Chapter 39 – You're Never Too Old To Learn
The apartment was quiet again, the guests left, asides from Hackett and Kaidan's parents.
Kaidan had taken Rorie up to get washed before her bedtime, and Hackett had decided to help Terra tidy Rorie's room. When they'd done, they left the room, but he noticed Terra pause at the voices from the bathroom.
"Rorie? Has anyone else tried talking to you in your head?"
Kaidan's voice was soft, but Hackett could hear the anxiety there; he was thinking of the Leviathans, during the Citadel attack.
"Only the cold things. But I didn't like them," Rorie stated, categorically, "so I 'nored them."
With Terra frozen beside him, Hackett moved forward to watch Kaidan run his hand over that gorgeous little head, looking as nauseous at the thought as he felt. Rorie had been aware of the Leviathans, to some degree. Thankfully, her instincts had been to block them out.
"Good girl. Only mommy, okay?" Kaidan stressed.
"Uh huh."
Walking away, Terra grasped his wrist and as they descended the stairs, Hackett could feel the anger emanating off her. Instead of heading into the living area where Alex and Lena were clearing the last of the bottles, Terra led him into the guest bedroom which her in-laws were currently using, sealing the door behind her.
"Terra, what's this about?" he frowned.
"I might have a way to find the Leviathans."
He didn't speak, his face stern as he waited to hear what she clearly didn't want Kaidan to know.
oOo
When Terra came down from saying goodnight to Rorie, Kaidan and Hackett were in the lounge, bent over a datapad and in deep discussion. Kaidan looked up as she approached.
"Destroying the artifact and dealing with any immediate yahg reprisals at the same time - it's a good idea if we can pull it off. They won't be expecting the latter. Killing two birds with one stone."
"Right." She avoided her father's eyes, sitting beside Kaidan. "We know they follow a single leader – our Sur'Kesh subject. We capture him. And once the artifact's destroyed and the Leviathans' link gone, we get through to him somehow. Explain all this, and hope for some kind of truce."
"Terra…. I don't know," muttered Hackett, and she knew he was talking about more than the yahg plan.
"We don't lose anything by trying," responded Kaidan, unaware. "But if we can reason with him, then it may just stop this from becoming a full-out war with the yahg post-Leviathans."
"With their leader gone, even for a short while, another will simply take his place," parried Hackett deliberately.
"But this one's the strongest," reasoned Kaidan. "He'll be able to reassert his position. It's how he got there to begin with. It relies on a lot going right, though. Edi has to overcome the Intelligence, and we have to get to that yahg."
"Our beacons have him pinpointed. The Leviathans are keeping him at the rear of their force for now. With our air attack focused over that blast door, it'll become one huge distraction for a ground team to make use of."
"Come up right behind them," murmured Terra. "It'll still have to be done hard and fast, though."
"Absolutely. But with the element of surprise, it's achievable," Kaidan said. "So long as we've got a powerful team. Or teams."
"Might be wise to take plenty of back-up," Hackett agreed. Then he glanced at Terra before he spoke, and guilt washed over her. "I'd like you to head that ground assault, Kaidan. It's important that I have someone ready to assist if Edi's attempt fails. Either way, we have to take out that artifact." Her father's face gave nothing away. "Terra will stay aboard the Normandy to make sure that it happens. Should it be necessary, we'll be able to keep the yahg back with our air support while she finds a way to manually open that blast door."
Kaidan merely nodded. "Yes, Sir."
Hackett lowered the datapad to the table. "Well… We can work out the details tomorrow. You two get some rest." Hackett stood up, then bid goodnight to Alex and Lena in the back lounge before heading out the door.
"What a day," breathed out Kaidan, sinking his head into his hands, elbows on knees.
Terra moved to sit behind him, kissing his nape. When he straightened to lean back against her, she enjoyed the solidness of him against her; that masculine scent he exuded that made her body respond to him instinctively. "I'm thinking you're in serious need of a massage from all that worry." Her hands began working the knot between his shoulders.
"I'm married to you, beautiful. Ergo, I'm constantly in need of a massage."
"Hey!" she protested with a smile. Then it faded. Would he forgive her for omitting part of the plan? Only she knew he'd hate what she was going to do. He'd try to talk her out of it. And when that failed, he would go do had he'd been tasked to do, but he'd carry with him an anxiety that could cause him to rush to get back to her. She wouldn't risk him being distracted in the midst of the yahg. She loved him.
