Title: Dark Effect 1 - chapter 1
Author: written and translated by Servala, corrected by InuDran
Game: Mass Effect
characters: Liara T´Soni, Aria T´Loak, Jane Shepard, Tali´Zorah, Benezia
Disclaimer: Mass Effect and its assets belong to Electronic Arts and BioWare.
No copyright infringement intended.

a mirror universe FanFiction based upon the Mass Effect Universe

****

In the year 2148 explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient space faring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artifacts revealed starting new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The base for this incredible technology was a force controlled by the very fabric of space and time.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it...

Mass Effect.

But mankind quickly discovered that the galaxy was nothing like they thought.

They there caught in the crossfire of a violent battle

Between the network of an unknown, known only as the Shadow Broker

and

the resistance.

The only chance for humanity, not only to survive, but to grow and a get a foot in the galaxy

Lies on the shoulders of one woman

Jane Shepard.

1. Decisions

Akuze 2177

Jane Shepard, a small petite woman with black hair and salient green eyes, did not have a good start that day. She was on Akuze and was fleeing from some marines. Who could have known, that a small laboratory on a filthy, dusty and nearly unknown planet was secured more like a high-security prison.

She chased her Mako through the dunes, but realized with horror that the pursuers caught up. Suddenly a huge thresher maw appeared in front of her. She made some daring maneuvers so she could get some distance between her and the thresher maw. Unfortunately, the Marines were not so lucky.

The maw killed them all and destroyed their Mako as well. The monster disappeared after some time, but Jane was in trouble, she had no idea, how to escape. She returned to the dead bodies and eyed the uniforms. She put on the uniform that fit her, then called for help and waited.

After some time, an Alliance Shuttle arrived. "Commander, what happened here?" Jane paused, but found, as always, a quick solution for herself. She told them about the reckless chase after a smuggler, how the maw appeared and everyone was killed. She only survived, because she was thrown out of the Mako and scared the animal (Thresher Maw) with a rocket launcher.

The men were amazed and stared at her. "Well Commander, then we should bring you to the hospital at once."

Shepard was lucky because someone deleted the files of the marines stationed on Akuze. She had absolutely no idea, what to expect and how to talk herself out of it, to escape.

But she would soon find out, that this time, her decision was stickier than the spit of a thresher maw.

Shadow Broker base 2177

Benezia was incredibly angry. For four hundred years, no one had dared it to treat her this way. She built up her power, always in secret and she ruled the galaxy. Every secret, all governments, every small mercenary worked for her.

It was her only daughter, who outmaneuvered her, took her power and had complete control. This ungrateful little thing. She taught her everything. Benezia did not believe that she would survive that day. But on the other hand, her daughter had one weakness: Even though they fought to the death, they were family.
She entered her office, her former office she reminded herself. Her daughter sat relaxed in her chair and looked at her with a cold, but an amused glance.

"Mother", she started in a low voice, "I wanted to inform you, that I have taken your position. Your stuff and everything of personal value that I´m not interested in", she paused for a moment and showed her mother the silver chain, which she held in her hand. "Was already brought to your new quarters."

Benezia trembled with rage after she recognized the chain, that Liara was the lascivious slip through her hand. But as long as she lives, she could get her revenge and silently she promised herself that she would take her revenge. She only regretted that it was impossible to use biotics in this room. A few centuries ago it appealed to her, this security measure makes sense, but now it turned out to be a hindrance.

"You can... leave." Liara smiled at her and leaned back. She looked at her mother and congratulated herself on her coup. For years she had prepared everything, so that the transfer of power went smoothly. To have it finally done was intoxicating. She pulled on the chain and the head of an Asari appeared. Her eyes were pale blue and she licked her wet, shiny lips. Her skin was purple, unlike her own skin color; Liara had always been fascinated by it. She looked into her eyes.

"Well Aria, who owns your loyalty?" She wrapped the chain in her hand and forced Aria to slide straight up on her body. Aria leaned on the armrest.

"Only you", she whispered devoted. Liara slid her right index finger along her throat and her touch was leaving a slight trail of blood. "Good girl", she purred. "Never forget that and you will get everything back, which my mother had taken from you." Aria's eyes shone. Then she loosened the chain again, put one leg on the table and pushed Aria lower.

Aria slipped back between Liara's naked legs and continued where they had just been interrupted. Liara leaned her head backwards and then slithered into the big comfy chair. Oh yes, she thought, this decision was totally worth it.

A single ship in the Hades Gamma Cluster

Tali' Zorah looked at the screen. Tears were dripping from her eyes and she barely could see her aunt Ran. "Child, you have to come back home. We need you back on the flotilla!" Ran hesitated, but continued to pressure Tali. "You have to become the leader of the resistance; you are the only one the other captains will listen to."

Tali hung her head. She thought that she was too young, even if her father prepared her, her whole life for this moment. She ran her hand over the mask and wished she could massage her throbbing temples.

A few days ago, her father's ship – the Rayya – was caught and destroyed by shadow broker agents. In a system where both sides have maintained peace for a hundred years. The Council refused to interact, but that was no surprise.

The council was nothing more than the broker´s puppet. The broker acted more cold-blooded and more aggressive than ever. Rumors say that with the Shadow Broker's actions that there had been a shift in power. But nobody knew anything, because there was no information. They fought the broker for 400 years and knew nothing about the person behind the title.

They were expelled from their home world and forced to live on their ships like vagabonds. In the galaxy they were seen as thieves and criminals.
Tali's eyes shone under the mask. Her voice was firm and hard. "Tell the others, I´ll come."