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Reunited	By : Boompeew Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 25157 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own the Mass Effect series or its characters. I do not make any money from this fic; it is purely for reader enjoyment.

Chapter List
- 40
- 41
- 42
Author’s notes: Hey there readers, welcome to chapter 41 of Reunited! The genophage is cured, but at a great cost. If any of you have suggestions on what I could write in future chapters please don’t hesitate to PM me. As usual, here’s the link to my adult-fanfiction.org account: http: //members. Adultfanfiction. Net/profile. Php? No=1296890817&view=story (just remove the spaces between the periods and you’ll get there).

“So Reznov and Conagher, with all the rushing we’ve been doing in the last few weeks, I didn’t really get a chance to sit down and talk to you about your history. I have your dossiers, but I’d like to know my crew better.”Miranda began as she sat at the mess table with Service Chief Jade Conagher and Operations Chief Viktor Reznov. The Normandy was currently orbiting Tuchanka as Wrex’s krogan troops were retaking the ground-to-space cannon facility so that the Normandy, alongside the turian carrier battle group, could safely provide support for the release of the cure on Tuchanka. “Well, ladies first.”Reznov gestured at Jade as the Texan woman chuckled.

“Alright then. Well, I was born and raised in Fort Worth Texas back on Earth. I had a boring, normal life that didn’t really agree with me, even though I went balls out on everything I did. I was President of the Tech and Robotics Club, I played varsity basketball, I participated in all sorts of events but I never felt like I was fully satisfied. Plus, I wasn’t exactly the most social person and was a bit of a loner so I was something of an outcast. Then I saw the recruitment ad for the Alliance Navy, and I thought, hey, why the hell not? I don’t even know what I’m gonna do with my life anyways. As for how I got to N7, well, my dad, who’s a comedian, always used to say: “Doing things is like sex: you either go in all the way, or forget it! Don’t half-ass it.” So I did that.”Jade summarized her life.

“I see. So you’re here thanks to a spur of the moment life choice?”The brunette asked, sipping her tea as Jade smiled and nodded. “Yep, pretty much. No regrets though, because I goddamn love this job even though the pay’s shit. Never realized that I was an adrenaline junkie until I went on my first N7 mission, which was on Garvug. Saw and did some crazy shit on that planet.”The Texan woman laughed at the memory. “And Reznov, what about you?” “I grew up in Russia. I then joined the Alliance, but quit a few years later to start a family on Watson. I lost my wife and 5 children in the batarian pirate raid of 2173 on the planet. I then decided to return to the Alliance and go for N7 training to avenge my family. I served on Torfan and I was the one who led the infamous ‘Butcher’ company.”Reznov related his life story, completely devoid of emotions.

“You were in charge of Bravo Company after the CO was killed, and the XO lost it? The Bravo Company that effectively cleared out half the bunker systems on their own?”Miranda asked with some disbelief in her tone. His dossier never mentioned this. But then again, it was probably scrubbed. The brunette XO thought. “Da. Half of Alliance Command wanted to bury me because of all the friendlies that I had gotten killed, and because I broke almost half of the Geneva Conventions in those bunkers.”The Russian man growled at the memory. “Yeah. I heard during Basic that you shot batarian pirates in the back as they tried to run, and that you personally gutted the batarians that surrendered.”Jade chipped in as she sipped on her coffee.

"Really? I heard worse. Anyways, the batarians I killed were pirates and mercenaries, and they weren't covered under the Geneva Conventions. So Alliance Command decided to bury the whole incident in light of the fact that everyone that wasn't on the planet during the operation was rejoicing over the batarian pirates being wiped off the planet and unable to attack the new colonies."Reznov snorted. "So you've been doing N7 ops since 2175? I’m surprised that they're still putting you on the front lines, given your experience and the fact that you turned 41 a month before this war started."Miranda wondered. "I fought the desk job all the way. I accepted temporary instructor roles, but always argued my way back into the field."He explained.

"I see. Reznov, if there's anything we can do for you-" "No. There is nothing you can do for me. I won't give you any problems Lieutenant Commander."Reznov interrupted just a little bit too fast before he took a swig of his coffee. "Look Viktor, I don't mean to be prying, but-" "I said, I'll be fine. I've accepted the loss of my family a long time ago."The Russian repeated himself firmly, cutting Jade off. "Alrighty then. So, we're really gonna cure the krogans huh? I hope this works and doesn't come back to bite us in the ass someday."Jade mused, trying to keep the conversation going. "Eve's probably going to keep any krogan who's out to cause trouble in line. The krogan females think very differently from krogan males."Miranda replied.

"I sure hope so. Say, where's the Captain?"Jade sipped on her coffee. "She's in the war room on the line with the Dalatrass."Miranda replied. "I wonder what the salarians are up to now. Wouldn't be surprised if the salarian is trying to convince the Captain to destroy the cure."Reznov snorted as both Miranda and Jade nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Megan won't agree to any kind of sabotage that the Dalatrass proposes. For all the intellect that the salarians possess, I'm puzzled as to why they can't see that we need the krogan to win this war."The XO assured her teammates. "I think the salarians know, but they can't bury their pride to cure the genophage. Hey, Major, what do you think?"Reznov called over to Kirrahe, who'd just entered the mess.

"What do I think? About what in particular?"The STG major asked as he took a seat. "About curing the genophage and palling up to the krogan."Jade answered. "It's a necessary alliance. Without the krogan, the turians are doomed. And in turn, humans can't reclaim Earth and are eventually defeated. Then the asari and we salarians are going to be wiped out, and the Reapers win. The genophage is a risky move, but completely necessary under these conditions."Kirrahe analyzed. "Maybe you should tell that to the Dalatrass, da?"Reznov shrugged. "The Dalatrass is too involved in playing her political games to recognize that fact. The STG, on the other hand, realizes this necessity is vital to winning this war."Kirrahe shook his head.

