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Shepard was still shaken from seeing Mordin step into that elevator when she met Wrex and Eve in a sheltered ruin. Unlike many places on Tuchanka, this one seemed peaceful. When she said as much to Wrex, he grunted a bitter laugh.

"A long time ago, my father betrayed me in this place. His own son. He tried to kill me. So I had to kill him." He pointed. "Right over there." He turned to Shepard, his face uncharacteristically serious. "That's what the genophage reduced us to. Animals, turning on one another. But you changed that today, Shepard."

Eve nodded. "Now we will fight for our children, not against them." She looked sadly down at the ground. "It is a pity Mordin had to die. He was a good man."

"He wouldn't have had it any other way," Shepard told her. "He said it had to be him. Anyone else might have gotten it wrong."

At her side, Garrus gave a faint chuckle. "That sounds like him."

Shepard continued, "Wherever he is, I'm sure he's putting in a good word for us."

Wrex cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Maybe we'll name one of the kids after him. A girl, I think."

"But you, Commander," Eve said, "you we can thank in person."

Looking at Garrus, Wrex added, "You can tell your people I'll be deploying troops to Palaven immediately."

"They will be appreciated, old friend. Thank you." The two men shook hands.

"And when you're ready to kick the Reapers off Earth, Shepard, you let me know." Wrex grinned widely. "The krogan are back in business."

Eve reached for Shepard's hand, shaking it warmly. "Goodbye, Commander."

"What will you do now?" Shepard asked her.

"Spread the hope you've given us. Even now there are clans gathering in the Kelphic Valley. I'll go speak to them and make sure this gift isn't squandered. Thank you for all that you've done." She offered the first smile Shepard had seen her give. "And know that Urdnot Bakara calls you a friend."

"I'm honored, my friend. Be well."

"You, too, Commander."

"Shepard." Wrex cleared his throat again, shuffling his feet uncomfortably. "I wanted to say … Thank you. You have been a champion to the krogan people, a friend of Clan Urdnot … and a sister to me. To every krogan born after this day, the name 'Shepard' will mean 'hero'."

"Thank you, Wrex. I'll see you again soon."

"You bet you will!"

With Garrus and Liara at her side, Shepard turned and left Urdnot Wrex and Urdnot Bakara to their future.

Back on the Normandy, she checked in with Hackett. "We did it, Admiral. We cured the genophage—and killed a Reaper in the process."

"How did you manage that?"

"With a thresher maw."

"A thresher— You know, I don't know why I'm surprised anymore." He chuckled. "Put it in your report. It'll make for a nice change of pace." He shook his head admiringly. "Hell of a thing you pulled off, Commander. Curing the genophage … I never thought I'd see the day."

"Not everyone will be happy about it, I know that, but Wrex has agreed to help the turians, and has promised his full support when we kick the Reapers off Earth."

"I take it by 'not everyone' you mean the salarians."

Shepard nodded. "The cost of their support was too high, sir."

"Well, I'll defer to your judgement, Commander. Let's just hope they come around before we need them." He gave a crisp nod. "Hackett out."

The image disappeared. Shepard left the War Room, finding Garrus waiting for her in the CIC. He stepped on the elevator with her, and before she could punch the button for the engineering floor, he beat her to it, sending the elevator up to her quarters.

"Eve—Bakara—may be the best thing that ever happened to the krogan," he remarked, sliding in front of the control panel so Shepard couldn't change course. "I admire her. She took the pain she must have endured and made it the starting point for her people's future."

"I hope we can measure up," Shepard said softly. There was so much to do still.

The elevator arrived at her quarters, and Garrus gestured for her to step off, following her to make sure she didn't head back down to work as soon as his back was turned.

"So tell me, Shepard, how does it feel to know that the krogan will be singing songs about you until the end of time?"

She chuckled, keying in her code. He wasn't going to be satisfied until he saw her safely in her room, that much was clear. "There's enough misery in the universe. It's nice to see something go right for a change. Other than Mordin," she added softly.

"His choice," Garrus reminded her. "He went out doing what he believed was right. We should all be so lucky." He shook his head. "I can't say I've ever witnessed history in the making quite like this. Well … except for Sovereign attacking the Citadel. And then there was the Collector Base …" He broke off, putting a hand on Shepard's shoulder. "That was a nice thing you did, making sure they knew about the sabotage."

"I could never have brought myself to go along with that, no matter what was offered."

"I admire your restraint. And your optimism. It's not everyone who would stop in the middle of saving the galaxy to help another race survive along the way."

"There really wasn't time for it—there's so much to do. But how could I not see that set right?" She shook her head. "We should coordinate the krogan troops on Palaven—EDI had a whole list of issues that needed to be dealt with, transport and food and—"

"Shepard." Garrus's voice was uncompromising. "I will start managing the turian support, but you need to rest. You must be exhausted. And with Mordin, on top of—" He caught himself before he could mention Thane's name. "It can't be easy."

"It isn't. But it isn't easy to sleep, either, knowing—everything that's happening while I'm not …" She shook her head. "I'll sleep when I'm dead," she told him bitterly.

"No, you won't. You'll sleep or other people will die." When she looked up at him, shocked at his bluntness, Garrus continued, "We both know you need a clear head to win a war. There's no room for mistakes here. You need to catch some shut-eye."

He was right; she knew he was right.

"So." Garrus squeezed her shoulder gently. "You'll sleep, and I'll make sure Joker doesn't launch any suicide missions. Deal?"

Shepard smiled. "Deal. And Garrus? Thanks."

"Anytime."