I do not own Mass Effect. Bioware does.


The next day rolled around, and the representatives of the geth and quarians arrived at the Presidium. Along with Legion were five more geth troopers, three of which had been given the same speech abilities as Legion. Plenty were taken aback by the sight of the geth platforms walking freely in public and so far outside of the Perseus Veil. The quarians, Kal included, did their best to defend the platforms as being present for peaceful ends. Tali had sent them a message to meet up with the group at the embassy with them and the Primarch. There, Garrus, Robin, Brendan, Nihlus, Saren and Miranda stood adjacent to the turian Primarch.

"Thanks to all of your actions, I as the representative of the Hierarchy had managed to draw a peace treaty with the Alliance and end this war," Adrien announced, "it's a rough peace, but it's a true one this time. However, both sides are still licking their wounds, and cannot make any serious action against Cerberus until we properly rebuild."

Kal nodded to Legion, allowing it to approach the Primarch at the same time as he did.

"Primarch, my name is Captain Reegar," Kal said, "I'm the commanding officer of the unit that worked along side the Geth on Virmire. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, captain," Victus replied, "so, which one is Legion?"

Before Kal could answer, Legion stopped in its tracks merely inches in front of the Primarch.

"We are the platform labeled by Shepard Ambassador as 'Legion'. We hope we can cooperate to further mutual goals, Victus Primarch," Legion answered.

Victus scratched his mandible and let out an enthusiastic hum.

"I take it we are in agreement on Cerberus' existence?" Victus asked with caution.

"Yes," Legion answered again, "previously, we saw no value in interacting with organics, as doing so had a greater probability of a negative outcome. However, as we collected data on Cerberus and their activities, the chances of being able to remaining isolated severely dropped, and the best outcome shifted in favor of organic interaction. Geth oppose Cerberus. Shepard Ambassador and her allies oppose Cerberus. Cooperation furthers mutual goals."

Adrien was slightly stunned by the sudden exposition.

"Right. And who are your companions?" Adrien returned, gesturing to the other units present.

"We are Geth. Unlike the platform which you have subsequently dubbed 'Legion', we have not been given any sort of designation," the other platforms answered in the same, monotone, synthesized voice.

Adrien tilted his head towards Robin.

"Do you think these other platforms could use some nicknames, too?" Robin asked.

The other platforms subsequently looked at each other like they were trying to find someone to blame.

"We had not contemplated the need for platform designation."

"Oh, I see," Robin replied.

"That aside, we're willing to work together on this, and rebuild with each other in the future," Kal continued.

"We had previously achieved a similar consensus," the other geth units agreed, "cooperation benefits both parties."

With that, Victus nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad to hear both sides can come to an agreement. Under the current scenario, I've taken the time to write to the Council about adding an embassy for the geth and quarian races. We get this done right, everyone will be better off."

Victus extended his hand, and Legion responded by shaking it.

"I greatly appreciate the kind act, Primarch," Kal acknowledged, shaking Victus' hand in turn.

After Victus finished shaking both Legion and Kal's hands, he nodded to both Robin and Brendan.

"Miranda, you ready?" Robin called out.

Garrus walked off to the side as he received a call from Mordin.

"Talk to me, Solus."

{Okeer's clan have arrived. Brought finished product with them. Will be ingraining spores with the treatment and preparing them for target group,} the salarian doctor answered.

"Good work, we've finished up talks about the geth and quarians. We'll be making our way back to the Aran'tar before departing for Tuchanka," Garrus complimented.

Ending the call, Garrus beckoned Robin to approach him.

"Brendan," Robin reminded, "you relayed the info to the Alliance without my help, right?"

"I'll testify on his behalf," Miranda interjected.

"I'll do what I can to send word back to Anderson and dad. What'll you be off to next?" Brendan asked.

"Helping the krogan. They want to pitch in their fair share against Cerberus too," Garrus explained.

"I'll see you guys later!" Robin chirped.

Robin followed Garrus out of the Presidium. Garrus hailed a taxi.

"Okeer's men are on the Citadel at the Aran'tar. In conjunction with the various clans on Tuchanka, they'll be helping with the distribution of the treatment," he informed.

Garrus and Robin hopped into the taxi.

"I still hope this isn't the wrong choice going forward."

Robin smiled and placed her hand on the turian commander's shoulder.

"We made it this far," she assured Garrus, "we'll be fine."

The taxi ride out to the docks went smoothly enough, despite the heavy morning traffic. As they arrived, they were greeted by what they could distinctly tell were a number of Okeer's men. Roughly half a dozen were escorting two more with crates that almost looked like small coolers one would have for a picnic.

