Author's Note: I want to say thank you to anyone who added this to their favorites or follow lists. I also have to send a special thank you to Jules Hawk for all the feedback you've given.
Please feel free to leave me a review after you read, I would love to know what you think. - TLC
Chapter Twelve
As a colony, Zhu's Hope left a lot to be desired and Kaidan had the impression it hadn't been this depressing before the geth attack. He was on the Normandy, gathering supplies from their med bay to try to assist with some of the injuries resulting from the events of the day. They had arrived much earlier, and it appeared they would be spending the night docked before attempting to finish the rest of their mission. When they first arrived, Shepard had chosen Kaidan and Garrus to join her. She seemed to appreciate the well-rounded levels of talent in tech, biotics and military training this trio offered. They had been greeted by a colonist, who had directed them to speak to Fai Dan, the head of the colony. Almost before he finished speaking, the geth attacked killing the man and startling the trio into action. They made quick work of the handful of machines. The attack set them on high alert as they made their way into the colony.
Kaidan watched as Shepard's face fell at the state of the colony. It was in shambles, granted it had been built off the Prothean ruins found here, it still felt less like a colony and more like the slums back on Earth. They were directed to Fai Dan who explained that even before the geth attack, the colony had been struggling. Their water supply had been cut off, they were running low on meat supplies and the power cells needed for their generator had blown leaving them powerless. If this wasn't an example of a failing colony Kaidan didn't know what was. He wondered why ExoGeni, the company who founded the colony, hadn't shut it down. They must have expected to find something in the ruins. Then the geth arrived. Even their conversation with Fai Dan had been interrupted by geth gunfire.
"They just keep coming!" A colonist fitted with a weapon he had never been trained on exclaimed as he popped from cover to try to defend his home. Shepard looked to Kaidan and Garrus and no words needed to be spoken. They moved forward into the tunnels taking out the geth in their path and searching for whatever it was that was drawing them to this area. Thankfully, as they made their way through the pathways, they founds deactivated water valves. Upon reactivating the third valve, they heard the water start to flow, and Shepard grinned in satisfaction.
They met a man in the tunnels, who seemed ill and spoke in riddles. Shepard offered to help him, but he had insisted there was no help to be had. Reluctantly, they left him there but Kaidan knew Shepard would be speaking to Fai Dan about it when they returned to the colony. They found a collapsed section of highway, and were able to take down the ill, near rabid Alpha Varren to allow the colonists to hunt safely for the remaining pack to supplement their food supply. As they rummaged through the debris in the area, Garrus was able to pull functional power cells from a damaged vehicle left abandoned. They stowed them in their bag and continued their way through the tunnels.
They found a geth transmitter and destroyed it with great gratification before turning and making their way back to the colony, eager to find out what exactly was going on here. The behavior of the colonists seemed odd, aside from the attacks. No one would speak of the colony itself, only directed them to Fai Dan who deflected their questions with the talk of the geth. The geth drop ship had left the tower, but had only moved and latched on to the side of the ExoGeni Headquarters on the other side of the Prothean highway. The trio went to the highway, and took a Mako across the way to the headquarters. They were quiet in the vehicle, paying attention to the geth in their path. Garrus worked the gun and Shepard drove while Kaidan used the thrusters to avoid the energy pulses the geth shot at them.
They were picking up some radio chatter on their way, which seemed to be ExoGeni staff assessing the damage and their odds. As they neared the building, the talk mentioned they could hear a vehicle coming and that it wasn't the geth. It was assumed that it was them in their Mako. They stopped and found some ExoGeni refugees awaiting rescue. Apparently, the daughter of one of the refugees was still at headquarters, Kaidan and Shepard exchanged a glance. The place was overrun with geth, if she hadn't found some place to hide, the odds of her being alive were slim. Still, they promised to look for her as they searched for the reason Saren had sent his geth here.
They went back to the Mako and went further into the tower. Kaidan could sense Shepard's frustration growing when the Mako was blocked from continuing. They were forced to proceed on foot, without the added protection of the vehicle. Unfortunately, as they searched for a path into the tower, they found their way forward blocked by an energy field that none of the weapons would have been powerful enough to break through. With a resigned sigh, Shepard ordered them down through a broken section of floor in an attempt to get around the barrier. As soon as their feet touched the ground, a shot rebounded off Shepard's shields and ricocheted into the darkness. They had found Lisbeth Baynham, the daughter of the refugee.