Her hands slid from his shoulders to his chest, her arms crossing each other as she hugged him to her, burying her face in the side of his. In response, Kaidan's hands caressed her arms.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He reached up and back to thread his fingers into her hair. "No apologies. I wouldn't change you for anything. Worrying about those we love is just a part of life."
She couldn't respond.
"What was it like?" His softened voice broke the silence. "To be in Rorie's head?"
The subject change was welcome, and the thought of it made her smile again. "How do you describe being surrounded in pure innocence? She's everything she is on the outside. Sunlight and beauty. She's a comforting hug." She squeezed him a little tighter, and felt the smile on his face.
"It's an unbelievable thing. Part of me envies you."
"Only part? You're not tempted to have the spores?"
"Tempted, certainly. But can you imagine when she's older? She'll be going off on her own. I'd be constantly wanting to be in her head asking her what she's up to, is she safe? There'll be dates…." He groaned. "I don't even want to think about how bad I'll deal with that, as it is. If I had the spores, I'd be a nightmare."
Terra laughed softly. "Hadn't thought about it like that. It's a gift that has its drawbacks, certainly. You have to remember she doesn't have to let anyone in, though." Like the Leviathans, she thought.
"Exactly. I ask, she refuses to 'answer', and immediately I'm going to be thinking it's because she's doing something I wouldn't like."
Snorting at that, Terra kissed the skull that housed his wonderful, over-thinking brain.
"It's comforting to know that should she need help, you're only a thought away, though."
Tera nodded. "I wonder over how far a distance it will work."
Then her in-laws were passing through with a 'goodnight', and once they'd retired to the guest room, Kaidan stood and pulled her to her feet.
"I'd love to be in your head, though," he grinned, kissing her.
Concentrating on the kiss helped Terra fight back the new wave of guilt borne from the relief that he couldn't. She was doing this to protect him, she reminded herself.
"Just think of all those boring Council meetings we could spice up with just our thoughts…."
That made her laugh again, and she pushed everything but him away, her arms circling his neck as she kissed him. "Actions speak far louder than thoughts, Mr Alenko."
"Message received loud and clear, Mrs Alenko."
He lifted her off her feet, and Terra braced her legs around his middle, continuing their kisses as he carried her upstairs. She would spend the next few hours apologising for her deception by giving him every ounce of love she had.
oOo
Liara stood in the epicentre of her ship, too restless to sleep. It was like she was too light inside to be able to adhere to gravity and lay down. Her lower abdomen ached and she revelled in that. Her body was working. She could…. Suddenly the thought of actually taking that first step to truly unite with someone, filled her with utter fear. There was no reason to feel that way. The gene was gone; she couldn't hurt anyone like that. Yet the fear remained.
So she worked. Catching up on what she'd missed with the help of Glyph.
"You do not sleep, Liara."
Javik. It had not gone unnoticed that he had come to the hospital. She'd seen Shepard's gun at his side; had known just what he'd been prepared to do; that Shepard had been there to protect her. "There is much to do," she answered simply.
Without warning, he reached out to touch her shoulder and frowned. "You are afraid."
She bowed her head with a sigh, suddenly too weary to be irked at him for reading her without invitation. "I cannot quite bring myself to trust it," she explained, like he didn't already know. "What if the doctor is wrong? What if I hurt someone I care for?" It was her love for Shepard that held her back during their past melds, despite having had the then unknown potential to kill her. That thought still sent shivers down her spine. She wasn't so sure she could ever feel that deeply about anyone else...
"There is no longer a threat."
"You do not understand."
"Do not be controlled by irrational fear, Liara T'Soni. Face it."
Watching him walk away, Liara knew he was right. She would have to have faith that what she'd thought was a life sentence was actually gone. Samara had even said the word to her. Free.
oOo
Hackett was sat at the bar, a bottle of beer in his hand. He'd picked this place specifically because it was fashioned after the old-style bars found on Earth. For a man of his generation, it was a comforting environment. Despite the hour, he couldn't switch off. Terra's idea was one that had a great deal of merit, but he didn't want her to do it, and sure as hell didn't want to help her do it. Unfortunately, he had no choice, because he had no alternative to counter it with. This was their duty.
