AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! Chapter for ya! Like last time, hope for an update next week, but expect a chapter the following week. Hope you enjoy!
Commander John Shepard
We had a short rendezvous with an Alliance cruiser patrolling the Caleston rift at the border of the Traverse. We transferred over the few bodies we could recover as well as the dog tags of those we couldn't. Beyond that, they had a few Makos on board and were willing to transfer over the parts we'd need to repair our old one. The engineering team will work on it next time we're in dock. Problem is, I'm not sure just where we should go ne-
"Commander," EDI began through the intercom as I was studying the Galaxy map, considering our options. "Grunt has punched a wall within the Port Cargo Hold. Readings show that he is significantly agitated. If he continues, he may cause significant damage." Well shit. I commed some backup as I entered the elevator.
"Garrus, Zaeed, meet me outside Grunt's room. Armed. Don't follow me in unless necessary," I ordered.
"On it," Garrus answered.
"Sure. Let's try not to kill him, though. I like the bastard," Zaeed answered.
"Just a precaution, Zaeed. I'm not looking to kill him, but I'd rather have some protection in case he starts trying to pummel me and not the wall." The elevator stopped on Engineering, and Zaeed, apparently, wasn't down here as he wasn't waiting here or at Grunt's room. I waited, unable to hear what might be going on, and the elevator returned moments later with both Zaeed and Garrus. Having an early lunch, perhaps. Zaeed had his rifle, Garrus, his pistol. "EDI will let you know if he gets violent against me. He does that, you come in and make him think twice," I explained. The two nodded in understanding, and so I entered, immediately finding Grunt pacing anxiously in the middle of the room, one side to the other. There was a dent in the wall separating the cargo hold from the loading bay, now housing both the Mako, and a shuttle. He was also scratching at himself. His chin, lower neck, behind where his ears would be. I could hear his breathing, there was a clear effort that he was trying to control it, but it just stayed short and shallow, like when Wrex would prepare himself to charge in and let the blood rage take him.
"Talk to me, Grunt." He continued to pace, but he kept one of his eyes on me.
"Something…" he closed the eye, probably having closed both as he put his hand up to his plated forehead both pressing down and scratching at it. "Something is wrong. I feel wrong," he explained as he clawed at his cheek, actually drawing blood. "Tense. I want, no, need to kill something, with my hands," he continued his hands clenching in front of him like he was imagining throttling something. He paced straight towards the window to the shuttle and slammed his forehead into it, cracking it. Engineering is gonna love repairing that. He growled, turned, and slammed his fist into his own forehead. "Why did I do that?! I didn't want to!" He huffed. "I'm Krogan, Shepard. I like killing things. But this… it's like it's not my choice anymore." Strangely, he was calming. Slightly, at least. "What's wrong?"
"Well," I put my hands on my hips, thinking. This isn't as bad as I thought it was. I mean, Krogan not control of his anger is of course bad, but I was afraid he had just suddenly gone off the deep end. This I think we can work with. "I'm no expert on Krogan biology. EDI, can you get a scan on him? See if he's caught some Krogan bug or… something?" Grunt looked up as we waited a moment.
"I detect no signs of disease other than the Genophage and no evidence of degradation, neural or otherwise. However, that claim may be inaccurate from a lack of Krogan subjects even remotely comparable to Grunt. Shall I send the scan results to Mordin in case he can provide additional insight?"
"Fine," Grunt huffed and began pacing again. "When we fight, Shepard, I focus. It feels normal. Good. But here, in the quiet, my blood screams and burns, my plates itch, and even you are just noise," he jabbed a finger in my direction, scratching at his plates as he spoke.
Well, I've an idea. And a nice excuse to go see an old friend.
"Tuchanka. This is probably something they're familiar with," I stated.
"They would not just let an outsider land on our home world."
"Good thing I'm not just an outsider. An old friend of mine just so happens to be leading several Krogan clans under one banner. He'll allow us." Grunt released a breath.
