Notes:
Anam Cara - Soul Friend/Mate (Gaelic)
Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)
Kaffe - equatorial Thessian vine, seeds of which are used to produce a non-alcoholic beverage of same name, taste described as a mix of coffee and chocolate (Thessian; Source: CDN)
Nara - literally "bearer"; one who shoulders another's burden (Thessian; Source: CDN)
Próidh - aggressive omnivorous mammal resembling a wolverine but weighing in at 70+ kg when full-grown. This extremely dangerous nocturnal hunter frequently takes prey many times larger than itself. As with all Thessian life, employs eezo to generate a biotic effect; utilizes a form of biotic charge to tackle and overcome prey (also Irish for bear)
Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian/Source: CDN)
SILC - Synthetic Intelligence Life Codes (previously known as Geth)
A Future Bright
Lake Altera, T'Soni Country Estate, Thessia – 20 Aug 2189
The northern boundary camp was a bit more rustic, with the river being much too cold and fast to swim in, even in the Thessian summer. The water flowed down from the mountains above Lake Sirala, where the highest peaks remained snow covered for most of the year, leaving the water ice cold. Sirala was the highest lake in all of Thessia and, while a bit chilly, the mountainous terrain surrounding the camp made for great hiking, with several awesome waterfall vistas.
The negative side of the otherwise beautiful location was the heightened awareness required of the small company; knowing they were traversing through Próidh territory, they had to remain constantly vigilant. Of course, being in Próidh territory also meant there was plenty of game if the travelers desired fresh food to augment their travel rations. The commandos frequently took animals when they were on extended border patrols, which they did every year in the fall – the only exception being during the Reaper War, when the risk of discovery was much too high.
"So why, exactly, do you feel the need to undertake these annual border patrols?" asked an honestly curious Shepard. "I mean… it's Thessia. It's not as if there's any trouble with marauders or pirates here on the home world, is there?"
"That is true," answered Livos. "But we do, believe it or not, have occasional trouble with poachers."
As Shepard stared at the commando in surprise, Liara picked up the narrative. "This is a preserve, Siame, and there are a number of protected species living within its borders." Sighing, she shook her head in disgust, adding, "And, for reasons I refuse to accept, the Próidh is a coveted trophy animal, being hunted solely for sport – using more challenging, primitive methods. There are a few expedition companies that make gross amounts of credits for such guided hunts, entertaining less scrupulous clients who are more than happy to pay whatever it takes to go on what they consider a grand adventure. I fear the illegality of hunting the animal within a preserve just adds to their experience, knowing they would be punished severely if caught."
"Just what kind of punishment are we talking about?" Shepard frowned, believing the Asari to be the most forgiving and patient race in the galaxy.
"According to the Justicars of old, the illegal taking of an innocent, protected animal – for sport, rather than self-defense – is punishable by a sutra the Justicars previously referred to as the Rule of Equity." Liara shuddered as she continued, "For every protected animal illegally killed before the hunting group is apprehended and stopped, one of the hunting party members' lives would also be forfeit, beginning with the appointed guide."
"You're kidding." Stopping dead in her tracks, a stunned Samantha looked at Liara in disbelief, as the Asari shook her head in denial. "One for one?"
"I am not joking by any means, Shepard. Do you not remember the ruthless side of Samara when you first met her?" Liara looked at her in surprise, then asked, "Do you remember what happened to those who blocked her path during the hunt for her daughter?"
The memory filled Samantha's mind and she nodded in acceptance of Liara's statement, even as unbelievably harsh as it was. "So, what about our commandos, when they hunt out here? Are they subject to the same sanctions?"
Liara drew a deep breath and continued, "As owners of the designated area, we are allowed to cull their numbers as needed, in order to keep the populations at recommended sustainable levels. So, we are therefore responsible for annual surveys – which is the primary purpose of our routine patrol missions. Those numbers are recorded and any excesses above the desired population levels determines the maximum number of each species to be taken over the next year. If the numbers are low, we do no hunting until the populations rebound. It is difficult, however, to keep an accurate tally when others infringe on our territory."
"So, are the poachers killed only if they exceed the limit, or are they punished no matter what the numbers are?" Shepard was stunned by the whole conversation, having no idea such strict animal protection rules even existed anymore, especially on Thessia. They seemed almost – barbaric was the only word that came immediately to mind – by conventional standards of law enforcement. "And, I have to wonder, if the Justicars in their new form will still exact such penalties."
