Mass Effect: Nova Part I
*Warning: Full Length Script. Very long read*
INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT- DAY
DESIREE MITCHELL walks into her high rise apartment. She walks through the apartment looking for LEONARD MITCHELL, but can’t find him. In the backdrop, a restored London is finishing up on the last bits of construction, including the high rise across the street. You can’t even tell a war took place here two years ago that leveled the entire city.
She hears beeping in the bedroom. Desiree walks up to a hologram communicator on their dresser. She picks up the communicator and taps a button. A hologram of Leonard pops up from the device. She throws it to the floor so that the image matches his height.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nervous; sad)
Hey, honey...
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Unaware)
Hey, babe. Where are you? You went somewhere after your session?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeaaaaah... About that...
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Unnerved)
What did you do?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I uh- thing is...
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
Just tell me what you’ve done. (She checks her omni-tool) Your location is being blocked on your omni-tool. What’s going on?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I sort of... kind of...
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Angered; frightened)
Spit it out!
LEONARD MITCHELL
I accepted an unauthorized mission with a rogue crew.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Furious)
You did what!?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Babe, calm down.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
What do you mean, “Calm down!?” You’re out with people I don’t know doing God knows what and you want me to be calm!? My husband is supposed to be home, cooking the lunch he promised me so that I can eat, get a quickie in, and then get back to work! But you’re telling me you’re going rogue!?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’ve never believed the war is truly over... This group I’m with says they can confirm my suspicions, and not to be too revealing but... let’s just say they’re very reliable sources. Some would say the best of sources.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Distressed)
I don’t care who they are, come back now!
LEONARD MITCHELL
I can’t. I’m already aboard their ship and we’re leaving...
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
Then take an escape pod and leave them! (Waits for response. Frustrated) Hun, I know you’re scared that the Reapers might still be out there, but please...(Saddened) Please come home. Don’t do this to me. Don’t...
She sits on the bed. She wipes her eyes. Leonard squats in front of her.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Disappointed)
I know, baby... I’m sorry...
She covers her face, silently crying.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Look at me (Waits)... Look at me.
She wipes her eyes and looks at him.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I have to confirm it. It shouldn’t take long. I will be back.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Desperate)
Leonard, please. Don’t leave me here alone... I’m begging you...
LEONARD MITCHELL
I have to do this... I’ll be sending you videos as often as I can.
GARRUS VAKARIAN (V.O.)
That’s all we can spare.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Alright. (To Desiree) Love of my life. I love you. I hope you understand that I’m doing this to make sure we truly are safe out here. I love you.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Defeated)
Leonard...
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Worried)
I will be back. I’ll see you later. I love you.
The transmission ends. The device goes silent. She throws it at the window. The glass inside the film shatters but the device bounces off.
DESIREE GRAHAM-MITCHELL
(Sighs)
As if this place didn’t need enough work... (Lies back on the bed and weeps) God please. (Grabs Leonard’s pillow and holds it against her body.)
She cries as the restored city of London gets a cameo.
INT. NORMANDY COMMUNICATIONS ROOM - DAY
Leonard disconnects the line. He rises from the table and looks at GARRUS VAKARIAN.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
It’s for your own good. Both of you.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Upset)
I know.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
I understand the desire to keep in touch, but even what you just did will cause an alarm. They’re probably going to be checking videos soon. Luckily for us, the Normandy here is adept at being untraceable. And with the Reaper core fueling the main engines, we can jump right out of here.
LEONARD MITCHELL
How did they manage to create that?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
It’s amazing what you’re capable of when you have no other option. If we hadn’t found that Reaper ship marooned on the same planet as us, we might still be on that planet waiting for rescue. But if you really want to know the specs, you’ll have to talk with the engineers. I calibrate the main guns.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nods)
So (wipes lone tear from face)... Where to?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
For now, to the crew deck. You’re on janitor duty. No offense, but everyone else has a speciality other than being able to point and shoot.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Fair enough.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Shepard likes a clean ship.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’m not above it. Every job has value and purpose.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
You’re here because of Admiral Anderson. His recommendation is what drew our attention, and he mentioned your name a couple of times to Shepard. You get things done. We need that.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Admiral Anderson trusted me with much, may he rest in peace.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Yeah... Wasn’t happy when I heard about him. He made things easier for us out here. Without him, it’s going to be hard to do anything. (Walks over to Leonard and places a hand on his shoulder). Be sure to acquaint yourself with everyone. It helps to know who’s good at what. Like me, for example, I’m a former C-Sec Officer. I’m good at investigation and I’m really with a sniper rifle, some might even say one of the best. You’re probably most familiar with my work as Archangel one Omega. (Steps back).
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Suprised)
Wait- you’re Archangel!? The one that took on the Blood Pack, Blue Suns, and the Eclipse at the same time!? I randomly read an article about that, back when Commander Shepard got involved. Almost caused a political incident.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Those tend to happen when you’re as involved as Shepard.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’m surprised you’re all still together, and alive, after these two years.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
As far as being alive, I couldn’t really tell you how we made it either. As far as us still being a crew, well... There’s not much to go back to these days. After the war, everyone parted ways for a little while, but then Shepard reached out to us again. Surprised us all. When the Citadel exploded, we thought he was dead, but here he was, with Miranda Lawson of all people, calling us back.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Troubled)
Are there really Reapers out there?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
If there are, there aren’t a lot. It’s more so what everyone's doing with the remains of the Reapers. I mean look at the Normandy. What the Alliance won't tell you is that the Reaper tech is being collected. No one wants that technology in the wrong hands.
COMMANDER SHEPARD enters covered in armor with helmet.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
And that’s what we’ve been doing “unofficially”. (Shakes Leonard’s hand). Glad to have you with us. I remember you from the meeting before we deployed in the final hoo-hah on London.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Surprised)
I thought you were dead.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I practically was, until Miranda Lawson found me. I don't know how she found me, but if there was anyone who was going to bring us back, it was her.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Miranda found employment with some benefactor unknown to us, which is all too familiar. (Glares at Shepard).
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’m guessing there’s a backstory here?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Miranda is ex-Cerberus.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
She’s good with her research but she is not so good with who she works with. She says it's not Cerberus but it stinks- just- like- Cerberus.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Should we be worried?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
If you’re employer doesn’t show their face, you should always be worried.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I was hoping we'd get to finally be done with all of the Reaper business, but that's a fantasy.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
It looks like we won't get out of this without being in a body bag.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I certainly hope not. I want to get back to my wife. If I don’t come back, she might find this Miranda to revive me just so she can kill me herself.
