Laryna

Once all were aboard the Normandy, I met with Miranda and Jacob in the war room.

"Bringing the krogan for study makes sense," Miranda was saying when I entered. "But I have concerns about waking it."

"Yeah, you've said that a few times now," Jacob grumbled in response.

"A normal krogan is dangerous," Miranda snapped. "This one was created, and likely educated, by a madman."

"I see everyone's enjoying the new paperweight." I noted. "Concerns?"

"We don't know anything about it, Commander." Miranda put it simply.

I smiled. "I know. You don't find that interesting?" Jacob shook his head at me.

Miranda sighed. "Krogan fight well at close quarters," she warned, seeing that I had already made up my mind. "Perhaps awakening him in a contained space wouldn't be prudent."

"Noted," I acknowledged. "The cargo hold is safe enough while I decide what to do with him." With that, and a few strange looks, they left me to report back to their posts. Still smiling, I made my way to the CIC. Kelly noticed me entering, and she looked a little frightened.

"Is it true we have a pod containing a baby krogan down in the cargo hold?" she asked.

"Not a baby," I corrected. "He's a full-grown super soldier ready for combat."

"Please be careful if you decide to... er... birth him? His personality is completely unknown."

I went into the elevator, wondering where everyone's sense of adventure has gone in the last two years. I set it to take me down to the engineering deck, and made my way to the cargo hold. The room was brightly lit, and the tank was sitting up in front of some crates, several wires leading from it into a power outlet in the wall.

"The subject is stable, Laryna," EDI said as I stood in front of the tank. "Integration with onboard systems was seamless."

"Can he see anything in there? Does he know where he is?" I asked, wondering if I should try talking to him of my intentions before letting him out. And his open eyes; how could he not be aware?

"Unlikely," EDI answered. "Current neural patterns indicate minimal cognition. Barring ship-wide power loss, the nutrients in the tank could sustain him for over a year."

"What can you tell me about his guy? Anything unusual?"

"The subject is an exceptional example of the krogan species, with fully formed primary, secondary, and tertiary organs, where applicable. No defects of any kind, aside from the genetic markers of the genophage present in all krogan. I cannot judge mental functioning."

I stepped a little closer. "Any idea how dangerous this guy is?"

"He is a krogan, Laryna," EDI said, and I could sworn I heard humor in her voice. "If you are asking whether he is actively hostile, I don't have the necessary data to answer. Okeer's technology could impart data, not methods of thinking. The subjects may know of his views, but would not necessarily share them."

Taking a deep breath, I approached the tank's controls. "Stand by. I'm going to open the tank and let him out."

"Cerberus protocol is very clear regarding untested alien technology," EDI discouraged.

"He's either a powerful additional to the crew or a time bomb. I'd rather deal with it now."

"Very well, Laryna. The controls are online. The switch—and the consequences—are yours."

Taking one more second to reflect on my decision, I hit the open command on the tank, and took several steps back as it started to unlock and the fluid to drain onto the floor. The process took nearly a minute, and the doors parted and the krogan dropped towards the floor. I thought he was going to completely collapse, but his knees bent and his hands came up, and he caught himself. He started coughing, forcing the extra liquid in his lungs out.

After a moment he stood up, at least a full foot taller then I was. He was blinking rapidly, so I took a few steps closer, thinking he was having trouble seeing me clearly. Then his eyes widen and focused on me, and with a roar and charged forward. With no room to maneuver, I was caught up in his force, and was slammed against the wall, feet dangling.

"Human. Female. Before you die, I need a name."

"I'm Commander Laryna Shepard," I answered, drawing my pistol from its holster as carefully as I could, but otherwise did not struggle. "And I don't take threats lightly. I suggest you relax."

"Not your name. Mine. I am trained. I know things, but the tank... Okeer couldn't implant connection. His words are hollow. Warlord, legacy, grunt... grunt. 'Grunt' was among the last. It has no meaning. It'll do. I am Grunt. If you are worthy of your command, prove your strength and try to destroy me."

I shifted my gun to his midriff. "You wouldn't prefer 'Okeer?' Or 'Legacy'?"

"It's short. Matches the training in my blood. The other words are big things I don't feel. Maybe they fit you mouth better. I feel nothing for Okeer's clan or his enemies. I will do what I am bred to do—fight and determine the strongest—but his imprint failed. Without a reason that is mine, one fight is as good as any other. Might as well start with you."

"I have a good ship and a strong crew, strong clan. You'd make it stronger."

"If you're weak and choose weak enemies, I'll have to kill you." Grunt threatened.

"Our enemies are worthy, no doubt about that." I promised.

He considered me a long moment. "Hmm. Hmph! That's... acceptable. I'll fight for you."

"I'm glad you saw reason," I said approvingly, pushing the barrel of my gun into the softer part of his suit. He looked down, and grinned.

"Ha! Offer one hand, but arm the other. Wise, Shepard. If I find a clan, if I find what I... I want, I will be honored to eventually pit them against you." And he wasn't interested in talking anymore. Assuming he needed the time to adjust to being outside the tank, to thinking on his own with his own thoughts, I made my way to the battle deck. Right. Completely for his own well being, and not because the new bruise on my shoulder from his display of strength left me uncomfortable.

"Kelly," I said as I walked up to her. "As safely as possible, get me an evaluation of our krogan. He has chosen to call himself Grunt."

