End Game – Chapter Eighteen

As the shuttle docked in the Normandy docking bay, Tabitha spoke to Thane, "Change of plans. I need you to follow me to the War Room for a mission briefing."

Thane slightly inclined his head in her direction, "Yes, Siha."

Exiting the shuttle, Tabitha called out to Steve Cortez, "Follow me, Cortez."

Steve Cortez saluted, standing to attention, "Yes, Ma'am."

As Steve, Thane, and Tabitha entered the elevator, Thane pressed the button for the CIC deck. "I heard you are a pilot, Cortez," asked Tabitha.

"Yes, Ma'am. I also have experience with logistics," stated Cortez.

"Good, I need you to find us a Mako, Alliance fighter which can do both space and atmo, and a gunship," Tabitha spoke matter of factly.

Steve's eyebrows rose up into his hairline, shock evident in his voice, "What?!"

Thane saw Tabitha's eyes go ice blue, expression military set, voice firm, "I did not stutter, LT. We are fighting Reapers and Cerberus. Two shuttles, even with upgraded shielding, weapons, and cloaking systems, will not suffice." She gestured wide with her arms, "All of us on the Normandy are alone. We cannot rely on anyone but ourselves. We are a family and we have to work together. We have to change and adapt to each new situation." Tabitha tapped her fingers against the side of Steve Cortez's head, "We have to be creative and think outside of the box. The Reapers got the jump on us on Earth. Cerberus got the jump on us on Mars. We cannot and will not stay behind the '8 ball.' We will not be reactive but proactive – taking the fight to them-putting them on the defensive."

Steve Cortez was in shock then awe at the Commander as he listened to her. He heard the resolve in her voice, saw the play of emotions across her features as she spoke. She was all military and a true leader. Glancing at Thane, he saw the love and respect he had for his wife. Moment of sadness crossed his thoughts as he remembered his husband and the sacrifice he made so he could live. Looking at Thane, Steve knew he would sacrifice himself for his wife. Looking at the Commander, he knew she would lay down her life for anyone on this ship. Smiling, he answered, "I have some connections. I will find us the equipment you are looking for."

When Tabitha, Thane, and Steve entered the War Room, they saw James Vega, Liara 'T Soni, Feron, and Javik. Calling out, Tabitha stated, "EDI, bring up the display of Menae."

As the 3-D holographic image of the moon, Menae, materialized, Tabitha began, "Our primary mission is to find the Turian Primarch, retrieve him, and get him back to the Citadel." Looking at the group, her eyes focusing on James Vega, Liara T'Soni, and Feron, "James, you will lead the team to extradite the Primarch. Liara will provide tech and biotic support and Feron is your pilot."

James Vega snapped a salute, "Yes, Ma'am."

As Tabitha returned the salute turning on her heel, she replied, "Cortez, Javik, and Thane…you will be with me."

No words were spoken as the elevator took everyone to the shuttle bay. As Tabitha exited the elevator heading toward the shuttle, she spoke, "EDI, is everything I requested on the shuttle?"

EDI instantly responded, "Yes, Commander."

Tabitha, Javik, and Thane took seats in the cargo area of the shuttle as Steve Cortez strapped himself into the pilot's seat readying the shuttle for lift-off. Thane looked at Tabitha inquiring, "Siha, what is our mission if Vega, T'Soni, and Feron are retrieving the Primarch from Menae back to the Normandy?"

Studying schematics on her omni-tool, she answered matter-of-factly, "Our mission will be the destruction of this moon."

Javik's deep rumbling voice replied, "This moon has a strategic importance, which we cannot allow the Reapers to acquire."

Looking over the omni-tool, expression fixed, voice serious, "No, General. This moon has no significant importance to the Turians or Reapers."

All four golden eyes fixed Tabitha with a steady gaze as Javik inquired, "Why waste military resources on the destruction of this moon? The resources could be utilized in more productive ways."

