Laryna

The next morning was spent in preparation for the mock battles training. Secondary weapons were equipped with the trick clips and tested, armor thoroughly checked, and a first aid station set up. Setting up the kinetic barriers was the tricky part. Since Wrex had the area surrounding the barracks cleared of any obstructions, we needed to set up our own. Jack, Samara and I spent time using our biotics to create small mounds and divots in the ground, while Tali, Kasumi, and Garrus set up the barriers to create cover locations. We did our best to mimic what we had seen inside the Collector ship, assuming that anything we encountered in the future would be similar.

When Wrex showed up in the afternoon with three dozen curious and eager krogan, I nearly fell off my make-shift hill. Only a quick grab from Jacob kept me from rolling down.

"Doing a little landscaping, Shepard?" Wrex asked as I made my way over.

"We'll fix it before we go," I promised him. "You brought a small army."

"As word spread about the funny little aliens nesting nearby, I've been getting more volunteers," Wrex grunted. "I'd figure the more the better, that way you can avoid dividing your team and they get the actual experience working together that you wanted. And I can do the same. You're likely looking at one of my own response squads. Going to need strong, coordinated teams to handle shit in the days to come."

"Fair," I agreed. I could only imagine the reactions of a lot of secondary parties, including my current employer, if word on how I was involved in training krogan strike teams started to spread, but I quickly decided I didn't care. I trust Wrex. I also believed that the krogan had the right to take their own place in the galaxy as more than muscle for hire. "Tell me about your krogan. Do you have any leaders among them?"

The next hour was spent discussing on how to split the people available while the krogan modified their weapons for our trick clips, which they only agreed to do once we explained that the rounds still packed a punch. We ended up dividing into three pairings. I was taking point in the first, Garrus in the second, and Miranda in the third. The krogan, insisting that they can all handle the stress of doing all three rounds, would be coming at us in force. Wrex was insisting as a stand-in for Harbinger. Since it would better simulate the high risk odds we'd be facing, I agreed.

Hell, the most difficult part would likely be getting the krogan to not act like themselves to much. Explaining that our foe were more fragile than themselves, and would never charge down their targets, ate up a good twenty minutes.

Our techs got some recording drones ready to go, and I lead my team with Grunt, Kasumi, and Thane forward. It was a balanced group, and I was looking forward to seeing how well we'd do. The overall set up was pretty much the same objective we had when invading the Collector ship; reach a central location and get back out. I couldn't imagine the Collector homeworld being anything much different, so it was as likely a scenario as any.

The first part went well. It was hard fought, but we made it to the check point past the krogan. We held the position for fifteen minutes; a rough estimate on how long it would take to set up explosives, and then started to fight our way back out.

Kasumi and I were the only ones to make it back out "alive". Grunt got overwhelmed about half way through, and Thane near the end while he had hesitated to cover our retreat. I tried to biotically pull him out, but they had to strong a grip on him.

It was a painful victory.

Mordin patched up the cuts and bruises while the krogan regrouped and Garrus prepped his team. I'd given him Samara, Jack, and Tali. Hopefully the strong set of biotics will balance out the lack of a heavy hitter. I also knew that if Jack was willing to listen to anyone but myself, it would be Garrus.

They also made their check point and held it without much issue. It looked like they would all make it back out too, but Tali was suddenly cut off from the others, and despite Garrus taking the time to hold his team in a new position to try and clear her a path, she was taken down.

I had a hard time reminding myself that this was just an exercise. By the look in his eyes, Garrus was feeling the same way. Tali took it in good humor, her body language relaxed and her tone teasing, but it didn't loosen the knot in my gut. The thought of actually losing the little quarian was just as terrifying as losing my turian would be. They were my best friends, my family.

In all my time as a solider, for the first time, I considered walking away. I knew I wouldn't, but I entertained the idea. Soon, everyone everywhere would be under assault, not just human colonies. The lives we're trying to save now will continue to be in danger. Morally, I knew it was right to stop the Collectors because it gave those people the chance to keep fighting for their right to live. Taking out the Collectors gave the Reapers one less resource.

