CHAPTER 03

Crossroads of Fate

MARAK

We were preparing to leave our position when we encountered a familiar face. Cigas and I recognized the Nakmor Clan's krogan. The two friendly rivals were anticipated to butt heads as they rushed forward, given his well-established reputation.

"Drack, what brings you here?" Cigas grinned, his eyes lit up with a mix of humor and awe.

Drack's teeth and eyes indicated depravity. "I'm just keeping an eye on things. I can't let you have all the fun, Urdnot."

"Good to see you, Drack." I smiled with a unique sense of friendship. "We were about to leave."

"I'll join you. It's been too long since I had a good fight." Drack stated as he fell into steps with us.

"We don't have to leave just yet," Megi said, her voice reflective. "There's still much to observe and learn here."

My sister had a point, and I said, "Agreed. Let's see what these humans and turians have planned."

We crept through the shadows, our senses sharpened. Tensions was high in the air; the effects of the First Contact War were still evident. As we came to a clearing, we found a group of humans building a makeshift camp. Their leader, a big guy with a dominating demeanor, yelled commands that echoed throughout the night.

Drack leaned forward with a quiet voice. "They are bold, aren't they? Setting up camp there in the open."

Cigas sneered. "Bold or stupid. Time will tell."

My thoughts raced as I examined the humans. "They have spirit, and I will give them that. But they're vulnerable."

Megi nodded, looking around the camp. "We need to determine whether to assist them or not. They could be valuable allies."

Drack grunted. "Allies? Or liabilities?"

I looked at Drack, my jaw set. "We won't know until we find out."

Drack nodded, despite his narrowed gaze. "Fine, Let's see what they are made of."

We sat around the campfire throughout the night, swapping stories and tactics. The humans were suspicious yet inquisitive, their eyes filled with both terror and respect. Drack, the consummate storyteller, regaled them with tales of krogan fights, his voice booming through the night.

"They're bold for being so squishy," Drack said with a chuckle. "Do they know they're mostly water?"

Cigas laughed heartily. "Maybe that's why they're so slippery in a fight."

I laughed, shaking my head. "They must have quads to take on the turians like that. Or perhaps they're simply too ignorant to know better."

Megi, the strategist, leaned forward, her gaze attentive. "They impress me with their adaptability. They learn rapidly and are willing to take chances. That is something we can learn from."

Drack snorted. "Adaptability? Sure, but they're still squishy. One good hit, they're out."

I felt a rush of rage, not at Drack, but at the circumstance. "Whether fragile or not, they have spirit. More than I can say for some of our own kind."

Drack's expression darkened. "Marak, watch your tongue. We have experienced hell and back. Don't forget that."

I stared back at him, unwavering. "I have not forgotten. Perhaps we should focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past."

Cigas nodded, his face serious. "We have a chance here. An opportunity to make things better. But we need to be smart about it."

Drack growled and took another gulp from his flask. "Smart, huh? Let's hope these humans are as smart as you assume they are. Otherwise, we're all in for a bumpy ride."

My thoughts raced as I stared at the flames. We had to be prepared for whatever happened next, even if the future remained unknown. For the first time in a long time, I felt a spark of optimism.

The next morning, as we were getting ready to leave, we overheard a conversation between Citadel Council members and the turians. They were conveying to the humans about the misunderstanding that had caused the conflict to arise. The asari diplomat's voice was calm and soothing, attempting to relieve stress.

"This conflict was a tragic misunderstanding," she informed. "The turians assumed that your spaceships were invading Citadel space. We stepped in to prevent more violence."

Captain Reynolds was suspicious but nodded. "So, what now?"

The turian representative took a step ahead. "Now we work for peace. The Citadel Council will preside over the discussions."

Megi prodded me, her eyes full of interest. "We should go to the Citadel. I want to see how this plays out."

I nodded, full of resolve. "Agreed. It's time to see the massive station."

Drack smiled, his delight evident. "The Citadel, huh? This should be interesting."

Cigas sneered. "Hopefully, it's not as dull as it sounds."

With our decision determined, we prepared for the trek to the Citadel, ready for whatever obstacles lay ahead.

The Citadel was a marvel, displaying the galaxy's unity and diversity. As we stood among the several species there to witness the negotiations, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and skepticism. My siblings, Drack, and a few other krogan were in the audience, watching thoroughly as the human representative and the turian representative, Metias Tarren, prepared to discuss the incident with the three council members.

Metias Tarren, a distinguished turian representative recognized for his wisdom and justice, stood tall alongside his wife, Vaana Tarren. Metias had a significant influence in the discussions, despite our lack of direct interaction with him. His efforts to broker peace were widely discussed among all species present, even the krogan.

I saw an ember of stress in Metias's eyes as Sparatus, the turian member of the Council, began the talk. "It is against the laws of Citadel space and many other parts of the galaxy to activate a dormant relay," Sparatus said firmly, his voice resonating throughout the room.

Metias nodded, and looked serious. "That's true. But as the humans were recently discovered aliens, they were unaware of such laws." I could sense the weight of his words despite his calm voice. He was conflicted about upholding the law and acknowledging the ignorance of humanity.

The human representative, a stern-faced lady, went forward. "We had no idea aliens existed beyond our world," she stated, her voice tinted with resentment. "But we would have cooperated if the turians hadn't been so hostile towards us."

A murmur echoed across the audience. I saw my siblings' and Drack's reactions. Cigas appeared vigilant, Megi remained focused, and Drack was… well,Drack.

"They're still squishy as the salarians and green as a drell," Drack mumbled, his voice low but laced with amusement and disgust.

Cigas sneered. "True, but they have guts. I will give them that."

