Finding a Way: Mass Effect 2

Kaidan tossed his bag on the floor inside his apartment door, grabbed a beer from the fridge and dropped onto the couch in exhaustion. He was still trying to process the events of the last mission while simultaneously fuming at Cerberus and their blatant disregard for human life, which made no sense for an organization who supposedly wanted to advance human supremacy in the galaxy.

He finished his beer and decided to hit the sack early, hoping that he could somehow have a dreamless sleep for once, but he knew the images of David Archer's body were going to haunt him for a long time.

Unfortunately, he didn't even get the chance to try and sleep. No sooner had his head hit the pillow than an urgent message flashed on his omni-tool. It was from Anderson requesting an immediate meeting in his office. Kaidan got up and dressed quickly.

"Sorry for the late-night summons, Commander," Anderson said as he walked into the office and saluted.

"It's alright, sir. What's going on?"

"I need you and your team to get to the colony on Horizon immediately," he said handing a data pad over. "There was a pattern emerging in the colonies getting hit with these abductions and we had reason to believe Horizon would be next. We sent a team out to install GARDIAN lasers to defend the colony."

He scanned the data pad as the Admiral spoke. Six colonies had been attacked between 2183 and 2185, but things had picked up and another four colonies had been hit this year alone. The same thing was found at each one – minimal signs of fighting and every single colonist gone without a trace. The colonies were mysteriously turned into ghost towns. No resources were missing... just people.

"The colonists actually accepted our help?" Kaidan said skeptically as he finished. Terminus colonies were typically anti-Alliance and wanted nothing to do with them, even if it was their help and protection.

"Grudgingly, but yes. These attacks have everyone on edge."

"So, where does my team come in, sir?"

"The installation isn't progressing on schedule and between you and Hawkins I was hoping the extra tech support would help. Plus...," he paused, as if unsure he should continue, but then finished, "we need you to investigate if Cerberus is behind these attacks."

"Why would Cerberus take human colonists, sir?"

"Test subjects, hostages for a future plan, to incite fear against a nebulous alien threat...take your pick, son."

Kaidan nodded, acknowledging Anderson's point, "We'll leave first thing in the morning, sir."

"Good luck, Commander."