ENIGMA

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:

OLD TRADITIONS DIE HARD

July 7, 2183

1415 hours.

Cockpit, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate SSV Normandy SR-1, Disembarking Citadel.

Eden Prime War.

Lieutenant Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Flight Lieutenant Jeff 'Joker' Moreau, Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Pressly.

"Citadel Control, this is SSV Normandy. Requesting permission to disembark per Council order A09-666-423. Say confirm?" Joker requested as Marcus made sure the airlock was sealed and stepped onto the bridge. Pressly was sitting in the seat to Joker's right and was helping with navigation; not that Joker needed it, best pilot in the galaxy was no exaggeration.

It took some time for the control spokesperson to verify the data and Marcus just stood there, arms crossed, staring out the window. After a short meeting with the Council, he had discovered that they had no new data for him and therefore no new leads. Possibly to his detriment, Marcus decided he would chase down any anonymous leads he could find. Possibly even try and use the Normandy's stealth drives to sneak inside the Perseus Veil itself.

Mere seconds later, the hanar on the other line responded, "Normandy, this is Citadel Control, you're clear to depart. Disembark on vector 1.45, 00.5, 772. Turn 350 degrees starboard and head on it. Citadel Control, out." The hanar on the line then cut the comm, allowing Joker to perform his piloting skills. Departing the Citadel slowly, the Normandy backed out and then Joker punched in the coordinates stated by the hanar, watching the Normandy glide out of the dock and shoot out into the Widow System.

The vibrant purple colors of the Serpent Nebula greeted them as the Normandy glided through the citadel fleet, narrowing missing the Destiny Ascension as they headed for the relay, leaving the Citadel behind them. Marcus smiled as he patted Joker's chair and Pressly, now no longer needed, got up and reassumed his post in the CIC, moving down the flight deck.

"Destination, commander?" Joker asked as he looked up at him. They had entered the relay and exited out at the Sol relay. Pluto loomed below them as the Normandy flew past one of the numerous geosynchronous defense platforms orbitting the dwarf planet. The Alliance interceptors and frigates circling the planet were life a herd of buffalo moving in formation, circling it like defensive bee soldiers. Marcus could also make out an alliance Colorado-Class battleship spearheading the formation; its vast array of weaponry visible for all to see.

Thinking it through, Marcus finally made a decision. He knew it was unavoidable. It was time to scout out the Perseus Veil.

"Take us to the Jali'skah relay, Joker." Marcus ordered as he stood up straighter. Joker widened his eyes as he looked at the coordinates more closely. He had to be joking, he had to be. Seeing that the coordinates did indeed lead to where he thought they did, Joker looked back up at Marcus with a shocked expression.

"That relay is in the Jali'skah system, the Hades Lair cluster," Joker stated, "That relay's use is illegalized by the Citadel conventions for a reason, Shepard."

Marcus smiled as he looked down at Joker, "We have a stealth drive Joker, they'll never know we used it," Marcus stated, "We need to get inside the Perseus Veil and find out what Saren is up to and scout out the systems. Tell Tali I want her ready. We're going to Rannoch. Just don't tell where we're going, I want it to be a surprise." Marcus stated and before Joker could object any further, he turned and left, walking down the flight deck.

Joker just watched as he left and then turned back to his console, his voice screaming in his head. Great Jeff, you're going directly into the heart of the synthetic mass-murderers! The fucking Perseus! Damn it, sometimes I wonder if Shepard is goddamn crazy. Joker took one last look at the now empty flight deck and then turned back to his console, opening his omni-tool and deciding to play the theme song to Galaxy of Fantasy, his favourite game. He then set a course for a long ride towards the Jali'skah system. All the way on the otherside of the galaxy. Fucking fantastic.

Meanwhile, as Joker was listening to his music, Marcus walked down the stairs and almost bumped into Kaidan as he was moving.

"Sorry Shepard, was just going to see Pressly. Is there something going on?" Kaidan asked as he stopped at the top of the stairs, waiting for Marcus' answer.

"None. Carry on Staff Lieutenant." Marcus stated and Kaidan nodded as he hit the panel and stepped through, doors closing behind him as Marcus continued his steady pace down the steps. Once he was on the Crew Deck, Marcus immediately moved around and entered the mess hall, picking up a couple of ration bars as he went. He had considered joining everyone to eat in the mess hall, but in the end he had decided he had work to do and approached his cabin, hitting the panel to enter.

Once the door was open, Marcus stepped inside and closed the door, dropping his ration bars on his desk and bringing up his terminal. Once he had gotten a change of clothes, Marcus sat down at his terminal and began thinking of what to do. Pulling up a recent turian sighting of geth ships assembling near Sentry Omega, he begins his research.

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July 7, 2183

1427 hours.

Engineering, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate SSV Normandy SR-1, In FTL inbound towards Jali'Skah System, Hades Lair Cluster.

Eden Prime War.

Machinist Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Chief Engineer Gregory Adams, Petty Officer Second Class Frederick Deve Johnson.

"So then basically, what he does right, he whips out his omni-tool and actually fries the bloody panel! So I told him he was an idiot and he was like-" Johnson explained his story to Tali. Apparently Fred had originally been a serviceman on the SSV Somme and had helped his crew retake the ship from batarian terrorists posing as alliance inspectors on a outdated alliance Kursk-class light frigate which were now replaced with the newer Warsaw-Class light frigates. Adams' interruption stopped that though.