"Typical political indecision. Politicians hemming and hawing while the casualties pile up. At least the STG are willing to act against political directions to aid in this war."Miranda declared bitterly. "This is the reason why the STG was formed. We act when the politicians won't in order to ensure the peace lasts."The Major explained. "Too bad the N7s can't act outside of Alliance directives. I lost count of how many colonies were destroyed and raided by pirates because Command wouldn't allow an N7 operator or team to go in and get rid of the mudak in charge."Reznov sighed. "Well, let's hope that this god-awful war changes something when it ends. Otherwise it's just gonna suck even more balls than before."Jade wished.

"Suck even more balls than before? I think you've lost me there, Chief Conagher."Kirrahe asked blankly. "It's a euphemism for a situation being really, completely bad that you can't describe it properly."Jade struggled to explain as Kirrahe seemed to ponder about it before giving up. "I'll bet that nothing changes after this war. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The politicians are just going to go back to burying their heads in their asses when this is over."Reznov predicted sourly as Jade just scowled at him. "Chief Reznov has a point there. The politicians are just going to go back to the status quo when this Reaper War ends...assuming we survive it."Kirrahe agreed. "We'll survive it. We have to, otherwise there's no point in fighting."Miranda interjected.

"Attention all crew. We are now entering orbit over Tuchanka. The ground team, assemble in the shuttle bay at full combat readiness within 5 minutes. We're going ground side in 30. Good luck and God bless everyone."Megan ordered over the ship wide PA. "Well, guess the krogans have taken the cannon facility. Time to roll."Jade said, gulping down the last of her coffee before getting up with the others and heading to the shuttle bay. Behind them from the main battery, Garrus and Thomas came rushing out as they caught the lift along with Miranda and the rest. "Finally eh? Thought the krogans were never going to take that base."Thomas piped up as the lift began its descent. "Hey, where are Jack and Ashley?"Garrus asked.

"They're down in the Engineering Deck's sublevel."Miranda replied, suppressing a shudder at the memory of walking in on the couple after a rough bout of sex a few days ago. Ashley was passed out in a sex swing, a pool of wetness beneath her as Jack lay in her old cot, smoking a cigarette. And the array of sex toys that were just lying around shocked the Normandy's XO to say the least. "Hope they're not busy fucking like rabbits."Thomas added unhelpfully as Miranda and Garrus grimaced at that. When the lift doors opened at the shuttle bay, they saw that Megan, James, Mordin, Wrex, Grunt and Nyla were already there in full combat gear checking and loading their weapons while Oriana briefed them.

"I hope you're not planning on going down there, Oriana."Miranda said disapprovingly as Oriana rolled her eyes. "No thanks. I'll leave the radioactive wasteland to you. Not a big fan of gusty, radioactive winds and sandy wastelands."Oriana smartassed as the older Lawson twin just sighed. “At least you’ve stopped insisting on going into combat. That’s the only thing I’m thankful for right now.” “Did we miss anything?”Ashley asked as the lift doors opened a 2nd time to allow her, Jack, Javik, Jentha, Danner, Jacob, Nicole, Michael and Erin into the shuttle bay. “No, we were just about to start actually. Armor up, Wrex can barely wait already.”Megan said as they quickly assembled around the group.

“Alright Oriana, please brief the team.”The redhead gestured to Oriana as she cleared her throat. “A krogan horde has just taken the cannon base and it’s now safe for us to go groundside. Unfortunately, a Reaper destroyer has landed right next to the Shroud facility that we’re dispersing the cure from. And Reaper forces have started landing in strength.”The younger Lawson twin began. “So Wrex has proposed a two pronged attack on the Reaper. The krogans will take their ground vehicles and hit the Reaper, while aircraft from the SSV Tesla and the turian carrier Relentless will provide air support.” “We’ll meet at the Hollows first. It’s the ancient clan burial ground and it’s a neutral point for all clans to meet.”Wrex spoke up as he slammed the pump on his Claymore back, loading the thermal clip into the chamber.

"Alright, armor up, grab your weapons and make it quick. The sooner we get the genophage cured, the faster we can end this war."Megan commanded as her team got ready in short order. "All good? Good, move out! We got a war to win!"She barked as she stepped into the lead shuttle, followed by her team. The shuttles launched into Tuchanka's stratosphere as everyone tensed up slightly. "This is it huh? Curing the genophage after over a thousand years."Garrus spoke up, cutting the awkward silence in the shuttle. "About time. And a turian's coming along to ensure that the genophage is cured. Never thought I'd see the day. But I gotta say that I'm glad you're here fighting alongside me Garrus."Wrex chuckled as they shook talons.

"And I'm glad the soft old krogan battlemaster has finally made a friend. It's been one hell of a ride, and I'm glad you got my back...well, most of the time."Garrus drawled as Wrex just laughed heartily. "Captain, you look troubled. Is something the matter?"Eve asked Megan kindly. "The Dalatrass contacted me earlier and asked me to-"The shuttle suddenly shook and the team heard the distinctive booms of anti-air guns. Wrex's omnitool lit up and someone began yelling on the other end of the line. "Wrex, it's Wreav! The Reapers have finally attacked the Hollows! Come out with guns blazing!"The krogan roared over the sound of gunfire and krogan roars. "We're going in hot!"Cortez snapped, his concentration intense as he flew the shuttle through AA fire.

