The New Krogan Dawn
The atmosphere was tense in both the Normandy and Serenity shuttles as they raced over Tuchanka's barren, apocalyptic landscape to reach the meeting point. The sun was only now beginning to rise over the blasted horizon in this part of Tuchanka, casting an eerie orange glow over the landscape. The Krogans had long ago ruined the surface of their world through nuclear warfare, most retreating underground to eke out an existence beneath the sea of radiactive rubble and impact craters. It was symbolic of the Krogan people themselves; abandoned and with seemingly no future for itself.
Now, however, as he paced around the Normandy's shuttle, Wrex was giddy with anticipation. He was unable to keep still, looking like an excited child unable to wait until Christmas. Mordin, Eve, Vega and Garrus were all dealing with their own nerves in their own ways; Garrus looked calm and professional, Vega idly made final checks on his guns, Eve looked contemplative, while Mordin kept checking his Omni-Tool, checking and re-checking that his calculations for the cure were correct. Shepard, meanwhile, stood a short distance away from Wrex, hanging onto a metal bar on the ceiling for support as the ship was buffeted by high winds. She was still worried about what the Dalatrass had said, but she had not mentioned it so far; she knew she had to keep the heads of the others clear if they were to succeed. They could not afford to let their judgment be clouded by anger, not when they were so close to winning this battle.
"I've ordered the clans to assemble at the Hollows," Wrex told her. "It's our sacred meeting ground. We'll land there and take an armoured convoy against the Reaper." He paused, peering wistfully past Shepard, as if seeing something she couldn't. "This will be the defining moment of Krogan history."
"Krogan history filled with defining moments," Mordin chimed in. "Most bloody. Hope this one better."
As Wrex began pacing again, Eve looked up at Shepard. Something of her worry must have been showing on her face, for the female Krogan said, "Commander, you seem troubled."
Shepard sighed. She had hoped not to broach the subject to keep everyone focused, but she saw no sense in lying or being evasive now that someone had noticed how she was feeling. She looked grim as she began to speak.
"I got a message from the-" she began, but was interrupted as the ship gave a particularly violent shake, which threw off her train of thought. There had been an impact close to the shuttle, but luckily Cortez managed to keep the ship reasonably stable. It was then that they picked up a transmission from the surface:
"Wrex, it's Wreav!" a deep Krogan voice barked through the speakers. "The Reapers are already at the Hollows! Come out with guns blazing!"
"Hang on tight!" called Cortez. "We're going in!"
The shuttle touched down with a soft thud, and the door slid open, revealing rubble piled up outside what must have once been an ancient coliseum, surprisingly largely intact. A Husk turned its grey, dead head and roared at them, but one shot from Wrex's gun blasted it apart. The Krogan stepped down onto the ground, spotting the Serenity's shuttle landing close by. Alan, Nicole and Dorva stepped out of it, their weapons ready.
"Shepard!" Wrex called behind him. "Keep the Reapers away from the female! I'll sort out what's happening with the other clans!" He sprinted off while both Normandy and Serenity teams ran through an open doorway close by, and descended a flight of stone steps into the interior of the Hollows. The scene inside was one of complete chaos; Krogan soldiers were scattered around the various levels of the ancient building, doing their best to fight off the swarms of Husks which threatened to overpower them.
"Everyone pick your targets and keep an eye on our six!" Shepard ordered. "Now move! Don't let any of them get out of here!"
"Shepard, it's ugly over here!" Wrex barked over the comm. lines as both teams opened fire on the charging Husks. "Whatever you do, keep them away from the female!"
The two teams formed a wall of suppressing fire as they descended the steps, until they reached the bottom. Able to get eyes on every possible angle the Reaper forces could approach them from, they cut down the Husks as they approached. The wailing of the undead creatures seemed to echo around the area.
"Reminds me of the mess on Palaven!" Vega grunted, smashing the butt of his shotgun into the face of a Husk that had got too close for comfort.
"Keep the pressure up!" called Alan, as he cleared out several Husks at once with a well-placed Inferno shot. "There aren't many of them left!"
Though the fighting was intense, it only lasted a few minutes. Soon the last stragglers were reduced to bloody smears, though Alan couldn't help but feel that the hard part was still to come. There was still the matter of uniting the Krogan clans, and he wasn't sure even Wrex could manage that. On that note, the entrance door opened again, and Wrex, his maroon combat armour covered in the oily fluids of the Husks, stepped into the chamber, along with Mordin and a group of his own soldiers.
"They'll sing battle songs about this someday," he chuckled, calling out to the rest of the Krogans in the chamber. "Reaper blood has finally soaked our soil!" Amidst a number of approving cries from the assembled Krogan clans, Shepard ran up to Wrex.
"We have to get to the Shroud!" she barked. "The airstrike's on its way!"
"Female safe, Shepard," said Mordin. "Vitals are strong."
"What's a Salarian doing here?!" Wreav's voice suddenly demanded. Turning around, Alan's eyes narrowed as he recognised Wrex's more traditionalist brother from a previous encounter a few months ago. The grey-armoured, brown-crested Krogan had warriors from his own clan surrounding him, and he was glaring at Mordin with a look of pure disgust. Alan shook his head, feeling sure that even Wreav's beating at the hands of Kedzuel himself had not knocked any sense into him.
"Nobody said anything about this!" the Krogan continued to rant.
"Multiple Krogans," Mordin sniffed. "Problematic."
Both Alan and Wrex advanced on Wreav, forming a wall between him and Mordin. Shepard, however, had not met Wreav, so only looked at the Krogan with a penetrating glare.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"Urdnot Wreav," the Krogan spat in reply. "Brood brother to our… illustrious leader." He peered at Wrex with the upmost contempt, then gave a particularly ugly look to Alan. "I see the 'Emperor's' little lap dog is here too. Your master too frightened to come down here and face the Reapers himself?"
"Watch your tongue, 'brother'," Wrex spat, amidst a series of angry murmurs coming from both opposing groups of Krogan. "Wreav and I share the same mother," he explained for Shepard's benefit, "and nothing else."
"For which I'm thankful," replied Wreav snottily. "I remember what it means to be a true Krogan!" His words were followed by a series of approving yells from his unit, some of which, Alan noticed, were members of the Blood Pack mercenary group. "We flay our enemies alive," Wreav continued, "and drown them in a geyser of their own blood. We don't invite them into our home."
"This Salarian is not your enemy," said Shepard, doing her best to remain calm. "He's here to help cure the genophage."
"His kind gave us the genophage," Wreav hissed, advancing towards Mordin. "Why should we trust him?!" In response, Wrex stepped before him and suddenly head-butted him with a resounding crack; this was a sign of disrespect among the Krogan people.
"Because I do," Wrex stated as Wreav shook himself, recovering. "And so will you, Wreav."
Wreav's lips trembled as he snarled, and the two opposing Krogan groups barked intimidatingly at each other. Their muscles were tensed, and Alan was sure a fight was about to break out. Wreav even drew his shotgun, and Alan was sure Wrex was about to feel the full force of it. He was on the point of drawing his own weapons, when a strong, commanding voice called from the entrance to the chamber.
"Enough!" it shouted. Turning around, everyone saw Eve standing at the top of the stairs, back straight and peering down at the assembled Krogans with disgust. Instantly the chamber fell silent. News had spread among the clans of a female Krogan who held the key to genophage immunity in her blood, so now all of the assembled clans were looking at her with a sense of almost god-like reverence as she marched down the steps towards Wrex.
"You can stay here and let old wounds fester," Eve continued in a bold voice, "as Krogans have always done." She strode right past Wrex and Wreav, and walked towards the raised dais in the middle of the floor. "Or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy, and win a new future for our children." On the dais, she spun around to face the others. "I choose to fight! Who will join me?!"
