Eden Prime
Jan. 18, 2182
So here I am, on a shuttle towards Eden Prime. It's currently January 18, 2182. Yeah, that year. Who am I you ask? The names Chase Coates, I know, odd right? Well, when I woke up in this hell hole of a universe, I had no memory. Yeah, nada. I was in some body, but not mine. I knew about the Mass Effect universe, and I knew where and when I from, but I don't remember me. The name's all I could think of when I got questioned about it, it happened to be the brand of my jacket. I woke up on an Alliance ship, coming from Mindoir apparently, and I had to come up with a name. I was 21 then, and time has flown.
I immediately joined the Alliance, went into the Marines, eventually becoming a Marine Recon Specialist within a year. I even worked with Kaiden, he was leading a security detail for some dig site, didn't end too well, was the reason that I had to get out as well, but that's a long story that's in the past. Lots of action in Recon, got pretty good at it, if you don't mind me tooting my own horn. I was in for 8 years, then became a freelance Mercenary for the past three years. I was clean, for the most part, even did quite a few jobs for the Alliance. I may or may not take assassination jobs on bad people who had it coming, just saying. Just got a job on Eden Prime, working as private security for some business man, pay's crap and I'm way over qualified, but the location is golden. Hopefully the geth attack soon, and I cannot believe I just thought that.
"Refreshments, sir?" some stewardess asked me nervously, and I just shook my head no. I know that I look like a merc, and people treat me as such, but they can't tell the difference between the good ones and the bad ones. Not that there's a lot of good ones. Not to mention the hoops I had to jump through to be able to work legally in Citadel and Alliance space. All that hard work, just to be looked down on.
April 19, 2182
I woke up to another beautiful morning, just outside my boss's compound. I look outside my window and see, oh, it's Nazara, far in the distance. What the FUCK! How the hell did I sleep through that, I know I'm a heavy sleeper, but damn! Suddenly Geth drop ships descend around him, shooting down what little the Alliance has for defenses. So, he just got here, thank god I didn't sleep through this. I immediately go and arm up, grabbing my rifle, pistol, and sword. Looking in the mirror, I can't help but love looking how badass I am. I have Medium titan armor, jet black, with a custom helmet that has those two glowing green eyes, like mercs in the second and third game, with a skull painted around it. Bad-mutherfuckin-ass.
My omnitool pinged, and see my boss calling me. "What's up?"
"What's up? We're under attack. I've locked the compound down, kill anyone who comes close." He said, "Anyone"
"Yeah, I'm going to have to pass on that, I need access to the garage"
"What?" he responded
"We're being invaded genius, I'm going to see if I can help, but it's a two-hour hike, where are the keys?" I said non-chalantly as I walked towards his garage
"Forget it nut job, your fired, you can walk" he yelled, closing the channel. That hurt my feelings. Too bad I can't hack for shit, or I'd steal it. Damn, two-hour hike, time to stretch my legs. I might as well start running.
About half way through I can really feel this run, I need to work on my cardio. I finally reach the outskirts of the colony, about two hours later, fortunately I'm on the side with the dig site. I dispatched a few patrols of Geth, nothing too difficult when your sniping them from afar, also most of the fighting's over now. I start making my way around, sticking to the hills and small valleys in this part of the colony. Suddenly I heard a loud roar coming from the sky, and I see the Normandy sweeping in and going about 200 meters behind from where I am. I take a quick look around, and see a good vantage point that I could help with Ashley when she comes running around the corner. Looking around, I spot Nihlus up on the hill, bypassing a bunch of Geth and the original dig site, moving north. He moves fast! I look down and see Ashley run around the corner, firing shots at a few drones from behind her. She takes them out, going into cover, then about 4 Geth come around the corner, along with 4 shock troopers. Huh, that's more than I remember.
