ALRIGHT GUYS AND GALS, ITS TIME FOR CHAPTER TWO!
No major announcements, at least that I'm aware of, so let's just get on with the story!
Regular dialog | 'inner thoughts'/ (Inner thoughts) | "Speech" | DEATH'S VOICE
The first inner thoughts is used for regular in-head thoughts, the second is more in-head interruptions, just an FYI.
Chapter 2
Well, I didn't die.
Honestly, I'm not sure if my current situation is a good thing or a bad thing. Since being discharged by the med bay, several interesting developments have come up, a few of them more surprising than others.
Starting with my enlistment, I apparently am being shipped to Brazil for basic training. That in itself isn't that strange. From what I've gathered from the extranet (Which is stupid hard to use!) Brazil is home one of the best training academies, the "N-school" or "villa" as it is sometimes called. Instead of going there, though, I'm actually attending the Macapá boot camp, the very same that Ashley Williams will end up attending if things don't change.
No, the strange part is that Shepard and I are going to be together. Same unit, same duty rotations, same training, same quarters, and even the same damn bunk! I knew I wanted to be close to her for when the Reapers show up, but I'll be damned if that isn't just a bit TOO convenient for my liking. Not that I was complaining… I have enough sense not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The next surprise, which still has me confused, was Captain Anderson. Apparently, despite introducing himself as a Captain, he wasn't actually a Captain yet. After a brief conversation with Shepard, (Who had asked me to start calling her Cassandra or Cassie, saying she didn't like being called by her last name. Have fun with that one!) I learned that Anderson was actually a Staff Commander, and that he had been formally promoted, but the paperwork and ceremony had yet to actually be completed. By a technicality, he could call himself a Captain, but he was really just a Staff Commander.
Shortly after that confusion was cleared up, I learned about the actual service ranks from Cassandra, which lead me to my current continued confusion. The Alliance apparently uses a modified version of the ranking system that has been used for hundreds of years. Soldiers are classified into rank-and-file enlisted personnel, experienced non-commissioned officer (otherwise known as NCOs), and specially trained officers.
Supposedly, the divide between naval personal and ground forces (basically the marines since they're the only ground force you hear about in game) is small. Ground units are basically just a specialized branch of the fleet, a lot like fighter squadrons would be. The purpose of this came from the fact that it would be pointless to fight without orbital superiority. Without ships in the skies, it's kind of hard to keep a planet properly defended. Of course the marines, being the prideful and glorious bastards they are, decided to keep some of their traditional rank titles, such as Privates and Corporals instead of Servicemen and women.
The part that confused me was that there is no actual "Commander" title. There was Lieutenant Commander and Staff Commander, but no "Commander." What's more is that Captain and Major were basically the same rank, one being fleet and the other being marines respectively. The reason that confused me was because Major Alenko in the third game would technically outrank Shepard!
'Stupid Bioware, giving us a shitty ending and making problems like that come up.' I thought as I the shuttle I was currently sitting in hit some turbulence. 'Hopefully something like that doesn't happen in this reality.'
The shuttle I was currently in was a UT-45 Kodiak. A bulkier, not so well designed version of the UT-47 from the games, which well and truly flew like a damn brick, especially here in atmosphere.
"Were about twenty minutes out!" The pilot called out from the cockpit.
'Perfect. Plenty of time to return to my thoughts.' I thought, flicking my wrist to create a small biotic bubble in my hand. It had been roughly a week since I had been discharged from the med bay where my biotics were discovered. The doctor, who's name I later learned was Jackson, had complained about not having enough time to run all the tests he had wanted to, but was glad to hear that he would be receding all the credit for the discovery if anything from future tests could be used.
The initial MRI that Jackson had done mapped out the eezo nodes in my body. Everyone in the room, myself included, were surprised by how large the nodes were, and just how many of them there were. The normal amount of eezo nodes in a biotics body is roughly twenty to thirty, spread out throughout the body with the exception of the brain. After going over the data, I apparently had forty-seven, with the forty-eighth in my brain.
According to the scans, the node in my brain had, after hitting my head and dislodging it, ended up re-attaching nearly perfectly between the two halves of my brain. Under normal circumstances, this would make the person have no dominate brain hemisphere, allowing them to be ambidextrous, as well as several other benefits. Unfortunately, all that the node did to me was let me use biotics without the need of hand gestures.
I wasn't planning on complaining at all over that, though Jackson certainly was. Why, I had no idea, but I didn't really care either. I knew just learning how to use these biotics was going to be a challenge, let alone using them without gestures. The few human biotics (in comparison to other species) all had degrees of trouble in learning new biotic techniques outside of the basic ones. Some of the most talented could only use five or six abilities.
To give a comparison between Asari and Humans, the Asari could learn up towards twenty different biotic abilities through their lives. This was mostly due to their long lives, the Asari being able to live up towards a thousand years, and it was only those who trained continuously that reached that level.
Doctor Jackson, during my brief stay in his care and during the few tests and checkups, had brought in a biotic trainer. The man, whose name I never learned, was both surprised at how easily I had managed to grasp the basic concepts and eager to see just how far I could learn without an amp.
"Pretty impressive." Cassandras voice broke me from my thoughts. "Didn't know you were a biotic."
"Neither did I until the night we met." I said with a smile. "Maybe you're rubbing off on me."
Cassandra smirked and sent a small biotic throw at my shoulder. It wasn't a strong one by any means, and was the equivalent of a shove. The morning after I had agreed to enlisting, Anderson had come in with a tall stack of paperwork that I needed to sign. According to him (because I sure as hell didn't read them) they were basic wavers and enlistment papers, but that most of them were for my newfound biotics. As I was signing them, Anderson had ended up mentioning that Shepard was a biotic as well.
Apparently, Cassandra's mother had been an engineer during her pregnancy. This had let Shepard be born with (according to the military) light biotics. She would in no way be a vanguard or adept, biotic warriors that specialized in the use of biotics. If anything, it seemed like the scenario in the first mass effect game where, if you used an ability a certain amount of times, you unlocked it for any class. For example, I liked using lift in the games to keep targets in the air and out of cover, and after only my first play through, I was able to create a soldier who could use lift. From the sound if it, this was similar, but a bit more realistic. Someone with biotics in the military would try to milk that potential for all it was worth.
"How the hell did you… It was Anderson, wasn't it?" Casandra guessed, and got her reply in the form of a smirk from me. "Damn that man! Does he not know I like my private life to be private?"
