Title: Virmire Part Seven
Author: DinkyMew
Game: Mass Effect (one)
Disclaimer: Bioware owns all content and characters related to the Mass Effect Franchise. Abigail Shepard is my own creation inspired by the character of Jane Shepard created by Bioware. All original characters contained herein are my own creation and are not necessarily affiliated with Bioware. The story may deviate from the original game and for this I ask your forgiveness, any anomalies are in the pursuit of entertainment purposes and not to offend. **You may not copy, distribute, rewrite or edit any part of this fan-fiction as it stands without my expressed permission**
Characters Featured: Abigail Shepard (F); Ashley Williams (F); Stewart 'Spooner' Cooper (M);
Two hours from Virmire and the ache in her shoulder was getting no better; nor was the one in her chest.
Safe in the merciful darkness of the shuttle bay Abigail Shepard worked at the utility bench with her pistol as though her life depended on it. The configuration was an old one Spooner had taught her, brought to mind by recent events, and more importantly it was a lengthy job – one that should preoccupy her thoughts right up until they land in Virmire. Lord knows she needed a break from the incessant and spiteful whispering of her inner self.
She was so intent on her work she didn't even see Ashley until she was standing right next to her, her butt wedged on the end of the table, her fingers curled around its edge. She was watching with a bemused smile on her face when Shepard finally realised she was sitting there. Inwardly she flinched, but worked hard to keep her face blank as she cleared her throat.
"Ashley." She said firmly "Something up?"
The gunnery chief leaned her head to the side, a sly grin splitting her lips as she shook her head "This is me Shep." She chuckled "That hard-head shit doesn't wash here."
Abigail paused, the trigger mechanism of her pistol still in her hand as she turned blue eyes to brown sceptically "If you're here for a pep-talk then I think you've come at a bad time."
"I'm here because Joker told me something real interesting about last night." Ashley said, turning so she could pick through the nuts and bolts strewn on the table "Something I wanted to talk to you about.
Shepard felt herself curl inward as she took a breath "We're two hours from Virmire, Ash, I don't know if now is a good time for us to get into a fight. Especially a fight of this nature. Whatever happened was a stupid mistake, and we've let it go. Nothing is going on. I wouldn't do that to you." She stopped what she was doing, turning to put some distance between them she moved to her locker instead, punching in the combination before yanking the door open.
"That's just it!" Ashley cried, pursuing her, leaning against the wall of lockers as Shepard rummaged amongst her armour. "Do what to me? You know when Joker told me I had thought I would be mad… but I wasn't. Thinking back now I can see how you mooned over the Lieutenant, long before I did. I wish I could have been half the friend you were and realised it soon enough to step out of the way. You've always liked him… haven't you?"
Abigail paused, thinking about it – thinking about the first time she knew there was something not quite right about the way she felt about Alenko. It had been back on Eden Prime, back when they had lost Jenkins – she had looked to him in that moment reeling from the first fatality under her command and he had chased that fear away with a single glance. The trust she felt emanating from him had grounded her immediately, his voice – deep and gravelly and soft – had spoken to secret places within her, feeding her with strength and warmth.
She was undeniably in love with him from that moment.
Despite their initial spat when they met, having Kaidan around was like a comforter she had come to rely on – but being reliant on something made you dependent. And being dependent on anything made you vulnerable. She had to work hard to correct that miss-step she somehow let herself take.
Shepard sighed, pulling her chest piece free as she got slowly to her feet "He's… not my usual type." She said with difficulty "I think… I just feel strange when I'm around him Ash, that's all. But it's a stupid fantasy – he's a subordinate!"
"And?" Ashley scoffed wildly, pushing from the lockers as she threw her hands up, at the edge of her black tank top Shepard could see the curve of her Alliance tattoo as it moved with her "You think you would be the only Commander dipping her finger in the company honey? There are plenty of examples of couples within the Alliance, so long as it is declared to the authorities there isn't an issue."
"No, Ashley." Abigail said firmly "It's not as simple as that. I'm not as simple as that."
"Shep, you're like a sister to me. I just want to see you happy!" Ashley moaned, something in Shepard's face though must have signalled she would get nowhere because her shoulders dropped defeated and she sighed heavily "Alright. But promise me once we are through with this mission you will at least think about it?"
Abigail sighed, moving her shoulders and wincing at the pain in her joint "I'll think about it. After the mission." She relented at last.
