Mass Effect - A Hero Rises Ch. 31

Book 2, Chapter 12 -- Trial

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A/N -- Good news. Now that 'Dragonborn Rising' is complete, I can focus on this for the moment. Currently covering Mass Effect 2 and 'Book 2' of this story is complete. I'm in the middle of writing 'Book 3' covering Mass Effect 3. That will remain my focus until it's complete.

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I could hear the crashing from outside his room but, with it locked from the outside, at least the destruction was kept to his quarters. "I really don't think you should go in there, Shepard," Miranda stated.

"Well, something is clearly wrong with him and I guess we should find out what's wrong."

"I think you should at least go in armed, lest he really try and cause you damage as well."

"Back up too, because something clearly has him riled up," Zaeed added.

"Okay, you've just volunteered. You too, Miranda. Let's go armour up, grab some weapons, then head in."

Jacob was wondering what was going on as the three of us put on armour, grabbing my favourite shotgun, Zaeed a rifle, Miranda her SMG. Jacob suited up, bringing a shotgun too, heading back downstairs. Gathering outside the door, Jack seemed to know something was up, immediately glowed blue, and joined our line. Without glancing back, I gestured a countdown before breaching, opening the door and immediately leading the way in, my shotgun immediately falling upon Grunt, taking a knee as the others followed in and aimed. Grunt stopped and looked our way, noticing four weapons and a small biotic woman ready to open fire.

"Grunt, what the fuck are you doing in here?" I asked.

He growled, though didn't approach, recognising the fact four weapons were trained on him. I didn't want to open fire, as the other three would fire immediately, but if I needed to, I would. "Something is wrong, Shepard. I feel wrong. Tense. I just want to kill something. With my hands." He strolled to the glass window overlooking the hangar bay.

"So what's new?" I asked, adding a little humour.

"No, more so than usual, Shepard. Like it's not my choice. Like I just want to, I don't know..." He roared and slammed his head into the window. It was made of strong stuff, but it still cracked as he turned, walking towards us. "See? Why do that? What's wrong?"

"Shepard, I might have suggestion."

"I'm all ears, Zaeed."

"I think our baby krogan is going through puberty. Maybe we need to take him to Omega and get him laid?"

"A couple of asari dancers and a room for a couple of hours?"

"Hmmm. I wouldn't mind another visit," I muttered, immediately thinking of Tara. We sent messages quite often. Kelly knew all about it, of course. She thought it was rather sweet, and knew that Tara liked me quite a bit in return, as she'd read some of her messages. She'd even said, if we ended up back on Omega, she wouldn't mind me visiting her for a little fun, dropping hints that she might just come along. When she offered that, we definitely enjoyed some hot and heavy sex afterwards. Another reason why I loved her. She was so open-minded about everything.

"Just a suggestion, Shepard. Maybe he just needs to pop his heat sink and he'll calm down."

I laughed at the euphemism. "Okeer didn't imprint anything to help you figure this out?" I asked Grunt.

He shook his head as he began to pace again. I'd dropped my shotgun slightly, but he still looked tense, as he said. I didn't know if he'd just lose it eventually. "I see pictures of old battles, voices of warlords. But this is... a blood haze in my head." He growled again, and I raised my shotgun at him. He barely noticed as he was turned away. "I want control. When we're moving, fighting, I focus. But here, my blood screams, my plates itch, and even you are just noise!"

"Ooh, that's gotta sting, Shepard," Jack joked quietly

"I'm tank born, Shepard. I don't know. What's is all this?"

"I'll be honest, Grunt. I don't know. Okeer died before he could tell us anything about you, and if he didn't put anything into your head, then I'm at a loss. The only suggestion I can make is that we find another krogan who knows what is happening to you."

"You mean we should head to my homeworld. Tuchanka." He paused and shook his head. "I won't ask you to go there, Shepard. I will control this."

"Out of the question, Grunt. I need everyone at their best. No distractions. And it's obvious whatever is going on you will probably only get worse over the following weeks and months. Joker can get us into orbit over Tuchanka without a problem. It's only getting groundside that concerns me." I paused before adding, "Good thing for you is that I do have an old friend now living on Tuchanka. He may be able to help."

"Thank you, Shepard. I don't like this. Fury is my choice, not a sickness."

"Still think he needs to get laid, Shepard," Zaeed muttered as I lowered my weapon.

