Kacey stood in the comm room, impatiently tapping her foot as Admiral Hackett appeared on the holographic interface of the QEC. The Admiral gave her a concerned look as he addressed her.

"Commander, I'm hearing chatter that you're brokering peace between the krogan and the turians?" Hackett questioned.

"Yeah about that…" Kacey replied, "If we want turian support, I need to get krogan boots on Palaven."

"And how did Cerberus get involved?"

Excellent question. And it was one that she was asking herself a lot lately. It was clear that the Illusive Man had something big planned and Kacey had a suspicious feeling that she knew who tipped them off. Cerberus always seemed to worm their way into things that did not concern them. Typical.

Kacey scoffed, "Don't know. Don't care. I dealt with it and if they know what's good for them, they'll stay out of my way."

The Admiral gave Kacey a stern look, "Kacey I'm being serious."

"So am I. The Illusive Man is up to something." Kacey mused, her tone sour.

"Then keep them at bay." Hackett said firmly, his hands behind his back, "I can't overstate what a victory this treaty would be for the Alliance. We'll need all the help we can get."

"Yeah, I know." Kacey replied, "How's the prothean device coming?"

"Alliance R&D has officially begun construction. The team had dubbed it 'Project Crucible'" Hackett explained, "We're throwing everybody who knows how to hold a hammer at it. This is going to be the most ambitious undertaking in human history."

Kacey crossed her arms and sighed, "Will we get it done?"

"I'm not saying it won't be a challenge…but our researchers tell me the designs are elegant. Massive in scope but strangely simple as well." Hackett replied before his tone grew more reassuring, "We can do this, Kacey. You can do this. Never doubt that."

She never found herself needing a pep talk before; her determination was as notorious as her achievements. She never needed motivation or convincing to do a mission. And yet, in this very moment, she found herself doubting their chance of success. Then again, Hackett didn't see what she had seen. Not the way she saw them.

"No, sir." She saluted, refusing to let her small seeds of doubt show.

"Good. Hackett out."

A simple salute and the interface was off, leaving Kacey isolated in the room. She took another deep breath before heading through the War Room towards the conference room. Just as the doors to the conference room opened, Kacey could hear arguing; she rolled her eyes as she approached Victus and Wrex, who were arguing as Mordin looked on, uninterested.

"You have the female, Wrex." Victus said firmly, "A cure for the rest of your people can come later."

Wrex growled, "That wasn't the deal."

"But Palaven needs your reinforcements now!" Victus argued, "We can't delay!"

Despite the Primarch's pleading, Wrex simply crossed his arms, "Unless every krogan gets the cure, there is no Alliance!"

Kacey sighed, shaking her head in annoyance, "Wrex, calm down! Mordin, how long will it take to make a cure?"

"Need to synthesise base antigen from female." Mordin explained, "Also requires healthy male krogan tissue. Will need a sample."

Wrex leaned against the wall, "You're looking at it."

"Acceptable. Will need you to remain aboard Normandy for procedure."

Wrex smirked, "Let's hope the food's gotten better."

"Oh ha ha." Kacey scoffed, sarcastic, "Mordin, get started and make it quick. We don't have a lot of time to waste."

"Always do." Mordin reassured her, "Will be in Med-Bay if you'd like to speak more. Eve requires tests."

Kacey shot the professor a puzzled look, "Eve?"

"Female's real name unknown. Normandy a human vessel. Human mythology seemed appropriate under circumstances. Suggest speaking with her. New perspective. Surprising in krogan."

Mordin swiftly left the conference room, presumably before Wrex could snap back at Mordin's remarks. Kacey eyed both of the remaining men in the room as they glared at each other, tense.

"Now, is there anything else?" Kacey said, slightly agitated.

"There's a small matter concerning a ship we've lost contact with." Victus said cryptically.

"What happened?" Kacey asked.

"I'd rather discuss it…" Victus said looking at Wrex before turning his attention back to Kacey, "in private."

Wrex scoffed, "Turian problems can't even come close to what I've got."

Kacey crossed her arms, unamused, "What is it?"

"Some of my men went missing." Wrex said bluntly, "The rest we can discuss…somewhere else."

Kacey sighed, "I'll find you both in the War Room shortly. Just be ready to talk."

She turned on her heel and headed to the CIC, sapphire eyes looking across the deck to ensure that everything was running smoothly. Traynor was quick to call her over, tense.