Virmire was hailed as a tropical paradise despite its nearness to the Terminus Systems. Petty gangs and crime-lords squabbled over territory and rights, but the truth was none of them had the supplies or the credits to turn a virgin planet into a colonised world. The Citadel Council had long wasted breath trying to broker treaties that would allow a homestead to be created on Virmire, but the ever present threat of raids and attacks from slaver groups prevented events moving forward. It had long ago been written off as a possibility for habitation until the political shit-storm settled.
The noise in the background though, failed to detract from the beauty of the place. Ashley smiled as she watched the expanse of blue water move beneath the Normandy as they gained proximity to the planet. If she could choose a holiday destination anywhere, it would be here, despite the slavers and the gangs – hell she would just pack for a good fight.
"Commander I'm reading a signal." Beside her in the cockpit Joker shifted in his seat "Must be our Salarian infiltration team." He glanced back at her as they both waited for Shepard's response over the comm. She had avoided them all morning it seemed, even after Ashley had extended a talk with her she had been reluctant and closed off and so they had all decided to let her come around on her own. Whatever she was dealing with it must be huge, and they all knew the Commander enough now to know she liked to deal with stuff on her own.
In the co-pilot seat Kaidan cleared his throat, his fingers splayed against the side of his head as he leaned on the arm of his chair "Commander?" He prodded, his finger tapping at his temple.
"I heard." Came Shepard's response, terse and biting "I'm on my way up."
With that the cockpit fell into silence, each of them weighing the expectation of the Commander's arrival. For her Ashley was unconcerned, she had always regarded herself as quite close to the Commander, and they seemed to have a natural affinity together; Shepard intensely lacked Faith in her life and Ashley tried to bring it to her. She could tell Joker was worried; worried about running his mouth off about last night – worried about what it would mean in the long run when Shepard eventually got around to kicking his ass for it and just looking at Kaidan made her feel ill. He was a new shade of pale, a sickly yellow blossoming at his cheeks as he swallowed and shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"She's on her way." Joker said, quietly, as though to himself – a mantra for preparation.
When she did enter Ashley thought it was the most anticlimactic moment in her life. Standing clad in her red armour, her helmet caught loosely in one hand Shepard took one look out the portside window and sighed. Her hair was damp, coiled around into a twist and held in place with what looked like a small wooden chopstick; when she glanced at Ashley she thought she could see the traces of tears still at the edges of her eyes but she could have been imagining it.
"Nice place." She said, standing behind Joker "Never was a big fan of sand though. Gets into all the wrong places and it's irritating as hell. Like some people." She added pointedly, and in front of her Joker shrank in his chair "Still," She said with a sharp breath "A beach wouldn't be the same without it, would it?"
Ashley smiled, catching the look that passed Shepard's eyes; one of genuine affection for the pilot – the likes she had seen herself go through with her sisters back home.
"Check out those defence towers though." Kaidan added, his attention riveted on the mission and Shepard moved to his side, following his gaze to see what he saw.
She wouldn't have noticed it before, but now as she watched she could see the Lieutenant tense as the Commander drew near, saw his hands curl to fists as he struggled to keep his breathing under control, could see the effort in his eyes as he fought to keep steady and not turn to face her – how had she missed that? It seemed so obvious now she saw them both dancing in tandem – each skirting around their feelings, so careful to not let the other see, so careful to keep themselves safe. It was possibly the most insane and incredibly stupid thing she had ever seen in her life. And she had seen a lot of stupid.
Shepard made a clicking noise with her tongue on the roof of her mouth and Kaidan did look at her then, had she not been watching she would have missed it. The light in his dark eyes as he turned to face her, the love that shone there was overwhelming and in that moment it took all her strength not to shake the living daylights out of them both. Now was not the time for that, the mission, as always, came first.
"Alright." Shepard said, stepping back "Get to the shuttle bay both of you – I want you suited and booted. Get a hold of Garrus too, I want him scouting ahead – and Tali, we might need her technical abilities."
Kaidan, mildly offended, shot a breath out his nose as he made to object but he was halted before the words even formed in his throat by Shepard raising a hand "I need you in the field." She said firmly "You can't be split between two jobs, I want you with us in case we get injured." She didn't look at him directly as she said it, pivoting on her ankle as she swept back toward the cockpit entrance "Move now. Joker drop the Mako, we'll go in hot and take those towers out."
