Chapter 7: The Warlord
A shuttle docked at Cerberus HQ. Only one man walked off of the shuttle with a duffle bag. Cerberus workers around him kept their distance from the man. He went through the dock's exit and made his way through the twisting corridors all the way to The Illusive Man himself. Only a select few have seen The Illusive Man. Even fewer have actually met him in person. The Cerberus loyalist entered into The Illusive Man's room.
The Illusive Man watched a dying star. Its surface was shifting colors to blue. TIM swiveled in his chair and greeted the loyalist. "Kai Lang."
"Reporting for duty."
Kai Leng was part of the N7 program, even trained and fought with Commander Shepard. He was an expert in hand-to-hand combat. Extremely deadly. He was the only soldier in the N7 program who could spar against Shepard, and be his equal. Kai fought in the Battle of Torfan. Due to his preference with knives and the brutality he showed on Torfan, he was given the nickname "The Butcher of Torfan".
Not many know this but Kai Leng was among several candidates, along with Shepard, the Alliance put forward for as a possible Spectre candidate. Probably would have been ahead of Shepard if it weren't for the incident at the bar. Kei got into a fight with a Krogan and killed him with his knife. The Alliance wanted to avoid the bad publicity so they cracked down on him hard and sentenced him to life.
The Illusive Man saw the potential this soldier had and had a team to free him from the Alliance maximum security prison he was held in. Kai Leng eventually became one of Cerberus' top wet-work agents. He was the only operative he could trust for this mission.
"I've already explained the basics for you. Your mission is to take down Shepard using whatever means necessary. I want that ship back. But before you go after him, I mentioned a package for pick up. The Blue Suns run a prison in the Hourglass Nebula. Purgatory. They are holding a prisoner known as Subject Zero aka. Jack. She was a previously test subject in a biotics program a while back. She's also one of the dossiers for Shepard's recruiting efforts. I need you to pick her up and bring her to Station 41. We'll continue experiments in human biotics. Your ship is ready. It's a frigate by the name of Ragnarok. It has stealth systems like the Normandy, but is nowhere near as advance. I do not suggest taking on the SR-2 Normandy. Your hope of taking out Shepard is planet-side. Your crew should be waiting for you."
"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."
Kai left the room and made his way back to the docks. He already saw his vessel when he landed. It was a beautiful ship. It looked similar to the SR-1 Normandy, but more lightly built. Anger seethed through him as the thought of Shepard went through his mind. The man was an idealistic alien-lover. All those times he trained with him. Kai could never understand why Shepard would be so friendly towards the other races. He had his colony burnt to the ground by Batarians. Regardless. Shepard was going to die by his hands.
VVVVVV
Several days have passed since Kasumi's big heist. Shepard and his crew went around the Terminus finding the Firewalker artifact. A device that went inert after giving off a burst of information-laced dark energy. Mordin managed to record some of the information that was released which had information about technology and biotic upgrades. Shepard was able to amp up his already powerful L5 implant. They did mission after mission while Shepard did research on the dossiers they had.
"So what's next, Shepard?" Garrus asked as they stood around the communication room's table.
"Well we still have two more dossiers," Shepard answered. "A biotic convict and a Krogan scientist."
"Krogan scientist?" Mordin chuckled.
"It was a Krogan scientist that cured the genophage on Virmire, Professor," Shepard said. "Don't underestimate them. I say we go after the scientist. According to the dossier, the convict was purchased from the Blue Suns by Cerberus to join our team. I don't think that deal will go through if we head there. We'll have to give up on Jack." He looked up from the dossiers and said over the ship's comm., "Joker set a course for the Eagle Nebula."
"Aye, aye."
"I'll need you two groundside."
The two nodded and left the room. Shepard sent forth a copy of the Firewalker data to the Council and his report on the mission. Communication with them was unnecessary at the moment, since the mission was not exactly major. Just an artifact pick-up. It wasn't even an hour when he got a message back from Anderson showing enthusiasm and gratitude for the information Shepard sent.
VVVVVV
The Kodiak flew through an arch of ship debris as it land on the filthy ground. The side hatch opened releasing Shepard, Garrus and Mordin. They rushed to cover. Garrus and Mordin looked to Shepard for orders. "The dossier doesn't say if Okeer is here by choice. Assume hostiles."
The look, feel and taste of the area was dirty. Shepard found himself to be spitting every other minute from the grim in the air. A voice was yelling orders over a speaker system.
"Orders over a loud speaker?" Garrus thought out loud. "Someone likes the sound of their own voice."
"Keep your guard up," Shepard ordered. "We're here for a Krogan warlord."