All chuckle.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We'll make sure you get back alive. It shouldn’t be much. Just wiping out a few bad guys with good tech. Long as you keep your head down when you’re getting shot at, you should be fine.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Let's hope that's all there is to it... I'll get him settled in. You take it easy. You're barely alive as it is.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Chuckles)
True. I’ll continue resting. I appreciate it.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(To Leonard)
He doesn’t usually walk around in his armor. The suit is supposed to help him heal. I don’t know all of the science behind it, but that’s why he’s keeping it on for the meantime. It you could believe it, he’s only been walking around for about two weeks.
LEONARD MITCHELL
You're like that one old space movie with the- uh- the guy with the red beam swords in the black suit with the mask that made him breathe obnoxiously loud. He was always walking around breathing hard like (breathes hard like Darth Vader). What was that movie? Like- Star Fight, War of the Stars, Star Battle? I forgot.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Chuckles)
I like him already.
All laugh.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Come on. Let me show you around.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Alright.
Garrus escorts Leonard away. Shepard checks to see if he can hear himself breathe. Shepard shakes his head.
INT. NORMANDY COMMUNICATION ROOM - DAY
A week later: Commander Shepard gathers his crew in the communication room. TALI VAS NORMANDY, Garrus, EDI, Leonard, MIRANDA LAWSON, BIGGS MCGRAW, WEDGE SAMUELS, and Shepard stand around a table.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Alright. I hope everyone has gotten acclimated to being on the ship. Wished we didn’t have to be here, but as expected, with so little resources, a free-for-all for Reaper tech is taking place. The council races aren’t able to contain all of the materials due to their vast numbers and-.
Shepard coughs. He goes into a coughing spree. They attend to him. (EDI sounds like the Female Commander Shepard from the game or different from the EDI in the first movie.
EDI (V.O.)
Perhaps I should take over, Shepard.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
No. No, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Despite how it looks, I am getting better.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
(Worried)
Don’t push yourself if you don’t have to.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Yeah. Can’t have you collapsing a lung just from talking.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. (Stands erect) I can handle this. Now... As I was saying... There’s a free-for-all for the Reaper tech, which was anticipated, but no one has the resources to catch all the pirates, scavengers, or rogue nations. So, we’re being asked to help by whoever Miranda is working for.
MIRANDA LAWSON
Our benefactors requested to remain anonymous, but seeing how all of you know about my connection with Cerberus before, I wouldn’t put you through that again. They are just concerned philanthropists. That’s all. Let’s just say Reaper tech in the wrong hands concerns them just as much as it concerns anyone. As far as I know, they have no interest in the tech itself. Also, they have no connection to Cerberus whatsoever.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
I don’t trust anyone who hides their face. If you can’t openly support us, then you must be hiding something.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Sounds like trouble.
WEDGE SAMUELS
Yeah, downright trouble.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Well, if we went public, we’d be grounded immediately and backlogged for months with debriefing. We can’t afford to be bogged down. Here’s the mission priority. EDI?
EDI displays Earth in a hologram.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We will be providing assistance to the Alliance in collecting Reaper tech or reporting the location of Reaper tech. We want to make sure no one tries to reactivate those things or tries to use their technology against other races. One group in particular is troubling us: the Harmony. Explain it to them, EDI.
EDI
The Harmony are a race of synthesized organic and non-organic life that claim to have achieved fully synthesis by the power of the Crucible two years ago. They operate in a symbiontic relationship, learning from each other, and so, have access to not only historical data that the Reapers possess, but emotional data that organic life possess. They live as one, and their presence within in the galaxy is daunting. Some are afraid that they are indoctrinated and will one day bring about a new harvest cycle.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Their intentions are unknown. Everything about them is-.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Crazy.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
Living as synthesized beings with synthetics... I just don’t know how that’s possible.
EDI
Perhaps, it is possible. There were many unknowns to the power of the Crucible and Reaper nanotech.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
It’s still off-putting.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Strange folks.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
And somehow, it gets even stranger.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Either way, clean up duty isn’t going to be easy. They aren’t the only ones searching the galaxy for Reaper tech. There are other races, pirates, and even the Alliance can’t fully be trusted with it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
So who do we give it to or stop from getting it?
WEDGE SAMUELS
I’d say give it to whoever has the guts to destroy it.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
And lose the opportunity to convert their technologies into our own?
BIGGS MCGRAW
(To Wedge)
Bit of a waste, don’t you think?
WEDGE SAMUELS
Maybe you’d like to go reactivate one then?
BIGGS MCGRAW
I’m not saying that. I’m saying there can be steps taken to do it safely.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Annoyed)
And what steps would that be?
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Irritated)
I don’t know. I’m just saying. Back off!
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Guys. Enough. Continue your bromance later.
WEDGE SAMUELS
Ey, come on, Commander.
BIGGS MCGRAW
We’re just talkin is all.
Shepard glares at them. They hush. Shepard continues.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Prothean technology set us forward by centuries. Reaper tech could do tens of centuries of advancement.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Still, playing with toys you don’t understand is a dangerous line.
EDI (V.O.)
One that should be explored for the benefit of all, especially those charged with guarding the galaxy from outside threats.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We could go back and forth on that subject forever. Point is, we need to make sure all of the Reaper tech is accounted for at the very least.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Not to mention the Reapers that were reported fleeing into dark space. There could still be Reapers out there- the unfriendly kind.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I'd say we're in for at least another decade of mess to clean up.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
And that’s putting it lightly.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Not a lot of soldiers out there willing to help, or able, according to the Alliance.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
That’s true, but I have some friends across the galaxy that'll help. We'll wait for the Mass Effect Relays to reopen. Then, we'll begin making our move. For now, we need to investigate the warehouse for all the Reaper tech collected on earth.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
It’s heavily guarded and in an unknown location in North America.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
At least it was unknown, until EDI found it.
EDI (V.O.)
I have gathered enough data to confirm the location of a storage base. I can also confirm that there are defenses set in place to prevent any and all aircraft from entering the area. A Reaper couldn't get through if it wanted nor will the Normandy’s stealth system helps. It is impenetrable.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
They have enhanced radar tech and converted Reaper lasers into turrets to defend the area. Only way in is on foot, unless you have the docking codes too.
EDI (V.O.)
I do not. The most I could do were clearance IDs.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
The IDs should allow Me, Garrus, and Mitchell into the facility. It won’t be long before they catch onto the fact that they’re fake.
MIRANDA LAWSON
You’re not going. If you get caught or have to do too strenuous of an activity, you’ll set your recovery back. You’re benched, Shepard.
Awkward pause.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Alright, doctor.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Probably best a Turian doesn’t go into a human base either, Shepard.
LEONARD MITCHELL
So... me Biggs, and Wedge?
WEDGE SAMUELS
Nothing we haven’t done before.
Biggs and Wedge bump fists.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
You’ll set out tomorrow.
LEONARD MITCHELL
That soon?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Soon as you’re reported missing, the investigation will start.