"I'll get you in under their radar Commander." He called after them as they filed out behind the Commander, Kaidan paused in the doorway, letting Ashley go first and she smiled – the man's politeness would be his downfall.
The ship was a hive of activity as they swept down the gangway together, striding purposefully they entered the shuttle bay together, the cooler air immediately making her arms break out in gooseflesh. She spotted Wrex by the Mako, he seemed pensive, uptight, pacing – obviously unhappy that he was being left with the ship for this mission, but Ashley understood the call. This required deft infiltration to avoid a bloodbath – a Krogan charging in guns blazing would draw too much attention. He gave her a deadly glare and she raised her chin, ready for anything he might throw at her, she had never agreed with having aliens on the ship – but the Commander was in charge here, not her.
Shepard pushed on ahead, moving to the main battery where she would no doubt be speaking with Tali and Garrus, leaving Kaidan and herself to get into their armour. She turned to the Lieutenant as they reached their lockers, punching in the combinations and opening them almost simultaneously.
"You nervous LT?" She asked, removing her armour pieces carefully.
"I feel good." He said absently, and she could see his attention was on the door to the main battery. She shook her head weakly.
"Why didn't you tell me you liked the Commander?" She asked quietly "I thought we were friends?"
He looked to her guiltily, strapping his leg armour down as he cleared his throat "I just didn't think it was relevant." He said in a whisper "Besides, we have bigger things to worry about Chief."
"Well yeah." Ashley smiled "But we also need you focused." She reasoned.
Kaidan raised an eyebrow at her, a grin stealing at his lips "I'm fine Chief." He patted down his armour, checking he had all he needed as she wriggled into her own.
Shepard emerged with Tali and Garrus in tow.
The Quarian looked supremely beautiful in her enviro-suit Ashley thought, a touch of jealousy gripping her chest. It seemed to cling in the right places, and Quarians were naturally lithe in figure, with lovely swelling hips and bosom – she doubted there was a man on board the Normandy who didn't throw appreciative glances her way. Except the Lieutenant of course whose eyes were locked on the Commander once more, like some kind of fool.
Garrus looked ready for a fight, his sniper rifle slung over one shoulder casually as he approached and gave them both a curt nod. She didn't trust the ex-c-sec officer; not only was he a Turian but he was a turncoat, abandoning C-sec because they 'didn't get things done fast enough', that kind of loyalty was fleeting and she wondered how long it would be before he was bored of the Normandy.
And he was a Turian.
Working with him was like spitting in her grandfather's face.
But she buried that deep down as she plastered a smile on her face and greeted him with a nod in response, turning to Shepard as she cracked her knuckles, her expression hidden behind the visor of her helmet.
"Let's get in the Mako." Shepard said "Dibs on the driver seat." She added, her tone playful.
"Really?" Kaidan blurted, then as though he had just realised what he had said he cleared his throat "I was just thinking it might be better if I drive."
"You got a problem with my driving Alenko?" Shepard asked sharply, turning to face the fumbling Lieutenant. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and shook his head.
"No ma'am." He said keeping his face carefully deadpan "But I've just eaten."
There was a tense moment, where the comment could go either way, but then Shepard reached forward and slapped the side of his helmet playfully, her soft laugh curling at Ashley's ears through the speaker in her helmet. She joined them, chuckling softly as they all filed into the Mako.
The drop was the worst part Shepard thought.
Like a stone the Mako plummeted to the shallow shores of Virmire, the sudden jarring of impact causing her to almost jack-knife in her seat if not for the straps holding her at bay. Her shoulder ached mournfully and itched like crazy.
Taking a moment to glance to each of the passengers strapped in she unhooked her belts, moving to stand behind Kaidan in the driving seat, peering at the console in front of him which showed no hostile life-forms nearby.
"We've got a clean drop Commander." Joker's voice sounded in her ear and she smiled; he was a damn good pilot.
"Stay out of range and continue evasive manoeuvres until we bring those AA towers down." She ordered, tapping Kaidan's shoulder firmly to signal the go ahead. The lieutenant shifted the levers, bringing the Mako to life with a growl from the engine as, with a sudden jolt that caused her to grip the passenger head-rest, the Mako began to move.
"I know the drill." Joker drawled "Meet you at the camp once those towers are offline. Joker out."
"Alright Alenko." She said "Pull up here and we'll let Garrus out. I want you to scout ahead – take out what you can, but I want you to be our eyes. Tell us what we're looking at up ahead, don't get yourself into trouble though Garrus."
