Mass Effect Seed
Greetings to all and welcome to the first chapter of Mass Effect Seed, a crossover of two of my favorite storylines in both anime and games. This idea struck me not long after I had finished a complete run through of both Mass Effect games and watching the totality Gundam Seed series, and I hope you'll enjoy the twists and turns I've come up with while planning and writing this. So, without further ado, let's begin our tale.
Summary: see profile
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this fiction other than what I have created myself; everything else belongs to its respective owners and creators.
Chapter One: A Difference of Beginnings
Alliance Space, Arcturus Station
The light of the stars filtered into the well-lit briefing the three men sat in. On the table before them sat datapads containing lists of men and women in the Alliance Military. All of these people, several dozen in all, were the potential candidates to be the first human members of the Spectres, the Citadel's special agents charged with maintaining galactic peace by whatever means they deemed necessary.
Understandably, the cups sitting next to the datapads had been refilled several times before the three men present had made their decisions.
"So, we are all in agreement?" spoke grey-haired Ambassador Donnel Udina, "Shepard will be our primary choice to become a Spectre, but now we have to choose a secondary. Thoughts from either of you?"
"Whoever we choose will more than likely have to able to keep up with Shepard on the various missions that he and that Turian Spectre will be going on," answered the gravelly voice of Admiral Steven Hackett, his meaty hands steepled before him, "And the only candidates with that kind of training will be other N#s, minimum ranks of N4 to N6."
A brief pause descended before the last person in the room spoke.
"I think 1st Lt. Viktor Mason would fit that roll nicely" stated Captain David Anderson, commanding officer of the newly christened SSV Normandy, "He's an N5 and has worked with Shepard on more occasions than any other N# that we can transfer here in time for the upcoming mission."
"Him?" came Udina's incredulous reply after he studied Mason's record for a few moments, "Captain, this man was the only one to survive the initial Akuze investigation. Do you honestly think it's a good idea to give that kind of power to a man who may have suffered lasting psychological damage from that disaster?"
"Under normal circumstances, I'd be inclined to agree with you, Ambassador," came the placating response from Admiral Hackett, who had likewise read Mason's record, before continuing, "However, I can see where Anderson is going with this. While he may not be a war hero like Shepard, Mason's a survivor (1), physically as well as mentally. He lost his entire platoon on Akuze to Thresher Maws and had to rely on himself until help finally came. Because of that event, he's proven himself to be damn near just as good as the Commander in combat skills, with the included advantage of having some biotics. Where Mason really shines, however, is in data decryption and linguistics; being fluent in multiple alien languages and able hack any system almost as fast as some VI programs will come in handy...I know it irritated the hell out of the I Division (2) when he was nabbed by the N Division right out of boot camp... especially when he became friends with a tech specialist from the Salarian STG."
"Another advantage of at least sending Mason along is that his parents are the lead archeologists on site." Andersen pointed out, "His being there should help prevent any problems that may come up with the dig team."
Though his face didn't show it, Udina was not a happy about this situation. When the Citadel Council had sent the message about accepting Humans into the Spectres, he had hoped they would ask for politically minded individuals, like himself. Instead the entire list of men and women were soldiers, people he had very little authority over, with Shepard and Mason at the top of the list... the worst possible choices in his mind, despite their histories and achievements.
This came from higher up than he had any pull at the moment, and seeing that both military men had clearly made their choices, the Ambassador grudgedly relented, "I'll make the call."
SSV Normandy, Mess Hall, two days later
Servicemen and women rapidly moved from different places as they ran through all the procedures in triplicate for the shakedown run, each person knowing that one slip-up could cause a cascade of other problems if they were not ready. To the casual observer, two contradicting words would be the only why to describe the goings-on before them.
Ordered Chaos.
Such were the thoughts of one man that sat off to the side of all the madness surrounding him. Placing the last piece of his grey heavy N5 armor on, the man rose from the arming bench and began to move towards the lockers on the opposite side of the room, stopping at a locker with the name Mason printed on it. Opening the locker, Viktor still couldn't help but wonder why he was ordered to prep in full kit for the ship's shakedown run, to Eden Prime of all places.
And then there was that Turian Spectre...something screwy was going on, and once again Mason was tempted to hack the system to take a peek at the mission parameters before the main briefing. That thought, however, was dispelled as he sensed someone walk up behind him and a hand tug several strands of his blue-black hair to their full length.
"Hmm, just short of breaking regs on hair length," came a voice of mock irritation as the strands were released, "You're not winning any points with the higher ups, Lieutenant."
Attaching his pistols to the mag-clips at either side of his hips, Viktor closed the locker and turned, storm cloud grey eyes meeting amused ocean-blue orbs. Standing slightly taller than him, Lieutenant Commander John Shepard, clad in grey heavy N7 armor, wore an amused expression as he waited for the younger man's reply.
"Don't worry sir, I'll keep it maintained. I just prefer not looking like a walking match-head," Mason responded lightly as a crooked grin began to spread across his clean shaven face, "'Sides you're one to talk, oh ye of the eternal five-o'clock shadow."
Both men laughed and then proceeded towards the stairs to the CIC. As they walked, Shepard turned to the younger Special Forces soldier and continued, "All reg jokes aside, how are you doing with the newer equipment? You were elevated to N5 only three weeks ago and, granted the "brand-new" squeaking has stopped, I want to make sure your new toys are working properly."
"Good to go, sir," Mason answered, a slight smirk from the friendly jab tugging at the corner of his mouth, "My hardsuit may not have all the bells and whistles yours does, but I've already acclimated to the newer add-ons, even made some improvements." a slight frown formed, "Though I'm not too thrilled about the new Tactical Cloak Systems not being ready yet, I'm gonna feel really exposed without some active-camo."
Shepard nodded in agreement as they entered the empty stairwell. With no one in sight Mason turned to the Commander, figuring this was the best time as any to see if he knew anything about what was happening.
"So do you have any idea what's going on, John? Seems kinda odd that the brass would send us on a shakedown run with orders to be in full kit before we arrive at destination."
The Hero of Elysium chuckled, "I was actually about to ask you if you knew anything, Vik. You do tend to take a peek at the orders before a briefing."
"Believe it or not, I haven't looked yet."
Eyebrows shot up, clear surprise written across the Commander's face, "Haven't looked yet! 1st Lieutenant Viktor Mason are you ill? I never thought I'd see the day when you would show restraint before a mission briefing."
"There's just something about this whole situation that's bugging the hell outta me," said Viktor as he scratched at the back of his head, "Best answer I can give is that I'd rather wait and listen to the Captain give the briefing and ask questions then, instead of stewing for possibly hours before everyone else finds out."
