"Heroism doesn't pay very well. I try to be cold-blooded and money-oriented, but I keep screwing it up."
-Harry Dresden
Sydney, Earth - Miranda Lawson
December 25, 2164
"Merry Christmas, Ori," Miranda said, smiling, but not feeling it.
"Pwesents!" Ori cheered, toddling over to the brightly wrapped packages. She immediately tore into the presents, squealing with delight at each new offering.
Miranda's smile was a bit brighter now. She walked over and helped Ori open the package. The toddler shrieked with delight when she saw the doll inside. "Do you like it Ori? I picked them out, just for you."
"Tanks Meeri!" Ori giggled as she hugged her sister tightly. "But where'ds you pwesents?"
Miranda's smile froze and tightened. "Oh, I'm sure mummy and daddy just forgot to give them to me yet." Pointing at the last package under the tree, Miranda asked, "What about that one, you haven't opened it yet."
"Dat's for you!" Ori proudly declared, taking the package and holding it toward her sister. "See, it's gots you names on it. I drawed it."
Sure enough, the neatly wrapped package read "Miri" though the R was backwards and the letters where huge and misshaped. "Thank you, Ori," Miranda whispered, tears coming to her eyes. Somehow, this small package meant so much more than the thousands of dollars in gift cards and spending accounts she routinely received ever since she had turned ten. When she was little her father had gotten her whatever she wanted. Now she was expected to invest her Christmas money in Fortune 500 companies and show a return on her investment.
Taking care not to damage the wrapping paper, Miranda gently opened her gift. She set the wrapping aside, and wondered who had wrapped the present. It hadn't been Ori, that was certain. When she finally got the gift open her heart sank momentarily when she saw that it was lab equipment. Then she did a double take. The "Lab Equipment" was "Dr. Disguto's Genetic Horrors Factory."
"Its... It's sweets," Miranda murmured, turning the package over. On the back side, a note was carefully taped onto the box. Miranda detached it and opened the folded paper.
"Never believed in religious holidays until recently. Have changed mind with new work. Not sure yet if deity exists, but searching. Answers no longer found in lab experiments. Hope own life is better, my young Companion. Merry Christmas. - The Doctor."
Tears flooded Miranda's eyes, and she bent down to give her sister a big hug. "Thanks, Ori."
"You welcomes," Ori answered cheerfully. "Can I has some sweets too Meeri?"
Brushing aside her tears, Miranda nodded and began to set up the dyes and tubes of dextros and levo sugars that would create their little confectionary wonders. "Of course Ori, it's Christmas."
Sydney, Earth - Mordin Solus
It was time. Everything came down to this. Dr. Solus gazed at his paper notes; this data was too delicate to put into easily monitored electronic form. After years and years of research, he had cracked it. Others had helped, but ultimately it had come down to him. Someone else would have gotten it wrong. The perfect, long term cure to the Genophage. He had it in his hands. And it would be so easy. Just a single alteration in the DNA chain to modify the hormonal levels. No more still births, just a vastly reduced krogan birthrate. That would be what was right, wouldn't it?
"Jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way-"
Mordin turned, and beheld Miranda and her sister singing. They had on matching outfits, red tank tops and miniskirts in a nod to the warm summer weather in Sydney.
"-O what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleight, hey!"
The two girls continued to sing, and Mordin smiled. Miranda winked at him, and continued to guide her sister in the song. Miranda's voice was trained and beautiful. She could easily have appeared on one of those mindless shows humans and quarians were always watching showcasing amateur talents. But her sister, well, she was enthusiastic, that much was certain. Miranda obviously didn't care that her sister's untrained and rather unharmonious voice was detracting from her own performance. Oriana was having a good time, and that was all that mattered to Miranda.
They finished, and Mordin applauded politely. "Good, good. Must be reason for visit though, holidays meant to be spent with family, not in lab."
"Exactly," Miranda declared brightly.
"'xactly." Oriana agreed, nodding seriously.
"Not aware of familial relationship with either child," Mordin remarked, blinking slowly.
Striding over, Miranda handed Mordin a crudely wrapped package and set steaming bags on the table. They smelled of fish and chips. "You're family now, whether you want to be or not," she declared. "You gave me and Ori both presents, and since our... 'parents' can't be bothered to have Christmas dinner with us, we decided to have it with you."
Mordin nodded slowly, then reached in and pulled out the fish and chips from The Captain's Glass. Ah, calamari, his favorite. He handed the children their food. Actually Miranda was now fourteen and could hardly be considered a child he supposed. As they ate, he silently passed Miranda his notes. She had been helping him less and less frequently, but she would understand them.
