Once Krinda awoke again, she saw Liara standing next to her. She smiled and nodded slightly, to signify that she was okay. Liara smiled back and gestured back to the rest of the crew off in the corner. Krinda waved slightly to the crew to show she was okay. She then looked over and saw Mordin lying on the bed next to her with Wrex and Bakara by her.
"Hey, scale-butt, you still alive over there?" Krinda called.
Mordin's head slowly rolled over to face Krinda.
"As if you could kill me. Still though, I gotta admit, you can put up one hell of a fight. Grunt told me that you could fight like some kind of green skinned demon. I laughed it off, thought he was just getting old and feeble. But, damn it, he was telling the truth. My head's still ringing a bit from one of those shots you hit me with."
"Well, if it's any conciliation, my ribs are still a bit tender from a few of your attacks. So, we good?"
"Oh hell yeah. We're Krogan. Or, at least part in your case. And there's nothing like a good, knockdown, drag out fight to make the bonds between Krogan friends stronger."
"You never change, Mord. Still just as fight happy as ever. Ah, well, there's enough change in this galaxy. So it's good to know that some things never change."
"That's true. So very true. And here's some more truth. I'm coming with you on your mission."
"Really?"
"Yup. Me and Grunt. I mean, come on, you can't have a Shepard mission without an Urdnot involved. We've always been there. Dad fought against Saren, Grunt fought the Collectors and then both of them fought the Reapers on Earth. And now, I'm joining the party. After all, I can't let my little sister go on a crazy mission, with lots of awesome battles to come, without me, can I?"
"Heh, I love you, Mordin."
"Yeah, I know you do. Everybody loves big sis Mordin."
"I know Kate will be happy to see you."
"Oh, she's with you?"
"She's serving as the assistant to Doctor Chakwas, who is our ship doctor."
"I see. Guess I'll have to make a trip to the medical bay."
"Yeah, you better. And you better do it as soon as you get on the Normandy. Kate's got no tolerance for friends who don't come see her immediately. Isn't that right, Ciala?"
"Uh, yeah." Ciala said.
"I see. Well, I'd better not piss her off. So, once we get on the ship, where are we going from here?"
"Well, I don't know. But, Sur'kesh sounds good now that I think about it. I think Doctor Mordin's nephew Kilnze should be there. He's a high ranking scientist now, following in his uncle's footsteps. He works directly under the dalatrass, studying the effects of the synthesis."
"Didn't they get a new Dalatrass? I heard something about that, I think. So, what happened? Did that old battle axe Linron finally kick the bucket?" Wrex asked.
"Actually, yes." Liara said.
"What? Really?" Bakara asked.
"Yes, according to my resources, Linron died about three years ago."
"How did she die?" Bakara asked.
"She was on vacation, believe it or not. She called it a volunteer mission, travelling abroad to assist struggling cultures with their various problems. Really, she just wanted a break from the hustle and bustle. But, something went wrong. Her ship malfunctioned and everyone had to abandon ship. Unfortunately for Dalatrass Linron, her escape pod was hit by a small meteorite that came through at that time. This made her pod fall to a primal planet, where she was apparently killed by some of the local fauna."
"Wow. So, basically, her karma finally caught up to her, on a cosmic scale no less, and it killed her, huh, mom?" Krinda asked.
"Apparently, sweetheart."
"Hmph, that's what you get for trying to doom an entire race just because of your own pigheaded bigotry." Gunny said, having overheard Liara.
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Yeoman. So, is everyone ready to get going?" Krinda said, quickly rolling over the edge of the bed and onto her feet.
"Can you?" Ciala asked.
"I'm part Krogan, remember? I heal quickly. So, if old scales for brains can get her overgrown carcass out of bed, we can be on with our mission."
"Hmph, remind me to buy some reinforced thread and needles next time we stop, so I can sew your trap shut, Krinda." Mordin said, getting out of her bed.
"You're welcome to try, scaly jaws. Now come on. Let's go."
"Right behind you, Commander." Mordin said.
Gathering themselves and saying goodbye to Wrex and Bakara, the team headed out with Mordin in tow. Wrex yelled to them to remember to wave when his forces showed up to bust heads in the final battle. Mordin and Grunt went to collect a few things and Krinda headed to the Normandy.
