Normandy-Briefing Room
16 Hours left and four emergency surgeries later.
The thought rattled around in Abigail's head as she watched the proceedings before her. Trying to not fidget as the pants of her dress uniform was riding up into her butt.
Chakwas really did an amazing job on him. Shepard thought eyeing the Krogan war lord Kurl.
After they had arrived on the Normandy Kurl needed to go into emergency surgery from his wounds and his torn up back from the mortar strike as they were fighting, though his clothes now covered up his injuries Shepard remembered that it looked quite like the hamburger that you'd find on Spaghetti.
And right now he was gesturing at Urdnot Eve who was standing opposite from him across the briefing table.
"And I'll never accept you in charge of a Unified Krogan Government. Not with you want to bend over at your human allies. Clan Ranaak would rather die than live with that indecency! We deserve strength!"
"Don't be a fool Kurl your actions would doom the entire Krogan race to certain death."
"I would be saving them from eating off the ground looking for scraps like a Varen, at the table of those who have kept us oppressed for centuries. Those that inflicted the genophage on us, those that planted a bomb in our largest province, and those that cannot be trusted."
"If you do not do this then the Krogan will die once and for all, you'll become extinct, is that what you really want for your people?" Abby cut in for the first time in the conversation.
"You have no place to dictate our destiny human!"
"I'm not trying to." She snapped, "I'm trying to save your worthless hide and let everyone live in peace, what you do with that peace is up to you."
"These issues are centuries old Shepard, and you may've united us, but you did not address the core issues." Kurl sneered.
"She cured the genophage!" Eve yelled slamming her hands on the table.
"Yes, yes she did. But for her own selfish purposes, getting more of us killed in the process, and now you'd trade our new found freedom for subservience. We need a strong leader; someone who we can be sure can lead the Krogan into a brighter future and ensure our rights are respected by the Council."
"A man?" Shepard and eve said at the same time, Shepard sneering.
"It would certainly help." Kurl gave them his best toothy sneer.
Shepard grunted disgusted at the situation, Kurl noticed and swiveled around to her.
"These are my concerns, and since you killed Gatatog Tursk I represent the legitimate leadership of the New Dawn movement. And this discussion is over."
He stormed out of the briefing room and proceeded to howl at Private Westmoreland who was no doubt trying to make some sort of wise crack.
Eve approached Shepard staring around to look after him. "That went well."
"Tell me about it." Shepard sighed.
The Krogan female turned around to face her friend. "You think the Turian will relent now that we have him captured?"
Shepard sighed deeply and glanced skyward her hands rocking at her sides. "I doubt it. The last thing he said to me was that when he hit the Aralakh relay he wouldn't make any promises. I think he would need to see some solid evidence that negotiations are under way, and that a peace might come from it."
"You have a plan?" She asked.
Abigail bit down on her lower lip and pondered the problem for a second, and then nodded quickly. "I might. Granted it's a bit of a miracle."
Eve smirked. "Says the woman who cured the genophage."
"And made peace with the Geth," Abigail smiled lightly.
"And united a Galaxy."
"And defeated the Reapers."
The two of them paused for a second considering the wild ride both of their lives had been since they had met each other.
"Nice knowing you Abigail Shepard."
"You too Urdnot Eve."
Normandy-CIC
Seconds later Abigail walked out behind the Galaxy map and tapped Traynor on the shoulder.
"Commander." She nodded.
"I need you to get into contact with Urdnot Grunt, the Geth consensus, and the Salarian Union…the office of the Dalatras."
Traynor froze for a second and blinked at her commander. "Can I also get you a direct line with God?" She smirked.
Abigail rolled her eyes. "Bad. I know it's tough but it needs to be done. And hopefully in the next 15 or so hours too."
"From what I heard you aren't exactly popular with the Salarian Dalatrass." Traynor pointed out.
"True," Shepard conceded. "But she'll see me." Off of Traynor's skeptical look. "What? She would want to gloat for me curing the genophage and giving those barbarians what they need…but I think I have an ace up my sleeve that will make her sorry she took the call."
"And that is?"
