End Game – Chapter Thirteen

Kolyat opened the door for Valern, whose arms were full of a large package. When Tabitha saw the package, she smiled broadly, "Kolyat, please take the package from Valern and put it on the bed in my and your father's bedroom."

Valern smiled showing his teeth handing the package to Kolyat, "Is anything you are preparing for breakfast suitable for Turians?"

Tabitha opened up the 'frig, bending down retrieving a bottle, flipping it end over end toward Valern, "Heads up." She called out to him. Valern easily caught the bottle as she continued, "What do you think?"

Valern unscrewed the cap taking a drink, "That's why you are my favorite Spectre."

As Tabitha continued the final preparations to the breakfast, she countered, humor evident in her voice, "If I am your favorite Spectre, why do you call me such a 'pain in the arse' most of the time?"

Valern smiled, showing his sharp teeth, "Aah.. but what a " He stopped in mid-sentence hearing a deep growl reverberating from Thane's chest.

Kolyat coming out of the bedroom heard the growl, "Father, what is wrong?" seeing his father rise from the chair in a combative position.

Before responding, Valern sniffed the air knowing the reason. He walked toward Thane, "I meant no disrespect, Thane. I know she is yours. Do you wish for me to leave?"

Thane relaxed, arms at his side, bowing to Valern, "It is I who should apologize, Valern. You are an honored guest and I acted with disrespect toward you. I am not myself, at the moment. Of course, you are welcome."

Valern walked over clapping Thane on the upper back with his right taloned hand, smiling knowingly, "Do not apologize, my friend. I understand about being territorial, especially when a mate is 'in heat.'" Looking at Thane closely, he turned looking closely at Tabitha before turning back to Thane, laughing, "I see you two have been getting reacquainted with each other." He leaned close to Thane, "By the scent she is giving off, you will need to 'blow off some more steam,' if you know what I mean," winking at Thane.

Tabitha rolled her eyes, "Valern, you are just as bad as Garrus."

Valern countered, "Garrus is still a pup. He learned from me."

Tabitha sighed audibly, "Enough with the 'male bonding' time. I'm hungry. Let's eat."

Thane smiled, "You are correct, Siha."

Kolyat came around the counter helping Tabitha place serving bowls and platters filled with pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes and onions. Tabitha handed Valern another bottle of dextro-juice and Thane a mug of hot tea. She handed Kolyat a glass of juice and water and sat down at the table with a mug of coffee.

After everyone sat down around the table, Thane said a prayer giving thanks for the food. Tabitha pointed out to Valern the dextro pancakes and scrambled eggs. For a few minutes, the only sound was of food being passed around the table.

Once plates were filled, Valern spoke, "Thane, Tabitha must be a very good influence for your overall health. I knew the two of you were close as bond mates, but I have only seen or heard of one or two other relationships, in which, the mates were literally one in body, mind, heart, and soul. I was small when I visited an aunt and uncle, quite old, and had been married for well over one hundred years. The couple acted like newlyweds and looked half their true age. I found out that the couple had not been separated for about eighty years. While my uncle was in the military, his ship was attacked by slavers and crash landed on a remote planet. My father remembered my aunt's health deteriorating as if she was experiencing everything my uncle was. It was my aunt who gave the location of the planet. My uncle was one of only ten who survived out of a crew of fifty five. After that, my uncle left the military and settled down with my aunt. As I got older, I lost track of them. While in the military, I found out that mercenaries had attached the town they lived in. Eye witnesses stated that the two fought side by side holding back the enemy till my uncle was killed by a sniper. My aunt was not struck by a bullet, but as my uncle died, she died also. I believe you and Tabitha have such a relationship. You have had Kepral's Syndrome for years, far longer than your life expectancy should have been. When Tabitha was presumed died, your health deteriorated. When she came back 'from the dead,' your health greatly improved. When earth was attacked by the Reapers, your health deteriorated again, to the point where you almost ended up in the hospital in the hospice wing for the terminally ill." Valern spread his arms wide, "But look at you now…" he stated expansively, "You are in the best shape I have seen you in months to years."

Tabitha replied, "I have asked for Thane to join the crew of the Normandy to fight at my side again and he has agreed."

Valern shook his head in agreement, "Good. The main reason I came over was to make a proposition."

Tabitha asked, "What's the proposition? The Citadel Council, including yourself, stated your respective governments could not assist Earth in any capacity."

