I had to make a choice...Right? Few for the many... El'Jaid realized she was still in her armor. It was scratched, rented, and unpolished. She shivered and quickly got up and started to shed it. Stripping away the pieces and tossing them away as if they were cancer.
Soon she was just in her black under armor body suite. The material clung to her body like a soaked mat. It hung to her, heavy with her sweat and it chilled her to the bone. The suite had been modified by her resident, or rather former resident genius, Mordin Solus. He had made it to where the material acted like a wet suite and medical first aid kit all in one. If a bullet pierced her armor, the material would quickly seal over the wound and stop the bleeding, in addition to wicking away sweat. It had saved her life on more than one occasion.
He was gone now too, and for a moment El'Jaid missed his energetic and quirky personality. Gone as well was Grunt. The young Krogan who had proven himself to her and his Clan. No longer could he be considered just a 'mere' child. She had left them both on Tuchanka.
She remembered the nervous feeling she had as the shuttle descended into the cavernous bay. The thrusters wailing like wolves. It was the same feeling she had when she faced down Wrex on Vermire. While Wrex was reasonable, it was still never advisable to try to talk down a Krogan. And she had gone in to a settlement full of them with the Doctor who had reengineered the bioweapon that had shackled them, and the bioengineered example of their species that most were diffident of.
The only Ace in the hole she had was Wrex. A Leader who's ideas for the future of his people were seen just as crazy. Winning him to her point of view was her only chance. Appealing to his people's survival was the only way to gain their over all loyalty. No...not loyalty. Their resolve.
I might as well throw my self in to a pit filled with Black Mambas... She thought as she brought up her eyes to look at the Salarian and the Krogan seated on the bench opposite of her.
Mordin was calm, cool, collected, showing no emotion. Grunt on the other hand was barely contained, shifting nervously in his seat. It was his idea to bring Mordin back here. Their idea to possibly change the fortunes of an entire people. If they succeeded, it could be a tipping point in things to come. If they failed, then none of it would matter.
The Shuttle landed unapologetically with a thud, and the door hissed open soon after. The trio got out and El'Jaid took a moment to stretch, and look around. The landing pad had not changed, thought the Blood Pack recruiter who had been squatting a corner was no where to be found.
The Guard Captain let them by without as much as a word. But his eyes were on them, as were every other Krogan's as they passed deeper in to the Urdnot lair. The air the oppressively hot, but was far cooler than what the temperature was on the nuclear scorched surface of Tuchanka, and a light dust filled every crevasse and corner.
As they neared the entrance to the main hall cheering could be heard. As the large doors rolled open they saw a huge crowd of Krogan forming around an expansive arena. El'Jaid kept to the outskirts of the roaring crowd and she was able to get a view of the cause of the commotion. Two young Krogan could be seen brawling each other, both only clothed in what could only be described as loin cloths. Both were beaten and bloody but standing their ground as they continued to lash out on each other. They were young. Younger than even Grunt.
"Haha!" Grunt boomed as he looked on, captivated by the Spectacle.
Shepard looked up him with a quizzical look. "What's this all about?"
The Krogan continued to look on. "The Death Fight. Its the first Celebration for a child to transition to be a Warrior. They are too young for the Rite just yet, but here is where they prove that they are capable to fight. To Survive."
Mordin looked on with an air of scientific curiosity.
Shepard turned back to the ensuring brawl. One of the two had briefly pined the other, bashing his fists into the other. But he was quickly thrown off, and the two separated to plan another attack.
"This must be the last round. Both have fought all day. Only one will be claimed the victor." Grunt said, his eyes flashing with glee.
"What happens to the loser?" Shepard asked.
"He's killed." Grunt said simply without any hint of sadness in his voice.
"Killed? You mean every fight these two have had to get here resulted in their beaten opponent dying? They are just children." Shepard said, a look of disgust painted her face.
"No." Mordin said matter-a-factly. It didn't surprise Shepard that Mordin knew of the custom. I wouldn't have surprised her if he knew more about the Krogan than they knew of themselves.
"The Death fight is an honor to compete in. The Victor is given the supreme prize. His life. Both know and agree to what happens to the loser. If they didn't, it wouldn't happen." Grunt said. He looked down to Shepard with a lost face. He almost expected her to know this. "You went through a similar experience didn't you Battlemaster?"