"Commander, we've got new reports of Cerberus activity on Tuchanka. I've already marked it on the galaxy map." Traynor said.

"Thanks Traynor." Kacey said as she headed over to her terminal. She looked through her emails, finding one from Feron and another from Kirahhe although nothing that immediately caught her attention. It wasn't until she got to the bottom of her inbox did she see one from Kaidan.

She read it at least three times, her brow becoming more furrowed as she read each sentence. It appeared that Kaidan intended to take the offer, yet he still was contemplating if it was the right thing to do. He wanted to see her again and Kacey was happy yet a little nervous.

'Why am I not happy about this?'

Because you know better.

It was going a little too fast; much had changed in the two years she was dead but the process in which Spectres were chosen was not one of those things. No evaluation, no spectre recommendation. No due process. She didn't want to sound pretentious, but she was worried. Kaidan did deserve the chance, that was not up for debate. What was up for debate was Udina's intentions. Something felt off about how he was handling the process.

She stepped away from the terminal and walked down the bridge towards the cockpit, trying to push her suspicions about the human councillor aside and focus on the genophage cure. As she entered the cockpit, she overheard Joker talking to EDI, who was laser-focused on the screens in front of her.

"The krogan and the turians really should get behind the Alliance." Joker mused, "They've got so much in common, like shooting things, and not wanting to die, and…no, that's about it."

"Is that right?" Kacey smirked.

"Commander. So, bringing the krogan to the war summit went well." Joker smirked, "You want me to invite the batarians, too? Or the vorcha?"

"Building alliances is the only way we stand a chance against the Reapers." Kacey replied, "Any bad blood between us is irrelevant."

"Yeah, but the krogan?" Joker questioned, "I'd feel better if we had a tighter plan like…time travel. Or teaching the Reapers to love."

Kacey choked, "Oh, I'd like to see you try that one."

"It can be plan B." Joker replied, "Still, good to have Mordin back. The bad guys shouldn't have a monopoly on mad scientists."

"Agreed." Kacey mused.

…

Kacey had much to do before reaching the Citadel. Her weapons needed care, as well as the usual rounds of maintenance. Kacey didn't do as much maintenance as Garrus but she still made sure that her weapons were functional and effective. And it was a task that she did alone.

Which was why it was odd that she found James by the weapon lockers, looking over her weapons.

"James? What are you doing?" Kacey asked, suspicious.

The marine jumped as he turned to face Kacey, "Oh, hey Commander. I was just looking…"

"At my weapons?"

"I mean…" James looked over at the open locker, "They look a hell of a lot different from anyone else's."

"That's because they're heavily modified." Kacey explained with a smirk as she walked past and took her pistol and assault rifle out of the locker, "You honestly think we fought through the Collector homeworld without modifications to our weapons and armour?"

James chuckled as he folded his arms, "Maybe I did. So, what modifications did you get?"

Kacey fiddled around with the pistol aiming system, "Mostly ammo mods, boosts to the concussive shots and larger clip capacities. These don't overheat as much as yours either. Can you pass over my assault rifle please?"

"Sure." James replied as he went to pick up the rifle, "Woah!"

"You okay, James?"

"Yeah I just…" James held the rifle in both hands, "It's a lot heavier than I thought it would be."

Kacey smirked, taking the rifle from James with one hand, "I bet."

James leaned against the wall as Kacey began to check over her rifle, "I wonder what the hell Cerberus was up to on Sur'kesh."

"You and me both." Kacey replied bitterly, "My guess is that they wanted to stop the genophage cure."

"But why? What does that have to do with anything?"

"I couldn't tell you James." Kacey responded, "Cerberus never operated within the realms of reality. They have a reason, but what that is, is anyone's guess. And besides, Wrex will probably wipe them off the face of the galaxy if they get in his way."

"Wrex certainly is a badass. I bet he's got some real interesting stories to tell." James mused.

"Oh, he's got plenty." Kacey replied with a small laugh, "Too many if you ask me. I'm sure he'll tell you if you ask."

"Ask? I'm curious, not suicidal." James scoffed with a smirk.

Kacey chuckled, "Does he intimidate you, James?"

James looked away, shaking his head with a small laugh, "No no. Just…not in the mood to take on a krogan. You don't seem fazed by him."

"I'm not." Kacey replied, tinkering with the ammo settings, "Krogan don't intimidate me, much less Wrex. To be honest, the guy really isn't that intimidating when you get to know him."

James smirked, "Much like you."

