A/N: Welcome to 'Mass Trek', brought to you by the author of 'Potter and Gibbs'. Those of you who followed 'Bloodlines' have probably noticed it is no longer up. I felt the story had hit a brick wall and was floundering, so I scrapped it and might try again later.

I noticed the limited number of Star Trek and Mass Effect crossovers and decided to write my own. I've always loved Star Trek. When it debuted it revolutionized Science Fiction and was a beacon of hope for humanity- that some day we would put aside our differences and work together to better ourselves and those around us. I hope to do the series justice in this tribute.

Mass Effect, despite the ending to the third game, is an incredible series. I've played both as male Shepard and FemShep, and I love how the entire experience changes with minute alterations of choices. Like Star Trek, it is filled with iconic characters that are loved world wide. Who didn't feel affected by the sacrifice of Mordin Solus or Thane Krios slipping into the world beyond?

So, without further ado, I present 'Mass Trek'.

Story Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or Star Trek

Mass Trek

Chapter 1: Distress

The Turian looked out the viewport at the Defiant class ship docked below him. His eyes glanced over the name painted over her hull, Normandy. He wondered what was so special about this ship to have it be the one to be entrusted with this mission. It didn't seem very special.

"Nihlus Kryik?"

The Turian turned towards the voice. His eyes glanced at her uniform pips- what he had learned signified rank in the Federation. She had three golden pips, signifying she had the rank of Commander. "Ah, you must be Commander Shepard," he replied after he recalled the data the Council had provided. "The Council was impressed by your successful defense of Bajor against the Batarians."

"Someone had to do something. Star Fleet couldn't get a fleet out there in time," Shepard admitted.

Nihlus glanced out the viewport at the small fleet that patrolled around the station. "Well, that shouldn't be a problem anymore, Commander."

Shepard followed his gaze, and this gave Nihlus a good look at the scar that slit her left eyebrow in two. "Still doesn't bring back the people lost."

"A little disappointed in your Federation, Commander?" Nihlus asked.

"Only in the politicians," Shepard told him. "It was the bureaucracy prevented us from stationing a fleet here in attempt not to provoke the Cardassians. Politicians shouldn't have a say in military matters."

"But now you're a hero to both the Federation and the Bajoran people. I hear the Klingons are interested in a visit from you."

"A Klingon Bird-of-Prey and his crew joined defense. I managed to get an surface-to-orbit battery online to assist them."

"His crew?" Nihlus asked. "I was under the impression you humans addressed your ships as if they were females."

"Klingons are a male-dominated society. They refer to their ships in the masculine form," Shepard explained.

"I must admit that there are gaps in my knowledge of the customs of the Federations and their allies," Nihlus told her as he rubbed his brow. "I hope I don't come about as rude."

"I've been privy to a couple first contacts, so I know how you feel," Shepard assured him. She gestured the way she had come. "Captain Anderson is waiting to welcome you aboard."

"What can you tell me about the Normandy?" Nihlus asked as they began to make their way to the docking port.

"She's a Defiant class starship, brand new at that. She's part of the new additions to Starfleet's response to the Batarian threat."

"I thought the Batarians signed a treaty with the Federation," Nihlus recalled.

"The treaty is paper thin, Spectre Kryik," Shepard explained. "Starfleet Intelligence believes that they will attack again. Starfleet's heavier presence here is partially as a deterrent, though they will give the Batarians quite the fight if they decide to transgress against us again." She pointed at the Klingon attack cruiser out the viewport. "And the Klingons are still insisting that we allow them to test their mettle against the Batarians."

Nihlus clicked with his mandibles. "From my experience with the Klingons I feel that they are cultural cousins of some sort with the Krogans."

"I haven't had the opportunity to meet any Krogan," Shepard admitted. "But if you think they are much like the Klingons, I'd don't think that I'd have any trouble with them."

"There aren't as many as there used to be since the rebellions-"

"The Krogan Rebellions?" Shepard asked. "I remember reading a report on them."

"I understand that there are a lot of people in the Federation who don't agree with what my military did to end it."

"The Genophage?" Shepard asked. "There are."

"Do you have an opinion on the Genophage, Commander?"

Shepard eyed him. "The Federation and its allies outlawed biological warfare."

"That's not an answer," Nihlus pointed out.

Shepard stopped and stared him straight in the eye. "I do not agree with your solution." She held up a hand to stop his response. "However, I cannot judge you or your species for it. I was not there. I did not see the desperation of your sector of the galaxy." She continued walking. "Besides, if the Krogan had expanded this way, we might have, eventually, been their subjects."

'Ah, but Krogan enjoy killing far too much for that,' Nihlus thought. 'But, they might have a bit of trouble from soldiers like you, Shepard.'

~Mass Trek~

Saren looked down at the Federation colony of Eden Prime. There, after being dug up by the colonists, was the key to finding the Conduit. The key to the Reapers' return. Soon, he would be rewarded for his loyal work.

