Hey Ya'll back again for another chapter to the Valora series! It's been dificult writing this one...trying not to seem cheesy but thank you for sticking with me my lovely readers.
I hope this chapter is good like the previous.
Sadly I don't know much about the First Contact war aside from the information I try to fish out of the internet (not rich enough for the Evolution comics or Mass Effect Revalations book T.T)
BUT it's worth the shot
Everyone unless I pulled them out of the blue belongs to mass effect Emilio and Williams for sure and so does the original story plot I have absolutely no copy rights at all if I did I'd assure you I'd render myself a imaginative genius lol.
Well I hope you all enjoy this Chapter
Chapter one: Shanxi
Voices. Two or perhaps three of them…groaning I stiffly moved my limbs my eyes squinting open and nearly hissed out in pain at the light that intruded my eyes and felt a pair of warm hands on my body, pushing and coaxing me to be still. For now I obeyed, my mind still hazed as everything slowly started piecing itself together. I saw a looming shadow, a person. I could barely see their lips moving let alone focus on their face. So I could only watch them blankly until the distant sounds became words.
"Ma'am?" a voice called out unsurely. A woman.
When my gaze decided to focus I zoomed in on her face. She was elderly, her brown hair streaked with gray but she smiled the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth becoming more pronounced as she looked down at me seemingly relieved "Thank goodness we found you, any other moment and you probably would have just died" she patted my arm a few times before propping me to sit up straighter, leaning me forward so that she could fluff up my pillow and put me back in place.
"W…where am I?" I croaked, wincing at how dry and small my voice was.
I noticed I was parched and carefully ran my tongue along my lower lip feeling just how chap they were and the lady handed me a class full of water which I grasped and drank down gratefully before requesting some more, the second person who was there took the class and made off with it in hand stating he will be back with more. So, I leaned back ignoring the aching protests of my body as I scanned the room. Things were…really odd and highly advanced looking. My brows furrowed at some of the technology I didn't recognize "Am I in a medical clinic?"
"Yes, you are when you were found you were in quite a state! Never have I seen such wounds before it is like someone tried to roast you alive." she ranted, pacing about the room and gathering some supplies in her hands. "Though you were healing properly you will have some scars mostly on your upper arm, shoulders, and back the rest we were able to handle and re-grow the skin with just the use of Medi-gel"
My brows shot up as I laid my hands on my lap, looking at the skin of my arms and pushed up my hospital gown sleeves carefully. What she said so far was true, I had odd looking scars that look like it had been just a year old though I have gotten it just recently. What on Earth could have happened? I remember the con, the man and his machine, the pod being able to transfer my conscious into the game, and then finally the confrontation with Harbinger. Though I knew somewhere in between any of these sessions I could have received my injuries most likely before I saw Harbinger and his fellow Reapers of Doom.
"Here's your water ma'am"
I flinched as I turned my head to see the man holding out the water to me expectantly and transferred it to my hands with care. I looked at his face, he was young and had dark skin almost as if he were that of African-American decent. I pulled my lips back into a smile "Thanks…"
Raising the glass to my lips I took more steady and slower sips. The man and the woman were dressed in the same uniform, white and red the theme with the two yellow patches on each of their arms.
Medics.
My face fell when I realized I was still in the world of Mass Effect. It felt like I have been here longer then just a few minutes or even a half an hour. I glanced down at my wrist and cursed under my breath. They took my watch! Heaving in a big sigh I asked the question I dreaded "How long have I been out?"
"Three days at most" the man answered, lifting up his arm and summoning a Omni-tool.
My eyes widened in both awe and horror. Awe at the awesome ass Omni-tool that I wanted and the horror I was out for so long "And where I am at? Am I on the Citadel?" I questioned cautiously. The two medics sent each other a confused look and turned to face me "I am not sure what the Citadel is but no, your on Shanxi" the woman corrected. Well damn, there goes my escape with a floating car thing out the window. I laughed a bit nervously as I raised my hand to gingerly rub the back of my sore neck.