"So you're going to stew and wonder like everyone else on the ship?" Shepard smirked, as one eyebrow lowered once more.
"Thus does the paradox rear its ugly head."
Any further conversation was ended as the voice of the ship's pilot filled the air.
"The Arcturus Prime relay is in range. Initiating transmission sequence."
"And away we go." Shepard stated as both he and Mason shifted back into business mode. "Come on Lieutenant, we had better get up to the helm before we make the jump."
"Right behind you, sir." Replied Mason as the pair reached the final steps before the door to the CIC.
Moving through the CIC, the Spec-Ops Officers past several people of note on the prototype stealth frigate. On the right, the medical officer Doctor Elizabeth Chakwas stood speaking to the Requisitions Officer about medical supplies in the hold. Passing on the left, Corporal Jenkins saluted both of them whilst moving to catch the Doctor as she finish her conversation with the RO.
"We are connected. Calculating transit mass and destination."
Turning from his station, Navigator Pressly nodded at Shepard and Mason as the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jeffery "Joker" Moreau, continued pre-jump procedures.
"The relay is hot. Acquiring approach vector."
A short staircase later both men passed between the two rows of servicemen and women at their posts, the faint orange glow of the consoles giving an almost metallic hue to their skin.
"All stations secure for transit."
Reaching the helm, Shepard and Mason were greeted to the sight of Nihlus Kryik, the Turian Spectre himself, standing with arms crossed as he also watched the Normandy begin its final approach. Outside, the Mass Relay rapidly grew as the ship moved closer and closer to the massive piece of Prothean technology.
"The board is green. Approach run has begun."
The Normandy's drive thrusters shifted, reconfiguring for FTL as the Element Zero core of the Relay reached optimum output, energy arcing across it's surface before it enveloped the stealth frigate.
"Hitting the relay in 3...2...1..."
With a burst of energy, the small Alliance ship was launched from one part of the galaxy to another.
Within the ship, the pre-jump tension evaporated and the crew began to relax as the first part of the Normandy's maiden voyage started without even the slightest hitch.
"Thrusters...check. Navigation...check. Internal emissions sinks engaged. All systems online. Drift... just under 1500k." stated Joker proudly, his hands lightly dancing over the console as he made some final adjustments to the near perfect jump.
"1500 is good," complimented Nihlus, truly impressed, though his metallic voice sounded neutral to all except Mason, "Your Captain will be pleased."
The Turian then abruptly left, pausing only long enough to slightly nod at Shepard and Mason, before he quickly disappeared down the corridor.
A scowl on his face, Joker barely waited until the Spectre left before grousing, "I hate that guy."
"Nihlus gave you a compliment," said Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko, an eyebrow raised, "So, you hate him?"
Flyboys, ruffle their feathers once and they never forgive or forget, thought Viktor as he shook his head, smirking when the pilot went into a tirade.
"You remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom, that's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhead. So that's incredible!" Joker ranted. "Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him aboard. Call me paranoid."
"You're paranoid," Alenko stated dryly as he turned from his station, "The Council helped fund this project, they have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment."
"Yeah, that is the 'official' story," snarked the bearded pilot, "Of course only an idiot believes the official story."
"They don't send Spectres on shake-down runs." Shepard stated almost unnecessarily, the same thought running through the minds of everyone on the ship.
"No arguments there, sir." said Viktor as he leaned against the back of an unused chair with his arms crossed, "But the question still remains, why is he really here and why have we been running into him almost everywhere we've gone since we boarded the ship?"
Joker looked like he was about to say something, but was interrupted by the captain's voice coming over the intercom.
"Joker! Status report!"
"Just cleared the Arcturus Relay, sir. Stealth system is engaged. Everything looks solid."
"Good, find a comm-buoy and link us into the network," Andersen ordered, "I want mission reports relayed back to Alliance brass before we reach Eden Prime."
"Aye-aye, Captain." Joker complied, then warned the captain, "Better brace yourself, sir. I think Nihlus is headed your way."
"He's already here, Lieutenant." came the annoyed growl, causing Joker to slump slightly in his seat while both Viktor and Alenko winced, "Tell the Commander and Lieutenant Mason to report to the comm room for a debriefing."
"Aye-aye, Captain." said Joker, closing the channel as he turned to the two soldiers behind him. "You hear that, sirs?"
"He sounded angry," commented Shepard as he turned to leave the cockpit, "Something must have gone wrong with the mission."
"Pff, that's how the Captain always sounds when he talks to me, sir." replied Joker as he resumed making adjustments to the ship's flight path.
"I can't possibly imagine why," quipped Alenko just as both N#s began walking back down the corridor towards the comm room.
"Looks like we're finally about to learn what's going on." Mason said quietly as he and Shepard once again passed the two rows of servicemen and women at their stations. Ahead of them, Navigator Pressly was having what seemed to be a heated conversation with someone over a personal line on the comm.
"I'm telling you, I just saw him. He just marched on by like he was on a mission."
"He's a Spectre, they're always on a mission," said a voice Mason and Shepard recognized to be that of Chief Engineer Adams.
"And we're getting dragged along right with him." groused the older man.
"Relax, Pressly. You're going to give yourself an ulcer," said Adams as he ended the conversation.
Noticing the N# operatives approaching, Pressly turned to both men and saluted. "Congratulations, sirs, it looks like we had a smooth run."
"Sounded like a fairly intense conversation a moment ago, Pressly," said Mason. "Is there anything wrong?"
"Oh, no sirs. It was just talk, nothing to concern yourselves with."
"Speak your mind, Pressly." Shepard encouraged, "I'd like to know if there's going to be an issue."
The navigator relented, almost a little too easily. "This whole situation just doesn't add up, sirs. If this were a simple shakedown run and test of the stealth systems, the brass wouldn't have sent Captain Andersen. Then there's the Spectre...a Turian Spectre. Spectres are elite covert operatives of the Citadel, the best of the best, they don't send them on mundane operations like this...something isn't right here and it's got me really concerned."
Viktor frowned internally after hearing the navigator talk, the subtle but definite undertones of Xenophobia tainting Pressly's words. While stationed on an Alliance vessel this wouldn't be much of an issue, but if a prolonged interspecies operation ever came up there could be trouble. The possibility did exist however that such a mission could actually help the older man overcome his prejudices. Either way, as Shepard promised to find everything that he could, Mason reluctantly made a mental note to keep an eye on the older man.
