Chapter 16.3

Tuchanka.

Epilogue

The end is night, people. Next chapter is the beginning of another arc!

But i digress. Here is the last part on Tuchanka, hope is good

As always, i do not gain a single penny by all of this stuff i am writing so please do not sue me.

Tuchanka. Urdnot's main camp. 11 47 planet hour.

It was finally over. It took five hours of dreadful march, trudging along a weeping Salarian, a wounded girl that never stopped complaining and a very distracted Doctor, but it was finally over.

Shepard and his group were once again inside Urdnot's main camp, save from any would-be a pursuer of clan Weyrlok baying for their blood and free to let Maelon free to find his path. A path far away from Tuchanka, considering how fast he started looking for a ride.

A part of Shepard hoped that the Krogans would squash him like a bug instead of helping him, but he silenced it with a grunt.

This was not his problem anymore.

There was only one thing left to do inside this accursed planet: witnessing Grunt's ascension into a full-fledged member of clan Urdnot. According to Wrex, everything was now ready and waiting only for him, and the commander saw no reason to let them stew ever more now that all loose ends had been terminated.

For this reason, when the shuttle from the Normandy finally arrived to pick them up, Shepard did not jump inside like the others.

"Don't wait for me. This could take some time," he said to Samara, the only one still in full control of herself in the group. Physically and mentally. "When it is over, I will call for another shuttle. Make sure to inform Doc Chackwas that she is about to receive more work." Samara nodded in understanding

"Good. Good job, everyone. Get some rest once onboard, you deserved. Oh, and by the way, Jack" added Shepard with a hint of malice

"Your face looks like"

"Fuck you, Shepard! You, your fucking family! And your tiny" roared Jack back, spitting words mixed with blood until the shuttle's door clasped shut. Shepard grinned at this.

She was fine. Now he was sure of it.

Shepard moved away from the shuttle, just in time before its engines roared into power and lifted the machine into the ground, all while creating a small sand storm on its own. Shepard stood still, looking at the shuttle slowly disappearing into space, following with his eyes until it became a small dot on the sky.

Only when he was sure that they were gone and safe, he moved away, toward Wrex's throne room.

Wrex looked smashing for the occasion, Shepard had to give him that. Gone was his old, worn and battle-scarred red armour from his body, replaced by the same suit that both him and Shepard had snatched away from that Turian profiteer years ago.

Said armour had also been polished to perfection, just like his weapons and every brick inside the room waiting for Grunt to step up.

There was no one else apart from them. Not even the shaman. Was he not necessary for the completion of the ceremony? Or Wrex decided to not have him around for some reason? Shepard had no idea.

"Grunt, a step forward," commanded Wrex with authority, and so Grunt did. He looked fine, all banged up and healed and showing the widest grin ever witnessed by Shepard in his entire life. This was his moment, what he had always desired since coming out from that stasis pod on Korlus without even knowing it, and he was enjoying every single moment of it.

"Young Krogan, you have passed the test and proved yourself as a great warrior. Many survive the challenges of the Rite, but few ever managed to defeat a Thresher Maw as you did."

-Technically it was a joint effort.- Snickered Shepard, but quietly, to avoid interruptions

"For this reason, I accept you inside my clan, Urdnot Grunt. Now rise, warrior."

Grunt rose up from the ground and looked at Wrex right into the eyes. Shepard saw pride swelling Grunt's eyes. Pride and happiness strong enough to almost overwhelm him.

It was his moment, and he was savouring it.

"Grunt, you can now find a female, join a Warband under any battle-master and fight for positions within the clan. what do you wish to do?"

"I wish to follow you, Shepard, as my battle-master until the end of his quest," replied Grunt with a voice full of pride. He bowed in submission in front of Shepard, something that made the commander grin. "There are no stronger warriors in the galaxy."

"And I accept your offer, Urdnot Grunt." smiled Shepard back. Part of him felt pride after hearing such words coming from the young Krogan. He knew firsthand just how difficult it is to gain a Krogan's trust. "Welcome to the team. Again."

"Good, then this is settled," announced Wrex

"And" continued Grunt, that was not done with talking yet. "I already know which female I desire as my mate. Is the Ripper."

This time Shepard's reaction was far less subdued, and his eyes almost exploded outside their sockets. His mind took many seconds to digest what Grunt had just told, and many more to accept it.

-What is the actual fuck?- he wondered

"Ah-ah! A great choice Grunt, assuming she does not kill you!" beamed Wrex, totally fine with this idea.

"Grunt...why?" asked instead Shepard, still trying to make head or tail of just what had happened.

"This is something that I will reveal only in front of her." answered Grunt "I hope you will not stop me, battle-master."