"Go tell your stories to someone else, Johnson! Miss Zorah is trying to work and you're not helping!" Adams declared as he came from Tali's right, causing the quarian's attention to be drawn to him. Tali was grateful to him; she had been trying to realign the starboard thruster cuplings but Johnson's perputual stories always distracted her. Now she was really behind and only had one hour till the end of her shift.

Johnson, acting offended, scoffed at Adams, "You bullshitting Adams? Tali doesn't find my stories distracting, do you ma'am?"

Tali suddenly felt two pairs of eyes on her; Johnson wanting her to back him while Adams wanted her confirmation on being distracted so he could kick Johnson out on his ass. It didn't take long for Tali to make a decision as she turned to Johnson.

"Your stories are very interesting but I really must work. Maybe when the shift is over we can meet in the mess hall and you can tell me all about it?" Tali suggested and Johnson, seeming satisfied, snapped a salute, "Sounds good to me ma'am."

Adams simply chuckled, "Now get out of here before I use my authority as Chief engineer to kick your ass into Shepard's quarters." With that, Johnson swivelled around and left, leaving Adams and Tali to do their work.

"Continue, Zorah." Adams ordered in a gentle tone and turned back around to reassume his post, Tali nodding at his leave as she turned back to her console to continue her mundane work. She also thought of what Shepard had said back on the Citadel. 'You grabbed my attention Tali. I fell for you.' Tali had felt butterflies in her stomach when she had heard that. It was like her greatest dream coming true. But did he really-no,he meant it! No more foolish denials girl, he wants you and you know it.

But how could I be with him? I have to find a way out of this. I will have to buy antibiotics and herbal supplements if my immune system is to survive contact with him. Then I'll have to find a clean room...no, that won't be possible unless we go to the fleet and use one there. No, we should do this in his home. I have to find a way out of this suit. I want to be with him, I need to be free of this damn thing. Yes, I NEED to be with him.

Tali then hit the release button on her terminal and watched as one of the vents opened up to omit her passage. Leaning down, Tali moved in, head first, into the small vent and activated her omni-tool to give her light and regulate her body temp; the closer she got to the engine core, the hotter it would be in the vents. Lucky she had a suit; she could regulate her temperture at the touch of a button on her omni-tool.

Orange light illuminated the vents as her omni-tool cast a low glow on it, but once its flashlight kicked in, everything was much clearer. Once she had managed to slip her legs inside she began crawling down the vent towards the couplings. She continued her thoughts.

I still can't believe he chose me. Me. He could have had Liara, or Ashley, or even any other female alliance crew. He could have even had...any male members...Keelah! How can you even think something that! Straight, definitely straight! Tali banged the back of her helmet against the ceiling as she grunted but continued, "Keelah, I hate vents."

Any of them could have been his but he chose me. The quarian; trapped in a suit and he can't even see my face, yet he chose me. My people have to use antibiotics and medicine just to allow us the ability to kiss let alone have...intercourse. Ancestors, you're thinking too fast! You've barely started a working relationship and already you're thinking of sex? Have some sense woman! This isn't teenage fantasy, this is a REAL relationship and I'm not stuffing it up!

What does he think of me when he sees me? Would he prefer me in a suit? Would he find me...pretty? That caused Tali to stop crawling for a minute, once again banging her head. I've been thinking so much about getting out of this suit that I haven't even bothered to think about what he'd...like in my looks. Am I attractive by human standards or am I...ugly? Too many questions! I won't know until I show him my face. But do I trust him, love him, that much? Am I really that much in love with him that I'm willing to engage in such intimacy?

Tali just thought that through for a second before formulating an answer and continuing down the vent.

No, I don't. But I will.

But am I being selfish in wanting this? What of the fleet? What would Shala or Gerrel or...father, say about this? Would Rael be ashamed of me for having a human boyfriend? Tali stopped thinking that for a second as she smiled at that. Boyfriend. Boy. Friend. Boyfriend. Human. Boy. Friend. "Boyfriend. MY boyfriend." Yes, that sounds SO good. Especially the human bit. And who cares about what father thinks? I can just rub it in his face and tell him to go to the ancestors. He's never cared about me so he won't start now.

It wasn't long before Tali found herself at the exact coupling she was looking for. Bringing her omni-tool out infront of her, Tali begins running scans of the coupling and running diagnostic programs. Letting them run their course, she continues her musings. What do I tell him? That I want him more than anything? Keelah, I want him so much but...am I being selfish? Am I letting him shove away his happiness just so he can chase me? Tali had to stop to think about that. She would discuss this with Shepard after her shift. I don't even know his first name.

Before Tali could continue her diagnostics however, she swore she heard a scuttling sound from behind her and twisted her head to see what it was. When she saw it, Tali's body completely froze. There, looking straight at her, was the ugliest beast she had ever seen. It was covered in brown hair and had eight legs, four on each side, followed by six eyes that seemingly looked into her soul. Pincers moved inward and outward and it made a low hissing sound. The thing was the size of a dinner plate.

Spider.

Tali wanted to scream but she held her breath. She instead yelped and keyed her comm to Adams. His voice soothed her thoughts.

