SOL System
2160
EARTH
Sitting on a green, lush hill side overlooking large expanse of crystal clear water teaming with marine life. Sat a young human being no older than 19 years of age, she was covered in frail looking, ragged clothing smeared with dirt and grime. Her red hair was messy and just as dirty as her clothing, with strands of grey hairs notable amongst the locks of red.
But what really made her stand out was her ghostly pail face and dark eyes, eyes that looked out across the expanse of water with contentment, maybe even acceptance for she knew what was going to happen.
Along her skin, beneath her flesh black veins pumped a deadly virus through her system. A virus unleashed upon humanity by the aliens known as Turians who came through relay 314 so many years ago.
The First contact war had raged on for years and years, with the young space faring species holding its own against the relentless march of the Turian Hierarchy. Some galactic super power known for having the strongest military around, which became apparent as system after system. Humanity was pushed back into the Sol system, back to their place of birth.
For young Hanna Shepard, she was happy to die on her home world. It was ironic really, that the place of birth for humanity would be the place of its extinction. Hanna sighed and looked down at her frail and blistered hands, eyes threatening to burst into tears at the pain flooding her system from the deadly Virus.
Hanna was possibly the last human being on Earth, or one of the last in existence at least. She had battled against the virus that swept through her species brought through the relay by the Turians. It was simple really, the scientist knew that if any alien life was ever encountered. That the bacteria from both species could be lethal to the other due to differences in biology.
Or like how the colonist of the early 1600-1700's accidently realise diseases across the native inhabitants of other countries. Like the Small Pox outbreak that killed thousands of indigenous people in Australia centuries ago.
The bitter taste of copper entered Hanna's mouth, prompting her to spit on the grass below, letting sickly black blood stain the green of the plant life below her. She'd be dead in the next few hours, she knew she could escape her fate so no point in defying it any longer.
Looking out across the fields of greenery, Hanna spotted the white mass moving towards the lake below. Just like she planned, she knew she'd find at least one of those beast near water.
Inhaling painfully, Hanna brought her fingers to her lips and whistled as loudly as she could, the shrill noise shattering the air and echoing across the field toward the unusual creature below.
A creature that looked to be the cross of a wolf and lizard turned its partly scaled muzzle towards the hill, large white eyes scanning the greenery for the source of the noise while its furry ears twitched.
Hanna smiled weakly at the creature below, knowing it to be the salvation to her suffering. She had to give credit to the System Alliance, their 'contingency' plans were things of nightmares. A nightmare Hanna hope would one day bite the Turians and their allies on the ass for committing Genocide upon her people.
Silently watching the wolf like creature draw closer towards her, Hanna reflected upon the last years of her life. Of watching the walls of bodies in the cities, the stench of decay and the rubble of entire cities reduced to tattered landscapes from orbital bombardment. She thought of all her friends who slowly died or submitted to different fates like herself, she thought of the man she was going to marry. The man who was going to give her a beautiful little child for them both to raise happily together, tears ran down her face as she remember watching the life leave his body slowly as he sub come to the virus running through his body.
A soft meow like sound split the air, and Hanna looked up to come face to muzzle with the hybrid like creature. Upon closer inspection, what looked to be scales were in reality the gooey slime like completion of the creatures hide. It stood as tall as a bear, but with the sleekness of a wolf with short soft fur that reminded Hanna of a comforting blanket.
The beast looked at her, emotionless eyes boring into her own before it leaned forwards and ran a rough drool covered tongue across her face in an almost comforting gesture.
Hanna sniffed at the gesture, unsure if the creature really felt anything for her or if it had been programmed to do so when finding a survivor.
It made a soft meow like sound again, reminding Hanna of a house cat. She sniffled again, before feeling the beast paw push against her chest softly and gently forced her to lie down flat on her back.
The young woman knew what happened next, she seen plenty of other survivors suffer the same fate. She just hoped the process was quick and painless.
