Deaths-Head : I've been away for sometime and only just managed to get ahold of my account again. I have a few unfinished projects here and I will be reviewing them to see which I'll continue or leave unfinished.
Anyway... I think everyone knows the usual spiel here, yes? I don't own Mass Effect... BioWare and EA (Sadly) do. All I own is the 'Old Man'. Please enjoy.
Mass Effect : Everyman
The year is 2686 CE, though some call it 500 ARW... It has been 500 years since the end of the Reaper War, when a fleet of Sentient Warships descended upon the races of the galaxy in a attempt to continue a cycle of harvesting which has lasted a millennia.
An old man was sitting in front of the glowing terminal, brows knitted together as he rested his chin on his hand. His thoughts went back to the significance of the date.
November 7, 2686 ARW
He read over what he had written, making sure it was correct and how he wanted the story to be known. Nodding to himself, he liked what he had written so far... and his thoughts again wandered from his task. He had been asked by a old friend to write a chronicle of the events of the crew of the SSV Normandy, the ship which was crucial in the defeat of the Reapers.
Their plans were thwarted by one Commander Rina Sheperd, still touted today as the Greatest Hero in the universe. Her exploits and that of her crew are still remembered and praised even now, even a 'Hall of Remembrance' has been built on the Citadel, the bodies of Sheperd and her crew interred within. Their ship, the SSV Normandy, has a permanent berth at docking bay 94 and has been turned into a museum. The ship's artificial intelligence, EDI, is still there entertaining visitors and conducting tours for the public.
Speaking personally, he found it to be rather... insulting. Especially considering how the Council had treated Sheperd back then. Still... he supposed the Council needed to do something to 'honor' the Normandy and her crew. So, the Council issued a decree that every year, on what is the Earth calendar of November 7th, a day of rememberence, for not just Sheperd and her crew, but for all the lives lost and how close the universe came to extinction.
He had have seen the numerous memorabilia, all the holopics of Normandy's crew... model kits of the Normandy, even statues and busts of the crew. Knowing Rina, she'd find it all rather insulting. A broad smile appeared on his face as he thought what Wrex and Jack - two of the Normandy's most volatile crew - would think... Even Javik would want to biotically rend whoever had one of these trinkets apart. Garrus would just 'scope and drop' them and Tali... she'd just say "I have a shotgun".
He was broken from his woolgathering as his Geth assistant approaches the table, alerting the old man to the time. Even since the War, the Quarians and Geth have existed in peace ever since the former were welcomed back to their homeworld of Rannoch. The Quarians haven't worn their suits in nearly 300 years and the Geth have become more... organic... in their personalities and speech. His assistant, Eltee, has been by his side for so long... He felt assured that he would be in good hands and constantly wondered what he would have done if he did not have Eltee.
"Statement: Sir, it is now 1000 hours on the Galactic Standard. Councillor Grunt and Doctor T'soni will be waiting for your arrival for the memorial day celebrations."
A wry smile appears on his face as he ran a gnarled and wrinkled hand through his wiry, white hair, turning his head to the face the Geth.
"Thank you Eltee... I imagine that again, today is a cause for the Citadel to be more... lively."
The Geth platform actually shrugs... He has learned human mannerisms and how to use them effectively.
"Observation: I have witness the numerous reports and C-Sec has been patrolling the area around the Hall of Remembrance here on the Presidium." Eltee pauses, it's head tilting to the side slightly "Statement: My photoreceptors noticed some of the young ones, looking at the Legion platform with respect. I am... pleased."
Chuckling softly, the old man raised his hand and motioned to him. Eltee walks over to his side and assists in helping the old man towards the nearby hoverchair, helping him to sit down on the cushion as the chair dips slightly.
"Eltee... I think you are starting to become more 'human' every day."
Eltee leans back, his head flaps opened wide.
"Consternation: Sir, I find that highly insulting and due to it's content and intended purpose, I hereby tender my resignation. I can no longer work in this environment of abuse and slander."
A laugh came forth from the old man's lips, feeling good... until he starts to gasp and cough violently. Eltee kneels down to his level, withdrawing a cloth from a compartment in his frame and holding it to the old man's mouth. The coughing fit lasts for a minute or two, and as Eltee wipes the man's mouth, they both noticed the rich red fluid which has stained the cloth. The Geth turns his photorecptor towards the old man with what was somehow... a look of concern.
