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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle	By : Veyron722skyhook Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 6104 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's characters. They belong to Bioware and EA. No money/profit is made by me from this.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
It's nice to be back!

I had a nice little break, and I've now come back re-freshened. So much so that this chapter turned out very well, and I'm very pleased with it.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12

A Future for the Krogan

The time had come. One way or another, the Genophage would end on this day.

As the Normandy was nearing the drop off destination for the shuttles however, Joker delivered some worrying news.

"All hands, full stop! Hostiles detected at the landing coordinates!" he said.

"Joker, what you got?" Austin asked.

"Sensors show a Reaper parked at the Shroud Facility. No way you're going to be able to land a dropship there." Joker replied.

"Get everyone assembled in the War Room. I want eyes on the shroud." Said Austin, making his way there too.

"Aye, aye, sir!"

Mordin, Wrex, Primarch Victus and Kraan were already there when he arrived. The holo showed the shroud and also the Reaper. This was a different sort though. Austin had read reports about these.

They were called Destroyers. Unlike normal Reapers, these ones were only about a quarter the size and also walked on four legs. They were still just as destructive and unrelenting as the main ones though.

"New form of Reaper, Shepard. Using shroud to poison Tuchanka's atmosphere. Problematic." Said Mordin.

"They want a fight, they just got one!" said Wrex challengingly.

"Primarch, we're going to need your help." Said Austin.

"That could be difficult. Our losses on Palaven have been catastrophic." Said Victus.

"We're doing this for Palaven. No one said it would be easy." Said Austin.

"What do you have in mind?" Victus asked.

"A combined attack. Your people hit the Reaper with an airstrike. Wrex, at the same time your soldier will be attacking from the ground." Austin explained. "Together, we can draw it away from the tower."

"Yes, distraction. Small team can reach shroud facility, finish synthesising cure. Will need Eve to come with us." Said Mordin.

"We've never faced a Reaper up close like this. Everyone on board?" Austin asked.

"There's even a doubt?" Wrex replied. "Let's move, Pyjak. It's time to cure the Genophage."

Just as everyone left, Traynor's voice suddenly sounded over the intercom.

"Major, incoming message marked urgent. I'll put it in the comm room for you."

Austin walked in to find a slightly unwelcome face on the holo in front of him.

"Dalatrass." He said, trying to hide the coldness in his voice. He'd really grown to dislike the Salarian during this whole thing.

"Major Shepard, we know you've reached Tuchanka. And by now, I imagine Mordin Solus has proposed using the shroud." Said the Dalatrass.

"You dare spy on us?" Austin asked crossly.

"Hardly. The shroud is the only viable course of action open to you. Major, you can't allow your misguided sympathy for the Krogan to could your judgement." The dalatrass replied.

"Misguided? That what you think I am? Speak for yourself." Austin retorted.

"Do you honestly believe curing the Genophage will end in lasting peace?"

"Yes, I do. And if anyone says otherwise, they can go to hell, including you if you disagree. The Krogan deserve that chance. You have no right to condemn an entire race to extinction based on what might happen."

"What will happen is the Krogan will reproduce out of control. We uplifted them specifically for…"

"I've had enough of your racist views, Dalatrass! Just get to the point why you've called me, or else I'm cutting you off!" Austin nearly shouted, much to the Salarian's slight shock..

"Years ago, our operative sabotaged the shroud facility to ensure what you're planning couldn't be done. Mordin will likely detect this malfunction and repair it." She explained.

"Good. We've come too far to let this fail now." Said Austin.

"But if you ensure that he doesn't, then the cure's viability will be altered just enough so that it fails. No one will notice the change."

"You are suggesting I trick the Krogan?! I knew you were racist towards them, but this is too far!" said Austin angrily.

"Major, I want you to think about this. We can provide you our very best scientist to build the Crucible… and the full support of our fleets."

"I don't need to think about this at all, dalatrass! I will not betray the Krogan for your own pathetic ideals. The Genophage is being cured, and you will stay out of our way!"

"Then you will not have our support, Major."

"Fine. You're the one who will be facing the Reaper on your own. Good luck with that. I'm sure the rest of your people will do just fine. Plus it'll be even better for them when they find out that tried to make this deal with me." Said Austin, showing that he'd been using his omni tool to record the entire thing.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Yes I would, and I will!" and with that, the Helldiver cut the Dalatrass of instantly.

"Hmm, I'll never get tired of that." He smiled, remembering how he'd done that to the Citadel council once.

