A/N: And we're back to lighthearted Normandy fluff. :)
Chapter 57 - The Very Model of Scientist Salarian
After returning to the Normandy, Shepard's first intention is to immediately visit the medbay to make sure the injuries suffered by Liara and Garrus are truly as light and insignificant as they have suspected. However, Wrex and Victus have different ideas on what is more important, immediately breaking out in a huge row in the War Room. Victus believes that his end of the bargain is fulfilled by recovering the females, Wrex insists on receiving the finished and synthesized cure before they move to help anyone.
Mordin is with them in the War Room and Shepard turns to face him. "How quickly can you whip something up, Doctor?" she asks.
"Need to synthesize base antigen from female. Also require healthy krogan tissue. Will need a sample," Mordin says thoughtfully.
"You're looking at the sample," Wrex offers magnanimously.
"You'll be sorry," Morgan chuckles. "Or sore, at the very least."
"That is acceptable," Mordin agrees. "Shepard, to answer your question. Developing cure similar to genophage modification project. Working against own alterations this time. Not as simple as garbage DNA blocking attachment sides. Will need to counter a shutdown of redundant nervous system, adjust neurotransmitter levels... Commander, are you listening?"
"Wha-?" Shepard blinks. "Oh... sorry, I keep drifting in and out. How much time did you say you need?"
"Three to four standard days," Mordin replies. "Best get started right away. Will set up quarters in the medbay. Will allow to monitor Eve constantly."
"Eve?" Shepard raises a curious eyebrow.
"Female's real name unknown. Normandy a human vessel. Human mythology seems appropriate under circumstances," Mordin explains, turning to leave. "Will be in the medbay, Shepard."
"I'll be along shortly to check on Liara and Garrus," Shepard says.
Mordin nods, then smiling. "Will create cure, Shepard. Don't worry, Commander."
As Mordin leaves, Shepard looks across the table in the conference room to Wrex and Victus still glaring at each other. "Now, can I leave you two alone and hope that you do not reenact the Krogan Rebellions while I'm gone?"
"They need us too much to try anything," Wrex gives Victus a mocking stare, but the turian merely crosses his hands on his chest and ignores the krogan. "I'll stop by the medbay soon as well, Shepard. Not sure I can trust that pyjak with the female."
"That pyjak was your own informant on the STG base!" Shepard exclaims incredulously. "Don't be an ass, Wrex. Mordin can be trusted, he's an old friend, for crying out loud!"
Wrex merely shrugs. "Salarians, impossible to figure out what goes on in their heads. There's no right or wrong for them, just what their... how did they call them... simulations show. Something changes and boom, one day you just got from ally to enemy, strapped to operating table."
"Yeah, well, maybe most salarians reason like that, but not Mordin... not anymore," Shepard says defensively. "But I'll let you find that out yourself. You might be surprised." Wrex looks a little doubtful as she finally leaves the War Room and takes the elevator to the mess hall, proceeding to the medbay.
Immediately upon entering, she hears Mordin's voice, talking with the krogan female, or 'Eve'. "Aware krogan females find scars attractive," he gesticulates wildly at one of the beds where Dr. Chakwas is fussing over the still prone Garrus. "Vakarian loyal, reasonably intelligent. Bit aggressive. Almost like krogan!"
"For the third time, Doctor, I'm not interested!" Eve replies, sitting on one of the cots and shaking her head firmly.
I think Garrus will be relieved to hear her say that, Morgan chuckles inwardly. "Your matchmaking efforts getting foiled, Mordin?" she grins, the salarian just shrugging his shoulders helplessly in return. "Speaking of Garrus, how is he doing, Doc?" she asks Chakwas, stepping closer to where her turian friend lies, looking strangely small outside of his armor.
Chakwas leans back, switching off her omni-tool. "Well, the brain scans are mostly fine, but as in most cases of serious concussions, there is considerable swelling." she says. "That said, he has been unconscious for longer than I would have expected."
"Maybe he heard about Mordin trying to arrange a marriage between him and Eve, and he decided to fake unconsciousness?" Shepard ventures. "Or the very idea of that traumatized him so much to send him into coma?"
"I highly doubt that, Commander," Chakwas gives her an admonishing stare. "I will let you know as soon as there's a change in Garrus' condition."
"Alright," Shepard nods. "Where's Liara, though?"
"Her injuries were insignificant and easily treatable, and her concussion was very light. She promised to go to bed and not to overexert herself, so I released her from the medbay. Still, Commander, I would appreciate it if you would check on her later, just to make sure she is keeping that promise."
"I'll do that," Shepard says, then giving Chakwas a curious look. "Say, Doctor... would you have trusted me if I had made a promise like that to take care of myself?"
Chakwas faces her down with a disbelieving stare. "Do not be ridiculous, Commander. Of course not. Unlike you, Liara actually is responsible!"
"I should be insulted, Dr. Chakwas," Shepard pretends to be deeply shocked. "Besides, I could tell you quite a few things about Liara that would make you reconsider your opinion of her as responsible. When she gets really obsessive about something... oh boy..."
Just then all further conversation is interrupted by Wrex's arrival in the medbay, the large krogan determinedly striding up to Eve and looking over her protectively, a bit like checking out whether his prized possession has not been damaged. "Are you alright?" he finally rumbles.
"I'm fine," Eve gives a long-suffering sigh that makes Morgan smile. Annoyed by protective males fussing over her, and no wonder. "You can relax."
"Can't be too careful," Wrex adds, giving Mordin a meaningful stare, then stepping in the professor's way when he approaches Eve with a pile of syringes, needles and glass tubes. "What's all that?" he glares.
"Need to run tests," Mordin replies, trying to squeeze past Wrex, but the krogan doesn't budge. The salarian gives Morgan an exasperated stare. "Shepard, please. Distractions counterproductive. Also affecting comfort of patient."
"Wrex?" Shepard stares at him hard, Wrex peering back at her. "Get out! Get out, get out, get out!" she shouts impatiently, making everyone look at her oddly. "You wanted the genophage cure? Then let him give you the genophage cure, don't come down here and interrupt Mordin's work!"
Wrex backs off slightly. "If she comes to any harm..." he points at Eve.
"Understand concern. But Eve my patient, my responsibility," Mordin says sternly. "Her welfare a priority. Will not allow her to be compromised by anyone." He says the last word while staring Wrex right in the eye, and after a moment of pause, the krogan breaks out in laughter.
"Ha! You've got a quad, Doctor," he finally admits, turning to leave. "Keep her safe, our females have endured enough."
"Don't forget. Still need a tissue sample," Mordin says, stopping him right before the door.
"I'll be in the lounge if you need me," Wrex shrugs. "Rejecting an invitation to have some ryncol? Not in this life."
"Why do I have a feeling that donation of tissue sample is going to hurt a lot more than necessary?" Morgan says, giving Mordin a conspiring wink.
"No comment," the salarian replies, but the grin on his face indicates that Shepard's suspicions are well funded.
Shepard also smiles, then approaching the female krogan. "Now that the fussing of concerned males is out of the way, I was wondering if we could talk... Eve. You're okay with being referred to as Eve?"
The krogan shrugs, as if she wouldn't care one way or another. "It will do," she says, before giving Shepard a more appreciative look. "I never did say thank you for saving my life, Commander. It is sometimes difficult to believe that krogan still have allies in the galaxy."
"How much is it because of circumstances forcing them to call upon you, and how much is it because they truly believe they have a lot to make up to your people... that's still up for debate," Shepard admits.
"We have our own actions to blame for it as well," Eve says with a hint of sadness. "The part we played in the Rachni Wars does not excuse some of the atrocities committed by krogan in the years that followed."
"I think that the sane and reasonable part of the galactic population wants to bury the hatchet, so to speak, in the face of this Reaper threat," Morgan speaks. "Let's hope that the krogan themselves will want to go along with that. I bet Wrex will have his work cut out for him."
