Mass Effect - a Hero Rises

Book 3, Chapter 17 - The Cure

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A/N - Just a note to state this is my 200

th

upload on this website in the past however long I've been a member. Thanks to those who have enjoyed and supported my works.

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Whoever invented torches was an absolute hero. Whoever invented powerful torches that were attached to the front of a rifle that illuminated a room so bright, it was almost like sunshine, give that man a medal and a cheque for a million credits. I didn't find the catacombs underneath the surface scary in any way. Heard one or two muttered comments, but the numerous torches assured that nothing that might have lurked in the darkness would take us by surprise.

Eve managed to make contact with us, and she explained where we were. Long deserted catacombs, an ancient city long abandoned. "Liara, got a new job for you once the war is over," I joked.

"Been a while since I dabbled in archaeology," she replied with humour, "Too busy with other things."

"So you mean like dinosaurs and stuff?" Vega wondered.

"No, that's palaeontology, Vega. While there are similarities, my research is in regards to ancient cultures like Javiks'."

"Dinosaurs? I have read of those creatures," Javik added, "They were on Earth, Commodore?"

"Yeah, millions of years ago now. Destroyed by an asteroid, or that's what all the research suggests."

"Maybe they were smarter than we thought and were destroyed by the Reapers?" Vega suggested.

I came to a halt and looked at him. "You mean they had like laser weapons and shit?" We both chuckled. "Hell, could imagine a brontosaurus with turrets on its back, opening fire on a horde of Reapers?"

Quite a few of us chuckled before we headed on. Finding the bodies of Reaper creatures, I was left wondering what might have killed them. No-one else had been through these catacombs so... I tried not to think about it. When the ground started to rumble beneath our feet, I was left thinking we might have been in an area of seismic activity. Eve then stated it may be Kalros, the mother of all thresher maws.

Though long abandoned, there were definite signs of culture, Liara eventually stating an investigation could actually provide the krogan with building blocks to rebuild their civilisation, prove that they were not just the warmongering species the rest of the galaxy through they were. Eve heard our conversation and expressed hope that things would change after the war. With a cure, the krogan could prove they could be peaceful, working with their partners to ensure a stable, secure galaxy.

We were all relieved when leaving the catacombs, stepping out into bright sunshine. Walking by the corpses of Reaper and rachni creatures was a minor concern, and we'd barely left the catacombs when we came under attack. We eliminated the force with ease, assuming it was a scouting party, and that's when we noticed our surroundings. The same general air of destruction, but in small pockets, life was flourishing. A real kaleidoscope of colours.

"Wow, I thought this planet was dead," Miranda stated.

"Makes you wonder just how much the krogan have lost?" Liara wondered aloud.

"I know where you are," Eve said over the radio. "What you are all looking at is hope. The first signs of life flourishing once again on our homeworld. With your help, we can ensure life once again flourishes across Tuchanka, something we can earn and give to our children."

I clicked off the comm link for a second. "She'd better fucking survive," I muttered, "Wrex has a calm head, but Eve is equally if not more important in all of this."

Fighting erupted big time a few minutes later as we ran into a horde of Husks, Cannibals and Marauders. Then a couple of the big Brutes made their appearance, and it was at moments like that I really missed all the heavy weapons I'd had at my disposal during my time with Cerberus. Vega carried a rocket / missile launcher from time to time, but I missed weapons such as the Arc Projector and the Cain. God, I missed the Cain.

So we focused on all other enemies before we all focused on the pair of Brutes. Even with all our firepower, they were utter bitches to take down, never giving us a moment's rest, causing us to continually move across the battlefield, though we moved as a unit, doing our best to flank them constantly.

As soon as the second Brute finally dropped to the ground dead, I ordered us forward. And it was relentless but at least we were making constant forward progress. As we moved, Wrex kept us updated with his convoy. They'd long ago pulled off the main road and were now weaving through the ruins. The other convoys were now completely bogged down, so had chosen to make their stand, and had started to open fire upon the Reaper in the distance, but much of their fire was aimed at the Reaper monsters that continued to drop from the sky.

We must have fought off endless Husk, Cannibals and Marauders for the next couple of hours. I was a bit worried that ammo would start to run low, but Miranda and Liara focused on their biotics, occasionally throwing a new clip our way if we were starting to run low. A few Ravagers decided to join in, trying to pin us down from distance. Garrus found elevation and started firing incendiary rounds in retaliation.