Her eyes widened as she read, then she snarled in rage. Disgustedly, she tossed the papers to the table. "Who put you up to that?" she demanded, jabbing her finger at the line that showed how to cure the Genophage while reducing krogan fertility. "My father?"
"Illusive Man," Mordin answered.
Miranda snorted derisively. "Figures that pri-incipled man would do something like that."
Glancing at the toddler, Mordin nodded. She was happily eating her fish and chips, her face smeared with ketchup. He reached over with a napkin and absently wiped her face. He had seen plenty of females do the same gesture with hatchlings before.
"They never do that," Miranda sighed, putting her head in her hands as she scooted the paper back into her field of vision.
Mordin blinked several times. "Who neglects what?"
"Wipe her face," Miranda absently replied. "They never do it. They let the nanny or me take care of it."
Frowning slightly, Mordin studied the girl. Young woman. Human biology was odd. He studied her, trying to interpret her emotions. He couldn't quite figure them out, couldn't figure Miranda out in general these days. Though according to the research he conducted, many adults found adolescents hard to fathom. He remained silent as Miranda re-read the report.
Finally, she sighed and neatly shuffled the papers together, handing them back to Mordin. "In a twisted sort of way, it makes sense. But it seems wrong to me. Like we're betraying the krogan. Aren't we supposed to be better than that?"
"Better relative term," Mordin answered reflexively. "Implied morally, in that sense, League often little better than Council. All species willing to exploit others for own gain."
"I suppose," Miranda sighed, smacking Ori's hand away from her own chips. "Don't, you know you'll get sick if you eat mine."
The child stuck her tongue out and pouted, but accepted her older sisters orders, and went back to eating her own dextrose food.
Mordin maintained his silence for a moment, then nodded. "Goodbye," he stated, standing and packing up his notes and samples.
Frowning, Miranda stood and came to stand beside him as he packed. "What do you mean, 'goodbye?' What's up, Doc?"
"Has to be me," Mordin answered. "Someone else might get it wrong. Have to do the right thing. Science neutral. Up to me to make moral decision."
"What?" Miranda cried, then shook herself. "No, never mind, I get it. But why goodbye?"
"Will likely die," Mordin answered, smiling down at Miranda. No. Not down. She as tall as he these days. Remarkable. Children did grow quickly. "Director, Illusive Man, not known for mercy or forgiveness. Will execute me. Intend to give Urdnot Wrex full cure, begin quiet dispersal immediately. Will have to flee into hiding. Still, likely to die."
"I see," Miranda nodded and turned, collecting her sister. "Give us two hours than. Meet us at the space port. Not the main one, the secondary one in the outskirts."
"No, have to say goodbye now," Mordin stated. "Must go alone."
"Don't be foolish, Doc," Miranda sniffed. "We're coming with you."
Blinking furiously, Mordin shook his head. "No. Stay here, have family, future."
"What family?" Miranda snapped. "A father and mother who won't even come to Christmas because they're working on some stupid project? A mum who insists on referring to my sister as an 'experiment?' A life of privilege in a glass cage? Cheers, but no thanks. We'll come with you, Doc. You're doing the right thing. And for once in my life, I'm going to do the same."
With that, Miranda stormed out, and Mordin found himself half smiling. Well. It looked like he was going to have to figure how not to die after all.
New Grecha, Tuchanka - Urdnot Wrex
December 28th, 2164
It was so small. It didn't look like anything, really. A vial of liquid, tinged slightly pink. Bad color for a warrior. But still. Wrex cradled the vial in his hand delicately, still basking in that sense of awe.
"This'll work?" he demanded roughly.
"Yes, yes, have run tests. Will work. Would prefer to remain and ensure trials run smoothly, but would lead to disaster. Illusive Man would find me. Not concerned about self, but..."
Wrex nodded. He had seen the pups the Doctor had along. Funny, humans had the tendency to end up in the oddest places. "My own staff can see to that. And it's a complete reversal, no hidden sterility genes inside?"
"Yes. Why I must flee. Too many rejected idea of full cure. Not right. Had to do it properly. In your hands now. Krogan must rise to task or destroy galaxy again. But fate is your own, no others. Can't make decision for you," The Doctor explained.
Wrex held up the vial, then smashed it on the ground and drank in the fumes as they wafted up to him, drinking in the infection it contained. But this wasn't a plague. It was hope. "Then I won't disappoint you."
New Grecha, Tuchanka - Jak of Tuchanka
"The fuck you lookin' at, cherledra," Jak snarled at the girl who was glaring at her as she gently rocked the quarian hatchling who was still crying. "I didn't mean to scare her, she just shouldn't sneak up on me like that."
