On may of 2018 after world war three, the world government forced the remaining Human population into stasis pods. The reason being; our resources were completely depleted.
The remaining nations declared no Corporation or Government would ever be allowed to gain too much power, or else history would repeat itself. Somehow, someway an event occurred and half the pods were lost.
This is the story of one of them.
In 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient civilization. These artifacts paved the way for the discovery of new technology, along with them a substance that allowed for the ability to travel faster than light.
It was called the greatest discovery in Human history, the rest of the universe called it Mass Effect.
On a barren yellow planet, without water or any form of vegetation, four massive domes can be seen on its surface. Each one the size of a city.
Within one said dom, a man walks down an empty steel hallway, his footsteps echo in the hollow path. As he slowly passes a segment of doors some of which are labeled. Antic technology, Stuff that doesn't make sense, and really cool alien tech. He can't help but think he forgot something.
''Hey Samantha.'' He says
''Yes, how can I help you?'' A green woman appears, she had short hair, a revealing outfit that had she been made of flesh would had made most men go into a frenzy.
''What's with the politeness? you haven't acted like that ever since I got that personality program.'' He asked
''Oh excuse me for trying to be nice. It is our anniversary after all'' she said while looking at the ceiling.
''Yeah hard to believe it's been five years. No Human or alien contact, since I decided to live on this barren world.''
''Hell if it wasn't because I got some supplies delivered every couple of months I wouldn't see anyone besides you period, You'd think waking up in the future would be a good thing, but my family along with everyone and everything else was gone.''
''I mean, I tried to fit in you know, be like everyone else. But I was to different 162 years difference and you're just too different. The only reason I own the planet is because it's useless for anything. According to the alliance it cannot be Terra formed.'' he said while looking at the sealing.
''That didn't stop you from trying tho. But to be honest you really shouldn't have used robots to dig giant holes all over the planet.'' Samantha says, somehow sounding amused.
''Hey in my defense, it worked just not the way I planed. There was no good soil, so when they hit rock, I had the robots build a solid steel floor. Made of the best scrap metal from old star ships, no one wanted.'' He says, while rubbing the back of his head.
''I guess one thing lead to another and my first dome was built. It was a hell of a lot better than the shed the Alliance gave me. It was a good thing too, because all of those old robots they gave me started breaking down as soon as the dome was finished.''
''Tho making it the size of a city was kinda going overboard. Samantha for what it's worth thank you for staying with me all this time.'' He says while walking
As soon as he's out of sight Samantha says '' You idiot, how could I possibly leave you. When you look like you could break down at any moment.''
''So what's for today?'' He asks
A blue screen shows what he has scheduled for the day. ''Let's see doom number four will be completed in a moment. Oh and you have a visitor waiting in orbit.'' Samantha says\
''Okay number one stop doing that, it's creepy.'' He says, while moving his hands up and down.
''Doing what?'' she asks confused
''Appearing out of nowhere, it's just the two of us around here, so just whose waiting up there and what do they want?'' he asks
''Why don't I patch them thru'' Samantha says while pushing a holographic button. An alien woman in some sort of space suit with an elongated helmet meets them.
''Thank you for accepting my petition to speak with you, many would have just ignored me.''She says.
''It's no problem, so what do I owe the honors for such a finely figured woman to visit me all the way out here.'' He says, while noting several alien tense up in the background, as he said those words. Seeing this he twist his hands acting as a signal to prepare all defenses just in case, things turn hostile.
''I would like to petition for the opportunity; to be allowed to colonies one of the domes you have constructed. Of course we will pay the monthly fee.'' The alien woman says
''Excuse me for a second. Samantha did she just say she wants to rent the place?'' He asks
''That's exactly what she said. I say do it, you do need the money after all..'' Samantha says
''Excuse me you do know I can hear you.'' the alien woman says
…... ''Sorry about that, but may I ask why here in the middle of nowhere?'' He asks a little suspicious.
''We Quarians aren't allowed to Colonies any planets near any Citadel associated worlds. So were forced to live on board our ships. We came here hoping you would allow us, you see since you are a non aligned planet.'' The Quarian woman says, before being cut of.
''So what you're saying, is I'm the only option left. To be honest I got no problem with you people living here. However this is not a Council planet. Meaning I have no military protection.''
''So let's do it like this, 1:I'll let the Quarian people live here in exchange for some of your technology. If you still have some left from before your Mass Effect age, please include that as well.''
2; The doms are always regulated by Samantha my AI no exceptions. Finally number 3: I'm going to assume the Council hates it when anyone helps you, make sure no one knows you're here. At least until we have better orbital defenses. He says, all the while using his fingers to list the conditions.
