Hi there! This is my second Mass Effect fic. It was inspired by the Bon Jovi song...you should go listen to it (:
I made some changes story-wise…hope it works out O:
Enjoy!
Mindoir.
It was a small, poor, but pleasant human colony. It was also right between where the Quarian flotilla usually was, and the Citadel where most of them went for their pilgrimages. So naturally, a lot of Quarians would stop there.
Crash Shepard.
He was an orphan, the only survivor of a ship crash (That's how he got his name) on the outskirts Mindoir seventeen years ago. He'd been only an infant then, and he was adopted by a local family and lived there ever since.
He was the small colony's golden boy. An ace student, the best athlete, and it didn't hurt that his face was one that all the girls went after.
But despite all his talents and looks, he was a loner. He just didn't like people.
He took care of his parents, and all his spare time was spent volunteering in the city, but he just couldn't help being a bit awkward.
He'd been on dates with girl, but none of his relationships lasted more than a few days.
"A relationship isn't one sided," one had told him. "You aren't giving in to your part of it." And then, with a flip of her hair, she'd left him.
It'd been a shame, because he'd really liked her. He just couldn't bring himself to say it.
All in all, for him it'd been a lonely life. He'd entertain himself by volunteering around town, even at the Quarian camps.
And then he saw the flyer.
The Alliance. A noble cause, an excting life, and a decent pay.
He always thought about joining the Military. It just seemed the right thing for him to do. And that's when he decided. In one week he'd be leaving for Alliance Boot Camp.
…..
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" Crash fidgeted as his mother put the stiff tuxedo on him.
"The town just wanted to throw you a party before you left. Isn't that nice of them?"
"Sure."
"Don't be so ungrateful. They love you Crash, they really do." She turned him around. "There. You look perfect."
He managed to break into a smile. "Thanks mom." He paused. "For everything."
She smiled back, and hugged him, too teary for words.
…..
The party was everything he dreaded. People trying to talk him, offering drinks, expecting him to be with them. He felt suffocated.
After escaping the clutches of another snobby couple, he discreetly slipped out into the crisp night air. It seemed they'd invited the entire town for the party. The only sounds came from the nearby Quarian camp.
He sat down against the wall, admiring the night sky. The clusters of stars shone brightly in colors of white, reds, and blues. A sliver of the moon was visible, like a tear in the dark fabric of the heavens.
He heard footsteps. He hoped it wasn't someone from the party. He quickly got up, brushing off his suit.
"Oh s-sorry. I didn't realize someone was there." The voice spoke. Crash recognized it as a Qurian's voice.
"It's ok." He said. The silhoutte of the Quarian slightly perked a bit at the sound of his voice.
"Are you Crash Shepard?" She asked.
He took a breath. Of course. "That's me."
"Thank you for your help at the camp! We'd be dead by now if you hadn't given so much of your time to-"
"It was nothing." He said, trying to cut the conversation short.
"I'm Tali." She stuck out her hand. Odd. Quarians didn't really do handshakes. She must have really wanted to get to know him. He slowly shook it.
"Crash Shepard."
"I know." She said, practically beaming at him.
"So," he started, swallowing once. "Shall we walk?"
"Of course."
Woo! There's the first chapter. Review! Suggestions/Ideas welcome (: