Chapter 156

Questioning the Geth didn't offer much more information as it was already under the influence of the Reaper code. And before long, they had arrived at the location where source of the Reaper code had been traced to. The planet Virmire, a contested world that lies on the edge of the Attican Traverse and close to the Terminus Systems.

The Council to increase its colonization efforts had expanded into the system but was met with Terminus System forces who also had a similar idea. As a result, the political instability of the region caused by the Council and Terminus forces has impeded efforts at colonization.

As the Normandy began descending down to the surface, Shepard and his team were already preparing for the mission. In the Hanger Bay, Axel joined them, while his own ship remained nearby.

"Our primary objective is to locate the source of the Reaper code. Anything else is secondary." Axel explained.

Shepard nodded, loading his rifle. "Understood. We'll keep it tight and move fast."

Commander Rodriguez adjusted his rifle, acknowledging the parameters of the mission. "Sir, do you have any specific directives once we locate the source?"

Axel thought for a moment, "Once we've confirmed the source, we isolate and extract any relevant data. If possible, we capture any technology or entities involved. Minimal destruction unless absolutely necessary," he instructed, emphasizing the importance of retrieval over destruction. Rodriguez nodded as he performed the final checks on his armor.

Captain Augustus on the other hand was just excited as this would be his first mission with the Emperor. Even during the Human-Covenant war, he didn't personally fight with the Emperor so he didn't get to witness all the bizarre things that most people said about him.

Captain Rose saw this as just another mission, she was a Spartan-III so she didn't get to see much of the Emperor and unlike the Spartan-IIs who were trained from a very young age, she had joined the Spartan program when she was 16 and was trained by other instructors.

Commander cooper and BT were designated as backup in case they encounter any heavy enemy forces that they can't handle alone.

As they arrived within the atmosphere of the planet seeing the vast seas and tropical terrain, they came under fire by Geth anti-aircraft defenses.

The Normandy maneuvered evasively, dodging incoming fire while returning a barrage of its own to provide cover for the ground team's descent.

"Drop in five," announced Joker over the comm.

Shepard glanced at Axel, "Sir, are you sure you should join us on the ground".

"Don't worry about me Commander, I've seen my share of battlefields. Besides, I'm interested in what the source for this Reaper code is, if it's still here." replied Axel. Shepard nodded and left the matter alone as they approached the landing zone.

The Normandy shook violently under the attack of the Geth defenses, while the shuttle carrying the ground team had left the hanger of the Normandy and descended below the clouds of Virmire.

Once beneath the clouds, the lush greenery of the planet came into view, contrasting sharply with the flashes of explosions and the chaos from above. The shuttle navigated through columns of smoke and pockets of intense fire, making its way toward an area they identified as a good landing zone.

As the shuttle touched down, Shepard was the first to step out, his weapon ready followed by the Spartans. They had secured the area around the shuttle while Axel and his Honor Guards exited the shuttle.

Axel nodded at Commander Shepard as the team departed for the Facility. Along the way, they encountered heavy Geth resistance, but nothing that would stop them from reaching their objective.

They pressed on, moving through the dense terrain, the sounds of the jungle and nearby seas were loud. Each team member stayed vigilant, scanning the area for threats. The environment provided a lot of cover, but it also concealed potential ambushes.

"Keep an eye on the treetops," Rose advised. "Geth snipers could be lurking up there."

Shepard nodded, leading the way as they maneuvered closer to the facility. Not only did they encounter Geth units, but they also encountered a few Krogan raised a lot of questions.

"Sir, I'm detecting energy signatures up ahead," Cooper's voice crackled over the comms. "They match the readings we picked up before we landed. It's definitely Reaper tech."

"Then that's our target," Axel replied. "Let's move."

They navigated through the clearing, staying low and quiet. Just as they were about to enter a narrow path flanked by towering trees, a sudden explosion rocked the ground nearby. The team dove for cover as Geth forces emerged and started firing on them.

"Covering fire!" Rose shouted, diving to the side to flank the Geth. She quickly took out two of them before rolling back behind a large rock for cover.

Axel moved among them, his Honor Guards providing a wall of defense as they advanced. With every pulse of energy from their weapons, the Geth fell back, but it was clear they were prepared for this incursion.