"Yes, Tali? That coupling is still showing distabilizations. Something wrong?" Adams responded. Tali gulped as she answered in a low whisper.

"There's a spider...four meters...away from me...looking at me..." Tali just kept looking at the hideous creature. She felt sweat pore down her as her suit's collection units got to work getting rid of it. Tali once had dreams of geth killing her in her sleep. She never thought anything would be more scary. Now she swore she was looking into the eyes of turian evil spirit.

"It's just a spider Tali..." Adams stated with a sigh, rolling his eyes at the woman's reaction.

"I HATE SPIDERS!" Tali yelled and that got the spider's attention. It leapt onto her and landed on her chest. She screamed as she batted it with the side of her arm and started spamming her overload program at it before activating Chiktika. Chiktika appeared in a flash and fired a single incendiary round at the arachnid. The round hit home as the spider burst into flames, leaving a scorched, dead body. Calling her drone back, Tali allowed her breathing to slow down.

"Tali? What happened?" Adams asked through the comm, worry in his voice.

Finally calming down, Tali answered, "It jumped on me. Chiktika killed it. I'll check if the diagnostics are finished." Tali stated and cut the comm. How embarassing. But how did such a creature get on the Normandy? We're in space, away from the human homeworld! It can't be here! And just how many more are there...

It didn't take long for Tali to finish what was left of the diagnostics and she soon found herself back in engineering with Adams fast approaching her.

"That coupling just came back online and reads as fully repaired. Nice job." Adams applauded and patted Tali on the shoulder, "Trust run a few more tests on it and I'll let you go. We honestly have things all set here." Adams declared and he spun around to return to his station with his two cohorts; Negus and Danny. Tali sighed as she began the tests.

A few minutes later and Tali signed off her shift and headed up the elevator to the Mess Hall to grab something to eat and talk with Johnson like she promised. Once the elevator had finally reached the crew deck, Tali moved out and turned into the mess hall, grabbing a tube of nutrient paste as she did. Seeing Johnson sitting at one of the tables with a few other officers and Ashley, she moved in and joined them.

Without waiting, she inserted the tube into her vocalizer and began eating. She chucked a glance at Shepard's cabin before looking back towards the group. Definitely going to have that talk with him later. She also remembered that Joker had sent her a message earlier on. While waiting for Johnson to finish, she opened her omni-tool to read it.

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July 7, 2183

1558 hours.

Captain's Quarters, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate SSV Normandy SR-1, In FTL inbound towards Jali'Skah System, Hades Lair Cluster.

Eden Prime War.

Lieutenant Commander Marcus Lee Shepard.

"Commander, you might want to get down to the Cargo Hold. Wrex wants to talk to you. Sounded...important." Joker reported over the cabin comm as Marcus opened his eyes. All he saw was the bare desk and as he raised his head to face the terminal, he saw that he had been sleeping for little over an hour. Switching his terminal off, he got up and stretched his arms before cleaning up his hair and approaching the door.

Once outside he noticed that the mess hall was teaming with crew members as it was the afternoon tea break in shifts and he had to squeeze his way through the crowd of personnel moving in to acquire their food. Upon finally reaching the elevator and entering it, Marcus hit the panel and waited for it to arrive at the Cargo Hold. When it did, he stepped out to find Wrex pacing along the boards with both Ashley and Garrus absent.

"Wrex, you wanted to talk with me?" Marcus asked, surprised by the look of annoyance on Wrex's face. The krogan battlemaster hadn't shown a level of annoyance like that since they first met in Chora's Den and even that had been short lived. This looked like it had gone on for a while. The krogan suddenly stopped his pacing and spun to face the spectre who was now standing in a relaxed parade rest.

"Yes." Was Wrex's short answer as he stormed towards Marcus and then stopped in front of him, holding his omni-tool in a way that Marcus could see. Looking down, he saw an image of what looked like old, worn, heavy battle armor manufactured specifically for krogan. It even made Wrex's look obsolete and was covered in scratches and scorch marks, along with a purely cyan color. It also looked triple-plated; heavy armor indeed.

"Krogan Heavy Armor...and it looks like it has seen use. But why did you need to talk to me about this? Do you want Johnson to requisition it for you?" Marcus asked, confused at what Wrex was getting at. All the krogan had done was show him a picture of armor, it was exactly enlightening him on what he wanted.

Wrex rolled his blood red eyes at his attitude, "No you idiot. Why would I want to requsition armor that hasn't been used for two thousand years?" Wrex asked and Marcus widened his eyes in realization. This armor existed since the rachni wars? Judging by the design, it's off krogan manufacture.

"Well in that case, obviously not. But why are you showing me armor that is thousands of years old?" Marcus asked. Expecting Wrex to point out the 'obvious' once again, Marcus was suddenly surprised that Wrex simply shrugged.

"Because I thought you might be able to help me recover it," Wrex added, moving away, "It's my old family armor, used by my grandfather, Urdnot Seg, all those years ago. He fought during the Rachni Wars and he lead my people to war against the Council in the rebellions. He was a powerful chieftain, but he was killed by turian forces during the Fourth Battle of Noveria at the end of the war. And yes, that used to be a krogan colony." Wrex added at Marcus' raised eyebrow.