"Shanxi…? Never heard of it…isn't it a District in China?"
Again they seemed bewildered, most likely mentally asking themselves about my sanity before they shot me questions, both suddenly suspicious of me as their eyes narrowed on my person.
"This is a colonized planet, millions of light years away from Earth so China is not possible" the man informed and tapped a few keys a new screen popping up on his Omni-tool. It showed a single strand of DNA and a picture of myself, not awake but sleeping of course along with some small others that I couldn't quite make out as he continued "Also, we don't seem to have you on any of our files…the pin in your hair signified you were in the Alliance? If so we have no record of you, and if not we have no idea how you gotten onto the planet in the first place without being consulted by immigration"
Well, crap. I lowered my gaze and my brows drew forward chewing on my lower lip out of habit. They had most likely taken blood samples when either healing me or when I was in a slight comatose state for the past three days. I did look rather young and they were possibly trying to contact my family or guardian though I didn't one since I was rightfully an adult. But…even if this was the Mass Effect game why wasn't I aboard the Normandy chasing a rouge Spectre around the galaxy? I was suppose to be Shepard right? Or at be at least one of his or her crew? I felt confusion and slight anxiety wash over me "No… I'm not in the Alliance but I don't know how I got here" I answered honestly.
"And your name?" the woman pressed.
Inwardly I was at war with myself with that question. Should I tell them my real name? Or should I lie and make up a false identity or say that I didn't remember it. There was a saying 'the truth shall set you free' yea…I think I'll go with that one.
"Valora Alvara"
The man with the Omni-tool spoke once more, deactivating the device on his arm and lowered it to his side again "Well then Valora, while you're here might as well explain your condition. We don't know how or what caused your injuries but it was very similar to those who had been electrocuted by something like lightning your body received a high amount of voltage it's a miracle your alive though your nervous system took quite a shock you might have to do a few weeks of rehabilitation if your lucky enough the longest could be two months." my face dropped, my gut felt like it just smacked the floor a few times "also we need to monitor your brain waves. They seemed off the charts in the last scan and we would like to double check." The woman scanned her mindlessly this time, her own Omni-tool activating giving her the data easily. Damn it all, couldn't I get an Omni-tool? It was almost agonizing how they just summoned the things up like it was a normal daily thing but to me and the rest of Sci-Fi fans out there we weren't even close to developing anything as kick as this since humanity was still far behind in time (literally) by a few centuries.
I did have an advantage though. I remember many things about the Mass Effect world, I knew what was to happen, what the past was. Studied species that weren't even of this era like the Enduromi and the Ditakur. I blinked at my sudden remembrance of such things and with almost perfect clarity.
"Your still showing signs, your brain waves are being rather impulsive" the woman moved her index finger along a line as it suddenly spiked up, curiosity snagged at her. That much I could tell and she was fairly interested.
Who wouldn't be?
Again another large spike in the scale as if it moved to my thoughts. Though before I could get questioned anymore I spoke quickly cutting off what ever thought they were having.
"What year is it?"
Once more the Omni-tool had vanished, the woman turning her back to me as she went to file through some papers "It is 2157, don't you know how to read a calendar?" though her tone was flat I could tell she was simply teasing. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose not knowing if I should find that humorous or offending but my thoughts lingered on the year. 2157...that was familiar…VERY familiar, so why couldn't I think of it. I nibbled on my lower lip and continued to ponder. If I was on a colony named Shanxi and the year was 2157 then that meant…
My eyes widened and I swallowed thickly, my spit getting caught in the back of my throat causing my body to jerk with the loud itching coughs that forced themselves out of my mouth. And hurriedly the male medic handed me the slightly forgotten glass of water and I couldn't help but greedily gulp it down. The coughs died away instantly and I watched as the man pried the glass from my fingers "Sorry" I murmured weakly. And oh so slowly (while trying my best not to aggravate the burned skin on my back) I shimmied down to lay down fully on my back. I felt so tired, my brain thought so otherwise.