They moved forward past debris. As they reached a corner, Shepard planted himself against the wall. He peaked around the corner and saw several Blue Suns mercenaries. Shepard signaled to Mordin and Garrus about the enemy numbers and how to attack. He signaled to attack. Garrus came out of cover and fired a concussion shot at one of the mercenaries. He flew out of sight. Mordin fired a cryo blast at the second merc. The blast caught the remaining two mercenaries. Shepard fired one round from his phalanx pistol at each of the frozen mercs. They shattered into dozens of pieces.
Garrus shuddered. "Cryo blasts always weird me out. Being frozen solid then shattering."
"Actually more humane than just shooting them," Mordin countered. "Freezing is near instantaneous. Enemy is immediately killed from the shatter. No pain."
"Still unsettling."
"Come on," Shepard motioned to end the conversation.
They went through the guard post and saw a merc lying on the ground. He was slightly bleeding. Garrus recognized him as the mercenary he shot with a concussion round.
"Doesn't look that bad," Garrus commented.
"He doesn't need to know that," Shepard hushed him.
"Shhhhit," he muttered. "I knew it wasn't beserkers. Not at range. No you're mercenaries or the Alliance. I-I'm not saying anything."
Shepard activated his omni-tool. "I have a nice application of medi-gel ready to go. But... If you don't want to talk..."
"Damn it," he cursed. "Alright. Jedore has had Okeer breeding her an army of Krogan. But it's all messed. The Krogan he creates are insane. We just use them for target practice."
"Guard Post, report in," his radio barked. "Jedore wants a status report on that Krogan horde."
The merc glanced at his radio and then back to Shepard wondering what to do. Shepard grabbed him by the collar of his armor and pulled him close. "I want your friends gone, got that?"
"Uh, Command, the horde... dispersed."
"Dispersed?" the man on the radio exclaimed. "Jedore is not going to be pleased."
"You asked for a report!" the merc chided. "Dispersed."
"Alright, alright. Units returning to base."
The merc looked back to Shepard. "See! I'm helping."
"You you go now, you'll find yourself a nice shady spot you can sit in while you bleed out."
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit," the merc mumbled as he stumbled away.
"Adding insult to injury, literally," Mordin said. "Necessary?"
"Maybe not," Shepard shrugged. "Felt good though."
VVVVVV
Kai Leng walked aboard his new ship: the Ragnarok. The crew immediately recognized who he was and tried avoiding eye contact with him. He made his way to the elevator so he could drop his things in his cabin. Personnel made an effort to stay out of his way. Kai smiled at the fear and respect he commanded in people. That was his mantra: Better to be feared than loved. No one wanted to mess with him. This gave him power not just over himself, but over others.
After weeks of looking for Grayson, he was finally given a mission that was truly worthy of someone of his skill level. Kill Shepard. Those two words repeated in his head since The Illusive Man said it. It gave him a feeling of ecstasy. A feeling that not even sex could compare to. Kai has wanted to kill Shepard for a very long time. One of the main reasons why he was handed such a severe punishment by the Alliance was due to Shepard's testimony at his trial. Shepard called Kai a xenophobe and a human-supremist during his testimony. Due to Shepard's war hero status, that testimony was all that was needed to hand Kai the toughest punishment outside of execution. That anger just built up in Kai over the years.
Now he was given the mission to kill this man. How he was going to savor this moment in life. Kai still remembered the first day he met Shepard in N7 training.
VVVVVV
8 years ago...
This was his first day of training. After spending several years as part of the Alliance, Kai Leng was selected to partake in the prestigious N7 program. Only the best of the best were selected to join the program. It was an honor for him. Training doesn't start for another few days but he already was anxious to get started. He wanted to do everything he could to advance Humanity's place in the galaxy.
The academy was quiet. Most attendants of the N7 program were down on Deck 37 of the station enjoying their free time before starting their rigorous training. In one year's time each graduate will become the best of the best in the galaxy. Even Asari Commandoes, Salarian STG and Turian Cabals feared N7 soldiers. Good. That's the way he wanted it.
Despite what the other soldiers were doing, Kai didn't want any of that. His loyalty was to Humanity and he was willing to give everything to be the best he could be to make sure Humanity set itself as the powerhouse it rightfully is. This was the message that was pounded into his head when growing up in Beijing.
Kai will take his break when he's forced to do so. While the other recruits are getting themselves drunk on Deck 37, he will train. Kai quickly made his way to his sleeping quarters and left his things by his bed. He made his way to the dojo.
