Thank you all very much for your comments and for keeping me motivated!

Saren leaned against the doorway of the cockpit, gazing over at the distracted pilot as he joyfully turned the pages of his magazine. "What are you doing human?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Huh, what?" Joker nearly fell out of his chair in surprise . Slapping the pages of the magazine together he shoved the paper book behind his back before turning to face the scrutinizing turian. "Oh hey Arterius. W-what are you doing here?" the pilot stammered.

Saren's mandibles flared in amusement at the human's discomfort. "Just checking in. I'm also a bit curious as to when we shall reach Tuchanka."

"Uh – about eight hours," Joker responded tensely.

"Hmm…" Saren thought for a moment. "This Wrex fellow… do you know him?"

"He was on Shepard's original team. You know, when you were trying to destroy the galaxy and stuff?"

"I see," Saren responded, scratching at his mandible thoughtfully with a sharp talon.

"I wouldn't worry too much about Wrex. The Commander's basically got that one wrapped around her finger," he assured.

"Is that so?"

"Well, not like you're thinking. Not sure the Commander's into that." He shrugged as a smile crept over his face. "At least I never saw anything on the cams."

Saren stared at the pilot blankly, unable to decipher if his last comment was merely in jest. "Well," he said at last, "I'll leave you to your filthy pictures, human."

"You know, I don't really like you calling me 'human' all the time. It's so… impersonal. So how about you just call me 'Joker' or 'Jeff'? Thanks."

"We'll see," Saren replied flatly.

Joker shrugged. "Alright, suit yourself." he said in his care-free tone, spinning back around in his leather pilot's chair.


Tuchanka was building up quite nicely from the last time she had seen it. It seemed that Wrex had been rather busy making sure that much of the rubble had been cleared out of the landscape. Several crop fields dotted the once unfertile soil that was a result of the nuclear weapons that once devastated the krogan homeworld. These seemingly small changes were huge steps for the rebuilding of this once desolate planet.

Followed by Ashley and Saren, who had specifically insisted he come along, Shepard made her way through the ruined compound. Some of the krogan they passed had met her with acknowledging nods. Last time she was here, she had made quite the impact and had gained a high amount of respect from the locals. They had barely approached the dais in the center of the complex when Wrex shot up from his chair, arms outspread welcomingly. "Shepard!" he exclaimed with unfettered delight.

"Hey Wrex," Shepard returned with a grin. As they approached one another they grasped hands and met with friendly pats. "Everything's going well I hope? How's Grunt holding up?"

Wrex chuckled deeply. "I'll have to hand it to you, Shepard. You know how to find them. That kid's been a great addition to Urdnot. He's quite a hit with the females. And he's also been keeping very busy with overseeing the rebuilding effort."

Shepard grinned, remembering the day she released the reckless young krogan from his tank. Even from day one, he had exuberated immense potential. Wrex was surely not blind to it. So he kept the young krogan busy, honing his skills in a way that earned him respect among the clan. It was almost as if he was discretely preparing him to be the next leader of Clan Urdnot.

"How've you been my friend?" he asked her.

Her smile faded as she was brought back to the real reason she was here. She shook her head with dismay. "I've been better. The Reapers have attacked the human homeworld," she informed him.

Releasing her hand he took a surprised step back. "So the Reapers are finally here, huh?"

She nodded. "We need your help, Wrex. It may be too late for Earth, but they won't stop until they've destroyed the entire galaxy."

"Shepard… There is nothing more exciting than charging into battle with you once again. But I can't leave Tuchanka defenseless," he said grimly.

"Defending will do you no good," Saren chimed in. "Once the Reapers hit this planet there will be nothing left."

Wrex glared at the turian, his red eyes moving between him and the Commander. "Saren, huh? You keep interesting company, Shepard. But… I shouldn't be surprised."

"It's a long story, but I can assure you, he's here to help."

"Okay Shepard. I trust your judgment." He paused. "Even so, I won't abandon the females and children by sending all our males into battle."

"If you don't take the offensive, there won't be any females or children left!" Ashley argued.

Wrex shrugged. "You may be right, but the other clans won't see it that way."

"You need to talk to them," Shepard urged. "You've fought a Reaper. They'll listen to you."

"It's no use, Shepard. Our numbers are sparse. They won't be willing to risk krogan lives to save those of aliens."

"Would the other clans be more receptive to the possibility of curing the genophage?" Saren offered, stepping forward.

"What are you getting at, turian?" Wrex growled.

