Love, Blood & Tears
Chapter 37:

"And there's the folks that answered the distress signal…Cerberus cruiser," Joker said as they approached the academy. "At least a dozen fighters on blockade duty - too many for us in a straight up fight. They must want this place bad."

"Receiving incoming transmission," EDI said.

"SSV Normandy, this is Kahlee Sanders - Director of Grissom Academy. We need immediate assistance. Cerberus is attacking the facility; they're after my students."

"This is Commander Shepard. We're blocked on a direct approach."

"I know, they took control of our docking bays."

"Any alternatives?"

"There's an auxiliary cargo port I can probably open."

"Alright, we'll come in by shuttle and get your students out of there. Joker, can you make me a diversion?"

"Oh boy! Can I!" Joker replied.

"Okay then, make it happen."

The shuttle made its way quietly to the cargo hold as the Normandy drew off the fighters.

"Stay in position, Cortez. We'll be back soon," said Shepard.

"Understood, Commander."

Shepard, along with Garrus and EDI, walked into the facility. Kahlee had informed Shepard that she was in a server room around the corner. They had to fight through assault troopers in order to get to her. Once the area was secure, Kahlee stood up from her cover.

"Thank you, Commander. Admiral Anderson always said you were the best and with Cerberus coming for my students…I need the best."

"How many of you are there?" Shepard asked.

"Fewer than twenty. Most were sent home when word of the Reapers invasion spread. But a few volunteered to stay. I've got students trapped in Orion Hall…back out the door and down the hall."

"I'm on it! I'll bring them back here and we'll make a run for the shuttle."

"Okay, I'll stay put. With luck I can regain access to some of our systems."

Shepard and her squad headed out down the corridors…making their way to Orion Hall. They fought through Cerberus troops along the way and saved two students, a brother and sister, who Shepard instructed to make their way to Kahlee Sanders in the security room.

They finally made it to Orion hall and in the distance Shepard saw assault troopers closing in on students and…Jack! She noticed right away how much prettier Jack appeared. She had grown her hair out and it was pulled back in a pony tail. The sides and back of her head were still shaved but it was a more feminine look than Jack had before. She was more covered up too - still revealing clothes but nothing compared to what she wore before.

"Eat this!" Jack shouted as she surged with biotic glow and threw out a force at the troopers; effectively taking them all out.

"Jack!" Shepard exclaimed as she ran over to her.

"Shepard?"

Just then an Atlas crashed through the side of the room - interrupting their reunion. Jack's biotics flared as she approached it, "Students, get down! This thing's outta your league! Shepard, keep it off us!"

Jack guided her students upstairs and out of danger while Shepard and her squad worked to take the Atlas out, along with the assault troopers that accompanied it. From the balcony, Jack and her students did what they could while remaining relatively safe.

Once the room was cleared of enemies, Shepard walked over to stand underneath the balcony. Jack stood at the ledge…looking down at Shepard.

Jack laughed, "Kahlee said she was putting out an SOS. I had no idea the Queen of the Girl Scouts would show up."

"Me? You're the one that got all girly looking while I was away. What's up with that?"

Jack rolled her eyes as she turned to her students, "Alright, amp check! Prangley, those fields were weak. Cerberus isn't gonna lie down out of pity like that girl you took to prom. Grab juice and an energy bar. We move in five."

Jack turned back around and jumped off the ledge down to Shepard. She approached Shepard quickly and then rapidly punched her in the face.

"Damn it! How many times did I tell you not to trust Cerberus?" Jack said sternly.

Then she delivered a second, gentler, punch "And that's for taking so damn long to find me!"

"I know, I know!"

"Listen, right now all I care about is getting my guys out of here."

"Your guys?"

"Yes…I had some free time while you were in lockdown. Alliance brass knew I helped you so they offered me this and apparently the students responded well to my teaching style."

"Cortez to extraction team. The Cerberus cruiser is coming back."

"How long have we got?"

"Two minutes, tops, Commander. After that, there's no way we'll get past them."

Shepard looked at Jack…then up at her students…

"Get out of here and back to the Normandy. We'll find another way off the station."

"Roger that. Good luck, ma'am."

"Shepard to Sanders. The students are safe but the shuttle's a no-go."

"Understood. I might know another way off the station but I need station-wide camera access. Can you disable the Cerberus security override? It's routed through Orion Hall, so it should be nearby."

"How does camera access get us off this station?"

"We need to reach the Cerberus shuttles. The cruiser won't auto-target friendly ships, which gives us a fighting chance to escape. Get me back the cameras and I'll find a path to the shuttles that'll keep Cerberus from boxing you in."