Shepard eased her concerns about being shot at and made sure Lisbeth was okay. She had stayed behind to protect data when the rest of the building had evacuated, then she was stuck and had to hide. Shepard asked if she had any idea what the geth were after, and that was the first time they had heard anything about the Thorian. Unfortunately, Lisbeth didn't have any specific information. She did, however, hand over her ID badge to grant them access to other areas. They made their way deeper into the tower, looking for a way to dislodge the geth drop ship to disable the energy fields and get communication back up.
During their search, the encountered a Krogan attempting to access information from the company's VI. Due to the security protocols, he was not given any of the information he requested and the VI asked him to step aside to allow the queue forming behind him access. Thankfully, Shepard had her rifle out and Kaidan was ready with a lift before the Krogan had a chance to draw his weapon. They moved up to the terminal, and Shepard pulled out Lisbeth's ID card. The VI greeted Lisbeth, and proceeded to inform them that there was no new information on the Thorian because the observation sensors at Zhu's Hope had been inactive for several cycles. Kaidan and Garrus exchanged a worried glance at the heated tone in Shepard's voice when she asked the VI what Zhu's Hope had to do with the Thorian. Kaidan could feel her biotics reacting to the anger raging through her.
The VI informed them that the Thorian was located within the colony. It is a species of plant that exhibits a sentient behavior like no one had seen before. Through the dispersion and eventual inhalation of spores it is able to control other species, including humans. ExoGeni established the colony of Zhu's Hope as a control group, to study the affect of the Thorian on humans. Shepard cursed, "We've got to get the fuckin geth out of here and get back to the colony."
Garrus and Kaidan nodded their assent and followed Shepard further into the building. Eventually, they found where the drop ship had attached itself to the wall and they moved to the controls for the gate. Kaidan played with the settings, allowing it to snap closed with enough force to break off the leg and cause the ship to fall from the building clearing communications and disabling the barriers. Shepard radioed to Joker who informed them the colonists had gone berserk and were attacking the ship. She ordered the remaining crew to bunker down inside the Normandy and not to injure a colonist until she was back to assess the situation and make the call then.
They found Lisbeth and the barriers were clear. Shepard reamed into her for not being more upfront on the Thorian and ExoGeni's intentions. She apologized and explained that she had been sidelined and taken off the project because she disagreed with the company's goals and methods. Shepard let out a deep breath, and ordered her to accompany them back to the base. They made their way, silently, along the highway back towards the colony. The tension was coming off Shepard in waves and Kaidan had the feeling it was because this was a colony. She had said before, she had a weakness when it came to colonies.
They reunited Lisbeth with her mother and the rest of the ExoGeni refugees. Shepard turned to Ethan Jeong, an ExoGeni employee who had informed her that the company wanted the colony purged. "This is a human colony, you can't just wipe them out and start over!" Ethan drew his pistol and Shepard informed him there would be no purge, except for her purging the Thorian. "You'd better be ready to use that weapon, or put it away," She said in warning, her voice held a deadly calm. His hand shook, and he swore as he moved to pull the trigger. Shepard was faster, and drew her pistol and before he could get a shot off, Shepard fired a round into the center of his chest, effectively ending any discussion. Shepard turned her attention back to the Baynhams. "I don't want to hurt any of the colonists, but my crew tells me they've attacked our ship. Do you have any suggestions?"
It was decided they would lace Shepard's grenades with an anti-nerve gas that would work as a sedative to the colonists who already had weakened nervous systems while not affecting Shepard and her team. She agreed to give it a try. They completed the necessary modifications before getting back into the Mako to head back to Zhu's Hope. "Shepard, are you-…" Kaidan had started but Shepard cut him off.
"Not now, Alenko," Her answer was short and abrupt but not angry, not towards him. He swallowed as they checked their weapons and she drove them back across the highway. Upon reaching the colony, they found not only the colonists but another type of husk that looked almost organic. They moaned pitifully, and lumbered towards you. When shot, or essentially "killed" they would rupture and green ooze would erupt from their disintegrating forms. Before they entered the garage, Shepard ordered them to put on their helmets. "I don't want to risk us inhaling any spores while we're here. What's done is done, but there's no point in tempting fate," She said as she secured the fastenings. She turned her back to Kaidan when she was done, and looked at him over her shoulder. He took a step closer and double checked the closures. He tapped her shoulder guard twice and she turned, and with a gesture ordered him to turn so she could check his. Once they were sure their helmets were secure, their eyes locked for a moment, it was brief but heavy.