"No, no, Grunt! I'm fine with that," replied Shepard, still dazed.

-Is Lena that will not be fine, you young fool. And Kelly- He grimaced. Shepard could already see himself drowning in a lot of damage control to do.

"Very well." announced Wrex "The ceremony is now officially over. I have nothing more to tell you, Urdnot Grunt, save for one thing. Fight well under Shepard's name, as I did years ago. Or I will end you."

"I will, clan leader." replied Grunt "You have my word."

"Good, now leave us. Shepard and I have something important to discuss."

Grunt turned toward Shepard, waiting for his signal to go. When he received it, he left the throne room after a small bow, leaving the two old friends alone.

"Well, that was...something," commented Shepard once alone

"You mean Grunt's proposal for the Ripper? Come on, Shepard! It was the only logical end for a warrior like him. That or trying to kill her for more glory." deadpanned Wrex

"If you say so," replied Shepard. He still missed the logic behind him but refused o comment about "So, what are these important things to discuss?"

In answer to this, Wrex straightened his posture, assuming once again a royal appearance.

"First, the official stuff. With your actions against clan Weyrlok, our enemy, and the death of their war-leader under your guns, you inflicted a grave blow against our enemies. Clan Weyrlok is in shambles, thanks to you, and I promise that our clan will repay the debt one day. Your enemies are no our enemies, Shepard of humankind."

"I'm...glad to know." unsure ho to properly reply Shepard's lips let loose the first words his brain managed to scrounge up. "I ill remember this."

"Good!" laughed Wrex at his uncertainty "Gods I hate this crap, but is part of being a clan chief. Don't want another Uvenk bitching about breaching traditions on me. Not so soon at least. Now, for the serious part." Shepard saw Wrex rummaging behind his throne, grabbing something akin to a casket placed behind his throne and putting it in front of Shepard. A casket with dozens of bottle full drinks. Ryncol, Asari ale, Batarian beer, Human Whisky, it looked like every single brand of alcohol in the galaxy had decided to make a stop at Tuchanka today, such as the abundance in front of Shepard's eyes.

"It's been two years since we had a chance to see each other, Shepard, and I'm sure you kicked at least twenty different kinds of asses while I was away. I want to hear everything." smiled Wrex back at Shepard.

"Drinks are on me."

It was such a great offer. To drink and toast with an old friend while swapping war stories. How could he refuse?

-Shame that Garrus is not here.-

"Well, Wrex. I suppose I could stay here for some minutes. Not like they are bombarding the Normandy right now."


Three hours later. Normandy ship in orbit on Tuchanka 17 29 ship hour

"Where the hell is Shepard?" yelled a very annoyed Miranda back at her intercom. All around her office all the paperwork and files of today's mission, ready to be accepted by the captain before filing them on the archive, fluttered and scattered thanks to her outburst, scattering datapads and files everywhere on her cabin. Miranda's brain seethed in rage at his commander's sense of responsibility, or lack thereof: he was supposed to be already here, back on his ship and governing his crew. Just a quick salute to the clan leader and doing his duty.

It as hat any self-respecting ship commander would do, after all.

Instead, Shepard had decided to throw everything on the wind and have fun with his old friend, paralyzing the ship on Tuchanka's orbit for nothing.

Sense of duty was an option among the N7 apparently.

Someone answered back on her comms. It was Grunt, and what he told her infuriated her even more

"Busy with the clan leader? For three hours?! For pit's sake, we are waiting just for you! Tell him to come back immediately!"

Another garbled answer arrived, covered by what sounded like ...carousing? Miranda begged that, for once, her enhanced senses were lying to her, all while another fit of rage threatened to wash her away.

-When i get my hand on him!- he swore

"What do you mean you can't?!"


Very moment. Wrex's throne room

"And so I hit the stupid Salarian so hard, he spun like a damn whirlwind!"

"That's insane Wrex! Better of that time when you slammed that fucking slaver into the dirt. How I missed you and your massive guns."

"And I missed you, Shepard. You are the only human capable of standing against me and win! I am so happy that we didn't end up killing each other on Virmire." Wrex's eyes became glassy for some seconds, lost in old memories.

"Ah, Virmire. That was the turning point, Shepard. So many warlords allied themselves with Saren that day, ready to become his slaves in exchange for a morsel of hope. Their death created a massive power vacuum inside our planet, a gap that I used for my ascension. Today, the Krogans are all almost united under my clan. All thanks to you!"

"Still cannot believe you are a leader, Wrex. You were always so fucking grumpy back in the day." slurred Shepard back at his friend. On his hand rested a half-empty bottle of whisky while all around here at least five bottles of beer rattled loudly under his unsteady moves. Still, he was conscious, barely.