"You've done enough damage already, cretin," The girl spat. "I would ask that you not use such vile language in my sister's hearing. She just wanted to play with you, you didn't have to lash out like that."
Jak snarled and half stood, stuffing away her drabbles she had been writing. "What are you gonna do about it, cherledra?" She demanded, letting the batarian curse roll off her tongue. It was something da had taught her, though she was careful not to use it in ma's hearing range.
Carefully, the other girl set the still bawling hatchling down. Then, she glowed blue. Jak was taken aback, she'd never really met many other biotics. "First, I'll kick your ass, baldy." The girl snarled.
Jak quirked an eyebrow. She was shaved head to toe, as was proper for a young krogan. Her skin was oiled and scrubbed regularly so that there was nothing a foe could grab onto and pull painfully. If she had as full a head of hair as the other girl, it would get yanked painfully every time she worked out.
"If that's how you want it, cherledra," Jak taunted, her own biotics easily coming to her. She could kick this pansy's ass no problem.
With a howl of anger, the other human rushed toward Jak. Jak snorted derisively. She wasn't even using a biotic charge. Disdainfully, Jak laid down a singularity, allowing the girl to run straight into the negative gravity well. She grinned malevolently. This was too easy.
To her shock, the other girl didn't cry in panic or freeze up when she found her world suddenly floating away. Instead, she used a biotic blast to blow herself free of the singularity, landing with a dancers grace next to Jak, then driving an elbow toward Jak's stomach. Jak blocked the blow, grunting with the effort. This cherledra was strong, that was sure. She counter attacked at the same time, driving an open palm rippling with biotic force toward her opponents nose. After all, da always said the best defense was to bash the enemy's skull in.
Instead of the satisfying crunch of breaking bone and cartilage, Jak's hand skittered off a biotic barrier and she found herself on her back as her foe swept her legs out from under her. She had to unleash a massive biotic blast to drive her foe back before a boot slammed into her solar plexus. Jak sprang to her feet, ready to unleash a powerful biotic shockwave when a tiny blur injected itself into the battlefield and slammed into Jak.
"YOU LEAVE MEERI ALONE BAD PERSON!" A tiny voice wailed as small fists rebounded harmlessly from Jak's leg.
"Get off!" Jak protested, trying to gently shove away the kid. It was against everything she had ever learned to hurt a juvenile. Children were to be protected, not harmed.
"Ori!" Jak glanced back at her foe, who was rushing toward the interloper with nothing but worry in her eyes.
Jak allowed her to pry the little limpet off her, then frowned down at the pair. The older one glared up at her as she comforted the still crying youngster.
"Oh fine!" Jak declared, throwing up her arms in surrender. "I'm sorry, OK? Just get her to quit it, I can't stand it when little kids cry."
"You might want to get used to it, pyjak," a deep voice rumbled from behind her. Jak spun to find her da looking down at her thoughtfully. "Going to be a lot of little pyjaks running around in a bit."
"What do you mean, da?" Jak asked, slightly baffled. She knew about the Genophage, and how it prevented krogan from having all that many kids.
"He means we just brought you the Genophage cure, baldy," an angry voice spat from behind her.
Her da nodded confirmation to those words, and Jak's eyes widened with horror. She spun around and bowed deeply. "Oh Ancients, I apologize for my shameful behavior," she babbled, not daring to look up as her face flushed bright red. How was she supposed to know that this kid was part of that team? Or that they had actually delivered the goods?
She heard a heavy sigh and some hiccups from the little quarian, then the biotic mumbled, "It's OK, I've had a rough couple of days myself. Sorry I attacked you."
"Eh, I wouldn't worry about it," Da chuckled. "You have my thanks, Miranda Lawson. I never thought the spawn of Henry Lawson would actually have anything approaching a conscience."
"Miranda Lawson is dead," the girl declared, her voice leaden. "I'm Miri Goldstein. My father's a racist son of a bi-rick, even in this day and age."
"I'm Ori!" The child declared helpfully, pointing to herself. "Miri says I'm gonna have to wear the funny clothes just like mummy!"
"She's no mum," Miranda snarled, then composed herself and nodded politly to da. "Overlord Wrex. I apologize that you had to see me in such a state."
"Don't apologize," Da grunted. "Took a quad to do what you and the Doctor did. I wish we could repay you, but honestly his plan to take you into hiding is a good one. And don't tell me where you're going. I don't want to know."
"Wise. Must be going, Illusive Man's spies sure to be on our tail," the Doctor stated, coming to stand beside the two girls.