"I will," Shepard responded in a bold voice, stepping forward.
"As will I," Alan chimed in, stepping in beside her.
"And so will I!" added Wrex commandingly, addressing the chamber. "Now hold your heads high, like true Krogan! There's a Reaper that needs killing!" Wrex's Krogan unit barked their approval, while Wreav remained silent, peering at Eve. After a few moments, however, he too nodded, and a chorus of approving voices echoed all around them. They continued to sound even as the groups headed back out of the chamber towards the awaiting convoy.
The armoured carriers rattled over the ruined highways of Tuchanka, their wheels seeming to bounce off every ramp and break in the road. In the distance, their destination could be seen poking out of the surface like a spear, the clouds around it dark and imposing in contrast to the morning light. Shepard, Alan, Wrex, Mordin and Eve rode in one truck, their teams riding in another. Alan somehow felt even more tense than before, feeling that Wreav was making the situation very volatile, in spite of his agreement to work with everyone else. He wondered if the upstart Krogan would cause trouble when this was over.
"Krogan ground convoy," a transmission stated for Shepard, "this is Turian wing Artimec. Our flight vector to the Shroud is locked. We're ten minutes out and counting."
"Roger, Artimec," came another voice. "This is Sangheili wing Spear of Orion. Intercept course set for the Shroud. Will rendezvous with your wing in five minutes."
"Copy that, Artimec and Spear of Orion," replied Shepard. "We're on our way, trying to make up lost time. Shepard out."
"Wreav isn't the only Krogan who wants revenge for the genophage," Eve said to Wrex as they sat on opposite sides of the cramped transport. "You'll have to placate them somehow."
"I'll demand that the Council return some of our old territory," replied Wrex. "We'll need room to expand, recapture the glory of the ancients."
"'Glory of ancients' led to Krogan Rebellions," Mordin stated. "Countless deaths. Creation of genophage. Expansion plan may be problematic."
Alan sighed, turning to Eve. "What were the ancient Krogan like?" he asked.
"Tuchanka wasn't always a wasteland," replied Eve. "In the old times, the Krogan were a proud people. We had dreams… a future to look forward to."
"Until Salarian interference," sighed Mordin.
"No," said Eve softly and full of pity for the scientist. "We destroyed Tuchanka ourselves. Technology changed us. It made life too easy. So we looked for new challenges… and found them in each other. Nuclear war was inevitable."
"And now our planet is rubble," grunted Wrex.
"Well, Kedzuel already promised to help restore Tuchanka to its old self," said Alan. "I'd say helping to defeat the Reapers is also worth an extra planet."
"Or ten," chuckled Wrex. "Kedzuel hasn't seen how fast we can pop them out."
"Wrex…" Eve began, sighing.
"What?" Wrex shrugged, keeping his tone light and joking. "With the genophage cured, we'll have a lot of catching up to do." Eve just rolled her eyes, though Alan noticed that she didn't object. It was then that Eve's eyes darted in Shepard's direction. The Commander had remained silent since speaking to the fighters, and now had that awkward expression on her face again.
"Commander," said Eve, "back on the shuttle… was there something you wanted to say?" Her words seemed to bring Shepard back to her senses, and her expression became very grave.
"The Dalatrass tried to cut a secret deal with me," she said.
"What kind of deal?" asked Wrex.
"She said they sabotaged the Shroud years ago," explained Shepard. "The cure won't work unless we fix it." She brought up her Omni-Tool and played a recording of the transmission. She had been holding onto it as evidence to present to Kedzuel later, assuming he hadn't already been keeping tabs on all communication on the Shi'lithra.
"Years ago," Linron's voice repeated, "our operatives sabotaged the Shroud facility to ensure what you're planning couldn't be done." At this, Wrex looked livid, the slit pupils of his eyes narrowed to the point where they almost couldn't be seen.
"And she thought we wouldn't know better?!" he snarled.
"Correctly," replied Mordin, looking no less determined. "Would likely have fooled tests. But familiar with STG work. Can adjust. Did not come this far for nothing."
"I don't expect we'll get any official support from the Salarians after today," said Shepard, frowning as she put the Omni-Tool away.
"Fuck 'em," Alan fumed, a bestial snarl escaping his throat. It was times like these when a more animalistic side of his character began to show, doubtless another effect of the mutations he had endured. "That hag had better hope Kedzuel finds her before I do, for I'll pull out that wrinkled old cunt of hers next time I clap eyes on her. Let's see how she likes being neutered."
Wrex grunted in approval of that idea, but Eve was more restrained. "You just spared our race another genocide, Commander," she said.
"I told you we could count on her," Wrex said softly to Eve.
The group didn't have time to ponder on the Dalatrass' betrayal, for the sounds of the truck's engine began to die, and the rattling gradually ceased. Seconds later it had come to a complete halt.
"Why are we stopping?" asked Wrex, getting to his feet and looking annoyed.
Shepard threw open the side door and she and Alan climbed out. Vega, Garrus, Nicole and Dorva were climbing out of the second transport close by them, and now the other transports were slowing down after catching up to them. They had stopped on a wrecked piece of highway, offering a good view of the desolate ruins of an ancient city, the Shroud tower now no more than a mile away. Every now and then a wispy light shot out of the top and into the atmosphere, its appearance punctuated by a bolt of lightning. There was little doubt that this was the poison the Reapers were planning to use to annihilate the Krogan race.
"Wrex," said Shepard into her communicator, "you and Mordin stay with Eve. It's looking ugly out here!"
"Will do," was Wrex's reply.
The two teams walked over to the guard rail running along the pavement, right on the edge of a steep drop that led to a ruined city below. As they did so, they heard faint footfalls coming from the tower, and emerging from the other side of the tower they saw the crab-like Reaper, moving into position to block any approach.
"Look at that Reaper…" Vega gasped. "It's like Earth all over again!"
"You think it's expecting us?" asked Dorva.
"No doubt about it," said Alan, shaking his head. "If Cerberus is indoctrinated, then the Reapers know what we're up to." He scratched his chin. "I still have to wonder how Cerberus found out in the first place. I have a theory, but that's all it is."
"We'll worry about that later," said Shepard. "Right now, we've got to get the trucks moving again."
Around them, the Krogan soldiers that had emerged to check on the situation were now peering around them, looking worriedly out towards the Shroud. "Never seen the sky like that…" one of them breathed, looking at the dark clouds with fear in his eyes. Shepard walked to the front of the convoy, where one of Wrex's scouts was examining the damaged highway before them.
"What's the holdup?" she asked.
"Road's out," the scout replied. He pointed to a narrow ledge that ran close to the wall on the other side of the road. "We'll only be able to move one truck at a time along that ledge, but it'll take too long."
"Artimec and Spear," said Shepard into her commlink, "this is Shepard. We've been delayed. Hold off your attack."
"Negative, Commander," the Turian squadron leader replied. "Our approach is locked. The Reaper already knows we're here!"
Even as he spoke, there was a rumbling noise and dust scattered as something flew low overhead. Looking up, Shepard and Alan saw the combined Turian and Sangheili squadron, charging full-speed towards the awaiting Reaper.
"That airstrike's not gonna stand a chance on its own!" Garrus yelled. "We've gotta get in there!"
"Damn it…" Shepard grunted, as the fighters engaged the Reaper. Their shots pounded on the creature's metallic body, but not a single one of them made a dent in it. The Commander marched to the scout. "I don't care if we have to build a new road!" she bellowed. "We're moving!"