The Turian lumbered to his feet, having to stoop and crane his neck against the roof of the Mako as he snapped a cartridge into his rifle.
"You got it Commander." He gave her a stiff nod as the Mako jittered to an unsteady halt, sliding on the sand and water underneath. Uneasy Shepard opened the hatch, letting the Turian stepping out, already second-guessing the decision as she looked back at her steadily.
"Keep us up to date." She nodded and Garrus gave her a curt nod, something she figured was as good as a salute before turning and striding from the Mako; his long legs kicking up water as he moved.
"Will he be alright?" Tali asked where she sat still strapped in next to Ashley, Shepard glanced to the Quarian unwilling to give her that promise; they still had no idea what they were getting in to.
The only information she had been given was that a Salarian infiltration team was here gathering data on Saren when communications went silent. A message was transmitted on a channel secured for important message relays, but the message was clean – only static. The council seemed convinced that whatever the team were trying to get back to them was important, important enough to bring it Shepard's attention anyway; and if they had information on Saren it might be enough to prompt the Council to act at last.
"He'll be fine." Ashley said beside her, taking the hit for her and Shepard gave her a hard look. She knew it was useless anyway; Ashley simply lifted her chin as if to challenge her to say something different. Her and her damned Faith.
"Let's get moving." Shepard said, moving back to stand behind the Lieutenant. "Move out Alenko, nice and easy."
Lunchtime is by far the best time of the day. Normally I sit in the mess surrounded by marines and laugh at the fart jokes, the burps and the jibes and marvel at the tales of heroism passed around like golden rain. I'll sit beside Spooner, pride swelling within me as he tells them all about how fast a learner I am, how I could outmatch most of them already and I'm only a girl.
But not today.
Today the mess is relatively empty. Being docked at the Citadel always causes an emptiness to the Humbee, everyone so eager to go and explore the delights of the alien world – and that includes the food. My tastes are far more fussy though, I would much rather eat in the mess, but with so few to cook for the chef normally takes the time off too and those on board are left to fend for themselves.
It reminds me of my home on Mindoir; raiding the cupboards at night while mom snoozed on the sofa waiting for dad to come home, her pregnant belly hiding her face from view. I can barely remember what she looked like now; just a shock of dark hair and wild, ice blue eyes. Funny how time can be a healer – but it can also be mercilessly cruel in erasing your most precious memories. Like stones in the ocean they get worn over time, the details becoming greyer, the lines and edges a bit smudgy – until finally all you can really remember clearly are insignificant details that don't actually make a whole person.
I stuff a cake bar into my mouth, quickly in case someone comes in and catches me. An old habit maybe as I am encouraged to eat now, told to keep my strength up, but back on Mindoir I was constantly getting my knuckles rapped for pinching food.
Wiping my mouth I take a high grade energy drink and shake it up – the thick liquid slugging inside the glass bottle as I unscrew the cap.
I know where Spooner is. The only place he would ever be on the Humbee, the shuttle bay modding his precious weapons.
Spooner moons over weapons the way some men moon over flight cars, he's forever polishing them, sharpening his combat knives, modding his guns. He's taught me a lot too in that respect, a marine is only as good as his weapon he would say, all attempts at seriousness.
I pause outside the shuttle bay doors, curious that they are locked, that is an unusual occurrence – but not a problem with my hacking abilities which are also slowly improving. I was given my own omni-tool from the Admiral, something that I will covet till the end of days.
I punch in the override codes, bringing the bottle to my lips as the doors slide open.
The room is dark, which is normal, but the light is especially muted today; only a single glare of lamp light shining at the utility table off in the distance, and some jerking movement against the black. I pause, narrowing my eyes as I realise it's two people; entangled in a passionate clinch.
Feeling my neck flare suddenly with heat I make to move away when I recognise Spooner – the sight of him knocking the breath from me as I stare in horror. He's seen me, moving toward me, lumbering and awkward in his height and his mouth is moving, but I hear nothing. Behind him Engineer Smith pulls his shirt closed once more.
"Skipper!" He cries and this does somehow get through, I do hear it, and I look at him – the bottle slipping from my frozen grip to smash on the grating at my feet. "It's alright, I can explain!" He adds hurriedly, pulling his own shirt together and fumbling with the buttons.
I can't breathe; my lungs are like ice as I stare beyond him, back to where Engineer Smith is fixing his hair, pulling and straightening his clothes while trying to keep his eyes on the floor. He's gay. How could I have missed that? How…?