''Just one thing you said you had an AI.'' The Quarian asked
''Yes she helps control and monitor all of my electrical equipment, and she's one hell of a cook'' He says, as the glowing green woman waves.
''No exceptions.'' He says, somehow sounding threatening.
''I see, very well we accept your conditions. I hope we can get along.'' The Quarian says.
''Just one thing I like to see who I'm making deals with, please show me who you are. Let me see your face.'' He says
The Quarian flinches at this but complies anyway. Her helmet de polarised and a gray skinned human with glowing eyes can be seen underneath.
One year later
A woman in her early twenties sits in her apartment building, just gassing at the scenery, an elongated mask covers her face, while the rest of her body is covered with a light robe, that left little to the imagination.
It's amazing how much can change in a single year, the once barren desolate world they had com to call home was going thru some sort of global winter. That alone slowed down the creation of the sixth dom.
Out of the original four, two new were erected using a combination of mecks, and antic Alliance drones, built with whatever spare parts they had. Nothing to expensive but a miracle to build.
The Quarian people no longer needed, to constantly use their suits, tho they did keep the use of a mask for tradition, more like it was odd. Seeing everyone's faces, after so long of keeping oneself hidden, only showing how you look like to your promised one.
Buying new parts became easier, the Human the owner of the planet, and their for all of the doms. Agreed to to buy whatever they needed as long as the Quarians gave him the credits.
Tho there are times she wonders what exactly has he been building in secret, so far only one small girl knows what it is.
To think she only found out about it after she stowed away on the man's ship. Still a large tunnel system, helps connect the doms, however she wished he would stop using that occurs AI. But no he had to use her for everything, and worst of all he refused to tell her about its origin.
Out of all the Quarians here, she was the one that spent the most time with him, for some reason seeing that green woman, just clinging on to him struck her the wrong way.
I mean sure her skin was gray, but she had the curves, the legs that have made many turn just to get a look, but he he just treated her like anyone else. It was really frustrating, and worst of all he didn't acknowledge that today was the day they met. She was the one who made the deal with him after all.
However no one could deny the man's creativity, orbital cannons designed like satellite filled with entertainment centers, as he did not trust a machine to keep full control of them. Designed to make both the operator and the VI have equal control over said cannon, that way even if they were taken the hacker or the individual could not use them.
Then there were his other ideas, primarily speaking this damn ice age, who brings down two massive ice rock on a planet and hopes things turnout well. Okay so they weren't that big, just a bunch of regular ice rocks made from the stuff that forms inside a ship, but still the disasters that could have brought about.
For once things were tuning out okay , as long as nothing went wrong this following year they would have two new ships, along with a new station. Of course he was building his own kind, why that man insisted in creating machinery without ezzo was beyond her. Still thinking about him working made her smile. Just what the hack was wrong with her? Why would she think that way?
Suddenly a screen appears right next to her ''Madam we have a situation'' Said a green woman, it was the AI Samantha.
''What's wrong Samantha? she asks
''You might want to hurry, because if you don't the situation will get out of hand. I'm sorry let me start over a Turian patrol came and ordered all ships to leave the planet, of course I told the idiot and he responded quickly. You know what why don't I just show you'' Says Samantha
Recording.
A turian wearing green armor appears on screen. ''Attention Quarians you are ordered to leave this planet as it has been claimed by the citadel or else you will be fired upon.'' Said the Turian
''Who the hell do you think you are, by the decree of the Human system alliance, this planet officially belongs to me. Any further attempts of aggression will be considered a declaration of war.'' The only Human appears on screen
''The Quarians are considered under punishment'' The Turian starts before being cut of.
''Irrelevant, I needed a cheap labor force and they agreed. They are living here because I'm allowing it. You on the other hand came and tried to take a planet that already had an owner.
Even as we speak this whole conversation is being sent to the Alliance. The man said
''You think you can threaten me Human'' said the Turian now somehow appearing threatening
''I don't need to.'' He said
end of recording
''Samantha bring my suit'' She says
''I'm already ahead of you.'' Samantha says as two floating house drones bring her suit.
''Okay Samantha, let's see if we can fix a little of these problems.'' She says as a blue screen appears in front of her, showing him arguing with the Turian.
''At the end of the day it comes down to this, either I kick them out and I am left without workers or you bombard me.'' She could see his eyes hardening.
''How about I make you a counteroffer, you get the hell away from my planet or else. He says
''You just threatened me Human, now its self defense.'' The Turian said
''Wrong, you see I just notice something. Were in Human space not jurisdiction of the Council patrol so who are you really?'' She could see it, he was willing to fire the cannons.