"You just want to go back to Omega, Massani."

"Hey, lots of pretty asari dancers. An old man like me learns to appreciate how nubile and flexible a one-hundred-year-old asari can be."

I turned and gestured for everyone to store their weapons as Grunt was still tense, but he had calmed down enough for me to not feel it necessary to shoot him if it got worse. "Head downstairs if it gets bad and start beating up boxing bags instead of destroying your room," I suggested.

I left Grunt alone, thanking everyone for joining me, as I headed upstairs to the CIC. Kelly asked if the situation downstairs was now okay and I assured her it was as I stepped up to the galaxy map. Inputting the destination, I wasn't surprised by the immediate reaction from Joker. "Okay, Commander, I'll take us there immediately. But you do know that airspace around Tuchanka is a demilitarised zone, there is an exclusion zone in addition to that, a no fly zone in addition that, and turian patrols ensure most visitors are processed before they head groundside."

"That makes having an invisible ship a bonus, Joker. We should get in and out without someone taking an interest in our arrival."

"And they will fire upon us if we are seen and ignore their hails."

"So make sure we are not seen, Joker."

"I swear, sometimes you're just looking for an excuse so we end up in a battle again. Anyway, plotting our course. We should arrive within two days."

"Just get us there in one piece, Joker. That's all I ask."

I immediately thought of who I'd take to the ground and, in the end, I decided I'd take everyone, simply because if we could get anywhere near where Wrex was located, I'd like everyone to meet him. So that's when I got in touch with Liara, asking if she could send me any information she had about him. Within the day, she'd sent me all the information I could hope for, including a rundown of Tuchanka itself, the political situation, and also a synopsis of Wrex and what he'd been up to since his return. What I learned after reading it all is that he'd been one hell of a busy man.

In addition, Liara also sent me some rather explicit photos of herself, and also a video of herself and Shiala being very naughty. I immediately asked if I was okay if I shared with Kelly, and she said it was fine. So I showed Kelly a few of her photo's. Kelly said she was beautiful, I told Liara, and soon Liara and Kelly were messaging back and forth, and I had a feeling they would become fast friends. Kelly's personality was that infectious.

The night before arriving, Kelly and I were in the middle of making love as usual, my beautiful redhead slowly riding my cock, my hands running all over her body, completely exposed to touch wherever I wanted. "I love your cock," she whispered. I was simply mesmerised by the way she moved, gently rising up and lowering herself down, using a free hand to gently rub her clit at the same time.

I sat up so I could lick and suck at her nipples, making her giggle and moan all at once, one of her hands resting on the back of my head as I alternated from one to the other. "Do you love my breasts?" she breathed.

"Absolutely. They're wonderful."

Despite the fact we'd made love constantly, despite the fact I thought she was beautiful, she still worried. Everyone did. Even I did. "I always thought they were a little small."

"No. They're perfect for you, gorgeous."

She pushed me back down onto the bed, leaning forward to kiss me. Running my fingers down her back, I bent my knees as she adjusted, starting to ride me faster as I began to move to meet her. "Fuck yes," she moaned before kissing me. She couldn't do that for long, breaking it and releasing a longer moan. "How do you do this to me every time?" she asked with a giggle.

"I like to think I know your body rather well, Miss Chambers."

"You think? I think you know just how well you know it, Shepard." She kissed me again. "I'm close," she whispered, "So close, but I don't want to cum yet."

"Well, just keep going like I know you want to."

She couldn't help giggle. "You definitely know me too well, I think."

She eventually enjoyed two orgasms before I rolled her onto her back, watching as she folded her legs right back, allowing me to get nice and deep inside her. Then she just begged me to fuck her and cum, and she got what she wanted within a couple of minutes, groaning loudly as I came, before I needed to relax, feeling her light kisses all over my face. "I love you so much," she whispered, hearing a slight quiver in her voice. Opening my eyes, she smiled. "Once I finally told you, I just feel even better."

After our usual post sex shower, as we never liked to sleep after the exertion, sweat and other bodily fluids, she was cuddled up into me as always, enjoying the way I ran my fingers up and down her body. She loved the way I would sometimes just look at her. Not stare. Definitely not leer. Just appreciate how beautiful she was. She knew, even after all this time, the subtle reminders, but I'd accepted them in my own head by now. It wasn't why I'd chosen to be with her, and definitely not why I'd fallen in love with her. But I certainly had a type I liked.

