Chapter 38 – Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
With Normandy docked, and the crew ready to depart for shore-leave, Shepard watched from her place at the bay window as Huerta's medics wheeled Gardew past in a rush, Cael following behind. He was still critical, and though Chakwas was more than capable of dealing with it, a hospital full of doctors and resources would take the pressure off her. Then came Cortez, with Chakwas in tow, though the pace was more leisurely, and Terra smiled as she saw the shuttle pilot awake.
As she stepped forward, the attendants slowed to a stop for her, then retreated to give them privacy, chatting to Chakwas.
"Steve." Her hand clasped his. "About time you woke up. Anyone would think you'd lost a few pints of blood," she teased.
"Just proves what a task-master you are, Admiral," he grinned. Then it faltered. "I thought I was done for, Shepard. I thought I was going to let you down."
"Not you, Steve. Bau told me about an animal he'd encountered down there. If that was the thing that attacked you, you were lucky to survive."
"It was probably taller than me on hind-legs. Just claws and teeth and muscle. Note to self: don't leave the damn shuttle door open." He shook his head at himself. "So stupid."
"Don't be too hard on yourself."
"Shepard, you and the whole team could have died waiting for me to show up."
"Come on, Cortez," intervened Kaidan with a smile as he joined them, the others meandering out behind him. His arm automatically curled around Terra's waist when he got to her. "Falling whilst waiting for a pick-up? We're better than that!"
"You've got that right!" Garrus came to a stand-still on Cortez's other side. "Just gave us a chance to bring down a few hundred more assailants before we left," he shrugged.
"Esteban!" James swiftly replaced Garrus, a huge grin on his face. "You're up, my man! We've got to have a serious chat! That's not an advisable way to feed the animals, amigo."
"Funny, Mr Vega."
"From what I hear, that's not the only animal being fed," said Wrex with a rumbling laugh.
Cortez stared back at James. "Are you actually blushing?"
"Of course, he is," butted in Jack as she knocked Wrex aside in order to get under James' waiting arm. "I know how to get his blood flowing," she smirked.
Wrex and Garrus were chortling as James went redder.
Shepard rolled her eyes. "It's like hanging around a group of hormonal teenagers."
James cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So Esteban, you realise I had to take over the Kodiak when you went for a snooze, no?"
Steve's face went from one of pleasant surprise at his friend's new relationship, to one of dread. "Oh no. What's the damage?"
"Don't worry," reassured Kaidan. "Clay's done a great job on the repairs so far."
Steve looked down at his shoulder. "Doc said I won't be able to fly for a while. You've got no shuttle pilot, Shepard."
"I could do it." Clay swallowed as the group of veterans all turned to look at him. "I mean, I flew them all the time on Rannoch. Spent more time in the air than I did on the ground."
Shepard mused over that. "Doc? How long before Cortez can be up and about?"
"I'll be finished with the reconstruction by the end of today, so I'd say another twelve hours before I've completed my follow-up scans. The arm will have to be kept immobile, though. Absolutely no flying."
Shepard smiled at Cortez. "When you feel up to it, you could assess Clay. If you think he's good enough, he can be your substitute until you're ready to take back the reins."
"Sounds good," nodded Cortez. "I've got high standards, though," he warned Clay. "Their lives could be in your hands."
"I understand, Sir. I'll accept your judgement."
"Excellent," smiled Shepard. "This feels like karma. I was looking for the right time to announce your promotion. Congratulations, Flight-Commander Cortez. I've wrangled it so you'll be based from the Normandy for any training. You'll get only the top performers. Any time off-ship will be minimal."
"Wow…. Thanks, Shepard."
"You're welcome. Can't have you feeling home-sick."
"Looks like I'd better get a move on with that shoulder then," said Chakwas, nodding at the attendants to cart him away.
"Check in with you later," promised Shepard, and Cortez raised his working arm up in farewell that filtered throughout them all as they dispersed.
For her part, she was eager to get home, and with Kaidan's hand clasped in hers, they headed for a sky-car.
oOo
Hackett left his ship and headed towards the Presidium. It wasn't where he wanted to go – that was with his family – but duty came before his personal wants. He'd updated Osoba during the journey back and was meeting with the councillor before they attended a formal one with the rest of the Council during more sociable hours.
These were the times he felt far too old. Rubbing the new scar that sat close to his heart, it suddenly hit him how close he'd come to leaving this galaxy. He damn well wasn't ready to go anywhere anytime soon. He had a granddaughter to watch grow up. Still, despite the fire for life that burned within him, every now and then he felt exceedingly tired.