Continuing on to the comm room, Mason's darkening mood lessened somewhat as he heard Corporal Jenkins having an animated conversation with Doctor Chakwas, his description of Spectres probably being more accurate than the good Doctor was willing to admit and/or believe at the moment.
As Mason and Shepard approached, both the Doctor and Corporal turned to address the two N#s, the later saluting as he asked, "What do you think, sirs? There's gotta be more to this than a simple shakedown run. Then there's Nihlus, no way the Citadel Council would send one of their Spec-ops agents on anything like this."
"What do we know about the Spectres?" asked Shepard.
"Spectres are the right hand of the Citadel Council," replied Chakwas. "They've been given authority to move freely through known space to maintain galactic peace."
"By any means necessary, Doc," Jenkins added, "Spectres aren't bound by any laws, they can do whatever want without any fear of repercussion."
"Sounds a bit risky in my opinion," said Mason, a slight frown forming on his face, "What's to stop one from abusing those powers?"
"They may not be bound by any laws, but they are watched fairly closely." explains Jenkins, "The minute one starts to signs of going rogue, another Spectre or group of them are sent to reel'em in."
"Why don't we have any of our own people in there?" was Shepard's next question.
Again, Chakwas answered first, "Spectres are made up of members from the Council Races, as such they maintain a level of anonymity due to all three race's spheres of influence."
A light seemed to go off in Jenkins head, which he then gave word to, "Hey Commander, both you and the Lieutenant would make good Spectres. The both of you are easily two of the best soldiers in the Alliance."
Mason blinked when at the Corporal's statement finished leaving his lips. Under normal circumstances it would have sounded like wishful thinking, but then everything about the last several days had been far from normal. Though he may not have realized it, Jenkins had introduced a piece of information Mason hadn't considered, the new variables causing a cascade of new possibilities... after all were they not on a vessel that would be perfect for the operations a Spectre may go on?
The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, and if he was right Shepard was in for a big surprise in a little bit.
Nodding to himself, Viktor filed all the new information away and fully returned his attention to the task at hand as Jenkins finished an almost frantic rant.
"...I can't wait for some real action!"
"Hah! I sincerely hope your joking Corporal," Chakwas scolded lightly, "Your idea of action usually ends with me putting marines back together in the Med-bay."
"You need to calm down, Jenkins. A good soldier always keeps his cool no matter what happens." Shepard stated evenly, though a faint smirk was on his lips at the young Corporal's sheepish expression. Mason wasn't as controlled as the Commander as he was chuckling lightly, while the Doctor smiled warmly.
Viktor then remembered something that Jenkins had said a while ago in the mess hall, "Jenkins, you're from Eden Prime aren't you? Anything of particular note we should watch for when we arrive?"
Scratching the back of his head, the Corporal replied in a puzzled tone, "Nothing I can really think of, sir. Eden Prime is one of our most stable colonies, probably why it was chosen for the shakedown. There isn't anything there aside from the colony itself, nothing that would interest a Spectre. That's what has me so wound up...I can't wait for the real mission to begin!"
"Just treat this like any other mission you've been on and you'll do fine." said Shepard before glancing at his younger counterpart. "That said, the Captain is waiting for us, carry on."
With a nod and a salute, the Doctor and Corporal began to return to their respective posts and the two N#s continued to the comm room.
"I know that look. You figured something out, didn't you Viktor." Said the Commander. It wasn't a question.
"Yep." was the only response.
"You're not going to tell me either."
"Nope."
"...I hope you realize I hate you with the fire of a thousand suns, Viktor." growled Shepard as they neared the comm room door.
"Don't worry, boss." Viktor drawled, an unrepentant grin plastered onto his face. "You won't have to wait too long."
With a faint hiss, almost worthy of any Star Trek episode, the door opened to the comm room... revealing the solitary form of Nihlus Kryik viewing some images of, Viktor and Shepard guessed, their destination: Eden Prime.
Hearing them enter the room, the Turian turned and greeted the two soldiers, "Ah, Commander, Lieutenant, I'm glad the two of you arrived first, there are some things I wanted to discuss with you."
"What about?" Shepard asked, trying to maintain an impassive look, though the somewhat smug look on his younger comrade's face made that somewhat difficult.
"I'm curious about this world, Eden Prime. I've heard it's become something of a symbol for your species, though I'd like to hear your opinion on it."
"They say it's a paradise."
"I've been there once." started Viktor, an eyebrow raised as he wondered where Nihlus was going with this. "Shepard's assessment is right on the money...even considering retiring there once I tire of military life."
"Yes, a paradise...beautiful...serene...safe. But I wonder how safe it is." said the dark skinned Turian as he circled both operatives, the white face paint making the statements somewhat sinister. "The galaxy is a very big place gentlemen, and humanity has yet to find its place in it."
Before either man could voice a reply to the Spectre's comments, the door to the comm room opened once again and Captain Andersen entered.
"I think it's time we told the Commander and the Lieutenant what's really going on." Andersen stated, his features relaxing somewhat as if a burden was being lifted from his shoulders.
"This is more than a simple shakedown run." Nihlus confirmed, returning to his original spot in the room facing both N#s, an all business tone filling his voice as he gestured for the Captain to continue.
"Some ruins were found on Eden Prime a few weeks ago," began Andersen "In the course of the dig they found a beacon near the center of the site...it was Prothean."
A low whistle came from Viktor as Shepard asked what all the secrecy was all about. Internally, the dormant archeologist within him began to stir, the prospect of being able to study any symbols on the artifact while in transit to the Citadel was enough to-
Wait. The Captain said that the site had been found a couple weeks ago...if I'm right with this line of thinking that means...oh no.
The color began to drain from Viktor's face as he turned to the Captain, "Sir, may I ask who's in charge of the dig site at this moment?"
Not noticing the distress on the younger man's face or the sharp intake from Shepard, Andersen gave the answer that the younger soldier was dreading to hear. "Your parents and one of your older sisters, Karen I believe, are on site. Why, is there some sort of...?"
The Captain's voice trailed off as he saw Mason visibly slump and groan while Shepard palmed his face and shook his head. Both Nihlus and Andersen looked at each other with questioning looks, then back to Mason and Shepard.
"Judging by your reactions, I get the feeling that something was left out of your personnel file and Shepard knows what that might be." Nihlus said, confusion clearly filled his voice. "Truth be told I thought you would be happy to get a chance to see your family without having to request leave, is there something wrong?"
"I can explain that," Shepard began, as he looked over to Viktor in sympathy as he continued, "Mason's family has been involved in archeology since the late nineteenth century... every single member. Viktor is the first who broke away from that path, and not all of his family members were particularly happy about it, his parents and sister Karen being the worst."