All of a sudden, there was a heavy explosion as one of the Reaper's blasts knocked a stabilising wing off one of the Turian fighters. At its angle it was now careening helplessly towards the highway, right to the spot where the convoy was waiting.
"Oh, shit!" bellowed Vega, as the fighter shot towards the convoy like a surface-to-air missile.
"Move!" Shepard barked, and everyone dived for cover as the fighter slammed into the road, destroying several trucks outright and sending Krogan bodies flying. The rest of the trucks were blocked by the rubble created; it was impossible for them to get through. Only two trucks remained functional; Wrex's and Wreav's. Miraculously, Shepard, Alan, and their teams were unhurt.
"Shepard!" bellowed Wrex. "What's happening?!"
"Wrex!" Shepard yelled. "Get the female out of here now! Go!"
The engines started on the two trucks, and they quickly rode over the ledge before them. Even as the last wheels of Wreav's truck touched solid ground again, the ledge collapsed, completely cutting off the others. Shepard pulled herself to her feet, coughing in the midst of the dust that had been scattered everywhere.
"Artemic?" she gasped. "Spear? Do you copy?"
"We have to abort, Commander!" a Sangheili pilot responded. "That Reaper's tearing us to pieces!"
"Understood!" replied Shepard. "Save your pilots! We'll find another way!"
"There's a tunnel over there!" called Dorva. "That might be our way out!" He was pointing to a part of the immense wall, and sure enough there was a tunnel cut into it that was accessible from the road.
"Let's get in there!" called Shepard, before turning to Alan. "Tyler, contact the Shi'lithra! See if they can send reinforcements!" As the ship was currently unseen in orbit, a transmission from the ground was possible.
"You got it!" Alan replied, before raising his commlink. "Kiryuu, the distraction plan failed! We need something else to distract that Reaper!"
"We saw on the scanners," replied Kiryuu. "It'll take a few minutes before we can send down any more fighters. Hold out for as long as you can!"
Alan cut the transmission as he followed the others into the tunnel. Almost as soon as they had dropped down a low wall, they found themselves surrounded by darkness. Switching on the lights on their weapons revealed that they were inside a corridor, in what must have once been a vast temple. There was rubble and signs of decay, such as immense cobwebs, everywhere, but nothing that looked like it could impede their progress.
"Wrex," said Shepard into her commlink, "are you receiving this? Is everyone okay?"
"Yeah, just scratches," replied Wrex. "Nothing the Salarian can't patch up. Wreav's truck made it out too."
"The Turians and Sangheili had to call off the airstrike," said Shepard. "Alan's called in for reinforcements from the Shi'lithra, but we'll need a new plan for dealing with the Reaper."
"First we'll have to find you," Wrex grunted. "Where'd you end up?"
"Underground," said Shepard, shining her light on the walls. "We see ruins of some kind."
"Commander," Eve's voice suddenly said, "that's the city of the ancients."
"How do we get out?"
"No maps exist," was Eve's reply. "It's been abandoned for thousands of years."
"You're a trailblazer, Shepard," Wrex chimed in. "Get through there, and we'll find a place to meet up. Nothing will stop this cure."
Seeing no other option than to press on, Shepard led the way through the dark, deserted tunnels, Alan watching the rear.
0
Emperor Kedzuel Draconis knocked heavily upon the wooden door to Dalatrass Linron's quarters. He was more than furious upon discovering the secret communication between the Dalatrass and Commander Shepard. As the door chimed open, he found the Salarian leader sitting at her table, looking over a few private notations. She tilted her head to find the Blitzardi standing in the doorway.
"Your Highness," she said as she rose up.
Kedzuel straightened his back and walked closer to her.
"And how are you finding the accommodations?" asked Kedzuel.
"Well enough," she replied.
"Good."
He made his way over to the table and settled himself down across from her. Kedzuel inclined upon his elbows and folded his fingers together. His brow twitched.
"Are you looking at Tuchanka?" he asked, taking note of the brown-coloured planet upon the holographic screen.
"Why, yes, sir," she said. "Just overseeing the plan."
"Are you?" Kedzuel said and then took in a deep breath. "Do you think me a fool?"
"I beg your pardon…"
"You heard me," he said. "Do you think I am a fool?"
"Of course now, why would you ask such a question?"
Kedzuel lowered his hands. "I heard your little scheme..." he snarled, "the thing you said to Commander Shepard. The Shroud had been sabotaged. You don't want the cure to work, do you? And what is it you said? If Shepard successfully prevents the Krogans from being cured of the genophage, you would send your fleet to my aid? Is that what you promised Shepard?"
"How did you know…?"
Kedzuel's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Did you think that your transmissions wouldn't be monitored? You are on my ship, Dalatrass Linron, I have a right to know everything you send out there into the ethers. I've tapped your calls."
Linron shot straight up, her eyes narrowing under the shadow of her hood.
"Don't tell me you want the Krogans to be cured!"
"Don't tell me you would advocate the genocide of one species as payment for your continued help against the Reapers?" said Kedzuel, rising up from his seat. "You want to buy loyalty with blood? My scientists started studying the history of this genophage. I know what it's doing to the Krogans. Very soon their entire species will be wiped out! You've already destroyed their culture with this nasty contraceptive."
"I thought I would have your support in this, Your Highness. You seemed against the genophage's cure…"
"I wasn't against the cure's creation!" Kedzuel roared. "I merely thought that such a thing should wait until after the war is over. What use would a cure be to the Krogans if there are no Krogans left to even see if it worked? Perhaps curing such a thing should have waited until after the Reapers had been defeated. Then the Krogans could worry about if their reproductive organs still function." He crossed his arms. "Besides, that's what people tend to do after a war."
"If you are now so knowledgeable about the genophage," began the Dalatrass. "Then perhaps you understand why it was implemented in the first place."
Kedzuel settled down into his chair, leaning against its back and crossing his arms. His left brow cocked up.
"Enlighten me," he said.
"The Krogans are a violent race," she replied, firmly and with total conviction. "They've reduced their own planet into a radioactive wasteland. And worse yet, even after we've been so generous to them… my people especially… giving them a chance to uplift themselves into the galactic society, how do they repay us? They conquer worlds, they expand, they infest! They take what does not belong to them!"
"From my understanding," said Kedzuel. "You uplifted them because you needed expendable soldiers to fight the war against the Rachni."
"Yes, we needed their help," said Linron. "But we rewarded them for their service. You've been to the Citadel; did you not see the statue erected in the Presidium?"
"I've seen it," said Kedzuel. "And you gave them worlds belonging to the Rachni in payment to help with their... population problem?"
"They grew too numerous to control, Your Highness! The Krogan invaded upon other worlds, worlds that the Asari and the Turians called home. The Turians then knew that it was a mistake to help these savages. So, they commissioned some of our finest scientists on Sur'Kesh to create a way to control the infestation; the genophage."
"Oh, I think you've done a lot more damage to the Krogans than what you realize, Dalatrass," said Kedzuel, pointing a sharp obsidian claw at the Salarian leader. "I haven't been sleeping through these war councils. You turned a species into a weapon. Destroyed their culture because you couldn't fight against a bunch of bugs. You bred your own biological weapon, showed them nothing more than what you felt they needed to know: war, fighting. If you continue to be so violent against a child, the child will become violent as well. The genophage was nothing more than some desperate design to beat a bunch of inferiors into submission. You used them for your needs and when it was all done, you tossed them out like some old sock. I can see why when I first met Wrex, he seemed like he was carrying the weight of billions on his back." He turned away. "I was wrong to have been so impatient with any of them."
"Please," said Linron. "You think your species is so perfect. I wouldn't throw stones. I'm sure your people have done such things as we have."
