It is a hard thing to leave a battle, especially when it ravages your home.
Standing quietly, Jeryn doesn't intrude upon whatever is going through Victus' head as he contemplates the fiery mess that has become his home. Niggling at the back of her mind is doubt that there will be any Earth left. If she takes this military great from this moon, Palaven could face the same. He'll be wondering the whole time same as she.
"We need the Krogan," he finally says.
Jeryn's jaw drops slightly. It doesn't change how true it is.
"I told you. Didn't I tell you? We need the meat. The heavy hitters." Vega slams a fist into the opposite palm and Jeryn shoots him the kind of glare that makes junior Marines shit themselves. He snaps his mouth shut, nodding his apologies. The glowing orange of Palaven reflects off of his eyeshields.
"That is a bit of a tall order," Jeryn starts. She agrees, and if anyone can make even the beginnings of a case to the Krogans, she is confident it is her.
It's the first thing she has felt sure of since leaving Earth.
Even Commander Shepard feels anxiety when addressing military heroes. Her stomach is twisted tightly with coiled nerves as she approaches Victus at the War Terminal. He lifts his head and returns her look, and it halts her a moment. Something passes between them silently before he even speaks.
"I know that look, Commander Shepard." His tone is smooth and calm, and it has the appropriate effect on her. "You didn't ask to be a leader," he sympathises with her. "But your people will die if you refuse."
No one has made her feel so young in years. His experience might pile up to her own due to sheer years, but she still can't fathom him putting her on his level.
"That's about right."
They both stand in understanding silence for another moment before he beckons her over to view the casualty reports. She's not sure she can stand to see more numbers, but she owes it to him to see what she's asked him to do.
"The numbers are staggering, and I am millions of miles away," he informs her. Almost as if she doesn't already know.
"The hardest thing I've done was leave Earth in the middle of that." That is mostly true.
Victus nods. "That's the only reason I even listened to you."
At least he's honest. She appreciates that.