Prologue


I looked at the trans-dimensional being in front of me with my arms crossed and a knowing look on my face. "Well, you brought me to the Mass Effect universe before the First Contact War so it doesn't look like you brought me here to become part of Shepherd's crew."

The looked at me with a satisfied smile and said. "How very observant of you Betapike, and yes, I'm tired of the same dull stories of someone who played the games in your world find themselves in this world without the constraints of the games themselves. Awakening to a literal galaxy of opportunities and all anyone can do is stay in the shadows of the original crew? Come on, be creative."

My knowing look turned to that of mild annoyance. "I have a real name you know, and at least one person has already done something different."

"And it's still helpful for you to keep that designation while you are speaking with me." He said with a raised eyebrow. "I am also well aware of the existence of 'Brock Neilson', Manuel is, in fact, one of my best friends." He said with a smile.

"Right." I thought to myself. "Of course this is going to end up as a story in some universe as well, cuz logically the infinite universes means every fictional story is, in fact, happening somewhere sometime."

My thoughts return to the presents and I asked him the question on my mind. "So what exactly were you planning on me to do? Join the Alliance Navy?"

He shook his head and replied. "The First Contact War is only one month away, so you need to move fast to create a new and better outcome than Canon." It was then that he pulled out a briefcase out of a flash of light that just appeared out of thin air. "I want you to use this." He said as he gave me the briefcase.

After I took the briefcase I opened it up and saw what it contained. Then I looked back at him and asked. "What's so special about this?"

With that question, he acquired this huge shit-eating grin on his face and replied. "Nothing much, just the fruits of your labor that you have yet to complete," he said casually.

My jaw dropped from that revelation and I took the briefcase over to the nearest table and I opened it again and in my mind's eye what it contained was now the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

I closed the briefcase and looked back at him disbelief clear as day on my face.

"How…? does this mean that Emer-" I started then stopped myself. "Never mind, just tell me where the nearest computer is."

He pointed me to the terminal of the apartment we resided in, gave me instructions on how to operate the computer of 2158 and with the utmost enthusiasm I got to work. After I finish the first part of utilizing the gift a thought came to me and I turned to my trans-dimensional companion with a question.

"What exactly are the limits you can do?"

He turned his head in curiosity. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Well, you said you were tired of those stale self-insert stories and wanted something new?" He nodded and I went on. "Well in addition to being a unique take on the self-insert stories this is also going to be one of those alternate first Contact scenarios that have been done to death.

"I have an idea how we can make this story more interesting and give the poor Citadel Council and Reapers a chance against this," I said tapping the briefcase.

"What do you have in mind exactly?" he asked clearly interested.

I explained my idea. "Almost all of these stories, either A.U. or Crossover, have this thing where humanity becomes so much better off in the story than in Canon. Something that no one I know seems to be asking is, what would the cannon humanity and Citadel Council think about one of these stories?"

"So here is what I'm asking, can you open a portal from this universe to the Canon universe or something, before the first Mass Effect started?"

He crossed his arms and asked me. "Isn't it enough that this version of Humanity will be powerful in one of the most original ways ever conceived of in the Mass Effect fandom?"

"If you know what's in the briefcase then you'll know I don't aim for anything less than perfection," I replied.

He looked thoughtful at my suggestion for a moment and said. "I'll be right back." And he disappeared in a flash of golden light leaving me alone in the apartment I first appeared in.

After three hours of waiting patiently in the cheap apartment, he returned with a satisfied smile on his face. "Good news, I called in some favors and got approval for opening a portal to the Canon universe a year before the start of the first game as soon as the occupation of Shanxi is over with."

Before I could ask him where the portal was going to appear a little beeping noise came from the computer I used to send an email to the Mars Archives and I saw that I had received a response. After I read the email and I screamed so loud I think I could have been heard from the Citadel.

"I take it your proposal has been accepted?" Asked my trans-dimensional companion.

"Yes!" I told him as I picked up the briefcase. "This is going to be so… Epic!" I said as I rushed out the door, heading onwards towards destiny.