Wow, to think that corporate hellhole had once been a sanctum for krogan fleets and armies. Shit, you learn something every day. "So I guess this family armor was passed down to your father?" Shit, I forgot that krogan live as long as asari, if not longer. Damn, Wrex is probably six hundred years old or something. He looks about that age anyway.

"Yes, and that's not a good thing," Wrex stated with a sneer; it was obvious he didn't like his father. Well, at least the feeling was mutual with Tali, "My father was Urdnot Jarrod and like most of our people's common norm, he's a bloody warmonger. After the rebellions he stated that Clan Urdnot should unify the clans back together and start another war with the turians. He suggested we sneak on Palaven and use their planet as a new homeworld. Tuchanka was just a wasteland to us and in our current state of devolution we were in no state to begin rebuilding."

"And you agreed with him?" Marcus asked but upon Wrex's 'what do you think' look, he gathered he didn't. Which was odd; Wrex had also shown a lot of hostility towards Liara and Garrus, but now he was telling him that he was against attacking Palaven?

"Jarrod was a moron. Sure I hated turians, but attacking them in the first place was idiotic to start with. Attack them again and we'd end up like the rachni," Wrex stated with a wave of his hand, "His calls for war were just blatant and stupid. But I was his son, I looked up to him! So I went along with it. Still, I never wanted my people to go to war again. But I did want to unite Tuchanka under one banner; the urdnot banner. So I proposed that we try to build a new future for ourselves; one that doesn't involve war or fighting, but one where we could rebuild and make scientists to cure the genophage."

"I'm gathering Jarrod wasn't too happy about his son's policies." Marcus suggested and Wrex nodded.

"Yes, the power hungry fool thought I was an idiot, but surprisingly, most of the clan agreed with me and swore their allegiance to me. What loyalists Jarrod had just ran off with him and he later agreed to have a meeting with me at the Hollows."

"Hollows?" Marcus asked.

Wrex sighed, "It's what you humans call a memorial. It's the place where we honored our ancestors who fought the turian fleets and armies during the krogan rebellions and the rachni during the rachni wars," Wrex explained, "When I got there he gave me one last chance to join him. What did I do? I refuse of course. I'm not as stupid as he give me credit for."

"Never doubted you Wrex." Marcus stated and the both of them chuckled before Wrex continued.

"And then his little minions attack me," Wrex explained, "Just jumped out from the hollows like zombies from the grave. There was too many for me to take on. But before I left, I made sure to plunge my knife deep into his throat; the one place no krogan can regenerate. I watched him slowly bleed to death before I made my escape."

"When I got back to the urdnot camp though, I was disgusted to find that Wreav, my blood brother, had decided to use my absence to continue Jarrod's goals. He had even managed to capture some salarians and forced them to work on a cure while under constant torture for non-compliance. They all died." Wrex stated.

"So what did you do?" Marcus asked.

"The only option I had left. I'd given up hope on my people. We were doomed to extinction as the genophage would just continue to consume our young until we're all but wiped out. So like I said, I did the only thing left for me. Wreav had already considered me exiled so all that was left was for me to leave. So I did. I just took one of the old shuttles and took off. I became a mercenary and have been one ever since. I haven't seen Tuchanka since." Wrex finished and Marcus felt himself feeling sorry for the krogan. Just like the quarians, they were cast out and noone cared. Unlike quarians however, they were infected with a virus that stopped them from having the chance of a baby. Only one in a million survived.

"I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your Wrex. But, why are you telling me this? Have your people finally found a cure for the genophage? Did Jarrod somehow survive or something? Wreav calling you back? What?" Marcus asked.

Wrex shook his head, "Family armor, remember? You humans really are slow to keep up." Wrex joked and Marcus shook his head as he waited for Wrex to elaborate.

"I just discovered that the family armor has been recovered from Jarrod's body and is now in the hands of some turian scumbag named Tonn Actus. He's a guy who collects historical items of value and keeps them on one of his bases on Tantau in the Phoenix System, Argos Rho Cluster. He then sells them to the highest bidder. He's hired a bunch of low-grade mercenaries to protect him as well. That armor belongs to me and I want it back!"

"So what you're telling me is that you want to go to Tantau to get your armor back? And your sure these 'low-grade mercs' are the only opposition we'll be facing?" Marcus asked.

"Yes, and to kill that smug son-of-a-bitch as well. Kalros knows how many items he's stolen so the galaxy would be better without him," Wrex stated, "We move in, take out the mercs, kill Actus and get the armor back. It's literally that simple." Wrex stated.

Marcus thought through it for a second before responding, "Nothing's that simple, but I guess it's worth the detour. I'll have Joker plot in the coordinates immediately. Let's go get that family armor of yours." Marcus declared and headed back towards the elevator. Just be entered it, Wrex called out to him.

"Shepard."

He turned around and saw the krogan standing at his usual spot, Solokov out, "Wrex?"

"Thank you. That armor is probably a piece of junk but it's good to know someone cares about the krogan. Thank you."

Marcus smiled warmly, "Don't mention it. You're part of my crew Wrex, everyone gets fair treatment no matter the race. No moral issues on this ship." Marcus stated before entering the elevator.

"Yeah, yeah. Save the morality speeches for the other fleshies. At least they care. I just want to shoot something." Wrex waved his hand as he turned back to his shotgun and continues polishing it, the elevator door closing to Marcus' chuckling.

