Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 70

Milky Way/Krogan DMZ/Aralakh System/Tuchanka

Earth year: 2185 CE ---November

They were standing in another barren landscape of rubble and collapsed buildings when Callie's omni-tool pinged. Surprised by the sound, she checked it and felt her heart speed up when Liara's name appeared.

"Shepard?"Seeing her pale, Garrus called to her. "Something wrong?"

"Fine Garrus. Just a message from Liara." She replied, turning the device off.

Garrus clicked his mandibles, but made no comment when she didn't read it. He knew what it meant and he'd be damned if he let it distract Shepard during the mission.

Seeing his look, Callie caught his eye. "Don't worry Garrus. I can't respond now anyway."

"I suppose. Just don't let it distract you from what we're doing here. I don't want you getting hurt."

"We've got company." Mordin interrupted, sending out a burst of tech fire at an approaching group of vorcha.

Shoving Liara from her mind, Callie dove for cover as she sent Warp into a second target. Passing through the small group, they entered a well-fortified, abandoned krogan hospital.

"Hospitals aren't fun to fight through." Garrus grumbled.

Stifling a laugh, Callie turned to face him. "What is fun to fight through?"

"Gardens, electronic shops. Antique stores, but only if they're classy."

Shaking her head, she headed down the stairs and deeper into the facility. At the bottom she found a dead human that Mordin moved in to scan to determine cause of death. He concluded that he'd been the victim of genetic experimentation and was repulsed by it. Moving on they came upon a research terminal which Mordin accessed, seeking more information on what was going on. In a nearby room, they found one of several dead female krogans.

"Rest well, young mother." Mordin whispered, looking troubled.

"I didn't expect you to be so affected by a dead krogan." Callie observed. "How often do you see this?"

"Annual reconnaissance missions to check effectiveness of genophage modifications. Superiors offered to do it, but refused. Need to see,need to look. Wasted life."

"If you feel that way, why did you work on the genophage?"

"Not a murderer Shepard. Genophage created to keep population stable, not sterile. Genophage work exciting, challenging, but morally difficult. Effects of genophage terrible. Not guilty, but responsible. Why I started medical facility on Omega. Wanted to do good. Make positive impact on galaxy. After project completed, spent time learning different cultural theologies. Find purpose in work, in science."

"Sounds like you had a crisis of faith Mordin. If you need to do this much soul searching, maybe the genophage was wrong."

"Right decision at time Shepard. All projections led to krogan war, annihilation by turians and humans. Only solution was to reduce krogan population."

"I don't know Mordin. Sounds like you might not believe that anymore. Come on let's find Maelon."

In the next room they found Wrex's missing scout, who despite being freed refused to leave.

"I see what's happening here." Callie said after Mordin advised caution. "You don't want to leave because you're not a real krogan. You're nothing but a vorcha grubbing in the mud. You going to just lie there vorcha?"

"Nobody speaks to me that way!" The krogan bellowed, getting to his feet. "Nobody keeps me down!"

"Damn right they don't!" Callie agreed. "Now get out there and show them what you're made of!"