Chapter 36: Tale of the Two Drell

Jack walked out of the conference room and headed towards the elevator. It was going to be a tense three hours as they made their way towards the Collector ship. Everyone had seen what it was capable of on Horizon so, the idea of actually boarding the thing for data seemed like suicide. However, if the reports that The Illusive Man was getting were accurate, there was a hull breach in the ship. On any other ship that would've spelled death for everyone inside, he just wasn't sure if that same logic could be applied to the Collectors. He wouldn't be surprised if some Reaper technology provided by Sovereign gave them the ability to stay alive in deep space.

EDI's voice chimed next to the elevator before he even got in it, "Shepard, before you return to your cabin, Thane Krios would like to have a word. Operative Taylor has placed him and Feron Krios in neighboring rooms near the life support systems."

He felt bad he hadn't communicated with the Drell up until this point or tell him what he was signing up for. Thane definitely should've been briefed on the fact they were planning on going after the Collectors beyond the Omega-4 Relay at some point. Jack had just wanted the two of them to catch up and he had been wrapped up with Kal and the anniversary. The bigger question he had was why Feron had pointed a gun at him during their reunion at the Dantius Towers, and why was he going after Cora Harper? Sure, the Alliance would want her to help catch her father but, this seemed more focused than just that. Feron seemed almost obsessed with discovering what ship Cora was flying right now but, why?

Jack looked at the blue orb representing EDI, "I've never been near life support so I could use some directions. Otherwise, tell Thane I'm on my way."

EDI's orb started moving along it's track on the wall, "Affirmative Commander, if you would follow me, I can guide you there efficiently."

After a few minutes of walking past the medbay and Miranda's empty office, Jack knew they were getting closer from the dry heat. On most Alliance ships, going to the life support section was a punishment because of the heat from the drive core radiating over in that direction. The Normandy was even worse for this because of the stealth drive they had installed. He had to wonder why the Drell decided this part of the ship by choice, maybe Jacob sent them here on purpose? It was possible but, Jack remembered Karosn, his Drell squadmate from the Blitz, also stayed near the life support of the Everest so, it had to be a Drell thing.

Jack knocked on the closed door EDI had led him to with a cough, "Thane? It's Shepard, EDI told me that you wanted to talk. Is now a good time?"

The door opened revealing Thane who was wearing a black coat on top of casual clothes, "Shepard, please come in. I was only trying to decide where I should place my spare weaponry."

Despite the disclaimer that the room was going to be messy, Jack found it was incredibly clean. Yes, Thane had lots of spare sniper rifles and other weapons but, the assassin had them neatly stacked in the corners of the room. Jack felt like he could be less concerned about Thane getting up and taking an escape pod upon realizing what they were up to. An assassin would never get this comfortable with their environment if they weren't confident they would be staying here for awhile.

Thane put his hands behind his back and stood up straighter, "Jacob informed me what you were doing here and I'd like to formally offer you my services in taking on the Collectors."

Jack blinked not expecting that was what he had to say, "Well Thane, truthfully I was at the Dantius Towers to recruit you. Welcome aboard."

Thane smiled and moved to sit down at a table, "You may want to lower your enthusiasm Shepard, I'm dying."

He was once again thrown for a loop with surprise, "Are you sick? I have a doctor in the medbay that could help you."

Thane held up a hand to stop him, "I'm already on treatment Shepard but, thank you. It's called Kepral's Syndrome. It's not communicable, but I have less than a year to live. My people are native to an arid world. Most of us now live on Rakhana, the Hanar homeworld. It's very humid, and rains every day."

Jack felt sorry for him but wanted to know more, "Do you mind telling me what Kepral's does? I've just never heard of it before."

Thane gave him a said smile, "Not at all, our lungs can't deal with the moisture. Over time, the tissue loses its ability to absorb oxygen. It becomes harder to breathe, eventually, we suffocate."

Jack tried not to show any discomfort but that sounded like an awful way to die, "I'm sorry to hear that Thane. Is there any research going to a cure on the Citadel?"

Thane tilted his head slightly in confirmation, "The Hanar have funded a genetic engineering program. They should be able to adapt us. Unfortunately, the project has only been running for a few years. I don't believe my body will still draw breath by the time it bears fruit."

