Chapter 3

After getting a tour of the temporary male camp, which was certainly more impressive than the old Urdnot camp but still not much to look at, Shepard and her crew weren't sure what to do with themselves. Tournament processing wouldn't start for another hour.

Wrex had gestured her and her squad toward the meeting area, where a giant tent had been set up under which members of both clans could interact in between tournament battles. This was supposed to help encourage individuals to do better, and allow members of both sexes to keep tabs on prospective mates. Most of Shepard's squad was interested in seeing what the asari Spectre's crew was like; all except for Grunt decided to head over to the meeting tent, whether to meet Vash's crew or eat some of the delicious food that Wrex had described during the tour.

"Why aren't you going with them?" Wrex asked Grunt.

"I have no interest in talking," Grunt said. "I want to fight."

"The females have heard about you, tank-bred. They want to see you. If you show yourself, more will want to mate with you."

"I have even less interest in that."

"Huh," Wrex grunted, folding his arms. "No interest in mating? Have you ever seen a krogan female before?"

"Yes. In the tank."

"It might be different in person."

"I do not think so."

"If you fight in the tournaments, you will mate. Shepard and the rest of her crew can do whatever they want, but you are Urdnot Grunt. If you refused to mate it would be an embarrassment to Clan Urdnot."

Grunt scowled. "Then I will mate. But I won't like it."

Wrex laughed. "We'll see, tank-bred."

Meanwhile, the meeting tent was full of excited krogan and some of the members of Vash's crew. There were many asari, all wearing similar uniforms, but there were also several different aliens wearing unique armor.

Tali was surprised to see a quarian. She walked over to him, noticing by his suit design that he was on pilgrimage. "Hello," she said cheerfully.

"I-I…you are…I'm honored!" he stammered.

"Excuse me?"

"You are Tali'Zorah!"

"I…am."

"You saved the Citadel, you…you defeated Saren and the geth…"

"Commander Shepard did those things," Tali said, shifting her weight awkwardly. "I was just there to help."

"I want to be just like you."

"Um…thanks."

There was a pause.

"What's your name?" Tali asked.

"Qori'Anko."

"Your pilgrimage is going well?"

"Captain Vash has taught me a lot. I only joined the crew a few weeks ago, but I'm already learning about cultures that I never knew existed."

"That's good. The flotilla can use that knowledge."

"I love the flotilla, but there are so many things we don't ever hear about. Even being here, this krogan festival…it's all so interesting. I don't think we have any information about this."

"It's true that the krogan don't like to share very much about themselves."

"It's an honor that we've been invited here."

Tali hadn't considered this before. "I suppose it is." She paused. "What else have you learned on your pilgrimage?"

"You…you're interested in hearing about me?"

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"No, I just…you fight geth. I don't do anything that exciting."

"There's enough quarians trying to figure out new ways to destroy the geth," Tali said, with some bitterness. "Interacting with different alien cultures is just as important. We need allies if we want to survive in this galaxy."

"You're so…wise," Qori said, awed.

"That's what pilgrimages are for," Tali said, smiling beneath her helmet. "And mine was not so long ago. Now tell me some of the things you've learned."

"Well…"

A short distance away from Tali, Mordin was sniffing curiously at some of the krogan food when he was approached by an asari.

"I wasn't expecting to see a salarian here. I imagine you're a member of Shepard's crew."

"Yes. Entire crew expected to leave ship during repairs. Assume you are from Vash's crew."

The asari seemed unfazed by Mordin's unusual speech pattern, and in fact spoke almost as rapidly as he did. "That's right. I'm Hennas."

"Mordin Solus. Pleased to met you."

"Wait…Solus? As in…as in the Professor Solus?"

"Statistically unlikely that you are confusing me for someone else."

"I was a student researcher for a salarian professor named Bead. He used to go on and on about you."

"Bead is now a professor? Excellent. Former student of mine. Very intelligent. Spent far too much time inside the lab however."

"That's actually one of the reasons I left the university. Everyone was so focused on their own little experiments that they lost sight of the people they were supposed to be helping."

"Came to same conclusion myself. Went to Omega and opened clinic there before joining Shepard's crew."

"Really? Omega? You must've been very brave."

"It was…" Mordin sniffed. "Something I had to do."

"Vash needs me for now, but someday I would like to do that kind of work. Do you think you'll ever go back to Omega? Maybe we could work together."

Eyelid movement suggests flirtation. Unexpected. "Uncertain. Current mission is very dangerous. May not return."

"May not return? You mean…you mean you're going on some kind of suicide mission?"

"Cannot say more."

"I understand."