Bile boiled up in Shepard 's throat, as the memories of her N7 training visited her briefly. It had been brutal, thorough, and indiscriminate. A crucible meant to break and create. A crucible she had broken and left for shards. The Crowd's roar brought her back to the moment, and she looked down in to the 'pit'. One Krogan was down, the other straddling him with a blade in his hand, blood dripping from it. The fight was over, the Victor had won.
"What a Waste." Shepard said dejectedly as the crowd continued to roar in adoration of the winner.
"Indeed. But good you didn't interfere Shepard." Mordin said coolly.
"Why is it a waste? He proved he could survive in a fight." Grunt said giving Shepard a scrutinizing look.
"You really think that just Surviving is winning Grunt? That the best thing in life is to just Survive?" Her eyes shown with a berating blue to accentuate her words. She stepped closer to the large Krogan who towered above her. But for all intents the roles were reversed. It was she who was looking down on his diminutive figure. "Surviving is just getting by. Its not building. Its not creating anything. It about maintaining the status quo at any cost to yourself. Is that what you want Grunt, for your people to merely exist?"
Grunt let out a low growl, but didn't give an answer, a pondering look pervaded his features.
She then turned towards the Salarian Doctor giving him a rebuking shove in the shoulder. "I never thought I'd see the day that you two would agree on something like this." Shepard responded to him. Her arm sweeping out across the display before them.
"Never said I agree with it." Mordin said defensively. "Cannot force point of view on another people, or person. Must allow them to come to the conclusion on their own." He said raising his voice slightly. "You know what happens when that is not done." He said quickly with a tinge of regret on his voice.
Shepard gave him a sour look showing her own contempt for his reasons. The mass of Krogan started to file out. Few giving notice at the alien presence. A group carried away the dead fighter. They carried his body with reverence and honor. The Krogan who were left in the atrium bowed their heads to honor him.
El'Jaid looked up to where Wrex sat in shining sunlight. The Victor kneeled and bowed before him. "C'mon." She said and strode forward. Two Krogan Guards stood and barred their way at the mouth of the ramp leading up to Wrex's 'throne'. But their arrival had not gone unnoticed.
"Shepard!" Wrex boomed. The Victor looked toward the Alien squad, rose to his feet and backed away. He looked on at the trio with curiosity.
Shepard, Grunt and Mordin pushed gruffly past the perturbed guards and made their way up to the mount of the ramp.
Wrex rushed forward and clasped Shepard 's hand. "It's been to long. I had begun to wonder what had happened to you." His voice sincere.
She gave him a rouges smile, her eyes a dim amber. "Just taking care of business."
"Of that I have no doubt." Wrex said smilingly as he lumbered back to his seat. "So what brings you back my friend."
Straight to business. I always liked that about him. Shepard thought. She was about to reply when Grunt excitedly interjected.
"I have come back to help my Clan, Kin, and people oh great Chief." He said as he rushed forward and kneeled before Wrex.
Wrex gave the young warrior a surprised look. Shepard couldn't hide the smirk that grew on her lips. Mordin gently coughed to coax Grunt back to the reality of the situation.
"You still have a lot to learn boy. I was asking your Battlemaster, not her welp." Wrex said admonishingly.
Embarrassed, Grunt rose to his feet. But Wrex's acknowledgement of Shepard as a Battlemaster did not go uncontested.
"Her? That Alien? A Battlemaster to a Krogan?" The Victor blustered. "It was Urdnot Grunt who slew the Thresher maw. She is only his Krant! She looks as frail as an Asari, if not more so. I am sure I could beat her easily if she wasn't hiding behind her weapons and armor."
Wrex rose and turned his ire to the young Krogan. "Shows what you know, child. Shepard has done more than you will possibly do in your entire life. She is a Battlemaster, so show your respect and close your gaping maw."
He turned to Shepard and quietly said to her. "Pay no mind to the fool. He's young, and hopefully will learn." And then he raised his voice. "So you have brought back Grunt to the clan...but that does not explain the Salarian who trails in your wake." He said casting a suspicious eye towards Mordin. "I hope he understand that he is still alive only because his is in your company." Wrex lumbered back to his seat.