Soon, both shuttles landed and the doors swung open. There was a husk right in front of Megan's shuttle, screaming as it began to turn around. However, Wrex was faster and blasted it into gore with his Claymore shotgun. "Get out there and clear the area! Mordin and I will protect Eve!"Wrex barked as everyone rushed out of the shuttles. Nicole quickly decapitated another husk with her katana as Thomas rushed forward with his X8 Avenger at the ready to open the massive door in front, revealing more husks and krogan battling in the Hollows. "Haha! Glorious battle!"Grunt roared with glee as he charged in, firing his spike thrower at the husks as Megan biotically charged into a trio, sending one flying over the edge of the platform into the ground far below and killing the other 2 with blasts from her S7 Piranha.

Nicole also charged in with her biotics and was now dispatching husks with kicks and her katana. "Hey, leave some for us this time!"Ashley yelled as she blasted a husk that had gotten trapped in Javik's singularity. "I remember these mindless husks. But they were a lot harder to hit back in my cycle!"Javik commented as his particle rifle vaporized a trio of husks. "Hey Prothy, don't get all sentimental old man on us here!"Jack laughed as her biotic shockwave sent a line of incoming husks flying, and Thomas' biotic throw sent a couple of them into a collision course with the wall. "Primitive, perhaps you should improve your biotics before speaking so excessively."Javik shot back at Jack as he singlehandedly lifted a dozen husks in a biotic field, throwing them at a wall like ragdolls.

"Yeah yeah. Show off."The ex convict groused as she pulled 3 husks towards them, blasting one with her S22 shotgun before Miranda set off a biotic explosion with a warp bolt, killing the other 2. "Fuck you, cheerleader!"Jack whined as Miranda just shook her head, gunning down another 2 with her Valkyrie. Even though Megan, Nicole and Grunt were mowing down husks up front, the rest of the Normandy team were still slaughtering husks by the dozens. Javik looked somewhat bored as he cut through husks with his particle rifle and biotics, while Jacob and Ashley were racking up an impressive kill count with their shotguns. "Eat my boomstick!"Ashley taunted as she blasted another husk away with her Wraith, while Jade scored a double collateral with her S7 Crusader.

"I love crowd control duty with this baby!"James laughed in glee as an airburst grenade from his X37 Falcon grenade launcher reduced a cluster of husks into gore. Even the number of husks pouring into the Hollows couldn't match the firepower of the Normandy team and the krogan, and the attack was soon over. The last husk was tossed down from one of the upper tiers by a krogan warrior, earning cheers from his compatriots. "They'll be singing battle songs about this someday. Reaper blood has finally stained our soil!"Wrex declared, covered in husk blood and gore as he strutted down the steps with Mordin in tow. The throngs of assembled krogan roared their approval as Megan's team regrouped near the central platform.

"What is a salarian doing in our midst? We don't invite our enemies into our homes! We flay them alive and drown them in a geyser of their own blood!"A large krogan challenged as Wrex turned to face him with a look of annoyance on his features. "This pyjak's the one who's curing the genophage. He's with me, Wreav. "Wrex retorted. "You dare to bring an enemy of the krogan people into the Hollows? You're a traitor-"Wreav began but was cut off when Wrex headbutted him, earning threatening growls from Wreav's followers. "Fall in line Wreav. You're standing between us and the cure for the genophage."Wrex growled. "You insult me because of a salarian and invite him into our home? It seems like only I remember what it's like to be a true krogan!"Wreav roared as he pulled out his shotgun.

In the following 3 seconds after Wreav pulled out his spike thrower, the Normandy team moved extremely fast. Nicole put her katana to the throat of Wreav's lieutenant, Megan drew her S5 pistol and aimed it at Wreav's head, and the rest of the team aimed their weapons at Wreav's followers. "Enough! You can choose to stay here and let old wounds fester as krogan have always done, or you can fight for our children. I choose to fight."Eve snapped as she walked down the stairs and stood in the centre podium as the krogan all relaxed and put away their weapons before the Normandy team did the same.

"I'm going to fight alongside her. Don't make me regret this choice."Megan spoke sternly as she stepped forward and stood by Eve as the krogans began grunting in approval. All eyes were on Wreav and his followers, and Wreav nodded at his followers and they grunted in approval as well. "Good. Let's get to the Shroud now."Wrex said as Miranda elbowed him. "Who's Wreav?" "My brood brother. We share the same mother and nothing else."Wrex said with a hint of disgust in his tone about his brood brother. "Jesus, that got tense. Glad that's blown over."Jentha sighed in relief. "We've got tomkahs outside waiting to get us to the Shroud. Let's get this cure up!"Wrex snapped as everyone piled into the tomkahs. Megan and Miranda got into a tomkah that was at the middle read of the convoy with Eve, Wrex, Mordin and Garrus.

The tomkah started moving, and Megan figured that they were going on very rough terrain as they were being bounced around a fair bit in the tomkah. "Well, step one of handing the Reaper's asses to them is going well so far."Garrus assessed jokingly as Miranda nodded. "Let's pray it goes well until the end. Don't want it suddenly going south."She replied as Eve turned to Megan. "Captain, was there something you wanted to tell us in the shuttle earlier?"The krogan shaman asked as Megan nodded. "The Dalatrass contacted me earlier and informed me not to tell Mordin about the STG sabotaging the Shroud years ago. It was her condition for getting the salarians' support. Well, no salarian support for us then."The redhead replied as Mordin pondered this for a second.

"Hmm. Suspected as much. Familiar with STG work. Will be able to counteract this without problems. Didn't come this far for nothing."The salarian genius sniffed as Wrex let out a chuckle. "Heh, I knew there was a reason why I liked you, you little pyjak.' "Thank you Captain. You just spared our race another genocide."Eve said gratefully. "I just couldn't betray you people, especially after what we went through."The redhead replied, grasping Miranda's hand as the brunette squeezed lightly. "So, what do you plan to do after the war?"Miranda asked Wrex. "Well, I'm going to ask the Council to return us some of our old colonies in exchange for us helping them beat back the Reapers. We're definitely going to need a better place to live. Tuchanka's just a pile of radioactive rubble now."Wrex began.

