Chapter 7

"This Above All, To Thine Own Self Be True"

There is no daylight in space. No identifiable way to alert you that you've slept for more than 8 hours. I roll over in bed and check my Omni tool for the time. Looks like I have about 4 hours before my physical. This bed is so comfortable though...all I can do is roll back over into place. I think I'll have a walk around the Normandy when I muster the will to move. Before I can do that, I hear my Omni tool buzz. It is Shepard. "Daniels, I'm headed up to you now. Thought you'd want to get decent as I suspect you're not the type to enjoy wearing clothing when alone", quipped Shepard. Shepard has jokes. I can let it pass though. She is the savior of the galaxy, after all. "And just when I thought I'd succeed at seducing you, Shepard", I say. Something tells me I'll regret those words later. I quickly arise and gather my clothing to put on my person. Damn these clothes are from my time. I know Shepard will have many questions just by seeing me dressed like this. No time to worry about that. My only saving grace in gathering my composure is knowing how incredibly slow those elevators move. I wouldn't be surprised if Shepard has been on her way up here for the entire 9 hours I was asleep fooling with that thing.

I hear footsteps outside my door as I pull up my basketball shorts and pull my tank top over my head. Shepard enters because I still hadn't changed the setting on that door. "You look better now, Daniels", remarks Shepard. There is a hint of concern in her voice but she refocuses to Commander mode before I can hone in on it. "I feel better. Amazing what 9 hours of sleep can do for a human body. I suppose this is the point that I explain myself", I say, sort of dreading the conversation we're about to have. To anyone else, this story would be extra crazy but given that Shepard has been hit by that beacon, I'm more inclined to believe she'll understand. At least I am hoping for this. "Easy, Daniels. I will ask the questions in simple form since I am aware it is hard for you to walk and chew gum", Shepard says with sarcasm. "I only ask that you are completely honest with me. It would not behoove you to omit any information to try to protect yourself", said Shepard, more seriously this time. I nod my head and say "well what would you like to know first Shepard?".

Shepard searches my face for something. Answers...I don't know. She is also looking at my choice of clothing rather curiously. Man this is going to either be incredibly interesting for her or bat shit crazy to listen to me. "What were you doing on Eden Prime?", said Shepard. "Shepard...I'm going to need you to sit down for what I'm about to tell you. As absurd as my story is, it is 100% the truth. I will answer all the questions you may have with the next statements I make", I said. Shepard nods at me and takes a seat in the chair near the Extranet terminal. I inhale and exhale deeply. This moment is real and I have to make sure I relay the story correctly. Here we go.

"Shepard...I am not from this time. I come from a time where we hadn't even made contact with aliens. There was no everyday space travel. I suspect if we had, there would have been some intergalactic war of crazy proportions. Back then, people were a lot more intolerant of anything...or anyone different. My time was 100+ years ago. That is why my clothes appear ancient, if you were wondering. I was summoned here by my ancestors..." , I begin to trail off while telling Shepard the story. I'm talking but paying attention to her body language to make sure she is listening and considering what I am telling her. "They told me that I have a purpose that is to be fulfilled and that is why I was brought here. I suspect they have put this plan in motion for centuries because they have brought things to me from my time. This is why I was on Eden Prime. My purpose seems to be tied to you Shepard...and helping you stop Saren. I have not communicated with them again since before the attack on Eden Prime so I do not know a lot. That is why I came up here. As you can see though, sleep won out", I said. I pause the story to give Shepard time to digest what I just said. She looks at the floor and then back up to me. Always in the eyes. I can tell her wheels are turning...she's deciding just how crazy I might be. "You're right, Daniels. That story is absurd. But given what I just saw within that beacon, I can't say that I'm surprised something like this could happen. Also, your hairstyle has not been worn for at least a century so I knew either you were trying too hard to be different or it was significant", said Shepard. Oh thank heavens...she believes me! And it seems like she's been researching in the hours that I've been asleep.

"I'm not saying I believe you completely Daniels. I will need more proof of what you're saying. How do you communicate with them?", Shepard asked. I spoke too soon. "It is complicated...they...they only exist in my mind. I don't really know how to make contact with them. I would assume they would manifest when I am alone or I'd have to take up meditation again to reach out. That seems spiritual enough", I said. "What do you mean take it up again? You meditate?", Shepard responds with a quizzical look. "In my time I did, yes. I strayed away from that when the...pressures of my life became too much. That was exactly the opposite of what I should have done though. Meditation always brought me peace but I could never concentrate long enough to ascend", I said. "Then I urge you to move back to that. One thing I am certain of Daniels...you're one of the most powerful creatures I've ever come across to this day. And I ran from a thresher maw, if that tells you anything. It stands to reason that you will need to keep a tight control over those...gifts", Shepard said. "Oh I know Shepard. When I was in battle, I was so very focused. All of it was organic to me even though I've never picked up a gun a day in my life. At least not in my other life", I say. I'm slightly amused that I actually got to say that last sentence and it literally applies. "Wait what? Daniels, you shot a Geth Destroyer on your wits and good looks?", Shepard asked incredulously. I laugh. "Of course, Shepard. Even Geth can't deny the allure of purple locs". We both laugh hard. "If what you are saying is true, I can only imagine how confusing being in space is for you now" said Shepard. "Only with the times of day...there is no sun to peer through my window and alert me of morning anymore. At least not on the Normandy. Also, traveling in space is weird. I hated flying on planes during my time so how I'm not freaking out about space turbulence is amazing", I said, matter-of-factly. Shepard nods. "Listen Shepard...I want you to know that I am here for you. Loyalty is everything to me. I don't have any ulterior motives. My only motive, and purpose it seems, is to help you stop Saren and whatever else we may face. I hope you understand and accept that", I said sincerely.