If we don't work quickly, they'll start tracking you. We have to lie low til the Relays are open.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
The ceremony is supposed to begin in a week.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah. I was trying to be a part of it. Guess I won’t get that chance.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Not anymore. There are bigger things to worry about.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Like whose going to be using the Relays to travel now. Who knows who else is waiting on the Relays like us.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’m guessing it’s too much to hope for all peaceful people, right?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
That’s pushing your luck just a tad too far.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
Many will be ready to go home as well.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Yeah, well. We know what we have to do to get ahead of everyone. So let’s make this count, alright?
ALL
Yes, sir.
The meeting is adjourned.
INT. NORMANDY COMMAND DECK - DAY
Dialogue check. Every line has to be important.
Leonard walks through the Normandy Command Deck. He sees all the empty chairs and abandoned computer screens. He shrugs his shoulders as he approaches JEFF “JOKER” MOREAU piloting the Normandy.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Hello.
JOKER
(Confused)
Hellooo?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Who’re you?
JOKER
Joker. Pilot. Anything else?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Curious)
Short. Something wrong?
JOKER
(Agitated)
No, just flying here, out in space, fighting Reapers... all over again.
LEONARD MITCHELL
That’s not what this is about, is it?
JOKER
(Chuckles)
That obvious, or are you fishing?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Smirks)
Could be both.
JOKER
(Giggles; Sighs)
I just thought we’d be done with this.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Too optimistic, in my opinion.
JOKER
I guess.
LEONARD MITCHELL
The universe is too big and too complicated for a war like that to just end so immediately.
JOKER
True. Wait- who are you again? I’m sorry, I’ve been out of it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Leonard. Leonard Mitchell.
JOKER
(Shakes his hand)
Shepard’s stand-in on Earth. Glad to have you aboard.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Amused)
That’s what you think I was?
JOKER
Well... no-... sort of. I mean the Admiral liked you and recommended you to replace him, but that’s just a guess. Sorry. I’m just really not looking forward to what we’ll find.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Why not?
JOKER
The last time we tried to destroy Reapers, other synthetics, like EDI were acceptable casualties. EDI lost her body and memory when the Crucible went off. Now we’re still fighting Reapers... and EDI is... different.
LEONARD MITCHELL
How did she survive?
JOKER
She stored herself into the AI core. Took us a while to reactivate her, but when we did, her voice was different, and her memory was wiped.
LEONARD MITCHELL
You don’t think you’ll be able to restore her fully?
JOKER
I don’t know, and that’s what’s annoying about this, you know. And we don’t know what exactly happened. Shepard claims we destroyed all synthetics, but EDI is still alive, and there are other reports of living synthetics, including the Reapers and Geth. There’s even this other group, the Harmony. They’re out there too. (Sighs) You’ll see eventually, but anything involving Shepard leads to a lot of complications, if that’s even Shepard we’re following.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Shocked)
Whoa- wait. What does that mean?
JOKER
(Surveys the room for people)
We all saw what happened to the Citadel. It’s still kind of unbelievable that he made it out alive. There wasn’t any oxygen in the Citadel. Heck, the entire place was blown to smithereens. When we found him, we wanted it to be him so bad that we didn’t bother to check if it really was him.
LEONARD MITCHELL
And you haven’t checked still?
JOKER
EDI says it’s him, and I think it’s him, but it could be a synthetic or he could be indoctrinated. Can’t sweat it now. He sure acts like himself.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Dissatisfied)
Well... alright then.
JOKER
Maybe I’ve said too much.
LEONARD MITCHELL
No.
EDI (V.O.)
You called, Joker?
JOKER
(Sighs)
No, EDI. No I did not.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Delayed response?
JOKER
Exactly.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Hmm... Well, good to meet you.
JOKER
You too. I’m sorry about- well... me... I just need to accept this... (Sighs). We’re really still in it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Hopefully not much longer.
JOKER
I hope it’s not long. Everything up to this point has worn most of us out.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Well I still have enough drive for the rest of us.
JOKER
Good to hear.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’ll go back to making sure everything’s clean.
JOKER
I’ll go back to... flying the ship. (Shrugs).
Leonard chuckles and nods. Joker nods. Leonard walks off.
INT. NORMANDY CREW SLEEPING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Leonard tosses and turns in his bed. He wakes and sits up.
INT. NORMANDY OBSERVATION DECK - NIGHT
double check dialogue. pretty useful scene.
Leonard enters the empty observation deck and looks at Earth. He can still see much of the debris in space along with the fleets of the many nations that have been stranded there for the past two years. He also sees that Citadel is under construction. Shepard enters limping.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Startled)
Should you be awake?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
It's hard to sleep with these injuries.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Observes his limp)
The limp is new... But the only way to heal is to rest.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Frustrated)
Yeah... The hip comes and goes...
LEONARD MITCHELL
Hmm... Unfortunate... (Hesitant) Do you ever come out of that suit?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I have to on occasion, it’s not like I like smelling all the rotting- well- body odor.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I was gonna say-.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Yeah, it smells.
LEONARD MITCHELL
So you clean like-?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Once a week. It’s a pain, because- you know-. (Points to his hip)
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah, yeah. Just curious... (Turns to stare at Citadel) Should they be rebuilding that?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Sits in a chair)
Probably not, but that's not going to stop them. When I was on that thing... an AI warned me that humanity would make more synthetics. I figured we would, but I just wanted the war to end... It said our children would make them, but at this rate... our children will be fed to synthetics. The cycle repeats, but it’ll be because of what we create. I was hoping we would learn, but it doesn't seem like that's the case.
LEONARD MITCHELL
We have learned the dangers of synthetics with too much power. It's what we haven't learned that’s the issue.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Curious)
What's that?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Turns to Shepard)
We haven't learned to be humble. The galaxy continues to prove that our existence is less and less significant, yet we continually believe we are special. That arrogance is sometimes an illness. Rarely does it ever benefit. It’s one thing to be confident, and a whole other thing to be arrogant.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Is it so bad to believe we’re special?
LEONARD MITCHELL
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” It’s a scripture written by King Solomon of Israel from the Bible. I’ve always been fascinated by “Ecclesiastes”. It continues to put things in perspective. We aren’t special. If we’re special, that means someone else isn’t. If anything, the Reapers showed us that even our creations have the capacity to become greater than us.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Pondering)
Well that’s a way to look at it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
There is evil in all of our societies, yet we continue thinking we can make something good. How can something evil make something good?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I don’t know, but you really think everyone is evil?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Who hasn’t dons something rebellious, selfish, or to the depravity of someone else? You don’t even have to teach a child to lie for a child to lie to their parents. You don’t have to teach them to be sneaky or selfish... We are innately evil creatures.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Then who is good?