Jak watched with more than a little wonder as the strange trio made their way onto the small space ship and departed. As they took off, Jak hesitantly turned to da. "Da, if you have other kids will you and ma-"
She was interrupted when she found herself in a fierce embrace that squeezed the breath right out of her. "You'll always be my daughter. Always. Nothing's gonna change that. No matter how many siblings you have. You're krogan, and one day, I will watch with pride when you are formally accepted into clan Urdnot."
Tears came unbidden to Jak's eyes, and she wrapped her own arms as far around her da as they could go and squeezed. She was lucky, and she knew it. She just hoped that the strange saviors who had just departed would have as much luck in their own ventures.
Arcturus Station - Prime Minister Donnel Udina
December 31st, 2164
"Senators, on this, the eve of the new year, I bring you proof that the Independent League stands by its members. For too long have the races of the galaxy suffered under the yoke of oppression and inequality. Now, the League shall show the way, carrying the torch of freedom and hope for all races. Ladies and gentlemen, the Genophage is no more. That horrific act of barbarism perpetrated and perpetuated by the Citadel Council has been eradicated. As we speak, the last of the krogan are being treated with the cure. This will restore what has long been lost to their people: hope.
"No longer shall the krogan mourn piles of dead children, whose only crime was that they were not born turian, salarian or asari, but krogan. Tell me, what is a krogan? Are they not a sentient being, equal before the law with all others? Yet for over a millennia they were treated as second class citizens, trash, garbage. No more. Today, I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the krogan, who are our valued and trusted allies. I give you now Urdnot Wrex, Overlord of the krogan and a personal friend of mine. Wrex?"
With a dazzling smile, Udina stepped forward and embraced Wrex as flashes and cheers filled the senate chamber. He turned, arm around the massive krogan and waved to the press. Quarian, human and krogan members were ecstatic, cheering and shouting questions. But in the Citadel press court, there were sullen expressions and angry consternation. Udina's smile got even broader, and he leaned closer to Wrex. "Looks like some people didn't get the memo that this is a party," he chuckled.
Wrex's own laugh was dark and rumbling. "Oh, they'll make it a party. One I think we won't soon forget."
With that, Wrex ascended to the podium and spread his stubby arms for silence. He got it. Not even reporters were willing to disobey the massive krogan.
"Sentient beings of all races, I am proud to be a krogan upon this day. I am also saddened."
There was a sharp intake of breath at that, and Udina did his best to look surprised and mortified, though he knew what was coming.
"The Genophage is cured, and I thank my fellow League members for their assistance. Long have the krogan labored alone and in vain toward a cure, and with the League's resources we have succeeded. However, I would also like to extend thanks to the Citadel Council for their assistance and willingness to break their long misuse of the krogan people."
There were mutters of confusion at that, the Council had hardly been happy or helpful when it came to curing the Genophage. At least as far as they had known.
"One of the greatest minds of the Citadel Council, Professor Mordin Solus, was the leading researcher on the Genophage cure project. Without his aid and expertise, a cure would have been decades away."
A picture of Mordin, albeit a slightly doctored one that showed him with a whole horn, appeared on the screen. Complete with Mordin collaborating with krogan, quarian and human scientists on Earth. Pandemonium erupted from the Citadel press gallery as every Citadel member present shouted questions. Wrex ignored them and continued.
"Mordin personally delivered the Genophage cure with his young lab assistant, Miranda Lawson," A picture of Miranda and Mordin on Tuchanka flickered onto the screen. Beside them was the ever famous Oriana'Xen-Lawson nar Sydney. "Sadly, on the way back to Earth, Mordin's ship was attacked by pirates. He resisted capture, and his ship, along with all hands, perished."
Murmurs of concern and sorrow from the Leaguers, continued shouts of protest and demands for explanations from the Citadel races.
"In honor of Dr. Solus' sacrifice, I intend to give him the greatest honor I can envision. I intend to name my firstborn child Mordin. This will be, to my knowledge, first time a krogan has ever been named for a salarian. I hope it will not be the last. Because of the hand of peace and friendship the Citadel has extended to the krogan people, I invite representatives from each of the Citadel races, the elcor, volus, hanar, drell, turian, asari and salarian to Tuchanka for the opening of the Mordin Solus Children's Memorial Hospital. Thank you. Questions?"
Udina put a hand over his mouth to hide his grin as the Citadel reports finally got a chance to have their demands for answers met. It really didn't matter at this point though, the trap had been laid.
The Citadel - Councilor Ikki
January 2nd, 2165
Massaging her temples, Ikki tried to make the throbbing go away. She was getting too old for this. She was 40, high time to retire and spend the few months she had left somewhere peaceful. Where she wouldn't have to put up with nonsense like this.
