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TWO: THE LEAP
This is...a monumental undertaking, to say the least. I'd better think this one through carefully.
I was in the provided room, which was just large enough for me to pace in circuits around the perimeter without bumping into anything. The thoughts which had been suppressed earlier by my need to gather information were now pouring out in droves and seizing my attention. I let them run free, my brow furrowed in concentration.
First off, what could go wrong? Well, assuming Murphy's Law is in effect - and it always is - then careful planning alone won't cut it. Then again, that never stopped Shepard. The Commander always found a way.
I sighed. However, I'm not some N7 Operator or Spectre who was born for greatness. I'm just some average American college student from the early 21st century that's now being asked if they want to take a mission that could decide the fate of a few trillion people and millennia of civilization. Is that something I can pull off? I mean, they - the Realm people - wouldn't have brought me here if they thought I couldn't….but I don't know. Thousands of ancient warships hell-bent on the destruction of all sentient life. Is that really something one person can stop? And if I screw up, then...the consequences are unimaginable. Damnit. Why is nothing ever easy?
Nothing worth doing ever is. And that's the thing. Would we value those jewels as much if they could be obtained with barely an afterthought?
This conflict will be a war for survival, and those are never pretty. No war is, as much as some would like to claim otherwise. Will it be pleasant - no. But is it a struggle worth fighting? Are the things we endure for really worth all the pain?
Yes.
Then this deserves my utmost effort. Go in expecting failure and you'll get exactly what you prophesized. On the other hand, if you're fighting to win, then success is infinitely more achievable. You wouldn't be facing this scenario if it was an impossible undertaking. You have to believe that. Of course, victory is never a guarantee. But that's why you work for it.
I have the opportunity to be part of something massive in scope and worthy as a cause. And if I can change things for the better, then I have a duty to assist.
Back in the office, I sat down in my chair, noting with amusement an ongoing game of Solitaire on Aeshia's monitor. I watched a jack of hearts plant itself on a ten of spades, then coughed. "I've made my decision."
She swiveled to face me. "What will it be?"
"I'll do it." I declared, exhaling slowly.
A solemn gaze. "Are you sure?"
I nodded.
"I was hoping you'd say that." she said, relaxing in her seat. "Alright, so now, we have a few things to elaborate on before we send you off. All of this is crucial information, so keep it in mind." With that, she began opening data files on her screen.
I chuckled. "So is this the part where you give me a cryptic reference or prophecy that'll send me on a wild goose chase?" Aeshia fixed me with a glare, still typing. "Right, listening." I coughed.
She rolled her eyes, then continued. "...First, I'll give you the obligatory Butterfly Edict. You've played through all three games and all the DLCs, so you should have a reasonable idea of what to expect - at first. Note that any actions you take might have a significant effect on the future and render your preknowledge unusable. We're not saying that you should avoid influencing canon, but that you should carefully consider your moves before you make them. Your pre-knowledge is invaluable. Exercise caution." The lines were rehearsed, like she had uttered them many times in the past. She probably has.
"That's the plan, at least…" I muttered, running a hand through my dark hair. Outside, starlight was hitting the mist at the summits and igniting a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. Entranced, I let out a soft gasp at the spectacle.
"Now," Aeshia said, ignoring the scenery, "we're going to take the liberty of giving you a few minor physical enhancements - some basic genetic enhancements for your ears and eyes, for starters. After all, when you're firing a gun, it's somewhat important that you don't go deaf after a few shots or to be able to clearly see a target more than 50 meters out, you know? So, your ears should be able to handle gunshot-level sounds about as well as a standard military-grade implant, and you'll also be a little more receptive to lower-volume sounds. The file says you had to wear contacts in your old life...well, say goodbye to those." I started grinning - god, did I hate relying on contacts. Damn crutches. "Your vision should now level out to about 20/10. And you'll need a translator for alien languages, so you'll have that as well."
Taking the inner jig I was evidently trying not to dance as acceptance, she moved on. Reaching into her desk, she pulled out a small, rounded disk about two and a half inches in diameter, and slid it across to me. Catching it, I examined the symbol engraved on both sides - three white interlocked triangles on a black surface which felt like marble, although I suspected it was something a lot more durable. I looked at Aeshia inquiringly.
"What you have in your hands is one of our UPLINK modules. You'll find it useful to be able to communicate with us over here in the Realm, so this'll serve that function."
"You're right, that would be nice…" I mused, looking down at the oversized M&M. "How does it work?"
"Clasp the module between your palms and hold it horizontally against your solar plexus," she instructed, "then flip your hands until the one that was underneath is now on top. Then say a specific phrase within five seconds of the twist. You can choose what you want it to be," she said, and resumed her work, "so go ahead."
I thought for a minute, turning words over in my head, then shrugged. Why the hell not? "Activate HERMES Protocol, Authorization Code One-Nine-One-One Tango Kilo Delta." The M&M - I swear, I'm just gonna call it that from now on - subtly quivered for a moment, then lay still. I poked it a few times, but nothing else happened.
"Interesting choice of words…" Aeshia muttered, still typing.