But reasoning with myself about it didn't make the pain of possibly losing my loved ones easier. It was taking all my self control not to break down like I did on Illium.

The results with Miranda's group didn't help my mood. I had given her Zaeed, Jacob, and Mordin. Jacob gave her someone familiar to work with, and together they made a strong front, with Zaeed as support either sniping or assault, and Mordin as their tech. They made their check point, but were overrun during their hold time. The guys looked disappointed in it, but Miranda looked downright crestfallen.

It was late now, and we were all gathered up outside so we could mingle in with the krogan. I got sandwiches and hot soup passed around to my crew, thankful Wrex had brought his own dinner for his boys, and we broke up into many different groups with what datapads were available, going over the footage from the training today.

I could hear Wrex actually providing advice to his krogan, but mostly just allowed them to laugh good heartily over their performance.

Our conversations were much more reserved.

"Do we not have any new information about what is beyond the Omega 4 Relay?" I asked Miranda, rubbing my temples to ease the headache that was rapidly taking root. "We'd likely be more effective if we weren't splitting up so much."

"I'm afraid not," Miranda replied, keeping her face in a controlled mask. "There's just no way to find out without someone physically going through, and considering the resources available to do so, there likely wouldn't be a repeat of the experience for anyone to follow up on, so it's all on us."

"So, as far as we know, the groups sizes we practiced with today may be to large," Garrus mused, frowning at his omni-tool where he had been taking notes. "We could break down into four; it is the size we use for most basic missions until recently, but I doubt anyone would be able to make it back out then."

"What an uplifting analysis," Kasumi pouted.

"It's realistic," I sighed. "The better way would be to all stay together, or have no more than two groups. Evenly split to attack on two fronts, or a large distraction team with a smaller covert one."

"There's also the issue as to what our end goal is," Tali stated. "What exactly are we attacking?"

"The Collectors aren't very numerous," Jacob said, leaning forward thoughtfully. "I doubt we'd be dealing with an entire planet of them, considering what Mordin had discovered about their origins and structures."

"Produced, not born," Mordin agreed. "Would take many resources. Limited output."

"So, likely some kind of base," Zaeed muttered. "Where they can make their copies, house their stolen cargo, and do whatever it is they need so many damn people for. Could just nuke it from orbit."

"And if any of the colonists are still alive?" I snapped.

"How likely is that?" he snapped back.

I sighed. "Not very, but we can't discount it, and I won't abandoned them. Unless we get intel that can confirm what these poor people are being used for and that they are indeed a lost cause, nukes are out of the question." I was liking the idea of attacking a base, though. That meant larger groups. "Tomorrow we'll practice as one large group. We get enough practice in with smaller groupings that I don't think we need to spend more time on it here. We've never gotten to attack as one force before."

Wrex chuckled. "I'll bring more krogan." I lifted a brow. "If I don't get enough volunteers interested after stories about tonight spread, I'll order. Three dozen will not be enough against the lot of you at once."

"I do believe that's a compliment," Garrus said, looking amused.

"Don't push your luck, kid," Wrex growled back playfully.

"We need to accept the facts," Miranda continued. "There will be causalities. There's a good chance none of us will make it back. While survival would be nice, it's not the main objective. Everyone knew what they were signing up for. All we need to do now if get it done." She looks at me boldly. "Perhaps we should just pack up in the morning, Commander. We've wasted enough time."

I could feel myself starting to bristle. "This mission may be suicidal in writing, but I'll be damned if I don't have us prepared to pull through. We are some of the best the galaxy has to offer, and our mission doesn't end with taking down the Collectors. The Reapers are already within our boarders. The real fight is coming, and we all need to be alive to join in the defense of our homes. So we will train, and we will lean on each other, and we will all do our best to make sure we all come out of this with our heads intact."

"Here here," Jack agreed.

