Chapter 35: Prognosis

While Mordin went back aboard the ship with Legion, Samara, and Niala to examine Tali, Ashley went to visit another guest before leaving Tuchanka. The mysterious Krogan woman had aroused her curiosity and she needed to know why she had reached out to her after the battle.

She didn't have directions for where to meet Varla, but it seemed like they weren't necessary either. Male or female, her residence was well known to the Krogans. Whether this was because of her own notoriety or some as yet unknown reason, Ash didn't know, but she could add that to the list of growing things she did not understand about Krogan society.

The most dangerous mistake in this galaxy was to assume you knew something, a lesson Ashley had learned through experience. She grew up where Humans were good, aliens were bad, and family came first. Family still mattered, but now loyalties had become more complicated. Did she serve the Alliance or the Council or her species? Or maybe just herself, she reasoned. The question she was asked during her consideration had stuck with her, and as she walked alone on this strange and violent world, it seemed as important as ever.

She reached an unassuming building near the center of the city where there were two burly guards in front who were both extremely well armed. They towered over Williams, and asked, "What do you want, Human?"

"I would like to meet with Varla, head of Clan Marwal." She quickly added, "I believe she will be expecting me."

"What is your name?" the one asked in the bored but professional voice belonging to all sentries.

"Ashley Williams."

Grunting, the one soldier remained at the door while the other entered to speak to someone inside. He was gone for several minutes while Ash patiently waited for his return. He then emerged and said, "The Clan Mother will see you. Follow me."

When she entered the house, she didn't know what to expect. She was ready for guards, for angry women, or anything except what she actually saw. She saw women running around chasing young Krogan children. Although they were not commonly seen before the advent of the Genophage, children were now protected as the most valuable of commodities to their species. As two little Krogan ran by her feet chasing one another, Ashley couldn't help but smile.

The guard walked past the rooms where the children were growing and to a chamber where the mysterious woman she had met earlier was waiting. The room had chairs around the edges such that it seemed to be commonly used as a gathering area. While she had expected something more like an office, Ashley wondered what the purpose for this room would be on a regular basis.

Inside the room, Varla was already waiting. She rose to greet Williams telling her, "Thank you for coming, Ashley."

"Thank you for inviting me," said the Specter candidate in response.

"Would you like water or tea?" she asked. Seeing a bit of surprise on her counterparts face, Varla explained, "Just because we Krogan fight doesn't mean we can't also appreciate civilized courtesies. At least, we women can."

Ashley laughed at that, saying, "Wrex seemed to mellow out a bit. I guess I know now who was the brains of the operation."

They shared the smile women often have when talking about men and how their lives were shaped as much by the women close to them as by their own ambitions. Some things clearly transcended race, just like parents love for their children.

"He has many good ideas. He is a leader for this time, and we cannot afford to fight everyone. It is a war we already lost, and we continue losing." She hung her head for a moment and then continued, "Did you know for every one of these precious children born, a thousand will never have that chance?"

"I had heard," said Ashley, "but I never saw it with my own eyes. It seems like an extreme solution."

"Extreme," agreed the Krogan, "but one we brought upon ourselves. When Wrex told me about Shepard, Virmire, and that the cure was destroyed, I thought he was crazy. Honestly, I wanted to tear them both apart."

While having kids had never been a concern for Ashley to this point in her life, she thought more about how she would feel if the choice was taken from her. It would be a fight worth having, and so she was empathetic to this strange woman.

The Clan Mother continued, "But we caused this through our violent ways. We fought, we lost. We thought all battles would be fought with guns, because that is what we do well. Charge through an obstacle and ram through it. Except how can you fight when your own blood is the enemy?"

Ashley said nothing as she did not have any response.

Varla looked at her and said, "I accept what was done, and why it was done. But I also think if we learn to act differently, then what was done may be undone. Dr. Solus has been a great help in this regard."

Williams wanted to ask more about the Salarian as she knew a little about what he had planning, but was outside the confidence of this circle. Varla didn't seem to know that, however, and having the chance to probe for information, she couldn't resist.

"How has his research been proceeding?"

Varla smiled and said, "As good as promised. We've tested the first hormone regulating drugs, and the birthrate has improved tenfold. While it isn't a perfect solution, it means our species will have the chance to endure and survive."

Williams said, "I'm glad to hear of his success. I personally never thought the Genophage was the right solution, but I'm surprised a Salarian would be helping the Krogan to solve this question."

