Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect.

I'd like to thank 3 people for significant inspiration: iNf3ctioNZ, bale626, and Herr Wozzeck

Constructive criticism is welcomed.


Chapter 1

I woke up gasping for breath, shaking as I struggled to live –

And then I realized that I was in a bed, and that I didn't really hurt. I looked down, didn't see any gunshot wounds, and the slight twinging in my chest vanished. It seemed that being gunned down had been just a dream.

I frowned slightly, because for some reason that thought didn't seem right. The dream had been vivid, and even now I could picture the various people I had passed, hear the sounds of the city, smell the metallic scent of my blood. Maybe there was something more to the dream? After a few moments more of contemplation, I got up...

And promptly realized that I was in a hotel room that I didn't think I'd ever been in before. After taking a few moments to recover from my shock, I tried to retrace my steps, hoping to remember how I had arrived. I got nothing for my trouble. Slightly concerned, I tried to remember what I had done last, and after quite a bit of mental effort, I still recalled nothing.

'Am I amnesic? Would I know if I was?' I wondered, still trying to remember anything I had done in the past.

After those scary thoughts, I started listing the things I could remember in my head. The list was depressingly short, as the only things I could actively remember was that strange dream, my name, and a set of people that I felt like I should know. I tentatively labeled those people as family/friends in mind, and myself as amnesic (seeing as I couldn't remember pretty much anything about myself). The next step for me then would be to start thinking about my next move.

I took some time, pondering what I could do, when suddenly a thought occurred to me. Perhaps my condition was caused by some kind of physical trauma that I couldn't remember? I could go see a doctor about it, and even if it wasn't the case, the doctor could give me some decent advice about what to do next, right?

Having decided on a course of action, even if I was still foggy on how to carry that action out, I started searching the hotel room anything useful I could take when I left the room. Specifically, I was hoping for some cash to pay the doctor with, but I'd be willing to get … huh.

That was strange. I don't exactly remember par se, but I kind of had a vague expectation of hotel rooms having things like soap and shampoo, and other little amenities. The room didn't look like a cheap one, if I went by the room's furnishings.

I did find a set of clean clothing in a drawer, and though they seemed strange for a moment, I shrugged off the feeling. I didn't really have a basis for fashion comparison, and they were very similar in style to the set I was currently wearing. I changed, and after I did so, I found a folded piece of paper in one of the pockets.

One side was covered in markings that had a regularity that might be some sort of code that I either didn't remember, or never knew. The other side though, had a pair of short, perplexing statements.

'I pay my debts. And now we're even.'

Maybe the words would have meant something to me at some point, but as I was, they just added confusion to my life. I folded the page, and placed it back into my pocket. It was time to leave the hotel.

There was a circular panel with a green light that I assumed was the exit of the room, and it opened automatically when I got close. I then walked down a hall, caught a ridiculously slow elevator ride with some guy, and then received a shock as I walked into the lobby.

There was a blue female alien standing behind the reception desk! Thankfully, I managed to get over my amazement by the time she noticed me in the lobby, because as soon as she did, she started to talk to me.

"Mr. Jacob Liljedahl? Could you come here for a moment? We have a package for you." The alien cheerfully said.

I walked over, curious, because one of the few things I could remember was that my last name was NOT Liljedahl. The blue alien told me to put my hand on a glowing pad, and after I did so, she handed me a small metal disk, as well as a black metal glove that could reach to my elbow.

I thanked the alien, and left the desk, placing the disk in my pocket while carrying the gauntlet with me. Was I a spy before my memory loss? It would explain quite a bit, what with the coded page, the false name, the package. It could even give an explanation for the dream; it could have been my last assignment or something.

Enthused by this exciting line of thought, I glanced at the glove I held. Careful examination showed that I had absolutely no idea how to properly evaluate it, and unable to determine anything about the metal glove, I decided to put the glove on to see if anything interesting happened.

It was fitted for a right hand, and as soon as I put it on, I felt a small prick on my forearm. The glove started softly humming, and then it started projecting teal light around it. The light also made a screen, which proudly proclaimed that I was wearing a customized omnitool. Under the bold print, there was a link that led to a tutorial on how to use basic features of the omnitool.

It turns out that the thing was very intuitive, and it wasn't very long before I was able to run a search function for the nearest charity clinic. The search result presented a 'Dr. Mordin Solus' and his clinic. The doctor was a different alien from the blue one at the reception desk, looking somewhat like something you'd find near a lake.

Seeing Dr. Solus's picture led to the realization of just how little I knew. Wanting to rectify that problem, I found myself a seat in the hotel lobby where no one was likely to sneak up on me from behind, and after connecting to the extranet, I started to read.

