Love, Blood & Tears
Chapter 38:
The turian airstrike team was ten minutes out as Shepard and her squad rode in the armored convoy to the shroud.
"Wreav isn't the only krogan who wants revenge for the genophage, Wrex," said Eve. "You'll have to placate them somehow."
"I'll demand that the Council return some of our old territory," said Wrex. "We'll need room to expand. Recapture the glory of the ancients."
"Glory of ancients led to krogan rebellion," Mordin said. "Countless deaths, creation of genophage. Expansion plan problematic."
"What were the ancient krogan like?" Shepard asked.
"Tuchanka wasn't always a wasteland," Eve replied. "In the old times, the krogan were a proud people. We had dreams; a future to look forward to."
"Until salarian interference?" offered Mordin.
"No, we destroyed Tuchanka ourselves," said Eve. "Technology changed us - it made life too easy. So we looked for new challenges…and found them in each other. Nuclear war was inevitable."
"And now our planet is rubble," said Wrex. "We'll need a better place to live."
"I'd say helping defeat the Reapers would be worth a new planet," said Shepard.
"Or ten," Wrex replied. "You haven't seen how fast we can pop them out."
"Wrex!" scolded Eve.
"What?" he chuckled. "With the genophage cured, we'll have a lot of catching up to do."
Shepard gave a half smile…trying her best to not seem distracted in thought. It did not fool Eve though…
"Commander, back on the shuttle…was there something you were going to say?" Eve asked.
"The Dalatrass tried to cut a secret deal with me," Shepard sighed.
"What kind of deal?" asked Wrex.
"She said they sabotaged the shroud years ago. The cure won't work unless we fix it."
"And she thought we wouldn't know better?" Wrex scoffed.
"Correctly, would likely have fooled tests," said Mordin. "But familiar with STG work - did not come this far for nothing."
"You just spared our race another genocide, Commander," said Eve.
"I told you we could count on her," Wrex said proudly.
Suddenly, the vehicle came to a stop…
"Why are we stopping?" Wrex asked.
Shepard opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle. She walked up to the leading vehicle to see what the problem was. The road ahead was out…the convoy couldn't make it through. Shepard got on her comm and informed the turian fighters that they needed to hold off.
"Negative, Commander. Our approach is locked."
Shepard looked up to see the turian fighters fly by…
"The airstrike alone won't do it, we need to get in there and help with the fight," said Garrus.
"Damn it!" Shepard exclaimed. "We need to move! Now!"
Suddenly, a turian fighter got shot and lost control…it was headed straight for the convoy. Garrus pushed Shepard out of the way and threw himself over her to shield her from the crashing fighter.
"Wrex! Get Eve out of here!" Shepard yelled into her comm.
The armored convoy drove off quickly…going off road and through the destroyed road path. Shepard and her squad set out by foot to meet back up with the convoy. The turian fighters had to fall back…they were getting decimated without ground support. Shepard, Garrus and Jack found themselves making a path through the Catacombs…the city of the ancients. There was no map for the area and it was pitch black. On top of that, they kept feeling tremors.
What the hell is that?
As they found the exit, they come across a dead rachni…
"Great, where there's one - there's more," said Garrus.
"Let's just get the hell out of here," Shepard said as they climbed up the stairs and made their way back outside.
They fought their way through cannibals, husks, ravagers and armored brutes while working up to where the convoy was waiting for them. As they approached the armored trucks, the mother of all thresher maws showed up…Kalros.
"Hurry, Shepard! Get in!" Wrex yelled.
Shepard and her squad piled in and the trucks took off quickly…heading towards the shroud…to the Reaper. The convoy parked and Shepard climbed out of the vehicle. Garrus stepped out behind her and looked ahead at the massive Reaper that was blocking their path to the tower.
"I know we've beaten the odds before," Garrus whispered. "But getting to that tower…I don't know."
"Did I just hear what I think I heard?" Jack scoffed as she walked up behind him. "When did you become such a pussy?"
"Are you doubting our mad skills, Garrus?" Shepard chimed in.
"What? No!"
"We're curing the genophage no matter what it takes," said Wrex. "Everything my people will ever be depends on it."
"Then I hope you have an idea of how to get around that thing," Shepard said as she pointed out at the Reaper.
"Yes, Eve has a plan," Wrex replied.
"Kalros. We summon her to the Reaper," said Eve.
"Would that even work?" Shepard asked.
"Already discussed strategy," said Mordin. "Just need to distract Reaper, draw it away from the tower while cure synthesized…released."
"What makes you sure she'll come?"