"Shepard, we've located your position but we've got problems of our own!" Wrex yelled over the comm.

"Kalros. May find taste of metal tasty. Chewy inhabitants' extra delicacy," Mordin added.

"Just follow our signal and we'll link up when we can," I replied.

"We'll do our best to lose Kalros, but she's got the scent," Wrex said.

"She's enjoying the chase, the thrill of pursuit," Eve added, hearing the humour in her tone.

As they evaded the giant thresher maw, Wrex mentioning more than once that fighting it alongside the Reaper would certainly provide plenty of tall tales, I just focused on keeping my team alive as the Reaper creatures didn't relent for a second. It was perhaps the toughest battle we'd been in since the war started. Certainly the longest. Every metre of ground was earned with sweet and a little blood. Shields failed. Weapons started to jam. Armour scared. I was sweating heavily, the heat oppressive at times. Minor injuries sustained as chances were taken to gain us another metre.

"Closing on your position, Shepard. Five minutes," Wrex said over the radio.

We barely had a moment to take in our surroundings, the Reapers being as relentless as they were. Eve kept us informed of where we were. She sounded confident that, when rebuilding began, the splendour lost over the centuries would be restored, and the krogan would once again have a homeworld they could be proud of.

I think we all felt relief when a pair of APCs appeared in the distance, Wrex getting out and immediately opened fire with his shotgun. I shouted at my team to make haste, running and firing as the last of the Reapers fell at our feet. We crammed into the APC, Wrex and I the last in as the ground started to shudder beneath our feet.

"Get your arse into gear!" he yelled at the driver.

The vehicle shot forward, hearing Wreav over the radio reporting that he was going to follow. Then we heard shouts and cries before the comm link went dead. "Oh well, no great loss," Wrex muttered. Eve put a light elbow into his ribs, provoking a rumble of laughter. "What? He was a pain in the arse and would have just got in the way."

As we moved on, Eve explained her idea to get the Reaper out of play and would allow us into the Shroud. She thought the best idea would be to summon Kalros. Even Wrex though the idea was nuts. I simply asked what was required. I would need to activate two enormous hammers that were used in ancient times to summon Kalros. Thankfully, the hammers were located not far from the Reaper, so there a good chance I'd also attract the attention of the Reaper. I could only hope that Karlos would arrive in time, the two could fight it out, and we could focus on getting the cure out.

The convoy stopped at a long avenue. I could see a tower to either side upon which the hammers sat. Far in the distance was the Shroud. Sitting in front of it was the Reaper. It was still showing no interest in us at the moment. I knew that was going to change within a few minutes. "You're going to need help, Shepard. Someone to watch your back. And no doubt they're going to throw everything at you to stop us."

"Good point, Vega. You're up. Garrus and Javik, you too. Liara, I might need all the biotic power at your disposal. EDI, Miranda, keep in contact, I was status updates regarding raising the hammers and also how Eve is coping with what is to come."

Miranda muttered, "Fuck it," and leaned forward to kiss me. One hell of a kiss too. "You'd better come back alive, sir," she ordered.

I smirked, saluted, and stepped out to join the others. We stood in a line, taking in the view. Ahead lay salvation. Between us and there? A good chance of death, to be honest.

"Ready to be big fucking heroes?" I asked.

"Getting out alive will be good enough for me, Shepard," Liara replied.

"I don't want a library named after me," Garrus joked, "The Garrus Vakarian Memorial Library. Spirits, I couldn't think of anything worse."

"We'll name a firing range after you, big guy. Or maybe a new model of a sniper rifle. The Vakarian, taking out enemies from a distance since 2195!" I suggested.

"I actually like that, Shepard. Thanks."

We made our move...

How we survived the next few minutes, I still can't really explain it. The Reapers threw everything including the proverbial kitchen sink in our directions. Husks. Cannibals. Marauders. Brutes. Thankfully, we'd had time to restock on ammo and clean our weapons during our time in the APC. Vega grabbed a heavy weapon, his only focus on the Brutes whenever he was aiming the barrel. Liara exhausted herself by using biotics, mostly on offensive duties, but she helped defend us. Things only got worse when the Reaper started to show an interest in us.