"The poachers are punished, regardless of the numbers for the year, because it is also seen as theft of T'Soni property, seeing as the area is operated as a private sanctuary." Liara huffed and continued, "They are not only needlessly killing the animal, but they also had to intentionally and knowingly trespass upon a private preserve to do so, thus compounding their guilt."
Livos chimed in at that point, adding, "And, just so you know, if we have a particularly high-count year, we do sell lawful hunting rights for anything above our normal annual take to support the desires of the House. So, I personally believe one of the reasons they poach is for the added thrill of not paying the fees required during a surplus year." Her voice was filled with derision as she added, "Knowing the risk of getting caught is ever present during their time on the Estate must add a certain level of thrill to the hunt."
"As for how the Justicars will enforce such rules now that they have become a branch of our law enforcement…" Liara shrugged. "… that remains to be seen. I would like to think the death penalty would be removed from the punishment list, but who knows how the Justicar will adapt."
Still bewildered by the whole conversation, Shepard shook her head. "Wow. I had no idea."
"I can see that," responded Liara, sorrow coloring her tone, suddenly realizing she had not honestly prepared Shepard very well for life on Thessia, particularly as a member of House T'Soni.
"Hey." Feeling the change in tone via the link, Shepard forced a small smile onto her face and continued, "Not your fault, T'Soni. Those are details that you have lived with all your life, so you don't think anything of them. It just goes to show how much more I need to learn about being an Asari citizen… and it's not like we've spent a lot of time here, yet, for me to have the opportunity to learn any of it. It will all come in time."
Bev nodded in agreement. "And I believe we know just the person to help you with that, Shepard, at least in regard to our territory and the wildlife that lives within it." She paused and looked at Livos, continuing, "And, just the person to ask her to come and stay with us for a while to teach you."
"Zan!" Livos' eyes brightened with the idea. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"I don't know," Riana answered, laughing. But I do know it is getting late, so we need to head back to the cabins, with a bit of haste, so as to not get caught out after dark."
Glancing at the sun, dropping quickly toward the tree line, Liara agreed. "True enough, Riana." A smile returning to her face, Liara indicated the return path with a quick wave. "Shall we?"
That evening, Shepard and Liara sat, snuggled together, on one of the benches by the fire. The border camp had a protective barrier surrounding the small group of primitive log cabins, which Shepard had initially assumed was to keep out the local animals. Now, however, she wondered if it was also to protect them from potentially vengeful poachers or the families of those who had been lost as a result of getting caught on an illegal hunt.
Catching the drift of Shepard's thoughts, Liara offered up a tentative smile, gently squeezing the hand of her Anam Cara in comfort. "It is solely for protection from the animals, Sam. We have never had a confrontation like that on T'Soni soil, and I pray to the Goddess that such an event never occurs under our watch." A soft sigh escaped her lips before she added, "I failed to mention we have sensors all along the border and have caught every trespasser before they even really got started on their hunts, so no one has ever been killed for their trespass here. Should that ever happen, it would be an unimaginable, terrible day, indeed."
"Yes, it would." Shepard squeezed the blue hand in hers. "I'm glad nothing has ever happened, and I want to keep it that way." She huffed softly and added, "Like I said earlier, I have a lot to learn yet about House T'Soni."
"Yes, you do," Liara chuckled quietly. "But that obligation goes both ways, Siame. We still have much to learn of your customs, and how to best integrate them into our way of life, for a truly blended culture. We must respect your ways, just as you respect ours."
Feeling the warmth behind Liara's statement filled Shepard with an undeniable contentment, and she placed her arm over the Asari's shoulders, pulling her in closer. Liara happily snuggled in, slouching down a bit to tuck her head into the woman's neck, resting the crown of her crest against Sam's jaw. "I love you, Samantha, and very much look forward to having time to learn all those things, together."
"Me, too, Liara." Sam closed her eyes, Liara's proximity washing away the discomfort of the day's somewhat shocking revelations. "Thessia truly is a different world, the full import of which I failed to anticipate when I moved here. Don't get me wrong, I believe I will enjoy the challenge of learning a new way of life… particularly with you."
"Are you truly sure it is not too different?" Liara asked. "I fully understand how much of a sacrifice this is for you and I do not honestly believe I would be so gracious, or eager, as to forfeit my homeworld for yours."
"And I would never expect you to, Liara." Shepard reached to tip Liara's chin up until their eyes met. "I don't believe there is that much sacrifice on my part. Sol basically treated us like yesterday's garbage where, generally speaking, the Asari love me and our union. Because of that, there is no doubt as to which world wins my vote regarding where we will live and raise our children together, Blue. Absolutely none, so I don't want you to worry about that. Understood?"