It didn't take long to find out that I was on a space station called Omega, and that Omega was a fairly dangerous place to be. I also came across the current date in my extranet searches, and by Earth's standards, the day was January 15th, 2184. I felt vaguely uneasy after discovering this, and it was only when I started completely new topics of search that the feeling faded

I had just finished reading about the various aliens living on Omega when a male turian walked up to me. Not sure what he wanted, I shut down my omnitool, got up from my seat and asked him. His reply was to hit me hard in the stomach. I doubled over wheezing, and barely caught his words when he spoke.

"Aria wants to have a chat with you, human"

He then grabbed me by the arm and dragged me through the station to a club called Afterlife. He took me past the bar and dancers to back of the club. There was a Batarian who searched my pockets for weapons, and after he was done, he motioned for the turian to grab me once more. The turian took me up a flight of stairs, where there was an area with guards, more guards, and some very comfortable looking couches. Sitting on those couches was an asari who's whole aura projected ruthlessness and power.

"You know, I don't believe I've ever met a human with as much courage as you." The asari said, "Tell me, why have you decided to fuck with me? I've killed people for much less, Mr. Liljedahl."

At this point I had almost total confusion. What was she talking about? All I had done all was sit in a hotel lobby reading. There was a long pause, with the asari obviously waiting for me to talk. The problem was, I had no idea what to say.

"What?" I helplessly asked. This was a mistake.

The asari went from seemingly relaxed to enraged. She started glowing blue, and suddenly I was floating in the air, blue surrounding me. I also felt a constricting around my neck; she was slowly choking me.

"Listen closely Liljedahl, there is one rule on Omega. Only one. Do NOT fuck with Aria T'loak. It's simple, so I want to know what made you decide to transmit a message pretty much amounting to 'fuck with Aria' on all open channels. If you thought it would be funny, I'll kill you right now." The asari I had finally identified as Aria hissed.

Aria then dropped me onto the ground. "I'm waiting. Don't piss me off further." She said.

I had no clue what to say, and I'm pretty sure that I'd be dead if it hadn't been for Aria's omnitool to start beeping. She told the guards to keep me subdued while she read the priority message. Aria's continence began to relax as she read, and when she was done, she started laughing.

Aria told the guards to let me up. "So, Liljedahl, it would seem that we've both been played. Apparently you have a hard copy message and a metal token for me. Hand them over and take a seat."

I had no idea what Aria had just read, but since it seemed to have put her in a much better mood, I didn't question my luck. I just handed over the piece of paper, and the metal circle I had gotten at the hotel. I then sat down on the couch, which turned out to be as comfortable as it had appeared.

Aria took her time reading the paper, and when she was done, she closed her eyes and sat there for a few minutes. It hadn't been very long before she opened her eyes again, and she started rapid-fire giving orders. When she was done, she turned to me with a large smile.

"You have a very highly placed friend, Jacob." Aria said pleasantly, "Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious as to how you met him, we have more important things to discuss than old acquaintances."

I, of course, had no clue as to who Aria was talking about; so I just asked "Such as?"

Aria didn't answer right away, shifting in her seat, and telling a batarian to 'tell the Patriarch to get his ass up here' before continuing.

"We need to talk about your future. The fact of the matter is that I owe your friend a few favors from a few centuries ago, and he wants you safe. Well, he actually had a list of things he wanted me to do for you, but it pretty summarizes as keeping you safe and out of trouble."

I was about to ask about what she planned to do, when a krogan trudged up the stairs. I stared in awe, the sheer size of the guy making everyone else seem smaller. He looked at me, snorted, and then addressed Aria.

"What do you need Aria? Or did you just want to parade your trophy around for the human here?"

Aria simply replied in the same arrogant tone she had used to greet me.

"Well, Patriarch, though I do love showing off what is mine, we have somewhat of an unusual situation. I need this particular human kept safe, off of Omega. If he dies, it's my responsibility."

The Patriarch frowned. "And you want me to handle his safety? I didn't know you trusted me that much. What if I were to just let him die?"

"Then everyone would know that you've lost all honor you once had; that you've become so weak that you couldn't even keep one human out of trouble. Then I'd make sure you are totally broken before you die." Aria's smile was feral as she spoke.

The patriarch laughed, "At least you still remember that I'm dangerous, Aria. But I'm not going to do this alone. I can't guarantee his safety by myself, so you'll be giving me at least two others to help."

"Done." Aria said to him, and then turned back to me. "You don't look like you're someone who's had bodyguards before, so I'll give you some advice. The Patriarch is far, far older than you. Listen to him and whoever he decides to take, and you'll be safe. And if you don't want guards, then that's just too bad, because here on Omega - You don't fuck with Aria."

Aria's voice sent shivers down my back as the Patriarch led me out. I don't think I'll ever forget that rule, no matter how long I'm on this space station.

Chapter End