Jack raised an eyebrow, "Why do the Drell stay on Rakhana if it's killing your people? Couldn't the Hanar find you another world to settle on?"

Thane responded as if the answer was obvious, "Drell have a close relationship with the Hanar. We rely on each other for everything since the Compact. The best we can do is keep our homes very dry inside. I should be well enough to fight for another eight to twelve months. The more time I spend in humid environments, the faster it progresses."

Jack thought of something for his sake, "We just so happen to have a brilliant Salarian scientist on the ship, maybe he could find a cure faster than the program."

Thane shook his head quickly staring at him, "Thank you Shepard, but I cannot accept that kind of care. I have taken the lives of too many beings and must atone for my actions."

Jack felt very confused, "Your an assassin, isn't that what you do?"

Thane tried to help him understand with a serious expression, "The people who killed my wife are the only lives I've ever taken of my own choice. The only deaths on my own conscience."

It was hard for Jack to understand why you would deny treatment trying to help you. If he was the one in Thane's shoes, he'd want to take every opportunity at finding a cure. Not just for himself, but also the chance at helping the rest of his species that were effected by the illness. Thane seemed to be a much more religious man than he was and it was directing his actions. Jack certainly wasn't going to make him see Mordin, the Salarian needed to focus on the Collectors, but he still offered. He didn't want that kind of death on anyone, let alone someone offering to help him freely.

Thane spoke again knowing Jack didn't get it, "For you and me, death is business. For people like them, it is sport. Even still, I had no right to take them to the sea before they're time. I did as my body willed, and I must face the consequences."

Jack nodded and had a delicate tone, "I understand...have you told Feron? He never mentioned you so I just assumed you didn't have a good relationship."

Thane looked at the table with a frown, "I haven't had the opportunity since he has let his work consume him... And it was nothing that dramatic. No sneaking out in the middle of the night. No final argument or slammed door. I just... did my job. I hunted and killed across the galaxy. 'Away on business,' my wife would tell people. I was always away on business."

Jack sat across from him intent on listening to his story, "How old was he when his mother died? I was thirty and it was still really hard."

Thane answered sounding a little distracted, "Ten years. I remember before my last trip he showed me some of his schoolwork and asked if we could dance crazy. We did that when he was younger." His eyes glazed over entering a memory, "I check my extranet contacts. I expect an update on my next target. The console plays music. Old. Unfashionable. Kolyat jumps into the room. 'Hi, father!' He runs around in circles. I scoop him up. Toss him into the air. He shrieks, laughs. 'Spin me!' The console beeps. I put him down. Click the message. 'Father,' he pleads. Tugs my sleeve. 'I need to read this,' I say. I don't look at him."

Jack gave him a sympathetic glance, "You had no idea your wife was going to die while you were gone."

Thane refused to look at him, "You are right but I still made mistakes. When my wife departed from her body, I... attended to that issue. I faked my own death and left Kolyat in the care of his aunts and uncles. I have not really talked to him since. I didn't want that life for Kolyat. I hoped he would find his own way. If he hated me, so be it. He would not have shared the path of sin. By pushing him away, I helped him become my worst nightmare."

Jack took his hand for a moment, "Kolyat is still that same boy you think you've lost. He risked his life and maybe his mission to save my husband. I owe him everything."

Thane gave him a smile, "That is good to hear Shepard. Irikah helped me carry my burdens. With what time I have left, I must help him with his. I haven't spoken about my wife in- I don't think I ever have. I didn't have anyone left to tell it to. Thank you for your time, I'm sure you have other things to attend to."

Jack bowed his head and stood up, "If you ever want to talk about her again when we have more time, I'd be happy to."

He debated on going back to see Kal for the last two hours they had before reaching the Collector ship but, he needed to talk to Feron. If the Drell knew something about the Collectors that he didn't, they had to compare notes. From what Feron had implied talking to Nassana and Thane, knowing what ship Cora was flying could save people from Collector attacks. Jack didn't understand how those two things could be connected, it wasn't as though Cora looked like a Reaper or was indoctrinated. Why else would a Human somehow help a Reaper? Especially a Human that fought to make Humanity the most important species in the galaxy?

Feron apparently had the same idea and was already waiting for him outside his door, "Shepard, do you mind if we have a talk in my room as well?"