"It will not be easy," Eve shakes her head. "In his heart, Wrex wants what's best for us. But the other clans will disagree on what is the best for all of us. And still despite everything, Wrex is the best thing that's happened to the krogan. But we should never tell him that, his head's big enough already. Literally."
"The other races are concerned about the krogan wanting to take revenge for the genophage," Morgan says. "There are billions of salarians and turians quivering in fear from the Reapers and the krogan, about now. I doubt Wrex will want to risk the future of his people in another war, but..."
"The other clans will expect it. Wrex will need to resist it. On my part, I will encourage the females to do what they can to oppose such a war of retribution," Eve promises. "He understands that the cycle of violence must end if krogan are to ever have a voice in galactic politics."
One more cycle to break. The Reaper cycle of galactic extinction. The krogan cycle of violence. It's funny how all things eventually return back to the source... "I don't think the next time the salarians and the turians will stop at the genophage," Morgan shakes her head sadly. "Perhaps the krogan would conquer the galaxy, but to jeopardize the future of your people, and for what? Wrex needs to resist the temptation."
"The female clans will support him. Hopefully after the genophage is cured, we will be able to help shape the future of our people, like in the ancient times, before we became simply pawns of power-hungry males," Eve says.
"Did you have all this in your mind already when you turned yourself over to a rival clan, let Maelon perform his brutal experiments on you?" Shepard asks.
"Rivalries are the inventions of males," Eve shrugs. "You saw the legacy of their rule when visiting Tuchanka. It's about time our females took back their place in society and resurrected the future of our people. Maelon offered us hope."
"I saw the results of his work in that... dungeon," Morgan shivers a little from the memories of Weyrloc base. "At least Mordin is treating you much better."
"Yes, better than krogan males do," Eve nods, looking at Mordin, staring at the tubes and readout panels of his lab equipment, humming and being completely oblivious to his surroundings. "I don't think he is a very typical salarian."
"My whole crew is composed from atypical representatives of their species," Shepard chuckles. "Krogan, turian, asari... I guess this mission we're on requires... special individuals."
"And you, Commander? Are you not a typical human, yourself?" Eve asks thoughtfully.
Shepard hesitates before replying. "Well... it would be presumptuous of me to judge myself. Though, I think my experiences in recent years have provided me with perspective that is unique amongst humanity," she eventually says, thinking back at the Prothean beacons and Cipher.
"He told me about his work on the genophage. I should hate him, consider him an enemy," Eve says suddenly, still looking at Mordin. "But I think seeing me and my sisters, it changed something in him. I can sense deep pain in him."
"I think that change started when we stood at the mutilated corpses of your sisters down in Maelon's lab," Shepard nods, also turning around to look at Mordin.
"Asari-vorcha offspring have an allergy to diary, and... da-di-di-dee-di-doo-doo-..." Mordin trails off in his singing, as it is suddenly interrupted by a heavy groan coming from one of the beds.
"Ungh..." Garrus moans, slowly opening his eyes. "That... infernal noise..."
"Hey Garrus," Morgan grins, approaching him as Chakwas immediately jumps to the turian's side, clasping his head with her hands and leaning closer to check the size of his pupils, looking for any hint of lingering damage to the brain. "Not a music lover, I see. For shame," Shepard adds.
"That's not music, that's torture," Garrus grunts, sighing at the doctor's attentions, fussing all over him. "Nothing wrong with me, is there, doc? Just a mountain of a headache, that's no reason to keep me here, is it?"
Chakwas sighs. "Seriously, you are even worse than Shepard," she says, much to Morgan's glee and delight. "I'm sorry Garrus, but I have to confine you to a minimum of forty-eight hours of bed rest," Chakwas adds, earning another groan from Garrus. "Here in the medbay."
"Shepard... help..." Garrus looks at her desperately, almost making her feel sorry for him.