Grimacing as he realized that he might have thrown a potential monkey wrench into the mission, Andersen turned to Mason, "You have my apologies Mason, I had no idea there might be issues when I suggested your name for the mission. I can arrange things so you can have as little contact with them as possible to avoid an incident."
Sighing, Viktor straightened and shook his head, "That won't be necessary, sir. I gave up trying to make peace with them years ago. As much as I'd rather not to, it would be better if I talked to them. Hopefully my being there will be enough of an olive branch to convince my family that the brass respects them as well as the archeological community and their methods."
Andersen nodded at the younger officer, glad to see that Mason would still try to maintain the peace as best he could, then continued with the final, and possibly most important part of the meeting. "On a lighter note, Nihlus isn't only here to represent the Council's interest in the Beacon... he's here to evaluate both of you."
Shepard and Viktor blinked at this, the former in confusion and the latter in surprise.
"Both of us, sir? Shepard, I can understand... but me? I'm not that sure I'm a good choice for such an honor."
"Honor? Mason? Sir, what are you talking about?"
"Humanity has been pushing this for a long time, Commander. We want more say with the Council. The Spectres represent the will of the Council, if they accept humans into their ranks, it will show how far humanity has come." Pride filled his voice as he addressed both younger officers.
"Both of you have show the skills and the determination for what it means to be a Spectre. Shepard, you held off an entire battalion of pirates and slavers single-handedly until reinforcements arrived, and you Mason, survived alone, while on foot, against Thresher Maws on Akuze, as well as earning the respect of the STG during a joint-op two years ago, I'd say that merits you being worthy." said Nihlus, his mandibles spread in the Turian equivalent of a smile, "It was those events as well as several other traits that convinced me to put both of your names forward for joining the Spectres."
"I have to say I'm surprised that a Turian would do that, considering our races history." stated Shepard, internally laughing at Viktor as he realized the younger officer hadn't been completely right about in assumptions for the briefing.
"You'd be surprised how many of my people see the potential humanity has. Eden Prime will be the first of several missions together, though if you continue as you have been, I don't see any reason why either of you shouldn't be accepted."
Both soldiers looked at each other, a whirl of varying emotions going through their minds as they then came to an unspoken agreement and nodded.
"I think I speak for both of us when I say we're honored, sir." said Shepard, both he and Mason standing a little straighter as the weight of the implication rested upon their shoulders.
Proud, Andersen nodded to both officers, "I think we should be arriving at Eden..."
"Captain! We have a problem." Joker's voice suddenly erupted from the intercom speakers.
"What is it, Joker?"
"We just got a distress call from Eden Prime, sir. You better see this."
"Put it on screen Joker." came the Captain's clipped command as he and the three other men in the room turned towards the main screen.
Static filled the screen for a moment before the sound of weapons fire and the images of combat appeared. A female soldier ran into view before shoving the cameraman down into cover and opening fire on their unknown assailants. The camera then turned towards the CO of the squad as he began relaying information about the attack between waves of static and then requesting evac until a noise unlike anything any of them had heard before filled the room's speakers. The camera then spun towards the source of the sound, focusing on what appeared to be an enormous hand reaching down from the heavens then returning to ground level before cutting out entirely, leaving only static.
"That's the end of it, sir." Joker's subdued voice then said, "After that it just goes dead."
"Reverse and hold at 38.5." ordered Andersen, the image of the strange ship filling the screen again. None of the men in the room said a word as they studied the image, an unknown sensation of dread filling their hearts the longer they looked at it. The Captain all but barked his next command, "Status Report!"
"Still 17 minutes out from Eden Prime, sir. No other Alliance vessels in the area."
"Shepard, Mason, tell Alenko and Jenkins to suit up and meet in the cargo hold." Andersen ordered the two Spec-Ops before turning back to the screen. "Take us in fast and quiet, Joker. This mission just got a whole lot harder."
The next 10 minutes became a blur of activity as the Normandy's crew went into a frenzy for the upcoming combat drop. Mason barely registered it all, trying to keep his mind busy lest the fear for his family consume him, for while he had little contact with them, Viktor sure as hell did not wish ill upon his parents or Karen.
It was then that noticed that Jenkins was having trouble getting the last of his armor on, dropping pieces and cursing in his haste to get his kit on. In spite of all the thoughts running through his head at that moment, Viktor could not help but smile slightly at the Corporal's plight. That smile disappeared quickly however, knowing that Jenkins had the same thoughts and fears running rampant through his mind, and so Viktor moved to help the younger soldier.
"Easy Corporal, let me help you with that." Viktor said calmly as he took the left shoulder pauldron from Jenkins' shaking hands before snapping it into place.
"Thank you, sir." said Jenkins, his breath short and nervous. All the bravado and enthusiasm he had had not a half an hour ago was gone, replaced with the icy grip of dread and the fear for his loved ones on the rapidly approaching planet.
A few moments of silence passed before Viktor said anything more to the younger soldier. "It's the same for everyone during their first real combat drop."
"Sir?"
"The fear, everyone who has ever gone into combat for the first time has felt it, even me and Shepard. However, even though the fear is there, that does not mean you should let it control you, instead use it... your senses are at their highest at this point. You have said that you want to prove yourself to the brass, this is your moment, are you ready?"
Jenkins closed his eyes and considered Mason's words to him, then took a deep calming breath and answered, "Oorah."
A proud grin burst onto Mason's face at the Corporal's answer. "Atta boy, now let's go kick ass, Keelah sa'lai!"
Determination turned to confusion as the Corporal blinked at Viktor's last statement, causing the Lieutenant, whose own tensions were now lessened, to laugh before explaining, "Quarian blessing, I'll tell you some others after the mission's done over some drinks...your tab."
"Wha-! Why my tab?"
"Because I'm you superior officer, that's why. Welcome to Special Operations, kid!" Viktor then turned, laughing as he moved to the front of the cargo bay where Shepard and Alenko stood waiting, shaking their heads in amusement. Jenkins quickly followed after a few moments as he saw the Captain exit the elevator with Nihlus not far behind him, prepping his own gear.
As Andersen approached them he nodded approvingly at Mason for talking to Jenkins before he began addressing them.
"Your team's the muscle in this operation, Shepard." Anderson began. "Go heavy and head straight for the dig site."
"What about survivors, Captain?" Alenko asked.
"Helping survivors is a secondary objective." Anderson stated. "The beacon's your top priority!"