However when she was about to say something, the Turian did the unthinkable ''Get us out of here'' She could hear the disgust in his voice.
''Enemy fleet is leaving the solar system'' Samantha says
''Samantha were you able to hack their computers? He asks
''Yes tho I will need a day to analyze it all. Even with the info the Quarians gave us it will take awhile.'' Samantha says
''Make that the primary objective for now. As for more important matters. Man that new suit looks good on you'' He says while looking at her, after he gave Samantha her orders.
She could feel her face heat up. ''So tell me Malina, what made you show up today on your day of. I mean I don't mind the view, skin tight really makes your figure show.'' He says
''Why was he talking like this? and why the hack did she suddenly feel like she was completely exposed to him.'' Those thoughts and others filled her head
''First of all, were talking by screen communicator. Second only our face can be seen, and their only blue so don't act like you can see me.''; She says trying to act like his words didn't have an effect.
''Now what are you going to do. They'll tell the Council and we won't be allowed to live here.'' She says trying to address the situation.
''First what the Council says means jack here, second what do you mean by you. Were in this together little girl, don't you remember what I said the day I allowed you to stay. I don't mind you living here just as long as you follow simple rules.''
''Something all of you did. Besides if you left who would I have to see everyday.'' He says while trying and failing to bring in some humor.
''First of all you said no such thing, second can we please get back on topic.'' She says
''No to that topic, if you're really worried about it I'll marry you and say that the Quarians can live here by bounds of marriage formed by me and you. Now how long, until you can come to the Moon I want to show you what I've been working on.'' He says
As the video cuts she just stood there he just said he would marry her, like it was nothing. Anyone else would have been enraged but she knew him well enough to know, he didn't take it so lightly.
It took five minutes to get to the planets Moon, of course she could have made it sooner, but the ship she was currently using was an old design. Not one of the new ones that were either being rebuilt, or just plain new, the kind that were new. That one word still struck her even after all this time, a new ship made her just want to smile.
Finally taking a drop ship to the Moon's surface, she arrived at one of his mysterious workshops, and like the arrogant jerk he was he was standing there waiting for her.
He wore a long white trench coat, odd considering the Humans didn't make those anymore, big round glasses, that he insisted could have easily had his vision repair.
Black pants and shoes to match along with a white dress shirt to complete his get up, that didn't look all that bad with his short spiky black hair that looked red when the sunlight touched it.
''What took you so long?'' He asked, smiling at her
''You can see the shuttle I took was a fairly old design, so what did you have to show me, that I needed to get here in person.'' She asked, trying to look somewhat irritated.
''Come on I'll show you.'' He says, as they begin to walk until they arrive at a large reinforced metal door. ''Remember that the first day I asked for any data you had on none Mass Effect technology.'' He says, while pressing a red button.
She just looks at him but doesn't say a word, somewhat fearing the answer. As the doors begin to open revealing a massive ship, it was so big that the Moon itself was hollowed out just to be able to fit it. On it's side the name was written The Infinity.
''Ain't she a beauty, fusion and takion particle accelerators this gives her accelerated light travel, she has both kinetic barriers that use a ton of Ezzo, but the Hard Light gives her an extra layer of protection.''He stated
''How? How did you build this thing?'' She says pointing dramatically, not able to understand how managed to do this, in such short time.
''Look I was already building her before you guys came along, your understanding of physics just made it go faster, otherwise Id still be building her.'' He pointed out.
''Listen, this ship is only for me and a couple of you Quarians. Before you start, I was the only one involved in her creation, well Samantha was here to.'' He says
His words seemed to hit her hard for some reason. ''Did he not trust her, did he not trust them'' these thoughts and others began to swirl in her mind
''So want me to give you the grand tour?'' He asks her
''...'' She didn't answer
Noticing her abios conflicting emotions he began to talk. ''Built with hundreds of rooms, it has space for tanks, drop ships and personal rooms for games. It's made to prove that Mass Effect isn't the only way to go.'' He says
''So why wouldn't I let you and your people use it?'' He asks her
''Because the Citadel would use it, to blackmail us into joining them again.'' She says, understanding where he was going with his explanation.
''Hey, you have visitors and their not to happy.'' A voice says behind them
Turning around they notice that it was his AI. ''Who is it Samantha?'' He asks
''It's a ship from the Alliance they want to know why are there so many Quarians on the planet.'' She says
''Alright pass them thru.'' He says,as a blue screen displaying the person on the other side.