Shots start coming from my right, and I see Kaiden and Shepard decide to introduce themselves, running up to Ashley and taking up positions next to her, taking out about half with biotics and gunplay, bad idea. They're stuck now, with two shock and regular troops left, giving them constant barrage, with a boulder slowly chipping away for cover, unable to return fire. The Geth have heat clips, so they won't get a chance to return fire.
I line up my rifle, and take two shots, dropping a shock trooper. I line up another, they started looking around for me, and drop him with two more shots. Adjusting, I see the two regular troopers have spotted me, I put one in my sights, dropping one in one shot, and my sniper over heated. Fortunately, Shepard had the good sense to come out of cover and help. I get up from my prone position, and slide down the side of the cliff I was on, making my way over to the three musketeers.
"Thanks for the assist" Shepard said, nodding to me.
"Happy to help" I said
"What's a merc doing on Eden Prime?" Ashley asked, incredulously
"Apparently saving your ass" I said towards Ashley, "But on a serious note, I was working private security for Baron James" I said, pointing towards his complex in the far distance, "saw an invasion, and that thing, so I started heading here"
"I'm Commander Shepard, Lt. Alenko, Gunnery Sgt. Williams, you are?" she asked
I go and slowly pull off my helmet, wiping off the massive amount of sweat on my head, "Coates?" Alenko asked, guiltiest look on his face, and Shepard just gave him a questioning look.
"Apparently they just let anyone on important missions" I muttered towards Kaiden, turning my attention towards Shepard, "Chase Coates. Look, I'd love to stay and chat, but you have a beacon to find, and I have a Turian to track"
"How do you know about the Beacon?"
"It's a small colony, word gets around. And I doubt that they'd send an N7 for anything else" I replied
"Fair enough, what Turian?" she followed up
"A Turian I've been trying to track and get a good shot at, but he's paranoid, moves quick, never staying in one spot"
"That's Nihlus, he's with us" Kaiden interrupted, getting a glare from Shepard.
"Your friend Nihlus got a robotic arm, messed up face, and cybernetic eyes? Also, does he always order Geth around, or is It just a hobbie?"
"No, no that's not him" Shepard said
"Look, we're wasting time here. Why don't we work together to finish our goals?" I suggested, and she just looked over towards Alenko.
"Well, I trust him enough to not shoot me in the back" Kaiden said, and I couldn't help but start laughing.
"Yeah, that's more like your style" I said, putting my helmet on, I couldn't help but notice an exchange of looks between them, and we started making our way down, working our way through the dig site, moving over towards the small encampment of scientists.
"So, come here often?" I asked towards Shepard
"You know, it's not my first time" she replied with a smirk, "Williams, Alenko, take point up towards the camp". Turns out ole Jane's just a soldier, not that I'm complaining. But with her armor, and the big ass shotgun, I thought she'd be in the front.
"Don't trust me at all?" I asked, getting her to snap towards me, "you're obviously geared out, and probably specialized, based on your gear, for close combat. And while I know I have a certain level of attraction towards the ladies, I must admit I doubt that's going through your head right about now" I deadpanned towards her, and she just cracked up
"You're funny Chase, but to be honest, I don't trust you, and it seems you have history with Alenko, care to share?" she asked, as we started walking up the ramp
"You know what? Get me a drink, and I'll fill you in with whatever you want"
"Deal" she responded, as we were finishing up our small trek
"You're thinking about me now though, right?" I asked, and I could've sworn that I saw a blush, until she Gibbs slapped me, and I thought I was going to pass out. Fuckin bionic arm. We finally reach the top of the hill, feel's like a lot bigger in-life. As soon as we got there the dragons teeth started dropping husks.
"My god, they're still alive!" Ashley yelled
"No, they're not. Take them out." Shepard yelled, and I scoped down the rifle, taking one down that got a little too close to Ashley, and soon they're all dead.
"What did they do to them?" Ashley asked
"What ever they did, they're not human anymore" I muttered, "looks like the camp's vacant"
"Kaiden, Williams, go ahead clear the buildings, we'll keep watch" she ordered, and did as they were told
"I knew it, you're in love with me" I stated
"Keep dreaming" she responded, "So, you're a decent shot, where'd you learn?"