She turned her head from him and signaled for Garrus to open the garage door. The battle was messy and fast. The Thorian Creepers were everywhere, seeming to grow from the ground. They reached the first group of colonists and Shepard tossed a grenade at their feet before turning and lifting the Creepers that had surrounded Kaidan which allowed Garrus to take them out with his rifle. The grenade went off, releasing the gas and the colonists fell unconscious. Kaidan could sense Shepard's relief that the grenade worked as the last of the creepers erupted. She looked to the two of them, and squared her shoulders before signaling for them to continue to the colony.
A shot from a colonist ricocheted off Kaidan's armor and Shepard tossed another grenade at the grouping, cursing when only half the colonists fell under its effects. She left Kaidan and Garrus to deal with the Creepers. She braced herself and ran into the colonist's gunfire. With a heavy fist she threw a couple left hooks, knocking them out the old fashioned way, in an effort to save the grenades for larger groups. When this area was clear of gunfire, they slowly moved further into the colony. Shepard let out a yell as a round bypassed her shields and struck her armor knocking her back a step.
Kaidan moved forward this time and, following Shepard's lead, knocked out the colonist with a quick jab. They made eye contact as briefly she moved back to take point. They were at the entrance to the colony, and Shepard only had a few grenades left. Again, she left Kaidan and Garrus to the Creepers as she moved in and tossed two grenades into a rather large group of colonists. He heard her let out a deep breath over the helmet comms as all the colonists in the area dropped, but she only had one grenade left. So far, they had yet to kill a colonist.
They reached the open area at the colony, and the last of the colonists were there, behind cover, waiting for them. "Alenko!" She called out as she surveyed the area, "I'm going to center ground, I'll pull those on the left to me, you throw those on the right then I'll set off the final grenade," She ordered. His heart pounded in his chest at the order, hoping the gas in the grenade would be enough to knock out the whole group, if not, she would be overwhelmed.
"Aye, aye," He was forced to obey, despite his reservations.
"Garrus, get to higher ground and focus on the creepers," She ordered and he climbed onto some nearby crates and pulled out his sniper rifle to take them out. "On my order, Alenko," She said and he nodded. She took a breath and ran to the center of the clearing, "Now!" She shouted as she pulled half the colonists to her and Kaidan released the pent up energy to corral the rest of them to her. The grenade went off seconds later, and the colonists around her fell, and the force of the grenade sent her hard to her side a few feet away.
Kaidan cursed under his breath as he and Garrus finished off the remaining creepers before he ran over to her. He opened his omni'tool and ran a medical scan over her. There were no spinal injuries, just the gunshot to her shoulder and an injury to her leg. He rolled her to her back and framed her helmet with his gloved hands looking through her visor at her face. The sudden silence of the area was stunning as Garrus walked over to check on them. "Is she-?" Garrus asked, as her eyes twitched and opened, immediately finding his. He could feel the relief wash over him and he released her.
She propped herself up on her elbows and was silent for a second as she assessed herself. "I wasn't expecting the force of the grenade," She admitted sounding sheepish. "Is everyone alright?" She asked.
"All colonists are alive and accounted for, except Fai Dan," Kaidan answered as she sat up. He stood and reached out a hand which she accepted and allowed him to pull her to her feet. As if mentioning his name summoned him, they heard dragging footsteps behind them. They turned and found Fai Dan headed their way with a pistol pointed at Shepard.
"I tried to fight it, but it gets in your head. You can't imagine the pain. I was supposed to be their leader. It wants me to-to stop you, but… I… won't," Speaking was a struggle for the man as he fought the Thorian's control, reluctantly, Shepard pulled out her own pistol and waited, "I won't!" He shouted as he put the pistol to his own temple.
Shepard's anguished cry ripped from her throat at the same moment he pulled the trigger. He slumped to his knees, and then finally fell. Shepard dropped to her own knee, her head fell forward. She looked defeated, but in the aftermath, the battle was clearly a success. She sat back and let herself lean against a pillar. He could hear her deep ragged breaths over the comm. "Get medical supplies from the Normandy. I want to be prepared to help them when they wake. Get the others to help bring the colonists to this area. Bring Dr. Chakwas. Make sure everyone has breather helmets on. I'm going to need a minute," She said, her voice sounded exhausted and tender. He looked to her, and could see where bullets had broken through her armor as she sat with her left knee up and her right leg, her injured leg, stretched out in front of her. A sickening mix of medi-gel and blood oozed from her shoulder. There was a gash in her thigh, most likely from that final grenade. Garrus and Kaidan nodded their assent and went to the Normandy. Kaidan looked over his shoulder and he watched her head fall back and rest on the pillar with a deep sigh heard over the comm, before she shut hers off.
