CHAPTER 3: My Sacrifice
2185 CE
There's a Krogan myth about the creation of the Temple of Kalros. It didn't have a title originally, but it's now called 'The Tale of Nakmor Thall.'
The original story went something like this: in the beginning Tuchanka was just a planet. It had a spirit, of course, but that spirit was buried deep within its core. Tuchanka was a paradise; Giant beasts, carnivorous trees, fish the size of whales with teeth the size of slightly smaller whales! Everything anyone could ever want in a planet.
The Krogan roamed Tuchanka. Each day was a gift. We fought for our lives every second of the day. Everything tried to eat us and we repaid that respect in turn by eating them right back.
Perfect, right?
But one day, the foolish Krogan invented Concrete and began to build. They created safety, and with it, they invited weakness onto Tuchanka. Her spirit was angered, and as a result Kalros, the spirit of Tuchanka, gave birth to the Thresher Maws, sending them to destroy the Krogan works so that Tuchanka's blessed Krogans might never know weakness again.
The Thresher Maws rampaged, destroying the buildings.
This led Krogan architects to abandon the weakness and fear that had possessed them and understand true strength comes from challenging yourself to defeat others.
They built bigger, better, sturdier buildings. Buildings designed withstand Thresher Maws.
Angered with the progress of her favored species, Tuchanka sent the greatest challenge of all, Kalros, to challenge them.
Kalros rampaged across the world for 57 days and 58 nights, destroying every building in her path.
Eventually the Krogan banded together to defeat her, not with their fists, but with their wits. The Krogan hero, Thall, came up with a plan. They would build a temple, bigger than any building on Tuchanka, a temple dedicated to Tuchanka herself and the glory of her soul; a temple dedicated to Kalros.
This temple would be made not to cower from foes inside it's walls, but to invite them in in challenge!
There's a long complicated middle part where Thall has to go on a quest to get the proper mystical items it would take to build the building; things like Thresher Maw claws, and Harvester wings. All from specific, named beasts; beasts that had lived for thousands of years. But after collecting all the materials and building the actual temple, a task which involved defending it from twelve Thresher Maws followed by fending off Kalros herself with weapons and defenses he had built, finally the Temple was consecrated in all its glory with a glorious free for all, watched over by Kalros herself in approval of what was made.
I changed very little in my telling. Just two things, really.
Instead of anger at the Krogans building things, in my version of the myth, Tuchanka sent the Thresher Maws and Kalros because she was happy at the idea of Krogans building things and she wanted to challenge us.
The other thing was a small change really. It didn't even change any of the meaning of the tale.
I gave the hero of the story a clan name. The Krogan hero Thall became the Krogan hero, Nakmor Thall.
It's little things like that which change a culture.
2183 CE
Liara finally emerged from her room for the first annual Normandy movie night, to be held every week or something. Look, I'm not great at dates. Tali will back me up here.
Anyway, I wanted to play something specifically for Liara, obviously. Something fun and maybe a little Cathartic. Something that shows that she has other people to rely on even if her mom is a terrible person who got indoctrinated and tried to kill her.
Basically, I wanted something to display my feelings.
So obviously we ended up watching Pixar's Up, a story about an amazing grandpa who takes a kid on the adventure of a lifetime and replaces the kid's parents in his life.
Also, balloons and friendship and giant probably extinct birds.
'This movie is... What's going on here?' Tali asked staring at the splash screen for the film, specifically the obscenely large number of balloons holding up the house.
'Up is a classic movie about friendship across different generations and species.' I replied.
Tali nodded, and I started the movie.
Eleven minutes and thirty seconds in, Tali, Shepard, Joker, Liara, Wrex and myself were all crying.
'What's going on, why are they building around his house? Humans get weaker as they get older. They have enough strength to defeat him and knock it down.' Wrex asked, his voice still a bit choked up from his sobbing.
'It's actually based off a real story, Humans have property rights. If you own something people aren't supposed to use force to take it from you. There was a woman who owned a plot of land that a shopping mall wanted to build on. They had bought out all her neighbors' land, but she wouldn't sell. So they just built the mall around her.' I explained.
The movie continued without anyone talking until...
'Do humans naturally get that round?' Garrus asked, staring at Russel.
'No.' Joker lied.
'Huh. This tiny human has an almost Turian-like respect for rules and procedures. Admirable perseverance. My father would have killed for a son like him.' Garrus observed
'YES! Show him the wrath of an elderly human scorned, small and elderly human man!' Wrex cackled as Carl hit the construction worker.