Shepard searched the room and found a laptop sitting on a chair in the back corner of the room…

"Sanders, you should have full access now."

"Got it…the fastest way is through the Atrium, but Cerberus has sealed the doors. You'll need to disable to magnetic locks. The overrides should be directly above the door."

Shepard made her way upstairs and disabled the locks…

"Got it."

"You should be able to force the doors open now. I'll get to the shuttles ahead of you and get a pair ready to fly."

Shepard made her way back downstairs. Jack and her students gathered around as Shepard and Garrus pulled the doors open.

"Everyone be ready. We'll go in first and draw their fire," Shepard shouted down the hall to Jack.

"We'll shadow you from the second level and hit those fu…those guys from above!" Jack replied.

"Did Jack just refrain from swearing?" Garrus snickered.

Shepard chuckled as she shouted out to Jack, "Just time your shots and stay safe!"

Jack nodded as she looked at her students, "Alright, I didn't bust my ass training you so you could die now. Keep low, pick your targets."

Just then all the students' comms lit up…

"Students of Grissom Academy, the station is sealed. The Alliance soldiers cannot save you. All they can do is get you killed. Surrender peacefully, and you won't be harmed."

"Assholes," Jack scoffed. "Switch your omni-tools to privacy mode so they can't track you."

"What if they're not lying?" student Rodriguez asked.

"You've already held your own against Cerberus. You've been trained for this by one of the best!" Shepard yelled out.

"Come on, Rodriguez. They're only asking nicely cuz you scared 'em in that last fight. So take your balls outta your purse and kick some ass," Jack said.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Let's go."

They worked their way through the station…taking out guardians, centurions, combat engineers and another Atlas. Cerberus was determined not to let the students escape. They fought their way further towards the shuttle bay and came across a group of assault troopers that were trying to get past a shield that two students had set up. Shepard took out the troopers and then approached the students.

"I'm Commander Shepard with the Alliance, I'm here to help."

"I've got no reason to believe you," said the student named Octavia. "This is a multi-core shield prototype based on cyclonic barrier tech. It'll hold off your guns for hours."

"Sanders, this is Shepard. I've got some scared students hiding behind a shield prototype."

"How do we know it isn't just Cerberus rigging the voice?" said the other student named Isaac.

"You could test for distortion peaks, Isaac, like I did when you faked a voiceprint to break curfew. And if that's Octavia's shield, remind her that I docked her half a grade because application of non-concurrent forces overloaded the emitters."

The students looked at each other and then lowered the shield.

"You did a great job keeping yourselves safe," Shepard commended. "The biotic students are up there. Stay close and they'll get you out of here."

"Okay, uh…thanks."

Shepard and her squad continued on their way…taking out many more Cerberus enemies along the way. They met up with Kahlee at the shuttle. They all started to load in when Jack panicked…

"Wait! Where the hell's Rodriguez?"

Shepard and Jack ran back for her…she was running from assault troopers. Jack surged with her biotics as she charged at the troopers…like a mother tiger protecting her cub. While Jack took care of Cerberus, Shepard ran over and grabbed Rodriguez…helping her over to the shuttle. As soon as they were in…the shuttle took off.

"Joker, we flew out on a Cerberus shuttle. Watch your fire," said Shepard.

"Right, I've got you on sensors. Should just be a minute."

"Thank you, Commander," Kahlee said. "We'd have never gotten off that station if you hadn't come."

"Fu…forget that. We kicked some ass. Next place we dock, you're all getting inked. My treat," said Jack. "What do you guys want? Ascension Project Logo? Glowing fist? Maybe a unicorn for Rodriguez?"

"Screw you, ma'am!"

"I can't believe we got them out alive," said Kahlee. "I was going to suggest that they stick to support roles. But perhaps they're ready after all."

Shepard looked over at Jack and could see the worried look on her face from Kahlee's suggestion. Jack looked over at Shepard…anxiously waiting for her response. For whatever reason, Shepard could tell that Jack was not crazy about the idea of her students stepping out of a support role.

"They're definitely ready…but the Alliance needs them in a support role," Shepard said.

She saw a look of relief in Jack's eyes…one she was certain no one else would pick up on.

"What? We trained for artillery strikes!" said student Prangley.

"We don't need another artillery unit. We need stronger barriers for our front-line squads."

"This is bullshit!" said Rodriguez.

"Hey, if that's where they need us, that's where we go. Besides, I'm sure we'll get some shots in," said Jack.

"Commander, we've got a visual on you now…preparing to dock. Hey Jack, now that you're military…you gonna wear a uniform? Or are you just getting the officer's bars tattooed on?"