Some of it was because of the defeat on Parnack. The loss of life was difficult to take. He imagined the rippling effect each death would have throughout the galaxy as families were notified. There would be a lot of sorrow being felt.
Despite the briefing on Normandy and the paths they had open to them that denoted they were far from beaten, and even with the news that Solus thought he'd solved the spore issue, there was something holding him back from feeling any of that weight lifting from his shoulders over the Leviathans.
It was probably that they still had a way to go. Not until they'd dealt the killing blow to the Leviathans themselves would he be able to rest.
His omnitool rang and he sighed at the caller, regardless that it was a call he'd been waiting for. With the area almost deserted at this early hour, he answered it as he walked. "You've got shitty timing, Zaeed."
"I'm crying for you, but I'm ready to go. Sending you the co-ordinates now - if you're still up for sending in that back-up. Whatever, I'm hitting them in six hours."
"I gave my word. Back-up will be on its way. May even get there before you," he goaded, lightly.
"I'm up for that challenge. No way in hell anyone else is getting the honour of off-loading a clip into Santiago's goddamned face. Hope your back-up's not going to have a problem with that."
"They'll have orders to clear the base and secure Santiago for transport on your vessel. What you do with him after that is up to you."
"Hell, yeah. I can taste the revenge already. You up for helping me celebrate when I'm done? Cigar and a bottle of the finest whisky, on me."
"Dipping your hand into your pocket? Now that I have to see. Can't promise it'll be anytime soon, things are a little crazy right now, but I'll get back to you when things calm down."
"Looking forward to it. Send my regards to Shepard."
"Not a chance. Take care out there, Zaeed."
"Care's boring. Smart but goddamned fucking angry is much more fun. Catch you later, old friend."
As Hackett closed his tool and finished his travel to Osoba's office, he decided that there were distinct advantages to being as carefree as Zaeed Massani.
oOo
oOo
Terra was cuddled up in the rear of the cab with Rorie as Kaidan drove, listening to more chatter from her daughter. The dazzling and delighted greeting when Rorie had woken to see them there, still had Terra on a high. She loved those moments of pure happiness, but at the same time they brought with them a little guilt that there were so many. Would she ever just be there for Rorie? Her arms throbbed in an unhelpful reminder that one day she might not even make it back at all….
She looked down at the beautiful creature she'd made with Kaidan. The cap given her by Joker was firmly planted over her head, her black hair threaded through the space in the back above the adjustable strap, like a ponytail. Puppy was sitting in her lap, and Moon was bulging out her left trouser pocket. Today she'd chosen a jacket that looked suspiciously like a child-size copy of an Alliance one – Rorie had surely coerced her grandparents into buying it as soon as she'd seen it. Thankfully the soldier look was watered down by the bright purple top beneath which had white flowers decorated over it. Terra wondered if it was inevitable that Rorie would follow their path, or if maybe she'd chose an easier, safer life. She hoped for the latter.
Then they were pulling out of the main flow of traffic and parking.
"Here we are," announced Kaidan, sounding upbeat for Rorie. Terra knew it was a façade. He hated their daughter having to be brought here as much as she did. Always had. Thanks to Narin Solus' care, to Rorie it was just another place to visit to see people, and she was as vibrant as ever as she skipped alongside them.
There was someone Terra needed to see before they got underway, though, and she stopped at the reception desk.
"Oh!" exclaimed the human receptionist, flustered. "Commander Shepard! What can I do for you!?"
There were many for whom she would forever be referred to by her former rank. It seemed to give people reassurance to hear the name as it was when she stopped the Reapers. The past times she had corrected people, she'd received confused looks, stammered apologies, and after a few more words were exchanged, they'd gone right back to calling her Commander. So now Terra didn't bother. Besides, Admiral made her feel old, though she'd never tell her dad that.
"Could you direct me to one of your patients, Liara T'Soni, please?"
"One moment." The receptionist tapped away and gave her the wing and room number.
"Thank you. Could you also inform Dr Solus we're here?"
"Yes, Commander." The receptionist eyes boggled again as she finally noticed Kaidan, and there was the usual preening and flushed cheeks as she recognised the handsome Spectre. "Oh, General Alenko!"
Terra nearly rolled her eyes at that. Amazing how the woman gets his title right.
"I was watching a documentary last night all about you! It was fascinating!"