"Oh please. You know I would have asked the instant you used yours in combat or training." I countered, and she gave me a sheepish look which made me laugh. "So how long have you been enlisted?"
"Not even a year." She said. "Enlisted on my 18th birthday, April 11."
"Shit, your only 18?" I asked, and she just smirked. "Didn't expect you to be younger than me!"
"What about you? When's your birthday?"
I brought up my Omni-tool, it had been 'installed' (as they liked to call it) after my enlistment had been confirmed, and checked the date. September 29th, 2172. Huh, so only a couple days then.
"It's in three days. Turning 21." I said, letting my surprise slip into my voice. "Didn't realize it was coming up that quick."
"Perfect! You can buy me a drink when were off duty!" Casandra said with an evil grin on her face.
"I thought that the Alliance let those who serve drink, regardless of age."
"Yeah? Doesn't mean you can't buy me one!" Another biotic 'shove' hit me, but this one was a lot stronger. Almost enough to knock me over.
"How about instead I get your friend to buy us one." I commented playfully while rubbing my shoulder in mock pain. "She owes me anyway."
Cassandra seemed to think on this for a minute before replying. "I think that would work, just as long as you buy me at least one."
"Christ, what is it with women wanting me to buy them drinks!" I muttered. Apparently too loud, since Cassandra took the moment to comment.
"Oh? You get plenty of attention from the ladies I assume?"
"Nope." I groaned before smirking. "Just friends that like to mooch off me. Looks like I found another."
"I resent that!" she huffed. "A single drink isn't mooching!"
"Yeah, but you're getting two out of me. That's mooching." I teased, making us both laugh.
"One minute out!" The pilot called out. Shit, twenty minutes up that quickly? All well, better grab my things, what little there is.
I reached down beneath my seat and pulled out my bag, a smaller version of the one that had been on my back when I landed in that minefield. Inside were all the possessions I had in the old one, minus the parachute that had refolded back into the bag. One data pad that had all my digital stuff on it (mostly games, from the brief look I had taken), my old phone that somehow came with me and was now BEYOND an antique, an actual hard copy of The American Sniper (which I had yet to read apparently, due to the lack of folded page corners that I used to mark where I was); and an 'old fashion' black wallet with nothing but printed out pictures of my friends, a photo id, and a medical card.
I had been taken back by the photos. They were the exact same as the ones in my actual wallet, same size and everything. Not wasting any time I had checked to see if they were safe digitally, and they thankfully were. I wasn't planning on losing these any time soon, but if I did I wanted to be sure I could get them back. I had no idea if my friends were the same as they were back in my world, but I knew I would hardly be seeing any of them now that I was enlisted, which kind of relieved me.
It sounds horrible, but I preferred not to have any ties to people now. Despite what Death had told me, I had no way of knowing if I acted the same as the person who had been here before me did, if I had the same memories, the same likes and dislikes. It made me nervous, more nervous than when I had jumped out of a plane and died.
The shuttle vibrating shook me from my thoughts once again. There was a time and place for those thoughts, and it wasn't now. I threw the backpack over my shoulder as I stood up, Cassandra doing the same with a duffle bag. It figured she had more than I did, she probably had a chance to pack stuff.
"Welcome to the Macapá Recruit Training Depot. Have fun in hell!" The pilot announced, making me worry about just what I had agreed to. I pushed those thoughts out of my head, knowing I had a job to do, and I'd be damned if I wasn't going to do it.
Though, the thought of getting Death to pay me stayed in my mind. It showed with my wicked smile.
"He wasn't kidding you know." Cassandra spoke up and the shuttle doors opened and we stepped out onto the landing pad. "This is the same place that soldiers from all over the Alliance go to for N-school."
"Well then I think we need to make use of this fine opportunity to become the best we can be." I said, my grin only growing bigger. "First to become an N of any rank owes the other a beer?"
"Let's make it interesting then." She countered, and I quickly disliked her grin. I knew this would only end badly for me. "If one of us goes up a rank higher than the other, they owe the other a beer."
"So when I keep beating you for promotions, I also earn drinks?" I teased, knowing I was doomed. "Sounds like I arrived in paradise."
MACAPÁ RECRUIT TRANING DEPOT, EARTH
SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2172
I flopped on my bed, if it could even be called that, and immediately fell in love with it. I had known day one, in any military, was always the worst. They wanted to get rid of those who didn't truly want to be there, those who weren't ready to be there, and those who just flat out didn't belong there.
After meeting our DI (drill instructor), one Gunnery Chief Ellison, I had quickly realized that I was all three of those wrapped up into one. I was out of shape, VERY unsure if I actually wanted to be here, and pretty damn sure that I didn't belong here.
"Awe, tired already?" Cassandra teased. It was getting easier not thinking of her as just Commander Shepard, the hero of the Citadel and whatever military profile she'll end up with, though I'll probably change that after Eden Prime happens. "Just so you know, if you drop out, I still get my beers off of you for every rank I go up."
"I'm not dropping out." I groan through my pillow. "I just wish I knew what I was getting into better."
"I'll admit that the DI was a bit rough, at least his vocabulary is colorful in a good way." Oh lord is that true. If you thought it was funny in the game when Ashley and Shepard talk about Gunny Ellison use of words like "evangel" and "whatever it was that Ashley said (I think it started with a p)", well it's a hell of a lot funnier, and more confusing, in person. I honestly don't think I've heard half of the words that man used, and I consider myself to be at least slightly above average when it comes to strange sounding words.
"Aint that the truth." I chuckled. "I couldn't understand half of what that man said, but somehow his message was crystal clear."
"Well I think I'll leave you at that." She said, grabbing some toiletries from her footlocker. "Unless you plan on joining me. I think you need it, what with the way you smell right now."
"But the bed is so comfy" I groaned, only to let out a grunt of pain as Cassandra kicked the bottom of the bed right where my groin was. "What was that for?"
"I'm not letting my bunkmate smell like BO." She said with a sadistic smile. "And I wanted to see how many octaves I could raise your voice."
"Good lord you're a bitch." I muttered as I continued lying down, only to quickly scramble up when she threatened to keep kicking. "I'm up! I'm up! My word you're a slave driver."
"That's mistress to you." She was enjoying herself. Great. "Now let's go. I don't want to smell you any longer than I have to."
Not wanting to risk her wrath, I quickly grabbed the toiletries that had been provided and followed close behind her. In fact, I was so worried about her injuring me and so worn out that I ended up not caring that there was a lack of shower curtains.
I had realized before coming that I was going to end up in communal showering. It wasn't something that I was looking forward to in any regard. Sure, girls in a shower, but all the people here after the first day are committed to learning how to kill anyone who messes with them. I wasn't eager to get on some girls shit-list just because of some wandering eyes.
And don't you think for a second it's because I felt inadequate! I feel perfectly fine about myself besides being out of shape, but that was going to change here anyway! No, the reason I wasn't looking forward to this was mostly because of Cassandra.
I knew her as a person, yet also as a videogame character that could romance just about anyone. Just by being here I was probably screwing over the plot in countless different ways. If I somehow became a love interest, especially to her since I knew what she would be going through, well that would just be hard on me and awkward if she found out. I had originally planned on just showering after her.
But when a woman is threatening to kick your groin, AFTER already doing so, you don't say no. I just hoped that this didn't become a regular occurrence.
MACAPÁ PUBLIC TRANSIT SKYCAR, EARTH
OCTOBER 2ND, 2172
Three days. Today was only three days in and I already felt both dead and alive at the same time. So far our days had been nothing but nonstop physical training. Understandable, but not something I was actually enjoyed doing for fifteen hours a day. Then there was the two hours of actual weapons training, which was a nice breather alongside the meals, and a six hour rest before it all started over again.
Tonight, however, was going to be different. Despite being only three days into training, our unit was showing a lot of promise, and had been given the night off along with half of the next day. I had a feeling it was a bit more than just us doing better than expected, however. The chief, from what I had heard from other units, almost never did something like this unless he was needed elsewhere. What it was about, I had no clue, and I certainly wasn't going to complain about the sudden break.
Instead, I would be complaining about how bad of a hangover I would have in the morning, or how sore I would be from whatever trouble Cassandra and the gang were plotting. It had been obvious after the Chief had told us we were free to leave the base that they were planning something.
I kind of felt bad about not being in their little group. I assumed it was mostly because after training, and a shower with Cassandra (She was still threatening me), I would usually fall right asleep. Unfortunately, this meant that I hadn't really bonded with the rest of the unit.
To be fair, there were a couple dozen in the unit, but each group was separated into smaller fire teams during training. Each team had six members in it, consisting of any combination of gender and ethnic background. My team was one of few that actually had their bunks near each other due to a logistical mess up, which only made me feel worse about not knowing them as well as I should have, but at least I knew a little about them.
Jayce was the first to come to mind. Tall, Caucasian, British surprisingly, already well built, and blond hair that looked longer than what the regs allowed, but every time the instructors had checked, it was just at the limit allowed. The man was a natural born leader, but it was clear he wasn't up to Cassandra's level. He had quickly, and happily I might add, taken the roll of the groups second in command. I didn't really blame him for that, there's no way I would want to be the one in command. From what I had seen, Jayce had a bit of a serious streak covered by humor. One minute he could be yelling at someone for their mistake, then be laughing about a joke he had told.
Lilly was the next to come to mind. She was short, also Caucasian but with some Asian features and dark brown hair. Despite looking like a twig, the was the biggest scrapper out of the group, quickly picking semi-friendly fights that barely passed as sparing the way she dropped her opponent. That said, she was also the kindest of the group. If I didn't know better, and not want to be beaten to a pulp, I'd say she was bipolar. One minute she's a whirlwind of fists coming from every direction, the next she's in overprotective mother mode worried that the smallest cut will get you infected.
After Lilly was Johnson. I swear to god, this man HAD to have been pulled strait from Halo, because he fit the profile of Sergeant Johnson perfectly. Dark skin, gruff voice, crude sense of humor, inspiring and evil as hell but loyal to a fault. Hell, the two even SOUNDED familiar. Unfortunately, I had to go and say something to him about it. Turns out, Halo actually was a game that had a HUGE pickup after Halo 5 was released and came out with more games than Final Fantasy did, and Johnson had played them all. He knew, and was ACTUALLY TRYING to act like Sergeant Johnson. Well, he was doing a damn good job of it in my book.
Up next was Markov. Just like the name sounds, the man was from what use to be Russia. White skin, bald (and I mean old man liver spots on his head bald), and as big as a bear. So far, the running joke was to use Markov in what was called Operation Meat Shield so that the rest of us could have mobile cover. Markov laughed at the joke and then, to quote him directly, said: "I like having many weapons. Stay close little ones. I can use you like clubs!"
The last members of the squad were Cassandra and I, and it felt like the two of us were inseparable. Not that I necessarily enjoyed it, what with the groin threats and all, but I wasn't complaining either. She was hands down the best shot in the group and the only other one with biotics besides me. When we were running through the obstacle course, she had slowed herself down so that the rest of us (mostly me, to my embarrassment) could catch up. She wasn't idle during that time though, and it showed. As soon as we were together, she was already giving orders on how to clear the next obstacle, and giving us other options if her original plan didn't work. She was clearly leader material.
And now all of us were jammed into a skycar, flying towards the nearest bar. With how odd of a bunch we were, I knew this night was going to be hell. I just wish I knew if it was going to be hell for us or for others. We hadn't even landed and I was already thinking of damage control.
"So Markov, why did you enlist?" Lilly asked from the back seat. Six people in a skycar meant it was cramped, so we put the two biggest people up front. Jayce and Markov. I was sandwiched between the door to my left, Jayce's chair to the front, and Cassandra to the right. Why Cassandra was always around me, I didn't know and was almost afraid to ask, but at least she smelled nice. Well, as nice as generic soap can make you smell, but it was a lot more pleasant than how we usually smelled.
"I join for simple reason." He answered. "I enjoy fighting. I join so I can find biggest fight I can."
"Be careful tonight gov'na. Don't want ya to wake up without a liver somewhere across the pond." Jayce commented with a smirk, his voice heavily accented.
"Damn it son." Johnson complained. "We all know you don't sound like that. Knock it off."
"You're just mad I'm going to get more girls with that accent than you will with your crappy game character voice!" Jayce teased, his smirk now a full blown grin. Not that I could see it, but you could tell just from the sound of his voice.
"Oh, I know what the ladies like." Johnson replied in a smooth, almost suggestive tone.
"And what might that be?" Lilly asked, rejoining the conversation. 'Don't be a fool Johnson. Don't walk into that trap' I thought.
"They love the smell of green." He said with a smirk, continuing his quotation from Halo. When everyone was confused he pulled out, much to my surprise, a wad of green dollar bills.
"Is it not impossible to smell colors? Or did you fall and hit your head?" Markov joked, not seeing the paper currency.
"No you big ape! This!" He shoved the money in Markov's face. "Women love a man with money!"
