Family Tradition X: The Duel
#10 of Family Tradition
I know, some of you probably waited a long time for it, in fact it's been about a year since the last update in this series, but the next chapter is now here. And I wanna thank OrangeBear for his help while writing the story.
"Mornin, son."
"What?" Grunt had been sitting alone at a table in the Urdnot command rooms, quietly munching on some meat jerkies with his mind planets away. Wrex jerked him back to the here and now with his deep voice, a testament to how lost in thought he was that the heavy, thumping footsteps of his father hadn't even pulled his focus. Usually he wouldn't just hear them but feel them too as the vibrations resonated through the concrete and metal that made up the building. "Oh. Mornin, dad."
"Good job on Digeris." Wrex had been off-planet for a few days, once again dealing with the Council. "The Council was almost impressed. Even got the Salarian Dalatrass to admit that she underestimated us."
"Uh... Yeah... Thanks...", the young Krogan weakly chuckled. He didn't really want to talk about that mission because of what had happened there.
"Sumthin's up. Usually you can't stop bragging about your battles. This has become one of your most famous ones and you barely mention it. Wanna tell your old man?"
Grunt tried to change the topic. "How about you tell me how I became the biggest headline in the galaxy?"
"Oh, that." Wrex chuckled a bit. "It's called PR." Grunt looked at his father with an unsure expression. "It's a human thing. Blame it on Shepard. It's short for public relations. I wanna make sure we fit in with the other races. Good news like this is going to help me do my job. Council reps can make better deals if their people are gonna back them. Krogan saving alien kids, Turian kids?! The galaxy loves us, for the next five minutes anyway. Better yet, Victus now owes me, several times over, and you can just tell it burns his metal hide. Totally got'im by his balls now."
"You could've asked... I'm Urdnot Grunt... Krogan Warrior. Now there's that holo of me everywhere. Tired, beaten, between Turian boys..."
"Yeah, I know. It's perfect!", Wrex chimed.
"What?!", Grunt shouted perplexed.
"We have to be more than just dumb brutes. Or at least have people think we're not just bigger Varren."
"You really are becoming a politician..."
"Yeah, I guess I am. But our people need more than just Battle Masters. We can't just beat all of our problems into submission."
"Hehehe", Grunt chuckled. "Wouldn't mind trying though", he smirked and playfully punched his father's chest. A mighty thud loudly echoed through the room, a human's skull would have burst under that force but Wrex barely even moved an inch.
"But enough stalling. Digeris. Spill it. Now!"
The young Krogan looked down. He shook his head. "Sorry, dad. I can't."
"Oh, c'mon, you're Urdnot Grunt, the son of Urdnot Wrex. Sure you can."
"You wouldn't understand..."
"Try me."
"Please, dad. It's better if we don't talk about it."
"But why? You came back in one piece - not even a new scar. And you saved all of those ki..." Wrex stopped as thoughts began to form in his head. He continued as he stared at Grunt, his voice now even deeper than usual. "It's the kids. You did something to'em."
"I..."
"There's that scared look again. Being spineless is for Hanar, boy. Stand up like a true Krogan and tell me what you did."
Grunt didn't know what to say, he knew and agreed that children were the most important thing in Krogan society. But there hadn't been any mental implants on pedophilia when he was still in the tank, the concept only entering his counciousness while researching human rules and customs on the extranet. He took a deep breath before he answered. "That's because I AM scared. I wasn't strong enough that day... I took advantage of the kids... I fucked with'em."
If he was a human Wrex would've raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, sure. They wouldn't be able to walk if they took your monster."
Fear had been replaced by embarrassment. "Well... Uh... I had to piss and before I could even react I had five Turian boys rubbing my cock. I got hard... I taught them to jerk off, to suck cock and to fuck." He sighed. "I knew I'd be too big for them so I... let'em... kinda fuck me..."
"A Krogan being fucked by Turian boys? They're our enemy! Don't you have any self-respect?"
"Huh? What now? Aren't you the guy who always tells other Krogan not to dwell too much on ancient grudges?"
Wrex growled and looked at him like he was about to strike, then burst into laughter. "Busted. You didn't hurt those boys so there's no harm done. You know about our family tradition. I was still a kid when my father showed me the ropes. And you'd barely count as an adult in other cultures."
"So you're not mad?"
"Nah. Didn't think you'd go for Turians though."
"Well, Grizz and Garrus weren't bad. Didn't think you'd go for Drell", Grunt smirked. Of course Wrex had told him about what had happened with Kolyat. "Not to mention we have a Yahg as a fucktoy... Guess we're both a bit too horny for our own good..."
"So, your backdoor has been opened. You know that you still owe me a ride, son."
"Yeah, dad, you're a bit bigger than those boys though. A lot bigger."
"Course I am. So you don't think you can take me?"
"Pretty sure I wouldn't be able to walk straight afterwards..."
"Yup. That would be a sign of a job done well. So you think you'll need some training?"
Grunt nodded. "I'm tough. But I know that I'm not yet tough enough to take Urdnot Wrex. Sorry, dad..."
"Don't be. Needed some prep myself before my father fucked me."
"Uh... do all Krogan families have this tradition?"
"Dunno. If not they're missing out", Wrex smirked. "Have to talk with you 'bout something else though. You've been challenged to a duel", he quietly explained.
"What?!", Grunt stared at his father in disbelief. "Who'd even be stupid enough to challenge me?"
"Uvenk's son, Zoldur."
"He has a son?"
"Yeah, I was surprised too. Guess he landed one lucky shot. That runt just barely survived his rite a few weeks ago."
"Worthless", the tankbred snorted and shook his head in disgust. "Kid sounds as dumb and stubborn as his dad. And I really have to fight with him?"
"Yes. He insists. And the shaman does too. It's stupid, I agree. But according to our ancient laws he has every right to do so."
"Fine." The younger Krogan sighed and shrugged but nodded in agreement. He knew that Wrex wanted to restore the old rules even if some of them, like this one for example, clearly were in dire need of some modernization. "And how do we duel?"
"Without weapons. Just the natural strength of your bodies."
"Hehehe", Grunt let out his trademark chuckle. "After the Maw, the Collectors and the Rachni that kid shouldn't be a problem. Might even try your tactic of dealing with political enemies."
"Ha! That's my boy. Though I don't plan on using that tactic on the Council. Ugh... just thinking of that Salarian bitch makes me sick... Works better on our people", Wrex growled with a wink. "Make us proud."
"Always do. You know that, dad", Grunt smirked.
"Yup. And next time you fuck around with some Turian kids or break some plates, just tell me", Wrex deadpanned. "Don't act like you sold out Tuchanka to the Reapers."
"Uh... yeah... sure, dad." Grunt hadn't really gotten over how strange the whole situation was. His mentor, his role-model had turned out to be his father - right after he had introduced him to sex. And now the two of them stumbled from one (sex) adventure to the next - while fighting against the Reapers. Also Wrex had this dad thing really down to a T, with just a look or a nod he could make Grunt feel small and powerless. Then he diffused the situation with a joke, praised him and became his best buddy again. Having Okeer as a "father" had definitely been easier but also far less interesting.