From the corner of his eye he could see the deadly glare Shepard had shot in his direction and it made him somewhat uneasy. It was clear she was both angry and surprised with Saren's proposal, but he couldn't risk speaking with her about it beforehand. There was no way she would have allowed such a thing to be negotiated. But they were up against a wall and negotiations had to be made. "Before Shepard destroyed the facility on Virmire, I was able to recover some of the research pertaining to the genophage cure. You help stop this threat and I'll provide you with the beginning means to cure your people."

"That's a bit hard to believe, turian. Especially coming from you. How can I be sure you're telling the truth?" Wrex grunted. There was a long pause as the krogan's crimson eyes burned into the synthetic blue of the turian's, waiting for an answer.

"He's telling the truth," Shepard cut in unexpectantly, her expression hard as stone. "You'll just have to take our word for it until after the Reapers are destroyed."

"I'm listening," he grunted, taking Shepard's word to heart.

"You lend your aid in the fight against the Reapers and we provide you with the research needed to find the cure. We do, however, have one condition," Shepard warned.

"Go on," urged the krogan.

"The results of that research must be controlled. We cannot afford another Krogan Rebellion," she replied sternly.

"Look around, Shepard," Wrex said, arms waving through the air indicating towards their surroundings. "I think we know, more than anyone, the destruction that came from that war. I can assure you, we will not make the same mistake again."

"I understand, Wrex. That's why I'm willing to leave this in your hands," Shepard assured him, glancing sidelong at Saren. "The last thing we want is for any of the other clans to take advantage of this."

The old krogan nodded affirmatively. "I agree." The old krogan pondered for a few moments before speaking again. "I think you may have a case Shepard," Wrex said. "I'll present this to the other clans and see if I can get them to sign on. Either way, Clan Urdnot is at your back."

"Thanks Wrex."

Wrex nodded. "Well, it seems like there's no time to waste, Shepard. I need to make some arrangements to meet with the other clan leaders."

"Yeah. I'd better get out of here before I receive any more breeding requests," Shepard said, making a face.

Wrex chuckled deeply. "What's wrong? Afraid a krogan will be too much for you?"

She placed her hands on her hips. "Not at all. I just won't mate with anyone who can't beat me in a fight," she declared with a laugh.

Saren glanced at her curiously but remained silent.

"Maybe next time you'll have some challenges waiting for you, Shepard!" Wrex bellowed. "Take care my friend."

"See you later, Wrex."


To anyone else it may have seemed as if the Commander had known of Saren's bargaining chip all along. However, Ashley had known Shepard long enough to know that she had merely presented a façade to her knowledge of it. The Commander hated when any member of her squad neglected to inform her of alternative plans. She had to be in control of every situation. It came along with the huge amount of responsibilities she carried. The weight of many lives hung on her shoulders. So Ashley wasn't at all surprised when she heard Shepard's level voice address Saren in a manner that spread goose bumps over her arms.

"Saren, I'd like to speak with you in the Starboard Observatory," she stated evenly.

The turian's mandibles clacked against his face as if he could sense her foul mood. "If you'd like to come by later –"

"Now, Arterius," she ordered.

Wordlessly, he nodded and made way for the elevator, the small Commander trailing behind him closely. She didn't say a word to him in the elevator; didn't even look at him as it traveled down to the Crew Deck. She continued to follow him to the Observatory, the ominous calm in her demeanor causing him to feel as if he was walking to his execution. She waited until the door to the room was securely closed before the mask fell and a scowl that could melt a hanar, crossed over her face.

"What did you think you were doing down there, Arterius?" she growled, the muscle in her jaw clenching with rage.

"Ensuring the krogans' cooperation in this war," he replied calmly.

"By offering up a cure to the genophage? How stupid!"

"Not the cure, but only a small fraction of it," he corrected. "What's the issue, Shepard? You seemed to follow along with my plan quite nicely in front of the krogan."

"You didn't leave me with much choice. If I denied knowing of it, there is no way Wrex would have believed you. I couldn't risk whatever may have come from that."

"And yet you believe me?" Saren asked her curiously.

"Are you giving me a reason not to?" she inquired dangerously.

"Not at all. I just find it interesting, given our past."

"Something in me says that I should trust you. I didn't get this far by ignoring my better judgment," she replied.

"I see." He paused for a minute, studying her animated facial features. "In case there are any doubts, I do have the research, I assure you. Given the chance I do not, you have my full permission to kill me."

"I don't need your permission," she growled.

He chuckled. "No, of course not."

She narrowed her grey eyes menacingly. "I hope you know what you're doing. There's a chance this could open up a shit-load of problems in the future."