"Thank you, Shepard. I don't like this. Fury is my choice. My weapon. Not a sickness."
"We'll take care of it, Grunt. Just keep it under control while we make our way there, ok?"
"Yes, Shepard. I will control this." I gave Grunt a nod and took my leave of his quarters. The other two had still been waiting.
"So?" Zaeed asked.
"Having a hard time controlling his anger when we're not on an op. We're gonna pay Clan Urdnot a visit on Tuchanka, see if we can't help him out there," I explained.
"It'll be good to see Wrex again. Though, I'm not keen on the idea of having every eye on a planet imagining me as paste," Garrus remarked.
"Ah, I'll protect you." We returned to the elevator and while they got off on deck three, I instead went to my cabin to make a call. Still, I did pass it along to Joker to set course for Tuchanka. When I did arrive in my quarters, I sat down at my desk and gave Anderson a call. Unsurprisingly, it took a while to answer. A Councilor is busy, after all. Around thirty minutes of watching the fish, reading messages I had received, or just thinking about when and how I should let Tali know that this is a clean room. Eventually, he did respond.
"Shepard. Sorry, you called during a meeting."
"You're fine, Anderson. We've got business on Tuchanka, Clan Urdnot, specifically, and yes, this is more than just a house call. I know only Spectres and Council approved can even enter the system. But considering my… status at the moment, figured I should check anyways and send word to the blockade ahead of time," I explained.
"That shouldn't be a problem. Get me an ETA and I'll make sure they don't get nervous when your ship comes through the relay."
"Appreciated as always, Anderson. Joker," I keyed my Omni-tool's com and asked. "ETA to Tuchanka?"
"Three days, Commander."
"Can you get me that in hours? It's to get clearance."
"Right, the Turians patrol it. Alright, sure. From right now? Seventy-Six hours till we enter the system."
"Thanks," I turned off my tool's comm. "Got that?"
"I heard. They'll still stop you for ID, but they shouldn't give you any trouble. Wish Wrex luck for me, and that if he ever needs anything brought before the Council, I'll sponsor it," Anderson added.
"I'm sure he'll be glad to have the in. Thanks."
"See you, Shepard."
Well, now I need something to do, and Tali is in engineering. I could go talk to Thane; I hadn't done much of that. With that idea, I made my way down to the crew deck, and didn't see him in the mess, so I checked life support, where he had set up shop. Immediately I felt a wave of heat and the air felt much dryer, my lips will probably be chapped by the time I'm done here. The floor was grated, and the air purifier took up the left side of the room and there was a window to the drive core at the far end, and along the right wall, was a kind of personal little armory Thane had set up, weapons waiting to be chosen. On the left, was Thane sitting at a table, staring at the drive core with an empty plate on said table, and a cot behind him.
"Shepard," Thane greeted.
"Thane. I see you took your lunch here," I remarked.
"Indeed. While the company of your crew is not poor, I was in need of dry air."
"Kepral's acting up?" Thane nodded in response, then gestured for me to take a seat across from him.
"The doctors have given me less than a year to live. I have surpassed their expectations before, but one day, I will not."
"I… wish there was something we could do."
"The thought is appreciated but unnecessary. Though my mortality has me… dwelling."
"I know how that feels," I murmured. Thane stood and slowly approached his gun rack, hands behind his back. He glanced over at me, and I took that as my signal to stand beside him.
"I had a family once. My son still lives. His name is Kolyat. It's been many years since I've seen him." Oh. Alright, whatever he might end up saying, John, keep yourself in check. Not everyone can be like your father, and it seems he's regretful. Just hear him out first.
"Had a family?"
"I abandoned them," Thane answered quietly. Then his eyes got slightly wider as he realized how that sounded. "Not at once, nothing dramatic. I did not sneak away, or slam a door, or never return from the store. I simply… did my job. Hunting and killing across the galaxy. 'Away on business,' my wife, Irikah, would say. I was always away on business," Thane glanced down.
