what you're doing, you can sometimes save small caches of data. Of course, that takes some luck. In any case, I succeeded."
"Most of its core memories were deleted, but this is what I managed to save from one of its audio banks."
She then plays an audio file where Saren is heard saying: "Eden Prime was a major victory. The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
"That's Saren's voice! This proves he was involved in the attack!" Anderson notes.
Alex turns around for a second, holding his hand in front of his face.
You know… crazy idea… voice files can be altered. The deepfakes at the present age are almost indistinguishable from reality. Is it really far-fetched to assume that 150 years in the future, with even more technologically advanced aliens around, someone might tamper with voice files? Usually, I'd laugh at this 'proof,' but I know it'll be enough….
"What's wrong, Kerber? You don't look satisfied," Anderson notes.
"No… I'm just not sure that… this is proof? An audio file?" He asks.
"Of course. Saren's data is available to the Council. With their tech, they'll be able to authenticate it without any issue." Anderson explains, looking at Alex, as if he had misheard him.
"Umm… okay. If that's possible, great," Alex says, still looking unconvinced.
"Excuse me… there is more," Tali says. "Saren wasn't working alone."
The conversation in Tali's audio file continues: "And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."
"I don't recognize that voice… talking about Reapers," Anderson says.
"Reapers… I feel like I've heard that name before," Shepard says, prompting Tali to explain: "According to the memory core, Reapers were a hyper-advanced machine race that existed 50,000 years ago. They drove the Protheans to extinction, according to the Geth."
"So you've got more data… and real proof. That should be good enough, then," Alex comments, finally convinced.
"Sounds a little far-fetched," Udina mutters.
Alex can't help but suppress his urge to lift his fingers and say, "Ah, yes, Reapers."
Anyway… looks like there's some real proof, after all.
I have an idea on how to subtly influence the story.
"I recognize the other voice… it belongs to Matriarch Benezia. We should find out more—she may be working with Saren. This is very serious," Alex says.
"How?! Why do you know what an Asari Matriarch sounds like? Well, it doesn't matter. But if you're right… we should mention this to the Council as well," Anderson says, looking shocked.
"I have a good memory. I just know. Anyway, it's a real issue," Alex replies, staring at Shepard, who turns around with a grin.
"It's not like that…" he mumbles.
"Sure, Kerber. You just have a good memory," she comments in a sarcastic voice.
"Shepard! This is actually very serious! If he's right, this will complicate things. Anyway, we have to tell the Council now. This is sufficient proof—you've outdone yourself!" Anderson says, looking worried but satisfied with the results.
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