Followed shortly thereafter by Shepard chiming in. 'I see why you enjoy this film, Old man. Carl has an almost Krogan-like respect for authority and the rule of law.'
"You know Shepard, I'm gonna take that as a compliment.' I replied.
The house began to fly through the city.
'Are those balloons filled with Eezo?' Tali asked, interested.
'Humans hadn't actually discovered Eezo yet, but I did run a similar experiment around a thousand years ago with a mass effect field generator in a house. Even using regular helium filled bags it's possible to lift a house. Of course, you need to specifically build and reinforce the house to do it or it'll fall apart.' I admitted.
'How'd you learn that?' Joker asked.
'Experience.' I replied.
'Wait, the kid's there in the house!?' Liara gasped.
'Did that kid just fall?' Garrus asked.
'No. Carl was just imagining what would happen.' I explained.
'Is this how humans normally move houses? It's more... Quarian than I assumed.' Tali asked.
'Only on colony worlds. They move houses like that on Eden Prime. Fewer balloons though.' Ashley explained.
'What are those furry Varren?' Garrus asked a few minutes later.
'They're dogs.' I explained.
'Are they edible?' Wrex enquired.
'Yes, but humans get very upset if you eat them. Also, they don't taste very good.' I added.
'You ate a dog!?' Kaidan asked, outraged.
'No. I had some lab grown meat. It was never actually a dog.'
'That's not cool.' Joker replied.
'Like I said, Wrex. Humans get very upset if you eat them.'
A few minutes later Garrus chimed in again.
'That's a snipe, right? Is the Snipe supposed to be a Turian?' Garrus asked, somewhat offended.
'The movie's from the early 21st century, Garrus. You Turians hadn't even met the Humans yet.' I corrected.
'It certainly has the agility and cunning military cunning of a Turian commando.' Garrus countered.
'You know Garrus, I think that I agree with you.' Wrex grinned.
I shot him a look. We were both definitely on the same page.
Several more minutes later Dug appeared and, apart from some small amounts of confusion over whether early 21st century Humans had the technology to make dogs talk or not, everything was right with the world.
2183 CE
The movie ended without a single dry eye in the house as Carl pinned the badge on Russel.
'Thank you. That was... really nice.' Liara admitted as the credits finished rolling.
'The humans have a saying, 'No man is an island.''
'Isn't that self evident? Most organic beings are not also land masses.' Garrus remarked.
'It means that Humans, like most sentients, are social creatures.' Shepard explained.
'What's the relevance?' Garrus asked.
'We all need company and camaraderie to thrive and heal.' I explained.
'The moral of the movie. You picked this for me?' Liara realized.
'It seemed like you needed it.' I smiled.
'Thank you.' she smiled back.
Overall, I think the first annual Normandy Movie Night was a success.
2183 CE
Virmire honestly looked like a paradise. It was a paradise. A paradise that the Citadel could not manage to settle due to their own inability to defend their borders against pirates.
Of course, there was one race that wouldn't have that problem.
In a galaxy without the Genophage, Virmire could have been the shining jewel of the Krogan race. We'd need to import some Thresher Maws of course first, and maybe some Harvesters and Klixen... The native fauna, the pod crabs, weren't exactly aggressive enough for Krogan tastes. Though they probably were delicious enough for Krogan tastes...
Under normal circumstances, I'd be happy to enjoy a virgin world like Virmire.
These weren't normal circumstances.
2183 CE
Joker really is an amazing pilot. He came in low, dropped the Mako, and then we were all off like a shot.
I told Tali to make sure my shuttle's in working order on the way in. I have a feeling that we're going to need it.
About a half an hour later we were standing in front of Major Kirrahe, with Wrex running off to sulk and confront Shepard.
I cleared my throat. It sounds more like a rumbling purr when we Krogans do that; it's approximately the same sound and volume as an old Harley Davidson starting up. You know, from when the humans still used gas? Not like the eezo-powered flying Harleys of the modern era. Still it definitely grabs attention, so it serves the same purpose. 'You know, Shepard, Prothean sites from their era of extinction tend to speak of the Reapers. Vast fleets of ships harvesting them. You can find the signs across the entire galaxy if you look. If I were fighting a giant fleet of Reapers? I'd want the Krogan leading the charge.'
'What's your point, Krell?'
'Only this, if you see any chance to get data on that cure, any chance at all? You should do so. The Protheans fought the Reapers for centuries. In that time period only the Krogan breed fast enough to replace our forces against that kind of threat.'
