Authors Note:

Hello all. This is GriffenUnion.

So long time no see. I started two small stories years ago, and while I have been on this sight for close to five years now I haven't ever really felt the need to write.

The two stories previously are utter crap. Please don't torture yourself by reading them.

In the past month however, I stumbled across a story that really piked my interest.

Massess to Masses by iNf3ctioNZ is a story that I literally stumbled across while looking for something else entirely. However after reading, it I just had this idea in my head that I couldn't get out no matter how hard I tried.

So this is hopefully going to be a big project. Like big big. I want to cover about twenty years of Mass Effect timeline here. Obviously there will be some time skips in places, but this is my biggest project that I have ever done.

Wish me luck?

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Here is the first chapter of

"Talking"

"Thinking"

Year 2172, CE

Time: Unknown

"Cold. It's always cold in this place". I really shouldn't be surprised. I have been here longer than I can remember, and it's always been cold. I pull my legs up to my chest, and rest my head against my knees as I stare out the window.

It's huge, spanning the entire length of the wall, floor to ceiling. The dark glass gives off a reflection, and through it I can see children in an open commons room beyond. I try and see the kids, but the mirror image of myself blocks most of the details. Brown eyes look back at me, set in an aristocratic face. High cheek bones stank out stark, and my black hair hangs down over my eyes, touching my shoulders in places.

I'm short for my age, but then again I'm not really sure how old I am. No older than the oldest kid out there in the commons, that's for sure.

A snarl curls around my lips unconsciously as I look at them. Sitting there, with Company. There are around a dozen of them, scrawny little brats. From looking, they age from four to about twelve, all wearing the same gray jumpsuit that I am. Sitting in a circle, they all huddle together. Some of the older children hold the younger ones, while others whisper softly to themselves.

"They look so sad. So miserable."

I turn from them in disgust. "The only company I have is my thoughts. Ever since they took Her away from me. I didn't used to be this way.. I used to have company too, but not anymore."

Looking around the room, I see the same room as always looking back at me. Bright white linoleum floor panels glare up at me, the reflection of the florescent lights reflecting like spot lights. There in the corner is my desk, empty, as always. I don't ever use it for anything, other than a place to hide. The guards always find me though, no surprise there. The bed is in the corner, against the four paneled window. It's blue sheets are clean, for now. No telling when the guards will be back to ruin that. A sink is against the wall on the other side, and there on the door is that symbol I see everywhere in this place. Two black downward lines, curving in at the end. Two golden ones outside those. That symbol has become the center for my hatred I think.

With a start, I jerk my head towards the door to my room in fear. I hear a sound that I have learned to dread in the place. Loud steps clack soundly against the hard floor as they come down the hallway. I can always tell when they come for me, my room is at the end, and the wait always seems to take forever. I stand frozen as they slowly clack closer and closer to my door, then stop. I hold my breath as I stare at the red light in the center of my door, hoping that it doesn't turn.

After ten seconds of no change, I let out my breath in relief. Turning back towards the window, I'm unprepared for a whoosh of rushing air behind me. Spinning around, I see a man in a white coat before me, flanked by two more men in white armor.

The coated man steps forward, and with a smile looks at me. Dark eyes set deeply in his face bore into me as we make eye contact. Close cropped dark hair top his head, and tan skin stands out starkly from the white coat he wears. On his chest lay the name, Dr. Milanes.

"Hello Subject One. It's time for more tests." He says.

I know his smile is fake. I've been fooled by it before. But at the moment resisting is useless.

That becomes all to apparent moments later, when one of the guards reaches forward and grips my arm painfully tight. He towers over me, my eyes just coming above his belt.

"Its time to go Uno." He says with a sneer. With enough strength to throw me across the room, he shoves me forward and into the hallway. "Stupid monkey..."

"Now now Mr. Abbet. Lets not ruff up the subject. He has a long day ahead of him."

"Yes sir,"the guard replies. He doesn't seem look chocked up about it though, as I look back at him. He just smirks and motions ahead with his hand.

We walk down the hall, the four of us together. Dr. Milanes in front leading the way, and Stupid Guard One and Two on either side of me.

We pass room after room, some on the left, some on the right. After a left turn we finally exit the hallway, and come into a open room, a room that I have come to despise. It's very open, that is the first thing you would say. With a ceiling that stretches thirty feet into the air, it makes you feel very vulnerable as you enter. A catwalk circles the large room, and in the center I see that same dozen of children sitting on the floor.

Unlike before however, they no longer whisper or comfort each other. Now they just stare at me as I walk past them with my escort. The Doctor says "hello," and they respond, but I don't pay attention. They say the words but they aren't looking at the doctor. All their eyes rest on me.

With a shake of my head, I break contact and stare forward. I still feel their piercing looks as I enter another corridor, and a door with a green light immediately to the right. With a whoosh, it opens and my escorts push me forward.

The room is larger than my bedroom, but not by much. In the very middle sits a chair, one that smells very strongly of disinfectants. It has bars with a metal plate beneath it, made to secure my legs. Straps made of some kind of leather hand from the arm rests, with more to secure my feet.

Dr. Milanes walks to a console next to the wall, and with a motion the guards pull me towards the chair.

I know struggling will do nothing. I know that with every fiber of my being.

I still cant help it though. Its instinct, fight or flight. In this case it was a bit of both. I struggle in their grip, tugging left and right to try and get them to loosen even a little bit.

They just grip tighter and pick me up my my arms. With an "umph!" They slam me in the chair.

Before I can recover my breath, they have the arm straps secured, and quickly move on to the legs.

The doctor approaches me, and with that fake smile says, "We have a rather long procedure today One. I sure hope you aren't as difficult as last time. You know what will happen."

With that warning, and a chuckle from the good doctor to go with it, he walks back to his console and starts clicking away. Mechanical arms come to life all around me, each with a different tool in its grips. The lights in the room dim, all except for a bright spot light that shines directly in my eyes.

Once blinded, a mask is placed over my face by an unseen hand and I feel as the gas is turned on.

The world immediately goes fuzzy as the odd smelling gas is forced on me. I can see more doctors and white coated men and women milling about me now as my eyes adjust. Some checking on machines, others talking to Dr. Milanes.

As I drift into sleep, I overhear something that manages to pierce the fog that has settled in my mind. With the smallest spark of clarity, I hear the words. "...He's doing...Almost...ith Subject Zero."

Subject Zero... I think as I drift off into sleep. How long until I can see you again? And then there was only darkness.

Authors Note:

So there ya go. First chapter. Please review. :) It will help me get motivated to write more.

Til next time.

GriffenUnion