"Really?" Kaidan frowned. "Uh, I wouldn't put much confidence in anything they broadcasted. I'm pretty sure they'd need to speak to the source before being able to tell-all."
The receptionist didn't seem concerned about that and she gushed on. "The hardship you went through as a biotic child…" She clutched at her heart in empathy. "I mean, your parents dying as they tried to protect you from the lynch-mobs on Earth; having to survive in the alleys of Omega as an outcast! It makes you all the more amazing! I was simply blown away!"
"Uh…That, uh… that never happened."
"And you're so modest, too! You're just wonderful!"
The receptionist laid her hand on his arm, moistening her lips, and Terra just walked away with Rorie, fighting the laughter while Kaidan excused himself from his admirer. When he caught them up and nudged her, Terra let go.
"It's not funny," he complained, though he wore a small smile to go with his embarrassed complexion. "Don't you have an inner cave-dweller just waiting to emerge when someone flirts outrageously with your man?"
That made Terra laugh more. "To literally blow her away? It appears I'm more evolved."
"Huh! Ouch! My pride!"
"Am I 'volved?" asked Rorie.
"You're more evolved than anyone I know," assured Terra, making her little girl smile happily even though she couldn't possibly know what it all meant. Thankfully, Rorie was too distracted with her surroundings to ask, and so Terra was saved from having to explain it.
It took nearly five minutes to get to Liara's wing.
"Dr So-us!" Rorie ran the rest of the corridor to greet Narin, just before they got to the turning to Liara's room.
"Welcome back, Aurora." He crouched down to her. "Pleased to see you. Am hoping you would be able to help me again."
"You want to take some of my special bubbles?"
Terra smiled wistfully at the word Rorie used when talking about the spores. She'd been shown a picture of what they were extracting once, and she'd instantly decided they were bubbles, and had been ever since.
"Indeed. If you don't mind," said Narin, always getting her permission first.
She nodded. "You can have some. Mommy says it's nice to share."
"Thank you, Aurora." Narin stood to address the adults. "Will use room at end of corridor." He indicated in the opposite direction from where they'd been heading. "First need to do final scan on Dr T'Soni."
"Oh. Then we'll stay out of your way," said Terra. This was a personal issue for Liara and so she didn't feel she could intrude.
"As you wish."
With Narin turning towards Liara's room, Terra and Kaidan looked for the suddenly-absent Rorie.
"Rorie?" called Kaidan, worried.
Terra's own heart was in her mouth, but then she heard their daughter's beautiful voice, and Narin gestured to a room just a few doors down from Liara's. Inside, Rorie was on tiptoe at a stranger's bedside, whose head was bandaged. The turian looked down at her in bemusement as she sang to him about Jack and Jill.
"I'm so sorry, Sir," apologised Kaidan as he hurried to retrieved her. "Honey, you can't be in here."
"He hurt his head, daddy."
"I can see that, but you weren't invited."
"It's okay," mumbled the turian. "It broke up an otherwise boring morning."
"See? He's lonely."
Shaking her head in amusement as Kaidan tried to convince Rorie that the turian didn't really want to play a game of I-Spy, Terra noticed Samara standing outside Liara's room. Everything else faded out then. If that scan showed the treatment had failed, Samara's code would demand she act. Liara would be forced to make a choice between the monastery or death.
Her concern propelled her forward, the weight of the pistol at her hip reminding her it would be woefully inadequate against Samara. Then her insides stuttered at what she was preparing herself for. Battling Samara. It had nothing to do with her being a matriarch, and everything to do with her being a friend.
A hand rested on her shoulder.
"I am with you, Shepard."
She peered back at Javik and nodded, grateful for his presence. There are times you have to be stronger than your feelings. His words came back to her. Despite everything she'd been through - the horrible decisions she'd been forced to make, the countless times she'd buried her emotions down deep in order to do what had to be done because there was no other way – she'd couldn't believe that she might have to do this. Nevertheless, she followed Samara and Narin inside Liara's room, giving one last miniscule shake of her head to Kaidan as he came back out into the corridor with Rorie in hand and looked at her. Reading his face told her he understood, that he wasn't happy at the situation, and he was worried about her. Then he tugged Rorie away to safety, because he had no other choice.
"Shepard!" smiled Liara, reaching out to her from where she sat on the edge of the bed, looking tired from little sleep.