Much to my surprise, Miranda smiled. "And that is why you're the best person to lead us through, Laryna." I gave her a little scowl to hide my embarrassment, and a few people chuckled. Garrus bumps my shoulder and Tali came over to wrap her arms around my shoulders.

The topics became lighter after that, and Wrex left with his krogan to rest and prepare for our last day of training tomorrow. I peeled off with Samara after I saw them off, Jack and Thane joining us. Samara sat down with Jack a short distance away, in case she struggled as poorly as I did with aura manipulation, and I sat with Thane, allowing his calm voice to direct me into the mental calm I needed to work. He personally wasn't familiar with the asari meditation, but was still a master at creating mental calm and landscapes, so I contently allowed his words to soothe and shape the images in my mind, refining my biotic picture.

When I opened my eyes after awhile, I felt more peaceful then I have in awhile. I smile slowly at Thane. He was sitting crossed leg as I was, his hands on his knees, about a foot of space between us. He returned my smile gently, his biotics lazily swirling around his lips and across his gill like cheeks.

Slowly, carefully, I worked on extending my aura. It still took awhile, but I was able to control the flow and the size faster than I did last night, and soon I had the two of us encased within my energy. I had made it lower in strength than last night, slightly afraid I would harm the weaker biotic. I was glad when it wasn't to difficult to adjust. I could see Thane shiver as it danced across him, his eyes closing again.

Knowing what my biotics were likely doing to him, I pull my aura back in, sphere-shaped around just myself. I sighed, content. I was warm, the energy heating up every cell in my body. I was in an opposing state of drifting and battle ready.

We stayed outside for about an hour, in varies stages of meditation. Then Samara gently suggested I retire, and I allowed my biotics to fade. Unlike last night, I felt more energized than tired.

"I hope I didn't hurt you," I said to Thane as he also stood in one fluid movement.

"Not at all," he assured me. "I am quite use to outside biotics. You need not worry."

Giving his shoulder a quick squeeze, I bid him goodnight and went inside. I practically ran to my quarters, finding Garrus in the same spot as last night upon entering. He tilts his head curiously as I slowly shut the door behind me, and immediately starting stripping out of my dusty clothes. I could see his eyes darken when my arousal hit his nose. Standing, it only took him seconds to be as naked as I, his sheath just starting to part in anticipation.

We utilized both of our cots, the floor, and a wall before we were sated enough to call it a night.

The next day was incredibly windy, blowing up dust screens every few seconds, forcing us to wear our helms while we prepped for our final day of training. We were getting low on our trick clips, so instead of an in and back out again, we'd just do the escape portion of the exercise. Being low on ammo is not uncommon during a battle, so I hardly felt guilty about pushing our limits here.

Wrex really came through, showing up with nearly double the krogan, including some females that were apparently eager to see so many female alien warriors. It was going to strain our resources even more, but damn if it shouldn't prove to be one hell of an afternoon.

By late morning everything and everyone was in place. I took overall point, as was my responsibility, with Garrus, Miranda, and Kasumi as my seconds. The recording drones were released, and a full clear was reported.

"Here we go," I breathed, and signal the order to move forward. Instantly we were besieged with krogan. Torsos and head crests were quickly splattered in a vibrate green, and the drones above announced the "dead" when he or she took enough hits.

"Careful, they're attempting to flank our right," Garrus reported, and the team moved smoothly to intercept.

"Grunt will need help holding the left," Miranda added shortly after.

"Assisting," Thane replied.

"Roger," Jacob added.

The morning dragged on into early afternoon. Every krogan, after being taken out, would sit out for twenty minutes, clean up their marks, and get back into the fight. And being krogan, we weren't able to thin their numbers fast enough to afford any breathers. Wrex, as our Harbinger stand in, only had to take ten minutes.

Kasumi and Zaeed fell about an hour in, then Mordin about a half hour after that. We were closing in on our destination, and Jack and Samara were attempting to safely clear the way.