"It'll be good for you, Garrus," she grins cruelly. "Now stop complaining and rest in the knowledge of the bitter defeat of me triumphing with the score of 29 to 28!"
"That's very mature of you, Commander," Chakwas gives her an admonishing glare, as Garrus sighs deeply.
"I think this should be my cue to leave then," Shepard says quickly, turning around. She is almost at the doors of the medbay, when Mordin catches up to her.
"Commander," he says quietly, pushing her through the open door and then following her outside the medbay. "Blood work should not take long to complete. But... everything indicates significant stress on Eve's system. Fortunate to have Maelon's data to improve her condition."
"So it was the right call to save the data after all?" Morgan asks.
"It would appear so," Mordin nods. "Would be much harder to treat Eve without it. Perhaps... impossible."
"But she's in no danger now? I hope?" Shepard asks worriedly. "Mordin, we need her alive. Not just for the cure, but... I sense there's more to her. She has charisma and intelligence far above the average krogan. She could be a great and influential leadership figure alongside Wrex."
"Agreed, Shepard. Talking with Eve provides unique perspective on krogan. Survival important to preserve peace. Fortunately no fever currently. Heart-rate elevation likely from stress. Eating appropriately. Will obtain another blanket. Something... soft," Shepard is surprised of the care and concern in Mordin's voice. "Would prefer to let her recover fully before synthesizing cure. My medical recommendation."
"I agree with that, Mordin. If it takes two, three more days, that's fine, we can probably hold out for as long as that, I'll think of a way to stall Wrex," Morgan says. "It's imperative not to endanger her life any more than we have to."
"Glad you agree, Shepard," Mordin smiles. "Urdnot Wrex known for many great things. Not known for patience."
Shepard laughs, before becoming serious again. "This must be... an interesting experience for you, Mordin. I told you once before that you will have your opportunity to set things right and help the krogan. Seems I was right."
"Remember that, Commander," Mordin nods, then his lips knit tightly. "Still.. would not be doing this, if not for current circumstances. Reaper invasion necessitates course correction."
"So you're doing the right thing out of practical reasons, nothing wrong with that," Shepard shrugs. "I'm not some kind of ethical paragon myself, Mordin. I doubt I'd be asking for genophage cure if Reapers wouldn't be assaulting Earth."
"Not many years left, Shepard," Mordin says, looking a little saddened. "Must admit... on some level, glad for current circumstances. Forcing me to put things right."
"In a strange, roundabout way I can see what you mean," Shepard says, then looking at Mordin expectantly. "Dare I hope you'll stick around after we cure the genophage?"
"Until the Reapers are dealt with, at least," Mordin nods confidently. "Then... not sure. Have made impact on galaxy. Genophage modification project. Genophage cure. Work against Collectors... decisions, mistakes... might go somewhere sunny. Sit on beach, look at ocean, collect seashells."
"You could join me and Liara on vacation to Hawaii, once we're done here," Shepard chuckles. "Though somehow I expect you'd go crazy from boredom within an hour."
Mordin's grin widens as he thinks. "...might run tests on the seashells!"
Shepard laughs. "I can see that happening. Anyway, nice talking with you. Good luck with the cure," she pats him on the shoulder in a friendly fashion before turning around as the salarian returns to the medbay. Right, check on Liara, she decides on the next course of action, heading over to the XO quarters, but the doors would not open even after plenty of banging on them. Fearing she might interrupt Liara's rest, Shepard withdraws and takes the elevator back up to her quarters.
She immediately notices the discarded pieces of Liara's armor and clothing on the floor of her quarters, it seems that the asari has been in a hurry to get under the sheets. Morgan's heart swells as she looks at her lover sleeping peacefully, the very image of sweet serenity in the dimmed lights of her cabin. Shepard quickly discards all her gear as well, briefly pondering the thought of a shower, but feeling too tired and unmotivated she decides that simple sleep feels far more alluring right now.
