The Kodak landed allowing Zenna, Garrus and Mordin to jump out. as soon as they did, the commander sniffed the air and a smirk slowly.
"Ahhh, I've been looking forward to pound some prime meat," she said as she drew her rifle.
Mordin just looked Garrus. "Interesting aggression levels,"
"I've only seen this once before," Archangel said. "When a Centaur was around, turian/ krogran levels of hate,"
"Ah," was all the salarian said before the two followed the commander as she moved up to a checkpoint and began to take out the guards.
OOOOO
Zenna, Garrus and Mordin rounded one of the corners of a scrapped ship weapons up. They came face to face with an Asari scientist who took cover as they came round. But the scientist popped up to see who it was and breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as she saw her, Zenna lowered her rifle and indicated for the others to do the same.
"Rana Thanoptis?" Zenna asked as the Asari approached.
"Yeah, I'm glad that you're shooting up the place," Rana said but the tone she had made it clear she was not happy to see the commander.
"What are you doing here?" Mordin asked.
"I took to heart what the commander said, I found work with Okeer. He's been trying to do something with the Krogans," she answered with a shrug.
"What kind of research?"
"What was he trying to do? Cure the Genophage?" Garrus asked.
"No, well not that I know of," she admitted. "But he's trying to do good even if his methods are extreme. He's not breeding an army I think he's trying to make a single Korgan, pure and ready for battle,"
"Interesting," Mordin muttered as he moved over to one of the terminals and looking at it. "You've also researched indoctrination…"
"As a side interest, I was one of the scientists researching the effects of Sovereign on organics,"
"Hummmm," the doctor muttered and began to sift through the information muttering to himself for a few moments before stopping. "Commander, permission to make a request,"
"Sure," Zenna nodded.
"I wish to higher miss Thanoptis," he said socking the pair of them.
"Wait what?" the asari spluttered. "You want me to come with her?" she pointed at the commander.
"Why?" Zenna asked.
"She has a brilliant mind, with some training she can become someone like me," he smiled, but Rana didn't.
"That's not much of an endorsement," the asari quipped, but the commander nodded.
"What do you currently get for your work?"
"I errr…." She muttered as she became flustered. "About… 20,000…."
"I'll triple it plus hazard pay," the minotaur offered.
"6….60,000?" she spluttered. "Are you serious?"
"We need all the help we can get,"
"Well then I'll pack my things and wait here," as soon as she said that she began to move.
With that the three then entered a large room with Okeer standing beside a biopod with a fully formed Krogan standing beside it. He turned as Shepard approached him.
"It's about time, the batteries on these pods will not wait while you play war with these idiotic mercs," Okeer said.
"Okeer I presume, you don't seem particularly cadged or happy to see me," Zenna noted.
"You may claim to be here to help but the recently deceased Shepard is not a sign of gentle change," as soon as he said that the commander's brow raised. "Surprised? All Krogan should know you, or have you forgotten your action on Virmire,"
"Well, I didn't have a lot of finesse on that world, if there had been any other solution, I would have taken it," Zenna shrugged.
"But I approve," the krogan said holding his hands up. "Saren's pale hoard where not true Krogan. Numbers are nothing. The mistake of an outsider one these mercs have also made." Okeer turned to the window looking at the pods. "I gave their leader my rejects for her army. But she grows impatient. It's time you take me from here,"
"We are here about the collectors your problems here are unimportant," Mordin noted.
Okeer turned to face them, but he had an unreadable expression.
"I see," he nodded. "Yes, Collectors attacks have increased a human concern. My requests were focused elsewhere." Okeer said indicating to the pod beside him. "I acquired the knowledge to create one pure soldier. With it I shall inflict the genophage the greatest insult an enemy can suffer. To be ignored," he finished turning to face them.
"You created this Krogan?"
"Yes, the perfect soldier,"
"Well, you know to de-construct a threat will you join us?" Zenna asked.
"Perhaps we can strike a deal for safe passage but my prototype is not negotiable. It is the key to my legacy," he said turing to face the biotank.
Before Kira could say anything, the Blue Suns commander came over the speakers.
"Attention! I've trac'd the krogan releaseth, Oke'r of course," she declared over the comms
Okeer walked over to the window to see the Blue suns commander standing proud in the middle of the room. Zenna joined him and looked to the centaur.
"Always did love their theatrics," she muttered
"I'm calling blank slate on this projecteth. Gas the commandos and starteth ov'r from Oke'r's data. Flush the tanks," she declared
Just then hissing sounded as the gas was being released. The team then pulled out their rebreathers and fitted them on as Okeer moved over to his tank.
"She's that weak willed? She'll kill my legacy with a damned valve," he then turned to face Zenna. "Shepard! You want information on the Collectors? Stop her she'll have access to the contaminants in the storage bay,"
"Gladly," the minotaur responded before running down to the cargo hold.
As soon as she entered, she moved to the centre of the room and looked down at the centaur in front of her.
"Well, well what do we have here?" Zenna asked in a mocking tone. "I've been looking for a pile of shit to clean up,"
"Minotaur, does thou mock me?" the blue suns commander asked as readied her lance.
"Damn right I do you high bread whore!"