"Laryna, look out!" Garrus yelled. I pulled up a fresh barrier while squatting, frantically looking around for the cause of his panic. I had Wrex and seven other krogan bearing down on me, their surge cutting me off from the rest of my team from where I was holding our left side.

I pulled out my Locust and took down three before Wrex was able to disarm me and I was pinned and scattered with their bright yellow shots. With a surge of biotic energy I nearly got free, but the battlemaster knew me to well, and countered my escape. His glowing hand wrapped around my neck threateningly.

"Yield," he growled. I snarled in response. Striking his elbow and kneeing his gut, I made another attempt to escape, my biotics flaring to give me a boost. Three different krogan fists intervened, forcing the air out of my lungs, striking a leg and forcing me downwards, as well as harshly bruising a shoulder. Then Wrex was in play again, forcing me face down into the dirt with one hand and a knee into my lower back. Several shot guns fixed. "Yield," he demanded again.

Closing my eyes in frustration, knowing I failed, I nodded. "I yield." I could hear Garrus' roar nearby; of course he was trying to break through to get to me. Hopefully now that I was "dead" he would retreat, regroup the others. I wanted so badly to give orders, but that wouldn't be playing by the rules.

This was, after all, a very real possibility. Everyone had to be able to react.

Practically choking on the comms, Garrus and Miranda got everyone else regrouped. I was released from my pin so Wrex and his krogan could continue to harass my team. I got up stiffly, and found a nearby rise where I would watch the rest of the exercise play out.

The goal was reached just under an hour later, and only because Jack sacrificed herself and held back over two dozen krogan single handily for the rest to make a break for it. Garrus had tired to talk her down and fall back with everyone else, but she refused. I was both upset and pleased with her actions. She could just be playing at being a drama queen, since this was all staged, but it still meant something that she was willing to even pretend to be so selfless.

Those of us that had fallen made our way forward now. It was a tense walk. I gave a smile as I approached, and before I could say anything I was engulfed in a hug between Garrus, Tali, and Kasumi. I let out a weak chuckle, unsure what to say. Sorry I died likely wouldn't be taken to well.

"I don't know about the rest of you," I finally managed to say, looking at the rest of my team between interlocked arms. "But I'm not much into reviewing the footage today. Let's get some dinner, and get this place cleaned up."

No one argued with me. A meal was quickly made and consumed, and between my people and Wrex's, we had the landscape outside smoothed out in no time. It likely still looked a little multi-colored for awhile though, which made me grin to myself.

Garrus continued to be really quiet. Even though he had lead very well, I could tell Tali's fall yesterday and then mine today was hitting him hard.

Wrex had a couple bonfires set up again, and had brought out more alcohol from his personal reserves to properly mark our last night planet-side. We of the SR-1 spent wrapped in each other's company for hours, sharing memories and thoughts. Members of the SR-2 would come and go, sharing a few moments with us. It was all bittersweet. Our time here was well spent. I secured Grunt a home, gave Mordin some peace of mind, and even if it showed us a glance of some of the possible pain in the mission's end, made us more ready for taking on the Collectors.

When the gathering finally dispersed, and I was alone in our room with Garrus, he didn't move to my clothes like I assumed he would. He gathered me up in his arms, resting his long chin on the top of my head.

"I know it wasn't real," Garrus finally said, sounding sad. "And I like to think that if it were, you wouldn't have given up so easily. But when you surrendered and I was forced to move on without you… the thought of you dying again…" He eases away and I look up at him, working hard to control my breathing. "Just...don't. Yeah? Say you wouldn't actually give up."

I gently touch his face, tracing my fingers along his clan markings. "I promise. No giving up."

Garrus made a slight choking sound as he leaned downwards to press his forehead to mine, his subharmonics echoing with a sorrowful thrill. I wrap my arms around his neck and close my eyes, basking in the affection and his warmth, trying to calm his sudden panic. Sometimes it was easy to forget that in many ways, Garrus was still broken. He still had after effects from my death, from his time on Omega and the death of his team, and the stress of this mission likely wasn't helping. All the sex made that much more sense now, and all I could do was be there for him physically until he was ready to speak with me or at least someone about his emotional scars. To show that I had complete faith in him in the meantime.