Unfortunately, her attempts at crawling into the bed without waking Liara are unsuccessful and the asari shifts slightly, turning around to face her with a sleepy stare. "Hey there," Morgan says quietly, settling in the pillows close to Liara, almost brow against brow. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine. Just... sore all over," Liara admits, longing expression reflecting in her deep blue eyes. "Things have been so busy, with the summit and everything, we have had very little time for each other. I have been... missing you."
"And I you," Morgan confesses, pulling Liara closer to her. "We should have some free time in the coming days, however. And right now, I don't think Chakwas would approve of that kind of bed rest, anyway..." she adds with a grin.
"Probably not," Liara smiles. "What are our immediate plans?"
"Waiting for Mordin to come up with the cure. While he does that, there are several things that we should do. Visiting the Citadel is one. Another is to follow up on a tip that Hackett passed to me right before we set out for the summit. You're going to be very interested in that one." Liara merely gives her a curious stare. "Cerberus have attacked Eden Prime. They are hunting for some kind of important Prothean artifact."
Liara's eyes are immediately burning bright and she actually tenses like a spring, Shepard having to hold her tightly so that she doesn't jump out of the bed from the excitement. "A Prothean artifact! Oh yes, we must go there at on-... well, alright, not at once, but definitely before the Citadel. Promise me we'll go there before the Citadel, please oh please, Morgan!"
Shepard merely laughs from her enthusiastic response. "Alright, alright... geez, now you'll never get back to sleep," she sighs.
"I'll go back to sleep right away, if that means we're going to Eden Prime tomorrow," Liara grins, turning with her back towards Shepard and seeking to settle in comfortably in the pillows. Morgan waits until Liara is happy with her comfy spot, before leaning closer with her chest against the asari's back, hands wrapped around her lover's waist, face carefully pressed against Liara's shoulder, careful to avoid getting stabbed in the eye by the tips of Liara's head crest.
For a while they lay silently like that, at peace and comforted by the closeness. Shepard cannot quite close her eyes, however, an errant thought keeping her awake and it seems that Liara is sensing her discomfort. "You are tense, worried. I can feel it," she says. "What is it, tell me?"
"Eh... it's nothing big, I shouldn't... but then again, you'll just rip it from my mind the next time we join, won't you?" Shepard replies. "I still can't get used to the idea of not being able to lie or withhold truth in order to protect you. That is such a human thing to do."
"And such a foolish thing to do, too," Liara quietly admonishes her. "Sadly, with time you will become more adept at putting up mental barriers, but for now tell me what has worried you so."
"I was just thinking about what Mordin said about the indoctrinated mole on the STG base. If the salarians missed having a sleeper agent like that... Liara, we've been sending teams of scientists and engineers to Hackett for our project. What if..."
Liara's sudden shuddering is a clear sign of the asari having understood the implication. "What if one of them is a sleeper. Yes... that is a risk, and right now we have no way of detecting the indoctrination effects. Tell Hackett to try and block all outgoing communications from the site, perhaps route them through some kind of command center for approval."
"Good idea," Shepard says, her breath distracting against the asari's shoulder.
"You know, I almost regret asking you about that. Now I will be worrying about it as well," Liara quietly confesses. "Perhaps you can sidetrack me with some kind of disturbing mental image that you are so adept at conjuring."
Morgan grins inwardly, deep in thought. "Oh yes... when I parted with Wrex, he went to the lounge to party and have drinks with your dad," she says.
"You're joking," Liara's voice is full of disbelief. "Wait... you're not joking. That is... I suppose somehow appropriate, considering dad's parentage. And she definitely shares Wrex's sense of humor."
"Shame you didn't inherit that from Aethyta," Shepard adds teasingly. "Though Benezia's charming lack of funny bones is endearing in its own strange way."
"...what?" Liara asks, sounding a little confused, likely too tired to become annoyed at the teasing.
"Nothing," Shepard says quickly, hugging her tighter, leaning closer to brush her lips against Liara's bare shoulder. "Sleep now. We have an interesting day ahead of us tomorrow..."