"Plus, if this cure is really effective, we definitely need more room to capture the glory of the ancients. You haven't seen how fast they can pop out."The krogan leader said matter of factly as Eve elbowed him. "Wrex!"She scowled, but Megan and Miranda knew that beneath her veil, she was blushing. "What? After the war's done, we've got a lot of catching up to do. This is going to be a defining moment in krogan history."Wrex grinned as Mordin spoke up. "Defining moments in krogan history mostly violent and destructive. Led to creation and deployment of genophage. Hope that this one is better." "You've been a great friend to me, Doctor. I promise that I will keep Wrex and the other krogan in check. We will rebuild."Eve thanked as Mordin nodded.

"Good, good. Wish for krogan to rebuild their own society. Salarian interference destroyed krogan culture and society."Mordin said regretfully as Eve shook her head. "No, doctor. We destroyed ourselves. Technology got too advanced for us to handle and we destroyed ourselves with it. Tuchanka was already a wasteland when the salarians arrived."She replied. "You're right. But still, would prefer for krogan to rebuild themselves. Give them a goal and hope."The professor agreed. "Captain Shepard, this is turian wing Artimec. We're en route to the Shroud to hit the Reaper. Estimated time to target is 10 minutes."A turian voice spoke over the radio as Megan keyed her mike. "Copy that Artimec. We're about 20 minutes out, so attack cautiously."

"Roger that Captain. Over." "Captain Shepard, this is Weasel 3-1 of the Tesla en route to deliver a heavy strike package on Reaper adjacent to Shroud."A male voice radioed in. "Acknowledged Weasel. We’ll need close air support later when moving in on the Shroud, over."Megan replied. "Wilco, Captain. Weasel squadrons 4, 5, 6, and Hotel 3 are also on rotation to provide CAS."The pilot informed the Normandy squad. "Joker, patch me through to the Tesla and Relentless."Megan ordered Joker. "Patching you through Shepard. Standby." "SSV Tesla, this is Captain Shepard. What's the status on the UAVs?" "This is Rear Admiral James Laughlin. The Dominator drones are on station and are beaming footage now."

"Roger that sir. Convoy is 20 minutes out. Appreciate the help."Megan radioed back. "Well, I hope you turians haven't lost the war already. Would be kinda crap if you guys lost before we even joined in."Wrex ribbed Garrus. "We're holding up, but we need meat shields. That's where you krogans come in."Garrus shot back as Wrex chuckled. "Sure...I heard the real reason was that the krogans were needed to save the turians, since you all forgot how to hold a gun."The krogan clan leader snorted with mirth. "Yeah yeah, I'll let you win this one because of your age handicap Wrex."The turian sniper drawled as Wrex chuckled. "Ah, just like old times. Me storming in with guns and glory while you clean up after me."

"Almost like old times. I was the one doing most of the work while you headbutted everyone."Garrus chuckled as Wrex's comeback was cut off by the tomkah taking a crater in the road badly, propelling everyone up off their seats before gravity took over. The rest of the Normandy squad apparently experienced the same thing going by the multitude of cursing and swearing on the radio. "Settle down people, there's gonna be more of this down the road."Megan winced, removing her helmet to rub at the sore spot on her head where her head had hit the roof of the tomkah before readjusting her Archon Visor into the position it was before putting her helmet back on. Miranda was readjusting her Sentry Interface back to a more comfortable position.

Suddenly, explosions were heard outside of the tomkah as the tomkah they were in screeched to a halt, firing its cannons as Megan punched open the hatch and jumped out, X7 Valkyrie in hand as she saw the 2 lead tomkahs in flames and rockets raining down on the other tomkahs from the ruins they were driving through. "Ambush! Ambush! Wrex, Mordin, stay in the tomkah with Eve!" Megan screamed as she fired on a cannibal she spotted taking cover while running to cover of her own as Miranda and Garrus joined her. "Contact left! Contact left!"Thomas yelled into the radio as he fired at the Reaper troops with his X8. "Get the convoy out of here! It's a fucking killzone! The team and I will deal with the Reapers!" Megan yelled as she killed one cannibal with a short burst of rifle fire.

"Got it! Back up!"Wrex barked over the radio as the convoy quickly backed up out of the killzone, leaving the Normandy squad there to deal with the ambush. "Get out of the middle of the road!"Jentha yelled as they split up, heading for the ruins on either side. Megan, Miranda, Garrus, Michael, James, Kirrahe, Jack and Erin were on the left side ruins while everyone else was on the right. "Thomas! Take your guys and clear out the ruins! We'll do the same on our side!"The redheaded Spectre yelled, moving into the ruins with her team as she gunned down another commissar with Erin's help. Kirrahe tossed a frag grenade, killing a hunkered down cluster of cannibals and commissars, forcing the rest out to get killed by Jack's biotic shockwave.

"Rachni!"Miranda called out as she warped one of them, tearing a part of its armored shell open before Kirrahe and Erin hit it with incineration blasts, melting away at a good part of its armor before combining their gunfire to take it down. Megan and Garrus were steadily whittling away at the second rachni, Megan casting a reave field on it before shooting it with her Valkyrie as Garrus fired a proximity mine next to it before firing his Krysae at the rachni, detonating the mine and causing severe damage to the rachni. Michael, Jack and James were having a much easier time with the final rachni as a shot from Michael's Widow severely weakened the Reaper rocket unit, James adding a hail of machine gun fire and Jack finishing it off with a warp and a shotgun blast.