Tabitha's voice dropped an octave, eyes steady and sure, staring back at Javik, "There is no significance to this moon, but the destruction of this moon will have tremendous significance. I plan on getting as many Reapers as I can to land on this insignificant piece of rock before I blow it and the Reapers into atomic dust."

Javik's eyes showed approval, "How do you plan on getting the Reapers to this moon, daughter?"

Tabitha pointed to herself, "I am the bait, father. It seems the Reapers are interested in me, and have been for years."

Turning toward the front of the shuttle, Tabitha spoke loudly, "Cortez, I need you to send a message on channel 567.390 letting the Turian High Command know that I will be landing on the moon soon to help with defenses."

Cortez replied, hesitation in his voice, "Commander, that is an open channel."

Thane saw the gleam in her eyes and small smile as she answered, "I know."

"Yes, Commander," Cortez responded sending out the message on the open channel.

Eyes blazing with blue-green fervency, voice passion filled, balling one hand into a fist bringing it into the open palm of her other hand for emphasis, Tabitha spoke with an eerie calmness, "The Reapers have been attacking and destroying planets and indigenous life forms for millennia. No more! They think we are insignificant…that we are bacteria." Smiling, Tabitha continued, pointing to herself, "Well, this bacterium is going to go viral all over their techno-organic selves."

XXXXX

Garrus glanced up noticing an Alliance shuttle and non-descript spaceship flying over head toward the Command Center before sighting down his sniper rifle. "It couldn't be," he thought to himself smiling as he killed Husks, Cannibals, and Marauders. General Victus had given him orders to keep the Reapers forces off his flanks and that was what Garrus was doing. As he continued shooting down range from his vantage point, he sighed, "What a waste," he cursed inwardly to himself. "Why didn't the Council listen to Commander Shepherd-Krios? Why didn't the Alliance? If they had, we would be better prepared. We would not have been caught with our thumbs up our collective asses. First the Reapers attack Earth and now Palaven." Once he made sure there were no more Reaper troops to take out, he stood up, snapping the sniper rifle back into its slot on his back. Walking rapidly toward the Command Center, he spoke to himself, "I know the one shuttle is from the Normandy. If the Commander is here…" He stopped for a moment before breaking into a run, "What happened to Earth."

The Command Center was being overrun by Reaper forces when Tabitha, Thane, Javik, Vega, and Liara entered the area. Giving orders into her comm link, Tabitha exited the shuttle at a run, "Feron…Cortez…get those ships to a safe location till I radio for you. We cannot and will not lose our transportation." Looking up Tabitha saw the remains of a Turian destroyer falling into the atmosphere like a fireworks display.

Seeing Tabitha lower her head, Thane moved swiftly to her side clasping his hands over hers bending his head to touch his forehead to hers, praying softly, "Aminkira guide us to our targets and grant our aim be true. Arashu protect us as we protect others. Kilahira give rest to all the fallen who cross to your shore today and guide them to their final rest." As soon as the prayer ended, Thane stepped back into a combative stance.

Quickly assessing the area, Tabitha spoke, "Thane…find high ground…"

Before Tabitha could finish, Thane was gone from sight. Slowly shaking her head, she smiled faintly. In all her years with him, he still amazed her. Glancing at the others, she swiftly moved into the open area of the Command Center camp, "Vega…Liara…Javik…follow me."

As Tabitha grabbed her shotgun, she heard Thane over the comm, "I am in position, Siha."

Vega quipped, "What are we doing, Lola? What's our objective?"

"We are helping our Turian brothers and sisters. If it is a Reaper, kill it. Do not worry about your backs…Thane has the rear covered." As a blue-green glow consumed her body, Tabitha shot forward slamming into a Marauder. Once she stopped, she turned shooting a Cannibal before dropping to the ground producing a Nova shock to the area taking out advancing Husks.