''My name is Colonel Shepard on behalf the System Alliance we demand to know why have you allowed the Quarians to start a Colony on this world.'' The Colonel says\demands
''Mr Shepard it was my understanding,. No it was said to me that the planet was officially mine, as nothing here was of any value, not only that but I would be allowed to officially be a separate entity from the Alliance, and the Citadel.'' He answers respectfully, but she sees how annoyed he is.
''Irrelevant, the Quarians are under punishment, that means that you are bringing problems on us all.'' Shepard says
''Your solution is easy, just say I'm not with the Alliance and you can wash your hands of me. However how about I offer you guys something, just so you keep in mind what you would be giving up.'' He says as the ground begins to move and they are being taken inside the Infinity.
Instantly at a speed she can't even imagine they arrive at the bridge. ''Sam let's take her for her first test drive.'' He says
Appearing next to him in hologram form Samantha says ''Are you sure about that. We could be fire on.''
''We've been pushed into a corner, weather we like it or not our trunk card is the only thing we have going for us. The Citadels ships can tear us apart even with, the Quarians fleet backing us up.'' He says
''But if we get the Alliance to help us even if it's just by materials, then we have a fighting chance.' Samantha says
][][]
Colonel Sheppard was a simple man, he was always on time, did his work and never questioned his orders. However the man had a reputation for getting into trouble, it was that very reputation, that made him and his wife Samantha be sent into the edges of Alliance space.
Their job was to patrol, look for slavers and any unknowns. Only that this job took them in the opposite direction of the Mass Relay. It was in this edge of space, that the Alliances largest fleet existed.
It wasn't composed of the best ships, nor did it have any new high tech equipment. But what it did have was its own school, it's own shipyards and best of all its own planets.
His daughter Jane Shepard, had just recently become the first Human Spectre. While his son John had become a fleet captain. It was no mystery, nor did anyone deny the simple truth they were forgotten by the Alliance.
Unmanned ships would carry in supplies or weapons, but no one contacted then. In the old days entire squadrons would be left forgotten, in the jungles and they would create their own communities. I guess you could say; that's what happened to them.
Their ships were a combination of old Turian ships repaired and re purposed from the first contact war. Old antique ships were used for entering a planet's atmosphere, while their weaponry was a combination of old world chemical propelled hand guns, tanks, planes, boats and some mass tech combined.
Still the man did his job to the best of his ability, but nothing would have prepared him for this. A Turian fleet had illegally entered Alliance space and had taken information, from the Human System Alliance, too bad they never made it back home.
To think they used the excuse that they were looking for the Quarians, the Alliance always knew where they were. They were living on a planet where an ancient Human lived.
Their known as Ancients remnants of an age long since gone, there's ten maybe twenty of them left. Not because they were chosen but because those poor souls were just the last to be let out. Their skills and even some of their ways useless.
So many of them leave.
Still to think he would build or could build something like this. Half the size of the moon, made out of black metal, covered in a combination of enormous cannons and miniature lasers. On it's side it's name The Infinity.
Suddenly, the idiot said something that completely destroyed the feeling of ah.''Nafa nafa, so do you have everything you need.?''
''Yeah, now tell me how, when and why.''? The colonel asked
''The day you came and took one of every kind of Quarian ships, I told you I was planning something big. As to how a whole lot of robots. Finally why proof we don't need Ezzo.'' he said
''So what do you want. The colonel asked
'' A trade. The blueprints and the howto to build it. In exchange for a crew consisting of both Humans and Quarians.'' He said
''The Council will never allow it.'' The colonel answered
''They don't need to find out.'' He answered
''We'll have to get back to you.'' The colonel said
''Were not going anywhere, so now that that's done with wanna get something to drink?'' He said while smiling
''You know what yeah.'' The colonel said, knowing that a huge can of worms just opened up and that the days that were coming would be incredibly bothersome.
][
A massive door opened on the Infinity's side, allowing half of the patrol ships in, however the other half decided to play it safe and waited outside. As Colonels Shepard's ship, along with its escorts flew in they were greeted by the sight of a massive hanger.
Easily able to house all of the Outer Patrol Fleets ships and still have room left to spare. A movable platform took them from the hanger past several empty rooms, some of which had the oddest of names. On the sides on the doors each one was placed Virtual room, class, agriculture and adult.
Finally reaching a type of cafeteria that held hundreds of tables and chairs, he saw the idiot waiting for them. At the idiots side were his wife and his mistress, the AI Samantha and the Quarian Malina, though which was which was up debate.
Like usual Samantha would change her get up, so she could look like she was wearing different cloths. She wore a long lace coat, short skirt and high heels, while her hair was styled in the form of a bun. Tho the color skin always remained the same green.