"This is as much her home as it is ours," said Eve.
"If Tuchanka has a temper…it's her," said Wrex. "Nobody's ever faced her and survived."
"Wow…this is such a crazy idea."
"And going head to head with Sovereign wasn't?" Wrex said. "This is the only way to get to the tower and release the cure. There's no other choice."
"How do we even summon her?"
"The tower was built in an arena devoted to Kalros' glory. The salarians thought she would scare away intruders," said Eve. "There are two maw hammers in there - if you can activate them then Kalros will come and that should distract the Reaper."
"Meanwhile, laboratory nearby - will finish synthesizing cure," said Mordin.
"Okay, let's do it," said Shepard. "We're gonna have one hell of a story to tell when this is all over."
"Shepard, I want you to know that no matter what happens…you've been a champion to the krogan people," said Wrex. "A friend of Clan Urdnot. To every krogan born after this day…the name Shepard will be known as hero!"
"Thank you, Wrex," she replied as she reached out and firmly grabbed hands with Wrex.
All of a sudden, ravagers showed up. Wrex charged after them while yelling at Shepard to move out and activate the hammers. Shepard and her crew fought through cannibals while Mordin and Eve made their way to the lab to finish up the cure. As Shepard grew closer…the Reaper caught sight of her and started firing its laser. Thankfully, the turian fighters showed back up and helped distract the Reaper while Shepard and her squad headed in for the hammers. Garrus and Jack took on the armored brutes that were guarding the middle of the arena while Shepard ran up and activated the hammers.
Soon, the Thresher maw approached and lunged for the Reaper. Shepard and her squad ran far from the radius of the fight. The Reaper was no match for Kalros…it was an amazing sight to see. She took down the Reaper with what seemed like little effort at all.
"Mordin, how's it coming?" Shepard said into her comm.
"Cure ready. At base of tower now."
"Okay, I'm headed your way now. Cortez, lock down on this position. We'll be ready for pick up in less than five."
"On my way, Commander."
Shepard and Garrus ran over to the tower and found Mordin at a central terminal…preparing to load up the cure. The tower and arena area were starting to fall apart…the area was unstable.
"Are we good to go, Mordin?"
"Two minutes, Commander," Mordin said. "Control room on top of tower, must take elevator up."
"You're going up there?"
"Yes, manual access required. Have to counteract STG sabotage to ensure the cure disperses properly."
"Mordin, this whole thing is coming apart! There's gotta be another way!"
"No, no other option - not enough time. Not coming back…suggest you get clear. Explosion likely to be problematic."
"Damn it, Mordin! No!"
"Shepard, please…need to do this. My project, my work, my cure…my responsibility."
"Mordin…I…I'm sorry."
"I'm not. Had to be me - someone else might have gotten it wrong."
Mordin nodded as he entered the elevator and it started its ascent to the top of the tower. Shepard started to freak out and ran towards the elevator. Garrus ran after her and grabbed hold of her arm…
"We have to go!" he shouted as he tugged at her to follow him out.
"We can't leave him!"
"There's nothing we can do! Jane…please."
Shepard let out a heavy sigh and her hands were shaking…Garrus had to all but drag her trembling body out of there and over to the extraction sight. As they neared the pickup location, Shepard saw the shuttle in the distance…
There's still a way!
"Cortez, do you read me?" Shepard said frantically into her comm.
"Loud and clear, Commander. Almost to the extraction sight."
"Yes, I can see you. Change of plans! See the tower straight ahead of you? Head to the top of it and hurry! Look for a window or opening of some sort! Mordin is up there and he'll need a quick exit before the tower explodes! Move your ass!"
"Aye aye."
Shepard watched with hopeful eyes as the shuttle passed them and flew up to the top of the tower.
Oh God, please let him make it in time…please.
Meanwhile, at the top of the tower…
Mordin stepped off the elevator as he took a deep breath. The alert system was warning of a temperature malfunction and many of the consoles had caught on fire. He walked up to the main terminal and stabilized the temperature. Then he bypassed the security measures and dispensed the cure. It lit up the sky…it was a beautiful sight.
"Genophage cured…krogan free…new beginning," Mordin whispered to himself as he turned around to look out the window through the elevator…where a shuttle was hovering.
Meanwhile, back at the extraction sight…
Shepard watched as the shuttle disappeared behind the backside of the tower…
*BOOM!*
The top level of the tower exploded out!
No! God damn it! No!
"Cortez, come in! Cortez, do you copy?" Shepard was practically screaming into her comm.
"I read you, Commander."
The shuttle rounded the corner of the tower and started its descent to their location.
