Chapter 5

Kaidan stepped off the docking ramp into the terminal. He stopped short. Half a dozen krogan roared over each other shoving and haw-hawing a few steps ahead. One of the krogan bellowed and headbutted the one across from it. The receiver staggered into the wall, shook his head, and charged forward with a return headbutt. Kaidan stepped back as they tumbled his direction.

"Kaidan," a voice boomed.

Wrex shoved the two hotheads aside as they snarled into each other's faces.

"Wrex?" Kaidan said.

Adams and Cortez ambled out of the docking ramp and paused mid-conversation. Their eyebrows raised and shot Kaidan a look before shuttling off. Humans on the other side of the terminal were making the same expression. People rushing past down main hallway craned their necks as they passed the guffawing tussle.

"Kaidan. It's been too long."

"Good to see you, Wrex."

The other krogans shuffled up behind Wrex. They eyed Kaidan with slanted grins and narrowing eyelids.

"Uh …" Kaidan drew his eyes back to Wrex. "What's up?"

"How is Shepard?"

"She's better. Miranda patched her up."

"Good. Good. I was concerned. You humans and your fragile nervous systems. One pop of the neck and done."

Kaidan smiled weakly. "Sure."

"One pop," leered a small, beady-eyed krogan behind Wrex.

"Uh … right." Kaidan shifted the bag over his shoulder. "Did you need something? You were waiting for me?"

"Sure was, Kaidan. Needed to know how Shepard was. Hard to get any news around here."

"They were keeping it tight until they knew what to report. I thought her recovery was reported to the media."

"ANN?" Wrex snorted. The krogan behind him chuckled looking at each other. "Who has time to watch that crap? They only report on half the things anyway."

"I suppose."

"I needed to hear the truth from you."

He jammed a finger into Kaidan's chest. Kaidan braced his legs to prevent falling back a step. The smAllers krogan shook his head and turned away with a smirk. The group slowly returned to talking in growling tones. One ruddy-toned krogan motioned at Kaidan and shook his head with a laugh.

"Don't mind them." Wrex grinned. "They are bored here. It's all enclosed and breakable. Too much rebuilding. In London, it's still rubble and open space. Reminds us of Tuchanka."

Kaidan scratched his neck. "I guess."

"No thresher maws though. Shame."

"Got some terrorist sects over there."

"Terrorist sects here too." Wrex glanced around. "But, these are boring. Like hunting rats. No challenge."

Kaidan exhaled with a laugh. "Might be more challenging than you think. Rats can hide, and they run fast."

"Ah, but they are rats." Wrex rolled his shoulders. "Give me something real. Something I can butt my head into. Something to really sink your hands into. Tear apart."

Kaidan almost took a step back but stopped himself. The small krogan stared at him with a sneer.

"You guys are pretty cooped up, huh?"

"You have no idea."

"I'm starting to."

Wrex patted Kaidan roughly on the back. "Let's walk. Some movement, even if only walking, it is good. Come, come."

Kaidan hoisted his bag higher on his shoulder and walked beside Wrex down the HQ hallway. The krogan entourage followed in a rowdy tumble of booming voices and shoving.

"Where's Grunt?"

"Ah, Grunt. He's here. He found entertainment."

"What, uh, sort of entertainment?"

"Hee, hee." Wrex grinned sideways at Kaidan. "The finest kind, my friend. The finest kind."

Kaidan looked forward with a frown not sure whether it was worth asking.

"So. We are here for the Summit."

Kaidan nodded. "I figured."

"They do not want us here." Wrex bared his teeth. A group of Alliance soldiers skittered out of the way with wide eyes as they passed. The krogans growl-laughed muttering to each other. Two asari coming their direction turned down another hall.

"You do create an impression," Kaidan said.

"All krogan are regarded with the same impression. Even before they meet me, they have decided."

Kaidan was quiet as they continued down the hall.

"The Council won't see you?" he said finally.