"Attaboy."
"Dad, one more thing. I... uh... kinda promised those kids they would get to meet you."
Wrex sighed. "Good thing I'm not busy trying to save our race AND the whole galaxy."
"C'mon, it doesn't have to be long. They're nice. And I know that you're just playing grumpy. You actually love kids."
"I guess the whole trying to be a father to all Krogan thing kinda gives it away", Wrex chuckled. "Alright, I'll meet'em. They're stuck on Tuchanka for now anyway, Turians are too busy. Let's keep this simple. You fucked with'em, that's your thing. Ain't gonna happen with me."
"C'mon, it's not like I turned them into maniacs by showing them some of their instincts..."
"The last guy I explained sex to can't stop fucking", the Krogan leader smirked.
"Low blow, dad...", the younger alien said, almost just the slightest bit ashamed. "These situations just kinda seem to happen. And we already talked about Kolyat, it's not like you're holding back once you're horny."
"Just pulling your leg, boy. It's our nature, so don't worry about your sex drive."
"Never said I did...", Grunt replied but without the usually confident boom in his voice the lie was obvious to both of them.
"C'mon, you grew up with human books, an Asari Justicar and a Drell who wouldn't stop talking about his religion. Not to mention all the other weirdos Shepard gathered on the Normandy", though that sounded derogatory it was pretty clear that Wrex counted himself among those weirdos, despite not having served on the ship while Grunt was there. "Most Krogan never even get to see any aliens, let alone learn from them. Sure, you're a tough warrior but you're overthinking everything because you're way smarter than most people on this pile of radioactive rubble. You didn't play 'Tackle the Varren' but learned about Quarian politics and how to write poetry."
Grunt snarled. "Kasumi promised me not to tell anyone about that..."
Wrex just ignored his son's outburst. "We need people who can write battle songs about all of this once we're done with the Reapers."
"Oh." Grunt had never actually thought about it but now that he did... Human haikus and Krogan battle songs couldn't be more different, but yeah, both were poetry that followed similar rules.
"Yes, 'oh'. Lost so deep in thoughts that you sometimes don't see the smaller picture because you're too focused on the big one. I'd almost tell you to be more like a normal Krogan but we already have enough idiots blowing up stuff all over Urdnot. And our clan is supposed to be the smart one." Wrex shook his head in obvious frustration. "Yeah, send the kids to me. I think I need a distraction. You go and try not to think too much while you show that Pyjak what being a real Krogan is all about. Don't you dare let Uvenk's boy defeat you."
Grunt just chuckled and nodded as he got up to leave. "Ain't even thinking about it."
"Smartass", Wrex snorted.
Grunt answered by playfully slapping his armour-covered rear.
"Can't wait to wreck it, sonny-boy", his father growled while the tank-bred gulped - because he knew that for once Wrex wasn't being sarcastic.
Zoldur looked almost like a younger version of his father, Gatatog Uvenk. His headcrest had the same brownish-green colour, although with a brighter hue. The fact that it also hadn't fully formed yet clearly showed his youth. The lack of scars on his beige-brown skin along with an almost blemish-free armour that he didn't even quite fill out told of his inexperience when it came to battles. Of course Uvenk would use his status as a clan leader to keep his precious little son out of the good fight. No, Zoldur didn't look particularly threatening but Grunt knew that looks could be deceiving. Also he had no plans to fight this kid anyway.
Zoldur gave him a once-over and an arrogant snort. "So, you're that thing that keeps pretending it's a Krogan." Obviously he had also inherited his father's deep baritone voice and at least didn't sound as wimpy as he looked.
Grunt was not impressed at all. If this was the best this whelp could do he had pretty much already won. "And you're the kid that keeps pretending Uvenk could get his dick up."
"Don't you dare insult my father!", Zoldur snarled through gritted teeth.
"Wouldn't be the worst thing I did to him", Grunt smirked. When Grunt first arrived on Tuchanka Gatatog Uvenk had been very vocal about his opposition to Grunt taking his Rite of Passage and by that becoming a full-fledged adult Krogan. Wrex had given him a headbutt and ignored him. Shepard had given him a headbutt and ignored him. Grunt, with Shepard and Mordin as his Krantt, went through the Rite and even killed a Thresher Maw. After witnessing how strong Grunt had just proven himself to be Uvenk confronted him at the ritual arena and tried to talk him into becoming a trophy for clan Gatatog - without the right to breed! Grunt would have none of it, so things escalated into battle. Uvenk and his henchmen were easily dispatched and Grunt welcomed into clan Urdnot.
"You'll pay for killing him."
A grin formed on Grunt's face. Time to pour even more salt into the wound. "Actually Mordin landed the final shot. Such a shame. A Krogan warlord defeated by a Salarian scientist", he said and chuckled.
"Liar!", Zoldur roared furiously.
The young Urdnot warrior rolled his eyes, then nodded. "Yeah, sure. I lie about killing your father so a Salarian can have all the glory. Do you even listen to yourself?"
Zoldur just snorted but he knew it was true. "Had to use aliens as your Krantt because you couldn't convince any of your own people to fight for you."
"Helped me kill a Maw, a clan leader and his guards and earned me my command over an elite unit", Grunt replied, once again grinning.
"It's an insult to our whole race. A FAILED lab experiment leads our most honoured fighters..."
Grunt didn't even react to the obvious and pathetic attempt to get under his hide, thick as it was. "You'd be a good fit for Aralakh Company", he offered.
Zoldur was surprised and stared at him. "What?!"
"We don't like each other but you've got spirit. We've got shit to do, actual enemies to fight. This stupid duel is a waste of time, we should focus on what's actually important.."
"Knew you'd be too weak to fight me", Zoldur spat.
Grunt rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Look, buddy, I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't want to kill your father but he attacked me. You are your own man, stop living in that moron's shadow and do something with your life."
"But..."
"No buts. Wrex's dad tried to kill him. At the Hollows! An insult to all our ancestors. Wrex was forced to kill that idiot, now he's giving our people a new hope. You're not Uvenk, you are Zoldur, so stop repeating his mistakes."
"How?", Zoldur asked, completely baffled. "You're about my age but you sound like the Shaman..."
"Guess that's what you get if you grow up on a ship full of aliens." Grunt grinned. "Go ahead, tell me how learning tactics from a Turian, assassination from a Drell and leadership from a human female, fucking Commander Shepard herself, made me a weakling."
Zoldur looked down. Every Krogan had heard the tales about Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy because they had cured the Genophage and with that given a new hope to the Krogan race. The young Krogan was arrogant but he wasn't ignorant, so he decided to accept defeat. "I wanted to avenge my father and now I've been beaten by words..."
"Don't worry, kid, with Aralakh Company you'll get to fight enough battles."
He looked up at Grunt upon hearing that. "Kid? When did you get decanted again, tankbred? Don't act like you're older than me."
"Have a lot more experience though", Grunt smirked.
"I... guess that's true", Zoldur agreed, it was obvious anyway, though he hesitated a bit to admit that to the tankborn Krogan. "Only when it comes to battles though. Have more life experience here on Tuchanka."
