From the journal of David Shepard:
Got a question for you Shepard: Does your mom still read you bedtime stories before you go to bed? -- Ashley
I swear Ashley, I am going to leave you behind on the next planet we visit.
So our plan to go to Virmire was diverted when -- by pure luck -- we got a distress message from Terra Nova. One of the asteroids captured in orbit was beginning to accelerate towards the planet. Three fusion torches were used to accelerate the asteroid. On our way down to the asteroid, a woman named Kate Bowman contacted us, asking us to shut the fusion torches down or everyone was going to die. The Normandy VI said the asteroid would hit the planet in about four hours at its current rate.
With less than four hours to go, we knew this would be tight. And it proved even more difficult as soon as we took the Mako to the first fusion torch. It was
surrounded by turrets. I kind of hate turrets.
We managed to destroy all the turrets, then entered the complex, where we came face-to-face with Batarians. Batarians are ugly and downright mean, and they continue to hold a grudge against humanity even though they started the hostilities. We took out the Batarians and shut down the first torch. Kate Bowman called again and we told her to hang tight while we shut down the other torches.
On the way out, we met an engineer named Simon. Good to know that at least someone else on the asteroid was alive. He told us that the second torch was surrounded by proximity mines, armed by remote. That meant walking in on foot to find a console and disable the mines. Of course, we had to take out the turrets first, and then Batarians started shooting rockets at us while we tip-toed our way through the mine field. I hate rockets; I don't exactly have the best anti-rocket armor or Omni Tool combat programs. But we finally made it across, killed the Batarians outside, and shut off the mines.
Once inside the second building, we had to deal with rocket drones (ugh), an annoying Engineer, and a bunch more Batarians. We killed the engineer last; that felt good. Unfortunately, we heard over the comms that Kate Bowman had been discovered by the Batarians, and someone else with her was shot. We just weren't fast enough.
The third fusion torch was a lot like the first: turrets outside, Batarians and varren inside. They went down fairly easy. About time something went right. After disabling the torch, we ran into the terrorist's second-in-command, some guy named Charn. He seemed an agreeable sort and he was kind of miffed at the whole mission. We convinced him to leave on condition that I take out the leader, a bad dude named Balak.
At the final complex, where the hostages were being held, we faced more turrets outside, then the toughest resistance inside. Balak and his men were dug in deep and they were skilled, probably the most dangerous foes we have faced since Eden Prime. After a tough fight, Balak himself showed up, and ranted about this was all humanity's fault. He then gave me an ultimatum: he would let the hostages go if I let him leave. It was a tough choice, but in the end I could not let him leave. Chances were high he would just do the same thing somewhere else. Plus I promised Charn that I would take out Balak.
Balak did not approve of my choice and he detonate a bomb inside the room where the hostages were held. Then he and his remaining men tried to fight. After another tough battle, we managed to take them all down. A wounded Balak boasted that he was just the beginning of the Batarian rebellion, and he tried to goad me into killing him. I was hearing none of it and secured him for Alliance custody.
Simon ran in to see if there was anything he could do to help. I told him no. He was upset that the hostages were dead, but those were his friends so I don't blame him. He offered me a reward and I took some light armor. Not sure where he got Colossus armor, but it feels good. About time I had some decent armor.
Before I left, I opened the door to the room were the hostages were held. It was not pretty. I had a moment of regret, wondering if I did the right thing. I think I did.
Provided no more distractions come along, we head to Virmire.
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