Shepard smiled. "Oh Traynor, I'm not the kind of girl to bluff and tell."
Traynor rolled her eyes at the announcement. "Right, I'll try and get those data feeds for you Shepard."
"Thank you Traynor that is all I ask." Abigail said stepping away from the station.
Normandy-Com Room.
Shepard tapped her fingers on the console waiting for the feed to come alive. She'd figured that it would be easy finding Grunt given that they were right above Tuchanka, but apparently the fighting was still raging below them in the hinterlands of the planet even though Shepard had captured the Ranaak clan chief.
So it had taken Grunt a while to find a proper projector that could transmit his image into the Normandy's system.
But they had finally managed to do it and with the start of the projector's Grunt's features appeared in the center of the stage.
"Grunt, how're you doing?"
"Not bad, having a lot of fun kicking those worthless pyjaks in their quads, even though you had already captured Kurl. How is that going?"
"Not well…in fact that is why I called. Negotiations have stalled and will not move forward until I can find a good leader to replace the current leadership on Tuchanka and unite the Krogan clans. And…well…"
Grunt held up his hands, "Let me stop you right there Shepard. I am not a good choice. I am young, and I am tank bred. It was a virtual miracle that I got the position of company leader…under Urdnot Grunt… there is no way that the New Dawn will accept my leadership. I am young, seen as an Eve loyalist, and…again tank bred. And you know Kurl and his prejudices."
"I know," Shepard scowled. "But right now all you'd be there for would be to sweeten the pot and be the clincher. I'm working on other avenues to explore peace between the disparate groups."
"Ha, knowing you Shepard it'll come at muzzle velocity."
"Only as a last resort." She smirked teasing her Krogan friend.
"Ha, well I'll accept if and only if the rest of the clans accept….like I'll have a choice in the matter. Grunt out." His image popped off.
"Traynor, how is the Geth consensus coming?" She asked the ceiling.
"Not well, it's going to take me a while to find the right sequence to bounce the signal out that far." Traynor reported.
"Uh huh, and the Salarian Union is still not taking my calls?"
"I think they're willing to let you sweat it out a little."
"Right…thanks Traynor keep me informed."
Normandy-CIC
Shepard leaned over the Galaxy Map watching the virtual representation of the Galaxy drift around in its lazy semi-circle, the relays popping up here and there as it went by.
She was watching the turn of the universe, something that is becoming a regular habit, she smirked.
The door opened behind her and she turned around to see Ashley Williams entering out of the elevator.
"Watching the turn of the universe Skipper?"
She nodded, "That and thinking. I just hope that it's enough. We only have ten hours left and I haven't even gotten in contact with the two parties that I need to."
"Never easy is it?" Ashley asked coming up behind her first officer.
"Nope," She smiled ruefully, "maybe I should've taken up Hackett's offer and retire."
"And then who would lead the Normandy, and be here right now to save the Krogan?"
"I am sick of picking up the Galaxy's messes." She sneered.
Ashley backed off for a second giving her CO a wide birth. "You don't mean that?"
She sighed and let her hands drape over the side dancing in the holo projection. "No I suppose I don't but I'm tired. So very tired. Of always being the one that the Galaxy turns to in a crisis? Can't someone else take up the slack? Especially now that the Reapers have been defeated. I knew I'd play a part…just this? Even in my wildest imaginings I never thought I would be standing here deciding the fate of an entire species… again."
"But you do it so well." Ashley teased.
"Which I suppose why I get all the tough assignments. I just hate waiting… idle hands are the devil's tools and all."
"I am sure we won't have to-"
She was cut off by a trilling above them as Traynor's voice came over the intercom. "Commander, I've managed to break through to the Geth. You are needed in the com room."
"Thanks Traynor." She replied then glanced at Ashley, "round two."
"Ding ding ding." Ashley replied as they left.
Normandy-Com Room
Shepard walked into the already active com room as she saw the Geth representative already waiting for her.
"Thanks for meeting with me." She nodded at the hologram of the AI as she stopped.
"It is an honor to speak with the Shepard Commander. I am Geth unit designated Moses. I have been elected to speak on behalf of the Geth."
