Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect; they are the property of their respective owners: EA and Bioware.
Prologue: Tuchanka
The two Krogan stand on the home world, the blasted chunk of rock known as Tuchanka, admiring the view of the sunset as it shines through the Shroud the device which Shepard released the cure of the dreaded Genophage giving the Krogan hope for the first time in over fourteen hundred years. Urdnot Wrex and the tankbred Krogan Grunt grin as they watch their people defeat the enemy that threatens the entire galaxy here on their homeworld. Wrex looks to Grunt and claps him on the back, Grunt in return slams his fists into one another, as he yells in excitement, "This battle will be remembered centuries to come, two Reapers have fallen here on Tuchanka, with more to follow." Shaking his head he gently puts his arm on Grunts shoulder, the look on his scarred face telling, Wrex is about to impart bad news on the younger Krogan, news that Grunt knows he will not like to hear. "Grunt, I have received word from Shepard, we no longer have a way to stop these bastards", Wrex lowers his head in almost defeat, but then looks to Grunt and smiles. "But there may yet be a way I'm getting too old to continue this fight in the next cycle, but you, YOU Urdnot Grunt are just beginning your life of war." Grunt looks at Wrex mildly amused and even more so confused, he thinks carefully on what to say before speaking, finally his thoughts form and he looks back towards the sunset. "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me Wrex, what of the Crucible, was it not meant to destroy the Reapers as we thought or has something changed that won't allow us to use it?" With a heavy sigh, Wrex to looks towards the sunset, "The Reapers attacked the Crucible and the fleets protecting it, destroyed the damn thing to hell and back, this cycle is lost," he once again looks to Grunt with a toothy grin. "But not before a fallback plan could be made, we're not dying without a fight, but your fight Grunt, it will be at a later date, Turian and Quarian ships are inbound 3 ships total." Before Wrex could finish his sentence Grunt interrupts him. "3 ships that aren't enough to evacuate the home world Wrex, you and I both know that if the Krogan are to fight again we'll need more warriors than that." Wrex nods as several Krogan begin to gather in the Kelphic Valley, he looks to Grunt and then to the others and steps forward. "Today the Krogan once again stand united, in the midst of this war, we have found allies in former enemies, and we have united with the whole of the galaxy to fight an enemy even more dangerous than the Rachni."
Wrex pauses, amid the cheers of his people, he scans the scene and sees Bakara, the hope the Krogan so needed and the future of his people. He then looks once again to Grunt, he can't help but smile, as he again sees the future of his people in this young tank bred, he laughs to himself realizing that at one time claiming such things would have been enough for him to be labeled crazy, but not its there for all to see, yes he knew right then and there that Grunt is the right one for the task at hand, the survival of the Krogan depended on it. With Shepard's new intel there yet may be a way for the citizens of this cycle, Krogan, Turian, Asari, Human, Salarian and even the Quarians to survive into the next. He knew his people wouldn't like the idea but they'd obey his orders, as long as he had the support of Bakara and Grunt they'd follow. He lets out a heavy sigh then continues to speak. "Recent intel has determined that the Reapers have ended the plans to retake Earth, by destroying the Crucible," the area once again becomes silent, and then the Krogan begin to mutter and complain amongst themselves, this ends quickly when Bakara interjects. "ENOUGH! Your clan leader is speaking and you will listen." With that the Krogan, quiet down, and turn their attention back to Wrex once again. "Now I know it is against our nature to be afraid of any enemy, but the Reapers have proven to be a foe not to be taken lightly, and had we enough time, were they not already here, this galaxy may have had a chance." Looking out across the Kelphic Valley, and seeing the millions of Krogan gathered he can't help be proud to be Krogan, he walks over to Grunt and places his hand firmly on the warriors shoulder. "This warrior will lead the Krogan into the next cycle, as will Urdnot Bakara, and 3000 other Krogan. The Rest of us will give those Reaper bastards something to remember, they may harvest us, they may turn us into twisted creatures, but the Krogan will rise again, and we'll rise from the ashes of our fallen, alongside our allies and we will put an end to their reign of terror on this galaxy!"