Slowly I traced all the contours of his face with my fingertips before pulling him down for a gentle kiss. Garrus sighed at the contact, one hand lost in my hair and the other pressing firmly against my lower back as I moved mine down to rest on his sensitive waist. He returned the kiss tenderly.

We didn't move towards our clothes or allow our hands to stray from their current positions of caress. I doubted we were going to. It wasn't what we needed tonight. I simply allowed my lips and my tongue to express myself, all the while allowing him to lead so he could do the same. Finally, Garrus broke away, his eyes looking more peaceful. He directed us towards our cots, allowing me to shift over to mine first, and we settled under our blankets. His hand found mine, and we drifted off to sleep.

The following morning was a chaotic blur of activity. The support crew had pre-packed most of our gear, weapons, and most of the kitchenette the night before, and as soon as we were all up and about, they went to work on gathering the pieces from the sleep quarters. Kasumi gave me a hand to make everyone a quick breakfast so the rest of kitchenette could be disassembled. About two hours later we had everything stacked outside, and started the slow process of transporting supplies and people back up to the Normandy with our shuttle.

Wrex was able to make a brief appearance. I laughed when he admitted to neglecting a lot of his responsibilities with the other clans to train with us, though his own clan didn't seem to mind to much so he didn't much care. I still had a lump in my throat when I hugged him farewell, not knowing when I would get to see him again.

Garrus had gone with one of the earlier transports with Jacob, offering to give him a hand in the maintenance of our weapons, which would be needed to be done sooner rather than later. It was silly, but I missed him quickly after he had gone as I remained planet-side. He had seemed much better this morning when he woke, his fingers still tangled with mine.

I joined the last pass with Grunt and Jack, both wearing identical masks of sorrow for leaving, despite them being different species. We paused a moment, looking over the wasteland in the hazy sunlight, ruins and the Urdnot camp in the distance. It wasn't shore leave, as the bruises on my tired body could contest, but we did good here. I was sorry it was time to put this behind us.

Back aboard with the Normandy was just as frenzied. The rejoining crew had a rotation going for showers, since we haven't been able to properly bath in days, while the space stayed members went about thoroughly cleaning the equipment before they could be stored again.

I assumed the organization was due to Miranda; she was a fine XO in truth, even if she'd likely never honestly be my first choice. And having tested her leadership skills down in the dirt, I doubt I would be able to count on her in any heavier rule than what she was doing now. She wasn't cut for that kind of command, and the harsh truth was that my ground team just didn't trust her judgment well enough. She was more of an individual actor, then a team player.

Perhaps a little to eagerly, I went up to my cabin and showered. I have never been so happy to feel hot water. I swear I could fill a flower pot with the amount of dirt I washed off. I washed my hair three times before it felt clean. Afterwards, I spent some time putting on some moisturizing lotion to deal with how dry my skin still looked; something I rarely bothered with. Clean clothes have never felt so good.

I will love Wrex for an eternity, but damn that dry planet of his.

With the intentions of heading to the armory to give Garrus and Jacob a hand, I was ambushed by my XO. "We need to get you another gene session, Laryna," she reminded me. "Keeping to the schedule ensures the best results. Dr. Chakwas is waiting for you."

Sighing dramatically, I made my way down to the med-bay instead. I spent the next two hours catching up with Karin while she messed with my genetic make up some more, though there wasn't any crazy side effects anymore since my body was accustomed to it.

We had just finished up when Tali burst into the room. "Laryna," she said in a shaky voice I rarely ever heard her use. "I may need your help. I just received a message from the Migrant Fleet. The Admiralty Board has accused me of treason." She took a deep breath. "I'm scared, Laryna."