All thanks to Cerberus's enhancements, he was sure. There was no way in hell any human might drink what he drank today and still stand.

"And why not, you bloody Pijiack? Because I am not a diplomat? Like those assholes back on the Citadel? I know exactly what my people need and have all the power to enforce my authority. That is all you need for being a chief here." roared Wrex back with mock anger. Ten empty bottles rattled away from him because of this, making a mess on the floor.

"Sure buddy, sure!" chided Shepard back "No need to get worked up. I believe you."

"Good, because now I will give you a suggestion as both a clan leader and your friend. Come here." Wrex wobbly gestured Shepard to approach, while he lowered his massive frame toward the commander.

"You need" he whispered, as much as a Krogan can whisper to another "To mate with the Ripper."

Shepard spat all the alcohol still left inside her mouth, washing the floor and part of Wrex's ridges with it

"What the fuck Wrex?! First, Grunt, then you?" exclaimed Shepard amazed, when he managed to regain some sense that is.

"I am serious Shepard." replied Wrex "You almost died two years ago, and now you are hunting the Collectors! That is good: a warrior like you must always fight, but you need to make sure that your bloodline does not die with you! Every warrior need a lineage, we Krogans understand this perfectly! And the Ripper, she is the ideal woman. Imagine your ability and cunning mixed with her raw power. Imagine just what kind of warrior would you conceive. Aaah, it would be...how do you humans say it?" Wrex mumbled thoughtfully for a second "Epic. Snatch her away from your runt before is too late!"

-Yes, no thank you.- Gurgled Shepard. Lena was a beautiful woman, Shepard was the first to admit it, but his heart beats only for one person. One little Quarian currently waiting to get better on her Normandy.

Besides, Shepard knew, just like almost everyone else on the ship, of Kelly's desire for their resident swordswoman, and did not want to intrude on her life. And besides...

"Wrex" replied Shepard while coughing away the remaining alcohol "Lena is sterile. She cannot give birth."

"Oh." exclaimed Wrex, genuinely hurt by this "Gods damnit, while the best females are always sterile! I bet it is the Salarian's fault once again." he complained.

"Yep, such a shame. But Wrex" rebuked Shepard to his friend

"If you are that scared about me, why not joining my crew? Wrex, I am hunting the Collectors! The deadliest, most powerful foe in the galaxy since Saren! Don't you want to have a go at them? Just like old times?"

Such images of battle and mayhem made way through Wrex's addled mind with great ease, and Shepard saw Wrex's mouth twitch and twist like a snake, gnashing his teeth and glaring at his throne in response to his words.

"I cannot Shepard." finally answered Wrex, his voice sounding almost broken. "Gods, you have no idea how much I want to leave this fucking Circus of Pijiack behind and come with you, just like old times, but I cannot do this!" cursed Wrex with all his breath "I am the chieftain here, and the reforms I'm implementing are working only because of my authority. But you can bet your shotgun with a credit that everything will crumble if I move away, and our people cannot afford this!"

Wrex took another sip from his flask of Ryncol, drowning his displeasure with it.

"No Shepard. I am sorry, I truly am, but I cannot follow you."

Shepard sighed but did not comment on that. He knew that it was the longest of longshots, and only accepted it.

"But that does not mean that I will let you go in battle without something from me." beamed Wrex back at the commander.

"What do you mean?" asked Shepard. In response, Wrex rose up from the ground (slightly wobbly because of all the alcohol) and started rummaging once again behind his throne.

"Wanna gift me a cask full of drinks?" half-joked Shepard, but his voice became a small gasp when he saw what Wrex pulled out of the place this time.

Three shotguns. Three, Krogan made and customed shotguns. The biggest, nastiest and most potent weapons ever seen by Shepard.

"These," said Wrex proudly "Are some of the best shotguns in the galaxy Shepard. They house only one shot per thermal clip, and their accuracy might not be the greatest, but these beauties can fell a Krogan with ease. They are a bit heavy on the kickback, but I am sure you three will be able to handle it."

And Wrex was not joking. Shepard knew about this weapon, thanks to his N7 training and intelligence gathered by the Alliance secret service on Krogans during the years. He still remembered the day they tested this beauty with one of the training dummies of their barracks and watched in amazement how said model, alongside part of the wall, disappeared under a single, massive bolt of pure fuck you. He also remembered the poor sod tasked to test it having his arm broken after firing a single shot.

"Wrex, I" began to say Shepard in wonder.

"No need to thanks me, Shepard." stopped him Wrex "Collectors are tough customers, even for us. I am sure you will find a way to use them, just like the two others."