This year, 2157, was the year that humanity finds out they are not alone. I wasn't in the main story line after all, nope, I frowned as I shook my head.
This was the year the First Contact War begins.
Christ, I really made a bad call for even wanting to test out that man's invention. My eyes flickered over to the man and he seemingly got the hint. My eyes were glistened, frightened, my skin pale and the dark circles under my eyes became more pronounced. I wanted to be alone and rest. Gather up my thoughts and find a idea on how to get myself home. Jessica and Ethan will surely kill me once I got back, being late was never one of my fortes so I could imagine how worried they must be by now. It was annoying that time could go by slowly here but could days here be seconds out there? If only.
"I think you need some rest" the man stated. Jeez, congrats on that part Captain Obvious "Dr. Klein and I will be back to check in on you in a couple of hours I am Dr. Olson by the way it's been a pleasure Miss. Alvara" I tilted my head forward dismissing him. So when the lights dimmed I was alone with my thoughts. I blinked up at the ceiling, a sort of sweet bitterness blossoming in my chest as my lips pulled down into a mild scowl. It could be worse…maybe I could book it to Earth. The turians didn't seem to know of our existence just yet…
Without any more thoughts and a plan of leaving this doomed colonial planet. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to go into much needed sleep if I wanted to recover from my injuries.
The next morning could have gone a lot better. If I had known I was going to get a morning wakeup call by having Alliance soldiers in my room guarding the door as the two doctors from the day before spoke to one of them in hushed voices most likely about me. Sitting up slowly I rubbed my tired eyes confusion showing on my face as I frowned in displeasure and eyed the guns they had on them. Were they afraid I was going to run for it or something when they weren't looking?
"You're awake."
I tilted my head towards the voice that spoke, my eyes never leaving the two medics as Dr. Olson and Dr. Klein showed the medical scans they had taken of me yesterday and grunted. Whatever urges I had to speak gone as I gave whoever was talking to me the cold shoulder. Leaning back into my pillow I set my hands over my stomach as I heard the person clear his throat "From what we gathered you're not from Shanxi?" he prodded. Again I remain silent and narrowed my eyes, becoming annoyed rather quickly. The voice next to me was young, perhaps a new marine that was just stationed here that was chosen to interrogate me.
"Ma'am?"
I snapped my head towards him and snarled "What!?"
The young Alliance soldier jumped in the chair he was sitting on his wide blue eyes staring at her in bewilderment, the data pad he had in his hands nearly slipped from his grasps and recovered quickly his cheeks dusting a light color of pink as he suddenly stared at my face scanning it slowly to take in whatever detail he could. His blonde hair was also neatly trimmed into what I assume would be proper for Alliance regulations along with his sharp features of a nice angled nose, clear skin, strong jaw and slightly muscular. He was definitely a new recruit and not a harden veteran. The snarl on my face died away into a passive one as he fumbled with his words "I…ugh…you…" he coughed into his hand "I was informed that you are not a colonist and that you weren't in any of our files everyone here has a file with the simple background check, identity and so on you on the other hand we have neither and we were wondering if you could tell us a few things about yourself like how you got here for instance without being noticed by the Alliance"
I chuckled as I laced my fingers together casually "I don't know how I got here" I answered.
He studied me doubtfully and I raised a brow. He wouldn't find a lie in my words I was being completely honest. He added whatever information I had given him to the data they had on me so far "And your name was Valora Alvara?" he asked next.
"Yes."
"Interesting name…not common"
I scoffed "I suppose not, any more questions?"
