A/N: A shorter chapter this time, just making all the final preparations before the main Tuchanka mission. I should have the next one ready for Saturday.

And yes my friend, I know the chapter title should probably be 'A Frog's Offer', but... that sounds kinda crappy, doesn't it?

Chapter 68 - A Lizard's Offer

Her head still seems to be ringing and spinning slightly, when Morgan Shepard opens her eyes the morning after. Carefully, she examines her surroundings, first her attention attracted by the soft shape of her gloriously nude lover, pressed tightly against her, the expression on her face like frozen in a moment of perfect bliss, and Morgan tries to avoid moving and waking her. Somehow, they have managed to make their way back to the bed last night, though Morgan has no true recollection of all the details, despite it being literally mind-blowing. The chrono suggests that they have two hours left before departure, and she realizes that they cannot remain in bed any longer.

She gently shifts her weight, unsuccessfully trying to avoid rousing Liara, a tremor running through the asari as she lifts her head off Shepard's shoulder, licking her lips before opening her eyes. "Morning, beautiful," Morgan chuckles, giving her lover a fond stare.

"Morning..." Liara manages, looking rather sleepy and exhausted. "Is it time already?"

"We have a few hours," Morgan replies. "But we should eat and prepare, so we cannot linger here too long. After last night... I feel like a I really need to take on a lot of food to replenish all the spent energy."

Liara beams in a happy smile. "I quite agree, Commander of my heart."

Morgan gives her an inquisitive stare. "That was... I don't know, but that Joining somehow felt different from the other times," she remarks thoughtfully. "Did you feel it too?"

Liara hesitates a little before answering. "I'm not sure... it was very intense, but..." Shepard gives her a slightly disbelieving stare, sensing that she is holding something back. "Morgan, I... I don't think I have ever loved you as much as I did that moment when you spoke those words about me..." she says softly, pulling herself up to the Commander and then pressing her lips against Shepard's in the most tender of kisses, and it quickly makes Morgan forget everything else but the amorous attentions of her lover.

If there's anything else beyond what she's telling me, I will simply trust her to do so on her own terms, Shepard decides as they part, Liara's fingers tracing her cheek affectionately. "I don't think I will be able to use those exact words you spoke last night," Liara then says, looking at the time capsule, sitting abandoned on the table. "I will have to use something a little less... impartial, just to make sure this historical record is taken seriously. Do not mistake me, I'm still grateful you said what you did, but..."

"Oh, I understand," Shepard grins. "Feel free to edit as you please. But hey, if saying things that sound like taken from a diary of a lovesick teenage girl gets me a night of amazing sex with you, well, I might just try that again."

Liara laughs. "And you just might not hear me raising any complaints about that." She then yawns, reluctantly pulling away from Shepard. "Breakfast time?" she asks. "I do feel quite ravenous."

Now it is Shepard's turn to laugh. "I'm not bloody surprised, babe. I'm not bloody surprised..."

Down in the mess hall, there are only a few people up and about, Adams and Chakwas are sitting at one table, Garrus alone at the other, and Prothy leaves the deck just as Shepard and Liara arrive, Morgan sensing her lover reflexively pressing tighter against her as the Prothean walks past them without saying a word. "He managed to... upset me a little, yesterday," Liara confesses at Morgan's urging, Shepard feeling her blood boil in anger at hearing the words of her lover. "I think I should... just leave him alone for now, it was my own fault for bothering him."

"Are you talking about our good friend Prothy?" Garrus looks up at them as they sit down at his table with trays full of food. They both nod as one in reply to the turian. "We had a little chat just now. He said he was pleasantly surprised by the development of my people, and informed me that the turians would have made excellent subservient race in his glorious empire."

"How nice of him," Shepard says, rolling her eyes. "What brought on this gesture of kindness and goodwill?"

"He was impressed by the turians placing the bomb on Tuchanka," Garrus says, sighing deeply. "But of course, he also chided me for not actually detonating it."

"Of course he would say that," Shepard groans. "I'm really starting to wonder if I have made a mistake with that guy." She notices Liara shaking her head resolutely. "What, you still think taking him on was a good idea, after everything?"

"Yes," Liara nods. "He is still getting used to us. Everything around him is completely new. He just needs more time..."

"At least James says he's handy with the rifle," Garrus shrugs. "As long as he's killing the Reapers, I will tolerate him."

"I suppose so," Shepard nods, taking a bite of her toast. "So... you met him in the mess hall. We still don't know what he eats, did you manage to find out?"

"No, he simply poured himself a glass of juice and looked over everything on offer without taking anything," Garrus explains. "But he has to have something other than salarian livers on his diet, because Mordin is alive and well, scurrying around the medbay."

"Oh, Commander?" Engineer Adams calls out to her from the other table, having overheard their conversation. "The Prothean came to ask me whether you really have fish up in your quarters. I'm not sure what it was about, but I thought you should know."