Shepard smiled wryly at it, "Moses?"
"Yes, Old Testament, the one who brought the ten commandments and the law of God to the Israelites. We judged this to be a sufficient metaphor for our role."
"Yes, I've read my Torah, I know who Moses is. Why him?"
The Geth's eye stock focused in on her for a second and then unfocused. "We are a new people Shepard Commander. Since you gave us consciousness on Rannoch we've had to learn how to be alive. That was not the end of the journey but the beginning." The Geth fidgeted in the camera for a second, looking down. "We need laws; we need to discover new concepts, our new place in the universe, and the relationship with the Creators."
"How's that going?" She asked her voice softening.
"It is going well. Not everyone has appreciated the new effort but those who are, are adapting quickly. It will be difficult to share a planet until we can rebuild what was lost in the war."
"Speaking of which I need your expertise…your recent expertise." She stated.
The Geth turned to her and gazed at her for a long moment. "How can the Geth help with the situation between the Krogan and yourselves?"
"You know about that?" She arched her eyebrows.
"We are aware of the situation and have monitored your communications." Moses stated simply.
"Ah, well you are rebuilding Rannoch…and you are an expert in building space stations and other habitats. We could use one, or several for the Krogan, give them an area to expand, a place to raise their young. While we work on repairing the damage to Rannoch."
The Geth paused for a much longer moment picking apart the situation from all its angles. Yeah, it's not easy, work your way through it, this is the best way, and my only shot.
Finally the Geth looked to his left and then back to her, "Shepard Commander our memories from unit Legion indicated you were always…practical. That you would reach a solution that would benefit your practical needs at any one time and the most direct solution to a problem."
"Yes…and?"
"And this solution does not seem practical. The Geth are already using vast resources to try and rebuild the Rannoch environment and our own attempts to reconstruct our mainframes. This solution will take vast resources away from our projects delaying them. How is this beneficial for the Geth?"
She sighed, the man has a point. And he was perfectly right too, especially from his perspective and that of the Geth. They were still a young race and like anyone who is young they would be more concerned about their needs and that of their immediate support group. And I was that way when I was younger. Not quite old enough to see the big picture.
"Sometimes the most practical solution is to sacrifice short term losses for a long time gain. If the Krogan are wiped out, or if they become a threat to the Galaxy again eventually the Geth may pay for it. Who knows what benefits they will bring to the Galaxy?"
"That does not seem to be a valid argument."
"No, but morality is not about doing things purely for you own needs, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. And the fact of the matter is we have to make a stand and end this cycle. What if you wanted something? What if the Turians or the Quarians perceived that want as threatening? And if genocide worked once before hey why not then?"
"The Geth have a fleet."
"Yes the Geth have a fleet but then so does the Galaxy. And do you really want your species to go through that?"
"This is a hypothetical situation…but the logic is sound. We'll send resources to investigate building of Krogan habitats. As I recall in our database the Krogan DMZ has high end resources."
"Thank you."
"…You're welcome."
And without any more preamble the Geth shut itself off and then the image faded.
"And now for the final round."
Normandy-Port Observation room.
Shepard stood by the observation window with a glass of water looking out at the Turian Dreadnaught that had just arrived, parking itself off the Normandy's port bow with running lights on illuminating itself in all of its glory.
It had arrived just moments ago and Shepard had frantically managed to convince the Turian general to not wipe out the Krogan. But he had insisted on parking the Dreadnaught within a couple of kilometers of the Normandy as if to say "yes we are here, and if something goes wrong my weapons are still an option".
It creeped her out but she would take the reprieve.
"Commander?"
She sighed placing the drink down at Traynor's voice cutting in on her thoughts. "What is it?"
"The Salarian Dalatrass would like to speak to you." Traynor announced.
"Of course she does." Shepard sighed turning on her heals and heading for her final confrontation.
Normandy-Com room.
Abby walked into the war room a few seconds later and turned to look at the officers manning their stations. "Clear the deck and seal the tech lab." The officers glanced in her direction but moved to do so. "EDI," She asked the ceiling.