"Artimec and Weasel squadrons, call off your attack! The convoy's been ambushed and we've been delayed! Hold off your run, repeat, hold off your run!"Megan yelled into her radio as soon as the rachni fell. "Negative Captain, the Reaper already knows we're here."Artimec Lead replied as the team looked over at the Shroud to see the Reaper firing its laser at the turian interceptor squadron. "Uh no can do ma'am, weapons are already hot."Weasel 3-1 replied as Weasel squadron roared overhead in their A223 Wild Weasel attack jets, firing their powerful chainguns, rocket pods and missiles at the Reaper, which now turned on them. "Shit, we gotta get back with the convoy fast. Hey, found an old entrance here."Thomas reported in as his team mopped up the last Reaper troops.

"Alright everyone. Regroup on that entrance."Megan ordered as her squad carefully swept through the ruins, watching out for Reaper troops as they quickly made their way to the entrance. Thomas and the rest were already standing there, their omnitools lit up as they scanned the tunnel. "These look like ancient krogan ruins. This is the only way to get back to the convoy thanks to that wrecked bridge."Erin spoke up, pointing at the bridge further on that the Reapers had destroyed. "How safe is it? It's not gonna collapse on us when we're inside, is it?"Danner asked. "The scans say its structurally sound. Looks safe to me, too. As long as we don't blow anything up in there, we'll be swell."Jade replied as she closed her omnitool. "Can we trust your judgment, primitive?"Javik questioned.

"Yeah trust me, I'm an engineer."Jade replied as Megan nodded. "Alright then, everyone in and tread lightly."The Spectre ordered, gesturing to Jade who took point and headed down the stairs, follows by James, Michael and then Megan before everyone else went in. "Wow. Never knew the krogan had a flair for architecture."Nyla commented as their night vision allowed them to see that they were in a chamber of some kind. "So this is the glory of the ancients? Kinda...boring."Grunt said, somewhat unimpressed. "Grunt, the only things you've ever found exciting are head butting people, shooting things and killing. There's more to life than that."Miranda sighed in a motherly tone.

"Then it's a boring life."The young krogan grumbled as Wrex radioed in. "Shepard, where are you and your team?" "We're underground in ancient krogan ruins of some kind."Megan replied as she stopped at a wall Nicole and Jade were staring at, taking pictures with their omnitools. "Krogans had art? Well, color me impressed."Nicole murmured as Jade nodded. "Yeah. But then again, we humans have caveman art, so we shouldn't be this surprised. Speaking of which, I wonder if they ever did any penis drawings back then when they were on whatever qualified as a toilet back then."Jade joked, elbowing Nicole as both women laughed at the joke, and Megan just smiled. "You're in the city of the ancients Captain. It's been abandoned for thousands of years and no maps exist of that place."Eve spoke over the radio.

"Trapped in an abandoned, forgotten catacomb and trying to navigate our way out in the darkness...and it's considered situation normal. You know Shepard; we deserve at least a double pay raise for sticking with you for this long. Right guys?"Thomas wisecracked, turning to the team as they all agreed with laughter in their voices. Even Javik joined in on the teasing with "Back in my cycle, at least my troops were well paid. You owe your comrades better pay, Captain."Javik teased with his voice completely neutral. "Traitors, the whole lot of you."Megan grumbled good naturedly just before the ruins shook and everyone stumbled. "What the hell was that?"Jentha asked, sounding a little fearful. "An earthquake, maybe...wait. Do they even have earthquakes?"Michael replied.

"I don't remember Tuchanka ever having an earthquake."Miranda replied as the team moved through the ruins, taking more pictures of various murals painted onto the walls and elaborate sculptures. "Neither do I. I doubt Tuchanka has earthquakes."Nyla confirmed. "Wrex, did you feel those tremors?"Megan asked over the radio. "Tremors? What tremors?"The krogan leader asked back, baffled. "Legend has it that Kalros, the mother of all thresher maws, lives in this region."Eve added on unhelpfully. "If even the krogans name thresher maws, you know it's big and really mean."Garrus muttered. "Great. And there's a thresher maw here too."Danner grumbled. "We'll pick you up here."Wrex said as he placed a waypoint on everyone's tacmaps.

"Any particular reason why the pickup is there? Also, it's aboveground, and how do we get there?"Megan asked. "That's the entrance to the city of the ancients that's nearest to the Shroud. You're a trailblazer Shepard, I'm sure you'll find a way."Wrex replied as another, more violent, tremor caused everyone to stumble. "Ah crap, I think we disturbed Kalros."Garrus said unhappily. "That's another reason to get outta there Shepard. Step it up!"Wrex urged. "He cares so much about us I can practically feel his krogan loving in here."Nicole said sarcastically, getting guffaws from the squad as everyone continued moving through the ruins.

"What do we have over here? Looks like a mural of...bugger. That's probably Kalros, isn't it?"Thomas surmised as everyone took a look at a huge wall mural. "Heh, the mother of all maws. This is going to be fun."Grunt cackled as everyone just sighed. "We're fucked."Thomas groaned in a high pitched tone as they navigated their way through the ruins. "Hey guys, think I found a way out here."Jentha called to everyone after a solid half hour of walking through the ruins. The squad rushed over to Jentha's position and saw sunlight poking through from the top of a staircase. "Sunlight. This is an exit, alright."Miranda said, leading the way up as Wrex chimed in over the radio. "Well, if you can see sunlight, that's progress." The team ascended the stairs into a chamber overlooking a lake.

"This place is beautiful. So much life used to be here."Reznov commented, running his armored hand lightly over one of the intricate wall carvings. "Makes you wonder what the krogan could've been like they hadn't nuked themselves."Nyla muttered as the team went up another flight of steps and back above ground. "Plant life was assumed to be extinct in Tuchanka's ecosystem. How in hell..?"Erin asked as they saw green plants everywhere. "You're looking at hope. All that's left of it on Tuchanka. This was once a world full of life and beauty. Given the chance to rebuild, this can be a beautiful world once more."Eve sighed wistfully over the radio. "Amazing. That pyramid over there looks like a Mayan one...and it's still intact."Thomas remarked as they saw the pyramid in the distance.

