"Commander, your presence is required in the shuttle bay" EDI's voice woke Shepard up.
"What is it EDI?" John felt really grumpy. He didn't got good rest for a while.
"It appears that Grunt is rampaging and hitting whatever he can there" emotionless AI replied.
"Oh for the love of-" John got out of the bed and rubbed his temples. "I'll be there in a second."
/.../
Doors opened and revealed quite a havoc. Jack was holding her barrier like a shield while Grunt was bashing against it with startling fury. Garrus, Tali and Kasumi were sitting on the shuttle and cheered.
"Stop it right now!" Shepard shouted. No response. He walked up behind Jack and shoved her to the side standing right in front of angry krogan and pulled out his gun.
"Stand. Down!" John pushed barrel into Grunt's face. Krogan immediately stopped moving and blinked few times. After a moment he took a step back and shooked his head.
"Awww and it was so fun to watch our little Jack fighting big bad Grunt" Garrus chuckled.
"Get outta here all of you unless want a krogan reception. From me." Shepard made a motion with his gun. All spectators and Jack left in a hurry.
"Now, what the hell was that?" John asked. He was pissed and still a bit groggy.
"I can't stand it...When I fight it's alright but here...A noise. Screams in my head, my blood boils and demands fight!" Grunt shooked his head again. "It's not normal, I can't control it and imprints have nothing about it!"
"I guess it's not something Chakwas could cure...I take there are no krogan doctors outside Tuchanka?"
"No."
John sighed. "Okay, may as well visit krogan vacation resort...I need you focused Grunt. We'll get it right."
"You don't have to...But thank you Battlemaster."
/.../
"Soo how's it going Tali?" Kasumi asked when girls sat in the mess hall. Garrus and Jack went about their respective business - Garrus to calibrate new gun and Jack to mob Max for new gun.
"What do you mean?"
"Aww come on, you and Shep are circling around each other, It's like a good romance..." Cheerful tease made Tali wince.
"I'm happy that you so enjoying it...Never been there, since you push it so hard?" Tali shot back irritated.
"I didn't said that. And don't get so mad fishbowl. It's just so sweet and I'm softie for romantics..." Kasumi giggled regarding her current 'status'
"Really? Maybe this time you'll tell me something? Not just pry and prod?"
"If you'll promise to work with me on little scheme to get Shep closer to you" Kasumi smirked.
"Ugh...fine... You would make do it anyways..." Tali surrendered.
Kasumi took Tali to her lounge and locked the doors.
"Okay...I like you girl. You're also only one here that would keep it long enough under wraps." Kasumi felt little urge to share some truth with Tali, she deserves to know a bit for all that song and dance she'll go through. Even if all this was for her own good.
"Well, did you noticed that Kelly was walking around sulky recently?"
"Yes, that is weird. I thought she was always happy and all" Tali mused recalling frustrated Yeoman.
"Yeah well...She tried putting some moves on Max once she realised that Commander was all doll on you and he flipped Miranda..."
"WHAT? Kheelah you're joking!" Tali couldn't belive it. Miranda was so...perfect. Why Shepard would reject her?
"I'm not Tali, and this should prove you that Shep is more hardcore than you thought and already set his sights on certain quarian mechanic..." Kasumi giggled, this whole deal was so romantic and fluffy.
"Ugh...Alright, so what was about Kelly?"
"Well, Kelly noticed that Max is sweet to us all and easy on the eyes so she decided to have a consolation prize with another Shepard and try putting moves on him."
"She's that flirty?" Tali kew something was wrong with that bubbly redhead...
"Oh don't try to kellhaul her already. I bet she tought it was harmless fling, she's just too innocent and oblivious to her actions. Anyway, after some time she came back to me and almost cried on my shoulder that Max just cut flirty shrink session short saying he's off the market and she has no chances."
"Wow. I thought Max was that...how you call it? "Lady man?" Tali was surprised that flirty prankster like Max would not also reject Kelly but he's with somebody."
"Ladies man Tali. And no, he's not. Opposite actually. A gentleman is the word" Kasumi grinned. She couldn't believe how easy and nice was for her to talk about, well boyfriend.
"Kinda weird that he didn't wanted Kelly, they're both flirty and so... careless. Wonder who would steal him..." Tali's voice trailed off when a felling strucked her. Kheelah no, just impossible.
