Chapter 65 - How To Bluff a Krogan
"Over here!" Shepard exclaims, waving her hand over the crowds gathered at the Apollo's Cafe, trying to get Liara's attention, as she sees her lover approaching, craning her head to spot Morgan. "Liara, over here!"
Finally, Liara notices her and squeezes through the busy groups of people to reach Shepard's table. "Goddess, the crowds have become terrible even on the Presidium," she laments. "No longer the quiet place for serene reflection that I adored so."
"You can say that again," Morgan sighs. "So, how was your day?"
"Oh, busy but just fine," Liara replies. "I managed to acquire services of three mercenary groups, hired two new agents for the network and secured a shipment of twenty tons of platinum for the Crucible project. What did you do?"
"Err... in comparison? I have been horribly slacking," Morgan admits sheepishly. "I did speak to Kaidan, but that... didn't go so well."
"What? Why not? I thought things had improved between you?" Liara looks distressed.
"So did I, but Udina looks to have been working behind the scenes," Shepard says. "First the Spectre promotion, then probably dropping some hints here and there to erode the fragile trust we fought so hard to restore. I doubt we will see Kaidan back on the Normandy anytime soon."
Liara's face falls in disappointment. "That is unfortunate," she says. "Perhaps he will reconsider in time."
"Perhaps he will," Shepard admits, shrugging. "Also, I met Miranda. She's very worried about her sister. If you could have your network look out for a young woman by the name of Oriana Lawson... but now probably going by an assumed last name."
"Of course, I will tell my agents to keep an eye out for any news," Liara nods, then turning her attention to the dessert that Shepard has already ordered for her, savoring the first bite. "Oh... this is wonderful! What is it?"
"Something called tiramisu," Morgan replies. "Haven't had it for over twenty years, myself, so I just had to order when I saw it on the menu. One of the ships my mother served when I was eight or nine had an Italian cook. He used to make it now and then. Boy, that man was a real magician in the kitchen, he could create wonders out of thin air. Kind of like a reverse-Rupert, who could take the most expensive ingredients and make the end result taste like ass. Ah, good old Rupert, I hope you're resting in peace... he died on the Collector Base," she adds, sensing Liara's inquisitive stare.
Liara turns away, taking another bite of the dessert and then looking around the Presidium. "You know... when we return from Tuchanka, no matter what happens there, the whole galaxy will be changed," she says thoughtfully.
"I hadn't considered it, but you're right," Morgan nods. "If we cure the genophage, the krogan will take a larger part in galactic politics going forward. If we don't cure the genophage... there will be no krogan boots on Palaven, Earth or Thessia, and our chances of success will be extremely slim."
"We will cure the genophage," Liara says firmly. "Not just because we need to, but because it is the right thing to do. The krogan have suffered for far too long."
"I agree. Mordin will get it done. As soon as we get back on the ship, I'm setting the course to Tuchanka," Shepard says, then waving her spoon around threateningly. "So you better finish your dessert or else I'm going to steal it..."
The Normandy is swiftly approaching the Krogan DMZ, when Shepard receives the news that Primarch Victus wishes to speak with her in the War Room. When Shepard arrives there, she sees the turian pacing back and forth the room, looking far more nervous than he had been when staring down a brute at point blank range. "Something the matter, Primarch?" she asks, stepping closer.
"Yes, you could say that," Victus nods. "There is a... small matter with a missing turian vessel."
"Uh... we're heading to Tuchanka to cure genophage and get krogan aid so that we can save your race from extinction. Is this really the time for small matters, Primarch?" Shepard asks, feeling a little confused.
"The ship I'm talking about crashed on Tuchanka," Victus says. "They are now pinned down by the Reaper forces scouting the planet."
Shepard finds herself stunned from surprise. "What the hell are your people doing on Tuchanka of all places?" she asks. "Primarch, if you are somehow trying to sabotage what we are trying to build with Wrex, I must warn you..."
"It is... quite the opposite, Commander," Victus replies, looking uncomfortable. "But I cannot tell you more than that. The details must remain classified. I can only tell you that these men must be rescued and you have to aid them in completing their mission. It is a matter of galactic peace."
Shepard gives Victus her best evaluating stare. The turians have always been difficult to read, but as far as she can tell, the man before her appears sincere, she detects no deceit in his words and her gut feeling insists that she lends her help. "I will do it, though I wish you would give me more to go on, Primarch," she eventually says.
"The commanding officer is Lieutenant Tarquin Victus," the turian finally says, avoiding her stare. "He'll be your contact."
"Relation?" Shepard asks.
"My son. I needed someone I could trust completely."
"You're just lucky that Mordin still needs a day or so for the cure," Morgan says. "Else I'd have a real problem explaining to Wrex why we're not getting right down to curing his people. At least now we can take care of your little problem without attracting too much attention." She turns to leave, before stopping and looking back over her shoulder. "I trust the necessary coordinates will be forwarded to my pilot."
