September 29, 2177. Kaidan's time on the Hyderabad had not gotten any quieter since the Skyllian Blitz over a year ago. The batarians had been beaten badly enough by Alliance forces, but they took it as a moral victory for striking at the heart of human colonization. That meant every few days there was a random faction of brazen batarians striking at some random human colony. Distance meant that Kaidan wasn't always in the heart of the action, but Capt. Krzynski was a man of war.

A veteran of the First Contact War, Krzynski didn't trust a single alien race and he was more than willing to join in a fight. He wasn't a reckless leader who sent his troops into battle unprepared, quite the opposite. He spent hours poring over planetary grids, planning defensive and offensive maneuvers for troops on the ground, and conducting battle exercises for his ship and crew.

But this...Kaidan thought as he looked around the planet...This doesn't look any bit the exciting assignment like Krzynski enjoys. The leaves on the trees were green and the weather was not unlike an Earth spring. Sighing with gratitude for the peace and quiet, Kaidan trudged through the woods to a clearing, where the captain ordered the group to stop.

"Welcome to Akuze," said Krzynski, his face serious. "Just about a klick to the northeast is another clearing where a group of pioneer colonists have set up their establishment. We got word that no one had heard from the team in over two weeks, as of yesterday. Being the closest ship in the area, we have been assigned to look for the settlers and offer assistance. It could be as simple as a communications malfunction, or it could be something...or someone...more sinister. We've been notified that some batarian scout ships had possibly been spotted in this vicinity in the last few weeks, but nothing was confirmed."

There it is, thought Kaidan, batarians.

"We will hike over to the settlement and see what we can do to help. Corporal Alenko, you'll be in charge of repairs, if the need be," Krzynski ordered.

The trek from their drop-off point to the settlement was a short one, but when they got to the clearing, they were all shocked to see...nothing. The ground was bare. No signs that there had ever been a settlement there at all. Krzynski's brow knit together in concern. "Let's do a sweep of this area and then head back. We'll set up camp for the night and bring in our Mako so we can cover more ground quickly. It's doubtful the colonists could have, or would have gone far."

The sweep yielded nothing but freshly turned soil and a few broken agricultural tools. The area was eerily quiet. There was no indigenous animal life that Kaidan could see. When they had gone through the woods he could hear the strange calls of some alien wildlife, but now there was only silence. The captain looked as disconcerted as the rest of the squad. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he said quietly as they walked back to their landing site.

The makeshift camp was already bustling with activity. The Mako had been dropped and a larger contingent of soldiers were in the clearing setting up their temporary housing. Since it was now growing dark, Kaidan could smell a pungent odor wafting through the air, which he attributed to the MREs that some of the soldiers were already eating. The smell was unappetizing and Kaidan decided to walk toward where the Mako was parked. He half-smiled to himself as he looked at the machine.

Maybe he could convince the captain to give him a turn at the wheel tomorrow. He ran his hand over the side of the vehicle, examining the armored exterior. He heard a slight rumble and went around to the hatch to see if someone else was inside the truck and had turned on the engine.
Kaidan opened the door to the tiny interior and climbed in. A much louder rumble rolled through and this time he felt the earth move from beneath the truck. Kaidan ran out of the Mako and saw the ground open up right in the middle of the camp. The shrieks of the other soldiers rang out, but were quickly muffled as they were swallowed by the largest creature Kaidan had ever seen.

The enormous worm-like beast howled and spit a substance that burnt through the tents, the nearby crates...and flesh. The strange odor he had smelled earlier was now filling the air and he knew it came from the creature. Kaidan jumped back inside the Mako and turned it on, powering up its shields. He peered through the tiny windshield, looking desperately to see if anyone was running his way. He saw no one...he didn't even see their camp anymore. Aiming the Mako's gun, he took the best shot he could with what little experience he had with it. The shot grazed one of its face tentacles, and it screeched in anger and pain.

The monster submerged and Kaidan felt the ground beneath him shake even more ferociously. Waiting until the ground shook so badly he could barely hold the controls steady, he quickly shut the hatch and backed the Mako out of the cleared area, tearing into the trees that surrounded it. He tried not to move too far away, his eyes searching fruitlessly for someone from the crew. Anyone. Oh God, no. There has to be someone else. Kaidan hit the emergency beacon on the Mako.

A voice crackled over the comm. "This is the Hyderabad. What's going on down there?"

"This is Corporal Alenko." Kaidan's voice was unmistakably shaken. "We need help. Something...just...swallowed up the camp."

"What?"

"Goddamnit, get someone down here! Now!" Kaidan yelled. "Everyone is gone!" He sank back into the Mako's seat, his heart pounding wildly and his body trembling uncontrollably.

x-X-x

"A thresher maw," said the bespectacled Alliance scientist. "We knew they were indigenous to Tuchanka. We did not know there were other planets they inhabit."

Kaidan rested his face in his hands and barely listened as the scientist droned on. "Probably the cause of the disappearing colonists." "Lucky to get out alive." "First time any human has survived an attack." "Take some leave. Go home." At that Kaidan looked up. The scientist's features had softened some. "You've been questioned on this enough, son. We want to know what happened, and the Mako's sensors can likely give us more information. You've been through hell and you've done your best."

Leaving the room, Kaidan walked slowly, the weight on his mind feeling physical. The only survivor...why? Why me? I should have been with the rest of them and died fighting. I'm just a coward.

A/N: So I thought I'd change it up a bit...Kaidan is a Sole Survivor! Good twist or not?