"He picked himself a name?"

I nodded.

"Hmmm," she hummed, a thoughtful look on her face as she turned to her console and started to type rapidly. "You have new messages, Laryna."

Bringing up my personal account, I noticed that the Illusive Man had already sent me a message.

Laryna,

I see you awakened Okeer's krogan. A dangerous decision, but you;ve got free rein on this operation. If you're certain he'll be a useful member of the team, you've got my support. We need every weapon we can get in this battle.

If this "Grunt" proves unreliable and has to be put down, don't lose the body. He's based at least partially on Collecter technology and could offer useful genetic data. But, again, you are in charge.

Studying the screen for a long moment, I considered this request. I could understand, perhaps, from a scientific point of view why the body of someone like Grunt would be valuable. But would I want Cerberus to have such information, being pro-human? Having my own ship with such a diverse crew that served so loyally under me made the thought of doing so a little sickening. I moved on to my next message to distract myself.

From: Dr. Chole Michel

Dear Commander Shepard,

I was relieved to hear that you were alive. I was devastated to hear of the destruction of the Normandy, and those people who didn't make it off in time. After you went missing and were presumed dead, I feared I'd never see you or Garrus ever again. You and he did so much to help clean up the Wards when you were hunting for Saren. The galaxy need more people like you, and I'm glad that you're still here to protect those of us who've grown to depend upon both of you.

Is Garrus with you again, by any chance? After being so happy to hear of your survival, I wondered if perhaps he might have ended up with you. I left a few messages on his public accounts, but you know how he is about checking his mail, and I don't think the comm address I had for him works anymore, because he hasn't returned any calls. Always so busy on his grand crusades, his great passions, that he focuses on them to the exclusion of anything for anyone else.

Anyway, if you know where he might be, I would really love to hear from him. Or both of you could come by the next time you're near the Citadel.

Thanks!

Chloe Michel

I reflected on Dr. Michel, smiling. I had met her when I was originally tracking down Garrus to see what information he had on Saren, and had assisted him in saving her from some thugs sent by the Shadow Broker. She in turn had lead us to taking down a team of Saren's, where I had met Wrex, and which ultimately lead to Tali and gaining valuable evidence against the rogue Spectre. She was generous, opening her stores to us for saving her, and she made herself available whenever we needed something patched up while on the Citadel. We had kept in loose contact in the aftermath of Saren's downfall. Her message was wonderful to receive. I typed a quick message via omni-tool to Garrus, knowing he would noticed it as soon as I hit send, and gave him a brief of my letter with Michel's request.

My last message made me feel almost as warm as the last.

From: Samesh Bhatia

Commander Shepard,

Mr. Udina offered to pass on a message for me. I wished to again express my thanks for your assistance in retrieving my wife's body. While nothing can ever banish the pain of losing Nirali, being able to see that her body was treated properly helped me more then you can imagine.

I have opened the restaurant that my wife always wished to start, back on Earth. Nirali's picture hangs on the wall, and Alliance soldiers eat for free. It is the least I can do to honor the courage with which both you and my wife have served humanity.

Sincerely,

Samesh Bhatia

Mrs. Bhatia had died on Eden Prime during Saren's attack to access the beacon the colonists had found there. She had suffered injuries that were so cleanly made that the Alliance had wanted to preserve her body to study the wounds in hopes of better understanding the geth. A very spiritual man, her husband wanted to see her laid to rest as soon as possible, but couldn't get the consist to have her released to him. I had intervened, and was able to provide him with some peace. And a future, by the words of his letter.

My last message made me laugh.

Title: You're not dead!

From: Emily Wong

You're alive? How come you broke whatever cover you've been under for two years but didn't offer an exclusive interview to your favorite reporter?

Whenever you come up for air and are ready to talk, let me know!

-Emily Wong

My experiences with her was much more pleasant then with Khalisah Sinan al-Jilani. Emily Wong has sought me out, mostly in blind hope, that I could share material with her. I had helped her uncovering some pressing issues around the Citadel. And I had given her an exclusive after defeating Saren, though I don't think the Alliance ever allowed her to air it.

Closing my personal messages, I brought up the dossier on my next recruit, and had barely started to read it when Zaeed entered the CIC via the elevator. He strode right up to me, proud, tall, and with an aura of agitation that gave him a threatening air.

"Shepard-" he started.

"Laryna, please," I said, closing my terminal and turning to face him.

Zaeed replied with a grunt. "I just got an update in regards to that job I was talking about when we met on Omega. We need to move. Now."

"What's changed?" I asked.

"The piss brains that have the factory are starting to ship out materials, and my employer doesn't approve. It's time."

I considered for a moment. We haven't gotten any updates from Cerberus Command yet, but I was expecting it every second that ticked by. But I was also sworn by my word to do this job for Zaeed.

"I'll have Joker set a course right now. Be ready."

I stepped up to the galaxy map and picked our destination based on the information Zaeed had given me. Joker came up a moment later to confirm. I then sent a message to Garrus, also telling him to be ready. I thought he might enjoy a tangle with some mercs. He was still the only familiar face I had yet on this ship.

As I stepped down from the map and went to get ready myself, Kelly caught my eyes, and she smiled, hers twinkling. I realized she must have heard my request to Garrus, and I could clearly see what she thought about it.

Who knows? Maybe she was right.