~Mass Trek~

Joker expertly piloted the Normandy from DS9, a maneuver he could have done in his sleep. The starship could dance under his fingertips, but Starfleet frowned on such things unless absolutely necessary. Joker knew he had to bide his time, then he'd have a chance to show off exactly what the Normandy can do.

"Joker," Anderson barked from the Captain's Chair. "What's our ETA for Eden Prime?"

"Thirty minutes, Captain."

The doors at the rear of the bridge opened to admit Shepard and Nihlus. Both approached the Captain. Anderson turned in his chair to face them. "Spectre Kryik, welcome aboard the Normandy. I trust you've settled in quite nicely?"

"Yes Captain. My quarters are quite satisfactory. However, I wonder why Starfleet thought it only necessary to send what we consider a frigate at best."

Anderson smirked. "Don't underestimate the Normandy, Mr. Kryik. She is one of the few vessels in the Federation that can slip past every pirate and mercenary vessel seeking our intended cargo without noticing us. A Galaxy class like the Enterprise might be too big a target for them, but the Normandy is not what they expect."

"Perhaps, Captain, but if this ship can slip past the pirates and mercenaries, can it also slip past the Citadel fleet?"

Anderson's face dropped into a frown. "The Federation has no intention of committing acts of aggression against the Citadel."

"And that massive array on the edge of your space?" Nihlus inquired. "Is it not examining our space?"

"I am not privy to the array's operations," Anderson countered. "But don't think we don't know about the Salarian STG's efforts to gather intelligence on the Federation."

Nihlus smiled. Anderson recognized the Turian smile and returned it.

"Very well played, Captain. I look forward to working with you."

"Captain!' Joker called. "I'm picking up a distress signal from Eden Prime!"

Anderson swirled in his chair. "On screen!"

The view screen lit up with the distress signal, a bit garbled due to interference of some sort. Shepard realized the transmissions was from a cameraman's recording device.

A Federation Marine pushed the cameraman while she shouted at the civilian to get down. Phaser fire blasted through the air.

The camera man focused on the object in the sky, some sort of large vessel looking to have strange tentacles at the bottom of the screen.

The transmission cut out.

"Joker," Anderson called out. "ETA?"

"Twenty five minutes, Captain," Joker replied.

"Increase speed to maximum warp," Anderson ordered. "Commander, prep your team."

"Captain," Nihlus spoke up. "I may be of assistance? I have extensive combat training."

Anderson looked at him. "Spectres only take the best, I take it. Commander, make sure Mr. Kryik is filled in on the layout of the colony."

"Maximum warp achieved," Joker replied. "ETA is now five minutes."

"Good luck, Commander," Anderson called after her.

Shepard tapped her comm badge. "Shepard to Alenko and Jenkins. Suit up and meet me in the transporter room."

"'Transporter room'?" Nihlus asked.

"How do you think the Federation was able to land marines so quickly during the First Contact War?"

"What is this 'transporter'?" Nihlus asked.

"You'll see. Just go along this corridor until you see the door labeled 'transporter room' and wait inside. I trust you have your weapons?"

"Yes," Nihlus replied.

"Then get them ready," Shepard ordered. "We don't know what we're facing."

Nihlus followed her directions as Shepard went to gear up. Once inside the armory, she grabbed a compression rifle, a new addition to the Federation arsenal, from were they were stored near the older phaser rifle models. She also grabbed a type-II phaser as her side arm.

Kaiden entered the armory and grabbed a type-II before grabbing an older model phaser rifle. When Jenkins entered he did likewise.

"What's with you guys and not liking the compression rifle?" Shepard asked.

"Sentimental value, Commander," Alenko told her. "I like the compression rifle, but it's not like these older models. I can't explain it, ma'am."

Shepard shuddered. "Don't call me that. It makes me sound like an old lady."

Jenkins chuckled. "No worries here, Commander. Hey, is that Spectre coming with us?"

"He's waiting in the transporter room," Shepard told them as she headed for the door.

The trio entered the transporter room to find Nihlus eyeing the pad. He turned to them and, though Shepard thought it wasn't possible, he seemed a little pale. "I'm supposed to stand there, let your computer cut me into a million pieces, and then reassemble me on the planet's surface?!"

Shepard glanced at the Petty Officer standing behind the controls. "I take it you've been told how it works."

"Just have the Captain send us down in a shuttle craft!" Nihlus insisted.

"It isn't going to kill you!" Jenkins assured him as the young Corporal stepped onto the pad. "See, we're fine with it."

Kaiden stepped onto the pad as well. "Come on. We've done this hundreds of times."

Nihlus still continued to hesitate, so Shepard grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the pad. "Energize," she ordered, "before the Spectre here has a nervous breakdown."

The transporter hummed to life and before Nihlus had a chance to do anything, he was on the surface of Eden Prime.