Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my MechWarrior/BattleTech - Mass Effect crossover.

Thank you for your wonderful feedback and support. I appreciate it.

Now we're getting to the end of the Tuchanka story sub-arc. There'll be epic fights, as well as an epic showdown in the second part.

As always, leave a review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the MechWarrior/BattleTech or Mass Effect franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of BioWare, Electronic Arts, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, WizKids, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.

SSV Normandy

Tuchanka

September 17th, 2186

The mood since Tarquin's death was somber and silent as the returned to the Normandy. Shepard, in particular, was somber as he held his hands clasped before him. A noble hero giving up his own life so that others can live free, he though to himself. The Turians might see that as routine, but I certainly think that the Lieutenant's sacrifice was above and beyond the call of duty. I just hope that he's wherever Grunt's at.

He wasn't the only one feeling this way. Nearby, Garrus hands were also clasped, but he was speaking in a dialect of Palavenese that Shepard's translator wasn't able to fully understand. From the words he did manage to catch, however, he could tell that Garrus was beseeching the Spirits to grant Tarquin the rest that a warrior that did good deserved. I prefer a moment of silence, he thought to himself. We can give the dead that much at least.

There was one thing that gave him comfort, however. Cerberus is out of the picture… at least at Tuchanka, he noted. They pulled out as soon as we disabled the bomb and Mason personally destroyed the payload to keep Cerberus from building another triggering mechanism. Still, I am not enthusiastic about what'll happen once Wrex learns that the Turians had a bomb on his planet. Still, he steeled himself for when the truth would come out.

. . .

Walking into the QEC booth aboard the Normandy, Shepard watched as the color hologram of Hackett appeared inside the booth. Looks like the Admiral was waiting for me to pick up the phone this time around, he noted. Clearing his throat, he said, "Sir, we accomplished the mission. The bomb on Tuchanka's been disabled, and Cerberus is pulling out."

"Good work," Hackett nodded. "Stopping that bomb from detonating prevented the war between the Turians and the Krogan. We can't afford that kind of division right now."

"Joker says they're recovering the bomb."

"They've moved in. Won't allow the Turians to send in recovery groups to help."

"Understandable."

"The situation is fragile at the moment. With Wrex and the Primarch onboard the Normandy, you've got a situation brewing. We don't have a solid alliance between those two yet. Keep the peace, Commander. That's an order."

"Yes, sir," Shepard nodded. "Also, did Victor Steiner-Davion tell you about the mission he had his forces conduct?"

"He did. His soldiers caught Cerberus flat footed with their energy based weapons. I've seen the footage, Shepard; those AFFC soldiers really know how to get the job done. Cerberus was unable to prevent them from taking the facility."

"That's good to hear. Any technicians arrive from the Federated Commonwealth?"

"In droves. The AFFC is also providing security for the Crucible in case Cerberus tries anything. According to some of our reports, their technicians know more about what they're doing than our own in many cases. Like I said a few days earlier, this is the biggest win you've won for us.

"That doesn't change the fact, however, that we can't let the Krogan and Turians go to war with each other. Do what you must to keep the peace, Shepard. Hackett out." With that, Hackett's hologram fizzled out. Nodding at Hackett's words, Shepard proceeded back into the War Room, steeling himself for what he had to do next.

It was a good thing that he did, as Wrex was practically chomping at the bit to kick the Primarch's ass. Primarch Victus, for his part, was doing the best he could to keep calm, though even his panic was starting to show through cracks in his facade. "We couldn't risk another galactic war with the Krogan!" he stated emphatically.

Wrex, while angry, was also eerily restrained, though that made his anger all the more terrifying. "The Genophage wasn't enough?" he asked quietly. "You had to put a bomb on my planet?"

"The decision was made hundreds of years ago," Victus insisted. "Things have changed considerably since then."

"Not enough to tell us about the bomb, coward!" Wrex snarled.

Before the situation got more heated, Shepard walked in. Seeing the two in an argument, he put two of his fingers into his mouth and blew… hard. A shrill whistle echoed in the air, prompting the two of them to look directly at Shepard. "Hey!" he shouted. "We can't let the past rip us apart! Working together, we have a chance!"

Walking over to the two, he looked at each of them in turn. "Primarch, you had a bomb on Tuchanka. And Wrex, in the Turian's place, you would've done the exact same thing!"

"Shepard…"

Before Wrex could continue, Shepard give him a look that would've melted Ferro-Carbide armor. "It's over!" he stated loud and clear. " Primarch Victus' own son died today making this right! At the very least, you could honor his sacrifice by not going to war with the Turians!"