"To bad all you have is old currency that's not worth anything anymore." Jayce teased. Lilly was too busy laughing to care about the trap she had been setting.
"What about you two? Got anything funny to add?" Johnson said to Cassandra and me.
"Just that you are all horrible people." Cassandra said with a smile. "It's not polite to pick on the poor man."
"See if I help you out of a fight." Johnson grumbled. "What about you Will?"
"I think I'll stay out of this one." I said, putting my hands up in mock surrender. "I still trying to wrap my head around Gunny's vocabulary. Maybe next time I'll add to the verbal beating you just took."
"I thought we were friends!" he complained.
"We are friends." Cassandra said, nudging my ribs with her elbow.
"We just enjoy busting each other down a peg. It helps that you set yourself up for us." I said, getting Cassandra's hint. "For that, we say thank you."
"Well there goes the round I was buying for all of you." Johnson smirked. In the chaos that ensued, I was happy that we managed to only hit three old streetlamps. When the skycar finally landed and opened up, I jumped out and kissed the ground.
"Very funny." Jayce groaned, clearly annoyed at how badly he had driven and the crap we had been giving him. "OH NOT YOU GUYS TOO!"
I turned around to see everyone else, even Markov, doing the same thing. I tried to fight my laughter, I really did… ok so I didn't try at all, but that was damn funny! Seeing Markov alone doing it nearly made me lose my breath. The man was probably the toughest among us, and even he was terrified by Jayce's driving.
The club we had arrived at apparently didn't have a name. Despite being open for business, and having a liquor license, they had yet to choose a name for the place. It had gotten so popular among the soldiers back at the training depot that they had started calling the place 'Blank.' I thought it was a clever name, especially since the club had a reputation for not having a name.
What really surprised me was the music as we walked in. Tonight, it seemed, was a throwback night where they select a period of music and blare the best hits from that time. I was really starting to think the universe was trying to help me transition, not that I wanted the help. To be honest, I just wanted to try the new liquor that was available and lose myself in the beat of the semi-crappy semi-good techno that normally blared in any bar in the games.
The group split up, having already agreed upon meeting back up after an hour or so. I walked up to the bar, not interested in the dancefloor at all. The bartender, at least the one on this end of the bar, was surprisingly Batarian. It took me a second not to want to shoot him on sight, the only Batarians in game being gang members, slavers, a bartender that tries to poison you… you get my drift.
"What'll it be?" He asked, his voice tired, but not unfriendly.
"Honestly, no clue. First time here. What's popular?"
"Depends on your tastes. We have mostly Human beer, but also a good variety of Asari drinks as well as some dextro drinks. Don't drink those, for obvious reasons."
"What do Asari drinks taste like?" I asked, not being a fan of actual beer. I liked the stuff that tastes good, AND can get you drunk.
"Mostly fruity, but don't mistake them. Their likely to put your ass on the ground quicker than Human moonshine."
"Well, I don't know any names of Asari drinks, so surprise me." I said with a smile. "But go easy on me. I don't know how long I'm going to be here."
"I have just the thing for you." He said with what I assumed was the equivalent of a Batarian smile before walking off. After a minute, he came back with a tall glass of purple liquid.
"Its… purple?"
"What else would you expect from the Asari?" The bartender said with an amused shrug.
"That is a good point my friend." I said, taking a sip. Immediately my taste buds were assaulted by a mixture of strawberry, pineapple, mango, and a hit of something I couldn't place all mixed into one and chilled to the perfect temperature while still keeping the alcohols kick.
"I think I'm in love." I mutter as I take another drink. The bartender just laughs. "What's this called?"
"Thessian Temple. Supposedly its one of the milder Asari drinks, but we Batarians have a lower tolerance than other species."
"Really? How big of a difference?" I ask. This isn't something said in the games, so I'm curious.
"Not much for the lighter stuff, but for heavier drinks we usually end up drunk when you humans are getting 'buzzed' as you call it."
"Does that mean Batarian alcohol would be considered light drinks? Or do you still have heavy hitting stuff?"
"The most potent drink I can think of is uncut Batarian ale, and it's illegal anywhere outside the Hegemony."
"Right. Remind me not to try that then." I chuckle before noticing a certain redhead walking towards me. "Wish me luck."
"What?"
"WILL!" Cassandra yelled, jumping onto my back in a hug. Already I could smell the alcohol on her breath.
"Shepard how the hell are you already drunk! We just got here!" I complained.
"That guy overthere challenged me to a drinking contest. I won!" she proclaimed proudly before pointing. When the bartender and I looked over, we were surprised to see a Krogan passed out in one of the booths.
"Wait, you out drank a KROGAN in less time than it took me to order my own drink?" I asked in awe. "What the hell were you two drinking?!"
"RYNCOL!" she said happily as I looked at the bartender.
"Can I put her somewhere so she doesn't kill herself or others?" I asked. The bartender laughed until he noticed I wasn't.
"Shit, your serious aren't you? Alright. I have a place. Follow me."
I hoisted Cassandra onto my back, getting some confused and annoyed glances from the other patrons. Mostly from her yells about getting a piggyback ride and the airplane noises she was making. After following the bartender through a few doors we came to a door that looked a lot sturdier.
"This is it. Normally this room only gets used by that Krogan your friend outdrank. If it can hold him, it can hold her."
"Thanks. We owe you one. Can you let anyone who's asking for a Cassandra Shepard or William May to come back here? There the other members of our team."
"No problem, hell I should be owing you. That Krogan normally causes trouble every time he's in here. With him passed out, we might have ten fewer bar fights tonight. There's some cups and a sink in the bathroom. Should help flush her system if she drinks some water."
I walked in with Cassandra on by back still and let the door behind us shut. I promptly saw a bed and laid Cassandra down on it and went to fill a glass of water for her to drink. When I came back, however, I was utterly surprised by what I saw.
Cassandra. No clothes. Lying on the bed.
I immediately turned around and went back into the bathroom.
"Where are you going?!" she yelled.
"Well, I have no idea why you're naked, so I was giving you some privacy!" I yelled back form the bathroom.
"You realize I'm doing this for you, right?"
"YOU'RE WHAT!?"
"Well… Today's your birthday right?"
"Yeah?"
"I told the team… and they thought that… since you and I get along so well… and that since were always together… that we could…"
At this point I walked out. She looked like a mixture between confused, happy, worried, and scared with a lot of drunk thrown in for good measure. Without stopping I put my arms around her and hugged her.