Terra didn't hesitate to take her friend's hand, aware of the slight tremor there, and she hoped it would help mask her own. "I'll understand if you'd rather have privacy." Maybe it was a way to get Samara out of the room…
"I am pleased you are here, Shepard. Your presence gives me strength… for whatever may come." Her eyes flicked to Samara and back to Shepard again. Liara then straightened her back and nodded at Narin to begin.
The data running down the omnitool's screen was the only movement within the silent room. Feron was tucked away in a chair in the corner of the room, hands clasping the armrests, taking it all in. Samara watched with guarded interest just inside the door, yet still she held herself in that self-assured, at ease way. Javik was alert in the doorway, placing himself just behind Samara. Shepard's pistol was now at his fingertips – she'd passed it to him before entering the room. She wouldn't like to say how effective his biotics would be when met with Samara's, but Aethyta was here, coiled like a predator ready to strike if any move is made to threaten it, or in this case her child, all trace of that wicked sense of humour gone.
Terra inhaled slowly to steady her rampant heartbeat. The waiting was killing her, and from Liara's tight grasp on her hand, she knew she wasn't the only one.
She took to studying Narin's face, looking for anything that might give away what he was seeing on that screen. Nothing. He'd make a good poker player, she thought inanely.
Stifling the sigh as each passing second strung out her nerves, Shepard once again remembered why she hated hospitals so much. Inaction was an unnatural state for her, and unless you were a doctor, that's all one did when inside their walls.
Then Narin closed his omnitool with a sudden sharp move that had them all holding the air in their lungs. He looked directly at Liara, seeming to consider his words, and Terra had an intense urge to grab those horns atop his head and shake him violently by them.
"Excellent news!" Narin smiled. "Therapy a success! No sign of defective gene. Ardat-yakshi no longer a term that applies, Dr T'Soni. Reproduction system also showing signs of functioning."
There was stunned silence at first. Then it processed, and while Aethyta and Feron began laughing with their relief, Liara was trying hard not to sob.
Terra smiled at her, squeezing the hand in hers, incredibly relieved on two counts. "It's over." She turned to Samara whose head was bowed, and for the first time, Terra saw her lose that noble aura.
"Thank you, Doctor," rasped Liara. "You are a truly outstanding scientist. And to you, Shepard, for not giving up on me. For pushing me to seek another solution, and leading me here. If you had not been there that day…." Liara once again glanced at the Justicar. "Samara?"
"You are free to go, Dr T'Soni," Samara answered her as she straightened, and Javik moved aside to allow her exit.
"We'll celebrate just as soon as I'm done here." With one last smile at Liara, Terra hurried out too. "Samara."
The asari matriarch stilled in the corridor but didn't turn. "Shepard. I must go."
Terra reached out to place her hand on Samara's arm. "What will you do now?" Samara finally turned and Terra's hand dropped away.
"I must right an injustice," was all the asari said, with a look that was both grateful and troubled. Then she continued her departure.
As Samara disappeared around the corner, Terra saw Kaidan at the opposite end of the corridor. He was stationed in the doorway of the room Narin had set aside for them, and she went to him.
He drew her in for a hug. "I can't believe you can find the potential for trouble even inside a hospital."
She sank into him. "It worked, Kaidan. Liara's going to be fine, and I didn't have to fight a friend." She peered up at him with a raised brow. "And isn't it you who has experience of gunfights inside a hospital?"
Kaidan winced, knowing he'd been caught out. "Ah…. Yes, actually."
"Right here in this very hospital, in fact."
"Okay. Point taken," he surrendered. "But for the record, I'm going greyer every second you do things I'm not prepared for. Do me a favour and please don't take any more risks. Taking on a Justicar with no weapon..." he tapped her hip where her gun should have been, "...would have been a big one."
Before she could answer, Narin coughed deliberately behind her.
"Shall we continue?" Success had made the young doctor buoyant and his enthusiasm to move on radiated from him.
Inside, Rorie was hiding from Narin. It had become a standard rite that nothing could proceed until the doctor had found her and, as always, he played along. Standing still, Narin tapped his finger against his mouth. "Hm. Disappearing patient. Most curious." He ignored the giggle, as well as the wiggly child clearly outlined under the bed's single sheet.
Kaidan watched in amusement as Narin continued to go from one end of the room to the other in his 'search'. Then Rorie did what she always did after mere minutes, and jumped up in victory with a laughing, 'BOO!"
Narin pretended to be surprised, which was rather easy with his large salarian eyes, and Rorie was delighted.
"I got you again!"