"Ah." Wrex grinned. "The heart of it. You see the truth. They put us off with words, empty words, but they won't see us. It's true. That's why we need Shepard."

"Shepard?"

"After she talked to them at a meeting, they contacted me. Invited me to the Summit to discuss these things. Wanted to work out an agreement. But now? I am here. Brought other Clan Urdnot krogan to speak, but now, they will not see me."

"Perhaps they're waiting for the Summit."

"Paw." Wrex spit. "No. How can we talk at the Summit? We have no time set. Everything here is so set and timed. We've got no appointment time on this Summit schedule. May as well not even come. We should be seen now, then given time at the meet."

Kaidan nodded thoughtful, "I can see if—"

"No. We want Shepard." Wrex held up a hand. "Many have spoken for us, but none are like Shepard. She is the only one to sway them."

It was probably true. Shepard had a way with words. She had clout and trust. The krogan couldn't have found a better ally.

"She'll be back for the Summit," Kaidan said.

"This had better be." Wrex grunted. "Few days away. Makes us … this."

Wrex motioned behind. One krogan slammed the small, beady-eyed one into the wall. The little krogan shoved off the wall and rammed his head into the other. A potted plant crashed onto its side spilling dirt. A krogans kicked at it and laughed.

"Now stop that!" Wrex snapped. "We'll find time outside for that. These humans look down on breaking their dainty things." Wrex grinned at Kaidan and gave a firm tap with the back of his hand. "Huh? You do not make things to last. Thin and breakable like yourself instead of sturdy, durable, Krogan."

A krogan-sized hole dented the wall by the plant. One of the krogan scrambled to upright the fern, shoveling dirt back into the pot.

"Very good. Nothing to be done about the wall." Wrex shrugged. "You could learn much from Krogan architecture."

"Krogan architecture?" Kaidan asked.

"I see you're skeptical. Once the krogan were great. Much still stands despite great wars. Durable." He raised a hand. "We will be great again. You shall see."

"You'll live much longer than me," Kaidan said.

"Ah. That is true. Humans, so fragile and brief. Like these flowers here. You are a flower." He jabbed a finger into Kaidan's chest again.

"Uh, thanks, Wrex," Kaidan said amid the Krogan snickers. "That's very … poetic."

"Yes. We krogan were artists once too. You shall see."

Kaidan rubbed his chest. "It might have to be the next, uh … generation of flowers that see that, but I believe you."

"I think you do." Wrex nodded. "That is why you are okay. Why I ask you about Shepard."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. Liara only writes me notes. Bah! No time for that. Garrus knows nothing. I think he is angry." Kaidan frowned. Great. Wrex just continued. "Tali? Just reads Liara's message back. The rest? They do not matter. We are the one there from the beginning."

"Right," Kaidan said. "So, uh … Garrus seemed mad?"

Wrex grinned toothily. "Oh, yes. I think he would make a good krogan sparring partner. But fighting dirty is not allowed. You win by strength. Then Garrus would not win."

The small krogan smiled at Kaidan.

"You though." Wrex tapped his chest with the back of his hand. Kaidan took a couple of steps back. "Ah yes, back up some. We could not fight you sparring. Too much mess. Over too fast."

"Pop," the small krogan said staring at Kaidan.

"But," Wrex said, "we give you a gun, armor. Maybe you'd do okay."

"I'm just glad we're all on the same team, right?"

"For now." Wrex pursed his lips and rolled his shoulders. "We do not get time in the Summit, we'll see."

Kaidan stared at him. "I would be careful saying that, at least in public."

Kaidan looked around. People passed either outright gawking at the krogans or deliberately staring straight ahead. A people down the hall talked behind their hands and looked away as Kaidan eyed them.

"We krogan are honest. No lies and hiding. If it is true, it can be said. This is the way of the krogan."

Kaidan turned back to him. "But not the way of the Council. If you—"

"Spectre Alenko! Major!"