"I understand, Daniels. And I trust that you won't let me down. Just give me a heads up if your ancestors decide to offer commentary during any other missions", Shepard quips. "When they make contact with you again, let me know. Your ancestors might have more to do with this than we realize", said Shepard. "Will do, Commander. Are we nearing the Citadel? There are a few things I need to pick up...mainly clothes from this time as well as hair products", I say. "We should be there in 5 hours. Take a look around the ship if it aids in your comfort. I've assigned you a locker in the Shuttle Bay so you may store your weapons and ammo there. I'll be in my cabin doing paperwork. Good times", said Shepard with all the sarcasm she could muster. "Before you go Shepard...there is one thing I noticed about this time. The food on the Normandy is horrible! How do you guys eat that? Look when we get to the Citadel, I'm going to buy real human food. And I will cook for the entire ship once. After that, they are on their own. I refuse to eat that Huckabee that is in the mess hall so yeah, let me know when we get there", I said. I am serious about the food. Can't believe none of the food from my culture made it into space. I am only doing this cooking because the crew deserves something as a pick me up after what happened to Jenkins. Good food has never hurt anyone. Don't get it twisted. I'm not becoming the ship cook or house maid or any other equally negative stereotype about my people that one could think of. But I need sustenance and I am NOT trusting any ole body with feeding me properly. Shepard is laughing at me again. "That is fine, Daniels. You'll have to explain to me what your culture is exactly one day but now I should go", said Shepard. "Later, Shepard", I said, unlocking partial achievement "The Cool". Kaidan will think twice about that "bag 'em & tag 'em" statement.

I head to the med bay after Shepard is gone. Before I get there, I hear Kaidan calling my name. "Daniels. Daniels! You mind if we talk", he said. Actually I would mind. I'm not really looking to be friends with him. Those accusatory stares that he gave me during the mission are forever burned in my mind. And he is just way too protective of Shepard and I don't know why. Creeps me out a little, to be honest. "Sure Kaidan. What do you need?", I successfully lied. "I was just wondering how you ended up on Eden Prime with all of that arsenal. As I said before, it seemed odd for you to be there at the time of the attack", said Kaidan. Oh. Now I get it. He thinks that I'm responsible for the attack on Eden Prime in some way. This jerk is so way off base. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the coolest way to tell someone to mind their own business. "Kaidan...I'm only going to say this once. Your brain is a tunnel. One that only sees from one end of the exit to the next. You have no compartments to hold any complex information along the way. Shepard...she has compartments and lots at that. And given that I trust her and she trusts me, I have chosen to store this information of my business on Eden Prime with her and her only. Should you want to retrieve that info, I suggest you start by asking the Commander as she is holding on to it for safekeeping", I said. Now...this may have been a bit harsh but I'm noticing that my patience is starting to wear thin with this tiptoeing around the point thing he has going on. My patience is starting to wear thin period. I wonder if this is what my ancestors were warning me about too when they said I needed to learn how to be calm. I'll add that to the list of questions. I then turn to walk away and add "And I see that you've dropped your face on the floor. Have fun picking that up, mate". Ooo BURN! That was deeply satisfying. I'll deal with the consequences of that exchange later, if there are any.

Ashley has been watching said exchange and my gaze meets hers. She smiles and nods at me in what appears to be a show of solidarity. That was...unexpected but I return the nod. I finally make it in the doors of the med bay and Dr. Chakwas is waiting for me. "Okay Daniels. We'll keep this simple. You only have to lie back on this table as the LB Sensors do their job. Try not to move and if it helps, you may close your eyes", said Dr. Chakwas. "Will do", I reply. I'm ready to get this over as quickly as possible. The machine starts with a low hum and several lights cascade across my entire body. I hear an erratic beep and see Chakwas study the machine curiously. The lights continue to flicker over my body and there's that beep again. That is the most annoying sound ever. "Doc, what is that", I say annoyed. "I'll tell you in just a moment. Lie still. The process will take about 15 more minutes" she states in that motherly tone letting you know she means business. I continue to lie still and close my eyes. Then I feel overwhelmed with love again. They're here.

"Welcome back, Prodigy. All is well. We sense your gratitude at the procurement of your personal items. You are our child. We will always take care of you. Any time you wish to reach us, you must meditate. We will only intervene through your dreams, as we have now, when it is necessary. We believe it necessary to manifest ourselves before Commander Shepard so that the cohesion in place between you two won't be broken. She will come to you soon sharing this experience. We have also made clothing available to you on the Citadel. We sensed you would want your own things from this time so we have arranged a package at Harlot's Emporium . You are doing well, Prodigy. Be sure to merge meditation into your daily activities soon. It will help settle your spirit. We sensed the spike in your energy when speaking with the one you call Kaidan. You must learn to control this as you teeter on the side of your ancestors and the Reapers everyday if you do not master your emotions. We will speak with you again later, Prodigy. We are always with you even at the end. And in the end, you will be with us". Got damn I hate when they do that!

"Daniels...Daniels are you awake", I hear Chakwas say snapping me out of that "dream". "Yes I am doc. What's the status? Am I healthy as a horse or sick as a moose?", I said. "Your vitals all read well and your organs are performing at normal function. Given what you and Shepard experienced on Eden Prime, I'd say that is great news. There is one thing that came up in the physical that I was hoping maybe you could explain", she regards me seriously. Oh boy. Hope she didn't find trace amounts of herb from my past life in my system. "What is it doc? You look...spooked", I say, watching her with nervous eyes. "Well Daniels...I'd like to know how you are a biotic without any traces of element zero in your blood or body. I need the blanks filled in on that one" said Chakwas. Oh shit, ancestors. What have you done?

End Chapter 7