I look to him and he is still talking, the noise like a war in my head and I suddenly realise that I can't think straight with all that noise. I can't even breathe. Pushing away from him I feel my feet turning to run, but he grabs my arm, his words spilling out of him so fast and furious I have no hope of keeping up with them.
"Let me go!" I scream at him, and without intent my scream suddenly becomes something, a bolt of blue energy that hits him square in the chest and sends him flying.
I pause, my heart thundering ahead of me as I reel over what has happened. Turning I run; blindly. Heading anywhere as long as it is a million miles from here.
"No pressure Tali, but today would be great!" Shepard called, ducking as a bullet whizzed past her head, grazing her cheekbone and drawing a thin line of blood.
Ashley felt it, glancing back to the Quarian who was huddled over a console, her fingers moving so furiously they were almost a blur. She glanced back up the corridor to where the Geth were waiting, their mechanical noises deafening as they echoed down the long stone corridor toward them.
They were trapped, the only saving grace that in order to get at them the Geth had to come down that corridor and once inside its narrow hallway they were completely exposed.
"I'm trying!" The Quarian shouted back, her voice strained through the speaker at the front of her enviro-suit; if they could sweat Ashley bet she would be sweating. At last she ducked away from the console, the flashing hum of the Geth generator shuddering to a standstill – the blue light fizzing out with a groan.
"It's down!" Tali shouted, taking cover behind Kaidan as the Geth pressed their assault, a hail of bullets raining into the room.
She glanced across to Shepard, her faced marred and dirty from fighting, strands of dark hair plastered to her forehead. Her helmet, long abandoned outside somewhere. She looked hard back at Ashley and she knew her plan without her having to even speak a word. She opened her mouth to protest, but it was too late, Shepard was already on her feet and in the corridor.
Ashley moved after her, more to try and stop her than anything else, but the Commander was already too many steps ahead of her. She moved like water, dodging shots that anyone else would have been caught by, taking a calculated run at the entrance as she skidded low to the ground, that faint blue glow suddenly humming to life around her as she crashed a fist into the floor sending the Geth surrounding her flying back, their circuits fried instantaneously by the blow-out.
Ashley felt her jaw drop as she watched, forever eclipsed by this biotic goddess it seemed. She was a truly remarkable thing to behold in action – if she hadn't believed that Elysium had been won by a single soldier, half an hour in the presence of the Commander and she would have sworn her life on it.
"I'm reading that the grid is out." Joker's voice sounded in their earpieces "On approach to the Salarian base now; great work."
Kaidan helped Tali to her feet and together the three of them approached Shepard as she got to her feet shakily, dusting off her armour as she glanced back at them. It was one of those moments, one of those freeze-frame shots – the Commander in her glory, standing in her red armour, a single line of blood on her cheek – the wind catching her hair and blowing it behind her as she laid her blue eyes on her team. In that moment Ashley understood why she liked her so much; she kicked ass with such flawless and effortless style.
"We should keep moving." Kaidan said, storing his pistol at his hip once more; he was obviously reeling from the moment too – but for a far different reason Ashley figured glancing the mottled redness of his cheeks and neck, and the way he kept his eyes carefully trained on the ground.
"You're right." Shepard conceded making to move. She paused, her hand fluttering out to press on the wall as the other went to her forehead steadying herself.
"Commander." Kaidan warned "You need an energy bar."
"I'm fine." She growled, shaking it off as she picked up her pace, heading back for the Mako.
Ashley caught his eyes and he looked at her seriously as if waiting for her to give it a go. With a sigh she gave him a nod and he handed her a bar from his pack silently. She pressed forward, breaking into s jog to catch up with the Commander as she worked the hatch of the Mako open.
"You should really eat Commander." Ashley said, offering the energy bar up. Shepard looked hard at her, her blue eyes like stone as her gaze ticked from the bar back to her. Silently she took the bar from Ashley's fingers begrudgingly, climbing inside the Mako and out of sight.
The Salarian base camp was relatively small considering the size of team that supposedly was here. It consisted of some makeshift buildings, propped against the growing wind and full of fast-talking, jerky Salarians that made his head spin. He hadn't spent much time in their company – on whole as a species – because they talked far too fast for him, usually addling him with migraines with one conversation.
They were, however, incredibly intelligent and short lived. Perhaps that was why they talked so fast, because comparatively Salarians only lived about 50 human years if they were lucky.