Kacey looked up, surprised at what James had said, "What are you talking about?"

"You. You're a lot more intimidating to strangers than your crew."

"Clearly. You are a prime example of that."

"You've got me there." James replied smirking, "Mordin is something else by the way. His mouth moves faster than a frog on a hot rock in the middle of summer."

"That is a very specific analogy." Kacey replied.

"Don't ask."

Kacey laughed, "I wasn't going to."

Kacey finished up and began to put her weapons back into the locker, keeping it organised. The conversation had certainly put her in a much better mood. James certainly seemed to have a much more positive view of the situation than she did; then again James wasn't as experienced in this as she was. And she knew exactly what they were facing.

…

The Crew Deck was quieter than she expected it to be; not that it was a bad thing. Kacey didn't badger and micromanage her crew, and as long as they did their job she didn't particularly care how they did it. She trusted her crew and their judgement inexplicably.

Garrus was still in the Main Battery, typing away as he modified the Thanix Cannons. She wasn't surprised that he was still here. He seemed a little tense.

"You okay, Garrus?" Kacey asked.

"Kind of." Garrus replied, turning around to face her, "Kacey, they say female krogan have a thing for guys with scars."

Kacey snorted, a big smirk on her face, "So I've heard."

"I've got quite a few myself…" Garrus continued, "Here's hoping nobody's planning an arranged marriage to cement this deal."

"Well shit, there goes plan A." Kacey laughed.

"Please tell me you're joking." Garrus asked to which Kacey nodded, "Jokes aside, I have to say I admire Eve. The things she must have endured, living with the genophage. And now to top it all off, she's her people's last hope? I'd say imagine the pressure but…" He trailed off. Kacey sighed as she caught on to what Garrus was referring to.

"Yeah, I can relate."

"Hey, it takes real courage to face that. Never forget that." Garrus replied.

"I hope I can measure up."

"You always do." Garrus replied, "So, I guess we're at war with Cerberus now, huh?"

"Yep."

"It's about damn time."

"You're telling me." Kacey mused, "We'll take them down. That I can promise you."

"I don't doubt that." Garrus said, "Here's hoping that we can."

Kacey smiled, but it was a lie. Whether or not they could pull that off while keeping the Reapers off their backs. Fighting two fronts was not ideal, and considering that one of those fronts was manned by all-powerful AI machines hell bent on killing them all. And she wasn't sure how they were going to pull this off.

…

After leaving the Main Battery, Kacey made her way to the Med-Bay to see Mordin. However, before she reached the door, she was stopped by Doctor Chakwas, who pulled her side.

"Commander, I spoke to Admiral Hackett about…what you suggested earlier." She said in a hushed tone.

"About bringing Mordin in on this?" Kacey asked quietly to which Chakwas nodded.

"Yes. He's sceptical but agreed. He said that if you trust Mordin, then it should be fine." Chakwas replied, "Just make sure that–"

"Just make sure he doesn't spread the info around, got it." Kacey replied, "Thanks, Doctor."

"No problem, Commander." Chakwas said before leaving.

Kacey turned and headed into the Med-Bay. Eve was sitting on one of the beds, looking unamused as Mordin stood in front of her, looking through his datapad. Kacey noted the stack of datapads on the side as Mordin ran through his list with Eve, going off topic as he did so.

"Aware female krogan find scars attractive." Mordin mused, "Garrus loyal, reasonably intelligent. Bit aggressive. Almost like krogan."

"For the third time, Doctor. I'm not interested!" Eve snapped back firmly.

"You trying to set up my best friend, Mordin?" Kacey said with a laugh.

"Ah, Shepard." Mordin said as Kacey approached, "We were just—"

Mordin didn't get the chance to finish as Wrex entered the Med-Bay, a concerned look on his face. He walked over to Eve, making his presence known.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine, Wrex." Eve replied bluntly, "You can relax."

"You can't be too careful…or put any faith in salarian doctors." Wrex growled, eyeing Mordin with suspicion.

"This one is different." Eve replied calmly.

"Is he? What's that?" Wrex asked as he observed Mordin.

"Simple blood test." Mordin replied plainly.

"What kind?"

"Kind that ends genophage." Mordin replied sharply, "Shepard please. Distractions counterproductive. Also affecting comfort of patient."

"He was your inside source, Wrex. You can trust him." Kacey replied.

"Salarian have minds that are like a maze." Wrex retorted, "You never know when they're leading you into a trap."