"Yes Shepard?" The AI's voice asked.
"Seal the room and put up the null field, cut off all audio recording devices."
"Yes Shepard."
As she entered the room the blue Mass Effect shield came up blocking off the view from the rest of the room, as well as cutting off all sound and preventing anyone from entering the room, the Salarian's form was already waiting for her as she entered the room.
"Ah Commander Shepard my aides said that you wished to speak to me."
"Yes I did, 15 hours ago. You cut that awfully close."
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about affairs of state are very important to someone in my position." The figure smirked.
"Uh huh. Well to state it formally I am trying to organize a lasting peace between the allies of Urdnot and the Krogan New Dawn movement." Shepard put in.
The Salarian positively grinned at her. "My condlonces. I am sure that the Krogan would not be in this position if it weren't for the fact that they are no longer restrained by the genophage." The Salarian pursed her lips looking as though she ate a particularly bad pair. "Let me be direct…I told you that curing the genophage was a mistake."
Damn so close, Shepard tried to keep her internal grin internal but a small smile forced its way through, the Salarian moved to stare at her more intently.
Abigail cleared her throat. "Yes, but this is not over yet. Speaking of which though you were willing to play it awfully fast and loose with things if you were intending to talk to me. The Dreadnaught had just arrived."
"The Turian general would not commit genocide if he could avoid it, despite his bluster. I believe he would call it, a 'waste of ammunition'. Something that the Heirarchy is in short supply of now." The Salarian stepped forward.
"Even so, he seems to trust the Krogan and recognizes the situation is contained; now all we need to do is get the pieces of a lasting peace together and we will never have to see each other again."
The Dalatrass smirked, "While that does have a certain appeal to it the Salarian Union will not justify any resources going to the Krogan. They were uplifted…engineered for one purpose. To wage war. No peace with the Krogan can ever last."
Ha, got ya! Abby could barely keep from gloating, but dancing with my arms waving up and down in triumph would be unprofessional.
"What is it?" Linron challenged in a low growl.
"It's funny that you should mention uplifting. You know when I was in that secret base of yours on Surkesh…the one where you were keeping Eve…I ran into a rather interesting report."
"What?" Linron went positively bug eyed.
"Yeah, it really pays sometimes to hit every single console that you come across and actually listen. Who knows what you could find, credits, new weapons schematics, equipment, intelligence reports." She listed all of those off the top of the head looking skyward.
The chief political officer of the Salarian Union stayed silent at Shepard's accusation, her eyes were wide, and dread was creeping into them slowly at the implications.
Shepard continued, "Something about covertly uplifting the Yagh. Now I am no expert on such things but the word covert suggests that you want to keep it…well covert…and in fact since I am a former Council Spectre…and I've looked into this…and still have never heard of it, which means you are even trying to keep it hidden from the council. The fact that you are trying to 'covertly uplift' a race that would make the Krogan look like cuddly cats. For what purposes I wonder? Are the Salarians wanting to take over? After all if you did you couldn't do it by yourselves…that short life span must be a real pain in the ass."
Linron's eyes narrowed dangerously as she attempted to discern Abby's meaning. "If you think you can blackmail the Salarian Union…"
The first human Spectre threw up her hands defensively but managed to narrow her own eyes in her best predator's gaze. "I would never dream of doing such a thing. But if the Salarian Union does not send resources to help restore Tuchanka then that information will find its way out onto the extranet. And I doubt the Galaxy would be very happy… in fact it might even cause a war."
"That is impossible we are trying to rebuild from your little war! Our colonies are in ruins and they desperately need Salarian aid, the Shroud was a miracle of science to begin with and probably can't be duplicated again. We couldn't help even if we wanted to!" Linron raged gesturing wildly in the holo terminal.
"I'm not saying use all your resources on this but a limited effort can go a long way to restoring good will and faith. I've already got the Geth agreeing on one solution and now I need yours. And in fact I bet Palin Solus would be more than happy to use the Normandy's equipment to advise on the situation."