"You wouldn't be wrong on that," said Kedzuel. "We have. Many times." He stood up, walking around towards the Salarian. "Do you know how many sentient, ancient cultures my species has wiped out since our first flight through the stars? Many of those were wiped out by accident, and many more wiped out on purpose. We would take species from worlds, regardless to whether or not they were capable of traveling in space, and we would experiment on them, use them as cannon fodder... or even food."
The Dalatrass' eyes widened and her thin lips became slack as Kedzuel told his story.
"There is an archaeological museum on Kethoi," the Emperor continued. "It's filled with countless artefacts of the worlds we destroyed, the cultures we erased. Many of them even now were so old that we forgot what they represented or who they belonged to. And they all began to blur together after the ages, until they merged into one. So many died when we gathered our resources to fight the Reapers. So many died, more because of my species' actions than the Reapers themselves." He dipped his head, wagging it in disgust. "And yes, we've created our own sort of genophage for a few of them. But was it right? Who were we to decide who should live and who should die? Who were we to choose? Was it because we were the apex species in this universe?" He came around and leaned over the table. "And who are you to wave around hope to a humbled race just so you could guarantee your participation in this war? What possessed you to even think of such a thing? Do these vendettas even matter right now when you face not only the extinction of the Krogans, but your own people as well?"
The door chimed and opened. Kedzuel turned to find his honour guard Zhane outside, looking rather dishevelled.
"Zhane?" he asked.
"I am sorry for the interruption, sire," said Zhane. "But the ground team has hit an obstacle. The distraction plan failed; the Reaper is still guarding the Shroud."
"Hmmm…" said Kedzuel. "Well then, we must get rid of it." He turned his glowing eyes back to the Dalatrass and he sneered. "I am so furious right now that I am ready to break your non-existent jaw, Dalatrass."
The Salarian gasped. "You wouldn't assault me…it would mean war between our peoples!"
"No," said Kedzuel. "I won't do that to you. It wouldn't be diplomatic. But I must direct my anger at something. The Reaper will do. Zhane, if you would kindly keep a video drone over the Reaper, I want Dalatrass Linron to see this. It would be very educational, if not entertaining."
"And how would you destroy that Reaper?" asked Linron.
"By breaking its face in," said Kedzuel as he broke for the door. "Zhane, make sure she stays in her room during the fight. She is not to leave until I return." He paused and tilted his head to Zhane. "There are other things I must discuss with her when I return." Kedzuel circled back to Linron and grinned. "I am not so furious at you for asking Shepard to do this despicable act against the Krogans, Dalatrass. I know the Commander will make the right decision when it comes time to do so. But to use her as a means to ensure your assistance in saving this galaxy… by destroying one of the galaxy's civilizations in the process… disgusting. Shouldn't the need to save this galaxy be more important? Don't you want to defend your home or help your neighbours?"
He received no answer from the Dalatrass, who merely bowed her head. Though Kedzuel could read the grim sneer upon her lips. The Emperor growled deeply and stormed out the door.
0
The catacombs were a confusing place; some of the ancient doors had been blocked by rubble, while parts of the walls had crumbled away into other chambers. The torches were the only source of light, the darkness seeming to close in behind them. As Shepard was about to step over a pile of rubble, there was a sudden rumbling noise, and the ground shook as if an earthquake had been set off.
"What the hell?" James muttered. The tremors had a strange pattern to them; they ended as quickly as they began, but another one followed it shortly after. They didn't seem to be caused by impacts on the surface; they came from all around and below the group as they worked their way through the abandoned chambers, full of fallen statues and grand columns. The few statues that did survive showed proud-looking Krogans, doubtless the heroes of their era. Most of the walls were blank, but one that they passed showed a set of paintings, like those found in ancient Egyptian tombs, showing Krogans bowing before their leader.
"Well," Nicole mused, "I guess the Krogans could paint once upon a time."
"Strange that they chose obedience as their subject," pondered Garrus. "In light of the Krogan we see nowadays, at least."
As they headed down a flight of steps, the tremors grew even more severe, but now there was the sound of something else; a high-pitched cry, distant but resonant enough to sound as if it was coming from the walls themselves.
"Okay, that wasn't an earthquake!" exclaimed James.
"Wrex," asked Alan into his commlink, "are you guys feeling these tremors?"
"Not up here," replied Wrex.
"It could be something else, Captain," Eve then said in an ominous tone. "It is said that Kalros, the mother of all thresher maws, lives in this region."
"Which is another reason to get your asses outta there!" Wrex barked. "Step on it!"
"The mother of all thresher maws…" breathed Dorva. He had seen thresher maws on other planets before, and found it hard to believe that they all originated from this point. "This sounds troubling."
"No kidding," breathed Vega. "If they gave the thing a name, it must be something special."
While they were talking, something caught Alan's eye on the other end of the ruined chamber they were now standing in. Approaching it, he saw that it was another wall painting, this one showing a colossal worm rising out of the ground. Streaks of light had been painted emanating from its body, as if this worm was held in high regard, seen as almost divine.
"I bet that's Kalros herself," muttered Garrus, when he came over to see what Alan was looking at.
"Oh, Christ…" Nicole groaned. "Do I need to tell you guys that we ought to hurry up and get outta here? I don't want this Kalros to find us."
More tremors followed them as they worked their way through the darkness. Around a corner and at the bottom of another flight of stairs, their torchlight fell on the body of one of the Ravagers Alan had seen before. It was dead, but there was no doubt that it meant Reaper forces were nearby.
"This one of the indoctrinated Rachni you saw?" Shepard asked.
"Yeah…" Alan breathed. "There was bound to be more of them than just the ones we killed." He raised his commlink. "Wrex, we've got indoctrinated Rachni here. Keep an eye out."
"I know," grunted Wrex. "A few of them just attacked us. All that matters is getting to that Shroud. Find us fast."
"Look," Garrus suddenly said, pointing to the top of the stairs. A faint glow could now be seen. "Daylight ahead."
Cautiously, the group climbed the stairs, and found themselves on a high walkway. To their right was a sheer drop into a deep pool far below, illuminated by the soft light filtering in between ornate pillars. Along the walkway and up another flight of steps, eyes went wide as they stepped out into a gigantic courtyard before an ancient temple. Though much of the courtyard was in ruins, the angular architecture of the building, with its higher levels resembling a ziggurat, was still clear to see, showing a beauty that seemed impossible to believe of the Krogans today. Signs of vegetation could be seen all over the stonework, showing that, against all the odds, life had found a way to return to the surface.
"Wrex," said Shepard, knowing that she had little time to absorb the elegance of the scene before her. "We made it back outside."
"Well," said Wrex, "if you can see sunlight, that's progress."
"Check it out…" said Vega, hardly daring to believe what he was seeing. "Guess the nukes didn't kill all the plants."
"You're looking at hope," Eve chimed in. "All that's left on Tuchanka. This was once a world full of beauty. Given a chance, it can be again."
"Shepard," Wrex interrupted, "that Reaper is still up to no good at the Shroud. Find a way out of there, and we'll pick you up."
"We're on it," said Shepard, hanging up.
"And when we get there," muttered Dorva, "the Hydra will be banished from this world." He gripped his rifle tightly as he followed the others around a crumbled part of the courtyard, dropping into the same pool they had seen before. Their footsteps seemed to echo all around them in the gaunt quiet, dust being gently pushed around by a soft breeze.
"I didn't think these Krogans had any culture," said Nicole in disbelief.
"Just a damn shame they did their best to destroy what they had," said Garrus grimly.
"Seeing all this," Vega chimed in, "I hope Eve is right. Maybe something good can come of curing the genophage."