Valern sat up straighter, voice stern, "The Council did uphold your Spectre standing."

Tabitha shrugged, "Thank you, but how will that help in the war against the Reapers?"

Valern responded, "You are right. I am not asking for your help on behalf of the Citadel Council, but as a Turian for Palaven. The Reapers have attacked Palaven. Primarch Fedorian was on the moon Menae. You get the Primarch safely off Menae and the Turian Hierarchy will be appreciative."

Tabitha's furrowed her eyebrows, "I hate politics. I am a soldier not a politician."

Thane responded, voice deep and resonant, "What do the humans say, you scratch my back and I scratch yours."

Valern looked at Tabitha, "What do you say?"

Tabitha sighed, "I am doing this for you, Valern, not for the Turian Hierarchy."

Valern placed his taloned hand on Tabitha's shoulder, "You and Thane are true friends." Turning to face Thane across the table, he stated, "Thane, the Citadel Council reinstated your status as a Spectre operative."

Thane bowed his head in response as Kolyat spoke up, "Dad, a Spectre?! I know he is an assassin, but when was he a Spectre?!" He asked in disbelief.

Valern chuckled, deep in his chest, "Kolyat… Only a very select few knew of your father's status as a Spectre operative. He was never in any official documents. Your father did 'wet work' for the Council and special assignments. Your father has always been the best, along with Tabitha."

Kolyat had look of awe on his face and respect shone in his eyes as Tabitha asked Valern, "Were you able to customize the Spectre armor?"

Valern answered, "Yes, though I do not understand the significance of the design you requested."

Tabitha smiled looking over at Kolyat, "It was Kolyat's idea."

Look of confusion crossed Kolyat's features, "What was my idea?"

Tabitha answered, "You will see," getting up from the table. The men went to stand also, but Tabitha waved them back down into their seats, "I will be back. I want to get changed into the new armor. I am done eating. You stay and talk."

Thane placed his hand on Tabitha's arm as she passed, love and concern in his voice, "Siha, did you have enough to eat? You will need to keep your strength up."

Tabitha squeezed his hand in hers, "I am letting my food settle before I come back for the next round." Leaning down, she kissed the top of his crest ridges, "You did not see all the tasting I was doing of the food while preparing breakfast."

As Tabitha entered the bedroom shutting the door, Kolyat turned toward his father, "When did you start working for the Citadel Council?"

Thane looked over at Valern who nodded his head, 'yes.' Thane steepled his fingers together in front of himself as he spoke, "The Hanar Illuminated Primacy started subcontracting my services to the Citadel Council when I was around sixteen years old. Your mother and her family would not allow us to get married till I gave up being an assassin. I left the service of the Hanar Illuminated Primacy, but maintained my contacts with the Citadel Council."

Valern cut in, "Once the Citadel Council found out that your father had left the service of the Hanar Illuminated Primacy, we contacted him about becoming a Spectre Operative doing 'wet work' and other special assignments. Ghost accounts were set up through the Volus, Barla Von."

Once Valern stopped speaking, Thane continued, "No one could know. Except for Tabitha and the Citadel Council, I became an assassin for hire. I did take a few contracts not associated with the Citadel Council, but those were for personal friends and family."

Kolyat shook his head slowly, "All those years, I thought you killed for money, the highest bid…"

Thane's eyes showed sadness, "I am sorry for the deception, son."

Valern spoke up, "Kolyat, the past is the past. In the times we live in now, we may not have tomorrow. Live and cherish every moment with the ones you love and care for."

Kolyat saw the faraway look on Valern's face as he asked, "If I may ask, you talk as if from experience."

Valern nodded his head, 'yes,' "Yes, you are correct. I had a son…"

Kolyat asked, "Had a son?"

Valern continued, "Yes, he is dead. I just got the official notification before coming over here. His name was Sidek. We disagreed on a lot of issues. We had not talked to each other for over five years. I wish I could tell him how proud I am of him. He died gallantly with the rest of the crew on a Turian Destroyer Class Starship protecting transport ships of civilians escaping from the Reaper attack on Palaven."

Thane spoke solemnly, "If you agree, I would be honored to pray with you for your son and the others."

Tears shone in Valern's eyes as he spoke, voice broken, "Thank you, Thane. I am not a religious man, but my son believed in the Spirits."