"Always do! Most perplexing." With that done, the smile remained as Narin took the tray from the nurse who appeared. On it were two extraction syringe guns which were attached to small vials containing a clear liquid, and one, currently empty, dispensing syringe. Narin held up one of the vials like he was displaying his finest work.
"Perfect environment to keep spores from degrading. Was most baffling at first. Knew from accounts that thorian spores spread through air. Couldn't understand why they were degrading so quickly in lab. Made no sense. Then had epiphany. Thorian must have dispersed spores within miniscule droplets of liquid to keep them alive and uncontaminated from outside influences. Needed to recreate that. Had great difficulty at first, but have overcome obstacle. Answer found by studying plants with similar reproduction methods. Thorian far more advanced, and similar plant-life a rarity, but accomplished task." He looked at the vial like a proud father. "Solution also encourages spore reproduction once inside body." Replacing the vial back into its place, he readied the syringe. "Will take two samples from Aurora. One to go direct to you, Shepard. One to be grown in lab. Subsequent samples will be taken from that and not Aurora. This will be last time," he assured the parents.
Chakwas entered the room. "I can't believe we're actually here," she said quietly. "I was beginning to think it wasn't possible."
"Nothing impossible," countered Narin. "Just complex. Shepard's revival perfect example."
Chakwas squeezed Shepard's arm. "Certainly is."
Rorie knew the drill. She sat chest to chest with her mother in an embrace, her hair drawn to one side, and absolutely still. Most importantly to Kaidan, she looked relaxed and unbothered by it all. He didn't take his eyes away as Narin carefully aligned the syringe against Rorie's nape. It was paramount that he didn't come into contact with her nervous system itself. Chakwas held her omnitool up over the area which provided an x-ray-like image, but magnified. It projected the path of the needle, and once Narin was satisfied it was in an ideal place, he gently pulled at the spores which were immediately sent down into the vial.
Kaidan didn't want them to do the second one. Protectiveness overwhelmed him, no matter that Rorie wasn't making any fuss. He just wanted her left alone. Still, he stayed quiet as the second syringe was in hand.
Then it was done. There were two vials of liquid that now also contained the spores, and after Terra, Narin and Chakwas' praises for Rorie's bravery, she was back on her feet and bouncing over to him after having to stay still for all of five minutes. Kaidan collected her up and held her tightly with a kiss to her forehead.
"Don't worry, daddy. It didn't hurt. It was only tickly," she said, surprising him with her perceptiveness.
"Glad to hear that, honey." But his concern didn't end there. Terra was still sat on the bed, and Narin was moving one of the vials into the dispensing syringe.
"Ready, Shepard?"
"As I'll ever be."
But Kaidan wasn't. "Wait. Are there likely to be any side-effects?" he frowned, moving closer to his wife.
"Dealing with new procedure," answered Narin. "Impossible to guarantee no side-effects, but Aurora is healthy. No reason for anything different here. However, will monitor Shepard."
"There's nothing to suggest it could do Shepard any harm, Kaidan," added Chakwas. "Neither one of us would place her at risk."
He knew that, but he needed to ask the questions. "How certain are you this implantation of spores will be successful?"
"I've seen Dr Solus' last simulation results," informed Chakwas. "This is going to work, Kaidan."
"Subsequent scans will show reproduction of spores," explained Narin. "Beyond that…. Will only know for certain upon contact with Leviathans."
"I'll be fine, Kaidan." Terra stroked her hand over his where it rested at Rorie's back. "We have to do this."
"I know. It's just…more foreign invasions." He touched the side of Terra's head, his palm sliding over the soft skin of her cheek, fingers smoothing over her hair, his thumb caressing her temple. Except the spores would be another barrier…. He stepped back. "Sorry, Doc. All this seemed so far away and I suppose I hadn't really considered it all until now. Go ahead."
"Understand fears," Narin said. "No apology necessary."
The syringe was at Terra's nape and within seconds the contents of the vial were injected into her.
It was done.
"How does it feel?" asked Chakwas, joining Narin with her own scans.
"Tingly," Terra said, smiling back at Rorie.
"Narin," hushed Chakwas, staring at her screen.
"What's wrong?" Kaidan asked immediately.
"Absolutely nothing, Kaidan. Relax," admonished Chakwas.
"Spores reproducing already," enthused Narin.
"It's working," grinned Chakwas.