Dr. Chakwas and I exchanged a shocked look between us. I grab my friend by her forearms and lead her back out and towards the elevator. "Come on. Let's talk in private." I punched the control for my cabin, and we waited in silence as we ascended. Then I lead her through into my room and slowly sat her down on my couch. "Nobody who knows you would believe you would betray your people, Tali."

"I don't know," she said weakly. "They don't lay charges like this unless the evidence seem absolute. But thanks, I appreciate your faith in me, Laryna."

Kneeling down in front of her, I give her hands a comforting squeeze while my mind raced. "Is it because you're working with Cerberus?" I asked.

"I'm not working with Cerberus," Tali grated. "I'm working with you. And I got leave to serve on the Normandy again. I have no idea what they are accusing me of. You think I would remember if I had betrayed the Fleet!"

Sitting down crossed legged in front of her, I attempted to pull my own emotions in. To focus. I wouldn't be any good to her if I broke down in a panic at possibly putting her status among her own at risk. "What happens to a quarian that's been accused of treason?"

"There's a hearing," Tali said after a long pause. "With members of the Admiralty Board acting as judges. My father is an admiral on the Board. He'll have to recuse himself judgment. I can't even imagine what he's thinking right now. The punishment for treason is exile. If they convict me, I can never go back."

"So you have no idea why they're accusing you?"

"None. The specifics of charges like these are rarely discussed on open channels. I won't know anymore until I get to the Flotilla."

"And exile if you're convicted," I clarified.

She nods. "The specifics are up to the judges. If it's deemed only as a tragic mistake in judgment, the guilty party may receive a small ship and supplies. Not that it really matters. Either way, if I'm convicted, I will never see the Migrant Fleet again."

"So no prison and no death penalty?" I asked before I could help myself. Though, to a quarian, that likely would be more preferable than being sent away.

"We don't' have the resources for long term incarceration. Monitored work detail is more effective. And we don't have enough people to afford executions. An exile can still have children, and those children are welcomed back to the Fleet."

"How often is someone from the Fleet charged with treason?" I asked, curious. They had so many well polished rules about it, that I couldn't help but wonder.

"It's rare," Tali said sadly. "It must be something that affects the entire Flotilla, not just one ship. The most recent one was Anora'Vanya vas Selani, an engineer who handed over Fleet schematics to the batarians. She had good intentions. The batarians were contracted to upgrade our systems, but they passed the schematics off to a pirate gang."

"Was she convicted?"

"No," was the quick reply. "She made a suicide run on the pirate gang. She destroyed them before they could attack the Fleet. She was pardoned...posthumously. Let's hope I don't have to prove my innocence that way."

"So how does the trail work?" I questioned. "How soon do we need to get you there?"

"They'll wait a reasonable amount of time for me to come and defend myself. Eventually, if I don't show up, they'll try me in absentia. As for how it works… it's less formal than an Earth trail, or something you'd see on the Citadel." She starts to shake. "We're family. This is just the worst kind of family meeting."

Grabbing her hands again, I raise to my knees and bump my head against her helmet in the turian show of affection, hoping she knew what that meant so she knew how much I cared about her. "Okay," I said gently. "Let's go find the Flotilla."

Tali let out a small sob. "I was going to book passage on another ship. I didn't think there'd be time for you to help. Thank you, Laryna." With shaking fingers, she brought up her omni-tool. "I'll program the Normandy with the Flotilla's current location. The admirals will be waiting for us."

"EDI, you got it?" I asked, pulling the quarian into a hug.

"Yes, Laryna. It'll take us just over seven days to get there."

"Have Joker set the course. Thanks, EDI."

"Logging you out."

I ended up tucking Tali in on my couch after she venomously refused my bed, allowing the poor girl to cry herself out in private. I retreated only as far as my desk, sending messages. First to Miranda, to make her aware of the sudden plans, then to Garrus, giving him a heads up on the situation, so he could avoid my room tonight, or at least not come with certain expectations in mind. I then conducted any other pre-night cycle business that needed addressing, which wasn't much. Only when she had quieted and I could just hear her slight snoring did I dress down enough to go to bed myself.