Above her, the creature stood looming over her like a predator above a kill, then without warning its chest and gut began to split open with a sickening sound of tearing flesh. The beast known as N7's were a race of genetically engineered monsters design to assimilate and preserve the essence of humanity. But no one knew what the N7's were supposed to do after that, as the creators all died swiftly after their production begun leaving the world without answers.
As Hanna rested against the ground, she turned her gaze upwards and spotted the murky form of the moon lingering in the sky. It made her cringe in sadness to see the mass of dirt orbiting around her home. When she was younger she had always dreamed of Captaining an awesome Alliance warship and exploring the stars like the characters in the Star Trek TV series and many other sci fi movies, before war broke out she even applied for a position in the Navy. She was rejected due to her age, she would never to see the universe.
"I always… wanted tooo explor 'cough' the stars" she murmured softly, causing the N7 to look down at her and coo almost questionably in reply.
Raising a hand she pointed to the sky, causing the N7 to tilt its head so it followed her gaze to the moon above.
"I…wanted to be a space captain" she wheezed with a soft smile, thinking of some of those silly movies she saw like Treasure Planet.
The N7 looked down at her, its curiosity sated by her final words it proceeded to do what its creators designed. Tendrils of slick red flesh uncoiled from inside its now open body and began wrapping around Hanna's form. Some tentacles bore sickly looking clear spikes which it stabbed rather violently into her flesh, making Hanna gasp in shock.
Securing its load with all its tendrils of flesh, the N7 proceeded to hoist Hanna's limp form inside itself. Pumping her body full of clean uninfected fluids which began purging her system of the virus she carried. But that wasn't all it did, as Hanna closer her eyes and was pulled completely into the wolf like creature, the N7 raised a paw and gentle held her in place as flesh rippled like water and sealed her permanently inside, never to see the light of day again.
Hidden by walls of flesh, no one could see what happened to Hanna as the N7 carried out its designed task and converted Hanna's form into simple mass unrecognizable flesh that fused itself to the N7's biology.
The N7 whined and shuddered as the woman's mind and memories were copied into its own brain, mixing with its own experiences to create a confusing mess inside its skull. Bones began to snap and reform, expanding in size while new muscles and organs began to develop inside the N7's body.
The process known only as Amalgamation continued as designed, fusing and morphing the two individual creatures into a single entity.
The N7 entered the next stage of existence and became a Chimera, a creature named from mythology and for good reason.
The N7 didn't look anything like it did before, now taller and more humanoid. The Chimera stood on cat like hind legs with a slender fur covered tail tracing behind it for balance, the torso was incredibly humanoid, sporting slight lumps upon its chest indicating its female gender which was mostly concealed by grey fur.
A pair of muscular arms flexed slightly experimentally and human like hands shifted nervously with short black claws protruding from the finger tips.
But what was really strange, was its face held so much emotion.
With a short fang filled muzzle and sharp pointed ears sticking out almost like spikes from the back of the skull, one may mistake the Chimera for a form of Werewolf from horror/fantasy films.
The Chimera rose to its full height of 9 feet tall, it looked confused, with a line of reddish fur running down the back and neck almost like a main. One eye was the distinct creepy pure white iris of a N7, while the other eye was the dark brown of Hanna's eyes.
Stumbling about in disorientation, the Chimera fell onto its back with a soft bark of surprise. Lying there in confusion, the Chimera whimpered and grasped at its own head as it tried to make sense of the images and memories swirling around its mind.
The Chimera couldn't remember who she was, or what she was. She remembered her mother Hanna, remembered how sick she was and the pain she felt. Crying out in distress for her parent, the Chimera hugged her knees against her chest and began crying.
Where was her parents, why was she alone. Slowly a name came to her mind, a name that belonged to her and her alone.
Her name was Jane Shepard.
10 years later
Commander Shepard stood beside the helm of her warship, eyes gazing out calmly towards the mass of green and blue below that was her home planet. Earth truly looked stunning from orbit, so peaceful and calm it could hide the organised chaos that takes place below from the reconstruction of the Chimera Alliance.