"I've ordered the clans to assemble at the hollows. It's our sacred meeting ground. We'll land there and take an armoured convoy against the Reaper." Said Wrex as the dropship came into land. "This will be the defining moment of Krogan history."

"Krogan history filled with defining moments. Most bloody. Hope this one better." Said Mordin.

"Listen, there's something you must know. I got a message form the…" Austin went to say, but was interrupted by a sudden shake. A Krogan voice then came over the intercom.

"Wrex, it's Wreav! The Reapers are already at the Hollows! Come out with guns blazing!"

"Hang on tight! We're heading in!" said Cortez.

The dropship gently touched down and the doors opened. A lone husk was right in front of them and it ran at them. Wrex however was quick to blast it part with his shotgun, almost casually.

"Nice shot." Austin commented impressively.

"Keep them away from the female! I'll sort out what's happening with other clans." Said Wrex.

The group entered the hollows to find them already crawling with husks. A few Krogan were putting up a fight against them, but the husks were using their numbers to overwhelm them.

"Hold this line! Don't let them get up here!" Austin ordered, as he, Kraan, Jet and Urz all prepared to defend the entrance.

This was actually a good tactic since they had the high ground. It would easily funnel all the husks out into the open and into scope where they could all get clear shots at them.

"Time to put the hammer down." Said Jet, taking her war hammer from her back.

The battle was fairly short since there weren't that many husks in the hollows. As sson as the last one went down, Wrex and the rest of the Krogan soon joined them. It was clear that Wrex had seen some action himself since he was already covered in blood, not his own of course.

"They'll sing battle-songs about this someday. Reaper blood has finally soaked our soil." He said cheerily.

"Hooraa!" Kraan cheered.

"We have to get to the shroud. The airstrike is on it's way." Said Austin.

"Female safe, Shepard. Vitals are strong." Said Mordin.

"What's a Salarian doing here?" a voice asked. "Nobody said anything about this!"

Another Krogan accompanied by a few Blood Pack Krogan, much to Kraan's annoyance, walked up to them. Wrex also didn't look too happy to see this Krogan

"Multiple Krogan. Problematic." Said Mordin.

"Who are you?" Austin asked.

"Urdnot Wreav, brood brother to our… illustrious leader." The Krogan replied, electing a few groans from the Krogan on Wrex's side.

"Wreav and I share the same mother. And nothing else." Said Wrex coldly.

"For which I'm thankful. I remember what it means to be a true Krogan." Said Wreav. "We flay our enemies alive and drown them in a geyser of their own blood. We don't invite them into our home."

"This Salarian is not your enemy. He's here to help cure the Genophage." Said Austin defensively.

"His kind gave us the Genophage! Why should we trust him?!" Wreav asked distrustfully.

This was quickly met however with a head-butt from Wrex.

"Because Kraan and I do. And so will you, Wreav." He said.

Both Krogan sides growled at one another and looked just about ready to fight. Wreav even unholstered his shotgun. Before he could fire however, a familiar voice sounded.

"Enough!"

Eve stood at the top of the stairs. Her presence among the other Krogan seemed to make them look up at her awe.

"You can stay here and let old wounds fester as Krogan have always done… or you can fight the enemy you were born to destroy—and win a new future for our children. I choose to fight. Who will join me?" said Eve motivationally.

"I will." Austin replied confidently.

"Me too!" Kraan agreed.

"And so will I." said Wrex. "Now hold your heads high like true Krogan! There's a Reaper that needs killing!"

A whole massive convoy of trucks was literally "trucking" across the planes of Tuchanka en route to the shroud facility. There was definitely no denying that it was quite a sight. Everyone was seated together in one of the truck except Jet. She always felt a bit uncomfortable inside a confined moving space on the ground and had insisted on flying alongside the convoy.

Since Austin knew that the pilot could keep up with them and was small enough to not be spotted easily, he had agreed to let her.

"Krogan ground convoy, this is Turian wing artimec. Our flight vector to the shroud is locked. We're ten minutes out and counting."

"Copy that, artimec. We're on our way, trying to make up for lost time. Shepard out." Said Austin.

"I feel like we're making history." Said Jet over the comm.

"You bet we are!" Kraan cheered.

"Wreav isn't the only Krogan who wants revenge for the Genophage, Wrex. You'll have to placate them somehow." Said Eve.

"I'll demand that the Council return some of our old territory. We'll need room to expand-recapture the glory of the ancients." Said Wrex.

"Glory of ancients" led to Krogan Rebellions. Countless deaths. Creation of Genophage. Expansion plan problematic." Said Mordin.

"What were the ancient Krogan like?" Austin asked.