Fucking Leviathans. And damn those spores for not being the solution he needed, and throwing another wrench into the mess.
"Been a long time since I've seen you moping into your beer."
Turning to Zaeed in surprise, Hackett watched his battered friend move to the seat beside him with a distinct limp, and sit with a grimace.
"Hurting?"
"Like a son of a bitch." Zaeed gestured to get the human bartender's attention. "A bottle of your best whisky. Human. None of that batarian shit."
"We only serve alcohol from Earth here, Sir," commented the bartender, placing an expensive bottle on the bar, along with two glasses filled with ice, taking payment, then leaving them to it.
"Shouldn't you be seeking medical attention?" commented Hackett, abandoning his beer to take a sip of the generous shot of whisky Zaeed had poured him. It burned smoothly all the way down, but damn it was good.
"Celebration comes first." Zaeed emptied the ice in his glass onto the bar before pouring his own drink; he had never liked his alcohol watered down. "This here pain's a reminder of that sweet moment just before Vido was sent to his knees with no goddamn stooges to protect him. Shoulda seen his face when he saw me. Bastard was completely bricking it," Zaeed chuckled. "Started begging your guys not to leave him alone with me. He actually thought they were doing just that when they hoisted him away and onto the ship. That was another great moment: him realising it was my ship and not Alliance."
"I have to say, I'm surprised to see you here so soon. Thought you'd be taking your time with Santiago."
"Was going to. Weirdest thing…. Once he was there, once we both knew I'd won and that he was going to die, I wasn't so bothered anymore. Just wanted it ended. Twenty five years is a long fucking time to leave business unfinished. Still, made sure it was damn painful. Wasn't about to let him off easily. Always say you can tell the true grit of a man when he's got a gun at his head. No surprise, Vido turned out to be a fucking pussy. Bastard was crying for mercy. He got nothing from me."
"Satisfied now?"
"Yeah," he grinned. "He's sure as hell not surviving it, either. Burned his body for good measure after I was done. Not chancing any of that resurrection bullshit, like your kid got. Feels odd, though. Got nothing to look forward to now."
Hackett huffed his amusement at that. "Thought you were going to retire."
"I've got Vido's sizeable personal funds at hand now, so I could," he shrugged. "But a man needs some action."
"You're never happy, Zaeed."
"You don't look too joyful yourself, mate. Wanna talk about it? I'll call back the barkeep," Zaeed jibed.
"He wouldn't believe it."
"Sounds interesting. Lay it on me."
Hackett chucked back a mouthful of liquid fire first.
oOo
oOo
Samara entered the official chambers of the Asari Republics. It was a grand structure, the walls almost entirely glass, built primarily as a symbol rather than a place for assembly. There were no figures of authority here. The term 'government' was a loose one in asari culture. Issues were made public for all citizens to debate and participate in, though greater credence was paid to the opinions of the matriarchs because of their extensive experience. VI's collated the opinions and presented a final answer, and the process meant that discussions were lengthy. This was all done over the asari's internal communication network. Samara hadn't needed to come here directly, but doing so would ensure she was heard above the rest by her fellow matriarchs.
As she entered, the glass walls dulled, to be replaced with multitudes of faces that surrounded her. The matriarchs.
"Justicar. It is unheard of for one of your order to seek our council." This one Samara recognised. Fea K'Taye. One of the oldest amongst the matriarchs. Her image was larger than the others, as though to emphasise her importance.
"I am intrigued. What is the subject matter?" asked another.
"The ardat-yakshi." Screens at the rear of the building had flicked on as the VI's started transcribing their conversation to be sent out to the broader community.
"We receive many communications requesting our council, and they are prioritised," frowned K'Taye. "The ardat-yakshi are a minority faction, and therefore not a priority compared to issues affecting our fellow asari."
"They are asari, not separate from you or I. Their plight is ignored, so I will be their voice." Samara sent a file that Dr Solus had been kind enough to forward to her. "I submit a doctor's report that shows there no longer needs to be any ardat-yakshi."
Startled, the many heads that surrounded Samara bowed as they looked at what was presented. The screens were racing through data as more asari joined in debates on various forums; the VI's busily collecting the responses in preparation for the final outcome.
"This is…astounding," spoke another familiar matriarch, Jahla.
"So this salarian doctor says," said K'Taye, with annoyance.
