By the time the Normandy reached the Wandering Galaxy, three days had already passed.
"Stay alert. The Asteroid Belt is just ahead."
Staring at the screen before her, Shepard wore a grave expression.
"I still can't believe we're actually going there... Are you sure anyone really lives in a place like that?"
As he piloted the warship, Joker sighed helplessly.
"The Wandering Galaxy is already at the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, isn't it? Isn't this place a dead zone for life? Why would anyone want to live here?"
"No matter what, we have to investigate... Everyone, stay alert. Their identity is unknown, their origins are unknown, and..."
"Commander."
Before Shepard could finish, someone suddenly interrupted her.
"The Long-Range Scanner has detected something. An unidentified vessel—it looks like a cruiser!"
Shepard was startled by this.
"Is it those people?"
"It doesn't match any known signal, nor does it match the warship signals previously acquired by the Turian Fleet!"
As Joker spoke, his expression turned serious.
"The cruiser is changing course. It is currently on an interception trajectory!"
Shepard's face immediately changed.
"They're attacking! Emergency evasive maneuver!"
"Understood!"
Under Joker's control, the Normandy swiftly veered aside. Yet at that very moment, a golden beam suddenly shot from the strange cruiser not far behind them, blasting toward the Normandy. Though Joker barely managed to dodge the strike, the beam still grazed the edge of the hull.
"Boom!!"
The entire warship jolted violently. Sparks flew inside, followed by bursts of flame.
"The Kinetic Barrier is down! Hull damage! Weapon systems disabled...!!"
Joker desperately operated the ship as he shouted his report.
"Someone get over here and put out the fire..."
"Crash!"
Shepard smashed the glass beside her, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and sprayed the flames on the console while calmly issuing orders.