Nodding in agreement, the Krogan said, "I once had a conversation with Mordin about that. He was telling me about the team who designed this weapon, and how they never intended it to be used as the Turians did. He didn't lament what was done, but saw this as his part in balancing out an injustice."

Varla stood for a second and then said, "We are all grateful for his efforts, though we keep very quiet about it. Should the Salarians learn about this, both the Krogans and Solus would be at severe risk."

Secrets within secrets thought Ashley, and wondered what else she would discover. More importantly, she wondered what she should reveal. The Council would pay dearly for this information, but what they would do frightened her. She could imagine the response from the Turians already, and remembered her mission. What she learned about Quarians and Geth was one thing; this was another and something she would keep in mind for another time.

"I'm sorry that we have to take Dr. Solus from you," said Ashley. "It may not seem much in comparison, but our friend is very sick and only he can help."

Varla accepted this explanation and said, "I knew he had other things to do anyway, and he said he will continue working on ideas while out with you. He was expecting Shepard to swing by, but I'm glad you came instead so we could have a woman to woman talk."

Listening closely, Ashley heard the Krogan say, "I'm just looking out for our race, and I have learned of the threat that is coming. All we want is to be able to fight, and let Shepard know we will be with them. He has done so much for us already."

Ash smiled and said, "I think Jared will be very happy to hear that."

"We're starting with the youth here teaching them there is more than just fighting to being a Krogan. I don't know if this schooling will work, but we are trying," she said. The woman wanted a future for her people which made Williams understand her motives much better.

In closing, Varla said, "Make sure Wrex doesn't rupture his quads either. I have plans for that boy." They both laughed at that and then Ashley excused herself. As she walked past the children once more, she began to see how the fate of the galaxy sometimes connected the smallest pieces with the largest ones.

Exiting the building, she walked directly back to the Benevolence. Once on board, she went to the medical bay where Solus was completing his initial observation of Tali. As the Quarian lay there silent under the field, Legion was standing quietly in the back of the room with Samara. Solus was talking to two Asari attendants who had some medical training, but was going back and forth between various displays showing magnified views of different images.

"Ashley Williams," the Salarian said, noting her presence. "The Asari were telling me how the Council assigned this vessel to assist you in completing your current mission." He looked at her critically, not saying anything else.

Ash knew Mordin knew who she was working for and sensed the clear hesitation on his part to reveal too much. She offered her best reconciliation saying, "I'm here for Tali. The Council asked me to get a better understanding of the relationship between the Geth and the Quarians when Legion popped up at the front door. That's all."

"I see," he said, his eyes nictitating quickly as he processed this information. "In that case, here's what I've learned about Tali. She has an organism growing in her lungs. I have never seen the like before, but it appears to be forming a filter over her bronchioles and preventing blood flow to her capillaries."

He pointed to a monitor showing the delicate latticework that had formed inside her body, telling Ash that, "It doesn't seem to be attacking her, but rather it is actually filtering the air. Since she was on Rannoch, maybe there was some relationship between the Quarians and this symbiote."

Legion asked Mordin, "So you are saying this infection is beneficial?"

Turning to face the Geth he said, "Not exactly. While it is straining out impurities which would have seriously infected her system, it also appears to be transmitting a message through some means that has shut down her active consciousness."

"Are you saying her brain has gone off?" asked Ashley.

"No," said Solus. "Quite the opposite. If you look at her alpha and theta waves, she's actually in a dream like state, but she can't awaken."

With growing concern, the Specter candidate asked the Salarian physician, "What can we do?"

"There are several medical options. One, we continue to wait and see if she wakes up naturally. Two, I can attempt to remove the latticework by surgical means, but it will expose her body to severe risk of infection at a minimum, as well as other side effects. Or three, we can try to understand this organism without removing it looking for a solution."

"Is there any risk to not removing the organism immediately?" she asked.

"Unknown, but given that no degradation of cellular structures has been monitored since she entered the stasis field, it seems she is in some sort of homeostatic equilibrium. " Mordin saw the uncertainty in everyone's eyes at his assessment so he simplified his words. "She's safe, but trapped in a dream."

"What would you need to examine her further," said Ashley

"A better laboratory. Centrifuges, a dedicated VI, assistants would help," he replied. "I have access to a facility on Sur'Kesh that would be sufficient."

Turning to Legion and Samara, Ashley said, "I don't know who has the authority to make decisions for Tali. I know you were her shipmates more recently than I, but I knew Tali'Zorah very well and knew she was not only a fighter, but she also would have wanted to try every solution before giving up."