Sighing out his relief, Kaidan took Terra's hand, connecting the three of them together. They no longer had to depend on technology that had already been compromised. Her mind was safe.
oOo
The evening had turned into a gathering.
Almost everyone they knew on the Citadel seemed to have gradually turned up at the Alenko household and so they'd gone with it, the success with the spores lifting everyone's spirits. Though only a select few of them knew about Liara, those that did were quietly celebrating that breakthrough, too; Liara herself looking unburdened for the first time in a while. Cortez had been released from Huerta, his arm bound tightly to his chest, accompanied by Chakwas bringing news that Gardew was out of danger. Hackett had revealed that with the spore issue resolved, the Council had ordered all resources be made available so the lab-grown spores could be cultivated in large quantity. Coats was assured he'd be at the top of the list.
Terra stood in the kitchen, grabbing some more bottles of beer from the fridge to hand out. She could hear the happy chatter around her, and Rorie's from-the-belly laughter was flowing down from upstairs as she played with Jack in what was bound to centre around their biotics. That's when she had a strange sensation, like an almost imperceptible whisper in her mind of a thought that wasn't hers. Concerned, she lowered the bottles to the counter and stood still. There was something there, though she found she was able to block it out easily. However, she was intrigued as to just what it was. There was no feeling of intent from whatever it was, no pressure to suggest it was trying to assert itself. It simply exuded warmth and light, and Terra was drawn to it, slowly opening her mind to it.
Hi, mommy!
Terra gasped, swinging round, her elbow catching a bottle and knocking it to the floor where it smashed open and sent everyone on alert. But all Terra was aware of was the fact that Rorie was upstairs.
"Terra? What's wrong?"
Kaidan worried countenance was in front of her, his hands bracing her arms, but Terra couldn't answer. Instead, she tentatively reached out with her mind.
Rorie?
Uh huh! You're in my head, like magic!
Terra gave a breathless laugh, of stunned amazement. Not only could she 'hear' Rorie - even converse with her - she could also feel the excitement and pure happiness of her daughter. It was beautiful.
Looking at those who'd gathered around her, Terra realised that both Chakwas and Solus were scanning her, everyone's faces heavy with concern. She addressed Kaidan, her hands gripping the fabric at his chest. "I could hear Rorie. In my head. We could speak with each other!"
Kaidan stared back at her, open-mouthed. It was a look mirrored in the faces of the others.
Then Jack was pushing through the silent group with Rorie in her arms, looking a little unsettled. "What the hell's going on? Ror phased out on me. Said she was talking to you."
Terra took her daughter, who looked back at her with a bright twinkle in her eye. Can you still hear me?
Of course. You're right here, mommy. She touched her own head.
"Are you doing it now?" asked Kaidan.
"Yes. I have control over it, though. If I want to I can block everything, but I can also choose to let her right in."
"Astounding," muttered Narin, turning to Chakwas. "Were reports of remaining connection between Zhu's Hope colonists after thorian gone."
"Yes. They could sense one another. The asari commando, Shiala, mentioned that when they fought as a group in the war that even the unskilled fighters could battle with the same skill she possessed. But there was no such connection in the Normandy crew after they were exposed, so I put it down to the fact they were never actually under the thorian's influence; that it was the thorian itself that had completed or strengthened the connection between them all."
"Sound presumption. But this not original strain. Spores stronger…. Would also explain why Shepard can manipulate it where colonists could not." Narin frowned. "Unforeseen side-effect causes problem. No longer advisable to dispense to population."
"No," agreed Hackett, gravely. "We certainly can't have everyone privy to each other's thoughts. It's an invasion of privacy, if nothing else. Damn it."
"We still have the fields," Garrus said. "Edi's suggestion of changing the frequencies will give us protection."
"For now."
"We need to find those Leviathans and put them in the ground," grinded out Wrex.
The sobering development had soured their high spirits, though Terra herself was still buzzing from the shock of what she shared with her daughter. At the moment she could only feel an immense honour at being allowed to be so wholly a part of that lovely soul. It also reminded her that she needed to take care at just how much she let Rorie into her own. There were things there that she should never know.
With the spores off the table, and technology their only defence against an advanced race, Terra knew Wrex was right. They needed to find the Leviathans. Yet with the yahg threat to remove, along with the Intelligence, she wondered just when and how they'd achieve it.
Then an idea formed. They could do all those things. She now held the answer. But Kaidan would definitely oppose a certain part of what she had in mind, and she would need him focused on his task. Maybe he didn't have to know...
oOo