"This was probably a massive garden plaza during its heyday. It's still breathtaking even though it's mostly ruins now."Megan commented as she and her team patrolled through the plaza on their way to the pickup zone. The trek towards the pickup zone was relatively quiet and peaceful, interspersed with the occasional comment about the ancient krogans and their architecture. As they approached a bridge spanning across two blocks, they saw a cluster of Reaperised rachni firing at a target they couldn't see. "Kalros is after us! Faster!"Wreav yelled. "Tell me something I don't already know!"Wrex shot back as the convoy race under the bridge, avoiding or just absorbing the missile fire from the rachni. “Iron in truck excellent supplement for maw diet!”Mordin rattled as Wrex just growled.

Just as Megan's team began to open fire on the rachni, Kalros rushed through the bridge, its back catching the bridge and destroying it, sending the rachni flying everywhere to their demise. "Holy shit. Well, how are we gonna get across now?"Michael whistled in awe of the maw. “According to the scans, we gotta go down and back up to the other side.”Erin answered after consulting with her omnitool. “Alright move it! The krogan aren’t gonna last long against that maw!”Megan barked as the entire team rushed down the ruins, sprinting across the dusty expanse that separated the 2 blocks before climbing up to the bridge level. “More Reaper forces inbound!”Nicole warned as a harvester flew overhead and unloaded the Reaper troops it was carrying.

“Captain Shepard, we’ve got bad news. The Reapers apparently know what we’re up to and they’re sending a fleet of troop transports with destroyer escorts to Tuchanka. We’re moving to intercept them near the relay, pin them back and give you some extra time.”The captain of the SSV Tesla warned. “Negative Admiral. It’s better for you to keep your fleet alongside the turians within range of the ground cannon! Those Reaper destroyers are goddamn tough, and you need some support!”Megan objected as she gunned down a cannibal before biotically charging into a commissar, the force sending it flying away and killing it. “You do have a point Captain. The fleets will take as many of them out as possible, buy you a little extra time.”The Tesla’s skipper agreed.

“Thanks Admiral. Give ‘em hell!”The redhead thanked as she cast a reave field on a scion, letting Jack finish it off with an abnormally strong throw field that detonated the reave field and splattered the scion into gore. The squad was leapfrogging from cover to cover, catching Reaper troops in the crossfire and ensuring that even the tough scions didn’t pose much of a threat as biotics, gunfire and tech attacks were liberally slung at the troops. “Almost at the waypoint! Move!”Miranda barked as she lifted an unshielded commissar into the air, letting Javik blast it with a biotic throw that sent it blasting off high into the atmosphere. “We gotta turn right, go forward onto the bridge and down the steps ahead!”Erin informed everyone as she closed her omnitool before gunning down a cannibal with her X9.

“Clear! Move it up!”Nicole called as she sliced the last enemy, a scion, in half. “Double time it-fuck! Contact dead ahead!”Megan cursed as she came under fire from a trio of rachni that were positioned on the bridge and were now opening fire on the squad. “Thomas, Danner, Javik, the 3 of you get on that platform over there! Miranda, you take Reznov, Michael, Erin, Nyla, Kirrahe and Jack to the left side!”Megan barked out her orders as they complied after James went prone and started spraying covering fire at the rachni as Megan leant out of the wall she’d been using as cover, firing at the rachni and casting a reave field at another as Danner, Thomas and Javik set up on the large platform behind the team and began raining down fire on the rachni.

The first rachni went down thanks to Javik’s particle rifle, and the 2^nd soon followed as a round from Thomas’ Widow Rifle nearly tore it in half. “Crap! We got 2 brutes coming in!”Danner cursed as he picked off several accompanying cannibals with his X99. “Shit, husks behind us!”Michael cursed as a horde of husks charged Miranda’s squad, climbing up from the chasm on their left. “Nicole, get over on the left! Michael, get your long rifle and down those brutes!”Megan barked as she emptied her thermal clip at the advancing brutes as both Cerberus operatives wordlessly complied. With Nicole cleaving through the husks with her katana added on to Jack’s shockwaves, the husks were quickly disposed of.

The four on the platform quickly disposed of the brutes and husks just as Wrex radioed in. “We lost Kalros! Hurry up and meet us at the pickup point!”The krogan leader snapped as the squad began sprinting the remaining 50 meters to the rendezvous point to find the entire convoy with the hatches open save for 2 tomkahs that were positioned further away from the convoy. “Get in now!”Thomas yelled as the ground shook. “Kalros is back!”Wreav yelled as everyone quickly boarded the different tomkahs in groups of 4. Megan, Miranda, Garrus and Javik jumped into Wrex’s tomkah before they slammed the hatch shut. The team began radioing in that they had all boarded the tomkahs before Megan turned to Wrex. “Go! Go! Go goddammit!”

Suddenly, there was a roar over the radio. “What happened?”Megan demanded. “Kalros got Wreav’s tomkah.”Wrex said matter of factly as Eve turned to him. “What about him?” “There’s no way he could’ve survived that. Plus, he was always a pain in the ass.”The krogan leader said dismissively as the tomkahs sped towards the Shroud. “There’s no way we’ll be able to take out that Reaper. Any ideas?”Megan asked. “Well, Eve was telling me about an idea she had while we were evading Kalros.”Wrex mentioned as he kept driving. “We summon Kalros to the Reaper. The Shroud is built near the ancient arena dedicated to her.”The shaman suggested as Wrex nodded. “I like it. If Tuchanka has a temper, Kalros is it. Nobody’s faced her down before and survived.”