"Approaching drop point-one." Joker reported as the cargo bay doors opened, wind howling and whistling in as they did.
"Nihlus! You coming with us?" Jenkins called over the roar of the wind.
"I move faster on my own!" the Turian shouted back, checking the sights on his assault rifle before jogging to the open ramp. He jumped out as the Normandy slowed.
"Nihlus will scout out ahead." Anderson elaborated. "He'll feed you status reports throughout the mission. Otherwise, I want radio silence."
"We've got his back, Captain." called out Shepard as Mason answered with a nod.
"The mission's yours now, Shepard! Good luck!" Anderson called.
"We are approaching drop point-two." Joker reported as Shepard, Mason, Alenko, and Jenkins got into position. Below them, the blur of green slowly began to give way to individual leaves and branches before an empty clearing opened before them; a small ridge surrounded by rocks and boulders their destination.
Without even waiting for the ship to stop, all four men surged forward and leapt from the cargo bay, weapons at the ready as they hit the ground scanning for hostiles. It's delivery made, the Normandy quickly gained altitude and sped away for the area so not to draw attention to the ground team, the roar of the engines quickly replaced by the distant sound of gunfire and explosions.
"Jenkins, you recognize the area?" Shepard asked as he looked to the Corporal, who answered with a nod, "Then you've got point. Let's move people, double time!"
The Corporal needed little prodding, bounding forward with his rifle shouldered, the officers not far behind. Several minutes of near silence followed as the quartet of Alliance marines ran to the other side of the clearing until movement was detecting in a small depression off to their right.
"Good God, what are those!" yelped Alenko as he trained his pistol onto the large creatures floating lazily within the depression near a small pool of water.
"Gas bags, sir." explained Jenkins as he passed the strange animals without even looking. "Local wildlife, completely harmless. They're kinda like sheep or cattle."
Viktor could not help but snicker at the Staff Lieutenant as he sheepishly (A/N: no pun intended) turned his attention back to the path before. The humor of the moment evaporated not long afterward as they moved along the path however, as the bodies of two dead civilians, one male and the other female, lay where they had been shot down by the still unknown enemy.
It was a sight no soldier ever wanted to see, and all three officers could see it especially affected Jenkins, who gasped in horror as he recognized the who the civilians were, then growled in anger and gripped his rifle tighter before tearing himself away for the sight and proceeding on.
Minutes later Shepard, who had swapped with Jenkins as they found a well used trail that lead up through the trees to the colony, brought his fist up to halt the team as multiple new contacts appeared on his helmet's HUD, all heading in their direction...fast.
With several quick well rehearsed gestures, the Commander directed the squad into cover behind nearby boulders, weapons primed as the contacts approached...55 feet...50 feet...at 40 feet the contacts burst from the underbrush, revealing themselves as seven more civilians...three men and four young women, all of whom caused another sharp intake of breath from Jenkins.
They weren't alone.
A low buzz filled air as four flying drones of unknown make came into view, weapons flashing as they began firing upon the civilians, hitting one of the young women, a brunette, in the leg, causing her to fall with a scream of pain and terror.
"Meg, NO!" Jenkins yelled as he broke cover and charged forward firing his rifle on full auto. The drones, detecting a greater threat, redirected their fire at the Corporal, his shields flickering from the hail of accelerator rounds.
"Covering fire!" Shepard shouted, as he too rose from cover, loosing controlled burst of fire from his rifle, Alenko and Mason right behind him.
By this time Jenkins had reached the fallen young woman's position, standing between her and the incoming fire from the drones, whose numbers had now doubled and still focused on him. The Corporal had just popped a spent thermal clip when his shields finally gave out, the enemy rounds tearing through his armor and shredding his insides, but still he stood and fired. The rest of the squad's fire had made a difference by this point, and soon the last drone exploded into a pile of scrap, but the damage was already done.
Corporal Richard L. Jenkins painfully turned to face the people behind him, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. He saw that his actions had not been in vain, all the civilians, his friends, were still alive. The last of his strength spent, the soldier smiled one last time before he slumped to his knees...and saw only light. (3)
Mason, Shepard, and Alenko saluted the fallen soldier, knowing he was already dead before they even got close to him and began tending the young woman, who wailed in grief, the engagement ring she wore giving off a dull glint in the fading light.
"The rounds tore right through his shields," Alenko murmured as he closed the Corporal's eyes, "He never had a chance."
Shepard was silent for a moment as Mason redistributed Jenkins' weapons and thermal clips to a couple of the civilians before they left, heading to some safe haven in the hills.
"We'll see to it he gets a proper burial after the mission." Shepard stated evenly, "But I need you to stay focused."
"Aye-aye, sir."
Mason looked down to the Corporal's body one last time as Nihlus gave a status report and bowed his head, "Farewell, tovarisch. Know that you will not be forgotten."
Words said, the three officers continued on, faces set and woe betide those who caused this dark day to pass.
Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams saw the opening she had been waiting for and bolted for the far more defensible several meters away. As she ran, Williams heard the telltale buzz of the Geth gun drones that had been hunting anything organic speed towards her. A shot clipped her shields in the shoulder area causing her to loose her balance, which she in turn used the momentum from to go into a roll, grabbing her pistol and shooting the drones from the sky with several well-aimed shots. The drones destroyed, Williams had the chance to see what the two Geth troopers were doing to the stunned colonist she had seen them drag away moments before.
Placing the still alive man onto a strange, four legged device, the poor man barely regained his senses before, as Williams watched in horror, a large metal spike erupted from the device and through his chest, lifting him a dozen feet into the air. The man twitched several times before finally stilling, and the two Geth who had committed this turned in her direction. Scrambling to her feet, Ashley ran behind the boulder that was her initial destination and drew her assault rifle, quickly checking to see how many shots she had left on this clip as she panted heavily for breath.
The number fifteen with the rapidly blinking word 'reload' was what answered her...shit.
Ashley had spare clips on her, but her enemies, being machines, would be able to shrug off all but the most accurate of her shots...oh look there's thirteen more coming up the path from the dig site. Major FUBAR.
Steeling herself, the dark haired woman planned to take as many of these synthetic bastards with her when the first shots rang out and two grey armored forms ran up to her position, one clad in unadorned medium armor while the other wore heavy armor with red stripes trailing down the right arm and center of the helmet...the white marking N7 printed on the right side of the chestplate... and the pips of a Lieutenant Commander at his neck.
"Light'em up!" shouted the man in N7 armor as his assault rifle as well as the medium armored man's spat fire at the approaching Geth. The lighter staccato of two machine pistols firing joined their shots as Ashley ducked back down to pop the now spent clip for a fresh one, and she then saw a third man, also clad in heavy armor, circling up the side of the other nearby rock face.