"Two others?" asked Shepard. He grabbed one of the shotgun and examined carefully, checking the barrel and everything. It was a massive thing, far more cumbersome than most shotguns he ever used just as promised, but the power within it was more than worth it in Shepard's opinion.

"One for Grunt of course, then one for you, and the last one for the Ripper." huffed Wrex back

"Lena?"

"Yes, the Ripper Shepard. I saw how she fought against the Thresher Maw. The shaman made me witness the recording of the battle inside the arena. Such bravery deserves a prize." Beamed Wrex with pride "She must have been a Krogan in her past life. It is the only explanation."

"I will make sure to tell her about your compliment." grinned Shepard

"See that you do. Oh and, by the way, these weapons in your language are called...how are they called." Pondered Wrex for some seconds "Ah yes! Claymores."

"Good to know. Thanks, Wrex, for everything.


Normandy S-r 2. 17 35 ship hour. Kelly's sleeping post

Click, click, click, click.

The sound of tapping reverberated inside the small, empty bunkhouse that Kelly used to call home since the beginning of this mission. Nothing fancy like the captain's quarter of course. Just a rectangular space packed with bunk-beds, personal footlockers and some tables where to rest and speak with the crewmates during the free hours. All made in steel and synthetic fabric. Steel that now was being used by Kelly's fingers to vent her frustration and nervousness.

Kelly was not supposed to be here right now. Her place was in the bridge, shuffling through files and keeping the commander's emails clean and ready to be read while dealing with spam and scam letters.

It is incredible just how much useless stuff manages to worm its way through even a ship like this.

But he could not do that. Not now. That was why she asked for a quick leave and let another one take her place for some hours.

Many inside the ship smiled at her request, imagining that her claim was aimed at another visit at Lena and Raina, currently still stuck on the infirmary. Kelly even heard an ensign snickering at her, and gossiping to the next to him.

The truth was far worse than that.

In front of her, the blue screen of her personal computer flashed once again, revealing the private message she just received from her Omni-tool. A private message just arrived from an encrypted Cerberus source with the order of sending a special package now resting on the table inside the bunk quarter to a set of coordinates.

The small, metal package placed next to her looked so innocent. A simple container used by people all around the galaxy to send products, gifts and objects all around the planets. But once opened and revealing what was inside the story became quite different: crystal vials containing scarlet blood and Petri dishes filled with genetic samples, that was its content. All things targeted with the paper "subject Ripper." slapped on them.

It was not the first time Kelly received such objects to send somewhere in the galaxy. Among Kelly's many duties, after all, there was one of sending physical packages to their recipient through Cerberus contacts or private posting services. The people inside the ship were, after all, parents, sons, daughters, husbands and wives like everyone else in the galaxy, and wanted to send little gifts or personal letters to their loved once, especially during shore leaves.

Adding the fact that Omni-tool chats were strictly forbidden because everyone and their mother with a lick of hacking knowledge could trace them back to the ship's current coordinates, and it becomes clear why the ship's CO had opted for such an ancient method: you capture an automated drone? Then so what? You now have a bunch of useless emails (the important ones arrived only through a VERY encrypted channel via Miranda.) and now possess an ancient location of the Normany, ineffective at this point.

But the one now next to her was the exception. The reason she had to use an exceptional automated drone, one with hidden coordinates and programmed to self-destruct in case of capture.

The first time a package like this arrived on Kelly's desk was after Korlus, the second day of Lena's hospitalization. She had managed to put a nervous Kelly to sleep, after so many hours of coaxing and babysitting, and she wanted only to go back to her bed and be done with the day. When she reached her bunk bed, she found the package, tightly sealed and with the sign urgent on its front.

She sent it, quickly and briskly, wanting only to be back on her bed for the day, and forgot about it.

But five days later, after Haestrom, Kelly received another package just like the old one. This time Kelly opened, curious about it, and discovered the same stuff that she found today. Blood and genetic samples from Lena's body.

It didn't take a genius to understand their uses: someone, ordered by the Illusive Man, was experimenting on Lena's genetic conditions and needed samples for his research. Samples that someone inside the ship took and she delivered. It was also clear why Miranda was not the one doing the delivery. Why risking a queen to Shepard's wrath when you could sacrifice a pawn like her?

The day Kelly discovered the truth about the package, she stood still for several seconds, grateful that no one was inside the bunk quarter to witness her, and finally decided to send it anyway.