Apparently, Victus hadn't learned of that, as when he did, Shepard spotted a flash of grief, a grief mixed with horror, that washed over Victus' face. "Please, Commander!" he said an instant later. "It's alright."

"Fine," Wrex grudgingly admitted. "Shepard, you've made your point. We have stronger enemies to face."

"We do," Shepard agreed. With a huff, Wrex walked off, though it was clear that Shepard had actually intimidated him, something that was difficult enough to do on a Turian, much less a Krogan.

Victus, for his part, walked over to Shepard and asked, "Commander… is what you say true? Is my son…."

Shepard, hearing this, frowned. "Yes," he said after a moment of silence. "Your son didn't make it… I'm sorry."

When Victus heard this, it was like someone had punched him in the liver, as his expression changed from fear to grief. "Commander… I… Can we speak for a moment in private?"

"Sure," Shepard nodded. Bringing the Primarch into the QEC booth, he hit a hidden button inside of the frame. Moments later, a door slid over the opening, before sealing the room up.

Once that was done, Victus sank to his knees, a keening sound coming from him as he began to mourn for his son's death. Tears streamed down his face as he let out a roar of grief, before collapsing against the wall, unable to do anything more than sob. Walking over, Shepard sat by Victus, who continued to weep for the loss of the one thing he cherished the most in the universe.

For the first time, Shepard saw past the facade that Victus had carefully constructed around himself. Now, instead of a strong and proud Primarch that was willing to do what was necessary for his people, he saw a broken and bereaved father that had seen too much war, and wanted to have peace just one last time. Wrapping his arms around Victus, he held the elderly Turian in a comforting hug. He could feel the tears from the Primarch's eyes staining his suit, though all he cared about was providing the Primarch with whatever comfort he could.

He didn't know how long, but it seemed like ages before Victus' sobs subsided. Releasing the Primarch from his hug, he watched as Victus gently pulled back, his expression now tired and downcast. "I should have told you," he whispered, his voice still tainted with grief. "I should have told you, and then my son would still be here. No father should have to lose his child…" Another keening sound came from him, and he looked ready to burst into another round of sobs.

"Hey, hey," Shepard said comfortingly as he held the Primarch in another hug. He held him for another few minutes, then he said, "We all make mistakes, Victus. As for your son… he gave me something before he gave his own life." A moment later, he handed Victus a small datapad. "He wanted you to read this, but there was one thing he made clear in that datapad."

"And that would be?"

"That he loved you, and always would, even to the end of his days."

Victus looked ready to cry again, but he instead took a deep shuddering breath and let it out slowly. "I… I thank you, Shepard."

"For what?"

"For telling me this. Ever since his mother died, my son and I had a… rocky relationship. I'd hoped to have it mended, but he always seemed angry with me. To hear that he still loved me, even after all that… it's a comfort that I will never forget. My son… he died with the respect of his men. I thank you for that. His sacrifice will be recorded in the history of the Ninth Platoon, something any father would be proud of."

"Agreed," Shepard nodded. With that, the two stood up once more, with Shepard pulling out a short length of cloth from a pocket in his pants. "Here," he said, offering the Primarch the cloth. "A handkerchief for your tears. You'll need it more than I do." Victus merely nodded, before gently taking the cloth and wiping his tears with it.

"Thank you, Shepard."

"Anytime, Primarch." With that, he opened the booth up again, allowing the Primarch to step out again.

As he walked out, Shepard found that Wrex was leaning against the wall near the booth. "I heard it all in there," he said to Shepard.

"Let me guess: super hearing?"

"Yep," Wrex nodded, though he now had a look of shame on his face. "I also wanted to apologize, Shepard. I was… too harsh on the Primarch. It took your stare, plus what I heard in there, to make me realize that. Have I become so selfish for my people's safety that I've forgotten to take others into account as well?"

"It's a mistake we all make," Shepard admitted. "I've made it too, Wrex. What matters is that we learn from it and never repeated it knowingly again. Can you promise me that?"

Wrex was silent, before that shame was replaced by determination. "Yeah," he nodded. "I have to be better, for my sake and the sake of my people. If I can't, then what good am I as their leader? Come on, Shepard. We have a war to fight."

"That we do." Shepard nodded.

As they walked over, Victor Steiner-Davion, who'd just entered, looked around. Spotting Victus, he walked over and said, "I heard about what happened down there. I'm sorry about your son. You have my sympathies."

"I know," Victus nodded, his voice still strained with grief. "I… thank you for that. You were right, though."