"Do you have Mordin? Did you get to him in time?"
"Yes, Commander. I have Mordin - he made it."
"Oh, thank God," she sighed as she leaned forward and rested her hands on her knees, "Come pick us up and let's get the hell out of here - my heart can't take anymore today!"
"Headed your way now."
Garrus walked over to her and patted her on the back. Jack walked around to the other side of Shepard and leaned her body into her; to help support her weight and keep her knees from buckling. They could both see the toll all of this was having on Shepard. Jack and Garrus exchanged sympathetic glances…knowing that they were both thinking the same thing.
Shepard quickly found her composure and stood back up straight. She gave Garrus and Jack nods of appreciation before turning around to face Wrex.
"So the turians can count on your support I take it?"
"You can count on it, Shepard. Thanks for all your help," Wrex replied.
"You got it, buddy. I expect your ass on the battlefield, okay? Don't spend every minute trying to make babies when we've got a war to win."
"No promises," Wrex chuckled.
"Take care, Wrex," Shepard said as she reached out to shake his hand.
"You too, Shepard."
Once they were back on board the Normandy, Mordin pulled Shepard aside…
"Risking pilot and shuttle to save me unnecessary, Shepard. Was ready to die," said Mordin.
"Well I wasn't ready, okay? You're too important, Mordin. Everything you do…well, somebody else could get it wrong," she smiled.
"True…thank you."
"You're welcome. Would you be willing to stay on as a full time member of my crew?"
"Would be honored, Shepard."
"Glad to hear it."
She flashed him another smile as she patted his arm. Then she set off for her galaxy map and set a course for the Citadel. After that, she decided to make her rounds to check on the crew.
Meanwhile, Garrus had headed to the main battery where he proceeded to take his visor off to download the latest batch of data onto the console. Once the download was complete, he noticed the terminal was showing a five minute clip had been downloaded from the visor.
That's odd…I haven't recorded anything since the last download.
Garrus clicked open the file and the video started playing…of him…and Shepard…naked…having sex.
Wha…I must've accidentally started recording…but how?
Looking at the footage, it was of a quickie they had in the main battery. They didn't have a lot of time so they were moving fast… from what he could recall the video feed was starting right after he bumped his head a little too hard with Shepard during their rush to remove clothes. The bump must have been strong enough to start the recording feature.
Just then the door swooshed open and he could not close out of the terminal fast enough. He heard the boisterous laughter behind him…he cringed as he recognized who's laugh it was.
"Oh my God, Garrus!" Jack exclaimed. "I had no idea you and Shepard were so kinky!"
"Why, Jack? Why is it always you?"
"Because life's more fun that way. You've got some nice moves, Vakarian."
"Wow…yeah, I don't record this stuff - this was an accident."
"Uh-huh, sure."
"Hey guys!" Shepard said as she walked into the door frame next to Jack. "What's up?"
"Oh not much, just your boyfriend watching some videos of him screwing ya," Jack replied.
"What?"
"No! It was an accident!" Garrus defended. "I didn't know I was recording."
"Yeah well, that didn't stop you from watching it," Jack smirked.
"You're not helping," Garrus sneered.
"You're right, I should just leave the two of you aloneto work this out," Jack replied as she left the room.
Shepard looked up at Garrus as the doors closed behind Jack.
"So…video, huh?" Shepard said.
"Yep."
"Was it really an accident?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, okay! Just asking," she laughed. "Can I see it?"
"If you want to…it's mainly just you from the chest up and…some noises."
"Just show me," she smirked. "And EDI, please lockdown the main battery."
"Yes, Commander."
Hours later, they arrived at their destination. As the Normandy approached the Citadel…it could be sensed that something was off.
"Alliance control, this is SSV Normandy. Are we clear to descend?" Joker said on the comm.
There was no response. Joker tried again…still no answer.
"What the hell is going on down there?" asked Joker. "Even if there was a system malfunction - they would have back- ups online…I've got a bad feeling here. Checking emergency channels!...Shepard, there's a communication from Thane!"
"Put him through."
"Shepard, the Citadel is under attack. Cerberus troops are everywhere and they've taken control of the docks."
"Are you safe?"
"No, I had to evade their commandos at the hospital. I'm in a presidium store front."
"Did Kaidan make it out?"
"We got separated. He said he had to go protect the council. I'm going to C-Sec headquarters."
"Why C-Sec?"
"It's been compromised and as long as Cerberus controls the headquarters - they control the station."
"Alright. Joker, get us away from the docks and close to C-Sec HQ. We'll deploy in the shuttle."