"Only you Wrex. Only you." Marcus commented as the elevator began its ascent back to the crew deck. Keying his comm, he contacted Joker.

"This is Normandy transportation services, please hold." Joker responded and Marcus just laughed.

"Joker, cut the crap. New coordinates. Take us to Tantau, Phoenix System, Argos Rho Cluster. We've got a errand to run for Wrex." Marcus stated and Joker acknowledged by inputting the coordinates and changing relays.

"Where else do you want to drop by on our way to Jali'Skah? MacDonalds maybe? Or maybe you'd like to visit Jerks R'Us." Joker remarked.

"Just get us to Tantau Joker before I decide to introduce you to the circus. You'd fit in well." Marcus ordered and was about to hear Joker's earful of responses but he cut the comm before the pilot could get a word in. Now on the crew deck, he spun and headed for his cabin.

Time to suit up.

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July 5, 2183

1215 hours.

Salarian Base Camp, Crash Site of the Endeavour Dates, Eastern Perimeter, Virmire.

Eden Prime War, Battle of Virmire.

Captain Waui Kirrahe, Commander Osei Rentola, Master Sergeant Mordin Solus, Specialist Maelon Heplorn.

"Master Sergeant Solus, where is Imness and Avot? They've not reported in since Avot's report on the Breeding Facility. All contact has been lost." Kirrahe ordered as Mordin, followed by Maelon, entered the main bunker, with Rentola saluting Kirrahe and leaving to check on the prefab armoury in the next tent. Solus was quick to answer.

"Contact lost yesterday. Distress Call broke through frequencies," Mordin reported in his usual rapidfire, "All infiltration teams compromised. Possibly dead or alive, impossible to tell without very recon and loss of life. Now down on quarter of men," Mordin paused to take a deep breath, "Situation problematic."

Kirrahe sighed heavily as he shook his head, "Tell me about it. Very well; Maelon," Kirrahe stated, turning towards Maelon who stood at attention next to Mordin. The soldier was young and naive, if a bit restless, but he and Mordin were brilliant techs and scientists, so he had potential. Mordin was his mentor and had been for what seemed like four years. Salarians lived short lifespans, and Mordin was closing in on his. Only seven years left.

"I want you start looking around the wreckage for something we can use as ordnance. It is quite clear that whatever Saren is planning here won't have him hanging around for much longer, the fleet simply won't arrive in time; we have to act now. Find something we can use to blow this to kingdom kum and report back. Move it!" Kirrahe barked and Maelon immediately saluted, spinning his heels and running towards the Endeavour Dates' wreckage.

"Possibility of surviving such an assault unlikely. Will possibly die. Noway to tell," Mordin stated, "You know this however. Has to be done. Galactic safety top priority." Mordin stated just as Rentola returned from the armoury, retaking his place at Kirrahe's side.

"We all must do our part Solus," Kirrahe stated, arms moving to his back as he walked around the table towards Mordin, "We're a regiment against two fully-armed geth divisions. We are totally outnumbered and have no chance of success. You remember the stories of the Rachni wars? The krogan rebellions? The unification war?" Kirrahe asked.

"Every one of them. Hard to forget. Father explained much," Mordin stated, "Relevance however, not certain." Kirrahe allowed a smile to crease his features as he lay a three-fingered hand on Mordin's shoulder, "We salarians held strong during all of them. We do not surrender, we do not show weakness. We are salarian! The masters of espionage! We hid in the shadows as our enemies attacked and we slit their throats one by one! Without us, peace was uncertain! And when we charge the geth fortress today, will he eagerly wait in the shadows?"

"Yes." Mordin answered simply.

"Will we show patience?"

"Yes."

"And when we pounce, will peace be achieved even in the wake of our deaths?"

"Yes."

"Wrong! Peace will not be achieved! But we sure as well will fight for it! For Sur'Kesh!" Kirrahe shouted.

"For Sur'Kesh!" Repeated Rentola and Mordin and it wasn't long before the whole camp joined in the cheering, the voices of an entire regiment echoing along Virmire's canyon walls. Kirrahe smiled as he eyed the perimeter wall of Saren's geth fortress. Yes. Let Saren here the war cries of the salarian union. Let it be the last thing he hears as he falls to his knees from the fireball of our ordnance. Let his pleas for forgiveness be the last thing he utters. The salarian union will not show mercy. Saren has sinned greatly and he will pay for his crimes.

With the voices now dying down, the salarian soldiers returned to their duties while Mordin saluted Kirrahe and moved off to get his troops ready and fed. Kirrahe then moved back inside the bunker with Rentola to prepare their battle plans.

"So what do we plan to do when we assault Saren's base sir?" Rentola requested, still standing in parade rest on the other side of the table, Kirrahe leaning over as he skimmed through the datafeeds sent back by Avot and Imness' teams. By the gods, this fortress is more heavily defended on the inside then the outside. If we launch a frontal assault, those fighters and defense cannons will tear us down before we can hit the perimeter.

Looking up to address Rentola's question, he shook his head, "There isn't a plan. We attack. I'm planning to seperate us to four teams; Aegohr, Mannovai, Jaeto and Shadow. Aegohr, Mannovai and Jaeto will launch a frontal assault against the eastern perimeter and bunker down while Shadow infiltrates through the western perimeter and places the bomb. Either way, we're all going to die. I don't expect any of us to survive this Rentola. Attacking the frontal area will be suicidal at best."