LEONARD MITCHELL
God... Jesus Christ specifically.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
So you’re Christian?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I am. Do you believe in God?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
As many times as I’ve dodged death... someone’s gotta be looking out for me.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I believe that someone to be Jesus Christ. It’s hard to imagine with all this life out here in the galaxy... but I still believe in Him. I’ve had visions of Him before.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Visions?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nods)
I have seen His face and heard His voice. The first chapter of Revelation is completely accurate. And when the rest of His Word in that book becomes truth... it’ll be a crazy time.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Even crazier than this?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I imagine it making the Reapers look like little children...
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Chuckle)
Crazy.
LEONARD MITCHELL
The Bible in itself is crazy, but that’s a whole ‘nother conversation.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
You’ll have to tell me sometime. But right now, we need to worry about the Reaper tech going around.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Should we really be going about it this way? Should we be hiding from the Alliance?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
There’s evil in all of us, right?
Leonard remains quiet.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We’ll be going there to see what they’re doing with the Reaper tech. We want to know if they’ve had any convoys robbed or if they even have a track on all the Reaper tech period. There’s also a chance that someone on the inside is trying to line their pockets with credits. I’m sure it’s a big profit these days. You’ll run point for Biggs and Wedge. All three of you are Alliance soldiers. You’ll draw less attention than the rest of us.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Thinks aloud)
They’re Alliance? Makes sense.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
They’ve integrated Reaper tech into all of the technology so familiar faces work best. EDI hasn’t been fully restored so it’s not a good idea to rely on her.
LEONARD MITCHELL
What kind of AI is EDI?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
She’s an AI that was created by Cerberus for defense measures against the Collectors and the Reapers. You’ve probably noticed, but she has more freedom than the standard AI. It was strange at first, but she’s shown herself to be a valuable part of the team.
EDI (V.O.)
Thank you, Shepard.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Startled)
Ohhh... Okay. She listens in on conversations?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Chuckles)
She’s embedded into the ship. Wherever there’s cameras or microphones, she’s listening. She can read lips also.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Troubled)
Ugh. Technology.
Shepard laughs. Shepard goes into a coughing frenzy.
LEONARD MITCHELL
You okay?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Recovering)
Yeah...
LEONARD MITCHELL
How bad were you injured?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I was basically burned alive... I don’t know how I even survived... but then again, that’s not the first time that happened.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Confused)
Really?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Chuckles)
Yeah... Long story.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Sits on a couch nearby. Observes space)
I guess we’ll have some things to talk about. I’ll tell you about Jesus and you can tell me about how you came back from the brink of death.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I look forward to it.
Shepard and Leonard stargaze.
EXT. STORAGE BASE ENTRY AREA - DAY
Determine if these scenes are necessary. If not, use hologram in previous scene to show layout of the base to make its design at the end of the movie recognizable.
A shuttle lands near a heavily fortified military base. The base consists of barracks, a humongous warehouse spreading a mile long and half a mile wide, a yard three times the size of the warehouse full of docile Reapers and piles of Reaper tech, and a wall five stories high to surround all of it. There are large canons on the wall where Reaper lasers are equipped. There is construction equipment all around taking Reapers apart and moving others around. Trucks come and go from the area and there is no place in view that does not have a guard or a worker present. There is heavy, moving traffic. It is a packed city.
The shuttle opens and Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge get out of the shuttle suited in armor. They are abruptly signaled by Alliance soldiers who wave them over towards the entry way. They approach the dozen, heavily armored guards.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
(Stern)
Can I help you gentlemen?
LEONARD MITCHELL
We are authorized to inspect the premises. Just checking out security, rotations, hacker prevention, and containment protocols.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
(Scanning them with omni-tool)
Let me see your credentials.
They each send over their credentials through their omni-tools. The soldier verifies them with his omni-tool.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
Looks like you’re all good.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Thank you.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
Please refrain from tampering and lollygagging. Please note that there may be a resurrection of a Reaper while you are here. If so, please follow the protocol. Do not go where you are not authorized and you will do just fine. If you have weapons on you, you must turn them in at the next checkpoint, understood?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Understood.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
Proceed into the facility. I’ll radio them so they know you’re coming.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Thank you.
The three walk through the wall with an escort. A small doorway opens in the wall and they go through. Just inside the wall, the escort soldier hands them off to Security Officer KAMIL JAMES, who is sitting on the hood of a shuttle.
KAMIL JAMES
(Hand on his firearm)
Gentlemen, welcome. Before you are allowed to continue any further, please relieve yourself of all your weapons. Just put them on the ground at your feet. We’ll gather them.
Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge set their weapons on the ground. The other soldier comes up to them with a scanner.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 2
(Scans Biggs) Good. (Scans Wedge) Good. (Scans Leonard) Good. They’re all yours, sir.
KAMIL JAMES
(Smiling)
Excellent. This way inspectors. Let’s get this over with.
The three join Kamil. Kamil opens the shuttle and lets them in. Leonard notices he’s heavily armed as well.
INT. STORAGE BASE SHUTTLE - DAY
Inside, the facility stretches for miles. There are warehouse shelves stacked to the ceiling, full of Reaper tech. Some parts of the ships are broken down, some are kept together. Scientists of all kinds study the materials before them, using some AI assistance, but very little and very limited. Most machines are AI free.
(EXT. SHOT) Kamil drives them towards the warehouse, which looks like two stadiums in one. There is only glass at the entrance. The back of the warehouse is purposefully shielded from outside eyes. You can already see the dormant Reapers lying to the right of the warehouse. Some of the Reapers stand just as tall as the warehouse.
(INT) Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge observe the base while Kamil focuses on driving.
KAMIL JAMES
Gentlemen. I didn’t know you were coming today. To whom do I owe the pleasure?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Confused; acting)
What do you mean, you didn’t know we were coming?
KAMIL JAMES
I don’t have any of your names in our registry.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Who made that mistake?
KAMIL JAMES
That’s what I’d like to know.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Well look, I don’t have all day. Is there something else we need to go through now?
KAMIL JAMES
Once we’re inside the warehouse, we’ll have to check your credentials again.
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Nervous)
Seriously?
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Flustered)
Oh, this is annoying.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Stern)
Calm down. Calm down. Let the man do his job. Look, we’re only doing an overview. These two will look into the warehouse, where all your computers are, okay?
KAMIL JAMES
Okay.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’ll survey the yard. If there’s anything out of the ordinary, I’ll note it. We can’t be here very long. Everything should be the same as what’s already reported, right?
KAMIL JAMES
Yes. There aren’t a lot of changes. I mean there’s a lot of transfers but not much else.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Good. Routine then.
KAMIL JAMES
I guess so.
Kamil stops in front of the warehouse.