"Tuchanka wasn't always a wasteland. In the old times, the Krogan were a proud people. We had dreams… a future to look forward to." Eve explained.

"Until Salarian interference." Said Mordin.

"No. We destroyed Tuchanka ourselves. Technology changed us. It made life too easy. So we looked for new challenges—and found them in each other. Nuclear war was inevitable." Said Eve.

"And now our planet is rubble. We'll need a better place to live." Said Wrex.

"I'd say joining the resistance and helping defeat the Reapers would be worth a new planet." Said Austin.

"Or ten. Ha!" Kraan chuckled.

"Exactly. You haven't seen how fast we can pop them out." Said Wrex.

"Wrex…"

"What? With the Genophage cured, we'll have a lot of catching up to do." Wrex smiled.

"Get a room, you two." Kraan sighed.

"Major, on the shuttle-was there something you were going to say?" Eve asked.

"Yes. Thank you for reminding me." Austin replied. "The dalatrass tried to cut a secret deal with me."

"What kind of deal?" Wrex asked suspiciously.

"She said they sabotaged the shroud years ago. The cure won't work unless we fix it." Said Austin, activating his omni tool and playing a recording of the Dalatrass' exact words to him earlier.

"That bitch." Said Kraan bitterly.

"And she thought we wouldn't know better?" Wrex asked, sharing Kraan's view.

"Correctly. Would likely have fooled tests. But familiar with STG work. Can adjust. Did not come this far for nothing." Said Mordin reassuringly.

"Coincidently enough, that's same thing I said. I told her were to shove it." Austin smiled under his mask.

"Ha! Wish I could've seen that." Kraan laughed.

"You just spared our race another genocide, Major." Said Eve gratefuly.

"I told you we could count on him." Said Wrex proudly.

At that moment however, they felt the truck start to slow down until it finally stopped.

"Why are we stopping? We can't be there yet?" Wrex asked.

Austin and the other climbed out first. The other trucks behind them were also stopping. Jet was still in the air and simply hovering near their position.

"Wrex, you and Mordin stay with Eve. It's looking ugly out here!" Austin advised.

"Will do." Said Wrex.

The group went to the very front to find a Krogan who was observing overhead.

"What's the holdup?" Austin asked. That was however before he then noticed why. "Oh."

"Yeah. Road's out. The convoy can't it through." Said the Krogan.

"Turian wing artimec, this is Shepard. We've been delayed—hold off your attack." Said Austin into his comm.

"Negative, Major. Our approach is locked. The Reaper already knows we're here."

Sure enough, the Turian fighters swooped over them and began attacking the Reaper.

"An airstrike alone isn't alone isn't going to be enough against a Reaper. We have to join the fight." Said Jet.

The Destroyer was quick to engage with the fighters and even shot one down very quickly.

"Damn it." Austin cursed. "I don't care if we have to build a new road. We're going."

"Shepard, heads up!" said Jet urgently.

The destroyer had shot another fighting and it was spinning out of control in their direction.

"I've lost control! I can't pull up!" said the pilot.

The fighter collided with one of the trucks, causing a large explosion and overturning another.

"Move!" Austin yelled.

"Shepard, what's happening?" Wrex asked through the comm.

"Wrex, get the female out of here now! Go!" Austin ordered.

The trucks obliged and sped off across the gap.

"Artimec, do you copy?" Austin asked.

"We have to abort, Major! That Reaper's tearing us to pieces!" replied the artimec leader.

"Understood! Save your pilots-we'll find another way!" said Austin.

"Shepard, I can see a tunnel from up here." Said Jet, indicating to a nearby entrance.

"Copy that, Jet. You stay in the air. We'll keep in contact." Said Austin.

"Roger that, Major. Be careful." Said Jet.

"You too."

As they headed underground, it got dark very quickly, obliging the two Helldivers to turn all their flashlight attachments on and Urz to stay close.

"Wrex, are you receiving this? Is everyone okay?" Austin asked, hoping he'd still get a good signal.

"Yeah, just scratches, nothing the Salarian can't patch up. Wreav's truck made it out, too." Wrex replied.

"The Turians had to call off the airstrike. We'll need a new plan for dealing with the Reaper." Austin explained.

"First we'll have to find you. Where did you end up?" Wrex asked.

"Underground. We see ruins of some kind." Austin replied.

"Major, that's the city of the ancients." Said Eve.

"How do we get out?" Kraan asked.

"No maps exist. It's been abandoned for thousands of years." Eve replied.

"You're a trailblazer, Shepard. Get through there, and we'll find a place to meet up. Nothing will stop this cure." Said Wrex.