"I'll lead the frontal assault sir. I'm not afraid to die." Rentola declared.

"You're a respectable commander Rentola, but I'm putting you as second-in-command. I'll be leading the frontal assault. Solus will lead shadow. He and his men will have a better chance of escaping then we do." Kirrahe stated.

"But sir, you said yourself that an assault like this is suicidal. Casualities will be heavy. It'll be like that human 'battle of normandy' all over again." Rentola stated. Except the geth are in a better position than the germans and we don't a fleet to back us.

"I understand our situation Rentola and that is why I must go. I will not be known as the salarian who stood by and watched as the geth burned Sur'Kesh to the ground. No, not before I send the geth straight to hell. Rentola, it has been an honor serving with you." Kirrahe stated and held out his hand, Rentola taking it and shaking it.

"The honor's mutual sir. Now it's time to show the geth what salarians are really made of." Rentola stated before saluting.

"We attack in two days. Get the men ready and fed. Don't bother telling them the risks. I'm sure they already know." Kirrahe ordered before turning and walking outside alongside Rentola.

I just hope the turians make sure to burn Rannoch to the ground.

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July 8, 2183

1601 hours.

Privately Owned Mercenary Base, Ovaltine Continent, Southern Hemisphere, Tuntau.

Eden Prime War.

Lieutenant Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Machinist Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Battlemaster Urdnot Wrex.

The Mako continued to traverse the vast landscape of Tuntau as it quickly approached the merc base. The mixed dirt and snow was kicked up by the vehicle's wheels as it continued its approach, the warm winds being the only sound to be heard for miles. The planet was all but silent; a place so deathly silent that it made it uninhabitable. Only mercs and pirates could set up bases on this world and they were usually temporary.

Marcus had decided to only bring a team of three this time; Tali, himself and Wrex. If what the krogan said was correct, and these mercs really were mediocre, then he wasn't going to need a full team to eliminate them. Besides, in his close quarters, all he needed were shotgun specialists and Tali and Wrex were it. Wrex was mandatory for this mission and Tali was needed to hack any security.

It had taken only a few minutes from the drop zone to reach the merc base and it was no poorly defended that any resistance wasn't going to put up much of a fight; barricades surrounded the front of the base where at least seven lightly armed hanar and turian mercenaries were. Marcus had to suppress a chuckle at the sight of the hanar's ten tentacles all holding ten pistols of numerous types. Hanar were more lethal then anyone gave them credit for.

Wrex didn't even wait as the Mako's main gun reared on the mercenaries, hitting the trigger and opening fire. A blast of molten hot fury impacted the nearest hanar, causing what Marcus could only describe as 'pink jelly blood' to explode in all directions and sent his turian cohorts flying in multiple directions with dismembered limbs and broken bones.

Systematically unleashing hell across the field left every merc dead. A squad of reinforcements exited the building, but apart from a single elcor, which he described as a four-legged tank, they didn't offer much lethality and were dealt with easily. Just as the Mako smashed through the barricades, a feminine asari voice came over the exterior intercomm.

"Shit! Alliance found us! Inform Tonn of hostiles outside and have all squads assume defensive poisitions! Move your asses!" The voice was gone as soon as it appeared but before Marcus could even order Tali to move, Wrex shouted, "So we meet again! Small galaxy I guess!" Wrex hit the panel and jumped outside, Tali and Marcus following quickly behind him.

"What do you mean meet again? You recognize that voice? Wrex!" Marcus shouted but Wrex didn't even answer as he just shoved his shotgun into the door circuits and fired, opening the door and allowing him inside. Annoyed by Wrex's omnipresent ignorance, Marcus signalled for Tali to ready her shotgun and moved inside, his own shotgun at the ready.

When they got inside, they saw at least four squads aiming their weapons at them. The room was essentially just storage, not the actual historical storage room. In the center of the squad was a lightly armed turian with purple and blue facepaint; born of the the colony Romulus. The turian had a predatory grin on his mandibles, an asari standing next to him with her assault rifle ready and smiling smugly at Wrex. Yes, they definitely knew each other. Arch nemesis?

"Wrex, it's been too long," The asari smugly addressed the krogan, approaching him and stroking his cheek with her lithe hands as she then walked back, assault rifle still held firmly in her grip as she stopped next to Tonn and stroked his mandibles.

Wrex's response was below a growl, "Fifty-six years too long." Marcus just looked between the two before asking, "Wrex, just who is this? You know her?" Small galaxy is right. This can't have been a coincidence. What is the chances to two former enemies just happening to meet on some random planet? Unless Actus dug into Wrex's history.

Wrex's eyes narrowed at the asari merc as he entered, "Aleena. She and I met during one of my contracts. We decided to join forces afterwards and our exploits quickly became galactically known. Even the quarians knew about us. We raided ships, killed off targets, blew up shit, you name it, we did it," Wrex explained, "But then I got a contract from some volus ambassador named Din Korlack told me to take out a certain person that may be too open mouthed to let live. Take a wild guess at who."

Aleena smiled as she fingered her assault rifle, "Mercenary business can be such dirty work." She smiled smugly once again and Marcus swore she looked so bloody ugly when she did. Normal asari looked pretty when they did, when Aleena did she just looked rotten.