"W-Will, what are you doing?" she asked.
"That's obvious. I'm hugging you." I said simply.
"Then… your…"
"No."
"No?" she pulled back and looked at my face.
"No. But not for the reasons you think."
"Then why?" She asked, relief flooding through her clear as day, but also sorrow. A single tear made a break down her face and I whipped it away gently.
"It's complicated, and I'd rather tell you when you're not drunk." I said with a smile. "But mostly, it's just because I'm not looking for a one night stand. I'm a one person type of guy."
"So you do like me?" God, why did her voice have to sound hopeful?
"Right now, as a friend. But who knows what might happen in the future." I said, still smiling. Inside I was torn. On one hand, I had the whole 'she's going to die and you won't tell her' thing going on in my head, but on the other I couldn't deny that she was attractive. "Let's get you dressed ok? You're already shivering."
She nodded and sniffled lightly, and damn if my heart didn't break a little from hearing it. I didn't like what I had said, but it was better than saying yes. 'Yeah. Instead you get you keep her hopes up and crush them again.'
God damn I feel like the biggest asshole in the universe.
Cassandra had put her clothes back on and was now sitting on the bed next to me, leaning up against my shoulder. I put my arm around her and pulled her back into a hug. I'll be damned if I was going to just let her cry next to me and not do anything about it.
"This must be really awkward for you." She murmured. "I know it is for me."
I laughed lightly at that. "Now, what could have made this awkward? At least Markov isn't in here in his skivvies. THAT would be awkward."
To my relief, she laughed at that. A bit more than I expected, but the alcohol was probably helping with that. "No, not that. This was all supposed to be for your birthday. We go out, get some drinks, get wasted, have some fun, then end the night with some bad decisions before getting a cab back to base."
"Well, there's no reason we can't still do that." I said. "We'll probably have to bar hop though. With you out drinking a Krogan, I don't think they're going to give you anything else to drink."
"Yeah… I only had a sip… Ryncol is horrible."
"But… how did the Krogan… and you… WHAT?"
"I MAY have spiked his drink…" she said sheepishly.
"Thank fucking god. If you REALLY had out drank him that quickly, we probably would need your stomach pumped. Twice if we had continued." I said, my voice full of relief.
"You're not mad?"
"You said this was a birthday gift?" She nodded. "Then no, I'm not mad. You were thinking of making my twenty first birthday memorable. I can't be mad at you for that. As for being fake drunk and trying to seduce me, well I can easily see that as the Jayce and Lilly's plan more than yours."
"Well I do like you…" She almost whispered.
"I know. You wouldn't have done this otherwise." I said, keeping my voice calm while pulling her closer. "It's just like what I said though. For now, you're my best friend in this hellhole of a situation called boot camp. In the future… who knows?"
"Yeah." She said, burying herself closer to me. "Still, is it wrong of me to what this?"
"No. Everyone deserves happiness. It doesn't matter where or who you find it in."
"That's nice. Where did you hear that?"
'Kelly Chambers, more or less.' "I don't remember. I always liked it though. It fits so many situations. Besides, this is so much better than my last birthday present."
"What was that?"
"I went skydiving…"
"Pfft." She laughed. "You did that for your birthday?"
"It was my brother's idea, ok? He had paid for everything, I just had to go and do it." I defended myself. "Besides, it's not my fault I landed in a goddamn minefield."
"Well I'm glad you're having fun. Wait, don't tell me you've done this to other girls." Yikes. Time to get going.
"Well, let's get back out there and make bad choices, yeah?" I say, standing up.
"Will, answer the question." Crap, she's getting angry.
"Only if you can answer mine." I say seriously.
"Ask."
"How do we get out of here?"
There was no door handle, no switch to open it, no lever to open a hidden passage, not even a damn trap door.
"… that doesn't count."
"Can we please discuss this after we've escaped the room with no exits?" I say somewhat frustrated, and regret it when she recoils. "Sorry. Not frustrated at you at all. Just at myself for getting us into this situation and being unable to get us out."
"Don't tell me she's already sober. That's just not possible." The bartender's voice rang through the room.
"Nope! She was never drunk! Just ended up playing a trick on me."
"Alright. I'll get the door."
"You're not going to tell him what really happened?" Cassandra asked after a few seconds.
"Well, if you want to tell him, you can go right ahead. I didn't want to embarrass you by saying it."
"NO, no, it's fine." She said quickly, a light blush coming over her face. "But… before we get let out…"
"Wha-?" The full force of her lips pressed against mine unexpectedly, and a second later they were gone. "W… What was that for?"
"Well, I still wanted to give you something for your birthday… Something only I could give while still being… personal." She said shyly. Wait…
"Then that was…"
"My first." She rubbed her arm nervously.
My mind was officially fried. Why the hell was she acting this way? She hadn't once acted like this during the time I've known her, and even in the games she was always confident, never a cute, babbling nervous wreck. Hell, I didn't even know what she saw in me!
"For what its worth… that was mine as well." I said as the door opened from the outside, giving me an escape from the confusion that was surrounding… well EVERYTHING.
"Alright you two, your seven minutes in heaven are up!" Oh god. Now I have to deal with this.
"Screw you Jayce!" I yelled at him. "What made you guys think you should pressure her into doing this?"
"She just wouldn't shut up about you!" Jayce countered.
"Yeah. Every time you two weren't together, you're all she would talk about." Lilly added.
"I know what the ladies like, and this one like you." Johnson commented.
"I came for drinking. I knew nothing of this." Well, at least it wasn't eve-
"Bullshit Markov. You wanted this to happen just like us!" Damn it Markov!
"Well sorry to burst your guys bubble, but nothing happened." Cassandra spoke up. "Well, not nothing, but not anything like what we planned."
"You are all horrible." I said, doing my best to look angry at them all. It didn't last long. "And I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone else."
"Can we please just go back to drinking? I kinda want to forget this ever happened." Cassandra said, clearly embarrassed.
"Sorry Shep. But that won't be happening for a LONG time." I said, putting my arm around her before everyone else started to tease her. I saw she was still embarrassed, but as we walked back into the club, I noticed a small smile spread across her lips. Without saying a word, I squeezed my hand on her shoulder. 'Things are going to be ok.'
MACAPÁ RECRUIT TRANING DEPOT, EARTH
OCTOBER 3RD, 2172
'Things actually turned out ok for once!' I thought before I felt someone in my bunk with me. Fear taking over my entire body, I slowly looked to my right, only to find Markov. I was relived, but a single thought broke that almost immediately. 'WHY IS MARKOV IN MY BED?'