The marine nodded "Are you from Earth?" I nodded my head at this and he seemed satisfied with that answer and was just about to ask another before the door to the med-bay slid open. The two marines that were standing guard at the door saluted quickly "Sir!" escaping them as whoever walked in saluted back in respect and stepped in. His eyes traveled over the room before it rested on me and walked over to my bedside a smile on his face "It's alright Private Allers I will handle this from here" he dismissed. The blonde man, Allers, nodded his head and stood tapping the data pad a few times to deactivate it and bid me a good day before he left leaving me with the new guy and the handful of marines and those two medics in the room.
I decided to take my time to look at the man; he had very familiar features a scar running down one side of his face as he studied me in turn. He wore strict Alliance blues, not a wrinkle on his uniform as he stood up straight, shoulders squared, and his hands resting neatly behind his back. Judging by the metals he wore he was possibly the Commanding Officer or someone of higher rank. His aged face in a way reminded me of Admiral Hackett except with darker but obviously greying hair. And not so much wrinkles either…
"Miss. Alvara yes?" he asked.
"Yes, sir" I replied automatically out of habit.
He stared at me for a moment before he continued "I am General Williams, the leading officer here on Shanxi I have heard someone appeared here undetected, rather impressive" He walked around my bed and sat down in the chair that Private Allers once occupied just moments ago "I found it strange to also hear that we had no records, no identification, not even a birth certificate of you so I came to investigate myself from what my medics have told me you have some interesting symptoms from the injuries you received your intellectual level is off the charts" I opened my mouth to say that my IQ was just about average, but he shushed me holding up one finger and giving me a stern look. His earlier friendliness gone "So, it has been decided you'll be staying here on Shanxi under Alliance observation Miss. Alvara"
My jaw dropped "What?"
Williams stared me down "You shall stay here, you'll continue your rehabilitation later today and hopefully we'll see results in your recovery." He left no room for argument and I scowled, my anger bubbling up that I was going to have no choice but to stay here until that man finally allowed me back into the real world. I deflated a little at the thought of home, it sounded so welcoming to me at the moment I rather get bickered at by my sisters than this.
"Can't I just go back to Earth?" I pleaded, hope sparkling in my eyes.
Williams stood, brushing his sleeves off and shook his head "No, you will remain here" he spoke and headed for the door, his back towards me.
"Why…?" I called out after him.
The General paused and glanced over his shoulder "Because it's an order" and with that he took his leave, his hand touching the holo-pad in the center of the door and it opened for him allowing him to step through and disappear out of my line of sight when they closed behind him. The marines who were stationed there, I realized, were my guards. With a frustrated grunt I tossed my blankets off of me, hissing in pain as my back screamed in protest at the harsh treatment and slowly pulled my legs over the side of the bed.
"What are you doing?" Dr. Olson questioned, rushing over to stop me.
I glared and slapped his hands away "Getting out of here" I muttered as if it was the most obvious answer in the book. The one marine who he was talking to earlier along with Dr. Klein intervened, an armored hand resting on my shoulder. It made me shutter as the cool metal made contact with my skin "Hold it there, un poco" I heard him click his tongue in distaste as he held me there, the pressure itself making me stay still. I pursed my lips at the name he had just given me, I recognized it as Spanish. Little one or something like that, he didn't seemed fazed by the little cold looks I was giving him as he scooped up my legs and placed them firmly back on the bed. Dr. Olson covered me up with the blanket.
"Why can't I just go?" I asked softly.
The marine looked at me, he was handsome I'd give him that. Tall, dark skinned, big brown eyes hidden behind his visor, all in all he looked like some version of a damn God. Bet a lot of Alliance women drool when he walks by or kiss the ground he steps on. His lips pulled back into a smile, and I had some sense of déjà vu that smile looked very familiar. Even the hair…I squinted my eyes at him as I took a closer look "Vega?"
The marine's eyes widened at me shocked "You know me?"
Ah well holy shit balls. That was a lucky guess, and I held my breath not answering and turned my gaze to a nearby wall. A gasp escaped me when fingers grasped my chin, Vega forcing me to look at him. With his free hand he slid off his visor. It unceremoniously fell onto my bed, giving me a full view of his dark eyes. He resembled James greatly "Do you know me?" he asked again. I stammered my face going red when his nose almost grazed mine "E-Emilio Vega?" I squeaked.