"Statement: It appears we have shorter than the physicians have stated. You really should be resting instead of heading out of the apartment, especially today with how crowded the Citadel will be."
The old man shook his head slowly as he patted Eltee's arm, smiling softly.
"Come now Eltee... I still have some time left in this universe. The Maker will not come for me just yet." I lean back in the chair "Besides... I can't leave Liara and Grunt alone to deal with the masses, especially on this day of all days."
If Eltee was a human, he would've frowned and folded his arms across his chest... however, he nods and takes his place behind the hoverchair and pushes it out of the apartment towards one of the elevators. Nearby, neighbors of the Old Man, look on as they pass, making way for the old man and his Geth assistant to make their way to the elevator. One of them, a former Alliance soldier now retired, stood at attention and saluted as the doors to the elevator opened.
"Sir. It's a honor and privilege sir."
A dry chuckle escapes the lips of the old man, as he nodded his head towards him.
"Samuel... I haven't been in the Alliance for years... no need for the formality."
Samuel still stood at attention, salute still in place.
"Sir. Today is the day we remember how close we came to the end and how a group led the rest of us to victory. Again, it's a honor sir."
With a smile, the old man nods as Eltee leads the chair into the elevator, turning it around so that they were both am facing Samuel and the others. The old mans looks at their faces, seeing respect on them all. Slowly, he raises his right hand and mirrors the salute Samuel and some others had given.
"At ease Soldiers."
The doors close as we are on our way to the ground floor, Eltee silent as we travel. Yet as they continued to descend, he can't help but remember a conversation he heard on a elevator here on the Citadel once... so long ago...
FLASHBACK STARTS
Sheperd was standing in the elevator with three of her crew members, waiting for the inanely slow elevator to get to it's destination. One of them, a human male, nudged her and when she looked at him, smiling he motioned behind them at the Turian and Quarian. Turning her head to the side slightly, a smile appeared on her face as she listened to them.
The Quarian, one Tal'Zorah vas Normandy, looked to the Turian and with genuine curiosity asked him a question... which she later regretted.
"Do you ever regret leaving Citadel Security to pursue Saren, Garrus?"
Garrus Vakarian snorted and shook his head.
"Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way? I'd say that beats C-Sec."
Tali frowned behind her mask, crossing her arms across her chest as she regarded him with a tilt of her head.
"Well then, I'm pleased that the iminent destruction of all organic life has improved your career opportunities. "
As she turned away from him, Garrus looked at her, mandibles twitching into a smile...
"Hey Tali... Do you ever miss those talks we had before?"
Tali's answer was short and to the point.
"No."
With a chuckle, and oblivious to the other two occupants watching, he continued.
"Come on... remember how we'd all ask you about life on the flotilla? It was a opportunity to sha..."
He was interrupted when Tali turned her head to the side, in his direction... her tone of voice a few degrees colder.
"This conversation is over."
With a cheeky grin, Garrus pressed her again.
"Tell me again about your immune system."
Tali was silent for a moment, then as she turned, she had drawn her shotgun and had it pointed at the ground in front of Garrus, her tone was... icy...
"I have a shotgun."
With a gulp, Garrus put up both hands in a placating manner and stepped back to the wall.
"Err... maybe we'll talk later..."
Sheperd couldn't suppress the slight chuckle as she faced the door of the elevator, her other crew member wearing a similar smile on his face. He leaned closer to her and spoke quietly.
"Do they love each other... or hate each other? Either way, makes for interesting conversations, yes?"
The raven haired Commander looked at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Remember how they were when we were chasing Saren... I'd say it's continued somewhat..."
Her companion nodded as he stared at her face. The two of them had been through a lot together, even before the Eden Prime incident. Still smiling, he looked back over to Garrus and started to tease him again... until Tali made another threat with her shotgun causing both males to quiet down.
She couldn't help herself, as she started to laugh out loud... her laughter getting louder as she looked at the faces of her companions. A few seconds later, the elevator was full of laughter as two humans, a turian and a quarian enjoyed themselves.