While the Quarian, had a tight form fitting suit, with pink highlights on its side, her smooth yet elongated helmet, was polarized in a light shade of pink. Combining this with the over all white suit and her curvy body, with the breast that seemed as they could fit in the palm of his hands. Made her look quite attractive.
''So what do you think?'' the idiot asked
Taking a seat near them, Colonel Shepard looked at the entire cafeteria. ''Shes big, but really dark. She needs more lights. So mind telling me where you got all of the parts.''
''Well most of the storage lockers are from the old ships, all I did was put them to good use. Thanks to Malina and the rest of the Quarians I had access to nanites, the thing is I'm no programmer, so they just separated the scraps of the junk''
''What would come out would be a type of ink, that was used in a group of giant 3D Printers, that's where most of the electronics and wiring comes from. The monitors are old world flat screen tvs, computers, and solid holograms.''
''Now the engine uses plasma for propulsion, tachyon particles use simple probabilities, in order to find the smoothest routs. While I use cold fusion, you know what it's a hell of a lot safer using cold fusion.'' he says.
''Now for the weapons, don't worry I couldn't arm those things even tho I want to. The lasers are on hand, but the canons. You know those giant guns you saw, well I got creative. I use virtual reality helmets, combined with Vi archives.''
''Now here's the thing you don't want people's brains frying on the thing so the machine used the old Call of duty program. Quite frankly I'm surprised you using the tech.''he finally finishes
''You know the Alliance will use this as an excuse to reel you in.'' the Colonel says, as he looks to the side suddenly noticing that they are alone. Both Malina and Samantha were nearby serving drinks to the crew.
''So between you and me how good is this thing'' Colonel Shepard asks
''Ill put it to you this way, she was built primarily for running into things, without her shields on.'' he says
Just like that half an hour past and the Colonel returned to his fleet. By the end of the day he submitted his report, along with a petition to be allowed to colonise two new worlds and the construction of new generation warships and armors. Though the worlds were all barren, they could be used as training fields.''
Just like usual the answer came in immediately Do As You See Fit. So for the next three months things remained uneventful, other than one tenth of the fleet, separating in order to build several domes. They would be similar to the ones the Idiot and the Quarians used but would be used only for experimentation.
So during this time the Alliance would do what it always did, it would send its more problematic members to them and simply left them to their own devices. During this time period nothing new or exciting would happen, as there really was no reason for it to.
That is until the end of the third month and five members of the Outer Patrol Fleet decided to petition to stay and live on one of the Ancients domed cities, this wouldn't have made any significant difference or impact had it not been for what it spawned.
Within the dom, people began to use something called Chips instead of credits. This wouldn't have made much of difference, until you realized that most of the people in the Outer Patrol Fleet were at the end of their military service.
Most, if not all felt like; they didn't have a place within the Alliance. So within month four, bars, restaurants, apartments, brothels and trade began to appear. Oddly enough created by the Quarians.
While this was happening, what little credits they had were used to bring in Computers, Plants, Animals, Omnitools, Medicines and School supplies. All of which was brought in by the Patrol fleet. Apparently the Alliance believes that all of that, was being used for the new planets.
While this was going on, the best of the fleet were being scouted to be used as the Infinitys crew. The worst of the Alliance, would become it's unknown hand, as the newly erected research domes, started combining Ancient game mechanics. Antique machinery with modern technology.
This new yet old combination created a whole new type of ships never before seen. Everything ranging from the small single pilot fighter, to Dreadnoughts and Carriers. A new fleet had been created.
At the same time, the Quarians were allowed, to do their own research at a nearby planet away from the Inhabited Domes. All and all life was good and getting better, but good things come to an end.
][]
Life is a funny thing, one moment you can be in a drive in diner, wondering how you can move up in life. While the next, you could be a great actor, wondering what role you should play.
The thing is, that these two things have one thing in common. They both involve the person being in some kind of problem. John Shepard, would agree with this statement.
As he sat down in the Alliance Frigate, he could only feel a mixture of shame and regret. Rather than pride and joy, after all he going Home. When he was a young boy, he saw both his parents be transferred to the outer fleet.
He imagined himself, returning home with his head held high. Instead he returned, with the look of shame. Sitting next to him were an Asari, a blue alien woman with tentacles instead of hair, her light blue skin and thin figure gave her an exotic look.
Her black colored eyes, confident smile, along with the way she moved her hands, while she looked thru her omnitool made her seem somehow elegant.
While in front of him sat a Human woman, that seemed rather odd. Her long black hair, peach skin, and athletic figure, made her quite attractive. However the armor she was wearing, showed her to be a rather high ranking individual.