"Screw you, fu…flight lieutenant."

"Oh huh…uh…what the hell was that?"

Kahlee chuckled, "Jack promised to watch her language in order to maintain the necessary professionalism we need from our teachers."

"What, does she have a swear jar or something? Cuz I bet if we emptied that thing, we could afford another cruiser."

"Cover your ears, kids," Jack said. "Hey, Joker…FUCK you!"

Once they were back on board, Shepard directed Kahlee and the students to the mess hall to grab some much needed food. Garrus playfully knocked into Jack as he walked by her - his way of saying hello and that it was good to see her. He continued on his way…probably headed to the main battery.

"You!" Shepard said as she grabbed Jack's arm. "I freaking missed you!"

"Yeah, yeah…I missed you too," Jack said with a smirk. "And hey, thanks for that back there…keeping my students in a support role."

"No problem. I could tell you were less than thrilled to see them in any other type of role."

"Hopefully it wasn't obvious to them."

"I don't think it was. So…how are your students doing?"

"They're scared and…I just don't think they're ready for war."

"And you haven't told them that, right?"

"Hell no! They need me to believe in them. Believe it or not but I did learn a few things from your speeches."

"I have to say Jack, you look good."

"Yeah, well…maybe some of your attitude rubbed off on me. I never had a family and these guys…well…anyone screws with my students and I will tear them apart."

"I wouldn't mess with you."

"So what's the plan now?"

"The plan is to drop you all off at the Citadel to prepare for your next assignments. But before we go there, I have to go to Tuchanka."

"Tuchanka?"

"Yep, curing the genophage - Mordin made a cure."

"Of course he did."

"So...I would love nothing more than to have you on my squad again…just like old times. Just one mission before I drop you off?"

"Hell yes, Shepard! Don't gotta ask me twice!"

"Awesome. This is gonna be fun! Now go grab some food and get your energy up. I'm gonna need your kick ass biotics I'm sure."

Jack rolled her eyes and pulled Shepard in for a quick hug before turning around and heading for the mess hall.

Shepard chuckled at Jack's under-handed soft side as she ventured off to find Garrus. She made her way to the main battery and opened the door. She found Garrus in there - just as she suspected. He was leaned over the console at the side of the room. She quietly walked up behind him…

"Hey," she said softly as she put her hand on his back. "Have you heard from your family yet?"

"Yes, they made it off Palaven. It was tight but they're okay."

"Oh thank God…that's so good to hear."

"Yeah, they're headed to the Citadel. I should be able to find them in the refugee camps."

"As soon as we handle the genophage, we're headed straight for the Citadel. You'll see them again before you know it."

She reached her arms around him for a hug, "I'm looking forward to meeting them."

"I'm looking forward to it too," he replied as he nuzzled her hair. He had Shepard safely in his arms and his family was alive and well…he felt like the luckiest person alive.

"Joker, what have you got?" Shepard asked at they flew in close to Tuchanka.

"Sensors show a Reaper parked at the Shroud facility. No way you're going to be able to land a shuttle there."

"Get everyone assembled in the war room. I want eyes on the Shroud."

"On it, Commander."

Shepard made her way to the war room and found Mordin, Victus and Wrex already waiting for her.

A visual of the Reaper and Shroud facility was displayed...

"New form of Reaper, Shepard," said Mordin. "Using Shroud to poison Tuchanka's atmosphere. Problematic."

"They want a fight? They just got one!" said Wrex.

"Primarch, we're going to need your help," said Shepard.

"That could be difficult…our losses on Palaven have been catastrophic," Victus replied.

"We're doing this for Palaven – no one said it would be easy."

"What do you have in mind?"

"A combined attack. You're people hit the Reaper with an airstrike. Wrex, at the same time your soldiers will be attacking from the ground. Together, we can draw it away from the tower."

"Yes, distractions," said Mordin. "Small team can reach Shroud facility – finish synthesizing cure. Will need Eve to come with us."

"Okay, is everybody on board?" Shepard asked.

"Like there's even a doubt! Let's move!" said Wrex.

"Commander, urgent message coming through for you – I'll send it to the comm room."

"Thank you, Traynor. I'm headed that way now."

Shepard figured it was either Hackett or Anderson...either of which she didn't feel like speaking to until after the mission. She was quite surprised though as she pulled up the vid comm and saw someone else entirely...

"Dalatrass?"

"Commander Shepard, we know you've reached Tuchanka. And by now I'm sure Mordin Solus has proposed using the Shroud."

"So what if he did?"

"You can't allow your misguided sympathy for the krogan to cloud your judgment. Do you honestly believe that curing the genophage will result in lasting peace?"