I shrugged again. "Hermes, Greek messenger of the gods… the 1911 is my favorite twentieth-century handgun of all time...and Tango Kilo Delta is TKD, or Taekwondo. Abbreviation for the martial art I studied for over eight years and hold a Second Dan black belt in. And I put it in the NATO phonetic alphabet for kicks. If one of my strengths has to be the retention of useless information, then I might as well put it to use."
"Hm…" she mused, then got back to business. "Anyway, you'll be able to communicate once that's done. Now, if you want to link other people in as well, all they have to do is touch it, like a Portkey from Harry Potter, and you'll say a different phrase. That one you can choose later." she quickly said, seeing my mental gears about to start up again. "Oh, and it's pretty much impossible to lose."
I looked at her bemusedly. "Care to explain that last part?"
"This particular unit has miniature mass effect drives which respond to a genetic marker that you'll receive from having been in the Realm. Just summon it mentally and it'll appear in your hands. Works over any distance. Don't tell anyone that. Some salarian scientist is liable to drive themselves crazy trying to figure it out." she smirked. "Needless to say, we're pretty proud of it."
I looked at the M&M in delight. That's...awesome! "Given my track record with losing things, that's a boon right there." I said sheepishly.
She snorted. "Here's hoping you don't do the same with your rifle."
"That wounds me, my good lady." I pouted, feigning a hurt expression.
"Yeah, yeah...anyway, last thing. The writers at Bioware did an awesome job on the games, but they didn't quite get everything nailed down. For you, the important thing that comes from this discrepancy is that the Catalyst - and the Crucible along with it - is not an option. It doesn't exist here."
I reeled backwards in shock. Please don't tell me we have to fight the Reapers conventionally, please nononononofuck….fuck! My head began to pulse. "Are you saying…"
"No! Not that bad." Aeshia exclaimed hastily. She settled down. "There is another option available to you. It's still in the same location, the Mars Archives. You'll have to get access to their files somehow." she said, shooting me an apologetic look.
My shoulders slumped in relief. Oh, thank fuck. "What's this thing called? And what does it do?"
Aeshia brought up another file. "It goes by the name of Pandora. Dark energy manipulation. The specifics are in the files, and I doubt you'd understand the scientific explanation anyway."
Yeah, my C grades in all my science classes can attest to that. "Cool. And I suppose I should prioritize getting those files, huh?" I sighed. How am I ever going to get in there?
"Yeah. And...that wraps up everything I have to tell you for now." she said, closing most of her windows.
I was stretching in my chair when a thought occurred to me. "If you have the power to affect universes like you are now with sending me off…" I said slowly, "then why can't you just erase the Reapers from the galactic scene and be done with it?"
Aeshia's expression took on a tired look. "It's related to one of our oldest directives." she sighed. "And it's for the same reason that we don't get rid of every other problem that limits people and their societies. Without obstacles, people would grow complacent. If people aren't challenged in some way or another, they stagnate. Culture, technology, everything. Life would have no reason to evolve. What's the point of a perfect existence where nothing changes?" she asked rhetorically.
"What about just erasing the Reapers, then?" I questioned.
She shook her head. "If we did it once, then we would cross a line. We'd fall into the mindset of 'if it's okay once, it's okay twice'. And then thrice, and four times, and so on. And no, this is not just speculation." she clarified, seeing my unconvinced demeanor. "We made this exact mistake once a long, long time ago." A grimace. "Didn't end well. We resolved to never do it again."
Sounds like Mordin. She's got a point, though.
"So, you ready for this?" she said abruptly, startling me.
Man, this is actually happening. "Yeah. Let's get this started before I change my mind. Or before it combusts from all this information." I responded, letting out a breath I hadn't recalled taking in.
Aeshia nodded, then spoke to her computer. "Twenty-Seven, start temporal jump sequence."
Crap, forgot to ask. "Where exactly am I gonna end up?"
"Citadel. We'll try not to dump you in the keeper vats." she winked.
This is like those self-insert fanfics I was reading a while back. Why is it always the Citadel? I thought, taking one last glance at the mountains.
"Jump sequence ready."
"Activate."
The scene around me turned to a searing white for the second time. An agonizing wave of pain hit me for a brief second, then faded away as I vaguely heard the computer in the background.
"Temporal Leap successful."
Darkness.
A/N: Anddddd we're off! Stay tuned.
School's started up again, so I'm not going to be updating on a very consistent schedule. Doesn't mean I won't find a few minutes each day, though. I have plenty of personal motivation to continue this story.
We'll have a little more action on our hands next chapter, I promise.
If anyone knows good beta readers, I'd appreciate some references.
The 1911 is one of the best handguns in existence. Period. What I would do to get my hands on a Springfield... Of course, an HK or Glock wouldn't go amiss either. I've also been looking at CZs recently...hm..
For the record, I can actually recite the entire NATO phonetic alphabet from memory. Hooray for useless skills!
Author's Semi-Chapter-ly Artistic Media Recommendation: If you like ME fanfiction, and you haven't already read it, go read The Naked Pen's fic Mass Effect: Interregnum. It presents a brilliant take on Garrus and his time as Archangel on Omega, and is considered one of the best Mass Effect fanfics in existence - for damn good reason, I say.
Input and reviews are always appreciated.