Mordin turned quickly, facing the suspicious krogan, "Trap? Eve's release my doing! Would never had known about her if not for me."

"That was then, but she's out now!" Wrex snapped back, "And if she gets hurt, I'll feel it."

"Okay, okay!" Kacey stepped in, tired of listening to yet another pointless argument, "That creepy last statement aside, Wrex, you know nothing happens on this ship without me knowing about it and saying so. Mordin is not going to hurt her, and there are no invasive medical tests unless she consents to it. Got it?"

"Of course." Mordin replied, "My patient. My responsibility. Her welfare a priority."

"Fine." Wrex huffed, "Heh. You've got a quad, Doctor. Keep her safe. Our females have endured enough."

"Don't forget," Mordin said as Wrex approached the door, "Still need your tissue sample."

Wrex groaned, "I'll be back."

Kacey' surprised look did not go unnoticed by Mordin, who added, "Common phobia. Fear of needles."

"Or salarian doctors." Kacey mused.

Mordin nodded, "Now back to work. Prefer females of the species."

Kacey smirked as Mordin moved to the far side of the Med-Bay, engrossed in his work, leaving Kacey in Eve's presence. The krogan stood up off the bed carefully.

"Thank you for saving my life, Commander." Eve said courteous, "I didn't think the krogan had any allies left in the galaxy."

"We owe a lot to you, even if most people have forgotten that." Kacey replied.

"They can be forgiven." Eve replied, her calm voice very distinct against Wrex's abrasive one, "Our actions have hardly inspired friendship."

"Part of being friends is knowing each other's names." Kacey said, "I feel bad that I don't know yours."

"I surrendered it the day I became a shaman of the female clan." Eve explained, "I belong to my sisters now. But perhaps one day when this is over, you can know it."

"I didn't know the krogan had female shamans."

"Wisdom comes from pain—and the genophage has made us very wise." Eve explained, "Rather than surrender to despair, a few of us chose to preserve the ancient ways. We safeguard our culture, our knowledge, our secrets—so when our children live again, the krogan will flourish."

"So what was your initiation like?" Kacey asked.

"You're locked in a cave for seven days with just enough food to last." Eve recounted, "On the eighth day, you'll starve."

"Okay, so what does that prove?"

"Your resolve." Eve replied, "Every acolyte is given a chance; you either claw your way out through the rock with your bare hands, or you die. I started digging the wrong way. I was in complete darkness. Nothing other than my own heartbeat to sustain me."

"That sounds brutal." Kacey replied, "What happened?"

"I found this." Eve said, pulling out a small violet crystal, "A simple crystal. But it became my chisel. Take it as a reminder, Commander. In the darkest hour, there is always a way out."

"I appreciate it, but are you sure that you want to part with this?" Kacey asked.

"Of course. The initiation was a brutal experience, but an illuminating one. You learn to appreciate the light by living in the dark."

Kacey couldn't argue with her logic; it was certainly a surprise to hear such wise words from a krogan. Mordin was right; the females definitely had a unique perspective.

"Thank you." Kacey replied, "And I should probably apologise for Wrex treating you like a doll."

"No apology is needed." Eve said, "When he's not trying to sire half of Tuchanka, he's the best thing that's happened to the krogan—but I won't tell him that. His head's big enough already. Literally."

They both chuckled at the remark; Kacey could see why Mordin said she had a different perspective.

"He has turned into a strong leader." Kacey replied.

"I know in his heart Wrex wants what's best for us." Eve added, "Though not all the other clans see it that way."

"Why would the other clans give Wrex trouble? You'd think they want a better future."

"It's not in the nature of our males to co-operate. They've evolved to be selfish." Eve explained, "Their only concern is survival. Wrex is different. He's a mutant. And that, you can tell him."

"And I hope Wrex won't start another war after the genophage is cured." Kacey replied.

"He understands the cycle of violence must end if krogan are ever to have a voice in galactic politics. Still, he's just one krogan. If enough clans demand it, he may not be able to stop them."

Kacey scoffed, "That's probably when I'll end up involved…somehow. I usually end up involved in this stuff somehow. Thanks for talking with me."

Eve shook Kacey's hand, "It's my pleasure, Commander. I'm glad to see humans treat their women with respect. Your people have placed a lot of responsibility on you."

"No more than your people have put on you." Kacey replied.

Eve smirked, "Heh, then maybe we can show the men how it's done."

Kacey smiled, "Deal."