A smile appearing on her face, Liara pulled back a bit and straightened up. "Understood, Spectre." No longer slouching, she leaned in and placed a loving kiss on Samantha's lips, lingering as the sensation of loving adoration swept through her, sending a tingle of pleasure down her spine.
Standing off to the side, Riana grinned before turning to face the perimeter border, silently hoping her charges got a decent night's sleep and would be wide awake the next day. She wanted to… but refrained from interrupting them in order to remind them they would be hiking through the local Próidh's prime hunting territory tomorrow. She laughed at herself and mumbled quietly under her breath. "Goddess. As a pair, Lady Liara and Spectre Shepard could take on a pack of Próidh, if such a thing even existed…" Which it does not, she thought. Próidh were definitely solitary animals, and with her, Livos and Bev at the young couple's back, they had nothing to worry about; they would be just fine.
North East Safe House, T'Soni Country Estate, Thessia – 22 Aug 2189
"Good morning, Nara." Bev met the Spectre with a cup of hot Kaffe. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did, thanks." Shepard smiled at the commando. "You know, it occurs to me that we haven't really chatted much, one-on-one, Bev. I don't mean to offend you in any way, but you seem rather mature compared to the majority of the commandos with House T'Soni." The woman paused for a moment, deciding if she really wanted to ask her question, then plunged in. "If you don't mind telling me, just how old are you?"
Chuckling at the Spectre's temerity, Bev smiled. "Don't worry yourself over that question, Captain; I'm 420. We are far less sensitive to being asked our age than Humans appear to be. It does not offend most Asari, generally speaking." She grinned and added, "I've been with House T'Soni for over 300 years and loved most of it." Her grin faded as she continued, "The last few years have proved to be the exception, losing more of my comrades since Liara met you than the first 300 years I served." Seeing sadness overtake the face of her captain, Bev reached over and clasped the Spectre's forearm. "Do not take that personally. It was the Reapers, Nara, not you. Had it not been for your arrival, I fear we would have lost everything. Those of us who survived the war all owe you a debt of life for what you have done."
Pushing her doubts aside, Shepard sighed and shook her head. "You owe me nothing, Bev. None of you do. We all went through the war, those still here simply being lucky enough to have survived it. The others? Not so much, but that's the horror of war. But, that said, that's also one of the reasons I will soon be done with the Spectres. I've seen more than enough death to last a lifetime, and I am no longer willing to pursue a career that, most likely, would have more of that in the future."
"That is a good thing, Captain. I know Liara approves; you can see her happy glow every time the two of you speak of your future together." Bev chuckled quietly and shook her head, a grin building on her face. "Quite honestly, I never thought I would see such a day for our Little Wing. It makes the whole house delighted to see it. You have given us all, not just Liara, a great gift – a future for House T'Soni."
"As have you, with all those years of dedicated service." Shepard cocked her head and asked, "Doesn't it bother you, to have been with the House for so long, to have never received a promotion? Not even to Lieutenant, much less to a Team Leader or Captain's position?"
"If that is your off-hand way of offering me such a position, Shepard, I will tell you to not bother." Bev smiled. "I have had such offers – many times, as a matter of fact – and turned them all down." She shrugged. "I simply prefer to be on the front line of the fight, not sitting behind some desk filing reports and budget updates. Give me a squad slot in the field any day of the week, Captain, but please, by the Goddess, do not stick me with a supervisory or leadership role. I would positively hate it."
Shepard laughed, a grin spreading across her face. "I can understand that. There have been times when I desired the same but wasn't always given the choice. I guess that's the downside of having a structured military; it's either get promoted or get out."
"Speaking of advancement…" Bev hesitated, then started, "There are certain customs…" She hesitated again before adding, "Never mind. It is not my place to speak of such things."
"Oh, no you don't." Shepard looked her in the eye. "You can't start a sentence like that and just stop. Whatever it is, you have to tell me now." Bev started to object, only to get a stern look from her Captain. "Nope. Not an option, so just spit it out, whatever it is."
"Fine." With a heavy sigh, Bev shook her head and continued her thought. "When the House was run by Matriarch Benezia, the House Guard Captain, Relyna T'Lasia, was also Benezia's First." Bev met the Spectre's eyes and added, "That is normal precedent in all the high houses, yet I cannot imagine you releasing Riana from the First position. But I also see her as never having the opportunity to raise to the House Captain position, with your extended life span."