"And when did you last see Kolyat?"
"Ten years. He showed me some of his schoolwork and asked if we could 'dance crazy.' We did that when he was younger." Sounds like a memory he might be fonder of. If I ask him to explain that, maybe I can get a better idea about him. "
"Dance what?" I asked, though I heard him just fine.
"It's-" Thane froze in place. "I check my extranet contacts, expecting an update on my next target. The console plays music. Old. Unfashionable. Bad. Kolyat jumps into the room. 'Hi father!' Runs around me in circles. I scoop him up. Toss him into the air, catch him. 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," The man looks down again in what appears to be remorse. It reminds me a bit of Tali's father. And I don't have a high opinion of him.
"And you mention this now…?" I trailed off so he could add his answer.
"When my wife departed from her body, I… attended to that issue. I left Kolyat in the care of his aunts and uncles. That was the last I saw or spoke with him."
"Instead of taking care of him yourself?" I asked, letting some accusation get past me. Thane continued, unfazed.
"It was not the correct choice. My body is blessed with the skills to take life, and the Hanar honed them under the compact. I have few others. That I not only grew to Irikah but possessed something for her to grow to love me in the first place was a miracle. That was not a life I desired for Kolyat and I hoped he would find his own way. If he hated me, I could accept it, as he would not have shared the path of sin. But I have always kept track of him. Recently, I lost track of him among the regular means. Though my more professional contacts I traced him. Kolyat has become… disconnected, and does what his body wills."
"Disconnected?"
"Drell believe that the body is not our true self. The soul is. Body and soul work as one in a whole person."
"Ah, right, the ID and Ego is what humans call it in psychology," I nodded understanding.
"When the soul is weakened by despair or fear, when the body is ill or injured, the individual is disconnected. No longer whole. For Kolyat, something happened that should not have. He knows where I've been, what I've done. Years ago, I prepared a package for Kolyat. A relic of my ill-spent life. I had bankers store it and arrange for delivery upon my death. This package would have explained to Kolyat the truth about me that his mother and I kept from him. As well as my actions after her passing. I don't know how or why, but he has received the package early. Kolyat is now on the Citadel, I don't know why, or what he's doing. Perhaps he needed time away from the family he was in the care of. Or something else."
"Do you want to go see him?" Thane was quiet a moment.
"I don't know if that would harm or help him now. I shall continue to watch. If after a few days he returns home, my concern will be lifted. If he goes down a darker path, I will waste no time in saving him from himself."
Commander John Shepard
"Unidentified vessel, this is the Dreadnaught THS Colossus. Deactivate your engines, identify yourselves and state your intent in the Krogan demilitarized zone. Failure to comply will result in your ship being fired upon with the intent to kill." We were contacted five seconds after coming through the relay, and through the cockpit we could already see Turian ships of the blockade. They were far off, but still in visual range. The dreadnaught, I believe, was the furthest off but still visible, if barely. Closer were frigates and Corvettes ready to pursue. They don't want anything getting by. And all the ships were Turian. That's hardly surprising.
"So much for no hassle, right?" Joker remarked. He keyed the console, killing the engines as demanded, and responded to the Colossus. "THS Colossus, this is SSV Normandy SR-2. Commanding Officer is Commander John Shepard, Council Spectre. Requesting clearance into the Krogan DMZ with intent to send an away team to Clan Urdnot on Tuchankan surface."
"THS Colossus to SSV Normandy SR-2. Your identity is confirmed. Rear Admiral Varcus wants to remind you that while you were told to expect no hassle, this is standard procedure. Further, be advised; while you will be allowed passage, we will not ensure your safe passage onto Tuchanka itself. We will provide coordinates and communications channels to request landing, but nothing more. THS Colossus, out."
"Ah, how pleasant," Joker muttered, reactivating the engines, and moving us along to Tuchanka itself. We waited until we were in orbit over Clan Urdnot before contacting the channel that the Turians had given us. "Let's see if they make it any easier than the Turians," Joker chuckled to himself. He entered the comm channel and started.
