Disclaimer: I own only my OC(s), so don't sue me.
Stilphyell: Thanks for that, you made my day. Anyway, I'm sure you'll do great with your story. ; )
Hopelessly Blue: I do tend to be a tad of a non-conformist, you know? Anyway, there's definitely going to be later pairings, so there's no need to worry on that front! ;)
Liege Lord: Ooh, you're a smart one! I can't confirm nor deny your theory's speculations though, so you'll just have to find out! ;)
Jayniebear: Why, thank you.
A/N: I feel like I'm going to be moving a little quickly for now to get things started, so don't worry about getting everything down, okay? I really just need to get through the intros and such to get things going…
I awoke slowly again and felt my body to be… different. I felt stronger, smarter, and more powerful than any human could ever feel. It was odd, seeing as how I found myself having memories of what my 'real' home used to be. It was mostly just blurs and indescribable voices, but I remember a few things very clearly. For one, my… real... name was Raega'Darenth Lixeria Braceros. Long-winded and weird, I know, but I felt as if it was right; I could even remember voices calling that name as if to scold me.
I slowly opened my eyes to take in the dark bluish room and older woman standing at the foot of my bed, looking at what appeared to be a datapad. She looked up as if sensing my musing and seemed to give off a vibe of fear mixed with curiosity; I could smell it. It was weird, yet helpful, if you thought about it long enough. She slowly came to stand at my side and I went to sit up, but she put a hand on my chest, stopping me.
"Don't. You'll only aggravate the wound." She said. I had little idea of what she was talking about, and I felt fine, so I brushed her hand away as if it were a fly and sat up. I looked down and studied the familiar armor I was wearing and took in some dried blood on my chest along with the numerous burns and holes on the armor itself. I remembered the bullet wound I had had as I brushed the blood away to see nothing; not even a scar. I thought it was pretty cool, but the older woman beside of me gasped and rushed out of the room.
I was a bit confused, but situated myself so my legs were hanging over the edge of the bed. I didn't really feel like getting up at the moment, and since I wasn't getting shot at, I scanned the room once more to see that it looked like a larger version of the one from Mass Effect. I figured it was future-like, so I couldn't help but wonder where that angel brought me.
I began to stare at my armor, taking in the way it seemed to move as my body did; I felt like it was made specifically for me. It was really comfortable too, so I could imagine sleeping in it without getting sore or something to that effect. A minute or two later, a bunch of people ran in, their faces screaming panic or something similar to it. I could smell each individual's scent and emotion easily and it made me wonder if I was one of those monsters that seemed to always be able to do stuff like that; not that I really would've cared much if it were true.
The group had weapons and all ran to the other side of the bed across from me, training their guns on me. The older woman rushed over to me then, accompanied by another, younger and definitely beautiful woman. She looked like the blonde Shepard that had been a choice for the ME3 voting thing to find out which one would be the default Shepard. Well, she had green eyes and the scar through her eyebrow, but it was close.
I found myself glaring at those with their weapons trained on me, my muscles tensing and ready to react at the slightest sign of hostile intent. As if realizing what they were doing was a bad idea, the young woman with the old lady snapped at them to stand down. As the soldiers filed out, I caught sight of a Krogan outside.
I realized where and when I really was and tamped down the flood of several emotions rising in me as I studied Shepard and Chakwas; I'd just recognized her. I had a brief thought of messing with them, but decided against it as I saw the look Shepard was giving me; it said 'calm down' or something to that effect, so I simply narrowed my eyes at them.
"Who are you?" Shepard asked, obviously (Thanks to my super nose) concerned of what I may do. To what, I wasn't sure, but I didn't really care much.
"Raega'Darenth Lixeria Braceros." I answered, my voice more threatening than I'd meant it to be. I had strange accent too... Both flinched slightly, and then donned confused expressions.
"What language is that? I don't know what she said." Shepard asked Chakwas, only getting a shrug in return. I found it extremely irritating for some reason, so I involuntarily let out a growl, my nose scrunching up and my brows lowering to give me a pissed expression. Both gazes snapped back to me and I saw Shepard ready to reach for her weapon.
"My name." I sighed, annoyed by their reactions. I found myself in possession of a temper, so I would have to tamp it down as I used to back on Earth.
"That is my name, Shepard." I spoke less threateningly this time, but my tone was clearly annoyed. She blushed in embarrassment and relaxed her stance a bit, lowering her arm. Chakwas went to a machine above the bed and began reading information on it.
"It's a cool name…" she responded, trying to compliment me to seem like my friend. She still reeked of caution and such, so I wasn't fooled.
"Don't be my friend." I hadn't meant for such bite to come from my voice and instantly regretted it as I saw her eyes flash what looked like regret. I pressed my forefinger and thumb to my forehead, taking a forced breath to calm down. I could be a real ass when I had no idea what the fuck was going on…
"How do you know who I am?" she asked, curiosity and caution in her voice. I lowered my hand and opened my eyes to regard her. I felt guilty already as I looked upon her unsafe eyes; she didn't feel comfortable with me.
"Precognition is a talent of mine." I said quietly, guilty at lying to her. She seemed to relax slightly at my calmer tone as the doctor left.
"What were you doing in that ruin?" she asked. Suddenly, memories of getting taken there, getting holed up in a pillar for survival flashed through my mind. The pain I'd felt around that time had been unbearable and it was my last memory of my apparent 'home'. Shepard seemed to notice my sudden withdrawal and pained expression, seeing as how she uncertainly placed a hand on my shoulder. I tensed at the contact and frowned slightly, but said nothing.