"We should obtain our own scientists to authenticate and confirm these claims," someone else said.
"It begs the question: why did you not perform your duties as dictated by your code, Justicar?" frowned K'Taye "The asari you do not name is walking free."
"You have the report. She is not ardat-yakshi. There are no grounds with which to detain her."
"Whether that is truly the case is for us to determine."
Samara felt the first stirrings of irritation, but she immediately suppressed them. Patience was always needed in such circumstances. "The doctor responsible is genuine, but I will wait here until you do what you need to."
"Justicar. If it is as you say," began Jahla, her voice apologetic, "such changes on a genetic level need to be monitored for its effectiveness over a long period of time."
"In the meantime, until we can confirm the validity of this report, we insist that you fulfil your duty and bring this ardat-yakshi to the monastery," demanded K'Taye, "or do what's necessary should she resist."
Once again, Samara battled irritation that was verging on anger. They were not listening. "By my code, I cannot comply with your request. Neither is it just for these asari to remain isolated when they can be cured. Frequent checks could be made a condition of their release, but they should be treated, and freed."
"This…desperation to free the ardat-yakshi…. You have a daughter there. Need I remind you, as a Justicar you vowed to give up family?"
Samara remembered Shepard's own words: you're not a machine. What they had asked of her at her initiation so long ago, was too much. She had denied her very ability to feel because she'd been convinced it was necessary - and because feeling nothing had been preferable to the pain and shame of having placed three ardat-yakshi into the galaxy. The matriarchs were wrong. However, she didn't speak the thoughts out loud. She loved her daughter – all of her daughters – but saving Falere was not her only concern. Her code burned inside her, like it was set into her own DNA; an instinct that couldn't be ignored. Justice. That was why she was here. Not for herself, but for all ardat-yakshi, including Falere. Though deep down there was a part of her that needed to do this for all of her daughters; a shame-filled apology to them, by making things right. "I am here because there is a cure."
"Again, a claim which has yet to be established," K'Taye stressed. "Your code is-."
"In need of amendment," interrupted Samara. "It does not allow for the evolution of our technology and knowledge."
"The code has been in place since long before my time. It has never changed, nor will it be," stated K'Taye, absolutely.
Samara watched the data on the screens being summarised by the VI's. Despite her status as not only a matriarch, but also a Justicar, the populace was bending towards K'Taye. It disappointed Samara. Age had nothing to do with wisdom. K'Taye was too set in her ways, and resistant to change. "Then I ask to be released from my pledge. I cannot serve a code that only sees the world in black and white. I would use my own code; one that looks beyond the situation to what lies beneath. One that searches for solutions to problems instead of being one."
There was a tide of murmurs as the matriarchs reacted to that.
"This is…surprising," admitted Jahla.
"It is unacceptable," snapped K'Taye. "No Justicar has ever been released from her oath. It makes a mockery of the very meaning of the term. The Justicars code is taken for life."
"Then I am left with no choice." Samara removed her pistol, to the gasps of many of the matriarchs, then raised it to her own head. "It is clear that only my death will facilitate change."
"Wait! Please!" rushed out Jahla. "Justicar, the difficult position you're experiencing is clear to me. Maybe we could look at this more closely."
"We will not be held ransom to insanity," announced K'Taye, angrily. "Your death, Justicar, as tragic as it would be, would be only that: a tragic waste of life. Nothing will change because of it."
"I disagree. Upon my death, a message will be sent to someone who will see to it that justice for the ardat-yakshi will be brought to pass."
"Who is this person?" scoffed the matriarch. "Threats, Samara? Our Justicars may be few, but they are powerful enough to stop whoever you're speaking of."
"She is a woman who always does what is right, despite personal cost. Despite governments. She is Shepard."
After the initial murmurs had died down to silence once more, one matriarch's screen enlarged. Jahla.
"Lower your weapon, Samara. I will personally see to it that the doctor's report will be scrutinised as a matter of urgency. I'm sure it will prove to be as you claim. In the interim, I will have a medical team liaise with Dr Solus and begin arrangements for the facilitation of the cure. As you yourself suggested, their release will be conditional on frequent testing."
"That is not a decision you can make alone," barked K'Taye.
Looking back at the screens of data, the result was stunning to watch. The opinions were changing. Jahla's approach was fair, and with her weight alongside Samara's, it was making a difference.