The Turians thanked the Spirits when they saw Commander Shepherd-Krios helping them. Fatigue disappeared as the Turians rallied around Shepherd and her group to kill the Reaper forces. Liara working with Javik combined their biotics producing biotic explosions across the battlefield. Vega created carnage protecting Shepherd as she rapidly advanced utilizing all her biotic abilities supplementing her biotics with grenades, shotgun, and SMG. Thane constantly scanning the area kept the Reaper forces from attacking the group's rear. Tabitha heard the sound of rocket blasts the same time she heard the screech of the dying Harvester flying overhead.

"Thanks, Kadar," Tabitha spoke into the comm as she moved to her next position. Once she knew the Reaper threat was gone for the moment, she clicked her weapons back into their respective positions on her armor. Spotting the highest ranking Turian, she headed in that direction. The General seeing Shepherd approach put out his taloned hand, "Thank you, Commander. We were being overrun and you saved us."

Smiling broadly, Tabitha shook the General's hand in a firm handshake, "No problem, General. You would have done the same for me."

"Why are you here, Commander? I do not mind the assistance, but your own planet is still under attack," the General inquired.

"I am here for the Primarch, General."

A shadow crossed the General's face as he grimaced, sorrow, anger, and regret in his voice, "The Primarch is dead, Shepherd. His shuttle was shot down by a Reaper ship while leaving Menae."

"The Turian Hierarchy has a definite line of succession. Who is next in line for the Primarch position?" Tabitha asked matter of factly.

Flexing his mandibles, rubbing one taloned hand along his fringes, the General mused, "You are correct, the Turian Hierarchy does have a definite line of succession, but with the attack of the Reapers, that line has become broken and blurry, at the moment."

The General saw the resolution in Tabitha's eyes as she spoke, "I know that Palaven is under attack…so is Earth." Pointing in the direction of Palaven, Tabitha spoke through gritted teeth, eyes blazing a blue-green aura, "See the destruction of Palaven…multiple that three-fold for Earth." Stepping forward, she placed a gauntleted hand on the General's shoulder, compassion showing through her eyes, "General, Palaven needs your help. I need your help. Can you get me the name of the next Primarch?"

Tabitha smiled, seeing the determination in the General's eyes, "I will get you the name." The General was true to his word and less than five minutes, the General turned toward Tabitha, "General Victus is next in line for Primarch."

As Tabitha asked, "Where is General Victus," a familiar voice answered, "I know the last location of General Victus."

Tabitha turned moving rapidly clasping Garrus in a bear hug before releasing him. Eyes showing emotion, face beaming, "It is so good to see you, Garrus," she stated.

Smelling the territorial mating musk on Tabitha caused Garrus to stop the snarky suggestive retort he was going to respond back. He could sense that Thane was close, "Good to see you too, Shepherd. Where's Thane?"

"He's protecting our backs. Where is General Victus?"

Glancing around, Garrus responded, "I see." Let me synch our omni-tools and that will show you the latest position." As Garrus linked up his and Tabitha's omni-tools, Tabitha spoke into the comm, "Everyone to this position now." Within less than thirty seconds, James Vega, Liara, Javik, and Thane were standing close to Tabitha and Garrus.

Looking around, Tabitha introduced Garrus smiling, "Garrus, you know Liara and Thane." Pointing at first Vega then Javik, she continued, "This is LT. James Vega and General Javik. Javik is a Prothean." Before Garrus could make a comment, she continued, "Thanks to Garrus, we have the location of General Victus, which means a change in plans." Looking at Javik and Liara, "Javik…Liara…your mission along with Cortez will be the extraction of General Victus off this planet and back to the Normandy." Speaking into her comm., she instructed, "Cortez…rendezvous at these coordinates. As soon as you land, remove the explosives from the shuttle. I will pick them up on my way to Feron's ship." Looking to Thane and Vega, she stated, "I need you two to keep this Command Center secure." Looking up at the Turian General, she commanded, "General, contact your troops and get them to fall back to this position."

The General questioned, "By whose authority? I was commanded to keep this moon secure. If we lose this moon, we lose Palaven to the Reapers."