"He already has all the relevant information," Victus nods. "Thank you, Commander. Once you have dealt with this issue, you will see that your decision to aid was the right one."
"Well, I better feel that way, or else our partnership will become extremely sour," Shepard points out, before continuing on to walk out of the War Room. Once she has entered the conference room, she suddenly finds herself yanked aside by a pair of powerful krogan arms, a massive palm pressing against her mouth to muffle her surprised exclamation.
"I saw you whispering with that turian," Wrex says, keeping his voice quiet, which in a way makes him appear more threatening. "What was that all about?"
"Oh, we just exchanged recipes for cooking baby krogans," Shepard rolls her eyes and speaks, once Wrex has removed his palm from her mouth. "Seriously, you're just being silly, Wrex. Perhaps I can distract you with rumors about Cerberus activity on Tuchanka?"
"There are Cerberus on Tuchanka?" Wrex snarls angrily.
Wow, that was easy. "Yeah, I just got word about their operation from Admiral Hackett. Cerberus have taken control of an old military installation on Tuchanka, and he wanted us to kick them out," Shepard explains. "Hell, I tried to talk Victus into helping, but that weakling wasn't up for it."
"You turned to Victus before asking me?" Wrex roars. "Cerberus invade our lands, and you're asking a turian to deal with them? This is a krogan issue! I will take care of it personally!"
"Uh, who am I to argue," Morgan offers, patting him on the chest apologetically. "I'll give you the coordinates and everything. Hey, I'll even give you one of my shuttles and some of my crew, would that please you, Wrex?"
"It will do, Shepard. It will do," Wrex finally agrees, appearing less annoyed.
"I'll tell James and Prothy to meet you in the docking bay in fifteen minutes," Shepard suggests, Wrex merely nodding as he heads straight for the armory, Morgan stopping by the cargo hold to inform Javik of his deployment and then telling the same to James, grinning inwardly as the heavily armed trio lumber into the spare Kodiak shuttle in preparation for departure.
Morgan Shepard, at least you are sly enough to outwit a krogan, she smiles broadly as the Normandy finally reaches the skies of Tuchanka and Wrex pulls the Kodiak out of the docking bay, and away they go, about to ruin the day of Cerberus crews entrenched on the old military base below.
"Joker, please inform Liara and Garrus to get ready for deployment and meet me in twenty minutes in the docking bay," she tells her pilot on the comms. "I will also want EDI with me for this mission."
"Again? Oh, this is intolerable, Commander," Joker protests. "My morale is at an all time low right now."
"Well, if you don't do what I say, your count of unbroken bones will be at an all time low," Morgan chuckles, hearing Joker's grumbling in response.
Her squadmates soon join her in the armory in various states of readiness, slowly starting to prepare themselves for the mission. "Chakwas gave you the all clear, did I understand that right?" she asks of Garrus, watching the turian wince at the question.
"Yeah, but not before shouting an earful about me being irritating and irresponsible," he shrugs. "Sometimes I don't understand doctors. They should be glad that their patients are getting better, shouldn't they? That woman just wanted to keep me there for eternity."
Shepard chuckles. "Well, you can be a little stubborn, Garrus," Liara nods enthusiastically at that. "Anyway, about the mission. We're going to lend help to a turian vessel, shot down over Tuchanka. Garrus... you wouldn't know anything about that?"
Even one look at Garrus' surprised expression is enough to tell her that he has absolutely no clue about what is going on. "Turian ship on Tuchanka? No idea, Commander," he shakes his head. "Nobody told me anything about that. Must be information on a need-to-know basis."
"Well, we do need to know," Shepard sighs. "I guess the only way to find out what's going on is to go down there and see for ourselves. I don't suppose anyone else has useful intel about this?" she stares at EDI and Liara.
"We picked up increasing turian comm chatter as soon as we entered the system, but it was all encrypted," EDI replies politely. "Specialist Traynor advised against attempts to decrypt it, based on moral grounds."
"I have not heard anything about secret turian operations on Tuchanka," Liara shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Shepard."
"It's alright, I knew it was a long shot," Morgan says, before urging everyone to get into the shuttle, Cortez already waiting for them. "Now let's go save us some turians!"
"Hmmh," Wrex grunts, steering the shuttle towards the coordinates provided by Shepard. "I think I know this place. Ancient ground-to-space cannon facility that hasn't been used since the Rebellions."
"Is it still operational?" James asks.
"It shouldn't be," Wrex replies. "But Cerberus must think it to be of some value, or else they would not be here."
"It appears that krogan have mastered elementary deduction," Javik comments from his seat in the back. "When will the wonders cease?"
"The krogan have also mastered the art of punching annoying Protheans in the face," Wrex growls in reply. "Especially Protheans who do not understand what it means to be silent and take orders."
"I don't take orders from you, primitive reptile," Javik scoffs. "I will only listen to Commander Shepard, and even then with great reluctance."