What she saw next caused her jaw to drop.
Instead of dropping into cover, the third man continued to run along the rocks, machine pistols in either hand, then using biotics began to bound up and over the sheer wall and then leapt into the approaching group of Geth. The mono-eyed synthetics were caught completely flat-footed by the unorthodox maneuver and as he landed, the dual wielding soldier began to do something Ashley had only ever seen done in old action movies...gun kata.
As Ashley watched the man literally became a whirling dervish of death as he ducked and turned in a complex series of movements, both pistols spitting fire. The Geth troopers did not last very long against the combined fire from the other soldiers and the, in Ashley's opinion, insane gunslinger and soon silence fell upon the area. Shaking herself back into focus, Williams stowed her weapon, turned to the Lieutenant Commander, and saluted.
With a flick of his wrists, Viktor ejected the spent thermal clips from his M-4 Shurikens (4), both clips nearly igniting as they hit open air, and the auto-loader mod on the guns slid fresh ones into their places. This was, however, an ingrained action as his mind was in multi-task mode, partly listening to Chief Williams give the sitrep, scanning the area for anymore hostiles, and trying to figure out the Geth's presence on Eden Prime.
What the hell are they doing beyond the Veil? he wondered. Viktor knew who their opponents were; when he was younger a Quarian on Pilgrimage had come to the digsite his family was at to help maintain some of the equipment. During that time, the Masons learned a little bit of the exiled race's history and were even shown images of those who banished them... but this knowledge did nothing to answer any of Viktor's questions. They haven't been seen in three hundred years so why...The Beacon...it has to be! Somehow these flashlight heads got wind of it and they want whatever's on it!
A wave of pain then swept through the N5 operative's head, causing small lights to momentarily dance through his vision and elicit a grunt from his throat, thus in turn catching the attention of the other soldiers present.
"You okay over there, Mason?" asked Shepard, concern lacing his voice while Williams started in surprise and Alenko prepared to administer first aid before being waved off by the younger soldier.
"Y-yeah, I'm ok. Using heightened spatial awareness, an adrenal boost, and biotics all at once equals bad juju headache. Just need a few seconds and I'm good to go, boss," replied Viktor, shaking his head slightly to clear it.
Shepard nodded slowly, not entirely convinced, but knowing they had to get going and gave the order to move out.
As the party advanced, Williams moved up to Viktor's side, head on a swivel and rifle tracking. "Excuse me sir, I realize this isn't the best of times, do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Yes, I am Viktor Mason, the backstabbing little brother that Karen no doubt told you about." replied the dark blue haired Lt., chuckling humorlessly at the surprise written on the Gunnery Chief's face as her head snapped in his direction. "I saw your reaction to my name earlier, and knowing my parents and sister, they've been quite vocal about my choices from a few years back."
"Uh, actually sir, I was going to ask about what you did back there with the Geth," stated Williams, fidgeting uncomfortably at Viktor's words. "I never really paid attention to your family's rants about the military. Sorry if I've struck a sore subject, sir."
"Oh." said Viktor as he blinked, derailed by the Chief's admission. "Well, it's kinda a complex to explain fully, but the short run of it is as I said earlier. I'll give a more detailed explanation after we survive this." That said the party continued in silence to the dig site.
Arriving there, more Geth attempted to ambush the squad, though there were only half as many as the last fight and the four soldiers made quick work of eliminating them. Of course this is when the current events decided to throw them another curve ball.
In other words, no Prothean Beacon.
The three officers from the Normandy turned to the white-and-pink armor clad Chief, seeking an answer.
"The research team must have moved the Beacon to the camp before the attack. It's just beyond the ridge, up that path over there," said Ashley as she pointed to a gentle slope about twelve meters to the north, the top of which was obscured by rocks.
The squad then began to advance by twos, swapping each time one group made it to cover until they reached the top of the path...and saw what remained of the camp.
The icy fingers of dread began to clench tightly around Viktor's heart as they moved through the wreckage littering the ground. Bodies lay amongst the damaged and destroyed equipment in the area, several of them being people he knew from when he was younger. Off to one side were more of the strange spike devices, all of them occupied by a body.
Approaching the macabre sight, it was then that the true purpose of the spikes was revealed. With the same speed as which they raised their victims up, the spikes retracted back into themselves, lower the bodies back to the ground.
And then, with chilling moans, the dead rose once more.
"Oh God...they're still alive!" said Alenko, mounting horror clear in his voice as the bodies, lines of what appeared to be circuitry running down them, began to shamble towards the squad.
"What did the Geth do to them?" came the strained voice of Williams, just as appalled as she realized this would have been her fate as well if not for Shepard and the others.
Shepard knew what had to come next and grimly looked to Viktor for a moment before he shouldered his rifle and took aim at the blue and gray skinned abominations.
For the younger N5 operative, seeing the faces of friends turned into ghastly synthetic visions of undeath, there was only one word that could express his feelings right now.
Rage.
Pure, unrelenting Rage.
A mere minute later it was over, and the corpses of these things, these Husks, joined the rest of the fallen, hopefully now at peace. Viktor stood over them, still shaking in rage as he remembered all of those murdered and desecrated by the Geth. The only consolation he took from the whole ordeal was that his family was not among them.
Alenko then called out to the squad that he had found some survivors in a nearby shed. Running over Viktor recognized both researchers, a man and a woman, as two of his parent's oldest friends and colleagues.
"Doctor Warren, Doctor Manuel, are you both alright?" asked Viktor as he jogged towards them causing the woman, Doctor Warren, to start in astonishment.
"Viktor? By the Maker, you're here! I never thought..." she began, but was interrupted by the younger soldier.
"Later! Have you seen my parents and Karen at all?" concern for his family overriding military training.
Nodding, the female archeologist answered, "Yes, they were heading towards the spaceport about fifteen minutes before all... this began."
Turning to Shepard, the selfish thought had barely formed when Viktor met the Commander's gaze, understanding in those blue orbs.
"Go. We'll get the info we need and make sure these two are safe, then be right behind you."
As though he had been fired from a mass accelerator, Viktor became a blur of grey as the last word exited the older officer's mouth.
He may have disappointed them, but by all the Gods he would not fail them.
Nihlus had seen many things in his life as a Spectre, both awe inspiring and terrible, but nothing compared to seeing the dead rise. Such things should only exist in literature and holo-vids, never, EVER, in the real world.