"That's impossible to know but I do know that the krogan deserve the chance. You can't condemn an entire species based on what might happen – that's not fair."

"What will happen is the krogan will reproduce out of control. Another war is inevitable."

"Is there a point to all this? What do you want?"

"Years ago, our operatives sabotaged the Shroud facility to ensure what you're planning couldn't be done. Mordin will likely detect this malfunction and repair it. But if you ensure that he doesn't, then the cure's viability will be altered just enough so that it fails. No one will notice the change."

"You sneaky bitch…you want me to trick the krogan?"

"They need not be the wiser – let Urdnot Wrex believe you fulfilled your agreement."

"First of all, Wrex is a friend of mine - I could never deceive him like that and second, Mordin would never stand for that."

"We can provide you with our very best scientists to build the Crucible and the full support of our fleets."

"If I sabotage the cure."

"Just think about it, Commander. The choice is yours."

Cortez flew the shuttle down to Tuchanka…

"I've ordered the clans to assemble at the Hollows," said Wrex. "It's our sacred meeting ground. We'll land there and take an armored convoy against the Reaper. This will be the defining moment of krogan history."

"Krogan history filled with defining moments," Mordin said. "Mostly bloody. Hope this one is better."

"Commander, you seem troubled," Eve said as she stared at Shepard...detecting the turmoil that she was feeling within.

"I got a message from…"

* BOOM BOOM*

The whole shuttle shook as Wrex received an incoming message…

"Wrex, it's Wreav! The Reapers are already at the Hollows! Come out with guns blazing!"

"Hang on tight, we're heading in!" said Cortez.

The Hollows was swarmed with husks. Wrex jumped out of the shuttle first…blasting a hole through a husk's chest with his shotgun.

"I'll run ahead and check on the clans!" said Wrex as he headed off. "Protect Eve! I'll be back soon!"

Shepard looked at Jack and Garrus, "Okay, let's move out!"

They fought their way into the Hollows…protecting Eve as they ventured further in. Soon they joined up with Wrex and his fellow krogans.

"What's a salarian doing here?" Wreav scoffed. "No one said anything about this."

"Who the hell are you?" Shepard asked.

"Urdnot Wreav…brood brother to our illustrious leader."

"Oh, so you're the asshole I've heard so much about."

"Wreav and I share the same mother. And nothing else," said Wrex.

"For which I'm thankful," replied Wreav. "I remember what it means to be a true krogan. We flay our enemies and drown them in a geyser of their own blood. We don't invite them into our home."

Garrus could see Shepard's hands starting to shake…she was getting upset. He reached out and gripped her arm; his silent way of saying Calm down, don't do anything stupid.

"Listen jackass! The salarian is with me and he's not your enemy! He's here to help cure the genophage!" Shepard said snidely to Wreav.

"His kind gave us the genophage! Why should we trust him?" Wreav shouted as he stormed over to Shepard.

Garrus' grip on Shepard's arm grew stronger….holding her back. Garrus was about to step in if Wreav got any closer but Wrex stepped forward and head-butted him.

"Because I trust him!" Wrex said. "And so will you, Wreav."

Wreav growled and pulled out his gun…aiming it at Wrex.

"Enough!" Eve yelled as she walked down the stairs and approached the rest of them. All the krogan stopped and looked over at her…

"You can stay here and fester old wounds as krogan have always done. Or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy…and win a new future for our children," Eve said. "I choose to fight! Who will join me?"

"I will," said Shepard.

"And so will I!" Wrex said. "Now hold your heads high like true krogan! There's a Reaper that needs killing!"

Shepard looked at Wreav…waiting for his response. He simply nodded…signaling his agreement. With that, the krogan all headed off for the armored vehicles.

Shepard looked over at Garrus, "Can I have my arm back now?"

"Oh, sorry," he replied as he let go of her.

"Geez, protective much?" she chuckled as they started walking forward.

"This isn't a new concept. You lack self-preservation; I have no choice but to look out for you."

"When will you just admit it?"

"Admit what?"

That you love me!

"Nothing…never mind. Let's go cure the krogan so they can breed ugly little babies!"

"I'm going to tell Wrex you said that," Garrus snickered.

"Ugh, please don't – I really don't feel like getting sucker punched by a krogan right now."

"Fine, but you'll have to make it worth my while to keep my mouth shut."

"You guys do realize that I'm right here!" Jack said…faking disgust.

"Oh shut up, Jack," Garrus laughed.

They climbed into the armored vehicles and set off for the tower and once again Shepard was left with her troubling thoughts of what the Dalatrass had said.