"I was taken there… but I can't remember why, exactly…" I almost whispered, images of death and destruction flashing in my mind. I didn't remember what happened, but I knew it had been some terrible disaster. Shepard withdrew her hand and pulled herself up onto the bed across from me.
"You don't recall anything? Nothing to tell you what happened…?" she asked. I clenched my jaw and regarded her a bit coldly. I wasn't one for constant questions and since my nerves were raised, I found it difficult to keep from screaming.
"It doesn't concern you. Why did you take me- bring me here?" I turned a question on her and she seemed a little annoyed by my blatant disregard for her supposed authority.
"I took it upon myself to find who you are because I and my team found you in a ruin we'd just discovered to be unknown." She wasn't really the best of liars, but then again, I could tell.
"Lying gets you no trust, Shepard." I stated, noting the way she seemed to deflate slightly. "I figure you were just curious and couldn't help yourself. Not that I really care." I added, evidently hitting the nail on the head. She seemed surprised that I didn't care, but said nothing of it.
"If you have precognition, would you be willing to help me?" she asked, obviously getting her hopes up a bit. I smirked a bit and raised an eyebrow slightly as I thought of everything that could've happened so far. I wasn't sure it would actually be a good idea to tag along, but where else would I go? I barely even knew where I was, let alone how to survive in an alien reality.
"If it's about Saren and such, then yeah, I could help you." I said, earning an intrigued look from the Commander.
"Will you help me?" she asked. I took a breath and furrowed my brows as if thinking on it. Really, I wanted to help her, but if anything was different from the game, I may not be able to change much.
"It depends on you, Shepard; do you really think I wouldn't betray you the first chance I get and run?" I asked, curious as to what she would say.
"After all, I could have been a criminal, for all you know..." I said, raising an eye brow. Really, I couldn't remember anything specific, but what I did recall wasn't exactly full of daisies. She seemed to think it over again and came to a conclusion pretty quickly.
"I doubt you would; if you were planning such a thing, I don't think you'd say that." She said, seemingly more relaxed now. I bowed my head in acknowledgement and regarded her closely before standing.
"I'll help you." I stated calmly, not wanting her to think I was going to be her friend. I knew she would die soon and I didn't want to grow attached in any way.
If I got attached, I would save her.
"Anything I should know about you?" she asked, smiling as if to say 'welcome to the crew'.
"I only listen to those I 'approve' of, as egotistical as that may sound." The comment got a small laugh from her and I simply regarded her, unable to find what was funny. She sobered up after seeing my expression and nodded in understanding.
"I've been betrayed too many times to give my trust willingly, Shepard." As I finished, she seemed sympathetic a tad as she led the way out of the med-bay. I wasn't sure why, but to me, Shepard seemed more… human. She still carried herself like a soldier and a Commander, of course, but… Maybe it was just me.
I felt really strange and uncomfortable, being here and surrounded by things that shouldn't have existed. Unfortunately, when I was uncomfortable or confused, I could get to be a real jackass. I'd read it was some defensive mechanism, but that was a bad excuse, right?
Everyone had been waiting right outside the door, so it was effectively blocked. I stood beside of Shepard with a cold and calculating expression, easily gaining passage as the group parted upon noticing I may kill them if I wanted to. I wasn't violent or crazy enough to actually consider doing such a thing, though…
Before we could go anywhere, Wrex walked up and bored his gaze into mine. I stared straight back, trying not to feel any fear or intimidation from the warlord; I knew he was simply testing me. Even so, his size and primal aura made it a challenge for me; he was as scary as he was badass.
After a few moments of silence, he grunted as if satisfied and lumbered away. After our shocking (To everyone else) exchange, Shepard took me to the elevator.
It was a little awkward and neither of us said anything. The atmosphere was a little pressing as well, since I was sort of in a brooding mood, trying to remember something- anything solid. Then again, I'd just woken up, so how well do you think I was doing? Exactly.
Once the door to the elevator opened, she took me to a room with a bed and a desk with some chairs and a bathroom, a closet beside of it. I'd found it odd that the Normandy had a fourth deck, but dismissed it as I walked in, studying my new room. I was a tad surprised since it seemed to be a room for an officer or something, but said nothing of the topic since I was still mostly preoccupied by my now pounding headache from trying to recall everything so quickly.
"We'll be heading to Feros soon, so it'll take about three days to get there from here." She said, standing in the doorway as if not wanting to come in. I looked back at her and nodded in understanding.
"Before you try to say my name, you can call me Raegas." I said, getting a relieved nod from her. She bid me goodbye and left me to my thoughts.
I was having a hard time even accepting I was actually in a game's reality, let alone finding out I was from it. This was all so strange and disconcerting- did I ever really exist in what I thought was my reality? Was that clone actually the 'real' girl meant to be there, instead of me? Where did I belong, if not there? I had so many questions, and so few answers, I found myself getting frustrated at the helplessness I felt. And where the hell did these memories come from?
How the hell could any of this be true? I didn't know what to think or believe anymore…
A/N: So yeah, this was a jump-start beginning, but I needed to get a basis out for future stuff. Anyway, I still think that could've gone better; what the hell am I doing, getting all hopeless?
Either way, send me reviews or PMs; tell me what you think!