The fact that the Geth, emotionless machines of cold logic, had the ability, let alone the will, to create such horrors shook the Turian to his very core.
The area was quiet now, unnaturally so. The signs of rapid activity marked the terrain in the forms of torn up dirt, tipped over crates, and the scoring of weapons fire. The lightest of breezes moved weakly through the approach to the spaceport, as if nature itself was too afraid to touch this area...which in turn caused Nihlus' danger sense to go haywire.
He didn't know when he developed this particular skill, though thinking on it, it was probably more instinctual than anything else. Still, whenever something was the slightest bit off, Nihlus' fringe would begin to itch (5), increasingly so if the situation didn't improve.
Like now, as he drew closer to the spaceport.
Pausing for a moment in his current cover, Nihlus opened his comm link to give the potential first human Spectres another update. "Shepard, Mason, I've reached the spaceport. I'm going to go ahead and see if-" The faint sound of movement came from the top of a nearby stairway. "Stand by, I may have found something."
Keeping low to the ground, the dark skinned Turian bolted from the rocks he was using for cover to the side of a raised platform next to the stairs. Pressing his body against the concrete, the Spectre crept to the stairway, eyes scanning the area around him for threats.
The itch became more pronounced with each step.
Reaching the stairs, Nihlus could clearly identify the sounds as slow footsteps...as if owner of said feet was looking for something. Drawing a calming breath, Nihlus gripped his assault rifle tighter and surged up the stairs, taking aim at the figure walking around, one he did not expect however.
"Saren?" astonishment was clear in the young Turian's voice as he saw the visage of his old friend and teacher, Saren Arterius.
Turning, the living legend amongst the Spectre's met his former protégé's gaze. "Nihlus."
"What are you doing here?" asked Nihlus as he straightened and walked forward, the itch in his fringe was becoming almost unbearable, suddenly turning into a dull burn as Saren stepped towards him and patted his still normal right hand on the younger Turian's shoulder.
"The Council thought you could use some help on this." Saren simply stated, almost as if he were talking about the weather and the attack was not happening at all. A single pistol hung from the left hip of his blue-gray hardsuit, the only noticeable weapon on his person.
"The situation is bad, I never expected to see the Geth here," said Nihlus, all the while his danger sense was all but screaming at him when his former mentor was behind him. Something was way off, for one thing where were the Geth and why was Saren able to walk around like nothing was going on at all. Then there were the cybernetics on the old Turian. They were far more advanced looking than they had been a few months ago when Nihlus had last seen his old mentor, looking very Geth-like in their level of sophistication.
What Saren said next was far more ominous than reassuring.
"Don't worry...I've taken care of everything."
In another place and time, this was the end of Nihlus Kryik's story. However, all it takes to change the outcome of any given scenario is to change any one of multiple different variables. For example, if a lazy, easily frightened dock worker was replaced by someone, or perhaps by multiple someone's, of a different personality, a whole series of events can be altered.
Such was the case just as Nihlus began to turn to face the older Spectre when the warning came, loud and in a clearly feminine voice.
"LOOK OUT!"
Minutes earlier
Viktor covered the ground between the research camp and the port in a fraction of the time a normal person on foot would have taken. The key to this accomplishment lay in the fact that he was not even bothering to use the paths wrought by the colonists, instead using his biotics to leap over any obstacles he encountered.
The only time he had paused in his race to the port was when he saw the unknown vessel that was seen in the distress call, the ship in question, if the scanners in his helmet were right, being two kilometers in length.
His mind was still boggling at the sheer impossibility of that fact when the port came into view, the shape of the creeping Nihlus as well when the Spectre gave his update. Checking his HUD, Viktor saw that Shepard and the rest of the team were enroute then followed the Turian's path through cover. Viktor was about three-fourths of the way there when he heard the screamed warning, the report of a pistol, another scream before a faint thud, bursts of assault rifle fire and more pistol shots, then silence.
Abandoning stealth, Viktor sprinted up the stairs and beheld the aftermath of the firefight moments before. Nihlus leaned upright against a crate, a bleeding hole where his left eye once was and continued through the cheek bone to the back of his head, as well as several other wounds to his body. By some form of miracle the shot had been just off to one side enough for the Turian to survive what could even kill a Krogan. A wet gurgle issued from the Spectre's mouth as the younger soldier administered a double dose of medi-gel to the wound, Nihlus' remaining eye meeting Viktor's storm cloud grey orbs before looking to point opposite of them as he gestured with his free hand. Following the gaze and pointed talon, Viktor was greeted to a sight he didn't want to see.
Karen, his elder sister, lying limp upon the unforgiving concrete, just below a noticeable dent in the crate behind her.
The Turian shoved at the younger of the two Spectre aspirants, his mouth still not working properly enough to say "go." Needing little further prodding, Viktor dashed over to Karen, omni-tool scanning as he got close. He almost wept in relief when it only detected minor fractures along her spine and a cut on her forehead. The brown haired woman began to stir as her younger brother gently turned her to apply some medi-gel.
"Oh, go away dad, I have a headache," she mumbled out, somewhat disoriented from the impact with the crate.
"Heh, that's the least of your problems right now, sis." Viktor said amusedly as he kept her from moving when she heard his voice. "Easy Karen, you got thrown into a crate and left your mark...literally. I gave you a dose of military grade medi-gel, give it a minute and you'll be alright." A shuffling sound came from in between two crates and the N5 operative looked up to see his parents move out of the shadows cautiously. The tension began to bleed out of Viktor when he saw them, now knowing that they were safe for the moment.
Any further attempt at communication was halted as a screeching/grinding noise filled the air and was then replaced by a dull roar. Turning in the direction of the sound, the small group of humans and one Turian watched as the massive ship began to climb into the sky, whatever purpose brought it here fulfilled. As the noise died down, Viktor then caught something on his suit's scanners.
"Aw hell, we'll have to wait on the tearful reunion for the moment," the N5 said darkly. "My suit's sensors are picking up movement heading our way, and I don't think they're friendly."
"We can hide in between these crates here." supplied Viktor's father, Robert, "They reach all the way back to the wall."
Nodding, Viktor already had a defense plan forming, and gestured to the his father as he moved back over to the wounded Spectre
As his mother, Helen, helped his sister to her feet, Viktor and his father moved to either side of the Spectre and carefully hoisted him up. Retreating to the more defensible position as stated by the professor, the dark haired young man reached to the side of his helmet, radio silence was a moot point now and he could only do so much by himself.
"Shepard, it's Mason. The cat's out of the bag, boss. I've got wounded with me and a lot of flashlight heads coming my way, get your ass down here!"
