Chapter 22: Diplomacy

Sturdy would be a generous description of the vessel transporting Urdnot Wrex and his personal vanguard. Ten of his finest warriors who had trained together accompanied him and Grunt as they flew rapidly toward Arcturus Station.

Although a great many light-years lay between the Krogan homeworld and Tuchanka, it was possible to make the leap within only a few hours by taking the most direct route via mass relay. Once the Krogan decided to move out, there was no hesitation and Wrex loaded up with his advance party to make a social call with the Systems Alliance Headquarters.

Passing through the last relay, the Krogans saw an impressive armada assembled as the combined forces of the Second, Third, and Fourth Fleets had joined the Fifth Fleet in preparation for a large operation. Compared to their own freighter, salvaged from a Turian model nearly fifty years old, they made a pitiful sight.

Directing his helmsman to make course for the station, Wrex looked at all the Humans had accomplished in such a brief time. Barely 200 years into space and they were major players. He couldn't help but think of the parallels with his own people. Invited to galactic affairs by the Salarians, the Krogan were the key actors in defeating the Rachni hordes and enjoyed the respect of the galaxy in what was record time. Yet, for all their strength, it was lost with their own rebellion as were generations of their own children thanks to the insidious genophage.

Wrex looked over at Grunt and said, "What do you see?"

The newest member of Clan Urdnot looked upon the vast armada and said, "I see an opportunity for us to honor our name, and to win great battles."

Although he appreciated the youthful enthusiasm of the genetically engineered warrior, Wrex probed further to see how much he had learned. "Is that all you see?"

Grunt looked at the leader who had adopted him into his clan, an action not without criticism, and asked, "Is this a test?"

Wrex barked a laugh, "Life is a test. When you die, then you've failed."

Sensing Grunt didn't understand the point Wrex was trying to make, he said. "You see an armada of ships, thousands of warriors, and fight to be won. That is the perspective of a soldier. I see humanity putting most of its assets on the line, investing as heavily in resources as lives, and putting their reputation at risk to hold an advantage. That is the perspective of a leader."

Grunt said, "The Humans are like us in many ways. They might not have as hard a shell, but they fight well for soft-skinned mammals."

Laughing, Wrex conceded, "That they are, Grunt. And it should tell you something. The strongest weapons we have aren't always the ones we shoot. We need new leaders who understand that."

Looking meaningfully at his companion, Wrex hoped Grunt really did understand and could begin to see a world defined by more than just battles and bloodlust. If he did not, and his clan did not, then all this was for folly.

The ship radio echoed, "Unidentified vessel, please identify yourself and state your business."

Wrex took the microphone and said, "Arcturus Station, this is the Krogan vessel Warlord. You are speaking with Urdnot Wrex, Leader of Clan Urdnot and the Krogans."

Stammering on the microphone, the controller said, "Your Excellency, we were not informed of your forthcoming arrival. Please…"

"That's because I didn't tell you," interjected Wrex. One of the few fun things left to him in his life as a leader and responsible figure was making underlings sweat. He enjoyed picturing some enlisted man panicking as he decided what to do. "I want to speak to Shepard."

"Sir, I do not know where…"

"Unless you want an intergalactic incident, find him!" bellowed the Krogan warlord as he heard his crew laughing behind him.

"Please wait," said the controller, and the line went dead.

Wrex looked over at Grunt and said, "Sometimes, the most effective weapons that fly through the air are words. I didn't think this when I was your age, but I learned the hard way."

The line came back alive, and a female voice responded, "Wrex, you thick-skinned bastard, how are you?"

Suppressing a laugh, he couldn't quite place the voice, but guessed who it might be. "Only one Human would have the quads to call the high and mighty Urdnot Wrex such a thing, Chief Williams."

On the other end, he imagined Ashley smiling as she said, "It's lieutenant now, actually. I'm shipping out here in a few, but Shepard is in a briefing in a brass locker. I'd love to chat, but business calls."

"Good talking to you," croaked Wrex as she left the line to do her duty. His moment with Ash made him think of the good times on board the first Normandy, when he first worked with Shepard. It would be good to do so again.

This time, a male voice was on the line he did not recognize, "Urdnot Wrex, this is Captain Bellows of the Systems Alliance. Welcome to Arcturus Station. Can I ask the purpose of your visit?"

"I'm here to talk to Shepard," said the Krogan.

"Of course. Captain Shepard is currently in consultation with Admiral Hackett and Foreign Minister Saracino. He will be available shortly, however."

Interjecting, Wrex said, "Good, I will talk to them too. Tell me where I can park this thing, and I'll be down in ten minutes."

"With all due respect," began the Captain.

"Go tell whomever you have to tell that I am coming, and I would rather it be friendly and easy."

He swore he heard the officer gulp as he communicated with his superiors about what Wrex suggested.

"You've been cleared to dock within the Alliance Main Corridor, Dock 34. I'm told you will have an escort waiting for your arrival."

