“You look shocked, Kerber—calm down. I am obviously joking. This will mostly be about making threats. I’ve got Udina’s backing on this one, and when necessary, I have ways to pressure them,” Shepard reassures Alex, although her words only serve to worry him further.

“Why is ExoGeni’s HQ on Mars? Sorry, I’m not that well-informed. Isn’t Mars pretty much abandoned now? I only know about Lowell City, the capital, with around three million people living there? Why would their corporate headquarters be located there?” Alex wonders aloud.

Shepard shrugs. “Heh, I wouldn’t know either. Udina explained that, due to Mars’s declining importance, some corporations saw an opportunity—cheap real estate, lax law enforcement. Apparently, ExoGeni purchased a large section of Lowell City to conduct research and business. Mars lost most of its value after the initial discovery of the ruins that allowed humanity to expand beyond the Sol system, so his reasoning makes sense.”

“So… they’re kind of suspicious?” Alex asks carefully.

“What corporation isn’t? But yes, ExoGeni’s secrecy certainly raises some flags. I’m not interested in their corporate games, but I need to know what they're doing on Feros. I refuse to blindly walk into another disaster! Our mission is too important for that,” Shepard says, her expression growing serious.

“Well, it sounds like a smart idea to obtain some intel before going in. Looks like we won’t be able to help out much on this mission,” Alex comments, sighing in relief.

Shepard looks him straight in the eyes and smiles slyly. “Don’t celebrate too soon. While I meet with their executives, I want you to lead a small team—Tali and Liara—to gather more information. Wrex, Garrus, Alenko, and Williams will also create some distractions to make your job easier. Liara’s knowledge and Tali’s tech skills should let you bypass security and hack their systems quickly and obtain the information we need.”

“...I can’t contribute much. I suck at hacking, and I don’t know any useful information… maybe someone els—” Alex starts to protest, but Shepard laughs it off.

“You’re not getting out of this one. Your job is simply knocking out anyone in your way!”

“I don’t want to get arrested again…” Alex mutters, realizing he's trapped.

Shepard laughs even louder. “Getting arrested or saving the galaxy, Kerber—we all need to make some sacrifices. And even if something happens, I'll just forcefully break you out. As a Spectre, nobody can stop me. Mars might be declining, but the Alliance still has a presence there, and if things go wrong, even ExoGeni won’t be able to resist. Worst case, I publicly declare them all criminals and order the Alliance to shut everything down. Anderson even allowed me to do that, but he told me the fallout will be a bureaucratic nightmare.”

“Fine! I’ll do my best! Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Maybe we can resolve this quietly,” Alex finally replies, accepting his fate.

“We have a few days. Recover from the last mission, relax, maybe brush up a bit on your unarmed skills. Don’t expect to stroll in there wearing suits and carrying around that oversized sword of yours. Your pistol is all you'll be allowed to take with you, and even that took a lot of threats,” Shepard says, standing up.

“Okay… thanks for the heads-up,” Alex says, glancing at his remaining food, which has long gone cold.

As he discards it, Alex eats a few snacks he'd brought from the real world, feeling better immediately.

Alex decides to message Menchi, informing her that he might need his credits soon, as Mars could present opportunities to use them.

He also remembers his five [Geth Part]’s and plans to check their value, perhaps selling one on Mars.

[Geth Part]

World: Mass Effect

Quality: Green

Type: Part

Note: A Rare Geth part, that hasn’t completely shut down. Harmless, but useful.

Note: Can’t be taken out of this mission. Can be sold for Credits. Upon returning to the Fantasy Realm, this item will automatically be converted into 5,000 FC.

Alex spends the next few days relaxing aboard the Normandy, enjoying casual conversations with Wrex, Garrus, Kaidan, and Ashley, even engaging in some light unarmed sparring sessions, which he easily dominates, even while holding back as much as possible.

Heh, my Physical stats are incredible. I am stronger than Wrex—I need to hold back or he’ll go crazy in rage and confusion.

To his surprise, Tali also actively spends time with him, approaching him on her own volition, mostly chatting about unrelated topics, weapons, tech, and the Flotilla. He magically encounters her multiple times, despite her usual reluctance to leave Engineer Adams' side near the Normandy’s core, puzzling Alex. Eventually, Alex gets an idea and shows her a single [Geth Part].

She calmly takes the part and inspects it. However, her relaxed demeanor gradually changes—her hands begin to tremble slightly. She activates her omni-tool, working intensely for the next three minutes, analyzing the component before looking back at Alex in shock.

“Keelah se'lai! Alex, what is this? A functioning Geth part! It hasn’t completely shut down—though there's no real activity left! There’s memory still stored in this device. This could give us a critical advantage against the Geth. Why is it intact? A glitch? Perhaps a one-in-a-million stroke of luck during combat?”

“Well, whatever it is, you can keep it. I only want one thing in return,” Alex says, grinning mischievously.

“Whatever it is, I… no, the entire Flotilla would give it to you! However, analyzing it will take some time, so you can’t expect money right now… sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m just so excited! What do you want for it?”

“I want you!” Alex says, staring at her, immediately cringing at his terrible joke.

“Bosh’tet! This is serious—stop joking around!” Tali responds angrily, hitting him lightly.

Even with her mask on, I can tell that joke didn’t go over well… it’s just a green trash item anyway.

“Look, we're friends, so just take it,” Alex replies casually.

“How can I? This has the potential to change the fate of our entire species!” she exclaims.

“Well, just teach me some of your tech skills or something. Maybe write me a guide with some tips,” Alex suggests jokingly.