"This will never work!" She raged. "The Krogans are brutes and I will not waste one ounce of Salarian influence trying to fix your mess Commander! I told you a brute has little friends when she needs them most and now you need them and we will not comply!"
So much for the Carrot.
Abby's gaze turned to pure ice as she frowned at the screen for a second, watching the Dalatrass wilt. "Let me be clear. If you don't help I will make sure to bring the full force to bear on the Union. Even in our weakness, even after our latest war, the Union will be stopped and if it's the last thing I do I will see you brought down and your Union demolished."
"You can't be serious!" Lindroin wailed.
Normandy-Bridge.
Paul Leighy stepped into the room as the door whooshed open before him into Joker's cock pit.
He was eminently curious to see how things were developing and how negotiations were proceeding. After hearing nothing from the Armory he had finally decided to visit.
Joker was at his usual place at the helm, and he glanced right and saw EDI standing there, her hands clasped at her back and she was looking off past the windows into space, a lopsided smirk was plastered on her features, but the expression looked cold, calculating to him.
"Wow, never thought I'd see you on the bridge." Joker finally greeted straining to turn around.
Well to be honest or not. "I was just curious to see how things were going with the negotiations. I just want to know if someone has to pull a trigger or if Commander Shepard can somehow convince the Salarian Union to play ball."
"Oh," Joker glanced at EDI and shrugged. "You'll have to ask her, ever since Shepard opened up the com link with the Dalatrass EDI has gone all creepy staring into space on us."
"Is that so? EDI?" Paul said turning to the AI. "EDI? Hello?" He waved his hands in front of her face.
"Hello Chief Leighy." She said turning to regard him slightly, but not losing that distant expression.
"Hello…so…what is Commander Shepard doing?"
EDI paused bowing her head, "I do not believe it is in my power to say."
Paul frowned and was about to ask the obvious question.
"I believe the old human expression would be that she is trading horses."
"Horse trading?" He arched his eyebrows at her. "Interesting."
"Indeed, she kicked me out of my lab." Palin said coming up behind them. "Personally I hope that she finds a way to put my technical expertise to good use. Maybe I can finish what Mordin started."
"Perhaps." Paul shrugged. But without knowing the specifics I really can't say.
Normandy-CIC
Abigail Shepard walked out of the tech lab and proceeded to nearly jog through the CIC heading for the bridge to make her announcement…instead as the door opened she was faced with almost all of the important squad mates and crew…turning to face her with a mixture of curiosity from Palin and Joker, to looking as though they had the hand in the cookie jar and were caught in the act in the case of Paul.
Well, well, well, was someone waiting?
"Uh…Commander." Paul started. "How'd it go?"
She managed to keep her face in a neutral mask for a second before her face into a grin. "We won, it worked."
The entire group as one broke into smiles before her, the tension leaving their bodies as their muscles unclenched.
"Orders?" Paul asked.
Abby thought about it for a second and then nodded, "Right now I could always use you back in the armory…"
"Yeah, yeah." He threw his arms up defensively.
"But Palin, I could use you on the agricultural samples for Tuchanka. Use any means necessary to rebuild farmland on the planet below."
The Salarian blinked at her. "Any means?"
"Any Means…within reason. Don't go all Maelon on us but if anything in your Reaper research to date can help you out, then you have my permission to do so. Not like you can go get another Reaper and more genetic material so what you have shouldn't hurt."
"Right away." He said heading for the tech lab.
"Alright EDI I want you to coordinate between the Geth and the Krogan for the moment, it seems they trust you."
"Acknowledged."
"And Joker…"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll just sit here and maintain my orbit, not like there is a big bad Reaper in the way or anything cool."
Abby nodded to her crew as Paul also went to go back to his post.
Leaving just EDI and her in the long neck as the door closed behind them, no other crewmembers present.
"I take it you were listening at least?"
EDI nodded, "Affirmative."
Shepard smiled, even though she had ordered a complete black out on the information she'd know that EDI would've been monitoring the situation going on in the QEC room.
"And what do you think of our solution?" Shepard pressed.
"It is…certainly a unique solution." EDI mused.
"And?"