"It's a majority vote," declared Jahla, and one by one, nearly all the matriarchs nodded their agreement. "Samara, I would request you continue your service to us. It is obvious you are just what we need."
"The code-."
"Will change."
"What!?" exclaimed K'Taye.
"The Justicar is right, Fea. The galaxy has evolved, and so should we. Should we not have learned that lesson after our near-destruction during the Reaper wars?"
K'Taye didn't answer. Her angry image just faded out as she disconnected.
"Perhaps you could advise us, Samara," Jahla continued, unbothered. "No one is more familiar with the problems within the code as yourself."
"I would be honoured."
"Thank you, Justicar," said Jahla, a small smile playing across her features. "Might I suggest you head straight for the monastery? Your daughter will be pleased to hear the news."
With a courteous bow of her head, Samara left the chamber, for the first time in an age with her thoughts solely on Falere, accompanied with a true sense of pride and fulfilment. This was what it meant to be a Justicar.
oOo
oOo
Though it had been nearly a week, it felt too soon to be back on the Normandy. But the forces had re-gathered. It was time to make sure they were ready to return to Parnack and set their plans in motion.
The shuttle bay was busy as the cargo was being loaded. Shepard ran through the long manifest. Most of it was to re-stock the medbay. Handing it off to Traynor who had joined her, she went over to check in with Cortez.
"How's it looking, Steve?"
Cortez was at his station as usual, arm now in a tight sling, though it didn't seem to hinder him too much. "Great. Your husband knows how to get things done. He's left me with nothing to do. Add to that the fantastic job Clay did on our shuttle and I'm standing here without a cause."
"Good. Though I don't suppose that means you'll take it easy."
"Not a chance," he smiled. "I'll find something to occupy my time. Maybe I can extend my skills and see if Adams will let me in Engineering."
"I'm sure you'll be welcome. What did you think of Clay's flying, Commander?"
Steve grinned at that. "That's going to take some getting used to. He's got the feel of it," he said, steering them back to Clay. "I'd say he's a natural. With his engineering skills as well, he's got what it takes to keep her in the air. That said, I obviously haven't had a chance to test him in a hot zone, so if you'll permit it, I'd like to join him as co-pilot on any runs."
"You'll get no argument from me, but I'll need the okay from Chakwas that you're medically fit, even for that."
"Understood, Ma'am."
"Admiral, there's an incoming call. A messenger for the rachni queen." Joker sounded surprised, but Terra had been expecting it. She'd sent the queen a request days earlier.
Heading quickly up and into the war room, Shepard opened the call at the central console.
"Shepard. We engineer. We construct. We are ready to bring our song to our children's minds once more in a crescendo that will resonate within them. The Leviathans will no longer steal our songs to sour them. We will join you to hunt them. We will drive them into extinction for their crimes against us."
"Thank you. I'll be in touch."
"Whoa. She's pissed," observed Joker, once the call was terminated.
Shepard looked up at the ceiling with a sigh at Joker's eaves-dropping, but said nothing. "She's entitled," she murmured back. As a mother, she understood only too well.
oOo
Kaidan was surrounded by his Biotic Ops squads. He'd decided it was sensible to bring in a larger biotic presence if they were going to be on the ground with the yahg. Their past encounter had already proven that biotics would be incredibly effective at keeping these powerful beings at bay, which was far preferable to going toe to toe with them. With Aethyta and her commandoes as well, and of course Liara and the rest of their extended family, they were going to be a force to be reckoned with. And boy would they need to be.
With his greetings done, Kaidan moved away to call Garrus. "Hey. I'm all wrapped up here."
"Oh, hey. We're at lunch. Rorie's just about to tuck into something called… spag-hetti."
Kaidan winced. "You gave her spaghetti?"
"Yeah."
"You, uh, did cut it up, right?"
"No. Why? … Oh. I see…" Garrus chuckled. "Hey, Rorie are you eating that or wearing it? …Oh no, I just gave her an idea. No, don't do that-." Garrus cleared this throat, and Kaidan could hear Rorie giggling heartily. "Um… Just as a matter of interest, how do you clean human hair?"