The Normandy was landed a bit back from the camp, the ramp down in the blue waters the crew were milling outside taking advantage of the sunshine. He doubted it was going to last – in the distance he could see the beginnings of storm clouds.
"Are you the one in charge here? What's the situation?" He heard Shepard's commanding voice and turned his attention back to the Salarian who stood in front of them. He was like every other Kaidan had ever met – resembling some kind of giant sand-Geko, definitely amphibian in origin, their large, placid eyes betraying the rush of thoughts that went on under the surface.
"I'm Captain Kirrahe." The Salarian said, his voice mildly lofty as he regarded Shepard cooly "Third Infiltration Regiment STG." The title was mightily impressive, but Shepard never flinched – maybe she didn't care he was STG. She was N7 Kaidan reasoned, which was the Alliance equivalent really, maybe she didn't feel as intimidated by it as he did. "You and your crew have just landed in the middle of a hot zone." The Captain said accusingly "Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted to your presence."
Shepard sighed, irritated, flicking her hair over her shoulder "So what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" She asked hotly and the Captain met it with a cold stare.
"We stay put until the Council sends the reinforcements we requested."
Kaidan blinked, shaking his head at the Salarian "We are the reinforcements." He blurted.
The Captain looked to him, back to the Commander obviously unimpressed "What?!" He squawked "You're all they sent? I told the Council to send a fleet!"
Shepard rubbed her forehead with her fingers "We couldn't understand your transmission, the Council sent me here to investigate."
"That is a repetition of our task." The Salarian Captain sighed tiredly "I've lost half my men investigating this place."
Sensing an opening Kaidan stepped up beside the Commander "So what have you found?" He asked.
The Captain looked at him, moving his shoulders in an almost defeated manner "This is Saren's base of operations. He's set up a research facility here but it's crawling with Geth and very well fortified."
"Is he here?" Shepard asked urgently "Have you seen him?"
The Captain inclined his head smoothly "No, but his Geth are everywhere and we've intercepted some comms referring to Saren. This is his facility – there's no doubt about that."
Shepard nodded, her brow furrowing as she chewed on her lip "What's he researching? Do we know?"
The Captain paused, as if trying to decide how much to tell them "He's using the facility to breed an army of Krogan."
Kaidan felt the blood rush from his face as he took that in, considered what it truly meant. The Krogan were a fearsome species, long hailed for their combat efficiency and deadly brutality. They had been used once, many years ago, by the Council to wipe out an encroaching invasion of insect-aliens called Rachni; but once the Krogan had served their purpose they were deemed a danger themselves and the Council worked with top Salarian scientists to devise a solution to the rapid Krogan reproduction rates. That solution came in the form of a sterility drug; known as the Genophage it stopped Krogan young surviving birth on such a scale that it crippled the Krogan people – only one in every thousand born would survive.
Kaidan had never agreed with the genophage, but then this had all happened before humans were even spacefaring, it was a different time back then – different variables, he had no right to stand now and say they were wrong or right to do it.
If Saren were to somehow breed himself an army of the killers he would be unstoppable.
"How is that even possible?" A gruff voice asked and Kaidan turned to see Wrex approach. He had been standing by listening, as a Krogan himself it would be no wonder Wrex would be curious about someone breeding an army.
The Captain gave him a wary look "Apparently Saren has discovered a cure for the Genophage." He said coldly. They all took a moment to absorb what that would mean.
Shepard was the first to break the silence, pinching her bottom lip between her forefinger and thumb as she frowned "The Geth are bad enough," She said quietly "but a Krogan army? He'd be almost unstoppable."
Captain Kirrahe nodded vehemently "Exactly my thought. We must ensure this facility and it's secrets are destroyed." He added, careful to avoid the angry glare of the Krogan beside Shepard.
"Destroyed?" Wrex growled, balking at the Salarian as he threw his hands out "I don't think so. Our people are dying. This cure can save them."
The Captain shook his head "If that cure leaves this planet the Krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make the same mistake again."
Wrex took a sharp step toward the Salarian, enough that the Captain made to move back and Shepard gripped the Krogan's shoulder. They had all seen how unpredictable he could be.
"We are not a mistake!" He glared, jabbing a finger into the Salarians chest angrily. With that he stormed away, leaving them all breathing a sigh of relief.
