Hi people ! This is my first -serious- Mass Effect fanfic I was planning for some time now.
I am not the most perfect English writer of all time, since my first language is French, but I always aim to deliver something worth reading and well prepared !
Brief summary: Shepard(F), Liara and Javik were investigating on a planet for a Prothean artefact. It suddenly activated and, for reasons still unknown (ooh, suspence~) only Shepard and Javik were brought back to a time where the Protheans were not yet engaged in war with the Reapers. Will they be able to warn them of the upcoming menace ? Or will they have to rally all races for when the time comes ?
HOPE YOU'LL LIKE ! :)
If Shepard had to compare this task with all those she had to do these past few weeks, this one seemed lighter to her eyes. Liara had discovered a new Prothean artifact on a planet not so far from their position. The signal seemed strong, as if it was shouting for them to find it. The Human had a strange feeling, but if this artifact could help in the war or even give any information about the catalyst, there was nothing to lose or even fear.
Choosing Liara and Javik for this mission, they landed on this planet whose appearance strongly resembled Earth. Coniferous forests, large areas of lakes. If Luna had to retire after this bloody war, she would not mind getting lost on this beautiful planet.
Following the artifact's signal, Liara led the trio through the natural trails of the forest. Their footsteps echoed in contact with the dry earth and leaves, creating a noise that could reveal their position. The more Shepard stepped forward, the more her breathing seemed to get heavy and her body shook as if a breeze had managed to get inside her armor. Walking alongside Javik, she allowed herself to look at him by the corner of her eye. He also seemed taken aback by something. The artifact? Probably.
The Asari paused, looking up an object that appeared before them; the artifact. It resembled the one that Luna had faced on Eden Prime, several years ago. The only exception being some assembled hoops in its center, like the ones we could find back in the Mass Relays. Javik was the first to come forward, scanning the structure with interest.
``I have never seen such ... structuring,`` he announced, talking about the hoops.
``Maybe it's a failed try at a new technology,`` advanced Liara.
``No, my people were not stupid, Asari. Everything we began was successful.``
The archaeologist gave a small sigh of exasperation, visibly irritated that Javik would tell her all the time she was wrong.
``Okay, so could you try to explain this machine,`` intervene Shepard.
The Prothean closed his eyes, touching the surface of the artifact. He seemed to concentrate for a few seconds and then announced in a concentrated voice:
``There is indeed a memory in this construction. I do not have a clear picture, but it is a vision that seems strangely peaceful ... it came from a time long ago, forgotten.``
His eyes opened suddenly, stepping back and shaking his hand as if he had been burned.
``What is it?`` asked the Human.
``It was a vision of a time when my people were not attacked by the Reapers. I do not know why it can be found here, including its importance.``
``The hoops, what are they?`` Liara carefully questioned.
``I'm not sure. I think-``
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud noise interrupted him, as if something just broke. Turning their attention to the machine, Liara and Javik saw Shepard, her eyes were wide open in surprise, her hand on the artifact. Displaying a goofy smile, she withdrew, retreating cautiously, as if to apologize for her mistake.
But nobody could have predicted the next events:
A heavy growl began to activate. A soft blue light flashed gradually at the center of the machine. Then the hoops slowly began to turn, running in various directions, as would a Mass Relay.
``I think we should leave ...,`` said the Asari.
``Leave?`` Shepard laughed slightly. ``I thought you were curious, Liara, yet now you surprise me! If this artifact can lead us somewhere and that it proves itself useful, then so be it. I stay here.``
``Likewise, Commander,`` added Javik, standing straight.
The hoops' speed increased, its light intensifying. A loud noise started suddenly, propelling the machine at lightning speed. The lighting, widening, gave way to a beam that touched the sky.
It is with dismay that Liara saw the blue light engulfing Luna and Javik. She went to join them and get them out of there, but everything went so quickly. Another loud sound was heard, a flash of light exploding at the center of the ray, then everything stopped.
The Asari could not believe her eyes; the Commander and the Prothean had disappeared...
***
Everything was done in a fraction of a second. Luna felt sucked then violently thrown against the ground.
Her vision darkened out of fear. She gasped sharply, shaking from all her members and leaving herself no control.
Gradually a picture presented itself to her, still confused by her previous blindness. She saw Javik, already on his feet, watching something in the distance.
They were now on a cliff which gave sight to a new scene, a city. Rising with some difficulty, Luna approached the Prothean, seeing him stunned.
``... Impossible,`` he began.
Shepard allowed herself to put a hand on his shoulder, images suddenly invading her mind.
She saw Javik, when he was young, seeing a video presented to him and others of his age. A city surrounded by lakes and pine forests, plagued by the attack of several Reapers. These images belonged to the past, one of the first cities affected by the attack. Young Protheans had to understand horror and loss; every minute one of their city was falling and they could do nothing against it, except fighting only to preserve the last honor the Protheans had.
The vision stopped and the Human looked back at the city, the same she had seen from Javik's mind. The same when Liara and she were on Eden Prime and she had those visions only to release Javik...
The large difference between these visions and what was now before them was that everything seemed peaceful. With this beautiful sunny weather was presented a calm and prosperous city that had no fear of a threat from giant machines.
Javik had trouble displaying a smile. Finally he turned to Shepard, the same look of amazement on his face.
``I understand better what we found, Commander. It was not just a regular device, but a machine that would take us in a precise time and particular place! My race ... gave itself a second chance, Commander! I can tell them about the Reapers before it's too late.``
He began to move towards the city until Shepard held his arm, forcing him to face her again.
``Wait Javik, how can you be so sure that we are back in time?``
``Architecture, Commander, is the one from my people, as well as the air. It is not infested with fear and inferiority such as yours. I must warn my race!``
``And if they will not believe you?``
``Nonsense! When something threatens the Empire, it replies immediately. They will believe me.``
He got rid of the Human's grasp and continued his way to the city. Luna had no other choice but to follow him, telling herself that at least she would have the chance to see what the Prothean community looked like.
***
Everything was impressive. Large buildings stood straight on several meters, lines of soft green lights featuring on their sides. On the ground were several shops. It was the realm of the pedestrians, vehicles circulating high up in the air.
Luna and Javik, both in armor and armed with several guns were soon attracting attention. Most civilians were mostly Protheans, their skin color ranging from purple, blue, yellow or green. Javik was a normal sight and specie to see, but not Shepard. Feeling the tension in the Human, the Prothean Commander did not hesitate to `borrow` a hooded black cape as they passed near a shop too busy to see them fly with it. They hastened away, Luna putting on the cape, covering her head and thanking her partner with a low voice.
``If only you were less primitive,`` Javik growled back.
They were heading to a place Javik called the Senate, where representatives of the Great Empire stood. All what Luna hoped was that they would be less skeptical than the Council and the Alliance.