Kai opened the door to the dojo and saw that someone was already there. The man was a biotic. He was manipulating several large objects with dark energy. The three boxes floated in the air. The man waved his arm and threw a ball of warp energy at the middle crate. The combination of the two biotic powers created an explosion. The crates were destroyed. Kai could judge that he was a powerful biotic. There was no sign of exhaustion in his movements.
This was the first time Kai has seen Biotics. It was awe-inspiring. To have the power to kill someone with your thought interested him. It made Kai jealous that he didn't have access to these powers. The Biotic user relaxed and took out a bottle of Biotic Vitamin (BV) water. The blue liquid was glorified Gatorade. It was full of nutrients and stimulants. Each bottle was equivalent of 500 calories. The man turned around and saw Kai.
"Oh, hey," he greeted. "Didn't know anyone else was up on this deck."
"I thought I'd get some training in," Kai responded.
They approached each other. Kai held out his hand. The man grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Sergeant Kai Leng."
"Sub-Lieutenant Shepard."
Kai's eyes widen. "Shepard? As in the 'Lion of Elysium' Sub-Lieutenant Shepard?"
Shepard nodded with a humble smile.
"It's really an honor to meet you. You a damn legend among Humanity for your actions there."
"I just did what I had to. Couldn't let Elysium fall to those slavers."
Kai nodded. "Yeah, goddamn Batarian scum."
Shepard raised a brow in surprise. "Batarian? I saw as many human slavers as the Batarians."
"But it's mostly the Batarians who instigate these attacks. Hell, your own colony was sacked by Batarian slavers."
"Character matters, not race," Shepard replied. "If you're a slaver or pirate attacking the innocent then, yeah, you're my enemy."
Kai was a little unsettled by Shepard's open-mindedness with aliens. Still, the man was a hero of the Alliance.
"Up for a spar?" Shepard asked.
"Yeah sure."
They both put on their sparring equipment. Gloves, headgear and foot padding. They stood across from each other by roughly five feet. Shepard nodded to start. Kai took the initiative and attacked first. He threw a fist at Shepard which was blocked. Shepard reversed it and pushed Kai back a couple feet. Kai went to attack again with a high kick. Shepard ducked under and pushed upwards connecting with his flying kick. The upward force on his leg caused Kai to fall onto his back.
Kai rolled his legs back and forced them forward to launch onto his feet. He moved forward again, but went in close range. He released a barrage of punches towards Shepard. Shepard spent his time dodging and blocking his attacks. Kai was now has Shepard on the defense. Shepard was moving backwards as Kai moved forward with his rapid succession of attacks. Kai believed he had the advantage. That is until Shepard dash forward between Kai's punches. His speed caught him off guard. Shepard planted a punch to his abdomen. It felt like he was kicked in the stomach by a horse. Kai was stunned for a moment. It was long enough for Shepard to forward kick him in the chest. Kai flew backwards several feet and landed on the ground with a loud thud.
Kai just laid there winded. He put all of his effort into just breathing. Shepard walked over to him and looked down.
"You, alright?" he asked.
"Y-Yeah," he gasped. His breathing was still erratic.
After a minute, Shepard reached down holding his hand out for Kai. Kai grabbed onto it and Shepard lifted him to his feet.
"Good match," Shepard said. "Having had one like that in a while."
"Yeah. What martial arts were you using there?"
"The base form was Krav Maga, but I mixed in variations of Asari and Turian martial arts."
"Alien combat?"
"Yeah. First martial arts I learned were from my biotic tutor, an Asari Commando. I've been trying to learn others' martial arts to improve my own."
"Humans have good enough martial arts."
"Not true," Shepard corrected. "There is always room for growth. If you rely on a single fighting form, the enemy will only get wise to you and adapt. You want to be surprising."
Kai rubbed his arm. "I'm going to call it quits for today."
"Alright, see you later." Shepard returned to his biotic training.
Kai could only walk away in disgust. The so-called hero of Humanity is an alien lover. He's never going embody Humanity's strength. That's going to have to fall upon him. His purpose in life. The advancement of Humanity and the domination of the galaxy. A tall order, but he was up to the task.
VVVVVV
Present...
Shepard, Garrus and Mordin hid behind some tanks while Jedore and a YMIR mech took pot shots at them. The woman was completely insane.
"Focus on the mech!" Shepard ordered. "Garrus, overload it's shield!"
Garrus popped out of cover and activated his omni-tool. The mech's shields flared up. Shield was down to 50%. Shepard came out of cover and used overload as well.
"Shield's down!" Mordin announced.
Shepard pulled out his missile launcher. Jedore moved forward firing rockets as she advanced. Mordin used his Locust machine gun and started stripping away her shields. Shepard started pelting the mech's head with missiles.