“Yeah, but how are we going to lead her there?”Garrus asked. “The arena has a set of 2 maw hammers that should summon Kalros to the Shroud. We activate those, and Kalros should come. This is her home as much as it is ours.”Eve explained. "When we get there, you take your team and get that set of hammers while Grunt, Mordin and I will get Eve to the Shroud."Wrex said to Shepard. "I'll take some of my team with me while I send the rest to escort Eve."Megan replied as Wrex nodded. "Sounds like a plan. We'll be reaching the Shroud in 10 minutes." "What's the progress on the krogan horde?"The redhead asked. "They've taken the Shroud and pushed the Reaper troops some distance away from the tower, but they're starting to slow down."Wrex replied.

"Copy that. Tesla, Relentless, what's your status over."The Spectre requested. "This is Admiral Garen Therax of the Relentless. We're fending off the Reapers, but some of the troop transports have slipped by us. The dreadnought fleet Dauntless is on its way and will be on hand to assist in 20 minutes." "We're holding them off Shepard, but we can't keep this up much longer. Right now we're just holding out for reinforcement from the rest of 1st Fleet."The skipper of the SSV Tesla replied, strain evident in his voice. "Copy that. I need air support to hit the Reaper. Current ETA to target is 10 minutes."Megan acknowledged. "Copy. Weasels 4, 5 and 6 and Hotel 3 are lifting off now. Weasel 3 had a jet downed and they’re out of it. The Dominator drones are still on station."

“Roger that. Do you want us to extract the pilots?” “Negative. We’re sending evac right now. Stay focused on your objectives Captain.”The Tesla’s captain ordered. “Yessir. Turian carrier Relentless, can you send support? We could use Artimec wing’s support right now.”Megan switched to the turian carrier. “We’ll send Bathus and Arcus wings to support you Captain. Artimec wing lost 2 interceptors and they’re now fending off troop transports.”The Relentless’ captain replied. “Roger that. Appreciate the assist.”Megan signed off as Wrex spoke up. “Hey pyjak, how sure are you of curing the genophage?”He asked Mordin, who sniffed, insulted that Wrex hadn’t any faith in his cure.

“Very sure. Would not have undertook this mission if unsure.”Mordin said firmly as Wrex nodded and kept driving. “Alright then. You’re pretty ok for a salarian.” The rest of the trip passed in silence until they heard the distinctive blaring of the Reaper. “Not that I’m sad about the Reaper not firing at us, but why isn’t it, you know, shooting at us?”Thomas spoke up over the radio. “Well, we’re driving around the ruins and the Reaper can’t see us.”Wrex explained as he brought the tomkah to a halt. “Alright everyone out! We’re here.”Wrex growled as everyone swiftly got out from their vehicles. “That is disturbingly huge. Even with all the firepower we have, we’re probably not able to take it down.”Kirrahe commented at the sight of the Reaper standing next to the Shroud.

“Vengeance is the goal. Suicide is not.”Javik said, surveying the Reaper as well. “We’re curing the genophage no matter what it takes! Everything my people will ever be depends on it!”Wrex stated firmly. “Yes, just need to distract the Reaper while cure synthesized and released.”Mordin agreed. “Let’s all get outta here alive, because we’re gonna have one hell of a story to tell when this is all over.”Megan encouraged everyone. “Wait! 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 sister to me. To every krogan born after this day, the word ‘Shepard’ will mean hero!”Wrex declared as Megan hugged him. When they broke the hug, Wrex grinned. “Now let’s show them why!”

“Alright, Thomas, James, Jade, Javik, Erin, Jentha and Kirrahe, you’re coming with me. Miranda, you take the rest and go along with Eve to the Shroud and protect her at all costs.”Megan ordered as everyone saluted and split up. “Good luck on the other side.” “Stay alive Shepard. Will have cure ready.”Mordin bade goodbye as Megan held Miranda in an embrace. “Stay safe alright? I love you Miri.”Megan whispered as she kissed Miranda, who reciprocated before they quickly broke apart. “You take care too Cassie. See you later.”Miranda whispered back before she hurried away to rejoin her squad. “Alright guys, move out.”The Spectre motioned to her squad, who rushed forward just in time to witness the air support squadrons swoop in and deliver their payloads on the Reaper.

The Reaper was now distracted by the turian and Alliance interceptors and attack jets and turned to fire on them. “Let’s get to those maw hammers now!”Megan yelled as Reaper troops began dropping in. Once again, Megan’s squad advanced from cover to cover at a brutally fast pace, catching the husks in a vicious crossfire and eliminating them quickly. “Up those stairs over there!”Thomas pointed out after he warped a cannibal into nothing as the squad rushed up the stairs and into the ruins. “Shepard, some luck! Original strain in storage in Shroud lab. Preparing the cure now.”Mordin radioed in amidst the backdrop of gunfire. “Got it. Is Eve and the team safe?”Megan asked. “Yes, both Eve and the squad are perfectly alright.”Mordin replied.

“Make it quick Mordin, these bastards are all over us out here.”Thomas urged as the squad saw that the only way to the hammers was through a very exposed bridge directly in front of the Reaper. Megan and Javik were the first to run out onto the bridge and they stole a glance at the Reaper. “At last-the Reaper.”Javik spat. Suddenly, the Reaper fired its laser at the bridge, collapsing it and sending Javik and Megan down to the lower level below. “Shit! Shepard, you alright?”Jentha cried out as the rest of the squad jumped down to rejoin their Captain. “Argh…that fucking hurt-move!”Megan barked as the squad began to run forward just as the Reaper fired on them again. “This is fucking madness!”Thomas yelled, diving out of the way of a column that fell thanks to the laser beam.