Kaidan froze. Wrex swung his head around to the voice. Feet slapped down the vinyl coming closer. Kaidan sneaked a look. Exactly who he thought.

"Major Alenko." She panted using his arm to skid to a halt.

"Who is this?" Wrex said.

"Diana Allers, ANN's Battlespace News." She smoothed down her dress and touched a hand to her hair poofing it a little. Her lips curled as she looked between Kaidan and Wrex. "How lucky. Urdnot Wrex too."

"We do not like the news." Wrex frowned. "What you say of the krogan? It is an insult."

"Oh," Diana blinked large rabbit eyes at him. "Then, uh, help us set the record straight."

She held out a microphone and motioned over a camera that was still bobbing its way down the hall after her.

Wrex bared his teeth. "We do not talk to the news."

Diana sputtered. "Then how do you expect—" The encroaching krogans made her cut off. She raised her head higher but lowered her microphone. "Very well. If you change your—"

"Krogan stand behind what is said."

Diana gave a strained smile glancing back at the looming mob of krogan. "Then, yes, certainly. Thank you for your time."

She spun on Kaidan.

"Major Kaidan Alenko, Human Systems Alliance and Council Spectre." She held the microphone out for him to give a greeting.

He pushed the microphone down and eyed the bobbling camera. "Not right now, Allers."

Her lips curved, and she stepped closer. "When then?"

"Talk to my secretary." Kaidan stepped backward and nodded at Wrex. "Catch you later."

"Good bye, little flower." Wrex chuckled.

XXX

Kaidan waved a hand back at Wrex as he pushed down the hall. His bag tapped on his back with each quickening step. Running heels tapped up beside him. Diana clutched the microphone to her chest as she fell in next to him.

"Come on, Major. We were aboard the Normandy together. Do it for a friend."

"I'm only your friend right now, because you want some big exclusive."

"Exclusive?" Her eyes lit up. "Would you?"

"No." He turned down a hallway.

She cut after him. "I can show you just how friendly I really feel."

Kaidan glanced back at her with a frown. "Come on. Be better than that. For yourself."

"So empowering." Diana reached his side and kept a running skip to keep up. "My viewers love to be empowered. Give us a motivational pep talk. Tell us how Commander Shepard is doing? Have you seen her? You have right?"

Kaidan skid to a stop. "Look, Allers. I'm saying it straight out. No interview. Nothing. On the record, off the record, there's no way."

"We can pay."

Kaidan's face scrunched. "Are you serious? No."

"It's not selling out your friends. It's very hush, hush. Just you, me, and the camera here."

"Look. No."

"We can pay in information."

Kaidan paused. "What information?"

Diana clicked her tongue. She looked at him from under her eyebrows with a sly grin twisting her lips. "Ah ha. Not credits. Not … uh, favors. But information, huh?"

Kaidan rolled his eyes and pushed down the hall again. "Never mind."

Diana skipped after him. "Come on, Alenko. You scratch my back, I … can do whatever."

He glared back at her and continued forward. "After I get to the Alliance barracks, you'll have to stop following."

Diana brushed her arm against him and grinned. "Wouldn't be the first time I've followed an officer into private quarters."

"Really, Allers? You've got to feel on some level you're better than that."

"So judgmental," Diana tsked. She pulled at his arm to slow him down. He shook her hand off. "It's because I'm a woman, you're all judgy about it."

"No, it's not."

"Sure. Right."

Kaidan stopped. "Trading that for a story? It could be anyone, it wouldn't seem right. Now that, that, would make a story. You should do it on yourself, the dirty underbelly of the media."

"Oh, Alenko." She came closer. "My underbelly is not dirty. My hygiene is excellent."

He threw up his free hand and stalked down the hall.

"Interesting, don't you think?" she called after him. "So many Terra Firma members in town?"

Kaidan stopped. He waited until she to stroll up next to him. He eyed her out of the corner of his eye. "Okay. What do you know? Do you really know anything?"