He said nothing for a moment then he released me. Picking up his visor once more and spinning on his heels to march to the door "I'll be back later, if you need me for anything ask any of the marines here and they will come get me but for now I must report to duty."
The door closed behind him, blocking my view with a steady 'swoosh'.
I gave the doctors the cold shoulder as they evaluated me. Checking on my vitals, giving me some paste that was supposedly food, recording my unusual brain waves, and just asking me more questions like how I knew Vega. I made faces at them the whole time, earning me some chuckles from the two marines stationed at my door. All in all…I was bored….VERY bored.
I decided to wait patiently, studying my surroundings as I did so. It wasn't long before the doctors decided to go on lunch and the marines followed them out, no doubt to guard my room from the outside while giving me some privacy. I took notice of a vent in the far corner of the room opposite from my bed hiding right behind what look to be an operating table.
It looks like the right size….
If I tried hard enough I could perhaps be able to squeeze through without sounding any alarm…but there was also a window. I couldn't see any locks on it, and if I were to break it I would blow my chance for cover and I would be apprehended. Heavy chance of being tossed into a cell by Williams since I was disobeying a 'direct order' buuuuuuuuut….seeing as I'm not alliance…I felt my lips pull back into a devious smile.
I don't have to listen to his orders.
Squirming I kicked my legs carefully to untangle myself from those blasted blankets and pushed myself to sit up, letting out a hiss of pain as my sore back protested to the movement. Being able to sit up straight I turned my body ever so slowly to dangle my legs off the side, I blinked a few times as I noticed some blistering on my now lightly reddish skin and flexed my legs. I swung them back and forth, they felt right. I took a moment to gather some confidence before sliding myself over, my feet coming into contact with the shockingly cold floor. I tapped the floor lightly with my toes before deeming it safe enough to stand. Boy that was a horrible idea.
I silently yelped, biting my lip as pain shot up my legs. My knees buckling out from under me unable to sustain my bodyweight as I crumpled to the ground in a giant heap on the floor. I withered for a few moments taking in deep sharp breaths as my heart pounded with the effort to calm myself down. Swearing silently under my breath I pushed my upper body up and propped myself with my elbows to stare cautiously at the door. No one heard me.
I let out a relieved sigh.
"Alright…" I murmured, looking at the vent with determination "Time to G.T.F.O."
Grunting I reached forward and started to drag myself. Whoever walked in at this moment would had saw my attempt of escape rather pitiful, I would agree as I ignored what felt like searing lava in my veins as I made slow progress across what seemed to be like a to large medical bay.
At a snail's pace I dragged myself miserably, grunting and whimpering at the effort. It was a relief when I prompt myself next to the vent to catch my breath my legs and some parts of my body going oddly numb. Swallowing thickly I turned myself and started working at the vent surprised that I could even get the lid off without making too much noise. Peering at the med-bay over my shoulder one last time I started to crawl inside and stealthily put the lid back in place.
"Step one complete" I murmured, turning myself clumsily around I faced the dim darkness before me and smiled. I started forward my journey blooming anew and prayed that I didn't get chopped up by a fan or get caught off-guard by a unsuspecting drop.
Emilio cradled his drink, his large hands dwarfing the glass as he stared at the dark liquid whiskey within. His thoughts being plagued by that young enigmatic girl who now preoccupied the base's medical bay, the gossip about her had spread across the colony like wildfire. Some marines even producing theories like what if she was a spy? Emilio scoffed and dismissed that rumor.
Though the newly young Human Alliance was formed not too long ago in 2149 after the discovery of Prothean ruins on Mars; he highly doubt any major country would be stupid enough to even risk their position and face the wrath of the rest of Humanity even though there are still strong senses of nationalism to this day. Aside from that the girl…
Valora.