Kaidan left the Normandy with a bag full of supplies and found Shepard where he had left her, as the others worked around her setting the colonists up on cots while Dr. Chakwas ran scans over them. He went to her, and dropped to his knee in front of her. "Alenko, go help-…" She had started to order but he shook his head.
"No, they've got in under control. I want to look at your shoulder and your leg," He said as he opened his bag. She sighed her consent, and shifted slightly, allowing him better access to her wounded side. He removed his own gloves as she removed hers and started on her gauntlet, but he moved her hand out of the way and took over removing the armor from her arm and shoulder. She sighed, and dropped her head back against the pillar. The bullet had broken through the weaving of the armor and tore the skin, but it was just a flesh wound. Medi-gel and been released by her suit, but the system had been damaged which had caused the leak. Gingerly, he cleaned the wound and noticed she didn't even wince at the sting of the antiseptic. He applied a liberal amount of medi-gel directly to the wound before covering it.
"Humans did this to these people," She said, after a quiet moment. "They came to this colony full of hope and wanting something new, something that was their own. This wasn't an alien act. This was humanity," Her voice was sad, and full of disgust. He sat back on his heels and she looked to him, making eye contact through their visors.
"And a human is going to save them," He reminded her, and she chuckled softly.
"Damn straight," She said, though she still sounded tired. "I thought maybe we could wait until the morning to head down for the Thorian, but I'm thinking we should take care of it tonight. The sooner we end that thing, the sooner we can free these people."
"Aye, aye, but I need to look at your leg first," He said and she nodded. She reached down to unhook her greave, and he helped her pull it away. Though the material of her underarmor was ruined, he still apologized before ripping it further, fully exposing the wound. It ran from the center of her thigh up to just under her hip. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. He swallowed and tried not to think about how much of her naked thigh was exposed to him. He focused on his medic training and pulled out a clean cloth to wash the wound. A violent hiss left her as he poured the antiseptic over the gash, and he clenched his jaw. He dried it, and applied the medi-gel. The skin of her leg was soft and warm as his hand tenderly spread the gel. He glanced up, and found her eyes on him as he mended her wounds. He stopped his ministrations and locked eyes with her, his fingers curled around her leg while his thumb slowly ran over the end of the wound. He could see the hurt that she was reliving for these colonists, the anger at ExoGeni, the disgust in humanity, and something else. Something just as heated that bubbled under the surface, and drew him in.
"Lieutenant," Dr. Chakwas spoke, breaking their moment, and Shepard's head fell back again as he turned to look at the doctor, glad he was still in his armor. This way, no one would notice the blush rising from his collar. "Did you bring more medi-gel from the ship? I'm out," She asked him and he nodded. He looked back to Shepard, but she had closed her eyes to rest and he made quick work of the bandage and took the Doctor the rest of the supplies he had brought. He turned back to glance at Shepard and she was securing her greave back on her leg, her armor already back on her arm and shoulder, before she stood and stretched. She moved passed them, handing him his gloves as she went.
"Alenko," She called and pointed at the controls for the crane that would lift the part of the ship off the entrance to the Thorian's, what?, lair? He went to it immediately and opened the code to hack the system as she gave the orders. Garrus, Kaidan and she would be heading down to end the Thorian. The rest of the squad were charged with protecting the colonists from any remaining geth and from themselves. With a loud creaking noise, the section of ship lifted. Shepard gave the order for them to move out, and she dropped first followed by Kaidan and Garrus.
The trio made their way down the hallways looking for the Thorian. They weren't quite sure exactly what it was they were looking for. That is, until they saw it, "Holy fuck, that doesn't look like any plant I've ever seen," Shepard sighed as they drew their weapons and took a couple steps closer. It was a large, organic mass suspended within the structure of the building. Its tendrils extended from the main body of the being and stretched into the decrepit hallways. It looked like a cancerous growth. Shepard shuddered as they stepped closer. It pulsed, and throbbed as it leaked. The whole area smelled like rotting compost. Most of the walls or railings along the stair cases and hallways surrounding the Thorian were long gone. This left large sections of open floor with a drop off beneath the Thorian that went down further down then the eye could see.
As the being throbbed, something was dropped from inside. What appeared to be a green tinted Asari stood and locked eyes with Shepard. It spoke, "Invaders! Your every step is a transgression. A thousand feelers appraise you as meat, good only to dig or decompose. I speak for the Old Growth, as I did for Saren. You are within and before the Thorian. It commands that you be in awe!"