"Do I know anything?" She gaped with exaggeration. "Major, I know everything."

"I highly doubt that." Kaidan shifted on his feet and sighed. "Tell me what you know, if it's really worth knowing."

Diana shrugged. "Quid pro quo."

"And you want an interview in exchange?"

"Yep." She snapped her fingers. The camera floated up beside her.

"No deal." He turned away down the hall.

The barracks were so damn far away. He should have just made a skycar transfer.

"Terra Firma," Diana called again. "Something's happening."

Kaidan sighed and walked faster. Diana cursed and raced after him.

"Fine! Fine! I actually do know something."

Kaidan stopped grudgingly and turned to her. "Tell me then."

"Then I get an interview?"

"No."

Diana exhaled loudly clenching her jaw at him.

He motioned at her. "Saving lives, stopping a terrorist attack, isn't enough? You live here too, you know."

"Turn that back around on yourself. If you care so much about that stuff, then why not give a little interview?"

"If you know something that actually matters, you should tell me, Diana."

"Then how about some information exchanged off the record?"

"Okay." Kaidan dropped his bag and waited. "You go first."

The residential hallway was quiet as they stared at each other. Diana watched him with thin slits.

"You're not going to tell me anything after I go first, am I right?"

"Right." Kaidan shrugged. "Go ahead."

Diana sighed with a growl and twisted away briefly as if thinking. She spun back on him.

"Fine," she snapped. "But I get something out of this."

"You can have some of my respect back. Come on."

Diana mock laughed. "Your respect hasn't done much for me to care about getting it back. A pretty inflated currency."

Kaidan stared at her, mouth tight. He was done talking. Diana glared back at him. With a sigh, he shifted and crossed his arms. She grabbed his arm and held it.

"Because … well, because you're Shepard's friend and I actually like Shepard, I will tell you. Terra Firma is gathering in town for some strike during the Summit."

"I already know that." He lifted his bag.

Her grip tightened on his arm. He looked at her.

"What?"

"Did you know all the major leaders are here?" she asked.

"How would you know that?"

"They are here. They've brought their best people, and there is going to be an attack at the ceremony."

"Okay …"

"But! The most important thing I've heard is about the Spider Summit."

Kaidan dropped his bag and sighed tiredly. "What?"

"The Spider Summit, Alenko, where the top members of Terra Firma finally come together. They get word from the top, issue orders, coordinate the strike. And it comes sometime before the real Summit. That's why they're all in town."

Kaidan watched her closely. Her face was mostly blank. Even if she was telling the truth, someone could tell a lie they thought was true. Still, unless the scorpion/spider passphrase was becoming common knowledge, the Spider Summit seemed like the right wording. Someone in the Alliance could know more about this. He could crosscheck it.

"And that's all of it?" Kaidan asked.

Diana smirked squeezing her fingers up his arm as if to feel it through his shirt. He brushed her hand off roughly.

"It doesn't have to be a trade for something, if that's your hang up." She pressed up closer. "Kaidan, right?"

"It's not happening." Kaidan stepped back and grabbed his bag. "Thanks for the information, if it's right."

Diana's face hardened, and she cleared her throat.

"You know, Shepard didn't seem interested in spending personal time with me either. We were alone in her cabin more than once."

"How disappointing." He backed up.

"And did she disappoint you too? Those times you were alone in her cabin more than once." Diana smiled. "Maybe if I was your CO, I'd have the right favors to trade."

The bag slipped from Kaidan's hand. He fumbled for it. Diana took a step closer and glared at him.

"Don't push me around. I do have information. Just be glad I'm more interested in trading information to you than about you. Now does that earn me some of your respect?"

Kaidan swallowed, heat diffusing his face. He held her eye for a moment before turning and striding down the hall. He cut sharply down the closest hallway and let out a breath clenched and burning in his chest. Hot blood pulsed in his cheeks as he trained his eyes on the floor and made his way to the barracks.