"I know," Victor frowned, "but it doesn't make me happy at all. Mind if I give you some alone time?"

"That would be appreciated. Thank you, Kommandant."

. . .

It was roughly four hours later, at around 0130 local time, that they began to approach the planet. As they did so, Shepard heard a chiming sound on his comm. "Shepard here," he said. "What is it?"

"Commander," came Joker's voice. "I'm bringing us to a full stop. Hostiles detected at the landing zone!"

"Elaborate."

"Sensors show a Reaper parked at the Shroud facility. No way you're going to be able to land a shuttle there."

Damnit, Shepard grunted internally. That complicates things greatly. Taking a breath, he said, "Get everyone assembled in the War Room. I want eyes on the Shroud."

"Aye aye, sir," Joker replied.

A few minutes later, everyone was gathered in the War Room, with Shepard walking inside after taking care of some business. The holo-table was showing a holographic image of the Shroud Facility, with the Reaper in question fully visible. Mordin, who was inside of the room with the others, said, "New form of Reaper, Shepard. Using Shroud facility to poison Tuchanka's atmosphere. Problematic."

"That's what we're here for," Victor stated. "If that Reaper wants a fight, we'll give them a fight, which is why I've also got good news." Adjusting the holograms, he brought in a new icon. "Shepard, I got word that an Avalon-class WarShip that was recently constructed, the Kentares, finished her maiden voyage. Admiral Osman von Strauss assigned it to our mission."

"That's good news," Shepard nodded. Looking at Victus, he asked, "Any help you can provide?"

"That could be difficult," Victus nodded. "Even with the AFFC providing some much needed relief, our losses are catastrophic."

"We're doing this for Palaven," Shepard reminded him. "No one said this would be easy."

"What do you have in mind?"

Bringing up a holographic representation of some 'Mechs, Tomkahs, as well as a few AeroSpace Fighters, he said, "A combined arms assault. Your people, including the AeroSpace Fighters the Kentares can provide us, will hit the Reaper with an air strike. Wrex, your people will coordinate with Mason's Cavaliers and assault the Reaper from the ground. Together, we can draw it away from the tower."

"Yes," Mordin nodded. "Distraction. Small team can reach Shroud facility, finish synthesizing cure. Will need Eve to come with us."

"We've never faced a Reaper up close like this. Everyone onboard?"

"Is there even a doubt?" Wrex chuckled. "Let's move, pyjack. It's time to cure the Genophage."

"No problems here," Victor agreed. "If you move it away from the Shroud facility enough, the Kentares can target the Reaper without risking damage to the facility. It's not particularly large, according to the Kentares scans. It's roughly the same size as the ones that engaged the FCS Mjölnir when Osman joined the fight. Either way, I'll get you your air support."

As the others left to get ready, Shepard heard Traynor over the intercom. "Commander, incoming message marked urgent. I'll put it in the comm room for you."

Moving into the comm room, Shepard watched as the image of a Salarian Daltrass came on the screen. As soon as he saw her, his memory was jogged. Oh, hell, he thought. Her… that damn woman. Made a fuss when we came to get Eve from the facility. I'll bet she hasn't changed her pro-Genophage opinion one bit. Instead of saying this, he cleared his throat and asked, "Daltrass?"

"Commander Shepard," she began. "We know you've reached Tuchanka. And by now, Mordin has proposed using the Shroud."

"Keeping tabs on us?"

"Hardly," the Daltrass said dismissively. "The Shroud is the only viable course of action open to you. Commander, you can't allow your misguided sympathy for the Krogan to cloud your judgment. Do you honestly believe that curing the Genophage will end in lasting peace?"

"We have to give the Krogan that chance. You cannot condemn an entire race to extinction based on what might happen. That is the height of presumption."

"What will happen is that the Krogan will reproduce out of control. We uplifted them specifically for their violent nature, not their diplomatic skills. Another war is inevitable."

Hearing this, Shepard felt the hairs on his neck standing up. Something's up, he frowned. Irritated, he asked, "What do you want, Daltrass?"

"Years ago, our operatives sabotaged the Shroud facility to ensure what you're planning couldn't be done. Mordin will likely detect this malfunction and repair it. If, however, you keep him unaware of this, then the cure's viability will be altered just enough so that it fails. No one will notice the change."

Hearing this, Shepard nearly felt his anger boil out of control. What does that bitch take me for, a fool, he thought. I will not stand for this kind of treachery! Keeping his emotions hidden, he said, "You mean trick the Krogan?"

"They need not be any the wiser," The Daltrass smiled. "Let Urdnot Wrex believe you've fulfilled your promise."