Both Thane and Kolyat stood up coming to stand behind Valern. Each placed a hand on Valern's shoulders as all three bowed their heads, "Kilahira, please guide Sidek and his crew mates across the sea granting them peace and eternal rest."

Valern breathed, "Spirits, please guide my son and all my Turian brothers and sisters to your place of eternal rest and peace."

Thane and Kolyat had sat back down at the table when Tabitha came out wearing the customized armor. The front and back had the star charts of the known universe with unknown sectors of the galaxy down the arms and legs, "What do you think, Kolyat? You are the one who gave me the idea."

Kolyat's eye ridges knit together, confusion evident in his voice, "I do not understand, mom. I do not remember anything about painting star systems on your armor."

Tabitha smiled walking over behind Thane's chair kneading his shoulders and neck with her hands producing a rumbling purr from Thane's chest, "Both you and your father gave me the idea. After watching the 'Avengers' movie, you stated the races needed a rallying point, which was myself. You stated if anyone could bring the different races together, it would be I. I trust your judgment so Earth of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries had 'Captain America,' this cycle has Tabitha Shepard-Krios, 'Star Commander'."

Valern stood up, "Tabitha, I like…"

EDI cut Valern off, "Commander, Admiral Anderson wants to speak to you."

Valern smiled, flexing his mandibles, "I better go and leave you to your conversation with Admiral Anderson. I will contact Garrus on Menae telling him his favorite human is coming for a visit."

Tabitha asked, "Garrus is on Menae?"

Valern called back over his shoulder as he exited the apartment, "Get me the Primarch and you can have Garrus on your team again."

As Valern left the apartment, Tabitha responded, "EDI, relay Admiral Anderson's signal to the apartment."

EDI stated, "Yes, Commander…patching the signal through now."

Thane and Kolyat stood as the signal wavered then solidified in the middle of the living room. Thane stood to the side of Tabitha as Tabitha saluted, "Admiral…"

Voice crackly, Admiral Anderson replied, "At ease, Commander…and it is Anderson. You ought to know that by now." The holographic projection of Anderson turned his head smiling, "It is good to see you Krios. Shepherd is going to need all the support she can get."

Thane bowed, head level with the projection, "Anderson."

Tabitha stated, "Thane will be joining the Normandy's crew assisting the war against the Reapers."

Anderson replied, "Good to hear. We need all the people we can get."

Speaking to Thane, Anderson stated, "Krios, you keep our girl safe."

Thane half smiled, "I will, Sir."

Turning back to Tabitha, Anderson inquired, "What is the status of the mission?"

Tabitha stated, "Went to Mars…retrieved Dr. T'Soni and blue prints for a Prothean weapon against the Reapers."

Anderson cut in, "Why didn't the Protheans use this weapon against the Reapers."

Tabitha continued, "The Protheans had run out of time per archived Prothean script. The blue prints are not Prothean in design, but from an earlier civilization. On Mars fought Reapers and Cerberus…"

Anderson inquired, "Cerberus was on Mars?"

Tabitha answered, "Yes, sir. Cerberus had a sleeper agent on Mars, which killed most of the staff on Mars. The Cerberus agent also injured LC Ashley Williams."

Anderson inquired, "What is LC's condition?"

Tabitha answered, "Per Dr. Lahari, she is in stable condition and will make a full recovery."

Anderson nodded his head, "Good to know. Continue."

Tabitha continued, "Cerberus and the Illusive Man were after the same information as us. From information acquired from Cerberus, went to Eden Prime and found a Prothean."

Anderson raised a hand, slowly shaking his head, disbelief written across his face and in the inflection of his voice, "Prothean…skeleton…mummified remains…"

Tabitha smiled, "No, sir. We found a live Prothean in a statis pod. His name is Javik."

Anderson asked, "You spoke to him?"

Tabitha answered, "Yes, sir. He has no knowledge of the Prothean blue prints for the super weapon. He is a soldier and states he is the avatar for Vengeance for all Protheans."

Anderson smiled, rubbing his cheek with his right hand, "I bet Dr. T'Soni is excited."

Tabitha answered chuckling, "Excited is an understatement. How are you doing? How are the conditions on Earth?"

Anderson became serious, his voice grim, "Earth has lost several million people, but we are fighting back." He smiled faintly, determination in his voice, "We will not go down without a fight. If the Reapers want Earth and us humans, they will have to lose a lot of their kind, whatever their kind is to accomplish it."