Wrex's words could not have been truer. The Guards near them tightened their grips on their weapons. Murderous intent barely shackled in their eyes. Mordin gave Wrex a sour look.
"His name is Dr. Mordin Solus. He has come along with Grunt to help the Krogan as a whole." Shepard said, and Mordin walked up next to her.
Wrex let out a mirthful laugh. "And just how is he going to help the Krogan? Help us build green houses?"
Mordin interjected quickly. "No." He said with a sharp inhale. "Reverse Genophage."
Wrex's disposition changed suddenly. It was a combination of intense curiosity mixed with an animal backed in to a corner. The air around them suddenly grew silent.
"And just how would you do that? The Salarian's may have created it, but that was over a millennia ago. Any who created it have long since turned to dust." He growled with contempt.
"Didn't create it. Modified it." Mordin said serenely.
Something snapped inside Wrex as rage burst forth. But he kept his seat his hand gripping the arms and if he was trying to rip them from the throne. "You...You what!" He boomed.
Almost on queue the guards charged forth. One opened fire towards Mordin, while the other closed in with a broad knife. But both Grunt and El'Jaid were ready. Shepard pushed Mordin out of the way letting her Shields take the brunt of the fire.
Her eyes were alight with fire and fury as she turned her attention to the firing Krogan. She channeled all of her malice, her cold cruelty in to a perfect dark energy explosion as she warped forward in a charge. Her hit shattered the Krogan's armor as she made contact. The hit threw him across the chamber to slam against the far wall. At the same time, Grunt and rushed forward and proceeded to pummel the other Korgan into submission with his fists. He heaved in heaps of air, but Shepard could tell he was enjoying himself.
Yet more Krogan began to crowd in around them, all of them with murder on their minds.
"Enough!" And a shotgun report rang in the air as ceiling shards flittered down like snow. Wrex Stood to his full height and Shepard turned to face him. Rage was in his eyes. Barely contained hate. He tossed the shotgun to the ground and unsheathed a garish dagger and stalked to up where Shepard and Mordin stood. Shepard inched closer to Mordin as the towering lizard continued to approach, stopping just centimeters away. Too close for a gun, but just right for a blade.
"You modified the Geophage." Wrex rumbled. His shadow cast over the Salarian.
"Yes." Mordin replied.
Wrex brought the dagger in to clear view. It was obsidian in color, and curved like a sickle. Shepard 's hand twitched close to her pistol. This feels too much like Vermire... She thought.
"Why? Why did you decide to keep us a neutered people?" Wrex thundered to the small Salarian doctor standing before him.
The Mass of Krogan looked on, their gazes oppressive. If they all attacked at once Shepard knew that Grunt, Mordin and her wouldn't stand a chance. It all hinged on the Doctor's words. Mordin's chosen response.
The Salarian inhaled sharply. "Best possible outcome given all possible circumstances. All other option pointed to open war. Better to control birth rate than open war. Better to modify Genophage than open war. Open war would have meant great destruction. Annihilation of Krogan."
The mass of towering lizards bloomed in to a roar of outrage at Mordin's words. They wanted him dead. They wanted the aliens dead.
"Silence!" Wrex boomed, and the unruly crowd quieted to slumber, and he looked down with shaking hatred on Mordin. His red armor matching the malice in his eyes, the pain in his heart. "If you fear open war so much, than why have you come to undue the what you have wrought. Have you come to assuage your own guilty conscious? " Wrex asked pointedly.
The same questions rang in Shepard 's own mind. She had hinted as to what the answer was, but she needed to hear it from the Doctor himself.
"Geophage no longer relevant. Open war coming regardless. It's coming to burn all. You know it Urdnot Wrex. You have seen it with Shepard." Mordin said simply.
Murmurs erupted again from the gathered crowd. The voices were nervous, excited, and some even held fear. The Salarian Doctor had done what few had accomplished before him. The anger that had burned inside Wrex froze and evaporated then and there. He turned to look Shepard in the eyes. The rage that had supplanted his vision was now replaced by the stark clarity of fear. The fear of the truth.
But just as quickly he took the dagger and struck.