"Well there was a reason why I didn't felt as much bad for Kelly when she came back to me...and it was awkward a bit..." Kasumi now felt little uncomfortable but tried to keep it together.
"Kasumi...Did you..."
"Uhh, yeah. Not like I planned it or anything." Kasumi shrugged. "We clicked from the beginning and just went along... until he invited me for a dinner." At this memory, thief let out an emotional sigh.
"Wow. That's amazing. But very unlike you Kasumi." Tali replied shocked. Funny infiltrator and a professional thief? Almost unlike as human hero and quarian girl...
"Kinda..."
"When it happened?" Tali had to get more details out from Kasumi.
"On Illium, when you went to look for Justicar. He just walked in here and we started talking as usual then he jumps out with an invitation. He impressed me earlier, so I agreed. Fancy dinner, great view and he's really charming... It was amazing, never had a date like that."
"Kheelah that does sounds amazing... I woud never have a chance for anything like it..." Tali sighed sadly.
"Why not? It's not like we did anything there. Or anywhere. We talked, held a bit...That's all" Kasumi blushed a bit.
"Really? Absolutly nothing? I thought dinners always were like a beginning to..." Tali trailed off and blushed. Kasumi giggled.
"No fishbowl. Maybe some shallow guys or cheap girls who swing that way would do it. Max's gentleman remember? There's a difference. You can have fun just talking and holding hands. Just need the right person for it."
"I guess you're right...Still hard to believe though" Tali giggled a bit. That was deffinietly a shocker. But illuminating one.
"Trust me, I'm more shocked than you are. But as you can see, even the most weird and impossible things can happen here... So stop thinking negatively and do something to bag the other Shepard! I bet he's as much fun as Max"
"I'll think about it... But thanks for trusting me with this Kasumi" Tali smiled and left lounge.
/.../
"Shepard, heard we're flying to Tuchanka right?" Mordin appeared in front of Shepard.
"Yup, Grunt needs some help and only medics are sitting on this rock."
"Yes, yes, aware that krogan was more aggravated...Must speak to you in private however, my lab perhaps?"
They walked in Mordin's lab, consoles, datapads and devices littered every possible space and yet all was organized.
"When talked about working with STG I...Omitted few things. My work revolved around Genophage. Not long ago we discovered that krogans were adapting to it. Led a team of scientists to modify genophage and apply new strain. Keep krogans in their state..." Mordin was speaking faster and faster but Shepard stopped him.
"Wait? Krogans were fighting genophage and you reapplied it?" John reminisced what Wrex told him about consequences of genophage - a species of violent brutes that fought and died 'cause there was no life for them left.
"In laymans terms yes. But only viable option then! If they would counter it, think about new krogan rebellions! A bloodthirsty warriors that would flood whole galaxy and murder everybody for not helping them!"
"They're such brutes because of genophage. Simplest alegory? I was a damned hero once, now I'm only damned. They took from me what mattered - my life as Alliance soldier, a woman I loved and all this set me off on a path of carnage. So I know quite good how the krogan feel." John retorted.
"Yes but right now whole topic irrelevant. What's done is done. Asked for your time for another reason. I led a team back then. Recently got an information tha one of members, Maelon, was on Tuchanka. Last seen on Clan Weyrloc territory. Blood Pack originators, possibly they keep him prisoner, even torture...Extracting Maelon would meant a lot to me..." Mordin stopped and winced.
"We may have different moral stances on some things but you're my crew professor. We'll look for Maelon. Be ready when we reach Tuchanka."
"Yes, thank you. Will be ready."
/.../
Max glanced on the floor in the observation room across Kasumi's lounge. This room was occupied by Samara. She used to sit in front of window, overlooking empty void outside, and meditate while holding a ball of biotics suspended above her hands.
"May I take some of your time Samara?" Max asked. Justicar lost her glow and opened her eyes.
"Of course Max."
Jester sat next to her.
"A Justicar... Sounds interesting."
"We are a monastic order, ancient and few in numbers. Our actions are dictated by the Code, over 5 thousands sutras that covers every possible outcome I would face. I memorized every word."
"Impressive even for a long living asari. I get the feeling that your Code is not forgiving in any way."