Reaching the opening between crates, Viktor handed the severely wounded Nihlus off to his father fully and turned to face the first wave of Geth, pistols leaping into his hands and biotics flaring. Phasic and standard rounds then began to fill the air, and for the second time that day he became a whirling dervish, the words of a Salarian STG Captain he knew flitted through his mind.
He would hold the line.
Saren Arterius was seething. All of his plans were on a razor's edge of being discovered now that stupid boy, Nihlus, had seen him and survived the encounter. Oh, he had contingency plans, but now the most believable ones were useless all because of him and that little human bitch.
Then there were the names he heard in that short comm burst on Nihlus' frequency as he made his way to the Beacon. Shepard and Mason.
Only one of them was supposed to be evaluated by the younger Spectre...one, not both!
Nearing the platform with the Beacon on it, the Reaper enhanced Turian turned to one of the Geth Troopers guarding the area. "Set the charges and destroy the colony. Leave nothing behind."
The Geth moved to fulfill the orders given while Saren stepped up to the activated Beacon and was lifted into the air. No one would stop him, he would not fail.
A burst of fire and the last of the Geth fell to the ground, mono-eye flickering before going completely dark. Panting, Viktor dropped his nearly spent pistol and removed his helmet as he flopped into a sitting position, the veins on his forehead bulging under his skin as his vision swam through now bloodshot eyes. Several bleeding wounds peppered his body from when his shields failed, none of them were serious but he didn't have anymore medi-gel.
The Armory Chief and Doctor Chakwas were probably going to kill him once this was all over.
"I thought this looked like your work." Shepard stated in amusement as he reached the final step on the stairway, Alenko and Williams not far behind, the former letting out a low whistle and the latter with her jaw agape at the sight before them.
All told, over thirty Geth of varying types had attempted to assault the cargo pad Viktor had found his family and the wounded Spectre on. Synthetic bodies were piled at the two other entrances to the pad, one being partially closed off by a large crate that had been smashed down onto the ground...and while they weren't organic, the limbs sticking out from beneath the crate was still a slightly disturbing sight.
Viktor cleared his throat to bring attention back to a rather important matter at hand, voice suddenly hoarse, "As much as I like basking in the praise of how freaking awesome I am under duress, I would like to point out that I'm out of medi-gel and still bleeding here guys."
Alenko quickly ran to the side of the N5 operative and began to administer first aid, omni-tool bringing up a fairly long list of injuries upon the younger officer's body. During this, the rest of the Mason family moved left the safety of the shadows, bringing the mutilated Spectre with them. Seeing them approach, the dark skinned biotic waved them over as Shepard and Williams swept the area for possible threats.
"Will he be alright?" asked Helen Mason, motherly concern prevalent in her voice.
"None of his injuries are life threatening, Ma'am," Alenko assured the dark haired woman before turning to Shepard, "However, he's not going to be able to do much more for the rest of the mission, even with medi-gel. Frankly I'm amazed he's still awake, the suit's medical stasis field should have kicked in once it detected an all clear from the radar."
"I turned it off." Viktor slurred matter-of-factly, the veins on his forehead still pulsing, "Damn thing nearly got me killed on Akuze, so I switched the sedatives for stims...had to...stay...awake..."
The world began to spin for a few moments before Viktor fell to his side, the shouts of alarm from all present muffled as oblivion claimed him.
Unknown location
He ran through the halls of the supposed to be abandoned factory, panic gripping his heart in a vice. Not ten minutes before he had received the report of events in the Exodus Cluster, and now the timetable had to be shortened even further than before if they were going to be ready in time. Bursting through the door to the main floor, the man skidded to a halt just as he was about to go over the railing, shouting at all the people at work in the massive room.
"Eden Prime's been attacked!"
Startled gasps, curses, and dropped tools rang out from all corners of the room, the workers stopping their various tasks and quickly jogging over to the man who made the announcement.
"Who did it?" one man asked, grease smudged over his face and bare arms, "Batarians?"
"No...worse..." panted the runner as he desperately tried to catch his breath. "The Geth."
Gasps and curses flew anew at that statement, and all eyes turned to leader of this hidden operation seeking guidance.
The face of the man they turned to became grim, his eyes closed for a moment in thought, then opened once more. "Alright, its obvious things have taken a turn for the worst so we're going to have to step it up even further. Half of you go home, NOW. Get rested, and then come back here and take over for those who remain. I know we only just got these things before they were scrapped, but we need to get them updated and ready for transport out of system yesterday. I know we're going to be pressing our luck for being found by the EA or ZAFT, but we have no choice...Now go!"
Five gantries stood behind the various technicians and mechanics listening to the orders given, within them stood five giants of metal in various stages of completion, ranging from seventeen meters to almost twenty meters in height. Several banks of computers were near the massive humanoid forms with numbers, names, and technical data for each machine on their screens. First and foremost was the progenitor of the entire line, the one that would also take the most work to complete.
It's name...GAT X-000 "Prometheus."
And so the first familiar (and at the same time not so familiar) chapter comes to a close. Consequences abound from the changes that occurred when but a few new individuals are introduced into the mix. What comes next...well, you're just going to wait for the next chapter, ne?
Author Notes/References:
1. For our new hero, Viktor, I decided to make a little bit of a multi-class character, like Shepard, and use the Sole Survivor background with a little modification to the timeline, for part of his back story. Like several other authors before me, I also intend to make use of all the equipment and training an N# would have access to (they are Special Forces after all and should not be bound by restrictions in the game classes!). More will be forthcoming as the story progresses.
2. I'm kinda shooting in the dark here for the Alliance's Intelligence Branch, and even though I could have just used ONI, I figured I'd try something a little different.
3. I always felt that Jenkins got the short end of the stick when it came to character deaths after having the conversation about Eden Prime being his homeworld and so decided to modify it a bit making his death somewhat more heroic, yet tragic at the same time, even though the canon version is very realistic in how war works.
4. Being as it doesn't give a date in the Codex's for when thermal clips were put into use, I've decided to slide them in during ME1 instead of the ME2 timeline. Since the Codex also says that the Geth came up them in the first place, it makes more sense that they would have started making thermal clips not long after the Quarians were driven from their home system and the rest of the galaxy eventually followed suit after learning about them.
5. This is a reference to a sci-fi book series I really enjoy. As a hint, the main character believes a certain Emperor has a strange sense of humor making him a hero (grins).
That all said, please leave a review...though please be gentle...otherwise if you flame, you're on the frontline when the first Reapers arrive (insert promising glare)