"Aye aye, Commander."
Shepard got on her comm, "Garrus, Vega, gear up and meet me in the shuttle bay."
The shuttle dropped them off right in the middle of a hot zone. Shepard and her squad quickly took to cover…moving up little by little and taking out the Cerberus troops along the way.
"How did they gain control of this place so easily?" Shepard scoffed.
"Maybe an inside source?" Garrus offered.
"God, I hope not."
They made their way to the main entrance to C-Sec HQ and found Commander Bailey sitting down against the wall…he had been shot.
"Bailey! What's going on?" Shepard asked.
"Trying to take back headquarters, that's what's going on," he replied. "We gotta kick Cerberus out of there - all of C-Sec is flying blind without the network."
"How bad's the situation? Are the councilors safe?" Garrus asked.
"They split up, I'll know more if I can access the terminal inside," Bailey replied.
"Can you get us in?"
"I'll get the door…if no one interrupts me with a bullet his time."
Bailey slowly stood up, got the door open and they cautiously entered the headquarters. Bailey walked over to the nearest terminal.
"Here we go…C-Sec network access," said Bailey as he sat down at the console.
"What have you got?" Shepard asked.
"A warning from Councilor Valern. He's supposed to be here - meeting with the Executor. "Be on guard, the likelihood of betrayal from within is high." Not a lot else…but if he's inside…"
"Why would the Councilor be meeting with the Executor?"
"It means someone big is about to be prosecuted. I guess that someone had Cerberus friends."
"That inside source you were talking about, Garrus," Shepard said. "We need to find the Councilor - see what he knows."
"He might be in the Executor's office."
Shepard got on her comm, "Thane, meet us at the Executor's office."
"On my way…it's difficult to run but I'll be there as quick as I can."
Shepard and her squad fought through more Cerberus troops as they quickly made their way through. Shepard could hardly believe how many Cerberus troops had been sent to the Citadel. She wondered why they were even there…what did they want…what were they trying to gain? Who was their inside source?
They took the elevator up a few levels and they shot down many more Cerberus troopers before finally arriving at the Executor's office. Once inside they found the Executor dead and two salarian bodyguards but no sign of the Councilor. Garrus looked out the window…down at the level below. He noticed a chair move…then the Councilor appeared from underneath the table.
"There he is!" Garrus said.
"Let's go get him," said Shepard as she looked out the window and noticed a new person in the room below…an assassin of the Illusive Man…Kai Leng. Shepard shot out the glass in the window and jumped out to quickly get to the floor below. She aimed her gun at him…
"Get the hell away from him!" she yelled at Kai Leng.
"Shepard, he'll kill us all," Valern said with a shaky voice.
"That remains to be seen."
"But that's why he's here - to kill the Councilors! Udina is behind it!"
Son of a bitch!"
"I said get the hell away from him!" Shepard yelled at Leng. "Who the hell are you?"
"No, it's more fun this way," he replied. Soon he felt a gun aimed at the back of his head…it was Thane. Kai Leng quickly turned around and a fist fight ensued between the two. Leng flipped Thane over…Thane rolled with it and pulled his gun while quickly turning around and shooting. His bullets hit nothing…Kai Leng was nowhere to be found.
"Where'd he go?" Shepard asked…gun aimed…searching the room.
Soon he appeared again…sword drawn…charging at Thane. Thane quickly ducked, delivered a blow to Kai Leng's stomach and then pushed him back…knocking him to the ground. Leng got to his feet and charged after Thane…who ran to meet him. Thane shot…he missed…Leng did not. His blade went through Thane…then he withdrew the sword leaving Thane to fall into a pool of his blood on the ground.
"Thane! No!" Shepard yelled.
Kai Leng turned and ran out of the room…Shepard ran after him - shooting round after round at his back. She chased him to a balcony outside where a shuttle was waiting for him and quickly took him away from there.
"This isn't over!" Shepard shouted out to him. "I will kill you!"
Shepard turned around to find Thane had made his way to the balcony. He caught eyes with Shepard as he collapsed from his weakened state.
"Oh God, Thane," Shepard sighed as she ran over and knelt down beside him. She got on her comm, "Bailey, Thane needs medical attention fast and I need to get to an assassin in a hurry! He's out for the Councilors! Do you know where they are?"
"They're being taken to a shuttle pad on the Presidium. Start driving! I'll try reaching them on the comm."
"Thane…are you…"
"Go, Shepard! Don't worry about me."
"You're going to be okay…you're going…to…"
"Go…I'll be fine…just go."