Tho he was unable to identify, which section she belong to. Still to think that they were in the same ship. No one ever came to this part of space, well maybe the woman had a reason. Perhaps she was going to do some kind of inspection, lord knows they were do.
But the Asari was a mystery, still he didn't have the strength to dwell in the mystery. Ether way he decided that he needed to go out for a walk. Sure it was against regulations but he needed to clear his head.
As he walked out into the hallway, he began to notice, that either some of the crew waved their hands in the air, or had a strange black clip, on the top part of their ears. Nothing changed really, their body armors remained largely the same.
They still used helmets with only a heavy resistant screen, for their heads, while their bodies were shielded by a, mixture of damage resistant clothing and bullet resistant armor. Yet even these seemed slightly different.
How different you may ask, well if he had to put it into words they looked almost brand new and like if they were made of an unknown material.
Still he continued walking, until he found a window, he was about to go deeper, into his pit of self depression when he heard an all too familiar voice.
''Would you look at that. John Shepard welcome back, wait aminute aren't you supposed to be some kind of big shot, now.'' the man asked
Turning to look at who it was, he was surprised to find the face of an old friend. Short almost shaved head, a forgettable face and a smile greeted him.
''Joker is that you?'' John asked
''You bet I am. So what you here visiting your folks.'' Joker asked
''No I'm back, for good.'' John answered without any strength
''So I guess the Earth finally decided to send someone. For what it's worth welcome back, so have you called your parents yet.'' Joker asked
''My omnitool, doesn't have anyway for long distance communication. So I'll call her when we reach the planet.'' John said
''No problem man, got you covered. I'm do to have some time off, so I brought this one with me from home '' Joker hands a type of hearing aid to him.
''What is this?'' John asked
''Look it's like this. Put the thing in your ear, then say the name of the person you want to call, in your case; you'd better dial your moms number.''Joker tells John
''Okay'' Immediately after putting on the hearing aid, a screen appears in front of him, saying please dial the number you wish to call.
''Man you should see your face. In case you haven't gotten it, it's virtual reality. Everyone has one, well the military ones are a little larger, but that's for stuff you'll be told later.'' ''Anyway has anyone picked up'' Joker asks
''No why?'' John asks
''If someone doesn't answer, it usually means they're doing something important or are taking a bath. Everyone have one of these things here, I mean let's be honest there's not that many people here.'' Joker says
John takes the device of and gives it back to Joker. ''You'd better get back to work. We'll talk later okay.'' John says, before walking back to the passengers waiting room.
][]]
Miranda Lawson was bored, of course anyone would be, sitting down in an outdated ship. That took three hours to reach its destination, when the standard ones would take one or the Alliance's newest would do it in fifteen minutes.
Still she wasn't on this outdated scrap for Alliance duties. No she was here scouting for potential recruits. Cerberus, an organisation created after the first contact war, an organisation she belongs to.
Still she was bored but intrigued, while true she had managed to gain access to the Frigates logs and cameras, she had begun to notice something odd about the crew in it.
They were happy, these weren't the looks of people that knew, they were at the bottom of the barrel. No they seemed rather content, joy filled even, yet as she watched thru the security cameras she began to notice subtle differences.
In all honesty by no means were these things anything new, or by that anything world changing. They were quite the opposite actually, the first thing was; there was a section in the ship's computers, that was almost an exact duplicate of Humanity's pre Mass Effect satellite, transmitted internet.
The next one was the Frigates overall design, if someone were to ask her how. She would say it looked almost as if; the ship's body had been refitted with added layers of armor. Then there was the last one the crew, some of them were waving their hands in the air for no reason.
So she looked into the ship's main VI, the outdated piece of crap, only had it's name Silver Scape. Still it did have the logo of the Ancients planet on it so it was obviously useless, after all that neanderthal barely understood basic math.
She felt the ship's speed drop, another design flaw of this past model a person could feel some of the acceleration or the deceleration. Looking thru her omnitool she saw the station they were going to dock in.
It was an old design a remnant of the past, the Hubble space station, the hunk of junk was once one of Humanity's greatest achievements, now it was just a patch work. A combination of new metals mixed in with old.
Boy she was not going to enjoy the next three weeks in this side of space. Still as she made her way out things started getting weird, an announcement for a game she never heard of; Call of Duty Universe at War. People were either carrying old military rifles or mass accelerators, however very few of them were wearing omnitools.
She just past that of as, them not having the necessary equipment.
]
Running away, running is what she's been doing these last ten years.
For an Asari, melding was like breathing. Imagine her surprise when her first time killed her partner. Ever since that day, she's been hunted by the Justicar, Asari that live for the thrill of battle.
