TUCHANKA

The sun set two hours ago. Shepard loved the brilliant reds and oranges and longed for her Adirondack chair in her backyard. She misses Liara and her kids terribly and wants nothing more than to be home in the backyard holding the hand of the woman she loves.

Shepard is on top of a large boulder overlooking the compound where the scouts said the Krogan women are being held. She has been watching for two hours. She spotted two of the women and reported her findings. Eli and his troops moved into position an hour ago. They are waiting for Shepard's signal. Wrex has her back in case any of them circle round looking. Shepard doubts that will happen though. The Clan Jurdon Krogan are horribly predictable. Their patrol routes are the same, they take the same time to walk them and they change shifts at the same time. Shepard has been checking the times and they match with what the scouts reported when they watched the compound over a day ago.

It has been nearly a week now since Shepard has heard from Liara or the kids. She has no idea what is going on outside of Tuchanka and she has no idea how she is going to get back to her family. If Wrex and Eli and are not successful, well Shepard is not allowing herself to think about it. They cannot fail, they simply cannot fail.

"Team A ready Shepard," says Eli.

Shepard hears from all teams. "You have a go, you have a go." Through her scope she can see two teams move in toward the front. "Right side clear. You have two minutes." The Krogan teams move quickly. Four Krogan are quickly killed, their bodies dragged out of sight. Shepard sweeps her scope left to right then right to left. "Movement. Team 4 watch your backs."

Team 4 is not so quiet. Two shots ring out. A young Krogan pulled the trigger instead of keeping things quiet. Suddenly an alarm is sounded and Shepard hears more gunfire that reminds her of fireworks.

"Cover, take cover!" says Shepard as she pulls the trigger taking off the head of a Clan Jurdon Krogan who was not wearing a helmet.

Shepard hears something behind her but trusts in Wrex's ability. Her eye does not move from her scope. "Team 3 take it, move, move, move!" Team 3 is in charge of freeing the Krogan women while the other teams take care of the rest of the Clan Jurdon Krogan. Now out of sight Shepard hopes that the team does not come in contact with more forces than the team can handle.

"Status?"

"Someone got trigger happy." Shepard replies to Wrex as she continues to sweep her scope back and forth. She fires another shot then watches a fellow Krogan finish the job.

"You see the women yet?"

"No yet Wrex, you got my back?" Shepard fires again.

Wrex growls.

"Taking heavy fire! We are cornered," says Eli.

"Teams five and six reposition, get to teams one and two location now!" says Shepard. She fires again and again. Then she hears a shotgun blast from behind her. Hearing the crunch of sand on rock Shepard quickly rolls leaving her sniper rifle and pops up on her feet with her sidearm drawn and ready to fire.

Wrex is standing there looking a bit surprised. No not surprised…injured. Another shot rings out and Shepard is thrown from her feet. She rolls off the boulder and lands hard on her right shoulder. Slowly getting her bearings Shepard sees him, a very large Krogan. She knows he is not an ally. She hears a deep laugh then sees the barrel of the shotgun point right at her. Sidearm still in hand Shepard shifts onto her back and fires. She does not stop until her clip is empty. The Krogan falls over dead, the weight of him felt as the ground vibrates when he lands.

Shepard turns off the warning her shield is giving her. She slowly stands to her feet. She rolls her shoulder thankful it is not out of its socket. She quickly moves to the back of the boulder with firearm up to see if Goliath had anyone with him. When she feels there is no one else around she quickly climbs up the boulder. "Wrex? Wrex?" Out of breath she sees the Krogan kneeling. His back is to her. Shepard moves around him.

"Shit Wrex, Wrex can you hear me?"

The Krogan lifts his head up a little. "Sorry Shepard."

"Let's get you on your back." Shepard bends down to help him but his hand stops her.

"No need." He starts to cough.

"Let me help you Wrex. There is a kit in the Tomkah."

Wrex grabs her wrist before she can leave the boulder again. "Get to your post Shepard."

Shepard shakes her head, "I need to stop the bleeding Wrex. Please let me help you."