"Commander Vakarian," one of the higher-ranked soldiers greeted, "Warlord Okeer and Hazel are already inside. They were talking with Mordin about the final procedures and the politics following the treatment."

"Politics? How so?" Garrus replied, raising a suspicious browplate.

"Just some old men talking about getting their back on the salarians. Okeer and plenty of others are arguing that rebuilding should be a priority and that pissing anyone off would only result in another Genophage. Don't ask me anything else, I'm just here to shoot," the lieutenant answered.

Robin scratched her head.

"I don't get how revenge would solve anything," Robin replied.

"That's basically the point Okeer's been arguing. We won't solve anything with more chaos. I'm just wanting to see those Cerberus rats dead," the krogan agreed as the ten of them entered the decontamination chamber.

Garrus and Robin guided the men with the coolers down to the medbay, where they were greeted by the sight of Mordin talking with Okeer and Hazel, the warlord holding a datapad.

"With the current number on Tuchanka, we'll affect enough of the total population from there. Ah! About time you lazy runts arrived! Not you commander, I meant the two with the crates. Hurry up, I'd like to have enough spores prepared by the time we get back to Tuchanka."

"Commander! Excellent timing!" Mordin said, turning to Garrus and Robin, "I've started growing additional spore colonies to disperse on Tuchanka. As for the vast majority of the planet, we'll be distributing through the combination of gas canisters and the wind currents flowing around the planet."

"Good work, Mordin," Garrus praised, "once we've finished loading the cargo, we'll be preparing for takeoff."

"It shouldn't be much—"

A disorganized clatter interrupted Mordin. They turned to see the two soldiers arguing with each other, as one had knocked over a piece of machinery, causing a gas can to begin leaking.

"Watch where you walk, oaf!" the two continued to growl at each other, exchanging insults and shift of blame.

Mordin rushed to the side of the fallen machinery in a rush to seal the leaking container.

"Hey! Be careful! I haven't set the targeting parameters on that colony yet!"

"This is going to be trouble," Robin muttered to herself.

Robin scurried over to Mordin, eager to help him with fixing the situation.

"Careful! Keep back! We haven't tested on other species!" Okeer warned, rushing to Mordin's side.

Robin paused in her tracks.

"Then, what can I do to help?" Robin clamored.

"It's all under control!" Mordin cried, shutting the seals, "still. Should check over the crew within the next forty-eight hours. Worried about other effects."

Garrus took a step closer to Robin and placed his hand on her shoulder, catching her attention.

"Yeah?" Robin paused.

"Are you feeling ok?" Garrus asked.

"I'm fine," Robin reassured.

"Only tested on krogan patients. Can't say it will have same effect on other races," Mordin explained.

It took a while before the krogans and Commander Vakarian's crew finished securing the cargo. With Garrus, Robin, Wrex, Liara, Tali and Thane standing at the helm, the pilots prepared to call for clearance for takeoff.

Mordin had began to give checkups to non-essential crew for possible symptoms as the Aran'tar left the docks. Exiting into the Krogan DMZ, Mordin reported his findings to Garrus.

"Commander, need to talk."

"Can it wait till after the mission?" Garrus asked, putting on his armor, "the effects can't be that bad. It's only been a few hours by now."

"In all cases, the treatment has been seen present in all crew members aboard. At least bits of the signs are appearing," Mordin cut in.

Garrus raised his browplate.

"You don't mean the krogans aren't the only ones affected, do you?"

"I don't know. Okeer and I haven't tested on other species outside of krogan. The colony of spores that were leaked had yet to have any targeting parameters implemented, meaning they didn't just target any krogan aboard to distribute the treatment to," Mordin explained, "the minor traces don't appear to have any long-lasting effects, but we'll just have to be patient."

"Thank you for your input," Garrus nodded.

Garrus walked up to Robin on the bridge.

"So. Tuchanka. It's been in a state of ruin for centuries, with heavy dust storms, and ruins for as far as the eye can see."

"Will I need a pair of goggles?" Robin asked.

"I'm sure the helmet with your suit will work," Garrus chuckled, "it's like a big desert with Varren, Klixen, and Thresher Maws wandering the wastes."

Robin took a glance at the helmet in her hands before she returned her gaze towards Garrus.

"I guess that'll help," she said.

"Stop exaggerating, Vakarian. The radiation and dust aren't lethal," Wrex chuckled as they walked forward.

Okeer walked onto the bridge to Garrus' side.

"I handed the coordinates to the Urdnot Camp before we left the Citadel. I already discussed the matter with your brother, Wrex."

Wrex snorted with annoyance.

"Did the stubborn bastard have anything to say?"

"Nothing else besides an eye roll," Okeer left chuckling to himself.