"Err, thanks Adams," Shepard replies, turning back to her friends. "I thought a few of my koi fishes had gone missing... damn that Prothy!" Garrus just laughs at that and Liara can't hide a smile either. "I'm going to get another one of those 'No Protheans Allowed' signs we put on the female restrooms and place it on my aquarium, maybe that'll stop him."

As they continue to eat and chat, Shepard suddenly sees Wrex entering the mess hall. He enters from the right doorway, and in a way that makes it clear that he has arrived here either from the men's restrooms or the Normandy's lounge, Shepard clearly suspecting the latter. As usual, Wrex doesn't bother with puny dishes, he simply crams all the food directly on the tray and even so Shepard knows he will be making at least two trips back for a refill.

"You're looking very energetic this morning, Wrex," Liara offers with a polite smile. "Looking forward to making this an important day in the history of your people?"

"The most important day, Liara," Wrex corrects her, nodding. "And yes, we are going to cure the genophage. I can feel it in my bones," he adds, stretching, then throwing a backwards glance towards the lounge. "Whatever happens down on Tuchanka, I won't be returning to the Normandy. But the farewells have been said, I am good to go."

Liara stares in the direction Wrex had glanced back to, slowly thinking about some of the things that she has seen and heard in the past few days, and Shepard watches her slowly putting two and two together. "You... and my dad... you didn't..." Wrex's grin spreads to enormous proportions of smugness at Liara's words. "Oh goddess..." Liara groans, covering her face with her palms. "This is... so embarrassing! Why, oh why, did she have to do this to me... goddess, I can't believe this! What was she thinking of?!"

"Hey, don't mouth off at your father," Wrex tells her. "She's... something special alright. Because of her... and I guess you too, Liara, I have decided that the asari won't be on the chopping block when we krogan once again rise to take the galaxy for ourselves!" he adds, but thankfully his words are followed by bellowing laughter, making Morgan hopeful that it was merely a joke.

"Oh... I see..." Liara says quietly, sharing a look with Shepard, and Morgan senses that the asari has realized her father's reasons and intentions. "Well, I'm sure we'll be thankful to you for being so considerate," she manages a small smile.

"I'm not sure what to do with your people, Garrus," Wrex says, suddenly clapping the turian on the shoulder in a way that catches Garrus completely unaware and almost sends him sprawling on the floor. "I thought about being merciful, but then I find out about my old friend hiding the fact of a turian doomsday bomb on my planet... makes you think, doesn't it?"

"Hey, Wrex..." Garrus sighs, rubbing his shoulder. "I was completely in the dark over this, honest!"

Wrex laughs with great relish. "That's all I wanted to hear," he chuckles. "Just trying to make you sweat, Garrus. Wasn't sure you could, you're always so calm."

"I'd be happy to give you some lessons on relaxing," Garrus replies.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Garrus, but I think Matriarch Aethyta has that covered," Morgan adds, smirking.

"Shepard!" Liara admonishes her, blushing furiously.

"Uh, what I meant to say... Wrex, once you're done eating, get back up to the War Room," Shepard says, pushing her tray aside and picking up the mug of coffee to take it with her. "I'm going to grab Mordin and Victus and then together we can go over our plans in greater detail."

"Just give me... few minutes..." Wrex mumbles, mouth stuffed full as they all depart, allowing him to finish his meal in peace.

"Right..." Morgan Shepard ponderously stares at the scans of the Shroud area, glaring at the blotched bright red signature denoting a Reaper. "So they have parked one of their destroyers right outside the Shroud. Figures."

"The shuttles are a no go, Commander," Joker says on the comms.

"I'm aware," she replies tersely. The red particle beam against the deep blue carcass of the Kodiak shuttle, cutting it like knife through butter. 'Mommy! Help!' She shakes her head, swallowing hard, forcing the memory back down again. "Don't tell me that this is just a coincidence and it happens to just sit there for no reason!"

"If Cerberus knows of our plans, and they are indoctrinated like you believe, Shepard," Wrex says. "Then that means the Reapers also know of our plans. They will do all they can to stop us. But it won't do them any good."

"We need to get that Reaper away from the Shroud so that we can put our plans into motion," Shepard speaks. "I'm not sure a ground force alone will be enough, and the krogan have no ships that can help. Primarch..." she turns to Victus. "Can you get us some air support, anything?"

Victus nods after a moment of pause. "I will see what I can rouse on such short notice. It won't be much... but it is for Palaven, so I will do what I can."

"A combined attack?" Wrex looks at her. "My krogan hit the Reaper from the ground, while the turians provide airstrikes? Yes... that might drive it off."

"Plan appears sound. Small team can reach the Shroud facility. Finish synthesizing cure," Mordin nods approvingly. "Will have to bring Eve with us."

"We'll take the shuttles and head to a safe spot planetside," Morgan says, looking at Wrex. "I'm trusting you to coordinate with the krogan clans, we should link our forces before heading out to the Shroud."

