Kacey was never the most patient woman; she only had the bare minimum required to keep her out of trouble. Most of the time. Suffice to say that the lengthy trip to Sur'Kesh was starting to get on her nerves.
The Alliance shuttles weren't exactly designed for krogan, so Wrex took up the space of two seats on the shuttle while Liara sat opposite and Garrus chose to stand. Having the three of them here was a slight comfort for Kacey, if only temporary. Their relaxed chatting and laughter reminded her of a much simpler time that felt like an eternity ago. A time where having a krogan, asari and turian on a human ship and serving with human soldiers was a foreign concept.
And yet she had no time to indulge in such memories. As she got up from the passenger seat and entered the rear of the shuttle, she observed how the trio in front of her immediately piped down upon her appearance.
"This is the salarian homeworld we're heading to." Kacey stated, looking directly at Wrex, "They aren't used to seeing krogan here, so let's keep it simple. We land, get the females, and leave before anyone changes their mind. You got that, Wrex?"
"Why are you looking at me?" The krogan grunted.
"There a reason I shouldn't?" Kacey quipped.
"Fine. But I still don't trust a word they say." Wrex huffed.
She couldn't blame him; it took a hell of a lot to convince the Dalatrass to let them get the females, much less land on Sur'Kesh.
"Let diplomacy play out, Wrex." Kacey said with her usual confident tone, "You'll get what you want."
"These females are the best and probably last hope for my people." Wrex replied.
"We'll bring them back Wrex." Liara said, "Don't worry."
"I appreciate that, Liara." Wrex said with a courteous tone, "I wouldn't want anyone else along for the ride."
"Hem Hem." Garrus coughed.
Wrex turned to face the turian, a sly smirk upon his face, "I suppose I can make room for you too, Garrus." He finished with a chuckle
"Figured you'd gone soft sitting on your throne, forgot how to hold a gun." Garrus smirked.
"And here we go again." Kacey laughed. She could easily recall when Garrus and Wrex used to mock one another while they were out on their mission or simply travelling around the Citadel. However the levity of the moment was interrupted when Cortez's voice cut through.
"Commander, I have the salarian base on sensors." Cortez informed.
"Set her down." Kacey ordered.
"Commander. We've got a problem."
"What is it?"
"Salarian ground control says we don't have clearance to land." Cortez explained.
Kacey crossed her arms as she face the front of the shuttle, "Tell them the Dalatrass authorised this herself."
"I knew they'd never keep their word!" Wrex grumbled, "Let's see them try to stop a krogan airdrop!"
'Fuck.' Kacey turned on her heel as the shuttle door opened, "Wrex!" She called, her voice stern.
Wrex had already leaped out of the shuttle; Kacey moved toward the exit and noted the near 7ft drop down as Wrex clashed with the salarians down below. She took a deep breath and jumped out of the hovering shuttle, much to the chagrin of Liara and the amusement of Garrus. There was already several dozen red laser sights on Wrex as he held onto his large shotgun, the clash now at a standstill.
"Woah! Woah! Woah! Everybody cool it!" Kacey said, running over as she got in front of Wrex, "Let's all just calm down and talk, okay?"
"Stand down! Hold your fire!" A salarian voice echoed. A salarian in all black ran up in front of the troops and looked at Wrex before turning his attention to Kacey, "Commander Shepard, restrain your colleague."
Kacey still had her arms in the air as she looked at each of the soldiers who still had their guns pointed at her and Wrex, "Working on it."
"We only found out about the transfer a few moments ago."
"That's okay." Kacey said as she slowly lowered her arms, "Now how about we avoid a diplomatic incident and put those guns away?"
"Yes. That seems reasonable." The salarian said as the laser sights went away.
"You have something that is valuable to Wrex." Kacey replied.
"Something worth dying over." Wrex unhelpfully added. Kacey shot him a stern look.
"This matter can be resolved, but I must insist he remain under guard." The salarian replied as Wrex growled.
"I can handle this Wrex." Kacey said calmly.
"I know you can." Wrex mused as he put his shotgun away, "But if anything goes wrong, all bets are off."
"Good. Now try and play nice." Kacey asked as the shuttle landed, knowing that it likely fell on deaf ears.
Cortez promptly landed the shuttle, allowing Garrus and Liara to rejoin the pair. Kacey followed the salarian into the base while Wrex was taken to a spot on the side.
"I'm Padok Wiks." He introduced himself, "And I appreciate your understanding, Commander. With war on everyone's minds, our people are on edge."
Kacey observed the container being moved around; she was surprised to see a yahg trapped within, banging against the shield.
"I'd hope to never see one of those again." Liara mused.
"As you can see, this base contains sensitive information." Wiks elaborated.
"Like what?" Kacey asked.
"Evolutionary trials, morphalogical simulations. Exogenetic tests." Wiks replied.
"Nothing's ever simple with salarians, is it?" Kacey responded.
"Science has always been our best research we do here has kept Sur'Kesh safe for millennia."
"Does that include studying lost krogan?" Kacey questioned.
"The females were in poor health when we found them on Tuchanka." Wiks explained, "They were brought here to stabilise their condition."
"I'd like to see them for myself." Kacey said.
"Of course. I'll need to clear you for the lower levels." Wiks replied, "Give me a few moments then meet me by the elevator."
"Very well." Kacey said, "Gives me time to sort my 'colleague' out."
Kacey turned around and saw Wrex standing by a desk near the entrance, with three salarian guards posted next to him, likely to keep him in line. Not that it was a full proof plan, of course. Wrex could power through even the mightiest of foes, the Reapers included.
Made sense really, he hadn't changed a bit. Not once since her timely demise, did he change. If anything, he was only a little more reasonable than he used to be but that was to be expected. Kacey tended to have an effect on people.