I turned around and looked back at Shepard. 'Something to keep in mind.'
2183 CE
I missed the confrontation with Wrex.
Purposefully.
Not a great idea to be in the target lines if they're shooting Krogan.
Shepard managed to grab his armor, so I wasn't too worried about the outcome.
I'm happy to say that I wasn't surprised on that note. Wrex came through their conversation just fine. I'm not sure what Shepard said to him, but whatever it was, it worked.
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Without Wrex I could probably still serve as a stabilizing force for my fellow Krogan. Maybe. The problem is, it would have trapped me on Tuchanka, and made me rewrite all my plans.
Also, Wrex would be dead.
I'm glad Shepard made the right choice. I think I have her measure now.
I'll have to trust her more.
Shepard didn't take me into the compound. But that was fine by me. She sent Ashley Williams with Kirrahe's team. I happily did not remind her that I too was familiar with Alliance communication protocols and thus qualified to take on this newest suicide mission.
Anyway. I needed to be on the Normandy for my plan to work.
2183 CE
It's weird staying on the ship for a mission as consequential as Virmire. I hate it.
Shepard's down there with Wrex and Liara fighting legions of cloned Krogan and indoctrinated Salarian. She's fighting Geth and learning secrets that man was not meant to know. And I'm... up here, missing out on all of that fun.
It sucks! I hate it! But I need to be on the ship in order for my plan to work, so it's not like I really have a choice here. I'm leaning on the copilot seat in the cockpit, gently. I don't want to wreck it after all.
Joker's here with me, obviously. He's just as nervous, but he doesn't know what's going to happen.
'Humans are the most Krogan-like species in Citadel space.' I offer as an ice-breaker.
Joker blinks at me. 'What?'
'You heard me.' I replied.
'I did, but what you said is pure lunacy. How are Humans the most Krogan-like species in Citadel Space?' Joker asks.
'Tell me Joker, have you heard of mosh pits?'
'Oh, you mean those places which are custom designed to break every single one of my bones and ruin my experience at concerts? No. Never heard of them.' Joker snarked.
Two could play at that game.
'Well, as the foremost authority on Humans in Citadel Space--'
'That can't possibly be true. There are actual Humans in Citadel Space. I'm in Citadel Space!'
'And yet, when University of Thessia wants a guest lecturer on Humans, who do they call?' I grin.
'You? Wait, they call you? Why are they calling you? There are actual Humans they can call!' Joker protested.
'That's an extremely Krogan-like thing to say.' I compliment him.
'Wait, what? How?'
'The Asari don't think that a species can ever really understand itself. The Protheans taught them math, and writing. And there's that whole weird melding thing they do with their breeding. They're drawn to other species, like a human moth to a flame--'
'Like, a half-human half-moth? Because those definitely don't exist.' Joker corrected.
'Yeah, but you can't just say an Earth Moth, can you? They're an invasive species on at least Shanxi. I saw them during the First Contact War.'
'Yeah, but a Human moth implies they're part human. Or maybe a human in a giant moth suit.'
'You're a fan of The Tick?' I asked, surprised.
'No, what? You're just making random stuff up now.' Joker protested.
'The Tick was a popular superhero satire in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. I'll send you a copy of one of my favorite versions of it, you might get a kick out of it.' I decided.
'Thanks. You know, you know an awful lot about obscure Human culture.' Joker realized.
'Maybe, I've been studying Human society incognito all this time? Blending in among you, unseen?'
The look Joker gave me let me know exactly what he thought about that idea.
'Yeah, sure. You wore a trench coat, a fedora, and a set of glasses with a fake nose, and no one recognized you.' Joker laughed.
I pulled out my omnitool and queued up a video.
Joker looked over only to see my 'early attempt at human stealth' on my first visit to New York City.
'What! You actually--!' Joker choked.
'Careful. Don't break a rib!' I cautioned.
'They're all ignoring you! How did you do that? That can't possibly be from before the First Contact War, right?' Joker asked, baffled.
I grinned. 'It's not. But when you told me what I should wear to blend in...'
'I can't believe you actually did it. And it worked.' Joker groused.
'It worked for the purposes I wanted it to work for, and probably only because it was New York City. It's my first visit to NYC. They're ignoring me because I'm clearly signaling how weird I am. Humans purposefully ignore things like that. Homeless too. They notice me, but for all intents and purposes I might as well have been invisible until I talked to them.'
