The Thresher Maw's head jerked to the side, but the Pushes initially...
"...not that they were called upon to cast it aside, they just needed to throw off its aim slightly. And this had to be done so that one crazy Krogan could get close to the beast."
"Fire at will. Don't stray too far from the creature, but don't get too close either. Make it attack you with acid and keep its head turning."
Jane gave the orders quite professionally, at which I could only smile with the corner of my lips. Clever girl, maybe I'll even pat her on the head...
Chuckling quietly at the silly ideas popping into my head, I rushed into the attack, moving slightly behind Wrex, while covering both him and myself with biotics. And because he could just run forward without paying attention to anything else, Wrex was only getting more excited.
"Damn lizard..."
Williams cursed quietly over the internal comms; however, at this particular moment, I wasn't ready to impose any penalties on her for that, as the enemy was a very resilient beast that still needed to be figured out and taken apart.
Several biotic spears slammed into the body and head, and while they left no marks on the body, a bleeding wound remained on the head. More precisely, not exactly on the head—it so happened that the spear hit the maw, but slightly diagonally, so it exited through the "cheek," tearing it open. At this, the Thresher Maw roared and began to behave even more aggressively.
"How fun! It's like I'm back in my youth at the Rite!"
Wrex had already opened fire with his shotgun, and he wasn't standing still, so I had to move right after him. And the funniest thing was that the Thresher Maw considered the two small idiots jumping around it to be a much greater threat...
"Move!"
I pushed Wrex away with biotics, but I didn't have time to get away myself. The Thresher Maw decided to collapse its body onto us. But even though I didn't have time to move, I had plenty of time to create a barrier over myself. And not just any barrier, but a pyramidal one!
"John!"
A chorus of voices cut through my ears. Liara and Tali were the most worried, which was certainly pleasant. However, the others were concerned too.
"I'm fine."
My short reply coincided with a horrific screech that echoed through the area, and as soon as I found myself in the darkness—where only the light of my automatically activated flashlight illuminated the beast's innards—I applied several biotic spears and even a Singularity, which was supposed to cause severe damage to the creature. A few seconds passed, and I was already outside, as the Thresher Maw, with a terrible wound in its body, rose above the ground, giving me the coveted seconds to escape.
Charge!
I darted to the side, and the Thresher Maw's body crashed onto the sand again, kicking up a cloud of dust. I hadn't seen it last time since I was inside, and of course, I could have tried not to dodge another attempt to squash me, but I really didn't want to follow the advice that says if you've been swallowed, you have at least two ways out...
Biotic chains erupted from the ground and bound the beast, which began to writhe. Unfortunately, I couldn't hold it for long, but the opportunity provided was enough for Wrex. He found himself in front of the beast's maw just as it almost snapped my chains. Several grenades were tossed into the maw, and then...
An explosion...
The Thresher Maw's head shattered into small pieces, splattering both me and Wrex.
"Ha-ha-ha!"
Wrex was happy.
"This is good! This is fucking great!"
"Last time I fought a Thresher Maw like this, it took ten times longer!"
"Tali..."
I immediately contacted everyone and began giving orders.
"...to the beacon. I want to know everything you can pull out of it. The Kodiak Shuttle must take off immediately and monitor the area. Mako... drive around a bit to the side so that if anyone is here, we find out through something other than an attack on the technician."
"Copy that!"
A not-quite-synchronous response followed, after which my orders began to be carried out.
** Some time later. **
"I'm done."
Tali immediately approached me and shifted from foot to foot.
"There were no Systems Alliance representatives here. The beacon was activated via a hack by third parties. I managed to find out who activated the beacon."
"How so?"
I couldn't help but interrupt Tali, who was fidgeting with her fingers somewhat bashfully.
"Well, they installed a video camera that triggers on motion. Basically, they caught themselves on camera."
"So... who was it?"
"It was people with this symbol."
Tali brought up an image on the screen of people in armor with Cerberus identification markings.
"Bastards..."
I closed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.
"...were you able to find out what exactly happened to the landing party? I mean, before all this was moved here? And how long ago was it moved?"
"No, I couldn't find out what happened. But as for how long ago... at least a month ago."
"I see."
I nodded and looked thoughtfully at the emergency beacon.
"Send me the data. Jane..."
"Already started mining the place."
"Thanks."
After that, I headed toward Wrex, who was walking around the carcass with great enthusiasm.
"Wrex..."
"I know what you want to tell me."
Turning slightly toward me, he sighed. However, the enthusiasm didn't leave his voice.
"If you terminate the contract, I won't contest the decision, though it would be a shame. It's rare to meet people this unhinged... in a good way."
He added the last part somewhat hastily, realizing he might have offended me with his words.
"Wrex... I'm not going to terminate the contract, although perhaps I should. I also won't fine you or give you a bad recommendation. However, I hope this won't happen again. Because it was a completely unnecessary risk. We could have easily shot the Thresher Maw with the Mako's gun, and with the help of the guys from the Kodiak Shuttle."
"Tch... I understand..."
Judging by his voice, he really did understand.
"John..."