But we had mana from heaven rather quickly. First, the turian fighters, having disappeared to recover, returned to be a nuisance. Adapting their tactics, they drew the fire away from us, making sure they swarmed the Reaper, rarely able to get a bead on any of them. As the fighters pulled away, the artillery and missiles from the other convoys started to rain down on the Reaper.

"Let's get the hammers sorted!" I yelled. With the others watching my back, we made our way to the first one, Wrex having long ago announced they were ready. That was how badly we'd been delayed. With the first hammer dropped, all fell silent across what felt like all of Tuchanka.

Then we heard what sounded like a roar. It wasn't the krogan. It wasn't the Reaper. It wasn't us.

"Kalros," Eve stated over the radio.

"Get to the second hammer, Shepard!" Wrex added.

The Reaper itself was now distracted by the fighters, incoming fire, and was definitely interested in the distant noise. We managed to get across to the second hammer without too much issue, and when I that one slammed down, again echoing across Tuchanka, there was no doubt Kalros answered the summons.

"Here she comes," I exclaimed.

The ground shook beneath our feet as we heard the enormous thresher maw approach. Wrex yelled at us to get the hell out of there, all of us sprinting in the opposite direction of the Shroud. We made just enough distance to turn and watch Kalros arrive, left stunned at the sheer size of the creature as it slammed into the Reaper.

"Holy shit, look at it go!" Vega yelled.

The Reaper fought back, firing its laser over and over. Definitely hit it more than once, Kalros disappearing under the surface, and the Reaper now only had eyes for the thresher maw. We could hear it scream, even under the surface.

"There!" Garrus shouted, pointing where the thresher maw reappeared. It flew straight into the Reaper, and I think even I gasped when the Reaper crashed to the ground. What surprised all of us was the thresher maw then wrapping the Reaper in its body before it started to spin around, dragging the Reaper underneath the surface of Tuchanka. Before we knew it, all was silent once again.

We all collapsed the ground, out on our feet but I wouldn't be given a chance to rest. "Shepard, Mordin has made his way to the Shroud. You'd better go see him," Wrex said.

"Copy that, Wrex. I'll head there now." Turning to my companions, I ordered them back to the convoy. "Think I'll be safe for the moment. Reaper is dead. All the monsters are dead. Just need to get the cure into the air, then we can move on."

As my companions made their way to the approaching convoy, I headed down the long avenue, the Shroud in the distance. And as I approached it, I could see the fight between the Reaper and Kalros had damaged the building extensively. I immediately started to worry that the genophage cure might not be possible.

I found Mordin in the building at the ground floor, typing away at a terminal. I looked up to see falling masonry and flames erupting from certain points. I stepped to Mordin. "Everything good to go?"

He nodded. "Loaded for dispersal in two minutes. Procedure traumatic for Eve but not lethal." I released a sigh of relief at that news. "Maelon's research invaluable."

"Glad to hear she's okay. Didn't take long, I take it?"

"No. Her part was small but painful. Her survival fortunate. Will stabilise new government should Wrex get any ideas."

"He won't. He wants peace."

He nodded. "Good match, promising future for krogan." He looked at me then gestured in the other direction. "Control room at top of Shroud tower. Must take elevator up."

I looked up and immediately knew what he was saying. Looking back down, he was still hard at work. "It's sabotaged, Mordin."

He nodded again. "I know, Shepard. You told me. But manual access required. Ensure cure dispersed properly."

The tower was still falling apart. I wondered if he'd even make it to the control room before it collapsed entirely. "Shit," I muttered.

"No other option, Shepard. Not coming back. Suggest you get clear. Explosions likely to be problematic."

He walked towards the elevator, each stride as determined as the last. "No other way to do it?" Then I stopped and shook my head. "Of course not. STG would have through of every known and probably most unknown variables."

Mordin turned as he stepped into the elevator, grinning. "You've learned quickly, Shepard. But, more importantly. My project. My work. My cure. My responsibility."

"Shit."

"Don't worry, Shepard. I go now with good thoughts. Good memories. Besides, had to be me."

Now I smiled. "Someone else would have gotten it wrong?"

His grin broadened. "Would have liked to run tests on seashells. Maybe in the next life."

I strode forward and offered my hand, my respect as a soldier for the scientist. "Goodbye, Mordin."

"Goodbye, my friend."