Tabitha stated flatly, no expression in her voice, "General, the maintaining of this moon will not determine the fate of Palaven, but the destruction of this moon, Menae, will."

His voice perplexed, the General questioned, "You plan to do what?"

Calmly, Tabitha answered, "I plan to blow this moon up with as many Reaper ships as I can get here. So if you do not want to foolishly waste your resource of troops, I would suggest contacting Turian transport ships for extraction."

Before the General could respond, she turned to Garrus, "Do you know the terrain of this moon?"

"I know the terrain of this moon somewhat well. I spent time on this moon when I was younger," Garrus mused.

"Good enough for me." Looking at the Turian General, Tabitha stated, "General, you have one hour." She started to walk away, but turned back around, "And General, the wounded are not being left behind. Incinerate the dead. We are not letting the Reapers have our wounded and dead to convert into their shock troopers."

Walking toward one of the landing zones, Tabitha clicked her comm to a secure channel, "Feron…"

Feron responded communication faint and static filled, "Commander, having trouble hearing you…communications being jammed by Reapers."

Garrus was walking on Tabitha's right side as Tabitha activated her omni-tool, "Vigil, can you boost the signal?"

Vigil responded, "Affirmative, Commander."

"Feron, can you hear me?"

"Yes, Commander."

"Rendezvous at these coordinates." As she walked swiftly to the set coordinates, Tabitha called back over her shoulder, "You coming, Valkerian?"

Garrus easily caught up with Tabitha, "Tabitha, you were joking?! You truly are not planning on blowing up this moon?!"

Glancing over at Garrus, Tabitha replied, resolution in her voice, "Yes, I am. I sent a signal on an open comm channel that the Reapers could intercept stating my mission on Menae on securing the Turian Primarch. I want the Reaper ships to come to this moon so we can take out as many as we can. We are going to send a message to the Reapers that this cycle will not go down without a fight and we will win the war."

Clicking his mandibles together, Garrus thudded Tabitha on the back, "If anyone can do the impossible, it will be you. I'm with you all the way."

Feron was at the set coordinates with the hatch door open. As Tabitha climbed in, she questioned, "Feron, this ship of yours has a cloaking device? Did you ever get weapons installed on this bucket of bolts?"

Feron responded, feigned hurt in his voice, "Bucket of bolts, Shepherd…You wound me and my baby. Yes, Blue Bird has a full cloaking system, offensive and defensive armaments, improved armor, and upgraded shields."

Tabitha took a seat in the co-pilot's chair strapping herself in while Garrus stood behind Tabitha. Bringing up the set coordinates on her omni-tool, she programmed the coordinates into the ship's computer. As the ship was lifting off, Garrus pointed with a taloned claw out the front, "Reapers, incoming. Well, you wanted Reapers, Tabitha, you got them," he stated sardonically.

With a speed that Tabitha could not keep up with, Feron cloaked the ship maneuvering it away from the incoming Reapers, his hands a blur on the controls, "Shepherd, you say I am suicidal," Feron exclaimed, "Did I hear right?! You want the Reapers to come after you?!"

Tabitha chuckled punching Feron lightly on the upper right arm, "You crave the rush, Feron. You love the excitement. You can't fool me. This is an aphrodisiac to you." Her voice dropping into a husky tremor, "When this mission is over, you won't be able to keep yourself away from Liara."

Cutting into the conversion, Garrus responded in a deep growl, "Tabitha, are you talking about Feron or yourself. Your scent is changing. If you were not mated with Thane, we would testing flexibility and reach right now."

Feron inquired excitedly, "Can I watch?"

Blushing, her face feeling incredibly hot, she stammered, "Well…I…"

Laughing, Garrus placed a taloned hand on Tabitha's shoulder, bending whispering next to her ear, "Gotcha 'ya. Can't wait to tell Kelly that I 'one upped' the great Commander Shepherd-Krios." Taking his hand from Tabitha's shoulder, notching the air in front of her.

