Hello everyone. This story is rated 'T' due to war violence and intense action. There is a possibility of more descriptive/detailed violence in later chapters (not too graphic though), so I may up the rating at a later date to be safe. If you ever feel in any way that the rating needs to be changed, feel free to let me know. I promise, I don't bite! :)

Okay, the idea for this story came to me as a possible side mission occuring within the plot of Mass Effect #1, but could also possibly take place after the completion of the main plot. Furthermore, Restitution could potentially be considered AU (alternate universe) due to a one of many possible conclusions to the story. Let's just say I haven't exactly decided upon the fate of a particular character yet... :P

So, without any further drabbles, here is chapter 1!

~Restitution~

Chapter 1:

Commander Shepard surveyed the situation around him, bullets whizzing by and ricocheting off the ground near his feet. A band of mercenaries have ambushed his team upon a barren and rocky uncharted world. The reddish orange atmosphere gave an ominous aura to the battlefield while small waves of sand swirled across the desolate valley. Shepard leaned ever so slightly to the side of a large boulder acting as cover for him and Wrex. Through the soft haze in the air, Shepard could make out several mercs taking cover behind boulders and the scattered remains of an abandoned rover of ancient times. He could count at least ten in their number, but something told him there were more.

Suddenly, the piece of rock right beside Commander Shepard's face exploded into a cacophony of debris, and a loud crack, in turn, reverberated throughout the air. He recoiled back and fell to the ground with his hand coming up to his face as small bits of rock left scrapes and gashes upon his right cheek and forehead.

Wrex saw him go down, and, fearing the worst, immediately dashed across to him. The Krogan grabbed the collar of Shepard's armor and pulled him back behind cover against the large boulder.

"Commander Shepard?!" Wrex's gruff voice resounded across to Shepard through the chaos of the battle and the ringing within his ear. Even though the Krogan was always known for his tough and gritty demeanor, the Commander was certain that he discerned a hint of concern within Wrex's tone.

Shepard turned his head toward the crouching Krogan, the ringing in his ear somewhat distracting him, and gave his teammate an awkward nod. "I'm alright." Wrex, assured enough for the moment that his leader was alright, engrossed himself within the battle once again. The Commander then shifted his weight, coming to a more sturdy seated position against the boulder, and he could feel the blood begin to saunter down from his forehead as he peered towards the horizon.

The sniper must have been among the hills off in the distance… Mercenary groups did not just appear in the middle of nowhere.. especially with a well placed sniper. Shepard knew that this attack was deliberate and planned.

Letting out a sigh, he brought his assault rifle up closer to his chest. "They were expecting us."

"Ya think, Shepard?" Wrex then abruptly slung his shotgun around and made quick work of an unfortunate Batarian merc who ventured too close. The Krogan let out a small sadistic chuckle as the mercenary slumped to the ground, making Shepard mentally cringe. The Krogan seemed to always have a lust for blood, and this facet of the alien's demeanor always somewhat disturbed the Commander. He wouldn't argue with his teammate though; it was this very demeanor that made the Krogan so effective in battle. Shepard would make it a point to always stay on his good side…

Shepard glanced back to his right over toward Liara. She was a few meters away, stuck behind a significantly smaller rock, having to lay on her back in order to keep her head from being exposed to gunfire. With her right hand grasping her pistol, her left was clutching at her thigh with a purplish blue oozing out between her fingers, leaving a small puddle upon the sandy ground beside her. Shepard saw that her eyes were clinched shut with pain streaking across her face as she would involuntarily flinch at bullets impacting the boulder and ground around her.

Shepard tried to get her attention amid the turmoil. "Liara!" Her eyes shot open into wide orbs, and she carefully turned her head toward the sound of her name. Shepard could see the panic and desperation within her wide eyes; it was as if she was pleading to him.

Shepard had to get her out of there; she would not last in that position for much longer. The safety of his team came before all else. "Try not to move! I'm coming to get you out of there!"

The Commander then quickly turned and looked up to Wrex. "Wrex, I need a distraction!" That's all the instruction that the Krogan needed in order to fulfill Commander Shepard's order. Wrex just said a gruff, "Sure thing," and began arming grenades.

Shepard took a moment to stand back up and lean against the boulder's rough surface. Surprisingly, it was somewhat difficult for him to get to his feet as his head felt like a fish bowl. His equilibrium was still hindered from the concussive sniper shot that nearly hit him square in the forehead earlier. He braced himself against the boulder with his left hand, steadying himself, and sharply closed his eyes. Time seemed to slow down for him as he re-focused his mind, drowning out the chaos of the battle. Standing up straighter, he then opened his steel blue eyes with a renewed light, and placed his rifle upon the ground, leaning it against the massive rock. Then looking up through piercing eyes to Wrex, he exclaimed, "Now!"

Wrex immediately pounced out of cover, spraying the mercs with rifle fire, and threw two grenades towards them. The mercs looked out of their cover in horror at the massive Krogan rumbling toward them. Subsequently, Shepard ignited a smoke grenade in front of him and leapt out of cover toward Liara. Hopefully it would be enough to confuse the sniper in the distance…

There's the end of chapter 1! Hope you liked it!

Reviews and/or comments are much appreciated! (And just fun to read) :)