"Thanks to the intel we got from Tali, we've gotten information that an Asari Matriarch is allied with Saren," Shepard explained. "That asari is Matriarch Benezia."

Meanwhile, Chip wasn't paying attention to the Commander, nodding off.

"Chip?"

He startled awake. "Huh?" The Commander was in no mood for games.

"Chip, if you can't stay awake during a briefing, then I don't think I should take you on ground missions, you might even fall asleep out there."

Wrex laughed. "Ha, he's just uninterested in the reasons for this missions, like me. He just has the quad to show it."

After a sigh, Shepard continued. "Anyways, we will be tracking down a Liara T'Soni in Therum. She is an archaeologist studying the ruins of Protheans."

"Isn't that the ancient race that preceded all organic life?" Garrus remarked, restless from sitting.

Shepard replied. "Perhaps. Regardless, that's not why we're taking this trip into the Artemis Tau cluster. This mission would be rather simple if the Geth had not already landed on the planet and established a defense. We'll have to get in and out as fast as possible, since Saren is only getting farther and farther away the more time we waste."

"Uh...sir? Permission to speak freely?" Williams spoke. With a nod from the Commander she continued.

"Does that mean that we will take the Mako?" As she said this, her face turned pale.

Shepard grinned. "Yep! And I'll be driving that baby. After Garrus's calibrations, it should run smoother than ever."

Still, this did little to assuage Williams's fears. "Sir, I heard many things about the Mako from some of the other cadets on the Normandy. They referred to it as a monstrosity that should be destroyed."

"Ha, even if some humans aren't up for it, I don't think a vehicle could be that horrible for anybody, right Shepard?" Wrex chuckled.

"Right! Because I'm driving it!"

Suddenly, Joker's voice rang out. "Commander, we're approaching the planet in about 20 minutes."

"Thanks Joker," Shepard turned to her ground crew. "Wrex, Chip, Garrus, you're with me. Make sure you're well-equipped and prepared. Chip, stay behind after this briefing."

Chip, who had tuned out the whole meeting, looked up from his omnitool.

What had Chip looked at on his omnitool?

ENCRYPTED CHANNEL 1092-CLASS-VIP

It seems that you will be headed onto a mission that may endanger all of us. Of course, as one of my prized informants, I will bestow you a gift to help you. There is no "catch" attached to this. Think of it as good will. In the event that you do survive this mission, you may do with the gift as you please. You will know when you have received the gift.

S.B.

Chip was pondering on what this gift was. He was thankful that the Shadow Broker had taken the time to reward him, but that didn't specify what the gift was. He thought that the gift may be a new tech program, or an attachment for his omnitool. Regardless, he would find out eventually, the Shadow Broker always seemed to know where he was, even if Chip looked out for tracers of any sort.

Even as the Mako dropped on the dusty ground of Therum, Chip was wondering about the gift. He failed to notice the antics that were occurring.

"Shepard, what are you doing!?" Garrus was grabbing onto the side with all his might. "You're going to flip the Mako!"

"Hahaha, it's all part of my plan!" Shepard was laughing as she weaved by the large Geth, confusing its targeting sensors.

Wrex was laughing. "Shepard, hurry up and turn this ship so I can kill it!"

"Shepard, I thought you said we're trying not to waste time!"

From the looks of it, the group could not proceed with the Mako. Thus, they sealed their helmets and exited the Mako, taking extra care not to alert the Geth wandering about. As the smallest of the group, Chip pushed forward and scouted, pointing out the Geth that were on watch.

After observation, it seemed that the Geth were almost robotic, not just in their appearance, but in their movements. Not a single one was out of place, or being inefficient. Just what was the Geth? Perhaps if he had been paying attention at the meeting, he would know.

The group was moving quickly. The few skirmishes that took place ended just as quickly as it started, thanks to Chip's information as well as Garrus's sharpshooting and Shepard's biotics. Wrex grumbled more and more, as it seemed that he was having little involvement.

"I'm sure your time will come Wrex," Chip said. Meanwhile, he was enjoying the cream of the crop with the remains of the Geth that were being destroyed in every fight. Sometimes, he was lucky enough to simply fry the Geth with an Overload rather than demolishing them. Of course, he ripped off the head just in case, but Chip was satisfied with his loot. Maybe he could get some good parts, or send them off to the Shadow Broker.

Up ahead, the rest of the mine work area seemed to be abandoned, but from Chip's experience, appearances can be very deceiving.

"Commander, it's too silent," Chip said, crouching on the ground.

Shepard stopped and scanned the area ahead. "It won't do to simply wait. Let's bring the fight to them."

With a signal, the group advanced slowly and methodically, taking care to watch all sides. Suddenly, a flash of white flickered in the corner of Chip's eye. It was a Geth, but a different type. While the other Geth they had fought were bipedal, this one was much thinner and moved on all fours, jumping around with skill and efficiency. While it didn't appear that this Geth had a weapon, they noticed a red glare shining from its single eye.

"Scatter! It's gonna snipe us!" Shepard yelled. The group moved to follow her orders, but something landed on the ground in front of it, sending tremors through the ground.

Sorry, it's been too long, I finally found the time to write a little more.