Megi nodded. "They're learning. Fast. We should keep an eye on that."

I felt a combination of optimism and doubt while watching the conversations develop. The humans were resolute, despite being fresh to the galaxy. Their dedication might be their greatest strength or demise.

Metias looked to his wife, Vaana, who gave him a comforting nod. And inhaling deeply, he resumed his conversation. "Humans acted out of ignorance rather than malice. It is our obligation to guide them rather than punish them for their ignorance." Although his speech was solid, I could sense the internal fight in his eyes. He was a turian with a sense of duty and honor, but also recognized the value of compassion and understanding.

Metias was given orders by the turians hierarchy to meet with Earth's leaders after the negotiations ended. As the audience dispersed, I turned to my siblings and Drack.

"This is just the beginning," I responded, brimming with resolve. "We must be vigilant. There's more at stake that just this conflict."

Drack growled in approval. "You're right, Marak. This galaxy is undergoing changes We must be prepared for whatever come next."

Putting a hand on my shoulder, Megi's eyes were determined. "We will be. Together."

Cigas nodded seriously.

As we exited the room, I couldn't help but feel like we were about to go through something major. The future was uncertain, but one thing was certain: we had to be prepared for whatever happened.

After the Citadel negotiations were over, the turian hierarchy sent Metias Tarren, a diplomat, to Earth in an attempt to mend relations between the turians and humans. After that, we scattered along with the audience.

Drack was the first one to break the silence. "Well, it's been a hell of a ride. But I have places to visit and people to meet."

"Anywhere in particular?" Megi asked, her curiosity peaked.

Drack shrugged, a grin forming on his face. "Mercenary work is my livelihood. It's no simple task, but as long as the work pays, I'm OK. Just as long as I don't get trapped on a frozen world again: I nearly lost my good toe last time."

I chuckled at Drack's comment. "Well, old man, it seems that a legendary krogan like you has cracks you never knew."

Drack gave a hearty laugh, which echoed throughout the chamber. "You just wait, kid. When you reach my age, you will know why." He then approached the three of us with a serious attitude. "You all staying?"

"For a little while," Cigas replied, his tone nonchalant. "It's not every day we visit the Citadel."

Drack gave us some advice, his tone rough but earnest. "Just don't overstay your welcome. In a station full with bureaucratic shitslingers, you'd want to be cautious."

We nodded in accord, realizing the validity of his remarks.

Drack went up to Cigas first, shaking his hand firmly. "You three take care of yourselves."

I extended my hand, and Drack grabbed it firmly. "You too, Drack. Stay safe out there."

Megi grinned, her eyes full of appreciation and resolve. "We will see you around, Drack."

Cigas, ever the pragmatic, stated, "If you ever need us, you know where to find us."

Drack grinned, a rare yet frank emotion. "The same goes for you. Take care, Urdnot."

Drack turned and walked away, his silhouette fading in the distance. We watched him leave, knowing our paths would meet again eventually."

The Citadel was a wonder that demonstrated the galaxy's unity and variety. As we explored the Presidium, my siblings and I came to the Krogan Monument. The enormous monument rose proudly over the lake, showing a krogan warrior in all his grandeur. To honor our sacrifices to the struggle against the Rachni so long ago, it was commissioned. Despite the controversy surrounding the Krogan Rebellions, the Council chose to preserve the monument as is, acknowledging the critical role we played in protecting Citadel Space—a historical truth that should not be overlooked.

I looked up at the monument, feeling a mixture of pride and anguish. "It's impressive, isn't it?" I said, barely audible.

Megi nodded next to me, her eyes mirroring the same sentiments. "It is. A reminder of who we once were and who we can become again."

We proceeded to the Relay Monument, another noteworthy landmark on the Presidium. Megi recounted its origins as we stood in front of it. "It is thought to have been designed by the Protheans, an ancient race that mysteriously vanished. There are several ideas regarding what happened to them, but none are certain."

I looked at her curious. "What do you think happened to them?"

Megi's eyes opened with anticipation as she explained her ideas. "One belief is that they were eradicated by a formidable foe, some say Reapers. Another hypothesis holds that they may have risen to a higher state of existence, leaving behind their technology for us to discover. It's also possible that they were victims of their own technical accomplishments, which led to their demise."

I listened attentively, astonished by her observations. "These are some interesting theories. I guess we'll never know for sure."

Megi nodded keenly. "True, but we can learn from their history. The Protheans left behind the mass relays that were critical for faster-than-light travel. We should be fortunate for that.

I grinned, adhering to her opinion. "I am just glad these things exist. It makes navigating the galaxy much easier."

We were about to depart when Cigas, who had just finished speaking with an asari, came towards us. "Who was that?" Curious, I asked.

Cigas shrugged with a cheeky smile. "Just spoke with the consort. Nothing more."

Megi raised an eyebrow but did not pursue any further. "Well, it's time we head back to Tuchanka."

We went through the Citadel's crowded hallways, pondering on the recent events in Shanxi, the battle between humans and turians, and observing the discussions with council members, the turian leadership, and human representatives. Humans have demonstrated tremendous adaptability, which we might learn from.

As we prepared to depart, I had a fresh sense of purpose. Our journey is far from over, but together, we can face whatever comes our way.

Megi grinned, her eyes full of optimism. "The galaxy is vas and full of challenges, but we're ready."

Cigas nodded with a serious gaze. "Let's go home."

With that, we boarded our ship, prepared to return to Tuchanka and face the days to come with new determination and optimism. The galaxy was huge and filled with difficulties, but we were prepared to confront anything that came our way.

I DO NOT own the Mass Effect franchise or its content. I DO NOT make any money from the writing of this story. All rights belong to their rightful owners (EA Games and BioWare).