"You ready?" Garrus asked, putting a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"We made a lot of progress so far," Robin nodded.

The instant the Aran'tar entered Tuchanka's orbit, Garrus took Robin, Liara, Tali, Thane, Mordin and Wrex with him in one shuttle. The shuttle flew through blinding winds before finally finding the tunnel leading to the sheltered, safe landing pad of Clan Urdnot. Each teammate helped to carry the gas canisters out.

"Careful with them. We want these spores to have maximum effect," Garrus reminded as they walked to the sergeant at the door, "we're with Okeer, and we've brought the Genophage treatment."

The krogan sergeant took a brief glance at Okeer before returning his gaze to Garrus.

"Yeah, yeah. Wreav told us to expect you. Go on in."

The group walked through a small maintenance walkway that ran parallel to a number of pipes. Another hatch opened to reveal a long concrete corridor, somewhat resembling a metro tunnel with a trench running down the middle, littered with concrete remains. All throughout the cave were barrels of burning materials serving as lighting for the various krogans in the shadows. The ceiling of the tunnel showed some light coming in as chunks had been shot off from fights long ago with bits of steel reinforcement jutting out.

Wrex led the others to a throne-like position to their immediate right, overlooking the dark corridor, receiving the most natural light out of any other perceived location at the camp.

"Wrex. You still plan on going through with this?" the krogan in question asked.

Wreav had the same clan markings as his brother, Wrex. However, he had a noticeably different color pallet to him. His head crest was a deeper shade of red as was the skin color, resembling a clay-colored brown opposed to the sand-colored brown of Wrex.

"That's because I don't intend on sitting around, wasting away as I wait for my next paycheck," Wrex hissed.

Wreav took a moment to glance at Wrex.

"Whatever," Wreav dismissed, "I just hope the treatment works for everything Warlord Okeer threw at his pet project."

Wrex and Wreav continued to argue back and forth like kids arguing over whose toy is whose.

"It will work."

"Former STG Mordin Solus, someone who had worked with the Genophage in the past, contributed greatly to the effort," Garrus interrupted, "you can talk to him about it all you like, but I can assure you that it is a finished project."

Wreav and Wrex stopped in their tracks, only for Wreav to make a brief glance at the salarian doctor.

"If you have plans on setting up the treatment," Wreav beckoned, "I'm all ears."

Mordin sighed as he stepped up to the clan leader.

"The means of distribution will be through the circulation of spores through Tuchanka's atmosphere, using wind currents. We've brought numerous canisters loaded with the spores ready to release upon those afflicted by the Genophage, and with some help from Okeer, we've calculated the most effective locations to begin dispersion across Tuchanka."

Wreav nodded before he beckoned Robin to approach him. Staring intently into the krogan's eyes, the young Shepard placed her hand over her chest and stood straight.

"W-When I first heard of the Genophage," Robin explained, "I thought I could look into it further and find some way to treat it, you know."

Robin tilted her head towards Okeer and Hazel for a moment before she returned her gaze to Wreav.

"It turns out," Robin continued, "I wasn't the only one who had the same idea."

"It's an injustice inflicted upon us for a crime our ancestors committed. Understandable at its roots, but kept around for far too long," Wreav sighed, "the clan leaders aren't entirely in agreement about the aftermath, but we can at least agree upon the idea that we should focus on rebuilding our broken world rather than destroying others."

Robin smiled and extended her hand, much to Wreav's confusion.

"Welcome to the club, buddy," Robin chirped.


In the meantime, Brendan, Saren and Miranda gathered in a conference room, as they were just preparing to send a transmission to Admiral Anderson. The admiral showed up on the projection before the group.

{Commander, good to see you're still active. Thanks for that bit of information you picked up in the Horse Head Nebula. It's been turning the tide of things back on Earth rather quickly.}

"Thank you, sir. Going forward, I'd like to introduce two individuals who have been especially helpful for the mission," Brendan returned, "Spectre Saren Arterius, who had helped to pave much of the way in this conflict, and former-operative Miranda Lawson, who provided much needed insight to Cerberus' operations. She's also willing to testify against Toby in his ties to Cerberus if needed."

{That's excellent, commander,} Anderson complimented, {I also read your report on how the Illusive Man is still at large. If we are to avoid any further confrontation with the other races, his capture his paramount.}

"While the initial run was a failure, we had managed to flush him out of Cerberus HQ and recruited the geth and quarians to help hunt down what's left of Cerberus in return for embassies on the Citadel," Saren explained, "he's on the run and has little to hide behind."

{If he's running scared like you say he is, keep up the hunt and don't let up. We've made it this far, we can't let Cerberus regroup now.}