"So, when I was only going to be here for a century or so, Riana would have been on tap to replace Livos, once she retired." Shepard caught on quickly. "And, you're saying my presence here now, with an Asari lifespan, screws up the normal career progression within the House."
In spite of being reluctant about having started such a conversation, Bev chuckled. "Put a bit less delicately than I would have stated it, but yes, Captain. It does."
"Well, you should know my stance on such things by now, Huntress Shyria." Shepard grinned, the relaxed humor evident in her voice as she added, "If you plan on bringing me a problem, you're also supposed to come to me with a suggestion to fix it."
With that, Bev laughed outright and shook her head. "I didn't necessarily plan on bringing it up and speaking with you about it this morning, Shepard. But I've gone and done it now, so I suppose I have to tell you what I would do in your situation, don't I?"
"Yes, you do," Shepard smirked. "Whether it's something you think I want to hear or not."
"Alright, then." Her humor faded and she met the Spectre's eyes. "You need to ask Liara to release you from being House Captain." Bev shrugged and continued, "With the Reaper War over, the uniqueness of your situation has faded. You can remain a Spectre and, quite obviously, you will remain Liara's bondmate, but your position as her Captain creates a conflict of interests that has to be addressed, most easily done by you simply vacating the position and giving it back to Livos, as was originally planned."
Shepard stared at the huntress in silence for a moment before asking, "And do you honestly believe Liara would let me do such a thing?"
"Well, the solution does pose its own difficulties, doesn't it?" Bev shrugged. "When it all happened, Riana was assigned as the First and Livos was next in line for the House Captain position. That is, until you showed up at Therum and pulled Liara out of that energy field, turning all of House T'Soni on its head when she fell in love with you." The Asari suddenly chuckled, a smile crossing her lips as she thought about it. "I do wish I could have been there to see that – knowing, of course, that it all turned out well in the end – to see our Little Wing floating in an eons-old Prothean trap."
Shepard grinned. "Yeah. I imagine if she hadn't been so damned tired, she would have been mad as Hell."
"Agreed!" Regaining her composure with a gentle shake of her head, Bev continued, "But yes, I do believe Liara would agree to it, if explained in the context of our conversation. It's not like she'd be sending you away, so you would obviously still be with us and could act as an advisor, which I am sure Liv would be more than happy to have. There is no doubt we all respect your leadership abilities and military prowess."
Shepard pursed her lips before finally responding, "And it would be largely on me to keep my nose out of the daily running of the commandos, because I don't think Liv would ever confront me about anything she interpreted as interference."
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far, Captain!" Bev laughed. "If you make the terms of the arrangement clear and say you expect her to defend her authority, believe me, she'll tell you off in a minute if you ever cross that line." Grinning and shaking her head, she added, "You apparently have a bit to learn yet about our Captain Tanni."
"Excellent," Shepard smirked. "Such a change may just work out, after all!"
T'Soni House Armali, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 28 Aug 2189
"About damned time you got your priorities straight, Shepard." Aethyta softened her seeming reprimand with a throaty chuckle and a hand clapped roughly on the Spectre's shoulder. "Liara and House T'Soni have been waiting long enough to be your primary focus."
"Thyta!" Mozia began, preparing to reprimand her lover before getting cut off by Shepard's responding laughter.
"No worries, Moz." Shepard smiled at the matriarch. "I'll take the critique in the spirit in which I hope it was intended." A quick glance at Liara preceded her next comment of, "Now that we're done saving the galaxy, I agree – I need to focus on becoming Liara's bondmate and everything that entails, including my duties to House T'Soni which, I freely admit, have been put in second place, though, most certainly, not without excellent justification."
"And," Liara added, "we still have a few more things to wrap up before Spectre Shepard can truly focus on becoming retired House Captain full time."
Mozia nodded in complete agreement, answering, "Which, I assume, are the items on the list you forwarded to me yesterday?" With an affirmative response from the young couple, the House Executor asked, "So, how can we aid you in the completion of your tasks?"
Liara shrugged and replied, "There isn't much you can do, honestly." She paused suddenly, a thought zipping through the meld and giving her an idea. "Except for one item. Perhaps you could introduce a proposal to the Matriarchal Council for us?"
Mozia tipped her head to the side and took a quick glance at the list on her data pad. "Let me guess… the Ardat-Yakshi initiative?" She watched Liara's and Shepard's appreciative nods and added, "You do realize I would need to recuse House T'Soni from any votes on the issue, as we have a personal interest with Riana's sister being at the Monastery, yes?"