He reminded himself, was clearly inexperienced and the softness of her hands suggested she was not a combatant. Her figure was also lean, curvy, and hardly muscled like the trained woman here.
The only thing that disturbed him was the fact that she knew his name and that he had never met her.
Emilio let out an exasperated puff of air, tired from even dwelling on it. Taking down his whiskey in one shot he noted someone sitting down next to him. His brows raised, surprised, as he spotted the ever so respective General Williams at his side "Sir!" he said, standing to salute. The hardened veteran waved his hand dismissively and gestured for the younger marine to sit.
"At ease Vega"
Emilio sat obediently, observing his C.O. as the man got himself a glass of some of Earth's finest scotch. His body remained tense; other marines seemed as confused as he was as to why one of the highest esteemed Generals would be sitting let alone drinking with the jarhead underdogs of the Alliance.
"Something is on your mind LT?" the General asked, lowering his glass.
"Just thinking Williams, sir" he replied almost timidly.
Williams nodded his head in understanding and cupped his chin between his thumb and index finger "I see…" he mused "don't blame you…young girls don't just appear out of nowhere with those injuries she is lucky she could still slightly move at all."
"Oh! Ugh…no sir I-" he stuttered but was silenced by the older man's understanding gaze "She just…knew my name sir" he finished weakly.
"Did she now?" Williams replied, a tone of wonder and obvious curiosity in his voice as he took another thoughtful sip of his drink. His face taking on a much older appearance as he ran a hand through his short graying hair "Perhaps this is all part of the small mystery" he jerked a thumb to a table where Valora's two doctors sat talking with intrigued scientists most likely about the girl herself "Those two would probably love to put her on an operating table and take a closer look at her brain, they also found strange readings with the girl's cells they love a though challenge"
Emilio wrinkled his nose in disgust and sneered "Using a human for experimentation is wrong, sir"
Williams nodded his head absentmindedly and finished his drink. Placing the glass on the counter as he made to stand. Emilio standing as well as the General let out a tired sigh "She will remain under Alliance protection until we can find out anything about her it is…alarming that she doesn't have any parents, family, or connections on Earth. She was being truthful about originating from our home world but how she got from there to here is still unanswered."
The young Marine was about to reply until sirens rang loud and clear, his chocolate eyes widening in surprise as he and the General glanced up at the red light flashing above them.
"Alert Subject: Valora Alvara escaped. Shanxi base will lockdown in minus three minutes." The VI spoke.
"How did she get out!?" Dr. Klien shouted, barely being heard over the loud sounds.
Emilio watched her and Olson dash out followed by a few Marines. All reaching for their pistols, his brow furrowed in worry as he turned to his C.O. who seemed to eerily calm. His eyes those were as hard as any steel as he gestured Vega to follow. Getting out of the lounge area they walked amongst the chaos of running marines and scientists. But he and Williams just walked as the VI warned them that there was only two minutes left until lockdown, entering another room one looking to be an office of sorts the General went to a console and typed in a few commands before turning to the desk and reaching for a hat to place on his head. The golden symbol of the Alliance flashed
in the light as he waved his hand, a holographic map of the base showing up.
Twisting his hand to the right Williams zoomed in on a point of the map that showed the layout of the Med-bay up close and tapped his chin thoughtfully. Eyeing for potential escape routes as he poked two positions at the front door just out in the hall.
"Two marines were stationed out here, the bay was secured. She couldn't have gone out the windows it would have alerted up sooner and she couldn't have gotten passed the security at the doors" Tapping twice at the screen trails of blue showed around the system a map of the base's ventilation system "She is obviously using the vents though we don't know how long she's been in there" Twisting his hand left he zoomed out and followed the trail "If she was smart enough she would have found her nearest exit just….North West of the med-bay if she was lucky she would have encountered plenty of dead ends or some devastating blade fans"
Williams turned off the holo screen and turned to Emilio, his hands clasping behind his back "Send in some drones into the vents, have them check the building if she isn't found within the base then she would be somewhere not far from here, with those injuries she wouldn't make it too far"
Emilio saluted 'sir' escaping him before he turned and jogged out the room. The VI shutting down the base only allowing those with clearance to move about freely.
