Mass Effect - a Hero Rises

Interlude, Chapter 19 -- While You Were Sleeping...

*****

The Crew of the Normandy

The beacon has been replied to immediately. At least three ships were sent in response to the mayday. When they arrived, they found no sign of the

Normandy

nor of the ship that had apparently destroyed it. What they did find was a number of lifepods, frantic messages for help being communicated.

Six ships in total arrived in the orbit of Alchera, a cruiser in the lead with five frigates patrolling around it. The lifepods were taken straight back to the cruiser, the

SSV London

. The number of survivors was more than expected, but no-one believed that the

SSV Normandy

could have been destroyed, but worse was that Commander Shepard was confirmed as lost. His crew demanded they try and find his body, but the search was paltry at best. Not knowing the situation around them, whether the ship that had destroyed the

Normandy

was still present, the captain of the

London

ordered their retreat to safety.

Shepard was confirmed as Killed in Action.

Back on the Citadel, Ambassador Udina (as elected by the Alliance Parliament) and Admiral Hackett spoke with the survivors. Though they were thanked for their bravery and assistance, without Commander Shepard in the lead, it was time for everyone to make their own way. Alliance staff was reassigned. The non-Alliance personnel were told their services were no longer required. There was plenty of anger and resentment at how quickly everything was ended, but those at the heart of everything were not surprised.

"They never believed," Liara muttered, "And we will all pay the price."

Without Shepard, the glue that held them all together, though they were friends, and had forged bonds in fire, each of them now had to head their own way, take destiny into their own hands. All of them had changed though. Returning to their old lives was out of the question. What they had learned during their time with Shepard meant that was simply impossible. But without Shepard leading them, all of them would admit to feeling a little... lost.

*****

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya

Feeling the skin of her human lover under her fingertips, she took a deep shuddering breath. No doubt Ashley knew what was coming, feeling her arm wrap around her a little tighter, closing her eyes, unable to meet hers.

"I have to go home," she whispered.

"I know," Ashley whispered in return. Tali took a deep breath to control her emotions. She wanted to cry, hold her human lover, never let her go. She'd never felt anything like this for anyone except the man who had disappeared. But she was a quarian at heart, and though she loved the connection she had made, she knew returning was the best thing for her.

"Should I leave quickly or..."

She felt Ashley pull her closer, kissing her forehead. "I'd love for you to stay forever, but I know leaving will be hard for both of us."

"Quicker the better?" She heard Ashley take a deep breath, finally looking up to meet her eyes. When they looked at hers, seeing the shimmer in her eyes... It nearly broke her completely.

She sat up and leaned against the headboard, keying her omni-tool, immediately looking for transportation away from the Citadel. Once that was booked, which was surprisingly easy, though getting all the way back to the Fleet would take some organisation, she switched it off and leaned into Ashley. "Don't want to go," she murmured.

"Feeling is mutual, Tali. But I have my orders too. I'll be off to the other end of the galaxy soon enough."

"Is this it?" she asked, blinking rapidly at the thought of losing her.

She felt a finger under her chin, meeting the eyes of her again. The tears were a surprise. Ashley Williams never cried. But right now, the tears flowed easily. Leaning down, she kissed her softly, putting all the feeling they had for each other in quite a simple gesture. Feeling her hand run down her cheek, resting her forehead against hers, Ashley managed to say, "Maybe... I don't know... You're going home now and..."

"I love you," Tali managed to choke out.

"Feeling is more than mutual, my little quarian lover," Ashley managed to reply, a smirk forming before their lips met. Any idea of perhaps leaving the hotel room ended then and there. The love making that followed was something else entirely. They'd enjoyed a lot of sex since returning to the Citadel, almost as a way of getting over their grief. But she knew both of them felt this was something different. Perhaps the last time...

She ended up on her back, Ashley kissing her hard, feeling her fingers inside her, searching for that special spot. "Cum for me, Tali," her human lover breathed. Tali would have laughed. Ashley always made her cum. She made her cum constantly, and she liked to believe she returned the favour. Ashley didn't relent, their lips never parting until Tali came hard, wrapping her arms around Ashley as she squeezed her fingers, wrapping her legs around her thighs as she cried out. She didn't just cry out, she cried, feeling hot tears streak down her cheeks, Ashley immediately kissing her face to clear them away.

Then they held each other in silence, fingertips gently stroking each other. They'd enjoy a shower later, dress, and then they would have to leave. But, for now, they would enjoy the presence, the scent, of the other.

They fell asleep for at least a couple of hours before waking up. Heading to the shower, they washed each other, enjoying plenty of cuddling and kissing, before heading back to the bedroom, where they needed to dress. She sat on the bed, watching Ashley get ready, before her human lover helped her get back into her suit. The last act was the mask, closing her eyes as Ashley cupped her face. "I won't forget you, Tali'Zorah," she whispered. Tali could only open her eyes and smile. It was probably the best way to say goodbye.

"I won't forget you either, Ashley."

They kissed a final time before Tali found herself sealed away. Heading out into the Citadel, they headed towards a restaurant that catered to both human and quarian needs, which were few and far between. But they managed to find a place that allowed them a few more hours together. Looking around the Ward, the signs of the battle were still obvious. Fires still raged in certain sections, left wondering when they would be put out and the damage restored. The Presidium was obviously the focus for now. Until that was fixed, the Wards would simply have to cope.

Tali told Ashley that her ship would be departing soon, so the pair walked hand in hand towards the dock she would be departing from. No doubt the fact a human walked hand in hand with a quarian caused some stares, but Ashley didn't seem to care one bit, which only made her smile behind the mask. At the docks, they sat and waited for the departure call, unable to really find any words to share. Everything they needed had already been shared back in the room.

Before boarding, they shared a final hug. Tali wanted to say something like she'd call and message her constantly but the realist in her knew they may not see each other again. Their lives were so different. The

Normandy

had brought them together, and without it, they would now be on separate sides of the galaxy. Ashley caressed the side of her mask. "Goodbye, Tali."

Tali knew what goodbye meant. Ashley had said it with good reason. She was a realist as well. She hugged her tightly a final time, feeling Ashley squeeze her in return. She wanted to tell her how much she loved her, but while she would always feel that way about her, she knew it was already time to move on. Hide away those feelings and simply... try and forget. Letting go of the taller human, she grabbed her small bag, turned and walked towards the docking bay. She looked back a final time to see Ashley wipe her cheeks with the back of her hand. Part of her wanted to run back and hug her. But she steeled herself, took a deep breath. Meeting her eyes one last time, she smiled behind the mask, hoping Ashley recognised it, before she turned and strode down the docking arm towards the shuttle that would eventually carry her home.

Her return was triumphant thanks to the information Shepard had given her. But she felt nothing but empty back on the fleet. Her lover now a galaxy away and her hero dead. The only thing she could do was focus on her new life, her new job, and simply try and forget...

*****

Urdnot Wrex

The landscape out the window of the shuttle was a barren wasteland, a testament to the futility of nuclear war. The technological advances made by the krogan were, in the end, a monumental disaster. The technology gave them entirely new ways of killing each other. At one stage, the krogan had been the saviours of the galaxy, their century's long war against the rachni proving their prowess in battle. But then there were the Rebellions, in response to those was the unleashing of the genophage, and the near destruction of the krogan race.

Tuchanka was nothing but piles of rubble, an absolute battered land, barely worth fighting over. The once garden world was something only talked about in whispers, barely remembered by those krogan who still lived, a past consigned to the history books. No-one thought the world would ever flourish once more. Tuchanka was now considered one of the deadliest planets in the galaxy. Apart from the krogan inhabitants, any flora and fauna that had survived the nuclear fallout was deadly to any potential visitors. Then there was the atmosphere, the ozone layer that once covered the planet completely destroyed, and the Shroud, the giant tower built by the salarians, the only thing keeping the planet liveable.