“I’ve faced worse!”Javik grunted, sliding into cover and avoiding another laser beam. “Okay Shepard, cure’s almost done! You have to activate both hammers, and my advice is to avoid the giant laser!”Wrex radioed in. “I remember this part!”Javik yelled as another laser blast barely missed him. “Keep moving and stick to cover!”Megan yelled. “This would seem to define insanity!”Erin screamed, her voice extremely high pitched. “This is the easy part!”Javik shot back. “You can’t possibly be serious prothean!”Kirrahe snapped as he kept running. “Don’t stop, don’t fucking stop for anything!”Megan yelled just as the turian interceptors swooped in to attack the Reaper. “Captain, this is Arcus wing. We’ll give something else for that Reaper to shoot at.”The leader radioed.

“Much appreciated.”Megan sighed in relief as her squad continued running to the hammers. Suddenly, brutes started dropping in all over the courtyard separating the 2 hammers. “Oh motherfucker!”Jade swore as Megan just kept running, firing her rifle from the hip at a brute. “I’ll take the left hammer! Thomas, take the right!”The redhead yelled as she ran to the left. “I’ll stay back and snipe these big bastards! Javik, get the hammer!”The sniper disagreed as Javik ran forward. “This redefines insanity!”Erin screamed, unloading her X9 at a brute as she ran after Megan. Out of nowhere, the Reaper destroyer slammed one of its legs right in front of Megan, stumbling her. “Shit! Is that fucking thing trying to stomp me to death?”The Captain cried out in frustration.

She finally made it to the hammer and lowered it and it produced a loud gong, winding up to drop down and produced another loud gong. “I lowered the 2^nd hammer!”Javik yelled over the radio and the gongs on the right confirmed his statement. “Alright everyone back to the trucks! I’ll regroup with the other team at the Shroud!” Nobody needed to be told twice as they hauled ass out of there as fast as possible, Megan splitting off and going right to the Shroud. Once again, the ground began shaking violently as the squad, now out of the danger zone, stopped and turned around to witness what was happening. And the sight of Kalros latching onto the Reaper as the massive beasts began to tangle.

“Whoa, we need pics. Or it didn’t happen.”James commented as the Reaper slammed Kalros into the Shroud tower before firing at it, missing it and hitting the tower instead as Kalros went back down into the ground. “Oh that’s not good.”Kirrahe said unhappily as the tower started to come ablaze with explosions. Suddenly, Kalros reemerged with a massive screech as it tackled the Reaper from behind, slamming it into the ground and wrapping itself around the offending Reaper and dragging it down below ground. “Well, that was fucking nuts. Shit, what about LC Shepard?”Jentha exclaimed. “She’ll probably be fine. Megan’s going back to get her and Mordin, and they’ve got the rest of the team there.”Thomas assured her as they walked back to the tomkahs.

Meanwhile, Miranda was staring intently as Mordin input the cure for dispersal as the explosions started growing in intensity. “Please let this work…please God.”Miranda whispered silently. Suddenly, Megan came rushing in, completely out of breath. “Mordin! Is the cure ready?”The redhead asked. “Yes. Loaded for dispersal in 120 seconds. Procedure traumatic for Eve but not fatal. Maelon’s research invaluable.”Mordin replied, not looking up from the control console. “Eve’s ok and heading to safety with the rest of the team now.”Miranda added on as Megan hugged her. “You alright?” “Yes I am Cassie. You don’t look that good though.”The brunette pointed out the cuts and bruises on Megan’s face.

“I’ll be fine Miri.”Megan assured her wife. “Eve’s survival fortunate. Will stabilize new government should Wrex get any ideas. Good match, promising future for krogan.”Mordin continued typing at the console as Megan and Miranda spotted a huge metal beam falling down on them, and quickly erected a biotic barrier that successfully deflected the beam. “Shit!”Miranda cursed. “Main control room at top of Shroud tower. Must take elevator up.”Mordin said, pointing to the lift nearby. “You’re going up there? That’s suicide!”Megan cried out. “Yes. Manual access required. Have to counteract STG sabotage. Ensure cure dispersed properly.”The salarian genius confirmed. “Mordin, this whole place is falling apart! There has to be another way!”Miranda protested.

“Remote bypass impossible. STG countermeasures in place. No time to adjust cure for temperature variance. No. No other option. Not coming back. Suggest you get clear. Explosions likely to be problematic.”Mordin explained quickly, his head dropping. “Mordin, no!”Megan pleaded as Mordin got into the elevator. “Shepard please. Need to do this. My project, my work, my cure, my responsibility. Would have liked to see how this ends. Sure you’ll do fine without me.”Mordin smiled at them. “I’m sorry Mordin. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a mother.”Miranda sobbed softly as she and Megan embraced Mordin. “Thanks for all you’ve done Mordin. I’ll miss you.”Megan sniffled, blinking back tears.

“I’m not. Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”Mordin smiled as Megan and Miranda exited the lift, the glass door closing behind them. The lift then went up as the couple stared at the professor sadly before they ran out of the Shroud and didn’t stop till they reached the convoy. “The cure’s being dispersed. Guys, I think we won.”James began laughing as he held out his hands, catching some of the particles being dispersed from the Shroud just as Megan and Miranda turned back to see the Shroud collapsing in a flurry of explosions. The couple looked at each other before they embraced and began weeping softly for their friend and the one who gave them their children.

Final notes: I didn’t want to make the ending so depressing, but…man. Mordin dying is just one of the most depressing moments in ME3. And he was singing his theme song at the end too…sigh. Well, next up is my very own take on the Citadel DLC, and yes, there will be smutty sex, so hold it in just a little longer. As usual, drop me a review and a like! Goodnight and good luck people.
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