"Why do you think we're trying to cure it?" asked Alan smarmily. "If I didn't think Wrex could make things better for the Krogans, I wouldn't be doing this."
As they approached the other end of the courtyard, however, a series of meteorites pounded the ground before them, forcing them back and releasing a number of Reaper ground forces. The groups were forced to split up, diving behind the cover supplied by the fallen pillars and returning fire. The Ravagers pounded them with their artillery guns, but were beaten by Alan's team flanking them while Shepard's squad drew their fire. In the midst of the fighting, as they worked their way towards a stone archway, the ground shook again.
"I think Kalros is more than a myth!" Dorva yelled above the gunfire.
"Ah, shit…" James groaned, as he threw a grenade into a crowd of Husks, scattering them to the four winds. Pushing forward through the Reaper forces, the group were able to enter another courtyard area lined with statues of Krogans, close to a set of almost Gothic archways covering a stone bridge. As they fought, one of the large Brutes suddenly smashed through a wall close to them, cutting off their escape.
"Shit, it's one of the big guys!" yelled Garrus.
"And he isn't alone!" called Alan, pointing to another group of Marauders crossing the bridge and opening fire on them.
"Stay sharp!" Shepard yelled as she dived for cover, tearing apart a Marauder with a hail of assault rifle fire.
"Shepard!" called Wrex. "How's it going?"
"We're a bit tied up right now!" Shepard barked. "The Reapers have us pinned down in the ruins!"
"Get a move on!" Wrex barked back. "That Reaper hasn't moved, and the sky's getting worse." As Alan crushed the skull of a Husk under a foot, another tremor ripped through the area, scattering the Husks as much as it scattered the team.
"You were right about Kalros!" Alan yelled.
"Yeah, about that…" Wrex said. "We've got some ideas-"
"Not now, Wrex!" Eve interrupted. "They have enough to worry about as it is!"
"What's happening?" asked Shepard, her last shot bringing down the Brute.
"Some crazy idea we can talk about later," said Wrex, struggling to make himself heard above the gunfire. "Right now, just concentrate on getting outta there. Get to that bridge and we'll pick you up there."
The foyer was a treacherous place, as much of the floor had given way; one slip would see them fall far into the catacombs below. The group had to be careful how they crossed the jagged floor, all while trying to fend off gunfire from the Cannibals below.
"I hate these guys!" Nicole yelled, firing on another pair of Ravagers. They tried to blast apart parts of the ground, and the group had to move quickly to avoid being swallowed up by the blackness below. In the end, however, they finally made it safely across the treacherous ground, bringing down the creatures with well-placed shots to their optics.
With the way clear, the group reached the bridge, and saw the trucks moving along the dusty ground below. Just when the group thought they were safe, however, the ground shook violently beneath them. Something erupted from the ground behind the trucks, sending plumes of dust everywhere.
"It's Kalros!" Wrex suddenly yelled. "Break off! We're getting outta here!" Even as the group watched, a set of gigantic dorsal spines erupted from the ground, moving like shark fins after the escaping trucks and cutting through part of the bridge as if it was made of paper.
"Kalros' territorial instincts confirmed!" Mordin shrieked.
"She's not gonna get us!" Wrex roared defiantly. The group progressed across the bridge, jumping over the gap Kalros had made. Not daring to look down at the ground, they crossed all the way over to some kind of memorial, lined with statues of Krogan heroes. Through a gap in the walls, they saw the trucks speeding away.
"Go on ahead!" called Wrex. "We'll try to shake this thing off and find you!"
"Thresher maw getting closer!" Mordin yelled again as the stone-like fins of Kalros emerged from the ground again to pursue her prey.
"Tell me something I don't know!" snapped Wrex.
"Metal in truck an excellent iron supplement for maw's diet!" replied Mordin.
"Now I'm kind of glad we're not in the truck," stated James.
The group were not out of the woods yet, however, as more Reaper forces tried to intercept them. They dived for cover as Reaper shots chipped pieces off the statues.
"Shepard," Mordin's voice quavered. "Wrex busy driving truck. Are you still alive?"
"Doing what we can!" Shepard grunted as she returned fire on the marauding Reapers. "What about you?"
"Alarmed yet entertained!" Mordin squawked. "Kalros is quite persistent!"
"Wreav, stick close!" Wrex's voice said.
"Drive faster!" was Wreav's angry reply. "I can smell the damn thing's breath!"
After a minute of close calls, the last Marauder was brought down, its head exploding with the force from one of Garrus' bullets. Listening above the wind, the group heard the sounds of the trucks' engines approaching them again. Jumping down from a gap in the wall, the group found themselves on a set of steep steps that led down to the dunes. From here, they saw the trucks approach.
"Get over here!" Wrex called. "Wreav, keep an eye out for that maw! I don't want it sneaking up on us!" Wreav stopped his truck close to the temple, while Wrex's truck reached the steps.
"Make it quick, Wrex!" barked Wreav grouchily. "We're exposed!"
The truck pulled up right next to the group, and Mordin threw open the side door. Shepard stopped in front of it, moving aside to let the others dash on board.
"Move it!" she bellowed. As if in answer, more plumes of dust could be seen erupting out of the ground, moving in a pattern as Kalros, underground, sped back towards the trucks. Alan was the last to climb on, and Shepard quickly scrambled in after him, as Kalros sped right by their position, the dust consuming Wreav's truck. As soon as Shepard was on board and the hatch was sealed, Wrex floored the accelerator, and the truck went speeding away from the temple, as something dragged Wreav's truck into the sands, taking Wreav with it.
"There's no way Wreav would have survived that," Wrex said, without a trace of regret in his voice. "He was a pain in the ass, anyway." The truck buffeted from side to side, bouncing off the dunes. "Now let's finish this. There's a Reaper waiting for us."
"Kedzuel's on his way with reinforcements," Alan pointed out.
"We can't wait for him," barked Wrex gruffly. "Eve and I have got a plan, and what's more, it's brilliant."
After a couple of minutes of rough travel, the truck stopped at a ruined temple right at the base of the Shroud itself. Standing right in front of the tower, like Cerberus at the gates of Hades, was the Reaper, its intimidating foghorn-like call reverberating all around them. Everybody stepped out of the truck, and James shook his head in disbelief when he saw what awaited them.
"I hope somebody has a Plan B," he said.
"Why didn't anybody tell me I was being roped into another suicide mission?" Garrus chimed in.
"We're curing the genophage no matter what it takes," snarled Wrex. "Everything my people will ever be depends on it!"
"Then I hope this idea of yours is as brilliant as you say it is," sighed Shepard. Even she felt herself beginning to lose her nerve in front of this titan. Close to her, she saw Alan's team had equal looks of unease on their faces.
"It was hers, actually," said Wrex, indicating Eve.
"Kalros," said Eve firmly. "We summon her to the Reaper." Alan's head spun around so fast he was sure it would fly right off his head.
"Would that even work?!" he exclaimed, incredulous.
"Already discussed strategy," said Mordin. "Just need to distract Reaper, draw it from tower while cure is synthesised and released."
"What makes you so sure she'll come?" asked Shepard, looking doubtful.
"Legends say she is the mother from which all other thresher maws spawn," said Eve. "This is as much her home as ours."
"If Tuchanka has a temper," Wrex chimed in, "Kalros is it. Nobody's ever faced her and survived."
"This is insane…" murmured Shepard. "But if she can at least keep it off our backs until Kedzuel's forces arrive…" In the end, she nodded, though rather reluctantly. "How would we summon her?"
"The tower was built in an arena dedicated to her glory," Eve explained. "The Salarians thought she would scare away intruders."
"Appears to have worked," Mordin chimed in.