"Decent?" I questioned, "Please, I'm decent when I'm blind folded. I'm amazing. And I was a recon marine for seven years"
"I see you're very modest" she mentioned, "I figured your former Alliance, but why merc?"
"Short story, I don't have friends or family, all I had was the Alliance. Was kind of forced out, and all I knew was how to fight. Became a merc, did a lot of jobs, most of them were actually for the Alliance, took a job here, end story"
"Looking forward to the long story"
"Well, now you owe me a drink" I muttered, and she just smirked
"All clear commander" Alenko stated. What? That shouldn't be right.
"Alright, let's move out" Shepard said
"Look at the size of that thing!" Ashley yelled, as the dreadnaught made its copyrighted sound as it started leaving the planet
"Its mass effect core must be massive, that things the size of a dreadnaught!" Kaiden mentioned
"We should keep moving" Shepard said, moving towards the tram
"That can't be good" I stated, getting a questioning look from Shepard, "If it's leaving, that means that they finished" and Shepard just nodded
"Double time it!" Shepard yelled, and we started down the hill, running into some more Geth resistance.
"Alenko!" I yelled, getting his attention, "Barrel against far wall", and he threw a singularity, floating it up and towards the largest group of Geth, and it suddenly exploded from a shot coming out of Shepard's rifle. "Thief!" I yelled. I made my way up toward a boulder in order to take some fire off of Williams and Kaiden, immediately feeling a burning sensation through my right shoulder, dropping my sniper. "Sniper, top of the shed!" I yelled, going to pick up my sniper with my arm, immediately dropping it from the pain.
"All clear!" I heard Williams yell, stowing my sniper with my left arm.
"You good?" Shepard asked
"Yeah, I'll walk it off" I said, applying medigel to my wound, love this stuff. I go ahead and take point, walking into the tram station, immediately spotting Nihlus on the floor. There's also a port-a-pottie, didn't know that was a thing. Guess I'm not surprised we didn't hear any gun shots though, Saren was probably on Nazara, and it just took off.
"Damn" Williams said, "Is this your Turian friend?"
"Yeah, it was" Shepard said, kneeling down
"Shot like that, sniper?" Kaiden asked, eyeing me
"No, based on the exit, probably a heavily modified pistol" I muttered
"We should get moving, we need to get to that beacon. I don't think we'll figure out what happened here" Ashley said, and Shepard nodded at that. I couldn't help but take a small peak over the crates, and see the cowering idiot behind there.
"Let's go then" Shepard said, starting to walk away
"Why don't we ask that guy?" I asked pointing behind the crate. All I got was confused looks from the three of them. I stretch my arm over, grab the guy, pulling him over the crate, throwing him onto the ground.
"Hello" he stuttered, and that's when I started tuning out this conservation, it just followed exactly like the game. Nice turn of events, because a lot of things are different. Nothing big, but still.
"Saren?" I heard Shepard questioned, and that's my que to listen
"We should head out" I heard Kaiden mutter
"You're right" Shepard responded
"Alright, give me those grenades you've been smuggling" I said aloud
"How the hell did you know- I mean I don't know what you're talking about" he yelled
I pull out my sword, laying it onto his shoulder. "Let's not play around, I know that you're a smuggler" I said ominously, and he unwillingly gave me the grenades. I grabbed him, and dragged him into the port-a-pottie.
"What are you doing?" he yelled
"Keeping you safe, they won't look in here for you" I said, closing the door, breaking the handle. "Care to do the honors?" I asked towards Ashley, she just grinned while Shepard and Kaiden looked confused. She lowered her shoulder, and rammed into it, knocking it onto the side, you could hear him screaming from inside. Shepard just shook her head, tapping away something on her omnitool.