Disappointment in his voice, Feron stated, "You're not…I don't get to watch."

Glancing at Feron, Tabitha asked, "Feron, can I ask you a question?"

"What do you want to know? What positions I prefer? What…"

Tabitha cut him off, "Feron, what is your relationship with Liara? Does she know you are so promiscuous? You both are my friends. I do not mean to interfere, but I do not want to see Liara hurt."

Feron turned to look at Tabitha, his eyes truthful, voice earnest, "Commander…Tabitha…I am a fake and a fraud. I am not promiscuous. I joke with certain members of the Normandy crew along with you and Thane and Kolyat, but you all are family…all the family I have left. I care deeply for Liara…I love her. The years of intermittent torture on the Shadow Broker ship did change me. I do get a rush from near death experiences, but I do not seek death." Tabitha saw his eyes shining with unshed tears, "Truthfully, I am scared, more times than not."

Unbuckling her harness leaning over, Tabitha gave him a quick hug, voice emotion filled, "Being scared is not a weakness. Being scared can bring strength and stability. Having no fear makes a person prideful, reckless, and foolish. Time is a precious commodity. If you have not told Liara that you love her, you need to. Thank you for considering us family."

Sitting up straight, buckling herself back into the harness, Tabitha smirked, "Let's go blow up something."

Thumping Tabitha on the upper back, Garrus laughed, "Commander, explosions follow you wherever you go."

XXXXX

As Javik and Liara sat in the cargo hold of the shuttle on the way to extract General Victus, Liara inquired, "You are not what I expected for a Prothean?"

Javik leveled all four eyes at Liara, his voice deep and rumbling from his chest, "What you were expecting, Asari?"

Liara's lips formed a thin line as she bit out the words, "I have a name, Javik. It is Dr. Liara T'Soni."

A smile ghosting across his features, he replied, "Am I suppose to be impressed?"

"No, but you could be respectful, nice perhaps."

Javik looked at Liara sneering, "We do not have time for pleasantries. The Reapers will not be nice or respectful."

Liara countered, "Commander Shepherd-Krios is all military and she is respectful. She helps where she can."

They sat in silence till Cortez reached the designated coordinates. Liara and Javik jumped out into the middle of a fire fight between Turian and Reaper troops. As soon as they exited the shuttle, Cortez took off to land in a safe zone. The battle was intense, but over quickly as Liara and Javik combined their biotics and weapons fire into a deadly mix of death and destruction for the Reaper troops.

When the fire fight was over, General Victus strode up, "Thank you for the assistance, but why are you here?"

Liara spoke, "General, my name is Liara T'Soni, and I have been sent by Commander Shepherd-Krios, Turian Hierarchy, and Counselor Valern to bring you back to the Normandy."

General Victus raised a taloned hand, speaking gruffly, "Why the hell would I go with you. I am needed here. My men need me. Palaven needs me."

Liara spoke softly, "General Victus, Primarch Fedorian is dead. You are next in line. General Victus, you are the next Primarch. The people of Palaven do need you, but as their leader."

Shaking his head, General Victus scoffed, "I am not a politician. I am a soldier."

Javik spoke, "General, in this war against the Reapers, your military leadership will be needed, more than any politician."

General Victus conceded, "You may be right. If I leave this moon, we may lose this moon."

Javik countered, "You have already lost this moon. In less than forty earth standard minutes, this moon will be destroyed."

Anger evident in his voice, General Victus shouted, "Who ordered the destruction of this moon?"

Liara stated calmly, "Commander Shepherd-Krios. We need to go General. Get all your troops back to the Command Center. Turian transport will be there to take all troops off the moon before the charges blow."

As the shuttle lifted off heading to the Normandy, General Victus inquired, "What is the reason why the Commander is destroying this moon?"

Liara smiled, "It is for psychological reasons, General. The Commander is luring the Reapers here with herself as bait. She wants to show the Reapers that we will fight back and show all the races of the universe that we can stand up against the Reapers and win."