I quickly jumped out of the bunk, not caring if I was clothed or not…. On second thought, I DO care if I was clothed or not. Thankfully, I felt the familiar tug of my off-duty uniform that I had worn to the club last night. After quickly discovering that I had been in Markov's bed instead of him being in mine, I quickly checked the time. 0500, or 5:00 AM.
'Ok… I don't remember anything after a couple of drinks, yet I don't have a hangover… which means I was either knocked out or drugged.' I thought, making my way over to my bunk. 'I can rule out being knocked out, I'd feel some pain from that no matter what, so that means I was drugged. Great.'
I reached my bunk, only to find Cassandra sleeping soundly in it. 'Right. There was that also… Well, I'm an early riser anyway, might as well get ready for the day.'
I grabbed my toiletries and quickly showered. Being the first one up meant I got access to actual hot water, and every time Cassandra got me up and through the showers there was normally none left. Just because I had access to all the hot water doesn't mean I was going to use it all up.
After getting into clean clothes, I went to the hospital. I say hospital instead of med bay because it was just that, a full on hospital. This place apparently had so many injured they had required a full on hospital to take care of those who ended up injured. I liked to imagine that the team, at least when they woke up, would be wishing they were at the hospital.
I was going simply because I WASN'T hung over, which had me VERY confused. If I had drank as much as them, I should be hung over. If I was drugged, I wanted to know what it had been. I could safely rule out being knocked out, simply due to there being no wound or bruising when I washed my head.
I walked in to find that the staff weren't as busy as I thought they would be. Then again, most the base should still be sleeping, the wake up time being at 0630. Needless to say, the staff were surprised to see someone walking in this early, and a nurse walked up to me almost immediately.
"What brings you here so early?" she asked, sounding every bit as surprised as she looked.
"I'm part of Gunny Ellison's unit, and last night we were told we had the night and half of today off." I explained.
"Ahh. Got up early to get the hangover cure? Smart."
"Actually just the opposite. I woke up without a hangover, and if my shaky memory is any testament I drank just as much as the rest of my team."
"Strange. Follow me please."
ONE HOUR LATER
Well, I doubt that could have ended up any better than it did. Turns out that my biotic amp, an L2 surprisingly, had been overclocked. That caused a whole bunch of stuff with my nerves, and some other scientific stuff that went over my head quite quickly, I didn't really pay attention. All I got out of it was that my biotic amp was like Jack's, letting me be able to drink as much as I wanted without a hangover.
Well, that and the knowledge I got implanted with an L2 amp. Turns out that mine got installed almost perfectly, the only problem being the overclocking. I was certainly glad I wouldn't be crippled like some biotics, and that I won't end up with crippling migraines like Kaidan Alenko.
However, being the gentleman I am, I grabbed some of the hangover cure for my team. I knew the rest of our unit, but nowhere near as well as I knew my team. We had bonded a lot overnight, especially Cassandra and me.
I still was worried about that. We really shouldn't have a relationship, especially with what I knew would end up happening. More specifically, knew what would happen to her. I really didn't want her to be emotionally attached to me, end up dying and be brought back to life, only to find out that I knew it was going to happen.
At best, she would realize I had information on what we were facing and I could keep others safe. At worst, she would kick me off the mission and possibly get others killed in her emotional turmoil. Either way, it was better for her not to know what I know.
'Is it wrong that I want this?' her words rang in my head. She was just as confused as I was about this. I don't think she really knew why she felt like she did towards me, which only made me worry more. Hell, how did I know it wasn't because of my actual existence here? What if this was just some cosmic aftereffect of my being brought here? But what if she actually felt that way towards me? Gah, this was making my head hurt almost as bad as a hangover.
"Private May!" Oh crap. I immediately snapped to attention towards the voice, which belonged to none other than my CO, Gunny Ellison. "What are you doing up this early?"
I had to do a double take. Here my CO was, dressed in jeans and a plaid t-shirt and boots, asking why I was up so early. If this man couldn't have knocked me to the ground and put me through hell, I would have laughed at his appearance being so different.
"Sir! I woke up early without a hangover, so I went to the base hospital to figure out why."
"Well did you drink?"
"Yes sir. As much as or more than the rest of my team."
To my surprise, he looked at me with a smile. "At ease son, I'm still off duty. No need to keep calling me sir. Now, tell me what the doctors told you."
"Overclocked processor or something in my amp. I didn't understand all the technical talk, but it turns out I don't get hangovers, sir." I sad after relaxing. "Permission to speak freely?"
"No need to ask. Like I said, I'm off duty until 1200. Until then speak your mind."
"You look ridiculous sir"
"…"
"…"
"…I thought it looked good when I put it on."
"Pink plaid with jeans on you? Sir I'm still having trouble not laughing at your appearance."
"…Well shit." That was it. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I dropped to the dirt in laughter, completely unable to contain it anymore. I was surprised, however, to see him laughing as well. "Boy, let me tell you that I had sincerely wished to get back to my quarters and change before anyone saw me in this getup."
"Why would you have thought it was a good idea to begin with?!" I said through gasps of breath and laughter.
"Blame my mother. She always loves seeing me like this." He said, suddenly getting depressed. "Well… she use to at least."
"Shit, I'm sorry sir. If you don't mind my asking, when did she go?" I asked tenderly, forcing my laughter at his appearance to go away.
"Three years today. I've always taken time to go and pay my respects."
"I know how you feel sir." I said sympathetically. "Hell, I think I've lost more than I have yet to even realize." 'At least you got to say goodbye…'
"That's military life for you. Ya never know when someone else might be taken from you." He sighed and looked me in the eye. "My advice? Make the most out of every relationship you can. It helps more than you could ever imagine."
We stood there in silence for a bit before he continued. "Well, I gota get going. Figured I could use this time to catch up on some paperwork instead of yelling at you idiots rolling around in the mud."
"Good luck with that sir." I said, giving him a chrisp salute.
"I told you ya didn't have to do that boy."
"I'm aware sir." I said with a small smile on my lips as he turned to walk away.
"Don't think I'm going to be going easy on you just because you saw my sentimental side!" He yelled over his shoulder. "If anything I'll be doubling your workload!"
"I'll hold you to that sir!" I chuckled before heading back to the bunkhouse.
"Cassandra, wake up. I got something for you." I half said, half sang. She stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. "Come on Cassandra, I know you're going to like this."
"Five more minutes." She grumbled. "I'm still hung over."
