Grunt; Fighting to the End

Shepard and Grunt on Tuchanka.

Grunt gets a much better video cameo than other Mass Effect 2 characters such as Thane and Kasumi.  Grunt’s cameo even gets a surprising twist at the end.

Shepard goes to Utukku to investigate missing squad of Krogan soldiers.   Upon arrival at Utukku he discovers that Grunt is the commander of the Aralakah Company; a special company made up of Krogan warriors from the various clans on Tuchanka.  It’s not clear if the Aralakah are investigating the disappearance also or if the missing squad is from the Arlakah but it sets the stage for the Shepard / Grunt reunion.

With the help of the Aralakah Company and Grunt, Shepard explores the tunnels of Utukku and discovers that the Reapers are mutating a hive of Rachni into Ravagers much like they do with other species to create Husks or Scions.  Moving deeper into the maze of tunnels Shepard enters the hive’s central nest area while Grunt and the Aralakah hold off waves of Rachni.

In the central chamber Shepard discovers the Rachni Queen from Mass Effect that he let live during the battle with Matriarch Benezia.  Turns out the Reapers have captured the queen with advanced Reaper Technology.  (Nothing a few rounds from the M-8 Avenger won’t fix.) 

The queen was able to resist Reaper indoctrination.  To counter the queen and take control of the Rachni the Reapers trapped her isolating her influence and indoctrinated the other Rachni directly rather than through the queen.  Shepard and company have the choice to release the queen or leave her trapped by the Reapers.

Grunt charges into the Ravagers.

While holding the line against the now indoctrinated Ravagers Arlankah Company takes heavy losses.  When Shepard leaves the hive for the surface only Grunt remains of Arlankah Company.  Upon the way out they come to an intersection filled with Ravagers.  Grunt says goodbye to Shepard;  “The shuttle is down that path.  I’ll hold them off. Get out of here Shepard.”  Grunt charges into the path of the Ravagers giving Shepard the opportunity to escape.