Ears twitching slightly, Shepard looked down at her helmsman who was sitting casually in his pilot chair while he waited for orders.
Joker was a rather odd Chimera, a default in his parents genes made his legs rather stiff, making his hobble around when walking. But despite his lack of mobility, the Chimera was one hell of a pilot.
Even with the slow lumbering bulk of an alliance battle cruiser, Joker could make the warship dance through the stars as elegantly as any frigate. Which is why Shepard wouldn't have anyone else pilot her cruiser the SRV Normandy.
Movement from the helmsman caught Shepard's attention, causing her to turn her muzzle so she was staring down at the greyish furred Chimera beside her.
Joker moved his hands in an organised manner, physically communicating his words to her in a fashion similar to sign language.
'Hey Commander, think they'll finally unshackle us for real and sick us on the aliens on the other side of the relay?' questioned Joker, a faint smile on his muzzle as he signed to her.
Shepard thought about it for a moment, reflecting over the past few months of being station on standby to begin the assault through the relay. Her Normandy was to act as the decoy flagship of the 1st 3rd fleet, comprised of 3 Battle Cruisers, 12 Frigates and 1 Swarm Carrier all boasting the newest developments in combat technology, compliment to the Prothean Archives left hidden on Mars.
'Wise Captains don't look for trouble, only handle trouble when it arises' signed Shepard calmly before looking back out the window, taking in a squadron of swarm fighters as they flew past on patrol.
Joker snorted in disapproval, rolling his eyes and adjusting his pilot's hats. Shepard didn't understand why he needed a hat inside a space ship, nor did she ever care to really ask the poor comedian of a Chimera why.
'Save the wise talk for the brass, the aliens have it coming for what they did to our parents' signed Joker, his composure indicating anger as he spoke, Shepard rested a hand on his shoulder in comfort.
The topic was a touchy subject for all Chimera, carrying around the memories of your parents makes one a little protective of their legacy. Remembering all their pain, suffering, joy and experiences meant Chimera were very, very close to their parental figures.
Shepard's own parent was the reason she was standing tall and proud on the bridge of the Normandy, the Chimera liked to think she was fulfilling her parents dying wish. To travel the stars like the captains of old and discover new and amazing places.
'They will suffer our vengeance one day, when we are so strong they will crumble beneath us' signed Shepard sternly to her companion, before sighing softly 'but now we must give time and patience.'
Joker didn't like it, but he accepted her words and went back to gazing out the window. Or so Shepard thought until the Chimera made a soft whine to catch her attention, the noise made her ears twitch and she flinch slightly at the noise. Shepard hated how they didn't have developed vocal cords, limiting the complexity of the sounds they could make to simple whines, whimpers, barks and other beastly noises.
'Knock knock' signed Joker, a mischievous grin flashing across his face.
'Who's there?' replied Shepard hesitantly, she didn't like knock knock jokes.
'Normandy' signed Joker.
'Normandy who?' replied Shepard, reluctantly indulging the pilot in his foolish attempt at humour.
'That's as far as I got' Joker grinned innocently at his commanding officer who only rolled her eyes in reply before glancing over her shoulder.
Strolling towards them with a glowing piece of glass known as a data pad in hand, was the elegant and short fur form of Miranda Lawson. The Chimera wore a belt around her waist which held the holster for her heavy mass accelerator pistol and other belongings. Her chest was mostly covered in fine white snow white fur, while the rest of her body was a matter of light black fur which all look silky smooth in the dark lights of the Normandy's interior.
Her tail swished behind her softly, the tip decorated with 3 rings of metal that appeared to just float perfectly around her limb almost magically. Miranda drew closer, eyes looking up to make contact with Shepard's as a warm smile cross her lips.
"Commander, Admiral Anderson is on vid com… Were clear to approach the relay in 1300 hours" informed the XO of the ship as she gave a sharp and respectful salute, Shepard turned and gave a salute in return. Showing respect and curtesy to her crew member.