"On that we can agree." Said Austin.

The Helldiver then changed his channel so that he could contact the Normandy. They were still heading deeper and deeper underground. The last thing he wanted was to lose the comm signal.

"Traynor, can you hear me?" he asked.

"I've still got you signal, Major." Traynor replied.

"We're heading underground. Our signal may get weak. Try and stay locked on." Said Austin.

"Sandra and I will do the best we can from up here. Good luck, Major." Said Traynor.

As they continued through the ruins, every so often they'd feel a tremor. The latest one was very big and felt a bit unnatural.

"Wrex, are you guys feeling these tremors?" Austin asked.

"Not up here." Wrex replied.

"It could be something else, Major. It is said that Kalros, the mother of all Thresher maws lives in this region." Eve replied.

"Which is another reason to get your ass out of there, Shepard. Step on it!" said Wrex.

"Great. The tunneler on Ilos was bad enough, and that was a normal Thresher Maw. God knows what this Kalros is like." Austin sighed.

"Let's hope we don't find out. Because if we do… we're screwed." Said Kraan.

A few yards or so later into the tunnels and they soon found something else other than piles of rocks and ruins.

"Rachni." Kraan growled.

A dead Ravager was lying on the ground. The kill didn't look too old.

"There are bound to be more than just the ones we killed." Said Austin. "Wrex, we've got Rachni here. Keep an eye out."

"I know. A few of them just attacked us." Wrex replied. "All that matters is getting to that shroud. Find us fast."

Things soon started to turn out for the better. As they proceeded up the stairs, they could see faint signs of brightness. They'd found the way out.

"Daylight. Thank goodness." Austin sighed with relief.

"It's almost blinding." Kraan joked.

"Don't start that again, Kraan." Said Austin quickly.

Finally, daylight greeted their eyes again and the two Helldivers deactivated their flashlights.

"This is new. A part of Tuchanka that isn't rubble." Said Kraan.

"Wrex, we've made it back outside." Said Austin.

"Well, if you can see sunlight, that's progress." Wrex replied.

"I've got a visual of you from up here, Major." Said Jet, now visible form the air not too far away.

"I see you. Stay in the air. You'll be able to spot any husks heading in our direction." Said Austin.

"Will do. Jet out."

They had come out into more Krogan ruins. Something that really stood out though was some small signs of plant life.

"Green. I didn't think anything could grow here anymore."

"You're looking at hope-all that's left of it on Tuchanka. This was once a world full of beauty. Given a chance, it can be again." Said Eve.

"Shepard, that Reaper is still up to no good at the shroud. Find a way out of there and we'll pick you up." Said Wrex.

"We're on it."

At that moment however, several meteor like objects started to drop from the sky.

"Major, you got husks dropping down at your position! And I think they've got some new types with them." Jet warned in advance.

"Thanks for the heads up." Said Austin, sliding into cover.

"Just don't die down there." Said Jet.

Jet had been correct when she said that the Reapers had brought some new faces to the party. In addition to the human husks, Ravagers, a few Marauders and even a Brute, there was a new face.

There were a few new husks that were undeniably made solely from Krogan. Unlike most husks which traditionally had their weapons fused to them, these husks actually carried their guns in their hands, similar to the Marauders.

The lower portions of their legs were replaced completely with mechanical ones, their crests were blackened and they also had various different tubes connecting to different parts of their bodies.

"That's crossing a line!" said Kraan angrily. "Invading my home is one thing, enslaving my people is too much."

The Helldiver Krogan seemed to go berserk and he started going on a rampage, killing any husk in sight.

Urz stuck to dealing with the human husk since they couldn't shoot at him due to lack of guns, leaving Austin to deal with the Ravager and Brute.

"What makes it worse that being husks, these Krogan fight even worse." Said Kraan crossly as he finished off the last Hunter, as it was decided they should be called.

"Shepard, how's it coming?" Wrex asked

"We're still in the ruins." Austin replied.

"Get a move on! That Reaper hasn't moved and the sky's looking worse." Said Wrex.

Even from inside the ruins, it wasn't hard to see that Wrex wasn't exaggerating. The sky around the shroud was darkening a lot and the Reaper was indeed still where it had been earlier.

"Shepard, looks like we got a bridge up ahead. Try to find it, and we'll pick you up there. Said Wrex.

"On it!" Austin replied.

"We're coming up under the bridge! Get down there, and we can get to the Shroud." Said Wrex. Suddenly however, the whole ground started to shake and an enormous mass slowly rose out of the sand like the dorsal fin of a shark stalking its prey. "Wait... Kalros!"