FLASHBACK ENDS
With a start, the old man was jolted from his memory as the doors opened, revealing a Asari and Krogan, the latter in formal Council attire and the former clad in the standard Asari dress. Both smiled at the old man.
"Liara... Grunt... it's been some time..."
Doctor Liara T'soni nodded to the old man, as Grunt kept his arms folded across his chest.
"I apologise for not being able to visit you more... however..."
The old man nodded at her, as Eltee pushed the chair forward, with the Asari and Krogan keeping in step.
"I understand Liara, believe me I do... How goes your work on Illium?"
Liara smiled as she kept pace.
"Still hard at work deciphering more of the Prothean records... " she sighed "Every day, more seem to appear..."
With a knowing grin, the old man looked forward as the small group approached a nearby skycar.
"You love it though, don't you?"
Climbing into the skycar, Liara smiled as Eltee and Grunt helped the old man in.
"Yes, it's very fulfilling work." she looked into the back of the skycar "If I may, how is your project coming along?"
"Slowly" was the reply "Still gathering my thoughts and gathering what information I can and..."
Clutching his chest and coughing once again, Eltee leaned close with the cloth in front of the old man's mouth. Grunt looked back, concern on his face.
"You shouldn't be attending this... in your condition."
Liara looked at the human, a knowing look on her face.
"Grunt is correct," she paused "How long do you have?"
Eltee responded, his head swiveling towards them.
"Statement: His condition is severe and we have gone through all the treatments. Medi-gel works as a temporary measure, however his life expectancy is..."
Wiping the cloth against his lips, the old man leaned back, taking deep breaths.
"I have enough time to finish what I started... Have no fear." a wry smile appeared on his face "I have no fear of the end... Remember, we have walked with Death... and know that one day, He will come to ferry us on to the next life."
Grunt snorted softly to himself, returning his attention to driving the skycar. When he spoke, it was soft... for a Krogan.
"We are all that's left... I'll make sure you last to finish your task." he glanced at Liara "we both will, right?"
Liara nodded, concern still on her face but she turned around facing the front. Silence was in the vehicle as it headed to it's destination.
At the Hall of Remembrance, the air was solemn as people file through. Liara, Grunt, Eltee and the old man looked up at the statues within. Atop the tombs of the crew of the SSV Normandy, were statues of whoever was entombed underneath. Statues of Kasum Goto, Zaeed Massani, Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian and the others, lined ether side of the hall, leading up to one tomb, emblazoned with the N7 insignia. Standing atop this tomb, in her armor, was a statue of Commander Rina Sheperd. It was this statue, that the four of them stopped in front of, looking up to and lost in their memories.
Liara was reliving that day on Knossos, where she was trapped inside the old Prothean ruin... when Sheperd, Garrus, Ashley and the old man rescued her. Grunt had a broad smile on his face as he remembered his Rite of Passage on Tuchanka, his krantt of Sheperd, the old man, Miranda and Zaeed had joined him.
The old man himself though... thought of the first time he met Sheperd and how much of a impact they'd have on each others lives. He also had regrets which whenever he saw her statue, they came rushing back to the fore. Lowering his head, a single tear ran down his cheek as he whispered softly...
"I'm sorry Rina..."
Eltee's sensors had detected the old man's words, as had Liara. The Asari put a comforting hand on the old man's shoulder, who grasped her hand, nodding his thanks to her. As they looked at the statue, the old man's thoughts back on to the woman who saved the universe... and himself.
It was now 2200 hours and once again the old man was sitting front of the terminal in his apartment, staring at what he had typed so far. He scratched his chin, then spoke a command.
"Delete file, start new file."
The words which had been entered on the screen, vanished... a blank screen waiting for new input. Reaching over and grasping the cup on the desk, he took a sip of the tea. He was glad for the vocal recording software which allowed him to speak his words and record them on the screen. Clearing his throat, he spoke...
"Chapter One. A beginning can be a auspicious thing..."
Deaths-Head : I haven't been writing for awhile due to other commitments and such and this is the first I've written since 2012 (That was my other Mass Effect Story, also posted here), so I hope that there'll be some forgiveness for any spelling/grammar mistakes etc. I'll try and update on a regular basis as well. Anywayz, please leave a review. Thanks.