Before the mission on Palaven's moon; Joan met some new additions to the crew. One of them being Samantha Traynor, and Steve Cortez. She was very glad to have both of them on board, and her sparring match with Vega helped a bit. She was grateful for the distraction he provided.
After she, Liara and James suited up, they headed for the shuttle, along with Cortez, who was their new shuttle pilot. They descended the Normandy's shuttle bay and started the trip to Palaven's moon. Joan watched the Battle for Palaven on the screens in the shuttle.
"Oh no, no… Palaven," Liara said. She knew why her tone was dark and worrisome.
Joan's eyes fell to the ground, "We have an old friend there."
She thought of Garrus. Right now, she wasn't sure where he was, even with Liara being Shadow Broker, she hadn't thought of asking her to check up on him. Liara herself had been busy with the prothean device, so even if she had asked her, she wasn't sure if Liara would find the time do locate him. Joan was hoping that he had somehow made it out of Palaven alive; but the darkness in her was poisoning her thoughts with his death.
Thankfully, James spoke, "They're getting decimated."
Well, thanks for the pick me up.
But he was right, "The strongest military in the galaxy and the Reapers are obliterating them."
"Was it like this on Earth?" Liara asked.
Joan watched James' head hang low, "Yes."
"Shepard… I'm sorry," she said, the sympathy clear in her voice.
Joan shrugged. She wasn't sure what to say.
Cortez shouted from the pilots seat, providing her with another distraction," Commander, the LZ is getting swarmed!"
Joan got on her feet, "James, open that hatch."
James immediately followed his orders. Joan cracked her neck and her fingers, ready for the upcoming gun fight.
"Shit! I can't get the comm tower to operate from this tower, someone's going to need to get up there and fix it manually," Joan started, she looked over to Liara, "You think you can handle it?"
Liara rolled her eyes, "Of course I can, just keep those husks off of me while I do this."
She started to climb that tower as Joan and James readied their weapons, "You ready, James?"
"Oh, I'm more than ready, Lola," James answered.
Joan smiled slightly. The husks came in and between both of them, they managed to hold them back. It was crucial to get the comm tower operational to learn who the next Primarch would be, being that Primarch Fedorian was killed. Naturally, Joan offered the General her assistance in the matter. She respected the Turians; and for Garrus.
She and James both fought wave after wave of husks until they finally heard Liara shout that she was finished. She jumped down from the tower and whatever husks were left were decimated.
"General, do you read? The comm tower is now operational," Joan said, radioing the General.
"Much appreciated, Commander, I'll contact Palaven command," General Corinthus answered.
"Let me know when you've got something, I'll help your men til I hear from you," she offered.
"Understood," Corinthus replied.
Joan, James and Liara all banded together, watching as the next wave of husks approached. Joan fired her shotgun as soon as a husk stepped into her range, James and Liara both firing as well. As another one got closer to her, she opted for stabbing it with her omni tool, to preserve bullets. James looked to be enjoying himself, hollering everytime he made a kill.
Well, there's someone who loves his job.
Liara's eyes fell on him a few times, puzzled at his enjoyment, but she didn't stare for long as husks rushed towards her as well. She was a very skilled biotic, so she wasn't too concerned about her.
After awhile of fighting the husks, she received a radio transmission from General Corinthus, "Commander Shepard, I've made contact with Palaven Command; please return ASAP."
"On our way," she responded, then turned to Liara and James, who just finished off the last of the husks, "Let's move."
Joan kept her weapon out, just in case they got swarmed by more husks, she wasn't confident that they would, but it was better to be safe. As they approached the compound, she received a few nods of gratitude from the General's men; she nodded back, a gesture to show that she would be there if they needed her.
As she approached the General, she started, "What have you got?"
"As your partner said, succession is usually simple, but right now, the hierarchy is in chaos, so many dead or MIA," he said. His voice was a little heavy, with exhaustion no doubt.
She sighed, leaning her head back, she responded, "Shit, what happens now?"
"I'm on it, Shepard, we'll find you the Primarch," she heard a familiar voice say. Her eyes opened wide as she saw her closest, and favorite battle buddy.
"Garrus?" she asked, elated.
"Vakarian, sir! I didn't see you arrive," Corinthus started.
"At ease, General," Garrus said, nonchalantly.
He must have really moved up. Good for him, the son of a bitch.
Joan quickly walked over to him and they shared a tight, friendly hug, "It's good to see you again, you bastard."
"And you, crazy ass," he smiled, as they let go.
"I thought you'd be on Palaven," she whispered.
"If we lose this moon, then we lose Palaven. I'm the closest damn thing they have to an expert on Reaper forces, so I'm… advising," he shrugged, like it was no big deal.