"Mordin would never stand for that."

"How you deal with him is up to you, Commander. We can provide you with our very best scientists to build the Crucible, and the full support of our fleets."

"If I sabotage the cure."

"Think about it, Commander. The choice is yours." With that, her hologram shimmered out of existence.

I've already made it, he thought in his mind. As he walked out of the room, he spotted Victor Steiner-Davion standing nearby, his omni-tool active. "Heard every word, I take it?" Shepard asked.

"Yep," Victor nodded. "So, what about you?"

"Me?" Shepard asked. "I won't accept the Daltrass' offer. I won't let fear compromise who I am, and I won't condemn an entire race to extinction based on what might happen. The Genophage will be cured, without exception."

"Damn straight," Victor nodded. "I knew you were a man of integrity, Shepard. Your record speaks to that, and I'm glad to see that hasn't changed at all. Besides, I'll inform Admiral Hackett about that Daltrass. She won't get away with this bullshit. You can count on that."

. . .

Half an hour later, Shepard and the others were on the way to the surface of the planet. Mordin was currently pacing around the interior of the Kodiak II, while Wrex was standing in place, holding onto a bar above his head. Nearby, Eve was sitting on a bench, while Garrus, EDI and Javik were prepping their gear.

They also had a special guest in the form of Victor Steiner-Davion. "I thought you were going to be back on the Normandy," he said to Victor.

"Shepard, I was a soldier long before I became an officer," Victor reminded him. "In addition AFFC Kommandanten often find themselves on the battlefield. I'll be fine; besides, I'll be in my Gurētodesu coordinating the ground attack on the Reaper."

"Fair enough," Shepard shrugged.

As he did so, Wrex came over. "I've ordered the Clans to gather at the Hollows," he informed the two. "It's our sacred meeting ground. We'll land there and take an armored convoy against the Reaper." Growing sentimental, he said, "This will be the defining moment of Krogan history."

"Krogan history filled with defining moments," Mordin added. "Most bloody. Hope this one better."

There were a few seconds of silence before Eve looked at Shepard. Noticing his expression, she said, "Commander. You seem troubled."

She's right, Shepard knew deep down. Time to tell the truth. "I got a message from -" He was promptly interrupted when the Kodiak II shuddered.

Moments later, another Krogan voice came in, this one slightly higher in pitch than Wrex's. "Wrex, it's Wreav. The Reapers are already at the Hollows. Come out with guns blazing!"

"Hang on tight," Cortez alerted them. "We're heading in. Firing weapons." Moments later, Shepard heard a quiet hum, which was indicative of a pair of ER Medium Pulse Lasers being fired. A few seconds later, they landed, with the shuttle doors opening.

Just as they did, a Husk came at them, only for Wrex to fire a Combat Shotgun he'd gotten during his service as a MechWarrior at the Husk's head. Said Husk's head exploded in a shower of gore as high velocity tungsten shot tore through it's head. A loud BOOM echoed in the area, with the shotgun's report giving the weapon a sense of power that most mass accelerator weapons didn't have. "Shepard, keep Eve safe!" he shouted to them. "I'll sort out what's happening with the other clans!"

"On it!" Shepard replied. Moving through the debris choked area, they eventually entered the Hollows. The Hollows looked like a large, rectangular plaza that had an open aired roof. The plaza was separated from the walls by a chasm that dropped down about fifty meters into the ground, before coming to a flat bottom. The center of the plaza was raised slightly, likely for where plants used to be planted at before the planet was consumed by nuclear war. Walkways from other areas connected to the plaza, allowing more than a few Krogan inside.

Those Krogan were currently waging an all-out assault against the Reapers that were in the place. As they moved in, Shepard said, "Everyone pick your targets and keep an eye on our six. Now move!"

"We're on it!" Garrus nodded.

With that, everyone advanced, weapons firing as they targeted various Reaper troops. Firing his M61B, Shepard blasted apart a Husk with the high powered pulse laser rifle, while Garrus fired his M42C, blasting apart another Reaper Husk with HE rounds. Javik, this time around, was hefting another weapon that was fresh from the manufacturing facilities of the Federated Commonwealth. Spotting a Reaper Marauder, he fired his new weapon.

A blue-white bolt of energy shot out of the weapon in his hands and directly into the face of the Marauder. While the bolt collided with the kinetic barrier protecting the Reaperified Turian, the massive energy content ensured that the Marauder's internals were nearly fried. It staggered back, before Javik fired again, this time obliterating the creature. "I love this gun!" he smiled.