Shepard signaled for them to drop their weapons, and they did but they did not holster them. "You gave something to Saren. Something I need," She replied taking a small step closer to the Asari.
"Saren sought knowledge of those who are gone. The Old Growth listened to flesh for the first time in the Long Cycle. Trades were made. Then cold ones began killing the flesh that would tend the next cycle. Flesh fairly given! The Old Growth sees the air you push as lies! It will listen no more!"
Anger radiated from Shepard, and she glowed blue as she stepped closer still, "I won't let you keep your thralls! Release them. Now!"
"No more will the Thorian listen to those that scurry. Your lives are short, but have gone on too long!" With those words, the Asari attacked. Luckily, their weapons were already drawn and they made quick work of her before turning towards the moaning sounds of the Creepers.
As Kaidan made his way down the hall, he found a node where the Thorian was attached to what was left of the wall, "Shepard! Over here!" He called to her and she came up behind him, shotgun drawn and with a few quick raps it released from the wall and the tendril fell to hang with the main body of the Thorian. "I bet there's more of these, maybe if we release enough it will fall." She nodded and they continued down the hall. As soon as they left the stairway they were met by another green tinted asari clone.
Her biotics were formidable, but the combination of Shepard and Kaidan's talents made it a fair match. This continued relentlessly as they descended lower and lower searching out the nodes. With the destruction of each node, a new asari clone would appear. It was exhausting between the Asari and the never ending supply of the Creepers. After what felt like an eternity, the main portion of the Thorian seemed to sway with its own weight as it ejected another clone, "I think we've almost got it, Shepard," Kaidan offered and Shepard turned to look at him in the same moment a Creeper came round a corner and knocked into her. She was standing too close to the edge of the level and though she struggled to catch her balance she fell. Without thinking, Kaidan reached out with a biotic pull and retrieved her while Garrus took out the Creeper. She came flying back over the ledge, and when he released her she slid across the floor until she was lying just under the node. Without speaking a word she lifted her shotgun, and blasted it showering herself with its rotting fluids.
With a great groan that echoed throughout the decaying structure, the Thorian fell to its death. Shepard let her arms fall to her sides and stayed lying on the ground, staring at the ceiling of the ruins. Kaidan and Garrus rushed over to her, Garrus got there first and extended a hand to her. She reached out and took it and he pulled her to her feet, "Commander, are you alright?" Garrus asked her, concern playing in his two-toned voice.
"I'm fine. Nice grab, Alenko," She commented by way of thanks and nodded at him. He returned the nod, grateful, not for the first time, that she had convinced him to use his biotics more; if she hadn't he may not have thought to do it in time. Before he could speak he noticed one of the Thorian's flesh pods on the wall rupture and an Asari fell to the floor on all fours. She coughed and spit out a mouthful of the Thorian's essence before breathing deeply. All three pointed their weapons at her. She stood and held her hands out at them.
"I'm… I'm free," the Asari spoke and Shepard lowered her weapon, just slightly. "I suppose I should thank you for releasing me."
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Shepard asked, her voice tense and still angry.
"My name is Shiala, I serve—I served Matriarch Benezia. When she allied herself with Saren, so did I. I came to this world in search of the Thorian. Saren needed its knowledge. He needed my biotic abilities to communicate with it," Shepard decided she posed no immediate threat, and holstered her weapon. Kaidan and Garrus followed suit. Yet, Kaidan could feel Shepard's biotics on a hair trigger, so he had himself just as ready as they continued to listen to Shiala. "Saren offered me in trade. I was sacrificed to secure an alliance between Saren and the Thorian."
"Saren's pretty quick to betray his own people," Shepard commented, crossing her arms over her chest and shifting her weight.
"He was quick to betray the Thorian, too. After he had what he wanted, he ordered the geth to destroy all evidence of its existence," Shepard glanced to Kaidan and Garrus, that seemed to be Saren's MO. Shiala continued, "Saren knows you are searching for the Conduit. He knows you are following his steps. He attacked the Thorian so you could not gain the Cipher."
"What is the Cipher and why did Saren need it?" Kaidan asked and Shepard looked to him momentarily before looking back to Shiala as she spoke.
"The beacon on Eden Prime gave you visions, but the visions are unclear, confusing. This is because they were meant for a Prothean mind. To truly comprehend them, you must think like a Prothean. You must understand their culture, their history, their very existence. The Thorian was here long before the Protheans built this city. It watched and studied them. When they died, it consumed them. They became a part of it."