"It is not, Only hard stance can root out evil."
"True but it does narrows you view a bit doesn't it? I mean, few thousands years ago, sure. fewer races, simpler life but now? I thought humans invented grey morality but not really. Specially now, what was good is now evil. Evil is perceived as neccesary..."
"I am aware of that, I wil not however brake my oath to humor or appease others."
"I'm not suggesting it Samara. Such devotion even if in todays world could be misleading, is a welcomed change in sea of opportunism and shifting loyalty."
"You are a very phiolosphical man Max."
"Perhaps, had time to read a lot about morality and many outlooks at life and it's goals. I did that instead of pursuing easy prey and pleasures - hedonism and easy women never appealed to me. Maybe because I never appealed to them" Jester finished with a chuckle.
"I must say this is quite interesting. I haven't dealt much with humans. When I was young, your kind wasn't present in the galaxy. Later it become...irrelevant."
"You're not born a Justicar right?"
"Of course not. I spent many years fighting, dancing, meeting people...but something happened that made me choose that way of life..." Samara shifted lightly.
"I now better to not pry into other's secrets. But if I could be of any help, feel free to ask."
"Thank you Max."
/.../
"Approaching Tuchanka, the sunniest hell in the Galaxy" Joker announced.
"Grunt, Mordin, Garrus, Tali and Max. Get ready in five!" John spoke to intercom and went to shuttle bay.
"What's with the dream team?" Max asked walking in and ignoring stares at his harlequinn's attire.
"Old gang and you are going to meet Wrex. A krogan battlemaster who was with us hunting Saren."
"Okay" Max shrugged.
"What's with the colors bro? Got tired of dull black?"
"Now I'm an official Jester!" Max chuckled. "Besides, it's a new model. Sturdier, better in general, just more awesome. And since I'm more of demo-man than infiltrator, I don't need camouflage all the time"
"Yes, perhaps could be utilized as psychological warfare however knowledge of human customs...unlike" Mordin piped in, unuse to sarcasm.
"I did more to just humor myself but be my quest" Max shrugged and stepped into shuttle.
/.../
John led his pack to 'throne chamber' a big hall close to the landing pad. Hall was actually a hub with many corridors leading deeper into Urdnot territory. On one end of it a crude stone throne rested, on it - Urdnot Wrex. A scarred battlemaster that was revolutionizing krogan nation. But now he was busy listening to rant of krogan pacing in front of him.
"You're going too far Wrex! Others will oppose it!" Wrex glanced behind yelling idiot and saw familliar figure bearing armor marked with N7...
"Shepard!" Wrex roared and standing up shoved still ranting krogan to the side. Shepard came up to him bypassing throne guards.
"Shepard! My friend!" Wrex grabbed Shepard's arm and shooked it.
"Wrex! Great to see you" John replied smiling.
"Hah! I knew you couldn't die in the void! Redundant systems..." Wrex nodded at his own words.
"Yeah... humans don't have that." John smirked. "But I am back, alive and kicking. We've lost ship but I have a new one. And new crew. But some faces are still there" At this Garrus and Tali moved up.
"Good you're still here Vakarian, at least some of you" Wrex chuckled eyeing his scars. "Tali? Still mean little thing with shotgun and combat drone?"
"And you're still a toothy brute Wrex" Tali replied. "I'm happy to see you okay."
"Want you to also meet my brother, Max, demolitions expert and resident comedian" John motioned at Harlequinn. He just gave mock bow.
"Wrex, hell of a story what I heard. I'm Max, detonations for every occasion. And just for giggles" Jester laughed while Wrex smirked.
"I see he's crazy then he must be your brother. Still didn't told me what happened there two years ago Shepard?" Wrex turned to John.
"Collectors. Little bugs had a big ass ship that knocked Normandy out. I got spaced. Cerberus dug my carcass out and put me together. They think the own me now, they're not. Though Council, Alliance and everyone other than you see here turned their backs on me."
"Mhmmm Cerberus are damn vermin. But I guess I trust you enough to know you're no pawn."
"Speaking of pawns, I see you have few of your own. What are you've been up to?"