"It has been a pleasure working with you, Captain," said Wrex in the most sincere voice he could manage.

As promised, the Krogan vessel was given a berth near the Alliance Headquarters, and the Krogans could see some of the finest ships in the fleet up close, including the SR-2 Normandy. It appeared to be undergoing some upgrades while in dock, leaving both Wrex and Grunt to wonder what mission would be next.

They didn't wonder long as the ship came to a rest, and Wrex left with Grunt behind him. Instructing the rest of the crew to wait, he was greeted by two officers who invited him to follow them.

Looking around, Wrex couldn't help but be impressed by the discipline of the Humans. They could fight with the ferocity of a Krogan, but as orderly as Turians. In another life, he might have guessed they were the threat to the galaxy, and Wrex wondered just how many others shared the same view.

Eventually, he came to the office of Admrial Steven Hackett, where he was invited in. Turning to Grunt he said, "Guard this door, and don't let anyone else enter." Nodding, Grunt did as he was told, even as he knew Shepard was in there. He was here for the fight, and was more than happy to leave talking and thinking about harder issues for another time and place.

In the room, Wrex saw Shepard in his working uniform sitting in a chair looking vaguely unhappy. He also recognized Admiral Hackett sitting behind the desk, and another man whom he had only seen in video reels.

Admiral Hackett spoke first, "Urdnot Wrex, this is an unexpected surprise. I haven't seen you in many years, and it looks like they've treated you well."

"I'm still breathing," responded the Krogan. "I had to give up my guns to become a politician."

Shepard got up from his seat laughing and said, "I'm afraid I'm about to join you, Wrex. Look how sorry we are."

They joined for a firm embrace, close allies through so many battles, and were clearly happy to see one another.

"It's because we started to care about what others think, Shepard. It's easier when it is just fighting the guy in front of you. But these days, we fight many battles at once, don't we?"

With the inflection of the last syllable, Wrex turned to face the last man in the room, the Foreign Minister. "Indeed we do, Lord Krogan. Joseph Saracino, at your service."

Out of respect, Wrex offered his hand and was surprised by how firm the handshake was in return, for a Human. He nodded once and took a seat.

"I'd offer you a drink, Wrex," began the Admiral, "but nothing we have would really be strong enough."

The Krogan laughed and said, "That is okay. I'm not usually much for talking anyway, but I came here for a reason."

The three men listened to their visitor carefully as he continued. "I've come to seek an alliance between the Krogans and the Humans. We have been the two great warrior races of this universe, we have been outsiders to the existing races as Shepard knows even now, and together, we can defeat the Reaper threat and make sure our futures are safe."

Saracino raised an eyebrow, intrigued, saying, "Do you have the authority to make such an offer?"

Wrex looked back at him, grumbling, "Do you?"

"If the polls are to be believed, I will before the week is done."

"Our elections are decided by who lives and who dies. As long as I am breathing, I choose for my people."

"There's a certain simplicity to be appreciated in your approach," commented Saracino. "But why would it be in our interest to reach such an understanding."

"You know the fight is coming," started Wrex. "Our warriors are the best. One of ours is worth a hundred of yours."

"Perhaps," conceded the Foreign Minister. "But there are only a few of you compared to us. What do you say to that?"

"We're working on finding a solution, but part of the arrangement would be having your help in solving our genetic problems. The Salarians continue their plague, the Turians delight in it, and the Asari don't care. At least you Humans don't seem to care what happens to us."

"It has promise, Urdnot Wrex," spoke Saracino, "but such an understanding would have to be informal, arranged between only the people in this room. The Alliance already has frayed relations with the Citadel races and cannot afford to provoke them further."

Wrex was not happy with this, but understood with and agreed upon the logic, "Very well."

Commenting on the enormous fleet amassed at the station, Wrex asked, "So when does the war start? You don't have all those ships to serve as solar collectors."

There was a silence in the room as everyone considered how much to say. Jared broke the silence by saying, "On Virmire, Wrex knew what we destroyed and continued working with us. I trust him, and maybe the Krogans can help."

Saracino looked at the admiral who shrugged and then back at the new captain. "Very well, Shepard."

"We are planning to occupy several strategic systems in the Terminus Cluster. Each fleet is being stationed along a probable path of attack for the Reaper squadrons coming from the Viper System. The Admiral can share the operational details."

Admiral Hackett picked up the briefing, "Two of the systems along the most probable trajectories are sparsely inhabited, containing only a few miners. We intend to evacuate any personnel to fallback positions. The problem is going to be in the Artemis Tau system."

"We have an established base of operations from Therum, but there are a number of different Batarian raiders operating in the area. We anticipate considerable resistance."

Wrex said, "Can you just blow them up and be done with it?"

Saracino laughed, "I like how this man thinks." He continued by informing Wrex, "If only it were so simple. The Batarians claim these systems, but have no direct operations as best we can tell. They bring in their fleets and hire mercenaries to do their dirty work."