Shepard personally knew all 79 of her crew mates, yes only 79 crewmembers on a warship that spanned over 700 meters. The Normandy was a warship, much of that 700 meters was crammed pack of weaponry housing, heat sinks, targeting and processing computers as well as the massive oversized mass effect Core stuffed in the back of the warship, giving the Normandy superior agility over its alien adversaries… In theory at least.
Nodding to Joker, Shepard turned about and followed Miranda away from the ships control panel, marching through a large open room with various computer stations.
'I'll be here… flying the ship' signed Joker irritably as they left, before relaxing in his chair and bringing up a tap on the internet, watching old YouTube videos left over from his Parents species.
Shepard followed Miranda through the ship, past a large holographic table displaying the exterior of the Normandy in a full 3D image. Walking past the display, Miranda and Shepard strolled through a door at the far end of the room and entered a small circular chamber with the blue holographic form of Admiral Anderson standing in his full glory.
'Commander Shepard' signed the Admiral in greeting, Shepard and Miranda gave sharp respectful salute in reply before signing back.
'Admiral' they both signed at once, earning a disapproving stare from the decorated Chimera wearing a form of traditional military uniform with stripes and such.
'You may be Alliance Military, but that doesn't give you permission to go all formal on me' signed the Admiral with slight amusement.
'Anderson' signed Shepard with an eye roll, she liked how the Admiral was real personal with the captains of his fleet. He wasn't one of those stuck up by the book types Shepard had served under previously in the early stages of the Chimera Alliance naval fleet.
'That's better, I got word from the higher ups that were clear to go through the Charlon relay' continued Anderson, Shepard and Miranda stood at attention watching the Admiral's hands as he signed to them.
'The Normandy will be leading point with this operation as the decoy flagship, that means you'll be in the direct line on fire while the Enterprise covers you with its arsenal of swarm fighters, we will be only a few minutes behind you through the relay so be prepared for anything' warned the Admiral, giving them a stern look to emphasise his point.
'Sir yes sir, you can count on the Normandy to get the job done Anderson' replied Shepard proudly.
'You're a good Commander Shepard, good luck… Anderson out' and with that Anderson's holograph disappeared, leaving Shepard and Miranda alone in the briefing room.
Leaving the room, Shepard tapped a metal bracelet on her wrist making a small holographic computer appear around her arm. Glancing at the time being displayed, Shepard saw that she had 2 hours until they would be leaving for the relay on the far side of the sol system.
That was more than enough time for everyone to send messages back to their closest friends or for additional supplies to be rushed on board, she needed to check that the mess hall was heavily stocked for a long voyage and armoury was fully prepped.
A good captain was always prepared for the worse, she needed to be ready to face every unknown outside their system. The enemy was larger than themselves, better armed and far more numerous, the Chimera Alliance was only a few years old at the most, with barely 30 naval ships to its name and their first dreadnaught was still under construction.
Their only possibly advantage against their enemy was unconventional tactics and the use of Swarms to cripple enemy fleets, during the First Contact war with the Turians, humanity had used mass deployment of fighters with significant effect against superior enemy fleets in naval combat. It was a trick humans learnt during the Second World War of 1939 to 1945, the use of large heavily armed fleets became limited against swarms of agile fighters and bombers which could inflict significant damage to the warship before they could get in firing range of the other fleet.
Shepard planned to use the same tactics in the naval battles they would undoubtedly face in the future.
Sending various text messages to various officers across the Normandy, Shepard closed her MPC or Mobile processing computer causing the holographic screen to disappear.
Stretching her limbs and flicking her tail, Shepard stepped forwards and onto a small stage that became alight with a current known star chart of humanities old territory beyond the Charon relay.
Gazing about the 3D reconstruction of the known universe, Shepard tapped her paw on star system that was on the other side of the Charon relay.
The surrounding systems vanished as the star she tapped expanded, revealing the several planets orbiting its star, one of which was of extreme importance to the Chimera Alliance.
The Arcturus system was a direct access to several secondary mass relays, all targeted towards smaller systems rich in habitable garden worlds as well as mineral rich planets and asteroid belts needed to build the Chimera Alliance military and civilian infrastructure.