"Clan Urdnot, this is the SSV Normandy SR-2 requesting clearance to land a shuttle." With some static, there was a slightly garbled, but understandable response.
"The hell is the Alliance sending a ship here for? And why should we let you?" Plenty less formal.
"I'll let you take this, Shepard," Joker waved me up, not sure how to answer the second question, I'd think."
"We're here to speak with Urdnot Wrex. Tell him the name of our ship, and that an old friend has come back from Alchera. He'll clear us to land himself," I answered. The Krogan on the other end huffed.
"Fine. Stay there."
"I figure you can probably go ahead and wait in the shuttle. We both know he'll give you the green light. Tell him I said hi," Joker remarked.
"What, you don't want to see him yourself?" I smirked.
"Yeah, I've read the warnings. I'm not far off from being a vegetable myself. Last thing I need is to be eaten by one." Alright, that got a laugh out of me.
"I'll pass that along," I chuckled, heading down to the shuttle bay. Garrus and Tali would of course be heading down with Grunt and I. Zaeed and Jack expressed interest, and, well, I decided I'd allow it on the condition that they don't get into any fights. At all. Kasumi thought it might be fun to tag along and meet an old friend of ours. I figure it couldn't hurt as she can just cloak. A few minutes later as we waited, we heard Joker's voice on the comms.
"Commander, you're good to go. They more specific coordinates for a kind of bunker entrance that they'll let you through. He also said," Joker deepened his voice. "The clan leader demands," Joker coughed. "Alright, won't do that voice anymore. Clan leader demands that you bring the Turian, Quarian, Asari, and Human with you. You think he knows it's you?"
"Ah I think he's got an idea," I smirked.
"I'm glad he's so eager to see us," Tali remarked.
"It's more reassuring than anything for me," Garrus added. "I'd rather not get turned into decorations." With our clearance, we took off towards the surface. The engineering crew would probably use this time to fix Grunt's window and get to work on the Mako. True, they could have had someone fix the window earlier in the trip, but with Grunt still agitated? Best to play it safe. Once we entered the atmosphere through the upper layer of the clouds, there was just nothing but ruin and dust. Even with that shroud slowly repairing the planet's atmosphere, there's still a strong nuclear winter across the planet. The bones of ancient Krogan cities. I wonder how many of these ruins are from before they nuked themselves, and which others are from the Rebellions. We came upon the bunker entrance, like an old missile silo that was left open and descended down. Whaddaya know, in all likelihood, it was an old missile silo. Finally, we landed, a handful of Krogan waiting as guards. Now, all of us were of course armed and armored. Armored so that we would be sure we're sealed from the radioactive environment, though Grunt didn't need to be fully sealed, and armed, because this is Tuchanka. But regardless, we're not looking for a fight. I joined the others and opened the shuttle doors. In addition to the Squad of Krogan, two of them were holding back growling and leashed Varren. The Krogan were all wearing armor in shades of red comparable to Wrex's armor back on the first Normandy. The one in the center had a kind of light display on his left chest. Their weapons were trained on us, and the one likely in charge studied us.
"You pull those triggers, and Wrex will slaughter you himself," I warned. Not worried at all, really.
"Yeah. He wants to see you. Though I don't have a fucking clue why. Least of all a Turian," he glared at Garrus. Then he stared down Grunt. "And keep your rutting Pyjak on a short leash. Either get him the rite soon, or put him down." Well, they obviously know what this is then. And the rite? Is this just Krogan coming of age? Huh, in the grand scheme of things, if that's the case, it's just like regular teenage delinquency on Earth.