"Hennas!" a voice called out; another asari who appeared to be a member of Vash's crew hurried over to her. "I've been looking everywhere for you, wha…" she stopped when she saw Mordin. "Who's this?"

"Professor Mordin Solus," Hennas said, smiling. "He's one of Shepard's crew."

"Oh," the asari said, raising her eyebrows. "Um…nice to meet you." She turned to Hennas again. "I need to show you something back on the ship."

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Hennas turned to Mordin. "I, um…I have to go. But maybe I'll see you later. Are you going to be in the tournament?"

"Was not planning on it."

"Oh. Well…if you change your mind…let me know."

Hennas left with the other asari. Mordin hesitated a moment, not sure what to do with himself, but decided to remain where he was in case Hennas returned and wanted to talk with him more.

"Excuse me."

Thane looked up. "Yes?"

"Sorry to bother you," Kelly said breathlessly, "but I thought you might be interested to know that there's a drell here."

"From Vash's crew?"

"Yes. I just…I know it's probably been a while since you've seen another drell. I thought you might be interested in talking with her."

"Thank you. I will."

"She's over in the other corner, by the road to the female camp."

Thane stood and made his way over in that direction. He didn't get far before the other drell caught sight of him among the crowds of krogan and approached.

"I had heard that there was another drell here, but I wouldn't believe it at first," she said, looking amazed. "Tuchanka is the last place I expected to find another of our kind."

"Indeed," Thane replied, folding his arms behind his back and bowing slightly. "I am Thane Krios."

"I am Iri."

There was a short pause before Thane spoke. "It is unusual for a drell to be working with a Spectre. How did you come to be a part of Vash's crew?"

"I used to be a teacher, but everything changed when my sister's son was taken by batarian slavers. They were on the edges of the Traverse and it was too dangerous for the authorities to become involved. My sister's husband had a ship and we were able to track the batarians down, but we did not have the firepower to defeat them. We tried mercenaries, but we couldn't pay them enough for the job. We never could have anticipated that a Council Spectre would come to my nephew's rescue."

"Vash?"

"Yes. She and her crew went out of their way to save my nephew and the others the batarians had taken. When I saw that she was committed to helping all those in need, I decided to join her crew and contribute in any way I could. Captain Vash even taught me how to fight, so that I could help defend those who do not have the power to defend themselves."

Thane slowly nodded. "A noble cause. I was taught how to fight so that my body might be a weapon, not a shield."

"You…" Iri paused, and realization slowly dawned on her. "Are you part of the Compact?"

"I was. Now I am a weapon for Shepard."

"Why did you join her? I thought she left the Council to work for a human terrorist organization."

"Shepard has no loyalty to Cerberus. Her mission is to protect the people of this galaxy, much like your captain."

"Perhaps they are more alike than I realized. Vash is technically a Spectre, but she constantly fights with the Council. I admire her because she believes in a cause."

"Some people follow orders. People like Vash and Shepard follow their beliefs."

"And we follow them."

Thane smiled; Iri smiled back. There was a pause.

"I…have enjoyed speaking with you," Iri said slowly. "Are you going to participate in the tournament?"

"The organizer for the male clan, Urdnot Wrex, is a friend of Shepard's. She wants us to participate as a favor to him."

"The same with Vash and Uta." Iri shifted her weight. "So…I will see you in the tournament?"

"Yes."

"And…perhaps after the tournament?"

Thane hesitated. "That…is less likely."

"Ah. Well…we shall see how things develop."

Iri left, looking a little disappointed but also a little determined. Thane sighed, then wandered back toward the area where most of the Normandy crew was gathered and ended up sitting at a table with Samara.

Not far away, Shepard, Garrus, Jacob, and Zaeed were standing around casually, mostly people-watching.

"There are a lot more krogan males than females," Garrus commented. "This tournament could get pretty intense."

"I think most of the drinks on these tables are alcoholic," Jacob said. "Wouldn't be surprised if this 'festival' turned into a riot. We should be prepared, Commander."

"Lighten up," Shepard said. "Wrex has things under control."

"I just wish the bloody tournament would start already," Zaeed grumbled.

"EDI is going to be working on the IFF for several more hours," Shepard said. "It's not like we can just go back to the ship once the fighting is over."

"Yeah, but it gives us less time to enjoy our prizes," Zaeed said.

"Wait…what?" Shepard asked.

"You heard the rules. The best fighters get picked by the women."

"You mean you're actually taking that seriously?" Jacob asked.

"Hell yeah!"

"But what if someone from Vash's crew doesn't pick you? What if you get picked by a krogan female?"