KAMIL JAMES
(Opens his omni-tool)
I have two inspectors coming in. I need one of you to bring a scanner to verify their credentials.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(To Biggs and Wedge)
We can’t be long. Do the necessary inspections and let’s go. Gotta make it home on time for dinner today or the wife’ll be the most dangerous threat to my life.
A soldier comes out to the shuttle. Kamil opens the doors.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 3
(Raises scanner)
Open your omni-tools. Let me see your credentials.
All three open their omni-tools. The soldier scans them all.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 3
All clear.
KAMIL JAMES
Good. (To Biggs and Wedge) You’re free to enter, gentlemen.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Nervous)
Uh... what are we shooting for, boss?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nervous)
What do you mean?
WEDGE SAMUELS
What time you suppose you’ll be back here?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Relieved)
Oh, uh... (To Kamil) Thirty minutes? I suppose this thing can get up to speed?
KAMIL JAMES
(Confused)
Well- yeah, but-... Inspections usually take three hours...
LEONARD MITCHELL
Did you not hear the bit about my wife and dinner?
KAMIL JAMES
Oh-.
LEONARD MITCHELL
You guys haven’t failed an inspection, right?
KAMIL JAMES
Right.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Then I don’t want to be here long. I trust you. (Smirks)
KAMIL JAMES
I...(Thinks) It’s your job.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Exactly. Thank you. (To Biggs and Wedge) Thirty minutes.
WEDGE SAMUELS
Aye, sir.
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Smacks Wedge in the back of the head)
You blockhead.
Biggs and Wedge leave with the other soldier while Kamil continues the tour. As the shuttle passes the warehouse, Leonard can’t help but stare. Kamil notices.
KAMIL JAMES
First time seeing it?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah... it’s massive.
KAMIL JAMES
There’s a lot of tech in there. That and carcasses of the dead Reapers.
LEONARD MITCHELL
What, like husks and brutes and banshees?
KAMIL JAMES
Yep. All of that.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Whhhhyyyyy?
KAMIL JAMES
They don’t decay. Wounded and everything, their bodies don’t whether away. They found out it’s the nanotech inside them that does it. So they’re extracting it. After the body is cleaned, then it decays. I can tell you would’ve liked seeing it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nonchalantly)
Well... seen it once, you’ve seen it all. It’s just the amount that I’m imagining.
KAMIL JAMES
Oh... yeah...
Leonard looks at all the traffic.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Aren’t you guys a little busy?
KAMIL JAMES
Yeah. I wish you had come on a different day... They’re attempting to reactivate a Reaper.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Terrified)
Why!?
KAMIL JAMES
Why else? They want to see what it knows. See if they can get it to tell them about history, their technology, or anything else we may not know.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Is that wise!?
KAMIL JAMES
In my opinion? No. But they can’t satisfy their own curiosity. They think all of life’s answers are in these machines. The military is on standby. That’s why I’m surprised you all weren’t on the ledger.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Unnerved)
I don’t like the sound of that. Almost wish you would’ve turned us back. Rather report that mishap than be here for this.
KAMIL JAMES
Don’t worry, they have a bomb attached to the core. If the Reaper doesn’t cooperate and gets aggressive, you’ll see them close off the warehouse behind blast doors and then they’ll blow it up.
(EXT. SHOT) Kamil drives Leonard to the middle of the yard. There are numerous dormant Reapers in piles. Leonard studies the walls and sees some anti-aircraft Reaper beams, manned by many, set up for defense. Others are driving around, directing trucks, or moving Reaper parts. There are even crews slicing through the Reaper ships with welding machines.
(INT.) Leonard snaps out of a daydream.
KAMIL JAMES
(Concerned)
Anything out of place?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nervous)
Uh... no... Looks fine. (Nods)
KAMIL JAMES
You were infantry in the war?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah...
KAMIL JAMES
How involved were you?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Right in the heart of it with Admiral Anderson and Commander Shepard.
KAMIL JAMES
(Shocked)
Really!? No kidding?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah...
KAMIL JAMES
(Impressed)
So you’re a real hero then?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I wouldn’t call it that. The heroes are the ones who gave their lives... I just supported them.
KAMIL JAMES
As far as I’m concerned, you’re a true hero. I was just in charge of shelters. I made sure people had places to hide. Didn’t really fight anything. Spent most of the war running, hiding, or both.
LEONARD MITCHELL
As far as I’m concerned, the only thing that matters is that we survived...
Leonard’s sentence fades as he looks into the “eyes” of a Reaper. Kamil catches him.
KAMIL JAMES
You’ve been real close to one of these, haven’t you? Like when they were active.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Uneasy)
Yeah...
KAMIL JAMES
How scary was it?
LEONARD MITCHELL
... I can’t really explain it... You look at the red light from the center. You see the energy building up... but when the beam starts to fire... there’s not enough time to react. You’re just lucky if you don’t get hit.
KAMIL JAMES
You seem like you seen a lot. Kind of a bad choice in professions, don’t you think?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah. Maybe. But the state the galaxy’s in right now... you go where you’re needed. We’re a long way from being able to be picky about our jobs.
KAMIL JAMES
I hear that. I can’t wait to get a job away from these things... Knowing they’re dormant AI and not just destroyed machines is what’s the scariest... We don’t really know what we’re dealing with. One wrong move and the war starts all over. I just don’t like it.
Leonard’s omni-tool sounds off. Leonard looks at it. It reads “You’ve been made. Get out! MPs inbound!” Leonard contacts Biggs and Wedge.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Anxious)
Shoot.
KAMIL JAMES
What is it?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Uh- someone is getting detained at another site. We have to go and settle the matter.
KAMIL JAMES
I don’t suppose another group not on the ledger?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Thinks)
Could be. Not everyone is keeping up with all that’s going on. Either way, our time here is getting cut short. Take me back to the others, immediately.
KAMIL JAMES
(Suspicious)
Alright then.
Kamil turns the cart around and speeds back to the facility.
INT. STORAGE BASE SHUTTLE - DAY
Determine if these scenes are necessary
As Kamil approaches the entrance of the warehouse, Biggs and Wedge come out to meet them waving in front of the soldier that escorted them inside. Kamil stops the shuttle and opens the door.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Getting in)
Did you get the message?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah. Did you get enough information to make a report?
WEDGE SAMUELS
Yeah, boss. We got what we needed.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Everything checks out.
KAMIL JAMES
You didn’t find anything out of order?
WEDGE SAMUELS
Not on my end.
BIGGS MCGRAW
I’ll have to check the data when I get back to headquarters. From a surface scan, nothing showed.
KAMIL JAMES
Good to hear.
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Anxious)
Yeah.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Take us back to the front and we’ll get on over to the other site.
KAMIL JAMES
Which site?