"Not bad for a Man-Pack Particle Cannon, eh?" Garrus asked.

"Definitely. The AFFC has put the new tech we gave them to good use!"

Nearby, Victor Steiner-Davion was clearly showing that he was more than capable of handling himself. Firing his own Combat Shotgun, he blasted apart a pair of Husks, with a third getting a little too close for comfort. Darting forwards, he stabbed the creature in the head with a bayonet mounted under the muzzle of his weapon. Once the weapon went dry, he drew his Hawk Eagle sidearm and fired rapidly at a Reaper Marauder and Husk, allowing his shotgun to dangle from it's sling. The HE rounds quickly made short work of the Husk, as well as the Marauder after it's barriers failed. When another one got too close, he pulled out a knife and stabbed it through the chest, before punching it in the head, knocking it back and allowing him to kill it with a headshot.

"Shepard," Wrex said over the comm. "It's ugly over here! Whatever you do, keep them away from the female!"

"First Palaven, now here," Garrus grunted.

"Keep firing!" Victor shouted. Spotting a Reaper Husk getting too close, he activated the blade function on his omni-tool. Shepard was surprised when a deep, bellowing war cry erupted out of the Kommandant, with the man stabbing the Husk straight in the face. Kicking it away, he reloaded his sidearm, before swapping out the magazine on his shotgun. Firing two more shells, he finished off the last of the attackers.

It was at that moment that Wrex and the others came inside. Spotting the dead Reaper troops, Wrex smiled. "They'll sing battle songs about this day," he beamed. "Reaper blood has finally soaked our soil!"

As the Krogan cheered, Shepard came over to Wrex. "We have to get to the Shroud! The airstrike is on it's way."

"Female safe, Shepard," Mordin, who'd come with Wrex, informed him. "Vitals are strong."

Apparently, someone took offense at Mordin being there, as a younger Krogan with a dark headplate came over. "What's a Salarian doing here?" he demanded. "Nobody said anything about this!"

"Multiple Krogan. Problematic," Mordin remarned nonchalantly.

"Who are you?" Shepard asked.

"Urdnot Wreav," the Krogan remarked, his dark eyes looking at Wrex. "Broodbrother to our… illustrious leader."

"Wreav and I share the same mother," Wrex explained, "and nothing else.'

"For which I am thankful for. I remember what it means to be a true Krogan! We flay our enemies alive and drown them in a geyser of their own blood. We don't invite them into our home."

"Even if they're here to cure the Genophage?" Victor asked. "If that's the case, then you're stupider than you look. I'll bet you couldn't science your way out of a paper bag."

Hearing that, Wreav's eyes squinted, his head snapping towards Victor. "Who's this pyjack?" he asked. "Why should I listen to hi -" Before he could finish, Victor walked over and smashed a fist into Wreav's face. Not expecting the blow, Wreav staggered backwards, while the Krogan looked at Victor with some surprise.

"I am Kommandant Victor Steiner-Davion. Heir to the throne of the Federated Commonwealth, the Defender of Atlas City and Bane of Clan Shadow Jaguar. As for why I'm here, I'm here to ensure that the Krogan have a future, same as Mordin Solus, the 'Salarian' that you so ignorantly choose to slander. You are going to trust him, otherwise I'll shoot your kneecaps out, and you'll find out how hard it is to argue when a Combat Shotgun is rammed down your ugly shitpipe of a mouth!"

That got the Krogan's attention, and while a few began to growl at him, a few more were actually impressed. Wreav, disgruntled, was about to get up when Victor casually made sure his shotgun was loaded. Shepard also got ready just in case a fight broke out. Fortunately, a cooler head came in and prevailed.

"ENOUGH!" a feminine voice shouted. Stopping their growling, the Krogan looked to their left to see Eve walking down the steps, her eyes flashing with anger. "You can stay here and let old wounds fester as Krogan have always done, or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy, and win a new future for our children! I choose to fight! Who will join me?!"

Shepard, hearing this, stood up right and said, "I will!"

"So will I!" Victor added.

"And so will I!" Wrex added. "Now hold your heads high like true krogan! There's a Reaper that needs killing!" With that, the Krogan, realizing they had a real enemy to fight in the Reapers, roared their consent.

(Author's Q&A)

Just a Crazy-Man: Very true.

SulliMike23: Me too. He'll be probably having an 'Oh Crap!' moment.

MarauderPrime12: Me neither.

edboy4926: Thank you.

Guest: Thank you.

Chronus1326: Thank you.

Violet Toyger: That would be hilarious. I might just put that in for comedic relief.