Zaeed laughed. "You haven't been round the galaxy much, have you?"

"Uhhh…never mind." Jacob edged away from Zaeed.

"We're here because Wrex wants us to fight in his krant," Shepard said. "I don't think he expects…or wants…any of us to be participating in the other part of the festival."

"I certainly hope not," Garrus said. "And I don't think the krogan would be very happy with a turian fighting in their mating tournament."

Shepard frowned as Vash and Amata appeared from out of the crowd, walking over in their direction. "There you are, Garrus," Vash said.

"I've noticed some of your crew," Garrus said. "Things have changed a lot since you were doing recon work for turians."

"Take a look at yourself," Vash said. "You saved the galaxy from the geth…and here I thought you'd be trapped in a C-Sec office the rest of your life."

"I owe all of that to Shepard," Garrus said, gesturing to her; she smiled at him.

"How's your sister?" Amata asked.

"Oh…she's doing all right. It's been hard on her…I try to keep in touch, but I've been so busy. About a week ago I got a letter from her, and…well…things haven't been going so well."

Why didn't he ever talk to me about this? Shepard thought, frowning. I didn't even know he had a sister…

"COMMANDER SHEPARD!"

Shepard's thoughts were cut off; she turned to the source of the shout. Oh God…

"Commander!" Conrad Verner cried breathlessly, running over to her.

"Conrad," Shepard said through gritted teeth.

"Oh wow, it's SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Conrad squealed, so loudly that everyone nearby turned to investigate the commotion.

"You…look…different," Shepard said, trying not to laugh. Last she had seen him, Conrad was wearing N7 armor; now, he appeared to be wearing asari commando armor. The body shape didn't exactly fit him.

"Yeah, isn't it great?" Conrad asked, grinning widely. "I kept thinking about everything you said to me, and so after I left the Citadel I stole a ship and invaded an Eclipse mercenary base!"

"I…don't remember saying you should do that," Shepard said, her eyebrow raised.

"I was on my way inside when suddenly Vash's ship landed and she and her crew attacked the base at the same time," Conrad continued, ignoring, or possibly not hearing, her comment. "She thought I was so brave, she made me a member of her crew and gave me this armor!"

"That was really nice of her," Shepard said, glancing over her shoulder at Vash; she was still deep in conversation with Garrus and didn't seem to notice Conrad. Shepard frowned, distracted again by thoughts of Garrus.

"ANYWAY, I learned a lot from Vash," Conrad said. "In fact, I learned the most important lesson of all!"

"And what's that?" Shepard sighed.

"HUMILITY. I used to think being a hero was about being a HERO, but actually it's about being someone who helps people even when nobody knows it. And I used to think the bad guys were people, but the real bad guy is the CAPITALISM that exploits the oppressed working class! Isn't that GREAT?"

"Wh…what?" Shepard asked.

"Y'see, Vash taught me that…"

"Listen, Conrad," Shepard interrupted quickly, "it's been great talking to you, but I have to go."

"Oh…but…"

Shepard darted off into the crowd, in no particular direction. She made it pretty far along to the other side of the tent before she realized she was standing out among all the krogan, with no familiar faces. She sighed, relieved that at the very least she seemed to have lost Conrad.

"Shepard."

Shepard turned; a krogan female approached her. "Who are you?" Shepard asked.

"Uta," she replied. "Of the so-called 'female clan.'"

"Right…Wrex mentioned you."

"He never stops talking about you."

"He was a good soldier when he served under me two years ago. I'm impressed by all the work he's done here since then. Especially this festival."

"You think this was his idea?"

Shepard frowned. "Whose was it?"

"Mine. Of course he took all the credit."

"That doesn't really sound like him."

"Breeding alliances are complicated and stressful, and they usually result only in grief. Several females even abandoned their clans and went to a salarian doctor to undergo tests for him, in the hopes of curing the genophage. That is how desperate they were."

"I was in Maelon's lab," Shepard said quietly. "I saw what happened there."

"I thought this festival would be a good way to take some of the pressure off the females and make the mating a more casual and celebratory event, so I proposed the idea. But Wrex wants to make sure everyone knows he's in charge. That's why he brought you here."

"What do you mean?"

"He made up the rule about each clan fighting in krants at the end. He wanted you and your crew to beat the strongest females so that he would look more powerful than me."

"But you invited Vash."

"Only after he invited you. And her crew understands. She's got a female turian, a female drell, even a female volus."

"I'm not sure where you're going with this."

"Have you ever seen a female volus? How about a female turian?"

"Now that you mention it…"

"This whole festival was set up by Wrex to strengthen the males' power…and you're helping him."