She gave him a quick hug before standing up and heading off. She hoped that he would be alright…that she would see him again.
Shepard and her squad got a transit and were headed for the other Councilors' location when Bailey spoke over the comm…
"I've got a fix on the Council's position. I'm sending it to you now."
"Good work, Bailey. We're almost there," Shepard replied.
*THUD!*
"God damn it!" Shepard shouted as she jumped from the sight of Kai Leng landing on the hood of their transit. He ran over the top and sliced his sword through the engine in the back. Then he jumped off…landing on his transit that was hovering beside them. Their shuttle started to nose dive…they braced themselves for impact. They crashed on the lower levels of the Presidium.
"I really fucking hate that guy," Shepard sneered as they climbed out of the shuttle.
They would have to make it the rest of the way on foot. Bailey informed Shepard that the Council's guards were dead but he still showed vital signs on the Councilors themselves. He also let her know that Udina was with them…they had to get there fast - before Kai Leng.
They fought their way through more enemies before making it to the elevator. They saw Kai Leng and his operatives in the elevator and the doors shut.
CRAP!
Garrus and James pried open the doors to another elevator shaft. They climbed in and landed on top of the elevator box. Bailey used his network access to power up the shaft and sent it up quickly while making Leng's elevator stop on every floor. They quickly approached Leng's elevator and shot out the power terminals to stop him.
Moments later, Bailey informed Shepard that Leng had jumped to another elevator and overrode the controls…Bailey couldn't stop him. This didn't leave Shepard much time to save the Council…they had to work fast. They finally made it up to the top and ran out to the shuttle pad.
Kaidan and the Councilors had just noticed their shuttle had been destroyed and were turning around to head back to the elevator. As Kaidan turned around he saw Shepard and her squad approaching…locking the door behind them and their guns aimed at Udina.
"Shepard! What's going on?" Kaidan asked…gun aimed at Shepard.
Garrus growled at the sight of Kaidan's gun pointed at her and he quickly switched his aim from Udina…to Kaidan.
"Shepard's blocking our escape," Udina said. "She's with Cerberus!"
"Just hang on!" Kaidan shouted. "I've got this…everyone just calm down."
"You're not the one I want Kaidan," said Shepard. "It's the man behind you."
"What are you talking about? Put the gun away."
"Would I do this if I weren't dead certain, Kaidan? Would I? Udina is behind this attack. The salarian Councilor confirmed it."
"Please, you have no proof," Udina scoffed. "You never do."
"There are Cerberus troops coming up those elevators," Shepard said to the council. "If you open those doors - you're dead!"
"We've mistrusted Shepard before and it did not help us," Councilor Tevos said.
"We don't have time to debate this," Udina said as he walked over to a nearby terminal. "We're dead if we stay out here. I'm overriding the lock."
Kaidan was still looking at Shepard…gun still aimed at her.
"God damn it, Kaidan! Would you just fucking trust me for once?" Shepard said exasperated.
"I better not regret this," he sighed as he lowered his gun.
"You won't."
Kaidan turned around to face Udina…
"Step away from the console," Kaidan said with his gun now aimed at Udina.
"To hell with this!" Udina yelled as he started to override the door locks from the terminal. The asari Councilor walked over to him…bracing his arm. Udina pushed her away...knocking her to the ground. Then he pulled a gun on her.
"He's got a gun!" Kaidan yelled.
*BANG! BANG!*
Shepard turned back to look at Vega…his gun still smoking from the two shots it just fired.
Vega looked over at her...quickly noticing the look of surprise on her face.
"What? He had a gun," Vega said.
*BZZZZZ*
"The door!" Councilor Sparatus shouted.
Shepard turned around to find that someone was welding through the doors…and then the doors opened...revealing a familiar face.
"Bailey?"
"Hey Shepard, we got here as fast as we could. Looks like you took care of things though."
"Something's not right," said Tevos. "You said Cerberus was targeting us. So where did the soldiers go?"
"Cerberus was right here but they beat feet when they figured we were coming," Bailey replied. "Sorry Councilor, I'll say it plain…Shepard just saved the lot of ya."
"You've saved my life twice now, Shepard," said Sparatus. "I owe you both a personal debt and one of behalf of Palaven."
"You don't owe me anything," Shepard said. "In times like this, we all need to stand together."
"Commander, do you have any idea why the Illusive Man would do this?"
"No, I don't…but I plan to find out."
"Alright people, we've got a million places to secure," said Bailey. "Let's move out."
With that, Shepard set out to help Bailey secure the rest of the Citadel while Kaidan took the Councilors to a secure location.