"Oh my god!" Austin said in shock. He'd seen Thresher Maws before in his time, but Kalros was definitely something else, even if she wasn't fully visible. "Wrex?!"

"Break off! We're getting out of here!" Wrex yelled.

"Kalros territorial instinct confirmed." Said Mordin.

"She's not gonna get us!" said Wrex, trying to sound reassuring. "Go on ahead, Shepard! We'll try to shake this thing and find you!"

"Jet, you still got sight of us?" Austin asked.

"Just about. It's a bit hard spotting you up here with all these buildings. I'm doing the best I can." Jet replied.

"Shepard, we've almost lost Kalros. Get down from there, and we'll find you." Said Wrex.

As the group hopped down, both trucks came close tot heir position. Wreav's remained further away while Wrex's came in to pick them up.

"Shepard, get over here!" said Wrex. "Wreav, keep an eye out for that maw. I don't want it sneaking up on us."

"Make it quick, Wrex! We're exposed!" said Wreav.

"Move it!" Austin ordered as they hurried into the truck.

"Watch out! Kalros is heading your way!" said Jet, still remain in the air since she'd be perfectly safe there.

Kalros once again glided through the sand and attacked Wreav's truck practically draggin it into the ground.

"Move, Shepard!" Wrex shouted.

"We're in! Go!"

"What about Wreav?" Eve asked.

"No way he survived that. And he was a pain in the ass, anyway. Now let's finish this. There's a Reaper waiting for us." Said Wrex.

Now that they were close enough, they had a full view of the Reaper.

"We're gonna need a bigger gun." Said Kraan.

"I'm gonna need bigger thrusters." Said Jet, gently touching down on the ground at last.

"We're curing the Genophage no matter what it takes! Everything my people will ever be depends on it." Said Wrex.

"Then I hope this idea you were talking about is a good one." Said Austin.

"It was hers, actually." Said Wrex.

"Kalros. We summon her to the Reaper." Said Eve.

"Would that even work?" Austin asked.

"Already discussed strategy. Just need to distract Reaper, draw it from tower while cure synthesized, released." Said Mordin.

"What makes you so sure she'll come?" Austin asked.

"Legends say she is the mother from which all other thresher maws spawn. This is as much her home as ours." Said Eve.

"If Tuchanka has a temper, Kalros is it. Nobody's ever faced her and survived." Said Wrex.

"I've taken some risk in my time, but this seems crazy." Said Austin.

"And going head to head with Sovereign didn't?" said Wrex. "This is the only way to get to that tower and release the cure. There's no other choice."

"But, how do you even summon a Thresher Maw?" Austin asked.

"The tower was built in an arena devoted to Kalros' glory. The Salarians thought she would scare way intruders." Eve explained.

"Appears to have worked." Said Mordin.

"There are two maw hammers there, the largest in existence. If you can activate them, Kalros will come. That should distract the Reaper." Said Eve.

"Meanwhile, laboratory nearby. Will finish synthesizing cure." Mordin continued.

"Let's make sure we all get out of here alive. We're going to have one hell of a story to tell." Said Austin.

"Wait-" said Wrex. "I want you to know that no matter what happens… you've been a champion to the Krogan people, a friend of Clan Urdnot… and a brother to me. To every Krogan born after this day, the name "Shepard" will mean "hero!"

Austin smiled under his helmet and he and Wrex banged fists with each other.

"Now let's show them why!" Wrex finished.

Just as she did however, several Ravagers started converging on their location.

"Go! I've got this!" said Wrex.

The Krogan charged at the Rachni and essentially went on a blood rage killing spree.

"I AM URDNOT WREX, AND THIS IS MY PLANET!"

"See you on the other side." Said Austin.

"Stay alive, Shepard. Will have cure ready." Said Mordin.

"Shepard, some luck! Original strain in storage. Preparing the cure now." Said Mordin.

"Make it quick, Mordin. We're exposed out here." Said Austin.

Sure enough, the destroyer fired at their location, collapsing the bridge they were on and causing them to fall to a lower level where the Reaper now had a much clearer line of fire at them.

"Okay, Shepard—I raised the hammers! You have to activate both of them! My advice is to avoid the giant laser!" said Wrex.

"Well, duh!" said Austin as he and the others went into cover avoid the destroyer's fire.

"Major, this is artimec wing! We'll try to give that Reaper something else to shoot at!"

Sure enough, the squad of Turian fighters re-joined the fight and reengaged the Reaper.

"Knew they wouldn't let us down." Said Jet.