Shepard sounded disbelieving as she spoke, "So the Thorian taught Saren to think like a Prothean?" She glanced over the edge at where they had sent the Thorian to its death, "How?"
"The Cipher is the very essence of being a Prothean. It cannot be described or explained. It would be like describing color to a creature without eyes. To understand, you must have access to endemic ancestral memory. A viewpoint spanning thousands of Prothean generations. I sensed this ancestral memory – the Cipher – when I melded with the Thorian. Our identities merged, our minds intertwined. Such knowledge cannot be taught; it simply exists," Shiala spoke almost reverently about the Thorian, and it sent chills down Kaidan's spine.
"I need it to stop Saren," Shepard answered simply.
"Well," Shiala started, "There is a way. I can transfer the knowledge from my mind to yours, as I did with Saren," She took a step closer to Shepard, who planted her feet firmly. "Try to relax, Commander. Slow, deep breaths. Let go of your physical shell. Reach out to grasp the threads that bind us, one to another," Shiala moved closer to Shepard and Kaidan took a step forward, instinctually, protectively, but Shepard signaled for him to stay where he was as she removed her helmet. She returned her eyes to the Asari. He had a bad feeling in his gut about this, and looked to Garrus who seemed just as concerned. "Every action sends ripples across the galaxy. Every idea must touch another mind to live. Each emotion must mark another's spirit. We are all connected. Every living being in a single, glorious existence. Open yourself to the universe, Commander," Shiala's head fell back and her eyes closed, "Embrace eternity!" She spoke loud and firm as she lifted her head and opened her eyes which had gone black like the night.
Shepard's body tensed, and her hands formed fists at her sides. Her eyes were pinched closed and her mouth twisted in a painful grimace. Kaidan's heart pounded as they sat, frozen and waiting for it to be over. After a brief eternity, Shepard's body relaxed and the pair opened their eyes. Shepard was silent as she looked around. Her clouded eyes found Kaidan's and locked on.
"I have given you the Cipher, just as it was given to Saren. The ancestral memories of the Protheans are a part of you now," Shepard turned her haunted eyes back to Shiala as the asari started speaking and scrubbed her hands over her face in an effort to pay attention to what she was saying.
"Shepard, are you alright?" Kaidan asked, the concern plain in his voice and he didn't care who heard it. She looked to him and confessed she saw something but it was still confusing. She sounded disappointed.
"You have been given a great gift: the experience of an entire people. It will take time for your mind to process this information," Shiala insisted, sounding desperate.
"We should get you to the ship, Shepard. You're looking kind of rough," Kaidan suggested taking a step closer to her as she swayed on her feet for a second.
"You sure know how to sweet talk the ladies, Alenko," She joked, and Kaidan was glad she was feeling well enough to tease him as he took her elbow to steady her, her eyes lifted to his at the contact. Her pupils were dilated and her face pale. He clenched his jaw.
Shiala continued speaking, "I am sorry if you suffered, but there was no other way. You needed the Cipher. In time, it will help you understand the vision from the beacon." They started making their way back to the colony, and Kaidan was surprised Shepard allowed him to maintain his hold on her arm. It was decided as they walked that Shiala would stay on at the colony and serve almost a penance for her part in their suffering.
When they made it back to the colony, they found the colonists awake and grateful for the Normandy's assistance. Shepard covered his hand on her arm without looking at him as her eyes moved over the make shift triage area. She pulled away from Kaidan then and made quick rounds. Kaidan watched as she stopped and spoke with each colonist, allowing them to shake her hand and thank her. Kaidan had a feeling this small action would do a lot to alleviate any sadness she had over what happened here.
As she finished making her way around to the cots, Kaidan noticed the rest of her crew had gone to the ship already, leaving him looking after her. When she said goodbye to the last colonist, she turned and found him waiting for her. She let a sad smile tug at her face as she made her way over to him. "I suppose it could have ended worse," She said softly as they walked side by side to the Normandy.
"Yeah, it could have," He replied, thinking of the moment she'd set off that last grenade and hadn't stood up. He thought of the way she flailed as she fell over the edge in the Thorian's lair. He thought of the intense pain on her face as Shiala forced the Cipher into her head. He looked at her as they walked, she still seemed pale but was more sure footed. Her brow was creased, and her eyes were down. They reached the Normandy and started the decontamination sequence, 'It could have ended a lot worse,' he thought.