"Is he going to be a problem?" Captain Kirrahe asked, eyeing the Commander sceptically "We already have enough angry Krogan to deal with."
Shepard took a breath "He'll be fine. I'll talk to him."
The Captain seemed relieved at that, giving her a firm nod "I would appreciate that Commander." He almost smiled "My men and I need to rethink our plan of attack. Can you give us some time?"
Shepard gave him a nod, turning to look at Kaidan warily, then to Ashley who had been standing silently by his side the whole time. The sound of a gunshot echoed through the camp and all three flinched simultaneously, glancing back to see Wrex shooting his shotgun at the fish in the shallows. Kaidan grimaced, turning back to Shepard he sighed.
"Looks like things are a bit of a mess." He said quietly and Shepard met his look, her blue eyes faraway and troubled as she raked a hand through her hair.
"Yeah, no shit." She laughed, looking off to the distance.
"I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for Wrex." Ashley added, her eyes fixed over Kaidan's shoulder to where Wrex stood cursing and swearing and shooting. "He looks like he's going to blow a gasket."
Kaidan paused frowning at the idiom as he considered it carefully – such an odd expression for someone so young to use.
"You think I should talk to him?" Shepard asked them both and he shook the thought aside, looking seriously to her.
"It couldn't hurt." He said gently.
"Well it might." Ashley added with a worried frown "Just do it carefully."
Shepard gave her a small smile "I'll be careful, but be ready; both of you. Just in case."
Ashley gave her a wry smile, waving her off "I'm always ready Shep."
Ashley was right, Wrex was really on the edge of his temper. The Krogan was pacing, leaving great trails in the wet sand as he marched back and forth, throwing his arms around, shooting his shotgun erratically as he raved and roared to himself, most she couldn't comprehend as she approached him carefully.
He spotted her coming, pausing in his pacing as he snorted angrily at her, his red eyes looking her over from toe to head as he rose to his full height – towering over her by at least two feet.
"This isn't right Shepard." He barked, his demeanour menacing enough that she put her hand to her pistol just to reassure herself it was there. "If there's a cure for the Genophage then we can't just destroy it."
She sighed, the argument pulling at her conscience as she watched the old Krogan. She felt for his people; all but sterilized for the help they gave to the galaxy – the whole galaxy. None of them would be here if it wasn't for the Krogan blood that stained the battlefields against the Rachni. She took a steadying breath – she had to keep this in focus.
"I understand you're upset." She began, splaying her hands to try and fend off his aggressive stance "But we both know Saren is the enemy here. He's the one you should be angry with."
Wrex paused, looking at her incredulously as he shook his large head "Really?" He asked, taking a menacing step toward her, out of the corner of her eye she glanced Kaidan and Ashley readying weapons and she waved a hand at them, hoping they took it as a signal to back down. The Krogan rumbled on "Saren created a cure for my people. You want to destroy it. Help me out here Shepard, the lines between friend and foe are getting a little blurry from where I stand."
She caught her breath, taking a chance and stepping toward him as she rebuked his words "This isn't a cure!" She insisted heatedly "It's a weapon. And if Saren is allowed to use it you won't be around to reap the benefits." She swallowed "None of us will."
Wrex rallied on her, pulling his shotgun round he aimed it at her chest prompting Shepard to react she whipped her pistol out, aiming it for his head. She could sense Kaidan and Ashley at the ready, waiting for her word, but dammit she couldn't just lose one of her crew like this!
"That is a chance we should be willing to take!" Wrex thundered, shaking with rage as the barrel of his gun quivered in her vision "This is the fate of my entire people we're talking about. I've been loyal to you so far," He added, his voice deadly cold "hell you did more for me than my own family ever did. But if I am going to keep following you I need to know we're doing this for the right reasons."
Shepard blinked, lowering her pistol slowly as she shook her head sadly "Wrex, these Krogan are not your people." She said quietly "They're slaves of Saren. Tools." She swallowed "Is that what you want for them?"
For a fearful moment she thought she had lost him and he was going to pull the trigger, but instead he gave out a groan, lowering his shotgun at last as he muttered "No. We were tools for the council once. To thank us for wiping out the Rachni they neutered us all." He sighed "I doubt Saren will be as generous." He dropped his stance, looking off to the distance where storm clouds were rapidly gathering "Alright." He said thickly "You've made your point. But when we find Saren, I want his head."
Shepard placed a tentative hand on his large shoulder "You'll have to get in line." She smiled.