"Thanks" she muttered
"Let's go" Shepard ordered, and now we finally started moving towards the tram, making quick work of the Geth. "So, whats with the-" Shepard got interrupted as we made it onto the tram, and a Geth prime started sprinting towards us. Shepard dived into cover, but Kaiden and Williams froze, I pushed Williams out of the way, grabbed Kaiden's shotgun, then kicked him out of the way, and started unloading onto the prime, taking down its shields. Unfortunately, it smacked me with it's giant robot arm, slamming me into some barrier behind Shepard. Was about the strength of Shepard's slap. The focus fire from the three of them made it kick the bucket.
"You alright?" Shepard asked as rounds where pinging around us
"Probably a few broken ribs, but you smack harder" I deadpanned, picking myself up while applying medigel, and we made quick work of the Geth left on the tram. "Why am I the only one getting hurt?" I asked aloud
"Maybe you're just prone towards it" Ashley deadpanned
"Yeah, next time I won't save your asses" I said, as we reached the end of the rails, coming into the space port. Exiting the tram, we immediately run into the bombs. "I don't do bombs" I said.
"Kaiden, you defuse the bombs, we'll deal with the Geth" she muttered, and we made our way up the stairs, engaging the Geth. "Chase, you good?" she asked in the middle of the fire fight.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm still a good shot with my left arm, but your concern for me is noted" I said, and she just smirked, and between the three of us, we made quick work of the remaining Geth. "Those bombs dealt with?" I asked towards Kaiden, getting a nod from him.
"The beacon should be on the other side" Ashley said, taking point for us. We made it over to the beacon, oddly no husks, and Kaiden called the Normandy.
"You where asking me a question earlier?" I said to Shepard
"Was just curious as to why green for the eyes?"
"It's my favorite color" I said, and noticed Ashley started getting close to the Beacon, and started getting sucked in, and Shepard hasn't noticed.
"Shit!" I yelled, running over to Ashley, grabbing her and throwing her out of the way. I could feel myself getting pulled in, and someone grabbed me from behind. I look and see Shepard, trying to pull me away, but we both got pulled up into the field, raising us up, and images were getting poured into my head. Then it all went blank, and I was just staring at the beacon, and a massive flash came over me, and I could feel myself flying backwards.
My eyes shoot open and I can see a metal roof above me, I pull myself up and see the doctor over at her terminal typing away, Shepard on the slab next to me, still out cold. Kaiden sitting next to her, creepy.
"How long was I out?" I asked, attempting to get up, but wincing at the pain from my shoulder
"How are you feeling?" she asked, coming over to me, scanning me
"Well, I'll live" I said, feeling relieved after she gave me some pain relievers, "Thanks. And you are?"
"Dr. Chakwas"
"Where am I?" I asked, feigning ignorance
"The Normandy, under the command of Captain Anderson"
"David?" I asked, getting a surprised look from both the doctor and Kaiden, "old bastard hasn't kicked the bucket yet?"
"No, I haven't" he said walking in, giving me a handshake
"Ah, well. Lost that bet." I deadpanned back at him. "I knew you where being reassigned, didn't know they were giving you a ship"
"You two know each other?" Kaiden asked, interrupting my conversation with an old colleague
"Yeah" I responded, "he was my contact for when the Alliance wanted a hit job, or really any job" I said, getting a glare from Anderson, "Oh, was that classified?"
"Yes" he responded, "it was"
"How long was I out?" I asked
"About 12 hours" Anderson responded
"Well, I'd hate to be a burden, but I'm hungry" I said, getting off the bed
"Well, I'll join you. We need to debrief anyways" Anderson responded, and we started making our way out that evil room called the Med bay. Nothing personal, just usually not a good thing if you're in there. I try to avoid it if I can.
"Doctor, I think she's waking up!" Kaiden said, and the doctor came over to check it out the moaning coming from her bed.
"Perhaps another time David" I said as I walked out the door, seeing Ashley standing there, nervously. I start walking over and see her stealing glances at me.
"Hey gunny, what's with the look?" I asked, knowing the answer
"It's just, it's my fault what happened to the two of you" she said, looking down.