"Get to your post. Now."

Shepard has seen that look. The look of determination, the look that says do not piss me off right now, the look that says please do what I say. So reluctantly she does. She holsters her firearm, pats Wrex on the shoulder then returns to her sniper rifle to provide cover.

THESSIA

Valya slept alone. Feeling better than she has since she came home from the hospital the asari stands and is only slightly dizzy. She showers and dresses hoping to have a conversation with her bondmate then stop by to see her partner Atalia to talk some sense into her. Valya is not due back to work for another few days, but she doesn't want to wait. She needs to figure out what to do with her daughter. Valya leaves her bedroom to find her bondmate talking at a hurried pace. When she reaches the kitchen she sees why.

"Valya…honey…you're up." Dara looks nervous as she quickly gives Valya a kiss on the cheek and a slight hug. "We have a guest."

"Hello Detective Valya. I apologize for coming to your home but I did state that I could not wait until you returned to work."

"Justicar."

"Samara please."

"You should have called first Justicar." Valya sees Dara stiffen.

"I apologize. Your superior informed me that you would be cooperative."

"And I will be but I do not appreciate you just coming over here unannounced." Valya feels Dara's hand on her back. The former commando knows she needs to calm down but she is angry.

"Why don't I fix some breakfast. Have you eaten Samara?" asks Dara. She leaves Valya's side to attend to their guest.

"Thank you, but I have no need for breakfast. I only need ask a few questions then I must be going."

"Coffee then or a beverage?"Dara gestures to the kitchen chair.

"Water thank you." Samara sits.

Valya lets out a breath and tells herself to calm down. She sits across from the Justicar. "What would you like to know?"

Dara places a glass of water in front of them both then sits down.

Samara looks at Dara then at Valya.

The former commando touches Dara's hand. "Honey. We need to speak in private."

Dara stiffens again as she narrows her eyes at her bondmate. She smiles when she looks at the Justicar. "Of course. I need to run some errands anyway. Call me if you need anything." Dara leaves the house.

"I apologize if I have caused tension between the two of you," says Samara.

Valya waits a few seconds before replying so she is not out of line. She wants her emotions in check. "What can I assist you with?"

"I have been tracking the asari that calls herself Shadow for nearly six months. Her actions have led me here to Thessia."

"Why has it taken you so long to catch her?"

"As I told your supervisor Meryl, we Justicar are few in number. I was called away during the time I was tracking her. I am hoping to catch up with her again here."

"How do you know she is an Ardat-Yakshi?"

"I have seen the damage in her wake. Part of my reconnaissance has been to ensure she is Ardat-Yakshi. She is not as I remember them."

"What do you mean?"

"Before the war the Ardat-Yakshi I hunted seduced their victims. Enthralled them and had them do whatever they wanted. Some had a few just follow them around to do their bidding. I find that most of the Ardat-Yakshi I have come across seduce and kill. This one is different. This one is patient. And the victims she chooses is most disconcerting."

Valya swallows.

"Shadow preys on young asari. She seduces but not for sex at least not at first. It is almost as if she is growing an army."

"An army?"

"You are familiar with the term?"

"Yes of course," says Valya. "Are you saying she is going around and infecting as many young asari as she can?"

"That is my belief yes. Though I believe she looks for a particular kind of asari. Usually one that is gifted in their biotic ability."

"How does she infect them?"

"Unknown."

"What happens to the victims?"

"I do not understand your question."

"What happens to these young asari she infects? How long does the affect have on them? I mean is it decades or?"

"Decades?"

Valya sees a spark behind Samara's eyes. She wonders if she has said too much.

"The victims usually die from brain damage or sooner if the Ardat-Yakshi so wishes it. I am not aware of the affects lasting longer than a few months, let alone decades Detective. However, with this particular Ardat-Yakshi, she does seem to retain influence over her victims for longer than I have seen in the past."

"I see."

"What makes you ask about decades Detective?"

Valya swallows again. She changes the subject. "Did Meryl, um, my supervisor tell you the history of the Ardat-Yakshi we came into contact with 80 years ago?"

"No she did not. She informed me that you could provide the information I seek."

"A little over 80 years ago an Ardat-Yakshi became obsessed with a certain asari, Mia T'Soni."

Samara stops sipping her water. Her eyes lock on Valya's. "T'Soni? As in Dr. Liara T'Soni?"

"Yes."

"Is she here on Thessia?"

"Look I know she is famous but I cannot give you specific information."

"You misunderstand Detective. I know Shepard and Liara. Is Mia their daughter?"

Valya narrows her eyes at the Justicar. She knows part of their code is not to lie but she has come across some pretty weird fans. "How do you know them?"

"I aided the retired Captain prior to the Reaper War and then again during the war."

Valya's eyes widen, "You're…you're that Justicar?"

"I suspect the answer is yes."

"Shepard has told me about her old crew. I remember her speaking about a Justicar and how she had to kill her own …" Valya's voice trails off. She looks at the Justicar in a mixture of amazement and fear. "You…you killed one of your own daughters." Valya suddenly does not feel well.

"Yes." Samara sets her glass of water down. "Are you well Detective?"

"Uh..I…I'm not feeling well no." Valya tries to stand but is hit with dizziness. She slumps in her chair holding her head between her hands.

"Allow me to help you."

Valya can feel the Justicar by her side. "I…I'll be okay…it should pass."

"Shall I call your bondmate?"

Valya takes in slow deep breaths. She is suddenly sweating all over and she can feel her heart racing.

"Detective?"

Valya does not reply. Her eyes are closed and she is concentrating on wishing the dancing black spots from her eyes. She does not want to pass out.

"Here is some more water." She feels the Justicar's hand on her shoulder.

Valya with a shaking hand takes a sip and then another. "I'm okay…I'll be okay….I just need a minute."

"Of course."

After a few minutes, the sweating has subsided and Valya's heart is no longer racing. She looks up at the Justicar across from her. "I'm sorry."

"I am aware of how you were injured Detective."

Valya's heart sinks. Did she hear correctly?

"Meryl informed me of the specifics. She suspects Dava has been infected. Your question about the affects lasting decades informs me that you too suspect something is wrong with her. Is this true?"

"You stay away from my daughter." Though the black spots are not entirely gone Valya is filled with fire. She will not be bullied. She will not allow harm to come to her daughter.

"I must see her Detective."

"You will do NO such thing!" Valya stands and grips the edges of the table when the world spins.

Samara also stands. "I understand your concern however that does not change what I must do."

"You stay away from my daughter or so help me." Valya is starting to sweat again. Her arms which are the only things holding her up at the moment are starting to shake.

"Please sit down Detective you are not well."

Valya has no choice but to sit down.

"Allow me to help you to your bedroom."

"How did you do it?" Valya is holding her head between her hands again. She does not look at the Justicar when she asks the question.

"Do what?"

"Kill your own daughter?"

"I did what needed to be done. They were a threat. They were murderers. They had to be stopped."

"Get out."

"Allow me to help you to your…"

"I said get out. NOW!"

"Very well. I will keep your supervisor apprised of my progress on Shadow. When you return to work perhaps you can join your fellow detectives and assist me. Thank you for the water. I will see myself out."

With the Justicar gone, Valya with shaking fingers punches a number on her omni-tool.

TUCHANKA

The compound where the Krogan women were being held was taken in under two hours. Shepard managed to get Wrex into a Tomkah and join the successful Krogan at the compound when she got word from Eli. Wrex is now being looked at while complaining to see the women.

"You okay Shepard?" asks Eli after looking her up and down.

"Yeah, my shields absorbed most of it."

"You should get your neck looked at."

Shepard touches her neck and it comes away with flecks of dried blood. She didn't realize she was bleeding. "I'm fine."

Eli puts his hand on her shoulder, "You did great Shepard. We could not have done this without you."

Shepard nods her head. "You're a good leader Eli. Grunt would be proud."