"Guess that makes us even then. How about a duel that involves several bottles of Ryncol? Better than trying to bash our skulls in."
Zoldur stared at Grunt for a moment, not sure if he was joking. But the jovial enthusiasm and broad grin on the Urdnot's face were sincere. Gatatog Zoldur sighed, then nodded in agreement. "Talked me out of killing you and into a drinking contest in the span of a few moments."
"Learned from Shepard herself, the woman who talked the Quarians and the Geth out of having a war", Grunt chuckled.
Zoldur just shook his head. "Better have lots of Ryncol ready so I can at least pretend that tomorrow's headache comes from us headbutting."
Grunt gave him a playful punch. "Don't worry, buddy, I have good connections."
"Alright, gonna tell the Shaman that our duel's been canceled. Pretty sure he won't like that."
"Hehehe. Just gotta know how to handle him", Grunt smirked and gave him a wink. Zoldur looked at him confused, not sure what to make of that somewhat cryptic reply.
"What do you mean there won't be a duel?", Wrex shouted in surprise upon hearing Grunt tell him about his first meeting with Uvenk's son.
"I just thought that fighting him was a total waste of energy. This way he's an asset to my team, should be decent at least, maybe great even. Also I have Uvenk's son under my thumb."
The leader of Clan Urdnot was even more perplexed now. "Asset? And you tell me that I'm the politician?"
"Guess I'm learning a thing or two from you. So... could we have the lounge room?" Grunt paused, then added: "And it'd be best if we don't get disturbed."
A grin spread across the older Krogan's face, recognizing his son's plan and he nodded. "I'll make sure to tell'em that I'll personally rip off their headcrests if they ignore my orders."
"Thanks, dad. I also... kinda need the pass code for the storage room..."
"Only the cheap stuff."
"C'mon..." Wrex was now face-to-face with his son and Grunt knew that a hard headbutt would follow if he continued. "Fine", he snorted. "I won't touch your personal collection."
"That's for the victory celebration."
"I know..."
"But?"
"What if..."
"Shepard won't fail."
Grunt nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she never does. Alright, I'll get the cheap stuff."
"So, how about a drinking game?", Grunt suggested.
"Sure. Got any good ones?"
"Well, on the Normandy we had one called 'I have never'. This one guy, Hawthorne, taught me how to play it."
"Hmph. How does it work?"
"You tell me something you never did. If I've done it, I take a shot. If I haven't either, you take a shot. Then it's my turn. Sound good?"
"Yeah, sounds good. Never been born from a tank."
"Bastard", Grunt snarled and downed his shot. "Never had my father killed by another guy."
"You don't even have a father!", Zoldur retorted.
"Had Okeer. And, well, let's just say I did find my father. Drink!"
"Fine. Gonna let it slide." Zoldur took his shot. "Never passed up the chance to take a Tomkah for a joyride."
"Nah. But the Hammerhead."
"What's that?"
"A pathetic excuse for a vehicle the humans came up with. No armour." An incredulous expression spread on Zoldur's face and Grunt nodded. "Yeah, I know. They really could learn a thing or two from us. It explodes if you just sneeze at it. But at least it's fast."
"It better be if it can't handle a fight!"
"Yeah, it's more like a flying sports car with a gun. So, draw?" Zoldur nodded and they both took a shot. "Never missed a chance to get drunk on the Citadel."
"Heard about that 'incident' with the Krogan memorial", Uvenk's son chuckled and the tankbred Krogan joined him. Everybody on Tuchanka had heard about it, despite C-Sec's best efforts to cover the story up. But they couldn't keep rumours and stories from spreading.
"Think they'll build another one after all of this is done?"
"They better, the galaxy owes us more than statues." Grunt nodded in agreement. They slowly warmed up to each other but Zoldur just couldn't keep from teasing his drinking companion. "Never had my whole unit killed", he growled, knowing that this was a soft spot for the Urdnot warrior.
Grunt felt anger welling up in him but he took a deep breath and remained calm, then he took his shot. "You never even had a whole unit. Gonna admit, that day was bad. But dying in a battle against Rachni? There's worse ways to go."
Zoldur nodded. "True." He couldn't deny that each of those Krogan had found an honourable death.
"Shoulda seen me, all covered in bug guts. It was glorious!", Grunt boomed proudly.
"I bet it was. Today you seem to prefer playing with Turian kids though."
Grunt shot him an angry glare but decided to be smart about this. "Never failed a solo mission to a Reaper-infested planet." Zoldur nodded respectfully and downed his Ryncol. By now both Krogan slowly began to almost like each other. "Let's step up the game", Grunt said and a dirty grin formed on his face. "Never fucked a human."
Zoldur was surprised at the sudden boldness but returned the grin and took a shot. "On Omega. Wasn't the best lay I ever had but decent enough." Grunt nodded his approval. "Never fucked a Turian."
"More than once. Kinda like those mandibles they have, feels awesome when they suck you. Still only counts for one shot though", Grunt smirked and took that shot.
Zoldur was actually impressed by that. "Feels good fucking our enemies, hm? Making them pay for what they did with us?"
Grunt sighed. "Should fight with one. Garrus saved my ass more than once." He could read the snarky reply on Zoldur's face. "And nah, he didn't fuck it. But let's stay on topic..." Grunt looked around as he tried to come up with new ideas. His gaze wandered around the room. Outside the reinforced plexi window, dirtied by desert sand and scratched by battle scars, he noticed a small creature scuttling around on the gantry and pipes. He decided to give Zoldur a freebie and both of them a good chuckle. "Never fucked a Pyjak."
Pyjaks were small simian-like creatures with spindly legs and long tails, their fur was mostly dark gray with some lavender stripes and a few dark grey highlights, mostly on their clawed paws and their big, round ears. They had long snouts and big eyes with equally big pupils and sported long tails that were about twice as long as their bodies and ended in an almost fin-like "paddle".
Hearing that wiped the grin from the other Krogan's face and replaced it with embarrassment. Grunt roared with laughter and slammed the table hard. He hadn't expected to get more than a lame laugh out of such an obvious joke.
Zoldur looked down and muttered. "It was on a dare... I was drunk... grabbed one, big one, and used it as a fucktoy. Thing squealed and screamed the whole time. Had to gag it with a piece of cloth." Then his pride returned and he looked at Grunt. "You could actually kinda see my cock through it's belly, there was a big bulge where my tip pushed against it. Tight as a vice. My buddies were watching and cheering, they couldn't believe I was actually going through with it. Didn't last long... It crawled away and left a trail of my cum."
"Damn. Would've liked to see that."
"Really?"
"Yeah", Grunt replied and nodded.
Zoldur stared at him with an open mouth, then shook his head and tried to change the topic. "Never fucked at Batarian." Grunt took a shot. "Oh, c'mon, you're shitting me. There's no way a Batarian would ever let you touch him."
"Just touch him? He took me balls deep!"