"I thought she made it clear that for the purpose of this mission, I am Commander Shepard," Wrex says. "So you will listen to me or get your ass kicked."
"You're Commander Shepard?" James Vega laughs. "Well, let me just tell you, Lola... you have really let yourself go since I last saw you!"
Wrex sighs deeply. "Keep it up and I might just forget that I am only supposed to shoot Cerberus..."
Slowly they approach the ancient krogan facility. There are two gigantic main cannons that they can spot, their frames look tarnished and crumbling, but even knowing that their stealth dampeners hide their Kodiak, Wrex pulls the shuttle lower and out of range of the cannons, just in case Cerberus have managed to get them operational... which they have, as is revealed a moment later, the entire ground and the facility shaking as massive discharges of energy blow right past the shuttle, heading towards something outside the range of their scanners.
"What the... not operational, so much for that," James curses as Wrex slowly brings the shuttle to land at a quiet corner on the side of the old base. "That makes it pretty clear what they are up to here."
"Wonder what they're shooting at up there," Wrex looks thoughtful. "We have no ships, and Shepard thinks that Cerberus and Reapers are on the same side."
"It is possible they are merely testing the weapons system," Javik remarks. "Looking at the state it is in, they have only recently made it operational."
"And now we're going to take it away from them. I almost want to thank them for their services. Swift deaths will suffice as gratitude!" Wrex roars, charging forward with his customary subtlety.
Around thirty dead Cerberus troops later, Wrex, Javik and James stand around the ancient control center, all consoles and terminals replaced with up to date Cerberus tech, giving full access to controls and scans of the area.
"I should think of a joke about how many Cerberus operatives it takes to operate and defend a giant cannon," James chuckles at himself. "But I don't think that any finite number of them could withstand the assault by a badass krogan, creepy nightmare from the past and the second most impressive and capable human in the known galaxy."
"I am glad you are at least giving Commander Shepard the credit she deserves," Javik remarks.
"Only for the amazing way in which she fills out her uniform," James comes back with a witty remark that makes the two others wince as if having a spiking toothache. "Hey, don't look at me like that, compadres, I know that boat has sailed long time ago. Damn, it's just impossible to compete with an asari... and I know exactly why."
"You said it, Vega," Wrex lets out a disturbingly knowing chuckle. "You said it."
"This conversation is extremely inappropriate and unsettling," Javik complains. "It appears that it is typical of inferior races to indulge themselves in lewdness and debauchery."
"Oh come on, you can't be stone-faced all the time, Prothy," James says. "You must have got up to some mischief back in your days too. What about a quickie with an attractive female of your species down in the cargo hold, right before a vital mission? Or sharing some juicy gossip about your commanding officer? Or at least... farted in your armor a couple of times?"
Javik shakes his head at the first two and shows a blank stare at the last. "Death by dismemberment for the first, death by being buried alive for the second, and... I have no idea about the last..."
"Cheerful bunch," James rolls his eyes. "So... if you had survived into this cycle and restored your empire, then you would have forced your laws and traditions upon everyone, si?"
"Yes, without a moment's hesitation," Javik replies sternly.
"You know... I'm just thinking, maybe it's not a bad thing that the Reapers stomped out-"
James gets interrupted by Wrex's cheerful exclamation, causing him and Javik to break off their bickering. "I have it!" the krogan sounds pleased, finally managing to bring up the complete scans of the region before them. "What's this signature for?" he points at the only icon on the screen. "Doesn't look like the Normandy."
"That seems to be a Cerberus cruiser," James replies. "Just holding a steady orbit. Probably sent those shuttles with troopers we just took care of."
"I don't like Cerberus cruisers in my sky," Wrex growls, looking up the targeting console and trying to make any sense of it. He struggles with it for a minute or so, before Javik smugly walks up to him and with one push of a button uploads the scanned coordinates of the cruiser. "Right... I was just about to do that," the krogan mutters, then looking back at Javik. "So... now I just fire, yeah?"
"Yes. The big, red button that says 'firing controls'," Javik says, looking distinctively unimpressed.
"Hey, it's written in ancient krogan dialect," Wrex replies defensively, then turning back to James. "How many Cerberus troops did Liara say usually served on a cruiser?"
"Up to eight hundred," James replies.
"Ah-ha. Well, let's hope you've done this right, Bug-Eyes," Wrex tells Javik, before pushing the button to fire the cannons. The discharge of energy is so powerful that the krogan is left shaking, and the slightly lighter James and Javik are knocked on the floor, slightly winded.
"Santa Madre," James exclaims, getting up and looking at the range scans before them. The icon representing the Cerberus cruiser is no longer there, evaporated. "We just took out a Cerberus cruiser."
"Ah, all in a good days work," Wrex says, sounding satisfied. "And now to notify my clan to seize this facility for the krogan. When the real enemy shows up, with these cannons... we might even teach the Reapers to cry..."