"I am not convinced of that," Liara stated with a sly smile. "Of the Defense Ministers, one has a direct relative at the Monastery and two more of the eight have staff relations there. The same can be said of the Governesses – but with only one direct and one staff relation – and from different houses than those of the Defense Ministers."
"You've done your research, Liara." Aethyta practically beamed with pride as she continued, "So, what you're saying is that the leadership of five of the eight major houses have some connection to residents at the Monastery… and we can use that to our advantage?"
"Absolutely," Shepard chuckled. "Not to mention additional matriarchs with family members living there, given the five are only a portion of the eighteen survivors, including Falere and Aresia, and however many more have been identified and sent there since the end of the war. We know of at least three other members of the Matriarchal forum who are in the same situation as House T'Soni, with a vested interest in resuming the visits. It's hard to vote against your friends, once you know they are personally affected by the situation."
Liara smiled as she added, "And, we will ensure that every matriarch in the forum will be aware of that fact by the end of our presentation."
"Which will include what, exactly, if I may ask?" inquired Mozia.
Liara shrugged and responded, "Initially, we'll simply be asking that the procedures for visitations to the residents' home worlds be reinstated, but not as they were before the war, as there is an insufficient number of Justicars to handle the visits."
Shepard continued the explanation with, "Our proposal is that we contract with the SILC to pick up the task – as impartial, since they obviously can't be related to any of the Asari in question, and immune escorts, as Ardat-Yakshi can't possibly pose any melding threat to the SILC's electronic mind."
"And," added Aethyta, "I imagine the SILC reaction speed to any individual Asari beginning to pull on their biotics is more than sufficient to prevent any threat to their mechanical structures." The matriarch nodded in approval as she continued, "I certainly see the merit in the suggestion and, I imagine, those with relatives and friends among the surviving Ardat-Yakshi will be eager to see their loved ones again and will say the same."
"As do I," stated Mozia, a smile growing on her face at the thought of Riana once again being able to visit with her sister. "I will bring it up with the other matriarchs and do my best to get it added to the September agenda. With the slowdown in recovery issues and obstacles to discuss, I see no reason why it wouldn't be accepted as a topic."
"Excellent!" Liara smiled broadly and squeezed Shepard's hand. "We are truly looking forward to being able to host Aresia and Falere, as often as possible. Our final goal would be to have Aresia live here permanently, with Riana, but I don't know if that could ever happen. It's not like we can tell the Council that Aresia and Falere already proved themselves capable of functioning outside the Monastery while they served on the Broker ships."
"All in good time, Liara." Mozia smiled softly at the young ruler of House T'Soni. "We make new medical breakthroughs all the time. Perhaps, eventually, even the Ardat-Yakshi issue can be sorted out, so as to allow them to live a pseudo-normal life."
Aethyta nodded and then asked, "So, while we work on that, are you heading off to Garvug to pay that late visit to Grunt?"
"Yes." Shepard grinned. "I want to see what progress they've made. Maybe, if we're lucky, there might even be some rogue Krogan pirate hold-outs to take care of yet."
Liara turned enough to slap her on the shoulder. "That's not funny, Shepard. I wouldn't consider that 'lucky' at all."
"You know I'm joking, Li." Shepard gave the Asari a soft smile. "Last time we talked to Grunt, they had eliminated the last major cell, and the smaller groups were either turning themselves in to be part of something bigger or leaving the planet to find a more suitable home base for their operations." Shepard looked to Aethyta and gave her a wink. "They finally figured out Urdnot Grunt wasn't kidding… and was not someone they wanted to mess with."
A hoarse laugh preceded Aethyta's response, "I can only imagine. Between you and Wrex, that pup has gained some serious skills for one so young, both physically and on the politic side of things. He's a real thinker that one." Glancing at Liara, she added, "And it's a good thing he's on our side. He'd make a dangerous enemy."
"Yes, he would, so it's a good thing we are Krantt and helped raise him as such." Liara grinned. "It gives purpose to the Krogan part of me, so I don't feel the need to go around head-butting things."
With that comment, the entire group broke out into laughter, effectively ending the meeting and allowing them all to move on to more relaxing activities – simply visiting, with no concerns about attacks, no need to formulate battle plans or establish defensive perimeters; nothing but a not-so-routine night spent with family.