I crawled around in the dirt. My skin having blotches of red on it's surface due to the irritation from the grass and sharp rocks. Fatigue was starting to get the best of me as my vision blurred in and out of focus. I was so close to what appeared to be a tree line into a forest, I knew I would be safe if I could just get there and hide. Licking at my dry lips slowly I urged myself forward. My arm muscles protesting as I grunted with the effort and glanced over my shoulder at the large building.
'Don't have much longer'
Going against my body's wishes I got myself onto my hands and knees making efforts to stand, using a nearby crate as my support as I shakily started to position myself on my own two feet. My toes curled in the grass and I shivered, the blades of the wonderful greenery were cold and soothing to my heated bottoms of my feet.
My stomach turned unpleasantly as the alarms behind went off. My mouth parting as a 'oh' escaped me; they had finally realized I was gone. The sounds started the wildlife, odd birds taking up to the air and moving away from the base causing me to stare at the Alien creatures in awe. But the sound of voices broke me out of my thoughts, stupid me! Scowling with renewed determination I started to hobble to the forest. In the back of my head I could almost hear the voice of my friend screaming 'Run gimpy run!'
I had to hold back a scoff of laughter as I reached my hands forward. Comforted as my fingers brushed along the bark of a tree trunk and rested my weight against it catching my breath, the sound of boots reached me as I decided that break time was over and entered the woods. Immersing myself with in the safety of the shadows as the first squad of Marines rushed by, failing to see me as they searched by crates, vehicles, and a nearby hanger.
Watching them a frown tugged at my lips.
'I shouldn't delay now…they will scout the surrounding area soon enough'
Turning my back to the only place of Civilization on this planet that I knew I headed into uncharted territory. The forest of Shanxi reminding me so much of the Forested areas of North America, the sunlight of the star shown magnificently through the canopy, I felt as if I was on Earth instead of some fictional colonized planet.
I gave out a quick shuttering breath as I moved from tree to tree, keeping a decent pace the sounds of shouting and alarms becoming more distant by the second. But the sound of aircraft kept my eyes wary of the skies. I would see a Kodiak here and there and would blend myself with my surroundings until it passed by. And I continued to do this for a few hours; my body was dirty and blessedly numb. But my journey came to an end when I came across a Cliffside.
My eyes traveled up it to the top, I couldn't climb in this condition.
Limping into the small tiny clearing I heard the sound of rushing water. I swallowed; I hadn't noticed how parched I was until then. Shuffling towards the noise I spotted a small stream and trailed it to a mouth of a cave. Echoes of dripping water came from within. An ideal hiding place.
'No bears on Shanxi I hope…' I thought bitterly.
Entering the cave I carefully moved about, stepping over rocks, and pressing myself against the wall for maintaining my balance. But much to my satisfaction this cave seemed livable, with a water source and there were dry areas. Starting a fire wouldn't be so horrible later on but now I just wanted something to get rid of the irritating dryness in my throat.
Moving to the edge of the decent pool of water I sank down to my knees. My trembling hands cupping some of the water and desperately brought it closer to my face drinking down the liquid hurriedly letting out a few wracking coughs when it went down the wrong pipe. Drinking some more water to stop the uncomfortable wheezing I washed my face. I splashed at myself to get as much the dirt off my wounds, fearing that they could be infected if I'm not careful.
Resting my palms against the wet soil underneath myself I gazed hazily out at the reflective surface of the water. My mind drifting into my innermost thoughts, I saw my mother's sad gaze before I left. Ethan's excitement for the convention, Jessica's wide smile, Amanda's tongue sticking out at me when I would make fun of her, and Carline without the phone pressed to her ear her blue eyes shimmering with youthful excitement. My shoulders shook as my heart twisted in the most terrifying way.