"There are two maw hammers here," said Eve. "The largest in existence, one on each side of the arena." She pointed to two ramps leading up into the stands, skirting around the edges of the arena itself. "If one team can get to one hammer, the other to the second, they can activate them to summon Kalros. That should distract the Reaper."
"Meanwhile, laboratory nearby," said Mordin. "Will finish synthesising cure."
Alan and Shepard looked at each other, then at everyone else assembled. It was a gigantic gamble, but they didn't see any other options.
"Let's just make sure we all get out of this alive," said Shepard firmly. "We're gonna have one hell of a story to tell."
"I'll take the hammer on the right," said Alan. "The sooner we give this a shot, the better." As he was about to head to the ramp, however, Wrex held up a hand.
"Wait…" he grunted. Alan paused, then walked back to the others. Wrex looked at both of them, the light of hope gleaming in his eyes.
"I want you both to know that, no matter what happens…" he continued, standing tall before them. "You've both been champions to the Krogan people, friends to Clan Urdnot, and sister and brother to me." He held out his hand before him. "To every Krogan born after this day, the names 'Shepard' and 'Tyler' will mean 'hero'!" Shepard and Alan placed their hands on top of his, this simple gesture of unity somehow strengthening them, giving them hope for the future. When their hands parted, Wrex punched his palm. "Now let's show 'em why!"
Behind them, the skittering noises of approaching Ravagers could be heard. The teams raised their weapons to attack, but Wrex pushed past them.
"Go!" he barked. "I've got this!" With that, he drew his shotgun and charged right into the field of Ravagers, swatting each aside like flies and blasting their bulbous sacs apart. "I am Urdnot Wrex!" he roared. "And now you're gonna get the fuck off my planet!"
"See you on the other side," Shepard said quietly to Eve and Mordin as they retreated to the safety of the lab. Meanwhile, Alan led his team to the right-hand ramp, while Shepard and her squad moved to the left.
More Reaper forces landed, trying to intercept them, but the biggest danger was the Reaper itself. Now and again a great beam, powerful enough to tear entire space stations apart, fired in their direction, reducing everything it touched into mere dust, and the group had several close calls as it tried to destroy the walkways. They fought until every muscle in their bodies ached, not daring to show signs of exhaustion now.
"I took care of those Rachni," Wrex barked, "but somebody's gotta raise those hammers before we can use 'em! I'll handle it!"
"Shepard!" Mordin squawked amidst the chaos. "Some luck! Original strain in storage! Preparing the cure now."
"Make it quick, Mordin!" yelled Shepard. "They're all over us out here!" She was forced to duck out of sight as one of the Cannibals' grenades went flying right over her head, forcing her to dash out of the way of the blast.
"The hammers have been raised!" Wrex then called, as the Reaper almost took out the walkways, forcing Alan's group to jump back and almost knocking them into the arena below. "You'll have to activate both of them at the same time, or close enough! My advice is to dodge that giant laser!"
"You've got to be kidding!" Nicole yelled, diving down as the laser came very close to consuming her. "Are we really doing this?!" There was nowhere to hide between them and the hammers.
"Just keep moving!" Alan yelled, sprinting faster than he thought was possible for him. "Don't stop!" Fragments of rock exploded all around him as the laser fired this way and that; Alan seethed, knowing that it was bound to get a lucky shot sooner or later. However, as it opened up its red eye to fire at them again, gunfire erupted from somewhere behind the teams, knocking it back a little. All of a sudden Turian and Sangheili fighters swooped overhead, speeding towards the Destroyer.
"This is Artimec and Spear!" one of the pilots called. "We'll try to give that Reaper something else to shoot at!" Luckily the plan worked, for the Destroyer pitched itself back, firing its laser into the sky to try to swat down the swooping, soaring fighters.
"Mordin, we're almost at the hammers!" Shepard called. "How's the cure doing?!"
"Almost have it!" Mordin replied, now actually panicked. "Eve's vital signs dropping! Trying to compensate!"
"Get those hammers going!" barked Wrex.
"There's a Reaper in our way, Wrex!" Alan yelled.
"I know!" Wrex grunted. "You two get all the fun!"
The walkways led down to ramps that stopped right at the hammers. They looked like gigantic metal logs, suspended above the ground with great chains, and the switches to activate them were on opposite sides of the Reaper. As both teams dashed down, one of the crab-like machine's legs actually came crashing down dangerously close to Shepard's team, almost crushing them. Barely dodging it, they reached the hammer.
"Alan!" Shepard barked. "You at your hammer?!"
"We've made it!" Alan replied. "But it was a near thing!"
"On my mark!" Shepard ordered. "Three! Two! One! Mark!"
At the same time, both Alan and Shepard pounded the large switches, releasing the chains and sending the great logs crashing down. They hit the ground with a resounding crash, sending shockwaves through the dust.
"Go!" Shepard yelled at her team. "Get back to the truck! I'll take care of the cure!"
Alan did the same, so James, Garrus, Nicole and Dorva dashed through the arena, while Alan and Shepard waited by the switches, praying that their plan would work. In the distance, they saw Kalros' spines moving swiftly along the sand dunes as if she was speeding through water. The Reaper turned to her, and fired its laser, spraying sand everywhere.
However, it missed, and when it was but a short distance away, and with a deafening shriek, Kalros, the great queen of the thresher maws, sprang out of the ground, mandibles apart. She collided with the Reaper, latching onto it with the long claws on the end of her stalk-like arms. Worm and machine wrestled violently, the Reaper staggering back. It sent its laser everywhere, almost hitting Shepard as she sprinted across the arena, trying to get closer to the tower. Alan did the same, glancing up to see what was happening.
To his horror, the Reaper managed to swing about and send Kalros slamming into the tower, and for one horrible moment he thought she would send it toppling over. Even worse, as she tried to retreat, the Destroyer managed to strike her with the ruby cannon, first blinding her. She let out an agonising shriek and reared, allowing the Reaper to shoot again, this time penetrating her soft underside. A hole was shot clean through her, and the silenced Kalros collapsed, her valiant heart liquidated. The Reaper quickly got its act together, almost crushing Shepard with its foot, forcing her to dive for cover behind a pillar. She panted, frustration all over her face. The plan had failed. Nothing was left now to get the Reaper away from the tower.
"Fuck!" Alan roared. "Now what do we do?!"
The air became charged and Shepard could taste a strange metallic sensation upon her tongue. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her armour sparked with white, dancing, electrical fingers. She looked around and noted the same for Alan as well.
"What the hell is going on?" she asked. "What is this?"
"I know this feeling," said Alan. "I've seen it, I've felt it before."
A thunderous crack of a cannon and the flash of a lightning bolt struck the Reaper. The deep purple hued titanic, mechanical creature sparked and sputtered as lightning raced up and down its sides. It moaned and fell over, crashing into a cloud of brown debris. The ground quaked beneath its fall. As the cloud slowly dispersed, there stood a titanic figure dressed in heavy armour. It was much taller than Kiryuu, Alan thought. It was dressed very similar to how he found Megellan back at the Halo when he was held prisoner. A pair of large, bat-like wings spread out from under its armoured cloak, its fingers were coppery gold and the membranes were ruby red. He could see the curled golden, branched horns from the creature's head and the bundles of long, auburn dreadlocks draping all the way down to its knees. The locks were decorated in gold and glowing icy blue stones. Electricity danced across the creature's form.
"A Blitzardi," said Alan. "Kedzuel must have sent him... or is that Kedzuel?"
The Blitzardi turned to reveal that its face was covered with a draconic helm and glowing blue optics.
"Doa dat je'ganthar!" the Blitzardi. "Rao!"
"What did he say?" asked Shepard.