As the evening drew to a close and Shepard and Liara retreated to their quarters to sleep, Shepard smiled and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. {I could get used to this, Blue.}
Liara chuckled quietly, smiling in return – that soft, coy smile that always made Samantha's heart patter in her chest – as she replied. {Me too, Siame. Me too.}
Garvug, Paz System, Valhallan Threshold – 29 Aug 2189
"Shepard!" Samantha felt her feet leave the ground as the relatively young Krogan scooped her up into a crushing hug. "Damn good to see you!"
Thankful she had her armor on, she waited until Grunt dropped her back onto her own two feet before punching his chest plate with a combination of her augmented strength and a bit of a biotic push – for effect – and rocking him back on his heels. "Good to see you too, Grunt! How are things going?"
"Boring, if you want the truth." Grunt huffed in disgust. "The Krogan mercs have all left for easier pickings and the Vorcha? Well, let's just say there aren't enough of them left here to cause an issue." He chuckled and added, "We've pretty much managed to eradicate the infestation."
"Sooo," Shepard frowned and hesitated briefly before asking, "… the idea of bringing them on as border patrol didn't work out?"
"Oh, sure it did," Grunt growled. "… for about two weeks. Then, they got all greedy and tried to overrun the facilities to take them over for themselves." The young Krogan shrugged and continued, "Reminded me of your story from Omega, with the Vorcha who thought they could take over the station and help the Collectors… thinking to elevate their status in the galaxy." Shaking his head in disdain, he exclaimed, "Idiots."
"So, the experiment ended the same way my trip through Omega did; all of them dead."
"Yup." Grunt smiled. "But that's old news. Come on. I want to show you what the Salarians have been up to."
"Well I'll be damned!" Shepard stared over the enclosure wall and the little creatures running about, climbing the rocks in the yard, and charging into the large play balls, sending them flying. "They actually did it!"
"Yes, they did." Grunt's toothy grin spread even more as he laughed at all the little critters running around in the gigantic playpen. "They not only brought the Kakliosaurs back, but have now established a functional breeding colony, right here on Garvug!" His voice turned serious as he added, "And we're making a lot of creds right now, at least for the short term, selling breeding pairs to quite a few established Krogan colonies, galaxy wide. Pretty soon, we'll have a stable, self-sustaining population again." He growled, "One more Krogan fuck-up fixed. Who knows how many more to go."
"One step at a time, Grunt." Shepard patted him not-so-gently on the shoulder. "We're both young. We've got nearly a millennium to fix the rest." She looked at him and grinned, "It'll be one Hell of a legacy, though, don't ya think?"
"Heh, heh, heh. Guess you're right, there, Shepard." The Krogan's frown turned up into a happy grin. "First, we beat the Collectors… then we beat the Reapers… then, we restore the Krogan to their original status as a proud and noble race." He paused and looked over the happily playing little Kakliosaurs one more time. "Come on. I want to take you out to the reefs on the water skimmer; show you what we're doing out there."
"Do we have to leave so soon?" Liara asked. "I'm just so fascinated by all of this! It's absolutely amazing… and they're so cute when they're little!"
"Yeah. Until you step into the pen with them." Grunt laughed as he continued, "Then, they're not quite so adorable! And, you'd better be either the size of a Krogan or have your biotics fired up because, otherwise, they'll be bouncing you around like those balls. They may be small, but they are mighty!" he roared.
"Just like you, Grunt!" Liara laughed. "I am so glad you were able to accomplish this!"
"Only because of you and Shepard, and all the friends and allies you made during the war." Grunt nodded to them both in recognition. "Without that, none of this would be happening, and I truly appreciate what you've done for the Krogan… and am proud to claim you as my Krantt!"
"We have to come back to land, sometime, Liara." Shepard loved seeing Liara so enthralled by the once-extinct creatures. The pure delight of the encounter resonated through the link, giving the Spectre a different perspective and enhancing her sense of accomplishment, way above and beyond what simply winning the war could bring. She fully understood there was nothing simple about the war but being part of projects like this – the restoration of previously extinct species and the rebuilding of once-noble races – that really meant something.
Shepard knew, no matter how horrible the war was, within a few generations it would be largely forgotten. It was projects like the Elcor restoration, the cloning of viable Kakliosaurs, and the rebuilding of the ocean reef system on Garvug that were truly timeless. Those things would, hopefully, be the truly lasting legacy of their accomplishments. She sighed happily and grasped Liara's hand. "Come on, Ionúin Álainn. Let's go see all the new fish in the Garvug Equatorial Sea."