Glancing up at the stalactites of the dark gave I fisted my hands into the dirt glaring up at nothing.
"Why am I still here!?" I shouted, hoping the young inventor could hear me "I want to go home!"
Grasping the nearest rock I tossed it angrily at the water, the calm surface rippling chaotically as the rock hit the surface with a loud 'thunk'
"Four days now…" I murmured, my anger simmering down to amazement.
Four days, three of them in which I was unaware of my surroundings. Olson, Klein, Williams, Allers and Emilio Vega…how long will it be until they try and go through the Shanxi-Theta Relay? When to expect the Turian forces when they try and contain us? Saren Arterius was very much alive, his brother as well. Anderson….he was on Arcturus Station if my memory served corrected.
Laying down my body went limp, no longer allowing me to move it anymore as I continued to stare at nothing in front of me. If I were to remain here, I'll undoubtedly perish I could survive with water for a while but without proper substance of food I was just good for dead. Or as dead as a virtual self could be.
The sound of dripping water became comforting; my eyes felt a little heavy as they began to close. The day's effort of getting away was taking its toll. Being far away from the Alliance could buy me some time for rest, hopefully heal so that I could gain more distance between them and I before the Turians come and siege the planet and its colonial communities.
I felt my lips twitching up into a smile as sleep consumed me into blissful nothingness.
And it's done! Phew! Fun it was to right this and overly challenging perhaps I should consider getting myself a Beta...Any recomendations folks?
Oh and thank you mysterious reader and Grievousorvenom for your delightful comments I expect more in the upcoming future, and hopefully I could get some more readers in. I still would love to hear the opinions of my readers about the story and how it's going so far I always love to hear opinions.
But for now I must brainstorm what shall happen next I don't wanna rush the beginning of the First Contact war. Get Valora into her surroundings, get people to understand her situation in which was forced upon her having now no way home and no understanding of how she is there for so long. She firmly believes she is still in the machine of the young inventor at the con. But boy oh boy how wrong she is!
Now here are some info:
the Enduromi: not much is known about this species I believe they were around the time of the Prothean Empire they were known to conquered the species known as the Vandomar which was stated by Javik briefly in Mass Effect 3
the Ditakur: whom are also mentioned by Javik was anothing species that lived in the galaxy 50,000 years ago. They were an agressive species said to have wiped out a peaceful species that claimed to have found the path of 'eternal peace' called the Synril
and for character sake for those not familiar with anything before the original mass effect game
General Williams: Is in fact the commander at Shanxi, in a conversation with Commander Shepard. Ashley Williams (his granddaughter) confessed him to being her Grandfather who was the first and only human to ever surrender to an Alien force. His military career was destroyed by his surrender and it dishonored his family's name. His own son who had joined the Alliance Navy was never able to get any higher rank passed serviceman third class due to his father's reputation and even Ashley herself was kept from obtaining a post in the Alliance fleet and was regelated to ground forces. Though there was no charges against Williams he was drummed out of the military and became a construction worker out in the Colonies.
Emilio Vega: Emilio here is James Vega's uncle, the man who had convinced James to join the military in the first place. Now he was mentioned by Vega to Shepard and he also had an appearance in Mass Effect: Homeworld and during the reaper invasion James does seek out his uncle and his father who were mentioned still on earth but Citadel authorities could not contact them. Now I placed him in this story because I thought it would had been interesting and since Emilio didn't seem like an important character I though I could set up some sort of link between Jame and Valora in the future through Emilio also I imagined that Emilio could be a military man himself. Though Dr. Chawakas could have been on Shanxi though she had mention she had expeienced the battle of Shanxi I could imagine she was perhaps in the Alliance Second fleet so she wouldn't be on the planet per say xD
Well thanks for reading again and look forward to see you all again~