"Shepard, would you ever want me to join you and Liara one day for sex?"

"I'll be honest, I hadn't actually thought about it. Why?"

"I'm just wondering, because I think Liara is laying a subtle suggestion in her messages with me that she'd like to meet me in person, and that if she likes me, then she's going to suggest a little more than just dinner and drinks."

"Would you be interested?"

"Definitely. As I said, I think she's beautiful, as is Shiala. You have very good taste in regards to your asari lovers, Shepard. As for Tara on Omega, she was just adorable. I couldn't believe it when you told me how old she was."

"Well, this has given me something to think about at least. Leave it with me and I'll see what happens. But we'll definitely go back to Illium before we journey on through the Omega Four."

"What about Gianna?"

"Hmmm. I don't know. She accepts this but I'm not sure she'd be in to sharing in that manner. And I don't really want to ask, because I don't expect it. I know how open minded you are, Kelly. As I've said, another reason to love you. But while Gianna is open minded about the fact I'm not monogamous, there's sharing when she's not around, but I think she wants me to herself when she is."

"That's okay, Shepard. I can certainly understand her point of view. I get you to myself right now, but I've had experiences with asari before. They are very... sexual. They know what they like, have no problem admitting it, and I think consider many humans rather prudish in regards to their own view on sex. You and I being the obvious exceptions."

We had some more fun the next morning as I woke up to Kelly between my legs, making slow love to my cock with her mouth and tongue, but offering to return the favour by swinging her body around was quickly accepted. I only teased her until she made me cum then I could give her my full attention. I made sure she spun around as she sat on her face, practically drowning me with her pussy as one of her hands held my held in place, rubbing her slit up and down. "Eat my pussy," she demanded, before she giggled. I laughed at the same time, which made her laugh even more. "Sorry, it's just really good."

"I don't mind," I managed to murmur.

"Make me cum, Shepard!" she added, her tone one of complete authority.

So I made her cum hard, and she needed to fall off my face, giggling away as her body quivered as I sat on my knees, where she looked at me expectantly. Then I tickled her, causing her to laugh even more, and she had little defence, any piece of exposed skin soon found by my fingers. I tickled her until she claimed she was going to either wet herself or pass out, so I relented, hearing her continue to giggle as lay down next to her, rolling into my body, still giggling occasionally.

After our usual morning shower, we dressed and headed downstairs, Kelly cuddled into my side as we had no problem showing our affection for each other now. Everyone knew we were together and in love, as Kelly had let it slip one night that we'd confessed our feelings. Jack thought that was hilarious, though I ignored that, and had since made it known that I wouldn't be playing her game any longer. She just told me fuck off and go fuck myself. I ignored that and she'd barely spoken to me since. Garrus was surprised I'd actually say those words to someone else, though knew I'd told Gianna. Samara thought it was wonderful, and she had a wistful look in her mind, as if remembering a great love she'd once felt. Miranda... Miranda was jealous. I recognised it, she knew I recognised it, but I wasn't going to approach her about it. It would simply remain unspoken.

Taking my usual seat across from Garrus, Tali was now sitting next to him as Kelly sat next to me. Tali had really hit it off with Kasumi for some reason, the pair already thick as thieves, from what I'd been told. Kasumi has taken a shine to most people on the ship, not seeming to mind the Cerberus connection, judging people based on their character, not their affiliation.

"We'll be in Tuchankan orbit by midday, ship time," Joker reported from down the line.

"Excellent. I hope you're all ready," I stated, "Because Tuchanka is like nowhere we've ever been."

"Are we expected?" Miranda asked.

"I'm not sure. Liara didn't mention if she had contact details for Wrex. Garrus?"

"No, his details might have changed. I sent one or two messages while on Omega but heard nothing back." I looked at Tali and she shook her head too. "As we've said, Shepard, we split up and simply moved on. Some of us simply tried to forget the past."

"Well, once Joker reports we're in orbit, we'll suit up, tool up, then head down and find out what to do with Grunt. I take it he's still in his quarters?"

"He suggested it was safer he stayed confined to quarters until we arrive, Shepard," Miranda replied.

"Good thinking."