The Blade flew from his hand and implanted itself firmly into the ground in front of Mordin. Silence froze the room. The offer had been made. A Contract was on the table. The Doctor grasped the hilt and uprooted it. In doing so, he wordlessly accepted the agreement.
"The clan Urdnot High Researcher will be at your disposal. The entire lab will be at your disposal. Anything you need you will request from me, and you will have." Wrex rumbled.
Mordin Traced the back of the sickle like blade with his finger, admiring the craft. "Understood." He said as he lowered the blade. "Now must get to work. Have much to do. Don't know how much time we have."
The crowd again to voice their discontent. But their voices were soft with a kind of...satisfaction, as well. The air was caustic but sickly alive with the unspoken agreement if he were to fail.
Pray that you die on the blade yourself, if you fail... it whispered.
Wrex turned to Grunt. "Urdnot Grunt. Since you brought the Alien here, he is in your charge every moment from here forward. Your fate, is now tied to his." Wrex gave the Warrior a hard look.
Grunt without flinching took out his own combat knife, and grasped the blade in his free hand. He looked over to El'Jaid with only respect and admiration in his eyes. With one smooth motion he slid the blade till bright orange trickled down the polished metal. The droplets of freshly spilled blood dripped on to the floor of his Clan, of his people. "I have learned well from my Battlemaster. I will not fail."
Wrex gave a nod of approval of the act, and turned around. Grunt took this as a sign to leave and he led Mordin away. The mass of Krogan who had gathered started to dwindle. Not one gesture did they make towards Grunt or the Doctor. Yet suspect was still in their eyes.
Soon only two titans left standing. Wrex and Shepard. She drew close to her old friend. But Wrex still felt like a light year away.
"I wonder Shepard. I wonder what I would have I done if Saren had been standing where you do now..." His tone was soft as he turned his head and looked her in the eye. His ruby orb peering in to her's.
Her face treated his words like a slap. But she did not waver in her gaze back. "You think I'm doing this for just my own reasons?"
"What other direction does this point to Shepard? You are as selfish as you are selfless. Three years ago you had me agree with you to stop Saren's own Krogan breeding program. You said he would use it as a way to control the Krogan. I still believe you were right then." Wrex walked away putting more distance between him and her." But now you show up with your own cure for our doom. I can't help but wonder if your reason is the same as Saren's."
"Grunt and Mordin came here on their own..." She said quietly.
"On their own." Wrex repeated in disgust. "You always have had a way with speech Shepard. How many times did you talk with them. Get to know them? By your sheer will they would gladly die for you if you ask them too."
He turned to face her fully and stalked up to her. "So what is your plan for my people Shepard? Why would you have us dragged back in to the rest of the Galaxy's affairs? A Galaxy that nothing more then hates us for what we are. Is your idea to use us as blunt objects like the Council did over two millennia ago? As cannon fodder?"
Her eyes roiled in blood red equal to his own, and the scars on her face lit the shadows between them. "I didn't do this for your allegiance. I'm not looking for tools. I'm asking for your help! The Reapers are coming Wrex! They will erase everyone if they are not stopped!" She yelled. Her voice reverberated throughout the cavernous underground. But they had no easily noticeable effect on the Krogan Chief.
She press in closer. Her was voice low and predatory. "Where it the fearless Krogan I fought along side with three years ago? Where is Battlemaster who put the bullet in Saren's head? Because I do not see him now."
His eyes went wide with shock. With rage. But he said nothing.
"Don't you dare compare me with Saren, Wrex. I fight the Reapers. I will never serve them. Not at any price. I will die before I live in fear of them. I will die before I become a thrall under them. Why won't you?" She stood there for what seems like an age waiting for him to reply. To do something.
"Shepard. I think your welcome is over. Lets part amiably for now." Wrex rumbled at last.
She frowned, spun on her heel, and walked away. Behind her she heard the lumbering foot steps as Wrex took up his broken and battered thrown. Shepard turned her head for one last look, and saw him slumped to one side. His anger barely checked as he was deep in thought. She didn't knew where they now stood in their friendship, or on anything and from there she had just simply left.
Author's Note: Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoy this little chapter.
Interesting little tid-bit. Japa Mala are prayer beads.