Jack shook his head with a polite smile and walked towards the room, "Of course not, what's on your mind Feron?"

The door closed behind them and Jack spotted a major difference between the two men immediately. While Thane had his things organized in the corners of the room, Feron had scattered omni projectors in the middle of the room. At first glance, the images seemed to be haphazard, connected together without any rhyme or reason. When he gave it a closer look though, Jack realized it was images of Human colonies that the Collectors had attacked so far; Freedom's Progress, Horizon, Ferris Fields, Zhu's Hope, and many more he didn't recognize. They were all connected together with an image of Cora with the words, "Red Rose?" underneath her.

Feron turned to face him and stared right into his eyes, "Before I say anything else I need you to look me in the eye and tell me you have nothing to do with the Collector kidnappings."

Jack felt like he was hit with a glass of cold water, "I...I'm sorry? Feron, that's absolutely ridiculous. I'm only with Cerberus right now because I want to take down the Collectors. I don't think we should be having this conversation here anyways. Miranda installed listening devices on the ship."

Feron's eyes had glazed over like he was in a memory, "Pupils remain normal, only slight defensive attitude, no increased heart beat. That's how you'll be able to tell if someone is lying to you recruit! They have to pass those three things." He blinked a few times, "Apologies Shepard, I had to know if you were a part of what's happening. As for the devices, I have enough clearance to have them disabled whenever I wish."

Jack raised an eyebrow, "And what's happening exactly Feron?"

Feron motioned to the connected images, "My work for the past two years while you've been sleeping. I.. I think Cerberus are working with the Collectors, and have been from the very beginning."

Jack gave him a stunned look and just stared at him, "That's a bold claim Feron. Why would The Illusive Man give me this ship, and unlimited resources to stop them if they're working together?"

Feron started to pace around the room with his arms crossed, "I admit that is the one piece of the puzzle that I don't understand but, I need you to listen to me. The attacks on every colony have started the exact same way for the past two years, a ship known as the Red Rose will dock at the Mass Relay and then communications are mysteriously cut. Every time without exception. I know the Red Rose is Cora's ship."

Jack frowned staring at him, "But that makes no sense, Cora wants to support Humanity. Why would she help the Collectors kidnap Humans for the Reapers?"

Feron pointed to a colony, "Freedom's Progress: the governor allowed a Quarian pilgrim stay there. Horizon: produced weapons for the Turian military and was multi species. Ferris Fields: a farming community giving dextro crops to the Migrant Fleet because of their contributions in the Blitz. Zhu's Hope? A Hanar preserve and Prothean dig site. Can you see the pattern Shepard?"

Jack thought he was going to be sick, "All the colonies give something to alien communities."

Feron gave him a grim look, "Exactly, Cerberus is using the Collectors as a way to purge what they see as traitors to the cause.. Humanity being the strongest super power in the galaxy."

Jack's entire world was crashing down around him like an anvil. No wonder The Illusive Man would take days and weeks to give him new leads, he didn't want him to stop them. How insane was The Illusive Man if he thought Sovereign would let Humanity live after a Reaper invasion. He had to be indoctrinated just like Saren at the height of his power. What confused him was the fact that The Illusive Man was much more coherent than Saren. Whether the Reapers had direct control over Cerberus, they had to be stopped, and now.

He turned to leave the room, "I need to request to see The Illusive Man in person and kill him right now. He had to of known all of this."

Feron grabbed his wrist tightly, "No. Just like your old friend, your not seeing the bigger picture."

Jack couldn't help but snap, "Bigger picture?! The only picture I see is the one of the Reapers returning with Cerberus' help. That's it Feron."

The Drell sighed impatiently, "Let's say you would get an audience with The Illusive Man and kill him? What happens next? I'll tell you, the Alliance thinks the threat is over and the Collectors keep working for Sovereign. If you really want to save the galaxy, you will help me get onboard that Collector ship and get me data. Data about the Reapers, data the Council can't ignore so we can actually stop this."

Jack shook his head, "No way, this is obviously a trap to get rid of us."

Feron still gripped his arm, "Maybe, but if we don't find any evidence, there's some on you. Arnold wants to kill you because he thinks your involved. I'm here because I want the truth. We can't turn around anyways now. Trust me."