"I really gotta hear this one." Grunt chuckled and told him of the time Wrex, Patriarch and him had fucked around with Bray and Grizz. He left out some details about his relationship with Wrex, nothing Uvenk's son needed to know. Zoldur just stared at him and shook his head in disbelief. "Aria's bodyguards? With Wrex and Patriarch? Shit... you really get around." He thought for a second before taking his next turn. After this he just had to know. "I never fucked with Aria T'Loak."
"Ha! Good one. Me neither."
"Shame." Zoldur threw back his head and gulped down his Ryncol. "With you I would've almost believed it."
"Don't blow smoke up my ass. Just got lucky, is all. Heard she's more into females anyway. I never..." Grunt left a deliberate pause. "...fucked a Pyjak a second time."
Zoldur rolled his eyes, sighed and took a shot. "Fine... done it a few times since that first one... yeah, I know I'm a freak... but it's way better than just jerking off..... they're just too damn tight."
"It's ok, buddy. Ain't gonna judge ya."
"Maybe... you should try it out yourself?"
"Uh... " Grunt was taken by surprise. "Maybe."
"The way it wraps around you is really something else, and like I said, when you're really deep you make their gut bulge. Looks totally crazy. Weirdest sensation I've ever had is rubbing the head of my prick through that Pyjak's body..."
"Shit, buddy, you've sold me on your crazy idea, sounds like it's pretty fucking hot. Could be a Fornax writer after the war's done... How about you show me?"
Zoldur just stared at the other Krogan for a moment, lost for words, but then his usual attitude returned, his mouth curling into a sarcastic grin as he said: "Aw, the tank-bred can't understand the complexities of push dick into struggling Pyjak hole? Okeer really should have fixed that in beta."
Grunt smirked. "Oh, the tank-bred does understand, which is precisely why he wants to experience it. C'mon, let's go. Gotta be quiet though. Fortack doesn't like people sneaking around his place. He's experimenting on'em, trying to see if he finds a good way to exterminate them since we can barely keep'em out of our food storages. Wrex's orders. Maybe he can even breed them bigger for meat."
Zoldur didn't know what to say and it was pretty obvious that Grunt wouldn't accept a "No" for an answer so he just let himself be dragged along through surprisingly deserted corridors as Grunt led him across the Urdnot settlement. Zoldur had been here a few times but never this deep into the complex, both their clans hadn't been on best terms, so it felt weird to be in what might as well be enemy territory.
The corridors were pretty basic, the usual Krogan architecture of metal and concrete that was solely based around functionality, a race of warriors had no need for aesthetics. But as far as that was even possible on Tuchanka the quarters in the command centre where he and Grunt had been playing their little drinking game actually seemed almost luxurious, especially compared to this "lab". They picked the biggest Pyjak they could find and Grunt just nonchalantly grabbed its plastic cage, threw a piece of cloth over it and headed back to the lounge, cargo in hand.
As soon as they had returned he wasted no time to take off his armour. Zoldur didn't want to stare but he couldn't keep himself from sneaking some peaks. And of course the Urdnot warrior noticed.
"Buddy, you'll see it all anyway. We're both guys here." The green-hued Krogan chuckled weakly upon hearing that. "How about I just sit here and you show me how it's done?", Grunt asked as the enormous weight of his naked body made the couch groan.
"What?! No way! I'm not touching your junk..."
"Pffft, please. Don't act like I'm your first guy", Grunt replied, unimpressed.
Zoldur tilted his head to the side, squinting at Grunt in confusion. "Why would you even mention that?" He shook his head. "Course you're not, but you're not exactly my friend either."
"Guess that's true", Grunt said and nodded. "Wanna pretend that we are?"
"Uh... sorry... but this is kinda damned sudden... and unexpected... a few hours ago I wanted to tear you to pieces for killing my father." A long pause followed. "Or at least die trying... And now this..."
"Kid, stop thinking too much. Just go with the flow and have fun." Realising that he had basically just repeated what Wrex had told him earlier, though in a slightly different context, Grunt couldn't help but grin.
"Fine. But stop calling me 'kid'."
"Stop acting like one", Grunt smirked.
"We'll need lube." Almost as soon as he said that Grunt threw something at him. The young Gatatog reacted instinctively, his reflexes while not honed by many battles were still half decent, only realising he'd caught it as he opened his fist. It held a plain white squeeze bottle - he knew what it was.
He took a deep breath, then reached into the cage and grabbed the nervous Pyjak by the scruff of its neck. He held it, squeezed some lube onto his hand and generously coated the valley between the simian's cheeks, leaving a dollop on the ring of muscle that had no idea of what was soon to befall it. The creature grunted and squirmed a bit as the cold stuff touched its crack and was smeared over its hole. That done, squirming creature held firmly by the scruff of its neck, Zoldur closed the distance between the cage and the eagerly waiting other Krogan.
Grunt sat there with his fat, long cock half-hard between his legs. A dirty grin spread across his face as he saw the look on Zoldur's face. By now he knew damn well that even for Krogan standards he was really hung, he enjoyed lording it over other Krogan and showing off, feeling powerful as he wielded such a massive weapon. He had been steadily drooling copious amounts of precum the entire time, anticipating the thrill of something new and unknown, with the time approaching he rubbed it over his meat, covering it evenly, the slick surface glistening in the light. "Before Shepard defeats the Reapers would be kinda nice", he said impatiently.
Zoldur took another deep breath, somewhat relieved that his father would never know of this. He positioned the creature that until now had remained pretty quiet above Grunt's cock and pushed it down until the fat had of the barbed length started to prod at its rear entrance.
Grunt just held his thick member in place and after a while he felt an incredible tightness wrap itself around him as the squirming Pyjak squealed. More blood flooded into his erection and it grew harder and harder, burying itself deeper into the creature's anal tunnel as Zoldur kept pushing it down. The Pyjak went quiet for a split second of relief as it had taken the head and the shaft got a bit narrower. But Zoldur kept pushing and the Pyjak's virginal ring was forced ever wider as the shaft thickened out much more which got it to squeal again, the two Krogan barely even noticing its pitiful attempts to fight back.
"So damn tight...", the big Krogan grunted through gritted teeth.
"I know...", Zoldur whispered. Soon they both could see Grunt's enormous cock forming a bulge in the animal's belly. Despite his earlier reluctance Zoldur just had to reach down and rub the big head of his new... uh... yeah... what should he call Urdnot Grunt now... friend's... nah... buddy's... fuckbuddy... yeah... his fuckbuddy's dick through the Pyjak's belly.
"Shiiiiiit!", Grunt moaned. He could confidently boast about having a pretty active sex life, with several memorable "encounters", but the way the Pyjak wrapped around his meat like a vice made of pure heat was something completely new, hot and freaky, just as Zoldur had told him. Grunt knew he wouldn't last long, even if only a fraction of his cock actually fit into his new animal fucktoy. Killing his jack-off toy by going balls deep wasn't something Grunt was into, so the squealing Pyjak would live to see another day, albeit a very sore day.
But he was a warrior.
He was Clan Urdnot.
He was Urdnot Wrex's son.
He couldn't just give in, even if it felt like the Pyjak was about to squeeze off his cock.