"Can we go now?" I asked, my tone annoyed. I get the sense Wrex wanted less guns on us than there were. The Krogan glared at me, then stepped aside. The Varren calmed, but still growled as we passed. Through a door, down a flight of stairs, around a corner and down a tight hallway. It looks like the entrance we used was an old missile silo that they then connected to… an old sewer network? Parking garage? Just a general underground? Through another door, and up a ramp of rubble, a Pyjak scampering away to the center of the complex. It was large, spacious, and the ground covered in rubble. This certainly seems like it used to be something more akin to a parking garage, modified as best Krogan architects could to suit its current purpose. And there, being talked at y some Krogan pacing in front of him, on a throne of stone, was my old friend. Looking bored out of his mind.
"Oi, Jack and I are gonna have a look around. Let me know what the kid needs. Might be fun."
"Sure. Just, seriously, don't try to fight anyone," I ordered, and smiling, taking off my helmet and clipping it to my side, I approached the guards along the way to Wrex's throne. One of the guards approaching us held out his hand.
"Stay put, Human, and wait to be summoned. He is in talks." Wrex must have overheard, as one of his deep red eyes glanced over, and his frown immediately changed to a barely contained Krogan smile. I could hear the Krogan boring Wrex.
"You know what tradition demands. Clan Urdnot must respond. Your reforms will not go unopposed. You risk showing weakness when strength is demanded." Ignoring the Krogan, Wrex stood.
"Shepard." The pestering Krogan turned to see us himself, seemed rather insulted that our presence tore Wrex's attention from him. Wrex simply pushed past him and started approaching.
"That good enough?" I remarked to the guards, the lot of us squeezing through without much resistance. This time I could see teeth in the grin.
"Shepard!" he actually chuckled. We clasped forearms like we did when he left. "My friend." He then did the same with Garrus. "And Vakarian, you're looking even uglier than I remember. When did C-Sec get so exciting?"
"Omega, actually. Rocket to the face. You know how it is," the Turian remarked. Wrex barked a short laugh, patting him on the shoulder, and giving far more than a surprise to the Krogan around, especially the one talking about tradition.
"You'll have to tell me about that." Wrex turned to Tali, smiling. "New suit, but I'd recognize you anywhere. Good to see you, kid," Wrex hugged her, even ruffling her… right, she called it a realk. Keep that in your memory.
"You too, Wrex. It's been too long," she smiled under that mask, I'm sure."
"So, where's T'Soni and Alenko?"
"Kaidan's back with the Alliance, and it's a longer story as to why he's not along for the ride. We've seen him, though. As for Liara, she's on Illium as an info broker. Hunting down an old employer of yours actually," I explained. Wrex let himself laugh again.
"Now that's something I did not expect." Wrex started walking back to his throne, us following him. "Should have known the void couldn't hold you."
"Yeah, that's another long story."
"Hmph," Wrex huffed. "I think that's standard for warriors like us. All our stories are long ones."
"True enough. And I've heard plenty about you uniting the clans. I'm glad it's been working out well for you."
"It has. Being a part of the crew that killed Saren gave me more of a reputation than I did before. I reclaimed my surviving old allies, and with my new reputation, gained more. Those stubborn we conquer. Though if a female counterpart to a clan agrees with Urdnot, the males find themselves with little choice but to follow along. The others? We blow the males to hell, spare the females and young. As for the clans we don't have yet, we're either in talks or looking for an opening," Wrex explained.
"You have abandoned many traditions to get your way. Dangerous," the other Krogan warned. Wrex just sighed. I had a closer look at him now, the plate of his head was green, and his armor wasn't the same shade as Urdnot. But a lighter blue decal. Another Clan, most likely. Wrex faced said Krogan, and then slammed his forehead into him, sending him reeling and grunting in pain. Wrex was unfazed.
"Speak when spoken to, Uvenk. I'll drag your clan to glory whether it likes it or not. With or without you." Grunt chuckled at the display, and I tossed Uvenk a smirk. Wrex took a seat on his throne. "How's the Normandy?"
"Laid to rest," I answered, some of the glee at seeing him again sapped by the reminder. "Collector surprise attack got me spaced."
"Well, you look good for spaced. Ah, the benefits of a redundant nervous system," he remarked. Still unfazed.