The cheers echo through the Kelphic Valley, as Bakara makes her way to Wrex and Grunt, she smiles at both of them, and follows them into Wrex's command center, Grunt still confused by what is going on looks to Bakara, and then Wrex. "Would you mind telling me what the hell is going on, it sounds to me that you are trying to make me look like a coward in front of our people while you participate in the Krogan's most glorious final battle." Bakara walks over to the young Krogan and places her hand on his shoulder. "It may seem like that now Grunt, but Shepard has informed Wrex of a plan that will save the species of this cycle, 3000 of each species will be taken to 3 separate facilities, the humans call them arks. Their goal will be to ensure our survival until the Reapers have returned to dark space." Grunt scratches his head, and then slams his fists into the concrete slab being used as a table. "I still say this is a coward's strategy, why should we survive when our brethren are being destroyed? I'm a warrior and I should die like one."
Clearly becoming agitated by the younger Krogan's outburst, Wrex launches a biotic attack that sends Grunt slamming into a nearby wall. "You think I don't understand that you're a warrior boy, you and Shepard killed a Thresher Maw on foot, something that hadn't been accomplished since I took the Rite, many centuries before, I know you want to be in this fight and I understand why, because you're Krogan and every Krogan loves a good fight. But right now that's not an option; I'm choosing you to lead the Krogan into the next cycle. By the time the Reapers return next cycle they'll be in for a big surprise, as the Krogan and our allies join with the species of the next cycle to stop them once and for all. If you won't do this for me", before Wrex can finish his sentence a human walks into the room, he embraces Wrex in a show of respect and friendship, and then he turns to Grunt and steps into the light. "Do it for your battle master Grunt?"
Shepard walks to Grunt with a purpose, he places his hands on Grunt's bulky shoulders and looks him in the eyes, if this was anyone else it would be very unwise, but Grunt respects Shepard more than anyone else in the galaxy and so he allows such an action to be made. "Shepard you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I respect you, you're my battle master but you know what I was created for, I'm bred for one thing if you ask me then I'll do this but as a warrior please don't make me do this. If I am to die, I want it to be in battle with my people." Sensing Grunt's doubts Shepard wrestles with the words to make him understand why he needs to do this. "Grunt I don't like this idea any more than you do, but I understand why it must be done, we can't risk the species of the next cycle failing to act, like our cycle has. We'll be the ones leading the fight next time around, hell with 50,000 years as wiggle room, the Krogan population will become a force to be reckoned with, as will the Turians, the Asari, the technological expertise of the Salarians and Quarians we may in fact be able to stem the tide and destroy the Reapers once and for all. So yes Grunt I am asking will you join me once again, to help put an end to this once and for all?" Taking a step back he looks to Shepard, Wrex, and Bakara, he nods and slams his fists together. "If we do this Shepard, I'm going to need plenty of ammo, and we'll need a plan, a good one this time."
He grins as shakes Shepard's hand then walks over to Wrex and extends his hand to him, he is somewhat shocked by the response he gets from the older Krogan as he is enveloped in a massive bear hug. "That's my boy Grunt; you will be the new leader of Clan Urdnot, in the next cycle it will be you who make the Krogan strong and with Bakara's aid you'll make them smart. Now we'll talk about the 3000 Krogan who will be selected, 2000 of those will be females, as you know Krogan reproduce rapidly so 1000 of the strongest males from all the clans will be represent, 200 from each of the five strongest clans, this way we can still keep with Krogan tradition. They have been selected and notified as have the females, they are awaiting pickup from the Turians and the Quarians, but you and Bakara are leaving with Shepard," Nodding towards his elder he walks over to Shepard, and Bakara, he looks back at Wrex, he then turns around and walks back towards the older Krogan as Shepard and the female make their way to the Normandy. "Wrex, I know Krogan aren't the sentimental type, but I wanted to thank you for allowing me to become Urdnot, and for being a far better mentor than Okeer ever could." Wrex nods and then places his hands on Grunt's shoulder; he brings his head down on top of Grunt's forehead. "Grunt it has been an honor to have you be a part of Urdnot's future, you are like the son I never had, be strong, be brave, and most importantly when the time comes to kick the Reapers in the Quad next cycle, give them a swift kick for me." Grunt and Wrex laugh at the thought, as they both let go of their embrace and Wrex returns outside to his people as Grunt in turn heads to the shuttle heading to the Normandy. Wrex then smiles as he sees the shuttle depart and the image of two different ship designs enter the upper atmosphere of Tuchanka. Within minutes several shuttles depart each vessel heading towards the rendezvous point for the pickup of the Krogan's last hope. He bows his head and whispers to himself, "May the Ancients guide you."