Tabitha stated, "I should I have stayed."

Anderson slashed out and down with his right hand, "No, Commander. You are needed where you are. You have to rally and get the other alien races to help us defeat the Reapers."

Tabitha's shoulders slumped slightly, "The Citadel Council stated because of the immanent and/or on going attack of the Reapers, they cannot not help us at this point in time."

Anger in Anderson's voice as he cursed, "Don't they know we have to stand together. The Reapers want us to stay separate…stay divided. Earth history has proven time and time again when people stand together, they have defeated far superior foes." He pointed his knifed hand in front of him, "You have to convince them, Tabitha. No matter what it takes. No matter what you have to do. Earth is counting on you. I am counting on you."

Tabitha came to attention and smartly saluted, "Yes, Admiral."

Anderson turned toward Thane, authoritative tone to his voice, "Krios."

Thane bowed slightly keeping his eyes level with the hologram of Admiral Anderson, face passive, voice neutral, "Yes, Admiral."

"You keep her safe and make sure she succeeds." Anderson smiled slightly as his voice softened, "I need the best assassin in the galaxy. Do you know someone like that?"

Thane ghosted a smile across his features, "I will protect her till my last breath, Admiral."

Anderson smiled as his signal crackled, broke up, and disappeared. Tabitha spoke, "EDI, get Admiral Anderson back."

EDI responded, "The signal is gone, Commander. I have Admiral Hackett on the line."

Tabitha stood up straighter, "Patch the signal over."

A holographic view of Admiral Hackett wavered then solidified as Tabitha saluted, "Admiral."

Admiral Hackett asked straight forwardly, "Was the mission a success on Mars?"

Tabitha answered, standing at attention, "Dr. T'Soni is safe and we acquired blue prints for a Prothean weapon called the Crucible."

Hackett stated, "Send the blue prints to the following coordinates."

Tabitha answered, "I will have EDI security code the signal and send the blue prints as soon as our debrief has concluded."

Hackett asked, "Any causalities?"

Tabitha responded, "LC Ashley Williams was injured. Dr. Lahari has stated she will make a full recovery."

Hackett answered, "Good. We are losing enough good soldiers in this war. What of Eden Prime? What was Cerberus after?"

Tabitha answered, "The mission was a success on Eden Prime. We had no causalities and retrieved a live Prothean."

Surprise crossed Admiral Hackett's features, "Live Prothean, you say. Will he help us? Is he an asset or a liability?"

Tabitha answered, "I have spoken to him. His name is Javik. He is a soldier. He will help us."

Hackett nodded his head, "Good. What of the Citadel Council? Will they help us?"

Tabitha responded, "At this point in time, the Citadel Council cannot give up any resources to assist us."

Hackett cursed, "&%*# them. What is your next mission?"

Tabitha answered, "The Normandy will be assisting the Turians in retrieving the Primarch from Palaven. The Reapers have attacked Palaven, also."

Hackett slowly shook his head, "The Reapers are smart bastards. Take out the two planets and races with the largest naval armadas." He looked straight at Tabitha, "I agree. You need to assist the Turians. Commander, I am counting on you, no matter what the Council says to get the races to stand with us against the Reapers. You will do whatever it takes to get the job done. You understand me, Commander." Admiral Hackett stressed the last sentences raising his voice authoritatively.

Tabitha saluted, "Yes, sir, Admiral."

Hackett saluted back, "You cannot fail, Shepherd. You will not fail, Commander. No matter the sacrifice…the causalities…the cost. Hackett out."

"EDI," Tabitha stated in a military tone.

EDI instantly responded, "Yes, Commander."

"Contact all personnel on the Citadel. Shore leave is over. They have thirty minutes to get back to the Normandy. We leave as soon as I arrive."

"Yes, Commander"

Tabitha pinged Commander Bailey then turned to Kolyat. Kolyat could see Tabitha had her military game face in place. As Tabitha punched a code into her omni-tool, she spoke, "Kolyat, I am relaying video feed of the altercation between your father and I and a group of humans. I need you to follow up with Commander Bailey on the possibility of a Cerberus attack on the Citadel, terrorist, covert, or open."

Walking over to her weapons, she placed them in the special holders on her back, seeing Thane coming out of their bedroom dressed in his leather armor, weapons on his back carrying a back pack slung over one shoulder, "I am ready, Siha."

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