"We'll cross that relay when we come to it," he told her. "Right now we need to worry about the immediate threat."

"Fine," she said, venom still laced in her voice. She took a few steps closer to him leaving only inches between her and the towering turian. Even though he was much taller and larger than she, her expression made her appear very threatening. "But if you ever make a move like that again, without informing me first, you will never leave this ship unless I'm booting your ass out the airlock."

For a split second he thought she might be joking, until her dead-serious expression warned him otherwise. "Fair enough," he responded.


"I still can't believe you took that traitor with you," Garrus growled. He backed up as a human foot swung only inches from his face.

"He insisted," she said breathily, dodging his punch as she recovered from the missed kick. "I guess I now know why."

"I still don't trust him Shepard. Having a cure to the genophage is dangerous enough. Lying to krogans about a cure is like signing your own death warrant." He threw out his fist which landed firmly beneath her ribs. He was almost happy with himself until she grabbed his wrist in both hands, spun around, and heaved him over her shoulder. Before he knew it, he was flat on his back with her peering down at him smugly.

"I know how you feel Garrus. But something in my gut tells me to trust him."

"I don't think you should listen to it," he said, reaching a gloved talon over his head to poke her toned flesh. She suppressed a giggle and swiped his hand away. He had always found it amusing that touching her in that area spurred such a reaction.

"Don't do that! You know how I feel about being tickled," she said, making a sour face.

Garrus rolled onto his stomach and gazed up at her mischievously. "I do. That's what makes it fun!" he declared. He quickly grabbed her ankle and lifted her foot toward him. Before she could protest he ran his talons lightly over the bottom of her foot. The way her eyes widened in horror nearly made him burst out with laughter. She tried desperately to wrench free of his grasp, but to no avail. Finally, she gave in, falling to the floor in a heap of giggles while attempting to shove him away with her other foot.

"This doesn't look much like sparring," a slightly irritated voice observed.

They both turned their attentions toward the direction of the voice only to find Saren glaring at them rather disapprovingly. Garrus released his hold on her just as a low warning growl escaped him. That, mixed with a slight territorial scent that stung his nostrils, made Saren wonder if there was more going on than what was evident. He could not fathom why the younger turian had been gripping her foot in such a manner, nor how it would cause her to fall into such a fit of laughter. Could it be that this… child was intending to mate with her? He wasn't sure why, but the idea made his blood boil. Perhaps it was the thought of a turian mating with a human. Or it maybe it was because this particular human was too good for that adolescent turian. No matter the cause, he was glad he interrupted it.

When the two of them were finally on their feet, only Shepard approached him while Garrus eyed him with an intense distrust. "So, are you here to spar?" she inquired, gazing at his attire.

He wore no armor, but donned a snugly-fitting charcoal suit, which was fairly typical for sparring. And though turians usually didn't bother with protective gloves when fighting one another, against a human he was certain to take that precaution. "As a matter of fact, yes," he responded. "What better way to settle our frustrations?"

This time Garrus moved, shoving his way between her and the older turian. He glared at him, blue-grey eyes burning into his plating. "You'll fight me instead," he demanded.

Saren scowled at the young turian, his eyes blazing radiantly. "No matter how much I would enjoy that, pup, I have given my word that I would make my best attempt to refrain from fighting you."

"Your word? Don't make me laugh, Saren. When did your word ever really mean anything?"

"Garrus—" Shepard tried to intercept but was quickly interrupted by Saren's irritated voice.

"You know nothing, little worm," Saren snarled, getting in the other turian's face threateningly. "I owe Shepard my life. And I think I have proven where I stand. You? You leave your friend to rot in a prison cell while you lounge around on the Citadel. And yet my word is in question?"

Garrus howled with rage, teeth bared with undeniable contempt for the turian before him. Then he struck, his plated forehead slamming hard into that of his rival. Saren barely staggered back and instead, threw a punch that landed Garrus in the vulnerable stomach region. The young turian backed away, wheezing slightly. As soon as he was able to regain his composure both turians hunched, preparing for another charge.

"Stop right now! Or I'll have you both fucking airlocked!" Shepard shouted, stepping between them. "I need soldiers, not a pair of adolescent children fighting for dominance." She glared at each of them, the rage that still lingered in their eyes not lost to her. Tension continued to hang in the air like a heavy fog. It was clear they weren't going to stop until their anger was unleashed upon one another in the natural turian way. They were much too lost in their agitations for her words to matter now. "Fine. You want to rip each other's faces off? Have at it." She threw her hand in the air with frustration before storming off, leaving the enraged males to sort it out on their own.