As she faced Mordin she said, "Dr. Solus, I trust you to make the decision you think best for Tali, and this ship is at your disposal to make that happen."

Without hesitation, the Salarian said, "Then we will go to Sur'Kesh and to the university where I used to work. I will be able to best serve her there."

Ashley called up to the bridge and informed Niala they would be leaving Tuchanka and to set course for the Salarian homeworld. While she had never been there, she was determined to see Tali get the best care possible. She also asked the bridge to send a report to the Alliance about the status of Tali to the Normandy, keeping Shepard and her other friends informed.

Having done these things, Mordin came to Ashley and said, "I need to speak to you about another matter privately."

Leaving Legion and Samara in the room to keep their vigil over Tali, the Salarian and Human walked through the graceful hallways of the Asari ship to the room Ashley had been assigned as her own. While large enough for two people to have a conversation, it wasn't much larger than that. She took a seat on her bed, and allowed Solus to take the seat at the desk provided for her use.

"How much do you know about what I have been doing here?" asked Mordin.

Ashley said, "My involvement in all this is an accident. I last saw Shepard at Arcturus Station right before he shipped out to face the Batarians. I was at the Citadel on another assignment when I ran into Legion and Samara. We didn't know each other, but the Council asked me to learn more about what was happening with the Geth."

Mordin responded, "Yes, but how much do you know about what was happening on Tuchanka?"

She answered with deliberate ambiguity. "I know only what I need to know, Doctor. I was never asked to learn about what the Krogan are doing."

Accepting the hint, Solus said, "Not knowing things would be helpful. But you need to know a little more. Sur'Kesh is where I can best treat Tali'Zorah, but I will also be testing out certain sensitive samples ."

"For the Genophage cure," she said, interrupting his comments.

"Not a cure," he said in his quick clipped voice. "I've developed a drug that is a hormone inhibitor designed to counteract the reaction that causes infertility. It must be applied topically, and doesn't cure the disease, but it allows those who have it to have much improved reproduction rates."

"Out of curiosity," Ashley asked, "who gets access to this cure?"

Mordin said, "Urdnot Wrex will be responsible for the administration of the drug to the Krogans. This was considered the safest agreement as an excess of Krogan violence could potentially lead to a more damaging response."

Ash said, "Do you have the right to make that decision?"

Mordin looked at her blankly and said, "We didn't have the right the first time? The Genophage might have been necessary, but it was not meant to be permanent. Balance is the key. Right and wrong are relative values, but a revitalized Krogan homeworld could be a great ally."

"What do you think your government would say?"

"I would be shot for treason," said Solus without any hesitation. "That is why we must be prepared to leave quickly. I will understand if you cannot risk involving the Council in what I will be doing."

Sighing, Ashley said, "I'm not even a full Specter yet and I'm already risking causing an intergalactic incident. Jared would be proud of me."

Solus said, "Commander Shepard does what he must. If you will be a Specter, you must learn that too, and understand your discretion is as important as your skills." He looked at her knowing the challenges of being a special agent and said, "I must ask what you intend to do."

"Mordin," she said, "All I want to do is see Tali get better. She saved my life more than once, and I haven't forgotten that. You do what you need to do, but don't forget about why we are with you."

"I will not," he said. "The interesting thing about this parasite is it might actually be able to help her. It's fascinating how effectively it works as a system to remove impurities. Perhaps that was the reason why the Quarians survived so well on Rannoch."

Sensing she was about to receive a lengthy explanation she would rather hear at another time, she said, "I look forward to hearing what you discover once we get to Sur'Kesh, Dr. Solus."

"Indeed," said the Salarian as he took the cue and left Williams to her own compartment. She had a lot to think about and a report to write to keep the Council informed. The report was relatively short as she detailed their efforts to find help for Tali. It only left out the infighting on the ship, the resurrection of the Krogans, and the dual uses of the Salarian lab sites.

Now having a headache of her own, Ashley realized she forgot to ask how Samara was doing with her own problems. She would just have to trust the Asari would talk to Solus herself, and she decided to lay down to rest while she had the opportunity.

Her last thought before going to bed was about Shepard. It seemed Ash was living her life in Jared's footsteps sometimes, but she wondered why she kept wading through the mess and how he managed to get through these challenges.

Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews and to everyone who has favorited this story. It has taken quite a few twists and turns, but I hope you're enjoying the ride.