Part 3: Seeing the Sights.

-Survey Station 3-

The station consisted of a prefabricated shelter, like the ones you saw on Eden Prime and elsewhere in your adventures, which currently has it’s armored shutters lowered. There is also a data tower like you found on top of the mountain but the only sign of life, or what used to be life, is the body lying face down in the dirt. Examine the body to find that he’d expired through less then natural means, armored shutters not withstanding, but you’ll find no other evidence of his killers at the moment. Head inside the shelter, grab the medi gel from the aid station on the wall, and look at the log book to find out the name of the dead man outside and that he was planning on going to repair the transmission tower when he was relieved. Looks like his plans were changed rather suddenly. There’s nothing more to be done here but finding his body will start a new secondary mission so hop back in the Mako and make your way toward Survey Station 1.

-Survey Station 1-

This station, as opposed to the more reclusive placement of Number 3, has been placed high atop a mountain peak. Upon first glance, however, it looks like the occupant(s) of this station may not have survived either as the shelter door lies propped against the outcrop of rock nearby. Be sure to grab the secure crate sitting against the side of the shelter nearest you before making your way inside to find, sadly, that there are no survivors. The body of one Dr. Hynes, who apparently tied from a severe impact due to an explosion of some kind, lies on the floor near the desk. Activate the computer atop the desk to hear her last log entry which, in addition to revealing how she perished, also mentions the name who did it: Batarians. You may recall this name from elsewhere in the game but said simply Batarians tend to equal big time trouble. Pick up some more medi gel if you need it and then depart: there’s nothing more to be done here.

Note: If you drive west from Survey Station 1, over the mountains, you’ll eventually come to a peak which is more or less behind one of the fusion torches. Here you’ll see another shelter, a transmission tower on it’s roof, that turns out to be Asteroid X57’s somewhat unofficial radio station. Despite the incredible view of Terra Nova in the distance the music that the engineering team on X57 had for entertainment makes what is happening here all the sadder. Who knows how long they had to endure the muzak before the end? Tragic, simply tragic. Anyway, buck up, soldier...there’s one more survey station to go. Get back in the Mako and start the long drive toward the NW...just don’t turn on the radio. Who knows what you’ll hear. There is something to keep your eye out for, however, as you drive along. You can see one of the other fusion torches in the distance if you keep driving along the mountains: the perimeter is surrounded by a ring of lights. You’ll find out what that’s about later but for now just keep it in mind.

-Survey Station 2-.

You’ll find the survey station sitting on a wide empty plain of land and you’ll find that the interior the building is equally deserted as the landscape surrounding it. The armored shutters are up and no one, dead or alive, is anywhere near the building. Go inside for more medi gel(mmm, yummy!) and to read the look. It turns out that the engineer assigned to this station, Chief Surveyor R. Montoya, spotted what he thought was heavy weapons fire in the distance. He left the building to see for himself but before that he initiated emergency protocol which means that you’re going to come under attack any second....now!

That was easier then you thought, wasn’t it? Anyway, once the excitement is over, search around until you find the footprints leading off to the east. Make your way back to the Mako and just strive straight ahead till you reach a point where the ground slopes down in front of you. At the bottom you’ll find the body of Montoya who was felled by a sniper’s bullet and killed. There will still be some gear in his pack, though, so take it and get back in the Mako. You’ve found all the survey team now but there’s nothing more you can do for them. It’s time to focus on those who are still living.

Make sure you save first, though. This will get hairy pretty fast.