Hello all, it's been quite a while since I last tried writing any fanfics. Please give me an idea of how I'm doing, with reviews and comments. Also let's dispense with the basics, Mass Effect is owned by Bioware and EA, not me. I only claim ownership over custom characters.


From the depths of darkness, the spark of life flickered. Consciousness sluggishly building to the point of awareness. A sharp breath the first sign of movement in the previously lifeless body. It began with sight, limited as it was as only the left eye quivered open to reveal an emerald pool within a blood-red pool. Giving an already dark and dreary world a crimson wash. The surrounding terrain was nothing more than destruction; sparks leapt from cables snaking from broken walls, beams criss-cross over head, dust rose from the ground in bursts as the skeletal remains of some massive structure. And the crimson world next gained sound as the flashing electricity chirped and falling earth, both refined and natural, shattered the silence. Questions arose before anymore senses renewed.

'Where am I? What's going on?'
The sounds grew louder. Were they getting closer or just the second sense returning to normal? The electrical discharges, followed by a heavy thud. IN such a weakened state and without yet recovering the ability of motion it would be near impossible to discern the noise's point of origin. However there wasn't enough time to worry about the sounds as the next and by far worst of the senses returned, touch. And with it a surge of pain which forced all thought and other physical abilities to near dormancy. Questions of identity and situation were of no importance. Only what and why. What is this hellish pain and why am I suffering so much? Even the screams of agony were lost within pain.


Not far off a team of soldiers; a human, a krogan, an asari, and a turian; were searching for the wreckage. The human male was commanding the group, scanning the grounds with his omnitool. The turian wielding a strange device with a rotating energy blade for cutting through metallic walls. While krogan used brute strength and asari utilized biotics to move the rubble. The team gathered as quickly as they could to search the grounds. Their goal to seek out the one living soul that was last confirmed alive within the remains of the station. They swore if they couldn't locate the galactic savior alive they would at least find the body. This time around the Commander would be there for a true hero's funeral. They were loosing hope but still refused to give in. An hour had already passed since they entered the remains of the section of the Crucible that made landfall on earth.
"The signal is growing faint again," the human called out to her team.
"How could that be," called out the turian after sawing through another large wall. "Your scanner must be faulty. You better not loose the signal a third time."
"Would you two shut up," the asari fiercely chimed in. Focusing her biotics to move the smaller debris while the krogan lifted or pushed the larger items."Stop arguing and get back to work."
"Your scanner said this way, so," it was the krogans turn to speak up. Partially to diffuse the rising tension. "If we keep moving we've got to find something."
Just then they heard a sound that nearly froze them all in their tracks, the screams of someone in unbelievable pain. In unison they turned toward the sound and called out, "IT'S SHEPARD!"


For what seemed like hours, the nerve shattering pain was the only proof of Shepard's continued existence. Though now it seemed as though the pain was fading away. And being replaced by memories. Memories of a military family, a line which could, possibly, end here and now. At least he'd set his legacy, also the name Shepard would be legend, right? A courageous Alliance commander, one who survived not one, but two battles with a thresher maw and a run in with the mother of all maws. Then went on to become the first human SPECTRE. Who survived numerous suicide missions and even returned from the dead. And with the inter-species crew of the Normandy went on to prove the Rachni weren't just monster, forge peace between organics and synthetics, and united the galaxy to defeat the apocalyptic Reapers' once and for all. But there were things no one would know, the betrayals and loss and love; all of which molded Shepard in the end.
The screams died in a hoarse choking cough, and once more the Commander lay motionless, struggling to continue breathing. Suddenly there was movement a wall collapsed and four figures stepped through the dust cloud. Shepard watched as they approached, slowly at first but then quickly closer. The rescue party froze in their tracks, staring down in shock and horror at the reason they charged in the to crumbling wreckage. Shepard was alive, but not in one piece.


The next day he awoke again, to an all too familiar room. A room of white with bright lights. Breathing a sigh, the Commander craned his head to the side. The usual white curtain offered a bit of privacy. Slowing his breath, he watched the shadows behind the thin veil. Memories of the last time he awoke to a medical room flooded his mind. Then he had to fight his way out, but back then there was also an alarm blaring. This time he'd awoke of his own will. His right hand slide from his side, to the edge of the bed. Grabbing hold of the controls, his fingers strummed the buttons. Feeling the braille grooves along the controls, he found the button to raise the back of his bed. Whoever occupied the room, it was unclear if they were friend or foe. Rolling over, Shepard swung his legs around and over the edge of the bed. His vision blurred for a moment, he could feel he wasn't fully recovered but if this turned out to be anything like his last hospital stay, he couldn't waste time. Hands lowered to his sides, as he made to rise from the bed. But even the simplest plans can fail as he would learn. As instead of rising he found himself off balance and hitting the cold sterile floor with a heavy thud.
The sound caught the attention of the doctors in the room. The curtain quickly flew aside and a female figure moved to kneel beside him. Her hands moving to inspect the man on the ground. She was dressed in an Alliance medical officers uniform. The gray haired woman carefully lifted Shepard to sit against the corner of the bed. All the while calling over her shoulder to the other doctors.
"Dr. Michel, bring over a mild sedative," the doctor called to the others. "Shepard, try to calm yourself. Everything is fine. You're in an Alliance facility."
"Karin?"
"Glad to see your memory is still all there," Dr Chakwas replied as she started to check the bandages that wrapped completely around her friends rib cage. Carefully observing Shepard as his gaze moved from her to his left side. The surprise in his eyes as he noticed the missing limb, tore at her. Once she was sure he hadn't reopened his wounds, she moved to help him up. "I'm sorry Shepard, there was nothing we could do about your arm. But you're alive. Now let's get you back into bed.
"Commander Shepard," came the voice of third doctor. Another human, he stood just under six foot with bright red hair. A dangerous look in his eyes as he stared at the pair. Reaching into his coat he drew the M-3 Predator he'd kept hidden. "In memory of the Illusive Man."
"Karin," Shepard used his shoulder to push Dr. Chakwas out of danger. His hand then raised toward the disguised agent of Cerberus. The shot echoed through the room and out into the halls.
From the hall, Dr. Michel heard the gunfire and rushed back to the room. Seeing the assassin through the door she feared for the two in the room. Drawing the syringe she rushed in and stuck the man in the back, before he could react. While not enough to stop the killer, the fast acting drug would slow his movements. Stepping back she watched the man reach back and pull out the needle. He turned stumbling a little as he faced her. Raising his firearm he prepared to fire. The chance never came as he was struck from behind with a bedpan. The Cerberus agent dropped to his knees, stunned further. Leaving him defenseless for the two. A couple more swings of the bedpan and another two injections and left put him down for the count.
"Shepard?" Dr Michel looked to her colleague, ready to jump to action. But Chakwas stopped her placing a hand one her shoulder. With a shake of her head, Karin stood helping her to her feet. Behind her Shepard lay on his back across the hospital bed.