Shepard's eyes took in the 3 surrounding mineral rich planets that cycled in orbit around a central star, sitting in orbit around one of these planets was the destroyed ruins of the Arcturus station. A human made platform 5 km's in length that once housed the critical economy trade and parliament matters for the developing colonies that were accessed through the many relays littering the system.
But now after the First Contact war, the station was the silent grave marker for thousands of innocent human lives. Shepard would make sure that her parent's legacy would live on, and that one day when the Chimera Alliance was strong enough, would seek vengeance for the genocide committed upon humanity.
Waving her arms, Shepard made the galactic map zoom out to reveal all the known systems to the Chimera Alliance. With a delicate touch of the finger, she chose the Sol system and tapped upon the Charon relay sitting on the edge of the star system.
Through the Normandy's systems, a destination was set into the navigation computer which promptly informed Joker at the helm where the ship needed to be. But not only didn't it inform Joker, the entire First fleet was informed of the change in flight pattern from Earth's orbit, to the massive relay device.
Several Cruisers, a Carrier of the same size and a dozen small frigates slowly arced away from the main fleet patrolling Earth's orbit, and activated their chemical rockets and Drive Cores, allowing the heavy warships to plaw through space at reasonable sub light velocities.
Taking a moment to steady herself and compose a speech, Shepard opened communications across her ship and stood tall and proud before her entire crew of Chimera as they either paused or cast passing glances at the holographic projections of her across the ship.
'Fellow crewmembers of the Normandy, today is a historic moment for our society' she signed 'At 0900 hours today Earth time High Command authorised the First fleet to pass through the Charon relay'
This got everyone's attention as Chimera of all shapes, colours and decoration paused in mild surprise at her words.
'We know there is life outside our solar system, life that destroyed our parents and many others we have yet to seen… Today were reaching out to these species, to gain a foothold in the wider universe and make our parents proud by continuing their legacy' Chimera growled in approval across the ship and down in the weapons bay, heat sinks the size of small propane tanks were loaded into racks and marched across rooms towards the receivers of massive cannon platforms.
'As we make this leap of faith, I know that each and every one of you will be up for the challenges that face us' she paused briefly 'there is no other crew I'd rather serve beside on this historic moment, stand tall and be proud of yourselves every one of you has worked hard for this moment.'
'This is Commander Shepard of the Alliance warship Normandy, signing off' and with that the holographs disappeared, leaving the Normandy crew in an invigorated state.
Howls and barks echoed across the ship as everyone resumed their task with renewed enthusiasm and energy. Chimera activated there MPC's and typed messages to friends back home or loved ones, others wrote final wills and a few made diary entries while they could.
At the helm Joker closed his Youtube tab for good, and adjusted his pilot's hat with a smug grin. The Commander sure knew how to talk to the crew, that's what made her such a good captain of the Normandy.
Claws flying across the control board, Joker brought the Normandy on an intercept course for the Charon relay, eyes glancing at the frigates and other battle cruisers that moved into position around his ship.
Personally, he felt like a bad ass riding his motor cycle down the street. Except instead of cool bikes, he was riding giant warships. Grinning, the Chimera chuckled and made sure the frigates flanking him didn't accidently get cause in his exhaust stream.
Within the next few hours, a small fleet of Chimera Alliance warships would enter the Charon relay for the first time in nearly 10 years. 10 long years in which the outside world would have altered significantly in the absence of Humanity, but Admiral Anderson and Commander Shepard were two of the Alliance best. If anyone could handle the troubles on the other side of the relay, it was them.
To be Continued….
I was originally going to go with a dinosaur appearance, but then I thought cuddly fur would be more fun to play with ^.=.^;
This was just something that crossed my mind and I kind of extensively made Chimera Warships on my PC, I'll be posting on my Deviant art page :RedLightningNOD608
And yes I will be bringing in lots of characters and probably doing silly Omakes for this series, and please for Jokers sake... Suggest some good jokes for him to use .=.;
Anyway enjoy!