"That's what the gift is silly. The cure to your head pain." That was enough to get her up it seemed, since she suddenly wasn't laying in my bed anymore. Instead, she was drinking a class of water I had grabbed, with the pill's wrapper in her other hand.
"Ahh, I can't help but love the person who discovered that miracle pill."
"Even more than the person who got you that pill?" I teased, only to start laughing when her face turned red.
"I had hoped that was just a dream." She groaned. "Or that you wouldn't remember."
"Oh please. I might not remember what happened after we started drinking again, but everything before that is crystal clear." I laughed, continuing to tease her.
"Ohhh, you don't do you?" I gulped. That was not a good tone of voice for someone I was teasing. "Then you don't remember saying yes to Markov's proposal?"
"What can I say? He's got everything I look for in a guy. Good looks and brains." I joked. It was a running joke that everyone had a 'crush' on Markov because of his ugly head and his lack of a way with words. "Though that would explain why I woke up in bed with him."
"Your kidding. When did you wake up?"
"0500." I replied casually. "Without a hangover, I might add. Turns out I have the best hangover prevention build into my body."
"Huh?"
I let out a sigh. "My amp is overclocked, and keeps me from getting a hangover."
"Lucky bastard. Oh, speaking of biotics, look at the back of your shoulder when you flair them."
Curious, I took of my shirt, much to Cassandra's liking. I wasn't near how I wanted to look by any means, but after three high intense workout days I had lost a couple pounds. It was noticeable, but only if you had kept track of it. I walked over to a mirror and looked over my shoulder. There was nothing on either of them.
"Come on, flare them up!" Cassandra encouraged. I raised my eyebrow, but did as she asked and flared my biotics, letting the purple glow surround and steam off my body. When I looked back over my shoulder, I was surprised at what I saw.
It was a circle with an x inside of it, with several different colored leaf etchings surrounding it. Forming a square around the circle were four names. The top left was Jayce, to the right was Lilly, the bottom left was Markov, and the bottom right was Johnson. Each of their names had I different shade of purple to it, as well as a different intensity.
"Wait, is this a tattoo?" I asked.
"Yeah. It's a bit late if you don't like it." She smirked.
"I love it, but where's your name?" I asked. I had looked, but couldn't find it anywhere, even on other areas of my body.
"It's there. You asked the person doing it to do it specially. You showed us it last night, and my name was there. I don't know what you asked her to change though."
"This is a biotic tattoo, right?" She nodded. "Then I think I know what to do."
I altered my biotics lightly, flaring right at the center point of the x. Sure enough, her name slowly started to fade into existence. With just a little more intensity, Cassandra's name fully appeared.
"How did you do that?" She asked, surprised that I had known what to do.
"I know myself, that's why." I said, not bothering to go into detail. It would have ended up revealing too much. I looked back over my shoulder at the tattoo and only confirmed my suspicions.
The circle was poorly done, or at least it appeared that way. What it really was, instead of a circle, was a very, VERY rough sketch of the galaxy. The X had been put on wrong so it wasn't in the center. Instead, it was slightly up, and slightly left of what would have been the galactic center. Or, more specifically, near the terminus systems border where Shepard died in the games. It was too close to the center to be the exact spot, but the message from my drunk self was pretty clear. Cassandra was near the center of everything, which meant I needed to be as well.
Especially since my name had come up after I flared my biotics a bit more. Right beneath Cassandra's.
"Remind me to never get this drunk again. I apparently couldn't sit still to have the poor bastard do a proper circle." That got a small laugh out of Cassandra before she sighed in relief. Guess the miracle pill finally kicked in.
"So, you wana know just how drunk you actually got?" she asked teasingly.
"Do I really want do know?"
"Maybe not. You might get away with not having to pay child support."
"WHAT?!"
"Relax, I'm kidding… Mostly." Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "You want the whole story, then you better get to the showers."
"Well darn, since I already took mine I guess I won't ever find out." I sighed.
"Who said anything about you showering?" She whispered in my ear before walking to said showers, playfully swaying her hips. I waited until she had finally walked in before I moved.
"That woman will be the death of me."
"I wana know what the hell she sees in you." Jayce said, sitting up in his bed. "Especially when she has this stud to look at."
"If you want your anti-hangover pill, you will wisely shut up." I moaned, laying on my bed. When I didn't hear him continue, I tossed him a pill. "Good boy."
"Bitch." He said, plucking the pill out of the air.
"Asshole." I shot back. "Honestly, I kinda agree with you. I have no idea what she sees in me. Hell, we've only known each other for a little over a week."
"Shit, that short of time and she's like this over you? You must have done something right." He shrugged
"I don't think I did anything special, or even anything that could be misinterpreted as something to catch her interest."
"Don't tell me you're not interested in her!" Jayce's face was one of shock.
"What? God no, have you seen her?!" He let out a sigh of relief. "What the hell was that for?"
"I'm glad you're not a total loss GAH" I punched Jayce in the gut before he could continue.
"Bastard. It's not that I'm not interested." I paused, trying to figure out how to get my point across. "I just… don't see how we could make it work. Between regulations against fraternization, and different deployments, we could very possibly never see each other again after here."
"Well, I guess that's a valid reason to be cautious." Jayce admitted, after regaining his breath that is. "But you won't make a move on that just because you might not see her again?"
"I'm not some player Jayce. I don't do one night stands. I'm a one and done kind of guy."
"Part of a dying breed." Lilly said, swinging down from her bunk above Jayce's. I wasn't surprised really, we were being a bit loud. Instead of being offended on her listening in, I just tossed her a pill. "And a gentleman no less. I can see why she likes you."
"Really? What is it?" I asked, silently wondering why I didn't ask Lilly in the first place.
"Well, I can't be sure, but it's probably because you treat her like a normal person." Lilly explained. "Add in the fact your nice and caring, with an admittedly great ass, and I can see why she's interested."
"Lilly!" I said in somewhat mock protest, making a show of covering my rear. Suddenly, something clicked in my head. "Wait, you said I treat her normally? Why would anyone treat her differently?"
"Shit, you don't know, do you?" Jayce asked. "Cassandra got pulled from training by Commander Anderson and a lot of Alliance Brass for some op. Apparently, she was out on Mindoir when it got hit, waiting to head to some other destination. When the attack happened, she tried her best to defend everyone, but she was the only soldier who wasn't killed immediately. She rescued quite a few people and defended them until the Alliance came back, more than anyone had expected her too."