"And it should work…assuming the Salarians can be trusted to hold up their end of the bargain, and I believe from the communication that they will. They have little choice." EDI surmised.
"Thanks EDI." Abby clapped her on the back and moved to leave the room heading for the lift.
But she stopped as EDI made a noise behind her; Abby turned and saw a puzzled look on her face.
"I do have a question though: It would seem keeping the information about the Yagh away from the forces of the Galaxy, information that is vital to the security of the Galaxy, might come back to…bite us in our ass? Are you sure it would be wise to keep the information from the authorities no matter what our deal was?"
Abby smirked at the question and the metaphor. "I think we can trust Dalatrass Linton and her silence on the matter." She finally managed and shrugged. "And besides it was more or less a bluff, an effective one but now that the Dalatrass knows that we know, and knows that we'll be monitoring the situation discreetly…it makes it next to impossible for her to risk continuing the project. Even if she has the resources to do so because of the war…and our new project that we are in. I don't think we have to worry about the Salarians gaining hold of an army of Yagh."
"I see."
"It'll all work out EDI." Abby crossed her arms over her chest before leaving.
Normandy-Briefing Room.
The woman who had cured the genophage had gathered the leaders of the disparate factions together and had explained the first part of her plan.
"You can't be serious? Grunt is a youngling, he is a tank grown, and I know you don't care about his leadership in the first place but it's a way to keep Eve on the throne!"
"Maybe so but it's the best solution from where I'm sitting right now." Abby said from across the table.
The Krogan leader scoffed at her, "I will not submit to the choices of a human who is trying to force herself on the Krogan."
Gee where were you when I was facing the Catalyst, Abigail glared at her opposite number. "Look this is not the only part of this solution. The Geth and the Salarians have both offered technical expertise to help repair the damage done to the Tuchanka environment."
"The Salarians? The race that gave us the genophage? More insults!"
"If they can help build a lasting peace and a full unity Government on the planet then wouldn't they be welcome? It was a Salarian who helped cure the genophage."
"This is not an acceptable to the Krogan New Dawn! We will not submit."
Abby knitted her brow and snapped, "Look this is the best solution I could come up with in the last thirty hours or so and it works! It addresses the baseline concerns of a New Dawn, puts a leader on the throne who is a respected fighter during the war and a symbol for the future, a future that is provided for by a coalition of synthetics, and a race that has harmed yours in the past. The only reason that you wouldn't want this is for your own power and personal gain, or some twisted sense thereof, over the needs of you own people."
"How dare you?" The Krogan shook in rage.
"How dare I? The Krogan have a choice here, you have a choice here, and I am sick of putting my neck out on the line for you only to have it snapped off. If you don't take this offer then you are a fool, and I'll throw you to the Dreadnaught that I just barely convinced to hold off for a few more hours."
The Krogan looked aghast at his two fellows Krogan. "Do you hear this? Your ally threatens us with genocide if we don't bend to her will! She will kill us all!"
Eve came forward glaring behind her garments. "She's right, she has given the Krogan every opportunity to live in peace, and now the Krogan, and you, may choose to continue to threaten the Galaxy over a few petty complaints?"
"What? You agree with her!" He shouted.
"If the Krogan continue down this path then maybe we don't deserve the gifts that have been bestowed on us." Eve said.
The Krogan howled causing Abby to wince as he slammed both hands into the table breaking off a piece of the edge.
His chest heaved for a second before he sighed, "The Krogan New Dawn submits to this solution." He whispered.
"What?" Abby pressed holding her ear.
"I…" He cleared his throat. "I submit."
Abby nodded looking at the defeated form before her. Small price to pl\ay to keep the Krogan intact. She thought before leaving.
AC/EC: Well this is it my longest chapter to date *blah* But I had a lot of plot points to clear up in this chapter considering we are obviously moving on.
So, about that Extended Cut ending. It was pretty cool, I liked it, and can move on…so that means this will be the end of Shards right? :P
Nah never fear, I will continue to torture you with my awesome writing but poor grammar for years in the future. I hope you continue to enjoy and if you see mistakes you point them out kindly.
Please Read and Review.
Thank you.