Nodding his head, General Victus looked at Javik, "I am unfamiliar with your race. What are you?"

Javik answered, "I am Prothean."

"Well, how you came to be here, I can just imagine, especially with Commander Shepherd-Krios involved. Knowing the Commander's reputation, she probably thawed you from some iceberg or something," he stated sarcastically. You would know about Reapers."

Liara and Javik looked at each other, not saying another word as the shuttle headed to the Normandy.

XXXXX

There were only three locations on Menae that the charges needed to be placed. The charges were strategically placed in veins of lystrumium; the lystrumium running alongside lava to the moon's core. EDI had provided research showing that lystrumium when in contact with ezo and dark matter becomes very unstable breaking down rapidly to the subatomic level; which means the moon would explode, implode, and dissolve all within minutes with no ill effects to the planet Palaven.

As Tabitha and Garrus were returning to the ship after setting the last charge, Tabitha noticed a military banner caught between two boulders. Moving rapidly to the banner, she collapsed to her knees coughing attempting to catch her breath; lungs on fire, limbs heavy and nonresponsive, chest constricting, spots appearing in her vision. Her mind raced, "Kepral's syndrome," she thought to herself. "The merging…have to remember…what did Thane do…have to relax."

Garrus seeing Tabitha collapse rushed to her side. Picking her up positioning here across his shoulder in a fireman's hold, he ran back to the ship. Laying her down, he yelled up to Feron, "Get us back to the Command Center now."

Turning in his seat, Feron saw Tabitha curled into a ball trying to breathe, "Garrus..the med kit on the back wall has portable oxygen. She is having an attack from Kepral's syndrome. She needs pure oxygen."

As Garrus opened the med kit, he asked, "Why would Tabitha be suffering from Kepral's syndrome? I did not think the disease was communicable."

Pushing the ship to its limits, Feron called back to Garrus, "Kepral's syndrome is not contagious. Somehow Thane and Tabitha have become more than bond mates, they have merged. The two have become one. Shepherd is experiencing Kepral's syndrome so Thane does not."

As Garrus fit the mask on Tabitha's face, he inquired, "How is that possible?"

Seriously, Feron answered, "She is a 'Siha'. She is one of the warrior angels under Arashu."

"I know that is what Thane calls her, but that is a term of endearment."

"No, my friend. The Hanar call her, 'One who has been touched by the Enkindlers'. She is a warrior angel. She saved Thane and she saved me. She will save us from the Reapers."

Tabitha felt the coldness of the pure oxygen expand her lungs unlocking her muscles. Within a minute, she slowly sat up gently shaking her limbs getting the blood circulating through them again. Taking one hand, she tapped her omni-tool, "Vigil."

Garrus saw a holographic image of a Prothean appear next to Tabitha, "Yes, Commander."

Look of shock crossed Garrus' face, "Vigil.. as in Vigil from Ilos?!" he exclaimed.

Tabitha answered, "Yes, I'll explain later." Turning to Vigil, "Connect with Victory after conducting a diagnostic scan of myself. Why did I just experience a Kepral's syndrome attack?"

"One moment, Commander." Vigil scanned Tabitha then answered, "You and Thane Krios have merged. Your body is compensating for Thane's terminal condition. Your lungs are in perfect conditions per physical body scans. Diagnostic scans show severe Kepral's syndrome."

Getting up slowly, she asked, "What do I have to do for my body to compensate adequately so both Thane and I can perform at peak performance."

Vigil responded, "As long as Thane Krios has Kepral's syndrome, neither of you will be able to perform at peak performance. I will analyze the results and come up with possible solutions."

"Thank you, Vigil."

As Vigil disappeared, he spoke, "You are welcome, Commander."

Tabitha moved up into the co-pilots' chair. Looking at both Feron and Garrus, she stated matter of factly, "You will not tell Thane that I had an attack."

Garrus and Feron answered at the same time, "No, Commander," as Feron landed the ship on the airstrip by the Command Center.

8