"More incoming!" Cooper warned. "We've got Geth reinforcements approaching from the north!"

"Fall back to the trees!" Shepard commanded, leading the team into the cover of the thick foliage. They regrouped, the sounds of battle around them fading momentarily as they caught their breath.

Axel glanced at Shepard, "We need to keep moving. The longer we stay here, the more Geth will converge on our position."

"Agreed," Shepard replied, scanning the terrain. "We'll head northeast. If Cooper's readings are correct, we should be able to find a path that leads us to the source of the Reaper code."

The team prepared to move out again, but just as they did, a loud screech filled the air. A massive Geth Colossus broke through the tree line. "Not good," Rodriguez muttered, raising his rifle.

"Fall back! We can't take that thing head-on!" Shepard ordered, but it was too late. The Colossus fired, a beam of blue energy slicing through the trees where they had been standing moments before. But instead of hitting them, the beam was stopped by a massive dome shield that surrounded the entire team.

Using this chance, Axel rushed forward amidst the smoke that surrounded the area from the beam hitting the shield and rushed towards the Colossus. In one swift motion, the surrounding Geth and Colossus were destroyed, and the area was clear of enemies. Axel's movements were precise and calculated, showcasing his combat prowess that few had witnessed firsthand.

Axel looked back at his team and nodded, signaling them to move forward. With the Colossus down, they could finally reach the facility. They didn't encounter any further resistance as the facility came into view. As they approached the facility, the architecture shifted from natural landscapes to cold, metallic structures.

"Looks like we're here," Shepard said quietly as they reached the entrance. The door was sealed shut, until Omni was able to hack into the facilities network and open it remotely. Moments later, the door slid open, revealing a dimly lit corridor inside.

As they ventured deeper into the facility, they came across a room filled with Salarian scientists who fired on them as they entered the room, but instead of killing them the Salarian scientists were swiftly taken down as their weak pistols couldn't damage the Spartans shields allowing them to get close and knock them out without taking any damage.

At the same time, they also encountered what they believed to be a Krogan breeding chamber within the facility, as 10 Krogan females were locked up and Hundreds if not thousands of Krogan children could be seen growing in a similar number of pods placed around the room.

Axel raised his hand, signaling everyone to hold their fire. He approached the chamber slowly, his eyes scanning the environment with keen interest and a hint of concern. "Looks like someone's been busy," Rose remarked, eyeing the pods and captive females. "This has ethical violations written all over it."

Axel nodded in agreement. "We need to secure this facility and ensure these Krogan are safe." He called for a Battalion of MCUs to be deployed to the facility to secure the area and escort the Krogan females to safety.

"Whoever is responsible for this, I will make sure that they suffer" said Axel out loud. They didn't linger for too long before they continued heading towards the source of the reaper code.

They did encounter more Geth and Krogan as they neared their objective, but nothing to slow them down. As they reached a room which led to an elevator, they encountered an Asari scientist who raised her hands upon seeing them arrive.

"Please don't shoot" She pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. "My name is Rana Thanoptis, Nuerospecialists, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I joined up with Saren."

"Saren?" Questioned Axel confused on who this Saren person was. "Yes, he is the one in charge of this facility and he's been dabbling in things far beyond ethical boundaries," Rana explained quickly, her eyes darting nervously. "He's using Reaper technology to control minds and create bioweapons. He believes it's necessary to stop the Reapers, but he's becoming what he wants to destroy."

Axel's expression hardened; this was more than just a simple retrieval mission now. "Where is Saren now?" Axel demanded.

"I don't know where he is, but this job isn't worth it anymore. I want no part of it. Help me get out of here, and I'll tell you everything I know," Rana pleaded, her gaze desperate.

"Oh, you will tell us everything you know" Threatened Axel as his previous mood had completely changed, shocking Shepard who normally saw him calm and composed.

One of the honor guards grabbed her by her arm and placed restraints on her. "Keep her here until were done" he ordered as they proceeded to the elevator. They were about to enter Saren's private lab and uncover a swath of information.

Meanwhile, the Battalion of MCUs had landed and started their sweep of the facility, securing the Krogan females and children and dealing with any remaining Geth.

Sovereign, the Reaper which was transmitting the code to the Geth waited in Saren's private lab for the unannounced visitors to arrive.