"Yeah, when they brought her back, she was basically a celebrity. One soldier saves a quarter of a colony from a slaver attack. Everyone knew she was going to be big one day, so when she declined a promotion, it just reinforced the feeling of her being someone who was going places." Lilly continued.
'Holy shit. She has all three backgrounds? Don't tell me she's going to get all three military incidents as well. Hell, if she can get through all of that without training, why the hell am I even here?' I thought. "Damn. I never knew that about her. Guess that explains why she was with Anderson when I got recruited."
"Oh yeah! You're the guy who landed in a minefield!" OK, HOW THE HELL DO PEOPLE KNOW THAT IN A DIFFERENT CONTINENT?! "I think you two are more similar than you realize."
"What? How?"
"Well, you both take risks, both ended up with biotics, and you each have your own fame in the military." Jayce said. "Hell, if Anderson recruited you after seeing what he saw in Shepard, I'd say you're both destined for greatness."
"Still, I don't think that she would like me this much over things as small as those."
"Boy, who said she sees them as small?" Johnson said, walking around the bunk Jayce and Lilly were sitting on. I just tossed him a pill and motioned for him to continue. "You think acting courteous and caring are just natural, but to someone who's gone through what she has, seen the things she's seen, their like a beacon of hope. Something showing that there's still good in the galaxy."
"That and you are strong." Markov added in, lumbering over like a drunken ape. "Not many can adapt like you to surroundings. Plus you make good drinking partner."
I threw a pill at Markov before speaking. "You guys really think I have a chance at this? A lasting relationship with her?"
"Hell, I don't see why it's not worth finding out." Johnson spoke up first.
"I think you two would make a cute couple." Lilly admitted.
"Just don't be sharing bunk on many nights. Markov need his beauty sleep." Markov teased.
"Amen to that big guy. I don't want to be kept up by her saying how inadequate you are." Jayce smiled. "But at least I could swoo-AGH! Damn it Lilly, the pill hasn't kicked in yet!"
"Then don't be a perv." She said, sporting a shit eating grin. "Or don't drink so much."
"Well, I'm still nervous about this." I sighed, mostly from Lilly and Jayce's antics. "And I have no idea if we would last after we get deployed, but if you guys think it's worth a shot then I guess I'll try."
"Damn right! Go get her tiger!" Johnson said, slapping my back as I got up and walked to the showers. Damn did that hurt, especially since he hit right on my new tattoo.
I walked into the showers for the second time, making sure to disrobe so my clothes wouldn't get wet, and walked up to Cassandra's stall. It was pretty obvious it was hers, it being the only one running and her being the only redhead in the unit. Instead of choosing a stall next to her like I normally did, I walked into hers.
"Getting bold Will. I like it." She teased, giving me a great view of her backside. "Now if only I could get you to say yes to me."
"Well, lest talk about that." I say, wrapping my arms around her waist, in more of a loving way than a sexual one. "I'm still very iffy about it…"
"But?" Damn it, theres that hope in her voice again.
"But… I'm willing to see where this leads." I whisper in her ear. I must have done something right, because I could feel her literally shiver. "But just so you know, there are some rules."
"Un-huh." She muttered, pressing herself against me.
"First off, we aren't a couple… yet. I'm willing to try but if things conspire against us we both walk away."
She seemed a little sad at hearing that, so I held her tighter and continued. "Secondly, while we are together, I am going to be the most protective, over-reacting, and caring boyfriend you will have ever dated."
By this point she had turned around, her yellow eyes staring right into mine while shining brightly. Honestly, if we weren't both completely naked, in a barracks shower stall, and had the rest of our team listening in, I'd dare say this would be romantic.
"And lastly, while I'm open to doing just about anything with you right now, no sex. Like I told you, I'm a one and done type of guy." Her eyes loose some of their shine, so I continue. "But I do hope I will be you."
With that I leaned down slightly and kissed her. It felt so much better than last night's quick kiss, this one was filled with a calm longing. We each wanted this, but also respected each other's wishes. Her arms made their way around my neck and we just stood there, lightly kissing each other as the warm water ran over our skin.
"Remind me to thank Lilly." I whisper after pulling back slightly.
"Oh? Why?"
"Because she's probably the only thing standing between us and the rest of the team." I chuckle.
"Yeah, we should thank her." Cassandra giggled before letting me go. "Now, I don't know about you, but I think I still need to shower."
"Then allow me to help." I whisper in her ear, making her laugh as I slowly lather up her body.
OUTSIDE THE SHOWERS
THIRD PERSON POV
"Were sorry! We promise we won't try to look again!" Jayce cried. "Just don't hit me with tha-AGH!"
"Girl, I swear. When these ropes come off I going to put you in a world of pa-NGH!" Johnson stifled his voice, trying to keep the pain in his head.
"Markov is confused. Why is he here too?" A loud cracking sound was heard, but no reaction came from the man who was hit.
"Because, I need someone to help me keep the rest of these idiots out." Lily said, holding a whip. "Now, you keep the rest of the unit out of the showers until I get back. I have plans for these two boys here."
"Have mercy!"
"Bring it on you dumb ape!"
"Don't make her MADDER at us!"
To everyone's surprise, Johnson had somehow stood up despite the ropes tied up along his body to limit his movement. "You want breakfast? You gota catch it!"
A single crack of Lilly's whip knocked Johnson over. "You are going to regret ever saying that." She said with an evil smile on her face.
"SOMEONE HELP!"
Alright, so first off I want this to be known. I don't know how many eezo nodes a biotic normally has in their body, and it isn't posted anywhere. If someone has problems with the numbers I came up with, feel free to tell me because I was just making those numbers up.
Secondly, I have no idea what's actually in a Thessian temple. No sights I went to said anything about it other than that it was a 'mild Asari drink.' And yes, I like fruity alcohol and am no fan of beer of any kind.
Lastly, I wasn't expecting to actually write a relationship between Shepard and Will. It just happened as I wrote it. Now, I'm not saying that it will stay this way. Everything is subject to change in this story. I mean, they have around ten years before the start of the first game even happens, and I will tell you now that they WONT be working together for most of that time. And no, they're not just jumping into a committed relationship. Hell, it's not even a relationship at all yet. All that really happened is that Will admitted he has feelings for her they would just take it day by day.
Please don't kill me for it. I like living.
Also, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE HELL ASHLEY SAYS AFTER THE WHOLE GOLDBRICKING THING? I CANT REMEMBER AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GO BACK AND PLAY THE GAMES UNTIL I ACTUALLY REACH THAT POINT.
And as always, please let me know of any mistakes or corrections you can see. I love the reviews! See you all next time!