Kaidan sighed. "Meet you at the Normandy when you've finished your meals." By the time he hung up, he couldn't fight the smile at the image of Rorie laughing through trails of spaghetti strands. He was really going to miss her.
oOo
This was it. They were ready to go. Only this time round, the ship would be a whole lot emptier. Asides from the ship's standard crew, there'd be only Knox to support her, maybe Edi if she survived her encounter. Vega had been officially assigned to Kaidan's command, along with Garrus and the others who had pledged to fight with them. Once at Parnack, their mission would take place a distance from hers, and so Kaidan and the team he'd amassed would travel on other ships.
Coats had reluctantly pulled off this mission. Not because he was ordered to, but because he didn't trust himself, or the technology which had failed before with such tragic consequences. No amount of reassurance that Edi's program to alternate the field frequency was functioning well, worked to change his mind, so he was heading back to Arcturus.
Terra walked into Rorie's room on the Normandy to find Kaidan crouched in front of her as she sat on the end of her bed, her hair still damp from her hair wash.
"She wants to come," informed Kaidan, guilt flashing across his face.
Feeling the same, Terra knelt next to Kaidan. "Sweetie, I'm sorry-."
"But I haven't come for ages," she whined. "I like it here." It was finished with a pout.
"I know you do, honey," said Kaidan. "But this time will be too dangerous."
Rorie gave a deliberately loud and heavy sigh as she flopped back on her bad, her arms outstretched. "Again? Why?"
To Terra's surprise, she felt Rorie at the edge of her mind, full of curiosity and questions. She didn't let her in, just gently pushed her back with warm assurances. "We've got to free some people, and it's going to be very hard to do," Terra tried to explain without giving her any more than she needed to know.
"Mommy and I can't be worried about whether you're okay," added Kaidan. "We need to concentrate on what we're doing."
That sent Terra's eyes to the ground. He'd just vocalised her own reason for not telling him her part in what was coming.
"So you don't get hurt?" Rorie frowned in concern.
"That's right."
"Oh-kay," conceded Rorie, sadly. Then she jumped up with sudden happiness as a new thought came to her. "Can I take Blasto?" She pointed to the picture on the wall. "I can show it to Uncle Ko-yat! And Thian will like it, but he mustn't touch," she added seriously.
Exchanging amused glances, they both stood, and Kaidan removed the picture from the wall for her.
"Got a couple of grandparents waiting in the docking bay," alerted Joker.
"We'll be right out," responded Kaidan. "Ready?" he asked Rorie.
"Uh huh." With her picture rolled up under her arm, Rorie went to Terra.
Cuddling her close, Terra suddenly feared this might be the last time she could do this. "I love you, sweetie. Never forget that."
"I won't," Rorie smiled at her, accepting the kiss. "Can I talk to you in your head?" she asked excitedly.
"I don't think it will work that far, sweetie," said Terra.
"But maybe you'll know when mommy gets back, huh?" Kaidan grinned.
"Yay!" Rorie bounced a little at that. "Bye, mommy. Love you." Then she raced out, hopefully heading for the docking bay.
Feeling the too-quiet emptiness that Rorie always left in her wake, Terra filled it with Kaidan, her arms sliding into place around him perfectly, like he'd been created just for her. She loved the very essence of him, and his returning embrace made her wish she never had to break away from him. Nevertheless, here they would have to part.
"Take care out there, Admiral," Kaidan urged her.
"Ditto, General."
"Let's pray Edi can defeat that Intelligence. I really don't want you having to do this the hard way."
Terra smoothed away the frown that appeared on his forehead. "I won't be alone. My dad will be watching my back. Just look after yourself, you hear me?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
Their kiss was one they'd shared many a time. It said 'I love you', but with just a hint of a final goodbye, because just maybe this one would be their last. That love gave them something to fight for, though.
Then Terra was standing alone, and she could feel the subtle vibration of the ships engines through the soles of her feet. Altair was waiting on her order. She reached her mind out to Rorie who let her in without hesitation, making Terra smile, her heart filling with that wonderful light. Thinking of Kaidan brought its own warmth. They were all connected, she realised. They didn't need the spores for that. Without each other, there was no light. She had to make it back. For Rorie and for Kaidan. It was an unspoken promise she made them. Because she refused to be responsible for bringing darkness into their lives.
"Altair. Get us a-weigh."
"Aye, aye, Admiral."
It was time to bring their own lesson to the Leviathans.
oOo