With the destroyer momentarily distracted, Austin and the other seized the moment and broke into a sprint. This wasn't without it's drawbacks though as several brutes tried to hinder their progress.

Austin head for the right one while Jet went after the other seeing as how they could reach both quicker.

"Mordin, we hit the first hammer! How's it coming?" Austin asked as he activated the first.

"Almost have cure! Eve's vital sings dropping! Trying to compensate!" Mordin replied.

"I hit the second." Said Jet over the comm.

"Kraan, take Urz back to the truck with you! I'll take care of the cure!" Austin ordered. "Jet, that includes you too."

"I don't like leaving you like this, sir!" said Jet, hovering a few meters in the air.

"That's an order! Now go!" Austin ordered.

"Yes sir." Jet sighed reluctantly, and she flew off with the others.

Sure enough, the ground started to shake violently as Kalros approached. The destroyer caught sight of the mass moving through the sand and attempted to fire but only ended up shooting the ground. Kalros then suddenly burst out of the ground and latched onto the Reaper's front just as it fired another laser. The beam missed the Thresher Maw but came dangerously close to Austin. He was only just able avoid it by jumping over a nearby gap.

The destroyer meanwhile attempted to shake Kalros off and swung violently to the side, smashing the maw into the side of the shroud. This made Kalros let go, but it did nothing to hurt her. Seizing the opening, the destroyer fired again, but Kalros quickly burrowed back into the ground, the laser missing it by metres.

The destroyer scanned the area, waiting to see if Kalros would attack again. Sure enough, the Maw burst out of the ground again. This time though, she had come up from behind, and the destroyer was too slow to turn around.

Latching onto the Reaper's back, Kalros pulled the Reaper right over off its feet and onto the ground. She then wrapped herself around the destroyer like a snake and began burrowing back into the ground, taking the now helpless destroyer with her. For a split second, it almost sounded like the Reaper let out a mechanical howl of desperation as it was helpless pulled under by an organic creature…

Austin watched the whole thing with awe. He heard the phrase "Clash of the titans" but that whole fight had just put a whole new meaning on the phrase.

"Wow! That's not something I'll forget easily." He thought to himself. "And to think I used to hate Thresher Maws."

Despite that the Reaper was gone, the shroud was looking a bit unstable. Mordin and Rana though were still hard at work.

"Mordin! Is the cure ready?" Austin asked.

"Yes. Loaded for dispersal in two minutes. Procedure traumatic for Eve, but not lethal. Maelon's research and Rana's contributions invaluable." The Salarian replied.

"Eve's okay?" Austin asked.

"Headed to safety now." Said Rana.

"Her survival fortunate. Will stabilize new government should Wrex get any ideas. Good match, promising future for Krogan." Said Mordin. "Control room at top of shroud tower. Must take elevator up."

"You're going up there?" Austin and Rana both asked, almost in shock.

"Yes. Manual access required. Have to counteract STG sabotage. Ensure cure dispersal properly." Mordin replied.

"Professor, this whole thing is coming apart. There's got to be another way!" said Rana.

"Remote bypass impossible, Rana. STG countermeasures in place No time to adjust cure for temperature variance. No other option. Not coming back. Suggest you and Shepard get clear. Explosions likely to be problematic." Said Mordin.

"Mordin, no!"

"Rana, please. Need to do this. My project. My work. My cure. My responsibility." Said Mordin as he stepped into the elevator. "Would have liked to run tests on the seashells."

"I'm sorry." Austin sighed with regret.

"I'm not. Had to be me." Mordin smiled. "Someone else might have gotten it wrong."

The elevator sealed itself and began it's slow climb up the tower.

"Come on, let's go." Said Austin, gently trying to pull Rana with him but she kept resisting.

"No! I won't' leave him!" the Asari objected.

"Rana, come on!"

They managed to get clear and back to the truck in time just as the shroud exploded. Just as it did though, the sky turned like with a faint gold like substance. The cure had indeed worked. The Genophage… was ended.

"A long time ago, my father betrayed me in this place. His own son. He tried to kill me." Said Wrex. "So I had to kill him… right over there. That's what the Genophage reduced us to. Animals. But you changed that today, Shepard."

"Now we'll fight for our children, not against them." Said Eve.

"It's just a pity Mordin had to die." Said Rana sadly.

"He was a good friend. But I'm sure he wouldn't have had it any other way." Said Austin.

"He was a good mentor." Said Rana.

"We'll name one of the kids after him… maybe a girl." Said Wrex.

"But you, Major-we can thank you in person, and Rana." Said Eve gratefully.

"Tell the Turians I'll be deploying troops to Palaven immediately. And as of now, you can consider the Krogan officially part of the Resistance. When you're ready to take the fight to the Reapers, let me know. The Krogan are back in business." Wrex smiled.

"Goodbye, Major." Said Eve.

"What will you do now?" Austin asked.

"Spread the hope you've given us. Even now there are clans gathering at the Kelphic Valley. I'll go speak to them and make sure this gift isn't squandered. Thank you for all that you've done. And know that Urdnot Bakara calls you a friend." The female replied.

As Austin and Rana turned to leave for the shuttle that had landed near their position, Wrex and Ever looked at the exploded wreckage of the shroud. There was still a fair amount of dark smoke pouring from the wreckage, but it would no doubt cease eventually. Then the Battlemaster noticed something.

"What's that?" he asked.

"What?" Austin asked turning back.

"That. That right there. That's not meant to happen, is it?" Wrex asked as he indicated to a stray line of smoke that looked like it was flying away from the wreckage, but maintaining a constant altitude.

"No. I don't think that's debris." Said Austin suspiciously as he activated the zoom on his visor. What he saw however was most unexpected. "Well I'll be dammed…"

To everyone's surprise the smoke trail finally cleared to reveal none other than Jet as she flew into to land at their location, and in her arms was none other than a slightly burnt but mostly unharmed Mordin.

"Sorry, sir. Order respectfully disobeyed." The pilot smiled under her helmet.

"Jet? How did you…" Austin asked, almost lost for words.

FLASHBACK

"Temperature control within acceptable range." Said Mordin as he typed heavily and as fast as he could at the console to get the cure in.

Within just a few seconds, success! The shroud started to deploy the cure.

"I think it's time we make our leave, Professor."

Snapped out of his final thoughts, the Salarian spun around to see a female Helldiver landing on her feet after climbing in through one of the view windows.

"Helldiver. HERE?! Unacceptable. Unwise Coming here was foolish, unnecessary, suicidal. Now two will die!"

The Helldiver ignored his frantic rambling as she took him by the arm.

"Not on my watch! You've made galactic history today by saving the Krogan race, I'm not just going to let you die! We're getting out of here!"

"Impossible, elevator damaged beyond repair by the collapsing infrastructure caused by-"

"That's why we're taking the express! Just hope you're not afraid of heights, Professor!"

"Express? Heights? Don't understand, what do you mean by..."

As impossible as it seemed, the Salarian's eyes grew even wider when the Helldiver pulled him over to the nearby window. The OPEN window.

"Wait... no. No! NoNoNoNoNo!"

"Hold on!" Jet cried as she fired up her suit's flight systems and blasted out of the exploding Shroud tower and soared across the Tuchanka horizon... with the rather terrified Salarian scientist in her clutches.

"OH MMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

Even Wrex and Bakara were glad to see that Mordin was alive. Rana of course had burst into tears of happiness.

"Personal flight technology useful... " said Mordin weakly.

"I gambled that if I timed it exactly right and I went in at exactly the right speed, I'd be able to pull you out just as you finished the cure." Said Jet.

"Interesting theory... " said Mordin, just before he passed out.

"We need to get him to Doctor Chakwas, quickly." Said Jet.

"Get him into the shuttle." Said Austin quickly as he and Jet hurried into the dropship.

Just before the Hellhound lifted off though, Austin looked back at the two Krogan.

"Maybe you'll get to thank him after all." He said.

"Let us know how he does. We owe him just as much as we owe you." Said Bakara.

"Farwell, my friend." Said Wrex.

Mordin had been quickly rushed to the medbay along with Rana. While Austin knew it was still unconfirmed how bad his injuries were, he was still glad that the Salarian was alive.

While he let Chakwas and Michel tend to the Salarian, Austin went to the comm room for debriefing, as usual expecting to find Zartrack.

"General." He saluted as the holo image cleared, only to reveal someone slightly different.

"You don't need to be that formal with me, Son."

"Dad?"

Sure enough, the holo image finally cleared to reveal none other than General Matt Shepard, Austin and Sarah's father.

"What a surprise. I hadn't expected to be able to talk with you." Said Austin, surprised, but pleasantly so.

"All Generals have been contributing to the resistance's coordination. I finally got a small break. Thought I might use it take the brief rather than Zartrack." Said Matt. "Hell of a thing you just pulled off. Curing the Genophage… I never thought I'd see the day."

"Nor did I to be honest. Still, it's a victory for us too. The Krogan are now officially with us in the resistance, and with them aiding our forces on Palaven, the Turians will join too." Said Austin.