To Zoldur the whole situation felt like a strange dream. What had started as a drunken joke and a stupid dare had turned into a guilty pleasure. Rutting an animal to satiate his desire to get off was just so much easier than applying for the female camp and potentially getting knocked back. Not that he could have even applied until recently, having only completed his proving weeks ago.
Being the first son of the Clan leader meant it was unlikely, but he'd always felt awkward using unearned status instead of his own achievements. Now here he was, sharing his secret with someone he'd just met, knowing that news of this, outside of a drunken dare amongst young warriors, could damage his clan's position.
There was also the other Krogan's size... he was pretty well hung himself but Grunt... Grunt played in a completely different league. Sure, they had picked the biggest Pyjak they could find in Fortack's "lab" but with the size of this big Krogan's even bigger meat that didn't amount to much.
With one hand he kept pushing the small mammal up and down while the other rubbed over the bulge where Grunt's cockhead pushed against the creature's belly as it squealed, clearly not on board with getting split in two by a Krogan's cock.
With each slow piston of the Pyjak up and down Grunt's length, Zoldur got more comfortable with what was going on, not just accepting the reality of the situation, crazy as it was, but embracing it. So much so that he considered his options, thinking of the situation like a sniper does, lying in wait until it was the moment to strike. And when it was time to strike? Strike hard, strike dirty, and take them down. So why go easy on someone who hadn't earned his loyalty yet?
Fuckbuddy or not Grunt was still a member of Clan Urdnot and responsible for the death of his father, no matter that he'd brought it upon himself. His expression morphed, from a confused neutral mask into a sly toothy grin, as he pushed the Pyjak down as far as possible, then moved him up and down at an erratic pace.
He'd let Grunt almost get in synch with the motions before he'd break the pattern. Sometimes he just kept him down for a while, then he went for several fast thrusts, just to take it slow again. His sniper's eye picking up the small changes in his ... fuckbuddy's... expressions using them to figure out just when to throw in some chaos for maximum effect.
"You cheating bastard...", Grunt growled through gritted teeth, three-fingered hands digging into the couch as he squirmed while Zoldur "pyjacked" him.
"I don't remember us setting up any rules for this", Zoldur smirked. He twisted the small mammal around his fuckbuddy's cock as he pushed it down and each time he lifted it up again it whined as the barbs of the Krogan's member tugged and scraped at its inner walls.
"Next time we will." The up-and-down movement of the simian creature suddenly stopped completely as a look of utter surprise spread across the face of Gatatog Zoldur. "Hehehe!" Grunt's trademark chuckle echoed through the room. "C'mon, with you joining Aralakh Company and me as your Battle Master this won't be just a one-time thing. Get back to work, soldier."
"I... I... haven't agreed to anything yet...", Zoldur stammered.
"Tough luck. I want you. And I always get what I want." Grunt stared deep into the other Krogan's eyes beneath his green headcrest. "Get me off, soldier." Zoldur stared back, gulped and went back to pyjacking Grunt's massive barbed meat. "There we go. Nice to know that you can take orders."
Zoldur's three-fingered palm rubbed over the bulge in the squealing Pyjak's belly. Thankfully it wasn't visible to Grunt that it burst into blue light, his biotic field rapidly vibrating the area, almost too intensely. "Battlefield and bedroom... or break room, as the case may be, are different, Grunt. I don't take orders in the bedroom, not for long anyway." with a grin he dropped the field intensity down to a more pleasurable slow squeeze and release, over and over.
The bigger Krogan wondered where the strong sensations came from but it was way too much to form coherent thoughts. "How the fuck did you learn how to force the Pyjak's gut muscles to do that?"
"Talent."
"Talent", Grunt repeated with a snort. "Well, Zoldur, at least your talent's good for bonding with other soldiers. We can use that." The question on the other Krogan's face was obvious. "You wanna know if I 'bond' with every guy in Aralakh Company." After a deliberately long drawn-out pause a "Maybe..." followed. "Guess you gotta find out."
Too many thoughts flooded Zoldur's mind. Grunt was obviously just spacecow-shitting him. Or was he? With that confident attitude and... that gigantic quad... and soon he would find out how much cum those four lowhangers contained.
"Gettin'... close...", Grunt grunted. Zoldur picked up the pace while the Pyjak loudly complained about the harsh mistreatment as it was shoved up and down that fat Krogan meat. Then a loud roar broke the silence as Grunt's barbed length erupted and pumped his load deep into the poor creature's bowels, his throbbing cock visible through its belly. The big alien shot so much seed that it even made the Pyjak's belly grow slightly. Grunt fell back, panting, and with Zoldur not moving that ended up with him lifting the tired Pyjak off of Grunt's meat.
Thick cum sloshed out of the Pyjak's gaping hole, coating his member and running down his balls, making a mess of the couch. Zoldur's mouth hung open as he witnessed the spectacle, staring in awe at the flood of seed escaping from its abused rear entrance, still wide open between the small mammal's fuzzy cheeks. It desperately tried to cover its vulnerable spot with its tail, getting it covered in Grunt's cum.
"Damn...", they both mumbled at the same time which made them smile and nod at each other in mutual respect. More and more thick Krogan cum still slowly oozed out of its gaping and tender hole as Zoldur put it back into its plastic cage on the coffee table next to the couch where it curled up into a ball and passed out from the exhaustion.
"Korbal!", Grunt repeated. They clicked their glasses and downed their shots. "Pyjacking, hm? Guess someone had to come up with that sooner or later", he chuckled.
"Guess so... still can't believe I just did this..."
"Better get used to it then." Grunt grabbed his cock and stroked it. "Seen you stare. Wanna get a closer look?"
"Uh..."
"Don't 'Uh' me, soldier. Simple question, simple answer. Yes or no." Zoldur didn't react. "How about you take off that crappy armour then. You'll have a better one soon anyway. Can't have ya fighting in that piece of junk."
"Woah! This belonged to my father!"
"Then put that ancient thing on a shelf. Doesn't even fit you right anyway. Clan Urdnot just got a shipment of brand new armour co-designed by Salarians. Lighter and tougher at the same time." Indeed that didn't sound too bad. As with most Krogan Zoldur couldn't stand the Salarians, since they were the ones who created the Genophage. But now that that was taken care off and all the species started working together... "I told you to fucking strip!", Grunt suddenly growled, making the other Krogan jump as he had been lost in thought. "We both know you're smaller anyway. Stop stalling and let's find out just how much bigger I am."
Zoldur glared at him. Then he took a deep breath and started to slowly take off each piece of his armour and then unzipped the skin-tight undersuit, revealing a stocky, muscular body with four balls swinging between his strong legs and a half-hard cock above them. Grunt whistled. "Not bad. Get over here", he said as he patted the couch, motioning for his drinking buddy to sit down next to him.
The couch complained with a groan as the weight of a second Krogan was added to it. "Uh... so... how are we gonna... do this?", Zoldur asked. He didn't get a reply but instead two strong hands grabbed his head and pushed him down. With his mouth opened in surprise Uvenk's son was forced to take Grunt's throbbing cock and soon he gagged and choked as Grunt mercilessly shoved him down, feeding his barbed length to the newest recruit of Aralakh Company.