"James, this is Garrus Vakarian," James stepped up and shook Garrus' hand, "He helped me stop the Collectors; he's a hell of a soldier."
"Lieutenant," Garrus greeted, he then turned to Liara, "Good to see you too, Liara."
Liara smiled, "Good to see you in one piece, Garrus."
Garrus then turned to the Corinthus, "General Corinthus filled me in, we know who we're after."
"Palaven command tells me that the next Primarch is General Adrien Victus," Corinthus informed.
"Victus? His name has crossed my desk," Liara pointed out.
"Know him, Garrus?"
"I was fighting alongside him this morning; lifelong military, gets results, popular with his troops," he paused, "Not so popular with military command, has a reputation for playing loose with accepted strategy."
Joan shrugged, "Unconventional thinking might be the only way to save Palaven... And Earth."
Garrus nodded, understanding the small hint of sorrow in her voice, he will no doubt ask her about it later, "He'll do whatever it takes… reminds me of an old human Spectre I knew."
She chuckled, "Alright, let's get him in the shuttle and out of here."
Joan suddenly got a radio from Joker; he was going on about the Normandy shutting down systems and powering up weapons. He went on to say that he couldn't find the source; Joan sighed, deciding to send Liara to see what she could do for the Normandy.
"Garrus, you said you were with Victus this morning?"
"Yeah, but we got separated, he went to bolster a fleg that was breaking. He could be anywhere out there," he said.
"We're trying to raise him, Commander," Corinthus informed them.
"Garrus, take me to the last place you saw Victus," she said.
The fight that took place at the compound was a good one, at least, according to James. That guy's excitement was… amusing. Still, they managed to push back the heavy forces that were coming down on the unit that was commanded by Victus.
She watched him now, as he stared at the burning planet of Palaven. She and Garrus just gave him the news of his new rank, he didn't seem too happy about it. Then again, he was a soldier. Like her. They fought battles and protected people, the last thing either of them wanted to do was play politican.
"I'm Primarch of Palaven? Negotiating for the Turian hierarchy?"
"Yes," she answered.
He turned towards her, "I've spent my whole life in the military, I'm no diplomat. I hate diplomats."
"I don't like them either," she started, "But war is your resume, and at times like this we need leaders who've been through that hell."
"I like that," he sighed, softly, "You're right."
"And honestly, uniting these races might take as much strength as facing the Reapers," she pointed towards Palaven, which was burning, "See this devastation, Primarch? Double that for Earth. I need an alliance; I need the Turian fleet."
Victus walked up towards her, his gaze never faltering. He gave her a slight nod, "Give me a moment to say goodbye to my men."
Joan nodded. She knew what he was feeling, it was that exact feeling she felt as she left Earth. As she left Anderson behind.
"Without him down here, there's a good chance we lose this moon," Garrus pointed out.
"Without him up there, there's a good chance we lose everything, Garrus," she replied.
He turned towards a Reaper in the distance, "Look at that, and they want my opinion on how to stop it? Me! Failed C-Sec officer, Vigilante and I'm their expert advisor?"
He sighed, "Think you can win this thing, Shepard?"
She faced him now, "Yeah… I don't know, Garrus. But I'm sure as hell going to give it my best shot."
He turned to her, "I'm damn sure nobody else could do it. For whatever it's worth, I'm with you."
They slapped their hands together, Joan felt a little better to have her best buddy back, "Welcome aboard," she turned towards Victus, "Are you ready, Primarch Victus?"
He nodded, but as he walked towards her, he started, "One thing: Commander, I appreciate your need for our fleet but I can't spare them, not while my world is burning. But, if the pressure could be taken off Palaven…"
"That's a pretty tall order."
"We need the Krogan, I can't see us winning this war without them. Get them to help us, and then we can help you."
Joan pursed her lips, "The Krogan." It wasn't impossible; it would take a lot of negotiation and a lot of patience. The Krogan and the Turians haven't really seen eye to eye in ages; mostly having to do with the Genophage. She would need all the strength in the world to cement that alliance.
"Looks like your summit just got more interesting," Garrus teased, slightly.
Author's Note: The story is taking a really slow progression, and since my impatience is growing I might end up posting a few more chapters tonight. Also, special thanks to Nyx Krios for your review! I appreciate the comment and I'm glad you're liking it, also, I'm not sure if any of you that reviewed received my response via inbox, but I did reply! I don't want any of you to think that your comments and reviews don't mean anything to me because they really do. I promise. ^_^ [Also, my tumblr: .com] I must warn you though, I reblog a ton of Dramione, GoT, TWD, Mass Effect(obviously), Dragon Age, SoA; so I apologize if I annoy you with that. I'm trying to make it more SHRIOS dedicated, but I can't help it lol.
Still, hope you enjoy and much, much, much love to you all! Mwah!