Oh, she wanted to scream at whoever drudged through Lena's body, to break the glasses in its face and be done with this disgusting work. But the simple truth was that she was too afraid to do that. There was no way in hell the Illusive man had not condoned this operation, and disobeying a direct order was akin to a death sentence. Best case scenario, after this mission, she would never find employment anywhere on both Citadel and Human space. Worst case scenario, Kelly didn't want to think about it.

-Come on, Kelly.- urged the fear inside her mind -You have already done it again and again. Just send the package and be done with it. What happens later is not on your hands.-

It was a lie, and she knew that. It took days of constant work with Lena, to break the silence about her mutations and how she gained it. And when she did it, Kelly's blood froze.

The counsellor heard Lena talking about forced mutations, of childer strapped on operating tables and gutted like fishes by brutal men. Of months of pain that drove people mad and suicide. Of handlers treating them like cattle until they were ready, received their trademark sword and the order to save anyone willing to pay.

It was so disgusting and similar to Jack's story in a way, that made clear why the convict was so fond of Lena and sneered on the others. They were so alike in a way: both survivors of the worst of humanity could offer.

And Kelly's mind had the terrible notion that her deliveries were allowing this nightmare to come once again to life.

Groaning in frustration, Kelly pushed such thoughts aside, alongside her conscience, and prepared the package for sending. She was not a hero like Shepard; she repeated to herself. She could not fight the Illusive Man by herself and come out victorious. Better to move along and avoid questions.

Kelly closed the package, sealed with the necessary sigils and prepared to install the coordinates for the drone. When she did, she bumped on a small container placed on the table, sending it tumbling down on the floor, its content trundling down with a crystalline sound.

It was Lena's gift. The earrings.

The silver shone on the dim light of the room like a small star, but Kelly could see a little cloud on the flawless metal.

A cloud born from Lena's blood splattering on the metal.

Kelly's mind stopped on his track, the conscience she so hard tried to silence inside her soul coming back to bite her, more brutal than ever. Her mind automatically replayed the day when Lena saved her from certain death, taking a bullet for her when she could have left her to die, or worse.

She remembered how Lena protected her, how Raina embraced her crying and sobbing when she saw her inside the infirmary, begging for her forgiveness when she left her alone and followed her command.

The scar on her leg, only recently healed, itched again.

"And now you are betraying her!" screamed her mind in full force "You know what Cerberus truly is, despite what Miranda could believe. You talked with Tali, Jack, Shepard and all the others. Do you truly believe they need this blood for simple testing?!" Kelly's fists curled in anger and fear, her mind reeling under the battle of will raging inside her.

"If I disobey, I forfeit my life." croaked Fear inside her.

"And if you obey, you forfeit your pride, your friendship and your soul!" replied the conscience with a more powerful voice.

Both powers wrestled for what felt like hours, going back and forth against each other and drowning her mind with conflicting emotions.

"Stop!" he screamed in the end with anguished voice. She swatted the package on the table with one swipe, sending it spiralling down on the bed's legs with a sound of shattered glass. Not satisfied, she kicked the package for a full minute, making it fly and move like a balloon all around the empty room, causing it to collide with everything inside the room until she was sure the content inside was nothing more than dust and crystal shards.

Only then, she finally calmed down.

An eerie silence greeted her outburst after this, followed by her mind, finally coming back to her senses.

She knew that EDI must have seen this outburst, and already sent a message to the Illusive Man or whoever was in charge. She knew that she had just kicked her career, possible her own life with this action.

And yet, she felt no fear. Neither remorse nor anguish. Instead, she felt calm, calmer than ever.

The deed was done, the dice, cast. Now, she had to see it to the bitter end.

Kelly grabbed the crate on the ground and, without a single word, she moved toward the incinerator placed at the back on the ship, ignoring the stares that everyone she met during her trip gave to her. Mr Massani lived here, but even a gruff soul like him said nothing when he saw the light inside Kelly's eyes. He merely whistled and kept for himself, understanding that any question would have received silence as an answer.

After doing this, and making sure that every single scrap of the package was gone and destroyed, Kelly came back to her room, opened her personal computer and sent a single message back to her employer.

"I will not."

And so we are all done with Tuchanka's arc. Rather exciting end, eh? Let's be honest here: an organization like Cerberus would never let something like Lena pass away without trying to fiddle a bit. All in the name of the "Greater Good" of course (You have no idea just how much I hate that philosophy by the way. That is why I never managed to feel with Cerberus during my games unlike others.)

Now, you liked Kelly's decisions? Hope it did. I had planned this moment since the beginning of the story after all. I tried to give her some humanity about her choice instead of turning into a "Hero of justice that always does the right thing". And how do you think will it end?

Anyway, see you next time!

And yes, Lena will use the Claymore shotgun in the future. I mean, come on! How could i not do this?