Tali touched my hand.
"...don't scold Wrex, he's good."
I cast a short glance at Tali and nodded.
"Fine, I won't scold him, but only because you asked me. But to be honest, he deserves a scolding. And maybe even being suspended from landings for a couple of missions, sitting him in the comms room so he can organize our communications."
"Kh..."
Wrex clearly didn't like that suggestion, but since I only mentioned it and didn't insist, he didn't argue. Or maybe it was because of the shock, or because he admitted his guilt; in any case, I was just glad he didn't start an argument.
We waited for a while until everything was mined, then we loaded up, secured the Mako under the belly of the Kodiak Shuttle, and headed for the SSV Normandy.
"Jane?"
I let her know I was giving her the chance to blow the place up, which she did with great pleasure, and soon we were back on the SSV Normandy, which continued its journey to the Citadel.
** Some time later. **
"Jane, assemble the landing party in the cargo bay."
I contacted the girl when we arrived at the Citadel; I myself headed to the airlock, where a messenger was waiting for me, from whom I accepted a packet of documents. After that, I headed to the cargo bay, where the landing party couldn't understand what was happening.
"Ahem..."
Entering the cargo bay, I cleared my throat to draw attention to myself.
"...squad, fall in!"
On the way, I had managed to open the packet of documents and checked if everything was in order. As it turned out, yes, everything was done exactly as I had requested, though I had to use some of my connections for it, but that was fine. The main thing was to show that being my subordinate was profitable.
"Jane Shepard, three steps forward."
Jane, with clear confusion on her face, took three steps, her gaze darting back and forth to the packet in my hands, at which I only smirked.
"At the request of the Spectre, for demonstrated leadership qualities, high training, and achievements during conducted operations, you are hereby reinstated to the rank of Captain."
She blinked in shock, and I handed her the new bars.
"Congratulations."
She was still standing there, blinking stupidly; I took her by the shoulders and, pulling her toward me, in violation of tradition, kissed her on the cheeks.
"Congratulations!"
Chifuyu Orimura, Rebecca Lee, Kaidan Alenko... actually, everyone was happy that Jane was now a Captain again. Though in Ashley Williams's eyes, I saw a flash of envy. But there was nothing to be done about that for now. I couldn't afford to promote everyone at once. But if we survive and stop Saren Arterius, then I will try to push the others forward too.
"I... thank you..."
Jane's voice wavered slightly. After that, she hugged me back and kissed me, though not on the lips, but just on the cheek, yet it was still very pleasant for me.
"Tali, I have something to tell you too..."
"Yes?"
She looked at me with slight confusion.
"The Board of Admiralty has accepted my proposal for mutual assistance, so in the near future, the Quarians will begin repairing their ships not just anywhere, but at very good shipyards."
"Wheeeeeee!"
Tali lunged at me and hung around my neck.
"Thank you-thank you-thank you!"
"You're very welcome."
I didn't say anything to Garrus Vakarian; he already knew perfectly well that his mother was already undergoing treatment at a Citadel clinic.
"Alright, we're done with the official part... so you may disperse. While we are on the Citadel, no problems are expected. So if you wish, you may leave the ship."
"C-Captain..."
Tali, who had pulled back from me a bit and now looked very embarrassed, addressed me.
"...may I use the comms room?"
"Of course."
"Thank you..."
She was clearly smiling; however, I needed to head to David Anderson and Udina, though I didn't give a damn about the latter. And I had to appear before the Citadel Council.
With those thoughts, I went to change and then left the ship. But as soon as I stepped off the ship, life decided to drop a very non-standard trial on me.
"Captain Shepard! Captain! A few words for the citizens of the Systems Alliance! People have a right to know!"
"Ma'am..."
I turned to the journalist.
"...I do not have the necessary permissions to hold press conferences. If you are interested in any information, you may contact the Spectre corps press center."
"But you are a citizen of the Systems Alliance! People have the right to get answers to the questions that concern them!"
She grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop.
"Miss... I already said, I do not have the necessary competencies, nor the permissions from the Spectre corps, to hold press conferences or to speak with the press. And if you do not stop obstructing me, I will be forced to detain you for interfering with the work of a Spectre representative."
"People will see this!"
She said this in a triumphant voice.
"They will see..."
I nodded, showing all the doubt I felt toward that statement.
"...but considering my refusal to speak with you as a journalist, and the fact that I did not give permission for filming, you will be jailed for several years, with a rather large fine on top of it. And a fine will also be imposed on the TV channel you represent if the material is released."
She froze, her eyes widening in shock.
"But... the people..."
"As I said, if you want to get any comments, you must contact the Spectre corps press center. Without that, you cannot get any answers to questions or any comments."
"Ahem... what about as a private individual?"
This was said in a timid voice.
"Miss... I could speak as a private individual, but none of your viewers would even notice the disclaimer warning them that this interview was given by me not as a Spectre or a Systems Alliance serviceman, but as a private individual. And you should understand this better than anyone else."
"Y-yes..."
She nodded slightly bashfully, then let go of me, and I was finally able to continue moving...
***
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