There was a long pause. Then Shepard said, "I hadn't realized it was like that."

"Well now you know."

Shepard activated her Omni-tool and contacted Miranda, Jack, Samara, Kasumi, and Tali. "There's going to be a change of plans…"

The krogan had set up an impressive makeshift arena with tiered seating (although most krogan were standing), and many of the Cerberus operatives from the Normandy were assembling to watch Shepard and her powerful squad eventually take the stage.

"Saved a seat for you," Gabby said, smiling at Joker as he hobbled over to where she was sitting.

"Thanks," Joker said, sitting next to her. "I can't wait to see Shepard kick some ass."

"I don't know. This is a krogan festival. The fighting could be really hard."

"She'll be fine. I don't think anyone's stupid enough to take this tournament seriously."

"Yeah, I guess even the krogan don't seem all that serious about it. Maybe if Shepard wins the tournament they'll start taking usseriously, though. It's about time more aliens learned what humans can do."

"Careful, your Cerberus is showing."

"May I sit with you?" Dr. Chakwas asked, approaching them from the side.

"Sure," Joker said, and she did so.

"This should be very exciting," Chakwas said, rubbing her hands together.

"Do you know who's fighting first?" Gabby asked.

"No idea, but I heard a rumor that might shake things up a bit," Chakwas said with a smile.

"What did you hear?"

"Well…"

Shepard walked over to where the females were gathered; Shepard's and Vash's female crew members easily outnumbered the female krogan participating in the festival. Shepard was heading toward Uta, but Vash intercepted her.

"So, I hear you've chosen to betray your friend Wrex," Vash said with a smile. "Interesting."

"It's not a betrayal."

"Didn't he bring you here so that you could fight in his krant?"

"Yes, but…"

"Well, looks like you'll be able to explain it to him yourself."

Shepard turned; Wrex and an unfamiliar male krogan were approaching.

"You'd better be joking, Shepard," Wrex growled.

"You still get all of the men from my squad, including Grunt."

"Might as well send the tank-bred with the females too," the large krogan standing next to Wrex scoffed. "I doubt he can even fight without the human holding his hand."

"Quiet, Wratog," Wrex said, glaring at him.

"So, is it settled?" Shepard asked. "I fight in the female tournament, along with the rest of the women on my squad?"

"There's nothing to settle. If you're doing it, then you're doing it."

"Good. I'll see you in the final battle, then."

"Defeating Uta with you in her krant will only make me look even better. Maybe I should thank you, Shepard."

"Thank me if you want, but we both know who's going to win this thing."

Wratog folded his arms. "I would say that you have a quad, human, but…"

"Let's just get this thing over with," Shepard interrupted. "How exactly is this tournament going to work?"

"Male krogan will fight male krogan, and female krogan will fight female krogan," Wrex explained. "They will be ranked and choose mates at their rank. The same goes for the non-krogan."

"Except for the choosing mates part," Shepard clarified.

Wrex shrugged. "It's up to you. You're in the female clan now, so if you wanted, you could choose a male from your rank."

"But why would I…" Shepard stopped suddenly.

"What?"

Shepard blinked; all of a sudden, she had a solution to her problem. Deciding whether or not to move on from Kaidan, deciding which of the men on her ship to pursue a relationship with, had been consuming her for weeks. Now she had something even better than a reason; she had a method.

"I see," Shepard said vaguely, after a short silence. "And how does the final battle work if we have two different rankings?"

"The krant will have three members," Wrex said. "Two krogan, one non-krogan."

"Interesting," Vash said. "I guess you and I will be competing for that top spot, then, Shepard. I wonder who the male choice will be. I suppose to even things up a bit more the two men from my ship could fight with the male clan."

"Aren't asari not even technically female?" Shepard asked. "If you really want to even things up, you could join the male clan."

"Not going to happen," Vash said, narrowing her eyes. "Unlike you, I honor the invitation extended to me. It would be quite an insult to Uta if I suddenly switched sides on her."

"Enough talk," Wratog said. "Let us start the tournament already!"

"We'll switch between krogan and alien, and male and female," Wrex said. "That will give everyone time to recover in between battles. There are mostly krogan males fighting in the tournament, so they will have several rounds before the next non-krogan group battles."

"One more thing," Vash said quickly. "Amata, my turian crewmate, and Garrus Vakarian from Shepard's crew…can they fight in the tournament?"

Wrex hesitated.

"Are you going to allow this?" Wratog asked curiously.

"Since they're fighting other aliens, I'll allow it," Wrex said slowly.

"How exactly do these battles work, anyway?" Shepard asked.

"You'll find out…"