They pause.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Hesitant)
Uh... what’s the one... it’s close, but uh... I can’t remember these cities to save my life. What was the code?
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Shrugs)
36491.
They all turn to Biggs. Biggs shrugs again.
KAMIL JAMES
I’ve never heard of that-.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 2 (V.O.)
Kamil, come in. Kamil.
KAMIL JAMES
What the-? (Presses a button) What is it?
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 2 (V.O.)
Code 37.
KAMIL JAMES
(Startled)
Code 37?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nervous)
What is that?
KAMIL JAMES
(Suspicious)
Possible intruder... (Looks ahead to the wall) What was that site number again?
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Unsure)
36491?
Kamil starts to put the number in on his omni-tool. Wedge goes to grab Kamil, but Leonard signals for them to stay calm. Kamil looks ahead.
EXT. STORAGE BASE ENTRY AREA - DAY
Soldiers wrestle with a deranged man with a gun near the shuttles by the wall.
(INT. SHOT) Kamil accelerates until they are close to them.
(EXT.) The man still hasn’t been restrained. Kamil opens the shuttle and hurries over to them. Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge head for the exit.
DERANGED MAN
(Irate)
Let me go! Let me go!
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 2
(Angered)
Don’t resist! Stand down!
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 4
Put the weapon down!
Kamil draws near as they wrestle the man to the ground.
DERANGED MAN
Let me go! The Reapers must be destroyed! You’re making a grave mistake! You indoctrinated! You’re all indoctrinated!
Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge go back to the entry point and are met by the Alliance soldiers at the gate.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Anxious)
Weapons, please?
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
(Suspicious)
Leaving already?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Yeah, we’re leaving.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Code 36491.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
(Confused)
What’s that?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Hesitant)
Uh... mishap... at another location. Gotta get somebody out of custody.
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
(Shocked)
Aw, man. That’s crazy.
Leonard looks back at the soldiers detaining the man. Kamil notices they aren’t by the shuttle.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Panicky)
Yeah, well. Duty calls. Weapons?
ALLIANCE SOLDIER 1
Sure thing. Just sign for them all here. (Hands Leonard a tablet).
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Abruptly signs tablet)
Thank you.
KAMIL JAMES (O.C.)
Hey, guys!?
Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge quickly grab their weapons and leave through the gate. Kamil is hurrying towards them.
KAMIL JAMES (O.C.)
Hey!
They ignore him and keep going. A shuttle lands in front of them and they quickly get in.
KAMIL JAMES
Stop!
Kamil gathers some soldiers and pursues. Leonard looks at the wall and sees the Reaper beams charging up.
PILOT 1
This is going to be close!
The shuttle heads off towards space. The Reaper beams turrets aim but do not fire. Kamil stares angrily.
INT. NORMANDY COMMUNICATION ROOM - DAY
shorten by a minute
Leonard debriefs with Shepard and others.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Frustrated)
How were we made!?
EDI (V.O.)
They have a thorough vetting process. They found the errors in the IDs I constructed. We were lucky not to get caught.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Stunned)
Lucky? You sent us out there without a surefire way in?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Not the best effort, but at least you got something.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
EDI, what do we have?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
What’s that?
EDI (V.O.)
It appears an entire Reaper ship was stolen during transportation from Terra Nova, in the Asgard System of the Exodus Cluster.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Figures they hide something like that.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Probably trying to take care of it themselves before anyone notices. How long ago was that?
EDI (V.O.)
It was recorded six months ago.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Any idea where they were headed?
EDI (V.O.)
They were due back to Earth. If we go inspect the area, perhaps we may find something we can track.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Worried)
Six months is a long time ago.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
Perhaps, but it wouldn’t hurt to go take a look.
LEONARD MITCHELL
If they’re transporting items through different cluster, doesn’t that require a Mass Effect Relay? How are we traveling between systems if the Relays are down?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
The Relays work. They just say they’re not so that the public doesn’t try to use them. Limit the traffic in order to make gathering Reaper tech that much easier.
MIRANDA LAWSON
You know the Alliance. They’re not letting just anybody use them. Even the opening tomorrow will only be for a restricted number of ships.
LEONARD MITCHELL
So have you all been using them?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
The Alliance has the Relays on heavy guard. They don’t want anyone near those things, so we’ve been lying low, restocking our supplies before we make a run for it.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Wait... we’re still not registered?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
No. EDI will hopefully get it done soon.
EDI
Apologies, Shepard.
MIRANDA LAWSON
Any sighting of the Normandy crew will draw attention. If we go through unregistered, it won’t be long before the Alliance pursues.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We now have evidence that intact, docile Reapers have been taken... We can’t get docked while thieves go unchecked.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
Who knows how many will try to reactivate a Reaper. Some probably already have.
LEONARD MITCHELL
It would still be beneficial if we had connections, though, right?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Yes, but I’m not ready to make us known. The only one I trust to let us be is Admiral Hackett, and he’s taken a backseat since the war. We’ll keep ourselves hidden until the time is right.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Right.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(To all)
Tomorrow, they’ll open the Relay to registered ships only. EDI will get us a registration, right EDI?
EDI (V.O.)
I can use the information gathered from the base as a back door into the Alliance transportation logs. Securing a registration will not take very long.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Good. We’ll use it to get access to the Relays and hopefully make the jump to Terra Nova to see if we can find a trail. Until then, everyone relax. (To Biggs, Wedge, and Leonard). Good work today, but settle in for the long haul.
The group nods or responds in their own way. The meeting is adjourned.
INT. NORMANDY COCKPIT - DAY
(EXT. SHOT) The Normandy, cloaked, comes within range of the Charon Relay. There are several Alliance ships hovering in the area. There are other council race ships in the area as well, having been stranded for a time in the Local Cluster.
(INT.) Shepard and Biggs watch behind Joker as they approach the relay.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
We’re still cloaked, right?
JOKER
Are you the pilot? If you were, you’d probably be able to tell.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Ooo, burn.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Never can just answer the question, can you?
JOKER
Can we not- talk? I kind of need to focus. How long have we been at this? You know I’m the best. Just let me handle it.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
EDI, can we tap into any of the comms?
JOKER
In the meantime, everybody stay quiet. This is going to be close.
EDI searches for a signal to piggy-back on. Everyone watches the other ships close in on the relay.
JOKER
They’re going through.
They see several ships use the relay. There is a long pause as they all wait to see if anything happens.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Did they make it?
JOKER
We’ll see.
A moment passes and new ships come through the relay. They are Alliance ships from the war and other colony ships.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Relieved)
Those ships don’t look like the ones that went through.
EDI (V.O.)
They are registering as different ships. I recorded all of the names of the ships passing into the relay. The ones that have returned must be ships that have been stranded in other clusters across the galaxy.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
So we can go through?