"Sounds like wants us to move," said Alan.
They moved back as quickly as they could though Alan wanted very much to stand and watch this.
"One lone Blitzardi against a Reaper," said Shepard. "Is this the help Kedzuel promised? Where's the rest of them?"
"Do you see the size of that Blitzardi?" said Alan. "He's bigger than Kiryuu Knight! I think he can take the Reaper down."
They moved to a safer location but still, the need to watch over came them. So, the two settled themselves by a rock to watch this battle of behemoths begin.
The Blitzardi ignited his cyan energy sword as the Reaper rose back up, shaking loose the rocks from its metallic hide. It faced its attacker, the central crimson beam charging from one of its 'eyes'. It shot forth, streaking across the ground, the heat melting the sand beneath into glass. The Blitzardi winked out of sight as the beam impacted one of the ancient, archaic structures, knocking loose the fresco. The Blitzardi reappeared and struck one of its lobster-like legs severing it with a slice of the cyan sword. A second leg kicked out, slamming against the Blitzardi's head, sending him colliding into the rock face just below the group gathered to watch. The Blitzardi rose from the rubble, shaking it loose from his shoulders. It was then they could actually see its face as the helm fell. The Blitzardi was indeed recognizable to them with the streak of silver in his bangs.
"Emperor Kedzuel?" asked Shepard. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"Finding a new way of calming my anger down!" Kedzuel bellowed as he rose up, his shadow stretching over them. In a blur of light and electricity, he took off again and with a single kick, sent the Reaper ploughing back. Just before the Reaper could rise, Kedzuel vanished again.
In the cloud of dust, they saw the shape of the Reaper rise up, lying flat against its back. Something else was lifting it up. As the clouds cleared again, they found Kedzuel under the Reaper holding it up above his head as best he could.
"Don't tell me this has something to do with what Eve said earlier!" said Alan.
"No!" Kedzuel roared as he felt the Reaper's weight bore down upon him. "This is about the Dalatrass! Who the hell does that stupid bitch think she is?"
With a mighty grunt, the Emperor hefted the Reaper up and tossed it right into a sandy cliff. The Reaper's slick form sparked and twitched just for a moment. Kedzuel kept his eyes upon the Reaper, placing himself between it and Alan and Shepard. His keen, pointed ears caught the sound of a truck riding up the slope and the door opening up. Out popped Mordin, the truck speeding away as soon as his feet hit the dirt. His big eyes wide and his mouth gaping with slight awe when he looked upon Kedzuel's titanic, true size.
"Mordin!" said Shepard. "What happened?!"
"Well, Shepard, I…." He began to say, but his eyes could not leave Kedzuel. "I am so sorry, I must inquire…is that…"
"Mordin," said Shepard. "This isn't the time. What has happened?"
"I do have good news and bad news, Shepard," Mordin said.
"Good news first," said Alan.
"The good news is that I have successfully created the cure to the genophage."
Kedzuel leaned in just a little closer, though his eyes did not leave the Reaper. He detected a slight twitch from one of the Reaper's legs.
"What's the bad news?" Kedzuel asked.
"I am afraid that the plan to use Kalros to destroy the Reaper unfortunately has damaged the Shroud," replied Mordin.
"Can we get the cure dispersed in time?" Shepard asked.
"Yes," he said. "But we must work quickly. Not much time until tower falls. Must counteract STG measures before it does."
"Alright," said Kedzuel as he watched the Reaper wiggle back to life, the red eyes turning on and glowing brightly. "Get up there and do what you need to do. I'll keep the Reaper busy." He could hear the sound of the joints creaking to life with a metallic screech. "Get going, now!"
Alan and Shepard dashed off, following Mordin and leaving Kedzuel to face the Reaper alone.
The Blitzardi lit up with electricity, striking the Reaper with multiple barrages of lightning bolts. The Reaper squirmed with every strike, letting loose a horrible, metallic shriek of agony. Kedzuel backed away from it and struck it again with another bolt of lightning from his fingers. The fingers of the bolt laced across the Reaper's form and it slowly rose up higher and higher. He ignited his sword in his right hand as he kept the Reaper levitated with the left. Kedzuel extended the length of the sword out, curling it back for the strike.
Not this time, Draconis... Kedzuel heard the sound of the Hydra's hissing voice coming from the Reaper.
The lightning shifted colour from the pale yellow to a bold gold. Kedzuel could feel the energy shift and the bolt he fed to the Reaper to keep it suspended fluctuate. Sparks flashed from his fingers and he let go, feeling himself being thrown back by a pulse from the Reaper. His fingers ached and twitched as he rose up again.
So, you want to play with lightning, Blitzardi?
Kedzuel's shoulder twitched as he rose back up to his feet. He tore his glove from his claw and peered down upon his scales. The coppery golden colour was fading away, becoming a pallid, sickly teal.
What's the matter, Mr. Jerry Hamilton? Feeling a little blue?
"Oh, Gorath, funny," Kedzuel said, his voice sounding like raspy sand paper. "Perhaps instead of galactic domination, you should be a comedian! And only Cara can call me Jerry."
He straightened his back and charged his body up again, the blue fading away from his scales.
Kedzuel tilted his head, cracking the joints in his neck. The Reaper rose as well and once more the Blitzardi could hear King Ghidorah's voice booming out from it again.
Let us continue our dance. The dance of millions of years that yours and mine have danced. How does it go…
"This time, I will make sure you stay gone!" said Kedzuel.
Your predecessor said that as well. Look what happened to him. The years of fighting weighing down upon his shoulders. Khan could not take it anymore. Billions of years have we fought, if not in this form, but in others. And it will continue as it has been before as it shall be again. Dancing our dance.
Kedzuel grunted, igniting another sword in his left hand, shaking his head in defiance.
The Reaper replied, its cannon shot true with a blinding red light. Kedzuel dodged as quickly as he could through the beam. The Reaper turned, the beam itself sweeping across the sand. Kedzuel zapped across the dunes, arcing up and around the Reaper's feet as the beam barely missed him.
What ponderous burden you carry. It is no wonder why Cerenath Khan left these primitives to their own devices thousands of years before. Perhaps you should do the same.
"I think I've had enough of listening to you," said Kedzuel as he came to his feet. He held out his palm and shielded himself and the smaller beings below him from the red beam of the Reaper. "You're not funny anymore!"
Do you honestly believe that you have been blessed? The chosen people above all else. It is a curse, not a blessing.
"Preaching to the choir here."
Kedzuel heard King Ghidorah's wicked laugh in his head. The Reaper ceased its onslaught upon the Blitzardi. Kedzuel closed his eyes, breathing slowly in and out, finding his centre. He sneered at the mocking laugh and his body flashed with electric light. Kedzuel vanished again in a strike of lightning, the bolt clashing upon the Reaper's form. Flashes of cyan light exploded along the joints of the Reaper's legs. Kedzuel reappeared again and clashed the two cyan swords together, extending their length out towards the Reaper. The blade extended several hundreds of feet before him, every inch bringing it closer to his foe. The tip of the sword shot straight through the red eye of the Reaper, impaling it in a burst of white sparks. He cut upwards with a long swing, slicing the Reaper in half. The Blitzardi made one final swing, cutting across its flank. The Reaper toppled piece by piece, crumbling down into a mass of writhing wires. What was left of the red optic fell to blackness.
You win this round…
Kedzuel sighed as he heard King Ghidorah's admittance of defeat and he felt the Hydra's presence leave the form of the Reaper. The heap of metal's coloration shifted to grey as tiny speckles of golden light slowly rose from its ruined form. He could feel them, every one of them. Souls, twisted and mutilated souls, forever crying out for rest, but never tasting it. They formed for a brief moment a massive draconic form with four legs and two gigantic wings, twin tails, and three heads. He heard the sound of three voices singing a bell-like call, each one only slightly different pitched than the other.