Jedore's shields flashed singaling their end. Garrus took out his sniper rifle and aimed for one of her legs. He fired a round that went through her leg. Jedore fell to the ground and screamed incoherently.
Shepard fired three rockets at the mech's head. The third rocket destroyed the head completely. The YMIR fell over and landed on top of Jedore's legs which made her screams echo throughout the area. It beeped widely as it approached its self-destruction.
"No! No, no, no, no!"
"Take cover!" Shepard yelled.
They took cover behind the sturdy tanks and wait.
"Nooooooooooo!"
The mech erupted in a ball of fire. The explosion rocked the area. Shepard's ears rang from the noise. It took a couple of minutes before he could hear EDI warning him about Okeer.
"Alarms in the lab?" Garrus said. "What the hell is that Krogan doing?"
"We have to hurry," Shepard urged.
They went back up to stairs only to be too late to save Okeer. He left a message for Shepard, basically saying he knew nothing of the Collectors.
"Why would someone so fanatical save just one Krogan?" Garrus though out loud. He looked at the tank that held a young Krogan.
"One Krogan would not have the impact Okeer wanted," Mordin commented. "Almost certain."
"Afraid he may make the genophage obsolete?" Shepard said in a very slight joking tone.
"Krogan are unstable and we have no idea how this one will react."
Shepard ignored Mordin's advice and activated his comm. "Shepard to Normandy. Okeer is a no go, but we have a package for pick up. And he's a big one."
VVVVVV
Shepard made his way to the cargo bay. His debriefing with Mordin, Jacob and Garrus was interesting to say the least. Jacob didn't really know what to do about the Krogan whereas Garrus and Mordin suggested either leaving him in the tank. Frankly Shepard needed all the help he can get. This may be a stupid move on his part, but it may just pay off. He entered the room containing the tank.
"The tank is fully integrated with the ship's systems," EDI announced. "Nutrients in the vat can sustain him for one year."
"Anything you can tell me about him?"
"The subject is a perfect example of the Krogan specie. Like all Krogan he bares the genophage. If you are asking about his psychological condition then I am unable to tell you. We do not know how he would react to you or anyone else."
Shepard gave it a minute thought before saying, "Get ready, I'm going to open it."
"Are you sure? We do not know about his mentality."
"He's either a powerful addition to the crew or a ticking time bomb. I'd rather get it out of the way now."
"Very well." A holocontrol panel appeared. "The controls and consequences are yours."
Shepard walked up to the pad and pressed a few buttons. The tank beeped as it started draining its fluids. The tank started elevating to a ninety-degree angle. The Krogan started lowering as the fluid levels decreased. He leaned against the glass. Shepard took a couple steps back. The doors hissed and then opened. As they got wide enough, the Krogan fell to his knees and cough up a large amount of the tank's liquid. He stepped out of the tank in a groggy manner. His eyes opened and closed sloppily. Shepard took a couple steps forward.
The Krogan's eyes suddenly opened widely and he spotted Shepard. He growled as he charged forward. The Krogan lifted Shepard off of his feet and slammed him against the back wall. Pain shot up and down Shepard's back. The Krogan held Shepard to the wall his one arm to his throat.
"Human. Male." The Krogan observed. "Before you die, I need a name."
"I'm Commander Shepard of the Normandy," Shepard answered. "And I don't threats lightly."
"Not your name," the Krogan scolded. "Mine. I know things, but the tank... Okeer couldn't implant connection. His words are hollow." The Krogan repeated Okeer's words. "Warlord. Legacy. Grunt... Grunt." He repeated that last word with emphasis. "'Grunt' was among the last. It has no meaning. It'll do."
Grunt refocused on Shepard. "I am Grunt. If you are worthy of your command, prove your strength and try to destroy me."
"You wouldn't like 'Okeer' or 'Legacy'?" Shepard asked.
"Those words are big with no real meaning to me. Maybe they fit your mouth better. Grunt matches the training in my blood. I feel nothing for Okeer's clan or his enemies. Without a reason to fight that is not my own, any fight is as good as any other. Might as well start with you."
"I have a strong crew. A strong clan. You would make it stronger."
"If you lead a weak clan and fight weak enemies, I'll have to kill you."
"My enemies have caused galaxy-wide extinction events are threatening to do it again. I think that would make them worthy foes."
Grunt let out an amused chuckle. "That it would. I'll fight for you Shepard."
"Glad you saw reason."
"Huh." Grunt looked down and saw the pistol aimed at his stomach. He released Shepard and laughed again. "Offer one hand but arm the other. Wise, Shepard. If I find what I want. If I find a clan, I'll be honored to eventually pit them against you."