"Don't act like this is the first cock you sucked on. If this is how you fight you'll be killed in your first battle."
Zoldur calmed down, breathing through his nose, trying to get used to that barbed intruder. He focused his mind, a blue flow of energy appearing in the palm of his hands and soon wrapping around Grunt's throat which in turn made him release Zoldur.
"A biotic. Nice!", he shouted enthusiastically. "Talent, hm? Should've guessed that. Well, talent, how's your stasis bubble?"
That wasn't the reaction Zoldur had expected as he pulled off of Grunt's fat maleness, gasping for air. "Uh... Dunno..."
"'Dunno'? Seriously? 'Dunno'? You're the son of Gatatog Uvenk. You gotta have something better than that." Grunt stood up, thick barbed dick proudly pointing upwards. "Show me." Zoldur was perplexed and just stared at him. "SHOW ME!", Grunt roared and soon found himself surrounded by blue energy. At first he struggled a bit but it only took him about a second to break out of the biotic containment field. "Pathetic. How do you wanna stop a Brute with that?" He stopped for a moment to think. "I'll have Wrex ask the Council if the Asari can give us one of their commandos to teach you and the other biotics in Aralakh Company how to use their strengths. If we wanna win this war we gotta do it right."
Zoldur shook his head. "Uh... sorry... but what? You go from raping my throat to getting me a biotics teacher?"
"Sex is the best way to really get to know a guy", Grunt smirked. "Now get back to sucking me, soldier."
"You're not my Battle Master. Cut the crap."
"I'm the guy who's gonna get you a new armour. I'm the guy who's gonna make sure you'll get the best battle training in the whole damn galaxy. I AM your Battle Master, Gatatog Zoldur."
"If my father knew this..."
"He's dead. Stop worrying about him. You can still prove yourself to be better than that pile of crap who wanted me as at trophy for his clan."
Zoldur sighed. "Look, I know that my dad was difficult, to say the least, but could you please stop insulting him?"
"Won't promise anything but I'll at least try." Zoldur grunted in reply, knowing that this was about the best answer he'd get out of his new Battle Master. He moved back to his spot next to Grunt again and was surprised to find a big hand take hold of his half-hard member expertly coaxing it into a full-blown erection. "Got a nice meat on ya, buddy." And indeed it was quite impressive, lengthy and meaty, of a lighter brownish colour with his four balls and the barbs along his cock sharing the same greenish-brown hue of his headcrest. Grunt couldn't help but notice the overabundance of barbs Zoldur's cock was sporting. They were covering his shaft evenly and from all sides, whereas most Krogan usually only had few ridges running along their shaft. "Lots of barbs too. Bet they drive you crazy, hm?"
"Always had'em, so I'm used to them, I guess?" Zoldur wasn't really sure how to answer that. "Not as sensitive as I was when I was younger, got some stamina from a misspent youth. Y'know, since I actually had a youth and wasn't engineered." He couldn't keep himself from firing some shots at Grunt's origin, though by now it was more of a friendly banter than actual insults. "But it does mean a Pyjak squeaks nicely as each one pops into his hole, and squeals as they pull on the way out."
While his own dick was worked on by Grunt's calloused hand he started jerking his companion's cock. "Guess I could get used to this if this is an actual tradition of Aralakh Company. Though I still think Okeer might've been overcompensating a bit..."
"Pffft.... yeah, maybe. Who cares. He made sure that I'm pure Krogan everywhere. And he used the best genetic material he could get. Seems your breeding line knows a thing or two about overcompensating as well. You don't get that many barbs just by accident or luck." Both warriors shared a chuckle at that. They kept stroking each other, only occasionally moaning and grunting as they lucked upon an extra sensitive spot that really got them going.
Grunt surprised Zoldur by moving in front of him and starting to expertly suck on his cock, easily deepthroating it after only a few tries while working his quad with his hand. "Oh damn..." He experimentally flicked his tongue over those barbs, his saliva catching on them, as if to check out just how sensitive they were to Zoldur. He started singling out specific barbs to tease with the tip of his tongue, playing with them as he tried to see what reactions that would get out of Zoldur. Soon it was clear that they did indeed drive him crazy as Grunt never stopped teasing them.
Zoldur could feel Grunt rubbing at all the barbs that covered his shaft with his thick tongue, he could feel the fleshy bumps scraping at the roof of his mouth, all of it subtly different from when other Krogan had given him head. He absolutely hadn't expected Urdnot Grunt doing something like this. Having another guy jack... well... pyjack... him off was one thing. But sucking another male's cock with such passion... And his future Battle Master was obviously really fucking good at this. Soon Zoldur was curling his toes and closing his eyes as that tongue and mouth moved lower to take care of his quad, sucking on each heavy orb and licking all over the surface of his sack. The young Krogan enjoyed this treatment very much and kept his eyes closed.
This made his surprise even bigger as his legs were suddenly lifted and his whole body fell backwards onto the couch. Then Grunt's pointy tongue licked over his pucker while his muscled cheeks were spread apart. The slimy appendage slobbered all over his hole and soon it demanded entrance, slowly pushing into him.
"Only your tongue, right? Right?" A deep, muffled growl made heated breath wash all over his ass with what as a very obvious "Nope" as said tongue pushed deeper and deeper. Soon it found his prostate which elicited a loud moan from Zoldur as he lay back on the couch. It started pushing in and out of his tight anal tunnel, always hitting his prostate, overwhelming him with strong sensations.
Then Grunt grabbed the sleeping Pyjak from its cage which loudly complained about being woken from its slumber and pushed it onto Zoldur's cock. Being stretched and still leaking cum from earlier it easily slid down onto the Krogan's cock, wrapping it around it, while that slobbery tongue kept almost fucking his hole. The Pyjak squealed as all of Zoldur's barbs scratched and scraped along its over-sensitive inner walls. It tried to get away, long tail thrashing around, but the Krogan's rough mitt kept an iron grip on it that firmly held it in place, pistoning it up and down Zoldur's member.
"Damn!", Zoldur moaned. Grunt constantly surprised him with new moves, proving that he might indeed turn out to be a good Battle Master. Whenever Zoldur got used to the rhythm of the other Krogan pyjacking him the intervals changed, making him grit his teeth, trying not to give in to soon. But since his momentary position wasn't too comfortable he couldn't really complain about it either. He decided to get a bit more active himself, one of his hands rubbing Grunt's fringe while the other one managed to catch the squirming simian's tail. He pushed it down so the long appendage would brush over his balls, even curling around those four fat orbs for a bit.
He had pretty much expected to be killed during the duel but at least he would've died trying to defend his family's, his clan's honour. While this was way less honourable he had to admit that it felt better too. He stretched a bit and held his legs which made it even easier for Grunt to tonguefuck him and pjyack him off.
As always Grunt preferred a brute-force approach. While he might've lacked finesse he just kept attacking the young Krogan's tight hole, already imagining what it would feel like wrapped around his meat, and using the squealing Pyjak to get him off.