"What are you, stupid?" I asked, getting a surprised look from her, "you had no way of knowing, don't blame yourself for what happened, it'll just eat at you"
"Thanks"
"That goes for what happened to your men down there too" I responded
"What, I-"
"Listen here" I started, "you had no way to know that the Geth, for which we don't have proper defenses or ways to fight, would attack. There was no other outcome to this, what happened wasn't your fault, they would've died anyways. Your alive, avenge them."
"Umm, thanks? I'm sorry, didn't think I'd get this talk from a merc."
"Yeah, insult me right after helping you, makes sense"
"What?" she responded, "No, that's-"
"Okay" I said, putting up my hand to interrupt her, "I'm use to that kind of treatment, I'll talk to you later, I need to grab some grub" and I walked away, moving towards the kitchen. Already I can see the layout of the ship, while extremely similar, is different.
"This is food?" I whispered to myself as I ate, my god, billions of credits, and they can't get decent food. I notice Dr. Chakwas and Kaiden leaving the Med bay, must be the talk between Shepard and Anderson, glad I'm not there. Boring! I'd rather eat this slop, it's not too bad with enough pepper and hot sauce. As soon as I finish my meal I decide to give myself a tour of the ship. Off the bat, next to Kaiden's little terminal is a kitchen serving area for the crew. Sleeper pods and captain's quarters are in the same spot as well. I make my way to the elevator, and couldn't help but notice that there's four options. /Communications room, Deck/Medbay/Galley, deck/GYM/Shooting Range, Bay/Engineering. An entire crew deck! Plus, the elevator goes to the top floor, and the stairs still exist, that does seem more realistic.
Going down to the crew deck, you see it's pretty open on the right, containing the gym and shooting range, in the middle is a small lounging area with and entertainment system, and on the left are a bunch of private cabins. Apparently, officers and/or ground crew gets their own room, no complaints here. The room is completely vacant, not a soul here. Most likely because they left with a bone stock crew. It is a nice couch, would be great for naps. I think I'm going, no, I am going to take a nap, we're hours away from the citadel, I deserve this.
"Wake up" I felt a quick shrug, immediately reaching for my non-existent pistol.
"Shepard" I said, nodding towards her, "How long was I out?"
"Well, I woke up about thirty minutes ago…" she said, sitting on the other side of the couch
"Sweet, ten whole minutes" I muttered, "Any reason you interrupted my power nap?"
"Yeah, few things, here" she threw a data pad at me
"And this is?" I asked, looking at the data pad
"That drink I owe you"
"Really?" I asked, realizing what I'm looking at. It's a file that the Alliance keeps on me, awesome. "They classify me as Hyper-lethal?"
"Yeah, turns out that you were recommended for ICT multiple times by your commanding officers, however the board that decides on who enters stonewalled you for some unknown reason" she said
"Wow, this is best present I've ever been given. Does David know that you did this?" I asked
"Yes, and that's the other thing, I'm here to debrief you" she said
"Any chance this doesn't involve me dealing with politicians or the council?" I asked, and she just smirked at me, "Yeah that's what I thought, looks like I'll be around for a while, but once this is over, I'm going after him, I'ma put a round through his ugly glowing eyes"
"Oh?" she started, "and if I'm the one going after him?"
"The council will either say that my testimony is useless, or it's his word against mine"
"We're going after him, and I will get the councils backing" she responded
"I see you're very modest" I responded, and that got a laugh
"Touché Coates, Touché"
"Well then, I'm really going to be around for a while" I said, "Any chance you had a crazy dream about synthetics killing a bunch of organics?"
"You saw it too?!" she asked, "I half thought I was crazy. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Cause I thought I was crazy, and didn't want to make people think I'm crazy"
"And thank you, I don't think we would've made it out. You helped, three times" she said
"Don't mention it, how long until we got to the citadel?"
"We got two hours" she said standing up, "care for a tour?"
"Yes, I would"