As it turns out she has a birth defect, and people that have it are either killed or are turned in to nuns. She would have become a nun had they not repeatedly shot at her.
So she threw away her name and took a Human one, oddly enough that was enough to throw them off her trail. It took all the money she had, but she managed to find the farthest place in space. It was so remote that even the Shadow Broker didn't care about it.
However they didn't let her of the ship, it was just a space station, yet everyone acted like it was a high level secret. So after fifteen minutes they were on their way again, oddly enough a member of the crew gave her a thick jacket.
It took another hour to get to where she was going. It was said to be a dead world, completely devoid of life, just a bunch of rocks, hot dirt and a couple of doms where people live.
Exhaling, she made her way to the drop ship that would take her down. The thing is her expected for her plans to change so quickly.
Not even give minute above the planet and everything changed. Rather than the smooth, yet rough design, but this thing was blocki, ugly built like a tank.
The thing looks more like something used for war rather than taking people anywhere. Still she didn't complain, but the moment they entered the atmosphere and were met with a freaked storm.
Yeah she began to worry, no she was past being worried, oddly enough the man next to her was just as surprised. Three people border the Frigate, when they first started their trip.
This didn't include the ship's crew of course, but still only two made it to the planet, while one stayed behind. The fact she paid attention to this, only proved how paranoid she had become after all these year's. Still wasn't this place supposed to be barren.
As the ship passed the storm clouds, the sight of six massive domes met her. Not only that but the entire planet was covered in ice, snow and somehow had water near the dooms.
The ship entered a large hanger that opened near one of them. How did she see this? we'll the ship's captain opened a large window to let them see.
However even that was nothing to what she saw once inside the dome. In a moment the world was filled with color, lights shined all over and Humans accompanied by Quarians were busy doing their jobs.
She stops for a brief second, was she seeing this right. Those people were definitely Quarians.
Their suits gave them away, but she had never heard of them having these many types of suits. Some were red, with heavy pads on the shoulders, thighs, knees, and chess, they were moving heavy boxes. Others had thin blue colored outlines, at the side of their otherwise purely white suits, she just saw those standing moving their hands in the air.
Others stil used the old kind, like the ones the Migrant fleet Quarians she's seen before. It was just a white suit with a gas mask like helmet. Suddenly a voice catches her attention.
''Man this place has changed a lot.'' She turned to see who it was, out of curiosity only to find the only other passenger standing behind her.
''Ex excuse me, you've been here before.'' she asks
He gives her a glimpse ''Sure, I grew up in one of the, military bases. So I saw how this place looked like before. All of this use tube, just a big hole in the ground.'' John answered
''So it changed rather quickly then?'' she asks
''Yeah, the last time I was here, was around eight years ago. I think the Ancient was just moving in.'' John answers
''So you wouldn't know where I could register.'' She asks only to be cut of by a woman's voice. ''He might not, but I do.'' she was green all over, her long green hair seem like it was constantly waving, like it was caught in a gentle breeze. However she seemed like she was into old fashioned, or perhaps her programmer was. Seeing as she was wearing a tight mini skirt, a thin blouse over a an under shirt.
''So are you here sight seeing, visiting or looking to live around these parts?'' the VI asked them
''Yeah I'm here looking for a relative of mine, her name is Samantha Sheppard.'' John asked
''Oh yes, so I take it you're here visiting?'' the VI asks
''Yes.'' Jonh answers
''Okay then please show me your omnitool.'' the VI says, as John moves his hand. Okay all files have been skand and approved. However I'm afraid you'll have to call your mother. Right now she's ….. In an important discussion.'' ''But don't worry, you can just call, their almost done anyways.'' The VI says
The man walks of leaving her standing there ''Yeah I was wondering, if it was possible for me to live here.'' Ana asks
The Vi briefly shined ''You sure?''
''Yes'' she answer
''You won't live anywhere near element zero or its technology. You still sure? The green VI woman asks
''.. Yes'' she answered ''You sure?'' it asked again ''Yes'' she answered only slightly irritated
''Okay stick out your hand.'' it says. She does, immediately her omnitool beeps. ''Okay medical history check, eight thousand chips have been uploaded, enjoy your stay.'' ''Oh you'll find amp of every dom in your omnitool, however I suggest you get a Silver drive before you try being intimate with anyone.'' the VI woman says before disappearing
She was shocked did it know, did it know about her condition. Why did it still let her stay? Either way she put those thoughts on hold, she needed a place to stay and work. It was a new city and a new life, in a new universe, where no one knew who she was.
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John made his way to a terminal, as the smell of greasy food, loud music and a mixture of children playing along with people talking assaulted his senses. For some reason his omnitool wasn't working right, so either he bought a silver drive or he used one of the doms terminals. He opted for the later.