"Gonna... ugh... cum...", Zoldur soon grunted. Then he growled through gritted teeth as he shot an impressive amount of cum into the simian creature that had been used as fucktoy for the second time now. Most of his semen just ran down his barbed cock and over his balls as he panted heavily. Grunt pulled his tongue out of his hole and just left the Pyjak where it was. "Thanks", Zoldur whispered.
"Don't thank me just yet. You know we're far from done."
"I... yes... just give me a minute", he panted.
"If it was Reapers attacking us we wouldn't even have that long before a Marauder or a Cannibal shoots at you."
"I know. But we're on a couch. Drinking Ryncol and fucking around. I know that I need to improve. It's not like my dad didn't tell me all the time. Being the son of a stubborn clan leader isn't as easy as it sounds. So, please, no more speeches until you're officially the guy in charge of me", Zoldur suddenly growled, clearly venting bottled up frustrations.
"Ha! Wish I had more guys with backbones in Aralakh Company. Too many wimps. They're decent fighters but they lack spirit."
"Thanks... so... uh... how do you wanna do this... Varren style?"
"Yeah, let's breed like fishdogs in heat."
"What about the Pyjak?"
"Just leave it there, it's not like it's going anywhere else, especially with all those barbs", Grunt smirked.
"Damn... I'll so regret this..."
"Think of it as payment for your new armour. Those things aren't cheap", the Urdnot warrior chuckled as his new companion got onto all fours on the couch. Grunt didn't waste any time and positioned himself behind him. He grabbed his meat and started pushing it against Zoldur's pucker, still wet with saliva. "Ya better relax, buddy."
Uvenk's son tried his best to calm down and relax as he felt the tip of Grunt's huge cock enter him. Soon his future Battle Master grabbed his hips, moving them back and forth as he slowly slid deeper and deeper into him. It was obvious that he struggled to take all of that massive meat, the barbs scraping along his inner walls, but he forced himself not to show any signs of weaknesses, gritting his teeth and trying not to make too many sounds.
"Doin' a good job. Knew you'd be tough. Just a bit more."
Hearing that praise and that he was close to their mutual goal made it easier for Zoldur to relax his body and soon he felt his ass touch Grunt's groin. But almost instantly the barbed length was pulled back just to be shoved back in again hard. One of the bigger Krogan's hands also found the Pyjak's long, slimy tail and roughly pulled at it, forcing it down even deeper onto Zoldur's meat. "Shit!" "Shit!"
"Do that and I'll rip your throat out", Grunt snarled into his ear. It might have been playful but it made Zoldur gulp. "Just kidding, buddy. Still need yer ass on the battlefield. And what a nice ass it is." Their quads slapped against each other as Grunt did indeed fuck Zoldur as hard as a Varren in heat would. He rammed his fat member deep into the biotic, using all the enormous strength of his muscular body.
"Damn...", Zoldur whimpered as pain and pleasure coursed through his body. But the way his cock drooled precum into the Pyjak as the movement of his cock made it slap against his belly showed that he actually enjoyed the rough ride. He was no virgin but Grunt was a lot bigger than the guys he had taken so far. His fingers dug into the couch as he tried to busy himself and take his mind off of that monster of a Krogan cock that was mercilessly shoved into his rear entrance, stretching his inner walls almost past their limits as they tried to accommodate the tankbred's massive member.
With Grunt piledriving his meat into him the thick shaft constantly applied more and more pressure on each thrust as it widened towards the base, the barb's tickling his prostate. Zoldur soon felt himself on the verge of another orgasm, especially since Grunt kept pulling at the Pyjak's tail while the bigger Krogan's thrusts forced his own cock into the simian's tight little ass.
"How's it feel, buddy? You gettin' close?"
"Y-yeah... feels... damn good..."
Grunt reached around under him and rubbed his hand over Zoldur's cock, where it bulged out the Pyjak's belly, wanting to get him off. "C'mon, shoot for me. Fill our little friend nice and good."
As that heavy touch of a big, strong hand was added to the already insane pressure on his meat Uvenk's son felt himself getting closer and closer to the edge. "Fuck!", he grunted and shot his thick load deep into the Pyjak's belly, filling it with a third helping of Krogan seed.
With Zoldur's body shuddering and tightening around him it only took a few more thrusts for Grunt to roar out loudly as he shot his own load deep into his new buddy's bowels, filling him up with his creamy essence. Both Krogan panted heavily as they slowly came down from their orgasmic high.
Grunt was the first to recover. As he pulled out some of his cum leaked out of that well-fucked hole. He poured two shots and handed one to Zoldur who had moved around so that he could lie back and relax, by now almost completely spent. With another "Korbal!" they both took their shots.
Grunt moved to pull the Pyjak off but Zoldur waved his hands. "Too sensitive. Just leave it for now", he panted. "Ain't going anywhere with three Krogan loads buried deep in it."
The older Krogan chuckled, a broad grin on his face. "Well, I think it earned this." He poured another shot of Ryncol, held the glass to the small mammal's mouth and made it drink the liquid. "There, buddy, that should help with your soreness."
"Honestly... I pretty much expected you to kill me during our duel... I got lucky to even make it out of my Rite... how was I supposed to defeat Urdnot Grunt?", Zoldur admitted.
"Guess we're both glad that I talked you out of it then. And into something way more fun", Grunt smirked. "But, c'mon, your Rite can't have been that bad."
"Well... uh... I could show you." The nod he got from his companion made Zoldur take a deep breath. Then he pulled up a holo screen with his omni-tool and soon they could both see footage of his Rite.
Zoldur was accompanied by two other Krogan, the three young members of Clan Gatatog had decided to take their Rite of Passage together. A big Krogan, looking tough and having already earned several scars despite his youth, led the team. Grunt was constantly shaking his head as he saw the guy give wrong orders at every turn and at one time even almost blowing up his two comrades with a grenade, both had thankfully managed to jump behind cover in the nick of time.
Somehow they made it through the first two phases of the Rite, taking out a whole pack of Varren and several fire-spewing Klixen. But then the real Rite began as the Maw Hammer hit the ground, the vibrations summoning a Thresher Maw, a huge worm-like beast that sat right atop Tuchanka's food chain.
Once again their inexperience, especially that of their "leader" showed, and soon they fucked up hard. Zoldur was trying to provide covering fire, just as he had been ordered to do. The Maw began to spit acid which hit the third member of their group who was forced to take cover behind a pile of concrete rubble, trying to wipe the stuff off before it could eat through his armour.
Their leader kept machine-gunning it and forgot to pay attention to his surroundings. As the enraged Maw trashed about within the arena, the impacts or just the vibration, who could really tell, dislodged some exposed girders. The rusted metal fell down and gored him, the kid took his last breath lying on the floor in a puddle of his own orange blood. Though honorably he had kept squeezing out slugs until he couldn't hold the trigger down anymore.
Zoldur looked scared, he was bloodied and beaten but knew he had to take charge if they wanted to survive. A sniper rifle clearly wasn't the best weapon to fight a Thresher Maw up close, the bullets barely piercing the creature's thick hide, so he had to come up with an alternate strategy.