"Would not have complained about having one of those," I grunted.
"Must have been painful then," Wrex chuckled, obviously knowing that in the first place. "But you're standing here with a strong new ship. With the same name."
"That I am, and that I do."
"Ah, sometimes I miss the old days. Against the unknown and killing it with big fucking guns," Wrex allowed another laugh. "Good times. But as much as it would flatter me, I know you didn't come to Tuchanka just to say hi. What brings you here? Is it my replacement?"
"I don't think anyone ever could, Wrex," Tali remarked, still with humor.
"You're damn right," Wrex smirked.
"Anyways, Wrex. It is actually. Something's wrong with Grunt here, and we don't know what. Neither does he. He's having issues controlling his anger when we're on the ship." Wrex turned his eyes to Grunt who met his gaze.
"Step forward, whelp. Let me have a look at you." Grunt obliged. Wrex stared him down, studying the young Krogan, and sniff the air. "Where are you from? Was your clan destroyed before you could learn what is expected of you?" I opened my mouth to explain, but Grunt spoke first.
"I have no clan. I was tank-bred by Warlord Okeer, my line distilled from Kredak, Moro, Shiagur-" Uvenk cut him off.
"You recite warlords, but you are the offspring of a syringe," he growled.
"I am pure Krogan. You should be in awe." Wrex responded to that claim with a burst of laughter.
"Uvenk may be a fool, but you have much to learn, whelp. You're unproven. Your bloodline is Varren shit. At least until you prove yourself. And Okeer? That is a very old name. A very hated name. I personally have reason to kill him on sight."
"He died before I left the tank. He gave me his knowledge, but he failed to imprint his beliefs upon me." Wrex huffed at Grunt's answer.
"Of course he's dead. You're with Shepard. How the hell could he be alive?"
"So what do we do now, Wrex? What's wrong with him?" I asked, getting us back on track.
"Nothing's wrong with him, Shepard," the eye on the scarred side of his face glanced at me. "He's becoming a full adult."
"That's all this is? Puberty? We were closer to Omega, we should have just stopped there and gotten him a few dances. And partners," Garrus remarked.
"While it wouldn't have hurt," Wrex chuckled, "this needs the rite of passage."
"Too far, Wrex!" Uvenk shouted, storming away. "Your clan may rule, but this thing is not Krogan!"
"Idiot," Wrex muttered. "Grunt, was it? Will you stand with Urdnot?" I remained quiet, letting Grunt make the choice. Grunt looked out at the rest of the bunker being used. It wasn't impressive.
"Is he a worthy leader, Shepard?" Grunt asked me.
"If anyone in the history of the Krogan can bring them back from the brink of extinction, and lead them to success and prosperity? It's Wrex. You'll find none more worthy." Wrex gave a nod of appreciation.
"I will stand with Urdnot," Grunt answered.
"Good. Go speak with the Shaman on the second level," Wrex gestured at a ramp leading to a room overlooking here. "Give him a good enough show, and he'll set you on the path." Grunt nodded and started to lead the way. I wasted no time in following as Wrex smirked.
"You too, Shepard. How many times have you stepped in a shitstorm for your crew, hm?"
Ah, a great sign. "Go ahead, we'll catch up before you leave the planet." We followed Grunt up to the upper level, there were ways further in to… living quarters, perhaps? But what Grunt was interested in was a Krogan wearing some form of leathery clothing rather than armor of a red, Urdnot color, with Uvenk and two of the same colors flanking him. I would assume he's trying to convince the Shaman to not allow it.
"You go beyond yourself, Gatatog Uvenk. The rites of Urdnot are dominant. And remind yourself that you are in Urdnot's stronghold, not Gatatog's." He was as tired as Wrex of his shit already.
"How do we know it will challenge him? He's unnatural!" Uvenk argued. "The beasts of the Rite could ignore him like a lump of plastic." The shaman glanced over, seeing us, with Grunt at the front.