JOKER
I don’t see why not.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Okay then. Let’s go.
JOKER
Alright. Entering the relay. Deactivating stealth system.
The Normandy approaches. ADMIRAL HACKETT’s ship hails them.
ADMIRAL HACKETT (V.O.)
Normandy crew, come in.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Ignore it.
ADMIRAL HACKETT (V.O.)
Commander Shepard, is that you?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Panicked)
Get to the relay, now.
JOKER
On it.
ADMIRAL HACKETT (V.O.)
Don’t go through the relay! Open comms.
There’s a pause as the ship comes up to the relay.
ADMIRAL HACKETT (V.O.)
You go through that relay, and the Alliance will come after you.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Disappointed; mumbling)
Sorry, Admiral... (To the crew) Prepare for resistance on the other side.
(EXT. SHOT) The Normandy goes through the Charon Relay. The electricity covers the ship and they jump into the Exodus Cluster.
INT. NORMANDY COCKPIT - DAY
(EXT. SHOT) Normandy flies through the Asgard System.
(INT.) Leonard and Shepard observe space behind Joker.
JOKER
Alright, Commander. Looks like we’ve gotten away from the Alliance now.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Worried)
There were a lot of ships waiting on this side.
JOKER
Yep, but luckily the Normandy is still one of the fastest ships and has a stealth system installed. (Looks at the readings) We’re in Terra Nova’s pull. EDI, are you reading anything?
EDI (V.O.)
There is debris orbiting the planet not too far from here.
COMMANDER SHEPARD (V.O.)
Send us the location and approach.
EDI (V.O.)
Sending the navpoint now.
(EXT. SHOT) The ship approaches a destroyed cruiser.
(INT.) Leonard leans over Joker’s shoulder.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Nervous)
That looks bad.
JOKER
You don’t say?
Leonard glares at Joker.
(EXT. SHOT) The ship moves up to the debris and scans it.
(INT.) Shepard observes.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Did we find anything?
EDI (V.O.)
There is a bit of residue left from the Reaper ship that was stolen. Perhaps, it was badly damaged.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Confused)
Radiation lasts that long out here?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Radiation can last for years. Highly doubtful it’s from the war, though...
EDI (V.O.)
It matches the direction of the Relay. I can track the radiation, but it’ll be difficult.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Good. We’ll follow it to wherever and whoever took that ship.
They wait for EDI to confirm navigation.
INT. NORMANDY COMMUNICATION ROOM - DAY
(EXT. SHOT) Normandy hovers above Tyr.
(INT.) Shepard addresses ground team: Tali, Garrus, Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Alright, everyone. Judging from the fact that radiation trail leads to a mining facility on Tyr, we can assume the Reaper made it into the wrong hands. (Pulls up hologram of Tyr). There isn’t evidence of anything on the surface, so we’ll have to go in on the ground and see for ourselves.
LEONARD MITCHELL
What should we be expecting?
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Anything from a downed vessel, to a military outpost, to a Cerberus base, to an active Reaper. We really don’t know what’s down there, but prepare for the worst case scenario.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
The worst tends to happen with you.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
It’s not that bad.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
We get shot at practically every time.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
(Pause; thinks)
Well... Can’t help certain things. Garrus will be running point, understood?
ALL
Yes, sir.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(To Shepard)
Can’t wait to have you back out in the field, Shepard. It’s not the same without you.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
I know. (Sarcastically) But don’t get sloppy just because I’m not watching you.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Chuckles)
You forget I was doing just fine when you were gone, as a C-Sec Officer and as Archangel.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Yeah, but your best work was with me. (Smirk)
WEDGE SAMUELS
Still, if a Reaper ship is down there, it’d be unfortunate if your limp came back at the same time. Would be kind of embarrassing watching you hobble to safety.
BIGGS MCGRAW
And he just called you old, old man.
All chuckle.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
It won’t be long until I’m making you look like the old man, but I hope we find nothing. I didn’t bring you all in just to watch you die.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Says the guy who technically died twice now.
All laugh.
COMMANDER SHEPARD
Fair point.
Leonard glares at the hologram.
EXT. TYR MINING FACILITY - DAY
Describe mining facility better. Perhaps not make the planet so toxic to life.
Garrus, Tali, Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge come up, in full armor, on an abandoned mining facility. The facility is a gray dome with a black arc above it, producing a massive, yellow umbrella of an energy shield around it. The walls of the dome are halfway into the ground. Walls are twenty feet high and four feet thick. The shield wall is surrounded by hills of the planet’s trees which emit a poisonous gas to them.
Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge come up to the energy wall slowly, looking around.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Observing)
It’s quiet. There’s no one on guard or anything. Looks like a remote mining facility to me.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Well that’s what it is, so.
WEDGE SAMUELS
So it looks like how it’s supposed to look.
BIGGS MCGRAW
I’m just saying Captain Obvious over here.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Really, you two?
They stop in front of what looks like a doorway. Leonard looks to the top of a hill and signals to Garrus, who’s in the trees with Tali, with a flashlight. Garrus signals back with a flashlight of his own. Leonard nods and moves to the door.
LEONARD MITCHELL
I’d rather not get caught in a fight out here where there’s not enough oxygen. Let’s get into the facility.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Is this even an entrance? I mean, remote-operated facilities don’t usually have living quarters because, you know... it’s on an unhabitable planet?
LEONARD MITCHELL
Every facility eventually needs engineers and mechanics to fix things or run inspections. There may not be much space, but there is space. What else would the energy field be for. There’s oxygen in there.
Biggs scans for a door and finds one.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Hmm! A door!
Biggs hacks and opens the door and goes inside. They enter a small room with cameras in the corner and a terminal by another door.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Decontamination room.
AI (V.O.)
Please hold.
LEONARD MITCHELL
There’s cameras. Stay sharp.
The door behind them seals shut.
AI (V.O.)
Now beginning decontamination process.
A scanner shines above them across the room. Gases fill the room, followed by oxygen. The stand there as the scanner checks them. Biggs walks over to the terminal and tampers.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Get ready. Someone has probably noticed us through the camera.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Got a lot of logs in the past few weeks. Someone’s here.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Drawing weapon)
Looks like we’ll have a fight.
AI (V.O.)
Decontamination process complete. Welcome.
A door next to the terminal unlocks. The scanner shuts down. They go into the mine. The decontamination room leads to a small walkway with pipelines for walls. The walkway leads to a pathway into a humongous facility dug deep into the ground. Once through, they all stare in awe.
Several pipes lead to three dormant laser drills, held up by stands, in the center of a giant hole. Two walkways (the one they’re walking out of plus another opposite of them, lead to ramps that circle around the laser drills down below with walls of pipeline circling with them. The deeper the entrances go, the more soil there is rather than facility. There are makeshift ladders and stairwells that lead beyond what they can initially see into the bottom of the mine. Halfway down, there is a hallway leading to another part of the facility.