"After Virmire you proved me that krogan race can be saved. Without manipulations or influence of others. Destroying false krogans on Virmire made rallying clans possible. I managed to elevate Urdnot as dominant clan. Reforming, negotiating. I showed them what you showed me - brute strength is good but not always works. Word got out. Many larger players united under my banner. When the Reapers came, we'll be ready."
John sighed with relief. At least heavy hitters like krogans knew the score. Irony was enormous, that those considered mindless brutes were more to the point than sophisticated politicians...maybe there's a lesson here.
"Good to hear Wrex. I see you're playing a king here. Too bad, could use your help again."
"I can't Shepard, without me, witless idiots like Gathatog Uvenk" Wrex motioned at krogan pacing behind him. "would run their mouth and bring another war on ourselves. I won't let them squander any chances for the future we have left" Wrex looked very comitted and serious saying that. "Besides I see you already have krogan."
"Yeah, that's partially why I'm here. Grunt here has some issues. Anger issues. Even for a krogan they are big." John spoke while Grunt walked up to Wrex.
"He's growing up, becoming an adult...He needs Rite of Passage" Wrex stated glancing at Grunt.
"You mean we don't need to do krogan version of birds and bees? Thank you Almighty Gaben!" Max chuckled.
"Who are you whelp? I don't recognize your look from any clan I know." Wrex asked still looking at Grunt.
"I have no clan, I was bred in a tank by Warlord Okeer. I'm combination of genes distilled from Moro, Kredak, Shiagur... A purest breed"
"You recite warlords but you're just a clone!" Uvenk walked between Grunt and Wrex only to be headbutted to the ground by Warlord. "Speak when spoken to, Uvenk! Know you're place, pyjak." Uvenk crawled out.
"Okeer is old and very hated name...But I take that he's dead since you're with Shepard." Grunt nodded at this. "What do you think Grunt? Do you want to join Urdnot clan and be true krogan?"
Grunt pondered for a while. Voice from tank whispered to him about his destiny. Find a clan and bring glory...
"It's what I am for. It's my blood." Grunt growled. Wrex smiled.
"Good boy, go through the left doors and up. Shaman there will set you on a right path"
"Thanks, one more thing Wrex. Have you heard anything about salarian running around Weyrloc clan grounds? I'm after him." Shepard stated.
"Hmmm a salarian? Yeah, there was one here some time ago. babbled about genophage but demanded resources and subjects to experiment. I sent him away. I heard few weeks ago that Weyrloc retreated to one of their bases - an old hospital. If he's with them, he'll be there. I'll get Chief Scout to get you a ride there." Wrex went back to his throne.
"Great. I'l talk to you later Wrex." John motioned his team to go to the shaman.
They found him arguing with Uvenk.
"Urdnot Wrex's will dominates yours Uvenk!" very old krogan deflected ranting Uvenk.
"I'll speak for myself!" Grunt walked up to shaman. Old lizard took a long sniff at him then eyed up and down. "A tank-bred? Bah! Looks alive and smells correctly. A rite will commence."
"Then I invoke a denial! He has no krannt!" Uvenk barked. Shaman made a growly sigh.
"This pyjack tests my patience but speak true. Do you have allies that would fight for you whelp?"
John decided to step in. "We're his krannt. Just point us and we obliterate it."
"Aliens! You don't know strenght-" Uvenk stopped when John headbutted him in a krogan fasion. Good thing John had helmet on. Still hurted though.
"Hah! There's fire! No matter the race, it's the spirit that matters!" Shaman laughed.
"I withdraw my denial. This will be dealt elsewhere..." Uvenk stormed out from room.
"He's pissed, and he's your problem now. Enough for me to like you." Shaman laughed. "Grunt, you and 3 of your krannt will be taken to the proving grounds. Get ready and come back."
John took a quick thinking of situation. Only three so that meant him and two others...
"Max. I'll call the whole team to come down. I'll take Garrus and Zaeed to help Grunt with his rite. Meanwhile you take rest and storm Weyrloc base at the hospital."
"You want me to lead? Not Miranda?" Max felt uneasy. He was no leader.
"Hey, you got this brother. It's time for the big leaques." John patted him in the back.
"I'll do it. Breach n' clear, loud and bloody." Max warned.
"They're krogans Max, there's no other way" John smirked and commed others to gather at landing pad.