"Thank you Shepard. I will see what is taking so long." Eli walks down the hall.

Shepard was told that six female Krogan were killed in the assault on the compound. She hopes that Urdnot Bakara was not one of them. She sits down waiting for word on Wrex.

When a Krogan finally appears from Wrex's room Shepard quickly stands. "How is he?"

"His first heart has stopped working. His second heart has been compromised. He will survive the gunshot wound but …"

"But not the poison." Shepard finishes his thought for him.

"You fought well Shepard. I see why he speaks highly of you."

"Thanks."

After the Krogan leaves Shepard enters the makeshift hospital room. "Wrex?"

"Shepard."

"How ya feeling?"

"Still dying."

"Not today though." Shepard touches his hand. "Not today."

"Any word?"

"Eli went to check on what is taking so long. We should hear something soon."

"Casualties?"

Shepard sighs a little. She didn't realize how tired she was until this moment. She sits down on a nearby chair. "Twenty-two, six female, with three wounded."

Wrex growls.

"We don't have enough to take the city Wrex."

He growls again.

"Shepard? I heard you were here."

The human stands and sees Urdnot Bakara standing in front of her. She cannot help feel the heat in her eyes. "Urdnot Bakara. It is very good to see you." Shepard extends her hand.

"You can call me Eve Shepard and I believe your custom is to give a friend a hug."

Shepard smiles when the Krogan opens her arms. She gladly steps into the hug wishing it were Liara. "I am glad you are safe."

"I hear that is mainly your doing."

"I would not say that. Wrex and Eli know strategy. It was their plan."

"You are too modest Shepard." Eve pats her on the shoulder and walks past her to check on Wrex. "And what happened here? You have seen better days Urdnot Wrex."

Wrex holds up his hand which Eve takes. Shepard quietly leaves the room to give them privacy.

She heads down the hall and sees Eli barking orders to a few Krogan. She waits until they disperse before approaching.

"Did you see Urdnot Bakara?" asks Eli.

"I did yes. She is visiting Wrex now."

"You need sleep Shepard."

"What about Jurdon Gran?"

"He will know of our victory soon enough. I doubt he will attack us here."

"Why?"

"Why leave his fortress? He has everything he needs in that City. We have time to prepare an assault. We have time to rest."

"How much time?"

"I would say a few days. I do not want to wait too long before we strike."

"So you plan on going ahead with the assault?"

"We must even if the females have to pick up weapons and fight by our side. They have done it before Shepard."

Shepard nods.

"Come, follow me."

Shepard follows the Krogan through a series of turns inside the compound. He opens a door. Inside is a small room with a bed and an adjacent bathroom. "Sleep. That is an order."

The bed looks inviting but Shepard looks Eli in the eyes, "What about you?"

"I will sleep soon. I need to check on a few more things. There are guards patrolling, you are safe here. The other rooms are occupied by other Krogan. See there."

Shepard's eyes follow where Eli is pointing.

"Guards." Eli turns his attention to Shepard again, "You need sleep."

"Thank you Eli."

"I will have some food sent to you. See you when you wake."

Shepard closes the door and starts to peel off her armor. Her body absolutely aches. Sand escapes to the floor when she takes off her breastplate then boots and the rest of her armor. In the bathroom now with the door closed she is staring at her naked body in the mirror. Her right shoulder is already sporting a deep purple bruise with reds and oranges. She washes her neck in the sink using a washcloth that was hanging on the rack. She sees buckshot from the shotgun that hit her. A few small beads embedded into her skin. Using her knife she carefully cuts them out only causing a few of them to bleed again. Once the shower warms up, Shepard steps into it to let the filth wash off her body.

Looking down at her feet she sees what seems to be half the desert draining away. By the time she gets out of the shower she sees a tray of food on her bed. Still naked with the towel wrapped around her hair Shepard inhales her meal.

She sets the tray aside and climbs under the covers. She usually does not like going to sleep with wet hair but her body does not care. The moment her head hits the pillow she is out.