"So we decided to battle it out. Took her to one of these space stations controlled by the Blue Suns. At least when we battled there, then we if killed a straggler then we couldn't be charged for killing an innocent," Wrex stated with a grin, "We fought for a while. Killed a few blue suns. I was strong but she was fast. It lasted about four days until I finally locked her in a medical bay while she was cleaning up her own wounds."

Aleena's smile grew wider, "Well, that's what I wanted you to think. I was actually on my way out in a shuttle."

"Yeah, I figured that since she was trapped at the Blue Suns were assholes anyway, I'd overload the station reactor and just leave in a shuttle. Whole place lit up, killing the blue suns bastards onboard and, I thought, Aleena. But a month later and she sends me a message saying 'better luck next time.' Well, I guess now is that time, Aleena. Are you ready to finish what we started?" Wrex suggested, pointing his Solokov directly at the asari.

Smiling devilishly, Aleena levelled her own weapon directly at Wrex, "It would be my pleasure. I've looked forward to this for fifty-six years."

Marcus lowered his own weapon at Aleena but Wrex shoved it away, "No. Aleena's mine. You deal with the mercs and Actus and get my armor back. Aleena's mine!" Wrex then shouted a war cry as both mercs charged forward and slammed into each other in an explosion of biotic energy, the nimble asari and krogan juggernaut battling it out.

Shrugging at Tali, they both leapt into cover as the mercs opened fire, Aleena repeating Wrex's words to her mercs, ordering them to focus on Marcus and Tali. Marcus signalled for Tali to activate Chiktika while he emptied two shotgun rounds into a hanar that had attempted to flank them, but only ended up dead on the ground.

It didn't take long for Chiktika to take the scene and begin hammering four turian and asari mercs that had attempted a flanking maneveur but failed. Chiktika's incineration rounds made short work of their armor and their screams were the last thing heard from them as they fell to the ground, dead. Tali immediately followed up by firing her pistol into the enemy ranks, trying to lure them out so Chiktika or Marcus could deal with them.

On Marcus' side, their was something completely different unfolding. A squad of turian, hanar and elcor mercs were advancing on his position and fast. But he would let them, because he had an idea. Turning to Tali, he reacted quickly.

"Tali! See that crate three meters to your right? Get to it! Trust me, I'll protect you, just go!" Marcus ordered as Tali then ran out from cover, Chiktika following close behind her. Using his biotics to form a barrier around her, the mercs' attacks pinged harmlessly off his biotic barrier, allowing Tali to get there without a hassle.

"Go, I'll cover you!" Tali shouted but seeing Marcus form a barrier around himself, just ordered Chiktika to pound the enemy's flank. To help out Wrex, she ordered Chiktika to secretly overload Aleena's shields, giving the krogan a better chance. It was the least she could do to repay him for what happened on Rayingri.

Once Marcus reached her, she watched as he waited for the merc squad to attempt their flanking attack. When they did come around, Marcus concentrated his biotic energy and fired a biotic missile, the attack impacting the center of the squad and exploding in a flurry of dark energy, vaporizing the enemy squad. Marcus, exhausted from using his biotics so much and getting a headache from his implants, slumped down next to Tali, grabbing a grenade from his belt and priming it.

Tali noticed this and stopped for a second, "Shepard, are you okay? Are you hurt?" She asked with a concerned voice. She hadn't seen any blood, but she had to be sure.

"I'm fine, just a headache from my L3 implant, that's all," As he said this, Marcus came out of cover and tossed the grenade, quickly ducking back as the grenade landed near one of the crates, a loud boom echoing through the room and the sound of guts being scattered. He had killed but he didn't know how many. Just how many mercs had Actus hired?

"Shepard, Chiktika is out of energy. I need to deactivate her to let her recharge," Tali informed the spectre as she summoned Chiktika back, deactivating her upon return and slipping the little holographic ball into one of her suit pockets, "We'll need to think of something."

Just as she finished, Wrex went smashing into one of the crates and Aleena jumped ontop of him, forming biotic energy in her fist. Wrex glowed with his own biotic energy and a shockwave sent Aleena flying into a wall where Wrex got back up and charged back into battle. Due to lack of a shotgun in his hand, he gathered he had decided to go with hand-to-hand.

Without really thinking, Marcus extended his punisher sniper rifle and peeked out of cover, looking for a target. He found it, and who else did he find? Tonn Actus. Got you now, asshole. Within in the blink of an eye, Marcus pulled the trigger and a heavy round pounded into Actus' face, ripping it apart and leaving the turian a dead heap on the ground, his assault rifle clattering to the side.

He once again lowered his sniper on another merc and fired, the round once again ripping off the elcor's head as it fell to the ground with a huge thump. With his sniper rifle overheated, he holsters it and pulls out his shotgun once again, glowing with biotic energy as he increases his shield strength and steadily approaches the mercs who fire at him.

With every step, he fired a shotgun blast. For every shotgun blast, the mercs met it with a renewed salvo of gunshots. It didn't take long for his biotically-charged shields to be overwhelmed and by the time he reached cover, he had taken three shots to his upper chest. The armor had slowed down the force of the rounds and therefore none of his lungs or liver were damaged, but he was still wounded.