"Still think a stop at Omega would also help," Zaeed suggested, "Maybe Wrex will suggest the same thing. Get him laid and he'll stop acting out."

"Or we can just go there anyway because you clearly want something, Zaeed," Garrus added.

"There was an asari dancer I was pretty sweet on. I'll admit it. Cute little thing. Asari, of course. Firm little butt. Nice set of little tits. Legs that went on for days. Could have watched her dance every day until I died."

"So you didn't even do anything with her?" Garrus asked.

"Nope. Not saying I didn't want to, but sometimes, a man is happy just watching a beautiful woman dance."

"Would you like to see me dance, Shepard?" Kelly wondered.

"Yes," I replied immediately, to the laughter of Garrus and Tali, "Yes, I'd like that very much."

"Well, I might just have to do a little shopping then. Do a proper striptease for you."

I leaned closer. "You're just trying to turn me on in the mess," I whispered.

"Guilty as charged," she replied with a smirk. I just kissed her cheek and resumed eating.

After breakfast, I headed downstairs for some training, Jacob joining me like he did most mornings. Miranda headed down as well, also joining in, something she had recently started doing, telling us that she used to do it alone but now preferred some company. Every passing week, she was coming out of her shell. I may have been harsh to start with but she'd taken some of my suggestions to heart. She now conversed with the crew a lot more, getting to know them. I still hadn't learned of her entire life story, knowing she'd tell me when she felt comfortable.

She could be a little distracting when dressed in just lycra shorts and a sports bra, hair tied up in a ponytail as she jogged on the treadmill. I may have had one or two unsavoury thoughts as I watched her sweat away, such as I wouldn't mind licking it off her body once she was done. Jacob eventually disappeared, so I grabbed a bottle for Miranda and I from the nearby fridge, waiting until she was finished before handing it to her. She smiled, offering thanks, before necking nearly the entire bottle.

"Good workout," I suggested.

"Gets the blood flowing, Shepard. You know as well as I do."

"Ready for the later?"

"Of course. Heading to Tuchanka doesn't bother me. I survived Omega, and that place is the definition of shithole."

"I have a feeling Tuchanka is worse."

I took a sip of water and definitely gave her the once over against as she stood in front of me. She was certainly paler than one would expect. Probably paler than Kelly, to be honest. Toned stomach, though. Whether natural or otherwise, I didn't know. Legs were fantastic. Her arse was even better. Yep, many unsavoury thoughts were had about her nowadays.

"Want a quickie?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"You're looking rather interested, Shepard. Not subtle at all. Want a quickie?"

"You're serious?"

"You've told me you find me attractive, Shepard. And damn if I don't know what you've got to offer. So, all you need to do is peel off my lycra, as I'm going commando here, lay me back and just fuck me."

I looked around, wondering if there were hidden camera's watching, before looking back at Miranda. "Trust me, a large part of my body is screaming to say yes right now. But I also told Kelly I'd try, really try, to be good, at least while on the ship."

She finished her bottle, placing it down before walking to where I was sitting on a crate, sitting on my lap, her breasts in my face for a moment before she was eye level. She simply met my eyes for a moment. "I don't think she'll mind, Shepard."

"I know but... I'm trying to be a slightly better man." I paused before adding, "I'll admit this is... different."

"As you said, our relationship is different. You look at me and past that symbol. I've always thought you were fantastic, Shepard, even when you were being... harsh." She paused before adding quietly, "And yes, I'm jealous, Shepard. Happy for you and Kelly, but incredibly jealous. I put two years of my life rebuilding you. I felt like I knew you more than anyone else. Then when you woke up, everything went wrong. I certainly wasn't hoping for romance, but I did hope... that you'd see past the symbol. It took far longer than I thought, and by then..."

"So you're on my lap now because?"

"I know Kelly doesn't mind you being with other people, Shepard. I know you've had Jack a couple of times."

"No longer. That dynamic wasn't healthy."

"So what about me?" she asked quietly, looking away, and for perhaps the first time, the outwardly confident Miranda sounded completely unsure.

So I gently moved her face back with a finger to look back at me. "I think you're beautiful, Miranda," I said softly, which made her smile and blush all at once, "But..." She opened her mouth. "Let me finish, because there has to be one. But I am with Kelly, and I have told her I want to try. Certain parts of me are now screaming at me for saying this. I look at you and want to see what's underneath the sports bra and shorts."