"They know meat and blood no matter the womb. Your barking does not help your case."
"I'll speak for myself," Grunt entered. The Shaman turned to face him and stepped close, sniffing.
"You are the tank bred? You look like any other Krogan youth. Smell true as well. The beasts would have little reason to ignore you as a meal. Your protests are hollow, Uvenk."
"So far I've only heard Uvenk bitch and moan for not getting his way. Far as I can tell? Those Pyjaks are more human than him," I remarked, wanting to get rid of him. Besides, I know where I am. That will be respected. "Grunt's killed mercs, Geth, and Collectors as part of my crew. What have you, Uvenk?"
"There's some fire," The Shaman nodded as Uvenk growled. "And from an alien no less! The shame this heaps on those who whine like pups would fill the belly of Kalros."
"If this must stand on ritual, then I invoke a denial! My Krannt stands against him! He has no one!" Uvenk growled.
"My patience is tested," the Shaman sighed. "But Uvenk invokes correctly. Grunt, who is your Krantt? Your allies willing to kill and die on your behalf?"
"Grunt has done so for me. I'll do the same for him," I answered.
"Being part of your crew is not the same. Do you find him worthy to fight and die for? I ask again to be certain. You are aliens, after all," the Shaman added.
"He may still be learning, but he has much potential. I will. And I know Jack and Zaeed would."
"Bring them forth, then," the Shaman requested.
"I let them wander, but I'll call for them." I keyed the comms. "Jack, Zaeed, up a staircase by Wrex's throne. We've got a whiner who thinks Grunt isn't worthy of the rite of passage. Grunt's Krantt will stand against him."
"Fuck yeah, sounds like fun," Jack answered.
"Garrus? Tali? Kasumi?"
"Sure," Garrus shrugged.
"If Shepard will, I will," Tali added.
"Might as well. Besides, I need someone to take attention when I sneak around," Kasumi remarked. Now there were hurried footsteps coming up the stairs we had come up, with Zaeed and Jack coming around the corner.
"So, who's ass are we beating for Grunt?" Jack asked.
"Is it that asshole, Shepard?" Zaeed gestured at Uvenk. I nodded, and Zaeed looked him up and down. "Eh, I've killed bigger Krogan than you. Where's your battle scars you old shit?" The shaman let himself smirk again.
"Most aliens, and some Krogan," he glanced at Uvenk. "Do not understand our ways. I think these humans, at least, do. Uvenk, your Krantt is outnumbered and outgunned. I believe it is also outmatched." Uvenk growled again.
"Aliens don't know strength! My followers are true Krogan! Everything about Grunt is a lie!" What's a good way to shut him up? Huh. It worked for Wrex… Implants and enhancements, don't fail me now…
I slammed my forehead into his upper jaw. Just below the plate. I headbutted a Krogan. What the fuck. Uvenk recoiled and I felt dizzy. Uvenk clutched his mouth, and spit out a tooth, furious, but absolutely taken aback. Shocked. Grunt, the Shaman, Zaeed, Jack, and Garrus just burst out laughing.
"Shepard!" Tali exclaimed in surprise, checking my forehead.
"You… you dare…?" Uvenk asked, still recovering from the shock.
"I like this human!" The Shaman exclaimed. "He understands!"
"I withdraw my denial," Uvenk muttered. "This will be decided elsewhere." Uvenk and his 'Krantt' left.
"Absolutely worth it," I chuckled, the dizziness fading.
"Shepard, you've some fucking balls on you. I respect the hell out of that," Zaeed stopped his laughter.
"Provoking them was reason enough to like you. But now I respect you. They are, however, your problem now. Grunt, you will be granted the rite. Bring your weapons, armor, and your Krantt. Be prepared to be tested, and to adapt. I can speak no more of what the rite will entail. If you are prepared, we shall begin immediately." I glanced at the others. They shrugged. Though Jack and Zaeed were more eager. I gave Grunt a nod.
"I'm ready."