"The clans are gathering as we speak, Shepard, do not worry about it," Wrex replies.

"Primarch Victus, get in touch with me as soon as you have news about our air support," she tells the turian leader.

"Understood, Shepard," he nods. "And good luck, to all of you."

"I think that about wraps it up," Shepard finishes, nodding to Wrex and Mordin. "Grab Eve and all the others, then get to the shuttles and be ready to leave."

"Let's do this!" Wrex roars, turning to leave the War Room. "Let's cure the genophage!"

"Chest pounding ridiculous, tiresome," Mordin mutters quietly as he passes by Shepard, making her chuckle.

She is about to follow them out, but at that precise moment, the voice of Specialist Traynor interrupts her. "Commander, there is an incoming message, marked urgent," she informs Shepard. "I'll put it in the comm room for you."

"Ugh, the timing of some people," Shepard grumbles, heading towards the comm room, surprised to see the gravely image of Dalatrass Linron expecting her. "Uh... Dalatrass? To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?"

"We know you've reached Tuchanka," Linron cuts right to the chase. "And by now, I imagine you have arrived to the inevitable conclusion that the only way for you to put your foolish plans in motion is to use the Shroud."

"Is there a point to this?" Shepard wonders openly, not caring anymore about offending the Dalatrass, their relationship already ruined beyond repair.

"Commander, you can't allow your misguided sympathy for the krogan to cloud your judgment," Linron shakes her head. "Do you honestly believe that curing the genophage will end in lasting peace?"

Shepard's only response is a hollow laughter. "You believe in a concept like 'lasting peace' and yet you are the one implying I'm misguided and naive? There is no such thing as lasting peace, it is as simple as that. And I would rather deal with krogan rebellions later than being wiped out by the Reapers now!"

"They will reproduce out of control! They will become more numerous than the Reapers themselves!" Linron raises her voice. "We uplifted them specifically for their violent nature, not their diplomatic skills. Another war is inevitable."

"I agree on that. There will always be more and more wars, let's not fool ourselves," Shepard smirks. "But you are not here for a philosophical debate. What do you want, Dalatrass?"

"Very well," Linron straightens up as she speaks. "Years ago, our operatives sabotaged the Shroud facility to ensure what you're planning to do couldn't be done. But Mordin Solus is well capable of detecting and repairing this malfunction. I suggest that you ensure he doesn't do so. The cure's viability will be altered just enough so that it fails. No one will notice the change."

Gods, what she is suggesting... cold shiver rushes through Morgan in realization at the consequences of this monstrous betrayal. A way to get both krogan and salarians onboard, and god knows we desperately need everyone we can get, but... how can she ask me to do this to Wrex and his people, it is... incredible, despicable beyond belief!

"I will pretend that I did not hear this suggestion, Dalatrass Linron," she finally manages an icy reply. "Even if I could trick Wrex and the krogan, Mordin would never stand for that. Are you asking me to shoot one of your own people in the back?"

Linron merely shrugs. "How you deal with him is up to you. I am merely saying that we can provide you our very best scientists to build the Crucible, and the full support of our fleets."

I already have the support of many salarian scientists, and several STG groups, Morgan smirks inwardly. And while your fleets would be useful and welcomed, they are not as impressive as you would have me believe. "I'm sorry, Dalatrass, but I will have to say no," she finally speaks up. "Oh, and let me add just one more thing before we part. While I actually approve of your attempts to make Councilor Udina's life utterly miserable with your complaints and allegations, I must also warn that should you try to actively sabotage our plans to fight the Reapers, I will be forced to take more extreme measures."

"Meaning what, Commander Shepard?" Linron glares at her.

"The footage from the STG base will get mysteriously leaked to the extranet," Shepard smiles coolly. "I shudder to think the explaining you would have to do, Dalatrass."

Linron shows no emotion when she looks back at Shepard. "Perhaps you misunderstood me, Commander," she says in a toneless voice, before terminating the connection. "I merely offered you a choice. What you do with it... is up to you."

Did she seriously expect me to take her up on that offer? I'm not that desperate yet to sacrifice all my principles to achieve victory, no matter what Javik might say about that. Morgan is still fuming on her way down to the docking bay. I need to tell Mordin about the sabotage, though, and hopefully he will be able to fix it as Linron said he would.

Her team has gathered and are waiting impatiently as she finally arrives, faces filled with anxiety and determination. She turns to Wrex first. "Are we good to go?" she asks.

"The clans have already started to gather at the Hollows, our sacred meeting ground." Wrex replies. "We can land there and take an armed convoy against the Reaper."

"Alright! It's time we undid one of the worst mistakes in the galactic history!" Morgan speaks, rubbing her hands together and sporting a predatory grin. "Mordin, Wrex and Eve with me and Cortez in the first shuttle. Garrus, you take the others in the second shuttle. Let's go, go, go!"