"Uncle Joker, we've got Mordin and Grunt coming on board. Please make sure the accommodations are ready as soon as they get here. I'm gonna go pop down to the infirmary real quick to talk to Kate."
"Got it, Commander. By the way, how's Wrex?"
"As crazy and fool hardy as ever. You know he made me fight in a tournament, right?"
"Yeah, I heard from EDI. But, you won or at least tied apparently. So congrats."
"Thanks. Alright, let's get to it, Flight lieutenant Moreau."
"Yes, ma'am. By the way, where are we headed next?"
"Sur'kesh."
"Do you notice that you're going down the list of specialist requirements without really even trying? I mean look. Ship tech: Two Quarians and a Geth. Ship weapons: two Turians. And now raw muscle: two Krogans. So, are we getting two Salarians for scientific study purposes? You know in case we need to research something we pick off the cult?"
"I hope so. And in case you're wondering, yes. I do realize this team of mine is turning into a kind of space age Noah's Arc and that's totally good with me. The only difference is, until now, we haven't picked up two of anything and gotten one of each gender. Now we do, with the Krogans. Anyway, I just wish I had another Geth to make the two."
"Well, speaking frankly, EDI is synthetic too, so I guess she's close enough."
"Yeah I guess so. I've got two Turians, two Quarians, two synthetics, two humans, two Krogan and, of course, two Asari. Now I need two Salarians, two batarians, two vorcha, two elcor, two volus, two hanar and two drell and that'll be pretty much all of the races."
"I'm not sure if we have that much room, commander."
"And that's why I'm sticking to my friends races. At least for now anyway. Now let's get going."
"Aye, aye, Commander."
The group quickly boarded the Normandy and were off to Sur'kesh. Along the way, Krinda brought Mordin down to see Katrina. Ciala was busy straightening her new quarters up at this time and soon heard roaring laughter coming from the medical bay. When she went to investigate, she saw Liara in the mess hall, eating a small snack.
"Um, what's all the noise about, Ms. Liara?" Ciala asked.
"Please, Ciala. You're a higher rank than me. There's no need to call me miss."
"But, after all this time, I'd feel weird not doing it."
"Well, do whatever pleases you. Now, as for them, it's because they are the three and they have finally reunited."
"The three?"
"Yes. Believe it or not, Krinda, Katrina and Mordin were all the first children of their respective races born after the reaper war ended. Katrina was the first human baby, Mordin was the first Krogan child and Krinda was the first Asari born after the fall of Thessia. There are others, of course. The first Salarian, the first Volus, the first Elcor, etcetera, etcetera. But, since they are descendants of those that served on the Normandy or the SR-2, which is now a nigh on legendary ship, they are held with a slightly higher reverence."
"I see. So, really, it just boils down to the fact that they are literally lifelong friends."
"They are practically sisters. That's why Krinda and Mordin could take the shots at each other that they took back on Tuchanka."
"'Taking shots'. Well, that's one way of putting it. Nearly killing each other is another."
"Maybe so. But, I know Krinda would stop short of actually killing her friends if she ended up in a fight with them. She may beat them up and try to knock them out in order to end the fight quickly, but killing is just not in her. But, hopefully, she'll never have to fight a friend like that."
"I second that. So, they're really all firstborns for entire races, huh? Must feel really special. I, meanwhile, am probably, like, the one hundredth Quarian born after the reaper war."
"Well, that is a blessing in and of itself. Your birth is proof that the Quarians were strong enough to readapt to their own home planet, survive the reapers, and make it through all the post war hardships long enough to reach number one hundred on the birth count."
"Hmm, well, I guess you do have a point. Still though, I would've liked to have been the first Quarian."
"I'm sure that would've been nice, but you are special enough as it is. You are strong, much stronger than even you know. You are brave, even if some of your bravery is inspired by Krinda. Also, you are kind and very beautiful. And, most importantly to me, you obviously care deeply about Krinda. You have been the first to jump to her aid time and again since the attack on Rannoch. You've done that quite a bit since then, as a matter of fact. And you aren't hesitant to put yourself in harm's way to help Krinda. The incident where you tried to free Krinda from a Brute's grasp with just a humble knife is a prime example of this. You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you…"
"That I what? Love Krinda? Well of course I love her. She's my best friend. She's like a sister to me. She's been a friend, confidant, protector in some cases when we were little and now she's my captain. I'm happy to follow her no matter what. So, yeah, I love Krinda, but only as a friend or surrogate family member." Ciala interrupted, trying desperately to make her feelings sound strictly platonic.
