Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect. I don't own Crest of the Stars.

Chapter: After the fall

Timeline

Year 2207 – discovery of ruins on Mars. Ruins belonged to ancient race - Inusannon - which lived over 77 000 years before. With discovery, the technology of Mass Effect is implemented.

Year 2295 – establishment of first human colony outside solar system.

Year 2453 – Discovery of planar space traveling. Due to technology it's yet impossible for humans to travel that way. Human body is just not capable of withstanding planar space with current technology.

Year 2503 – Humanity creates Abh species. It's a greatly celebrated event that set course for humanity as creators. Even though there were some incidents from with more radical groups, humanity looks at their creation as their child. They nurture Abh, guide them and help them grow.

Year 3095 – creation of Asari species on Thessia. It's thirty-seventh species created by mankind.

Year 3103 – first contact with Prothean Empire. Empire send an ultimatum, stating that either Systems Alliance joins Empire and becomes Prothean or will be exterminated. Ultimatum was rejected. Beginning of Empire-Alliance war.

Year 3121 – Protheans conquer Thessia. Due to Empire's intervention Asari were not finished. Even through Empire left them alone on planet's surface, it is predicted that without finishing genetic modifications, Asari will die out due to inbreeding.

Year 3203 – hundred years after beginning of war. Even through superior technologically and numerically – Empire fails to conquer System Alliance.

Year 3451 – Empire-Alliance war still continues. Beginning of Reaper invasion.

Year 3544 – Creation and implementation of plan 'Seed'. Many hidden bunkers were created under colonies' surfaces. Inside, Alliance members were put into stasis. They were to be awakened after Reaper invasion.

Year 3580 – After destruction of all bunkers, plan 'Seed' is deemed a failure.

Year 3612 – Humanity witnessed 'harvest' of numerous of their children and fall of their worlds. It is now certain that humanity will fall. In last attempt to at least save their last children – Abh – a plan was devised. It was given code-name: "Last Hope". A special ships, which use planar space way of traveling were build. Even though improved, technology was still not refined enough for humans to survive in planar space – but Abh could.

Year 3618 – All human colonies are either abandoned or evacuated.

Year 3619 – Humanity gathered all their ships in solar system – the last bastion of humanity – luring in many Reapers. Abh were placed on planar space ferrying ships and forbidden from engaging enemy. They were not told of plan prior, only that they are to stay near the gates to Planar Space, on opposite site (of Solar system) to Mass Relay. Human's fleet engages Reapers. Hours after battle started, having drawn Reapers deep enough, High Admiral Steven Hackett transmits to Abh their orders and final will of humanity. Abh are to enter Planar Space and escape. After that their orders are simple: "Live". After transmitting the orders, human's fleet lunches Nova torpedo into Sun. Sun changes into super-nova, which completely eradicates both Human's and Reaper's fleets, as well as earth. Despairing Abh escape the dying system.

Year 3876 – Fall of Prothean Empire.

The awareness returned slowly.

"What time it is?"

That was his voice? His ears must be damaged due to long time in stasis.

"It's 48 768 years since you were put into hibernation technician Adrian Wierzbowski." The female AI voice said. If he remembered correctly her name was Apex.

"I slept that long?"

"The bunker was heavily damaged due to bombardment."

"…What's the status?" He asked alarmed. Just the slip in time – 40 Millennia - spoke volumes of how nastily bunker was damaged.

"All data is preserved..." Was it his imagination, or did AI just hesitated? "All pods were destroyed. Your was the only one I was able to somewhat recover."

"…What do you mean somewhat?" Adrian asked with suspicion.

"All medical rooms were destroyed. Modifications to your body were necessary, to ensure your survival."

"What have you done? Let me out!"

The stasis chamber opened. He exited and almost immediately fell. Then he noticed it – his skin was blue! He somewhat made it to bathroom and stud before mirror.

"I'm sorry Adrian. Only Asari material survived bombardment. That was only way to save you." Apex said, sounding apologetic.

Adrian looked at reflection not believing what he was seeing. True to AI words, mirror reflected blue, middle aged Asari.

"You changed me into Asari woman."

"Technically, Asari don't have genders. So saying that you're a woman now is technically incorrect. On the other hand Asari children refer to their parents as father and mother so with that thinking you could still be considered a man." Apex supplied.

"You're not helping."

"I'm… sorry. After 47 thousand years of solitude I may be ranting a little."

"I would go insane myself, after that long."

"You take your situation surprisingly well." AI noticed.

"I'm not… attached to this body. For me Adrian Wierzbowski died along with others. This… I consider a dream. Or an reincarnation."

Adrian suddied himself in mirror.

"You know, watching yourself like this could be considered perverted." Apex happily supplied. She did develop in strange direction.

"…I need to get a better feel of my body. It's center of balance is shifted, probably because of cleavage."

"That sounded so perverted."

"…I'm afraid to ask what you were exactly doing for last 40 thousand years."

"…I'm trying to make a joke to help with adaptation. What will you do now?"

"…Humans are extinct. The only thing I can do is to fight Reapers. .. What is our status and what's going on outside?""

"I have been monitoring outside environment and have complete report."

Adrian nodded.

120 years ago Geth drove out their creators - Quarian, from Rannoch. Asari Republics fight politically between themselves and all Asari frown upon Ardat-Yakshi – Adrian was so disappointed with his… hers children. Krogan are trying to kill themselves and everyone around. Turians hold their colonies in iron grip. Hanar worship… Protheans (She still cannot stop laughing from how they are perceived today – a peace loving race. Well, at least they're remembered. Humanity was completely forgotten). Salarians spy on everybody…

How a hell to prepare this quarreling people for Reaper invasion?!

"First thing, I need money and ship. Then I need to acquire enough influence to sway Citadel Council. And new name. Adrian Wierzbowski doesn't sound exactly Asari."

"May I propuse 'San'Yaga T'Estari'."

"…Good as any other. When I have a ship I will try to get us a first ally."

"Who?" Apex asked.

"The most logical species of course. The one that will help us when we show them proof."

San'Yaga looked at AI's holographic avatar.

"I'm going to recruit Geth."