"So, Councilor, care to explain just how one of yours is responsible for the greatest fuckup we've had since the idiot turians decided to fire on the humans at 314?" Aethyta asked in a so very chipper and pleasant voice.
Closing her eyes, Ikki imagined a nice, pleasant swamp, where she could sit and dine on fried flies all day, taking five minute naps between meals. "We thought he was dead. Murdered by the krogan. We are... re-evaluating that supposition."
"No, really?" Sapias growled, her mandibles spread in a display of aggression and displeasure.
"We found his body!" Ikki snapped. "Well, parts of it, anyway. We figured the brutes ate the rest. They do that, sometimes."
"I think in this case it is safe to assume that he was not, in fact, krogan munchies," Aethyta mocked, putting a single finger up to her mouth.
"Oh lay off," Ikki spat. "It's not like you haven't had similar screw ups with your people in the past."
Aethyta frowned and turned to Sapias. "Dear, do you recall either of our people ever curing the Genophage and giving the League access to one of the largest fighting forces in the galaxy in only a few years?"
"No," Sapias murmured, her eyes slanted dangerously in Ikki's direction. "I don't seem to recall that at all. In fact, I seem to remember my people doing everything in their power to keep the Genophage in place and build as many fortifications around the DMZ as we could."
"Enough!" Ikki shouted, slamming her fist onto the table. "What do we do? Obviously we can't punish Dr. Solus, we've seen the wreckage. His personal possessions and research were there. They were his. His body wasn't recovered, but he's surely dead this time, and his protégée. If the League hadn't hung every pirate responsible for the attack, I would have sent them flowers. As is, we need a response. Before the krogan's numbers become to vast to deal with."
"Indeed, and what do you propose Ikki?" Aethyta snarled, the pleasant mask dropping. "You've already fucked this up about as well as could be imagined."
"Fighting the League now would be lunacy," Sapias affirmed. "We have to split them first. As is, they're too strong. A war would leave us far too vulnerable to other threats."
"Ah yes, 'Reapers,'" Ikki rolled her eyes and finger quoted the word Reaper. "I think we can safely dismiss those claims for now."
"No, we can't," Sapias grated. "They're an even bigger threat than the League. You're just too blind to see that."
"Hmph. We should focus on the problems we have now, not create new ones," Ikki declared.
Pointing a finger straight at Ikki's chest, Aethyta's mouth split in a predatory show of malice. "And if you don't have any ideas as to how we can do that Ikki, I think it's safe to say you've done enough damage for the day. Maybe permanently. It might be time for your people to find a new Councilor. One that's smarter than her food."
"I refuse to be intimidated by your bluster!" Ikki snapped back. "Besides, I do have a plan. One we've been working on for decades. The Yahg."
A feral growl interrupted Ikki."Wait. Let me guess," Sapias snarled, slowly rising from her chair. "We uplift them to fight the League, manipulating their culture to suit our needs."
Ikki nodded curtly. "Yes, indeed. That way we-"
"GET OUT!" Sapias roared, her fangs bared as she extended deadly talons toward Ikki. "Don't you study history, you short lived toad! That's how we got into this mess in the first place!"
"Your resignation will be broadcast in three hours Ikki," Aethyta stated, sliding a data slate across to her. "Here's your speech. You're old, you're tired, and your ideas are staler than beer that's been sitting overnight. Get out."
Swamp, here I come. Ikki thought as she took the slate and stormed out. This was someone else's problem now.
Omega - Miranda Lawson
January 8th, 2164
"But Meeri, why I hafta where the suit?" Ori whined. "I don't like it all the times."
"Hush, it's OK," Miri Goldstein told her charge softly. "It's just for a few years, OK? We have to hide, or the bad people will find us."
"But I don't wanna hide," Ori pouted. "I wanna get out of dis."
Picking her sister up, Miri continued toward the clinic. "It's OK kiddo. Come on, Doc needs us today. You can play in the clean room if no one is using it. You can take your suit off there."
"Okies!" Ori agreed, resting her head on Miri's shoulder.
Miri smiled. It was going to be a hard life, raising her kid sister on Omega. But Doc was here too, he had opened a clinic for the refugees and other needy of Omega. Together, they could be a family.
"Hey, girly, what youse doin' round here? Dis is a dangerous place, youse could get hurts," a nasally batarian voice demanded from the shadows.
Without even turning to look, Miri unleashed a massive biotic throw in the voice's general direction and was rewarded with the sound of breaking bones and the thud of a body. That was the second time this week. Doc had said it might be rough the first few weeks, but after they killed enough people they would be left alone. Miri wasn't worried. She had family. They would get through this together.