Tali called out to him, but the horde of gunfire drowned out her words and he couldn't hear her. His comms must have been damaged by the merc attack as all he heard was static. Getting up and unleashing a second biotic flare, he watched as the final squad of mercs was blown apart, leaving just Wrex and Aleena.

"Shepard! You're injured! Let me check those wounds!" Tali exclaimed as she ran towards him, but a single raised hand stopped her, "I'm fine Tali, honestly. It's a few scrapes and bruises that Doctor Chakwas can take care of back on the Normandy. We should check on-" Marcus didn't finish as he watched Aleena get tossed over the containers and land in a heap on the floors. Wrex followed after her after slamming through the crates; the krogan battlemaster being a fearsome sight as he loomed over the downed asari.

She tried to crawl to her feet, but Wrex's foot met her gut and she toppled back down. She was weaponless and therefore no threat, but this was Wrex's fight. No, that's not how it works! Stop this now! Just as he saw Wrex extend his Solokov and aim it at the back of Aleena's head, he lunged forward and pushed his weapon down.

"Idiot! What are you doing?" Wrex bellowed, anger in his eyes as he looked at Marcus. But he wasn't backing down.

"Look at her! She's defenseless and completely unable to fight back. Ask yourself; is it honorable to kill an opponent when he/she cannot fight back? If you do that, your as bad as any assassin." Marcus stated, appealing to the krogan's sense of honor. Wrex seemed to think about this for a few seconds but just as she seemed to give in, Aleena lunged up, roared and charged at them.

Without hesitation, Wrex raised his shotgun and pulled the trigger, a heavy tungsten slug exiting the barrel and ripping Aleena's chest wide open, sending the multilated asari flying into nearby crates, toppling them over as her dead corpse disappeared under them. Wrex scoffed as he looked at Marcus, "You call that defenseless? I call it dead asari walking." Wrex pouted before pushing past him and approaching what looked like the family armor from the photo.

Marcus and Tali followed him but allowed him some room. When Wrex spoke, it was low and almost in a whisper, "I can't this piece of junk was part of tradition. I guess there's alot of things about krogan culture that needs to change." Wrex stated as rammed his fist into the glass case, shattering it and grabbing the armor as he ripped his own armor off and fitted on the family armor. When he turned around, he looked like a real battlemaster, not a mercenary.

"I am Urdnot Wrex, and I'm the rightful clan chief of urdnot!" Wrex then pounded his fists together as he ran past them chuckling. Marcus smiled at Tali and she responded with her own smile behind her mask and they followed the krogan out of the building.

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July 8, 2183

1607 hours.

Presidium, Council Chambers, Citadel Tower, The Citadel.

Eden Prime War.

Councilor Tevos, Councilor Sparatus, Councilor Valern, Ambassador Donnel Udina.

Udina watched the council as they took their positions on the podium. He straightened his own uniform to make sure he look presentable before entering a straight forward position. Anderson had declined to attend the meeting as he stated that he needed to attend a meeting with Admiral Mikhailovich to discuss supply routes for the 63rd Scout Flotilla. That or he could have been looking for a way not to attend. No matter.

When the Council had taken their spots, Tevos spoke, "Ambassador Donnel Udina, do you know why you have been brought before the Council?" The asari asked, her voice calm and casual as always. Sparatus just gave him the usual death glare while Valern just looked pensive, as always.

Udina cleared his throat as he responded, "I'm afraid not councilor. Has something happened that I need to be alerted about?" He tried to sound calm as well, but he feared he might have come off as forceful. Politics was delicate work. One wrong tone, one wrong word, and you can screw up an entire meeting. He couldn't screw this up.

This time, Valern responded, "Yes. We recently lost contact with one of our STG infiltration regiments in the traverse. It had been investigating the Sentry Omega Cluster in the Hoc system for evidence of Saren's activities. His...base of operations, we assumed." Udina raised an eyebrow at this. Are they saying they found Saren? Why wasn't I informed earlier! I could have add two alliance fleets dispatched to deal with it with just a couple of words to Garrong! No, keep your cool. Remember, don't screw this up.

"What did you find?" Udina responded, desperately keeping the anger out of his voice.

Raising a salarian eyebrow at Udina's sweating face, he answered. Sometimes I worry about him... "Nothing. Like we said, contact was lost. However, a few days later, we got what appeared to be the regiment's attempts at contact or a distress call." Valern then motioned to Tevos, and she hit a button on her panel and a holoscreen appeared above their heads, playing a recording of the message.

"Captain...he...need...et...foun...base...tions... need...immed...assis...tance...send...fl...he...ou t." The screen then disappeared, Udina's eyes returning to the Council.

Valern spoke once again, "The signal originated from Virmire. We think Saren's base of operations is there, but we can't confirm it until we link up with that regiment. We'd like to know what you think; should we contact the Normandy and have them divert to Virmire?"

"Completely. It's the safest option and knowing Shepard, he'll want that base blown to hell and back. I will shall contact him now. Thank you councilors." With that, Udina bowed slightly and left, Tevos announcing the meeting's end.

If this is true then we've found Saren.

And his time has come.

"So...Virmire, huh?"

- Carter Dielheart.

"Yep. Darkest period of the war. It's where things became real. Again."

- Interrogation Subject 001.