"What exactly is going on?"
After arriving on the bridge, Duanmu Huai continued questioning Sister Shepard, who hurriedly answered.
"I heard what you said just now, so I used my Spectre authorization to report to the Human Embassy and requested a thorough investigation of all colonies in every star system. We discovered that communications with one of the colonies had been cut off, and there was no response. We've already dispatched a naval fleet from the nearby area to investigate..."
"Damn it, I told you to investigate, so why did you dispatch a fleet!? Aren't you just alerting the enemy?"
At this, Duanmu Huai immediately launched into a furious tirade and quickly issued an order.
"Echote, depart immediately! Lock onto the coordinates. By the way, what's the colony called?"
"Elysium..."
"Huh?"
Duanmu Huai had yet to react when Brother Shepard froze instead.
"Why is it that place again?"
"What do you mean?"
The warship had already entered the Webway and begun its jump. Duanmu Huai ended the communication and turned to look at Brother Shepard, who wore an extremely complicated expression.
"Well... how should I put it, Inquisitor? To be honest, that planet really is unlucky..."
"Hmm?"
According to Brother Shepard, Elysium was a planet within Systems Alliance territory. Its environment was excellent and highly suitable for human habitation. Its only flaw was that it lay somewhat close to the frontier. Aside from that, it was a pleasant, habitable world with an agreeable climate, which was why the colony had been named Elysium.
But... perhaps the name had been too ambitious. Ever since the colony was completed, trouble had followed it constantly.
First, the Batarians invaded Systems Alliance territory and launched an attack on Elysium. At the time, Brother Shepard had still been an ordinary officer. He fought to the