Offering support, the Krogan leader said, "I don't have much of a fleet, but I traveled here with an elite strike unit. We can be used in places where your forces cannot go."

A wicked smile crossed the face of the Foreign Minister as he said, "Now that is an offer with some potential. We could use a force not connected to our own who is acting against these troublemakers. Your Krogan are notorious for hiring themselves out as mercenaries."

Growling, Wrex said, "Don't forget I was a mercenary also. It is an honorable profession. Just because I understand politics, do not mistake me for another politician."

"Of course not," said Saracino. "I would never presume as much."

Shepard and Wrex exchanged glances with one another, shrugging with their eyes.

A noise indicated someone was at the door, and Admiral Hackett said, "Come on in."

Miranda Lawson, newly sworn Lieutenant Commander in the Systems Alliance stood before the gathered gentlemen, saluting. "Sir, I come with an urgent report. I have received intelligence the Batarians are hiring mercenary forces to strike at this fleet."

"Madness," said the admiral. "What is your source and what did they say?"

Ignoring the first question, she said, "The Blue Suns are hiring every mercenary crew they can find to attack shipping armadas. Tactical analysis suggests the Batarians will be using these forces to attack supply convoys for the deployed fleet."

Unhappy with the news, Hackett said, "It's just like you said, Joseph. Compliments to your own network, but Lieutenant Commander, you still haven't answered where you received this material."

Squirming in her uniform, Miranda balanced her obligations to Liara's secrecy and to her new service. She said, "I'm not at liberty to say, Admiral." As soon as she said the words, she knew how badly she had flubbed this response as the admiral stood up.

"The first day you're an officer and now you're saying your knowledge is above my pay grade." He glowered at her, and then turned on Shepard, "Is this the sort of discipline you run on your ship?"

Seeking to de-escalate the moment, Jared said, "If I can have a moment to speak with Lawson, I am sure we can sort this out."

Jared walked over to Miranda who was passing through a moment of discomfort and starting to get angry. He knew she didn't want to be part of the military anyway, and imagined the sooner they got away from here the better. He asked, "Is it our friend on the yacht?"

She nodded, and said nothing more.

"Admiral, don't blame Miranda. She isn't at liberty to say because I have given her an order. I will explain as best I can." Jared thought quickly what he would say, coming up with, "As a Specter, I have access to certain networks for clandestine information. I can't reveal the nature of these informants, but they provide useful tips from time to time. In my absence, they report to Lieutenant Commander Lawson, as was done in this case."

"Why didn't she just say that, then?" asked Hackett, still upset.

"Begging the admiral's pardon," Miranda interjected. "I was under strict orders not to reveal these sources. I apologize if I have acted out of turn, as my previous organization operated differently."

"Whatever they did in Cerberus, those days are over for you unless you'd like to go back there. Would you like that, Lieutenant Commander?"

"No, sir," she said as he dressed her down before the Foreign Minister, Wrex, and Shepard.

"Are you not able to follow orders, Lieutenant Commander?"

"No, sir."

"Then get the hell out of my office. When these wars are over, we're going to send you to become a proper officer. Understand."

"Yes, sir," she said as she was shaking.

"Now leave."

Miranda turned and promptly left the office. She maintained her dignity as best she could under the situation, but Jared knew there would be a price to pay for him when he returned to the Normandy.

After she left, the admiral smiled, "Sometimes, you have to teach the new ones the hard way."

Saracino said nothing, Wrex simply stood there, and Shepard frowned.

"You disapprove, Captain?" asked Shepard.

"It isn't my place to say, sir."

"And if it was?" prodded Hackett.

Choosing his words carefully, the captain said, "Miranda Lawson has proven herself time and time in the field. She doesn't need to be disciplined to do her job."

Hackett said nothing, considering Shepard's words. Ending the silence, Wrex turned the conversation.

"What she said was important. We know who to strike. If she can find out where these mercenaries are hiding, this would be a good chance to let my boys blow off some steam."

Saracino stood up and agreed. "Let's see what our new allies can do. Send them on a mission."

As the leader of Terra Firma looked at him, Shepard wondered how he had made so many bargains with the man in the course of just an hour, thinking both of what they spoke about in this meeting and what they had said before Wrex came. He wasn't sure how he felt about the larger plan, but it was at least something to be tried, and for now, that would have to be good enough.

"With your permission, Admiral, I'd like to take the Normandy out to do some scouting and we'll bring along the Krogan strike force, if Urdnot Wrex agrees."

"No Krogan ever refused a fight," said Wrex. "It will be good to work together again."

"Permission granted, Shepard. The Normandy will debark as soon as the upgrades are completed."

Nodding to his superior, Shepard and Wrex walked out the room together to find Grunt waiting there.

"Battlemaster. Your mate looked upset."

Jared Shepard thought that was the understatement of the year as Wrex could not help but laugh hysterically.

Author's Note: I miss Wrex. The more I write, the more I realize it.