Snipers weren't unheard of on Tuchanka but they were a rarity. Most Krogan preferred to get as close to their enemies as they could to use their superior size and strength to take them down. A good hit by a charging Krogan could easily pulverize the bones and severely damage the organs of other aliens. A Salarian standing against a wall and being hit full-on by a Krogan? Not much left but crunchy sounds and nasty stains. But Zoldur had grown to prefer the use of sniper rifles over close-quarters combat. He was slightly smaller than most members of his species. Though he still made an Asari look puny he was indeed of "slighter" stature than most other Krogan. So he found other ways to make up for his shortcomings.
Zoldur reasoned that he would have to attack its weak points and as with all animals the eyes were always a good target. He managed to take out an eye which only seemed to make the huge beast more furious. He tried to think of anything he knew about a Thresher Maw's anatomy that would help him. Then he saw the creature's antennae through his scope. But he knew that his crappy sniper rifle wouldn't help him with that. With a look of steely determination he stowed the rifle on his back as he dropped down, adjusting his stance to spring into action when the moment was right.
The blurred, slightly pixelated version of Zoldur ran around the battle arena and managed to grab a Graal Spike Thrower from the corpse of their former leader. The Graal was a weapon the Krogan had crafted to hunt and kill Thresher Maws. It used oversized flechettes as ammunition, meant to pierce the Thresher Maw's hide and create deep wound channels that lead to massive blood loss, weakening the animal. Its double-barreled shots could be charged to cause even more damage, although that also meant that the shooter was left vulnerable as he did so. Usually it was classified as a shotgun but the spears it used made it also very precise over long distances, meaning that it could also be used as a "sniper shotgun", which was exactly what Zoldur was about to do.
He tried to aim the gun, which wasn't easy since it wasn't a type he was used to, and fired, using the strong momentum of the heavy spear to shoot off one of the Maw's antennae, leaving it disoriented. He went into cover again, took more careful aim as he charged the Graal, before letting it fly, the flechette this time driving into the antenna from tip to root, embedded firmly in the Maw's flesh.
The rod must have been causing constant pain, making the worm squeal loudly whenever it tried to move the antenna, obviously opening up new deep gashes as blood continued to spurt out of the entry wound, some of the spray even catching Zoldur himself.
His surviving companion had by now recovered from the acid blast and used the momentary confusion to get closer to the overgrown worm, charging it with a flamethrower. As the flames licked at its skin, making it crack from the heat the massive creature screeched and burrowed itself back into the ground again as it fled. Zoldur's holographic self collapsed onto his knees, panting hard. They had survived and passed their Rite. He hadn't killed the Maw but that wasn't even expected anyway. For several generations Wrex had been the only Krogan to slay one. Until Grunt came along.
"That wasn't too shabby", Grunt said and nodded. "Not nearly as bad as you and Wrex made it out to be."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. That guy leading the charge was a brainless piece of shit. When you took over it wasn't even half bad. Course there's lotsa room for improvement but we'll work on that. Not a fan of the Graal myself but I'll make sure to get an order in for a new one. Ever used a Turian sniper rifle?"
"Uh... Yeah. Once. And I still got the Graal... been using it to honour his memory."
Grunt was surprised and impressed, so much so that he gave Zoldur a meaningful nod to the Graal mounted to the back of the armor he'd taken off earlier. "Good, bet you'll get lots of chances to use it. Gonna put the Turian gun on my requisition list."
"It's annoying having to carry actual ammo though, y'know since the Graal shoots spears. Makes it a little less versatile but you've seen what it can do."
"Sure have, I know that Shepard sometimes likes to use it too. Heard she used it on Rannoch all the time."
"Uhm... so... all that talk about Aralakh Company..."
"Yup. You're in."
"Thanks... Battle Master." Zoldur didn't really know what to say. All of this was a bit much to process. "About... uh... pyjacking..." He pointed a talon at the Pyjak now sleeping on his crotch, his soft cock still deep in it. "I'd prefer if that remained our secret..."
Grunt chuckled and gave him a playful punch. "Don't worry, buddy." He gently grabbed the small mammal and lifted it off, thick Krogan cum seeping out of its hole and dripping slowly down as he put it back into its cage. "Nobody'd believe me anyway, fucking bizarre, and I've seen some crazy shit."
"Thanks."
Grunt and Zoldur had continued drinking, sharing some more stories and talking about Aralakh Company. They cleaned the room up as best as they could and Grunt returned the Pyjak and its plastic cage back to Fortack's "lab", hoping he wouldn't notice anything. As he returned Zoldur had already fallen asleep on the couch. Grunt decided to keep him company, just in case he might wake up and not remember why he was at the command centre of Clan Urdnot.
After waking up, a cold shower and a quick breakfast Grunt led Zoldur to a Tomkah and they drove to the Hollows, the sacred burial ground of the Krogan.
"Why are we here, Grunt?"
"Just follow me and you'll know." They both remained quiet along the way until they reached an unmarked grave. "Thought we could show him some respect." Zoldur gave his companion a surprised look. "I think he'd be proud of you for joining Aralakh Company. Here." He handed a coin-like piece of metal to Zoldur - it was the symbol of Aralakh Company.
They both nodded and Zoldur knelt down and gently put the sigil onto his father's grave, he pressed the coin to the stone with his palm covering it. Then a slight glow appeared, a blue aura surrounding first his hand, then slowly spreading across his arm, until eventually his whole body was engulfed, exuding pure energy. Pulling back his hand as the aura faded away he revealed to Grunt that the insignia was now embedded into the stone. Grunt was surprised, he hadn't thought of this, but he nodded his approval, appreciating the gesture and silently evaluating the potential that Zoldur just shown.
"Yes, I think he would be."
He stood up again. Grunt produced a small flask and two metal cups, then poured each of them a drink. "To Gatatog Uvenk. I'm not proud of what happened, I still don't like killing my own people. Mordin gave us a new hope, but there's still too few of us left and this war doesn't help either.
You didn't want to talk, and to be fair neither did I, we are Krogan after all. But I do regret gunning you down, you could have been an ally in this war. You were too traditional to consider what Wrex was working towards, if you'd been around to see everything he... and Shepard... have made possible I have to believe you'd be on board with it. But even a tankbred like me will keep some of the old ways alive, just like I'll keep your son alive, that's a promise."
Fought for days of yore.
Tangerine soaks desert soil.
Dissent and respect.
Korbal!"
Zoldur gave him an incredulous look. "I'm a Krogan warrior who reads a lot and sometimes even writes poems. Deal with it. Someone has to come up with new battle songs after we've defeated the Reapers. We have enough dumb brutes on Tuchanka, it's time that some of us start using our brains", Grunt said, almost sounding defensive.
"I'd be honoured to learn some of those skills from you, Battle Master. But I'll leave the poetry behind, wouldn't want to ruin my lucrative side gig as a Fornax article writer", he smirked and they shared a chuckle. He lifted his cup. "Korbal!" They both nodded in mutual respect, gulped down their drinks and stayed for a while before returning to the Urdnot settlement.