The Blue suns commander then yelled as she fired her lance. Zenna dived out of the way and changed at the centaur, her shields took in the impact of several shots from the lance. As soon as she got in close, Zenna grabbed onto the lance and pulled it away from the centaur. But the Blue suns commander backslapped the minotaur stunning her and causing her to back a bit. She dropped the lance as the two backed up and several blue suns troopers moved into cover.
A few of the none humans tied to aim their weapons at Zenna, but were stopped by their human colleges and focused on Garrus and Mordin. The two Normandy crew moved from their location to get a better view of the commander and the Blue sun mercs. Garrus focused on taking out the heavier troopers while Mordin focused on the basic troopers while the two commanders fought.
Zenna got pushed back by the centaur who backed herself before charging at the minotaur. As soon as the Blue sun managed to get close, the minotaur moved out of the way and slammed her fist against the body of the centaur. That caused her to cry out before kicking Shepard in the face, which she rolled into and recovered. As she did, the centaur charged in again this time managing to knock down Zenna as she did so. While the latter did manage to recover, the centaur charged again.
This time Zenna dug her heels in and braced herself against the grates as the centaur slammed into her. While she did get pushed back a bit, the minotaur growled as she then grabbed the side of the centaur and pushed her down. The Blue sun's commander cried out as she tried to get up, but the minotaur was on her and wrapped her arm around the centaur's neck. The commander tried to get Zenna off, but the minotaur just pulled and twisted the commander's neck.
At the sound of the crack and snap, Shepard let go of the dead centaur and stood looking over the body. Garrus and Mordin soon joined her as they had finished routing the other blue suns.
"Commander I'm detecting low life signs in the lab," EDI said over the comm.
Zenna's eyes widened as the three ran up and entered the lab. Looking around she noticed Okeer's dead body on the floor. She sighed and approached the dead body and knelt down next to it. Mordin then looked to the console and typed something on it and an image appeared on the screen in front of them.
"Shepard if I knew why the Collectors where kidnapping humans I would tell you but my...prototype...this pure...soldier...this Grunt...perfect," and with that Okeer died.
"So far to protect his legacy. He deserves respect," Zenna said as she stood. "Normandy, we need a pick up,"
OOOOO
After having some lunch and rest, Zenna made her way down to the cargo bay. As soon as she got there, she examined the tank that held the sleeping Krogan. He seemed peaceful but there where so many unknowns about this subject that she didn't know what to do. But the thought 'nothing ventured noting gained came to mind.'
"The tank has been successfully integrated into the Normandy's systems, Commander," EDI said.
"What can you tell me about him?" Zenna asked.
"Like most Krogan, he has the genophage infect every cell of his body. Other than that, he is an exemplary specimen of the Krogan race. What his attitude is, is something I cannot know,"
The commander nodded with a sigh. There was only one way to solve a problem like that
"Well, that's to be expected, I'm going to let him out,"
"Are you sure? We do not know what this Krogan will be like,"
"He's either a valuable asset or a ticking time bomb. I'd rather deal with him now,"
"Very well. The controls and consequences are yours,"
Shepard approached the console and pressed the button to open the tank. It hissed as the locks disengaged. The bio-fluids drained away inside the tank before it opened up allowing the Krogan to fall forward. He landed on his knees and vomited some bio-fluids that was caught in his throat. His eyes had trouble focusing. Zenna took a couple of steps forward. The Krogan's eyes open wide. He roared and charged forward trying to push her against the wall.
But Zenna reacted as well as she stood her ground not letting herself move an inch. They stayed like this for a moment, neither letting themselves weaken but seeing that they wouldn't back down, they eased off each other waiting for an opening
"Human," he stated. "Taura Minotaur. Before you die, I need a name,"
"I'm Commander Zenna Shepard," she replied. "And I don't take threats lightly,"
"Not your name," he chided. "Mine. I know things, but the tank... Okeer couldn't implant a connection. His words are hollow. Warlord, legacy, grunt," he said. The last word got his attention. "Grunt. 'Grunt' was the last. It has no meaning. It'll do. I am Grunt," Grunt was now right in front of Shepard. "If you are worthy of your command, prove your strength and try to destroy me,"
"Why call yourself Grunt?"
"It's short. Matches the training in my blood. The other words, Okeer, Legacy, are big things I don't feel. Maybe they fit your mouth better. I feel nothing for Okeer's clan or his enemies. I will do what I am bred to do. Fight and determine the strongest, but his implant has failed. Without a reason that's my own, one fight is as good as any other. Might as start with you,"
"I have a strong ship and strong crew. A strong clan. You would make it stronger,"
"If you're weak and choose weak enemies, I'll have to kill you,"
"Ho they are worth it if not you can kill me if you can,"
Grunt let out a throaty chuckle. "That's acceptable. Very well, Shepard. I'll fight for you,"
"I'm glad you saw reason," she said while nodding downwards as the two parted from their struggle.
Grunt looked down and saw Shepard's pistol at his stomach. He expressed an amused grunt. "Offer one hand but arm the other. Wise Shepard. If I find what I want. If I find a clan. I will be honoured to eventually pit them against you,"
Codex:
Lance:
The lance is a weapon that is mostly seen with centaurs. Due to their ability to carry a good amount of equipment, the centaurs needed a weapon that could be used for hit and run attacks. Thus, the lance was born, named after the weapon their ancestors used to use. It comes in several calibres and a retractable bayonet that they can use to cut their foes down.
Similar weapons have been made based on the design of the lance such as the lance-R, which is a rocket launcher variant.