It was odd for him to find one without a VI projection, it was just a screen with something to type on it. Still to think this place, would change so much in so little time, a mixture of rectangular buildings that looked like earths from along time ago. Along with the oval like designs the Quarians liked.
Still that wasn't his problem, he just wonders why his mom was living here, instead of somewhere more civilized. Her military service had ended, so she should have left.
Well maybe she stayed behind for his dad, but why didn't she live in one of the military assigned planets. After all they were for the soldiers families to live in. Heed ask her while they talked, but this machine sure was taking it's time. Suddenly the black screen turns showing his mom's surprised face. "John" she says
''Mom'' he answers, genuinely smiling
''Wait were you the one who called earlier.'' she asks
''Yeah, a friend let me use this thing.'' he says when his mom cut him off ''Yeah sorry about that, we've been having a hell of a month'' she says
''Om what happened.'' he asks
''Look why I don't let the idiot tell you.'' she says
''Is everybody just going to keep calling me an idiot all the time.'' the owner of the planet says ''Oh hey your…''
''He's my son.'' Samantha Sheppard says
''Sorry sorry. Look a while back I built this machine, it made water. All I did was make a bigger version of the device made in the old days. It graves moisture from the atmosphere and makes water.'' he says
''The problem is the idiot left the machine on and forgot about it. An entire part of a dom was flooded after three weeks, and then he decided to open it and let the water into a tank to empty the room.'' a Quarian woman says
''But that's not the worst of it. The moron couldn't turn the thing off, so we ended up with a lake and by the time I was able to regulate the entire thing. It turns out a bunch of children, thru some of their pet fish into it.'' said a green VI woman
''Look there's water in the atmosphere, so it makes sense that it would freeze. The problem is that when I let the water out , it caused a chain reaction. So the moisture became liquid in an accelerated rate. Then it almost instantly froze.''
''Not much of a big deal right? The problem is; the doms make a lot of heat. So a lot of the fish didn't die and it turns out some of them were from the Krogan planet. We have Sea dragons out there.'' the man says
''Don't get me wrong, we're perfectly safe, but their bloody dragons,'' he says
''So what's the problem'' John asks
''Someone needs to be punished for the fish and then there's, the hole defense system upgrade.'' Samantha Sheppard says, while holding her head dramatically
''Look we'll pick this up later, go see your son. ...and maybe we'll think of something.'' the man says
][][]
Life is odd it has twist and turns, some of which can hit you hard and you'd never see them coming. Others you get a warning, sometimes with enough time, to do something about it. Miranda Lawson would agree with this.
Not even half an hour in this place and she was already ticked of. First the commanding officers, of the hunk of junk she was in didn't let her see some of their ship's schematics. Oh by no means did they dare say no to her.
No they did it by the book, they simply said she didn't have the clearance to see any blue prints, that weren't already approved by the Alliance. Oh she was welcome to look at anything they already had before, but anything new was completely of the table tho, still it hard to believe what these people had done. A bullet filled with a chemical, that when airborne exploded, completely ignoring the kinetic barriers.
Her clearance, allowed her to at least see the things they had made and frankly speaking, she wasn't impressed. The new types of ships they had, were indeed slightly faster; being able to move fifteen light years, instead of the twelve they originally had.
But honestly it was a turtle's pace, when you compared it to everyone else's. Hell the Batarians had ships, that covered thirty light years an hour. Still the fact remains the ships are different than what they already have.
The thing is, had she been any other person, she would have dismissed any of their current projects and forced them to stop. Good thing she wasn't anyone else, every edge, every corner of the bloody things spoke danger.
From the smallest single person fighter, to the one carrier they had, two thoughts remained consistent. Punishment, how to give it and how to take it, they were bulky, they were ugly they were mean.
They were dangerous, however Miranda could see it. The designs were beginning to change, from the first model she had laid her eyes on, to the last, they were becoming smoother, faster, more maneuverable. No doubt this was something she had to report, however there was something they absolutely would not hand over, much less let her see.
Even when she threatened to remove them from service, to having them court martiald, they refused letting her see the clips they had on their ears. Those things were something special, if they were willing to actually stand up to her.
Other than that she didn't find anything new, the computers were outdated, the VI's were painfully slow and the patrol fleet actually refused to show some of their skills. The arrogant fools, actually had the nerve to say, they weren't going to put up a show when they lacked the numbers to miss their scheduled.
So she was now on one of their rust buckets to the Neanderthals planet, it was a separatist world, but honestly she just wanted to see in what state the monkey was living in. All it would take was another hour of travel.
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