I stepped back as the doors closed, the elevator immediately ascending. I watched until I figured getting away would be the best thing to do. I ran for a couple of minutes before turning around. I noticed the change in colour of whatever was being dispersed from the Shroud, changing from a green to a yellow colour. Then there was an enormous explosion from near the top, and I just knew Mordin had sacrificed his life to ensure the cure worked.

I heard the convoy arrive behind me, hearing footsteps approach. Wrex and Eve appeared first, gazing up at the tower. Eve knew immediately. "He said the cost would be high. But even I didn't think..."

"He wouldn't have wanted it any other way," I said softly.

Miranda and Liara stood to either side of me, wrapping an arm around each of them as the rest gathered around. We didn't leave until the tower started to fall apart, exploding as it did. But the cure had been dispersed, watching it spread across Tuchanka. It would be picked up in the wind. Every krogan would eventually be cured of the genophage. They now had hope.

We returned to the Hollows as a group. The atmosphere among the krogan was euphoric. Wrex was a little more tempered as he knew the cost, but I wouldn't have minded. I think Mordin would have approved. As we gathered, Wrex told us the story of what happened with his father, using it as a metaphor for the krogan people in general. Treated like animals, they acted like it. The genophage now gave them a chance.

Eve finally revealed her name, calling herself Urdnot Bakara. When she said the clans had started to gather in the Kelphic Valley. When my eyes widened, she understood, and that when I received my first cuddle from a female krogan. "You saved millions, Shepard. Thank you." I'm fairly sure I actually blushed a moment. "But now I have to keep this one in line," she added when letting me go.

I recognised the playful tone, glancing between the two krogan, and Wrex gave me the sort of grin I knew well. "We've been talking," he admitted.

"And Wrex has good ideas. Not only do our people have hope, but I like to think they have people who have their best interests at heart."

"As for you, Shepard. I'm really not sure what to say."

"I do," I said, offering my hand. He grabbed my forearm as grabbed his, meeting his eyes. "Earn this."

He understood immediately. "We will, my friend. And I will."

"The Palaven situation?" Garrus asked.

Wrex grinned. "Tell your Primarch that all the krogan need is transport, and we'll head to Palaven and wherever else you need assistance once I've assembled our warriors. Having given the Reapers a bloody nose here, I'm sure they'll be interested, but we'll soak our soil in their blood while helping our new allies across the galaxy."

Calling in the shuttle, we allowed ourselves a moment to relax, Wrex and Grunt talking quietly as they were no doubt already making plans. I figured Grunt would be sent across the galaxy again. He would be wasted on Tuchanka. Wrex would have enough warriors to hold the Reapers at bay during the next few months.

Cortez eventually touched down nearby, sharing a final farewell with Wrex, Grunt and Eve, before I shut the door and we took off back to the ship. We all slumped either in seats or on the floor of the shuttle, all of us absolutely shattered. Thankfully, it was a short trip back to the ship, and stepping off, Kelly, Gianna and Traynor were waiting for us.

Kelly was crying. She'd been close to everyone during our time with Cerberus. While it had been part of the job, being a naturally friendly person, she could make even the hardest of hearts soften up over time, and I knew the pair had enjoyed many conversations during our time against the Collectors. Gianna didn't know him at all, nor did Samantha, but they could see our moods as we left our weapons and armour in small piles, heading straight for the lounge as we all needed a drink.

"We'll have a memorial service in the next couple of days," I said, "Nothing big. He wouldn't want a big deal made about it. So it will simply be a couple of minute's silence. I'm not particularly one for speeches anyway."

Taking Miranda and Kelly by the hand, I gestured for Liara and Gianna to follow, the four of us heading upstairs to my cabin. I gently ordered the four of them to strip then join me in the shower. I wasn't in the mood for sex, not after watching a friend die, but I needed to get clean, and I just wanted their company. After I'd been given a good scrub, the four cuddled into me under the hot water, kissing each of them in turn.

"Thanks," I said softly.

"He was crazy," Kelly whispered.

"The good sort of crazy," Miranda added softly.

"What are you going to do?" Kelly asked.

"I need to speak to Hackett soon. After that..." I shrugged. "Keep my mind occupied for a couple of days."

"You know, there is nothing wrong with sex to deal with grief," Kelly suggested, "It is actually a natural reaction, wanting intimacy after moments like today. It's a psychological reaction. Being intimate will make you feel better."