Surely this won't actually work… or will it?

“I am still young, Alex. Though I am talented, I’m not sure that’s even remotely worth anything… but I’ll remember your request and I’ll keep that precious [Geth Part]. It’s vital to me—and to all Quarians. I’ll make sure you’re rewarded properly for this… In fact, this might be enough for me to complete my Pilgrimage! Of course, I’m staying until we catch Saren, but this is a huge relief.”

“Okay, no pressure, but we need you for our mission. I admire your tech skills—and I might witness them in action soon enough. I assume Shepard told you what we’re planning?”

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll not only take care of it, I’ll protect you as well! You’ll be safe with me,” she says confidently.

Tali, you are cute, but I really don’t need YOUR protection.

“What do you mean?” Alex asks, a bit confused, a little smile visible on his face.

“Heh, you know about us Quarians, right? Our suits?” she says in a scheming tone.

“Quarians have extremely weak immune systems, which is why you have to constantly wear your suits. If you’re not in a fully sterilized environment, you’ll get sick fast. I think there are some immuno-boosters that let you drop the suit temporarily, right?” Alex answers.

“You… really know about Quarians,” she replies, her voice a little softer, slightly surprised.

“So what’s the point? What does that have to do with the mission?” Alex asks.

“While you humans—and even Liara, Wrex, and Garrus—will have to drop your suits, I can keep mine. That gives me a big edge in battle. I can handle a few corporate security guards if they try anything,” she says smugly.

Didn’t think about that. I guess in this world, having your suit during a mission makes a huge difference. Not bad.

“Well, please protect me then, oh mighty Tali,” Alex jokes.

To his surprise, Tali wraps her arms around him.

“You saved my life… twice. And now you gave me this huge gift. Be careful how you act, or I won’t let go again and take you with me to the Flotilla.”

“…”

What is this flag? How am I supposed to respond to this?

Alex places a hand on her head, feeling the cold metal of her helmet.

“You don’t need to be so grateful. Let’s do our best, okay? I’m depending on you when we arrive on Mars,” he says.

As he leaves, he hears Tali whisper quietly, “Ke’sed.”

Aside from Tali, Alex also spends more time with Liara, who seems to have taken a liking to him—likely because most of the crew more or less ignore her due to her constant annoying questions about human culture, religion, and other topics no one really wants to discuss. Over just a day, she has succeeded in annoying almost anyone initially interested in her.

Alex, however, finds it hard to reject her. And since he doesn’t have much else to do, he decides to indulge her curiosity—carefully avoiding any comments that might reveal he isn’t from this world. Eventually, as the mission draws near, he decides to visit her in her small room behind the Med-Bay.

“Are you ready for the mission, Liara?” Alex asks, trying to steer the conversation away from her usual tedious questions about theology.

“Not really, Alex. I do not like what we are doing. Corporate espionage, this seems like madness to me! However, since our cause could not be more important, I suppose I am alright with it. You have my biotics on your side. Even without a suit, I should be able to take care of a couple dozen guards.”

A couple… dozen? Damn. That casual arrogance… she doesn’t even notice it. I guess she is incredibly talented and powerful with her biotics. One of the strongest biotics in the series.

“That’s… reassuring,” Alex says, his expression slightly twisted.

“I said something wrong again… what was it this time?” she asks, confused.

Alex sighs. “Let’s focus on the mission. You know, Liara, just stay how you are, you are unique, and I like you that way!”

“Understood. However, there is one more important thing I need to know. I still do not understand why Christians worship God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Can you explain this trinity again?” she asks, her eyes widening with interest.

Save me…

“…”

“…”

“Of course—oh, sorry, my omni-tool is vibrating. I need to report something. I’ll talk to you later,” Alex says, quickly fleeing the Med-Bay.

Exactly three days later, Alex stands in the cockpit and watches as Joker makes the jump through the Mass Relay, entering the local cluster and directing the Normandy toward the Sol System.

It doesn’t take long before they get close to Mars, and Shepard calls everyone into the CIC.

Once the team is assembled, she begins to talk:

“Everyone knows the plan. We’re here to find out what’s happening on Feros. I won’t risk everything by walking in blind. I’ve got a meeting scheduled with ExoGeni’s corporate heads. As for the rest of you—Wrex, Garrus, Alenko, Williams—you wait for a signal from the infiltration team: Kerber, Liara, and Tali. Once they give the sign, you cause distractions. How? I leave that up to you. Wrex, I expect you to perform well,” she says with a smile before continuing.

“As for the infiltration team—don’t take any high-risk actions. I’m expecting to get most of the information myself, but you’re the backup if they block me or lie. I have no way to counter deception without intel.”

She folds her arms. “The meeting’s at 1 PM tomorrow. We’ll land in a few hours, so you’ll have some time to explore Mars. But don’t waste it. Don’t drink or screw around. I want you to ask around. Maybe the locals know more about what ExoGeni is up to. Any clue could prove extremely useful for the negotiations. This isn’t a vacation, after all, you are on duty. Lowell City is big, but the ExoGeni HQ is quite close to the spaceport. Anderson arranged for some shuttles that’ll let us move freely through the city. Most of the key locations are within range. You shouldn’t need to travel far. Any questions?”

“You just said we were on duty, can I get an advance on my salary? Are we even getting paid?” Alex asks, suddenly realizing that he hasn’t received any credits from the Alliance until now.

“No questions? Dismissed,” Shepard says, completely ignoring him.

“…”

Damn slave drivers.