But the war is far from over…
"Go run back to your... home with your two tails between your legs, King Ghidorah," said Kedzuel, heavily breathing as he spoke. "There's more of that coming for you! You just wait."
The ghostly apparition dispersed into flecks of golden light, rising higher and higher into the yellow sky. Kedzuel's paws became limp as the swords vanished from his grip.
"Emperor beats King always," he said between his panting breaths. "That... that's how you handle a Reaper. You pound the living shit outta them until they say 'uncle'."
"My Emperor!" Kedzuel heard the sound of Zhane's worried voice through his own commlink. "You're wounded!"
"Shut up, you 30 thousand ton featherweight," said Kedzuel. "A Reaper could sneeze on you and you'd blow away."
He felt so relaxed, as if every bit of stress had melted away after the Reaper was finally destroyed. Kedzuel settled himself down against the cliff and looked up towards the Shroud. The glistening glowing cords draping from his neck gathered all about him in a pool of bright blue. His eyes still remained upon the Shroud, waiting for whatever was supposed to happen to happen.
0
Amidst the pounding and crackling resounding from the battle outside, Alan and Shepard managed to get inside the control room at the base of the tower. Mordin's fingers were now frantically flying over one of the long-abandoned consoles, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Mordin!" Shepard called, as she ran down to him. "Is the cure ready to go?"
"Yes!" Mordin replied. "Loaded for dispersal in two minutes! Procedure traumatic for Eve, but not lethal. Maelon's research invaluable!"
"She's okay?" asked Alan.
"Headed to safety now," replied Mordin. "Will meet you with Wrex and the others at the Hollows. Her survival fortunate. Will stabilise new government should Wrex get any ideas. Good match; promising future for Krogans." He was struggling to make himself heard above the explosions in the tower and the footfalls outside that each resounded like thunder. All of a sudden a piece of debris came down from the tower, slamming into the floor dangerously close to where the trio were standing.
"Shit!" exclaimed Alan.
"Control room at top of Shroud tower," said Mordin, pointing towards the large elevator in the back of the room. "Must take elevator up!"
"You're going up there?!" said an incredulous Shepard.
"Yes," replied Mordin, working frantically on his Omni-Tool. "Manual access required. Have to counteract STG sabotage. Ensure cure dispersed properly!"
"Mordin, this whole thing's coming apart!" barked Alan. "There's got to be another way!"
"Remote bypass impossible!" Mordin explained, turning to look up at the tower as it continued to crumble, the sky turning a sickly shade of green amidst the dark clouds. "STG countermeasures in place. No time to adjust cure for temperature variance!" He lowered his head, speaking more softly as he turned back to look at the others. "No other option. Not coming back. Suggest you and Emperor Kedzuel get clear. Explosions likely to be problematic." He began to march toward the elevator, but Shepard stepped forward.
"Mordin, no!" she exclaimed. However, Mordin did not stop. He walked straight into the elevator and span around to speak to her.
"Shepard, please…" he said softly, looking reflective. "Have to do this. My project. My work. My cure. My responsibility." He closed his eyes, and actually managed to smile in spite of himself. "Would have liked to have worked with Emperor Kedzuel on other projects. Maybe retire to a beach and experiment on seashells."
Alan was about to run into the elevator, but Shepard held out an arm, blocking him. Alan was about to protest, but one look from Shepard – a strong, commanding look – told him that this was one time he could not interfere. Mordin had made his choice, and they would have to respect his final wishes.
"I'm sorry…" Shepard said to Mordin.
"I'm not," said Mordin brightly. "Had to be me." He closed the elevator door. "Someone else might have gotten it wrong." The elevator began to rise, and Mordin caught one last look at his friends' despairing faces, then looked back up towards the control room, praying that the elevator would move faster. A short distance away he could see Kedzuel strike the Reaper's red optic with his glowing sword. He would have loved to have studied Technomancy, find out what true masters of it were capable of, and would have loved to have studied the Array further. However, he had made his choice, and he was fully prepared to accept his fate.
"Warning," the computerised VI voice in the control room sounded as the elevator stopped. "Temperature malfunction detected." The room was in flames, the consoles lit up with holographic displays showing the deteriorating status of the Shroud, and alarms blazed everywhere. Mordin calmly stepped up to the control console and immediately set to work. In spite of the explosions going off all around him, he remained calm, and even managed to hum the tune he had performed earlier for Alan's benefit. The STG countermeasures were strong, but nothing he was unfamiliar with, and they soon fell to his commands.
"Temperature now within acceptable range," the VI reported. "Dispersal commencing." At once, the dark clouds began to fade away, and out of the tower erupted a shower of what looked like bright white snowflakes. This was only a visual signifier to the cure's successful dispersal; the cure itself was invisible, and even now it was beginning to be mingled with Tuchanka's atmosphere. The Krogans would soon be breathing it in, their millennia-long curse finally lifted. He knew there was no time to get back down the tower; he simply stood before the console, completely at peace, awaiting the explosions to engulf him while watching the beautiful sight of his contribution to the war effort falling on the no longer so desolate-seeming world.
"My xenoscience studies range from urban to agrarian," he sang softly. "I am the-"
There was a loud crash, the console smashed and splintered as flames shot out from it, and the song was silenced forever.
0
Kedzuel wandered through the Hollows with a heavy heart, now reduced to human size. Soon after the cure's release, as the tower began to collapse behind them, he had teleported himself, Shepard and Alan to the Hollows to reconvene with the others, who had taken the truck back there. Even now, while the tower crumbled away, the snow-like remnants of the cure continued to fall, continuing to mingle the miracle with the atmosphere. Kedzuel had only had to feel it fall into his hand to know that the Krogans were now breathing the cure in; Mordin's sacrifice had not been in vain. There was much he wanted to say to the others, but for now, under the circumstances, he reasoned it could wait a little longer.
The three of them descended to the middle of the Hollows, where they found Wrex and Eve waiting for them. Wrex was looking around the great coliseum-like archways with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"A long time ago," he said as he heard the trio approach, "my father betrayed me in this place. His own son… He tried to kill me. So I had to kill him… right over there." He pointed to one side of the dais." He turned to face the others. "That's what the genophage reduced us to: animals. But you three changed that today."
"Now we'll fight for our children, not against them," said Eve, her eyes closed. "It's just a pity Mordin had to die…"
"He wouldn't have had it any other way," Shepard sighed. "And I'm sure wherever he is… he's putting in a good word for us." She looked meaningfully at Kedzuel, who nodded, lines of sadness etched on his face.
"We'll name one of the kids after him," said Wrex. "Maybe a girl."
"But you…" Eve said, looking at each face in turn. "Commander, Captain, Emperor… we can thank you in-person."
"I'm deploying troops to Palaven immediately," said Wrex to Kedzuel. "Victus and I can co-ordinate them when we're back on the Shi'lithra. When you're ready to kick the Reapers off Earth, let me know." He beat a fist into his palm. "The Krogan are back in business!"
"Thank you all," said Eve, shaking each of their hands in turn.
"What will you do now?" asked Alan.
"Spread the hope that you've given us," replied Eve softly. "Even now there are clans gathering in the Kelphic Valley. I'll go speak to them and make sure this gift isn't squandered. Thank you all for everything, and know that Urdnot Bakara calls you friends."
She bowed, and the others bowed to her in return. The sun had now fully risen, and for the first time in over a millennia the landscape of Tuchanka didn't speak of desolation and despair; it spoke of potential and new hope.
