"So you're a Krogan?"

"Not a true Krogan."

Shepard stood in front of a young, orange Krogan, in the Normandy's storage room.

"No, no, I got that, just... Why aren't you?"

"I'm clanless. Tank-bred. Nothing more than another desperate grab to reclaim lost glory."

"So you don't think the Krogan are glorious?"

"I had memories placed in me, events I haven't lived. Krogan victorious in battle, slaughtering Rachni, tearing Threser Maws apart! But what I see are a race of cowards, choosing to slowly die off."

"Heh."

"You're laughing. Why? You think my pain is funny!?"

"No, Grunt, of course not. I just have a friend with the same mindset."

"He can't decide if he should help or abandon the Krogan?"

"Now that you mention it, he is pretty inconsistent..."

Grunt folded his arms, scowling about as much as a Krogan could.

"Hmph. Thanks for the talk Shepard, but-"

"We're done talking? When did that happen?"

"When I got sick of talking. Now go."

"I was just going to miss your melodic voice is all."

"Heh. Guess I'll miss your twinkling eyes."

"Says the Krogan with baby blues."

"Says the human with the permanent monotone."

"Point taken. I'll leave you to... Whatever it is you do in here."

"John Shepard, Hero of the Citadel!"

A greying, middle aged man shook Shepard's hand with an unnatural ferocity.

"That's the warmest welcome I've had since I got on this boat," Shepard smirked. "I don't think we've been properly introduced."

"Mess Sargent Rupert Gardner, at your service. And might I say, it's an honor to meet you."

"I wouldn't go that far. I can still slap a collar on you and ship you off to a Batarian EeZo mine."

"Ha! Ha... Oh that's, ah, that's not funny at all. But really, you saved the Citadel, stopped Saren and the Geth, and all while one-upping the Alliance at every turn. I'd say that makes you an honor to meet."

"You hate the Alliance then?"

"With a passion. Just, ah... don't tell the Major. He'd-"

"Say no more. I just have a favor to ask."

Gardner nodded, promoting Shepard to continue.

"I'm staging a mutiny. I just want you to give Alenko food poisoning the day before. I'll tell you when."

"I dunno... The Illusive Man wanted Alenko heading this mission. I may not approve, but it must be for a reason."

"He wanted me to co-command with him. I declined. Technically we'd still be following orders if I was in charge."

"..."

"Well?"

"Count me in."

Shepard stepped into the red tinted room that housed the Normandy's main cannon. Almost immediately, he was greeted by Garrus.

"Hey, long time no see."

"I thought you didn't get human expressions."

"Thank Hadley. How goes the recruitment?"

"Jack, Kasumi, Zaeed, and Gardner are with us."

"What about Chambers? A comm officer's a valuable thing to have."

"And the one giving reports."

"You want to convince Lawson to help us?"

"Maybe not on purpose..."

"I despise her as much as the next Turian, but I give her credit where credit's due. She's smart, and you won't fool her as easily as you did that VI on Noveria."

"You've never seen me in action."

"Was that a... It was, wasn't it? You disgust me."

"Well if you're so sure that I can't, why don't you try?"

"To have sex with Lawson?"

"To talk to her. Aren't you supposed to be helping?"

"Blame Cerberus. They couldn't calibrate a gun if their lives depended on it. Which it does."

"Calibrations? Again?"

"I like explosions John. I only want to see the best."

"You cringe when people mention explosions."

"I know, shut up."

"So what happened on Omega that got you backed into a corner?"

"We're having a conversation now? Alright, my team and I were being hunted by the Blue Sons, Eclipse, and Blood Pack. It had been three days when we decided to bunker down in the apartment and fight them all off. The only reason we weren't out within the hour is because one of my teammates betrayed us. Sidonis. He got off Omega before we did, but I'm tracking him."

"We're going to take him out, right?"

"Once we get the ship. Alenko'd never let me."

"You just want me to have the ship for a revenge scheme?"

"It's not for your looks, that's for damn sure."

"You're breaking my heart Garrus."

"Good. Now go get Chambers on our side."

"Shepard, hey!"

"Kel, it's just John."

"Kel?"

"Alright, Kelly."

"No, no, I like it."

"Got it. How's the big man doing?"

"Grunt? Weren't you just talking to him?"

"No, Alenko. How is he?"

"I probably shouldn't tell you..."

"C'mon, it couldn't hurt. I'm concerned for him."

"No you aren't."

"At least give me a hint."

"Shepard..."

"John."

"-sigh- John, I-"

"He's actually a woman. Hot or cold?"

"Alright, I'll tell. He's breaking under the leadership role. He barely sleeps,and when he does he has nightmares. Sometimes he mumbles about Liara T'Soni, and he's told me that he's afraid he'll fail."

"Are you afraid he'll fail?"

"...A little. Just don't tell him."

"He wouldn't listen to me anyways. You know, the Illusive Man wanted me to lead."

"I overheard it from the Major, yes."

"It's not too late for me to save the mission."

"A mutiny? John, that's insane."

"So was fighting Saren with nothing but an assault rifle and a clunky ship. Didn't stop me."

"It's not that I don't trust you, but what happens if you fail?"

"I won't die, Cerberus won't allow it. At worst I'll be put in another supply closet."

"...what do I have to do?"

"Just keep all comms down, but act like we hacked in. It'll save us time, and keep the blame off you."

"I'll do it, but if the Major wins the fight, I'm giving myself up."

"Kel, do you know how hard it is to find a good Yeoman these days?"

"It's out of the question."

Shepard smirked.

"Good. Wouldn't want to escape without you."