Admittedly, the Major was quite proud of this himself. Victory after victory continue dot make it feel like they were actually going to win this war, despite the odds.

"I'm guessing though that leaves the Salarians out of the equation." Said Matt.

"Maybe not quite. There's no way they're going to be blind to what the dalatrass tried to do." Said Austin.

"Under the circumstances, I actually agree with you. I think they'll want to fight alongside us regardless of what she says." Said Matt.

"So do I." said Austin. There was a momentary silence as Father and Son struggled to think of what to say next. There was only so much they could talk about over an intercom compare to talking face to face. "Have you heard anything from mother?"

"No. I still haven't been able to find out if she's okay. The worry is killing me." Matt sighed.

"I'm sure she's okay, dad. She isn't a Captain for nothing." Said Austin.

"True. She always was so brave and strong. It never hurts to have faith." Said Matt, his mood brightening.

"Couldn't' have put it better myself." Austin smiled.

"Anyway, I should get back to work. No doubt that we still have more allies to rally. Shepard out."

Matt's hologram vanished and Austin went back into the war room. Garrus and the Primarch were waiting for him.

"Major, Urdnot Wrex has begun sending troops to Palaven. You kept your end of the bargain, and now I'll keep mine." Said Victus. "The Turian hierarchy will gladly join the Reaper Resistance."

"We'll need all we can get. I'm glad that we're off to a good start." Said Austin as he and Victus shook hands.

"Agreed. To that end, several dry-dock ships will also assist in helping to build the Crucible. Garrus will coordinate them."

"Yes, sir." Garrus saluted.

"And when the time comes to deploy it, the full measure of our fleet will be there to send those machines to hell." Said Victus. "May the spirits watch over us all."

Austin returned to the medbay to find Mordin on one of the beds. Most of the singe marks he'd had earlier were healed thanks to medi gel and any others looked much better.

"How's he doing?" Austin asked.

"A few burns at most, but nothing serious. He's guaranteed to make a full recovery." Michel replied.

"Thank the goddess." Said Rana, breathing a sigh of relief.

"You can stay as long as you like, Rana. I'd like to make use of your knowledge on indoctrination if possible. It could help us." Said Austin.

"I hope to help as well, Shepard. It is the least I can do. Especially after one of your own saved Mordin's life." Said Rana gratefully.

As Austin left the medbay he found that Jet was sitting on the nearby table, obviously waiting for him. She had the look of concern and worry on her face.

Jet had very short length dark hair that she let loose whenever she was not wearing her armour. Because she had been a pilot before she became a Helldiver, she didn't have the same sort of muscular build that many of the others had, but she still looked tough. Plus she always insisted on wearing her various piloting medals on her uniform.

She even had the tattoo of a Helldiver atmospheric fighter on her left arm. Hardly surprising though since that was what she flew in her pilot days and also how she earned her nick name.

"Jet."

"Sir." Jet nearly saluted as she gently hopped down from the table.

"We need to talk. I told you to fall back to the truck. You disobeyed a direct order." Said Austin seriously.

"Permission to speak freely, sir." Jet requested.

"Granted."

"I know what I did, sir. And I know I was wrong of me to defy you. But I did it for the right reason. Mordin would be dead if not for me. But I understand if you don't' want me in the squad anymore." Said Jet defensively. "I make no excuses, nor do I have any regrets. I did what I felt was right."

To the pilot's surprise, the Major put his hand on her shoulder supportingly.

"And your instincts have proven to be quite sound." Said Austin, smiling proudly under his helmet.

Jet was almost surprised at this. She'd more expected to get a lecture or threat of court martial for what she did. Instead she was being praised.

"It isn't the first time that someone in Alpha has disobeyed a direct order for good reasons. Plus as General Zartrack said to me once, sometimes it is better to follow your heart, even when others say no." said Austin, quite wisely. "Plus, you are right. Mordin would be dead if not for you. You did indeed do the right thing. You may be a bit reckless and unpredictable because you were a pilot, but that doesn't matter anymore. From now on, you've earned my trust, and you also earned the right to be called an Alpha."

"Thank you, sir. I wish I could give you something other than words." Jet smiled, almost lost for words.

"Just start using my name from now on, and we'll call it even." Austin smiled.

"Roger that… Shepard." Jet smiled back. "And how about you start using my name too?"

"But of course… Natasha."

There you go! Slightly different outcome there.

Next one will be the Citadel Coup, and as I've probably said before, this is when the story wills tart to go into more original territory. So be sure to stay tuned (so to speak) starting from now, things are going to start to get a bit more interesting...
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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, The Last Cycle