Wrex sat alone in the shuttle as it started its descent. It had been centuries since he last set foot on the homeworld. He had washed his hands of his people for years, simply focusing on his own life and gave an air of being uncaring about the plight of his people. But, deep in his heart, he had always cared greatly about his people. About their plight. Their standing in the pantheon of galactic races. It had been during his conversations with Shepard that he had realised that perhaps, just perhaps, he should return home. And help lead his people out of the plight they suffered. Wrex remembered the promise Shepard had made on Virmire, of helping the krogan find a cure for the genophage.

Krogan rarely felt great sadness, but the thought of Shepard gave Wrex pause. It had been a few months since Shepard had been lost, the unknown ship blasting the

Normandy

apart, Shepard blown clear of the wreckage. He had attended the funeral, out of respect for his fellow warrior, though his body had never been found. Once the funeral was finished, the rest of the crew had been split up by the Alliance. He was aware the Council was already ignoring his warnings. As for the Alliance, they had simply lost their poster boy, their first Spectre. Whether there were plans for a replacement, he certainly didn't know.

During his time on the

Normandy

, and in the months since the funeral, Wrex had quietly established contacts on Tuchanka, trying to find like-minded individuals and clans, who would support his drive and ideas. Wrex had an ambitious plan. End the clan feuds. Unite Tuchanka as one, under the flag of Clan Urdnot. And finally bring an end to the genophage and the end of krogan isolation from the rest of the galactic races.

Establishing dominance of his clan would be difficult enough. His brood-brother, Wreav, had been left in charge since Wrex had left, and Clan Urdnot had become an embarrassing shell of what it once was. Wrex thought his brother was an idiot, always had, and it was the one regret he had about originally leaving Tuchanka, knowing that his brother could one day lay claim to leadership. Wrex was prepared to fight and kill his brother, if necessary, but from news he had already been told, Wrex would have the support of the clan on his return. It appeared becoming an infamous bounty hunter, and also a member of the crew that saved the Citadel, and quite possibly the galaxy, may help him re-establish control. It also helped that most were unhappy with the ineffectiveness of Wreav's leadership.

The shuttle finally landed on his homeworld, Wrex opening the door and setting foot on Tuchankan soil for the first time in hundreds of years. He bent down to one knee and grabbed a handful of dirt, letting it run through his fingers, before he rubbed his hands together and stood up, looking around at the wasteland that greeted his eyes.

It's a fucking hell-hole. But it's home.

Our home.

My home.

Two krogan walked up the pile of rubble to where Wrex stood in front of the shuttle. Arms were crossed diagonally across their chests in salute, a slight bow as they spoke. "Urdnot Wrex, welcome home to Tuchanka."

Wrex returned the gesture before he walked forward, arms spread wide. "I am pleased to return home, brothers."

The two krogan fell in alongside Wrex as the trio walked down the rubble mound. In front of them on an open square were lines of krogan. There must have been hundreds of them. Proud warriors, one and all. Wrex's proclamations had apparently reached all corners of Tuchanka. Perhaps even to those krogan who no longer called Tuchanka home. The krogan lined up in front of him were but a fraction of those in support of Wrex and his ideas.

"These are the leaders and members of the clans who wish to pursue peace? Who truly want an end to the genophage? To end the cycle of violence? That wish to see the krogan re-integrate themselves within the galaxy?" asked Wrex.

"Indeed they are, Urdnot Wrex. There are still many clans who would oppose your ideas, but the clans represented here are aware of your history and the fall-out with your father. Many of the krogan in front of you now have always supported your ideals, but have simply had to await your return. Most clans are not strong enough to go alone."

Wrex grumbled slightly. He had always resented the way he had retreated from Tuchanka. But when most of his finest warriors were murdered by his father and those loyal to him, Wrex had been left with little choice but to leave in desperation. But not without getting revenge on his father first, leaving him dead on the ground, a knife buried deep in his heart.

Wrex came to a stop in front of the rows of krogan, stood on a small mound as he overlooked them. They all gave the same gesture, arm across the chest, a slight bow. "You honour us, Urdnot Wrex," they said as one. Wrex gave a slight bow in return. He was surprised at the respect. Then again, news of Virmire, his role in defeating Saren, of his promise to end the genophage, had reached Tuchanka. It was one of many reasons why so many clans had been willing to join. There was one word at the back of all their minds. Of his mind. He was promising to give the krogan the one thing they had lacked for over a thousand years.