Wrex was just as stubborn and hot-headed as Garrus; they were like two peas in a pod, if you could get them in one that is. Despite his short temperament, Wrex was the staunchest of allies, and one of Kacey's closest friends.
"This is where all you salarians come from, huh?" Wrex mused as the trio approached, "No wonder you're so soft. Too busy writing poetry about waterfalls."
"Is that right?" Kacey smirked.
"It is and you know it." Wrex replied, "Shepard, I don't like this. I should be the one going in."
"How about you stay here and we fight one war at a time?" Kacey said calmly.
"That was just good old-fashioned krogan hot air. If it'd been real, they'd be dead."
"I bet." Kacey scoffed, "Hopefully you've got enough energy to deal with the Reapers on Tuchanka."
"The Reapers are on Tuchanka?" Liara questioned.
"Uh huh." Wrex grumbled, "Clans Jorgal and Ravanor sighted a few landing parties. The Reapers are up to something. You'd think that's something the Shadow Broker would know. Too bad I don't know him…or her."
"I'm sure they're very busy." Liara replied with a smirk.
"Tuchanka may be a pile of radioactive rubble, but it's our pile, and we'll fight to the last krogan to keep it that way."
"That's what I always liked about you, Wrex." Liara laughed.
"My smouldering good looks?" Wrex chuckled.
"There is that. But you've never given up, and now that determination's about to pay off."
Kacey smirked, "Oh my god, get a room."
Wrex shot Kacey a bemused look, "Fuck off. I've been telling you that since the minute I saw you and Kaidan."
"Well shit, you've got me there."
"Where the hell is he anyway?"
Kacey's expression faltered a bit, "I…I don't want to talk about it."
"Still a sore subject, huh?"
"Yep." Kacey mused, "You ready to fight the Reapers?"
"Have been ever since Sovereign showed up." Wrex replied, "I knew this day would come. My people have spent too much time selling ourselves out as mercenaries. Now we can get back to doing what krogan do best—saving everyone else from giant monsters."
"Never going to let us forget about the Rachni Wars, are you?" Garrus smirked.
"Last time I was at the Citadel, I didn't see a turian statue in your honour." Wrex laughed.
"Just wait till this war is over."
"Then there'll be a statue of me on the Presidium." Kacey smirked.
Wrex howled with laughter as Liara tried to hide her bemused smirk. Garrus simply turned to face Kacey, a smirk plastered on his own face.
"Are you sure about that?" Garrus smirked.
"Hey, a girl can have two statues in her honour, thank you very much." Kacey laughed.
…
"Are you trying to cause a diplomatic incident?" Liara asked as they approched the elevator.
"Hey, I just wanted to know what the weird machine did." Kacey said, bemused, "Didn't you?"
"No."
"Oh come on, Liara. Sure you did." Kacey smirked, "That's why you're being defensive."
"I am not being defensive!"
"Sure you're not." Kacey laughed as they walked towards the elevator, "Hey, does that salarian look a lot like…"
"It couldn't be." Garrus mused.
"Commander Shepard, it's Major Kirrahe." Kirrahe said, "I'd heard you were coming."
"Good to see you again." Kacey replied, shaking his hand, "Sounds like you've been promoted."
Hasn't everyone? Except you?
"Yes, due in no small part to our mission on Virmire." Kirrahe said, "'Hold the line.' You saved my men that day."
"Good to see a friendly face, Major." Garrus added.
"Garrus Vakarian, always a pleasure." Kirrahe said, "And same to you, Doctor T'Soni."
"Major." Liara mused.
"It seems the Reapers have a way of bringing us together." Kirrahe said, "Though you're clearly down by three men. Wrex, Tali'Zorah and Kaidan if I remember correctly,"
"Yeah you're right." Kacey replied, "Wrex is over there if you want to chat."
"Maybe later."
"I guess we're both feeling the effects of Virmire." Kacey mused.
"Yes, ironic. You destroyed the genophage cure, yet now it's the key to an alliance." Kirrahe mused, "Your standoff with Urdnot Wrex is legend within STG."
"Is that right?" Kacey smirked, "You did see Wrex's entrance earlier right?"
"Our colonies three systems away saw it."
"Yes, and he's rather angry about the security arrangements." Liara responded.
"Apologies, but better that than a krogan with a shotgun wandering the base. Think of all the casualties. Our med bay couldn't handle it."
"Right, but the security here seems a little tight." Kacey said, looking around the base, "You guys expecting trouble?"
Kirrahe crossed his arms, "Our motto in STG is to always expect trouble, and failing that, create trouble for someone else. Our enemies have the same idea."
"It was nice catching up with you again, Major." Kacey said.
"Likewise. And Commander…" Kirrahe said, "Regardless of what the politicians decide, you can count on my support retaking Earth."
Kacey looked at the salarian, surprised, "You'd do that?"
"Consider it my way of returning a favour. It would be an honour to fight alongside you again." Kirrahe said.
Once Kacey arrived at the elevator, she stood still as the biometric scan scanned her. She silently hoped she wouldn't be flagged up as dead.
"This is Senior Research Director Wiks, authorising visitor access to lower level." Wiks said as the elevator door opened, "Now take the elevator down and someone will—"
The alarm started to ring before Kacey could even step foot in the elevator. The salarians began to scramble the fighter jets.
"What's happening?" Kacey asked.
"Sensors have picked up activity in the perimeter." Wiks said, "Hurry, Commander. Someone will meet you below."
The trio stepped foot in the elevator, leaving Kacey to wonder who wanted to stir up more trouble. She suspected it had something to do with the Illusive Man, with Cerberus. And if it was them, she was going to make them regret it.