'Wait, your first visit to NYC? I remember reading about that in school. You addressed the UN. That was in 2157. The same year as the first Contact War! You had only just met your first Humans a month before! How did you even know you could pull that off?' Joker demanded.
'I told you, I'm the foremost expert on Humans in Citadel Space, and Humans... are the most Krogan-like species in Citadel Space.' I grinned.
'There's no way that can possibly be true.' Joker protested.
The radio crackled and Shepard's voice emerged. 'Joker! I need you to land in the giant courtyard with the fountain. We need to place the bomb!'
'Back to work then. Nice talk, but the commander needs me.'
I nodded as I left the cockpit for the loading bay. After all, plans are just like jokes. The most important element is timing.
2183 CE
Shepard disabled the guns and I was tasked with moving the bomb.
'You know how to fly a Kodiak, right Alenko?'
Kaidan looked up at me curiously as he armed the bomb.
'I got the basic training that all alliance enlistees get on the Kodiak. I can't make it sing like Joker can, but I can get from place to place.'
I stared at him.
'I'm gonna leave my Kodiak here next to the bomb. I like my Kodiak. It's an antique. It was also a gift from the Systems Alliance. All my stuff is inside.'
That last part wasn't true of course, I made sure to take everything important out and put it in my locker back when I first boarded the Normandy. But the point wasn't honesty, it was an emotional appeal.
'Bring it back to me. Okay?'
Kaidan blinked. 'I'm not sure why you're telling me this. Doesn't that just make things needlessly complicated?'
'We've got a split party. Ashley's over on the AA tower and you're here. Problem is there's only one way out. I'd be a lot more comfortable if each of us had a way out, and since I can't lend my Kodiak to Ashley, that means you, kid. So, I'm trusting you with my ride here. Make sure to bring it back. The seats in the back fold up to access the weapon lockers. Should be some firepower in there if you need it. There's even a medkit full of medigel. Just replaced that last week, so it should still be fresh.'
Kaidan nodded in understanding as I retreated back to the ship.
Shepard had decided to take Garrus and Tali with her to fight the Geth at the AA tower. That left Liara and Wrex on the ship with us. The Salarians were on the ship too, two of the three squads. Not the one led by Kirrahe though. Shepard was leaving to bring them up.
A quick look at Wrex resulted in a slight shake of his head. I don't know if that meant 'Not here' or if it meant 'I couldn't get it' but either way it could wait until the Salarians were gone.
'You were right.'
I looked at Liara, I hadn't expected this little non-sequitur.
'I was right?'
'About the Reapers. About indoctrination. About everything. You were right. How did you know? All those papers. You couldn't be making things up, if you were you'd be wrong. But instead you were right. How did you know?'
I smiled at Liara.
'Can you keep a secret?'
'Of course I can! I'm not a child, Krell!'
I nodded, then very overtly moved my head to stare at the STG teams, all of whom seemed to be studiously pretending not to listen in. 'So can I.'
'What? Oh. I suppose this could be-- You'll tell me later then?'
'If I can find somewhere it's safe to do so.' I agreed.
I felt like Kalros had decided to nest in my stomach. Had what I'd done been enough? Did they get Binary Helix's Genophage cure? Would my Kodiak be enough to get Kaidan free?
Joker picked up Shepard, along with Garrus, Tali, and even more Salarians, this time led by Kirrahe.
'Krell, you and I need to have a long talk about Indoctrination and exactly what you know and how you know it. Joker, why the hell aren't we off this planet already?'
'Kaidan's still down there!' Came the voice over the intercom.
'Kaidan's dead! There's no way he can escape that blast!'
'That's not quite true.' I interrupted.
'Speak plainly!'
'I lent him my Kodiak before we left. Didn't like the idea of two teams one getaway vehicle.'
'Joker, get us out of the blast range, then wait for no more than a minute before getting us out of here. I don't know where Sovereign is and that's a problem.'
'Aye Aye, captain!'
Kaidan's minute ran out with no more than static in response to our hails.
As Joker jetted us away, my heart dropped. I hadn't been able to save everyone.
Author's note: Yeah, I know I said an update a day but Virmire's a really small update, and I'm already at 68k words, so I've basically written an entire Virmire's worth of update just today. So think of it as a bonus. This update was actually so small that I felt almost bad posting it, so I took an hour and added the scenes with Up and Joker to pad it out a bit. Next chapter will finish off all the bits before Ilos.