Hope.

"The krogan were once a proud people. A people that the galaxy once relied on, to fight on their behalf. We once lived by ideals of courage, strength and honour. But for the last thousand years, we have done nothing but kill ourselves, and waste our lives. Today, we begin our rebirth. Today, we start the rise of the krogan once again. But no longer will be a species to be feared. We will be a species to be respected. We will once again earn our place in the galaxy. We will lead the krogan into a new future. Today, starts a new dawn for the krogan!"

The assembled krogan roared their approval. Wrex allowed himself a slight grin. He figured Shepard would have been proud of that one. Wrex looked up into the sky, the sun beating down on the battered landscape of Tuchanka. He let another small grin cross his face.

Shepard would be proud.

And I will make you proud, my brother.

He returned his attention to the assembled ranks of krogan in front of him. His new band of brothers. Krogan who were willing to fight and die for Wrex and his ideals.

"Come, my brothers. Let us begin."

The Fourth Tuchankan Civil War was about to begin. And, this time, Clan Urdnot would be the victor.

*****

Garrus Vakarian

"I'm going," he muttered.

"Where?" she asked.

"I don't know. Just... anywhere not here. There are too many reminders. The Spectres..." He scoffed. "I would have tried to join them if he was still here. Now they besmirch his name like he's some sort of... embarrassment."

"What about me?"

He turned towards her, cupped her face with his talons. "I love you, Chloe. Always will. But it's..." He sighed, trailing off. He wasn't good at sharing feelings. Few turians were. He usually wore his heart on his sleeve, but when it came to matters like this, and with her, he could rarely find the words. He felt too many things that he simply couldn't express them.

"You'll come back?" He nodded immediately. He loved her more than anyone. Anything. He didn't want to go. But he also had to go to find... himself again. "I'll wait for you, Garrus."

"Chloe..."

She leaned forward, the bedsheet dropping to reveal her soft body. Kissing him on his cheek, he pulled her right. "I understand, Garrus. Do what you need to do. No matter how long, I'll be here when you return."

"Chloe..."

He felt her squeeze him even tighter. "I understand," she whispered.

"It's not fair," he muttered.

"You had a lot of love for him. I know that."

"He was my brother in arms. I would have died for him."

Just saying that... He felt his voice catch. He missed him terribly. The only thing that made him feel better since their return to the Citadel had been her. But it wasn't enough. He was upset. Heartbroken. Stricken with grief... And angry. More than angry. Furious. He burned with vengeance. Geth. Krogan. Even human or turian. Whoever was responsible. He was going to hunt whoever was responsible to the edge of the galaxy and watch them burn. He would gain retribution for his death. He would fight and die in his name going forward.

"Does anyone else know?"

"I think it's best I just disappear for a while, Chloe. I might let my father know I'm alive, at least."

"Before you go..." He met her eyes, noticing her cheeks colour.

They made love a final time. She knew he'd leave soon after, so she seemed to make sure it would last for as long as possible. Watching her ride his cock, he couldn't help marvel at her body, watching her slowly bounce up and down on his length. When he finally came inside her, she couldn't move for a little while because of what happened when he ejaculated. She loved the extra connection that arrived when he climaxed, simply using it as an excuse to rest herself on his chest, running a hand up and down her back, enjoying the feeling of her smooth skin.

Once they could disconnect, she got up and dragged him into the shower, where she handed him soap and a washcloth so he could wash her down. Spirits, he loved her body. No, not just her body. He loved

her

. Always would. He'd already thought about a future together, though that had been before the destruction of the

Normandy

. Leading her back to the bedroom later, she sat down naked and watched him start to dress himself. She smiled whenever his eyes met hers. Escorting him to the door, they hugged for what felt like hours. He told her he loved her. He told her he would be back. He told her...

"When you're ready, come back to me, Garrus," she whispered. And, with a final kiss on the cheek, she closed the door, leaving him alone.

Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his bag and walked towards the dock, already thinking about which festering shithole to go to first.