Liara smiled a sly smirk. She stood up from her chair and walked over to Ciala.
"Follow me." Liara said.
Ciala complied and followed Liara back to her room slash office.
"Glyph, make sure no one disturbs us."
"Yes, Dr. T'soni." Said the drone as it spawned nearby, then went and sealed the door.
"Um, what are you planning on doing, Miss Liara?" Ciala asked.
"This." Liara said, and then grabbed Ciala up in a tight embrace to make sure the younger woman couldn't move.
Liara then touched her forehead to Ciala's and her eyes flashed to black. This lasted for a moment and then Liara released Ciala.
"Did you just?" Ciala asked.
"Probe your mind? In a frank manner of speaking, yes. And I'm sorry for just taking the information. Blame the broker in me. But, my motherly instincts just had to have that information. Now, let's try this again. Ciala, be honest, how do you feel about Krinda?"
"I care about her as a friend."
"Ciala…" Liara said sternly.
"It's the truth."
"Ciala, don't try to hide it from me. Just because I'm her mother doesn't mean I'm going to treat you any differently because of this. Now just say it."
"I…I love Krinda. I'm in love with Krinda. She just thinks of me as a friend, but really, I'd kill to be her….her…."
"Her bondmate?" Liara asked, with a broad smile.
Ciala's face flushed bright purple, the Quarian blush, and her head quickly shook up and down as a yes. Liara chuckled slightly and then walked over and kissed Ciala on the cheek.
"Well, if that ever happens, I want you to know that you would be a welcome addition to the Shepard-T'soni family. In fact, consider that little peck I gave you your initiation. You're one of us, now, Ciala. You are a member of my family. Now, don't worry. I'm not going to tell Krinda or Tali. You can do that when you're ready. And just so you know, if there's one woman in this galaxy that could win over Krinda's heart, it's you. I really do believe this. But, when you try to do so is all up to you. But, there is something I want you to do no matter what, should the need arise. So, let me give you something in case of an emergency."
"An emergency?"
"An emotional emergency. Krinda's mind and emotions have to remain in check. So, if something happens, which I pray it doesn't, but if something happens, I'm entrusting you with something that should, when combined with your love of Krinda, be the ultimate salve. I'm going to share with you the most comforting memories I have of Shepard. I used these very memories to put Krinda to sleep as a baby. They are memories of love and happiness that can quell any disquieted heart when used by someone who loves Krinda. I want you to have a 'copy', so to speak, in case something happens and I'm not around to help Krinda through it. Are you ready, Lieutenant-commander?"
Ciala nodded confidently and Liara copied the memories into Ciala's mind.
"There. Now, all you'll have to do is think of those memories and get Krinda to link minds with you. Those memories should pop right into Krinda's mind and help to calm her down. 'Sigh' Thank you for agreeing to this so readily, Ciala."
"Anything for Krinda, right?" Ciala asked playfully, her way of trying to feign being able to absorb everything that had just happened.
Liara sent Glyph away and the two women left the office. Liara stared at Krinda with Ciala.
"Yes, my dear. Anything for Krinda-Sakere Shepard."
As Ciala asked if that was Krinda's full name, a young Salarian scientist rushed through several halls to reach the Dalatrass' office.
"Dalatrass Sonric!" The scientist called to the female Salarian behind the huge desk at the back of the room.
"Yes, Kilnze? What is it? Have you discovered something important?"
"I think it's fair to say that something has discovered us."
"What?"
"I took a break a few minutes ago and started to star gaze. As I looked through my lab's high-powered telescope, I could see a huge ship with a lot of weapons heading right for Sur'kesh. It's still a ways away. After all, my telescope can let me see things far enough into space that they haven't tripped the planet wide security beacons yet. But, it's definitely headed this way. Now, I'm not one to say that we are definitely about to be attacked, but with the information we've received from the councilor, I think it would be wise to prepare for the worst."
"Hmm, agreed. I'll summon our best right away."
"Great. Now, if you'll excuse me, ma'am. I must go find my son and secure his safety. This kind of thing drives him wild. He won't stay away and could get swept up in the fighting."
"Very well. Good luck in finding him quickly."
"Thank you, ma'am. Now, where are you Kurse?"