Leonard leads Biggs and Wedge down into the facility. As they circle the structure, they notice Garrus and Tali coming down the other side slightly above them.
WEDGE SAMUELS
What the-? Weren’t they behind us? How did the get to the other side?
LEONARD MITCHELL
I-... I don’t know. Shuttle maybe.
As Leonard is walking, he hears talking coming from the hallway below. He stops and the other two stop. They line up against the wall, listen, and then slowly make their way. Garrus and Tali follow their lead.
Leonard slowly comes up to a corridor breaking off from the pathway. He looks down the hallway and notices indoctrinated Cerberus soldiers talking amongst each other.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Turning back; whispering)
Cerberus!
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Whispering)
How many?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Checks)
Three, maybe four.
BIGGS MCGRAW
What are your orders?
Leonard looks back to Garrus, who is waiting on his move.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Take em out quickly.
Leonard signals to Garrus. Garrus aims down his sniper rifle. Leonard goes to charge, but Garrus fires. The zip of the bullet causes Leonard to step back and glare at Garrus. Biggs and Wedge go around him to engage. The Cerberus soldiers engage them, but are quickly eliminated. They inspect the area as Leonard waits for Tali and Garrus.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Approaching smirking)
Figured I’d take a few off your hands.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Those were Cerberus soldiers. There may be many more further up and after that scuffle, they’ll know we’re here. How do you want to play this?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Let’s see what’s down there first. It might not be as bad as we think. Let’s go.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Got it.
They go further in.
INT. TYR MINING FACILITY CORRIDOR - DAY
The team continues through the hallway.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Everyone stay sharp.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
If Cerberus found this place appealing, there has to be something important here.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
I don’t doubt it.
They pass a few empty rooms with multiple monitors, gauges, and pipes.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
(Looking inside a room)
Most of the rooms are empty. I wonder what they are hiding.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Is it too much of a stretch to hope for nothing?
BIGGS MCGRAW
Way too much.
They stop at the entry doors to a hangar. They notice cameras in the corners of the doorway.
LEONARD MITCHELL
You think these still work?
EDI (V.O.)
It appears that the camera systems have been turned off.
LEONARD MITCHELL
EDI? How are able to see that?
EDI (V.O.)
I have access to the video feeds on your outfits, and I have access to your microphones. I can tell what you’re looking at.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Confused)
Has she always been able to do that?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
AIs... she’s one of the best when it comes to quality. EDI, can you get us in?
EDI (V.O.)
One moment.
There is talking on the other side of the door. Leonard signals for everyone to be quiet. He leans against the door and listens inside. He hears the sound of a rail gun spinning up to fire.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Panicked)
Move!
Leonard retreats from the door just as it opens. When it opens, several rounds of fire zip through the hallway. They take shelter in the rooms. A gun fight commences.
WEDGE SAMUEL
I thought the cameras weren’t working!
LEONARD MITCHELL
Nobody had radios on them either!
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Doesn’t matter! Take em out!
One by one, the Cerberus soldiers fall. After the gunfight, the floor is covered with a dozen soldiers. Leonard sees if any move.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(To Biggs and Wedge)
Check the bodies.
LEONARD MITCHELL
Is it really that strenuous?
Biggs and Wedge moan, but check the bodies. They nudge several of them and receive no responses. Finally, one soldier moves. He squirms and then reaches for a gun. Biggs kicks it away and Wedge hits him with the butt of his gun.
WEDGE SAMUELS
Stay down! (To the others) Got one!
The others come over to Biggs and Wedge. Wedge has his gun aimed at the man. The man breathes heavily as they see two holes in his armor.
WEDGE SAMUELS
He doesn’t have much time left.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Opening man’s helmet)
Alright, man. Talk-.
Leonard falls back. The man has a husk face (dead, midnight skin, blue terminator robot eyes, and tubes running into his mouth). The others turn their heads while Wedge reluctantly keeps his sights on the man.
CERBERUS HUSK SOLDIER 1
One’s in there.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Rising; disgusted)
What? Who are you?
CERBERUS HUSK SOLDIER 1
You don’t know? You’re with Shepard aren’t you?
GARRUS VAKARIAN
Shepard? Who are you talking about?
CERBERUS HUSK SOLDIER 1
(Chuckling)
You serve her and don’t even realize it. The fate of the galaxy couldn’t be in better hands. She will make-. (Goes into shock. Dies).
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Nudges him a few times)
He’s dead. Yep... dead.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
(Worried)
I wonder who this Shepard is.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
A woman. He did say, “Her.”
LEONARD MITCHELL
He also said “the fate of the galaxy”... Last time anything Reaper said that, it meant mass genocide for many races and war.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Troubled)
Let’s keep moving. Cerberus or ex-Cerberus, I don’t think we’ll like what we find here.
They continue into the hangar.
INT. TYR MINING FACILITY HANGAR OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY
Try to improve length and depth of dialogue
They continue through the door into an observation room on the second floor of a hangar. The room has been strangely converted as a black smart window is at the back with a computer console underneath it. The rest of the room is littered with crates of stolen weapons. There is a stairway and an elevator leading to the hangar below, but they are empty of soldiers. Leonard, Biggs, and Wedge walk up to the computer console beneath the black smart window.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Studying the buttons)
Hmm... This seems... like it’s hooked to something. (Taps into omni-tool) EDI, can you check this out?
There is a pause.
LEONARD MITCHELL
EDI?
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Checks buttons)
What about this one?
Biggs presses the buttons and the black smart window clears up to reveal a dormant Reaper in the hangar.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Jumping back; aiming weapon)
Shoot!
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Holstering weapon)
Doesn’t look like it’s on.
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Studies computer board. Reaches for a button)
Looks like you press this to-.
BIGGS MCGRAW
(Slapping Wedge)
What is the matter with you!?
WEDGE SAMUELS
(Steps back from the console)
Ahh, my bad, my bad.
BIGGS MCGRAW
Go stand by the door! You’re only good for pointing and shooting!
WEDGE SAMUELS
Oh, like you’re any better.
Wedge goes to the rear. Everyone looks at the Reaper.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Opening comms; holding up omni-tool)
Shepard, you seeing this?
There is a pause.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
This room might be jammed, for obvious reasons.
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Looking at computer)
Is there even a fail-safe? I don’t see anything here to suggest it.
TALI VAS NORMANDY
This... is ominous.
The computer flairs up. They step back.
GARRUS VAKARIAN
(Concerned)
What just happened!?
LEONARD MITCHELL
(Panicked; raising hands)
I don’t know! I didn’t touch anything!
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